[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 199 (Monday, October 15, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52374-52389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25776]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 000927276-1235-02]
RIN 0648-ZA94


Coastal Services Center Broad Area Announcement

AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of federal assistance.

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SUMMARY: The NOAA Coastal Services Center (Center) announces the 
availability of federal assistance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 in the 
following program areas: Landscape Characterization and Restoration 
(LCR), Integration and Development (I&D), Outreach, Coastal Remote 
Sensing (CRS), and the Director's Office (DO). This announcement 
provides guidelines for these program areas and includes details for 
the technical program, evaluation criteria, and selection procedures of 
each program. Selected recipients will enter into either a cooperative 
agreement with the Center or receive a grant depending upon the amount 
of the Center's involvement in the project.

DATES: Each program area has specific dates for application and 
proposal deadlines. Refer directly to that program area description 
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION listed below.

ADDRESSES: Send all proposals to: NOAA Coastal Services Center, 2234 
South Hobson Avenue, Charleston, SC 29405-2413. Landscape

[[Page 52375]]

Characterization and Restoration (LCR) proposals should be sent to the 
attention of Jeffery Adkins. Integration and Development (I&D) 
proposals should be sent to the attention of James Lewis Free. Outreach 
proposals should be sent to the attention of Jan Kucklick. Coastal 
Remote Sensing (CRS) proposals should be sent to the attention of Mark 
Jansen. Information Resources (IR) proposals should be sent to the 
attention of Anne Ball. Director's Office (DO) proposals should be sent 
to the attention of Jeffrey Payne.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administrative questions should be 
directed to Violet Legette, (843) 740-1222 or [email protected]. 
Technical point of contact for Landscape Characterization and 
Restoration is Jeffery Adkins, (843) 740-1244 or 
[email protected]. Technical point of contact for Integration and 
Development is James Lewis Free, (843) 740-1185 or 
[email protected]. Technical point of contact for Outreach is Jan 
Kucklick, (843) 740-1279 or [email protected]. Technical point of 
contact for Coastal Remote Sensing is Mark Jansen, (843) 740-1262 or 
[email protected]. Technical point of contact for Information 
Resources is Anne Ball, (843) 740-1229 or [email protected]. Technical 
point of contact for the Director's Office is Jeff Payne, (843) 740-
1207 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Center announces the availability of 
federal assistance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 in the following program 
areas: Landscape Characterization and Restoration (LCR), Integration 
and Development (I&D), Outreach, Coastal Remote Sensing (CRS), and the 
Director's Office (DO). This announcement provides guidelines for these 
program areas and includes details for the technical program, 
evaluation criteria, and selection procedures of each program. Selected 
recipients will enter into either a cooperative agreement with the 
Center or receive a grant depending upon the amount of the Center's 
involvement in the project. Substantial involvement means a cooperative 
agreement, while independent work requires a grant.
    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, 
and SF-LLL) can be obtained from the NOAA grants Website at http://
www.rdc.noaa.gov/~grants/pdf/. Funding will be subject to the 
availability of federal appropriations. Applicants are required to 
prepare separate packages for each proposal submitted.

Authority

    Statutory authority for these programs is provided under 16 U.S.C. 
Sec. 1456c (Technical Assistance); 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1540 (Cooperative 
Agreements); 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1442 (research program respecting possible 
long-range effects of pollution, over fishing, and man-induced changes 
of ocean ecosystems); 33 U.S.C. Sec. 883a (surveys and other 
activities); 33 U.S.C. Sec. 883b (dissemination of data); 33 U.S.C. 
Sec. 883c (geomagnetic data collection, correlation, and 
dissemination); and 33 U.S.C. Sec. 883d (improvement of methods, 
instruments, and equipments; investigations and research).

General Background

    Guiding the conservation and management of coastal resources is a 
primary function of NOAA. NOAA accomplishes this goal through a variety 
of mechanisms, including collaboration with the coastal resource 
management programs of the nation's states and territories. The mission 
of the NOAA Coastal Services Center is to foster and sustain the 
environmental and economic well being of the coast by linking people, 
information, and technology. The goal of the Center is to build 
capabilities throughout the nation to address pressing issues of 
coastal health and change by promoting coastal resource conservation 
and efficient and sustainable commercial and residential development.

Landscape Characterization and Restoration (LCR)--Information Resource 
for a United States Watershed in the Great Lakes Drainage Basin

Project Description
    The Center seeks proposals for a 2-year cooperative agreement under 
which a cooperator and the Center will jointly develop a digital 
information resource for a watershed, group of watersheds, island 
system, or management area within the drainage basin of the Great 
Lakes, and located entirely or in part within the states of Minnesota, 
Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New 
York. The information resource must focus on one or more resource 
management needs of the chosen watersheds, island system, or management 
area and emphasize examinations of ecosystem function through the 
integration of physical, ecological, and socioeconomic analyses. The 
cooperator will choose the management needs that will be focused on, 
for example, a regional habitat restoration plan, non-point source 
pollution management plan, long-term dredged material management plan, 
species recovery plan, or detailed environmental description. The 
information resource must clearly help managers make resource 
management, regulatory, or land-use planning decisions. Total 
anticipated funding is $270,000 over two years and is subject to the 
availability of FY 2002 and FY 2003 appropriations. Only one award is 
anticipated from this announcement.
Background
    This announcement is a call for proposals for work under the 
Center's Landscape Characterization and Restoration Program. The 
program's goal is to help Federal, state, and local resource managers 
include ecosystem processes in their resource management, regulatory, 
and land-use planning decisions. The program and program partners will 
work towards this goal by examining interrelationships among 
ecological, land use, human demographic, and socioeconomic trends in 
subject watersheds and by developing tools needed to reflect those 
relationships in the development of management practices.
    The program's principal products are environmental 
characterizations of watersheds that integrate the ecological, 
geophysical, and socioeconomic information that is needed to address 
the management issues identified by cooperators. Final products are in 
a digital format and distributed via CD-ROM and the Internet and 
include a spatial database, a customized Geographic Information System 
interface, and a narrative that provides a detailed overview of the 
focal management issues, how the accompanying information was used to 
examine potential solutions, and how the overall product can be used in 
future examinations. The program and its cooperators are currently 
working on, or have completed, characterizations of Otter Island (South 
Carolina), the ACE Basin (South Carolina), Kachemak Bay (Alaska), 
Rookery Bay/Belle Meade (Florida), coastal Rhode Island, and the 
central California coast. Overviews of the program and these projects 
are available through the Internet at http://www.csc.noaa.gov/lcr/.

Roles and Responsibilities

    By working in a cooperative partnership, the unique skills, 
capabilities, and experiences of the Center and the cooperator will be

[[Page 52376]]

combined to offer an opportunity for each organization to further its 
goals. In their proposals, potential cooperators shall explicitly 
propose the respective roles and responsibilities of the Center and the 
cooperator.
    General areas of responsibilities that the Center has had in past 
projects include: Development of spatial models, analyses, and data to 
address the identified management issues; design of GIS and HTML 
architectures; and compilation of final products onto a CD-ROM and 
Internet site. Any questions about appropriate roles for the Center can 
be directed to [email protected].
    General areas of responsibility that cooperators have had include: 
Identifying the management issues that guide development of the 
information resource; identifying the information needed to address the 
issues; developing partnerships with other members of the resource 
management community; developing and collecting the information (text, 
tables, graphics, charts, and maps) and tools (organizational structure 
and models) needed to address the management issues; developing 
metadata; and determining how the products should be organized to 
maximize usefulness within the resource management community.

