The Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) of the Office of Science (SC),
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), hereby announces its interest in receiving proposals for
research projects in the Natural and Accelerated Bioremediation Research (NABIR) Program.
Proposals should describe research projects that address the scientific aims of individual NABIR
Science Elements including Biogeochemistry, Biotransformation, Community Dynamics, as well
as Assessment projects that relate to those elements. Proposals for research in other elements will
not be considered at this time. Proposals for research on Bioremediation and its Societal
Implications and Concerns (BASIC) have been solicited under a separate announcement
(Program Announcement LAB 00-21).
The mission of the NABIR Program is to provide the fundamental science to serve as the basis
for development of cost-effective bioremediation of radionuclides and metals in the subsurface at
DOE sites. In particular, the program focuses on research that will lead to immobilization of
radionuclides and/or metals in place, or that will reduce re-mobilization. NABIR research
encompasses both intrinsic bioremediation by naturally occurring microbial communities, as
well as accelerated bioremediation through the use of nutrient amendments (inorganic, organic or
enzymatic) or microbial amendments. The program consists of seven interrelated scientific
research elements (Biogeochemical Dynamics, Biotransformation, Community Dynamics and
Microbial Ecology, Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Biotransformation and
Biodegradation, Bacterial Transport, and Systems Integration/Data Management). The program
also includes an element addressing ethical, legal and social issues of bioremediation called
Bioremediation and its Societal Implications and Concerns (BASIC). The NABIR program has
established a Field Research Center (FRC) at the Y-12 site near Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(ORNL). The FRC is a focal point of NABIR field research and can provide investigators with
DOE-relevant samples contaminated with uranium and other radionuclides or metals. Additional
information about NABIR and the Field Research Center can be accessed from the NABIR
Homepage: http://www.lbl.gov/NABIR/.
Program Focus
The NABIR Program supports hypothesis-driven research that will help determine the potential
for, and advance the field of, bioremediation as a cleanup option for radionuclides and metals in
subsurface environments (both vadose and saturated zones, below the root zone) at the DOE
sites. Contaminants of particular interest are the radionuclides uranium, technetium, and
plutonium and the metals chromium and mercury. While the focus of the NABIR Program is on
field-scale research, the research program will support laboratory, theoretical, modeling, and
other non-field research projects, if they fill gaps that would be necessary to improve
understanding required for field-scale applications. Problems characterized by large areas with
low-concentration of contaminants are emphasized over problems of localized, high
concentrations. NABIR research will focus on research leading to immobilization rather than
mobilization scenarios for bioremediation of metals and radionuclides. Although the program is
directed at specific goals, it supports research that is more fundamental in nature than
demonstration projects.
NABIR will not support research leading to ex situ treatments, nor will research on
phytoremediation be supported. Research on bioremediation of organic contaminants, such as
solvents and complexing agents will not be considered, except to the extent that they influence
the primary goal of understanding the remediation of radionuclides and metals. The NABIR
Program will not support research to evaluate the risk of contaminants to humans or to the
environment.
Research plans that involve the potential release of nutrients, enzymes, and/or chemicals to the
field (both at contaminated and non-contaminated control sites) should discuss the involvement
of the public or stakeholders in their research, beginning with experimental design through
completion of the project. Proposals involving microbial amendments will be solicited in a
separate announcement. All proposers should discuss other relevant societal issues, where
appropriate, which may include intellectual property protection and communication with and
outreach to affected communities (including members of affected minority communities where
appropriate).
A centrally-maintained database is being developed to provide appropriate data, such as site
characterization and kinetics data, needed by a broad segment of investigators. Proposals shall
include a short discussion of the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) measures that
will be applied in data gathering and analysis activities. Successful awardees will be expected to
coordinate their QA/QC measures with NABIR program managers.
