Funding Opportunity Title: Risk Management Education Partnerships Program, 34313-34323 [2013-13241]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 110 (Friday, June 7, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34313-34323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13241]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Funding Opportunity Title: Risk Management Education Partnerships 
Program

    Announcement Type: Announcement of Availability of Funds and 
Request for Application for Competitive Cooperative Partnership 
Agreements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDAs): 10.460.

SUMMARY: 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

[[Page 34314]]

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. All 
applications, which must be submitted electronically through 
rma.agrisk.umn.edu must be received by close of business (COB) 11:59 
p.m. EST. on July 22, 2013. Hard copy applications will NOT be 
accepted. A tutorial on how to apply is available at 
rma.agrisk.umn.edu.

SUMMARY: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating 
through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces its intent to award 
approximately $3,000,000 to fund the Risk Management Education 
Partnerships Program. The minimum award for any cooperative partnership 
agreement is $20,000. The maximum award for any cooperative partnership 
agreement is $99,999. The cooperative partnership agreements will be 
awarded on a competitive basis up to one year from the date of the 
award. The purpose of this competitive cooperative partnership 
agreement 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 partnerships to develop and deliver crop 
insurance education and other risk management training. Education 
activities developed under the Risk Management Education Partnerships 
Program will provide U.S. farmers and ranchers, including limited 
resource, socially disadvantaged, and other traditionally under-served 
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.

This Announcement Consists of Eight Sections

Section I--Funding Opportunity Description
    A. Legislative Authority
    B. Background
    C. Project Goal
    D. Definition of Priority Commodities
Section II--Award Information
    A. Type of Application
    B. Funding Availability
    C. Minimum and Maximum Award
    D. Project Period
    E. Location and Target Audience
    F. Audience Emphasis
    G. RMA Substantial Involvement
    H. Description of Agreement Award--Awardee Tasks
    I. Other Tasks
Section III--Eligibility Information
    A. Eligible Applicants
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching Funding
    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. Review and Selection 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 an RMA-Selected 
Representative
    3. Access to Panel Review Information
    4. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards
    5. Audit Requirements
    6. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding 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
    11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the Ag Risk 
and Farm Management 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 System for Awards Management 
(SAM) for Submission of Proposals

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Legislative Authority

    The Risk Management Education 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)) and provides FCIC funding for risk management 
training and informational efforts for agricultural producers through 
the formation of partnerships with public and private organizations.

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.

C. 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.'' One 
of RMA's strategic goals is to ensure that producers are well informed 
of the risk management solutions available to them. 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.

D. 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.
    1. 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,

[[Page 34315]]

