[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39951-39953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14541]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Request for Proposals: Developing Uses for Small-Diameter and 
Low-Valued Hardwoods and Softwoods

AGENCY: Forest Products Laboratory, Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory requests 
proposals for forest products demonstration projects related to using 
small- diameter material and low-valued trees removed from hazardous 
fuel reduction activities. These funds are targeted to help 
communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn this thinning material into 
marketable forest products. These projects may be in conjunction with 
hazardous fuel reduction projects or could use material already 
removed. The goals of the grant are the following:
     To provide technical assistance for processing and 
manufacturing of small-diameter or low-valued hardwoods and softwoods.
     To help local enterprises or communities develop 
prototypes of forest products that use small-diameter or low-valued 
hardwoods and softwoods.
     To develop demonstration projects showcasing innovative 
uses for the small-diameter or low-valued hardwood and softwood 
resource.
     To conduct economic feasibility assessments of proposed 
products.
     To evaluate markets and/or marketing of low-valued 
softwoods and hardwoods.
    We are looking for creative solutions to address the nationwide 
challenge in dealing with low-valued hardwoods and softwoods. Examples 
include value-added processing, such as finger-jointing or edge-gluing 
short lumber for millwork, machine stress rating lumber for engineered 
wood products, small-scale bioenergy applications (less than 1 MW 
electrical or 10 million BTUs thermal), erosion control mats, wood 
shavings, engineered wood products, wood/plastic composites, and 
roundwood as structural building elements.
    Funding may be allocated for such things as technical assistance, 
marketing, prototype development, engineering designs and plans, log-
sort yards, feasibility studies, and construction of demonstration 
structures using roundwood. Attachment 1 contains examples of projects 
that were funded in Fiscal Year 2001.

1. Award Information

    A total of $1 million is available for granting under this program. 
Individual grants or awards will not exceed $50,000. Successful 
applicants will receive their awards by September 1, 2002. The grant 
period will extend from the award date until December 31, 2003. 
Projects not completed within the award timeframe can be extended. 
Semi-annual program and financial written progress reports will be 
required.

2. Eligibility Information

a. Eligible Applicants
    Include State, local, and tribal governments, communities, non-
profit organizations, educational institutions, Resource Conservation 
and Development Councils, commercial and industrial organizations, 
small or disadvantaged businesses, and individuals.
b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement)
    Applicants must demonstrate a 20% cost share from non-federal 
sources, which can include in-kind contributions. In-kind, or non-cash 
contributions, must be reasonable, allowable, and the recipient must be 
able to demonstrate in the application (as well as a possible audit) 
that all costs can be shown as actual costs to the recipient in 
performing the project.
    i. All unit costs must be clearly identified in the budget 
justification and must be allowable, reasonable, and auditable.
    ii. Funds paid by the Federal government under another award, 
unless otherwise authorized by Federal statute, may not be used for 
cost sharing or matching.

3. Application and Submission Information

a. Application Format
    The application should be submitted as shown in Attachment 2, Grant 
Application Checklist, and should be printed on one side only. The 
application package should be clipped or stapled with a single staple 
at the upper left-hand corner. No other bindings should be made on the 
application package.
b. Detailed Description of Project Narrative
    A detailed description of the Project Narrative presented in the 
checklist is included as Attachment 3 of this application.

4. Application Submission Guidelines and Deadline

    Two (2) copies of the Application and Appendices must be received 
by 5 PM, COB, on Monday, July 15, 2002.
    Proposals may NOT be sent facsimile (fax) or email. An original 
signature is necessary.
    Incomplete applications will be rejected (please refer to Section 3 
for instructions on format and requirements of the application).
    Applications should be sent to:

Mailing Address: Forest Products Laboratory, ATT: Kathy Walker, One 
Gifford Pinchot Dr., Madison, WI 53726-2398.
Shipping Address (FedEx): Forest Products Laboratory, ATT: Kathy 
Walker, 507 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705.

