[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 68 (Friday, April 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18852-18863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8643]



[[Page 18851]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part V





Department of Agriculture





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service



-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants 
Program--Water Quality: Request for Proposals and Request for Input; 
Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 68 / Friday, April 7, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 18852]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants 
Program--Water Quality: Request for Proposals and Request for Input

AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals and request for input.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension 
Service (CSREES) announces the availability of grant funds and requests 
proposals for the Integrated Research, Education, and Extension 
Competitive Grants Program--Water Quality for fiscal year (FY) 2000 to 
support integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, extension, 
and education activities that address water quality priorities in 
United States agriculture. The amount available for support of this 
program in FY 2000 is approximately $12,400,000.
    This notice sets out the objectives for these projects, the 
eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, the application 
procedures, and the set of instructions needed to apply for a Water 
Quality grant under this authority.
    By this notice, CSREES additionally solicits stakeholder input from 
any interested party regarding the FY 2000 Integrated Research, 
Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program--Water Quality for 
use in the development of any future requests for proposals for this 
program.

DATES: Proposals must be transmitted by June 6, 2000, as indicated by 
the postmark or date on courier bill of lading. Proposals transmitted 
after this date will not be considered for funding. Comments regarding 
this request for proposals are requested within six months from the 
issuance of this notice. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: The address for hand-delivered proposals or proposals 
submitted using an express mail or overnight courier service is: 
Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants 
Program--Water Quality; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of 
Agriculture; Room 303, Aerospace Center; 901 D Street, SW; Washington, 
DC 20024.
    Proposals sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be sent to the 
following address: Integrated Research, Education, and Extension 
Competitive Grants Program--Water Quality; Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 
2245; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2245.
    Written user comments should be submitted by first-class mail to: 
Policy and Program Liaison Staff; Office of Extramural Programs; USDA-
CSREES; STOP 2299; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 
20250-2299; or via e-mail to: [email protected]. In your comments, 
please include the name of the program and the fiscal year of the RFP 
to which you are responding.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Applicants and other interested parties are 
encouraged to contact Dr. Timothy C. Strickland; Water Quality Chair; 
Natural Resources and Environment Unit; Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 
2210; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250-2210; 
telephone: (202) 205-5952; fax: (202) 401-1706; email: 
[email protected] or Dr. Raymond Knighton; National Program 
Leader; Natural Resources and Environment Unit; Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of 
Agriculture; STOP 2210; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, 
D.C. 20250-2210; telephone: (202) 401-6417; fax: (202) 401-1706; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   

Table of Contents

Stakeholder Input

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Part I--General Information
    A. Legislative Authority and Background
    B. Purpose, Priorities, and Fund Availability
    C. Definitions
    D. Eligibility
    E. Matching Requirements
    F. Funding Restrictions
    G. Types of Grant Instruments
    H. Funding Mechanisms
Part II--Program Description
    A. Project Types
    B. Program Area Description
    C. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements
Part III--Preparation of a Proposal
    A. Program Application Materials
    B. Content of Proposals
    C. Submission of Proposals
    D. Acknowledgment of Proposals
Part IV--Review Process
    A. General
    B. Evaluation Factors
    C. Conflicts-of-Interest and Confidentiality
Part V--Additional Information
    A. Access to Review Information
    B. Grant Awards
    C. Use of Funds; Changes
    D. Applicable Federal Statues and Regulations
    E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards
    F. Regulatory Information

Stakeholder Input

    CSREES is soliciting comments regarding this solicitation of 
applications from any interested party. These comments will be 
considered in the development of any future RFP for the program. Such 
comments will be forwarded to the Secretary or his designee for use in 
meeting the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7613(c)(2)). This section requires the Secretary to solicit and 
consider input on a current RFP from persons who conduct or use 
agricultural research, education and extension for use in formulating 
future RFPs for competitive programs. Comments should be submitted as 
provided for in the ADDRESSES and DATES portions of this Notice.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under 10.303, Integrated Research, Education, and Extension 
Competitive Grants Program.

Part I--General Information

A. Legislative Authority and Background

    Section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) (7 U.S.C. 7626) authorized the Secretary of 
Agriculture to establish a research, education, and extension 
competitive grants program to provide funding for integrated, 
multifunctional agricultural research, extension, and education 
activities. Subject to the availability of appropriations to carry out 
this program, the Secretary may award grants to colleges and 
universities (as defined by 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) (7 U.S.C. 3103)) 
on a competitive basis for integrated research, education, and 
extension projects. Grants are to be awarded to address priorities in 
United States agriculture that involve integrated research, education, 
and extension activities as determined by the Secretary in consultation 
with the National

[[Page 18853]]

Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory 
Board.
    On November 19, 1999, the Secretary published in the Federal 
Register [64 FR 63560] a notice that the administration of this grant 
program had been delegated to the Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). This notice also solicited 
public comment from persons who use or conduct research, extension, or 
education regarding the priorities to be addressed by this new program. 
In addition, this notice announced a public meeting to obtain comments 
to use in developing the proposed rule and requests for proposals for 
this new grant program. The public meeting was held on December 6, 
1999. All the comments and the official transcript of the meeting have 
been made available for review on the CSREES web page (http://www.reeusda.gov/integrated/). This RFP was developed in consultation 
with the Advisory Board. In addition, the comments and testimonies from 
the December 6, 1999, public meeting were considered in the formulation 
of this RFP.
    The entire program is funded in FY 2000 at $37,637,702 (after 
deduction for administrative expenses) for the following integrated 
activities: Water Quality ($12,374,115), Food Safety ($14,277,277), 
Pesticide Impact Assessment ($4,322,310), Crops at Risk from Food 
Quality and Protection Act (FQPA) Implementation ($952,000), FQPA Risk 
Mitigation Program for Major Food Crop Systems ($3,808,000), and Methyl 
Bromide Transition Program ($1,904,000). There will be three RFP's for 
this program. The Water Quality and Food Safety Programs will each have 
a separate RFP, while the latter four programs will be announced as one 
RFP. This notice announces and describes the Water Quality component of 
the Program.
    CSREES will administer the Integrated Research, Education, and 
Extension Competitive Grants Program by determining priorities in 
United States agriculture through Agency stakeholder input processes 
and in consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board. Each RFP for the different 
program areas (i.e., Water Quality, Food Safety, etc.) will be 
developed each fiscal year based on these established priorities and 
the resulting determined approaches to solving these critical 
agricultural issues. Although this overall grant program seeks to solve 
critical agricultural issues through an integration of research, 
education, and extension activities, a component of a RFP, depending on 
the priority being addressed and/or the stage at which the priority is 
being addressed, may request proposals that are research, education, or 
extension only, or a combination thereof. However, the overall 
overarching approach to solving the critical agricultural issue, 
priority, or problem will be through an integration of research, 
education, and extension activities within each individual program 
area.

