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National Oyster Disease Research Program and Gulf Oyster Industry Initiative: Request for Proposals for FY 1999
[Federal Register: March 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 43)] [Page 10630-10636]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
AGENCY: National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is entertaining preliminary proposals and subsequently full proposals to participate in innovative research, outreach and demonstration projects in two separate competitions: one to continue the National Oyster Disease Research Program (ODRP) and one to continue the Gulf Oyster Industry Program (GOIP). In FY 1999 and 2000, Sea Grant expects to make available about $1,475,000 per year to support the National Oyster Disease Research Program through projects that focus on diseases that are impacting the oyster populations of the US, and about $930,000 per year to support the Gulf Oyster Industry Program through projects that focus on the oyster industry problems of the Gulf Coast with special emphasis on the human health considerations within that industry. Matching funds equivalent to a minimum of 50% of the Federal request must be provided for each project. Successful projects will be selected through national competitions.

DATES: Preliminary proposals must be submitted before 5 pm (local time) on April 5, 1999 to the nearest state Sea Grant College Program or the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO). After evaluation at the NSGO, some proposers will be encouraged to prepare full proposals, which must be submitted before 5 pm (local time) on May 27, 1999 to the nearest state Sea Grant College Program or the NSGO.

ADDRESSES: Investigators located in states with Sea Grant Programs must submit their preliminary proposals and full proposals through those programs. The addresses of the Sea Grant College Program directors may be found on Sea Grant's home page (http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/NSGO/ index.html) or may also be obtained by contacting the Program Manager at the National Sea Grant Office (see below). Investigators from non- Sea Grant states may submit their preliminary proposals and proposals directly to the National Sea Grant Office at:
National Sea Grant College Program. R/SG,
Attn: Oyster Disease and Gulf Oyster Industry Competition
Room 11838, NOAA
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James P. McVey
Program Director for Aquaculture
National Sea Grant College Program
R/SG, NOAA
1315 East- West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
or
Mary Robinson
Secretary
National Sea Grant Office
301-713-2451
facsimile 301-713-0799

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Program Authority Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1121-1131.
(Catalog of Federal Assistance Number: 11.417, Sea Grant Support.)

II. Program Description
Background
National Oyster Disease Research Program: For more than two decades, oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay and mid-Atlantic area have been increasingly battered by Dermo and MSX, two parasitic diseases for which there is no known remedy. In the northeast, a new and as yet unidentified pathogen, called Juvenile Oyster Disease (JOD), has been taking a toll in hatcheries. On the west coast, the Pacific Oyster has been subjected to puzzling summer mortalities. The continuing decline of oyster stocks has been a catalyst for federal support of the Oyster Disease Research Program, a far-reaching effort by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support innovative research that will lead to improved techniques for combating oyster disease. The Program began in 1990 with oversight by the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service and its Chesapeake Bay Office, and is now administered by the National Sea Grant College, Program. Through competitive proposals each year, the Oyster Disease Research Program is supporting efforts to develop:

  • Optimal strategies for managing around disease.
  • Molecular tools to better monitor the onset and presence of disease.
  • Better understanding of the processes of parasitic infection.
  • Improved understanding of the oyster's immune system.
  • Hatchery techniques for producing disease-resistant strains.

This extensive program of ongoing research, coupled with outreach and management efforts, aims to better serve the restoration of health populations of oysters in the nation's coastal waters.

Gulf Oyster Industry Program: The Gulf Oyster Industry Program is a long term, research-based program aimed at assisting the oyster industry in states adjoining the Gulf of Mexico to achieve full economic recovery and sustainable oyster production. This program will foster the participation of highly qualified academic researchers with industry and management agency personnel in a organized, comprehensive search for practical solutions to the most pressing problems of the Gulf oyster industry, including those relating to Vibrio vulnificus, a human pathogen, and other human health risks associated with raw molluscan shellfish.