5. Application Review Process

a. Evaluation Panel
    An evaluation panel will be composed of Forest Service, university, 
and State forest products utilization and marketing specialists, 
community-based forestry partnership representatives, representatives 
of State Foresters, from across the country. No proposals will be 
accepted from organizations employing any of the panel members. The 
evaluation panel will conduct their reviews the first part of August.
b. Evaluation Criteria and Point System
    The proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:
     Relevance of project to meeting Request for Proposal goals 
(20 points)
     Linkage with regional hazardous fuel reduction, including 
forest health and stand vigor prescriptions (20 points)
     Adequacy of proposal description (15 points)
     Clarity and explanation of methods, techniques, 
expectations, and outcomes (15 points)
     Qualifications and experience of applicant (10 points)
     Feasibility (10 points)
     Realistic budget and timeframe (5 points)

[[Page 39952]]

     Novelty or uniqueness (3 points)
     Past efforts (if any) on proposed project (2 points)
c. Evaluation Process
    Each panel member will independently review the proposal and rank 
each of the proposals according to the criteria and numerical rating 
system. A total of 100 points is possible. The scores from all panel 
members will be tabulated. The panel will then reconvene to discuss, 
rank, and recommend proposals to be funded. Panel members may make 
recommendations of alternative budgets for certain proposals, perhaps 
with suggestions on eliminating certain aspects of project. If that 
occurs, the applicant will be contacted to see if the recommendation by 
the panelists is agreeable. Proposals will be prioritized and awarded 
until funding limits is reached.

Attachment 1: Examples of Projects Previously Funded

     Professional engineering designs for two enclosed small-
diameter, roundwood kiosks for Salt Lake CityWinter Olympics, 
recreational building on the Wallowa Whitman NF, greenhouse for school 
in Catron County, pedestrian bridge and air-drying shed.
     Demonstration structures that use roundwood as a building 
element, such as trusses or I-beams.
     Prototype development and marketing opportunities of 
additional products that use juniper/plastic composites
     Economic and engineering feasibility of heating two 
schools in Montana with wood chips.
     Demonstration of small-scale modular energy units that use 
wood chips for producing electrical and thermal power
     Survey on potential market size for buildings that use 
roundwood as a structural building element.
     Evaluation of low-cost log profiling and sorting system to 
reduce sorting and handling costs in log-sort yard.
     Technical assistance on drying technologies for planning 
dry kiln.
     Technical assistance on potential timber bridge project.
     Technical assistance on sawmilling improvement at sawmill.
     Technical assistance on potential wood energy projects.
     Technical assistance on grading roundwood.
     Technical assistance on grade yields of small-diameter 
ponderosa pine.

Attachment 2: Grant Application Checklist

Content, Format, and Requirements

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                                                                 Page
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SF-424  Application for Federal Assistance.................            1
SF-424a  Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.....          2-3
AD-1047  Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and            4
 Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions
AD-1048  Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,                4
 Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered
 Transactions..............................................
AD-1049  Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace                   5
 Requirements Alternatives I--For Grantees Other Than
 Individuals (if applicable)...............................
AD-1050  Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace                   5
 Requirements Alternative II--For Grantees Who Are
 Individuals...............................................
       Forms may be found on the Internet at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu/rfp/application.htm.
 (Note: See Attachment 3 for directions for completing the
   Detailed Project Narrative, Budget Justification, and
                        Appendices.)
 Detailed Project Narrative (Limit to 5 pages).....
     Project Title
     Statement of Need (Describe the existing
     situation and what needs to be done)
     Project Coordinators and Partners
     Goals and Objectives
     Work Plan, Products, or Outcomes
         Describe course of action to accomplih
         goal
         Decribe how actions are consistent with
         program guidelines and direction for use of funds
         Timetable
         Response to evaluation criteria
     Evaluation and Monitoring (Describe how
     progress and successful achievement of objectiveswill
     be measures)
     Project and/or Proponent History
 Budget Justification (Including match)............
 Appendices
    1. Key Personnel Qualifications (Limit to 2 pages)
        (Describe qualifications of all key personnel or
         organizations involved in accomplishing the
         objective)
    2. Letters of Support
        (Letters of support are needed for cooperators.
         Other letters of support will aid in the review
         and evaluation.)
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Attachment 3: Directions for Completing Project Narrative, Budget 
Justification, and Appendices

