Financial Assistance to Establish a New Cooperative Science Center Under NOAA's Educational Partnership Program (EPP) With Minority Serving Institutions for Scientific Environmental Technology, 30927-30930 [05-10705]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 31, 2005 / Notices antidumping duty order on silicomanganese from the People’s Republic of China (‘‘PRC’’) for sales made by Yonghe Metal Co., Ltd./ Sichuan Huaxin Iron Alloy Co. Ltd. (‘‘Yonghe Metal’’), producer and exporter of the subject merchandise. Because Border Steel has withdrawn its request for an administrative review, and there were no other requests for an administrative review for this time period, the Department is rescinding this administrative review. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On December 30, 2004, Border Steel, an importer of the subject merchandise, requested the Department to conduct an administrative review of sales made by Yonghe Metal for the period December 1, 2003, through November 30, 2004. Border Steel was the only interested party to request a review for this period. On January 31, 2005, the Department published a notice of initiation of the antidumping administrative review of silicomanganese from the PRC, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(c)(1)(i). See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Requests for Revocations in Part, 70 FR 4818 (January 31, 2005). On March 25, 2005, Border Steel withdrew its request for review. Rescission of Review Pursuant to the Department’s regulations, the Department will rescind an administrative review ‘‘if a party that requested the review withdraws the request within 90 days of the date of publication of notice of initiation of the requested review.’’ See 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1). Border Steel, the only interested party to request an administrative review for this time period, withdrew its request for this review within the 90-day time limit; accordingly, we are rescinding the administrative review for the period December 1, 2003, through November 30, 2004, and will issue appropriate assessment instructions to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This notice serves as a reminder to parties subject to administrative protective order (‘‘APO’’) of their responsibility concerning the disposition of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a sanctionable violation. VerDate jul<14>2003 16:14 May 27, 2005 Jkt 205001 This determination is issued in accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(d)(4) and section 777(i)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended. Dated: May 18, 2005. Barbara E. Tillman, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. E5–2739 Filed 5–27–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 030602141–5135–17] Financial Assistance to Establish a New Cooperative Science Center Under NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program (EPP) With Minority Serving Institutions for Scientific Environmental Technology Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of criteria for establishing a new Cooperative Science Center in Scientific Environmental Technology at a Minority Serving Institution; and, notice of availability of funds and solicitation for proposals for these funds. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The purpose of this document is to advise the public that NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program is soliciting proposals to establish a new Cooperative Science Center at an accredited postsecondary minority serving institution (MSI). This Center will be established as a partnership between the institution and NOAA, with the goal of expanding the institution’s training and research capabilities and supporting the development of programs compatible with NOAA’s mission. The Cooperative Science Center will be established in support of NOAA core science areas and will enhance NOAA’s ability to conduct its mission with enhanced scientific environmental technologies. DATES: Applications must be received by NOAA Educational Partnership Program (EPP) no later than 2 p.m. (eastern time), local time 60 days after the publication of this notice. ADDRESSES: Applications submitted in response to this announcement are strongly encouraged to be submitted through the Grants.gov Web site. Electronic access to the full funding announcement for this program is PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 30927 available via the Grants.gov Web site: https://www.grants.gov. The announcement will also be available at the NOAA Web site https:// www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Eamd/ SOLINDEX.HTML or by contacting the program official identified below. Paper applications (a signed original and two copies) should be submitted to the Educational Partnership Program at the following address: NOAA/OAR/EPP, 1315 East West Highway, Room 10600, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. No facsimile applications will be accepted. Institutions may submit Letters of Intent to NOAA/EPP that would aid in planning the review processes. Letters of Intent may be submitted via e-mail to Jacqueline.J.Rousseau@noaa.gov. Information should include a general description of the Center proposal and participating institutions. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Rousseau, Program Director at (301) 713–9437 ext. 124 or Jacqueline.J.Rousseau@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Summary Description: NOAA is commitment to the recruitment and retention of employees from underrepresented communities, trained in NOAA-related sciences, to conduct the ongoing mission of the agency. Toward that end, the agency established a program aimed at partnering with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) that train and graduate students in the areas of atmospheric, oceanic and environmental sciences, and remote sensing. Since approximately 40% of minority students receive their undergraduate degrees at MSIs, direct collaboration with MSIs is, therefore, an effective way to increase the number of minority students trained and graduating with degrees in NOAArelated fields who may become engaged in research and pursue careers compatible with the agency’s mission. Statistics from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Engineering Indicators 2004 Report illustrate that the number of minority students receiving doctoral and master’s degrees in science and