U.S. Department of the Interior

Minerals Management Service

Offshore Minerals Management

Environmental Studies Program

Program Announcement No. MMS08HQPA0005

FY 2008 Louisiana Coastal Marine Institute

CFDA No. 15.422

January 2008

**I. Funding Opportunity Description:**

The Environmental Studies Program (ESP) of the Minerals Management
Service (MMS) is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity to
Louisiana State University (LSU) and others within the LSU system that
have the ability to conduct research in topics that meet the goals of
the Minerals Management Service Offshore Minerals Management Program.
The Offshore Minerals Management program oversees the exploration and
development of oil, natural gas and other minerals and renewable energy
alternatives on the nation's outer continental shelf. 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. Section 1345 of the OCSLA 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.

The MMS established the Louisiana Coastal Marine Institute (CMI) at the
LSU in 1992 to use highly qualified scientific expertise within
Louisiana State to collect and disseminate environmental information
needed for OCS oil and gas and marine minerals decisions; address local
and regional OCS-related environmental and resource issues of mutual
interest; and strengthen the MMS-State partnership in addressing OCS oil
and gas and marine minerals information needs.

MMS seeks studies from LSU that will help resource managers and
regulators make informed decisions about issues relating to offshore
oil, gas and other marine minerals. Examples of specific informational
needs are detailed in the MMS Gulf of Mexico OCS Region\'s Environmental
Studies Plan available online at

<http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/environ/SDP-2007-2009.pdf>

This Program announcement, MMS08HQPA0005 provides the vehicle for the
LSU to submit the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 requested proposals to the MMS.
Other university researchers and organizations interested in
collaborating with the LSU in FY 2008 can contact them at the address
shown in Section VIII below.

The LSU proposals must address at least one CMI Framework Issue,
focusing on an area of current interest to MMS, and should be mission
relevant if not geographically specific (e.g., laboratory studies).

 

## The CMI Framework Issues broadly describe MMS' focus:

-   Scientific studies for better understanding marine, coastal or human
    environments affected or potentially affected by offshore oil and
    gas exploration and extraction on the outer continental shelf;

-   Modeling studies of environmental, social, economic, or cultural
    processes related to OCS gas and oil activities in order to improve
    scientific predictive capabilities;

-   Experimental scientific studies for better understanding of
    environmental processes, or the causes and effects of OCS
    activities;

-   Projects which design or establish mechanisms or protocols for
    sharing data or information regarding marine or coastal resources,
    or human activities to support prudent management of oil, gas and
    marine mineral resources; and

-   Synthesis studies of scientific environmental or socioeconomic
    information relevant to the OCS gas and oil program.

**II. Award Information:**

-   MMS will provide up to \$1,000,000 in FY 2008. The MMS anticipates
    making cooperative agreement awards in FY 2008 for 5 to 10 proposals
    submitted under this program announcement, however, individual
    proposals are not restricted to a set level of funding. Work
    performance under these awards must start before October 1, 2008,
    and the proposed work must be completed no later than five years
    from the start date. Additional information regarding multi-year
    proposals is presented in the "Multi-Year Proposal" section below.

-   Awards will be cooperative agreements. These cooperative agreements
    involve substantial involvement by MMS scientists in various aspects
    of study development and/or study conduct.

-   Awards for research projects will be managed and coordinated by the
    CMI Management office, School of Coast and Environment, Louisiana
    State University, Baton Rouge shown below.

**Selected Research Topics**

ESP research focuses on the following broad issues associated with the
development of OCS natural gas, oil, and minerals: What are the fates
and effects of potential OCS-related pollutants (e.g., oil, noise,
drilling muds and cuttings, products of fuel combustion, etc.) and their
transport by physical oceanographic processes in the marine and coastal
environment and atmosphere? What biological resources (such as fish,
bird, and mammal populations) exist, and what resources are at risk?
What is the nature and extent of the risk? What measures must be taken
to allow extraction to take place? How do OCS activities affect people
in terms of jobs and the economy?

**Multi-Year Proposals:**

Proposals should clearly define the work to be accomplished each year.
The MMS reserves the option to fund [only]{.underline} 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
deliverables, such as, Progress Reports and other required work
identified by the MMS project officer.

**III. Eligibility Information (Who May Submit a Proposal):**

Research projects funded by CMI are required to have at least one active
Louisiana State University principal investigator. Cooperative research
between LSU scientists, state agencies, and other universities is always
encouraged. Section VIII below identifies the LSU contact information
for these discussions. One-to-one matching of MMS funds is required.
Matching funds cannot include value associated with collection costs for
samples previously collected. Matching funds 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(s) proposed.

**IV. Application and Submission Information:**

1\. Location of Application Package

Louisiana State University proposals approved for FY 2008 must be
submitted through *http://www.grants.gov /Apply* in order to apply for
the funds.

The application will be submitted according to the format provided
below. Following this format ensures that every proposal contains all
essential information and is evaluated equitably.