vegetables, tree nuts, syrups, honey, roots, herbs, and highly 
specialized varieties of traditional crops.
    2. Underserved commodities. This group includes: (a) Commodities, 
including livestock and forage, that are 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.
    For the 2013 fiscal year, the FCIC Board of Directors and the FCIC 
Manager are seeking projects that (1) address one or more of the 
Priority Commodities (as defined above), (2) provides Crop Insurance 
Education on FCIC approved policies, or (3) address one or more of the 
five (5) areas of risk described as Production, Legal, Financial, 
Marketing or Human Risk including but not limited to:
     Education on the proper use and application of cover crops 
as recommended or recognized by USDA, to include a thorough discussion 
of how cover crops are specifically recognized within the Federal crop 
insurance program and administered in accordance with USDA procedures 
or recognized good farming practices applicable specific crop and 
regions/location;
     Crop Insurance Education on:
    [cir] Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (Rainfall Index) program;
    [cir] Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (Vegetative Index) program;
    [cir] Enterprise Units;
    [cir] Prevented Planting;
     Crop Insurance Education and Risk Management Training on 
the five (5) areas of risk to High School or College Students who are 
preparing careers in agriculture;
     Record Keeping practices;
     Farm Benchmarking for production and financial management;
     Commodity Contracting and Hedging methods;
     Marketing Strategies to promote domestic and foreign 
market opportunities to local producers;
     Production and Market Strategies to expand the use of farm 
products differently for value added (such as using plant residue for 
biomass);
     Organic production methods;
     Integrated Livestock Crop management practices;
     Best Practices to Transition Conservation Reserve Program 
Land to Crop Production;
     Crop Insurance Education and Risk Management 
Training to producers in designated Strike Force areas as defined by 
USDA (www.usda.gov/strikeforce);
     Translating RMA Risk Management Education brochures into 
Spanish, Hmong or Navajo language for producer crop insurance 
education;
     Farm and Food safety education to farmworkers;
     Proper Irrigation Methods;
     Erosion Control Measures;
     Good Farming Practices;
     Forest Management;
     Range Management;
     Water Management;
     Jackson Regional Office area: Livestock Risk Protection 
Program;
     Topeka Regional Office area: Livestock Risk Protection 
Program, Livestock Gross Margin Program, and AGR-lite Program;
     Billings, Oklahoma City, and Topeka Regional Offices' 
areas: Training on the new Annual Forage Policy (2014 Crop Year); or
     Spokane Regional Office Area: AGR and AGR-Lite, Perennial 
Crops; Revenue Insurance for non-Board of Trade Commodities; Livestock 
Gross Margin Dairy, Livestock Protection Program; Crop Insurance for 
Irrigated Crops; and Crop Insurance for Organic Crops.

II. Award Information

A. Type of Application

    Only electronic applications will be accepted and they must be 
submitted through rma.agrisk.umn.edu. Hard copy applications will NOT 
be accepted. Applications submitted to the Risk Management Education 
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 (Section 
II, G).

B. Funding Availability

    There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application. 
Approximately $3,000,000 is available in fiscal year 2013. All awards 
will be made and agreements finalized no later than September 1, 2013 
with the project start date of September 30, 2013.

C. Minimum and Maximum Award

    Any application that requests Federal funding of less than $20,000 
or more than $99,999 for a project will be rejected. RMA also reserves 
the right to fund successful applications at an amount less than 
requested if it is judged that the application can be implemented at a 
lower funding level.

D. Project Period

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

E. Location and Audience Emphasis

    RMA Regional Offices and the States available for competition for 
this award are listed below. Staff from the respective RMA Regional 
Offices will provide substantial involvement (as defined in G below) 
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, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, 
NY, NC, PA, RI, VT, VA, 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, PR, and SC)

    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. Applications may designate more than one state but 
cannot designate more than one RMA Region. Applications with proposed 
activities in more than one state all serviced by the same RMA Region 
are acceptable. 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.

F. Audience Emphasis

    Audience emphasis is on U.S. producers and ranchers, while reaching 
out to, for example, small, limited resource and socially disadvantaged 
producers and ranchers to ensure they are given the opportunity to 
participate in educational activities. Other Producer types to which 
the Applicant may propose to direct its training may include, but are 
not necessarily limited to, traditional farmers and ranchers; new and 
beginning farmers; women; veterans; minority producers, and

[[Page 34316]]

producers living in areas designated as Strike Force communities as 
defined by USDA, provided that the producers in these categories that 
are emphasized also meet the minimum statutory criteria.

G. RMA Substantial Involvement

    FCIC, working through RMA, will be substantially involved during 
the performance of the funded project through RMA's ten (10) Regional 
Offices (see E above). 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 tasks and subtasks of the project.
    Applications that do not address substantial involvement by RMA 
will be rejected.

H. 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 in English or a non-
English language to producers as appropriate to the audience. 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 in English 
or non-English language as appropriate to the audience 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 awardee 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.

I. 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.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants include not-for profit organizations, 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 
or other agricultural-related services to producers; nongovernmental 
organizations; junior and four-year colleges or universities or 
foundations maintained by a college or university; 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.
    1. Individuals are not eligible applicants.
    2. 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 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 will 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 will 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 will 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.

