M19AS00018 rev from OEPpb.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Office of Renewable Energy Programs (OREP)

Program Announcement No. M19AS00018

BOEM FY 2019 Renewable Energy Program CFDA No. 15.408

May 6, 2019 Revision date: 06/24/2019

I. Funding Opportunity Description

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity to the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences to resume and continue the zooplankton sampling efforts conducted at two stations in the Gulf of Maine. The cooperative agreement will monitor the ecology of zooplankton in the Gulf of Maine and how it influences the distribution of the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale. This effort will help the state of Maine, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Federal government, the private sector, and other stakeholders interested in the distribution of the North Atlantic right whale and its relationship with zooplankton ecology. The Office of Renewable Energy Programs (OREP) oversees leasing for renewable energy projects on the Nations’ outer continental shelf and conducts reviews of site assessment and construction and operations plans. The Environmental Studies Program (ESP) develops, funds, and manages rigorous scientific research specifically to inform policy decision on the development of energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

Section 1346 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) mandates the conduct of environmental and socioeconomic studies needed for the assessment and management of environmental impacts on the human, marine, and coastal environments, which may be affected by development. BOEM’s implementing regulations in 30 CFR Part 556.82 allows BOEM to conduct environmental studies related to offshore activities, including alternate energy, such as offshore wind energy development. Furthermore BOEM may conduct studies necessary to establish additional information and monitor human, marine, and coastal environments in order to recommend modifications in practices, which are employed to mitigate the effects of OCS activities and to enhance the data/information base for predicting impacts from leasing or cumulative OCS activities.

Section 1345 of OCSLA authorizes the use of cooperative agreements with affected States to meet the requirements of OCSLA and other Federal laws including the sharing of information, the joint utilization of available expertise, the facilitating of permitting procedures, joint planning and review, and the formation of joint surveillance and monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to outer Continental Shelf operations both onshore and offshore.

BOEM is responsible for protecting the environment while ensuring the safe development of the nation’s offshore energy resources. The information from this work will facilitate the review of potential environmental impacts on protected species in the Wind Energy Areas in the North East Atlantic and potentially lead to mitigation measures for the protection of the North Atlantic right whale.

II. Award Information

This Program Announcement describes a project that may be awarded to the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences, premised on receipt of an acceptable application.

BOEM anticipates making the cooperative agreement award in Fiscal Year 2019 for the application submitted under this program announcement.

• The total amount of funding available for the University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences is $210,000.

• Work performance under this award must start before September 30, 2019, and the proposed work must be completed no later than three (3) years from the start date.

Additional information regarding multi-year proposals is presented in the “Multi-Year Proposal” section below.

• This announcement is specifically to announce intent to continue the monitoring of zooplankton populations from key time series.

• The award will be a cooperative agreement. This requires substantial involvement by BOEM scientists in various aspects of study development and/or study conduct.

Multi-Year Proposals:

The application should clearly define the work to be accomplished each year. BOEM reserves the option to fund only the first year of a multi-year application with funding of subsequent years contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory progress demonstrated by the recipient.

Progress will be determined through technical review of Performance and Progress Reports and other work identified by the BOEM project officer.

III. Eligibility Information

The University of Maine, School of Marine Sciences may submit an application.

While no cost sharing as defined in 2 CFR 200.29 and further explained in 2 CFR 200.306 is required for this Agreement, provision of equipment and a vessel from other funds is considered mandatory and no award will be made unless total contributions to the project are sufficient to carry out the objectives of the study.

In addition, while additional cost sharing/matching is not required, it is encouraged, either as cash or in-kind contributions (such as salary, equipment, etc., or a combination of both). See 2 CFR 200.306 for more information.

BOEM expects that the total funds provided from other sources or as a cost share (see 2 CFR 200.306) will be provided amount of $400,000.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Applications must be submitted by 5 pm ET, July 23, 2019.

2. Location of Application Package

All applications must be submitted through the www.Grants.gov portal at “Apply for Grants”.

Applicants can locate the application package by visiting the Grants.gov portal and searching on CFDA number 15.408, or Announcement M19AS00018 in the Grants.gov search engine.

