[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13301-13305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5265]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 990125028-1050-02]
RIN 0648-ZA54


Aquatic Nuisance Species Research and Outreach: Request for 
Proposals for FY 2001

AGENCY: National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the 
National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is entertaining 
preliminary proposals and subsequently full proposals for innovative 
research and outreach projects that address the problems of Aquatic 
Nuisance Species in U.S. coastal waters. In FY 2001 and 2002, Sea Grant 
expects to make available about $2,700,000 per year to support projects 
to prevent and/or control nonindigenous species invasions in all U.S. 
marine waters, the Great Lakes, and Lake Champlain; matching funds 
equivalent to a minimum of 50% of the Federal request must be provided. 
Successful projects will be selected through national competitions.

DATES: Preliminary proposals must be submitted before 5 pm (local time) 
on April 4, 2001. After evaluation at the National Sea Grant Office 
(NSGO), some proposers will be encouraged to prepare full proposals, 
which must be submitted before 5 pm (local time) on May 28, 2001. (See 
Addresses for where to submit preliminary and full proposals.)

ADDRESSES: Preliminary proposals and full proposals from applicants in 
Sea Grant states must be submitted through the state Sea Grant Program. 
Preliminary proposals and full proposals from applicants outside Sea 
Grant states may be submitted either through the nearest Sea Grant 
Program or directly to the Program Manager at the National Sea Grant 
Office. The addresses of the Sea Grant College Program directors may be 
found on Sea Grant's home page (www.nsgo.seagrant.org/SGDirectors.html) 
or may also be obtained by contacting the Program Manager at the 
National Sea Grant Office (see below).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leon M. Cammen, Aquatic Nuisance 
Species Coordinator, National Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or Mary Robinson, 
Secretary, National Sea Grant Office, 301-713-2435; facsimile 301-713-
0799.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Program Authority

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1121-1131.

    Catalog of Federal Assistance Number: 11.417, Sea Grant Support.

II. Program Description

Background

    Nonindigenous species introductions are increasing in frequency and 
causing substantial damage to the Nation's environment and economy. 
Although the most prominent of these has been the zebra mussel, many 
other nonindigenous species have been introduced and have truly become 
a nationwide problem that threatens many aquatic ecosystems. While some 
intentional introductions may have had beneficial effects, there are 
many other nonindigenous species already present in U.S. waters, or 
with the potential to invade, that may cause significant damage to 
coastal resources and the economies that depend upon them. In response, 
the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 
(16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.) established a framework for the Nation to 
address the problems of aquatic nuisance species invasions of coastal 
and Great Lakes ecosystems.
    Although problems such as the zebra mussel and the sea lamprey 
within the Great Lakes have received the most attention, invasions of 
nonindigenous species in coastal marine environments are an increasing 
and serious threat. The National Invasive Species Act of 1996 (16 
U.S.C. 4711-4714) recognized this by calling for Federal funding to 
support aquatic nuisance species prevention and control along the 
Nation's marine coast.

Funding Availability and Priorities

    The National Sea Grant College Program encourages proposals that 
address the following program area: ``Research and Outreach to Prevent 
and Control Aquatic Nuisance Species Invasions.''
    An interagency Ad Hoc Committee on Exotic Species in the Great 
Lakes has prepared a report entitled, ``Coordinated Program of Research 
for Exotic Species in the Great Lakes.'' Although targeted for the 
Great Lakes, the report provides a useful framework for research and 
outreach on any nonindigenous species problems and is therefore being 
used to structure this more general request for proposals covering U.S. 
marine waters, the Great Lakes, and Lake Champlain. Research and 
outreach proposals are requested that address one or more of the 
following program areas:
    (a) Biology and Life History: Basic biological research into 
population dynamics, genetics, physiology, behavior, and parasites and 
diseases of nonindigenous species with the potential to lead to the 
development of ecologically safe, effective, and inexpensive control. 
Research on the ecological and environmental tolerances of 
nonindigenous species with the potential for prediction of eventual 
geographic and ecological impacts.
    (b) Effects on Ecosystems: Research on the impacts of nonindigenous 
species at each stage of their life history with the potential for 
helping natural resource managers determine how to minimize the impacts 
on established biota and their habitats.
    (c) Socio-Economic Analysis: Costs and Benefits: Research on the 
potential impacts of nonindigenous species on human health in terms of 
spread of disease, concentration of pollutants, and contamination or 
purification of drinking water sources. Economic impact on sport, 
commercial and tribal fisheries, the recreation and tourism industry, 
the shipping and navigation industry, and municipal and industrial 
water users. Use of research results to provide a scientific basis for 
developing sound policy and environmental law, and for public education 
and technology transfer.
    (d) Control and Mitigation: Research into various types of 
control--engineering (redesigning water intakes, etc.), physical 
(scraping, filtering, etc.), chemical (biocides, antifoulants, etc.), 
biological (parasites, predators, etc.), and physicochemical (heat, 
salinity, pH, etc.)--to develop selective, effective controls that 
minimize adverse ecological/environmental impacts. Outreach activities 
that will transfer

