[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17526-17530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8017]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 010327081-1081-01]


Financial Assistance To Establish New Cooperative Science Centers 
Under NOAA's Educational Partnership Program With Minority Serving 
Institutions in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Environmental Sciences and 
Remote Sensing at Minority Serving Institutions

AGENCY: Office of Finance and Administration (OFA), National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of criteria for establishing Cooperative Science Centers 
in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Environmental Sciences and Remote Sensing 
at Minority Serving Institutions; and notice of availability of funds 
and solicitation for proposals for these funds.

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SUMMARY: NOAA announces the availability of funds, through a 
competitive process, to establish new Cooperative Science Centers at 
accredited post secondary minority serving institutions. These Centers 
will be established as partnerships between the institution(s) and 
NOAA, with the goal of expanding the institution's training and 
research capabilities and supporting the development of programs 
compatible with NOAA's mission. The Cooperative Centers will be 
established in the NOAA core science areas in atmospheric, oceanic and 
environmental sciences (AOES) and remote sensing.
    The Centers will support activities that strengthen the research 
capability of minority serving institutions with accredited graduate 
programs and graduate degrees in AOES and related sciences. An 
essential goal of this program is to seek ways to improve opportunities 
for, and retention of, students and faculty from underrepresented 
groups in the NOAA related sciences, at MSIs, with the eventual goal of 
increasing the number of students graduating in AOES and related 
sciences. The overall program strategies include enhanced collaborative 
research opportunities and experiences for the faculty and students 
with NOAA research facilities, strengthening the infrastructure at 
minority serving institutions that serve underrepresented groups, and 
supporting staff exchanges between NOAA and MSIs.
    A Distinguished Professorship will be created at each of the 
Science Centers. These professors will be required to develop 
significant research projects for their respective Centers with other 
professors and students. Staff and faculty exchanges will also be 
available as part of this program, and opportunities will be made 
available to participate in collaborative research or other agreed upon 
activities. Where appropriate, NOAA staff may be utilized to teach 
courses, develop curricula or conduct joint research.
    NOAA expects the Centers to develop mechanisms and approaches to 
increase opportunities to make courses and seminars offered at the 
Centers available to students at other MSIs. Centers will also be 
required to utilize a minimum of twenty five percent (25%) of the award 
for student support, which includes, but is not limited to, 
scholarships, fellowships, travel expenses to professional meetings and 
for conducting site research. While the

[[Page 17527]]

Centers will be established at MSIs, consortia with non-minority 
serving institutions will not be restricted.

DATES: Applications must be received by NOAA OFA no later than 4 p.m., 
Eastern Daylight Savings Time on May 31, 2001. No facsimile or 
electronic mail applications will be accepted. Institutions may submit 
Letters of Intent to NOAA/OFA that would aid in planning the review 
processes. Potential PIs are asked to submit Letters of Intent 30 days 
after publication of this Federal Register Notice. Letters of Intent 
can be submitted via E-Mail to [email protected]. 
Information should include a general description of the Center proposal 
and participating institutions.

ADDRESSES: Send the original and two copies of the application to: 
Jacqueline J. Rousseau, Acting Program Manager, Office of Finance and 
Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1305 
East-West Highway, SSMCIV Room 4162, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Rousseau at (301) 713-0325.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Authorities

    15 U.S.C. 1540, 49 U.S.C. 44720, 33 U.S.C. 883d, 33 U.S.C. 1442, 16 
U.S.C. 1854(e), 16 U.S.C. 661, 16 U.S.C. 753(a), 16 U.S.C. 1451 et 
seq., 16 U.S.C. 1431, 33 U.S.C. 883a and Executive Orders 12876, 12900 
and 13021.

II. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    This program is described in the ``Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance'' under program number 11.481--Education Partnership Program 
with Minority Serving Institutions.

