Funding Opportunity.doc

Concept: Data visualization and novel modeling approaches to facilitate spatially explicit biological modeling

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

The National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research investigating the challenges involved with international data discovery and sharing specific to invasive species and of existing automated visualizations operating in a spatial context. This research should generally contribute to the improvement of ecological modeling tools and their user interfaces.

USGS and its federal and state partners require spatially explicit ecologic modeling tools along with invasive species data to help assess restoration alternatives on DOI trust lands throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Natural resource managers across the Gulf are continuously looking for opportunities to improve modeling and visualization capacity to assist in their decision making process.

The goal of this project is to promote cooperation between the USGS and CESU partners to continue research and development of desktop and web-based applications focused on applied research in data mining, spatial data management, manipulation, visualization and delivery. This development effort will be used to improve eco-modeling visualization techniques and to extend and build upon the interfaces of existing USGS developed desktop modeling software suites focused on impact of Hurricane Sandy.

Research Objectives:

The CESU recipient will conduct research that complements ongoing NWRC efforts and the USGS Hurricane Sandy Science Plan under the Coastal Ecosystem Impacts theme:

(1) Promote enhanced analysis and visualization for marine ecosystems using existing tools, such as Ecopath with Ecosim, to aid researchers in Hurricane Sandy-impacted areas

(2) Research and/or develop novel approaches that enable ecosystem decision-makers to visualize species data using new or existing applications

(3) Explore and analyze common approaches to integrating ecological forecasting data into resource management decision making processes, and evaluate the possible effectiveness of these approaches in informing post-Hurricane Sandy management decisions.

Award Information

It is anticipated that one award will be made for a period of 15 mos. The total estimated funding for this project is $91,840.

Eligibility Information

This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESU’s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

Application and Submission Information

Apply electronically through grants.gov. Questions are to be directed to Faith Graves:

fgraves@usgs.gov

Content and Form of Application:

1. Recipient’s Name

2. Principal Investigator (individual who will oversee the cooperative agreement) including address, phone number, fax number, and email address

3. Technical contact (Staff member(s) who will administer the cooperative agreement) including address, phone number, fax number, and email address

4. List laboratories, field equipment, and facilities available for project work.

5. Experience of staff to conduct the stated work objectives of the project.

Proposal Text - Please include the following:

a. Introduction and Statement of Problem. Give a brief introduction to the research problem. Provide a brief summary of findings or outcomes of any prior work that has been completed or is ongoing in this area b.

Objectives. Clearly define goals of project. State how the proposal addresses USGS goals and its relevance and impact. Explain why the work is important.

c.

Methods. This section should include a fairly detailed discussion of the work plan and technical approach to both field and laboratory techniques.

d.

Planned Products and Dissemination of Research Results List product(s) (reports, analyses, digital data, etc.) that will be delivered at the end of the performance period. The USGS considers dissemination of research data and results to potential users of those results to be an integral and crucial aspect of projects funded by this program. Beyond the requirements for a final report, describe your plan for dissemination of project data and results that will result in the greatest possible benefit to customers as defined by your proposal. 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 USGS encourages the Recipient to publish project reports in scientific and technical journals.

e.

References Cited. List all references to which you refer in 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.

Budget Sheets - This information will provide more details than what is required under the SF 424A form. Please include the following:

a.

Salaries and Wages. List names, positions, and rate of compensation. include their total time, rate of compensation, job titles, and roles.

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.

c.

Field Expenses. Briefly itemize the estimated travel costs (i.e., number of people, number of travel days, lodging and transportation costs, and other travel costs).

d.

Lab Analyses. Include geochemical analyses, radiocarbon age dating, etc. Briefly itemize cost of all analytical work (if applicable) e.

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.

f.

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 must be purchased from the applicant's operating funds. Title to non-expendable personal property shall be vested solely with the Recipient. Under no circumstances shall property title be vested in a sub-tier recipient.

g.

Services or consultants. Identify the tasks or problems for which such services would be used. List the contemplated sub-recipients by name (including consultants), the estimated amount of time required, and the quoted rate per day or hour.

h.

