FY22 NOFO_Assuring Radiation Protection Cooperative Agreement (Announcement) F (3-10-2022).pdf

Part I - Overview Information

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (www.nrc.gov)

Title:

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Coordinating Federal and State Radiation Protection Programs Cooperative Agreement, Fiscal Year (FY) 2022

Announcement Type:

New

Announcement of Opportunity Number:

31310022K0002

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number:

CFDA #: 77.009

Key Dates:

Release/Posted Date: 03/10/2022 Application Due Date: 04/21/2022 Earliest Anticipated Start Date: 05/31/2022

The cooperative agreement recipient must submit applications in response to this NOFO for Federal assistance electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) using the SF-424 forms and the Application Guide included with this announcement in Grants.gov/Apply for Grants (hereafter called Grants.gov/Apply).

The cooperative agreement recipient’s application must be successfully received by Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m., ED on 04/21/2022. If the cooperative agreement recipient needs information on alternate means of submitting its application, see Section IV.3.B.1.

Electronic submissions of applications through Grants.Gov is preferred. Therefore, paper applications will not be accepted, unless extenuating circumstances are documented.

Applications that are incomplete, non-compliant and/or nonresponsive will not be reviewed.

Additional Overview Content

Executive Summary:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent agency, established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, tasked with licensing and regulating the Nation’s civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear material to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, to promote the common defense and security, and to protect the environment. To accomplish its radiation protection mission, the NRC relies on establishing and maintaining effective communications and working relationships with States and other Federal agencies. The NRC is interested in radiation protection projects that promote the agency’s mission by: (1) promoting and http://www.nrc.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp supporting the coordination between State and Federal activities to achieve effective solutions to present and future radiation control issues, and (2) foster the exchange of ideas and information among the States and the Federal Government concerning radiation control.

Type of Award:

This NOFO will result in one cooperative agreement award.

For the cooperative agreement awarded, the PI(s) will retain the primary responsibility and dominant role for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project, with the substantial involvement of NRC staff.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number or Awards:

The total estimated budget for this program is $625,000.00. The NRC anticipates that there will be one (1) cooperative agreement awarded as a result of this NOFO.

Budget and Project Period:

This is a five (5) year program. Funds may be requested up to $625,000 for the total budget.

Award amounts in prior years have been up to $125,000 per fiscal year, based on the availability of funds.

Eligible Institutions/Organizations:

See Section III, 1.A. for eligible institutions.

Eligible Principal Investigators (PIs):

Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to conduct the cooperative agreement objectives are invited to work with their institution/organization to develop an application.

Number of Applications:

Applicants should submit one application.

Continuation Applications:

Not applicable.

Application Materials:

See Section IV for application materials.

Hearing Impaired:

Telecommunications for the hearing impaired are available at: TTY 240-428-3217.

Table of Contents

Part I - Overview Information

Part II - Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

Section II. Award Information

Section III. Eligibility Information

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

Section V. Application Review Information

Section VI. Award Administration Information

Section VII. Agency Contacts

Section VIII. Other Information

Part II - Full Text of Announcement

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

1. Program Objectives

In 1974, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was created by Congress as an independent agency to enable the nation to safely use radioactive materials for beneficial civilian purposes, while ensuring that people and the environment are protected. The NRC regulates the nation's civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, to promote the common defense and security, and to protect the environment. To accomplish its mission, the NRC relies on establishing and maintaining effective communications and working relationships with States and other Federal agencies.

The NRC is interested in projects that promote the agency’s mission by: (1) promoting and supporting the coordination between State and Federal activities to achieve effective solutions to present and future radiation control issues, and (2) foster the exchange of ideas and information among the States and the Federal Government concerning radiation control.

The goal of this agreement is to coordinate State and Federal activities to achieve effective solutions to present and future radiation control problems, and to foster consistency, compatibility, and communication between the State and Federal radiation control programs. The recipient will establish and manage committees, in accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, to address, evaluate, and propose solutions for a wide range of radiation health and protection issues.

The primary objectives (POs) of this cooperative agreement are:

PO 1. Provide a forum to:

a. Foster the exchange of ideas and information among the States and the Federal

Government concerning radiation control. This forum will support the ability of the State and the Federal Governments to work together to study existing and potential radiological health problems of mutual interest and to apply their increasingly limited resources with maximum efficiency in seeking ways to address these problems, foster coordination, and provide original views. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: (1) the application of non-medical/medical ionizing radiation; (2) the control and mitigation of radiation exposure from all sources, and (3) developing the health physics workforce.

b. Obtain State and Federal engagement to identify specific issues that need to be addressed regarding radiation control, and obtain States’ cooperation and participation on committees and working groups established to address those specific issues.

c. As requested by the States, support activities and special projects related to radiation control.

