Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS)

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) is sponsored by Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NOAA NOFO Page 1 of 16 NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY .................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................................

1 Full Text of Announcement ............................................................................................................................................ 1 I. Funding Opportunity Description ...........................................................................................................................

2 II. Award Information ................................................................................................................................................ 3 III.

Eligibility Information .......................................................................................................................................... 4 IV. Application and Submission Information ............................................................................................................

4 V. Application Review Information ........................................................................................................................... 8 VI.

Award Administration Information .................................................................................................................... 11 VII. Agency Contacts ...............................................................................................................................................

15 VIII. Other Information ............................................................................................................................................

15 National Weather Service Program Office (NWSPO) # Funding Opportunity Title FY 2024 – 2026 - Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Announcement Type: Initial Broad Agency Announcement # Funding Opportunity Number # Assistance Listing Number(s) Applications must be submitted to Grants. gov up to 11:59:59 p. m.

Eastern Daylight Time September 30, 2026. Applications received after this time will not be reviewed or considered for funding. Applications will be considered on a continuing/rolling basis as they are received.

# Funding Opportunity Description https://www. corporateservices. noaa.

gov/public/lineoffices. html and https://www. noaa.

gov/office-education and applicants may contact the Agency Contacts in Section VII. below for more information. If you submit the same proposal to more than Line Office, mention this in your proposal and notify the relevant contacts in Section VII.

so that NOAA may coordinate internally. # Full Text of Announcement NOAA NOFO Page 2 of 16 # I. Funding Opportunity Description This Broad Agency Announcement is a mechanism to encourage research, education and outreach, innovative projects, or sponsorship that are not addressed through NWS’ competitive discretionary programs.

This announcement is not soliciting goods or services for the direct benefit of NWS. Funding for activities described in this notice is contingent upon the availability of appropriations in the fiscal years applicable to the proposal. Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for any activities described in this notice.

Publication of this announcement does not oblige NWS to review an application beyond an initial administrative review, or to award any specific project, or to obligate any available funds.

Each NOAA Line Office that supports financial assistance (National Marine Fisheries Service, National Ocean Service, National Weather Service, Office of Atmospheric Research, Office of Education, and National Environmental Satellite Data Information Service) has a separate BAA found in Grants. gov, so applicants should submit their application to the BAA for the Line Office that best fits their application.

A description of NOAA Line Offices is found at https://www. corporateservices. noaa.

gov/public/lineoffices. html and https://www. noaa.

gov/office-education. Applicants may also contact the Agency Contact below for more information. If you submit the same application to more than Line Office, mention this in your application and notify the relevant contacts so that NOAA may coordinate internally.

As an agency with responsibilities for maintaining and improving the viability of marine and coastal ecosystems, for delivering valuable weather, climate, and water information and services, for understanding the science and consequences of climate change, and for supporting the global commerce and transportation upon which we all depend, NWS must remain current and responsive in an ever-changing world.

We do this in concert with our partners and stakeholders in Federal, state, and local governments and private organizations, applying a systematic approach that links our strategic goals through multi-year plans to the daily activities of our employees. Every year we are committed to re-evaluate our progress and priorities, look for efficiencies, and take advantage of new opportunities to improve our information, products, and services.

In furtherance of this objective, NWS issues this BAA to address its mission to provide weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.

Strategic Goal 1: Adaptively Manage Fisheries for Sustainability and Economic Competitiveness Rapidly changing ocean conditions are disrupting fisheries, fishing communities, and seafood economics as the geographic ranges of fish stocks expand, contract, or shift poleward or offshore, and the productivity of fish and other living marine resources becomes less predictable.

The challenge moving forward will be to provide the science needed to further integrate climate change considerations into an ecosystem approach to fisheries management and to model and forecast the effects of changing ocean conditions and habitats on fish stocks, fisheries, and seafood productivity in a timely manner.

Deploying economic tools and forecasts to promote responsible and sustainable industry growth, diversify market opportunities, strengthen supply chains, and ensure participation of underrepresented communities will build resilience to fishery disasters and market shocks in our fishing and seafood industries.

Combating the threat of IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing and ensuring fair and reciprocal trade in fish products will protect U.S. competitiveness and sustainability goals, and prevent harm to protected resources globally. Domestic marine aquaculture production can help to supplement U.S. wild-caught fisheries while promoting business and employment opportunities.

