[Federal Register: February 8, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 27)]
[Notices]
[Page 7528-7534]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08fe08-38]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 070817470-8113-04]
RIN 0648-ZB55
Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2008
AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Department of Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NOAA publishes this notice to supplement the agency's
solicitation for applications published on July 2, 2007 in an action
entitled ``Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2008'' (72 FR
36244). This notice announces 3 additional programs that are soliciting
applications for FY 08 funding. In addition, NOAA publishes this notice
to change the funding years associated with awards for the solicitation
``FY 2008 Implementation of Regional Integrated Ocean Observing
Systems'' announced in the Federal Register on July 2, 2007 (72 FR
36244, 36263) and amended on November 15, 2007 (72 FR 64047).
DATES: Proposals must be received by the date and time specified under
each program listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this
document.
ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to the program address listed in
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. NOAA's
discretionary grant fund notices may be found on the internet at
Grants.gov. The URL for Grants.gov is http://www.grants.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For those without Internet access
request a
[[Page 7529]]
copy of the full funding opportunity announcement and/or application
kit, from the person listed as the information contact under each
program.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicants must comply with all requirements
contained in the Federal Funding Opportunity announcement for each of
the programs listed in this omnibus notice. These Federal Funding
Opportunities are available at http://www.grants.gov.
The list of grant opportunities under NOAA Project Competitions
(below) describe the basic information and requirements for the
competitive grant/cooperative agreement programs offered by NOAA. These
programs are open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria
specified under each grant. To be considered for an award in a
competitive grant/cooperative agreement program, eligible applicants
must submit a complete and responsive application to the appropriate
address by the deadline specified in this notice. An award is made upon
conclusion of the evaluation and selection process for the respective
program.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Background
II. NOAA Project Competitions
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
1. 2009 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside Program
2. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
National Weather Service (NWS)
1. Remote Community Alert Systems Program
III. Classification
IV. NOAA Project Competitions Listed by NOAA Mission Goals
1. Protect, Restore and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources
Through Ecosystem-Based Management
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:
1. Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems that
benefit society
2. A well-informed public that acts as a steward of coastal and
marine ecosystems
Program Names:
1. 2009 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside Program
2. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
2. Serve Society's Needs for Weather and Water Information
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 nongovernmental 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:
1. Reduced loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy
2. Better, quicker, and more valuable weather and water information
to support improved decisions
3. Increased customer satisfaction with weather and water
information and services
Program Names:
1. Remote Community Alert Systems Program
3. Understand Climate Variability and Change To Enhance Society's
Ability To Plan and Respond
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:
1. 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
2. Climate-sensitive sectors and the climate-literate public
effectively incorporating NOAA's climate products into their plans and
decisions
Program Names:
No Programs are currently soliciting applications for this mission
goal.
4. Support the Nation's Commerce With Information for Safe, Efficient,
and Environmentally Sound Transportation
Safe and efficient transportation systems are crucial to the U.S.
economy.
[[Page 7530]]
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 weatherrelated 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:
1. Safe, secure, efficient, and seamless movement of goods and
people in the U.S. transportation system
2. Environmentally sound development and use of the U.S.
transportation system.
Program Names:
No programs are currently soliciting applications for this mission
goal.
5. Provide Critical Support for NOAA's Mission
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 re-engineering, 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:
1. A dynamic workforce with competencies that support NOAA's
mission today and in the future.
Program Names:
No programs are currently soliciting applictions for this mission
goal.
I. Background
In this notice, NOAA announces that 3 programs are making funds
available for financial assistance awards. Each entry for the following
grant opportunities provides: a description of the program, funding
availability, statutory authority, catalog of federal domestic
assistance (CFDA) number, application deadline, address for submitting
proposals, information contacts, eligibility requirements, cost sharing
requirements, and intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372.
Interested applicants should consult the July 2, 2007 Federal Register
Notice entitled ``Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2008''
(72 FR 36244) notice for the selection criteria, evaluation criteria,
and other requirements for submitting an application.
In addition, NOAA publishes this notice to change the funding years
associated with awards for the solicitation ``FY 2008 Implementation of
Regional Integrated Ocean Observing Systems'' announced in the Federal
Register on July 2, 2007 (72 FR 36263) and amended on November 15, 2007
(72 FR 64047). Total anticipated funding for all awards is
approximately $25,000,000 and is subject to the availability of FY 2008
and/or FY 2009 appropriations. The previous announcement indicated that
awards were subject to the availability of FY 2008 appropriations only,
however, this amendment changes this process to allow FY 2008 and/or FY
2009 appropriations to be used. This notice applies to all applicants
who have previously submitted a full proposal under this announcement.
