FY23 ONR STEM FOA Final.pdf

ONR Announcement N00014-23-S-F005

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA) for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic

(STEM) Program

Applications must be received no later than April 2, 2024 Tuesday at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

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Contents I. Overview of the STEM Opportunity

A. Overview

1. Federal Awarding Agency Name

2. Funding Opportunity Title

3. Announcement Type

4. Funding Opportunity Number

5. Assistance Listings

6. Key Dates

7. Grants Officer

II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

A. Program Description

B. Federal Award Information

1. Eligibility for Competition

2. Funded Amount and Period of Performance

3. Instrument Type

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Funding Restrictions

6. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Recipient Qualifications

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F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

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I. Overview of the STEM Opportunity

This publication constitutes a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) as contemplated in the Department of Defense Grants and Agreements regulations (DoDGARS) 32 CFR 22.315(a). The ONR reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received under this FOA. ONR provides no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and budget proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this FOA will not be returned. It is the policy of ONR to treat all white papers and proposals submitted under this FOA as sensitive competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

This FOA is for STEM education programs and activities, which is formal or informal education that is primarily focused on physical and natural sciences, technology, engineering, social sciences, and mathematics disciplines, topics, or issues (including environmental science education or stewardship).

STEM education programs and activities that could be supported by this FOA include one or more of the following as the primary objective:

• Develop learners’ knowledge, skill, or interest in STEM.

• Attract students to pursue certifications, licenses, or degrees (two-year degrees through post-doctoral degrees) or careers in STEM fields.

• Provide growth and research opportunities for post-secondary, college and graduate students in

STEM fields, such as working with researchers or conducting research that is primarily intended to further education.

• Improve mentor/educator (K-12 pre-service or in-service, post-secondary, and informal) quality in STEM areas.

• Improve or expand the capacity of institutions to promote or foster STEM fields.

This FOA will not consider applications for research, with the exception of those whose primary purpose is intended to further education (as described in third bullet above) and that are not expected to generate intellectual property. Efforts for research, including those supporting STEM, should be submitted under the current fiscal year Long Range BAA.

Hyperlinks have been embedded within this document and appear as underlined, blue-colored words. The reader may “jump” to the linked section by clicking the hyperlink.

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A. Overview

1. Federal Awarding Agency Name

Office of Naval Research One Liberty Center 875 N. Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203-1995

2. Funding Opportunity Title

FY 23 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) STEM Program

3. Announcement Type

Initial Announcement

4. Funding Opportunity Number

N00014-23-S-F005

5. Assistance Listings

12.330 Title: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) Education, Outreach, and Workforce Program

6. Key Dates

This announcement will remain open for approximately one (1) year from the date of publication, or until replaced by a successor. FOA proposals may be submitted at any time during this period.

Selections for award will be made throughout this FOA open period of April 3, 2023 through April 2, 2024. The Government reserves the right not to review white papers or full proposals submitted after April 2, 2024, or after a successor to this FOA is issued, whichever occurs first.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Offerors should consult the cognizant ONR STEM Point of Contact for each technology area regarding the desirability of White Paper submission

IMPORTANT NOTE: White Papers are NOT being solicited but ARE OPTIONAL if you wish to submit before submitting a proposal

7. Grants Officer

The Grants Officer for this announcement is identified in Section G.2.

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II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

A. Program Description

ONR seeks a broad range of applications for augmenting existing and/or developing innovative solutions that directly maintain and/or cultivate a diverse, world-class Science, Technology, Engineering and FOA N00014-23-S-F005 FY23 Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Office of Naval Research STEM Program Mathematics (STEM) workforce to maintain the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ technological superiority. The goal of proposed efforts must provide solutions that establish, build, and/or maintain STEM educational pathways and workforce opportunities for diverse U.S. citizens directly relevant to ONR science and technology areas.

As the capacity of the Department of the Navy (DON) Science and Technology (S&T) workforce is interconnected with STEM education and outreach, ONR recognizes the need to support efforts that can jointly improve STEM student outcomes and align education and outreach efforts with Naval S&T current and future workforce needs. This announcement explicitly encourages projects that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students of all ages and the naval-related workforce. Projects must aim to increase engagement in STEM, from students to the current workforce, and enhance people with needed Naval STEM skills, knowledge and abilities. ONR encourages applications to utilize current STEM educational research for informing project design and advancing STEM careers and opportunities of naval relevance.

