PKG00245642-instructions.pdf

2019 Deep Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies Program: American Samoa

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description 4

A. Program Objective 4 B. Program Priorities 5 C. Program Authority 9

II. Award Information 9 A. Funding Availability 9 B. Project/Award Period 9 C. Type of Funding Instrument 10

III. Eligibility Information 12 A. Eligible Applicants 12 B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 13 C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility 13

IV. Application and Submission Information 14 A. Address to Request Application Package 14 B. Content and Form of Application 14 C. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 21 D. Submission Dates and Times 22 E. Intergovernmental Review 23 F. Funding Restrictions 23 G. Other Submission Requirements 24

V. Application Review Information 25 A. Evaluation Criteria 25 B. Review and Selection Process 26 C. Selection Factors 28 D. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates 29

VI. Award Administration Information 29 A. Award Notices 29 B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 29 C. Reporting 34

VII. Agency Contacts 37 VIII. Other Information 37

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 1 of 38

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Federal Agency Name(s): National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce

Funding Opportunity Title: 2019 Deep Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies Program: American Samoa

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NOS-NCCOS-2019-2005821

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.478, Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research - Coastal Ocean Program

Dates: Full proposals must be received and validated by Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 17, 2019. NOAA will also accept paper applications subject to further details described in this Announcement that are postmarked or provided to a commercial carrier with tracking number and receipt on or before 11:59 pm Eastern Time on January 17, 2019. Private metered postmarks will not be accepted. Applicants submitting by paper are responsible for tracking their applications and should notify the Program Manager in Section VII of this Announcement that they are submitting by paper. Electronic or paper copies received after the deadline will not be considered, and paper copy applications will be returned to the sender.

When developing your submission timeline, keep in mind the following information necessary to submit an application on Grants.gov: (1) a free annual registration process in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM) may take between three and five business days or as long as several weeks, as described in Section IV.F. of this Announcement, and (2) if you submit an application via Grants.gov, you will receive a series of email notifications for up to two business days before learning via validation or rejection whether NOAA has received your application.

Funding Opportunity Description: The purpose of this document is to advise the public that NOAA/NOS/National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science/Competitive Research Program, in partnership with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, is soliciting proposals under the Deep Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies Program for a project up to four years in duration to conduct research to improve the understanding of mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) in American Samoa. MCEs are characterized by the presence of light-dependent corals and associated communities typically found at depths from 30-40 m and extending to over 150 m in some tropical and subtropical

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 2 of 38 regions. MCEs may be regarded as extensions of shallow coral ecosystems including sharing common species, but also contain species unique to mesophotic depths. This information will be used to improve the ability of resource managers to proactively develop strategies to manage and protect poorly understood mesophotic coral ecosystems. Funding is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2019 Federal appropriations. If funds become available for this program, one project is expected to be supported for up to four years, with an approximate annual budget of up to $600,000.

Electronic Access: Proposals should be submitted through Grants.gov, http://www.grants.gov.

Sign up to receive any potential amendments to this Announcement via www.grants.gov.

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 3 of 38

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Program Objective

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) develops and improves predictive capabilities for managing the Nation’s use of its coastal resources through its Competitive Research Program (CRP). NCCOS/CRP also supports efforts to translate the results of its research investments, and those of others, into accessible and useful information for coastal managers, planners, lawmakers, and the public to help balance the needs of economic growth, with those of conserving the resources of our Nation's oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes.

NCCOS/CRP provides a focal point for regional ecosystem-scale, multidisciplinary coastal ocean research within the NOAA National Ocean Service. Together with partners in NOAA and other organizations responsible for coastal resources, NCCOS/CRP advances the scientific understanding needed to protect coastal resources and ensure their viability for future generations. This increased understanding of the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes directly benefits the management of U.S. coastal and ocean resources, and helps NOAA, other Federal agencies, and state, tribal, and local governments achieve their stewardship responsibilities.

A key objective of NCCOS/CRP research is the production of user-driven predictive tools that will enable resource managers to assess alternative management strategies to restore degraded ecosystems and protect healthy ones. Research supported is outcome-oriented towards predictions, as well as increased scientific understanding that will provide managers and the public with sound scientific information for making decisions in support of societal objectives. Articulation of outcome-based management goals is required in proposals (see Section IV.B.) and recipients must report progress toward achieving outcome-based goals annually.

