NOAA-NMFS-SE-2024-2008104 NOFO Report - 10.25.23 extended app due date.pdf

Innovative Strategies to Reduce Red Snapper Discards in the South Atlantic

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description 3

A. Program Objective 3 B. Program Priorities 3 C. Program Authority 4

II. Award Information 4 A. Funding Availability 5 B. Project/Award Period 5 C. Type of Funding Instrument 5

III. Eligibility Information 5 A. Eligible Applicants 5 B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 6 C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility 6

IV. Application and Submission Information 6 A. Address to Request Application Package 6 B. Content and Form of Application 6 C. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 9 D. Submission Dates and Times 9 E. Intergovernmental Review 10 F. Funding Restrictions 10 G. Other Submission Requirements 10

V. Application Review Information 11 A. Evaluation Criteria 11 B. Review and Selection Process 13 C. Selection Factors 14 D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates 14

VI. Award Administration Information 15 A. Award Notices 15 B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 16 C. Reporting 23

VII. Agency Contacts 24 VIII. Other Information 24

Notice of Federal Funding Page 1 of 24

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Federal Agency Name(s): National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce

Funding Opportunity Title: Innovative Strategies to Reduce Red Snapper Discards in the South Atlantic

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NMFS-SE-2024-2008104

Federal Assistance Listings Number: 11.454, Unallied Management Projects

Dates: Complete proposals/applications must be received on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 20, 2023, to be considered for funding. Proposals received after the established deadline will be rejected and returned to the sender without consideration. For proposals submitted through Grants.gov, a date and time receipt indication will be the basis of determining timeliness. It may take Grants.gov up to two (2) business days to validate or reject the application.

For those without access to the Internet, one signed original and two hard copy applications must be postmarked or received by the established due date for the program at the following address:

Kelly Donnelly, NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, ATTN: Innovative Strategies to Reduce Red Snapper Discards in the South Atlantic. Use of U.S. Mail or another delivery service must be documented with a receipt. Note that late-arriving hard copy proposals provided to a delivery service on or before 5:00 p.m. on the closing date for applications will be accepted for review if the applicant can document that the proposal was provided to the guaranteed delivery service by the specified closing date and time and if the proposal is received by NMFS no later than 5:00 p.m., five (5) business days following the closing date. No facsimile or electronic mail proposals will be accepted. Awards are anticipated to start no earlier than April 1, 2024.

Funding Opportunity Description: NMFS is soliciting proposals under this funding opportunity to better understand and address red snapper discards in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery. Projects funded under this program should inform the development of management strategies that reduce the proportion of red snapper discards relative to landed catch. Priority will be given to proposals that investigate the research priorities detailed under the Funding Priorities section of this announcement.

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FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Program Objective

The most recent South Atlantic red snapper stock assessment indicates the stock is rebuilding, yet overfishing is occurring primarily because of high discard mortality in the recreational sector. Further restricting or closing the recreational fishing season is no longer sufficient to end overfishing of red snapper because many fish are discarded and die even when directed harvest is prohibited. Recreational anglers and commercial fishers are frustrated by short fishing seasons and high amounts of discards. Additional and substantial reductions in dead discards are needed to successfully rebuild the stock, end overfishing, and achieve optimum yield.

The challenge of effectively managing discards is not exclusive to the red snapper stock. Six of the top ten snapper-grouper species landed in the South Atlantic are experiencing overfishing or are overfished due in part to high fishing effort and discards. Traditional single species management measures such as reduced catch limits, closed seasons, lower bag and trip limits, and minimum size limits are, in most instances, no longer effectively working to prevent and end overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and optimize yield in this year-round multi-species fishery. In fact, many of these measures may inadvertently exacerbate the discard issue by creating regulatory discards.

In addition to increasing fishing mortality, dead discards reduce fishery profits, access, and opportunities by reducing the overall catch fishermen are able to land. There is a need to investigate innovative management solutions that reduce dead discards to improve the status of snapper-grouper stocks and better optimize the social and economic benefits of the fishery. By nature, such solutions can be controversial, and challenging to design and administer, which has limited their application in the South Atlantic. This funding opportunity aims to address those barriers.