engineering for selected years from 1994–2003, continues to be lower than the national average. The NSF report states, for example, that in 2004 (the most recent data available) 26,413 doctoral degrees were granted in science and engineering (which includes earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences) to U.S. citizens. Of these graduates, 1708 were African American, 1270 were Hispanic, 133 were American Indian/Alaska Native and 1417 were Asian/Pacific Islander. The 2004 NSF E:\FR\FM\31MYN1.SGM 31MYN1 30928 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 31, 2005 / Notices report states that a total of 474 PhD degrees were granted in earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences. Of those earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences graduates, 15 were granted to African Americans, 13 to Hispanics, 2 to American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and 10 to Asian/Pacific Islanders. Statistics for master’s degrees granted to these four groups are also disproportionately low. With such a limited pool of potential minority employees trained in NOAA-related sciences, it is important that NOAA seek new ways to make students aware of the mission of the agency and to support activities that increase opportunities for students trained in NOAA-related sciences. The Center will support activities that strengthen the research capability at the selected MSI with accredited programs and degrees in physical sciences, including applied physics, applied mathematics, computer science applications, engineering atmospheric, oceanic, and environmental and related sciences. An essential goal of this program is to seek ways to improve opportunities for, and retention of, students and faculty from underrepresented groups in NOAArelated sciences, at MSIs, with the eventual goal of increasing the number of students graduating with degrees that will enhance the technologies supportive of, and compatible with, atmospheric, oceanic, and environmental sciences, remote sensing and related technologies. The overall Educational Partnership Program (EPP) program strategies include: enhanced collaborative research, hands-on opportunities and research experiences for students and faculty with NOAA research facilities; strengthening the infrastructure at minority serving institutions that serve underrepresented groups; and, supporting staff exchanges between NOAA and MSIs. A Distinguished Scientist position must be created at the Center to develop significant research projects for the Center with other EPP Centers as well as with other MSIs and relevant agencies. Staff and faculty exchanges will be an integral part of this program and opportunities will be made available to participate in collaborative research or other agreed upon activities. NOAA expects the Center to develop mechanisms and approaches to increase opportunities to make courses and seminars offered at the Center available to students at other MSIs. The Center will also be required to use a minimum of thirty percent (30%) of the award for student support, which includes, but is not limited to, scholarships, VerDate jul<14>2003 16:14 May 27, 2005 Jkt 205001 fellowships, travel expenses to professional meetings, and for conducting site research. While the Center will be established at an MSI, consortia with non-minority serving institutions partners will not be restricted. Private sector partnerships are also encouraged. Proposals for the Scientific Environmental Technology (SET) Cooperative Science Center should address the ability to support education and research in physical and social sciences at a MSI. The physical sciences include but are not limited to, meteorological and oceanographic sensor and satellite telecommunications technologies, remote sensing, and observational and information technology systems, applied mathematics, applied physics and computer applications and engineering. For the purposes of this program Scientific Environmental Technology includes an emphasis on the following: Meteorological sensors (wind, visibility, humidity, etc.), oceanographic sensors (wave, water quality, microwave altimeters, beacons, navigational, etc.), airborne and ship based observing systems, chemical observations, observational and information technology systems (satellite telecommunications, telecommunications, data collection packages, modems, drivers, protocols, etc.). Scientific Environmental Technology also includes the analysis of global observing systems, including simulations to determine the role of each observing subsystem, determination of optimal mixes of observing systems, and of the costs associated with various observing systems. Graduates must be able to carry out a variety of tasks including: Understanding meteorological and oceanographic needs; identifying potential sensor, observational, and information technologies; developing sensor; observational, and information technology systems; testing and evaluating meteorological and/or oceanographic systems. NOAA anticipates that as the EPP program succeeds and more minority students graduate in NOAA-related sciences, the agency will have a larger pool of candidates from which to hire. An increase in the number of students trained and graduating in science and engineering will be beneficial to the nation as a whole, because NOAA relies on its partnerships with State, local and tribal governments as well as with community interest groups to accomplish its mission. PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Electronic Access Applicants can access, download and submit electronic grant applications, including the full funding announcement, for NOAA programs at the Grants.gov Web site: https:// www.grants.gov. The announcement will also be available at the NOAA Web site https://www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Eamd/ SOLINDEX.HTML or by contacting the program officials identified above. The closing date will be the same as for the paper submissions noted in this announcement. NOAA strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. If Internet access is unavailable, hard copies of proposals will also be accepted—a signed original and two copies at time of submission. This includes color or high-resolution graphics, unusually sized materials, or otherwise unusual materials submitted as part of the proposal. For color graphics, submit either color originals or color copies. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission of full proposals will not be accepted. Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that funding up to $1.25 million will be available in FY 2005, with a maximum of $10 million over a five (5) year period, subject to appropriations. Applications in excess of $1.25 million in the first year will not be considered. It is anticipated that the funding instrument will be a cooperative agreement since NOAA will be substantially involved in developing research priorities, conducting cooperative activities with recipients, exchanging staff and providing internship opportunities for students at MSIs. Only one award will be made to establish a Scientific Environmental Cooperative Science Center. Authorities: 15 U.S.C. 1540, 49 U.S.C. 44720, 33 U.S.C. 883d, 33 U.S.C. 1442, 16 U.S.C. 1854(e), 16 U.S.C. 661, 16 U.S.C. 753(a), 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 1431, 33 U.S.C. 883a and Executive Orders 12876, 12900, 13021, 13336, and 13339. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.481—Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions. Eligibility: For the purposes of this program, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, as identified on the 2004 United States Department of Education, Accredited Postsecondary Minority Institution list at https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ E:\FR\FM\31MYN1.SGM 31MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 31, 2005 / Notices ocr/minorityinst2004.pdf, are eligible to apply. Cost Sharing Requirements: None. Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 12372, ‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.’’ Evaluation and Selection Procedures Once an application is received by NOAA, an initial administrative review is conducted to determine compliance with requirements and completeness of the application. All applications that meet the requirements and are complete will be evaluated and scored individually in accordance with the assigned weights of the evaluation criteria by an independent peer review panel. Both Federal and non-Federal experts in the field may be used in the process. Each peer panel reviewer will score proposals on a scale of five to one, where scores represent respectively: Excellent (5), Very Good (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor (1). The peer review panel will be comprised of 5 to 7 individuals, with each individual having expertise in a separate area, so that the panel, as a whole, covers a range of scientific expertise. The individual peer panelist scores shall be averaged for each application and presented to the Program Officer. No consensus advice will be given by the independent peer the review panel. The Program Officer will neither vote nor score proposals as part of the independent peer panel nor participate in discussion of the merits of the proposal. Those proposals receiving an average panel score of ‘‘Good’’, ‘‘Fair’’, or ‘‘Poor’’ will not be given further consideration, and applicants will be notified of non-selection. For the proposals receiving an average score of either ‘‘Excellent’’ or ‘‘Very Good, the Program Officer will (a) rank the proposals by average panel ratings, and/or by applying the project selection factors listed below; (b) determine the total duration of funding for the selected proposal; and (c) determine the amount of funds available for the selected proposal subject to the availability of fiscal year funds. A recommendation for funding is then forwarded to the selecting official, the Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA) of OAR, for the final funding decision. In making the final selection, the DAA will award in rank order unless the selected proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based on the selection factors listed below. Investigators may be asked to modify objectives, work plans or budgets, and provide supplemental information VerDate jul<14>2003 16:14 May 27, 2005 Jkt 205001 required by the agency prior to the award. When a decision has been made (whether an award or declination), verbatim anonymous copies of reviews and summaries of review panel deliberations, if any, will be made available to the applicant upon applicant request. Declined applications will be held in the NOAA EPP for the required 3 years in accordance with the current retention requirements, and then destroyed. Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the following evaluation criteria at the indicated weights: (1) Importance and/or relevance and applicability of proposed project to the program goals: This ascertains whether there is intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA, Federal, regional, State, or local activities. (25 percent). (2) Technical/scientific merit: This assesses whether the approach is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate, and whether there are clear project goals and objectives. (25 percent). (3) Overall qualifications of applicants: This ascertains whether the applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, training, facilities, and administrative resources to accomplish the project. (10 percent). (4) Project costs: The Budget is evaluated to determine if it is realistic and commensurate with the project needs and time-frame. (10 percent). (5) Outreach and education: NOAA assesses whether this project provides a focused and effective education and outreach strategy regarding NOAA’s mission to protect the Nation’s natural resources. (30 percent). Selection Factors: The merit review ratings shall provide a rank order to the Selecting Official for final funding recommendation. A program officer may first make a recommendation to the Selecting Official applying the selection factors below. The Selecting Official shall award in the rank order unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based upon one or more of the following factors: 1. Availability of funding. 2. Balance/distribution of funds: a. Geographically b. By type of institutions c. By type of partners d. By research areas e. By project types 3. Whether this project duplicates other projects funded or considered for funding by NOAA or other Federal agencies. 4. Program priorities and policy factors set forth in sections I.A. and B. PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 30929 and IV.B. of the Full Funding Opportunity. 5. Applicant’s prior award performance. 6. Partnerships and/or Participation of targeted groups 7. Adequacy of information necessary for NOAA to make a NEPA determination and draft necessary documentation before recommendations for funding are made to the Grants Officer. 