[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 77 (Tuesday, April 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19784-19787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9857]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 030411083-3083-01]
RIN 0648-ZB40


Call for Proposals for Research in the Area of Climate and 
Weather Impacts on Society and the Environment

AGENCIES: National Climatic Data Center and Coastal Services Center, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of Federal assistance.

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SUMMARY: NOAA invites applications to establish a cooperative agreement 
with two of NOAA's centers, the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) 
and the Coastal Services Center (CSC). In general terms, the agreement 
will be established to provide a collaborative environment between the 
National Climatic Data Center, the Coastal Services Center, and the 
recipient, within which a broad-based research program will be 
conducted that links climate and weather processes, the formation of 
severe events, and the impacts of these events for the region of the 
South Atlantic Bight, including the coastal ocean to the mountain 
environment. This announcement provides guidelines for the proposed 
cooperative agreement, and includes details for the technical program, 
proposal development, evaluation criteria, and competitive selection 
procedures. NOAA will collaborate on cooperative research and 
development activities and provide financial support to enhance the 
public benefits to be derived from the research results, including 
practical applications for the needs of coastal and inland communities. 
The selected applicant and NOAA will work together to engage the 
support of both the science and management communities, and ensure that 
a broad group of constituents will benefit from the products as well as 
contribute to their design and use. The agreement will be established 
based on ease and effectiveness of interaction and collaboration with 
the National Climatic Data Center and the Coastal Services Center, and/
or expertise in areas related to the missions of NOAA, particularly the 
National Climatic Data Center and the Coastal Services Center. The 
selected applicant will also be expected to identify, and as 
appropriate, establish relationships with other NOAA program offices 
that may benefit from, or collaborate in, the work conducted under the 
cooperative agreement.

DATES: Complete applications must be received by the National Climatic 
Data Center no later than 4 p.m. May 22, 2003. Final selection is 
anticipated to be completed by approximately June 15, 2003. The 
anticipated start date is September 1, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Signed proposals, with two copies, should be submitted to: 
National Climatic Data Center; 151 Patton Avenue, Room 476, Asheville, 
NC 28801-5001. Proposals should cite this Notice and be sent to the 
attention of Linda Statler.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administrative questions, Linda 
Statler, (828) 271-4657, [email protected]. Technical point of 
contact is Marc Plantico, (828) 271-4765, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Funding Instrument: The selected recipient 
will enter into a 4-year cooperative agreement to support the 
development of a cooperative research program with NOAA's National 
Climatic Data Center and Coastal Services Center in the area of climate 
and weather impacts on society and the environment (including severe 
climate weather impacts in North and South Carolina).

    Authority: Statutory authority for these programs is provided 
under 49 U.S.C. 44720; 33 U.S.C. 883d; 15 U.S.C. 2907; 16 U.S.C. 
1451 et seq.; the Global Change Research Act, 15 U.S.C. 2921-2961; 
and the National Climate Program Act, 15 U.S.C. 2901-2908.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): This program is 
listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under the Number 
11.440, Environmental Sciences, Applications, Data, and Education.
    Funding Availability: Funding for the first year (FY 2003) is 
anticipated to be approximately $375,000. Each additional year is 
anticipated to be approximately $400,000 per year thereafter for the 
term of the agreement. However, funding is contingent upon availability 
of appropriations and is at the sole discretion of NOAA. Funding for 
non-U.S. institutions and contractual arrangements for services and 
products for delivery to NOAA are not available under this 
announcement.
    Cost Sharing: Applicant will be required to contribute at least 5 
percent (from non-Federal funds) of the total amount contributed by 
NOAA each year if the application is approved. This should be shown in 
the budget.

Eligibility Criteria

    Eligible organizations are limited to U.S. institutions. Eligible 
organizations are universities, non-profit organizations, for-profit 
organizations, State and local governments, and Indian Tribes. Multiple 
organizations may collaborate in submitting a single proposal, but the 
award will be made to a single organization with the primary 
responsibility for administration and execution of the agreement.

Program Description

    The primary purpose of establishing a cooperative agreement is to 
bring together the resources of a research-

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oriented university or institution, the National Climatic Data Center, 
and the Coastal Services Center to collaborate on cooperative research 
and applications activities and to enhance the public benefits to be 
derived from these activities. NOAA envisions a sharing of expertise 
between the National Climatic Data Center, the Coastal Services Center, 
and the recipient in the areas of climate system variability impacts on 
regional scales; advanced observing and modeling of regional coastal 
ecosystem processes that are influenced by climate and weather; and the 
response of natural, economic, and social systems to climate 
variability. The geographic area for impacts is the region bordering 
the South Atlantic Bight, from the coastal areas to the mountain 
environment.