This FOA is specifically seeking STEM education and outreach projects that address scientific and technical areas identified in the following thrust areas. Project scope may range in size and complexity.

While not a formal requirement or program focus of this FOA, applicants are strongly encouraged to consider under-represented and under-served populations including women and minorities in project plans. Special audience priority areas may include, but not be limited to, military connected students, veteran initiatives, and education systems integral to naval science and technology

Specific items to be addressed are:

Cyber Protection – Defense in Depth

Background: Cybersecurity can be deployed at multiple levels often termed “defense in depth”. Levels can be categorized into:

• Application and data security

• Host or device security

• Network security

Opportunities exist to improve security at any or all of those levels.

Goal: The Principal Investigator will present an approach to educate high school students on the opportunities for understanding, deploying and configuring various levels of security. The goal is to enhance students’ awareness of the impacts and tradeoffs for various layered security defense implementations. The instruction should not just be tutorials but interactive so that the students learn the types of tools/features and how to properly use them based on circumstances.

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Procedure: An email to the ONR Program Officer is encouraged prior to submission of either a white paper or full proposal. Upon the results of such, the proposer will submit a white paper to the Program Officer and await further guidance as to submit a full proposal. Proposals of varying duration and pricing will be considered.

Point of Contact: Dr. Daniel P. Koller, Code 31, daniel.p.koller.civ@us.navy.mil

STEM interests supporting warfighter performance include:

• Human Physiology and Performance

• Medical and Biology

• Bio-centric Technologies

• Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy

• Training and Education

• Social and Cultural

• Command and Control

Point of Contact: Ms. Natalie Steinhauser, Code 34, natalie.b.steinhauser.civ@us.navy.mil

ONR Global STEM interests include:

• Advanced sustainment technologies

• Digital transformation (digital modeling, analysis, engineering, manufacturing, etc.)

• Advanced manufacturing and materials

• Alternate Navigation at High Latitude

• Expeditionary power

• Underwater High Bandwidth Communications

• Undersea Vehicle Technology

ONR Global Points of Contact, Code 600:

Undersea Vehicle Technology / New England area – Dr. James McGee, james.a.mcgee.civ@us.navy.mil

Norfolk VA area - Mr. Raoul Sheridan, raoul.p.sheridan.civ@us.navy.mil

Florida area – Dr. Chris Heagney, christopher.p.heagney.civ@us.navy.mil

San Diego area – Ms. Rebecca Boxerman, rebecca.a.boxerman.civ@us.navy.mil

DoDEA Schools – Mr. Kevin Quinn, kevin.quinn@c7f.tsp.navy.mil

Sustainment technologies – Ms. Tamara Kick, tamara.f.kick.civ@us.navy.mil

ONR STEM interests include:

• Innovative new STEM areas with a strong focus on diversity, equity and/or inclusion.

Point of Contact: Mr. William H. Ellis Jr, Code 31, william.h.ellis.civ@us.navy.mil mailto:daniel.p.koller.civ@us.navy.mil mailto:natalie.b.steinhauser.civ@us.navy.mil mailto:william.h.ellis.civ@us.navy.mil

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Applicants are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to contact the appropriate Program Officer who is the point of contact for a specific technical area to discuss their research ideas

B. Federal Award Information

1. Eligibility for Competition

Proposals for supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards under this FOA.

2. Funded Amount and Period of Performance

The funded amount and period of performance of each proposal selected for award may vary depending on the technology area and the technical approach to be pursued by the offeror selected.

3. Instrument Type

Grants awarded under this announcement will be governed by the award terms and conditions that conform to DoD’s implementation of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance applicable to financial assistance. The DoD Terms and Conditions and the ONR Addendum and ONR Programmatic Requirements are located at https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions.

a. Grant: A legal instrument that, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6304, is used to enter into a relationship:

• The principal purpose of which is to transfer a thing of value to the recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law or the United States, rather than to acquire property or services for the Federal Government’s direct benefit or use.