Project Proposals

    The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal(s) by 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 11, 2002. In addition 
to the proposal(s), the applicant must submit a complete NOAA grants 
application package (with signed originals). No e-mail or fax copies 
will be accepted. All project proposals must total no more than 10 
pages (double spaced, 12-point font, and exclusive of appendices). 
Appendices should be limited to materials that directly support the 
main body of the proposal; e.g., support letters, resumes, lists of 
data sources, maps. All appendix material must be unbound. All 
proposals must include sections on the seven following topics:
    1. Goal, Objective(s), and Geographic Area. Identify on a map and 
describe in the narrative the specific geographic area that will be 
examined. Identify the specific management objective(s) of the project, 
describing:
     The management goals that are currently not being 
achieved,
     How products from this cooperative agreement will 
significantly address that deficiency, and
     The benefits that will result to the cooperators, 
partners, public, and resource management community.
    2. Background/Introduction. Provide sufficient background 
information for reviewers to independently assess the local 
significance and regional importance of the management objectives that 
will be addressed by the project. Summarize the status of any ongoing 
efforts by the cooperator and partners to address these objectives.
    3. Audience. Identify potential users of the product, how those 
users will incorporate the product in their management of natural 
resources, and identify any training that will be needed for users to 
make full use of the information resource.
    4. Project Description/Methodology. Provide a general work plan 
that:
     Divides the project into discrete steps,
     Identifies critical decision points,
     Discusses any obstacles to completing the project that may 
require special planning, and
     Explicitly outlines the respective roles of the 
cooperator, partners, and Center.
    One of the initial tasks of the cooperative agreement will be for 
the Center and the cooperator to prepare a detailed task plan that 
explains how the resources of all parties will be leveraged to produce 
the products. The work plan requested for this part of the proposal 
should demonstrate that the cooperator and partners have sufficient 
local knowledge of the management problems to lead a innovative effort 
directed towards developing appropriate solutions.
    5. Project Partners and Support. Identify project partners and 
describe their respective roles. When formal partnerships already 
exist, include letters from partners that demonstrate that they 
understand their role in the project and the authority of the lead 
agency in product development, and that they are willing to participate 
in that manner. When formal partnerships do not already exist, describe 
plans for developing them. Describe the resources the cooperators and 
partners have for conducting the project, including personnel 
qualifications (education, experience, and time available to work on 
the project), facilities, equipment, and, to the extent practicable, 
the information and tools already available. Describe how widely the 
project is supported within the resource management community and offer 
evidence of that support.
    6. Milestone Schedule. List target milestones, time lines, and 
describe how each milestone addresses project objectives.
    7. Project Budget. Provide a detailed budget description that 
follows the categories and formats in the NOAA grants package and a 
brief narrative justification of the budget. Evaluation Criteria (with 
weights) and Selection Process
    Review panels, composed of two NOAA and at least two non-NOAA 
reviewers, will be established to assist in the evaluation of the 
proposals. Each member of the review panel will review independently 
each proposal using the evaluation criteria. The reviewers will not 
provide consensus advice. All proposals received will be ranked 
according to score and the selecting official (Center Director) will 
use those scores when he/she makes the final decision. The selecting 
official also may consider program policy factors in the final decision 
to ensure Center projects are balanced geographically and 
institutionally. Evaluation criteria are:
    1. Significance (20 points). How well the proposal demonstrates the 
local significance and regional importance of the issues(s) or 
management objective(s) that will guide development of the information 
resource. At a minimum, the proposal must identify management goals 
that currently are not being achieved, describe how products from this 
cooperative agreement will significantly address that deficiency, and 
state the benefits that will result to the public and resource 
management community.
    2. Technical Approach (20 points). How well the proposal divides 
the project into discrete tasks that make effective use of the 
technical capabilities of the cooperator, partner(s), and Center. This 
criteria includes such factors as the technical merit of the process 
that the cooperator has outlined for developing the information 
resource and the perceived role for the Center in its development.
    3. Comprehensiveness (20 points). How well the proposed work will 
integrate technology; socioeconomic, physical, and ecological 
information; and public participation to accomplish project goals and 
objectives. This criteria measures both the scope of the proposed 
project and the integration of its various components.
    4. Outcomes (20 points). How well the applicant demonstrates that 
the project outcomes will significantly address the management issue(s) 
targeted by the project and that the collective resources of the 
applicant and partners will ensure projected outcomes are met.
    5. Partnerships and Public Involvement (10 points). How well the 
proposal demonstrates through partnerships that the project is broadly 
supported by the resource management community; that a broad group of

[[Page 52377]]

resource managers and constituents will benefit from the product(s) and 
contribute to their design and assembly; and that a broad group of 
resource managers will use the product(s). This criteria includes such 
factors as the inclusion of a formal public involvement plan, a plan 
for managing the partnership team, and letters of support from users 
and partners.
    6. Cost Efficiency (10 points). How well the applicant demonstrates 
that the budget is commensurate with project needs and that the 
partnerships employed will improve the overall cost effectiveness of 
the project and value of the products by contributing funds (cost-
sharing), expertise, or other resources.

Selection Schedule

    Proposals will be reviewed once during the year. The following 
schedule lists the dates for the project selection and award process 
for cooperative agreements: Proposal Deadline (with completed grant 
package)--January 11, 2002. Earliest Approximate Grant start date--
August 1, 2002. Note: All deadlines are for receipt by close of 
business (5 p.m. Eastern time) on the dates identified. Receipt of 
proposal and grant package (with original signatures) will be time 
stamped.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for awards will be finalized after NOAA 
funds for FY 2002 are appropriated. Total funding available for this 
cooperative agreement with the LCR program is anticipated to be 
$270,000 over 2 years. One award is anticipated from this announcement. 
Publication of this document does not obligate NOAA to fund any 
specific cooperative agreement or to award all or any part of the 
available funds.

Cost Sharing

    There is no requirement for cost sharing in response to these 
guidelines, however, proposals that include cost sharing will likely 
score highly under evaluation criteria that examines cost efficiency.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher educations, 
hospitals, other non-profits, commercial organizations, foreign 
governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible 
to receive Federal assistance under this announcement, but may be 
project partners. Note: Federal agencies or institutions who are 
project partners must demonstrate that they have legal authority to 
receive funds from another Federal agency in excess of their 
appropriation. Because this announcement is not proposing to procure 
goods or services from applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) is 
not an appropriate legal basis.

Authority

    Statutory authority for these programs is provided under 16 U.S.C. 
1456c (Technical Assistance); and 33 U.S.C. 1442 (research program 
respecting possible long-range effects of pollution, overfishing, and 
man-induced changes of ocean ecosystems).

Integration and Development (I&D)--Bathymetric Data Collection

Project Description
    The Center seeks cooperative agreement proposals for projects that 
conduct new acquisition and supporting documentation of bathymetric 
data. The intent of this program is to support high quality 
hydrographic digital data collection efforts for public resource 
management needs. The collection efforts may also support current NOAA 
NOS nautical chart data collection programs. It is expected that this 
funding will support agencies who are already considering hydrographic 
surveys for beach renourishment projects, sand and sediment transport 
studies, fisheries management plans, benthic habitat evaluations, 
dredging, and dredge disposal siting projects, and other related 
projects.
    A major objective of this program is to rescue, document, and make 
available bathymetric data for marine applications. The Center desires 
data from the area (on-shore) of tidal influence out to the Exclusive 
Economic Zone. Maximum anticipated funding for Fiscal Year 2002 is 
$150,000 and it is intended that this funding will be distributed 
amongst multiple projects in the form of a cooperative agreement. The 
award level is contingent on methodology, the level of detail, and the 
geographic scope of the project. See evaluation criteria for more 
information about how proposals will be ranked.
Roles and Responsibilities
    By working in a cooperative partnership, the unique skills, 
capabilities, and experiences of the Center and the cooperator will be 
combined to offer an opportunity for each organization to further its 
goals. In their proposals, potential cooperators shall explicitly 
propose the respective roles and responsibilities of the Center and the 
cooperator. General areas of responsibilities that the Center has had 
in past projects include: development of spatial models, analyses, and 
data to address the identified management issues; design of geographic 
information systems (GIS) and HTML architectures; and compilation of 
final products onto a CD-ROM and Internet site. Any questions about 
appropriate roles for the Center can be directed to 
[email protected].
    General areas of responsibility that cooperators have had in the 
past have included the following: identifying the management issues 
that guide development of the information resource; identifying the 
information needed to address the issues; developing partnerships with 
other members of the coastal management community; developing and 
collecting the information (text, tables, graphics, charts, and maps) 
and tools (organizational structure and models) needed to address the 
management issues; developing metadata; and determining how the 
products should be organized to maximize usefulness within the coastal 
management community.
Background
    To support safe navigation, hydrographic surveys are conducted to 
produce nautical charts. For safety reasons, these surveys are 
conducted using strict hydrographic survey procedures (refer to the 
following Uniform Resource Locator for more information about these 
procedures): http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov/ocs/text/prodserv.htm.
    In addition to its intended charting purpose, hydrographic survey 
data is very useful to the coastal and ocean resource management 
community in the production of bathymetry. Hydrographic survey data is 
preferable because these survey requirements need not be as rigorous as 
navigation surveys that protect life and limb. Supporting this 
community is an additional mandate of NOS under its coastal stewardship 
strategic goal. Due to financial constraints, NOS has only been able to 
commit to new surveys in major commercial shipping areas. Near shore 
and estuarine areas are not generally deemed to be a navigational 
hazard and therefore are not routinely surveyed. Many of these areas 
are of interest to the coastal resource managers for projects related 
to dredging, dredge disposal, habitat studies, sediment transport, and 
beach renourishment projects.
    NOAA is interested in supplementing its current hydrographic survey 
data collection with data from non-NOAA

