National Oyster Disease Research Program and Gulf Oyster Industry Initiative: Request for Proposals for FY 1999

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 990125030-9030-01]

RIN 0648-ZA56

National Oyster Disease Research Program and Gulf Oyster Industry

Initiative: Request for Proposals for FY 1999

AGENCY: National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the

National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is entertaining

preliminary proposals and subsequently full proposals to participate in

innovative research, outreach and demonstration projects in two

separate competitions: one to continue the National Oyster Disease

Research Program (ODRP) and one to continue the Gulf Oyster Industry

Program (GOIP). In FY 1999 and 2000, Sea Grant expects to make

available about $1,475,000 per year to support the National Oyster

Disease Research Program through projects that focus on diseases that

are impacting the oyster populations of the US, and about $930,000 per

year to support the Gulf Oyster Industry Program through projects that

focus on the oyster industry problems of the Gulf Coast with special

emphasis on the human health considerations within that industry.

Matching funds equivalent to a minimum of 50% of the Federal request

must be provided for each project. Successful projects will be selected

through national competitions.

DATES: Preliminary proposals must be submitted before 5 pm (local time)

on April 5, 1999 to the nearest state Sea Grant College Program or the

National Sea Grant Office (NSGO). After evaluation at the NSGO, some

proposers will be encouraged to prepare full proposals, which must be

submitted before 5 pm (local time) on May 27, 1999 to the nearest state

Sea Grant College Program or the NSGO.

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ADDRESSES: Investigators located in states with Sea Grant Programs must

submit their preliminary proposals and full proposals through those

programs. The addresses of the Sea Grant College Program directors may

be found on Sea Grant's home page (http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/

index.html) or may also be obtained by contacting the Program Manager

at the National Sea Grant Office (see below). Investigators from non-

Sea Grant states may submit their preliminary proposals and proposals

directly to the National Sea Grant Office at: National Sea Grant

College Program. R/SG, Attn: Oyster Disease and Gulf Oyster Industry

Competition, Room 11838, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring,

MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James P. McVey, Program Director for

Aquaculture, National Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 East-

West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or Mary Robinson, Secretary,

National Sea Grant Office, 301-713-2451, facsimile 301-713-0799.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Program Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1121-1131.

(Catalog of Federal Assistance Number: 11.417, Sea Grant Support.)

II. Program Description

Background

National Oyster Disease Research Program: For more than two

decades, oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay and mid-Atlantic area

have been increasingly battered by Dermo and MSX, two parasitic

diseases for which there is no known remedy. In the northeast, a new

and as yet unidentified pathogen, called Juvenile Oyster Disease (JOD),

has been taking a toll in hatcheries. On the west coast, the Pacific

Oyster has been subjected to puzzling summer mortalities.

The continuing decline of oyster stocks has been a catalyst for

federal support of the Oyster Disease Research Program, a far-reaching

effort by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to

support innovative research that will lead to improved techniques for

combating oyster disease. The Program began in 1990 with oversight by

the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service and its Chesapeake Bay

Office, and is now administered by the National Sea Grant College,

Program.

Through competitive proposals each year, the Oyster Disease

Research Program is supporting efforts to develop:

(1) Optimal strategies for managing around disease.

(2) Molecular tools to better monitor the onset and presence of

disease.

(3) Better understanding of the processes of parasitic infection.

(4) Improved understanding of the oyster's immune system.

(5) Hatchery techniques for producing disease-resistant strains.

This extensive program of ongoing research, coupled with outreach

and management efforts, aims to better serve the restoration of health

populations of oysters in the nation's coastal waters.

Gulf Oyster Industry Program: The Gulf Oyster Industry Program is a

long term, research-based program aimed at assisting the oyster

industry in states adjoining the Gulf of Mexico to achieve full

economic recovery and sustainable oyster production. This program will

foster the participation of highly qualified academic researchers with

industry and management agency personnel in a organized, comprehensive

search for practical solutions to the most pressing problems of the

Gulf oyster industry, including those relating to Vibrio vulnificus, a

human pathogen, and other human health risks associated with raw

molluscan shellfish.

