PKG00264446-instructions.pdf

12/10/2020

I. Overview of the Funding Opportunity

Washington Headquarters Services / Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD) on behalf of

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Research and Engineering – Laboratories and Personnel OUSD(R&E)/L&P

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the National Defense Education Program

(NDEP) for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and Biotechnology

Education, Outreach, and Workforce Initiative Programs and Enhanced Civics Education Fiscal

Year 2021

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: HQ0034-21-S-F001

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 12.006

National Defense Education Program

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:

Initial Announcement

Issue Date: 10 December 2020

KEY DATES

White papers must be received by the government (osd.dodstem@mail.mil) no later than

25 January 2021 (Monday) at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Full Technical Application Invitations will be sent by the Government to accepted recipients by

15 March 2021 (Monday) at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Technical Applications must be submitted to Grants.gov no later than

19 April 2021 (Monday) at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Notification of Award

June 2021

DESCRIPTION OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The Department of Defense (DoD) seeks innovative applications for the National Defense

Education Program (NDEP) in: (1) Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education, outreach, and workforce development initiatives; (2) Biotechnology education and workforce initiatives; and (3) Enhanced Civics education pilot program. DoD intends to award multiple grants, subject to the availability of funds. Maximum grant awards will vary from $2,000,000 to $6,000,000 for a period of two (2) to four (4) years.

Anticipated Funding Type: STEM Programs, Research, Biotechnology, Other Education

Activities – Enhanced Civics mailto:osd.dodstem@mail.mil

Table of Contents

I. Overview of the Funding Opportunity

II. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Short Description of Funding Opportunity

B. Background

C. Program Description

(1) STEM Education, Outreach, and Workforce Development (STEM Activities)

(2) Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development (Biotech Activities)

(3) Enhanced Civics Education

D. Deliverables

E. Authorization

III. Award Information

A. Funding Amount and Period of Performance

B. Peer Reviews

IV. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

C. Other

V. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

B. Content and Format of White Papers/Applications

(1) White Paper Format

(2) Applications

(3) Required Forms

(4) Technical Content

(5) R&R Form: Research & Related Budget

(6) Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures

(7) How to Submit an Application via Grants.gov

C. Submission Dates and Times

D. Funding Restrictions

E. Certifications and Assurance

VI. Application Review Criteria

A. Evaluation Criteria

B. Review and Selection Process

(1) Review Process

(2) Handling of Selection Information

(3) Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information (FAPIIS)

VII. Award Administration Information

A. Federal Award Notices

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

C. Reporting

VIII. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

IX. Other Information—Optional

COMPONENT/OFFICE ISSUING ANNOUNCEMENT

II. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Short Description of Funding Opportunity

The Department of Defense (DoD) National Defense Education Program (NDEP) seeks innovative applications on mechanisms to implement Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, outreach, and/or workforce initiative programs, here onto referred as STEM activities. NDEP also seeks innovative applications on mechanisms to specifically implement Biotechnology outreach and workforce development, which here onto will be referred as Biotech activities. Additional NDEP efforts also includes a pilot program in Enhanced Civics education.

The Department intends to award multiple grants in STEM activities, Biotech activities, and Enhanced Civics subject to the availability of funds. Applications for larger amounts may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

1. For STEM activities, there will be two (2) award levels:

(i) STEM activities with maximum award of $3,000,000 over 3 years;

(ii) Scalable STEM activities with maximum award of $6,000,000 over four

(4) years.

2. For Biotech activities, awards will have a maximum award of $3,000,000 over three

(3) years.

3. For Enhanced Civics education, there will be one award, with a maximum of

$2,000,000 for a period of two (2) years.

This FOA has a two-step application process, starting with a MANDATORY white paper submission. Note: White Papers shall be emailed to: osd.dodstem@mail.mil.

Selected applicants will be invited by the Government via email to submit a full technical application on Grants.gov for evaluation and possibly award consideration.

White papers that fail to address the areas listed in the Funding Opportunity Description will not be evaluated and will not receive an invitation to submit a full technical application.

NOTE: Respondents are not required to address all three focus areas, but should direct their responses to one of the areas, 1 (STEM), 2 (Biotech), or 3 (Enhanced Civics

Education), listed above. Background information is provided below. If applicants want to respond to multiple foci, they must submit separate responses following the instructions in the submission requirements (Section V).

B. Background

The Federal STEM Strategy states, “The pace of innovation is accelerating globally, and with it the competition for scientific and technical talent. Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the United States—and its prosperity and security—depends on an effective and inclusive STEM education ecosystem1”. In addition, the National Defense

Strategy has called for the Department of Defense to make significant investments in science and technology modernization priority areas to meet key capability and capacity needs2. DoD is the largest employer of scientists and engineers in the United States.