Current Request for Proposals
Research projects that address the scientific aims of individual NABIR elements, including
Biogeochemistry, Biotransformation, Community Dynamics, as well as Assessment projects
supporting those three elements are being solicited. Proposals for research on other elements will
not be addressed at this time. Proposals for research on Bioremediation and its Societal
Implications and Concerns (BASIC) have been solicited under a separate announcement
(Program Announcement LAB 00-21). Proposers for research projects within individual
program elements should state which science element is most closely aligned with the proposed
research. Proposals are encouraged to propose interdisciplinary research that transcends more
than one research element. However, a primary element should be specified for the purpose of
merit review.
Biogeochemical Dynamics
The goal of this area is to understand the fundamental biogeochemical reactions that would lead
to long-term immobilization of metal and radionuclide contaminants in the subsurface. The
focus is on reactions that govern the concentration, chemical speciation, and distribution of
metals (Cr, Hg) and radionuclides (U, Tc, Pu) between the aqueous and solid phases.
Contaminated subsurface environments are complex. Biogeochemical reactions in subsurface
environments are influenced by a wide variety of factors, including the availability of electron
donors and acceptors, the nature of the microbial community, the chemical species or form of
contaminant, the hydrology, and the nature of the environmental matrix. Often several
competing redox reactions make the prediction of the substrates, products, and kinetics difficult.
The biogeochemical reactions are further complicated by the sorption of contaminants and
reaction products to mineral surfaces, and the presence of natural organic matter and co-
contaminants. The research challenge is to identify and prioritize the key biogeochemical
reactions that are needed to predict the rate and extent of reactions to immobilize radionuclides
and metals for long term stability. New and creative scientific approaches are sought that
address the following fundamental research questions:
DOE subsurface sites encompass a range of redox environments where contaminants such as
uranium are present. One challenge is to understand the impact of these environments on
microbial physiological processes involved in the transformation of radionuclides and metals to
an immobilized form. Knowledge of the metabolic pathways for transformation of these
contaminants by naturally occurring microbial communities in vadose zones, saturated zones and
the waste plume is needed. A second challenge is to accelerate the rates of these physiological
processes in situ, in complex subsurface environments. Biotransformation of metals and
radionuclides in the subsurface is poorly understood, and predictive models based on laboratory
studies have not always accurately simulated the observed fate of metals and radionuclides in the
field. It is important to understand the kinetics of desirable metal and radionuclide
biotransformations and the physicochemical factors affecting those kinetics. Research is needed
to address questions such as:
Fundamental research in Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology at both the molecular
and the microbial level is needed to understand the natural intrinsic processes of bioremediation
at contaminated sites. One challenge is to determine if sufficient genotypic and/or phenotypic
potential exists to support natural and/or accelerated (biostimulated) bioremediation. Knowledge
of microbial community structure and function may ultimately provide the ability to control or
stimulate subsurface communities capable of transformation of radionuclides and metals. A
second challenge is to optimize the community structure and activity for immobilization of
radionuclides and metals, and to determine the long term stability of bioremediative
communities. Research is needed to address questions such as:
The Assessment Element is a cross-cutting element with a goal to develop innovative methods to
assess processes and endpoints in support of the NABIR Science Elements. In this call,
assessment projects that support the Science Elements of Biogeochemistry, Biotransformation,
and Community Dynamics/Microbial Ecology are being sought. Methods may range from
molecular to field scale, but they should improve the understanding of in situ bioremediation
processes in subsurface environments contaminated with radionuclides and metals. Priority will
be given to research proposals that could lead to fieldable, cost-effective, real time assessment
techniques and/or instrumentation. NABIR will not fund projects that examine endpoints
relating to human health risks. Research should address the development of innovative and
effective methods for assessing or quantifying:
It is anticipated that approximately $2 million will be available for multiple awards to be made in
late FY 2001 and early FY 2002 in the categories described above, contingent on availability of
appropriated funds. Proposals may request project support up to three years, with out-year
support contingent on availability of funds, progress of the research and programmatic needs.
Annual budgets for projects in the four scientific research element projects are expected to range
from $100,000 to $400,000 total costs. DOE may encourage collaboration among prospective
investigators to promote joint proposals or joint research projects by using information obtained
through the preliminary proposals or through other forms of communication.
