Funding Opportunity Title: Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program; Announcement Type: Announcement of Availability of Funds and Request for Application for Competitive Cooperative Partnership Agreements, 34639-34648 [2011-14596]
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34639
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 76, No. 114
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and
Humanitarian Assistance; Office of
Food for Peace, Announcement of
Request for Applications for Title II
Non-Emergency Food Aid Programs
Targeting Pastoral Areas in Ethiopia
Notice
Notice is hereby given that the
Request for Applications for Title II
Non-Emergency Food Aid Programs
Targeting Pastoral Areas in Ethiopia will
be available to interested parties for
general viewing.
For individuals who wish to review,
the Request for Applications for Title II
Non-Emergency Food Aid Programs
Targeting Pastoral Areas in Ethiopia will
be available via the Food for Peace Web
site https://www.usaid.gov/our_work/
humanitarian_assistance/ffp/
progpolicy.html on or about June 10,
2011. Interested parties can also receive
a copy of the Request for Applications
for Title II Non-Emergency Food Aid
Programs Targeting Pastoral Areas in
Ethiopia by contacting the Office of
Food for Peace, U.S. Agency for
International Development, RRB 7.06–
085, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20523–7600.
Dale Skoric,
Division Chief, Policy and Technical Division,
Office of Food for Peace, Bureau for
Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian
Assistance.
[FR Doc. 2011–14636 Filed 6–13–11; 8:45 am]
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BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Notice of Proposed Additional
Information Collection: Advisory
Committee and Research and
Promotion Background Information
AGENCY:
Office of the Secretary, USDA.
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Revision and request for
comments.
ACTION:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. chapter 35), this notice
announces the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s (USDA) intention to
request a revision to a currently
approved information collection of the
Advisory Committee and Research and
Promotion Background Information to
include Race, Ethnicity, National
Origin, Gender and Disability Status.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be
received by August 15, 2011 to be
assured of consideration.
Additional Information or Comments:
Contact Sherry Taylor, Office of the
Secretary, White House Liaison Office,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., the Whitten
Building, Room 507–A, Mail Stop–0112,
Washington, DC 20250; office phone:
202–720–2406 or fax: 202–720–9286; email: USDAappointmentcomments@
osec.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Advisory Committee and
Research and Promotion Background
Information.
OMB Number: 0505–0001.
Expiration Date of Approval: July 31,
2012.
Type of Request: Revision of a
currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: The primary objective is to
determine the qualifications, suitability
and availability of a candidate to serve
on advisory committees and/or research
and promotion boards. The information
will be used to both conduct
background clearances on the
candidates to the boards and
committees and to compile annual
reports on committee members.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 30 minutes per
response.
Respondents: Individuals or
households.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
2300.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 1150.
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
SUMMARY:
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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.
Comments may be sent to Sherry Taylor,
Office of the White House Liaison, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., the
Whitten Building, Room 507–A,
Washington, DC 20250; fax: 202–720–
9286; or e-mail: USDAappointment
comments@osec.usda.gov. Comments
submitted by mail must be postmarked
10 business days prior to the deadline
to ensure timely receipt.
All 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
become a matter of public record.
Signed in Washington, DC on May 31,
2011.
Thomas J. Vilsack,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2011–14703 Filed 6–13–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
Funding Opportunity Title: Risk
Management Education and Outreach
Partnerships Program; Announcement
Type: Announcement of Availability of
Funds and Request for Application for
Competitive Cooperative Partnership
Agreements
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Numbers (CFDAs): 10.455 and 10.459.
All applications, which must be
submitted electronically through
Grants.gov, must be received by 11:59
p.m. Eastern Time on July 14, 2011.
Hard copy applications shall NOT be
accepted.
DATES:
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34640
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 114 / Tuesday, June 14, 2011 / Notices
The Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation (FCIC), operating through
the Risk Management Agency (RMA),
announces its intent to award
approximately $3,500,000 (subject to
availability of funds) to fund the Risk
Management Education and Outreach
Partnerships Program. This Request for
Applications (RFA) Announcement is
for a combination of the programs
previously known as the ‘‘Commodity
Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk
Management Education Sessions’’ and
the ‘‘Community Outreach and
Assistance Partnerships Program.’’ The
purpose of this combined cooperative
partnership agreements program is to
deliver crop insurance education and
risk management training to U.S.
agricultural producers to assist them in
identifying and managing production,
marketing, legal, financial and human
risk. The program gives priority to: (1)
Educating producers of crops currently
not insured under Federal crop
insurance, specialty crops, and
underserved commodities, including
livestock and forage; and (2) providing
collaborative outreach and assistance
programs for limited resource, socially
disadvantaged and other traditionally
underserved farmers and ranchers. The
minimum award for any cooperative
partnership agreement is $20,000. The
maximum award for any cooperative
partnership agreement is $100,000. The
cooperative partnership agreements will
be awarded on a competitive basis up to
one year from the date of the award.
Awardees must demonstrate nonfinancial benefits from a cooperative
partnership agreement and must agree
to the substantial involvement of RMA
in the project. Funding availability for
this program may be announced at
approximately the same time as funding
availability for similar but separate
programs:—CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop
Insurance Education in Targeted States).
Prospective applicants should carefully
examine and compare the notices of
each announcement.
The collections of information in this
Announcement have been approved by
OMB under control numbers 0563–0066
and 0563–0067.
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SUMMARY:
This Announcement Consists of Eight
Sections
Section I—Funding Opportunity
Description
A. Legislative Authority
B. Background
C. Definition of Priority Commodities
D. Project Goal
E. Purpose
Section II—Award Information
A. Type of Application
B. Funding Availability
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C. Location and Target Audience
D. Minimum and Maximum Award
E. Project Period
F. Description of Agreement—
Awardee Tasks
G. RMA Activities
H. Other Tasks
Section III—Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
B. Cost Sharing or Matching
C. Other—Non-Financial Benefits
Section IV—Application and
Submission Information
A. Electronic Application Package
B. Content and Form of Application
Submission
C. Funding Restrictions
D. Limitation on Use of Project Funds
for Salaries and Benefits
E. Indirect Cost Rates
F. Other Submission Requirements
G. Acknowledgement of Applications
Section V—Application Review
Information
A. Criteria
B. Selection and Review Process
Section VI—Award Administration
Information
A. Award Notices
B. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
1. Requirement to Use Program Logo
2. Requirement to Provide Project
Information to an RMA-selected
Representative
3. Private Crop Insurance
Organizations and Potential
Conflicts of Interest
4. Access to Panel Review Information
5. Confidential Aspects of
Applications and Awards
6. Audit Requirements
7. Prohibitions and Requirements
Regarding Lobbying
8. Applicable OMB Circulars
9. Requirement to Assure Compliance
with Federal Civil Rights Laws
10. Requirement to Participate in a
Post Award Teleconference
11. Requirement to Submit
Educational Materials to the
National AgRisk Education Library
12. Requirement to Submit Proposed
Results to the National AgRisk
Education Library
13. Requirement to Submit a Project
Plan of Operation in the Event of a
Human Pandemic Outbreak
C. Reporting Requirements
Section VII—Agency Contact
Section VIII—Additional Information
A. Required Registration with the
Central Contract Registry (CCR) for
Submission of Proposals
B. Related Programs
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Legislative Authority
The Risk Management Education and
Outreach Partnership Program is
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authorized under section 522(d)(3)(F) of
the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act) (7
U.S.C. 1522(d)(3)(F)).
B. Background
RMA promotes and regulates sound
risk management solutions to improve
the economic stability of American
agriculture. On behalf of FCIC, RMA
does this by offering Federal crop
insurance products through a network
of private-sector partners, overseeing the
creation of new risk management
products, seeking enhancements in
existing products, ensuring the integrity
of crop insurance programs, offering
programs aimed at equal access and
participation of underserved
communities, and providing risk
management education and information.
One of RMA’s strategic goals is to
ensure that its customers are well
informed as to the risk management
solutions available. This educational
goal is supported by section 522(d)(3)(F)
of the Federal Crop Insurance Act
(FCIA) (7 U.S.C. 1522(d)(3)(F), which
authorizes FCIC funding for risk
management training and informational
efforts for agricultural producers
through the formation of partnerships
with public and private organizations.
With respect to such partnerships,
priority is to be given to reaching
producers of Priority Commodities, as
defined below. A project is considered
as giving priority to Priority
Commodities if 75 percent of the
educational and training activities of the
project are directed to producers of any
one of the three classes of commodities
listed in the definition of Priority
Commodities or any combination of the
three classes.
C. Definition of Priority Commodities
For purposes of this program, Priority
Commodities are defined as:
1. Agricultural commodities covered
by (7 U.S.C. 7333). Commodities in this
group are commercial crops that are not
covered by catastrophic risk protection
crop insurance, are used for food or
fiber (except livestock), and specifically
include, but are not limited to,
floricultural, ornamental nursery,
Christmas trees, turf grass sod,
aquaculture (including ornamental fish),
and industrial crops.
2. Specialty crops. Commodities in
this group may or may not be covered
under a Federal crop insurance plan and
include, but are not limited to, fruits,
vegetables, tree nuts, syrups, honey,
roots, herbs, and highly specialized
varieties of traditional crops.
3. Underserved commodities. This
group includes: (a) Commodities,
including livestock and forage, that are
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covered by a Federal crop insurance
plan but for which participation in an
area is below the national average; and
(b) commodities, including livestock
and forage, with inadequate crop
insurance coverage.
training will be provided to at least one
(1) of the Producer Types listed under
Category 2 below. Applications that do
not include at least one (1) of the
Producer Types listed under Category 2
will not be considered for funding.
D. Project Goal
The goal of this program is to ensure
that ‘‘* * * producers will be better
able to use financial management, crop
insurance, marketing contracts, and
other existing and emerging risk
management tools.’’
Category 2. Projects That Concentrate on
Producer Type
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E. Purpose
The purpose of the Risk Management
Education and Outreach Partnerships
Program is to provide U.S. farmers and
ranchers with training and information
opportunities to be able to understand:
1. The kinds of risks addressed by
existing and emerging risk management
tools;
2. The features and appropriate use of
existing and emerging risk management
tools; and
3. How to make sound risk
management decisions.
For the 2011 fiscal year, the FCIC
Board of Directors and the FCIC
Manager are seeking projects that
address one or more of the Priority
Commodities.
In addition, the application must
clearly designate that education or
training will be provided on at least one
(1) of the Special Emphasis Topics
listed under Category 1 below.
Applications that do not include at least
one (1) Special Emphasis Topic from
Category 1 will not be considered for
funding.
Category 1. Projects That Concentrate on
Risk Management Education and
Outreach
Special Emphasis Topics:
Production: AGR and AGR-Lite;
Livestock Gross Margin Dairy; Pasture,
Rangeland, Forage Rainfall and/or
Vegetative Index; Common Crop
Insurance Policy Basic Provisions
(‘‘COMBO’’); Enterprise Units; Specialty
Crops; Prevented Planting; or Other
Existing Crop Insurance Programs;
Irrigation; Erosion Control Measures;
Good Farming Practices; Wildfire
Management; Forest Management; and
Range Management.
Legal: Legal and Succession Planning;
Marketing: Marketing Strategies; Farm
Products Branding; Farmers Markets;
Financial: Financial Tools and
Planning; Farm Management Strategies;
Human: Farm Labor; Farm Safety;
Food Safety, Risk Management
Education to Students.
In addition, the application must
clearly demonstrate that education or
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Producer Types:
Producers and Ranchers;
Producers located in Arkansas,
Mississippi and Georgia;
New and Beginning Farmers;
Women Producers and Ranchers;
Hispanic Producers and Ranchers;
African American Producers and
Ranchers;
Native American Producers and
Ranchers;
Limited Resource Producers and
Ranchers;
Asian American and Pacific Islander
Producers and Ranchers;
Transitional Farmers and Ranchers;
Senior Farmers and Ranchers;
Small Acreage Producers;
Specialty Crop Producers;
Returning Military Veterans Producers
and Ranchers.
