[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 27 (Friday, February 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7528-7534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2350]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 070817470-8113-04]
RIN 0648-ZB55


Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2008

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: NOAA publishes this notice to supplement the agency's 
solicitation for applications published on July 2, 2007 in an action 
entitled ``Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2008'' (72 FR 
36244). This notice announces 3 additional programs that are soliciting 
applications for FY 08 funding. In addition, NOAA publishes this notice 
to change the funding years associated with awards for the solicitation 
``FY 2008 Implementation of Regional Integrated Ocean Observing 
Systems'' announced in the Federal Register on July 2, 2007 (72 FR 
36244, 36263) and amended on November 15, 2007 (72 FR 64047).

DATES: Proposals must be received by the date and time specified under 
each program listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this 
document.

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to the program address listed in 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. NOAA's 
discretionary grant fund notices may be found on the internet at 
Grants.gov. The URL for Grants.gov is http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For those without Internet access 
request a

[[Page 7529]]

copy of the full funding opportunity announcement and/or application 
kit, from the person listed as the information contact under each 
program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicants must comply with all requirements 
contained in the Federal Funding Opportunity announcement for each of 
the programs listed in this omnibus notice. These Federal Funding 
Opportunities are available at http://www.grants.gov.
    The list of grant opportunities under NOAA Project Competitions 
(below) describe the basic information and requirements for the 
competitive grant/cooperative agreement programs offered by NOAA. These 
programs are open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria 
specified under each grant. To be considered for an award in a 
competitive grant/cooperative agreement program, eligible applicants 
must submit a complete and responsive application to the appropriate 
address by the deadline specified in this notice. An award is made upon 
conclusion of the evaluation and selection process for the respective 
program.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Background

II. NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

1. 2009 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside Program
2. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund

National Weather Service (NWS)

1. Remote Community Alert Systems Program

III. Classification

IV. NOAA Project Competitions Listed by NOAA Mission Goals

1. Protect, Restore and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources 
Through Ecosystem-Based Management

    Coastal areas are among the most developed in the Nation. More than 
half the population lives on less than one-fifth of the land in the 
contiguous United States. Furthermore, employment in near shore areas 
is growing three times faster than population. Coastal and marine 
waters support over 28 million jobs and provide a tourism destination 
for nearly 90 million Americans a year. The value of the ocean economy 
to the United States is over $115 billion. The value added annually to 
the national economy by the commercial and recreational fishing 
industry alone is over $48 billion. U.S. aquaculture sales total almost 
$1 billion annually. With its Exclusive Economic Zone of 3.4 million 
square miles, the United States manages the largest marine territory of 
any nation in the world.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    1. Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems that 
benefit society
    2. A well-informed public that acts as a steward of coastal and 
marine ecosystems
Program Names:
    1. 2009 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside Program
    2. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund

2. Serve Society's Needs for Weather and Water Information

    Floods, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, wildfires, and 
other severe weather events cause $11 billion in damages each year in 
the United States. Weather is directly linked to public health and 
safety, and nearly one-third of the U.S. economy (about $3 trillion) is 
sensitive to weather and climate. With so much at stake, NOAA's role in 
understanding, observing, forecasting, and warning of environmental 
events is expanding. With our partners, we seek to provide decision 
makers with key observations, analyses, predictions, and warnings for a 
range of weather and water conditions, including those related to water 
supply, air quality, space weather, and wildfires. Businesses, 
governments, and nongovernmental organizations are getting more 
sophisticated about how to use this weather and water information to 
improve operational efficiencies, to manage environmental resources, 
and to create a better quality of life. On average, hurricanes, 
tornadoes, tsunamis, and other severe weather events cause $11 billion 
in damages per year. Weather, including space weather, is directly 
linked to public safety and about one-third of the U.S. economy (about 
$3 trillion) is weather sensitive. With so much at stake, NOAA's role 
in observing, forecasting, and warning of environmental events is 
expanding, while economic sectors and its public are becoming 
increasingly sophisticated at using NOAA's weather, air quality, and 
water information to improve their operational efficiencies and their 
management of environmental resources, and quality of life.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    1. Reduced loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy
    2. Better, quicker, and more valuable weather and water information 
to support improved decisions
    3. Increased customer satisfaction with weather and water 
information and services
Program Names:
    1. Remote Community Alert Systems Program

