[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 87 (Friday, May 6, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23963-23969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9112]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Request for Applications (RFA) Community Outreach and Assistance 
Partnership Program; Initial Announcement

    Catalogue of Federal Domestic Asssistance (CFDA): This program is 
listed in the CFDA under 10-455, Community Outreach and Assistance 
Partnership Program.
    Dates: The closing date and time for receipt of an application is 5 
p.m. eastern time on June 20, 2005. Applications received after the 
deadline will not be considered for funding. All awards will be made 
and partnership agreements completed no later than September 30, 2005.
    Overview: In accordance with section 522(d) of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (Act), the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), 
operating through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the 
availability of approximately $5 million in fiscal year (FY) 2005 for 
collaborative outreach and assistance programs for women, limited 
resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally under-served 
farmers and ranchers, who produce Priority

[[Page 23964]]

Commodities as defined in Part I.C. Awards under this program will be 
made on a competitive basis for projects of up to one year. Recipients 
of awards must demonstrate non-financial benefits from a partnership 
agreement and must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in the 
project. This announcement lists the information needed to submit an 
application under this program.
    For Further Information Contact: Marie Buchanan, National Outreach 
Program Manager, Telephone (202) 690-2686, Facsimile (202) 690-1518, e-
mail: [email protected]. Application materials can also be 
downloaded from the RMA Web site at http://www.rma.usda.gov.

This Announcement Consists of Seven Parts

Part I--General Information
    A. Legislative Authority and Background
    B. Purpose
    C. Definition of Priority Commodities
    D. Program Description
Part II--Award Information
    A. Available Funding
    B. Types of Applications
Part III--Eligibility Information
    A. Eligible Applicants
    B. Project Period
    C. Non-Financial Benefits
    D. Cost Sharing or Matching
    E. Funding Restrictions
Part IV--Application and Submission Information
    A. Address to Submit an Application Package
    B. Content and Form of Application Submission
    C. Acknowledgement of Applications
Part V--Application Review Process
    A. General
    B. Evaluation Criteria and Weights
Part VI--Award Administration
    A. Notification of Award
    B. Access to Panel Review Information
    C. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards
    D. Reporting Requirements
    E. Administration
    F. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying
    G. Applicable OMB Circulars
    H. Confidentiality
    I. Civil Rights Training
Part VII--Additional Information
    A Requirement to Use Program Logo
    B. Requirement to Provide Project Information to an RMA 
Representative
    C. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflict 
of Interest
    D. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B Data Universal Numbering System)
    E. Required Registration for Grants.gov

I. General Information

A. Legislative Authority and Background

    This program is authorized under 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. RMA promotes and 
regulates sound risk management solutions to improve the economic 
stability of American agriculture. One of RMA's four strategic goals is 
to ensure that its customers and potential customers are well informed 
of the risk management solutions available. 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, providing risk management 
education and information and offering outreach programs aimed at equal 
access and participation of underserved communities. A priority must be 
given to reaching producers of Priority Commodities as defined in 
section C of this part.

B. Purpose

    The purpose of this program is to fund projects that provide women, 
limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and other traditionally 
underserved producers of Priority Commodities with training, 
informational opportunities and assistance necessary to understand:
    (1) The kind of risks addressed by existing and emerging risk 
management tools;
    (2) The features and appropriate use of existing and emerging risk 
management tools; and
    (3) How to make sound risk management decisions.
    Each partnership agreement awarded through this program will 
provide the applicant with funds, guidance, and the substantial 
involvement of RMA to deliver outreach and assistance programs to 
producers in a specific geographical area.

C. 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, 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, with 
inadequate crop insurance coverage produced by small, limited resource, 
socially disadvantaged, or beginning farmers and ranchers.
    A project is considered as giving priority to Priority Commodities 
if the majority of the educational outreach and assistance activities 
are directed to women, limited resource, socially disadvantaged and 
other traditionally under-served producers of one or more of the three 
classes of commodities listed above or any combination of the three 
classes.