B. Purpose, Priorities, and Fund Availability

    The CSREES Water Quality Program is being enhanced by the 
establishment of a new water quality program authorized under section 
406 of AREERA for an Integrated Research, Education, and Extension 
Competitive Grants Program. This program will bring university 
scientists, instructors, and extension educators into more effective 
and efficient partnerships with Federal interagency priority programs 
in addressing water quality issues in U.S. agriculture. This program 
will also provide the flexibility necessary for CSREES to bring the 
resources of researchers, instructors, and extension educators to 
national initiatives and programmatic partnerships that target evolving 
water quality needs.
    The Water Quality Program is targeted directly to the 
identification and resolution of agriculturally-related degradation of 
water quality. Proposals are sought that will provide watershed-based 
information that can be used to: Assess sources of water quality 
impairment in targeted watersheds; develop and/or recommend options for 
continued improvement of water quality in targeted watersheds; and 
evaluate the relative costs and benefits associated with cleanup from 
all responsible sectors (e.g., farming, processing, urban runoff, 
municipal waste treatment, etc.). The program will favor proposals that 
have a clear problem statement and that are ``place-based.'' ``Place-
based'' means that the proposers have identified a specific location 
where the work is to be conducted so that the results and implications 
of the work conducted can be associated with a specific, geo-referenced 
location. Categories of water quality needs that have been identified, 
both individually by USDA and in partnership with other Federal 
programs, include:

--Development and implementation of voluntary approaches that will 
enable producers to comply with newly developing Federal and State 
Total Maximum Daily Load regulations for non-point source pollutants.
--Coordination of targeted research, education, and extension 
activities to minimize any adverse impacts that agricultural, forest, 
and range management practices; food and agricultural product 
processing; and/or livestock production systems may have on the 
Nation's water quality.
--Applied research evaluating the efficacy of currently recommended 
management practices and strategies to improve water quality.
--Evaluation and error assessment of currently available data sets 
being used for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based decision-
support models for watershed management.
--Projects supporting the pilot activities of the National Science and 
Technology Council's National Environmental Monitoring Initiative. This 
initiative seeks to integrate the Nation's environmental monitoring and 
related research networks and programs. For more information, see 
(http://www.epa.gov/cludygxb/Pubs/factsheet.html).
--Development and validation of cost-effective means to reduce the 
contribution of agriculture to the development of harmful algal blooms 
and hypoxic conditions in coastal systems.
--Development and validation of cost-effective means to reduce the 
contribution of animal and food processing wastes to water quality 
degradation.
--Documenting the coincident status and trends of multiple resources 
and related water quality, demographic, and socioeconomic condition; 
relating status and trends to human and natural causes and 
consequences; predicting future trajectories and rates of change; 
assessing associated uncertainties; and identifying data, information 
and research needed to reduce future uncertainties.
--Evaluation of the efficacy of USDA conservation programs' 
implementation.
--Projects addressing the Action Items identified in the President's 
Clean Water Action Plan (February 1998), see (http://www.cleanwater.gov/) for more information.

    There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular proposal or 
to make a specific number of awards. Approximately $12.4 million will 
be available to fund proposals in FY 2000. Proposals are being 
solicited in each of four component areas: National Facilitation 
proposals, Regional Water Quality Coordination proposals,

[[Page 18854]]

Extension Education proposals, and Integrated Research, Education, and 
Extension proposals.

C. Definitions

    For the purpose of awarding grants under this program, the 
following definitions are applicable:
    (1) Administrator means the Administrator of the Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) and any other 
officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved my 
be delegated.
    (2) Authorized departmental officer means the Secretary or any 
employee of the Department who has the authority to issue or modify 
grant instruments on behalf of the Secretary.
    (3) Authorized organizational representative means the president or 
chief executive officer of the applicant organization or the official, 
designated by the president or chief executive officer of the applicant 
organization, who has the authority to commit the resources of the 
organization.
    (4) Budget period means the interval of time (usually 12 months) 
into which the project period is divided for budgetary and reporting 
purposes.
    (5) Cash contributions means the applicant's cash outlay, including 
the outlay of money contributed to the applicant by non-Federal third 
parties.
    (6) Department or USDA means the United States Department of 
Agriculture.
    (7) Education activity means formal classroom instruction, 
laboratory instruction, and practicum experience in the food and 
agricultural sciences and other related matters such as faculty 
development, student recruitment and services, curriculum development, 
instructional materials and equipment, and innovative teaching 
methodologies.
    (8) Extension activity means an act or process that delivers 
science-based knowledge and informal educational programs to people, 
enabling them to make practical decisions.
    (9) Grant means the award by the Secretary of funds to an eligible 
organization or individual to assist in meeting the costs of 
conducting, for the benefit of the public, an identified project which 
is intended and designed to accomplish the purpose of the program as 
identified in these guidelines.
    (10) Grantee means an organization designated in the grant award 
document as the responsible legal entity to which a grant is awarded.
    (11) Integrated means to bring the three components of the 
agricultural knowledge system (research, education, and extension) 
together around a problem area or activity.
    (12) Matching means that portion of allowable project costs not 
borne by the Federal Government, including the value of in-kind 
contributions.
    (13) Peer review means an evaluation of a proposed project for 
scientific or technical quality and relevance performed by experts with 
the scientific knowledge and technical skills to conduct the proposed 
work or to give expert advice on the merits of a proposal.
    (14) Principal investigator/Project director means the single 
individual designated by the grantee in the grant application and 
approved by the Secretary who is responsible for the direction and 
management of the project.
    (15) Prior approval means written approval evidencing prior consent 
by an authorized departmental officer as defined in (2) above.
    (16) Project means the particular activity within the scope of the 
program supported by a grant award.
    (17) Project period means the period, as stated in the award 
document and modifications thereto, if any, during which Federal 
sponsorship begins and ends.
    (18) Research activity means a scientific investigation or inquiry 
that results in the generation of knowledge.
    (19) Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other 
officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved 
may be delegated.
    (20) Third party in-kind contributions means non-cash contributions 
of property or services provided by non-Federal third parties, 
including real property, equipment, supplies and other expendable 
property, directly benefitting and specifically identifiable to a 
funded project or program.
    (21) Total integrated, multifunctional research, education, and 
extension approach means that the combination of grants (although the 
individual grants may involve only research, education, or extension 
activities or a combination thereof) awarded under the fiscal year's 
program components will work together to address the priorities in 
United States agriculture as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture 
in consultation with the Advisory Board, that involve integrated 
research, extension, and education activities.

D. Eligibility

    Proposals may be submitted by colleges and universities as defined 
in section 1404 of the National Agricultural research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA). The terms ``college'' and 
``university'' mean an educational institution in any State which (1) 
admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of 
graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the 
recognized equivalent of such a certificate, (2) is legally authorized 
within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary 
education, (3) provides an educational program for which a bachelor's 
degree or any other higher degree is awarded, (4) is a public or other 
nonprofit institution, and (5) is accredited by a nationally recognized 
accrediting agency or association. Although an applicant may be 
eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are 
factors which may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial 
and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., 
debarment or suspension of an individual involved or a determination 
that an applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational 
management information). Eligible applicants may subcontract to 
organizations not eligible under these requirements.
    Please note that a research foundation maintained by a college or 
university is not eligible to receive an award under this program.

E. Matching Requirements

1. General Requirement
    If a grant provides a particular benefit to a specific agricultural 
commodity, the grant recipient is required to provide funds or in-kind 
support to match the amount of the grant funds provided. See section 
10. c. on ``Matching Funds'' under Part III, B, ``Content of 
Proposals'' for more details.
2. Waiver
    CSREES may waive the matching funds requirement specified in the 
above paragraph for a grant if CSREES determines that (a) the results 
of the project, while of particular benefit to a specific agricultural 
commodity, are likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities 
generally; or (b) the project involves a minor commodity, the project 
deals with scientifically important research, and the grant recipient 
is unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.

F. Funding Restrictions

    CSREES has determined that grant funds awarded under this authority 
may not be used for the renovation or refurbishment of research, 
education, or extension space; the purchase or

[[Page 18855]]

installation of fixed equipment in such space; or the planning, repair, 
rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of buildings or 
facilities.