The electronic submission system requires several preliminary registration steps before the actual application can be submitted, including obtaining a unique entity identifier (DUNS number), registering in SAM.gov (see www.sam.gov) and registering a Grants.gov account (go to www.grants.gov and click on “Register” in the top right hand corner). All applicants must have a unique entity identifier (i.e. DUNS number) and a current registration in SAM.gov to receive a Federal award.

3. Content and Form of Applications

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

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance SF-424a Budget Information SF-424b Assurances – Non-Construction Programs Project Narrative Form Budget Narrative Form GG Certification Regarding Lobbying Form (Complete the Optional SF-LLL Lobbying form if lobbying has occurred)

4. Project Narrative Cover Sheet

The cover sheet of the proposal shall contain the following information:

a. Project Title:

b. Principal Investigator(s):

i. Name:

ii. Address:

iii. Phone and FAX

iv. Email:

c. Name of university/department/organization, and

• Contact information for Technical and Administrative Negotiations

d. Project Status: New/Continuation

e. Project Duration: (years or months)

f. Proposed Start Date:

g. Proposed Draft Final Report Submission Date:

h. Proposed Completion Date:

i. Amount Requested From BOEM:

j. Amount and Sources of Non-Federal Match:

k. Total Project Cost:

l. Signature, Name, and Contact Information of State or University Principal Investigator and

Co-Investigator:

m. Proposal Endorsement, including Signature, Name, and Contact Information of http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/

Sponsoring University Department Dean or State Authorizing Official;

n. Signature, Name and Contact Information, Office of Sponsored Programs of Sponsoring

University or equivalent State Office.

5. Project Narrative

The text should be no longer than 15 pages. Item g (Budget Justification) is not included in the 15-page limit. The text for multi-year proposals may be up to 25 pages. Please include the following as appropriate:

a. Abstract

b. Background/Relevance - Give a brief introduction to the proposed work to be conducted with the financial assistance. State how the study addresses BOEM goals.

c. Objectives - Clearly define goals of the study.

d. Briefly describe the proposed methodology for the study.

e. Project management/Staffing plan -- Describe the performance measures or devise a performance plan that will be used to assess the accomplishment of the goals of the project. These performance measures will be incorporated in the cooperative agreement award and should be used by the recipient when creating the Progress/Performance Report. Describe the applicant’s plan to monitor performance of contractors and sub-grantees. List the Principal Investigator first, followed by the names of other individuals. Indicate the role for each participant in the project (lead scientist, area of expertise).

f. Planned Products – Briefly describe the products of the study, including reports, maps, and databases.

g. Budget justification (see item 6, “Budget Narrative” below)

h. Budget (include personnel, travel, services, supplies, equipment, indirect costs, anticipated match)

i. Timeline (including deliverables)

j. Critical Starting Date

6. Budget Narrative

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

a) Salaries and Wages. List positions and rate of compensation. If contract employees are hired, include their total time, rate of compensation, job titles, and roles.

b) Fringe benefits/labor overhead. Indicate the rates/amounts in conformance with normal accounting procedures. Explain what costs are covered in this category and the basis of the rate computations. If a negotiated agreement is available, provide the document or website address.

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

d) Lab Analyses. Briefly itemize cost of all analytical work.

e) Supplies. Enter the cost for all tangible property. Include the cost of office, laboratory, computing, and field supplies separately. Provide detail on any specific item, which represents a significant portion of the proposed amount.

f) Equipment. Show the cost of all special-purpose equipment necessary for achieving the objectives of the project. "Special-purpose equipment" means scientific equipment having a useful life of more than 1 year and having an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per item. Each item should be itemized and include a full justification and a dealer or manufacturer quote, if available. General-purpose equipment (used for purposes other than this project) must be purchased from the applicant's operating funds. Title to non-expendable personal property shall be vested conditionally with the Recipient upon acquisition, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.313-314. Under no circumstances shall property title be vested in a sub-tier recipient. Provide a statement that equipment will be purchased in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317-326.

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

h) Travel. State the purpose of the trip and itemize the estimated travel costs to show the number of trips required, the destinations, the number of people traveling, the per diem rates, the cost of transportation, and any miscellaneous expenses for each trip.

