The Environmental Studies Program (ESP) of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity to conduct research in topics that serve the public interest of safe and environmentally sound energy and mineral production on the nationâ¿¿s outer continental

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shelf.This study will examine and analyze a major oil spillâ¿¿s prospective lasting effects on shipwrecks, which have been demonstrated in previous BOEM studies to serve as deepwater artificial reefs for various biota.BOEM seeks to facilitate environmental research by the University of Southern Mississippi with the State of Mississippi for gathering scientific information about prospective lingering impacts on shipwreck microbiomes from 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.The total anticipated amount of funding available in FY 2017 is approximately $265,000, with additional funds in subsequent fiscal years, subject to the availability of funds.This announcement is specifically to announce intent to undertake the following project:
Gulf of Mexico Shipwreck Corrosion, Hydrocarbon Exposure, Microbiology & Archaeology Project II (GOM-SCHEMA II):
Project Management and Microbial Ecology Open to:
Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit University of Southern Mississippi (public university of an affected state) No other proposals are requested at this time, although additional opportunities may be announced in the future.

The award will be a cooperative agreement (with the exception of tasks performed by Federal partners