Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 247 / Monday, December 27, 2004 / Notices 77223

project assurance (MPA) renewals. All 

existing MPAs will remain in force until 

further notice. For information about 

FWAs, please see the OHRP Web site at 

http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/

humansubjects/assurance/fwas.htm.

In accordance with the DHHS change, 

NIST will continue to accept the 

submission of human subjects protocols 

that have been approved by Institutional 

Review Boards (IRBs) possessing a 

current, valid MPA from DHHS. NIST 

also will accept the submission of 

human subjects protocols that have been 

approved by IRBs possessing a current, 

valid FWA from DHHS. NIST will not 

issue a single project assurance (SPA) 

for any IRB reviewing any human 

subjects protocol proposed to NIST. 

On August 9, 2001, the President 

announced his decision to allow Federal 

funds to be used for research on existing 

human embryonic stem cell lines as 

long as prior to his announcement (1) 

the derivation process (which 

commences with the removal of the 

inner cell mass from the blastocyst) had 

already been initiated and (2) the 

embryo from which the stem cell line 

was derived no longer had the 

possibility of development as a human 

being. NIST will follow guidance issued 

by the National Institutes of Health at 

http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/

humansubjects/guidance/stemcell.pdf

for funding such research. 

Research Projects Involving Vertebrate 

Animals: Any proposal that includes 

research involving vertebrate animals 

must be in compliance with the 

National Research Council’s ‘‘Guide for 

the Care and Use of Laboratory 

Animals’’ which can be obtained from 

National Academy Press, 2101 

Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, 

DC 20055. In addition, such proposals 

must meet the requirements of the 

Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et 

seq.), 9 CFR parts 1, 2, and 3, and if 

appropriate, 21 CFR part 58. These 

regulations do not apply to proposed 

research using pre-existing images of 

animals or to research plans that do not 

include live animals that are being cared 

for, euthanized, or used by the project 

participants to accomplish research 

goals, teaching, or testing. These 

regulations also do not apply to 

obtaining animal materials from 

commercial processors of animal 

products or to animal cell lines or 

tissues from tissue banks. 

Limitation of Liability: In no event 

will the Department of Commerce be 

responsible for proposal preparation 

costs if these programs fail to receive 

funding or are cancelled because of 

other agency priorities. Publication of 

this announcement does not oblige the 

agency to award any specific project or 

to obligate any available funds. 

Executive Order 12866: This funding 

notice was determined to be not 

significant for purposes of Executive 

Order 12866. 

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): 

It has been determined that this notice 

does not contain policies with 

federalism implications as that term is 

defined in Executive Order 13132. 

Executive Order 12372: Applications 

under this program are not subject to 

Executive Order 12372, 

‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal 

Programs.’’

Administrative Procedure Act/

Regulatory Flexibility Act: Notice and 

comment are not required under the 

Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 

553) or any other law, for rules relating 

to public property, loans, grants, 

benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553 (a)). 

Because notice and comment are not 

required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any 

other law, for notices relating to public 

property, loans, grants, benefits or 

contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a Regulatory 

Flexibility Analysis is not required and 

has not been prepared for this notice, 5 

U.S.C. 601 et seq.

Dated: December 17, 2004. 

Hratch G. Semerjian, 

Acting Director, NIST.

[FR Doc. 04–28238 Filed 12–23–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology 

[Docket No.: 041213350–4350–01] 

Summer Undergraduate Research 

Fellowships (SURF) Gaithersburg and 

Boulder Programs; Availability of 

Funds

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards 

and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST) 

announces that the 2005 Summer 

Undergraduate Research Fellowships 

(SURF) Gaithersburg and Boulder 

programs are soliciting applications for 

financial assistance for FY 2005.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CFDA 

Name and Number: Measurement and 

Engineering Research and Standards—

11.609. 

Program Description: The SURF 

Gaithersburg program is soliciting 

applications in the areas of Electronics 

and Electrical Engineering, 

Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical 

Science and Technology, Physics, 

Materials Science and Engineering, 

Building and Fire Research, and 

Information Technology. 

The SURF Boulder program is 

soliciting applications in the areas of 

Electronics and Electrical Engineering, 

Chemical Science and Technology, 

Physics, Materials Science and 

Engineering, and Information 

Technology. 

Applications for the Gaithersburg and 

Boulder programs are separate. 

