[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58058-58060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24811]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Science; Office of Science Financial Assistance Program
Notice 00-21: Bioremediation and Its Societal Implications and Concerns
(BASIC) Research Program
AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice inviting grant applications.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) of
the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hereby
announces its interest in receiving applications for research grants in
Bioremediation and its Societal Implications and Concerns (BASIC).
BASIC is a key element of the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation
Research (NABIR) program that provides the fundamental science
underlying bioremediation of radionuclides and metals in subsurface
environments at DOE sites. Research is encouraged that identifies
critical societal, cultural, legal, policy, regulatory or other issues
that could enhance or complicate the development and utilization of
bioremediation methods or approaches. Educational activities that
enhance the dialogue among scientists, regulators and community members
about plausible implementation of bioremediation of radionuclides and
metals are also being sought. Partnerships between social scientists
and physical/biological scientists in the development of BASIC projects
are strongly encouraged.
DATES: Researchers are strongly encouraged to submit a pre-application
for programmatic review. Early submission of pre-applications is
encouraged, to allow time for review for programmatic relevance. The
deadline for receipt of pre-applications is November 6, 2000. A brief
pre-application 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., December 21, 2000 to be accepted for merit review and to permit
timely consideration for award in Fiscal Year 2001 or in early Fiscal
Year 2002. An original and seven copies of the application must be
submitted; however, applicants are requested not to submit applications
using more than one delivery or mail service.
ADDRESSES: If submitting a pre-application, it should reference Program
Notice 00-21, and may be sent by e-mail to:
[email protected]. Hard copies can be sent to Daniel Drell,
Ph.D., Life Sciences Division, SC-72/GTN, Office of Biological and
Environmental Research, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy,
19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290.
Formal applications referencing Program Notice 00-21 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 00-21. 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. Daniel Drell, Life Sciences
Division, SC-72, Office of Biological and Environmental Research,
Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road,
Germantown, MD 20874-1290, telephone: (301) 903-4742, e-mail:
[email protected], fax: (301) 903-8521. The full text of
Program Notice 00-21 is available via the World Wide Web at the
following address: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/grants.html.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Approximately 50 years of U.S. production of
nuclear weapons have left a legacy of radioactive, chemical and other
hazardous waste at DOE sites. Much of this legacy consists of mixtures
of these waste components. Cleanup or stabilization of contaminated
sites using conventional technologies such as
[[Page 58059]]
landfilling, vitrification or incineration carries a very high price
tag, estimated to be in excess of $100 billion. This high cost has
sparked interest in the development of innovative and potentially cost-
saving technologies such as bioremediation. Bioremediation of metals
and radionuclides involves the use of microorganisms to remove these
contaminants from the aqueous phase by precipitation or complexation,
thus reducing the risk to humans and the environment. Such approaches
may involve stabilizing the radionuclides and metals by immobilizing
them in place, and long-term stewardship to ensure that they are not
re-mobilized over time.
The Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR) Program
provides the fundamental science to serve as the basis for development
of cost-effective bioremediation of radionuclides and metals in
subsurface environments 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 or addition of microorganisms. At present, the program is
exploring the use of naturally occurring microorganisms as amendments;
however, genetically engineered microorganisms may also be considered
in the future. The program consists of seven interrelated scientific
research elements (Biogeochemical Dynamics, Biotransformation,
Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology, Assessment, Biomolecular
Science and Engineering, Bacterial Transport, and Systems Integration/
Data Management). A Field Research Center (FRC) for NABIR research has
recently been established in Bear Creek Valley near the Y-12 site at
the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The FRC
provides an area containing both contaminated and uncontaminated
subsurface environments for performing field-scale, hypothesis-driven
research and for collecting field samples for laboratory based studies.
Additional information about NABIR and the Field Research Center may be
found on the NABIR homepage: http://www.lbl.gov/NABIR or on the FRC
homepage: http://www.esd.ornl.gov/BCV-FieldSite.
The NABIR program also includes an element addressing educational,
legal and societal issues of bioremediation called Bioremediation and
its Societal Implications and Concerns (BASIC) which is the subject of
this solicitation. The BASIC element is directed at defining and
understanding the societal implications of implementing in situ
bioremediation approaches for metals and radionuclides. Stabilization
of radionuclides and metals in place through biologically mediated
immobilization is a bioremediation approach under investigation by
NABIR researchers. Such an approach, however, necessitates long term
stewardship to ensure the contaminants remain immobilized. Communities
and other stakeholders may have concerns regarding this potential
bioremediation strategy. The introduction of non-native microorganisms
or the manipulation of the environment to change its microbial
composition or chemical characteristics may raise concerns among those
who live or work nearby. Even the reintroduction of native
microorganisms into their natural environment can raise concerns.
Although it might be many years before genetically engineered
microorganisms may be considered for limited release to clean up DOE
sites, it is wise to begin now to consider some of the issues involved.