PO 2. Plan and conduct annual meetings of Federal and State officials to present and discuss the results of recommended committee/working group actions. The annual meetings also include workshops and/or panel discussions to more carefully define new problems and areas of mutual concern in radiation control, and training sessions to demonstrate mutually beneficial radiological health techniques, procedures, and systems.

PO 3. Develop and offer additional educational activities for the benefit of members of State programs having radiation control responsibilities and the general public to acquaint them with radiation exposure problems and the proposed solutions. Methods used have included videos, publications, and training courses.

PO 4. Update and maintain the Suggested State Regulations for the Control of Radiation

(SSRCR).

PO 5. Update and maintain a Web site to share information with Federal and State agencies and

Tribal organizations.

Specific tasks to accomplish the POs 1 through 5 include, but are not limited to:

- (PO 1) When certain radiation control issues warrant specific consideration, committees and other working groups comprised of representatives of State radiation control programs and liaison members from the concerned Federal agencies will be established by the recipient to evaluate these issues and recommend ways to address them. Areas of interest include non-medical and medical applications of ionizing radiation and developing criteria relevant to the control and mitigation of radiation exposure (including responding to radiation accidents or incidents; evaluating the adequacy of State radiation control programs; overseeing radiation laboratory capabilities; and controlling residual radioactivity levels from decontamination and decommissioning of nuclear facilities). The recommendations of the committees will be evaluated by the recipient’s governing body and final recommended actions then relayed to the appropriate Federal and State agencies and Tribal organizations.

- (PO 1) The recipient will provide oversight and management responsibilities for approximately 45 committees. In some instances, the recipient will provide representatives to certain Federal radiation committees. While official committee members are limited to State members, non-State and Federal representatives may be appointed as advisors to these committees and other working groups dealing with problems issues related to the agency mission. These representatives will participate in the discussions leading to any recommendations developed by the committees and working groups. They will be primarily responsible for assuring that such recommendations are in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and policy. The representatives will also act as investigators, collaborators, or resource personnel, as appropriate.

- (PO 1) The recipient will implement special projects as determined by the participating State agencies and the NRC. Areas for which groups may be needed include, but are not limited to radioactive materials and radiation exposure problems in the environment, in the medical uses of isotopes, in industry, and in, or related to, consumer products. Deliverables may include studies, reports, or recommendations.

- (PO 1) Reports generated by the agreement activities (e.g., committees, working groups, task forces, or workshops) will include recommendations for the resolution of problem areas as well as cost/benefit evaluations and will be delivered within the time frame determined at the time of assignment. These reports will be reviewed, in accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, by the recipient’s governing body before final dissemination to Federal and/or State officials. Any publications supported by Federal funds must include a statement acknowledging Federal support, as well as a disclaimer that the information presented is not necessarily the view of the supporting agencies.

- (PO 1) The recipient will be responsible for working with the States and the NRC to develop and maintain a robust health physics workforce. This could include coordinating with the NRC and States to: 1) identify skill needs and gaps for health physics and relevant specialties, 2) develop a community of practice across the States and the NRC by identifying health physics experts and specialists and encouraging networking and collaboration; and

3) build relationships with State and Federal agencies to address this shared need.

- (PO 1) The recipient will maintain a directory of personnel responsible for radiological health programs in the member States and Federal agencies. This directory will be updated annually and a non-copyright electronic version will be publicly available on the recipient’s Web site.

- (PO 1) The recipient will provide a periodic newsletter that will be made available to member States and relevant Federal personnel on the Web site. The newsletter will include updates on projects and programs relevant to the mission of, and supported by, the NRC. The NRC Grant Program Manager will be provided access to secured information on the Web site via passwords.

- (PO 2) The recipient will be required to plan, conduct, and handle all administrative functions for an annual meeting. The meeting will offer an opportunity for member States and other interested parties to convene to exchange concerns and ideas for problem solving. The recipient will consult with stakeholders to determine priority agenda items and topics of interest. The annual meeting will include general and specific sessions, special interest meetings, training courses, and technical exhibits on mutually beneficial radiological health techniques, procedures, and systems. Identified areas of mutual concern in radiation control will be considered for assignment to a task force or committee comprised of experts. The recipient will be expected to publish the meeting proceedings on the recipient’s Web site for limited dissemination to member States and relevant Federal personnel.