B. Program Priorities

Projects funded under this program must inform the development of management strategies that reduce the proportion of red snapper discards relative to landed catch. Priority will be given to proposals addressing the following research priorities:

Collect representative information on recreational and commercial discards of red snapper, including spatial, depth, and temporal distribution patterns and discard mortality rates.

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Identify methods to collect representative catch composition data from red snapper-targeting fishing trips.

Identify methods to improve angler satisfaction when fishing under the recreational red snapper catch limit.

Identify methods to improve economic efficiency of commercial snapper-grouper fishers.

Highest priority will be given to proposals that directly involve recreational and commercial fishers across a broad geographic area in addressing these red snapper research priorities, and also in helping to improve the understanding of, and address the biological, economic, and social factors associated with discards of other overfished species in the snapper-grouper fishery, including gag, red grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy. NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages women and minority individuals and groups to submit applications.

Projects will be further prioritized based on the 1) magnitude of their potential dead discard reduction; 2) potential to increase fisher satisfaction; 3) feasibility of implementation; and 4) assurance of quality and integrity of data collection.

Projects should provide data-driven results that would help the snapper-grouper fishery to avoid or further minimize regulatory and economic discards of red snapper, consider the enforceability and feasibility of regulations, and measure fisher perceptions, satisfaction, and economic value of the new management techniques or strategies relative to existing approaches.

Results and outcomes from this work will be analyzed and may be used by NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to improve the conservation and management of red snapper and other snapper-grouper species in the South Atlantic.

C. Program Authority

Authority for this funding opportunity is provided under the Unallied Science Program:

16 U.S.C. 661 (Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act) and 16 U.S.C. 753a (Fish and Wildlife Act).

II. Award Information

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A. Funding Availability

This solicitation announces up to $880,000 in federal funds that may be available in fiscal year (FY) 2024. NOAA anticipates approximately 70-80% of these funds will be allocated to studies of recreational red snapper discard reduction strategies since the recreational sector accounts for a majority of the discards. The remaining funds will be allocated to studies of commercial red snapper discard reduction strategies. NOAA anticipates 3-5 projects will be selected for funding. The maximum award will not exceed $250,000.

The exact amount of funds that may be awarded to an individual project will be determined based on the final number and scope of projects awarded. Publication of this notice does not obligate NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds. If applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do so at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the government. There is no obligation on the part of NOAA to cover pre-award costs unless approved by the Grants Officer as part of the terms when the award is made or the award is for research, per 2 C.F.R. § 200.308.

B. Project/Award Period

The award period is one year (12 months), but NOAA will consider applications for projects with up to a 24-month period of performance. Year 2 funding for any 24-month projects selected under this solicitation would be contingent on the availability of out-year funds. Proposals should clearly identify objectives and products to be completed during that period of activity. The requested start date must begin on the first day of the month and end on the last day of the month. The earliest start date for projects will be April 1, 2024.

C. Type of Funding Instrument

Selected proposals will be funded through a grant.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants may be institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, individuals, and state, local, and Indian Tribal governments.

Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible. Foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international organizations are excluded for purposes of this solicitation since the objective of the funding opportunity is to optimize benefits from U.S. marine fishery resources.

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B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

None required.

C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility

All proposals for projects that require exemptions from the current regulations (e.g.

retention outside of allowable fishing seasons) must submit a signed copy of the Project Narrative in Section IV.B. of this announcement under separate cover to Frank Helies, Fishery Biologist, NOAA/NMFS/SERO; 263 13th Avenue, South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, Phone: (727) 824-5305, e-mail: Frank.Helies@noaa.gov. This document will serve as the Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application, so applicants must take care to include in the Project Narrative all of the information required for a complete EFP application as listed in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 C.F.R. § 600.745(b). Additional information on EFPs and how to apply can be found here:

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/southeast-region-exempted-fishing-permits-efp/.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

The standard application package is available at http://www.grants.gov/. If you do not have internet access or if Grants.gov is inaccessible, an application package may be received by contacting Kelly Donnelly, Federal Program Officer, NOAA/NMFS/SERO; 263 13th Avenue, South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, Phone: (727) 551-5731, e-mail:

kelly.donnelly@noaa.gov.

B. Content and Form of Application

Format Requirements:

All pages must be single-spaced and should be composed in at least a 12-point font with one-inch margins on 8 ½” x 11” paper. The project narrative may not exceed 25 pages, exclusive of title page, project synopsis, literature cited, budget information, resumes of investigators, and letters of support (if any). Failure to follow the requirements will result in the rejection of the application and subsequent return.

