Notice of Matching Fund Opportunity for Ocean and Coastal Mapping and Request for Partnership Proposals, 51508-51511 [2024-13387]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 118 / Tuesday, June 18, 2024 / Notices
unmitigable adverse impact on taking
for subsistence purposes as no relevant
subsistence uses of marine mammals are
implicated by this action, and (5)
appropriate monitoring and reporting
requirements are included.
Endangered Species Act
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 OPR consults internally
whenever we propose to authorize take
for endangered or threatened species.
NMFS is proposing to authorize the
incidental take of five species of marine
mammals which are listed under the
ESA, including the North Atlantic right,
fin, sei, blue, and sperm whale, and has
determined that this activity falls within
the scope of activities analyzed in
NMFS GARFO’s programmatic
consultation regarding geophysical
surveys along the U.S. Atlantic coast in
the three Atlantic Renewable Energy
Regions (completed June 29, 2021;
revised September 2021).
Proposed Renewal IHA and Request for
Public Comment
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As a result of these preliminary
determinations, NMFS proposes to issue
a renewal IHA to Vineyard Northeast for
conducting marine site characterization
surveys offshore of Massachusetts to
southern New Jersey from July 27, 2024
through July 26, 2025, provided the
previously mentioned mitigation,
monitoring, and reporting requirements
are incorporated. A draft of the
proposed IHA can be found at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/
incidental-take-authorizations-undermarine-mammal-protection-act. We
request comment on our analyses, the
proposed renewal IHA, and any other
aspect of this notice. Please include
with your comments any supporting
data or literature citations to help
inform our final decision on the request
for MMPA authorization.
Dated: June 12, 2024.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–13328 Filed 6–17–24; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Notice of Matching Fund Opportunity
for Ocean and Coastal Mapping and
Request for Partnership Proposals
National Ocean Service,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of matching fund
opportunity; request for proposals.
AGENCY:
This notice invites nonFederal entities to partner with the
ocean and coastal mapping programs of
NOAA’s National Ocean Service on
jointly-funded projects of mutual
interest, and establishes selection
criteria and submission requirements for
such projects under the NOAA Rear
Admiral Richard T. Brennan Ocean
Mapping Fund program. With this
funding opportunity, NOAA will match
selected non-Federal partners at a 70:30
NOAA:partner ratio for projects totaling
up to $1,000,000, and proposing to
contract for ocean, coastal and/or Great
Lakes mapping data. Selected nonFederal partners further benefit from
this opportunity by leveraging NOAA’s
contracting (NOAA has a pool of prequalified technical experts in surveying
and mapping) and data management
expertise. This ocean and coastal
mapping funding opportunity is subject
to the availability of funds.
DATES: Project proposals, including any
optional GIS files of the proposed
project areas, must be received via email
at the email address listed in the
ADDRESSES section below by 5 p.m.
Eastern Time (ET) on October 11, 2024.
If an entity is unable to apply for this
particular opportunity, but is interested
in participating in similar, future
opportunities, NOAA requests a onepage statement of interest, also by
October 11, 2024. Please include all
required components of the proposal in
one email. Incomplete and late
submissions will not be considered.
After reviewing the project proposals,
NOAA will issue its decision on the
proposals, which are subject to the
availability of funding, on November 18,
2024. Between December 2024 and
January 2025, NOAA will work with the
project partners it selects to develop
agreements to facilitate the transfer of
funds for the projects. By March 2025,
these agreements will be finalized.
Between June and September 2025, nonFederal partners will transfer their
matching funds to NOAA. Between
January and September of 2026, NOAA
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will issue task orders to its survey
contractors for the partner projects.
NOAA will host an informational
webinar and office hours to provide
more information about the matching
fund opportunity and answer any
questions:
• August 1, 2024: Informational
Webinar at 1 p.m. ET. To participate,
please register at https://register.goto
webinar.com/register/
8298435806847389269.
• September 13, 2024: Virtual office
hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
ET. These office hours will present an
opportunity for interested entities to
validate their proposals with experts
before submitting a project proposal. In
advance of September 13, 2024, register
for a 30-minute time slot by emailing
iwgocm.staff@noaa.gov.
NOAA also welcomes questions at
any point before the proposal
submission deadline at iwgocm.staff@
noaa.gov.
ADDRESSES: Project proposals must be
submitted via email to iwgocm.staff@
noaa.gov.
