[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20356-20365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9745]



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Part II





Department of Agriculture





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Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service



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Request for Proposals: Fund for Rural America, FY 2001; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2001 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


Request for Proposals: Fund for Rural America, FY 2001

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

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

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SUMMARY: The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service (CSREES) announces the availability of grant funds and requests 
proposals for the Fund for Rural America (FFRA) for fiscal year (FY) 
2001 to support competitively awarded research, extension and education 
grants addressing key issues that contribute to economic 
diversification and sustainable development in rural areas. The amount 
available for support of this program in FY 2001 is approximately 
$9,500,000.
    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 an FFRA 
grant.
    By this notice, CSREES additionally solicits stakeholder input from 
any interested party regarding the FY 2001 FFRA Request for Proposals 
(RFP) for use in development of any future RFPs for this program.

DATES: Proposals must be received on or before 5:00 p.m., June 19, 
2001. Proposals received after this date will not be considered for 
funding. Comments regarding this RFP are invited for 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: Fund 
for Rural America; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of 
Agriculture; Room 1307, Waterfront Centre; 800 9th Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20024, telephone: 202-205-0241.
    Proposals sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be sent to the 
following address: Fund for Rural America; c/o Proposal Services Unit; 
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. 
Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-2245.
    Written stakeholder comments should be submitted by mail to: Policy 
and Program Liaison Staff; Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative 
State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of 
Agriculture; STOP 2299; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-2299; or via e-mail to: [email protected]. (This e-mail address 
is intended only for receiving comments regarding this RFP and not for 
requesting information or forms.) In your comments, please state that 
you are responding to the FY 2001 FFRA RFP.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Phillip Schwab, Program Co-
Director FFRA, telephone: 202-720-4423, e-mail: [email protected], or 
Dr. Elizabeth Tuckermanty, Co-Director FFRA, telephone: 202-205-0241, 
e-mail: [email protected], Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 
2241; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2241; 
telephone: 202-205-0241, e-mail: [email protected].

Table of Contents

Stakeholder Input

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Part I. General Information
    A. Legislative Authority
    B. Purpose, Priorities and Fund Availability
    C. General Definitions
    D. Eligibility
    E. Matching Funds Requirement
    F. Types of Proposals
    G. Restrictions on Use of Funds
Part II. Program Description
    A. Purpose of the Program
    B. Approach
    C. FY 2001 Program Areas
Part III. Preparation of a Proposal
    A. Program Application Materials
    B. Content of Proposals
    C. Submission of Proposals
    D. Acknowledgment of Proposals
    E. Current Research Information System (CRIS)
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. Funding Mechanism
D. Use of Funds; Changes
E. Applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations
F. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards
G. Regulatory Information

Stakeholder Input

    CSREES is requesting comments regarding the Fund for Rural America 
FY 2001 RFP from any interested party. In your comments, please include 
the name of the program and the fiscal year RFP to which you are 
responding. These comments will be considered in the development of the 
next RFP for the program. Such comments will be used 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). Comments 
should be submitted as provided in the ADDRESSES portion of this 
notice.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this 
program is 10.224.

Part I. General Information

A. Legislative Authority

    The Fund for Rural America, authorized under section 793 of the 
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (FAIR Act) (7 
U.S.C. 2204(f)), is established as an account in the Treasury of the 
United States. The Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 amended the FAIR Act to provide $60 million on 
October 1 in each FY until FY 2003 for rural development activities and 
a competitive grant program for research, education, and extension 
activities. Not less than one-third of the funds will be available for 
research, education, and extension activities, one-third will be 
available for the Department's rural development activities, and one-
third will be allocated between the rural development and research 
activities according to the Secretary's discretion. Section 722 of the 
FY 2001 Agriculture Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 106-387) allowed for 
the expenditure of $30 million of FY 2000 funds for the FY 2001 FFRA. 
Of these available funds, the Secretary of Agriculture has determined 
that $10 million (prior to reductions for administrative costs) will be 
available for competitive grants for research, education and extension 
activities in FY 2001.
    Grants are to be awarded on the basis of merit, quality, and 
relevance to advancing the purposes of federally supported agricultural 
research, extension, and education provided in section 1402 of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3101). Section 1402 identifies the following 
purposes:
    (1) enhance the competitiveness of the United States agriculture 
and food industry in an increasingly competitive world environment;
    (2) increase the long-term productivity of the United States