In 2006, NCCOS/CRP, in partnership with NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER), initiated a new research program, the Deep Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (Deep-CRES) Program, focused on improving the understanding of poorly known mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs). MCEs are characterized by the presence of light-dependent corals and associated communities typically found at depths from 30–40 m and extending to over 150 m in some tropical and subtropical regions. MCEs are regarded as extensions of shallow coral ecosystems including sharing common species, as well as

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 4 of 38 containing species unique to mesophotic depths. The Deep-CRES Program resulted in two multi-year research projects focused on MCEs, one in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/ecology-integrity-status-caribbean-mesophotic-coral-reefs/) and one in the Pacific (Hawai‘i, https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/investigating-mesophotic-coral-reefs-hawaii/).

While these studies were underway, in 2008, the first International MCE Workshop was held to bring together scientists and managers to discuss and review the state of knowledge regarding MCEs and identify critical research needs to help inform management of these ecosystems, resulting in the development of a MCE Research Strategy (2009), https://cdn.coastalscience.noaa.gov/page-attachments/research/noaa_514_DS1.pdf. In response to the MCE Research Strategy and resource manager needs, two competitions resulted in projects focused on improving the understanding of coral ecosystem connectivity in (1) the eastern Gulf of Mexico from Pulley Ridge to the Florida Keys in FY 2011 (https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/projects/detail?key=63), and (2) the western Gulf of Mexico in FY 2018 (begun on September 1, 2018). Both of these projects targeted known MCEs in the Gulf of Mexico where extensive baseline information had previously been gathered. This type of work is not possible in many areas of the U.S. as there are major geographic gaps in our understanding of MCEs.

In 2016, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report “MCEs: A lifeboat for coral reefs?” (http://www.coastalscience.noaa.gov/publications/handler.aspx?key=9192) was developed to raise awareness among policy makers and resource managers of the existence of MCEs, which are rarely considered in conservation efforts. This funding opportunity addresses MCEs in American Samoa, an area with only preliminary MCE surveys as identified in the UNEP report.

B. Program Priorities

NCCOS/CRP, in partnership with NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) and OER, is soliciting proposals for a project under the Deep-CRES Program to improve the understanding of MCEs in American Samoa. This information will be used to enable resource managers to proactively develop strategies to manage and protect poorly understood MCEs.

Coral reefs are among the most complex and diverse ecosystems on Earth. They provide goods and services that benefit human societies including food, employment, coastal protection, natural products, and recreation. Light-dependent reefs extend beyond shallow depths to over 150 m in some areas, with the lower depth limit dependent on water clarity and location. The vast majority of research on coral reef ecosystems has focused on the

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 5 of 38 shallow portion of these ecosystems (0-30 m), which only comprise ~20% of the total coral reef habitat. The other 80% of the total coral reef ecosystem, known as MCEs, are relatively unknown and poorly understood in most regions.

With the overall health of shallow coral reefs in decline, it is important to understand the value and role of MCEs to the overall coral reef ecosystem, including whether MCEs can serve as a refuge for shallow species from threats. In the past decade, knowledge of MCEs has grown (as evidenced by an increase in scientific publications). However, the majority of MCE research to date has focused on easily accessible areas such as the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Hawaiian Islands, the Red Sea, and the Great Barrier Reef, thus leaving major geographic gaps in our understanding of MCEs.

To improve our knowledge on MCEs, this announcement targets American Samoa.

American Samoa is the only U.S. Territory in the South Pacific. It is comprised of five volcanic high islands (Tutuila, Aunu‘u, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta‘u) and two atolls (Rose and Swains). The islands and atolls are encompassed by a narrow reef flat that drops to oceanic depths ~0.5-8 km from shore. Based on topography alone, in American Samoa, there is more potential MCE habitat than known shallow coral reef habitat.

American Samoa’s shallow corals are in good condition, with approximately 36% coral cover, but low fish biomass. Reef threats of concern are crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, extreme weather events (including high water temperatures and tropical cyclones), land-based sources of pollution, and overfishing. In 2015, 15 Indo-Pacific scleractinian coral species were listed under the Endangered Species Act, six of which exist in American Samoa. American Samoa has several marine protected areas (MPAs) with MCEs, including the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, the National Park of American Samoa, Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, and community-based MPAs managed by the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.

