Notice of Funding Availability: Inviting Applications for McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program's Micronutrient-Fortified Food Aid Products Pilot, 13598-13600 [2011-5712]
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mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
13598
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 49 / Monday, March 14, 2011 / Notices
Title: County Committee Election.
OMB Control Number: 0560–0229.
Expiration Date of Approval:
September 30, 2011.
Type of Request: Extension.
Abstract: This information collection
is necessary to effectively allow farmers
and ranchers to nominate potential
candidates for the county committee
election. FSA also requires reporting the
participation rate of disadvantaged
farmers and ranchers and the election
result to USDA Secretary and the
Congress, as specified in Soil
Conservation and Domestic Allotment
Act. Specifically, FSA county offices
use the information annually or if
needed through-out the year for special
elections to create ballots for county
committee elections.
FSA county offices compile
information for ballots and reports from
FSA–669A, Nomination Form for
County FSA Committee Election, that an
individual completes to nominate
themselves or nominate any other
person who is interested to serve on a
FSA county committee, if eligible. The
individuals also voluntarily specify
their race, ethnicity, and gender on
FSA–669A.
Estimate of Respondent Burden:
Public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated to
average 10 minutes per response. The
average travel time, which is included
in the total burden, is estimated to be 1
hour per respondent.
Respondents: Any individual with
farming interest in the Local
Administrative Area (LAA) (eligible
voters).
Estimated Number of Respondents:
10,000.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual of Responses:
10,000.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 6,700.
We are requesting comments on all
aspects of this information collection to
help us to:
(1) Evaluate whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of burden including
the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility and
clarity of the information to be
collected;
(4) Minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the
use of appropriate automated,
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electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
All responses received in response to
this notice, including names and
addresses, when provided, will be a
matter of public records. Comments will
be summarized and included in the
request for Office of Management and
Budget approval of the information
collection.
Signed in Washington, DC on March 8,
2011.
Carolyn B. Cooksie,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 2011–5770 Filed 3–11–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
Notice of Funding Availability: Inviting
Applications for McGovern-Dole
International Food for Education and
Child Nutrition Program’s
Micronutrient-Fortified Food Aid
Products Pilot
Announcement Type: New.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) Number: 10.608.
Summary: The Foreign Agricultural
Service (FAS) announces it is inviting
proposals for the McGovern-Dole
International Food for Education and
Child Nutrition (McGovern-Dole)
Program Micronutrient-Fortified Food
Aid Products Pilot (MFFAPP). Up to $9
million of funding is available for the
MFFAPP. Eligible applicants may
submit proposals through June 10, 2011.
The MFFAPP is administered through
FAS’s McGovern-Dole International
Food for Education and Child Nutrition
(McGovern-Dole) Program.
Dates: All applications must be
received by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time, June 10, 2011. Applications
received after this date will not be
considered.
For Further Information Contact:
Food Assistance Division, Office of
Capacity Building and Development,
Foreign Agricultural Service, Portals
Office Building, Suite 400, 1250
Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington,
DC 20024; by phone: (202) 720–4221; by
fax: (202) 690–0251; or by e-mail at
ppded@fas.usda.gov.
Supplementary Information:
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Authority: The MFFAPP uses the
authority of the McGovern-Dole
Program, which is authorized by the
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002, as amended.
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B. Purpose: Under the MFFAPP,
participants will have access to
resources to introduce and field test
new or improved micronutrient-fortified
food aid products. FAS defines
micronutrient-fortified food aid
products as foods used for direct feeding
that are nutritionally enhanced with
vitamin or mineral additions to address
the micronutrient deficiencies of a
population or group. The food aid
products must be designed to meet the
energy and nutrient needs of
populations served by the McGovernDole Program, including school-aged
children, children under 5 years of age,
pregnant and lactating mothers, and
infants. The process of micronutrient
fortification must take place in the
United States and use U.S. origin
products. The participant may develop
a new product or improve an existing
product, either directly or by
contracting with another party. This
pilot does not support field testing for
products that already exist or have been
recently developed.