3. Understand Climate Variability and Change To Enhance Society's 
Ability To Plan and Respond

    Climate shapes the environment, natural resources, economies, and 
social systems that people depend upon worldwide. While humanity has 
learned to contend with some aspects of climate's natural variability, 
major climatic events, combined with the stresses of population growth, 
economic growth, public health concerns, and land-use practices, can 
impose serious consequences on society. The 1997-98 El Nino, for 
example, had a $25 billion impact on the U.S. economy-property losses 
were $2.6 billion and crop losses approached $2 billion. Long-term 
drought leads to increased and competing demands for fresh water with 
related effects on terrestrial and marine ecosystems, agricultural 
productivity, and even the spread of infectious diseases. Decisions 
about mitigating climate change also can alter economic and social 
structures on a global scale. We can deliver reliable climate 
information in useful ways to help minimize risks and maximize 
opportunities for decisions in agriculture, public policy, natural 
resources, water and energy use, and public health. We continue to move 
toward developing a seamless suite of weather and climate products. The 
Climate Goal addresses predictions on time scales of up to decades or 
longer.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    1. A predictive understanding of the global climate system on time 
scales of weeks to decades with quantified uncertainties sufficient for 
making informed and reasoned decisions
    2. Climate-sensitive sectors and the climate-literate public 
effectively incorporating NOAA's climate products into their plans and 
decisions
Program Names:
    No Programs are currently soliciting applications for this mission 
goal.

4. Support the Nation's Commerce With Information for Safe, Efficient, 
and Environmentally Sound Transportation

    Safe and efficient transportation systems are crucial to the U.S. 
economy.

[[Page 7530]]

The U.S. marine transportation system ships over 95 percent of the 
tonnage and more than 20 percent by value of foreign trade through U.S. 
ports, including 48 percent of the oil needed to meet America's energy 
demands. At least $4 billion is lost annually due to economic 
inefficiencies resulting from weatherrelated air-traffic delays. 
Improved surface weather forecasts and specific user warnings would 
reduce the 7,000 weather related fatalities and 800,000 injuries that 
occur annually from crashes on roads and highways. The injuries, loss 
of life, and property damage from weather-related crashes cost an 
average of $42 billion annually. We provide information, services, and 
products for transportation safety and for increased commerce on roads, 
rails, and waterways. We will improve the accuracy of our information 
for marine, aviation, and surface weather forecasts, the availability 
of accurate and advanced electronic navigational charts, and the 
delivery of real-time oceanographic information. We seek to provide 
consistent, accurate, and timely positioning information that is 
critical for air, sea, and surface transportation. We will respond to 
hazardous material spills and provide search and rescue routinely to 
save lives and money and to protect the coastal environment. We will 
work with port and coastal communities and with Federal and state 
partners to ensure that port operations and development proceed 
efficiently and in an environmentally sound manner. We will work with 
the Federal Aviation Administration and the private sector to reduce 
the negative impacts of weather on aviation without compromising 
safety. Because of increased interest by the public and private 
sectors, we also will expand weather information for marine and surface 
transportation to enhance safety and efficiency.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    1. Safe, secure, efficient, and seamless movement of goods and 
people in the U.S. transportation system
    2. Environmentally sound development and use of the U.S. 
transportation system.
Program Names:
    No programs are currently soliciting applications for this mission 
goal.