American Samoa’s MCEs are poorly known. While research on its shallow reefs began in the early 20th century, it wasn’t until the early 21st century that MCEs were first investigated. Habitat maps have been produced for most of the potential MCE habitat to 150

m. Beyond habitat mapping, 130 towed camera surveys, three submersible dives, and less than 30 technical SCUBA dives have been conducted on MCEs in American Samoa. Over 2,700 marine species have been documented on shallow coral reefs in American Samoa. The number of MCE species is unknown.

This announcement solicits proposals to provide resource managers with the scientific information and predictive tools needed to proactively develop strategies to manage and

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 6 of 38 protect poorly understood MCEs in American Samoa. Proposals are strongly encouraged to include MCEs within and around the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, as well as other marine managed areas of American Samoa. Proposals should address each of the following research priorities:

a) Characterize MCE habitat and compare it to what is known about shallow coral ecosystems in American Samoa, including inventories, abundances, distributions, and conditions of key habitat-forming and mobile species (including threatened and ecologically-and economically-important species).

b) Quantify the contribution of MCEs to the biodiversity and functional role of the entire coral reef environment, and identify processes that regulate MCEs.

c) Determine the spatial distribution and occurrence of MCEs across American Samoa.

d) Assess the vulnerability of MCEs to natural and anthropogenic impacts, particularly to those stressors that threaten shallow coral ecosystems of American Samoa (e.g., overfishing, land-based sources of pollution, crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, and coral bleaching).

e) Understand the relationships between natural environmental factors and the distribution and community assemblages of MCEs. Use that knowledge to conduct quantitative modeling to predict the occurrence, composition, and condition of MCEs in American Samoa.

f) Build local capacity to facilitate future studies on MCEs or other poorly known marine habitats of American Samoa.

Conducting research on MCEs may require specialized technologies beyond standard SCUBA diving, such as advanced diving technologies (e.g., mixed-gas SCUBA diving, closed-circuit rebreathers, and the requisite safety oversight), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), benthic landers, and/or manned submersibles. Applicants must include all operating costs for conducting the research including these specialized technologies, and the necessary ship costs in their proposals.

NCCOS/CRP will fund a single comprehensive proposal that includes a set of subprojects led by individual Principal Investigators (PIs). This multi-disciplinary collaborative team should be led by a single PI. The Lead PI should provide strong leadership for the project enabling it to be fully integrated and effectively implemented to ensure production of the

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 7 of 38 expected outputs and outcomes. Successful projects typically include a Project Program Manager that interacts with the NCCOS/CRP Program Manager on a regular basis to ensure that the project is well-coordinated, responsive to management needs, and presents a comprehensive and integrated set of research results.

Expected Outputs and Outcomes:

The intended outcome of this research is to provide resource managers in American Samoa with the scientific information and predictive tools necessary to improve effectiveness of their MPAs and proactively develop strategies to manage and protect MCEs. Results from this research will also be of interest to coral reef scientists and managers wanting to improve their understanding of mesophotic coral ecosystems and their conservation and management.

Management end users of the research results include the American Samoa Government's Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, NOAA’s ONMS, National Marine Fisheries Service, MPA Center, and Coral Reef Conservation Program, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others.

Transition of research results to use by managers and policy-makers is a central objective of NCCOS/CRP. Clear articulation of outcome-based management goals is required (more information can be found at https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/fundingopportunities/outputs-and-outcomes/). The Lead PI will be expected to work with the NCCOS/CRP Program Manager to establish an effective method of transferring research results to the end users (e.g., a management transition advisory group). To facilitate the transition of information to resource managers, the Lead PI shall hold at least one meeting per year with subproject PIs that will also be open to the above mentioned primary management groups. The purpose of the annual meeting will be to present results of the research to date, and to interact with end users to ensure that the research results are packaged for optimal utility by management. The end users can then facilitate the transfer and utilization of information derived from this work for management applications, including sustainable fisheries management, habitat conservation and protection, and protection of listed threatened or endangered species. Applicants should include all costs associated with the annual meetings (with the exception of end user travel costs for Federal employees) in their proposal.

Expected outputs from this research may include, but are not limited to:

1) Inventory of species associated with MCEs in American Samoa and their habitat preferences.

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 8 of 38

2) Distribution and abundance data for key species, including threatened and ecologically- and economically-important species.

3) Understanding of biotic and abiotic factors controlling the location and condition of MCEs.

4) Information needed for required consultations for review and refinement of essential fish habitat, MPAs, and permitting, such as cable laying, dredging, and other human activities.

5) Information on threats to MCEs in American Samoa.

