Final FOA Content_M25AS00273-AK-25-01_6-26-2025.pdf

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Notice of Funding Opportunity

AK-25-01, Alaska Coastal Marine Institute Administrative Award

Funding Opportunity Number

M25AS00273

Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format

Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: M25AS00273

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.421

Estimated Total Program Funding: $67,000

Expected Number of Awards: 1

Award Ceiling: $67,000

Award Floor: $65,000

Cost Sharing Required?

Yes Closing Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

OMB Control Number:

Have Questions?

Deja Bracey

Contracting Officer

Email: Deja.Bracey@bsee.gov

Executive Summary The purpose of this award is to facilitate environmental research that can be undertaken by the University of Alaska Coastal Marine Institute (Alaska CMI), in concert with entities representing the State of Alaska, for the purposes of gathering scientific information that can be applied to resource management decisions that must be made by the State and local governments concerning development of offshore energy resources. The relationship between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Alaska CMI is long standing with several active scientific studies in progress; this funding will also help provide the formatting, Section 508 Compliance and remaining administrative functions required to bring these studies to completion.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants State governments

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

Additional Information on Eligibility This Program Announcement describes the specific projects that may be awarded to the universities or eligible groups identified. All awards are premised on receipt of an acceptable proposal. This is not an open solicitation for proposals.

This announcement is specifically to announce intent to undertake the following project(s):

• To provide administrative operations and support the Coastal Marine Institute program.

The award will be a cooperative agreement (see Eligibility Information below). This involves substantial involvement by BOEM scientists in various aspects of study development and/or study conduct.

Eligibility Information

Research projects are required to have a staff member of the applying organization as the Principal Investigator (PI). Cooperative research between interested organizations-i.e., state agencies, public universities, and non-profits in affected states-is always encouraged.

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

Yes Coastal Marine Institute project awards require 1:1 non-federal cost-share.

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

Refer to Attachment – Submission Instructions & Tips.

GRANTS.GOV

This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov. Please allow 30 days to register and set up a Workspace in Grants.gov. See Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of this agreement is to provide administrative operations and support the CMI program. The specific objectives for the CMI administration will include:

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

1. Coordinate program funding cycles

2. Provide coordination and act as a liaison between research faculty and BOEM

3. Monitor study and program expenditures

4. Oversee timely completion of reporting, formatting, 508 compliance, and dissemination of study results

Description of Work

Objective 1: Coordinate and schedule meetings as needed

Objective 2: Ensure UA staff receive and understand BOEMs current strategic framework and coordinate meetings to address questions as necessary

Objective 3: Monitor study and program expenditures and facilitate resolutions to funding issues

Objective 4: Ensure final reports are properly formatted, meet 508 compliance standards, and that all final deliverables are distributed per BOEM guidelines. Coordinate the annual CMI program studies presentation

Project Management Plan Including Involvement Statement

The CMI Director will participate in BOEM Information Transfer Meetings as requested and may also attend other BOEM planning meetings upon invitation. UA will provide support staff for primary project coordination and administrative assistance. The CMI Director will supervise and evaluate the performance of the CMI support staff to ensure all tasks are completed on time and of satisfactory quality.

BOEM Involvement Statement

BOEM personnel assigned CMI responsibilities include the Environmental Sciences Management Studies Chief and a Project Officer (PO).

The PO and other BOEM staff will engage with the UA CMI Director and staff to provide advice and direction as needed.

Scientific Integrity Statement

Scientific integrity is vital to Department of the Interior (DOI) activities under which scientific research, data, summaries, syntheses, interpretations, presentations, and or publications are developed and used. Failure to uphold the highest degree of scientific integrity will result not only in potentially flawed scientific results, interpretations, and applications but will damage DOIs reputation and ability to uphold the publics trust. All work performed must comply with the DOI Scientific Integrity Policy (see www.doi.gov, or its equivalent as provided by their organization or State law).

Performance Measures Plan

Applicable performance measures for this project include successful completion of meetings and reviews as described above; responsiveness to BOEM contracting and or management issues; and timely completion and delivery of CMI Administration Project deliverables.

