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Funding OpportunitiesDeveloping the Next Generation of Great Lakes Lower Foodweb Assessment Tools REQUEST FOR APPLICATION (RFA) FOR AWARD OF A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT OVERVIEW INFORMATION Craig L. Johnson, 218-529-5016, johnson.craig@epa.gov ATTACHMENTS 1, 2, 3 are provided
I. Funding Opportunity Description Title of Assistance Opportunity: DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GREAT LAKES LOWER FOODWEB ASSESSMENT TOOLS Background: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing a request for applications (RFA) under the Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE) program to develop the next generation of Great Lakes lower foodweb assessment tools. The overall goals are to: 1) define the current status of the lower aquatic foodweb, as possible, placing results in proper historical context; and 2) participate in evaluating new technologies and sampling designs that may be part of the next generation of monitoring. As a basis for the requested assistance, U.S. and Canadian environmental agencies have organized a 2003 field sampling effort, the Lake Ontario Lower Aquatic foodweb project (LOLA) (see Attachments 1 and 2 below). This effort in 2003 repeated sampling at a number of historical stations, which will allow time-trend comparisons. The 2003 data will help characterize the present status of the lower foodweb in Lake Ontario, but 2003 efforts will also establish a foundation for discussions on the next generation of monitoring and assessment tools and approaches. The introduction of exotic zooplankton and mussels has dramatically altered Lake Ontario’s aquatic foodweb over the last decade. The near disappearance of Lake Ontario’s keystone benthic organism, the amphipod Diporeia, in waters less than 100 m deep threatens the viability of fisheries as well as efforts to restore naturally reproducing populations of lake trout. It is suspected that dressenid mussels (zebra and quagga) have been able to out-compete Diporeia for nutrients. There are also concerns that recently introduced exotic zooplankton, such as Bythotrepes and Cercopagis have the potential to alter native zooplankton communities. Interpretation of 2003 lower aquatic food web data collected by the United States and Canadian monitoring programs will provide fishery managers with an improved understanding of Lake Ontario’s ability to support commercial and recreational fisheries valued at more than 2.5 billion dollars per year. This research information will allow fishery managers to take any necessary steps such as revising fish stocking and harvest quotas. These fisheries are an important source of livelihood for many lakeside communities. The development of a long-term monitoring approach to track the status of Lake Ontario’s lower foodweb is a high priority for the U.S. and Canadian Lake Ontario Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s Lake Ontario Committee (LOC). The project described in this RFA will be an integral component of LOLA, a cooperative bi-national monitoring project involving many key Lake Ontario researchers that, as a prime objective, will define the current status of Lake Ontario’s lower foodweb. Longer-term goals are to develop lower foodweb ecosystem indicators and efficient coordinated bi-national approaches to assess the status of the Lake. Some example questions to be addressed by 2003 sampling include:
The data to be compiled and analyzed as requested under this RFA were collected by various government monitoring programs in 2003:
All field samples have been collected, analyses are near completion, and information on sample locations and parameter values will be provided subsequently to the RARE collaborator, whose principal role will be to compile the data, perform a preliminary analysis for evaluation by all partners, and provide a final report. Partners involved in component efforts have agreed to share data to allow for a centralized data analysis and they will also be part of the synthesis via a planned workshop. Sample collection handling and analysis will be conducted according to existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) utilized by U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes monitoring programs. The U.S. EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Region 2 will serve as the U.S. coordinating leads in the interpretation and analysis of this data, along with Canadian counterparts. An ORD Project Officer will oversee the collaborative effort under this assistance agreement. Funding Priorities/Focus: The scope of the proposal developed in response to this solicitation must focus on compiling the data provided, providing an initial graphical and statistical examination of these data, coordinating and conducting a workshop to discuss Lake Ontario’s condition as indicated by the 2003 data, and developing a final report that describes the current state of the lower foodweb status and recommends continuing and future monitoring and assessment strategies. There are four defined tasks within this RFA:
GPRA Goals, Objectives: The specific Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) Goals, Objectives and Sub-objectives that relate to this RFA include:
Statutory Authority for Award of Assistance: Research will be funded under the statutory authority of the Clean Water Act (P.L.92-500, as amended) Section 104(a)(1). Interested applicants must be eligible to receive Federal assistance under this Act and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 30 - General Regulation for Assistance, Part 31- Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Government, Part 34- New Restrictions on Lobbying, and Part 40 - Research and Demonstration Grants. The purpose is to commence research projects relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction and elimination of water pollution. Amount and Range of Individual Award: Proposal budgets must total $108,348 or less (exclusive of cost-sharing provisions), including all overhead and indirect costs at approved federal government rate. Number of Awards: EPA expects to announce the one successful recipient during summer 2004. Funding: The EPA is expected to fund this award over a period of approximately one (1) year. Funding of the first year of the award is expected to be at $108,348. Project Period: September 01, 2004 to August 30, 2005 Supplemental Applications: Applications for supplemental awards of existing EPA assistance agreements will not be eligible to compete for this assistance opportunity. Type of Award: The Agency anticipates the award of a cooperative agreement. Anticipated Federal Involvement: EPA and the Project Officer for this assistance agreement anticipate substantial involvement in the implementation of the research as follows:
The selected proposal will receive federal financial assistance from EPA through a Cooperative Agreement. A Cooperative Agreement is a legal instrument for the transfer of funds to an organization for the implementation of an EPA approved workplan, under which substantial involvement is anticipated between the Federal Agency and the recipient organization during the performance of the approved activities. In the case of this project, Developing the Next Generation of Great Lakes Lower Aquatic Foodweb Assessment Tools, it is anticipated that personnel from EPA-Region 2 and EPA-ORD Duluth Offices will work closely with the recipient during the implementation of the approved workplan, including (but not limited to) providing assistance in identifying appropriate environmental information to be included in the assessment; and identifying environmental and ecological conditions, issues or problems that can be addressed during different stages of implementation of the workplan. Also, it is expected that the recipient would work closely with EPA in the organization, development and implementation of outreach activities, including seminars. Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education and not-for-profit institutions located in the U.S., and tribal, state and local governments, are eligible to apply. Profit-making firms are not eligible to receive cooperative agreements from EPA under this program. Cost Sharing Requirements: Institutional cost-share is not required. However, the degree of recipient cost sharing incorporated into the proposal, such as in-kind contributions, including: facilities, equipment, materials, professional services, or volunteer staff provided by non-Federal public agencies, organizations, or individuals, will be considered. Other Eligibility Criteria: Eligible nonprofit organizations include any organizations that meet the
definition of nonprofit in OMB Circular A-122. However, nonprofit organizations
described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage
in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure
Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply. Universities and educational institutions
must be subject to OMB Circular A-21. Coalitions may not include for-profit organizations that will provide services or products to the successful applicant. For-rofit organizations are not eligible for sub awards. Any contracts for services or products funded with EPA financial assistance must be awarded under the competitive procurement procedures of 40 CFR Part 30. The regulations also contain limitations on consultant compensation. Applicants are not required to identify contractors or consultants in the proposal. Moreover, the fact a successful applicant has named a specific contractor or consultant in the proposal EPA approves does not relieve it of its obligations to comply with competitive procurement requirements or consultant compensation limitations. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility during the Administrative Review (see Section V). Initial proposals from ineligible applicants will be returned without further review. IV. Application and Submission Information Address to Request Application Package: U.S. EPA, NHEERL\MED,
6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804. Information: Craig
L. Johnson, (218) 529-5016. Internet address: johnson.craig@epa.gov.
Application information is also available from the Federal
Government’s
funding opportunities website, http://www.fedgrants.gov Content and Form of Application Submission: At a minimum, the initial proposal shall consist of the following items: 1. A cover sheet that identifies the RFA title and identification number, name and address of applicant, point of contact, telephone number, e-mail address for the applicant, applicant's DUNS number (see Section VIII), and the date of the submission. 2. The pre-proposals must contain two standard federal forms, a workplan with budget, and appendices, as described below. Please follow instructions and do not submit additional items.
