Competition for the Management and Operation of the National Center for Atmospheric Research

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Solicitation  07-542

SYNOPSIS

The National Science Foundation is soliciting proposals for the management and operation of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). NCAR, an NSF Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), is a center of excellence supporting the atmospheric and broader sciences community. NCAR operates world-class observational facilities and computing infrastructure, conducts an extensive in-house research program and a vigorous program of education, training and outreach, and maintains extensive national and international collaborations. NCAR also carries out research and development on behalf of other organizations, most commonly other US government agencies. This work, which can only be undertaken if it is consistent with the NCAR mission, currently accounts for approximately 30% of NCAR's total funding.

The awardee will work closely with NSF and the university community to ensure that NCAR continues to support, sustain and advance the atmospheric and related sciences. The awardee will manage and develop the NCAR staff, buildings and facilities, and will promote an ambitious, coherent and inclusive program of research and education.

A single award will be made, as a cooperative agreement with a duration of five years from 1 October 2008. Further five-year terms may be awarded, subject to the awardee's satisfactory performance and where compliant with the National Science Board Policy on competition (NSB 97-224).

Informational Site Visit

NSF intends to conduct a site visit to NCAR in Boulder, Colorado for representatives of potential proposing organizations. The visit is expected to take place in early 2007, prior to the submission of preliminary proposals, and will be guided and managed by NSF staff. This will be an opportunity for potential proposers to view the Center’s buildings and facilities and to acquire information relevant to the development of a proposal. Attendees will be responsible for their own expenses. Any organization that is interested in submitting a proposal and wishes to have representatives attend the site visit should contact Kristin Spencer in writing by February 9th 2007.

RELATED URLS

Questions and NSF Responses on Program Solicitation NSF07-542

Frequently Asked Questions (MS Word Document)

Dear Colleague Letter About the Competition

E-mail for General Inquiries: ncarcomp@nsf.gov

REVISIONS AND UPDATES

In furtherance of the President's Management Agenda, NSF has identified programs that will offer proposers the option to utilize Grants.gov to prepare and submit proposals, or will require that proposers utilize Grants.gov to prepare and submit proposals. Grants.gov provides a single Government-wide portal for finding and applying for Federal grants online.

In response to this program solicitation, proposers may opt to submit proposals via Grants.gov or via the NSF FastLane system.