[Coral-List] Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative FY09 RFP

Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative Research Program hcri_rp at hawaii.edu
Fri Jan 16 17:16:23 EST 2009


The Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative is now accepting pre-proposals for its
FY2009 funding cycle. Please see the posting at: www.hcri.hawaii.edu
<http://www.hcri.hawaii.edu/> . 

 

Request for Proposals (FY2009-2010)

For over a decade, the Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative (HCRI)
(www.hcri.hawaii.edu <http://www.hcri.hawaii.edu/> ) has worked to provide
the best available science to managers and the broader community of
stakeholders to address the wise stewardship and protection of Hawaii's
ecologically, economically and culturally valuable coral reef resources.
Achievements to date have resulted from research and monitoring projects,
management-directed activities and educational outreach programs.  

 

In this coming year, HCRI will focus on two place-based programs, which
serve to integrate science, management and stakeholder participation to
develop and implement appropriate policies and actions. The two ecosystems
are Maunalua Bay on Oahu and the Kahekili Herbivore Management Region on
Maui (hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/regs/drafts/ch60.7dr.pdf) based on a combination
of community leadership, ecological characteristics and socio-economic
considerations.  These two "place-based" projects have the potential to
serve as models for other island locations. 

 

HCRI anticipates having approximately $265,000 available for competitive
research. Funding depends on amount received from NOAA. Funded projects are
anticipated to begin September/October 2009 and end July 2010.

 

Preliminary proposals (pre-proposals) are MANDATORY and must be received by
4:00pm HST, February 6, 2009.  Applicants who submit a pre-proposal will
receive notification whether to author a full proposal on or about February
13, 2009. Please contact Risa Minato at charissa at hawaii.edu if you have not
heard by February 18, 2009.  The full proposal must be received by 4:00pm,
HST, March 13, 2009.

 

 

Research Priorities

 

Kahekili, Maui 

 

1. Characterize public health issues from exposure to pathogens. Scientists
have documented fecal coliforms from sewage may survive in tropical seawater
up to four days.  Anecdotal reports suggest that Maui ocean users may face
high exposure to this type of pathogens (e.g, Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA).  The Management Committee seeks proposals
that will characterize the threat to public health by identifying and
enumerating water borne pathogens in the nearshore regions.  Information
should help resource managers better manage the threat to public safety
along coastal Maui waters by providing assessments at sites and through time
and with episodic rainfall events.  Pre-proposals should, but not
exclusively, address the following questions:

*         Which pathogens of concern are present in the nearshore waters off
Kahekili?  

*         What are the effects of salinity, sediment, ultraviolet radiation,
and algal cover on the persistence of key pathogens of concern? 

*         Do they replicate in the environment and thus, continuously cycle
through the nearshore water column? 

*         What is the relationship between their presence and disease
incidence amongst swimmers? 

*         Do these pathogens affect coastal reef resources? 

 

 

2. Define public education initiative to reduce contaminant load within
special management area. Scientific research and anecdotal evidence has led
to an increased understanding of the vulnerability of nearshore waters to
pollutants, particularly from herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers
overapplied within the special management area (SMA). The Management
Committee seeks proposals to develop a detailed plan for a targeted
awareness campaign for Kahekili's SMA and related marine protected areas
(e.g., Honolua Marine Life Conservation District). Information should help
resource managers by providing a plan of action and baseline information for
future implementation of an outreach endeavor to improve nearshore water
quality by lessening inputs from the region's SMA.  Pre-proposals should,
but not exclusively, address the following tasks:

*         Inventory activities of concern.

*         Define measures of success that would necessarily involve
reductions in stressors.

*         Analyze baseline awareness.

*         Build partnerships with key agencies (e.g., Maui County Planning
Department, state Department of Agriculture) and stakeholders (e.g., land
owners, landscapers).

 

 

3. Develop a research plan to characterize natural breakdown of wastewater
pollutants. The wastewater plume from the county injection well is Lahaina
is largely unmapped as it moves toward the shore. from groundwater wells and
springs within it. Sites sampling groundwater wells and springs could help
define plume dimensions. The Management Committee seeks proposals to develop
a detailed plan to help determine this plume's dimensions and rates of
movement as an aide to resource managers developing discharge permit limits.
Pre-proposals should, but not exclusively, address the following tasks:

*         Discern what pollutants are present.