D. Program Description

    This program will support a wide range of innovative outreach and 
assistance activities in farm management, financial management, 
marketing contracts, crop insurance and other existing and emerging 
risk management tools FCIC, working through RMA, will be substantially 
involved in the activities listed under paragraph 2. The applicant must 
identify specific ways in which RMA could have substantial involvement 
in the proposed outreach activity. Applications that do not contain 
substantial involvement by RMA will be rejected.
    In addition to the specific, required activities listed under 
paragraph 1, the applicant may suggest other activities that would 
contribute directly to the purpose of this program. For any additional 
activity suggested, the applicant should identify the objective of the 
activity, the specific tasks required to meet the objective, specific 
time lines for performing the tasks, and specific responsibilities of 
the partners.
    1. In conducting activities to achieve the purpose and goal of this 
program, award recipients will be required to perform the following 
activities:
    Develop and finalize a risk management outreach delivery plan that 
will contain the tasks needed to accomplish the purpose of this 
program, including a description of the manner in which various tasks 
for the project will be completed, the dates by which each task will be 
completed, and the partners that will have responsibility for each 
task. Task milestones must be listed to ensure that progress can be 
measured at

[[Page 23965]]

various stages throughout the life of the project. The plan must also 
provide for the substantial involvement of RMA in the project. (Note: 
All partnership agreements resulting from this announcement will 
include delivery plans in a table format. All applicants are strongly 
encouraged to refer to the table in the application package, when 
preparing a delivery plan and to use this format as part of the project 
description.)
     Assemble risk management instructional materials 
appropriate for producers of Priority Commodities to be used in 
delivering education and information. This will include: (a) Gathering 
existing instructional materials that meet the local needs of producers 
of Priority Commodities; (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 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 of the 
training and informational opportunities being offered. Minority media 
and publications should also be used to achieve the broadest promotion 
of outreach opportunities for women, limited resource and socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers possible.
     Deliver risk management training and informational 
opportunities to women, limited resource and socially disadvantaged 
agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals of Priority 
Commodities. 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 farmers on risk management.
     Document all outreach 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 RMA-
selected contractor to evaluate all outreach activities and advise RMA 
as to the effectiveness of activities.
    2. RMA will be responsible for the following activities:
     Review and approve in advance the recipient's project 
delivery plan.
     Collaborate with the recipient in assembling risk 
management materials for producers. This will include: (a) Reviewing 
and approving in advance all educational materials for technical 
accuracy; (b) serving on curriculum development workgroups; (c) 
providing curriculum developers with fact sheets and other risk 
management publications prepared by RMA; (d) advising the applicant on 
the materials available over the internet through the AgRisk Education 
Library; (e) advising the applicant on technical issues related to crop 
insurance instructional materials; and (f) advising the applicant 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 of risk management and for informing producers of 
training and informational opportunities. 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 outreach activities to 
agricultural producers and agribusiness leaders. This will include: (a) 
Reviewing and approving in advance all producer and agribusiness 
educational delivery plans; (b) advising the applicant on technical 
issues related to the delivery of crop insurance education and 
information; and (c) assisting the applicant in informing crop 
insurance professionals about educational plans and scheduled meetings.
     Reviewing and approving recipient's documentation of risk 
management education and outreach activities.

II. Award Information

A. Available Funding

    The amount of funds available in FY 2005 for support of this 
program is approximately $5 million dollars. There is no commitment by 
USDA/RMA to fund any particular project or to make a specific number of 
awards. No maximum or minimum funding levels have been established for 
individual projects or geographic locations. Applicants awarded a 
partnership agreement for an amount that is less than the amount 
requested may be required to modify their application to conform to the 
reduced amount before execution of the partnership agreement. It is 
expected that awards will be made approximately 75 days after the 
application deadline.

