[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41684-41688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15383]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 19, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 41684]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Community Outreach and Assistance to Women, Limited Resource and 
Other Traditionally Under Served Farmers and Ranchers Program

AGENCY: Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Risk Management Agency 
(RMA), USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) and request for 
Applications (RFA) for outreach and assistance to women, limited 
resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally under served 
farmers and ranchers and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 506(l) of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (Act) (7 U.S.C. 1506(l)) and section 192 of the Federal 
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-127), the 
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) announces the availability of 
approximately $1 million in fiscal year (FY) 2002 for cooperative 
agreements that will be used to provide outreach and assistance to 
under-served agricultural producers such as women, limited resource, 
socially disadvantaged and other traditionally under-served farmers and 
ranchers (under-served agricultural producers). Funding will be 
provided to qualified community based organizations, educational 
institutions, other non profit organizations and other entities to 
identify and implement unique and innovative outreach projects for 
providing these under-served agricultural producers with the knowledge, 
skills, and tools necessary to make informed risk management decisions 
for their operations in areas including, but not limited to crop 
insurance and other risk management tools, marketing strategies, 
managing human resources, legal and labor.
    Closing Dates: The deadline for submission of all Applications for 
the fiscal year (FY 2002) grant cycle is 5 p.m. EDT on July 19, 2002.
    Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for 
funding.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants and other interested 
parties are encouraged to contact: Marie Buchanan, National Outreach 
Program Manager, Telephone (202) 690-2686, Email: 
[email protected]. David Wiggins, Raleigh Regional Office, 
Telephone (919) 875-4880, or Alesia Swan, Davis Regional Office, 
Telephone (530) 792-5875. You may also obtain additional information 
regarding this announcement from the RMA web site at www.rma.usda.gov.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    In accordance with section 3507 (j) of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501), the information collection or recordkeeping 
requirements included in the notice have been submitted for approval to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Please send your written 
comments to Clearance Officer, OCIO, USDA, room 404-W, 14th Street and 
Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, DC. 20250. A comment to OMB is 
best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 
days of publication of this proposed rule.
    We are soliciting comments from the public comment concerning our 
proposed information collection and recordkeeping requirements. We need 
this outside input to help us:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information has practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond (such as through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic 
submission responses).
    Title: Community Outreach and Assistance to Women, Limited Resource 
and Other Traditionally under Served Farmers and Ranchers.
    Abstract: Pursuant to Section 506(l) of the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act (Ac) (7 U.S.C. 1506(l)) and section 192 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-127), the Federal Crop 
Insurance Corporation (FCIC) announces the availability of 
approximately $1 million in fiscal year (FY) 2002 for cooperative 
agreements that will be used to provide outreach and assistance to 
under-served agricultural producers such as women, limited resource, 
socially disadvantaged and other traditionally under served farmers and 
ranchers (under-served agricultural producers). Funding will be 
provided to qualified community based organizations, educational 
institutions, non profit and cooperative organizations, and other non 
profit entities to identify and implement unique and innovative 
outreach projects for providing under-served agricultural producers 
with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to make informed risk 
management decisions for their operations in areas including, but not 
limited to crop insurance and other risk management tools, marketing 
strategies, managing human resources, legal and labor. To apply for 
funding, RMA is requesting interested applicants to submit 
Applications, which will include, a 1-page Summary of Proposed Project, 
a Project Narrative and OMB grant forms.
    Purpose: The requested information will be used to review and 
evaluate applications for outreach and assistance to under served 
agricultural producers, based on the criteria identified in the Notice.
    Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average: 6 hours per response for new 
applications and 4 hours for renewal applications. This is a one-time 
collection of this information.
    Respondents/Affected Entities: educational institutions, community 
based and cooperative organizations, and non-profit organizations.
    Estimated annual number of respondents: 25 applicants (15 new and 
10 Renewal).
    Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 1 response per 
respondent.