Calculations of other special transportation costs (such as charges for use of applicant-owned vehicles or vehicle rental costs) should also be shown.

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

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

k) Total Direct Charges. Totals for items a - j.

l) Indirect Charges (Overhead). Indirect cost/general and administrative (G&A) cost.

Show the proposed rate, cost base, and proposed amount for indirect costs based on the cost principles applicable to the Applicant's organization. If the Applicant has separate rates for recovery of labor overhead and G&A costs, each charge should be shown.

Provide the negotiated rate agreement.

m) Amount proposed. Total items k and l.

n) Multi-year projects. The Applicant shall provide summary information as well as a detailed budget for each year. Funds requested for the final year of performance shall comprise a minimum of 15% of the project’s total anticipated budget.

V. Application Review Information

Applications will be reviewed by BOEM scientists, program managers and may also include external peer review. Reviewers have expertise in federal offshore programs and/or the specific scientific discipline of the proposal.

Evaluation Criteria: The proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria shown in descending order of importance:

1. Study Design and Products:

Does the proposed study meet BOEM goals? Will it produce useful products? Does it address key issues?

2. Work plan/Methodology:

Is the strategy clear and designed for a successful study? Are the study objectives appropriate for proposed time frame? Are the proposed facilities, coordination, and product production appropriate?

3. Planned Products and Dissemination of Results:

Are the products clearly defined? Will they be useful for environmental stewardship and renewable energy management activities?

4. Budget Justification and Clarity:

Is staff sufficient to accomplish the proposed goals? Are expenses adequately itemized?

5. Experience/Competence of Research Personnel:

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

VI. Award Administration Information

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

Awards based on the application submitted to, and as approved by the BOEM, are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated either directly or by reference in the following:

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

• Program legislation\regulation.

• Special terms and conditions.

• Code of Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable (Contact the Contracting Officer with any questions regarding the applicability of the following):

2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

2 CFR Part 25 Universal Identifier and System for Award Management

2 CFR Part 170 Reporting Subaward and Executive Compensation Information

2 CFR Part 175 Award Term for Trafficking in Persons

2 CFR Part 182 Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace

2 CFR Part 1400 NonProcurement Debarment and Suspension

2 CFR Part 1401 Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace

2 CFR Part 1402 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

43 CFR Part 18 New Restrictions on Lobbying

Conflicts of Interest

(a) Applicability.

(1) This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

(2) In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by subrecipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.

(b) Requirements.

(1) Non-Federal entities must avoid prohibited conflicts of interest, including any significant financial interests that could cause a reasonable person to question the recipient's ability to provide impartial, technically sound, and objective performance under or with respect to a Federal financial assistance agreement.

(2) In addition to any other prohibitions that may apply with respect to conflicts of interest, no key official of an actual or proposed recipient or subrecipient, who is substantially involved in the proposal or project, may have been a former Federal employee who, within the last one (1) year, participated personally and substantially in the evaluation, award, or administration of an award with respect to that recipient or subrecipient or in development of the requirement leading to the funding announcement.

(3) No actual or prospective recipient or subrecipient may solicit, obtain, or use non-public information regarding the evaluation, award, or administration of an award to that recipient or subrecipient or the development of a Federal financial assistance opportunity that may be of competitive interest to that recipient or subrecipient.

(c) Notification.

(1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200.112, Conflicts of lnterest.

(2) Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by subrecipients.

(d) Restrictions on Lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under this grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR Part 18 and 31 USC 1352.

(e) Review Procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

(f) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR Part 180).

Data Availability

(a) Applicability. The Department of the Interior is committed to basing its decisions on the best available science and providing the American people with enough information to thoughtfully and substantively evaluate the data, methodology, and analysis used by the Department to inform its decisions.

(b) Use of Data. The regulations at 2 CFR 200.315 apply to data produced under a Federal award, including the provision that the Federal Government has the right to obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data produced under a Federal award as well as authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data for Federal purposes.

