Program Information

2006 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The 2006 Protect Wild Dolphins RFP information packet is now available for download.

Note that 2006 proposal submissions are due by March 15, 2006.

TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE PLATE CLICK HERE - http://express.hsmv.state.fl.us/

TO PURCHASE A NEW PLATE CLICK HERE

Protect Wild Dolphin Program - Florida Dolphin Advisory Committee (DAC)

Duties of the DAC include:

• Advise HBOI and recommend priorities for statewide projects pursuant to the legislatively mandated "Protect Wild Dolphins" program (Senate Bill #1306)

• Review the annual Request for Proposals (RFP) for content and clarity. (The RFP serves to provide a fair and equitable mechanism for the distribution of PWD funds)

• Advise HBOI on marketing strategies that can augment PWD plate sales and that may promote additional financial support for Protecting Wild Dolphin

Be available to give expert advice that could help HBOI's PWD program.

Members of the DAC include:

• Paul Becker, Ph.D., Project Leader, National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Elsa Maria Haubold, Ph.D., Research Administrator, Florida Marine Research Institute
• Andy Kemmerer, Ph.D., Former Director, Office of Habitat Conservation, National Marine Fisheries Service
• Blair Mase, SEFSC Stranding Coordinator, S.E.U.S. Stranding Coordinator, National Marine Fisheries Service
• Marsh Youngbluth, Ph.D., HARBOR BRANCH, Executive Secretary, Senior Scientist, Division of Marine Science
• Gregory Bossart, V.M.D., Ph.D., HARBOR BRANCH, Director, Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation
• Steve McCulloch, HARBOR BRANCH, Director, Division of Dolphin Research and Conservation
• Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D., HARBOR BRANCH, Acting Managing Director
• Bob Shephard, HARBOR BRANCH, Director of Special Projects, Former Program Director, NOAA Sea Grant

Program Responsibilities:

• Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) is responsible for all aspects associated with administering the Protect the Wild Dolphin license plate program, issuance of requests for research funding proposals, issuing research awards, tracking grants, collecting grant reports, being financial accountable, and generating reports to the State of Florida. All of these responsibilities are pursuant to the stated intent of the Protect Wild Dolphin Legislation.

• A Dolphin Advisory Committee (DAC), working in a voluntary capacity, has been established to provide guidance for statewide research priorities and to monitor program performance. Committee members serve 2-year terms.

• Research proposals submitted in response the announcement of an opportunity issued by HBOI are evaluated by marine mammalogists from around the world. The process involves mail solicitations and a Panel Review Committee (PRC). Attempts are made to obtain at least three mail reviews for each proposal. The PRC is composed of three to five persons, depending on the number of proposals received in a given competition. Membership of the PRC varies from year to year in order to match the scope of the proposals submitted for consideration. Every PRC member reads and ranks each proposal submitted, assesses information provided by mail reviews, and then makes funding recommendations. HBOI administrators verify that these recommendations meet the overall objectives of the program.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) Process is as follows: