Specialty Crop Block Grant Program; Notice of Request for Approval of a New Information Collection, 20353-20357 [E6-5944]
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hsrobinson on PROD1PC61 with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 76 / Thursday, April 20, 2006 / Proposed Rules
savings equal to two staff years to the
program. Further enhancements in
automated business practices will
continue to improve the efficiency and
timeliness of providing inspection and
grading services and information to
users of these services.
Employee salaries and benefits
account for nearly 73 percent of the
operating costs of the Dairy Grading
Branch. Since the last fee increase in
2004 (69CFR8797), annual salary
increases and locality adjustments have
resulted in an increase in employee
salaries of 8.3 percent. As a result,
annual salary and benefit costs to the
program for 2006 are approximately
$240,000 more. Inflation raised nonsalary costs approximately 6.0 percent
through 2005, and it is expected that
non-salary operating expenses will
increase an additional 3.0 percent in
2006. Current revenue projections using
Dairy Grading Branch’s current fee
schedule will not provide income
sufficient to cover these escalating
program operation costs and maintain
reserves (4 months of costs) according to
AMS policy (AMS Directive 408.1).
Since projected revenues will not
cover program costs while maintaining
an adequate reserve, the Dairy Grading
Branch will be put in an unstable
financial position that will adversely
affect the ability to provide dairy
inspection and grading services.
Without a fee increase, total revenue
projections for FY 2006 are $4.980
million. Total costs for the same period
of time are projected to be $5.778
million. The shortfall, if allowed to
continue, will reduce the trust fund
balance to $1.578 million or 3.3 months
of operating reserve at the end of FY
2006 which is below Agency policy.
With the proposed fee increase effective
April 1, 2006, FY 2006 revenues are
projected at $5.227 million.
In view of the above considerations,
AMS proposes to increase the hourly
fees associated with Federal dairy
grading and inspection services.
Currently the fees are $57.00 per hour
for continuous resident services and
$62.00 per hour for non-resident
services. The proposed increases would
result in fees of $63.00 per hour for
continuous resident services and $68.00
per hour for non-resident services
between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The proposed fees represent increases of
$6.00 per hour (10.5 percent) for
continuous resident and $6.00 per hour
(9.7 percent) for non-resident services.
The fee for non-resident services
between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
would be $74.80 per hour. For services
performed in excess of 8 hours per day
and for services performed on Saturday,
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Sunday, and legal holidays, 11⁄2 times
the base fees would apply and result in
increases to $94.50 per hour for resident
grading and to $102.00 per hour for nonresident grading services.
AMS estimates these fee increases
will provide the Dairy Grading Branch
an additional $504,000 annually to
recover program costs including
providing for continued automation of
business practices.
A 30-day comment period is provided
for interested persons to comment on
this proposed rule. This period is
appropriate in order to implement, as
early as possible in FY 2006, any fee
changes adopted as a result of this
rulemaking action.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 58
Dairy Products, Food grades and
standards, Food labeling, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
For the reason set forth in the
preamble, it is proposed that 7 CFR part
58 be amended as follows:
PART 58—GRADING AND
INSPECTION, GENERAL
SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED
PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR
GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR
part 58 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627.
§ 58.43
[Amended]
2. In § 58.43, ‘‘$62.00’’ is removed and
‘‘$68.00’’ is added in its place, and
‘‘$68.20’’ is removed and ‘‘$74.80’’ is
added in its place.
§ 58.45
[Amended]
3. In § 58.45 ‘‘$57.00’’ is removed and
‘‘$63.00’’ is added in its place.
Dated: April 14, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. E6–5941 Filed 4–19–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1290
[Docket No. FV06–1290–1 PR]
RIN 0581–AC59
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program;
Notice of Request for Approval of a
New Information Collection
AGENCY:
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Proposed rule with request for
comments.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) is proposing regulations
to administer the Specialty Crop Block
Grant Program (SCBGP) to enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops. This
proposed rule is intended to establish
eligibility and application requirements,
the review and approval process, and
grant administration procedures for the
SCBGP.
The SCBGP would be implemented
under section 101 of the Specialty Crops
Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C.
1621 note). This rule also announces the
Agricultural Marketing Service’s
intention to request approval by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) of the new information
collection requirements necessary to
implement the SCBGP.
DATES: Comments received by May 22,
2006, will be considered prior to
issuance of a final rule. Pursuant to the
Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on
the information collection burden that
would result from this proposal must be
received by June 19, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit written comments
concerning this action. Comments must
be sent to the Docket Clerk, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0243,
Washington, DC 20250–0243; Fax: (202)
690–0102; E-mail:
scblockgrants@usda.gov; or Internet:
https://www.regulations.gov. Comments
concerning the information collection
requirements should be sent to the
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, OMB: Attention: Desk Officer
for AMS, Washington, DC 20503. Please
state that your comments refer to Docket
No. FV06–1290–1 PR. Comments
concerning the information
requirements also should be sent to the
Docket Clerk at the above address.
Comments shall reference docket
number FV06–1290–1 PR and the date
and page number of this issue of the
Federal Register and will be available
for public inspection in the Office of the
Docket Clerk during regular business
hours, or can be viewed at: https://
www.ams.usda.gov/fv/scbgp.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Trista Etzig, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0243,
Washington, DC 20250–0243;
Telephone: (202) 690–4942; Fax: (202)
690–0102; or E-mail:
trista.etzig@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 76 / Thursday, April 20, 2006 / Proposed Rules
Executive Order 12866
This proposed rule has been
determined to be not significant for the
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and
therefore has not been reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB).