5. Provide Critical Support for NOAA's Mission

    Strong, effective, and efficient support activities are necessary 
for us to achieve our Mission Goals. Our facilities, ships, aircraft, 
environmental satellites, data processing systems, computing and 
communication systems, and our approach to management provide the 
foundation of support for all of our programs. This critical foundation 
must adapt to evolving mission needs and, therefore, is an integral 
part of our strategic planning. It also must support U.S. homeland 
security by maintaining continuity of operations and by providing NOAA 
services, such as civil alert relays through NOAA Weather Radio and air 
dispersion forecasts, in response to national emergencies. NOAA ships, 
aircraft, and environmental satellites are the backbone of the global 
Earth observing system and provide many critical mission support 
services. To keep this capability strong and current with our Mission 
Goals, we will ensure that NOAA has adequate access to safe and 
efficient ships and aircraft through the use of both NOAA platforms and 
those of other agency, academic, and commercial partners. We will work 
with academia and partners in the public and private sectors to ensure 
that future satellite systems are designed, developed, and operated 
with the latest technology. Leadership development and program support 
are essential for achieving our Mission Goals. We must also commit to 
organizational excellence through management and leadership across a 
``corporate'' NOAA. We must continue our commitment to valuing NOAA's 
diverse workforce, including effective workforce planning strategies 
designed to attract, retain and develop competencies at all levels of 
our workforce. Through the use of business process re-engineering, we 
will strive for state-of-the-art, value-added financial and 
administrative processes. NOAA will ensure state-of-the-art and secure 
information technology and systems. By developing long-range, 
comprehensive facility planning processes, NOAA will be able to ensure 
right-sized, cost-effective, and safe facilities
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    1. A dynamic workforce with competencies that support NOAA's 
mission today and in the future.
Program Names:
    No programs are currently soliciting applictions for this mission 
goal.

I. Background

    In this notice, NOAA announces that 3 programs are making funds 
available for financial assistance awards. Each entry for the following 
grant opportunities provides: a description of the program, funding 
availability, statutory authority, catalog of federal domestic 
assistance (CFDA) number, application deadline, address for submitting 
proposals, information contacts, eligibility requirements, cost sharing 
requirements, and intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372. 
Interested applicants should consult the July 2, 2007 Federal Register 
Notice entitled ``Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2008'' 
(72 FR 36244) notice for the selection criteria, evaluation criteria, 
and other requirements for submitting an application.
    In addition, NOAA publishes this notice to change the funding years 
associated with awards for the solicitation ``FY 2008 Implementation of 
Regional Integrated Ocean Observing Systems'' announced in the Federal 
Register on July 2, 2007 (72 FR 36263) and amended on November 15, 2007 
(72 FR 64047). Total anticipated funding for all awards is 
approximately $25,000,000 and is subject to the availability of FY 2008 
and/or FY 2009 appropriations. The previous announcement indicated that 
awards were subject to the availability of FY 2008 appropriations only, 
however, this amendment changes this process to allow FY 2008 and/or FY 
2009 appropriations to be used. This notice applies to all applicants 
who have previously submitted a full proposal under this announcement. 
All other requirements for this solicitation remain the same.

II. NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

1. 2009 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside Program
    Summary Description: NMFS announces that, for fishing year 2009 
(January 1-December 31, 2009), the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council (Council) may set aside up to 3 percent of the total allowable 
landings (TAL) in certain Mid-Atlantic fisheries to be used for 
research endeavors under a research set-aside (RSA) program. The RSA 
program provides a mechanism to fund research and compensate vessel 
owners through the sale of fish harvested under the research quota. 
Vessels participating in an approved research project may be authorized 
by the Northeast Regional Administrator, NMFS, to harvest and land fish 
in excess of any imposed trip limit or during fishery closures. 
Landings from such trips are sold to generate funds that help defray 
the costs associated with the approved research projects. No Federal 
funds are provided for research under this notification. NMFS is 
soliciting proposals for research activities

[[Page 7531]]

