[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 27 (Thursday, February 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4802-4804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2642]



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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


The Federal Demonstration Project; Phase III Solicitation

AGENCIES: National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, 
Office of Naval Research, Department of Energy, Department of 
Agriculture, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Army Research 
Office, Army Medical Research & Material Command, National Aeronautics 
& Space Administration, Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces a solicitation to participate in Phase 
III of the Federal Demonstration Project (FDP), to test innovative 
approaches to streamline processes and systems for Federally supported 
research and education. FDP Phase III constitutes the continuation of 
the Florida Demonstration Project Phase I which ran from 1986 through 
1988, and the Federal Demonstration Project Phase II which began in 
September 1988 and will conclude in June, 1996.

DATES: Proposals must be received by C.O.B. on March 20, 1996 (see 
section entitled ``Proposal Submission and Deadline'') Evaluation and 
selection of organizations will be completed about May 1, 1996. Project 
organization and execution of Phase II agreements will be completed 
about June 15, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ann Datko, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 202-401-4921, 
A[email protected];
Geoffrey Grant, NIH, 301-435-0538, [email protected];
Harry Haraldsen, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, 202-767-4990, 
[email protected];
Robert Hardy, NSF, 703-306-1240, [email protected];
Richard Kall, NASA 202-358-0459, [email protected];
Charles Paoletti, ONR, 703-696-4606, [email protected];
Dan Shackelford, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, 301-
619-7216,
Dan__S[email protected];
John Showman, EPA, 202-260-6580, [email protected];
Larry Travis, Army Research Office, 919-549-4310, 
[email protected];
Jean Morrow, DOE, 301-903-2452, [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In April, 1986 NSF, NIH, ONR, DOE and USDA joined with the Florida 
State University System and the University of Miami in a demonstration 
of a standard and simplified research support instrument. This Florida 
Demonstration Project was developed by federal officials with the 
encouragement of the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable 
(GUIRR) of the National Academy of Sciences. This Demonstration tested 
the use of a number of expanded authorities for grants administration 
by research performing organizations. Demonstrations focused on such 
things as eliminating most requirements for federal prior approval of 
certain expenditures so long as pertinent grantee administrative 
systems were adequate and effective and allowing grantees the authority 
to: a) incur pre-award costs up to 90 days before the effective date of 
a grant, b) extend the period of the grant for up to one year with no 
additional funds, and c) carry forward balances from one budget period 
to the next. Based on the results of Phase I, OMB authorized expansion 
of the Demonstration in May, 1988.
    FDP Phase II began in September, 1988 with 21 educational 
institutions or consortia and 10 federal agencies. Initially, seven 
task groups comprised of representatives from participating 
institutions and federal agencies were formed and charged with 
developing models for administrative reform in a 

[[Page 4803]]
variety of areas. A uniform set of policies and procedures for 
administration of research grants, a simplified continuation 
application process and elimination of equipment screening were some of 
FDP Phase II successes. In addition, during Phase II FDP responded to 
an OMB request to prepare a report on the possibility and practicality 
of direct charging facility costs to grants. FDP Phase II was 
recognized in the National Performance Review as the model for testing 
more efficient ways for federal agencies to interact with grantee 
institutions.

Purpose of Scope

    The purpose of this solicitation is to provide a mechanism to 
expand the scope of and broaden the participation in the current 
Federal Demonstration Project. The primary focus of this new phase of 
the FDP will be to serve as the central test bed for demonstration of 
reengineered processes and systems for federal support of research and 
education. Emphasis will be placed on electronic research 
administration and demonstrations that provide administrative relief 
for faculty researchers. Primary goals continue to be increased 
productivity, increased stewardship, and decreased administrative 
burden.

