[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12003]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 18, 1994]


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Part II





Department of Agriculture





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Extension Service



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Agricultural Telecommunications Program; Notice
 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Extension Service (ES)

Agricultural Telecommunications Program

AGENCY: Extension Service, Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUBJECT: Agricultural Telecommunications Program; Fiscal Year 1994; 
Request for Proposals; Application Guidelines.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Barbara A. White, 202-720-1949 for program information, or Margaret 
Bell, Cooperative Funds Division, Extension Service, USDA, 202-401-
4314, for fiscal or budget information.

Program Description

(a) Purpose

    Proposals are requested for the purpose of awarding competitive 
grants for fiscal year 1994 under the Agricultural Telecommunications 
Program. Grants will be awarded to eligible institutions to assist in 
development and utilization of an agricultural communications network 
to facilitate and to strengthen agricultural extension, resident 
education and research, and domestic and international marketing of 
United States commodities and products through a partnership between 
eligible institutions and the Department of Agriculture. The network 
will employ satellite and other telecommunications technology to 
disseminate and to share academic instruction, cooperative extension 
programming, agricultural research, and marketing information. The 
authority for this program is contained in section 1673 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, Public Law 101-624. 
The program is administered by the Extension Service (ES) of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA).

(b) Available Funding

    For fiscal year 1994, $1.221 million is available for the program. 
For the purpose of determining the non-Federal share of such costs, 
consideration will be given to contributions in cash and in-kind, 
fairly evaluated, including, but not limited to premises, equipment and 
services. Grants under this program may provide funds for no more than 
50 percent (50%) of the cost of a proposed project, unless otherwise 
determined by the Secretary.

(c) Eligibility

    Proposals are invited from accredited institutions of higher 
education. Applicants must demonstrate that they participate in a 
network that distributes programs consistent with the following 
objectives:
    (1) Make optimal use of available resources for agricultural 
extension, resident education, and research by sharing resources 
between participating institutions;
    (2) Improve the competitive position of United States agriculture 
in international markets by disseminating information to producers, 
processors, and researchers;
    (3) Train students for careers in agriculture and food industries;
    (4) Facilitate interaction among leading agricultural scientists;
    (5) Enhance the ability of United States agriculture to respond to 
environmental and food safety concerns, and;
    (6) Identify new uses for farm commodities and to increase the 
demand for United States agricultural products in both domestic and 
foreign markets.
    In addition to the above, an applicant must qualify as a 
responsible applicant in order to be eligible for a grant under the 
program. To qualify as responsible, an applicant must meet the 
following standards:
    (1) Adequate financial resources for performance, the necessary 
experience, organizational and technical qualifications, and 
facilities, or a firm commitment, arrangement, or ability to obtain the 
same (including any to be obtained through sub-agreements(s)/
contract(s);
    (2) Ability to comply with the proposed or required completion 
schedule for the project;
    (3) Adequate financial management system and audit procedures that 
provide efficient and effective accountability and control of all 
funds, property, and other assets;
    (4) Satisfactory record of integrity, judgment, and performance, 
including, in particular, any prior performance under grants and 
contracts from the Federal Government; and
    (5) Otherwise be qualified and eligible to receive Federal 
assistance under the applicable laws and regulations.

(d) Definitions

    For the purpose of awarding funding under this program, the 
following definitions are applicable:
    (1) ``Administrative costs'' means the total of direct and indirect 
costs as defined in the Departmental Assistance Regulations, related to 
the operation of a project under this program;
    (2) ``Agricultural telecommunications'' means those activities 
established to encourage development and utilization of an agricultural 
communications network employing satellite and other telecommunications 
technologies to disseminate and to share academic instruction, 
cooperative extension programming, agricultural research, and marketing 
information;
    (3) ``Awarding official'' means the Administrator, Extension 
Service, USDA;
    (4) ``Communications network'' refers to television or cable 
television origination or distribution equipment, signal conversion 
equipment (including both modulators and demodulators), computer 
hardware and software, programs or terminals, or related devices, used 
to process and exchange data through a telecommunications system in 
which signals are generated, modified or prepared for transmission, or 
received, via telecommunications terminal equipment or via 
telecommunications transmission;
    (5) ``Delivery'' means the transmission and reception of programs 
by facilities that transmit, receive, or carry data between 
telecommunications terminal equipment at each end of a 
telecommunications circuit or path;
    (6) ``Facilities'' includes microwave antennae, fiberoptic cables 
and repeaters, coaxial cables, communications satellite ground station 
complexes, copper cable electronic equipment associated with 
telecommunications transmission;
    (7) ``Grant'' means the award by the Administrator to an awardee to 
develop agricultural telecommunication programs utilizing an 
agricultural telecommunications network;
    (8) ``Grantee'' means the entity designated in the grant award 
document as the responsible legal entity to whom a grant is awarded;
    (9) ``Peer Review Panel'' means a panel of appropriate employees of 
the Federal Government;
    (10) ``Project'' means the particular activity within the scope of 
the program as identified herein;
    (11) ``Project Director`` means the individual who is responsible 
for technical direction of the project, as designated by the awardee in 
the award proposal and approved by the Administrator, Extension 
Service, USDA;
    (12) ``Project Period'' means the total time approved by the 
Administrator, Extension Service, USDA, for conducting the proposed 
project as outlined in the approved Federal assistance proposal or the 
approved portions thereof.