Through this pilot, FAS hopes to
identify new products that provide the
most improvement in nutrition for the
targeted beneficiaries in the most costeffective manner. FAS will examine
each proposal for its appropriateness to
the beneficiary population and targeted
country context, its intended impact on
the nutrition of program beneficiaries,
and the expected outcomes of the pilot
project.
C. Priorities: 1. FAS is seeking to
maximize the cost effectiveness of
implementing this pilot. Therefore, FAS
will give priority consideration to
otherwise acceptable proposals that will
develop and field test food aid products
in conjunction with current or alreadyapproved future activities under the
McGovern-Dole Program in the
following countries: Afghanistan,
Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia,
Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon,
Chad, Ethiopia, Guatemala, GuineaBissau, Haiti, Kenya, Lao PDR, Liberia,
Madagascar, Malawi, Mali,
Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger,
Pakistan, Republic of Congo, Rwanda,
Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
2. FAS will also consider, but will
give a lower priority to, proposals for
projects to develop and field test food
aid products, whether or not in
conjunction with current or alreadyapproved future activities under the
McGovern-Dole Program, in countries
other than those listed in Section I.C.1.,
provided that the project is short term
and supports sustainability efforts and
the country meets the following criteria:
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 49 / Monday, March 14, 2011 / Notices
a. Low or Lower Middle Income
Country—according to World Bank data
(2008 World Bank);
b. Greater than 20 percent prevalence
of stunting (World Health Organization);
c. Adult literacy rate below 80
percent;
d. Government support for education;
e. Absence of civil conflict; and
f. FAS has a representative covering
the country who can provide the ability
for oversight of program activities.
3. If an applicant for funding under
the MFFAPP proposes to develop and
field test a food aid product in
conjunction with the current or
approved activities of another entity
under the McGovern-Dole Program, the
applicant must obtain the agreement of
such entity that the applicant may
develop and field test the food aid
product in conjunction with its
activities. The applicant does not have
to be the entity that is carrying or will
carry out the current or approved
activities under the McGovern-Dole
Program.
4. Please note that the focus of this
pilot is on developing and field testing
new products and not on providing
school meals on a large scale.
II. Award Information
A. Award Size: FAS has
approximately $9 million available for
the development, improvement, and
field testing of micronutrient-fortified
food products. The limited funds will
generally preclude FAS from approving
a project costing more than $3 million,
although there is no minimum or
maximum amount set for each
MFFAPP-funded project.
B. Type of Award: All awards will be
made in the form of competitive grants.
III. Eligibility Information
For eligibility requirements, see the
McGovern-Dole Program regulations (7
CFR 1599.3).
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
IV. Application and Submission
Information
A. Application content: An applicant
for funding under the MFFAPP shall
submit an application that contains the
information specified in 7 CFR 1599.4,
which includes a completed form SF–
424, an Introductory Statement, and a
Plan of Operation. Guidance on
preparing the Introductory Statement
and Plan of Operation can be found at
the following address: https://
www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/FoodAid/
FFE/FFE.asp. In addition, the
application shall include the following:
1. Information on the micronutrientfortified food aid products to be
introduced, including:
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a. A description of the new
micronutrient-fortified food aid product
to be developed and delivered, and an
explanation of how the newly
developed food aid product will be field
tested and evaluated; or a description of
the already existing, but improved,
micronutrient-fortified food aid product
to be delivered, and an explanation of
how the food aid product will be field
tested and evaluated;
b. An explanation of the need for the
micronutrient-fortified food aid product
in the targeted country and information
regarding the country’s current direct
distribution operations, if they already
exist, including a description of any
micronutrient-fortified foods distributed
and current funding resources;
c. Reasons for selecting the type of
micronutrient-fortified food aid product;
d. The intended beneficiaries’ health
or nutritional deficiencies that could be
alleviated by the micronutrient-fortified
food product; and
e. The impact on the targeted
beneficiaries, including an explanation
of how the identified health or
nutritional deficiencies will be
addressed by introducing new or
improved micronutrient-fortified food
aid.
