## United States Geological Survey

### National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program

#### External Research Program

# Proposals for Grants -- Fiscal Year 2005

# Program Announcement 05HQPA0001

# Closing Date: May 6, 2004

## TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Changes in the Announcement for FY2005 2

I. Application Closing Date 3

II\. Application Delivery Instructions 3

III\. Funds 3

IV\. Application Requirements 4

V. Research Emphasis and Priorities 4

VI\. Collaborative Proposals 4

VII\. Multi-year Project Periods 5

VIII\. Renewals 5

IX\. Out-of-Cycle Awards 5

X. Unsuitable Proposals 6

XI\. Projects Previously Supported by the USGS/NEHRP 6

XII\. Application Preparation Instructions 6

XIII\. Evaluation of Applications 9

XIV\. Rejection of Applications After Initial Review 10

XV\. Involvement of Federal Employees 10

XVI\. Award Terms and Conditions 10

XVII\. Paperwork Reduction Act
Statement..........................................................................11

Attachment A - Research Emphasis and Priorities 12

Attachment B - Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424 19

Attachment C - Certifications for Federal Assistance 21

Attachment D - Assurances SF 424B 23

Attachment E - Budget Summary 25

Attachment F - NEHRP Proposal Information Summary 26

Attachment G - Key Words for USGS/NEHRP Proposals 27

Attachment H - Applications Checklist 28

# Changes in the External Research Program Announcement for FY2005

#### Section III. Funds and Start Dates

-   The earliest starting date that can be requested for new grants is
    **December 1, 2004**. Because delays in the Department of Interior
    and USGS budgets appear to be an annual occurrence, it is no longer
    possible for our Contracts Office to guarantee processing awards
    with November start dates. (Exception for continued funding of
    FY2004 grants that had a November 1 start date, so that no gap in
    funding occurs.)

Section V. Research Priorities for Fiscal Year 2005 (Attachment A)

-   Formerly, proposals for the maintenance and operation of long-term
    geodetic monitoring studies, e.g., borehole strain meters or creep
    meters, were submitted to the appropriate regional panel and
    reviewed there. For FY2004 we issued a separate solicitation and
    convened a separate geodetic panel to review these types of
    proposals. Therefore, these types of proposals **should not** be
    submitted in response to this solicitation. Successful geodetic
    proposals were funded with three-year cooperative agreements like
    the regional seismic networks. If you have any questions about what
    constitutes long-term geodetic monitoring, contact the Program
    Manager. **Attachment A has been extensively revised; please read
    all of Attachment A carefully.**

-   **NOTE: All proposed work should indicate how the expected results
    can be applied to reducing losses from earthquakes in the US. This
    application of the proposed research should be clearly stated in a
    separate paragraph of the proposal, and this statement is a
    [necessary condition]{.underline} for consideration of any
    proposal.**

Section VI. **Collaborative Proposals.** Please note the conditions for
Collaborative Proposals.

-   Please read the instruction concerning what constitutes a
    collaborative proposal.

-   Each collaborator must submit a complete proposal.

Section XI. Application Instructions.

-   Lists of previously supported projects are located on the External
    Research Program Web Page
    ([http://erp-web.er.usgs.gov](http://erp-web.er.usgs.gov/)). See
    Section XI for information.

#### Section XVII. Award Terms And Conditions

-   Please note that all reports are now required in hard copy and in
    digital form including all figures, photographs and maps in their
    original digital format.

-   Please note the new section dealing with expectation that the
    results of the funded research will published in a peer-reviewed
    form and that all data products will be made readily available.

