[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 173 (Thursday, September 6, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46605-46608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22430]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[980608149-1186-02]
RIN 0648-ZA44


Financial Assistance for the Use of Satellite Data for Studying 
Local and Regional Phenomena

AGENCY: National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
Commerce

ACTION: Notice of availability of Federal assistance.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Research and Applications announces the 
availability of Federal assistance for fiscal year 2002 to expand the 
use of satellite data for the study of scientific phenomena in local 
and regional areas. This announcement provides detailed guidelines for 
the technical program, evaluation criteria, and selection procedures.

DATES: Proposals must be received no later than 5 pm EDT on October 25, 
2001. Applications received after that time will be returned without 
review.

ADDRESSES: Office of Research and Applications; NOAA/NESDIS; 5200 Auth 
Road; Rm 701; Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hank Drahos, Federal Program 
Officer, at 301-763-8204 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Statutory authority for this program is provided 
under 49 U.S.C. 44720.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). This program is 
listed in the CFDA under Number 11.440.

Program Description

    NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information 
Service (NESDIS) Office of Research and Applications (ORA) has 
established a program to provide free real-time satellite data to 
academic institutions for their use in studying local and regional 
phenomena. The emphasis of the program is to foster new uses and expand 
the use of satellite data within the academic community. In order to do 
so, ORA will: (1) provide free access to real-time satellite data for 
use in ongoing projects; (2) provide data and funds for the purchase of 
basic equipment required for analysis as part of an existing program or 
teaching laboratory; and (3) provide data to support students for 
research purposes.

[[Page 46606]]

Examples of real-time data and holding periods available are: Advanced 
Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) (72 hours), Geostationary 
Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) sounder (240 hours) and 
imagery (82 hours), METEOSAT (24 hours), GMS (24 hours), and 
conventional (100 hours). Data older than the given times is not 
available free under this grant program. The use of this program solely 
for free data for ongoing activities with no other costs encumbered is 
encouraged.
    The purpose of this notice is to identify eligibility criteria, 
roles and responsibilities, milestones, and selected criteria 
associated with the award. Each funded project will establish a 1-year 
grant between ORA and the grantee. Funding amounts will range from a 
minimum of $0 plus free data up to $25,000 for equipment and personnel.

Background

    ORA provides overall guidance and direction to the research and 
application activities of NESDIS. ORA provides expert service to other 
NESDIS offices relating to sensor development, instrument problems, or 
systems hardware components. It coordinates with NESDIS, other 
appropriate NOAA units, and U.S. Government agencies in the 
implementation and evaluation of operational and research satellite 
data and products that result from research activities. It coordinates 
research activities of mutual interest with the academic community, 
NASA laboratories, and with foreign laboratories, particularly those in 
satellite operating countries. ORA provides advice to the Assistant 
Administrator concerning interfaces among centers and offices of NESDIS 
and among the major NOAA elements in relation to broad scale scientific 
projects. It produces and provides specific programmatic studies and 
statistics as needed. ORA provides support and coordination on NOAA's 
activities in the Strategic Plan and the U.S. Global Change Research 
Program.

Roles and Responsibilities

    ORA: ORA will have primary responsibility for the following 
activities: 1. Provide funds and real-time satellite data needed for 
the project. 2. Provide technical guidance for image processing and 
analysis. Monitor progress and evaluate progress reports.
    Grantee: The grantee shall have primary responsibility for the 
following activities associated with the project: 1. Organize and 
manage grant activities. 2. Identify a Principal Investigator who will 
take the lead for all technical aspects of the grant and be responsible 
for using satellite data as a key tool in the activity. 3. The grantee 
will agree to use the data only for the purposes stated in the 
proposal.

Grant Application Package

    All applicants are required to submit a NOAA Grants Application 
Package and project proposal. The standard NOAA Grants Application 
Package (which includes Forms SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, CD-511, CD-512 
if you have subcontracts or subgrantees, and SF-LLL if you are involved 
in lobbying activities) can be obtained from the NOAA Grants Website at 
http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/~grants/pdf/. If Internet access is not 
available, the standard NOAA Grant Application can be obtained from the 
Office of Research and Applications (301-763-8127).
    Pursuant to Executive Orders 12876, 12900, and 13021, the 
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the participation of 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Hispanic Serving 
Institutions (HSI), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) in its 
educational and research programs. The DOC/NOAA vision, mission, and 
goals are to achieve full participation by Minority Serving 
Institutions (MSI) in order to advance the development of human 
potential, to strengthen the nation's capacity to provide high-quality 
education, and to increase opportunities for MSIs to participate in and 
benefit from Federal Financial Assistance programs. DOC/NOAA encourages 
all applicants to include meaningful participation of MSIs.

