[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77726-77738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22176]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 030602141-6326-45; I.D. 051906D]
RIN 0648-ZB55


Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2007

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The NOAA publishes this notice to provide the general public 
with a consolidated source of program and application information 
related to its competitive grant and cooperative agreement (CA) award 
offerings for fiscal year (FY) 2007. This Omnibus notice is designed to 
replace the multiple Federal Register notices that traditionally 
advertised the availability of NOAA''s discretionary funds for its 
various programs. It should be noted that additional program 
initiatives unanticipated at the time of the publication of this notice 
may be announced through subsequent Federal Register notices. All 
announcements will also be available through the Grants.gov website.

DATES: Proposals must be received by the date and time indicated under 
each program listing in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this 
notice.

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to the addresses listed in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for each program. The 
Federal Register and Full Funding Opportunity (FFO) notices may be 
found on the Grants.gov website. The URL for Grants.gov is http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the person listed 
within this notice as the information contact under each program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicants must comply with all requirements 
contained in the FFO announcements for each of the programs listed in 
this omnibus notice. These FFOs are available at http://www.grants.gov.
    The list of entries below describe the basic information and 
requirements for competitive grant/cooperative agreement programs 
offered by NOAA. These programs are open to any applicant who meets the 
eligibility criteria provided in each entry. To be considered for an 
award in a competitive grant/cooperative agreement program, an eligible 
applicant must submit a complete and responsive application to the 
appropriate program office. An award is made upon conclusion of the 
evaluation and selection process for the respective program.

NOAA Project Competitions

    This omnibus notice describes funding opportunities for the 
following NOAA discretionary grant programs:

National Marine Fisheries Service

    1. 2007 Hawaii Seafood Program

[[Page 77727]]

    2. Chesapeake Bay Cooperative Science Program
    3. Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Research Program
    4. Chesapeake Bay Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Program
    5. Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside
    6. Proactive Species Conservation Program

National Ocean Service

    1. FY 2007 Regional Integrated Ocean Observing System
    2. California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program, 
Adult and Community Watershed Education in the Monterey Bay

National Weather Service

    1. Hydrologic Research and Social Science Research in Hydrologic 
Applications.

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

    1. NOAA's Great Lakes Ecosystem Research

Under Secretary's Associated Office

    1. National Ocean Sciences Competition for High School Students
    2. Administrative Services for NOAA's Ernest F. Hollings 
Undergraduate Scholarship Program

NOAA Mission Goals

    The mission of the agency is to understand and predict changes in 
the Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine 
resources to meet our Nation's economic, social, and environmental 
needs. Below is a listing of the program solicitations that generally 
fall under one or more areas of NOAA's strategic plan, i.e., mission 
goals. It is imperative that potential applicants tie their proposals 
to one of the mission goals. Program solicitations are provided from 
each of the five operating units within NOAA.

NOAA Project Competitions Listed by NOAA Mission Goals

    1. Protect, restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean 
resources through ecosystem-based management.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Coastal areas are among the most developed in 
the Nation. More than half the population lives on less than one-fifth 
of the land in the contiguous United States. Furthermore, employment in 
near shore areas is growing three times faster than population. Coastal 
and marine waters support over 28 million jobs and provide a tourism 
destination for nearly 90 million Americans a year. The value of the 
ocean economy to the United States is over $115 billion. The value 
added annually to the national economy by the commercial and 
recreational fishing industry alone is over $48 billion. U.S. 
aquaculture sales total almost $1 billion annually. With its Exclusive 
Economic Zone of 3.4 million square miles, the United States manages 
the largest marine territory of any nation in the world. Funded 
proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    A. Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems that 
benefit society; and
    B. A well-informed public that acts as a steward of coastal and 
marine ecosystems.
    Program Names:
    1. 2007 Hawaii Seafood Program
    2. California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program, 
Adult and Community Watershed Education in the Monterey Bay
    3. Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Research Program
    4. Chesapeake Bay Cooperative Science Program
    5. Chesapeake Bay Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Program
    6. Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside
    7. NOAA's Great Lakes Ecosystem Research
    8. Proactive Species Conservation Program
    2. Understand climate variability and change to enhance society's 
ability to plan and respond.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Climate shapes the environment, natural 
resources, economies, and social systems that people depend upon 
worldwide. While humanity has learned to contend with some aspects of 
climate's natural variability, major climatic events, combined with the 
stresses of population growth, economic growth, public health concerns, 
and land-use practices, can impose serious consequences on society. The 
1997-98 El Nino, for example, had a $25 billion impact on the U.S. 
economy -- property losses were $2.6 billion and crop losses approached 
$2 billion. Long-term drought leads to increased and competing demands 
for fresh water with related effects on terrestrial and marine 
ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and even the spread of 
infectious diseases. Decisions about mitigating climate change also can 
alter economic and social structures on a global scale. We can deliver 
reliable climate information in useful ways to help minimize risks and 
maximize opportunities for decisions in agriculture, public policy, 
natural resources, water and energy use, and public health. We continue 
to move toward developing a seamless suite of weather and climate 
products. The Climate Goal addresses predictions on time scales of up 
to decades or longer.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    A. A predictive understanding of the global climate system on time 
scales of weeks to decades with quantified uncertainties sufficient for 
making informed and reasoned decisions; and
    B. Climate-sensitive sectors and the climate-literate public 
effectively incorporating NOAA's climate products into their plans and 
decisions.
    Program Names: None
    3. Serve society's needs for weather and water information.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Floods, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, 
tsunamis, wildfires, and other severe weather events cause $11 billion 
in damages each year in the United States. Weather is directly linked 
to public health and safety, and nearly one-third of the U.S. economy 
(about $3 trillion) is sensitive to weather and climate. With so much 
at stake, NOAA's role in understanding, observing, forecasting, and 
warning of environmental events is expanding. With our partners, we 
seek to provide decision makers with key observations, analyses, 
predictions, and warnings for a range of weather and water conditions, 
including those related to water supply, air quality, space weather, 
and wildfires. Businesses, governments, and non-governmental 
organizations are getting more sophisticated about how to use this 
weather and water information to improve operational efficiencies, to 
manage environmental resources, and to create a better quality of life. 
On average, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and other severe weather 
events cause $11 billion in damages per year. Weather, including space 
weather, is directly linked to public safety and about one-third of the 
U.S. economy (about $3 trillion) is weather sensitive. With so much at 
stake, NOAA's role in observing, forecasting, and warning of 
environmental events is expanding, while economic sectors and its 
public are becoming increasingly sophisticated at using NOAA's weather, 
air quality, and water information to improve their operational 
efficiencies and their management of environmental resources, and 
quality of life.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    A. Reduced loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy;
    B. Better, quicker, and more valuable weather and water information 
to support improved decisions; and

[[Page 77728]]

