[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71742-71746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33200]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Science Financial Assistance Program Notice 00-05: 
Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research Program

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy

ACTION: Notice inviting research grant applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) of 
the Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), hereby 
announces its interest in receiving applications for research grants in 
the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR) Program. 
Applications should describe research projects in one of the following 
categories:

[[Page 71743]]

    1. Research projects that address the scientific aims of individual 
NABIR elements including Biogeochemistry, Biotransformation, Community 
Dynamics, Biomolecular Science and Engineering, and Assessment.
    2. Research projects to be performed at a Field Research Center 
addressing field scale biostimulation of microbiological processes that 
immobilize metals and/or radionuclides. Interdisciplinary teams should 
include, at a minimum, experts in the fields of microbiology, 
geochemistry, and hydrology.
    DOE has proposed to establish a Field Research Center (FRC) at one 
of two national laboratories, either the Y-12 site near Oak Ridge 
National Laboratory (ORNL) or the Hanford site at Pacific Northwest 
National Laboratory (PNNL). DOE is now preparing an Environmental 
Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to 
determine whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or a 
finding of no significant impact for the establishment of an FRC at one 
of these alternative sites. As part of its assessment, the Department 
will also evaluate a ``no-action'' alternative under which it would 
preserve the status quo and establish no FRC. The Department has 
identified ORNL as its preferred alternative in the draft Environmental 
Assessment.
    Any awards made to perform research at the FRC will be contingent 
upon the outcome of this NEPA review, and no awards will be made until 
the appropriate NEPA review is completed. All research applications 
that are bounded by the assumptions, impacts, and analysis of the 
Environmental Assessment will be presumed to be covered by the 
Assessment. All research applications that appear to exceed the 
assumptions, impacts, or analysis of the Assessment will be reviewed to 
determine what, if any additional NEPA review is required.
    Applications for research in the Bacterial Transport (Acceleration) 
or System Integration Elements will not be considered at this time. 
Applications for research on Bioremediation and its Societal 
Implications and Concerns (BASIC) will be solicited under a separate 
announcement.

DATES: Researchers are strongly encouraged (but not required) to submit 
a preapplication for programmatic review. Early submission of 
preapplications is encouraged, to allow time for review for 
programmatic relevance. A brief preapplication should consist of one or 
two pages of narrative describing the research objectives and methods.
    The deadline for receipt of formal applications is 4:30 p.m., 
E.S.T., February 28, 2000, to be accepted for merit review and to 
permit timely consideration for award late in Fiscal Year 2000 or in 
early Fiscal Year 2001. An original and seven copies of the application 
must be submitted; however, applicants are requested not to submit 
multiple applications using more than one delivery or mail service.

ADDRESSES: If submitting a preliminary application, referencing Program 
Notice 00-05, it should be sent by e-mail to 
[email protected].
    Formal applications referencing Program Notice 00-05 on the cover 
page must be forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of 
Science, Grants and Contracts Division, SC-64, 19901 Germantown Road, 
Germantown, MD 20874-1290, ATTN: Program Notice 00-05. This address 
must also be used when submitting applications by U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail or any other commercial overnight delivery service, or 
when hand-carried by the applicant.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Anna Palmisano, Environmental 
Sciences Division, SC-74, Office of Biological and Environmental 
Research, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 
Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290, telephone: (301) 903-9963, 
e-mail: [email protected], fax: (301) 903-8519. The full 
text of Program Notice 00-05 is available via the Internet using the 
following web site address: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/
grants.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The mission of the NABIR Program is to 
provide the fundamental science to serve as the basis for development 
of cost-effective bioremediation of radionuclides and metals in the 
subsurface at DOE sites. NABIR research encompasses both intrinsic 
bioremediation by naturally occurring microbial communities, as well as 
accelerated bioremediation through the use of nutrient amendments 
(inorganic, organic or enzymatic) or microbial amendments. The program 
consists of seven interrelated scientific research elements 
(Biogeochemical Dynamics, Biotransformation, Community Dynamics and 
Microbial Ecology, Biomolecular Science and Engineering, 
Biotransformation and Biodegradation, Bacterial Transport, and Systems 
Integration/Data Management). The program also includes an element 
addressing ethical, legal and social issues of bioremediation called 
Bioremediation and its Societal Implications and Concerns (BASIC). The 
NABIR program desires to integrate a field research capability with its 
existing research program. DOE has proposed to establish a Field 
Research Center (FRC) at one of two national laboratories, either the 
Y-12 site near Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) or the Hanford site 
at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). DOE is now preparing 
an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) to determine whether to prepare an environmental 
impact statement or a finding of no significant impact for the 
establishment of an FRC at one of these alternative sites. As part of 
its assessment, the Department will also evaluate a ``no-action'' 
alternative under which it would preserve the status quo and establish 
no FRC. The Department has identified ORNL as its preferred alternative 
in the draft Environmental Assessment. Any awards made for research to 
be performed at the FRC will be contingent upon the outcome of this 
NEPA review, and no awards will be made until the appropriate NEPA 
review is completed. All research applications that are bounded by the 
assumptions, impacts, and analysis of the Environmental Assessment will 
be presumed to be covered by the Assessment. All research applications 
that appear to exceed the assumptions, impacts, or analysis of the 
Assessment will be reviewed to determine what, if any, additional NEPA 
review is required. Additional information about NABIR and the proposed 
Field Research Center can be accessed from the NABIR Homepage: http://
www.lbl.gov/NABIR/.