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.

i.

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.

j.

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

k.

Total Direct Charges. Totals for items a - j.

l.

Indirect Charges (Overhead). Indirect cost/general and administrative (G&A) cost. Show the proposed rate, cost base, and proposed amount for indirect costs based on the cost principles applicable to the Applicant's organization. If the Applicant has separate rates for recovery of labor overhead and G&A costs, each charge should be shown. NOTE: CESU NEGOTIATED IDC IS 17.5% m.

Amount proposed. Total items k and l.

n. Provide copy of recipient’s rate agreement

Application Review Information

The successful applicant must have a strong working knowledge of spatial programming and data visualization knowledge and have demonstrated skills and abilities in software/hardware conflict resolution.

Review and Selection Process: Applications are considered based on the completeness of documentation, meeting of stated basic eligibility, and other category requirements. Specific evaluation factors are identified in the proposal narrative. Budget information is evaluated for reasonableness and appropriateness to applicant project goals.

Proposals are reviewed by the U.S. Geological Survey technical personnel. Individual proposals are evaluated and scored. The evaluations and scores will be submitted to the contracting officer for final award

1. Scientific quality and impact: (20 points)

(a) How well does the proposed research address the above-mentioned research endeavors and does it stay in line with USGS science strategies?

(b) How closely does the proposed work respond to societal or customer needs?

(c) How well will this work aid decision makers use ecological data to make more informed decisions?

2. Methods: (10 points)

(a) How clear is the research and development strategy designed?

(b) How appropriate are the objectives for the proposed time frame?

3.

Budget Justification and Clarity: (10 points)

(a) Is staff sufficient to accomplish the proposed goals?

(b) How adequately itemized are expenses?

4.

Experience/Competence of Research Personnel: (60 points)

(a) To what extent does the applicant have familiarity with data visualization concepts and challenges?

(b) To what extent does the applicant have experience developing novel approaches to data handling?

(c) What level of experience does the applicant have demonstrating the ability to solve complex technology challenges?

(d) How well has the applicant demonstrated their expertise in ecological modeling within a spatial context?

(e) Does the applicant have the necessary computer and lab facilities that will complement and contribute to the accomplishment of the tasks?

Award Administration Information

Award recipients are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the grant/cooperative agreements and sub-award supported activities to assure compliance with applicable Federal requirements, and that performance goals are being achieved. Recipient monitoring must cover each program, function or activity.

1. Progress Reports

a. The recipient shall submit two copies of each progress report to the USGS Project Officer and one copy of the transmittal letter to the Grant Administrator. Annual progress reports shall be submitted to the designated office no later than 90 days after the close of the period covered by the report.

b. The annual progress reports shall include the following information:

(i) A quantitative description of activities and overall progress in response to the performance metrics.

(ii) An indication of any current problems which may impede performance.

(iii) An outline of the anticipated activities and adjustments to the program during the next reporting period.

(iv) A summary of expenditures incurred during the year, and any unspent balance of funds.

c. Between the required reporting dates, events may occur which have significant impact upon the project or program. In such cases, the recipient shall inform the USGS as soon as the following types of conditions become known:

(i) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will materially affect the ability to attain program objectives, prevent the meeting of time schedules and goals, or preclude the attainment of project work. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the action taken or contemplated, and any Federal assistance needed to resolve the situation.

(ii) Favorable developments or events which enable meeting time schedules and goals sooner than anticipated or producing more work units than originally projected.

2. Final Technical Report

a. The recipient shall submit two copies of the final technical report to the USGS Project Officer and one copy of the transmittal letter to the Grant Administrator to the address shown in Section E.1 of agreement.

b. The final technical report shall document and summarize the results of the committee’s work. Such reports shall include a quantitative description of activities and overall progress in response to the performance metrics which documents and summarizes the results of the entire grant. The final report shall include tables, graphs, diagrams, sketches, etc., as required to explain the results achieved under the grant. The report shall also include recommendations and conclusions based upon both the experience and the results obtained. The final report shall be submitted within 90 days of the end of the project period.

