FINAL NOFA NortheastRegionalCoop.doc

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Program Announcement No. M18AS00001 Analysis of Critical and Strategic Mineral Recovery from Sand Used for Beach Nourishment FY 2018 Marine Minerals Program CFDA No. 15.424 August 10, 2018 I. Funding Opportunity Description:

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) through the Marine Minerals Program (MMP) is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity to coordinate sand and gravel resource identification, delineation and management practices for the Northeast region to serve the public interest in offshore sand resources, coastal restoration and coastal resilience. This funding is available to one state entity in the Northeast region and will require coordination with other states in the region. The states within the Northeast region include: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

Section 1346 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) mandates the conduct of environmental and socioeconomic studies needed for the assessment and management of environmental impacts on the human, marine, and coastal environments which may be affected by oil and gas or other mineral development. OCSLA Section 1345 authorizes the use of cooperative agreements with affected States to meet the requirements of OCSLA, including sharing of information, joint utilization of available expertise, formation of joint monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to outer continental shelf operations both onshore and offshore.

II. Award Information:

· The total amount of funding available for an award based on this announcement is not to exceed $200,000. Work performance under the cooperative agreement award will start on day of award. The MMP anticipates making one (1) cooperative agreement award(s) in response to this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) (see list of eligible entities below in Section III). The award ceiling, for the entire proposed project (not per year), per cooperative agreement is $200,000 and the award floor per cooperative agreement is $150,000. The anticipated period of performance will be 24 months. Additional information regarding multi-year proposals is presented in the “Multi-Year Proposal” section below.

· This Program Announcement describes projects that may be awarded to State entities and higher learning institutions in the Northeast region. This is not an open solicitation for proposals. The states within the Northeast region include: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. All awards are premised on receipt of an acceptable proposal.

· This announcement is specifically to announce intent to undertake the following project: To coordinate sand and gravel resource identification, delineation and management practices for the Northeast region that supports the BOEM Marine Minerals National Sand Inventory including a technical report generating estimates of the strategic and economic potential of accessible mineral resources under BOEM’s management, particularly in regard to critical strategic mineral and rare earth element content.

· This award will be a cooperative agreement and must include substantial involvement by MMP staff in various aspects of study development and/or study conduct. The Project Officer and other BOEM scientists will be engaged with the Principal Investigator (PI) to provide advice and direction during the project.

· The agreement will fulfill the following specific objectives:

1. Develop regional OCS sand and gravel resource identification, delineation, and characterization (e.g. textural properties, estimate volumes, geomorphology of resource) GIS data for the Northeast region that supports the BOEM Marine Minerals National Sand Inventory.

2. Develop GIS coverages for feasibility elements where applicable. Provide coverages to BOEM MMIS, regional ocean portals (NROC), BOEM NOAA Marine Cadastre, and with the Integrated Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping (IWG_OCMO)/ocean planning portals (NOAA Seasketch) to facilitate strategic objective implementation, data sharing, planning and coordination.

3. A Technical Report with data coverages expanding on one or more feasibility sub-elements based on remaining funding capacity.

4. Prepare technical reports and a Regional Final Summary Report with maps and supporting spatial and non-spatial data compilations in accordance with deliverable schedule.

· The cooperative agreement will consist of the following work task items:

1. Task 1. Post-Award Meeting Within 30 days of signing the IAA, the recipient shall arrange an initial meeting with MMP, either face-to-face or virtual, to discuss specific details related to task 2, including but not limited to: the location of study areas, collection of new geological and geophysical (G&G) data, collection and processing/analysis methods, data and data product QA/QC, report formats, availability of existing data, methods for sharing and transmitting data and deliverables, and coordination with states within the co-op and outside stakeholders.

Within 7 days of the initial meeting the recipient shall deliver to MMP brief minutes containing the details agreed-upon at the initial meeting. The MMP will provide comments concerning the meeting minutes within 7 days. If requested by the MMP, revised meeting minutes shall be delivered to MMP by recipient as an appendix to the study plan.