    C. Increased customer satisfaction with weather and water 
information and services.
    Program Names:
    1. FY 2007 Regional Integrated Ocean Observing System
    2. Hydrologic Research and Social Science Research in Hydrologic 
Applications.
    4. Support the Nation's commerce with information for safe, 
efficient, and environmentally sound transportation.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Safe and efficient transportation systems are 
crucial to the U.S. economy. The U.S. marine transportation system 
ships over 95 percent of the tonnage and more than 20 percent by value 
of foreign trade through U.S. ports, including 48 percent of the oil 
needed to meet America's energy demands. At least $4 billion is lost 
annually due to economic inefficiencies resulting from weather-related 
air-traffic delays. Improved surface weather forecasts and specific 
user warnings would reduce the 7,000 weather related fatalities and 
800,000 injuries that occur annually from crashes on roads and 
highways. The injuries, loss of life, and property damage from weather-
related crashes cost an average of $42 billion annually.
    We provide information, services, and products for transportation 
safety and for increased commerce on roads, rails, and waterways. We 
will improve the accuracy of our information for marine, aviation, and 
surface weather forecasts, the availability of accurate and advanced 
electronic navigational charts, and the delivery of real-time 
oceanographic information. We seek to provide consistent, accurate, and 
timely positioning information that is critical for air, sea, and 
surface transportation. We will respond to hazardous material spills 
and provide search and rescue routinely to save lives and money and to 
protect the coastal environment. We will work with port and coastal 
communities and with Federal and state partners to ensure that port 
operations and development proceed efficiently and in an 
environmentally sound manner. We will work with the Federal Aviation 
Administration and the private sector to reduce the negative impacts of 
weather on aviation without compromising safety. Because of increased 
interest by the public and private sectors, we also will expand weather 
information for marine and surface transportation to enhance safety and 
efficiency.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    A. Safe, secure, efficient, and seamless movement of goods and 
people in the U.S. transportation system; and
    B. Environmentally sound development and use of the U.S. 
transportation system.
    Program Names: None
    5. Provide critical support for NOAA's mission.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Strong, effective, and efficient support 
activities are necessary for us to achieve our Mission Goals. Our 
facilities, ships, aircraft, environmental satellites, data-processing 
systems, computing and communication systems, and our approach to 
management provide the foundation of support for all of our programs. 
This critical foundation must adapt to evolving mission needs and, 
therefore, is an integral part of our strategic planning. It also must 
support U.S. homeland security by maintaining continuity of operations 
and by providing NOAA services, such as civil alert relays through NOAA 
Weather Radio and air dispersion forecasts, in response to national 
emergencies.
    NOAA ships, aircraft, and environmental satellites are the backbone 
of the global Earth observing system and provide many critical mission 
support services. To keep this capability strong and current with our 
Mission Goals, we will ensure that NOAA has adequate access to safe and 
efficient ships and aircraft through the use of both NOAA platforms and 
those of other agency, academic, and commercial partners. We will work 
with academia and partners in the public and private sectors to ensure 
that future satellite systems are designed, developed, and operated 
with the latest technology.
    Leadership development and program support are essential for 
achieving our Mission Goals. We must also commit to organizational 
excellence through management and leadership across a ``corporate'' 
NOAA. We must continue our commitment to valuing NOAA's diverse 
workforce, including effective workforce planning strategies designed 
to attract, retain and develop competencies at all levels of our 
workforce. Through the use of business process reengineering, we will 
strive for state-of-the-art, value-added financial and administrative 
processes. NOAA will ensure state-of-the-art and secure information 
technology and systems. By developing long-range, comprehensive 
facility planning processes NOAA will be able to ensure right-sized, 
cost-effective, and safe facilities.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    A. A dynamic workforce with competencies that support NOAA's 
mission today and in the future.
    Program Names:
    1. Administrative Services for NOAA's Ernest F. Hollings 
Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Non-Competitive Projects Announcement

1. Protect, restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources 
through ecosystem-based management. See SUMMARY DESCRIPTION above.
    1. NOAA Northeast Pacific Expedition Grant Program

Electronic Access

    The full funding announcement for each program is available via the 
Grants.gov web site: http://www.grants.gov. These announcements will 
also be available by contacting the program official identified below. 
You will be able to access, download and submit electronic grant 
applications for NOAA Programs in this announcement at http://www.grants.gov. The closing dates will be the same as for the paper 
submissions noted in this announcement. NOAA strongly recommends that 
you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov. Getting started with Grants.gov 
is easy! Go to http://www.grants.gov. There are two key features on the 
site: Find Grant Opportunities and Apply for Grants. Everything else on 
the site is designed to support these two features and your use of 
them. While you can begin searching for grant opportunities for which 
you would like to apply immediately, it is recommended that you 
complete the remaining Get Started steps sooner rather than later, so 
that when you find an opportunity for which you would like to apply, 
you are ready to go.

Get Started Step 1 Find Grant Opportunity for Which You Would Like to 
Apply

    Start your search for Federal government-wide grant opportunities 
and register to receive automatic email notifications of new grant 
opportunities or any modifications to grant opportunities as they are 
posted to the site by clicking the Find Grant Opportunities tab at the 
top of the page.

Get Started Step 2 Register with Central Contractor Registry (CCR)

    Your organization will also need to be registered with Central 
Contractor Registry. You can register with them online. This will take 
about 30 minutes. You should receive your CCR registration within 3 
business days. Important: You must have a DUNS number from Dun & 
Bradstreet before

[[Page 77729]]

you register with CCR. Many organizations already have a DUNS number. 
To determine if your organization already has a DUNS number or to 
obtain a DUNS number, contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711. This 
will take about 10 minutes and is free of charge. Be sure to complete 
the Marketing Partner ID (MPIN) and Electronic Business Primary Point 
of Contact fields during the CCR registration process. These are 
mandatory fields that are required when submitting grant applications 
through Grants.gov.

Get Started Step 3 Register with the Credential Provider

    You must register with a Credential Provider to receive a username 
and password. This will be required to securely submit your grant 
application.

Get Started Step 4 Register with Grants.gov

    The final step in the Get Started process is to register with 
Grants.gov. This will be required to submit grant applications on 
behalf of your organization. After you have completed the registration 
process, you will receive email notification confirming that you are 
able to submit applications through Grants.gov.

Get Started Step 5 Log on to Grants.gov

    After you have registered with Grants.gov, you can log on to 
Grants.gov to verify if you have registered successfully, to check 
application status, and to update information in your applicant 
profile, such as your name, telephone number, email address, and title. 
In the future, you will have the ability to determine if you are 
authorized to submit applications through Grants.gov on behalf of your 
organization.

Electronic Application File Format and Naming Conventions

    After the initial grant application package has been submitted to 
NOAA (e.g., via Grants.gov), requests for additional or modified forms 
may be requested by NOAA. Applicants should resubmit forms in Portable 
Document File Format (PDF) and follow the following file naming 
convention to name resubmitted forms. For example: 98042--SF-424--
mmddyy--v2.pdf.
    (1) 98042 = Proposal  (provided to applicant by Grants.gov 
and NOAA)
    (2) SF-424 = Form Number
    (3) mmddyy = Date
    (4) v2 = Version Number
    To learn how to convert documents to PDF go to: http://www.grants.gov/assets/PDFConversion.pdf.

Evaluation Criteria and Selection Procedures

    NOAA standardized the evaluation and selection process for its 
competitive assistance programs. All proposals submitted in response to 
this notice shall be evaluated and selected in accordance with the 
following procedures. There are two sets of evaluation criteria and 
selection procedures, one for project proposals, and the other for 
fellowship, scholarship, and internship programs. These evaluation 
criteria and selection procedures apply to all of the programs included 
below.