- (PO 3) The recipient will develop and provide additional educational activities for the benefit of members of State programs having radiation control responsibilities, and the general public, to acquaint them with radiation exposure problems and proposed solutions. Methods can include videos, publications, and training courses. This can be done in conjunction with the annual meeting. These sessions will demonstrate mutually beneficial techniques, procedures, and systems that have been developed by the sponsoring agencies or the recipient. The recipient may also be requested by NRC to provide instructors for Federal training courses with a radiological component held outside of the annual meeting.

- (PO 4) In order to facilitate consistent regulatory frameworks between NRC and the various Agreement States, there is a set of consensus documents that includes template regulations (SSRCR) and accompanying guidance documents. The recipient will be expected to provide the leadership to refresh and update previously developed consensus guidance documents and SSRCR to provide States with up-to-date assistance in effective management of radiological hazards. Updating and maintaining the SSRCR will be an integral aspect of this agreement. These regulations will be disseminated to the States for the purpose of promoting uniformity between the States. The regulations will address issues relevant to controlling radiation exposure from all sources, including low-level waste, radioactive contamination, and radioactive materials. The recipient will be required to develop a process to determine the need, priority, and timing for regulation updates and development of new SSRCRs. This shall include collaboration with the NRC, in accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, to receive access to rules that are still under development, to enable the recipient to initiate timely development or revisions in parallel.

- (PO 5) A Web site will be maintained by the recipient for the benefit of the States and other interested parties. The NRC Grant Program Manager will be given complete and full access to all information posted on the site that is relevant to the work supported by the NRC. The information and materials posted on the site will be reviewed and updated at regular intervals.

Expertise in Web site maintenance and security is required to fulfill this task.

Funding may be used for the direct costs associated with:

a) Establishing and maintaining programs that can effectively provide a structured forum for coordination between Federal and State programs.

b) Planning and conducting an annual meeting.

c) Reimbursement to individuals for costs directly related to completion of activities under this agreement, as permitted under the recipient’s practices and procedures.

Funding must not be used for costs, or reimbursement of costs, for direct operating costs of States or Agreement States. Funding must not be used for activities outside the scope of this program, or for activities covered by a different NRC grant/agreement awarded to the same recipient.

See Section VIII, Other Information, for policies related to this announcement.

Section II. Award Information

1. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing or matching funds is not required. However, institutions are encouraged to cost share or match NRC funding (non-Federal funds) to enhance the benefits of the NRC grant. For purposes of this announcement, cost sharing or matching means additional contributions (either financial or in-kind) that enhance the overall goals of the cooperative agreement. Cost sharing or matching may be used to build infrastructure in nuclear and related disciplines and may include a variety of areas ranging from support of students to facility improvements or expansion. A written agreement or letter, within the last twelve (12) months, with a cost sharing or matching commitment is required at the time the application is submitted. See 2 CFR 200.306 for additional information.

If providing cost sharing or matching funds, institutions must include the type and value of support and describe how the contribution will enhance the program. *Academic year faculty release time is not a valid “in kind” cost share/matching contribution.

Cost sharing or matching funds is NOT a scored review criterion.

See Section III.2.B, for citizenship requirements.

See Section VIII., Other Information, for policies related to this announcement

Section III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Institutions

You may submit an application if your institution/organization has any of the following characteristics:

• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)

• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)

• State Governments

• Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)

• Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organizations

• County Governments

• City or Township Governments

• Special District Governments

For profit entities are not eligible under this announcement.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not eligible to apply.

Federal agencies, national laboratories, and Federally funded research and development centers are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this announcement. Individuals and other entities may not apply directly to the NRC for these grants.

2. Eligibility Requirements

2.A. Eligible Individuals

Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the PI is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support.

Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NRC support.

More than one PI (i.e., multiple PIs), may be designated on the application for projects that require a “team science” approach and therefore clearly do not fit the single-PI model.

The decision of whether to apply for a grant with a single PI or multiple PIs is the responsibility of the investigators and applicant organizations and will be determined by the technical goals of the project.

Applications for grants with multiple PIs will require additional information, as outlined in the instructions below. The NRC review criteria for approach, investigators, and environment have been modified to accommodate applications involving either a single PI or multiple PIs. When considering the multiple PI option, please be aware that the structure and governance of the PI leadership team as well as the knowledge, skills and experience of the individual PIs will be factored into the assessment of the overall technical merit of the application. Multiple PIs on a project share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the project, intellectually and logistically. Each PI is responsible and accountable to the grantee organization, or, as appropriate, to a collaborating organization, for the proper conduct of the project or program, including the submission of required reports.

