Funding Opportunity Title: Risk Management Education in Targeted States (Targeted States Program); Announcement Type: Announcement of Availability of Funds and Request for Applications (RFA) for Competitive Cooperative Agreements, 19995-20004 [2012-7902]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19995-20004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7902]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2012 / 
Notices

[[Page 19995]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Funding Opportunity Title: Risk Management Education in Targeted 
States (Targeted States Program); Announcement Type: Announcement of 
Availability of Funds and Request for Applications (RFA) for 
Competitive Cooperative Agreements

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.458.


DATES: All applications, which must be submitted electronically through 
Grants.gov, must be received by close of business (COB) on May 18, 
2012. Hard copy applications will NOT be accepted.
SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating 
through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces its intent to award 
approximately $5,000,000 (subject to availability of funds) to fund 
cooperative agreements under the Risk Management Education in Targeted 
States Program.
    Purpose: The purpose of the Targeted States program is to deliver 
crop insurance education and information to U.S. agricultural producers 
in States where there is traditionally, and continues to be, a low 
level of Federal crop insurance participation and availability, and 
producers are underserved by the Federal crop insurance program. These 
states, defined as Targeted States for the purposes of this RFA, are 
Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, 
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, 
Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Any cooperative agreements that 
may be funded will not exceed the maximum funding amount established 
for each of the Targeted States. Awardees must agree to the substantial 
involvement of RMA in the project.
    Applications submitted under this RFA must demonstrate how the 
proposed education and outreach activities will help producers in 
Targeted States understand:
     The kinds of risks addressed by crop insurance;
     The features of existing and emerging crop insurance 
products;
     The use of crop insurance in the management of risk;
     How the use of crop insurance can affect other risk 
management decisions, such as the use of marketing and financial tools;
     How to make informed decisions on crop insurance prior to 
the sales closing date deadline; and,
     Record-keeping requirements for crop insurance.
    Funding availability for this program may be announced at 
approximately the same time as funding availability for the similar but 
separate program, the Risk Management Education and Outreach 
Partnerships Program (CFDA No. 10.460). Prospective applicants must 
carefully examine and compare the notices of each announcement.
    The collections of information in this announcement have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control 
number 0563-0067.

This Announcement Consists of Eight Sections

Section I--Funding Opportunity Description
    A. Legislative Authority
    B. Background
    C. Project Goal
Section II--Award Information
    A. Type of Application
    B. Funding Availability
    C. Location and Target Audience
    D. Maximum Award
    E. Project Period
    F. Description of Agreement Award--Awardee Tasks
    G. RMA Activities
    H. Other Tasks
Section III--Eligibility Information
    A. Eligible Applicants
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching
Section IV--Application and Submission Information
    A. Electronic Application Package
    B. Content and Form of Application Submission
    C. Funding Restrictions
    D. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits
    E. Indirect Cost Rates
    F. Other Submission Requirements
    G. Acknowledgement of Applications
Section V--Application Review Process
    A. Criteria
    B. Selection and Review Process
Section VI--Award Administration Information
    A. Award Notices
    B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    1. Requirement to Use USDA Logo
    2. Requirement to Provide Project Information to RMA-selected 
Representative(s)
    3. Access to Panel Review Information
    4. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards
    5. Audit Requirements
    6. Prohibitions and Requirements With Regards to Lobbying
    7. Applicable OMB Circulars
    8. Requirement to Assure Compliance with Federal Civil Rights 
Laws
    9. Requirement to Participate in a Post Award Teleconference
    10. Requirement to Participate in a Post Award Civil Rights 
Training Teleconference
    11. Requirement to Submit Educational Materials to the National 
AgRisk Education Library
    12. Requirement To Submit Proposal Results to the National 
AgRisk Education Library
    C. Reporting Requirements
Section VII--Agency Contact
Section VIII--Additional Information
    A. The Restriction of the Expenditure of Funds to Enter into 
Financial Transactions
    B. Required Registration with the Central Contract Registry 
(CCR) for Submission of Proposals
    C. Related Programs

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Legislative Authority

    The Targeted States Program is authorized under section 524(a)(2) 
of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (FCIA), 7 U.S.C. 1524(a)(2).