Program Focus

    The NABIR Program supports hypothesis-driven research that will 
help determine the potential for, and advance the field of, 
bioremediation as a cleanup option at the DOE sites. The focus of the 
NABIR Program is on field-scale research addressing metal and 
radionuclide contamination in subsurface environments at DOE sites. 
However, the research program will support laboratory, theoretical, 
modeling, and other non-field research projects, if they fill gaps that 
would be necessary to complete understanding for field-scale 
applications. Although the program is directed at specific goals, it 
supports research that is more fundamental in nature than demonstration 
projects. The NABIR program emphasizes the bioremediation of metals and 
radionuclides in the subsurface below the root zone, including both 
vadose and saturated zones. Typically, the bioremediation of metals and 
radionuclides involves, but

[[Page 71744]]

is not limited to, mobilization and immobilization scenarios. 
Investigators without access to laboratories licensed to work with 
radionuclides may propose research with non-radioactive surrogates of 
radionuclides, or collaborate with investigators working in a licensed 
laboratory. Research on bioremediation of organic contaminants, such as 
solvents and complexing agents will not be considered, except to the 
extent that they influence the primary goal of understanding the 
remediation of metals and radionuclides. The NABIR Program will not 
support research to evaluate the risk to humans or to the environment. 
Applicants are encouraged to review the NABIR Primer, available at 
http://www.lbl.gov/NABIR/primer/primer.html, for information on 
contaminants of DOE interest.
    NABIR is a research program designed to serve as a foundation for 
developing microbial in situ bioremediation techniques. Although 
ancillary benefits of the research to other cleanup needs such as the 
use of bioreactors to process waste streams are anticipated, NABIR will 
not support research leading to ex situ treatments. NABIR research may, 
however, lead to the application of in situ bioremediation in 
conjunction with other cleanup methods, for example, using 
bioremediation to mobilize radionuclides so that pump-and-treat 
techniques could be more effective. Problems characterized by large 
areas with low-concentration of contaminants are emphasized over 
problems of localized, high concentrations. Research on 
phytoremediation will not be supported by NABIR.
    Research plans that involve the potential release of nutrients, 
enzymes, and/or chemicals to the field (both at contaminated and non-
contaminated control sites) should discuss the involvement of the 
public or stakeholders in their research, beginning with experimental 
design through completion of the project. All applicants should discuss 
other relevant societal issues, where appropriate, which may include 
intellectual property protection, and communication with and outreach 
to affected communities (including members of affected minority 
communities where appropriate) to explain the proposed research.
    A centrally-maintained database is being developed to provide 
appropriate data, such as site characterization and kinetics data, 
needed by a broad segment of investigators. Applications shall include 
a short discussion of the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) 
measures that will be applied in data gathering and analysis 
activities. Successful grantees will be expected to coordinate their 
QA/QC measures with NABIR program personnel.