III. Program Description

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) 
mission is to describe and predict changes in the Earth's environment, 
and conserve and manage wisely the Nation's coastal and marine 
resources to ensure sustainable economic opportunities. NOAA envisions 
a 21st century in which environmental stewardship, monitoring, 
assessment and prediction serve as keystones to enhancing economic 
prosperity and quality of life, better protecting lives and property, 
and strengthening the U.S. balance of trade. This vision depends on 
actions now that:
    1. Create and disseminate reliable assessments and predictions of 
weather, climate, space environment, ocean and living marine resources, 
nautical, and geodetic phenomena and systems;
    2. Implement integrated approaches to environmental management and 
ocean and coastal resources development for economic and social health;
    3. Ensure continuous operational observing capabilities--from 
satellites to ships to radars;
    4. Build and use new information networks;
    5. Develop public-private and international partnerships for the 
expansion and transfer of environmental knowledge and technologies;
    6. Invest in scientific research and the development of new 
technologies to improve current operations and prepare for the future; 
and,
    7. Improve NOAA's abilities to serve its customers and forge 
stronger ties with its partners and stakeholders.
    Institutions will have an opportunity to compete for an award to 
establish a Center based on specific criteria outlined below.

Specific Criteria for AOES and Remote Sensing Cooperative Science 
Centers

    Atmosphere Cooperative Science Center: The Cooperative Science 
Center for Atmosphere should address the ability to conduct 
collaborative research in numerical weather prediction, data 
assimilation, climate modeling, climate analysis and prediction, and 
studies that lead to improvements in warning and forecast operations. 
Atmospheric Center graduates should meet the National Weather Service's 
course requirements for meteorologists which include:
    (1) Twenty four (24) semester hours in meteorology including six 
semester hours in weather analysis and prediction of weather systems 
(synoptic/mesoscale); six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and 
thermodynamics; three semester hours of physical meteorology; and two 
semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or 
instrumentation;
    (2) Six semester hours of physics with at least one course that 
includes laboratory sessions;
    (3) Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations; and,
    (4) Nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical 
science major in any combination of three or more of the following: 
Physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, 
physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced 
thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, 
computer science. There is a prerequisite or co-requisite of calculus 
for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, 
and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a 
physical science major. The Center's proposal should address how its 
graduates will meet these course requirements.
    Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (Ocean 
Cooperative Science Center) Living Marine Resources (LMR) Cooperative 
Science Center proposals should address the ability to support 
education and research in Marine Science including an emphasis on the 
following: Biological assessments; stock assessment; marine chemical 
assessments; habitat quality, coastal ecology--including ecosystem 
monitoring; remote sensing and GIS mapping; biodiversity; essential 
fish habitat; fishery economics; fishery-related social sciences and 
fishery biology, to include reproduction and food habitats; systematics 
and taxonomy; biotechnology; aquaculture; and enhancement.
    Graduates must be able to carry out a variety of tasks including: 
predicting population trends of LMR; developing harvest strategies that 
maintain sustainable yields of renewable resources; analyzing the 
social and economic impacts of various management decisions on 
communities by decisions related to LMR; in addition to designing and 
carrying out projects for LMR.
    Environment Cooperative Science Center: Coastal Environmental 
Cooperative Science Center proposals should address the ability to 
respond to coastal and ocean threats, restore damaged areas, manage 
coastal and ocean resources and support maritime commerce. Key areas of 
focus could include:
    1. Supporting navigation of ships and boats in and out of ports and 
along our coasts in ways that are safe for both humans and the 
environment;
    2. Understanding, predicting, assessing, managing, and 
communicating the impacts of human and natural stresses on coastal 
ocean ecosystems, including impacts from climate change, pollution, 
land and resource use, invasive species, and extreme natural events; 
and,
    3. Developing the natural, social, and economic bases for 
integrated coastal and ocean management.
    Remote Sensing Cooperative Science Center: This Center will have 
particular emphasis in environmental satellite-related research 
activities directed toward helping to sustain healthy coasts, to build 
sustainable fisheries, to recover protected species, to provide 
improved environmental forecasts or analyses, and to prepare for future

[[Page 17528]]