• Substantial involvement is not expected between the Federal Government and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the grant.

• No fee or profit is allowed.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

All responsible sources from academia, non-profit organization and industry (for-profit) organizations may submit applications under this FOA. Foreign entities will be considered.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges or Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, Native-Hawaiian-serving institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, Native American-serving nontribal institutions, https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions

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Minority Institutions, and covered educational institutions in 10 USC 2362 are especially encouraged to apply.

Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this FOA. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal applicants are allowed so long as they are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC.

Navy laboratories, military universities, and warfare centers as well as other DoD and civilian agency laboratories are also not eligible to receive awards under this FOA and must not submit either white papers or applications in response to this FOA. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) are eligible to submit white papers and/or proposals under this FOA unless precluded from doing so by their DoD UARC contract.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not expected and will not be used as a factor during the merit review of any application hereunder. However, the Government may consider voluntary cost sharing if proposed.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

This FOA may be accessed from the sites below. Amendments, if any, to this FOA will be posted to these websites when they occur. Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check these websites for updates and amendments.

• Grants.gov (www.grants.gov)

• ONR website (https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/funding-opportunities)

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a) General Information

All submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable law and DoD/DoN regulations. Applicants are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains any proprietary information.

Titles given to the submissions should be descriptive of the work they cover and not be merely a copy of the title of this announcement.

White Papers are frequently desired by ONR Program Officers. Offerors should consult the cognizant ONR STEM Point of Contact for each technology area regarding the desirability of White Paper submissions. If White Papers are desired the following format and submission will be followed http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/funding-opportunities

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b) White Papers

i. Format

• Paper size – 8.5x11-inch

• Margins – 1 inch

• Spacing – single-spaced

• Font – Times New Roman, 12-point

• Page limit – 5 pages, excluding cover page and references

ii. Content

White papers shall include the following:

• Cover Page (MANDATORY): The Cover Page can be found at https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/how-to-apply/submit-grant-application for grant submissions. FedConnect will not accept a white paper unless the Cover Sheet is included. The Program Officer’s information is a required field on the cover sheet.

The Program Officer can be found in Section G., Federal Awarding Agency Contacts.

• Technical Concept (no more than one page): A description of the effort for STEM FOA, including the objective and proposed approach, and the technology innovation

• Naval Relevance (no more than one page): A descriptions of potential Naval relevance and contributions of the effort to the agency’s specific mission

• Project Schedule (no more than one page): A summary of the schedule of events and milestones.

• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) (no more than one page): An estimation of the total project cost for each year of award.

• Evaluation Approach (no more than one page): A description of a set of programs specific measures of performance and measures of effectiveness appropriate to goals of the project. (if needed)

iii. Submissions

ONR utilizes FedConnect for the submission of white papers. FedConnect is a web portal that bridges the gap between government agencies and performers to streamline the process of doing business with the government. Through this portal, performers will be able to review opportunities and submit white papers. To access FedConnect go to https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/default.htm.

1. How to register for FedConnect https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/how-to-apply/submit-grant-application https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/default.htm

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FedConnect how to guide can be found at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set _Go.pdf.

a. Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through FedConnect must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and will receive a unique entity identifier (UEI) number. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through FedConnect. SAM registration must be renewed annually. If you have not registered in SAM, go to https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

If you are the first person in your organization to register in FedConnect, your SAM Marketing Partner ID (SAM MPIN) will also be required. It is the number that is set up by your organization as part of the registration in SAM.gov.

b. Create a FedConnect account: The next step in the registration process is to create an account with FedConnect.

2. FedConnect Assistance

If you need assistance, the FedConnect Support Team is standing by to assist you.

Email: fcsupport@unisonglobal.com Phone: 1-800-899-6665 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT. Closed on Federal holidays.

FedConnect Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the ONR website at https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/how-to-apply/frequently-asked-questions.