##### ANNOUNCEMENT 05HQPA0001

**I. Application Submission Opening date: April 2, 2004**

###### Application Submission Closing date: 4:15p.m., local time, [May 6, 2004]{.underline} 

**II. Application Delivery Instructions**

A. [Applications delivered by mail]{.underline}.

> 1\. The applicant must use the following address:

U.S. Geological Survey

Office of Acquisition and Grants -- MS 205G, Room 6A331

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Reston, VA 20192

> **Note:** 20192 is the correct zip code for the USGS. Do not allow
> express mail companies to change the zip code.
>
> 2\. Applications will be accepted by the Office of Acquisition and
> Grants at the address specified on this page from April 2, 2004, to
> 4:15pm local time on May 6, 2004. Applications not received by 4:15pm
> local time on May 6, 2004, at the specified address on this page, will
> be late and the application will be returned to the applicant. It is
> the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that applications are
> received at the place and by the time specified.

**Note: If the applicant can show with written documentation that
delivery of his proposal was delayed due to mishandling by the delivery
firm, courier service, or slower than anticipated mail delivery, late
receipt of the application may be considered. But, it is in the
applicant's best interest to not depend on last minute mailings to meet
the closing date.**

> B. [Applications delivered by hand]{.underline}.
>
> 1\. An application that is hand delivered shall be taken to the USGS,
> Office of Acquisition and Grants -- MS 205G, Room 6A331, 12201 Sunrise
> Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192.
>
> 2\. The Office of Acquisition and Grants will accept hand delivered
> applications between 7:45a.m. and 4:15 p.m. daily, from April 2, 2004,
> to the closing time of 4:15pm local time, on May 6, 2004, except
> Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.
>
> 3\. An application that is hand delivered will not be accepted by the
> Office of Acquisition Grants after 4:15 p.m. on the closing date.

III. Funds and Start Dates

> A. Approximately \$6.0 million will be available for support of grants
> in fiscal year FY2005. Of this total amount, approximately \$0.2
> million is already set aside for the second year of funding for
> two-year grants awarded in FY2004. We estimate that the remaining
> \$5.8 million available will be able to fund 90 to 100 new grants.
> This estimate does not bind the USGS to a specified number of awards
> or to the amount of any award unless that amount is specified by
> statute or regulation. Congress has not yet appropriated FY2005 funds
> for this program. All projects must propose start dates between
> December 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005.
>
> **IV. Application Requirements**
>
> A. The majority, greater than 50 percent, of research activities must
> be conducted by the Applicant. The Applicant must retain
> administrative and technical control of project activities.
>
> B. Applications submitted by foreign organizations must be submitted
> in English and in U.S. dollars. Awards involving foreign governments
> may require additional coordination and approval by the U.S.
> Department of State.
>
> C. The Metric Conversion Act of 1975, as amended by the Omnibus Trade
> and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-418), states a policy
> preference for the use of the metric system of measurements, except
> where the use of the system is impractical or likely to cause
> significant ineffectiveness in the accomplishment of Federally-funded
> activities. Accordingly, it is the National policy to encourage
> Recipients of Federally-funded grants and cooperative agreements to
> use the metric system of measurements in their grant related
> activities. Recipients and sub-recipients of Federal funds are
> encouraged to take similar appropriate affirmative actions to use the
> metric system of measurements.
>
> D. Proposals for geologic investigations shall be clearly oriented
> toward earthquake hazard assessment. The program Research Emphasis and
> Priorities are described in Attachment A.
>
> E. Proposals to fund research in foreign countries will be considered
> when the research will provide knowledge or new techniques
> transferable to a U.S. seismogenic zone.
>
> F. Proposals for foreign research must be based on cooperation with
> scientific groups in the host countries, with host country personnel
> being used for operational functions, and host countries providing
> financial support for such personnel. Proposals for cooperative
> efforts with agencies of foreign governments may be subject to
> additional approvals within the U.S. Government.

**V. Research Emphasis and Priorities:** See Attachment A.

**VI. Collaborative Proposals**.

Two types of collaborative proposals are acceptable: Collaboration
between two or more external organizations that are seeking funding from
the USGS/NEHRP External Research Program, and collaboration between an
external organization seeking funding from the USGS/NEHRP External
Research Program and a USGS/NEHRP internal project.

