[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34639-34648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14596]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Funding Opportunity Title: Risk Management Education and Outreach 
Partnerships Program; Announcement Type: Announcement of Availability 
of Funds and Request for Application for Competitive Cooperative 
Partnership Agreements

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDAs): 10.455 and 
10.459.

DATES: All applications, which must be submitted electronically through 
Grants.gov, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 14, 
2011. Hard copy applications shall NOT be accepted.

[[Page 34640]]

SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating 
through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces its intent to award 
approximately $3,500,000 (subject to availability of funds) to fund the 
Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program. This 
Request for Applications (RFA) Announcement is for a combination of the 
programs previously known as the ``Commodity Partnerships for Small 
Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions'' and the ``Community 
Outreach and Assistance Partnerships Program.'' The purpose of this 
combined cooperative partnership agreements program is to deliver crop 
insurance education and risk management training to U.S. agricultural 
producers to assist them in identifying and managing production, 
marketing, legal, financial and human risk. The program gives priority 
to: (1) Educating producers of crops currently not insured under 
Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities, 
including livestock and forage; and (2) providing collaborative 
outreach and assistance programs for limited resource, socially 
disadvantaged and other traditionally underserved farmers and ranchers. 
The minimum award for any cooperative partnership agreement is $20,000. 
The maximum award for any cooperative partnership agreement is 
$100,000. The cooperative partnership agreements will be awarded on a 
competitive basis up to one year from the date of the award. Awardees 
must demonstrate non-financial benefits from a cooperative partnership 
agreement and 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. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in 
Targeted States). Prospective applicants should carefully examine and 
compare the notices of each announcement.
    The collections of information in this Announcement have been 
approved by OMB under control numbers 0563-0066 and 0563-0067.

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
Section II--Award Information
    A. Type of Application
    B. Funding Availability
    C. Location and Target Audience
    D. Minimum and Maximum Award
    E. Project Period
    F. Description of Agreement--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. 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 Information
    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 Conflicts 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 Teleconference
    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. Required Registration with the Central Contract Registry (CCR) 
for Submission of Proposals
    B. Related Programs

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Legislative Authority

    The Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnership 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 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 Federal 
Crop Insurance Act (FCIA) (7 U.S.C. 1522(d)(3)(F), 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. A project is considered as giving priority to 
Priority Commodities if 75 percent of the educational and training 
activities of the project are directed to producers of any one of the 
three classes of commodities listed in the definition of Priority 
Commodities or any combination of the three classes.

C. Definition of Priority Commodities

    For purposes of this program, Priority Commodities are defined as:
    1. 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.
    2. Specialty crops. Commodities in this group may or may not be 
covered 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.
    3. Underserved commodities. This group includes: (a) Commodities, 
including livestock and forage, that are

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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.

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 Risk Management Education and Outreach 
Partnerships Program is to provide U.S. farmers and ranchers with 
training and information opportunities to be able to understand:
    1. The kinds of risks addressed by existing and emerging risk 
management tools;
    2. The features and appropriate use of existing and emerging risk 
management tools; and
    3. How to make sound risk management decisions.
    For the 2011 fiscal year, the FCIC Board of Directors and the FCIC 
Manager are seeking projects that address one or more of the Priority 
Commodities.
    In addition, the application must clearly designate that education 
or training will be provided on at least one (1) of the Special 
Emphasis Topics listed under Category 1 below. Applications that do not 
include at least one (1) Special Emphasis Topic from Category 1 will 
not be considered for funding.
Category 1. Projects That Concentrate on Risk Management Education and 
Outreach
    Special Emphasis Topics:
    Production: AGR and AGR-Lite; Livestock Gross Margin Dairy; 
Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall and/or Vegetative Index; Common 
Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions (``COMBO''); Enterprise Units; 
Specialty Crops; Prevented Planting; or Other Existing Crop Insurance 
Programs; Irrigation; Erosion Control Measures; Good Farming Practices; 
Wildfire Management; Forest Management; and Range Management.
    Legal: Legal and Succession Planning;
    Marketing: Marketing Strategies; Farm Products Branding; Farmers 
Markets;
    Financial: Financial Tools and Planning; Farm Management 
Strategies;
    Human: Farm Labor; Farm Safety; Food Safety, Risk Management 
Education to Students.
    In addition, the application must clearly demonstrate that 
education or training will be provided to at least one (1) of the 
Producer Types listed under Category 2 below. Applications that do not 
include at least one (1) of the Producer Types listed under Category 2 
will not be considered for funding.
Category 2. Projects That Concentrate on Producer Type
    Producer Types:

