[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 100 (Monday, May 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29498-29503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11613]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Funding Opportunity Title: Crop Insurance Education in Targeted 
States (Targeted States Program)

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Competitive Cooperative Agreements--Initial.

CFDA NUMBER: 10.458.

DATES: Applications are due 5 p.m. e.d.t., July 8, 2004.
SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating 
through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of 
approximately $4.5 million to fund cooperative agreements under the 
Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States program (the Targeted 
States program). The purpose of this cooperative agreement program is 
to deliver crop insurance education and information to U.S. 
agricultural producers in certain States that have been designated as 
historically underserved with respect to crop insurance. The states, 
collectively referred to as Targeted States, are Connecticut, Delaware, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New 
York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and 
Wyoming. A maximum of 15 cooperative agreements will be funded, one in 
each of the 15 Targeted States. The maximum award for varies by State. 
Recipients of awards must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA 
in the project. Funding availability for this program may be announced 
at approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but 
separate programs--CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance 
Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships), 
and CFDA No. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management 
Education). Prospective applicants should carefully examine and compare 
the notices for each program.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Legislative Authority

    The Targeted States program is authorized under section 524(a)(2) 
of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act).

Background

    RMA promotes and regulates sound risk management solutions to 
improve the economic stability of American agriculture. On behalf of 
FCIC, RMA does this by offering Federal crop insurance products through 
a network of private-sector partners, overseeing the creation of new 
risk management products, seeking enhancements in existing products, 
ensuring the integrity of crop insurance programs, offering outreach 
programs aimed at equal access and participation of underserved 
communities, and providing risk management education and information.
    One of RMA's strategic goals is to ensure that its customers are 
well informed as to the risk management solutions available. This 
educational goal is supported by section 524(a)(2) of the Act. This 
section authorizes funding for the establishment of crop insurance 
education and information programs in States that have historically 
been underserved by Federal crop insurance program. In accordance with 
the Act, the fifteen States designated as ``underserved'' are 
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New 
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, 
Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming (collectively referred to as 
``Targeted States'').

Project Goal

    The goal of the Targeted States program is to ensure that farmers 
and ranchers in the Targeted States are sufficiently informed so as to 
take full advantage of existing and emerging crop insurance products.

Purpose

    The purpose of the Targeted States program is to provide farmers 
and ranchers in Targeted States with education and information to be 
able to understand:
     The kinds of risk addressed by crop insurance;
     The features of existing and emerging crop insurance 
products;
     The use of crop insurance in the management of risk; and
     How the use of crop insurance can affect other risk 
management decisions, such as the use of marketing and financial tools.
    Each cooperative agreement awarded through this program will 
provide the recipient with funds, guidance, and the substantial 
involvement of RMA to carry out a program to achieve this purpose in a 
Targeted State.
    For some farms in Targeted States, existing crop insurance products 
are either not available or require enhancements to provide effective 
protection. The Act envisions new and enhanced insurance products that 
will meet the needs of these farmers and ranchers. Until these new 
products are available, producers will benefit from an educational 
program that provides an understanding of crop insurance and the basic 
skills required for making a sound crop insurance decision.
    RMA envisions that most training and informational activities under 
these cooperative agreements will be conducted during the November 2004 
through March 2005 period, which will be an effective time to reach 
many agricultural producers with educational programs. However, 
activities are not restricted to this time period because certain 
groups of producers might benefit from a different schedule of 
educational activities. RMA anticipates that project leaders will have 
sufficient time to organize and schedule events, commit funds to 
reserve event facilities, gather materials, raise awareness, and 
otherwise make the preparations needed to ensure good producer 
participation in all planned educational activities. Most of all, RMA 
anticipates that project leaders will prepare by fostering the 
cooperation and active support of organizations with close ties to 
local producers. Support from such organizations is essential in 
influencing

