[Federal Register: January 22, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 14)]
[Notices]
[Page 3668-3675]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ja08-16]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
Funding Opportunity Title: Commodity Partnerships for Small
Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions (Commodity Partnerships
Small Sessions Program)
Announcement Type: Announcement of Availability of Funds and
Request for Application for Competitive Cooperative Partnership
Agreements.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.459.
DATES: Applications are due 5 p.m. EST March 24, 2008.
SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating
through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of
approximately $500,000 (subject to availability of funds) for Commodity
Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions
(the Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program). The purpose of
this cooperative partnership agreement program is to deliver training
and information in the management of production, marketing, and
financial risk to U.S. agricultural producers. The program gives
priority to educating producers of crops currently not insured under
Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities,
including livestock and forage. A maximum of 50 cooperative partnership
agreements will be funded, with no more than five in each of the ten
designated RMA Regions. The maximum award for any cooperative
partnership agreement will be $10,000. Awardees must demonstrate non-
financial benefits from a cooperative partnership agreement and must
agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in the project. Funding
availability for this program may be announced at approximately the
same time as funding availability for similar but separate programs--
CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance Partnerships), CFDA
No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.457
(Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education), and CFDA No.
10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States). Prospective
applicants should carefully examine and compare the notices for each
program.
The collections of information in this announcement have been
approved by OMB under control number 0563-0067 through January 31,
2009.
This Announcement Consists of Eight Sections
Section I--Funding Opportunity Description
A. Legislative Authority
B. Background
C. Definition of Priority Commodities
D. Project Goal
E. Purpose
Section II--Award Information
A. Type of Award
B. Funding Availability
C. Location and Target Audience
D. Maximum Award
E. Project Period
F. Description of Agreement Awardee Tasks
G. RMA Activities
H. Other Tasks
Section III--Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
B. Cost Sharing or Matching
C. Other--Non-Financial Benefits
Section IV--Application and Submission Information
A. Contact to Request Application Package
B. Content and Form of Application Submission
C. Funding Restrictions
D. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits
E. Indirect Cost Rates
F. Other Submission Requirements
G. Electronic submissions
H. Acknowledgement of Applications
Section V--Application Review Process
A. Criteria
B. Review and Selection Process
Section VI--Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
1. Requirement To Use Program Logo
2. Requirement To Provide Project Information to an RMA-selected
Representative
3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflict
of Interest
4. Access to Panel Review Information
5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards
6. Audit Requirements
7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying
8. Applicable OMB Circulars
9. Requirement To Assure Compliance With Federal Civil Rights
Laws
10. Requirement To Participate in a Post Award Teleconference
11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the National
AgRisk Education Library
12. Requirement To Submit Proposed Results to the National
AgRisk Education Library
13. Requirement To Submit a Project Plan of Operation in the
Event of a Human Pandemic Outbreak
C. Reporting Requirements
Section VII--Agency Contact
Section VIII--Other Information
A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
B. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry for
Submission of Proposals
[[Page 3669]]
C. Related Programs
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Legislative Authority
The Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program is authorized
under section 522(d)(3)(F) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act) (7
U.S.C. 1522(d)(3)(F).
B. Background
RMA promotes and regulates sound risk management solutions to
improve the economic stability of American agriculture. On behalf of
FCIC, RMA does this by offering Federal crop insurance products through
a network of private-sector partners, overseeing the creation of new
risk management products, seeking enhancements in existing products,
ensuring the integrity of crop insurance programs, offering outreach
programs aimed at equal access and participation of underserved
communities, and providing risk management education and information.
One of RMA's strategic goals is to ensure that its customers are
well informed as to the risk management solutions available. This
educational goal is supported by section 522(d)(3)(F) of the Act, which
authorizes FCIC funding for risk management training and informational
efforts for agricultural producers through the formation of
partnerships with public and private organizations. With respect to
such partnerships, priority is to be given to reaching producers of
Priority Commodities, as defined below.
C. Definition of Priority Commodities
For purposes of this program, Priority Commodities are defined as:
Agricultural commodities covered by (7 U.S.C. 7333).
Commodities in this group are commercial crops that are not covered by
catastrophic risk protection crop insurance, are used for food or fiber
(except livestock), and specifically include, but are not limited to,
floricultural, ornamental nursery, Christmas trees, turf grass sod,
aquaculture (including ornamental fish), and industrial crops.
Specialty crops. Commodities in this group may or may not
be covered under a Federal crop insurance plan and include, but are not
limited to, fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, syrups, honey, roots, herbs,
and highly specialized varieties of traditional crops.