NOAA operational environmental satellite missions. The Center will be 
expected to:
    1. Provide an organizational setting to promote and establish 
programs and related research relating to remote sensing by drawing 
upon multiple disciplines and involving collaboration with multiple 
performing and research-sponsoring partners;
    2. Serve as a model for outreach, input, and collaboration that 
help ensure that research can be applied to solving priority NOAA 
remote sensing, current satellite system optimization, and future 
satellite system development and planning;
    3. Expand research in remote sensing, satellite data management, 
and user access technologies; and,
    4. Support multi-disciplinary research projects aimed at NOAA's 
remote sensing mission responsibilities, to include: (a) Passive 
radiometric remote sensing; (b) Passive multi-spectral remote sensing; 
(c) High spectral resolution (hyperspectral) remote sensing; (d) Active 
and passive microwave remote sensing; (e) Satellite sensor development 
and demonstration in the categories above; (f) technologies relating to 
satellite data acquisition, data distribution, mission operations, and 
mission planning; and, (g) Technologies relating to improved user data 
access and data management. Through such multi-disciplinary research, 
explore new approaches to enhance the use of present and future 
environmental satellites to meet the rapidly changing environmental 
needs of the Nation.

Rationale

    NOAA has made a commitment to the recruitment and retention of 
minority employees, trained in NOAA related sciences, to conduct the 
ongoing mission of the agency. In an attempt to fulfill this 
commitment, the agency established a program aimed at partnering with 
Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) that train and graduate students 
in the areas of atmospheric, oceanic and environmental sciences and 
remote sensing. Since approximately 40% of minority students receive 
their undergraduate degrees at MSIs, direct collaboration with MSIs, 
therefore, is an effective way to increase the number of minority 
students trained and graduating with degrees in NOAA-related fields who 
may become engaged in research and select careers compatible with the 
agency's mission.
    Statistics from the National Science Foundation Science and 
Engineering Indicators 2000 Report illustrate that the number of 
minority students receiving Doctoral and Master's degrees in science 
and engineering for selected years from 1977-1997, continues to be 
lower than the national average. The NSF report states, for example, 
that in 1997 (the most recent data available) there were approximately 
18,000 doctoral degrees granted in science and engineering (which 
includes earth atmosphere and ocean sciences) to U.S. citizens and 
permanent residents. Of those graduates, 607 degrees were granted to 
African Americans, 645 to Hispanics and 71 to American Indians and 
Alaska Natives. Statistics for master's degrees granted to these three 
groups are also disproportionately low. With such a limited pool of 
potential minority employees trained in NOAA related sciences, it is 
important that NOAA seek new ways to make students aware of the mission 
of the agency and to support activities that increase opportunities for 
students trained in NOAA related sciences.
    NOAA anticipates that as the program succeeds and more minority 
students graduate in NOAA related sciences, the agency will have a 
larger pool of candidates from which to hire. An increase in the number 
of students trained and graduating in science and engineering will be 
beneficial to the nation at large, because NOAA relies on its 
partnerships with state, local and tribal governments as well as 
community interest groups to accomplish its mission.

IV. Funding Availability

    This solicitation announces that funding up to $10 million will be 
available in FY 2001, with a maximum of $2.5 million per year, per 
Center. Applications in excess of $2.5 million per year per Center will 
not be considered.

V. Matching Requirements

    The program has no matching requirements.

VI. Types of Funding Instruments

    The cooperative agreement will be the funding instrument. NOAA will 
be substantially involved in the development of research priorities, 
conducting cooperative activities with recipients, exchanging staff and 
providing internship opportunities for students at MSIs.

VII. Eligibility Criteria

    For the purposes of this program, Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges and 
Universities, as identified on the 2001 United States Department of 
Education, Accredited Post-Secondary Minority Institutions list at 
http://www.ed.gov/ocr/minorityinst.pdf, are eligible to apply.

VIII. Award Period

    Proposals may be submitted requesting funding for up to three 
years.

IX. Indirect Costs

    The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed must be the 
lesser of 25% of the total proposed direct costs or the amount that 
would be authorized as a result of applying the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award. If the applicant does not have a 
current negotiated rate and plans to seek reimbursement for indirect 
costs, documentation necessary to establish a rate must be submitted 
within 90 days of receiving an award.