The following is a list of documents
that applicants may find useful and the
websites where they may be found:
• the National Ocean Mapping,
Exploring and Characterizing Strategy
(NOMEC), the Alaska Coastal Mapping
Strategy (ACMS) Implementation Plan,
and the Office of Coast Survey Strategic
Plan: https://iocm.noaa.gov/about/
strategic-plans.html;
• the Ocean Climate Action Plan
(OCAP): https://www.noaa.gov/sites/
default/files/2023-03/Ocean-ClimateAction-Plan_Final.pdf;
• the U.S. Bathymetry Gap Analysis:
https://iocm.noaa.gov/seabed-2030bathymetry.html;
• the U.S. Interagency Elevation
Inventory: https://catalog.data.gov/
dataset/united-states-interagencyelevation-inventory-usiei;
• the U.S. Mapping Coordination site:
fedmap.seasketch.org;
• OCS’s Hydrographic Surveys
Specifications and Deliverables
publication: https://nauticalcharts.
noaa.gov/publications/standards-andrequirements.html;
• NGS’s Shoreline Mapping
Specifications and Deliverables: https://
geodesy.noaa.gov/
ContractingOpportunities/cmp-sowv15.pdf;
• the International Hydrographic
Organization Standards for
Hydrographic Surveys, Special
Publication 44: https://iho.int/uploads/
user/pubs/standards/s-44/S-44_Edition_
6.1.0.pdf; and
• NOAA’s Equitable Climate Services
Action Plan: https://www.noaa.gov/
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sites/default/files/2024-04/NOAAECSAP-Final.pdf.
More information on NOAA’s
surveying and mapping contracting
vehicles is available at https://iocm.
noaa.gov/planning/contracts-grantsagreements.html, along with
background information, questions and
answers, and slides on this funding
opportunity.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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Requests for additional information or
to register for the September 13, 2024
office hours, contact Ashley Chappell,
NOAA Integrated Ocean and Coastal
Mapping, at iwgocm.staff@noaa.gov, or
(240) 429–0293.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey (OCS)
and National Geodetic Survey (NGS) are
responsible for conducting
hydrographic surveys and coastal
mapping for safe navigation, the
conservation and management of coastal
and ocean resources, and emergency
response. NOAA has considerable
hydrographic and shoreline mapping
contracting expertise, including a
cutting-edge understanding of the
science and related acoustic systems as
well as data standards to ensure broad
usability of that data.
NOAA is committed to meeting its
mapping missions as collaboratively as
possible, adhering to the Integrated
Ocean and Coastal Mapping (IOCM)
principle of ‘‘Map Once, Use Many
Times.’’ However, the resources needed
to fully achieve the goal of
comprehensively mapping U.S. waters
and coasts currently exceed NOAA’s
capacity. Mapping the full extent of
waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction
means relying on partners to contribute
to the effort.
The establishment of the Rear
Admiral Richard T. Brennan Ocean
Mapping Fund program is one way that
NOAA seeks to expand partnerships
and acquisition of U.S. ocean, coastal,
and Great Lakes mapping data. NOAA
Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan, one
of IOCM’s strongest advocates,
developed the Ocean Mapping Plan for
OCS in August 2020 in which IOCM
plays a large role. The Ocean Mapping
Plan responds to a number of national
drivers to map the full extent of U.S.
waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction to
modern standards, including the June
2020 publications of the National
Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and
Characterizing the U.S. Exclusive
Economic Zone (NOMEC), the Alaska
Coastal Mapping Strategy (ACMS), and
the 2023 Ocean Climate Action Plan
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(OCAP). The Ocean Mapping Plan also
describes a number of reasons NOAA is
committed to surveying and mapping
waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction,
including, but not limited to:
• Safe marine transportation;
• Coastal community resilience;
• A need to better understand the
influence of the ocean’s composition on
related physical and ecosystem
processes that affect climate, weather,
and coastal and marine resources and
infrastructure;
• Interest in capitalizing on the Blue
Economy in growth areas like seafood
production, tourism and recreation,
marine transportation, and ocean
exploration;
• The national prerogative to exercise
U.S. sovereign rights to explore,
manage, and conserve natural resources
in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction;
and
• International interest in mapping
the ocean by 2030.
Sadly, Rear Admiral Richard T.
Brennan passed away in May 2021.
IOCM continues to implement Rear
Admiral Richard T. Brennan’s vision
and passion for collaborative ocean
mapping through this matching fund
opportunity named in his honor.
II. Description
This notice invites non-Federal
entities to partner with the ocean and
coastal mapping programs of NOAA’s
National Ocean Service on jointlyfunded projects of mutual interest that
address the drivers noted in section I
above. These projects will establish
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes survey
and mapping partnerships using
NOAA’s geospatial contracting vehicles.
NOAA will use the selection criteria
and submission requirements described
below in sections V and VI,
respectively, to review project
proposals.
The goal of the Rear Admiral Richard
T. Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund
program is to leverage NOAA and nonFederal partner funds to acquire more
ocean and coastal mapping data from
qualified contract surveyors during
Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. Subject to the
availability of appropriations, NOAA
will provide up to 70 percent of the total
project cost, with the selected entity
providing at least 30 percent of the total
project cost. For example, for a $1
million project, the partner must
provide at least $300,000, and NOAA
would provide up to $700,000.