[[Page 13302]]

these technologies to the appropriate users.
    (e) Preventing New Introductions: Research and outreach into 
identifying vectors of introduction, developing cost-effective, 
realistic methods of prevention, and transferring the information to 
appropriate users. In particular, research to develop workable and 
effective methods to eliminate ballast water discharge as a source of 
nonindigenous species introductions without imposing undue hardships on 
the shipping industry.
    (f) Reducing the Spread of Established Populations: Research and 
outreach to identify mechanisms for further dispersal of individual 
established species that will lead to the development of safeguards and 
protocols to prevent and/or slow the spread of nonindigenous species to 
uninfested areas, and transfer of that information to appropriate 
users.
    (g) Ballast Water Pathogens and Public Health: Research to assess 
the public health risks posed by pathogens released in ballast waters 
discharges in U.S. ports.
    Potential investigators are encouraged to review the list of recent 
and currently funded Sea Grant projects related to Aquatic Nuisance 
Species that is available on Sea Grant's Aquatic Nuisance Species web 
page (www.nsgo.seagrant.org/research/nonindigenous/index.html). In 
addition, regional priorities that were developed by the Great Lakes, 
Western, and Gulf of Mexico Regional Panels on Aquatic Nuisance Species 
are also available on the same web page and provide valuable guidance 
on the major issues within each of those coastal regions.
    About $2,7000,000 is available from the National Sea Grant College 
Program to support these projects in FY 2001; an additional $2,700,000 
may be available in FY 2002 depending on the overall funding 
appropriation for the National Sea Grant College Program. Of this 
amount, 70% of the funds will be made available to support research 
projects and 30% for outreach activities. Any two-year awards that are 
funded annually must have scopes of work that can be easily separated 
into annual increments of meaningful work that represent solid 
accomplishments if prospective funding is not made available to the 
applicant (i.e., the scopes of work for each funding period must 
produce identifiable and meaningful results in and of themselves); the 
second year of funding is contingent upon availability of funds and 
submission of an annual report showing satisfactory progress. Projects 
selected for funding will be limited to $150,000 of federal 
contributions per year and each proposal must include additional 
matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the Federal funds 
requested; for example, a proposal requesting a total of $200,000 in 
Federal support for two years would have to include at least an 
additional $100,000 in matching funds.

III. Eligibility

    Proposals may be submitted by individuals; public or private 
corporations, partnerships, or other associations or entities 
(including institutions of higher education, institutes, or non-Federal 
laboratories), or any State, political subdivision of a State, or 
agency or officer thereof.

IV. Evaluation Criteria

    The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted in response to this 
Announcement are:
    (1) Impact of Proposed Project (65%): The effect this activity will 
have on reducing the impact of invasive species on the environment and/
or the economy, or the need for this activity as a necessary step 
toward such a reduction in impact; and the degree to which partners and 
potential users of the results of the proposed activity have been 
involved in planning the activity and will be involved in the execution 
of the activity as appropriate.
    (2) Scientific or Professional Merit (35%): Degree to which the 
activity will advance the state of the science or discipline through 
synthesis of existing information and use and extension of cutting edge 
as well as state-of-the-art methods; degree to which new approaches to 
solving problems and exploiting opportunities in resource management or 
development, or in public outreach on such issues will be employed; 
degree to which investigators are qualified by education, training and/
or experience to execute the proposed activity; and record of 
achievement with previous funding.

