[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 116 (Friday, June 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34872-34879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5442]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Funding Opportunity; Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management 
Education (Commodity Partnership Program)

    Announcement Type: Availability of Funds and Request for 
Application for Competitive Cooperative Partnership Agreements--
Initial.
    CFDA Number: 10.457.
    Dates: Application are due 5 p.m. EDT, July 17, 2006.

Executive Summary

    The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through 
the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of 
approximately $500,000 for Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management 
Education (the Commodity Partnerships program). Since the Agricultural 
Risk Protection Act of 2000 authorized the use of partnerships to 
provide risk management education, RMA has annually offered 
partnerships to provide education to producers of crops currently no 
insured under Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved 
commodities, including livestock and forage (priority commodities). 
Even though these partnerships have been very successful, there is a 
segment of producers that have not been reached with these education 
programs--refugees and low income individuals who produce, or who are 
undertaking to establish a business producing, priority commodities 
(target producers). The purpose of this cooperative partnership 
agreement program is to deliver risk management training and 
information to these producers. A maximum of ten partnership agreements 
will be funded. The maximum award for any of the ten cooperative 
partnership agreements will be $50,000. Recipients of awards must 
demonstrate non-financial benefits from a cooperative partnership 
agreement and must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in the 
project.
    This Announcement Consists of Eight Parts:

Part I--Funding Opportunity Description
    A. Legislative Authority
    B. Background
    C. Definition of Priority Commodities
    D. Definition of Target Audience
    E. Project Goal
    F. Purpose
Part II--Award Information
    A. Type of Award
    B. Funding Availability
    C. Location and Target Audience
    D. Maximum Award
    E. Project Period
    F. Description of Agreement Award-Recipient Tasks
    G. RMA Activities
    H. Other Tasks
Part III--Eligibility Information
    A. Eligible Applicants
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching
    C. Other--Non-Financial Benefits
Part IV--Application and Submission Information
    A. Address to Submit an Application Package
    B. Content and Form of Application Submission
    C. Submission Dates and Times
    D. Funding Restrictions
    E. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits
    F. Indirect Cost Rates
    G. Other Submission Requirements
    H. Electronic submissions
    I. Acknowledgement of Applications
Part V--Application Review Process
    A. Criteria
    B. Selection and Review Process
Part VI--Award Administration
    A. Award Notices
    B. Administrative and Natural Policy Requirements
    1. Requirement to Use Program Logo
    2. Requirement to Provide Project Information to an RMA-selected 
Representative
    3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflict 
of Interest
    4. Access to Panel Review Information
    5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards
    6. Audit Requirements
    7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying
    8. Applicable OMB Circulars
    9. Requirement To Assure Compliance With Federal Civil Rights 
Laws
    10. Requirement To Participate in a Post Award Conference
    C. Reporting Requirements
Part VII--Agency Contact
Part VIII--Additional Information
    A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
    B. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry for 
Submission of Proposals
    C. Related Programs

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Legislative Authority

    The Commodity Partnerships program is authorized under section 
552(d)(3)(F) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act) (7 U.S.C. 
1522(d)(3)(F).

B. 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

[[Page 34873]]

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.
    Since the inception of the partnership program in 2000, RMA has 
offered millions of dollars in partnerships and has provided risk 
management tools and education to a large variety of producers of 
priority commodities. However, through all the partnerships that have 
been awarded over the years few if any have been directed at the target 
producers. The need for outreach to this segment of the population has 
been recognized by both the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and 
the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), who executed a 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on December 16, 2004, for the purpose 
of coordinating policies and activities designed to improve the 
economic conditions of target producers engaged in farming and rural 
entrepreneurship.
    Assessments of the needs of target producers have identified these 
issues and needs; (1) Improving access to and utilization of 
conventional marketing and distribution channels by increasing 
understanding of packer contracts, quality standards, price 
fluctuations, and crop financing; (2) Establishing niche markets, 
including specialty branding, organic certification, and increased 
access to Farmers Markets; (3) Improving access to land, equipment and 
financing and educating producers about lease agreements and financing 
options; (4) Need for technical assistance and training, particularly 
in chemical use, recordkeeping, and season extension; (5) Uneven 
support and involvement of government and community based agencies such 
as county agricultural commissioners, and extension services, faith 
based groups, and civic organizations; (6) Language and culture: both 
the need for service providers to understand the language and culture 
of the refugees, and the need for the refugees to learn the language 
and culture of America, and particularly the methods of accessing 
government and community based services. Therefore, RMA is looking for 
proposals to address these issues and needs for target producers.

