[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3660-3668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-943]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 22, 2008 / 
Notices  

[[Page 3660]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Funding Opportunity Title: Commodity Partnerships for Risk 
Management Education (Commodity Partnerships Program)

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

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.457.


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 $3.75 million (subject to availability of funds) for 
Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education (the Commodity 
Partnerships Program). The purpose of this cooperative partnership 
agreement program is to deliver training and information in the 
management of production, marketing, and financial risk to U.S. 
agricultural producers. The program gives priority to educating 
producers of crops currently not insured under Federal crop insurance, 
specialty crops, and underserved commodities, including livestock and 
forage. A maximum of 50 cooperative partnership agreements will be 
funded, with no more than five in each of the ten designated RMA 
Regions. The maximum award for any of the 50 cooperative partnership 
agreements will be $75,000. Applicants must demonstrate non-financial 
benefits from a cooperative partnership agreement and must agree to the 
substantial involvement of RMA in the project.
    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. Definition of Priority Commodities
    D. Project Goal
    E. Purpose
    F. Objectives
Section II--Award Information
    A. Type of Award
    B. Funding Availability
    C. Location and Target Audience
    D. Maximum Award
    E. Project Period
    F. Awardee Tasks
    G. RMA Activities
    H. Other Tasks
Section III--Eligibility Information
    A. Eligible Applicants
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching
    C. Other--Non-Financial Benefits
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 Process
    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
    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

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Legislative Authority

    The Commodity Partnerships Program is authorized under section 
522(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 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 522(d)(3)(F) of the Act, which 
authorizes FCIC funding for risk management training and informational 
efforts for agricultural producers through the formation of 
partnerships with public and private organizations. With respect to 
such partnerships, priority is to be given to reaching producers of 
Priority Commodities, as defined below.

C. Definition of Priority Commodities

    For purposes of this program, Priority Commodities are defined as:
     Agricultural commodities covered by (7 U.S.C. 7333). 
Commodities in this group are commercial crops that are not covered by 
catastrophic risk protection crop insurance, are used for food or fiber 
(except livestock), and specifically include, but are not limited to, 
floricultural, ornamental nursery, Christmas trees, turf grass sod, 
aquaculture (including ornamental fish), and industrial crops.
     Specialty crops. Commodities in this group may or may not 
be covered

[[Page 3661]]

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 (75%) 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. Project Goal

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

E. 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.

F. Objectives

    For 2008, the FCIC Board of Directors and the FCIC Manager are 
seeking projects that include the special emphasis topics (topic) 
listed below which highlight the objectives within each RMA Region. The 
topics are listed in priority order, with the most important topic 
designated as 1, the second most important designated as 2, etc. The 
order of priority will be considered in making awards. Applicants may 
propose other topics within any project. RMA encourages applications 
that address multiple topics, but each application must specify a 
single primary topic for funding purposes in an RMA Region. At least 75 
percent of the project must be towards the primary topic. Applications 
that do not clearly specify a single primary topic for funding purposes 
in an RMA Region in block 15 of the SF-424 form will be rejected. 
``General Agricultural Risk Management Topics'' are topics that address 
the Commodity Partnership Program purpose as listed above in section I 
E. In order of priority, the special emphasis topics are:

Billings, MT Region: (MT, ND, SD, and WY)

    1. Forage Insurance Tools (MT, ND, SD, and WY).
    2. Risks of Growing Crops and Insurance Options for Biodiesel and 
Ethanol Fuel Purposes (MT, ND, SD, and WY).
    3. Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) Lamb Insurance Tools (MT, ND, 
SD, WY).
    4. General Agricultural Risk Management Topics.

Davis, CA Region: (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and UT)

    1. Actual Revenue History Insurance Tools for Cherries (CA, UT).
    2. AGR (CA) and AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (AZ, HI, NV, UT).
    3. LRP Insurance Tools (AZ, CA, NV, UT).
    4. General Agricultural Risk Management Topics.

