[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 38 (Friday, February 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8902-8909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3974]


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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: Electronic applications submitted through Grants.gov must be 
received by close of business (COB) on April 27, 2010. Hard copy 
applications will not be accepted.
    Summary: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating 
through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of 
approximately $5,000,000 (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, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, 
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, 
Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Multiple cooperative agreements 
will be funded not to exceed the maximum funding amount established for 
each of the 16 Targeted States. Awardees 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), 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.
    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 Application
    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. Electronic 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. Acknowledgement of Applications
Section V--Application Review Process
    A. Criteria
    B. Selection and Review 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--Additional Information
    A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
    B. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry 
(CCR) 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

[[Page 8903]]

ensure that its customers are well informed of 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 sixteen States 
designated as ``underserved'' are Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, 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. 
In carrying out the programs established under the Food, Conservation, 
And Energy Act of 2008, the Secretary of Agriculture has placed special 
emphasis on risk management strategies, education, and outreach 
specifically targeted at--
    (A) Beginning farmers or ranchers;
    (B) Legal immigrant farmers or ranchers who are attempting to 
become established producers in the United States;
    (C) Socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers;
    (D) Farmers or ranchers who--
    (i) Are preparing to retire; and
    (ii) Are using transition strategies to help new farmers or 
ranchers get started; and
    (E) New or established farmers or ranchers who are converting 
production and marketing systems to pursue new markets.

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
     Recordkeeping requirements for crop insurance.
    In addition, for 2010, 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 Targeted States:

Massachusetts--LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern Potatoes, Apples, and Nursery 
Crop Insurance Tools
West Virginia--LGM Dairy Cattle, Apples, and Nursery Crop Insurance 
Tools
Pennsylvania--Apiculture Rainfall Index and Vegetation Index, LGM Dairy 
Cattle, Pasture Rangeland Forage Rainfall Index and Vegetation Index, 
Northern Potatoes, Apples, and Nursery Crop Insurance Tools
New York--Apiculture Vegetation Index, LGM Dairy Cattle, Pasture 
Rangeland Forage Vegetation Index, Northern Potatoes, Apples, and 
Nursery Crop Insurance Tools
Connecticut--LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern Potatoes, Apples, and Nursery 
Crop Insurance Tools
Delaware--LGM Dairy Cattle, Southern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 
Insurance Tools
Maine--LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern Potatoes, Apples, and Nursery Crop 
Insurance Tools
Maryland--LGM Dairy Cattle, Southern Potatoes, Apples, and Nursery Crop 
Insurance Tools
New Hampshire--LGM Dairy Cattle, Apples, and Nursery Crop Insurance 
Tools
New Jersey--LGM Dairy Cattle, Southern Potatoes, Apples, and Nursery 
Crop Insurance Tools
Rhode Island--LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 
Insurance Tools
Vermont--LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern Potatoes, Apples, and Nursery Crop 
Insurance Tools
Wyoming--Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage, Livestock Gross Margin, 
Specialty Crops, and Underserved Commodities
Nevada--Crop Insurance in general
Utah--Crop Insurance in general
Hawaii--Hawaii Tropical Fruits and Trees and Crop Insurance in general

II. Award Information

A. Type of Application

    In FY 2010, applications may be submitted for the Crop Insurance 
Education in Targeted States Program as a new application. All new 
applications will be reviewed competitively using the selection process 
and evaluation criteria described in Section V--Application Review 
Process.
    Each award will be designated as a Cooperative Agreement, which 
will require substantial involvement by RMA.

B. Funding Availability

    There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application 
or make a specific number of awards. Approximately $5,000,000 (subject 
to availability of funds) is available in fiscal year 2010 to fund 
multiple cooperative agreements not to exceed the maximum funding 
amount established 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 to deliver the educational activities.

Connecticut.............................................        $250,000
Delaware................................................         287,000
Hawaii..................................................         246,000
Maine...................................................         259,000
Maryland................................................         371,000
Massachusetts...........................................         239,000
Nevada..................................................         248,000
New Hampshire...........................................         216,000
New Jersey..............................................         282,000
New York................................................         586,000
Pennsylvania............................................         700,000
Rhode Island............................................         206,000
Utah....................................................         316,000
Vermont.................................................         259,000
West Virginia...........................................         242,000
Wyoming.................................................         293,000
                                                         ---------------
    Total...............................................       5,000,000
 

    Funding amounts were determined by first allocating an equal amount 
of $200,000 to each Targeted State. Remaining funds were allocated on a 
pro rata basis according to each Targeted State's share of 2007 
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

[[Page 8904]]

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, 2010.

C. Location and Target Audience

    Targeted States serviced by RMA Regional Offices are listed below. 
Staff 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: (HI, 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 in block 12 of the SF-424 form, Application for 
Federal Assistance. 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.

