Grants and cooperative agreements; availability, etc.: Climate and global change program,

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Federal Register: June 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 115)NoticesPage 32859-32864From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr16jn98-58

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Docket No. 980413092-8092-1RIN 0648-ZA39

NOAA Climate and Global Change Program, Program Announcement

AGENCY: Office of Global Programs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Climate and Global Change Program represents a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contribution to evolving national and international programs designed to improve our ability to observe, understand, predict, and respond to changes in the global environment. This program builds on NOAA's mission requirements and longstanding capabilities in global change research and prediction. The NOAA Program is a key contributing element of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which is coordinated by the interagency Committee on Environmental and Natural Resources. NOAA's program is designed to complement other agency contributions to that national effort.

DATES: Strict deadlines for submission to the FY 1999 process are: Letters of intent must be received at OGP no later than July 16, 1998. Full proposals must be received at OGP no later than September 30, 1998. Applicants who have not received a response to their letter of intent by August 21, 1998, should contact the program office. The time from target date to grant award varies with program area. We anticipate that review of full proposals will occur during late 1998 and funding should begin during the spring of 1999 for most approved projects. May 1, 1999, should be used as the proposed start date on proposals, unless otherwise directed by the appropriate Program Officer. Applicants should be notified of their status within 6 months. All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines below. Failure to heed these guidelines may result in proposals being returned without review.

ADDRESSES: Proposals may be submitted to: Office of Global Programs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1225, Silver Spring, MD 20910-5603.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Irma duPree at the above address, or at phone: (301) 427-2089 ext. 17, fax: (301) 427-2073, Internet: duPree@ogp.noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Funding Availability

NOAA believes that the Climate and Global Change Program will benefit significantly from a strong partnership with outside investigators. Current Program plans assume that over 50% of the total resources provided through this announcement will support extramural efforts, particularly those involving the broad academic community. Because of ongoing debates on the Federal budget, it is uncertain how much money will be available through this announcement. Actual funding levels will depend upon the final FY 1999 budget appropriations. This Program Announcement is for projects to be conducted by investigators both inside and outside of NOAA, primarily over a one, two or three year period. The funding instrument for extramural awards will be a grant unless it is anticipated that NOAA will be substantially involved in the implementation of the project, in which case the funding instrument should be a cooperative agreement. Examples of substantial involvement may include but are not limited to proposals for collaboration between NOAA or NOAA scientists and a recipient scientist or technician and/or contemplation by NOAA of detailing Federal personnel to work on proposed projects. NOAA will make decisions regarding the use of a cooperative agreement on a case-by-case basis. Funding for non-U.S. institutions and contractual arrangements for services and products for delivery to NOAA are not available under this announcement. Matching share is not required by this program.

Program Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 44720 (b); 33 U.S.C. 883d, 883e; 15 U.S.C. 2904; 15 U.S.C. 2931 et seq.

(CFDA No. 11.431)--Climate and Atmospheric Research: Program Objectives

The long term objective of the Climate and Global Change Program is to provide reliable predictions of climate change and associated regional implications on time scales ranging from seasons to a century or more. NOAA believes that climate variability across these time scales can be modelled with an acceptable probability of success and are the most relevant for fundamental social concerns. Predicting the behavior of the coupled ocean-atmosphere-land surface system will be NOAA's primary contribution to a successful national effort to deal with observed or anticipate changes in the global environment. NOAA has a range of unique facilities and capabilities that can be applied to Climate and Global Change Investigations. Proposals that seek to exploit these resources in collaborative efforts between NOAA and extramural investigators are encouraged.

Program Priorities

In FY 1999, NOAA will give priority attention to individual proposals in the areas listed below. Investigators are asked to specify clearly which of these areas is being pursed. The names, affiliations and phone numbers of relevant Climate and Global Change Program Officers are provided. Funding for some programs may be limited to ongoing projects or may be used to fund projects proposed in FY 1998 that were unable to be funded due to budgetary circumstances. Prospective applicants should communicate with Program Officers for information on priorities within program elements and prospects for funding. Applicants should sent letters of intent and proposals to the NOAA Office of Global Program rather than to individual Program Officers.

<bullet> Aerosols--The Aerosols Project focuses on research to improve the predictive understanding of the role of anthropogenic aerosols in climate forcing. Due to limited funds anticipated in FY 1999, all funding is expected to be used to maintain support for ongoing research activities. Unfortunately, therefore, we are unable to seek applications to fund new starts. For further information contact: Joel M. Levy, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, 301-427-2089 ext. 21, Internet: levy@ogp.noaa.gov.