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sources to meet strategic goals. In addition, NOAA is interested in 
helping non-NOAA sources acquire data using standards and documentation 
that will increase the usability and longevity of the data. NOAA is 
committed to helping third-party data creators document and make these 
data available to the marine community using standards and protocols 
outlined by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). Specifically, 
NOAA is interested in helping foster the development of high quality 
accurate digital bathymetric data to use in desktop GIS for coastal and 
ocean resource management and to update nautical charts.
Project Proposals
    The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal(s) by 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 11, 2002. In addition 
to proposal(s), the applicant must submit a complete NOAA grants 
application package (with signed originals). No e-mail or fax copies 
will be accepted. All project proposals must total no more than 10 
pages (double spaced, 12-point font, and exclusive of appendices). 
Appendices should be limited to materials that directly support the 
main body of the proposal; e.g., support letters, resumes, lists of 
data sources, maps. All appendix material must be unbound. All projects 
proposals must include, at a minimum, sections on the five following 
topics:
    1. Project Background/Introduction. Briefly discuss the critical 
coastal management issues, data needed to address these issues, and how 
the proposed activity will support high quality hydrographic digital 
data collection efforts for public resource management needs.
    2. Project Description/Methodology. Address the general work plan 
and deliverables. Methodology should address specific methods of data 
collection and documentation that as a minimum include the methods of 
sounding, methods of correcting for motion of the survey platform, 
methods of horizontal positioning, and methods of corrections for tide. 
In addition, proposals should include limits of survey area and density 
of line spacing and sounding interval. Proposals should include a 
section of chart that outlines the survey area and orientation to the 
depth contour. Database format must be adequately described and include 
a supplemental descriptor file or metadata that contains the 
information necessary for completing an FGDC-compliant metadata record 
for the survey.
    3. Project Partners and Subcontractors. Identify any project 
partners and describe their respective roles. Include a letter from 
partners and subcontractors acknowledging their participation and area 
of responsibility, and include a breakdown of budgets related to 
project work.
    4. Milestone Schedule. List target milestones and their respective 
time lines.
    5. Project Budget. Proposals should provide a detailed budget 
breakdown that follows the categories and formats in the NOAA grants 
package and a brief narrative that justifies each item.
Evaluation Criteria (With Weights) and Selection Process
    Review panels, composed of two NOAA and two non-NOAA experts in the 
field of hydrographic survey methodology, tidal correction, and spatial 
data acquisition will be established to assist in the evaluation of the 
proposal(s). Each member of the review panel will review independently 
each proposal using the evaluation criteria. The reviewers will not 
provide consesus advice. All proposals received will be ranked 
according to score and the selecting official (Center Director) will 
use those scores to when she/he makes the final decision. The selecting 
official may also consider program policy factors in the final decision 
to ensure Center projects are balanced geographically and 
institutionally. Evaluation criteria are:
    1. Technical Merit (65 points). Proposals will be judged on the 
adequacy of the methodology used to collect the data. This includes the 
corrections for vessel motion (heave, roll and pitch), equipment used, 
and method of sounding, and corrections for tide. It is expected that 
differential Global Positioning System (GPS) will be used as the method 
of horizontal positioning, but this should be specifically addressed. 
Though not required, any corrections for sound velocity (in shallow 
water) or settlement and squat could positively influence this 
weighting.
    2. Data Density, Geographic Scope, and Orientation (10 points). 
This weighting will be based on the level of detail of the survey. 
Project descriptions should include a map or graphic that outlines the 
intended spatial extent of the survey, the density of the line spacing 
or number of soundings, and the orientation of the survey platform to 
the depth contour.
    3. Data Delivery Mechanism and Documentation (10 points). Projects 
will be judged on adequacy of the database schema and documentation of 
the delivered data, and the coherency of the metadata strategy.
    4. Theme (10 points). Projects will be judged on the applicability 
of the purpose or theme of the survey to one of the objectives of the 
Center, particularity the goal to foster improved bathymetric data 
access for the coastal and ocean resource community, and to coastal or 
ocean resource management.
    5. Cost-Sharing (5 points). Points will be awarded in proportion to 
the amount of cost sharing proposed. Applicant will have to cost share 
at least 10 percent to receive 1 point, 20 percent to receive 2 points, 
30 percent to receive 3 points, 40 percent to receive 4 points, and 50 
percent to receive 5 points.
Selection Schedule
    Proposals will be reviewed once during the year. The following 
schedule lists the dates for the project selection and award process 
for grants and/or cooperative agreements: Proposal Deadline (with 
completed grant package)--January 11, 2002. Earliest Approximate Grant 
Start Date--August 1, 2002. Note: All deadlines are for receipt by 
close of business (5 p.m. Eastern time) on the dates identified. 
Receipt of proposal and grant package (with original signatures) will 
be time stamped. E-mail or fax copies will not be accepted.
Funding Availability
    Specific funding available for awards will be finalized after NOAA 
funds for Fiscal Year 2002 are appropriated. Total funding available 
for this cooperative agreement with the Integration and Development 
program is anticipated to be no more than $150,000 and funding will be 
distributed over multiple projects. Publication of this notice does not 
obligate NOAA to fund any specific cooperative agreement or to award 
all or any part of the available funds.
Cost Sharing
    See Evaluation Criteria #5.
Eligibility Criteria
    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, non-
profits, foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of 
foreign governments, international organizations, and state, local, and 
Indian tribal governments. Commercial organizations that have a formal 
collaborative partnership with a state or local resource coastal 
management office are encouraged to apply. Federal agencies or 
institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this 
notice, but may be project partners. Note: Federal agencies or 
institutions who are project partners must demonstrate that they have 
legal authority to receive funds from another

[[Page 52379]]

federal agency in excess of their appropriation. Because this 
announcement is not proposing to procure goods or services from 
applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) is not an appropriate 
legal basis.

Authority

    Statutory authority for these programs is 33 U.S.C. 883a (surveys 
and other activities) and 33 U.S.C. 883c (geomagnetic data; collection, 
correlation, and dissemination).

Integration and Development (I&D)--New Data Models for Marine 
Conservation

Project Description
    The Center seeks cooperative agreement proposals for the 
development of a digital spatial data model to examine bathymetry and 
its use in marine resource conservation and management. The intent of 
this program is to support the research and development of high quality 
and innovative spatial data models utilizing existing and/or new 
bathyemtric data sources to supplement current marine conservation 
efforts.
    A major objective of this program is to develop, document, and make 
available new data models utilizing bathymetry for the marine 
conservation and coastal resource management communities. This program 
requires an on-site application of the new model(s) toward a real-world 
marine conservation/management issue. The geographic scope of this 
program is not defined, but the on-site application should be within 
the U.S. or U.S. Territories.
Roles and Responsibilities
    By working in a cooperative partnership, the unique skills, 
capabilities, and experiences of the Center and the cooperator will be 
combined to offer an opportunity for each organization to further its 
goals. In their proposals, potential cooperators shall explicitly 
propose the respective roles and responsibilities of the Center and the 
cooperator. Any questions about appropriate roles for the Center can be 
directed to [email protected].
Background
    The data model(s) resulting from this work would advance several of 
NOAA's environmental stewardship goals, including building sustainable 
fisheries, protecting and managing key species, and sustaining healthy 
coasts. In particular, new data model(s) utilizing bathymetry for 
marine conservation would assist coastal states and federal government 
efforts to help foster and sustain marine habitat. The Center is 
actively engaged in narrowing the gap between the science and 
management communities and is in need of high quality models to support 
existing activities in habitat characterization, benthic mapping, 
resource management, and spatial tool development for the coastal 
management community. The spatial data model(s) resulting from this 
program should complement the Center's activities and advance marine 
conservation efforts.
    The marine conservation community is in need of tools, data models, 
and applications for protecting marine habitat. Insufficient scientific 
information, inadequate information transfer, and fragmented decision 
making are several of the most significant impediments to marine 
conservation. Science-based technological advances, combined with 
education and proper planning, eliminate many of these obstacles. 
Models properly utilizing bathymetry will likely eliminate these 
obstacles, as it is one of the most important physical data layers when 
addressing marine conservation issues. Depth, slope, aspect, and 
several other bathymetric derivatives are important variables in 
modeling species distribution, species preference, habitat 
connectivity, and impacts of habitat fragmentation and loss. A spatial 
bathymetric data model integrated with marine habitat characterizations 
will significantly aid marine conservation professionals and the 
coastal management community in protecting the nations valued marine 
resources.
Project Proposals
    The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal(s) by 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 11, 2002. In addition 
to the proposal(s), the applicant must submit a complete NOAA grants 
application package (with signed originals). No e-mail or fax copies 
will be accepted. All project proposals must total no more than 10 
pages (double spaced, 12-point font, and exclusive of appendices). 
Appendices should be limited to materials that directly support the 
main body of the proposal; e.g., support letters, resumes, lists of 
data sources, maps. All appendix material must be unbound. All projects 
proposals must include, at a minimum, sections on the five following 
topics:
    1. Project Background/Introduction. Briefly discuss the critical 
coastal management issues, data needed to address these issues, and how 
the proposed activity will promote and enhance marine conservation 
efforts.
    2. Project Description/Methodology. Address the general work plan 
and deliverables. Methodology should address specific methods of 
developing a spatial data model for examining bathymetry and its nexus 
to marine resource conservation and management. Proposals should 
address methods of quality control to help ensure accurate modeling.
    3. Project Partners and Subcontractors. Identify any project 
partners and describe their respective roles. Include a letter from 
partners and subcontractors acknowledging their participation and area 
of responsibility.
    4. Milestone Schedule. List target milestones and their respective 
time lines.
    5. Project Budget. Provide a detailed budget breakdown that follows 
the categories and formats in the NOAA grants package and a brief 
narrative that justifies each item.

Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process

    Review panels composed of two NOAA and two non-NOAA experts in the 
field of hydrographic survey methodology and spatial data acquisition 
and modeling will be established to assist in the evaluation of the 
proposals. Each member of the review panel will review independently 
each proposal using the evaluation criteria. The reviewers will not 
provide consensus advice. All proposals received will be ranked 
according to score and the selecting official (Center Director) will 
use those scores when he/she makes the final decision. The selecting 
official may also consider program policy factors in the final decision 
to ensure Center projects are balanced geographically and 
institutionally. Evaluation criteria are:
    1. Technical Merit (45 points). Proposals will be judged on the 
methodology used to develop new data models for marine conservation. 
Though not required, model proposals which incorporate techniques of 
Global Positioning System technology could be given additional points.
    2. Model Application (30 points). This weighting will be based on 
the level of detail and applicability of the digital spatial data 
model. Project descriptions should include a map or graphic that 
outlines the intended spatial extent of the model. Proposals should 
specifically address how digital data models relate to a real-world 
marine conservation/management issue.
    3. Data Delivery Mechanism and Documentation (10 points). Projects 
will be judged on the adequacy of database schema and documentation of 
the

[[Page 52380]]

delivered data, and the coherency of the metadata strategy.
    4. Theme (10 points). Projects will be judged in the applicability 
of the purpose or theme of the proposal to one of the objectives of the 
Center, specifically the goal to help foster and sustain marine 
habitat, and to an existing marine conservation/management issue.
    5. Cost-Sharing (5 points). Points will be awarded in proportion to 
the amount of cost sharing proposed. Applicant will have to cost share 
at least 10 percent to receive 1 point, 20 percent to receive 2 points, 
30 percent to receive 3 points, 40 percent to receive 4 points, and 50 
percent to receive 5 points.
Selection Schedule
    Proposals will be reviewed once during the year. The following 
schedule lists the dates for the project selection and award process 
for cooperative agreements:
    Proposal Deadline (with completed grant package)--January 11, 2002. 
Earliest Approximate Grant Start Date--August 1, 2002. Note: All 
deadlines are for receipt by close of business (5 p.m. Eastern time) on 
the dates identified. Receipt of proposal and grant package (with 
original signatures) will be time stamped.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for awards will be finalized after NOAA 
funds for Fiscal Year 2002 are appropriated. Total funding available 
for this cooperative agreement with the Integration and Development 
program is anticipated to be no more than $150,000 and funding will be 
distributed over multiple projects. Publication of this notice does not 
obligate NOAA to fund any specific cooperative agreement or to award 
all or any part of the available funds.

