[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76341-76344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29797]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

[Docket No. 0811251527-81528-01]
RIN 0648-ZC03


NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program

AGENCY: Office of Education (OED), Office of the Under Secretary 
(USEC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

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SUMMARY: NOAA B-WET is an environmental education program that promotes 
locally relevant, experiential learning in the K-12 environment. Funded 
projects provide meaningful watershed educational experiences for 
students, related professional development for teachers, and helps to 
support regional education and environmental priorities in the Pacific 
Northwest, the northern Gulf of Mexico and New England.

DATES: Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 
26, 2009. See Sections IV C and F of this announcement for more 
information on submission requirements.

ADDRESSES: Electronic application packages are strongly encouraged and 
are available at: http://www.grants.gov/. Paper application packages 
are available on the NOAA Grants Management Web site at: http://www.ago.noaa.gov/ago/grants/forms.cfm. If the applicant has difficulty 
accessing Grants.gov or downloading the required forms from the NOAA 
Web site, the applicant should contact: Bronwen Rice, B-WET National 
Coordinator, by phone at 202-482-6797 or e-mail at 
[email protected]. Grants.gov requires applicants to register with 
the system prior to submitting an application. This registration 
process can take several weeks and involves multiple steps. In order to 
allow sufficient time for this process, you should register as soon as 
you decide to apply, even if you are not yet ready to submit your 
proposal. If an applicant has problems downloading the application 
forms from Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-
518-4726 or [email protected]. For non-Windows computer systems, 
please see http://www.grants.gov/MacSupport for information on how to 
download and submit an application through Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For the Pacific Northwest, please 
contact Seaberry Nachbar at 831-647-4201, or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. For the northern Gulf of Mexico, Stephanie 
Bennett at 808-522-7481, or via e-mail at [email protected]. 
For New England, Shannon Sprague, at 410-267-5664, or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. Questions about this opportunity may also be 
directed to Bronwen Rice, B-WET National Coordinator, by phone at 202-
482-6797 or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NOAA Bay Watershed Education and 
Training (B-WET) Program is an environmental education program that 
supports experiential learning through local competitive grant awards 
in specific geographic regions. Prior to 2008 NOAA B-WET Programs were 
established for the Chesapeake Bay, California, and the Hawaiian 
Islands. As of 2008, three new programs are in place in New England, 
the northern Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest. In FY09, it is 
anticipated that funds will be available for each of these three 
regions. Proposals are currently being solicited from the Pacific 
Northwest region, the northern Gulf of Mexico region, and the New 
England region. For the purposes of this solicitation, these three 
regions are defined as follows:
    a. Pacific Northwest--the states of Oregon and Washington;

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    b. Northern Gulf of Mexico--the states of Florida, Alabama, 
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas;
    c. New England--the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
    NOAA recognizes that knowledge and commitment built from firsthand 
experience, especially in the context of one's community and culture, 
is essential for achieving environmental stewardship. Carefully 
selected experiences driven by rigorous academic learning standards, 
engendering discovery and wonder, and nurturing a sense of community 
will further connect students with their watershed, help reinforce an 
ethic of responsible citizenship, and promote academic achievement. 
Experiential learning techniques, such as those supported by the NOAA 
B-WET Program, have been shown to increase interest in science, 
technology, engineering, and math (STEM), thus contributing to NOAA's 
obligations under the America COMPETES Act (33 U.S.C. 893a(a)).

Electronic Access

    The full text of the full funding opportunity announcement for this 
program can be accessed via the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov. The announcement will also be available by contacting 
the program officials identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 
Applicants must comply with all requirements contained in the full 
funding opportunity announcement.

Statutory Authority

    Under 33 U.S.C. 893a(a), the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration is authorized to conduct, develop, 
support, promote, and coordinate formal and informal educational 
activities at all levels to enhance public awareness and understanding 
of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric science and stewardship 
by the general public and other coastal stakeholders, including 
underrepresented groups in ocean and atmospheric science and policy 
careers. In conducting those activities, the Administrator shall build 
upon the educational programs and activities of the agency.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.469, 
Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects.