B. Types of Applications

    Applicants must specify whether the application is a new, renewal, 
or resubmitted application.
    1. New Application--This is an application that was been previously 
submitted to the RMA Outreach Program. All new applications will be 
reviewed competitively using the selection process and evaluation 
criteria described in this RFA.
    2. Renewal Application--This is an application that requests 
additional funding for a project beyond the period that was approved in 
an original or amended award. Applications for renewed funding must 
contain the same information as required for new applications, and 
additionally must contain a Progress Report. Renewal applications must 
be received by the relevant due dates, will be evaluated in competition 
with other pending applications, and will be reviewed according to the 
same evaluation criteria as new applications.
    3. Resubmitted Application--This is an application previously 
submitted to the RMA Outreach office, but was not funded. Resubmitted 
applications must be received by the relevant due dates, and will be 
evaluated in competition with other pending applications and will be 
reviewed according to the same evaluation criteria as new applications.

III. Eligibility/Funding

A. Eligible Applicants

    Educational institutions, community based organizations, 
associations of farmers and ranchers, state departments of agriculture, 
and other non-profit organizations with demonstrated capabilities in 
developing and implementing risk management and other marketing options 
for priority commodities are eligible to apply. Individuals are not 
eligible applicants. Applicants are encouraged to form partnerships 
with other entities that complement, enhance, and/or increase the 
effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed project. 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-

[[Page 23966]]

performance on a prior contract, cooperative agreement, grant or 
partnership; a determination of a violation of applicable ethical 
standards). Applications from ineligible or excluded persons will be 
rejected in their entirety.

B. Project Period

    Each project will be funded for a period of up to one year from the 
project starting date for the activities described in this 
announcement.

C. Non-Financial Benefits

    To be eligible, applicants must also 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). Applications that do not 
demonstrate a non-financial benefit will be rejected.

D. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Cost sharing, matching, in-kind contribution, or cost participation 
is not required.

E. Funding Restrictions

    Indirect costs for projects submitted in response to this 
solicitation are limited to 10 percent of the total direct costs of the 
agreement. Partnership agreement funds may not be used to:
    1. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or 
facility including a processing facility;
    2. To purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment;
    3. Repair or maintain privately owned vehicles;
    4. Pay for the preparation of the partnership application;
    5. Fund political activities;
    6. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving this partnership 
agreement;
    7. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 CFR parts 3015 and 3019, as 
applicable.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Submit an Application Package

