Cooperative Institute for Satellite Climate Studies, 58560-58563 [E8-23826]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 7, 2008 / Notices
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in the Federal Register notice of
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Dated: October 2, 2008.
Edith J. McCloud,
Associate Director for Management, Minority
Business Development Agency.
[FR Doc. E8–23739 Filed 10–6–08; 8:45 am]
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BILLING CODE 3510–21–P
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[Docket No. 0809261277–81278–01 I.D.
GF001]
Cooperative Institute for Satellite
Climate Studies
National Environmental
Satellite Data and Information Service
Program Office (NESDISPO), National
Environmental Satellite Data and
Information Service (NESDIS), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NOAA National
Environmental Satellite Data and
Information Services (NESDIS) invites
applications for a Cooperative Institute
(CI) that will focus on (1) Climate and
satellite research and applications, (2)
climate and satellite observations and
monitoring, and (3) climate research and
modeling. Through this competition,
NOAA intends to establish
competitively a new CI according to the
policy and procedures described in
NOAA Administrative Order 216?107
and the Cooperative Institute Interim
Handbook both available at https://
www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci. The proposed CI
should be composed of two or more
member institutions (e.g., multiple
universities). At least one research
institution should be in Maryland,
Washington DC or the adjacent states
(Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
and Virginia). At least two research
institutions should be in North Carolina
or the adjacent states (Virginia,
Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia),
with a presence in Asheville, North
Carolina. NOAA has identified three
research themes that will address
specific needs within the NOAA
Mission Support Satellite Service
program and the NOAA Climate Goal
that would benefit from collaborations
with the CI. The CI should possess
outstanding capabilities to work in the
three research themes summarized
below, as well as possess the capability
to conduct outreach and education
activities in support of these research
themes. I. Climate and Satellite
Research and Applications: Research
conducted under this theme is
associated with the development of new
and innovative uses of non-NOAA
satellite assets that can ultimately be
transitioned into NOAA operations to
support climate information needs. This
theme also includes performing research
and development aimed at improving
the utilization of long time series of
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satellite measurements that will offer
NOAA scientists a homogeneous record
of satellite radiances. II. Climate and
Satellite Observations and Monitoring:
Research conducted under this theme
involves (1) Designing indices and
applications that incorporate satellite
observations to detect, monitor and
investigate climatic changes and their
impacts on coastal and open ocean
ecosystems, (2) identifying and meeting
the satellite climate needs of a wide
variety of users, including research,
business and industry, and government
and private sector users, and (3)
contributing significantly to climate
reanalysis projects when satellite data is
a key input. III. Climate Research and
Modeling: Research conducted under
this theme is focused on improving
climate forecasts on mesoscale, regional
and global scales when satellite data is
a key input, and developing regional
ecosystem models that can incorporate
satellite observations to predict the
impact of climate change on these
ecosystems, particularly those located in
the Mid-Atlantic region. The CI is also
expected to play a significant role in
National Centers for Environmental
Prediction (NCEP) Climate Test Bed
projects when satellite data is a key
input. This announcement provides
requirements for the proposed CI and
includes details for the technical
program, evaluation criteria, and
competitive selection procedures.
Applicants should review the NOAA CI
Policy and CI Interim Handbook (both
available at https://www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci)
prior to preparing a proposal for this
announcement.
DATES: Proposals must be received by
NESDIS no later than January 5, 2009 5
p.m., E.T. Proposals submitted after that
date will not be considered.
ADDRESSES: The standard application
package is available at https://
www.grants.gov. For applicants without
Internet access, an application package
may be received by contacting Ingrid
Guch, NOAA/NESDIS, 5200 Auth Road,
Room 701, Camp Springs, Maryland
20746. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to apply online through the
Grants.gov website. Paper submissons
are only acceptable only if internet
access is not available. Grants.gov
requires applicants to register with the
system prior to submitting an
application. This registration process
can take several weeks, involving
multiple steps. In order to allow
sufficient time for this process, you
should register as soon as you decide
that you intend to apply, even if you are
not yet ready to submit your proposal.
If an applicant has problems
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 7, 2008 / Notices
downloading the application package
from Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov
Customer Support at (800)518–4726 or
support@grants.gov. For non-Windows
computer systems, please see https://
www.grants.gov/MacSupport for
information on how to download and
submit an application through
Grants.gov. If a hard copy application is
submitted, please include an original of
two unbound copies of the proposal.