Do not use the Message Center within FedConnect to submit questions, please email the technical point of contact identified in Section G Federal Awarding Agency Contacts.

c) Full Proposals

Prospective applicants must complete the mandatory forms in accordance with the instructions provided on the forms and the additional instructions below. Files that are attached to the forms must be in Adobe Portable Document Format (.PDF); cannot contain macros; and cannot be password protected. If your attachments are not PDF, contain macros or are password protected, they will not pass ONR’s automated acceptance check and will need to be resubmitted. Block 2, “Type of Application” on the SF 424 should be marked “New” on the resubmission.

i. Format for Technical Proposal

• Paper size – 8.5 x 11 inch

• Margins – 1 inch

• Spacing – single-spaced

• Font – Times New Roman, 12-point

• Page Limit – Technical Proposal: no more than 25.5 pages.

https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

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A technical proposal must include the following sections:

o Cover Page o Table of Contents o Technical Approach– no more than 13 pages o Naval Relevance- no more than 2 pages o Project Schedule and Milestones – no more than 2 pages o Reports – no more than one-half page o Evaluation Approach – no more the 2 pages o Management Approach – no more than 2 pages o Qualifications – no more than 2 pages o Responsibilities – no more than 2 pages

NOTE: The following components are excluded from the 25.5 page limit

- Cover page

- Table of contents

- Letters of Support and interest (optional)

- Cited Reference (optional)

- Current/pending project submission

There are no page limitations for the budget.

ii. Content

NOTE: The electronic file name for all documents submitted under this FOA must not exceed 68 characters in length, including the file name extension.

Mandatory SF-424 Research and Related (R&R) Family Forms

The mandatory forms are found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html

(1) SF-424 (R&R)

The SF-424 (R&R) form must be used as the cover page for all proposals. Complete all required fields in accordance with the “pop-up” instructions on the form and the following instructions for specific fields. Please complete the SF-424 first, as some fields on the SF-424 are used to auto-populate fields on other forms. Guidance can be found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/r-r-family.html.

The completion of most fields is self-explanatory with the exception of the following special instructions:

• Field 3 - Date Received by State: Leave Blank

• Field 4a - Federal Identifier: For new proposals, enter N00014. If the application is a renewal or expansion of an existing award, enter the ONR award number. Note: There is a space between the code and the first [ and between the , and the First Name. There is no space between the first [ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html

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and the last name.

• Field 4b - Agency Routing Number: Enter the three (3) digit Program Office Code and the Program Officer’s name, last name first, in brackets (e.g., 331 [Smith, John]). Note: There is a space between the code and the first [ and between the , and the First Name. There is no space between the first [ and the last name.

Where the Program Office Code only has two digits, add a “0” directly after the Code

(e.g., Code 31 would be entered as 310) Use Code 600 for ONRG.

Applicants who fail to provide a Program Officer Code identifier may receive a notice that their proposal is rejected.

• Field 4c - Previous Grants.gov Tracking ID: If this submission is for a Changed/Corrected Application, enter the Grants.gov tracking number of the previous proposal submission;

otherwise, leave blank.

• Field 5 – Application Information: Email address entered by the grantee on the SF424 application to create the EDA notification profile. ONR recommends that organizations provide a global business address.

• Field 7 - Type of Applicant. Complete as indicated: If the organization is a Minority Institution, select “Other” and under “Other (Specify)” note that the institution is a Minority Institution (MI).

• Field 9 - Name of Federal Agency: List the Office of Naval Research as the reviewing agency.

This field is pre-populated in Grants.gov.

• Field 11 – Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project: Include the ONR White Paper Tracking

Number provided to the applicant by ONR.

• Field 14 – Project Director/Principal Investigator: Email address entered by the grantee on the

SF424 application to create the EDA notification profile

• Field 16 - Is Application Subject to Review by State Executive Order 12372 Process? Choose

“No”. Check “Program is Not Covered by Executive Order 12372.”

• Field 17 – Certification: All awards require some form of certifications of compliance with national policy requirements. By checking “I Agree” on the SF 424 (R&R) block 17 you agree to abide by the following statement: “By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications and (2) that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties.

(U.S. code, Title18, Section 1001).

• Field 19 – Authorized Representative: Email address entered by the grantee on the SF424 application to create the EDA notification profile.

