Notice of Availability of a Request for Information: Expressions of Interest in Conducting Collaborative Research and Development on Innovative Approaches for Exploiting Environmental Data, 39428-39429 [2018-17054]

Download as PDF 39428 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2018 / Notices Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal agency insure that any action it authorizes, funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat. To ensure ESA compliance for the issuance of IHAs, NMFS consults internally whenever we propose to authorize take for endangered or threatened species. In order to comply with the ESA, NMFS Alaska Regional Office (AKR) Protected Resources Division issued a Biological Opinion on March 21, 2017 under section 7 of the ESA, on the issuance of an IHA to ADOT&PF under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA. This consultation concluded that the project was likely to adversely affect but unlikely to jeopardize the continued existence of the threatened Mexico DPS of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) or the endangered western DPS of Steller sea lion (Eumatopias jubatus), or adversely modify designated critical habitat for Steller sea lions. In a memo dated June 13, 2018, NMFS AKR concluded that reinitiation of section 7 consultation is not necessary for the issuance of the proposed 2018–2019 IHA. The only modification to the project is a time shift of one year. No additional take has been requested by ADOT&PF or is proposed for authorization by NMFS. All mitigation measures described in the Biological Opinion would be implemented to reduce harassment of marine mammals and document take of marine mammals. For these reasons, we anticipate no new or changed effects of the action beyond what was considered in the 2017 Biological Opinion. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Proposed Authorization and Request for Public Comments As a result of these determinations, NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to ADOT&PF for the Gustavus Ferry Terminal Improvements project in Gustavus, AK from December 15, 2018 through December 14, 2019, provided the previously described mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements from the 2017–2018 IHA are incorporated. We request comment on our analyses and the proposed issuance of the IHA which would be identical to the previous IHA (https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/ incidental-take-authorization-alaskadot-gustavus-ferry-terminalimprovement-project). We also request VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:11 Aug 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 comment on the potential for renewal of this proposed IHA as described in the paragraph below. Please include with your comments any supporting data or literature citations to help inform our final decision on the request for MMPA authorization. On a case-by-case basis, NMFS may issue a second one-year IHA without additional notice when (1) another year of identical or nearly identical activities as described in the Specified Activities section is planned or (2) the activities would not be completed by the time the IHA expires and a second IHA would allow for completion of the activities beyond that described in the Dates and Duration section, provided all of the following conditions are met: • A request for renewal is received no later than 60 days prior to expiration of the current IHA; • The request for renewal must include the following: (1) An explanation that the activities to be conducted beyond the initial dates either are identical to the previously analyzed activities or include changes so minor (e.g., reduction in pile size) that the changes do not affect the previous analyses, take estimates, or mitigation and monitoring requirements; and (2) A preliminary monitoring report showing the results of the required monitoring to date and an explanation showing that the monitoring results do not indicate impacts of a scale or nature not previously analyzed or authorized; and • Upon review of the request for renewal, the status of the affected species or stocks, and any other pertinent information, NMFS determines that there are no more than minor changes in the activities, the mitigation and monitoring measures remain the same and appropriate, and the original findings remain valid. Dated: August 3, 2018. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–16993 Filed 8–8–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XG376 Notice of Availability of a Request for Information: Expressions of Interest in Conducting Collaborative Research and Development on Innovative Approaches for Exploiting Environmental Data National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for information. AGENCY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking expression of interest from private firms interested in entering into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NOAA to conduct collaborative research and development (R&D) on new and innovative approaches that could lead to new and better ways of processing, exploiting and disseminating spacebased Earth and space weather observations from NOAA developed and deployed satellites, with a wide range of applications, societal and economic benefits. DATES: Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on September 24, 2018. Any questions pertaining to this Request for Information must be submitted no later than August 24, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document by the following method: Email: Derek.parks@noaa.gov. Please include the subject heading of ‘‘Response to Collaborative R&D RFI’’. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel, or Adobe PDF formats only. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA. Comments containing references, studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should include copies or electronic links of the referenced materials. Comments that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate language will not be considered. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derek Parks, Technology Transfer Program Manager, Technology Partnerships Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM 09AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 154 / Thursday, August 9, 2018 / Notices sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Room 2617, 1305 East West Hwy, Bldg. SSMC4, Silver Spring, MD 20910–3278. (Phone: 301–628–1010, email: derek.parks@noaa.