Required Elements

    All recipients are to closely follow the instructions and 
guidelines in the preparation of the standard NOAA Application Forms 
listed earlier in this document.
    1. Signed Summary title page: The title page should be signed by 
the Principal Investigator (PI) and the institutional representative. 
The page identifies the project's title and the PI's name and 
affiliation, complete address, phone, FAX, and e-mail address.
    2. Project Proposal should include the following sections, totaling 
no more than 8 pages.
    A. Goals and Objectives--identify broad project goals and 
quantifiable objectives.
    B. Background/Introduction--state the problem and summary of 
existing federal/state/local efforts.
    C. Audience--identify explicitly the audience and describe 
specifics of how the project will contribute to the target audience.
    D. Project Description/Methodology--describe the specifics of the 
activity (3 pages maximum), with a complete and explicit description of 
the project area. Expected Results--list desired outcomes in terms of 
products or services.
    3. Project Budget--provide a detailed budget breakdown by category 
and provide a brief narrative budget justification. Multi-year 
proposals will be accepted; however, future funding will be dependent 
upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. The annual 
awards must have scopes of work that are clearly severable that can be 
easily separated into annual increments of meaningful work which 
represent solid accomplishments if prospective funding is not made 
available to the applicant.

Selection Process

    Applicants will submit project proposals to the Office of Research 
and Applications by the published due date. A project selection panel 
will be convened to review and recommend selection using the criteria 
published in these guidelines. Each proposal will be reviewed by at 
least three reviewers who are qualified to review the proposed work. 
These reviewers may include both Federal and non-Federal individuals, 
each of whom will provide an independent recommendation. Proposals will 
be ranked according to a scoring system (explained below) and presented 
to the Selecting Official (Director, ORA) for final selection. In 
addition to the rankings assigned by the panel members, the Director 
may consider geographic location and balance of technical areas in 
making his final decision. Selection Criteria (with weights).
    1. Relevance of the Proposed Research to NESDIS and NOAA Missions 
(30 points) Will the activity foster broader knowledge concerning the 
use of satellite data in meteorological and/or oceanographic research 
at your institution?
    2. Technical Merit (60 points) Is the proposed activity 
scientifically sound and relevant?
    3. Overall Qualifications (10 points) Are the proposers capable of 
conducting a project of the scope and scale proposed (i.e., scientific, 
professional, facility, and administrative resources/capabilities?

Selection Schedule

    Proposals due--October 25, 2001.

[[Page 46607]]

    Final selection--Approximately January 1, 2002.
    Grant start date--Approximately March 1, 2002.

    Note: All deadlines are for receipt by 5 p.m. EDT on October 25, 
2001. All applicants are required to submit one original and two 
copies of a completed and signed NOAA Grants Application Package. 
The application package may be obtained by calling (301) 763-8127 or 
accessed on-line from the NOAA Grants Home Page at http://
www.rdc.noaa.gov/~grants/index/html.

Reporting Requirements

    The Grantee will be required to provide a semi-annual progress 
report and a final report to the Federal Program Officer.

Funding Availability

    NOAA expects that approximately $100,000 will be available in FY 
2002 for this program. However, publication of this notice does not 
obligate NOAA to award any specific grant or cooperative agreement or 
to obligate all or any part of the available funds.

Cost Sharing

    There is no requirement for matching funds under this award.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, other 
nonprofits, state, local and Indian tribal governments. NESDIS 
Cooperative Institutes and Federal agencies or institutions are not 
eligible to receive Federal assistance under this Notice.

Indirect Costs

    The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the current indirect 
cost rate negotiated and approved by the Applicant's cognizant Federal 
agency, prior to the proposed effective date of the award or 100 
percent of the total proposed direct cost dollar amount in the 
application, whichever is less.

Federal Policies and Procedures

    Recipients and sub-recipients are subject to all Federal laws and 
Federal and DOC policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to 
Federal assistance awards.

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.

Past Performance

    Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in 
an application not being considered for funding.

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.

No Obligation for Future Funding

    If the 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.

Delinquent Federal Debts

    No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an 
outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
    (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.

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, ``Nonprocurement 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, ``Limitations 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 possible punishment by a 
fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

Buy American-Made Equipment or 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 in accordance with 
Congressional intent.

Classification

    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866. Prior notice and an opportunity for public 
comment are not required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any 
other law for this notice concerning grants, cooperative agreements, 
benefits, and contracts. Therefore, this notice is exempt from the 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Notwithstanding any

[[Page 46608]]

other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall 
a person be subject to, a penalty for failure to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) unless that collection of information displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. 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.

    Dated: August 29, 2001.
Mary M. Glackin,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services.
[FR Doc. 01-22430 Filed 9-5-01; 8:45 am]
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