[SEMCO] RFP: NOAA Restoration Ctr./Community-Based Restoration Program
Sheri D. Derosa
sderosa@whoi.edu
Wed, 21 Mar 2001 11:44:49 -0500
Folks: In case you have not seen this yet, the community based
restoration program managed and funded by NMFS,
recieved a sizeable increase in funds from last year ($600K to up to
$3M). Please circulate to relevant constituencies.
Thanks, Jim
-------- Original Message --------
Subject:
restoration funds
Date:
Fri, 16 Mar 2001 10:09:16 -0500
From:
"Robin Bruckner" <Robin.Bruckner@noaa.gov>
Organization:
NOAA
To:
Helen Farr <Helen.Farr@noaa.gov>,Jim D Murray
<Jim.D.Murray@noaa.gov>
Please pass around the attached message to anyone that you think
might be interested in Community-Based Restoration Program funds in
2001. Thanks.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries)
Office of Habitat Conservation
NOAA Restoration Center
The NOAA Restoration Center is pleased to announce funding available
in 2001 for
individual community-based habitat restoration projects under the
Community-Based
Restoration Program (CRP).
The CRP is a federal financial and technical assistance program that
funds grass-roots,
community-based activities that restore living marine resources and
their habitats, including
anadromous species (fish like salmon and herring that that spawn in
freshwater and migrate
to the sea).
Attached, in PDF and HTML formats, is the Federal Register Notice
that was published
Friday, March 2, 2001. The Notice contains a description of the
program, eligibility
information, all application instructions, and the criteria against
which applications will be
evaluated. Applications must be postmarked by May 1, 2001.
A copy of the Notice and all the necessary standard NOAA grants
application forms are
available on the NOAA Restoration Center web page at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration. Look under "funding
opportunities" or under
the "Community-Based Restoration Program" section.
If you have any questions, please feel free to give Robin Bruckner,
Chris Doley, or Alison
Ward a call at (301) 713-0174.
Please circulate the attached Notice to others that may be interested
in applying
for community-based habitat restoration project funds.
PLEASE EXCUSE ANY DUPLICATE POSTINGS--if you have received this
message
in error, or wish to be removed from this mailing list, please
contact
Robin.Bruckner@noaa.gov.
--
--
**********************************************
Robin J. Bruckner
NOAA Restoration Center
National Marine Fisheries Service
1315 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
ph 301-713-0174
FAX 301-713-0184
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration
[Federal Register: March 2, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 42)]
[Notices]
[Page 13043-13048]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02mr01-43]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 000411102-1045-03; I.D. 122800E]
RIN 0648-ZA85
Financial Assistance for Community-based Habitat Restoration
Projects
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The purpose of this document is to invite the public to
submit
proposals for available funding to implement grass-roots habitat
restoration projects that will benefit living marine resources,
including anadromous fish, under the NOAA Community-Based Restoration
Program (CRP or Program). This document describes the conditions
under
which applications (project proposals) will be accepted under the
CRP,
and describes criteria under which applications will be evaluated for
funding consideration. Projects funded through the CRP will be
expected
to have strong on-the-ground habitat restoration components that
provide educational and social benefits for people and their
communities in addition to long-term ecological habitat improvements
for NOAA trust resources. Proposals selected for funding through this
solicitation will be implemented through a project grant, cooperative
agreement, or interagency transfer.
DATES: Applications for funding under the CRP will be accepted upon
publication of this document in the Federal Register and must be
received by or postmarked by May 1, 2001. Applications postmarked
after
that time will not be considered for funding. Applications submitted
via the U.S. Postal Service must have an official postmark; private
metered postmarks are not acceptable. Applications delivered by a
delivery service after the postmark date will be accepted for review
if
the applicant can document that the application was provided to the
delivery service on or prior to the specified postmark cut-off date.
No
facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.
ADDRESSES: Send applications to James P. Burgess, Director, NOAA
Restoration Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East West
Highway (F/HC3), Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282; ATTN: CRP Project
Applications.
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section under Electronic Access for
additional information on the Program and for application form
information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher D. Doley or Robin J.
