Revision NOFO_M24AS00265_3-28-2024.pdf

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

BOEM - Acquisition Policy and Financial Assistance

M24AS00265

05/20/2024

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

A3. Technical Assistance and Information for Prospective Applicants

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Anticipated Dates

B4. Period of Performance

B5. Numbers of Awards

B6. Type of Award

B7. Other Federal Information

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

D8. Application Checklist

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR - Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G2. Administrative/Budget Questions Program Office Contact

G3. Grants Staff Contact

G4. Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description

A1. Authority The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act at 43 USC §1345(e) authorizes BOEM to enter into cooperative agreements with States affected by energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf for purposes including the joint utilization of available expertise, the facilitating of permitting procedures, joint planning and review, and the formation of joint surveillance and monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to Outer Continental Shelf operations.

Under the Use of Cooperative Agreements authority (43 U.S.C. §1457b), BOEM is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with a state or political subdivision (including any agency thereof), or any not-for-profit organization if: (1) the agreement will serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in carrying out the programs administered by BOEM; and (2) all parties will contribute resources to the accomplishment of these objectives.

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements Integrated coastal observing systems can provide long-term multidisciplinary environmental monitoring over the continental shelf scale (Liu et al. 2015). Because sound waves travel much further than electromagnetic waves in seawater, active and passive acoustic sensors can be effectively used to monitor the marine environment, ranging from the presence, abundance, and distribution of marine life to meteorological phenomena such as wind speed and rainfall rates, to geological processes such as underwater earthquakes and volcanoes, and ice carving, to underwater noise generated from human activities (Howe et al. 2021). However, designing, developing, deploying, maintaining, and retrieving such an integrative ecosystem observing system can be very expensive.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds and maintains a coastal ocean observation system called Pioneer Array through its Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI; Gawarkiewicz et al. 2018; Gawarkiewicz and Plueddemann 2020). Currently deployed at the edge of the continental shelf south of New England, the Pioneer Array is designed to study shelf break processes and shelf-deep ocean exchange. There are three primary components of the Pioneer Array: moorings, underwater gliders, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). As the primary scientific objectives of the Pioneer Array are to study shelf break exchange processes, instruments currently equipped to the Array are designed to measure physical and chemical oceanographic and meteorological parameters.

In 2024, NSF plans to relocate the Pioneer Array to the mid-Atlantic shelf break between Virginia and North Carolina. The timing of the Pioneer Array relocation will likely allow for 6-12 months of baseline monitoring in 2024 before construction begins. The proposed new location is in proximity (~20 km) to the planned Kitty Hawk and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) wind farms, and also an important migratory corridor for North Atlantic right whales (NARW; Salisbury et al. 2015). Discussion with NSF indicated that it would provide a good opportunity to deploy acoustic sensors along with the Pioneer Array to address potential environmental effects from offshore wind development in the area.

Specifically, this study will deploy bottom-mounted and/or moored stationary stational active and passive acoustic recorders at the Pioneer Array location to collect both active and passive acoustic time series data for long-term environmental monitoring. Limited acoustic datasets will be transmitted via Pioneer Array’s satellite telemetry system real-time and made available for the public. In addition, active acoustic sources will be deployed on the Array and be used intermittently to study propagation conditions at the mid-Atlantic shelf break region.

While real-time passive acoustic data can be used to inform regulators on the presence of endangered species (e.g., NARW) for mitigation measures, they will also alert on the potential occurrence of unusual oceanographic events so that appropriate actions can be taken to investigate them (e.g., changes in soundscape characteristics due to increased mixing).

Detailed long-term acoustic time series in combination with propagation measurements have been successfully used to study ocean climate changes (Munk et al. 1995; Worcester et al.

2005) and to investigate sub-mesoscale and mesoscale oceanographic processes such as stratification and circulation in the Arctic (e.g., Sagen et al. 2017; review by Worcester et al.