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: https:// www.nepa.noaa.gov/, including our NOAA Administrative Order 216–6 for NEPA, https://www.nepa.noaa.gov/ NAO216-6-TOC.pdf, and the Council on Environmental Quality implementation regulations, https://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 nonindigenous 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. E:\FR\FM\31MYN1.SGM 31MYN1 30930 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 31, 2005 / Notices Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements The Department of Commerce PreAward 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. Limitation of Liability In no event will NOAA or the Department of Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs if these programs fail to receive funding or are cancelled because of other agency priorities. Publication of this announcement does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds. Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all Federal laws and agency policies, regulations and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards. Paperwork Reduction Act This notification involves collectionof-information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, and SF–LLL and CD–346 has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control numbers 0348–0043, 0348–0044, 0348–0040 and 0348–0046 and 0605–0001. 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 It has been determined that this notice is 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 comments 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 VerDate jul<14>2003 16:14 May 27, 2005 Jkt 205001 requested, and none has been prepared. It has been determined that this notice does not contain policies with federalism implications as that term is defined in Executive Order 13132. Dated: May 24, 2005. Louisa Koch, Deputy Assistant Administrator for NOAA Research. [FR Doc. 05–10705 Filed 5–27–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS Announcement of Request for Bilateral Textile Consultations with the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Establishment of Import Limits for Certain Cotton and Man-Made Fiber Textiles and Textile Products in Categories 301, 340/640, 638/639, and 647/648, Produced or Manufactured in the People’s Republic of China May 26, 2005. Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (Committee). ACTION: Notice AGENCY: EFFECTIVE DATE: May 27, 2005. Ross Arnold, International Trade Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 4824212. For information on the quota status of these limits, refer to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection website (https://www.cbp.gov), or call (202) 344-2650. For information on embargoes and quota re-openings, refer to the Office of Textiles and Apparel website at https://otexa.ita.doc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Authority: Section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1854); Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as amended. On May 27, 2005, as provided for under paragraph 242 of the Report of the Working Party on the Accession of China to the World Trade Organization (Accession Agreement), the United States requested consultations with the Government of the People’s Republic of China with respect to imports of Chinese-origin combed cotton yarn (Category 301); men’s and boys’ cotton and man-made fiber shirts, not knit (Category 340/640); man-made fiber knit shirts and blouses (Category 638/639); and man-made fiber trousers (647/648). Paragraph 242 of the Accession Agreements provides that, upon receipt PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 of the request, the People’s Republic of China will hold its shipments to a level no greater than 7.5 percent above the amount entered during the first 12 months of the most recent 14 months preceding the month in which the request for consultations was made. Because this restraint period will be for less than 12 months, the quantitative limit will be prorated to conform to the number of days remaining in the year, beginning on May 27, 2005 (i.e., by a ratio of 219/365). Consistent with paragraph 242, consultations with the People’s Republic of China will be held within 30 days of receipt of the request for consultations, and every effort will be made to reach agreement on a mutually satisfactory solution within 90 days of receipt of the request for consultations. If no mutually satisfactory solution were reached during this 90-day consultation period, the United States could continue these limits. To ensure that the limitations provided for under Paragraph 242 are carried out, the Committee is establishing prorated limits on Chinese origin textile and apparel products in Categories 301, 340/640, 638/639, and 647/648, beginning on May 27, 2005, and extending through December 31, 2005. If agreement on a different limit is reached as a result of the consultations with China, the Committee will issue a Federal Register Notice containing a directive to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to implement the negotiated limit. The Committee solicited public comments with regard to whether imports of Chinese origin textiles and textile products in Categories 301, 340/ 640, 638/639, and 647/648 were, due to the threat of market disruption, threatening to impede the orderly development of trade in these products (69 FR 68133-Category 301; 69 FR 64913-Category 340/640; 69 FR 64911Category 638/639; 69 FR 64915-Category 647/648). The public comment period for each solicitation ended in December 2004. Although the Committee decided to consider these requests and solicited public comments, on December 30, 2004, the Court of International Trade preliminarily enjoined the CITA agencies from considering or taking any further action on these requests and any other requests ‘‘that are based on the threat of market disruption’’. U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel v. United States, Slip Op.04162. On April 27, 2005, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted the U.S. government’s motion for a stay E:\FR\FM\31MYN1.SGM 31MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 31, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30927-30930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10705]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 030602141-5135-17]