2. Information about the applicant’s
past activities in fortifying food
products and food aid distribution
projects, if any.
3. Information about the costs and
logistics that would be involved in
carrying out the applicant’s proposal,
including:
a. A complete description of the costs
to develop, or contract to develop, and
transport the new or improved food aid
product to be introduced, and a budget
proposal for funding these items; and
b. A description of the distribution
process, storage, and handling,
including shelf life, of the new or
improved product.
4. If the proposal is to develop and
field test a food aid product in
conjunction with current or approved
activities under the McGovern-Dole
Program, a written statement from the
entity that is carrying or will carry out
such activities that it has agreed to work
with the applicant as outlined in its
proposal.
5. Information about the level of
government and community support for
maternal, child, and student health, and
nutrition in the targeted country.
6. A detailed description of the
methodology, rationale, and proposed
timeline to be used to field test and
evaluate the impact of the new or
improved micronutrient-fortified food
aid product on the intended
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
13599
beneficiaries as compared to traditional
food assistance commodities.
7. A detailed description of how the
project will be evaluated and a
completed report submitted to FAS.
B. Method of Submission: The entire
application package must be submitted
electronically either to FAS’s online
proposal entry system located at https://
www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/FoodAid/
FFE/ApplyForProgram.asp, which is the
preferred method, or by e-mail at
ppded@fas.usda.gov.
C. Deadline for Submission: All
applications must be received by 5 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time, June 10, 2011.
Applications received after this date
will not be considered.
V. Proposal Review Criteria
A. Review Process: FAS will review
all responsive proposals that are
submitted by the deadline. FAS will
invite comments from other U.S.
governmental agencies on its award
recommendations, but FAS will make
the final determination about which
proposals to fund. After the initial
evaluations, FAS will undertake an
additional review to ensure that
activities funded under this pilot will be
conducted in multiple geographic
regions.
B. Criteria: After prioritizing the
proposals using the McGovern-Dole
Program and country criteria outlined in
Section I.C., FAS will review and
evaluate each proposal using the
following criteria:
1. Need for the micronutrient-fortified
food aid product (20 percent).
a. Is the need clearly established with
statistics on food deficiencies,
malnutrition, micronutrient
deficiencies, and the effects of these
conditions on the intended
beneficiaries?
b. Does the targeted country clearly
demonstrate commitment to reducing
the prevalence of malnutrition and
under-nutrition in the country with
education and other support?
2. Focus on the product to be
developed or improved (30 percent).
a. To what extent would the fortified
food aid product provide a benefit by
ameliorating or preventing a nutritional
deficiency disease?
b. Are the costs to produce or improve
the product reasonable?
c. How easy would it be to transport
and use the product, and would the
shelf life be long enough?
d. Are there adequate measures in
place to distribute, store, and handle the
product within the targeted country?
e. Is the product appropriate to
address the nutritional needs of the
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 49 / Monday, March 14, 2011 / Notices
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
beneficiaries in the context of the
targeted country?
3. Organizational experience and
capability (20 percent).
a. Does the proposal clearly
demonstrate the organization’s
capability and effectiveness in
implementing previous food aid
programs, particularly ones targeting
school-aged children, children under
age 5, or maternal and infant health?
b. Does the proposal provide evidence
that the organization has the knowledge,
expertise, ability, and resources to
successfully implement the project,
including evidence of its timeliness and
quality of reporting on past food aid
activities?
c. Does the proposal demonstrate that
the organization has an experienced
management team that can properly
implement, monitor, and evaluate the
project?
