[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 106 (Monday, June 2, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31490-31492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12159]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration


Food Safety Research; Investigations Focused on Promoting the 
Safety of Produce

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA-Center for Food Safety 
and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)) is announcing the availability of 
approximately $1.0 million in research funds for fiscal year (FY) 2008. 
It is anticipated that individual grants will receive a total of 
$250,000 to $500,000 to cover both direct and indirect costs. These 
funds will be used to support research efforts to advance the safe 
transportation and preparation of produce and to help reduce the 
incidence of foodborne illness that may be associated with fresh 
produce consumption. The award will provide 18 months of support. There 
will be no additional years of noncompetitive continuation support. A 
copy of the full text of this announcement will be posted in Grants.gov 
and on FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Web site at 
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html.
    Key Dates: Receipt Date: Applications are due within 90 days after 
the publication of the funding opportunity in the Federal Register.

[[Page 31491]]

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Food Safety and 
Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) maintains an active intramural research 
program. This research is focused on five primary CFSAN program 
priorities; ensuring the safety of food, dietary, supplements and 
cosmetics; improving nutrition; and promoting the security and 
integrity of the food supply. When resources permit, CFSAN supports 
extramural research grants intended to help advance these program 
priorities. The extramural program endeavors to support novel research 
efforts, expertise, and resources not found within CFSAN. In 
particular, it is intended that any additional extramural research 
efforts in food safety will complement the Center's intramural research 
efforts, and generally enhance the Agency's and the Nation's ability to 
reduce the incidence of food borne illness and protect the integrity of 
the nation's food supply.
    Applications submitted in response to this Request for Application 
must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) using the SF 424 Research and Related (R&R forms and 
the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide.) Paper applications will not be 
accepted.

Project Emphasis

    FDA is announcing the availability of competitively awarded funding 
for FY 2008 to be used for research intended to help enhance produce 
safety. Proposed projects designed to fulfill the specific objectives 
of either of the following requested project topic categories will be 
considered for funding. Applications may address only one project and 
its objectives per application. It should be noted that CFSAN will 
place greater value on those proposals addressing the objectives in a 
manner that will lead to practical solutions, which, if implemented, 
will help improve the safety of prepared and consumed fresh-cut 
produce. No proposed projects should involve human research subjects.

A. Project Topic Category 1

    Conduct laboratory based studies assessing the handling of fresh-
cut produce by consumers that may compromise the microbiological safety 
of the product prior to its consumption. Quantifiable information is 
being sought regarding the consequences of typical consumer handling 
behaviors that compromise fresh produce safety and about practical 
alterations in consumer behaviors that may be easily employed to 
improve the safety of the product they eat. These must be laboratory 
based studies and not consumer behavioral studies involving human 
subjects.

B. Project Topic Category 2

    Identify and assess problem(s) that occur during the transportation 
of fresh produce between producer processing facilities and point of 
retail sale to the consumer. The research may focus on an individual 
problem and its impact on a single commodity or a group of commodities. 
Alternatively, the research may focus on a set of related or 
interdependent problems and their impact on a single commodity or a 
group of commodities. It is expected the research effort will provide 
practical solutions that can be used to enhance product safety and 
integrity during the transportation phase of its production.

II. Award Information

Mechanism of Support

    This Request for Application will use the Research Project Grant 
R01 award mechanism. The applicant will be solely responsible for 
planning, directing, and executing the proposed project. FDA will 
support the competitively awarded grants under the authority of section 
301 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 241).

Announcement Type: New Competing Research Grant (R01)

Request for Applications (RFA) Number: RFA-FD-08-005

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 93.103

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    The grants are available to any foreign or domestic, public or 
private, for-profit or nonprofit entity (including State and local 
units of government). Federal agencies that are not part of the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may apply. Agencies that 
are part of HHS may not apply. For-profit entities must commit to 
excluding fees or profit in their request for support to receive grant 
awards. Organizations that engage in lobbying activities, as described 
in section 501(c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1968, are not 
eligible to receive grant awards.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Cost sharing is not required.