It is important to differentiate between proposals which simply support
USGS internal research goals and objectives and those which are true
collaborative efforts. Collaborative research between a USGS internal
project and external investigator(s) is structured such that neither
project could succeed without the other being funded. Many external
research projects either directly or indirectly support or cooperate
with ongoing internal USGS projects. These projects are not necessarily
considered collaborative projects because their research objectives can
be pursued with or without the existence of the internal USGS research.

External collaborative proposals are defined as work proposed by two
separate institutions or organizations in which the individual
organizations will accept responsibility for specific parts of the work
proposed. Each PI and his/her institution will receive a separate grant
and must accept financial responsibility for administering the grant.
Collaborative proposals are not instances where persons from a second
organization are hired as consultants or other contractual agreements to
conduct work on behalf of the grantee.

Collaborative proposals between an external organization and a
USGS/NEHRP project may be funded as a cooperative agreement or as a
grant depending upon the extent and type involvement of the USGS in the
work. USGS personnel are prohibited from helping an external
organization prepare its proposal for competitive funding.

Collaborative proposals and their preparation are one of the least
understood aspects of the USGS/NEHRP. Questions about technical portions
of a collaborative proposal should be directed to:

Dr. John D. Unger

\(703\) 648-6722 (Voice)

\(703\) 648-6642 (FAX)

<junger@usgs.gov>

> A. A separate proposal must be submitted from each external
> organization involved in collaborative studies. Major sections of each
> proposal can be identical but each proposal must clearly define which
> tasks will be performed by which organization, **and each institution
> must submit a separate budget, which clearly reflects their tasks and
> responsibilities**.
>
> B. Collaborative proposals must be clearly identified in the proposal
> title. The application title shall read "**Proposal Title:
> Collaborative Research with First Institution name, and Second
> Institution name."**
>
> C. USGS/NEHRP External Research reserves the right to fund either part
> or all of the Applicants involved in a collaborative study.

D.  In the case of collaborative proposals involving external
    organizations and USGS scientists, two separate proposals must be
    prepared. The USGS project chief must include the part of the
    proposed work being done by the USGS in his proposal for FY2005,
    either as a task or sub-task within the proposal; the USGS proposal
    much clearly delineate the nature of he collaborative work being
    done with the external institution. The external proposal must also
    describe the degree of collaboration and must a letter of support
    from the internal USGS collaborator(s), attached to the external
    proposal.

**VII. Multi-year Proposals**

In certain situations, the USGS considers the support of a longer‑term
effort to be in the best interest of the Government. During the past few
years we have encouraged submittal of two-year proposals. However, it
has become apparent that many investigators assumed that two-year
proposals are preferable to one-year proposals. If the proposed work is
such that two years are required to complete the research, then a
two-year proposal is appropriate and applicants are strongly encouraged
to write their proposals accordingly. However, work that can be
completed in one year should be proposed as a one-year project.
Applicants should consider their time commitments at the time of
application for a grant and request the required time and funding to
accomplish the project goals. Our Review Panels frequently recommend
funding only the first year of two-year proposals when the proposed
research is easily divided into two, one-year projects or when they feel
that results from the first year's proposed work need to be shown before
a second year of research is warranted.

The second year funding of a two-year grant is contingent upon the
availability of funds and satisfactory progress by the Recipient.
Progress will be determined through technical review of a Progress
Report by the Coordinator for External Research or his or her agent. The
progress report shall be submitted by the Recipient, in accordance with
grant award Special Terms and Conditions (see paragraph XVI), 60 days
prior to the end of the first year of funding. Additional funding beyond
the two years will be available on reapplication with a full proposal
submitted for peer review. EXAMPLE: A proposal funded for two years
beginning in the FY2003 cycle would be eligible for an additional
funding in the FY2005 cycle on submission of a complete continuation
proposal for peer review. Renewal of proposals funded for two years in
FY2003 will be subject to all the requirements stated in the
Announcement for FY2005.