2020; Worcester and Ballard 2021). Similar approaches can be applied to gain understanding on the dynamics of the Gulf Stream as it is undergoing some remarkable changes in the past decade or so (Andres 2016; Gangopadhyay 2019; Seidov et al. 2019; Boers 2021). Some of the oceanographic changes are suspected to cause adverse consequences in the ontogeny, migration, and distribution of several ecologically and commercially important species (e.g., Fuchs et al. 2020). The results of the proposed study will shed light on the linkage between oceanographic processes and ecosystem dynamics in relation to offshore wind development at the mid-Atlantic shelf break.

Additionally, dedicated sound propagation study using low-intensity low-frequency active source(s) and built-in transponders on the Pioneer Array will provide validations to existing propagation models such as these established by the Realtime Opportunity for Development Environmental Observations (RODEO) studies funded by BOEM (Lin et al. 2017). Results from the propagation study along with newly collected oceanographic parameters will also serve as references for future models by BOEM’s Center for Marine Acoustics (CMA) for impact prediction.

Finally, active and passive datasets from this study can be fed into BOEM’s broader Atlantic regional PAM network to investigate diurnal, seasonal, and annual occurrence and abundance guans Comment on Text change this to read "Pioneer Array's existing transponders" guans Comment on Text Change "on" to "in the vicinity of" guans Cross-Out guans Cross-Out of planktons, fishes, and marine mammals near offshore wind farm areas. The results will provide critical information to BOEM regarding the potential long-term environmental effects from offshore wind development (e.g., NEPA analysis).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 15.423 Authorization Legislation

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act at 43 USC §1345(e), Use of Cooperative Agreements authority 43 U.S.C. §1457b.

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act at 43 USC §1345(e) authorizes BOEM to enter into cooperative agreements with States affected by energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf for purposes including the joint utilization of available expertise, the facilitating of permitting procedures, joint planning and review, and the formation of joint surveillance and monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to Outer Continental Shelf operations.

Funding Goals Funding Opportunity GoalsThe proposed study will achieve the following objectives:

Gain knowledge on the ecosystem dynamics and sub-mesoscale and mesoscale oceanographic processes from acoustic observations by incorporating physical and chemical variabilities collected at the study site for offshore wind development impact modeling and assessment.

Gain knowledge on general sound propagation conditions in the study area; and provide validation and references to existing propagation models and future modeling efforts, respectively.

Supplement active and passive acoustic datasets to broader Atlantic regional PAM network to gain knowledge on the presence, distribution, and potential changes in habitat use of planktons, fishes, and marine mammals, as well as the dynamics of marine soundscape (geophony, biophony, and anthrophony) in relation to offshore wind development at the Kitty Hawk and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) sites for impact assessment.

A3. Technical Assistance and Information for Prospective Applicants

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding

$3,000,000 The total amount of federal funds available is anticipated to be $3,000,000.

B2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award Amount $3,000,000 Minimum Award Amount $2,950,000

B3. Anticipated Dates Award Start Date August 01, 2024

B4. Period of Performance

Length of Project Periods 48-month project period with four 12-month budget periods

Length of Project Period Explanation of Other 48-month project period with four 12-monthbudget periods

Project Period l Expectation Duration in Months

If the proposed work is such that more than one year is required to complete the research, then a multi-year proposal is appropriate, and the applicant shall write the proposal accordingly.

Proposals shall clearly define the work to be completed in each year, and the evaluation panel reserves the option to fund only the first year of a multi-year proposal. Funding for subsequent years of a multi-year cooperative agreement is contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory progress demonstrated by the Awardee. Progress will be determined through technical review of quarterly progress reports and other work identified by the BOEM Project Officer. Funds requested for the final year of performance shall include a 15% retainage of the project's total anticipated budget request. The BOEM Project Officer shall provide continuation notices at least 60 days prior to the end of each funding period.

B5. Numbers of Awards

Expected Number of Awards

B6. Type of Award

Funding Instrument Type CA - Cooperative Agreement

The award will be a cooperative agreement. This involves substantial involvement by BOEM scientists in various aspects of study development and/or study conduct.