Program Description The purpose of this award is to facilitate environmental research that can be undertaken by the University of Alaska Coastal Marine Institute (Alaska CMI), in concert with entities representing the State of Alaska, for the purposes of gathering scientific information that can be applied to resource management decisions that must be made by the State and local governments concerning development of offshore energy resources. The relationship between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Alaska CMI is long standing with several active scientific studies in progress; this funding will also help provide the formatting, Section 508 Compliance and remaining administrative functions required to bring these studies to completion.

Legislative Authority Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) at 43 USC 1345(e)

Type of Award Projects will be funded through CA (Cooperative Agreement).

Recipient should expect the Federal agency to have substantial involvement in the project.

Recipient should expect the Federal agency to have substantial involvement in the project.

Substantial involvement from the Bureau will include discussion or involvement regarding study design, data collection, data analysis and information synthesis, and the development of papers and publications on the results of this study. Finally, the Bureau will ensure that the study results are presented in a way that directly addresses the identified data gaps to assist in informing BOEM’s mission.

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below.

Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying

Required from all applicants

SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs

Required for non-construction projects https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement

SF-424B: Assurances for Non-Construction Programs Required for non-construction projects

SF-429 (Cover Page & Attachment B), Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish Real Property Note: The SF-429 forms are only available in the Grants.gov Forms Repository. Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required if requesting to acquire, improve, or furnish real property.

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and the applicant has used or plans to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019). Must include, in plain language:

• Award purpose,

• Activities to be performed,

• Expected deliverables or outcomes,

• Intended beneficiaries, Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award)

Required from all applicants

Budget Narrative Attachment Required from all applicants Project Narrative Attachment Required from all applicants Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when Applicable) Required from all applicants

DOI Research and Development (R&D) – Current and Pending (Other) Support Note: This form is available on the DOI website.

Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required for research projects.

DOI Research and Development (R&D) – Biographical Sketch Note: This form is available on the DOI website.

Applicants must download the form and include the completed form as an application attachment.

Required for research projects.

Project Narrative

PURPOSE

https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.doi.gov/grants/policies-and-guidance https://www.doi.gov/grants/policies-and-guidance

This agreement is made and entered into by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), for the Alaska Coastal Marine Institute (CMI) Program Administration 2025-2026.

BACKGROUND

The University of Alaska (UA) CMI was established by a Memorandum of Agreement between BOEM and UA. BOEM oversees the exploration and development of the nation's offshore energy resources and supports scientific studies to inform responsible resource management on the U.S. OCS. The partnership strengthens BOEM-State relationships in addressing common information needs. Principal Investigators for CMI-funded projects are faculty and other research scientists within the University of Alaska system.

OBJECTIVE(s)

• Collect and disseminate environmental information needed for OCS conventional and renewable energy, and marine minerals decisions.

• Address local and regional OCS-related environmental and resource issues of mutual interest.

• Strengthen the partnership between BOEM and the State of Alaska by addressing OCS oil and gas and marine minerals information needs.

• Fund projects that inform across disciplines, including fisheries, biomonitoring, chemical and physical oceanography, and oil biodegradation.

FRAMEWORK ISSUES

• Scientific studies for a better understanding of marine, coastal, or human environments potentially affected by the exploration and development of OCS energy and marine mineral resources.

• Modeling studies of environmental, social, economic, or cultural processes related to OCS oil and gas or renewable energy activities to improve scientific predictive capabilities.

• Experimental studies for better understanding of environmental processes or the effects of OCS activities.

• Projects that improve collection or sharing of data or scientific information about marine or coastal resources or human activities, to support prudent management of energy and marine mineral resources.

• Synthesis studies of scientific environmental or socio-economic information relevant to the OCS oil and gas, renewable energy, and marine mineral programs, including workshops and literature syntheses.