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agriculture and food industry while maintaining and enhancing the 
natural resource base on which rural America and the United States 
agricultural economy depend;
    (3) develop new uses and new products for agricultural commodities, 
such as alternative fuels, and develop new crops;
    (4) support agricultural research and extension to promote economic 
opportunity in rural communities and to meet the increasing demand for 
information and technology transfer throughout the United States 
agriculture industry;
    (5) improve risk management in the United States agriculture 
industry;
    (6) improve the safe production and processing of, and adding of 
value to, United States food and fiber resources using methods that 
maintain the balance between yield and environmental soundness;
    (7) support higher education in agriculture to give the next 
generation of Americans the knowledge, technology, and applications 
necessary to enhance the competitiveness of United States agriculture; 
and
    (8) maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to 
meet human nutritional needs and requirements.''
    Section 793(c)(2)(A) of the FAIR Act authorizes the Secretary to 
use FFRA for competitive research, education, and extension grants to:

    (i) increase international competitiveness, efficiency, and farm 
profitability;
    (ii) reduce economic and health risks;
    (iii) conserve and enhance natural resources;
    (iv) develop new crops, new crop uses, and new agricultural 
applications of biotechnology;
    (v) enhance animal agricultural resources;
    (vi) preserve plant and animal germplasm;
    (vii) increase economic opportunities in farming and rural 
communities; and
    (viii) expand locally-owned, value-added processing.

B. Purpose, Priorities and Fund Availability

    Congress established FFRA in 1996 to develop, adapt, and apply 
science-based knowledge to the expected challenges faced by American 
farmers and rural communities as reforms to Federal farm programs were 
enacted such as commodity program deficiency payments phase outs. FFRA 
was first administered in 1997 and funded grants which focused on (1) 
international agricultural competitiveness, (2) environmental 
stewardship, and (3) improved quality of life in rural areas.
    In 1998, the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems 
(IFAFS) was established to address critical emerging issues in 
production agriculture including priority mission areas relating to 
agricultural genomics and biotechnology, food safety and human 
nutrition, new uses, farm profitability, and natural resources 
management. CSREES will administer the FY 2001 FFRA and IFAFS programs 
in a coordinated manner, with the FFRA emphasizing knowledge that 
contributes to economic diversification and sustainable development in 
rural areas, and IFAFS focusing on efficiency, use, and consequences of 
agricultural production. Thus, this RFP solicits research, education 
and extension to address two of the statutory purposes of FFRA: 
increase economic opportunities in farming and rural communities and 
expand locally-owned value-added processing.
    There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular proposal or 
to make a specific number of awards. Approximately $9,500,000 is 
available in FY 2001 to award standard grants of up to a total of 
$600,000 over four years in the following priority areas: (1) Rural 
Community Innovation; and (2) Harnessing Demographic Change to Increase 
Rural Opportunity.
    Not less than 15 percent of the funds awarded under this program 
will be used for grants to smaller institutions as defined in section 
I. C.