Cost Sharing

    See Evaluation Criteria #5.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, non-
profits, international organizations, and state, local, and Indian 
tribal governments. Commercial organizations that have a formal 
collaborative partnership with a state or local resource coastal 
management office are encouraged to apply. Federal agencies or 
institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this 
notice, but may be project partners.

    Note: Federal agencies or institutions who are project partners 
must demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive funds 
from another federal agency in excess of their appropriation. 
Because this announcement is not proposing to procure goods or 
services from applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) is not an 
appropriate legal basis.

Authority
    Statutory authority for these programs is 33 U.S.C. Sec. 883d 
(improvement of methods, instruments, and equipments; investigations 
and research).

Integration and Development--Permitting

Project Description

    The Center seeks cooperative agreement proposals for the 
development of spatially enabled coastal and estuarine related 
permitting systems. The intent of this program is to increase the 
integration and application of spatial data in coastal permitting 
processes and to enhance communication between state and local 
governmental entities, local communities, and the public. It is 
expected that the funding will support research and development of 
integrated geographic information systems (GIS), decision support 
tools, and spatial data bases that support initial efforts of coastal 
states to upgrade existing non-spatially enabled permitting processes.
    Maximum anticipated funding for Fiscal Year 2002 is $150,000 and it 
is intended that this funding will be distributed amongst multiple 
cooperative agreement projects. The award level is contingent on 
methodology, the level of detail, and the geographic scope of the 
project. See evaluation criteria for more information about how 
proposals will be ranked.

Roles and Responsibilities

    General types of responsibility that cooperators have had in the 
past have included the following: Identifying the management issues 
that guide development of the information resource; identifying the 
information needed to address the issues; developing partnerships with 
coastal management communities/organizations; developing and collecting 
the information (text, tables, graphics, charts, and maps) and tools 
(organizational structure and models) needed to address the management 
issues; data collection and development; metadata; and determining how 
products should be organized to maximize usefulness within the coastal 
management community.
    By working in a cooperative partnership, the unique skills, 
capabilities, and experiences of the Center and the cooperator will be 
combined to offer an opportunity for each organization to further its 
goals. In their proposals, potential cooperators shall explicitly 
propose the respective roles and responsibilities of the Center and the 
cooperator. General areas of responsibility that the Center has had in 
past projects include: Development of spatial models and analyses to 
address the identified management issues; design of GIS and HTML 
architectures; and compilation of final products onto a CD-ROM or an 
Internet site. Any questions about appropriate roles for the Center can 
be directed to [email protected].

Background

    Under the NOAA/NOS strategic efforts to sustain healthy coasts and 
provide a coastal stewardship ethic, the Center works with state and 
local coastal resource managers to facilitate the development of 
strategies that enhance the management of coastal resources, anticipate 
and mitigate coastal hazards, and develop the use of technology 
(specifically GIS) in problem solving.
    In recent customer surveys and discussions with the Center's 
primary clients, the issue of permitting frequently arises. The need 
for more integrated spatially enabled approaches to coastal permit 
processes has become clear. In order to address this need, the Center 
is requesting proposals for research and development of new projects 
for the development of a spatially enabled permitting system for 
coastal and estuarine areas in U.S. coastal states and territories.

Project Proposals

    The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal(s) by 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 11, 2002. In addition 
to the proposal, the applicant must submit a complete NOAA grants 
application package (with signed originals). No e-mail or fax copies 
will be accepted. All project proposals must total no more than 10 
pages (double spaced, 12-point font, exclusive of appendices). 
Appendices should be limited to materials that directly support the 
main body of the proposal, e.g., support letters, resumes, lists of 
data sources, and maps. All appendix material must be unbound. All 
projects proposals must include, at a minimum, sections on the 
following five topics:
    1. Project Background/Introduction. Describe the current state of 
permitting processes in the target agency or area of interest. Briefly 
discuss the critical coastal management issues, data needed to address 
these issues, and how the proposed activity will contribute to the

[[Page 52381]]

overall improvement of the permitting systems currently in place.
    2. Project Description/Methodology. Address the general work plan 
and deliverables. Provide a general work plan that divides the project 
into discrete steps, identifies critical decision points, and discusses 
any obstacles to completing the project that may require special 
planning, and explicitly outlines the respective roles of all groups or 
agencies involved. The work plan requested for this part of the 
proposal should demonstrate that there is sufficient local knowledge of 
the management issues and permitting processes to lead an innovative 
effort directed towards developing appropriate solutions.
    3. Project Partners and Subcontractors. Identify any project 
partners and describe their respective roles. Include a letter from 
partners and subcontractors acknowledging their participation and area 
of responsibility, and include a breakdown of budgets related to 
project work.
    4. Milestone Schedule. List target milestones and their respective 
time lines.
    5. Project Budget. Provide a detailed budget breakdown that follows 
the categories and formats in the NOAA grants package and a brief 
narrative that justifies each item.

Evaluation Criteria (With Weights) and Selection Process

    Review panels, composed of two NOAA and at least two non-NOAA 
reviewers will be established to assist in the evaluation of proposals. 
Each member of the review panel will review independently each proposal 
using the evaluation criteria. The reviewers will not provide consensus 
advice. All proposals will be ranked according to score and the 
selecting official (Center Director) will use those scores when she/he 
makes the final decision. The selecting official may also consider 
program policy factors in the final decision to ensure Center projects 
are balanced geographically and institutionally. Evaluation criteria 
are:
    1. Significance (20 points). How well the proposal demonstrates the 
local significance and regional importance of the issue(s) or 
management objective(s) that will guide development of the project. At 
a minimum, the proposal must identify management goals that currently 
are not being achieved, describe how products from this project will 
significantly address that deficiency, and state the benefits that will 
result to the public and coastal management community.
    2. Technical Approach (25 points). How well the proposal divides 
the project into discrete tasks that make effective use of the 
technical capabilities of the organizations involved.
    3. Innovation (25 points). How well the proposed work takes an 
innovative approach to the application and integration of technology, 
spatial data, policy, issues to accomplish project goals and 
objectives.
    4. Outcomes (10 points). How well the applicant demonstrates that 
the project outcomes will significantly address the management issue(s) 
targeted by the project and that the collective resources of the 
applicant and partners will ensure projected outcomes are met.
    5. Partnerships (10 points). How well the proposal demonstrates: 
that the project is broadly supported by the coastal management 
community; that a broad group of coastal managers and constituent will 
benefit from contributing to design and assembly of product(s); and 
that a broad group of coastal managers will use the product(s).
    6. Cost Efficiency (10 points). Points will be awarded in 
proportion to the amount of cost sharing proposed. Applicant will have 
to cost share at least 10 percent to receive 1 point, 20 percent to 
receive 2 points, 30 percent to receive 3 points, 40 percent to receive 
4 points, and 50 percent to receive 5 points.

Selection Schedule

    Proposals will be reviewed once during the year. The following 
schedule lists the dates for the project selection and award process 
for cooperative agreements: Proposal Deadline (with completed 
cooperative agreement package) is January 11, 2002. Earliest 
Approximate cooperative agreement Start Date--August 1, 2002. Note: All 
deadlines are for receipt by close of business (5 p.m. Eastern time) on 
the dates identified. Receipt of proposal and application package (with 
original signatures) will be time stamped.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for awards will be finalized after NOAA 
funds for Fiscal Year 2002 are appropriated. Total funding available 
for this cooperative agreement with the Center's Integration and 
Development program is anticipated to be no more than $150,000 and 
funding will be distributed over multiple projects. Publication of this 
notice does not obligate NOAA to fund any specific cooperative 
agreement or to award all or any part of the available funds.

Cost Sharing

    See Evaluation Criteria #6.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, state, 
local, and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions 
are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this notice, but 
may be project partners. Note: Federal agencies or institutions who are 
project partners must demonstrate that they have legal authority to 
receive funds from another federal agency in excess of their 
appropriation. Because this announcement is not proposing to procure 
goods or services from applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) is 
not an appropriate legal basis.

Authority

    Statutory authority for these programs is provided under 16 U.S.C. 
1456c (Technical Assistance).