Additionally, the siting, construction, and operation of offshore wind facilities will require scientific and social analyses to sustainably grow the blue economy.

In furtherance of this strategic goal, NOAA Fisheries will pursue strategies to: • Manage stocks for optimum yield and build climate and economic resilience in U.S. seafood and fishing • Advance climate science and ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM) to increase the sustainability • Mitigate and adapt to climate-driven changes in fisheries habitat • Diversify our data collection technologies and expand/modernize data products and services • Ensure equity and accessibility for tribal, indigenous, and underserved communities NOAA NOFO Page 3 of 16 • Counter IUU fishing activity Strategic Goal 2: Safeguard Protected Species and Propel Their Recovery NOAA Fisheries has been a first line of defense for more than 50 years in recovering threatened and endangered marine and anadromous species and in preventing harm or harassment of marine mammals and sea turtles.

Increased human interactions (e.g., bycatch, incidental take, and anthropogenic noise) and changing environmental conditions (e.g., warming temperatures, acidification, pollution, sediment runoff, and habitat degradation) have contributed to the decline of many of these marine species.

Advancing our scientific understanding of the escalating impacts of climate change on marine species and their habitat is critical in our efforts to propose science-based solutions to conserve and recover them. We conduct pioneering research to assess, evaluate, and monitor protected species populations, their health, health trends, and the human impacts they face.

Working with partners, we develop conservation policies, guidance, and regulations to conserve and recover protected marine species, and consult on proposed actions to mitigate threats to their survival. Our proactive outreach and efforts to enforce and promote compliance with our conservation efforts help to protect these vulnerable marine species.

In furtherance of this strategic goal, NOAA Fisheries will pursue strategies to: • Implement actions to recover endangered and threatened species • Model and predict the effects of climate change on protected marine species, to improve conservation • Expand the use of advanced and innovative technologies • Protect and restore important habitats necessary for the recovery of endangered marine species • Protect marine species while supporting ocean-based economic growth Strategic Goal 3: Diversify our Workforce, Promote Equity and Environmental Justice, and Improve our Mission Performance Through Organizational Excellence Three key elements of a successful organization are its people, infrastructure, and business processes.

NOAA Fisheries recognizes that the success of our mission relies on the expertise and commitment of our diverse, talented employees and partners. We will implement our plan for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), including recruiting and training a workforce of the future, which represents a cross-section of society and has the skills and competencies in emerging technologies to meet evolving needs.

Our approach in managing infrastructure and technology must consider the potentials of a virtual working environment, and cloud computing. Improving communication across the agency and outreach to our constituents and members of Congress will improve coordination on the progress of our mission.

Implementing transparent strategic resource management and leveraging diverse funding sources will focus limited resources on our highest priorities.

In furtherance of this strategic goal, NOAA Fisheries will pursue strategies to: • Promote total worker wellness • Increase workforce diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility • Develop workforce skills for the future • Embrace a new paradigm for the workplace • Adaptively manage infrastructure • Expand internal and stakeholder communications • Implement an Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy The specific program authority will vary depending on the nature of the proposed project.

A list of the most prevalent assistance authorities are U.S.C. 2901 et. seq.

; 16 U.S.C. 661; 16 U.S.C. 1456c; 33 U.S.C.

883a-d; 33 USC 893a; 33 U.S.C. 1442; 49 U.S.C. 44720(b).

# A. Funding Availability NOAA NOFO Page 4 of 16 There are no funds specifically appropriated by Congress for this BAA. Funding for potential projects in this notice is contingent upon the availability of appropriations in the fiscal years applicable to the proposal.

Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for any proposed activities in this notice. # B. Project/Award Period The anticipated start date of the award generally will be three to six months after receipt of the application by NOAA.

Applications should generally be submitted for a one-year award period, but this may be negotiated if the application is recommended for funding. Note: The award must start on the first day of a month in the year, and end on the last day of a month in the year (i.e. 08/01/2024 – 07/31/2026) # C.

Type of Funding Instrument Selected applicants will either enter into a grant or a cooperative agreement depending upon the amount of NWS's involvement in the project. Substantial involvement by NWS in the project would require a cooperative agreement. # III.