2. Task 2. Develop a Study Plan

Within 30 days of the initial meeting the recipient shall deliver a study plan containing, at a minimum, a detailed scope, a background section, detailed methodology, estimated timeline, and allocation of funds. The study plan should thoroughly outline the collection and analyses of new and existing geological and geophysical data (and incorporate into database) as they pertain to improved geologic interpretations and characterization of restoration-quality OCS sediment resources. The study plan should also highlight how these data and data products will be integrated into the MMIS spatial database through coordination with the BOEM MMP.

The study plan should also include discussion on possible expansion on one or more feasibility sub-elements based on remaining funding capacity.

Examples under consideration are:

a. A regional project assessment and forecast for USACE authorized projects and non-authorized project areas that have been determined by federal and state agencies to be vulnerable to storms.

b. A regional assessment outlining environment concerns, principal stakeholders for engagement, and possible environmental studies that would provide needed data for informed science based decision making associated with accessing sand and gravel resources for coastal resilience projects. This effort includes identification of existing geospatial data pertaining to other potential user conflicts in the area (e.g. renewable energy projects, commercial/recreational fishing areas), known high value environmental resource areas (e.g., hard bottom, cultural resources, etc.), and potential hazards (e.g. unexploded ordnance).

The MMP will provide comments concerning the study plan within 14 days of study plan submission. If deemed necessary by the MMP, a revised study plan shall be delivered to MMP within 14 days of comments.

3. Data Collection and Analyses Summary Report

Within 360 days of G&G data collection completion, the recipient shall complete the analyses described in the study plan (Task 2) and deliver a summary report, inclusive of metadata, in standard format(s) outlined in the IAA (e.g. formats consistent with those outlined within MMIS Data Management Tools). The MMP will provide comments to the recipient concerning the summary report within 14 days. The recipient will address comments as a component of Task 5.

For geographic data, all spatial data shall conform to Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards. For geotechnical data, indicate the ASTM standard utilized.

At a minimum, the recipient will inform MMP of Task 3 progress during the first week of each month.

4. Deliver Draft Regional Overview

Within 90 days of MMP receiving the data collection and analyses summary report, the recipient shall deliver a draft of the regional overview report. The regional overview will place results in Task 3 in a regional context (e.g. As the results pertain to the distribution, volume, general accessibility/availability of OCS sand resources, and sub-elements identified in Task 2). The MMP will provide comments to the recipient concerning the regional overview report within 14 days. The recipient will address comments as a component of Task 5.

5. Final Regional Summary Report and Technical Reports

The Draft Final Regional Summary Report will be submitted to BOEM at least 6 months before the end of the period of performance for review and approval.

Technical reports will be prepared throughout the duration of the project, with the Draft Technical Report due 30 days after submission of the Summary Report. Project activities and results will be summarized in quarterly reports to BOEM.

· The agreement will fulfill the following key deliverables:

1. Project study plan

2. Data collection and analyses summary report

3. Draft regional overview report

4. Final regional summary report and associated technical reports; including an updated regional map of identified OCS sediment resources

5. Database describing location, character (textural properties), geomorphology, and extent of identified OCS sediment resources

6. Submit an electronic copy of appropriated project data generated during the course of this project to the BOEM COR in the form of a geodatabase (ESRI, .gdb) at the time of submission of the Draft Final Report.

7. Electronic data shall include a metadata record for the geodatabase detailing all aspects of the data development process.

8. All spatial data shall conform to FGDC-STD-001-1998 \ ISO 19115 – Metadata Standard for Geographic Data and / or align to Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards to include content and classification standards.

· The agreement will fulfill the following regional coordination strategy:

1. Identify which coastal zones have projected resource needs that have not been met by existing ICS or OCS resource characterization and develop survey plan to locate and characterize additional resources (or resources that need further exploration):

a. Determine appropriate dispersal of budget and resources as they pertain to the needs identified in planning phases

b. Designate regional co-op lead based on each state’s ability/willingness to accomplish regional goals

c. Identify stakeholders needs

2. Be proactive by establishing priority of resource investigations not only as they pertain to short- and long-term coastal needs but also as they pertain to potential multi-use areas on the OCS

a. Work with co-ops and identified stakeholders to identify these areas and precedence

3. Provide clearly outlined expectations/deliverables as they pertain to our agency’s mission:

a. Facilitate development of comprehensive mineral resource database through workshop instruction and collaboration on Marine Minerals Information System (MMIS) geodatabase schema, folder structure, and associated metadata; datasets will be housed in the authoritative MMIS and shared with state resource agencies, federal partners (USACE, USGS, NOAA), and other stakeholders

4. Investigations should focus on the OCS but may include state waters only for supportive information using examples such as such as ground truthing with existing data, seismic correlation with existing data, delineating resources or geologic features which include both state and federal waters.