C. 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

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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 to rma.agrisk.umn.edu in response to this Announcement. Prior 
to preparing an application, it is suggested that the Project Director 
(PD) first contact an Authorized Representative (AR) or the Authorized 
Organizational Representative (AOR) to determine if the organization is 
prepared to submit electronic applications through rma.agrisk.umn.edu. 
Applicants must have a Duns and Bradstreet number and must be 
registered in System for Awards Management (www.SAM.gov)

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The applicant is strongly encouraged to use the tutorial located at 
rma.agrisk.umn.edu. After completing the tutorial, the final 
application must be submitted to the same site: rma.agrisk.umn.edu. 
Hard copy of the application will not be accepted. The system will 
prompt the applicant for the following items:
    1. Project Information. Information must include the Project Name, 
RMA Regional Office, State/Area, Project Director's Name and Contact 
Information; Second Project Point of Contact Name and Contact 
Information; and Financial Representative or Grants Office Official and 
Contact Information.
    2. Executive Summary of the Project (limit 200 words). This is a 
summary of the project and includes the project's goal and objectives, 
location of work, audience to be reached, and expected impacts and 
results of the work completed.
    3. Proposed Results. Applicants must clearly identify the proposed 
results that producers will gain as a result of participating in the 
project. Each proposed result should identify the specific actions 
producers will take as a result of the education activities.
    4. Audience Emphasis. Applicant may select one or more audiences 
that the project will intentionally reach.
    5. Statement of Work. The Statement of Work (SOW) is in a table 
format and 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 RMA's substantial 
involvement. Tasks that directly involve producer participants, such as 
workshops, should estimate the number of participants to be reached. 
The SOW must be very clear on who does what, where, and when, as well 
as, the objective for each task and subtask.
    6. Proposal Narrative (limit of 400 words). The proposal narrative 
is a description of work to be done, why the work is important, who 
will benefit from the work and any additional explanation of the 
expected results entered under Proposed Results that you want to 
communicate. The narrative should (a) Discuss the specific actions 
producers will likely be able to take as a result of the educational 
activities; (b) identify the specific measures for evaluating results 
that will be used in the project; (c) reasonably estimate the total 
number of producers that will be reached through the educational 
activities; (d) identify the location and number of meetings that will 
be held; (e) provide an estimate of the number of training hours that 
will be conducted; (f) provide an estimated cost per producer, and (e) 
justify such estimates with specific information.
    7. Team and Partners. There are three subsections under Team and 
Partners. (1) Key Personnel: This section must list designated key 
personnel, and any partner(s) or consultant(s) who will be working on 
this project. Each person identified must be described by title, role, 
and responsibilities including specific tasks and subtasks in the SOW 
designated to them. (2) Organizational Capacity: The organizational 
capacity of the applicant must be described to assure RMA that 
designated key personnel have the skills, knowledge and experience to 
do the work described in the SOW and have the necessary resources to 
add other team members as necessary. (3) Partnering Plan: Each Partner 
or Consultant working on the project must be listed and must include 
what skills, knowledge, and experience that they will provide that is 
not already present in the applicant's organization, as well as why 
that skill, knowledge, or experience is important and what will be the 
cost and benefit of their involvement. Higher consideration will be 
given to an application that includes partnering activities with groups 
representing small, limited resource, or socially disadvantaged 
producers.
    8. Budget Narrative must show the total cost for the project. The 
budget narrative must also include the cost per producer. The budget 
must describe how category 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 subtasks listed in the SOW. There must be a relationship between 
work planned and performed to the costs incurred.
    9. Priority Commodities. This section must list the Priorities 
Commodities addressed as defined in Section I, D.
    10. RMA Substantial Involvement. This section must describe what 
tasks will be completed with RMA assistance as defined under RMA 
Substantial Involvement in Section II, G.
    11. Non-Financial Benefits. This section must describe the Non-
Financial Benefits from the proposed project as defined in Section III, 
C.
    12. Pandemic 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.
    13. Requested Documents (to be downloaded from the system, 
completed and uploaded prior to submission of the application).
     A completed OMB Standard Form 424, ``Application for 
Federal Assistance.''
     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 $99,999.
     A completed OMB Standard Form 424-B, ``Assurances, Non-
constructive Programs.''
     A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, Disclosure 
of Lobbying Activities.
     A completed and signed AD-1049, Certification Regarding 
Drug-Free Workplace
     Current and Pending Report. This form 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