Paper submissions should be submitted
to Mrs. Guch at the above-listed address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
a copy of the Federal Funding
Opportunity announcement and/or
application package, please access
grants.gov; the NOAA Cooperative
Institute Web site (https://
www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci) or contact Ingrid
Guch, NOAA/NESDIS; 5200 Auth Road,
Room 701; Camp Springs, Maryland
20746, or by phone at (301) 763–8282
ext. 152, or fax to (301) 763–8108, or via
internet at ingrid.guch@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: One of
NOAA’s strategic goals is to
‘‘understand and describe climate
variability and change to enhance
society’s ability to plan and respond.’’
The Satellite Climate Studies CI will
provide strong and sustained academic
partners towards realizing this goal. It is
essential for NOAA federal scientists to
substantially collaborate with
outstanding researchers in academia in
order to produce climate information
and services that are based on satellite
data and knowledge from many
disciplines (physics, chemistry, biology,
geography, earth science, oceanography,
meteorology and sociology, etc.). The
sustained nature of a Satellite Climate
Studies CI (5–10 years) will provide
significant opportunity to enhance
NOAA’s operational decision support
tools to provide climate services for
national socioeconomic benefits, a key
goal area of research specified by
NOAA’s 5-year Research Plan and 20year Research Vision. Additionally, the
Satellite Climate Studies CI will also
serve another important function in
support of NOAA’s ongoing research:
Educating, training and sustaining a
world class workforce. These goals will
be accomplished through NOAAacademia projects in which the research
institution brings a strong heritage in
satellite remote sensing and climate
applications. CI Concept/Program
Background: A CI is a NOAA-supported,
non-Federal organization that has
established an outstanding research
program in one or more areas that are
relevant to the NOAA mission to
understand and predict changes in the
Earth’s environment and conserve and
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manage coastal and marine resources to
meet our Nation’s economic, social, and
environmental needs. The CI is
established at research institutions that
also have a strong education program
with established graduate degree
programs in NOAA-related sciences.
The CI provides significant coordination
of resources among all non-government
partners and promotes the involvement
of students and post-doctoral scientists
in NOAA-funded research. The CI
provides mutual benefits with value
provided by all parties. NOAA
establishes a new CI competitively
when it identifies a need to sponsor a
long-term (5–10 years) collaborative
partnership with one or more
outstanding non-Federal, non-profit
research institutions. For NOAA, the
purpose of this long-term collaborative
partnership is to promote research,
education, training, and outreach
aligned with the NOAA mission; to
obtain research capabilities that do not
exist internally and/or to expand
research capacity in NOAA-related
sciences to:
—Conduct collaborative, long-term
research that involves NOAA
scientists and those at the research
institution(s) from one or more
scientific disciplines of interest to
NOAA;
—Utilize the scientific, education, and
outreach expertise at the research
institution(s) that, depending on
NOAA’s research needs, may or may
not be located near a NOAA facility;
—Support student participation in
NOAA-related research studies; and
—Strengthen or expand NOAA-related
research capabilities and capacity at
the research institution(s) that
complements and contributes to the
NOAA ability to reach its mission
goals. A CI will consist of one or more
research institutions that demonstrate
outstanding performance within one
or more established research programs
in NOAA-related sciences. These
institutions may include Minority
Serving Institutions and universities
with strong departments that can
contribute to the proposed activities
of the CI. CIs, conduct research under
approved scientific research themes
(see Section I.B of the Full Funding
Opportunity announcement) and
Tasks (additional tasks can be
proposed by the CI):
i. Task I activities are related to the
management of the CI, as well as general
education and outreach activities. This
task also includes support of
postdoctoral and visiting scientists
conducting activities within the
research themes of the CI that are
approved by the CI Director, in
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58561
consultation with NOAA, and are
relevant to NOAA and the CI mission
goals.
ii. Task II activities usually involve
on-going direct collaboration with
NOAA scientists. This collaboration
typically is fostered by the collocation
of Federal and CI employees.
iii. Task III activities require minimal
collaboration with NOAA scientists and
may include research funded by other
NOAA competitive grant programs.