Eligibility Information Eligible applicants may be institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, international or foreign organizations or governments, individuals, state, local, and Indian Tribal governments. Eligibility also depends on the statutory authority that permits NOAA/NWS to fund the proposed activity.

Funding of Federal organizations is outside the scope of this announcement; if funding authority exists, Federal organizations seeking NOAA/NWS funds should contact relevant program officials about the interagency agreement process. # B. Cost Share or Matching Requirement Cost sharing is not required unless it is determined that a project can only be funded under an authority that requires matching/cost sharing funds.

# C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility # IV. Application and Submission Information # A.

Address to Request Application Package Applicants can obtain electronic application packages through Grants. gov by using Notice of Funding Opportunity Number NOAA-NWS-2024-28059 to conduct a search. Grants.

gov requires applicants to complete a free annual registration process in the electronic System for Award Management (SAM), found at https://sam. gov/SAM/, as described in section IV. C.

and IV. G. of this Announcement.

These registration processes can take several weeks and involve multiple steps. In order to allow sufficient time for these processes, applicants should register as soon as they decide to apply even if they are not ready to submit their application. # B.

Content and Form of Application All pages should be single-spaced and composed in at least 11-point font with one-inch margins on 8” x 11” paper. The project description may not exceed 15 pages, exclusive of title page, project synopsis, literature cited, budget information, resumes of investigators, and letters of support (if any).

Failure to follow the requirements may result in the rejection of the application and its subsequent return. Any PDF or other attachments that are included in an electronic application must meet the above format requirement when printed out. 1.

Content Requirements. The following information must be included: 2. Signed SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance: The SF-424 must be signed by the Authorized Representative.

Electronic signatures submitted through Grants. gov satisfy this requirement. 3.

Title Page (1-page limit): The title page identifies the project's title, total budget, start and end dates; and the Principal Investigator's (PI’s) and co-PI's names, affiliations, complete mailing addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers and fax numbers. The title page must also identify the specific NOAA office (e.g., NESDIS, NMFS, NOS, NWS, OAR or Office of Education) and the NOAA program targeted by the application.

NOAA NOFO Page 5 of 16 4. Project Synopsis (1-page limit): It is critical that the project synopsis accurately describes the project being proposed and conveys all essential elements of the activities. It is imperative that potential applicants tie their applications to one of the NOAA mission goals described in Section I.

B. of this announcement and state it here in the synopsis. 5.

Project Description (15-page limit): The applicant should describe and justify the project being proposed and address each of the evaluation criteria as described below in Section V. Project descriptions should include clear objectives and specific approaches to achieving those objectives, including methods, timelines, and expected outcomes. 6.

Literature Cited: If applicable 7. Assurances: The SF-424B Assurances form must be completed and submitted for all non-construction applications, and the SF-424D Assurances form must be completed and submitted for all construction applications. 8.

Completed Form CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying. 9. Resumes for each major participant: Key Personnel; Principal Investigator(s).

10. Standard Application Forms: Please refer to the application package available through Grants. gov. Please review each form to determine which are required with submission.

Each applicant may not be required to submit all forms listed, depending on the project type or applicant type. 11. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Questionnaire: NOAA has a NEPA policy applicable to funding applicants, described in Section VI of this announcement.

NOAA has a NEPA Questionnaire that may be applicable to some projects, but applicants do not need to provide answers to the NOAA NEPA Questionnaire at this time. However, NOAA may require additional information from the applicant regarding potential environmental impacts prior to reviewing the application. 12.

Data Management Plan: If relevant for the proposed project, include a data sharing plan. Refer to Section VI. 13.

Budget and Budget Justification: The SF-424A Budget Information Form must be completed, and there should be a detailed budget justification accompanying the SF- 424 budget forms (SF-424A non-construction or SF-424C construction, as appropriate). Indicate matching funds if provided in a separate column.

Provide justifications for all budget items in sufficient detail to enable the reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the funding requested. The budget justification should be broken out and detailed using the same budget categories as the SF-424 budget form (SF-424A or SF-424C). Budget Narrative Guidance can be found at: https://www.

noaa. gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/gmd_budget_narrative_guidance_- 14. Applicants requesting indirect costs at a rate greater than the de minimis rate must provide a signed copy of their organization’s existing approved Federal indirect cost (IDC) rate agreement with the application package.

