Funding Opportunity Title: Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States Announcement Type: Announcement of Availability of Funds and Request for Applications (RFA) for Competitive Cooperative Agreements, 27848-27857 [2014-11238]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 94 (Thursday, May 15, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27848-27857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11238]


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 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Funding Opportunity Title: Crop Insurance Education in Targeted 
States 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

    Summary: The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating 
through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces its intent to award 
approximately $5,000,000 to fund cooperative agreements under the Crop 
Insurance Education in Targeted States Program.
    Dates: All applications, which must be submitted electronically 
through https://rvs.umn.edu/Home.aspx, must be received by close of 
business (COB) on [11:59 p.m. EST] June 30, 2014. Hard copy 
applications will NOT be accepted. A tutorial on how to apply is 
available at https://rvs.umn.edu/rmaresources.
    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 crop insurance education 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 such as AGR/AGR-lite or Whole Farm, Supplemental Coverage 
Option (SCO), and Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) where 
available;
     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 
(including farm financial benchmarking) tools; and
     How to make informed decisions on crop insurance prior to 
the sales closing date deadline.

    Funding availability for this program may be announced at 
approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but 
separate program, the Risk Management Education 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
    D. Maximum Award
    E. Project Period
    F. Audience Emphasis
    G. Description of Agreement Award--Awardee Tasks
    H. RMA Substantial Involvement
    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 SAM (www.SAM.gov) for 
Submission of Proposals

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 programs 
aimed at equal access and participation of underserved communities, and 
providing risk management education and information.
    One of RMA's strategic goals is to ensure that its customers are 
well-informed 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

[[Page 27849]]

participation and availability, and producers are underserved by the 
Federal crop insurance program. In accordance with the FCIA, the States 
with this designation for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 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 
including but not limited to:
    Applications submitted under this RFA must demonstrate how the 
proposed crop insurance education 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 such as AGR/AGR-lite and Whole Farm;
     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 
(including farm financial benchmarking) tools; and
     How to make informed decisions on crop insurance prior to 
the sales closing date deadline.
    In carrying out the requirements under section 11027 of Public Law 
113-79, the Secretary of Agriculture has placed special emphasis on 
risk management strategies (including farm financial benchmarking), 
education and crop insurance education 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; and15MY3.
    (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 https://rvs.umn.edu/Home.aspx. 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 Information. 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 (in fiscal year 2014) to fund one or more cooperative 
agreement(s) not to exceed the maximum funding amount established for 
each of the Targeted States. 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 1, 2014 with a project start date of September 30, 
2014.

C. Location

    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

[[Page 27850]]

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.

E. Project Period

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

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, crop insurance 
educational activities targeting farmers and ranchers producing and 
marketing their products as part of a local or regional food system; 
and producers living in areas designated as Strike Force or Promise 
Zone communities as defined by USDA, provided that the producers in 
these categories that are emphasized also meet the minimum statutory 
criteria.

G. 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 will 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 will 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 will 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.

H. RMA Substantial Involvement

    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 will 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 of the project.
    Applications that do not contain substantial involvement by RMA 
will be rejected.

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 such as crop insurance educational 
activities targeting producers engaged in local or regional food 
systems. For any proposed additional task, the applicant must identify 
the objective of the task, specific time lines for performing the 
tasks, 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 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 
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; 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.

[[Page 27851]]

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 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 https://rvs.umn.edu/Home.aspx 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 https://rvs.umn.edu/Home.aspx. 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 
https://rvs.umn.edu/Home.aspx. After completing the tutorial, the final 
application must be submitted to the same site: https://rvs.umn.edu/Home.aspx. 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; a second, or alternative Project Director's Name and 
Contact Information, and a Financial Representative or Grants Office 
Official and Contact Information. A second Point of Contact Name and 
Contact Information may be added at the discretion of the applicant.
    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 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 clearly identify each task associated with the work, 
the objective of each task specific time lines for performing the each 
task, and the responsible party for completing the activities listed 
under each task including the specific responsibilities of applicant, 
the applicant's partner(s), and RMA's substantial involvement. Tasks 
that directly involve producer participants, such as workshops, must 
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.
    6. Proposal Narrative (limit of 600 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 specific crop insurance 
education and risk management training to be developed for use with 
producers; (b) identify the location and number of meetings that will 
be held; (c) reasonably estimate the total number of producers for each 
session or meeting identified in the Statement of Work that will be 
reached through (i) direct face-to face educational activities with an 
explanation of how the number was determined and (ii) through other 
means such as direct mailings, Web site, etc. with an explanation of 
how the number determined; (d) provide an estimate of the number of 
training hours that will be conducted with an explanation of how the 
number was determined; (e) provide an estimated cost per producer with 
an explanation of how the cost was determined, and (f) discuss the 
methods and resulting measures used to evaluate the results of the 
education and training delivered to producers
    7. Team and Partners. There are three subsections under Team and 
Partners. (1) Key Personnel: This section must list designated key 
personnel employed directly by the applicant, any partner(s) of the 
applicant, or consultant(s) of the applicant or applicant's partner who 
will have significant involvement on this project. Each person 
identified must be described by title, role, and responsibilities 
including 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. Specific tasks in the SOW 
must designated to them must agree with this section of the application 
or the application will be rejected. (2) Organizational Capacity: The 
organizational capacity of the applicant must be described to assure 
RMA that designated key personnel, contracted employees, partners or 
consultants working on the project 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 to complete the work. 
(3) Partnering Plan: To submit a successful Partnering Plan, all 
partners of the applicant working on the project must submit a Letter 
of Commitment which clearly states that the named partner will work 
with the applicant on the project, if awarded, as well as the role and 
responsibilities assigned.
    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