Electronic Access: The full text of the
full funding opportunity announcement
for this program can be accessed via the
Grants.gov Web site at https://
www.grants.gov. The announcement
will also be available by contacting the
program officials identified under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Applicants must comply with all
requirements contained in the full
funding opportunity announcement.
Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 313, 49
U.S.C. 44720(b), 15 U.S.C. 2901, 15
U.S.C. 1540, 33 U.S.C. 883d, 118 Stat.
71 CFDA: 11.440, Environmental
Sciences, Applications, Data, and
Education
Funding Availability: NOAA expects
that approximately $13M will be
available for the CI In the first year of
the award. The Task I budget should not
exceed $400,000. The final amount of
funding available for Task I will be
determined during the negotiation
phase of the award based on availability
of funding. Funding for subsequent
years is expected to be constant
throughout the period and will depend
on the quality of the research, the
satisfactory progress in achieving the
stated goals described in the proposal,
continued relevance to program
objectives, and the availability of
funding.
Eligibility: Eligibility is limited to
non-Federal public and private nonprofit universities, colleges and research
institutions that offer accredited
graduate level degree-granting programs
in NOAA-related sciences, as described
in the CI Interim Handbook located at
https://www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci/.
Cost Sharing Requirements: To stress
the collaborative nature and investment
of a CI by both NOAA and the research
institution, cost sharing is required.
There is no minimum cost sharing
requirement; however, the amount of
cost sharing will be considered when
determining the level of the CI
commitment under the NOAA standard
evaluation criteria for overall
qualifications of applicants. Acceptable
cost-sharing proposals include, but are
not limited to, offering a reduced
indirect cost rate against activities in
one or more Tasks, waiver of indirect
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 7, 2008 / Notices
costs assessed against base funds and/or
Task I activities, waiver or reduction of
any costs associated with the use of
facilities at the CI, and full or partial
salary funding for the CI director,
administrative staff, graduate students,
visiting scientists, or postdoctoral
scientists.
Evaluation and Selection Procedures:
The general evaluation criteria and
selection factors that apply to full
applications to this funding opportunity
are summarized below. The evaluation
criteria for full applications will have
different weights and details. Further
information about the evaluation criteria
and selection factors can be found in the
full funding opportunity announcement.
Evaluation Criteria for Projects:
Proposals will be evaluated using the
standard NOAA evaluation criteria.
Various questions under each criterion
are provided to ensure that the
applicant includes information that
NOAA will consider important during
the evaluation, in addition to any other
information provided by the applicant.
i. Importance and/or relevance and
applicability of proposed project to the
program goals (25 percent): This
criterion ascertains whether there is
intrinsic value in the proposed work
and/or relevance to NOAA, Federal,
regional, state, or local activities.—Does
the proposal include research goals and
projects that address the critical issues
identified in the NOAA 5-year Research
Plan, the NOAA Strategic Plan, and the
priorities described in the program
priorities section (see section I.B. of the
Full Funding Opportunity
announcement).—Is there a
demonstrated commitment (in terms of
resources and facilities) to enhance
existing NOAA and CI resources to
foster a long-term collaborative research
environment/culture?—Will most of the
staff at the CI be located near one of two
NOAA facilities, the National Center for
Weather and Climate Prediction in
Riverdale Park, Maryland, or the
National Climactic Data Center in
Asheville North Carolina, to enhance
collaborations with NOAA? Examples
include (1) Academic institution of
higher learning in Asheville North
Carolina metropolitan area and/or
Washington DC metropolitan area; and/
or (2) Office space located in Asheville
North Carolina metropolitan area and/or
Washington DC metropolitan area
hosting at least 20 consortium
personnel; and/or (3) Willingness to
allow at least 20 students or professors
to work at the NOAA site in Asheville
North Carolina metropolitan area and/or
Washington DC metropolitan area. ii.
Technical/scientific merit (30 percent):
This criterion assesses whether the
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approach is technically sound and/or
innovative, if the methods are
appropriate, and whether there are clear
project goals and objectives.—Does the
project description include a summary
of clearly stated goals to be achieved
during the five year period that reflect
the NOAA strategic plan and goals?