DATES: Researchers are strongly encouraged (but not required) to submit a preproposal for
programmatic review. The deadline for preproposals is January 8, 2001. A brief preproposal
should consist of one or two pages of narrative describing the research objectives and methods.
The deadline for receipt of formal proposals is 4:30 p.m., E.S.T., February 28, 2001, to be
accepted for merit review and to permit timely consideration for award late in Fiscal Year 2001
or in early Fiscal Year 2002. An original and seven copies of the proposals must be submitted;
however, proposers are requested not to submit multiple proposals using more than one delivery
or mail service.
ADDRESSES: If submitting a preproposal, referencing Program Announcement LAB 01-12, it
should be sent by e-mail to: anna.palmisano@science.doe.gov.
Formal proposals referencing Program Announcement LAB 01-12 on the cover page must be
forwarded to: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Biological and
Environmental Research, SC-74, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290,
ATTN: Program Announcement LAB 01-12. This address must also be used when submitting
proposals by U.S. Postal Service Express Mail or any other commercial overnight delivery
service, or when hand-carried by the proposer.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Anna Palmisano, Environmental
Sciences Division, SC-74, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Office of Science,
U.S. Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290,
telephone: (301) 903-9963, e-mail: anna.palmisano@science.doe.gov, fax: (301) 903-8519.
Submission Information
Renewal proposals must include a list of publications resulting from prior NABIR funding.
DOE is under no obligation to pay for any costs associated with the preparation or submission of
proposals if an award is not made. In addition, for this announcement, the research description
must be 20 pages or less, exclusive of attachments, and must contain an abstract or summary of
the proposed research (to include the hypotheses being tested, the proposed experimental design,
and the names of all investigators and their affiliations). Attachments should include short
curriculum vitae, QA/QC plan, a listing of all current and pending federal support and letters of
intent when collaborations are part of the proposed research. Curriculum vitae should be
submitted in a form similar to that of NIH or NSF (two to three pages), see for example:
http://www.nsf.gov:80/bfa/cpo/gpg/fkit.htm#forms-9.
Any recipient of an award from SC performing research involving recombinant DNA molecules
and/or organisms and viruses containing recombinant DNA molecules shall comply with the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) "Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA
Molecules," which is available via the world wide web at:
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/odhsb/biosafe/nih/rdna-apr98.pdf, (59 FR 34496, July 5, 1994,) or
such later revision of those guidelines as may be published in the Federal Register.
Awardees must also comply with other federal and state laws and regulations as appropriate, for
example, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) as it applies to genetically modified
organisms. Although compliance with NEPA is the responsibility of DOE, awardees proposing
to conduct field research are expected to provide information necessary for the DOE to complete
the NEPA review and documentation.
Additional information on the NABIR Program is available at the following web site:
http://www.lbl.gov/NABIR/. For researchers who
do not have access to the world wide web,
please contact Karen Carlson, Environmental Sciences Division, SC-74; U.S. Department of
Energy; 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874-1290, phone: (301) 903-3338, fax:
(301) 903-8519, e-mail: karen.carlson@science.doe.gov; for hard copies of background material
mentioned in this announcement.
The instructions and format described below should be followed. Reference Program
Announcement LAB 01-12 on all submissions and inquiries about this program.
Biotransformation
Community Dynamics and Microbial Ecology
Assessment
Program Funding
Proposals from National Laboratories submitted to the Office of Science (SC) as a result of this program announcement will follow the Department of Energy Field Work Proposal process with additional information requested to allow for scientific/technical merit review. The following guidelines for content and format are intended to facilitate an understanding of the requirements necessary for SC to conduct a merit review of a proposal. Please follow the guidelines carefully, as deviations could be cause for declination of a proposal without merit review.
1. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be subjected to formal merit review (peer review) and will be evaluated against the following criteria which are listed in descending order of importance:
Appropriateness of the proposed method or approach
Competency of the personnel and adequacy of the proposed resources
Reasonableness and appropriateness of the proposed budget
2. Summary of Proposal Contents
An original and seven copies of the formal proposal/FWP must be submitted.