[[Page 41685]]

    Estimated annual number of responses: 25 total annual responses.
    Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 6 hours (new) and 4 
hours (Renewal).
    Recordkeeping Requirements: 3 yrs.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from: 
Clearance Officer, OCIO, USDA, room 404-W, 14th Street and Independence 
Avenue S.W., Washington, DC. 20250.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    Section 506(l) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act) (7 U.S.C. 
1506(l)) and section 192 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-127).

Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants are encouraged to form partnerships with other entities 
that complement, enhance and/or increase the effectiveness and 
efficiency of the proposed project. Proposals may be submitted by: 1890 
Land Grant Colleges and Universities, Indian tribal community colleges 
and Alaska native cooperative colleges, Hispanic serving post-secondary 
educational institutions, and other post-secondary educational 
institutions with demonstrated experience in serving women, limited 
resource, socially disadvantaged, and other traditionally under served 
farmers and ranchers, and Community-based and cooperative organizations 
with demonstrated experience in providing assistance and other 
agriculturally related services, which can provide documentary evidence 
of its past experience in working with under-served agricultural 
producers.

Program Application Materials

    This Application Kit is available at the RMA web site at http://www.rma.usda.gov. If you do not have access to the web page or have 
trouble downloading material and would like a hardcopy, you may 
contact: Marie Buchanan, Risk Management Agency, Washington, DC (202) 
690-2686, David Wiggins, Risk Management Agency, Raleigh Regional 
Office Telephone: (919)875-4880 or Alesia Swan, Davis Regional Office 
Telephone: (530) 792-5875.

Purpose of Program

    Proposals are requested for outreach projects to provide 
information and assistance to under-served agricultural producers.
    The purpose of RMA's Community Outreach Cooperative Agreement 
Program is to fund unique and innovative projects that contribute to:
    a. Improving the economic viability of under-served agricultural 
producers;
    b. Educating under-served agricultural producers on the 
availability and use of crop insurance products and other risk 
management tools to manage production, marketing human resources, labor 
and legal risks associated with farming;
    c. Improving the delivery of insurance products and other risk 
management tools and services to under-served agricultural producers;
    d. Increasing the use of crop insurance and other risk management 
tools;
    e. Identifying and addressing barriers encountered by the target 
audience; and
    f. Providing program information and technical assistance on the 
availability and use of risk management tools.

Funding Availability

    The amount of funds available in FY 2002 for support of cooperative 
agreement awards under this program is approximately $1,000,000. There 
is no commitment by USDA/RMA to fund any particular project or to make 
a specific number of awards. Applicants awarded a cooperative agreement 
for an amount that is less than the amount requested will be required 
to modify their application to conform to the reduced amount before 
execution of the grant. This program is listed in the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) under Number 10.450.

Funding Instrument

    The funding instrument will be a cooperative agreement. The terms 
of the agreement can vary from 12 to 18 months. No maximum or minimum 
funding levels has been established for individual projects.

Funding Restrictions

    Cooperative agreement funds may not be used to:
    1. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or 
facility including a processing facility;
    2. To purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment;
    3. Repair or maintain privately owned vehicles;
    4. Pay for the preparation of the grant application;
    5. Fund political activities;
    6. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving this grant;
    7. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 CFR Parts 3015 and 3019, as 
applicable.
    Section 708 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, Public 
Law 106-387, limits indirect costs under cooperative agreements between 
USDA and non-profit institutions, including institutions of higher 
education, to ten percent of the total direct costs of the agreement. 
Section 708 authorizes an exception to the ten percent limit for 
institutions that compute indirect cost rates on a similar basis for 
all agencies for which the Act makes appropriations. If requested, 
indirect costs must be justified and may not exceed the ten percent 
limitation or the current rate negotiated with the cognizant Federal 
negotiating agency. Applications from colleges and universities must 
provide a statement in the budget narrative verifying that the indirect 
costs requested are in accordance with institutional policies.

Substantial Federal Involvement

    The Federal awarding agency must be substantially involved in the 
project to enter into a cooperative agreement to provide assistance. 
Therefore, applications should include the work to be done by RMA to 
fulfill this requirement.

Matching Requirements

    There is no requirement for grant recipients to provide matching 
funds under this program.

