[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 17, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77230-77235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31697]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No.021114276-2276-01; I.D. 120302C]
RIN 0648-ZB31


Financial Assistance for Environmental Education Projects in the 
Chesapeake Bay Watershed

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this document is to invite the public to submit 
new proposals and to reapply for projects considered for continuation 
for available funding to implement environmental education projects in 
the following two priority areas: ``Meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or 
Stream Outdoor Experience and Professional Development in the Area of 
Environmental Education for Teachers Within the Chesapeake Bay 
Watershed. Potential recipients may submit separate proposals for each 
priority area or may submit one proposal that addresses both priority 
areas. Funds are available to K-through-12 public and independent 
schools and school systems, institutions of higher education, 
community-based and nonprofit organizations, state or local government 
agencies, interstate agencies, and Indian tribal governments. This 
document describes the conditions under which project proposals will be 
accepted and criteria under which proposals will be evaluated for 
funding consideration. Selected recipients will enter into either a 
cooperative agreement or a grant. It is the intent of the NOAA 
Chesapeake Bay Office to continue with several existing relationships 
and to make awards through this program for projects pending successful 
progress reports and review. Therefore, funding for some proposals may 
be limited to ongoing projects.

DATES: Preliminary proposals must be received by 5 p.m. eastern 
standard time on January 16, 2003. Preliminary proposals received after 
that time will not be accepted. Full proposals must be received by 5 
p.m. eastern standard time on March 17, 2003. Full proposals received 
after that time will not be considered for funding. Preliminary and 
full proposals will not be accepted electronically nor by facsimile 
machine submission.

ADDRESSES: You can obtain a proposal package from and send completed 
preliminary and full proposals to: Seaberry J. Nachbar, NOAA Chesapeake 
Bay Office, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403. You can 
also obtain the proposal package from the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office 
Education Home Page http://noaa.chesapeakebay.net/education.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Seaberry J. Nachbar, Education 
Coordinator, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, telephone: (410) 267-5664, or 
e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

A. Authority

    The Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, at 16 U.S.C. 753a, 
authorizes the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), to develop adequate, 
coordinated, cooperative research and training programs for fish and 
wildlife resources, to continue to enter into cooperative agreements 
with colleges and universities, with game and fish departments of 
several states, and with nonprofit organizations relating to 
cooperative research units. The Secretary of Commerce, acting through 
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, is 
authorized by 15 U.S.C. 1540 to enter into cooperative agreements and 
other financial agreements with any nonprofit organization to aid and 
promote scientific and educational activities to foster public 
understanding of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or 
its programs. This announcement is subject to the availability of 
funding under the Departments of Commerce (DOC), State, the Judiciary, 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2003 make funds available to 
the Secretary.

B. Catalog of Federal Assistance (CFDA)

    The projects to be funded are in support of the Chesapeake Bay 
Studies (CFDA 11.457), under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and 
Training Program.

C. Program Description

    The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office's (NCBO)Bay Watershed Education and 
Training (B-WET) Program was established in 2002 to provide 
environment-based education to students, teachers, and communities 
throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Using the environment as the 
context for learning has been shown to increase a student's academic 
achievement performance, enthusiasm and engagement for learning, and 
encourages greater pride and ownership in accomplishments. The 
environment can provide a platform upon which educators can create a 
curriculum that interests learners and revitalizes teachers.
    The B-WET grant program is a competitively based program that 
supports existing environmental education programs, fosters the growth 
of new programs, and encourages the development of partnerships among 
environmental education programs throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay 
watershed. Funded projects assist in meeting the Stewardship and 
Community Engagement goals of the Chesapeake 2000 agreement (see 
Stewardship and Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences document 
for details http://www.chesapeakebay.net/pubs/subcommittee/cesc/c2k.pdf). Projects support organizations that provide students 
``meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or stream outdoor experiences and 
teachers professional development opportunities in the area of 
environmental education. The B-WET Program has an opportunity to create 
a population that is knowledgeable about the Chesapeake Bay watershed 
environment. Environmentally educated individuals can become effective 
future workers, problem solvers, and thoughtful community leaders and 
participants.