[[Page 29499]]

local producers to participate in the type of activities envisioned in 
this educational program. Ideal partners would include public and 
private agricultural organizations in the Targeted State with a stake 
in ensuring that agricultural producers have increased knowledge and 
skill in the use of crop insurance. RMA encourages applicants to 
specifically address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers as an 
important element of the project.
    RMA also envisions that applicants will have the capacity to 
deliver crop insurance education and information to agricultural 
producers in the Targeted State. Capacity includes the ability to 
create and gather instructional and informational materials; organize 
and operate educational activities for producers and agribusiness 
leaders; broadly promote the availability of risk management 
educational opportunities; and clearly and thoroughly document results 
achieved by the project. Applicants should apply for funding for that 
Targeted State where applicant intends on delivering educational 
activities.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreements, which require the 
substantial involvement of RMA.
    Funding Availability: Approximately $4,500,000 is available in 
fiscal year 2004 to fund up to 15 cooperative agreements, a maximum of 
one agreement for each of the Targeted States. The maximum funding 
amount anticipated for each Targeted State's agreement is as follows:

Maine......................................................     $225,000
New Hampshire..............................................      173,000
Vermont....................................................      226,000
Connecticut................................................      225,000
Rhode Island...............................................      157,000
Massachusetts..............................................      209,000
New York...................................................      617,000
New Jersey.................................................      272,000
Pennsylvania...............................................      754,000
Maryland...................................................      370,000
Delaware...................................................      261,000
West Virginia..............................................      209,000
Nevada.....................................................      208,000
Utah.......................................................      301,000
Wyoming....................................................      293,000
                                                            ------------
    Total..................................................    4,500,000
 

    Funding amounts were determined by first allocating an equal amount 
of $150,000 to each Targeted State. Remaining funds were allocated on a 
pro rata basis according to each Targeted State's share of 2000 
agricultural cash receipts relative to the total for all Targeted 
States. Both allocations were totaled for each Targeted State and 
rounded to the nearest $1,000.
    In the event that additional funds become available under this 
program or in the event that no application for a given Targeted State 
is recommended for funding by the evaluation panel, these additional 
funds may, at the discretion of the Manager of FCIC, be allocated pro-
rata to State award recipients by agreement between RMA and the award 
recipient for use in broadening the size or scope of awarded projects 
within the Targeted State. In the event that the Manager of FCIC 
determines that available RMA resources cannot support the 
administrative and substantial involvement requirements of all 
agreements recommended for funding, the Manager may elect to fund fewer 
agreements than the available funding might otherwise allow. It is 
expected that the awards will be made approximately 60 days after the 
application deadline. All awards will be made and agreements finalized 
no later than September 30, 2004.
    Substantial involvement requirement: Targeted States serviced by 
RMA Regional Offices are listed below. Staff from the respective RMA 
Regional Offices will provide substantial involvement for Targeted 
States projects conducted within respective Regions.

Billings, MT Regional Office: (WY)
Davis, CA Regional Office: (NV and UT)
Raleigh, NC Regional Office: (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, MD, 
DE, and WV)

    Applicants must designate in their application narrative the 
Targeted State where crop insurance educational activities for the 
project will be directed. Applicants may apply to deliver education to 
producers in more than one Targeted State, but a separate application 
must be submitted for each Targeted State.
    Maximum Award: Any application that requests Federal funding of 
more than the amount listed above for a project in a given Targeted 
State will be rejected.
    Project Period: Projects will be funded for a period of up to one 
year from the project starting date.