Program Priorities

    Primary collaboration will be with the National Climatic Data 
Center located in Asheville, NC, and the Coastal Services Center 
located in Charleston, SC. Proposals should respond to the following 
research priorities:
    (1) Climate System Variability Impacts on Regional Scales: 
Including, but not limited to, detecting global climate modes, trends, 
and variability; understanding downscaling, mechanisms and forcing of 
regional climate variability, particularly in coastal and near-coastal 
areas; and predicting protracted and abrupt coastal climate changes and 
the associated development of extreme events; improving the 
understanding of climate and weather influences on severe events; and 
helping to identify the data sets and tools needed for management 
applications to address these impacts in order to improve the 
resilience of coastal and in-land communities.
    (2) Advanced Observing and Modeling of Regional Coastal Ecosystem 
Processes Influenced by Climate and Weather: Including, but not limited 
to, developing new measurement, data assimilation and management, and 
modeling techniques to characterize the state of the coastal ocean and 
atmosphere; advancing the understanding of the coastal zone processes 
that modulate regional climate and weather; and providing input for the 
prediction of severe events such as hurricanes, land-falling winter 
storms, and coastal storm surge and inland flooding.
    (3) Response of Natural, Economic, and Social Systems to Climate 
and Weather Variability: Including, but not limited to, developing new 
tools to accurately measure indicators of change; creating new 
prognostic models capable of forecasting the response of ecosystems, 
such as mountains, piedmont lakes, estuaries, and coastal communities 
to climate variability and severe weather events; and developing new 
tools to enhance the resilience of natural, economic, and social 
systems to perturbations. Identify and design applications and models 
that improve the use and visualization of spatial and time-series data 
for the purpose of enhancing the delivery, utility, and content of 
information needed by emergency managers, coastal resource managers, 
business interests, and other users.
    The cooperative agreement is meant to be an integral component in a 
coordinated research effort to produce the best possible deterministic 
and probabilistic information and projections of climate and weather 
variability and change, and related impacts on the environment and 
human systems. Research results will provide quality information that 
is socially and economically useful to decision makers at local, State 
and regional levels, both private and public. The cooperative agreement 
will promote and support research efforts designed to understand and 
apply learning in: (1) Atmospheric weather and climate systems and all 
associated parameters, e.g., surface air temperature and pressure, 
precipitation amount and type, relative humidity, wind speed and 
direction, and cloud cover; (2) coastal oceanic weather and climate 
systems parameters, e.g., sea surface temperature, ocean satellite 
altimetry, incident radiation, ocean satellite color (phytoplankton 
biomass, suspended material and colored dissolved material), 
scatterometer winds, phytoplankton primary productivity, coastal sea 
level, living marine resources, and nutrients; (3) terrestrial weather 
and climate systems parameters, e.g., soils, soil moisture content, 
distribution of habitat (vegetation type, terrain type, elevation and 
percent water), hydrology, including lake water levels and river 
discharge, nutrients, and topography; and (4) socioeconomic impact 
data, e.g., direct losses to human life, property, agricultural 
products, cleanup and response costs, disruptions to energy and 
transportation, and indirect losses due to temporary unemployment and 
business disruptions resulting from physical damage.
    The applicant should identify a primary user base for the 
activities to be pursued, and the results to be obtained, under the 
agreement. The applicant should identify how members of this user 
community will be engaged, as appropriate, in the determination of 
research priorities, the communication of results, and the design and 
use of products.

Application Requirement

Standard Forms--Original Signed Copy
    SF-424--Application for Federal Assistance
    SF-424A--Budget Information--Non-Construction Program
    SF-424B--Assurances--Non-Construction Program
    CD-511--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
Responsibility Matters: Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying
    SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (submit only if engaged 
in lobbying activities)