Application to one program does not 

constitute application to the other, and 

applications will not be exchanged 

between the Gaithersburg and Boulder 

programs. If applicants wish to be 

considered at both sites, two separate 

applications must be submitted. 

Both SURF programs will provide an 

opportunity for the NIST laboratories 

and the National Science Foundation 

(NSF) to join in a partnership to 

encourage outstanding undergraduate 

students to pursue careers in science 

and engineering. The programs will 

provide research opportunities for 

students to work with internationally 

known NIST scientists, to expose them 

to cutting-edge research and promote 

the pursuit of graduate degrees in 

science and engineering. 

The NIST SURF Gaithersburg and 

Boulder Program Directors will work 

with appropriate department chairs, 

outreach coordinators, and directors of 

multi-disciplinary academic 

organizations to identify outstanding 

undergraduates (including graduating 

seniors) who would benefit from offcampus summer research in a worldclass scientific environment. 

EEEL, MEL, CSTL, PL, MSEL, BFRL, 

and ITL SURF Gaithersburg Programs

DATES: All SURF Gaithersburg Program 

applications, paper and electronic, must 

be received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern 

Standard Time on February 15, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For all SURF Gaithersburg 

Programs, paper applications must be 

submitted to: Ms. Anita Sweigert, 

Administrative Coordinator, National 

Institute of Standards and Technology, 

100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8400, 

Gaithersburg, MD 20899–8400. Tel: 

(301) 975–4200, E-mail: 

anita.sweigert@nist.gov. Web site:

http://www.surf.nist.gov/surf2.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

complete information about this 

program and instructions for applying 

by paper or electronically, read the 

Federal Funding Opportunity Notice 

(FFO) at http://www.grants.gov. A paper 

copy of the FFO may be obtained by 

77224 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 247 / Monday, December 27, 2004 / Notices 

calling (301) 975–6328. The 

Gaithersburg and Boulder SURF 

programs will publish separate FFOs on 

http://www.grants.gov. Program 

questions should be addressed to Ms. 

Anita Sweigert, Administrative 

Coordinator, National Institute of 

Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau 

Drive, Stop 8400, Gaithersburg, MD 

20899–8400, Tel: (301) 975–4200, Email: anita.sweigert@nist.gov. The SURF 

Gaithersburg program Web site is: 

http://www.surf.nist.gov/surf2.htm. All 

grants related administration questions 

concerning this program should be 

directed to Joyce Brigham, NIST Grants 

and Agreements Management Division 

at (301) 975–6328 or 

joyce.brigham@nist.gov, or for 

assistance with using Grants.gov contact 

support@grants.gov.

Funding Availability 

Funds budgeted for payment to 

students under these programs are 

stipends, not salary. The SURF 

Gaithersburg Programs will not 

authorize funds for indirect costs or 

fringe benefits. The table below 

summarizes the anticipated annual 

funding levels from the NSF to operate 

our REU (Research Experience for 

Undergraduates) programs, subject to 

program renewals and availability of 

funds. In some programs, anticipated 

NIST co-funding will supplement the 

number of awards supported. Program 

funding will be available to provide for 

the costs of stipends ($333.33 per week 

per student), travel, and lodging (up to 

$2800 per student).

Program Anticipated 

NSF funding 

Anticipated 

NIST funding 

Total program 

funding 

Anticipated 

No. of awards 

EEEL ................................................................................................................ $73,000 $30,000 $103,000 ∼16

MEL .................................................................................................................. 82,000 24,000 106,000 ∼14

CSTL ................................................................................................................ 41,000 57,000 98,000 ∼15

PL ..................................................................................................................... 95,000 50,000 145,000 ∼23

MSEL ............................................................................................................... 80,000 0 80,000 ∼12

BFRL ................................................................................................................ 65,000 30,000 95,000 ∼14

ITL .................................................................................................................... 60,000 40,000 100,000 ∼17

The actual number of awards made 

under this announcement will depend 

on the proposed budgets and the 

availability of funding. For all SURF 

Gaithersburg Programs described in this 

notice, it is expected that individual 

awards to institutions will range from 

approximately $3,000 to $70,000. 

Funding for student housing will be 

included in cooperative agreements 

awarded as a result of this notice. 

The SURF Gaithersburg Programs are 

anticipated to run from May 23, 2005 

through August 12, 2005; adjustments 

may be made to accommodate specific 

academic schedules (e.g., a limited 

number of 9-week cooperative 

agreements). 

Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278g–l 

authorizes NIST to fund financial 

assistance awards to students at 

institutions of higher learning within 

the United States. These students must 

show promise as present or future 

contributors to the missions of NIST. 

Eligibility: NIST’s SURF Gaithersburg 

Programs are open to colleges and 

universities in the United States and its 

territories with degree granting 

programs in materials science, 

chemistry, engineering, computer 

science, mathematics, or physics. 

Participating students must be U.S. 

citizens or permanent U.S. residents. 

The SURF Gaithersburg Programs do not 

require any matching funds. 

Review and Selection Process: All 

SURF Gaithersburg Program proposals 

are submitted to the Administrative 

Coordinator. Each proposal is examined 

for completeness and responsiveness. 

Incomplete or non-responsive proposals 

will not be considered for funding, and 

the applicant will be notified in writing. 

The Program will retain one copy of 

each non-responsive application for 

three years for record keeping purposes. 

The remaining copies will be destroyed. 

Proposals should include the following: 

(A) Student Information: 

(1) Student application information 

cover sheet; 

(2) Academic transcript for each 

student nominated for participation (it 

is recommended that students have a 

G.P.A. of 3.0 or better, out of a possible 

4.0); 

(3) A statement of motivation and 

commitment from each student to 

participate in the 2005 SURF program, 

including a description of the student’s 

prioritized research interests; 

(4) A resume for each student; 

(5) Two letters of recommendation for 

each student; 

(6) Verification of U.S. citizenship or 

permanent legal resident status for each 

student; and 

(7) Verification of health coverage for 

each student. 

(B) Information About the Applicant 

Institution: 

(1) Description of the institution’s 

education and research programs; and 

(2) A summary list of the student(s) 

being nominated.

Institution proposals will be separated 

into student/institution packets. Each 

student/institution packet will be 

comprised of the required application 

forms, including a complete copy of the 

student information and a complete 

copy of the institution information. The 

student/institution packets will be 

directed to the SURF Gaithersburg 

Program designated by the student as 

his/her first choice. Each SURF 

Gaithersburg Program will have three 

independent, objective NIST employees, 

who are knowledgeable in the scientific 

areas of the program, conduct a 

technical review of each student/

institution packet based on the 

Evaluation Criteria for the SURF 

Gaithersburg Programs described in this 

notice. Each technical reviewer will 

recommend that each student/

institution packet be placed into one of 

three categories: Priority Funding; Fund 

if Possible; and Do Not Fund. Each 

student/institution packet will then be 

placed into one of the three categories 

by the Program’s Director, who will take 

into consideration the reviewers’

recommendations, the relevance of the 

student’s course of study to the program 

objectives of the NIST laboratory in 

which that SURF Gaithersburg Program 

resides as described in the Program 

Description section of this notice, the 

relevance of the student’s statement of 

commitment to the goals of the SURF 

Gaithersburg Program, and the 

availability of funding. 

Student/institution packets placed in 

the Priority Funding category will be 

selected for funding in that SURF 

Gaithersburg Program. Student/

institution packets placed in the Do Not 

Fund category will not be considered for 

funding. 

Student/institution packets placed in 

the Fund if Possible Category will be 

considered for funding by the SURF 

Gaithersburg Program designated by the 

student as his/her second choice. In 

making selections for funding, the 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 247 / Monday, December 27, 2004 / Notices 77225

Director of the student’s second choice 

SURF Gaithersburg Program will take 

into consideration the recommendations 

of the reviewers who conducted the 

technical reviews for the student’s first 

choice SURF Gaithersburg Program, the 

program objectives of the NIST 

laboratory in which the student’s 

second choice SURF Gaithersburg 

Program resides as described in the 

Program Description and Objectives 

section of this notice, the relevance of 

the student’s statement of commitment 

to the goals of the SURF Gaithersburg 

Program, and the availability of funding. 

Students not selected for funding by 

their first or second choice SURF 

Gaithersburg Program, and students 

who did not designate a second choice, 

will then be considered for funding 

from all SURF Gaithersburg Programs 

that still have slots available. In making 

selections for funding, the SURF 

Gaithersburg Program Directors will 

take into consideration the 

recommendations of the reviewers who 

conducted the technical reviews for the 

student’s first choice SURF Gaithersburg 

Program, the program objectives of the 

NIST laboratory in which their SURF 

Gaithersburg Program resides as 

described in the Program Description 

and Objectives section of this notice, the 

relevance to the goals of the SURF 

Gaithersburg Program, and the 

availability of funding. 