It is a fundamental principle of the NABIR program that stakeholders
associated with affected communities must be involved in any
discussions about the possible use of novel approaches and/or processes
to remediate a contaminated site and that identifying issues of
potential concern to stakeholders should be done well in advance of any
possible deployment decisions.
DOE seeks applications for research to investigate societal issues
and to inform stakeholders and the general public on bioremediation
issues related to NABIR. Applications should address effective ways to:
(1) Define the societal, legal, ethical, cultural and regulatory
concerns associated with plausible application of in situ
bioremediation of radionuclides and metals. Concerns to be addressed
might include: (1) Introduction of chemical additives to the subsurface
to enhance immobilization of radionuclides or metals and to reduce
risk; (2) introduction of naturally occurring but non-indigenous
microorganisms to enhance bioremediation; (3) introduction of
genetically engineered microorganisms to stabilize radionuclides and
metals at contaminated sites; and (4) public attitudes toward long term
stewardship for sites where radionuclides and metals are left in place
in an immobile, biologically unavailable form, following
bioremediation. Research and conferences are encouraged that identify
critical regulatory, policy, societal, legal and other issues that
could enhance or complicate the development and plausible
implementation of NABIR bioremediation approaches or methods.
Partnerships between social scientists and physical/biological
scientists in the development of BASIC projects are strongly
encouraged.
(2) Develop and promote greater understanding of the science and
societal implications of bioremediation. DOE solicits applications for
the preparation and dissemination of educational materials, in any
appropriate medium, that will enhance understanding of the scientific
as well as the societal aspects of bioremediation among the general
public or specified groups. Educational efforts that target specific
groups should include a detailed description of the relationship
between NABIR and that group or community in addition to assessment
measures for determining the effectiveness of the educational effort.
DOE also encourages applications for the support of conferences
focusing on the legal and societal implications of NABIR.
Applicants should demonstrate their knowledge of any relevant
literature and should include detailed plans for the gathering and
analysis of factual information and its societal implications.
Applicants are encouraged to make use of NABIR relevant activities or
field sites, such as the DOE Field Research Center at the Oak Ridge
National Laboratory, where bioremediation experiments are planned or
underway. All research applications should address the issue of
efficient dissemination of results to the widest appropriate audience;
free availability via the World Wide Web is strongly encouraged, where
appropriate. Examples of possible BASIC research topics include, but
are not limited to:
Cultural risks and concerns about bioremediation--Applications are
sought to identify and explore cultural concerns relating to
bioremediation and its possible implementation. Of particular interest
is understanding the potential impacts of bioremediation. Would
bioremediation be viewed in a positive or negative way in light of its
impact on, and potential future uses of, the land? If so, what are the
cultural bases for these views? What are the cultural positions or
attitudes on the potential need for long term stewardship of sites,
where contaminants are stabilized, and what are its impacts? What
variation can be described in attitudes towards the risks that might be
associated with the use of bioremediation?
Legal issues--Research should address the potential legal issues
surrounding the use of naturally occurring or genetically engineered
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microorganisms for in situ bioremediation of radionuclides and metals.
Such issues might include intellectual property rights, community
consent for the use of bioremediation strategies, and adjudication
scenarios involving controversies over the use of bioremediation.
Potential legal issues involving the need for long term stewardship of
sites where contaminants have been stabilized are of special interest.
Also, while risk assessments are not a subject of this solicitation,
legal perspectives on the implications of potential bioremediation
strategies compared to other strategies could be explored.
Education of stakeholders and the general public on
bioremediation--Educational activities that promote interactions and
communications between NABIR scientists and involved stakeholders, as
well as enhance the knowledge base of scientists, regulators and
community members are strongly encouraged. Of particular interest are
communities adjacent to DOE sites. Relevant activities could include
(1) the development, deployment and implementation of educational
curriculum units on bioremediation and its implications; (2) the
development of educational materials using diverse media; or (3) the
sponsoring of educational forums bringing together bioremediation
scientists, stakeholders, and members of other interested communities
(e.g., judges, regulators, etc.). Applications in response to this
element of this solicitation should include discussion of dissemination
plans as well as ways to assess the impact of the proposed educational
activities on the targeted group following completion of the grant
period.
Program Funding
It is anticipated that up to $500,000 per year will be available
for multiple awards to be made in late FY 2001 and early FY 2002 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
BASIC Program are expected to range from $50,000 to $200,000 total
costs. 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.
Merit Review
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. 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.
Submission Information
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 work to be undertaken or the hypotheses being tested, the
proposed approach(s) and method(s), and the names of all investigators
and their affiliations). Attachments should include short curriculum
vitae for all key personnel, a 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.
Additional information on the NABIR Program is available on the
World Wide Web at: 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 September 19, 2000.
John Rodney Clark,
Associate Director of Science for Resource Management.
[FR Doc. 00-24811 Filed 9-26-00; 8:45 am]
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