Any PDF or other attachments that are included in an electronic application must meet the above format requirement when printed out.

Content Requirements:

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The following information must be included. Failure to submit all of the following information will result in an application not being reviewed.

Signed Title Page: The Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) must be signed by the authorized representative. Electronic signatures submitted through grants.gov satisfy this requirement.

Project Synopsis (1-page limit): It is critical that the project synopsis accurately describes the project being proposed and conveys all essential elements of the activities. It is imperative that potential applicants tie their proposals to one or more of the funding priorities described in Section I.B. (Funding Opportunity Description). The Project Synopsis must identify the principal investigator(s) and include a brief statement of qualifications.

Project Narrative (25-page limit): The applicant should describe and justify the project being proposed and address each of the evaluation criteria as described below in Section V.

(Application Review Information). Project Narratives should include the following components:

A statement of the purposes and goals of the project.

Clear objectives and specific approaches to achieving those objectives, including methods, timelines, and expected outcomes.

A description of the species (target and incidental) expected to be harvested, the amount(s) of such harvest necessary for the project, the arrangements for disposition of all regulated species harvested during the project, and any anticipated impacts on the environment, including impacts on fisheries, marine mammals, threatened or endangered species, and essential fish habitat.

A justification for issuing any required EFP.

For each vessel to be covered by the EFP:

A copy of the USCG documentation, state license, or registration of each vessel, or the information contained on the appropriate document;

The current name, address, and telephone number of the owner and master, if not included on the document provided for the vessel; and

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The approximate time(s) and place(s) fishing will take place, and the type, size, and amount of gear to be used.

A description of how the project will provide a focused and effective outreach strategy, including the degree to which the potential users of the results, i.e., recreational fishermen, have been involved in the planning and execution of the activity.

Data Management Plan: Proposals submitted in response to this Announcement must include a Data Management Plan (up to 2 pages). See Section VI.B., Administrative and National Policy Requirements, below for additional information on what the plan should contain.

Literature Cited: If applicable.

Budget and Budget Justification: All applications must have a budget table and a detailed narrative explaining and justifying all Federal costs. Applications must provide justifications for all budget items in sufficient detail to enable reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the funding requested. All figures should be rounded to the nearest dollar. A copy of the most recent negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA), if such an agreement exists, is required. For more information, refer to NOAA Grants Management Division’s Budget Narrative Guidance at https://www.ago.noaa.gov/grants/training.html/.

Resumes: (2 pages maximum for each major participant).

Standard Application Forms: Please refer to the appropriate application package available through www.grants.gov. Required forms include:

- Standard Form 424A - Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

- Standard Form 424B - Assurances - Non-Construction Programs

- Form CD-511 - Certification Regarding Lobbying

- Standard Form LLL - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities If you do not have internet access or if Grants.gov is inaccessible, an application package may be received by contacting Kelly Donnelly, Federal Program Officer, NOAA/NMFS/SERO; 263 13th Avenue, South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, Phone: (727) 551-5731, e-mail: kelly.donnelly@noaa.gov.

NOAA NEPA Questionnaire (https://www.nepa.noaa.gov/docs/NOAA- Grants- Questionnaire-final.pdf). Applicants are requested to respond to Questions 1-19 and 20-37 on the Environmental Compliance Questionnaire for NOAA Notice of Federal Funding Opportunity Applicants (the latter of which are specific to NMFS project submissions) when initially submitting applications.

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Applications must identify the principal participants, and include copies of any agreements describing the specific tasks to be performed by participants. Project applications should give a clear presentation of the proposed work, the methods for carrying out the project, its relevance to managing and enhancing the use of South Atlantic fishery resources, and cost estimates as they relate to specific aspects of the project. Budgets must include a detailed breakdown, by category of expenditures, with appropriate justification for both the Federal and non-Federal shares.

Successful applicants are required to collect and manage data in accordance with standardized procedures and format approved or specified by NMFS. All data collected as part of an awarded grant must be provided to NMFS.

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

Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (www.sam.gov). Allow a minimum of thirty days to be registered in SAM. Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through http://www.grants.gov.

Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application; and (iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. NOAA may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time NOAA is ready to make a Federal award, NOAA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

D. Submission Dates and Times

Applications must be received by www.grants.gov, postmarked, or provided to a delivery service by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on November 20, 2023. Note: It may take www.grants.gov up to two (2) business days to validate or reject an application.

Please keep this in mind when developing your submission timeline. Use of U.S. Mail or another delivery service must be documented with a receipt. Applications received later than

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5 business days following the closing date will not be accepted. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted. See Section IV G. Other Submission Requirements for complete mailing information.

E. Intergovernmental Review

Applications submitted by state and local governments are subject to the provisions of Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Any applicant submitting an application for funding is required to complete item 16 on SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of E.O. 12372. To find out about and comply with a State’s process under E.O. 12372, the names, addresses and phone numbers of participating SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and Budget’s home page at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf

F. Funding Restrictions

Construction is not an allowable activity under this program. Therefore, applications will not be accepted for construction projects.

G. Other Submission Requirements

Applicants should submit applications electronically through http://www.Grants.gov.

Applicants should note that it can take as long as 3 weeks to register with Grants.gov if all steps are not completed in a timely manner, and registration is required only once. Users of Grants.gov will be able to download a copy of the application package, complete it off line, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site. If an applicant has problems downloading the application forms from Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@Grants.gov.

If an applicant does not have Internet access or if Grants.gov is inaccessible, paper applications will be accepted. Paper applications must be submitted with completed, signed, original forms in hard copy and an electronic copy of the entire application on CD, including scanned signed forms. If the applicant has completed the entire application in Grants.gov but is unable to submit it via Grants.gov, then this application package should be provided via CD along with printed and signed versions of forms SF-424, SF-424B, and CD-511. The authorized representative MUST sign and date these forms over the printed signature that will appear in the signature box. Paper applications should be printed on one side only, on 8.5" x 11" paper, and should not be bound in any manner.

Applications postmarked or provided to a delivery service after 5:00 pm EST November 20, Notice of Federal Funding Page 10 of 24

2023, will not be considered for funding. Applications submitted via the U.S. Postal Service must have an official postmark; private metered postmarks are not acceptable. In any event, applications received later than 5 calendar days following the closing date will not be accepted. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.

Paper applications must be postmarked or provided to a delivery service and documented with a receipt and sent to: Kelly Donnelly, Federal Program Officer, NOAA/NMFS/SERO;

263 13th Avenue, South, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, Phone: (727) 551-5731, e-mail:

kelly.donnelly@noaa.gov.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

Applications responsive to this solicitation will be evaluated for technical merit by a review panel of at least three subject matter experts. Each reviewer will provide individual evaluations of the proposals, providing comments and assigning scores to the applications based on the following criteria and weighting system. Please note that the criteria may have different scoring scales:

Importance and/or relevance and applicability of proposed project to the mission goals (40 points):

This criterion ascertains whether there is intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA, Federal, regional, state, or local activities. Does the proposal describe its relevance to the project priorities, and how information gathered will contribute to NOAA’s mission to enhance the understanding of the fishery resource and contribute to the body of information on which management decisions are made? What is the magnitude of the potential benefit the proposed innovative management solution could have on reducing dead discards of snapper-grouper species? Does the proposal address the feasibility and potential difficulties of implementing the proposed innovative management solution in the snapper-grouper fishery? Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods?

Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies?

Using the scale below (lowest score possible is 0)

Marginally Adequately Frequently Strongly Highly -----0------------10------------20------------30------------40

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Technical/scientific merit (35 points):

This criterion assesses whether the approach is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate, and whether there are clear project goals and objectives. Proposals should provide a clear definition of the approach to be used, including descriptions of field work, theoretical studies, and laboratory analysis to support the proposed research.

Are the conceptual framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well-integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Is sufficient detail provided about the methods proposed for monitoring and evaluating the success of the project, and are they appropriate? Are the objectives in the proposal clearly defined and focused, realistic and attainable within the proposed project period? Does the proposal assure quality and integrity of data collection? Does the proposal include a data-sharing plan that describes the types of data and information to be created, the tentative date by which data will be shared, methods for providing data access, approximate total volume of data to be collected, and prior experience in making such data accessible?