II. Award Information
A. Type of Application
Only electronic applications will be
accepted and they must be submitted
through Grants.gov. Hard copy
applications will NOT be accepted.
Applications submitted to the Risk
Management Education and Outreach
Partnerships Program are new
applications: There are no renewals. All
applications will be reviewed
competitively using the selection
process and evaluation criteria
described in Section V—Application
Review Process. Each award will be
designated as a Cooperative Partnership
Agreement, which will require
substantial involvement by RMA.
B. Funding Availability
There is no commitment by USDA to
fund any particular application.
Approximately $3,500,000 is expected
to be available in fiscal year 2011 but it
is possible that this amount may be
reduced or not funded. In the event that
all funds available for this program are
not obligated after the maximum
number of agreements are awarded or if
additional funds become available,
these funds may, at the discretion of the
Manager of FCIC, be used to award
additional applications that score highly
by the technical review panel or
allocated pro-rata to awardees for use in
broadening the size or scope of awarded
projects, if agreed to by the awardee. In
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the event that the Manager of FCIC
determines that available RMA
resources cannot support the
administrative and substantial
involvement requirements of all
agreements recommended for funding,
the Manager may elect to fund fewer
agreements than the available funding
might otherwise allow. All awards will
be made and agreements finalized no
later than September 30, 2011.
C. Location and Target Audience
RMA Regional Offices and the States
serviced within each RMA Region are
listed below. Staff from the respective
RMA Regional Offices will provide
substantial involvement for projects
conducted within the Region.
Billings, Montana Regional Office:
(MT, ND, SD, and WY)
Davis, California Regional Office:
(AZ, CA, HI, NV, and UT)
Jackson, Mississippi Regional Office:
(AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Regional
Office: (NM, OK, and TX)
Raleigh, North Carolina Regional Office:
(CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ,
NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV)
Spokane, Washington Regional Office:
(AK, ID, OR, and WA)
Springfield, Illinois Regional Office: (IL,
IN, MI, and OH)
St. Paul, Minnesota Regional Office: (IA,
MN, and WI)
Topeka, Kansas Regional Office: (CO,
KS, MO, and NE)
Valdosta, Georgia Regional Office: (AL,
FL, GA, SC, and Puerto Rico)
Each application must clearly
designate the RMA Region where
educational activities will be conducted
in the application narrative in block 12
of the SF–424 form. Applications
without this designation will be
rejected. Priority will be given to
producers of Priority Commodities and
Special Emphasis Topics previously
identified in this Announcement.
Applicants proposing to conduct
educational activities in states served by
more than one RMA Regional Office
must submit a separate application for
each RMA Region. Single applications
proposing to conduct educational
activities in states served by more than
one RMA Region will be rejected.
Applications serving Tribal Nations will
be accepted and managed from the RMA
Regional office serving the designated
Tribal Office.
D. Minimum and Maximum Award
Any application that requests Federal
funding of less than $20,000 or more
than $100,000 for a project will be
rejected. RMA also reserves the right to
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fund successful applications at an
amount less than requested if it is
judged that the application can be
implemented at a lower funding level.
E. Project Period
Projects will be funded for a period of
up to one year from the project starting
date.
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F. Description of Agreement Award—
Awardee Tasks
In conducting activities to achieve the
purpose and goal of this program in a
designated RMA Region, the awardee
will be responsible for performing the
following tasks:
1. Develop and conduct a promotional
program. This program will include
activities using media, newsletters,
publications, or other appropriate
informational dissemination techniques
that are designed to: (a) Raise awareness
for crop insurance and risk
management; (b) inform producers of
the availability of crop insurance and
risk management tools; and (c) inform
producers and agribusiness leaders in
the designated RMA Region of training
and informational opportunities.
2. Deliver crop insurance and risk
management training as well as
informational opportunities to
agricultural producers and agribusiness
professionals in the designated RMA
Region. This will include organizing
and delivering educational activities
using the instructional materials
assembled by the grantee to meet the
local needs of agricultural producers.
Activities should be directed primarily
to agricultural producers, but may
include those agribusiness professionals
that have frequent opportunities to
advise producers on risk management
tools and decisions.
3. Document all educational activities
conducted under the cooperative
partnership agreement and the results of
such activities, including criteria and
indicators used to evaluate the success
of the program. The awardee will also
be required to provide information to
RMA as requested for evaluation
purposes.
G. RMA Activities
FCIC, working through RMA, will be
substantially involved during the
performance of the funded project
through RMA’s ten Regional Offices.
Potential types of substantial
involvement may include, but are not
limited to, the following activities.
1. Collaborate with the awardee in
assembling, reviewing, and approving
crop insurance and risk management
materials for producers in the
designated RMA Region.
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2. Collaborate with the awardee in
reviewing and approving a promotional
program for raising awareness for crop
insurance and risk management and for
informing producers of training and
informational opportunities in the RMA
Region.
3. Collaborate with the awardee on
the delivery of education to producers
and agribusiness leaders in the RMA
Region. This will include: (a) Reviewing
and approving in advance all producer
and agribusiness leader educational
activities; (b) advising the project leader
on technical issues related to crop
insurance education and information;
and (c) assisting the project leader in
informing crop insurance professionals
about educational activity plans and
scheduled meetings.
4. Conduct an evaluation of the
performance of the awardee in meeting
the deliverables of the project.
Applications that do not address
substantial involvement by RMA will be
rejected.
H. Other Tasks
In addition to the specific, required
tasks listed above, the applicant may
propose additional tasks that would
contribute directly to the purpose of this
program. For any proposed additional
task, the applicant must identify the
objective of the task, the specific
subtasks required to meet the objective,
specific time lines for performing the
subtasks, and the specific
responsibilities of the applicant and any
entities working with the applicant in
the development or delivery of the
project. The applicant must also identify
specific ways in which RMA would
have substantial involvement in the
proposed project task.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include: State
Departments of Agriculture, State
Cooperative Extension Services;
Federal, State, or tribal agencies;
community based organizations;
nongovernmental organizations; junior
and four-year colleges or universities or
foundations maintained by a college or
university; private for-profit
organizations; faith-based organizations
and other appropriate partners with the
capacity to lead a local program of crop
insurance and risk management
education for producers in an RMA
Region.
Individuals are not eligible
applicants. Although an applicant may
be eligible to compete for an award
based on its status as an eligible entity,
other factors may exclude an applicant
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from receiving Federal assistance under
this program governed by Federal law
and regulations (e.g. debarment and
suspension; a determination of nonperformance on a prior contract,
cooperative partnership agreement, or
grant; or a determination of a violation
of applicable ethical standards.
Applications in which the applicant or
any of the partners are ineligible or
excluded persons shall be rejected in
their entirety.
B. Cost Sharing or Matching
Although RMA prefers cost sharing by
the applicant, this program has neither
a cost sharing nor a matching
requirement.
C. Other—Non-financial Benefits
To be eligible, applicants must also be
able to demonstrate that they will
receive a non-financial benefit as a
result of a cooperative partnership
agreement. Non-financial benefits must
accrue to the applicant and must
include more than the ability to provide
employment income to the applicant or
for the applicant’s employees or the
community. The applicant must
demonstrate that performance under the
cooperative partnership agreement will
further the specific mission of the
applicant (such as providing research or
activities necessary for graduate or other
students to complete their educational
program). Applications that do not
demonstrate a non-financial benefit will
be rejected.
IV. Application and Submission
Information
A. Electronic Application Package
Only electronic applications will be
accepted and they must be submitted
via Grants.gov to the Risk Management
Agency in response to this
Announcement. Prior to preparing an
application, it is suggested that the
Project Director (PD) first contact an
Authorized Representative (AR) (also
referred to as Authorized Organizational
Representative or AOR) to determine if
the organization is prepared to submit
electronic applications through
Grants.gov. If the organization is not
prepared, the AR should see https://
www.grants.gov/applicants/
get_registered.jsp for steps for preparing
to submit applications through
Grants.gov.
The steps to access application
materials are as follows:
1. In order to access, complete, and
submit applications, applicants must
download and install a version of Adobe
Reader compatible with Grants.gov.
This software is essential to apply for
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RMA Federal awards. For basic system
requirements and download
instructions, please see https://
www.grants.gov/help/
download_software.jsp. To verify that
you have a compatible version of Adobe
Reader, Grants.gov established a test
package that will assist you in making
that determination. Grants.gov Adobe
Versioning Test Package is located at:
https://www.grants.gov/applicants/
AdobeVersioningTestOnly.jsp.
2. The application package must be
obtained via Grants.gov, go to https://
www.grants.gov, click on ‘‘Apply for
Grants’’ in the left-hand column, click
on ‘‘Step 1: Download a Grant
Application Package and Instructions,’’
enter the funding opportunity number
USDA–RMA–RME–SSGP–002011 in the
appropriate box and click ‘‘Download
Package.’’ From the search results, click
‘‘Download’’ to access the application
package.
Applicants who need assistance in
accessing the application package (e.g.
downloading or navigating Adobe
forms) should refer to resources
available on the Grants.gov Web site
first (https://grants/gov/). Grants.gov
assistance is also available as follows:
Grants.gov customer support, Toll Free:
1–800–518–4726; Business Hours: 24
Hours a day; Email: support@grants.gov.
B. Content and Form of Application
Submission
The title of the application must
include the Special Emphasis Topic(s)
under Category 1; the Producer Type(s)
under Category 2; and the RMA Region.
A complete and valid application
must include the following:
1. A completed OMB Standard Form
424, ‘‘Application for Federal
Assistance.’’
2. A completed OMB Standard Form
424–A, ‘‘Budget Information—Nonconstruction Programs.’’ Federal
funding requested (the total of direct
and indirect costs) must not exceed
$100,000.
3. A completed OMB Standard Form
424–B, ‘‘Assurances, Non-constructive
Programs.’’
4. An Executive Summary (One page)
and Proposal Narrative (Not to Exceed
10 single-sided pages in Microsoft
Word), which will also include a
Statement of Work as specified in
section V.A. of this Announcement.
5. Budget Narrative (in Microsoft
Excel) describing how the categorical
costs listed on the SF 424–A are
derived. The budget narrative should
provide enough detail for reviewers to
easily understand how costs were
determined and how they relate to the
goals and objectives of the project.
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6. Partnering Plan, if applicable, that
includes how each partner shall aid in
carrying out the project goal providing
specific tasks. Letters of commitment
from individuals and/or groups must be
included in the Partnering Plan, and
these letters must include the specific
tasks they have agreed to do with the
applicant. A completed and signed
OMB Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of
Lobbying Activities.
7. A completed and signed AD–1049,
Certification Regarding Drug-Free
Workplace.
* Applications that do not include items
1–7 above shall be considered
incomplete, shall not receive further
consideration, and shall be rejected.
The percentage of each person’s time
devoted to the project must be identified
in the application. Applicants must list
all current public or private
employment arrangements or financial
support associated with the project or
any of the personnel that are part of the
project, regardless of whether such
arrangements or funding constitute part
of the project under this Announcement
(supporting agency, amount of award,
effective date, expiration date,
expiration date of award, etc.). An
application submitted under this RFA
that duplicates or overlaps substantially
with any application already reviewed
and funded (or to be funded) by any
other organization or agency, including
but not limited to other RMA, USDA,
and Federal government programs, shall
not be funded under this program. The
application package from Grants.gov
contains a document called the Current
and Pending Report. On the Current and
Pending Report you must state for this
fiscal year if this application is a
duplicate application or overlaps
substantially with another application
already submitted to or funded by
another USDA Agency, including RMA,
or other private organization. RMA
reserves the right to reject your
application based on the review of this
information. The percentage of time for
both ‘‘Current’’ and ‘‘Pending’’ projects
must not exceed 100 percent of time
committed.