Student/institution packets placed in 

the Fund if Possible category, but not 

selected through the process described 

above, will not be funded.

The final approval of selected 

applications and award of cooperative 

agreements will be made by the NIST 

Grants Officer based on compliance 

with application requirements as 

published in this notice, compliance 

with applicable legal and regulatory 

requirements, compliance with Federal 

policies that best further the objectives 

of the Department of Commerce, and 

whether the recommended applicants 

appear to be responsible. Applicants 

may be asked to modify objectives, work 

plans, or budgets and provide 

supplemental information required by 

the agency prior to award. The decision 

of the Grants Officer is final. 

The SURF Gaithersburg Program will 

retain one copy of each unsuccessful 

application for three years for record 

keeping purposes, and unsuccessful 

applicants will be notified in writing. 

The remaining copies will be destroyed. 

Evaluation Criteria: For the SURF 

Gaithersburg Programs, the evaluation 

criteria are: 

(A) Evaluation of Student’s Academic 

Ability and Commitment to Program 

Goals: Includes evaluation of completed 

course work; expressed research 

interest; compatibility of the expressed 

research interest with SURF 

Gaithersburg Program research areas; 

research skills; grade point average in 

courses relevant to the SURF 

Gaithersburg Program; career goals; 

honors and activities. 

(B) Evaluation of Applicant 

Institution’s Commitment to Program 

Goals: Includes evaluation of the 

institution’s academic department(s) 

relevant to the discipline(s) of the 

student(s). Each of these factors is given 

equal weight in the evaluation process. 

SURF NIST Boulder Program

DATES: All SURF NIST Boulder Program 

applications, paper and electronic, must 

be received no later than 5 p.m. 

Mountain Standard Time on February 

15, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Paper applications for the 

SURF NIST Boulder Program must be 

submitted to: Ms. Phyllis Wright, 

Administrative Coordinator, National 

Institute of Standards and Technology, 

325 Broadway, Mail Stop 104, Boulder, 

CO 80305–3328.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

complete information about this 

program and instructions for applying 

by paper or electronically, read the 

Federal Funding Opportunity Notice 

(FFO) at http://www.grants.gov. A paper 

copy of the FFO may be obtained by 

calling (301) 975–6328. The 

Gaithersburg and Boulder SURF 

programs will publish separate FFOs on 

www.grants.gov. Program questions 

should be addressed to Ms. Phyllis 

Wright, Administrative Coordinator, 

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology, 325 Broadway, Mail Stop 

104, Boulder, CO 80305–3328, Tel: (303) 

497–3244, E-mail: 

pkwright@boulder.nist.gov, Web site: 

http://surf.boulder.nist.gov/. All grants 

related administration questions 

concerning this program should be 

directed to Joyce Brigham, NIST Grants 

and Agreements Management Division 

at (301) 975–6328 or 

joyce.brigham@nist.gov, or for 

assistance with using Grants.gov contact 

support@grants.gov.

Additional Information 

Funding Availability 

Funds budgeted for payment to 

students under these programs are 

stipends, not salary. The SURF NIST 

Boulder Program will not authorize 

funds for indirect costs or fringe 

benefits. The table below summarizes 

the anticipated annual funding levels 

from the NSF to operate the SURF NIST 

Boulder program, broken out by 

Laboratory, subject to program approval 

and availability of funds. In some 

Laboratories, anticipated NIST cofunding will supplement the number of 

awards supported. Program funding will 

be available to provide for the costs of 

stipends ($4000 per student for 12 

weeks), travel, and lodging 

(approximately $1800 per student for 12 

weeks).

Laboratory Anticipated 

NSF funding 

Anticipated 

NIST funding 

Total program 

funding 

Anticipated 

number of 

awards 

EEEL ................................................................................................................ $58,400 $5600 $64,000 8 

PL ..................................................................................................................... 36,500 3500 40,000 5 

CSTL ................................................................................................................ 21,900 2100 24,000 3 

MSEL ............................................................................................................... 14,600 1400 16,000 2 

ITL .................................................................................................................... 14,600 1400 16,000 2 

The actual number of awards made 

under this announcement will depend 

on the proposed budgets and the 

availability of funding. For the SURF 

NIST Boulder Program described in this 

notice, it is expected that individual 

awards to institutions will range from 

approximately $4,000 to $70,000. 