NOAA anticipates funding between
two and five projects, with a total cost
of up to $1 million per project. NOAA
may consider providing additional
funding for a project, thereby exceeding
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$1 million, subject to the availability of
funds and NOAA’s discretion. All
projects are expected to have a FY 2026
project start date, and NOAA must
receive all non-Federal partner
matching funds before October 1, 2025.
NOAA reserves the right to increase or
decrease its funding match based on the
quality and feasibility of proposals
received.
After NOAA selects a non-Federal
entity as a partner, NOAA will enter
into an agreement with the partner
pursuant to the Coast and Geodetic
Survey Act of 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883e),
which enables NOAA to receive funds
for the mapping project.
In addition to providing matching
funds, NOAA brings its expertise to
manage survey planning, quality-ensure
all data and products, provide the data
and products to the partners within an
agreed-upon timeframe, and handle data
submission to the National Centers for
Environmental Information for
archiving and public accessibility. All
ocean and coastal data and related
products from the Rear Admiral Richard
T. Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund
program will be available to the public
to the greatest extent allowed by
applicable laws.
The specific value-added services
NOAA will provide include:
• Assurance that the data are
collected by qualified survey contractors
to ensure broadest use and accessibility
of the data;
• Project management and GIS-based
task order planning, negotiation, and
award of necessary procurement
contracts that are tailored to meet the
interests of matching fund partners and
managed on aerial, shipboard, and
uncrewed vehicles;
• Managing survey compliance with
applicable laws, such as the National
Environmental Policy Act and National
Historic Preservation Act;
• Data processing, quality assessment,
and review of all acquired hydrographic
data; and
• Data management and stewardship
through data archive at the National
Centers for Environmental Information.
Data acquisition collection methods
include, but are not limited to,
multibeam echosounder, side scan
sonar, lidar (topographic, bathymetric,
mobile), subsurface and airborne feature
investigations, and sediment sampling.
Products acquired may include, but are
not limited to:
• Bathymetric data (multibeam, single
beam, lidar),
• Backscatter,
• Water column (depth dependent),
• Side scan sonar imagery,
• Feature detection reports,
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• Sensor/data corrections and
calibrations (e.g., conductivity,
temperature and depth casts, horizontal/
vertical position uncertainty),
• Survey and control services,
including the installation, operation,
and removal of water level and Global
Positioning System stations,
• High-resolution topographic/
bathymetric product generation, and
• A final project report.
More information on NOAA’s
surveying and mapping processes and
products can be found in the OCS
Hydrographic Surveys Specifications
and Deliverables and the NGS Shoreline
Mapping Specifications and
Deliverables publications.
III. Strategic Areas of Focus
For this opportunity, proposals will
be considered that align with national
priorities for climate and infrastructure
and the goals of the NOMEC, ACMS, the
OCS Ocean Mapping Plan, and OCAP.
Those goals include:
1. Map U.S. Waters: Mapping U.S.
deep waters (≤ 40m) by 2030 and
shallower waters by 2040 would give
the United States unprecedented and
detailed information about the depth,
shape, and composition of its seafloor
and Great Lakes (NOMEC Goal 2). Based
on the January 2023 analysis of data
holdings at NOAA’s National Centers
for Environmental Information, 50
percent of waters subject to U.S.
jurisdiction are unmapped (https://
iocm.noaa.gov/seabed-2030status.html). Acquiring the best
available data in poorly surveyed and
gap areas means working with partners
to contribute to the effort. By sharing its
mapping expertise with others, NOAA
can build depth in the ocean and coastal
mapping community to increase the
quantity and quality of seafloor data
acquired overall (Ocean Mapping Plan
Goal 2).
2. Expand Alaska Coastal Data
Collection to Deliver the Priority
Geospatial Products Stakeholders
Require: Mapping the Alaska coast is
challenging. However, using targeted
and coordinated data collections will
potentially reduce overall costs and
improve the cost-benefit ratio of
expanded mapping activities (ACMS
Goal 2).
3. Expand Coastal Mapping to Inform
Science-Based Decision-Making
Capabilities: This priority stems from a
broader OCAP action for coastal climate
resilience to ‘‘expand coastal mapping,
monitoring, observational systems,
research, and modeling to inform
science-based decision-making
capabilities and advance use of naturebased solutions.’’ Climate change is
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greatly influencing the need to map all
of our named oceans and coasts in
detail. The data is integral to decisionmaking on coastal resilience efforts to
save lives, implement proper
infrastructure planning, and protect
sensitive coastal ecosystems in light of
ocean-born natural disasters.