Bruckner, (301) 713-0174, or by e-mail at Chris.Doley@noaa.gov or
Robin.Bruckner@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Program Description
The CRP, a financial and technical Federal assistance program,
promotes strong partnerships at the national, regional and local
level
to fund grass-roots, community-based activities that restore living
marine resources and their habitats and promote stewardship and a
conservation ethic for NOAA trust resources. NOAA trust resources are
living marine resources that include commercial and recreational
fishery resources (marine fish and shellfish and their habitats);
anadromous species (fish, such as salmon and striped bass, that spawn
in freshwater and then migrate to the sea); endangered and threatened
marine species and their habitats; marine mammals, turtles, and their
habitats; marshes, mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and other
coastal habitats; and resources associated with National Marine
Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves.
The CRP's objective is to bring together citizen groups, public
and
nonprofit organizations, watershed groups, industry, corporations and
businesses, youth conservation corps, students, landowners, and local
government, state, and Federal agencies to cooperatively implement
habitat restoration projects. Partnerships developed at national,
regional and local levels contribute funding, land, technical
assistance, workforce support or other in-kind services to promote
citizen participation in the improvement of locally-important living
marine resources, as well as develop local stewardship and monitoring
activities to sustain and evaluate the success of the restoration.
The CRP recognizes the significant role that communities can play
in habitat restoration, and acknowledges that habitat restoration is
often best implemented through technical and monetary support
provided
at a community level. Community-based restoration projects supported
by
the CRP are successful because they have significant local backing,
depend upon citizens hands-on involvement, and typically involve NOAA
technical assistance or oversight. The role of
[[Page 13044]]
NOAA in the CRP is to help identify potential restoration projects,
strengthen the development and implementation of sound restoration
projects within communities, and develop long-term, ongoing national
and regional partnerships to support community-based restoration
efforts of living marine resource habitats across a wide geographic
area. For more information on the CRP, see Electronic Access.
II. Authority
The Secretary of Commerce is authorized under the Fish and
Wildlife
Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661-666, to provide grants or cooperative
agreements for fisheries habitat restoration.
III. Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance
This Program is described in the ``Catalogue of Federal Domestic
Assistance,'' under program number 11.463, Habitat Conservation.
IV. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education,
hospitals, other non-profits, commercial organizations, organizations
under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international
organizations, state, local and Indian tribal governments. Due to a
significant increase in funding available to the CRP in FY 2001,
applications from Federal agencies will be considered. Although
Federal
agencies are eligible to apply under this solicitation, they are
strongly encouraged to work with states, non-governmental
organizations, national service clubs or youth corps organizations
and
others that are eligible to apply, rather than seeking project
funding
directly from the CRP. Proposals selected for funding from
non-Federal
applicants will be funded through a project grant or cooperative
agreement under the terms of this document. Proposals selected for
funding from a non-NOAA Federal agency will be funded through an
interagency transfer. Before non-NOAA Federal applicants may be
funded,
they must demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive funds
for the purpose of this program in excess of their appropriation.
Because this announcement is not proposing to procure goods or
services
from applicants, the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) is not an
appropriate
legal basis.
The Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the
participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,
Hispanic
Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities in its
educational and research programs. The DOC/NOAA vision, mission, and
goals are to achieve full participation by Minority Serving
Institutions (MSI) in order to advance the development of human
potential, to strengthen the nation's capacity to provide
high-quality
education, and to increase opportunities for MSIs to participate in,
and benefit from, Federal financial assistance programs. DOC/NOAA
encourages proposals for habitat restoration projects involving MSIs
according to the criteria in this document.
V. Eligible Restoration Activities
NOAA is interested in funding projects that will result in
on-the-
ground restoration of habitat to benefit living marine resources,
including anadromous fish species. Restoration is defined here as
activities that contribute to the return of degraded or altered
marine,
estuarine, coastal and freshwater anadromous fish habitats to a close
approximation of their condition prior to disturbance. Restoration
may
include, but is not limited to, improvement of coastal wetland tidal
exchange or reestablishment of historic hydrology; dam or berm
removal;
improvement or reestablishment of fish passageway; natural or
artificial reef/substrate/habitat creation; establishment of riparian
buffer zones and improvement of freshwater habitat features that
support anadromous fishes; planting of native coastal wetland and
submerged aquatic vegetation; and enhancement of feeding, spawning
and
growth areas essential to marine or anadromous fish. NOAA recognizes
that accomplishing restoration is a multi-faceted effort involving
project design, engineering services, permitting, construction,
oversight and monitoring.
In general, proposed projects should clearly demonstrate
anticipated benefits to habitats, such as salt marshes, seagrass
beds,
coral reefs, mangrove forests, and riparian habitat near rivers,
streams and creeks used or formerly used by anadromous fish.