B. Background

    RMA promotes and regulates sound risk management solutions to 
improve the economic stability of American agriculture. On behalf of 
FCIC, RMA does this by offering Federal crop insurance products through 
a network of private-sector partners, overseeing the creation of new 
risk management products, seeking enhancements in existing products, 
ensuring the integrity of crop insurance programs, offering outreach 
programs aimed at equal access and participation of underserved

[[Page 19996]]

communities, and providing risk management education and information.
    One of RMA's strategic goals is to ensure that its customers are 
well-informed of risk management solutions available. This educational 
goal is authorized by section 524(a)(2) of the FCIA (7 U.S.C. 
1524(a)(2). This section authorizes funding for the establishment of 
crop insurance education and information programs in States where there 
is traditionally, and continues to be, a low level of Federal crop 
insurance participation and availability, and producers are underserved 
by the Federal crop insurance program. In accordance with the FCIA, the 
States with this designation for FY 2012 are Connecticut, Delaware, 
Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New 
Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West 
Virginia, and Wyoming (defined as ``Targeted States'' for the purposes 
of this RFA).

C. Project Goal

    The goal of the Targeted States Program is to ensure that producers 
in the Targeted States are fully informed of existing and emerging crop 
insurance products in order to take full advantage of such products. In 
carrying out the requirements under Section 12026 of the Food, 
Conservation, And Energy Act of 2008, the Secretary of Agriculture has 
placed special emphasis on risk management strategies, education, and 
outreach specifically targeted to the following producers:
    (A) Beginning farmers or ranchers;
    (B) Legal immigrant farmers or ranchers that are attempting to 
become established producers in the United States;
    (C) Socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers;
    (D) Farmers or ranchers that--
    (i) are preparing to retire; and
    (ii) are using transition strategies to help new farmers or 
ranchers get started; and
    (E) New or established farmers or ranchers that are converting 
production and marketing systems to pursue new markets.

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 for the Risk Management Education in 
Targeted States 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 
Agreement, which will require substantial involvement by RMA.

B. Funding Availability

    There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application 
or make a specific number of awards. RMA intends to award approximately 
$5,000,000 (subject to availability of funds) in fiscal year 2012 to 
fund one or more cooperative agreement(s) not to exceed the maximum 
funding amount established for each of the Targeted States. The maximum 
funding amount anticipated for the agreement(s) in each Targeted State 
is as follows. An applicant must apply for funding for that Targeted 
State where the applicant intends to deliver the educational 
activities, and must limit its request for funding in a particular 
Targeted State based upon the funding levels available below.

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

    Funding amounts were determined by first allocating an equal amount 
of $200,000 to each Targeted State. Remaining funds were allocated on a 
pro rata basis according to each Targeted State's share of agricultural 
cash receipts reported in the National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(NASS) 2007 Agricultural Census, relative to the total for all Targeted 
States. Both the equal allocation and the pro rata allocation were 
totaled together and rounded to the nearest $1,000 to arrive at the 
funding limit for each Targeted State.
    In the event that additional funds become available under this 
program or in the event that no application for a given Targeted State 
is recommended for funding by the evaluation panel, these additional 
funds, or unused funds for a particular Targeted State, may be 
allocated pro-rata to other awardees. These additional or unused funds 
may be offered to selected awardees for use in broadening the size or 
scope of awarded projects within the Targeted States in which funds 
were awarded, if such selected awardees agree to any changes to the 
project necessary determined by RMA to make use of the additional 
funds. The decision of whether any additional or unused funds are 
offered to other award recipients, and the pro-rata manner in which 
they may be distributed to recipients that are willing to make required 
adjustments to their awarded projects to accept such additional funds, 
is within the discretion of the FCIC Manager. RMA is not required to 
distribute any additional or unused funds to the awardees.
    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, 2012.