Funding for student housing will be 

included in cooperative agreements 

awarded as a result of this notice. 

The SURF NIST Boulder Program is 

anticipated to run from May 23, 2005 

through August 12, 2005; adjustments 

may be made to accommodate specific 

academic schedules (e.g., a limited 

number of 12 week cooperative 

agreements shifted to begin 3 weeks 

after the regular start in order to 

accommodate institutions operating on 

quarter systems). 

77226 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 247 / Monday, December 27, 2004 / Notices 

Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 278g–1. 

Eligibility: The SURF NIST Boulder 

Program is open to colleges and 

universities in the United States and its 

territories with degree granting 

programs in materials science, 

chemistry, engineering, computer 

science, mathematics, or physics. 

Participating students must be U.S. 

citizens or permanent U.S. residents. 

The SURF NIST Boulder Programs do 

not require any matching funds. 

Review and Selection Process: All 

SURF NIST Boulder Program proposals 

are submitted to the Administrative 

Coordinator. Each proposal is examined 

for completeness and responsiveness. 

Incomplete or non-responsive proposals 

will not be considered for funding, and 

the applicant will be so notified. The 

Program will retain one copy of each 

non-responsive application for three 

years for record keeping purposes. The 

remaining copies will be destroyed. 

Proposals should include the following: 

(A) Student Information: 

(1) Student application information 

cover sheet; 

(2) Academic transcript for each 

student nominated for participation (it 

is recommended that students have a 

G.P.A. of 3.0 or better, out of a possible 

4.0); 

(3) A statement of motivation and 

commitment from each student to 

participate in the SURF NIST Boulder 

program, including a description of the 

student’s prioritized research interests; 

(4) A resume for each student; 

(5) Two letters of recommendation for 

each student; 

(6) Verification of U.S. citizenship or 

permanent legal resident status for each 

student; and 

(7) Verification of health insurance 

coverage for each student. 

(B) Information About the Applicant 

Institution: 

(1) Description of the institution’s 

education and research programs; and 

(2) A summary list of the student(s) 

being nominated.

Institution proposals will be separated 

into student/institution packets. Each 

student/institution packet will be 

comprised of the required application 

forms, including a complete copy of the 

student information and a complete 

copy of the institution information. The 

student/institution packets will be 

directed to a review committee of NIST 

staff appointed by the SURF NIST 

Boulder Program Directors. Each SURF 

Program packet will be reviewed by 

three independent, objective NIST 

employees, who are knowledgeable in 

the scientific areas of the program and 

are able to conduct a technical review 

of each student/institution packet based 

on the Evaluation Criteria for the SURF 

NIST Boulder Program described in this 

notice. Each technical reviewer will 

recommend that each student/

institution packet be placed into one of 

three categories: Priority Funding; Fund 

if Possible; and Do Not Fund. Each 

student/institution packet will then be 

placed into one of the three categories 

by the SURF NIST Boulder Program 

Directors, who will take into 

consideration the reviewers’

recommendations, the relevance of the 

student’s course of study to the program 

objectives of the NIST Boulder 

Laboratories as described in the Program 

Description section of this notice, the 

relevance of the student’s statement of 

commitment to the goals of the SURF 

NIST Boulder Program, and the 

availability of funding. 

Student/institution packets placed in 

the Priority Funding category will be 

selected for funding in the SURF NIST 

Boulder Program. Student/institution 

packets placed in the Do Not Fund 

category will not be considered for 

funding. 

Student/institution packets placed in 

the Fund if Possible Category will be 

considered for funding by the SURF 

NIST Boulder Program when possible. 

For example, when an award has been 

declined by another applicant, a backup will be selected from student/

institution packets in this category. In 

this case, it is likely that either the 

student’s second or third choice of 

research opportunity would be assigned. 

In making selections for funding, the 

SURF NIST Boulder Program Directors 

will take into consideration the 

recommendations of the reviewers who 

conducted the technical reviews, the 

program objectives of the NIST Boulder 

laboratory in which the student’s 

requested research opportunity resides 

as described in the Program Description 

and Objectives section of this notice, the 

relevance of the student’s statement of 

commitment to the goals of the SURF 

NIST Boulder Program, and the 

availability of funding. 