Organization of Phase III and Phase III Activities

    The primary forum within the FDP Phase III for interaction among 
all the participants will continue to be the Committee of the Whole. 
Each non-federal member institution or organization will designate a 
minimum of two representatives (one administrator and one investigator) 
to the Committee of the Whole. Similarly, each federal agency 
participating in the FDP Phase III will designate two representatives 
(policy/administrative/business and program manager). Additional 
institutional/agency representatives may attend and participate in 
meetings as observers, as may representatives from affiliate membership 
groups. The Committee of the Whole will meet at least once a year.
    In addition to the Committee of the Whole, a Steering Committee 
will meet at least three times a year. The Steering Committee will 
receive and approve recommendations for new demonstrations, progress 
and evaluation reports on demonstrations and pilots, and approve the 
conveying of recommendations to the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy. The Steering Committee will also be responsible for 
establishing task forces and assigning their membership, developing 
position papers, reviewing and approving additional affiliate 
membership requests and membership terminations, and undertaking other 
activities consistent with FDP objectives. All member federal agencies 
will be represented on the Steering Committee. Depending on the number 
of non-federal members, participation may include one representative 
from each institution or a representative group of institutional 
representatives whose membership would rotate, offering each 
institution membership on the Steering Committee for a set period.
    An Executive Committee, consisting of two institutional Steering 
Committee members, two federal agency representatives, a GUIRR 
representative, and a senior federal science official will meet on an 
as needed basis and will be empowered to take necessary actions on 
behalf of the Committee of the Whole and/or Steering Committee. It will 
also develop meeting agendas, monitor task force progress, identify 
opportunities for new demonstrations, and act as liaison for the FDP 
with other groups and individuals. The Steering Committee will appoint 
members to the Executive Committee annually except for the senior 
federal science official who will be selected from, and named by, the 
Research Roundtable Council and will have an indefinite term of 
service.
    The GUIRR of the National Academy complex will continue to function 
as a neutral convenor for the FDP, and will provide the executive 
secretariat. It will continue to facilitate meetings and discussions of 
the Committee of the Whole and Steering Committee, and the 
contributions of the FDP to federal policy-making.
    The federal agency working group will continue to be comprised of 
representatives of the federal agency Steering Committee members. The 
group will convene periodically to form a consensus about proposed 
demonstrations and pilots they are willing to test, as well as new or 
revised FDP terms and conditions.
    The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) will be the 
focal point within the federal government to receive, review and 
implement as appropriate recommendations emanating from FDP activities.

Eligibility

    This solicitation is open to all institutions and organizations 
other than state and local governments that undertake research or 
educational activities supported with federal funds through a grant or 
cooperative agreement mechanism, provided such organizations have 
received at least $1,000,000 of such federal support over the past two 
years. Existing FDP member institutions and organizations who have 
maintained active participation in the current Phase II of the FDP will 
be admitted to Phase III upon execution of a memorandum of agreement 
(see below) by an appropriate senior official of the organization. 
Consortia of federal research or education performing institutions or 
organizations are not eligible to participate in Phase III of the FDP, 
with the exception of central system offices of statewide university 
systems and non-profit foundations that serve as legal agents for 
otherwise eligible institutions (e.g. university research foundations). 
In such cases participation of individual member institutions in the 
FDP is strongly encouraged. Existing member institutions of FDP Phase 
II consortia will be admitted to Phase III upon execution of the 
memorandum of agreement.
    The selection of organizations for Phase III of the FDP is intended 
to be broadly representative of the federal research and education 
performing community, including large and small public and private 
colleges and universities (including predominantly undergraduate 
institutions and HBCUs), non-profit research and education 
organizations (including science museums), hospitals, and profit-making 
organizations. every effort will be made to ensure broad representation 
by type, size, extent of federal support, geographic location and other 
characteristics. However, no commitment is made to select either a 
minimum number of organizations or to ensure representation by 
organization type or other characteristics.
    Expressions of interest in affiliate membership status by groups 
such as professional associations of researchers, educators or research 
and education administrators, scientific societies, and other such 
groups are encouraged. While such groups are not eligible for full FDP 
membership, their representatives may attend FDP meetings as observers 
and otherwise participate as appropriate in FDP activities. Affiliate 
membership status for smaller institutions or organizations unable to 
commit to the conditions for full FDP participation (see below) also 
will be considered.