<bullet> Atlantic Climate Change Program (ACCP)--NOAA/OGP is currently developing a refocused, follow-on program to ACCP that will address modes of climate variability in the Atlantic sector. This new program is being developed in close collaboration with the International Climate Variability and Predictability Program (CLIVAR). A science plan for the emerging Atlantic program is in preparation and it is anticipated that a program announcement will be issued later in FY 1999.

<bullet> Atmospheric Chemistry--The Atmospheric Chemistry Project focuses

[Page 32860]on global monitoring, process-oriented laboratory and field studies, and theoretical modeling to improve the predictive understanding of the atmospheric trace gases that influence the earth's chemical and radiative balance. FY 1999 grants in Atmospheric Chemistry will focus on studies associated with the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) project of the IGBP. Emphasis is placed on research that focuses on the analysis and interpretation of NARE-related field studies and the development of related modeling tools and airborne instrumentation to support future such studies. Proposals are also solicited for investigations that improve upon global warming potentials (or other indices) in order to better relate responses to greenhouse gases to regional radiative forcing and associated regional climate changes. For an information sheet containing further details, contact: Joel M. Levy, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, 301-427-2089 ext. 21, Internet: levy@ogp.noaa.gov; or Fred C. Fehsenfeld, NOAA/ Aeronomy Laboratory, Boulder, CO, 303-497-5819, Internet: fcf@al.noaa.gov.

<bullet> Climate Change Data and Detection--the scientific goals of this element include efforts to: (1) provide data and information management support activities needed to assure the availability of critical data sets from a variety of national and international programs of primary interest to NOAA's Climate and Global Change Program, e.g., the CLIVAR (Climate Variability and Prediction) Program, GEWEX (Global Energy & Water Cycle Experiment), GOALS (Global Ocean- Atmosphere-Land-System), GCOS, National and International Assessments, etc.; (2) provide data and information management support related to cross cutting science efforts necessary to assess seasonal, interannual, decadal, and longer climate variations and changes; (3) document the quantitative character of observed climate variations and changes; and (4) attribute changes in the observed climate record to specific climate forcings. Proposals are sought that are clearly linked to these scientific objectives and that are under the direction of a scientific principal investigator. Proposals that are directly linked to major national and international assessments, such as the Inter- governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), are encouraged. Proposals to enhance data system infrastructure without firm science driven objectives will not be considered. NOAA/NASA Jointly Sponsored Project: A number of new starts are anticipated within the NOAA/National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) co-sponsored project that supports research in the areas of data fusion and enhancement of climate data sets through the use of space and/or ground based observations.

NOAA/DOE Jointly Sponsored Project: A very limited number of new starts are anticipated within the NOAA/Department of Energy (DOE) co- sponsored project that specifically addresses all aspects of Climate Change Detection and Attribution.

Additional details on the jointly sponsored projects are provided on the supplementary fact sheet included in the Program Announcement mailing (additional copies of the supplementary fact sheet can be obtained from Irma duPree at the Office of Global Programs). For further information contact: Bill Murray, NOAA/Global Programs, Silver Spring, MD; 301-427-2089 ext. 26, Internet: murray@ogp.noaa.gov, Chris Miller, NOAA/NESDIS, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, 301-713-1264, Internet: miller@esdim.noaa.gov, Martha Maiden, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, 301-286-0012, Internet: martha.maiden@gsfc.nasa.gov, or Rick Petty, DOE/Environmental Sciences Division, Germantown, MD, 301- 903-5548, Internet: Rick.Petty@oer.doe.gov.

<bullet> Climate Dynamics and Experimental Prediction--This program will not accept applications to initiate centers at new institutions, but will accept renewal applications for ongoing efforts or as part of ongoing negotiations. For further information, contact Mark Eakin, NOAA/Global Programs, Silver Spring, MD; 301-427-2089, ext. 19, Internet: eakin@ogp.noaa.gov.

