NOAA-OAR-OER-2023-2007237 NOFO Report.pdf

Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2023 Funding Opportunity

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description 6

A. Program Objective 6 B. Program Priorities 7 C. Program Authority 8

II. Award Information 8 A. Funding Availability 8 B. Project/Award Period 9 C. Type of Funding Instrument 9

III. Eligibility Information 10 A. Eligible Applicants 10 B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 11 C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility 11

IV. Application and Submission Information 12 A. Address to Request Application Package 12 B. Content and Form of Application 12 C. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 18 D. Submission Dates and Times 19 E. Intergovernmental Review 19 F. Funding Restrictions 20 G. Other Submission Requirements 20

V. Application Review Information 21 A. Evaluation Criteria 21 B. Review and Selection Process 23 C. Selection Factors 23 D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates 24

VI. Award Administration Information 24 A. Award Notices 24 B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 25 C. Reporting 31

VII. Agency Contacts 32 VIII. Other Information 33

Notice of Federal Funding Page 1 of 36

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Federal Agency Name(s): Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce

Funding Opportunity Title: Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2023 Funding Opportunity

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-OAR-OER-2023-2007237

Federal Assistance Listings Number: 11.011, Ocean Exploration

Dates: Applicants are required to submit a complete, maximum two-page, pre-proposal in order to be allowed to submit a full proposal. Pre-proposals must be received by 4:59 p.m. EDT on May 24, 2022. Full proposals must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 29, 2022. Pre-proposals and proposals received after the above deadlines will be disqualified. An informational webinar will be held shortly after this funding opportunity is announced. Details will be available at https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/about/funding-opps/welcome.html. A recording will be posted to this page after the event.

Funding Opportunity Description: The NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, also known as NOAA Ocean Exploration, is soliciting proposals for projects to conduct or support ocean exploration of poorly understood regions of U.S. waters. NOAA Ocean Exploration is the only federal program dedicated to exploring the deep ocean, closing prominent gaps in our basic understanding of U.S. deep waters and the seafloor and delivering the ocean information needed to strengthen the economy, health, and security of our nation.

Using the latest tools and technology, NOAA Ocean Exploration explores unknown or little known areas of our deep ocean, making discoveries of scientific, economic, and cultural value.

Data collected are used to understand and maintain a healthy ocean, sustainably manage marine resources, accelerate the national economy, and build a better appreciation of the value and critical importance of the ocean in our everyday lives.

NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals for interdisciplinary ocean exploration in waters under U.S. jurisdiction that support national priorities, including NOAA science and technology priorities of uncrewed systems, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, ’omics data, and citizen science (https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/NOAA-Science-Technology-Focus-Areas) and the Strategic Priorities for Ocean Exploration and Characterization of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (https://www.noaa.gov/nomec/IWG-OEC, draft report to be released

Notice of Federal Funding Page 2 of 36

April 2022) developed per the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (https://www.noaa.gov/nomec). The U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone contains a vast array of underutilized, and likely many undiscovered, natural resources, including critical minerals, marine-derived pharmaceuticals, and energy sources in addition to areas of significant ecological and conservation value. By supporting exploration, i.e., discovery through disciplined, diverse observations, NOAA Ocean Exploration seeks to advance our basic understanding of U.S. deep waters (waters deeper than 200 meters).

For Fiscal Year 2023 funding, NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals focused on any one of the following three themes:

OCEAN EXPLORATION and DISCOVERY: Proposals should be in support of the NOAA ocean exploration mission to explore unknown or poorly known ocean areas, processes, and resources in waters deeper than 200 meters. NOAA Ocean Exploration is particularly interested in exploration for, and discovery of, microorganisms, sponges, corals, and other organisms in waters deeper than 200 meters that may have biopharmaceutical or biotechnological potential.

Such proposals should reference the NOAA ’omics strategy (https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/Portals/0/2020%20Omics%20Strategy.pdf?ver=2020-09-17- 150026-760). All proposals should reference the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-08/NOMEC%20Strategy.pdf).

MARITIME HERITAGE: Proposals should address exploration and discovery of significant maritime heritage resources that improve historical knowledge and inform decisions concerning preservation, management and potential seafloor use. Maritime heritage projects can be conducted in any water depth. Data products must benefit other academic and resource management disciplines. The use of autonomous and other innovative technologies is a NOAA Ocean Exploration priority.