Therefore, the Department must maintain a robust pipeline of STEM talent by investing in pre-kindergarten through undergraduate and graduate STEM activities to ensure the

DoD has enduring access to the best and brightest talent. The National Defense Education

Program (NDEP) enables the DoD to cultivate and access the high-quality STEM personnel vital to national defense now and in the future. This solicitation seeks innovative approaches to support DoD STEM and Biotech education, outreach, and workforce development that aligns with DoD and Federal STEM Strategic Plans.

C. Program Description

In accordance with 10 USC §2192, Improvement of education in technical fields:

general authority regarding education in science, mathematics, and engineering, NDEP

(pre-K-graduate STEM education and outreach) is seeking a broad range of programs to support the DoD STEM mission to, “attract, inspire, and develop exceptional STEM talent across the education continuum to enrich the current and future DoD workforce to meet defense technological challenges”. The goal of any proposed effort must provide solutions that will establish and maintain a STEM talent pool with an aptitude for innovation, diversity of thought, and the technical agility to sustain the Department’s competitive edge.

Additionally, in accordance with Section 234 of the FY2020 National Defense

Authorization Act, NDEP shall carry out a pilot program to provide Enhanced Civics education in areas such as critical thinking and media literacy, and interest in employment, and careers, in public service. This includes the improvement of students’ abilities with respect to research and information fluency, problem solving skills, technology operations and concepts, and information and technological literacy.

The Department seeks to complement its portfolio of programs

(https://dodstem.us/stem- programs) while maintaining and/or increasing its focus on underserved populations to include military-connected children and student veterans.

This announcement explicitly encourages projects that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students and teachers, and prepare the 21st century technical workforce. Funding efforts will be targeted primarily towards programs, both formal and informal, that are aligned with the Federal STEM Education Strategy’s vision for a future where all

Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education, and the United

States will be the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation, and employment. This consists of strategic partnerships, convergence, and building computational literacy, and aligns with DoD STEM’s mission. Additional funding efforts will encompass

1 America’s Strategy for STEM Education - https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-

Education- Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf 2 Department of Defense STEM Strategic Plan -https://dodstem.us/sites/default/files/DoD_STEM_Strategic_Plan_2015_1022.pdf http://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-http://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-http://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-https://dodstem.us/sites/default/files/DoD_STEM_Strategic_Plan_2015_1022.pdf novel and innovative approaches to promote Biotechnology and Enhanced Civics. This includes, but is not limited to, programs that:

Address the use of digital platforms for teaching and learning to enable asynchronous learning;

Address geographic disparities, equity, and access to broaden participation for underrepresented and underserved communities;

Target military-connected students (only using this definition - dependents from preschool through college of an active Military Service member) and provide this unique population with the resources and encouragement to pursue careers in

STEM;

Support student veterans’ pursuit of STEM and biotech careers;

Consider early academic education activities from pre-kindergarten through middle school to generate introductory awareness in STEM, biotech, and/or civics subjects and supplement understanding of foundational concepts in these areas;

Build STEM, biotech, and/or civics skills and literacy in an evidence-based and innovative manner;

Utilize project-based learning opportunities such as STEM challenges, science fairs, and competitions;

Promote multiple STEM disciplines and careers through traditional and non-traditional pathways;

Foster family and community support systems to encourage STEM learning and understanding;

Increase awareness of DoD science and technology priorities such as artificial intelligence/machine learning, biotechnology, and cyber to prepare for careers in national security and DoD science and technologies.

(1) STEM Education, Outreach, and Workforce Development (STEM Activities)

STEM education and workforce development is a priority of the Department, and the DoD seeks methods in which it can more effectively cultivate a diverse, agile, and world-class

STEM workforce. Through effective programming, the DoD supports the transformation of a STEM talent pool that will lead the Department and the Nation into the future. The

Department fully encourages future workforce development initiatives that align with the strategic, operational, and tactical needs of our nation’s defense. By encouraging a broad range of innovative education and workforce development programs, the DoD hopes to put the 21st century STEM workforce in a position for success in an ever-changing and increasingly competitive world.

Project scope may range in size and complexity. Efforts may have an emphasis on hands on-problem based learning activities, mentor-centered programming, education outcomes, and/or an awareness of the multiple STEM disciplines, and/or career pathways/opportunities in DoD. The following efforts are especially encouraged:

Engaging students where disciplines converges, including programs that meaningfully integrate science, technology, mathematics, and engineering within each individual STEM subject as well as other disciplines such as the arts & humanities (i.e. transdisciplinary learning);

Innovative remote learning experiences, for Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality

(AR/VR) to teach mathematics, computer science, and data science;

Students gaining real world experience in STEM fields relating to DoD S&T priority areas resulting in technical certifications;

Mentorship opportunities at DoD for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students;

Develop and implement activities that seeks to advance computational thinking and digital literacy.

