[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 80 (Thursday, April 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20487-20491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10208]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

[Docket No. 980723189-2026-02; I.D. 041902B]


Financial Assistance for a National Ocean Service Intern Program

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Ocean Service announces the availability of 
Federal Assistance to operate an intern program. The need for wise 
stewardship of the coastal environment is increasing and with it a need 
to enlarge the pool of skilled environmental scientists and managers 
and at the same time increase the diversity of this pool. The National 
Ocean Service (NOS) recognizes that there is a shortage of skilled 
environmental scientists and managers who are aware of and utilize the 
techniques and technologies required by

[[Page 20488]]

NOAA's stewardship programs and is trying to remedy the situation 
through an Intern program. The programmatic objective of this intern 
program is to provide unique opportunities for cooperative study, 
research, and development that would be of major benefit in advancing 
the number and diversity of skilled engineers, scientists, and managers 
in the environmental arena who are familiar with the techniques and 
technologies used by NOS. This solicitation is to find a partner to 
assist NOAA in cooperatively managing this intern program. This partner 
would be responsible for locating candidate Interns, assisting in their 
selection, and administering of the awards to the Interns. NOAA would 
identify the intern opportunities, assist in the final selection of the 
candidate interns, and provide space, technical guidance and training 
to the Interns during their period of internship at government 
facilities. This program will start in FY02 using initial funding from 
FY02. It is anticipated that additional funds will be used to expand 
the program to increase the number of interns for the initial award. 
Periodically, additional funds will be added to fund additional groups 
of interns.

DATES: Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m., Eastern 
Standard Time, May 28, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed to: NOS Special Projects, Attn: 
NOS Intern Program, 1305 East-West Highway Room 09-449, Silver Spring, 
MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Peter L. Grose, NOAA--N/SP, 1305 
East West Highway Room 09-449, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 713-3000 
x132

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
National Ocean Service (NOS) is expanding its institutional commitment 
to Coastal Stewardship. NOS also desires to continue its science and 
technology leadership with respect to addressing coastal environments 
and issues. NOS has identified several areas of interest that will be 
pursued in environmental management, research and development in the 
coastal zone, and mensuration of the environment which are necessary to 
support active stewardship. These areas include, but are not limited, 
to:

integrated coastal zone management, resource protection and 
restoration, remote sensing of coastal and benthic habitats, shallow 
water and coastal mapping, geodesy, marine navigation, delineation 
of essential habitats, determination of environmental degradation 
and damage, habitat remediation, and applied research and 
development on environmental, economic, and demographic issues.

    A primary objective of NOS is to plan and support active 
Stewardship of coastal and marine resources at a time of increased 
pressures on these resources and decreasing funds for programs. NOS 
does not have the staff nor resources to accomplish this objective in a 
closed bureaucracy. Thus, part of the strategy is to transfer NOS's 
technologies, techniques, and methods to the community-at-large, 
especially the next generation of resource scientists and managers both 
to increase their capability and to increase their diversity. Many of 
NOS's programs and activities are unique and need to be transferred to 
the non-Federal community. An effective mechanism to affect this 
transfer is through the establishment of an Internship Program. This 
cooperative agreement between NOAA and the recipient will promote these 
objectives and establish the means to accomplish them in a manner 
beneficial to both NOAA and the recipient.

    Authority: Statutory authority for these awards is provided 
under 15 U.S.C. 1540.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): This NOS Intern 
Program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
under Number 11.480.)