5. Recipient will organize and host a regional workshop for key governmental stakeholders and partners. This may be in conjunction with another meeting or may be conducted virtually.

6. Monthly Meetings - Hold regularly scheduled monthly meetings/conference calls for the Recipient/BOEM research team throughout the cooperative agreement performance period. A draft meeting agenda will be provided by the Recipient three working days prior to each meeting to allow for review by all involved. The Recipient will prepare and distribute the meeting minutes and a summary within one (1) week after adjourning the meeting.

7. Quarterly Working Meetings - Hold regularly scheduled quarterly working meetings (in person encouraged but webinar acceptable) for the Recipient/BOEM research team and other partners (e.g. USACE, state geological surveys) throughout the cooperative agreement performance periods. The working meetings will be approximately 3 to 4 hours duration and consist of informal presentations by the research team. A draft meeting agenda will be provided by the Recipient three working days prior to each meeting to allow for review by all involved. The Recipient will prepare and distribute the meeting minutes and a summary (including presentations and other products) within one (1) week after adjourning the working meeting. The quarterly meetings will cover the monthly meeting requirement for the month they are held.

Multi-Year Proposals:

Proposals should clearly define the work to be accomplished each year. The BOEM reserves the option to fund only the first year of a multi-year proposal with funding of subsequent years contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory progress demonstrated by the recipient. Progress will be determined through technical review of Progress Reports and other work identified by the BOEM project officer.

III. Eligibility Information:

This cooperative agreement will fund a partnership between to one state entity in the Northeast region and will require coordination with other states in the region. The states within the Northeast region include: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.The regional coordination will include the BOEM Marine Minerals Division (MMD). This partnership will allow the Northeast region and BOEM to improve the capability for Federal and State agencies and localities to plan for cost-effective coastal protection and restoration projects utilizing marine mineral resources on the Northeast OCS in a manner that is protective of the environment.

Only one application will be accepted from each state in the Northeast region, and only one will be awarded.

A contribution of matching funds towards this effort, either as cash or in-kind contributions (such as salary, equipment, etc. or a combination of both) is strongly encouraged. Match value for instrumentation and other equipment should be adjusted to the period of use within the project relative to the full life cycle for the item. Further information can be located at 2 CFR 200.306.

IV. Application and Submission Information:

1. Proposals must be submitted by 5 pm EST, October 10, 2018

2. Location of Application Package

All applications must be submitted through the www.grants.gov by the due date noted on the synopsis to this announcement. Information on the application process can be found under the “Applicants” tab. Applicants can locate the application package by visiting the grants.gov portal and searching on CFDA number 15.424 in the grants.gov search engine.

The electronic submission system requires several preliminary registration steps before the actual application can be submitted, including obtaining a DUNS number (see www.dnb.com), registering in SAM.gov (see www.sam.gov) and registering a Grants.gov account (go to www.grants.gov and click on “Register” in the top right hand corner).

3. Content and Form of Applications

The application process begins by downloading the application at grants.gov. The application portal will enable the applicant and all interested parties to view and complete the following required application forms:

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

SF-424a Budget Information

SF-424b Assurances – Non-Construction Programs

Project Narrative Form

Budget Narrative Form

GG Certification Regarding Lobbying Form

(Complete the Optional SF-LLL Lobbying form if lobbying has occurred)

4. Proposal Narrative

The first page (cover sheet) of the proposal shall contain the following information:

· Project Title:

· Principal Investigator(s):

· Name:

· Address:

· Phone:

· Fax:

· Email:

· Name of the department:

· Contact Information for Technical and Administrative Negotiations

· Project Status: New/Continuation

· Project Duration: (years)

· Proposed Start Date:

· Non-Federal Matching Funds Available:

· Funds Requested from BOEM:

· Total Project Cost:

· Signature, Name, and Contact Information of Principal Investigators:

· Proposal Endorsement, including Signature, Name and Contact Information of

Authorized Official Proposal Text. The text should be no longer than 25 pages not including references, resumes, and budget information. Please include the following:

1. Abstract

2. Background/Relevance to BOEM Issues– Give a brief introduction to the research problem. State how the proposal addresses BOEM MMP and Commonwealth of Virginia goals. Explain why the work is important. Specify the contribution to science related to offshore resources and the benefits that society will receive from the project. Proposals should clearly describe why the research is important to BOEM and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Provide a brief summary of findings or outcomes of any prior work you have completed relevant to this project.

3. Objectives/Hypotheses – List objectives and clearly define the hypotheses and how the scientific method will be employed to test them.

4. Methods/Analyses – List all references to which you refer in the text and references from your past work in the field that the research problem addresses. Be sure to identify references as journal articles, chapters in books, abstracts, maps, digital data, etc.

5. Data Management, Data Security and Data Archiving Plan: Copy of data files to be delivered to BOEM and a copy archived with National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), or other specified and appropriate data archive.

6. Logistics plan

7. Safety management

8. Permits/Interagency coordination/Local coordination

9. Local involvement/Traditional knowledge/outreach: The BOEM considers involvement of local residents in the design and execution as well as dissemination of research data and results to be an integral and crucial aspect of projects funded by this program.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to actively involve local residents in the study and to disseminate research results to the local community, the scientific community and appropriate professional organizations; local, State, regional and Federal agencies; and the general public. The BOEM encourages the Recipients to publish project reports in scientific and technical journals.

10. Project management/Staffing plan: List the Principal Investigator first, followed by the names of other individuals. Indicate the role for each participant in the project (e.g., oceanographer, geochemist, field assistant). Include a (two page maximum) curriculum vitae for each investigator.

11. Performance measures - Describe the performance, metrics or devise a performance plan that will be used to asses the accomplishment of the goals of the project. These performance measures will be incorporated in the cooperative agreement award and must be reflected in the recipient’s Quarterly Progress Report. Describe the applicant’s plan to monitor performance of contractors and sub-grantees

12. Planned Products - List product(s) (reports, analyses, maps, digital data, video, photos, etc.) that will be delivered during or at the end of the performance period. Quarterly and annual progress reports, data products, spatial databases, draft and final reports, and draft and final technical summaries are required. Also, publication of results in peer-review journals is encouraged.

13. Budget justification (see item 4, “Budget Narrative,” below)

14. Budget (include personnel costs, travel, services, supplies, equipment, tuition, indirect costs, and anticipated match for each year, as well as a grand total for both years)—submitted separately under the Budget Narrative.

15. Names and contacts of 3 suggested Peer Reviewers of deliverables

16. Project Schedule (including deliverables)

17. Critical Start Date (e.g., for season-limited field work)

18. Literature Cited

Not included in the 10 page limit are the curricula vitae, budget, budget justification, suggested peer reviewers and Literature Cited. Abbreviated curricula vitae with two pages per Principal Investigator/Co- Principal Investigator is highly encouraged. The project schedule is included within the 10-page limit.

5. Budget Narrative

This information will provide more details than the SF-424A form and will provide adequate information for the Contracting Officer to conduct a detailed analysis of the costs to determine if they are reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary for performance of the study. Please include the following:

a. Salaries and Wages. List positions, rate of compensation and estimated number of hours. If contract employees are hired, include their total time, rate of compensation, job titles, and roles. Provide a statement that salaries will be charged at the actual rate and that the rate is comparable to others doing similar work within the organization.

b. Fringe benefits/labor overhead. Indicate the rates/amounts in conformance with normal accounting procedures. Explain what costs are covered in this category and the basis of the rate computations. Provide a copy of the Negotiated Rate Agreement with the cognizant federal audit agency for the Recipient, and all sub-grantees.