All other requirements for this solicitation remain the same.
II. NOAA Project Competitions
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
1. 2009 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside Program
Summary Description: NMFS announces that, for fishing year 2009
(January 1-December 31, 2009), the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council (Council) may set aside up to 3 percent of the total allowable
landings (TAL) in certain Mid-Atlantic fisheries to be used for
research endeavors under a research set-aside (RSA) program. The RSA
program provides a mechanism to fund research and compensate vessel
owners through the sale of fish harvested under the research quota.
Vessels participating in an approved research project may be authorized
by the Northeast Regional Administrator, NMFS, to harvest and land fish
in excess of any imposed trip limit or during fishery closures.
Landings from such trips are sold to generate funds that help defray
the costs associated with the approved research projects. No Federal
funds are provided for research under this notification. NMFS is
soliciting proposals for research activities
[[Page 7531]]
concerning the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, Loligo squid,
Illex squid, Atlantic mackerel, butterfish, Atlantic bluefish, and
tilefish fisheries. NMFS and the Council will give priority to funding
proposals addressing the research needs as follows: Loligo Squid and
Butterfish Interactions: Mesh selectivity study of butterfish and
secondarily for other species caught in Loligo nets during winter and
summer/early fall; Test gear modifications in the Loligo squid fishery
to reduce bycatch of butterfish and other species. Illex Squid:
Determine size and age-at-maturity and growth parameters for Illex
squid. Summer Flounder: Define distinctions between regulatory discards
and bycatch attributed to gear, including mesh selectivity and/or
overall gear design in the summer flounder fishery; Evaluate mortality
of large fish released in the summer flounder offshore trawl fishery;
Evaluate size and bag limits in the recreational fishery for summer
flounder. Black Sea Bass: Estimate black sea bass mortality when left
in pots (moderate priority); Develop indices for black sea bass
recruitment (proof of concept); Verify age structure of black sea bass.
Scup: Estimate the components of scup total annual mortality (natural,
commercial landings, recreational landings, commercial discards, &
recreational discards); Develop indices for scup recruitment (proof of
concept). Bluefish: Develop bluefish index surveys (proof of concept).
Funding Availability: No Federal funds are provided for research
under this notification, this program offers the opportunity to fish
and to 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. Funds
generated from the RSA landings shall be used to cover the cost of the
research activities, including vessel costs, and to compensate boats
for expenses incurred during the collection of the set-aside species.
For example, the funds may be used to pay for gear modifications,
monitoring equipment, additional provisions (e.g., fuel, ice, food for
scientists), or the salaries of research personnel. The Federal
Government is not liable for any costs incurred by the researcher or
vesse lowner. Any additional funds, generated through the sale of fish
harvested under the research quota, above the cost of the research
activities shall be retained by the vessel owner as compensation for
the use of his/her vessel. In the past, two to five awards have been
issued per year. During the 2007 fishing year, four awards were
approved distributing a total of 2,218,146 lbs of TAL. The Council, in
consultation with the Commission, will incorporate the level of RSA
(amounts or percentages) for each of the set-aside species for the 2009
fishing year into the Council's recommendations for annual quota
specifications. NMFS will consider the recommended level of RSA as part
of the associated rulemaking process. The actual level of RSA quota
available to applicants for the 2009 fishing year will depend on the
TAL level specified by the Council at its quota-setting meetings in
June and August 2008, and the percentage (0 to 3 percent) of the TAL
recommended by the Council and approved by NMFS as the level of RSA
available for 2009. To help researchers develop proposals for the 2009
fishing year, the examples below provide some guidance on the general
magnitude of RSA and estimated values that a researcher might expect to
be available for fishing year 2009. The examples are based on proposed
RSA levels available and the actual allocated RSA amounts for these
fisheries for the 2008 fishing year. The examples are intended only as
a guide to be used when developing research proposals for the 2009
fishing year; it does not necessarily reflect the actual RSA quota that
will be allocated for fishing year 2009. Based on Council
recommendations, NMFS may choose to adopt less than 3 percent of TAL as
a set-aside, or decide not to adopt any set-aside for a given fishery.