TECHNOLOGY: Proposals should feature application of new or novel use of existing ocean technologies or innovative methods that could increase the scope and efficiency of acquiring ocean exploration data and expanding its availability and use. They must be focused on the development and testing of innovative sensors and systems that could increase the capabilities of autonomous or remotely operated seagoing systems. Proposed ocean technologies must be applicable to water depths of 200 meters or greater, preferably full-ocean depth (testing in shallower water or lab-based testing is acceptable) and must address at least one of the defined ocean exploration variables as referenced in the “Exploration Variables Identified by NOAA Ocean Exploration” technical memorandum (https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/29495). Proposals must also reference at least one

Notice of Federal Funding Page 3 of 36 of the NOAA science and technology focus areas (https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/NOAA- Science-Technology-Focus-Areas).

Informational documents about this funding opportunity are available on the NOAA Ocean Exploration website (https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/about/funding-opps/welcome.html).

For the purpose of this funding opportunity, costs for ship time and/or other ocean data collection platforms (e.g., remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, etc.) are considered rental costs and therefore are not included in the modified total direct cost. The exception is for organizations with a federal negotiated indirect cost rate agreement that covers these charges.

All links were valid as of announcement publication date.

The following checklists are provided to aid in preparing pre-proposals and full proposals.

Pre-Proposals (due May 24, 2022 at 4:59 p.m. ET)

- NOAA Ocean Exploration notice of funding opportunity cover sheet

- Pre-proposal, maximum 2 pages

Submit to oer.ffo2023@noaa.gov

Full Proposals (due September 29, 2022)

- Updated NOAA Ocean Exploration notice of funding opportunity cover sheet

- Executive summary, maximum 1 page

- Project narrative, maximum 15 pages

- Data and information sharing plan, maximum 2 pages

- Outreach and education plan, maximum 1 page

- Statement of diversity and inclusion, maximum 1 page

- Previous significant results

- Summary of current funding support for each principal and co-principal investigator

- Curriculum vitae, maximum 2 pages for each principal investigator

- Budget justification and budget tables

- Negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)

- National Environmental Policy (NEPA) questionnaire

- Letters of support (optional, e.g. from state historic preservation office)

- Forms (for nonfederal applicants only):

Notice of Federal Funding Page 4 of 36 o Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) o Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) o Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) o Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL )

- Suggested reviewers (optional)

Nonfederal applicants must submit all documents required for a full proposal individually through Grants.gov.

Federal applicants must email full proposals to oer.ffo2023@noaa.gov.

Notice of Federal Funding Page 5 of 36

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Program Objective

The world’s deep ocean remains largely unexplored, leaving significant gaps in the basic environmental intelligence needed to manage and protect ocean resources, forecast future environmental changes, and facilitate sustainable economic development of the ocean. By leading national efforts to explore our ocean and making ocean exploration information and data accessible, NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, also known as NOAA Ocean Exploration, is filling gaps in the basic understanding of U.S. deep waters and seafloor, providing critical deep-ocean data, information, and awareness needed to sustain and accelerate the economy, health, and security of our nation.

Successful proposals typically involve multiple partners; are characterized by an interdisciplinary and innovative exploration approach; frequently leverage other programs and organizations with compatible objectives; employ advanced technology platforms and sensors to further explore and characterize priority themes; produce information that will be valuable to state and federal marine resource managers; give consideration to environmental impacts in the project planning and represent the applicant's ability to acquire all necessary permits; explain the plan for making data and results publicly available to advance scientific knowledge and inform environmental management decisions; and provide a plan for outreach and education and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) activities.

In addition, successful proposals support NOAA Ocean Exploration goals and engage and educate the public by sharing information about ocean exploration through innovative means.

Applicants must be willing to adhere to an open data policy that ensures that all environmental data and information collected or created with program support, once quality controlled, will be promptly made available to requestors. In addition, proposals must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and all other federal laws regarding environmental protection (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and National Marine Sanctuaries Act).

Applicants are encouraged to visit the NOAA Ocean Exploration website (https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/about/funding-opps/ffo-recipients.html) to familiarize themselves with past and present NOAA Ocean Exploration-funded activities. Links to information on and resources for the NOAA Ocean Exploration competitive grants program, Notice of Federal Funding Page 6 of 36 including frequently asked questions and the required cover sheet for pre-proposals and full proposals are available at https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/about/funding-opps/welcome.html.

Information about the date and time of an informational webinar, and a recording of the webinar, will be posted on this web page when available.

B. Program Priorities

NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals to conduct or support ocean exploration of poorly understood regions of U.S. waters. NOAA Ocean Exploration is the only federal program dedicated to exploring the deep ocean, closing prominent gaps in our basic understanding of U.S. deep waters and the seafloor and delivering the ocean information needed to strengthen the economy, health, and security of our nation.