concerning the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, Loligo squid, 
Illex squid, Atlantic mackerel, butterfish, Atlantic bluefish, and 
tilefish fisheries. NMFS and the Council will give priority to funding 
proposals addressing the research needs as follows: Loligo Squid and 
Butterfish Interactions: Mesh selectivity study of butterfish and 
secondarily for other species caught in Loligo nets during winter and 
summer/early fall; Test gear modifications in the Loligo squid fishery 
to reduce bycatch of butterfish and other species. Illex Squid: 
Determine size and age-at-maturity and growth parameters for Illex 
squid. Summer Flounder: Define distinctions between regulatory discards 
and bycatch attributed to gear, including mesh selectivity and/or 
overall gear design in the summer flounder fishery; Evaluate mortality 
of large fish released in the summer flounder offshore trawl fishery; 
Evaluate size and bag limits in the recreational fishery for summer 
flounder. Black Sea Bass: Estimate black sea bass mortality when left 
in pots (moderate priority); Develop indices for black sea bass 
recruitment (proof of concept); Verify age structure of black sea bass. 
Scup: Estimate the components of scup total annual mortality (natural, 
commercial landings, recreational landings, commercial discards, & 
recreational discards); Develop indices for scup recruitment (proof of 
concept). Bluefish: Develop bluefish index surveys (proof of concept).
    Funding Availability: No Federal funds are provided for research 
under this notification, this program offers the opportunity to fish 
and to sell the catch to generate income. The Federal Government may 
issue an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) or Letter of Acknowledgment 
(LOA), as applicable, which may provide special fishing privileges in 
response to research proposals selected under this program. Funds 
generated from the RSA landings shall be used to cover the cost of the 
research activities, including vessel costs, and to compensate boats 
for expenses incurred during the collection of the set-aside species. 
For example, the funds may be used to pay for gear modifications, 
monitoring equipment, additional provisions (e.g., fuel, ice, food for 
scientists), or the salaries of research personnel. The Federal 
Government is not liable for any costs incurred by the researcher or 
vesse lowner. Any additional funds, generated through the sale of fish 
harvested under the research quota, above the cost of the research 
activities shall be retained by the vessel owner as compensation for 
the use of his/her vessel. In the past, two to five awards have been 
issued per year. During the 2007 fishing year, four awards were 
approved distributing a total of 2,218,146 lbs of TAL. The Council, in 
consultation with the Commission, will incorporate the level of RSA 
(amounts or percentages) for each of the set-aside species for the 2009 
fishing year into the Council's recommendations for annual quota 
specifications. NMFS will consider the recommended level of RSA as part 
of the associated rulemaking process. The actual level of RSA quota 
available to applicants for the 2009 fishing year will depend on the 
TAL level specified by the Council at its quota-setting meetings in 
June and August 2008, and the percentage (0 to 3 percent) of the TAL 
recommended by the Council and approved by NMFS as the level of RSA 
available for 2009. To help researchers develop proposals for the 2009 
fishing year, the examples below provide some guidance on the general 
magnitude of RSA and estimated values that a researcher might expect to 
be available for fishing year 2009. The examples are based on proposed 
RSA levels available and the actual allocated RSA amounts for these 
fisheries for the 2008 fishing year. The examples are intended only as 
a guide to be used when developing research proposals for the 2009 
fishing year; it does not necessarily reflect the actual RSA quota that 
will be allocated for fishing year 2009. Based on Council 
recommendations, NMFS may choose to adopt less than 3 percent of TAL as 
a set-aside, or decide not to adopt any set-aside for a given fishery. 
The estimated values of the set-aside allocations will vary depending 
on market considerations prevailing at the time the research trips are 
conducted. Examples of RSA amounts based on 2008 proposed FMP 
Specifications in the following format is as follows: Allocation 
Species/Amount Available (lbs)/2008 RSA Amount (lbs)/2008 RSA Estimated 
Value, Summer Flounder/$349,200/233,192/$478,044, Scup/220,200/214,000/
$196,880, Black Sea Bass/243,000/85,790,$211,901, Loligo Squid/
1,124,356/50,000/$39,500, Illex Squid/None requested, Atlantic 
Mackerel/None requested, Butterfish/None requested, Bluefish/743,965/
50,000/$18,000, Tilefish/None requested. The amount available was based 
3 percent TAC in proposed FMP specifications.
    Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is 
provided under sections 303(b)(11), 402(e), and 404(c) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1853(b)(11), 
16 U.S.C. 1881a(e), and 16 U.S.C. 1881(c), respectively. Statutory 
authority for entering into cooperative agreements and other financial 
agreements with nonprofit organizations is found at 15 U.S.C. 1540. The 
award of a set-aside from the TAL of selected species resulted from the 
approval of Framework 1 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and 
Butterfish; Summer Flounder, Scrup, and Black Sea Bass; and Atlantic 
Bluefish Fishery Management Plans (FMP); and the RSA provisions of the 
Tilefish FMP. Framework 1 established a procedure through which RSA 
amounts are set annually as part of the Council quota-setting process 
(66 FR 42156, August 10, 2001), and codified in regulations at 50 CFR 
648.21(g).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.454, 
Unallied Management Projects
    Application Deadline: Applications must be received on or before 5 
p.m. EST on March 24, 2008.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: To apply for this NOAA Federal 
funding opportunity, please submit applications to http://www.grants.gov and use the following funding opportunity number NMFS-
NEFSC-2009-2001252. Applicants who do not have Internet access may 
submit their application to Cheryl A. Corbett, NMFS, Northeast 
Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, or by 
phone at 508-495-2070, or fax at 508-495-2004, or via e-mail at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d6b5beb3a4afbaf8b5b9a4b4b3a2a296b8b9b7b7f8b1b9a0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1172797463687d3f727e6373746565517f7e70703f767e67">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Information Contacts: Information may be obtained from Clay Heaton, 
Fishery Management Specialist, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 
by phone 302-674-2331 ext. 13, or via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#95f6fdf0f4e1fafbd5f8f4f3f8f6bbfae7f2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91f2f9f4f0e5feffd1fcf0f7fcf2bffee3f6">[email protected]</span></a>; or 
Cheryl A. Corbett, Cooperative Programs Specialist, NMFS, Northeast 
Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, or by 
phone at 508-495-2070, or fax at 508-495-2004, or via e-mail at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ef8c878a9d9683c18c809d8d8a9b9baf81808e8ec1888099"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b2d1dad7c0cbde9cd1ddc0d0d7c6c6f2dcddd3d39cd5ddc4">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants include institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
individuals, and state, local, and Native American tribal governments. 
Federal agencies and institutions are not eligible to receive Federal 
assistance under this notice. Additionally, employees of any Federal 
agency or Regional Fishery Management Council are ineligible to submit 
an application under this program. However, Council members who are not 
Federal employees may submit an application. DOC/NOAA supports cultural 
and gender diversity and encourages women and minority individuals and 
groups to submit