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. Electronic Application Package

    Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov to the 
Risk Management Agency in response to this RFA.
    Prior to preparing an application, it is suggested that the Project 
Director (PD) first contact an Authorized Representative (AR) (also 
referred to as Authorized Organizational Representative or AOR) to 
determine if the organization is prepared to submit electronic 
applications through Grants.gov. If the organization is not prepared, 
the AR should see, (http://www.grants.gov/applicants/

[[Page 8905]]

get--registered.jsp), for steps for preparing to submit applications 
through Grants.gov.
    The steps to access application materials are as follows:
    1. In order to access, complete, and submit applications, 
applicants must download and install a version of Adobe Reader 
compatible with Grants.gov. This software is essential to apply for RMA 
Federal awards. For basic system requirements and download 
instructions, please see http://www.grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp. To verify that you have a compatible version of Adobe 
Reader, Grants.gov established a test package that will assist you in 
making that determination. Grants.gov Adobe Versioning Test Package: 
http://www.grants.gov/applicants/AdobeVersioningTestOnly.jsp.
    2. The application package must be obtained via Grants.gov, go to 
http://www.grants.gov, click on ``Apply for Grants'' in the left-hand 
column, click on ``Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and 
Instructions,'' enter the funding opportunity number USDA-RMA-RME-TSGP-
001000 in the appropriate box and click ``Download Package.'' From the 
search results, click ``Download'' to access the application package. 
If assistance is needed to access the application package (e.g. 
downloading or navigating Adobe forms), refer to resources available on 
the Grants.gov Web site first at (http://grants.gov/). Grants.gov 
assistance is also available as follows:
     Grants.gov customer support; Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726; 
Business Hours: 24 hours a day; E-mail: support@grants.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    A complete and valid application must include the following:
    1. A completed OMB Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance.''
    2. A completed OMB Standard Form 424-A, ``Budget Information--Non-
construction Programs.''
    3. A completed OMB Standard Form 424-B, ``Assurances, Non-
constructive Programs.''
    4. An Executive Summary (One page) and Proposal Narrative (Not to 
Exceed 20 single-sided pages in Microsoft Word) which will also include 
a Statement of Work.
    5. Budget Narrative (in Microsoft Excel) describing how the 
categorical costs listed on the 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. Partnering Plan to include how each 
partner will aid in carrying out the project goal providing specific 
tasks. Include Letters of commitment from individuals and/or groups, 
and should include the specific tasks they have agreed to do with the 
applicant.
    6. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities.
    7. A completed and signed AD-1049, Certification Regarding Drug-
Free Workplace.
    *Applications that do not include items 1-8 above will be 
considered incomplete, will not receive further consideration, and will 
be rejected.
    The percent of time devoted to the project for all key project 
personnel must be identified in the application. 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 
(supporting agency, amount of award, effective date, expiration date, 
expiration date of award, etc.). 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 percentage of time for both ``Current'' and 
``Pending'' projects must not exceed 100% of time committed.

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; 
or
    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 reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with 
successful applicants.
    c. Applicants must provide a copy of their indirect cost rate 
negotiated with their cognizant agency.

F. Other Submission Requirements

    Applicants are responsible for ensuring that RMA receives a 
complete application package by the closing date and time. The agency 
strongly encourages applicants to submit applications well before the 
deadline to allow time for correction of technical errors identified by 
Grants.gov. Application packages submitted after the deadline will be 
rejected.

G. 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

[[Page 8906]]

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 20 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 producers 
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 20 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 and reasonable, has specific deadlines for the 
completion of subtasks, and relates directly to the required activities 
and the program purpose described in this announcement. Applicants are 
required to submit the Statement of Work on the RME-2 Form. All 
narratives should give estimates of how many producers will be reached 
through this project. Estimates for non-producers can also be made but 
they should be separate from the estimates of producers.
Partnering--Maximum 20 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 dated no more 
than 60 days prior to submission of application 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. 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 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 are encouraged to designate an alternate 
Project Leader in the event the Project Leader is unable to finish the 
project. 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.
Targeted Producers--Maximum 10 Points
    Applicants will obtain a higher score to the extent that the 
project places special emphasis on risk management strategies, 
education, and outreach specifically targeted at:
     Beginning farmers or ranchers;
     Legal immigrant farmers or ranchers who are attempting to 
become established producers in the United States;
     Socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers;
     Farmers or ranchers who--
     [cir] Are preparing to retire; and
     [cir] Are using transition strategies to help new farmers or 
ranchers get started; and
     New or established farmers or ranchers who are converting 
production and marketing systems to pursue new markets.

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 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

[[Page 8907]]

from USDA, other Federal agencies, and 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

    The award document will provide pertinent instructions and 
information including, at a minimum, the following:
    (1) Legal name and address of performing organization or 
institution to whom the Director has issued an award under the terms of 
this request for applications;
    (2) Title of project;
    (3) Name(s) and institution(s) of PDs chosen to direct and control 
approved activities;
    (4) Identifying award number assigned by the Department;
    (5) Project period, specifying the amount of time the Department 
intends to support the project without requiring recompeting for funds;
    (6) Total amount of Departmental financial assistance approved by 
the Director during the project period;
    (7) Legal authority(ies) under which the award is issued;
    (8) Appropriate Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 
number;
    (9) Applicable award terms and conditions (see http://www.rma.usda.gov/business/awards/awardterms.html to view RMA award 
terms and conditions);
    (10) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds 
to accomplish the stated purpose of the award; and
    (11) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by RMA to 
carry out its respective awarding activities or to accomplish the 
purpose of a particular award.
    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. 
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, if appropriate.
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

[[Page 8908]]

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, 
if conducted, 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 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, if electronically reporting. 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 if electronically reporting.
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 
using the Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR) as the cover sheet, 
quarterly financial reports (OMB Standard Form 425), and quarterly 
Activity Logs (RMA 300 Form) 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. The quarterly progress reports, activity 
logs, and final program reports MUST be submitted through the Results 
Verification System. The Web site address is http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/RMA/Reporting.
    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: Leonard Randolph, Sundii Johnson-
Phillips, or Lydia M. Astorga, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: 202-720-0779, 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 (CCR) 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

[[Page 8909]]

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 Registered'' 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), and CFDA No. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk 
Management Education). 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 February 23, 2010.
William J. Murphy,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2010-3974 Filed 2-25-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P