Using the latest tools and technology, NOAA Ocean Exploration explores unknown or little known areas of our deep ocean, making discoveries of scientific, economic, and cultural value. Data collected is used to understand and maintain ocean health, sustainably manage marine resources, accelerate the national economy, and build a better appreciation of the value and critical importance of the ocean in our everyday lives.

NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals for interdisciplinary ocean exploration in waters under U.S. jurisdiction that support national priorities, including NOAA science and technology priorities of uncrewed systems, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, ’omics data, and citizen science (https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/NOAA-Science-Technology- Focus-Areas) and the Strategic Priorities for Ocean Exploration and Characterization of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (https://www.noaa.gov/nomec/IWG-OEC, draft report to be released April 2022) developed per the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (https://www.noaa.gov/nomec). The U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone contains a vast array of underutilized, and likely many undiscovered, natural resources, including critical minerals, marine-derived pharmaceuticals, and energy sources in addition to areas of significant ecological and conservation value. By supporting exploration, i.e., discovery through disciplined, diverse observations, NOAA Ocean Exploration seeks to advance our basic understanding of U.S. deep waters (waters deeper than 200 meters).

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding, NOAA Ocean Exploration is soliciting proposals focused on any one of the following three themes:

OCEAN EXPLORATION and DISCOVERY: Proposals should be in support of the NOAA ocean exploration mission to explore unknown or poorly known ocean areas, processes, and resources in waters deeper than 200 meters. NOAA Ocean Exploration is particularly

Notice of Federal Funding Page 7 of 36 interested in exploration for, and discovery of, microorganisms, sponges, corals, and other organisms in waters deeper than 200 meters that may have biopharmaceutical or biotechnological potential. Such proposals should reference the NOAA ’omics strategy (https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/Portals/0/2020%20Omics%20Strategy.pdf?ver=2020-09- 17-150026-760). All proposals should reference the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-08/NOMEC%20Strategy.pdf).

MARITIME HERITAGE: Proposals should address exploration and discovery of significant maritime heritage resources that improve historical knowledge and inform decisions concerning preservation, management, and potential seafloor use. Maritime heritage projects can be conducted in any water depth. Data products must benefit other academic and resource management disciplines. The use of autonomous and other innovative technologies is a NOAA Ocean Exploration priority.

TECHNOLOGY: Proposals should feature application of new or novel use of existing ocean technologies or innovative methods that could increase the scope and efficiency of acquiring ocean exploration data and expanding its availability and use. They must be focused on the development and testing of innovative sensors and systems that could increase the capabilities of autonomous or remotely operated seagoing systems. Proposed ocean technologies must be applicable to water depths of 200 meters or greater, preferably full-ocean depth (testing in shallower water or lab-based testing is acceptable) and must address at least one of the defined ocean exploration variables as referenced in the “Exploration Variables Identified by NOAA Ocean Exploration” technical memorandum (https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/29495). Proposals must also reference at least one of the NOAA science and technology focus areas (https://sciencecouncil.noaa.gov/NOAA-Science-Technology-Focus-Areas).

C. Program Authority

33 USC 3403(a)

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

NOAA Ocean Exploration anticipates approximately $3,000,000 will be available to fund proposed projects under this notice. With these funds, NOAA Ocean Exploration anticipates being able to support 4-10 awards with budgets ranging from $75,000 to a maximum of $750,000 to be spent over one or two years. Proposals for less than $75,000 or

Notice of Federal Funding Page 8 of 36 more than $750,000 will be disqualified.

The amount available for this funding opportunity will be subject to the final FY23 appropriation/allocation for NOAA Ocean Exploration. Publication of this notice does not obligate NOAA to fund any specific project or use all or any part of available funds. There is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to initiate or continue exploration activities where NOAA Ocean Exploration has recommended funding. NOAA Ocean Exploration will determine the amount of recommended funding for a proposed project during pre-award negotiations with the applicant. The NOAA Ocean Exploration selecting official may defer some select FY23 proposals for consideration for funding in a subsequent fiscal year.

B. Project/Award Period

NOAA Ocean Exploration will accept proposals for projects that are one or two years in duration. The anticipated award start date is September 1, 2023. The start date should always begin on the first day of the month and the end date should always end on the last day of any given month when making a projection for the award start and end dates.