[[Page 77231]]

II. Priority Areas and Evaluation Criteria

    All projects must address State (DE, MD, NY, PA, VA, WV) and/or 
District (DC) academic learning standards. Proposals should address one 
or both of the two priority areas: (1) ``Meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or 
Stream Outdoor Experience; or (2) Professional Development in the Area 
of Environmental Education for Teachers Within the Chesapeake Bay 
Watershed. Potential recipients may submit separate proposals for each 
priority area or may submit one proposal that addresses both priority 
areas.

A. ``Meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or Stream Outdoor Experience

    The NCBO seeks proposals for projects that provide opportunities 
for students (K through 12) to participate in a ``meaningful'' 
Chesapeake Bay or stream outdoor experience. The Chesapeake Bay, with 
its tributaries, provides an excellent opportunity for environmental 
education. In many cases, its tidal and non-tidal waters and the 
surrounding landscape provide ``hands-on'' laboratories where students 
can see, touch, and learn about the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the 
greater environment. In other cases, the Bay watershed can be brought 
alive to the classroom through a strong complement of outdoor and 
classroom experiences. The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries should be 
considered a living resource that provides a genuine, locally relevant 
source of environmental knowledge that can be used to help advance 
student learning skills and problem-solving abilities across the entire 
school curriculum.
    Total anticipated funding is about $925,000. Of the amount 
available for this priority area, about $825,000 will be awarded to 
larger organizations that provide environmental education programs and 
up to $100,000 to smaller, community-based organizations that work at a 
local level to provide environmental education programs.
    Proposals will be evaluated on the following seven criteria. 
Reviewers will assign scores ranging from 0 to 100 points.
    1. Experiences follow the scope and sequence of a ``meaningful'' 
Chesapeake Bay or stream outdoor experience: This part of the program 
comprises a series of concepts and perceptions appropriate for K- 
through 12-grade students. See also the Stewardship and Meaningful 
Watershed Educational Experiences document (http://www.chesapeakebay.net/pubs/subcommittee/cesc/c2k.pdf). (15 points)
    a. From K to 5. Experiences should be neighborhood-based and 
reinforce such basic concepts as maps and models, habitat principles, 
and the concept of the water cycle and watersheds.
    b. From 6 to 8. Experiences should focus on team and class projects 
and investigations, conducted in or near water. Experiences should 
reinforce science, mathematics, and technology skills developed in 
middle school.
    c. From 9 to 12. Experiences should be first-hand knowledge in or 
near water and should relate to the earth and biological sciences, 
concepts developed in civics and government, and attitudes reinforcing 
responsible citizenship.
    2. ``Meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or stream outdoor experiences are 
hands-on and investigative or project-oriented: Experiences should 
include activities where questions, problems, and issues are 
investigated through data collection, observation, and hands-on 
activities. Experiences should stimulate observation, motivate critical 
thinking, develop problem-solving skills, and instill confidence in 
students. Experiences should not be limited to tours, gallery visits, 
simulations, demonstrations, or ``nature'' walks but should encourage 
the student to assist, share, communicate, and connect directly with 
the outdoors. Experiences do not have to be water-based activities 
directly on the Bay, tidal rivers, streams, creeks, ponds, wetlands, or 
other bodies of water. As long as there is an intentional connection to 
water quality, watershed, and the larger ecological system, outdoor 
experiences may include terrestrial activities (e.g., erosion control, 
buffer creation, groundwater protection, and pollution prevention). (15 
points)
    3. ``Meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or stream outdoor experiences are 
richly structured: Experiences should consist of three general parts, 
not necessarily occurring in this order- a preparation phase; an 
outdoor phase; and an analysis, reporting phase. Projects should 
provide teachers with the support, materials, resources, and 
information needed to conduct these three parts. The preparation phase 
should focus on a question, problem, or issue and involve students in 
discussions about it. The action phase should include one or more 
outdoor experiences sufficient to conduct the project, make the 
observations, or collect the data required. The reflection phase should 
refocus on the question, problem, or issue; analyze the conclusions 
reached; evaluate the results; and assess the activity and the 
learning. (15 points)
    4. Projects are new or significantly enhanced: Proposals should 
consist of a project that is new to an organization's environmental 
education program or includes additions that significantly enhance an 
existing project. For example, projects could include different 
participants, focus on a new audience, concentrate on a different 
geographic location, or employ new techniques, methods, or ideas. (10 
points)
    5. Projects demonstrate partnerships: Project proposals should 
include partners involving any of the eligible applicants. Partnerships 
refers to the forming of a collaborative working relationship between 
two or more organizations. The B-WET Program strongly encourages 
applicants to partner with schools and/or school systems. All partners 
should be actively involved in the project, not just supply equipment 
or curricula. (20 points)
    6. Justification and allocation of the proposed budget: Proposals 
will be evaluated on the reasonableness of the proposed budget. (15 
points)
    7. Project evaluation: Explain how you will ensure that you are 
meeting the goals and objectives of your project. Evaluation plans may 
be quantitative and/or qualitative and may include, for example, 
evaluation tools, observation, or outside consultation.(10 points)