Students not selected for funding for 

either their first, second or third choice 

of research opportunities, and students 

who did not designate a second or third 

choice, will then be considered for 

funding from all Boulder Laboratories 

that still have slots available. In making 

selections for funding, the SURF NIST 

Boulder Program Directors will take into 

consideration the recommendations of 

the reviewers who conducted the 

technical reviews, the program 

objectives of the NIST Laboratory in 

which their SURF NIST Boulder SURF 

Program research opportunity resides as 

described in the Program Description 

and Objectives section of this notice, the 

relevance to the goals of the SURF NIST 

Boulder Program, and the availability of 

funding. 

Student/institution packets placed in 

the Fund if Possible category, but not 

selected through the process described 

above, will not be funded.

The final approval of selected 

applications and award of cooperative 

agreements will be made by the NIST 

Grants Officer based on compliance 

with application requirements as 

published in this notice, compliance 

with applicable legal and regulatory 

requirements, and compliance with 

Federal policies that best further the 

objectives of the Department of 

Commerce. Applicants may be asked to 

modify objectives, work plans, or 

budgets and provide supplemental 

information required by the agency 

prior to award. The decision of the 

Grants Officer is final. 

The SURF NIST Boulder Program will 

retain one copy of each unsuccessful 

application for three years for record 

keeping purposes, and unsuccessful 

applicants will be notified in writing. 

The remaining copies will be destroyed. 

Evaluation Criteria: For the SURF 

NIST Boulder Program, the evaluation 

criteria are: (A) Evaluation of Student’s 

Academic Ability and Commitment to 

Program Goals: Includes evaluation of 

completed course work; expressed 

research interest; compatibility of the 

expressed research interest with SURF 

NIST Boulder Program research areas; 

research skills; grade point average in 

courses relevant to the SURF NIST 

Boulder Program; career goals; honors 

and activities; 

(B) Evaluation of Applicant 

Institution’s Commitment to Program 

Goals: Includes evaluation of the 

institution’s academic department(s) 

relevant to the discipline(s) of the 

student(s). Each of these factors is given 

equal weight in the evaluation process. 

The following information applies to 

both the SURF Gaithersburg Programs 

and the SURF NIST Boulder Program: 

The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for 

Grants and Cooperative Agreements 

The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for 

Grants and Cooperative Agreements 

contained in the Federal Register notice 

of October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), as 

amended by the Federal Register notice 

published on October 30, 2002 (67 FR 

66109), are applicable to this 

announcement. On the form SF–424, the 

applicant’s 9-digit Dun and Bradstreet 

Data Universal Numbering System 

(DUNS) number must be entered in the 

Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 247 / Monday, December 27, 2004 / Notices 77227

Applicant Identifier block (68 FR 

38402). 

Collaborations With NIST Employees 

All applications should include a 

description of any work proposed to be 

performed by an entity other than the 

applicant, and the cost of such work 

should ordinarily be included in the 

budget. 

If an applicant proposes collaboration 

with NIST, the statement of work 

should include a statement of this 

intention, a description of the 

collaboration, and prominently identify 

the NIST employee(s) involved, if 

known. Any collaboration by a NIST 

employee must be approved by 

appropriate NIST management and is at 

the sole discretion of NIST. Prior to 

beginning the merit review process, 

NIST will verify the approval of the 

proposed collaboration. Any 

unapproved collaboration will be 

stricken from the proposal prior to the 

merit review. 

Use of NIST Intellectual Property 

If the applicant anticipates using any 

NIST-owned intellectual property to 

carry out the work proposed, the 

applicant should identify such 

intellectual property. This information 

will be used to ensure that no NIST 

employee involved in the development 

of the intellectual property will 

participate in the review process for that 

competition. In addition, if the 

applicant intends to use NIST-owned 

intellectual property, the applicant must 

comply with all statutes and regulations 

governing the licensing of Federal 

government patents and inventions, 

described at 35 U.S.C. sec. 200–212, 37 

CFR part 401, 15 CFR 14.36, and in 

section 20 of the Department of 

Commerce Pre-Award Notification 

Requirements, 66 FR 49917 (2001), as 

amended by the Federal Register notice 

published on October 30, 2002 (67 FR 

66109). Questions about these 

requirements may be directed to the 

Counsel for NIST, 301–975–2803. 

Any use of NIST-owned intellectual 

property by a proposer is at the sole 

discretion of NIST and will be 

negotiated on a case-by-case basis if a 

project is deemed meritorious. The 

applicant should indicate within the 

statement of work whether it already 

has a license to use such intellectual 

property or whether it intends to seek 

one. 