—Does the CI involve partnerships with
other universities or research
institutions, including Minority Serving
Institutions and universities with strong
departments that can contribute to the
proposed activities of the CI? iii. Overall
qualifications of applicants (30 percent):
This criterion ascertains whether the
applicant possesses the necessary
education, experience, training,
facilities, and administrative resources
to accomplish the project.—If the
institution(s) and/or PIs have received
current or recent NOAA funding, is
there a demonstrated record of
outstanding performance working with
NOAA and/or NOAA scientists on
research projects?—Is there nationally
and/or internationally recognized
expertise within the appropriate
disciplines needed to conduct the
collaborative/interdisciplinary research
described in the proposal?—Is there a
well-developed business plan that
includes fiscal and human resource
management, as well as strategic
planning and accountability?—Are there
any unique capabilities in a missioncritical area of research for NOAA?—
Has the applicant shown a substantial
investment to the NOAA partnership, as
demonstrated by the amount of the cost
sharing contribution? iv. Project costs (5
percent): The budget is evaluated to
determine if it is realistic and
commensurate with the project needs
and time-frame. v.Outreach and
education (10 percent): 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.
—Is there a strong education program
with established graduate degree
programs in NOAA-related sciences that
also encourages student participation in
NOAA-related research studies?
Review and Selection Process: An
initial administrative review/screening
is conducted to determine compliance
with requirements/completeness. All
proposals will be evaluated and
individually ranked in accordance with
the assigned weights of the above-listed
evaluation criteria by an independent
peer review panel. At least three
experts, who may be Federal or nonFederal, will be used in this process. If
non-Federal experts participate in the
review process, each expert will submit
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an individual review and there will be
no consensus opinion. The merit
reviewers ratings are used to produce a
rank order of the proposals. The
Selecting Official selects proposals after
considering the peer reviews and
selection factors listed below. In making
the final selections, the Selecting
Official will award in rank order unless
the proposal is justified to be selected
out of rank order based upon one or
more of the selection factors.
Selection Factors for Projects: The
merit review ratings shall provide a rank
order to the Selecting Official for final
funding recommendations. The
Selecting Official shall award in the
rank order unless the proposal is
justified to be selected out of rank order
based on one or more of the following
factors: 1. Availability of funding 2.
Balance and distribution of funds a. By
research area b. By project type c. By
type of institutions d. By type of
partners e. Geographically 3.
Duplication of other projects funded or
considered for funding by NOAA/
federal agencies. 4. Program priorities
and policy factors. 5. Applicant prior
award performance. 6. Partnerships
with/Participation of targeted groups. 7.
Adequacy of information necessary for
NOAA staff to make a National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
determination and draft necessary
documentation before recommendations
for funding are made to the NOAA
Grants Officer.
Intergovernmental Review:
Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.’’
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.
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://
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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.
The Department of Commerce PreAward 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 February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7696), are
applicable to this solicitation.
Paperwork Reduction Act: This
document contains collection-ofinformation requirements subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 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 the respective
control numbers 0348–0043, 0348–0044,
0348–0040, 0348–0046, and 0605–0001.
Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, no person is required to, nor
shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with, a collection of
information subject to the requirements
of the PRA unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid
OMB control number.
Executive Order 12866: This notice
has been determined to be not
significant for purposes of Executive
Order 12866.
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Executive Order 13132 (Federalism):
It has been determined that this notice
does not contain policies with
Federalism implications as that term is
defined in Executive Order 13132.
Administrative Procedure Act/
Regulatory Flexibility Act: Prior notice
and an opportunity for public comment
are not required by the Administrative
Procedure Act or any other law for rules
concerning public property, loans,
grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C.
553(a)(2)). Because notice and
opportunity for comment are not
required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any
other law, the analytical requirements
for the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are inapplicable.
Therefore, a regulatory flexibility
analysis has not been prepared.
Mary E. Kicza,
Assistant Adminstrator for Satellite and
Information Services.
[FR Doc. E8–23826 Filed 10–6–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
[Docket No. 0809181228–81232–01; I.D.