Application Categories

    Applicants may submit proposals in any of the following program 
areas as specified in the authorization: (a) Program Delivery, (b) 
Staff/Faculty Training, (c) Program Development/Production.

(a) Program Delivery

    Applicants may submit a proposal requesting funding to operate an 
agricultural communications network, employing satellite and other 
telecommunications technology, to deliver Cooperative Extension 
programming, academic instruction, agricultural research and marketing 
information through partnership(s) between eligible institutions and 
the Department of Agriculture. In addition to the initial required 
information under Project Description, the proposal must include a 
business plan which defines a structure for the technical design and 
development of the delivery system, scheduling and operation, 
including:
    (1) Development and employment of distance learning technologies, 
such as satellite, computer, multimedia, audio/visual and other 
telecommunications technologies;
    (2) Providing learner and program support:
    (3) Satellite transponder booking, receiving and turn-around 
service;
    (4) A satellite operations center, including technical trouble-
shooting;
    (5) Marketing of network programs.

(b) Staff/Faculty Training

    Applicants may submit a proposal requesting funding to establish a 
network training concept targeting faculty/staff development in 
distance learning, in cooperation with eligible institution(s). 
Delivery system(s) for training will be designed/developed using 
appropriate distance learning technologies with emphasis on satellite 
delivery and the Internet. In addition to the required information in 
Program Description, the proposal must contain detail regarding 
targeted audience including rationale for selected delivery methods as 
well as emphasis on learner control and/or flexibility. Curriculum 
content in the following areas must also be addressed:
    (1) Distance education as a process including review of both human 
and technical infrastructure;
    (2) Systematic approach to the design of distance learning 
experiences emphasizing the instructional design process for developing 
distance learning opportunities based on an acceptable model from 
literature;
    (3) Research targeting effectiveness of selected technologies in 
the teaching-learning process implemented at a distance;
    (4) Mechanism(s) for evaluating distance learning using qualitative 
and/or quantitative approaches, including but not limited to learning 
outcome, preference for delivery, learning style, and level of 
interaction.
    An integrated approach to instructional design should be evident 
including subject-matter content, educational methodology, and 
compatible production and delivery techniques. This section should 
include the following:
    (a) Specific Learning Objectives: These should be stated in terms 
of behavioral changes expected to occur in the audience(s) based on 
participation in the program, not in terms of what the program will 
deliver.
    (b) Instructional Methodology/Strategies: Fully explain the 
instructional/educational method or strategy to be implemented 
including appropriateness for audience and learning environment. 
Explanation should demonstrate knowledge of how people learn and/or 
interact in a mediated environment.
    (c) Detailed outline of subject-matter content/curriculum to be 
included in the program.
    (d) Production Techniques: Provide detailed explanation of 
production techniques used in producing and delivery of program. It 
should be clear from the narrative how subject-matter content, 
instructional method/strategy, and production will be integrated.
    (e) Multiple Media/Wrap-Around: Applicants are encouraged to use a 
full range of available options in support/and delivery of projects 
such as satellite video teleconferencing, audio conferencing, computer 
mediated instruction, and Internet electronic communication network 
with print materials available in digital format for future reference/
modification. Fully describe the use of multiple media delivery modes 
and any plans for integration in wrap-around programs.
    (f) Interactivity: Fully describe the expected level of 
interactivity necessary based on principles underlying teaching-
learning transaction, sound instructional design, and mode of delivery 
used.
    (g) Program Evaluation: Describe both formative and summative 
design for evaluation success in meeting learning objective(s) listed 
under (a). In addition, describe strategy for evaluating overall 
effectiveness of program delivery in terms such as teaching and 
learning style, behavior change/problem-solving, immediate application, 
meeting learner need, and potential for replication.
    (h) Promotion and Marketing: Describe how the educational effort 
will be promoted and marketed to targeted audience(s) identified such 
as marketing strategy, methods of promotion (print, media, flyers, 
radio), collaborative efforts, and time line.