X. Applications Forms & Grant Proposal Requirements

    Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation must be 
complete and submitted in accordance with instructions in the standard 
NOAA Grants Application package. The applicant must include the 
following:
     Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance.
     SF424A Budget Information Non-Construction Programs and 
budget justification narrative; SF424B Assurances Non-Construction 
Programs.
     CD-511 Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and 
Other Responsibility Matters, Drug Free Workplace Requirements, and 
Lobbying.
     SF-LLL  Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable.
     Narrative project description (Statement of Work). Budgets 
must also include a detailed breakdown by category of cost estimates as 
they relate to specific aspects of the project, with appropriate 
justification for the Federal share.

Proposal Requirements

    Each proposal must include the items listed below.
    1. All pages must be double-spaced, typewritten and should not 
exceed 20 pages. All information needed for review of the proposal 
should be included in the main text.
    2. Proposals must include a Title page and Executive Summary.--The 
title page should identify the Center being applied for, the lead 
Principal Investigator's (PI) name, Partner name(s) (if any) and their 
respective affiliations, complete addresses, telephone, FAX, and e-mail 
information. The title page

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will also provide the total proposed cost and the proposed budget 
period. The title page should be signed by the PI(s) and the 
institutional representative of the PI's organization. The title page 
should be followed by a one-page Executive Summary that summarizes the 
salient components of the Center.
    3. Proposals from multiple applicants must clearly identify the 
institution having primary responsibility for administering the award 
in addition to individual Letters of Participation signed by each 
participant. Letters should briefly summarize the role of the 
partnering institution(s), a budget and principal point of contact at 
the respective institution(s).
    4. Proposals must include a Vitae of the PI and Principal Point of 
Contact for multi-institutional applications. (2 pages maximum per 
investigator)
    5. Applications must contain a three-year Program Development Plan.

XI. Evaluation Criteria (With Weights)

    Applications will be subject to a peer review by a panel of 
scientists who are specialists in AOES and remote sensing, and 
administrators familiar with the goals of the NOAA EPPMSI Programs. 
Proposal will be scored based on scientific and technical merit and 
each application will be evaluated individually against the following 
criteria. Applications or sub-recipients that do not allocate 25% of 
the total direct cost for student support which includes, but is not 
limited to, scholarships, fellowships, travel expenses to professional 
meetings and for conducting site will be returned to the applicant 
without review. Factors to be considered include:

1. Build infrastructure (Administrative Core)--40 Points

    a. Organizational Infrastructure: Does the applicant demonstrate a 
multi-disciplinary approach to achieve the mission? Will the approach 
lead to capacity building at the institution(s) and to the development 
of a body of knowledge that can yield results beyond what can be 
accomplished with individual projects alone? Will the MSI attract 
established investigators or partners and develop genuine collaboration 
among investigators with a diverse areas of expertise, including 
individuals from underrepresented groups in the NOAA sciences? Does the 
institution, or group of institutions, have an accredited graduate 
program in the core sciences and adjacent disciplines that are required 
for the designation of a Cooperative Science Center?
    b. Environment: Does the scientific, technical and administrative 
environment of the proposed Center contribute to excellence and the 
probability of success? Does the proposed Center take advantage of its 
scientific and administrative environments or employ useful 
collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of a high level of 
Institutional commitment and support? Does the Center Director 
(Principal Investigator) have specific authority and responsibility to 
lead the Center? Is the Center Director located organizationally at a 
level to garner the support needed for the Center (i.e., reports to an 
appropriate institutional official)? Is the time and effort indicated 
for the Center Director and other supporting staff adequate to 
demonstrate full support for the Center?
    c. Collaboration: What is the applicant's ability to build 
coalitions and partnerships with critical organizations and individuals 
(such as distinguished scientists as well as potential researchers in 
training, universities, colleges, research institutions, Federal, state 
and local partners, and other public and private nonprofit 
organizations) and to facilitate collaboration and coordination to 
assure the accomplishment of the Center's goals? How does the proposal 
advance the potential of the collaborative institutions to expand their 
degree offerings relative to the NOAA mission? Does the proposed Center 
allow for meaningful collaboration with any of NOAA's principal centers 
of research? How does this proposal demonstrate a workable partnership 
between the institution(s) and NOAA, whereby it expands the 
institution's training and research capabilities and is consistent with 
NOAA's mission?
    d. Organization: (1) What is the quality and appropriateness of the 
organizational structure; (2) the quality and experience of the staff; 
(3) the quality of the plans for quality control through in-house 
consultation and outside review; and, (4) the quality of the plans for 
the allocating and monitoring resources?
    e. Budget: What is the reasonableness of proposed budget and time 
frame for the project in relation to the work proposed?