Program Description

    The proposed cooperative program will be administered by the 
Recipient in response to intern opportunities offered by NOAA.
    The recipient shall provide environmental Interns (Associates) to 
work on individual projects in response to internship opportunities 
established by the program offices within NOS. The Associates provided 
must be college students or recent graduates (Bachelors, Masters, 
Ph.D., JD), with a college degree in areas such as environmental 
science, earth science, environmental engineering, geodesy, chemistry, 
physics, oceanography, biology, fishery science, geography, resource 
economics, risk assessment, policy analysis, computer science, and law. 
Candidate associates must be U.S. citizens. There is not a fixed number 
of Internships per year under this program. The actual number will 
depend on opportunities and funding identified by offices within NOS. 
The minimum number will be one, the maximum may exceed 40.
    Internships shall be located at Silver Spring, MD, Seattle, WA, and 
other NOS facilities as designated and Associates shall be required to 
relocate (if necessary) to such locations for the duration of the 
internship. Some funds for relocation expenses may be available for 
selected internships. Associates will be provided individual 
assignments for each period of internship and on an as needed basis 
(per project). These projects shall be designed to provide learning 
experiences for the Associates that will make them competitive for 
employment opportunities in both the public and private sector and to 
transfer unique and specialized technologies or procedures from NOAA to 
the Public and Private sectors.
    Under this Cooperative Agreement, the Recipient shall make an 
effort in advertising and promoting these internships to Native 
Americans, Hispanic, African, Asian and other minorities at many 
educational levels.
    Associates will work full time for a period of approximately three 
to twelve months. The actual duration will vary based on the specific 
objectives of each internship opportunity as determined by the Project 
Officer and Technical Advisor. Internships can be renewed, but shall 
not exceed 24 months for any individual Associate as either a single or 
multiple internships.
    Final details for individual assignments shall be developed in 
consultation with the Project Officer or the individual Technical 
Advisor in accordance with the ``Statement of Substantial Involvement 
between NOAA and the Recipient''. In accordance with the substantial 
involvement clause, the Project Officer and the Technical Advisor shall 
be responsible for providing guidance on the specific tasks required 
for the satisfactory completion of the internship by the Associate. As 
part of the Internship, each Associate shall develop and carry out an 
individual research project that furthers the objectives of the program 
to which he or she is assigned. These projects shall be developed under 
the direction of the Project Officer or Technical Advisor.

Description of the Intended Operation of the Intern Program for Each 
Internship

    1. The technical advisor shall document the intern opportunity and 
include the following information:
    (a) Name of the office offering the opportunity/Project.
    (b) Name of the contact person in this office--(technical advisor), 
address, telephone & email address.
    (c) Background of the Project--description of the project/program 
within which the internship is offered.
    (d) Objectives of the Project relative to the Intern.

[[Page 20489]]

    (e) Description of what the intern will do (duties).
    (f) Description of the benefits to the intern from the internship 
(what training will occur, be offered, etc.).
    (g) Minimum qualifications for the internship (major, courses, 
degree).
    (h) Desired background of the Intern and special skills (e.g. 
diving certification) required, if any.
    (i) Special conditions/requirements (overtime, sea duty, travel, 
etc.). [Funds to cover any additional costs incurred by these 
conditions must be included in the obligation.]
    (j) Desired starting date and duration of the opportunity.
    (k) Stipend level (and relocation expense if available).
    2. This description, along with an obligation of required funds 
(Stipend + benefits + travel + overhead + fees) in the form of a 
completed CD-435, will be transmitted to the Project Officer.
    3. The Project Officer shall review the documentation of the intern 
opportunity, and, if acceptable, shall implement an increment to the 
master grant and transmit the description of the Intern opportunity to 
the Recipient.
    4. Recipient shall advertise the available Intern position, and 
from those expressing an interest, pre-select a pool of 5-10 candidates 
based on the requirements of the internship, and submit this candidate 
list along with resumes of the candidates to the Project Officer and 
Technical Advisor. This submittal shall occur within 30 calendar days 
of receipt of the request and documentation from the Grantor.
    5. Within 14 days of receipt of the pool of candidates, the 
Technical Advisor shall notify the Project Officer of his/her ranking 
of the acceptable candidates. The Project Officer shall review the 
ranking, approve, and forward it to the Recipient. If no candidates are 
acceptable, the Recipient shall be requested to re-advertise the 
opportunity.
    6. Upon selection of a candidate, the Recipient shall make 
arrangements with the selected candidate for employment and, in 
consultation with the Grantor, set a reporting date for the associate.
    7. The Associate shall carry out the Internship.

Definitions

    Associate--Individual who will be provided with and perform 
internships under this cooperative agreement.
    Intern Opportunity/Project--An opportunity for an internship which 
is documented and has funds obligated for its costs. In general, these 
opportunities will be assignments within existing NOS programs and 
ongoing projects and not something created uniquely for this Agreement.
    Project Officer--The NOAA Project Officer is that individual 
specifically named by NOAA to manage this program.
    Technical Advisor/Monitor--The NOAA employee responsible for 
providing day-to-day guidance on the specific project(s) assigned to 
the associate and for the associate's individual development and 
progress.