Funding Availability

    It is anticipated that approximately $2,000,000 will be available 
in FY 2009 for new awards. The distribution of available funds among 
the three regions will depend on the number of high-quality proposals 
received from each region. NOAA anticipates making approximately 5 to 
15 new awards during FY 2009. NOAA will consider only projects with a 
duration of 1 to 3 years. The total Federal amount that may be 
requested from NOAA shall not exceed $100,000 per year and $300,000 for 
all years of the proposed project. The minimum Federal amount that must 
be requested from NOAA for all years is $50,000. Applications 
requesting Federal support from NOAA of less than $50,000 total or more 
than $100,000 per year and $300,000 total for the duration of the 
project will not be considered for funding. There is no guarantee that 
sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all qualified 
projects. The exact amount of funds that may be awarded will be 
determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant and NOAA 
representatives. Publication of this notice does not oblige NOAA to 
award any specific project or to obligate any available funds. If 
applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do so at 
their own risk of not being reimbursed by the government. 
Notwithstanding verbal or written assurance that may have been 
received, there is no obligation on the part of NOAA to cover pre-award 
costs unless approved by the Grants Officer as part of the terms when 
the award is made.

Eligibility

    Eligible applicants are K-12 public and independent schools and 
school systems, institutions of higher education, community-based and 
nonprofit organizations, state or local government agencies, interstate 
agencies, and Indian tribal governments. 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. While applicants do not need to be from the targeted 
geographical regions specified in the program objectives, they must be 
working with target audiences in these areas.

Cost Sharing Requirements

    No cost sharing is required under this program, however, the NOAA 
B-WET Program strongly encourages applicants include a 25 percent or 
higher match. Funds from other Federal awards may not be considered 
matching funds. The nature of the contribution (cash vs. in-kind) and 
the amount of matching funds will be taken into consideration during 
the review process. Priority selection is given to proposals that 
propose cash rather than in-kind services.

Evaluation and Selection Procedures

    The general evaluation criteria and selection factors that apply to 
full applications to this funding opportunity are summarized below. The 
evaluation criteria for full applications will have different weights 
and details. Further information about the evaluation criteria and 
selection factors can be found in the full funding opportunity 
announcement at www.grants.gov and the B-WET Web site at http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/BWET./

Evaluation Criteria For Projects

    1. Importance and/or relevance and applicability of proposal to the 
program goals (30 points): This criterion ascertains whether there is 
intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA, federal, 
regional, state, or local activities. For the NOAA B-WET Program, the 
following questions are posed to each reviewer: Does the project make a 
direct connection to the greater marine or estuarine environment? Does 
the proposal make an intentional connection to the watershed system and 
how actions within that system can affect the marine and estuarine 
environment? What is the likelihood of the proposed environmental 
activities to improve the general understanding of the environment? 
Does the experience focus around questions, problems, or issues 
pertaining to specific region? Is the project design project-oriented, 
hands-on, investigative, and part of a sustained activity? Does the 
project include pre- and post-project activities? Does the project 
address multiple disciplines?
    2. Technical merit (35 points): This criterion assesses whether the 
approach is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are 
appropriate, and whether there are clear project goals and objectives. 
For the NOAA B-WET Program, the following questions are posed to each 
reviewer:
    Does the proposal clearly outline how the project is an integral 
part of the instructional program?
    For exemplary programs only: Does the project combine Teacher 
Professional Development with long-term classroom-integrated Meaningful 
Watershed Educational Experiences for their Students?