4. Monitoring and evaluation (30
percent).
a. Are the baselines and target goals
well developed, recent, and clear?
b. Is the monitoring and evaluation
criteria and process clearly described
and sufficient to provide FAS with an
evaluation report that would clearly
indicate the benefit and drawbacks of
the new product to the population?
c. What are the qualifications of the
evaluation team?
d. Is the organization’s plan to
develop and submit a final evaluation
report to FAS clear and well defined?
e. What is the quality of the project’s
performance measures, and the degree
to which they relate to the objectives,
deliverables, and proposed approach
and activities?
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: FAS will notify
each applicant in writing of the final
disposition of its application. FAS will
send a letter to each approved applicant
that will specify the amount of funding.
Once the approved applicant receives
this letter, FAS will begin negotiations
with the program participant to develop
a grant agreement. The agreement will
incorporate the details of the project as
approved by FAS and in accordance
with the McGovern-Dole Program
regulations, 7 CFR part 1599. Approved
applicants will not receive funding
under the MFFAPP until the agreement
negotiation is complete and the
agreement has been signed by
authorized representatives of the
applicant and FAS.
2. Reporting: An organization
receiving funding under the MFFAPP
will be required to provide quarterly
financial reports, semi-annual logistics
and monitoring reports, and a final
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16:20 Mar 11, 2011
Jkt 223001
evaluation report, as provided in the
grant agreement. In its final evaluation
report, the organization will be required
to use supporting evidence gathered
during the pilot to describe the benefits
and drawbacks of the new product to
the population and to address the
benefits or drawbacks of the new or
improved product as compared to
traditional food assistance commodities.
Changes in the original project timelines
and adjustments within project budgets
must be approved by FAS prior to their
implementation.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation: A
program participant shall submit to
FAS, in the manner specified in the
agreement, an annual financial audit in
accordance with 7 CFR 1599.13(d). If
FAS requires an annual financial audit
with respect to a particular agreement,
and FAS provides funds for this
purpose, the participant shall arrange
for such audit and submit it to FAS, in
the manner specified in the agreement.
The participant shall provide to FAS
additional information or reports
relating to the agreement if requested by
FAS.
effective on the date of this publication
in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Jeff Hunteman, Krassel Ranger District,
Payette National Forest, 500 N. Mission,
McCall, Idaho 83638.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff
Hunteman at the above address, or email: jhunteman@fs.fed.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
mining claims are located in the Frank
Church-River of No Return Wilderness,
approximately 50 miles northeast of
McCall, Idaho in section 26, T22N, R9E,
Boise Meridian. The claims encompass
approximately 20 acres each adjacent to
Coin Creek, a tributary of Beaver Creek,
which flows into Big Creek, a tributary
of the Salmon River. The Record of
Decision will also be withdrawn.
Signed at Washington, DC on the 24th of
January 2011.
John D. Brewer,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–5760 Filed 3–11–11; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2011–5712 Filed 3–11–11; 8:45 am]
Responsible Official
The responsible official is the Forest
Supervisor of the Payette National
Forest.
Dated: March 7, 2011.
Suzanne C. Rainville,
Forest Supervisor, Payette National Forest.
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
Forest Service
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
White Pine-Nye County Resource
Advisory Committee (RAC)
Forest Service
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Payette National Forest, Idaho, Golden
Hand #3 and #4 Lode Mining Claims,
Plan of Operations
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of withdrawal.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The USDA Forest Service is
withdrawing the Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for The Golden Hand
No. 3 and No. 4 Lode Mining Claims
Proposed Plan of Operations. The
project included mining operations on
the lode claims along with associated
activities such as road maintenance and
construction. The project will not be
implemented. Any further action on
claims No. 3 and No. 4 would be
conducted under a new plan of
operation and subsequent
environmental documentation.