G. Types of Grant Instruments

    In FY 2000 all projects will be awarded using a ``New Grant'' 
instrument. In future years, projects under the Integrated Research, 
Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program authority can be 
awarded using one of the grant instruments described below:
    (1) New grant. This is a grant instrument by which the Department 
agrees to support a specified level of effort for a project that 
generally has not been supported previously under this program. This 
type of grant is approved on the basis of peer review recommendations.
    (2) Renewal grant. This is a grant instrument by which the 
Department agrees to provide additional funding for a project period 
beyond that approved in an original or amended award, provided that the 
cumulative period does not exceed the statutory limitation. When a 
renewal application is submitted, it should include a summary of 
progress to date from the previous granting period. A renewal grant 
shall be based upon new application, de novo peer review and staff 
evaluation, new recommendation and approval, and a new award 
instrument.
    (3) Supplemental grant. This is an instrument by which the 
department agrees to provide small amounts of additional funding under 
a new or renewal grant as specified above and may involve a short-term 
(usually six months or less) extension of the project period beyond 
that approved in an original or amended award, but in no case may the 
cumulative period for the project exceed the statutory limitation. A 
supplement is awarded only if required to assure adequate completion of 
the original scope of work and if there is sufficient justification to 
warrant such action. A request of this nature normally will not require 
additional peer review.

H. Funding Mechanisms

    The two mechanisms by which new, renewal, and supplemental grants 
shall be awarded are as follows:
    (1) Standard grant. This is a funding mechanism whereby the 
Department agrees to support a specified level of effort for a 
predetermined time period without the announced intention of providing 
additional support at a future date.
    (2) Continuation grant. This is a funding mechanism whereby the 
Department agrees to support a specified level of effort for a 
predetermined period of time with a statement of intention to provide 
additional support at a future date, provided that performance has been 
satisfactory, appropriations are available for this purpose, and 
continued support will be in the best interests of the Federal 
government and the public. This kind of mechanism normally will be 
awarded for an initial one-year period, and any subsequent continuation 
project grants will be awarded in one-year increments. The award of a 
continuation project grant to fund an initial or succeeding budget 
period does not constitute an obligation to fund any subsequent budget 
period. Unless prescribed otherwise by CSREES, a grantee must submit a 
separate application for continued support for each subsequent fiscal 
year. Requests for such continued support must be submitted in 
duplicate at least three months prior to the expiration date of the 
budget period currently being funded. Decisions regarding continued 
support and the actual funding levels of such support in future years 
usually will be made administratively after consideration of such 
factors as the grantee's progress and management practices and the 
availability of funds. Since initial peer reviews are based upon the 
full term and scope of the original application, additional evaluations 
of this type generally are not required prior to successive years' 
support. However, in unusual cases (e.g., when the nature of the 
project or key personnel change or when the amount of future support 
requested substantially exceeds the grant application originally 
reviewed and approved), additional reviews may be required prior to 
approving continued funding.

Part II--Program Description

A. Project Types

    Approximately $1,000,000 is available for National Facilitation 
proposals. The maximum total award is $400,000, with an annual funding 
limitation of $100,000. The project period may be one to four years in 
duration. It is anticipated that two to five grants will be awarded in 
this program component.
    Approximately $5,000,000 is available for Regional Water Quality 
Coordination proposals. Projects will be supported at expected levels 
of up to $650,000 per year/per region for up to four years. Projects 
involving more than one region may be considered for larger funding. 
CSREES expects that some regions will request less funding due to a 
smaller number of states within the region. It is anticipated that ten 
grants will be awarded in this program component.
    Approximately $1,400,000 is available for Extension Education 
proposals. The maximum total award is $300,000, with an annual funding 
limitation of $100,000. The project period may be one to three years in 
duration. It is anticipated that 12-15 grants will be awarded in this 
program component.
    Approximately $3,600,000 is available for Integrated Research, 
Education and Extension proposals. The maximum total award is $600,000, 
with an annual funding limitation of $200,000. The project period may 
be one to three years in duration. It is anticipated that 5-15 grants 
will be awarded in this program component.
    Applications received in any of the aforementioned program areas 
should include budgets commensurate with the activities proposed. 
Grants awarded under the Program Description Areas of National 
Facilitation, Extension Education, and Integrated Research, Education, 
and Extension (as described in this RFP) will be issued as ``New 
Grant'' instruments and will be awarded as ``Standard Grants.'' Grants 
awarded under the Program Area Description of Regional Water Quality 
Coordination (as described in this RFP) will be issued as ``New Grant'' 
instruments and may be awarded as ``Continuation Grants.''

B. Program Area Description

1. National Facilitation Proposals (Program Area 110.1)
(Maximum award: $100,000/year for up to four years). 

    Proposals are invited for projects that develop and initiate 
nationally coordinated programs that will contribute to an increase in 
public understanding and involvement in community decision-making and 
that facilitate the development of public policy on water resources 
issues. Because protection of local watersheds and aquifers often 
requires community-based actions, decisions about land use, land 
management practices, waste water management alternatives for areas 
without sewers, storm water controls, and the protection and 
restoration of riparian zones are critical to individual and public 
planning. All proposals are required to include specific, measurable 
accomplishments for each project year and a projected time-line. While 
it is not required that projects be fully independent within the 4-year 
project period, it is expected that the timeline will culminate in the 
establishment of an independently supported national coordination 
effort.

[[Page 18856]]

    This component of the CSREES Water Quality Program seeks to provide 
a common base of knowledge in support of individuals and communities 
grappling to formulate public policy and management strategies that 
will allow growth and increased profitability while protecting the 
water resource. Projects will be supported that facilitate the 
appropriate application of tools and techniques (i.e., Geographic 
Information Systems, decision support systems, remote sensing, economic 
analysis, and world wide web technologies) to strengthen awareness of 
the water quality impacts of current and proposed land use activities 
by both community decision-makers and individual property owners. These 
tools can also be used to target specific problems and locations in 
need of additional attention. Projects should contribute to an increase 
in community partnerships and networks that develop solutions to 
particular concerns identified through the projects and in response to 
increased citizen awareness of local issues. The result will be more 
citizen involvement, wider dispersal of information, and more rational 
analysis of environmental decisions in the community and the nation. 
Metadata and accomplishment reports should be delivered annually to the 
appropriate regional coordination group (see Regional Water Quality 
Coordination Proposals below).
2. Regional Water Quality Coordination Proposals (Program Area 110.2)
(Maximum award: $650,000 per year/per region for up to four years. 
Projects involving more than one region may be considered for larger 
funding. CSREES expects that some regions will request less funding due 
to a smaller number of states within the region).

    CSREES invites proposals to ensure the integration of water quality 
efforts within the jurisdiction of each of the ten regions established 
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA Regions are:
    Region 1--Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode 
Island, and Vermont.
    Region 2--New Jersey, New York, and the territories of Puerto Rico 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    Region 3--Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West 
Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
    Region 4--Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
    Region 5--Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and 
Wisconsin.
    Region 6--Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
    Region 7--Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
    Region 8--Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and 
Wyoming.
    Region 9--Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the territories 
of Guam and American Samoa.
    Region 10--Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