Financial Assistance to Establish a New Cooperative Science 
Center Under NOAA's Educational Partnership Program (EPP) With Minority 
Serving Institutions for Scientific Environmental Technology

AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of criteria for establishing a new Cooperative Science 
Center in Scientific Environmental Technology at a Minority Serving 
Institution; and, notice of availability of funds and solicitation for 
proposals for these funds.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The purpose of this document is to advise the public that 
NOAA's Educational Partnership Program is soliciting proposals to 
establish a new Cooperative Science Center at an accredited 
postsecondary minority serving institution (MSI). This Center will be 
established as a partnership between the institution and NOAA, with the 
goal of expanding the institution's training and research capabilities 
and supporting the development of programs compatible with NOAA's 
mission. The Cooperative Science Center will be established in support 
of NOAA core science areas and will enhance NOAA's ability to conduct 
its mission with enhanced scientific environmental technologies.

DATES: Applications must be received by NOAA Educational Partnership 
Program (EPP) no later than 2 p.m. (eastern time), local time 60 days 
after the publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Applications submitted in response to this announcement are 
strongly encouraged to be submitted through the Grants.gov Web site. 
Electronic access to the full funding announcement for this program is 
available via the Grants.gov Web site: https://www.grants.gov. The 
announcement will also be available at the NOAA Web site https://
www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Eamd/SOLINDEX.HTML or by contacting the program 
official identified below. Paper applications (a signed original and 
two copies) should be submitted to the Educational Partnership Program 
at the following address: NOAA/OAR/EPP, 1315 East West Highway, Room 
10600, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. No facsimile applications will be 
accepted. Institutions may submit Letters of Intent to NOAA/EPP that 
would aid in planning the review processes.
    Letters of Intent may be submitted via e-mail to 
Jacqueline.J.Rousseau@noaa.gov. Information should include a general 
description of the Center proposal and participating institutions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Rousseau, Program Director 
at (301) 713-9437 ext. 124 or Jacqueline.J.Rousseau@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Summary Description: NOAA is commitment to the recruitment and 
retention of employees from underrepresented communities, trained in 
NOAA-related sciences, to conduct the ongoing mission of the agency. 
Toward that end, the agency established a program aimed at partnering 
with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) that train and graduate 
students in the areas of atmospheric, oceanic and environmental 
sciences, and remote sensing. Since approximately 40% of minority 
students receive their undergraduate degrees at MSIs, direct 
collaboration with MSIs is, therefore, an effective way to increase the 
number of minority students trained and graduating with degrees in 
NOAA-related fields who may become engaged in research and pursue 
careers compatible with the agency's mission. Statistics from the 
National Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Engineering Indicators 
2004 Report illustrate that the number of minority students receiving 
doctoral and master's degrees in science and engineering for selected 
years from 1994-2003, continues to be lower than the national average. 
The NSF report states, for example, that in 2004 (the most recent data 
available) 26,413 doctoral degrees were granted in science and 
engineering (which includes earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences) to 
U.S. citizens. Of these graduates, 1708 were African American, 1270 
were Hispanic, 133 were American Indian/Alaska Native and 1417 were 
Asian/Pacific Islander. The 2004 NSF