Description of Agreement Award

Recipient Tasks
    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose and goal of this 
program in a designated Targeted State, the award recipient will be 
responsible for performing the following tasks:
     Finalize and provide specific details for the Statement of 
Work (Form RME-2). The Statement of Work must describe the specific 
manner in which various subtasks for the project will be completed, the 
dates by which each task will be completed, the specific locations for 
all promotional and educational activities, and the partners that will 
have responsibility for each task and subtask. Task milestones must be 
listed in a way that ensures that progress can be measured at various 
stages throughout the life of the project. The Statement of Work must 
also provide for the substantial involvement of RMA in the project. All 
cooperative agreements resulting from this announcement will include 
Statements of Work based on Form RME-2. All applicants must use this 
format for proposing Statements of Work.
     Assemble instructional materials appropriate for crop 
insurance education and information within the designated Targeted 
State. This will include: (a) Gathering existing instructional 
materials that meet the local needs of agricultural producers; (b) 
identifying gaps in existing instructional materials; and (c) 
developing new materials or modifying existing instructional materials 
to fill existing gaps.
     Develop and conduct a promotional program. This program 
will include activities using media, newsletters, publications, or 
other appropriate informational dissemination techniques that are 
designed to: (a) Raise awareness for crop insurance; (b) inform 
producers of the availability of crop insurance; and (c) inform 
producers and agribusiness leaders in the designated Targeted State of 
training and informational opportunities.
     Deliver crop insurance training and informational 
opportunities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals 
in the designated Targeted State. This will include organizing and 
delivering educational activities using the instructional materials 
identified earlier. Activities should be directed primarily to 
agricultural producers, but may include those agribusiness 
professionals that have frequent opportunities to advise producers on 
crop insurance tools and decisions.
     Document all educational activities conducted under the 
cooperative agreement and the results of such activities, including 
criteria and indicators used to evaluate the success of the program. 
The recipient will also be required to provide information to an RMA-
selected contractor to evaluate all educational activities and advise 
RMA as to the effectiveness of activities.
RMA Activities
    FCIC, working through RMA, will be substantially involved in each 
project through one of RMA's Regional Offices.

[[Page 29500]]

Substantial involvement includes, but is not limited to, specific 
review and approval authorities in the management and direction of the 
project. RMA will provide substantial involvement for the projects 
through the activities listed below.
     Review and approve in advance the recipient's Statement of 
Work.
     Collaborate with the recipient in assembling crop 
insurance instructional materials for producers in the designated 
Targeted State. This will include: (a) Reviewing and approving in 
advance all educational materials for technical accuracy; (b) serving 
on instructional material development workgroups; (c) providing the 
project leadership with fact sheets and other risk management 
publications that have been prepared by RMA; (d) advising the project 
leader on the materials available over the internet through the AgRisk 
Education Library; (e) advising the project leader on technical issues 
related to crop insurance instructional materials; and (f) advising the 
project leader on the use of the standardized design and layout formats 
to be used on program materials.
     Collaborate with the recipient on a promotional program 
for raising awareness for crop insurance and for informing producers of 
training and informational opportunities in the Targeted State. This 
will include: (a) Reviewing and approving in advance all promotional 
plans, materials, and programs; (b) serving on workgroups that plan 
promotional programs; (c) advising the applicant on technical issues 
relating to the presentation of crop insurance products in promotional 
materials; and (d) participating, as appropriate, in media programs 
designed to raise general awareness or provide farmers with risk 
management education.
     Collaborate with the recipient on the delivery of 
education to producers and agribusiness leaders in the Targeted State. 
This will include: (a) Reviewing and approving in advance all producer 
and agribusiness leader educational activities; (b) advising the 
project leader on technical issues related to crop insurance education 
and information; and (c) assisting the project leader in informing crop 
insurance professionals about educational activity plans and scheduled 
meetings.
     Review and approve recipient's documentation of crop 
insurance educational activities.
Other Tasks
    In addition to the specific, required tasks listed above, the 
applicant may propose additional tasks that would contribute directly 
to the purpose of this program. For any proposed additional task, the 
applicant must identify the objective of the task, the specific 
subtasks required to meet the objective, specific time lines for 
performing the subtasks, and the specific responsibilities of partners. 
The applicant must also identify specific ways in which RMA would have 
substantial involvement in the proposed project task.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, 
universities, non-profit agricultural organizations, and other public 
or private organizations with the capacity to lead a local program of 
crop insurance education for farmers and ranchers within a Targeted 
State. Individuals are eligible applicants. Although an applicant may 
be eligible to compete for an award based on its status as an eligible 
entity, other factors may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal 
assistance under this program (e.g., debarment and suspension; a 
determination of non-performance on a prior contract, cooperative 
agreement, grant or partnership; a determination of a violation of 
applicable ethical standards).

