Investigation of Legacy Data in the Western Mississippi Sound

The purpose of this Cooperative Agreement is to collect data and conduct research in topics that serve the public interest relating to offshore sediment resources, coastal restoration and protection, and coastal resiliency, as well as meet BOEM MMP and Gulf states' goal of a Gulf-wide OCS sediment inventory.  Data in support of these goals promotes preservation of biological, cultural, and economic resources by rebuilding coastlines to safeguard the Nation's assets and delineates OCS mineral resources to inform long term planning and ensure protection from activities that might otherwise permanently...

Single Source Justification: The Department of Marine Science at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is uniquely qualified to perform this work by virtue of its flagship status for marine science research within the state and by its nationally recognized scope and depth of marine and coastal geology expertise. No other entity has the specialized expertise and ability to carry out a focused program of scientific research to support the understanding of the geologic evolution of the sediment resource needs of the State of Mississippi. This Program Announcement describes a specific project that may be awarded to the USM Department of Marine Science (BOEM partner in OCS sand resource evaluation in Mississippi) which maintains a permanent physical and functional presence in the State with access to the State and OCS study areas, possessing research facilities, research access, and requisite data-gathering and processing equipment. These assets contribute to the necessary research while, at the same time, effectively inform and educate local communities as well as local, regional, and state government agencies to facilitate informed decision making on costal restoration and sediment resource issues. Eligibility Information: Research projects are required to have a staff member of the applying organization as the Principal Investigator (PI). Cooperative research between interested organizations—i.e., state agencies, public universities, and non-profits in affected states—is always encouraged. Cost Share/Match: Contributions of matching funds towards these efforts, either as cash or in-kind contributions (such as salary, equipment, etc., or a combination of both) is very strongly encouraged. Match cannot include value associated with collection costs for samples previously collected. Match value for instrumentation and other equipment should be adjusted to the period of use within the project relative to the full life cycle for the item. Written documentation for the assessed match for ship time (if applicable) shall provide a fair assessment of costs relevant to the project. Matching dollars cannot be from other Federal funding sources. Further information can be located at 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200.306. All questions regarding this project, including eligibility, should be directed to the “Program Announcement and Cooperative Agreement Questions” point-of-contact listed in Section G.  

Dominique Bruce-Morton dominique.bruce-morton@bsee.gov