Outreach--Coastal Program Coordination and Development

Project Description
    The Center is seeking proposals for a two-year cooperative 
agreement with an option to renew for two years, to provide coastal 
program coordination and development support. Project proposals are due 
January 11, 2002, (with earliest start date of August 1, 2002). See 
Selection Schedule following.
Background
    The Center strives to link people, information and technology. As 
such, the Center often serves as a liaison function between various 
NOAA offices and state and local partners to facilitate the use of 
scientific and technical information that supports the sustainable 
management of coastal resources. Itis in this capacity that the Center 
is requesting proposals to work with a cooperator on issues related to: 
(1) Strategic planning and implementation; (2) policy and program 
analyses of coastal resource management issues; (3) management 
assistance; (4) integration of human element into coastal management 
products and activities; and (5) short-term research on specific topics 
related to natural resource management and conservation.
Roles and Responsibilities
    By working in a cooperative partnership, the unique skills, 
capabilities, and experiences of the Center and the cooperator will be 
combined to offer an opportunity for

[[Page 52382]]

each organization to further its goals. In their proposals, potential 
cooperators shall explicitly propose the respective roles and 
responsibilities of the Center and the cooperator.
    General areas of responsibility that the Center has had in the past 
include: providing a mentoring and professional development framework 
for recent coastal management or marine affairs graduates within the 
context of the national and/or regional activities of the Center; 
publicizing the program, and soliciting other partners.
    General areas of responsibility that cooperators have included the 
following: working with the Center to identify specific projects; 
helping identify future emerging policy and/or thematic areas; 
identifying recent graduates with interest in continuing their 
professional development through work with the Center; publicizing the 
program; and soliciting other partners.
Project Proposals
    The Applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal(s) by 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 11, 2002. In addition 
to the proposal, the applicant must submit a complete NOAA grants 
application package (with signed originals). No e-mail or fax copies 
will be accepted. All project proposals must total no more than 10 
pages (double spaced, 12-point font, and exclusive of appendices). 
Appendices should be limited to materials that directly support the 
main body of the proposal; e.g., support letters, resumes, lists of 
data sources, maps. All appendix material must be unbound. All projects 
proposals must include sections on the following seven topics listed 
below:
    1. Goals and Objectives. Identify broad project goals and 
quantifiable objectives.
    2. Background/Introduction. State the issues and summarize existing 
efforts at all levels.
    3. Audience. Describe specifics of how the relationship will 
contribute to improving or resolving an issue with the primary target 
audience. The target audience must be explicitly stated.
    4. Project Description/Methodology. Describe the specifics of the 
project (3 page maximum). One of the initial tasks of the cooperative 
agreement will be for the Center and the cooperator to prepare a 
detailed task plan that explains how the resources of all parties will 
be leveraged to address the issues.
    5. Project Partners. Identify project partners and their respective 
roles.
    6. Milestones and Outcomes. List target milestones, time lines, and 
desired outcomes in terms of products and services.
    7. Project Budget. Provide a detailed budget breakdown that follows 
the categories and formats in the NOAA grant package and a brief 
narrative that justifies each item. Applicants are required to submit 
in their proposal a budget for year 1 and for year 2.
Evaluation Criteria (With Weights) and Selection Process
    Review panels, composed of two NOAA and at least two non-NOAA 
reviewers will be established, to assist in the evaluation of the 
proposals. Each member of the review panel will review independently 
each proposal using the evaluation criteria. The reviewers will not 
provide consensus advice. All proposals received will be ranked 
according to score and the selecting official (Center Director) will 
use those scores when she/he makes the final decision. The selecting 
official also may consider program policy factors in the final decision 
to ensure Center projects are balanced geographically and 
institutionally. Evaluation criteria are:
    1. Management Relevance (30 points)
     How well does the proposed project (directly or 
indirectly) address a critical national, regional, state, or local 
management need relating directly to growth management of coastal areas 
or human use of coastal resources?
     How well does the project involve partnerships with the 
state coastal management agency, National Estuarine Research Reserve, 
and/or National Marine Sanctuary?
     How clearly does the proposed project define the 
management audience?
    2. Technical Merit (35 points)
     How technically sound is the approach?
     How well does the proposed project build on existing 
knowledge?
     How clear and concise are the project goals and 
objectives?
     How well does the proposed project provide for long-term 
maintenance or sustainability of products and services?
     How innovative is the approach?
    3. Applicability and Effectiveness of Products and their Delivery 
(25 points)
     How well does the proposed project produce useful (and 
easily used) services, or an understanding for the target audience and 
users?
     How likely is the project time line and project design to 
be flexible and responsive to public and user input?
     Is an evaluation process built into the project? How 
appropriate is it?
    4. Efficiency and Overall Qualifications (10 points)
     How is the budget commensurate with the project needs?
     How capable are the proposer's of conducting a project of 
the scope and scale proposed? (i.e., Are there adequate professional, 
facility, and administrative capabilities?)
Selection Schedule
    Proposals will be reviewed once during the year. The following 
schedule lists the dates for the project selection and award process 
for cooperative agreements: Proposal Deadline (with completed grant 
package) January 11, 2002. Earliest Appropriate Grant Start Date--
August 1, 2002 Note: All deadlines are for receipt by close of business 
(5 p.m. Eastern time) on the dates identified. Receipt of proposal and 
grant package (with original signatures) will be time stamped. E-mail 
or fax copies will not be accepted. One original and two copies of the 
proposal and grant paperwork are required.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for the award will be finalized after 
NOAA funds for FY 2002 are appropriated. Publication of this document 
does not obligate NOAA to fund any specific cooperative agreement or to 
award all or any part of the available funds. Anticipated funding in FY 
2002 will be between $75,000 and $200,000 for year 1 (depending on the 
availability of funds through the federal appropriation process.

Cost Sharing

    There is no requirement for cost sharing in response to this 
program announcement and no additional weight will be given to 
proposals with cost sharing.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher educations, 
hospitals, other non-profits, commercial organizations, foreign 
governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible 
to receive Federal assistance under this announcement, but may be 
project partners.Note: Federal agencies or institutions who are project 
partners must demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive 
funds from another Federal agency in excess of their appropriation. 
Because this announcement is not proposing to procure goods or services 
from applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) is not an appropriate 
legal basis.

[[Page 52383]]

Authority

    Statutory Authority for these programs is provided under 16 U.S.C. 
1456C (Technical Assistance).

Outreach--Special Projects

Project Description

    The Center seeks proposals for special technical, management, or 
planning projects that relate to growth management in coastal areas or 
human use of coastal resources. Project proposals are due January 11, 
2002, (with earliest start date of August 1, 2002). See Selection 
Schedule.
    In FY 2002, the Center expects to award grants and cooperative 
agreements (for those projects with substantial Center involvement) to 
organizations across the United States with proven abilities to 
implement practical solutions at a state and local level. Proposed 
study topics must relate to growth management in coastal areas or to 
human use of coastal resources. All project proposals received that 
meet the topic criteria will be reviewed for technical merit and 
management relevance.

Background

    The Center conducts a variety of projects that directly apply to 
the state and local coastal management community. The goal of Special 
Projects is to provide assistance to the local coastal management 
community for technical or management issues on specific topics 
relating directly to growth management in coastal areas or human use of 
coastal resources.

Project Proposals

    The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal(s) by 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 11, 2002. In addition 
to the proposal(s), the applicant must submit a complete NOAA grants 
application package (with signed originals). No e-mail or fax copies 
will be accepted. All project proposals must total no more than 10 
pages (double spaced, 12-point font, and exclusive of appendices). 
Appendices should be limited to materials that directly support the 
main body of the proposal; e.g., support letters, resumes, lists of 
data sources, maps. All appendix material must be unbound. All projects 
proposals must include sections on the seven following topics:
    1. Goals and Objectives. Identify broad project goals and 
quantifiable objectives.
    2. Background/Introduction. State the problem and summarize 
existing efforts at all levels.
    3. Audience. Describe specifics of how the project will contribute 
to improving or resolving an issue with the primary target audience. 
The target audience must be explicitly stated.
    4. Project Description/Methodology. Describe the specifics of the 
projects (3 page maximum).
    5. Project Partners. Identify project partners and their respective 
roles.
    6. Milestones and Outcomes. List target milestones, Time lines, and 
desired outcomes in terms of products and services.
    7. Project Budget. Provide a detailed budget breakdown that follows 
the categories and formats in the NOAA grant package and a brief 
narrative that justifies each item. Project budgets must not exceed 
$25,000. Projects above $25,000 will not be considered.

Evaluation Criteria (With Weights) and Selection Process

    Review panels, composed of two NOAA and at least two non-NOAA 
reviewers, will be established to assist in the evaluation of the 
proposals. Each member of the review panel will review independently 
each proposal using the evaluation criteria. The reviewers will not 
provide consensus advice. All proposals received will be ranked 
according to score and the selecting official (Center Director) will 
use those scores when she/he makes the final decision. The selecting 
official also may consider program policy factors in the final decision 
to ensure Center projects are balanced geographically and 
institutionally.
    Evaluation criteria are:
    1. Management Relevance (30 points)
     How well does the proposed project (directly or 
indirectly) address a critical national, regional, state, or local 
management need relating directly to growth management of coastal areas 
or human use of coastal resources?
     How well does the project involve partnerships with the 
state coastal management agency, National Estuarine Research Reserve, 
and/or National Marine Sanctuary?
     How clearly does the proposed project define the 
management audience and do the products have clearly defined users?
    2. Technical Merit (35 points)
     How technically sound is the approach?
     How well does the proposed project build on existing 
knowledge?
     How clear and concise are the project goals and 
objectives?
     How well does the proposed project provide for long-term 
maintenance or sustainability of products and services?
     How innovative is the approach?
    3. Applicability and Effectiveness of Products and their Delivery 
(25 points)
     How well does the proposed project produce useful (and 
easily used) products, services, or an understanding for the target 
audience and users?
     How likely is the project time line and project design to 
be flexible and responsive to public and user input?
     Is an evaluation process built into the project? How 
appropriate is it?
    4. Efficiency and Overall Qualifications (10 points)
     How is the budget commensurate with the project needs?
     How capable are the proposer's of conducting a project of 
the scope and scale proposed? (i.e., Are there adequate professional, 
facility, and administrative capabilities?)