IV. Proposal Eligibility
This matching fund opportunity is
available to non-Federal entities.
Examples of non-Federal entities
include State and local governments,
tribal entities, universities, researchers
and academia, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and
philanthropic partners. Qualifying
proposals must demonstrate the ability
to provide at least 30 percent of the
funds needed for the proposed project.
A coalition of non-Federal entities may
assemble funds for the match and
submit a proposal jointly. Use of other
Federal agency funds as part of the nonFederal entities’ match funds will be
considered on a case-by-case basis and
only as authorized by applicable laws.
In-kind contributions are welcome to
strengthen the project proposal but do
not count toward the match and are not
required.
V. Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by the
Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan Ocean
Mapping Fund Program Management
Team. Submissions will be ranked
based on the following selection criteria:
1. Project justification (30 points)—
This criterion ascertains whether there
is intrinsic IOCM value in the proposed
work and/or relevance to NOAA’s
missions and priorities (several noted in
section III), including downstream
partner proposals and uses. Use of, and
reference to, national priorities on
coastal climate resilience and
infrastructure, NOMEC, ACMS, the
Coast Survey Ocean Mapping Plan, and
OCAP; gap assessment tools such as the
U.S. Bathymetry Gap Analysis; and the
U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory,
among others, are recommended. The
U.S. Mapping Coordination site shows
current NOAA mapping plans as well as
the latest in Federal mapping priorities
and select regional mapping priorities.
2. Statement of need (10 points)—This
criterion assesses clarity of project need,
partner project funding alternatives if
not selected, anticipated outcomes, and
public benefit.
3. Specified partner match (20
points)—The proposal identifies a point
of contact for the entity submitting the
proposal, as well as any partnering
entities, a clear statement on partner
matching funds provenance (e.g., State
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appropriations, NGO funds, or other
sources) and timing of funds
availability. In-kind contributions are
welcome to strengthen the proposal but
do not count toward the funding match
and are not required.
4. Project costs (15 points)—This
criterion evaluates whether the
proposed budget is realistic and
commensurate with the proposed
project needs and timeframe..
5. Project feasibility and flexibility (25
points)—This criterion assesses the
likelihood that the proposal would
succeed, using evaluations of survey
conditions, project size, location,
weather, NOAA analysis of
environmental compliance implications,
project flexibility and adaptability to
existing NOAA plans and schedules,
and other factors.
During the proposal review period,
the Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan
Ocean Mapping Fund Program
Management Team reserves the right to
engage with proposal points of contact
to ask questions and provide feedback
on project costs and feasibility.
VI. Submission Requirements
Project Proposal—To qualify, a
proposal shall not exceed six (6) total
pages and must include the following
three components:
1. A project title; executive summary
(3–5 sentences); and the names,
affiliations, and roles of the project
partners and any co-investigators, as
well as the project lead that will serve
as primary contact (1 page maximum).
2. A justification and statement of
need; description and graphics of the
proposed survey area, including
relevance to the strategic areas of focus
noted in section III and degree of
flexibility on timing of survey effort (4
pages maximum).
3. A project budget that lists the
source(s) and amount(s) of funding that
the partner would provide as its match
to NOAA. The budget must confirm that
partner funds can be transferred to
NOAA before October 1, 2025 (1 page
maximum).
Proposals must be sent in a PDF
format, and use 12-point, Times New
Roman font, single spacing, and 1-inch
margins. Failure to adhere to these
submission requirements will result in
the proposal being returned without
review and eliminated from further
consideration.
To facilitate review, NOAA welcomes
the submission of GIS files of project
areas. These ancillary GIS files must be
in SHP format.
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VII. Management and Oversight
Once the Rear Admiral Richard T.
Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund Program
Management Team selects project
proposals, NOAA will coordinate the
development of agreements, funding
transfers, project planning,
environmental compliance, acquisition
awards, and the quality assurance
process with the project partners.
NOAA may bring in additional partners
and/or funding (Federal and/or nonFederal) to expand a project further, if
feasible. Projects will be reviewed by
NOAA annually to ensure they are
responsive to partner interests and
NOAA mission requirements, and to
identify opportunities for outreach and
education on the societal benefits of the
work.
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 883e.
Benjamin K. Evans,
RDML Director, Office of Coast Survey,
National Ocean Service, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024–13387 Filed 6–17–24; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XE025]
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review
for Maui’s Dolphin and the South
Island Hector’s Dolphin
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation; request for
information.
AGENCY:
The National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the
initiation of a 5-year review for the
Maui’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus
hectori maui) and South Island Hector’s
dolphin (C. hectori hectori). NMFS is
required by the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to
ensure that the listing classifications of
species are accurate. The 5-year review
must be based on the best scientific and
commercial data available at the time of
the review. We request submission of
any such information on Maui’s dolphin
and the South Island Hector’s dolphin,
particularly information on the status,
threats, and recovery of the species that
has become available since their original
listings as endangered and threatened
species, respectively, in 2017.