Proposal Review and Selection Process for Projects

    Some programs may include a pre-application process which provides 
an initial review and feedback to the applicants that have responded to 
a call for letters of intent or pre-proposals; however, not all 
programs will include such a process. If a pre-application process is 
used by a program, it shall be described in the Summary Description and 
the deadline shall be provided in the Application Deadline section. 
Upon receipt of a full application by NOAA, an initial administrative 
review is conducted to determine compliance with requirements and 
completeness of the application. A merit review is conducted to 
individually evaluate, score, and rank applications using the 
evaluation criteria. A second merit review may be conducted on the 
applicants that meet the program's threshold (based on scores from the 
first merit review) to make selections using the selection factors 
provided below. Merit review is conducted by mail reviewers and/or peer 
panel reviewers. Each reviewer will individually evaluate and rank 
proposals using the evaluation criteria provided below. No consensus 
advice shall be provided by either merit review group if there are any 
non-Federal members. A minimum of three merit reviewers per proposal at 
each stage is required. The merit reviewer's ratings are used to 
produce a rank order of the proposals. The NOAA Program Officer may 
review the ranking of the proposals and make recommendations to the 
Selecting Official based on the mail and/or panel review(s) and 
selection factors listed below. The Selecting Official selects 
proposals after considering the mail and/or peer panel review(s) and 
recommendations of the Program Officer. In making the final selections, 
the Selecting Official will award in rank order unless the proposal is 
justified to be selected out of rank order based upon one or more of 
the selection factors below. The Program Officer and/or Selecting 
Official may negotiate the funding level of the proposal. The Selecting 
Official makes final recommendations for award to the Grants Officer 
who is authorized to obligate the funds.

Evaluation Criteria for Projects

    1. Importance and/or relevance and applicability of proposed 
project to the program goals: This ascertains whether there is 
intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA, federal, 
regional, state, or local activities.
    2. Technical/scientific merit: This assesses whether the approach 
is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate, 
and whether there are clear project goals and objectives.
    3. Overall qualifications of applicants: This ascertains whether 
the applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, training, 
facilities, and administrative resources to accomplish the project.
    4. Project costs: The Budget is evaluated to determine if it is 
realistic and commensurate with the project needs and time-frame.
    5. Outreach and education: NOAA assesses whether this project 
provides a focused and effective education and outreach strategy 
regarding NOAA's mission to protect the Nation's natural resources.

Selection Factors for Projects

    The merit review ratings shall provide a rank order to the 
Selecting Official for final funding recommendations. A program officer 
may first make recommendations to the Selecting Official applying the 
selection factors below. The Selecting Official shall award in the rank 
order unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order 
based upon one or more of the following factors:
    1. Availability of funding.
    2. Balance/distribution of funds:
    a. Geographically
    b. By type of institutions
    c. By type of partners
    d. By research areas
    e. By project types
    3. Whether this project duplicates other projects funded or 
considered for funding by NOAA or other federal agencies.
    4. Program priorities and policy factors.
    5. Applicant's prior award performance.
    6. Partnerships and/or Participation of targeted groups.

[[Page 77730]]

    7. Adequacy of information necessary for NOAA staff to make a NEPA 
determination and draft necessary documentation before recommendations 
for funding are made to the Grants Officer.

Proposal Review and Selection Process for NOAA Fellowship, Scholarship 
and Internship Programs

    Some programs may include a pre-application process which provides 
an initial review and feedback to the applicants that have responded to 
a call for letters of intent or pre-proposals; however, not all 
programs will include such a process. If a pre-application process is 
used by a program, it shall be described in the Summary Description and 
the deadline shall be provided in the Application Deadline section. An 
initial administrative review of full applications is conducted to 
determine compliance with requirements and completeness of 
applications. A merit review is conducted to individually evaluate, 
score, and rank applications using the evaluation criteria. A second 
merit review may be conducted on the applicants that meet the program's 
threshold (based on scores from the first merit review) to make 
selections using the selection factors provided below. The Program 
Officer may conduct a review of the rank order and make recommendations 
to the Selecting Official based on the panel ratings and the selection 
factors listed below. The Selecting Official considers merit reviews 
and recommendations. The Selecting Official will award in rank order 
unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based 
upon one or more of the selection factors below. The Selecting Official 
makes final recommendations for awards to the Grants Officer who is 
authorized to obligate the funds.

Evaluation Criteria for Fellowship/Scholarships/Internships

    1. Academic record and statement of career goals and objectives of 
student
    2. Quality of project and applicability to program priorities
    3. Recommendations and/or endorsements of student
    4. Additional relevant experience related to diversity of 
education; extra-curricular activities; honors and awards; 
interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills
    5. Financial need of student
    Selection Factors for Fellowship/Scholarships/Internships
    1. Balance/Distribution of funds:
    a. Across academic disciplines
    b. By types of institutions
    c. Geographically
    2. Availability of funds
    3. Program-specific objectives
    4. Degree in scientific area and type of degree sought

NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

1. 2007 Hawaii Seafood Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: NMFS is soliciting applications for financial 
assistance for the 2007 Hawaii Seafood Program. The Hawaii Seafood 
Program is proposed for an effort to help strengthen and sustain the 
economic viability of Hawaii's fishing and seafood industry through 
activities that promote Hawaii fisheries products as high quality and 
safe domestic seafood produced by a responsible and well-managed 
fishery. Projects may request support for cooperative seafood safety 
research, technical assistance, and/or seafood education. This program 
will support NOAA's mission to protect, restore and manage the use of 
coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem-based management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Approximately $1,000,000 may be available. 
Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon FY07 
Congressional appropriations.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.452, 
Unallied Industry Projects.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 5 p.m. 
Hawaii standard time on February 28, 2007.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Applications are available 
through the Grants.Gov website at http://www.grants.gov. For those 
organizations without internet access, application materials and 
instructions may be obtained from Scott W.S. Bloom, NOAA Federal 
Program Officer, Pacific Islands Regional Office, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., 
Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI, 96814.
    INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott W.S. Bloom (NOAA Fisheries) at 808-944-
2218, or by e-mail at [email protected].
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are individuals, institutions of 
higher education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
international organizations, foreign governments, organizations under 
the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies, or employees of Federal agencies 
are not eligible to apply.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: None.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
2. Chesapeake Bay Cooperative Science Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) / 
NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) is soliciting applications for 
financial assistance to support Cooperative Science in Chesapeake Bay. 
The NCBO is developing a Cooperative Science Program in Chesapeake Bay 
to formalize and expand collaborative research among the Chesapeake 
Bay's commercial fishing industry, marine scientists, and fishery 
management communities. The goal of this initiative is to enhance the 
data upon which fishery management decisions are made as well as to 
facilitate communication and collaboration among commercial fishermen, 
scientists, and fishery managers. Through this initiative, the NCBO 
will develop a collaborative and cooperative program to set research 
priorities that meet management and fishing industry needs. This 
funding will provide a significant opportunity for the NOAA Chesapeake 
Bay Office to develop collaborative relationships with the fishing 
industry. This program will support NOAA's mission to protect, restore 
and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem-
based management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Funding availability for this program is 
contingent upon FY07 Congressional appropriations. Approximately 
$100,000 - $150,000 in funding may be available for awards in FY 2007; 
there are no restrictions on minimum or maximum funding requests. Award 
periods may be up to a maximum of 3 years, with annual funding 
contingent on the availability of Federal appropriations.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as 
amended, at 16 U.S.C. 661
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.457, 
Chesapeake Bay Studies.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Letters of Intent must be received by 5 p.m. 
EST on February 7, 2007 to [email protected]. Full proposals must be 
received by 5 p.m. EST on March 12, 2007.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: Applicants should submit 
proposals online through www.grants.gov. If online submission is

