Revised NOFA -AMD 1.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Program Announcement No. M19AS00002

Florida Offshore Sediment Resources Inventory

FY 2019 Marine Minerals Program

CFDA No. 15.424

December 17, 2018

I. Funding Opportunity Description:

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) through the Marine Minerals

Program (MMP) is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity to conduct research to serve the public interest in offshore sand resources, coastal restoration, coastal resiliency, and to meet the MMP and Gulf States’ goal of a Gulf-wide Outer Continental Shelf

(OCS) sediment inventory. The overall goal of this cooperative agreement is to work with

Gulf States to recover legacy geological and geophysical data that will ultimately provide for development of an offshore sediment resources inventory. One of the primary objectives is to coordinate with all 5 Gulf States and the Bureau of Ocean Energy

Management to develop a Gulf-Wide Sediment Inventory program for funding under a future opportunity such as the RESTORE Act Funded Priorities List. This funding is available to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) (see Section III, Eligibility Information).

Section 1346 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) mandates the conduct of environmental and socioeconomic studies needed for the assessment and management of environmental impacts on the human, marine, and coastal environments which may be affected by oil and gas or other mineral development. OCSLA Section 1345 authorizes the use of cooperative agreements with affected States to meet the requirements of

OCSLA, including sharing of information, joint utilization of available expertise, formation of joint monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to outer continental shelf operations both onshore and offshore.

II. Award Information:

This announcement is specifically to announce intent to undertake the following project: Florida Offshore Sediment Resources Inventory.

This Program Announcement describes a cooperative agreement that may be awarded to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Engineering, Hydrology, and Geology Program. This is not an open solicitation for proposals.

All awards are premised on receipt of an acceptable proposal.

The total amount of funding available for an award based on this announcement is not to exceed $50,000. Work performance under the cooperative agreement award will start on day of award. The MMP anticipates making one (1) cooperative agreement award(s) in response to this Notice of Funding Availability

(NOFA) (see list of eligible entities below in Section III). The award ceiling, for the entire proposed project (not per year), per cooperative agreement is $150,000 and the award floor per cooperative agreement is $150,000. Work performance under this award must be completed within 3 years from the date of award of the cooperative agreement however no proposals exceeding 3 years in duration will be accepted. Additional information regarding multi-year proposals is presented in the “Multi-Year Proposal” section below.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Engineering, Hydrology, Geology (EHG) Program is uniquely qualified to perform this work by virtue of its http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode43/usc_sec_43_00001345----000-.html capability developing high resolution geophysical processing methods and research within the State and by its nationally recognized scope and depth of applied geophysics expertise relevant to investigating the geologic evolution of the inner shelf to inform development of an inventory of restoration-quality sand on the OCS adjacent to the state.

No other entity has the specialized expertise in geophysical data processing and ability to carry out a focused program of scientific research that actively engages youth to support the sediment resource needs of the State of Florida.

By it being a state agency, the EHG program maintains a permanent physical and functional presence in the State with access to the OCS study area, possessing research access, access to state sand inventory data and database, and requisite data-gathering and processing equipment. These assets contribute to the necessary research while, at the same time, effectively informing local, regional, and state government agencies to facilitate informed decision making on coastal restoration and OCS sediment resource issues.

Therefore, the following tasks could be considered for inclusion in a cooperative agreement:

1. Coordination with all 5 states and BOEM to conduct a gap analysis with existing data and develop a long-term strategy for the Gulfwide Sand Inventory. This includes travel to and participation at quarterly working meetings across the Gulf.

It is anticipated that two of the quarterly working meetings per year will be held via webinar. One of the quarterly meetings is expected to be the BOEM Gulf of

Mexico Sand Management Working Group Meeting held annually in New

Orleans, LA. The fourth of the quarterly meetings will likely be held in New

Orleans at the BOEM office.

2. Collect existing legacy geophysical and geological data (digital and analog forms from various sources including BOEM, Universities, FDEP, U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, etc.) for the study area and compile into a spatial geodatabase using BOEM-specified formatting (including compliant metadata) that is compatible for translation and/or uploading into ROSSI. This includes but is not limited to:

a. Digitization of analog geophysical data and geotechnical data in miscellaneous formats

b. Georectification of data for projection in GIS

c. Integrating navigation data with geophysical profiles

d. Other data specific subtasks necessary to bring data into GIS and other analytical software

e. Develop workflow and communication between the BOEM MMIS and

ROSSI so future ROSSI updates will be automatically reflected in the

MMIS.