3. Detailed Contents of the Proposal
Proposals must be readily legible, when photocopied, and must conform to the following three requirements: the height of the letters must be no smaller than 10 point with at least 2 points of spacing between lines (leading); the type density must average no more than 17 characters per inch; the margins must be at least one-half inch on all sides. Figures, charts, tables, figure legends, etc., may include type smaller than these requirements so long as they are still fully legible.
3.1 Field Work Proposal Format (Reference DOE Order 5700.7C)
(DOE ONLY)
The Field Work Proposal (FWP) is to be prepared and submitted consistent with policies of the investigator's laboratory and the local DOE Operations Office. Additional information is also requested to allow for scientific/technical merit review.
Laboratories may submit proposals directly to the SC Program office listed above. A copy should also be provided to the appropriate DOE operations office.
3.2 Proposal Cover Page
The following proposal cover page information may be placed on plain paper. No form is required.
*The signature certifies that personnel and facilities are available as stated in the proposal, if the project is funded.
Provide the initial page number for each of the sections of the proposal. Number pages consecutively at the bottom of each page throughout the proposal. Start each major section at the top of a new page. Do not use unnumbered pages and do not use suffices, such as 5a, 5b.
3.4 Abstract
Provide an abstract of no more than 250 words. Give the broad, long-term objectives and what the specific research proposed is intended to accomplish. State the hypotheses to be tested. Indicate how the proposed research addresses the SC scientific/technical area specifically described in this announcement.
3.5 Narrative
The narrative comprises the research plan for the project and is limited to 25 pages. It should contain the following subsections:
Background and Significance: Briefly sketch the background leading to the present proposal, critically evaluate existing knowledge, and specifically identify the gaps which the project is intended to fill. State concisely the importance of the research described in the proposal. Explain the relevance of the project to the research needs identified by the Office of Science. Include references to relevant published literature, both to work of the investigators and to work done by other researchers.
Preliminary Studies: Use this section to provide an account of any preliminary studies that may be pertinent to the proposal. Include any other information that will help to establish the experience and competence of the investigators to pursue the proposed project. References to appropriate publications and manuscripts submitted or accepted for publication may be included.
Research Design and Methods: Describe the research design and the procedures to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project. Describe new techniques and methodologies and explain the advantages over existing techniques and methodologies. As part of this section, provide a tentative sequence or timetable for the project.
Subcontract or Consortium Arrangements: If any portion of the project described under "Research Design and Methods" is to be done in collaboration with another institution, provide information on the institution and why it is to do the specific component of the project. Further information on any such arrangements is to be given in the sections "Budget and Budget Explanation", "Biographical Sketches", and "Description of Facilities and Resources".
3.6 Literature Cited
List all references cited in the narrative. Limit citations to current literature relevant to the proposed research. Information about each reference should be sufficient for it to be located by a reviewer of the proposal.
3.7 Budget and Budget Explanation
A detailed budget is required for the entire project period, which normally will be three years, and for each fiscal year. It is preferred that DOE's budget page, Form 4620.1 be used for providing budget information*. Modifications of categories are permissible to comply with institutional practices, for example with regard to overhead costs.
A written justification of each budget item is to follow the budget pages. For personnel this should take the form of a one-sentence statement of the role of the person in the project. Provide a detailed justification of the need for each item of permanent equipment. Explain each of the other direct costs in sufficient detail for reviewers to be able to judge the appropriateness of the amount requested.
Further instructions regarding the budget are given in section 4 of this guide.
* Form 4620.1 is available at web site: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/grants/forms.html
3.8 Other Support of Investigators
Other support is defined as all financial resources, whether Federal, non-Federal, commercial or institutional, available in direct support of an individual's research endeavors. Information on active and pending other support is required for all senior personnel, including investigators at collaborating institutions to be funded by a subcontract. For each item of other support, give the organization or agency, inclusive dates of the project or proposed project, annual funding, and level of effort devoted to the project.
3.9 Biographical Sketches
This information is required for senior personnel at the laboratory submitting the proposal and at all subcontracting institutions. The biographical sketch is limited to a maximum of two pages for each investigator.
3.10 Description of Facilities and Resources
Describe briefly the facilities to be used for the conduct of the proposed research. Indicate the performance sites and describe pertinent capabilities, including support facilities (such as machine shops) that will be used during the project. List the most important equipment items already available for the project and their pertinent capabilities. Include this information for each subcontracting institution, if any.
3.11 Appendix
Include collated sets of all appendix materials with each copy of the proposal. Do not use the appendix to circumvent the page limitations of the proposal. Information should be included that may not be easily accessible to a reviewer.
Reviewers are not required to consider information in the Appendix, only that in the body of the proposal. Reviewers may not have time to read extensive appendix materials with the same care as they will read the proposal proper.
The appendix may contain the following items: up to five publications, manuscripts (accepted for publication), abstracts, patents, or other printed materials directly relevant to this project, but not generally available to the scientific community; and letters from investigators at other institutions stating their agreement to participate in the project (do not include letters of endorsement of the project).
4. Detailed Instructions for the Budget
(DOE Form 4620.1 "Budget Page" may be used)
4.1 Salaries and Wages
List the names of the principal investigator and other key personnel and the estimated number of person-months for which DOE funding is requested. Proposers should list the number of postdoctoral associates and other professional positions included in the proposal and indicate the number of full-time-equivalent (FTE) person-months and rate of pay (hourly, monthly or annually). For graduate and undergraduate students and all other personnel categories such as secretarial, clerical, technical, etc., show the total number of people needed in each job title and total salaries needed. Salaries requested must be consistent with the institution's regular practices. The budget explanation should define concisely the role of each position in the overall project.
4.2 Equipment
DOE defines equipment as "an item of tangible personal property that has a useful life of more than two years and an acquisition cost of $5000 or more." Special purpose equipment means equipment which is used only for research, scientific or other technical activities. Items of needed equipment should be individually listed by description and estimated cost, including tax, and adequately justified. Allowable items ordinarily will be limited to scientific equipment that is not already available for the conduct of the work. General purpose office equipment normally will not be considered eligible for support.
4.3 Domestic Travel
The type and extent of travel and its relation to the research should be specified. Funds may be requested for attendance at meetings and conferences, other travel associated with the work and subsistence. In order to qualify for support, attendance at meetings or conferences must enhance the investigator's capability to perform the research, plan extensions of it, or disseminate its results. Consultant's travel costs also may be requested.
4.4 Foreign Travel
Foreign travel is any travel outside Canada and the United States and its territories and possessions. Foreign travel may be approved only if it is directly related to project objectives.
4.5 Other Direct Costs
The budget should itemize other anticipated direct costs not included under the headings above, including materials and supplies, publication costs, computer services, and consultant services (which are discussed below). Other examples are: aircraft rental, space rental at research establishments away from the institution, minor building alterations, service charges, and fabrication of equipment or systems not available off-the-shelf. Reference books and periodicals may be charged to the project only if they are specifically related to the research.
a. Materials and Supplies
The budget should indicate in general terms the type of required expendable materials and supplies with their estimated costs. The breakdown should be more detailed when the cost is substantial.
b. Publication Costs/Page Charges
The budget may request funds for the costs of preparing and publishing the results of research, including costs of reports, reprints page charges, or other journal costs (except costs for prior or early publication), and necessary illustrations.
c. Consultant Services
Anticipated consultant services should be justified and information furnished on each individual's expertise, primary organizational affiliation, daily compensation rate and number of days expected service. Consultant's travel costs should be listed separately under travel in the budget.
d. Computer Services
The cost of computer services, including computer-based retrieval of scientific and technical information, may be requested. A justification based on the established computer service rates should be included.
e. Subcontracts
Subcontracts should be listed so that they can be properly evaluated. There should be an anticipated cost and an explanation of that cost for each subcontract. The total amount of each subcontract should also appear as a budget item.
4.6 Indirect Costs
Explain the basis for each overhead and indirect cost. Include the current rates.