C. Location and Target Audience

    The RMA Regional Offices that service the Targeted States are 
listed below. Staff from these respective RMA Regional Offices will 
provide the RMA substantial involvement for Targeted States projects 
conducted within the respective Regions.
    Billings, MT Regional Office: (WY).
    Davis, CA Regional Office: (HI, NV and UT).
    Raleigh, NC Regional Office: (CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, 
RI, VT and WV).
    Each application must clearly designate the Targeted State where 
crop insurance educational activities for the project will be delivered 
in block 14 of the SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' 
Applications without this designation in block 14 will be rejected. 
Applicants may apply to deliver education to producers in more than one 
Targeted State, but a separate application must be submitted for each 
Targeted State because applications will be compared to applications 
submitted for the same state. Any single application proposing to 
conduct educational activities in more than one Targeted State will be 
rejected.

D. Maximum Award

    Any application that requests funding under this Announcement of 
more than the amount listed above for a project in a given Targeted 
State will be rejected.

[[Page 19997]]

E. Project Period

    Projects will be funded for a period of up to one year from the 
project starting date.

F. Description of Agreement Award--Awardee Tasks

    In conducting activities to achieve the purpose and goal of this 
program in a designated Targeted State, the awardee shall be 
responsible for performing the following tasks:
     Develop and conduct a promotional program in English or a 
non-English language to producers. If non-English language is used, a 
translation in English must be provided. This program will include 
activities using media, newsletters, publications, or other appropriate 
informational dissemination techniques that are designed to: (a) Raise 
awareness for crop insurance; (b) inform producers of the availability 
of crop insurance; (c) inform producers of the crop insurance sales 
closing dates prior to the deadline; and (d) inform producers (and may 
inform agribusiness professionals) in the designated Targeted State of 
training and informational opportunities.
     Deliver crop insurance training and informational 
opportunities in English or a non-English language to agricultural 
producers (and may deliver to agribusiness professionals) in the 
designated Targeted State in a timely manner, prior to crop insurance 
sales closing dates, in order for producers to make informed decisions 
regarding risk management tools prior to the crop insurance sales 
closing dates deadline. This delivery will include organizing and 
delivering educational activities using instructional materials that 
have been assembled to meet the local needs of agricultural producers. 
Activities must be directed primarily to agricultural producers, but 
may include those agribusiness professionals that frequently advise 
producers on crop insurance tools and decisions and shall use the 
information gained from these trainings to advise producers.
     Document all educational activities conducted under the 
cooperative agreement and the results of such activities, including 
criteria and indicators used to evaluate the success of the program. 
The awardee shall also be required, if requested by RMA, to provide 
information to RMA-selected contractor(s) to evaluate all educational 
activities and advise RMA regarding the effectiveness of activities.

G. RMA Activities

    RMA will be substantially involved during the performance of the 
funded project through RMA's three (3) Regional Offices identified 
earlier. Potential types of substantial involvement by these three (3) 
Regional Offices will include, but are not limited to, the following 
activities.
     Collaborate with the awardee in assembling, reviewing, and 
approving risk management materials for producers in the designated 
Targeted States.
     Collaborate with the awardee in reviewing and approving a 
promotional program for raising awareness for risk management and for 
informing producers of training and informational opportunities in the 
Targeted States.
     Collaborate with the awardee on the delivery of education 
to producers and agribusiness professionals for the Targeted States. 
This collaboration shall include: (a) Reviewing and approving in 
advance all producer and agribusiness professional educational 
activities; (b) advising the awardee on technical issues related to 
crop insurance education and information; and (c) assisting the awardee 
in informing producers and agribusiness professionals about educational 
activity plans and scheduled meetings.
     Conduct an evaluation of the performance of the awardee in 
meeting the tasks and subtasks of the project.
     Assist in the selection of subcontractors and project 
staff.
    Applications that do not contain substantial involvement by RMA 
will be rejected.