Producers and Ranchers;
Producers located in Arkansas, Mississippi and Georgia;
New and Beginning Farmers;
Women Producers and Ranchers;
Hispanic Producers and Ranchers;
African American Producers and Ranchers;
Native American Producers and Ranchers;
Limited Resource Producers and Ranchers;
Asian American and Pacific Islander Producers and Ranchers;
Transitional Farmers and Ranchers;
Senior Farmers and Ranchers;
Small Acreage Producers;
Specialty Crop Producers;
Returning Military Veterans Producers and Ranchers.

II. Award Information

A. Type of Application

    Only electronic applications will be accepted and they must be 
submitted through Grants.gov. Hard copy applications will NOT be 
accepted. Applications submitted to the Risk Management Education and 
Outreach Partnerships Program are new applications: There are no 
renewals. All 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 Partnership Agreement, which will require substantial 
involvement by RMA.

B. Funding Availability

    There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application. 
Approximately $3,500,000 is expected to be available in fiscal year 
2011 but it is possible that this amount may be reduced or not funded. 
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. All awards 
will be made and agreements finalized no later than September 30, 2011.

C. Location and Target Audience

    RMA Regional Offices and the States serviced within each RMA Region 
are listed below. Staff from the respective RMA Regional Offices will 
provide substantial involvement for projects conducted within the 
Region.

Billings, Montana Regional Office: (MT, ND, SD, and WY)
Davis, California Regional Office: (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and UT)
Jackson, Mississippi Regional Office: (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Regional Office: (NM, OK, and TX)
Raleigh, North Carolina Regional Office: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, 
NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV)
Spokane, Washington Regional Office: (AK, ID, OR, and WA)
Springfield, Illinois Regional Office: (IL, IN, MI, and OH)
St. Paul, Minnesota Regional Office: (IA, MN, and WI)
Topeka, Kansas Regional Office: (CO, KS, MO, and NE)
Valdosta, Georgia Regional Office: (AL, FL, GA, SC, and Puerto Rico)

    Each application must clearly designate the RMA Region where 
educational activities will be conducted in the application narrative 
in block 12 of the SF-424 form. Applications without this designation 
will be rejected. Priority will be given to producers of Priority 
Commodities and Special Emphasis Topics previously identified in this 
Announcement. Applicants proposing to conduct educational activities in 
states served by more than one RMA Regional Office must submit a 
separate application for each RMA Region. Single applications proposing 
to conduct educational activities in states served by more than one RMA 
Region will be rejected. Applications serving Tribal Nations will be 
accepted and managed from the RMA Regional office serving the 
designated Tribal Office.

D. Minimum and Maximum Award

    Any application that requests Federal funding of less than $20,000 
or more than $100,000 for a project will be rejected. RMA also reserves 
the right to

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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. Description of Agreement Award--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:
    1. 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 and risk management; (b) 
inform producers of the availability of crop insurance and risk 
management tools; and (c) inform producers and agribusiness leaders in 
the designated RMA Region of training and informational opportunities.
    2. Deliver crop insurance and risk management training as well as 
informational opportunities to agricultural producers and agribusiness 
professionals in the designated RMA Region. This will include 
organizing and delivering educational activities using the 
instructional materials assembled by the grantee 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.
    3. Document all educational activities conducted under the 
cooperative partnership agreement and the results of such activities, 
including criteria and indicators used to evaluate the success of the 
program. The awardee will also be required to provide information to 
RMA as requested for evaluation purposes.