C. Type of Funding Instrument

In general, projects selected for funding will be funded through a grant or cooperative agreement under the terms of this notice. Projects funded through cooperative agreements may involve substantial involvement by the federal government, including, but not limited to, direction or redirection of the scope of work due to interrelationships with other projects or stipulation that the awardee must meet or adhere to specific procedural requirements before subsequent stages of a project may commence as specified in the specific award conditions.

Projects led by NOAA staff will be funded through an intra-agency transfer of funds.

Proposals led by non-NOAA federal agency staff may be funded through an interagency agreement to transfer if their agency has the statutory authority to accept funding for this type of work and if they agree to receive and spend FY2023 funding for proposed projects.

By receiving funding from NOAA Ocean Exploration, all awardees agree to certain requirements for education and outreach, data management, and website content development. To help meet these requirements, NOAA Ocean Exploration staff and/or NOAA designee(s) will be assigned as a primary point of contact to help plan and execute these activities. In some cases, these individuals may join an at-sea science team and serve as an expedition coordinator, data manager, or web coordinator. For more details, refer to Section VIII of this document.

Notice of Federal Funding Page 9 of 36

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants represent U.S.-based institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations; U.S. territory, state, local, and tribal governments and federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to accept funding for this type of work; and for-profit organizations. NOTE: Before proposals from federal agencies other than NOAA can be funded, applicants must affirm that their agency has legal authority to receive funds from another federal agency in excess of their appropriation. Because this notice is not proposing to procure goods or services from applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. section 1535) does not provide this authority. NOAA and other federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to accept funding for this type of work must agree to take FY23 funding for proposed projects (both one and two year projects) and spend those funds in FY23 (i.e., between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023).

NOAA Ocean Exploration participates in the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) (https://nopp.org/) to facilitate partnerships between federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations to advance ocean science research and education. The NOPP agencies coordinate through the NOPP Interagency Working Group (IWG), which is a working group of the National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology. For the purpose of this notice, projects proposed by federal applicants and/or nonfederal applicants with federal partners must coordinate their project under the NOPP and the project must include:

- Substantial participation of one or more federal agencies in addition to NOAA.

Substantial participation can include providing resources such as ship time, infrastructure (e.g., at-sea assets or government labs), and personnel.

- Participation of at least one partner from academic, public, and/or private entities (including philanthropic organizations).

It is incumbent on the federal applicant to provide information about the proposed project to the NOPP IWG through their respective agency representative to be designated a NOPP project. Reach out to info@nopp.org to obtain details about your respective agency NOPP IWG representative.

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and NOAA support cultural and gender diversity and encourage women and minority individuals and groups to apply to this notice of funding opportunity. In addition, DOC and NOAA are strongly committed to broadening the participation of individuals from historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and other organizations that work in

Notice of Federal Funding Page 10 of 36 underserved areas. DOC and NOAA encourage applications involving contributions from any of the above.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Proposals from nonfederal applicants that do not involve partners from federal agencies do not require cost sharing, matching funds, in-kind contributions, or contribution of no-cost ship time.

Proposals from federal applicants and/or nonfederal applicants with federal partners must coordinate with the NOPP IWG using the requirements in Section III. A.

C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility

1. Potential Partners

NOAA Ocean Exploration encourages partnerships with academia, government agencies, philanthropic organizations, and private-sector companies; foreign entities can participate, but only through collaboration with an eligible U.S.-based organization as a sub-awardee.

2. Permits and Approvals

Applicants are responsible for obtaining all international, federal, state, and local government permits and approvals where necessary for the proposed project. Applicants are expected to design their projects to minimize potential adverse environmental impacts. If applicable, documentation of requests for or approvals of cultural resource or environmental permits must be included in the proposal package.

A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) questionnaire (https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-11/NOAA-Grants-Questionnaire-final.pdf) must be completed for each proposal to ensure there is sufficient information about the project to allow NOAA Ocean Exploration to analyze the project’s potential environmental impacts pursuant to NEPA (See Section VI.B.8 for more details).

Before submitting a full proposal, applicants who propose maritime heritage work in state waters must consult with the appropriate state historic preservation office (SHPO).

For such proposals, applicants must indicate whether SHPO staff provided an opinion of the project’s potential to affect historic resources. Applicants must adhere to any regulations or guidelines that may apply and obtain the appropriate permits for the proposed project. Sample collection must adhere to federal and state laws, and applicants

Notice of Federal Funding Page 11 of 36 must make accommodations for conservation and curating as described in the rules in the annex to the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000126065).