B. Professional Development in the Area of Environmental Education for 
Teachers within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

    The NCBO seeks proposals for projects that provide Kthrough-12 
teachers within the Chesapeake Bay watershed opportunities for 
professional development in the area of environmental education. As the 
purveyors of education, teachers can ultimately make meaningful 
environmental education experiences for students by weaving together 
classroom and field activities within the context of their curriculum 
and of current critical issues that impact the watershed. Systematic, 
long-term professional development opportunities will reinforce a 
teacher's ability to teach, inspire, and lead young people toward 
thoughtful stewardship of our natural resources.
    Total anticipated funding is about $925,000. Proposals will be 
evaluated on the following six criteria. Reviewers will assign scores 
ranging from 0 to 100 points.
    1. Projects should be developed to provide teachers with the 
teaching of a ``meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or stream outdoor 
experience and promote follow-through by encouraging teachers

[[Page 77232]]

to implement a ``meaningful'' Bay or stream outdoor experience in their 
classroom: Projects should ensure that professional development 
experiences for the teacher ultimately benefit the student. 
Professional development opportunities should instruct teachers about a 
``meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or stream outdoor experience (for details 
see the Stewardship and Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences 
document http://www.chesapeakebay.net/pubs/subcommittee/cesc/c2k.pdf) 
and encourage teachers to implement a ``meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or 
stream outdoor experience in their classroom. For example, professional 
development courses could result in a lesson plan; provide teachers 
with materials, or resources needed for carrying out a ``meaningful'' 
Chesapeake Bay or stream outdoor experience in their classroom; and/or 
require teachers to document how they will incorporate what they have 
just learned into the classroom. A point of contact should be provided 
to the teacher for technical support during the school year. (30 
points)
    2. Projects involve external sharing and communication: Projects 
should promote peer-to-peer sharing and emphasize the need for external 
sharing and communication. Projects should include a mechanism that 
encourages teachers to share their experiences with other teachers and 
with the environmental education community. (15 points)
    3. Projects are new or significantly enhanced: Proposals should 
consist of a project that is new to an organization's environmental 
education program or that includes additions that significantly enhance 
an existing project. For example, projects could include different 
participants, focus on a new audience, concentrate on a different 
geographic location, or employ new techniques, methods, or ideas. (10 
points)
    4. Projects demonstrate partnerships: Project proposals should 
include partners involving any of the eligible applicants. Partnerships 
refers to the forming of a collaborative working relationship between 
two or more organizations. The B-WET Program strongly encourages 
applicants to partner with schools and/or school systems. All partners 
should be actively involved in the project, not just supply equipment 
or curricula. (20 points)
    5. Justification and allocation of the proposed budget: Proposals 
will be evaluated on the reasonableness of the proposed budget. (15 
points)
    6. Project evaluation: Explain how you will ensure that you are 
meeting the goals and objectives of your project. Evaluation plans may 
be quantitative and/or qualitative and may include, for example, 
evaluation tools, observation, or outside consultation. (10 points)

