80_FR_18451 80 FR 18386 - Office of Economic Adjustment; Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity

80 FR 18386 - Office of Economic Adjustment; Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 65 (April 6, 2015)

Page Range18386-18390
FR Document2015-07793

This notice announces the opportunity to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), a Department of Defense (DoD) Field Activity, to undertake a research project to assess and evaluate the design and effect of OEA's Defense Industry Adjustment (DIA) program and the assistance that its Grantees provide to affected communities, workers, and businesses. This notice includes proposal submission requirements and instructions, eligibility requirements, and selection criteria that will be used to evaluate proposals from eligible respondents.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 65 (Monday, April 6, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18386-18390]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07793]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Office of Economic Adjustment; Announcement of Federal Funding 
Opportunity

AGENCY: Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement.

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[[Page 18387]]

SUMMARY: This notice announces the opportunity to enter into a 
cooperative agreement with the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), a 
Department of Defense (DoD) Field Activity, to undertake a research 
project to assess and evaluate the design and effect of OEA's Defense 
Industry Adjustment (DIA) program and the assistance that its Grantees 
provide to affected communities, workers, and businesses. This notice 
includes proposal submission requirements and instructions, eligibility 
requirements, and selection criteria that will be used to evaluate 
proposals from eligible respondents.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    a. Federal Awarding Agency: Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), 
Department Of Defense (DoD).
    b. Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2015 Project to Assess and 
Evaluate Defense Industry Adjustment Activities by Grantees under 
section 2391, part (b)(2), of United States Code, Title 10 (10 U.S.C. 
2391).
    c. Announcement Type: Initial Federal Funding Opportunity 
Announcement.
    d. Catalog Of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number & Title: 
12.615, Research & Technical Assistance.
    e. Key Dates: Written/electronic submissions must be received by 
OEA by 5:00 p.m., May 8, 2015 Eastern Daylight Savings Time. OEA will 
hold an informational teleconference at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight 
Savings Time on April 15, 2015 to review the goals and objectives of 
this FFO and answer questions from interested respondents. For the 
teleconference number and passcode, interested respondents should pre-
register for the teleconference no later than April 13, 2015 by 5:00 
p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Pre-registration may be 
accomplished by contacting OEA via email at [email protected] with a courtesy copy to 
[email protected]. OEA expects to notify the 
respondent selected through this FFO by June 19, 2015.

I. Period Of Funding Opportunity

    30 days.

II. Funding Opportunity Description

a. Program Description

    OEA is authorized by 10 U.S.C. 2391 to conclude cooperative 
agreements with a State or local government or any private entity to 
conduct research and provide technical assistance in support of the 
Defense Economic Adjustment Program, and to assist communities, 
businesses and workers responding to Defense changes under 10 U.S.C. 
2391 and Executive Order 12788, as amended. OEA is DoD's primary source 
for assisting communities that are adversely impacted by Defense 
program changes. Founded in 1961, OEA has helped communities in all 50 
States and major United States territories develop comprehensive 
strategies to adjust to defense industry cutbacks, base closures, force 
structure realignments, base expansions, and incompatibilities between 
military operations and local development. Awards provided under this 
announcement support the Defense Economic Adjustment Program by 
providing: (1) Analysis and dissemination of information; and (2) 
support to innovative approaches.
    The objective of OEA's DIA Program is to assist States and local 
governments to plan and carry out community adjustments and economic 
diversification activities in response to reductions in defense 
industry employment. Unlike base closures, where surplus property can 
be reused as part of a broader program to replace lost jobs and expand 
the local tax base, OEA's support for communities affected by factory 
closures and laid-off employees focuses on developing community 
adjustments and diversification strategies concentrating on workforce 
skills, opportunities for manufacturing investment/expansion, and 
adaptability of local plant and capital.
    These strategies usually focus on regional job creation through 
business development, attraction, and expansion; workforce development; 
and community economic diversification. Additionally, during the 
planning process, OEA also coordinates with and provides information on 
other relevant federal assistance programs that can support coordinated 
economic development efforts.
    On June 17, 2013, OEA released a Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) 
announcing the availability of funding under its DIA program to support 
local adjustment activities in response to reduced DoD procurement 
(Federal Register 78 FR 36171). OEA currently provides technical and 
financial assistance to over 30 States, local governments, and 
instrumentalities of local government under this FFO, which was 
reissued on May 20, 2014. Additional applications are anticipated in 
2015. Each project has been developed by a Grantee to respond to the 
particular circumstances of a State or region. Funded projects include 
a range of planning and economic adjustment activities to assist 
vulnerable or affected workers, businesses, and communities. Projects 
often differ substantially from one another, and thus performance 
measures and project outcomes vary across the portfolio. Grantees 
periodically report performance measures to OEA for the term of their 
grant.
    OEA now seeks proposals to develop, test, and carry out 
quantitative and qualitative methodologies to help its DIA Grantees 
more effectively assess, evaluate, and report the full effect of their 
projects. Research findings will primarily help current Grantees adjust 
their projects to achieve better outcomes and secondarily inform the 
design of OEA's program of financial and technical assistance. 
Proposals will be evaluated against the eligibility criteria provided 
in section II.c. of this notice, and the selection criteria provided in 
section II.e. of this notice, by OEA, as well as other Federal agency 
staff as invited by OEA. OEA will notify the respondent within thirty 
(30) days of receipt of a proposal whether the proposal was successful. 
The successful respondent will then be invited to submit an application 
through OEA's eGrants system for a cooperative agreement. Additional 
details about the review and selection process is provided in section 
II.e. of the FFO.
    The final amount of the cooperative agreement will be determined by 
OEA based upon a review of the final grant application and will be 
subject to availability of funds.
    More information about the DIA program is available on the 
following Web site: http://www.oea.gov/programs/dia/start.

b. Federal Award Information

    OEA intends to award one cooperative agreement under this FFO. In 
accordance with 31 U.S.C. 6305, a cooperative agreement is a legal 
instrument reflecting a relationship between the United States 
Government and a State, a local government, or other recipient when the 
principal purpose of the relationship is to transfer a thing of value 
to the State, local government, or other recipient to carry out a 
public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the 
United States instead of acquiring (by purchase, lease, or barter) 
property or services for the direct benefit or use of the United States 
Government, and substantial involvement is expected between the 
executive agency and the State, local government, or other recipient 
when carrying out the activity contemplated

[[Page 18388]]

in the agreement. See Public Law 97-258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1004.
    The project period is for one year. OEA reserves the right to 
continue this effort with the selected respondent for up to 3 
additional years without further competition, subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds, OEA policy, and satisfactory 
performance under the award.

c. Eligibility Information

i. Eligible Respondents
    Eligible respondents include any State, tribal, or local 
governments, Institutions of Higher Education, non-profit entities, or 
for-profit organizations.
ii. Cost Sharing or Matching
    Not applicable.
iii. Eligible Activities
    Eligible activities include research and technical assistance in 
support of Defense Economic Adjustment Program activities under 10 
U.S.C. 2391 and Executive Order 12788, as amended, to assist 
communities, businesses, and workers adversely affected by defense 
program changes. Proposals that do not address the Expected Proposal 
Elements (see section II, part d (iii)) will not be considered.

