[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3681-3688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-942]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Funding Opportunity Title: Crop Insurance Education in Targeted 
States (Targeted States Program)

    Announcement Type: Announcement of Availability of Funds and 
Request for Application for Competitive Cooperative Agreements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.458


DATES: Applications are due by 5 p.m. EST, March 24, 2008.
SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating 
through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of 
approximately $4.5 million (subject to availability of funds) to fund 
cooperative agreements under the Crop Insurance Education in Targeted 
States program (the Targeted States Program). The purpose of this 
cooperative agreement program is to deliver crop insurance education 
and information to U.S. agricultural producers in certain States that 
have been designated as historically underserved with respect to crop 
insurance. The States, collectively referred to as Targeted States, are 
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New 
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, 
Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. A maximum of 15 cooperative 
agreements will be funded, one in each of the 15 Targeted States. 
Awardees of awards must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in 
the project. Funding availability for this program may be announced at 
approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but 
separate programs--CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance 
Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships) 
CFDA No. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education), 
and CFDA No. 10.459 (Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk 
Management Education Sessions). Prospective applicants should carefully 
examine and compare the notices for each program.
    The collections of information in this announcement have been 
approved by OMB under control number 0563-0067 through January 31, 
2009.
    This Announcement Consists of Eight Sections:

Section I--Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Legislative Authority
    B. Background
    C. Project Goal
    D. Purpose

Section 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-Awardee Tasks
    G. RMA Activities
    H. Other Tasks

Section III--Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible Applicants
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching

Section IV--Application and Submission Information

    A. Contact To Request Application Package
    B. Content and Form of Application Submission
    C. Funding Restrictions
    D. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits
    E. Indirect Cost Rates
    F. Other Submission Requirements
    G. Electronic Submissions
    H. Acknowledgement of Applications

Section V--Application Review Information

    A. Criteria
    B. Review and Selection Process

Section VI--Award Administration Information

    A. Award Notices
    B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    1. Requirement To Use Program Logo
    2. Requirement To Provide Project Information to an RMA-Selected 
Representative

[[Page 3682]]

    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
    11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the National 
AgRisk Education Library
    12. Requirement To Submit Proposed Results to the National 
AgRisk Education Library
    13. Requirement To Submit a Project Plan of Operation in the 
Event of a Human Pandemic Outbreak
    C. Reporting Requirements

Section VII--Agency Contact

Section VIII--Other 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

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Legislative Authority

    The Targeted States Program is authorized under section 524(a)(2) 
of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act).

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 existing products, 
ensuring the integrity of crop insurance programs, offering outreach 
programs aimed at equal access and participation of underserved 
communities, and providing risk management education and information. 
One of RMA's strategic goals is to ensure that its customers are well 
informed as to the risk management solutions available. This 
educational goal is supported by section 524(a)(2) of the Act. This 
section authorizes funding for the establishment of crop insurance 
education and information programs in States that have historically 
been underserved by the Federal crop insurance program. In accordance 
with the Act, the fifteen States designated as ``underserved'' are 
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New 
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, 
Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming (collectively referred to as 
``Targeted States'').

C. Project Goal

    The goal of the Targeted States Program is to ensure that farmers 
and ranchers in the Targeted States are sufficiently informed so as to 
take full advantage of existing and emerging crop insurance products.