GF001]
Cooperative Institute To Investigate
the Use of Satellite Applications for
Regional and Global-Scale Forecast
Systems
OAR Cooperative Institutes
Program Office (CIPO), Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research (OAR), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NOAA Office of Oceans and
Atmospheric Research (OAR) invites
applications for a Cooperative Institute
(CI) that will collaborate with NOAA
scientists to improve weather forecast
and warning accuracy; contribute to
improvements in water resource
forecasting capabilities; provide
integrated weather information to meet
future aviation and surface
transportation needs; advance satellite
sensor technology; develop highperformance computing, visualization,
and scientific workstation technologies;
and enhance environmental literacy to
improve understanding. The CI would
also conduct research needed to develop
multiscale (global to local) data
assimilation techniques with a strong
satellite data emphasis, and provide the
scientific expertise and the necessary
computing infrastructure to help NOAA
move forward on these issues. Through
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this competition, NOAA intends to
establish competitively a new CI
according to the policy and procedures
described in NOAA Administrative
Order 216–107 and the Cooperative
Institute Interim Handbook both
available at https://www.nrc.noaa.gov/
ci/. The proposed CI should be within
daily commuting distance of NOAA
facilities in Boulder and Fort Collins,
Colorado. NOAA has identified five
research themes that will address
identified needs within the NOAA
Weather and Water Goal that would
benefit from collaborations with the CI.
I. Satellite algorithm development,
training and education. Research
conducted under this theme is
associated with development of
satellite-based algorithms for weather
forecasting, with emphasis on regional
and mesoscale meteorological
phenomenon. This work includes
applications of basic satellite products
such as feature track winds,
thermodynamic retrievals, sea surface
temperature, etc., in combination with
model analyses and forecasts, as well as
in situ and other remote sensing
observations. Applications can be for
current or future satellites. Also under
this theme, satellite and related training
material will be developed and
delivered to a wide variety of users,
with emphasis on operational
forecasters. A variety of techniques can
be used, including distance learning
methods, Web-based demonstration
projects and instructor-led training.
II. Regional to Global Scale Modeling
Systems. Research conducted under this
theme is associated with the
improvement of weather/climate models
(minutes to months) that simulate and
predict changes in the Earth system.
Topics include atmospheric and ocean
dynamics, radiative forcing, clouds and
moist convection, land surface
modeling, hydrology, and coupled
modeling of the earth system.
III. Data Assimilation. Research
conducted under this theme will
develop and improve techniques to
assimilate environmental observations,
including satellite, terrestrial, oceanic,
and biological observations, to produce
the best estimate of the environmental
state at the time of the observations for
use in analysis, modeling, and
prediction activities associated with
weather/climate predications (minutes
to months) and analysis.
IV. Climate-Weather Processes.
Research conducted under this theme
will focus on using numerical models
and environmental data, including
satellite observations, to understand
processes that are important to creating
environmental changes on weather and
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[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58560-58563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23826]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 0809261277-81278-01 I.D. GF001]
Cooperative Institute for Satellite Climate Studies
AGENCY: National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service
Program Office (NESDISPO), National Environmental Satellite Data and
Information Service (NESDIS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability.
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SUMMARY: NOAA National Environmental Satellite Data and Information
Services (NESDIS) invites applications for a Cooperative Institute (CI)
that will focus on (1) Climate and satellite research and applications,
(2) climate and satellite observations and monitoring, and (3) climate
research and modeling. Through this competition, NOAA intends to
establish competitively a new CI according to the policy and procedures
described in NOAA Administrative Order 216?107 and the Cooperative
Institute Interim Handbook both available at https://www.nrc.noaa.gov/
ci. The proposed CI should be composed of two or more member
institutions (e.g., multiple universities). At least one research
institution should be in Maryland, Washington DC or the adjacent states
(Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia). At least two
research institutions should be in North Carolina or the adjacent
states (Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia), with a
presence in Asheville, North Carolina. NOAA has identified three
research themes that will address specific needs within the NOAA
Mission Support Satellite Service program and the NOAA Climate Goal
that would benefit from collaborations with the CI. The CI should
possess outstanding capabilities to work in the three research themes
summarized below, as well as possess the capability to conduct outreach
and education activities in support of these research themes. I.
Climate and Satellite Research and Applications: Research conducted
under this theme is associated with the development of new and
innovative uses of non-NOAA satellite assets that can ultimately be
transitioned into NOAA operations to support climate information needs.