Proposals may be submitted for one or any combination of regions.
    This component of the CSREES Water Quality Program is designed to 
make research, education, and extension resources of the university 
system more accessible to Federal, State, and local water quality 
improvement efforts, thus enhancing opportunities for agricultural 
producers and agriculturally impacted communities to adopt voluntary 
approaches for the improvement of water quality. Grantees are expected 
to facilitate the conceptualization and implementation of multi-partner 
efforts that minimize duplication of effort and that leverage multiple 
funding sources into a common collaborative effort. As such, it is 
expected that coordination grantees will initiate partnership 
activities with key water quality efforts in their region. Proposers 
should clearly identify the water quality issues and education, 
extension, and research efforts that are common to the region. A plan 
should be presented that lays out the approaches to be employed for 
regional resource sharing, communication, priority setting, and 
outreach. The proposal should also discuss Federal and State water 
quality activities in the region and present a strategy for 
establishing partnerships with appropriate programs.
    Each proposal must include provision for a regional coordination 
mechanism (whether an individual, a committee, or an office) and for a 
Water Quality Research, Education, and Extension Coordinator in each 
State or Territory in the Region. Regional coordinators will be 
expected to work with CSREES National Program Leaders to provide 
liaison among Federal activities (e.g., U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) Regional Offices, U.S. Geological Survey National Water 
Quality Assessment Program (USGS NAWQA) Coordination Offices, USDA 
Agricultural Research Service(ARS) Regional Offices, USDA Forest 
Service (FS) Regional Offices, National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), etc.), State environmental 
organizations, and the State Water Quality Research, Education, and 
Extension Coordinators within the Region. Successful projects will thus 
provide more efficient development, evaluation, and dissemination of 
information on watershed improvement, management, and monitoring, and 
in the development of comparable watershed sampling protocols, data, 
metadata, and reporting. Provision should be included in the budget 
request for the regional coordinator to participate in monthly 
conference calls as well as a national coordination meeting to be held 
annually in the Washington, D.C. area.
    Each regional project must include a plan for the development and 
maintenance of a georeferenced, watershed-based reporting system. This 
reporting system will serve as the primary vehicle for reporting 
progress and accomplishments of the CSREES Water Quality Program. 
Regional projects are expected: (1) To serve as the repository for the 
reporting of all projects funded on an ad hoc basis by other components 
of the CSREES Water Quality Program; (2) to collaborate in the linkage 
of their databases and reporting systems to other funded regions; (3) 
to periodically conduct water quality needs assessments for the region 
and report on partnerships and progress in water quality improvement; 
(4) to facilitate the incorporation of relevant projects that may 
become funded in the region through CSREES programs (including other 
sections of the Water Quality Program, the National Research 
Initiative, the Animal Waste Center, the Initiative for Future 
Agriculture and Food Systems) or through other federal and state 
programs (e.g., EPA 319, EPA National Center for Environmental Research 
and Quality Assurance (NCERQA), National Science Foundation (NSF), 
NOAA, etc.); and (5) to be compatible with related information sources 
(e.g., USGS NAWQA Program, EPA Know Your Watershed, CSREES Integrated 
Pest Management Program, and the CSREES Pesticide Impact Assessment 
Program, etc.).
3. Extension Education Proposals (Program Area 110.3)
(Maximum award: $100,000/year for one to three years).

    Proposals are invited for Extension Education projects to address 
water quality issues of State or local importance. One mission of the 
CSREES Water Quality Program is to provide leadership in extension 
education that will enable individuals, industry, and government to 
effect changes enhancing and protecting the Nation's water

[[Page 18857]]

resources for the public good. The vision is to be recognized as an 
important and effective partnership providing leadership for water 
quality education to help people, industry, and governments prevent and 
solve current and emerging water quality problems. Proposals for this 
program are expected to address one or more of the seven strategic 
extension priorities of the Water Quality Program (see http://www.reeusda.gov/nre/water/strategi.htm). The seven areas of emphasis 
for the education program are under-served audiences, watersheds and 
aquifers, surface water systems, public policy, individual actions, 
volunteerism,and partnership. All proposals are required to include 
specific, measureable accomplishments for each project year. Metadata 
and accomplishments reports will be delivered annually to the 
appropriate regional coordination group. See ``Regional Water Quality 
Coordination Proposals'' above.
4. Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Proposals (Program 
Area 110.4)
(Maximum award: $200,000/year up to three years).

    Proposals are invited that integrate water quality research, 
education, and extension to solve water quality problems at the whole 
watershed. Proposals should: (a) Identify the cause of water quality 
degradation;
    (b) conduct research filling the gaps that are critical to the 
development of water improvement practices and programs; (c) implement 
watershed-scale improvement programs; (d) evaluate and monitor the 
efficacy of the improvement programs implemented; (e) assess the costs 
and benefits of water quality management practices that are developed; 
and (f) conduct evaluations closing the loop and improving our 
understanding of the drivers of water quality degradation. Each 
proposal is expected to present a fully integrated research, education, 
and extension approach to accomplish the objectives listed in a-f 
above. CSREES also encourages the inclusion of a curriculum development 
component that takes advantage of the integrated watershed activities 
to enhance environmental education at all levels. The proposing 
investigators are expected to justify watershed selection (e.g., the 
level of water quality degradation--chemical, physical, and biological; 
the relative distribution of agricultural, range or forestry land uses 
within the watershed; and/or proximity to coastal resources) and to 
demonstrate capacities for establishing and/or maintaining watershed-
wide partnerships for the project's implementation. Preference will be 
given to proposals that: (1) Demonstrate a substantial potential to 
contribute long term information, existing opportunities for leveraging 
support and cost sharing, and active public and private sector 
participation; (2) take advantage of the participatory educational and 
extension opportunities engendered by the watershed's restoration and 
by its continued management; and/or (3) focus on watersheds where the 
project will better inform policy makers in developing the most 
equitable multistate and/or regional strategies for water quality 
improvement. All proposals are required to include specific, measurable 
accomplishments each project year. Metadata and accomplishments reports 
will be delivered annually to the appropriate regional coordination 
groups. See ``Regional Water Quality Coordination Proposals'' above.

C. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements

    It is expected that outputs from successful projects will include: 
the development of watershed management partnerships, increased 
involvement of community and business sectors in watershed restoration 
and management, enhanced understanding of regionally-appropriate 
watershed management practices, increased coordination and partnership 
between universities and other Federal research and management 
agencies, and the establishment and maintenance of monitoring and 
assessment activities related to the agricultural-water quality 
interface.
    All projects selected for award will be required to deliver 
metadata and annual reports, a final summary report, a bibliography of 
publications and training materials resulting from support, and an 
impacts analysis. All reports will be geo-referenced to the watersheds 
where activities were performed. The final summary report must include 
total funding (Federal, matching and other) and a listing of students 
who worked on the project (report graduate degrees awarded and 
undergraduates trained).
    The grantee must prepare an annual report that details all 
significant activities towards achieving the goals and objectives of 
the project. The narrative should be succinct and be no longer than 10 
pages, using 12-point, single-spaced type. A budget summary should be 
attached to this report, which will provide an overview of all monies 
spent during the reporting period.

Part III--Preparation of a Proposal

A. Program Application Materials

    Program application materials are available at the Integrated 
Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program website 
(http://www.reeusda.gov/integrated/). If you do not have access to our 
web page or have trouble downloading material, you may contact the 
Proposal Services Unit, Office of Extramural Programs, USDA/CSREES at 
(202) 401-5048. When calling the Proposal Services Unit, please 
indicate that you are requesting forms for the Integrated Research, 
Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program--Water Quality. 
These materials may also be requested via Internet by sending a message 
with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and phone number to 
[email protected]. State that you want a copy of the Program Description 
and application materials (orange book) for the Fiscal Year 2000 
Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants 
Program--Water Quality.

B. Content of Proposals

1. General
    The proposal should follow these guidelines, enabling reviewers to 
more easily evaluate the merits of each proposal in a systematic, 
consistent fashion:
    (a) The proposal should be prepared on only one side of the page 
using standard size (8\1/2\" x 11") white paper, one inch margins, 
typed or word processed using no type smaller than 12 point font, and 
single or double spaced. Use an easily readable font face (e.g., 
Geneva, Helvetica, Times Roman).
    (b) Each page of the proposal, including the Project Summary, 
budget pages, required forms, and any appendices, should be numbered 
sequentially.
    (c) The proposal should be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. 
Do not bind. An original and 14 copies (15 total) must be submitted in 
one package, along with 10 copies of the ``Project Summary'' as a 
separate attachment.
    (d) If applicable, proposals should include original illustrations 
(photographs, color prints, etc.) in all copies of the proposal to 
prevent loss of meaning through poor quality reproduction.

