FEDERAL AGENCY:

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC AGENCY, NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

AUTHORIZATION:

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1956, 16 U.S.C. 661-666c; Department of Commerce Appropriation Act of 1999; Public Law 103-211; Saltonstall-Kennedy Act, 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).

To provide grants and cooperative agreements for biological, economic, sociological, public policy, and other research and administration projects to benefit U.S. fisheries industries and contribute to the economic and social welfare of the Nation; also, to award grants and cooperative agreements to develop innovative approaches and methods for ensuring the safety, quality and integrity of U.S. fishery products; also, to provide funds to the five States bordering the Gulf of Mexico, for projects or other measures designed to alleviate the long-term effects of disasters on the Gulf's fishery resources and associated habitat. To facilitate the administration, coordination and implementation of the research activities of the Cooperative Institute for Fisheries Molecular Biology (FISHTEC). The goal of FISHTEC is to develop, test, and apply new technology in molecular biology for use in management of commercial and recreational marine fisheries. Emphasis of the research program is placed on development of molecular genetics techniques to identify and evaluate the status of fish stocks/populations subject to fishing pressure and/or environmental impacts. To support the implementation of community-based demonstration projects in the U.S. western Pacific that promote the development of fishery-related industries and the economic self-sufficiency of native Pacific islanders and communities.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds can be used by recipients to support a wide variety of research and management activities for high- priority marine and estuarine resources, especially for species and/or their habitat currently under, or proposed for future Federal or interjurisdictional management.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Eligible applicants for assistance include State and local governments, including their universities and colleges; U.S. territorial agencies; Federal and State-recognized Indian Tribal governments; private universities and colleges; private profit and nonprofit research and conservation organizations and/or individuals.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   This program benefits Federal, State, and interstate marine resource conservation and management agencies; U.S. and foreign commercial and recreational fishing industries; conservation organizations, academic institutions; international and Indian Tribal treaties; private and public research groups; consumers; 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 application and conduct.

Pre-application Coordination:   The standard application forms as furnished by the agency. Depending on the Authorization, some elements of this program are covered by E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Submission of an application on Standard Form 424, including all required certifications, to the appropriate National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regional director, science and research director, or office director. This program is subject to the provisions of 15 CFR Part 24 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments), and OMB Circular No. A-110 (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 whom the debt is owed.

Award Procedure:   Proposals are initially evaluated by the pertinent NMFS office/region/science center, or their component laboratories, and are subject to review for technical merit, soundness of design, competency of the applicant to perform the proposed work, potential contribution of the project to national or regional goals, and appropriateness and reasonableness of proposed costs. Projects recommended for funding will be submitted to the NOAA Grants Management Division for review and approval.

Deadlines:   Project applications must be received by the receiving NMFS office at least 90 days before the requested start date of the project.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Approval time is expected to range for 90 to 120 days, which includes processing of the award through the NMFS, NOAA and DOC financial assistance procedures.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Grants and cooperative agreements are approved on an annual basis, but may be continued beyond the first segment, subject to approved time frame and scope of work, satisfactory progress, and availability of funds. Renewal of an award to increase funding, extend the period of an award to increase funding, or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the Department.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula. Projects are funded at up to 100 percent of the Federal share. Depending upon the Authorization, grantee matching contributions may be required.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Awards are normally for a 12 month period. In some instances, award periods may extend beyond 12 months, or may be completed in less than 12 months. Award funds must be spent in the indicated budget period and are expended in accordance with DOC/NOAA finance and reporting procedures. NMFS award funds are normally released to the recipient upon request, from NOAA Vendor Express, Financial Assistance Disbursement System, FADS.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

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. Progress reports summarize work accomplished and explain situations where expected work has not been completed.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), 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.

Records:   Generally, a recipient is required to retain records relating to a particular grant for three (3) years from the date of submission of the final financial report. In cases where litigation, claim or an audit is initiated prior to expiration of the three-year period, records must be retained until the action and resolution of any issues associated with it are complete or until the end of the three- year retention period; whichever is latest.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   13-1450-0-1-306.

Obligations:   (Grants and Cooperative Agreements) FY 01 $500,000; FY 02 est $0; and FY 03 est $1,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   $50,000 to $150,000. Average: $100,000.

Southeast: Restoration of the bay scallop in Florida - an integrated approach to stock enhancement and evaluation of benefit; Mississippi's shellfish restoration and enhancement project; Monitoring the impact of environmental perturbations on commercial fishermen; Commercial fishing obstruction removal program; Restoration and research of Alabama marine fisheries affected by natural disaster. Develop methods to restore Louisiana oyster habitat by recycling oyster shell and comparing alternative cultch materials for restoring oyster reefs.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular Nos. A-21 for Institutions of Higher Education, A-87 for State and Local Governments, and with A-122 for Nonprofit Organizations. Grants management will be in accordance with provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 for Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit Organizations and with 15 CFR Part 24 for State and Local Governments.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Alaska: Peter Jones, NMFS, Alaska Regional Office, P.O. Box 12668, Juneau, AK 99802. Telephone: (907) 586-7280. Email: peter.d.jones@noaa.gov. Northeast: Harold C. Mears, Director, State, Federal, and Constituent Programs Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Region, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298. Telephone: (978)281-9243. Fax: (978) 281- 9117. Email: Grants.Information@noaa.gov. Northwest: Kevin Ford, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Region, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115. Telephone: (206) 526-6115. Fax: (206) 526- 4461. Email: Kevin.Ford@noaa.gov. Southeast: Jeff Brown, State/Federal Liaison Office, Southeast Regional Office, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702. Telephone: (727) 570-5324. Fax: (727) 570-5364. Email: jeff.brown@noaa.gov. Southwest: Patricia J. Donley, Federal Program Officer, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. Telephone: (562) 980-4033. Fax: (562) 980-4047. Email: pat.donley@noaa.gov. PIAO: Mr. Kelvin Char, Program Analyst, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814. Telephone: (808)973- 2935x213. Fax: (808)973-2941. Email: Kelvin.Char@noaa.gov.

Headquarters Office:   JoAnna Grable, Management and Administration Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-1364. Use the same number for FTS. Fax: (301) 713-2258. Email: joanna.grable@noaa.gov.

Web Site Address:  
http://www.noaa.gov
Southeast:
http://caldera.sero.nmfs.gov/grants/programs/industry.htm

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Southeast: Funded research to restore bay scallops in Florida through stock enhancement and funded projects to eradicate exotic plants from shorelines to reduce beach erosion. Provided funds to restore oyster beds in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama that were damaged as a result of hurricanes and flooding. Funded removal of underwater obstacles to navigation and fishing that were left after hurricanes. PIAO: Support outreach and education programs of a native Hawaiian and Samoa service organization (Alu Like) to promote interests in careers in marine fisheries and other related disciplines and employment opportunities. Disseminate information and provide training opportunities that prepare native Pacific islanders for potential recruitment as certified NMFS fisheries observers.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Proposals may be selected from several sources, e.g., unsolicited proposals, Congressionally-mandated projects, applications received as a result of notices published in the Federal Register. Recipients and sub recipients are subject to all applicable Federal laws and Federal and Departmental policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.