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SUMMARY:
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To allow us adequate time to
conduct this review, we must receive
your information no later than August
19, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit
information on this document,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2024–0073,
by the following method:
• Electronic Submission: Submit
electronic information via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA–
NMFS–2024–0073 in the Search box.
Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete
the required fields, and enter or attach
your comments.
Instructions: Information sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the specified period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All information
received is a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive or protected
information submitted voluntarily by
the sender will be publicly accessible.
NMFS will accept anonymous
submissions (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the
required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristen Koyama (301) 427–8456 or
Kristen.Koyama@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice announces our review of Maui’s
dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori
maui) and the South Island Hector’s
dolphin (C. hectori hectori) listed as
endangered and threatened under the
ESA, respectively. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of
the ESA requires that we conduct a
review of listed species at least once
every 5 years. This will be the first
review of this species since it was listed
in 2017 under the ESA. The regulations
in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we
publish a notice in the Federal Register
announcing species currently under
active review. On the basis of such
reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we
determine whether any species should
be removed from the list (i.e., delisted)
or reclassified from endangered to
threatened or from threatened to
endangered (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(2)(B)). As
described by the regulations in 50 CFR
424.11(e), the Secretary shall delist a
species if the Secretary determines
based on consideration of the factors
and standards set forth in paragraph (c)
of that section, that the best scientific
and commercial data available
substantiate that: (1) the species is
extinct; (2) the species has recovered to
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the point at which it no longer meets the
definition of an endangered species or a
threatened species; (3) new information
that has become available since the
original listing decisions on how the
listed entity does not meet the
definition of an endangered species or a
threatened species; or (4) new
information that has become available
since the original listing decision shows
the listed entity does not meet the
definition of a species. Any change in
Federal classification would require a
separate rulemaking process.
Background information on both
subspecies is available on the NMFS
website at: https://www.fisheries.
noaa.gov/species/hectors-dolphin.
Public Solicitation of New Information
To ensure that the review is complete
and based on the best available
scientific and commercial information,
we are soliciting new information from
the public, governmental agencies,
Tribes, the scientific community,
industry, environmental entities, and
any other interested parties concerning
the status of Cephalorhynchus hectori
maui and Cephalorhynchus hectori
hectori. Categories of requested
information include: (1) species biology
including, but not limited to, population
trends, distribution, abundance,
demographics, and genetics; (2) habitat
conditions including, but not limited to,
amount, distribution, and important
features for conservation; (3) status and
trends of threats to the species and its
habitats; (4) conservation measures that
have been implemented that benefit the
species, including monitoring data
demonstrating effectiveness of such
measures; and (5) other new
information, data, or corrections
including, but not limited to, taxonomic
or nomenclatural changes and improved
analytical methods for evaluating
extinction risk.
If you wish to provide information for
the review, you may submit your
information and materials electronically
(see ADDRESSES section). We request that
all information be accompanied by
supporting documentation such as
maps, bibliographic references, or
reprints of pertinent publications.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: June 12, 2024.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–13368 Filed 6–17–24; 8:45 am]
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 18, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51508-51511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13387]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Notice of Matching Fund Opportunity for Ocean and Coastal Mapping
and Request for Partnership Proposals
AGENCY: National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of matching fund opportunity; request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: This notice invites non-Federal entities to partner with the
ocean and coastal mapping programs of NOAA's National Ocean Service on
jointly-funded projects of mutual interest, and establishes selection
criteria and submission requirements for such projects under the NOAA
Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund program. With this
funding opportunity, NOAA will match selected non-Federal partners at a
70:30 NOAA:partner ratio for projects totaling up to $1,000,000, and
proposing to contract for ocean, coastal and/or Great Lakes mapping
data. Selected non-Federal partners further benefit from this
opportunity by leveraging NOAA's contracting (NOAA has a pool of pre-
qualified technical experts in surveying and mapping) and data
management expertise. This ocean and coastal mapping funding
opportunity is subject to the availability of funds.
DATES: Project proposals, including any optional GIS files of the
proposed project areas, must be received via email at the email address
listed in the ADDRESSES section below by 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on
October 11, 2024. If an entity is unable to apply for this particular
opportunity, but is interested in participating in similar, future
opportunities, NOAA requests a one-page statement of interest, also by
October 11, 2024. Please include all required components of the
proposal in one email. Incomplete and late submissions will not be
considered.