[[Page 77731]]

not possible, paper applications may be mailed to NOAA Chesapeake Bay 
Office, 410 Severn Ave., Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403.
    INFORMATION CONTACT: Derek Orner, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 
Severn Ave., Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403; email: 
[email protected]; phone: 410-267-5676.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, foreign 
governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible 
to receive Federal assistance under this notice.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: There are no cost-sharing or matching 
requirements under this solicitation.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
3. Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Research Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 
NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO), is soliciting applications for 
financial assistance to support fisheries research, monitoring, 
modeling, or assessment that will facilitate effective ecosystem-based 
management in Chesapeake Bay. This management paradigm requires 
knowledge of the interactions among exploited species, and their 
habitats and stressors, to develop viable management plans. Applicants 
follow the Fisheries Ecosystem Plan (http://noaa.chesapeakebay.net/docs/FEP_DRAFT.pdf) in identifying the science necessary to support 
ecosystem-based fisheries management in the Bay. This program will 
support NOAA's mission to protect, restore and manage the use of 
coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem-based management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Funding availability for this program is 
contingent upon FY07 Congressional appropriations. Approximately 
$1,000,000 was available in FY 2006 and similar levels may be available 
for awards in FY2007 (this includes continuation of multi-year awards); 
there are no restrictions on minimum or maximum funding requests. Award 
periods may be up to a maximum of 3 years, with annual funding 
contingent on the availability of Federal appropriations.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as 
amended, at 16 U.S.C. 661
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.457, 
Chesapeake Bay Studies.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Letters of Intent must be received by 5 p.m. 
EST on February 7, 2007 to [email protected]. Full proposals must be 
received by 5 p.m. EST on March 12, 2007.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: Applicants should submit 
proposals online through www.grants.gov. If online submission is not 
possible, paper applications may be mailed to NOAA Chesapeake Bay 
Office, 410 Severn Ave., Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403. Information 
Contact: Derek Orner, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 Severn Ave., 
Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403; email: [email protected]; phone: 
410-267-5676.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, foreign 
governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible 
to receive Federal assistance under this notice.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: There are no cost-sharing or matching 
requirements under this solicitation.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
4. Chesapeake Bay Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Restoration Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) / 
NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) is soliciting applications for 
financial assistance to support submerged aquatic vegetation(SAV) 
Restoration projects in Chesapeake Bay. This program is a competitive 
program that supports vital restoration, research, monitoring, 
analysis, modeling and assessment of SAV activities that will assist 
the CBP, NOAA, and other program partners in reaching the goal of 
effective ecosystem-based management and integrated restoration. 
Projects follow and the guidance in the Chesapeake Bay Program's 
``Strategy to Accelerate the Protection and Restoration of Submerged 
Aquatic Vegetation in the Chesapeake Bay'' which is available at http://www.chesapeakebay.net/pubs/subcommittee/lrsc/thwg/Final_SAV_restoration.pdf. This program will support NOAA's mission to protect, 
restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through 
ecosystem-based management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Funding availability for this program is 
contingent upon FY07 Congressional appropriations. Approximately 
$250,000 in funding may be available for awards in FY 2007; there are 
no restrictions on minimum or maximum funding requests. Award periods 
may be up to a maximum of 3 years, with annual funding contingent on 
the availability of Federal appropriations.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as 
amended, at 16 U.S.C. 661.
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.457, 
Chesapeake Bay Studies.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Letters of Intent must be received by 5 p.m. 
EST on February 7, 2007. Full proposals must be received by 5 p.m. EST 
on March 12, 2007. Address for Submitting Proposals: Applicants should 
submit proposals online through www.grants.gov. If online submission is 
not possible, paper applications may be mailed to NOAA Chesapeake Bay 
Office, 410 Severn Ave., Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403. Information 
Contact: Peter Bergstrom, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 Severn Ave., 
Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403; email: [email protected]; 
phone: 410-267-5665.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, foreign 
governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible 
to receive Federal assistance under this notice.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: There are no cost-sharing or matching 
requirements under this solicitation.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
5. Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program provides 
a mechanism to fund research and compensate vessels through the sale of 
fish harvested under a research quota. For fishing year 2008 (January 
1-December 31, 2008), NMFS announces that up to 3 percent of the total

[[Page 77732]]

allowable landings (TAL) in certain Mid-Atlantic fisheries may be 
dedicated to research endeavors under the RSA program. The setting of 
the actual RSA quotas will be the subject of future rulemaking. NMFS is 
soliciting proposals for research activities concerning the summer 
flounder, scup, black sea bass, Loligo squid, Illex squid, Atlantic 
mackerel, butterfish, Atlantic bluefish, and tilefish fisheries. The 
set-asides may range between 0 and 3 percent of each species' TAL. The 
set-aside allocated for a given species is designated primarily for 
research involving that species. However, to promote research for 
species where it would otherwise be infeasible, individual research 
projects may request up to 25 percent of the set-aside allocations for 
other species listed in this notice that are not directly involved in a 
particular research project. No Federal funds are provided for research 
under this notification, but rather the opportunity to fish and sell 
the catch to generate income to offset research costs. Projects funded 
under an RSA allocation (or award) must enhance understanding of the 
fishery resource or contribute to the body of information on which 
management decisions are made. The program priorities for this 
opportunity support NOAA's Mission support goal of: Ecosystems - 
Protect, Restore, and Manage Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources through 
Ecosystem-Based Management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: No Federal funds are provided for research 
under this notification, but rather the opportunity to fish and sell 
the catch to generate income. The Federal Government may issue an 
Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) or Letter of Acknowledgment (LOA), as 
applicable, which may provide special fishing privileges in response to 
research proposals selected under this program.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Issuing grants is consistent with sections 
303(b)(11), 402(e), and 404(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1853(b)(11), 16 U.S.C. 
1881a(e), and 16 U.S.C. 1881c(c), respectively. The award of a set-
aside from the TAL of selected species resulted from the approval of 
Framework Adjustment 1 (Framework 1) to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, 
and Butterfish; Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass; and Atlantic 
Bluefish Fishery Management Plans (FMPs); and the RSA provisions of the 
Tilefish FMP. Framework 1 established a procedure through which RSA 
amounts are set annually as part of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council's (Council) quota-setting process (66 FR 42156, August 10, 
2001), and is codified in regulations at 50 CFR 648.21(g).
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE NUMBER: 11.454, Unallied 
Management Projects.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by NMFS on or 
before 5 p.m. EST on February 12, 2007.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Applications should be 
submitted through http://www.grants.gov, and use the following funding 
opportunity  NMFS-NEFSC-2007-2000887 unless an applicant does 
not have Internet access. In that case, hard copies should be sent to 
NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, 
MA 02543. Mark proposals ``Attention: Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside 
Program.''
    INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Furlong, Executive Director, Mid-
Atlantic Fishery Management Council, by phone at 302-674-2331 ext. 19, 
or fax at 302-674-5399; Clay Heaton, Fishery Management Specialist, 
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, by phone at 302-674-2331 ext. 
13, or via email at [email protected]; or Paul Perra, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930, by phone at 978-281-9153, by fax at 978-281-9135, 
or via e-mail at [email protected].
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants include institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
individuals, state, local, and Native American tribal governments. 
Federal agencies and institutions are not eligible to receive Federal 
assistance under this notice. Additionally, employees of any Federal 
agency or Regional Fishery Management Council are ineligible to submit 
an application under this program. However, Council members who are not 
Federal employees may submit an application.
    COST SHARING: None.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applicants under this program are subject 
to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
6. Proactive Species Conservation Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
is soliciting applications for financial assistance to support the 
conservation of marine and anadromous species of concern. To raise 
awareness of potentially at-risk species and to foster their proactive 
conservation, the NMFS created a ``species of concern'' list in April 
2004 (69 FR 19975). Under this solicitation, the NMFS is seeking to 
support conservation efforts for these species of concern. Any state, 
tribal, or local entity that has management or regulatory authority 
over one or more of these species or over activities that affect these 
species is eligible to apply. A current list of NMFS' species of 
concern can be found at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/concern/#list. This program will support NOAA's mission to protect, restore and 
manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem-based 
management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Funding availability for this program is 
contingent upon FY07 Congressional appropriations. Approximately 
$500,000 was available in FY 2006 and similar levels may be available 
for awards in FY2007; there are no restrictions on minimum or maximum 
funding requests. Award periods may be up to a maximum of 5 years, with 
annual funding contingent on the availability of Federal 
appropriations.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as 
amended, at 16 U.S.C. 661.
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.472, 
Unallied Science Programs.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. EST on 
February 12, 2007. Hard copy applications must be postmarked by 
February 12, 2007.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: Applicants should submit 
proposals online through www.grants.gov. If online submission is not 
possible, paper applications may be mailed to NOAA/NMFS/Office of 
Protected Resources, Attn: Lisa Manning, 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC3, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Manning, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910; email: [email protected]; phone: 301-713-1401.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are state, tribal, or local 
governments that have regulatory or management authority over one or 
more federally identified species of concern or over activities that 
affect one or more federally identified species of concern.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: There are no cost-sharing or matching 
requirements under this solicitation.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

