[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 38 (Friday, February 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8909-8916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3975]
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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: Electronic applications submitted through Grants.gov are due at
April 27, 2010. Hard copy applications will NOT be accepted.
SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating
through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of
approximately $1.1 million (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 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 110 cooperative
partnership agreements will be funded, with a minimum of ten 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), 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.
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 Application
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. Electronic 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 Information
A. Criteria
B. Selection and Review 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 Conflicts
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--Additional Information
A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
B. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry
(CCR) for Submission of Proposals
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
[[Page 8910]]
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 75 percent 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.
In addition, for 2010, the FCIC Board of Directors and the FCIC
Manager are seeking projects that also include the Special Emphasis
Topics listed below which highlight the educational priorities with
each of the ten RMA Regional Offices:
Billings, Montana Regional Office (MT, ND, SD, and WY)--
Pasture, Rangeland, Forage, Livestock Gross Margin, Specialty Crops,
Underserved Commodities, and 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic
Provisions; and various crop insurance provisions.
Davis, California Regional Office (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and
UT)--Apiculture program, drought mitigation and lack of irrigation
water, risk management tools for invasive pests, Specialty Crops,
Hawaii Tropical Fruits and Trees, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations,
Basic Provisions and various crop insurance provisions, and risk
management tools to maximize strategic solutions for using Farm Service
Agency and RMA programs.
Jackson, Mississippi Regional Office (AR, KY, LA, MS, and
TN)--AGR-Lite Insurance tools (TN), Nursery Price Endorsement Crop
Insurance (all States), Nursery Insurance Tools (all States), 2011
Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions and various crop
insurance provisions, and Specialty Crops.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Regional Office (NM, OK, and TX)--
Native American issues and Limited English Proficiency (all States),
Specialty Crops, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provision
and various crop insurance provisions.
Raleigh, North Carolina Regional Office (CT, DE, MA, MD,
ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV)--2011 Final Common Crop
Regulations, Basic Provision and various crop insurance provisions.
Connecticut--LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern Potatoes, Apples,
Specialty Crops, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions
and various crop insurance provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance
Tools.
Delaware--LGM Dairy Cattle, Southern Potatoes, Specialty
Crops and 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions and
various crop insurance provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance Tools.
Maine--LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern Potatoes, Apples,
Specialty Crops, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions
and various crop insurance provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance
Tools.
Maryland--LGM Dairy Cattle, Southern Potatoes, Apples,
Specialty Crops, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions
and various crop insurance provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance
Tools.
Massachusetts--LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern Potatoes,
Apples, Specialty Crops, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic
Provisions and various crop insurance provisions and Nursery Crop
Insurance Tools.
New Hampshire--LGM Dairy Cattle, Apples, Specialty Crops,
2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions and various crop
insurance provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance Tools.
New Jersey--LGM Dairy Cattle, Southern Potatoes, Apples,
Specialty Crops, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions
and various crop insurance provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance
Tools.
New York--Specialty Crops, Apiculture Vegetation Index,
LGM Dairy Cattle, Pasture Rangeland Forage Vegetation Index, Northern
Potatoes, Apples, Cabbage, Grapes, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations,
Basic Provisions and various crop insurance provisions, and Nursery
Crop Insurance Tools.
North Carolina--Specialty Crops, Apiculture, Pasture
Rangeland Forage Vegetation Index, LRP for Feeder Cattle, Fed Cattle,
Lamb, and Swine, Southern Potatoes, Apples, Cabbage, Grapes, 2011 Final
Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions and various crop insurance
provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance Tools.
Pennsylvania--Specialty Crops, Apiculture, LGM Dairy
Cattle, Pasture Rangeland Forage, Northern Potatoes, Apples, Cabbage,
Grapes, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions and
various crop insurance provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance Tools.
Rhode Island--Specialty Crops, LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern
Potatoes, Apples, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions
and various crop insurance provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance
Tools.
Virginia--Specialty Crops, Apiculture, Pasture Rangeland
Forage, LRP for Feeder Cattle, Fed Cattle, Lamb, Swine, Southern
Potatoes, Apples, Cabbage, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic
Provisions and various crop insurance provisions, and Nursery Crop
Insurance Tools.
Vermont--Specialty Crops, LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern
Potatoes, Apples, 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions
and various crop insurance provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance
Tools.
West Virginia--Specialty Crops, LGM Dairy Cattle, Apples,
2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions and various crop
insurance
[[Page 8911]]
provisions, and Nursery Crop Insurance Tools.