2. Research Component--30 Points

    a. Research Theme and Agenda: Is the concept of a Center fulfilled, 
i.e., is there an organizing research theme (or set of themes) and a 
research agenda that defines the mission of the Center?
    b. Significance to NOAA: Does the proposal address issues 
identified as priorities to NOAA?
    c. Leadership: Are the Center Director and other senior 
investigators recognized as leaders, or developing as leaders, in their 
respective fields and their academic community? Do they have the 
successful experience and authority to organize, administer and direct 
the Center?

3. Recruitment (Promote Training)--30 Points

    a. What is the institution(s) record of graduating students in the 
sciences directly related to the Center for which the application is 
made?
    b. Does the applicant include a research development component for 
students, as well as new, mid-career or transitional professionals 
through research training in AOES and remote sensing? What efforts are 
made to recruit, support and retain a diverse professional and student 
body?
    c. To what extent does the proposal explore creative ways to 
attract students and faculty to increase the matriculation rate in 
NOAA-related sciences?

XII. Selection Procedures

    Review of proposals will be conducted by an independent peer review 
panel. Proposals will be ranked in accordance with the above evaluation 
criteria (Section XI). The Selection Official may consider the 
following criteria in the final selection of the proposal to be funded: 
geographic balance; budget availability; level of overall Federal 
support for AOES, remote sensing and related sciences; and level of 
performance in previous Federal relationships.

XIII. How To Submit

    An original and two copies of the proposal(s) for each Center for 
which the application is made must be submitted according to the 
requirements outlined in Section X.

XIV. General Information

    A. Collaboration: Where multi institutional applications between 
majority and minority serving institutions are submitted, no less than 
80% of the total funds shall be awarded to the MSI(s). The MSI lead 
cannot issue subawards more than 20% of the total project costs.
    B. Equipment & Products: Any equipment or products authorized to be 
purchased with funding provided under this program must be American-
made to the maximum extent feasible.
    C. Federal Policies and Procedures Recipients and sub-recipients 
are

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subject to all Federal laws and Federal and DOC policies, regulations, 
and procedures applicable to Federal assistance awards.
    D. 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 recipient have been 
convicted of, or are presently facing, criminal charges such as fraud, 
theft, perjury, or other matters that significantly reflect on the 
recipient's management, honesty, or financial integrity.
    E. Past Performance Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal 
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.
    F. Pre-Award 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 pre-award costs, should an award not be made or 
funded at a level less than requested.
    G. No Obligation for Future Funding If the application is selected 
for funding, the Department of Commerce (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.
    H. Delinquent Federal Debts No award or Federal Funds will be made 
to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until:
    (i) The delinquent account is paid in full;
    (ii) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least 
one payment is received; or
    (iii) Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC are made.
    I. Primary Applicant Certifications
    All organizations or individuals preparing grant applications must 
submit a completed Form CD-511 ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying,'' and explanations are hereby provided:
    Non-Procurement Debarment and Suspension Prospective participants 
(as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 105) are subject to 15 CFR part 
26, ``Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the related 
section of the certification form prescribed above applies.
    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.
    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 application/bids for 
grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000, 
and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000.
    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.
    Lower-Tier Certifications Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for sub-grants, 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 DOC. SF-LLL 
submitted by any tier recipient or sub-recipient should be submitted to 
DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award 
document.
    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.
    Intergovernmental Review Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

XV. Classification

    This notice contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 
424B and SF-LLL have been approved by OMB under the respective control 
numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040 and 0348-0046. Notwithstanding 
any other provision of 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 Paperwork Reduction Act, 
unless that collection displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Louisa Koch,
Chair, NOAA Minority Serving Institution Council.
[FR Doc. 01-8017 Filed 3-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-P