C. Funding Restrictions
Cooperative partnership agreement
funds may not be used to:
a. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or
construct a building or facility including
a processing facility;
b. Purchase, rent, or install fixed
equipment;
c. Repair or maintain privately owned
vehicles;
d. Pay for the preparation of the
cooperative partnership agreement
application;
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e. Fund political activities;
f. Purchase alcohol, food, beverage,
gifts cards, or entertainment;
g. Lend money to support farming or
agricultural business operation or
expansion;
h. Pay costs incurred prior to
receiving a cooperative partnership
agreement; or
i. Fund any activities prohibited in
7 CFR Parts 3015 and 3019, as
applicable.
D. Limitation on Use of Project Funds
for Salaries and Benefits
Total costs for salary and benefits
allowed for projects under this
Announcement shall be limited to not
more than 70 percent reimbursement of
the funds awarded under the
cooperative partnership agreement. The
reasonableness of the total costs for
salary and benefits allowed for projects
under this Announcement shall be
reviewed and considered by RMA as
part of the application review process.
Applications for which RMA does not
consider the salary and benefits
reasonable for the proposed application
shall be rejected, or shall only be offered
a cooperative agreement upon the
condition of changing the salary and
benefits structure to one deemed
appropriate by RMA for that. The goal
of the Risk Management Education and
Outreach Partnerships Program is to
maximize the use of the limited funding
available for crop insurance risk
management education for producers of
Priority Commodities, and Special
Emphasis Topics.
E. Indirect Cost Rates
1. Indirect costs allowed for projects
submitted under this Announcement
shall be limited to ten (10) percent of
the total direct cost of the cooperative
partnership agreement. Therefore, when
preparing budgets, applicants should
limit their requests for recovery of
indirect costs to the lesser of their
institution’s official negotiated indirect
cost rate or 10 percent of the total direct
costs.
2. RMA reserves the right to negotiate
final budgets with successful applicants.
F. Other Submission Requirements
When the applicant enters the
Grants.gov site, the applicant will find
information about submitting an
application electronically through the
site. To use Grants.gov, all applicants
must have a Dun and Bradstreet
Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number, which can be obtained at no
cost via a toll-free request line at 1–866–
705–5711 or online at https://
fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Therefore,
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potential applicants should verify that
they have a DUNS number or take the
steps needed to obtain one. For
information about how to obtain a
DUNS number, go to https://
www.grants.gov. Please note that the
registration may take up to 14 business
days to complete.
Applicants are responsible for
ensuring that RMA receives a complete
application package by the closing date
and time. The agency strongly
encourages applicants to submit
applications well before the deadline to
allow time for correction of technical
errors identified by Grants.gov. Any
application package received after the
deadline shall be rejected.
G. Acknowledgement of Applications
Receipt of timely applications will be
acknowledged by e-mail, whenever
possible. Therefore, applicants are
encouraged to provide e-mail addresses
in their applications. If an e-mail
address is not indicated on an
application, timely receipt will be
acknowledged by letter. There shall be
no notification of incomplete,
unqualified or unfunded applications
until after the awards have been made.
When received by RMA, applications
shall be assigned an identification
number. This number will be
communicated to applicants in the
acknowledgement of receipt of
applications. An application’s
identification number should be
referenced in all correspondence
regarding the application. If the
applicant does not receive an
acknowledgement within 15 days of the
submission deadline, the applicant
should notify RMA’s point of contact
indicated in Section VII, Agency
Contact.
V. Application Review Information
A. Criteria
Applications submitted under the
Risk Management Education and
Outreach Partnerships Program shall be
evaluated within each RMA Region
according to the following criteria:
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Project Impacts—Maximum 20 Points
Available
The applicant must demonstrate that
the project benefits to producers,
farmers and ranchers warrant the
funding requested. Applicants shall be
scored according to the extent they can:
(a) Identify the specific actions
producers, farmers and ranchers will
likely be able to take as a result of the
educational activities described in the
Statement of Work; (b) identify the
specific measures for evaluating results
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that will be employed in the project; (c)
reasonably estimate the total number of
producers, farmers and ranchers
reached through the various methods
and educational activities described in
the Statement of Work; (d) identify the
number of meetings to be held; (e)
provide an estimate of the number of
training hours to be held; and (f) justify
such estimates with clear specifics.
Reviewers’ scoring shall be based on the
scope and reasonableness of the
applicant’s clear descriptions of specific
expected actions producers will
accomplish, and well-designed methods
for measuring the project’s results and
effectiveness. With respect to the
expected producer, farmer and rancher
actions and the measurement of results,
the applicant must include how the
project will:
1. Increase the understanding of crop
insurance and risk management tools;
2. Assist producers, farmers and
ranchers in evaluating the feasibility of
implementing various risk management
options;
3. Assist producers, farmers and
ranchers in developing risk management
plans and strategies; and
4. Assist producers, farmers and
ranchers in deciding on and
implementing a specific course of
actions (e.g., participation in crop
insurance programs or implementation
of other risk management actions).
Statement of Work—Maximum 20
Points Available
The applicant must produce a clear
and specific Statement of Work for the
project. For each of the tasks contained
in Section II—Award Information, the
applicant must identify and describe
specific subtasks, responsible entities,
expected completion dates, RMA
substantial involvement, and
deliverables that will further the
purpose of this program. Applicants
shall be scored higher to the extent that
the Statement of Work is specific,
measurable, reasonable, has specific
deadlines for the completion of
subtasks, relates directly to the required
activities and the program purpose
described in this Announcement, which
is to provide producers with training
and informational opportunities so that
the producers will be better able to use
financial management, crop insurance,
marketing contracts, and other existing
and emerging risk management tools.
All narratives should give estimates of
how many producers, farmers and
ranchers will be reached through this
project.
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Project Management—Maximum 20
Points Available
The applicant must demonstrate an
ability to implement sound and effective
project management practices. Higher
scores shall be awarded to applicants
that can demonstrate organizational
skills, leadership, and experience in
delivering services or programs that
assist agricultural producers in the
respective RMA Region. The project
manager must demonstrate that he/she
has the capability to accomplish the
project goal and purpose stated in this
Announcement by: (a) Having a current
or previous working relationship with
the farm community in the designated
RMA Region of the application,
including being able to recruit
approximately the number of producers
to be reached in the application; or (b)
having established the capacity to
partner with and gain the support of
grower organizations, agribusiness
professionals, and agribusiness leaders
locally to aid in carrying out a program
of education and information, including
being able to recruit approximately the
number of producers to be reached in
this application. Applicants are
encouraged to designate an alternate
Project Leader in the event the Project
Leader is unable to finish the project.
Applicants that shall employ, or have
access to, personnel who have
experience in directing local
educational programs that benefit
agricultural producers in the respective
RMA Region shall receive higher
rankings.
Budget Appropriateness and
Efficiency—Maximum 10 Points
Available
Applicants must provide a detailed
budget summary that clearly explains
and justifies costs associated with the
project. Applicants shall receive higher
scores to the extent that they can
demonstrate a fair and reasonable use of
funds appropriate for the project and a
budget that contains the estimated cost
of reaching each individual producer,
farmer and rancher.
Priority Commodity—Maximum 15
Points Available
The applicant can submit projects that
are not related to Priority Commodities.
However, only projects relating to
Priority Commodities shall receive these
points.
Special Emphasis—Maximum of 15
Points Available
Projects that include more than one
Special Emphasis Topics shall be
eligible for the most points.
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Bonus Points for Diversity Partnering—
Maximum of 15 Points Available
RMA is focused on adding diversity to
this program. Management may add up
to an additional 15 points to the final
paneled score of any submission
demonstrating a partnership with
another group or entity that is a member
of a specific population listed in Section
I.E., Category 2—Projects that
concentrate on Producer Type.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
B. Review and Selection Process
Applications shall be evaluated using
a two-part process. First, each
application shall be screened by RMA
personnel to ensure that it meets the
requirements in this Announcement.
Applications that do not meet the
requirements of this Announcement or
that are incomplete shall not receive
further consideration during the next
process. Applications that meet
Announcement requirements will be
sorted into the RMA Region in which
the applicant proposes to conduct the
project and shall be presented to a
review panel for consideration.
Second, the review panel will meet to
consider and discuss the merits of each
application. The panel will consist of
not less than three independent
reviewers. Reviewers shall be drawn
from USDA, other Federal agencies, and
public and private organizations, as
needed. After considering the merits of
all applications within an RMA Region,
panel members shall score each
application according to the criteria and
point values listed above. The panel
shall then rank each application against
others within the RMA Region
according to the scores received.
The review panel shall report the
results of the evaluation to the Manager
of FCIC. The panel’s report shall include
the recommended applicants to receive
cooperative partnership agreements for
each RMA Region. Funding shall not be
provided for an application receiving a
score less than 60. Funding shall not be
provided for an application that is
highly similar to a higher-scoring
application in the same RMA Region.
Highly similar is one that proposes to
reach the same producers, farmers and
ranchers likely to be reached by another
applicant that scored higher by the
panel and the same general educational
material is proposed to be delivered.
An organization, or group of
organizations in partnership, may apply
for funding under other FCIC or RMA
programs, in addition to the program
described in this Announcement.
However, if the Manager of FCIC
determines that an application
recommended for funding is sufficiently
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similar to a project that has been funded
or has been recommended to be funded
under another RMA or FCIC program,
then the Manager may elect not to fund
that application in whole or in part. The
Manager of FCIC shall make the final
determination on those applications that
will be awarded funding.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
The award document shall provide
pertinent instructions and information
including, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Legal name and address of
performing organization or institution to
which the Manager of FCIC has issued
an award under the terms of this request
for applications;
(2) Title of project;
(3) Name(s) and employing
institution(s) of Project Directors chosen
to direct and control approved
activities;
(4) Identifying award number
assigned by RMA;
(5) Project period, specifying the
amount of time RMA intends to support
the project without requiring
recompeting for funds;
(6) Total amount of RMA financial
assistance approved by the Manager of
FCIC during the project period;
(7) Legal authority(ies) under which
the award is issued;
(8) Appropriate Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers;
(9) Applicable award terms and
conditions (see https://www.rma.usda.
gov/business/awards/awardterms.html
to view RMA award terms and
conditions);
(10) Approved budget plan for
categorizing allocable project funds to
accomplish the stated purpose of the
award; and
(11) Other information or provisions
deemed necessary by RMA to carry out
its respective awarding activities or to
accomplish the purpose of a particular
award.Following approval by the
Manager of FCIC of the applications to
be selected for funding, project leaders
whose applications have been selected
for funding will be notified. Within the
limit of funds available for such a
purpose, the Manager of FCIC shall
enter into cooperative partnership
agreements with those selected
applicants.
After a cooperative partnership
agreement has been signed, RMA shall
extend to awardees, in writing, the
authority to draw down funds for the
purpose of conducting the activities
listed in the agreement. All funds
provided to the applicant by FCIC must
be expended solely for the purpose for
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34645
which the funds are obligated in
accordance with the approved
cooperative partnership agreement and
budget, the regulations, the terms and
conditions of the award, and the
applicability of Federal cost principles.
No commitment of Federal assistance
beyond the project period is made or
implied for any award resulting from
this notice.
Notification of denial of funding shall
be sent to applicants after final funding
decisions have been made and the
awardees announced publicly.
B. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
1. Requirement To Use Program Logo
Applicants awarded cooperative
partnership agreements shall be
required to use a program logo and
design provided by RMA for all
instructional and promotional materials,
when deemed appropriate.
2. Requirement To Provide Project
Information to an RMA-selected
Representative
Applicants awarded cooperative
partnership agreements may be required
to assist RMA in evaluating the
effectiveness of its educational programs
by providing documentation of
educational activities and related
information to any representative
selected by RMA for program evaluation
purposes.