Funding Availability and Priorities

The National Sea Grant College Program encourages proposals that

address one of the following two program areas:

(1) National Oyster Disease Research Program (ODRP)

The official vision statement for the program is ``to provide,

through a coordinated research program, the technological basis for

overcoming diseases which currently limit oyster production in the

United States''. Even though ODRP emphasis is on diseases associated

with the American oyster, proposals addressing disease problems of

other oyster species will be considered as long as they relate to the

priorities identified below:

In response to the progress reports presented at the special

session on the ``Oyster Disease Research Program--Progress to Date'',

during the International Shellfish Restoration Conference, 21-23

November, 1996, the ODRP Steering Committee recommended that future

announcements encourage partnerships for the transfer of basic research

findings and new technology where opportunity exists. These

partnerships may consist of, but will not be limited to, such

activities as involvement of private sector and extension/outreach in

the implementation of research results and trials of diagnostic

methods, or commercial development of tools for oyster disease

management. Even though this Announcement is encouraging projects of

this type, the Steering Committee recognizes that some of the best work

being done on oyster disease involves basic research, which may not be

ready for application, but which still contributes to a greater

understanding of the fundamental nature of oyster diseases. Sea Grant

will continue to support this basic research, while providing

opportunity for those researchers that have already developed useful

applications to receive consideration in the proposal process. We have

also provided more detail on the results of ongoing research on the

National Sea Grant Homepage on the World Wide Web at http://

www.mdsg.umd.edu.

Another consideration identified by the Steering Committee involves

creating opportunities for larger-scale efforts that build on existing

progress where it would be meaningful. The intent of projects that

would fall into this category should be research hypothesis testing,

but not long-term monitoring. The committee felt that this is an avenue

for reaching the next step programmatically, and would encourage

researchers to build the appropriate partnerships and linkages,

especially with concerned State agencies.

Primary consideration for funding will be given to proposals which

address the specific priorities listed below. These priorities,

originally determined at a national workshop in January, 1995 and

further refined at the Oyster Disease Research Program session during

the International Shellfish Restoration Conference in 1996, are not

listed in any implied order of importance.

(1) Parasite life cycles and the dynamics and mechanisms of

transmission--investigations of selected aspects of the life cycles of

oyster pathogens, especially MSX and Perkinsus, and the dynamics/

mechanisms of disease transmission among host organisms.

(2) Host-parasite interactions--investigations which: determine how

pathogens avoid host defense mechanisms; biochemically characterize

Perkinsus strains; determine factors which confer virulence to

Perkinsus strains; determine mechanisms of infection/entry into the

host; or compare disease processes in oyster species.

(3) Mechanisms of disease resistance--continued emphasis is placed

on studies concerning cellular/molecular mechanisms of disease

[[Page 10632]]

infection and resistance in Crassostrea spp. and studies which

determine the mechanisms of immune response in oysters. In addition,

analysis of host defense factors, the development of molecular markers

of disease and stress resistance, the development of immuno-stimulants,

the application of chemo-therapeutics, and the identification of

pathogen virulence and resistance mechanisms are needed; as are studies

comparing resistance among diploid and polyploid oysters.

(4) Development and application of diagnostic methods for all

oyster diseases--investigations which lead to the development and

application of molecular techniques for disease diagnosis, and those

which develop rapid field diagnostic methods are high priority.

(5) Environmental influences on disease processes--proposals which

address the influence of biotic and abiotic factors upon host-parasite

interactions are high priority. Also included are studies of the

effects of eutrophication upon disease dynamics, basic physiological

and adaptation processes in both hosts and parasites, the mechanisms of

the summer kill phenomenon, relationships between disease progression

and climate, and the eco-physiology of Perkinsus.