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 commerical 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.

D. Definition of Target Audience

    This program is directed at those refugees and other low income 
individuals who produce, or who are undertaking to establish a business 
producing, priority commodities (target producers). For purposes of 
this program, target producers are defined as:
     Refugee. As established by DHHS, includes refugees, 
asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, certain Americans from Vietnam 
(including some citizens), and victims of a severe form of trafficking. 
An individual that has fled another country and has come to the United 
States for refuge, especially from invasion, oppression, or 
persecution. Although some of these individuals become eligible for 
legal permanent residence one year after their arrival in the U.S., 
they continue to meet the definition of ``refugee'' for purpose of 
social service benefits until they become U.S. citizens.
     Low Income Individuals. Persons whose family incomes are 
at or below 200 percent of the poverty guidelines established by DHHS.

E. Project Goal

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

F. Purpose

    The purpose of the Commodity Partnership program is to provide U.S. 
farmers and ranchers 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.

II. Award information

    A. Type of Award: Cooperative Partnership Agreements, which require 
the substantial involvement of RMA.
    B. Funding Availability: Approximately $500,000 is available in 
fiscal year 2006 to fund up to ten cooperative partnership agreements. 
The maximum award will be $50,000. Applicants should apply for funding 
under that RMA Region where the educational activities will be 
directed.
    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 30 days after the application deadline. All awards will 
be made and agreements finalized no later than September 30, 2006.
    C. Location and Target Audience: RMA Regional Office 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 their 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).


[[Page 34874]]


    Applicants must designate in their application narratives the RMA 
Region where educational activities will be conducted and the specific 
groups of target producers within the region that the applicant intends 
to reach through the project. Priority will be given to producers of 
priority commodities. Applicants proposing to conduct educational 
activities in more than one RMA Regional must submit a separate 
application for each RMA Region.
    This requirements is not intended to preclude target producers from 
areas that border a designated RMA Region from participating in that 
region's educational activities. It is also not a intended to prevent 
applicants from proposing the use of certain informational methods, 
such as print or broadcast news outlets, that may reach and target 
producers engaged in farming and ranching in other RMA Regions.
    D. Maximum Award: Any application that requests Federal funding of 
more than $50,000 for a project in any of the individual RMA Regions 
will be rejected.
    E. Project Period: Projects will be funded for a period of up to 
one year from the project starting date.
    F. Description of Agreement Award:
    Recipients 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:
     Develop and conduct a promotional program. This program 
will include activities using appropriate informational dissemination 
techniques that are designed to: (a) Raise awareness for the 
availability of the risk management education program; (b) inform 
target producers of the availability of risk management tools; and (c) 
inform target producers and agribusiness leaders in the designated RMA 
Region of information and training opportunities provided by the USDA 
and DHHS.
     Deliver, using culturally appropriate methods, risk 
management training and informational opportunities to target producers 
in the designated RMA Region. This will include organizing and 
delivering educational activities using instructional materials 
developed for target producers. Activities should be directed primarily 
to target producers, but may include those agribusiness professionals 
that have frequent opportunities to advise target 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 may also be required to provide information to an RMA-
selected contractor to evaluate all educational activities and advise 
RMA as to the effectiveness of activities.
    G. RMA Activities: FCIS, working through RMA, will be substantially 
involved during the performance of the funded project through RMA's ten 
Regional Offices. Potential types of substantial involvement may 
include, but are not limited to the following activities.
     Assist in the selection of subcontractors and project 
staff.
     Collaborate with the recipient in assembling, reviewing, 
and approving risk management materials for target producers in the 
designated RMA Region.
     Collaborate with the recipient in reviewing and approving 
a promotional program for raising awareness for risk management and for 
informing target producers of training and informational opportunities 
in the RMA Region.
     Collaborate with the recipient on the delivery of 
education to target 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; (c) assisting the project leader in 
informing crop insurance professionals about educational activity plans 
and scheduled meetings and; (d) networking with other agencies/services 
within USDA and the DHHS.
     Conduct an evaluation of the performance of the recipient 
in meeting the deliverables of the project.
    Applications that do not contain substantial involvement by RMA 
will be rejected.
    H. 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

a. 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 target producers 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 governed by Federal law and regulations 
(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; a 
determination of being considered ``high risk''). Applications from 
ineligible or excluded persons will be rejected in their entirety.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Although RMA prefers cost sharing by the applicant, this program 
has neither a cost sharing nor a matching requirement.