Funding Availability and Priorities
The National Sea Grant College Program encourages proposals that address one of the following two program areas:

  1. National Oyster Disease Research Program (ODRP)

The official vision statement for the program is ``to provide, through a coordinated research program, the technological basis for overcoming diseases which currently limit oyster production in the United States''. Even though ODRP emphasis is on diseases associated with the American oyster, proposals addressing disease problems of other oyster species will be considered as long as they relate to the priorities identified below:

In response to the progress reports presented at the special session on the ``Oyster Disease Research Program--Progress to Date'', during the International Shellfish Restoration Conference, 21-23 November, 1996, the ODRP Steering Committee recommended that future announcements encourage partnerships for the transfer of basic research findings and new technology where opportunity exists. These partnerships may consist of, but will not be limited to, such activities as involvement of private sector and extension/outreach in the implementation of research results and trials of diagnostic methods, or commercial development of tools for oyster disease management. Even though this Announcement is encouraging projects of this type, the Steering Committee recognizes that some of the best work being done on oyster disease involves basic research, which may not be ready for application, but which still contributes to a greater understanding of the fundamental nature of oyster diseases. Sea Grant will continue to support this basic research, while providing opportunity for those researchers that have already developed useful applications to receive consideration in the proposal process. We have also provided more detail on the results of ongoing research on the National Sea Grant Homepage on the World Wide Web at http://www.mdsg.umd.edu.

Another consideration identified by the Steering Committee involves creating opportunities for larger-scale efforts that build on existing progress where it would be meaningful. The intent of projects that would fall into this category should be research hypothesis testing, but not long-term monitoring. The committee felt that this is an avenue for reaching the next step programmatically, and would encourage researchers to build the appropriate partnerships and linkages, especially with concerned State agencies.

Primary consideration for funding will be given to proposals which address the specific priorities listed below. These priorities, originally determined at a national workshop in January, 1995 and further refined at the Oyster Disease Research Program session during the International Shellfish Restoration Conference in 1996, are not listed in any implied order of importance.

  1. Parasite life cycles and the dynamics and mechanisms of transmission--investigations of selected aspects of the life cycles of oyster pathogens, especially MSX and Perkinsus, and the dynamics/ mechanisms of disease transmission among host organisms.
  2. Host-parasite interactions--investigations which: determine how pathogens avoid host defense mechanisms; biochemically characterize Perkinsus strains; determine factors which confer virulence to Perkinsus strains; determine mechanisms of infection/entry into the host; or compare disease processes in oyster species.
  3. Mechanisms of disease resistance--continued emphasis is placed on studies concerning cellular/molecular mechanisms of disease infection and resistance in Crassostrea spp. and studies which determine the mechanisms of immune response in oysters. In addition, analysis of host defense factors, the development of molecular markers of disease and stress resistance, the development of immuno-stimulants, the application of chemo-therapeutics, and the identification of pathogen virulence and resistance mechanisms are needed; as are studies comparing resistance among diploid and polyploid oysters.
  4. Development and application of diagnostic methods for all oyster diseases--investigations which lead to the development and application of molecular techniques for disease diagnosis, and those which develop rapid field diagnostic methods are high priority.
  5. Environmental influences on disease processes--proposals which address the influence of biotic and abiotic factors upon host-parasite interactions are high priority. Also included are studies of the effects of eutrophication upon disease dynamics, basic physiological and adaptation processes in both hosts and parasites, the mechanisms of the summer kill phenomenon, relationships between disease progression and climate, and the eco-physiology of Perkinsus.
  6. Taxonomy, phylogeny and population studies of both hosts and parasites--emphasis continues on studies of variations in population susceptibility, host resistance and pathogen virulence. Also needed are investigations of the genetic structure of both hosts and parasites.
  7. Development and application of selective breeding strategies-- We are seeking studies which develop molecular/biochemical markers for breeding resistance into oysters, as well as genome analysis and gene transfer techniques related to disease resistance. A priority in this category is an evaluation of non-native oyster species genomes with regard to disease resistance under aquaculture conditions.
  8. Development and testing of geographic and mathematical models to improve understanding of disease dynamics--the highest priority topic in this category is the need for a dual disease model to examine the effects of environmental change upon oyster populations. A basic model now exists and new work in this area must clearly state how additional investment will take us to an even better level of prediction.
  9. Design, apply and evaluate disease management strategies for enhanced natural and aquaculture production and prediction (i.e. advanced forecasting)--There are many issues related to establishment of recovery areas, remote setting, use of natural seed, bottom cleaning before setting, cultch type, etc. which should be addressed as management priorities.

