[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81833-81836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32999]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 001027299-0299-01]
RIN 0648-ZA95
NOAA Climate and Global Change Program, Program Announcement
AGENCY: Office of Global Programs, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: With the intent of stimulating integrated multidisciplinary
studies and enhancing institutional collaboration, National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the
National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Electric Power Research
Institute (EPRI), announce our interest in receiving research proposals
to improve our understanding of the human health consequences related
to climate variability and enhance the integration of useful climate
information into public health policy and decision-making. This joint
announcement is intended to support the formation of multidisciplinary
teams working in close collaboration on integrated projects to
illuminate pathways by which climate may affect human health, and which
explore the potential for applying climate forecast information in the
public health arena. Climate refers to climate variability across time
scales. Understanding how short term climate variability affects human
health may improve our knowledge of potential consequences of, and
adaptation to, longer term changes in the climate system.
Relevance of This Joint Announcement
In 1995, the White House along with the National Academy of
Sciences elevated the climate and health issue through their jointly
sponsored Conference on Human Health and Global Climate Change. Since
then, several multi-agency sponsored workshops such as the American
Academy of Microbiology Colloquium on Climate Variability and Human
Health: An Interdisciplinary Perspective, and the workshop on Climate
Change and Vector-borne and other Infectious Disease: A Research
Agenda, have begun to define research needs in this emerging
discipline. The recently issues NRC Pathways report recognizes that
climate may have important impacts on human health but that further
study is necessary, and that such studies must also address issues of
social vulnerability and adaptability. The NRC also is conducting a
study on Climate, Ecology, Infectious Disease and Health.
Over the past several years as interest in this new field has
grown, research and analysis have demonstrated a connection between
climate and health in some cases. Yet it is well recognized that more
research is required. This, coupled with an evolving capacity to
understand and predict natural changes in the climate system, and a
desire to provide climate forecast information for social benefit,
particularly in the public health sector, has driven demand for
improved understanding of the relationship between climate variability
and human health.
Both the scientific research results and recommendations stemming
from various meetings highlight the complexity of the research
questions and the need for a coordinated multi-agency and
interdisciplinary approach. The very nature of the research required
cuts across disciplinary boundaries, and spans a range of agency
missions and mandates and private sector interests. The NOAA Office of
Global Programs is interested in the production and application of
predictive climate information; EPA is concerned with the impacts of
climate change and variability on human health; and NASA's interests
include remote sensing observations, research, data, information and
technologies for public health. Moreover, NSF focuses on broadly based
fundamental research to improve understanding of the Earth system, and
EPRI addresses key research gaps in climate change and human health.
This announcement is offered as an experimental mechanism to fill
critical gaps in climate variability and human health research and to
coordinate funding of overlapping agency and institutional interests in
such research. Other private sector organizations interested in jointly
funding research through this announcement process should contact the
NOAA Program Officer Juli Trtanj (301) 427-2089, ext. 134, or internet:
[email protected]. Research projects will be funded for a one, two or
three year period. Funding beyond the first year is contingent upon
availability of funds.
Program Objectives
The overarching goal of this announcement is to develop and
demonstrate the feasibility of new approaches or field studies that
investigate or validate well-formed hypotheses or models of climate
variability and health interactions. This announcement is offered as
part of an interagency effort to build an integrated climate and health
community. Proposed research submitted under this announcement is
encouraged to build on existing research activities, programs, research
sites and facilities, or data sets.
Requirements and General Guidance
Research teams should include, at a minimum, one investigator each
from the public health or medical response, ecology, and climate
communities working in close collaboration on an integrated project.
Research proposals submitted under this announcement are strongly
encouraged to include components addressing either the adaptation or
vulnerability of human and public health systems to climate
variability, or an economic analysis of using predictive climate
information, or both. (See Criteria for Evaluation b). The funding
partners will look favorably on research activities that involve end-
users from the public health arena (i.e., local public health
officials, regional or international health organizations, other public
health or disaster management agencies and institutions) and which
address the means by which their research results can be used by public
health policy and decision-makers. (See Criteria d). Investigators are
encouraged to demonstrate that they will disseminate research results
through formal presentation during at least one professional meeting
and publication in a peer-reviewed journal. (See Criteria b).
Investigators should also plan to participate in an annual meeting
of researchers funded under this announcement. This meeting will be
organized by the funding partners and is intended to facilitate
midpoint
[[Page 81834]]
discussions of research and methodology as well as presentations of
final research results. The participation of other team members,
particularly new researchers at the graduate and postdoctoral level, is
highly encouraged. An interim progress report will be required.
