National Spatial Data Infrastructure Cooperative Agreements Program (15.809)
Program
15.809 National Spatial Data Infrastructure Cooperative Agreements Program
Federal Agency
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Authorization
Organic Act of March 3, 1879, 43 U.S.C. 31; Executive Order 12906, April 13, 1994.
Program Number
15.809
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To improve the efficient discovery, access, transfer and use of geospatial data among organizations among and between Federal, state, and local government; academia; and profit and non- profit organizations.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
Specific objectives are identified in the annual program announcement. Applications for projects not covered by one of the objectives are not solicited.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Proposals from Federal, State and local government agencies, educational institutions, private firms, private foundations, nonprofit organizations and Federally acknowledged or state-recognized Native American tribes or groups are invited. Proposals must demonstrate that more than one organization or agency is involved in the project.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Agencies and organizations participating in the project, as well as the general public will ultimately benefit from this program.
Credentials/Documentation
Proposals must furnish evidence of the applicant's qualifications for performance of the proposed project.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Limited discussions regarding funding availability and program interest are permitted. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Application form SF 424, 424-A, 424-B, and Department of the Interior Certifications and Representations must be used.
Award Procedure
Notification of an award is by a cooperative agreement document signed by a contracting officer.
Deadlines
March 15, 2002 for FY 2002 proposals.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
There is no statutory formula, however, the recipients are expected to cost-share depending upon the category of project up to 100 percent of the amount of funding received from the Federal government.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Cooperative agreements will normally be awarded in 12 month budget periods.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Semi-annual and final technical report, formal oral presentation, and second and third year follow-up reports.
Audits
Applicants agree to give the sponsoring agency, the Comptroller General or other authorized audit agency access to and the right to examine records related to the award. For profit organizations, principles for determining the allowableness of cost will be in accordance with the FAR, subchapter E, part 31.2. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations", nonfederal entities that receive 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 or more in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
All records must be maintained for 3 years after submission of the final financial report.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2001, 52 cooperative agreements, were awarded to support the NSDI. The number of agreements for fiscal year 2002 is expected be 27, and fiscal year 2003 is expected to be 50.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-0804-0-1-300.
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 02 $386,992; FY 03 est $825,000; and FY 04 est $825,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$6,000 to $75,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Federal Register Vol. 60, No. 242, December 18, 1995, page 65064; Commerce Business Daily announcement January 25, 1996, Section T, program Announcement No. 8187; internet URL http://www.fgdc.gov/funding/cap2002.html.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
David Painter, FGDC CAP Coordinator, (703) 648-5513, fax (703) 648-5755, dpainter@fgdc.gov.
Headquarters Office
U.S. Geological Survey, National Center, Federal Geographic Data Committee Secretariat, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop 590, Reston, VA 20192. Telephone: (703) 648-5514, fax: to (703) 648-5755, or e-mail gdc@usgs.gov.
Web Site Address
http://www.fgdc.gov/funding/cap2002.html
Examples of Funded Projects
Project to create a National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse node on the Internet to access and deliver GIS data to public and private sectors, including all State agencies, Counties, and Municipalities; project to extend the use of geographic information systems and NSDI tenets to citizens and organizations across the state through the in-depth training of academic and public librarians and the development of online training materials; project to develop software tools or techniques to aid the collection, comparison, evaluation, and maintenance of metadata; project to stimulate the development of applicable geospatial data standards in partnership with the Federal Geographic Data Committee. See the FGDC website (http://www.fgdc.gov) for summaries of funded projects.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals will be evaluated through formal review panels. Proposals will be evaluated on the quality and relevance of the project to the NSDI; the technical approach taken to implement the project; the level and diversity of participation and the applicant's experience and competence to perform the proposed effort successfully; and the extent to which the applicant shows evidence of a capability and willingness to continue and build upon the project when the agreement period ends.
