[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 129 (Friday, July 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37025-37027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13046]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration


Cooperative Agreement to Support the Joint Institute for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing its 
intention to receive and consider a single source application for the 
award of a cooperative agreement in fiscal year 2007 (FY) to the 
University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) to support the Joint 
Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN). This award 
will strengthen existing programs and allow expansion of JIFSAN's 
education, outreach and applied research programs and external 
partnerships that have already been established.

DATES: Applications are due within 30 days after the publication of the 
funding opportunity in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gladys M. Bohler, Office of 
Acquisition and Grants Services, Food and Drug Administration, 5630 
Fishers Lane, rm. 2105, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-7168, or e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Funding Opportunity Number; Notice of Intent to Renew a Cooperative 
Agreement; RFA-FD-07-001 CFSAN Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
Number: 93.103

    An estimated amount of support in FY07 will be for up to $2.0 
million (direct plus indirect cost) the total amount being subject to 
annual budget appropriations, with an additional 4 years of support. 
JIFSAN is located on the University of Maryland Campus in College Park, 
MD. Competition is limited to UMCP because of the unique partnership 
between FDA and UMCP. The cooperative agreement will continue to allow 
for a more efficient use of research, scientific, education, and 
outreach resources which enhance overall public health by expanding and 
improving food safety and nutrition as well as other program areas that 
impact on public health policy.

II. Eligibility Information

    FDA believes UMCP is uniquely qualified to fulfill the objectives 
of the proposed cooperative agreement. UMCP is in close proximity to 
the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and the 
Center for Veterinary Medicine offices and laboratories in Prince 
Georges County, MD. UMCP has vast resources which complement and 
greatly expand FDA's research, scientific, education and outreach 
resources. As the UMCP and FDA are both located within the greater 
Washington, DC area increased interactions with the USDA Beltsville 
Agricultural Research Center and other world class research and medical 
institutions are possible. UMCP is the Washington region's most 
comprehensive research institution, with numerous academic programs 
relevant to FDA's mission and the resources to support CFSAN's areas of 
interest, including: microbiology, chemistry, food science, animal 
health sciences, agriculture, public policy, risk assessment, 
computational science, economics, and survey methodology. UMCP serves 
as a primary center for

[[Page 37026]]

graduate study and research and provides undergraduate and graduate 
instruction across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines. The 
University extends its intellectual resources to the community through 
innovative projects designed to serve individuals, governments and the 
private sector throughout the State of Maryland, the nation, and the 
international community.
    The University has developed core facilities to provide effective 
use of state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation with high 
acquisition, installation, and maintenance costs to conduct research at 
the forefront of science. An electron microscopy facility jointly 
supported by FDA and the University opened in 2000. CFSAN has moved its 
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrumentation and personnel to the 
University's NMR facility in the Chemistry building. These 
instrumentation centers complement CFSAN's resources and expertise.The 
University has developed http://www.FoodRisk.org (formerly the Risk 
Analysis Clearinghouse) which is the only web-based information 
resource specializing in food safety risk analysis, including risk 
assessment, risk management, and risk communication. Users include 
government officials from around the world seeking the latest risk 
assessment, or training and workshop opportunities. The Web site for 
FoodRisk.org contains: (1) Data and tools for researchers seeking to 
fill data gaps, build models, and develop expertise; (2) specialized 
data, peer networks, and access to modeling tools for risk assessors 
and project managers; and (3) the latest risk assessments, and 
information on workshops and training opportunities for interested 
individuals from around the world. The Web site for FoodRisk.org also 
operates the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health 
Organization (FAO/WHO) Acrylamide in Food Network, the internationally 
sanctioned repository for information about the safety and prevention 
of acrylamide in food.
    The University through JIFSAN has developed a broad range of 
international agreements with: (1) The Ministry of Science and 
Technology Thailand; (2) the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA); 
(3) the Central Science Laboratory, Department for Environment Food and 
Rural Affairs in York, UK; and (4) the Department of Natural Resources 
and Environment in Victoria Australia. Additionally JIFSAN has been 
designated a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization 
(PAHO/WHO) Collaborating Center for Food Safety Risk Analysis. These 
agreements enable UMCP and JIFSAN to: (1) Further promote international 
scientific, education, outreach and cooperative research activities; 
and (2) deepen the understanding of the scientific, economic and social 
issues/needs within the respective countries.
    Acknowledging the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to 
knowledge, the University maintains organized research units outside 
the usual academic department structures. Through collaborative 
projects, FDA has access to additional University resources that 
include: (1) The Center for Risk Communication Research where 
cooperative projects related to risk communication studies have been 
and will continue to be developed; (2) The Center for Food Systems 
Security and Safety, within the College of Agriculture and Natural 
Resources, providing opportunities for the development of 
multidisciplinary food safety research using an integrated food systems 
approach; and (3) The Maryland NanoCenter established as a partnership 
among the A. James Clark School of Engineering, the College of 
Computer, Math, and Physical Sciences (CMPS), and the College of 
Chemical and Life Sciences provides access to major nano-research, 
equipment and informational seminars that could foster trans-
disciplinary collaboration among a critical mass of researchers 
spanning the sciences and engineering.
    As UMCP is part of the University System of Maryland (comprised of 
eleven universities, two research institutions and two regional higher 
education centers) additional education, research and outreach 
expertise through affiliated campuses/faculty may be accessed to build 
additional relationships that advance our mutual goals. Collaboration 
between the public and the private sectors has proven to be an 
efficient means for both FDA and the University to remain current with 
scientific and technical advances associated with FDA regulated 
products (i.e., foods, cosmetics and animal drugs and feed additives). 
The degree to which we nurture, develop and build on these 
collaborations directly impacts our ability to enhance public health. 
The information and expertise obtained through this partnership between 
FDA and UMCP can be leveraged by all segments of the food safety and 
nutrition community, as well as by public health organizations, other 
Federal agencies, and academic institutions in the performance of their 
roles.
    As of October 1, 2003, applicants are required to have a DUNS 
number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal 
government. The DUNS number is a 9-digit identification number, which 
uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy 
and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, call 1-866-705-5711. 
Be certain that you identify yourself as a Federal grant applicant when 
you contact Dun and Bradstreet.