Public Law 104–4
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public
Law 104–4, establishes requirements for
Federal agencies to assess the effects of
their regulatory actions on State and
local governments and the private
sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA,
the Agricultural Marketing Service
(AMS) generally must prepare a written
statement, including a cost-benefit
analysis, for proposed and final rules
with ‘‘Federal mandates’’ that may
result in expenditures by State and local
governments, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector, of $100 million or more
in any one year (2 U.S.C. 1532). When
such a statement is needed for a rule,
section 205 of the UMRA generally
requires Federal agencies to identify and
consider a reasonable number of
regulatory alternatives and adopt the
least costly, most cost-effective, or least
burdensome alternative that achieves
the objectives of the rule (2 U.S.C.
1535).
This rule contains no Federal
mandates (under the regulatory
provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for
State and local governments or the
private sector of $100 million or more
in any one year. Therefore, this rule is
not subject to the requirements of
sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.
Executive Order 12988
This rule has been reviewed under
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice
Reform. This action is not intended to
have retroactive effect. This rule will
not preempt any state or local laws,
regulations or policies, unless they
present an irreconcilable conflict with
this rule. There are no administrative
procedures which must be exhausted
prior to any judicial challenge to the
provisions of this rule.
hsrobinson on PROD1PC61 with PROPOSALS
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
This program is listed in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance under No.
10.169, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Executive Order 12372
This program is not subject to the
provisions of Executive Order 12372,
which requires intergovernmental
consultation with State and local
officials. See the Notice related to 7 CFR
part 3015, subpart V published at 48 FR
29115 (June 24, 1983).
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Executive Order 12612
It has been determined that this rule
does not have sufficient Federalism
implications to warrant the preparation
of a Federalism Assessment. The
provisions contained in this rule would
not have a substantial direct effect on
States or their political subdivisions or
on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Agricultural Marketing Service
certifies that this rule will not have a
significant impact on a substantial
number of small entities as defined in
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public
Law 96–534, as amended (5 U.S.C. 601
et seq.). This rule only will impact State
departments of agriculture that apply for
grant funds. States include the fifty
States, the District of Columbia, and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The
States are not small entities under the
Act.
Authority for a Specialty Crop Block
Grant Program
The proposed program is intended to
accomplish the goals of increasing fruit,
vegetable, and nut consumption and
improving the competitiveness of
United States specialty crop producers.
The SCBGP is authorized under section
101 of the Specialty Crops
Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C.
1621 note). Section 101 directs the
Secretary of Agriculture to make grants
to States for each of the fiscal years 2005
through 2009 to be used by State
departments of agriculture solely to
enhance the competitiveness of
specialty crops.
This proposal also invites comments
on the reporting and recordkeeping
provisions that would be generated by
this proposed rule. The information
collection and recordkeeping
requirements associated with this
proposed rule are explained in more
detail in the Paperwork Reduction Act
section of this rule.
Background
The Fruit and Vegetable Program will
periodically announce that applications
may be submitted for participation in a
‘‘Specialty Crop Block Grant Program’’
(SCBGP), which will be administered by
personnel of the Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS).
Periodically, funding would be
appropriated to the Secretary of
Agriculture to provide specialty crop
block grants. To the extent that funds
are available, each year the AMS will
publish a Federal Register notice
PO 00000
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announcing the program and soliciting
grant applications.
Subject to the appropriation of funds,
each State that applies is to receive at
least $100,000 to enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops. In
addition, each State will receive an
amount that represents the proportion of
the value of specialty crop production
in the state in relation to the national
value of specialty crop production using
the latest available complete specialty
crop production data set in all states
whose applications are accepted. All 50
States, the District of Columbia, and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are
eligible to participate.
‘‘Specialty crops’’ for the purpose of
this rule, means fruits and vegetables,
tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops
(including floriculture). SCBGP
applications will be accepted from any
State department of agriculture,
including the agency, commission, or
department of a State government
responsible for agriculture within the
State.
Section 1290.6 prescribes the
application procedure that includes a
State plan to indicate how grant funds
will be utilized to enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops using
measurable expected outcomes.
Applications can be submitted for
projects up to 3 calendar years in length.
Applicants wishing to serve multi-state
projects must submit one application by
the State assuming the coordinating
role.
Section 1290.8 prescribes that under
the SCBGP program, the AMS will enter
into agreements with those State
departments of agriculture whose
applications have been approved. The
State department of agriculture will
assure that the State will comply with
the requirements of the State plan. The
State department of agriculture will also
assure that funds shall supplement the
expenditure of State funds in support of
specialty crops grown in that State,
rather than replace State funds.
The AMS will provide the entire
funding to the approved applicants by a
one-time combined electronic transfer.
SCBGP participants must deposit funds
in insured, interest-bearing accounts
and remit to AMS interest earned in
accordance with 7 CFR 3015 and 3016.
Section 1290.9 prescribes the
reporting and oversight requirements. If
the grant period is more than one year,
State departments of agriculture are
required to submit an annual
performance report(s) and a final
performance report evaluating their
project(s) using the measurable
outcomes presented in the State plan, as
well as a final financial report. If the
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grant period is less than a year, State
departments of agriculture are required
to submit a final performance report and
a final financial report.
Section 1290.10 prescribes the audit
requirements of the State. The State is
required to conduct an audit of the
expenditures of SCBGP funds in
accordance with Government Auditing
Standards not later than 60 days after
expiration of the grant period. Not later
than 30 days after completion of the
audit, the State shall submit a copy of
the audit results with an executive
summary to AMS.