Participation Conditions

    As a condition for participation in Phase III, the selected 
organizations will be required to agree to the following conditions:
    1. Establishment and maintenance of management and administrative 

[[Page 4804]]
    procedures and systems that comply with the standards and requirements 
of the federal government for administering federal awards for research 
and education (including lack of material weaknesses in internal 
control structures as confirmed by applicable audit requirements and 
substantial compliance with federal policies and regulations pertaining 
to grant administration, such as timely technical, invention and 
financial reporting).
    2. Agreement to actively participate in the FDP, including regular 
attendance, at institutional expense, of FDP committee and task force 
meetings, and participation in new or ongoing FDP demonstrations and 
pilots. Failure to attend two or more consecutive regularly-scheduled 
FDP committee meetings will be grounds for termination of membership.
    3. Commitment to continued efforts to reengineer and streamline 
internal processes while enhancing the stewardship of federal support 
and to provide a report to the FDP membership at least every two years 
on these efforts.
    4. Execution of a memorandum of agreement confirming the above, and 
setting forth certain additional understandings and requirements (copy 
of draft agreement will be furnished on request and may also be 
accessed electronically via the NSF Home Page on the World-Wide Web). 
Federal agencies currently participating in the FDP have agreed that 
agency grants and cooperative agreements to FDP member institutions and 
organizations (excluding affiliate members) will be governed by the 
``FDP Terms and Conditions'' (unless otherwise required). During Phase 
III they are expected to use the FDP as the primary focus for tests and 
demonstrations of reengineered processes and systems for the support of 
research and education. Additional federal agencies may be admitted to 
the FDP upon agreement to these conditions.

What To Submit

    Proposing organizations must submit ten (10) copies of a brief 
proposal (not to exceed 5 pages). The proposal must be signed by a 
senior official authorized to commit the organization in such matters 
(in the case of educational institutions Provost level or higher). It 
must cover the following:
    1. Description of existing and planned efforts by the proposing 
institution/organization to reengineer and improve the effectiveness of 
systems for administration of federal support.
    2. Description of possible Phase III demonstration and pilot 
projects including significance of the administrative problem or burden 
to be addressed, suggested methods/approaches, ways to assess the 
impact on productivity, and expected benefits.
    3. Identification of primary institutional/organizational 
representatives including their background and qualifications. One of 
the outcomes of Phase II is a recognition of the need for greater 
participation in FDP activities by principal investigators and project 
directors of Federally supported research and education activities. 
Therefore proposing organizations should identify both administrative 
and principal investigator/project director representatives and 
indicate their commitment to participate in FDP activities. (It is 
expected that each FDP Phase III member organization will designate two 
representatives).
    4. Indication of the proposing organization's top management 
commitment to reengineer administrative processes and systems, and 
willingness and commitment to fully participate in FDP activities.
    This section also should include a brief summary of the 
organization's characteristics: type of institution/organization, size, 
Federal R&D/education funding for fiscal years 1994 and 1995, by year 
and funding agency, etc.

Selection Criteria

    1. Evaluation and assessment of existing reengineering activities 
of the organization in the area of administrative processes and systems 
and organizational commitment to same.
    2. Significance of proposed demonstrations and pilot projects and 
the extent to which suggested methods and approaches clearly show 
potential to achieve the results sought.
    3. Commitment of individuals proposed as lead organizational 
representatives and their experience and leadership in improving 
administration of federal support.
    4. Evidence of organizational and top management commitment to full 
participation in Phase III. In additional to the above, equally 
weighted criteria, consideration will be given to achieving an 
appropriate representation of organizations, including organization 
type, size, extent of federal support, geographic location, etc.

Evaluation of Proposals and Selection Process

    Evaluation of proposals will be carried out by the Standing FDP 
Committee on Membership, which is comprised of federal agency 
officials, representatives of current FDP member institutions, and 
GUIRR representatives. The Membership Committee will make the final 
selection in consultation with the Executive Committee of the FDP.

Proposal Submission and Deadlines

    Ten copies of the organization's proposal must be received by 
C.O.B. March 20, 1996 at the Government--University--Industry Research 
Roundtable, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of 
Engineering, Institute of Medicine, 2101 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20410. Attention: FDP

Selection and Schedule

    Evaluation and selection of organizations will be completed about 
May 1, 1996. Project organization and execution of Phase III agreements 
will be completed about June 15, 1996.

    Dated: February 2, 1996.
Robert B. Hardy,
Director, Division of Contracts, Policy and Oversight.
[FR Doc. 96-2642 Filed 2-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M