DATES: The Notice of Intent originally
appeared on April 19, 2002 in the
Federal Register page no 19389. The
Notice of Availability of the Final EIS
appeared on May 9, 2003 in the Federal
Register page no 25023. This
withdrawal of the Notice of Intent is
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
The White Pine-Nye County
Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)
will hold a meeting.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
April 15th, 2011 and will begin at 9 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in
Eureka County at the Eureka County
Annex, 701 S. Main Street, Eureka,
Nevada 89316.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jose
Noriega, RAC Coordinator, USDA,
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Ely
Ranger District, 825 Avenue E Ely, NV
89301, (775) 289–3031; E-Mail
jnoriega@fs.fed.us.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda
items include: (1) Remarks by Forest
Supervisor, (2) Review and approve
previous meeting’s minutes and
business expenses, (3) Review and
recommend funding allocation for
proposed projects; project submittal
date deadline is March 31, 2011, (4)
Public Comment, (5) Determine
timeframes for the next round of project
proposals if needed. The meeting is
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13598-13600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5712]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
Notice of Funding Availability: Inviting Applications for
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition
Program's Micronutrient-Fortified Food Aid Products Pilot
Announcement Type: New.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.608.
Summary: The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announces it is
inviting proposals for the McGovern-Dole International Food for
Education and Child Nutrition (McGovern-Dole) Program Micronutrient-
Fortified Food Aid Products Pilot (MFFAPP). Up to $9 million of funding
is available for the MFFAPP. Eligible applicants may submit proposals
through June 10, 2011. The MFFAPP is administered through FAS's
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition
(McGovern-Dole) Program.
Dates: All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time, June 10, 2011. Applications received after this date will not be
considered.
For Further Information Contact: Food Assistance Division, Office
of Capacity Building and Development, Foreign Agricultural Service,
Portals Office Building, Suite 400, 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20024; by phone: (202) 720-4221; by fax: (202) 690-0251;
or by e-mail at ppded@fas.usda.gov.
Supplementary Information:
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Authority: The MFFAPP uses the authority of the McGovern-Dole
Program, which is authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002, as amended.
B. Purpose: Under the MFFAPP, participants will have access to
resources to introduce and field test new or improved micronutrient-
fortified food aid products. FAS defines micronutrient-fortified food
aid products as foods used for direct feeding that are nutritionally
enhanced with vitamin or mineral additions to address the micronutrient
deficiencies of a population or group. The food aid products must be
designed to meet the energy and nutrient needs of populations served by
the McGovern-Dole Program, including school-aged children, children
under 5 years of age, pregnant and lactating mothers, and infants. The
process of micronutrient fortification must take place in the United
States and use U.S. origin products. The participant may develop a new
product or improve an existing product, either directly or by
contracting with another party. This pilot does not support field
testing for products that already exist or have been recently
developed.
Through this pilot, FAS hopes to identify new products that provide
the most improvement in nutrition for the targeted beneficiaries in the
most cost-effective manner. FAS will examine each proposal for its
appropriateness to the beneficiary population and targeted country
context, its intended impact on the nutrition of program beneficiaries,
and the expected outcomes of the pilot project.
C. Priorities: 1. FAS is seeking to maximize the cost effectiveness
of implementing this pilot. Therefore, FAS will give priority
consideration to otherwise acceptable proposals that will develop and
field test food aid products in conjunction with current or already-
approved future activities under the McGovern-Dole Program in the
following countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia,
Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea-
Bissau, Haiti, Kenya, Lao PDR, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali,
Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Republic of Congo,
Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
2. FAS will also consider, but will give a lower priority to,
proposals for projects to develop and field test food aid products,
whether or not in conjunction with current or already-approved future
activities under the McGovern-Dole Program, in countries other than
those listed in Section I.C.1., provided that the project is short term
and supports sustainability efforts and the country meets the following
criteria:
[[Page 13599]]
a. Low or Lower Middle Income Country--according to World Bank data
(2008 World Bank);
b. Greater than 20 percent prevalence of stunting (World Health
Organization);
c. Adult literacy rate below 80 percent;
d. Government support for education;
e. Absence of civil conflict; and
f. FAS has a representative covering the country who can provide
the ability for oversight of program activities.
