Opportunity Information: Apply for M17AS00007

The BOEM FY 2017 Environmental Studies Program opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number M17AS00007) is a Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) cooperative agreement intended to support applied environmental research that advances the public interest in safe, responsible, and environmentally sound energy and mineral development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The work described is framed as part of BOEMs Environmental Studies Program (ESP), which funds studies that help regulators and stakeholders understand ocean conditions, potential impacts of offshore activities, and long-term environmental change in areas where offshore energy and mineral activities occur.

This specific announcement focuses on a targeted research effort related to the long-term effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, with a particular emphasis on shipwreck sites. Prior BOEM research has shown that deepwater shipwrecks often function as artificial reefs, providing habitat for a range of organisms. Because these wrecks can host diverse biological communities, including microorganisms that influence corrosion and broader ecosystem processes, BOEM is interested in whether hydrocarbons and spill-related conditions have lingering impacts on shipwreck-associated microbiomes and on the physical integrity of the wrecks themselves. In other words, the study is not only about chemical contamination, but also about how exposure to oil and related compounds may shift microbial communities and potentially affect corrosion rates, archaeological preservation, and the broader reef-like ecological value of these sites.

The project named in the announcement is Gulf of Mexico Shipwreck Corrosion, Hydrocarbon Exposure, Microbiology and Archaeology Project II (GOM-SCHEMA II), specifically the Project Management and Microbial Ecology component. The planned work would examine and analyze prospective lasting impacts from the spill on shipwreck microbiology, including the relationship between hydrocarbon exposure, microbial community changes, and corrosion processes. The overall goal is to generate scientific information that can inform BOEMs environmental stewardship and decision-making, including understanding risks to cultural resources (shipwrecks as archaeological sites) and to marine habitats that have developed around these structures.

Eligibility is narrowly defined. Although the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a cooperative agreement instrument, it is not a broadly competed call for proposals. It is explicitly open to the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, with the University of Southern Mississippi identified as the participating public university in an affected state working with the State of Mississippi. The announcement states that no other proposals are requested at the time, while noting that BOEM may announce additional opportunities in the future. Because it is a cooperative agreement, BOEM anticipates having substantial involvement in the project, which is typical when an agency expects to collaborate closely on study design, coordination, data needs, or integration of findings into agency programs. Tasks performed by federal partners are carved out as an exception under the stated structure.

Funding details indicate that BOEM anticipated approximately $265,000 available in FY 2017 for this effort, with the possibility of additional funds in later fiscal years depending on appropriations and availability. The source data also lists an award ceiling of $1,650,000 and an expected number of awards of 1, which aligns with the intent to make a single, directed award rather than multiple competitive awards. The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.423 and is listed under the environment activity category. The posting was created February 2, 2017, with an original closing date of March 20, 2017, reflecting the administrative window for completing the planned cooperative agreement action.

Overall, this grant notice is best understood as a BOEM-led, science-driven collaboration meant to improve understanding of how a major offshore oil spill may continue to influence deepwater shipwreck sites in the Gulf of Mexico, especially through microbial ecology and corrosion dynamics. The expected outcome is actionable scientific data that supports BOEMs responsibilities for managing offshore resources while protecting marine ecosystems and culturally significant underwater archaeological resources.

  • The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BOEM FY 2017 Environmental Studies Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.423.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Feb 02, 2017.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 20, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,650,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the BOEM FY 2017 Environmental Studies Program opportunity (M17AS00007)?

This is a Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) cooperative agreement under BOEM's Environmental Studies Program (ESP). It is intended to support applied environmental research that serves the public interest in safe, responsible, and environmentally sound energy and mineral development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

2. What is the overall purpose of BOEM's Environmental Studies Program (ESP) as described here?

BOEM's ESP funds studies that help regulators and stakeholders understand ocean conditions, potential impacts of offshore activities, and long-term environmental change in areas where offshore energy and mineral activities occur.

3. What specific research topic does this announcement focus on?

This announcement targets research on the long-term effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, with a particular focus on shipwreck sites and how spill-related conditions may have lasting impacts on those sites.

4. Why are shipwreck sites of interest to BOEM in this opportunity?

Prior BOEM research indicates that deepwater shipwrecks can function as artificial reefs, providing habitat for a range of organisms. Because these wrecks can host diverse biological communities (including microorganisms), BOEM is interested in how hydrocarbons and spill-related exposure may affect those communities and related processes such as corrosion and ecosystem functioning.

5. Is the study only about chemical contamination from oil?

No. The described work goes beyond measuring contamination. It also looks at how exposure to oil and related compounds may shift shipwreck-associated microbial communities (microbiomes) and how those changes could influence corrosion rates, archaeological preservation, and the reef-like ecological value of shipwreck sites.