III. Funding

A. Funding Availability

    This solicitation announces that approximately $1.85M may be 
available in FY 2003, in award amounts to be determined by the 
proposals and available funds. Applicants are hereby given notice that 
funds have not yet been appropriated for this program.
    About $925,000 will be for proposals that provide opportunities for 
students (K through 12) to participate in a ``Meaningful'' Chesapeake 
Bay or Stream Outdoor Experience. Of the amount available for this 
priority area, about $825,000 will be awarded to larger organizations 
that provide environmental education programs and about $100,000 will 
be awarded to smaller, community-based organizations that work at a 
local level to provide environmental education programs. About $925,000 
will be for proposals that provide opportunities for Professional 
Development in the area of Environmental Education for Teachers within 
the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
    It is the intent of the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to continue with 
several existing relationships and to make awards through this program 
for projects pending successful progress reports and review. Therefore, 
funding for some proposals may be limited to ongoing projects.
    There is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to 
make awards for all qualified projects. The exact amount of funds that 
may be awarded will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the 
applicant and the NOAA representatives. Publication of this notice does 
not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any 
available funds. If one incurs costs prior to receiving an award 
agreement signed by an authorized NOAA official, one would do so solely 
at one's own risk of these costs not being included under the award.
    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification of Requirements 
for Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register 
notice of October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), as amended by the Federal 
Register notice published October 30, 2002 (67 FR 66109), is applicable 
to this solicitation.

B. Award Limits

    The NCBO anticipates that typical project awards for ``Meaningful'' 
Bay or Stream Outdoor Experiences and Professional Development in the 
Area of Environmental Education for Teachers will range from $10,000 to 
$150,000. Proposals will be considered for funds greater than the 
specified ranges.

C. Continuation of Projects

    Proposals may be considered eligible for continuation beyond the 
first project and budget period. Proposals may be submitted up to 3 
years. However, funds will be made available for only a 12-month award 
period and any continuation of the award period will be subject to an 
approved scope of work, satisfactory progress, a panel review, and 
available funding to continue the award. No assurance for a funding 
continuation exists; funding will be at the complete discretion of 
NOAA.
    First-year proposals must include a full description of the 
activities and budget for the first year as described in this 
announcement, and should include a summary description of the proposed 
work for each subsequent year and a estimated budget by line item 
(without the supporting budget detail pages) for review and analysis. 
If selected for funding the applicant will be required to submit a full 
proposal for the second year by the deadline announced in the following 
year's competitive cycle. Proposals will be evaluated through a review 
panel process, but will not be subject to competition with new 
proposals.

D. Funding Instrument

    Whether the funding instrument is a grant or a cooperative 
agreement will be determined by the amount of NCBO's involvement in the 
project. A cooperative agreement will be used if NCBO is involved 
substantially in:
    1. Monitoring the progress of each funded project; and
    2. Working with the recipients to prepare annual reports 
summarizing current accomplishments of the project.

E. Cost-sharing Requirements

    The NCBO strongly encourages applicants applying for either 
priority area to leverage as much investment as possible. Federal funds 
may not be considered matching funds. The nature of the contribution 
(cash versus in-kind) and the amount of matching funds will be taken 
into consideration in the final selection process.

IV. Instructions for Application

A. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants for both priority areas (i.e., ``Meaningful'' 
Chesapeake Bay or Stream Outdoor Experience and Professional 
Development in the Area of

[[Page 77233]]

Environmental Education for Teachers Within the Chesapeake Bay 
Watershed) are K-through-12 public and independent schools and school 
systems, institutions of higher education, community-based and 
nonprofit organizations, state or local government agencies, interstate 
agencies, and Indian tribal governments in the Chesapeake Bay 
watershed.
    The Department of Commerce/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the 
participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic 
serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and 
institutions that work in undeserved areas. The NCBO encourages 
proposals involving any of the above institutions.

B. Project Start Dates

    Projects should not begin before August 1, 2003.