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(2) PROJECT/ABSTRACT

The project summary/abstract must identify the STEM problem and objectives, technical approaches, anticipated outcome of the research, if successful, and impact on DoD capabilities.

Use only characters available on a standard QWERTY keyboard. Spell out all Greek letters, other non-English letters, and symbols. Graphics are not allowed and there is a one page or 4,000-character including spaces limit whichever is less.

Do not include proprietary or confidential information. The project summary/ abstract must be marked by the applicant as “Approved for Public Release”.

Abstracts of all funded research projects will be posted on the public DTIC website: https://publicaccess.dtic.mil/search/#/grants/simpleSearch

(3) RESEARCH AND RELATED OTHER PROJECT INFORMATION

• Fields 1 and 1a – Human Subject Use: Each proposal must address human subject involvement in the research by completing Fields 1 and 1a of the R&R Other Project Information form. For proposals containing activities that include or may include “research involving human subject” as defined in DoDI 3216.02, prior to award, the Applicant must submit the required documentation under “Use of Human Subjects in Research” (Section F).

• Fields 2 and 2a – Vertebrate Animal Use: Each proposal must address animal use protocols by addressing Fields 2 and 2a of the R&R Other Project Information form. If animals are to be utilized in the research effort proposed, the applicant must submit the documents described under “Use of Animals” (Section F).

• Fields 4a through 4d – Environmental Compliance: Address these fields and briefly indicate whether the intended research will result in environmental impacts outside the laboratory, and how the applicant will ensure compliance with environmental statutes and regulations.

Federal agencies making grant or cooperative agreement awards and recipients of such awards must comply with all applicable environmental planning and regulatory compliance requirements. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq. for example, requires that agencies consider the environmental impact of “major Federal actions” prior to any final agency decision. With respect to those awards which constitute “major Federal actions,” as defined in 40 CFR 1508.18, federal agencies may be required to comply with NEPA and prepare environmental planning documentation such as an environmental impact statement (EIS), even if the agency does no more than provide grant funds to the recipient. Most field research funded by ONR, however, constitute activities covered by a NEPA categorical exclusion that do not require preparation of further environmental planning documentation. This is particularly true with regard to basic and applied scientific research conducted entirely within the confines of a laboratory, if the research complies with all other applicable safety, environmental and natural resource conservation laws. Questions regarding NEPA or other environmental planning or regulatory compliance issues should be referred to the technical point of contact.

• Field 7 – Project Summary/Abstract: Leave Field 7 blank; complete Form SF 424 Project Abstract.

If an error message occurs when leaving Block 7 blank, upload the Project Abstract.

• Field 8 – Project Narrative: Clearly describe the STEM FOA, including the objective and approach to be performed, keeping in mind the evaluation criteria. Attach the entire proposal narrative to https://publicaccess.dtic.mil/search/#/grants/simpleSearch

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R&R Other Project Information form in Field 8. To attach a Project Narrative to Field 8, click on “Add attachment” and attach the technical proposal as a single PDF file. Save the file as “Technical Proposal” as typing in the box is prohibited.

The technical proposal must describe the STEM EFFORT in sections as described below:

o Cover Page (not included in page limit): This must include the words “Technical Proposal” and the following:

FOA Number: N00014-23-S-F005;

Title of proposal;

Identity of prime applicant and complete list of subawardees, if applicable;

Technical contact (name, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address);

Administrative/business contact (name, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address); and Proposed period of performance (identify both the base period and options, if included).

o Table of Contents (not included in page limit): An alphabetical/numerical listing of the sections within the proposal, including corresponding page numbers.

o Technical Approach (included in page limit): Describe the technical concepts that will be investigated, providing the complete plan for this STEM EFFORT. Describe what is innovative about the proposed approach. Provide the proposed approach compared to alternate approaches other researchers in the field have taken. Given the successful completion, describe the results, new knowledge, or insights.

Future Naval Relevance: A description of potential Naval relevant and contributions of the effort to the agency’s specific mission.