This theme also includes performing research and development aimed at
improving the utilization of long time series of satellite measurements
that will offer NOAA scientists a homogeneous record of satellite
radiances. II. Climate and Satellite Observations and Monitoring:
Research conducted under this theme involves (1) Designing indices and
applications that incorporate satellite observations to detect, monitor
and investigate climatic changes and their impacts on coastal and open
ocean ecosystems, (2) identifying and meeting the satellite climate
needs of a wide variety of users, including research, business and
industry, and government and private sector users, and (3) contributing
significantly to climate reanalysis projects when satellite data is a
key input. III. Climate Research and Modeling: Research conducted under
this theme is focused on improving climate forecasts on mesoscale,
regional and global scales when satellite data is a key input, and
developing regional ecosystem models that can incorporate satellite
observations to predict the impact of climate change on these
ecosystems, particularly those located in the Mid-Atlantic region. The
CI is also expected to play a significant role in National Centers for
Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Test Bed projects when
satellite data is a key input. This announcement provides requirements
for the proposed CI and includes details for the technical program,
evaluation criteria, and competitive selection procedures. Applicants
should review the NOAA CI Policy and CI Interim Handbook (both
available at https://www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci) prior to preparing a proposal
for this announcement.
DATES: Proposals must be received by NESDIS no later than January 5,
2009 5 p.m., E.T. Proposals submitted after that date will not be
considered.
ADDRESSES: The standard application package is available at https://
www.grants.gov. For applicants without Internet access, an application
package may be received by contacting Ingrid Guch, NOAA/NESDIS, 5200
Auth Road, Room 701, Camp Springs, Maryland 20746. Applicants are
strongly encouraged to apply online through the Grants.gov website.
Paper submissons are only acceptable only if internet access is not
available. Grants.gov requires applicants to register with the system
prior to submitting an application. This registration process can take
several weeks, involving multiple steps. In order to allow sufficient
time for this process, you should register as soon as you decide that
you intend to apply, even if you are not yet ready to submit your
proposal. If an applicant has problems
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downloading the application package from Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov
Customer Support at (800)518-4726 or support@grants.gov. For non-
Windows computer systems, please see https://www.grants.gov/MacSupport
for information on how to download and submit an application through
Grants.gov. If a hard copy application is submitted, please include an
original of two unbound copies of the proposal. Paper submissions
should be submitted to Mrs. Guch at the above-listed address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the Federal Funding
Opportunity announcement and/or application package, please access
grants.gov; the NOAA Cooperative Institute Web site (https://
www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci) or contact Ingrid Guch, NOAA/NESDIS; 5200 Auth
Road, Room 701; Camp Springs, Maryland 20746, or by phone at (301) 763-
8282 ext. 152, or fax to (301) 763-8108, or via internet at
ingrid.guch@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: One of NOAA's strategic goals is to
``understand and describe climate variability and change to enhance
society's ability to plan and respond.'' The Satellite Climate Studies
CI will provide strong and sustained academic partners towards
realizing this goal. It is essential for NOAA federal scientists to
substantially collaborate with outstanding researchers in academia in
order to produce climate information and services that are based on
satellite data and knowledge from many disciplines (physics, chemistry,
biology, geography, earth science, oceanography, meteorology and
sociology, etc.). The sustained nature of a Satellite Climate Studies
CI (5-10 years) will provide significant opportunity to enhance NOAA's
operational decision support tools to provide climate services for
national socioeconomic benefits, a key goal area of research specified
by NOAA's 5-year Research Plan and 20-year Research Vision.
Additionally, the Satellite Climate Studies CI will also serve another
important function in support of NOAA's ongoing research: Educating,
training and sustaining a world class workforce. These goals will be
accomplished through NOAA-academia projects in which the research
institution brings a strong heritage in satellite remote sensing and
climate applications. CI Concept/Program Background: A CI is a NOAA-
supported, non-Federal organization that has established an outstanding
research program in one or more areas that are relevant to the NOAA
mission to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment
and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our
Nation's economic, social, and environmental needs. The CI is
established at research institutions that also have a strong education
program with established graduate degree programs in NOAA-related
sciences. The CI provides significant coordination of resources among
all non-government partners and promotes the involvement of students
and post-doctoral scientists in NOAA-funded research. The CI provides
mutual benefits with value provided by all parties. NOAA establishes a
new CI competitively when it identifies a need to sponsor a long-term
(5-10 years) collaborative partnership with one or more outstanding
non-Federal, non-profit research institutions. For NOAA, the purpose of
this long-term collaborative partnership is to promote research,
education, training, and outreach aligned with the NOAA mission; to
obtain research capabilities that do not exist internally and/or to
expand research capacity in NOAA-related sciences to:
--Conduct collaborative, long-term research that involves NOAA
scientists and those at the research institution(s) from one or more
scientific disciplines of interest to NOAA;
--Utilize the scientific, education, and outreach expertise at the
research institution(s) that, depending on NOAA's research needs, may
or may not be located near a NOAA facility;
--Support student participation in NOAA-related research studies; and
--Strengthen or expand NOAA-related research capabilities and capacity
at the research institution(s) that complements and contributes to the
NOAA ability to reach its mission goals. A CI will consist of one or
more research institutions that demonstrate outstanding performance
within one or more established research programs in NOAA-related
sciences. These institutions may include Minority Serving Institutions
and universities with strong departments that can contribute to the
proposed activities of the CI. CIs, conduct research under approved
scientific research themes (see Section I.B of the Full Funding
Opportunity announcement) and Tasks (additional tasks can be proposed
by the CI):
i. Task I activities are related to the management of the CI, as
well as general education and outreach activities. This task also
includes support of postdoctoral and visiting scientists conducting
activities within the research themes of the CI that are approved by
the CI Director, in consultation with NOAA, and are relevant to NOAA
and the CI mission goals.