[[Page 30928]]

report states that a total of 474 PhD degrees were granted in earth, 
atmospheric, and ocean sciences. Of those earth, atmospheric, and ocean 
sciences graduates, 15 were granted to African Americans, 13 to 
Hispanics, 2 to American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and 10 to Asian/
Pacific Islanders. Statistics for master's degrees granted to these 
four groups are also disproportionately low. With such a limited pool 
of potential minority employees trained in NOAA-related sciences, it is 
important that NOAA seek new ways to make students aware of the mission 
of the agency and to support activities that increase opportunities for 
students trained in NOAA-related sciences.
    The Center will support activities that strengthen the research 
capability at the selected MSI with accredited programs and degrees in 
physical sciences, including applied physics, applied mathematics, 
computer science applications, engineering atmospheric, oceanic, and 
environmental and related sciences. An essential goal of this program 
is to seek ways to improve opportunities for, and retention of, 
students and faculty from underrepresented groups in NOAA-related 
sciences, at MSIs, with the eventual goal of increasing the number of 
students graduating with degrees that will enhance the technologies 
supportive of, and compatible with, atmospheric, oceanic, and 
environmental sciences, remote sensing and related technologies. The 
overall Educational Partnership Program (EPP) program strategies 
include: enhanced collaborative research, hands-on opportunities and 
research experiences for students and faculty with NOAA research 
facilities; strengthening the infrastructure at minority serving 
institutions that serve underrepresented groups; and, supporting staff 
exchanges between NOAA and MSIs.
    A Distinguished Scientist position must be created at the Center to 
develop significant research projects for the Center with other EPP 
Centers as well as with other MSIs and relevant agencies. Staff and 
faculty exchanges will be an integral part of this program and 
opportunities will be made available to participate in collaborative 
research or other agreed upon activities. NOAA expects the Center to 
develop mechanisms and approaches to increase opportunities to make 
courses and seminars offered at the Center available to students at 
other MSIs. The Center will also be required to use a minimum of thirty 
percent (30%) of the award for student support, which includes, but is 
not limited to, scholarships, fellowships, travel expenses to 
professional meetings, and for conducting site research.
    While the Center will be established at an MSI, consortia with non-
minority serving institutions partners will not be restricted. Private 
sector partnerships are also encouraged.
    Proposals for the Scientific Environmental Technology (SET) 
Cooperative Science Center should address the ability to support 
education and research in physical and social sciences at a MSI. The 
physical sciences include but are not limited to, meteorological and 
oceanographic sensor and satellite telecommunications technologies, 
remote sensing, and observational and information technology systems, 
applied mathematics, applied physics and computer applications and 
engineering. For the purposes of this program Scientific Environmental 
Technology includes an emphasis on the following: Meteorological 
sensors (wind, visibility, humidity, etc.), oceanographic sensors 
(wave, water quality, microwave altimeters, beacons, navigational, 
etc.), airborne and ship based observing systems, chemical 
observations, observational and information technology systems 
(satellite telecommunications, telecommunications, data collection 
packages, modems, drivers, protocols, etc.). Scientific Environmental 
Technology also includes the analysis of global observing systems, 
including simulations to determine the role of each observing 
subsystem, determination of optimal mixes of observing systems, and of 
the costs associated with various observing systems.
    Graduates must be able to carry out a variety of tasks including: 
Understanding meteorological and oceanographic needs; identifying 
potential sensor, observational, and information technologies; 
developing sensor; observational, and information technology systems; 
testing and evaluating meteorological and/or oceanographic systems.
    NOAA anticipates that as the EPP program succeeds and more minority 
students graduate in NOAA-related sciences, the agency will have a 
larger pool of candidates from which to hire. An increase in the number 
of students trained and graduating in science and engineering will be 
beneficial to the nation as a whole, because NOAA relies on its 
partnerships with State, local and tribal governments as well as with 
community interest groups to accomplish its mission.