Encourage partnerships or consortia approaches to implement STEM education and outreach programs with a holistic approach to understanding real-world applications;

Develop larger cohesive STEM education and outreach activities that strengthen the capacity of regional/local communities and stakeholders to leverage partnerships;

Building strategic partnerships around local industry, connecting entrepreneurship and innovation, and/or invention education;

Professional development in STEM disciplines for education majors, including students pursuing STEM degrees;

Programming aimed to fill gaps in schools that lack necessary infrastructure and novel interventions to address student achievement gaps in STEM;

Culturally relevant STEM curriculum;

Develop and implement programs that seek to make STEM learning more meaningful and inspiring to students by focusing on complex real-world problems and challenges that require initiative and creativity;

Develop and implement programs that support DoD Modernization priority areas

(https://www.cto.mil/modernization-priorities/);

Implement a manufacturing education program at the pre-college level that prepares participants for realistic job previews.

Additionally, applicants should address their efforts’ flexibility and adaptability in program delivery and execution in response to any disruption to the educational systems (e.g. global pandemic).

Submissions are encouraged to consider including education and outreach activities that will support the future mission of the DoD; provide students and teachers with exposure to DoD research and career opportunities; and enhance the educational experiences of underrepresented, military dependent from pre-kindergarten – college students, their parents, and teachers, and student veterans.

All applicants applying for STEM funding must submit a white paper (Section V. B.) for the

$3,000,000 over three (3) years award level. To be considered for the larger scale-up award level for STEM activities, applicants must complete an additional Scale-up Capacity section in the white paper and will be competitively selected and invited to apply for the scale-up award.

Applicants not chosen to apply for the scale-up award level may still be invited to apply for the lower level award. Competitive applicants for the scale-up award must have an existing http://www.cto.mil/modernization-priorities/) http://www.cto.mil/modernization-priorities/) program with successfully proven outcomes. The program design must have the capacity to expand and can be scaled up to broaden its reach. Applicants must clearly illustrate the proposed effort’s historical program effectiveness with sound evaluation and/or assessment efforts and must articulate a comprehensive plan to scale efforts. Efforts may span any of the topics or scopes described above and can target any student demographic such as K-12, 2-year community college, or 4-year undergraduate education.

(2) Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development (Biotech Activities)

To ensure enduring US leadership in the bioeconomy3 it is critical to support education and training in biotechnology to develop a robust bioindustrial workforce. The Department seeks to enhance its portfolio of programs by focusing on Biotech activities by explicitly encouraging proposals that improve capability of education systems and communities to create impactful Biotech educational experiences for students and teachers and prepare the

21st century technical workforce. Funding efforts will be targeted primarily towards programs, both formal and informal, with a vision for a future where all Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality Biotech education, and the United States will be the global leader in bio-citizenry, innovation, and employment. Applicants should include how proposed efforts connect to this vision. The DoD recently awarded BioMade4, which includes biomanufacturing education and workforce development aspects. Funding efforts proposed in this announcement should focus on biotech activities that include more broad experiences. Additionally, applicants should address their efforts’ flexibility and adaptability in program delivery and execution in response to any disruption to the educational systems (e.g. global pandemic).

Applicants are encouraged to consider the following scope areas:

K- 12 Biotech education, both formal and informal, which includes, but is not limited to:

o Early academic education activities from pre-kindergarten through high school to generate introductory awareness in Biotech t and supplement understanding of foundational concepts in Biotech;

o Building Biotech skills and literacy in an evidence-based and innovative manner;

o Utilizing project-based learning opportunities such as competitions, challenges, and science fairs;

o Development of biotech internship opportunities for high school students and teachers

K-12 Biotech teacher training, which includes, but is not limited to:

o Development of cross-discipline approach for teacher training to support

Biotech classroom experience;

o Development of Biotech activities that support critical thinking, data analysis, communication and problem solving

3 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Summary-of-White-House-Summit-on-Americas-

Bioeconomy-October-2019.pdf 4 https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2388087/dod-approves-87-million-for-newest-bioindustrial-manufacturing-innovation-insti/ https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2388087/dod-approves-87-million-for-newest-bioindustrial-manufacturing-innovation-insti/ https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2388087/dod-approves-87-million-for-newest-bioindustrial-manufacturing-innovation-insti/

Training / Retraining, which includes, but is not limited to:

o Development of continuing Biotech knowledge and skill acquisition opportunities and activities to ensure current Biotech workforce has expertise in the current state-of-the-art in the field;

o Retraining opportunities for the current biotechnology workforce to increase skills in biotechnology cross-disciplinary areas, such as computer science, statistics, and engineering;

o Retraining opportunities for the non-biotechnology workforce to develop biotechnology skills to become part of biotechnology workforce;

o Development of trade school or college level Biotech internship and apprenticeship opportunities.