2. Cover Page (Form CSREES-661)

    Each copy of each grant proposal must contain an ``Application for 
Funding'', Form CSREES-661. One copy of the application, preferably the 
original, must contain the pen-and-ink

[[Page 18858]]

signature(s) of the proposing principal investigator(s)/project 
director(s)(PI/PD) and the authorized organizational representative who 
possesses the necessary authority to commit the organization's time and 
other relevant resources to the project. Any proposed PI/PD or co-PI/PD 
whose signature does not appear on Form CSREES-661 will not be listed 
on any resulting grant award. Complete both signature blocks located at 
the bottom of the ``Application for Funding'' form.
    Form CSREES-661 serves as a source document for the CSREES grant 
database; it is therefore important that it be completed accurately. 
The following items are highlighted as having a high potential for 
errors or misinterpretations:
    (a) Title of Project (Block 6). The title of the project must be 
brief (80-character maximum), yet represent the major thrust of the 
effort being proposed. Project titles are read by a variety of 
nonscientific people; therefore, highly technical words or phraseology 
should be avoided where possible. In addition, introductory phrases 
such as ``investigation of'' or ``research on'' ``education for'' or 
``outreach that'' should not be used.
    (b) Program to Which You Are Applying (Block 7). ``Integrated 
Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program--Water 
Quality.''
    (c) Program Area and Number (Block 8). The name of the program 
component, e.g. National Facilitation Proposal, 110.1 or Regional Water 
Quality Coordination Proposal, 110.2 should be inserted in this block.
    (d) Type of Award Request (Block 13). Check the block for ``new.''
    (e) Principal Investigator(s)/Project Director(s) (PI/PD) (Block 
15). The designation of excessive numbers of co-PI/PD's creates 
problems during final review and award processing. Listing multiple co-
PI/PDs, beyond those required for genuine collaboration, is therefore 
discouraged. Note that providing a Social Security Number is voluntary, 
but is an integral part of the CSREES information system and will 
assist in the processing of the proposal.
    (f) Type of Performing Organization (Block 18). A check should be 
placed in the box beside the type of organization which actually will 
carry out the effort. For example, if the proposal is being submitted 
by an 1862 Land-Grant Institution but the work will be performed in a 
department, laboratory, or other organizational unit of an agricultural 
experiment station, box ``03'' should be checked. If portions of the 
effort are to be performed in several departments, check the box that 
applies to the individual listed as PI/PD #1 in Block 15.a.
    (g) Other Possible Sponsors (Block 22). List the names or acronyms 
of all other public or private sponsors including other agencies within 
USDA and other programs funded by CSREES to whom your application has 
been or might be sent. In the event you decide to send your application 
to another organization or agency at a later date, you must inform the 
identified CSREES program manager as soon as practicable. Submitting 
your proposal to other potential sponsors will not prejudice its review 
by CSREES; however, duplicate support for the same project will not be 
provided. Complete the ``Application for Funding,'' Form CSREES-661, in 
its entirety.
    (h) One copy of the ``Application for Funding'' form must contain 
the signatures (in ink) of the PI/PD's and authorized organizational 
representative for the applicant organization.
3. Table of Contents
    For consistency and ease in locating information, each proposal 
must contain a detailed Table of Contents just after the cover page. 
The Table of Contents should contain page numbers for each component of 
the proposal. Page numbers should begin with the first page of the 
Project Description.
4. Project Summary
    The proposal must contain a Project Summary of 250 words or less on 
a separate page which should be placed immediately after the Table of 
Contents and should not be numbered. The names and institutions of all 
PI/PD's and co-PI/PD's should be listed on this form, in addition to 
the title of the project. The summary should be a self-contained, 
specific description of the activity to be undertaken and should focus 
on: overall project goal(s) and supporting objectives; plans to 
accomplish project goal(s); and relevance of the project to regional, 
State, or local water quality efforts and/or list of CSREES Water 
Quality Program Priorities listed above. The importance of a concise, 
informative Project Summary cannot be overemphasized. Summaries for 
Regional Water Quality Coordination Proposals should also indicate all 
organizations participating in the effort, the organization that will 
house the database effort, and the mechanism that will be used to 
coordinate between organizations.
5. Project Description
    For Regional Water Quality Coordination and for Integrated 
Research, Education, and Extension proposals, the project description 
may not exceed 15 single- or double-spaced pages of written text and 
may not exceed a total of 20 pages after inclusion of figures and 
tables.
    For National Facilitation and for Extension Education proposals, 
the project description may not exceed 8 single- or double-spaced pages 
of written text and may not exceed a total of ten pages after inclusion 
of figures and tables.
    The project description should include the following:
    a. Introduction and Rationale: Include a clear statement of the 
problems to be addressed and goals expected to be accomplished. 
Describe the supporting objectives; questions; research, education and/
or extension components to be included; and/or partners that will be 
used to accomplish the goal(s) set. If preparing a Regional 
Coordination proposal, describe the current limitations to effective 
regional water quality management and describe the key stakeholders 
that must be included to overcome these limitations.
    b. Approach: 
    (1) Describe the activities to be performed, the means by which 
data and information will be analyzed and interpreted, the methods that 
will be used for information transfer, the methods that will be used to 
evaluate adoption and project impact, and the limitations and pitfalls 
to the approaches selected.
    (2) A plan should be presented for coordination and communication 
between project collaborators.
    (3) A project timeline.
    (4) A description of outcomes and expected deliverables.
    (5) Literature Review. All references cited should be complete, 
including titles and all co-authors, and should conform to an 
acceptable journal format.
    In addition to the above, the National Facilitation and Regional 
Coordination proposals should describe the roles and responsibilities 
of central coordinators and should present a management plan for the 
administration of the project including facilitation of communication, 
planning, and annual report preparation.
6. Appendices to Project Description
    Appendices to the Project Description are allowed if they are 
directly germane to the proposed project and are limited to a total of 
two of the following: reprints (papers that have been

[[Page 18859]]