(6) Taxonomy, phylogeny and population studies of both hosts and

parasites--emphasis continues on studies of variations in population

susceptibility, host resistance and pathogen virulence. Also needed are

investigations of the genetic structure of both hosts and parasites.

(7) Development and application of selective breeding strategies--

We are seeking studies which develop molecular/biochemical markers for

breeding resistance into oysters, as well as genome analysis and gene

transfer techniques related to disease resistance. A priority in this

category is an evaluation of non-native oyster species genomes with

regard to disease resistance under aquaculture conditions.

(8) Development and testing of geographic and mathematical models

to improve understanding of disease dynamics--the highest priority

topic in this category is the need for a dual disease model to examine

the effects of environmental change upon oyster populations. A basic

model now exists and new work in this area must clearly state how

additional investment will take us to an even better level of

prediction.

(9) Design, apply and evaluate disease management strategies for

enhanced natural and aquaculture production and prediction (i.e.

advanced forecasting)--There are many issues related to establishment

of recovery areas, remote setting, use of natural seed, bottom cleaning

before setting, cultch type, etc. which should be addressed as

management priorities.

Approximately $1,475,000 in FY 1999 funding is available for this

competition and additional funds are expected but not assured for FY

2000. Therefore, two-year projects will be considered. Funding will be

on an annual basis, with renewal depending upon satisfactory

demonstration of progress and availability of funds.

(2) Gulf Oyster Industry Program

The Gulf Oyster Industry Program was created as a result of

information provided by Gulf oyster industry leaders, state resource

managers, and academic researchers spanning the five-state Gulf region.

Specific needs identified by these individuals were subsumed into 12

concise issue statements as a result of a workshop held in New Orleans,

Louisiana in 1997. This list of research and extension needs and

proposed responses was presented to a select Industry Advisory Panel at

the Gulf Oyster Industry Program Workshop conducted in New Orleans,

La., on February 28, 1998, and the group was asked to establish

research priorities based on that framework. Through an ensuing

discussion, high-priority issues were delineated as shown below:

(1) Human pathogenic organisms--Human pathogens associated with raw

shellfish are perceived as a problem for consumers thus affecting

market sales. This RFP seeks proposals that will develop means of

treating oyster shell stock and oyster meats to eliminate Vibrio

vulnificus, and to develop improved methods for depurating oysters such

as the use of friendly bacteria or other water treatments.

(2) Consumer attitudes and preferences--Public and consumer

opinions are very important to the strengthening of the Gulf oyster

industry. This RFP seeks proposals that will determine oyster consumer

demographics, consumption patterns, attitudes and preferences.

Development and testing of new oyster products to improve marketing is

also high priority.

(3) Oyster diseases--Oyster diseases are having a major impact on

Gulf Coast Oyster stocks and for the most part this topic will be

covered under the Oyster Disease topic in this solicitation. However,

oyster disease research specific to the Gulf Coast will be considered

in this solicitation.

(4) Coastal restoration and freshwater diversions--These activities

have impacted the Gulf oyster industry both positively and negatively.

Sea Grant seeks proposals that will educate oystermen, public

officials, and citizens regarding the economic role of the oyster

industry and economic costs of displacing and relocating oyster bedding

operations. Proposals to develop and test freshwater diversion and

oyster farming strategies that reduce fouling of oysters by hooked

mussels are also high priority.

(5) Labor and mechanization--Production technology issues are

becoming more important as the traditional labor base that supports

harvesting, and processing declines. Proposals treating this problem

with special attention to cost effective mechanized approaches to

reduce labor costs in all areas of the industry are being sought.

(6) Genetics and oyster hatchery technology--These technologies are

needed to develop cost-effective hatchery/nursery operations to augment

wild oyster production with specialized strains. The development of

triploid oysters for the Gulf Coast, development of disease resistant

oysters, enhancements or immune systems of juvenile oysters through

vaccinations are examples of needed technology.