Priorities
for habitat restoration activities include: areas identified by NOAA
Fisheries as essential fish habitat (EFH) and areas within EFH
identified as Habitat Areas of Particular Concern; areas identified
as
critical habitat for federally or state listed marine and anadromous
species; areas identified as important habitat for marine mammals and
turtles; watersheds or such other areas under conservation management
as special management areas under state coastal management programs;
and other important commercial or recreational marine fish habitat,
including degraded areas that historically were important habitat for
living marine resources.
To protect the Federal investment, projects on private lands need
to provide assurance that the project will be maintained for its
intended purpose for the life of the project. Projects on permanently
protected lands may be given priority consideration.
Projects must involve significant community support through an
educational and/or volunteer component tied to the restoration
activities. Implementation of on-the-ground habitat restoration
projects must involve community outreach and monitoring to assess
project success, and may involve limited pre-implementation
activities,
such as engineering and design and short-term baseline studies.
Proposals emphasizing a singular restoration component, such as only
outreach or program coordination are discouraged, as are applications
that propose to expand an organization's day-to-day activities, or
that
primarily seek support for administration, salaries, overhead and
travel. The CRP anticipates the availability of funds for high
quality,
quantitative monitoring projects to advance the science and
technology
of coastal and marine habitat restoration. Proposals emphasizing
science-based monitoring of existing or simultaneously proposed
Community-Based Restoration Program projects are encouraged.
Although NOAA recognizes that water quality issues may impact
habitat restoration efforts, this initiative is intended to fund
physical habitat restoration projects rather than direct water
quality
improvement measures, such as wastewater treatment plant upgrades or
combined sewer outfall improvements. Similarly, the following
restoration projects will not be eligible for funding: (1) Activities
that constitute legally required mitigation for the adverse effects
of
an activity regulated or otherwise governed by state or Federal law;
(2) activities that constitute restoration for natural resource
damages
under Federal or state law, and (3) activities that are required by a
separate consent decree, court order, statute or regulation. Funds
from
this program may be sought to enhance restoration activities beyond
the
scope legally required by these activities.
VI. Funding Availability
This solicitation announces that funding of up to $3,000,000 will
be available for community-based habitat restoration projects in FY
2001. The NOAA Restoration Center anticipates
[[Page 13045]]
that typical project awards will range from $25,000 to $150,000; NOAA
will not accept proposals for under $10,000 or proposals for over
$200,000 under this solicitation. There is no guarantee that
sufficient
funds will be available to make awards for all proposals. The number
of
awards to be made as a result of this solicitation will depend on the
number of eligible applications received, the amount of funds
requested
for initiating restoration projects by the applicants, the merit and
ranking of the proposals, and the amount of funds made available to
the
CRP by Congress. The exact amount of funds that may be awarded will
be
determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant and NOAA
representatives. Publication of this document does not obligate NOAA
to
award any specific project or obligate all or any parts of any
available funds.
VII. Matching Requirements
The overall focus of the CRP is to provide seed money to
individual
projects that leverage funds and other contributions from a broad
public and private sector to implement locally important habitat
restoration to benefit living marine resources. To this end,
applicants
are encouraged to demonstrate a minimum 1:1 non-Federal match for CRP
funds requested to complete the proposed project. NOAA strongly
encourages applicants to leverage as much investment as possible;
applicants with less than 1:1 match will not be disqualified. The
degree to which cost-sharing exceeds the minimum level, and the
nature
(cash versus in-kind) of the contribution may be taken into account
in
the final selection of projects to be funded (see Evaluation Criteria
section).
For non-Federal applicants, the match can come from a variety of
public and private sources and can include in-kind goods and
services.
Federal funds may not be considered matching funds. Applicants are
permitted to combine contributions from additional non-Federal
partners
in order to meet the 1:1 match expected. Applicants whose proposals
are
selected for funding will be bound by the percentage of cost sharing
reflected in the award document signed by the NOAA Grants Officer.
VIII. Award Period
Generally, the Program will make awards only to those projects
where requested funding will be used to complete proposed restoration
activities, with the exception of post-construction monitoring,
within
a period of 18 months from the time awards are distributed. If an
application is selected for funding, NMFS has no obligation to
provide
any additional prospective funding in connection with that award in
subsequent years. Any subsequent proposal to continue work on an
existing project must be submitted to the competitive process for
consideration and will not receive preferential treatment. Renewal of
an award to increase funding or to extend the period of performance
is
at the total discretion of the Restoration Center Director.