Although the PIs write the grant application and are responsible for conducting and supervising the research, the actual applicant is the institution/organization.

2.B. Citizenship Requirement

At the time of application and for the full term of the cooperative agreement, all PIs, researchers, students, and personnel supported by or participating in the agreement must—

(1) be United States citizens or

(2) be a noncitizen national of the United States* or

(3) have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551, or other legal verification of such status).

*Noncitizen nationals are persons born in outlying possessions of the United States (i.e., American Samoa and Swains Island). Individuals on temporary or student visas, as well as refugees and asylees, are not eligible and are not permitted to participate in the grant on a voluntary, non-paid basis.

COMPLIANCE WITH U.S. IMMIGRATION LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Grant recipients are responsible to ensure that their foreign personnel (including PIs or Co-PIs) are not in violation of United States immigration laws and regulations, including employment authorization documents and visa requirements. Each recipient of funds under this award must be lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of the grant application and for the duration of the grant period, as evidenced by Permanent Resident Form I-551 (Green Card) or must present other evidence from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that employment will not affect his/her immigration status. The U.S.

Citizenship and Immigration Services provides information to grant recipients to help them understand the employment eligibility verification process for non-US citizens. This information can be found on their website, http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.

The NRC reserves the right to take any number of administrative actions (e.g., disallow costs, termination) should the recipient violate its responsibility under this clause.

Applicants shall include a certification statement regarding compliance with the Citizenship Requirement of this announcement. The required certification template is provided in Section IV.H. and must be submitted as a separate attachment to the application.

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

The institution may download an SF424 Grant Application Package and instructions for http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis completing the SF424 forms for this NOFO by linking to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html and following the directions provided on that Web site. Institutions must complete a one-time registration at Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html).

If you have questions regarding Grants.gov registration, refer to:

Grants.gov

• Contact Center Phone: 800-518-4726 Hours of Operation: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Closed on Federal holidays (see Office of Personnel Management Federal Holidays).

• Email Support: Support@grants.gov

The NRC requires all prospective awardees to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through the end of the project period. The institution should allow processing time of at least 48 hours, when registering with SAM. If the institution is not currently registered, the NRC recommends that it consider registering immediately to avoid delays. The institution may obtain registration information at: http://www.sam.gov.

1. Request Application Information

Applicants must download the SF-424 application forms and instructions for this NOFO through Grants.gov/Apply.

2. Application Forms and Content

The institution prepares its application using the SF-424 application form. Both the application form and instructions for completing it can be downloaded from http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.

The SF-424 application has several components. An institution’s application is complete only if it includes the following components:

Required Components:

SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance - CFDA Number: 77.009 SF- 424A: Budget Information - complete Sections A, B1, C, D, E and F Certificate Regarding Lobbying Form SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable

Allowable Costs: Allowable costs must be consistent with the cost principles in 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E—COST PRINCIPLES, be reasonable, allocable, well documented and fully justified for the activities proposed in the application. Grant funds may not be used to supplant funds otherwise available at the applicant institution. It is recommended that potential applicants consult NRC staff, identified in Section VII, if there are any questions regarding allowable costs.

1 Applicants shall provide the budget breakdown required in Section B - Budget Categories by Year.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ mailto:Support@grants.gov http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=daac6e6e8d3bc87ea6b6d0e2067bf629&node=sp2.1.200.e&rgn=div6

Personnel: The Principal Investigator will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project. Individuals participating in the design and implementation of the grant may request salary and fringe benefits appropriate for the person months devoted to the program. These expenses must be itemized in Sections A and B, as appropriate, of the SF-424A Budget page. Salaries requested may not exceed the levels commensurate with the institution's policy for similar positions. Limited administrative and clerical salary costs associated distinctly with the program that are not normally provided by the applicant organization, may be proposed as direct charges to the grant and must be specifically identified and justified.

Fringe Benefits The recipient must provide a copy of the applicable fringe benefit rates. A description of how the cost was computed is required. Provide an explanation for rate changes or escalation, if any.

Travel The recipient must provide a detailed cost breakdown for travel cost. Cost needs to be itemized.

Estimate the cost of all travel for each trip by destination, number of people and days, air fare, hotel, per diem, car rental, etc.