    The address for submissions is USDA/RMA, Community Outreach, and 
Assistance Partnership Program, c/o Marie Buchanan, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 6709, Stop 0805, Washington, DC 20250-0805. All 
applications must be submitted by the deadline. Late or incomplete 
applications will not be considered and will be returned to the 
applicant. Applications will be considered as meeting the announced 
deadline if they are received in the mailroom at the following address 
on or before the deadline. Applicants are cautioned that express, 
overnight mail or other delivery services do not always deliver as 
agreed. 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 now 
requires. Failure of the selected delivery services will not extend the 
deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit completed and 
signed application packages using overnight mail or delivery service to 
ensure timely receipt.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    1. General--Use the following guidelines to prepare an application. 
Each application must contain the following elements in the order 
indicated. Proper preparation of applications will assist reviewers in 
evaluating the merits of each application in a systematic, consistent 
fashion.
    (a) Prepare the application on only one side of the page using 
standard size (8\1/2\'' x 11'') white paper, one-inch margins, typed or 
word processed using no type smaller than 12 point font, and single or 
double spaced. Use an easily readable front face (e.g., Geneva, 
Helvetica, Times Roman).
    (b) Number each page of the application sequentially, starting with 
the Project Description, including the budget pages, required forms, 
and any appendices.
    (c) Staple the application in the upper left-hand corner. Do not 
bind. An original and two copies of the completed and signed 
application (3 total) and one electronic copy (Microsoft Word format 
preferred) on diskette or compact disc must be submitted in one 
package. Only hard copies of OMB Standard Forms should be submitted. Do 
not include the standard forms on the diskette.
    (d) Include original illustrations (photographs, color prints, 
etc.) in all copies of the application to prevent loss of meaning 
through poor quality reproduction.
    2. Application for Federal Assistance, OMB Standard Form 424--
Please complete this form in its entirety. The original copy of the 
application must contain a pen-and-ink signature of the authorized 
organizational representative (AOR), individual with the authority to 
commit the organization's time and other relevant resources to the 
project. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (block 10) 
is ``10-455--Community Outreach and Assistance''.
    3. Table of Content--Each application must contain a detailed Table 
of Contents immediately following OMB SF 424.
    4. Project Summary--(Limited to one page, placed after the Table of 
Contents) The summary should be a self-contained, specific description 
of the activity to be undertaken and should focus on: overall project 
goals(s) and supporting objectives; plans to accomplish project goals; 
and relevance of the project to the goals of the community outreach and 
assistance program.
    5. Progress Report--(Limited to three pages, placed immediately 
after the Project Summary) Renewal applications of an existing project 
supported under the same program should include a clearly identified 
summary progress report describing the results to date. The progress 
report should contain a comparison of actual accomplishments with the 
goals established for the project.
    6. A Project Description--(Limited to twenty-five single-sided 
pages) that describes the outreach project in detail, including the 
program delivery plan and a Statement of Work. The description should 
provide reviewers with sufficient information to effectively evaluate 
the merits of the application under the criteria contained in Part V. 
The description should include the circumstances giving rise to the 
proposed activity; a clear, concise statement of the objectives; the 
steps necessary to implement the program to attain the objectives; an 
evaluation plan for the activities; and a program delivery plan and 
statement of work that describes how the activities will be implemented 
and managed by the applicant.
    The statement of work in table format should identify each 
objective and the key tasks to achieve the objective, the entity 
responsible for the task, the completion date, the task location, and 
RMA's role. Applicants are strongly encouraged to refer to the sample 
table in the application package when preparing a delivery plan and to 
use this table format in that portion of the application narrative that 
addresses the delivery plan.

[[Page 23967]]

    7. Budget, OMB Standard Form 424-A, ``Budget Information, Non-
Construction Program'' Indirect costs allowed for projects submitted 
under this announcement will be limited to 10 percent of the total 
direct cost of the partnership or cooperative agreement. Applicants 
should include reasonable travel costs associated with attending at 
least two RMA designated two-day events, which will include a Project 
Directors' meeting and civil rights training.
    8. Budget Narrative--detailed narrative in support of the budget 
should show all funding sources and itemized costs for each line item 
contained on the SF-424A. All budget categories must be individually 
listed (with costs) in the same order as the budget and justified on a 
separate sheet of paper and placed immediately behind the SF-424A. 
There must be a detailed breakdown of all costs, including indirect 
costs. Include budget notes on each budget line item detailing how each 
line item was derived. Also provide a brief narrative description of 
any costs that may require explanation (i.e., why a specific cost may 
be higher than market costs). Only items or services that are necessary 
for the successful completion of the project will be funded as 
permitted under the Act, the applicable Federal Cost principles, and 
are not prohibited under any other Federal statute. Salaries of project 
personnel should be requested in proportion to the effort that they 
would devote to the project.
    9. Key Personnel--The roles and responsibilities of each PD and/or 
collaborator should be clearly described; and the vitae of the PD and 
each co-PD, senior associate and other professional personnel.
    10. Collaborative Arrangements (including Letters of Support)--If 
it will be necessary to enter into formal consulting or collaborative 
arrangements, such arrangements should be fully explained and 
justified. If the consultants or collaborators are known at the time of 
application, a vitae or resume should be provided. Evidence (e.g., 
letter of support) should be included if the collaborators involved 
have agreed to render these services. Additional information on 
consultants and collaborators are required in the budget portion of the 
application.
    11. Current and Pending Support--All applications must list all 
current public or private support to which personnel identified in the 
application have committed portions of their time, whether or not 
salary support for persons involved is included in the budget. An 
application that duplicates or overlaps substantially with an 
application already reviewed and funded (or to be funded) by another 
organization or agency will not be funded under this program. The 
projects proposed for funding should be included in the pending 
section.
    12. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, OMB Standard Form LLL--All 
applications must contain a signed copy of this form (See Part VI (F)). 
Applicants who are not engaging in lobbying activities should write 
``Not Applicable'' and sign the form.
    13. A completed and signed ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters (Primary Covered 
Transactions), AD 1047''.
    14. A completed and signed ``Certifications Regarding Drug-Free 
Workplace, AD-1049''.
    15. Appendices are allowed if they are directly germane to the 
proposed project.