[[Page 7532]]

applications to the RSA program. In addition, DOC/NOAA is strongly 
committed to broadening the participation of historically black 
colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal 
colleges and universities, and institutions that work in underserved 
areas. DOC/NOAA encourages proposals involving any of the above 
institutions. DOC/NOAA encourages applications from members of the 
fishing community and applications that involve fishing community 
cooperation and participation.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this 
program.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applicants will need to determine if 
their state participates in the intergovernmental review processs. This 
information can be found at the following website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. This information will assist 
applicants in providing either a Yes or No response to Item 16 of the 
Application Form, SF-424, entitled ``Application for Federal 
Assistance.''
2. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
    Summary Description: NOAA announces the availability of Pacific 
Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds (PCSRF), as authorized in the Northern 
Boundary and Transboundary Rivers Restoration and Enhancement Fund and 
Southern Boundary Restoration and Enhancement Fund (16 U.S.C. 3645 et 
seq.), to support the restoration and conservation of Pacific salmon 
and steelhead populations and their habitat. The program provides 
funding to the States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and 
California for salmon habitat restoration, salmon stock enhancement, 
sustainable salmon fisheries and salmon research. It also provides 
funding to the Pacific Coastal tribes and the Columbia River tribes as 
authorized in 16 U.S.C. 3645(d)(2)(B) for salmon habitat restoration, 
salmon stock enhancement, salmon research and supplementation 
activities.
    Funding Availability: Up to $67,000,000 may be available in fiscal 
year (FY) 2008 for projects as authorized under 16 U.S.C. 3645 (d)(2). 
There are no restrictions on minimum funding request, but there is a 
limit of $25,000,000 on a maximum amount requested by any recipient. 
Award periods may be up to a maximum of 5 years. Actual funding 
availability for this program is contingent upon FY 2008 Congressional 
appropriations.
    Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3645 (d)(2)
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.438, 
Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery - Pacific Salmon Treaty Program
    Application Deadline: Applications should be submitted via 
www.grants.gov and must be received no later than 11:59 pm PST on March 
24, 2008. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be 
accepted. Paper applications must be postmarked by March 24, 2008. Any 
application transmitted or postmarked, as the case may be, after the 
deadline will be considered non-responsive and will not be considered 
for funding in this competition.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: If an applicant does not have 
internet access, applications can be submitted to the following 
address: Nicolle Hill, NMFS Northwest Region Building <greek-i>1, 7600 
Sand Point Way, Seattle, WA 98115. NMFS' Internet website at 
www.nwr.noaa.gov contains additional information on PCSRF.
    Information Contacts: For further information on PCSRF, please 
contact Barry Thom, NMFS Northwest Region Deputy Regional 
Administrator, at (503) 231-6266. Questions regarding this announcement 
should be directed to Nicolle Hill, NMFS Northwest Region PCSRF Federal 
Program Officer, at (206) 526-4358 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#541a3d373b3838317a1c3d3838143a3b35357a333b22"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="531d3a303c3f3f367d1b3a3f3f133d3c32327d343c25">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Eligibility: Eligible state applicants are the States of Alaska, 
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. Eligible tribal applicants 
are any federally recognized Pacific Coastal or Columbia River tribes 
in Washington, Oregon, California or Idaho.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Applicants are required to provide 33 
percent of received Federal funds. Indian tribes are exempt from any 
cost share requirement.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program from 
state or local governments are subject to the provisions of Executive 
Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