After reviewing the project proposals, NOAA will issue its decision
on the proposals, which are subject to the availability of funding, on
November 18, 2024. Between December 2024 and January 2025, NOAA will
work with the project partners it selects to develop agreements to
facilitate the transfer of funds for the projects. By March 2025, these
agreements will be finalized. Between June and September 2025, non-
Federal partners will transfer their matching funds to NOAA. Between
January and September of 2026, NOAA will issue task orders to its
survey contractors for the partner projects.
NOAA will host an informational webinar and office hours to provide
more information about the matching fund opportunity and answer any
questions:
August 1, 2024: Informational Webinar at 1 p.m. ET. To
participate, please register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8298435806847389269.
September 13, 2024: Virtual office hours between 8:00 a.m.
and 5:00 p.m. ET. These office hours will present an opportunity for
interested entities to validate their proposals with experts before
submitting a project proposal. In advance of September 13, 2024,
register for a 30-minute time slot by emailing [email protected].
NOAA also welcomes questions at any point before the proposal
submission deadline at [email protected].
ADDRESSES: Project proposals must be submitted via email to
[email protected].
The following is a list of documents that applicants may find
useful and the websites where they may be found:
the National Ocean Mapping, Exploring and Characterizing
Strategy (NOMEC), the Alaska Coastal Mapping Strategy (ACMS)
Implementation Plan, and the Office of Coast Survey Strategic Plan:
https://iocm.noaa.gov/about/strategic-plans.html;
the Ocean Climate Action Plan (OCAP): https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/Ocean-Climate-Action-Plan_Final.pdf;
the U.S. Bathymetry Gap Analysis: https://iocm.noaa.gov/seabed-2030-bathymetry.html;
the U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory: https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/united-states-interagency-elevation-inventory-usiei;
the U.S. Mapping Coordination site: fedmap.seasketch.org;
OCS's Hydrographic Surveys Specifications and Deliverables
publication: https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/publications/standards-and-requirements.html;
NGS's Shoreline Mapping Specifications and Deliverables:
https://geodesy.noaa.gov/ContractingOpportunities/cmp-sow-v15.pdf;
the International Hydrographic Organization Standards for
Hydrographic Surveys, Special Publication 44: https://iho.int/uploads/user/pubs/standards/s-44/S-44_Edition_6.1.0.pdf; and
NOAA's Equitable Climate Services Action Plan: https://
www.noaa.gov/
[[Page 51509]]
sites/default/files/2024-04/NOAA-ECSAP-Final.pdf.
More information on NOAA's surveying and mapping contracting
vehicles is available at https://iocm.noaa.gov/planning/contracts-grants-agreements.html, along with background information, questions
and answers, and slides on this funding opportunity.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
to register for the September 13, 2024 office hours, contact Ashley
Chappell, NOAA Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping, at
[email protected], or (240) 429-0293.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
NOAA's Office of Coast Survey (OCS) and National Geodetic Survey
(NGS) are responsible for conducting hydrographic surveys and coastal
mapping for safe navigation, the conservation and management of coastal
and ocean resources, and emergency response. NOAA has considerable
hydrographic and shoreline mapping contracting expertise, including a
cutting-edge understanding of the science and related acoustic systems
as well as data standards to ensure broad usability of that data.
NOAA is committed to meeting its mapping missions as
collaboratively as possible, adhering to the Integrated Ocean and
Coastal Mapping (IOCM) principle of ``Map Once, Use Many Times.''
However, the resources needed to fully achieve the goal of
comprehensively mapping U.S. waters and coasts currently exceed NOAA's
capacity. Mapping the full extent of waters subject to U.S.
jurisdiction means relying on partners to contribute to the effort.
The establishment of the Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan Ocean
Mapping Fund program is one way that NOAA seeks to expand partnerships
and acquisition of U.S. ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes mapping data.
NOAA Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan, one of IOCM's strongest
advocates, developed the Ocean Mapping Plan for OCS in August 2020 in
which IOCM plays a large role. The Ocean Mapping Plan responds to a
number of national drivers to map the full extent of U.S. waters
subject to U.S. jurisdiction to modern standards, including the June
2020 publications of the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and
Characterizing the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (NOMEC), the Alaska
Coastal Mapping Strategy (ACMS), and the 2023 Ocean Climate Action Plan
(OCAP). The Ocean Mapping Plan also describes a number of reasons NOAA
is committed to surveying and mapping waters subject to U.S.
jurisdiction, including, but not limited to:
Safe marine transportation;
Coastal community resilience;
A need to better understand the influence of the ocean's
composition on related physical and ecosystem processes that affect
climate, weather, and coastal and marine resources and infrastructure;
Interest in capitalizing on the Blue Economy in growth
areas like seafood production, tourism and recreation, marine
transportation, and ocean exploration;
The national prerogative to exercise U.S. sovereign rights
to explore, manage, and conserve natural resources in waters subject to
U.S. jurisdiction; and
International interest in mapping the ocean by 2030.