C. Acknowledgement of Applications

    Applications submitted by facsimile or through other electronic 
media, regardless of the date or time of submission or the time of 
receipt, will not be considered and will be returned to the applicant. 
Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by e-mail, whenever 
possible. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to provide an e-mail 
address in the application. If an e-mail address is not indicated on an 
application, receipt will be acknowledged in writing. There will be no 
notification of incomplete, unqualified, or unfunded applications until 
the awards have been made. RMA will assign an identification number to 
the application when received. This number will be provided to 
applicants when the receipt of application is acknowledged. Applicants 
should reference the assigned identification number in all 
correspondence regarding the application.
    If receipt of application is not acknowledged by RMA within 15 days 
of the submission deadline, the applicant should contact Marie Buchanan 
at (202) 690-2686 or electronically at [email protected].

V. Application Review Process

A. General

    Each application 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.
    Second, a review panel will consider the merits of all applications 
that meet the requirements in the announcement. A panel of not less 
than three independent reviewers will evaluate each application. 
Reviewers will be drawn from USDA, other federal agencies, and others 
representing public and private organizations, as needed. The project 
description and any appendices submitted by applicant will be used by 
the review panel to evaluate the merits of the project being proposed 
for funding. The panel will examine and score applications based on 
each of the four criteria contained in paragraph B of this part 
``Evaluation Criteria and Weights''.
    The panel will be looking for the specific elements listed with 
each criterion when evaluating the applications and scoring them. For 
each application, panel members will assign a point value up to the 
maximum for each criterion. After all reviewers have evaluated and 
scored each of the applications, the scores for the entire panel will 
be averaged to determine an application's final score. After assigning 
points for each criterion, applications will be listed in initial rank 
order and presented, along with funding level recommendations, to the 
Manager of FCIC, who will make the final decision on awarding of a 
partnership agreement. Applications will then be funded in final rank 
order until all available funds have been expended. Applicants must 
score 50 points or more to be considered for funding. If there are 
unused remaining funds, RMA may conduct another round of competition 
through the announcement of another RFA.
    An organization, or group of organizations in partnership, may 
apply for funding under other FCIC or RMA programs, in addition to the 
programs described in this announcement. However, if the Manager of 
FCIC determines that an application recommended for funding under this 
announcement is sufficiently similar to a project that has been funded 
or has been recommended to be funded under another FCIC or RMA 
education or outreach program, then the Manager may elect to not fund 
that application in whole or in part.

B. Evaluation Criteria and Weights

1. Project Benefits--Maximum 45 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate that the project benefits to women, 
limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally 
underserved producers warrant the funding

[[Page 23968]]

requested. Applicants will be scored according to the extent they can: 
(a) Reasonably estimate the number of producers reached through the 
project; (b) justify the estimates with clear specifics related to the 
delivery plan; (c) identify the actions producers will likely be able 
to take as a result of the project; and (d) identify specific measures 
for evaluating the success of the project. Reviewers' scoring will be 
based on the scope and reasonableness of the applicants' estimate of 
the number of producers reached through the project, clear descriptions 
of specific expected project benefits for producers, and well-
constructed plans for measuring the project's effectiveness.
2. Project Management--Maximum 25 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 women, 
limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally 
underserved producers. 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 agricultural programs or providing 
educations programs that benefit producers will receive higher 
rankings. Higher scores will be awarded to applicants with no more than 
two on-going projects funded by RMA under this program in previous 
years.
3. Collaborative Partnering--Maximum 15 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate experience and capacity to partner 
with and gain the support of other agencies, grower organizations, 
agribusiness professionals, and agricultural leaders to enhance the 
quality and effectiveness of the program. 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 and 
diverse group of farmers and ranchers will be reached; 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.
4. Delivery Plan--Maximum 15 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate that its program delivery plan is 
clear and specific. For each of the applicant's responsibilities 
contained in the description of the program, the applicant must 
demonstrate that it can identify specific tasks and provide reasonable 
time lines that further the purpose of this program. Applicants will 
obtain a higher score to the extent that the tasks of the project are 
specific, measurable, and reasonable, have specific periods for 
completion, relate directly to the required activities, and program 
objectives described in this announcement.
5. Diversity--Maximum 20 Points
    Management reserves the right to award applications up to 20 
additional points to promote the broadest geographic diversity.

