[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 220 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69110-69113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29087]



[[Page 69109]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part IV





Department of Commerce





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration



-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Joint Program Announcement on Climate Variability and Human Health for 
FY 2003; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 220 / Thursday, November 14, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 69110]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 021108269]
RIN 0648-ZB33


Joint Program Announcement on Climate Variability and Human 
Health for FY 2003; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA), in Collaboration With; National Science Foundation (NSF), 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EPRI (Formerly the Electric 
Power Research Institute)

AGENCY: Office of Global Programs, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.
SUMMARY: With the intent of stimulating integrated multidisciplinary 
studies and enhancing institutional collaboration, National Oceanic 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Electric Power 
Research Institute (EPRI), announce our interest in receiving research 
proposals to improve our understanding of the human health consequences 
related to climate variability and enhance the integration of useful 
climate information into public health policy and decision-making. This 
joint announcement is intended to support the formation of 
multidisciplinary teams working in close collaboration on integrated 
projects to illuminate the human, biological, and physical pathways by 
which climate may affect human health, and which explore the potential 
for applying climate and environmental information toward the goal of 
improved public health. We are also interested in understanding how the 
human health impacts and responses related to climate variability 
affect our knowledge of potential consequences of, and adaptation and 
vulnerability to, longer term changes in the climate system.

Relevance of This Joint Announcement

    Published in 2001, the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) report 
``Under the Weather: Climate, Ecosystems and Infectious Disease'' 
highlights the need for strengthening research on the linkages between 
climate and infectious disease and recommends highly interdisciplinary 
collaboration involving modelers, meteorologists, climatologists, 
ecologists, social scientists, and a wide array of medical and public 
health professionals. The report recognizes that the effectiveness of 
disease early warning systems will depend upon the context in which 
they are used, and recommends that the development of such systems 
should involve the active participation of the system's end users. 
Also, the U.S. National Assessment of the Potential Consequences of 
Climate Variability and Change, Health Sector Report, published in 
2000, calls for a greater scientific understanding of the causal 
relationships between climate and human health, and the need to take an 
interdisciplinary approach that actively involves decisionmakers and 
practitioners.
    Several multi-agency sponsored workshops such as the American 
Academy of Microbiology Colloquium on Climate Variability and Human 
Health: An Interdisciplinary Perspective, and the workshop on Climate 
Change and Vector-borne and other Infectious Disease: A Research 
Agenda, called for cross-agency collaboration in supporting integrated 
research in this emerging discipline. The 1999 NRC report, Global 
Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade, recognizes 
that climate may have important impacts on human health but that 
further study is necessary, and that such studies must also address 
issues of social vulnerability and adaptability.
    It is well recognized that although early research has demonstrated 
a connection between climate and health in some cases, more rigorous 
and interdisciplinary research is required. This, coupled with an 
evolving capacity to understand and predict natural changes in the 
climate system, and a desire to develop and provide climate and 
environmental information for social benefit, particularly in the 
public health sector, has driven demand for improved understanding of 
the relationship between climate variability and human health.
    Both the scientific research results and recommendations stemming 
from various reports and meetings highlight the complexity of the 
research questions and the need for a coordinated multi-agency and 
interdisciplinary approach. The very nature of the research required 
cuts across disciplinary boundaries, and spans a range of agency 
missions and mandates and private sector interests. The NOAA Office of 
Global Programs is interested in the effective use of climate 
information in climate-sensitive sectors. The NSF focuses on broadly 
based fundamental research to improve understanding of the Earth 
system. EPA is concerned with the impacts of climate change and 
variability on human health, and EPRI addresses key research gaps in 
climate change and human health. This announcement is offered as an 
experimental mechanism to fill critical gaps in climate variability and 
human health research and to coordinate funding of overlapping agency 
and institutional interests in such research. Other private sector 
organizations interested in jointly funding research through this 
announcement process should contact the NOAA Program Manager, Juli 
Trtanj (301) 427-2089, ext. 134, or Internet: [email protected]. 
Research projects will be funded for a one, two or three year period.

Program Objectives

    The overarching goal of this announcement is to develop and 
demonstrate the feasibility of new approaches or field studies that 
investigate or validate well-formed hypotheses or models of climate 
variability and health interactions.
    This announcement is offered as part of an interagency effort to 
build an integrated climate and health community. Proposed research 
submitted under this announcement is encouraged to build on existing 
research activities, programs, research sites and facilities, or data 
sets.