Electronic Access

    Applicants can access, download and submit electronic grant 
applications, including the full funding announcement, for NOAA 
programs at the Grants.gov Web site: https://www.grants.gov. The 
announcement will also be available at the NOAA Web site https://
www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Eamd/SOLINDEX.HTML or by contacting the program 
officials identified above.
    The closing date will be the same as for the paper submissions 
noted in this announcement. NOAA strongly recommends that you do not 
wait until the application deadline date to begin the application 
process through Grants.gov.
    If Internet access is unavailable, hard copies of proposals will 
also be accepted--a signed original and two copies at time of 
submission. This includes color or high-resolution graphics, unusually 
sized materials, or otherwise unusual materials submitted as part of 
the proposal. For color graphics, submit either color originals or 
color copies. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission of 
full proposals will not be accepted.
    Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that funding up 
to $1.25 million will be available in FY 2005, with a maximum of $10 
million over a five (5) year period, subject to appropriations. 
Applications in excess of $1.25 million in the first year will not be 
considered. It is anticipated that the funding instrument will be a 
cooperative agreement since NOAA will be substantially involved in 
developing research priorities, conducting cooperative activities with 
recipients, exchanging staff and providing internship opportunities for 
students at MSIs. Only one award will be made to establish a Scientific 
Environmental Cooperative Science Center.

    Authorities: 15 U.S.C. 1540, 49 U.S.C. 44720, 33 U.S.C. 883d, 33 
U.S.C. 1442, 16 U.S.C. 1854(e), 16 U.S.C. 661, 16 U.S.C. 753(a), 16 
U.S.C. 1451 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 1431, 33 U.S.C. 883a and Executive 
Orders 12876, 12900, 13021, 13336, and 13339.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.481--Educational 
Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions.

    Eligibility: For the purposes of this program, Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal 
Colleges and Universities, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian 
Serving Institutions, as identified on the 2004 United States 
Department of Education, Accredited Postsecondary Minority Institution 
list at https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/

[[Page 30929]]

ocr/minorityinst2004.pdf, are eligible to apply.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