    These forms and additional information are available on the NOAA 
Grants Homepage: http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/[sim]grants/index.html.
    Proposal Format: The guidelines for proposal preparation provided 
below are mandatory. Failure to heed these guidelines will result in 
proposals not being considered.
    Proposals, a signed original and two copies, must be received by 
the National Climatic Data Center at the address identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice no later than the time and date 
indicated in the DATES section of this Notice. Facsimile transmissions 
and electronic mail submissions will not be accepted. Late applications 
will not be considered. All proposals must include the sections 
identified below and total no more than 50 pages, including the title 
page, detailed budget, investigator(s) curriculum vitae, and all 
appendices. Appended information may not be used to circumvent the page 
length limit. Federally mandated forms are not included within the page 
count. Proposals should be submitted in double-space, 12-point format.
    Proposals should provide a concise description of the proposed 
work. Proposals should provide a detailed description of the resources 
and capabilities of the host institution, specifically scientific 
expertise, specialized facilities, ongoing research activities, cost 
sharing abilities, and educational and training programs. The proposal 
should include the following elements:
    (1) Signed Title Page. Cooperative Agreement for Climate and 
Weather Impacts on Society and the Environment (CWISE) (suggested 
name), the lead Principal Investigator, Partner names(s) (if any) and 
their respective affiliations, complete addresses, telephone, FAX, and 
e-mail information. The title page will also provide the total proposed 
cost, broken down on an

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annual basis for the four-year period. The title page should be signed 
by the Principal Investigators (PI(s)) and the institutional 
representative of the PI's organization.
    (2) Goals and Objectives: Identify broad research goals and their 
relevance to the Program Priorities listed above, and a general 
description of how the applicant proposes to achieve those goals.
    (3) Technical Approach: Describe the specific approach the 
applicant proposes to accomplish the identified purposes of the 
agreement. Describe plans to ensure ease and effectiveness of 
communication between applicant and NOAA partners.
    (4) Project Partners and Co-Investigators: Identify project 
partners and/or co-investigators, their respective roles, and their 
contributions and/or relationships to the proposed effort. Outline the 
respective roles of the applicant and NOAA.
    (5) Milestones, Time Lines, Outcomes, and Beneficiaries: List 
target milestones, time lines, and desired outcomes (in multi-year 
proposed efforts, by year). Identify the intended beneficiaries of the 
work, with specificity, and show the potential value of the proposed 
work to the needs of the targeted audience. Identify any obstacles to 
accomplishing the milestones and outcomes.
    (6) Qualifications and Relevant Experience: Identify the 
qualifications and relevant experience of the applicant (and partners) 
that relate to accomplishing the Program Priorities listed above.
    (7) Vitae: An abbreviated Curriculum Vitae for the PI and any co-
investigators should be included. Reference lists should be limited to 
all publications in the last three years with up to five other relevant 
papers.
    (8) Summary of the applicant's relevant current or recently 
completed (limit to past five years) research activities that should be 
considered in the selection process.
    (9) Detailed Statement of Work: The proposal should provide a 
detailed four-year plan for climate and weather research and 
applications conducted to understand, and provide the basis for, 
improved public and private assessment of environmental, economic, and 
social impacts. The following areas must be addressed:
    (a) Statement of the problem and the needed research.
    (b) Proposed methodology and justification for the development and 
implementation of appropriate research needed to accomplish the goals 
and address the Program Priorities. Identify the expected results, 
including products and applications from the work, how the proposed 
work will significantly address identified science and management 
needs, and the benefits of the proposed work to the general public, the 
scientific community, coastal managers, and the decision makers.
    (c) Procedures for dissemination and presentation of research 
results to the intended beneficiaries, and any training needed for 
users to make full use of the results.
    (d) Measures to track research and applications performance.
    In addition, the applicant should document: The readiness of needed 
infrastructure; the nature, ease, and effectiveness of interaction with 
scientists at the National Climatic Data Center and the Coastal 
Services Center, and other NOAA programs as appropriate; the status of 
any ongoing efforts by the applicant and partners to address the 
proposed scientific goals and objectives; and the results from related 
projects previously and presently supported by NOAA.
    (10) Budget: Applicants must submit a budget description and a 
brief narrative justification of the budget. The budget should be 
prepared using the Standard Form 424A, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs. The form is included in the standard NOAA 
application kit. Provide a detailed budget breakdown and a brief 
narrative to provide the basis for the budget and the contribution of 
the applicant.
    (11) Current and Pending Federal Support: Each investigator should 
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 Federal support.