Current Request for Applications

    Two kinds of projects are solicited in this request for 
applications:
    1. Research projects that address the scientific aims of individual 
NABIR elements including Biogeochemistry, Biotransformation, Community 
Dynamics, Biomolecular Science and Engineering, and Assessment.
    2. Research projects to be performed at a Field Research Center 
addressing field scale biostimulation of microbiological processes that 
immobilize metals and/or radionuclides. Research would be conducted at 
the proposed NABIR Field Research Center near Oak Ridge National 
Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN or the Hanford site at Pacific Northwest 
National Laboratory (PNNL). Interdisciplinary teams should include, at 
a minimum, experts in the fields of microbiology, geochemistry, and 
hydrology.
    Applications for research on Bacterial Transport and Systems 
Integration will not be addressed at this time. Applications for 
research on Bioremediation and its Societal Implications and Concerns 
(BASIC) will be solicited under a separate announcement.

Research Projects Addressing Individual Elements

    Applicants for research projects within individual program elements 
should state which science element is most closely aligned with the 
proposed research. Although applicants may propose research that 
transcends more than one research element, a primary element should be 
specified for the purpose of merit review.
    Biogeochemical Dynamics: Successful bioremediation of metals and 
radionuclides at DOE sites is closely linked to understanding the 
complex and dynamic interplay of hydrological, geochemical, and 
biological processes within geological media. Understanding the natural 
biogeochemical processes that control the mobility and form of 
radionuclides is one of the most challenging problems affecting the 
future viability of bioremediation at DOE sites, particularly within 
the thick vadose zones and saturated zones below the root zone where 
much of the contamination resides.
    DOE cleanup problems are at the field scale; the immediate priority 
in biogeochemical dynamics is to understand the underlying mechanisms 
and processes governing metal and radionuclide behavior to the field. 
Focus will be on understanding how natural biogeochemical processes 
control the mobility and stability of contaminants in waste mixtures, 
including the biogeochemical processes that modify the form and 
behavior of contaminants in mixtures. New and creative scientific 
approaches are sought that address the following fundamental research 
questions:
     What are the principal biogeochemical reactions that 
govern the concentration, chemical speciation, and distribution of 
metals and radionuclides between the aqueous and solid phases?
     What are the thermodynamic and kinetic controls on these 
reactions?
     What are the major factors controlling the rate and extent 
of oxidation and reduction of multivalent radionuclides and naturally-
occurring metals in various mineral phases? How can these factors be 
manipulated to enhance or limit the mobility of contaminants?
     What are the biogeochemical and transport processes that 
control biological availability, transformation, and movement of 
radionuclides and metals?
    Biotransformation: Biotransformation of metals and radionuclides in 
subsurface environments is poorly understood, and predictive models 
based on laboratory studies have not always accurately simulated the 
observed fate of metals and radionuclides in the field. Knowledge of 
the metabolic pathways for transformation of these contaminants by 
naturally occurring microbial communities in vadose zones, saturated 
zones and the waste plume is needed. It is important to understand the 
kinetics of desirable metal and radionuclide biotransformations and the 
physicochemical factors affecting those kinetics. Research is needed to 
address questions such as:
     What are the metal-and radionuclide-transforming 
capabilities of indigenous microorganisms in deep vadose or saturated 
zones representative of DOE sites?
     What are the metabolic pathways for microbial 
transformation of metals and radionuclides, and can these biological 
processes be harnessed to sequester metals and/or radionuclides in the 
subsurface?
     What factors control the kinetics of desirable metal and 
radionuclide biotransformations in vadose and saturated zones?
     How important are microbial consortial interactions in the 
biotransformation of metals and radionuclides?

[[Page 71745]]