[[Page 77733]]

National Ocean Service

1. FY 2007 Regional Integrated Ocean Observing System Development
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Designed to be user-driven and provide 
sustained data and information in forms and at rates required by 
decision makers, the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) will 
efficiently link observations, data management, and modeling to provide 
required data and information on local to global scales, e.g., from the 
local scale of beaches and shellfish beds to the global scale of an El 
Ni[ntilde]o event.
    Regional coastal ocean observing systems (RCOOSs) are designed to 
complement the observing systems managed directly by federal agencies 
that meet national priorities. With the guidance of Regional 
Associations to understand regional priorities, RCOOSs provide the 
types of data, information, and products needed to address the 
estuarine and coastal issues experienced by the different regions, and 
to leverage the delivery and applicability of data collected by local 
network nodes. NOAA views this announcement as an opportunity to 
demonstrate the regional observing system concept. To assist in 
regional IOOS development, NOAA seeks proposals for one- to three-year 
grant or cooperative agreement projects that address the following 
focus areas:
    1. Regional coastal ocean observing systems (RCOOS) development - 
to further the establishment and integration of observing system assets 
within regions and the operation of those assets for the benefit of the 
region. Proposals submitted under this focus area will demonstrate the 
approach and benefits of integration at the scale of the Regional 
Association. While focus areas 2 and 3 address particular components of 
IOOS (e.g., data management and product development), this focus area 
invites proposals that implement an end-to-end RCOOS that addresses 
regional needs.
    2. IOOS application and product development for regional 
stakeholders -- to develop, advance, and document the value of applying 
existing IOOS assets to the real-world issues of managers, industry, 
and the general public. Proposals submitted under this focus area will 
address regional needs for IOOS applications and products and quantify 
the value of the application or product to the end user.
    3. Data management and communication by local data network nodes -- 
to develop guidance and processes for regional non-federal data 
providers to contribute to the IOOS data stream. Proposals submitted 
under this focus area will develop local data network nodes that 
deliver regional data to a range of consumers using common standards 
and protocols.
    The program priorities for this opportunity support NOAA's mission 
support goal of: Weather and Water -- Serve Society's Needs for Weather 
and Water Information. Other goals are supported, but this is the goal 
the opportunity most closely addresses.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Funding Availability: Total anticipated 
funding for all awards is approximately $15,000,000 and is subject to 
the availability of FY 2007 appropriations. Multiple awards are 
anticipated from this announcement. The anticipated federal funding per 
award (min-max) is approximately $100,000 to $6,000,000. The 
anticipated number of awards ranges from 7 to 14, approximately, and 
will be adjusted based on available funding.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Statutory authority for this program is 
provided under the Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1456c 
(Technical Assistance); 33 U.S.C. 883d; and 33 U.S.C. 1442 (Research 
program investigating possible long-range effects of pollution, 
overfishing, and anthropogenically-induced changes of ocean 
ecosystems).
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) Number: 11.473, 
Coastal Services Center.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: A LOI is required prior to submitting a full 
proposal. LOIs must be received by the Coastal Services Center by 5 
p.m. EST on January 31, 2007. Full proposal applications must be 
received by 5 p.m. EST, April 17, 2007.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: LOIs must be sent via e-mail 
to [email protected]. Applicants submitting a LOI should reference 
the Funding Opportunity Title (FY 2007 Regional Integrated Ocean 
Observing System Development) as the subject line of the e-mail 
containing the LOI.
    If an applicant does not have Internet access, the applicant must 
submit through surface mail one original and two copies of the LOI to 
the Coastal Services Center. No fax copies will be accepted. Any U.S. 
Postal Service correspondence should be sent to the attention of James 
Lewis Free, NOAA Coastal Services Center, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, 
Charleston, SC, 29405-2413.
    Full proposal application packages should be submitted through 
Grants.gov APPLY. The standard NOAA funding application package is 
available at www.grants.gov.
    If an applicant does not have Internet access, the applicant must 
submit through surface mail one set of originals (signed) and two 
copies of the proposals and related forms to the Coastal Services 
Center. No e-mail or fax copies will be accepted. Any U.S. Postal 
Service correspondence should be sent to the attention of James Lewis 
Free, NOAA Coastal Services Center, 2234 South Hobson Avenue, 
Charleston, SC, 29405-2413.
    INFORMATION CONTACT: For administrative issues, contact James Lewis 
Free at 843-740-1185 (phone) or e-mail him at [email protected]. 
Technical questions on the IOOS announcement should be directed to the 
following people according to the focus area in question: RCOOS 
Development, Geno Olmi by telephone at 843-740-1230 (phone) or e-mail 
him at [email protected]; IOOS Applications and Product Development, 
Dave Eslinger by telephone (843) 740-1270, or by e-mail 
[email protected]; and Data Management and Communications, Jim 
Boyd by telephone (843) 740-1278, or by e-mail [email protected].
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible funding applicants are institutions of higher 
education, non-profit and for-profit organizations, international 
organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal 
agencies or institutions and foreign governments may not be the primary 
recipient of awards under this announcement, but are encouraged to 
partner with applicants. Federal partners must identify the relevant 
statutory authorities that will allow for the receipt of funds.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: There is no requirement for cost 
sharing.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
2. California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program, 
Adult and Community Watershed Education in the Monterey Bay
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The California B-WET Program, Adult and 
Community Watershed Education, 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 Monterey Bay watershed. 
Funded projects provide meaningful watershed education to adults and 
communities. The term