Spokane, Washington Regional Office (AK, ID, OR, and WA)--
WA Regional Office (AK, ID, OR, and WA)--2011 Final Common Crop
Regulations, Basic Provisions and Various Crop Insurance Provision,
Crop Insurance Choices for Willamette Valley Oregon Producers,
Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Cattle (LGM), Cherry Actual Revenue
History (ARH), Grape Insurance Program for Western Washington, Adjusted
Gross Revenue Programs (AGR/AGR-Lite), Dry Pea and Lentil Insurance,
and Specialty Crops.
Springfield, Illinois Regional Office (IL, IN, MI, and OH)
Specialty Crops and 2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic
Provisions and various crop insurance provisions.
St. Paul, Minnesota Regional Office (IA, MN, and WI)--AGR-
Lite, understanding how Revenue Policies function and their
relationship to marketing decisions, Specialty Crops, and 2011 Final
Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions and various crop insurance
provisions.
Topeka, Kansas Regional Office (CO, KS, MO, and NE)--2011
Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions and various crop
insurance provisions, Specialty Crops, and Pasture, Rangeland and
Forage in States and counties with the program.
Valdosta, Georgia Regional Office (AL, FL, GA, SC, and
Puerto Rico)--2011 Final Common Crop Regulations, Basic Provisions and
various crop insurance provisions, Specialty Crops and Pasture,
Rangeland, and Forage/Apiculture in States and counties with the
program.
II. Award Information
A. Type of Application: In FY 2010, applications may be submitted
to the Commodity Partnership for Small Agricultural Risk Management
Education Small Sessions Program as a new application. All new
applications will be reviewed competitively using the selection process
and evaluation criteria described in Section V--Application Review
Process. Each award will be designated as a Cooperative Agreement,
which will require substantial involvement by RMA.
B. Funding Availability: There is no commitment by USDA to fund any
particular application. Approximately $1.1 million (subject to
availability of funds) is available in fiscal year 2010 to fund up to
110 cooperative partnership agreements. The maximum award for any
agreement will be $10,000. It is anticipated that a minimum of ten
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, 2010.
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, Montana Regional Office: (MT, ND, SD, and WY.)
Davis, California Regional Office: (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and UT.)
Jackson, Mississippi Regional Office: (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN.)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Regional Office: (NM, OK, and TX.)
Raleigh, North Carolina Regional Office: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC,
NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV.)
Spokane, Washington Regional Office: (AK, ID, OR, and WA.)
Springfield, Illinois Regional Office: (IL, IN, MI, and OH.)
St. Paul, Minnesota Regional Office: (IA, MN, and WI.)
Topeka, Kansas Regional Office: (CO, KS, MO, and NE.)
Valdosta, Georgia 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 in block 12
of the SF-424 form. Applications without this designation will be
rejected. Priority will be given to producers of Priority Commodities
previously identified in this RFA. Applicants proposing to conduct
educational activities in States served by more than one RMA Regional
Office (RMA Region) must submit a separate application for each RMA
Region. Single applications proposing to conduct educational activities
in States served by 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.
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
assembled by the grantee 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
RMA as requested for evaluation purposes.
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
[[Page 8912]]
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.
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. Electronic Application Package
Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov to the
Risk Management Agency in response to this RFA.
Prior to preparing an application, it is suggested that the Project
Director (PD) first contact an Authorized Representative (AR) (also
referred to as Authorized Organizational Representative or AOR) to
determine if the organization is prepared to submit electronic
applications through Grants.gov. If the organization is not prepared,
the AR should see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp
for steps for preparing to submit applications through Grants.gov.
The steps to access application materials are as follows:
1. In order to access, complete, and submit applications,
applicants must download and install a version of Adobe Reader
compatible with Grants.gov. This software is essential to apply for RMA
Federal awards. For basic system requirements and download
instructions, please see http://www.grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp. To verify that you have a compatible version of Adobe
Reader, Grants.gov established a test package that will assist you in
making that determination. Grants.gov Adobe Versioning Test Package:
http://www.grants.gov/applicants/AdobeVersioningTestOnly.jsp.
2. The application package must be obtained via Grants.gov, go to
http://www.grants.gov, click on ``Apply for Grants'' in the left-hand
column, click on ``Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and
Instructions,'' enter the funding opportunity number USDA-RMA-RME-SSGP-
002000 in the appropriate box and click ``Download Package.'' From the
search results, click ``Download'' to access the application package.