METHODS

UA, in concert with BOEM, develops and disseminates an annual Call for Letters of Intent (LOI) to identify studies designed to collect information necessary to evaluate how BOEM’s decision-making impacts the environment. LOIs are evaluated for relevance, timeliness, and scientific merit. They will be reviewed by the CMI Technical Steering Committee, which includes representatives from UA, BOEM, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. CMI is supported for up to $250,000 through a subsequent

Notice of Funding Opportunity. CMI project awards require 1:1 non-federal cost-share, and the LOI must identify non-federal sources of cost-share and in-kind contributions. CMI awards are limited to a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $100,000 (not including the required 1:1 cost-share) and must start by the end of September of the award year. LOIs involving graduate students may be submitted with the Graduate Advisor acting as the Principal Investigator. Topic areas of interest include:

• Carbonate chemistry conditions and the response of marine organisms, to assess the potential for coastal and ocean acidification and impacts on biological resources.

• Fate and weathering of oil spills from renewable and conventional energy projects in open water and ice conditions, including refinements to modeling algorithms.

• Characterization and structural properties (e.g., extent, thickness, velocity, seasonality, frequency of occurrence) of sea ice, including frazil and submerged ice.

• Effects of climate change on marine ecosystem functions.

• Immigration and emigration pathways for adult and juvenile salmon.

• Seasonal presence and spatial distribution of baleen whales in lower Cook Inlet and

Shelikof Strait.

• Impacts of vessel traffic in Cook Inlet on Cook Inlet belugas, ESA listed stocks of humpback whales, Northeast population of fin whales, North Pacific right whale, and the Southwest sea otter population, including collision risk and potential to disturb foraging, breeding, and calving and/or pupping activity.

DELIVERABLES, DUE DATES AND DISTRIBUTION

Specifications for Photos and Machine-Readable Data Deliverables

1.Digital Images

All photographs, slides, and images required for this contract or agreement shall be submitted in high quality digital format; i.e., of sufficient resolution for use in publications and presentation software. Documentation submitted with photos and images shall include descriptive captions, attribution, and relevant locational information as appropriate.

2. Machine-readable Data

All machine-readable data required for this contract or agreement shall be submitted to BOEM in a standard machine readable format (e.g., ASCII, Excel, NetCDF), as approved by the COR/PO, capable of being incorporated into a standard data base management system (e.g., Access, ORACLE). Prior to submission, all data shall undergo appropriate quality assurance and post- processing to facilitate its use by knowledgeable scientists. At a minimum, data submissions should include information necessary to permit an end-user to reproduce the plots and figures included in your final report. A submitted data file should also have information incorporated within it to allow a knowledgeable user to understand and use the data should it become separated from accompanying documentation (e.g. a short, descriptive header record or column headings with units).

3. Metadata and Other Documentation

All data submissions shall be accompanied by appropriate metadata that conforms to a suitable, commonly-used convention. A “Readme” file or other simple, plain-language documentation file should also be provided.

4. Entity Relationship Diagram

When appropriate, the data deliverables shall include a source data dictionary with an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD). The ERD shall illustrate the relationships between the tables in the database. The table names and fields within the ERD shall be linked to the data dictionary. An example of a Data Dictionary, Relationship table and Domains table format can be found in MMS 2002-017 available at http://www.boem.gov/Alaska-Reports-2002/

5. Geospatial Date

Spatial data provided to BOEM shall be georeferenced. Latitude and longitude coordinates shall be reported in decimal degrees, with the preferred convention of west longitudes expressed as negative numbers and north latitudes expressed as positive numbers. As practicable, geospatial data shall be provided in geodatabase format for use in ArcGIS (consult COR/PO for version used by BOEM). Refer to the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Homepage, FGDC Metadata, and Clearinghouse Homepages at: http://www.fgdc.gov/ for guidance regarding metadata for geospatial data.

http://www.boem.gov/Alaska-Reports-2002/ http://www.fgdc.gov/

6. Data submission to National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI; formerly NODC) The PI is responsible for the submission of the contract data to NCEI (or other appropriate national data repository) in accordance with relevant data submission guidelines. Forward a copy of the submitted data and confirmation message to the COR/PO and Chief, Division of Environmental Sciences, BOEM in accordance with the contract or agreement. See https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/ for more information.

SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

Deliverable products shall be submitted to the addresses shown in accordance with the following schedule. Specifications for reporting and other information requirements can be found on the BOEM website: https://www.boem.gov/ESP-Data-and- Information-Specifications/

Budget Narrative Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Budget items must be:

• Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

• Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles

Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

• De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures:

If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112. Refer to 2 CFR 200.112 Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement:

Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

• Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/ http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/ https://www.boem.gov/ESP-Data-and-Information-Specifications/ https://www.boem.gov/ESP-Data-and-Information-Specifications/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402#1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113

• Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

• Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

• A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

• Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

▪ If you have any questions or problems with the registration process, or the completion of the application package, please contact the grants.gov help desk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

▪ Briefly, when you submit a grant application package to Grants.gov, you will receive a confirmation screen as well as three additional emails over two business days from Grants.gov informing you of your application processing status:

1. Confirmation screen

2. Submission Receipt (with “Track My Application” link)

3. Submission Validation (or Rejection with Errors)

4. Agency Retrieval

▪ CONFIRMATION: Submission Confirmation Screen.

After you submit your grant application package, a confirmation screen will appear on your computer screen. This screen confirms that you have submitted an application to Grants.gov.

▪ NOTIFICATION 1: Submission Receipt Email Within two business days after your application package has been received by the Grants.gov system, you will receive a submission receipt email which indicates that your submission has entered the Grants.gov system and is ready for validation. This email also contains a tracking number for use while tracking the status of the submission as well as a “Track My Application” link, to use to see the progress of your submission.

▪ NOTIFICATION 2: Submission Validation Receipt Email – This is the important one! After you receive the submission receipt email, the next email you will receive will be a message validating or rejecting your submitted application package with errors. The Grants.gov system is designed to check for technical errors within the submitted application package. Grants.gov does not review application content for award determination. Grants.gov will not post the application if there are errors. Failure to correct errors and submit by the date and time for closing may not be a reason for accepting a late application.

▪ NOTIFICATION 3: Grantor Agency Retrieval Email Once your application package has passed validation it is delivered to the grantor for award determination and further approval.

After the grantor has confirmed receipt of your application, you will be sent a third and final email from Grants.gov. The grantor may also assign your application package an agency specific tracking number for use within their internal system. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS E-

MAIL WITHIN FOUR DAYS OF THE CLOSING DATE, PLEASE CONTACT THE

CONTRACTING OFFICER.

▪ If you need help entering your proposal, you can reach the Grants.gov Contact Center at: 1- 800- 518- 4726. Their hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, and they are closed on Federal Holidays.

▪ During the application period an applicant may submit a revised or corrected proposal through grants.gov. Include a cover letter as the first page of the proposal stating that the proposal is revised and indicating that the previous submittal is to be withdrawn from consideration. See Section 11, Application Preparation Instructions, which describes requirements for the proposal and other application components.

Please allow sufficient time for the proposal to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and allow time for possible computer delays. Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute for submission. A proposal received after the closing date and time will NOT be considered for award. If the BOEM determines that a proposal will not be considered for award due to lateness, the applicant will be notified immediately.

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 07/29/2025

Closing Date Explanation

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

Submission Instructions Apply Through Grants.gov To apply through Grants.gov, please follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Before applying, ensure that at least one person at your organization is registered and has the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only the AOR can submit the application. If you need more users, they must create their own Grants.gov account. Follow these steps below to apply:

• Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

• Complete a Workspace: Invite participants to the workspace so you can collaborate on the application. Required applications forms are included in the Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Package and can be completed in the Workspace, unless noted otherwise in the Required Forms table above. Check for errors before submission.

• Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab

• Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

https://grants.gov/register https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

The system generates a date and time stamp and sends it to the applicant’s AOR via email as proof of submission. Make sure your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks. Do not encrypt, zip, or password-protect any files. Only registered individuals in SAM as both a user and an AOR can submit applications. Please allow 30 days to register in Grants.gov.