Selection Schedule

    Proposals will be reviewed once during the year. The following 
schedule lists the dates for the project selection and award process 
for grants and/or cooperative agreements: Proposal Deadline (with 
completed grant package) January 11, 2002. Earliest Appropriate Grant 
Start Date--August 1, 2002 Note: All deadlines are for receipt by close 
of business (5 p.m. Eastern time) on the dates identified. Receipt of 
proposal and grant package (with original signatures) will be time 
stamped.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for the award will be finalized after 
NOAA funds for FY 2002 are appropriated. Publication of this document 
does not obligate NOAA to fund any specific cooperative agreement or to 
award all or any part of the available funds. Anticipated funding in FY 
2002 will be between $50,000 and $150,000. Two to six projects will be 
funded in the $20,000 to $25,000 range for 1 year with the potential 
for option years (depending on the availability of funds through the 
federal appropriation process). Projects above $25,000 will not be 
considered.

Cost Sharing

    There is no requirement for cost sharing in response to this 
program announcement and no additional weight will be given to 
proposals with cost sharing.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher educations, 
hospitals, other non-profits, commercial organizations, foreign 
governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international

[[Page 52384]]

organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal 
agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance 
under this announcement, but may be project partners. Note: Federal 
agencies or institutions who are project partners must demonstrate that 
they have legal authority to receive funds from another Federal agency 
in excess of their appropriation. Because this announcement is not 
proposing to procure goods or services from applicants, the Economy Act 
(31 U.S.C. 1535) is not an appropriate legal basis.

Authority

    Statutory Authority for these programs is provided under 16 U.S.C. 
1456C (Technical Assistance).

Outreach--Special Projects for the Pacific Islands

Project Description

    NOAA's Coastal Services Center seeks proposals for special 
technical, management, or planning projects that directly apply to the 
goals of the Pacific Island coastal management community. Projects 
topics should relate to one or more of the four themes of the Coastal 
Services Center: Habitat, Hazards, Smart Coastal Growth, or Coastal 
National Spatial Data Infrastructure (CNSDI). Project proposals are due 
January 11, 2002, (with earliest start date August 1, 2002). See 
Selection Schedule. In FY 2002, the Center expects to award grants and 
cooperative agreements (for those projects with substantial Center 
involvement) to organizations with proven abilities to implement 
practical solutions in the Pacific Islands at a state and local level.

Background

    The Center conducts a variety of projects that directly apply to 
the state and local coastal management community. The goal of this 
program is to provide assistance to the Pacific Island coastal 
management community for technical or management issues on a very broad 
range of topics related to coastal resources and their wise management.

Project Proposal

    The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal(s) by 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 11, 2002. In addition 
to the proposal(s), the applicant must submit a complete NOAA grants 
application package (with signed originals). No e-mail or fax copies 
will be accepted. All project proposals must total no more than 10 
pages (double spaced, 12-point font, and exclusive of appendices). 
Appendices should be limited to materials that directly support the 
main body of the proposal; e.g., support letters, resumes, lists of 
data sources, and maps. All appendix materials must be unbound. All 
projects proposals must include sections on the seven following topics:
    1. Goals and Objectives. Identify broad project goals and 
quantifiable objectives.
    2. Background/Introduction. State the problem and summarize 
existing efforts at all levels.
    3. Audience. Describe specifics of how the project will contribute 
to improving or resolving an issue with the primary target audience. 
The target audience must be explicitly stated.
    4. Project Description/Methodology. Describe the specifics of the 
projects (3 page maximum).
    5. Project Partners. Identify project partners and their respective 
roles.
    6. Milestones and Outcomes. List target milestones, time lines, and 
desired outcomes in terms of products and services.
    7. Project Budget. Provide a detailed budget breakdown that follows 
the categories and formats in the NOAA grant package and a brief 
narrative that justifies each item.

Evaluation Criteria (With Weights) and Selection Process

    Review panels, composed of two NOAA and at least two non-NOAA 
reviewers, will be established to assist in the evaluation of the 
proposals. Each member of the review panel will review independently 
each proposal using the evaluation criteria. The reviewers will not 
provide consensus advice. All proposals received will be ranked 
according to score and the selecting official (Center Director) will 
use those scores when she/he makes the final decision. The selection 
official also may consider program policy factors in the final decision 
to ensure Center projects are balanced geographically and 
institutionally. Evaluation criteria are:
    1. Management Relevance (30 points)
     How well does the proposed project (directly or 
indirectly) address a critical national, regional, state, or local 
management need relating directly to growth management of coastal areas 
or human use of coastal resources?
     How well does the project involve partnerships with the 
state coastal management agency, National Estuarine Research Reserve, 
and/or National Marine Sanctuary?
     How clearly does the proposed project define the 
management audience and do the products have clearly defined users?
    2. Technical Merit (35 points)
     How technically sound is the approach?
     How well does the proposed project build on existing 
knowledge?
     How clear and concise are the project goals and 
objectives? Does the proposed project provide for long-term maintenance 
or sustainability of products and services?
     How innovative is the approach?
    3. Applicability and Effectiveness of Products and their Delivery 
(25 points)
     How well does the proposed project produce useful (and 
easily used) products, services, or an understanding for the target 
audience and users?
     How likely is the project time line and project design to 
be flexible and responsive to public and user input?
     Is an evaluation process built into the project? How 
appropriate is it?
    4. Efficiency and Overall Qualifications (10 points)
     How is the budget commensurate with the project needs?
     How capable are the proposers of conducting a project of 
the scope and scale proposed (i.e., Are there adequate professional, 
facility, and administrative capabilities?)

Selection Schedule

    Proposals will be reviewed once during the year. The following 
schedule lists the dates for the project selection and award process 
for grants and/or cooperative agreements: Proposal Deadline (with 
completed application package)--January 11, 2002. Earliest Approximate 
Grant Start Date--August 1, 2002. Note: All deadlines are for receipt 
by close of business (5 p.m. Eastern time) on the dates identified. 
Receipt of proposal and grant package (with original signatures) will 
be time stamped.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for awards will be finalized after NOAA 
funds for FY 2002 are appropriated. Publication of this notice does not 
obligate NOAA to fund any specific grant or cooperative agreement or to 
award all or any part of the available funds. Anticipated funding in FY 
2002 will be between $50,000 and $200,000.00. Projects will be funded 
in the $25,000 to $75,000 range for 1 year with the potential for 
options years (depending on the availability of funds through the 
Federal appropriation process). Up to three projects per year of 
special merit or management may be considered at annual levels above 
$75,000 depending on the availability of funds.

[[Page 52385]]

Cost Sharing

    There are no requirements for cost sharing in response to this 
program announcement and no additional weight will be given to 
proposals with cost sharing.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher educations, 
hospitals, other non-profits, commercial organizations, foreign 
governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible 
to receive Federal assistance under this notice, but may be project 
partners. Note: Federal agencies or institutions who are project 
partners must demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive 
funds from another Federal agency in excess of their appropriation. 
Because this announcement is not proposing to procure goods or services 
from applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C 1535) is not an appropriate 
legal basis.

Authority

    Statutory Authority for these programs is provided under 16 U.S.C. 
1456C (Technical Assistance).

Coastal Remote Sensing (CRS)--Examination of Impervious Surface 
Impacts Upon Coastal Water Quality

Project Description

    The Center seeks proposals for projects that identify and quantify 
the complex relationship between impervious surfaces and impacts on 
water quality due to the effects of development in coastal areas. The 
Center is interested in understanding the linkages and interaction 
between constructed and natural surfaces within developed areas and the 
resulting coastal water quality impacts from surface water run-off, 
nutrient loading, and soil disturbance. The results of this project 
must demonstrate (e.g., via a geographic information system) the 
relationship between impervious surfaces and decreased water quality. 
These results would be used to help coastal managers make resource 
management, regulatory, or land-use planning decisions.
    In FY 2002, the Center expects to award one grant to organizations 
across the United States with proven abilities to implement practical 
solutions at a state and local level. Proposed study topics must relate 
to water quality impacts from development in coastal areas. All project 
proposals received that meet the topic criteria will be reviewed for 
technical merit and management relevance.

Background

    The Center conducts a variety of projects that directly apply to 
the state and local coastal resource management community. The goal of 
the Coastal Remote Sensing (CRS) program is to link coastal resource 
managers with meaningful data, information and products derived from 
remote sensing technology. Through partnerships with public and private 
organizations, CRS strives to deliver high-quality products useful for 
coastal resource management decision-making.

Project Proposals

    The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal(s) by 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 11, 2002. In addition 
to the proposal(s), the applicant must submit a complete NOAA grants 
application package (with signed originals). No e-mail or fax copies 
will be accepted. All project proposals must total no more than 10 
pages (double spaced, 12-point font, and exclusive of appendices). 
Appendices should be limited to materials that directly support the 
main body of the proposal; e.g., support letters, resumes, lists of 
data sources, maps. All appendix material must be unbound. All project 
proposals must include sections on the following seven topics:
    1. Goals and Objectives. Describe how your approach will meet the 
goal of better measuring the quantitative impact of impervious surface 
on water quality.
    2. Background/Introduction. Provide background on this problem and 
some perspective on existing understanding of this issue.
    3. Audience. Describe how the results of this project can be 
implemented at the state coastal resource management level.
    4. Project Description/Methodology. Describe the specifics of the 
project (4-5 page maximum).
    5. Project Partners. Identify project partners and their respective 
roles.
    6. Milestones and Outcomes. List target milestones, time lines, and 
desired outcomes in terms of products and/or services.
    7. Project Budget. Provide a detailed budget breakdown that follows 
the categories and formats in the NOAA grant package and a brief 
narrative that justifies each item.