     How is the biotransformation of metals and radionuclides 
affected by chelators?
     Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology: Fundamental 
research in Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology at both the 
molecular and the microbial level is needed to understand the natural 
intrinsic processes of bioremediation at contaminated sites. Knowledge 
of microbial community structure and function may ultimately provide 
the ability to control or stimulate subsurface communities capable of 
transformation of radionuclides and metals. The influence of 
environmental factors on subsurface communities is important to 
determining the potential for metal and radionuclide biotransformation. 
Research should be directed toward the characterization of microbial 
communities at contaminated sites, and toward understanding microbial 
community dynamics in the presence of metals and radionuclides. 
Research is needed to address questions such as:
     Is there sufficient biological activity and diversity in 
subsurface environments to support natural and/or accelerated 
bioremediation of metals and radionuclides?
     What are the effects of metals and radionuclides on 
microbial community activity and diversity, including both metabolic 
and genetic activity and diversity?
     Do different microbial species interact within communities 
in subsurface environments contaminated with metals and radionuclides? 
Such interactions might include competition for substrate, or 
consortial interactions for transformation of metals and radionuclides.
    Biomolecular Science and Engineering: The overall goal of research 
in the Biomolecular Science and Engineering element is to use molecular 
and structural biology to enhance understanding of bioremediation of 
metals and radionuclides, and to genetically modify macro-molecules and 
microorganisms to improve their bioremedial activities. Using 
information and data gained from other program elements, the molecules, 
enzymes, and enzymatic pathways that are most effective for 
bioremediation of metals and radionuclides will be identified. DOE 
objectives and priorities for research in Biomolecular Science and 
Engineering are to: (i) Identify, clone, and sequence novel genes and 
promoters important to the bioremediation of metals and radionuclides; 
(ii) construct or enhance bioremedial enzymatic pathways; and (iii) 
transfer key genes for bioremediation to microbes that can survive and 
compete effectively in a contaminated subsurface environment. Field 
release of genetically engineered microorganisms at the proposed FRC, 
however, will not be allowed. Research in these areas is encouraged 
that includes:
     How can we identify and characterize important genes, gene 
clusters, promoter elements, proteins, and protein pathways involved in 
the detoxification of metals and radionuclides or that affect the 
ability of organisms to live and survive under conditions in which 
metals and radionuclides are present in significant amounts?
     How can we identify and characterize genes, gene clusters, 
and promoter elements from different organisms that can work together 
to effect bioremediation?
     How can we identify and characterize the transfer or 
acquisition of genes, gene clusters, and promoter elements from one 
organism to another that can influence processes involved in 
bioremediation?
     What novel and innovative technologies for the 
identification and characterization of genes, gene clusters, promoters, 
and pathways involved in bioremediation can be explored and, on a field 
scale, used?
    Assessment: The two primary objectives of research in the 
Assessment program element are to study innovative and effective 
methods for assessing or quantifying (i) bioremediation rate and 
activity, including microbial community structure and dynamics, 
biotransformation processes and rates, and electron flow; and (ii) 
bioremediation end points, including not only the concentration and 
speciation of the contaminants and byproducts but also the stability 
and bioavailability of residual end-products. NABIR will not, however, 
fund projects that examine human health risks of end points. Priority 
will be given to research applications that could lead to fieldable, 
cost-effective, real time assessment techniques and/or instrumentation. 
Assessment research addressing bacterial transport will not be covered 
in this solicitation. Research is sought to answer questions such as:
     Can quantitative techniques be adapted or developed for 
measurement of microbial community structure, activity, and 
effectiveness during bioremediation?
     What are the geophysical, geochemical, and hydrologic 
properties critical to bioremediation effectiveness and how can they be 
quantitatively determined?
     Can bioremediation endpoints that accurately measure 
bioavailability be quantitatively established?

Field Scale Bioremediation Experiment

    Although bioremediation of metals and radionuclides has been 
studied in the laboratory, and bioremediation technologies have been 
demonstrated in the field, there are few examples of carefully 
controlled, hypothesis-driven, in situ bioremediation research at the 
field-scale. The availability of contaminated sites for NABIR research 
at the proposed Field Research Center would create an opportunity for 
such field scale experiments. The focus of the first set of field 
experiments at the proposed FRC would be on immobilization of metals or 
radionuclides in situ by microbiological processes.
    Applicants should propose a testable hypothesis for field research, 
and they should describe a detailed technical approach that should 
include (1) Establishing an experimental and control plot within the 
proposed contaminated field site, and (2) manipulating the experimental 
plot by amendments of nutrients or other chemicals that might stimulate 
microbial communities to immobilize contaminants such as uranium. A 
statistically robust sampling regimen to determine the efficacy of the 
manipulation should also be described. Moreover, the applicant must 
explain the technical feasibility of performing the proposed field 
research.
    The applicants should propose research to be performed as an 
interdisciplinary team including, at a minimum, expertise in 
microbiology, geochemistry and hydrology. The Principal Investigator 
for the team must have prior experience in relevant field research. 
Multi-institutional partnerships are strongly encouraged; for example, 
applicants may draw expertise from National Laboratories, academia, and 
other institutions engaged in basic research. The applicants should 
also describe how they would communicate their proposed experimental 
design and their results to stakeholders, regulators, and community 
groups. Although compliance with NEPA is the responsibility of DOE, 
grantees proposing to conduct field research are expected to provide 
information necessary for the DOE to complete the NEPA review and 
documentation. For further information on the proposed FRC, access the 
NABIR Homepage or contact Mr. Paul Bayer ([email protected]).