Evaluation Criteria (With Weights)

    Consideration for financial assistance will be given to those 
proposals that address the Program Priorities listed above and meet the 
following evaluation criteria. All proposals will be scored according 
to the following criteria:
    (1) Scientific Merit (25 Points): Does the proposal document the 
intrinsic and exceptional scientific value of the proposed research, 
and applicability to the NCDC and the CSC as described in the Program 
Description and Program Priorities sections? Does the proposal show the 
ability to collaborate on research activities in the area of climate 
system variability impacts on regional scales; advanced observing and 
modeling of regional coastal ecosystem process; and response of natural 
and social systems to climate variability? Does the proposal show 
research abilities that will result in providing quality climate 
information that is socially and economically useful to decision makers 
at local, state, and regional levels, both public and private?
    (2) Research Goals and Projects and Technical Approach (25 Points): 
Are the goals and objectives clearly articulated, relevant to the 
stated science and management need, and achievable within the proposed 
time frame? Are the research objectives quantifiable? Does the proposal 
describe how the applicant proposes to achieve the goals? Does the 
proposal display a sound methodology for both the research and 
applications agenda? Are the proposed specific research areas of 
exceptional scientific merit? What is the intrinsic scientific value of 
the proposed research?
    (3) Ability to Build Coalitions and Partnerships (20 points): Does 
the proposal show the ability to build coalitions and partnerships with 
critical organizations and individuals (such as distinguished 
scientists, as well as potential researchers-in-training, universities, 
colleges, research institutions, state and local governments, and other 
public and private nonprofit organizations) and to facilitate 
collaboration and coordination to assure the accomplishment of the 
research goals? Does the proposal identify project partners, their 
respective roles, and their contributions/relationships to the proposed 
effort?
    (4) Milestones, Time Lines, Outcomes, and Beneficiaries (15 
Points): Does the proposal address target milestones, time lines, and 
desired outcomes? Is a user community clearly identified, and are 
members of the identified user community engaged in the design and 
execution of the project or its products? Does the proposal include an 
outreach and education component that will ensure the results are 
effectively applied to address the identified issues? Are there clear 
procedures for dissemination and presentation of the research results 
to the intended beneficiaries, including any training needed for users 
to make full use of the results? Does the proposal document the 
respective roles and responsibilities of the NCDC, the CSC, and the 
applicant for outreach and capacity building efforts?
    (5) Budget (5 Points): Reasonableness of the proposed budget and 
time frame for the projects in relating to the work proposed. Does the 
proposal provide a detailed budget breakdown and a brief narrative to 
provide the basis for the budget?
    (6) Qualifications and Relevant Experience (5 Points): Does the 
proposal identify the qualifications and relevant

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experience of the applicant (and partners) that relate to the Program 
Priorities? Are the proposers capable of conducting a project of the 
scope and scale proposed (i.e., scientific, professional, facility, and 
resources/capabilities)? Will appropriate partnerships be employed to 
achieve the highest quality content and maximum efficiency?
    (7) Innovation (5 Points): Does the collaborator propose to develop 
novel concepts, approaches, measures or methods in basic research that 
will address the Program Priorities? Are they original and innovative?

Selection Procedures

    All proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the above 
evaluation criteria by an independent peer review panel which may 
consist of both NOAA and non-NOAA Federal experts. The panel will 
review and discuss each proposal and make a consensus recommendation of 
the most meritorious and relevant proposal to the Selecting Officials.. 
The selecting officials are the Directors of the National Climatic Data 
Center and the Coastal Services Center.
    The Selecting Officials may accept the proposal recommended by the 
review panel, or may select another proposal based on the following 
program policy factors: (a) Duplication of on-going Federal support; 
(b) ease and effectiveness of interaction with applicant; (c) history 
of institutional commitment to related endeavors. The successful 
proposal will be forwarded to the NOAA Grants Officer for action. The 
final budget may be negotiated after selection is made.

Other Requirements/Information

    (1) Disposition of Unsuccessful Proposals. Proposals will be held 
in the Program Office until an award is made to the selected applicant 
and then destroyed.
    (2) Federal Policies and Procedures Applicable to this 
announcement:
    (a) 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 on October 30, 2002 (67 FR 
66109), is applicable to this solicitation.
    (b) 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. Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) capabilities 
are available through the National Climatic Data Center at 828-271-4010 
between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This notice contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 
424B, and SF-LLL has been approved by OMB under the respective control 
numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0340, 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 Office of Management 
and Budget control number.

Executive Orders 12866 and 12372

    This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866. Applications under this program are not subject to E.O. 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Notice and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), or 
any other law, for rules relating to public property, loans, grants, 
benefits or contracts. Because notice and comment are not required, a 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., is not required 
and has not been prepared for this notice.

    Dated: April 15, 2003.
Gregory W. Withee,
Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services.
[FR Doc. 03-9857 Filed 4-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HR-P