<bullet> Economics and Human Dimensions of Climate Fluctuations-- This program element is aimed at understanding how social and economic systems are currently influenced by fluctuations in climate (seasonal, interannual, and decadal), and how human behavior can be (or why it may not be) affected based on information about variability in the climate system. We are particularly interested in the extent to which probabilistic, early-warning climate forecast information can be incorporated into existing decision-making to affect adjustment and adaptation. Projects should be comprised of analyses of the following: how decision processes are sensitive to climate variability; how decisions could incorporate climate information, particularly forecasts; the social and economic factors that enhance or impede the use of climate information; and the consequences of people changing their decisions based on climate information. Decision processes can be investigated at the individual, industry, sector or institutional level, and the climate information should be based on regional climate influences driven by global climate phenomena (e.g., ENSO events, North Atlantic Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation). For more information and a detailed information sheet, researchers are strongly encouraged to contact: Caitlin Simpson, 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1225, Silver Spring, MD 20910; telephone: 301-427-2089, ext 47; or email: simpson@ogp.noaa.gov.

<bullet> Education--contact: Daphne Gemmill, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, Silver Spring, MD; 301-427-2089, ext. 20, Internet: gemmill@ogp.noaa.gov.

<bullet> GCIP (GEWEX Continental-Scale International Project)--In research funded through this component, NOAA will direct its principal contribution for the GEWEX Continental-scale International Project to: (1) Improving the representation of processes such as cold season hydrometeorological processes, subgrid scale precipitation variability, evolving soil moisture fields and their subgrid scale variability and evolving vegetation covers in coupled land/atmosphere models; (2) improving the measurement and understanding of heavy precipitation and runoff regimes in the eastern part of the Mississippi River Basin and their role in water and energy budgets; (3) improving the analysis of precipitation over a range of time and space scales; (4) initiating studies of critical physical processes in the eastern part of the Mississippi River Basin; and (5) undertaking studies and model development to make the outputs of climate forecasts and information more relevant for water resource manager. Emphasis will also be placed on issues related to the scale integration of hydrometeorological processes in climate models and on the transfer of representations of these processes into a climate model either through a nested model approach or improved land surface schemes. As outline in its Major Activities Plan for 1997, 1998 with Outlook for 1999, GCIP anticipates that researchers will use its comprehensive in-situ, remote sensing and model output data sets for diagnostic studies and for model development and validation. A number of GCIP initial data sets have been prepared to provide data services support during the build-up period before the five-year enhanced observing period which started on 1 October 1995. The initial data sets are compiled for on-line access by GCIP

[Page 32861]investigators to the extent that is technically feasible. They have also been published on a CD-ROM for wide distribution. GCIP is interested in proposals that utilize these data sets to address the scientific problems outlined above. Further information about the GCIP data sets already compiled as well as the plans and projected schedule for future datasets can be accessed through the GCIP ``home page'' on the World Wide Web at the URL address: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/gcip. The focus for the GEWEX Continental-scale International Project (GCIP) is the Mississippi River Basin. A more detailed information sheet will be provided to those who contact Rick Lawford, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, Silver Spring, MD; (301) 427-2089, ext. 40, Internet: lawford@ogp.noaa.gov.

<bullet> Global Ocean--Atmosphere--Land System (GOALS)--The objectives of the GOALS program element are to understand global climate variability on seasonal-to-interannual time scales, to determine the extent to which this variability is predictable, to develop the observational, theoretical, and computational means to predict this variability, and to foster the development of experimental predictions within the limits of proven feasibility. GOALS is intended to further our understanding and improve predictions of the El Nino/ Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomena as well as to extend our understanding of predictability of seasonal to interannual fluctuations beyond the tropical Pacific to include the effects of the other tropical oceans, higher latitude oceans, and land surface processes. For an information sheet outlining high-priority GOALS activities solicited in FY 1999, please contact: Michael Patterson, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, Silver Spring, MD; 301-427-2089, ext. 12, Internet: Patterson@ogp.noaa.gov. Scientists interested in submitting proposals to the proposals Pan-American Climate Studies (PACS) Program, a subprogram within GOALS focussing on seasonal-to-interannual climate variability over the Americas, are directed to the program description below.

<bullet> Pan-American Climate Studies (PACS)--The principal goal of PACS is to extend the scope and improve the skill of operational seasonal-to-interannual climate prediction over the Americas. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the mechanisms associated with warm season rainfall and its potential predictability. In addition to seasonal mean rainfall and temperature, PACS is concerned with the frequency of occurrence of significant weather events over the course of a season or seasons.

The scientific objectives of PACS are to promote a better understanding and more realistic simulation of: (1) The role of boundary processes in forcing of seasonal-to-interannual climate variability over the Americas, (2) the structure and evolution of tropical SST fields, (3) the seasonally varying mean climate over the Americas and adjacent ocean regions, (4) the structure and variability of the ITCZ/cold tongue complex and subtropical stratus cloud decks and their influence on climate over the Americas, and (5) the relevant land surface processes that shape the distribution of continental precipitation. Please refer to the PACS home page for further information (http://tao.atmos.washington.edu/pacs/). For an information sheet outlining high-priority PACS activities solicited in FY 1999, please contact: Michael Patterson, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, Silver Spring, MD; 301-427-2089 ext. 12, Internet: Patterson@ogp.noaa.gov.