3. Literature review and synthesis and compilation of a reference database of relevant literature. Any spatially relevant products should be included in the spatial database complied under Task 1 (e.g. data points; interpreted locations or isopachs of sand bodies, valley fills, channel fills, etc.).

4. Identify data gaps or areas where further sampling (geophysical or geologic) is needed.

5. Collect and analyze new geological and geophysical data (and incorporate into database) to improve geologic interpretations and estimate restoration-quality sand reserves (if BOEM funds are made available)

6. Perform QA/QC, reprocess if necessary, and analyze existing data assembled under Tasks 2 and 3 to interpret stratigraphic framework and evolution of late

Quaternary coastal/shelf deposits offshore Florida’s Gulf coast. This will include:

a. Compilation of data into software suitable for geophysical and/or core analysis, integration of core and geophysical data, volume calculations, etc.

b. Reprocessing digital geophysical data to provide improved resolution for seismic stratigraphic interpretations

c. Analysis of core logs, photographs, samples, etc.

7. Develop, in coordination with BOEM and other cooperative agreement recipients under this program (i.e. the 5 Gulf states), a stratigraphic-based nomenclature and organization scheme for sand-rich lithofacies types identified in the study area.

8. Delineate (interpreted) sand-rich lithofacies in plan form (ESRI polygon shapefiles for GIS) and provide information on sediment textural properties, volumes of deposit, type of deposit, overburden thickness, percent sand, and other criteria agreed upon between BOEM and Florida Department of Environmental

Protection (FDEP).

9. Develop a conceptual stratigraphic evolutionary model for late Quaternary to recent deposits offshore FL including but not limited to lowstand shelf fluvial deposits, transgressive shelf deposits and the modern shelf-coastal system.

10. Integration of all newly acquired and/or analyzed data, interpretations, and other relevant products into a final BOEM-specified spatial database that is compatible for translation and/or uploading into ROSSI.

A proposal to conduct surveys, studies, and other evaluations not included in this list is encouraged to be submitted and will be considered for funding; however, the proposal must meet the MMP’s goals concerning coastal restoration and resiliency and BOEM’s mission to manage the mineral resources located on the

Nation’s Outer Continental Shelf in an environmentally sound and safe manner.

This award will be a cooperative agreement and must include substantial involvement by MMP staff in various aspects of study development and/or study conduct. The MMP envisions the consultation with appropriate subject matter experts via teleconference or site visit during any study design will occur post-contract award. The MMP envisions that the appropriate subject matter expert be allowed to occasionally assist with field work and/or visit the field site.

Multi-Year Proposals:

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

Progress Reports and other work identified by the BOEM project officer.

III. Eligibility Information:

This study will fund Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, may submit an application. Only one application will be accepted, and award will be considered;

cooperative research with neighboring states and public university partners

(establishment of teams) is encouraged. Contributions of matching funds toward these efforts, either as cash or in-kind contributions (such as salary, equipment, or a combination of both) is strongly encouraged but not required. BOEM strongly encourages matching funds in order to leverage available funds, to the degree possible, in order to enhance the scientific approach and maximize the value/scope of study.

However, the proposal will not be evaluated on the offer of matching funds. Match cannot include value associated with collection costs for samples/geophysical data previously collected. Match value for instrumentation and other equipment should be adjusted to the period of use within the project relative to the full life cycle for the item.

Further information can be located at 2 CFR 200.306

IV. Application and Submission Information:

1. Proposals must be submitted by 5 pm EST, March 24, 2019

2. Location of Application Package

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

Grants.” Applicants can locate the application package by visiting the grants.gov portal and searching on CFDA number 15.424 in the grants.gov search engine.

The electronic submission system requires several preliminary registration steps before the actual application can be submitted, including obtaining a DUNS number (see www.dnb.com), registering in SAM.gov (see www.sam.gov) and registering a Grants.gov account (go to www.grants.gov and click on “Register” in the top right hand corner).