The estimated values of the set-aside allocations will vary depending
on market considerations prevailing at the time the research trips are
conducted. Examples of RSA amounts based on 2008 proposed FMP
Specifications in the following format is as follows: Allocation
Species/Amount Available (lbs)/2008 RSA Amount (lbs)/2008 RSA Estimated
Value, Summer Flounder/$349,200/233,192/$478,044, Scup/220,200/214,000/
$196,880, Black Sea Bass/243,000/85,790,$211,901, Loligo Squid/
1,124,356/50,000/$39,500, Illex Squid/None requested, Atlantic
Mackerel/None requested, Butterfish/None requested, Bluefish/743,965/
50,000/$18,000, Tilefish/None requested. The amount available was based
3 percent TAC in proposed FMP specifications.
Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is
provided under 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. 1881(c), respectively. Statutory
authority for entering into cooperative agreements and other financial
agreements with nonprofit organizations is found at 15 U.S.C. 1540. The
award of a set-aside from the TAL of selected species resulted from the
approval of Framework 1 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and
Butterfish; Summer Flounder, Scrup, and Black Sea Bass; and Atlantic
Bluefish Fishery Management Plans (FMP); and the RSA provisions of the
Tilefish FMP. Framework 1 established a procedure through which RSA
amounts are set annually as part of the Council quota-setting process
(66 FR 42156, August 10, 2001), and codified in regulations at 50 CFR
648.21(g).
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.454,
Unallied Management Projects
Application Deadline: Applications must be received on or before 5
p.m. EST on March 24, 2008.
Address for Submitting Proposals: To apply for this NOAA Federal
funding opportunity, please submit applications to http://www.grants.gov
and use the following funding opportunity number NMFS-
NEFSC-2009-2001252. Applicants who do not have Internet access may
submit their application to Cheryl A. Corbett, NMFS, Northeast
Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, or by
phone at 508-495-2070, or fax at 508-495-2004, or via e-mail at
cheryl.corbett@noaa.gov.
Information Contacts: Information may be obtained from Clay Heaton,
Fishery Management Specialist, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council,
by phone 302-674-2331 ext. 13, or via email at cheaton@mafmc.org; or
Cheryl A. Corbett, Cooperative Programs Specialist, NMFS, Northeast
Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, or by
phone at 508-495-2070, or fax at 508-495-2004, or via e-mail at
cheryl.corbett@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include institutions of higher
education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations,
individuals, and 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. DOC/NOAA supports cultural
and gender diversity and encourages women and minority individuals and
groups to submit
[[Page 7532]]
applications to the RSA program. In addition, DOC/NOAA is strongly
committed to broadening the participation of historically black
colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal
colleges and universities, and institutions that work in underserved
areas. DOC/NOAA encourages proposals involving any of the above
institutions. DOC/NOAA encourages applications from members of the
fishing community and applications that involve fishing community
cooperation and participation.
Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this
program.
Intergovernmental Review: Applicants will need to determine if
their state participates in the intergovernmental review processs. This
information can be found at the following website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
This information will assist
applicants in providing either a Yes or No response to Item 16 of the
Application Form, SF-424, entitled ``Application for Federal
Assistance.''
2. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
Summary Description: NOAA announces the availability of Pacific
Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds (PCSRF), as authorized in the Northern
Boundary and Transboundary Rivers Restoration and Enhancement Fund and
Southern Boundary Restoration and Enhancement Fund (16 U.S.C. 3645 et
seq.), to support the restoration and conservation of Pacific salmon
and steelhead populations and their habitat. The program provides
funding to the States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and
California for salmon habitat restoration, salmon stock enhancement,
sustainable salmon fisheries and salmon research. It also provides
funding to the Pacific Coastal tribes and the Columbia River tribes as
authorized in 16 U.S.C. 3645(d)(2)(B) for salmon habitat restoration,
salmon stock enhancement, salmon research and supplementation
activities.
Funding Availability: Up to $67,000,000 may be available in fiscal
year (FY) 2008 for projects as authorized under 16 U.S.C. 3645 (d)(2).
There are no restrictions on minimum funding request, but there is a
limit of $25,000,000 on a maximum amount requested by any recipient.
Award periods may be up to a maximum of 5 years. Actual funding
availability for this program is contingent upon FY 2008 Congressional
appropriations.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3645 (d)(2)
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.438,
Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery - Pacific Salmon Treaty Program
Application Deadline: Applications should be submitted via
http://www.grants.gov and must be received no later than 11:59 pm PST on March
24, 2008. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be
accepted. Paper applications must be postmarked by March 24, 2008. Any
application transmitted or postmarked, as the case may be, after the
deadline will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered
for funding in this competition.