(c) Program Development/Production

    Proposals for development of educational programs should consider 
high priority national issues and should clearly describe the 
importance of the topic selected to the target audience(s). Applicants 
may submit proposals in one of two categories; (1) Targeted Programs or 
(2) Innovative Programs.
(1) Targeted Programs
    (a) Extension System National Initiatives:

--Communities in Economic Transition
--Decisions for Health
--Food Safety and Quality
--Plight of Young Children
--Sustainable Agriculture
--Waste Management
--Water Quality
--Youth at Risk

    (b) Other base programs within the scope of agricultural science 
and education and in line with the purpose of this funding:

--Agricultural Competitiveness and Profitability
--Community Resource and Economic Development
--Family Development and Resource Management
--4-H and Youth Development
--Leadership and Volunteer Development
--Natural Resources and Environmental Management
--Nutrition, Diet and Health

    (c) Resident instruction courses/programs as appropriate under 
authorizing language (see (c) Eligibility).
(2) Innovative Programs
    In addition to the required Program Description information, 
applicants requesting funds for innovative programs must emphasize a 
creative approach to distance education programming. Examples might 
include: meeting an identified high-priority need; inclusion of limited 
resource audiences; pilot projects demonstrating innovative 
combinations of satellite/video, computer networking, audio 
conferencing, and/or wrap-around plans and materials; match of audience 
needs/characteristics to delivery system; and design of evaluation 
protocol for measuring teaching-learning transaction.
    An integrated approach to instructional design should be evident 
including subject-matter content, educational methodology and 
compatible production and delivery techniques. This section should 
include the following:
    (a) Specific Learning Objectives: These should be stated in terms 
of behavioral changes expected to occur in the audience(s) based on 
participation in the program, not in terms of what the program will 
deliver.
    (b) Instructional Methodology/Strategies: Fully explain the 
instructional/educational method or strategy to be implemented 
including appropriateness for audience and learning environment. 
Explanation should demonstrate knowledge of how people learn and/or 
interact in a mediated environment.
    (c) Detailed outline of subject-matter content/curriculum to be 
included in the program.
    (d) Production Techniques: Provide detailed explanation of 
production techniques used in producing and delivery of program. It 
should be clear from the narrative how subject-matter content, 
instructional method/strategy, and production will be integrated.
    (e) Multiple Media/Wrap-Around: Applicants are encouraged to use a 
full range of available option in support/and delivery of projects such 
as satellite video teleconferencing, audio conferencing, computer 
mediated instruction, and Internet electronic communication network 
with print materials available in digital format for future reference/
modification. Fully describe the use of multiple media delivery modes 
and any plans for integration in wrap-around programs.
    (f) Interactivity: Fully describe the expected level of 
interactivity necessary based on principles underlying teaching-
learning transaction, sound instructional design, and mode of delivery 
used.
    (g) Program Evaluation: Describe both formative and summative 
design for evaluating success in meeting learning objective(s) listed 
under (a). In addition, describe strategy for evaluating overall 
effectiveness of program delivery in terms such as teaching and 
learning style, behavior change/problem-solving, immediate application, 
meeting learner need, and potential for replication.
    (h) Promotion and Marketing: Describe how the educational effort 
will be promoted and marketed to target audience(s) identified such as 
marketing strategy, methods of promotion (print, media flyers, radio), 
collaborative efforts, and time line.

Proposal Preparation

(a) Proposal Cover Page

(1) Title of Proposal
    The title of the proposal must be brief (80-character maximum) yet 
represent the major thrust of the project.
(2) Other Information
    Include the following information on the proposal cover page:
    (a) Name, address, telephone, fax number, and e-mail address of 
applicant and project director.
    (b) Signatures and date. The cover page must contain the original 
signatures of the Project Director and the Authorized Organizational 
Representative who possesses the necessary authority to commit the 
applicant's time and other relevant resources.
    (c) Project Summary. Each proposal must contain a 200 work abstract 
containing a brief description of the project. The abstract should 
describe the situation, targeted audience, purpose of project, program 
goal, methodology, and expected outcomes of the project.