National Weather Service (NWS)

1. Remote Community Alert Systems Program
    Summary Description: The Remote Community Alert Systems Program 
represents an NOAA/NWS effort to provide for outdoor alerting 
technologies in remote communities effectively underserved by 
commercial mobile service for the purpose of enabling residents of 
those communities to receive emergency messages. These activities will 
engage the private sector, academia, and States in opportunities and 
technologies to further disseminate emergency messages. This program is 
a contributing element of the Warning, Alert, and Response Network 
(WARN) Act. NOAA's program is designed to complement other agency 
contributions to that national effort. The Federal Communications 
Commission has defined a remote area to consist of a county with a 
population density of 100 persons per square mile or less, based on the 
most recently available Census data. Also, commercial mobile service 
means those services that are required to provide E911 services in 
accordance with Section 20.18 of the Commissions rules. Effectively 
underserved identifies remote communities that do not receive 
commercial mobile service as demonstrated by coverage maps, technical 
analyses, field tests, or any other reasonable means.
    Funding Availability: The total funding amount available for 
proposals is anticipated to be approximately $5,000,000. We anticipate 
making multiple awards approximately 50 ranging from $50,000 to 
$250,000.
    Statutory Authority: Authority for the Remote Community Alert 
Systems Program is provided by: 47 U.S.C. 1204.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.468, 
Applied Meteorological Research
    Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by NOAA/NWS no 
later than 5 p.m., April 11, 2008. Proposals should be submitted 
through www.grants.gov. For those organizations without internet 
access, proposals may be sent to Craig Hodan, NOAA/NWS, 1325 East-West 
Highway, Room 3348, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, Phone: 301-713-9480 
x 187, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#254657444c420b4d4a41444b654b4a44440b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c6f7e6d656b226463686d624c62636d6d226b637a">[email protected]</span></a>. Email and fax submissions will not 
be accepted.
    Information Contacts: Craig Hodan, NOAA/NWS, 1325 East-West 
Highway, Room 3348, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, Phone: 301-713-9480 
x 187, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d2e3f2c242a632522292c230d23222c2c632a223b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="355647545c521b5d5a51545b755b5a54541b525a43">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are States and Tribal Communities. 
This restriction is needed due to the potential number of applications.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this 
program.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.

III. Classification

Limitation of Liability

    Funding for potential projects in this notice is contingent upon 
the availability of Fiscal year 2008 appropriations. Applicants are 
hereby

[[Page 7533]]

given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for any proposed 
activities in this notice. In no event will NOAA or the Department of 
Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs. Publication of 
this announcement does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or 
to obligate any available funds.

Universal Identifier

    For programs that have deadline dates on or after October 1, 2003, 
applicants should be aware that they may be required to provide a Dun 
and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number during the 
application process. See the October 30, 2002 Federal Register, (67 FR 
661770 for additional information. Organizations can receive a DUNS 
number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number 
request line at 1-866-705-5711 or via the internet (http://www.dunandbradstreet.com).