AMS is inviting comments on the
proposed rule, especially on the
definition of ‘‘enhancing the
competitiveness’’ of specialty crops, and
on how to incorporate outcome
measures into the State plan.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), the AMS announces its
intention to request approval by OMB of
a new information collection.
Title: Specialty Crop Block Grant
Program.
OMB Number: 0581–New.
Type of Request: New Information
Collection.
Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years
from date of OMB approval.
Abstract: The information collection
requirements in this request are applied
only to those State departments of
agriculture who voluntarily participate
in the SCBGP. The information
collected is needed for the
implementation of the SCBGP, to
determine a State department of
agriculture’s eligibility in the program,
and to certify that grant participants are
complying with applicable program
regulations. Data collected is the
minimum information necessary to
effectively carry out the requirements of
the program, and to fulfill the intent of
section 101 of the Competitiveness Act
of 2004.
State departments of agriculture who
wish to participate in the SCBGP would
have to submit standard form SF–424,
‘‘Application for Federal Assistance’’,
approved under OMB#4040–0004. After
receipt of the SF–424, the State
department of agriculture would have to
submit SF–424B, ‘‘Assurances-NonConstruction Programs’’, approved
under OMB#0348–0040 as part of the
grant agreement to the AMS. The State
department of agriculture would then
submit to the AMS 90 days after the
expiration date of the grant period
SF269 ‘‘Financial Status Report (Long
Form)’’, if the project had program
income, approved under OMB#0348–
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0039, or SF269A ‘‘Financial Status
Report (Short Form)’’, approved under
OMB#0348–0038.
Completed applications must also
include a State plan to show how grant
funds will be utilized to enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 3 hours per
response.
Respondents: State departments of
agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52
(All 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the
District of Columbia).
Estimated Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 156 hours.
After approval of a grant application,
State departments of agriculture would
have to enter into a grant agreement
with AMS by reading and signing the
grant agreement.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average .083 hours per
response.
Respondents: State departments of
agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52
(All 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the
District of Columbia).
Estimated Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 4.32 hours.
On average, AMS does not expect a
grant period to go beyond three calendar
years, so State departments of
agriculture would have to submit to
AMS annual performance reports within
90 days after the first year of the grant
agreement and within 90 days after the
second year of the grant agreement.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 1 hour per
response.
Respondents: State departments of
agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52
(All 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the
District of Columbia).
Estimated Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 2.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 104 hours.
If the grant period goes beyond 3
calendar years, a State department of
agriculture would have to submit a
letter to AMS requesting a grant period
extension.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
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is estimated to average 0.17 hours per
response.
Respondents: State departments of
agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 5
(10% of the 52 respondents).
Estimated Number of Responses: 5.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 0.85 hours.
A State department of agriculture
would have to submit a final
performance report to AMS within 90
days following the expiration date of the
grant period.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 1.5 hours per
response.
Respondents: State departments of
agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52
(All 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the
District of Columbia).
Estimated Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 78 hours.
No later than 60 days after expiration
of the grant period, a State would be
required to conduct an audit of SCBGP
grant funds. An audit report/executive
summary would be required to be
submitted to AMS no later than 30 days
after completion of the audit.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 3 hours per
response.
Respondents: State departments of
agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52
(All 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the
District of Columbia).
Estimated Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 156 hours.
The SCBGP is expected to accomplish
the goals of increasing fruit, vegetable,
and nut consumption and improving the
competitiveness of United States
specialty crop producers.
This program would not be
maintained by any other agency,
therefore, the requested information will
not be available from any other existing
records.
AMS is committed to compliance
with the Government Paperwork
Elimination Act (GPEA), which requires
Government agencies in general to
provide the public the option of
submitting information or transacting
business electronically to the maximum
extent possible. The SF forms and State
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plan can be filled out electronically and
printed out for submission or filled out
electronically and submitted as an
attachment through Grants.gov. The
annual performance reports, final
performance report, and the audit
report/executive summary can be
submitted electronically. The grant
agreement requires an original signature
and can be submitted by mail.
Finally, State departments of
agriculture would be required to retain
records pertaining to the SCBGP for 3
years after completion of the grant
period or until final resolution of any
audit findings or litigation claims
relating to the SCBGP. This is a part of
normal business practice and consistent
with USDA regulations (7 CFR parts
3015 and 3016).
The estimated one-time cost for all
State departments of agriculture in
completing the State plan is $9,980.
This total cost was calculated by
multiplying the estimated 499 total
burden hours by $20 per hour (a sum
deemed reasonable, shall the
respondents be compensated for this
time).
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
All comments concerning the
information collection shall reference
the docket number and the date and
page number of this issue of the Federal
Register. Comments concerning the
information collection requirements
should be sent to the office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
OMB: Attention: Desk Officer for AMS,
Washington, DC 20503. Please state that
your comments refer to Docket No.
FV06–1290–1 PR. Comments may also
be sent to Docket Clerk, Fruit and
Vegetable Programs, Agricultural
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Stop 0243, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–0243; Fax: (202)
690–0102; or E-mail:
scblockgrants@usda.gov. Comments
received will be available for public
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inspection during regular business
hours at the same address. All responses
to this notice will be summarized and
included in the request for OMB
approval. All comments will also
become a matter of public record.
A 60-day comment period is provided
to allow interested persons to respond
to this proposed information collection.