c. Supplies. Enter the cost for all tangible property. Include the cost of office, laboratory, computing, and field supplies separately. Provide detail on any specific item, which represents a significant portion of the proposed amount. Provide a statement that supplies will be purchased in accordance with 2 CFR. 200.317.

d. Equipment. Show the cost of all special-purpose equipment necessary for achieving the objectives of the project. "Special-purpose equipment" means scientific equipment having a useful life of more than 1 year and having an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per item. Each item should be itemized and include a full justification and a dealer or manufacturer quote, if available. General-purpose equipment (used for purposes other than this project) must be purchased from the applicant's operating funds. Title to non-expendable personal property may remain with the government or it may be vested solely with the Recipient. Under no circumstances shall property title be vested in a sub-tier recipient. Provide a statement that equipment will be purchased in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and managed in accordance with 2 CFR 200.313.

e. Services or consultants. Identify the tasks or problems for which such services would be used. List the contemplated sub-contractors by name (including consultants), the estimated amount of time required, and the quoted rate per day or hour. Sub-grantee proposals should provide cost breakdowns at the same level of detail as the Applicant’s proposal, including copies of the most current negotiated indirect cost rate.

f. Travel. State the purpose of the trip and itemize the estimated travel costs to show the number of trips required, the destinations, the number of people traveling, the per diem rates, the cost of transportation, and any miscellaneous expenses for each trip. Calculations of other special transportation costs (such as charges for use of applicant-owned vehicles or vehicle rental costs) should also be shown.

g. Publication costs. Show the estimated cost of publishing the results of the research, including the final report. Include costs of drafting or graphics, reproduction, page or illustration charges, and a minimum number of reprints.

h. Other direct costs. Itemize the different types of costs not included elsewhere; such as, shipping, computing, equipment-use charges, or other services.

i. Total Direct Charges. Totals for items a - j.

l. Indirect Charges (Overhead). Indirect cost/general and administrative (G&A) cost. Show the cost base, and proposed amount for indirect costs based on the cost principles applicable to the Applicant's organization. If the sub has separate rates for recovery of labor overhead and G&A costs, each charge should be shown. As stated in (b) above, provide a copy of the Negotiated Rate Agreement with the cognizant federal audit agency including the recipient and all sub-grantees.

m. Amount proposed. Total items k and l.

n. Multi-year projects. The Applicant shall provide summary information as well as a detailed budget for each year.

V. Application Review Information

Reviewers will include BOEM staff, project managers, and may also include external peer review. Reviewers will have expertise in Federal offshore programs, coastal and marine geology, geomorphology and Quaternary geology, marine biology, marine archeology, geographic information systems, and other scientific disciplines relevant to the proposal.

Evaluation Criteria. All proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

1. Scientific quality and impact:

Has the applicant clearly and thoroughly explained the hypotheses and relevance to MMP’s mission?

2. Work plan/Methodology:

Is the strategy clear? Are proposed methods adequate to meet objectives? Are the geographic areas selected for study appropriate? Are logistics, safety, and permits/interagency coordination adequately addressed? Does the timeline match the proposal and reality? Are the scientific objectives appropriate for proposed time frame? Are a minimum number of samples or other measureable benchmarks for ensuring project success indicated? Does the timeline provide for submission of the draft final report three months before project end date to ensure adequate time for review, revision, editing, and printing?

3. Planned Products and Dissemination of Results:

Are the products clearly defined? Will they be useful for environmental stewardship and offshore resource management activities? Will the results be published in a peer-reviewed form? Does the proposal indicate PI will submit database in format compatible with BOEM GIS and include metadata compliant with current Federal Geographic Data Committee standards? Does the proposal indicate data will be archived with the National Environmental, Satellite, and Data Information Service/National Oceanographic Data Center (NESDIS/NODC) National Ice Data Center (NIDC), or other appropriate archive?

4. Budget Justification and Clarity:

Is staff sufficient to accomplish the proposed goals? Are field expenses, supplies, lab work, and other expenses appropriate? Are expenses adequately itemized? If applicable, are a minimum number of samples to be collected and analyzed indicated? Are all costs reasonable, allowable, as well as allocable and necessary for performance of the study?