published in peer reviewed journals) and preprints (manuscripts in 
press for a peer reviewed journal; these must be accompanied by a 
letter of acceptance from the publishing journal).
7. Key Personnel
    All senior personnel who are expected to be involved in the effort 
must be clearly identified. For each person, the following should be 
included:
    a. The roles and responsibilities of each PI/PD and/or collaborator 
should be clearly described;
    b. An estimate of the time commitment involved for each PI/PD and/
or collaborator; and
    c. Vitae of each PI/PD, senior associate, and other professional 
personnel. This section should include vitae of all key persons who are 
expected to work on the project, whether or not CSREES funds are sought 
for their support. The vitae should be limited to two (2) pages each in 
length, excluding publications listings. A chronological list of all 
publications in refereed journals during the past four (4) years, 
including those in press, must be provided for each project member for 
which a curriculum vitae is provided. Also list those non-refereed 
technical publications that have relevance to the proposed project. All 
authors should be listed in the same order as they appear on each paper 
cited, along with the title and complete reference as these usually 
appear in journals.
8. Conflict-of-Interest List
    A Conflict-of-Interest List must be provided for all individuals 
involved in the project (identified as key personnel). Each list should 
be on a separate page and include alphabetically the full names of the 
individuals in the following categories: (a) All collaborators on 
projects within the past four years, including current and planned 
collaborations; (b) all co-authors on publications within the past four 
years, including pending publications and submissions; (c) all persons 
in your field with whom you have had a consulting or financial 
arrangement within the past four years, who stand to gain by seeing the 
project funded; and (d) all thesis or postdoctoral advisees/advisors 
within the past four years (some may wish to call these life-time 
conflicts). This form is necessary to assist program staff in excluding 
from proposal review those individuals who have conflicts-of-interest 
with the personnel in the grant proposal. The Program Director must be 
informed of any additional conflicts-of-interest that arise after the 
proposal is submitted.
9. Collaborative and/or Subcontractual Arrangements
    If it will be necessary to enter into formal consulting or 
collaborative arrangements with others, such arrangements should be 
fully explained and justified. In addition, evidence should be provided 
that the collaborators involved have agreed to render these services. 
If the need for consultant services is anticipated, the proposal 
narrative should provide a justification for the use of such services, 
a statement of work to be performed, and a resume or curriculum vita 
for each consultant. For purposes of proposal development, informal 
day-to-day contacts between key project personnel and outside experts 
are not considered to be collaborative arrangements and thus do not 
need to be detailed.
    All anticipated subcontractual arrangements also should be 
explained and justified in this section. A proposed statement of work 
and a budget for each arrangement involving the transfer of substantive 
programmatic work or the providing of financial assistance to a third 
party must be provided. Agreements between departments or other units 
of your own institution and minor arrangements with entities outside of 
your institution (e.g., requests for outside laboratory analyses) are 
excluded from this requirement.
    If you expect to enter into subcontractual arrangements, please 
note that the provisions contained in 7 CFR Part 3019, USDA Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grant and Other Agreements with 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit 
Organizations, and the general provisions contained in 7 CFR Part 
3015.205, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations, flow down to 
subrecipients. In addition, required clauses from Sections 40-48 
(``Procurement Standards'') and Appendix A (``Contract Provisions'') to 
7 CFR Part 3019 should be included in final contractual documents, and 
it is necessary for the subawardee to make a certification relating to 
debarment/suspension.
10. Budget (Form CSREES-55)
    a. Budget Form. Prepare the budget, Form CSREES-55, in accordance 
with instructions provided. A budget form is required for each year of 
requested support. In addition, a cumulative budget is required 
detailing the requested total support for the overall project period. 
The budget form may be reproduced as needed by applicants. Funds may be 
requested under any of the categories listed on the form, provided that 
the item or service for which support is requested is allowable under 
the authorizing legislation, the applicable Federal cost principles, 
and these program guidelines, and can be justified as necessary for the 
successful conduct of the proposed project. Applicants must also 
include a Budget Narrative to justify their budgets (see section b 
below.)
    The following guidelines should be used in developing your proposal 
budget(s):
    1. Salaries and Wages. Salaries and wages are allowable charges and 
may be requested for personnel who will be working on the project in 
proportion to the time such personnel will devote to the project. If 
salary funds are requested, the number of Senior and Other Personnel 
and the number of CSREES-Funded Work Months must be shown in the spaces 
provided. Grant funds may not be used to augment the total salary or 
rate of salary of project personnel or to reimburse them for time in 
addition to a regular full-time salary covering the same general period 
of employment. Salary funds requested must be consistent with the 
normal policies of the institution.
    2. Fringe Benefits. Funds may be requested for fringe benefit costs 
if the usual accounting practices of your organization provide that 
organizational contributions to employee benefits (social security, 
retirement, etc.) be treated as direct costs. Fringe benefit costs may 
be included only for those personnel whose salaries are charged as a 
direct cost to the project.
    3. Nonexpendable Equipment. Nonexpendable equipment means tangible 
nonexpendable personal property including exempt property charged 
directly to the award having a useful life of more than one year and an 
acquisition cost of $5,000 (or lower depending on institutional policy) 
or more per unit. As such, items of necessary instrumentation or other 
nonexpendable equipment should be listed individually by description 
and estimated cost in the Budget Narrative. This applies to revised 
budgets as well, as the equipment item(s) and amount(s) may change.
    4. Materials and Supplies. The types of expendable materials and 
supplies which are required to carry out the project should be 
indicated in general terms with estimated costs in the Budget 
Narrative.
    5. Travel. The type and extent of travel and its relationship to 
project objectives should be described briefly

[[Page 18860]]

and justified. If foreign travel is proposed, the country to be 
visited, the specific purpose of the travel, a brief itinerary, 
inclusive dates of travel, and estimated cost must be provided for each 
trip. Airfare allowances normally will not exceed round-trip jet 
economy air accommodations. U.S. flag carriers must be used when 
available. See 7 CFR Part 3015.205(b)(4) for further guidance.
    6. Publication Costs/Page Charges. Include anticipated costs 
associated with publications in a journal (preparing and publishing 
results including page charges, necessary illustrations, and the cost 
of a reasonable number of coverless reprints) and audio-visual 
materials that will be produced. Photocopying and printing brochure, 
etc., should be shown in Section I., ``All Other Direct Costs'' of Form 
CSREES-55.
    7. Computer (ADPE) Costs. Reimbursement for the costs of using 
specialized facilities (such as a university- or department-controlled 
computer mainframe or data processing center) may be requested if such 
services are required for completion of the work.
    8. All Other Direct Costs. Anticipated direct project charges not 
included in other budget categories must be itemized with estimated 
costs and justified in the Budget Narrative. This also applies to 
revised budgets, as the item(s) and dollar amount(s) may change. 
Examples may include space rental at remote locations, subcontractual 
costs, and charges for consulting services, telephone, facsimile, 
shipping costs, and fees necessary for laboratory analyses. You are 
encouraged to consult the ``Instructions for Completing Form CSREES-55, 
Budget,'' of the Application Kit for detailed guidance relating to this 
budget category. Form AD-1048 must be completed by each subcontractor 
or consultant and retained by the grantee.
    9. Indirect Costs. Section 1462 of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310) 
limits indirect costs for this program to 19 percent of total Federal 
funds provided under each award. Therefore the recovery of indirect 
costs under this program may not exceed the lesser of the institution's 
official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 19 percent 
of total Federal funds awarded. If no rate has been negotiated, a 
reasonable dollar amount (equivalent to less than 19 percent of total 
Federal funds requested) in lieu of indirect costs may be requested, 
subject to approval by USDA.
    b. Budget Narrative. All budget categories, excluding Indirect 
Costs, for which support is requested must be individually listed (with 
costs) and justified on a separate sheet of paper and placed 
immediately behind the Budget Form. Explanations of matching funds or 
lack thereof on commodity-specific projects also are to be included in 
this section.
    c. Matching Funds. If an applicant concludes that matching funds 
are not required as specified under Part I (e), a justification should 
be included in the Budget Narrative. CSREES will consider this 
justification when ascertaining final matching requirements or in 
determining if required matching can be waived. CSREES retains the 
right to make final determinations regarding matching requirements.
    For those grants requiring matching funds as specified under Part I 
(e), proposals should include written verification of commitments of 
matching support (including both cash and in-kind contributions) from 
third parties. Written verification means:
    (a) For any third party cash contributions, a separate pledge 
agreement for each donation, signed by the authorized organizational 
representatives of the donor organization and the applicant 
organization, which must include: (1) The name, address, and telephone 
number of the donor; (2) the name of the applicant organization; (3) 
the title of the project for which the donation is made; (4) the dollar 
amount of the cash donation; and (5) a statement that the donor will 
pay the cash contribution during the grant period; and
    (b) For any third party in-kind contributions, a separate pledge 
agreement for each contribution, signed by the authorized 
organizational representatives of the donor organization and the 
applicant organization, which must include: (1) The name, address, and 
telephone number of the donor; (2) the name of the applicant 
organization; (3) the title of the project for which the donation is 
made; (4) a good faith estimate of the current fair market value of the 
third party in-kind contribution; and (5) a statement that the donor 
will make the contribution during the grant period.
    The sources and amount of all matching support from outside the 
applicant institution should be summarized on a separate page and 
placed in the proposal immediately following the Budget Narrative. All 
pledge agreements must be placed in the proposal immediately following 
the summary of matching support.
    The value of applicant contributions to the project shall be 
established in accordance with applicable cost principles. Applicants 
should refer to OMB Circulars A-21, Cost Principles for Educational 
Institutions, for further guidance and other requirements relating to 
matching and allowable costs.
11. Current and Pending Support (Form CSREES-663)
    All proposals must contain Form CSREES-663 listing other current 
public or private support (including in-house support) to which key 
personnel identified in the proposal have committed portions of their 
time, whether or not salary support for person(s) involved is included 
in the budget. Analogous information must be provided for any pending 
proposals that are being considered by, or that will be submitted in 
the near future to, other possible sponsors, including other USDA 
Programs or agencies. Concurrent submission of identical or similar 
proposals to the possible sponsors will not prejudice proposal review 
or evaluation by the CSREES for this purpose. However, a proposal that 
duplicates or overlaps substantially with a proposal already reviewed 
and funded (or to be funded) by another organization or agency will not 
be funded under this program. Note that the project being proposed 
should be included in the pending section of the form.
12. Assurance Statement(s), (Form CSREES-662)
    A number of situations encountered in the conduct of projects 
require special assurances, supporting documentation, etc., before 
funding can be approved for the project. In addition to any other 
situation that may exist with regard to a particular project, it is 
expected that some applications submitted in response to these 
guidelines will involve the following:
    a. Recombinant DNA or RNA Research. As stated in 7 CFR Part 
3015.205 (b)(3), all key personnel identified in the proposal and all 
endorsing officials of the proposing organization are required to 
comply with the guidelines established by the National Institutes of 
Health entitled, ``Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA 
Molecules,'' as revised. If your project proposes to use recombinant 
DNA or RNA techniques, you must so indicate by checking the ``yes'' box 
in Block 19 of Form CSREES-661 (the Cover Page) and by completing 
Section A of Form CSREES-662. For applicable proposals recommended for

