[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 100 (Monday, May 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29486-29491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11614]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 100 / Monday, May 24, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 29486]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Funding Opportunity Title: Commodity Partnerships for Risk 
Management Education (Commodity Partnerships Program)

    Announcement Type: Competitive Partnership Agreements--Initial.
    CFDA Number: 10.457.

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 $4.0 million for Commodity Partnerships for Risk 
Management Education (the Commodity Partnerships program). The purpose 
of this partnership agreement program is to deliver training and 
information in the management of production, marketing, and financial 
risk to U.S. agricultural producers. The program is to give priority to 
educating producers of crops not insurable with Federal crop insurance, 
specialty crops, and underserved commodities, including livestock and 
forage. A maximum of 40 partnership agreements will be funded, four 
each in ten designated RMA Regions. The maximum award for any agreement 
will be $150,000. Recipients of awards must demonstrate non-financial 
benefits from a partnership agreement and 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. 10.458 (Crop Insurance 
Education in Targeted States). Prospective applicants should carefully 
examine and compare the notices for each program.

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Legislative Authority

    The Commodity Partnerships program is authorized under section 
522(d)(3)(F) 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 522(d)(3)(F) of the Act, which 
authorizes FCIC funding for risk management training and informational 
efforts for agricultural producers through the formation of 
partnerships with public and private organizations. With respect to 
such partnerships, priority is to be given to reaching producers of 
certain commodities referred to in this notice as Priority Commodities, 
as defined below.

Definition of Priority Commodities

    For purposes of this program, Priority Commodities are defined as:
     Agricultural commodities covered by (7 U.S.C. 7333). 
Commodities in this group are commercial crops that are not covered by 
catastrophic risk protection crop insurance, are used for food or fiber 
(except livestock), and specifically include, but are not limited to, 
floricultural, ornamental nursery, Christmas trees, turf grass sod, 
aquaculture (including ornamental fish), and industrial crops.
     Specialty crops. Commodities in this group may or may not 
be covered under a Federal crop insurance plan and include, but are not 
limited to, fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, syrups, honey, roots, herbs, 
and highly specialized varieties of traditional crops.
     Underserved commodities. This group includes: (a) 
commodities, including livestock and forage, that are covered by a 
Federal crop insurance plan but for which participation in an area is 
below the national average; and (b) commodities, including livestock 
and forage, with inadequate crop insurance coverage.
    A project is considered as giving priority to Priority Commodities 
if the majority of the educational activities of the project are 
directed to producers of any of the three classes of commodities listed 
above or any combination of the three classes.

Project Goal

    The goal of this program is to ensure that ``* * * producers will 
be better able to use financial management, crop insurance, marketing 
contracts, and other existing and emerging risk management tools.''

Purpose

    The purpose of the Commodity Partnership program is to provide U.S. 
farmers and ranchers (with an emphasis on producers of Priority 
Commodities) with training and informational opportunities to be able 
to understand:
     The kinds of risks addressed by existing and emerging risk 
management tools;
     The features and appropriate use of existing and emerging 
risk management tools; and
     How to make sound risk management decisions.
    Each partnership 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 
within a designated RMA Region.
    RMA envisions that most training and informational activities under 
these partnership 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,

[[Page 29487]]

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 local producers to 
participate in the type of activities envisioned in this educational 
program. Ideal partners would include public and private agricultural 
organizations with a stake in ensuring that agricultural producers have 
increased knowledge and skill in dealing with production, price, and 
financial risk. 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 risk management education and information to agricultural 
producers in the RMA Region. 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 under that RMA Region 
where the educational activities will be directed.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Partnership Agreements, which require the 
substantial involvement of RMA.
    Funding Availability: Approximately $4,000,000 is available in 
fiscal year 2004 to fund up to 40 partnership agreements. The maximum 
award for any agreement will be $150,000. It is anticipated that a 
maximum of four agreements will be funded for each designated RMA 
Region. In the event that all funds available for this program are not 
obligated after the maximum number of agreements are awarded or if 
additional funds become available, these funds may, at the discretion 
of the Manager of FCIC, be used to award additional applications that 
score highly by the technical review panel or allocated pro-rata to 
award recipients by mutual consent for use in broadening the size or 
scope of awarded projects. 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: RMA Regional Offices and the 
States serviced within each Region are listed below. Staff from the 
respective RMA Regional Offices will provide substantial involvement 
for projects conducted within the Region.