A 30-day period is provided concerning
comments addressing the provisions of
this proposed rule. This period is
deemed appropriate in order to proceed
with final regulations, if adopted, that
will enable application processing and
approval of grants during this fiscal
year.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1290
Specialty crop block grants,
Agriculture, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, and under authority of 7
U.S.C. 1621 note and Public Law 108–
465, 7 CFR chapter 1290 is proposed to
be amended as set forth below:
1. A new part 1290 is added to read
as follows:
PART 1290—SPECIALTY CROP
BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
Sec.
1290.1 Purpose.
1290.2 Definitions.
1290.3 Eligible grant applicants.
1290.4 Eligible grant project.
1290.5 Restrictions and limitations on grant
funds.
1290.6 Completed application.
1290.7 Review of grant applications.
1290.8 Grant agreements.
1290.9 Reporting and oversight
requirements.
1290.10 Audit requirements.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 note.
§ 1290.1
Purpose.
Pursuant to the authority conferred by
section 101 of the Specialty Crops
Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C.
1621 note), AMS will make grants to
States to enhance the competitiveness of
specialty crops in accordance with the
terms and conditions set forth herein
and other applicable federal statutes and
regulations including, but not limited
to, 7 CFR part 3016.
§ 1290.2
Definitions.
(a) AMS means the Agricultural
Marketing Service of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
(b) Application means application for
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
(c) Grant period means the period of
time from when the grant agreement is
signed to the completion of all SCBGP
projects.
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(d) Outcome measure means an event
or condition that is external to the
project and that is of direct importance
to the intended beneficiaries and/or the
public.
(e) Project means all proposed
activities to be funded by the SCBGP.
(f) Specialty crop means fruit and
vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and
nursery crops (including floriculture).
(g) State means the fifty States, the
District of Columbia, and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(h) State department of agriculture
means the agency, commission, or
department of a State government
responsible for agriculture within the
State.
§ 1290.3
Eligible grant applicants.
Eligible grant applicants are State
departments of agriculture from the fifty
states, the District of Columbia, and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
§ 1290.4
Eligible grant project.
(a) To be eligible for a grant, the
project(s) must enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops.
Priority will be given to fresh specialty
crop projects.
(b) To be eligible for a grant, the
project(s) must be completed 3 calendar
years after the grant agreement
prescribed in section 1290.8 is signed.
However, for cause, an extension of that
deadline may be granted by AMS on a
case by case basis with a written request
from the State.
§ 1290.5 Restrictions and limitations on
grant funds.
(a) Grant funds may not be used to
fund political activities in accordance
with provisions of the Hatch Act (5
U.S.C. 1501–1508 and 7324–7326).
(b) All travel expenses associated with
SCBGP projects must follow Federal
Travel Regulations (41 CFR Chapters
300–304) unless State travel
requirements are in place.
(c) Grant funds shall supplement the
expenditure of State funds in support of
specialty crops grown in that State,
rather than replace State funds.
§ 1290.6
Completed application.
Completed applications shall be clear
and succinct and shall include the
following documentation satisfactory to
AMS.
(1) Completed applications must
include an SF–424 ‘‘Application for
Federal Assistance’’.
(2) Completed applications must also
include a State plan to show how grant
funds will be utilized to enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops. The
state plan shall include the following:
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(i) Cover page. Include the lead
agency for administering the plan and
an abstract of 200 words or less for each
proposed project.
(ii) Project purpose. Clearly state the
specific issue, problem, interest, or need
to be addressed. Explain why each
project is important and timely.
(iii) Potential Impact. Discuss the
number of people or operations affected,
the intended beneficiaries of each
project, and/or potential economic
impact if such data are available and
relevant to the project(s).
(iv) Financial Feasibility. For each
project, provide budget estimates for the
total project cost. Indicate what
percentage of the budget covers
administrative costs.
(v) Expected Measurable Outcomes.
Describe at least two or three, discrete,
quantifiable, and measurable outcomes
that directly and meaningfully support
each projects purpose. The outcome
measures must define an event or
condition that is external to the project
and that is of direct importance to the
intended beneficiaries and/or the
public.
(vi) Goal(s). Describe the overall
goal(s) in one or two sentences for each
project.
(vii) Work Plan. Explain briefly how
each goal and measurable outcome will
be accomplished for each project. Be
clear about who will do the work.
Include appropriate time lines.
(viii) Project Oversight. Describe the
oversight practices that provide
sufficient knowledge of grant activities
to ensure proper and efficient
administration.
(ix) Project Commitment. Describe
how all grant partners commit to and
work toward the goals and outcome
measures of the proposed project(s).
(x) Multi-state Projects. If the project
is a multi-state project, describe how the
States are going to collaborate
effectively with related projects with
one state assuming the coordinating
role.
§ 1290.7
Review of grant applications.
hsrobinson on PROD1PC61 with PROPOSALS
(a) Applications will be reviewed and
approved for conformance with the
provisions in § 1290.6. AMS may
contact the applicant for additional
information or clarification.
(b) Incomplete applications as of the
deadline for submission will not be
considered.
§ 1290.8
Grant agreements.
(a) After approval of a grant
application, AMS will enter into a grant
agreement with the State department of
agriculture.
(b) AMS grant agreements will
include at a minimum the following:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:56 Apr 19, 2006
Jkt 208001
20357
(1) The activities in the approved
State plan.
(2) Total amount of Federal financial
assistance that will be advanced.
(3) Terms and conditions pursuant to
which AMS will fund the project(s).