C. 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). Applicants that do not 
demonstrate a non-financial benefit will be rejected.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Contact to Request Application Package

    Program application materials for the Commodity Partnerships 
program under this announcement may be downloaded from http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements. Applicants may also request 
application materials from: Eric Edgington, USDA-RMA-IS, phone (202) 
690-2539, fax (202) 690-2095, e-mail: [email protected].

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    A complete and valid application package must include an electronic 
copy (Microsoft Word format preferred) of the narrative portion (Forms 
RME-1

[[Page 34875]]

and RME-2) of the application package on 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, 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''. Federal funding requested 
(the total of direct and indirect costs) must not exceed $50,000.
    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 third evaluation criterion, is to be completed in detail in RME 
Form-2, applicants may wish to highlight certain unique features of the 
Statement of Work in Part II for the benefit of the evaluation panel. 
If your narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first 10 pages will 
be reviewed.
     No smaller than 12-point font size.
     Use an easily readable font face (e.g., Arial, Geneva, 
Helvetica, Times Roman).
     8.5 by 11 inch paper
     One-inch margins on each page.
     Printed on only one side of paper.
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not 
bound or stapled in any other way
    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, C. Other--Non-financial 
Benefits, 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.

C. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications Deadline: July 17, 2006. 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.

D. Funding Restrictions

    Cooperative 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 cooperative partnership agreement 
application;
    e. Fund political activities;
    f. Purchase alcohol, food, beverage, or entertainment;
    g. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving a partnership agreement;
    h. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 CFR parts 3015 and 3019, as 
applicable.

E. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits

    Total costs for salary and benefits allowed for projects under this 
announcement will be limited to not more than 60 percent reimbursement 
of the funds awarded under the cooperative partnership agreement as 
indicated in Section III. Eligibility Information, C. Other--Non-
financial Benefits. All remaining funds must be used for the 
educational materials, promotion, rental of a meeting place, etc. One 
goal of the Commodity Partnerships program is to maximize the use of 
the limited funding available for risk management education for 
producers of Priority Commodities. In order to accomplish this goal, 
RMA needs to ensure that the maximum amount of funds practicable is 
used for directly providing the educational opportunities. Limiting the 
amount of funding for salaries and benefits will allow the limited 
amount of funding to reach the maximum number of farmers and ranchers.

F. Indirect Cost Rates

    a. Indirect costs allowed for projects submitted under this 
announcement will be limited to ten (10) percent of the total direct 
cost of the cooperative partnership agreement.
    b. RMA will withhold all indirect cost rate funds for an award to 
an applicant requesting indirect costs if the applicant has not 
negotiated an indirect cost rate with its cognizant Federal agency.
    c. If an applicant is in the process of negotiation an indirect 
cost rate with its cognizant Federal agency, RMA will withhold all 
indirect cost rate funds from that applicant until the indirect cost 
rate has been established.
    d. If an applicant's indirect cost rate has expired or will expire 
prior to award announcements, a clear statement on renegotiation 
efforts must be included in the application.
    e. It is incumbent on all applicants to have a current indirect 
cost rate or begin negotiations to establish an indirect cost rate 
prior to the submission deadline. Because it may take several months to 
obtain an indirect cost rate, applicants needing an indirect cost rate 
are encouraged to start work on establishing these rates well in 
advance of submitting an application. The U.S. Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) is responsible for assigning cognizant Federal agencies.
    f. Applicants may be asked to provide a copy of their indirect cost 
rate negotiated with their cognizant agency.

G. 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 consider this 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 Services should allow for the extra 
security handling 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 Refugee Program, USDA/RMA/IS, 
Room 6715, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20250.
    Address when using U.S. Postal Services: Attention: Risk Management 
Refugee Program, USDA/RMA/IS/Stop 0805, Room 6715, South Building, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0805.

H. Electronic Submissions

    Applications transmitted electronically via Grants.gov will be 
accepted prior to the application date or time deadline. The 
application package can be accessed via Grants.gov, go to

[[Page 34876]]

http://www.grants.gov, click on ``Find Grant Opportunities'', click on 
``Search Grant Opportunities,'' and enter the CFDA number (located at 
the beginning of this RFA) to search by CFDA number. From the search 
results, select the item that correlates to the title of this RFA. If 
you do not have electronic access to the RFA or have trouble 
downloading material and you would like a hardcopy, you may contact 
Eric Edgington, USDA-RMA-IS, phone (202) 690-2539, fax (202) 690-2095, 
e-mail: [email protected].