##### VIII. Renewals

Certain, ongoing projects may be "renewed" by submitting a renewal
proposal for competitive evaluation. Renewal proposals are reviewed for
funding by the peer review panels along with new proposals; they are not
given special consideration by the peer review panels. The following
criteria apply:

> A. Projects must have the same title and continue the same line of
> research supported in the previous year(s).
>
> B. The same Principal Investigator continues on the project.
>
> C. The proposal is submitted by the same Recipient.

**IX**. **Out‑of‑Cycle Awards**

> A. Research proposals may be accepted and approved out‑of‑cycle (after
> the closing date) in cases where there is compelling circumstance or
> emergency (*e.g.*, seismic event), which must be acted on before the
> next competitive review cycle. In such an event, the USGS will solicit
> applications.
>
> B. Congressionally mandated, directed awards to support activities
> that evaluate Earthquake Hazards and Losses.

**X. Unsuitable Proposals**

The following proposals are ineligible for consideration under this
Announcement:

A.  Proposals for regional seismic monitoring or establishing Data
    Centers.

B.  Proposals for long-term operation of geodetic networks or
    instruments.

> C. Proposals from U.S. Government agencies or U.S. Government
> employees.
>
> D. Proposals from Federally Funded Research and Development Centers
> (FFRDC).
>
> E. Proposals in which there is a real or the appearance of a conflict
> of interest.
>
> F. Proposals involving the direct procurement of a product or service.
>
> G. Proposals having subcontracts for 50 percent or greater of total
> direct costs.

**XI. Projects Previously Supported by the USGS/NEHRP**

Lists of currently supported projects may be obtained from the External
Research Program Internet site at
[**http://erp-web.er.usgs.gov**](http://erp-web.er.usgs.gov/)

**XII. Application Preparation Instructions**

Applicants shall submit one single-sided binder-clipped, signed original
and one single-sided binder-clipped copy plus **10 stapled**
(**double-sided**) copies of the application. Also submit, in addition
to the application, seven stapled sets of the NEHRP Proposal Information
Summary, Abstract, and Budget Summary (see XII.C., E. and F.) **The
application must not exceed 25 single-spaced pages** (including figures,
tables, references, appendices, curriculum vitae, etc.), and the type
size shall not be smaller than 12 pitch/11 point type. All text,
figures, and tables shall be on 8.5-inch by 11-inch pages. The
Assurances, Certifications, and the indirect cost rate agreement shall
be submitted with the original only and do not count against the 25-page
total; color figures can be single-sided and count as one page. All
pages of the application shall be numbered. Do not submit copies of
published papers with the application. The application shall be
assembled, **precisely**, in the following order:

A. Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form (SF) 424.

1.  Use the SF 424 (Attachment B) as the cover sheet for all
    applications. The SF 424 must be signed by an authorized
    representative of the institution or company. SF 424 should only be
    filled out by the office of the authorized representative signing
    the SF 424.

2.  The address provided in block 5 is the address that the USGS will
    issue potential awards to and correspond with. In most cases, this
    address should be the address for the authorized representative
    signing the SF 424 in block 18d.

3.  In block 6, after completing the employer identification number,
    include the Dun and Bradstreet DUNS number, for the address
    specified in block 5. A new DUNS number can be obtained by calling
    Dun and Bradstreet at 1-800-333-0505. **The DUNS number must
    correspond to the address provided in block 5.**

4.  Enter the two-letter panel designation in the upper right hand block
    labeled "Applicant Identifier" to the left of the dash in the block.

> B. [Assurances and Certifications]{.underline}. The authorized
> certifying official of the applicant shall certify Attachments C and
> D. **Include these forms with the original application only.**
>
> C. [Proposal Information Summary]{.underline}. This summary is
> mandatory in all proposals and shall follow the same format as shown
> in Attachment F.

