Meteorologic and Hydrologic Modernization Development

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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/.

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.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

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.

Beneficiary Eligibility

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 through 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.

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.

Aplication and Award Process

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.

Application Procedures

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.

Award Procedures

Awards are made on the basis of proposal evaluations as well as technical and administrative reviews.

Deadlines

None.

Authorization

Weather Service Organic Act, 15 U.S.C. 313, 1525.

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.

Appeals

None.

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.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no specific matching requirements. Projects are accepted at up to 100 percent Federal share.

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).

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.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), 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 $500,000 or more in Federal Awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for the year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

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.

Financial Information

Account Identification

13-1450-0-1-306.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $4,983,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$15,000 to $4,000,000.

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 CFR Part 24 for State and local governments.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Chief, Training Division, National Weather Service/OS6, 1325 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Telephone: (301) 713-0280; Fax: (301)713-1598.

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.