[[Page 18861]]

funding, Institutional Biosafety Committee approval is required before 
CSREES funds will be released.
    b. Animal Care. Responsibility for the humane care and treatment of 
live vertebrate animals used in any grant project supported with funds 
provided by CSREES rests with the performing organization. Where a 
project involves the use of living vertebrate animals for experimental 
purposes, all key project personnel identified in a proposal and all 
endorsing officials of the proposing organization are required to 
comply with the applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act of 
1966, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) and the regulations 
promulgated thereunder by the Secretary in 9 CFR Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 
pertaining to the care, handling, and treatment of these animals. If 
your project will involve these animals, you should check ``yes'' in 
block 20 of Form CSREES-661 and complete Section B of Form CSREES-662. 
In the event a project involving the use of live vertebrate animals 
results in a grant award, funds will be released only after the 
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee has approved the project.
    c. Protection of Human Subjects. Responsibility for safeguarding 
the rights and welfare of human subjects used in any grant project 
supported with funds provided by CSREES rests with the performing 
organization. Guidance on this issue is contained in the National 
Research Act, Pub. L. No. 93-348, as amended, and implementing 
regulations promulgated by the Department under 7 CFR Part 1c. If you 
propose to use human subjects for experimental purposes in your 
project, you should check the ``yes'' box in Block 21 of Form CSREES-
661 and complete Section C of Form CSREES-662. In the event a project 
involving human subjects results in a grant award, funds will be 
released only after the appropriate Institutional Review Board has 
approved the project.
13. Certifications
    Note that by signing Form CSREES-661 the applicant is providing the 
certifications required by 7 CFR Part 3017, as amended, regarding 
Debarment and Suspension and Drug Free Workplace, and 7 CFR Part 3018, 
regarding Lobbying. The certification forms are included in the 
application package for informational purposes only. These forms should 
not be submitted with the proposal since by signing form CSREES-661 
your organization is providing the required certifications. If the 
project will involve a subcontractor or consultant, the subcontractor/
consultant should submit a form AD-1048 to the grantee organization for 
retention in their records. This form should not be submitted to USDA.
14. Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (Form 
CSREES-1234)
    As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (the Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service regulations implementing NEPA), the 
environmental data for any proposed project is to be provided to CSREES 
so that CSREES may determine whether any further action is needed. In 
some cases, however, the preparation of environmental data may not be 
required. Certain categories of actions are excluded from the 
requirements of NEPA.
    In order for CSREES to determine whether any further action is 
needed with respect to NEPA, pertinent information regarding the 
possible environmental impacts of a particular project is necessary; 
therefore, Form CSREES-1234, ``NEPA Exclusions Form,'' must be included 
in the proposal indicating whether the applicant is of the opinion that 
the project falls within a categorical exclusion and the reasons 
therefore. If it is the applicant's opinion that the proposed project 
falls within the categorical exclusions, the specific exclusion must be 
identified. Form CSREES-1234 and supporting documentation should be 
included as the last page of this proposal.
    Even though a project may fall within the categorical exclusions, 
CSREES may determine that an Environmental Assessment or an 
Environmental Impact Statement is necessary for an activity, if 
substantial controversy on environmental grounds exists or if other 
extraordinary conditions or circumstances are present which may cause 
such activity to have a significant environmental effect.

C. Submission of Proposals

1. When to Submit (Deadline Date)
    Proposals must be transmitted by June 6, 2000, as indicated by 
postmark or date of courier bill of lading. Proposals transmitted after 
this date will not be considered for funding.
2. What to Submit
    An original and 14 copies must be submitted. In addition submit 10 
copies of the proposal's Project Summary. All copies of the proposals 
and the Project Summaries must be submitted in one package.
3. Where to Submit
    Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit completed proposals 
via overnight mail or delivery service to ensure timely receipt by the 
USDA. The address for hand-delivered proposals or proposals submitted 
using an express mail or overnight courier service is: Integrated 
Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program--Water 
Quality; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 
303, Aerospace Center; 901 D Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20024.
    Proposals sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be sent to the 
following address: Integrated Research, Education, and Extension 
Competitive Grants Program--Water Quality; c/o Proposal Services Unit; 
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. 
Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; 
Washington, D.C. 20250-2245.

D. Acknowledgment of Proposals

    The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged by e-mail. 
Therefore, applicants are encouraged to provide e-mail addresses, where 
designated, on the Form CSREES-661. If the applicant's email address is 
not indicated, CSREES will acknowledge receipt of the proposal by 
letter.
    Once the proposal has been assigned an identification number, 
please cite that number on all future correspondence. If the applicant 
does not receive an acknowledgment within 60 days of the submission 
deadline, please contact the Program Director.

Part IV--Review Process

A. General

    Each proposal will be evaluated in a 3-part process. First, each 
proposal will be screened to ensure that it meets the administrative 
requirements as set forth in this request for proposals. Second, 
proposals that meet these requirements will be technically evaluated by 
a peer review panel. Each program component will have a separate review 
panel. Third, proposals ranked highly by the technical peer review 
panel will be evaluated by a panel of experts that will select awardees 
based on an evaluation of: national coverage, topical coverage, level 
of participation from stakeholder community, likelihood for the 
implementation of voluntary approaches to water quality improvement, 
and convergence with USDA and federal partnership priorities.

[[Page 18862]]

    Peer review panel members will be selected based upon their 
training and experience in relevant scientific, education or extension 
fields taking into account the following factors: (a) The level of 
formal scientific, technical education, and extension experience of the 
individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in 
relevant research, education and/or extension activities; (b) the need 
to include as peer reviewers experts from various areas of 
specialization within relevant scientific, education, and extension 
fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (producers, 
range or forest managers/operators, consumers, etc.) who can assess 
relevance of the proposals to targeted audiences and to program needs; 
(d) the need to include as peer reviewers experts from a variety of 
organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and 
Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations), and 
geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition 
of peer review groups with regard to minority and female representation 
and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include members 
that can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general 
public of each proposal.

B. Evaluation Factors

    The evaluation factors below will be used in reviewing applications 
submitted in response to this request for proposals:
    (1) The proposal specifies realistic water quality-related outcomes 
and presents an approach with high technical and/or educational merit.
    (2) The proposal identifies, documents, and addresses water quality 
problems of Federal, State, regional, or local importance.
    (3) The proposal specifically addresses one or more of the program 
priorities identified in Part II.
    (4) The proposal establishes the integrated nature of the Water 
Quality program and includes inter-disciplinary approaches.
    (5) The proposal encompasses the development of partnerships among 
the various stakeholders to generate support and resources.
    (6) The proposal includes a budget adequate to carry out project 
activities and which is cost-effective and justified.
    (7) The proposal provides a clear plan for accomplishments 
reporting.
    (8) The proposal clearly demonstrates that the investigators and 
institutions involved in the project exhibit that: (a) Project 
personnel have appropriate training and a demonstrated awareness of 
previous and alternative approaches to the problem identified in the 
proposal, and performance record and/or potential for future 
accomplishments; (b) appropriate time has been allocated for systematic 
attainment of objectives; (c) the participating institutions have 
experience and competence in subject areas appropriate to the 
successful completion of the project; and (d) adequate support 
personnel, facilities, and instrumentation are available or obtainable. 
For the National Facilitation proposals and Regional Water Quality 
Coordination proposals will also be judged on the quality of the 
management plan that is proposed. Priority will be given for 
integrated, multifunctional research, education, and extension 
projects.