If any inventions made in whole or in 

part by a NIST employee arise in the 

course of an award made pursuant to 

this notice, the United States 

government may retain its ownership 

rights in any such invention. Licensing 

or other disposition of NIST’s rights in 

such inventions will be determined 

solely by NIST, and include the 

possibility of NIST putting the 

intellectual property into the public 

domain. 

Initial Screening of All Applications 

All applications received in response 

to this announcement will be reviewed 

to determine whether or not they are 

complete and responsive to the scope of 

the stated objectives for each program. 

Incomplete or non-responsive 

applications will not be reviewed for 

technical merit. The Program will retain 

one copy of each non-responsive 

application for three years for record 

keeping purposes. The remaining copies 

will be destroyed. 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

The standard forms in the application 

kit involve a collection of information 

subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. 

The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 

424B, SF–LLL, and CD–346 have been 

approved by OMB under the respective 

Control Numbers 0348–0043, 0348–

0044, 0348–0040, 0348–0046, and 0605–

0001. The use of the Student 

Application Information sheet has been 

approved by OMB under Control 

Number 0693–0042. 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 

subject to the requirements of the 

Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that 

collection of information displays a 

currently valid OMB Control Number.

Research Projects Involving Human 

Subjects, Human Tissue, Data or 

Recordings Involving Human Subjects 

Any proposal that includes research 

involving human subjects, human 

tissue, data or recordings involving 

human subjects must meet the 

requirements of the Common Rule for 

the Protection of Human Subjects, 

codified for the Department of 

Commerce at 15 CFR part 27. In 

addition, any proposal that includes 

research on these topics must be in 

compliance with any statutory 

requirements imposed upon the 

Department of Health and Human 

Services (DHHS) and other federal 

agencies regarding these topics, all 

regulatory policies and guidance 

adopted by DHHS, FDA, and other 

Federal agencies on these topics, and all 

Presidential statements of policy on 

these topics. 

On December 3, 2000, the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human 

Services (DHHS) introduced a new 

Federal-wide Assurance of Protection of 

Human Subjects (FWA). The FWA 

covers all of an institution’s Federally 

supported human subjects research, and 

eliminates the need for other types of 

Assurance documents. The Office for 

Human Research Protections (OHRP) 

has suspended processing of multiple 

project assurance (MPA) renewals. All 

existing MPAs will remain in force until 

further notice. For information about 

FWAs, please see the OHRP Web site at 

http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/

humansubjects/assurance/fwas.htm.

In accordance with the DHHS change, 

NIST will continue to accept the 

submission of human subjects protocols 

that have been approved by Institutional 

Review Boards (IRBs) possessing a 

current, valid MPA from DHHS. NIST 

also will accept the submission of 

human subjects protocols that have been 

approved by IRBs possessing a current, 

valid FWA from DHHS. NIST will not 

issue a single project assurance (SPA) 

for any IRB reviewing any human 

subjects protocol proposed to NIST. 

On August 9, 2001, the President 

announced his decision to allow Federal 

funds to be used for research on existing 

human embryonic stem cell lines as 

long as prior to his announcement (1) 

the derivation process (which 

commences with the removal of the 

inner cell mass from the blastocyst) had 

already been initiated and (2) the 

embryo from which the stem cell line 

was derived no longer had the 

possibility of development as a human 

being. NIST will follow guidance issued 

by the National Institutes of Health at 

http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/

humansubjects/guidance/stemcell.pdf

for funding such research. 

Research Projects Involving Vertebrate 

Animals 

Any proposal that includes research 

involving vertebrate animals must be in 

compliance with the National Research 

Council’s ‘‘Guide for the Care and Use 

of Laboratory Animals’’ which can be 

obtained from National Academy Press, 

2101 Constitution Avenue, NW., 

Washington, DC 20055. In addition, 

such proposals must meet the 

requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 

(7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.), 9 CFR parts 1, 

2, and 3, and if appropriate, 21 CFR part 

58. These regulations do not apply to 

proposed research using pre-existing 

images of animals or to research plans 

that do not include live animals that are 

being cared for, euthanized, or used by 

the project participants to accomplish 

research goals, teaching, or testing. 

These regulations also do not apply to 

obtaining animal materials from 

commercial processors of animal 

77228 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 247 / Monday, December 27, 2004 / Notices 

products or to animal cell lines or 

tissues from tissue banks. 