D. Purpose

    The purpose of the Targeted States Program is to provide farmers 
and ranchers in Targeted States with education and information to be 
able to understand:
     The kinds of risk addressed by crop insurance;
     The features of existing and emerging crop insurance 
products;
     The use of crop insurance in the management of risk;
     How the use of crop insurance can affect other risk 
management decisions, such as the use of marketing and financial tools;
     How to make informed decisions on crop insurance prior to 
the sales closing date deadline; and
     Record keeping requirements for crop insurance.
    In addition, for 2008, the FCIC Board of Directors and the FCIC 
Manager are seeking projects that also include the Special Emphasis 
Topics listed below which highlight the educational priorities within 
each of the twelve Northeast Targeted States:
    Massachusetts--Aquaculture (Clams), AGR, AGR-Lite and Nursery Crop 
Insurance Tools.
    West Virginia--Livestock and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), 
Nursery, and AGR-Lite Crop Insurance Tools.
    Pennsylvania--AGR, AGR-Lite, Nursery and Pasture Rangeland and 
Forage Rainfall Index and Pasture Rangeland and Forage Vegetation Index 
Crop Insurance Tools.
    New York--AGR, AGR-Lite, Nursery and Pasture Rangeland and Forage 
Vegetation Index Crop Insurance Tools.
    Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 
Rhode Island, and Vermont--AGR, AGR-Lite and Nursery Crop Insurance 
Tools.

II. Award Information

A. Type of Award

    Cooperative Agreements, which require the substantial involvement 
of RMA.

B. Funding Availability

    Approximately $4,500,000 (subject to availability of funds) is 
available in fiscal year 2008 to fund up to 15 cooperative agreements, 
a maximum of one agreement for each of the Targeted States. The maximum 
funding amount anticipated for each Targeted State's agreement is as 
follows. Applicants should apply for funding for that Targeted State 
where the applicant intends on delivering educational activities.

Connecticut................................................     $225,000
Delaware...................................................      261,000
Maine......................................................      225,000
Maryland...................................................      370,000
Massachusetts..............................................      209,000
Nevada.....................................................      208,000
New Hampshire..............................................      173,000
New Jersey.................................................      272,000
New York...................................................      617,000
Pennsylvania...............................................      754,000
Rhode Island...............................................      157,000
Utah.......................................................      301,000
Vermont....................................................      226,000
West Virginia..............................................      209,000
Wyoming....................................................      293,000
                                                            ------------
    Total..................................................    4,500,000
 

    Funding amounts were determined by first allocating an equal amount 
of $150,000 to each Targeted State. Remaining funds were allocated on a 
pro rata basis according to each Targeted State's share of 2000 
agricultural cash receipts relative to the total for all Targeted 
States. Both allocations were totaled for each Targeted State and 
rounded to the nearest $1,000.
    In the event that additional funds become available under this 
program or in the event that no application for a given Targeted State 
is recommended for funding by the evaluation panel, these additional 
funds may, at the discretion of the Manager of FCIC, be allocated pro-
rata to State awardees for use in broadening the size or scope of 
awarded projects within the Targeted State if agreed to by the awardee.
    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 120 days after the application deadline. All awards will 
be made and agreements finalized no later than September 30, 2008.

C. Location and Target Audience

    Targeted States serviced by RMA Regional Offices are listed below. 
Staff

[[Page 3683]]

from the respective RMA Regional Offices will provide substantial 
involvement for Targeted States projects conducted within the 
respective Regions.
    Billings, MT Regional Office: (WY).
    Davis, CA Regional Office: (NV and UT).
    Raleigh, NC Regional Office: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, 
RI, VT, and WV).
    Applicants must clearly designate the Targeted State where crop 
insurance educational activities for the project will be delivered in 
their application narrative (Form RME-1) and in block 15 of the SF-424 
form. Applications without this designation will be rejected. 
Applicants may apply to deliver education to producers in more than one 
Targeted State, but a separate application must be submitted for each 
Targeted State. Single applications proposing to conduct educational 
activities in more than one Targeted State will be rejected.