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.
    1. Collaborate with the awardee in assembling, reviewing, and 
approving crop insurance and risk management materials for producers in 
the designated RMA Region.
    2. Collaborate with the awardee in reviewing and approving a 
promotional program for raising awareness for crop insurance and risk 
management and for informing producers of training and informational 
opportunities in the RMA Region.
    3. 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.
    4. Conduct an evaluation of the performance of the awardee in 
meeting the deliverables of the project.
    Applications that do not address 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 the 
applicant and any entities working with the applicant in the 
development or delivery of the project. 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, 
State Cooperative Extension Services; Federal, State, or tribal 
agencies; community based organizations; nongovernmental organizations; 
junior and four-year colleges or universities or foundations maintained 
by a college or university; private for-profit organizations; faith-
based organizations and other appropriate partners with the capacity to 
lead a local program of crop insurance and risk management education 
for producers in an RMA Region.
    Individuals are not 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 partnership agreement, or grant; or a 
determination of a violation of applicable ethical standards. 
Applications in which the applicant or any of the partners are 
ineligible or excluded persons shall 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 cooperative 
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 
cooperative 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). 
Applications that do not demonstrate a non-financial benefit will be 
rejected.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Electronic Application Package

    Only electronic applications will be accepted and they must be 
submitted via Grants.gov to the Risk Management Agency in response to 
this Announcement. 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/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

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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 is 
located at: 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-SSGP-
002011 in the appropriate box and click ``Download Package.'' From the 
search results, click ``Download'' to access the application package.
    Applicants who need assistance in accessing the application package 
(e.g. downloading or navigating Adobe forms) should refer to resources 
available on the Grants.gov Web site first (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; 
Email: [email protected].

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The title of the application must include the Special Emphasis 
Topic(s) under Category 1; the Producer Type(s) under Category 2; and 
the RMA Region.
    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.'' Federal funding requested (the total of direct 
and indirect costs) must not exceed $100,000.
    3. A completed OMB Standard Form 424-B, ``Assurances, Non-
constructive Programs.''
    4. An Executive Summary (One page) and Proposal Narrative (Not to 
Exceed 10 single-sided pages in Microsoft Word), which will also 
include a Statement of Work as specified in section V.A. of this 
Announcement.
    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.
    6. Partnering Plan, if applicable, that includes how each partner 
shall aid in carrying out the project goal providing specific tasks. 
Letters of commitment from individuals and/or groups must be included 
in the Partnering Plan, and these letters must include the specific 
tasks they have agreed to do with the applicant. 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 1-7 above shall be considered 
incomplete, shall not receive further consideration, and shall be 
rejected.

    The percentage of each person's time devoted to the project must be 
identified in the application. Applicants must list all current public 
or private employment arrangements or financial support associated with 
the project or any of the personnel that are part of the project, 
regardless of whether such arrangements or funding constitute part of 
the project under this Announcement (supporting agency, amount of 
award, effective date, expiration date, expiration date of award, 
etc.). An application submitted under this RFA that duplicates or 
overlaps substantially with any application already reviewed and funded 
(or to be funded) by any other organization or agency, including but 
not limited to other RMA, USDA, and Federal government programs, shall 
not be funded under this program. The application package from 
Grants.gov contains a document called the Current and Pending Report. 
On the Current and Pending Report you must state for this fiscal year 
if this application is a duplicate application or overlaps 
substantially with another application already submitted to or funded 
by another USDA Agency, including RMA, or other private organization. 
RMA reserves the right to reject your application based on the review 
of this information. The percentage of time for both ``Current'' and 
``Pending'' projects must not exceed 100 percent of time committed.

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, gifts cards, or entertainment;
    g. Lend money to support farming or agricultural business operation 
or expansion;
    h. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving a cooperative 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 shall be limited to not more than 70 percent reimbursement 
of the funds awarded under the cooperative partnership agreement. The 
reasonableness of the total costs for salary and benefits allowed for 
projects under this Announcement shall be reviewed and considered by 
RMA as part of the application review process. Applications for which 
RMA does not consider the salary and benefits reasonable for the 
proposed application shall be rejected, or shall only be offered a 
cooperative agreement upon the condition of changing the salary and 
benefits structure to one deemed appropriate by RMA for that. The goal 
of the Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program is 
to maximize the use of the limited funding available for crop insurance 
risk management education for producers of Priority Commodities, and 
Special Emphasis Topics.

E. Indirect Cost Rates

    1. Indirect costs allowed for projects submitted under this 
Announcement shall 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.
    2. RMA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with 
successful applicants.