D. [Table of contents]{.underline}.

> E. [Abstract]{.underline}. The abstract shall be no longer than one,
> single-spaced page. It shall include identification of the problem, a
> summary of the approach, project objectives, anticipated results, and
> the implications of the project results.
>
> F. [Proposed budget]{.underline}. The proposed budget shall be
> presented in two parts, a one-page summary (with the format in
> Attachment E) followed by a detailed budget keyed to the summary
> sheet. **Place the budget summary, followed by the detailed budget,
> after the abstract.** Non-federal funds available to support the
> project may be reflected in the detailed budget or the SF 424 (line
> 15.b.-c.), as appropriate. The detailed budget must include the amount
> proposed for each of the following items in this order:
>
> 1\. [Salaries and wages]{.underline}. Identify individuals or
> categories of salaries and wages, estimated hours or percent of time,
> and the rate of compensation proposed for each person or category.
> Include an explanation of the amounts included for projected increases
> if the rate of pay shown is higher than the current rate of pay.
> Identify each person with a task in the project. Tuition remission and
> other forms of compensation paid as, or in lieu of, wages to students
> performing necessary work are allowable; provided that, the tuition or
> other payments are reasonable compensation for the work performed and
> are conditioned explicitly upon the performance of the work.
>
> 2\. [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. Indicate whether rates are used for proposal
> purposes only or whether they are also fixed or provisional rates for
> billing purposes.
>
> 3\. [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 must be purchased from the applicant's
> operating funds. Title to non-expendable personal property shall be
> vested solely with the Recipient. **Under no circumstances shall
> property title be vested in a sub-tier recipient.**
>
> 4\. [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. If fabrication of
> equipment is proposed, list parts and materials required for each and
> show costs separately from the other items.
>
> 5\. [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. If known, state
> whether the consultant's rate is the same as she/he has received for
> similar services or under Government contracts or assistance awards.

6.  [Radiocarbon Age Dating]{.underline}. Include number of samples and
    cost per sample.

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

> 8\. [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. If not
> included under direct labor or other direct costs, the cost of
> manuscript typing shall be included.
>
> 9\. [Other direct costs]{.underline}. Itemize the different types of
> costs not included elsewhere; such as, shipping, telemetry, computing,
> equipment‑use charges, age dating, or other services. Provide
> breakdowns showing how the cost was estimated; for example, computer
> time should show the type of computer, estimated time of use, and the
> established rates.

10\. [Total direct costs]{.underline}. Total items 1 through 8.

> 11\. [Indirect cost/general and administrative (G&A)
> cost]{.underline}. Show the proposed rate, cost base, and proposed
> amount for allowable 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. Explain the distinction between items included
> in the two cost pools. The Applicant should propose rates for
> evaluation purposes which they are also willing to establish as fixed
> or ceiling rates in any resulting award. A copy of the indirect
> negotiated cost agreement with the Federal Government must be
> included. If one is not established, a letter from a Certified Public
> Accountant must be included to support the cost.
>
> 12\. [Amount proposed]{.underline}. Total items 10 and 11.
>
> 13\. [Total project cost]{.underline}. Total Federal and non‑Federal
> amounts, if any.

14. [Multi-year projects.]{.underline} The Applicant shall provide
    summary information (see Attachment E) as well as a detailed budget
    for the second year. The SF 424, however, shall reflect support for
    the one year only.