(e) States shall diligently monitor
performance to ensure that time
schedules are being met, project work
within designated time periods is being
accomplished, and other performance
measure are being achieved.
§ 1290.9 Reporting and oversight
requirements.
§ 1290.10
(a) An annual performance report will
be required of all State department’s of
agriculture within 90 days after the
completion of the first year of the
project(s), until the expiration date of
the grant period. If the grant period is
one year or less, then only a final
performance report (see paragraph (b) of
this section) is required. The annual
performance report shall include the
following:
(1) Briefly summarize activities
performed, targets, and/or performance
goals achieved during the reporting
period to meet project outcome
measures.
(2) Note unexpected delays or
impediments as well as favorable or
unusual developments.
(3) Outline work to be performed
during the next reporting period.
(4) Comment on the level of grant
funds expended to date.
(b) A final performance report will be
required by the State department of
agriculture within 90 days following the
expiration date of the grant period. The
final progress report shall include the
following:
(1) An outline of the issue, problem,
interest, or need.
(2) How the issue or problem was
approached via the project.
(3) How the annual outcome measures
of the project were achieved.
(4) Results, conclusions, and lessons
learned.
(5) How progress has been made to
achieve long term outcome measures.
(6) Additional information available
(e.g. publications, Web sites).
(7) Contact person for each project
with telephone number and e-mail
address.
(c) A final SF–269A ‘‘Financial Status
Report (Short Form)’’ (SF–269
‘‘Financial Status Report (Long Form)’’
if the project(s) had program income) is
required within 90 days following the
expiration date of the grant period.
(d) AMS will monitor States, as it
determines necessary, to assure that
projects are completed in accordance
with the approved State plan. If AMS,
after reasonable notice to a State, finds
that there has been a failure by the State
to comply substantially with any
provision or requirement of the State
plan, AMS may disqualify, for one or
more years, the State from receipt of
future grants under the SCBGP.
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Audit requirements.
Each year that a State receives a grant
under the SCBGP, a State is required to
conduct an audit of the expenditures of
SCBGP funds in accordance with
Government auditing Standards
(Government Auditing Standards 2003
Revision GAO–03–673G). The audit
shall be conducted no later than 60 days
after the expiration date of the grant
period. The State shall submit to AMS
not later than 30 days after completion
of the audit, a copy of the audit results
with an executive summary.
Dated: April 14, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. E6–5944 Filed 4–19–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services
8 CFR Parts 103 and 299
[DHS Docket No. USCIS–2005–0062]
RIN 1615–AB19
Establishment of a Genealogy Program
U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, DHS.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This rule proposes to
establish a Genealogy Program within
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services to process requests for
historical records of deceased
individuals. Currently, such requests are
processed as Freedom of Information
Act requests by the Freedom of
Information Act/Privacy Act program
adding unnecessary delays to the
process. A separate Genealogy Program
would ensure a timely response to
requests for genealogical and historical
records.
DATES: Written comments must be
submitted on or before June 19, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by DHS Docket No. USCIS–
2005–0062, by one of the following
methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
E:\FR\FM\20APP1.SGM
20APP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 76 (Thursday, April 20, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20353-20357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5944]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1290
[Docket No. FV06-1290-1 PR]
RIN 0581-AC59
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program; Notice of Request for
Approval of a New Information Collection
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing
regulations to administer the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
(SCBGP) to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. This
proposed rule is intended to establish eligibility and application
requirements, the review and approval process, and grant administration
procedures for the SCBGP.
The SCBGP would be implemented under section 101 of the Specialty
Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note). This rule also
announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's intention to request
approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the new
information collection requirements necessary to implement the SCBGP.
DATES: Comments received by May 22, 2006, will be considered prior to
issuance of a final rule. Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act,
comments on the information collection burden that would result from
this proposal must be received by June 19, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments
concerning this action. Comments must be sent to the Docket Clerk,
Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Stop 0243, Washington, DC 20250-0243; Fax: (202) 690-0102; E-mail:
scblockgrants@usda.gov; or Internet: https://www.regulations.gov.
Comments concerning the information collection requirements should be
sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB:
Attention: Desk Officer for AMS, Washington, DC 20503. Please state
that your comments refer to Docket No. FV06-1290-1 PR. Comments
concerning the information requirements also should be sent to the
Docket Clerk at the above address. Comments shall reference docket
number FV06-1290-1 PR and the date and page number of this issue of the
Federal Register and will be available for public inspection in the
Office of the Docket Clerk during regular business hours, or can be
viewed at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/scbgp.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trista Etzig, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 0243,
Washington, DC 20250-0243; Telephone: (202) 690-4942; Fax: (202) 690-
0102; or E-mail: trista.etzig@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 20354]]
Executive Order 12866
This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for
the purposes of Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Public Law 104-4
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the
effects of their regulatory actions on State and local governments and
the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, the Agricultural
Marketing Service (AMS) generally must prepare a written statement,
including a cost-benefit analysis, for proposed and final rules with
``Federal mandates'' that may result in expenditures by State and local
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100
million or more in any one year (2 U.S.C. 1532). When such a statement
is needed for a rule, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires
Federal agencies to identify and consider a reasonable number of
regulatory alternatives and adopt the least costly, most cost-
effective, or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives
of the rule (2 U.S.C. 1535).
This rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory
provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for State and local governments or
the private sector of $100 million or more in any one year. Therefore,
this rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of
the UMRA.
Executive Order 12988
This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. This action is not intended to have retroactive effect.