F. Other Submission Requirements

    When the applicant enters the Grants.gov site, the applicant will 
find information about submitting an application electronically through 
the site. To use Grants.gov, all applicants must have a Dun and 
Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which can be 
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711 or 
online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Therefore,

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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.
    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. Any application package received after the deadline shall 
be rejected.

G. Acknowledgement of Applications

    Receipt of timely 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, timely receipt will be acknowledged by 
letter. There shall be no notification of incomplete, unqualified or 
unfunded applications until after the awards have been made. When 
received by RMA, applications shall 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 Risk Management Education and 
Outreach Partnerships Program shall be evaluated within each RMA Region 
according to the following criteria:
Project Impacts--Maximum 20 Points Available
    The applicant must demonstrate that the project benefits to 
producers, farmers and ranchers warrant the funding requested. 
Applicants shall be scored according to the extent they can: (a) 
Identify the specific actions producers, farmers and ranchers 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, farmers and ranchers 
reached through the various methods and educational activities 
described in the Statement of Work; (d) identify the number of meetings 
to be held; (e) provide an estimate of the number of training hours to 
be held; and (f) justify such estimates with clear specifics. 
Reviewers' scoring shall 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. With respect to the expected 
producer, farmer and rancher actions and the measurement of results, 
the applicant must include how the project will:
    1. Increase the understanding of crop insurance and risk management 
tools;
    2. Assist producers, farmers and ranchers in evaluating the 
feasibility of implementing various risk management options;
    3. Assist producers, farmers and ranchers in developing risk 
management plans and strategies; and
    4. Assist producers, farmers and ranchers in deciding on and 
implementing a specific course of actions (e.g., participation in crop 
insurance programs or implementation of other risk management actions).
Statement of Work--Maximum 20 Points Available
    The applicant must produce a clear and specific Statement of Work 
for the project. For each of the tasks contained in 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 shall 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. All narratives 
should give estimates of how many producers, farmers and ranchers will 
be reached through this project.
Project Management--Maximum 20 Points Available
    The applicant must demonstrate an ability to implement sound and 
effective project management practices. Higher scores shall 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 current or 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; 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 shall employ, or have access to, personnel who 
have experience in directing local educational programs that benefit 
agricultural producers in the respective RMA Region shall receive 
higher rankings.
Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency--Maximum 10 Points Available
    Applicants must provide a detailed budget summary that clearly 
explains and justifies costs associated with the project. Applicants 
shall 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, farmer and rancher.
Priority Commodity--Maximum 15 Points Available
    The applicant can submit projects that are not related to Priority 
Commodities. However, only projects relating to Priority Commodities 
shall receive these points.
Special Emphasis--Maximum of 15 Points Available
    Projects that include more than one Special Emphasis Topics shall 
be eligible for the most points.

[[Page 34645]]

Bonus Points for Diversity Partnering--Maximum of 15 Points Available
    RMA is focused on adding diversity to this program. Management may 
add up to an additional 15 points to the final paneled score of any 
submission demonstrating a partnership with another group or entity 
that is a member of a specific population listed in Section I.E., 
Category 2--Projects that concentrate on Producer Type.