Project Narrative

    The entire narrative section of the proposal is limited to five (5) 
single-spaced, one-sided pages. The narrative must be submitted onplain 
white papper that measures 8.5 by 11 inches with a minimum font size of 
12. Top, bottom, and side margins must be no less than one (1) inch.
    Project Title: The project title should be short (not to exceed 80 
characters) but descriptive of the project.
    Statement of Need: The statement of need should serve to describe 
the existing circumstances and what needs to be done to correct 
situation. The applicant should be specific and present definite 
actions that can be taken to accomplish project. This section could 
include geographic area, including local agency, community(s) served, 
county, state, and cooperating partners that are affected by 
circumstances.
    Project Coordinator(s) and Partner(s): This section identifies the 
project coordinator(s) and describes the role that each will play in 
meeting the objectives of the project. Qualifications of these 
individuals should be listed in the Appendix under Key Personnel 
Qualifications. Partners to the project, whether directly or indirectly 
involved, should be identified and their respective role and 
contribution should be described. Partners, whether individuals or 
organizations, should provide Letters of Support and should be actively

[[Page 39953]]

involved in helping to meet the objectives of the project.
    Goals and Objectives: The proposal should present and describe 
specific project goals for meeting the needs identified. Project goals 
should be consistent with the program goals of this Request for 
Proposals.
    Work Plan, Product, and/or Outcomes: The applicant should describe 
the specific course of action(s) that will be taken to accomplish the 
stated goal(s), including the techniques or methods that will be used. 
A work plan and timetable for accomplishing each of the major actions 
should be presented. The proposal should also describe the specific 
product and/or outcomes that are expected as a result of this funding. 
Both direct and indirect benefits should be displayed. The proposal 
should also identify technical assistance needs to implement project. 
Phases of the project, that is, year 1, year 2, etc., and the 
associated activities and costs with each year, should be displayed. 
The actions presented in the work plan should correlate to the budget 
package presented in the application.
    Evaluation and Monitoring: The applicant should describe how the 
progress would be monitored and what measures will be used to evaluate 
the degree of progress and success of the project. The monitoring and 
measurement of achievements should be correlated to the work plan and 
the various phases of implementation associated with the project.
    Project and/or Proponent History: The applicant should provide a 
brief history of any activities related to this project.

Budget Justification

    The budget justification must be limited to one (1) page. Budget 
justification should contain itemized details of the line items 
presented. The budget line items should coincide with the work elements 
provided in the Work Plan. The detailed budget and budget justification 
should provide sufficient details (e.g., personnel, equipment, 
consultants, supplies, administration, partnership contributions) to 
reflect costs needed to complete activities identified in the work 
plan. Matching amounts, if listed as in-kind contributions (e.g., 
personnel time, donated equipment, materials, matching non-federal 
grants), should be based on realistic calculated values. Costs should 
also provide enough detail to determine if they are reasonable and 
allowable. The budget should also identify the source of non-federal 
resources and the ability to meet matching requirements.

Appendices

    Key Personnel Qualifications: Qualifications of the project manager 
should be included in an appendix. Qualifications are limited to two 
(2) pages in length and should contain the following: resume, 
biographical sketch, references, and demonstrated ability to manage the 
grant.
    Letters of Support: Letters of support should be included in an 
appendix and are intended to display the degree of collaboration 
occurring between the different entities engaged in the project. These 
letters must include commitments of cash or in-kind services from all 
partners and must support the amounts listed in the budget. Each letter 
of support should be limited to one (1) page in length.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 2101-2110.

    Dated: June 3, 2002.
Sherrie L. Rasmussen,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 02-14541 Filed 6-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M