(3) Enhanced Civics Education

WHS/AD is requesting applications that address the requirement to establish a pilot program on enhanced civics education, as directed by Section 234 of the National Defense

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. The purpose of the pilot program is to provide enhanced civics education in collaboration with Department of Defense Education Activity

(DoDEA) and / or Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) on the following topics:

Critical thinking and media literacy;

Voting and other forms of political and civic engagement;

Interest in employment, and careers, in public service;

Understanding the United States law, history, and Government;

The ability of participants to collaborate and compromise with others to solve problems.

Specifically, these capabilities or programs should contribute to the types of support authorized under this pilot, including:

The development or modification of curricula relating to civics education;

Classroom activities, thesis projects, individual or team projects, internships, or community service activities relating to civics;

Collaboration with government entities, nonprofit organizations, or consortia of such entities and organizations to provide participants with civics-related experiences;

Civics-related faculty development programs;

Recruitment of educators who are highly qualified in civics education to teach civics or to assist with the development of curricula for civics education;

Presentation of seminars, workshops, and training for the development of skills associated with civic engagement;

Activities that enable participants to interact with government officials and entities;

Expansion of civics education programs and outreach for members of the Armed

Forces, dependents and children of such members, and employees of the Department of

Defense;

Opportunities for participants to obtain work experience in fields relating to civics.

Such support as described can only be provided to eligible entities, which are limited to either a local education agency that hosts a unit of JROTC, or a school operated by DoDEA (or some combination of these two).

Applicants to Enhanced Civics education are encouraged to address the feasibility of the pilot program implementation in geographic areas of CA, TX, NC, VA, FL, GA, WA, SC, CO, and

NY, as well as Purple Star program locations in AR and OH.

Applicants MUST submit a separate white paper for consideration in more than one

NDEP grant award (STEM Activity, Biotech Activity, and Enhanced Civics). White papers should:

Be innovative and novel to address the program description;

Demonstrate potential to make a substantial impact as related to the objectives described above;

Create meaningful content and participant experiences that meet DoD

STEM education and workforce priorities including an awareness of DoD internships, fellowships, and STEM careers;

Collect a set of program-specific measures of performance to include capture of participation rates and measures of effectiveness appropriate to the goals of the project; and, Contain a strategy for program sustainability, such that following the completion of DoD STEM’s investment under this funding opportunity, the effort will have a clear financial path and leave enduring organization capability.

D. Deliverables

Reports – The Applicant must acknowledge that the following reports are required under a

DoD funded STEM effort:

1. Monthly Reports

Monthly Financial Reports: The Government will provide a template to each starting grant. This report will include information on current expenses and invoices for the time period. This report will be submitted 30 days after the reporting period ends.

Quarterly Reports

Interim Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPR): The Grantee shall provide Interim RPPR to the Government Sponsor and the Government

Technical Representative, no later than 30 calendar days after the close of each quarter period. – The Government will provide a template to each starting grant. These reports shall detail the period’s research activities, intermediate results, progress toward goals and other specific information and any issues that may impact completion of the planned work on schedule. If findings or discoveries are made that the grantee feels are of sufficient importance that they would mitigate or impact naval operations, OUSD(R&E) should be notified immediately. This report will be submitted for three quarters and an annual report (see below) for the fourth quarter.

Interim Federal Financial Report (SF 425): SF425 is required within 30 calendar days after the end of reported quarter period: 3/31, 6/30, 9/30, and

12/31 and must include in the remarks the location of financial records and a point of contact for the Government to obtain access to the financial records associated with this Grant.

Federal Financial Report (SF 425): SF425 is required if receiving advance payments; the Grantee shall submit a Report of Federal Cash Transactions

(SF 425) within 15 calendar days following the end of each quarter. The

Grantee shall provide forecasts of Federal cash requirements in the

“Remarks” section of the report.

3. Annual Reports

Annual Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR): The Grantee shall provide an Annual RPPR to the Government Sponsor and the Government

Technical Representative, to be submitted annually from the date the grant was awarded. The Government will provide a template to each starting grant. A complete annual Performance Progress Report is mandated by DoD. This reports shall detail the period’s research activities, intermediate results, progress toward goals and other specific information and any issues that may impact completion of the planned work on schedule. If findings or discoveries are made that the grantee feels are of sufficient importance that they would mitigate or impact naval operations, OUSD(R&E) should be notified immediately.