B. Review and Selection Process

    Applications shall be evaluated using a two-part process. First, 
each application shall 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 that are incomplete shall 
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 shall 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 shall be drawn from USDA, other 
Federal agencies, and public and private organizations, as needed. 
After considering the merits of all applications within an RMA Region, 
panel members shall score each application according to the criteria 
and point values listed above. The panel shall then rank each 
application against others within the RMA Region according to the 
scores received.
    The review panel shall report the results of the evaluation to the 
Manager of FCIC. The panel's report shall include the recommended 
applicants to receive cooperative partnership agreements for each RMA 
Region. Funding shall not be provided for an application receiving a 
score less than 60. Funding shall 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, farmers and ranchers 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 
not to fund that application in whole or in part. The Manager of FCIC 
shall make the final determination on those applications that will be 
awarded funding.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    The award document shall provide pertinent instructions and 
information including, at a minimum, the following:
    (1) Legal name and address of performing organization or 
institution to which the Manager of FCIC has issued an award under the 
terms of this request for applications;
    (2) Title of project;
    (3) Name(s) and employing institution(s) of Project Directors 
chosen to direct and control approved activities;
    (4) Identifying award number assigned by RMA;
    (5) Project period, specifying the amount of time RMA intends to 
support the project without requiring recompeting for funds;
    (6) Total amount of RMA financial assistance approved by the 
Manager of FCIC during the project period;
    (7) Legal authority(ies) under which the award is issued;
    (8) Appropriate Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 
numbers;
    (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 Manager of FCIC 
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 Manager of FCIC 
shall enter into cooperative partnership agreements with those selected 
applicants.
    After a cooperative partnership agreement has been signed, RMA 
shall 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 applicant by FCIC must be expended solely for 
the purpose for which the funds are obligated in accordance with the 
approved cooperative partnership 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 shall be sent to applicants after 
final funding decisions have been made and the awardees announced 
publicly.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. Requirement To Use Program Logo
    Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements shall be 
required to use a program logo and design provided by RMA for all 
instructional and promotional materials, when deemed appropriate.
2. Requirement To Provide Project Information to an RMA-selected 
Representative
    Applicants awarded cooperative partnership 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 (approved insurance providers and agencies), or that have 
financial ties to such organizations, are eligible to apply for funding 
under this Announcement. However, such entities shall 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 shall not be allowed 
to receive funding to conduct activities that could be perceived by 
producers as promoting one approved insurance provider or agencies 
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

[[Page 34646]]

panel, not including the identity of reviewers, shall 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 shall 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 shall remain confidential throughout 
the entire review process and shall not be released to applicants. At 
the end of the fiscal year, names of panel members shall be made 
available. However, panelists shall not be identified with the review 
of any particular application.
    When an application results in a cooperative 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 shall 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 shall be retained by RMA for a period 
of one year. Other copies shall be destroyed. Copies of applications 
not receiving awards shall 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
    Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements are subject 
to audit.
7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying
    All cooperative agreements shall be subject to the requirements of 
7 CFR Part 3015, ``Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations.'' A signed 
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.
    Departmental regulations published at 7 CFR Part 3018 imposes 
prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification related 
to lobbying on awardees of Federal contracts, grants, cooperative 
partnership 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 
partnership 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 to complete a certification in accordance with 
Appendix A to Part 3018 and a disclosure of lobbying activities in 
accordance with Appendix B to Part 3018: The law establishes civil 
penalties for non-compliance.
8. Applicable OMB Circulars
    All cooperative partnership agreements funded as a result of this 
notice shall be subject to the requirements contained in all applicable 
OMB circulars.
9. Requirement To Assure Compliance With Federal Civil Rights Laws
    Awardees and all partners/collaborators of all cooperative 
agreements funded as a result of this notice are required to know and 
abide by Federal civil rights laws, which include, but are not limited 
to, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), 
and 7 CFR Part 15. 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 Teleconference
    RMA requires that project leaders participate in a post award 
teleconference, if conducted, to become fully aware of agreement 
requirements and for delineating the roles of RMA personnel and the 
procedures that shall be followed in administering the agreement and 
shall afford an opportunity for the orderly transition of agreement 
duties and obligations if different personnel are to assume post-award 
responsibility.
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 shall 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 shall be required to submit quarterly progress reports 
using the Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR) as the cover sheet, and 
quarterly financial reports (OMB Standard Form 425) 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 and final program reports MUST be submitted through 
the Results Verification System. The Web site address is http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/RMA/Reporting.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants and other interested 
parties are encouraged to contact: 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. Additional Information

A. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry (CCR) for 
Submission of Proposals

    Under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 
2006, the applicant must comply with the additional requirements set 
forth in Attachment A regarding the Dun and Bradstreet Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) Requirements and the CCR Requirements found at 
2 CFR Part 25. For the purposes of this RFA, the term ``you'' in 
Attachment A shall mean ``applicant''. The applicant shall comply

[[Page 34647]]

with the additional requirements set forth in Attachment B regarding 
Subawards and Executive Compensation. For the purpose of this RFA, the 
term ``you'' in Attachment B shall mean ``applicant''. 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 Registered'' 
at the Web site, http://www.grants.gov. Allow a minimum of 5 business 
days to complete the CCR registration.