Anticipated Stipend Levels (per annum) and General Background 
Requirements of Internships:

    1. $25,000 ($12.02/hr) 2 full years of academic study.
    2. $28,000 ($3.46/hr) 4 full years of academic study (BA, BS 
degree).
    3. $32,000 ($15.38/hr) 4 years and superior academic standard (top 
1/3, 2.9/4 GPA overall, & 3.5/4 GPA in Major.
    4. $37,000 ($17.79/hr) 60 hrs Graduate level or Masters degree.
    5. $42,000 ($20.19/hr) All requirements for PhD met.
    Unless included in the Intern opportunity description, overtime is 
not anticipated. In the event that overtime is required, the duration 
of the internship shall be reduced or additional funds shall be 
obligated or Compensatory time shall be given in lieu of overtime to 
pay for it.
    In the event that an Associate terminates or is terminated (for 
cause), the Recipient shall make every opportunity to refill the 
internship and, if not practicable, credit the Grantor with the unspent 
balance of the funds. These funds shall be used to supplement 
internships under the direction of the Project Officer. Note: If the 
Associate is to be an ``independent contractor'' rather than an 
employee of the Recipient under the Cooperative Agreement, the stipend 
levels paid to the intern shall be increased by 8% to cover the 
additional required Self Employment fees.

Funding Availability

    NOS funding for this Program will be a minimum of $40,000 from FY02 
funds to a maximum of $1,800,000 during the first year. Additional 
follow-on years (starting from the anniversary of the first awarded 
cooperative agreement), up to a maximum of 4 without re-competition, 
may be funded to a maximum of $1,800,000 per year. Each internship or 
group of internships, beyond the first, shall be funded as an amendment 
to the master agreement. There is no set timetable for announcement of 
internships and they may occur throughout the year.

Matching Requirements

    Cost sharing is not required for the internship program.

Type of Funding Instrument

    The NOS Intern Program shall be awarded as a Cooperative Agreement 
since NOAA anticipates that there will be substantial involvement 
between NOS, the Recipient, and the Interns (after their selection).

Statement of Substantial Involvement Between NOAA and the Recipient

    In carrying out the work program set forth in the project 
description, NOS and the Recipient agree to meet the programmatic 
objective of this agreement as stated.\*\ NOS involvement will consist 
of the following activities.
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    \*\ Summary Section: ``The programmatic objective of this intern 
program is to provide unique opportunities for cooperative study, 
research, and development that would be of major benefit in 
advancing the number and diversity of skilled engineers, scientists, 
and managers in the environmental arena who are familiar with the 
techniques and technologies used by NOS.''
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    1. NOS will provide descriptions of available intern opportunities 
with required academic backgrounds and job skills.
    2. NOS will participate in review and rating panels and will 
interview and make final selections from lists of eligible candidates 
that are provided by the Recipient.
    3. NOS will provide a technical monitor to interact with each 
Associate who will be chosen to work on a given project. The technical 
monitor shall provide technical guidance and support to the Associate 
in developing the skills necessary to perform the work in the chosen 
environmental arena.

Eligibility Criteria

    This solicitation is open to any Non-Profit organization.

Award Period

    The initial competitive award shall be valid for a period of one 
(1) year. Additional awards can be made without re-competition for up 
to 4 continuation years (starting from the anniversary of the first 
awarded cooperative agreement) with the mutual consent of both parties. 
NOAA shall consider continued funding for the project upon: (a) 
satisfactory progress toward the stated agreement goals, and the 
determination by NOAA that the continuation of the program would be in 
the best interest of the Government; and (b) availability of funds. 
This submission in no way obligates NOAA to extend this agreement, nor 
is this paragraph to be interpreted as a promise that future funds will 
be available.

[[Page 20490]]

Indirect Costs

    Funds to support the NOS Intern program shall be given directly to 
the Recipient. Administrative or indirect costs shall be negotiated as 
part of the Master Agreement award and shall be based on and paid on a 
per internship basis. These costs may be fixed time dependent, Intern 
Stipend dependent, or a combination as proposed by the Recipient.
    Stipend levels, and benefits may be adjusted for COLA for each 
continuation year.