C. General Definitions

    For this program, the following definitions apply:
    (1) Administrator means the Administrator of CSREES and any other 
officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved is 
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) Grant means the award by the Secretary of funds to a grantee to 
assist in meeting the costs of conducting, for the benefit of the 
public, an identified project which is intended to further the program 
purpose as identified in this RFP.
    (8) Grantee means the organization designated in the award document 
as the responsible legal entity receiving the award.
    (9) In-kind contributions means non-cash contributions of property 
or services provided by the grantee or non-Federal third parties, 
including real property, equipment, supplies and other expendable 
property, directly benefitting and specifically identifiable to a 
funded project or program.
    (10) Matching means that portion of allowable project costs not 
borne by the Federal Government, including the value of in-kind 
contributions.
    (11) Peer review panel means a group of persons qualified by 
training and experience in particular fields to give expert advice on 
the merit of grant applications in such fields.
    (12) Private research organization means any non-governmental 
corporation, partnership, proprietorship, trust, or other organization 
with an established and demonstrated capacity to perform research or 
technology transfer which (1) either (A) conducts any systematic study 
directed toward new or fuller knowledge and understanding of the 
subject studied or (B) systematically relates or applies the findings 
of research or scientific experimentation to the application of new 
approaches to problem solving, technologies, or management practices; 
and (2) has facilities, qualified personnel, independent funding, and 
prior projects and accomplishments in research or technology transfer.
    (13) Project director means the 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.
    (14) Prior approval means written approval evidencing prior consent 
by an authorized departmental officer.
    (15) Project means the particular activity within the program scope 
supported by a grant award.
    (16) Project period means the period, as stated in the award 
document during which Federal sponsorship begins and ends.
    (17) Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other 
officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved 
may be delegated.

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    (18) Smaller institution means a college or university or a 
research foundation maintained by a college or university that ranks in 
the lower one-third of such colleges, universities, or foundations on 
the basis of Federal research funds received (excepting monies received 
under the FFRA).

D. Eligibility

    Proposals may be submitted by Federal research agencies, national 
laboratories, colleges and universities and research foundations 
maintained by a college or university, and private research 
organizations. National laboratories include Federal laboratories that 
are government-owned contractor-operated or government-owned 
government-operated. If the applicant is a private organization, 
documentation must be submitted evidencing that the private 
organization has an established and demonstrated capacity to perform 
research or technology transfer. Documentary evidence shall provide 
specific information regarding relevant staff or organizational 
experience, including publications, credentials, and past or current 
projects. A programmatic decision on the eligibility status of the 
private organization will be made based on the information submitted.

E. Matching Funds Requirement

    A grant awarded for applied research that is commodity-specific and 
that is not of national scope must be matched by the recipient with 
equal funds from a non-Federal source. The matching requirement may be 
satisfied through cash and in-kind contributions for allowable costs 
incurred by the recipient or subrecipient.

F. Types of Proposals

    In FY 2001, all projects must be submitted as New Proposals. A new 
proposal is a project proposal that has not been previously submitted 
to the FFRA Program. All new proposals will be reviewed competitively 
using the selection process and evaluation criteria described in Part 
IV. Review Process.

G. Restrictions on Use of Funds

    FFRA funds may not be used for the renovation or refurbishment of 
research spaces; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in 
such spaces; or the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or 
construction of buildings or facilities.

Part II. Program Description

A. Purpose of the Program

    Economically healthy rural communities are a key factor in 
maintaining the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture. The FFRA was, in 
part, designed to direct resources to the development of research, 
education and extension programs which can help rural communities and 
citizens improve their economic outlook and devise effective approaches 
to community and rural development. Dramatic demographic changes and 
recent innovations in agricultural practices and community development 
methods offer new challenges and opportunities. An aging population, 
the arrival of new immigrant populations, youth retention and workforce 
development are all having an impact on the rural economy. Rural 
communities need to understand these demographic forces and develop 
capacity to turn them into economic promise. Communities also must 
develop the capacity to translate on- and off-farm innovations into 
economic growth and community prosperity. Value-added processing, e-
commerce, distance learning, niche markets and new industries can help 
rural communities share more fully in economic opportunities, 
especially where they are part of holistic approaches to community 
development. CSREES is offering a two part program with the expectation 
that the agency will award up to 15 grants not to exceed $600,000 each 
to form the long-term, multi-state networks and develop programs to 
address these critical issues facing rural America.