Project Schedule and Milestones: A summary of the schedule of events and milestones.

o Management Approach (included in page limit): Describe the overall management approach and provide rationale for participation of key team members. Describe the planned relationships with any subawardees or collaborators. This is a single PI award; if there are subawardees or collaborators, explain how the proposed team fits the single PI structure. If appropriate, briefly describe anticipated schedule.

o Principal Investigator Qualifications (included in page limit): A discussion of the qualifications of the proposed Principal Investigator and any other key personnel.

o Responsibility (included in page limit): Applicants must provide the following information to ONR in order to assist in ONR’s evaluation of the applicant’s responsibility:

Describe how you have adequate resources or the ability to obtain such resources as required to complete the activities proposed.

Describe how you have the ability to comply with the grant conditions, taking into account all existing and currently prospective commitments of the applicant, nongovernmental and governmental.

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Describe your performance history; specifically, your record in managing Federal awards and the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future awards.

Describe your record of integrity and business ethics.

Describe qualifications and eligibility to receive an award under applicable laws and regulations.

Describe your organization, experience, accounting, and operational controls and technical skills, or the ability to obtain them (including as appropriate such elements as property control systems, quality assurance measures, and safety programs applicable to the efforts to be performed).

In no more than 2 pages, discuss the following:

o The types of data, software, and other materials to be produced.

o How the data will be acquired.

o Time and location of data acquisition, if scientifically pertinent.

o How the data will be processed.

o The file formats and the naming conventions that will be used.

o A description of the quality assurance and quality control measures during collection, analysis, and processing.

o A description of dataset origin when existing data resources are used.

o A description of the standards to be used for data and metadata format and content.

o Appropriate timeframe for preservation.

o The plan may consider the balance between the relative value of data preservation and other factors such as the associated cost and administrative burden. The plan will provide a justification for such decisions.

o A statement that the data cannot be made available to the public when there are national security or controlled unclassified information concerns (e.g., “This data cannot be cleared for public release in accordance with the requirements in DoD Instruction 5230.09.”) ( DoD Instruction 5230.09 can be found at:

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/5230 09p.pdf?ver=nuEwULZ-197fNysiam2Mnw%3d%3d)

• Field 9 – Bibliography & Referenced Cited: Upload your Bibliography/Referenced cited as a single PDF.

• Field 10 – Facilities & Other Resources: Describe facilities available for performing the proposed effort for STEM FOA and any additional facilities the applicant proposes to acquire at its own expense. Indicate government-owned facilities already possessed that will be used. (Additional equipment will not be provided unless the research cannot be completed by any other practical means.)

• Field 11 – Equipment: Describe any equipment available or any additional equipment the application proposes to acquire at its own expense. Indicate government owned equipment that will be use. Justify the need for each equipment item and provide vendor quotes. (Additional equipment will not be provided unless the research cannot be completed by any other practical means.)

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• Field 12 – Other Attachments: Optional, as necessary

Grants do not include the delivery of software, prototypes or other hardware deliverables.

(4) RESEARCH AND RELATED BUDGET

The applicant must use the Grants.gov forms (including the Standard Form (SF) Research and Related (R&R) Budget Form) from the application package template associated with the FOA on the Grants.gov web site located at http://www.grants.gov/. If options are proposed, the cost proposal must provide the pricing information for the option periods; failure to include the proposed costs for the option periods will result in the options not being included in the award.

The applicant shall provide a detailed cost breakdown of all costs, by cost category.

A separate Adobe .pdf document shall be included in the application that provides appropriate justification and/or supporting documentation for each element of cost proposed and include a link to the current since audit report. This document shall be attached under Section K. “Budget Justification” of the Research and Related Budget form. Click “Add Attachment” to attach.

• Part 1: The itemized budget should include the following. All costs should be rounded to the nearest dollar.

• Direct Labor – Individual labor categories or persons, with associated labor hours and unburdened direct labor rates. Provide escalation rates for out years.

• Administrative and Clerical Labor – Salaries of administrative and clerical staff are normally indirect costs (and included in an indirect cost rate). Direct charging of these costs may be appropriate when a major project requires an extensive amount of administrative or clerical support significantly greater than normal and routine levels of support. Budgets proposing direct charging of administrative or clerical salaries must be supported with a budget justification which adequately describes the major project and the administrative and/or clerical work to be performed.