3. Cash Management and Financial Reporting Requirements

1. Annual Financial Reports.

The recipient will submit annual STANDARD FORM 425, FEDERAL FINANCIAL REPORT(S) for each individual USGS award. The SF 425 is available at -http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms. The SF 425 will be due ninety (90) calendar days after the grant year (i.e., 12 months after the approved effective date of the grant agreement and every 12 months thereafter until the expiration date of the grant agreement). USGS acknowledges that this annual reporting schedule may not always correspond with a specific budget period. The SF 425 must be submitted electronically through the FedConnect Message Center (www.fedconnect.net). If after 90 days, recipient has not submitted a report, the recipient’s account in ASAP will be placed in a manual review status until the report is submitted.

2. Final Financial Report.

a. The recipient will liquidate all obligations incurred under the award and submit a final STANDARD FORM 425, FEDERAL FINANCIAL REPORT through FedConnect (www.fedconnect.net) no later than 90 calendar days after the grant/cooperative agreement completion date. The SF 425 is available at – http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_forms. Recipient will promptly return any unexpended federal cash advances or will complete a final draw from ASAP to obtain any remaining amounts due. Once 120 days has passed since the grant/agreement completion date, the ASAP subaccount for this award may be closed by USGS at any time.

b. Subsequent revision to the final SF 425 will be considered only as follows -

(i) When the revision results in a balance due to the Government, the recipient must submit a revised final Federal Financial Report (SF 425) and refund the excess payment whenever the overcharge is discovered, no matter how long the lapse of time since the original due date of the report.

(ii) When the revision represents additional reimbursable costs claimed by the recipient, a revised final SF 425 may be submitted to the Contracting Officer with an explanation. If approved, the USGS will either request and pay a final invoice or reestablish the ASAP subaccount to permit the recipient to make a revised final draw. Any revised final report representing additional reimbursable amounts must be submitted no later than 1 year from the due date of the original report, i.e., 15 months following the agreement completion date. USGS will not accept any revised SF 425 covering additional expenditures after that date and will return any late request for additional payment to the recipient.

3.

Central Contractor Registration and Universal Identifier Requirements (2 CFR Part 25) A. Requirement for Central Contractor Registration (CCR)

Unless you are exempted from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110, you as the recipient must maintain the currency of your information in the CCR until you submit the final financial report required under this award or receive the final payment, whichever is later. This requires that you review and update the information at least annually after the initial registration, and more frequently if required by changes in your information or another award term.

B. Requirement for Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Numbers If you are authorized to make subawards under this award, you:

1. Must notify potential subrecipients that no entity (see definition in paragraph C of this award term) may receive a subaward from you unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.

2. May not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.

C. Definitions

For purposes of this award term:

1. Central Contractor Registration (CCR) means the Federal repository into which an entity must provide information required for the conduct of business as a recipient. Additional information about registration procedures may be found at the CCR Internet site (currently at http://www.ccr.gov).

2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number means the nine-digit number established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities. A DUNS number may be obtained from D&B by telephone (currently 866–705–5711) or the Internet (currently http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform).

3. Entity, as it is used in this award term, means all of the following, as defined at 2

CFR part 25, subpart C:

a. A Governmental organization, which is State, local government, or Indian Tribe;

b. A foreign public entity;

c. A domestic or foreign nonprofit organization;

d. A domestic or foreign for-profit organization; and

e. A Federal agency, but only as a subrecipient under an award or subaward to a non-Federal entity.

4. Subaward:

a. This term means a legal instrument to provide support for the performance of any portion of the substantive project or program for which you received this award and that you as the recipient award to an eligible subrecipient.

b. The term does not include your procurement of property and services needed to carry out the project or program (for further explanation, see Sec. ll.210 of the attachment to OMB Circular A–133, ‘‘Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations’’).

c. A subaward may be provided through any legal agreement, including an agreement that you consider a contract.

5. Subrecipient means an entity that:

a. Receives a subaward from you under this award; and

b. Is accountable to you for the use of the Federal funds provided by the subaward.

Agency Contact

Faith D. Graves fgraves@usgs.gov