[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 112 (Thursday, June 10, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32477-32480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13107]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


National Sheep Industry Improvement Center; Inviting Grant 
Proposals for the Sheep and Goat Industry Grant Initiative

AGENCY: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) 
announces the availability of approximately $300,000 in competitive 
grants for product or business development, producer information or 
education, marketing and promotion for sheep or goats or their 
products, genetic retention, and animal health. Eligible applicants, 
including many business structures but excluding individuals (see 
section III), may apply for up to $50,000 in Federal Funds per 
proposal. The intent is to fund a variety of proposals that will 
benefit the U.S. sheep and goat industries.

DATES: Applications shall be considered as meeting the announced 
deadline if they are received on or before 5 p.m. e.s.t., October 15, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Submissions should be sent to: USDA--National Sheep Industry 
Improvement Center, P.O. Box 23483, Washington, DC 20026, if you are 
using the U.S. Postal Service or USDA--National Sheep Industry 
Improvement Center, South Building, Room 2117, 1400 Independence Ave., 
SW., Washington, DC 20250, if using any other courier or delivery 
service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay B. Wilson, Executive Director/CEO, 
P.O. Box 23483, Washington, DC 20026, if you are using the U.S. Postal 
Service or USDA--National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, South 
Building, Room 2117, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, 
if using any other courier or delivery service. 202-690-0632 or 207-
236-6567.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Agency: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.
    Title: Sheep and Goat Industry Grant Initiative.
    Type: Initial announcement for funding availability.
    Catolog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.774.
    Dates: Applications must be received by October 15, 2004, for 
projects that will be completed on or before September 30, 2006.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) is 
authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2008j. NSIIC is a fund established in the 
Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, to provide seed-money for a 
revolving fund that will provide financial assistance through a variety 
of mechanisms for the enhancement and marketing of sheep or goat 
products in the United States with an emphasis on infrastructure 
development. The NSIIC is a unique pilot program with the management 
vested in a Board of Directors that is appointed by, and reports to the 
Secretary of Agriculture. The Board of Directors consists of 7 voting 
members chosen from the sheep and goat industries. The respective Under 
Secretaries for Rural Development (RD) and Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) also serve as non-voting 
members of the Board of Directors. The mission of the NSIIC is ``To 
assist the U.S. Sheep and Goat Industries by strengthening and 
enhancing the production and marketing of sheep, goats, and their 
products in the United States.'' The NSIIC Board of Directors has made 
low interest loans available through an intermediary arrangement with 
the National Livestock Producers Association since 2000 and has 
conducted the National Sheep Industry Grant Initiative in each of the 
past fiscal years since Fiscal Year (FY) 2002. The Board is making this 
grant initiative of up to $300,000 available for FY 2005.
    Projects that are submitted in the proposals should be completed in 
a timely fashion as provided in the proposal, with a final completion 
date

[[Page 32478]]

on or before September 30, 2006. The primary objective of the Sheep and 
Goat Industry Grant Initiative (SGIGI) is to fund a number of diverse 
projects that will benefit the U.S. sheep or goat industries through 
product or business development, producer information or education, 
marketing and promotion for sheep or goats or their products, genetic 
retention and animal health at the regional, national or international 
level. Examples of previously funded projects can be found at 
www.nsiic.org/grants.htm.

II. Award Information

    The total amount of funds available for grants in FY 2005 is 
approximately $300,000. It is anticipated that all funds will be 
awarded in FY 2005 for projects that will be completed by September 30, 
2006. It is expected that there will be proposals submitted that 
address a variety of needs related to the U.S. sheep and goat 
industries. Awards may be classified so that a variety of needs will be 
addressed by the funded proposals. The actual number of grants funded 
will depend on the quality of proposals received and the amount of 
funding requested. A proposal may be partially funded or funded in its 
entirety. The maximum amount of Federal funds through this grant 
initiative awarded for any one proposal will be $50,000.
    The primary objective of the Sheep and Goat Industry Grant 
Initiative (SGIGI) is to fund a number of diverse projects that will 
benefit the U.S. sheep or goat industries through product or business 
development, producer information or education, marketing and promotion 
for sheep or goats or their products, genetic retention or animal 
health at the regional, national or international level.
    Funds may not be used to: (a) Pay costs of preparing the 
application package; (b) pay costs incurred prior to the effective date 
of the grant; (c) conduct duplicative research; or (d) fund political 
activities.