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=f398dec889a5cb069c9a2f5f4e3c8952&rgn=div8&view=text&node=2:1.1.2.10.2.3.10.4&idno=2 http://www.grants.gov/

3. Content and Form of Applications

The application process begins by downloading the application at https://www.grants.gov.

The application portal will enable the applicant and all interested parties to view and complete the following required application forms:

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

SF-424a Budget Information

SF-424b Assurances – Non-Construction Programs

Project Narrative Form

Budget Narrative Form

GG Certification Regarding Lobbying Form

(Complete the Optional SF-LLL Lobbying form if lobbying has occurred)

4. Proposal Narrative

The first page (cover sheet) of the proposal shall contain the following information:

Project Title:

Principal Investigator(s):

o Name:

o Address:

o Phone:

o Fax:

o Email:

Name of the State Agency:

Contact Information for Technical and Administrative Negotiations

Project Status: New/Continuation

Project Duration: (years)

Proposed Start Date:

Project Deliverable: (e.g. final report, data)

Non-Federal Matching Funds Available:

Funds Requested:

Total Project Cost:

Signature, Name, and Contact Information of State Agency Principal

Investigators:

Proposal Text. The text should be no longer than 25 pages not including references, resumes, and budget information. Please include the following:

1. Abstract

2. Background/Relevance to BOEM Issues– Give a brief introduction to the research problem. State how the proposal addresses BOEM MMP and State of Florida goals. Explain why the work is important. Specify the contribution to science related to offshore resources and the benefits that society will receive from the https://www.grants.gov/ project. Proposals should clearly describe why the research is important to

BOEM and the State of Florida. Provide a brief summary of findings or outcomes of any prior work you have completed relevant to this project.

3. Objectives/Hypotheses – List objectives and clearly define the hypotheses and how the scientific method will be employed to test them.

4. Methods/Analyses – List all references to which you refer in the text and references from your past work in the field that the research problem addresses.

Be sure to identify references as journal articles, chapters in books, abstracts, maps, digital data, etc.

5. Data Management, Data Security and Data Archiving Plan: Copy of data files to be delivered to BOEM or other specified and appropriate data archive.

6. Logistics plan, when appropriate

7. Safety management, when appropriate

8. Permits/Interagency coordination/Local coordination

9. Local involvement/Traditional knowledge/outreach: The BOEM considers involvement of local residents in the design and execution as well as dissemination of research data and results to be an integral and crucial aspect of projects funded by this program.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to actively involve local residents in the study and to disseminate research results to the local community, the scientific community and appropriate professional organizations; local, State, regional and

Federal agencies; and the general public. The BOEM encourages the Recipients to publish project reports in scientific and technical journals.

10. Project management/Staffing plan: List the Principal Investigator (PI) first, followed by the names of other key personnel. Indicate the role for each participant in the project (e.g., oceanographer, geochemist, field assistant).

Include a (two page maximum) curriculum vitae for each PI and co-PI.

11. Performance measures - Describe the performance, metrics or devise a performance plan that will be used to asses the accomplishment of the goals of the project. These performance measures will be incorporated in the cooperative agreement award and must be reflected in the recipient’s Quarterly Progress

Report. Describe the applicant’s plan to monitor performance of contractors and sub-grantees

12. Planned Products - List product(s) (reports, analyses, maps, digital data, video, photos, etc.) that will be delivered during or at the end of the performance period.

Quarterly and annual progress reports, data products, spatial databases, draft and final reports, and draft and final technical summaries are required. Also, publication of results in peer-review journals is encouraged.

13. Budget justification (see item 4, “Budget Narrative,” below)

14. Budget (include personnel costs, travel, services, supplies, equipment, tuition, indirect costs, and anticipated match for each year, as well as a grand total for both years)—submitted separately under the Budget Narrative.

15. Names and contacts of Peer Reviewers of deliverables

16. Project Schedule (including deliverables)

17. Critical Start Date (e.g., for season-limited field work)

18. Literature Cited

Not included in the 25 page limit are the cover sheet, curricula vitae, budget, budget justification, suggested peer reviewers and Literature Cited. The project schedule is included within the 25-page limit.