*         Identify key pollutants of concern.

*         Recommend which are unique indicators of domestic sewage versus
eutrophication from other sources.

*         Detail measurable objectives and develop protocols.

*         Establish baseline information.

*         Specify analyses to be done and steps to do so, such as whether
key indicators replicate in the environment from each plume (Lahaina, Kihei,
and Kahului).

 

 

 




Maunalua Bay, Oahu

 

4. Conduct retrospective analysis of sediment cores. Sediments of Maunalua
Bay contain a history of deposition and discharge. The Management Committee
seeks proposals that will provide Information about sediment changes in
quantity and quality. Information should help resource managers develop
target values for bay restoration and provide the necessary baseline
information to measure success. Pre-proposals should, but not exclusively,
address the following questions:

*         What changes have occurred in sediment quantity over time?

*         Has grain size or composition shifted over time?

*         Have contaminants associated with sediments changed with time?

Pre-proposals should build upon on-going work funded by others in Maunalua
Bay. This complementary research includes:

*         pinpointing primary sources of sediments, current sediment
transport, and the effect of sediment on corals and

*         collecting and analyzing cores near Kuliouou.

 

 

5. Examine heavy metal sources, distribution, and kinetics. Heavy metals,
such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, discharge into Maunalua Bay and may
affect its biota.  The Management Committee seeks proposals that will
address how environmental fluctuations affect contaminate accumulation.
Information should help resource managers establish mitigation responses to
reduce heavy metal impacts on the bay's flora and fauna.  Pre-proposals
should, but not exclusively, address the following questions:

*         Are heavy metals being taken up by organisms (e.g., bivalves,
algae)?

*         If so, what (if any) problems does bioaccumulation cause?

*         Are there seasonal changes in bioaccumulation?

*         If there are problems, what practical mitigation response is
recommended?

Pre-proposals should build upon on-going work funded by others in Maunalua
Bay. This complementary research includes:

*         analyzing key contaminants, heavy metals, and gradients of
toxicants at several locations along the bay and

*         investigating baseline heavy metal deposition and uptake in
invertebrates and algae.

 

 

6. Investigate nutrient sources, inputs, and kinetics. Nutrient inputs into
the bay are hypothesized to have increased algal blooms and decreased
overall water quality.  The Management Committee seeks proposals that will
identify main nutrient inputs into the bay from both surface and aquifer
discharges and the land-based sources.  Information should help resource
managers better understand the relative impacts of nutrients on the Maunalua
Bay ecosystem and evaluate the relative value of management measures that
would reduce the introduction of nutrients into the bay.  Pre-proposals
should, but not exclusively, address the following questions:

*         How to stop upland inputs that contribute to algal growth?

*         What are estimates of nutrient loads from various land uses and
nutrient sources (concentration x flow)?

Pre-proposals should build upon on-going work funded by others in Maunalua
Bay. This complementary research includes island wide studies examining
nutrient discharges into coastal waters.

 

 

7. Assess water quality within Hawaii Kai Marina and its discharge. The
Hawaii Kai Marina feeds into Maunalua Bay and receives watershed discharges
that are affecting water quality and ecology.  The Management Committee
seeks proposals to develop a pollutant budget for Hawaii Kai Marina.
Information should help resource managers reduce point and nonpoint source
pollution problems.  Pre-proposals should, but not exclusively, address the
following items:

*         Develop pollutant budget that includes pollutant inputs from
various streams, groundwater, and other sources. 

*         Examine the movement and export of pollutants to Moanalua Bay.

*         Estimate changes in budget during both dry and wet weather.

Pre-proposals should build upon on-going work funded by others in Maunalua
Bay. This complementary research includes data collected on water quality in
the marina.

 

 

 

Maunalua Bay and Barber's Point, Oahu

 

8. Research algal dynamics. Fleshy algae cover large areas of the bottom in
Maunalua Bay and elsewhere on Oahu.  These plants are thought to retain
sediment that is re-suspended during wave and rainfall events.  Algal
biomass is also affecting biological oxygen demand and the abundance of
organic detritus in Maunalua Bay as well as apparently out-competing the
endemic seagrass Halophila hawaiiana.  The Management Committee seeks
proposals that will build partnerships with resource managers in addressing
this alga.  Information should help resource managers mitigate the impact of
this alga in diverse regions from Barber's Point to Maunalua Bay.
Pre-proposals should, but not exclusively, address the following items:

*         Build an island-wide response for the invasive alga Avrainvillea
amadelpha. 