C. Preliminary Proposals

    Applicants may submit a preliminary proposal prior to submitting a 
full proposal. Preliminary proposals will undergo an assessment to be 
reviewed by program staff and other reviewers to determine if the 
proposed project is aligned with program priorities. This assessment 
process is intended to form the basis for providing feedback as to how 
the proposal may more closely align with program priorities. Under this 
type of process, regardless of any feedback that a potential applicant 
may receive in response to a preliminary proposal, the applicant still 
has a right to submit a complete new application under the program.
    It is strongly encouraged that applicants are involved in the 
preliminary proposal process and incorporate preliminary proposal 
feedback into the full proposal. Participation in this process will be 
taken into consideration in the final selection process. Applicants 
will receive feedback approximately four weeks after the preliminary 
proposal deadline.

D. Format and Requirements

    Preliminary and full proposals must be complete and must follow the 
format described in this notice. Potential recipients may submit 
separate proposals for each priority areas (i.e., ``Meaningful'' 
Chesapeake Bay or Stream Outdoor Experience or Professional Development 
in the Area of Environmental Education for Teachers Within the 
Chesapeake Bay Watershed) or may submit one proposal that addresses 
both priorities. Applicants should not assume prior knowledge on the 
part of the NCBO as to the relative merits of the project described in 
the application.
    1. Preliminary proposal format: Applicants are required to submit 
two copies of the preliminary proposal. Preliminary proposal format 
must be in at least a 10-point font, one-sided, and no more than two 
pages in length. Preliminary proposals that are longer than two pages 
will not be considered. No institutional signatures or Federal 
government forms are needed while submitting preliminary proposals. The 
following information should be included:
    (1) Organization title.
    (2) Principal Investigator (PI).
    (3) Address, telephone number, and email address of applicant.
    (4) Priority area(s) for which you are applying (i.e., 
``Meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or Stream Outdoor Experience; 
Professional Development in the Area of Environmental Education for 
Teachers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed).
    (5) Project title.
    (6) Geographical area of focus.
    (7) Project objectives.
    (8) Explain how your project addresses State (DE, MD, NY, PA, VA, 
WV) and/or District (DC) academic learning standards and the definition 
of a ``meaningful'' watershed educational experience.
    (9) Summary of work to be performed (include demographics of the 
audience to be served and the number of students and/or teachers to be 
involved).
    (10) Total Federal funds requested.
    (11) Tentative partners involved in project.
    2. Full proposal format: Applicants are required to submit one 
signed original and two copies of the full proposal. Proposal format 
must be in at least a 10-point font, double-spaced, unbound, and one-
sided. Brevity will assist reviewers and program staff in dealing 
effectively with proposals. Therefore, the Project Description may not 
exceed 15 pages. Tables and visual materials, including charts, graphs, 
maps, photographs, and other pictorial presentations are not included 
in the 15-page limitation. Appendices may be included but must not 
exceed a total of 10-pages in length. Appendices may include 
information such as curriculum, resumes, and/or letters of endorsement. 
Additional informational material will be disregarded. Proposals must 
include the following information:
    a. Project summary (1-page limit): It is recommended that each 
proposal contain a summary of no more than one page that provides the 
following:
    (1) Organization title.
    (2) Address, telephone number, and email address of applicant.
    (3) Priority area(s) for which you are applying (i.e., 
``Meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or Stream Outdoor Experience; 
Professional Development in the Area of Environmental Education for 
Teachers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed).
    (4) Project title.
    (5) Project duration (one year project period beginning to end 
dates, starting on the first of the month and ending on the last day of 
the month). Please note if projects are being submitted with the intent 
of continuation beyond the first year.
    (6) Principal Investigator(s) (PI).
    (7) Project objectives.
    (8) Summary of work to be performed (include number of teachers 
and/or students that will be involved in your project).(9) Total 
Federal funds requested.
    (10) Cost-sharing to be provided from non-Federal sources, if any. 
Specify whether contributions are project-related cash or in-kind.
    (11) Total project cost.
    b. Project description (15-page limit): Describe precisely what 
your project will achieve why, how, who, and where. The project 
description should include results from prior B-WET Program support, if 
applicable.
    (1) Why: Explain the purpose of your project. This should include a 
clear statement of the work to be undertaken and include the following:
    -Explain specifically how your project addresses State (DE, MD, NY, 
PA, VA, WV) and/or District (DC) academic learning standards and how it 
is integrated into the current school curriculum.
    -Explain which priority area(s) your project addresses (i.e., 
(1)Meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or Stream Outdoor 
Experience;(2) Professional Development in the Area of Environmental 
Education for Teachers Within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed).
    -Specifically describe how your project addresses each of the 
evaluation criteria listed in that priority area (i.e., each of the 
seven criteria for the ``Meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or Stream Outdoor 
Experience priority area or each of the six criteria for the 
Professional Development in the area of Environmental Education for 
Teachers within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed priority area).
    (2) How: Outline a plan of action pertaining to the scope and 
detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. Explain your 
strategy, objectives, activities, delivery methods, and accomplishments 
to establish for reviewers that you have realistic goals