III. Eligibility Information

    Eligible applicants--An eligible entity is one that promotes the 
betterment of the United States sheep or goat industries and includes: 
(a) A public, private, or cooperative organization; (b) an association, 
including a corporation not operated for profit; (c) a federally 
recognized Indian Tribe; or (d) a public or quasi-public agency. 
Eligible entities must be domestic with at least 51 percent ownership 
by those who are either citizens of the United States or reside in the 
United States after being legally admitted for permanent residence.
    Ineligible applicants--Individuals, Organizations under the 
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 and organizations described in section 
501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4)) 
which engages in lobbying activities. Applications from Ineligible 
applicants will be returned without review or consideration.
    Cost Sharing or Matching--Cost sharing or matching funds are not 
required but preference may be given to proposals that have over 50 
percent of the project costs in matching funds, including in kind 
contributions (See the Review and Selection Process). Overhead costs 
cannot exceed 25 percent.
    Other--There is no limit on the number of applications that an 
entity may submit for this announcement. If an entity is found to be in 
violation of 7 CFR part 3017 they are ineligible.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    Address to Request Application Package--Forms can be found at 
http://www.nsiic.org. They can also be obtained by: e-mailing a request 
to [email protected]; writing National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 23483, Washington, DC 20026-
3483; Faxing a request to 202-720-1053 or calling 202-690-0632.
    Content and Form of Application Submission--A proposal should 
contain the following:
    1. Form SF-424 ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' This serves 
as the cover page and no other cover page should be included.
    2. Form SF-424A ``Budget Information-Non Construction Programs.''
    3. Form SF-424B ``Assurances-Non Construction Programs.''
    4. Project Summary: The proposal must contain a project summary of 
1 page or less on a separate page. This page must include the title of 
the project, the names of the primary project contacts, the applicant 
entity, followed by the summary. The summary should be self-contained 
and should describe the overall goals and relevance of the project. The 
summary should also contain a listing of all organizations involved in 
the project. The Project Summary should immediately follow the Form SF-
424B.
    5. Project Narrative--The project narrative is limited to 10 pages 
and the pages should be numbered, beginning with page 1 on the first 
page of the narrative. The narrative portion of the Project Proposal 
should contain the following:
    a. Introduction--Substantiate the need for the proposed project. 
Describe the project's specific relationship to the segment of sheep or 
goat industry issue, product or market being addressed.
    b. Potential Industry Impact--Discuss the specific objectives to be 
accomplished under the project. Describe the proposed project and 
demonstrate how it will stimulate the U.S. sheep or goat industries. 
Provide a detailed analysis of the sheep or goat industry issue that is 
being addressed by the proposal by including the: (a) Product or group 
that will be impacted by the proposal (b) geographic area affected (c) 
target audience or end user; (d) and expected results.
    c. Industry Commitment--Describe the commitment of the producers, 
processor, end-users or other involved parties in participating in the 
proposed project. This may include, but is not limited to, individual 
producers, producer groups, processors, seminar participants, local 
organizations, local or state governments or trade associations.
    d. Business Soundness-- Discuss the specific goals and objectives 
to be accomplished under the project. Provide a timetable and 
objectives along with a quantifiable benchmark and expected results.
    e. Financial Feasibility--Provide a well-defined budget for the 
proposal and describe how the budget specifically relates to the 
completion of each goal or objective. This requirement may be 
accomplished, in whole or in part, by the required completion of SF-
424B.
    f. Management Ability--Identify the management team needed to 
complete the proposal objectives and describe their qualifications. 
Describe how the project will be coordinated among various participants 
and the nature of the collaborations. Describe plans for management of 
the project to ensure its proper and efficient administration.
    What to Submit--An original which must bear an original signature 
and 10 additional copies must be submitted. Each copy must be stapled 
in the upper left-hand corner, do not bind. All copies of the proposal 
must be submitted in one package. The proposal must be submitted on 
standard 8.5'' x 11'' paper with typing on one side of the page only. 
In addition, margins must be at least 1'', type must be 12 characters 
per inch (12 pitch or 10 point) or larger, no more than 6 lines per 
inch, and there should be no page reductions.