(7) Hooked mussel fouling--Hooked mussel fouling on oyster growing

areas has drastically increased harvesting costs by requiring laborious

removal of mussels from marketable oysters or transplanting to higher

salinity areas. Research on controlling or managing around hooked

mussel fouling is of high priority.

(8) Harmful algal blooms/red tide--Rapid and more sensitive

detection methods for harmful algal species and management around algal

bloom outbreaks are high priority research areas.

(9) Point-source pollution--Specific point-sources of pollution

negatively impact certain potential oyster growing waters, with

consequent public health risks and loss of revenue to growers. Studies

on identifying sources of pollution and restoration of water quality in

coastal areas are of high priority.

(10) Black drum predation--Development of novel methods of

deterring black drum fish predation on oysters in context with present

fishery regulations has been identified as an important area for

research.

(11) Economic impacts of regulatory action--The oyster industry is

impacted by media comments and regulatory actions that change

perceptions about

[[Page 10633]]

oyster products. Studies to determine the effect of inaccurate media

reporting on sales, analyze the effect of de-listing of a processor or

state from the Interstate Shippers List, and the impact of product

disparagement on markets are appropriate for this competition.

Primary consideration for funding will be given to proposals that

address the topics listed above. Although the Industry Advisory Panel

has indicated a clear preference for projects with a technological

focus, more fundamental scientific studies may be supported when clear

linkages between scientific findings and their incorporation into

technological advances and management practices can be demonstrated.

Approximately $930,000 in funding for FY 1999 is expected to be

available for competitive project awards. A similar amount is expected

for FY 2000. Therefore, two-year projects will be considered. Funding

will be on an annual basis, with renewal depending upon satisfactory

demonstration of progress and availability of funds. State Program

Directors should allow enough time in their process to pass the

proposals to the National Sea Grant Office by the dates indicated

above.

III. Eligibility

Applications requesting support under both of major topics listed

in this call for proposals are open to all non-federal scientists and

institutions. For the Oyster Disease Research topic National Marine

Fishery Services personnel may participate in joint efforts with non-

federal persons or groups in these projects as long as these non-

federal persons or groups are the principal investigators and have

applied and successfully competed for oyster disease research funds

through the process outlined in this announcement. Investigators

submitting proposals in response to this announcement are strongly

encouraged to develop inter-institutional, inter-disciplinary research

teams in the form of single, integrated proposals or as individual

proposals that are clearly linked together. Such collaborative efforts

will be factored into the final funding decision.

IV. Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under

the Oyster Disease Research Program are as follows:

(1) Impact of proposed project (35%)--Significance of the ODRP

problem that is being addressed; the level of expected improvement of

oyster industry production or technology as a result of funding or the

need for this activity as a necessary step toward having a positive

impact on future improvement of technology or production; the degree of

collaboration of this activity with other ongoing or proposed

activities.

(2) Scientific or professional merit (30%)--Degree to which the

activity will advance the state of the science or state-of-the-art

methods.

(3) Field-scale demonstration (5%)--Degree to which industry and

state oyster managers are using or will use technology or products

developed through applied research under actual field conditions.

(4) User relationships (15%)--Degree to which the potential users

of the results have been involved in the planning of the activity, will

be involved in the execution of the activity and/or are providing

matching funds.

(5) Innovativeness (10%)--Degree to which new approaches to solving

problems and exploiting opportunities in oyster disease research, or in

public outreach on such issues will be employed, or the degree to which

the activity will focus on new types of important or potentially

important resources and issues.

(6) Qualifications and past record of investigators (5%)--Degree to

which investigators are qualified by education, training, and/or

experience to execute the proposed activity; and record of achievement

with previous funding.

The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under

the Gulf Coast Oyster Industry Initiative are as follows:

(1) Impact of proposed project (40%)--Significance of the GCOIP

that will be addressed; the effect this activity will have on the

improvement of oyster industry production or technology as a result of

funding or the need for this activity as a necessary step toward having

a positive impact on future improvement of technology or production;

the degree of collaboration of this activity with other ongoing or

proposed activities.