III. Application and Submission

    FDA will accept the application for this program electronically via 
http://www.grants.gov. The applicant is encouraged to apply 
electronically by visiting the Web site http://www.grants.gov and 
following instructions under ``Apply for Grants.'' The required 
application, SF 424 (Research & Related) (also referred to as the 
``SF424 (R&R)''), can be completed and submitted online. The package 
should be labeled ``Response to RFA-FD-07 001''. If you experience 
technical difficulties with your online submission you should contact 
Gladys M. Bohler by telephone 301-827-7168 or by e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Information about submitting an application electronically can be 
found on the http://www.grants.gov Web site. In order to apply 
electronically, the applicant must have a DUNS number and register in 
the central contractor registration (CCR) database.

A. Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS)

    As of October 1, 2003, applicants are required to have a DUNS 
number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal 
government. The DUNS number is a 9-digit identification number, which 
uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy 
and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, call 1-866-705-5711. 
Be certain that you identify yourself as a Federal grant applicant when 
you contact Dun and Bradstreet.

B. Central Contractor Registration

    Applicants must register with the CCR database. This database is a 
government-wide warehouse of commercial and financial information for 
all organizations conducting business with the Federal Government. The 
preferred method for completing a registration is through the World 
Wide Web at http://www.ccr.gov. This Web site provides a CCR handbook 
with detailed information on data you will need prior to beginning the 
online pre-registration, as well as steps to walk you through the 
registration process. You must have a DUNS number to begin your

[[Page 37027]]

registration. For foreign entities the Web site is http://www.grants.gov/RequestaDUNS.gov.In order to access grants.gov an 
applicant will be required to register with the Credential Provider. 
Information about this is available at https://apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister.
    A copy of the complete RFA can also be viewed on FDA's Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Web site at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html. (FDA has verified the Web site and its address but we are 
not responsible for changes subsequent to the Web site or its address 
after this document publishes in the Federal Register).

IV. Agency Contacts

    For issues regarding the programmatic aspects of this document, 
contact Christine L. Hileman, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition (HFS-006), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch 
Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 301-436-1674, or e-mail: 
[email protected].
    For issues regarding the administrative and financial management 
aspects of this document contact, Gladys Melendez-Bohler at 301-827-
7168 or by e-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: June 26, 2007.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. E7-13046 Filed 7-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S