Fringe Benefits and Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administration (F&A), Overhead, G&A, etc.) – The proposal should show the rates and calculation of the costs for each rate category. If the rates have been approved/negotiated by a Government agency, provide a copy of the memorandum/agreement. If the non-Federal entity has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, they may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs or provide sufficient detail to enable a determination of allowability, allocability and reasonableness of the allocation bases, and how the rates are calculated. See 2 CFR 200.414(f) regarding the use of a de minimis rate.

• Travel – The proposed travel cost must include the following for each trip: the purpose of the trip, origin and destination if known, approximate duration, the number of travelers, and the estimated cost per trip must be justified based on the organizations historical average cost per trip or other reasonable basis for estimation. Such estimates and the resultant costs claimed must conform to the applicable Federal cost principles. Applicants may include travel costs for the Principal Investigator to attend the peer reviews described in Section II of this FOA.

• Subawards/Subcontracts – Provide a description of the work to be performed by the

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subrecipient/subcontractor. For each subaward, a detailed cost proposal is required to be submitted by the subrecipient(s) using the R&R budget form. The same requirements for the individual categories identified in this section apply to the subaward/subcontract, including any applicable indirect rate agreement/documentation. Include subrecipient(s) name at the top of the budget justification document. Subaward entities are required to have a UEI number. A proposal and any supporting documentation must be received and reviewed before the Government can complete its cost analysis of the proposal and enter negotiations. ONR's preferred method of receiving subcontract information is for this information to be included with the Prime's proposal. However, a subcontractor's cost proposal can be provided in a sealed envelope with the recipient's cost proposal or via e-mail directly to the Program Officer at the same time the prime proposal is submitted. The e-mail should identify the proposal title, the prime applicant and that the attached proposal is a subcontract.

• Consultants – Provide a breakdown of the consultant’s hours, the hourly rate proposed, and any other proposed consultant costs, a copy of the signed Consulting Agreement or other documentation supporting the proposed consultant rate/cost, and a copy of the consultant’s proposed statement of work if it is not already separately identified in the prime applicant’s proposal.

• Materials & Supplies – Provide an itemized list of all proposed materials and supplies including quantities, unit prices, and the basis for the estimate (e.g., quotes, prior purchases, catalog price lists).

• Recipient Acquired Equipment or Facilities – Equipment and/or facilities are normally furnished by the Recipient. If acquisition of equipment and/or facilities is proposed, a justification for the purchase of the items must be provided. Provide an itemized list of all equipment and/or facilities costs and the basis for the estimate (e.g., quotes, prior purchases, catalog price lists). General purpose equipment (i.e., equipment not used exclusively for STEM FOA or other technical activities, such as personal computers, laptops, office equipment) should not be requested unless they will be used primarily or exclusively for the project. For computer/laptop purchases and other general purpose equipment, if proposed, include a statement indicating how each item of equipment will be integrated into the program or used as an integral part of the STEM effort. Applicants must provide vendor quotes for any proposed capital equipment costs.

• Other Direct Costs – Provide an itemized list of all other proposed other direct costs such as Graduate Assistant tuition, laboratory fees, report and publication costs, and the basis for the estimate (e.g., quotes, prior purchases, catalog price lists).

The funds provided by ONR (including ONRG), generally may not be used to pay for food or beverages as a direct cost except in exceptional circumstances. The funds shall not be used for food or beverages unless

a. The grant proposal contains a request for such funding that is fully supported factually in accordance with the cost principles of the relevant OMB Circular, and

b. The Grants Officer determines that the funding is a reasonable, allocable, allowable expense under the relevant cost principles.

• Fee/Profit – Fee/profit is unallowable under assistance agreements at either the prime or subaward level but may be permitted on contracts issued by the prime awardee.

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(5) RESEARCH AND RELATED SENIOR/KEY PERSON PROFILE (EXPANDED)

To evaluate compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. A§ 1681 Et. Seq.), the Department of Defense is collecting certain demographic and career information to be able to assess the success rates of women who are proposed for key roles in applications in STEM disciplines.