V. Selection Procedures

    Preliminary proposals will be reviewed at the NSGO by a panel 
composed of government, academic, and industry experts. The panel will 
be asked to assess each preliminary proposal according to the 
evaluation criteria listed above. The panel will make individual 
recommendations to the Director of the NSGO regarding which preliminary 
proposals may be suitable for further consideration. On the basis of 
the panel's recommendations, the Director of the NSGO will advise 
proposers whether or not the submission of full proposals is 
encouraged. Invitation to submit a full proposal does not constitute an 
indication that the proposal will be funded. Interested parties who are 
not invited to submit full proposals will not be precluded from 
submitting full proposals if they have submitted a preliminary proposal 
in accordance with the procedures described below.
    Individual state Sea Grant programs receiving proposals will 
conduct the mail peer review of the proposed projects in accordance 
with the Evaluation Criteria listed above. Complete proposals and 
copies of the mail reviews will then be sent by the state Sea Grant 
programs to the National Sea Grant Office. The National Sea Grant 
Office will conduct mail reviews for proposals submitted directly to it 
by applicants not in Sea Grant states. The proposals will be ranked in 
accordance with the assigned weights of the above evaluation criteria 
by an independent peer review panel consisting of government, academic, 
and industry experts. These panel members will provide individual 
evaluations on each proposal; thus there will be no consensus advice. 
Their recommendations and evaluations will be considered by the 
National Sea Grant Office in the final selection. Only those proposals 
awarded a score of 50% or greater by the panel will be eligible for 
funding. For those proposals, the National Sea Grant Office will: (a) 
Ascertain which proposals best meet the program priorities (stated in 
Section II), and do not substantially duplicate other projects that are 
currently funded or are approved for funding by NOAA and other federal 
agencies, hence, awards may not necessarily be made to the highest-
scored proposals; (b) select the proposals to be funded; (c) determine 
which components of the selected projects will be funded; (d) determine 
the total duration of funding for each proposal; and (e) determine the 
amount of funds available for each proposal. Investigators may be asked 
to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets prior to final approval of 
the award. Subsequent grant administration procedures will be in 
accordance with current NOAA grants procedures. A summary statement of 
the scientific review by the peer panel will be provided to each 
applicant.

VI. Instructions For Application

Timetable

    April 4, 2001, 5 pm (local time)--Preliminary proposals due at 
state Sea Grant Program, or at NSGO if application is being submitted 
by a non Sea Grant College Program.

[[Page 13303]]

    April 9, 2001, 5 pm (EST)--Preliminary proposals received at state 
Sea Grant Programs due at NSGO.
    May 28, 2001, 5 pm (local time)--Full proposals due at state Sea 
Grant Program, or at NSGO if application is being submitted by a non 
Sea Grant College Program.
    May 31, 2001, 5 pm (EST)--Full proposals received at state Sea 
Grant Programs due at NSGO.
    October 1, 2001 (approximate)--Funds awarded to selected 
recipients; projects begin.

General Guidelines

    Interested parties must submit applications (preliminary or full 
proposals) as follows. Applications originating in a Sea Grant state 
must be submitted to that state's Sea Grant Program, who will submit 
the final grant application to the National Sea Grant Office. 
Applications originating in a state with no Sea Grant Program may be 
submitted to the nearest state Sea Grant Program who will then submit 
the final grant application to the National Sea Grant Office, or the 
application may be submitted directly to the National Sea Grant Office. 
Applications may be made for a grant to support up to two-thirds of the 
total budget. Projects can be for a maximum of two years' duration. 
Awards will not exceed $150,000 of Federal funds per year. Allocation 
of matching funds, equal to at least half the federal request, must be 
specified in the budget; failure to provide adequate matching funds 
will result in the proposal being rejected without review.
    The ideal proposal attacks a well-defined problem that is, or will 
be, a significant societal issue. The organization or people whose task 
it will be to make related decisions, or who will be able to make 
specific use of the projects results, have been identified and 
contacted by the Principal Investigator(s). The project demonstrates an 
understanding of what constitutes necessary and sufficient information 
for responsible decision-making or for applied use, and shows how that 
information will be provided by the proposed activity, or in concert 
with other planned activities.
    Research projects are expected to have: a rigorous, hypothesis-
based scientific work plan, or a well-defined, logical approach to 
address an engineering problem; a strong rationale for the proposed 
research; and a clear and established relationship with the ultimate 
users of the information. Research undertaken jointly with industry, 
business, or other agencies with interest in the problem will be seen 
as being meritorious. Their contribution to the research may be in the 
form of collaboration, in-kind services, or dollar support. Projects 
that are solely monitoring efforts are not appropriate for funding.