15. Indirect Costs: If an applicant has not previously established an indirect cost rate with a Federal agency, the applicant may choose to negotiate a rate with its cognizant agency (the agency from which the applicant receives the most grant funding), or use the de minimis indirect cost rate.

Applicants requesting indirect costs at a rate greater than the de minimis rate must provide a signed copy of their existing approved Federal indirect cost (IDC) rate agreement with the application package.

If an applicant seeks to establish a new indirect cost rate agreement and NOAA would be the cognizant agency, the applicant must submit its indirect cost rate agreement documentation per the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions (2019), https://www. commerce. gov/sites/default/files/2020- 11/DOC%20Standard%20Terms%20and%20Conditions%20-%2012%20November%202020%20PDF_0.

pdf or any amended versions that may be applicable (found at https://www. osec. doc.

gov/oam/grants_management/policy/ ) within 90 days after award start date or those costs will not be allowed. The approval process may take several weeks. The indirect cost rate applications in these cases should be sent by mail or email (separately from the grant application) to: Jennifer Jackson, Grants Officer NOAA Grants Management Division, Email: jennifer.

jackson@noaa. gov For applicants seeking to establish a new indirect cost rate agreement and NOAA would be the cognizant agency, the information that must be provided (separate from the application) to establish an Approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement is described below: NOAA NOFO Page 6 of 16 Submitted by Non-Profits and Commercial Entities 1.

A chart showing the organizational structure during the period for which the proposal applies, along with a functional statement noting the duties and/or responsibilities of all units that comprise the organization. Please make sure this includes a brief narrative background statement outlining the financial operation of the organization. 2.

The basic proposal, including all other supporting schedules and financial and statistical information supporting the basic proposal. Any supporting schedules should be cross-referenced to the basic proposal (accounting records and related work papers to support the costs contained in the indirect cost proposal). 3.

The total costs shown in the basic proposal should also reconcile to the financial statements in the most recent audit report, which should also be provided. 4. Reconciliations/Analyses 5.

As stated above, detailed reconciliation between the proposal and the financial statements; 6. Adjusted detailed trial balance which agrees to the audited financial statements; 7. Trend Analysis Report - It must itemize expense account line items that support the totals of both direct and indirect expenses, for three years (only two years would be required if the entity has only been in business for two years).

Comparisons or trends of the indirect cost rates only will cause your indirect cost proposal to be rejected, until the correctly prepared trend analysis report is received; and 8. Calculations showing how applicable prior year carry-forward amounts were applied to formulate current year’s rate submission. 9.

A listing of directly awarded grants and contracts by Federal agency, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number, dollar amounts separated by direct- indirect-total costs, period of performance, applicable cost principle, and the identification of any cost limitations and special award terms/conditions applicable to each. 10.

Cost Policy Statement (e.g. Disclosure Statement) the purpose of which is to establish an unambiguous understanding between the grantee and the Federal Government as to what costs will be charged directly and what costs will be charged indirectly.

If a Cost Policy Statement was submitted with last year’s proposal and not proposing any changes to the current year’s submission, the following suggested language should be included in their transmittal letter when a proposal is submitted: [ABC Organization] hereby confirms that no changes to its accounting practices as set forth in its Cost Policy Statement dated [date] have been made. 11.

Statement of Total Costs contains all line items of cost included in the organization’s chart of accounts and applicable columns for direct costs (by cost center/activity, Federal grants, non-Federal grants, fund raising, etc.), indirect costs (overhead, G&A, etc.), and unallowable costs (if applicable). These columns should show the type (e.g. labor, travel supplies, etc.) and amount of cost incurred by each activity.

The total costs should reconcile to the organization’s financial statements. If the reconciliation is not clear, the organization should provide a separate schedule supporting the difference. 12.

Statement of Indirect Costs contains all line items of cost included in the indirect cost pool(s), the applicable base(s), and the resulting indirect cost rate(s). The allocation base should be traceable to the organization’s total costs. If not clearly traceable, an additional schedule should be provided to support the reconciliation.