5. Budget Narrative

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

a. Salaries and Wages. List positions, rate of compensation and estimated number of hours. If contract employees are hired, include their total time, rate of compensation, job titles, and roles. Provide a statement that salaries will be charged at the actual rate and that the rate is comparable to others doing similar work within the organization.

b. Fringe benefits/labor overhead. Indicate the rates/amounts in conformance with normal accounting procedures. Explain what costs are covered in this category and the basis of the rate computations. Provide a copy of the Negotiated Rate Agreement with the cognizant federal audit agency for the Recipient, and all sub-grantees.

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

d. Lab Analyses. Briefly itemize cost of all analytical work. Include figures for a minimum number of samples, if applicable.

e. Supplies. Enter the cost for all tangible property. Include the cost of office, laboratory, computing, and field supplies separately. Provide detail on any specific item, which represents a significant portion of the proposed amount. Provide a statement that supplies will be purchased in accordance with 2 CFR. 215.40-48.

f. Equipment. Show the cost of all special-purpose equipment necessary for achieving the objectives of the project. "Special-purpose equipment" means scientific equipment having a useful life of more than 1 year and having an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per item. Each item should be itemized and include a full justification and a dealer or manufacturer quote, if available. General-purpose equipment (used for purposes other than this project) must be purchased from the applicant's operating funds.

Title to non-expendable personal property may remain with the government or it may be vested solely with the Recipient. Under no circumstances shall property title be vested in a sub-tier recipient. Provide a statement that equipment will be purchased in accordance with 2 CFR

215.40-48 and managed in accordance with 2 CFR 215.34.

g. Services or consultants. Identify the tasks or problems for which such services would be used. List the contemplated sub-contractors by name

(including consultants), the estimated amount of time required, and the quoted rate per day or hour. Sub-grantee proposals should provide cost breakdowns at the same level of detail as the Applicant’s proposal, including copies of the most current negotiated indirect cost rate.

h. Travel. State the purpose of the trip and itemize the estimated travel costs to show the number of trips required, the destinations, the number of people traveling, the per diem rates, the cost of transportation, and any miscellaneous expenses for each trip. Calculations of other special transportation costs (such as charges for use of applicant-owned vehicles or vehicle rental costs) should also be shown.

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

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

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

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

(G&A) cost. The indirect rate for CESU agreements is capped at 17.5%.

Show the cost base, and proposed amount for indirect costs based on the cost principles applicable to the Applicant's organization. If the sub has separate rates for recovery of labor overhead and G&A costs, each charge should be shown. As stated in (b) above, provide a copy of the Negotiated

Rate Agreement with the cognizant federal audit agency including the recipient and all sub-grantees.

m. Amount proposed. Total items k and l.

n. Multi-year projects. The Applicant shall provide summary information as well as a detailed budget for each year.

V. Application Review Information

Reviewers will include BOEM staff, project managers, and may also include external peer review. Reviewers will have expertise in Federal offshore programs, geophysical data acquisition and processing, coastal and marine geology, geomorphology and

Quaternary geology, marine biology, marine archeology, geographic information systems, and other scientific disciplines relevant to the proposal.

Evaluation Criteria. All proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

1. Scientific quality and impact:

Has the applicant clearly and thoroughly explained the hypotheses and relevance to MMP’s mission?

2. Work plan/Methodology:

Is the strategy clear? Are proposed methods adequate to meet objectives? Are the geographic areas selected for study appropriate? Are logistics, safety, and permits/interagency coordination adequately addressed? Does the timeline match the proposal and reality? Are the scientific objectives appropriate for proposed time frame? Are a minimum number of samples or other measureable benchmarks for ensuring project success indicated? Does the timeline provide for submission of the draft final report three months before project end date to ensure adequate time for review, revision, editing, and printing?

3. Planned Products and Dissemination of Results:

Are the products clearly defined? Will they be useful for environmental stewardship and offshore resource management activities? Will the results be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed form? Does the proposal indicate PI will submit database in format compatible with BOEM GIS and include metadata compliant with current Federal Geographic Data Committee standards?

Does the proposal indicate data will be archived with the or other appropriate archive?

4. Budget Justification and Clarity:

Is staff sufficient to accomplish the proposed goals? Are field expenses, supplies, lab work, and other expenses appropriate? Are expenses adequately itemized? If applicable, are a minimum number of samples to be collected and analyzed indicated?