D. Maximum Award

    Any application that requests Federal funding of more than the 
amount listed above for a project in a given Targeted State 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

Awardee Tasks
    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose and goal of this 
program in a designated Targeted State, the awardee will be responsible 
for performing the following tasks:
     Develop and conduct a promotional program. This program 
will include activities using media, newsletters, publications, or 
other appropriate informational dissemination techniques that are 
designed to: (a) Raise awareness for crop insurance; (b) inform 
producers of the availability of crop insurance; (c) inform producers 
of the crop insurance sales closing dates prior to the deadline; and 
(d) inform producers and agribusiness leaders in the designated 
Targeted State of training and informational opportunities.
     Deliver crop insurance training and informational 
opportunities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals 
in the designated Targeted State in a timely manner prior to crop 
insurance sales closing dates in order for producers to make informed 
decisions prior to the crop insurance sales closing dates deadline. 
This will include organizing and delivering educational activities 
using instructional materials that have been assembled to meet the 
local needs of agricultural producers. Activities should be directed 
primarily to agricultural producers, but may include those agribusiness 
professionals that have frequent opportunities to advise producers on 
crop insurance tools and decisions.
     Document all educational activities conducted under the 
cooperative agreement and the results of such activities, including 
criteria and indicators used to evaluate the success of the program. 
The awardee 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

    FCIC, working through RMA, will be substantially involved during 
the performance of the funded project through three of RMA's ten 
Regional Offices. Potential types of substantial involvement may 
include, but are not limited to the following activities.
     Collaborate with the awardee in assembling, reviewing, and 
approving risk management materials for producers in the designated RMA 
Region.
     Collaborate with the awardee in reviewing and approving a 
promotional program for raising awareness for risk management and for 
informing producers of training and informational opportunities in the 
RMA Region.
     Collaborate with the awardee on the delivery of education 
to producers and agribusiness leaders in the RMA Region. This will 
include: (a) Reviewing and approving in advance all producer and 
agribusiness leader educational activities; (b) advising the project 
leader on technical issues related to crop insurance education and 
information; and (c) assisting the project leader in informing crop 
insurance professionals about educational activity plans and scheduled 
meetings.
     Conduct an evaluation of the performance of the awardee in 
meeting the deliverables of the project.
     Assist in the selection of subcontractors and project 
staff.
    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 
crop insurance education for farmers and ranchers within a Targeted 
State. Individuals are 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.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Contact To Request Application Package

    Program application materials for the Targeted States Program under 
this announcement may be downloaded from http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements. Applicants may also request application materials 
from: Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: (202) 720-5265, fax: (202) 690-
3605, e-mail: [email protected].

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    A complete and valid application package must be submitted in one 
package at the time of initial submission, which must include the 
following:
    1. An original and two copies of the completed and signed 
application.

[[Page 3684]]

    2. An electronic copy (Microsoft Word format preferred) of the 
narrative portion (Forms RME-1 and RME-2) of the application package on 
a compact disc.
    3. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424, ``Application for 
Federal Assistance.''
    4. 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 the maximum 
level for the respective Targeted State, as specified in section II, 
Award Information.
    5. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-B, ``Assurances, 
Non-constructive Programs.''
    6. 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 
an 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. The budget narrative should provide 
enough detail for reviewers to easily understand how costs were 
determined and how they relate to the goals and objectives of the 
project.
    Part IV--(Not required for Targeted States Program).
    7. ``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.
    8. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities.''
    9. A completed and signed AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding 
Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered 
Transactions.''
    10. A completed and signed AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-
Free Workplace.''
    Applications that do not include items 1-7 above will be considered 
incomplete and will not receive further consideration and will be 
rejected.

C. Funding Restrictions

    Cooperative 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 agreement 
application;
    e. Fund political activities;
    f. Purchase alcohol, food, beverage, or entertainment;
    g. Lend money to support farming or agricultural business operation 
or expansion;
    h. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving a partnership agreement;
    i. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 CFR parts 3015 and 3019, as 
applicable.

D. 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 70 percent reimbursement 
of the funds awarded under the cooperative agreement. One goal of the 
Targeted States Program is to maximize the use of the limited funding 
available for crop insurance education for Targeted States. 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.

E. 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 agreement. Therefore, when preparing budgets, 
applicants should limit their requests for recovery of indirect costs 
to the lesser of their institution's official negotiated indirect cost 
rate or 10 percent of the total direct costs.
    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 negotiating 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. RMA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with 
successful applicants.