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NOAA must analyze the potential environmental impacts, as required 
by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for applicant projects 
or proposals which are seeking NOAA federal funding opportunities. 
Detailed information on NOAA compliance with NEPA can be found at the 
following NOAA NEPA Web site: http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/, including our 
NOAA Administrative Order 216-6 for NEPA, http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/
NAO216_6_TOC.pdf, NEPA Questionnaire, http://www.nepa.noaa.gov/questionnaire.pdf, and the Council on Environmental Quality 
implementation regulations, http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/ceq/toc--ceq.htm. Consequently, as part of an applicant's package, and under 
their description of their program activities, applicants are required 
to provide detailed information on the activities to be conducted, 
locations, sites, species and habitat to be affected, possible 
construction activities, and any environmental concerns that may exist 
(e.g., the use and disposal of hazardous or toxic chemicals, 
introduction of non-indigenous species, impacts to endangered and 
threatened species, aquaculture projects, and impacts to coral reef 
systems). In addition to providing specific information that will serve 
as the basis for any required impact analyses, applicants may also be 
requested to assist NOAA in drafting of an environmental assessment, if 
NOAA determines an assessment is required. Applicants will also be 
required to cooperate with NOAA in identifying feasible measures to 
reduce or avoid any identified adverse environmental impacts of their 
proposal. The failure to do so shall be grounds for not selecting an 
application. In some cases if additional information is required after 
an application is selected, funds can be withheld by the Grants Officer 
under a special award condition requiring the recipient to submit 
additional environmental compliance information sufficient to enable 
NOAA to make an assessment on any impacts that a project may have on 
the environment.

Compliance with Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security 
Export Administration Regulations

    a. This section applies to the extent that this BAA results in 
financial assistance awardsinvolving access to export-controlled 
information or technology.
    b. In performing a financial assistance award, the recipient may 
gain access to export-controlled information or technology. The 
recipient will then be responsible for compliance with all applicable 
laws and regulations regarding export-controlled information and 
technology, including deemed exports. The recipient shall establish and 
maintain throughout performance of the financial assistance award 
effective export compliance procedures at non-NOAA facilities. At a 
minimum, these export compliance procedures must include adequate 
controls of physical, verbal, visual, and electronic access to export-
controlled information and technology.
    c. Definitions
    1. Deemed export. The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 
define a deemed export as any release of technology or source code 
subject to the EAR to a foreign national, both in the United States and 
abroad. Such release is ``deemed'' to be an export to the home country 
of the foreign national. 15 CFR 734.2(b)(2)(ii).
    2. Export-controlled information and technology. Export-controlled 
information and technology is information and technology subject to the 
EAR (15 CFR parts 730 et seq.), implemented by the DOC Bureau of 
Industry and Security, or the International Traffic Arms Regulations 
(ITAR) (22 CFR parts 120-130), implemented by the Department of State, 
respectively. This includes, but is not limited to, dual-us items, 
defense articles and any related assistance, services, software or 
technical data as defined in the EAR and ITAR.
    d. The recipient shall control access to all export-controlled 
information and technology that it possesses or that comes into its 
possession in performance of a financial assistance award, to ensure 
that access is restricted, or licensed, as required by applicable 
Federal laws, Executive Orders, and/or regulations.
    e. Nothing in the terms of this section is intended to change, 
supersede, or waive any of the requirements of applicable Federal laws, 
Executive Orders or regulations.
    f. The recipient shall include this clause, including this 
paragraph (f), in all lower tier transactions (subawards, contracts, 
and subcontracts) under the financial assistance award that may involve 
access to export-controlled information technology.

NOAA implementation of Homeland Security Presidential Directive - 12

    If the performance of a financial assistance award, if approved by 
NOAA, requires recipients to have physical access to Federal premises 
for more than 180 days or access to a Federal information system, any 
items or services delivered under a financial assistance award shall 
comply with the Department of Commerce personal identity verification 
procedures that implement Homeland Security Presidential Directive -12, 
FIPS PUB 201, and the Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-05-
24. The recipient shall insert this clause in all subawards or 
contracts when the subaward recipient or contractor is required to have 
physical access to a Federally controlled facility or access to a 
Federal information system.

The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements

    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register 
notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389) are applicable to this 
solicitation.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to thePaperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The use of Standard Forms 
424, 424A, 424B, SF LLL, CD-346, SF 424 Research and Related Family, SF 
424 Short Organizational Family, SF 424 Individual Form family has been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
respective control numbers 4040-0004, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, 
0605-0001, 4040-0001, 4040-0003, and 4040-0005.

[[Page 7534]]

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to 
respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the PRA unless that collection of information displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

Executive Order 12866

    This notice has been 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.

Administrative Procedure Act/ Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required 
by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules 
concerning public property, loans, grants, benefits, and contracts (5 
U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because notice and opportunity for comment are not 
required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not 
been prepared.

    Dated: February 4, 2008.
Helen Hurcombe
Director, Acquisition and Grants Office, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-2350 Filed 2-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-PJ-S


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