B. Related Programs

    Funding availability for this program may be announced at 
approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but 
separate programs--and CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in 
Targeted States). 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.

Attachment A

I. Central Contractor Registration and Universal Identifier 
Requirements

A. Requirement for Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
    Unless you are exempted from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110, 
you as the recipient must maintain the currency of your information in 
the CCR until you submit the final financial report required under this 
award or receive the final payment, whichever is later. This requires 
that you review and update the information at least annually after the 
initial registration, and more frequently if required by changes in 
your information or another award term.
B. Requirement for Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Numbers
    If you are authorized to make subawards under this award, you:
    1. Must notify potential sub recipients that no entity (see 
definition in paragraph C of this award) may receive a subaward from 
you unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.
    2. May not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has 
provided its DUNS number to you.
C. Definitions for Purposes of This Award Term
    1. Central Contractor Registration (CCR) means the Federal 
repository into which an entity must provide information required for 
the conduct of business as a recipient. Additional information about 
registration procedures may be found at the CCR Internet site 
(currently at http://www.ccr.gov).
    2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number means the nine-
digit number established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D & 
B) to uniquely identify business entities. A DUNS number may be 
obtained from D & B by telephone (currently 866-705-5711) or the 
Internet (currently at http://fedgov.dnb.comlwebform).
    3. Entity, as it is used in this award term, means all of the 
following, as defined at 2 CFR Part 25, Subpart C:
    a. A Governmental organization, which is a State, local government, 
or Indian Tribe;
    b. A foreign public entity;
    c. A domestic or foreign nonprofit organization;
    d. A domestic or foreign for-profit organization; and
    e. A Federal agency, but only as a subrecipient under an award or 
subaward to a non-Federal entity.
    4. Subaward:
    a. This term means a legal instrument to provide support for the 
performance of any portion of the substantive project or program for 
which you received this award and that you as the recipient award to an 
eligible subrecipient.
    b. The term does not include your procurement of property and 
services needed to carry out the project or program (for further 
explanation, see Sec. 10 of the attachment to OMB Circular A-I33, 
``Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations'').
    c. A subaward may be provided through any legal agreement, 
including an agreement that you consider a contract.
    5. Subrecipient means an entity that:
    a. Receives a subaward from you under this award; and
    b. Is accountable to you for the use of the Federal funds provided 
by the subaward.

Attachment B

I. Reporting Sub Awards and Executive Compensation

a. Reporting of First-Tier Subawards
    1. Applicability. Unless you are exempt as provided in paragraph d. 
of this award term, you must report each action that obligates $25,000 
or more in Federal funds that does not include Recovery funds (as 
defined in section 1512(a)(2) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment 
Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-5) for a subaward to an entity (see 
definitions in paragraph e. of this award term).
    2. Where and when to report.
    i. You must report each obligating action described in paragraph 
a.I. of this award term to http://www.fsrs.gov.
    ii. For sub award information, report no later than the end of the 
month following the month in which the obligation was made. (For 
example, if the obligation was made on November 7, 2010, the obligation 
must be reported by no later than December 31, 2010.)
    3. What to report. You must report the information about each 
obligating action that the submission instructions posted at http://www.fsrs.gov specify.
b. Reporting Total Compensation of Recipient Executives
    1. Applicability and what to report. You must report total 
compensation for each of your five most highly compensated executives 
for the preceding completed fiscal year, if--
    i. The total Federal funding authorized to date under this award is 
$25,000 or more;
    ii. In the preceding fiscal year, you received--
    (A) 80 percent or more of your annual gross revenues from Federal 
procurement contracts (and subcontracts) and Federal financial 
assistance subject to the Transparency Act, as defined at 2 CFR 170.320 
(and subawards); and
    (B) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal 
procurement contracts (and subcontracts) and Federal financial 
assistance subject to the Transparency Act, as defined at 2 CFR 170.320 
(and subawards); and
    iii. The public does not have access to information about the 
compensation of the executives through periodic reports filed under 
section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 
U.S.C. 78m(a), 780(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986. (To determine if the public has access to the compensation 
information, see the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission

[[Page 34648]]

total compensation filings at http://www.sec.gov/answers/execomp.htm.)
    2. Where and when to report. You must report executive total 
compensation described in paragraph b.1. of this award term:
    i. As part of your registration profile at http://www.ccr.gov.
    ii. By the end of the month following the month in which this award 
is made, and annually thereafter.
c. Reporting of Total Compensation of Sub Recipient Executives
    1. Applicability and what to report. Unless you are exempt as 
provided in paragraph d. of this award term, for each first-tier sub 
recipient under this award, you shall report the names and total 
compensation of each of the sub recipient's five most highly 
compensated executives for the sub recipient's preceding completed 
fiscal year, if--
    i. In the subrecipient's preceding fiscal year, the subrecipient 
received--
    (A) 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues from Federal 
procurement contracts (and subcontracts) and Federal financial 
assistance subject to the Transparency Act, as defined at ~ CFR 170.320 
(and subawards); and
    (B) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal 
procurement contracts (and subcontracts), and Federal financial 
assistance subject to the Transparency Act (and subawards); and
    ii. The public does not have access to information about the 
compensation of the executives through periodic reports filed under 
section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 
U.S.C. 78m(a), 780(d) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986. (To determine if the public has access to the compensation 
information, see the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission total 
compensation filings at http://www.sec.gov/answers/execomp.htm.)
    2. Where and when to report. You must report subrecipient executive 
total compensation described in paragraph c.1. of this award term:
    i. To the recipient.
    ii. By the end of the month following the month during which you 
make the subaward. For example, if a subaward is obligated on any date 
during the month of October of a given year (i.e., between October 1 
and 31), you must report any required compensation information of the 
subrecipient by November 30 of that year.
d. Exemptions
    If, in the previous tax year, you had gross income, from all 
sources, under $300,000, you are exempt from the requirements to 
report:
    i. Subawards, and
    ii. The total compensation of the five most highly compensated 
executives of any sub recipient.
e. Definitions. For Purposes of This Award Term:
    1. Entity means all of the following, as defined in 2 CFR part 25:
    i. A Governmental organization, which is a State, local government, 
or Indian tribe;
    ii. A foreign public entity;
    iii. A domestic or foreign nonprofit organization;
    iv. A domestic or foreign for-profit organization;
    v. A Federal agency, but only as a subrecipient under an award or 
subaward to a non-Federal entity.
    2. Executive means officers, managing partners, or any other 
employees in management positions.
    3. Subaward:
    1. This term means a legal instrument to provide support for the 
performance of any portion of the substantive project or program for 
which you received this award and that you as the recipient award to an 
eligible subrecipient.
    ii. The term does not include your procurement of property and 
services needed to carry out the project or program (for further 
explanation, see Sec. -- .210 of the attachment to OMB Circular A-133, 
``Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations'').
    iii. A subaward may be provided through any legal agreement, 
including an agreement that you or a subrecipient considers a contract.
    4. Subrecipient means an entity that:
    i. Receives a subaward from you (the recipient) under this award; 
and
    ii. Is accountable to you for the use of the Federal funds provided 
by the subaward.
    5. Total compensation means the cash and noncash dollar value 
earned by the executive during the recipient's or subrecipient's 
preceding fiscal year and includes the following (for more information 
see 17 CFR 229.402(c)(2):
    i. Salary and bonus.
    ii. Awards of stock, stock options, and stock appreciation rights. 
Use the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting 
purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with the 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004) (FAS 
123R), Shared Based Payments.
    iii. Earnings for services under non-equity incentive plans. This 
does not include group life, health, hospitalization or medical 
reimbursement plans that do not discriminate in favor of executives, 
and are available generally to all salaried employees.
    iv. Change in pension value. This is the change in present value of 
defined benefit and actuarial pension plans.
    v. Above-market earnings on deferred compensation which is not tax-
qualified.
    vi. Other compensation, if the aggregate value of all such other 
compensation (e.g. severance, termination payments, value of life 
insurance paid on behalf of the employee, perquisites or property) for 
the executive exceeds $10,000.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on June 8, 2011.
William J. Murphy,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2011-14596 Filed 6-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P