B. Approach

    The FFRA will be available for cutting-edge research and technology 
development, extension and related outreach, and education projects 
which will result in breakthrough solutions to critical, well-defined 
problems. Projects will be awarded for short- and intermediate-term 
application of research and development through integration of 
research, extension and education activities. The FFRA program 
emphasizes the importance of systems-based, outcome-oriented approaches 
to problem solving. Projects should involve relevant stakeholders such 
as producers, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, community 
organizations, and non-governmental organizations, and should address 
issues of national, regional, or multi-state importance. Therefore, 
CSREES will give priority to projects that are designed and proposed by 
eligible recipients in collaboration with institutions, organizations 
and communities of interest. Strong partnerships will be critical to 
apply research, education and extension to address user needs and solve 
community-defined problems. In assessing proposals, priority will be 
given for systems-based, inter-disciplinary, integrated approaches that 
leverage prior research investments and include innovative 
collaborations and partnerships with the goal of improving the quality 
of life in rural America. The two FFRA program areas for FY 2001 are 
``Rural Community Innovation'' and ``Harnessing Demographic Change to 
Increase Rural Opportunity''.

C. FY 2001 Program Areas

1. Rural Community Innovation (RCI)
    This program area seeks research, education, and extension 
proposals that will help rural communities address existing and new 
problems in innovative ways. Proposals should focus on two broad areas: 
holistic systems-based community development and the connections 
between agriculture and community development. The goals are to 
generate and share new knowledge to assist rural communities to 
diversify their economies, develop and maintain profitable farms and 
businesses, build community leadership and decision-making capacity, 
and create new strategies for improving community services.
    Applications are encouraged that will increase knowledge and build 
capacity for holistic community development by seeking to understand 
the ways different kinds of community assets are related including 
human, social, natural and financial capital, by applying a new 
generation of information technology and computer based tools to 
community planning, development, and decision-making, and by increasing 
the capacity for citizens in communities to lead the development 
process.
    Applications are encouraged that will increase knowledge and build 
capacity about the connections between innovative, entrepreneurial 
agriculture and community development by understanding the 
relationships among farms, businesses, and community institutions, by 
understanding the community implications of moving to a bio-based 
economy, by furthering the linkages among value-added agriculture, the 
regional economy and local communities, and by including farmers in 
local and regional economic development planning. Applicants should 
demonstrate that the results of their work will expand economic 
opportunities in agriculture as well as opportunities in non-
agricultural rural economic sectors.
    Projects should contribute to new models of rural development and 
contribute to core understandings of factors that lead to rural and 
community

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prosperity. Successful projects will work collaboratively with 
community-based partners in order to achieve specific outcomes relevant 
to those communities, such as resilient farms, businesses, and 
communities; but they must also contribute to larger understandings 
that can be used broadly to benefit all of rural America.
2. Harnessing Demographic Change to Increase Rural Opportunity (HDC)
    This program area seeks proposals that incorporate elements of 
research, education and extension that will help communities understand 
the phenomena of demographic change in rural America, develop new 
knowledge to address these issues and educate rural citizens on how to 
adapt and capitalize on these changes.
    Applications are expected to address at least one of the following 
areas: (a) The aging of rural America, including the development of 
service economies to serve an aging and retirement-oriented population, 
involving senior citizens in economic activities, and community 
planning programs to address housing, leadership and infrastructure 
issues affected by an aging population; (b) increased immigration to 
rural America and developing new immigrants as agents of economic 
vitality, assisting new immigrants to access basic financial, health 
and employment services, assisting rural communities to adjust to the 
cultural diversity resulting from the arrival of new immigrants and 
assisting new immigrant farmers with an understanding of the 
agricultural markets, risk management and environmental stewardship; 
and (c) improving youth retention and workforce development including 
the development of programs to prepare young people for new economy 
jobs, including e-business training, language skill development and 
health care education, citizenship and leadership development, and new 
farmer programs emphasizing new marketing opportunities, financial risk 
management and technological innovation.
    A proposal should include specific and substantive evidence of the 
ability of the investigators to work within the target communities. 
This ability should include appropriate language skill ability, 
experience working with all collaborators, and long-standing and 
substantive links to the target community. Unique partnerships between 
rural and urban/suburban cooperators or international partners are also 
encouraged.