Application System Technical Support: For Grants.gov technical registration and submission, downloading forms, and application packages, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or by email at Support@grants.gov.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review During the eligibility review, the application is checked for timely submission, completed packages (see Application Documents above) and alignment with the requirements of this announcement. The Federal agency may remove an application if it does not pass the eligibility review.

If an applicant selected for funding hasn't finished their SAM.gov registration (see 2 CFR 25.200and 2 CFR 25.110) when the federal agency is ready to make an award, we may decide that the applicant is ineligible for the award and choose to grant it to someone else. Please refer 2

CFR

25.205 for more information.

Prior to making an award, the DOI checks the anticipated recipient and their key project personnel against the current list of prohibited or restricted persons or entities in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Exclusions database. We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.

If removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

If an applicant selected for funding hasn't finished their SAM.gov registration (see 2 CFR 25.200 and 2 CFR 25.110) when the federal agency is ready to make an award, we may decide that the applicant is ineligible for the award and choose to grant it to someone else. Please refer 2 CFR

25.205 for more information.

Prior to making an award, the DOI checks the anticipated recipient and their key project personnel against the current list of prohibited or restricted persons or entities in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Exclusions database. We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.

If removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

If an applicant selected for funding hasn't finished their SAM.gov registration (see 2 CFR 25.200 and 2 CFR 25.110) when the federal agency is ready to make an award, we may decide that the https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-25.200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 applicant is ineligible for the award and choose to grant it to someone else. Please refer 2 CFR

25.205 for more information.

Prior to making an award, the DOI checks the anticipated recipient and their key project personnel against the current list of prohibited or restricted persons or entities in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Exclusions database. We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.

If removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

Merit Review Scientific Quality and Impact

Maximum Points: 20

Is the proposed study of high scientific quality with clear objectives? What will the study achieve to address BOEM's information needs?

Work Plan/Methodology

Maximum Points: 20

Is the strategy coherent and clear? Are the scientific objectives appropriate for the proposed timeframe? Are the geographic areas selected for the study appropriate? Are the proposed methods appropriate and adequate to meet the objectives? Are logistics adequately addressed?

Does the proposal address contingency plans for missed field work, equipment failure, and other problems?

Experience/Competence of Research Personnel

Maximum Points: 20

Has the applicant demonstrated (through bibliographic references, relevant education, experience, awards, etc.) that they are capable of doing the proposed research? Has the applicant demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the scientific problem? Have products been on schedule and within budget?

Budget Justification and Clarity

Maximum Points: 20

Is project staffing sufficient (e.g., experience, knowledge and skills) to accomplish the proposed goals? Are field expenses, supplies, lab work, and other expenses appropriate? Are expenses adequately itemized?

Planned Products and Dissemination of Results

Maximum Points: 20

Are the products clearly defined? Will they be useful for offshore energy planning and decision-making? Will the results be published in a peer-reviewed form? Does the proposal indicate the https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205

Principal Investigator will provide data and metadata in a format that meets Federal data standards? Will the products be accessible and comprehensible to the public?

Review and Selection Process This program reviews proposed budgets to ensure:

• figures are correct

• estimated costs are necessary and reasonable and clearly linked to project narratives

• avoid obviously unallowable costs

• identify costs requiring prior approval

• ensure indirect cost rates are applied correctly

• confirm cost sharing requirements are reflected in the budget.

This program reviews applications for potential overlap or duplication between the proposed project and any other funded or proposed project. Depending on the circumstances, DOI may choose to not make an award.

This program reviews proposed budgets to ensure:

• figures are correct

• estimated costs are necessary and reasonable and clearly linked to project narratives

• avoid obviously unallowable costs

• identify costs requiring prior approval

• ensure indirect cost rates are applied correctly

• confirm cost sharing requirements are reflected in the budget.

This program reviews applications for potential overlap or duplication between the proposed project and any other funded or proposed project. Depending on the circumstances, DOI may choose to not make an award.