ii. Task II activities usually involve on-going direct
collaboration with NOAA scientists. This collaboration typically is
fostered by the collocation of Federal and CI employees.
iii. Task III activities require minimal collaboration with NOAA
scientists and may include research funded by other NOAA competitive
grant programs.
Electronic Access: The full text of the full funding opportunity
announcement for this program can be accessed via the Grants.gov Web
site at https://www.grants.gov. The announcement will also be available
by contacting the program officials identified under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT. Applicants must comply with all requirements
contained in the full funding opportunity announcement.
Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 313, 49 U.S.C. 44720(b), 15 U.S.C.
2901, 15 U.S.C. 1540, 33 U.S.C. 883d, 118 Stat. 71 CFDA: 11.440,
Environmental Sciences, Applications, Data, and Education
Funding Availability: NOAA expects that approximately $13M will be
available for the CI In the first year of the award. The Task I budget
should not exceed $400,000. The final amount of funding available for
Task I will be determined during the negotiation phase of the award
based on availability of funding. Funding for subsequent years is
expected to be constant throughout the period and will depend on the
quality of the research, the satisfactory progress in achieving the
stated goals described in the proposal, continued relevance to program
objectives, and the availability of funding.
Eligibility: Eligibility is limited to non-Federal public and
private non-profit universities, colleges and research institutions
that offer accredited graduate level degree-granting programs in NOAA-
related sciences, as described in the CI Interim Handbook located at
https://www.nrc.noaa.gov/ci/.
Cost Sharing Requirements: To stress the collaborative nature and
investment of a CI by both NOAA and the research institution, cost
sharing is required. There is no minimum cost sharing requirement;
however, the amount of cost sharing will be considered when determining
the level of the CI commitment under the NOAA standard evaluation
criteria for overall qualifications of applicants. Acceptable cost-
sharing proposals include, but are not limited to, offering a reduced
indirect cost rate against activities in one or more Tasks, waiver of
indirect
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costs assessed against base funds and/or Task I activities, waiver or
reduction of any costs associated with the use of facilities at the CI,
and full or partial salary funding for the CI director, administrative
staff, graduate students, visiting scientists, or postdoctoral
scientists.
Evaluation and Selection Procedures: The general evaluation
criteria and selection factors that apply to full applications to this
funding opportunity are summarized below. The evaluation criteria for
full applications will have different weights and details. Further
information about the evaluation criteria and selection factors can be
found in the full funding opportunity announcement.
Evaluation Criteria for Projects: Proposals will be evaluated using
the standard NOAA evaluation criteria. Various questions under each
criterion are provided to ensure that the applicant includes
information that NOAA will consider important during the evaluation, in
addition to any other information provided by the applicant. i.