H. Other Tasks

    In addition to the specific, required tasks listed above, the 
applicant may propose additional tasks that would contribute directly 
to the purpose of this program. For any proposed additional task, the 
applicant must identify the objective of the task, the specific 
subtasks required to meet the objective, specific time lines for 
performing the subtasks, and the specific responsibilities of partners. 
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; groups representing producers, community-based organizations 
or a coalition of community-based organization that has demonstrated 
experience in providing agricultural education or other agricultural-
related services to producers; nongovernmental organizations; junior 
and four-year colleges or universities or foundations maintained by a 
college or university; private for-profit organizations; and other 
entities with the capacity to lead a program of risk management 
education for producers in one or more Targeted States.
    1. Individuals are not eligible applicants.
    2. Although an applicant may be eligible to compete for an award 
based on its status as the type of entity described immediately above, 
other factors may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal 
assistance under this program, which is governed by Federal law and 
regulations (e.g. debarment and suspension; a determination of non-
performance on a prior contract, cooperative agreement, grant or 
cooperative partnership; a determination of a violation of applicable 
ethical standards). Applications in which the applicant or any of the 
partners are ineligible or excluded persons will be rejected in their 
entirety.
    3. Private organizations that are involved in the sale of Federal 
crop insurance, or that have financial ties to such organizations, are 
eligible to apply for funding under this Announcement. However, such 
entities and their partners, affiliates, and collaborators for this 
Announcement shall not receive funding to conduct activities that are 
already required under a Standard Reinsurance Agreement or any other 
agreement in effect between FCIC/RMA and the entity, or between FCIC/
RMA and any of the partners; affiliates, or collaborators for awards 
under this Announcement. In addition, such entities and their partners, 
affiliates, and collaborators for this Announcement shall not be 
allowed to receive funding to conduct activities that could be 
perceived by producers as promoting the services or products of one 
company over the services or products of another company that provides 
the same or similar services or products. If applying for funding, such 
organizations must be aware of potential conflicts of interest and must 
describe in their application the specific actions they shall take to 
avoid actual and perceived conflicts of interest.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Funding

    Although RMA prefers cost sharing by the applicant, this program 
has neither a cost sharing nor a matching requirement.

[[Page 19998]]

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Electronic Application Package

    RMA will only accept electronic applications for this program. 
These electronic applications must be submitted via Grants.gov to the 
Risk Management Agency in response to this RFA. Prior to preparing an 
application, it is suggested that the Project Director (PD) first 
contact an Authorized Representative (AR) (also referred to as 
Authorized Organizational Representative or AOR) to determine if the 
organization is prepared to submit electronic applications through 
Grants.gov. If the organization is not prepared, the AR should see, 
https://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp, for steps for 
preparing to submit applications through Grants.gov.
    Grants.gov assistance is 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 (1) The Targeted State, 
(2) the producer group to be reached, and (3) the educational topic(s) 
to be presented.
    For an application to potentially be considered complete and valid, 
an application must include the following items, at a minimum:
    1. A completed OMB Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance.''
    2. A completed OMB Standard Form 424-A, ``Budget Information--Non-
construction Programs.''
    3. A completed OMB Standard Form 424-B, ``Assurances, Non-
constructive Programs.''
    4. An Executive Summary of the Project (One (1) page).
    5. A Proposal Narrative (Not to Exceed 15 single-sided pages in 
Microsoft Word), which shall also include a Statement of Work. The 
Statement of Work (SOW) must include each task and subtask associated 
with the work, the objective of each task and subtask, specific time 
lines for performing the tasks and subtasks, and the responsible party 
for completing the activities listed under each task and subtask 
including the specific responsibilities of partners and/or RMA. The SOW 
must be very clear on who does what, where, when, as well as the 
objective for each task and subtask. Letters of support for the 
applicant should be an appendix to the application and should not be 
included as part of the Proposal Narrative.
    6. Budget Narrative (in Microsoft Excel) describing how the 
categorical costs listed on the SF 424-A are derived. The budget 
narrative must provide enough detail for reviewers to easily understand 
how costs were determined and how they relate to the tasks and subtask 
of the project.
    7. Partnering Plan that includes how each partner of the applicant 
(who will be working on this project) shall aid in carrying out the 
specific tasks and subtasks. The Partnering Plan must also include 
``Letters of Commitment'' from each partner who will do the specific 
task or subtask as identified in the SOW. The Letters must (1) be dated 
within 45 days of the submission and (2) list the specific tasks or 
subtasks the committed partner has agreed to do with the applicant on 
this project.
    8. Project Plan of Operation in the Event of a Human Pandemic 
Outbreak (Pandemic Plan). RMA requires that project leaders submit a 
project plan of operation in case of a human pandemic event. The plan 
must address the concept of continuing operations as they relate to the 
project. This plan must include the roles, responsibilities, and 
contact information for the project team and individuals serving as 
back-ups in case of a pandemic outbreak.
    9. Current and Pending Report. 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. 
The percentage of each person's time associated with the work to be 
done under this project must be identified in the application. The 
total percentage of time for both ``Current'' and ``Pending'' projects 
must not exceed 100% of each person's time. 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.). If the applicant has no projects to list, ``N/A'' 
should be shown on the form. 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, will not be funded under this program. RMA 
reserves the right to reject your application based on the review of 
this information.
    10. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities.''
    11. A completed and signed AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-
Free Workplace Requirements (Grants) Alternative I--For Grantees Other 
Than Individuals.''
    Applications that do not include the items listed above will be 
considered incomplete, will not receive further consideration, and will 
be rejected.