Sadly, Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan passed away in May 2021.
IOCM continues to implement Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan's vision
and passion for collaborative ocean mapping through this matching fund
opportunity named in his honor.
II. Description
This notice invites non-Federal entities to partner with the ocean
and coastal mapping programs of NOAA's National Ocean Service on
jointly-funded projects of mutual interest that address the drivers
noted in section I above. These projects will establish ocean, coastal,
and Great Lakes survey and mapping partnerships using NOAA's geospatial
contracting vehicles. NOAA will use the selection criteria and
submission requirements described below in sections V and VI,
respectively, to review project proposals.
The goal of the Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund
program is to leverage NOAA and non-Federal partner funds to acquire
more ocean and coastal mapping data from qualified contract surveyors
during Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. Subject to the availability of
appropriations, NOAA will provide up to 70 percent of the total project
cost, with the selected entity providing at least 30 percent of the
total project cost. For example, for a $1 million project, the partner
must provide at least $300,000, and NOAA would provide up to $700,000.
NOAA anticipates funding between two and five projects, with a
total cost of up to $1 million per project. NOAA may consider providing
additional funding for a project, thereby exceeding $1 million, subject
to the availability of funds and NOAA's discretion. All projects are
expected to have a FY 2026 project start date, and NOAA must receive
all non-Federal partner matching funds before October 1, 2025. NOAA
reserves the right to increase or decrease its funding match based on
the quality and feasibility of proposals received.
After NOAA selects a non-Federal entity as a partner, NOAA will
enter into an agreement with the partner pursuant to the Coast and
Geodetic Survey Act of 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883e), which enables NOAA to
receive funds for the mapping project.
In addition to providing matching funds, NOAA brings its expertise
to manage survey planning, quality-ensure all data and products,
provide the data and products to the partners within an agreed-upon
timeframe, and handle data submission to the National Centers for
Environmental Information for archiving and public accessibility. All
ocean and coastal data and related products from the Rear Admiral
Richard T. Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund program will be available to the
public to the greatest extent allowed by applicable laws.
The specific value-added services NOAA will provide include:
Assurance that the data are collected by qualified survey
contractors to ensure broadest use and accessibility of the data;
Project management and GIS-based task order planning,
negotiation, and award of necessary procurement contracts that are
tailored to meet the interests of matching fund partners and managed on
aerial, shipboard, and uncrewed vehicles;
Managing survey compliance with applicable laws, such as
the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic
Preservation Act;
Data processing, quality assessment, and review of all
acquired hydrographic data; and
Data management and stewardship through data archive at
the National Centers for Environmental Information.
Data acquisition collection methods include, but are not limited
to, multibeam echosounder, side scan sonar, lidar (topographic,
bathymetric, mobile), subsurface and airborne feature investigations,
and sediment sampling. Products acquired may include, but are not
limited to:
Bathymetric data (multibeam, single beam, lidar),
Backscatter,
Water column (depth dependent),
Side scan sonar imagery,
Feature detection reports,
[[Page 51510]]
Sensor/data corrections and calibrations (e.g.,
conductivity, temperature and depth casts, horizontal/vertical position
uncertainty),
Survey and control services, including the installation,
operation, and removal of water level and Global Positioning System
stations,
High-resolution topographic/bathymetric product
generation, and
A final project report.
More information on NOAA's surveying and mapping processes and
products can be found in the OCS Hydrographic Surveys Specifications
and Deliverables and the NGS Shoreline Mapping Specifications and
Deliverables publications.
III. Strategic Areas of Focus
For this opportunity, proposals will be considered that align with
national priorities for climate and infrastructure and the goals of the
NOMEC, ACMS, the OCS Ocean Mapping Plan, and OCAP. Those goals include:
1. Map U.S. Waters: Mapping U.S. deep waters (> 40m) by 2030 and
shallower waters by 2040 would give the United States unprecedented and
detailed information about the depth, shape, and composition of its
seafloor and Great Lakes (NOMEC Goal 2). Based on the January 2023
analysis of data holdings at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental
Information, 50 percent of waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction are
unmapped (https://iocm.noaa.gov/seabed-2030-status.html). Acquiring the
best available data in poorly surveyed and gap areas means working with
partners to contribute to the effort. By sharing its mapping expertise
with others, NOAA can build depth in the ocean and coastal mapping
community to increase the quantity and quality of seafloor data
acquired overall (Ocean Mapping Plan Goal 2).
2. Expand Alaska Coastal Data Collection to Deliver the Priority
Geospatial Products Stakeholders Require: Mapping the Alaska coast is
challenging. However, using targeted and coordinated data collections
will potentially reduce overall costs and improve the cost-benefit
ratio of expanded mapping activities (ACMS Goal 2).