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

Information about how to apply for federal grants is available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html. For applicants without internet access, contact the NOAA Ocean Exploration grants program manager, Adrienne Copeland, by phone (202-603-6844) or mail (NOAA Ocean Exploration, ATTN: NOAA Ocean Exploration NOFO 2023, SSMC3-Room 3106, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910) to obtain an application package and guidance on submission of pre-proposals and full proposals.

B. Content and Form of Application

1. Format requirements (applies to both pre-proposals and full proposals)

a. Proposals must be formatted to print on 8.5” x 11”paper with 1-inch margins in 12-point font.

b. The principal investigator's last name must be included in the bottom right-hand corner of each page. All digital files should be named with the principal investigator’s last name and a descriptor indicating the file content, e.g., “Jones Cover Sheet 2023.”

c. The title must be no longer than 15 words/100 characters.

2. Pre-Proposal Required Content

A pre-proposal is a prerequisite to submitting a full proposal. A pre-proposal should identify the project’s priorities and objectives and describe how they relate to NOAA’s and

NOAA Ocean Exploration's priorities as described in Sections I.A and I.B above.

Complete, two-page pre-proposals are required for funding consideration. No more than two pages will be evaluated. Incomplete pre-proposals will not be considered. All information must be included in the designated two pages and the NOAA Ocean Exploration notice of funding opportunity cover sheet.

All pre-proposals must include:

Notice of Federal Funding Page 12 of 36

a. A completed NOAA Ocean Exploration notice of funding opportunity cover sheet (https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/about/funding-opps/media/fy23-ffo-coversheet.pdf).

All applicable sections must be completed in full, including project title; priority themes addressed; principal investigator and collaborator contact information;

outside support; dates of anticipated field operations and any operational constraints, especially with regard to field operations; vessel and ancillary platform information;

budget estimate; and anticipated outputs (e.g., potential discoveries, knowledge and impact, published papers, reports, meetings, and/or education and outreach materials). Instructions to fill out the cover sheet are available at https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/about/funding-opps/media/fy23-coversheet-instructions.pdf.

b. A pre-proposal narrative not to exceed two pages, including any figures, the anticipated funding request, references, and any other content (see Sections IV.B.1 for formatting requirements and V.A.1. for evaluation criteria). The narrative should:

i. Describe how the proposed project is relevant to NOAA’s and NOAA Ocean Exploration’s missions and priorities. Proposals must describe the project's intrinsic value, how it is exploratory rather than research based, and its expected scientific impact.

ii. Describe the scientific and technical merit of the proposed project. Proposals must include project goals and objectives and describe how the project is innovative and interdisciplinary, its exploration value and potential impact, and its logistical feasibility.

iii. Include the qualifications and competencies of the applicant(s).

iv. Include a statement that any required platforms (ship and/or other assets), if applicable to the proposed project, are available when needed and that the applicant’s organization has the administrative means to arrange and pay for them.

Pre-proposals must be submitted by email to oer.ffo2023@noaa.gov (see IV.A for guidance for mail submission). Pre-proposals received after the deadline of 4:59 p.m. EDT on May 24, 2022, will be disqualified.

3. Full Proposal Required Content

Full proposals must demonstrate relevance to NOAA’s and NOAA Ocean Exploration’s priorities as described in Sections I.A and I.B. Applicants should use September 1, 2023, when referring to the project award date in the proposal and on the Office of Management and Budget standard forms.

Notice of Federal Funding Page 13 of 36

No appendices are permitted.

Full proposals must include all of the documents described below in the order listed, unless otherwise indicated. Proposals that do not comply with these requirements will be disqualified. For those using Grants.gov to submit their proposal package, each document must be uploaded as a separate file. A full proposal must include all of the following documents:

a. NOAA Ocean Exploration FY23 Notice of Funding Opportunity Cover Sheet: This is the same form that is to be submitted with the pre-proposal (https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/about/funding-opps/media/fy23-ffo-coversheet.pdf).

It must be updated for the full proposal and all applicable sections must be completed in full.

b. A maximum one-page executive summary describing the essential elements of the proposed project: The summary must include the project title (no more than 15 words/100 characters); a list of all investigators who will significantly contribute to the project, including their names, contact information, and affiliations; a concise statement about the compelling objectives, benefits, and rationale of the proposed project; and a funding request for each year of the project and the total funding requested. This summary must be written in language that can convey to nonexperts the key elements of the proposed project and how it will advance ocean exploration goals.

c. A project narrative not to exceed 15 pages, including all text (minimum 12-point font) and any tables and visual materials (e.g., charts, graphs, maps, photographs):