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    This program has neither a cost sharing nor a matching requirement.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Program application materials for the Targeted States program under 
this announcement may be downloaded from the RMA Web site at: http://www.rma.usda.gov. Applicants may also request application materials 
from: Michelle Fuller, USDA-RMA-RME, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop 
0808, (Portals Bldg., Suite 508), Washington, DC 20250-0808, phone: 
(202) 720-6356, fax: (202) 690-3605, e-mail: 
[email protected].

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    A complete and valid application package must include an electronic 
copy (Microsoft Word format preferred) of the narrative portions (Form 
RME 1 and RME 2) of the application package on diskette or compact disc 
and an original and two copies of the completed and signed application 
must be submitted in one package at the time of initial submission. 
Each application package must be unbound and unstapled, held together 
only by rubber bands or metal clips and not bound in any other way. RMA 
would appreciate receiving seven additional unbound copies to 
facilitate the panel review process (ten applications in all), which 
must include the following:
    1. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424, ``Application for 
Federal Assistance.''
    2. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-A, ``Budget 
Information--Non-construction Programs.'' Indirect costs allowed for 
projects submitted under this announcement will be limited to ten (10) 
percent of the total direct cost of the partnership or cooperative 
agreement. Federal funding requested (the total of direct and indirect 
costs) must not exceed the maximum level for the respective Targeted 
State, as specified in Section II, Award Information.
    3. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-B, ``Assurances, 
Non-constructive Programs.''
    4. Risk Management Education Project Narrative (Form RME-1). 
Complete all required parts of Form RME-1:
    Part I--Title Page.
    Part II--A written narrative of no more than 10 single-sided pages 
which will provide reviewers with sufficient information to effectively 
evaluate the merits of the application according to the evaluation 
criteria listed in this notice. Although a Statement of Work, which is 
the second evaluation criterion, is to be completed in detail in RME 
Form-2, applicants may wish to highlight certain unique features of the 
Statement of Work in Part II for the benefit of the evaluation panel. 
If your narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first 10 pages will 
be reviewed.
     12 point, unreduced font size.
     8.5 by 11 inch paper.
     One-inch margins on each page.
    Part III--A Budget Narrative, describing how the categorical costs 
listed on SF 424-A are derived.
    Part IV--(Not required for Targeted States Program).
    5. ``Statement of Work,'' (Form RME-2), which identifies tasks and 
subtasks in detail, expected completion dates and deliverables, and 
RMA's substantial involvement role for the proposed project.
    6. (Optional) An optional appendix containing project participant 
resumes, letters of partnership support, or other materials that the 
applicant believes will directly support the information provided in 
the narrative. Applicants should not seek letters of partnership 
support from RMA Regional Offices

[[Page 29501]]

because these offices will automatically provide substantial 
involvement in all projects that are awarded funding.
    7. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities.''
    8. A completed and signed AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered 
Transactions.''
    9. A completed and signed AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-
Free Workplace.''

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications Deadline: 5 p.m. e.d.t., July 8, 2004. Applicants are 
responsible for ensuring that RMA receives a complete application 
package by the closing date and time. Incomplete or late application 
packages will not receive further consideration.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    Not applicable.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Cooperative agreement funds may not be used to:
    a. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or 
facility including a processing facility;
    b. Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment;
    c. Repair or maintain privately owned vehicles;
    d. Pay for the preparation of the partnership or cooperative 
agreement application;
    e. Fund political activities;
    f. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving a partnership or 
cooperative agreement;
    g. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 CFR parts 3015 and 3019, as 
applicable.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Mailed submissions: Applications submitted through express, 
overnight mail or another delivery service will be considered as 
meeting the announced deadline if they are received in the mailroom at 
the address stated below for express, overnight mail or another 
delivery service on or before the deadline. Applicants are cautioned 
that express, overnight mail or other delivery services do not always 
deliver as agreed. Applicants should take this into account because 
failure of such delivery services will not extend the deadline. Mailed 
applications will be considered as meeting the announced deadline if 
they are received on or before the deadline in the mailroom at the 
address stated below for mailed applications. Applicants are 
responsible for mailing applications well in advance, to ensure that 
applications are received on or before the deadline time and date. 
Applicants using the U.S. Postal Service should allow for the extra 
time for delivery due to the additional security measures that mail 
delivered to government offices in the Washington, DC, area requires.
    Address when using private delivery services or when hand 
delivering: Attention: Risk Management Education Program, USDA/RMA, 
Suite 508, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20024.
    Address when using U.S. Postal Service: Attention: Risk Management 
Education Program, USDA/RMA, Stop 0808, 1400 Independence Ave, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-0808.
    Electronic submissions: Although the application package may be 
downloaded electronically, RMA cannot accommodate transmissions of 
application submissions by facsimile or through other electronic media. 
Therefore, applications transmitted electronically will not be accepted 
regardless of the date or time of submission or the time of receipt.