C. Conflicts-of-Interest and Confidentiality

    During the peer evaluation process, extreme care will be taken to 
prevent any actual or perceived conflicts-of-interest that may impact 
review or evaluation. For the purpose of determining conflicts-of-
interest, the academic and administrative autonomy of an institution 
shall be determined by reference to the January 1998 issue of the 
Codebook for Compatible Statistical Reporting of Federal Support to 
Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions, prepared by Quantum 
Research Corporation for the National Science Foundation.
    Names of submitting institutions and individuals, as well as 
proposal content and peer evaluations, will be kept confidential, 
except to those involved in the review process, to the extent permitted 
by law. In addition, the identities of peer reviewers will remain 
confidential throughout the entire review process. Therefore, the names 
of the reviewers will not be released to applicants. At the end of the 
fiscal year, names of panelists will be made available in such a way 
that the panelists cannot be identified with the review of any 
particular proposal.

Part V--Additional Information

A. Access to Review Information

    Copies of summary reviews, not including the identity of the 
reviewers, will be sent to all applicant PI/PD's automatically, after 
the review process has been completed.

B. Grant Awards

    (1) General.
    Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding 
official of CSREES shall make grants to those responsible, eligible 
applicants whose proposals are judged most meritorious under the 
procedures set forth in this RFP. The date specified by the awarding 
official of CSREES as the effective date of the grant shall be no later 
than September 30 of the Federal fiscal year in which the project is 
approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose, 
unless otherwise permitted by law. It should be noted that the project 
need not be initiated on the grant effective date, but as soon 
thereafter as practical so that project goals may be attained within 
the funded project period. All funds granted by CSREES under this RFP 
shall be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are 
granted in accordance with the approved application and budget, the 
regulations, the terms and conditions of the award, the applicable 
Federal cost principles, and the Department's assistance regulations 
(parts 3015 and 3019 of 7 CFR).
    (2) Organizational Management Information.
    Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be 
submitted on a one-time basis as part of the responsibility 
determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this RFP, 
if such information has not been provided previously under this or 
another CSREES program. CSREES will provide copies of forms recommended 
for use in fulfilling these requirements as part of the preaward 
process.
    (3) Grant Award Document and Notice of Grant Award.
    The grant award document shall include at a minimum the following:
    (a) Legal name and address of performing organization or 
institution to whom the Administrator has awarded a grant under the 
terms of this request for proposals;
    (b) Title of project;
    (c) Name(s) and address(es) of PI/PD's chosen to direct and control 
approved activities;
    (d) Identifying grant number assigned by the Department;
    (e) Project period, specifying the amount of time the Department 
intends to support the project without requiring recompetition for 
funds;
    (f) Total amount of Departmental financial assistance approved by 
the Administrator during the project period;
    (g) Legal authority(ies) under which the grant is awarded;
    (h) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds 
to accomplish the stated purpose of the grant award; and
    (i) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by CSREES to 
carry out its respective granting activities or

[[Page 18863]]

to accomplish the purpose of a particular grant.
    The notice of grant award, in the form of a letter, will be 
prepared and will provide pertinent instructions or information to the 
grantee that is not included in the grant award document.

C. Use of Funds; Changes

    (1) Delegation of Fiscal Responsibility
    Unless the terms and conditions of the grant state otherwise, the 
grantee may not in whole or in part delegate or transfer to another 
person, institution, or organization the responsibility for use or 
expenditure of grant funds.
    (2) Changes in Project Plans
    (a) The permissible changes by the grantee, PI/PD(s), or other key 
project personnel in the approved project grant shall be limited to 
changes in methodology, techniques, or other aspects of the project to 
expedite achievement of the project's approved goals. If the grantee 
and/or the PI/PD(s) are uncertain as to whether a change complies with 
this provision, the question must be referred to the CSREES Authorized 
Departmental Officer (ADO) for a final determination.
    (b) Changes in approved goals or objectives shall be requested by 
the grantee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such 
changes. In no event shall requests for such changes be approved which 
are outside the scope of the original approved project.
    (c) Changes in approved project leadership or the replacement or 
reassignment of other key project personnel shall be requested by the 
grantee and approved in writing by the awarding official of CSREES 
prior to effecting such changes.
    (d) Transfers of actual performance of the substantive programmatic 
work in whole or in part and provisions for payment of funds, whether 
or not Federal funds are involved, shall be requested by the grantee 
and approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such transfers, 
unless prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of the grant.
    (e) Changes in Project Period: The project period may be extended 
by CSREES without additional financial support, for such additional 
period(s) as the ADO determines may be necessary to complete or fulfill 
the purposes of an approved project, but in no case shall the total 
project period exceed five years. Any extension of time shall be 
conditioned upon prior request by the grantee and approval in writing 
by the ADO, unless prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of 
a grant.
    (f) Changes in Approved Budget: Changes in an approved budget must 
be requested by the grantee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to 
instituting such changes if the revision will involve transfers or 
expenditures of amounts requiring prior approval as set forth in the 
applicable Federal cost principles, Departmental regulations, or in the 
grant award.

D. Applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations

    Several Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant proposals 
considered for review and to project grants awarded under this program. 
These include but are not limited to:
    7 CFR Part 1.1--USDA implementation of the Freedom of Information 
Act.
    7 CFR Part 3--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-129 
regarding debt collection.
    7 CFR Part 15, subpart A--USDA implementation of Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
    7 CFR Part 3015--USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations, 
implementing OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A-21 and A-122) and 
incorporating provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6301-6308 (the Federal Grant and 
Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, Pub. L. No. 95-224), as well as 
general policy requirements applicable to recipients of Departmental 
financial assistance.
    7 CFR Part 3017--USDA implementation of Governmentwide Debarment 
and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for 
Drug-Free Workplace (Grants).
    7 CFR Part 3018--USDA implementation of 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 3019--USDA implementation of OMB Circular A-110, Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements With 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit 
Organizations.
    7 CFR Part 3052--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-133, 
Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations.
    7 CFR Part 3407--CSREES procedures to implement the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.
    29 U.S.C. 794 (section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and 7 CFR 
Part 15B (USDA implementation of statute)--prohibiting discrimination 
based upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs.
    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).

E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

    When a proposal results in a grant, it becomes a part of the record 
of CSREES transactions, available to the public upon specific request. 
Information that the Secretary 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 have considered as confidential, privileged, or proprietary 
should be clearly marked within the proposal. The original copy of a 
proposal that does not result in a grant will be retained by the Agency 
for a period of one year. Other copies will be destroyed. Such a 
proposal will be released only with the consent of the applicant or to 
the extent required by law. A proposal may be withdrawn at any time 
prior to the final action thereon.

F. Regulatory Information

    For the reasons set forth in the final Rule-related Notice to 7 CFR 
part 3015, subpart V (48 FR 29115, June 24, 1983), this program is 
excluded from the scope of the Executive Order 12372 which requires 
intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. Under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35), the collection of information requirements 
contained in this Notice have been approved under OMB Document No. 
0524-0022.

    Done at Washington, D.C., this 4th day of April 2000.
Charles W. Laughlin,
Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-8643 Filed 4-4-00; 2:36 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P