This rule will not preempt any state or local laws, regulations or
policies, unless they present an irreconcilable conflict with this
rule. There are no administrative procedures which must be exhausted
prior to any judicial challenge to the provisions of this rule.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance under No. 10.169, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Executive Order 12372
This program is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order
12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and
local officials. See the Notice related to 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V
published at 48 FR 29115 (June 24, 1983).
Executive Order 12612
It has been determined that this rule does not have sufficient
Federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism
Assessment. The provisions contained in this rule would not have a
substantial direct effect on States or their political subdivisions or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Agricultural Marketing Service certifies that this rule will
not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities
as defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public Law 96-534, as
amended (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). This rule only will impact State
departments of agriculture that apply for grant funds. States include
the fifty States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico. The States are not small entities under the Act.
Authority for a Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
The proposed program is intended to accomplish the goals of
increasing fruit, vegetable, and nut consumption and improving the
competitiveness of United States specialty crop producers. The SCBGP is
authorized under section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act
of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note). Section 101 directs the Secretary of
Agriculture to make grants to States for each of the fiscal years 2005
through 2009 to be used by State departments of agriculture solely to
enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.
This proposal also invites comments on the reporting and
recordkeeping provisions that would be generated by this proposed rule.
The information collection and recordkeeping requirements associated
with this proposed rule are explained in more detail in the Paperwork
Reduction Act section of this rule.
Background
The Fruit and Vegetable Program will periodically announce that
applications may be submitted for participation in a ``Specialty Crop
Block Grant Program'' (SCBGP), which will be administered by personnel
of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
Periodically, funding would be appropriated to the Secretary of
Agriculture to provide specialty crop block grants. To the extent that
funds are available, each year the AMS will publish a Federal Register
notice announcing the program and soliciting grant applications.
Subject to the appropriation of funds, each State that applies is
to receive at least $100,000 to enhance the competitiveness of
specialty crops. In addition, each State will receive an amount that
represents the proportion of the value of specialty crop production in
the state in relation to the national value of specialty crop
production using the latest available complete specialty crop
production data set in all states whose applications are accepted. All
50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico are eligible to participate.
``Specialty crops'' for the purpose of this rule, means fruits and
vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including
floriculture). SCBGP applications will be accepted from any State
department of agriculture, including the agency, commission, or
department of a State government responsible for agriculture within the
State.
Section 1290.6 prescribes the application procedure that includes a
State plan to indicate how grant funds will be utilized to enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops using measurable expected outcomes.
Applications can be submitted for projects up to 3 calendar years in
length. Applicants wishing to serve multi-state projects must submit
one application by the State assuming the coordinating role.
Section 1290.8 prescribes that under the SCBGP program, the AMS
will enter into agreements with those State departments of agriculture
whose applications have been approved. The State department of
agriculture will assure that the State will comply with the
requirements of the State plan. The State department of agriculture
will also assure that funds shall supplement the expenditure of State
funds in support of specialty crops grown in that State, rather than
replace State funds.
The AMS will provide the entire funding to the approved applicants
by a one-time combined electronic transfer. SCBGP participants must
deposit funds in insured, interest-bearing accounts and remit to AMS
interest earned in accordance with 7 CFR 3015 and 3016.
Section 1290.9 prescribes the reporting and oversight requirements.
If the grant period is more than one year, State departments of
agriculture are required to submit an annual performance report(s) and
a final performance report evaluating their project(s) using the
measurable outcomes presented in the State plan, as well as a final
financial report. If the
[[Page 20355]]
grant period is less than a year, State departments of agriculture are
required to submit a final performance report and a final financial
report.
Section 1290.10 prescribes the audit requirements of the State. The
State is required to conduct an audit of the expenditures of SCBGP
funds in accordance with Government Auditing Standards not later than
60 days after expiration of the grant period. Not later than 30 days
after completion of the audit, the State shall submit a copy of the
audit results with an executive summary to AMS.
AMS is inviting comments on the proposed rule, especially on the
definition of ``enhancing the competitiveness'' of specialty crops, and
on how to incorporate outcome measures into the State plan.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.), the AMS announces its intention to request approval by
OMB of a new information collection.
Title: Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
OMB Number: 0581-New.
Type of Request: New Information Collection.
Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of OMB approval.
Abstract: The information collection requirements in this request
are applied only to those State departments of agriculture who
voluntarily participate in the SCBGP. The information collected is
needed for the implementation of the SCBGP, to determine a State
department of agriculture's eligibility in the program, and to certify
that grant participants are complying with applicable program
regulations. Data collected is the minimum information necessary to
effectively carry out the requirements of the program, and to fulfill
the intent of section 101 of the Competitiveness Act of 2004.
State departments of agriculture who wish to participate in the
SCBGP would have to submit standard form SF-424, ``Application for
Federal Assistance'', approved under OMB4040-0004. After
receipt of the SF-424, the State department of agriculture would have
to submit SF-424B, ``Assurances-Non-Construction Programs'', approved
under OMB0348-0040 as part of the grant agreement to the AMS.
The State department of agriculture would then submit to the AMS 90
days after the expiration date of the grant period SF269 ``Financial
Status Report (Long Form)'', if the project had program income,
approved under OMB0348-0039, or SF269A ``Financial Status
Report (Short Form)'', approved under OMB0348-0038.
Completed applications must also include a State plan to show how
grant funds will be utilized to enhance the competitiveness of
specialty crops.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 3 hours per response.
Respondents: State departments of agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52 (All 50 states, Puerto Rico,
and the District of Columbia).