3. Expand Coastal Mapping to Inform Science-Based Decision-Making
Capabilities: This priority stems from a broader OCAP action for
coastal climate resilience to ``expand coastal mapping, monitoring,
observational systems, research, and modeling to inform science-based
decision-making capabilities and advance use of nature-based
solutions.'' Climate change is greatly influencing the need to map all
of our named oceans and coasts in detail. The data is integral to
decision-making on coastal resilience efforts to save lives, implement
proper infrastructure planning, and protect sensitive coastal
ecosystems in light of ocean-born natural disasters.
IV. Proposal Eligibility
This matching fund opportunity is available to non-Federal
entities. Examples of non-Federal entities include State and local
governments, tribal entities, universities, researchers and academia,
the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and
philanthropic partners. Qualifying proposals must demonstrate the
ability to provide at least 30 percent of the funds needed for the
proposed project. A coalition of non-Federal entities may assemble
funds for the match and submit a proposal jointly. Use of other Federal
agency funds as part of the non-Federal entities' match funds will be
considered on a case-by-case basis and only as authorized by applicable
laws. In-kind contributions are welcome to strengthen the project
proposal but do not count toward the match and are not required.
V. Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by the Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan
Ocean Mapping Fund Program Management Team. Submissions will be ranked
based on the following selection criteria:
1. Project justification (30 points)--This criterion ascertains
whether there is intrinsic IOCM value in the proposed work and/or
relevance to NOAA's missions and priorities (several noted in section
III), including downstream partner proposals and uses. Use of, and
reference to, national priorities on coastal climate resilience and
infrastructure, NOMEC, ACMS, the Coast Survey Ocean Mapping Plan, and
OCAP; gap assessment tools such as the U.S. Bathymetry Gap Analysis;
and the U.S. Interagency Elevation Inventory, among others, are
recommended. The U.S. Mapping Coordination site shows current NOAA
mapping plans as well as the latest in Federal mapping priorities and
select regional mapping priorities.
2. Statement of need (10 points)--This criterion assesses clarity
of project need, partner project funding alternatives if not selected,
anticipated outcomes, and public benefit.
3. Specified partner match (20 points)--The proposal identifies a
point of contact for the entity submitting the proposal, as well as any
partnering entities, a clear statement on partner matching funds
provenance (e.g., State appropriations, NGO funds, or other sources)
and timing of funds availability. In-kind contributions are welcome to
strengthen the proposal but do not count toward the funding match and
are not required.
4. Project costs (15 points)--This criterion evaluates whether the
proposed budget is realistic and commensurate with the proposed project
needs and timeframe..
5. Project feasibility and flexibility (25 points)--This criterion
assesses the likelihood that the proposal would succeed, using
evaluations of survey conditions, project size, location, weather, NOAA
analysis of environmental compliance implications, project flexibility
and adaptability to existing NOAA plans and schedules, and other
factors.
During the proposal review period, the Rear Admiral Richard T.
Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund Program Management Team reserves the right
to engage with proposal points of contact to ask questions and provide
feedback on project costs and feasibility.
VI. Submission Requirements
Project Proposal--To qualify, a proposal shall not exceed six (6)
total pages and must include the following three components:
1. A project title; executive summary (3-5 sentences); and the
names, affiliations, and roles of the project partners and any co-
investigators, as well as the project lead that will serve as primary
contact (1 page maximum).
2. A justification and statement of need; description and graphics
of the proposed survey area, including relevance to the strategic areas
of focus noted in section III and degree of flexibility on timing of
survey effort (4 pages maximum).
3. A project budget that lists the source(s) and amount(s) of
funding that the partner would provide as its match to NOAA. The budget
must confirm that partner funds can be transferred to NOAA before
October 1, 2025 (1 page maximum).
Proposals must be sent in a PDF format, and use 12-point, Times New
Roman font, single spacing, and 1-inch margins. Failure to adhere to
these submission requirements will result in the proposal being
returned without review and eliminated from further consideration.
To facilitate review, NOAA welcomes the submission of GIS files of
project areas. These ancillary GIS files must be in SHP format.
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VII. Management and Oversight
Once the Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund Program
Management Team selects project proposals, NOAA will coordinate the
development of agreements, funding transfers, project planning,
environmental compliance, acquisition awards, and the quality assurance
process with the project partners. NOAA may bring in additional
partners and/or funding (Federal and/or non-Federal) to expand a
project further, if feasible. Projects will be reviewed by NOAA
annually to ensure they are responsive to partner interests and NOAA
mission requirements, and to identify opportunities for outreach and
education on the societal benefits of the work.
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 883e.
Benjamin K. Evans,
RDML Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-13387 Filed 6-17-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-G1-P