If assistance is needed to access the application package (e.g.
downloading or navigating Adobe forms), refer to resources available on
the Grants.gov Web site first (http://grants/gov/). Grants.gov
assistance is also available as follows:
Grants.gov customer support.
Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726.
Business Hours: 24 Hours a day.
E-mail: [email protected].
B. Content and Form of Application Submission
A complete and valid application must include the following:
1. A completed OMB Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance.''
2. A completed 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.
3. A completed OMB Standard Form 424-B, ``Assurances, Non-
constructive Programs.''
4. An Executive Summary (One page) and Proposal Narrative (Not to
Exceed 10 single-sided pages in Microsoft Word) which will also include
a Statement of Work.
5. Budget Narrative (in Microsoft Excel) describing how the
categorical costs listed on the 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.
6. Partnering Plan to include how each partner will aid in carrying
out the project goal providing specific tasks. Include Letters of
commitment from individuals and/or groups, and should include the
specific tasks they have agreed to do with the applicant.
7. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of
Lobbying Activities.
8. A completed and signed AD-1049, Certification Regarding Drug-
Free Workplace.
[[Page 8913]]
a. * 1234. A complete RME-1 Form Risk Management Education Project
Narrative (RME-1 Form). Complete all required parts.
* Applications that do not include items 1-8 above will be
considered incomplete, will not receive further consideration, and
will be rejected.
The percent of time devoted to the project for all key project
personnel must be identified in the application. 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
(supporting agency, amount of award, effective date, expiration date,
expiration date of award, etc.). 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 percentage of time for both ``Current'' and
``Pending'' projects must not exceed 100% of time committed.
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;
or
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 reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with
successful applicants.
c. Applicants must provide a copy of their indirect cost rate
negotiated with their cognizant agency.
F. Other Submission Requirements
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that RMA receives a
complete application package by the closing date and time. The agency
strongly encourages applicants to submit applications well before the
deadline to allow time for correction of technical errors identified by
Grants.gov. Application packages submitted after the deadline will be
rejected.
G. Acknowledgement of Applications
Receipt of timely 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, timely 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 (area defined
by States served by the Regional Office) 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 producers
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 20 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 Form. All narratives should give estimates of how
many producers will be reached through this project. Estimates for non-
producers can also be
[[Page 8914]]
made but they should be separate from the estimate of producers.
Project Management--Maximum 20 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 are encouraged to designate an alternate
Project Leader in the event the Project Leader is unable to finish the
project. 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 20 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.
Priority Commodity--Maximum 20 Points
The applicant can submit projects that are not related to Priority
Commodities. However, priority will be given to projects relating to
Priority Commodities. Priority will also be given to projects related
to the Special Emphasis Topics. Projects that relate to Priority
Commodities and the Special Emphasis Topics will be eligible for the
most points.
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 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
not to 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
The award document will provide pertinent instructions and
information including, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Legal name and address of performing organization or
institution to whom the Director has issued an award under the terms of
this request for applications;
(2) Title of project;
(3) Name(s) and institution(s) of PDs chosen to direct and control
approved activities;
(4) Identifying award number assigned by the Department;
(5) Project period, specifying the amount of time the Department
intends to support the project without requiring recompeting for funds;
(6) Total amount of Departmental financial assistance approved by
the Director during the project period;
(7) Legal authority(ies) under which the award is issued;
(8) Appropriate Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
number;
(9) Applicable award terms and conditions (see http://www.rma.usda.gov/business/awards/awardterms.html to view RMA award
terms and conditions);
(10) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds
to accomplish the stated purpose of the award; and
(11) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by RMA to
carry out its respective awarding activities or to accomplish the
purpose of a particular award.
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.
After a cooperative 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
[[Page 8915]]
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 that other applications in an RMA Region, or
applications that are highly similar to a 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, when deemed appropriate.
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, if conducted 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.
[[Page 8916]]
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, if electronically reporting. RMA will be clearly identified as
having provided funding for the materials.
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 if electronically reporting.
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
using the Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR) as the cover sheet,
quarterly financial reports (OMB Standard Form 425), 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. The quarterly progress reports, Activity
Logs, and final program reports MUST be submitted through the Results
Verification System. The Web site address is http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/RMA/Reporting.
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: Leonard Randolph, Sundii Johnson-
Phillips, or Lydia M. Astorga, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: 202-720-0779, e-
mail: [email protected]. 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 (CCR) 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 Registered'' 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), 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 February 23, 2010.
William J. Murphy,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2010-3975 Filed 2-25-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P