VI. Award Administration

A. Notification of Cooperative or Partnership Agreement Awards

    Following approval by the RMA awarding official, 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 or cooperative agreements 
with applicants whose applications are judged to be most meritorious 
under the procedures set forth in this announcement. 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 is the date the agreement is 
executed by both parties. RMA will extend to award recipients, in 
writing, the authority to draw down funds for 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.
    Applicants that are not funded will be notified within 90 days 
after the submission deadline. Reasons for denial of funding can 
include incomplete proposals, scored low or duplicative.

B. 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.

C. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

    When an application results in a partnership agreement, it 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.

D. Reporting Requirements

    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 no later than 90 days after the end of the project period.

E. Administration

    All partnership agreements are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR 
part 3015.

F. Prohibitions and Requirements with Regard to Lobbying

    All partnership agreements are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR 
part 3018. A copy of the certification and disclosure forms must be 
submitted with the application.

G. Applicable OMB Circulars

    All partnership and cooperative agreements funded as a result of 
this notice will be subject to the requirements contained in all 
applicable OMB circulars.

H. Confidentiality

    The names of applicants, the names of individuals identified in the 
applications, the content of applications, and the panel evaluations

[[Page 23969]]

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

I. Requirement To Participate in Civil Rights Training

    All recipients of federally assisted programs are required to 
comply with Federal civil rights laws and regulations. USDA/RMA 
policies and procedures requires recipients of federally assisted 
programs to attend mandatory civil rights training sponsored by RMA, to 
become fully aware of civil rights requirements and responsibilities. 
Applicants should include in their budgets reasonable travel costs 
associated with attending at least two two-day RMA designated events 
that includes a Project Directors meeting and required civil rights 
training.

VII. Additional Information

A. 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.

B. 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 outreach program by 
providing documentation of outreach activities and related information 
to any contractor selected by RMA for program evaluation purposes. This 
requirement also includes providing demographic data on program 
participants.

C. 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 either of the two educational 
programs described in 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. Such entities 
will also 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.

D. DUNS Number

    A Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal 
standard for identifying and keeping track of over 70 million 
businesses worldwide. A Federal Register notice of final policy 
issuance (68 FR 38402) requires a DUNS number in every application 
(i.e., hard copy and electronic) for a grant or cooperative agreement. 
Therefore, potential applicants should verify that they have a DUNS 
number or take steps needed to obtain one. For information about how to 
obtain a DUNS number, go to http://www.grants.gov. Please note that the 
registration may take up to 14 business days to complete.

E. Required Registration for Grants.gov

    The Central Contract Registry (CCR) is a database that serves as 
the primary Government repository for contractor information required 
for the conduct of business with the Government. This database will 
also be used as a central location for maintaining organizational 
information for organizations seeking and receiving grants from the 
Government. Such organizations must register in the CCR prior to the 
submission of applications via grants.gov (a DUNS number is needed for 
CCR registration). For information about how to register in the CCR, 
visit http://www.grants.gov. Allow a minimum of 5 days to complete the 
CCR registration.

    Signed in Washington, DC on May 3, 2005.
Ross J. Davidson, Jr.,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 05-9112 Filed 5-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P