BOEM will perform the following:

1. Work closely with the Awardee to provide oversight of the project.

2. Participate in fieldwork and project oversight.

3. Coordinate with survey operators to identify survey(s) in appropriate areas for this work.

4. Provide real time direction or re-direction on data analysis, early results, and/or technical difficulties.

5. Provide feedback on data synthesis approach.

6. Participate in preparing conference presentation and drafting manuscript(s)

7. Provide oversight and funding.

B7. Other Federal Information

Type of Competition Open to All Eligible Applicants

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments 06 – Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 25 – Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) Additional Information on Eligibility

This Program Announcement describes the specific projects that may be awarded to the universities or eligible groups identified. All awards are premised on receipt of an acceptable proposal. This is not an open solicitation for proposals.

This announcement is specifically to announce intent to undertake the following project(s):

• Ocean Environmental Monitoring and Sound Propagation Study at Mid-Atlantic Shelfbreak Offshore Wind Area

Open to:

• Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESUs): North Atlantic Coast, Chesapeake Watershed, Gulf Coast, Californian, and Pacific Northwest.

The award will be a cooperative agreement (see Eligibility Information below). This involves substantial involvement by BOEM scientists in various aspects of study development and/or study conduct. Research projects are required to have a staff member of the applying organization as the Principal Investigator (PI).Cooperative research between interested organizations-i.e., state agencies, public universities, and non-profits in affected states-is always encouraged.

Cost Share/Match: Contributions of matching funds towards these efforts, either as cash or in kind contributions (such as salary, equipment, etc., or a combination of both) is very strongly encouraged. Match cannot include value associated with collection costs for samples 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. Written documentation for the assessed match for ship time (if applicable) shall provide a fair assessment of costs relevant to the project. Matching dollars cannot be from other Federal funding sources.

Further information can be located at 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200.306.

All questions regarding this project, including eligibility, should be directed only to the "Program Announcement and Cooperative Agreement Questions" point-of-contact listed in Section G.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing/Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

C3. Other Excluded Parties:

BOEM conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Bureau cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package The application from the CESU institution must be submitted through thewww.Grants.gov portal at "Apply for Grants." The applicant can locate the application package by visiting the Grants.gov portal and searching on CFDA number 15.423 or Announcement M24AS00265 in the Grants.gov search engine. The announcement is also available in Grant Solution

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Project Summary

Ocean Environmental Monitoring and Sound Propagation Study at Mid-Atlantic Shelfbreak Offshore Wind Area (National Studies List [NSL] #AT-24-03)

Scientific Integrity Scientific integrity is vital to DOI activities under which scientific research, data, summaries, syntheses, interpretations, presentations, and/or publications are developed and used. Failure to uphold the highest degree of scientific integrity will result not only in potentially flawed scientific results, interpretations, and applications but will damage DOI's reputation and ability to uphold the public's trust. All work performed must comply with the DOI Scientific Integrity Policy posted tohttp://www.doi.gov/Scientificintegrity, or its equivalent as provided by their organization or State law.

Project Narrative The cover sheet of the proposal shall contain the following information:

1. Project Title:

2. PI(s):

1. Name:

2. Address:

3. Phone:

4. Fax:

5. E-mail:

3. Name of University/Department:

4. Contact Information for Technical and Administrative Negotiations

5. Project Status: New/Continuation

6. Project Duration: (years or months)

7. Proposed Start Date:

8. Proposed Draft Final Report Submission Date:

9. Proposed Completion Date:

10. Amount Requested From BOEM:

11. Amount and Sources of Non-Federal Match:

12. Total Project Cost:

13. Signature, Name, and Contact Information of University PI and Co-Investigator:

http://www.Grants.gov/ http://www.doi.gov/Scientificintegrity

14. Proposal Endorsement, including Signature, Name, Contact Information of Sponsoring University Department Dean or Institute Director:

15. Signature, Name and Contact Information of Sponsoring University's Office of Sponsored Programs

Proposal Text

The proposal must be in 11-12 point Times New Roman, Arial, or similar font with 1"-page margins. Non-conforming proposals will not be considered. Text, figures, etc. in support of items 1-10 below should be no longer than 15 pages.

Please include the following in the Proposal:

1. Abstract

2. Background/Relevance to BOEM Issues, Information Needs, and Research Topics: Give a brief introduction to the research problem. State how the proposal addresses BOEM goals. Explain why the work is important. Specify the contribution to science related to understanding the impacts of seismic surveys on fish and the benefits that society will receive from the study.