(2) Field-scale demonstration (10%)--Degree to which industry and

state oyster managers are using or will use technology or products

developed through applied research under actual field or industry

conditions.

(3) Scientific or professional merit (20%)--Degree to which the

activity will advance the state of the science or discipline through

use and extension of state-of-the-art methods.

(4) User relationships (15%)--Degree to which potential users of

the results of the proposed activity have been involved in planning the

activity, will be involved in the execution of the activity, and/or are

providing matching funds.

(5) Innovativeness (10%)--Degree to which new approaches to solving

problems and exploiting opportunities in Gulf Coast Oyster Industry

issues, or in public outreach on such issues will be employed, or the

degree to which the activity will focus on new types of important or

potentially important resources and issues.

(6) Qualifications and past record of investigators (5%)--Degree to

which investigators are qualified by education, training, and/or

experience to execute the proposed activity; and record of achievement

with previous funding.

V. Selection Procedures

Preliminary proposals will be evaluated by the Steering Committees

that have been established for each of the oyster programs during a

meeting to be held at the most convenient location for participation by

the committee members. The Gulf Oyster Industry Steering Committee is

composed primarily of industry representatives and proposers should

keep that in mind when preparing preliminary proposals. The Steering

Committee will evaluate the project's appropriateness according to the

list of priorities listed above, and considering the projects currently

underway in the Program; a list of those projects already funded is

available from the National Sea Grant Office. The Steering Committee

will make individual recommendations to the Director of the NSGO

regarding which preliminary proposals may be suitable for further

consideration. On the basis of the panel's recommendations, the

Director of the NSGO will advise proposers whether or not the

submission of full proposals is encouraged. Invitation to submit a full

proposal does not constitute an indication that the proposal will be

funded. Interested parties who are not invited to submit full proposals

will not be precluded from submitting full proposals if they have

submitted a preliminary proposal in accordance with the procedures

described below.

Full proposals will be received at the individual state Sea Grant

Programs or at the National Sea Grant Office, if from a non-Sea Grant

State, and sent to peer reviewers for written reviews. The National Sea

Grant Office will obtain the written reviews for proposals from non-Sea

Grant states. Complete full proposals and their written reviews will be

sent by the state Sea Grant programs to the National Sea Grant Office

to be ranked in accordance with the assigned weights of the above

evaluation criteria by one of two independent peer review

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panels consisting of government, academic, and industry experts; one

panel will review the Oyster Disease Research Program and a second

panel will review the Gulf Oyster Industry Program. The panel members

of each panel will provide individual evaluations on each proposal, but

there will be no consensus advice. Their recommendations and

evaluations will be considered by the Sea Grant Program Managers in the

final selection. Only those proposals rated by the panel as either

Excellent, Very Good or Good will be eligible for funding. For those

proposals, the Sea Grant Program Managers will: (a) Ascertain which

proposals best meet the program priorities, and do not substantially

duplicate other projects that are currently funded by NOAA or other

federal agencies, hence, awards may not necessarily be made to the

highest-scored proposals; (b) select the proposals to be funded; (c)

determine which components of the selected projects will be funded; (d)

determine the total duration of funding for each proposal; and (e)

determine the amount of funds available for each proposal.

Investigators may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets

prior to approval of the award. Subsequent grant administration

procedures will be in accordance with current NOAA grants procedures. A

summary statement of the scientific review by the peer panel will be

provided to each applicant.

VI. Instructions for Application

Timetable

April 5, 1999, 5 pm (local time--Preliminary proposals due at state

Sea Grant Program.

April 8, 1999, 5 pm EST--Preliminary proposals due at NSGO.

May 27, 1999, 5 pm (local time)--Full proposals due at state Sea

Grant Program.

July 7, 1999, 5 pm EST--Full proposals due at NSGO.

October 1, 1999 (approximate)--Funds awarded to selected

recipients; projects begin.