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    It is anticipated that approximately $5 million will be available 
for multiple awards to be made in late FY 2000 and early FY 2001 in the 
categories described above, contingent on availability of appropriated 
funds. Applications may request project support up to three years, with 
out-year support contingent on availability of funds, progress of the 
research and programmatic needs. Annual budgets for projects in the 
five scientific research element projects are expected to range from 
$100,000 to $400,000 total costs. Annual budgets for interdisciplinary 
field research projects at the proposed FRC are expected to range from 
$300,000-$1,000,000 for total costs. Costs for drilling at the proposed 
FRC should not be included in the applicant's budget. DOE may encourage 
collaboration among prospective investigators to promote joint 
applications or joint research projects by using information obtained 
through the preliminary applications or through other forms of 
communication.
    Applications will be subjected to formal merit review (peer review) 
and will be evaluated against the following evaluation criteria which 
are listed in descending order of importance codified at 10 CFR 
605.10(d):
    1. Scientific and/or Technical Merit of the Project;
    2. Appropriateness of the Proposed Method or Approach;
    3. Competency of Applicant's personnel and Adequacy of Proposed 
Resources;
    4. Reasonableness and Appropriateness of the Proposed Budget.
    Also, as part of the evaluation, program policy factors become a 
selection priority. Note, external peer reviewers are selected with 
regard to both their scientific expertise and the absence of conflict-
of-interest issues. Non-federal reviewers will often be used, and 
submission of an application constitutes agreement that this is 
acceptable to the investigator(s) and the submitting institution.
    Information about the development, submission of applications, 
eligibility, limitations, evaluation, the selection process, and other 
policies and procedures may be found in 10 CFR Part 605, and in the 
Application Guide for the Office of Science Financial Assistance 
Program. Electronic access to SC's Financial Assistance Application 
Guide is possible via the World Wide Web at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/
production/grants/grants.html. DOE is under no obligation to pay for 
any costs associated with the preparation or submission of applications 
if an award is not made. In addition, for this notice, the research 
description must be 20 pages or less, exclusive of attachments, and 
must contain an abstract or summary of the proposed research (to 
include the hypotheses being tested, the proposed experimental design, 
and the names of all investigators and their affiliations). Attachments 
should include short curriculum vitae, QA/QC plan, a listing of all 
current and pending federal support and letters of intent when 
collaborations are part of the proposed research. Curriculum vitae 
should be submitted in a form similar to that of NIH or NSF (two to 
three pages), see for example: http://www.nsf.gov:80/bfa/cpo/gpg/
fkit.htm#forms-9.
    The Office of Science as part of its grant regulations requires at 
10 CFR 605.11(b) that a recipient receiving a grant and performing 
research involving recombinant DNA molecules and/or organisms and 
viruses containing recombinant DNA molecules shall comply with the 
National Institutes of Health (NIH) ``Guidelines for Research Involving 
Recombinant DNA Molecules,'' which is available via the world wide web 
at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/odhsb/biosafe/nih/rdna-apr98.pdf, (59 FR 
34496, July 5, 1994,) or such later revision of those guidelines as may 
be published in the Federal Register.
    Grantees must also comply with other federal and state laws and 
regulations as appropriate, for example, the Toxic Substances Control 
Act (TSCA) as it applies to genetically modified organisms. Although 
compliance with NEPA is the responsibility of DOE, grantees proposing 
to conduct field research are expected to provide information necessary 
for the DOE to complete the NEPA review and documentation.
    Additional information on the NABIR Program is available at the 
following web site: http://www.lbl.gov/NABIR/. For researchers who do 
not have access to the world wide web, please contact Karen Carlson; 
Environmental Sciences Division, SC-74; U.S. Department of Energy; 
19901 Germantown Road; Germantown, MD 20874-1290; phone: (301) 903-
3338; fax: (301) 903-8519; E-mail: [email protected]; for 
hard copies of background material mentioned in this solicitation.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program 
is 81.049, and the solicitation control number is ERFAP 10 CFR part 
605.

    Issued in Washington, DC on December 15, 1999.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director of Science for Resource Management.
[FR Doc. 99-33200 Filed 12-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-U