3. Objectives/Hypotheses: Clearly define goals of the project.

4. Methods/Analyses: Provide a clear description of planned research methodologies and analyses.

5. Project Deliverables and Planned Products: Applicants shall provide plans for executing the duties of the awardee listed in Section F3 and the deliverables in Section A3 as outlined in the Table in Section H including a rough timeline for these deliverables.

6. Staffing Plan: All key personnel (including graduate student workers) shall be identified by name. List the University PI first, followed by the names of other individuals. Indicate the role and anticipated level of effort for each key participant offering unique or specific contributions to the project (oceanographer, geochemist, field assistant, etc.). If names of any key participants are unknown, a proposal addendum with the names and curricula vitae must be submitted prior to award.

7. Performance Measures: Applicants shall suggest specific measures that will be used to monitor project progress, including progress of sub-awardees (e.g.,quality and timely deliverables, timely completion of fieldwork or other project components, draft peer-reviewed articles). These performance measures will be incorporated in the cooperative agreement award and reviewed as part of any continuation request.

8. Critical Starting Dates (e.g., for season-limited field work): Identify any critical starting dates and the reason why project success is dependent upon that start date.

9. Publication and Presentation: BOEM strongly encourages the Awardees to publish project reports in scientific and technical journals, and present results to the scientific community, appropriate professional organizations, and local,State, and/or Federal agencies as part of the project (please also see Section H). These publications and meetings should be included in the proposal and budget.

10. Bibliography: List all references cited in the text, as well as references that are relevant to the current proposal from your past work in the field.

11. Curricula Vitae (maximum two pages) for each identified key participant. Emphasize previous experience in the field of study that the proposal addresses.

12. Letters of Commitment: Provide signed letters of commitment by matching fund grantors, contractors, and sub-grantees.

13. University Budget Spreadsheet: In addition to SF-424a Budget Information form below, include information in a format which provides personnel, travel, services, supplies, equipment, tuition, and indirect costs on an annual basis for both the requested BOEM funds and for the anticipated match funds.

14. Budget Justification Narrative: See below.

SF 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs

Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section of the appropriate SF-424 budget form, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form.

Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles per the “DOI Standard Award Terms and Conditions”. The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

Budget Narrative/Detailed Spreadsheet Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per theFinancial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

Please reference the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act for additional details.

(a) Applicability.

(1) This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

(2) In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by subrecipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.

(b) Notification. (1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200.112.

(2) Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by subrecipients.

https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2cb9f6d1c1c131ed576a5e65845ef3fa&mc=true&node=se2.1.1402_1112&rgn=div8 https://www.doi.gov/pam/programs/acquisition/fair-activities-inventory-reform-act

(c) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.

(d) Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award.

Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

Single Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available on the “Packages” tab of this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”.

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If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision.

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as an individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own, operate, or work within), or any entity with an exception to bypass SAM.gov registration with prior approval from the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) which replaces the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet in April 2022. A Federal award may not be made to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. Federal award recipients must also continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s).

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM)

Applicants can register on the SAM.gov website. The “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov “Register with SAM” page also provides detailed instructions. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities will be assigned a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been made to the entity’s IRS information. There is no cost to register with SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free. If applicable, foreign entities who want to receive payment directly to a U.S. bank account must enter and maintain valid, current banking information in SAM.

D4. Submission Dates and Times

Application Due Date 05/20/2024 Application Due Date Explanation https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update http://www.sam.gov https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET,on the listed application due date.

D5. Intergovernmental Review Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

D6. Funding Restrictions

Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, must not include any indirect costs in their proposed budget.

Individuals are not required to submit any additional statements regarding indirect costs. Skip to the next section.