6. What is the name of the project in this funding announcement?

The project is called the Gulf of Mexico Shipwreck Corrosion, Hydrocarbon Exposure, Microbiology and Archaeology Project II (GOM-SCHEMA II), specifically the Project Management and Microbial Ecology component.

7. What component of GOM-SCHEMA II is being supported by this opportunity?

The opportunity supports the Project Management and Microbial Ecology component, with work centered on shipwreck microbiology and the relationship between hydrocarbon exposure, microbial community changes, and corrosion processes.

8. What kinds of impacts is the project intended to examine?

The planned work would examine and analyze prospective lasting impacts from the Deepwater Horizon spill on shipwreck microbiology, including how hydrocarbon exposure may relate to microbial community changes and how those changes may connect to corrosion processes affecting the physical integrity of wrecks.

9. How does microbiology relate to shipwreck corrosion in this announcement?

The announcement highlights that shipwrecks host microorganisms that can influence corrosion and broader ecosystem processes. BOEM is interested in whether hydrocarbon exposure and spill-related conditions have lingering impacts on shipwreck-associated microbiomes, potentially affecting corrosion rates and the condition of the wrecks.

10. How does this project connect to archaeology and cultural resources?

Shipwrecks are described as archaeological sites and cultural resources. The project aims to generate information that can help BOEM understand risks to these underwater cultural resources, including whether corrosion dynamics influenced by microbial changes could affect preservation.

11. How does this project connect to marine habitat and ecology?

Because deepwater shipwrecks can act like artificial reefs and support biological communities, the project also relates to the health and ecological value of marine habitats that develop around these structures.

12. What is the expected outcome of the funded work?

The expected outcome is actionable scientific data that supports BOEM's environmental stewardship and decision-making for managing offshore resources, while helping protect marine ecosystems and culturally significant underwater archaeological resources.

13. What type of funding instrument is being used?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement.

14. What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement in this context?

The announcement indicates BOEM anticipates substantial involvement in the project. This typically means BOEM expects to collaborate closely on aspects such as study design, coordination, data needs, or integrating findings into BOEM programs, rather than providing funding with minimal agency interaction.

15. Is this a broadly competed funding opportunity open to all applicants?

No. Although categorized as discretionary and using a cooperative agreement, the announcement states it is not a broadly competed call for proposals and that no other proposals are requested at the time.

16. Who is eligible to apply based on the announcement?

Eligibility is explicitly limited to the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, with the University of Southern Mississippi identified as the participating public university in an affected state working with the State of Mississippi.

17. Will BOEM accept proposals from other universities or organizations?

The announcement states that no other proposals are requested at the time. It also notes BOEM may announce additional opportunities in the future.

18. How many awards does BOEM expect to make under this opportunity?

The source information lists an expected number of awards of 1, consistent with a single, directed cooperative agreement action.

19. How much funding is anticipated for FY 2017?

BOEM anticipated approximately $265,000 available in FY 2017 for this effort.

20. Is additional funding possible beyond FY 2017?

Yes. The announcement indicates the possibility of additional funds in later fiscal years, depending on appropriations and availability.

21. What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The source data lists an award ceiling of $1,650,000.

22. What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.423.

23. What activity category is this opportunity listed under?

It is listed under the environment activity category.

24. When was this funding opportunity posted and what were the key dates?

The posting was created on February 2, 2017, and the original closing date was March 20, 2017.

25. What geographic area is the work focused on?

The work is focused on the Gulf of Mexico, specifically deepwater shipwreck sites potentially affected by conditions related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

26. How does this opportunity relate to offshore energy and mineral development?

The project is framed within BOEM's responsibility to support safe and environmentally sound energy and mineral development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, by improving understanding of environmental conditions and potential long-term impacts in areas where offshore activities occur.

27. What is BOEM trying to learn about hydrocarbon exposure at shipwrecks?

BOEM is interested in whether hydrocarbons and spill-related conditions have lingering impacts on shipwreck-associated microbiomes and whether those impacts could affect corrosion processes, archaeological preservation, and ecological functions at shipwreck sites.

28. Are federal partners allowed to perform tasks under this structure?

The announcement notes that tasks performed by federal partners are carved out as an exception under the stated structure.

29. What is the public interest rationale stated for this research?

The opportunity is intended to advance the public interest in safe, responsible, and environmentally sound development of offshore energy and mineral resources, while supporting environmental stewardship and protection of marine ecosystems and cultural resources.

30. Does BOEM indicate whether similar opportunities may be offered later?

Yes. While stating no other proposals are requested at the time, the announcement also notes BOEM may announce additional opportunities in the future.

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