Equipment The recipient must provide an itemized list of equipment showing the cost for each item and an explanation for why the equipment is needed. Proposals requesting to purchase equipment must include equipment quotes or vendor agreements.

Supplies The recipient must provide an itemized list of supplies which includes the cost and quantity per item. A basis for developing the cost estimate (vendor quotes, invoice prices, purchase order history, etc.) must be included.

Other Direct Cost This section of the cost proposal includes all other directly related costs required in support of the program. A description for each cost is required along with how the cost was computed. A basis for developing the cost estimate (vendor quotes, invoice prices, purchase order history, etc.) must be included.

Indirect Cost/Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs A copy of the recipient’s current rate agreement is required in the application with the budget justification. A copy of the institution’s and all subcontractor’s current rate agreement is required in the application with the budget justification. Applicants will use their negotiated indirect rate agreements. F&A will be allowed in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.306 & 2 CFR § 200.414.

Other Program-Related Expenses: Consultant costs, equipment, supplies, travel for key persons, and other program-related expenses must be justified as specifically required by the proposed program and must not duplicate items generally available for programs at the applicant institution/entity. These expenses must be itemized, as appropriate, in the SF-424A object class categories and fully documented in the budget justification. Committed Cost Sharing/Matching becomes an official part of the budget and should be documented on the SF-424A and in the proposed budget justification.

Application Involving Multiple Principal Investigators: For applications designating multiple PIs, a section of the project plan, entitled “Multiple PI Leadership Plan” must be included. A rationale for choosing a multiple PI approach should be described. The governance and organizational structure https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c71a8ba6c3931080ecfb3ffb0045f01c&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1306&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=c71a8ba6c3931080ecfb3ffb0045f01c&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1414&rgn=div8 of the leadership team and the project/program should be described, and should include communication plans, process for making decisions on technical direction, and procedures for resolving conflicts. The roles and administrative, technical, and financial responsibilities for the project or program should be delineated for the PIs and other collaborators.

If budget allocation is planned, the distribution of resources to specific components of the project or the individual PIs should be delineated in the Leadership Plan. In the event of an award, the requested allocations may be reflected in a footnote on the Notice of Award (NoA).

Applications Involving Multiple Institutions: When multiple institutions are involved in a cooperative or partnership arrangement, one institution must be designated as the prime institution and funding for the other institution(s) must be requested via a subcontract to be administered by the prime institution. The prime institution should submit its budget using the SF- 424A Budget component, including the subcontract(s) total amount. Contractual costs for support services are occasionally sufficiently high to warrant a categorical breakdown of costs. When this is the case, provide detailed information as part of the budget narrative. Letters of commitment between multiple institutions, signed by their respective authorized organization representatives, are required as part of the application.

All other institutions (subcontractors) should complete their individual SF-424A budget forms attached separately, and information concerning the consortium/subcontract budget must be provided in their budget narrative.

3. Submission Dates and Times

See Section IV.3.A. for details.

3. A. Submission and Anticipated Start Dates

Release/Posted Date: 03/10/2022 Application Due Date: 04/21/2022 Earliest Anticipated Start Date: 05/31/2022

3. A. 1. Application Content

Applicant must download a grant application package from http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/download-application-package.html

Required Elements for Applications

A. Format:

Font Size, Style, and Color

• 11 point, Arial, black color (A Symbol font may be used to insert Greek letters or special characters.) This is a requirement for all pages included in the document, i.e., table of contents, references, etc.

Page Size and Margins

• Use standard paper size (8 ½" x 11”).

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/download-application-package.html

• Use one-inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right).

• The NRC requires all text attachments to the SF424 application forms to be submitted as PDF files. Adobe PDF format is preferred.

Footer

• Each page should include a page number and Principal Investigator’s last name in the bottom right-hand corner.

Attachments

• NRC requires all text attachments to the SF-424 application forms to be submitted as

PDF files. Adobe PDF format is preferred.

B. Executive Summary (one-page maximum):

Describe the proposed project’s essential elements. Include the following:

• Descriptive title of proposed project: NOTE: The applicant should describe its program as the University’s program and not the NRC’s program.

• Name, address, email address and telephone number of the PI(s).

• Name(s), address, email address and affiliations of other investigator/collaborative personnel who will contribute significantly to the project.

• The project’s total funding request.

• Concise statement of the project’s objectives and benefits.