d. Proposal and Submission Information

i. Submission of a Proposal
    Proposals can be submitted electronically to: Director, OEA, using 
the following electronic address: [email protected] 
with a courtesy copy to [email protected]. Include 
``Research Proposal for Defense Industry Adjustment Communities'' on 
the subject line of the message and request delivery/read confirmation 
to ensure receipt.
    Proposals may also be mailed or hand-delivered to: Director, Office 
of Economic Adjustment, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 520, Arlington, VA 
22202-3711.
    OEA will review all proposals for which receipt has been confirmed 
prior to the submission deadline.
ii. Content and Form of Proposal Submission
    Proposals must include the following information:
    1. Point of Contact: Name, phone number, email address, and 
organization address of the respondent's primary point of contact;
    2. Project Description: A description of all elements of the 
proposed project, including how the project will assist OEA and DIA 
Grantees at the State/local level;
    3. Project Parties: A description of the evaluation experience of 
the respondent and associated partner organizations/agencies, as well 
as their roles and responsibilities, which will execute the proposed 
project;
    4. Work Breakdown Structure and Project Schedule: A sufficiently 
detailed project schedule, including milestones, over the course of the 
project;
    5. Budget: Detailed proposed budget for the one-year project 
period. This section should also include narrative sufficient to 
explain each budget line item;
    6. Funds Management: Evidence of the respondent's ability and 
authority to manage Federal funds;
    7. Submitting Official: Documentation that the Submitting Official 
is authorized by the respondent to submit a proposal and subsequently 
apply for funding.
    Proposals should be submitted in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat 
PDF and emailed to the account stated in section II.d. OEA reserves the 
right to ask any respondent to supplement the information in its 
proposal, but expects proposals to be complete upon submission. To the 
extent practicable, OEA encourages respondents to provide data and 
evidence of all project merits in a form that is publicly available and 
verifiable.
    OEA will invite the successful respondent to submit a full 
application to enter into a cooperative agreement under this 
announcement following the review and selection process (for more 
details, see section II, part e, Proposal Review Information).
iii. Expected Proposal Elements
    OEA solicits competitive applications from organizations or 
consortia that will design, pilot, and carry out program evaluation 
methodologies to capture and share the effect of planning and economic 
adjustment activities by OEA's DIA Grantees and assess the 
responsiveness of OEA's program of assistance for Fiscal Years (FY) 
2014 and 2015. Competitive proposals from qualified researchers will 
address the following project tasks at a minimum:
1. Data Collection
    OEA currently provides technical and financial assistance to over 
30 States, local governments, and instrumentalities of local government 
through the Defense Industry Adjustment program. Additional DIA 
grantees are anticipated in FY 2015. DIA Grantees report performance 
and financial data on a periodic basis for the term of their grant. 
Performance reports contain information on the following:
    a. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives 
established for the period;
    b. Reasons for slippage if established objectives were not met;
    c. Additional pertinent information when appropriate;
    d. A comparison of actual and projected quarterly expenditures in 
the grant; and
    e. Amount of Federal cash on hand at the beginning and end of the 
reporting period.
    The final performance report contains a summary of activities for 
the entire grant period.
    This evaluation project will likely require additional sources of 
information. Respondents should discuss how they will supplement what 
OEA currently collects to understand the range of supported grant 
activities across the DIA portfolio and the evaluation needs of each 
Grantee (e.g., surveys, in-person interviews, etc.).
    OEA will work closely with the successful respondent to share 
existing performance information and project points of contact.
2. Project Methodology
    DIA Grantees include States, local governments and 
instrumentalities of State and local government. Grants have ranged 
from $245,000 to $8 million. Some Grantees are planning in anticipation 
of announced defense acquisition cuts, while others are responding to 
actual reductions. Respondents should describe how they anticipate 
addressing the diversity of Grantee types and activities as they design 
the methodology for the program evaluation. OEA will work closely with 
the successful respondent to design the project. The successful 
respondent will be expected to meet with OEA at least quarterly as the 
methodology is being refined and tested.
3. Reports and Outreach
    The successful respondent will be expected to prepare and present 
one report during the project period using the project design developed 
in paragraph (2). This report will cover findings for FY 2014-15. It 
will summarize the evaluation methodology, assess DIA project 
performance and outcomes to date, offer ``best practices'' or ``common 
pitfalls to avoid,'' and recommend additional metrics or indicators OEA 
could use in future evaluations of DIA projects. The report should 
present project findings in a visually appealing format appropriate for 
print or electronic media, and use

[[Page 18389]]

easily accessible language. A minimum of five (5) hard copies and one 
(1) electronic version should be provided to OEA.
    The successful respondent shall submit a draft research report to 
OEA at least 90 days before the end of the project period. If OEA 
approves the draft research report, it will approve publication of a 
final research report, and the successful respondent will brief OEA 
leadership on the research methods and report results.
    OEA will work closely with the successful respondent to share the 
report's findings with DIA Grantees and other relevant stakeholders in 
order to refine the evaluation design and offer programmatic 
recommendations to project leaders in the field.
4. Technical Assistance Materials and Presentations
    During the term of the cooperative agreement, OEA may request the 
successful respondent to develop case studies or attend events to 
present on ``best practices'' or ``lessons learned'' through this 
project. OEA will provide advanced notification when these products or 
events may be necessary. Respondents should budget for up to ten (10) 
case studies and travel for three (3) conference presentations in the 
Washington, DC area.
    All items produced under the OEA-approved scope of work for this 
project may be posted on or linked to OEA's Web site at http://www.oea.gov.
    Respondents must specify in their proposals and budgets how they 
propose to complete the scope of work, which consists of carrying out 
the tasks outlined above or enumerated in the respondent's proposal and 
final award, within the initial one-year project period.
    This cooperative agreement may result in up to a four-year project 
period, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, OEA policy, 
and satisfactory performance under the award.
    OEA anticipates a close working partnership with the successful 
respondent. OEA will exercise substantial involvement under this 
cooperative agreement in the following ways:
    1. Approval of the Recipient's project schedule.
    2. OEA and Recipient joint participation in communications/
engagement with OEA Grantees.
    3. OEA and Recipient collaboration on project methodology over the 
course of the project period.
    4. Approval of draft reports, technical assistance materials and 
presentations.
iv. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
    Each respondent is required to: (a) Provide a valid Dun and 
Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number; (b) be registered 
in SAM before submitting its application; and (c) continue to maintain 
an active SAM registration with current information at all times during 
which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under 
consideration by a Federal awarding agency. OEA may not make a Federal 
award to a respondent until the respondent has complied with all 
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if a 
respondent has not fully complied with the requirements by the time OEA 
is ready to issue a Federal award, OEA may determine that the 
respondent is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that 
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
respondent.
v. Submission Dates and Times
    Electronic submissions must be received by OEA by 5:00 p.m., May 8, 
2015 Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Proposals sent after this time will 
not be reviewed.
vi. Intergovernmental Review
    Not applicable.
vii. Funding Restrictions
    OEA reserves the right to decline to fund pre-Federal award costs. 
Final awards may include pre-Federal award costs at the discretion of 
OEA; however, this must be specifically requested in the grantee's 
application.
    The recipient may not earn or keep any profit resulting from 
Federal financial assistance.
    Funding may not be used for direct hard- or soft-construction 
activities.
viii. Other Submission Requirements
    Each proposal shall consist of no more than ten (10) single-sided 
pages typed in a minimum 11-point common typeface, with no less than 
1'' margins, exclusive of appendices, attachments, and cover sheet and/
or transmittal letter. Electronically submitted materials should be 
sent in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format.