Evaluation Criteria (With Weights) and Selection Process

    Review panels, composed of two NOAA and at least two non-NOAA 
reviewers, will be established to assist in the evaluation of the 
proposals. Each member of the review panel will review independently 
each proposal using the evaluation criteria. The reviewers will not 
provide consensus advice. All proposals received will be ranked 
according to score and the selecting official (Center Director) will 
use those scores to aid in making the final decision. The selecting 
official also may consider program policy factors in the final decision 
to ensure Center projects are balanced geographically and 
institutionally.
    Evaluation criteria are:
    1. Management Relevance (10 points)
     Does the proposed project (directly or indirectly) address 
a critical national, regional, state, tribal or local management need 
relating directly to growth management of coastal areas?
     Does the project involve partnerships with a state coastal 
management agency, National Estuarine Research Reserve, and/or National 
Marine Sanctuary?
     Does the proposed project have a clearly defined 
management audience and do the products have clearly defined users?
    2. Technical Merit (45 points)
     Is the approach technically sound?
     Does the proposed project build on existing knowledge?
     Are the project goals and objectives clear and concise?
     Does the proposed project provide for long-term 
maintenance or sustainability of products and services?
     Is the approach innovative?
    3. Applicability and Effectiveness of Products and their Delivery 
(25 points)
     Will the proposed project produce useful (and easily used) 
products, services, or an understanding for the target audience and 
users?
     Is project time line and project design likely to be 
flexible and responsive to public and user input?
     Is an evaluation process built into the project? Is it 
appropriate?
    4. Efficiency and Overall Qualifications (20 points)
     Is the budget commensurate with the project needs?
     Are the proposers capable of conducting a project of the 
scope and scale proposed? (i.e., Are there adequate qualified 
professional, facility, and administrative capabilities?)

Selection Schedule

    Proposals will be reviewed once during the year. The following 
schedule

[[Page 52386]]

lists the dates for the project selection and award process for grants: 
Proposal Deadline (with completed grant package) January 11, 2002. 
Earliest Appropriate Grant Start Date--August 1, 2002. Note: All 
deadlines are for receipt by close of business (5 p.m. Eastern time) on 
the dates identified. Receipt of proposal and grant package (with 
original signatures) will be time stamped.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for the award will be finalized after 
NOAA funds for FY 2002 are appropriated. Publication of this document 
does not obligate NOAA to fund any specific grant or to award all or 
any part of the available funds. Total anticipated funding is $30,000 
over one year and is subject to the availability of FY 2002 funding. 
Only one grant award is anticipated from this announcement.

Cost Sharing

    There is no requirement for cost sharing in response to this 
program announcement and no additional weight will be given to 
proposals with cost sharing.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, other 
non-profits, commercial organizations, state, local and Indian tribal 
governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible to 
receive Federal assistance under this announcement, but may be project 
partners. Note: Federal agencies or institutions who are project 
partners must demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive 
funds from another Federal agency in excess of their appropriation. 
Because this announcement is not proposing to procure goods or services 
from applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) is not an appropriate 
legal basis.

Authority

    Statutory Authority for these programs is provided under 16 U.S.C. 
1456C (Technical Assistance).

Information Resources (IR)--Coastal Data and Information

Project Description

    The Center seeks proposals for projects to make coastal data, 
products, and information available on-line using standard 
documentation formats and search technologies. Proposals may also 
include projects concerning the rescue of unique coastal data sets and 
the conversion to electronic media of coastal data, products, and 
information. The intent of this program is to increase the numbers of 
and improve the availability of coastal data and information needed by 
coastal resource managers and their staffs to accomplish their duties.
    Maximum anticipated funding is $200,000 for a one year period and 
is subject to the availability of FY 2002 appropriations. It is 
intended that this funding will be distributed between multiple 
projects that take the form of a grant.

Background

    The mission of the Center is to foster and sustain the 
environmental and economic well-being of the coast by linking people, 
information, and technology. The Information Resources program of the 
Center helps coastal resource managers and their staff find the data 
and information necessary to perform their tasks. To accomplish this, 
the Information Resources program improves access to and increases the 
availability of coastal data, products, and information. The Center 
actively supports the use of standards to document and share data, 
products, and information. In particular, the Center supports the use 
of the standards accepted by the FGDC and the Library of Congress. By 
using these standards, virtual networks of coastal data, products, and 
information can be built that provide crucial input for making coastal 
management decisions.

Project Proposals

    The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal(s) by 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 11, 2002. In addition 
to the proposal(s), the applicant must submit a complete NOAA grants 
application package (with signed originals). No e-mail or fax copies 
will be accepted. All project proposals must total no more than 10 
pages (double spaced, 12-point font, and exclusive of appendices). 
Appendices should be limited to materials that directly support the 
main body of the proposal; e.g. support letters, resumes, lists of data 
sources, and maps. All appendix material must be unbound. All project 
proposals must include the sections on the four following topics:
    1. Technical Issues
     Project Description. Address how the project will be 
implemented. It should include an overview of the data, product, or 
information resource that will be made available on-line and any plans 
for data rescue or conversion of resources to electronic media. If 
applicable, it should include plans for the development of a customized 
interface and how it will relate.
     Data and Information Description. Describe the data and/or 
information that will be made available via the server.
     Server Description. Describe how the resource description 
and, if applicable, the resource itself will be made available on-line. 
Include plans for implementing an FGDC Clearinghouse node (server), 
catalog server, or arrangements for posting the resource description 
through an existing server.
     Relation to Other Data Projects. If applicable, describe 
how this project relates to other ongoing programs.
    2. Relevance and Scope
     Appropriateness to U.S. Coastal Resource Managers. 
Describe how the data and/or information might be used by coastal 
resource managers and/or their staffs. Describe the scope of the 
project and who it benefits.
     Description of Metadata or Catalog Records Anticipated. 
Include the number of records anticipated and the level of detail 
included in the metadata or catalog records.
    3. Future Plans
     Post-proposal Plans. Describe plans for maintenance of the 
data or information resource. For data rescue projects, please include 
plans for archiving the data.
    4. Milestones and Budget
     Milestones. Provide a schedule for the project with 
milestones.
     Project Budget. Provide a detailed budget breakdown that 
follows the categories and formats in the NOAA grant package and a 
brief narrative that justifies each item.
    All proposals regarding data and data products must include plans 
for documenting the data and/or data products using the Federal 
Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata standard and posting this 
metadata on a node (server) that is registered at the FGDC 
Clearinghouse. Further information on the FGDC metadata standard and 
Clearinghouse architecture can be found on the FGDC Web site at 
www.fgdc.gov. Proposals may include the development of a customized 
interface to the FGDC Clearinghouse node (server) for improved access 
to the data or data product resource.
    Proposals that include coastal products and information must 
include plans for making catalog entries searchable through a standard 
on-line public access catalog, preferably using the Z39.50 protocol. 
Any new cataloging of information materials (publications, CD-ROMS, 
videos, etc.) must follow the USMARC standard. Consideration will be 
given to making pre-existing catalog entries that are not in USMARC

[[Page 52387]]

available on-line. More information on USMARC and Z39.50 may be found 
on the Library of Congress Web site at www.loc.gov. Proposals may 
include the development of a customized interface to a Z39.50 catalog 
server to provide customized search capabilities to the information 
resource.
    Proposals that cover data rescue or the conversion to electronic 
media of coastal data, products, or information must also include plans 
for documenting the data, products, and/or information using the 
appropriate standard mentioned above. In addition, proposals for 
rescuing data must include plans for archiving the data at an 
appropriate national data center.

Evaluation Criteria (with Weights) and Selection Process

    Review panels, composed of two NOAA and at least two non-NOAA 
reviewers, will be established to assist in the evaluation of the 
proposals. Each member of the review panel will review independently 
each proposal using the evaluation criteria. The reviewers will not 
provide consensus advice. All proposals received will be ranked 
according to score and the selecting official (Center Director) will 
use those scores when she/he makes the final decision. The selecting 
official also may consider program policy factors in the final decision 
to ensure Center projects are balanced geographically and 
institutionally. Evaluation criteria are:
    1. Technical merit (40 points). The proposal will be judged on the 
technical merit on the plans for development of metadata or new catalog 
records, how the FGDC Clearinghouse or catalog server will be 
implemented, and, if applicable, plans for development of additional 
search interfaces, data rescue, and conversion to electronic media. 
Proposals which do not directly address how metadata/catalog records 
will be produced, or how the Clearinghouse/Catalog server will be 
implemented will not be considered acceptable.
    2. Relevance and scope (35 points). The proposal will be judged on 
the importance of the resource to coastal management issues. Priority 
will be given to those proposals that provide detailed (I level catalog 
or full FGDC metadata record) versus less detailed (K level catalog or 
``metalite'' record).
    3. Future plans (15 points). The proposal will be judged on the 
plans for future maintenance of the descriptive records (metadata or 
catalog records) and Clearinghouse or catalog server.
    4. Milestones and budget (10 points). The proposal will be judged 
on the amount requested versus the technical merit and relevance.