[[Page 32479]]

    Proposals are limited to the information requested. Do Not: Exceed 
the narrative limit; include organizational brochures, promotional 
materials, slides, films, clips, books, videos, product samples, 
letters of support (they should be summarized in the narrative) or any 
other additional materials. Proposals that contain more than the 
requested information will be returned without review or consideration.
    Information that successful applicants must submit--Successful 
applicants will receive a letter of intent from NSIIC at which time 
they will be required to provide evidence to satisfy the ``Insurance 
and Bonding'' requirement and complete forms: AD-1047 ``Certification 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters--
Primary Covered Transactions''; AD-1048 ``Certification Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower 
Tier Covered Transactions''; AD-1049 ``Certification Regarding Drug-
Free Workplace Requirements (Grants)''; RD-400-1 ``Equal Opportunity 
Agreement''; ``Certification Regarding Lobbying-Contracts, Grants, 
Loans and Cooperative Agreement''; SF-270 ``Request for Advance for 
Reimbursement'' and SF-269 ``Financial Status Report'' which is filed 
with the semi annual reports.
    Submission Dates and Times--Applications shall be considered as 
meeting the announced deadline if they are received on or before 5 p.m. 
e.s.t., October 15, 2004. Submissions should be sent to: USDA--National 
Sheep Industry Improvement Center, P.O. Box 23483, Washington, DC 20026 
if you are using the U.S. Postal Service or USDA--National Sheep 
Industry Improvement Center, South Building, Room 2117, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, if using any other 
courier or delivery service. Proposals received after that time and 
date will be returned without review or consideration. We strongly 
recommend you do not wait until the deadline date for submissions.
    Funding Restrictions--Each application is limited to $50,000. 
Applicants will not be allowed reimbursement of pre-award costs.

V. Application Review Information

    Selection Criteria--The proposal will initially be reviewed to 
determine whether the entity submitting the proposal meets the 
eligibility requirements and whether the proposal application contains 
the information required. After this initial evaluation, the following 
criteria will be used to rate and rank proposals received in response 
to this notice of funding availability. Failure to address any one of 
the criteria will disqualify the proposal and the proposal will be 
returned without review or consideration. Equal weight shall be given 
to each of the criterion listed below and points will be awarded on a 
scale of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. A score of 5 indicates that the proposal was 
judged to be highly relevant to the criterion and a score of 1 
indicates that the proposal was judged not to sufficiently address the 
criterion.
    Each proposal will be evaluated and judged using the following 
criteria:
    1. Potential Industry Impact--Describe the proposed project and 
demonstrate how it will stimulate the U.S. sheep or goat industries. 
Provide a detailed analysis of the sheep or goat industry issue that is 
being addressed by the proposal by including the: (a) Product or group 
that will be impacted by the proposal (b) geographic area affected (c) 
target audience or end user; (d) and expected results. The NSIIC will 
evaluate whether the industry issue and need are well-defined and the 
proposed project provides an effective and efficient approach to 
resolving the identified need.
    2. Industry Commitment--Describe the commitment of the producers, 
processor, end-users or other involved parties in participating in the 
proposed project. This may include, but is not limited to, individual 
producers, producer groups, processors, seminar participants, local 
organizations, local or state governments or trade associations. The 
NSIIC will evaluate whether there is a commitment from all who are 
expected to participate and benefit from the proposed project.
    3. Business Soundness--Provide a timetable and objectives along 
with a quantifiable benchmark and expected results. The NSIIC will 
evaluate whether the proposal includes (a) A clear objective; (b) well-
defined tasks that will accomplish the objectives; (c) realistic 
benchmarks; and (d) a realistic timetable for the completion of the 
proposed tasks and whether a business strategy has been adequately 
developed.
    4. Financial Feasibility--Provide a well-defined budget for the 
proposal. The NSIIC will evaluate whether the funding requirements and 
budget for the project are well defined, financially feasible and the 
matching funds or other resources that will be used to leverage the 
requested funds are identified.
    5. Management Ability--Identify the management team needed to 
complete the proposal objectives and describe their qualifications. The 
NSIIC will evaluate whether the management team is identified and 
capable of implementing the proposal.
    Review and Selection Process--The NSIIC Board of Directors will 
evaluate proposal applications. Applications will be evaluated 
competitively and points awarded as specified in the Selection Criteria 
section of this Notice. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis 
to eligible entities. A proposal may be partially funded. After 
assigning points based upon the selection criteria, applications will 
be funded in rank order until all available funds have been expended. 
The Board of Directors reserves the right to award up to five 
additional points in order to provide a diversity of projects targeting 
various (1) situations, (2) geographic areas, or subjects, or for 
proposals with over 50 percent in matching funds. Projects that are 
approved for further processing will be subject to the grant terms that 
are negotiated between the applicant and the Board of Directors 
including, but not limited to, the amount to be funded, project goals, 
timetables, completion date or other terms as deemed necessary.
    Award Administration Information: All applicants will receive 
notification of the outcome no later than January 31, 2005. 
Notifications will be sent to the contact person identified on the SF-
424 by traceable carrier or USPS certified, return receipt mail.