General Guidelines

The ideal proposal attacks a well-defined problem that will be or

is a significant societal issue. The organization or people whose task

it will be to make related decisions, or who will be able to make

specific use of the projects results, will have been identified and

contacted by the Principal Investigator(s). The project will show an

understanding of what constitutes necessary and sufficient information

for responsible decision-making or for applied use, and will show how

that information will be provided by the proposed activity, or in

concert with other planned activities.

Research projects are expected to have: a rigorous hypothesis-based

scientific work plan, or a well-defined, logical approach to address an

engineering problem; a strong rationale for the proposed research; and

a clear and established relationship with the ultimate users of the

information. Research undertaken jointly with industry, business, or

other agencies with interest in the problem will be seen as being

meritorious. Their contribution to the research may be in the form of

collaboration, in-kind services, or dollar support. Projects that are

solely monitoring efforts are not appropriate for funding.

Applications must reflect the total budget necessary to accomplish

the project, and be matched by at least one dollar of non-federal funds

for each two dollars of federal funds. The appropriateness of all cost-

sharing will be determined on the basis of guidance provided in

applicable Federal cost principles. The applicants will be bound by the

percentage of cost sharing reflected in the grant award.

What to Submit

Preliminary Proposal Guidelines

To prevent the expenditure of effort that may not be successful,

proposers must first submit preliminary proposals. Preliminary

proposals must be single- or double-spaced, typewritten in at least a

10-point font, and printed on metric A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) or 8\1/2\'' x

11'' paper. The following information should be included:

(1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the

Principal Investigator and should clearly identify the program area

being addressed by starting the project title with either ``Oyster

Disease Research Program'' or ``Gulf Oyster Industry Initiative.''

Principal Investigators and collaborators should be identified by

affiliation and contact information. The total amount of Federal funds

and matching funds being requested should be listed for each budget

period, as well as the source of the matching funds. Preliminary

proposals must include matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the

Federal funds requested.

(2) A concise (2-page limit) description of the project, its

expected output or products, the anticipated users of the information,

and its anticipated impact. Proposers may wish to use the Evaluation

Criteria for additional guidance in preparing the preliminary

proposals.

(3) Resumes (1-page limit) of the Principal Investigators.

(4) Proposers are encouraged (but not required) to include a

separate page suggesting reviewers that the proposers believe are

especially well qualified to review the proposal. Proposers may also

designate persons they would prefer not review the proposal, indicating

why. These suggestions will be considered during the review process.

Three copies of the preliminary proposals must be submitted to the

state Sea Grant Program Director or, for investigators in non-Sea Grant

states, directly to the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) before 5 pm

(local time) on April 5, 1999. Preliminary proposals submitted to state

Sea Grant Programs will be forwarded, along with a cover letter, to Dr.

James McVey, National Oyster Disease and Gulf Coast Oyster Industry

Coordinator, at the address below so as to reach the NSGO on or before

5 pm on April 8, 1999.

Full Proposal Guidelines

Each full proposal should include the items listed below. All pages

should be single- or double-spaced, typewritten in at least a 10-point

font, and printed on metric A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) or 8\1/2\'' x 11''

paper. Brevity will assist reviewers and program staff in dealing

effectively with proposals. Therefore, the Project Description may not

exceed 15 pages. Tables and visual materials, including charts, graphs,

maps, photographs and other pictorial presentations are included in the

15-page limitation. Conformance to the 15-page limitation will be

strictly enforced. All information needed for review of the proposal

should be included in the main text; no appendices are permitted.

(1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the

Principal Investigator and the institutional representative and should

clearly identify the program area being addressed by starting the

project title with either ``Oyster Disease Research Program'' or ``Gulf

Oyster Industry Initiative'', as appropriate. The Principal

Investigator and institutional representative should be identified by

full name, title, organization, telephone number and address. The total

amount of Federal funds and matching funds being requested should be

listed for each budget period.