[[Page 34318]]

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.
     Letters of Support. Letters of Support may be submitted 
that recommends the applicant to RMA based on previous good work 
performance. Each letter must include the contact information of the 
writer, what work was done including specific tasks or subtasks, when 
the work was done, and what outcome was achieved by the applicant.
     Letters of Commitment. A Letter of Commitment is required 
from each partner, which includes each partner and consultant, who will 
do each 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 Letter of Commitment are required for 
each partner or consultant who is designated to do a specific task or 
subtask as identified in the SOW.
    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 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 installs fixed equipment;
    c. Purchase portable equipment (such as laptops, I-pads, cell 
phones, projectors or similar items. Rental or lease fees are payable 
from RMA funds for such items in lieu of purchase.)
    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, give-away promotional items, 
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 producer scholarships to meetings, seminars or similar 
events;
    k. Pay entrance fees, conference registration fees, or other 
expenses to conferences or similar activities for any person not on the 
agenda or not working at an event booth promoting RMA programs or the 
RMA funded project. These expenses will not be paid for the awardee's 
Board of Directors, family members or similar entities. These fees will 
not be paid for the awardee to attend personal development training in 
order to train producers;
    l. Pay costs associated 501(c) applications;
    m. 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 will 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 
work 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.

E. Indirect Cost Rates

    1. Indirect costs allowed for projects submitted under this 
Announcement will 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

    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. Application packages submitted after the deadline will be 
rejected.

V. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

    Applications submitted under the Risk Management Education 
Partnerships Program will be evaluated within each RMA Region according 
to the following criteria:
Project Results--Maximum 20 Points Available
    Each application must demonstrate that the project benefits and 
results to producers warrant the funding requested. Applications will 
be scored according to the extent they can: (a) Identify the specific 
actions producers will likely be able to take as a result of the 
educational activities described in the Proposal Narrative; (b) 
identify the specific measures for evaluating results that will be 
employed in the project including but limited to a change in producer 
behavior that results in (i) understanding crop insurance program and 
other risk management tools presented, (ii) evaluating what risk 
management options works best for his/her operation, and (iii) 
developing and implementing a specific course of action (e.g., 
participation in crop insurance programs or creating a risk management 
plan or other risk management actions); (c) reasonably estimate the 
total number of producers that will be reached through the various 
methods and educational activities described in the Statement of Work; 
(d) identify the number of meetings that will be held; (e) provide an 
estimate of the number of training hours that will be held; (f) 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 
will accomplish, and well-designed methods for measuring the project's 
results and effectiveness.
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.

[[Page 34319]]

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 and deliverables that will further the 
purpose of this program. RMA substantial involvement must be included. 
Higher consideration will be given to the Statement of Work that 
demonstrates specific, measurable results and definite deadlines for 
the completion of tasks and subtasks.
Partnering--Maximum 20 Points Available
    Each application must list all partners working on the project, 
their titles, and how they will contribute to the deliverables listed 
in the application. The application must describe how each partner will 
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. 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 will be reached within the 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 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.
Key Personnel and Organizational Capacity--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 State. Each application 
must 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 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 State will receive 
higher rankings in this category.
Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency--Maximum 20 Points Available
    Applications must provide a (1) Total cost of the project; (2) cost 
per producer and (3) a detailed budget summary 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.