F. Other Submission Requirements

    Mailed submissions: Applications submitted through express, 
overnight mail or another delivery service will be considered as 
meeting the announced deadline if they are received in the mailroom at 
the address stated below for express, overnight mail or another 
delivery service on or before the deadline. Applicants are cautioned 
that express, overnight mail or other delivery services do not always 
deliver as agreed. Applicants should take this into account because 
failure of such delivery services will not extend the deadline. Mailed 
applications will be considered as meeting the announced deadline if 
they are received on or before the deadline in the mailroom at the 
address stated below for mailed applications. Applicants are 
responsible for mailing applications well in advance, to ensure that 
applications are received on or before the deadline time and date. 
Applicants using the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) should allow for the 
extra time for delivery due to the additional security measures that 
mail delivered to government offices in the Washington DC area 
requires. USPS mail sent to Washington DC headquarters is sanitized 
offsite, which may result in delays, loss, and physical damage to 
enclosures.
    Address when using private delivery services or when hand 
delivering: Attention: Risk Management Education

[[Page 3685]]

Program, USDA/RMA/RME, Room 6625, South Building, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250.
    Address when using U.S. Postal Services: Attention: Risk Management 
Education Program, USDA/RMA/RME/Stop 0808, Room 6625, South Building, 
1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0808.
    Applicants are responsible for ensuring that RMA receives a 
complete application package by the closing date and time. Regardless 
of the delivery method you choose, please do so sufficiently in advance 
of the due date to ensure your application package is received on or 
before the deadline. It is your responsibility to meet the due date and 
time. Emailed and faxed applications will not be accepted. Late 
application packages will not receive further consideration and will be 
rejected.

G. 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 http://www.grants.gov, click on ``Find Grant Opportunities,'' click on 
``Search Grant Opportunities,'' and enter the CFDA number (beginning of 
the 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 Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, 
phone: (202) 720-5265, fax: (202) 690-3605, e-mail: [email protected].
    If assistance is needed to access the application package via 
Grants.gov (e.g., downloading or navigating PureEdge forms, using 
PureEdge with a Macintosh computer, using Adobe), refer to resources 
available on the Web site first (http://www.grants.gov/). Grants.gov 
assistance is also available as follows:
     Grants.gov customer support. Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726.
    Business Hours: M-F 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
    E.mail: [email protected].
    Applicants who submit their applications via the Grants.gov Web 
site are not required to submit any hard copy documents to RMA.
    When using Grants.gov to apply, RMA strongly recommends that you 
submit the online application at least two weeks prior to the 
application due date in case there are problems with the Grants.gov Web 
site and you want to submit your application via a mail delivery 
service.

