Meteorologic and Hydrologic Modernization Development
Published on AidPage by
IDILOGIC on Jun 24, 2005
Purpose of this program:
To maintain a cooperative university and Federal partnership to conduct meteorological training, education, professional development, and research and development on hydrometeorological issues common to the hydrometeorological community.
Possible uses and use restrictions...
Funds can be used to support education, training, research and development on subjects, especially those relating to modernization of the weather services, related to the atmospheric, near surface (first ten meters) oceanographic, and hydrologic conditions. Specific restrictions, other than those mandated for cooperative agreements, are evaluated on an individual basis.
Who is eligible to apply...
Eligible applicants are accredited Federally recognized institutions of higher learning, consortia of these institutions, agencies of State or local governments including school systems, quasi-public institutions, consultants, and companies involved in using and developing meteorological or hydrologic forecasts or forecast methodology.
Credentials/Documentation
Proposals with statement of work, estimated budget, curriculum vitae, and statements of appropriate and/or necessary accreditation. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular Nos. A-87 for State and local governments, A-21 for educational institutions and A-122 for nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Note:This is a brief description of the credentials or documentation required prior to, or along with, an application for assistance.
About this section:
This section indicates who can apply to the Federal government for assistance and the criteria the potential applicant must satisfy.
For example, individuals may be eligible for research grants, and the criteria to be satisfied may be that they have a professional or scientific degree,
3 years of research experience, and be a citizen of the United States. Universities, medical schools, hospitals, or State and local governments may also be eligible.
Where State governments are eligible, the type of State agency will be indicated (State welfare agency or State agency on aging) and the criteria that they
must satisfy.
Certain federal programs (e.g., the Pell Grant program which provides grants to students) involve intermediate levels of application processing, i.e., applications
are transmitted through colleges or universities that are neither the direct applicant nor the ultimate beneficiary. For these programs,
the criteria that the intermediaries must satisfy are also indicated, along with intermediaries who are not eligible.
How to apply...
Application Procedure:
Proposals, including a statement of work and budget, are submitted to Chief of the Training Division of OCWWS. When details of the work and budget are mutually agreed upon, the complete proposal will be prepared and formally submitted. Complete grant or cooperative agreement proposals will include forms SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424A, Budget Information Non-Construction Programs, statement of work, budget and supporting details, negotiated indirect cost rate sheet, and CD-511 Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters, Drug Free Workplace Requirements, and Lobbying statements. Cooperative activities and funding amounts are determined through an evaluation conducted in coordination with the Director of OCWWS, and staff.
Note: Each program will indicate whether applications are to be submitted to the Federal headquarters, regional or local office, or to a State or local government office.
Award Procedure:
Awards are made on the basis of proposal evaluations as well as technical and administrative reviews.
Note: Grant payments may be made by a letter of credit, advance by Treasury check, or reimbursement by Treasury check.
Awards may be made by the headquarters office directly to the applicant, an agency field office, a regional office,
or by an authorized county office. The assistance may pass through the initial applicant for further distribution by
intermediate level applicants to groups or individuals in the private sector.
Deadlines and process...
Deadlines
None.
Note:
When available, this section indicates the deadlines for applications to the funding agency which will
be stated in terms of the date(s) or between what dates the application should be received.
When not available, applicants should contact the funding agency for deadline information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approval time for grants is expected to range from 90 to 180 days, which includes processing of the award through the NWS, NOAA, and DOC financial assistance functions.
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination between the proposer and the Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services (OCWWS) is recommended. Consultation in the preparation of forms is available from OCWWS. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Note:
This section indicates whether any prior coordination or approval is required with governmental or nongovernmental units
prior to the submission of a formal application to the federal funding agency.
Appeals
None.