Underserved commodities. This group includes: (a)
Commodities, including livestock and forage, that are covered by a
Federal crop insurance plan but for which participation in an area is
below the national average; and (b) commodities, including livestock
and forage, with inadequate crop insurance coverage.
A project is considered as giving priority to Priority Commodities
if the majority (75%) of the educational activities of the project are
directed to producers of any of the three classes of commodities listed
above or any combination of the three classes.
D. Project Goal
The goal of this program is to ensure that `` * * * producers will
be better able to use financial management, crop insurance, marketing
contracts, and other existing and emerging risk management tools''.
E. Purpose
The purpose of the Commodity Partnership Small Session Program is
to provide U.S. farmers and ranchers with training and informational
opportunities to be able to understand:
The kinds of risks addressed by existing and emerging risk
management tools;
The features and appropriate use of existing and emerging
risk management tools; and
How to make sound risk management decisions.
II. Award Information
A. Type of Award
Cooperative Partnership Agreements, which require the substantial
involvement of RMA.
B. Funding Availability
Approximately $500,000 (subject to availability of funds) is
available in fiscal year 2008 to fund up to 50 cooperative partnership
agreements. The maximum award for any agreement will be $10,000. It is
anticipated that a maximum of five agreements will be funded in each of
the ten designated RMA Regions.
In the event that all funds available for this program are not
obligated after the maximum number of agreements are awarded or if
additional funds become available, these funds may, at the discretion
of the Manager of FCIC, be used to award additional applications that
score highly by the technical review panel or allocated pro-rata to
awardees for use in broadening the size or scope of awarded projects if
agreed to by the awardee. In the event that the Manager of FCIC
determines that available RMA resources cannot support the
administrative and substantial involvement requirements of all
agreements recommended for funding, the Manager may elect to fund fewer
agreements than the available funding might otherwise allow. It is
expected that the awards will be made approximately 120 days after the
application deadline. All awards will be made and agreements finalized
no later than September 30, 2008.
C. Location and Target Audience
RMA Regional Offices and the States serviced within each Region are
listed below. Staff from the respective RMA Regional Offices will
provide substantial involvement for projects conducted within the
Region.
Billings, MT Regional Office: (MT, ND, SD, and WY)
Davis, CA Regional Office: (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and UT)
Jackson, MS Regional Office: (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN)
Oklahoma City, OK Regional Office: (NM, OK, and TX)
Raleigh, NC Regional Office: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA,
RI, VA, VT, and WV) Spokane, WA Regional Office: (AK, ID, OR, and WA)
Springfield, IL Regional Office: (IL, IN, MI, and OH)
St. Paul, MN Regional Office: (IA, MN, and WI)
Topeka, KS Regional Office: (CO, KS, MO, and NE)
Valdosta, GA Regional Office: (AL, FL, GA, SC, and Puerto Rico)
Applicants must clearly designate the RMA Region where educational
activities will be conducted in their application narrative (Form RME-
1) and in block 15 of the SF-424 form. Applications without this
designation will be rejected. Priority will be given to producers of
Priority Commodities. Applicants proposing to conduct educational
activities in more than one RMA Region must submit a separate
application for each RMA Region. Single applications proposing to
conduct educational activities in more than one RMA Region will be
rejected.
D. Maximum Award
Any application that requests Federal funding of more than $10,000
for a project will be rejected. RMA also reserves the right to fund
successful applications at an amount less than requested if it is
judged that the application can be implemented at a lower funding
level.
E. Project Period
Projects will be funded for a period of up to one year from the
project starting date.
[[Page 3670]]
F. Description of Agreement Award: Awardee Tasks
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose and goal of this
program in a designated RMA Region, the awardee will be responsible for
performing the following tasks:
Develop and conduct a promotional program. This program
will include activities using media, newsletters, publications, or
other appropriate informational dissemination techniques that are
designed to: (a) Raise awareness for risk management; (b) inform
producers of the availability of risk management tools; and (c) inform
producers and agribusiness leaders in the designated RMA Region of
training and informational opportunities.
Deliver risk management training and informational
opportunities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals
in the designated RMA Region. This will include organizing and
delivering educational activities using the instructional materials
that have been assembled to meet the local needs of agricultural
producers. Activities should be directed primarily to agricultural
producers, but may include those agribusiness professionals that have
frequent opportunities to advise producers on risk management tools and
decisions.