3. If an applicant for funding under the MFFAPP proposes to develop
and field test a food aid product in conjunction with the current or
approved activities of another entity under the McGovern-Dole Program,
the applicant must obtain the agreement of such entity that the
applicant may develop and field test the food aid product in
conjunction with its activities. The applicant does not have to be the
entity that is carrying or will carry out the current or approved
activities under the McGovern-Dole Program.
4. Please note that the focus of this pilot is on developing and
field testing new products and not on providing school meals on a large
scale.
II. Award Information
A. Award Size: FAS has approximately $9 million available for the
development, improvement, and field testing of micronutrient-fortified
food products. The limited funds will generally preclude FAS from
approving a project costing more than $3 million, although there is no
minimum or maximum amount set for each MFFAPP-funded project.
B. Type of Award: All awards will be made in the form of
competitive grants.
III. Eligibility Information
For eligibility requirements, see the McGovern-Dole Program
regulations (7 CFR 1599.3).
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Application content: An applicant for funding under the MFFAPP
shall submit an application that contains the information specified in
7 CFR 1599.4, which includes a completed form SF-424, an Introductory
Statement, and a Plan of Operation. Guidance on preparing the
Introductory Statement and Plan of Operation can be found at the
following address: https://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/FoodAid/FFE/FFE.asp. In addition, the application shall include the following:
1. Information on the micronutrient-fortified food aid products to
be introduced, including:
a. A description of the new micronutrient-fortified food aid
product to be developed and delivered, and an explanation of how the
newly developed food aid product will be field tested and evaluated; or
a description of the already existing, but improved, micronutrient-
fortified food aid product to be delivered, and an explanation of how
the food aid product will be field tested and evaluated;
b. An explanation of the need for the micronutrient-fortified food
aid product in the targeted country and information regarding the
country's current direct distribution operations, if they already
exist, including a description of any micronutrient-fortified foods
distributed and current funding resources;
c. Reasons for selecting the type of micronutrient-fortified food
aid product;
d. The intended beneficiaries' health or nutritional deficiencies
that could be alleviated by the micronutrient-fortified food product;
and
e. The impact on the targeted beneficiaries, including an
explanation of how the identified health or nutritional deficiencies
will be addressed by introducing new or improved micronutrient-
fortified food aid.
2. Information about the applicant's past activities in fortifying
food products and food aid distribution projects, if any.
3. Information about the costs and logistics that would be involved
in carrying out the applicant's proposal, including:
a. A complete description of the costs to develop, or contract to
develop, and transport the new or improved food aid product to be
introduced, and a budget proposal for funding these items; and
b. A description of the distribution process, storage, and
handling, including shelf life, of the new or improved product.
4. If the proposal is to develop and field test a food aid product
in conjunction with current or approved activities under the McGovern-
Dole Program, a written statement from the entity that is carrying or
will carry out such activities that it has agreed to work with the
applicant as outlined in its proposal.
5. Information about the level of government and community support
for maternal, child, and student health, and nutrition in the targeted
country.
6. A detailed description of the methodology, rationale, and
proposed timeline to be used to field test and evaluate the impact of
the new or improved micronutrient-fortified food aid product on the
intended beneficiaries as compared to traditional food assistance
commodities.
7. A detailed description of how the project will be evaluated and
a completed report submitted to FAS.
B. Method of Submission: The entire application package must be
submitted electronically either to FAS's online proposal entry system
located at https://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/FoodAid/FFE/ApplyForProgram.asp, which is the preferred method, or by e-mail at
ppded@fas.usda.gov.
C. Deadline for Submission: All applications must be received by 5
p.m. Eastern Standard Time, June 10, 2011. Applications received after
this date will not be considered.