e. Proposal Review Information

i. Selection Criteria
    In reviewing proposals under this notice, OEA considers and weights 
equally each of the following factors:
    1. Overall conformance with proposal requirements;
    2. Overall quality of proposed research plan;
    3. Overall expertise, experience, qualifications and ability of 
investigators;
    4. Previous Federal grant management experience; and
    5. Overall cost.
ii. Review and Selection Process
    Proposals will be reviewed by OEA staff for completeness and 
accuracy as they are received. After the submission deadline, a panel 
of Federal agency staff will convene to review and rate the proposals 
using the criteria in section II, part e, Selection Criteria. Each 
panelist convened for this competition will evaluate each and every 
proposal.
    Once a successful proposal has been selected, OEA will notify the 
respondent and assign a Project Manager to advise and assist with the 
preparation and submission of an application for a cooperative 
agreement in OEA's proprietary electronic grant management system.
    A typical research project period begins with an initial meeting 
between the successful respondent and OEA staff to discuss the project 
scope of work and to ensure that all parties are in agreement as to the 
project terms. The successful respondent will then submit an 
application. The application will be reviewed for its completeness and 
accuracy, and, to the extent possible, an award notification will be 
issued within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of a complete 
application.
    Unsuccessful respondents will be notified that their proposals were 
not selected for further action and funding, and may request a 
debriefing on their submitted proposal. Requests for debriefing must be 
submitted in writing within 3 calendar days of notification of an 
unsuccessful proposal.

f. Federal Award Administration Information

i. Federal Award Notices
    In the event a cooperative agreement is awarded, the successful 
respondent (Recipient) will receive a notice of award in the form of a 
Cooperative Agreement, signed by the Director, OEA (Grantor), on behalf 
of DoD. The Cooperative Agreement will be transmitted electronically 
or, if necessary, by U.S. Mail. The Recipient must review the award 
agreement and indicate their consent to its terms by signing and 
returning it to OEA.
ii. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    Any cooperative agreement awarded under this program will be 
governed by the provisions of the OMB circulars

[[Page 18390]]

applicable to financial assistance and DoD's implementing regulations 
in place at the time of the award. A Recipient receiving funds under 
this opportunity and any consultant or pass-thru entity operating under 
the terms of a cooperative agreement shall comply with all Federal, 
State, and local laws applicable to its activities. Federal regulations 
that will apply to an OEA cooperative agreement include administrative 
requirements and provisions governing allowable costs as stated in:
     2 CFR part 200, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards'';
     2 CFR part 1103, ``Interim Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements Implementation of Guidance in 2 CFR part 200, ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, And Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards'';
     2 CFR part 25, ``Universal Identifier and System for Award 
Management'';
     2 CFR part 170, ``Reporting Subaward and Executive 
Compensation Information'';
     2 CFR part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Government-
wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), as implemented by DoD 
in 2 CFR part 1125, Department of Defense Nonprocurement Debarment and 
Suspension; and
     32 CFR part 28, ``New Restrictions on Lobbying''.
iii. Reporting
    OEA requires periodic performance reports, an interim financial 
report for each 12 months a cooperative agreement is active, and one 
final performance report. Performance reports will contain information 
on the following:
    a. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives 
established for the period;
    b. Reasons for slippage if established objectives were not met;
    c. Additional pertinent information when appropriate;
    d. A comparison of actual and projected quarterly expenditures in 
the cooperative agreement; and,
    e. Amount of Federal cash on hand at the beginning and end of the 
reporting period.
    The final performance report must contain a summary of activities 
for the entire project period. All required deliverables should be 
submitted with the final performance report.
    The final SF 425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' must be submitted 
to OEA within 90 days after the end of the cooperative agreement.
    Any funds actually advanced and not needed for project purposes 
shall be returned immediately to OEA. OEA will provide a schedule for 
reporting periods and report due dates in the Cooperative Agreement.

g. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

    For further information, to answer questions, or for help with 
problems, contact: Ms. Elizabeth Chimienti, Project Manager, Office of 
Economic Adjustment, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 520, Arlington, VA 
22202-3711, Office: (703) 697-2075. Email: 
[email protected]. The OEA homepage address is: http://www.oea.gov.

h. Other Information

i. Cooperative Agreement Award Determination
    Selection of an organization under this FFO does not constitute 
approval of a cooperative agreement for the proposed project as 
submitted. Before any funds are awarded, OEA may enter into 
negotiations about such items as program components, staffing and 
funding levels, and administrative systems in place to support 
implementation of the award. The amount of available funding may 
require the final award amount to be less than that originally 
requested by the respondent. If the negotiations do not result in a 
mutually acceptable submission, OEA reserves the right to terminate the 
negotiations and decline to fund an application. OEA further reserves 
the right not to fund any application received under this FFO.
    In the event the respondent is awarded a cooperative agreement that 
is less than the amount requested, the respondent will be required to 
modify its grant application to conform to the reduced amount before 
execution of the cooperative agreement. OEA reserves the right to 
reduce or withdraw the award if acceptable modifications are not 
submitted by the respondent within 15 business days from the date the 
request for modification is made. Any modifications must be within the 
scope of the original application.
ii. No Obligation for Future Funding
    Amendment or renewal of an award to increase funding or to extend 
the period of performance is at the discretion of OEA. If a respondent 
is awarded funding under this FFO, neither OEA, DoD nor any Federal 
agency are under any obligation to provide any additional future 
funding in connection with that award or to make any future award(s).
iii. Submission of Proprietary Information
    Given the subject matter, some submissions may include proprietary 
information as it relates to confidential commercial information. The 
Freedom of Information Act defines ``confidential commercial 
information'' as information the disclosure of which could reasonably 
be expected to cause substantial competitive harm. Respondents may wish 
to request that OEA not disclose what they regard as confidential 
commercial information.
    To assist OEA in making a determination on a non-disclosure 
request, respondents are encouraged to identify any specific 
confidential commercial information their proposals, or to email OEA 
directly with questions on this matter. Please list the information by 
page and paragraph numbers.
    The documents and information submitted in response to this FFO 
become the property of the U.S. Government and will not be returned.
iv. Intellectual Property Rights
    In the event of a cooperative agreement award, the Recipient may 
copyright any work that is subject to copyright and was developed, or 
for which ownership was purchased, under an award. The Federal awarding 
agencies reserve a royalty-free, nonexclusive and irrevocable right to 
reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the work for Federal purposes, and 
to authorize others to do so. Such uses include, but are not limited 
to, the right to modify and distribute such products worldwide by any 
means, electronically or otherwise. The Recipient may not use Federal 
funds to pay any royalty or license fee for use of a copyrighted work, 
or the cost of acquiring by purchase a copyright in a work, where DoD 
has a license or rights of free use in such work. If revenues are 
generated through selling products developed with cooperative agreement 
funds, including intellectual property, these revenues are program 
income and shall be added to the cooperative agreement and must be 
expended for allowable cooperative agreement activities.