Proposal Requirements and General Guidance

    Research teams should include, at a minimum, one investigator each 
from the public health or medical response, ecology, and climate 
communities working in close collaboration on an integrated project. 
Research proposals submitted under this announcement are strongly 
encouraged to include components addressing either the adaptation or 
vulnerability of human and public health systems to climate 
variability, or an economic analysis of using climate information, or 
both. (See Criteria for Evaluation b). The funding partners will look 
favorably on research activities that involve end-users from the public 
health arena (i.e., local public health officials, regional or 
international health organizations, other public health or disaster 
management agencies and institutions) and which address the means by 
which public health policy and decision-makers can use their research 
results. (See Criteria d). Investigators are encouraged to demonstrate 
that they will disseminate research results through formal presentation 
during at least one professional meeting and publication in a peer-
reviewed journal. (See Criteria b).

[[Page 69111]]

    Investigators should also plan to participate in an annual meeting 
of researchers funded under this announcement. This meeting will be 
organized by the funding partners and is intended to facilitate 
midpoint discussions of research and methodology as well as 
presentations of final research results. The participation of other 
team members, particularly new researchers at the graduate and 
postdoctoral level, is highly encouraged.

DATES: Unless otherwise noted, strict deadlines by which NOAA OGP must 
receive proposals for submission to the FY 2003 process are: Pre-
proposals must be received by OGP no later than August 30, 2002, and 
full proposals must be received no later than November 29, 2002; 
Applications who have not received a response to their pre-proposal 
within four weeks should contact the program manager: Juli Trtanj (301) 
427-2089, ext. 134 or internet: [email protected]. The time from 
target date to grant award varies. We anticipate that review of full 
proposals will occur in February 2003, for most approved projects.
    June 1, 2003, may be used as the earliest proposed start date on 
the proposal, unless otherwise directed by the Program Manager. 
Applicants should be notified of their status within six months of full 
proposal submission. All proposals must be submitted in accordance with 
the requirements listed below. Failure to heed the requirements may 
result in proposals being returned without review.

ADDRESSES: All submissions should be directed to: Office of Global 
Programs (OGP), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1100 
Wayne Avenue, Suite 1225, Silver Spring, MD 20910-5603.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irma duPree at the above address or 
phone (301) 427-2089, exit. 107, fax: (301) 427-2222, Internet: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Funding Availability

    NOAA, NSF, EPA, and EPRI believed that research on the relationship 
between climate variability and human health will benefit significantly 
from a strong partnership with outside investigators. An estimated 1.5 
million will be available for FY03. Current plans assume that over 50% 
of the total resources provided through this announcement will support 
extramural efforts, particularly those involving the broad academic 
community. Additional funding may be provided by NOAA, NSF, EPA, or 
EPRI.
    This Program Announcement is for projects to be conducted by 
investigators both inside and outside of NOAA, NSF, EPA, and EPRI. The 
funding instrument for extramural awards will be a grant unless it is 
anticipated that any of the funding entities will be substantially 
involved in the implementation of the project, in which case the 
funding instrument should be a cooperative agreement. Examples of 
substantial involvement may include but are not limited to proposals 
for collaboration between a funding entity or funding entity scientist, 
and a recipient scientist or technician and/or contemplation by NOAA, 
NSF, or EPA of detailing Federal personnel to work on proposed 
projects. NOAA, NSF, and EPA will make decisions regarding the use of a 
cooperative agreement on a case-by-case basis. This program does not 
require matching share.

2. Eligibility

    Participation in this competition is open to all institutions 
eligible to receive support for NOAA, NSF, EPA, and EPRI. For awards to 
be issued by NOAA, eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international organizations, state, local and Indian 
tribal governments and Federal agencies. Applications from non-Federal 
and Federal applicants will be competed against each other. Proposals 
selected for funding from non-Federal applicants will be funded through 
a project grant or cooperative agreement under the terms of this 
notice. Proposals selected for funding from NOAA employees shall be 
effected by an interagency funds transfer. Proposals selected for 
funding from a non-NOAA Federal Agency will be funded through an 
interagency transfer. Before non-NOAA Federal applicants may be funded, 
they 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.

3. Program Authority

    NOAA Authority: U.S.C. 2931 et seq.; (CFDA No. 11.431)--Climate 
and Atmospheric Research.

    NSF Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1861-75; (CFDA No. 47.050)--
Geosciences.

    EPA Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7403(a); 42 U.S.C. 7403(b); 42 U.S.C. 
7403(g); 15 U.S.C. 2907(a); (CFDA No. 66.500)--Office of Research 
and Development.

Guidelines for Submission

1. Pre-Proposals

    (a) Pre-proposals should be no longer than eight pages in length 
(no attachments will be accepted) and include the names and 
institutions of all investigators, a statement of the problem, 
description of data and methodology including names of data sets and 
types of models or analysis, a general budget for the project, a 
description of intended use of results for public health policy and 
decision making, and brief biographical sketches for each investigator. 
Pre-proposals can be submitted electronically to Irma duPree at 
[email protected], unless other arrangements have been made with the 
Program Manager. Pre-proposals must be prepared using a 10 point font 
or larger, with one-inch margins. Pre-proposals longer than eight pages 
or with attachments will not be accepted.
    (b) The Program Officers will evaluate the pre-proposals.
    (c) Submission of pre-proposals is not a requirement, but it is in 
the best interest of the applicants and their institutions.
    (d) Facsimile and e-mail submissions are acceptable for pre-
proposals only.
    (e) Projects deemed unsuitable during pre-proposal review will not 
be encouraged to submit full proposals.
    (f) Investigators who are not encouraged to submit full proposals 
will not be precluded from submitting full proposals.