Part III. Preparation of a Proposal

A. Program Application Materials

    Program application materials are available at the CSREES website 
(www.reeusda.gov/fra). If you do not have access to the CSREES 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 FY 2001 FFRA program. 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 RFP and application materials (orange book) 
for the FY 2001 program.

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 starting with the Project Description 
and including the 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
    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 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,'' ``research on,'' ``education for,'' or 
``outreach that'' should not be used.
    (b) Program to Which You Are Applying (Block 7) ``FFRA.''
    (c) Program Area and Number (Block 8). Either ``RCI'' for Rural 
Community Innovation or ``HDC'' for Harnessing Demographic Change to 
Increase Rural Opportunity 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/PDs 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 CSREES programs to which your application has been or 
might be sent. In the event you decide to send

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your application to another organization or agency at a later date, you 
must inform the identified CSREES Program Director 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.
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.
4. Project Summary
    The proposal must contain a Project Summary of 250 words or less on 
a separate page placed immediately after the Table of Contents and not 
numbered. The names and institutions of all PI/PDs and co-PI/PDs 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 the project goal(s); and 
relevance of the project to FFRA goals. The importance of a concise, 
informative Project Summary cannot be overemphasized.
5. Project Description
    The written text may not exceed 15 single- or double-spaced pages 
of written text including figures and tables, but excluding citations.
    Each proposal's Project Description should contain the following:
    (a) Introduction--A clear statement of the long-term goal(s) and 
supporting objectives of the proposed activities should be included. 
Summarize the body of knowledge or other past activities which 
substantiate the need for the proposed project. Describe ongoing or 
recently completed significant activities related to the proposed 
project including the work of key project personnel. Preliminary 
information pertinent to the proposed project should be included;
    (b) Relevance and significance--The objectives' specific 
relationship to the FFRA goals and to the particular program area 
should be stated. Include a description of the significance of the 
activity and its value in improving rural communities through research, 
education and extension. Clearly describe the potential impact of the 
project.
    (c) Approach--The activities proposed or problems being addressed 
must be clearly stated and the approaches being applied clearly 
described. The following should be included: (1) A description of the 
activities proposed; (2) methods to be used in carrying out the 
project, including the feasibility of the methods; (3) expected 
outcomes; (4) means by which results will be analyzed, assessed, or 
interpreted; and (5) how results or products will be used.
    (d) Time Table--Provide an expected time line for completing the 
project in the requested duration.
    (e) Collaborative Arrangements--Identify collaborations and provide 
a full explanation of the nature of the collaborations.
    (f) Management Plan--Explain how the project will be managed to 
ensure efficient administration of the grant and how activities will be 
integrated most effectively.
    (g) Evaluation and Monitoring of Project--Provide a plan for 
assessing and evaluating the accomplishments of the stated proposal 
objectives during the project and describe ways to determine the 
effectiveness of the end results during and upon termination of the 
project.
6. References to Works Cited in the Project Description
    All references cited should be complete, including titles and all 
co-authors, and should conform to an accepted bibliographic format.
7. 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 published) and 
preprints (manuscripts in press); preprints must be accompanied by a 
letter of acceptance from the publisher.
8. Key Personnel
    All key personnel who are expected to be involved in the effort 
should be clearly identified. For each person the following should be 
included:
    (1) The roles and responsibilities of each PI/PD should be 
described;
    (2) An estimate of time commitment for each PI/PD; and
    (3) 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 in 
length, excluding publication lists. A chronological list of all 
relevant publications during the past four (4) years, including those 
in press, must be provided for each project member for which a 
curriculum vitae is provided. 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 bibliographies.
9. Conflict-of-Interest List
    A Conflict-of-Interest List must be provided for all individuals 
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, under the specific area or 
sub-area, must be informed of any additional conflicts-of-interest that 
arise after the proposal is submitted.
10. 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. If the need for consultant services is 
anticipated, the proposal budget narrative should provide a 
justification for the use of such services, a statement of work to be 
performed, a resume or curriculum vitae for each consultant, and rate 
of pay 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. A budget narrative for all budget categories 
where

