Ocean Exploration
The Department of Commerce fosters and promotes the nation's economic development and technological advancement through vigilance in international trade policy, domestic business policy and growth, and promoting economic progress at all levels.
Satellite Offices in Narragansette, Rhode Island; Charleston, South Carolina; Seattle, Washington.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: Grants and cooperative agreements are awarded as applicable. For example, the Ocean Exploration Science Program sponsors competitive, peer-reviewed exploration projects to collaborate with and augment NOAA intramural research programs. Fiscal Year 2011: No Current Data Available
Uses and Use Restrictions
Cooperative agreements and grants may be used for research and development, education and training, and advisory services.
They may also be used for operational systems as they relate to specific programs.
Specific restrictions, other than those mandated for grants and cooperative agreements are evaluated on an individual program basis.
TBD.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
As stated in NOAA special announcements or applicable reports in support of NOAA"s mission.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Organizations and individuals with interests in support of managing effectively the Nation"s ocean exploration resources.
Credentials/Documentation
: Proposals with statements of work and estimated budgets. Costs will be determined in accordance with applicable OMB Circulars. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program.
Award Procedures
Proposals are subject to office evaluations, technical reviews, administrative reviews, and external reviews, if applicable, taking into consideration primarily scientific merit and application to the goals of NOAA and the Office of Oceans and Atmospheric Research.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, Title XII, Public Law 111-11.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
The range varies from 90 to 180 days from the time of proposal submission to NOAA.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Renewals are conducted by negotiation with the OAR/OER and subject to availability of funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance is available one to three years based on availability of funding. Restrictions are contained in the DOC Grants and Cooperative Agreements Manual. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: For those organizations not having ASAP capability, direct deposit to banking institution is allowed.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Progress reports require program information.
Required every six months.
Progress interim reports every six months and a final report at the end of the award period.
Required as part of the interim and final progress reports.
No performance monitoring is required.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit 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 that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. 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
Recipients are expected to maintain complete records for each grant and/or cooperative agreement to ensure funds are used for the purpose for which the award was made.
Financial Information
Account Identification
13-6145-0-1-306.
Obigations
(Project Grants) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $0; FY 10 est $18,607,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Grants and cooperative agreements are awarded as applicable. For example, the Ocean Exploration Science Program sponsors competitive, peer-reviewed exploration projects to collaborate with and augment NOAA intramural research programs.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
NOAA Grants and Cooperative Agreements Policy Manual. Allowable cost will be determined in accordance with 2 CFR 225for State and local governments and Indian Tribes; 2 CFR 230 for nonprofit and for-profit organizations; 2 CFR 220 for institutions of higher education; and 48 CFR Part 31 for commercial organizations. Financial assistance management will be in accordance with 15 CFR Part 14 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit and commercial organizations, and with 15 CFR Part 24 for State and local governments.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. Satellite Offices in Narragansette, Rhode Island; Charleston, South Carolina; Seattle, Washington.
Headquarters Office
Director 1315 East-West Highway, Room 10210, , Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Phone: (301) 734-1010
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals are subject to office evaluations, technical reviews, administrative reviews, and external reviews, if applicable, taking into consideration primarily scientific merit and application to the goals of NOAA and the Office of Oceans and Atmospheric Research.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Prisons and Social Enterprise
Getting Out and Staying Out, co-founded by Tony Smith of the VSA Consulting Group, works to reduce recidivism rate among men at Rikers Island, New York City. The recidivism rate significantly dropped from 60-plus percent to under 20 percent, with more than a thousand men over a span of  eight years.