DATES: Unless otherwise noted, strict deadlines by which NOAA OGP must
receive proposals for submission to the FY 2001 process are: Pre-
proposals must be received by OGP no later than January 31, 2001, and
full proposals must be received no later than April 6, 2001.;
Applicants who have not received a response to their pre-proposal
within four weeks should contact the program office: Juli Trtanj (301)
427-2089, ext. 134 or internet: [email protected]. The time from
target date to grant award varies. We anticipate that review of full
proposals will occur in May or June 2001, for most approved projects.
September 1, 2001, may be used as the earliest proposed start date on
the proposal, unless otherwise directed by the appropriate Program
Officer. Applicants should be notified of their status within six
months of full proposal submission. All proposals must be submitted in
accordance with the requirements listed below. Failure to heed the
requirements may result in proposals being returned without review.
ADDRESSES: All submissions should be directed to: Office of Global
Programs (OGP); National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 1100
Wayne Avenue, Suite 1225; Silver Spring, MD 20910-5603.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irma duPree at the above address or
phone (301) 427-2089, ext. 107, fax: (301) 427-2072, Internet:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Funding Availability
NOAA, EPA, NASA, NSF and EPRI believe that the research on the
relationship between climate variability and human health will benefit
significantly from a strong partnership with outside investigators.
Current plans assume that over 50% of the total resources provided
through this announcement will support extramural efforts, particularly
those involving the broad academic community. Funding may be provided
by NOAA, EPA, NASA, NSF or EPRI.
This Program Announcement is for projects to be conducted up to a
three-year period by investigators both inside and outside of NOAA,
EPA, NASA, NSF and EPRI. The funding instrument for extramural awards
will be a grant unless it is anticipated that any of the funding
entities will be substantially involved in the implementation of the
project, in which case the funding instrument should be a cooperative
agreement. Examples of substantial involvement may include but are not
limited to proposals for collaboration between a funding entity or
funding entity scientist, and a recipient scientist or technician and/
or contemplation by NOAA, EPA, NASA or NSF of detailing Federal
personnel to work on proposed projects. NOAA, EPA, NASA and NSF will
make decisions regarding the use of a cooperative agreement on a case-
by-case basis. Matching share is not required by this program.
2. Eligibility
Participation in this competition is open to all institutions
eligible to receive support for NOAA, EPA, NASA, NSF and EPRI. For
awards to be issued by NOAA, eligible applicants are institutions of
higher education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial
organizations, foreign governments, organizations under the
jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations,
state, local and Indian tribal governments and Federal agencies.
Applications from non-Federal and Federal applicants will be competed
against each other. Proposals selected for funding from non-Federal
applicants will be funded through a project grant or cooperative
agreement under the terms of this notice. Proposals selected for
funding from NOAA employees shall be effected by an intragency fund
transfer. Proposals selected for funding from a non-NOAA Federal Agency
will be funded through an interagency transfer. Before non-NOAA Federal
applicants may be funded, they must demonstrate that they have legal
authority to receive funds from another federal agency in excess of
their appropriation. Because this announcement is not proposing to
procure goods or services from applicants, the Economy Act (31 USC
1535) is not an appropriate legal basis.
3. Program Authority
NOAA Authority: U.S.C. 2931 et seq.; (CFDA No. 11.431)--CLIMATE AND
ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH.
EPA Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7403(a); 42 U.S.C. 7403(b); 42 U.S.C.
7403(g); 15 U.S.C. 2907(a); (CFDA No. 66.500)--OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT.
NSF Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1861-75; (CFDA No. 47.050)--GEOSCIENCES.
NASA Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2932(a); 15 U.S.C. 2932(b); 15 U.S.C.
2932(e2); 15 U.S.C. 2936; (CFDA No. 43-999).
Guidelines for Submission
1. Pre-proposals
(a) Pre-proposals should be no longer than eight pages in length
(no attachments please) and include the names and institutions of all
investigators, a statement of the problem, description of data and
methodology including names of data sets and types of models or
analysis, a general budget for the project, a description of intended
use of results for public health policy and decision making, and a one
to two page biographical sketch for each investigator.
(b) The Program Officers will evaluate the pre-proposals.
(c) Submission of pre-proposals is not a requirement, but it is in
the best interest of the applicants and their institutions.
(d) Facsimile and email submissions are acceptable for pre-
proposals only.
(e) Projects deemed unsuitable during pre-proposal review will not
be encouraged to submit full proposals.