Estimated Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 156 hours.
After approval of a grant application, State departments of
agriculture would have to enter into a grant agreement with AMS by
reading and signing the grant agreement.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average .083 hours per response.
Respondents: State departments of agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52 (All 50 states, Puerto Rico,
and the District of Columbia).
Estimated Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4.32 hours.
On average, AMS does not expect a grant period to go beyond three
calendar years, so State departments of agriculture would have to
submit to AMS annual performance reports within 90 days after the first
year of the grant agreement and within 90 days after the second year of
the grant agreement.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 1 hour per response.
Respondents: State departments of agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52 (All 50 states, Puerto Rico,
and the District of Columbia).
Estimated Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 2.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 104 hours.
If the grant period goes beyond 3 calendar years, a State
department of agriculture would have to submit a letter to AMS
requesting a grant period extension.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 0.17 hours per response.
Respondents: State departments of agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 5 (10% of the 52 respondents).
Estimated Number of Responses: 5.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 0.85 hours.
A State department of agriculture would have to submit a final
performance report to AMS within 90 days following the expiration date
of the grant period.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 1.5 hours per response.
Respondents: State departments of agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52 (All 50 states, Puerto Rico,
and the District of Columbia).
Estimated Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 78 hours.
No later than 60 days after expiration of the grant period, a State
would be required to conduct an audit of SCBGP grant funds. An audit
report/executive summary would be required to be submitted to AMS no
later than 30 days after completion of the audit.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 3 hours per response.
Respondents: State departments of agriculture.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 52 (All 50 states, Puerto Rico,
and the District of Columbia).
Estimated Number of Responses: 52.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 156 hours.
The SCBGP is expected to accomplish the goals of increasing fruit,
vegetable, and nut consumption and improving the competitiveness of
United States specialty crop producers.
This program would not be maintained by any other agency,
therefore, the requested information will not be available from any
other existing records.
AMS is committed to compliance with the Government Paperwork
Elimination Act (GPEA), which requires Government agencies in general
to provide the public the option of submitting information or
transacting business electronically to the maximum extent possible. The
SF forms and State
[[Page 20356]]
plan can be filled out electronically and printed out for submission or
filled out electronically and submitted as an attachment through
Grants.gov. The annual performance reports, final performance report,
and the audit report/executive summary can be submitted electronically.
The grant agreement requires an original signature and can be submitted
by mail.
Finally, State departments of agriculture would be required to
retain records pertaining to the SCBGP for 3 years after completion of
the grant period or until final resolution of any audit findings or
litigation claims relating to the SCBGP. This is a part of normal
business practice and consistent with USDA regulations (7 CFR parts
3015 and 3016).
The estimated one-time cost for all State departments of
agriculture in completing the State plan is $9,980. This total cost was
calculated by multiplying the estimated 499 total burden hours by $20
per hour (a sum deemed reasonable, shall the respondents be compensated
for this time).
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.
All comments concerning the information collection shall reference
the docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the
Federal Register. Comments concerning the information collection
requirements should be sent to the office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, OMB: Attention: Desk Officer for AMS, Washington, DC 20503.
Please state that your comments refer to Docket No. FV06-1290-1 PR.
Comments may also be sent to Docket Clerk, Fruit and Vegetable
Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Stop 0243, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250-0243; Fax: (202) 690-0102; or E-mail: scblockgrants@usda.gov.
Comments received will be available for public inspection during
regular business hours at the same address. All responses to this
notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval.
All comments will also become a matter of public record.
A 60-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to
respond to this proposed information collection. A 30-day period is
provided concerning comments addressing the provisions of this proposed
rule. This period is deemed appropriate in order to proceed with final
regulations, if adopted, that will enable application processing and
approval of grants during this fiscal year.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 1290
Specialty crop block grants, Agriculture, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, and under authority of 7
U.S.C. 1621 note and Public Law 108-465, 7 CFR chapter 1290 is proposed
to be amended as set forth below:
1. A new part 1290 is added to read as follows:
PART 1290--SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
Sec.
1290.1 Purpose.
1290.2 Definitions.
1290.3 Eligible grant applicants.
1290.4 Eligible grant project.
1290.5 Restrictions and limitations on grant funds.
1290.6 Completed application.
1290.7 Review of grant applications.
1290.8 Grant agreements.
1290.9 Reporting and oversight requirements.
1290.10 Audit requirements.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621 note.
Sec. 1290.1 Purpose.
Pursuant to the authority conferred by section 101 of the Specialty
Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note), AMS will make
grants to States to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein and other
applicable federal statutes and regulations including, but not limited
to, 7 CFR part 3016.
Sec. 1290.2 Definitions.
(a) AMS means the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
(b) Application means application for Specialty Crop Block Grant
Program.
(c) Grant period means the period of time from when the grant
agreement is signed to the completion of all SCBGP projects.
(d) Outcome measure means an event or condition that is external to
the project and that is of direct importance to the intended
beneficiaries and/or the public.
(e) Project means all proposed activities to be funded by the
SCBGP.
(f) Specialty crop means fruit and vegetables, tree nuts, dried
fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture).
(g) State means the fifty States, the District of Columbia, and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(h) State department of agriculture means the agency, commission,
or department of a State government responsible for agriculture within
the State.
Sec. 1290.3 Eligible grant applicants.
Eligible grant applicants are State departments of agriculture from
the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico
Sec. 1290.4 Eligible grant project.
(a) To be eligible for a grant, the project(s) must enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops. Priority will be given to fresh
specialty crop projects.