Consistent with the above objectives, PACS and GCIP have initiated an integrated program focusing on warm season rainfall over North America. Please refer to the separate description of this joint PACS/ GCIP program below.

PACS intends to contribute to an international field program in the tropical eastern Pacific being planned for the year 2000. Proposals contributing to this effort will be solicited under a separate PACS Field Program Announcement to be issued later this year.

<bullet> Joint PACS/GCIP Program on the North American Monsoon System--In response to recommendations from the joint PACS/GCIP Modeling Workshop held in October, 1997, NOAA and NASA are initiating a joint PACS/GCIP program to accelerate research on the North American monsoon system. A near-term priority for the program is to address the difficulty that current-generation global and regional climate models have in predicting the space and time distribution of precipitation with the accuracy necessary for hydrological prediction and applications. Four specific research areas are presently identified: (1) the apparent link between the summer monsoon in Northwest Mexico and precipitation in the Great Plains of the United States and its potential for predictive value; (2) the influence of regional hydrometeorological land surface processes on large-scale precipitation over North America and the importance this influence has on predictability; (3) defining how processes of varying spatial and temporal scales influence seasonal-to-interannual predictability over North America; (4) diagnostic studies designed to determine the limits of predictability in regional climate variations. The workshop report may provide helpful information to researchers interested submitting proposals to this new program area. For a copy of the report and further information about the program, please contact: Michael Patterson, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, Silver Spring, MD; 301-427- 2089 ext. 12, Internet: Patterson@ogp.noaa.gov.

<bullet> Ocean-Atmosphere Carbon Exchange Study (OACES)--OACES focuses on global observations, process-oriented field studies and modeling to improve our ability to predict the fate of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>). Over the years, OACES research has involved: (i) high-quality measurements of CO<INF>2</INF> system parameters that can be used to document the transient invasion of anthropogenic CO<INF>2</INF> into the ocean, (ii) time-series measurements of atmospheric <SUP>12</SUP>CO<INF>2</INF> and <SUP>13</SUP>CO<INF>2</INF> through NOAA's global cooperative flask sampling network to examine carbon sources and sinks, (iii) underway pCO<INF>2</INF> measurements on ships of opportunity, (iv) assimilation of oceanic and atmospheric observations into general circulation models to contribute towards more accurate predictions of future climate changes, and (v) development of improved sensors for determining ocean- atmosphere-land carbon fluxes. In FY99, limited funds are available for proposals addressing the following areas: (a) synthesis of ocean carbon data collected on OACES-funded cruises in support of the Global CO<INF>2</INF> Survey and (b) external participation in the NOAA/OGP- supported Carbon Modeling Consortium. For an information sheet containing further details, please contact Lisa Dilling, NOAA/Office of Global Programs, Silver Spring, MD; 301-427-2089 ext. 16, Internet: dilling@ogp.noaa.gov or see the web at: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/NPE/ OACES/OACES99info.html.

<bullet> Paleoclimatology--The NOAA Paleoclimatology Program will entertain proposals that support the joint IGBP PAGES/WCRP CLIVAR Research Initiative that is jointly supported by NOAA and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Proposals should be submitted to the NSF Earth System History Announcement of Opportunity with an expected due date in January 1999. Proposals should address seasonal- to annually- dated time series to develop an understanding of the full range of natural environmental

[Page 32862]variability during the holocene. Research efforts should focus on the utilization of seasonally- to annually-dated paleoclimate time series to develop an understanding of the seasonal to century scale variability and predictability of: (1) the ENSO and African/Asian monsoon systems, (2) the ocean thermohaline system and its relation to global change, and (3) the hydrologic system at regional to global scales, as it relates to the above. Investigators from the paleoclimate and modern climate dynamics communities are encouraged to collaborate on proposals that focus on understanding the full range of natural variability and how well this variability can be represented by models. Particular interest exists for work that illustrates and explains abrupt shifts of climate variability relevant to future climate change. Proposals submitted in response to this emphasis will be jointly reviewed in accordance with established NSF and NOAA procedures for external merit review and will be supported by the NSF/Earth Science History (ESH) Program and/or the NOAA/Office of Global Programs. Letters of Intent are not required for this program. For an information sheet or more information, contact Mark Eakin, NOAA/Global Programs, Silver Spring, MD; 301-427-2089 ext. 19, Internet: eakin@ogp.noaa.gov; Jonathan Overpeck, NOAA/National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, CO; 303-497-6172, Internet: jto@mail.ngdc.noaa.gov; or Herman Zimmerman, NSF ESH/ATM Program, Arlington, VA; 703-306-1527, Internet: hzimmerm@nsf.gov.