6) Information on the abundances and distributions of crown-of-thorns starfish on MCEs, particularly if an outbreak occurs on shallow-water reefs during the study.

In addition to the above outputs and outcomes, the applicant will be expected to work with the NCCOS/CRP Program Manager, ONMS, and OER to develop outreach and education materials (e.g., materials for websites, handouts and social media, incorporating research into the classroom, and highlighting research findings/discoveries as they emerge). The proposal must describe a process to include resource management agency participation at the onset of program implementation. The NCCOS/CRP Program Manager will work closely with the Lead PI to engage the appropriate management representatives (as end users of the program outputs) and establish a clear mechanism to involve these representatives as advisors

C. Program Authority

33 U.S.C. §883 et seq.; Public Law 102-567, §201(c), Coastal Ocean Program.

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

If funds become available for this program, one project is expected to be supported for up to four years, with an approximate annual budget up to $600,000, not to exceed $2,400,000 per proposal. Funding is contingent upon availability of Federal appropriations, which may not have been appropriated at the time of this announcement.

B. Project/Award Period

Full applications may cover a project/award period up to four years, but shorter-term project proposals are also welcomed.

Awards may be funded incrementally, generally on an annual basis, but once awarded; those awards will not compete for funding in subsequent years. This multi-year funding is often appropriate for projects to be funded for two to four years. Once approved, full applications

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 9 of 38 are not required for the continuation out years. While applicants are not required to divide Federal assistance project activities into annual increments based on appropriations law, this approach may be constructive given the possibility that funding may not be available in subsequent years.

Funding for each year's activity is contingent upon the availability of funds from Congress, satisfactory performance, and is at the sole discretion of the agency.

During the implementation phase of research projects funded under this announcement, regardless of the funding mechanism used, NCCOS/CRP Program Managers will analyze financial statements and progress reports for each continuing award, and will have dialogue with the PIs and Authorized Representatives of the recipient institutions to discuss research progress and expected time lines for the remaining award period. If NOAA experiences budget fluctuations in future fiscal years, the amount of funding provided in any given fiscal year will be determined on a project-specific basis by the remaining tasks to be completed, the overall pace of the research, and the length of time remaining on the award and/or across the board reductions or increases based on the overall funds available.

Regardless of the budget for any given fiscal year, NCCOS/CRP Program Managers will consider the length of time remaining for each project, the amount of funds available, the tasks to be completed in the upcoming fiscal year, the pace of research, and any delayed progress relative to that originally proposed, before determining the funding amount in any given fiscal year.

C. Type of Funding Instrument

In an effort to maximize the use of limited resources, applications from non-Federal, non-NOAA Federal, and NOAA Federal applicants will be evaluated in the same competition, with different funding instruments applicable to the type of applicant.

The funding instrument for a research application selected for funding from a non-Federal researcher is expected to be a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement is appropriate when substantial Federal government involvement is anticipated. This means that the recipient can expect substantial agency collaboration, participation, or intervention in project performance. Substantial involvement exists when: responsibility for the management, control, direction, or performance of the project is shared by the assisting agency and the recipient; or the assisting agency has the right to intervene (including interruption or modification) in the conduct or performance of project activities. "Substantial involvement” will be coordinated and communicated by NCCOS/CRP Program Managers, and can include collaboration and participation by NOAA (but see section III.A.5.), as well

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 10 of 38 as NCCOS/CRP Program Manager involvement in Principal Investigator (PI) meetings, setting up management advisory groups, development of management transition plans, and communication of project results.

If the non-Federal applicant is at an institution that has a NOAA Cooperative Institute (CI), it is allowed to submit applications that reference the CI by attaching a cover letter to the application stating its desire to have the application associated with the CI. This letter should specify the name of the CI, the CI cooperative agreement number, and the NOAA-approved research theme and task that applies to the proposal. The application will use the Facilities & Administrative (F&A, or indirect cost) rate associated with the main CI agreement. If the application is selected for funding, NOAA will notify the university that a separate award will be issued with its own award number. However, the award will include two Special Award Conditions (SACs): (1) the existing University/NOAA Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) would be incorporated by reference into the terms of the competitive award, and (2) any performance report(s) for the competitive project must follow the timetable of the funding program and be submitted directly to the funding program. Report(s) will be copied to the CI's administrator when due, to be attached to the main cooperative agreement progress report as an appendix. This will allow the CI to coordinate all the projects submitted through the CI, since the terms of these awards will specify that this is a CI project via the

MOA.