Evaluation and Selection Procedures

    Once an application is received by NOAA, an initial administrative 
review is conducted to determine compliance with requirements and 
completeness of the application. All applications that meet the 
requirements and are complete will be evaluated and scored individually 
in accordance with the assigned weights of the evaluation criteria by 
an independent peer review panel. Both Federal and non-Federal experts 
in the field may be used in the process. Each peer panel reviewer will 
score proposals on a scale of five to one, where scores represent 
respectively: Excellent (5), Very Good (4), Good (3), Fair (2), Poor 
(1). The peer review panel will be comprised of 5 to 7 individuals, 
with each individual having expertise in a separate area, so that the 
panel, as a whole, covers a range of scientific expertise.
    The individual peer panelist scores shall be averaged for each 
application and presented to the Program Officer. No consensus advice 
will be given by the independent peer the review panel.
    The Program Officer will neither vote nor score proposals as part 
of the independent peer panel nor participate in discussion of the 
merits of the proposal. Those proposals receiving an average panel 
score of ``Good'', ``Fair'', or ``Poor'' will not be given further 
consideration, and applicants will be notified of non-selection.
    For the proposals receiving an average score of either 
``Excellent'' or ``Very Good, the Program Officer will (a) rank the 
proposals by average panel ratings, and/or by applying the project 
selection factors listed below; (b) determine the total duration of 
funding for the selected proposal; and (c) determine the amount of 
funds available for the selected proposal subject to the availability 
of fiscal year funds. A recommendation for funding is then forwarded to 
the selecting official, the Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA) of 
OAR, for the final funding decision. In making the final selection, the 
DAA will award in rank order unless the selected proposal is justified 
to be selected out of rank order based on the selection factors listed 
below.
    Investigators may be asked to modify objectives, work plans or 
budgets, and provide supplemental information required by the agency 
prior to the award. When a decision has been made (whether an award or 
declination), verbatim anonymous copies of reviews and summaries of 
review panel deliberations, if any, will be made available to the 
applicant upon applicant request. Declined applications will be held in 
the NOAA EPP for the required 3 years in accordance with the current 
retention requirements, and then destroyed.
    Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of 
the following evaluation criteria at the indicated weights:
    (1) Importance and/or relevance and applicability of proposed 
project to the program goals: This ascertains whether there is 
intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA, Federal, 
regional, State, or local activities. (25 percent).
    (2) Technical/scientific merit: This assesses whether the approach 
is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate, 
and whether there are clear project goals and objectives. (25 percent).
    (3) Overall qualifications of applicants: This ascertains whether 
the applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, training, 
facilities, and administrative resources to accomplish the project. (10 
percent).
    (4) Project costs: The Budget is evaluated to determine if it is 
realistic and commensurate with the project needs and time-frame. (10 
percent).
    (5) Outreach and education: NOAA assesses whether this project 
provides a focused and effective education and outreach strategy 
regarding NOAA's mission to protect the Nation's natural resources. (30 
percent).
    Selection Factors: The merit review ratings shall provide a rank 
order to the Selecting Official for final funding recommendation. A 
program officer may first make a recommendation to the Selecting 
Official applying the selection factors below. The Selecting Official 
shall award in the rank order unless the proposal is justified to be 
selected out of rank order based upon one or more of the following 
factors:
    1. Availability of funding.
    2. Balance/distribution of funds:

a. Geographically
b. By type of institutions
c. By type of partners
d. By research areas
e. By project types

    3. Whether this project duplicates other projects funded or 
considered for funding by NOAA or other Federal agencies.
    4. Program priorities and policy factors set forth in sections I.A. 
and B. and IV.B. of the Full Funding Opportunity.
    5. Applicant's prior award performance.
    6. Partnerships and/or Participation of targeted groups
    7. Adequacy of information necessary for NOAA to make a NEPA 
determination and draft necessary documentation before recommendations 
for funding are made to the Grants Officer.

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: https://www.nepa.noaa.gov/, including our 
NOAA Administrative Order 216-6 for NEPA, https://www.nepa.noaa.gov/
NAO216-6-TOC.pdf, and the Council on Environmental Quality 
implementation regulations, https://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.

[[Page 30930]]

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.

Limitation of Liability

    In no event will NOAA or the Department of Commerce be responsible 
for proposal preparation costs if these programs fail to receive 
funding or are cancelled because of other agency priorities. 
Publication of this announcement does not oblige NOAA to award any 
specific project or to obligate any available funds. Recipients and 
sub-recipients are subject to all Federal laws and agency policies, 
regulations and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance 
awards.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This notification involves collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 
424A, 424B, and SF-LLL and CD-346 has been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 
0348-0040 and 0348-0046 and 0605-0001. 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

    It has been determined that this notice is 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 comments 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 requested, and none has been prepared. It has been determined that 
this notice does not contain policies with federalism implications as 
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.

    Dated: May 24, 2005.
Louisa Koch,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for NOAA Research.
[FR Doc. 05-10705 Filed 5-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KD-P
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