Invention Reports: Submit interim DD882 at least annually, within 60 calendar days of the grant anniversary. Negative reports required.

Annual DoD STEM Program Data Call Form: The Government will provide a manual and template to each starting grant. These forms will include information about the organization and program specifics (overview, metrics, budget information, accomplishments, etc.).

4. Final Reports

Final Report: Detail the full programmatic accomplishments summarized from prior reports and a forecast for ongoing program sustainability and contribution to DoD STEM, Biotech, or Enhanced Civics education and workforce needs as the funding ends. Include, as feasible, examples of educational materials produced, success stories, accomplishments, links to digital materials, and other resultant material from the award.

Final Federal Financial Report (SF 425): SF425 is required within 90 calendar days of the completion date for the term of this Grant and must include in the remarks the location of financial records and a point of contact for the Government to obtain access to the financial records associated with this Grant.

Invention Report: Submit final DD882 within 90 calendar days after the expiration of the grant. Negative reports required.

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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE REQUIREMENT

To evaluate compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 {20 U.S.C.

A§ 1681 Et. Seq.), the Department of Defense is collecting certain demographic and career information to be able to assess the success rates of women who are proposed for key roles in applications in STEM disciplines. To enable this assessment, each application must include the following forms completed as indicated (Forms are located at https://www.grants.gov/forms/r-r-family.html).

Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form:

The Degree Type and Degree Year fields on the Research and Related Senior/Key

Person Profile (Expanded) form will be used by DoD as the source for career information. In addition to the required fields on the form, applicants must complete these two fields for all individuals that are identified as having the project role of PD/Pl or Co-PD/Pl on the form. Additional senior/key persons can be added by selecting the

"Next Person" button.

Research and Related Personal Data form:

This form will be used by DoD as the source of demographic information, such as gender, race, ethnicity, and disability information for the Project Director/Principal

Investigator and all other persons identified as Co-Project Director(s)/Co-Principal

Investigator(s). Each application must include this form with the name fields of the

Project Director/Principal Investigator and any Co-Project Director(s)/Co-Principal

Investigator(s) completed; however, provision of the demographic information in the form is voluntary. If completing the form for multiple individuals, each Co-Project

Director/Co-Principal Investigator can be added by selecting the "Next Person" button.

The demographic information, if provided, will be used for statistical purposes only and will not be made available to merit reviewers. Applicants who do not wish to provide some or all of the information should check or select the "Do not wish to provide" option.

http://www.grants.gov/forms/r-r-family.html) http://www.grants.gov/forms/r-r-family.html

E. Authorization

This publication constitutes a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) as contemplated in the Department of Defense Grants and Agreements Regulations

(DoDGARS) 32 CFR 22.315(a). The Washington Headquarters / Service Acquisition

Directorate (WHS/AD) will not issue paper copies of this announcement. WHS/AD reserves the right to select for award- all, some, or none, of the applications in response to this announcement. WHS/AD provides no funding for direct reimbursement of application development costs. Technical applications and budgets (or any other material) submitted in response to this FOA will not be returned. It is the policy of WHS/AD to treat all applications as sensitive competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

This FOA is intended for applications that provide strategic solutions to defense challenges and that meet the evaluation criteria specified in this FOA.

Awards will take the form of individual grants, not cooperative agreements. Any assistance instrument awarded under this announcement will be governed by the award terms and conditions that conform to DoD’s implementation of OMB circulars applicable to financial assistance. Terms and conditions of new awards made after

December 26, 2014, will include revisions to reflect DoD implementation of new OMB guidance in 2 CFR Part 200, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.” The DoD Terms and Conditions are located at https://www.onr.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions.

This FOA has a two-part application process starting with a MANDATORY white paper.

Only invited applicants will compete in the second part of the process, submission of an application. All applicants should be aware of the following:

Information regarding application packages can be found at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

A project abstract is required with the application and must be publically releasable as specified in the following section of this FOA: Section V. B. 3. b. Responses to the

Representations indicated in Section VIII, 2 thru 4 of this FOA are required with the application.

Grant applications will be reviewed only if they (1) are invited, (2) meet the criteria specified by this document, and (3) are submitted through https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html

There is approximately a 30-day turnaround from invitation to submit a technical application and the due date for the technical application. Please consider drafting the sections of the technical application before receiving an invitation (See Significant

Dates and Times).

https://www.onr.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions https://www.onr.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/home.html

III. Award Information

A. Funding Amount and Period of Performance

The Department intends to award multiple grants in STEM activities, Biotech activities, and Enhanced Civics subject to the availability of funds. Applications for larger amounts may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

1. For STEM activities, there will be two (2) award categories:

(i) STEM activities with maximum award of $3,000,000 over 3 years;

(ii) Scalable STEM activities with maximum award of $6,000,000 over four (4) years.