2\. Content and Form of Applications

The application process begins by downloading the PureEdge Viewer at
http://www.grants.gov under the "Get Started" tab in the upper right
corner of the screen. The PureEdge Viewer will enable the applicant and
all interested parties to view and the following required application
forms:

Standard Form (SF)-424 Application for Federal Assistance

SF-424a Budget Information

SF-424b Assurances -- Non-Construction Programs

Project Narrative Form

Budget Narrative Form

Complete all the required SFs-424 above.

3\. Proposal Narrative

> The cover page of the proposal shall contain the following
> information:

Project Title:

Principal Investigator(s):

Name of the Recipient:

Address:

Phone Number:

FAX Number:

Email Address:

Name of university/department:

Contact information for Technical and Administrative Negotiations

Project Status: New/Continuation

Project Duration: (years)

Proposed Start Date: (to start not later than 1 October 2008)

Amount Requested:

Amount of Non-Federal Matching Funds:

Total Project Cost: (total of amount request and amount of non federal
matching funds)

Signature, Name and Contact Information of University Principal

Investigators:

Signature, Name and Contact Information of Institutional Representative

4\. Proposal Text

The text should be not longer than 15 pages for a one year proposal. The
text for multi-year proposals may be up to 25 pages. Please include the
following in the proposal narrative:

1.  Abstract

2.  Background/Relevance to Framework Issues, Information Needs, and
    Research Topics - Give a brief introduction to the research problem.
    State how the proposal addresses MMS goals. Explain why the work is
    important. Specify the contribution to science related to oil and
    gas development and the benefits that society will receive from the
    project. Proposals should describe why the research is important to
    Gulf offshore oil and gas development issues. Provide a brief
    summary of findings or outcomes of any ongoing work, or prior work
    you have completed in this area.

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

4.  Methods/Analyses - List all the references to which you refer in
    text and references from your current or 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 and Security Plan, when applicable.

6.  Logistics plan, when applicable.

7.  Safety management, when applicable.

8.  Permits/Interagency coordination, when applicable.

9.  Project management/Staffing plan \-- **Describe the performance
    measures 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 should be used by the recipient when creating the Progress
    Report. Describe the applicant's plan to monitor performance of
    contractors and sub-grantees. List the University Principal
    Investigator first, followed by the names of other individuals.
    Indicate the role for each participant in the project
    (oceanographer, geochemist, field assistant, etc.). Include a brief
    vita for each proposed person.

10. Letters of Commitment: by matching funds grantors, contractors, and
    sub-grantees.

11. Project Deliverables: Planned Products - List product(s) (reports,
    analyses, maps, digital data, etc.) that will be delivered at the
    end of the performance period. Quarterly, Annual, Draft, and final
    reports and draft and final technical summaries are required. Also
    publication of results in peer-review journals is encouraged.

12. Suggested Peer Reviewers

13. Timeline (including deliverables)

14. Critical starting dates (e.g. for season-limited field work)

5\. Budget Narrative

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

a.  [Salaries and Wages]{.underline}. List names, positions, and rate of
    compensation. If contract employees are hired (to include
    consultants), include their total time, rate of compensation, job
    titles, and roles.

b.  [Fringe benefits/labor overhead]{.underline}. 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.

c.  [Lab Analyses]{.underline}. Briefly itemize cost of all analytical
    work.

d.  [Supplies]{.underline}. 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.

e.  [Equipment]{.underline}. 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 be vested
    solely with the Recipient.

f.  [Services or consultants]{.underline}. Identify the tasks or
    problems for which such services would be used. List the
    contemplated sub-recipients by name (including consultants), the
    estimated amount of time required, and the quoted rate per day or
    hour.

g.  [Travel]{.underline}. State the purpose of the trip, anticipated
    date(s) 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.

h.  [Publication costs]{.underline}. 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.

i.  [Other direct costs]{.underline}. Itemize the different types of
    costs not included elsewhere; such as, shipping, computing,
    equipment-use charges, or other services.

j.  [Total Direct Charges]{.underline}. Totals for items a -- i above.

k.  [Indirect Charges (Overhead)]{.underline}. Indirect cost/general and
    administrative (G&A) cost. Show the proposed rate, cost base, and
    proposed amount for indirect costs based on the cost principles
    applicable to the Applicant\'s organization. If the Applicant has
    separate rates for recovery of labor overhead and G&A costs, each
    charge should be shown appropriately.

l.  [Amount proposed]{.underline}. Total items j and k.

m.  [Multi-year projects]{.underline}. The Applicant shall provide
    summary information as well as a detailed budget for each proposed
    year.

**V. Application Review Information**

Proposals will be reviewed by MMS scientists and project managers, and
may also include external peer reviewers. Reviewers have expertise in
the federal offshore oil and gas program and/or the specific scientific
discipline of the proposal.

**Evaluation Criteria**: All proposals will be evaluated in accordance
with the following criteria shown in descending order of importance:

1.  **Relevance to MMS Mission**

> Proposals should describe why the research is important to Gulf
> offshore oil and gas development issues.