[[Page 77734]]

meaningful watershed education is defined as outcome-based programs 
that educate citizens about their role in protecting water quality and 
demonstrate behavioral changes that improve water quality and promote 
environmental stewardship. This program will support NOAA's mission to 
protect, restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources 
through ecosystem-based management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: This solicitation announces that 
approximately $100,000 may be available in FY 2007 in award amounts to 
be determined by the proposals and available funds. The National Marine 
Sanctuary Program anticipates that approximately 2-4 grants will be 
awarded with these funds and that typical project awards will range 
from $10,000 to $50,000.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 1440, 15 U.S.C. 1540.
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.429, 
Marine Sanctuary Program.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific 
standard time on February 1, 2007. Hard copy and electronic proposals 
received after that time will not be considered for funding and will be 
returned to the applicant.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: It is strongly preferred that you 
submit your application through Grants.gov at the internet site: http://www.grants.gov. You may access, download, and submit an electronic 
grant application through Grants.gov. The full funding announcement is 
available via the grants.gov web site: http://www.grants.gov. The 
announcement will also be available at the NOAA web site http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/bwet or by contacting the program officials 
identified below. Applicants must comply with all requirements 
contained in the full funding opportunity announcement. NOAA strongly 
recommends that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
begin the application process through Grants.gov.
    INFORMATION CONTACT: Paper applications, a signed original and 2 
copies (submission of five additional hard copies is strongly 
encouraged to expedite the review process, but it is not required) may 
be submitted to Attn: Seaberry Nachbar, B-WET Program Manager, Monterey 
Bay National Marine Sanctuary Office, 299 Foam Street, Monterey, CA 
93940. The closing deadline for applying through grants.gov is the same 
as for the paper submission noted in this announcement.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, nonprofit organizations, state or local government agencies, 
and Indian tribal governments. 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 service underserved areas.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: No cost sharing is required under this 
program; however, the National Marine Sanctuary Program strongly 
encourages applicants to share as much of the costs of the award as 
possible. Funds from other Federal awards 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 review process with cash being the preferred method of 
contribution.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

National Weather Service

1. Hydrologic Research and Social Science Research in Hydrologic 
Applications.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: This program announcement is for projects to 
be conducted by research investigators for a 1-year or a 3-year period, 
depending on which high-priority area the proposal is submitted to. 
June 1, 2007, should be used as the proposed start date on proposals. 
This program represents an NOAA/NWS effort to create a cost-effective 
continuum of basic and applied research through collaborative research 
between the Hydrology Laboratory of the NWS Office of Hydrologic 
Development and academic communities or other private or public 
agencies which have expertise in hydrologic research, and in social 
science research in hydrologic applications. These activities will 
engage researchers and students in basic and applied research to 
improve hydrologic forecasting, including the display of probabilistic 
information to emergency managers and to the general public. The 
program priorities for this opportunity support NOAA's mission support 
goal of: Weather and Water- Serve Society's Needs for Weather and Water 
Information.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: It is expected that, depending on 
availability of funds, one award for each of the three priority areas 
described in the detailed announcement will be made. However, if no 
proposals are deemed of suitable quality in any of the two areas, no 
award in that particular area will be made. The government Maximum 
funding is described in the detailed announcement.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 15 U.S.C. 313 and 33 U.S.C. 883d.
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER : 11.462, 
Hydrologic Research.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Proposals are due no later than 3 p.m. EST 30 
calendar days after the publication of this announcement. Proposals 
should be submitted through http://www.grants.gov. For applicants 
without internet access, they may be sent to NOAA/NWS; 1325 East-West 
Highway, Room 8176; Silver Spring, MD 20910-3283.
    INFORMATION CONTACT(S): Dr. Pedro Restrepo by phone at 301-713-0640 
ext. 210, or fax to 301-713-0963, or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. Proponents are advised that soliciting advice 
on any aspect of this funding opportunity from employees and 
contractors of the Office of Hydrologic Development, other than Dr. 
Pedro Restrepo, is not permitted. Requesting advice from any other NOAA 
office, such as NOHRSC, NCEP or any of the RFCs or WFOs is allowed and 
highly encouraged.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are Federal agencies, institutions 
of higher education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, and international organizations, state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. PLEASE NOTE: 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.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: None.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

[[Page 77735]]

Oceans and Atmospheric Research

1. NOAA's Great Lakes Ecosystem Research
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: NOAA's mission is to understand and predict 
changes in the Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and 
marine resources to meet our nation's economic, social and 
environmental needs. Proposals funded under this announcement fulfill 
NOAA's ecosystem mission to protect, restore, and manage use of coastal 
and ocean resources through ecosystem-based management. The Great Lakes 
Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) is actively involved in 
research on ecological prediction, aquatic invasive species, physical 
environment prediction, and environmental observing systems. Specific 
research projects include studies on aquatic invasive species in the 
Great Lakes, especially prevention of introduction and effects on food 
webs, the development of coastal environmental forecast systems, Great 
Lakes water supplies, water level forecasting, food web interactions 
and regulation and forecasting risks to Human Health (e.g., beach 
closings, drinking water quality and harmful algal blooms).
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Total anticipated federal funding for FY 2007 
is $1.5M in the first year with funding for 20 - 30 of awards. Federal 
Funding for FY 2008 and beyond may be used in part to fund some awards 
submitted under this competition. We anticipate that the annual cost of 
most funded projects will fall between $1,000 and $50,000 per year. 
Actual funding levels will depend upon the final FY 2007 and subsequent 
budget appropriations.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 33 U.S.C. 883d.
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.460 - 
Special Oceanic and Atmospheric Projects
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Letters of Intent should be received at GLERL 
no later than 5 p.m. EST, February 16, 2007. Full proposals must be 
received no later than 5 p.m. EST, March 30, 2007.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: (1) Letters of Intent (LOI). LOIs 
are encouraged to be submitted by facsimile or e-mail to the identified 
NOAA program element's program manager and to [email protected]. If 
an applicant does not have Internet access, LOI hard copies should be 
sent to the Program Managers listed with each program in the Program 
Priorities section and to the GLERL Grants Manager, Sandra Salyers, 
NOAA/GLERL, 2205 Commonwealth Blvd; Ann Arbor, MI., 48105, phone 734-
741-2246; (2) Proposals. Proposals should be submitted through 
Grants.gov APPLY (http://www.grants.gov). If an applicant does not have 
Internet access, please contact the GLERL Grants Manager (see above) 
for hard copy instructions.
    INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra Salyers, NOAA/GLERL, 2205 Commonwealth 
Blvd; Ann Arbor, MI 48105, phone 734-741-2246.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, international 
organizations, State, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal 
agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance 
under this notice.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: No cost sharing is required.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

Under Secretary's Associated Office (USAO)