3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations
and Potential Conflicts of Interest
Private organizations that are
involved in the sale of Federal crop
insurance (approved insurance
providers and agencies), or that have
financial ties to such organizations, are
eligible to apply for funding under this
Announcement. However, such entities
shall not be allowed to receive funding
to conduct activities that would
otherwise be required under a Standard
Reinsurance Agreement or any other
agreement in effect between FCIC and
the entity. Also, such entities shall not
be allowed to receive funding to
conduct activities that could be
perceived by producers as promoting
one approved insurance provider or
agencies services or products over
another’s. If applying for funding, such
organizations are encouraged to be
sensitive to potential conflicts of
interest and to describe in their
application the specific actions they
will take to avoid actual and perceived
conflicts of interest.
4. Access to Panel Review Information
Upon written request from the
applicant, scores from the evaluation
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panel, not including the identity of
reviewers, shall be sent to the applicant
after the review and awards process has
been completed.
5. Confidential Aspects of Applications
and Awards
The names of applicants, the names of
individuals identified in the
applications, the content of
applications, and the panel evaluations
of applications shall all be kept
confidential, except to those involved in
the review process, to the extent
permitted by law. In addition, the
identities of review panel members shall
remain confidential throughout the
entire review process and shall not be
released to applicants. At the end of the
fiscal year, names of panel members
shall be made available. However,
panelists shall not be identified with the
review of any particular application.
When an application results in a
cooperative partnership agreement, that
agreement becomes a part of the official
record of RMA transactions, available to
the public upon specific request.
Information that the Secretary of
Agriculture determines to be of a
confidential, privileged, or proprietary
nature shall be held in confidence to the
extent permitted by law. Therefore, any
information that the applicant wishes to
be considered confidential, privileged,
or proprietary should be clearly marked
within an application, including the
basis for such designation. The original
copy of an application that does not
result in an award shall be retained by
RMA for a period of one year. Other
copies shall be destroyed. Copies of
applications not receiving awards shall
be released only with the express
written consent of the applicant or to
the extent required by law. An
application may be withdrawn at any
time prior to award.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
6. Audit Requirements
Applicants awarded cooperative
partnership agreements are subject to
audit.
7. Prohibitions and Requirements
Regarding Lobbying
All cooperative agreements shall be
subject to the requirements of 7 CFR
Part 3015, ‘‘Uniform Federal Assistance
Regulations.’’ A signed copy of the
certification and disclosure forms must
be submitted with the application and
are available at the address and
telephone number listed in Section VII,
Agency Contact.
Departmental regulations published at
7 CFR Part 3018 imposes prohibitions
and requirements for disclosure and
certification related to lobbying on
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awardees of Federal contracts, grants,
cooperative partnership agreements and
loans. It provides exemptions for Indian
Tribes and tribal organizations. Current
and prospective awardees, and any
subcontractors, are prohibited from
using Federal funds, other than profits
from a Federal contract, for lobbying
Congress or any Federal agency in
connection with the award of a contract,
grant, cooperative partnership
agreement or loan. In addition, for each
award action in excess of $100,000
($150,000 for loans) the law requires
awardees and any subcontractors to
complete a certification in accordance
with Appendix A to Part 3018 and a
disclosure of lobbying activities in
accordance with Appendix B to Part
3018: The law establishes civil penalties
for non-compliance.
8. Applicable OMB Circulars
All cooperative partnership
agreements funded as a result of this
notice shall be subject to the
requirements contained in all applicable
OMB circulars.
9. Requirement To Assure Compliance
With Federal Civil Rights Laws
Awardees and all partners/
collaborators of all cooperative
agreements funded as a result of this
notice are required to know and abide
by Federal civil rights laws, which
include, but are not limited to, Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42
U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), and 7 CFR Part 15.
RMA requires that awardees submit an
Assurance Agreement (Civil Rights),
assuring RMA of this compliance prior
to the beginning of the project period.
10. Requirement To Participate in a Post
Award Teleconference
RMA requires that project leaders
participate in a post award
teleconference, if conducted, to become
fully aware of agreement requirements
and for delineating the roles of RMA
personnel and the procedures that shall
be followed in administering the
agreement and shall afford an
opportunity for the orderly transition of
agreement duties and obligations if
different personnel are to assume postaward responsibility.
11. Requirement To Submit Educational
Materials to the National AgRisk
Education Library
RMA requires that project leaders
upload digital copies of all risk
management educational materials
developed because of the project to the
National AgRisk Education Library
(https://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for
posting. RMA shall be clearly identified
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as having provided funding for the
materials.
12. Requirement To Submit Proposed
Results to the National AgRisk
Education Library
RMA requires that project leaders
submit results of the project to the
National AgRisk Education Library
(https://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for
posting.
13. Requirement To Submit a Project
Plan of Operation in the Event of a
Human Pandemic Outbreak
RMA requires that project leaders
submit a project plan of operation in
case of a human pandemic event. The
plan should address the concept of
continuing operations as they relate to
the project. This should include the
roles, responsibilities, and contact
information for the project team and
individuals serving as back-ups in case
of a pandemic outbreak.
C. Reporting Requirements
Awardees shall be required to submit
quarterly progress reports using the
Performance Progress Report (SF–PPR)
as the cover sheet, and quarterly
financial reports (OMB Standard Form
425) throughout the project period, as
well as a final program and financial
report not later than 90 days after the
end of the project period. The quarterly
progress reports and final program
reports MUST be submitted through the
Results Verification System. The Web
site address is https://
www.agrisk.umn.edu/RMA/Reporting.
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Applicants and other interested parties
are encouraged to contact: USDA–RMA–
RME, phone: 202–720–0779, e-mail:
RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. You may
also obtain information regarding this
announcement from the RMA Web site
at: https://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/
agreements.
VIII. Additional Information
A. Required Registration With the
Central Contract Registry (CCR) for
Submission of Proposals
Under the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of
2006, the applicant must comply with
the additional requirements set forth in
Attachment A regarding the Dun and
Bradstreet Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) Requirements and the CCR
Requirements found at 2 CFR Part 25.
For the purposes of this RFA, the term
‘‘you’’ in Attachment A shall mean
‘‘applicant’’. The applicant shall comply
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with the additional requirements set
forth in Attachment B regarding
Subawards and Executive
Compensation. For the purpose of this
RFA, the term ‘‘you’’ in Attachment B
shall mean ‘‘applicant’’. The Central
Contract Registry CCR is a database that
serves as the primary Government
repository for contractor information
required for the conduct of business
with the Government. This database
will also be used as a central location
for maintaining organizational
information for organizations seeking
and receiving grants from the
Government. Such organizations must
register in the CCR prior to the
submission of applications. A DUNS
number is needed for CCR registration.
For information about how to register in
the CCR, visit ‘‘Get Registered’’ at the
Web site, https://www.grants.gov. Allow
a minimum of 5 business days to
complete the CCR registration.
B. Related Programs
Funding availability for this program
may be announced at approximately the
same time as funding availability for
similar but separate programs—and
CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance
Education in Targeted States). These
programs have some similarities, but
also key differences. The differences
stem from important features of each
program’s authorizing legislation and
different RMA objectives. Prospective
applicants should carefully examine
and compare the notices for each
program.
Attachment A
I. Central Contractor Registration and
Universal Identifier Requirements
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
A. Requirement for Central Contractor
Registration (CCR)
Unless you are exempted from this
requirement under 2 CFR 25.110, you as
the recipient must maintain the
currency of your information in the CCR
until you submit the final financial
report required under this award or
receive the final payment, whichever is
later. This requires that you review and
update the information at least annually
after the initial registration, and more
frequently if required by changes in
your information or another award term.
B. Requirement for Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) Numbers
If you are authorized to make
subawards under this award, you:
1. Must notify potential sub recipients
that no entity (see definition in
paragraph C of this award) may receive
a subaward from you unless the entity
has provided its DUNS number to you.
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2. May not make a subaward to an
entity unless the entity has provided its
DUNS number to you.
Attachment B
C. Definitions for Purposes of This
Award Term
a. Reporting of First-Tier Subawards
1. Central Contractor Registration
(CCR) means the Federal repository into
which an entity must provide
information required for the conduct of
business as a recipient. Additional
information about registration
procedures may be found at the CCR
Internet site (currently at https://
www.ccr.gov).
2. Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number means the nine-digit
number established and assigned by
Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D & B) to
uniquely identify business entities. A
DUNS number may be obtained from
D & B by telephone (currently 866–705–
5711) or the Internet (currently at
https://fedgov.dnb.comlwebform).
3. Entity, as it is used in this award
term, means all of the following, as
defined at 2 CFR Part 25, Subpart C:
a. A Governmental organization,
which is a State, local government, or
Indian Tribe;
b. A foreign public entity;
c. A domestic or foreign nonprofit
organization;
d. A domestic or foreign for-profit
organization; and
e. A Federal agency, but only as a
subrecipient under an award or
subaward to a non-Federal entity.
4. Subaward:
a. This term means a legal instrument
to provide support for the performance
of any portion of the substantive project
or program for which you received this
award and that you as the recipient
award to an eligible subrecipient.
b. The term does not include your
procurement of property and services
needed to carry out the project or
program (for further explanation, see
Sec. 10 of the attachment to OMB
Circular A–I33, ‘‘Audits of States, Local
Governments, and Non-Profit
Organizations’’).
c. A subaward may be provided
through any legal agreement, including
an agreement that you consider a
contract.
5. Subrecipient means an entity that:
a. Receives a subaward from you
under this award; and
b. Is accountable to you for the use of
the Federal funds provided by the
subaward.
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I. Reporting Sub Awards and Executive
Compensation
1. Applicability. Unless you are
exempt as provided in paragraph d. of
this award term, you must report each
action that obligates $25,000 or more in
Federal funds that does not include
Recovery funds (as defined in section
1512(a)(2) of the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L.
111–5) for a subaward to an entity (see
definitions in paragraph e. of this award
term).
2. Where and when to report.
i. You must report each obligating
action described in paragraph a.I. of this
award term to https://www.fsrs.gov.
ii. For sub award information, report
no later than the end of the month
following the month in which the
obligation was made. (For example, if
the obligation was made on November
7, 2010, the obligation must be reported
by no later than December 31, 2010.)
3. What to report. You must report the
information about each obligating action
that the submission instructions posted
at https://www.fsrs.gov specify.
b. Reporting Total Compensation of
Recipient Executives
1. Applicability and what to report.
You must report total compensation for
each of your five most highly
compensated executives for the
preceding completed fiscal year, if—
i. The total Federal funding
authorized to date under this award is
$25,000 or more;
ii. In the preceding fiscal year, you
received—
(A) 80 percent or more of your annual
gross revenues from Federal
procurement contracts (and
subcontracts) and Federal financial
assistance subject to the Transparency
Act, as defined at 2 CFR 170.320 (and
subawards); and
(B) $25,000,000 or more in annual
gross revenues from Federal
procurement contracts (and
subcontracts) and Federal financial
assistance subject to the Transparency
Act, as defined at 2 CFR 170.320 (and
subawards); and
iii. The public does not have access to
information about the compensation of
the executives through periodic reports
filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78m(a), 780(d)) or section 6104 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (To
determine if the public has access to the
compensation information, see the U.S.
Security and Exchange Commission
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 114 / Tuesday, June 14, 2011 / Notices
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
total compensation filings at https://
www.sec.gov/answers/execomp.htm.)
2. Where and when to report. You
must report executive total
compensation described in paragraph
b.1. of this award term:
i. As part of your registration profile
at https://www.ccr.gov.
ii. By the end of the month following
the month in which this award is made,
and annually thereafter.
c. Reporting of Total Compensation of
Sub Recipient Executives
1. Applicability and what to report.
Unless you are exempt as provided in
paragraph d. of this award term, for each
first-tier sub recipient under this award,
you shall report the names and total
compensation of each of the sub
recipient’s five most highly
compensated executives for the sub
recipient’s preceding completed fiscal
year, if—
i. In the subrecipient’s preceding
fiscal year, the subrecipient received—
(A) 80 percent or more of its annual
gross revenues from Federal
procurement contracts (and
subcontracts) and Federal financial
assistance subject to the Transparency
Act, as defined at ∼ CFR 170.320 (and
subawards); and
(B) $25,000,000 or more in annual
gross revenues from Federal
procurement contracts (and
subcontracts), and Federal financial
assistance subject to the Transparency
Act (and subawards); and
ii. The public does not have access to
information about the compensation of
the executives through periodic reports
filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78m(a), 780(d) or section 6104 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (To
determine if the public has access to the
compensation information, see the U.S.