C. Project Description:

Applications must include and clearly identify the following elements in the Project Description section:

1. State the management structure and the capability for administering the program.

2. Identify the evaluation plan that will provide information on the effectiveness of the project.

3. State any arrangements with other non-Federal entities that provide additional support, usually in the form of cost sharing or matching to the goals of this project. A written agreement or letter is required from the source of the matching funds.

The project description (which is not the same as the evaluation criteria in Section V.1) is limited to fifteen (15) pages or less, including text, tables, and visual materials (e.g., charts, graphs, maps, photographs). The page limit does not include the:

• Executive Summary

• Program Objectives

• Budget and Budget Narrative

• Current and Pending Support

• Curriculum Vitae

• Past NRC Funding and Summary of Results from Past NRC Funding, if applicable

• Other required forms.

D. Summary of Current and Pending Support:

You must provide information on all current and pending support for ongoing projects and proposals.

Include the proposed project and all other projects or activities using Federal assistance or that require a portion of time of the PI or other senior personnel. Describe the relationship between the proposed project and these other projects and state the number of person-months per year to be devoted to the projects.

E. Curriculum Vitae:

Include two (2) page maximum vitae for the entity corporate official in charge of the project, and other senior personnel or principal investigator involved in carrying out the proposal, including recent relevant publication references.

F. Detailed Budget Narrative and Application Instructions:

Submit a detailed budget narrative explaining the need for and justifying the costs of the Federal and the non-Federal expenditures as they relate to the proposal objectives. Budget should be labeled with each budget line item and proposed funding. See Attachment 1 - for a sample budget narrative. This level of detail shall be followed in describing your budget narrative under SF-424A.

SF-424, Section A – Budget Summary: Fill in “31310022K0002” under the “Grant Program Function or Activity” (Column a). The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number is 77.009 (Column b). Columns (c) and (d) should be left blank. Columns (e) and (f) should include the total Federal and Non-Federal funding for the entire grant period.

List all expenditures in the budget narrative using the same budget categories on SF-424A, Section B (Budget Category). Describe each expense in the budget narrative by object class (e.g., personnel, equipment, travel, and other costs) in the order that they appear on the SF-424A, Section B. Include the dollar amounts in the budget narrative/justification and how the dollar amounts were derived.

Subaward: A budget narrative is requested for subaward institutions. Letters of commitment between multiple institutions, signed by their respective authorized organization representatives, are required as part of the application.

The cost sharing amount, if applicable, should be entered in SF-424A, Section C, and “Non-Federal Resources.” The total on Section D, Line 14, and Section E, Line 21, equals total project costs.

Include detailed descriptions of all cost justifications.

The budget justification submitted with the application must match the dollar amounts on all required forms (i.e., SF-424, SF-424A, Section F). Please explain each calculation and provide a narrative that supports each budget category as it relates to the project objectives.

Applicants shall include a certification statement regarding compliance with Section 2.B., “Citizenship Requirement” of this announcement.

G. Audit Report

Submit a current copy of the institution’s A-133 Audit report.

H. Certification of Compliance with U.S. Immigration Laws and Regulations

Applicants shall include a completed CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH U.S.

IMMIGRATION LAWS AND REGULATIONS (COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT) to document compliance with the Citizenship Requirement of this announcement. The required certification template is provided below and must be submitted as a separate attachment to the application.

The recipient shall provide the following certification statement regarding the citizenship status of all researchers, graduate students, PIs, Co-PIs, and other participants supported under or participating in this grant.

For researchers, PIs, Co-PIs, graduate students, and other participants who are non-citizens, institutions are required to provide in the grant application documentation of the individual’s lawful admittance to the United States.

{Provide this Certification Statement on Your Institution’s Letterhead as a separate document.}

CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH U.S. IMMIGRATION

LAWS AND REGULATIONS (COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT)

The NRC requires a duly authorized representative of the applicant institution to certify that all researchers, PIs, Co-PIs, graduate students, and other participants supported under or participating in the grant comply with the citizenship requirements of Section 2.B. of this announcement.

I hereby certify that all researchers, PIs, Co-PIs, graduate students, and other participants supported under or participating in the grant comply with the citizenship requirements of Section 2.B of this announcement.

At the time of application and for the full term of the grant, all researchers, PIs, Co-PIs, graduate students, and other participants supported under or participating in the grant are—

(1) a United States Citizen; or

(2) a non-citizen national of the United States; or

(3) a non-United Citizen who has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551, or other legal verification of such status) at the time of application and for the full term of the grant.