[[Page 20361]]

funding is requested is also required. 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 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 7 CFR 3019.40 through 3019.48 
(``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 by completing Form AD-1048.
11. Budget
    (1) Budget Form--Prepare the budget, Form CSREES-55, in accordance 
with instructions provided. Budgets of up to a total of $600,000 over 
four years may be requested. Budgets should be commensurate with 
activities proposed. 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 paragraph (2) 
below.)
    The following guidelines should be used in developing your proposal 
budget(s):
    (A) 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 key 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.
    (B) 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.
    (C) 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. Qualifying 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.
    (D) 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.
    (E) Travel. The type, destination and specific purpose of travel 
and its relationship to project objectives should be described briefly 
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.
    (F) Publication Costs/Page Charges. Include anticipated costs 
associated with print and electronic publications (preparing and 
publishing results including page charges, necessary illustrations, and 
the cost of a reasonable number of coverless reprints), websites and 
audio-visual materials that will be produced. Photocopying and printing 
brochures, etc., should be shown in Section (H), ``All Other Direct 
Costs'' of Form CSREES-55.
    (G) 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.
    (H) 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, 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.
    (I) 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. Another method of calculating the 
maximum allowable is 23.456 percent of the total direct costs. If no 
rate has been negotiated, a reasonable dollar amount (equivalent to or 
less than 19 percent of total Federal funds requested) in lieu of 
indirect costs may be requested, subject to approval by USDA.
    (2) Budget Narrative--All budget categories for which support is 
requested, with the exception of Indirect Costs, must be individually 
listed (with costs) and justified on a separate sheet of paper and 
placed immediately behind the Budget Form.
    (3) Matching Funds--Explanations of matching funds or lack thereof 
on commodity-specific projects also are to be included in the Budget 
Narrative. If an applicant concludes that matching funds are not 
required as specified in Part I. E., a justification should be 
included. CSREES will consider this justification when ascertaining 
final matching requirements. CSREES retains the right to make final 
determinations regarding matching requirements.
    For those grants requiring matching funds as specified in Part I. 
E., proposals should include written verification of commitments of any 
matching support (including both cash and in-kind contributions) from 
third parties. Written verification means:

[[Page 20362]]

    (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; A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal 
Governments; A-122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations; and 
for for-profit organizations, the cost principles in the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation at 48 CFR Subpart 31.2 (see 7 CFR 3015.194).
12. Current and Pending Support
    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 the 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 CSREES. 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.
13. 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 
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 
(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 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. The approval must have been received at most one year prior to 
the grant award.
14. Certifications
    Note that by signing Form CSREES-661 the applicant is providing 
certifications required by 7 CFR Part 3017, 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.
15. Compliance With the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Form 
CSREES-1234
    As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (the CSREES supplemental 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, 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

[[Page 20363]]

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(s) 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 received on or before 5:00 P.M., June 19, 2001. 
Proposals received 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: Fund for Rural 
America, c/o Proposal Services Unit, Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 
1307, Waterfront Centre, 800 9th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024, 
Telephone: 202-205-0241.
    Proposals sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be sent to the 
following address: Fund for Rural America, c/o Proposal Services Unit, 
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, STOP 2245, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-2245, Telephone: 202-205-0241.

D. Acknowledgment of Proposals

    The receipt of 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 e-mail 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.

E. Current Research Information System (CRIS)

    For research projects CRIS Forms AD-416 and AD-417, will be 
requested if a proposal is identified for funding. In addition, 
grantees will be asked to submit annual CRIS progress reports.