(f) Investigators who are not encouraged to submit full proposals
will not be precluded from submitting full proposals.
2. Criteria for Evaluation
Below are the criteria for evaluation which will be used for making
award decisions. Pre-proposals will be evaluated on likely ability to
meet these criteria.
(a) Scientific Merit-60% (to include: Methodology, proof of data
quality and availability, experience of team and team members, and
relevant peer-reviewed publications)
(b) Responsiveness to announcement-20%
(c) Explicit multidisciplinary participation and collaboration--10%
(d) Potential for use by climate, ecology and health community or
public/environmental health community--10%
3. Selection Procedures and Review Process
The Program Officers will not be voting members of an independent
peer panel. Each Program Officer will individually rank the proposals
considering the recommendations and evaluations of the independent peer
panel and the program policy factors listed below. The Federal Agency
Program Officers will then make the funding selections taking into
account these rankings, the panel review and evaluations, and program
policy factors listed below. Proposals are usually awarded in the
numerical order they are
[[Page 81835]]
ranked based on the independent peer mail review or the independent
peer panel review. However, the Program Officers may consider the
following program policy factors: (a) Whether proposals do not
substantially duplicate other projects that are currently funded by
NOAA, other Federal agencies or funding sources; (b) whether proposals
do not substantially duplicate other proposals submitted in response to
this announcement; (c) whether proposals funded maximize use of
available funds; and (d) whether proposal cost fall within remaining
funds available. As a result of this review, the Program Officers may
decide to select an award out of order. The Program Officers will also
determine the total duration and amount of funding for each selected
proposal. Both agency and non-agency experts in the field may be used
in this process.
Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient under prior Federal
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.
Federal agency employees are subject to statutes pertaining to non-
disclosure and confidentiality requirements protecting proprietary
information that may be contained in applications submitted for
potential funding. Non-Federal evaluators have agreed in writing to
similar non-disclosure and confidentiality provisions. Please note,
however, that should EPRI or another participating private organization
which jointly funds research under this notice select an application
for funding, none of the participating Federal agencies is responsible
for any unauthorized disclosure of information that may occur on any
dispute that may arise.
4. Proposal Submission
The following forms are required in each application, with original
signatures on each federal form. Failure to comply with these
provisions will result in proposals being returned without review.
(a) Full Proposals: (1) Proposals submitted to the NOAA Climate and
Global Change Program must include the original and two unbound copies
of the proposal. (2) Investigators are required to submit 3 copies of
the proposal; however, the normal review process requires 20 copies.
Investigators are encouraged to submit sufficient proposal copies for
the full review process if they wish all reviewers to receive color,
unusually sized (not 8.5 x 11''), or otherwise unusual materials
submitted as part of the proposal. Only three copies of the Federally
required forms are needed. (3) Proposals must be limited to 40 pages
(numbered), including statement of work, budget, investigators' vitae,
and all appendices. Appended information may not be used to circumvent
the page length limit. Federally mandated forms are not included within
the page count. (4) Proposals should be sent to the NOAA Office of
Global Programs at the above address. (5) Facsimile transmissions and
electronic mail submission of full proposals will not be accepted.
(b) Required Elements: All proposals must include the following
elements:
(1.) Signed title page: The title page must be signed by the
Principal Investigator (PI) and the instititional representative. If
more than one investigator is listed on the title page, pleases
identify the lead investigator. The PI and institutional representative
should be identified by full name, title, organization, telephone
number and address. The total amount of Federal funds being requested
should be listed for each budget period.
(2.) Abstract: An abstract must be included and should contain an
introduction of the problem, rationale and a brief summary of work to
be completed. The abstract should appear on a separate page, headed
with the proposal title, institution(s), investigator(s), total
proposed cost and budget period.
(3.) Results from prior research; The results of related research
activities should be described, including their relation to the
currently proposed work. Reference to each prior research award should
include the title, agency or institution, award number, PIs, period of
award and total award. The section should be a brief summary and should
not exceed two pages total.
(4) Statement of work: The proposed project must be completely
described, including identification of the problem, scientific
objectives, proposed methodology, and relevance to the announcement.
Benefits of the proposed project to the general public and the
scientific community should also be discussed. A summary of proposed
work must be included clearly indicting that the proposed work is
achievable. The statement of work, including references but excluding
figures and other visual materials, must not exceed 15 pages of text.