Pages beyond the 15-page limit will be removed from the proposal before it is reviewed. The 15-page limit does not include the executive summary; budget justification and tables; data and information sharing plan (see VIII.C); outreach and education plan; diversity, inclusion, and broader impacts statement; literature cited;

current and pending support; curriculum vitae; letters of commitment; and required forms (e.g., NEPA). A project narrative must include:

i. A project’s scientific, technical, historical, cultural, or socioeconomic importance and merit.

ii. A project’s goals and objectives and the proposed methodology.

iii. Anticipated contributions of participating personnel.

iv. A description of any complementary funding.

v. The dates of field operations and any operational constraints.

vi. A statement that any required platforms (ship and/or other assets), if applicable to the proposed project, are available when needed and that the applicant’s organization has the administrative means to arrange and pay for them.

vii. Anticipated outputs from the proposed project (e.g., potential discoveries, Notice of Federal Funding Page 14 of 36 knowledge and impact, published papers, reports, meetings, and/or education and outreach material).

viii. The value to NOAA and the nation and how the proposed project outcomes will benefit our understanding of the ocean, the science community, and society.

ix. Assessment of the feasibility of the project and mitigation measures.

x. Information about consultation activities if applying for funding for a maritime heritage project. Such projects require applicants to consult with the appropriate state historic preservation office (SHPO) and indicate whether SHPO staff provided an opinion of the project’s potential to affect historic resources under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

xi. Partnership information. If applicants are federal or nonfederal applicants with federal partners, project narratives must address how the proposed project will meet NOPP partnership requirements described in Section III.A.

d. A data and information sharing plan: Proposals submitted in response to this notice must include a data and information sharing plan (up to two pages). See Section VI.B, Administrative and National Policy Requirements, for additional information.

e. An outreach and education plan: This plan must describe in one page or less how the proposed project incorporates education and outreach. It must also acknowledge willingness of the applicant (or project partners) to participate in NOAA Ocean Exploration’s education and outreach programming.

f. A statement of diversity and inclusion: This statement must describe in one page or less how well the proposed project will broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.) in ocean-exploration related activities.

i. NOAA Ocean Exploration recognizes that it has a particular and unique opportunity to support NOAA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) by requiring applicants to consider them in their project development. This has the potential to make an impact on DEIA in science at NOAA and beyond.

ii. Diversity is defined as a collection of individual attributes that together help organizations achieve objectives. Inclusion is defined as a culture that connects each employee to the organization. Promoting diversity and inclusion improves creativity, productivity, and the vitality of the ocean exploration community in which NOAA Ocean Exploration engages.

iii. NOAA Ocean Exploration values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to the achievement of societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); increased public scientific

Notice of Federal Funding Page 15 of 36 literacy and public engagement with science and technology; improved well-being of individuals in society; development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce; increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved national security; increased economic competitiveness of the United States; and enhanced infrastructure for research and education.

g. Previous significant results: This document must provide a concise summary of previous significant results and achievements from any prior or ongoing NOAA Ocean Exploration funding to the principal investigator and/or co-principal investigators. This summary should include publications and outputs and describe related data and information sharing experience.

h. A summary of current funding support: This summary must provide information about a principal investigator’s and co-principal investigators’ current and pending federal support for ongoing projects and outstanding proposals, including potential subsequent funding in the case of continuing awards. The proposed project and all other projects or activities that use federal assistance to fund the principal investigator or other senior project personnel’s time should be included. The relationship between the proposed project and these other projects should be described, and the number of person-months per year to be devoted to the projects must be clearly stated.

i. Resumes: Resumes must be included for each principal and co-principal investigator(s). Resumes should be a maximum of two pages and include a list of relevant recent publications.

j. A budget justification and budget table: This budget information must adhere to the guidance and templates provided in the NOAA Grants Management Division’s Budget Narrative Guidance (https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/gmd_budget_narrative_ guidance_-_05-24-2017_final.pdf). The justification and tables are to be provided in 12 point font as stated in section IV.B.1.a. All expenses must be rounded to the nearest dollar and identified and listed in separate tables for the years in which they will be incurred. The budget must include, and justify, sufficient resources to analyze, interpret, publish, and archive data (including archiving costs associated with NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information in accordance with the applicant’s data and information sharing plan) and results of the project. Applicants must describe the scope of work and budget for each year of support being sought (not to exceed two years) and provide a summary budget table for the entire award period. The summary budget table must reflect the object classes contained in the SF-424A form, which is the Grants.gov official budget form included as part of the proposal package. The table must reflect the computations and basis used in the development of costs and justifications for salary and travel (travel must be itemized