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking expression of interest from private firms interested in entering into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NOAA to conduct collaborative research and development (R&D) on new and innovative approaches that could lead to new and better ways of processing, exploiting and disseminating space-based Earth and space weather observations from NOAA developed and deployed satellites, with a wide range of applications, societal and economic benefits. The initial period of performance for this CRADA is expected to be from fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2021 (three years), with extensions possible if all parties agree. This notice does not constitute an Invitation for Bid or Request for Proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. No contracts will be awarded as a result of this notice. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice or for any follow-up requests for information. NOAA may contact respondents for clarification and discussion of the submitted responses. Synopsis NOAA wishes to conduct collaborative R&D with one or more private firms or non-government groups on new techniques to be used, new products to be generated, enhancement of the use of satellite data in existing or new applications, and exploring potential new services that will enhance the value and enable wider use of data obtained from NOAA’s space-based assets. General areas of R&D interest include, but are not limited to, exploring creating new products and eliciting new information for geophysical applications benefiting citizens, communities, local, state and federal governments and the private sector, and the use of new numerical approaches such as machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to maximize the information gathered from satellite observations. Some potential R&D topics on specific uses of data could include: (1) Atmospheric composition for air quality, and visibility applications, (2) atmospheric data for measuring instability and therefore severe weather and turbulence VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:11 Aug 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 39429 applications, (3) ocean and coastal data for ecosystems, severe weather, inundation, and water quality management, (4) land data for multiple applications such as wildfires, agriculture, droughts, flooding, urban planning, etc., (5) information delivery systems for extreme environmental conditions, (6) satellite-based data of volcanic ash for aviation safety and societal applications, (7) day-night band for new applications such as detection of fires, population migration, etc., (8) satellite data for renewable energy availability, (9) space-based data for measuring economic vulnerability (to space weather, to drought, etc.), (10) compositing multiple geophysical data sets to generate user-ready decisionmaking products for different economic sectors (insurance, health, transportation, tourism, education, energy, agriculture, etc.), and (11) cloud information for better characterizing the state of the atmosphere in all sky situations for use as initial conditions in numerical model forecasts. (F) Responses should be no more than 10 pages. All information submitted in response to this notice is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. No hard copy submittals will be accepted or considered. All responses to this Request for Information shall be submitted only via email to derek.parks@noaa.gov (see ADDRESSES). Documentation of Interest Responders may document their interest in entering into a CRADA with a comment to Derek Parks, Technology Transfer Program Manager. See contact information above in ADDRESSES. Responders must include, in writing, detailed information regarding their technical qualifications, the company name, address, point of contact, telephone number, and business size. Information submitted should be pertinent and specific in the technical areas described above under consideration. Any other specific and pertinent information as pertains to this particular undertaking that would enhance the information submitted will be considered by the agency. Additional information requested: (A) Institution’s name, address, point of contact, phone number and email address. (B) If a business, include the firm’s DUNS number and Cage Code as provided under the SAM system. (C) If a business, then state the firm’s SBA certified small business concern status or other socioeconomic status. Specifically identify if your firm is HUBZone-certified, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Women Owned, or in the SBA’s 8(a) program. If your institution is not a small business, please state that it is a large business, FFRDC, university, UARC, or other. (D) Institution’s previous work experience that is similar to that described above. (E) Any other pertinent documentation or information. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: August 2, 2018. Sid Boukabara, Senior Scientist for Strategic Initiatives, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NOAA Satellite and Information Service. [FR Doc. 2018–17054 Filed 8–8–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–HR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Notice of Availability of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Data Buoy Center National Weather Service (NWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: The PEA and Finding of No Significant Impact are available for public inspection for 30 days after posting. DATES: The Final PEA can be accessed at:https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/ pea/ndbc_final_pea_20180104.pdf. The Finding of No Significant Impact is available for public inspection for 30 days after posting. It can be found at:https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/pea/ndbc_ fonsi_signed_20180102.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Swaykos, National Data Buoy Center, Bldg. 3205, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529; phone (228) 688–4766; fax (228) 688–1364; email joe.swaykos@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), a part of the National Weather Service (NWS), designs, develops, operates, and maintains a network of moored buoys ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM 09AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39428-39429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17054]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG376