Jackson, MS Region: (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN)

    1. Record Keeping Requirements for AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (TN).
    2. LRP Insurance Tools, PRF Rainfall Index and the PRF Vegetation 
Index Insurance Tools (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN).
    3. Nursery Price Endorsement Crop Insurance Tool (AR, KY, LA, MS, 
and TN).
    4. General Agricultural Risk Management Topics.

Oklahoma City, OK Region: (NM, OK, and TX)

    1. Risks of Growing and Insuring Bioethanol crops (OK, TX).
    2. Risks of Growing, Marketing, and Insuring Canola (OK).
    3. LRP Lamb Insurance Tools (NM, OK, and TX).
    4. General Agricultural Risk Management Topics.

Raleigh, NC Region: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NY, NJ, PA, RI, VA, 
VT, and WV)

    1. Virginia--Apple, AGR-Lite, LRP for Feeder Cattle, Fed Cattle, 
Lamb, and Swine Insurance Tools.
    2. North Carolina--AGR-Lite, and LRP for Feeder Cattle, Fed Cattle, 
Lamb, and Swine Insurance Tools.
    3. AGR-Lite Insurance Tools--(CT, DE, MA, ME, MD, NC, NH, NY, NJ, 
PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV).
    4. General Agricultural Risk Management Topics.

Spokane, WA Region: (AK, ID, OR, and WA)

    1. AGR-Lite (AGR where applicable) Insurance Tools (Western WA and/
or in Western OR).
    2. LRP Insurance Tools for Feeder Cattle, Fed Cattle, and Swine 
(ID, OR, WA) and Lamb (ID, OR).
    3. Potato Insurance Tools for Pacific Northwest Potato Growers.
    4. General Agricultural Risk Management Topics.

Springfield, IL Region: (IL, IN, MI, and OH)

    1. AGR Insurance Tools (MI).
    2. Forage Production Insurance Tools (IL and MI) and Forage Seeding 
Index Insurance Tools (MI).
    3. Wheat Insurance Tools (IL, IN, MI, OH).
    4. General Agricultural Risk Management Topics.

St. Paul, MN Region: (IA, MN, and WI)

    1. Insuring Non-traditional Crops Using Written Agreements and AGR-
Lite Insurance Tools (IA, MN and WI).
    2. Forage Production Insurance Tools (IA, MN, and WI).
    3. Record Keeping for Apples and Grapes Insurance Tools (IA, MN, 
and WI).
    4. General Agricultural Risk Management Topics.

Topeka, KS Region: (CO, KS, MO, and NE)

    1. AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (CO, KS).
    2. PRF Rainfall Index and PRF Vegetation Index Insurance Tools 
(CO).
    3. Documentation Requirements for Irrigation Availability (CO, KS, 
NE).
    4. General Agricultural Risk Management Topics.

Valdosta, GA Region: (AL, FL, GA, SC, and Puerto Rico)

    1. PRF Rainfall Index (AL, SC) and PRF Vegetation Index Insurance 
Tools (SC).
    2. AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (AL, FL, GA and SC).
    3. Citrus and Florida Fruit Tree Insurance Tools (FL).
    4. General Agricultural Risk Management Topics.

II. Award Information

A. Type of Award

    Cooperative Partnership Agreements, which require the substantial 
involvement of RMA.

B. Funding Availability

    Approximately $3,750,000 (subject to availability of funds) is 
available in fiscal year 2008 to fund up to 50

[[Page 3662]]

cooperative partnership agreements. The maximum award will be $75,000. 
It is anticipated that a maximum of five agreements will be funded for 
each designated RMA Region. Applicants should apply for funding under 
that RMA Region where the educational activities will be directed.
    In the event that all funds available for this program are not 
obligated after the maximum number of agreements are awarded or if 
additional funds become available, these funds may, at the discretion 
of the Manager of FCIC, be used to award additional applications that 
score highly by the technical review panel or allocated pro-rata to 
awardees for use in broadening the size or scope of awarded projects 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