1. National Ocean Sciences Competition for High School Students
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: NOAA's Office of Education (OED), on behalf of 
its partner agencies in the National Oceanographic Partnership Program 
(NOPP), is requesting applications in support of an academic 
competition for high school students focusing on ocean sciences and 
related fields. The goal of this program is to expose high school 
students in the United States and its territories to the excitement of 
ocean sciences and related fields as well as careers in those fields. 
Projects should be 5 years in duration, employ one or more of the 
strategies articulated in the NOAA Education Plan (http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/NOAA_Ed_Plan.pdf), involve partnerships among 
academic institutions, free-choice learning venues, NGOs and Federal 
entities, and have an evaluation that both monitors the quality of the 
experience for the participants (be they students, teachers, or 
volunteers) and the impact of the program on the participants. Although 
it is expected that the project's focal point will be a tiered academic 
competition with regional and national-level events, it should also 
provide additional learning experiences for student participants, their 
peers and their teachers, such as internships and field or research 
experiences. It is anticipated that final recommendations for funding 
under this announcement will be made on or around February 28, 2007, 
and that the grant funded through this announcement will have a start 
date no earlier than April 1, 2007. There are no other program 
priorities for this announcement. This FFO meets NOAA's Mission Goal to 
protect, restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources 
through ecosystem-based management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: NOAA announces the availability of 
approximately $2,000,000 of Federal financial assistance in FY 2007 for 
an academic competition for high school students on ocean sciences and 
related fields. One award in the form of a grant will be made. NOAA 
will only consider projects that have a duration of five years. The 
total Federal amount for all years that may be requested from NOAA for 
the direct and indirect costs of the proposed project shall not exceed 
$10,000,000 for five years. The minimum Federal amount that must be 
requested from NOAA for all years for the direct and indirect costs is 
$1,000,000. Applications requesting Federal support from NOAA of less 
than $1,000,000 total or more than $10,000,000 total will not be 
considered for funding through this announcement. The amount of funding 
available through this announcement will be dependent upon the final 
appropriations for FY 2007 through FY 2011 and commitment of funds from 
partnering agencies of the National Oceanographic Partnership Program 
(NOPP).
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Authority for this funding opportunity is 
provided by the following: 15 U.S.C. 1540.
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.469 - 
Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: The deadline for full applications is 5 p.m., 
EST February 12, 2007.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: Full applications should be 
submitted through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). If an applicant 
does not have Internet access, one hard copy should be sent to ATTN: 
Competition Manager for Funding Opportunity SEC-OED-2007-2000888, DOC/
NOAA Office of Education, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW, Room 6863, 
Washington, DC 20230. If submitting a hard copy, applicants are 
requested to provide a CD-ROM of the application, including scanned 
signed forms.
    INFORMATION CONTACTS: For further information contact Sarah 
Schoedinger at 704-370-3528 or [email protected].

[[Page 77736]]

ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, 
other nonprofits, and state, local and Indian tribal governments in the 
United States. For profit organizations, foreign institutions, foreign 
organizations and foreign government agencies are not eligible to 
apply. Federal agencies are not eligible to receive Federal assistance 
under this announcement, but may be project partners. The Department of 
Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC/NOAA) is 
strongly committed to increasing the participation of Minority Serving 
Institutions (MSIs), i.e., Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges and 
universities, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian institutions, and 
institutions that work in underserved communities. Applications are 
encouraged that involve any of the above types of institutions.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: None.
    OTHER: An individual or institution may apply only once through 
this funding opportunity.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
2. Administrative Services for NOAA's Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate 
Scholarship Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this document is to advise the 
public that NOAA's Office of Education is announcing the availability 
of Federal assistance for a not-for-profit organization for 
administrative services for the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate 
Scholarship Program. The purposes of the program include: (1) To 
increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, 
research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary 
training opportunities; (2) to increase public understanding and 
support for stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere and improve 
environmental literacy; (3) to recruit and prepare students for public 
service careers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration and other natural resource and science agencies at the 
Federal, state and local levels of government; and (4) to recruit and 
prepare students for careers as teachers and educators in oceanic and 
atmospheric science and to improve scientific and environmental 
education in the United States.
    The Hollings Scholarship Program provides selected undergraduate 
applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to a 
maximum of $8,000) for full-time study during the 9-month academic 
year; a 10-week, full-time internship position ($650/week) during the 
summer at a NOAA or partner facility; and, if reappointed, academic 
assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000) for full-time study during a 
second 9-month academic year. The internship between first and second 
years of the award provides ``hands-on'' multi-disciplinary educational 
training experience involving scholars in NOAA-related scientific, 
research, technological, policy, management, and education activities. 
Awards also include a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at 
home during the summer internship and travel expenses for attendance 
and participation at a Hollings scholarship orientation program, 
conference travel, and an end of summer internship presentation 
program.
    The program priorities for this opportunity support NOAA's mission 
support goal of Critical Support -- Facilities, ships, aircraft, 
environmental satellites, data-processing systems, computing and 
communications systems.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Subject to appropriations, this solicitation 
announces that funding at a maximum of $3,400,000 will be available for 
program administration of the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate 
Scholarship Program over a two-year period. Only one application will 
be funded. Up to 18 percent is allowed for administrative overhead and 
at least 82 percent is for student support. It is anticipated that the 
funding instrument will be a cooperative agreement since NOAA will be 
substantially involved in the selection of scholarship recipients, 
identifying NOAA facilities to place students during the one summer 
internship, and with collaboration, participation, or intervention in 
project performance.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 15 U.S.C. 1540, P.L. 108-447.
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.481 - 
Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by the NOAA 
Office of Education on or before February 12, 2007 no later than 5 p.m. 
EST.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Applications submitted in 
response to this announcement should be submitted through the 
Grants.gov web site. Electronic access to the full funding announcement 
for this program is available via the Grants.gov web site: http://www.grants.gov. The announcement will also be available at the NOAA 
Office of Education web site http://www.oesd.noaa.gov or by contacting 
the program official identified below. Paper applications (a signed 
original and two copies) may also be submitted to NOAA at the following 
address: NOAA/Office of Education, 1315 East West Highway, Room 10703, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910. No facsimile applications will be accepted. 
Organizations are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent to NOAA within 
30 days of this announcement to aid in planning the review processes. 
Letters of Intent may be submitted via e-mail to 
[email protected]. Information should include a general 
description of the program administration proposal.
    INFORMATION CONTACT: Chantell Haskins, Program Manager at (301) 
713-9437 ext. 125 or [email protected].
    ELIGIBILITY: Proposals will only be accepted from non-profit 
organizations.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: None
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

Non-Competitive Project

The following entry provides the description and requirements of NOAA's 
noncompetitive project. NOAA Northeast Pacific Expedition Grant Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: NOAA's Undersea Research Program (NURP), Ocean 
Exploration Program, and National Marine Sanctuary Program announce 
that they will be sponsoring an expedition in 2009 to examine deep sea 
habitats in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. The geographic regions of 
interest include waters off the coasts of the states of California, 
Oregon, Washington, Alaska (including the Aleutian Islands), and Hawaii 
(specifically the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands), and the Emperor 
Seamounts. It is anticipated that the expedition will use the R/V 
Ka[igrave]imikai-o-Kanaloa and the 2000-meter capable human occupied 
submersibles, Pisces IV and V, and be approximately four months in 
length with seven to ten individual segments. Funding will be provided 
for an external, competitive grant program entitled the NOAA Northeast 
Pacific Expedition Grant Program to be

[[Page 77737]]

administered through the NURP Centers for the West Coast and Polar 
Regions and Hawaii and the Western Pacific Regions, the Hawaii Undersea 
Research Laboratory, in partnership with NURP headquarters, the Ocean 
Exploration Program and the National Marine Sanctuary Program. Specific 
priorities, geographic preferences, application requirements, and the 
competitive peer-review process will be provided in the request for 
proposals to be posted at http://www.westnurc.uaf.edu/expedition. The 
program priorities for this opportunity support NOAA's mission support 
goal of: Ecosystems - Protect, Restore, and Manage Use of Coastal and 
Ocean Resources through Ecosystem-Based Management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Approximately $2,000,000 may be available in 
FY 2008 and FY 2009 to support awards under this program.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Statutory authority for this program is 
provided under 33 U.S.C. 883d.
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) Number: 11.430, 
National Undersea Research Program.
    INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Puglise, 301-713-2427, extension 199 
or e-mail at [email protected]. The request for proposals will 
be announced at: http://www.westnurc.uaf.edu/expedition.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: The awards require a 1:1 federal to non-
federal match.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

Limitation of Liability

    Funding for programs listed in this notice is contingent upon the 
availability of Fiscal Year 2007 appropriations. Applicants are hereby 
given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for the programs 
listed in this notice. In no event will NOAA or the Department of 
Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs if these 
programs fail to receive funding or are cancelled because of other 
agency priorities. Publication of this announcement does not oblige 
NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds.