Executive Order 12866 

This funding notice was determined 

to be not significant for purposes of 

Executive Order 12866. 

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism) 

It has been determined that this notice 

does not contain policies with 

federalism implications as that term is 

defined in Executive Order 13132. 

Executive Order 12372 

Applications under this program are 

not subject to Executive Order 12372, 

‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal 

Programs.’’

Administrative Procedure Act/

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

Notice and comment are not required 

under the Administrative Procedure Act 

(5 U.S.C. 553) or any other law, for rules 

relating to public property, loans, 

grants, benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 

553 (a)). Because notice and comment 

are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or 

any other law, for rules relating to 

public property, loans, grants, benefits 

or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a 

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not 

required and has not been prepared for 

this notice, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.

Dated: December 15, 2004. 

Hratch G. Semerjian, 

Acting Director, NIST.

[FR Doc. 04–28239 Filed 12–23–04; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

AGENCY 

NUCLEAR REGULATORY 

COMMISSION 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology 

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR 

Geological Survey 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Food and Drug Administration 

[Docket No. OAR–2004–0096; FRL–7851–8] 

Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory 

Analytical Protocols Manual

AGENCIES: Department of Defense; 

Department of Energy; Department of 

Homeland Security; Environmental 

Protection Agency; Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission; National Institute of 

Standards and Technology, Commerce; 

United States Geological Survey, 

Interior; and Food and Drug 

Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

SUMMARY: The participating agencies are 

announcing the availability of the 

‘‘Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory 

Analytical Protocols’’ (MARLAP) 

Manual. The MARLAP Manual provides 

guidance for the planning, 

implementation, and assessment phases 

of projects that require the laboratory 

analysis of radionuclides. MARLAP’s 

basic goal is to provide guidance for 

project planners, managers, and 

laboratory personnel to ensure that 

radioanalytical laboratory data will meet 

a project’s or a program’s data 

requirements. The manual offers a 

framework for a performance-based 

approach to achieving data 

requirements that is both scientifically 

rigorous and flexible enough to be 

applied to diverse projects and 

programs. This framework will promote 

national consistency in the generation of 

radioanalytical data of known quality 

that are appropriate for its intended use. 

Examples of radiological data collection 

activities that MARLAP supports 

include: site characterization, site 

cleanup and compliance demonstration, 

decommissioning of nuclear facilities, 

emergency response, remedial and 

removal actions, decontamination 

activities, effluent monitoring of 

licensed facilities, environmental site 

monitoring, background studies, and 

waste management activities. The 

MARLAP Manual, now finalized, is a 

multi-agency consensus document. The 

agencies previously sought public 

comment in order to receive feedback 

from the widest range of interested 

parties and to ensure that all 

information relevant to developing the 

document was received and addressed 

to the extent possible. The interagency 

MARLAP work group reviewed all 

public comments received as well as 

comments from a concurrent, 

independent technical peer review. 

Suggested changes were incorporated, 

where appropriate, in response to those 

comments.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft and the 

final MARLAP Manual, along with 

public and technical peer review 

comments received, may be examined 

or copied for a fee at the EPA Public 

Reading Room, Room B102, EPA West 

Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, 

NW., Washington, DC 20004. The room 

is open to the public on all Federal 

Government work days from 8:30 a.m. 

to 4:30 p.m. 

Printed and CD–ROM versions of 

MARLAP (NTIS PB2004–105421) may 

be purchased from the National 

Technical Information Service (NTIS). 

NTIS may be accessed online at http:/

/www.ntis.gov. The NTIS Sales Desk can 

be reached between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. 

Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, 

at 1–800–553–6847; TDD (hearing 

impaired only) at 703–487–4639 

between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern 

Time, Monday through Friday; or fax at 

703–605–6900. 

The manual is also available through 

the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/

radiation/marlap or http://

www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doccollections/nuregs/staff/sr1576/. The 

NRC document number is NUREG–

1576, and the EPA document number is 

EPA 402–B–04–001A–C (in three 

volumes).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

EPA: John Griggs, U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency, Office of Radiation 

and Indoor Air, NAREL, 540 South 

Morris Avenue, Montgomery, AL 

36115–2601, (334) 270–3450, 

griggs.john@epa.gov; Eric Reynolds, 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 

Office of Superfund Remediation and 

Technology Innovation (5204G), 1200 

Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,