Notice of Federal Funding Page 16 of 36 to include destination, airfare, per diem, lodging, and ground travel), contracts for analyses and/or cataloging, publications, rentals, supplies, equipment, subawards to other parties for services, and nonstandard items, including ship time and submersibles that require NOAA Ocean Exploration funding. The summary budget table must also show how costs for ship time and submersibles were developed and whether agreement has been reached for their use. Cost sharing and/or in-kind contributions must be clearly identified and given a value.

k. Indirect cost rate agreement: A copy of the indirect cost rate agreement from the applicant’s organization that was used to calculate indirect costs must be included as a separate document. If the agreement is being renegotiated, the status of the indirect cost rate application should be indicated in an attached letter. See Section VI.B.9 for more indirect cost rate information.

l. A National Environmental Policy Act statement: Applicants are required to submit answers to questions 1 through 19 of the NOAA National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) questionnaire (https://www.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-11/NOAA- Grants-Questionnaire-final.pdf). See Section VI.B.8 for more NEPA information.

m. Letters of support: Letters of support are optional. A letter of support from a state historic preservation officer in the case of a maritime heritage project is an example of the kind of letter that would benefit an applicant.

n. Forms: Nonfederal applicants must complete and submit the following Office of Management and Budget forms, which are available as part of the opportunity package on Grants.gov.

i. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

ii. Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) — When applying for a multiyear award, nonfederal applicants must submit a line item budget, with each year being a separate column, in Section B and a corresponding budget narrative for each of the anticipated funding periods (years).

iii. Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)

iv. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) — This is to be filled out by the lead principal investigator’s organization.

v. Certification Regarding Lobbying (CD511) — This is to be filled out by the lead principal investigator’s organization.

Federal applicants are not to submit these Office of Management and Budget forms with their proposals.

o. A list of suggested reviewers: A list of suggested reviewers is optional. Applicants interested in including such a list should provide the names, email addresses, and phone numbers for up to five unconflicted potential peer reviewers. Applicants may also provide the names of individuals they would like excluded from the review

Notice of Federal Funding Page 17 of 36 process along with justification for the request.

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

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.

To submit an application through Grants.gov, applicants must register for a Grants.gov user ID and password. This process can take between three and five business days, or up to four weeks if not completed correctly. To avoid delays, applicants are strongly encouraged to register early, log in, review the application instructions, and apply as soon as possible before the deadline. Information about the Grants.gov registration process for organizations can be found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

Organizations already registered with Grants.gov do not need to re-register; however, all registered organizations must keep their Grants.gov password and SAM database registration up-to-date, or their applications will not be accepted by Grants.gov. Applicants must create a new SAM user account to renew or update their registration. Applicants can get additional information about SAM and verify that their registrations are current at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

The following steps are recommended if an issue with Grants.gov (technical problems or glitches with the website) that may hinder submission before the deadline:

1. Print any error message received.

2. Call the Grants.gov Contact Center at (800) 518-4726 for immediate assistance and get the case number for future communications.

3. Contact NOAA Ocean Exploration at (202) 603-6844 or oer.ffo2023@noaa.gov prior to the deadline.

Notice of Federal Funding Page 18 of 36

In the event of a confirmed Grants.gov systems issue, NOAA reserves the right to accept proposals in an alternate format prior to the deadline. Problems with an applicant organization’s computer system or equipment are not considered system issues. Similarly, an applicant’s failure to complete the required registration, submit their proposal via a registered authorized organization representative (AOR), or read email messages from Grants.gov are also not considered system issues.

D. Submission Dates and Times

Pre-proposals and full proposals received after their respective deadlines will be disqualified.

1. Pre-Proposals

Pre-proposals must be submitted by email to oer.ffo2023@noaa.gov and received by 4:59 p.m. EDT on May 24, 2022. A complete pre-proposal is a prerequisite for submission of a full proposal.

Following review, applicants will receive an email on or about July 6, 2022, encouraging or discouraging submission of a full proposal. Applicants who do not receive an email by August 13, 2022, should contact NOAA Ocean Exploration at (202) 603-6844 or oer.ffo2023@noaa.gov as soon as possible.

2. Full Proposals

Full proposals must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 29, 2022.

Applicants without internet access who must submit a hard copy of their pre-proposal and full proposal by mail or delivery service, should allow sufficient time for delivery to NOAA Ocean Exploration by the deadline. Pre-proposals and full proposals received after their respective cutoff dates and times will not be considered.