If the non-Federal applicant is at an institution that has a NOAA approved Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU), it is allowed to submit applications. If the applicant is a member of one of these CESUs and is interested in using its CESU status, it may state its wishes in a cover letter to the application stating its desire to have the application associated with the CESU. This letter should specify the name of the CESU. Of the 17 CESUs across the nation, NOAA is a member of 10: North and West Alaska, California, Hawaii-Pacific Islands, South Florida-Caribbean, Gulf Coast, Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast, Chesapeake Watershed, North Atlantic Coast, Pacific Northwest, and Great Plains. Applications are allowed to be submitted from these CESUs only.

The following criteria must be met for NOAA to use the established partnerships with CESUs:

The proposed funding opportunity must fit within the objectives of the National CESU Network Program outlined below:

• To provide research, technical assistance, and education to federal land management, environmental, and research agencies and their partners in biological, physical, social, Federal Funding Opportunity Page 11 of 38 cultural, and engineering disciplines needed to address natural and cultural resource management issues at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context.

• The proposed funding opportunity must fit the intent of the Cooperative and Joint Agreements, which means:

o The research partnership will carry out or stimulate an activity (data, products or services) for a public purpose; and o NOAA will be significantly involved in the work.

Previous research completed by a local CI will be considered in decisions made to issue an award to a CESU.

The funding instrument for a selected application from an eligible NOAA Federal applicant will be an intra-agency transfer of funds.

The funding instrument for a selected application from a non-NOAA Federal applicant will be through an inter-agency transfer of funds, provided legal authority exists for the Federal applicant to receive funds from another agency. Non-NOAA Federal applicants that intend to be the lead institution must call Laura Golden/240-533-0285 to discuss technical details.

PLEASE NOTE: Before non-NOAA Federal applicants may be funded, they must demonstrate that they have applicable legal authority for an interagency transfer of funds.

Support may be solely through NCCOS/CRP or partnered with other Federal offices and agencies.

The intra- and inter-agency transfers of funds are not Federal assistance (grants or cooperative agreements), and the policies described in this Announcement applicable to Federal assistance awards do not apply to Federal entities receiving intra- and inter-agency transfers of funds. Refer to the Agency Contact officials in Section VII for more information.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for Federal financial assistance in this competition are institutions of higher education, other non-profits, state, local, Indian Tribal Governments, U.S. Territories, and for-profit organizations. Federal agencies that possess the statutory authority to receive transfers of funds are eligible to submit applications for intra- or interagency funds transfers through this competition. NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 12 of 38 women and minority individuals and groups to submit applications to NOAA programs. In addition, DOC/NOAA is strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in underserved areas. DOC/NOAA encourages applications involving any of the above institutions to apply.

Please note that:

(1) PIs should be employees of an eligible entity listed above; and applications should be submitted through that entity. Non-Federal researchers should comply with their institutional requirements for application submission.

(2) Non-Federal researchers affiliated with NOAA-University Cooperative/Joint Institutes will be funded through cooperative agreements.

(3) Foreign researchers must apply as subawards or contracts through an eligible U.S.

entity.

(4) Federal applicants are eligible to submit applications for intra- or interagency funds transfers through this competition. Non-NOAA Federal applicants will be required to submit certifications or documentation showing that they have specific legal authority to accept funds for this type of research.

(5) An eligible U.S. entity may propose Federal agency researchers as funded or unfunded collaborators. If Federal agency researchers are proposed as funded collaborators, the applicant should present the collaborator's funding request in the application in the same way documentation is provided for a subrecipient for purposes of project evaluation, even though intra- or interagency funding transfers will generally be used if the project is selected.

(6) NCCOS researchers may apply through an eligible U.S. entity as funded or unfunded collaborators, but cannot be the lead PI on the application.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

None

C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility

Each application must substantially comply with the 16 elements listed under Content and Form of Application, Required Elements, (1) - (16), or it will be returned to sender

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 13 of 38 without further consideration. A checklist with the required and requested application elements can be found in Section VIII.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

Laura Golden 1305 East West Hwy SSMC 4 Station 8219 Silver Spring, MD 20910

B. Content and Form of Application

Example Application

A sample application package can be found on the NCCOS website at:

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/application-forms/.