IX. Electronic Access
Information on the Program, including examples of community-based
habitat restoration projects that have been funded to date, can be
found on the world wide web at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/
restoration. The standard NOAA application forms and instructions for
applicants are accessible through this web site, or they can be
obtained from the NOAA Restoration Center (see ADDRESSES).
X. Application Process
To submit a proposal, a NOAA grants application must be filed,
and
must be complete and in accordance with instructions in the standard
NOAA Grants Application Package and guidelines in this document. Each
application must include all specified sections as follows: cover
sheet-an applicant must use Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Standard Form 424 as the cover sheet for each project; budget detail
(SF 424A and budget justification narrative); grant assurances SF424B
and CD-511, and SF-LLL if applicable; and narrative project
description
(statement of work). Budgets must include a detailed breakdown by
category of cost estimates as they relate to specific aspects of the
project, with appropriate justification for both the Federal and non-
Federal shares.
In general, applications should clearly demonstrate the
broad-based
benefits expected to specific habitats, and how these benefits will
be
achieved through the proposed restoration activities. The narrative
project description should be no more than 7 double-spaced pages
long,
in 12 point font, and should give a clear presentation of the
proposed
work. It should identify the problems the project will address and
describe short- and long-term objectives and goals, the methods for
carrying out and monitoring the project, and the project's relevance
to
enhancing habitat to benefit living marine resources. The project
narrative should describe the organizational structure of the
applicant
group, detail its qualifications, and identify proposed project
staff;
participants (project partners) other than the applicant, and their
contributions, should be identified. The need for assistance should
be
demonstrated, and the narrative should provide assurance that all
necessary environmental permits and consultations will be secured
prior
to the use of Federal funds for construction. Applicants should not
assume prior knowledge on the part of NOAA as to the relative merits
of
the project described in the application.
Applications should not be bound in any manner and should be
printed on one side only. All incomplete applications will be
returned
to the applicant. Three copies (one signed original and two signed
copies) of each application are required and must be submitted to the
NOAA Restoration Center (see ADDRESSES). Applicants may opt to submit
additional copies (seven are needed for reviewing purposes) if it
does
not cause a financial hardship. Applications for multiple projects
submitted by the same applicant must be submitted in separate
envelopes.
XI. Indirect Costs
The budget may include an amount for indirect costs if the
applicant has an established indirect cost rate with the Federal
government. The total dollar amount of indirect costs proposed in an
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the
proposed effective date of the award. However, the Federal share of
the
indirect costs may not exceed 25 percent of the proposed request for
Federal support. Applicants with indirect cost rates above 25 percent
may use the amount above the 25-percent level as part of the non-
Federal share. A copy of the approved, currently negotiated Indirect
Cost Agreement with the Federal Government must be included in the
application. If the applicant does not have a current negotiated rate
and plans to seek reimbursement for indirect costs, documentation
necessary to establish a rate must be submitted within 90 days of
receiving an award.
XII. Project Selection Process
Applications will be screened to determine if they are complete
and
in accordance with instructions detailed in the standard NOAA Grants
Application Package. Eligible restoration proposals will undergo a
technical review, ranking, and selection process. As appropriate
during
this process, the NOAA Restoration Center will solicit individual
technical evaluations of each project proposed and may consult with
other NOAA offices, the NOAA Grants
[[Page 13046]]
Management Division, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Regional
Fishery Management Councils, other Federal and state agencies, such
as
state coastal management agencies and state fish and wildlife
agencies,
and private and public sector restoration experts who have knowledge
of
a specific applicant, program or its subject matter. Proposals also
will be reviewed by NOAA field and headquarters staff to determine
how
well applications meet the stated aims of the CRP, and how well the
proposal meets the goals of the NOAA RC.
Applications for habitat restoration projects will be evaluated
by
individual technical reviewers according to the criteria and weights
described in this solicitation. The proposals will be rated, and
reviewer comments and composite project ranks will be presented to
the
Director of the NOAA Restoration Center. The Director, in
consultation
with Program staff, will consider the evaluations and may take into
account the following: (a) Diversity of geographic location and
habitat
types to be restored; (b) diversity of applicants; (c) degree of
duplication of proposed activities with other projects that are
currently in effect or approved for funding by NOAA and other Federal
agencies; (d) factors that may not be known by technical reviewers
that
would affect achievement of the CRP's objectives as described in this
announcement and the Program Guidelines (65 FR 16890, March 30,
2000);
and (e) the availability of funds. Hence, awards may not necessarily
be
made to the highest scored proposals. The Director, in consultation
with Program staff, will select the proposals to be funded and
determine the amount of funds available for each approved proposal.