2. For Biotech activities, awards will have a maximum award of $3,000,000 over 3 years.

3. For Enhanced Civics education, there will be one award, with a maximum of

$2,000,000 for a period of two (2) years.

DoD expects projects to be completed within the performance period of the specified award. Any requests for no-cost extensions must be fully justified and submitted to the Grants Officer no later than 60 days before the end of the period of performance. Submission does not guarantee approval. Per 2 CFR 200.339, an award can be terminated for several reasons: failure to comply with terms and conditions of the award, for cause (meaning non-performance), by consent of the two parties; and the awardee can likewise initiate a termination.

B. Peer Reviews

DoD may utilize peer reviewers to assist in the evaluation of white papers and applications, and periodic appraisal of performance under the awards, as outlined in

ONR Instruction 3966.1A. Such periodic program reviews monitor the cost, schedule, and technical performances of funded efforts. The reviews are used in part to determine which basic research projects will receive continued funding. Peer reviewers who are not U.S. Government employees must sign nondisclosure agreements before receiving full or partial copies of applications/applications and reports submitted by the performers.

IV. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

All responsible sources from industry, non-profit institutions, institutions of higher education, state and/or local educational agencies, or consortia of such institutions and/or industry may submit white papers under this FOA. Foreign entities will not be considered.

Current and past awardees from this initiative, or previous versions of this initiative, are eligible to submit a white paper/application under this FOA.

Defense laboratories, military universities, and warfare centers, as well as other

Department of Defense and civilian agency laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this FOA. If any such organization is interested in the program https://www.onr.navy.mil/-/media/Files/Research/ONR-Instruction-39661A.ashx?la=en described herein, the organization may contact DoD STEM at osd.dodstem@mail.mil, to discuss potential projects. The subject line of the email shall read “NDEP Potential

Project Inquiry.”

Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this FOA.

However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal applicants are allowed so long as they are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the

Government and the specific FFRDC.

University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) are eligible to submit white papers under this FOA, unless precluded from doing so by their Department of Defense

UARC contract.

To prevent the bias and unfair competitive advantage resulting from conflicting rules, Applicants must identify in their application any organizational conflict of interests

(OCI) which may exist. If an Applicant has an actual or potential OCI, their application must identify the OCI and the mitigation plan to address it. Silence on this topic in an application will be understood to mean there is no OCI with the Applicant.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

The primary basis for selecting applications for award will be technical merit, relevance to the subject of the solicitation, proposed cost realism and reasonableness, and the availability of funds to support the effort. If offered, voluntary cost sharing may be considered as a demonstration of an offeror's commitment to their proposed project. Any proposed cost sharing becomes a binding term of any award. WHS/AD reserves the right to request and require additional supporting information and documentation after it makes the selection determination. WHS/AD reserves the right to remove Applicants from award consideration if the parties fail to reach agreement on award terms, conditions, or cost/price within a reasonable time; or if the

Applicants fail to provide requested or required additional information in a timely manner.

C. Other

Required, if applicable

Defense Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education

Consortium (DSEC) partners are eligible to apply. However, applications must be stand-alone, innovative, and novel approaches to STEM activities. Scale up of current

DSEC efforts will not be considered.

Registration in System of Award Management

To apply for grants and other funding opportunities the proposing agency must be registered in the System of Award Management (SAM). Applications will not be accepted, either through grants.gov or other method, unless the proposing agency is registered in SAM. Registration in SAM now included the acceptance of

Certifications and Assurances. SAM may be accessed at: https://beta.sam.gov.

V. Application and Submission Information

This FOA competition is implemented in two stages:

First - Applicants must submit a white paper by the designated deadline; and

Second - Based on assessment of the white paper, selected applicants will be invited to submit a grant application by the designated deadline.

All STEM Activity applicants will be considered for the $3,000,000 over three (3) years award category. To be considered for the scale-up effort of $6,000,000 over four (4) years, applicants must follow the instructions and complete the Scale-up

Capacity section in the White Paper.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: The Government seeks only white papers that are relevant and responsive to the Funding Opportunity Description in Section II.

Applicants MUST submit a separate white paper for each NDEP award consideration (STEM Activity, Biotech Activity, and Enhanced Civics).

Applications that fail to address the areas listed in the Funding Opportunity

Description will be rejected and not considered further.

Submission of White Papers: As mentioned prior, white papers are a MANDATORY component of a two-part submission process. White papers must NOT be submitted through the Grants.gov application process. Instead, white papers are to be submitted via email to DoD STEM at osd.dodstem@mail.mil as a PDF file. The subject line of the email shall read “NDEP White Paper Submission.” There is an email size limit of

5 MB per email.

DO NOT SEND: Hardcopies (including facsimiles)

DO NOT SEND: ZIP files

DO NOT SEND: Password protected files.