(c) Availability of Data. The recipient shall make the data produced under this award and any subaward(s) available to the Government for public release, consistent with applicable law, to allow meaningful third party evaluation and reproduction of the following:

(i) The scientific data relied upon;

(ii) The analysis relied upon; and

(iii) The methodology, including models, used to gather and analyze.

Reporting

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

1. Federal Financial Reports The Recipient must submit the Standard Form 425, Federal Financial Report. The BOEM will use the form to monitor the cash advanced to the Recipient, and to obtain disbursement or outlay information for each cooperative agreement. Advance withdrawals (more than 3 business days for immediate cash needs) may increase financial reporting frequency requirements.

2. Performance and Financial Status Reporting Requirements

Reporting requirements for the projects are regulated by 2 CFR Part 200.327-328. These regulations specify basic cooperative agreement reporting requirements including performance and financial reports. BOEM will work closely with the recipient to incorporate appropriate performance and financial reporting requirements into each cooperative agreement award, consistent with 2 CFR Part 200.327-328. These regulations provide some flexibility in determining the appropriate content and frequency of performance and financial reports. At a minimum, however, the reporting schedule will require the recipient to report their progress at least quarterly through the established reporting process and yearly submission of financial status reports.

3. Single Audit Requirements

Nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance funds of $750,000 or more in Federal awards must have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year.

Nonfederal entities that expend less than $750,000 in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.501.

4. Technical Reporting Requirements (to be submitted by project PI)

Quarterly Reports, Annual Progress Reports, Draft and Final Reports, and Draft and Final Technical Summaries are required. Details are available at: http://www.boem.gov/ Environmental-Studies-Program-Report-Specifications/.

Scientific Integrity

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

http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Studies-Program-Report-Specifications/ http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Studies-Program-Report-Specifications/

Acknowledgement of Sponsorship The Recipients shall acknowledge Federal sponsorship in the draft and final reports by placing the following statement on the disclaimer page of both reports: “Study collaboration and funding were provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Renewable Energy Program under Agreement Number __________.”

The Recipient shall require of all investigators that all manuscripts intended to be published in journals resulting from this study shall be submitted to BOEM for review and comment prior to submittal to the journal, with final revisions remaining subject to the discretion of the author.

BOEM manuscript reviews shall be conducted expeditiously, within a period of 10 business days, and in conformance with the U.S. Department of the Interior Scientific and Scholarly Integrity Policy, as outlined in the DOI Departmental Manual (Part 305: Chapter 3).

All publications and oral presentations shall contain an acknowledgement of support from BOEM under this Cooperative Agreement that reads: “Study collaboration and funding were provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Renewable Energy Program under Agreement Number __________.”

VII. Agency Contacts

Grants.gov:

Technical questions concerning the application process:

Grants.gov Help Desk at:

Phone: 1-800-518-4726 Email: support@grants.gov

Program Announcement and Cooperative Agreement Questions:

Paula Barksdale Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Acquisition Policy and Financial Assistance Branch 45600 Woodland Road, VAE-AMD Sterling, VA 20166 Phone: 703-787-1743 Email: paula.barksdale@bsee.gov

Chief, Division of Environmental Sciences Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 45600 Woodland Road VAM-DES Sterling, Virginia 20166 Tel: (703) 787-1087 Email: EnvironmentalStudiesProgram2@boem.gov mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:paula.barksdale@bsee.gov mailto:EnvironmentalStudiesProgram2@boem.gov

Program Office:

Ian Slayton Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Office of Renewable Energy Programs 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP Sterling, VA 20166 Phone: 703-787-1231 Email: ian.slayton@boem.gov

VIII. Other Information

Dissemination of Research Results. The BOEM considers dissemination of research data and results to be an integral and crucial aspect of projects funded by this program. The applicant is strongly encouraged to disseminate research results to the scientific community and appropriate professional organizations; local, State, regional and Federal agencies; and the general public.

All data collected shall be made available to the public.

Extensions to the project period. Extensions are discouraged. The timely conduct of funded projects is of great importance to the achievement of the goals of the BOEM. The applicant should consider their time commitments at the time of applying for funding support. Requests for extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The applicant should supply documentation supporting their request for an extension.

--End of Program Announcement M19AS00018--mailto:ian.slayton@boem.gov