Application Requirements

    Applicants must submit one signed original plus two (2) copies of 
the application including all information required by the application 
kit. Each application package shall contain:
    1. SF-424 (including SF-424A & SF-424B).
    2. A budget with necessary supporting details. This budget should 
be based on a hypothetical intern opportunity at a stipend level of 
$28,000 per year if the intern is to be an employee of the Recipient or 
$32,240 if the Intern is to an Independent Contractor, an allowance for 
required field trip travel of $2,000, and a relocation allowance of 
$500. Because it is anticipated that this agreement will be extended to 
include additional internships beyond the first, supporting information 
should be included to determine the full cost to the government of 
additional internships which may have any of the suggested stipend 
levels, have durations ranging 3 to 12 months, and be with or without 
relocation or travel allowances. This information should also contain 
details on what services and benefits are included (i.e. sick leave, 
tax withholding, insurance, etc.) and their estimated cost to interns; 
as well as, what, if any, allowances are made for vacation leave and/or 
sick leave. Holidays observed by the office hosting the intern will be 
considered paid holidays.
    3. Curriculum Vitae for each Principle Investigator and critical 
senior staff assigned to the program.
    4. Copy of a current approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate 
Agreement.
    5. CD-511 ``Certifications Regarding * * *''.
    6. SF-LLL ``Disclosure of Lobbying'' (blocks 1-10 & 16).
    7. Statement of Work (narrative description of the proposed 
activity, objectives and milestones). This Settlement of Work shall 
include:
    (a) A description of the Intern Program, how they would implement 
it and conduct its operation. Alternatives and variations with regard 
to the timing of items 4 and 5 within the ``Description of the Intended 
Operation of the Intern Program for each Internship'' detailed above 
may be proposed.
    (b) Proposed method of advertising for and pre-screening candidate 
Interns.
    (c) Proposed relationship between the prospective Recipient and 
Selected Interns, with descriptions of services offered (e.g. tax 
withholding) and benefits available (e.g. health insurance, workman's 
compensation, etc.) to the Interns.
    (d) Past history of the prospective Recipient in operating similar 
programs.
    8. Proof of Status For First Time Eligible Non-Profit Applicants.

Application Forms and Kit

    An application kit containing all required application forms and 
certifications is available from the NOAA Grants Management Division 
(301) 713-0946.

Project Funding Priorities

    Responsiveness of the application to the programmatic objectives of 
the Intern program as noted in the Background section and restated in 
the Type of Funding Instrument section above.

Evaluation Criteria

    The proposals from prospective Recipients will be evaluated on the 
submitted application to conduct the proposed Intern Program.
    The evaluation shall be weighted as indicated:
    1. Costs for operating the proposed Intern Program. (15%)
    2. Description of the program, how they would implement it, conduct 
its operation and proposed time lines for filling internships. (25%)
    3. Proposed relationship between the prospective Recipient and 
Selected Interns, with descriptions of services offered and benefits 
available to the Interns relative to their cost to the Grantor, 
Recipient, and Intern. (15%)
    4. Proposed method for advertising for and pre-screening candidate 
Interns. (20%)
    5. Past history of the prospective Recipient in operating similar 
programs and qualifications of proposed senior staff. (25%)

Selection Procedure

    Each application will receive an independent, objective review by a 
panel qualified to evaluate the applications submitted. The Independent 
Review Panel, consisting of at least three individuals, will review, 
evaluate, and rank all applications based on the criteria stated above. 
The final decision on award will be based upon the numerical ranking 
and a determination by the Selecting Official that the Recipient's 
application meets the Project Funding Priorities.
    Unsuccessful applications will be destroyed when they are no longer 
required for the selection process.

Other Requirements

Restrictions

    Interns will not be used to replace NOAA employees formerly 
employed under the Office of Personnel Management students appointing 
authorities, to replace temporary or term appointments, or to replace 
or fill-in for full or part-time NOAA positions vacated by the 
Voluntary Separation Program or Reduction in Force. Participants will 
not be selected or used to perform personal services. Nothing shall 
create the appearance that the participant is being used in a personal 
services manner. The relationship between the Recipient and Interns is 
up to the Recipient. The Recipient may be the Intern's employer or it 
may choose to award the Interns stipends or grants. In any case, the 
Recipient is responsible for payment, discipline, leave approval, 
termination, etc. for each Intern. Nothing in this agreement or its 
supplements shall be deemed to create an employer-employee relationship 
between the NOAA and an Intern. Former NOAA employees (including 
students) are not eligible for this program within two years of 
employment at NOAA.

Pre-Award Notification Requirements

    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Requirements for Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register notice of 
October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), are applicable to this solicitation.

Classification

    It has been determined that this notice is not significant for 
purposes of E.O. 12866.
    Applications under this program are not subject to executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
    It has been determined that this notice does not contain policies 
with Federalism implications as that term is defined in EO 13132.
    Because notice and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or 
any other law, for notices relating to public property, loans, grants, 
benefits or contracts, a Regulatory Flexibility

[[Page 20491]]

Analysis, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., is not required and has been prepared 
for this notice.
    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The use of Standard Forms 
424, 424A, 424B, and SF-LLL have been approved by OMB under the 
respective control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, and 0348-
0046.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act unless that collection displays a currently valid OMB 
Control Number.

    Dated: April 17, 2002.
Jamison S. Hawkins,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management.
[FR Doc. 02-10208 Filed 4-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-ST-M