Indirect Costs: Organizations Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted with Application All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

• A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

• A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

• A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, do not use this statement] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] against [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in §2 CFR 200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

• A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a negotiated rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

• A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [“Program Title”], which has a Department of the Interior-approve indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR) 2 CFR §1402.414. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that must charge indirect costs against the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR §200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”. We understand that we must request prior approval from [insert Bureau Here] to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that [Insert Bureau Here] approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR §200.405, we understand that the indirect costs are not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

• A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

Prohibited Uses of Awards Funds Reimbursement of Pre-Award Costs

D7. Other Submission Requirements Please be aware that the electronic submission process requires first time users to register using an e- Authentication process. This registration process can be somewhat complex and can take up to 3 weeks to complete. Be advised that it is virtually impossible to begin the process of electronic submission for the first time if you start just a few days before the due date. If you are from a university, contact your Office of Sponsored Programs. They may already have completed the registration process and should work with you to submit the application.

If you have any questions or problems with the registration process, or the completion of the application package, please contact the grants.gov help desk at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Briefly, when you submit a grant application package to Grants.gov, you will receive a confirmation screen as well as three additional emails over two business days from Grants.gov informing you of your application processing status: 1. Confirmation screen

2. Submission Receipt (with “Track My Application” link) 3. Submission Validation (or Rejection with Errors) 4. Agency Retrieval

CONFIRMATION: Submission Confirmation Screen.

After you submit your grant application package, a confirmation screen will appear on your computer screen. This screen confirms that you have submitted an application to Grants.gov.

NOTIFICATION 1: Submission Receipt Email Within two business days after your application package has been received by the Grants.gov system, you will receive a submission receipt email which indicates that your submission has entered the Grants.gov system and is ready for validation. This email also contains a tracking number for use while tracking the status of the submission as well as a “Track My Application” link, to use to see the progress of your submission.

NOTIFICATION 2: Submission Validation Receipt Email – This is the important one!

After you receive the submission receipt email, the next email you will receive will be a message validating or rejecting your submitted application package with errors. The Grants.gov system is designed to check for technical errors within the submitted application package. Grants.gov does not review application content for award determination. Grants.gov will not post the application if there are errors. Failure to correct errors and submit by the date and time for closing may not be a reason for accepting a late application.

NOTIFICATION 3: Grantor Agency Retrieval Email Once your application package has passed validation it is delivered to the grantor for award determination and further approval. After the mailto:support@grants.gov grantor has confirmed receipt of your application, you will be sent a third and final email from Grants.gov. The grantor may also assign your application package an agency specific tracking number for use within their internal system. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS E- MAIL

WITHIN FOUR DAYS OF THE CLOSING DATE, PLEASE CONTACT THE

CONTRACTING OFFICER.

If you need help entering your proposal, you can reach the Grants.gov Contact Center at: 1- 800- 518- 4726. Their hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, and they are closed on Federal Holidays.

During the application period an applicant may submit a revised or corrected proposal through grants.gov. Include a cover letter as the first page of the proposal stating that the proposal is revised and indicating that the previous submittal is to be withdrawn from consideration. See Section 11, Application Preparation Instructions, which describes requirements for the proposal and other application components.

Please allow sufficient time for the proposal to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and allow time for possible computer delays. Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute for submission. A proposal received after the closing date and time will NOT be considered for award. If the BOEM determines that a proposal will not be considered for award due to lateness, the applicant will be notified immediately.

D8. Application Checklist SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance or Application for Federal Assistance-Individual

SF-424B or D, Assurances

Project Narrative

SF-424A or C, Budget Information

Budget Narrative

Indirect Cost Statement and related documentation (when applicable)

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activites (when applicable)

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria Scientific Quality and Impact Maximum Points: 30 Quality and clarity of hypotheses and relevance to BOEM mission.

Work Plan/Methodology Maximum Points: 30 Is the strategy clear? Are the scientific objectives appropriate for proposed time frame? Are the geographic areas selected for study appropriate? Are the methodsand instruments selectedfor research appropriate? Does the proposal address contingency plans for missed field work, equipment failure, and other problems?

Planned Products and Dissemination of Results Maximum Points: 10 Are the products clearly defined? Will they be useful for understanding the impacts of airguns on fish in the Gulf of Mexico? Will the results be published in a peer-reviewed form?

Budget Justification and Clarity Maximum Points: 10 Have the applicants demonstrated (through bibliographic references, relevant education, experience, awards, etc.) that they are capable of doing the proposed research? Have the applicants demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the scientific problem? Have products been on schedule and within budget?