Selection Schedule

    Proposals will be reviewed once during the year. The following 
schedule lists the dates for the project selection and award process 
for grants: Proposal deadline with completed grant package--January 11, 
2002. Earliest approximate grant start date--August 1, 2002. Note: All 
deadlines are for receipt by close of business (5 p.m. Eastern time) on 
the dates identified. Receipt of proposal and grant package with 
original signatures will be time stamped.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for awards will be finalized after NOAA 
funds for FY 2002 are appropriated. Total funding available for this 
grant with the Information Resources program is anticipated to be no 
more than $200,000 and funding will be distributed over multiple 
projects. Publication of this notice does not obligate NOAA to fund any 
specific grant or to award all or any part of the available funds.

Cost Sharing

    There is no requirement for cost sharing in response to this 
program announcement and no additional weight will be given to 
proposals with cost sharing.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, 
hospitals, other non-profits, foreign governments, organizations under 
the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, 
and state, local, and Indian tribal governments. Commercial 
organizations that have a formal collaborative partnership with a state 
or local resource coastal management office are encouraged to apply. 
Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal 
assistance under this notice, but may be project partners. Note: 
Federal agencies or institutions who are project partners must 
demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive funds from 
another federal agency in excess of their appropriation. Because this 
announcement is not proposing to procure goods or services from 
applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) is not an appropriate 
legal basis.

Authority

    Statutory authority for these programs is 16 U.S.C. 1456C 
(Technical Assistance).

Director's Office--Coastal Management Decision Making Tools

Project Description

    The Center seeks proposals for projects under which the 
applicant(s) will design and apply prototype decision making tools and 
information products for coastal resource management. Emphasis will be 
placed on projects that address coastal habitat management. Projects 
should be based on a clear understanding of federal, state, and local 
coastal managers' needs, and assessment of their capabilities to 
address these needs. Projects should include the design of customized 
training products to accelerate introduction of results to the target 
audience and to guide users through performing procedures and making 
decisions using new tools. Total available funding is anticipated to be 
between $100,000 to $200,000, for one year, subject to the availability 
of federal appropriations. The Center expects to award only one to two 
grants under this announcement.

Background

    The goal is to make it possible for coastal managers and regulators 
at all levels to use the best technology and information to make 
science-based decisions for managing coastal resources. The Center 
supports this goal by establishing coalitions at all levels including 
government, academia, and private and non-profit organizations to 
develop and test decision making tools and information products for 
coastal management.
    Projects must directly address habitat management issues that are 
both of local significance and of regional importance. Products should 
be market driven and compatible with end users' capabilities. The 
project scope would involve design and development of a prototype, 
field application and evaluation with end users, final product 
development, and training. Past experience has revealed that this 
iterative process is best accomplished by coalitions of technology 
developers, technology deliverers, and end users.

Roles and Responsibilities

    It is intended that each project be implemented as a partnership 
between the recipient and end-users of the project's products. In their 
proposals, potential recipients should propose the respective roles and 
responsibilities of the recipient and any project partners. At a 
minimum, the roles and responsibilities of the recipient shall include:

[[Page 52388]]

     Identifying the management issues that guide development 
of the product
     Identifying the information needed to address the issues
     Developing partnerships with other end users, including 
members of the coastal management community
     Developing and collecting the information and tools needed 
to address the management issues
     Developing all other information needed to assess the 
quality and utility of the data and tools
     Determining how the products should be organized to 
maximize utility to the end users

Project Proposals

    The applicant must submit one original and two copies of the 
proposal(s) by 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on January 11, 2002. In addition 
to the proposal, the applicant must submit a complete NOAA grants 
application package (with signed originals). No e-mail or fax copies 
will be accepted. All project proposals must include the following 
sections and total no more than 15 pages (double spaced, 12-point font, 
and exclusive of appendices). Appendices should be limited to materials 
that directly support the main body of the proposal; e.g., support 
letters, resumes, lists of data sources, maps. All appendices material 
must be unbound. All project proposals must include sections on the 
following topics:
    1. Goals and Objectives. Identify the specific management goals and 
objective of the project, including description of current management 
goals that are not being achieved, how products from the project will 
significantly address that deficiency, and the benefits that will 
result to the coastal management community and other end users.
    2. Background/Introduction. Provide sufficient background 
information for reviewers to independently assess the local 
significance and regional importance of the management goals that will 
be addressed by the project. Summarize the status of any existing 
efforts to address these goals.
    3. Audience. Identify potential users of the product, how those 
users will incorporate the product into their management needs, and 
identify training needed for users to make full use of the products.
    4. Project Description/Methodology. Provide a general work plan 
that divides the project into discrete steps, identifies critical 
decision points, and discusses any obstacles to completing the project 
that may require special planning. One of the initial tasks of the 
project will be for the recipient to prepare a detailed task plan. The 
work plan requested for this part of the proposal should demonstrate 
that the recipient and partners have sufficient local knowledge of the 
management problems to lead a joint effort directed toward developing 
appropriate solutions.
    5. Project Partners and Support. Identify project partners and 
describe their respective roles. Describe the resources the recipient 
and partners have for conducting the project, including personnel 
qualifications (education, experience, and time available to work on 
the project), facilities, equipment, and, to the extent practicable, 
the information and tools already available. Describe how widely the 
project is supported within the coastal management community and 
provide evidence of that support.
    6. Milestone Schedule. List target milestones, timelines, and 
describe how each milestone addresses project objectives.
    7. Project Budget. Provide a detailed budget breakdown that follows 
the categories and formats in the NOAA grants package and a brief 
narrative justification of the budget.

Evaluation Criteria (With Weights) and Selection Process

    A review panel, composed of two NOAA and at least two non-NOAA 
reviewers, will be established to assist in the evaluation of 
proposals. All proposals received will be ranked according to score and 
the selecting official (the Center's Director) will use those scores to 
aid in making the final decision. The selecting official may also 
consider program policy factors in the final decision to ensure the 
Center's projects are balanced geographically and institutionally. 
Evaluation criteria are:
    1. Significance (20 points)--How well the proposal demonstrates the 
local significance and regional importance of the issues or management 
objectives that will guide development of the project products. At a 
minimum, the proposal must identify management goals that currently are 
not being achieved, describe how products from the project will 
significantly address that deficiency, and the benefits that will 
result to the public and coastal management community.
    2. Technical Approach (30 points)--How well the proposal divides 
the project into discrete tasks that make effective use of the 
technical capabilities of the cooperator and partners. This factor also 
includes the technical merit of the process that the cooperator has 
outlined for developing the project's products.
    3. Outcomes (20 points)--How well the applicant demonstrates that 
the project outcomes significantly will address the management issues 
targeted by the project and that the collective resources of the 
applicant and partners will ensure projected outcomes are met.
    4. Partnerships (20 points)--How well the proposal demonstrates 
that the project is broadly supported by the coastal management 
community, that a broad group of end users, including coastal managers 
and constituent groups, will contribute to design and assembly of 
products; that a broad group of coastal managers and other end users 
will use the products; and that the knowledge and expertise of the 
cooperator and partners will be effectively leveraged.
    5. Cost Efficiency (10 points)--How well the proposal demonstrates 
that the budget is commensurate with project needs and that the 
partnerships employed will improve the overall cost effectiveness of 
the project and value of the products. There is no requirement for cost 
sharing.

Selection Schedule

    Proposals will be reviewed once during the year. The following 
schedule lists the dates for the project selection and award process 
for grants. Proposal Deadline (with completed grant package)--January 
11, 2002. Earliest Approximate Grant Start Date August 1, 2002. NOTE: 
The deadline is close of business, 5:00 PM Eastern time, on the date 
identified. Receipt of proposal and grant package (with original 
signatures) will be time stamped.

Funding Availability

    Specific funding available for awards will be finalized after NOAA 
funds for FY2002 are appropriated and made available. Total funding 
available under this announcement for projects to scope, develop and 
test prototype coastal management decision-making tools and information 
products will be between $100,000 and $200,000. Publication of this 
notice does not obligate NOAA to fund any specific grant or to award 
all or any part of the available funds.

Cost Sharing

    There is no requirement for cost sharing in response to these 
guidelines. However, proposals that include cost sharing or other in-
kind resources will likely score highly under the criteria on cost 
efficiency above.

Eligibility Criteria

    Applications for projects under this announcement may be submitted, 
in accordance with the procedures set forth in these specific 
guidelines, by any regional, state or local government

[[Page 52389]]

agency; college or university; nonprofit organization; cooperative 
research unit; or private sector firm. Other federal agencies or 
institutions are not eligible to receive federal assistance under this 
notice but may be project partners.

Authority

    Statutory authority for these programs is provided under 16 U.S.C. 
1456c (Technical Assistance); and 15 U.S.C. 1540 (Cooperative 
Agreements).

General Information for all Programs

    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register 
notice of October 01, 2001 (66 FR 49917), are applicable to this 
solicitation.
    The recipients must comply with Executive Order 12906 regarding any 
and all geospatial data collected or produced under grants or 
cooperative agreements. This includes documenting all geospatial data 
in accordance with the Federal Geographic Data Committee Content 
Standard for digital geospatial data.

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 (APA) or any other law for this 
notice concerning grants, cooperative agreements, benefits, and 
contracts. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required 
for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).
    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. The use of the standard grants application package 
referred to in this notice involves collection-of-information 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of 
Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 have been approved 
by OMB under the respective Control Numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-
0040, 0348-0046, and 0605-0001.

    Dated: October 5, 2001.
Jamison S. Hawkins,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.
[FR Doc. 01-25776 Filed 10-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-ET-S