Security and Exchange Commission
total compensation filings at https://
www.sec.gov/answers/execomp.htm.)
2. Where and when to report. You
must report subrecipient executive total
compensation described in paragraph
c.1. of this award term:
i. To the recipient.
ii. By the end of the month following
the month during which you make the
subaward. For example, if a subaward is
obligated on any date during the month
of October of a given year (i.e., between
October 1 and 31), you must report any
required compensation information of
the subrecipient by November 30 of that
year.
d. Exemptions
If, in the previous tax year, you had
gross income, from all sources, under
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:27 Jun 13, 2011
Jkt 223001
$300,000, you are exempt from the
requirements to report:
i. Subawards, and
ii. The total compensation of the five
most highly compensated executives of
any sub recipient.
e. Definitions. For Purposes of This
Award Term:
1. Entity means all of the following,
as defined in 2 CFR part 25:
i. A Governmental organization,
which is a State, local government, or
Indian tribe;
ii. A foreign public entity;
iii. A domestic or foreign nonprofit
organization;
iv. A domestic or foreign for-profit
organization;
v. A Federal agency, but only as a
subrecipient under an award or
subaward to a non-Federal entity.
2. Executive means officers, managing
partners, or any other employees in
management positions.
3. Subaward:
1. This term means a legal instrument
to provide support for the performance
of any portion of the substantive project
or program for which you received this
award and that you as the recipient
award to an eligible subrecipient.
ii. The term does not include your
procurement of property and services
needed to carry out the project or
program (for further explanation, see
Sec. l .210 of the attachment to OMB
Circular A–133, ‘‘Audits of States, Local
Governments, and Non-Profit
Organizations’’).
iii. A subaward may be provided
through any legal agreement, including
an agreement that you or a subrecipient
considers a contract.
4. Subrecipient means an entity that:
i. Receives a subaward from you (the
recipient) under this award; and
ii. Is accountable to you for the use of
the Federal funds provided by the
subaward.
5. Total compensation means the cash
and noncash dollar value earned by the
executive during the recipient’s or
subrecipient’s preceding fiscal year and
includes the following (for more
information see 17 CFR 229.402(c)(2):
i. Salary and bonus.
ii. Awards of stock, stock options, and
stock appreciation rights. Use the dollar
amount recognized for financial
statement reporting purposes with
respect to the fiscal year in accordance
with the Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised
2004) (FAS 123R), Shared Based
Payments.
iii. Earnings for services under nonequity incentive plans. This does not
include group life, health,
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
hospitalization or medical
reimbursement plans that do not
discriminate in favor of executives, and
are available generally to all salaried
employees.
iv. Change in pension value. This is
the change in present value of defined
benefit and actuarial pension plans.
v. Above-market earnings on deferred
compensation which is not taxqualified.
vi. Other compensation, if the
aggregate value of all such other
compensation (e.g. severance,
termination payments, value of life
insurance paid on behalf of the
employee, perquisites or property) for
the executive exceeds $10,000.
Signed in Washington, DC, on June 8,
2011.
William J. Murphy,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2011–14596 Filed 6–13–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–08–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Tehama County Resource Advisory
Committee
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of Meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Tehama County Resource
Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in
Red Bluff, California. The committee is
authorized under the Secure Rural
Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub. L. 110–343)
(the Act) and operates in compliance
with the Federal Advisory Committee
Act. The purpose of the committee is to
improve collaborative relationships and
to provide advice and recommendations
to the Forest Service concerning projects
and funding consistent with the title II
of the Act. The meeting is open to the
public. The purpose of the meeting is to
travel to and discuss current Tehama
RAC projects for monitoring purposes.
Public wishing to attend the monitoring
trip will need to provide their own
transportation to the project sites.
DATES: The meeting will be held on June
23, 2011 from 8 a.m. and end at
approximately 3:45 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in
the field during the monitoring trip
beginning at the Red Bluff Recreation
Area, 1000 Lane, Red Bluff, CA. Written
comments may be submitted as
described under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
All comments, including names and
addresses when provided, are placed in
SUMMARY:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34639-34648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14596]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
Funding Opportunity Title: Risk Management Education and Outreach
Partnerships Program; Announcement Type: Announcement of Availability
of Funds and Request for Application for Competitive Cooperative
Partnership Agreements
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDAs): 10.455 and
10.459.
DATES: All applications, which must be submitted electronically through
Grants.gov, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 14,
2011. Hard copy applications shall NOT be accepted.
[[Page 34640]]
SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating
through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces its intent to award
approximately $3,500,000 (subject to availability of funds) to fund the
Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program. This
Request for Applications (RFA) Announcement is for a combination of the
programs previously known as the ``Commodity Partnerships for Small
Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions'' and the ``Community
Outreach and Assistance Partnerships Program.'' The purpose of this
combined cooperative partnership agreements program is to deliver crop
insurance education and risk management training to U.S. agricultural
producers to assist them in identifying and managing production,
marketing, legal, financial and human risk. The program gives priority
to: (1) Educating producers of crops currently not insured under
Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities,
including livestock and forage; and (2) providing collaborative
outreach and assistance programs for limited resource, socially
disadvantaged and other traditionally underserved farmers and ranchers.
The minimum award for any cooperative partnership agreement is $20,000.
The maximum award for any cooperative partnership agreement is
$100,000. The cooperative partnership agreements will be awarded on a
competitive basis up to one year from the date of the award. Awardees
must demonstrate non-financial benefits from a cooperative partnership
agreement and must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in the
project. Funding availability for this program may be announced at
approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but
separate programs:--CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in
Targeted States). Prospective applicants should carefully examine and
compare the notices of each announcement.
The collections of information in this Announcement have been
approved by OMB under control numbers 0563-0066 and 0563-0067.
This Announcement Consists of Eight Sections
Section I--Funding Opportunity Description
A. Legislative Authority
B. Background
C. Definition of Priority Commodities
D. Project Goal
E. Purpose
Section II--Award Information
A. Type of Application
B. Funding Availability
C. Location and Target Audience
D. Minimum and Maximum Award
E. Project Period
F. Description of Agreement--Awardee Tasks
G. RMA Activities
H. Other Tasks
Section III--Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
B. Cost Sharing or Matching
C. Other--Non-Financial Benefits
Section IV--Application and Submission Information
A. Electronic Application Package
B. Content and Form of Application Submission
C. Funding Restrictions
D. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits
E. Indirect Cost Rates
F. Other Submission Requirements
G. Acknowledgement of Applications
Section V--Application Review Information
A. Criteria
B. Selection and Review Process
Section VI--Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
1. Requirement to Use Program Logo
2. Requirement to Provide Project Information to an RMA-selected
Representative
3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflicts of
Interest
4. Access to Panel Review Information
5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards
6. Audit Requirements
7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying
8. Applicable OMB Circulars
9. Requirement to Assure Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Laws
10. Requirement to Participate in a Post Award Teleconference
11. Requirement to Submit Educational Materials to the National
AgRisk Education Library
12. Requirement to Submit Proposed Results to the National AgRisk
Education Library
13. Requirement to Submit a Project Plan of Operation in the Event
of a Human Pandemic Outbreak
C. Reporting Requirements
Section VII--Agency Contact
Section VIII--Additional Information
A. Required Registration with the Central Contract Registry (CCR)
for Submission of Proposals
B. Related Programs
Full Text of Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Legislative Authority
The Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnership Program is
authorized under section 522(d)(3)(F) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act
(Act) (7 U.S.C. 1522(d)(3)(F)).
B. Background
RMA promotes and regulates sound risk management solutions to
improve the economic stability of American agriculture. On behalf of
FCIC, RMA does this by offering Federal crop insurance products through
a network of private-sector partners, overseeing the creation of new
risk management products, seeking enhancements in existing products,
ensuring the integrity of crop insurance programs, offering programs
aimed at equal access and participation of underserved communities, and
providing risk management education and information.
One of RMA's strategic goals is to ensure that its customers are
well informed as to the risk management solutions available. This
educational goal is supported by section 522(d)(3)(F) of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (FCIA) (7 U.S.C. 1522(d)(3)(F), which authorizes
FCIC funding for risk management training and informational efforts for
agricultural producers through the formation of partnerships with
public and private organizations. With respect to such partnerships,
priority is to be given to reaching producers of Priority Commodities,
as defined below. A project is considered as giving priority to
Priority Commodities if 75 percent of the educational and training
activities of the project are directed to producers of any one of the
three classes of commodities listed in the definition of Priority
Commodities or any combination of the three classes.
C. Definition of Priority Commodities
For purposes of this program, Priority Commodities are defined as:
1. Agricultural commodities covered by (7 U.S.C. 7333). Commodities
in this group are commercial crops that are not covered by catastrophic
risk protection crop insurance, are used for food or fiber (except
livestock), and specifically include, but are not limited to,
floricultural, ornamental nursery, Christmas trees, turf grass sod,
aquaculture (including ornamental fish), and industrial crops.
2. Specialty crops. Commodities in this group may or may not be
covered under a Federal crop insurance plan and include, but are not
limited to, fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, syrups, honey, roots, herbs,
and highly specialized varieties of traditional crops.
3. Underserved commodities. This group includes: (a) Commodities,
including livestock and forage, that are
[[Page 34641]]
covered by a Federal crop insurance plan but for which participation in
an area is below the national average; and (b) commodities, including
livestock and forage, with inadequate crop insurance coverage.
D. Project Goal
The goal of this program is to ensure that ``* * * producers will
be better able to use financial management, crop insurance, marketing
contracts, and other existing and emerging risk management tools.''
E. Purpose
The purpose of the Risk Management Education and Outreach
Partnerships Program is to provide U.S. farmers and ranchers with
training and information opportunities to be able to understand:
1. The kinds of risks addressed by existing and emerging risk
management tools;
2. The features and appropriate use of existing and emerging risk
management tools; and
3. How to make sound risk management decisions.
For the 2011 fiscal year, the FCIC Board of Directors and the FCIC
Manager are seeking projects that address one or more of the Priority
Commodities.
In addition, the application must clearly designate that education
or training will be provided on at least one (1) of the Special
Emphasis Topics listed under Category 1 below. Applications that do not
include at least one (1) Special Emphasis Topic from Category 1 will
not be considered for funding.
Category 1. Projects That Concentrate on Risk Management Education and
Outreach
Special Emphasis Topics:
Production: AGR and AGR-Lite; Livestock Gross Margin Dairy;
Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall and/or Vegetative Index; Common
Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions (``COMBO''); Enterprise Units;
Specialty Crops; Prevented Planting; or Other Existing Crop Insurance
Programs; Irrigation; Erosion Control Measures; Good Farming Practices;
Wildfire Management; Forest Management; and Range Management.
Legal: Legal and Succession Planning;
Marketing: Marketing Strategies; Farm Products Branding; Farmers
Markets;
Financial: Financial Tools and Planning; Farm Management
Strategies;
Human: Farm Labor; Farm Safety; Food Safety, Risk Management
Education to Students.
In addition, the application must clearly demonstrate that
education or training will be provided to at least one (1) of the
Producer Types listed under Category 2 below. Applications that do not
include at least one (1) of the Producer Types listed under Category 2
will not be considered for funding.
Category 2. Projects That Concentrate on Producer Type
Producer Types:
Producers and Ranchers;
Producers located in Arkansas, Mississippi and Georgia;
New and Beginning Farmers;
Women Producers and Ranchers;
Hispanic Producers and Ranchers;
African American Producers and Ranchers;
Native American Producers and Ranchers;
Limited Resource Producers and Ranchers;
Asian American and Pacific Islander Producers and Ranchers;
Transitional Farmers and Ranchers;
Senior Farmers and Ranchers;
Small Acreage Producers;
Specialty Crop Producers;
Returning Military Veterans Producers and Ranchers.