Required Elements

Collaborative Proposals - If more than one institution is collaborating in a project awarded funds, the lead institution will be responsible for distributing funds to the partner institutions with the exception of Federal partners. Federal partners will be funded with either intra- or inter-agency agreements initiated by NCCOS. Collaborating institutions expected to receive funds must be budgeted as subawards or contracts. Unfunded collaborators may also participate.

Each application must substantially comply with the following 16 elements to be forwarded for merit review. The Summary Title Page, Abstract, Project Description, References, Biographical Sketch, and Budget Justification must be single spaced in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. The Collaborators List must be an Excel spreadsheet. The 16 elements are as follows:

(1) Standard Form 424. The applicant must submit the Standard Form, SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance,” to indicate the total amount of funding proposed for the whole project period. This form is to be the cover page for the original application and is the first required form in the grants.gov application package.

(2) Summary Title Page. One-page maximum. The Summary Title Page identifies the

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 14 of 38 project's title, starting with the acronym: Deep-CRES 2019 and the PI’s name and affiliation, complete address, phone and e-mail information. The requested funding amounts for each fiscal year should be included on the Summary Title Page. If this proposal is a resubmission from a previous NCCOS competition, indicate that information on the Summary Title Page.

(3) One-page abstract/project summary. The summary (abstract) should appear on a separate single page, headed with the proposal title, institution(s), investigator(s), total proposed cost (with and without ship funds), and budget period. It should be written in the third person.

The summary is used to help compare proposals quickly and allows the respondents to summarize their key points in their own words. Project summaries of applications that receive funding may be posted on program-related websites.

The project summary should include an introduction of the problem, rationale, scientific objectives and/or hypotheses to be tested, and a brief summary of work to be completed.

(4) Project Description. The description of the proposed project must include narratives of the Proposed Research (elements a through d), the Application to Management (element e), and the Data Management Plan (element f).

The description of the proposed project must not be more than 20 pages for elements (a) through (e) and an additional two pages for the Data Management Plan (f).

The Proposed Research Narrative should be thorough and explicitly indicate its relevance to the program goals and scientific priorities by:

(a) Identifying the topic that is being addressed by the proposal.

(b) Describing the proposed scientific objectives and research activities in relation to the present state of knowledge in the field and in relation to previous and current work by the proposing PI(s).

(c) Discussing how the proposed project lends value to the program goals.

(d) Identifying the function of each PI. The Lead PI will be responsible for communicating with the Federal Program Manager on all pertinent verbal or written information.

(e) The Applications to Management Narrative should establish the connection to relevant resource management needs by explicitly identifying the end user group(s) including the

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 15 of 38 proposed mechanism for establishing the connections to relevant resource management needs by explicitly identifying the frequency and method of interaction with end users, and evidence of the linkage between the scientific questions and management needs. The format and role of management and technical advisory committees should be included in this section. The narrative should provide the management justification for the research by:

(i) Articulating the coordination with one or more end users.

(ii) Discussing the expected significance of the project to management priorities and needs. Specific management targets, with proposed outputs and outcomes, should describe how this project will improve management capabilities. Outputs are defined as products (e.g., publications, models) or activities that lead to outcomes (changes in management knowledge or action). Definitions and examples of outputs and outcomes can be accessed at https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/outputs-and-outcomes/. The timeline for achieving outcomes should be included in the Milestone Chart (below).

(iii) Describing specific activities, such as workshops or development of outreach materials that will enhance information transfer from project scientists to relevant management entities, other end-users, or the public.

If the proposal is a resubmission from a previous competition, any concerns identified in the previous review process and provided to the applicant should be addressed in the resubmitted proposal.

(f) 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.

(5) References cited. Reference information is required. Each reference should include the names of all authors in the same sequence they appear in the publications, the article title, the journal or book title, volume number, page numbers, and year of publications. While there is no established page limitation, this section should include bibliographic citations only and should not be used to provide parenthetical information outside of the Project Description.

(6) Milestone chart. Provide time lines of major tasks covering the duration of the proposed project.

(7) Biographical sketch. All PIs and co-PIs must provide summaries of up to two pages that include the following:

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 16 of 38

(a) A listing of professional and academic credentials and mailing address.

(b) A list of up to five publications most closely related to the proposed project and five other significant publications.

(8) Current and pending support. Describe all current and pending Federal financial/funding support for all PIs and co-PIs. Continuing grants must also be included. A current and pending support form is available on the NCCOS web site for your use:

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/application-forms/. You should respond to this element whether or not you have any current and/or pending support, e.g., by indicating “not applicable.”