C. Funding Restrictions

    Cooperative agreement funds under this RFA 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. Purchase portable equipment (such as laptops, projectors, etc.)
    d. Repair or maintain privately owned vehicles;
    e. Pay for the preparation of the cooperative agreement 
application;
    f. Fund political activities;
    g. Purchase alcohol, food, beverage, or entertainment;
    h. Lend money to support farming or agricultural business operation 
or expansion;
    i. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving a cooperative agreement;
    j. Provide scholarships;
    k. Pay entrance fees or other expenses to conferences or similar 
activities; or
    l. 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 will 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 will be rejected, or will only be offered a cooperative 
agreement upon the condition of changing the salary and benefits 
structure to one deemed appropriate by RMA for that

[[Page 19999]]

application. The goal of the Targeted States Program is to maximize the 
use of the limited funding available for crop insurance education to 
producers in Targeted States.

E. Indirect Cost Rates

    a. Indirect costs allowed for projects submitted under this 
announcement shall be limited to ten (10) percent of the total direct 
cost of the cooperative agreement. Therefore, when preparing budgets, 
applicants should limit their requests for recovery of indirect costs 
to the lesser of their institution's official negotiated indirect cost 
rate or 10 percent of the total direct costs.
    b. RMA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with 
successful applicants.

F. Other Submission Requirements

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

G. Acknowledgement of Applications

    Receipt of applications may be acknowledged by email, whenever 
possible; however it is the responsibility of the applicant to check 
Grants.gov for successful submission. Therefore, applicants are 
encouraged to provide email addresses in their applications. There will 
be no notification of incomplete, unqualified or unfunded applications 
until the award decisions have been made. When received by RMA, 
applications will be assigned an identification number. This number 
will be communicated to applicants in the acknowledgement of receipt of 
applications. An application's identification number must be referenced 
in all correspondence submitted by any party regarding the application. 
If the applicant does not receive an acknowledgement of application 
receipt by 15 days following the submission deadline, the applicant 
must notify RMA's point of contact indicated in Section VII, Agency 
Contact.

V. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

    Applications submitted under the Targeted States program will be 
evaluated within each Targeted State according to the following 
criteria:
Project Impacts--Maximum 20 Points Available
    Each application must demonstrate that the project benefits to 
producers warrant the funding requested. Applications will be scored 
according to the extent they can: (a) Identify the specific actions 
producers shall likely be able to take as a result of the educational 
activities described in the Proposal Narrative's Statement of Work 
(SOW); (b) identify the specific measures for evaluating results that 
shall be employed in the project; (c) reasonably estimate the total 
number of producers that shall be reached through the various methods 
and educational activities described in the Statement of Work; (d) 
identify the number of meetings that shall be held; (e) provide an 
estimate of the number of training hours that shall be held; (f) 
provide an estimated cost per producer, and (e) justify such estimates 
with specific information. Estimates for reaching agribusiness 
professionals may also be provided but such estimates must be provided 
separately from the estimates of producers. Reviewers' scoring will be 
based on the scope and reasonableness of the application's clear 
descriptions of specific expected actions producers shall accomplish, 
and well-designed methods for measuring the project's results and 
effectiveness. Applications using direct contact methods with producers 
will be scored higher.
    Applications must identify the type and number of producer actions 
expected as a result of the projects, and how results shall be 
measured, in the following categories:
     Understanding risk management tools;
     Evaluating the feasibility of implementing various risk 
management options;
     Developing risk management plans and strategies;
     Deciding on and implementing a specific course of action 
(e.g., participation in crop insurance programs or implementation of 
other risk management actions).
Statement of Work (SOW)--Maximum 20 Points Available
    Each application must include a clear and specific Statement of 
Work for the project as part of the Proposal Narrative. For each of the 
tasks contained in the Description of Agreement Award (see Section II, 
Award Information), the application must identify and describe specific 
subtasks, responsible entities including partners, expected completion 
dates, RMA substantial involvement, and deliverables that shall further 
the purpose of this program. Applications will obtain a higher score to 
the extent that the Statement of Work is specific, measurable and 
reasonable, has specific deadlines for the completion of tasks and 
subtasks, and relates directly to the required activities and the 
program purpose described in this Announcement.
Partnering--Maximum 20 Points Available
    Each application must demonstrate experience and capacity to 
partner with and gain the support of producer organizations, 
agribusiness professionals, subject matter experts, and agricultural 
leaders to carry out a local program of education and information in a 
designated Targeted State. Each application must establish a written 
Partnering Plan that describes how each partner shall aid in carrying 
out the project goal and purpose stated in this announcement and should 
include letters of commitment dated no more than 45 days prior to 
submission of the relevant application stating that the partner has 
agreed to do this work. Each application must ensure this Plan includes 
a list of all partners working on the project, their titles, and how 
they will be contribute to the deliverables listed in the application. 
The Partnering Plan will not count towards the maximum length of the 
application narrative. Applications will receive higher scores to the 
extent that the application demonstrates: (a) That partnership 
commitments are in place for the express purpose of delivering the 
program in this announcement; (b) that a broad group of producers shall 
be reached within the Targeted State; (c) that partners are 
contributing to the project and involved in recruiting producers to 
attend the training; (d) that a substantial effort has been made to 
partner with organizations that can meet the needs of producers in the 
designated Targeted State; and (e) statements from each partner 
regarding the number of producers that partner is committed to recruit 
for the project that would support the estimates specified under the 
Project Impacts criterion.
Project Management--Maximum 20 Points Available
    Each application must demonstrate an ability to implement sound and 
effective project management practices. Higher scores in this category 
will be awarded to applications that demonstrate organizational skills, 
leadership, and experience in delivering services or programs that 
assist agricultural producers in the designated Targeted State. Each 
application must

[[Page 20000]]

demonstrate that the Project Director has the capability to accomplish 
the project goal and purpose stated in this announcement by (a) having 
a previous or existing working relationship with the agricultural 
community in the designated Targeted State of the application, 
including being able to recruit approximately the number of producers 
to be reached in the application and/or (b) having established the 
capacity to partner with and gain the support of producer 
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. Applications must designate an 
alternate individual to assume responsibility as Project Director in 
the event the original Project Director is unable to finish the 
project. Applications that will employ, or have access to, personnel 
who have experience in directing local educational programs that 
benefit agricultural producers in the respective Targeted State will 
receive higher rankings in this category.
Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency--Maximum 20 Points Available
    Applications must provide a detailed budget summary, both in 
narrative and in Microsoft Excel, that clearly explains and justifies 
costs associated with the project's tasks and subtasks. Applications 
will receive higher scores in this category 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.
Bonus Points for Diversity Partnering--Maximum 25 Bonus Points 
Available
    RMA is focused on adding diversity to this program. RMA may add up 
to an additional 25 points to the final paneled score of any submission 
demonstrating a partnership with another producer group or community 
based group that represent minority producers. The application must 
state in the Partnering Plan that a Diversity Partnership is in place 
as validated by a current Letter of Commitment that identifies the 
producer group or community based group partner that will represent 
minority producers.
    ``Minority'' producers are defined as:
     African American producers
     Asian American, Pacific Islander producers
     Hispanic producers
     Native American producers