    Dated: April 1, 2015.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2015-07793 Filed 4-3-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P



                                              18386                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 65 / Monday, April 6, 2015 / Notices

                                              at www.CNMIJointMilitaryTraining                        purpose and need for addressing                       Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S.
                                              EIS.com, and at the following libraries:                unfilled training requirements in the                 Fish and Wildlife Service on the
                                                 1. Joeten Kiyu Public Library, Saipan.               Western Pacific. All Tinian action                    potential impacts of training activities
                                                 2. Northern Marianas College                         alternatives include common elements                  on federally listed species. In
                                              Olympio T. Borja Memorial Library,                      for unit level land, sea, and training                accordance with the Marine Mammal
                                              Saipan.                                                 operations that consist of ranges,                    Protection Act and Magnuson-Stevens
                                                 3. Tinian Public Library, Tinian.                    training beaches, High Hazard Impact                  Fishery Conservation and Management
                                                 4. Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Rota                   Areas and associated targets,                         Act, the DoD is consulting with NMFS
                                              Public Library, Rota.                                   infrastructure and facility construction;             on federally managed species and their
                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S.                     utilization of all DoD-leased land; and               essential fish habitat.
                                              Marine Corps Forces, Pacific issued its                 minimal real estate interest outside the                 Preferred Alternative: Based on the
                                              Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare the                   Military Lease Area. Tinian Alternative               analysis presented in this Draft EIS/
                                              EIS/OEIS in March 2013 in the Federal                   1 consists of a live-fire unit level RTA              OEIS, DoD has identified Tinian
                                              Register (78 FR 16257, March 14, 2013).                 which includes a single Battle Area                   Alternative 2 and Pagan Alternative 2 as
                                                 Proposed Action: The proposed action                 Complex and Convoy Course with some                   its preferred alternative. This
                                              is to establish live-fire Range Training                limitations on the range of weapons that              combination of alternatives best fulfills
                                              Areas (RTAs) within the CNMI to                         can be employed due to the presence of                DoD’s statutory mission and
                                              address the U.S. Pacific Command                        the IBB facility. Tinian Alternative 2                responsibilities, giving consideration to
                                              Service Components’ unfilled unit level                 (Preferred Alternative) consists of two               economic, environmental, technical,
                                              and combined level training                             Battle Area Complexes and a Convoy                    and other factors. DoD considered
                                              requirements in the Western Pacific. To                 Course with a greater number of                       military requirements, infrastructure
                                              meet the purpose and need for the                       engagement zones than Tinian                          and environmental impacts and
                                              proposed action, the DoD proposes a                     Alternative 1. Under Alternative 2, the               constraints, and scoping input from the
                                              unit level RTA on Tinian and a                          IBB facility is absent, thus allowing for             public, resource agencies, and the CNMI
                                              combined level RTA on Pagan.                            full range of weapons employment.                     Government during the process of
                                                 Purpose and Need: The purpose of the                 Tinian Alternative 3 provides a similar               identifying a preferred alternative. The
                                              proposed action is to reduce joint                      level of training capability as                       combination of alternatives best meets
                                              training deficiencies for military                      Alternative 1, but with a single Battle               the minimum U.S. Pacific Command
                                              services in the Western Pacific. Existing               Area Complex in a different location,                 Service Components’ unfilled unit level
                                              U.S. military live-fire, unit and                       and the same Convoy Course and range                  and combined level training
                                              combined level training ranges, training                of weapons employment as Tinian                       requirements in the Western Pacific
                                              areas, and support facilities are                       Alternative 2. Both Pagan action                      (size and layout), and maximizes the use
                                              insufficient to support U.S. Pacific                    alternatives include elements for                     of federal land on Tinian.
                                              Command Service Components’ training                    combined level land, sea, and air
                                                                                                                                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                              requirements in the Western Pacific,                    training operations; infrastructure
                                                                                                      construction to support expeditionary                 Please visit the project Web site
                                              specifically in the Mariana Islands. The                                                                      (www.CNMIJointMilitaryTraining
                                              proposed action is needed to enable                     military training; require the acquisition
                                                                                                      of real estate interest in Pagan; and                 EIS.com) or contact the CNMI Joint
                                              U.S. Pacific Command forces to meet                                                                           Military Training EIS/OEIS Project
                                              their U.S. Code title 10 (Armed Forces)                 allow for maneuvering and live-fire
                                                                                                      engagement. Pagan Alternative 1                       Manager by email via the project Web
                                              requirements to maintain, equip, and                                                                          site. Please submit requests for special
                                              train combat and humanitarian forces in                 consists of a live-fire combined level
                                                                                                      RTA to support proposed training and                  assistance, sign language interpretation
                                              the Western Pacific. The proposed                                                                             for the hearing impaired, or other
                                              action assists in correcting these                      operations which includes two High
                                                                                                      Hazard Impact Areas, 11 landing zones,                auxiliary aids needed at the public
                                              training deficiencies by establishing                                                                         meeting directly to NAVFAC Pacific
                                              live-fire unit and combined level RTAs                  and 5 Mortar Range firing positions.
                                                                                                      Pagan Alternative 2 (Preferred                        Public Affairs Office at 808–472–1007/
                                              in the CNMI. Establishing unit and                                                                            472–1008 by April 16, 2015.
                                              combined level RTAs in the CNMI                         Alternative) consists of a single, smaller
                                              would support ongoing operational                       High Hazard Impact Area, 13 landing                     Dated: March 31, 2015.
                                              requirements, changes to U.S. force                     zones, and 6 Mortar Firing Positions and              N. A. Hagerty-Ford,
                                              structure, geographic repositioning of                  provides greater ground maneuver                      Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate
                                              forces and U.S. training relationships                  flexibility as compared to Pagan                      General, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison
                                              with allied nations.                                    Alternative 1.                                        Officer.
                                                 Alternatives Considered: The Draft                      The Draft EIS/OEIS provides                        [FR Doc. 2015–07729 Filed 4–3–15; 8:45 am]
                                              EIS/OEIS evaluates the potential                        information on the affected environment               BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
                                              environmental impacts of three action                   and impacts of the proposed actions for
                                              alternatives on Tinian, two action                      16 distinct resource areas. Resources
                                              alternatives on Pagan, and the No                       evaluated include geology and soils,                  DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
                                              Action Alternative. The No Action                       water resources, air quality, noise,
                                                                                                                                                            Office of the Secretary
                                              Alternative would continue existing                     airspace, land and submerged land use,
                                              non-live-fire training activities on                    recreation, terrestrial biology, marine               Office of Economic Adjustment;
                                              Tinian and Pagan, and construction and                  biology, cultural resources, visual                   Announcement of Federal Funding
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                                              use of four live fire training ranges on                resources, transportation, utilities,                 Opportunity
                                              Tinian as identified in the 2010 Record                 socioeconomics and environmental
                                              of Decision for the Guam Relocation                     justice, hazardous materials and waste,               AGENCY: Office of Economic Adjustment
                                              EIS. For the action alternatives, a                     and public health and safety. In                      (OEA), Department of Defense (DoD).
                                              combination of one Tinian unit level                    accordance with section 7 of the
                                                                                                                                                            ACTION:Federal Funding Opportunity
                                              alternative and one Pagan combined                      Endangered Species Act, the DoD is
                                                                                                                                                            (FFO) announcement.
                                              level alternative is required to meet the               consulting with the National Marine


