The intent of this Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) is to build
enduring capabilities that will address challenges in the Gulf of
Mexico, specifically regionally significant challenges that can be more
effectively addressed though increased collaboration at state, local,
and federal levels. Ideally, each Gulf State would submit a proposal
that:

-   Demonstrates interstate collaboration and working partnerships;

-   Demonstrates shared funding strategies and/or distribution of
    funding to other partners;

-   Offers a vision for regional collaboration for one or more Alliance
    priority issues, and funds new, highly-collaborative initiatives
    that implement the Gulf of Mexico Alliance *Governors' Action Plan*;
    and

-   Provides dedicated resources to coordinate activities of the
    Priority Issue Teams and Working Groups (for example, funding for
    state coordinator positions and funding for state and local travel
    to Gulf of Mexico Alliance Priority Issue Team and Working Group
    meetings).

FAQs for FFO

1.  **Can a Gulf of Mexico Priority Issue Team apply for a grant?**

> A state, NGO, or University would have to be the lead recipient and
> distribute the funds accordingly. The proposal should clearly state
> how the funding will be allocated by the accountable party.

2.  **Can a federal agency apply for a grant?** No, only states, tribal
    governments, NGOs, or universities can submit a proposal. However,
    Federal Agencies may be written into cooperative agreement proposals
    as a collaborating party. Federal agencies are not allowed to
    receive funds under this announcement but may serve as collaborative
    project partners and may contribute services in kind. Examples of
    federal involvement include federal co-leadership of the Alliance,
    federal leadership on the priority task teams, and staff support to
    the Alliance Management Team.

3.  **By what criteria will the Letters of Intent be evaluated?**
    Reviewers will be asked to assess how the proposed project enhances
    regional collaboration and implements action items included in the
    GOMA Governor's Action Plan. Other evaluation criteria include
    whether the approach is technically sound, and whether there are
    clear project goals and objectives. The specific evaluation criteria
    that merit reviewers will use is stated in the grant announcement,
    Section V Application Review Information, pages 15-16.

4.  **Is it possible for the Coastal Services Center to approve more
    than 7 proposals?**

> While it is possible for more than 7 proposals to be approved, the
> intent of the opportunity is to advance a regional approach achieved
> by eligible applicants within the region forming partnerships to
> develop project proposals.

5.  **Will the coordinator be limited to working within a state or can
    their efforts extend to teams and workgroups throughout the
    region?**

> A coordinator's ability to promote regional participation and
> collaboration in GOMA activities would support the goals and
> objectives of the Action Plan.

6.  **Is it possible for more than one proposal to be approved per
    state?**

> While it is possible for more than one proposal to be approved per
> state, the intent of the opportunity is to advance a regional approach
> by fostering partnerships within each state and coordinate on one
> proposal.

7.  **Are applicants to submit LOIs through Grants.gov?**\
    No, Letters of Intent (LOI) are to be submitted to:
    <GOMA.fy2008@noaa.gov> by 4:00 p.m. ET on January 10, 2008.  This
    guidance is included in the announcement in Section IV., Subsection
    F.

8.  **Is it appropriate for state agencies to include other entities
    such as the Northern Gulf Institute, the Gulf of Mexico Foundation,
    or the Nature Conservancy in the development of a proposal?** State
    agencies are highly encouraged to partner with each other and with
    non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, or
    regional or watershed authorities to develop proposals that
    demonstrate a high level of in-state and regional collaboration
    designed to make significant progress towards implementing Action
    Blueprint Steps identified in the Governor's Action Plan.

9.  **Is funding for projects limited to one year (FY 08)?** Funding may
    be requested for one to three years, but in no case will the period
    of performance exceed three years from the date of the annual award.
    So, for funds awarded in 2008 projects would be due by 2011 at the
    latest. Approved multi-year proposals will not re-compete for
    funding in years 2 and 3. Subsequent funding (FY 09 and FY 10) is
    contingent upon availability of appropriations by Congress,
    satisfactory performance, and is at the sole discretion of the
    agency.

10. **What is the expected performance period for each award?** Projects
    funded in 2008 will have a performance period of one to three years.
    It is likely that subsequent awards for years 2 and 3 will also have
    a performance period of one to three years each.

11. **Are stand-alone research or management projects specific to an
    issue or limited geography (e.g. an estuary) likely to be
    supported?** While the proposals must focus on the objectives and
    action items included in the Plan, those that describe a highly
    coordinated approach with other in-state players, state-to-state
    partnerships within the 6 priority teams, and those that address
    regional scale problems or have the ability to be easily exported
    from one location to other areas in the Gulf of Mexico could be
    considered to demonstrate a comprehensive approach to contributing
    to the beneficial outcomes associated with the Plan.