*Only email submissions will be accepted and reviewed.

The due date and time for receipt of white papers is 25 January 2021 (Monday) at

11:59 PM Eastern Time. White papers received after the due date and time will not be considered under any circumstance. Time of receipt will be determined by the date and time the email is received in the DoD STEM email inbox. Some submitters have experienced significant transmission delays when submitting white papers. Early submission is encouraged. Submitters may request verification of receipt.

White Paper Evaluation/Notification: Once the initial evaluation of white papers is completed, applicants will be notified via email of their project’s status on or about 15

March 2021 (Monday) at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Submission of Applications: Applications may only be received electronically through https://beta.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ no later than 19 April 2021 (Monday) at 11:59 PM Eastern

Time. Applications are NOT to be submitted via email.

You are responsible for making sure your application is submitted, received, and validated by Grants.gov before the application deadline. If your application package is submitted late, your application will be ineligible for consideration.

Award Notification: It is anticipated that final selections for award will be made on or about June 2021. See Section V.C. for “Significant Dates and Times.”

A. Address to Request Application Package

All relevant materials are available with the FOA on Grants.gov.

B. Content and Format of White Papers/Applications

White papers and applications submitted under this FOA must seek to address unclassified efforts. As a corollary, no classified white papers or applications shall be submitted. White papers and application submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable laws and DoD regulations.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Titles given to White papers/Applications should be descriptive of the STEM efforts they cover and should not be merely a copy of the title of this announcement.

(1) White Paper Format

White Paper Format:

Paper Size – 8.5 x 11 inch paper

Margins – 1 inch

Spacing – single spaced

Font – Times New Roman, 12 point

Page limit – 7 pages, Curricula Vitae (CV) and References are not included in the total page limit. Only include the CV of the lead PI. If the Applicant would like to be considered for the STEM scale-up award, the White Paper may be 9 pages.

Submitted files must be in a .pdf format.

White Paper Content

White Papers must include the following sections:

Cover Page (1 Page Maximum) – The Cover Page shall be labeled "WHITE

PAPER", and shall include “HQ0034-21-S-F001”, proposed title, Applicant’s

DUNS number (see Section V. 6. a. 1), Applicant's administrative and technical points of contact, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, and email addresses.

MUST indicate for which NDEP award to be considered for (STEM, Biotech, http://www.grants.gov/

Enhanced Civics).

Summary (1 Page Maximum) – A summary of the proposed effort. Proposed public benefit must be expressly addressed.

Technical Concept (3 Page Maximum) – A description of the proposed effort and how it advances the DoD STEM mission. The project idea, technical rationale, and approach must identify a problem(s), arguments to substantiate the claims made, and proposed approach to address the issue. The Applicant’s capacities must be discussed as they relate to achieving success in the project, to include effective program evaluation and sustainability plans. The project must address the Funding Opportunity

Description stated in Section II.

Scale-up Capacity (Optional, 1 Page Maximum) – All STEM Activity White Papers will be assessed for the $3,000,000 over three (3) years category. However, if an

Applicant would like to be considered for the scale-up award, this section is required.

Included should be a description of the proposed effort and how it effectively expands ongoing programming. Proven evaluation and assessment metrics of the programming to be scaled-up should be provided.

Rough Order of Magnitude Cost (1 Page Maximum) – White papers shall include a rough order of magnitude cost showing requested funding per year and total cost, and which suggests spending priorities to satisfy Section II. This includes, but is not limited to, a rough explanation of anticipated costs including indirect, direct, administrative, overhead, labor, travel, and sub-contracting costs.

To be considered for the STEM scale-up award, one additional page for an expanded budget may be included. The program’s sustainability plan should also be included in this section.

DoD STEM Relevance (1 Page Maximum) – A description of potential Education and DoD STEM relevance and contributions of the effort to the Department’s specific mission. This section should also address alignment or support of Federal STEM

Strategy.

CV and References: The CV of the lead PI, as well as any accompanying references, should be included at the end of the document.

White papers submitted under this FOA must seek to address unclassified efforts. As a corollary, no classified applications shall be submitted. White paper submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable laws and DoD regulations.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Titles given to the Applications should be descriptive of the STEM efforts they cover and should not be merely a copy of the title of this announcement.

(2) Applications

Content and Form of Application:

Prospective applicants must complete the mandatory forms in accordance with the instructions provided on the forms and the additional instructions below. Files that are attached to the forms must be in Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf) unless otherwise specified in this announcement.

