The purpose of this notice is to solicit proposals for a single cooperative agreement between NOAA and an institution of higher learning to operate and maintain a Joint Hydrographic Center as authorized in the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act and the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act. Additional supportive policy statements for the guidance of activities at these centers include the November 2019 Presidential Memorandum on ocean mapping, which calls for mapping, exploring, and characterizing the U.S. EEZ to improve our Nation’s understanding of our vast ocean resources and to advance the economic, security, and environmental interests of the United States. Proposals submitted in response to this announcement should advance the purposes of the Acts and the Proclamation by addressing the Program Priorities described in this announcement.
Deadline: May 21, 2020
Eligible funding applicants are institutions of higher education in the United States. Federal agencies are not allowed to receive funds under this announcement.
This will be a 5-year, multiyear award. The intent is to make a single 5-year award. Total anticipated funding for this award is approximately $38,500,000 with approximately $7,700,000 to be released in FY 2020 and each subsequent year of the 5 years. This award and the subsequent annual releases of funds are subject to the availability of FY 2020 appropriations and the appropriations of each subsequent FY. The initial award and subsequent annual release of funds will be adjusted based on available funding. There is no guarantee that funds will be available to make awards for this federal funding opportunity or that any proposal will be selected for funding. If an applicant incurs any costs prior to receiving an award agreement signed by an authorized NOAA official, they do so at their own risk of these costs not being included in a subsequent award. In no event will NOAA or the Department of Commerce be responsible for any proposal preparation costs. Recipients and sub-recipients are subject to all Federal laws and agency policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