Applicants may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, or
budgets prior to final approval of an award. The exact amount of
funds
to be awarded, the final scope of activities, the project duration,
and
specific NOAA cooperative involvement with the activities of each
project will be determined in pre-award negotiations among the
applicant, the NOAA Grants Office, and the NOAA Program staff.
Projects
should not be initiated in expectation of Federal funding until a
notice of award document is received from the NOAA Grants Office.
Successful applicants generally will be selected approximately 45
days after the close of this solicitation. The earliest date for
receipt of awards will be approximately 90 days after the close of
this
solicitation, when all NOAA/applicant negotiations of cooperative
activities have been completed. Applicants should consider this
selection and processing time in developing requested start dates for
proposed restoration activities.
XIII. Evaluation Criteria
Reviewers will assign scores to proposals ranging from 0 to 60
points based on the following four evaluation criteria and respective
weights. Applicants that score less than 6 points on either of the
first two criteria will not receive further funding consideration.
(1) Potential of the Project to Benefit Living Marine Resources (15
points)
Proposals will be evaluated on the extent of proposed habitat
restoration activities and the type(s) of habitat(s) that will be
restored. In particular, NOAA will evaluate proposals based on the
amount and type of habitat proposed for restoration and the potential
of the applicant to restore, protect, conserve, and enhance habitats
and ecosystems vital to self-sustaining populations of living marine
resources under NOAA Fisheries stewardship; whether the habitat(s) to
be restored will benefit commercial, recreational, threatened or
endangered species; whether the proposal addresses a priority
habitat,
restoration need, special consideration, or is part of a watershed or
community stewardship plan; whether the effects of restoration are
expected to persist; and whether the proposed project will compliment
or encourage other local restoration activities. Proposals for
science-
based monitoring of existing or simultaneously proposed
Community-Based
Restoration Program projects will be evaluated on the extent to which
the potential results advance restoration methods, techniques and
project implementation.
(2) Technical Merit and Adequacy of Project Implementation Plan (15
points)
Proposals will be evaluated on the technical feasibility of the
project from both biological and engineering perspectives, and on the
qualifications and past experience of the project leaders and/or
partners in designing, implementing and effectively managing and
overseeing projects. Communities and/or organizations developing
their
first locally-driven restoration project may not be able to document
past experience and, therefore, will be evaluated on the basis of
their
potential to effectively manage and oversee all project phases and on
the availability of NOAA or other technical expertise to guide the
project to a successful completion.
Proposals also will be evaluated on their ability to deliver the
restoration objective stated in the proposal; demonstrate that the
restoration activity will result in tangible benefits and will be
sustainable and long-lasting; provide for long-term management of the
restored resource, including adequate monitoring and a method for
evaluating project success; and provide assurance that implementation
of the project will meet all Federal and state environmental laws by
obtaining or proceeding to obtain applicable permits and
consultations.
Projects on permanently protected lands may be given priority
consideration.
(3) Community Commitment and Partnership Development (15 points)
Proposals will be evaluated on activities proposed to involve
citizens and broaden their participation in habitat restoration or
science-based monitoring; the potential for, or demonstrated NOAA
involvement in, the project; and the depth and breadth of community
support, as reflected by the diversity and strength of project
partners. Community participation may include: (a) hands-on training,
restoration and monitoring activities undertaken by volunteers; (b)
sponsorship by local entities, either through in-kind goods and
services (earth-moving services, technical expertise, conservation
easements) or cash contributions; (c) public education and outreach;
(d) support from state and local governments; and (e) ability to
achieve long-term stewardship for restored resources and to generate
a
community conservation ethic.