B. Review and Selection 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 requirements of this Announcement or that are 
incomplete will 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 will 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 will 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 will score each application according to the criteria and 
point values listed above. The panel will then rank each application 
against others within the RMA Region 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 recommended 
applicants to receive cooperative partnership agreements for each RMA 
Region. Funding will not be provided for an application receiving a 
score less than 60. Funding will not be provided for an application 
that is ``highly similar'' to a higher-scoring application in the same 
RMA Region. ``Highly similar'' is defined as one that proposes to reach 
the same producers, farmers and ranchers who are likely to be reached 
by another applicant that scored higher by the panel and provides the 
same general educational material. 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 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 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;
    (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 RMA award terms and conditions;
    (10) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds 
to

[[Page 34320]]

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 will enter into cooperative partnership agreements with those 
selected applicants.
    After a cooperative partnership agreement has been signed, 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 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 will be sent to applicants after 
final funding decisions have been made and the awardees announced 
publicly. Unsuccessful applicants will be provided a debriefing upon 
request to the Director, Risk Management Education.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. Requirement To Use USDA Logo
    Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements will be 
required to use a USDA Logo provided by RMA for all instructional and 
promotional materials, when deemed appropriate.
2. Requirement To Provide Project Materials and Information to an RMA-
Selected Representative
    Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements will be 
required to provide RMA educational materials, tools, Web pages or 
similar items no later than 20 business days before use in the public 
domain for the purpose of RMA review and approval. Educational 
materials cannot be used without RMA approval. In addition, award 
recipients will assist RMA in evaluating the effectiveness of its 
educational programs by notifying RMA of upcoming training meeting and 
by providing documentation of educational activities, materials, and 
related information to any representative 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 award 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 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 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 will be made 
available. However, panelists will 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 
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 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 will 
be retained by RMA for a period of one year. Other copies will be 
destroyed. Copies of applications not receiving awards will 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.
5. Audit Requirements
    Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements are subject 
to audit.
6. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding 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 partnership agreements funded as a result of this 
notice will be subject to the requirements contained in all applicable 
OMB circulars at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/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. Although awardees are required to 
report on their civil rights compliance using demographic data among 
other methodologies, awardees are not required to collect demographic 
data directly from producers until such time as RMA has an approved 
form and process in place for that purpose.
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 will

[[Page 34321]]

be followed in administering the agreement and will 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
    RMA requires that project leaders participate in a post award Civil 
Rights and EEO training to become fully aware of Civil Rights and EEO 
law and requirements.
11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the Ag Risk and Farm 
Management Library
    RMA requires that project leaders upload digital copies of all risk 
management educational materials developed because of the project to 
the Ag Risk and Farm Management Library at www.agrisk.umn.edu for 
posting. RMA will be clearly identified as having provided funding for 
the materials.

C. Reporting Requirements

    Awardees will be required to submit 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 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, 
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 System for Award Management (SAM) 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 SAM Requirements found at 
2 CFR part 25. For the purposes of this RFA, the term ``you'' in 
Attachment A will mean ``applicant''. The applicant will 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 will mean ``applicant''. SAM (www.SAM.gov) 
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 SAM prior to the submission of applications. A DUNS number is needed 
for SAM registration. For information about how to register in SAM, 
access www.SAM.gov. Allow a minimum of 5 business days to complete the 
SAM 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. System for Award Management (SAM) Registration and Universal 
Identifier Requirements

A. Requirement for SAM

    Unless you are exempted from this requirement under 2 CFR 
25.110, you as the recipient must maintain the currency of your 
information in SAM 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. SAM 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 www.SAM.gov.
    2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number means the nine-
digit number

[[Page 34322]]

established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D & B) to 
uniquely identify business entities. A DUNS number may be obtained 
from D & B at www.fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
    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, 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, 2012, the 
obligation must be reported by no later than December 31, 2012.)
    3. What to report. You must report the information about each 
obligating action that the submission instructions posted at https://www.fsrs.gov.
    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.SAM.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 will 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 (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 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.

[[Page 34323]]

    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 May 30, 2013.
Brandon Willis,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.

[FR Doc. 2013-13241 Filed 6-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P