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 65 / Monday, April 6, 2015 / Notices                                            18387

                                              SUMMARY:    This notice announces the                   of the Defense Economic Adjustment                    range of planning and economic
                                              opportunity to enter into a cooperative                 Program, and to assist communities,                   adjustment activities to assist vulnerable
                                              agreement with the Office of Economic                   businesses and workers responding to                  or affected workers, businesses, and
                                              Adjustment (OEA), a Department of                       Defense changes under 10 U.S.C. 2391                  communities. Projects often differ
                                              Defense (DoD) Field Activity, to                        and Executive Order 12788, as                         substantially from one another, and thus
                                              undertake a research project to assess                  amended. OEA is DoD’s primary source                  performance measures and project
                                              and evaluate the design and effect of                   for assisting communities that are                    outcomes vary across the portfolio.
                                              OEA’s Defense Industry Adjustment                       adversely impacted by Defense program                 Grantees periodically report
                                              (DIA) program and the assistance that its               changes. Founded in 1961, OEA has                     performance measures to OEA for the
                                              Grantees provide to affected                            helped communities in all 50 States and               term of their grant.
                                              communities, workers, and businesses.                   major United States territories develop                 OEA now seeks proposals to develop,
                                              This notice includes proposal                           comprehensive strategies to adjust to                 test, and carry out quantitative and
                                              submission requirements and                             defense industry cutbacks, base                       qualitative methodologies to help its
                                              instructions, eligibility requirements,                 closures, force structure realignments,               DIA Grantees more effectively assess,
                                              and selection criteria that will be used                base expansions, and incompatibilities                evaluate, and report the full effect of
                                              to evaluate proposals from eligible                     between military operations and local                 their projects. Research findings will
                                              respondents.                                            development. Awards provided under                    primarily help current Grantees adjust
                                                                                                      this announcement support the Defense                 their projects to achieve better outcomes
                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                 a. Federal Awarding Agency: Office of                Economic Adjustment Program by                        and secondarily inform the design of
                                                                                                      providing: (1) Analysis and                           OEA’s program of financial and
                                              Economic Adjustment (OEA),
                                                                                                      dissemination of information; and (2)                 technical assistance. Proposals will be
                                              Department Of Defense (DoD).
                                                 b. Funding Opportunity Title: FY                     support to innovative approaches.                     evaluated against the eligibility criteria
                                                                                                         The objective of OEA’s DIA Program                 provided in section II.c. of this notice,
                                              2015 Project to Assess and Evaluate
                                                                                                      is to assist States and local governments             and the selection criteria provided in
                                              Defense Industry Adjustment Activities
                                                                                                      to plan and carry out community                       section II.e. of this notice, by OEA, as
                                              by Grantees under section 2391, part
                                                                                                      adjustments and economic                              well as other Federal agency staff as
                                              (b)(2), of United States Code, Title 10
                                                                                                      diversification activities in response to             invited by OEA. OEA will notify the
                                              (10 U.S.C. 2391).
                                                                                                      reductions in defense industry                        respondent within thirty (30) days of
                                                 c. Announcement Type: Initial
                                                                                                      employment. Unlike base closures,                     receipt of a proposal whether the
                                              Federal Funding Opportunity
                                                                                                      where surplus property can be reused as               proposal was successful. The successful
                                              Announcement.
                                                                                                      part of a broader program to replace lost             respondent will then be invited to
                                                 d. Catalog Of Federal Domestic
                                                                                                      jobs and expand the local tax base,
                                              Assistance (CFDA) Number & Title:                                                                             submit an application through OEA’s
                                                                                                      OEA’s support for communities affected
                                              12.615, Research & Technical                                                                                  eGrants system for a cooperative
                                                                                                      by factory closures and laid-off
                                              Assistance.                                                                                                   agreement. Additional details about the
                                                 e. Key Dates: Written/electronic                     employees focuses on developing
                                                                                                                                                            review and selection process is
                                              submissions must be received by OEA                     community adjustments and
                                                                                                                                                            provided in section II.e. of the FFO.
                                                                                                      diversification strategies concentrating
                                              by 5:00 p.m., May 8, 2015 Eastern                                                                               The final amount of the cooperative
                                                                                                      on workforce skills, opportunities for
                                              Daylight Savings Time. OEA will hold                                                                          agreement will be determined by OEA
                                                                                                      manufacturing investment/expansion,
                                              an informational teleconference at 1:00                                                                       based upon a review of the final grant
                                                                                                      and adaptability of local plant and
                                              p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time on                                                                         application and will be subject to
                                                                                                      capital.
                                              April 15, 2015 to review the goals and                     These strategies usually focus on                  availability of funds.
                                              objectives of this FFO and answer                       regional job creation through business                  More information about the DIA
                                              questions from interested respondents.                  development, attraction, and expansion;               program is available on the following
                                              For the teleconference number and                       workforce development; and                            Web site: http://www.oea.gov/programs/
                                              passcode, interested respondents should                 community economic diversification.                   dia/start.
                                              pre-register for the teleconference no                  Additionally, during the planning
                                              later than April 13, 2015 by 5:00 p.m.                                                                        b. Federal Award Information
                                                                                                      process, OEA also coordinates with and
                                              Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Pre-                     provides information on other relevant                  OEA intends to award one
                                              registration may be accomplished by                     federal assistance programs that can                  cooperative agreement under this FFO.
                                              contacting OEA via email at                             support coordinated economic                          In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 6305, a
                                              oea.ncr.OEA.mbx.research-and-                           development efforts.                                  cooperative agreement is a legal
                                              technical-assistance@mail.mil with a                       On June 17, 2013, OEA released a                   instrument reflecting a relationship
                                              courtesy copy to                                        Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO)                     between the United States Government
                                              elizabeth.a.chimienti.civ@mail.mil. OEA                 announcing the availability of funding                and a State, a local government, or other
                                              expects to notify the respondent                        under its DIA program to support local                recipient when the principal purpose of
                                              selected through this FFO by June 19,                   adjustment activities in response to                  the relationship is to transfer a thing of
                                              2015.                                                   reduced DoD procurement (Federal                      value to the State, local government, or
                                              I. Period Of Funding Opportunity                        Register 78 FR 36171). OEA currently                  other recipient to carry out a public
                                                                                                      provides technical and financial                      purpose of support or stimulation
                                                 30 days.                                             assistance to over 30 States, local                   authorized by a law of the United States
                                              II. Funding Opportunity Description                     governments, and instrumentalities of                 instead of acquiring (by purchase, lease,
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                                                                                                      local government under this FFO, which                or barter) property or services for the
                                              a. Program Description                                  was reissued on May 20, 2014.                         direct benefit or use of the United States
                                                 OEA is authorized by 10 U.S.C. 2391                  Additional applications are anticipated               Government, and substantial
                                              to conclude cooperative agreements                      in 2015. Each project has been                        involvement is expected between the
                                              with a State or local government or any                 developed by a Grantee to respond to                  executive agency and the State, local
                                              private entity to conduct research and                  the particular circumstances of a State               government, or other recipient when
                                              provide technical assistance in support                 or region. Funded projects include a                  carrying out the activity contemplated