The scope of the proposal developed in response to this solicitation must focus on compiling the data provided, performing an initial graphical and statistical examination of those data, coordinating and conducting a workshop to discuss Lake Ontario’s condition as indicated by the 2003 data, and developing a report that describes presents lower foodweb status and recommends continuing and future monitoring and assessment strategies. In developing the technical proposal, the applicant should focus on the evaluation criteria set forth in Section V and structure the proposal to address each of the criteria in the order listed. The page limitation of the technical proposal is 12 double-sided pages (24 pages total) with a minimum font size of 12. This page limitation should include all text, tables, figures, references, attachments, and appendices. In addition, a 2-page curriculum vitae should be included for the principal investigator and any other key personnel identified in the proposal. 3. A budget estimate for the project that is broken down into direct labor, fringe benefits, equipment, travel, other direct costs and overhead with summaries for each year and the total for the entire project. Indicate any proposed cost sharing (not required). Proposal budgets must total $108,348 or less (exclusive of cost-sharing provisions), including all overhead and indirect costs, at approved federal government rates. Recipient should budget funds for one trip to coordinate a workshop that will bring together principal investigators of the Lake Ontario 2003 field effort, and other invited experts, where the workshop objective is to use the data report as a basis for examining the status of Lake Ontario and evaluating next generation monitoring tools. This effort will guide the summary report content and structure. The RARE collaborator will budget for:
4. A Quality Assurance Management Plan that outlines the steps that will be taken to adequately address this issue throughout the term of this study. Note: QA requirements will be determined through consultation with the QA Manager. Initial proposals should be submitted in the original with 3 copies and should be double-sided. Submission Date, Time, and Location: To be considered timely, initial proposals must be received by 4:00 pm local time on June 11, 2004, from the U.S. Postal Service or other commercial delivery service. Proposals should be submitted to U.S. EPA, NHEERL\MED, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, Minnesota 55804. For additional information contact: Craig L. Johnson, (218) 529-5016. Internet address: johnson.craig@epa.gov. Initial proposals received after the deadline will not be considered and will be returned to the submitter. Applicants who submit proposals by hand should request a receipt from the security guard at the main entrance of the EPA facility. Intergovernmental Review: This assistance opportunity
is subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs." Applicants
should contact their state's Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
to find out how to comply with the state's process. The names
and addresses of the SPOC's are listed in the Office of Management
and Budget's home page at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html Funding Restrictions: Funding of the first year of the award is expected
to be at $108,000. Other Submission Requirements: None. V. Application Review Information Criteria: The criteria used to evaluate proposals include: Administrative Review: All initial proposals will be subject to an administrative review to ensure that they conform to the requirements of this RFA. EPA may reject any applications that fail to conform substantially to the requirements of this RFA. Relevance Review: Initial proposals that are found administratively acceptable will be subjected to a review for relevancy to EPA's mission to support advancement of environmental science. Initial proposals may be rejected if they are found to lack relevance. Examples include:
Technical Review: Initial proposals that are found administratively acceptable and relevant shall be reviewed for technical merit against the following criteria: Proposal Evaluation Factors
Other Factors: If two or more of the superior-rated proposals receive similar rankings, the respective budgets will be evaluated for cost reasonableness and cost realism. The proposal that is determined to be the most reasonable/realistic will be selected for award. The amount of cost sharing proposed (if any) will not result in additional points for any applicant, but will be considered in the evaluation of the reasonableness and realism of the overall budget. Review and Selection Process: Evaluation Process: The administrative and relevancy reviews will be conducted by EPA personnel who are not a part of the technical review panel. The technical review panel shall consist of at least one internal EPA reviewer and at least two non-EPA reviewers who are able to demonstrate technical expertise and a lack of any conflict of interest. Source Selection: EPA will conduct the evaluation of initial proposals and make a selection of the applicant for award based upon the rankings of the technical review panel and the other factors discussed above. The Decision Official will be an EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) manager who will determine which applicant should receive the award. Full Application: The applicant selected for award will be requested to submit a full, detailed application in accordance with the guidance provided by EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment (http://www.epa.gov/ogd/). After receipt of the full application, EPA may negotiate changes to the proposal with the selected applicant. For example, EPA will discuss significant comments received from the technical reviewers, aspects of the budget that may be questionable, the proposed terms and conditions for the agreement, and the nature and extent of EPA collaboration. Rejection Factors: Applications may be rejected because they fail to comply with the administrative requirements of the RFA, they are found to lack relevancy, they are judged technically unacceptable, or they are not deemed suitable for award due to other factors (if identified). EPA reserves the right to reject all proposals or applications and make no awards. Disputes: Disputes will be resolved pursuant to the process described in 40 CFR 30.63 and Part 31, subpart F. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates: The anticipated award date is 08/16/2004. VI. Award Administration Information Award Notices: Notice of award will be made in writing by an official in the EPA Grants Administration Division. Preliminary selection by the Decision Official in the Office of Research and Development does not guarantee an award will be made. Applicants are cautioned that only a grants officer can bind the government to the expenditure of funds. No commitment on the part of EPA should be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with an EPA Program Official. A Principal Investigator or organization that makes financial or personnel commitments in the absence of a grant or cooperative agreement signed by the EPA Grants Award Official does so at their own risk. EPA will promptly notify in writing (postal or email) those applicants whose initial proposal is rejected. An unsuccessful applicant may request a debriefing to better understand the evaluated strengths and weaknesses of its proposal and the reason for rejection if other than technical merit. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: Regulations and OMB Coverage: Grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations are subject to 40 CFR Parts 30 and 40 and OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofits and A-21 for institutions of higher learning. Grants and agreements with state, local, and tribal governments are subject to 40 CFR Parts 31 and 40 and OMB Circular A-87. Programmatic Terms and Conditions: Terms and conditions will be negotiated with the selected recipient covering the following requirements: It is required that projects be performed by qualified personnel. All proposals must identify any person who will assist in carrying out the project. The authorized representative of the recipient whose proposal is selected for an award is responsible for accepting the cooperative agreement from EPA and ensuring that all cooperative agreement conditions are satisfied. Recipients are responsible for the successful completion of the project as described in Attachment 3 and for complying with all reporting requirements of the cooperative agreement. Award recipients may begin incurring allowable costs on the start date identified in the EPA cooperative agreement. Activities must be completed and funds spent within the time frames specified in the award agreement. EPA funds may be used only for the purposes set forth in the cooperative agreement and must conform to Federal cost principles contained in OMB Circular A–87; A–122; and A–21, as appropriate. Ineligible costs will be reduced from the final cooperative agreement award. Proposals and resultant work generated under this solicitation will be
subject to peer review, at EPA’s expense, and must comply with
all EPA quality assurance requirements. Instructions for preparing
a Quality Assurance Project Plan, can be found in EPA QA/G-5,
Guidance for Quality Assurance Project Plans, which is on INTERNET
site, http://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/g5-final.pdf (PDF
401KB). To further the assistance-agreement objectives of public support and stimulation, applicants must agree to make methods, models, and data resulting from this agreement accessible to the public and to EPA researchers. The nature and extent of collaboration between EPA and the recipient: EPA and the Project Officer for this assistance agreement anticipate substantial involvement in the implementation of the research as follows:
The selected proposal will receive federal financial assistance from EPA through a Cooperative Agreement. A Cooperative Agreement is a legal instrument for the transfer of funds to an organization for the implementation of an EPA approved workplan, under which substantial involvement is anticipated between the Federal Agency and the recipient organization during the performance of the approved activities. In the case of this project, Developing the Next Generation of Great Lakes Lower Aquatic Foodweb Assessment Tools, it is anticipated that personnel from EPA-Region 2 and EPA-ORD Duluth Offices will work closely with the recipient organization during the implementation of the approved workplan, including (but not limited to) providing assistance in identifying appropriate environmental information to be included in the assessment; and identifying environmental and ecological conditions, issues or problems that can be addressed during different stages of implementation of the workplan. Also, it is expected that the recipient organization would work closely with EPA in the organization, development and implementation of outreach activities, including seminars. Reporting: Quarterly Progress Reports: The selected recipient will be required to submit quarterly progress reports summarizing technical progress, difficulties encountered, and planned activities for the next quarter. Each report shall include a summary of expenditures. The first quarterly report will be due ninety days after the cooperative agreement is awarded to the recipient. Interim Report: The selected recipient will be required to submit an interim report that would highlight major findings that are readily apparent after their initial review of the available data. The purpose of this report will be to disseminate key findings to the broader community of Great Lakes lower aquatic foodweb experts so that ongoing monitoring projects can be modified to address any newly identified issues. Examples of the types of key findings to be included in this report would be the discovery of a new exotic species or significant declines in certain native species. This report would be released at the workshop to be organized by the recipient. The recipient will submit a draft of the interim report to EPA for review prior to the workshop. EPA will review the draft to ensure that the report is clear and that the major findings are well supported. This review will not include a full technical review. Final Report: The selected recipient will be required to submit a final report within no later than 90 days of the completion of the period of performance. The final report will include detailed maps, tables, charts and any other graphical displays needed to illustrate key findings. The schedule for the development of the final report should allow for a 30-day review period by EPA (which would include experts from outside EPA) and sufficient time to allow the recipient to address any comments and issues identified by this review. The primary agency contact for this RFA is Craig Johnson at:
If unable to reach Craig Johnson, contact Jack Kelly at:
Questions: Questions should be submitted in writing by the principal investigator. Do not attempt to seek information regarding this RFA from any sources other than those identified in Section VII as the information provided may be erroneous. Questions that are considered significant will be answered via an amendment to this RFA. Confidential Information: Clearly mark information considered to be confidential. EPA will make final confidentially decisions in accordance with Agency regulations (40 CFR, Part 2, Subpart B). As noted above, initial proposals for research and demonstration projects will be provided to at least two non-EPA consultants for review. All reviewers will be required to sign confidentiality agreements certifying they will keep all deliberations confidential. They will not copy any portions of any material provided by EPA for review, and they will return all materials to EPA upon request. If you are unwilling to allow non-EPA consultants to review, please advise us of your decision in a cover letter to your proposal. DUNS Number: Applicants are required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. OMB has determined that there is a need for improved statistical reporting of Federal grants and cooperative agreements. Use of the DUNS number government-wide will provide a means to identify entities receiving those awards and their business relationships. The identifier will be used for tracking purposes, and to validate address and point of contact information. A DUNS number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper
application or using the government-wide electronic portal
(http://www.grants.gov References Johannsson, O.E., E.S. Millard, K.M, Ralph, D.D. Myles, D.M. Graham, W.D. Taylor, B.G. Giles, R.E. Allen, E.A. Rosalie, R.E. Allen. 1998. The changing pelagia of Lake Ontario (1981 to 1995): A report of the DFO long term biomonitoring (Bioindex) program. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. No. 2243: 278 pp. Johannsson, O. 1995. Response to Mysis relicta population dynamics and productivity to spatial and seasonal gradients in Lake Ontario. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 52: 1509-1522. Lozano, S.J., Scharold, J.V. and Nalepa, T.F. 2001. Recent declines in benthic macroinvertebrate densities in Lake Ontario. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 58: 518-529. Mills, E.L., C.C. Wafer, E.M. Pueschel, L.G. Rudstam, B. Lantry, R. McCullough, D. Bishop, W. Pearsall, J. Norris, B. Trometer, C. Knauf and G. Brown. 2000. 2000 Status of the Lake Ontario ecosystem: A biomonitoring approach. NYSDEC Lake Ontario Annual Report 2000. Section 23. Bureau of Fisheries Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Unit to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission’s Lake Ontario Committee. March 2001. Attachments 1, 2 and 3 are provided. Attachment 1. LOLA 2003 Planned Lake Ontario Sample Locations and Transects
Attachment 2. Summary of samples collected in 2003 as part of LOLA cruises.
East-West / North-South Comparisons: East-west and north-south differences between offshore sites will be examined for seven parameters (TP, SRP, Chl a, water temperature, zooplankton & mysid density, size, and biomass). The east-west dividing line to be used is 77.80 W longitude line and the north-south division is at 43.60 N latitude. T-tests assuming unequal variance will be used to determine the degree of difference of log-transformed (zooplankton density and biomass) and untransformed (TP, SRP, Chl a, water temperature, zooplankton size) data. Relationship will be considered significant for two-tailed tests at p < 0.05. Spatial Variability: Seasonal and Temporal Variability in Embayment and Nearshore Habitats: Relationships of Variables: Zooplankton Community Dynamics: Zooplankton - Cercopagis pengoi: Mysids – The ability of location and station depth to predict mysid abundance will be examined by multiple regression analysis after the independent variables (distance, station depth) are standardized, using z-scores and the dependent value (abundance) is transformed (log (x + 1)). Reproduction and growth status will be compared across depth ranges. One-way analysis of variance will be used to make these comparisons. Benthos Samples – Mean population densities for the various regions of the lake (numbers of individuals per square meter), and with previous survey results (Lozano et al. 2001), will be compared with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Turkey’s test (p<0.05) using densities at each station as replicates (Wilkinson 1996). Water depth will be included as a covariate term. A variance stabilizing transformation will be used prior to data analysis. An arcsine – square root transformation will be used for percentage data and a log transformation will be used for macroinvertebrate density data. Special nearshore transects for detailed zooplankton and food web analyses (June and August 2003): Compile in a form compatible with comparison to OPC size spectrum data, the 2003 zooplankton taxonomic analyses and size measurements as part of special nearshore transect sampling. Work with ORD to compare OPC size spectra results as well as degree of
variability with those measured with traditional net tow results.
Work with ORD and Region 2 and other research PI’s to develop a recommendation
to the LaMP and LOC for modifications to their current zooplankton indicator,
through assistance with a draft recommendations report. Evaluate the status
of zooplankton populations using the current Lake Ontario Lakewide Management
Plan’s zooplankton indicator:
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