13. Specific Personnel Costs includes a list of all volunteers by job title, along with a description of the services they provided to the organization, if significant. Also required is a list of all management level employees, their position descriptions and salaries.

14. Certification of Indirect Costs - A completed Certification must be signed on behalf of the organization by an official at a level no lower than Executive Director or Chief Financial Officer.

The Certification must identify the period of coverage for the indirect cost proposal, asserting that it has been prepared in accordance with the applicable cost principles and guidelines [2 CFR Part 200 (non-profits), FAR Part 31 (commercial)]. 15. Identification of Other Items to be included within the indirect cost proposal package.

If these items are not provided with the organization’s proposal, it may be necessary for them to be provided later during the review process as circumstances dictate. NOAA NOFO Page 7 of 16 a. Identify assets purchased with Federal sponsored program funds or Non-Federal sponsored program funds, if any, and specify if ownership remains with sponsoring entity or transfers to recipient upon successful completion of the awards.

b. Identify all related party transactions. c.

Identify idle facilities, if any. 1. Lobbying Certificate – A completed Certification must be signed on behalf of the organization by an official at a level no lower than Executive Director or Chief Financial Officer.

Completion of this Certification indicates the organization has complied with the requirements and standards on lobbying costs in the development of the indirect cost rate. 2. DOC’s Indirect Cost Proposal Checklist.

Please mark the Checklist item number on the corresponding document (or start of section) within the final proposal package. Follow this link to view a copy of the IDC Proposal Checklist: https://rates. psc.

gov/fms/dca/icpchecklist. pdf Submitted by States and Local Governments and Indian Tribe All entities receiving this Guidance desiring to claim indirect costs under Federal awards using an indirect cost rate must prepare and maintain their completed indirect cost rate proposal for review, as set forth in 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Federal Grants.

Proposals submitted in response to this Announcement must include a Data Management Plan (up to 2 pages). See Section VI. B.

, Administrative and National Policy Requirements, below for additional information on what the plan should contain. If required, provide NOAA NEPA Questionnaire # C. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Each applicant is required to: (i) Register in the federal System for Award Management (SAM) at https://sam.

gov/SAM/ before submitting an application; (ii) Provide a valid unique entity identifier in the application; and (iii) 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 NOAA (or any other Federal agency).

NOAA may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time NOAA is ready to make a Federal award, NOAA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

See also Sections IV. A. and IV.

G. of this Announcement. # D.

Submission Dates and Times Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis starting from the publication date of this Broad Agency Announcement up to 11:59:59 p. m. , Eastern Daylight Time on September 30, 2026.

Applications received after this time will not be reviewed or considered for funding. Applications shall be evaluated for funding generally within three to six months of receipt.

An applicant can expect to receive either a rejection notice based on the initial prescreening review (if found ineligible), a rejection notice based on merit review or program restrictions, a request for additional information, and/or an award within that time frame. # E.

Intergovernmental Review Applications submitted by state and local governments are subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Any applicant submitting an application for funding is required to complete item 16 on the SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of EO 12372.

To find out about and comply with a State's process under EO 12372, the names, addresses and phone numbers of participating SPOCs are listed in the Office Management and Budget's home page at # F. Funding Restrictions None, unless required by the statute under which the award is funded. # G.

Other Submission Requirements NOAA NOFO Page 8 of 16 Applicants must register with Grants. gov before any application materials can be submitted. An organization's one time registration process may take up to three weeks or more to complete.

To use Grants. gov, an applicant must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (both of which require periodic renewals). Applicants can receive a UEI number and a SAM registration at no cost by visiting https://sam.

gov/content/entity-registration . Please do not register in SAM as a “Private” entity. Allow a minimum of five days to complete the SAM registration, which will require the applicant’s Employer Identification Number.

The entire registration process, including Grants. gov, UEI, and SAM, it may take more than three weeks to complete, and the registration must be renewed annually. Please allow sufficient time for these steps .

The Grants. gov site contains directions for submitting an application, the application package (forms), and is also where the completed application is submitted. The downloadable application package is available on Grants.

gov. The package will be available for this solicitation's Workspace or download a copy of the application package, complete it offline, and then upload and submit the application via the Grants. gov site. Use the Notice of Funding Opportunity Number Notice of Funding Opportunity Number NOAA-NWS-2024-28059 to conduct a search and obtain electronic application packages.