[[Page 77234]]

and objectives and that you will use effective methods to achieve them. 
When accomplishments cannot be quantified, list the activities in 
chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and target 
completion dates.
    -Project Objectives: Objectives should be simple and 
understandable; as specific and quantitative as possible; clear as to 
the ``what and when,'' but should avoid the ``how and why.'' Projects 
should be accomplishment oriented and identify specific performance 
measures.
    (3) Who: Explain who will conduct the project. Include the 
following:
    -List each organization, cooperator, or other key individuals who 
will work on the project, along with a short description of the nature 
of their effort or contribution.
    -Identify the target audience and demonstrate an understanding of 
the needs of that audience (include specifically how many students and/
or teachers are involved in your project).(4) Where: Give a precise 
location of the project and area(s) to be served.
    c. Need for government financial assistance: Demonstrate the need 
for assistance. Explain why other funding sources cannot fund all the 
proposed work.
    d. Benefits or results expected: Identify and document the results 
or benefits to be derived from the proposed activities.
    e. Total project costs: Total project costs are the amount of funds 
required to accomplish what is proposed in the Project Description and 
include contributions and donations.
    Explain the calculations and provide a narrative to support 
specific items or activities, such as personnel/salaries, fringe 
benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contract costs, and indirect 
costs. The budget detail and narrative submitted with the application 
should match the dollar amounts on all required forms. Additional cost 
detail may be required prior to a final analysis of overall cost 
allowability, allocability, and reasonableness. Please Note the 
following funding restrictions:
    -The budget may include an amount for indirect costs if the 
applicant has an established indirect cost rate with the Federal 
government, see Administrative Requirements, Section VI, B.
    -Funds for salaries and fringe benefits may be requested only for 
those personnel who are directly involved in implementing the proposed 
project and whose salaries and fringe benefits are directly related to 
specific products or outcomes of the proposed project. NOAA strongly 
encourages applicants to request reasonable amounts of funding for 
salaries and fringe benefits to ensure that your proposal is 
competitive.
    f. Letters of support from partners: Letters of support should be 
included for partners that are making a significant contribution to the 
project, if applicable.
    3. Federal forms: Applicants may obtain required Federal forms from 
the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office Web site (see ADDRESSES) or from the 
NOAA Grants Web site: http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/grants/index.html.
    a.Cover sheet: All applicants must use Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Standard Form 424 (revised 7/97) as the cover sheet for 
each project.
    b. Budget form: All applicants must use a Standard Budget Form (SF-
424A) required for all Federal grants.
    c. Form CD-511: All applicants must submit a CD-511, 
``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and 
Lobbying''.
    d. SF-424B: All applicants must submit a SF-424B, ``Assurances of 
Non-Construction Programs''.
    e. CD-346 ``Applicant for Funding Assistance'': Required for the 
following individuals-Sole Proprietorship, Partnerships, Corporations, 
Joint Venture, Non-profit Organizations.

V. Selection Procedures

A. Initial Evaluation of the Applications

    NOAA will review all applications to assure that they meet all the 
requirements of this announcement, including eligibility and relevance 
to the Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program.

B. Technical Review

    New applications meeting the requirements of this solicitation will 
undergo an external technical review. This review will normally involve 
individuals in the field of environmental education from both NOAA and 
non-NOAA organizations. Proposals will be scored based on the 
evaluation criteria as defined in Section II (A) and II (B). Reviewers 
will be asked to review independently and to provide a score and 
comments on each proposal. No consensus advice will be given by the 
technical reviewers.