(b) To be eligible for a grant, the project(s) must be completed 3
calendar years after the grant agreement prescribed in section 1290.8
is signed. However, for cause, an extension of that deadline may be
granted by AMS on a case by case basis with a written request from the
State.
Sec. 1290.5 Restrictions and limitations on grant funds.
(a) Grant funds may not be used to fund political activities in
accordance with provisions of the Hatch Act (5 U.S.C. 1501-1508 and
7324-7326).
(b) All travel expenses associated with SCBGP projects must follow
Federal Travel Regulations (41 CFR Chapters 300-304) unless State
travel requirements are in place.
(c) Grant funds shall supplement the expenditure of State funds in
support of specialty crops grown in that State, rather than replace
State funds.
Sec. 1290.6 Completed application.
Completed applications shall be clear and succinct and shall
include the following documentation satisfactory to AMS.
(1) Completed applications must include an SF-424 ``Application for
Federal Assistance''.
(2) Completed applications must also include a State plan to show
how grant funds will be utilized to enhance the competitiveness of
specialty crops. The state plan shall include the following:
[[Page 20357]]
(i) Cover page. Include the lead agency for administering the plan
and an abstract of 200 words or less for each proposed project.
(ii) Project purpose. Clearly state the specific issue, problem,
interest, or need to be addressed. Explain why each project is
important and timely.
(iii) Potential Impact. Discuss the number of people or operations
affected, the intended beneficiaries of each project, and/or potential
economic impact if such data are available and relevant to the
project(s).
(iv) Financial Feasibility. For each project, provide budget
estimates for the total project cost. Indicate what percentage of the
budget covers administrative costs.
(v) Expected Measurable Outcomes. Describe at least two or three,
discrete, quantifiable, and measurable outcomes that directly and
meaningfully support each projects purpose. The outcome measures must
define an event or condition that is external to the project and that
is of direct importance to the intended beneficiaries and/or the
public.
(vi) Goal(s). Describe the overall goal(s) in one or two sentences
for each project.
(vii) Work Plan. Explain briefly how each goal and measurable
outcome will be accomplished for each project. Be clear about who will
do the work. Include appropriate time lines.
(viii) Project Oversight. Describe the oversight practices that
provide sufficient knowledge of grant activities to ensure proper and
efficient administration.
(ix) Project Commitment. Describe how all grant partners commit to
and work toward the goals and outcome measures of the proposed
project(s).
(x) Multi-state Projects. If the project is a multi-state project,
describe how the States are going to collaborate effectively with
related projects with one state assuming the coordinating role.
Sec. 1290.7 Review of grant applications.
(a) Applications will be reviewed and approved for conformance with
the provisions in Sec. 1290.6. AMS may contact the applicant for
additional information or clarification.
(b) Incomplete applications as of the deadline for submission will
not be considered.
Sec. 1290.8 Grant agreements.
(a) After approval of a grant application, AMS will enter into a
grant agreement with the State department of agriculture.
(b) AMS grant agreements will include at a minimum the following:
(1) The activities in the approved State plan.
(2) Total amount of Federal financial assistance that will be
advanced.
(3) Terms and conditions pursuant to which AMS will fund the
project(s).
Sec. 1290.9 Reporting and oversight requirements.
(a) An annual performance report will be required of all State
department's of agriculture within 90 days after the completion of the
first year of the project(s), until the expiration date of the grant
period. If the grant period is one year or less, then only a final
performance report (see paragraph (b) of this section) is required. The
annual performance report shall include the following:
(1) Briefly summarize activities performed, targets, and/or
performance goals achieved during the reporting period to meet project
outcome measures.
(2) Note unexpected delays or impediments as well as favorable or
unusual developments.
(3) Outline work to be performed during the next reporting period.
(4) Comment on the level of grant funds expended to date.
(b) A final performance report will be required by the State
department of agriculture within 90 days following the expiration date
of the grant period. The final progress report shall include the
following:
(1) An outline of the issue, problem, interest, or need.
(2) How the issue or problem was approached via the project.
(3) How the annual outcome measures of the project were achieved.
(4) Results, conclusions, and lessons learned.
(5) How progress has been made to achieve long term outcome
measures.
(6) Additional information available (e.g. publications, Web
sites).
(7) Contact person for each project with telephone number and e-
mail address.
(c) A final SF-269A ``Financial Status Report (Short Form)'' (SF-
269 ``Financial Status Report (Long Form)'' if the project(s) had
program income) is required within 90 days following the expiration
date of the grant period.
(d) AMS will monitor States, as it determines necessary, to assure
that projects are completed in accordance with the approved State plan.
If AMS, after reasonable notice to a State, finds that there has been a
failure by the State to comply substantially with any provision or
requirement of the State plan, AMS may disqualify, for one or more
years, the State from receipt of future grants under the SCBGP.
(e) States shall diligently monitor performance to ensure that time
schedules are being met, project work within designated time periods is
being accomplished, and other performance measure are being achieved.
Sec. 1290.10 Audit requirements.
Each year that a State receives a grant under the SCBGP, a State is
required to conduct an audit of the expenditures of SCBGP funds in
accordance with Government auditing Standards (Government Auditing
Standards 2003 Revision GAO-03-673G). The audit shall be conducted no
later than 60 days after the expiration date of the grant period. The
State shall submit to AMS not later than 30 days after completion of
the audit, a copy of the audit results with an executive summary.
Dated: April 14, 2006.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E6-5944 Filed 4-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