I. 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's point of contact 
indicated in Section VII, Agency Contact.

V. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

    Applications submitted under the Commodity Partnerships program 
will be evaluated within each RMA Region according to the following 
criteria:
Priority--Maximum 10 Points
    The applicant can submit projects that are not related to Priority 
Commodities. However, priority is given to projects relating to 
Priority Commodities and the degree in which such projects relate to 
the Priority Commodities. Projects that relate solely to Priority 
Commodities will be eligible for the most points.
Project Benefits--Maximum 35 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate that the project benefits to target 
producers warrant the funding requested. Projects that relate solely to 
target producers will be eligible for the most points. Projects for 
which target producers are estimated to receive less than 75 percent 
will be rejected. Applicants will be scored according to the extent 
they can: (a) Reasonably estimate and describe the total number of 
target producers reached through the various educational activities 
described in the Statement of Work; (b) justify such estimates with 
clear specifics; (c) identify the actions target 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 target 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 15 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 substantial involvement, 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, which is to provide 
producers with training and informational opportunities so that the 
producers will be better able to use financial management, crop 
insurance, marketing contracts, and other existing and emerging risk 
management tools. Applicants are required to submit this Statement of 
Work on Form RME-2.
Partnering--Maximum 20 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate experience and capacity to partner 
with other USDA and DHHS agencies and services, 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 multiple groups of target producers 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 target producers.
Project Management--Maximum 10 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 target 
producers in the respective RMA Region. Applicants that will employ, or 
have access to, personnel who have experience in directing local 
educational programs that benefit target producers in the respective 
RMA Region will receive higher rankings.
Past Performance--Maximum 10 Points
    If the applicant has been a recipient of other Federal or other 
government grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, the applicant 
must provide information relating to their past performance in 
reporting on outputs and outcomes under past or current Federal 
assistance agreements. The applicant must also detail that they have 
consistently complied with financial and program reporting and auditing 
requirements. RMA reserves the right to add up to 10 points and 
subtract 5 points to applications due to past performance. Applicants 
with very good past performance will receive a score from 6-10 points. 
Applicants with acceptable past performance will receive a score from 
1-5 points. Applicants with unacceptable past performance will receive 
a score of minus 5 points for this evaluation factor. Applicants 
without relevant past performance information will receive a neutral 
score of the mean number of points of all applicants with past 
performance. Under this cooperative partnership agreement, RMA will 
subjectively rate the recipient on project performance as indicated in 
Section II, G.
    The applicant 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.
Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency--Maximum 15 Points
    Applicants must provide a detailed budget summary that clearly 
explains

[[Page 34877]]

and justifies costs associated with the project. Applicants will 
receive higher scores to the extent that they can demonstrate a fair 
and reasonable use of funds appropriate for the project and a budget 
that contains the estimated cost of reaching each individual target 
producers. The applicant must provide information factors such as:
     The allowability and necessity for individual cost 
categories;
     The reasonableness of amounts estimated for necessary 
costs;
     The basis used for allocating indirect or overhead costs;
     The appropriateness of allocating particular overhead 
costs to the proposed project as direct costs; and
     The percent of time devoted to the project for all key 
project personnel identified in the application. Salaries of project 
personnel should be requested in proportion to the percent of time that 
they would devote to the project--Note: cannot exceed 60% of the total 
project budget. Applicants 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. Only items or services that are 
necessary for the successful completion of the project will be funded 
as permitted under the Act.