Using the scale below (lowest score possible is 0)

Marginally Adequately Frequently Strongly Highly ------0------------9------------18------------27------------35

Overall qualifications of applicant (10 points):

This criterion ascertains whether the applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, training, facilities, and administrative resources to accomplish the project.

Using the scale below (lowest score possible is 0)

Marginally Adequately Frequently Strongly Highly ------0-------------2-------------5---------------8------------10

Project costs (10 points):

This criterion evaluates the budget to determine if it is realistic and commensurate with the project needs and time frame. Is the proposed budget sufficiently detailed, with appropriate breakdown and justification of costs by object class? Is the proposed budget cost-effective and realistic based on the applicant’s stated objectives and time frame?

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Using the scale below (lowest score possible is 0)

Marginally Adequately Frequently Strongly Highly ------0-------------2-------------5---------------8------------10

Outreach and Education (10 points):

This criterion assesses whether the project provides a focused and effective education and outreach strategy. Does the proposal demonstrate potential fisher support for the proposed innovative management solution, cooperation, and/or collaboration with the fishing industry? Is the participation of U.S. fishermen or industry meaningfully incorporated into the project design?

Using the scale below (lowest score possible is 0)

Marginally Adequately Frequently Strongly Highly ------0------2--------------5-----------------8--------10

Data Management Plan Technical Soundness (5 points):

This criterion assesses whether the Data Management Plan ensures that the data collected and/or created will be made available to general users in a timely manner free of charge, or at minimal cost.

Using the scale below (lowest score possible is 0)

Marginally Adequately Frequently Strongly Highly ------0-------------2-------------3-------------4-------------5

B. Review and Selection Process

Once received, applications will be screened to ensure that they were received by the deadline date (see Submission Dates and Times); include SF 424 authenticated by an authorized representative; were submitted by an eligible applicant; address one of the funding priorities; include a budget, statement of work, and milestones; and identify the principal investigator. Applications are not screened for deficiencies prior to the submission deadline. Should you independently decide it is desirable to do so, you may correct any deficiencies in your application before the deadline. After the deadline, the application must remain as submitted. If an application does not conform to the requirements and the deadline for submission has passed, the application will be returned without further consideration.

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Each application will be independently reviewed and scored by at least three panel members.

The panel will meet, either in person or virtually, to discuss the merits of all eligible applications. Following the panel discussion, each member of the Panel will independently assign a numerical rating using the identified point ranges, and provide comments to support their scores (fractions of whole numbers will not be accepted). The Panel will give no consensus advice.

C. Selection Factors

The Panel ratings will be provided in rank order to the Selecting Official for final funding recommendations. The Selecting Official shall award in the rank order unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order, or in the case of a rank order tie, based on the following factors (which are not listed in order of importance):

Availability of funding;

Balance/distribution of funds:

geographically by research areas by project types by type of institutions by type of partners Program priorities and policy factors, including timeliness of contributions to upcoming management and science activities;

Partnerships with/Participation of targeted groups (recreational anglers, commercial fishers);

Duplication of other projects funded or considered for funding by NOAA/federal agencies;

Applicant's prior award performance;

Adequacy of information necessary for NOAA staff to make a NEPA determination and draft necessary documentation before recommendations for funding are made to the Grants Officer.

The Selecting Official may negotiate the funding level of the proposal. The Selecting Official makes final recommendations for award to the Grants Officer who is authorized to obligate funds.

D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

The earliest start date of awards is approximately 7 months after the date of publication of this notice. Applicants should consider this selection and processing time, including submission and approval of any exempted fishing permit, in developing requested start dates

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The exact amount of funds awarded, the final scope of activities, and the project duration are determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant, the NOAA Grants Office and the NMFS Program Office. Recipients must not initiate projects until an approved award is received from the NOAA Grants Office. If an EFP is required for the project, a Specific Award Condition (SAC) will be placed on the award notifying successful applicants that they will not be able to begin field sampling until NOAA approves their EFP application.

The successful applicant will be able to expend funds for administrative activities after the start date of the agreement.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

Successful applicants will receive notification that the application has been approved for funding by the NOAA Grants Office with the issuance of an award signed by a NOAA grants officer. This is the authorizing document that allows the project to begin. The award will be issued electronically to the authorizing official of the project. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by the NMFS program office that their proposals were not selected for recommendation.