Acknowledgement of Applications

    Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by e-mail, whenever 
possible. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to provide e-mail 
addresses in their applications. If an e-mail address is not indicated 
on an application, receipt will be acknowledged by letter. There will 
be no notification of incomplete, unqualified or unfunded applications 
until the awards have been made. When received by RMA, applications 
will be assigned an identification number. This number will be 
communicated to applicants in the acknowledgement of receipt of 
applications. An application's identification number should be 
referenced in all correspondence regarding the application. If the 
applicant does not receive an acknowledgement within 15 days of the 
submission deadline, the applicant should notify RMA at the point of 
contact indicated in Section VII, Agency Contact.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Applications submitted under the Targeted States program will be 
evaluated within each Targeted State according to the following 
criteria:
Project Benefits--Maximum 35 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate that the project benefits to farmers 
and ranchers warrant the funding requested. Applicants will be scored 
according to the extent they can: (a) Reasonably estimate the number of 
producers reached through the various educational activities described 
in the Statement of Work; (b) justify such estimates with clear 
specifics; (c) identify the actions producers will likely be able to 
take as a result of the activities described in the Statement of Work; 
and (d) identify the specific measures for evaluating results that will 
be employed in the project. Reviewers' scoring will be based on the 
scope and reasonableness of the applicant's estimates of producers 
reached through the project, clear descriptions of specific expected 
project benefits, and well-designed methods for measuring the project's 
results and effectiveness.
Statement of Work--Maximum 35 Points
    The applicant must produce a clear and specific Statement of Work 
for the project. For each of the tasks contained in the Description of 
Agreement Award (refer to Section II Award Information), the applicant 
must identify and describe specific subtasks, responsible entities, 
expected completion dates, RMA roles, and deliverables that will 
further the purpose of this program. Applicants will obtain a higher 
score to the extent that the Statement of Work is specific, measurable, 
reasonable, has specific deadlines for the completion of subtasks, 
relates directly to the required activities and the program purpose 
described in this announcement, and is sensitive to the needs of 
producers that are small, have limited resources, are minorities, or 
are beginning in a farming or ranching business. Applicants are 
required to submit this Statement of Work on Form RME-2.
Partnering--Maximum 15 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate experience and capacity to partner 
with and gain the support of grower organizations, agribusiness 
professionals, and agricultural leaders to carry out a local program of 
education and information in a designated Targeted State. Applicants 
will receive higher scores to the extent that they can document and 
demonstrate: (a) That partnership commitments are in place for the 
express purpose of delivering the program in this announcement; (b) 
that a broad group of farmers and ranchers will be reached within the 
Targeted State; and (c) that a substantial effort has been made to 
partner with organizations that can meet the needs of producers that 
are small, have limited resources, are minorities, or are beginning 
farmers and ranchers.