G. [Proposal Body:]{.underline} The proposal body shall consist of the
following parts:

> 1\. [Significance of the project]{.underline}. Discuss the specific
> problem addressed and its importance. Include a discussion of the
> significant contribution the project will make to the NEHRP. **All
> proposed work should indicate how the expected results can be applied
> to reducing losses from earthquakes in the U.S. This application of
> the proposed research should be clearly stated in a separate paragraph
> of the proposal, and this statement is a necessary condition for
> consideration of any proposal.**
>
> 2\. [Project plan]{.underline}. Discuss the specific hypotheses or
> research questions, the conceptual framework or model to be used, as
> well as the data collection and analysis plans, and continuing
> efforts. Plans should also include procedures to be used to insure
> objectivity and balance in the project.
>
> 3\. [Final report and dissemination]{.underline}. The U.S. Geological
> Survey considers dissemination of research data and results to
> potential users of those results to be an integral and crucial aspect
> of projects funded by this program. Beyond the requirements for a
> final report, describe your plan for dissemination of project data and
> results and the planned users of those results that will result in the
> greatest possible benefit to earthquake hazards reduction. Describe in
> detail your plans for dissemination of the project results and
> indicate the customers to whom the project is directed.
>
> 4\. [Related efforts]{.underline}. Describe significant, related
> studies conducted by members of the research team and discuss any
> planned coordination with other workers in the field.
>
> 5\. [Project personnel and bibliography of directly related
> work]{.underline}. Provide one-page curriculum vitae for the
> professional staff, summarizing education, experience, and last five
> years bibliographic information related to the proposed work.
> Curriculum vitae for post-doctoral researchers, who contribute
> significantly to the project, must also be included.
>
> 6\. [Institutional qualifications]{.underline}. State the resources
> available at, and the relevant experience of, the institution.
> Resources include personnel, computer and library facilities, and ties
> to both sources of data and potential users of the results.
>
> 7\. [Project management plan]{.underline}. Include the time and cost
> schedule for the proposed work and the time allocations and
> responsibilities for the project staff members. It should also
> schedule progress reports.
>
> 8\. [Current support and pending applications]{.underline}. List all
> sources of support (in addition to the proposed effort) to which the
> senior research members have committed a portion of their time for the
> period covered by the proposal. The information should account for 100
> percent of the work time of each investigator and include titles,
> annual budget levels, period of the awards, and the person-months
> committed in each case. This section must also list research being
> considered by, or that will be submitted to, other possible sponsors.
> This information will not affect the evaluation of the proposal;
> however, proposals submitted for funding to the Southern California
> Earthquake Center cannot be submitted to the USGS NEHRP External
> Research for funding.
>
> 9\. [Continuation projects]{.underline}. List the total amount of
> funding per year for which support was provided by the USGS, as well
> as the duration of each increment (including no‑cost extensions), and
> the total number of person months committed by each Principal
> Investigator each year.

**XIII. Evaluation of Applications**

A. Proposals pertinent to one of the six NEHRP external program research
areas will be evaluated by multi-disciplinary peer review panels. The
panelists read all the proposals assigned to their panel prior to their
meeting and at the panel meeting discuss each proposal according to the
evaluation criteria. The panel members are scientists and engineers
drawn from Federal, State, local, and regional agencies; universities;
non-profit organizations; and private industry. The panels will evaluate
the technical merit of the proposals especially in the context of
development of an integrated program of investigations for that region
with attention to the program emphasis (see Attachment A). The peer
review panel's decisions on ranking of proposals is final within each
panel. The panels include five regional panels (including international
proposals) and a panel for earthquake physics and earthquake effects.
Applicants shall indicate on their proposal cover sheet (SF 424)
(Attachment B) which panel is most appropriate for their proposal. The
panel designation shall be entered in the upper right hand block labeled
"Applicant Identifier". The USGS will revise panel assignments as
necessary.

The panels and their designations are as follows:

**Designation Panel Name**

SC Southern California Region

NC Northern California Region

PN Pacific Northwest Region

> CE Central/Eastern United States Region

NIW National / Intermountain West

EP Earthquake Physics and Effects

> **Note:** Do not submit the same or a similar proposal to more than
> one panel.