Applications Considered for Funding

    Applicants must specify whether their application is a new, 
renewal, or resubmitted application, and provide the required 
information in accordance with the following:

New Applications

    This is a project application that has not been preciously 
submitted to the RMA Outreach Program. All new applications will be 
reviewed competitively using the selection process and evaluation 
criteria described in this NOFA.

Renewal Applications

    This is a project proposal that requests additional funding for a 
project beyond the period that was approved in an original or amended 
award. Applications for renewed funding must contain the same 
information as required for new applications, and additionally must 
contain a Progress Report. Renewal applications must be received by the 
relevant due dates, will be evaluated in competition with other pending 
applications, and will be reviewed according to the same evaluation 
criteria as new applications.

[[Page 41686]]

Resubmitted Applications

    This is a proposal that was previously submitted to the RMA 
outreach office, but was not funded. Resubmitted proposals must be 
reviewed by the relevant due dates, will be evaluated in competition 
with other pending applications, and will be reviewed according to the 
same evaluation criteria as new applications.

Proposals Format and Content

    Use the following guidelines to prepare and submit an application 
package. Each proposal must contain the following elements in the order 
indicated. Proper preparation of applications will assist reviewers in 
evaluating the merits of each application in a systematic, consistent 
fashion.
    a. Prepare the application on 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. Times New Roman 
or Courier).
    b. Number each page of the application sequentially, starting with 
the Project Narrative, including the budget pages, required forms, and 
any appendices.
    c. Staple the application in the upper left-hand corner. Do not 
bind. An original and 4 copies (5 total) must be submitted in one 
package, along with five additional copies of the ``Project Summary'' 
as a separate attachment.
    d. Include original illustrations (photographs, color prints, etc.) 
in all copies of the application to prevent loss of meaning through 
poor quality reproduction.

1. Proposal Cover Page

    Each copy of the application must contain a ``Proposal Cover 
Page,'' which provides the title of the proposal, and the name, 
address, telephone and fax numbers of applicant and proposing project 
director. The original must contain the pen-and-ink signatures of the 
proposing project director and the authorized organizational 
representative (AOR), who is the individual who possesses the necessary 
authority to commit the organization's time and other relevant 
resources to the project.

2. Table of Contents

    For consistency and ease in locating information, each application 
must contain a detailed Table of Contents immediately following the 
proposal cover page. The Table of Contents should contain page numbers 
for each section of the application. Page numbering should begin with 
the first page of the Project Narrative.

3. Project Summary

    The application must contain a concise project summary. The summary 
should not exceed 2 pages in length. The summary should be a self-
contained, specific description of the activity to be undertaken and 
should focus on overall project goals and supporting objectives; plans 
to accomplish the project goals; and relevance of the project to the 
goals of RMA's outreach program.

4. Project Narrative

    The Narrative should not exceed 15 pages of written text and up to 
five additional pages for figures and tables, and should contain the 
following components:
    a. Introduction: A clear statement of the goals, supporting 
objectives, and proposed outcomes of the project.
    b. Background and Existing Situation: Provide a detailed 
description of the circumstances giving rise to the need for the 
proposed activity to outreach and assist under-served agricultural 
producers.
    c. Objectives: The objectives should be clear, complete and 
logically arranged. The statements should detail the major steps 
necessary to develop the plan with specific milestones and planned 
accomplishments. The objectives should contain details of how the 
accomplishments will advance the goal of providing under-served 
agricultural producers with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary 
to make informed risk management decisions for their operations 
regarding to achieve economic viability.
    d. Procedures: Describe the steps necessary to implement the 
proposed one-year plan including the methods or plan of action to 
attain the stated objectives.
    e. Evaluation: Describe the evaluation plan for the proposed 
activity, including impact factors and indicators of effectiveness and 
efficiency in accomplishing objectives.

5. Scope of Program

    All proposals must contain explicit information indicating how 
results from the project will be measured, evaluated, and reported. The 
indicators used to measure results of the project should be clear and 
objective and focus on the anticipated impacts on under-served 
agricultural producers.