[[Page 29502]]

Project Management--Maximum 15 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate an ability to implement sound and 
effective project management practices. Higher scores will be awarded 
to applicants that can demonstrate organizational skills, leadership, 
and experience in delivering services or programs that assist 
agricultural producers in the respective Targeted State. If the 
applicant has been a recipient of other Federal or other government 
grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, the applicant must also 
detail that they have consistently complied with financial and program 
reporting and auditing requirements. Applicants that will employ, or 
have access to, personnel who have experience in directing local 
educational programs that benefit agricultural producers will receive 
higher rankings.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Applications will be evaluated using a two-part process. First, 
each application will be screened by RMA personnel to ensure that it 
meets the requirements in this announcement. Applications that do not 
meet the requirements of this announcement or are incomplete will not 
receive further consideration. Applications that meet announcement 
requirements will be sorted into the Targeted State in which the 
applicant proposes to conduct the project and will be presented to a 
review panel for consideration.
    Second, the review panel will meet to consider and discuss the 
merits of each application. The panel will consist of not less than 
three independent reviewers. Reviewers will be drawn from USDA, other 
Federal agencies, and others representing public and private 
organizations, as needed. After considering the merits of all 
applications within a Targeted State, panel members will score each 
application according to the criteria and point values listed above. 
The panel will then rank each application against others within the 
Targeted State according to the scores received. A lottery will be used 
to resolve any instances of a tie score that might have a bearing on 
funding recommendations. If such a lottery is required, the names of 
all tied applicants will be entered into a drawing. The first tied 
applicant drawn will have priority over other tied applicants for 
funding consideration.
    The review panel will report to the Manager of FCIC on the results 
of the evaluation. The panel's report will include the recommended 
applicants to receive cooperative agreements for each Targeted State. 
At its discretion, the panel may recommend that the Manager not provide 
funding for an application receiving a score less than 50.
    An organization, or group of organizations in partnership, may 
apply for funding under other FCIC or RMA programs, in addition to the 
program described in this announcement. However, if the Manager of FCIC 
determines that an application recommended for funding is sufficiently 
similar to a project that has been funded or has been recommended to be 
funded under another RMA or FCIC program, then the Manager may elect to 
not fund that application in whole or in part. The Manager of FCIC will 
make the final determination on those applications that will be awarded 
funding.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    Following approval by the awarding official of RMA of the 
applications to be selected for funding, project leaders whose 
applications have been selected for funding will be notified. Within 
the limit of funds available for such a purpose, the awarding official 
of RMA shall enter into cooperative agreements with those applicants. 
The agreements provide the amount of Federal funds for use in the 
project period, the terms and conditions of the award, and the time 
period for the project. The effective date of the agreement shall be on 
the date the agreement is executed by both parties and it shall remain 
in effect for up to one year or through September 30, 2005, whichever 
is later.
    After a cooperative agreement has been signed, RMA will extend to 
award recipients, in writing, the authority to draw down funds for the 
purpose of conducting the activities listed in the agreement. All funds 
provided to the applicant by FCIC must be expended solely for the 
purpose for which the funds are obligated in accordance with the 
approved agreement and budget, the regulations, the terms and 
conditions of the award, and the applicability of Federal cost 
principles. No commitment of Federal assistance beyond the project 
period is made or implied for any award resulting from this notice.
    Notification of denial of funding will be sent to applicants after 
final funding decisions have been made. Reasons for denial of funding 
can include, but are not limited to, incomplete applications, 
applications with evaluation scores below 50, or applications with 
evaluation scores that are lower that those of other applications in a 
Targeted State.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Requirement To Use Program Logo
    Applicants awarded cooperative agreements will be required to use a 
program logo and design provided by RMA for all instructional and 
promotional materials.
Requirement To Provide Project Information to an RMA-Selected 
Contractor
    Applicants awarded cooperative agreements will be required to 
assist RMA in evaluating the effectiveness of its educational programs 
by providing documentation of educational activities and related 
information to any contractor selected by RMA for program evaluation 
purposes.
Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflicts of 
Interest
    Private organizations that are involved in the sale of Federal crop 
insurance, or that have financial ties to such organizations, are 
eligible to apply for funding under this announcement. However, such 
entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct activities 
that would otherwise be required under a Standard Reinsurance Agreement 
or any other agreement in effect between FCIC and the entity. Also, 
such entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct 
activities that could be perceived by producers as promoting one 
company's services or products over another's. If applying for funding, 
such organizations are encouraged to be sensitive to potential 
conflicts of interest and to describe in their application the specific 
actions they will take to avoid actual and perceived conflicts of 
interest.
Access to Panel Review Information
    Upon written request from the applicant, scores from the evaluation 
panel, not including the identity of reviewers, will be sent to the 
applicant after the review and awards process has been completed.
Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards
    The names of applicants, the names of individuals identified in the 
applications, the content of applications, and the panel evaluations of 
applications will all be kept confidential, except to those involved in 
the review process, to the extent permitted by law. In addition, the 
identities of review panel members will remain confidential throughout 
the entire review process and will not be released to applicants. At 
the end of the