(4) Cost-effectiveness and Budget Justification (15 points)
Proposals will be evaluated on the percentage of funds that will
be
dedicated to all phases of project implementation including physical,
on-the-ground restoration and/or science-based monitoring, compared
to
the percentage that is for administration, salaries, overhead and
travel; applications proposing to use restoration funds to expand an
organization's day-to-day activities are unlikely to obtain a high
score under this criterion. Proposals also will be evaluated on the
need for funding and the overall leverage of NOAA funds anticipated,
including the amount of cash match; the ability to which the proposed
project is likely to catalyze future restoration and protection of
living marine resources; and the ability of the applicant to
demonstrate that a significant benefit will be generated for a
reasonable cost. NOAA will expect
[[Page 13047]]
cost-sharing to leverage funding and to further encourage
partnerships
among government, industry, and academia.
XIV. Allowable Costs
Funds awarded cannot necessarily pay for all the costs that the
recipient might incur in the course of carrying out the project.
Allowable costs are determined by reference to the OMB Circulars
A-122,
``Cost Principles for Non-profit Organizations''; A-21, ``Cost
Principles for Education Institutions''; and A-87, ``Cost Principles
for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments.'' Generally, costs
that
are allowable include salaries, equipment, supplies, and training, as
long as these are ``necessary and reasonable.'' To encourage on-the-
ground restoration, funding for salaries must be used to support
staff
directly involved in accomplishing the restoration work.
XV. Other Requirements
Federal Policies and Procedures
Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all Federal laws and
Federal and DOC policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to
Federal financial assistance awards.
Past Performance
Any first-time applicant for Federal grant funds under this
announcement is subject to a pre-award accounting survey prior to
execution of the award. Unsatisfactory performance under prior
Federal
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.
Pre-award Activities
If applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they
do
so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the
Government.
Notwithstanding any verbal or written assurance that they may have
received, there is no obligation on the part of NOAA to cover
pre-award
costs.
No Obligation of Future Funding
If an application is selected for funding, NOAA has no obligation
to provide additional future funding in connection with the award.
Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of
performance is at the total discretion of the Restoration Center
Director.
Delinquent Federal Debts
No award of Federal funds will be made to an applicant or to its
subrecipients who have any outstanding delinquent Federal debt or
fine
until:
1. The delinquent account is paid in full;
2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established, and at least
one
payment is received; or
3. Other arrangements are made that are satisfactory to the
Department of Commerce.
Name Check Review
All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal whether key
individuals associated with the applying organization have been
convicted of, or are presently facing, criminal charges such as
fraud,
theft, perjury, or other matters that significantly reflect on the
applicant's management, honesty, or financial integrity. Potential
non-
profit and for-profit recipients also may be subject to reviews of
Dun
and Bradstreet data or other similar credit checks.
Primary Applicant Certifications
All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD 511,
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and
Lobbying.'' The following explanations are hereby provided:
1. Nonprocurement debarment and suspension. Prospective
participants (as defined at 15 CFR 26.105) are subject to 15 CFR part
26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension,'' and the related
section of the certification form prescribed earlier applies.
2. Drug-free workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR 26.605)
are
subject to 15 CFR 26, subpart F, ``Government-wide Requirements for
Drug-Free Workplace (Grants),'' and the related section of the
certification form prescribed earlier applies; also please enter the
Principal Place of Performance, that is, where the work will be done.
3. Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR 28.105) are
subject
to the lobbying provision of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of
appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and
financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of the
certification
form prescribed above applies to applications/bids for grants,
cooperative agreements, contracts for more than $100,000, and loans
and
loan guarantees for more than $150,000.
4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant who has paid or will
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit a Form SF-LLL,
``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' as required under 15 CFR part
28, appendix B.
Lower Tier Certifications
Recipients shall require applicants/bidders for subgrants,
contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transactions at
any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form
CD
512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility
and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and
Lobbying''
and disclosure Form SF-LLL ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.''
Form
CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be
transmitted to DOC. An SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or
subrecipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the
instructions contained in the award document.
False Statements
A false statement on the application is grounds for denial or
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Intergovernmental Review
Applications under this program are subject to the provisions of
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
American-made Equipment and Products
Applicants are encouraged, to the extent feasible, to purchase
American-made equipment and products with funding provided under this
program.
Classification
Prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not
required
by the Administrative Procedure Act or by any other law for this
document concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Accordingly, a
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required by the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
This action has been determined to be ``not significant'' for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
This notice contains collection-of-information requirements
subject
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A,
424B and SF-LLL have been approved by OMB under the respective
control
numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, and 0348-0046.
[[Page 13048]]
Dated: February 27, 2001.
William T. Hogarth,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-5131 Filed 3-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S