What To Submit

Preliminary Proposal Guidelines

    To prevent the expenditure of effort that may not be successful, 
proposers must first submit preliminary proposals. Preliminary 
proposals must be single- or double-spaced, typewritten in at least a 
10-point font, and printed on metric A4 (210 mm  x  297 mm) or 8 \1/2\" 
 x  11" paper. The following information should be included:
    (1) Signed Title Page: The title page should be signed by the 
Principal Investigator and should clearly identify the program area 
being addressed by starting the project title with ``Aquatic Nuisance 
Species.'' Principal Investigators and collaborators should be 
identified by affiliation and contact information. The total amount of 
Federal funds and matching funds being requested should be listed, as 
well as the source of the matching funds. Preliminary proposals must 
include matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the Federal funds 
requested.
    (2) A concise (2-page limit) description of the project that 
addresses the following questions: What technology will be developed? 
How is it important to the nation? What fundamental work has been done 
that allows advancement of this technology to a more applied level? 
What are the anticipated economic benefits? Proposers should consult 
the Evaluation Criteria for additional guidance in preparing the 
preliminary proposals.
    (3) Resumes (1-page limit) of the Principal Investigators.
    (4) Proposers are encouraged (but not required) to include a 
separate page suggesting reviewers that the proposers believe are 
especially well-qualified to review the proposal. Proposers may also 
designate persons they would prefer not review the proposal, indicating 
why. These suggestions will be considered during the review process.
    The original and two copies of the preliminary proposals must be 
submitted to the nearest state Sea Grant Program Director or to the 
NSGO Program Manager (as explained in ``General Guidelines'') before 5 
pm (local time) on April 2, 2001. Preliminary proposals received at the 
state Sea Grant Program offices must be forwarded by the Sea Grant 
Programs, along with a cover letter, to Dr. Leo Cammen, Program 
Manager, at the address given above (For Further Information Contact) 
so as to reach the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) on or before 5 pm 
on April 6, 2001. No institutional signatures or federal government 
forms are needed while submitting preliminary proposals.

Full Proposal Guidelines

    All pages should be single- or double-spaced, typewritten in at 
least a 10-point font, and printed on metric A4 (210 mm  x  297 mm) or 
8\1/2\" x 11" paper. Each full proposal should include the items listed 
below. Brevity will assist reviewers and program staff in dealing 
effectively with proposals. Therefore, the Project Description may not 
exceed 15 pages. Tables and visual materials, including charts, graphs, 
maps, photographs and other pictorial presentations are included in the 
15-page limitation; literature citations are not included in the 15-
page limitation. Conformance to the 15-page limitation will be strictly 
enforced. All information needed for review of the proposal should be 
included in the main text; no appendices are permitted.
    (1) Signed Title Page: The title page should be signed by the 
Principal Investigator and the institutional representative and should 
clearly identify the program area being addressed by starting the 
project title with ``Aquatic Nuisance Species.'' The Principal 
Investigator and institutional representative should be identified by 
full name, title, organization, telephone number and address. The total 
amount of Federal funds being requested should be listed for each 
budget period.
    (2) Project Summary: This information is very important. Prior to 
attending the peer review panel meetings, some of the panelists may 
read only the project summary. Therefore, it is critical that the 
project summary accurately describe the research being proposed and 
convey all essential elements of the research. The project summary 
should include: 1. Title: Use the exact title as it appears in the rest 
of the application. 2. Investigators: List the names and affiliations 
of each investigator who will significantly contribute to the project. 
Start with the Principal Investigator. 3. Funding request for each year 
of the project, including matching funds if appropriate. 4. Project 
Period: Start and completion dates. Proposals should request a start 
date of October 1, 2001, or later. 5. Project Summary: This should 
include the rationale for the project, the scientific or technical 
objectives and/or hypotheses to be tested, and a brief summary of work 
to be completed.
    (3) Project Description (15-page limit):