V. Proposal Review Criteria
A. Review Process: FAS will review all responsive proposals that
are submitted by the deadline. FAS will invite comments from other U.S.
governmental agencies on its award recommendations, but FAS will make
the final determination about which proposals to fund. After the
initial evaluations, FAS will undertake an additional review to ensure
that activities funded under this pilot will be conducted in multiple
geographic regions.
B. Criteria: After prioritizing the proposals using the McGovern-
Dole Program and country criteria outlined in Section I.C., FAS will
review and evaluate each proposal using the following criteria:
1. Need for the micronutrient-fortified food aid product (20
percent).
a. Is the need clearly established with statistics on food
deficiencies, malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the effects
of these conditions on the intended beneficiaries?
b. Does the targeted country clearly demonstrate commitment to
reducing the prevalence of malnutrition and under-nutrition in the
country with education and other support?
2. Focus on the product to be developed or improved (30 percent).
a. To what extent would the fortified food aid product provide a
benefit by ameliorating or preventing a nutritional deficiency disease?
b. Are the costs to produce or improve the product reasonable?
c. How easy would it be to transport and use the product, and would
the shelf life be long enough?
d. Are there adequate measures in place to distribute, store, and
handle the product within the targeted country?
e. Is the product appropriate to address the nutritional needs of
the
[[Page 13600]]
beneficiaries in the context of the targeted country?
3. Organizational experience and capability (20 percent).
a. Does the proposal clearly demonstrate the organization's
capability and effectiveness in implementing previous food aid
programs, particularly ones targeting school-aged children, children
under age 5, or maternal and infant health?
b. Does the proposal provide evidence that the organization has the
knowledge, expertise, ability, and resources to successfully implement
the project, including evidence of its timeliness and quality of
reporting on past food aid activities?
c. Does the proposal demonstrate that the organization has an
experienced management team that can properly implement, monitor, and
evaluate the project?
4. Monitoring and evaluation (30 percent).
a. Are the baselines and target goals well developed, recent, and
clear?
b. Is the monitoring and evaluation criteria and process clearly
described and sufficient to provide FAS with an evaluation report that
would clearly indicate the benefit and drawbacks of the new product to
the population?
c. What are the qualifications of the evaluation team?
d. Is the organization's plan to develop and submit a final
evaluation report to FAS clear and well defined?
e. What is the quality of the project's performance measures, and
the degree to which they relate to the objectives, deliverables, and
proposed approach and activities?
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices: FAS will notify each applicant in writing of the
final disposition of its application. FAS will send a letter to each
approved applicant that will specify the amount of funding. Once the
approved applicant receives this letter, FAS will begin negotiations
with the program participant to develop a grant agreement. The
agreement will incorporate the details of the project as approved by
FAS and in accordance with the McGovern-Dole Program regulations, 7 CFR
part 1599. Approved applicants will not receive funding under the
MFFAPP until the agreement negotiation is complete and the agreement
has been signed by authorized representatives of the applicant and FAS.
2. Reporting: An organization receiving funding under the MFFAPP
will be required to provide quarterly financial reports, semi-annual
logistics and monitoring reports, and a final evaluation report, as
provided in the grant agreement. In its final evaluation report, the
organization will be required to use supporting evidence gathered
during the pilot to describe the benefits and drawbacks of the new
product to the population and to address the benefits or drawbacks of
the new or improved product as compared to traditional food assistance
commodities. Changes in the original project timelines and adjustments
within project budgets must be approved by FAS prior to their
implementation.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation: A program participant shall submit to
FAS, in the manner specified in the agreement, an annual financial
audit in accordance with 7 CFR 1599.13(d). If FAS requires an annual
financial audit with respect to a particular agreement, and FAS
provides funds for this purpose, the participant shall arrange for such
audit and submit it to FAS, in the manner specified in the agreement.
The participant shall provide to FAS additional information or reports
relating to the agreement if requested by FAS.
Signed at Washington, DC on the 24th of January 2011.
John D. Brewer,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-5712 Filed 3-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P