Project Description

    The project goal(s) and objectives(s) must be clearly stated in the 
proposal. This narrative portion of the application must not exceed 15 
pages. Business plan require for proposals submitted under the Program 
Delivery category are not to exceed 20 pages. Proposals for all 
categories must include the following components:
(1) Project Need
    Each proposal must contain a clear and concise statement 
identifying the background and situation leading to the project need, 
goal(s) and supporting objectives.
(2) Audience Description
    Describe targeted audience(s) for whom the project will be designed 
including pertinent history identified in need, demographics, and 
expected impact on audience.
(3) Partnerships and Collaboration
    Describe partnerships and collaborations fostered through this 
project including expected impact and benefit to those involved such as 
learner, institution, agency, state, nation.
(4) Staffing Pattern and Procedure
    Describe the staff needed for project administration, instructional 
design/curriculum development, production, evaluation, and marketing/
promotion. Narrative should demonstrate that staffing and 
implementation procedure will result in an integrated approach 
involving content specialists, instructional designers, and quality 
production resources. Provide an outline (management plan) 
demonstrating integration.
(5) Budget
    A budget and a detailed narrative in support of the budget is 
required. Show all funding sources and itemize costs by the following 
line items: salary costs, fringe benefits costs, equipment, materials 
and supplies, travel, publication/printing/duplication costs, computer 
costs and all other costs. While some funds are available for the 
acquisition and installation of telecommunications transmission 
facilities, applicants are cautioned that no more than 10 percent of 
the funds available may be awarded for that purpose.
    Funds may be requested under any of the line items listed above 
provided that the item or service for which support is requested is 
identified as necessary for successful conduct of the project, is 
allowable under the authorizing legislation and the applicable Federal 
cost principles, and is not prohibited under any applicable Federal 
statute. Salaries of project personnel who will be working on the 
project may be requested in proportion to the effort they will devote 
to the project.

Proposal Submission

(a) What To Submit

    An original and two copies of the proposal must be submitted. Each 
copy of each proposal must be stapled securely in the supper left hand 
corner (Do Not Bind). All copies of the proposal must be submitted in 
one package.
    Proposals may also be submitted electronically via the Internet in 
addition to the required hard copy version to the address listed below. 
To obtain a copy of the electronic application submission information, 
send an electronic mail message to: [email protected]. In the body of 
the message, type the following one-line-only message: send aft-
guidelines. To submit a copy of your proposal electronically, send an 
ascii text version to: [email protected]. Additionally, when 
submitting electronically, applicants are still required to submit 
three copies of the Proposal Cover Page which contains original 
signatures and date (i.e., three cover pages with original signatures 
and date must be submitted even though electronic submission is used).

(b) Where and When to Submit

    Proposals submitted through regular mail must be postmarked by July 
1, 1994 and sent to:

By Surface Mail (U.S. Postal Service): Extension Service, USDA 
Cooperative Management Staff, Cooperative Funds Division, Ag Box 0995, 
Washington, DC 20250-0995
By Overnight Mail or Courier: Extension Service, USDA, Cooperative 
Management Staff, Cooperative Funds Division, 2nd Floor Mezzanine, 
Cotton Annex, 300--12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0995.

    Hard copy delivered proposals must be received by July 1, 1994. 
Proposals submitted electronically, in addition to the required hard 
copy Proposal Cover Pages, must be received by July 1, 1994.

Proposal Review, Evaluation, and Disposition

(a) Proposal Review

    All proposals received will be acknowledged. Prior to technical 
examination, a preliminary review will be made for responsiveness to 
this solicitation. Proposals that do not fall within the solicitation 
guidelines will be eliminated from competition. All accepted proposals 
will be reviewed by a peer review panel comprised of full-time Federal 
employees and will be evaluated objectively.
    The peer review panel will be selected and organized to provide 
maximum expertise and objective judgment in the evaluation of 
proposals. In the event the number of proposals accepted outnumber 
dollars available, proposals will be ranked and support levels will be 
recommended by the panel(s) within the limitation of total funding 
available in fiscal year 1994.