Approximately $1,475,000 in FY 1999 funding is available for this competition and additional funds are expected but not assured for FY 2000. Therefore, two-year projects will be considered. Funding will be on an annual basis, with renewal depending upon satisfactory demonstration of progress and availability of funds.

    2. Gulf Oyster Industry Program

The Gulf Oyster Industry Program was created as a result of information provided by Gulf oyster industry leaders, state resource managers, and academic researchers spanning the five-state Gulf region. Specific needs identified by these individuals were subsumed into 12 concise issue statements as a result of a workshop held in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1997. This list of research and extension needs and proposed responses was presented to a select Industry Advisory Panel at the Gulf Oyster Industry Program Workshop conducted in New Orleans, La., on February 28, 1998, and the group was asked to establish research priorities based on that framework. Through an ensuing discussion, high-priority issues were delineated as shown below:

  1. Human pathogenic organisms--Human pathogens associated with raw shellfish are perceived as a problem for consumers thus affecting market sales. This RFP seeks proposals that will develop means of treating oyster shell stock and oyster meats to eliminate Vibrio vulnificus, and to develop improved methods for depurating oysters such as the use of friendly bacteria or other water treatments.
  2. Consumer attitudes and preferences--Public and consumer opinions are very important to the strengthening of the Gulf oyster industry. This RFP seeks proposals that will determine oyster consumer demographics, consumption patterns, attitudes and preferences. Development and testing of new oyster products to improve marketing is also high priority.
  3. Oyster diseases--Oyster diseases are having a major impact on Gulf Coast Oyster stocks and for the most part this topic will be covered under the Oyster Disease topic in this solicitation. However, oyster disease research specific to the Gulf Coast will be considered in this solicitation.
  4. Coastal restoration and freshwater diversions--These activities have impacted the Gulf oyster industry both positively and negatively. Sea Grant seeks proposals that will educate oystermen, public officials, and citizens regarding the economic role of the oyster industry and economic costs of displacing and relocating oyster bedding operations. Proposals to develop and test freshwater diversion and oyster farming strategies that reduce fouling of oysters by hooked mussels are also high priority.
  5. Labor and mechanization--Production technology issues are becoming more important as the traditional labor base that supports harvesting, and processing declines. Proposals treating this problem with special attention to cost effective mechanized approaches to reduce labor costs in all areas of the industry are being sought.
  6. Genetics and oyster hatchery technology--These technologies are needed to develop cost-effective hatchery/nursery operations to augment wild oyster production with specialized strains. The development of triploid oysters for the Gulf Coast, development of disease resistant oysters, enhancements or immune systems of juvenile oysters through vaccinations are examples of needed technology.
  7. Hooked mussel fouling--Hooked mussel fouling on oyster growing areas has drastically increased harvesting costs by requiring laborious removal of mussels from marketable oysters or transplanting to higher salinity areas. Research on controlling or managing around hooked mussel fouling is of high priority.
  8. Harmful algal blooms/red tide--Rapid and more sensitive detection methods for harmful algal species and management around algal bloom outbreaks are high priority research areas.
  9. Point-source pollution--Specific point-sources of pollution negatively impact certain potential oyster growing waters, with consequent public health risks and loss of revenue to growers. Studies on identifying sources of pollution and restoration of water quality in coastal areas are of high priority.
  10. Black drum predation--Development of novel methods of deterring black drum fish predation on oysters in context with present fishery regulations has been identified as an important area for research.
  11. Economic impacts of regulatory action--The oyster industry is impacted by media comments and regulatory actions that change perceptions about oyster products. Studies to determine the effect of inaccurate media reporting on sales, analyze the effect of de-listing of a processor or state from the Interstate Shippers List, and the impact of product disparagement on markets are appropriate for this competition.

Primary consideration for funding will be given to proposals that address the topics listed above. Although the Industry Advisory Panel has indicated a clear preference for projects with a technological focus, more fundamental scientific studies may be supported when clear linkages between scientific findings and their incorporation into technological advances and management practices can be demonstrated.

Approximately $930,000 in funding for FY 1999 is expected to be available for competitive project awards. A similar amount is expected for FY 2000. Therefore, two-year projects will be considered. Funding will be on an annual basis, with renewal depending upon satisfactory demonstration of progress and availability of funds. State Program Directors should allow enough time in their process to pass the proposals to the National Sea Grant Office by the dates indicated above.