VI. Award Administration Information

    Award Notices--Successful applicants can expect notification no 
later than January 31, 2005. A letter of intent will be sent to the 
contact person identified on the SF-424. The letter of intent will be 
followed by a letter of conditions, the requirements described in the 
``Information that Successful applicants must submit'' section. When 
those are competed the grant agreement will be executed.
    Administrative and National Policy Requirements--Several Federal 
statutes and regulations apply to proposals considered for review and 
to grants awarded by USDA. These include, but are not limited to:

7 CFR part 1.1--USDA implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.
7 CFR part 15a--USDA implementation of title VI of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1964.
7 CFR part 3015--USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations.
7 CFR part 3016--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.
7 CFR part 3017--Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension

[[Page 32480]]

(nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for drug-free 
workplace (grants).
7 CFR part 3018--New Restrictions on Lobbying.
7 CFR part 3019--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other 
Nonprofit Organizations.
7 CFR part 3052--Audits of State, Local Governments, and Non-Profit 
Organizations.

    The terms of the above parts will be incorporated in the grant 
agreement.
    Reporting--In addition to any other required reports, awardees will 
be required to submit written project performance reports on a semi-
annual basis and a final report at the completion of the project. The 
project performance report and final report shall include, but need not 
be limited to: (a) SF-269 ``Financial Status Report''; (b) A comparison 
of timeline, tasks and objectives outlined in the proposal as compared 
to the actual accomplishments; (c) If report varies from the stated 
objectives or they were not met, the reasons why established objectives 
were not met; (d) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will 
materially affect attainment of planned project objectives; (e) 
Objectives established for the next reporting period; and (f) Status of 
compliance with any special conditions on the use of awarded funds.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    Web site--Forms, previous recipients and other information can be 
found at www.nsiic.org; e-mail [email protected]; USPS at NSIIC, P.O. Box 
23483, Washington, DC 20026-3483; other carriers at Room 2117, South 
Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250; Telephone (202) 690-0632 or (207) 236-6567 or FAX (202) 720-
1053.

VIII. Other Information

    Low interest loans: For information on NSIIC intermediary low 
interest loan program, visit National Livestock Producers Association 
at http://www.nlpa.org.
    The NSIIC Board of Directors reserves the right to award more, or 
less than the funds described in this announcement. In the absence of 
worthy application, the Board may decide not to make an award if deemed 
in the best interest of the Government.

    Dated: June 4, 2004.
Jay B. Wilson,
Executive Director/CEO, National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.
[FR Doc. 04-13107 Filed 6-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 1351-01-P