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                                              18388                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 65 / Monday, April 6, 2015 / Notices

                                              in the agreement. See Public Law 97–                    OEA and DIA Grantees at the State/local               term of their grant. Performance reports
                                              258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1004.                     level;                                                contain information on the following:
                                                 The project period is for one year.                     3. Project Parties: A description of the              a. A comparison of actual
                                              OEA reserves the right to continue this                 evaluation experience of the respondent               accomplishments to the objectives
                                              effort with the selected respondent for                 and associated partner organizations/                 established for the period;
                                              up to 3 additional years without further                agencies, as well as their roles and                     b. Reasons for slippage if established
                                              competition, subject to the availability                responsibilities, which will execute the              objectives were not met;
                                              of appropriated funds, OEA policy, and                  proposed project;                                        c. Additional pertinent information
                                              satisfactory performance under the                         4. Work Breakdown Structure and                    when appropriate;
                                              award.                                                  Project Schedule: A sufficiently detailed                d. A comparison of actual and
                                                                                                      project schedule, including milestones,               projected quarterly expenditures in the
                                              c. Eligibility Information                              over the course of the project;                       grant; and
                                              i. Eligible Respondents                                    5. Budget: Detailed proposed budget                   e. Amount of Federal cash on hand at
                                                                                                      for the one-year project period. This                 the beginning and end of the reporting
                                                Eligible respondents include any                      section should also include narrative                 period.
                                              State, tribal, or local governments,                    sufficient to explain each budget line                   The final performance report contains
                                              Institutions of Higher Education, non-                  item;                                                 a summary of activities for the entire
                                              profit entities, or for-profit                             6. Funds Management: Evidence of                   grant period.
                                              organizations.                                          the respondent’s ability and authority to                This evaluation project will likely
                                              ii. Cost Sharing or Matching                            manage Federal funds;                                 require additional sources of
                                                                                                         7. Submitting Official: Documentation              information. Respondents should
                                                 Not applicable.                                      that the Submitting Official is                       discuss how they will supplement what
                                              iii. Eligible Activities                                authorized by the respondent to submit                OEA currently collects to understand
                                                                                                      a proposal and subsequently apply for                 the range of supported grant activities
                                                Eligible activities include research
                                                                                                      funding.                                              across the DIA portfolio and the
                                              and technical assistance in support of
                                                                                                         Proposals should be submitted in                   evaluation needs of each Grantee (e.g.,
                                              Defense Economic Adjustment Program
                                                                                                      Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF                   surveys, in-person interviews, etc.).
                                              activities under 10 U.S.C. 2391 and                                                                              OEA will work closely with the
                                                                                                      and emailed to the account stated in
                                              Executive Order 12788, as amended, to                                                                         successful respondent to share existing
                                                                                                      section II.d. OEA reserves the right to
                                              assist communities, businesses, and                                                                           performance information and project
                                                                                                      ask any respondent to supplement the
                                              workers adversely affected by defense                                                                         points of contact.
                                                                                                      information in its proposal, but expects
                                              program changes. Proposals that do not
                                                                                                      proposals to be complete upon                         2. Project Methodology
                                              address the Expected Proposal Elements
                                                                                                      submission. To the extent practicable,
                                              (see section II, part d (iii)) will not be                                                                       DIA Grantees include States, local
                                                                                                      OEA encourages respondents to provide
                                              considered.                                                                                                   governments and instrumentalities of
                                                                                                      data and evidence of all project merits
                                              d. Proposal and Submission Information                  in a form that is publicly available and              State and local government. Grants have
                                                                                                      verifiable.                                           ranged from $245,000 to $8 million.
                                              i. Submission of a Proposal                                OEA will invite the successful                     Some Grantees are planning in
                                                 Proposals can be submitted                           respondent to submit a full application               anticipation of announced defense
                                              electronically to: Director, OEA, using                 to enter into a cooperative agreement                 acquisition cuts, while others are
                                              the following electronic address:                       under this announcement following the                 responding to actual reductions.
                                              oea.ncr.OEA.mbx.ffo-submit@mail.mil                     review and selection process (for more                Respondents should describe how they
                                              with a courtesy copy to                                 details, see section II, part e, Proposal             anticipate addressing the diversity of
                                              elizabeth.a.chimienti.civ@mail.mil.                     Review Information).                                  Grantee types and activities as they
                                              Include ‘‘Research Proposal for Defense                                                                       design the methodology for the program
                                              Industry Adjustment Communities’’ on                    iii. Expected Proposal Elements                       evaluation. OEA will work closely with
                                              the subject line of the message and                        OEA solicits competitive applications              the successful respondent to design the
                                              request delivery/read confirmation to                   from organizations or consortia that will             project. The successful respondent will
                                              ensure receipt.                                         design, pilot, and carry out program                  be expected to meet with OEA at least
                                                 Proposals may also be mailed or                      evaluation methodologies to capture                   quarterly as the methodology is being
                                              hand-delivered to: Director, Office of                  and share the effect of planning and                  refined and tested.
                                              Economic Adjustment, 2231 Crystal                       economic adjustment activities by
                                                                                                                                                            3. Reports and Outreach
                                              Drive, Suite 520, Arlington, VA 22202–                  OEA’s DIA Grantees and assess the
                                              3711.                                                   responsiveness of OEA’s program of                       The successful respondent will be
                                                 OEA will review all proposals for                    assistance for Fiscal Years (FY) 2014                 expected to prepare and present one
                                              which receipt has been confirmed prior                  and 2015. Competitive proposals from                  report during the project period using
                                              to the submission deadline.                             qualified researchers will address the                the project design developed in
                                                                                                      following project tasks at a minimum:                 paragraph (2). This report will cover
                                              ii. Content and Form of Proposal                                                                              findings for FY 2014–15. It will
                                              Submission                                              1. Data Collection                                    summarize the evaluation methodology,
                                                Proposals must include the following                     OEA currently provides technical and               assess DIA project performance and
                                              information:                                            financial assistance to over 30 States,               outcomes to date, offer ‘‘best practices’’
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                                                1. Point of Contact: Name, phone                      local governments, and                                or ‘‘common pitfalls to avoid,’’ and
                                              number, email address, and                              instrumentalities of local government                 recommend additional metrics or
                                              organization address of the respondent’s                through the Defense Industry                          indicators OEA could use in future
                                              primary point of contact;                               Adjustment program. Additional DIA                    evaluations of DIA projects. The report
                                                2. Project Description: A description                 grantees are anticipated in FY 2015. DIA              should present project findings in a
                                              of all elements of the proposed project,                Grantees report performance and                       visually appealing format appropriate
                                              including how the project will assist                   financial data on a periodic basis for the            for print or electronic media, and use


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 65 / Monday, April 6, 2015 / Notices                                             18389