6. Experience/Competence of Research Personnel:

Has the applicant demonstrated (through bibliographic references, previous experience, awards, etc.) that they are capable of performing the proposed research? Has the applicant demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the scientific problem? Have products been on schedule and within budget? Have results been published in peer-reviewed journals?

VI. Award Administration Information:

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

Acceptance of a Federal Financial Assistance award from the Department of the Interior

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

Program legislation\regulation.

Special terms and conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable (contact the

Contracting Officer with any questions regarding the applicability of the following ):

2 CFR Part 25 Central Contractor Registration and Data Universal Numbering System

2 CFR Part 170 Reporting Subaward and Executive Compensation Information

2 CFR Part 175 Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000

2 CFR Part 1400 Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)

43 CFR 12(A) Administrative and Audit Requirements and Cost Principles for

Assistance Programs

43 CFR 12(C) Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative

Agreements to State and Local Governments

43 CFR 12(E) Buy American Requirements for Assistance Programs

43 CFR 12(F) Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With

Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations

43 CFR Part 18 New Restrictions on Lobbying

43 CFR Part 43 Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace

43 CFR Part 17, Subpart A: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Race, Color, or National

Origin

43 CFR Part 17, Subpart B: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap

43 CFR Part 17, Subpart C: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age

Terms and conditions incorporated either directly or by reference in the following:

Reporting. BOEM will conduct oversight and monitoring of the work progress and financial status of each cooperative agreement by requiring the following, at a minimum:

1. Federal Cash Transactions Reports

The recipient must submit the Standard Form 425, Federal Financial Report, and, when necessary, its continuation form, if funds are withdrawn in advance of expenditures. The

BOEM will use the form to monitor the cash advanced to the recipient, and to obtain disbursement or outlay information for each grant.

2. Performance and Financial Status Reporting Requirements

Reporting requirements for the projects are regulated by 43 CFR Part 12 for States.

These regulations specify basic cooperative agreement reporting requirements including performance and financial reports. The MMP will work closely with the recipient to incorporate appropriate performance and financial reporting requirements into each cooperative agreement award, consistent with 43 CFR Part 12.

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These regulations provide some flexibility in determining the appropriate content and frequency of performance and financial reports. At a minimum, however, the reporting schedule will require the recipient to report at least quarterly.

3. Single Audit Requirements

Nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more in Federal funds must have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 or more in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

4. Technical Reporting Requirements

Quarterly reports, draft and Final Reports, and draft and Final Technical Summaries are required. Details are available at: http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/

Environmental-Studies/Quality.aspx.

VII. Agency Contacts:

Grants.gov:

Technical questions concerning the application process:

Grants.gov Help Desk at:

Phone: 1-800-518-4726

Email: support@grants.gov

Program Announcement and cooperative agreement questions:

Joanne Murphy

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

Acquisition Policy and Financial Assistance Branch

45600 Woodland Road, HE 2306

Sterling, Virginia 20166

(703) 787-1024 joanne.murphy@bsee.gov

Program Office:

Tershara Matthews

Program Supervisor

Marine Minerals Program

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Gulf of Mexico Region

1201 Elmwood Park Blvd.

New Orleans, LA 70123

(504) 736-2676

Tershara.matthews@boem.gov http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_default http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/%0bEnvironmental-Studies/Quality.aspx http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Stewardship/%0bEnvironmental-Studies/Quality.aspx mailto:joanne.murphy@bsee.gov mailto:Tershara.matthews@boem.gov

VIII. Other Information:

Dissemination of Research Results. The BOEM considers dissemination of research data and results to be an integral and crucial aspect of projects funded by this program. This includes the proper archiving of samples and databases to maximize public access in the future. Applicants are strongly encouraged to disseminate research results to the scientific community and appropriate professional organizations; local, State, regional, and Federal agencies; and the general public. The BOEM encourages the recipient to publish project reports in scientific and technical journals. Applicants should include in the proposal a plan to present findings at two major meetings, one of which may be a

BOEM Gulf of Mexico Offshore Sand Management Working Group Meeting.

Extensions to the Project Period. Extensions are discouraged. The timely conduct of funded projects is of great importance to the achievement of the goals of the BOEM. .

Applicants should consider their time commitments at the time of applying for funding support.

--End of Program Announcement M19AS00002--