(2) Project summary: This information is very important. Prior to

attending the peer review panel meetings, some of the panelists may

read only the project summary. Therefore, it is critical that the

project summary accurately describe

[[Page 10635]]

the research being proposed and convey all essential elements of the

research. The project summary should include: 1. Title: Use the exact

title as it appears in the rest of the application. 2. Investigators:

List the names and affiliations of each investigator who will

significantly contribute to the project. Start with the Principal

Investigator. 3. Funding request for each year of the project,

including matching funds if appropriate. 4. Project Period: Start and

completion dates. Proposals should request a start date of October 1,

1999. 5. Project Summary: This should include the rationale for the

project, the scientific or technical objectives and/or hypotheses to be

tested, and a brief summary of work to be completed.

(3) Project description (15-page limit):

(a) Introduction/Background/Justification: Subjects that the

investigator(s) may wish to include in this section are: (i) current

state of knowledge; (ii) contributions that the study will make to the

particular discipline or subject area; and (iii) contributions the

study will make toward addressing the problems of Oyster Disease

Research Program of Gulf Oyster Industry issues;

(b) Research or technical plan: (i) Objectives to be achieved,

hypotheses to be tested; (ii) Experimental design and statistical

analysis to be used; (iii) Plan of work-discuss how stated project

objectives will be achieved; and (iv) Role of project personnel.

(c) Output: Describe the project outputs that will enhance the

Nation's ability to improve the status of oysters and the oyster

industry.

(d) Coordination with other program elements: Describe any

coordination with other agency programs or ongoing research efforts.

Describe any other proposals that are essential to the success of this

proposal.

(e) References and literature citations: Should be included but

will not be counted in the 15 page project description limit.

(4) Budget and budget justification: There should be a separate

budget for each year of the project as well as a cumulative annual

budget for the entire project. Applicants are encouraged to use the Sea

Grant Budget Form 90-4, but may use their own form as long as it

provides the same information as the Sea Grant form. Subcontracts

should have a separate budget page. Matching funds must be indicated;

failure to provide adequate matching funds will result in the proposal

being rejected without review. Each annual budget should include a

separate budget justification page that itemizes all budget items in

sufficient detail to enable reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness

of the funding requested. Please pay special attention to any travel,

supply or equipment budgets and provide details. Regardless of any

approved indirect cost rate applicable to the award, the maximum dollar

amount of allocable indirect costs for which the Department of Commerce

will reimburse the Recipient shall be the lesser of: (a) The Federal

share of the total allocable indirect costs of the award based on the

negotiated rate with the cognizant Federal agency as established by

audit or negotiation; or (b) The line item amount for the Federal share

of indirect costs contained in the approved budget of the award.

(5) Current and pending support: Applicants must provide

information on all current and pending support for ongoing projects and

proposals, including subsequent funding in the case of continuing

grants. All current project support from whatever source (e.g.,

Federal, State, or local government agencies, private foundations,

industrial or other commercial organizations) must be listed. The

proposed project and all other projects or activities requiring a

portion of time of the principal investigator and other senior

personnel should be included, even if they receive no Federal salary

support from the project(s). The number of person-months per year to be

devoted to the projects must be stated, regardless of source of

support. Similar information must be provided for all proposals already

submitted or submitted concurrently to other possible sponsors,

including those within NOAA.

(6) Vitae (2 pages maximum per investigator)

(7) Standard application forms: Applicants may obtain all required

application forms through the World Wide Web at http://

www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/research/rfp/index.html, from the state Sea Grant

Programs or from Dr. James P. McVey at the National Sea Grant Office

(phone: 301-713-2451 x160 or e-mail:[email protected]). The following

forms must be included:

(a) Standard Forms 424, Application for Federal Assistance, 424A,

Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; and 424B, Assurances--

Non-Construction Programs, (Rev 4-88). Applications should clearly

identify the program area being addressed by starting the project title

with either as appropriate. Please note that both the Principal

Investigator and an administrative contact should be identified in

Sections 5 of the SF424. For Section 10, applicants for the National

Oyster Disease Research Program and Gulf Oyster Industry Initiative

program areas should enter ``11.417'' for the CFDA Number and ``Sea

Grant Support'' for the title. The form must contain the original

signature of an authorized representative of the applying institution.