Document all educational activities conducted under the
cooperative partnership agreement and the results of such activities,
including criteria and indicators used to evaluate the success of the
program. The awardee will also be required to provide information to an
RMA-selected contractor to evaluate all educational activities and
advise RMA as to the effectiveness of activities.
G. RMA Activities
FCIC, working through RMA, will be substantially involved during
the performance of the funded project through RMA's ten Regional
Offices. Potential types of substantial involvement may include, but
are not limited to the following activities.
Collaborate with the awardee in assembling, reviewing, and
approving risk management materials for producers in the designated RMA
Region.
Collaborate with the awardee in reviewing and approving a
promotional program for raising awareness for risk management and for
informing producers of training and informational opportunities in the
RMA Region.
Collaborate with the awardee on the delivery of education
to producers and agribusiness leaders in the RMA Region. This will
include: (a) Reviewing and approving in advance all producer and
agribusiness leader educational activities; (b) advising the project
leader on technical issues related to crop insurance education and
information; and (c) assisting the project leader in informing crop
insurance professionals about educational activity plans and scheduled
meetings.
Conduct an evaluation of the performance of the awardee in
meeting the deliverables of the project.
Assist in the selection of subcontractors and project
staff.
Applications that do not contain substantial involvement by RMA
will be rejected.
H. Other Tasks
In addition to the specific, required tasks listed above, the
applicant may propose additional tasks that would contribute directly
to the purpose of this program. For any proposed additional task, the
applicant must identify the objective of the task, the specific
subtasks required to meet the objective, specific time lines for
performing the subtasks, and the specific responsibilities of partners.
The applicant must also identify specific ways in which RMA would have
substantial involvement in the proposed project task.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture,
universities, non-profit agricultural organizations, and other public
or private organizations with the capacity to lead a local program of
risk management education for farmers and ranchers in an RMA Region.
Individuals are not eligible applicants. Although an applicant may be
eligible to compete for an award based on its status as an eligible
entity, other factors may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal
assistance under this program governed by Federal law and regulations
(e.g. debarment and suspension; a determination of non-performance on a
prior contract, cooperative agreement, grant or cooperative
partnership; a determination of a violation of applicable ethical
standards; a determination of being considered ``high risk'').
Applications from ineligible or excluded persons will be rejected in
their entirety.
B. Cost Sharing or Matching
Although RMA prefers cost sharing by the applicant, this program
has neither a cost sharing nor a matching requirement.
C. Other--Non-Financial Benefits
To be eligible, applicants must also be able to demonstrate that
they will receive a non-financial benefit as a result of a cooperative
partnership agreement. Non-financial benefits must accrue to the
applicant and must include more than the ability to provide employment
income to the applicant or for the applicant's employees or the
community. The applicant must demonstrate that performance under the
cooperative partnership agreement will further the specific mission of
the applicant (such as providing research or activities necessary for
graduate or other students to complete their educational program).
Applications that do not demonstrate a non-financial benefit will be
rejected.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Contact To Request Application Package
Program application materials for the Commodity Partnerships
Program under this announcement may be downloaded from http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements.
Applicants may also request
application materials from: Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: (202) 720-
5265, fax: (202) 690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov.
B. Content and Form of Application Submission
A complete and valid application package must be submitted in one
package at the time of initial submission, which must include the
following:
1. An original and two copies of the completed and signed
application.
2. An electronic copy (Microsoft Word format preferred) of the
narrative portion (Forms RME-1 and RME-2) of the application package on
a compact disc.
3. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424, ``Application for
Federal Assistance.''
4. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-A, ``Budget
Information--Non-construction Programs.'' Federal funding requested
(the total of direct and indirect costs) must not exceed $10,000.
5. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-B, ``Assurances,
Non-constructive Programs.''
6. Risk Management Education Project Narrative (Form RME-1).
Complete all required parts of Form RME-1:
Part I--Title Page.
Part II--A written narrative of no more than 5 single-sided pages
which will provide reviewers with sufficient
[[Page 3671]]
information to effectively evaluate the merits of the application
according to the evaluation criteria listed in this notice. Although a
Statement of Work, which is an evaluation criterion, is to be completed
in detail in RME Form-2, applicants may wish to highlight certain
unique features of the Statement of Work in Part II for the benefit of
the evaluation panel. If your narrative exceeds the page limit, only
the first 5 pages will be reviewed.
No smaller than 12 point font size.
Use an easily readable font face (e.g., Arial, Geneva,
Helvetica, Times Roman).
8.5 by 11 inch paper.
One-inch margins on each page.
Printed on only one side of paper.
Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not
bound or stapled in any other way
Part III--A Budget Narrative, describing how the categorical costs
listed on SF 424-A are derived. The budget narrative should provide
enough detail for reviewers to easily understand how costs were
determined and how they relate to the goals and objectives of the
project.
Part IV--Provide a ``Statement of Non-financial Benefits.'' (Refer
to Section III, Eligibility Information, C. Other--Non-financial
Benefits, above.)
7. ``Statement of Work,'' Form RME-2, which identifies tasks and
subtasks in detail, expected completion dates and deliverables, and
RMA's substantial involvement role for the proposed project.
8. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of
Lobbying Activities.''
9. A completed and signed AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding
Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered
Transactions.''
10. A completed and signed AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-
Free Workplace.''
Applications that do not include items 1-7 above will be considered
incomplete, will not receive further consideration, and will be
rejected.
C. Funding Restrictions
Cooperative partnership agreement funds may not be used to:
a. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or
facility including a processing facility;
b. Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment;
c. Repair or maintain privately owned vehicles;
d. Pay for the preparation of the cooperative partnership agreement
application;
e. Fund political activities;
f. Purchase alcohol, food, beverage or entertainment;
g. Lend money to support farming or agricultural business operation
or expansion;
h. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving a partnership agreement;
i. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 CFR Parts 3015 and 3019, as
applicable.
D. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits
Total costs for salary and benefits allowed for projects under this
announcement will be limited to not more than 70 percent reimbursement
of the funds awarded under the cooperative partnership agreement as
indicated in Section III. Eligibility Information, C. Other--Non-
financial Benefits. One goal of the Commodity Partnerships Small
Sessions Program is to maximize the use of the limited funding
available for risk management education for producers of Priority
Commodities. In order to accomplish this goal, RMA needs to ensure that
the maximum amount of funds practicable is used for directly providing
the educational opportunities. Limiting the amount of funding for
salaries and benefits will allow the limited amount of funding to reach
the maximum number of farmers and ranchers.
E. Indirect Cost Rates
a. Indirect costs allowed for projects submitted under this
announcement will be limited to ten (10) percent of the total direct
cost of the cooperative partnership agreement. Therefore, when
preparing budgets, applicants should limit their requests for recovery
of indirect costs to the lesser of their institution's official
negotiated indirect cost rate or 10 percent of the total direct costs.
b. RMA will withhold all indirect cost rate funds for an award to
an applicant requesting indirect costs if the applicant has not
negotiated an indirect cost rate with its cognizant Federal agency.
c. If an applicant is in the process of negotiating an indirect
cost rate with its cognizant Federal agency, RMA will withhold all
indirect cost rate funds from that applicant until the indirect cost
rate has been established.
d. If an applicant's indirect cost rate has expired or will expire
prior to award announcements, a clear statement on renegotiation
efforts must be included in the application.
e. It is incumbent on all applicants to have a current indirect
cost rate or begin negotiations to establish an indirect cost rate
prior to the submission deadline. Because it may take several months to
obtain an indirect cost rate, applicants needing an indirect cost rate
are encouraged to start work on establishing these rates well in
advance of submitting an application. The U.S. Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) is responsible for assigning cognizant Federal agencies.
f. Applicants may be asked to provide a copy of their indirect cost
rate negotiated with their cognizant agency.
g. RMA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with
successful applicants.
F. Other Submission Requirements
Mailed submissions: Applications submitted through express,
overnight mail or another delivery service will be considered as
meeting the announced deadline if they are received in the mailroom at
the address stated below for express, overnight mail or another
delivery service on or before the deadline. Applicants are cautioned
that express, overnight mail or other delivery services do not always
deliver as agreed. Applicants should take this into account because
failure of such delivery services will not extend the deadline. Mailed
applications will be considered as meeting the announced deadline if
they are received on or before the deadline in the mailroom at the
address stated below for mailed applications. Applicants are
responsible for mailing applications well in advance, to ensure that
applications are received on or before the deadline time and date.
Applicants using the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) should allow for the
extra time for delivery due to the additional security measures that
mail delivered to government offices in the Washington, DC area
requires. USPS mail sent to Washington, DC headquarters is sanitized
offsite, which may result in delays, loss, and physical damage to
enclosures.
Address when using private delivery services or when hand
delivering:
Attention: Risk Management Education Program, USDA/RMA/RME, Room
6625, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250.
