(1) A priority of the GIS I&D program is to fund state and local level coastal resource management organizations proposing geospatial solutions to issues related to coastal hazards; and to provide other easily accessible spatial data, tools, and support services to the coastal management community.
An example of a cooperative agreement grant awarded in 2005 by the GIS I&D program is a project with the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency.
This agency is working with the Center to develop four Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications to enhance overall planning, response, and recovery from hurricane hazards, building on previous tools such as HURREVAC, a restricted-use program developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the National Weather Service.
This project is scheduled to end in October 2006.
(2) Another 2005 GIS I&D cooperative agreement grant project was awarded to the Ventura County, California, Planning Division for development of a comprehensive GIS database of biological resources at a parcel scale for Ventura County, California.
This project is scheduled to end in March 2007.
(3) Under the CIS branch in 2005, a $97,570 cooperative agreement was awarded to Mississippi State University to develop a shared geospatial database for Mobile Bay and the Tennessee-Tombigbee watershed.
This project is scheduled to end in September 2006.
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.
For the GIS I&D program the following are accomplishments: A national level, state-based inventory of geospatial data, policies, and technology posted on the Web at http://www.md.gisinventory.net/ as a result of Random Access Metadata Tool for Online National Assessments-Phase 1 grant project. Through a grant entitled Developing a Dynamic and Distributed GIS to Support Coastal Management Along the Lake Superior Coast of Wisconsin GIS Web sites serving spatial data relevant to coastal management long the Lake Superior coast of Wisconsin, two refereed journal articles, Web tutorials on-line at http://maps.aqua.wisc.edu/lscmp/wlscmp_index.htm , and three project workshops were completed.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Uses will be in the following Center areas: Coastal Learning Services (CLS) program will develop a training program for coastal managers and scientists.
The Center's goal is to build leadership skills and capabilities to meet the changing needs within the coastal community.
Coastal Learning Services (CLS) program will work with cooperators to collect and analyze physical, social, and environmental indicator data and the Center will provide technical assistance and training on performance measures.
The Geographic Information Systems Integration and Development Program (GIS I&D) program will provide relevant, easily accessible spatial data, tools, and support services to the coastal resource management community by working with nationally networked organizations on geospatial solutions to issues related to coastal hazards.
The Landscape Characterization & Restoration program will develop an environmental characterization of a coastal region designed for use by coastal resource managers within two or more states to address a single management issue related to coastal development.
The Pacific Services Center (PSC), located in Hawaii, will provide competitive grants through the Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program to support existing environmental education programs, fosters the growth of new programs, and encourages the development of partnerships among environmental education programs throughout the Hawaii.
These projects provide meaningful outdoor experiences for students and professional development opportunities for teachers in the area of environmental education.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Institutions of higher educations, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Institutions of higher educations, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, and State, local and Indian tribal governments.
Credentials/Documentation
Proposals with statements of work and estimated budgets. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circulars Nos. A-21 for agreements with education institutions, A-87 for State and local governments and A-122 for nonprofit institutions.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms as furnished by the agency and required by 15 CFR Parts 14 and 24 must be used for this program.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedures
Proposal are submitted through Grants.Gov. Applicants will need to enter the Funding Opportunity and/or CFDA number to access the application package and instructions. Application package will then be submitted directly to the Coastal Services Center. Proposal are subject to the requirements of 15 CFR Parts 14 and 24, as applicable.
Award Procedures
Awards are made on the basis of proposals evaluations, technical reviews and administrative reviews, if applicable.
Deadlines
Contact the regional office for application.
Authorization
16 U.S.C. 1456C; 15 U.S.C. 1540; 33 U.S.C. 1442, 883a-d.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 90 to 180 days from time of proposal submission.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Extension requests will be considered by CSC only if the recipient has submitted all required performance reports. At least sixty days prior to the end of the award, recipients must discuss with CSC expected reprogramming and extensions requests. After preliminary negotiation on proposed projects and extensions, formal written reprogramming and extension requests should be received by CSC 45 days prior to the end date of the award. CSC will not recommend approval for any retroactive extension request (received after the end date of the award). Recipients should make every effort to submit one extension request for all projects needing an extension (when possible, multiple extension requests should be avoided). With sufficient justification, CSC will recommend approval of a six-month extension for the first extension request. First time or cumulative extension requests for more than six months but less than 12 months, will need more compelling justification as to why the project was not completed on time or could not be completed within the first six-month extension. Although CSC discourages extensions of more than 12 months, CSC will recommend approval in cases where the funds are already obligated. Renewal 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.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
1-3 years with funding approved annually on individual and group proposals.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Financial Status Reports and Performance Reports are required semi-annually.
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.
Records
Records will be retained in accordance with 15 CFR Parts 14 and 24 for institutions of higher education, other non-profit organizations, and for State and local government.
Financial Information
Account Identification
13-1450-0-1-306.
Obigations
(Grants/Cooperative Agreements) FY 07 $27,000,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Proposals tend to range from $55,000 to $378,000 under the competitive process. For Congressional directed grants (non-competitive process) funding tends to range from $380,000 to 2,811,000 per proposal.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Department Administrative Order 203-36, dated May 15, 1985 (Department of Commerce Grants Administration) and also the NOAA Grants and Cooperative Agreement Policy Manual.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Jeffrey L. Payne, Deputy Director, NOAA Coastal Services Center, 2234 South Hobson Ave., Charleston, SC 29405-2413. Telephone: (843) 740-1207 or contact James Lewis A. Free, Grants Coordinator, Telephone: (843) 740-1185.
Headquarters Office
Mr. John H. Dunnigan, Assistant Administrator, NOS, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-3074 Ext. 154.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals are subject to office evaluations, technical reviews, administrative reviews, and externals reviews, if applicable, taking into consideration primarily scientific merit and application to the goals of NOAA and the Coastal Services Center.
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