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    For student programs only: Is the project aligned with academic 
learning standards in science and other disciplines?
    For teacher professional development programs only: Does the 
teacher receive the needed support to fully participate in the program 
(i.e., continuing education credit, substitute teachers, stipends, 
etc.)? Is this support reasonable and necessary?
    Does the applicant utilize NOAA programs, lesson plans, or a 
curriculum focused on marine and estuarine issues?
    Does the applicant use NOAA personnel to enhance their project?
    Does the applicant demonstrate how their project is aligned and 
supports the goals and strategies of the NOAA Education Plan?
    Does the applicant show a knowledge and understanding of the
    NOAA Education Plan (http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/NOAA_Ed_Plan.pdf)?
    Is the project aligned with environmental literacy principles 
(e.g., Ocean Literacy, http://www.coexploration.org/oceanliteracy/documents/OceanLitChart.pdf and Climate Literacy, http://climateliteracynow.org/files/Climate_Literacy_K-12.pdf) where 
appropriate (note: estuarine and watershed concepts should be tied to 
the Ocean Literacy principles)?
    Are the objectives in the proposal clearly defined and focused?
    Does the applicant demonstrate that the objectives are realistic 
and can be reached within the proposed project period?
    Are the project outcomes measurable and have significant and 
lasting benefits for teachers and students?
    Does the evaluation component of the project focus on measuring 
changes in participants (changes can be in knowledge, attitudes, skills 
or conservation actions)?
    Do the changes measured in participants (outcomes) match the 
project goals and objectives, which include engaging participants in 
meaningful watershed educational experiences?
    3. Overall qualifications of applicants (10 points): This criterion 
ascertains whether the applicant possesses the necessary education, 
experience, training, facilities, and administrative resources to 
accomplish the project. For the NOAA B-WET Program, the following 
questions are posed to each reviewer:
    Does the applicant show the capability and experience in 
successfully completing similar projects?
    Does the proposal include resumes of the Principle Investigators 
and other staff members?
    Does the applicant demonstrate knowledge of the target audience?
    Does the applicant demonstrate knowledge of the Content Standards 
for their state?
    Does the applicant document past collaborations with schools or 
school systems?
    Does the applicant show the capability and experience in 
successfully completing similar projects?
    Are the partners involved in the project qualified?
    4. Project costs (20 points): This criterion evaluates the budget 
to determine if it is realistic and commensurate with the project needs 
and time frame. For the NOAA B-WET Program, the following questions are 
posed to each reviewer:
    Does the applicant demonstrate the ability to leverage other 
resources?
    Is the nature of the cost share cash or in-kind?
    Is the budget request reasonable and does the applicant justify the 
proposed budget request?
    Is a significant percentage of the budget directly related to 
bringing students and teachers in contact with the environment?
    Are requested funds for salaries and fringe benefits only for those 
personnel who are directly involved in implementing the proposed 
project and/or are directly related to specific products or outcomes of 
the proposed project?
    Does the applicant demonstrate sustainability beyond the project 
period?
    Does the applicant demonstrate that the project will continue after 
NOAA funding has expired?
    5. Outreach and education (5 points): This criterion assesses 
whether the project provides a focused and effective education and 
outreach strategy regarding NOAA's mission to protect the Nation's 
natural resources. For the NOAA B-WET Program, the following questions 
are posed to each reviewer:
    Does the project involve external sharing and communication?
    Does the target audience share their findings, experiences, or 
results to their peers or their community?

Review And Selection Process

    Upon receipt of a proposal by NOAA, an initial administrative 
review will be conducted to determine compliance with requirements and 
completeness of the proposal. All proposals that meet the minimum 
eligibility requirements will be evaluated and scored by a panel of 
independent reviewers. Three separate review panels may be held--one 
for each geographical region described in I.B.4 of the Full Funding 
Opportunity. Reviewers serving on each panel may be Federal or non-
Federal experts, each having expertise in areas relevant to the 
priority under consideration. The reviewers will score each proposal 
assigned to them using the evaluation criteria and relative weights 
provided above. The individual reviewers' ratings will be averaged for 
each application to establish rank order for that region. No consensus 
advice will be given by the review panels. Scores from separate panels 
will not be combined to establish an overall rank order among all 
geographical regions. The Program Officer will neither vote nor score 
applications as part of the review panels. The Program Officer will 
make his/her recommendations for funding based on rank order of each 
panel and the selection factors listed below to the Selecting Official 
for final funding decisions.

Selection Factors For Projects

    The B-WET Program Managers will review the ranking of the proposals 
and recommendations of the review panels. The average numerical ranking 
from the review panel will be the primary consideration in deciding 
which of the proposals will be recommended for funding to the Selecting 
Official. The Selecting Official shall award in 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 as set out in Section 
I.B.1-5 and Section III.B. of the Full Funding Opportunity;
    5. Applicant's prior award performance;
    6. Partnerships and/or participation of targeted groups;
    7. Adequacy of information necessary for NOAA staff to make a NEPA 
determination and draft necessary documentation before recommendation 
for funding are made to the Grants Officer.
    Selected applicants may be asked to modify objectives, project 
plans or

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budgets, and provide supplemental information required by the agency 
prior to the award. When a decision has been made (whether an award or 
declination), verbatim anonymous copies of reviews and summaries of 
review panel deliberations, if any, will be made available to the 
applicant.

Intergovernmental Review

    Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

Limitation of Liability

    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.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NOAA must analyze the potential environmental impacts, as required 
by the National Environmental Policy Act (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 Web site: 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). 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 drafting of an environmental assessment, if 
NOAA determines an assessment is required. Applicants will also be 
required to cooperate with NOAA in identifying 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.

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 February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7696), 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, and SF-LLL and CD-346 has been approved by the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) under the respective control numbers 
0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, and 0605-0001. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to, 
nor shall a 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 for the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not 
been prepared.

    Dated: December 11, 2008.
Maureen E. Wylie,
Acting Director, Acquisition and Grants Office, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-29797 Filed 12-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P