Address for Submitting Proposals: If an applicant does not have
internet access, applications can be submitted to the following
address: Nicolle Hill, NMFS Northwest Region Building 1, 7600
Sand Point Way, Seattle, WA 98115. NMFS' Internet website at
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov contains additional information on PCSRF.
Information Contacts: For further information on PCSRF, please
contact Barry Thom, NMFS Northwest Region Deputy Regional
Administrator, at (503) 231-6266. Questions regarding this announcement
should be directed to Nicolle Hill, NMFS Northwest Region PCSRF Federal
Program Officer, at (206) 526-4358 or Nicolle.Hill@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible state applicants are the States of Alaska,
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. Eligible tribal applicants
are any federally recognized Pacific Coastal or Columbia River tribes
in Washington, Oregon, California or Idaho.
Cost Sharing Requirements: Applicants are required to provide 33
percent of received Federal funds. Indian tribes are exempt from any
cost share requirement.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program from
state or local governments are subject to the provisions of Executive
Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
National Weather Service (NWS)
1. Remote Community Alert Systems Program
Summary Description: The Remote Community Alert Systems Program
represents an NOAA/NWS effort to provide for outdoor alerting
technologies in remote communities effectively underserved by
commercial mobile service for the purpose of enabling residents of
those communities to receive emergency messages. These activities will
engage the private sector, academia, and States in opportunities and
technologies to further disseminate emergency messages. This program is
a contributing element of the Warning, Alert, and Response Network
(WARN) Act. NOAA's program is designed to complement other agency
contributions to that national effort. The Federal Communications
Commission has defined a remote area to consist of a county with a
population density of 100 persons per square mile or less, based on the
most recently available Census data. Also, commercial mobile service
means those services that are required to provide E911 services in
accordance with Section 20.18 of the Commissions rules. Effectively
underserved identifies remote communities that do not receive
commercial mobile service as demonstrated by coverage maps, technical
analyses, field tests, or any other reasonable means.
Funding Availability: The total funding amount available for
proposals is anticipated to be approximately $5,000,000. We anticipate
making multiple awards approximately 50 ranging from $50,000 to
$250,000.
Statutory Authority: Authority for the Remote Community Alert
Systems Program is provided by: 47 U.S.C. 1204.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.468,
Applied Meteorological Research
Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by NOAA/NWS no
later than 5 p.m., April 11, 2008. Proposals should be submitted
through http://www.grants.gov. For those organizations without internet
access, proposals may be sent to Craig Hodan, NOAA/NWS, 1325 East-West
Highway, Room 3348, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, Phone: 301-713-9480
x 187, email: craig.hodan@noaa.gov. Email and fax submissions will not
be accepted.
Information Contacts: Craig Hodan, NOAA/NWS, 1325 East-West
Highway, Room 3348, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, Phone: 301-713-9480
x 187, email: craig.hodan@noaa.gov.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are States and Tribal Communities.
This restriction is needed due to the potential number of applications.
Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this
program.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.
III. Classification
Limitation of Liability
Funding for potential projects in this notice is contingent upon
the availability of Fiscal year 2008 appropriations. Applicants are
hereby
[[Page 7533]]
given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for any proposed
activities in this notice. In no event will NOAA or the Department of
Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs. Publication of
this announcement does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or
to obligate any available funds.
Universal Identifier
For programs that have deadline dates on or after October 1, 2003,
applicants should be aware that they may be required to provide a Dun
and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number during the
application process. See the October 30, 2002 Federal Register, (67 FR
661770 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 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, NEPA Questionnaire, http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/questionnaire.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.
Compliance with Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security
Export Administration Regulations
a. This section applies to the extent that this BAA results in
financial assistance awardsinvolving access to export-controlled
information or technology.
b. In performing a financial assistance award, the recipient may
gain access to export-controlled information or technology. The
recipient will then be 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 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 Arms Regulations
(ITAR) (22 CFR parts 120-130), implemented by the Department of State,
respectively. This includes, but is not limited to, dual-us 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 a 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 section 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 the 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 thePaperwork 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, 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.
[[Page 7534]]
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: February 4, 2008.
Helen Hurcombe
Director, Acquisition and Grants Office, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-2350 Filed 2-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-PJ-S