Eligibility

Extramural eligibility is not limited and is encouraged with the objective of developing a strong partnership with the academic community. Non-academic proposers are urged to seek collaboration with academic institutions. Universities, non-profit organizations, for profit organizations, State and local governments, and Indian Tribes, are included among entities eligible for funding under this announcement. While not a prerequisite for funding, applicants are encouraged to consider conducting their research in one or more of the National Marine Estuarine Research Reserve System or National Marine Sanctuary sites. For further information on these field laboratory sites, contact Dr. Dwight Trueblood, NOAA/NOS, 301-713-3145 ext. 174.

The NOAA Climate and Global Change Program has been approved for multi-year funding up to a three year duration. Funding for non-U.S. institutions is not available under this announcement.

Letters of Intent

Letters of Intent (LOI): (1) Letters should be no more than two page in length and include the name and institution of principal investigator(s), a statement of the problem, brief summary of work to be completed, approximate cost of the project, and program element(s) to which the proposal should be directed. (2) Evaluation will be by program management. (3) It is in the best interest of applicants and their institutions to submit letters of intent; however, it is not a requirement. (4) Facsimile and electronic mail are acceptable for letters of intent only. (5) Projects deemed unsuitable during LOI review will not be encouraged to submit full proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration for financial assistance will be given to those proposals which address one of the Program Priorities listed below and meet the following evaluation criteria:

  (1) Scientific Merit (20%): Intrinsic scientific value of the subject and the study proposed.

  (2) Relevance (20%): Importance and relevance to the goal of the Climate and Global Change Program and to the research areas listed above.

  (3) Methodology (20%): Focused scientific objective and strategy, including measurement strategies and data management considerations; project milestones; and final products.

  (4) Readiness (20%): Nature of the problem; relevant history and status of existing work; level of planning, including existence of supporting documents; strength of proposed scientific and management team; past performance record of proposers.

  (5) Linkages (10%): Connections to existing or planned national and international programs; partnerships with other agency or NOAA participants, where appropriate.

  (6) Costs (10%): Adequacy of proposed resources; appropriate share of total available resources; prospects for joint funding; identification of long-term commitments.

Selection Procedures

All proposals will be evaluated and ranked in accordance with the assigned weights of the above evaluation criteria by (1) independent peer mail review, and/or (2) independent peer panel review; both NOAA and non-NOAA experts in the field may be used in this process. The program officer will not be a voting member of an independent peer panel. Their recommendations and evaluations will be considered by the Program Manager/Officer in final selections. Those ranked by the panel and program as not recommended for funding will not be given further consideration and will be notified of non-selection. For the proposals rated either Excellent, Very Good or Good, the Program Manager will: (a) ascertain which proposals meet the program priorities, and do not substantially duplicate other projects that are currently funded by NOAA or are approved for funding by other federal agencies, hence, awards may not necessarily be made to the highest-scored proposals, (b) select the proposals to be funded, (c) determine the total duration of funding for each proposal, and (d) determine the amount of funds available for each proposal.

Unsatisfactory performance by a recipient under prior Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.

Proposal Submission

The guidelines for proposal preparation provided below are mandatory. Failure to heed these guidelines may result in proposals being returned without review.

  (a) Full Proposals: (1) Proposals submitted to the NOAA Climate and Global Change Program must include the original and two unbound copies of the proposal. (2) Investigators are not required to submit more than 3 copies of the proposal, however, the normal review process requires 20 copies. Investigators are encouraged to submit sufficient proposal copies for the full review process if they wish all reviewers to receive color, unusually sized (not 8.5x11''), or otherwise unusual materials submitted as part of the proposal. Only three copies of the Federally required forms are needed. (3) Proposals must be limited to 30 pages (numbered), including budget, investigators vitae, and all appendices, and should be limited to funding requests for one to three year duration. Appended information may not be used to circumvent the page length limit. Federally mandated forms are not included within the page count. (4) Proposals should be sent to the NOAA Office of Global Programs at the above address. (5) Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission of full proposals will not be accepted.