II. Award Information
A. Type of Application
Only electronic applications will be accepted and they must be
submitted through Grants.gov. Hard copy applications will NOT be
accepted. Applications submitted to the Risk Management Education and
Outreach Partnerships Program are new applications: There are no
renewals. All applications will be reviewed competitively using the
selection process and evaluation criteria described in Section V--
Application Review Process. Each award will be designated as a
Cooperative Partnership Agreement, which will require substantial
involvement by RMA.
B. Funding Availability
There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application.
Approximately $3,500,000 is expected to be available in fiscal year
2011 but it is possible that this amount may be reduced or not funded.
In the event that all funds available for this program are not
obligated after the maximum number of agreements are awarded or if
additional funds become available, these funds may, at the discretion
of the Manager of FCIC, be used to award additional applications that
score highly by the technical review panel or allocated pro-rata to
awardees for use in broadening the size or scope of awarded projects,
if agreed to by the awardee. In the event that the Manager of FCIC
determines that available RMA resources cannot support the
administrative and substantial involvement requirements of all
agreements recommended for funding, the Manager may elect to fund fewer
agreements than the available funding might otherwise allow. All awards
will be made and agreements finalized no later than September 30, 2011.
C. Location and Target Audience
RMA Regional Offices and the States serviced within each RMA Region
are listed below. Staff from the respective RMA Regional Offices will
provide substantial involvement for projects conducted within the
Region.
Billings, Montana Regional Office: (MT, ND, SD, and WY)
Davis, California Regional Office: (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and UT)
Jackson, Mississippi Regional Office: (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Regional Office: (NM, OK, and TX)
Raleigh, North Carolina Regional Office: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH,
NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV)
Spokane, Washington Regional Office: (AK, ID, OR, and WA)
Springfield, Illinois Regional Office: (IL, IN, MI, and OH)
St. Paul, Minnesota Regional Office: (IA, MN, and WI)
Topeka, Kansas Regional Office: (CO, KS, MO, and NE)
Valdosta, Georgia Regional Office: (AL, FL, GA, SC, and Puerto Rico)
Each application must clearly designate the RMA Region where
educational activities will be conducted in the application narrative
in block 12 of the SF-424 form. Applications without this designation
will be rejected. Priority will be given to producers of Priority
Commodities and Special Emphasis Topics previously identified in this
Announcement. Applicants proposing to conduct educational activities in
states served by more than one RMA Regional Office must submit a
separate application for each RMA Region. Single applications proposing
to conduct educational activities in states served by more than one RMA
Region will be rejected. Applications serving Tribal Nations will be
accepted and managed from the RMA Regional office serving the
designated Tribal Office.
D. Minimum and Maximum Award
Any application that requests Federal funding of less than $20,000
or more than $100,000 for a project will be rejected. RMA also reserves
the right to
[[Page 34642]]
fund successful applications at an amount less than requested if it is
judged that the application can be implemented at a lower funding
level.
E. Project Period
Projects will be funded for a period of up to one year from the
project starting date.
F. Description of Agreement Award--Awardee Tasks
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose and goal of this
program in a designated RMA Region, the awardee will be responsible for
performing the following tasks:
1. Develop and conduct a promotional program. This program will
include activities using media, newsletters, publications, or other
appropriate informational dissemination techniques that are designed
to: (a) Raise awareness for crop insurance and risk management; (b)
inform producers of the availability of crop insurance and risk
management tools; and (c) inform producers and agribusiness leaders in
the designated RMA Region of training and informational opportunities.
2. Deliver crop insurance and risk management training as well as
informational opportunities to agricultural producers and agribusiness
professionals in the designated RMA Region. This will include
organizing and delivering educational activities using the
instructional materials assembled by the grantee to meet the local
needs of agricultural producers. Activities should be directed
primarily to agricultural producers, but may include those agribusiness
professionals that have frequent opportunities to advise producers on
risk management tools and decisions.
3. Document all educational activities conducted under the
cooperative partnership agreement and the results of such activities,
including criteria and indicators used to evaluate the success of the
program. The awardee will also be required to provide information to
RMA as requested for evaluation purposes.
G. RMA Activities
FCIC, working through RMA, will be substantially involved during
the performance of the funded project through RMA's ten Regional
Offices. Potential types of substantial involvement may include, but
are not limited to, the following activities.
1. Collaborate with the awardee in assembling, reviewing, and
approving crop insurance and risk management materials for producers in
the designated RMA Region.
2. Collaborate with the awardee in reviewing and approving a
promotional program for raising awareness for crop insurance and risk
management and for informing producers of training and informational
opportunities in the RMA Region.
3. Collaborate with the awardee on the delivery of education to
producers and agribusiness leaders in the RMA Region. This will
include: (a) Reviewing and approving in advance all producer and
agribusiness leader educational activities; (b) advising the project
leader on technical issues related to crop insurance education and
information; and (c) assisting the project leader in informing crop
insurance professionals about educational activity plans and scheduled
meetings.
4. Conduct an evaluation of the performance of the awardee in
meeting the deliverables of the project.
Applications that do not address substantial involvement by RMA
will be rejected.
H. Other Tasks
In addition to the specific, required tasks listed above, the
applicant may propose additional tasks that would contribute directly
to the purpose of this program. For any proposed additional task, the
applicant must identify the objective of the task, the specific
subtasks required to meet the objective, specific time lines for
performing the subtasks, and the specific responsibilities of the
applicant and any entities working with the applicant in the
development or delivery of the project. The applicant must also
identify specific ways in which RMA would have substantial involvement
in the proposed project task.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include: State Departments of Agriculture,
State Cooperative Extension Services; Federal, State, or tribal
agencies; community based organizations; nongovernmental organizations;
junior and four-year colleges or universities or foundations maintained
by a college or university; private for-profit organizations; faith-
based organizations and other appropriate partners with the capacity to
lead a local program of crop insurance and risk management education
for producers in an RMA Region.
Individuals are not eligible applicants. Although an applicant may
be eligible to compete for an award based on its status as an eligible
entity, other factors may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal
assistance under this program governed by Federal law and regulations
(e.g. debarment and suspension; a determination of non-performance on a
prior contract, cooperative partnership agreement, or grant; or a
determination of a violation of applicable ethical standards.
Applications in which the applicant or any of the partners are
ineligible or excluded persons shall be rejected in their entirety.
B. Cost Sharing or Matching
Although RMA prefers cost sharing by the applicant, this program
has neither a cost sharing nor a matching requirement.
C. Other--Non-financial Benefits
To be eligible, applicants must also be able to demonstrate that
they will receive a non-financial benefit as a result of a cooperative
partnership agreement. Non-financial benefits must accrue to the
applicant and must include more than the ability to provide employment
income to the applicant or for the applicant's employees or the
community. The applicant must demonstrate that performance under the
cooperative partnership agreement will further the specific mission of
the applicant (such as providing research or activities necessary for
graduate or other students to complete their educational program).
Applications that do not demonstrate a non-financial benefit will be
rejected.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Electronic Application Package
Only electronic applications will be accepted and they must be
submitted via Grants.gov to the Risk Management Agency in response to
this Announcement. Prior to preparing an application, it is suggested
that the Project Director (PD) first contact an Authorized
Representative (AR) (also referred to as Authorized Organizational
Representative or AOR) to determine if the organization is prepared to
submit electronic applications through Grants.gov. If the organization
is not prepared, the AR should see https://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp for steps for preparing to submit applications
through Grants.gov.
The steps to access application materials are as follows:
1. In order to access, complete, and submit applications,
applicants must download and install a version of Adobe Reader
compatible with Grants.gov. This software is essential to apply for
[[Page 34643]]
RMA Federal awards. For basic system requirements and download
instructions, please see https://www.grants.gov/help/download_software.jsp. To verify that you have a compatible version of Adobe
Reader, Grants.gov established a test package that will assist you in
making that determination. Grants.gov Adobe Versioning Test Package is
located at: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/AdobeVersioningTestOnly.jsp.
2. The application package must be obtained via Grants.gov, go to
https://www.grants.gov, click on ``Apply for Grants'' in the left-hand
column, click on ``Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and
Instructions,'' enter the funding opportunity number USDA-RMA-RME-SSGP-
002011 in the appropriate box and click ``Download Package.'' From the
search results, click ``Download'' to access the application package.
Applicants who need assistance in accessing the application package
(e.g. downloading or navigating Adobe forms) should refer to resources
available on the Grants.gov Web site first (https://grants/gov/).
Grants.gov assistance is also available as follows: Grants.gov customer
support, Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726; Business Hours: 24 Hours a day;
Email: support@grants.gov.
B. Content and Form of Application Submission
The title of the application must include the Special Emphasis
Topic(s) under Category 1; the Producer Type(s) under Category 2; and
the RMA Region.
A complete and valid application must include the following:
1. A completed OMB Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance.''
2. A completed OMB Standard Form 424-A, ``Budget Information--Non-
construction Programs.'' Federal funding requested (the total of direct
and indirect costs) must not exceed $100,000.
3. A completed OMB Standard Form 424-B, ``Assurances, Non-
constructive Programs.''
4. An Executive Summary (One page) and Proposal Narrative (Not to
Exceed 10 single-sided pages in Microsoft Word), which will also
include a Statement of Work as specified in section V.A. of this
Announcement.
5. Budget Narrative (in Microsoft Excel) describing how the
categorical costs listed on the SF 424-A are derived. The budget
narrative should provide enough detail for reviewers to easily
understand how costs were determined and how they relate to the goals
and objectives of the project.
6. Partnering Plan, if applicable, that includes how each partner
shall aid in carrying out the project goal providing specific tasks.
Letters of commitment from individuals and/or groups must be included
in the Partnering Plan, and these letters must include the specific
tasks they have agreed to do with the applicant. A completed and signed
OMB Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.
7. A completed and signed AD-1049, Certification Regarding Drug-
Free Workplace.
* Applications that do not include items 1-7 above shall be considered
incomplete, shall not receive further consideration, and shall be
rejected.
The percentage of each person's time devoted to the project must be
identified in the application. Applicants must list all current public
or private employment arrangements or financial support associated with
the project or any of the personnel that are part of the project,
regardless of whether such arrangements or funding constitute part of
the project under this Announcement (supporting agency, amount of
award, effective date, expiration date, expiration date of award,
etc.). An application submitted under this RFA that duplicates or
overlaps substantially with any application already reviewed and funded
(or to be funded) by any other organization or agency, including but
not limited to other RMA, USDA, and Federal government programs, shall
not be funded under this program. The application package from
Grants.gov contains a document called the Current and Pending Report.
On the Current and Pending Report you must state for this fiscal year
if this application is a duplicate application or overlaps
substantially with another application already submitted to or funded
by another USDA Agency, including RMA, or other private organization.
RMA reserves the right to reject your application based on the review
of this information. The percentage of time for both ``Current'' and
``Pending'' projects must not exceed 100 percent of time committed.
C. Funding Restrictions
Cooperative partnership agreement funds may not be used to:
a. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or
facility including a processing facility;
b. Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment;
c. Repair or maintain privately owned vehicles;
d. Pay for the preparation of the cooperative partnership agreement
application;
e. Fund political activities;
f. Purchase alcohol, food, beverage, gifts cards, or entertainment;
g. Lend money to support farming or agricultural business operation
or expansion;
h. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving a cooperative partnership
agreement; or
i. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 CFR Parts 3015 and 3019, as
applicable.
D. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits
Total costs for salary and benefits allowed for projects under this
Announcement shall be limited to not more than 70 percent reimbursement
of the funds awarded under the cooperative partnership agreement. The
reasonableness of the total costs for salary and benefits allowed for
projects under this Announcement shall be reviewed and considered by
RMA as part of the application review process. Applications for which
RMA does not consider the salary and benefits reasonable for the
proposed application shall be rejected, or shall only be offered a
cooperative agreement upon the condition of changing the salary and
benefits structure to one deemed appropriate by RMA for that. The goal
of the Risk Management Education and Outreach Partnerships Program is
to maximize the use of the limited funding available for crop insurance
risk management education for producers of Priority Commodities, and
Special Emphasis Topics.