Address when using U.S. Postal Services:
Attention: Risk Management Education Program, USDA/RMA/RME/Stop
0808, Room 6625, South Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0808.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that RMA receives a
complete application package by the closing date and time. Regardless
of the delivery method you choose, please do so sufficiently in advance
of the due date to ensure your application package is
[[Page 3672]]
received on or before the deadline. It is your responsibility to meet
the due date and time. Emailed and faxed applications will not be
accepted. Late application packages will not receive further
consideration and will be rejected.
G. Electronic Submissions
Applications transmitted electronically via Grants.gov will be
accepted prior to the application date or time deadline. The
application package can be accessed via Grants.gov, go to http://www.grants.gov
, click on ``Find Grant Opportunities'', click on
``Search Grant Opportunities,'' and enter the CFDA number (beginning of
the RFA) to search by CFDA number. From the search results, select the
item that correlates to the title of this RFA. If you do not have
electronic access to the RFA or have trouble downloading material and
you would like a hardcopy, you may contact Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME,
phone: (202) 720-5265, fax: (202) 690-3605, e-mail:
RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov.
If assistance is needed to access the application package via
Grants.gov (e.g., downloading or navigating PureEdge forms, using
PureEdge with a Macintosh computer using Adobe), refer to resources
available on the Grants.gov Web site first (http://www.grants.gov/).
Grants.gov assistance is also available as follows:
Grants.gov customer support
Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726.
Business Hours: M-F, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
E-mail: support@grants.gov.
Applicants who submit their applications via the Grants.gov Web
site are not required to submit any hard copy documents to RMA.
When using Grants.gov to apply, RMA strongly recommends that you
submit the online application at least two weeks prior to the
application due date in case there are problems with the Grants.gov Web
site and you want to submit your application via a mail delivery
service.
H. Acknowledgement of Applications
Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by e-mail, whenever
possible. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to provide e-mail
addresses in their applications. If an e-mail address is not indicated
on an application, receipt will be acknowledged by letter. There will
be no notification of incomplete, unqualified or unfunded applications
until after the awards have been made. When received by RMA,
applications will be assigned an identification number. This number
will be communicated to applicants in the acknowledgement of receipt of
applications. An application's identification number should be
referenced in all correspondence regarding the application. If the
applicant does not receive an acknowledgement within 15 days of the
submission deadline, the applicant should notify RMA's point of contact
indicated in Section VII, Agency Contact.
V. Application Review Information
A. Criteria
Applications submitted under the Commodity Partnerships Small
Sessions Program will be evaluated within each RMA Region according to
the following criteria:
Project Impacts--maximum 20 points.
The applicant must demonstrate that the project benefits to farmers
and ranchers warrant the funding requested. Applicants will be scored
according to the extent they can: (a) Identify the specific actions
producers will likely be able to take as a result of the educational
activities described in the Statement of Work; (b) identify the
specific measures for evaluating results that will be employed in the
project; (c) reasonably estimate the total number of producers reached
through the various methods and educational activities described in the
Statement of Work; and (d) justify such estimates with clear specifics.
Reviewers' scoring will be based on the scope and reasonableness of the
applicant's clear descriptions of specific expected actions
participants will accomplish, and well-designed methods for measuring
the project's results and effectiveness. Applicants using direct
contact methods with producers will be scored higher.
Statement of Work--maximum 15 points.
The applicant must produce a clear and specific Statement of Work
for the project. For each of the tasks contained in the Description of
Agreement Award (refer to Section II Award Information), the applicant
must identify and describe specific subtasks, responsible entities,
expected completion dates, RMA substantial involvement, and
deliverables that will further the purpose of this program. Applicants
will be scored higher to the extent that the Statement of Work is
specific, measurable, reasonable, has specific deadlines for the
completion of subtasks, relates directly to the required activities and
the program purpose described in this announcement, which is to provide
producers with training and informational opportunities so that the
producers will be better able to use financial management, crop
insurance, marketing contracts, and other existing and emerging risk
management tools. Applicants are required to submit this Statement of
Work on Form RME-2.
Project Management--maximum 15 points.
The applicant must demonstrate an ability to implement sound and
effective project management practices. Higher scores will be awarded
to applicants that can demonstrate organizational skills, leadership,
and experience in delivering services or programs that assist
agricultural producers in the respective RMA Region. The project
manager must demonstrate that he/she has the capability to accomplish
the project goal and purpose stated in this announcement by (a) having
a previous working relationship with the farm community in the
designated RMA Region of the application, including being able to
recruit approximately the number of producers to be reached in the
application and/or (b) having established the capacity to partner with
and gain the support of grower organizations, agribusiness
professionals, and agribusiness leaders locally to aid in carrying out
a program of education and information, including being able to recruit
approximately the number of producers to be reached in this
application. Applicants that will employ, or have access to, personnel
who have experience in directing local educational programs that
benefit agricultural producers in the respective RMA Region will
receive higher rankings.
Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency--maximum 15 points.
Applicants must provide a detailed budget summary that clearly
explains and justifies costs associated with the project. Applicants
will receive higher scores to the extent that they can demonstrate a
fair and reasonable use of funds appropriate for the project and a
budget that contains the estimated cost of reaching each individual
producer. The applicant must provide information factors such as:
The allowability and necessity for individual cost
categories;
The reasonableness of amounts estimated for necessary
costs;
The basis used for allocating indirect or overhead costs;
The appropriateness of allocating particular overhead
costs to the proposed project as direct costs; and
The percent of time devoted to the project for all key
project personnel identified in the application. Salaries of project
personnel should be requested
[[Page 3673]]
in proportion to the percent of time that they would devote to the
project--Note: cannot exceed 70% of the total project budget.
Applicants must list all current public or private support to which
personnel identified in the application have committed portions of
their time, whether or not salary support for persons involved is
included in the budget. An application that duplicates or overlaps
substantially with an application already reviewed and funded (or to be
funded) by another organization or agency will not be funded under this
program. The projects proposed for funding should be included in the
pending section. Only items or services that are necessary for the
successful completion of the project will be funded as permitted under
the Act.
Priority Commodity--maximum 10 points.
The applicant can submit projects that are not related to Priority
Commodities. However, priority will be given to projects relating to
Priority Commodities and the degree to which such projects relate to
the Priority Commodities. Projects that relate solely to Priority
Commodities will be eligible for the most points.
Past Performance--maximum 10 points.
If the applicant has been an awardee of other Federal or other
government grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, the applicant
must provide information relating to their past performance in
reporting on outputs and outcomes under past or current federal
assistance agreements. The applicant must also detail that they have
consistently complied with financial and program reporting and auditing
requirements. RMA reserves the right to add up to 10 points and
subtract 5 points to applications due to past performance. Applicants
with very good past performance will receive a score from 6-10 points.
Applicants with acceptable past performance will receive a score from
1-5 points. Applicants with unacceptable past performance will receive
a score of minus 5 points for this evaluation factor. Applicants
without relevant past performance information will receive a neutral
score of the mean number of points of all applicants with past
performance. These past performance points will be applied only to
applications that the review panel scored above the minimum score.
Applications receiving less than the minimum score required to be
eligible for potential funding will not receive past performance
points. Under this cooperative partnership agreement, RMA will
subjectively rate the awardee on project performance as indicated in
Section II, G.
Projected Audience Description--maximum 5 points.
The applicant must clearly identify and describe the targeted
audience for the project. Applicants will receive higher scores to the
extent that they can reasonably and clearly describe their target
audience and why the audience would choose to participate in the
project. The applicant must describe why the proposed audience wants
the information the project will deliver.
B. Review and Selection Process
Applications will be evaluated using a two-part process. First,
each application will be screened by RMA personnel to ensure that it
meets the requirements in this announcement. Applications that do not
meet the requirements of this announcement or that are incomplete will
not receive further consideration during the next process. Applications
that meet announcement requirements will be sorted into the RMA Region
in which the applicant proposes to conduct the project and will be
presented to a review panel for consideration.
Second, the review panel will meet to consider and discuss the
merits of each application. The panel will consist of not less than
three independent reviewers. Reviewers will be drawn from USDA, other
Federal agencies, and others representing public and private
organizations, as needed. After considering the merits of all
applications within an RMA Region, panel members will score each
application according to the criteria and point values listed above.
The panel will then rank each application against others within the RMA
Region according to the scores received. A lottery will be used to
resolve any instances of a tie score that might have a bearing on
funding recommendations. If such a lottery is required, the names of
all tied applicants will be entered into a drawing. The first tied
applicant drawn will have priority over other tied applicants for
funding consideration.
The review panel will report the results of the evaluation to the
Manager of FCIC. The panel's report will include the recommended
applicants to receive cooperative partnership agreements for each RMA
Region. Funding will not be provided for an application receiving a
score less than 45. Funding will not be provided for an application
that is highly similar to a higher-scoring application in the same RMA
Region. Highly similar is one that proposes to reach the same producers
likely to be reached by another applicant that scored higher by the
panel and the same general educational material is proposed to be
delivered.
