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| 11.469 CONGRESSIONALLY IDENTIFIED AWARDS AND PROJECTS |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Departments of Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| The objectives of the overall program are to facilitate education, research and development in the fields of marine and atmospheric science, and to provide a provision of assistance for the construction of suitable facilities for these activities, as specified by Congress. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements). |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| To provide appropriated funds to facilitate education, research and development in the fields of marine and atmospheric science. Appropriated funds can also be used for construction of facilities and construction-related activities to support education, research and development associated with issues of atmospheric or marine sciences. Specific restrictions, other than those mandated for grants, are evaluated on an individual grant or program basis. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Eligible applicants include State and local governments, including their universities and colleges, quasi-governmental agencies, private universities and colleges, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and/or individuals. Typically those specifically identified by Congress in agency appropriations legislation. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Through the awarding of financial assistance to facilitate education, research and development in the fields of marine and atmospheric science, and for the construction of educational, research and development facilities, this program benefits Federal, State, local governments, public and private universities and colleges, profit and nonprofit organizations, and the general public. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| Applicants are required to satisfy all DOC/NOAA standards and regulations, including routine and special terms and conditions, for financial assistance programs. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| The standard application forms are furnished by the agency. Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program. An environmental analysis is required for each project funded under this program under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, 40 CFR 1500. As a result of this analysis, an Environmental Assessment and/or Environmental Impact Statement also may be required. Applicants should contact the agency for further NEPA guidance. |
| Application Procedure |
| Submission of an application on Standard Form 424 as furnished by NOAA, including all required certifications, to the Program Officer, Congressionally Identified Awards, Office of Finance and Administration, Acquisitions and Grants Office. This program is subject to the provisions of 15 CFR 24, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments, and 15 CFR 14, Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations. NOAA reserves the right to withhold the awarding of a grant or cooperative agreement to any individual or organization delinquent on a debt to the Federal government until payment is made or satisfactory arrangements are made with the agency to which the debt is owed. |
| Award Procedure |
| Applications reviewed by NOAA and are made on the basis of proposal evaluations and technical and administrative reviews. |
| Deadlines |
| Time frame to submit application according to Federal Register announcement (if applicable), or as indicated in specific application cover letter furnished to applicants but in either case no later than May 31, to ensure processing during the fiscal year that funds are appropriated. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Approval time is expected to range from 90 to 180 days from the time of receipt of a complete application. This timeframe includes processing of the award through the NOAA and DOC financial assistance functions. |
| Appeals |
| None. |
| Renewals |
| Contingent upon future Congressional funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the sole discretion of the Department of Commerce/NOAA. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| This program has no matching requirements. Projects are accepted at up to 100 percent Federal share. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Awards are usually for a 12-month period. In some instances, award periods may extend beyond 12 months. The funding is spent in the award's budget period unless otherwise negotiated between the recipient and NOAA and approved by the NOAA Grants Management Division. |
| Reports |
| Reports are due in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award. The Department's Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions generally require that financial and performance reports be submitted semi-annually or as otherwise required under special award conditions. Progress reports summarize work accomplished, relate the progress to the original approved proposal and timelines, explain situations where expected work has not been completed, and request modifications to the project plan as necessary. |
| Audits |
| In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, "nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal Awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for the year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. |
| Records |
| All financial and programmatic records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of grantees or sub-grantees are required to be maintained in accordance with the terms of the award. The recipient must retain records for three years from the date when the final financial status report is submitted. |
| Account Identification |
| 13-1450-0-1-306. |
| Obligations |
| (Grants) FY 07 $0; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| Historically awards have ranged from $140,000 to $28,500,000. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| NOAA grant recipients receiving funding have developed projects fostering a wide range of public benefits in the fields of marine and atmospheric science as specified by Congress in Appropriations Acts. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| Congressional appropriations, Public Law (for FY 1998, Public Law 105-119, Nov. 13, 1997; for FY 1999, Public Law 105-277, Oct. 19, 1998). Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No.A-21 for institutions of higher education, OMB Circular No.A-87 for State and local governments, and OMB Circular No.A-122 for nonprofit organizations. Grants management will be in accordance with provisions of 15 CFR Part 14 for institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations or 15 CFR 24 for State and local governments. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Chief, Grants Management Division, OFA62, SSMC2, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-0926. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.noaa.gov |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| None. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| Bronx Zoo Construction Project. Land Acquisition in Maine, Various Environmental Literacy project such as, Science on the Sphere Projects with Bishop Museum, National Maritime Museum, National Model Earth, National Ocean Science Bowl, and PRIDE Environmental Enhancement Initiative. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| Not applicable. |
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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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