After electronic submission of the proposal through Grants. gov, the person submitting the proposal will receive up to three email messages from Grants. gov updating them on the progress of their application.

In the first 24 to 48 hours after submission, the first email will confirm receipt of the application by the Grants. gov system, and the second will indicate that the application has either been successfully validated by the system before transmission to the grantor agency or has been rejected because of errors. Only validated proposals are sent to NOAA for review.

After the proposal has been validated, this same person will receive a third email, generally within two days, when the proposal has been downloaded by NOAA. If an applicant has not received an email verifying that the proposal has been downloaded by NOAA, the applicant is responsible for contacting the federal program officer for this Announcement and providing documentation that demonstrates the proposal was submitted to Grants.

gov ahead of the deadline. The assistance listing number will vary depending on the nature of the proposed project. The applicant should consult the assistance listing series available at https.

sam. gov/ . The applicant should review the assistance listing numbers associated with the “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration” (Generally 11.

400 - 11. 481 as well as 11. 008, 11.

011, 11. 012, 11. 015, 11.

017 and 11. 021) and select the most accurate program for the proposed project. The assistance listing will also provide the applicant with the eligibility requirements in order to determine if an applicant can apply under that particular assistance listing.

NOAA uses the eRA system to electronically administer their Grants Management Portfolio. eRA commons, public. era.

nih. gov , is the public facing portal that recipients will use to manage any awarded applications. You can register at the public.

era. nih. gov. If you require assistance you can review the instructions here https://www.

era. nih. gov/register-accounts/register-in-era-commons.

htm . The first listed PD/PI on the application must include their eRA Commons ID in the “Credential, e.g., agency login” field of form. Failure to register in eRA Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the Applicant Identifier field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application.

Additional personnel included on the form do not need to include this information, however eRA will create a warning recommending those personnel also have valid eRA Commons IDs. Again - it is not required that those additional personnel include valid eRA Commons IDs regardless of the warnings created by the eRA system. # H.

Address for Submitting Proposals Each NOAA Line Office that supports financial assistance has a separate BAA found in Grants. gov, so applicants must submit their application to the BAA for the Line Office that best fits their application. A description of NOAA Line Offices is found at https://www.

corporateservices. noaa. gov/public/lineoffices.

html . If you submit the same application to more than one Line Office, please state this in your application. Contact officials for each Line Office is listed below.

Jennifer Peisach: Jennifer. Peisach@noaa. gov # V.

Application Review Information 1. Importance/relevance and applicability of proposed projects to the program goals Maximum Points: 0 This criterion ascertains whether there is intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA, federal, regional, state, or local activities. NOAA NOFO Page 9 of 16 2.

Technical/scientific merit Maximum Points: 0 This criterion assesses whether the approach is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate, and whether there are clear project goals and objectives. 3.

Overall qualifications of applicants Maximum Points: 0 This criterion ascertains whether the applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, training, facilities, and administrative resources to accomplish the project. 4. Project costs Maximum Points: 0 This criterion evaluates the budget to determine if it is realistic and commensurate with the project needs and time frame.

5. Outreach and Education Maximum Points: 0 This criterion assesses whether the project provides a focused and effective education and outreach strategy regarding NOAA's mission to protect the Nation's natural resources. NOAA has standardized evaluation criteria for all competitive assistance announcements.

The criteria for this BAA are listed below. Applicants are required to adhere to all the noted submission requirements and to provide a demonstrable link and/or to emphasize the manner in which study objectives results relate to NOAA's mission goals/priorities.

Since applications responding to this BAA may vary significantly in their activities/objectives, assigning a set weight for each evaluation criterion is not feasible, but is based on a total possible score of 100. The Program Office and/or Selection Official will determine which of the following criteria and weights will be applied.

Some applications, for example sponsorships, may not be able to address all the criteria like technical/scientific merit. However, it is in your best interest to prepare an application that can be easily evaluated against these five criteria. When applicable, an applicant’s Data Sharing Plan, as described in Section VI of this announcement, will be considered within the criteria below.

• Importance and/or relevance and applicability of proposed project to the mission goals: Applications may also be scored for innovation, i.e., Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies?

• Technical/scientific merit: This assesses