*         Support reductions in its fleshy biomass.

*         Plan for restoration efforts.

Pre-proposals should build upon on-going work funded by others in Maunalua
Bay. This complementary research includes ongoing studies on the impacts and
characteristics of Avrainvillea amadelpha.

 

 

 




Evaluation Components

 

1.      Relevance (35 points):  Importance, relevance, and applicability of
proposed project to the program goal - to build capacity of resource
managers for better management of Hawaii's biotic reef and closely
associated resources.  How well does the project fall within the announced
principles and priorities? 

 

2.      Technical/Scientific merit (15 points):  Is the approach technically
sound or innovative?  Are the methods appropriate?  Are there clear project
goals and measurable objectives?  Is the project description adequately
complete and detailed?  What is the overall technical feasibility of the
project?  What is the likelihood of meeting workplan milestones and
achieving anticipated results in during the project timeframe?  Are there
appropriate mechanisms to evaluate the project's success in meeting the
anticipated outcomes?  

 

3.      Overall Qualifications (10 points):  Does the applicant possess the
necessary education, experience, training, facilities, and administrative
resources to accomplish the project?  Do key personnel and their partners
have the qualifications and abilities within the necessary areas of
expertise?  

 

4.      Project costs (10 points):  Is the budget realistic and commensurate
with the project needs and timeframe?  Are the proposed resources adequate
to accomplish the project?  What is the likelihood the project will result
in appropriate outcomes for the proposed cost?  If funds are requested for
partial support for a project, how does the overall project budget allow an
informed determination of the project's readiness and how the piece
requested fits into the whole?  How well justified are all costs associated
with the project?

 

5.      Communication of results (15 points):  How effectively will results
be communicated to the scientific community?  How will results be shared
with the public?  What is the likelihood that the project will increase
awareness of HCRI-RP?  Will resource managers receive training or other
information transference on the technology or results? 

 

6.      Resource Manager Partnering (10 points): Is there cost sharing or
collaboration with appropriate agencies?  How involved are the agencies?
How meaningful is the involvement of resource managers, demonstrated through
an articulation of activities in letters of support?

 

7.      Priority ecosystems (5 points): Does the research focus upon either
Maunalua Bay (Oahu) or the Kahekili region (Maui)?  Does it complement
ongoing endeavors?

 

 

 




Deliverables for Funded Research

*	Two (2) PowerPoint presentations highlighting project's activities
(January 2010, July 2010)
*	Progress report using the standard NOAA form  (due February 2010)
*	Final report using the standard NOAA form (due July 31st, 2010)
*	Data and metadata will be archived with the Pacific National
Oceanographic Data Center (NODC).  Projects will also submit to HCRI-RP an
electronic copy of all data submitted to the National Oceanic Data Center
and tables and maps summarizing data collected.  (Due July 31st 2010)
*	Public education/outreach, workshop, and media activities or
materials
*	Voucher specimens at Bishop Museum (if applicable)
*	Organize and conduct a workshop or seminar in order to deliver
information on the results and methodologies developed, and provide
technical training for managers, resource trustees, scientists, and/or the
general public.

 

 

 

MANDATORY Pre-Proposal Components 

1.      Project description -- No longer than 3-pages, no additional
appendices, standard size margins and font.  

2.      Budget and budget narrative - in addition to the 3-page project
description

a)     Salaries and Wages (FTE & months)

b)     Fringe Benefits 

c)      Travel

d)     Equipment 

e)     Supplies and Materials

f)        Contracted Services

g)     Total Direct Charges

h)      Indirect Cost (UH proposals = 20.6%)

i)        Proposal Total

3.      Please include page number, PI name, and project working title in
header or footer of every page.

 

 

 




Proposal Components  

(Required - no additional appendices will be accepted.)

1.      On every page (in header or footer):  page number; PI name; project
working title 

2.      Title Page 

3.      HCRI-RP Administrative Form, including all additional documents 

4.      Table of Contents with page numbers

5.      Permits from appropriate agencies to conduct research should it be
selected and funded (e.g., Scientific Collecting). 

6.      Approval from institution's Dive Safety Officer (if applicable) 

7.      Project Description -- No longer than 10 pages, no additional
appendices, standard size margins and font.  The following should be
included as part of the 10 pages:

a)     Measurable goals and objectives

b)     Research question, approach, and methodology.

c)      Evaluation of success (What performance measures will be used to
evaluate how well the project, if funded, met its stated goals and
objectives?) 

d)     Resource manager capacity building and partnering activities.

e)     Data management and dissemination of results 

f)        Anticipated outcomes and relevance to coral reef resource
management in Hawaii

g)     Project Administration 

h)      Proposed workplan (Sept/Oct 2009-July 2010) (include components
listed under "products and deliverables")

i)        Current and pending support

j)        Specifically list how proposed activities would "impact" the reef
ecosystem (e.g., installing 4 permanent pins, transplanting 300 urchins).

k)      Facilities, equipment, and other resources

8.      Itemized Budget and budget narrative, to include 

a)     Salaries and Wages (months)

b)     Fringe Benefits 

c)      Travel

d)     Equipment 

e)     Supplies and Materials

f)        Contracted Services

g)     Total Direct Charges

h)      Indirect Cost (UH proposals = 20.6%)

i)        Proposal Total

9.      Curriculum Vitae for Proposed Team, including Graduate Assistants or
equivalent, if known (max. 2 pages per individual) 

10. References cited

 

 

 

Requirements for Proposals that Entail Compressed Gas Diving

 

If compressed gas diving (SCUBA, Rebreathers, Surface-supplied, etcetera) is
to be conducted to meet project goals, proposals must include evidence that
such activities have been approved by - and will be conducted under the
oversight of -- a scientific diving program as defined by U.S. OSHA
regulations (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T, Appendix B: Guidelines for
Scientific Diving).  Compliance with the Standards for the Certification of
Scientific Divers and Operation of Scientific Diving Programs of the
American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) shall be considered as the
minimum acceptable code of practice.  Compliance shall only be considered
demonstrated by AAUS Organizational Membership.

 

For University of Hawaii/RCUH researchers:  Inclusion of the form,
"Application for Scientific Diving Research Proposal Approval," approved and
signed by the University of Hawaii Diving Safety Officer (form downloadable
from: http://www.hawaii.edu/ehso/diving/).  

 

For researchers from AAUS Organizational Member institutions:  Inclusion of
a letter from the institution/agency Diving Safety Officer, stating:  (1)
the proposal has been reviewed; (2) authors have approval to conduct the
proposed diving operations under the oversight of the agency or
institution's scientific diving program; and (3) the institution/agency will
accept oversight authority for the diving activity. 

 

For researchers from other institutions: Only AAUS organizational member
institutions will be given University of Hawaii dive safety approval.  If
your institution is not an AAUS member, your proposal will not be accepted.
Membership information is available from: www.aaus.org
<http://www.aaus.org/> . 

 

 

 

Key Dates in Proposal Process

 

January 15, 2009: Release request for proposals.

 

February 6, 2009:  Mandatory Pre-proposal DUE electronically to
(hcri_rp at hawaii.edu) by 4:00 p.m. HST.  Please ensure that you have no
viruses!  The file name must include the last name of the principal
investigator.  

 

February 13, 2009:  Selection to submit full proposal released.

 

March 13, 2009:  Invited proposals DUE, in electronic form by 4:00 p.m. HST.
An electronic version should be either burned onto a CD and mailed to the
address below or  <mailto:delivered> emailed to hcri_rp at hawaii.edu using UH
Filedrop (www.hawaii.edu/filedrop). File name must include the last name of
the principal investigator.  Electronic files should be in MSWord97 (PC
version) compatible format.  Please take every precaution to ensure your
files are virus-free.  

 

April-May 2009:   Peer review of proposals. 

 

June-July 2009:  Project selection and notification.  Those who submitted
proposals will be notified of the results.  Program staff will negotiate
agreements with principal investigators of successful proposals.  

 

September/October 2009:  Funding will be made available (pending
availability of funds).  

 

All projects must be completed by July 31st, 2010 and final presentations
July 2010.  

 

If you have any questions please contact the HCRI office at (808) 956-2577
or hcri_rp at hawaii.edu.    

 

*  The University of Hawaii is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer.  Awards will be made pending availability of funds.

 

 




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