[[Page 13304]]

    (a) Introduction/Background/Justification: Subjects that the 
investigator(s) may wish to include in this section are: (i) current 
state of knowledge; (ii) contributions that the study will make to the 
particular discipline or subject area; and (iii) contributions the 
study will make toward addressing the problem of nonindigenous species.
    (b) Research or Technical Plan: (i) Objectives to be achieved, 
hypotheses to be tested; (ii) Plan of work--discuss how stated project 
objectives will be achieved; and (iii) Role of project personnel.
    (c) Output: Describe the project outputs that will enhance the 
Nation's ability to manage and control nonindigenous species impacts.
    (d) Coordination with other Program Elements: Describe any 
coordination with other agency programs or ongoing research efforts. 
Describe any other proposals that are essential to the success of this 
proposal.
    (e) Literature Cited: Should be included here, but does not count 
against the 15-page limit.
    (4) Budget and Budget Justification: There should be a separate 
budget for each year of the project as well as a cumulative annual 
budget for the entire project. Applicants are encouraged to use the Sea 
Grant Budget Form 90-4, but may use their own form as long as it 
provides the same information as the Sea Grant form. Subcontracts 
should have a separate budget page. Matching funds must be indicated; 
failure to provide required matching funds will result in the proposal 
being rejected without review. Applicants should provide justification 
for all budget items in sufficient detail to enable the reviewers to 
evaluate the appropriateness of the funding requested. For all 
applications, regardless of any approved indirect cost rate applicable 
to the award, the maximum dollar amount of allocable indirect costs for 
which the Department of Commerce will reimburse the Recipient shall be 
the lesser of: (a) The Federal share of the total allocable indirect 
costs of the award based on the negotiated rate with the cognizant 
Federal agency as established by audit or negotiation; or (b) The line 
item amount for the Federal share of indirect costs contained in the 
approved budget of the award.
    (5) Current and Pending Support: Applicants must provide 
information on all current and pending Federal support for ongoing 
projects and proposals, including subsequent funding in the case of 
continuing grants. The proposed project and all other projects or 
activities using Federal assistance and requiring a portion of time of 
the principal investigator or other senior personnel should be 
included. The relationship between the proposed project and these other 
projects should be described, and the number of person-months per year 
to be devoted to the projects must be stated.
    (6) Vitae (2 pages maximum per investigator)
    (7) Research Protocol (if appropriate): Research activities funded 
under this program must not accelerate the spread of nonindigenous 
species to non-infested watersheds. Therefore, investigators whose 
laboratories or research study sites are in currently uninfested areas 
must develop procedures for handling the particular nonindigenous 
species that will prevent its release into the environment. As part of 
the plan of action, the investigator must detail how the proposed work 
will be accomplished while safeguarding the environment, and the 
research protocol will be reviewed by an interagency committee created 
under the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 
1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.). Guidelines for developing suitable 
protocols are available through the World Wide Web 
(www.nsgo.seagrant.org/research/nonindigenous/RFP01.html) or from Dr. 
Leon Cammen at the National Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2435 x136 
or e-mail: [email protected]). Proposals lacking a suitable protocol 
will not be eligible for funding.
    (8) Standard Application Forms: Applicants may obtain all required 
application forms through the World Wide Web at www.nsgo.seagrant.org/research/rfp/index.html#3, from the state Sea Grant Programs or from 
Dr. Leon Cammen at the National Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2435 
x136 or e-mail: [email protected]). The following forms must be 
included:
    (a) Standard Forms 424, Application for Federal Assistance and 
424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs, (Rev 4-88). Applications 
should clearly identify the program area being addressed by starting 
the project title with either as appropriate. Please note that both the 
Principal Investigator and an administrative contact should be 
identified in Section 5 of the SF424. For Section 10, applicants should 
enter ``11.417'' for the CFDA Number and ``Sea Grant Support'' for the 
title. The form must contain the original signature of an authorized 
representative of the applying institution.
    (b) Primary Applicant Certifications. All primary applicants must 
submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby 
provided:
    (i) Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective 
participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, Section 105) are subject to 
15 CFR part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the 
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    (ii) Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, Subpart F, ``Government 
wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related 
section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    (iii) Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal 
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids 
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than 
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000; and
    (iv) Anti-Lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant that has paid or will 
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, Appendix B.
    (c) Lower Tier Certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier 
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if 
applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier 
Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the 
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to the Department of 
Commerce (DOC). SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient 
should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the instructions 
contained in the award document.