An organization, or group of organizations in partnership, may
apply for funding under other FCIC or RMA programs, in addition to the
program described in this announcement. However, if the Manager of FCIC
determines that an application recommended for funding is sufficiently
similar to a project that has been funded or has been recommended to be
funded under another RMA or FCIC program, then the Manager may elect to
not fund that application in whole or in part. The Manager of FCIC will
make the final determination on those applications that will be awarded
funding.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
Following approval by the awarding official of RMA of the
applications to be selected for funding, project leaders whose
applications have been selected for funding will be notified. Within
the limit of funds available for such a purpose, the awarding official
of RMA shall enter into cooperative partnership agreements with those
selected applicants. The agreements provide the amount of Federal funds
for use in the project period, the terms, and conditions of the award,
and the time period for the project. The effective date of the
agreement shall be on the date the agreement is executed by both
parties and it shall remain in effect for up to one year or through
September 30, 2009, whichever is later.
After a partnership agreement has been signed, RMA will extend to
awardees, in writing, the authority to draw down funds for the purpose
of conducting the activities listed in the agreement. All funds
provided to the applicant by FCIC must be expended solely for the
purpose for which the funds are obligated in accordance with the
approved agreement and budget, the regulations, the terms and
conditions of the award, and the applicability of Federal cost
principles. No commitment of Federal assistance beyond the project
period is made or implied for any award resulting from this notice.
Notification of denial of funding will be sent to applicants after
final funding decisions have been made and the awardees announced
publicly. Reasons for denial of funding can include, but are not
limited to, incomplete applications, applications with evaluation
scores that are lower than other applications in an RMA Region, or
applications that are highly similar to a
[[Page 3674]]
higher-scoring application in the same RMA Region. Highly similar is an
application that proposes to reach the same producers likely to be
reached by another applicant that scored higher by the panel and the
same general educational material is proposed to be delivered.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
1. Requirement To Use Program Logo
Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements will be
required to use a program logo and design provided by RMA for all
instructional and promotional materials.
2. Requirement To Provide Project Information to an RMA-Selected
Representative
Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements may be
required to assist RMA in evaluating the effectiveness of its
educational programs by providing documentation of educational
activities and related information to any representative selected by
RMA for program evaluation purposes.
3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflicts of
Interest
Private organizations that are involved in the sale of Federal crop
insurance, or that have financial ties to such organizations, are
eligible to apply for funding under this announcement. However, such
entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct activities
that would otherwise be required under a Standard Reinsurance Agreement
or any other agreement in effect between FCIC and the entity. Also,
such entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct
activities that could be perceived by producers as promoting one
company's services or products over another's. If applying for funding,
such organizations are encouraged to be sensitive to potential
conflicts of interest and to describe in their application the specific
actions they will take to avoid actual and perceived conflicts of
interest.
4. Access to Panel Review Information
Upon written request from the applicant, scores from the evaluation
panel, not including the identity of reviewers, will be sent to the
applicant after the review and awards process has been completed.
5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards
The names of applicants, the names of individuals identified in the
applications, the content of applications, and the panel evaluations of
applications will all be kept confidential, except to those involved in
the review process, to the extent permitted by law. In addition, the
identities of review panel members will remain confidential throughout
the entire review process and will not be released to applicants. At
the end of the fiscal year, names of panel members will be made
available. However, panelists will not be identified with the review of
any particular application. When an application results in a
partnership agreement, that agreement becomes a part of the official
record of RMA transactions, available to the public upon specific
request. Information that the Secretary of Agriculture determines to be
of a confidential, privileged, or proprietary nature will be held in
confidence to the extent permitted by law. Therefore, any information
that the applicant wishes to be considered confidential, privileged, or
proprietary should be clearly marked within an application, including
the basis for such designation. The original copy of an application
that does not result in an award will be retained by RMA for a period
of one year. Other copies will be destroyed. Copies of applications not
receiving awards will be released only with the express written consent
of the applicant or to the extent required by law. An application may
be withdrawn at any time prior to award.
6. Audit Requirements
Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements are subject
to audit.