Risk Review Prior to making an award, the program assesses the risk posed by the applicant per 2 CFR

200.206. If an award will be made, the program may apply special conditions corresponding to the risk assessed. For awards over the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the program reviews eligibility and financial integrity information in the applicant’s SAM.gov records per 2 CFR 200.206(a). The program also assesses financial management capabilities, project delivery experience, staffing resources, past performance, administration and reporting compliance records, and overall project complexity and potential challenges.

AWARD NOTICES

Notices of Federal Award are sent electronically via GrantSolutions or e-mail. These notices outline the terms, conditions, and payment instructions per 2 CFR 200.211. The Notice of Federal Award signed by an authorized Grants Officer is the legal instrument obligating financial assistance to a recipient. Any other prior notice is not an authorization to begin work. If the program allows pre-award costs per 2 CFR 200.458, beginning performance before receiving a Notice of Federal Award is at the applicant’s own risk.

Anticipated Project Start Date: 08/21/2025 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.206(a) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.211 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.458

Anticipated Project End Date: 09/21/2026

Anticipated start date is on 08/21/2025 with the end for period of performance on 09/21/2026.

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements For award administration and national policy requirements, see the DOI General Terms and Conditions. Infrastructure projects require the use of American iron, steel, manufacture products, and construction materials per 2 CFR 184.

Geospatial Data

If you receive financial assistance from the Department of the Interior (DOI), recipient must follow these rules for geospatial data:

Follow Federal Standards: All geospatial data you collect or create must meet the standards set by the Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC) or the Department of the Interior. This is required by the Geospatial Data Act of 2018, which is part of Public Law 115-254, specifically in Subtitle F (Geospatial Data), sections 751-759C (codified at 43 U.S.C. §§ 2801–2811).

Include Metadata: Your Geographic Information Systems (GIS) files must include complete metadata. Metadata is information that describes the data, such as where it came from, how accurate it is, and how it should be used. This is to ensure that anyone using the data understands its context and quality.

Check for Existing Data: Before you start collecting new geospatial data, you need to check GeoPlatform.gov. This is to see if there is already existing geospatial data from federal, state, local, or private sources that can meet your needs and is available for free. If such data is available, you should use it instead of gathering new data.

These rules help ensure that geospatial data is reliable, high-quality, and that resources are used efficiently.

Reporting The recipient’s Notice of Award will detail all reporting requirements, including frequency, due dates, and instructions for requesting extensions. In general, but not limited to, recipients must:

• Submit Federal Financial reports and Program Performance reports.

• Use the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) form for financial reporting,

• Monitor award activities and report on program performance per 2 CFR 200.329,

• Promptly notify the awarding program in writing of any issues, delays, or conditions impairing award objectives per 2 CFR 200.329(e),

• Disclose any conflicts of interest related to their award that arise during the award period per 2 CFR 1402.112,

• Report on the status of real property acquired under the award in which the Federal government retains an interest per 2 CFR 200.330, and

• Report all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award per 2 CFR 200.113.

https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=2019&path=%2Fprelim%40title43%2Fchapter46&req=granuleid%3AUSC-2019-title43-chapter46&num=0&saved=L3ByZWxpbUB0aXRsZTQzL2NoYXB0ZXI0Ng%3D%3D%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGU0My1jaGFwdGVyNDY%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/post-award-reporting-forms https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.329 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.329 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B/section-1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR36520e4111dce32/section-200.330

• Report any matters related to recipient integrity and performance to SAM.gov per Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200.

• If the Federal share of the award is more than $100,000 and the recipient makes or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection to the award, disclose those activities using the Disclosure of Lobbying (SF-LLL) form per

43 CFR 18.100.

• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) requires certain recipients to report information on executive compensation through SAM.gov and information on all sub-awards, subcontracts, and consortiums over $30,000 to the FFATA Subaward Reporting System (FSRS).

Other Information https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#Appendix-XII-to-Part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.fsrs.gov/