Universal Identifier

    Applicants should be aware that they are required to provide a Dun 
and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number during the 
application process. See the October 30, 2002 Federal Register, Notice 
of Proposed Requirement for Use of a Universal Identifier by Grant 
Applicants (67 FR 66177) for additional information. Organizations can 
receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or via the internet http://www.dunandbradstreet.com.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NOAA must analyze the potential environmental impacts, as required 
by the NEPA, for applicant projects or proposals which are seeking NOAA 
federal funding opportunities. Detailed information on NOAA compliance 
with NEPA can be found at the following NOAA NEPA website: http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/, including our NOAA Administrative Order 216-6 for 
NEPA, http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/NAO216_--6_--TOC.pdf, and the Council 
on Environmental Quality implementation regulations, http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/ceq/toc_ceq.htm.
    Consequently, as part of an applicant's package, and under their 
description of their program activities, applicants are required to 
provide detailed information on the activities to be conducted, 
locations, sites, species and habitat to be affected, possible 
construction activities, and any environmental concerns that may exist 
(e.g., the use and disposal of hazardous or toxic chemicals, 
introduction of non-indigenous species, impacts to endangered and 
threatened species, aquaculture projects, and impacts to coral reef 
systems). NOAA has developed an environmental information questionnaire 
to provide applicants and Federal grant managers with a simple tool to 
ensure that project and environmental information is obtained. The 
questionnaire will apply only to those programs where actions are 
considered major Federal actions or to those where NOAA must determine 
if the action is a major Federal action. The questionnaire consists of 
a comprehensive list of questions that encompasses a broad range of 
subject areas. The applicants will not be required to answer every 
question in the questionnaire. Each program will draw from the final 
comprehensive list of questions to create a relevant subset of 
questions for applicants to answer. These questions will be found in 
the Federal Funding Opportunity Announcement for individual programs 
under Section IV.B. (Application and Submission Information; Content 
and Form of Application Submission). The information provided in 
answers to the questionnaire will be used by NOAA staff to determine 
compliance requirements for NEPA and conduct subsequent NEPA analysis 
as needed. The information provided in the questionnaire may also be 
used for other regulatory review requirements associated with the 
proposed project. NOAA may require follow-up information after the 
application process has been completed.
    In addition to providing specific information that will serve as 
the basis for any required impact analyses, applicants may also be 
requested to assist NOAA in the drafting of an environmental 
assessment, if NOAA determines an assessment is required. Applicants 
will also be required to cooperate with NOAA in identifying and 
implementing feasible measures to reduce or avoid any identified 
adverse environmental impacts of their proposal. The failure to do so 
shall be grounds for not selecting an application. In some cases, if 
additional information is required after an application is selected, 
funds can be withheld by the Grants Officer under a special award 
condition requiring the recipient to submit additional environmental 
compliance information sufficient to enable NOAA to make an assessment 
on any impacts that a project may have on the environment.

Compliance with Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security 
Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR 734.2(b)(2)(ii))

    (a) This clause applies to the extent that this financial 
assistance award involves access to export-controlled information or 
technology.
    (b) In performing this financial assistance award, the recipient 
may gain access to export-controlled information or technology. The 
recipient is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and 
regulations regarding export-controlled information and technology, 
including deemed exports. The recipient shall establish and maintain 
throughout performance of the financial assistance award effective 
export compliance procedures at non-NOAA facilities. At a minimum, 
these export compliance procedures must include adequate controls of 
physical, verbal, visual, and electronic access to export-controlled 
information and technology.
    (c) Definitions
    (1) Deemed export. The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 
define a deemed export as any release of technology or source code 
subject to the EAR to a foreign national, both in the United States and 
abroad. Such release is ``deemed'' to be an export to

[[Page 77738]]

the home country of the foreign national. 15 CFR 734.2(b)(2)(ii).
    (2) Export-controlled information and technology. Export-controlled 
information and technology is information and technology subject to the 
EAR (15 CFR parts 730 et seq.), implemented by the DOC Bureau of 
Industry and Security, or the International Traffic I Arms Regulations 
(ITAR) (22 CFR parts 120-130), implemented by the Department of State. 
This includes, but is not limited to, dual-use items, defense articles 
and any related assistance, services, software or technical data as 
defined in the EAR and ITAR.
    (d) The recipient shall control access to all export-controlled 
information and technology that it possesses or that comes into its 
possession in performance of this financial assistance award, to ensure 
that access is restricted, or licensed, as required by applicable 
Federal laws, Executive Orders, and/or regulations.
    (e) Nothing in the terms of this financial assistance award is 
intended to change, supersede, or waive any of the requirements of 
applicable Federal laws, Executive Orders or regulations.
    (f) The recipient shall include this clause, including this 
paragraph (f), in all lower tier transactions (subawards, contracts, 
and subcontracts) under this financial assistance award that may 
involve access to export-controlled information technology.

NOAA implementation of Homeland Security Presidential Directive -- 12.

    If the performance of a financial assistance award, if approved by 
NOAA, requires recipients to have physical access to Federal premises 
for more than 180 days or access to a Federal information system, any 
items or services delivered under a financial assistance award shall 
comply with the Department of Commerce personal identity verification 
procedures that implement Homeland Security Presidential Directive -12, 
FIPS PUB 201, and the Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-05-
24. The recipient shall insert this clause in all subawards or 
contracts when the subaward recipient or contractor is required to have 
physical access to a Federally controlled facility or access to a 
Federal information system.
    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements. The Department of Commerce Pre-Award 
Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements 
contained in the Federal Register notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 
78389) are applicable to this solicitation.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The use of Standard Forms 
424, 424A, 424B, SF LLL, CD-346, SF 424 Research and Related Family, SF 
424 Short Organizational Family, and the SF 424 Individual Form Family 
has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
the respective control numbers 4040-0004, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-
0046, 0605-0001, 4040-0001, 4040-0003, and 4040-0005. 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 requirements of the PRA unless 
that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.

Executive Order 12866

    This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    It has been determined that this notice does not contain policies 
with Federalism implications as that term is defined in Executive Order 
13132.

Administrative Procedure Act/ Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required 
by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules 
concerning public property, loans, grants, benefits, and contracts (5 
U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because notice and opportunity for comment are not 
required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not 
been prepared.

    Dated: December 20, 2006.
Daniel Clever,
Deputy Director, Acquisitions and Grants Office.
[FR Doc. E6-22176 Filed 12-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S