6. Experience/Competence of Research Personnel:

Has the applicant demonstrated (through bibliographic references, previous experience, awards, etc.) that they are capable of performing the proposed research? Has the applicant demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the scientific problem? Have products been on schedule and within budget? Have results been published in peer-reviewed journals?

VI. Award Administration Information:

The recipient is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the cooperative agreements and sub-awards to ensure compliance with applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and policies. The recipient is also responsible for meeting the performance goals identified in the Project Narrative.

Acceptance of a Federal Financial Assistance award from the Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with the terms and conditions of award. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by BOEM, and are subject to the following:

· Program legislation\regulation.

· Special terms and conditions.

· Code of Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable (contact the Contracting Officer with any questions regarding the applicability of the following ): Terms and conditions incorporated either directly or by reference in the following:

2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards 2 CFR Part 25 Universal Identifier and System for Award Management 2 CFR Part 170 Reporting Subaward and Executive Compensation Information

2 CFR Part 175 Award Term for Trafficking in Persons

2 CFR Part 1400 NonProcurement Debarment and Suspension

2 CFR Part 1401 Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace

2 CFR Part 1402 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards 43 CFR Part 18 New Restrictions on Lobbying

2 CFR Part 182 Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace Reporting.

BOEM will conduct oversight and monitoring of the work progress and financial status of each cooperative agreement by requiring the following, at a minimum:

1. Federal Cash Transactions Reports

The recipient must submit the Standard Form 425, Federal Financial Report, and, when necessary, its continuation form, if funds are withdrawn in advance of expenditures. The BOEM will use the form to monitor the cash advanced to the recipient, and to obtain disbursement or outlay information for each cooperative agreement.

2. Performance and Financial Status Reporting Requirements

Reporting requirements for the projects are regulated by 2 CFR Part 200. These regulations specify basic cooperative agreement reporting requirements including performance and financial reports. BOEM will work closely with the recipient to incorporate appropriate performance and financial reporting requirements into each cooperative agreement award, consistent with 2 CFR Part 200. These regulations provide some flexibility in determining the appropriate content and frequency of performance and financial reports. At a minimum, however, the reporting schedule will require the recipient to report their progress at least quarterly through the established reporting process and yearly submission of financial status reports.

3. Single Audit Requirements

Nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance funds of $750,000 or more in Federal awards must have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $750,000 in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.501.

4. Technical Reporting Requirements

Quarterly reports, draft and Final Reports, and draft and Final Technical Summaries are required. Details are available at: http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/ Environmental-Studies/Quality.aspx.

VII. Agency Contacts:

Grants.gov:

Technical questions concerning the application process:

Grants.gov Help Desk at:

Phone: 1-800-518-4726

Email: support@grants.gov

Program Announcement and Cooperative Agreement Questions:

Joanne Murphy Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

Acquisition Management Division 45600 Woodland Road, VAE-AMD Sterling, Virginia 20166 Phone: (703) 787-1024 Email: joanne.murphy@bsee.gov

Program Office:

Jeffrey Waldner P.G.

Physical Scientist / Oceanographer Marine Minerals Program

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

45600 Woodland Road Sterling, VA 20166

(703) 787-1779 Jeffrey.Waldner@boem.gov VIII. Other Information:

Dissemination of Research Results. The BOEM considers dissemination of research data and results to be an integral and crucial aspect of projects funded by this program. This includes the proper archiving of samples and databases to maximize public access in the future. Applicants are strongly encouraged to disseminate research results to the scientific community and appropriate professional organizations; local, State, regional, and Federal agencies; and the general public. The BOEM encourages the recipient to publish project reports in scientific and technical journals. Applicants should include in the proposal a plan to present findings at two major meetings, one of which may be a BOEM Gulf of Mexico Offshore Sand Management Working Group Meeting.

Extensions to the Project Period. Extensions are discouraged. The timely conduct of funded projects is of great importance to the achievement of the goals of the BOEM.. Applicants should consider their time commitments at the time of applying for funding support.

--End of Program Announcement M18AS00001--