B. All proposals are considered in accordance with the criteria set
forth below:

> 1\. [Relevance and timeliness]{.underline}. This factor considers the
> relevance and timeliness of the proposed research activities as they
> relate to the USGS NEHRP program goals, including regional emphasis
> where appropriate (see Attachment A).
>
> 2\. [Technical quality of the proposal]{.underline}. This factor
> considers the scientific merit of the proposed approach and the
> probability of achieving positive results within the designated
> period.
>
> 3\. [Competence and Recent research performance of Principal
> Investigator(s) and research team.]{.underline} This factor considers
> experience and competence of the PI and coworkers; and promptness with
> which the research results were disseminated to the scientific
> community from previous funding. This factor includes performance
> records and capability to provide the necessary facilities and support
> that will insure satisfactory completion of the proposed work. The
> recent performance aspect is primarily concerned with the timely
> publication of project results and data in peer‑reviewed scientific or
> technical journals, the impact of the report, and whether reporting
> requirements from previous USGS awards have been satisfied.
>
> 4\. [Appropriateness and reasonableness of the budget]{.underline}.
> This factor considers whether the proposed budget is commensurate with
> the level of effort needed to accomplish the project objectives and
> whether the cost of the project is reasonable relative to the value of
> the anticipated results.
>
> C. The assembled panels make recommendations and provide advice by
> ranking proposals into priority groupings, funding levels, and the
> length of the project. Panels include USGS personnel; where necessary,
> to provide coordination with internal USGS/ NEHRP elements. The
> results of the review will assist the USGS in making final award
> determinations under this Announcement.

##### XIV. Rejection of Applications After Initial Review

If a proposal does not meet all requirements specified in the
Announcement, as determined by the Contracting Officer in consultation
with the Project Officer, the proposal will be promptly returned to the
applicant indicating the reason for its return.

**XV. Involvement of Federal Employees**

Federal employees including USGS employees are prohibited from serving
in any capacity (paid or unpaid) on any application submitted under this
Announcement. Proposals, which have a real or apparent conflict of
interest, will not be processed for evaluation. This does not prohibit
cooperation or collaboration between USGS and non-USGS scientists in
information exchange and data collection. (See paragraph VI.)

**XVI. Award Terms and Conditions**

Award Recipients must comply with grant award Special Terms and
Conditions and General Provisions. The FY2005 Special Terms and
Conditions and General Provisions may be obtained through the External
Research Program Internet site
([http://erp-web.er.usgs.gov](http://erp-web.er.usgs.gov/)).

A.  [No-cost Extensions to the Project Period]{.underline}: No-cost
    extensions are discouraged. The Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP)
    awards grants and cooperative agreements for research that extends
    or supplements the ongoing research within the Geological Survey.
    The timely conduct of funded projects is of great importance to the
    achievement of the goals of the EHP. Applicants should consider
    their time commitments at the time of applying for a grant. Requests
    for no-cost extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    Applicants should supply documentation supporting their request for
    an extension.

B.  [Supplementary Funds]{.underline}: Supplements to the amount awarded
    are also discouraged. The peer review panels recommend funding at a
    rate commensurate with their judgment of the scientific merit of a
    proposal and their expert knowledge of the expenses likely to be
    incurred in the conduct of the research. The EHP is aware that the
    course of any research cannot always be predicted. However the bulk
    of the funds available in this program are expended early in the
    fiscal year and little is retained for expenses beyond emergencies
    or special opportunities. Requests for supplementary funds will be
    considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants should supply
    documentation supporting their request for supplementary funding.

C.  [Dissemination of results]{.underline}: All award recipients shall
    complete their studies within the required time frame, their the
    results shall be published in a peer-reviewed form, and all data
    resulting from the research shall be released to the public domain
    in a timely fashion.

###### XVII. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

This information is being collected to determine the eligibility of the
applicant and as a basis for approval or disapproval of the proposed
research. The purpose of the program is to support research in
earthquake hazards and earthquake prediction to provide earth science
data and information essential to mitigate earthquake losses. Response
to this request is required to obtain and retain a grant, under the
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, Public Law 95-124.

Public report burden for this collection is estimated to average 32
hours per grant application and 40 hours to prepare an annual or final
technical report. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any
other aspect of this collection to: Bureau Clearance Officer, USGS, 807
National Center, Reston, VA 20192.

OMB No. 1028-0051 Expiration Date: January 31, 2007