    RMA Regional Offices 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, ND, SD, and WY).
    Davis, CA Regional Office: (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and UT).
    Jackson, MS Regional Office: (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN).
    Oklahoma City, OK Regional Office: (NM, OK, and TX).
    Raleigh, NC Regional Office: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, 
PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV).
    Spokane, WA Regional Office: (AK, ID, OR, and WA).
    Springfield, IL Regional Office: (IL, IN, MI, and OH).
    St. Paul, MN Regional Office: (IA, MN, and WI).
    Topeka, KS Regional Office: (CO, KS, MO, and NE).
    Valdosta, GA Regional Office: (AL, FL, GA, SC, and Puerto Rico).
    Applicants must clearly designate the RMA Region where educational 
activities will be conducted, and must clearly identify the primary 
topic listed in section I (F) that the project will address in their 
application narrative (Form RME-1) and in block 15 of the SF-424 form. 
Priority will be given to producers of Priority Commodities. Applicants 
proposing to conduct educational activities in more than one RMA Region 
must submit a separate application for each RMA Region. Single 
applications proposing to conduct educational activities in more than 
one RMA Region will be rejected.

D. Maximum Award

    Any application that requests Federal funding of more than $75,000 
will be rejected. RMA also reserves the right to fund successful 
applications at an amount less than requested if it is judged that the 
application can be implemented at a lower funding level.

E. Project Period

    Projects will be funded for a period of up to one year from the 
project starting date.

F. Awardee Tasks

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose and goal of this 
program in a designated RMA Region, 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 risk management; (b) inform 
producers of the availability of risk management tools; and (c) inform 
producers and agribusiness leaders in the designated RMA Region of 
training and informational opportunities.
     Deliver risk management training and informational 
opportunities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals 
in the designated RMA Region. 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 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 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 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 
risk management education for farmers and ranchers in an RMA Region. 
Individuals are not

[[Page 3663]]

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: 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.
    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 $75,000.
    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 
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. 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--Provide a ``Statement of Non-financial Benefits.'' (Refer 
to section III, Eligibility Information, C. Other--Non-financial 
Benefits, above).
    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, will not receive further consideration, and 
will be rejected.

C. 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. 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 partnership agreement as 
indicated in section III. Eligibility Information, C. Other--Non-
financial Benefits. 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.

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 partnership 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.

[[Page 3664]]

    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 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. E-mailed 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 (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 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 Grants.gov 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 Commodity Partnerships Program 
will be evaluated within each RMA Region 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 15 points.
    The applicant must produce a clear and specific Statement of Work 
for the

[[Page 3665]]

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 be scored higher 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 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 RMA Region. 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. This partnering plan will not count toward 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 RMA Region; (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 RMA Region. The project 
manager must demonstrate that he/she has the capability to accomplish 
the project goal and purpose stated in this announcement by (a) having 
a previous working relationship with the farm community in the 
designated RMA Region 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 RMA Region 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. 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. Only items or services that are 
necessary for the successful completion of the project will be funded 
as permitted under the Act.
    Priority Commodity--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.
    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 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

[[Page 3666]]

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 RMA Region 
in which the applicant proposes to conduct the project and then sorted 
by project objective listed in section I (F). These applications 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 the RMA 
Region by educational objective listed in Section I (F) according to 
the scores received. Those applications will be listed in initial rank 
order by special emphasis topic (topic) within each RMA Region. The 
highest-ranking application for each topic will be funded in the order 
of priority (the highest-ranking application in topic 1 will be funded 
first, the highest-ranking application in topic 2 will be funded 
second, etc.) in each RMA Region. The highest ranking of all remaining 
applications regardless of topic will be the fifth project funded. In 
the event that there are no applications that warrant funding in topics 
1-3, those funds may become available to other projects.
    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 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 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 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 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, 2009, whichever is later.
    After a cooperative partnership 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 the awardees announced 
publicly. 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 groups of 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
    Awardees 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 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 
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.

[[Page 3667]]

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 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 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 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 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 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 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

[[Page 3668]]

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). 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. E8-943 Filed 1-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P