2.  **Scientific quality and impact:**

Quality and clarity of hypotheses and relevance to CMI Framework Issues

**3. Work plan/Methodology:**

> Is the strategy clear and designed for success? Are the scientific
> objectives appropriate for proposed time frame? Are the geographic
> areas selected for study appropriate? Are the tools selected for
> research appropriate?

**4. Planned Products and Dissemination of Results:**

> Are the products/deliverables clearly defined? Will they be useful for
> environmental stewardship and oil and gas and marine mineral resource
> management activities? Will the results be published in a
> peer-reviewed form?

**5. 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?

**6. Experience/Competence of Research Personnel:**

> Have the applicants demonstrated (through bibliographic references,
> previous experience, awards, etc.) that they are capable of doing the
> proposed research? Have the applicants demonstrated a thorough
> knowledge of the scientific problem? For past or current CMI award
> recipients:

-   Was publication of project results and data in peer‑reviewed
    scientific or technical journals achieved in a timely manner?

-   Were reporting and deliverable requirements from previous and
    current CMI awards satisfied?

-   Was the work completed in a competent fashion?

**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.

Awards are based on the application submitted to, and as approved by the
MMS, are subject to the terms and conditions incorporated either
directly or by reference in the following:

Acceptance of a Federal Financial Assistance award from the Department
of the Interior (DOI) Minerals Management Service 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 MMS, 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 Federal Regulations/Regulatory Requirements, as applicable
    (Contact the Contracting Officer with any questions regarding the
    applicability of the following ):

[43 CFR 12(A) Administrative and Audit Requirements and Cost Principles
for Assistance
Programs](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div6&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.12.1&idno=43)

[43 CFR 12(E) Buy American Requirements for Assistance
Programs](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=50ff52492b15ab863ba3653823139c4e&rgn=div6&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.12.5&idno=43)

[43 CFR 12(C) Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Cooperative Agreements to State and
Local](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=50ff52492b15ab863ba3653823139c4e&rgn=div6&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.12.3&idno=43)

[43 CFR 12(F) Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Cooperative Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals,
other Non-Profit and Commercial
Organizations](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=50ff52492b15ab863ba3653823139c4e&rgn=div6&view=text&node=43:1.1.1.1.12.6&idno=43)

[43 CFR 43 Governmentwide Requirements for a Drug-Free
Workplace](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=50ff52492b15ab863ba3653823139c4e&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title43/43cfr43_main_02.tpl)

[43 CFR 42 Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement)](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=50ff52492b15ab863ba3653823139c4e&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title43/43cfr42_main_02.tpl)

[43 CFR 18 New Restrictions on
Lobbying](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=50ff52492b15ab863ba3653823139c4e&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title43/43cfr18_main_02.tpl)

**[Reporting]{.underline}**

The MMS 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 (Cash Advances Only)**

The recipient must submit the SF 272, Federal Cash Transaction Reports
and, when necessary, its continuation form if funds are withdrawn in
advance of expenditures. The MMS 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(A). These regulations specify basic cooperative agreement reporting
requirements including performance and financial reports. MMS 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(A). 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 quarterly through the
established CMI reporting process.

**3. Single Audit Requirements**

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

**4. Technical Reporting Requirements**

Quarterly reports, draft and Final Reports, and draft and Final
Technical Summaries are required as indicated in the cooperative
agreement award.

**VII. Agency Contacts**

[Grants.gov]{.underline}:

Technical questions concerning the application process:

Grants.gov Help Desk at:

Phone: 1-800-518-4726

Email: support@grants.gov

[Program Announcement and grant questions]{.underline}:

Olivia F. Adrian

Contracting Officer

Procurement Operations Branch (MS 2101)

381 Elden Street,

Herndon, Virginia 20170

Phone Number: (703) 787-1151

Email Address: <olivia.adrian@mms.gov>

[Program Office:]{.underline}

Deborah Epperson, PhD

Environmental Studies Coordinator

Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

1201 Elmwood Park Blvd.

New Orleans, LA 70123

Phone Number: (504) 736-3257

Email Address:
[deborah.epperson@mms.gov](mailto:Cleveland.Cowles@MMS.Gov)

James Cimato

CMI Program Coordinator

Minerals Management Service

Environmental Sciences Branch (MS 4041)

381 Elden Street,

Herndon, VA 20170

Phone Number: 703-787-1721

Email Address: <james.cimato@mms.gov>

**VIII. Other Information**

[Dissemination of Research Results:]{.underline} The MMS considers
dissemination of research data and results to be an integral and crucial
aspect of projects funded by this program. 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 MMS 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 will be the MMS Information
Transfer Meeting held in New Orleans, LA and the other subject to
post-award guidance.

All projects should plan to provide MMS with no less than 20-30 digital
images related to the research activity.

Contact information for collaboration with the Louisiana State
University Coastal Marine Institute:

**CMI Director**\
Larry Rouse, PhD

Phone Number: (225) 578-2953

Fax Number: (225) 578-6307\
Email Address: <lrouse@lsu.edu>

**Mailing Address**

Coastal Marine Institute

1002X Energy, Coast and Environment Building

Louisiana State University

Baton Rouge, LA 70803

**\--End of Program Announcement MMS08HQPA0005\--**

##