VII. How To Submit

    Preliminary proposals and proposals must be submitted to the state 
Sea Grant Programs or to the NSGO according to the schedule outlined 
above (see Addresses and ``Timetable''). Although investigators are not 
required to submit more than the original and two copies

[[Page 13305]]

of either preproposals or full proposals, the normal review process 
requires ten copies. Investigtors are encouraged to submit sufficient 
copies for the full review process if they wish all reviewers to 
receive color, unusually sized (not 8.5 x 11"), or otherwise unusual 
materials submitted as part of the proposal. Only the original and two 
copies of the Federally required forms are needed. The addresses of the 
Sea Grant College Program directors may be found on Sea Grant's World 
Wide Web home page (www.nsgo.seagrant.org/SGDirectors.html) or may also 
be obtained by contacting the Program Manager, Dr. Leon M. Cammen, at 
the National Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2435 x 136 or e-mail: 
[email protected]). Preproposals and proposals sent to the National 
Sea Grant Office should be addressed to: National Sea Grant office, R/
SG, Attn: Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator, NOAA, Room 11841, 1315 
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (phone 301-713-2435 for 
express mail applications).
    Applications received after the deadline and applications that 
deviate from the format described above will be returned to the sender 
without review. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission 
of full proposals will not be accepted.

VIII. Other Requirements

    (A) Federal Policies and Procedures--Recipients and subrecipients 
are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and Department of Commerce 
(DOC) policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal 
financial assistance awards.
    (B) Past Performance--Unsatisfactory performance under prior 
Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for 
funding.
    (C) Preaward Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to an 
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal or written 
assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the 
part of DOC to cover preaward costs.
    (D) No Obligation for Future Funding--If an application is selected 
for funding, DOC has no obligation to provide any additional future 
funding in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase 
funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion 
of DOC.
    (E) Delinquent Federal Debts--No award of Federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt 
until either:
    (1) The delinquent account is paid in full.
    (2) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment is received, or
    (3) Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC are made.
    (F) Name Check Review--All non-profit and for-profit applicants are 
subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to 
reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been 
convicted of or are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, 
theft, perjury, or other matters which significantly reflect on the 
applicant's management honesty or financial integrity.
    (G) False Statements--A false statement on an application is 
grounds for denial or termination of funds and grounds for possible 
punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    (H) Intergovernmental Review--Applications for support from the 
National Sea Grant College Program are not subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
    (I) Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products--Applicants 
are hereby notified that they will be encouraged to the greatest extent 
practicable, to purchase American-made equipment and products with 
funding provided under this program.

Classification

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not 
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this 
notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Therefore, a 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for purposes of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866.
    This notice contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Sea Grant Project Summary Form and 
the Sea Grant Budget Form have been approved under Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) Control Number 0648-0362, with estimated times per 
response of 20 and 15 minutes respectively. The use of Standard Forms 
424, 424B, and SF-LLL have been approved by OMB under the respective 
control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0040, and 0348-0046. The response time 
estimates above include the time for reviewing instructions, searching 
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments 
on these estimates or any other aspect of these collections to National 
Sea Grant Office/NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 
and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of 
Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk 
Officer). Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

    Dated: February 28, 2001.
Louisa Koch,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-5265 Filed 3-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-M