                                              easily accessible language. A minimum                   iv. Unique Entity Identifier and System                 3. Overall expertise, experience,
                                              of five (5) hard copies and one (1)                     for Award Management (SAM)                            qualifications and ability of
                                              electronic version should be provided to                   Each respondent is required to: (a)                investigators;
                                              OEA.                                                    Provide a valid Dun and Bradstreet                      4. Previous Federal grant management
                                                The successful respondent shall                       Universal Numbering System (DUNS)                     experience; and
                                              submit a draft research report to OEA at                number; (b) be registered in SAM before                 5. Overall cost.
                                              least 90 days before the end of the                     submitting its application; and (c)
                                              project period. If OEA approves the                                                                           ii. Review and Selection Process
                                                                                                      continue to maintain an active SAM
                                              draft research report, it will approve                  registration with current information at                Proposals will be reviewed by OEA
                                              publication of a final research report,                 all times during which it has an active               staff for completeness and accuracy as
                                              and the successful respondent will brief                Federal award or an application or plan               they are received. After the submission
                                              OEA leadership on the research                          under consideration by a Federal                      deadline, a panel of Federal agency staff
                                              methods and report results.                             awarding agency. OEA may not make a                   will convene to review and rate the
                                                OEA will work closely with the                        Federal award to a respondent until the               proposals using the criteria in section II,
                                              successful respondent to share the                      respondent has complied with all                      part e, Selection Criteria. Each panelist
                                              report’s findings with DIA Grantees and                 applicable unique entity identifier and               convened for this competition will
                                              other relevant stakeholders in order to                 SAM requirements and, if a respondent                 evaluate each and every proposal.
                                              refine the evaluation design and offer                  has not fully complied with the                         Once a successful proposal has been
                                              programmatic recommendations to                         requirements by the time OEA is ready                 selected, OEA will notify the
                                              project leaders in the field.                           to issue a Federal award, OEA may                     respondent and assign a Project
                                                                                                      determine that the respondent is not                  Manager to advise and assist with the
                                              4. Technical Assistance Materials and
                                                                                                      qualified to receive a Federal award and              preparation and submission of an
                                              Presentations
                                                                                                      use that determination as a basis for                 application for a cooperative agreement
                                                 During the term of the cooperative                   making a Federal award to another                     in OEA’s proprietary electronic grant
                                              agreement, OEA may request the                          respondent.                                           management system.
                                              successful respondent to develop case                                                                           A typical research project period
                                              studies or attend events to present on                  v. Submission Dates and Times                         begins with an initial meeting between
                                              ‘‘best practices’’ or ‘‘lessons learned’’                  Electronic submissions must be                     the successful respondent and OEA staff
                                              through this project. OEA will provide                  received by OEA by 5:00 p.m., May 8,                  to discuss the project scope of work and
                                              advanced notification when these                        2015 Eastern Daylight Savings Time.                   to ensure that all parties are in
                                              products or events may be necessary.                    Proposals sent after this time will not be            agreement as to the project terms. The
                                              Respondents should budget for up to ten                 reviewed.                                             successful respondent will then submit
                                              (10) case studies and travel for three (3)                                                                    an application. The application will be
                                              conference presentations in the                         vi. Intergovernmental Review
                                                                                                                                                            reviewed for its completeness and
                                              Washington, DC area.                                      Not applicable.                                     accuracy, and, to the extent possible, an
                                                 All items produced under the OEA-                                                                          award notification will be issued within
                                                                                                      vii. Funding Restrictions
                                              approved scope of work for this project                                                                       fourteen (14) days of the receipt of a
                                              may be posted on or linked to OEA’s                        OEA reserves the right to decline to               complete application.
                                              Web site at http://www.oea.gov.                         fund pre-Federal award costs. Final
                                                                                                                                                              Unsuccessful respondents will be
                                                 Respondents must specify in their                    awards may include pre-Federal award
                                                                                                                                                            notified that their proposals were not
                                              proposals and budgets how they                          costs at the discretion of OEA; however,
                                                                                                                                                            selected for further action and funding,
                                              propose to complete the scope of work,                  this must be specifically requested in
                                                                                                                                                            and may request a debriefing on their
                                              which consists of carrying out the tasks                the grantee’s application.
                                                                                                                                                            submitted proposal. Requests for
                                              outlined above or enumerated in the                        The recipient may not earn or keep
                                                                                                                                                            debriefing must be submitted in writing
                                              respondent’s proposal and final award,                  any profit resulting from Federal
                                                                                                                                                            within 3 calendar days of notification of
                                              within the initial one-year project                     financial assistance.
                                                                                                         Funding may not be used for direct                 an unsuccessful proposal.
                                              period.
                                                 This cooperative agreement may                       hard- or soft-construction activities.                f. Federal Award Administration
                                              result in up to a four-year project                     viii. Other Submission Requirements                   Information
                                              period, subject to the availability of                                                                        i. Federal Award Notices
                                              appropriated funds, OEA policy, and                        Each proposal shall consist of no
                                              satisfactory performance under the                      more than ten (10) single-sided pages                    In the event a cooperative agreement
                                              award.                                                  typed in a minimum 11-point common                    is awarded, the successful respondent
                                                 OEA anticipates a close working                      typeface, with no less than 1’’ margins,              (Recipient) will receive a notice of
                                              partnership with the successful                         exclusive of appendices, attachments,                 award in the form of a Cooperative
                                              respondent. OEA will exercise                           and cover sheet and/or transmittal                    Agreement, signed by the Director, OEA
                                              substantial involvement under this                      letter. Electronically submitted                      (Grantor), on behalf of DoD. The
                                              cooperative agreement in the following                  materials should be sent in Microsoft                 Cooperative Agreement will be
                                              ways:                                                   Word or Adobe Acrobat PDF format.                     transmitted electronically or, if
                                                 1. Approval of the Recipient’s project               e. Proposal Review Information                        necessary, by U.S. Mail. The Recipient
                                              schedule.                                                                                                     must review the award agreement and
                                                 2. OEA and Recipient joint                           i. Selection Criteria                                 indicate their consent to its terms by
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                                              participation in communications/                           In reviewing proposals under this                  signing and returning it to OEA.
                                              engagement with OEA Grantees.                           notice, OEA considers and weights                     ii. Administrative and National Policy
                                                 3. OEA and Recipient collaboration                   equally each of the following factors:                Requirements
                                              on project methodology over the course                     1. Overall conformance with proposal
                                              of the project period.                                  requirements;                                           Any cooperative agreement awarded
                                                 4. Approval of draft reports, technical                 2. Overall quality of proposed                     under this program will be governed by
                                              assistance materials and presentations.                 research plan;                                        the provisions of the OMB circulars


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                                              18390                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 65 / Monday, April 6, 2015 / Notices