2. Criteria for Evaluation

    Below are the criteria for evaluation that will be used for making 
award decisions. Pre-proposals will be evaluated on ability to meet 
these criteria.
    (a) Scientific Merit--60% (to include: Methodology, proof of data 
quality and availability, experience of team and team members, and 
relevant peer-reviewed publications).
    (b) Responsiveness to announcement--20%.
    (c) Explicit multidisciplinary participation and collaboration--
10%.
    (d) Potential for use by climate, ecology and health community or 
public/environmental health community--10%.

3. Selection Procedures and Review Process

    The Program Officers will not be voting members of an independent 
peer

[[Page 69112]]

panel. Each Program Officer will individually rank the proposals 
considering the recommendations and evaluations of the independent peer 
panel and the program policy factors listed below. The Federal Agency 
Program Officers will then make the funding selections taking into 
account these rankings, the panel review and evaluations, and program 
policy factors listed below. Proposals are usually awarded in the 
numerical order they are ranked based on the independent peer mail 
review or the independent peer panel review. However, the Program 
Officers may consider the following program policy factors:
    (a) Whether proposals do not substantially duplicate other projects 
that are currently funded by NOAA, other Federal agencies or funding 
sources; (b) whether proposals do not substantially duplicate other 
proposals submitted in response to this announcement; (c) whether 
proposals funded maximize use of available funds; and (d) whether 
proposal cost falls within remaining funds available. As a result of 
this review, the Program Officers may decide to select an award out of 
order. The Program Officers will also determine the total duration and 
amount of funding for each selected proposal. Both agency and non-
agency experts in the field may be used in this process.
    Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient under prior Federal 
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding. 
Federal agency employees are subject to statutes pertaining to non-
disclosure and confidentiality requirements protecting proprietary 
information that may be contained in applications submitted for 
potential funding. Non-Federal evaluators have agreed in writing to 
similar non-disclosure and confidentiality provisions. Please note, 
however, that should EPRI or another participating private organization 
which jointly funds research under this notice select an application 
for funding, none of the participating Federal agencies is responsible 
for any unauthorized disclosure of information that may occur on any 
dispute that may arise.

4. Proposal Submission

    The following forms are required in each application, with original 
signatures on each federal form. Failure to comply with these 
provisions will result in proposals being returned without review.
    (a) Full Proposals: (1) Proposals submitted to the NOAA Climate and 
Global Change Program must include the original and two unbound copies 
of the proposal. (2) Investigators are required to submit 3 copies of 
the proposal; however, the normal review process requires 20 copies. 
Investigators are encouraged to submit sufficient proposal copies for 
the full review process if they wish all reviewers to receive color, 
unusually sized (not 8.5 x 11''), or otherwise unusual materials 
submitted as part of the proposal. Only three copies of the federally 
required forms are needed. (3) Proposals must be limited to 40 pages 
(numbered), including abstract, results of prior research, statement of 
work, budget justification, budget, investigators' vitae, and all 
appendices. Append information may not be used to circumvent the page 
length limit. Federally mandated forms are not included within the page 
count. (4) Proposals should be sent to the NOAA Office of Global 
Programs at the above address. (5) Facsimile transmissions and 
electronic mail submission of full proposals will not be accepted.
    (b) Required Elements: All proposals must include the following 
elements:
    (1) Signed title page: The title page must be signed by the 
Principal Investigator (PI) and the institutional representative. If 
more than one investigator is listed on the title page, please identify 
the lead investigator. The PI and institutional representative should 
be identified by full name, title, organization, telephone number and 
address. The amount of Federal funds being requested should be listed 
for each budget period and for the total project.
    (2) Abstract: An abstract must be included and should contain an 
introduction of the problem, rationale and a brief summary of work to 
be completed. The abstract should appear on a separate page, headed 
with the proposal title, institution(s), investigator(s), total 
proposed cost and budget period.
    (3) Results from prior research: The results of related research 
activities should be described, including their relation to the 
currently proposed work. Reference to each prior research award should 
include the title, agency or institution, award number, PIs, period of 
award and total award. The section should be a brief summary and should 
not exceed two pages total.
    (4) Statement of work: The proposed project must be completely 
described, including identification of the problem, scientific 
objectives, proposed methodology, and relevance to the announcement. 
Benefits of the proposed project to the general public and the 
scientific community should also be discussed. A summary of proposed 
work must be included clearly indicating that the proposed work is 
achievable. The statement of work, including references but excluding 
figures and other visual materials must not exceed 15 pages of text.
    (5) Budget Justification: A brief description of the expenses 
listed on the budget and how they address the proposed work. Itemized 
justification must include salaries, equipment, publications, supplies, 
tuition, travel, etc.
    (6) Budget; the proposal must include total and annual budget 
corresponding with the descriptions provided in the statement of work. 
A sample budget sheet can be found in the standard NOAA application 
kit-Federal Applicants must submit a Standard Form 424 94-92) 
``Application for Federal Assistance'', including a detailed budget 
using the Standard Form 424a (4-92), ``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs''. The form is included in the standard NOAA 
application kit. Additional text to justify expenses should be included 
as necessary. Federal researchers should contact Irma duPree at (301) 
427-2089 ext. 107, for guidance regarding the types of forms required 
for submission. Additionally, Federal researchers should provide, with 
their application, the appropriate statutory authority that allows 
their agency to receive funds from another Federal agency to complete 
the work outlined in their proposal.
    (7) Vitae: Abbreviated curriculum vitae are sought with each 
proposal. Reference lists should be limited to 10-15 of the most recent 
and relevant publications with up to five other relevant papers.
    (8) Current and pending support: For each investigator, submit a 
list that includes project title, supporting agency with grant number, 
investigator months, dollar value and duration. Requested values should 
be listed for pending support.
    (9) List of suggested reviewers: The cover letter may include a 
list of individuals qualified and suggested to review the proposal. It 
also may include a list of individuals that applicants would prefer to 
not review the proposals. Such lists may be considered at the 
discretion of the Program Offices.
    (c) Other requirements: Applicants may obtain a Standard NOAA 
application kit from the Program homepage at http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/, 
or from Irma duPree at the Program Office (301) 427-2089 X107. Primary 
applicant certification--All primary applicants must submit a completed 
Form CD-511, ``Certification Regarding