C. Other-Special Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each 
application is scientifically distinct.

IV. Application and Submission

A. Request Application Information

    Applicants must download the SF424 (R&R) application forms and 
SF424 (R&R) Application Guide for this funding opportunity through the 
Grants.gov Apply http://www.grants.gov Web site. Only the forms package 
directly attached to this specific funding opportunity in Grants.gov 
can be used.
    Your organization will need to obtain a Data Universal Number 
System (DUNS) number and register with the Central Contractor 
Registration (CCR) as part of the Grants.gov registration process.
    Direct questions regarding Grants.gov registration should be 
directed to Grants.gov Customer Support at 800-518-4726 or e-mail 
[email protected].
1. Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS)
    Applicants are now required to have a DUNS number to apply for a 
grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal Government. The DUNS 
number is a 9-digit identification number that uniquely identifies 
business entities. To obtain a DUNS number, call Dun and Bradstreet at 
1-866-705-5711. Be certain that you identify yourself as a Federal 
grant applicant when you contact Dun and Bradstreet. For foreign 
entities the Web site is https://eupdate.DNB.com.
2. Central Contractor Registration
    Applicants must register with the CCR database. You must have a 
DUNS number to begin your registration. This database is a government-
wide warehouse of commercial and financial information for all 
organizations conducting business with the Federal Government. The 
preferred method for completing a registration is through the Web site 
at http://www.ccr.gov. This Web site provides a CCR handbook with 
detailed information on data you will need prior to beginning the 
online pre-registration, as well as steps to walk you through the 
registration process. In order to access grants.gov an applicant will 
be required to register with the Credential Provider. Information about 
this is available at http://www.grant.gov/CredentialProvider.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The SF424 (R&R) has several components. Some components are 
required, others are optional. The forms package associated with this 
Request for Application in Grants.gov/APPLY includes all applicable 
components (required and optional). The package should be labeled 
``Response to RFA-

[[Page 31492]]

FD-08-005.'' If you experience technical difficulties with your online 
submission you should contact Gladys Melendez-Bohler by telephone 301-
827-7168 or by e-mail [email protected].
    Data and information included in the application will generally not 
be publicly available prior to the funding of the application. After 
funding has been awarded, data and information included in the 
application will be given confidential treatment to the extent 
permitted by the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552(b)) and FDA's 
implementing regulations (including 21 CFR Part 20 and Sec. Sec.  
20.61, 20.105, and 20.106). By accepting funding, the applicant agrees 
to allow FDA to publish specific information about the grant. 
Collecting information on Form SF424 (R&R) has been approved and 
assigned OMB control number 4040-0001.

C. Submission Dates and Times

    The application submission receipt date is within 90 days after the 
date of the publication of the Funding Opportunity Announcement in the 
Federal Register. The application will be accepted electronically until 
the established receipt date.
    On time submission requires that applications be successfully 
submitted to Grants.gov no later than 5 p.m local time (of the 
applicant's institution/organization).

D. Intergovernmental Review

    The regulations issued under Executive Order 12372, 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Program (45 CFR Part 100) do not 
apply.

E. Funding Restrictions

    This agreement will be subject to all policies and requirements 
that govern the research grant programs of the PHS, including 
Provisions of 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. All grants are 
subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other 
considerations described in the January 6, 2007, HHS Grants Policy 
Statement that are applicable based on your recipient type and the 
purpose of this award. This includes any requirements in Parts I and II 
(available at http://www.hhs.gov/grantsnet/adminis/gpd/index.htm).
    Although consistent with the HHS Grants Policy Statement (GPS), any 
applicable statutory or regulatory requirements, including 45 CFR parts 
74 or 92, directly apply to this award apart from any coverage in the 
HHS GPS.

V. Agency Contacts

    For issues regarding the programmatic aspects of this notice: Mark 
Wirtz, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-002), Food and 
Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 
301-436-2001, e-mail: [email protected]. For issues regarding the 
administrative and financial management aspects of this notice contact, 
Gladys Melendez-Bohler at 301-827-7168 or by e-mail at gladys.melendez-
[email protected].

    Dated: May 23, 2008.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Associate Commissioner for Policy and Planning.
[FR Doc. E8-12159 Filed 5-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S