                                              applicable to financial assistance and                    Any funds actually advanced and not                 iii. Submission of Proprietary
                                              DoD’s implementing regulations in                       needed for project purposes shall be                  Information
                                              place at the time of the award. A                       returned immediately to OEA. OEA will
                                              Recipient receiving funds under this                    provide a schedule for reporting periods                Given the subject matter, some
                                              opportunity and any consultant or pass-                 and report due dates in the Cooperative               submissions may include proprietary
                                              thru entity operating under the terms of                Agreement.                                            information as it relates to confidential
                                              a cooperative agreement shall comply                                                                          commercial information. The Freedom
                                                                                                      g. Federal Awarding Agency Contact                    of Information Act defines ‘‘confidential
                                              with all Federal, State, and local laws
                                              applicable to its activities. Federal                      For further information, to answer                 commercial information’’ as information
                                              regulations that will apply to an OEA                   questions, or for help with problems,                 the disclosure of which could
                                              cooperative agreement include                           contact: Ms. Elizabeth Chimienti,                     reasonably be expected to cause
                                              administrative requirements and                         Project Manager, Office of Economic                   substantial competitive harm.
                                              provisions governing allowable costs as                 Adjustment, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite                 Respondents may wish to request that
                                              stated in:                                              520, Arlington, VA 22202–3711, Office:                OEA not disclose what they regard as
                                                • 2 CFR part 200, ‘‘Uniform                           (703) 697–2075. Email:                                confidential commercial information.
                                              Administrative Requirements, Cost                       elizabeth.a.chimienti.civ@mail.mil. The
                                              Principles, and Audit Requirements for                  OEA homepage address is: http://                        To assist OEA in making a
                                              Federal Awards’’;                                       www.oea.gov.                                          determination on a non-disclosure
                                                • 2 CFR part 1103, ‘‘Interim Grants                                                                         request, respondents are encouraged to
                                                                                                      h. Other Information                                  identify any specific confidential
                                              and Cooperative Agreements
                                              Implementation of Guidance in 2 CFR                     i. Cooperative Agreement Award                        commercial information their proposals,
                                              part 200, ‘‘Uniform Administrative                      Determination                                         or to email OEA directly with questions
                                              Requirements, Cost Principles, And                                                                            on this matter. Please list the
                                                                                                         Selection of an organization under
                                              Audit Requirements for Federal                                                                                information by page and paragraph
                                                                                                      this FFO does not constitute approval of
                                              Awards’’;                                                                                                     numbers.
                                                                                                      a cooperative agreement for the
                                                • 2 CFR part 25, ‘‘Universal Identifier                                                                       The documents and information
                                                                                                      proposed project as submitted. Before
                                              and System for Award Management’’;                                                                            submitted in response to this FFO
                                                                                                      any funds are awarded, OEA may enter
                                                • 2 CFR part 170, ‘‘Reporting                                                                               become the property of the U.S.
                                                                                                      into negotiations about such items as
                                              Subaward and Executive Compensation
                                                                                                      program components, staffing and                      Government and will not be returned.
                                              Information’’;
                                                                                                      funding levels, and administrative
                                                • 2 CFR part 180, OMB Guidelines to                                                                         iv. Intellectual Property Rights
                                                                                                      systems in place to support
                                              Agencies on Government-wide
                                                                                                      implementation of the award. The                         In the event of a cooperative
                                              Debarment and Suspension
                                                                                                      amount of available funding may                       agreement award, the Recipient may
                                              (Nonprocurement), as implemented by
                                                                                                      require the final award amount to be                  copyright any work that is subject to
                                              DoD in 2 CFR part 1125, Department of
                                                                                                      less than that originally requested by the            copyright and was developed, or for
                                              Defense Nonprocurement Debarment
                                                                                                      respondent. If the negotiations do not
                                              and Suspension; and                                                                                           which ownership was purchased, under
                                                • 32 CFR part 28, ‘‘New Restrictions                  result in a mutually acceptable
                                                                                                                                                            an award. The Federal awarding
                                              on Lobbying’’.                                          submission, OEA reserves the right to
                                                                                                                                                            agencies reserve a royalty-free,
                                                                                                      terminate the negotiations and decline
                                              iii. Reporting                                          to fund an application. OEA further                   nonexclusive and irrevocable right to
                                                                                                      reserves the right not to fund any                    reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the
                                                 OEA requires periodic performance                                                                          work for Federal purposes, and to
                                              reports, an interim financial report for                application received under this FFO.
                                                                                                         In the event the respondent is                     authorize others to do so. Such uses
                                              each 12 months a cooperative agreement
                                                                                                      awarded a cooperative agreement that is               include, but are not limited to, the right
                                              is active, and one final performance
                                                                                                      less than the amount requested, the                   to modify and distribute such products
                                              report. Performance reports will contain
                                              information on the following:                           respondent will be required to modify                 worldwide by any means, electronically
                                                 a. A comparison of actual                            its grant application to conform to the               or otherwise. The Recipient may not use
                                              accomplishments to the objectives                       reduced amount before execution of the                Federal funds to pay any royalty or
                                              established for the period;                             cooperative agreement. OEA reserves                   license fee for use of a copyrighted
                                                 b. Reasons for slippage if established               the right to reduce or withdraw the                   work, or the cost of acquiring by
                                              objectives were not met;                                award if acceptable modifications are                 purchase a copyright in a work, where
                                                 c. Additional pertinent information                  not submitted by the respondent within                DoD has a license or rights of free use
                                              when appropriate;                                       15 business days from the date the                    in such work. If revenues are generated
                                                 d. A comparison of actual and                        request for modification is made. Any                 through selling products developed
                                              projected quarterly expenditures in the                 modifications must be within the scope                with cooperative agreement funds,
                                              cooperative agreement; and,                             of the original application.                          including intellectual property, these
                                                 e. Amount of Federal cash on hand at                                                                       revenues are program income and shall
                                                                                                      ii. No Obligation for Future Funding
                                              the beginning and end of the reporting                                                                        be added to the cooperative agreement
                                              period.                                                   Amendment or renewal of an award                    and must be expended for allowable
                                                 The final performance report must                    to increase funding or to extend the
                                                                                                                                                            cooperative agreement activities.
                                              contain a summary of activities for the                 period of performance is at the
tkelley on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              entire project period. All required                     discretion of OEA. If a respondent is                   Dated: April 1, 2015.
                                              deliverables should be submitted with                   awarded funding under this FFO,                       Aaron Siegel,
                                              the final performance report.                           neither OEA, DoD nor any Federal                      Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
                                                 The final SF 425, ‘‘Federal Financial                agency are under any obligation to                    Officer, Department of Defense.
                                              Report,’’ must be submitted to OEA                      provide any additional future funding in              [FR Doc. 2015–07793 Filed 4–3–15; 8:45 am]
                                              within 90 days after the end of the                     connection with that award or to make                 BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
                                              cooperative agreement.                                  any future award(s).


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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:17:51
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:17:51
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionFederal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement.
DatesWritten/electronic submissions must be received by OEA by 5:00 p.m., May 8, 2015 Eastern Daylight Savings Time. OEA will hold an informational teleconference at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time on April 15, 2015 to review the goals and objectives of this FFO and answer questions from interested respondents. For the teleconference number and passcode, interested respondents should pre- register for the teleconference no later than April 13, 2015 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Pre-registration may be accomplished by contacting OEA via email at oea.ncr.OEA.mbx.research- [email protected] with a courtesy copy to [email protected] OEA expects to notify the respondent selected through this FFO by June 19, 2015.
FR Citation80 FR 18386 

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