B. Selection and Review Process

    Applications will be evaluated using a two-part process. First, 
each application will be screened by USDA and RMA personnel to ensure 
that it meets the requirements in this announcement. Applications that 
do not meet the minimum requirements of this announcement or are 
incomplete will not advance to the second portion of the review 
process. Applications that meet announcement requirements will be 
grouped together for comparison by the Targeted State for which the 
application proposes to conduct the project and will be presented to a 
review panel for consideration in such groups. Thus, applications will 
only be compared against other applications for the same Targeted 
State.
    Second, the review panel will meet in person or via live meeting 
teleconference to consider and discuss the merits of each application. 
The panel will consist of at least three independent reviewers. 
Reviewers will be drawn from USDA, other Federal agencies, and/or 
public and private organizations, as needed. After considering the 
merits of all applications within a Targeted State, panel members will 
score each application according to the criteria and point values 
described above. The panel will then rank each application against 
others within the Targeted State according to the scores received.
    The review panel will report the results of the evaluation to the 
Manager of FCIC. The panel's report will include the applicants 
recommended to receive awards for each Targeted State. An application 
receiving a total score less than 60 will not receive funding.
    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 under this 
Announcement is substantially similar to or duplicative of a project 
that has been funded or has been recommended to be funded under another 
RMA or FCIC program, then the Manager may elect to not fund that 
application under this program in whole or in part, depending upon the 
extent of the similarity or duplicity of applications. The Manager of 
FCIC will make the final determination on those applications that will 
be awarded funding.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    The award document will provide pertinent instructions and 
information including, at a minimum, the following:
    (1) Legal name and address of performing organization or 
institution to which the FCIC Manager 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 for the project period;
    (7) Legal authority(ies) under which the award is issued;
    (8) Appropriate Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 
number;
    (9) Applicable award terms and conditions (see https://www.rma.usda.gov/business/awards/awardterms.html to view RMA award 
terms and conditions);
    (10) Approved budget plan for categorizing allowable project funds 
to accomplish the stated purpose of the award; and
    (11) Other information or provisions required 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, awardees whose applications have been selected 
for funding will be notified. Within the limit of funds available for 
such a purpose, the Manager of FCIC will enter into cooperative 
agreements with the awardees. After a cooperative agreement has been 
signed by all Parties (including RMA), RMA will extend to awardees, in 
writing, the authority to draw down funds for the purpose of conducting 
the activities listed in the agreement. All funds provided to the 
awardee by RMA must be expended solely for the purpose for which the 
funds are obligated in accordance with the approved agreement and any 
applicable Federal law. No commitment of Federal assistance beyond the 
project period is made or implied for any award resulting from this 
notice.
    Notification to applicants for whom funding is denied will be sent 
to applicants after final funding decisions

[[Page 20001]]