Importance and/or relevance and applicability of proposed project to
the program goals (25 percent): This criterion ascertains whether there
is intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA,
Federal, regional, state, or local activities.--Does the proposal
include research goals and projects that address the critical issues
identified in the NOAA 5-year Research Plan, the NOAA Strategic Plan,
and the priorities described in the program priorities section (see
section I.B. of the Full Funding Opportunity announcement).--Is there a
demonstrated commitment (in terms of resources and facilities) to
enhance existing NOAA and CI resources to foster a long-term
collaborative research environment/culture?--Will most of the staff at
the CI be located near one of two NOAA facilities, the National Center
for Weather and Climate Prediction in Riverdale Park, Maryland, or the
National Climactic Data Center in Asheville North Carolina, to enhance
collaborations with NOAA? Examples include (1) Academic institution of
higher learning in Asheville North Carolina metropolitan area and/or
Washington DC metropolitan area; and/or (2) Office space located in
Asheville North Carolina metropolitan area and/or Washington DC
metropolitan area hosting at least 20 consortium personnel; and/or (3)
Willingness to allow at least 20 students or professors to work at the
NOAA site in Asheville North Carolina metropolitan area and/or
Washington DC metropolitan area. ii. Technical/scientific merit (30
percent): This criterion assesses whether the approach is technically
sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate, and whether
there are clear project goals and objectives.--Does the project
description include a summary of clearly stated goals to be achieved
during the five year period that reflect the NOAA strategic plan and
goals? --Does the CI involve partnerships with other universities or
research institutions, including Minority Serving Institutions and
universities with strong departments that can contribute to the
proposed activities of the CI? iii. Overall qualifications of
applicants (30 percent): This criterion ascertains whether the
applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, training,
facilities, and administrative resources to accomplish the project.--If
the institution(s) and/or PIs have received current or recent NOAA
funding, is there a demonstrated record of outstanding performance
working with NOAA and/or NOAA scientists on research projects?--Is
there nationally and/or internationally recognized expertise within the
appropriate disciplines needed to conduct the collaborative/
interdisciplinary research described in the proposal?--Is there a well-
developed business plan that includes fiscal and human resource
management, as well as strategic planning and accountability?--Are
there any unique capabilities in a mission-critical area of research
for NOAA?--Has the applicant shown a substantial investment to the NOAA
partnership, as demonstrated by the amount of the cost sharing
contribution? iv. Project costs (5 percent): The budget is evaluated to
determine if it is realistic and commensurate with the project needs
and time-frame. v.Outreach and education (10 percent): 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. --Is there a strong education program with
established graduate degree programs in NOAA-related sciences that also
encourages student participation in NOAA-related research studies?
Review and Selection Process: An initial administrative review/
screening is conducted to determine compliance with requirements/
completeness. All proposals will be evaluated and individually ranked
in accordance with the assigned weights of the above-listed evaluation
criteria by an independent peer review panel. At least three experts,
who may be Federal or non-Federal, will be used in this process. If
non-Federal experts participate in the review process, each expert will
submit an individual review and there will be no consensus opinion. The
merit reviewers ratings are used to produce a rank order of the
proposals. The Selecting Official selects proposals after considering
the peer reviews and selection factors listed below. In making the
final selections, the Selecting Official will award in rank order
unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based
upon one or more of the selection factors.
Selection Factors for Projects: The merit review ratings shall
provide a rank order to the Selecting Official for final funding
recommendations. The Selecting Official shall award in the rank order
unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based
on one or more of the following factors: 1. Availability of funding 2.
Balance and distribution of funds a. By research area b. By project
type c. By type of institutions d. By type of partners e.
Geographically 3. Duplication of other projects funded or considered
for funding by NOAA/federal agencies. 4. Program priorities and policy
factors. 5. Applicant prior award performance. 6. Partnerships with/
Participation of targeted groups. 7. Adequacy of information necessary
for NOAA staff to make a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
determination and draft necessary documentation before recommendations
for funding are made to the NOAA Grants Officer.
Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
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.
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://
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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.
The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The Department of Commerce Pre-Award
Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
contained in the Federal Register notice of February 11, 2008 (73 FR
7696), are applicable to this solicitation.
Paperwork Reduction Act: This document contains collection-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
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 the
respective control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046,
and 0605-0001.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required
to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply
with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the
PRA unless that collection of information displays a currently valid
OMB control number.
Executive Order 12866: This notice has been determined to be not
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): It has been determined that
this notice does not contain policies with Federalism implications as
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.
Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Prior
notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required by the
Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules concerning
public property, loans, grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C.
553(a)(2)). Because notice and opportunity for comment are not required
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical requirements
for the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are
inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not been
prepared.
Mary E. Kicza,
Assistant Adminstrator for Satellite and Information Services.
[FR Doc. E8-23826 Filed 10-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
