FAQ1 1 (1).pdf

FAQs - Part 1

Note: Due to the number of questions we received, we are answering the most asked right now. We will post a follow-up FAQ on August 10 with any remaining questions that we receive by August 7.

Question: Can you clarify the targeted depth ranges?

• The NOFO refers to the continental shelf in the legal (as opposed to scientific) sense, as defined in Article 76 of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. The continental shelf ranges in depth from less than 200 meters in near-shore areas to more than 5000 meters.

Question: Can I have an extension for the application?

• All funding must be obligated by September 30, 2026. Due to this timing, no extensions will be granted.

Question: Is there a comprehensive list of U.S. institutions or organizations to explore a collaboration with on this NOFO?

• We do not have a list of entities to collaborate with.

Question: My organization has more than one Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Can I submit more than one application?

• Each UEI holder is legally distinct and may submit one application. If an organization has multiple UEIs, each UEI represents a separate entity and should identify as such on their application.

Question: Are there limitations on the number of other proposals in which an organization can also serve as a partner or subaward?

• There are no limitations for the number of times an organization can serve as a sub-awardee in a proposal.

Question: Am I still eligible to submit a proposal as the lead applicant if I am listed as a sub-awardee on another?

• Yes - the only limitation is one application per prime applicant.

Question: Do the Logic Model, Monitoring Indicator Tracker, and Timeline templates count towards the 15-page limit?

• No.

Question: Do the CVs or resumes of key personnel count towards the 15-page limit?

• No.

Question: The Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan includes a one-page narrative, will that also be counted as one of the 15 pages?

• Yes, this plan will count toward the 15-pages, but the tracker will not count.

Question: 15 pages is not enough space to provide sufficient information for my proposal. Can I include additional information as an appendix?

• The CVs/resume, logic model, monitoring indicator tracker, and timeline do not count towards the 15-page limit. Beyond these attachments, you may submit additional information as an appendix to the 15-page proposal;

however, we cannot guarantee that anything more than the 15-page proposal and the allowed attachments will be reviewed by the selection panel.

Question: For the Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, are a 1-page narrative and tracker both required components, or can we select just one format for this section?

• Both are required components for the proposal.

Question: For (1) methods and design and (2) project schedule and timeline, are the templates referenced for these two pieces required or suggested?

• You are not required to use the exact template we provided; however, we do expect to receive all the information requested in the template in your proposal.

Question: Can we collaborate with a different U.S. government agency on this proposal?

• Any collaboration or support from another U.S. government agency would not be reimbursed by the funding provided by this award. If a proposal is designed with such collaborations, the collaboration component will not be considered as a factor during the merit review of the proposal (i.e. the proposal will be assessed on what it delivers outside of what the U.S.

government agency is proposed to contribute).

Question: Form SF-424 section 16 requires the Congressional District of Program/Project, but the work will be located in the PICs. Should we list where the applicant is based?

• 16a. Enter the applicant’s congressional district. If foreign applicant, enter “90” 16b. Enter the primary district affected by the program or project. Enter in the following format: 2 character state abbreviation – 3 characters district number, e.g., CA-005 for California 5th district, CA-012 for California 12th district, NC-103 for North Carolina’s 103rd district. If all congressional districts in a state are affected, enter “all” for the district number, e.g., MD-all for all congressional districts in Maryland. If nationwide, i.e., all districts within all states are affected, enter US-all. If the program/project is outside the US, enter 00.000. This optional data element is intended for use only by programs for which the area(s) affected are likely to be different than place(s) of performance reported on the SF-424 Project/Performance Site Location(s) form. Attach an additional list of program/project congressional districts, if needed.