[[Page 29503]]

fiscal year, names of panel members will be made available. However, 
panelists will not be identified with the review of any particular 
application. When an application results in a cooperative agreement, 
that agreement becomes a part of the official record of RMA 
transactions, available to the public upon specific request. 
Information that the Secretary of Agriculture 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 be considered confidential, privileged, or 
proprietary should be clearly marked within an application, including 
the basis for such designation. The original copy of a proposal that 
does not result in an award will be retained by RMA for a period of one 
year. Other copies will be destroyed. Copies of proposals not receiving 
awards will be released only with the express written consent of the 
applicant or to the extent required by law. A proposal may be withdrawn 
at any time prior to award.
Audit Requirements
    Applicants awarded cooperative agreements are subject to audit.
Prohibitions and Requirements With Regard To Lobbying
    Section 1352 of Public Law 101-121, enacted on October 23, 1989, 
imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification 
related to lobbying on recipients of Federal contracts, grants, 
cooperative agreements, and loans. It provides exemptions for Indian 
Tribes and tribal organizations. Current and prospective recipients, 
and any subcontractors, are prohibited from using Federal funds, other 
than profits from a Federal contract, for lobbying Congress or any 
Federal agency in connection with the award of a contract, grant, 
cooperative agreement, or loan. In addition, for each award action in 
excess of $100,000 ($150,000 for loans) the law requires recipients and 
any subcontractors: (1) To certify that they have neither used nor will 
use any appropriated funds for payment of lobbyists; (2) to disclose 
the name, address, payment details, and purpose of any agreements with 
lobbyists whom recipients of their subcontractors will pay with profits 
or other nonappropriated funds on or after December 22, 1989; and (3) 
to file quarterly up-dates about the use of lobbyists if material 
changes occur in their use. The law establishes civil penalties for 
non-compliance. A copy of the certification and disclosure forms must 
be submitted with the application and are available at the address and 
telephone number listed in Section VII. Agency Contact.
Applicable OMB Circulars
    All cooperative agreements funded as a result of this notice will 
be subject to the requirements contained in all applicable OMB 
circulars.
Requirement To Participate in Civil Rights Training
    Project leaders of all cooperative agreements funded as a result of 
this notice are required to know and abide by Federal civil rights 
laws. Agency policies or regulations may require that project leaders 
attend civil rights training to become fully aware of civil rights 
responsibilities. In their applications, applicants should budget for 
possible travel costs associated with receiving this training.

3. Reporting

    Applicants awarded cooperative agreements will be required to 
submit quarterly progress and financial reports (OMB Standard Form 269) 
throughout the project period, as well as a final program and financial 
report not later than 90 days after the end of the project period.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants and other interested 
parties are encouraged to contact: Michelle Fuller, USDA-RMA-RME, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Stop 0808, (Portals Bldg., Suite 508), 
Washington, DC 20250-0808, phone: 202-720-6356, fax: 202-690-3605, e-
mail: [email protected]. You may also obtain information 
regarding this announcement from the RMA Web site at: http://www.rma.usda.gov.

VIII. Other Information

Related Programs

    Funding availability for this program may be announced at 
approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but 
separate programs--CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance 
Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships), 
and CFDA No. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management 
Education). These programs have some similarities, but also key 
differences. The differences stem from important features of each 
program's authorizing legislation and different RMA objectives. 
Prospective applicants should carefully examine and compare the notices 
for each program.

    Dated: May 19, 2004.
Ross J. Davidson, Jr.,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 04-11613 Filed 5-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P