E. Indirect Cost Rates
1. Indirect costs allowed for projects submitted under this
Announcement shall be limited to ten (10) percent of the total direct
cost of the cooperative partnership agreement. Therefore, when
preparing budgets, applicants should limit their requests for recovery
of indirect costs to the lesser of their institution's official
negotiated indirect cost rate or 10 percent of the total direct costs.
2. RMA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with
successful applicants.
F. Other Submission Requirements
When the applicant enters the Grants.gov site, the applicant will
find information about submitting an application electronically through
the site. To use Grants.gov, all applicants must have a Dun and
Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which can be
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711 or
online at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Therefore,
[[Page 34644]]
potential applicants should verify that they have a DUNS number or take
the steps needed to obtain one. For information about how to obtain a
DUNS number, go to https://www.grants.gov. Please note that the
registration may take up to 14 business days to complete.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that RMA receives a
complete application package by the closing date and time. The agency
strongly encourages applicants to submit applications well before the
deadline to allow time for correction of technical errors identified by
Grants.gov. Any application package received after the deadline shall
be rejected.
G. Acknowledgement of Applications
Receipt of timely applications will be acknowledged by e-mail,
whenever possible. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to provide e-
mail addresses in their applications. If an e-mail address is not
indicated on an application, timely receipt will be acknowledged by
letter. There shall be no notification of incomplete, unqualified or
unfunded applications until after the awards have been made. When
received by RMA, applications shall be assigned an identification
number. This number will be communicated to applicants in the
acknowledgement of receipt of applications. An application's
identification number should be referenced in all correspondence
regarding the application. If the applicant does not receive an
acknowledgement within 15 days of the submission deadline, the
applicant should notify RMA's point of contact indicated in Section
VII, Agency Contact.
V. Application Review Information
A. Criteria
Applications submitted under the Risk Management Education and
Outreach Partnerships Program shall be evaluated within each RMA Region
according to the following criteria:
Project Impacts--Maximum 20 Points Available
The applicant must demonstrate that the project benefits to
producers, farmers and ranchers warrant the funding requested.
Applicants shall be scored according to the extent they can: (a)
Identify the specific actions producers, farmers and ranchers will
likely be able to take as a result of the educational activities
described in the Statement of Work; (b) identify the specific measures
for evaluating results that will be employed in the project; (c)
reasonably estimate the total number of producers, farmers and ranchers
reached through the various methods and educational activities
described in the Statement of Work; (d) identify the number of meetings
to be held; (e) provide an estimate of the number of training hours to
be held; and (f) justify such estimates with clear specifics.
Reviewers' scoring shall be based on the scope and reasonableness of
the applicant's clear descriptions of specific expected actions
producers will accomplish, and well-designed methods for measuring the
project's results and effectiveness. With respect to the expected
producer, farmer and rancher actions and the measurement of results,
the applicant must include how the project will:
1. Increase the understanding of crop insurance and risk management
tools;
2. Assist producers, farmers and ranchers in evaluating the
feasibility of implementing various risk management options;
3. Assist producers, farmers and ranchers in developing risk
management plans and strategies; and
4. Assist producers, farmers and ranchers in deciding on and
implementing a specific course of actions (e.g., participation in crop
insurance programs or implementation of other risk management actions).
Statement of Work--Maximum 20 Points Available
The applicant must produce a clear and specific Statement of Work
for the project. For each of the tasks contained in Section II--Award
Information, the applicant must identify and describe specific
subtasks, responsible entities, expected completion dates, RMA
substantial involvement, and deliverables that will further the purpose
of this program. Applicants shall be scored higher to the extent that
the Statement of Work is specific, measurable, reasonable, has specific
deadlines for the completion of subtasks, relates directly to the
required activities and the program purpose described in this
Announcement, which is to provide producers with training and
informational opportunities so that the producers will be better able
to use financial management, crop insurance, marketing contracts, and
other existing and emerging risk management tools. All narratives
should give estimates of how many producers, farmers and ranchers will
be reached through this project.
Project Management--Maximum 20 Points Available
The applicant must demonstrate an ability to implement sound and
effective project management practices. Higher scores shall be awarded
to applicants that can demonstrate organizational skills, leadership,
and experience in delivering services or programs that assist
agricultural producers in the respective RMA Region. The project
manager must demonstrate that he/she has the capability to accomplish
the project goal and purpose stated in this Announcement by: (a) Having
a current or previous working relationship with the farm community in
the designated RMA Region of the application, including being able to
recruit approximately the number of producers to be reached in the
application; or (b) having established the capacity to partner with and
gain the support of grower organizations, agribusiness professionals,
and agribusiness leaders locally to aid in carrying out a program of
education and information, including being able to recruit
approximately the number of producers to be reached in this
application. Applicants are encouraged to designate an alternate
Project Leader in the event the Project Leader is unable to finish the
project. Applicants that shall employ, or have access to, personnel who
have experience in directing local educational programs that benefit
agricultural producers in the respective RMA Region shall receive
higher rankings.
Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency--Maximum 10 Points Available
Applicants must provide a detailed budget summary that clearly
explains and justifies costs associated with the project. Applicants
shall receive higher scores to the extent that they can demonstrate a
fair and reasonable use of funds appropriate for the project and a
budget that contains the estimated cost of reaching each individual
producer, farmer and rancher.
Priority Commodity--Maximum 15 Points Available
The applicant can submit projects that are not related to Priority
Commodities. However, only projects relating to Priority Commodities
shall receive these points.
Special Emphasis--Maximum of 15 Points Available
Projects that include more than one Special Emphasis Topics shall
be eligible for the most points.
[[Page 34645]]
Bonus Points for Diversity Partnering--Maximum of 15 Points Available
RMA is focused on adding diversity to this program. Management may
add up to an additional 15 points to the final paneled score of any
submission demonstrating a partnership with another group or entity
that is a member of a specific population listed in Section I.E.,
Category 2--Projects that concentrate on Producer Type.
B. Review and Selection Process
Applications shall be evaluated using a two-part process. First,
each application shall be screened by RMA personnel to ensure that it
meets the requirements in this Announcement. Applications that do not
meet the requirements of this Announcement or that are incomplete shall
not receive further consideration during the next process. Applications
that meet Announcement requirements will be sorted into the RMA Region
in which the applicant proposes to conduct the project and shall be
presented to a review panel for consideration.
Second, the review panel will meet to consider and discuss the
merits of each application. The panel will consist of not less than
three independent reviewers. Reviewers shall be drawn from USDA, other
Federal agencies, and public and private organizations, as needed.
After considering the merits of all applications within an RMA Region,
panel members shall score each application according to the criteria
and point values listed above. The panel shall then rank each
application against others within the RMA Region according to the
scores received.
The review panel shall report the results of the evaluation to the
Manager of FCIC. The panel's report shall include the recommended
applicants to receive cooperative partnership agreements for each RMA
Region. Funding shall not be provided for an application receiving a
score less than 60. Funding shall not be provided for an application
that is highly similar to a higher-scoring application in the same RMA
Region. Highly similar is one that proposes to reach the same
producers, farmers and ranchers likely to be reached by another
applicant that scored higher by the panel and the same general
educational material is proposed to be delivered.
An organization, or group of organizations in partnership, may
apply for funding under other FCIC or RMA programs, in addition to the
program described in this Announcement. However, if the Manager of FCIC
determines that an application recommended for funding is sufficiently
similar to a project that has been funded or has been recommended to be
funded under another RMA or FCIC program, then the Manager may elect
not to fund that application in whole or in part. The Manager of FCIC
shall make the final determination on those applications that will be
awarded funding.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
The award document shall provide pertinent instructions and
information including, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Legal name and address of performing organization or
institution to which the Manager of FCIC has issued an award under the
terms of this request for applications;
(2) Title of project;
(3) Name(s) and employing institution(s) of Project Directors
chosen to direct and control approved activities;
(4) Identifying award number assigned by RMA;
(5) Project period, specifying the amount of time RMA intends to
support the project without requiring recompeting for funds;
(6) Total amount of RMA financial assistance approved by the
Manager of FCIC during the project period;
(7) Legal authority(ies) under which the award is issued;
(8) Appropriate Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
numbers;
(9) Applicable award terms and conditions (see https://www.rma.usda.gov/business/awards/awardterms.html to view RMA award
terms and conditions);
(10) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds
to accomplish the stated purpose of the award; and
(11) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by RMA to
carry out its respective awarding activities or to accomplish the
purpose of a particular award.Following approval by the Manager of FCIC
of the applications to be selected for funding, project leaders whose
applications have been selected for funding will be notified. Within
the limit of funds available for such a purpose, the Manager of FCIC
shall enter into cooperative partnership agreements with those selected
applicants.
After a cooperative partnership agreement has been signed, RMA
shall extend to awardees, in writing, the authority to draw down funds
for the purpose of conducting the activities listed in the agreement.
All funds provided to the applicant by FCIC must be expended solely for
the purpose for which the funds are obligated in accordance with the
approved cooperative partnership agreement and budget, the regulations,
the terms and conditions of the award, and the applicability of Federal
cost principles. No commitment of Federal assistance beyond the project
period is made or implied for any award resulting from this notice.
Notification of denial of funding shall be sent to applicants after
final funding decisions have been made and the awardees announced
publicly.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
1. Requirement To Use Program Logo
Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements shall be
required to use a program logo and design provided by RMA for all
instructional and promotional materials, when deemed appropriate.
2. Requirement To Provide Project Information to an RMA-selected
Representative
Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements may be
required to assist RMA in evaluating the effectiveness of its
educational programs by providing documentation of educational
activities and related information to any representative selected by
RMA for program evaluation purposes.
3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflicts of
Interest
Private organizations that are involved in the sale of Federal crop
insurance (approved insurance providers and agencies), or that have
financial ties to such organizations, are eligible to apply for funding
under this Announcement. However, such entities shall not be allowed to
receive funding to conduct activities that would otherwise be required
under a Standard Reinsurance Agreement or any other agreement in effect
between FCIC and the entity. Also, such entities shall not be allowed
to receive funding to conduct activities that could be perceived by
producers as promoting one approved insurance provider or agencies
services or products over another's. If applying for funding, such
organizations are encouraged to be sensitive to potential conflicts of
interest and to describe in their application the specific actions they
will take to avoid actual and perceived conflicts of interest.
4. Access to Panel Review Information
Upon written request from the applicant, scores from the evaluation
[[Page 34646]]
panel, not including the identity of reviewers, shall be sent to the
applicant after the review and awards process has been completed.
5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards
The names of applicants, the names of individuals identified in the
applications, the content of applications, and the panel evaluations of
applications shall all be kept confidential, except to those involved
in the review process, to the extent permitted by law. In addition, the
identities of review panel members shall remain confidential throughout
the entire review process and shall not be released to applicants. At
the end of the fiscal year, names of panel members shall be made
available. However, panelists shall not be identified with the review
of any particular application.
When an application results in a cooperative partnership agreement,
that agreement becomes a part of the official record of RMA
transactions, available to the public upon specific request.
Information that the Secretary of Agriculture determines to be of a
confidential, privileged, or proprietary nature shall be held in
confidence to the extent permitted by law. Therefore, any information
that the applicant wishes to be considered confidential, privileged, or
proprietary should be clearly marked within an application, including
the basis for such designation. The original copy of an application
that does not result in an award shall be retained by RMA for a period
of one year. Other copies shall be destroyed. Copies of applications
not receiving awards shall be released only with the express written
consent of the applicant or to the extent required by law. An
application may be withdrawn at any time prior to award.
6. Audit Requirements
Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements are subject
to audit.