6. Program Delivery

    Proposals should identify unique and innovative initiatives and 
will include the use of strong organizational skills to reach under-
served agricultural producers. Proposals should show how public or 
private sector (or both) delivery points would be used to reach under-
served agricultural producers.

7. Collaborative Arrangements

    If the nature of the proposed project requires collaboration or 
sub-contractual arrangements with other entities, the applicant must 
identify the collaborator or sub-contractor and provide a full 
explanation of the nature of the relationship.
    The proposal must also contain in detail the collaborative duties 
and responsibilities of RMA in the development and delivery of the 
proposed project.

8. Budget

    A budget and a detailed narrative in support of the budget are 
required for the overall project period. Show all funding sources and 
itemized costs for the line items contained on the budget form (SF-
424A). Funds may be requested under any of the line items listed, 
provided that the item or service for which support is requested is 
identified as necessary for successful conduct of the proposed project, 
is allowable under the authorizing legislation and the applicable 
Federal cost principles, and is not prohibited under any applicable 
Federal statute. Salaries of project personnel who will be working on 
the project should be requested in proportion to the effort that they 
will devote to the project.

9. Personnel

    Summarize the relevant experience of key project personnel that 
will enable them to successfully complete the project. Include a brief 
curriculum vitae, which provides enough information for proposal 
reviewers to make an informed judgment regarding capabilities and 
experience.

10. Current and Pending Support

    All proposals must list any other current public or private support 
to which key personnel identified in the proposal have committed 
portions of their time, whether or not salary support for such persons 
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 USDA programs or 
agencies. Concurrent submission of identical or similar proposals to 
other possible sponsors will not prejudice proposal review or 
evaluation for this program.

[[Page 41687]]

Submission of Proposal

1. When and Where to Submit

    Full proposals must be received by close of business July 19, 2002. 
Proposals sent by First Class mail must be sent to the following 
address: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Risk Management Agency, Civil 
Rights and Community Outreach AG. Stop 0801, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20250.
    Hand-delivered proposals and those delivered by overnight express 
mail or courier service should be brought to the following address: 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Risk Management Agency, Civil Rights 
and Community Outreach, Room 3053, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, 
Washington, DC 20250.

2. Acknowledgment of Proposals

    The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing and 
will contain an identifying proposal number. Once a proposal has been 
assigned an identification number, the number should be referred to in 
future correspondence. If the applicant does not receive an 
acknowledgment within 60 days of the submission deadline, please 
contact the program contact. Once the application has been assigned an 
application number, please cite that number on all future 
correspondence.

Methods for Evaluating and Ranking Applications

    Proposals that meet the deadlines and are in conformance with all 
administrative requirements outlined in this NOFA will be evaluated by 
a panel of technical experts appointed by RMA. Applications will be 
evaluated competitively and points awarded as specified in the 
Evaluation Criteria and Weights section. After assigning points upon 
those criteria, applications will be listed in initial rank order and 
presented, along with funding level recommendations, to the 
Administrator of RMA, who will make the final decision on awarding of a 
cooperative agreement. Applications will then be funded in final rank 
order until all available funds have been expended. Applicants must 
score 50 points or more during the first round to be considered for 
funding. Unused remaining funds from the first round of competition 
will be allocated to the second round of competition. Unless the 
applicant withdraws their proposal, eligible, but unfunded, proposals 
from the first competition will be considered in the second 
competition, with or without a revision by the applicant. Applications 
will be rated and ranked based on the evaluation criteria and weights 
listed below.

Evaluation Criteria and Weights

    Prior to technical evaluation, each proposal will be reviewed to 
determine compliance with all requirements stated in this NOFA. 
Submissions that do not fall within the guidelines as stated in the 
NOFA will be eliminated from the competition and will be returned to 
the applicant. After this initial screening, RMA will use the following 
criteria to rate and rank proposals received in response to RMA's 
request for submission of full proposals. Failure to address any of the 
following criteria will disqualify the proposal.