C. Review Panel

    The NCBO will convene a review panel consisting of at least three 
experts in the field of environmental education.
    1. Projects considered for continuation: The review panel will 
discuss existing proposals that were awarded with the possibility of 
continuation. Review panel members will take into consideration the 
successful completion of the project within the defined project period, 
whether the goals of the project were achieved, and the cost 
effectiveness of the project. Review panel members will then 
independently determine whether the projects should be considered for 
continuation. No consensus advice will be given by the reviewer panel 
members.
    2. New proposals: The review panel will then discuss new proposals 
as a panel, incorporating the evaluation provided by the technical 
reviewers. The reviewers may then take into account the following: (a) 
diversity of geographic location, (b) diversity of applicants, and (c) 
proposed budget. Each review panel member will then score the submitted 
new applications individually on a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 
(excellent). No consensus advice will be given by the review panel 
members.

D. Funding Decision

    New proposals will then be evaluated and ranked numerically for 
funding based upon the technical and the panel review scores by the 
Program staff. After the new proposals have been ranked, the Chief of 
the NCBO, in consultation with Program staff, will determine which 
projects will be recommended for funding. Existing proposals with the 
possibility of continuation will take priority over new proposals.
    Numerical ranking will be the primary consideration for deciding 
which of the new proposals will be selected for funding. However, in 
making the final selections, the Chief of the NCBO may also consider 
matching leverage, duplication with other projects, participation of 
the projects in the preliminary proposal process, and program goals. 
Accordingly, numerical ranking is not the sole factor in deciding which 
new proposals will be selected for funding. The Chief of the NCBO will 
prepare a written justification for any recommendations for funding 
that fall outside the ranking order, or any cost adjustments. The exact 
amount of funds awarded to each project will be determined in pre-award 
negotiations among the applicant, the Grants Office, and the NCBO 
staff. Potential grantees should not initiate projects in expectation 
of Federal funding until an award document signed by an authorized NOAA 
official has been received.
    Unsuccessful applications will be kept on file in the Program 
office for a period of at least 12 months, then destroyed.

[[Page 77235]]

VI. Administrative Requirements

A. Pre-award Notification Requirements

    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification of Requirements 
for Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register 
Notice of October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), as amended by the Federal 
Register Notice published October 30, 2002 (67 FR 66109) is applicable 
to this solicitation.

B. Indirect Cost Rates

    Regardless of any approved indirect cost rate applicable to the 
award, the maximum dollar amount of allocable indirect costs for which 
the Department of Commerce will reimburse the recipient shall be the 
lesser of the line item amount for the Federal share of indirect costs 
contained in the approved budget of the award, or the Federal share of 
the total allocable indirect costs of the award based on the indirect 
cost rate approved by an oversight or cognizant Federal agency and 
current at the time the cost was incurred, provided the rate is 
approved on or before the award end date. However, the Federal share of 
the indirect costs may not exceed 25 percent of the total proposed 
direct costs for this Program. Applicants with indirect costs above 25 
percent may use the amount above the 25 percent level as cost sharing. 
If the applicant does not have a current negotiated rate and plans to 
seek reimbursement for indirect costs, documentation necessary to 
establish a rate must be submitted within 90 days of receiving an 
award.

C. Allowable Costs

    Funds awarded cannot necessarily pay for all the costs that the 
recipient might incur in the course of carrying out the project. 
Allowable costs are determined by reference to the OMB Circulars A-122, 
``Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations; A-21, ``Cost 
Principles for Education Institutions; and A-87, ``Cost 
Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments.'' Generally, 
costs that are allowable include salaries, equipment, supplies, and 
training, as long as these are ``necessary and reasonable.

Classification

    This action has been determined to be ``not significant'' for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866. Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.
    Under section 553 (a)(2) of the Administrative Procedure Act, prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required for this 
notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Therefore, a 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for the purposes of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    This notice contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 
and 424B has been approved by OMB under the respective control numbers 
0348-0044, 0348-0044, and 0348-0040.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the 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 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.

    Dated: December 10, 2002.
Rebecca Lent
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-31697 Filed 12-16-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S