7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying
All cooperative agreements shall be subject to the requirements of
7 CFR Part 3015, ``Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations.'' A signed
copy of the certification and disclosure forms must be submitted with
the application and are available at the address and telephone number
listed in Section VII, Agency Contact.
Departmental regulations published at 7 CFR Part 3018 imposes
prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification related
to lobbying on awardees of Federal contracts, grants, cooperative
partnership agreements and loans. It provides exemptions for Indian
Tribes and tribal organizations. Current and prospective awardees, and
any subcontractors, are prohibited from using Federal funds, other than
profits from a Federal contract, for lobbying Congress or any Federal
agency in connection with the award of a contract, grant, cooperative
partnership agreement or loan. In addition, for each award action in
excess of $100,000 ($150,000 for loans) the law requires awardees and
any subcontractors to complete a certification in accordance with
Appendix A to Part 3018 and a disclosure of lobbying activities in
accordance with Appendix B to Part 3018: The law establishes civil
penalties for non-compliance.
8. Applicable OMB Circulars
All cooperative partnership agreements funded as a result of this
notice shall be subject to the requirements contained in all applicable
OMB circulars.
9. Requirement To Assure Compliance With Federal Civil Rights Laws
Awardees and all partners/collaborators of all cooperative
agreements funded as a result of this notice are required to know and
abide by Federal civil rights laws, which include, but are not limited
to, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.),
and 7 CFR Part 15. RMA requires that awardees submit an Assurance
Agreement (Civil Rights), assuring RMA of this compliance prior to the
beginning of the project period.
10. Requirement To Participate in a Post Award Teleconference
RMA requires that project leaders participate in a post award
teleconference, if conducted, to become fully aware of agreement
requirements and for delineating the roles of RMA personnel and the
procedures that shall be followed in administering the agreement and
shall afford an opportunity for the orderly transition of agreement
duties and obligations if different personnel are to assume post-award
responsibility.
11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the National AgRisk
Education Library
RMA requires that project leaders upload digital copies of all risk
management educational materials developed because of the project to
the National AgRisk Education Library (https://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for
posting. RMA shall be clearly identified as having provided funding for
the materials.
12. Requirement To Submit Proposed Results to the National AgRisk
Education Library
RMA requires that project leaders submit results of the project to
the National AgRisk Education Library (https://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for
posting.
13. Requirement To Submit a Project Plan of Operation in the Event of a
Human Pandemic Outbreak
RMA requires that project leaders submit a project plan of
operation in case of a human pandemic event. The plan should address
the concept of continuing operations as they relate to the project.
This should include the roles, responsibilities, and contact
information for the project team and individuals serving as back-ups in
case of a pandemic outbreak.
C. Reporting Requirements
Awardees shall be required to submit quarterly progress reports
using the Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR) as the cover sheet, and
quarterly financial reports (OMB Standard Form 425) throughout the
project period, as well as a final program and financial report not
later than 90 days after the end of the project period. The quarterly
progress reports and final program reports MUST be submitted through
the Results Verification System. The Web site address is https://www.agrisk.umn.edu/RMA/Reporting.
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants and other interested
parties are encouraged to contact: USDA-RMA-RME, phone: 202-720-0779,
e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. You may also obtain information
regarding this announcement from the RMA Web site at: https://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements.
VIII. Additional Information
A. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry (CCR) for
Submission of Proposals
Under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of
2006, the applicant must comply with the additional requirements set
forth in Attachment A regarding the Dun and Bradstreet Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) Requirements and the CCR Requirements found at
2 CFR Part 25. For the purposes of this RFA, the term ``you'' in
Attachment A shall mean ``applicant''. The applicant shall comply
[[Page 34647]]
with the additional requirements set forth in Attachment B regarding
Subawards and Executive Compensation. For the purpose of this RFA, the
term ``you'' in Attachment B shall mean ``applicant''. The Central
Contract Registry CCR is a database that serves as the primary
Government repository for contractor information required for the
conduct of business with the Government. This database will also be
used as a central location for maintaining organizational information
for organizations seeking and receiving grants from the Government.
Such organizations must register in the CCR prior to the submission of
applications. A DUNS number is needed for CCR registration. For
information about how to register in the CCR, visit ``Get Registered''
at the Web site, https://www.grants.gov. Allow a minimum of 5 business
days to complete the CCR registration.
B. Related Programs
Funding availability for this program may be announced at
approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but
separate programs--and CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in
Targeted States). These programs have some similarities, but also key
differences. The differences stem from important features of each
program's authorizing legislation and different RMA objectives.
Prospective applicants should carefully examine and compare the notices
for each program.
Attachment A
I. Central Contractor Registration and Universal Identifier
Requirements
A. Requirement for Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
Unless you are exempted from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110,
you as the recipient must maintain the currency of your information in
the CCR until you submit the final financial report required under this
award or receive the final payment, whichever is later. This requires
that you review and update the information at least annually after the
initial registration, and more frequently if required by changes in
your information or another award term.
B. Requirement for Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Numbers
If you are authorized to make subawards under this award, you:
1. Must notify potential sub recipients that no entity (see
definition in paragraph C of this award) may receive a subaward from
you unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.
2. May not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has
provided its DUNS number to you.
C. Definitions for Purposes of This Award Term
1. Central Contractor Registration (CCR) means the Federal
repository into which an entity must provide information required for
the conduct of business as a recipient. Additional information about
registration procedures may be found at the CCR Internet site
(currently at https://www.ccr.gov).
2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number means the nine-
digit number established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D &
B) to uniquely identify business entities. A DUNS number may be
obtained from D & B by telephone (currently 866-705-5711) or the
Internet (currently at https://fedgov.dnb.comlwebform).
3. Entity, as it is used in this award term, means all of the
following, as defined at 2 CFR Part 25, Subpart C:
a. A Governmental organization, which is a State, local government,
or Indian Tribe;
b. A foreign public entity;
c. A domestic or foreign nonprofit organization;
d. A domestic or foreign for-profit organization; and
e. A Federal agency, but only as a subrecipient under an award or
subaward to a non-Federal entity.
4. Subaward:
a. This term means a legal instrument to provide support for the
performance of any portion of the substantive project or program for
which you received this award and that you as the recipient award to an
eligible subrecipient.
b. The term does not include your procurement of property and
services needed to carry out the project or program (for further
explanation, see Sec. 10 of the attachment to OMB Circular A-I33,
``Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations'').
c. A subaward may be provided through any legal agreement,
including an agreement that you consider a contract.
5. Subrecipient means an entity that:
a. Receives a subaward from you under this award; and
b. Is accountable to you for the use of the Federal funds provided
by the subaward.
Attachment B
I. Reporting Sub Awards and Executive Compensation
a. Reporting of First-Tier Subawards
1. Applicability. Unless you are exempt as provided in paragraph d.
of this award term, you must report each action that obligates $25,000
or more in Federal funds that does not include Recovery funds (as
defined in section 1512(a)(2) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-5) for a subaward to an entity (see
definitions in paragraph e. of this award term).
2. Where and when to report.
i. You must report each obligating action described in paragraph
a.I. of this award term to https://www.fsrs.gov.
ii. For sub award information, report no later than the end of the
month following the month in which the obligation was made. (For
example, if the obligation was made on November 7, 2010, the obligation
must be reported by no later than December 31, 2010.)
3. What to report. You must report the information about each
obligating action that the submission instructions posted at https://www.fsrs.gov specify.
b. Reporting Total Compensation of Recipient Executives
1. Applicability and what to report. You must report total
compensation for each of your five most highly compensated executives
for the preceding completed fiscal year, if--
i. The total Federal funding authorized to date under this award is
$25,000 or more;
ii. In the preceding fiscal year, you received--
(A) 80 percent or more of your annual gross revenues from Federal
procurement contracts (and subcontracts) and Federal financial
assistance subject to the Transparency Act, as defined at 2 CFR 170.320
(and subawards); and
(B) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal
procurement contracts (and subcontracts) and Federal financial
assistance subject to the Transparency Act, as defined at 2 CFR 170.320
(and subawards); and
iii. The public does not have access to information about the
compensation of the executives through periodic reports filed under
section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78m(a), 780(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986. (To determine if the public has access to the compensation
information, see the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission
[[Page 34648]]
total compensation filings at https://www.sec.gov/answers/execomp.htm.)
2. Where and when to report. You must report executive total
compensation described in paragraph b.1. of this award term:
i. As part of your registration profile at https://www.ccr.gov.
ii. By the end of the month following the month in which this award
is made, and annually thereafter.
c. Reporting of Total Compensation of Sub Recipient Executives
1. Applicability and what to report. Unless you are exempt as
provided in paragraph d. of this award term, for each first-tier sub
recipient under this award, you shall report the names and total
compensation of each of the sub recipient's five most highly
compensated executives for the sub recipient's preceding completed
fiscal year, if--
i. In the subrecipient's preceding fiscal year, the subrecipient
received--
(A) 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues from Federal
procurement contracts (and subcontracts) and Federal financial
assistance subject to the Transparency Act, as defined at ~ CFR 170.320
(and subawards); and
(B) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal
procurement contracts (and subcontracts), and Federal financial
assistance subject to the Transparency Act (and subawards); and
ii. The public does not have access to information about the
compensation of the executives through periodic reports filed under
section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78m(a), 780(d) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986. (To determine if the public has access to the compensation
information, see the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission total
compensation filings at https://www.sec.gov/answers/execomp.htm.)
2. Where and when to report. You must report subrecipient executive
total compensation described in paragraph c.1. of this award term:
i. To the recipient.
ii. By the end of the month following the month during which you
make the subaward. For example, if a subaward is obligated on any date
during the month of October of a given year (i.e., between October 1
and 31), you must report any required compensation information of the
subrecipient by November 30 of that year.
d. Exemptions
If, in the previous tax year, you had gross income, from all
sources, under $300,000, you are exempt from the requirements to
report:
i. Subawards, and
ii. The total compensation of the five most highly compensated
executives of any sub recipient.
e. Definitions. For Purposes of This Award Term:
1. Entity means all of the following, as defined in 2 CFR part 25:
i. A Governmental organization, which is a State, local government,
or Indian tribe;
ii. A foreign public entity;
iii. A domestic or foreign nonprofit organization;
iv. A domestic or foreign for-profit organization;
v. A Federal agency, but only as a subrecipient under an award or
subaward to a non-Federal entity.
2. Executive means officers, managing partners, or any other
employees in management positions.
3. Subaward:
1. This term means a legal instrument to provide support for the
performance of any portion of the substantive project or program for
which you received this award and that you as the recipient award to an
eligible subrecipient.
ii. The term does not include your procurement of property and
services needed to carry out the project or program (for further
explanation, see Sec. -- .210 of the attachment to OMB Circular A-133,
``Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations'').
iii. A subaward may be provided through any legal agreement,
including an agreement that you or a subrecipient considers a contract.
4. Subrecipient means an entity that:
i. Receives a subaward from you (the recipient) under this award;
and
ii. Is accountable to you for the use of the Federal funds provided
by the subaward.
5. Total compensation means the cash and noncash dollar value
earned by the executive during the recipient's or subrecipient's
preceding fiscal year and includes the following (for more information
see 17 CFR 229.402(c)(2):
i. Salary and bonus.
ii. Awards of stock, stock options, and stock appreciation rights.
Use the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting
purposes with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with the
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004) (FAS
123R), Shared Based Payments.
iii. Earnings for services under non-equity incentive plans. This
does not include group life, health, hospitalization or medical
reimbursement plans that do not discriminate in favor of executives,
and are available generally to all salaried employees.
iv. Change in pension value. This is the change in present value of
defined benefit and actuarial pension plans.
v. Above-market earnings on deferred compensation which is not tax-
qualified.
vi. Other compensation, if the aggregate value of all such other
compensation (e.g. severance, termination payments, value of life
insurance paid on behalf of the employee, perquisites or property) for
the executive exceeds $10,000.
Signed in Washington, DC, on June 8, 2011.
William J. Murphy,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2011-14596 Filed 6-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P