Investigators wishing to submit group proposals that exceed the 15-page
limit should discuss this possibility with the appropriate Program
Officer prior to submission. In general, proposals from 3 or more
investigators may include a statement of work containing up to 15 pages
of overall project description plus up to 5 additional pages for
individual project descriptions.
(5.) Budget Justification: A brief description of the expenses
listed on the budget and how they address the proposed work. Itemized
justification must include salaries, equipment, publications, supplies,
tuition, travel, etc.
(6.) Budget; The proposal must include total and annual budgets
corresponding with the descriptions provided in the statement of work.
Non-Federal Applicants must submit a Standard Form 424 (4-92)
``Application for Federal Assistance'', including a detailed budget
using the Standard Form 424a (4-92), ``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs''. The form is included in the standard NOAA
application kit. Additional text to justify expenses should be included
as necessary. Federal researchers should contact Irma duPree at (301)
427-2089 ext. 107, for guidance regarding the types of forms required
for submission. Additionally, Federal researchers should provide, with
their application, the appropriate statutory authority which allows
their agency to receive funds from another Federal agency to complete
the work outlined in their proposal.
(7.) Vitae: Abbreviated curriculum vitae are sought with each
proposal. Reference lists should be limited to 10-15 of the most recent
and relevant publications with up to five other relevant papers.
(8) Current and pending support: For each investigator, submit a
list that includes project title, supporting agency with grant number.
Investigator months, dollar value and duration. Requested values should
be listed for pending support.
(9) List of suggested reviewers: The cover letter may include a
list of individuals qualified and suggested to review the proposal. It
also may include a list of individuals that applicants would prefer to
not review the proposals. Such lists may be considered at the
discretion of the Program Offices.
(c) Other requirements:
Applicants may obtain a Standard NOAA application kit from the
Program homepage at http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/, or from Irma duPree at
the Program Office (301) 427-2089 X107.
Primary applicant certification--All primary applicants must submit
a completed Form CD-511, ``Certification Regarding Debarment,
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements and Lobbying'' Applicants are also hereby notified of the
following:
[[Page 81836]]
1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective
participants (as defined at 26 CFR part 26, section 105) are subject to
15 CFR part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies.
2. Drug Free workplace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26,
section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, Government-wide
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)`` and the related section
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
3. Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, section
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal
contracting and financial transactions'', and the lobbying section of
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever
is greater; and
(4) Anti-Lobbying disclosures--Any applicant that has paid or will
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL. ``Disclosure of
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, appendix B.
(d) Lower Tier Certifications:
(1.) Recipients must require applicants/bidders for subgrants,
contracts, subcontracts, or lower tier covered transactions at any tier
under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-512,
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and
Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and
disclosure form SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities'' Form CD-
512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be transmitted
to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should
be submitted to DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in
the award document.
(2.) Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all applicable
Federal laws and Federal and Department of Commerce policies,
regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal Financial assistance
awards.
(3.) Pre-award Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to
an award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that
may have been received, there is no obligation to the applicant on the
part of Department of Commerce to cover pre-award costs.
(4.) This program is subject to the requirements of OMB Circular
No. A-110, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other
Non-Profit Organizations'', and 15 CFR part 24, ``Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to
State and Local Governments'', as applicable. Applications under this
program are not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental
Review of Federal Programs.''
(5.) All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key
individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of, or
are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or
other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's
management, honesty, or financial integrity.
(6.) A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
(7.) No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who
has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either: (i) The
delinquent account is paid in full, (ii) A negotiated repayment
schedule is established and at least one payment is received, or (iii)
Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce are made.
(8.) Buy American-Made Equipment or Products--Applicants are
encouraged that any equipment or products authorized to be purchased
with funding provided under this program must be American-made to the
maximum extent feasible.
(9.) The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the
proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total
proposed direct cost dollar amount in the application, whichever is
less.
(e) If an application is selected for funding, the Department of
Commerce has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in
connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the
Department of Commerce.
(f) In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, no person
on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability
shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or be
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving
financial assistance from the NOAA Climate and Global Change program.
The NOAA Climate and Global Change Program does not have direct TDD
(Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capabilities, but can be reached
through the State of Maryland suppled TDD contact number, 800-735-2258,
between the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 p.m.
Classification: This notice contains collection-of-information
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of
Standard Forms 424, 424A, and SF--LLL have been approved by OMB under
the respective control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0046.
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 Paper Reduction
Act, unless that collection displays a currently valid OMB control
number. This notice has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Dated: December 20, 2000.
David L. Evans,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-32999 Filed 12-26-00; 8:45 am]
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