B. 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 he RMA 
Region according to the scores received. A random drawing will be held 
to resolve any instances of a tie score that might have a hearing on 
funding recommendations. If such a drawing 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. 
Funding will not be provided for an application receiving a score less 
than 60. Funding will not be provided for an application that is highly 
similar to a higher-scoring application in the same RMA Region. Highly 
similar is one that proposes to reach the same target producers likely 
to be reached by another applicant that scored higher by the panel and 
the same general educational material is proposed to be delivered.
    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 RCIC 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

A. 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, 2007, 
whichever is later.
    After a cooperative partnership agreement has been signed, 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.
    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 than other 
applications in an RMA Region, or applications that propose to deliver 
education to target producers in an RMA Region that are largely similar 
to groups reached in a higher ranked application.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. Requirement To Use Program Logo
    Applicants awarded partnership agreements will be required to us a 
program logo and design provided by RMA for all instructional and 
promotional materials.
2. Requirement to Provide Project Information to an RMA-selected 
Representative
    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 representative selected by RMA for program 
evaluation purposes.
3. 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 
entries will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct activities 
that would otherwise be required under a Standard Reinsurance Agreement 
or any other agreement in effect between FCIC and the entity. Also, 
such entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct 
activities that could be perceived by producers as promoting one 
company's services or products over another's. If applying for funding, 
such organizations are encouraged to be sensitive to potential 
conflicts of interest and to describe in their application the specific 
actions they will take to avoid actual and perceived conflicts of 
interest.

[[Page 34878]]

4. 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.
5. Confidential Aspects of Applications 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 an application that does not result 
in an award will retained by RMA for a period of one year. Other copies 
will be destroyed. Copies of applications not receiving awards will be 
released only with the express written consent of the applicant or to 
the extent required by law. An application may be withdrawn at any time 
prior to award.
6. Audit Requirements
    Applicants awarded partnership agreements are subject to audit.
7. Prohibitions and Requirements With Regard to Lobbying
    Since all awards under the request for application shall not exceed 
$50,000, the reporting requirements in section 319(b) of Public Law 
101-121, enacted on October 23, 1989, are not applicable.
8. Applicable OMB Circulars
    All cooperative partnership agreements funded as a result of this 
notice will be subject to the requirements contained in all applicable 
OMB circulars.
9. Requirement To Assure Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Laws
    Project leaders of all cooperative partnership agreements funded as 
a result of this notice are required to know and abide by Federal civil 
rights laws and to assure USDA and RMA that the recipient is in 
compliance with and will continue to comply with Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et. seq.), 7 CFR part 15, and USDA 
regulations promulgated there under, 7 C.F.R. 1901.202. RMA requires 
that recipients submit Form RD 400-4, Assurance Agreement (Civil 
Rights), assuring RMA of this compliance prior to the beginning of the 
project period.
10. Requirement To Participate in a Post Award Teleconference
    RMA requires that project leaders participate in a post award 
teleconference to become fully aware of agreement requirements and for 
delineating the roles of RMA personnel and the procedures that will be 
followed in administering the agreement and will afford an opportunity 
for the orderly transition of agreement duties and obligations if 
different personnel are to assume post-award responsibility.

C. Reporting Requirements

    Award recipients will be required to submit quarterly progress 
reports, quarterly financial reports (OMB Standard Form 269), and 
quarterly Activity Logs (Form RME-3) 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.
    Recipients will be required to submit prior to the award:
     A completed and signed Form RD 400-4, Assurance Agreement 
(Civil Rights).
     A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure 
of Lobbying Activities''.
     A completed and signed AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary 
Covered Transactions''.
     A completed and signed AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding 
Drug-Free Workplace''.
     A completed and signed Faith-Based Survey on EEO.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants and other interested 
parties are encouraged to contact: Eric Edgington, USDA-RMA-IS, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., Stop 0805, Room 6715, Washington, DC 20250-0805, 
phone (202) 690-2539, fax (202) 690-2095, e-mail: 
[email protected]. You may also obtain information regarding 
this announcement from the RMA Web site at: http://www.ma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements.

VIII. Other Information

A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)

    A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the 
universal standard for identifying and keeping track of over 70 million 
businesses worldwide. The Office of Management and Budget published a 
notice of final policy issuance in the Federal Register June 27, 2003 
(68 FR 38402) that requires a DUNS number in every application (i.e., 
hard copy and electronic) for a grant or cooperative agreement on or 
after October 1, 2003. Therefore, potential applicants should verify 
that they have a DUNS number or take the 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.

B. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry for 
Submission of Proposals

    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. A DUNS number is needed for CCR 
registration. For information about how to register in the CCR, visit 
``Get Started'' at the Web site, http://www.grants.gov. Allow a minimum 
of 5 business days to complete the CCR registration.

C. 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), 
CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States), and CFDA 
No. 10.459 (Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions program).

[[Page 34879]]

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.

    Signed in Washington, DC on June 12, 2006.
Eldon Gould,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 06-5442 Filed 6-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-M