PRE-AWARD COSTS. NOAA authorizes award recipients to expend pre-award costs up to 90 days before the period of performance start date at the applicant’s own risk without approval from NOAA and in accordance with the applicant’s internal policies and procedures. Such costs are allowable only to the extent that they would have been allowable if incurred after the date of the Federal award. This does not include direct proposal costs (as defined at 2 CFR 200.460). In no event will NOAA or the Department of Commerce be responsible for direct proposal preparation costs. Pre-award costs will be a portion of, not in addition to, the approved total budget of the award. Pre-award costs expended more than 90 days prior to the period of performance start date require approval from the Grants Officer.

This does not change the period of performance start date.

GRANTS OFFICER SIGNATURE. Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation are not considered awards until the Grants Officer has signed the grant or cooperative agreement. Only Grants Officers can bind the Government to the expenditure of funds. The Grants Officer’s digital signature constitutes an obligation of funds by the federal government and formal approval of the award.

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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Funding for programs listed in this notice is contingent upon the availability of funds. Applicants are hereby given notice that funds may not have been appropriated yet for the programs listed in this notice. Publication of this announcement does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PRE-AWARD NOTIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.

The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register notice of December 30, 2014 (79 FR 78390) are applicable to this solicitation and may be accessed online at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-12-30/pdf/2014-30297.pdf.

UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS, COST PRINCIPLES, AND AUDIT

REQUIREMENTS.

Through 2 C.F.R. § 1327.101, the DOC adopted Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, which apply to awards in this program. Refer to http://go.usa.gov/SBYh and http://go.usa.gov/SBg4.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Successful applicants who accept a NOAA award under this solicitation will be bound by DOC Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions (Commerce Terms). This document will be provided in the award package in NOAA's electronic grants management system at http://www.ago.noaa.gov and at http://go.usa.gov/hKbj.

RESEARCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

For awards designated on the CD-450 as Research, the Commerce Terms, and the Federal-wide Research Terms and Conditions (Research Terms) as implemented by the Department of Commerce, currently, at https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/rtc.jsp, both apply to the award. The Commerce Terms and the Research Terms are generally intended to harmonize with each other; however, where the Commerce Terms and the Research Terms differ in a Research award, the Research Terms prevail, unless otherwise indicated in a specific award condition.

BUREAU TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Successful applicants who accept an award under this solicitation will be bound by bureau-specific standard terms and conditions. These terms and conditions will be provided in the award package in NOAA's electronic grants management system. For NOAA awards only, Notice of Federal Funding Page 16 of 24 the Administrative Standard Award Conditions for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Financial Assistance Awards U.S. Department of Commerce are applicable to this solicitation and may be accessed online at https://www.noaa.gov/organization/acquisition-grants/financial-assistance.

HUMAN SUBJECTS RESEARCH.

For research projects involving Human Subjects, an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval or an exemption determination will be required in accordance with DOC Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions “Research Involving Human Subjects” found at https://www.commerce.gov/oam/policy/financial-assistance-policy.

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA).

NOAA must analyze the potential environmental impacts, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for applicant projects or proposals, which are seeking NOAA federal funding opportunities. Detailed information on NOAA compliance with NEPA can be found at the following NOAA NEPA website: http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/, including our NOAA Administrative Order 216-6 for NEPA, http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/NAO216_6.pdf, and the Council on Environmental Quality implementation regulations, http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/NEPA-40CFR1500_1508.pdf.

Consequently, as part of an applicant's package, and under their description of their program activities, applicants are required to provide detailed information on the activities to be conducted, locations, sites, species and habitat to be affected, possible construction activities, and any environmental concerns that may exist (e.g., the use and disposal of hazardous or toxic chemicals, introduction of non-indigenous species, impacts to endangered and threatened species, aquaculture projects, and impacts to coral reef systems). In addition to providing specific information that will serve as the basis for any required impact analyses, applicants may also be requested to assist NOAA in drafting an environmental assessment, if NOAA determines an assessment is required. Applicants will also be required to cooperate with NOAA in identifying feasible measures to reduce or avoid any identified adverse environmental impacts of their proposal. Failure to do so shall be grounds for not selecting an application. In some cases if additional information is required after an application is selected, funds can be withheld by the Grants Officer under a specific award condition requiring the recipient to submit additional environmental compliance information sufficient to enable NOAA to make an assessment on any impacts that a project may have on the environment.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain all necessary Federal, state, and local government permits and approval for the proposed work to be conducted. Applicants are expected to design their proposed activities to minimize the potential for adverse impacts to the