(b) Primary applicant certifications. All primary applicants must

submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment,

Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace

Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby

provided:

(i) Nonprocurement debarment and suspension. Prospective

participants (as defined as 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;

(ii) Drug-free workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26,

Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Government-

wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related

section of the certification form prescribed above applies;

(iii) 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

(iv) 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.

(c) Lower tier certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/

bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other 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 CD-512 is intended for the

use of recipients and should not be transmitted to the Department of

Commerce (DOC). SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient

should be submitted to

[[Page 10636]]

DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award

document.

VII. How to Submit

Preliminary proposals and proposals must be submitted to the state

Sea Grant Programs or, for investigators in non-Sea Grant states,

directly to the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), according to the

schedule outlined above. Although investigators are not required to

submit more than 3 copies of either preproposals or full proposals, the

normal review process requires 10 copies. Investigators are encouraged

to submit sufficient copies for the full review process if they wish

all reviewers to receive color, usually sized (not 8.5 x 11''), or

otherwise unusual materials submitted as part of the proposal. Only

three copies of the Federally required forms are needed. The addresses

of the Sea Grant College Program directors may be found on Sea Grant's

World Wide Web home page (http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/index.html) or

may also be obtained by contacting the Program Manager, Dr. James P.

McVey, at the National Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2451 x160 or e-

mail: [email protected]). Preproposals and proposals sent to the

National Sea Grant Office should be addressed: National Sea Grant

Office, R/SG, Attn: National Oyster Disease and Gulf Coast Oyster

Industry Coordinator, NOAA, Room 11877, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver

Spring, MD 20910 (phone 301-713-2435 for express mail applications).

Applications received after the deadline and applications that

deviate from the format described above will be returned to the sender

without review. Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission

of applications will not be accepted.

VIII. Other Requirements

(1) Federal Policies and Procedures--Recipients and subrecipients

are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and Department of Commerce

(DOC) policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal

financial assistance awards.

(2) Past Performance--Unsatisfactory performance under prior

Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for

funding.

(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 or written

assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the

part of DOC to cover preaward costs.

(4) No Obligation for Future Funding--If an application is selected

for funding, DOC has no obligation to provide any additional future

funding in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase

funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion

of DOC.

(5) Delinquent Federal Debts--No award of Federal funds shall be

made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt

until either:

(a) The delinquent account is paid in full,

(b) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one

payment is received, or

(c) Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC are made.

(6) Name Check Review--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.

(7) False Statements--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.

(8) Intergovernmental Review--Applications for support from the

National Sea Grant College Program are not subject to Executive Order

12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

(9) Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products--Applicants

are hereby notified that they will be encouraged to the greatest extent

practicable, to purchase American-made equipment and products with

funding provided under this program.

Classification

Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not

required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this

notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Therefore, a

regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for purposes of the

Regulatory Flexibility Act.

This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes

of E.O. 12866.

This notice contains collection of information requirements subject

to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Sea Grant Budget Form and Standard

Forms 424, 424a and 424b have been approved under control numbers 0648-

0362, 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0040 with average responses

estimated to take 15, 45, 180, and 15 minutes, respectively. These

estimates include the time for reviewing instructions, searching

existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and

completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments

on these estimates or any other aspect of these collections to National

Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver

Spring, MD 20910 (Attention: Francis S. Schuler) and to the Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget,

Washington, DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk Officer). Notwithstanding

any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to,

nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply

with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the

Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays

a currently valid OMB Control Number.

Dated: February 25, 1999.

Louisa Koch,

Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric

Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

[FR Doc. 99-5116 Filed 3-4-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-KA-M