Submit Technical Applications using the following format:

Paper Size – 8.5 x 11-inch paper

Margins – 1 inch

Spacing – single spaced

Font – Times New Roman, 12 point

Page limit – The technical application shall not exceed 28 pages.

Broken out as follows:

Cover Page – 1 page

Table of Contents – 1 page

Technical Approach and Justification – no more than 8 pages

Project Schedule and Milestones – no more than 2 pages

Financial Breakdown – no more than 2 pages

Reports – no more than 1 page

Management Approach – no more than 1 page

Metrics and Evaluation – no more than 2 pages

Qualifications – no more than 1 page

Responsibility – no more than 2 pages

Facilities & Equipment – 1 page

Work Plan – no more than 6 pages

EXCLUDED from the Technical Application 27-page limit are: resumes, curricula vitae, references, letters of support, and current and pending projects.

Technical Applications exceeding the page limit may not be evaluated.

Submit Budgets using the following format:

Paper Size – 8.5 x 11-inch paper

Margins – 1 inch

Spacing – single spaced

Font – Times New Roman, 12 point

Page limit – There is no page limitation to the Budget

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

(3) Required Forms

(a) SF-424 Form (RESEARCH & RELATED) (Mandatory)

The SF-424 (R&R) form must be used as the cover page for all applications. Complete all required fields in accordance with the “pop-up” instructions on the form and the following instructions for specific fields. Please complete the SF-424 first, as some fields on the SF-

424 are used to auto-populate fields on other forms.

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

Field 3 - Date Received by State: The Date Received by State and the

State Application Identifier are not applicable to research. Leave blank.

Field 4a - Federal Identifier: Enter “HQ0034”.

Field 4b - Agency Routing Number: Enter “332 [DoD STEM]”.

Applicants who fail to provide an Agency Routing Number may receive a notice that their application is rejected.

Field 4c - Previous Grants.gov Tracking ID: If this submission is for a

Changed/Corrected Application, enter the Grants.gov tracking number of the previous application submission; otherwise, leave blank.

Field 7 - Type of Applicant: Complete as indicated. If the organization is a

Minority Institution, select “Other” and under “Other (Specify)” note that the institution is a Minority Institution (MI).

Field 9 - Name of Federal Agency: List the Department of Defense as the reviewing agency. This field is pre-populated in Grants.gov.

Field 16 - Is Application Subject to Review by State Executive Order 12372

Process? Choose “No”. Check “Program is Not Covered by Executive Order

12372.”

Field 17 – Certification: All awards require some form of certifications of compliance with National Policy Requirements. By checking the “I agree” box in field 17, and attaching the representation to Field 18 of the SF424 (R&R) as part of the electronic application submitted via Grants.gov, the Grant Applicant is providing the certification on lobbying required by 32 CFR Part 28 and representation regarding an unpaid delinquent tax liability or a felony conviction under any federal law – DoD appropriations.

(b) R&R Form: Project Abstract Form (Mandatory)

The project abstract must identify the problem and objectives, technical approaches, anticipated outcome of the effort, if successful, and impact on DoD capabilities. Use only characters available on a standard QWERTY keyboard. Spell out all Greek letters, other non-English letters, and symbols. Graphics are not allowed and there is a 4,000 character limit including spaces. Abstract must be submitted in MS Word format.

Do not include proprietary or confidential information. The project abstract must be marked by the applicant as “Approved for Public Release”. Abstracts of all funded projects will be posted on the public DTIC website:

https://dodgrantawards.dtic.mil/grants

(c) R&R Form: Research and Related Other Project Information (Mandatory)

Fields 1 and 1a - Human Subject Research: If the application plans to involve human subjects in its research, it must address human subject involvement by completing

Fields 1 and 1a of the R&R Other Project Information form. For applications containing activities that include or may include research involving human subjects as defined in

DoDI 3216.02, after award, the Applicant must submit documentation as stated within

DoDI 3216.02 and the National Policy Requirements. (Section IX. F.).

Fields 2 and 2a – Vertebrate Animal Subject Research: If an application plans to involve animal subjects in its research, the application must address animal research protocols by completing Fields 2 and 2a of the R&R Other Project Information form. If animals are to be utilized in the research effort proposed, the Applicant must submit the documents as described in DoDI 3216.01 and the National Policy Requirements.

(Section IX. F.).

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

Federal agencies making grant or cooperative agreement awards and recipients of such awards must comply with various environmental requirements. The National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. Sections 4321- 4370 (a), requires that agencies consider the environmental impact of “major Federal actions” prior to any final agency decision. With respect to those awards which constitute “major Federal actions,” as defined in 40 CFR 1508.18, federal agencies may be required to comply with NEPA and prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS), even if the agency does no more than provide grant funds to the recipient.