(9) A list of all known applicable permits that will be required to perform the proposed work.

You should respond to this requirement element whether or not permits are required.

(10) Accomplishments from Prior Federal Support. If any PI or co-PI identified on the project has received Federal funding in the past five years for shallow coral reefs and/or MCE research, information on the award(s) is required. Each PI and co-PI who has received more than one award (excluding amendments) must report on the award most closely related to the proposal. This section should not exceed two pages per award in addition to the 20 pages for the Project Description.

The following information should be provided:

(a) the award number, amount, and period of support;

(b) the title of the project;

(c) a summary of the results of the completed work;

(d) publications resulting from the award;

(e) a brief description of outputs and outcomes; and

(f) as appropriate, a description of the relation of the completed work to the proposed work.

When applicable, this information will be considered by reviewers in the evaluation of

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 17 of 38 overall qualifications of applicants. You should respond to this element whether or not you have accomplishments from prior Federal support on this topic; e.g., by indicating “no prior Federal research on shallow coral reefs and/or MCE research.”

(11) Budget narrative/justification. In order to allow reviewers to fully evaluate the appropriateness of costs, all applications must include a detailed budget narrative and a justification to support all proposed budget categories for each fiscal year. Personnel costs should be broken out by named PI and number of months and percentage of time requested per year per PI. Support for each PI should be commensurate with their stated involvement each year in the milestones chart (see Required Elements (6) Milestone chart). Please refer to NOAA Grants Management Division Budget Narrative Guidance at http://www.ago.noaa.gov/grants/training.html.

Any unnamed personnel (graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, technicians) should be identified by their job title, and their personnel costs explained similar to PI personnel costs above. The contribution of any personnel to the project goals should be explained. Travel costs should be broken out by number of people traveling, destination and purpose of travel, and projected costs per person. Equipment costs should describe the equipment to be purchased, and its contribution to the achievement of the project goals. Each subaward should be listed as a separate item in the budget justification. Provide separate budget justifications for each subaward and indicate the basis for the cost estimates. Describe project activities for subawards and products/services to be obtained for acquisitions, and indicate the applicability or necessity of each to the project.

A separate budget justification is required for each subaward. Signed approval from each identified subaward institution is also required. For acquisition contracts, the purpose and cost or price must be fully justified and the contract must fully comply with 2 C.F.R.

200.317-.326. For additional information concerning each of the required categories and appropriate level of disclosure, please see https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/requirements/.

An applicant requesting funds for indirect costs in its proposal budget that has a current Federally approved rate should submit documentation of the indirect cost rate agreement as an attachment to its application submission. An applicant without a Federally approved rate should refer to Section IV.F. of this Announcement regarding options.

(12) CD 511. Certification Regarding Lobbying. Lead institutions can submit these forms through the grants.gov CD 511 document placeholder without a hard signature because electronic signatures are allowed on documents from the submitting institution.

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(13) Standard Form 424B. Assurances-Non-Construction Programs. Lead institutions can submit these forms through the grants.gov SF 424B document placeholder without a hard signature because electronic signatures are allowed on document from the submitting institutions.

(14) Standard Form 424A. All applicants are required to submit a SF 424A Budget Form that identifies the budget for each fiscal year of the proposal. Place each fiscal year in separate columns in Section B of page 1 on the SF 424A by filling in the fiscal years 1 to 5 in Section A Budget Summary - Grant Program Function or Activity column. (Note that this revised 424A Section B format is a NOAA requirement that is not reflected in the Instructions for the SF 424A). For 5-year projects, use two SF 424As. Place the first four years on one form in Section B columns one through four. The first four years will total in column five. Place the total from the first form onto the second SF424A form in Section B column one and use column two for the fifth year budget figures. The budget figures must correspond with the descriptions contained in the proposal.

Each subaward should provide a SF 424A listing each year of funding being requested. List the total subaward costs under the 6.h. Other category and contractor costs under line item 6.f. Contractual category on the SF 424A. Signed approval from the institution of each identified subaward and contractor should be provided. Indirect cost may not be applied to ship costs.

(15) Standard Form LLL - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. Applicants must complete SF- LLL to disclose lobbying activities pursuant to 31 U.S.C.1352.