Notice of Availability of a Request for Information: Expressions 
of Interest in Conducting Collaborative Research and Development on 
Innovative Approaches for Exploiting Environmental Data

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for information.

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

SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is 
seeking expression of interest from private firms interested in 
entering into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) 
with NOAA to conduct collaborative research and development (R&D) on 
new and innovative approaches that could lead to new and better ways of 
processing, exploiting and disseminating space-based Earth and space 
weather observations from NOAA developed and deployed satellites, with 
a wide range of applications, societal and economic benefits.

DATES: Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on September 24, 2018. Any 
questions pertaining to this Request for Information must be submitted 
no later than August 24, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document by the following 
method:
    Email: [email protected]. Please include the subject heading of 
``Response to Collaborative R&D RFI''. Attachments to electronic 
comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel, or Adobe PDF 
formats only.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NOAA. Comments containing references, studies, 
research, and other empirical data that are not widely published should 
include copies or electronic links of the referenced materials. 
Comments that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other 
inappropriate language will not be considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derek Parks, Technology Transfer 
Program Manager, Technology Partnerships Office, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of

[[Page 39429]]

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Room 2617, 1305 East West Hwy, Bldg. 
SSMC4, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3278. (Phone: 301-628-1010, email: 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) is seeking expression of interest from private 
firms interested in entering into a Cooperative Research and 
Development Agreement (CRADA) with NOAA to conduct collaborative 
research and development (R&D) on new and innovative approaches that 
could lead to new and better ways of processing, exploiting and 
disseminating space-based Earth and space weather observations from 
NOAA developed and deployed satellites, with a wide range of 
applications, societal and economic benefits.
    The initial period of performance for this CRADA is expected to be 
from fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2021 (three years), with 
extensions possible if all parties agree.
    This notice does not constitute an Invitation for Bid or Request 
for Proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by the 
Government. No contracts will be awarded as a result of this notice. No 
reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing 
information in response to this notice or for any follow-up requests 
for information. NOAA may contact respondents for clarification and 
discussion of the submitted responses.

Synopsis

    NOAA wishes to conduct collaborative R&D with one or more private 
firms or non-government groups on new techniques to be used, new 
products to be generated, enhancement of the use of satellite data in 
existing or new applications, and exploring potential new services that 
will enhance the value and enable wider use of data obtained from 
NOAA's space-based assets. General areas of R&D interest include, but 
are not limited to, exploring creating new products and eliciting new 
information for geophysical applications benefiting citizens, 
communities, local, state and federal governments and the private 
sector, and the use of new numerical approaches such as machine 
learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to maximize the information 
gathered from satellite observations. Some potential R&D topics on 
specific uses of data could include: (1) Atmospheric composition for 
air quality, and visibility applications, (2) atmospheric data for 
measuring instability and therefore severe weather and turbulence 
applications, (3) ocean and coastal data for ecosystems, severe 
weather, inundation, and water quality management, (4) land data for 
multiple applications such as wildfires, agriculture, droughts, 
flooding, urban planning, etc., (5) information delivery systems for 
extreme environmental conditions, (6) satellite-based data of volcanic 
ash for aviation safety and societal applications, (7) day-night band 
for new applications such as detection of fires, population migration, 
etc., (8) satellite data for renewable energy availability, (9) space-
based data for measuring economic vulnerability (to space weather, to 
drought, etc.), (10) compositing multiple geophysical data sets to 
generate user-ready decision-making products for different economic 
sectors (insurance, health, transportation, tourism, education, energy, 
agriculture, etc.), and (11) cloud information for better 
characterizing the state of the atmosphere in all sky situations for 
use as initial conditions in numerical model forecasts.

Documentation of Interest

    Responders may document their interest in entering into a CRADA 
with a comment to Derek Parks, Technology Transfer Program Manager. See 
contact information above in ADDRESSES. Responders must include, in 
writing, detailed information regarding their technical qualifications, 
the company name, address, point of contact, telephone number, and 
business size. Information submitted should be pertinent and specific 
in the technical areas described above under consideration. Any other 
specific and pertinent information as pertains to this particular 
undertaking that would enhance the information submitted will be 
considered by the agency.
    Additional information requested:
     (A) Institution's name, address, point of contact, phone number 
and email address.
     (B) If a business, include the firm's DUNS number and Cage Code as 
provided under the SAM system.
     (C) If a business, then state the firm's SBA certified small 
business concern status or other socioeconomic status. Specifically 
identify if your firm is HUBZone-certified, Service Disabled Veteran 
Owned, Women Owned, or in the SBA's 8(a) program. If your institution 
is not a small business, please state that it is a large business, 
FFRDC, university, UARC, or other.
     (D) Institution's previous work experience that is similar to that 
described above.
     (E) Any other pertinent documentation or information.
     (F) Responses should be no more than 10 pages.
    All information submitted in response to this notice is voluntary; 
the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor 
will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing 
information provided to the United States Government. No hard copy 
submittals will be accepted or considered. All responses to this 
Request for Information shall be submitted only via email to 
[email protected] (see ADDRESSES).

    Dated: August 2, 2018.
Sid Boukabara,
Senior Scientist for Strategic Initiatives, Center for Satellite 
Applications and Research, NOAA Satellite and Information Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-17054 Filed 8-8-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HR-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.