H. 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 Targeted States program will be 
evaluated within each Targeted State according to the following 
criteria:
    Project Impacts--Maximum 30 Points.
    The applicant must demonstrate that the project benefits to farmers 
and ranchers warrant the funding requested. Applicants will be scored 
according to the extent they can: (a) Identify the specific actions 
producers will likely be able to take as a result of the educational 
activities described in the Statement of Work; (b) identify the 
specific measures for evaluating results that will be employed in the 
project; (c) reasonably estimate the total number of producers reached 
through the various methods and educational activities described in the 
Statement of Work; and (d) justify such estimates with clear specifics. 
Reviewers' scoring will be based on the scope and reasonableness of the 
applicant's clear descriptions of specific expected actions 
participants will accomplish, and well-designed methods for measuring 
the project's results and effectiveness. Applicants using direct 
contact methods with producers will be scored higher.
    Statement of Work--Maximum 25 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. Applicants are 
required to submit this Statement of Work on Form RME-2.
    Partnering--Maximum 15 Points.
    The applicant must demonstrate experience and capacity to partner 
with and gain the support of grower organizations, agribusiness 
professionals, and agricultural leaders to carry out a local program of 
education and information in a designated Targeted State. The applicant 
is required to establish a written partnering plan that includes how 
each partner will aid in carrying out the project goal and purpose 
stated in this announcement and letters of commitment stating that the 
partner has agreed to do this work. The applicant must ensure this plan 
includes a list of all partners working on the project, their titles, 
and how they will be contributing to the deliverables listed in the 
agreement. The partnering plan will not count towards the maximum 
length of the application narrative (Form RME-1). Applicants will 
receive higher scores to the extent that they can document and 
demonstrate in the written partnering plan: (a) That partnership 
commitments are in place for the express purpose of delivering the 
program in this announcement; (b) that a broad group of farmers and 
ranchers will be reached within the Targeted State; (c) that partners 
are contributing to the project and involved in recruiting producers to 
attend the training; (d) that a substantial effort has been made to 
partner with organizations that can meet the needs of producers; and 
(e) statements from each partner regarding the number of producers that 
partner is committed to recruit for the project that would support the 
estimates specified under the Project Impacts criterion.
    Project Management--Maximum 15 Points.
    The applicant must demonstrate an ability to implement sound and 
effective project management practices. Higher scores will be awarded 
to applicants that can demonstrate organizational skills, leadership, 
and experience in delivering services or programs that assist 
agricultural producers in the respective Targeted State. The project 
manager must demonstrate that he/she has the capability to accomplish 
the

[[Page 3686]]

project goal and purpose stated in this announcement by (a) having a 
previous working relationship with the farm community in the designated 
Targeted State of the application, including being able to recruit 
approximately the number of producers to be reached in the application 
and/or (b) having established the capacity to partner with and gain the 
support of grower organizations, agribusiness professionals, and 
agribusiness leaders locally to aid in carrying out a program of 
education and information, including being able to recruit 
approximately the number of producers to be reached in this 
application. Applicants that will employ, or have access to, personnel 
who have experience in directing local educational programs that 
benefit agricultural producers in the respective Targeted State will 
receive higher rankings.
    Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency--Maximum 15 Points.
    Applicants must provide a detailed budget summary that clearly 
explains 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 
producer. 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 70% 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. 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.
    Past Performance--maximum 10 points.
    If the applicant has been an awardee 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. These past performance points will be applied only to 
applications that the review panel scored above the minimum score. 
Applications receiving less than the minimum score required to be 
eligible for potential funding will not receive past performance 
points. Under this cooperative partnership agreement, RMA will 
subjectively rate the awardee on project performance as indicated in 
Section II, G.
    Projected Audience Description--maximum 5 points.
    The applicant must clearly identify and describe the targeted 
audience for the project. Applicants will receive higher scores to the 
extent that they can reasonably and clearly describe their target 
audience and why the audience would choose to participate in the 
project. The applicant must describe why the proposed audience wants 
the information the project will deliver.

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 during the next process. Applications 
that meet announcement requirements will be sorted into the Targeted 
State 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 a Targeted State, panel members will score each 
application according to the criteria and point values listed above. 
The panel will then rank each application against others within the 
Targeted State according to the scores received. A lottery will be used 
to resolve any instances of a tie score that might have a bearing on 
funding recommendations. If such a lottery is required, the names of 
all tied applicants will be entered into a drawing. The first tied 
applicant drawn will have priority over other tied applicants for 
funding consideration.
    The review panel will report the results of the evaluation to the 
Manager of FCIC. The panel's report will include the recommended 
applicants to receive cooperative agreements for each Targeted State. 
Funding will not be provided for an application receiving a score less 
than 60. An organization, or group of organizations in partnership, may 
apply for funding under other FCIC or RMA programs, in addition to the 
program described in this announcement. However, if the Manager of FCIC 
determines that an application recommended for funding is sufficiently 
similar to a project that has been funded or has been recommended to be 
funded under another RMA or FCIC program, then the Manager may elect to 
not fund that application in whole or in part. The Manager of FCIC will 
make the final determination on those applications that will be awarded 
funding.