III. Eligibility
Applications requesting support under both of major topics listed in this call for proposals are open to all non-federal scientists and institutions. For the Oyster Disease Research topic National Marine Fishery Services personnel may participate in joint efforts with non- federal persons or groups in these projects as long as these non- federal persons or groups are the principal investigators and have applied and successfully competed for oyster disease research funds through the process outlined in this announcement. Investigators submitting proposals in response to this announcement are strongly encouraged to develop inter-institutional, inter-disciplinary research teams in the form of single, integrated proposals or as individual proposals that are clearly linked together. Such collaborative efforts will be factored into the final funding decision.

IV. Evaluation Criteria
The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under the Oyster Disease Research Program are as follows:

  1. Impact of proposed project (35%)--Significance of the ODRP problem that is being addressed; the level of expected improvement of oyster industry production or technology as a result of funding or the need for this activity as a necessary step toward having a positive impact on future improvement of technology or production; the degree of collaboration of this activity with other ongoing or proposed activities.
  2. Scientific or professional merit (30%)--Degree to which the activity will advance the state of the science or state-of-the-art methods.
  3. Field-scale demonstration (5%)--Degree to which industry and state oyster managers are using or will use technology or products developed through applied research under actual field conditions.
  4. User relationships (15%)--Degree to which the potential users of the results have been involved in the planning of the activity, will be involved in the execution of the activity and/or are providing matching funds.
  5. Innovativeness (10%)--Degree to which new approaches to solving problems and exploiting opportunities in oyster disease research, or in public outreach on such issues will be employed, or the degree to which the activity will focus on new types of important or potentially important resources and issues.
  6. Qualifications and past record of investigators (5%)--Degree to which investigators are qualified by education, training, and/or experience to execute the proposed activity; and record of achievement with previous funding.

The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under the Gulf Coast Oyster Industry Initiative are as follows:

  1. Impact of proposed project (40%)--Significance of the GCOIP that will be addressed; the effect this activity will have on the improvement of oyster industry production or technology as a result of funding or the need for this activity as a necessary step toward having a positive impact on future improvement of technology or production; the degree of collaboration of this activity with other ongoing or proposed activities.
  2. Field-scale demonstration (10%)--Degree to which industry and state oyster managers are using or will use technology or products developed through applied research under actual field or industry conditions.
  3. Scientific or professional merit (20%)--Degree to which the activity will advance the state of the science or discipline through use and extension of state-of-the-art methods.
  4. User relationships (15%)--Degree to which potential users of the results of the proposed activity have been involved in planning the activity, will be involved in the execution of the activity, and/or are providing matching funds.
  5. Innovativeness (10%)--Degree to which new approaches to solving problems and exploiting opportunities in Gulf Coast Oyster Industry issues, or in public outreach on such issues will be employed, or the degree to which the activity will focus on new types of important or potentially important resources and issues.
  6. Qualifications and past record of investigators (5%)--Degree to which investigators are qualified by education, training, and/or experience to execute the proposed activity; and record of achievement with previous funding.

V. Selection Procedures
Preliminary proposals will be evaluated by the Steering Committees that have been established for each of the oyster programs during a meeting to be held at the most convenient location for participation by the committee members. The Gulf Oyster Industry Steering Committee is composed primarily of industry representatives and proposers should keep that in mind when preparing preliminary proposals. The Steering Committee will evaluate the project's appropriateness according to the list of priorities listed above, and considering the projects currently underway in the Program; a list of those projects already funded is available from the National Sea Grant Office. The Steering Committee will make individual recommendations to the Director of the NSGO regarding which preliminary proposals may be suitable for further consideration. On the basis of the panel's recommendations, the Director of the NSGO will advise proposers whether or not the submission of full proposals is encouraged. Invitation to submit a full proposal does not constitute an indication that the proposal will be funded. Interested parties who are not invited to submit full proposals will not be precluded from submitting full proposals if they have submitted a preliminary proposal in accordance with the procedures described below.