Billings, MT Regional Office: (MT, WY, ND, and SD)
Davis, CA Regional Office: (CA, NV, UT, AZ, and HI)
Jackson, MS Regional Office: (KY, TN, AR, LA, and MS)
Oklahoma City, OK Regional Office: (OK, TX, and NM)
Raleigh, NC Regional Office: (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, MD, 
DE, WV, VA, and NC)
Spokane, WA Regional Office: (WA, ID, OR, and AK)
Springfield, IL Regional Office: (IL, IN, OH, and MI)
St. Paul, MN Regional Office: (MN, WI, and IA)
Topeka, KS Regional Office: (KS, MO, NE, and CO)
Valdosta, GA Regional Office: (AL, GA, SC, FL, and Puerto Rico)

    Applicants must designate in their application narratives the RMA 
Region where educational activities will be conducted and the specific 
groups of producers within the region that the applicant intends to 
reach through the project. Applicants proposing to conduct educational 
activities in more than one RMA Region must submit a separate 
application for each RMA Region. This requirement is not intended to 
preclude producers from areas that border a designated RMA Region from 
participating in that region's educational activities. It is also not 
intended to prevent applicants from proposing the use of certain 
informational methods, such as print or broadcast news outlets, that 
may reach producers in other RMA Regions.
    Maximum Award: Any application that requests Federal funding of 
more than $150,000 for a project 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 RMA Region, 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 and subtask will be completed, the specific 
location 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 partnership 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 risk 
management education and information within the designated RMA Region. 
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 risk management; (b) inform 
producers of the availability of risk management tools; and (c) inform 
producers and agribusiness leaders in the designated RMA Region of 
training and informational opportunities.
     Deliver risk management training and informational 
opportunities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals 
in the designated RMA Region. 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 
risk management tools and decisions.
     Document all educational activities conducted under the 
partnership 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

[[Page 29488]]

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 ten Regional Offices. 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 risk 
management materials for producers in the designated RMA Region. 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 risk management and for informing producers 
of training and informational opportunities in the RMA Region. 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 RMA Region. 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 risk 
management 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 
risk management education for farmers and ranchers in an RMA Region. 
Individuals are not 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.

3. Other--Non-Financial Benefits

    To be eligible, applicants must also be able to demonstrate that 
they will receive a non-financial benefit as a result of a partnership 
agreement. Non-financial benefits must accrue to the applicant and must 
include more than the ability to provide employment income to the 
applicant or for the applicant's employees or the community. The 
applicant must demonstrate that performance under the partnership 
agreement will further the specific mission of the applicant (such as 
providing research or activities necessary for graduate or other 
students to complete their educational program).

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Program application materials for the Commodity Partnerships 
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 (Forms 
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 unbound 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 $150,000.
    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

[[Page 29489]]

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--Provide a ``Statement of Non-financial Benefits.'' (Refer 
to Section III, Eligibility Information, above).
    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 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

    Partnership 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 Commodity Partnerships program 
will be evaluated within each RMA Region 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

[[Page 29490]]

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 RMA Region. 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 
RMA Region; 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.
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 RMA Region. 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 RMA Region 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 an RMA Region, 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 RMA 
Region 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 the results of the evaluation to the 
Manager of FCIC. The panel's report will include the recommended 
applicants to receive partnership agreements for each RMA Region. At 
its discretion, the panel may recommend that the Manager not provide 
funding for an application receiving a score less than 50. Also at its 
discretion, the panel may recommend that the Manager specifically not 
fund an application that is highly similar to a higher-scoring 
application in the same RMA Region--that is, one that proposes to reach 
certain producers who are otherwise likely to be reached by another 
applicant that scored higher by the panel.
    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 partnership agreements with those selected 
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 partnership 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 that are lower that other 
applications in an RMA Region, or applications that propose to deliver 
education to groups of producers in an RMA Region that are largely 
similar to groups reached in a higher ranked application.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Requirement To Use Program Logo
    Applicants awarded partnership 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 partnership 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

[[Page 29491]]

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 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 
partnership 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 partnership 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 partnership 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 partnership 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 partnership 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. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States). 
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. 04-11614 Filed 5-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P