(b) Evaluation Criteria

    In evaluating the proposal, the peer review panel will take into 
account the degree to which the proposal demonstrates the following:
    (1) High priority national need/issue as documented in the 
proposal--20 pts
    (2) Degree to which project is matched to audience needs/
characteristics including modular approach and adaptation for meeting 
needs of more than one audience (appropriate multiple use designs will 
be given highest consideration)--20 pts
    (3) Sophistication of instructional design (Application Categories 
(b) & (c) only) including:--20 pts
     Incorporation of instructional design knowledge-base;
     Learner objectives:
     Selection of instructional strategy/methods and delivery;
     Selection of production techniques;
     Level of interactivity appropriate to instructional method 
and delivery;
     Appropriate combination of multiple media.
    (4) Degree to which project reflects partnerships with other land 
grant institutions and appropriate organizations and agencies--10 pts
    (5) Demonstrated expertise of individuals providing project content 
and satellite-delivered material, including on-air delivery skills--10 
pts
    (6) Demonstrated interdisciplinary approach as appropriate to 
topic--10 pts
    (7) Formative and summative evaluation strategy contributing to 
further development of improved distance education programming--10 pts
    (8) Degree to which project is an integrated and innovative 
approach to meet an identified high priority need--10 pts
    In addition, preference will be given proposals that:
    (1) are submitted by institutions affiliated with an established 
agricultural telecommunications network that distributes programs to a 
wide geographical area; or
    (2) demonstrate the need for such assistance, taking into 
consideration the relative needs of all applicants and the financial 
ability of the applicants to otherwise secure or create the 
telecommunications system.

(c) Proposal Disposition

    When the peer review panel has completed its deliberations, the 
USDA program coordinator, based on the recommendations of the peer 
review panel, will recommend to the Awarding Official that the project 
be (a) approved for support from currently available funds or (b) 
declined due to insufficient funds or unfavorable review.
    USDA reserves the right to negotiate with the Project Director and/
or the submitting entity regarding project revisions (e.g., reductions 
in scope of work), funding level, or period of support prior to 
recommending any project for funding.
    A proposal may be withdrawn at any time before a final funding 
decision is made. One copy of each proposal that is not selected for 
funding (including those that are withdrawn) will be retained by USDA 
for one year and remaining copies will be destroyed.

Supplementary Information

(a) Federal Assistance Awards

    Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding 
official shall make awards to those responsible, eligible applicants 
whose proposals are judged most meritorious under the evaluation 
criteria and procedures set forth in these solicitation and application 
guidelines.
    The date specified by the awarding official as the beginning of the 
project period shall be not later than September 30, 1994.
    All funds awarded under the Program shall be expended solely for 
the purpose for which the funds are awarded in accordance with the 
approved application and budget, the terms and conditions of any 
resulting award, the applicable Federal cost principles, and the 
Department's Federal assistance regulations.

(b) Obligation of the Federal Government

    Neither the approval of any application nor the award of any 
Federal assistance commits or obligates the United States in any way to 
provide further support of a project or any portion thereof.

(c) Applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations That Apply

    Federal statutes and regulations that apply to Federal assistance 
proposals considered for review or grants awarded under the Program 
include, but are not limited to, the following:

7 CFR part 1b--USDA Implementation of the National Environmental Policy 
Act;
7 CFR part 3--USDA Implementation of OMB Circular A-129 regarding debt 
collection;
7 CFR part 1.1--USDA Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act;
7 CFR part 15, Subpart A--USDA Implementation of title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964;
7 CFR part 3015--USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations, 
implementing OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A-110, A-21, and A-
122) and incorporating provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6310-6308 (formerly, the 
Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, P.L. 95-224), as 
well as general policy requirements applicable to recipients of 
Departmental financial assistance;
7 CFR part 3016--USDA Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments;
7 CFR part 3017, as amended--USDA Implementation of Governmentwide 
Debarment and Suspension (nonprocurement) and Governmentwide 
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants);
7 CFR part 3018--USDA Implementation of New Restrictions on Lobbying. 
Imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification 
related to lobbying on recipients of Federal contracts, grants, 
cooperative agreements, and loans;
7 CFR part 3051--Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other 
Nonprofit Institutions (58 Fed. Reg. 41,410 [August 3, 1993]), 
implementing OMB Circular A-133, ``Audits of Institutions of Higher 
Education and Other Nonprofit Institutions'';
29 U.S.C. 794, Section 504--Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and 7 CFR part 
15B (USDA implementation of the statute), prohibiting discrimination 
based upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs; 
and,
35 U.S.C. 200, et seq.--Bayh-Dole Act controlling allocation of rights 
to inventions made by employees of small business firms and domestic 
nonprofit organizations, including universities, in Federally assisted 
programs (implementing regulations are contained in 37 CFR part 401).
John S. Bottum,
Acting Associate Administrator, Extension Service.
[FR Doc. 94-12003 Filed 5-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-09-M