7. Prohibitions and Requirements With Regard to Lobbying
Section 1352 of Public Law 101-121, enacted on October 23, 1989,
imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification
related to lobbying on awardees of Federal contracts, grants,
cooperative agreements, and loans. It provides exemptions for Indian
Tribes and tribal organizations. Current and prospective awardees, and
any subcontractors, are prohibited from using Federal funds, other than
profits from a Federal contract, for lobbying Congress or any Federal
agency in connection with the award of a contract, grant, cooperative
agreement, or loan. In addition, for each award action in excess of
$100,000 ($150,000 for loans) the law requires awardees and any
subcontractors: (1) To certify that they have neither used nor will use
any appropriated funds for payment of lobbyists; (2) to disclose the
name, address, payment details, and purpose of any agreements with
lobbyists whom awardees of their subcontractors will pay with profits
or other non-appropriated funds on or after December 22, 1989; and (3)
to file quarterly up-dates about the use of lobbyists if material
changes occur in their use. The law establishes civil penalties for
non-compliance. A copy of the certification and disclosure forms must
be submitted with the application, are available at the address, and
telephone number listed in Section VII. Agency Contact.
8. Applicable OMB Circulars
All partnership agreements funded as a result of this notice will
be subject to the requirements contained in all applicable OMB
circulars.
9. Requirement To Assure Compliance With Federal Civil Rights Laws
Awardees of all cooperative partnership agreements funded as a
result of this notice are required to know and abide by Federal civil
rights laws and to assure USDA and RMA that the awardee is in
compliance with and will continue to comply with Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), 7 CFR Part 15, and USDA
regulations promulgated thereunder, 7 CFR 1901.202. RMA requires
awardees to submit an Assurance Agreement (Civil Rights), assuring RMA
of this compliance prior to the beginning of the project period.
10. Requirement To Participate in a Post Award Teleconference
RMA requires that project leaders participate in a post award
teleconference to become fully aware of agreement requirements and for
delineating the roles of RMA personnel and the procedures that will be
followed in administering the agreement and will afford an opportunity
for the orderly transition of agreement duties and obligations if
different personnel are to assume post-award responsibility.
11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the National AgRisk
Education Library
RMA requires that project leaders upload digital copies of all risk
management educational materials developed because of the project to
the National AgRisk Education Library (http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for
posting. RMA will be clearly identified as having provided funding for
the materials.
[[Page 3675]]
12. Requirement To Submit Proposed Results to the National AgRisk
Education Library
RMA requires that project leaders submit results of the project to
the National AgRisk Education Library (http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for
posting.
13. Requirement To Submit a Project Plan of Operation in the Event of a
Human Pandemic Outbreak
RMA requires that project leaders submit a project plan of
operation in case of a human pandemic event. The plan should address
the concept of continuing operations as they relate to the project.
This should include the roles, responsibilities, and contact
information for the project team and individuals serving as back-ups in
case of a pandemic outbreak.
C. Reporting Requirements
Awardees will be required to submit quarterly progress reports,
quarterly financial reports (OMB Standard Form 269), and quarterly
Activity Logs (Form RMA-300) throughout the project period, as well as
a final program and financial report not later than 90 days after the
end of the project period.
Awardees will be required to submit prior to the award:
A completed and signed Assurance Agreement (Civil Rights).
A completed and signed Faith-Based Survey on EEO.
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants and other interested
parties are encouraged to contact: Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: 202-
720-5265, fax: 202-690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. You may
also obtain information regarding this announcement from the RMA Web
site at: http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements.
VIII. Other Information
A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the
universal standard for identifying and keeping track of over 70 million
businesses worldwide. The Office of Management and Budget published a
notice of final policy issuance in the Federal Register June 27, 2003
(68 FR 38402) that requires a DUNS number in every application (i.e.,
hard copy and electronic) for a grant or cooperative agreement on or
after October 1, 2003. Therefore, potential applicants should verify
that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to obtain one.
For information about how to obtain a DUNS number, go to http://www.grants.gov.
Please note that the registration may take up to 14
business days to complete.
B. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry for
Submission of Proposals
The Central Contract Registry (CCR) is a database that serves as
the primary Government repository for contractor information required
for the conduct of business with the Government. This database will
also be used as a central location for maintaining organizational
information for organizations seeking and receiving grants from the
Government. Such organizations must register in the CCR prior to the
submission of applications. A DUNS number is needed for CCR
registration. For information about how to register in the CCR, visit
``Get Started'' at the Web site, http://www.grants.gov. Allow a minimum
of 5 business days to complete the CCR registration.
C. Related Programs
Funding availability for this program may be announced at
approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but
separate programs--CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance
Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships),
CFDA No. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education),
and CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States).
These programs have some similarities, but also key differences. The
differences stem from important features of each program's authorizing
legislation and different RMA objectives. Prospective applicants should
carefully examine and compare the notices for each program.
Signed in Washington, DC on January 15, 2008.
Eldon Gould,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. E8-952 Filed 1-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P