Innovative Approach  Points 30

    Degree to which the proposal reflects innovative strategies for 
reaching under-served agricultural producers and achieving the project 
objectives. Recipient must demonstrate that they have developed an 
innovative approach that can be used by other organizations as a model. 
To be considered innovative, the approach must propose an easily 
replicated new or useful service or method or providing service to 
recipients that builds their capacity for economic viability. 
Applications that demonstrate the greatest: (1) Ease of replication (2) 
uniqueness of proposal; and (3) financial return to under-served 
agricultural producers will receive the highest score.

Institutional Commitment and Resources  Points 20

    The degree to which the institution or organization is committed to 
the project and experience, qualifications, competence and availability 
of personnel and resources to direct and carry out the project. 
Applications demonstrating the greatest commitment and quality of 
personnel will receive the highest score.

Overall Quality of the Proposal  Points 10

    The degree to which the proposal complies with the requirements in 
this NOFA and is of high quality. Applications that demonstrate the 
greatest: (1) Adherence to instructions; (2) accuracy and completeness 
of forms; (3) clarity and organization of ideas; (4) thoroughness and 
sufficiency of detail in the budget narrative; (5) specificity of 
allocations between targeted populations of under-served producers if 
the proposal addresses more than one population; and (6) completeness 
of the curriculum vitae for all key personnel associated with the 
project will receive the highest score.

Feasibility and Policy Consistency  Points 20

    The degree to which the proposal describes its objectives and 
evidences a high level of feasibility and consistency with the USDA/RMA 
policy and mission. This criterion relates to the adequacy and 
soundness of the proposed approach to the solution of the problem and 
evaluates the plan of operation, timetable, evaluation and 
dissemination plans. Applications that demonstrate the most sound and 
feasible projects will receive the highest score.

Number of Target Audience Served and Collaboration  Points 20

    The degree to which the proposals reflect partnerships and 
collaborative initiatives with other agencies or organizations to 
enhance the quality and effectiveness of the program. Applications that 
serve the greatest variety and number of under-served agricultural 
producers will receive the highest score.

Diversity  Points 20

    Applicant must identify the geographic areas to be served. After 
applications have been evaluated and awarded points under the first 
five criteria. Applications that promote the broadest geographic 
diversity will receive the highest score.

Award Process

    The awarding official reserves the right to make awards to ensure 
the variety among successful applicants and the nature of the projects 
funded in order to accomplish the program objectives. The awarding 
official also reserves the right to negotiate with applicants 
recommended for funding regarding project revisions (e.g., reductions 
in scope of work), funding level, or period of support prior to an 
award, based on the amount of resources available to achieve the broad 
program objectives. Revisions to proposals recommended for funding may 
not increase the proposed scope of funding for a project or otherwise 
undermine or circumvent the competitive nature of the award process. 
The final decision to award is at the discretion of the awarding 
official. The awarding official shall consider the technical review 
panel's comments and recommendations and any other pertinent 
information before making a final decision. After a decision regarding 
funding is made, RMA and the awardees will enter into a cooperative 
agreement. The awarding official will notify the awardees of approval 
and inform it of the necessary

[[Page 41688]]

documents. Once all award decisions are made, RMA will notify all 
unsuccessful applicants that their proposals did not receive an award.

OMB Required Forms--Please Submit With Your Application

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Forms
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Application for Federal Assistance.....  SF-424
2. Budget Information--Non construction     SF-424A
 Programs.
3. Assurances-Non-Construction Programs...  SF 424-B
4. Certification Regarding Debarment,       AD-1047
 Suspension and Other Responsibility
 Matters (Primary Covered Transactions).
5. Certification Regarding Drug-Free        AD-1049
 Workplace Requirements (Grants)
 Alternative I-For Grantees Other than
 Individuals.
6. Certifications Regarding Drug-Free       AD-1050
 Workplace Requirements (Grants)
 Alternative II--For Grantees who are
 individuals.
7. Certifications Regarding Lobbying--
 Contracts, Grants, Loans and Cooperative
 Agreements.
8. Notice to Applicants--Certification/
 Disclosure Requirements Related to
 Lobbying.
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    Signed in Washington, D.C. on June 12, 2002.
Ross J. Davidson, Jr.,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 02-15383 Filed 6-18-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P