have been made and awardees have been announced publicly. Reasons for 
denial of funding may include, but are not limited to, incomplete 
applications, applications with evaluation scores below 60, or 
applications with evaluation scores that are lower than those of other 
applications in a Targeted State. Debriefings will be offered to 
unsuccessful applicants.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. Requirement to Use USDA Logo
    Awardees of cooperative agreements will be required to use a USDA 
logo provided by RMA for all instructional and promotional materials if 
appropriate.
2. Requirement to Provide Project Information to RMA-selected 
Representative(s)
    Awardees of cooperative agreements may be required to assist RMA in 
evaluating the effectiveness of its educational programs by notifying 
the RMA of upcoming training, meeting, and by providing documentation 
of educational activities, materials, and related information to any 
representative(s) selected by RMA for program evaluation purposes.
3. Access to Panel Review Information
    Upon written request from the applicant, scores from the evaluation 
panel, not including the identity of reviewers, will be sent to the 
applicant after the review and awards process has been completed.
4. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards
    The names of applicants, the names of individuals identified in the 
applications, the content of applications, and the panel evaluations of 
applications will remain confidential, except to those involved in the 
review process, to the extent permitted by law. In addition, the 
identities of review panel members will remain confidential throughout 
the entire review process and will not be released to applicants. At 
the end of the fiscal year, names of panel members may be made 
available. However, panelists will not be identified with the review of 
any particular application.
    When an application results in a cooperative agreement, that 
agreement becomes a part of the official record of RMA transactions, 
available to the public upon specific request. Information that the 
Secretary of Agriculture determines to be of a confidential, 
privileged, or proprietary nature will be held in confidence to the 
extent permitted by law. Therefore, any information that the applicant 
wishes to be considered confidential, privileged, or proprietary must 
be clearly marked within an application, including the legal basis for 
such designation. The original copy and extra copies of all 
applications, regardless of whether the application results in an 
award, will be retained by RMA for a period of at least three years, 
then may be destroyed. Any copies of an application will be released 
only to the extent required by law. An application may be withdrawn at 
any time prior to the time when award decisions are made.
5. Audit Requirements
    Awardees of cooperative agreements may be subject to audit.
6. Prohibitions and Requirements With Regards to Lobbying
    All cooperative agreements will 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.
7. Applicable OMB Circulars
    All cooperative agreements funded as a result of this notice will 
be subject to the requirements contained in all applicable OMB 
circulars) https://www.whitehouse.gov/omg/grants_circulars.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Requirement To Participate in a Post Award Civil Rights Training 
Teleconference
    RMA requires that project leaders participate in a post award Civil 
Rights and EEO training teleconference to become fully aware of Civil 
Rights and EEO law and requirements.
11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the National AgRisk 
Education Library
    RMA requires that awardees upload digital copies of all risk 
management educational materials developed as part of the project to 
the National AgRisk Education Library (https://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for 
posting, if electronically reporting. RMA must 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 awardees submit results of the project to the 
National AgRisk Education Library (https://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for 
posting, if electronically reporting. RMA must be clearly identified as 
having provided funding for the materials.

C. Reporting Requirements

    Awardees shall be required to submit quarterly progress reports 
using the Performance Progress Report (OMB SF-PPR) as the cover sheet 
and quarterly financial reports (OMB SF 425)

[[Page 20002]]

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 for 
the Results Verification System is www.agrisk.umn.edu/RMA/Reporting.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants and other interested 
parties must contact: USDA-RMA-RME, phone: 202-720-0779, email: 
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. The Restriction of the Expenditure of Funds To Enter Into Financial 
Transactions

    The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (Pub. L. 112-55) contains 
the restriction of the expenditure of funds to enter into financial 
transactions Corporations that have been convicted of felonies within 
the past 24 months or that have federal tax delinquencies where the 
agency is aware of the felonies and/or tax delinquencies.
Section 738 (Felony Provision)
    None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to enter 
into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative agreement 
with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan guarantee to any 
corporation that was convicted (or had an officer or agency of such 
corporation acting on behalf of the corporation convicted) of a felony 
criminal violation under any Federal or State law within the preceding 
24 months, where the awarding agency is aware of the conviction, unless 
the agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation, 
or such officer or agent, and made a determination that this further 
action is not necessary to protect the interest of the Government.
Section 739 (Tax Delinquency Provision)
    None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to enter 
into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative agreement 
with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan guarantee to, any 
corporation that [has] any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been 
assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been 
exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner 
pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting 
the tax liability, where the awarding agency is aware of the unpaid tax 
liability, unless the agency has considered suspension or debarment of 
the corporation and made a determination that this further action is 
not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.

B. 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 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.

C. 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 subrecipients 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 1-866-705-5711) 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.

[[Page 20003]]

    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 Subawards 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 subaward 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 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 Subrecipient Executives

    1. Applicability and what to report. Unless you are exempt as 
provided in paragraph d. of this award term, for each first-tier 
subrecipient under this award, you shall report the names and total 
compensation of each of the subrecipient's five most highly compensated 
executives for the subrecipient'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 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 (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 subrecipient.

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:

[[Page 20004]]

    i. Receives a sub award 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 March 26, 2012.
William J. Murphy,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2012-7902 Filed 4-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P