Part IV. Review Process

A. General

    Each proposal will be evaluated in a three-part process. First, 
each proposal will be screened to ensure that it falls within the scope 
of the request for proposals. Proposals that do not fall within the 
guidelines as stated in this RFP, including the Program Area 
Description, will be eliminated from competition and returned to the 
applicant. Second, proposals that meet these guidelines will be 
evaluated by a peer review panel which will provide written comments on 
and discuss each proposal prior to recommending applications for 
funding.
    The peer review panel will be composed of persons who are uniquely 
qualified by training and experience in their respective fields to 
render expert advice on the merit, quality and relevance of the 
proposals. This training and experience includes academic training in 
research, education and extension as well as practical experience in 
community-related issues. Peer review panel members will be selected in 
such a way as to form a diverse group of individuals characterized by 
the following: (a) Academicians with relevant research, education or 
extension training and experience; (b) practitioners, including an 
appropriate mix of producers, entrepreneurs, consumers, community 
leaders, consultants, etc.); (c) a variety of organizational types 
(e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, 
private profit and non-profit organizations); (d) a variety of 
geographic locations; and (e) a broad gender, ethnic, racial, and age 
representation.
    In addition to peer review, the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board will assess the 
relevance of projects recommended for funding toward achieving the 
programmatic goals of the FFRA.

B. Evaluation Factors

    The review of applications submitted for funding consideration will 
consist of a technical evaluation conducted by CSREES using the 
competitive peer review process. The following evaluation factors will 
be applied. All evaluation factors will be weighted equally.
    1. Merit: Scientific, technical, or educational merit: Well defined 
problem; clearly defined objectives; appropriateness of approach, 
(including selection of proper approach to address systems, 
multifaceted, or multidisciplinary problems); demonstrated integration 
of components (such as research, education and extension components); 
degree of feasibility; soundness and effectiveness of management plan.
    2. Quality: Creativity and innovativeness in addressing problem and 
issues; selection of appropriate and qualified individuals to address 
problem; competence and experience of personnel; effective utilization 
of knowledge base in addressing problem; and potential to contribute 
solutions to stated problem.
    3. Relevance: Proposal advances purposes for Federally supported 
research, education, and extension of Section 1402 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3101); potential to contribute to economic diversification and 
sustainable development of rural communities; identification and 
involvement of stakeholders; involvement of communities of interest and 
stakeholders in the identification of problems set forth in proposal; 
and partnership with those affected by the outcome.

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 2000 Higher Education 
Directory, published by Higher Education Publications, Inc., 6400 
Arlington Boulevard, Suite 648, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. Phone: 
(703) 532-2305.

[[Page 20364]]

    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 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 reviewers, 
will be sent to the applicant PI/PD 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 
Administrator as the effective date of the grant shall be no later than 
September 30. 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, 3016, 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 principal investigator(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 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. Funding Mechanism

    The mechanism by which grants may be awarded is a 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.

D. 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 similar aspects of the 
project to expedite achievement of the project's approved goals. If the 
grantee or the PI/PD(s) is 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 ADO 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. Institutions of higher education 
and other non-profit institutions by regulation can receive only one 
extension for a period not to exceed 12 months, 7 CFR 3019.25(e)(2). 
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, but in no case shall a grant 
period of performance exceed 5 years.
    (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 grant 
award.

E. Applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations

    Several other 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, subpart A--USDA implementation of the Freedom of 
Information Act.
    7 CFR Part 3--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-129 
regarding debt collection.

[[Page 20365]]

    7 CFR Part 15, subpart A--USDA implementation of Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    7 CFR Part 3015--USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations, 
implementing OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A-21 and A-122) and 
incorporating provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6301-6308, as well as general 
policy requirements applicable to recipients of Departmental financial 
assistance.
    7 CFR Part 3016--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.
    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 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 supplemental regulations implementing the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
    29 U.S.C. 794 (section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and 7 CFR 
Part 15b (USDA implementation of statute)--prohibiting discrimination 
based upon disability 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).

F. 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 CSREES 
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.

G. Regulatory Information

    For the reasons set forth in the final Rule-related Notice to 7 CFR 
part 3015, subpart V (48 FR 29114, 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 (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, DC, this 13th day of April 2001.
Louise Ebaugh,
Acting Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service.
[FR Doc. 01-9745 Filed 4-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P