Notice of Federal Funding Page 17 of 24 environment. If applicable, documentation of requests for, or approval of required environmental permits should be included in the application package. Applications will be reviewed to ensure they contain sufficient information to allow NOAA staff to conduct a NEPA analysis so that appropriate NEPA documentation, required as part of the application package, can be submitted to the NOAA Grants Management Division along with the recommendation for funding for selected applications. Applicants whose proposed projects may have an environmental impact must furnish information requested to assist proposal reviewers in assessing the potential environmental consequences of supporting the project.

REVIEW OF RISK.

After applications are proposed for funding by the Selecting Official, the Grants Office will perform administrative reviews, including an assessment of risk posed by the applicant under 2 C.F.R. 200.206. These may include assessments of the financial stability of an applicant and the quality of the applicant’s management systems, history of performance, and the applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on non-Federal entities. Special conditions that address any risks determined to exist may be applied. All performance is checked through SAM.gov under Responsibilities and Qualifications. Applicants may submit comments to SAM.gov regarding any information included in the system about their organization for consideration by the awarding agency.

DATA SHARING.

1. Environmental data and information collected or created under NOAA grants or cooperative agreements must be made discoverable by and accessible to the general public, in a timely fashion (typically within two years), free of charge or at no more than the cost of reproduction, unless an exemption is granted by the NOAA Program. Data should be available in at least one machine-readable format, preferably a widely-used or open-standard format, and should also be accompanied by machine-readable documentation (metadata), preferably based on widely used or international standards.

2. Proposals submitted in response to this Announcement must include a Data Management Plan of up to two pages describing how these requirements will be satisfied. The Data Management Plan should be aligned with the Data Management Guidance provided by NOAA in the Announcement. The contents of the Data Management Plan (or absence thereof), and past performance regarding such plans, will be considered as part of proposal review. A typical plan should include descriptions of the types of environmental data and information expected to be created during the course of the project; the tentative date by which data will be shared; the standards to be used for data/metadata format and content;

methods for providing data access; approximate total volume of data to be collected; and prior experience in making such data accessible. The costs of data preparation, accessibility, Notice of Federal Funding Page 18 of 24 or archiving may be included in the proposal budget unless otherwise stated in the Guidance.

Accepted submission of data to the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) is one way to satisfy data sharing requirements; however, NCEI is not obligated to accept all submissions and may charge a fee, particularly for large or unusual datasets.

3. NOAA may, at its own discretion, make publicly visible the Data Management Plan from funded proposals, or use information from the Data Management Plan to produce a formal metadata record and include that metadata in a Catalog to indicate the pending availability of new data.

4. Proposal submitters are hereby advised that the final pre-publication manuscripts of scholarly articles produced entirely or primarily with NOAA funding will be required to be submitted to NOAA Institutional Repository after acceptance, and no later than upon publication. Such manuscripts shall be made publicly available by NOAA one year after publication by the journal. More information can be found on NOAA’s Data Management Procedures at:

https://nosc.noaa.gov/EDMC/documents/Data_Sharing_Directive_v3.0_remediated.pdf and at NAO 212-15 Management of Environmental Data and Information:

https://www.noaa.gov/organization/administration/nao-212-15-management-of-environmental-data-and-information.

INDIRECT COST RATE.

If an applicant has not previously established an indirect cost rate with a Federal agency they may choose to negotiate a rate with the Department of Commerce or use the de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% of MTDC (as allowable under 2 C.F.R. §200.414). The negotiation and approval of a rate is subject to the procedures required by NOAA and the Department of Commerce Standard Terms and Conditions. The NOAA contact for indirect or facilities and administrative costs is: Raishan Adams, Branch Chief, NOAA Grants Management Division, 1325 East West Highway, 9th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or raishan.adams@noaa.gov.

MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

The Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to increasing the participation of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), i.e., Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges and universities, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian institutions, and institutions that work in underserved communities.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

Department of Commerce regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. Sec. 552, are found at 15 C.F.R. Part 4, Public Information. These regulations set forth rules for the Department regarding making requested materials, Notice of Federal Funding Page 19 of 24 information, and records publicly available under the FOIA. Applications submitted in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity may be subject to requests for release under the Act. In the event that an application contains information or data that the applicant deems to be confidential commercial information that should be exempt from disclosure under FOIA, that information should be identified, bracketed, and marked as Privileged, Confidential, Commercial or Financial Information.

In accordance with 15 CFR § 4.9, the Department of Commerce will protect from disclosure confidential business information contained in financial assistance applications and other documentation provided by applicants to the extent permitted by law.

NOAA SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION AND

RESPONSE POLICY.

NOAA requires organizations receiving federal assistance to report findings of sexual harassment, or any other kind of harassment, regarding a Principal Investigator (PI), co-PI, or any other key personnel in the award. NOAA expects all financial assistance recipients to establish and maintain clear and unambiguous standards of behavior to ensure harassment free workplaces wherever NOAA grant or cooperative agreement work is conducted, including notification pathways for all personnel, including students, on the awards. This expectation includes activities at all on- and offsite facilities and during conferences and workshops. All such settings should have accessible and evident means for reporting violations and recipients should exercise due diligence with timely investigations of allegations and corrective actions.

For more information, please visit: https://www.noaa.gov/organization/acquisition-grants/noaa-workplace-harassment-training-for-contractors-and-financial.

SCIENCE INTEGRITY.

1. Maintaining Integrity. The non-Federal entity shall maintain the scientific integrity of research performed pursuant to this grant or financial assistance award including the prevention, detection, and remediation of any allegations regarding the violation of scientific integrity or scientific and research misconduct, and the conduct of inquiries, investigations, and adjudications of allegations of violations of scientific integrity or scientific and research misconduct. All the requirements of this provision flow down to subrecipients.

2. Peer Review. The peer review of the results of scientific activities under a NOAA grant, financial assistance award or cooperative agreement shall be accomplished to ensure consistency with NOAA standards on quality, relevance, scientific integrity, reproducibility, transparency, and performance. NOAA will ensure that peer review of "influential scientific information" or "highly influential scientific assessments" is conducted in accordance with

Notice of Federal Funding Page 20 of 24 the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review and NOAA policies on peer review, such as the Information Quality Guidelines.

3. In performing or presenting the results of scientific activities under the NOAA grant, financial assistance award, or cooperative agreement and in responding to allegations regarding the violation of scientific integrity or scientific and research misconduct, the non- Federal entity and all subrecipients shall comply with the provisions herein and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 202-735D, Scientific Integrity, and its Procedural Handbook, including any amendments thereto. That Order can be found at http://nrc.noaa.gov/ScientificIntegrityCommons.aspx.

4. Primary Responsibility. The non-Federal entity shall have the primary responsibility to prevent, detect, and investigate allegations of a violation of scientific integrity or scientific and research misconduct. Unless otherwise instructed by the grants officer, the non-Federal entity shall promptly conduct an initial inquiry into any allegation of such misconduct and may rely on its internal policies and procedures, as appropriate, to do so.

5. By executing this grant, financial assistance award, or cooperative agreement the non- Federal entity provides it assurance that it has established an administrative process for performing an inquiry, investigating, and reporting allegations of a violation of scientific integrity or scientific and research misconduct; and that it will comply with its own administrative process for performing an inquiry, investigation, and reporting of such misconduct.

6. The non-Federal entity shall insert this provision in all subawards at all tiers under this grant, financial assistance award, or cooperative agreement.

REVIEWS AND EVALUATION.

The applicant acknowledges and understands that information and data contained in applications for financial assistance, as well as information and data contained in financial, performance and other reports submitted by applicants, may be used by the Department of Commerce in conducting reviews and evaluations of its financial assistance programs. For this purpose, applicant information and data may be accessed, reviewed and evaluated by Department of Commerce employees, other Federal employees, and also by Federal agents and contractors, and/or by non-Federal personnel, all of whom enter into appropriate conflict of interest and confidentiality agreements covering the use of such information. As may be provided in the terms and conditions of a specific financial assistance award, applicants are expected to support program reviews and evaluations by submitting required financial and performance information and data in an accurate and timely manner, and by cooperating with the Department of Commerce and external program evaluators. In accordance with 2 C.F.R.