VI. Award Administration Information

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 cooperative agreements with those awardees. 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, 2009, whichever is later.

[[Page 3687]]

    After a cooperative agreement has been signed, RMA will extend to 
awardees, in writing, the authority to draw down funds for the purpose 
of conducting the activities listed in the agreement. All funds 
provided to the awardee 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 and awardees announced publicly. 
Reasons for denial of funding can include, but are not limited to, 
incomplete applications, applications with evaluation scores below 60, 
or applications with evaluation scores that are lower than those of 
other applications in a Targeted State.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. Requirement to Use Program Logo
    Awardees of cooperative agreements will be required to use 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
    Awardees of cooperative agreements may 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 
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. 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.
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 
cooperative 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 be 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
    Awardees of cooperative agreements are subject to audit.
7. Prohibitions and Requirements With Regard to Lobbying
    Section 1352 of Public Law 101-121, enacted on October 23, 1989, 
imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification 
related to lobbying on awardees of Federal contracts, grants, 
cooperative agreements, and loans. It provides exemptions for Indian 
Tribes and tribal organizations. Current and prospective awardees, and 
any subcontractors, are prohibited from using Federal funds, other than 
profits from a Federal contract, for lobbying Congress or any Federal 
agency in connection with the award of a contract, grant, cooperative 
agreement, or loan. In addition, for each award action in excess of 
$100,000 ($150,000 for loans) the law requires awardees and any 
subcontractors: (1) To certify that they have neither used nor will use 
any appropriated funds for payment of lobbyists; (2) to disclose the 
name, address, payment details, and purpose of any agreements with 
lobbyists whom awardees of their subcontractors will pay with profits 
or other non-appropriated funds on or after December 22, 1989; and (3) 
to file quarterly up-dates about the use of lobbyists if material 
changes occur in their use. The law establishes civil penalties for 
non-compliance. A copy of the certification and disclosure forms must 
be submitted with the application and are available at the address and 
telephone number listed in section VII. Agency Contact.
8. Applicable OMB Circulars
    All cooperative 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 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 awardee 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 thereunder, 7 CFR 1901.202. RMA requires that awardees 
submit an 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 Conference
    RMA requires that project leaders attend a post award conference to 
become fully aware of cooperative 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. In

[[Page 3688]]

their applications, applicants should budget for possible travel costs 
associated with attending this conference.
11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the National AgRisk 
Education Library
    RMA requires that project leaders upload digital copies of all risk 
management educational materials developed because of the project to 
the National AgRisk Education Library (http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for 
posting. RMA will be clearly identified as having provided funding for 
the materials.
12. Requirement To Submit Proposed Results to the National AgRisk 
Education Library
    RMA requires that project leaders submit results of the project to 
the National AgRisk Education Library (http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for 
posting.
13. Requirement To Submit a Project Plan of Operation in the Event of a 
Human Pandemic Outbreak
    RMA requires that project leaders submit a project plan of 
operation in case of a human pandemic event. The plan should address 
the concept of continuing operations as they relate to the project. 
This should include the roles, responsibilities, and contact 
information for the project team and individuals serving as back-ups in 
case of a pandemic outbreak.

C. Reporting Requirements

    Awardees will be required to submit quarterly progress reports, 
quarterly financial reports (OMB Standard Form 269), and quarterly 
Activity Logs (Form RMA-300) 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.
    Awardees will be required to submit prior to the award:
     A completed and signed Assurance Agreement (Civil Rights).
     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: Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: 202-
720-5265, fax: 202-690-3605, e-mail: [email protected]. You may 
also obtain information regarding this announcement from the RMA Web 
site at: http://www.rma.usda.gov/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. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education), 
and CFDA No. 10.459 (Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program). 
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 January 15, 2008.
Eldon Gould,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
 [FR Doc. E8-942 Filed 1-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P