Is the proposed labor (number of personnel and time) adequate to perform the tasks on schedule?

Are costs (labor, equipment, ship time, subawards, etc.) presented with sufficient justification and detail?

Experience/Competence of Research Personnel Maximum Points: 20 Have the applicants demonstrated (through bibliographic references, relevant education, experience, awards, etc.) that they are capable of doing the proposed research? Have the applicants demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the scientific problem? Have products been on schedule and within budget?

E2. Review and Selection Process The proposal will be reviewed by BOEM scientists and program managers, and possibly external peer reviewers. Reviewers have expertise in Federal offshore programs and/or the specific scientific discipline of the proposal.

E3. CFR - Regulatory Information Recent Administration executive orders are included in this Announcement as follows:

• Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, which directs the Department and other federal agencies to prioritize efforts to reduce climate pollution; support climate resilience; support land conservation and biodiversity efforts, including the 30 by 30 initiative; maximize clean energy development and deployment; and leverage partnerships with youth and service corps to create conservation and resilience jobs in support of the Civilian Climate Corps initiative.

• Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, which affirms the Department’s responsibility to advance equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity through its policies and procedures and directs federal agencies to allocate resources in a manner that helps address historic inequities to underserved communities and individuals, as defined by the order. Each office or bureau is expected to ensure that its financial assistance policies and procedures fully align with this direction.

• Executive Order 14005: Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers, which calls on federal agencies to ensure that terms and conditions of financial assistance awards maximize the use of goods, products, materials and services produced or offered in the United States.

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates Application Due Date anticipated:

Award Start Date anticipated:

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices Awards are based on the application submitted to and approved by BOEM are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the Notice of Award either by direct citation or by reference to the following: Federal regulations; program legislation or regulation; and special award terms and conditions. Recipient acceptance of a Federal award from the Service carries with it the responsibility to be aware of and comply with all terms and conditions applicable to the award. Recipients indicate their acceptance of the Federal award by starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.

The BOEM uses the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) cooperative agreement payment system, managed by the United States Department of the Treasury, to provide electronic invoicing and payment for funds under this award. With the award of each cooperative agreement, an account will be set up from which the Recipient can draw down funds. Recipients must be enrolled in ASAP and their ASAP account linked to BOEM before an award can be issued.

Award Administration Information

The Awardee 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 Awardee is also responsible for meeting the performance goals identified in the Proposal Text. Awards based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, BOEM are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated either directly or by reference in the following section.

Terms and Conditions

Acceptance of a Federal Financial Assistance award from the Department of the Interior (DOI) BOEM carries with it theresponsibility to be aware of and complywith the terms andconditions of award. Acceptance is defined as the start of work, drawing down funds, or accepting the awardvia electronic means. Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by, BOEM and are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated either directly or by reference in the following:

• Program legislation\regulation;

• Special terms and conditions;

• Code of FederalRegulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable;

Contact the Contracting Officerwith any questions regarding the applicability of the following:

o 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards o 2 CFR Part 25, Universal Identifierand System for Award Management o 2 CFR Part 170, Reporting Subawardand Executive Compensation Information o 2 CFRPart 175, Award Term for Trafficking in Persons o 2 CFR Part 182, Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace o 2 CFRPart 1400, NonProcurement Debarment and Suspension o 2 CFRPart 1401, Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace o 2 CFR Part 1402,Uniform Administrative Requirements,Cost Principles, and Audit

Requirements for Federal Awards o 43 CFRPart 18, New Restrictions on Lobbying o All cooperative agreementsare subject to the DOI Standard Terms and Conditions at:

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/doi-standard-award-terms-and-conditions effective-d ecember-2-20 l 9-revised-june-19-2020.pdf

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements See the “DOI Standard Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to DOI awards.

Data Availability Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.315: (a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification. (b) The Federal Government has the right to: (1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a Federal award; and (2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, http://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/doi-standard-award-terms-and-conditions https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=2cb9f6d1c1c131ed576a5e65845ef3fa&mc=true&node=se2.1.1402_1315&rgn=div8 reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for Federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.

See the Service’s General…