(16) Provide one list that includes all (U.S. and Foreign) collaborators, advisors, and advisees for each investigator (PI and co-PIs, post-docs, and subawardees), complete with corresponding institutions. Submit only one, combined and alphabetized list per application in an excel spreadsheet using First Name, Last Name, and Institution for the column headings. Collaborators are individuals who have participated in a project or publication within the last 48 months with any investigator, including co-authors on publications in their resumes. Collaborators also include those persons with which the investigators may have ongoing collaboration negotiations. Advisees and Advisors do not have a time limit.

Advisees are persons with whom the individual investigator has had an association as thesis advisor or postdoctoral sponsor. Advisors include an individual’s own graduate and postgraduate advisors. Unfunded participants in the proposed study should also be listed (but not their collaborators). This information is critical for identifying potential conflicts of interests and avoiding bias in the selection of reviewers.

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(17) Key Contacts form. All applicants must submit the Key Contacts form. This form can be found on the NCCOS website: https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/about/funding-opportunities/application-forms/. This form identifies the official applicant contacts.

Application format and assembly. Applications submitted via Grants.gov APPLY should follow the format guidelines below:

Workspace is the standard way for organizations or individuals to apply for federal grants in Grants.gov. Workspace allows a grant team to simultaneously access and edit different forms within an application. Plus, the forms can be filled out online or offline—your choice.

Grants.gov Workspace also allows applicants and organizations to tailor their application workflow. Please refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html to determine which of the three approaches your institution should take when completing a Workspace application. This page also contains resources to aid in setting up the workspace and the application submission process.

If you experience submission problems that may result in your application being late, send an e-mail to support@grants.gov and call the Grants.gov help desk (800-518-4726). The Federal Program Officer for this Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) will use programmatic discretion in accepting applications due to documented electronic submission problems.

Please note: If more than one submission of an application is performed, the last application submitted before the due date and time will be the official version.

In addition to the 16 required elements, applicants may provide the following:

(1) A list of potential merit reviewers on a page after the Summary Title Page.

(2) Letters from unfunded collaborators, verifying their contribution to the project. These elements can be uploaded in to the Optional Form box under Other Attachments in Grants.gov.

Applications containing known subawards must provide an SF 424A, Budget Justification, Current and Pending Support, and Key Contacts. Signed approval from the institution of each subaward and contractor should be provided. We also request submission of the indirect rate agreement for subawards, if applicable. Applicants should provide Key Contacts for acquisition contracts and may provide additional information similar to that requested in this section for an acquisition contract if it may help NOAA assure compliance of the contract

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 20 of 38 with 2 C.F.R. 200.317-.326. Permits, accomplishments, Biographical sketches and the collaborators lists should be supplied to the lead institution in order for them to be combined within the lead application information.

It will be the applicant's responsibility to obtain all necessary Federal, state, and local government permits and approvals where necessary for the proposed work to be conducted.

Applicants are expected to design their proposals so that they minimize the potential adverse impact on the environment. If applicable, documentation of requests or approvals of environmental permits should be received by the Program Manager prior to funding.

Applications will be reviewed to ensure that they have sufficient environmental documentation to allow program staff to determine whether the proposal is categorically excluded from further National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis, or whether an Environmental Assessment is necessary in conformance with requirements of the NEPA. For those applications needing an Environmental Assessment, affected applicants will be informed after the peer review stage, and will be requested to assist in the preparation of a draft of the assessment (prior to award). Failure to apply for and/or obtain Federal, state, and local permits, approvals, letters of agreement, or failure to provide environmental analysis where necessary (e.g., NEPA environmental assessment) may delay the award of funds if a project is selected for funding.

Applicants to be recommended for funding will be required to answer relevant questions from the "Environmental Compliance Questionnaire for NOAA Federal Financial Assistance Applicants": https://www.nepa.noaa.gov/questionnaire.pdf (OMB Control No. 0648-0538).

The Program Manager will determine which questions are relevant to each specific proposal.

Answers must be provided before the application can be submitted for final funding approval.

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

To enable the use of a universal identifier and to enhance the quality of information available to the public as required by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, 31 U.S.C. 6101 note, to the extent applicable, any proposal awarded in response to this announcement will be required to use the System for Award Management (SAM), which may be accessed online at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. Applicants are also required to use the Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System, as identified in OMB guidance published at 2 CFR Parts 25, which may be accessed at https://go.usa.gov/xPTZg.

Applicants and recipients are required to 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. The Federal awarding

Federal Funding Opportunity Page 21 of 38 agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

See Section IV.G. of this Announcement for more information.

D. Submission Dates and Times

The deadline for receipt of full applications for is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on January 17, 2019.