The R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form will be used to collect the following information for all senior/key personnel, including Project Director/Principal Investigator and Co- Project Director/Co-Principal Investigator, whether or not the individuals' efforts under the project are to be funded by the DoD:

• Degree Type and Degree Year fields as the source for career information.

• Current and Pending Support shall include a list of all current projects the individual is working on, in addition to any future support the individual has applied to receive, regardless of the source. Upload this document by clicking “Add Attachment.” The following information shall be included for each current or pending project:

o Title and objectives o The percentage per year to be devoted to the other projects o The total amount of support the individual is receiving in connection to each of the other STEM projects or will receive if the other proposals are awarded o Name and address of the agencies and/or other parties supporting the other research projects o Period of performance for the other research projects

• Upload the biosketch/CV/resume to the Biographical Sketch field.

Additional senior/key persons can be added by selecting the “Next Person” button. Note that, although applications without these fields completed may pass Grants.gov edit checks, if ONR receives an application without the required information, ONR may determine that the application is incomplete and may cause it to be returned without further review. DoD reserves the right to request further details from the applicant before making a final determination on funding the effort.

(6) RESEARCH AND RELATED PERSONAL DATA

This form will be used by ONR as the source of demographic information, such as gender, race, ethnicity, and disability information for the Project Director/Principal Investigator and all other persons identified as Co-Project Director(s)/Co-Principal Investigator(s). Each application must include this form with the name fields of the Project Director/Principal Investigator and any Co- Project Director(s)/Co-Principal Investigator(s) completed; however, provision of the demographic information in the form is voluntary. If completing the form for multiple individuals, each Co- Director/Co-Principal Investigator can be added by selecting the “Next Person” button. The demographic information may be accessible to the reviewer, but will not be considered in the evaluation. Applicants who do not wish to provide some or all of the information should check or select the “Do not wish to provide” option.

3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

All applicants submitting proposals or applications must:

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a) Be registered in SAM prior to submission;

b) Provide a valid UEI number in each application or proposal it submits to the agency;

c) Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by a Federal awarding agency;

and

SAM may be accessed at https://www.sam.gov/content/home.

A Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant/offeror until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant/offeror has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant/offeror is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant/offeror.

4. Submission Dates and Times

See Section A.6 above, “Key Dates” for information.

5. Funding Restrictions

Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 (Public Law 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency from obligating or expending loan or grant funds to procure or obtain, extend, or renew a contract to procure or obtain, or enter into a contract (or extend or renew a contract) to procure or obtain the equipment, services, or systems prohibited systems as identified in section 889 of the NDAA for FY 2019.

1. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.216 and 200.471, all awards that are issued on or after August 13, 2020, recipients and subrecipients are prohibited from obligating or expending loan or grant funds to:

(1) Procure or obtain;

(2) Extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain; or

(3) Enter into a contract (or extend or renew a contract) to procure or obtain equipment, services, or systems that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. As described in Public Law 115-232, section 889, covered telecommunications equipment is telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).

(i) For the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).

(ii) Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment.

(iii) Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of the https://www.sam.gov/

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National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country.

2. In implementing the prohibition under Public Law 115-232, section 889, subsection (f), paragraph (1), heads of executive agencies administering loan, grant, or subsidy programs shall prioritize available funding and technical support to assist affected businesses, institutions and organizations as is reasonably necessary for those affected entities to transition from covered communications equipment and services, to procure replacement equipment and services, and to ensure that communications service to users and customers is sustained.

3. See Public Law 115-232, section 889 for additional information.

COVERED FOREIGN COUNTRY means the People’s Republic of China.

6. Other Submission Requirements

Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures This section provides the application submission and receipt instructions for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) program applications. Please read the following instructions carefully and completely.

a. Electronic Delivery

ONR is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. ONR applicants shall submit their applications online through Grants.gov.

b. How to Register for Grants.gov

i. Instructions: Read the instructions below about registering to apply for ONR funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

Organizations must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity, then you may begin with step 3, Create a Grants.gov Account, listed below.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but SAM registrations may take additional time. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

1) Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

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For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

2) Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. Follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

3) Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the UEI Number for the organization in the UEI field while adding a profile. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html

4) EBiz POC Authorize Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, the organization applicant's request for Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the EBiz POC.