Note: Applicants may have to register or renew their CCR prior to submitting to Grants.gov.

Grants.gov will not accept submissions if the applicant has not been authorized or if credentials are incorrect. Authorizations and credential corrections can take several days.

Additional information can be found on the SAM website (https://www.sam.gov) and through the Federal Service Desk website (https://www.fsd.gov).

E. Intergovernmental Review

Proposals received in response to this notice are subject to Executive Order 12372

Notice of Federal Funding Page 19 of 36

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Applicants must contact their state’s single point of contact (SPOC) to find out about and comply with the state’s process under this executive order. The names and addresses of SPOCs can be found on the Office of Management and Budget’s website (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf).

F. Funding Restrictions

For the purpose of this funding opportunity, costs for ship time and/or other ocean data collection platforms (e.g., remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles) are considered rental costs and therefore are not included in modified total direct cost (MTDC).

The exception is for applicants from organizations with a federal negotiated indirect cost rate agreement that covers these charges.

NOAA Ocean Exploration will not provide funding to hire and/or fund the salaries and associated overhead costs of any permanent federal government employee. In addition, NOAA Ocean Exploration will not pay facilities and administrative (F&A or "overhead") fees to federal and state agencies for subawards (e.g., for personnel time, ship time, or other ocean data collection platform support). Awardees from federal and state agencies may use award funding to cover travel, equipment, supplies, and contractual personnel costs associated with the proposed work.

Funding for ship time on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is not available through this announcement.

Federal applicants must coordinate their project with the National Oceanographic Partnership Program.

NOAA Ocean Exploration will negotiate with awardees regarding title and future use of equipment acquired under an award in accordance with 15CFR14.34.

G. Other Submission Requirements

Applicants without internet access should see Section IV.A.

1. Pre-Proposals

Applicants must submit pre-proposals by email to oer.ffo2023@noaa.gov, preferably as an Adobe .pdf file. Applicants should put their last name in the subject heading along with the words “ocean exploration pre-proposal” (e.g., "Jones ocean exploration

Notice of Federal Funding Page 20 of 36 pre-proposal").

2. Full Proposals

Nonfederal applicants must submit their full proposals through Grants.gov, which will record the official date and time of receipt.

Federal applicants cannot submit their proposals through Grants.gov and must instead email them to oer.ffo2023@noaa.gov. The official date and time for the receipt of such proposals is the time-stamp on the email when it is received by NOAA Ocean Exploration with the completed full proposal attached. Applicants should allow sufficient time for email transmission; email transmissions may experience delays.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

1. Pre-Proposal Evaluation Criteria

NOAA Ocean Exploration will use the following criteria for internal review to determine whether to encourage or discourage submission of full proposals:

a. Relevance to NOAA and NOAA Ocean Exploration missions and goals;

b. Scientific and technical merit;

c. Qualifications and competencies of the applicants, including past performance on NOAA Ocean Exploration awards

Even if NOAA Ocean Exploration discourages an applicant from submitting a full proposal, the decision of whether or not to submit a full proposal is left to the applicant.

2. Full Proposal Evaluation Criteria

NOAA Ocean Exploration will conduct mail and panel peer reviews to evaluate full proposals. Full proposals will be evaluated and rated individually by no fewer than three independent peer mail reviewers and a peer-review panel with collective expertise in the relevant disciplines. All peer reviewers will be required to sign confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements. The reviewers will be asked to determine and analyze the strengths, weaknesses, deficiencies, and risks associated with each proposal.

Reviewers will use the following criteria and corresponding weight values to evaluate full

Notice of Federal Funding Page 21 of 36 proposals:

a. Importance/Relevance and Applicability of Proposed Project to NOAA’s and NOAA Ocean Exploration’s Missions and Goals (30%): This criterion assesses whether there is intrinsic value in the proposed project and/or relevance to NOAA, federal, regional, state, tribal, or local activities. For NOAA Ocean Exploration, the reviewers will evaluate the extent to which 1) the proposed project is germane to NOAA’s mission goals, 2) the proposed project is exploration focused (focused on the potential for making discoveries) versus research focused (focused on increasing knowledge concerning a particular topic), and 3) the anticipated results could have significant downstream impact.

b. Scientific and Technical Merit (30%): 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. For NOAA Ocean Exploration the reviewers will evaluate the extent to which 1) the proposed approach is scientifically and technically feasible, 2) the proposed project is innovative, 3) the proposal includes clear goals and objectives, 4) the methods are commensurate with the goals and objectives, 5) the project is interdisciplinary,…