[[Page 69113]]

Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirements and Lobbying'' Applicants are also hereby 
notified of the following:
    1. Nonprocurment Debarment and Suspension-Prospective participants 
(as defined at 26 CFR part 26, section 105) are subject to 15 CFR part 
26, ``Nonprocurment Debarment and Suspension'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies.
    2. Drug Free workplace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, Government-wide 
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
    3. Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, section 
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal 
contracting and financial transactions'', and the lobbying section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids 
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than 
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the 
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever 
is greater; and (4) Anti-Lobbying disclosures--Any applicant that has 
paid or will pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL. 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 
28, appendix B.
    (d) Lower Tier Certifications:
    (1) Recipients must require applicants/bidders for subgrants, 
contracts, subcontracts, or lower tier covered transactions at any tier 
under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-512, 
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and 
disclosure form SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities'' Form CD-
512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be transmitted 
to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should 
be submitted to DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in 
the award document.
    (2) Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all applicable 
Federal laws and Federal and Department of Commerce policies, 
regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal Financial assistance 
awards.
    (3) Pre-award Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to an 
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that 
may have been received, there is no obligation to the applicant on the 
part of Department of Commerce to cover pre-award costs.
    (4) This program is subject to the requirements of OMB Circular No. 
A-110, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other 
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other 
Non-Profit Organizations'', and 15 CFR part 24, ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to 
State and Local Governments'', as applicable. Applications under this 
program are not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs.''
    (5) All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name 
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key 
individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of, or 
are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or 
other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's 
management, honesty, or financial integrity.
    (6) A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or 
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or 
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    (7) No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has 
an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
    (i) The delinquent account is paid in full, (ii) A negotiated 
repayment schedule is established and at least one payment is received, 
or (iii) Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce 
are made.
    (8) Buy American-Made Equipment or Products--Applicants are 
encouraged that any equipment or products authorized to be purchased 
with funding provided under this program must be American-made to the 
maximum extent feasible.
    (9) The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total 
proposed direct cost dollar amount in the application, whichever is 
less.
    (e) If an application is selected for funding, the Department of 
Commerce has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in 
connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or 
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the 
Department of Commerce.
    (f) In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, no person 
on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability 
shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or be 
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving 
financial assistance from the NOAA Climate and Global Change program. 
The NOAA Climate and Global Change Program does not have direct TDD 
(Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capabilities, but can be reached 
through the State of Maryland supplied TDD contact number, 800-735-
2258, between the hours of 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    Classification: This notice contains collection-of-information 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of 
Standard Forms 424, 424A, and SF-LLL have been approved by OMB under 
the respective control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 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 Paper Reduction 
Act, unless that collection displays a currently valid OMB control 
number. This notice has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.

Louisa Koch,
Acting Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-29087 Filed 11-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-M