[[Page 27852]]

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 listed in the SOW. There must be a 
relationship between work planned and performed to the costs incurred.
    9. RMA Substantial Involvement. This section must describe RMA 
assistance as defined under RMA Substantial Involvement in Section II, 
G.
    10. Non-Financial Benefits. This section must describe the Non-
Financial Benefits from the proposed project as defined in Section III, 
C.
    11. 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 be less than $20,000 
or 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 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 Commitment. A Letter of Commitment is required 
from each partner or consultant partner of the applicant who will do 
the specific task as identified in the SOW. The Letters must (1) be 
dated within 45 days of the submission and (2) list the specific tasks 
to be done.
    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

    RMA cooperative partnership agreement funds may not be used to:
    a. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or 
facility including a processing facility;
    b. Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment;
    c. 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 
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 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 will 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. Application packages submitted after the deadline will be 
rejected.

V. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

    Applications submitted under the Targeted States Program will be 
evaluated within each RMA Region according to the following criteria:
Project Results--Maximum 30 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 by

[[Page 27853]]

the applicant in the Proposed Results; (b) identify the specific 
measures for evaluating results 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) listed by the applicant in the 
Proposal Narrative; and (c) compare work described in the Proposal 
Narrative and the Statement of Work (e.g., work to be done) against the 
Budget Narrative information (e.g. cost of work to be done) to the 
Proposed Results (e.g., benefits to the producers). Higher 
consideration will be given to applications that demonstrate a clear 
description of the crop insurance education and risk management 
training to be delivered, expected actions producers will accomplish, 
well-designed methods for measuring the project's results, and the best 
use of funds for the number of producers reached at the cost per 
producer.
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 
tasks, 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.
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 must 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. No points will be given if a partner is listed but 
there is no corresponding Letter of Commitment from the partner who is 
listed in the application.
Key Personnel and Organizational Capacity--Maximum 10 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 narrative that clearly explains 
and justifies costs associated with the project's tasks listed in the 
Statement of Work. Applications must provide detailed costs by tasks 
listed in the Statement of Work. 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 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.

[[Page 27854]]

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 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 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

[[Page 27855]]

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/omb/grantscirculars.
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. Sec.  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 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 
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 Ag Risk and Farm 
Management Library
    RMA requires that awardees upload digital copies of all risk 
management educational materials developed as part of the project to 
the Ag Risk and Farm Management Library 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 Ag Risk and Farm 
Management Library
    RMA requires that awardees submit results of the project to the Ag 
Risk and Farm Management Library www.agrisk.umn.edu for posting. RMA 
must be clearly identified as having provided funding for the 
materials.

C. Reporting Requirements

    Awardees will 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) 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 https://rvs.umn.edu/Home.aspx/Home.aspx.

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 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''. The 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

[[Page 27856]]

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 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 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, 2014, the obligation 
must be reported by no later than December 31, 2014.)
    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 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 will 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

[[Page 27857]]

Act, as defined at ~ CFR 170.320 (and subawards); and
    (B) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal 
procurement contracts (and subcontracts), and Federal financial 
assistance subject to the Transparency Act (and subawards); and
    ii. The public does not have access to information about the 
compensation of the executives through periodic reports filed under 
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 
U.S.C. 78m(a), 780(d) or Section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986. (To determine if the public has access to the compensation 
information, see the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission total 
compensation filings at https://www.sec.gov/answers/execomp.htm.)
    2. Where and when to report. You must report subrecipient executive 
total compensation described in paragraph c.1. of this award term:
    i. To the recipient.
    ii. By the end of the month following the month during which you 
make the subaward. For example, if a subaward is obligated on any date 
during the month of October of a given year (i.e., between October 1 
and 31), you must report any required compensation information of the 
subrecipient by November 30 of that year.

d. Exemptions

    If, in the previous tax year, you had gross income, from all 
sources, under $300,000, you are exempt from the requirements to 
report:
    i. Subawards, and
    ii. The total compensation of the five most highly compensated 
executives of any sub recipient.

e. Definitions

     For purposes of this award term:
    1. Entity means all of the following, as defined in 2 CFR part 25:
    i. A Governmental organization, which is a State, local government, 
or Indian tribe;
    ii. A foreign public entity;
    iii. A domestic or foreign nonprofit organization;
    iv. A domestic or foreign for-profit organization;
    v. A Federal agency, but only as a subrecipient under an award or 
subaward to a non-Federal entity.
    2. Executive means officers, managing partners, or any other 
employees in management positions.
    3. Subaward:
    1. This term means a legal instrument to provide support for the 
performance of any portion of the substantive project or program for 
which you received this award and that you as the recipient award to an 
eligible subrecipient.
    ii. The term does not include your procurement of property and 
services needed to carry out the project or program (for further 
explanation, see 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.
    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 12, 2014.
Brandon Willis,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2014-11238 Filed 5-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P