  (b) Required Elements: All proposals should include the following elements:

  (1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the Principal Investigator (PI) and the institutional representative and should clearly

[Page 32863]indicate which project area is being addressed. The PI and institutional representative should be identified by full name, title, organization, telephone number and address. The total amount of Federal funds being requested should be listed for each budget period.

  (2) Abstract: An abstract must be included and should contain an introduction of the problem, rationale and a brief summary of work to be completed. The abstract should appear on a separate page, headed with the proposal title, institution(s) investigator(s), total proposed cost and budget period.

  (3) Results from prior research: The results of related projects supported by NOAA and other agencies should be described, including their relation to the currently proposed work. Reference to each prior research award should include the title, agency, award number, PIs, period of award and total award. The section should be a brief summary and should not exceed two pages total.

  (4) Statement of work: The proposed project must be completely described, including identification of the problem, scientific objectives, proposed methodology, relevance to the goal of the Climate and Global Change Program, and the program priorities listed above. Benefits of the proposed project to the general public and the scientific community should be discussed. A year-by-year summary of proposed work must be included clearly indicating that each year's proposed work is severable and can easily be separated into annual increments of meaningful work. The statement of work, including references but excluding figures and other visual materials, must not exceed 15 pages of text. Investigators wishing to submit group proposals that exceed the 15 page limit should discuss this possibility with the appropriate Program Officer prior to submission. In general, proposals from 3 or more investigators may include a statement of work containing up to 15 pages of overall project description plus up to 5 additional pages for individual project descriptions.

  (5) Budget: Applicants must submit a Standard Form 424 (4-92) ``Application for Federal Assistance'', including a detailed budget using the Standard Form 424a (4-92), ``Budget Information--Non- Construction Programs''. The form is included in the standard NOAA application kit. The proposal must include total and annual budgets corresponding with the descriptions provided in the statement of work. Additional text to justify expenses should be included as necessary.

  (6) Vitae: Abbreviated curriculum vitae are sought with each proposal. Reference lists should be limited to all publications in the last three years with up to five other relevant papers.

  (7) Current and pending support: For each investigator, submit a list that includes project title, supporting agency with grant number, investigator months, dollar value and duration. Requested values should be listed for pending support.

  (8) List of suggested reviewers: The cover letter may include a list of individuals qualified and suggested to review the proposal. It also may include a list of individuals that applicants would prefer to not review the proposal. Such lists may be considered at the discretion of the Program Officer.

  (c) Other requirements:

  (1) Applicants may obtain a standard NOAA application kit from the Program Office.

Primary applicant Certification--All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying''. Applicants are also hereby notified of the following:

1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, section 105) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension,'' and the related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;

2. Drug Free Workpace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;

3. Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, section 105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and financial transactions'', and the lobbying section of the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever is greater; and

4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures--Any applicant that has paid or will pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, appendix B.

Lower Tier Certifications

  (1) Recipients must require applicants/bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or lower tier covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form SF-LLL, `` Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form DC-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipent should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award document.

  (2) Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all applicable Federal laws and Federal and Department of Commerce policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.

  (3) Preaward Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation to the applicant on the part of Department of Commerce to cover preaward costs.

  (4) This program is subject to the requirements of OMB Circular No. A-110, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations'', and 15 CFR Part 24, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments'', as applicable. Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

  (5) All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of, or are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's management, honesty, or financial integrity.

  (6) A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

  (7) No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an

[Page 32864]outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:

  (i) The delinquent account is paid in full,

  (ii) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one payment is received, or

  (iii) Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce are made.

  (8) Buy American-Made Equipment or Products--Applicants are encouraged that any equipment or products authorized to be purchased with funding provided under this program must be American-made to the maximum extent feasible.

  (9) The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total proposed direct cost dollar amount in the application, whichever is less.

  (d) If an application is selected for funding, the Department of Commerce has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the Department of Commerce.

  (e) In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the NOAA Climate and Global Change Program. The NOAA Climate and Global Change Program does not have direct TDD (Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capabilities, but can be reached through the State of Maryland supplied TDD contact number 800-735-2258, between the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 pm.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to respond 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 Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB control number.

Classification: The standard forms have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act under OMB approval number 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0046. This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.

Dated: June 10, 1998. J. Michael Hall, Director, Office of Global Programs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

FR Doc. 98-15887Filed6-15-98; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 3510-12-M

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