I further certify that there [ ] are [ ] are not personnel or other participants proposed under this grant agreement that are in violation of the United States immigration laws and regulations, including employment authorization documents and visa requirements.

Below I have provided the name, address, contact information, and citizenship status for each researcher, PI, Co-PI, graduate student, and other participant supported under or participating in the grant.

[provide name, address, contact information, and citizenship status]

I have provided documentation of the citizenship status for each of the following individuals who are included in my institution’s application and who are not United States citizens:

• Researchers, [as applicable, provide name, address, contact information, and citizenship status]

• Principal Investigators and Co-Principal Investigators [as applicable, provide name, address, contact information, and citizenship status],

• Participating graduate students [as applicable, provide name, address, contact information, and citizenship status], and

• Other participants [as applicable, provide name, address, contact information, and citizenship status].

Signature of Authorized Representative Date (mm/dd/yyyy) for Applicant Institution

Printed Name and Title of Authorized Representative

3.B. Submitting an Application Electronically

We encourage applicants to apply early to avoid problems uploading applications to www.Grants.gov. We will make adjustments to the correction window or submission deadlines if necessary to protect applicants’ ability to submit on-time.

Electronic submission is required through www.Grants.gov. If the recipient cannot submit through Grants.gov due to transmission issues, applications may be submitted via email to the NRC. The Authorized Organization Official should contact the GRANTS.GOV SUPPORT to document and help resolve the submission issues, then:

1. Document the issue with the NRC Grants Officer listed in Section VII. Agency Contacts; and

2. Include recipient’s www.Grants.gov support ticket number with recipient’s alternate submission.

3.B.1. Alternate submissions

Email submissions must be sent by the institution’s Authorized Organization Official (not the PI) to the Agency contacts found in Section VII in this announcement. The email subject line should include the www.Grants.gov support ticket number with your institution’s name.

3.C. Application Processing

Applications received will be evaluated by the NRC. Applications that are received after the closing http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ date and time, incomplete or non-responsive will not be reviewed or considered for award.

Applications that are submitted under the incorrect NOFO number shall not be reviewed or considered for award.

Grants.gov will acknowledge receipt of applications. The submitting Authorized Organizational Representative receives the Grants.gov acknowledgments. Applicants can track the recipient’s applications at: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html.

4. Funding Restrictions

All NRC awards are subject to the administrative requirements in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200 and other considerations described in “The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Standard Terms and Conditions for U.S. Non-Governmental Recipients.”

5. Information on Civil Rights Compliance Requirements Imposed as a Condition of Award of NRC Federal Financial Assistance

The NRC has delegated the Office of Small Business and Civil Rights (SBCR) authority to administer the agency’s civil rights programs, which include internal and external programs. The grants administration processes are regarded as an NRC conducted program or activity, which fall under SBCR’s external civil rights program functions. Federal and NRC regulations state, “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, sex, color, national origin, [disability], religion, age, sexual orientation, and status as a parent, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any NRC-conducted or Federal financially assisted program or activity (42 U.S.C. Chapter 21, Subchapter 5; 42 U.S.C. 5801; 29 U.S.C. 701 note; 42 U.S.C. 3001 note).” SBCR conducts compliance reviews, investigates complaints, enforces violations and submits reports to Federal oversight agencies. Relevant NRC regulations can be found under 10 CFR Part 4 and 10 CFR Part 5.

Applicants must ensure that individuals selected as beneficiaries of support under this grant meet the legal requirements consistent with Supreme Court Decisions including Fisher v.

University of Texas at Austin, Gratz v. Bollinger, and Grutter v. Bollinger.

5.A. Requirements of Cooperative Agreement Recipients

Cooperative Agreement Recipients are required to:

• Participate in mandatory NRC pre- and post-award compliance reviews, conducted by

SBCR.

• Submit an annual Equal Opportunity compliance report to SBCR no later than December 31 of each calendar year. Based on compliance monitoring, recipients may be required to provide interim EO reports.

• Provide comprehensive civil rights training for existing and new staff for those administering the grant, and periodically retrain existing staff to establish and update their knowledge of Equal Opportunity civil rights statutes and emerging issues.