Note:
In some cases, there are no provisions for appeal. Where applicable, this section discusses appeal procedures or allowable rework time for resubmission
of applications to be processed by the funding agency. Appeal procedures vary with individual programs and are either listed in this section or
applicants are referred to appeal procedures documented in the relevant Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Renewals
By negotiations with OCWWS. Cooperative agreement activities are normally continuing subject to the availability of funding for subsequent budget periods. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the Agency.
Note:
In some instances, renewal procedures may be the same as for the application procedure, e.g., for projects of a non-continuing nature renewals will be treated as new, competing applications; for projects of an ongoing nature, renewals may be given annually.
Who can benefit...
The benefits of the overall program are for reduction in loss of life and damage which the general public can realize from improvement in weather forecasts, watches, and warnings of hazardous weather and resultant flooding. For the improvements from the modernization of the Nation's weather and hydrologic services to be realized, there must be significant involvement of the entire hydrometeorological community. Thus, benefits will accrue to: (1) General public hrough higher quality weather products and information; (2) State and local agencies responsible for the planning and implementation of emergency services, fire prevention, allocation and control of water resources, and those agencies who project economic conditions based on weather and water resource availability; (3) educational institutions (0-13+) which need to incorporate the information which will result from modernization of the weather services into their curricula; (4) scientists and developers who will be using the new information to enhance the State of the knowledge of the atmosphere and improve present system safety and reliability; and academic institutions which are funded for programs dealing with studies of the atmospheric and hydrologic science.
Beneficiaries
About this section:
This section lists the ultimate beneficiaries of a program, the criteria they must satisfy and who specifically is not eligible. The applicant and beneficiary will generally be the same for programs that provide assistance directly from a Federal agency. However, financial assistance that passes through State or local governments will have different applicants and beneficiaries since the assistance is transmitted to private sector beneficiaries who are not obligated to request or apply for the assistance.
What types of assistance...
Project Grants
The funding, for fixed or known periods, of specific projects. Project grants can include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants, traineeships, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants, and construction grants.
Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use
Financial assistance from the Federal government provided directly to beneficiaries who satisfy Federal eligibility requirements with no restrictions being imposed on the recipient as to how the money is spent. Included are payments under retirement, pension, and compensatory programs.
Dissemination of Technical Information
Programs which provide for the publication and distribution of information or data of a specialized or technical nature frequently through clearinghouses or libraries. This does not include conventional public information services designed for general public consumption.
Training
Programs which provide instructional activities conducted directly by a Federal agency for individuals not employed by the Federal government.
How much financial aid...
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$15,000 to $4,000,000.
Note:
This section lists the representative range (smallest to largest) of the amount of financial assistance available. These figures are based upon funds awarded in the past fiscal year and the current fiscal year to date. Also indicated is an approximate average amount of awards which were made in the past and current fiscal years.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 03 actual: $4,150,650; FY 04 est $5,319,950; and FY 05 est $5,319,950.
Note:
The dollar amounts listed in this section represent obligations for the past fiscal year (PY), estimates for the current fiscal year (CY), and estimates for the budget fiscal year (BY) as reported by the Federal agencies. Obligations for non-financial assistance programs indicate the administrative expenses involved in the operation of a program.
Account Identification
13-1450-0-1-306.
Note:
Note: This 11-digit budget account identification code represents the account which funds a particular program.
This code should be consistent with the code given for the program area as specified in Appendix III of the Budget of the United States Government.
Examples of funded projects...
The COMET, AMS & UVA are the only projects which are presently funded under this program.
About this section
This section indicates the different types of projects which have been funded in the past. Only projects funded under Project Grants or Direct Payments for Specified Use should be listed here. The examples give potential applicants an idea of the types of projects that may be accepted for funding. The agency should list at least five examples of the most recently funded projects.
Program accomplishments...
The Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education, and Training (COMET) has performed in a manner which has met all expectations. COMET consists of two programs: the Education and Training Program, and the Outreach Program. Experts from the entire academia community cooperate in the operational aspects of meteorology and hydrology which leads to the most current education and training. The Outreach Program seeks to make partnerships with Federal operational meteorologists and research scientists. During fiscal year 2002, this program sponsored a total of 15 projects with an average level of funding of approximately $35,000 per year for collaborative efforts and a total of 12 smaller projects with an average level of funding of $8,500. Proposals were treated in the standard peer review process. COMET produces cost-effective Web- Based modules and has produced four modules within the last year which are available freely on the web at http://meted.ucar.edu/.
Criteria for selecting proposals...
Proposals are subject to office and peer review process taking into consideration scientific merit, application to office research goals, principal investigator's qualifications, cost, and available funding.
Assistance considerations...
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are usually for a 12-month period. In some instances, award periods may extend beyond 12 months. The funding is spent in the award's budget period unless an extension is requested by the principal investigator and approved by NOAA Grants Office. The recipient receives the funds through the financial assistance disbursement system (FADS).
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no specific matching requirements. Projects are accepted at up to 100 percent Federal share.
Note:
A formula may be based on population, per capita income, and other statistical factors. Applicants are informed whether there are any matching requirements to be met when participating in the cost of a project. In general, the matching share represents that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government. Attachment F of OMB Circular No. A-102 (Office of Management and Budget) sets forth the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of matching share requirements which may be cash or in-kind contributions made by State and local governments or other agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals to satisfy matching requirements of Federal grants or loans.
Cash contributions represent the grantees' cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the grantee by other public agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals. When authorized by Federal regulation, Federal funds received from other grants may be considered as the grantees' cash contribution.
In-kind contributions represent the value of noncash contributions provided by the grantee, other public agencies and institutions, private organizations or individuals. In-kind contributions may consist of charges for real property and equipment, and value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the grant program. When authorized by Federal legislation, property purchased with Federal funds may be considered as grantees' in-kind contribution.
Maintenance of effort (MOE) is a requirement contained in certain legislation, regulations, or administrative policies stating that a grantee must maintain a specified level of financial effort in a specific area in order to receive Federal grant funds, and that the Federal grant funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, the level of grantee funds.
Post assistance requirements...
Reports
Reports are due in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award. The Department's financial assistance standard terms and conditions generally require that financial and performance reports be submitted quarterly.
Note:
This section indicates whether program reports, expenditure reports, cash reports or performance monitoring are required by the Federal funding agency, and specifies at what time intervals (monthly, annually, etc.) this must be accomplished.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal Awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for the year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Note:
This section discusses audits required by the Federal agency.
The procedures and requirements for State and local governments and nonprofit entities are set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133.
These requirements pertain to awards made within the respective State's fiscal year - not the Federal fiscal year,
as some State and local governments may use the calendar year or other variation of time span designated as the fiscal year period,
rather than that commonly known as the Federal fiscal year (from October 1st through September 30th).
Records
All financial and programming records, supporting documents, statistical reports, and other records of grantees or subgrantees are required to be maintained by the terms of the agreement. The grantee must retain records for 3 years from the date when the final expenditure report is submitted.
Note:
This section indicates the record retention requirements and the type of records the Federal agency may require.
Not included are the normally imposed requirements of the General Accounting Office.
For programs falling under the purview of OMB Circular No. A-102, record retention is set forth in Attachment C.
For other programs, record retention is governed by the funding agency's requirements.
Regulations...
Authorization
Weather Service Organic Act, 15 U.S.C. 313, 1525.
Note:
This section lists the legal authority upon which a program is based (acts, amendments to acts, Public Law numbers, titles, sections, Statute Codes, citations to the U.S. Code, Executive Orders, Presidential Reorganization Plans, and Memoranda from an agency head).
Regulations, Guidelines, And Literature
Allowable cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes; OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofit and for-profit organizations; OMB Circular A-21 for institutions of higher education; and 48 CFR Part 31 for commercial organizations. Financial assistance management will be in accordance with 15 CFR Part 14 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit and commercial organizations, and with 15 CRF Part 24 for state and local governments.