Full proposals will be received at the individual state Sea Grant Programs or at the National Sea Grant Office, if from a non-Sea Grant State, and sent to peer reviewers for written reviews. The National Sea Grant Office will obtain the written reviews for proposals from non-Sea Grant states. Complete full proposals and their written reviews will be sent by the state Sea Grant programs to the National Sea Grant Office to be ranked in accordance with the assigned weights of the above evaluation criteria by one of two independent peer review panels consisting of government, academic, and industry experts; one panel will review the Oyster Disease Research Program and a second panel will review the Gulf Oyster Industry Program. The panel members of each panel will provide individual evaluations on each proposal, but there will be no consensus advice. Their recommendations and evaluations will be considered by the Sea Grant Program Managers in the final selection. Only those proposals rated by the panel as either Excellent, Very Good or Good will be eligible for funding. For those proposals, the Sea Grant Program Managers will:

  • (a) Ascertain which proposals best meet the program priorities, and do not substantially duplicate other projects that are currently funded by NOAA or other federal agencies, hence, awards may not necessarily be made to the highest-scored proposals;
  • (b) select the proposals to be funded;
  • (c) determine which components of the selected projects will be funded;
  • (d) determine the total duration of funding for each proposal; and
  • (e) determine the amount of funds available for each proposal. Investigators may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets prior to approval of the award. Subsequent grant administration procedures will be in accordance with current NOAA grants procedures. A summary statement of the scientific review by the peer panel will be provided to each applicant.

VI. Instructions for Application

Timetable

April 5, 1999, 5 pm (local time--Preliminary proposals due at state Sea Grant Program.
April 8, 1999, 5 pm EST--Preliminary proposals due at NSGO.
May 27, 1999, 5 pm (local time)--Full proposals due at state Sea Grant Program.
July 7, 1999, 5 pm EST--Full proposals due at NSGO.
October 1, 1999 (approximate)--Funds awarded to selected recipients; projects begin.

General Guidelines

The ideal proposal attacks a well-defined problem that will be or is a significant societal issue. The organization or people whose task it will be to make related decisions, or who will be able to make specific use of the projects results, will have been identified and contacted by the Principal Investigator(s). The project will show an understanding of what constitutes necessary and sufficient information for responsible decision-making or for applied use, and will show how that information will be provided by the proposed activity, or in concert with other planned activities.

Research projects are expected to have: a rigorous hypothesis-based scientific work plan, or a well-defined, logical approach to address an engineering problem; a strong rationale for the proposed research; and a clear and established relationship with the ultimate users of the information. Research undertaken jointly with industry, business, or other agencies with interest in the problem will be seen as being meritorious. Their contribution to the research may be in the form of collaboration, in-kind services, or dollar support. Projects that are solely monitoring efforts are not appropriate for funding.

Applications must reflect the total budget necessary to accomplish the project, and be matched by at least one dollar of non-federal funds for each two dollars of federal funds. The appropriateness of all cost- sharing will be determined on the basis of guidance provided in applicable Federal cost principles. The applicants will be bound by the percentage of cost sharing reflected in the grant award.

What to Submit

Preliminary Proposal Guidelines To prevent the expenditure of effort that may not be successful, proposers must first submit preliminary proposals. Preliminary proposals must be single- or double-spaced, typewritten in at least a 10-point font, and printed on metric A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) or 8\1/2\'' x 11'' paper. The following information should be included:

  1. Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the Principal Investigator and should clearly identify the program area being addressed by starting the project title with either ``Oyster Disease Research Program'' or ``Gulf Oyster Industry Initiative.'' Principal Investigators and collaborators should be identified by affiliation and contact information. The total amount of Federal funds and matching funds being requested should be listed for each budget period, as well as the source of the matching funds. Preliminary proposals must include matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the Federal funds requested.
  2. A concise (2-page limit) description of the project, its expected output or products, the anticipated users of the information, and its anticipated impact. Proposers may wish to use the Evaluation Criteria for additional guidance in preparing the preliminary proposals.
  3. Resumes (1-page limit) of the Principal Investigators.
  4. Proposers are encouraged (but not required) to include a separate page suggesting reviewers that the proposers believe are especially well qualified to review the proposal. Proposers may also designate persons they would prefer not review the proposal, indicating why. These suggestions will be considered during the review process. Three copies of the preliminary proposals must be submitted to the state Sea Grant Program Director or, for investigators in non-Sea Grant states, directly to the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) before 5 pm (local time) on April 5, 1999.