• Establish procedures for “processing and disposition” of discrimination complaints and maintain a complaint log, which includes complainants’ characteristic designation as covered under Title IX, Title VI and Coordinating Regulations and Executive Orders, etc.

a unique identifier for the complainant; the nature of the complaint and date filed; the http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=aa48069fcdb8af18dd05d67e8fe3b8cf&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part004/ https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part005/ https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/civil-rights/occp/award-compliance.html https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/tix_dis.html https://www.justice.gov/crt/fcs/TitleVI-Overview investigation completion date; the date and nature of the disposition; and other pertinent information

• Display the NRC’s nondiscrimination policy and procedures for filing complaints in prominent locations to inform staff, beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries; disseminate a nondiscrimination policy statement (e.g., recruitment materials, brochures and other materials, handbooks, applications and postings); and distribute notices regarding programs and activities to eligible populations, including minority and low- income populations; and to Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals. (See “Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons,” 69 FR 10066, March 3, 2004.)

5.B. Additional Links

• 10 CFR § 2.111, 10 CFR Part 2--RULES OF PRACTICE FOR DOMESTIC

LICENSING PROCEEDINGS AND ISSUANCE OF ORDERSLICENSING

PROCEEDINGS AND ISSUANCE OF ORDERS

• 10 CFR § 19.32, 10 CFR Part 19--NOTICES, INSTRUCTIONS AND REPORTS

TO WORKERS: INSPECTION AND INVESTIGATIONS

SBCR staff is available to provide direction, guidance, and technical assistance to help ensure compliance. SBCR staff can be contacted via email at OCCPrograms.Resource@nrc.gov or by phone at 301-415-7380.

6. Other Submission Requirements and Information

Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP)

The NRC uses ASAP for recipient reimbursement. ASAP is a recipient-initiated payment and information system, designed to provide a single point of contact for the request and delivery of Federal funds. ASAP was developed by the Financial Management Service (FMS) of the U.S.

Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) of Richmond. For information about ASAP, see Department of Treasury’s Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) system.

Recipient organizations must be enrolled in ASAP.Gov and their bank account must be linked to the NRC Agency Link Code (31000001) to receive funds.

Organizational Dun and Bradstreet Numbering System (DUNS)

The DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet Numbering System) number on the application must match the DUNS number provided at the SAM database at https://www.sam.gov with http://www.grants.gov.

For additional information, see http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs/obtaining-duns-number.html

If the Payee DUNS for ASAP.Gov is different from the DUNS number provided in the Sam.gov registration, please include the Payee DUNS at the end of the budget narrative under the heading ASAP DUNS. Payments may be delayed if this information is missing in the application.

FedConnect https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part002/part002-0111.html https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part002/part002-0111.html http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-1999-title10-vol1/xml/CFR-1999-title10-vol1-part2.xml http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-1999-title10-vol1/xml/CFR-1999-title10-vol1-part2.xml https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part019/part019-0032.html https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part019/part019-0032.html mailto:OCCPrograms.Resource@nrc.gov http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap/ http://www.fms.treas.gov/asap/ https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm https://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs/obtaining-duns-number.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs/obtaining-duns-number.html https://www.asap.gov/ASAPpublic/login.fcc?TYPE=33554433&REALMOID=06-b592bd40-5029-1027-9325-8316e05f304d&GUID=&SMAUTHREASON=0&METHOD=GET&SMAGENTNAME=-SM-13ROHjSj8UxB1K%2byazkh1uZZ%2fQ44ro%2by3bURoaSWsK6okPBJKPqbAk5er4cMCuWj&TARGET=-SM-https%3a%2f%2fwww%2easap%2egov%2fASAPGov%2f https://www.sam.gov/index.html/?portal:componentId=1f834b82-3fed-4eb3-a1f8-ea1f226a7955&interactionstate=JBPNS_rO0ABXc0ABBfanNmQnJpZGdlVmlld0lkAAAAAQATL2pzZi9uYXZpZ2F0aW9uLmpzcAAHX19FT0ZfXw**&portal:type=action

The NRC will no longer provide electronic copies of award/modification documents via email.

Therefore, applicants are required to register with FedConnect at www.FedConnect.net.

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. Please see instructions on using FedConnect at: FedConnect: Ready, Set, Go!

Section V. Application Review Information

The NRC protects the information contained in an application from unauthorized disclosure, consistent with the need for objective review of the application and the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act. However, if a grant is awarded, the Federal government has the right to use or disclose the information to the extent authorized by law. A recipient may withdraw its application at any time.

1. Review Process

Prior to a comprehensive technical evaluation, the NRC will perform a preliminary review to assess the responsive of each application. This review includes an administrative review of the application to determine if it’s complete and complies with the NOFO requirements. If an application is determined to be noncompliant or nonresponsive it will not receive a technical evaluation.