Proposed Rules. Proposed rule; reopening of comment period, notice of availability of draft economic analysis, and amended required determinations

Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior
Action: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period, notice of availability of draft economic analysis, and amended required determinations
Citation: FR Doc. 07-1178 · RIN 1018-AU76 · 50 CFR 17

Summary

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the comment period on the proposed designation of critical habitat for the plant Catesbaea melanocarpa (no common name) and the availability of the draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The draft economic analysis identifies potential costs of approximately $132,300 to $441,000 over a 20-year period as a result of the proposed designation of critical habitat, including those costs coextensive with listing. We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed rule and the associated draft economic analysis. If you previously submitted comments on the proposed rule, you need not resubmit them, because we have incorporated them into the public record and will fully considered them in preparation of our final rule.

Dates

We will accept public comments on this document and the proposed rule published at 71 FR 48883, Aug. 22, 2006 until April 13, 2007.

Supplementary Information

Public Comments Solicited We intend that any final action resulting from this proposal will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we hereby solicit comments or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested party concerning this proposed rule and the draft economic analysis. We particularly seek comments concerning: (1) The reasons we should or should not determine any habitat to be critical habitat as provided by section 4 of the Act; (2) Specific information on the presence of Catesbaea melanocarpa , particularly: of the areas that were occupied at the time of listing and contain features that are essential for the conservation of the species, which areas we should include in the designations, and why; and, of the areas that were not occupied at listing, which are essential to the conservation of the species, and why; (3) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat; (4) Any foreseeable economic, national security, or other potential impacts resulting from the proposed designation and, in particular, any impacts on small entities; (5) Whether the draft economic analysis identifies all State and local costs attributable to the proposed critical habitat designation, and information on any costs that we may have inadvertently overlooked; (6) Whether the draft economic analysis makes appropriate assumptions regarding current practices and likely regulatory changes imposed as a result of the designation of critical habitat; (7) Whether the draft economic analysis correctly assesses the effect on regional costs associated with any land use controls that may derive from the designation of critical habitat; (8) Any foreseeable economic or other impacts resulting from the proposed designation of critical habitat, and in particular, any impacts on small entities or families; and other information that would indicate that the designation of critical habitat would or would not have any impacts on small entities or families; (9) Whether the draft economic analysis appropriately identifies all costs and benefits that could result from the designation; (10) Whether we could improve or modify our approach to critical habitat designation in any way, to provide for greater public participation and understanding, or to assist us in accommodating public concern and comments; and (11) Whether the benefits of exclusion in any particular area outweigh the benefits of inclusion. If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposal by any one of several methods (see ADDRESSES ). Please submit comments electronically to marelisa_rivera@fws.gov . Please also include “Attn: Catesbaea melanocarpa ” in your e-mail subject header, and your name and return address in the body of your message. If you do not receive a confirmation from the system that we have received your electronic message, contact us directly by calling the Caribbean Fish and Wildlife Service Office at 787-851-7297. Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their names and home addresses, etc., but if you wish us to consider withholding this information, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. In addition, you must present rationale for withholding this information. This rationale must demonstrate that disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of exceptional, documentable circumstances, we will release this information. We will always make submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments and materials we receive will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the Caribbean Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES ). You may obtain copies of the proposed rule and draft economic analysis for critical habitat designation by mail from the Caribbean Fish and Wildlife Office at the address listed under ADDRESSES or on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/southeast . Our final designation of critical habitat will take into consideration all comments and any additional information we receive during both comment periods. On the basis of public comment on this analysis and on the critical habitat proposal, and the final economic analysis, we may, during the development of our final determination, find that areas we proposed are not essential, are appropriate for exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ) (Act), or not appropriate for exclusion. An area may be excluded from critical habitat if we determine that the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the benefits of including a particular area as critical habitat, unless the failure to designate such area as critical habitat will result in the extinction of the species. We may exclude an area from designated critical habitat based on economic impacts, national security, or any other relevant impact. Background On August 22, 2006, we published a proposed rule to designate critical habitat for Catesbaea melanocarpa (71 FR 48883). We proposed to designate approximately 50 acres (ac) (20 hectares (ha)) in one unit located in Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, as critical habitat for C. melanocarpa . We will submit for publication in the Federal Register a final critical habitat designation for C. melanocarpa on or before August 15, 2007. Critical habitat is defined in section 3 of the Act as the specific areas within the geographic area occupied by a species, at the time it is listed in accordance with the Act, on which are found those physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species and that may require special management considerations or protection, and specific areas outside the geographic area occupied by a species at the time it is listed, upon a determination that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species. If we make our proposed rule final, section 7 of the Act will prohibit destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat by any activity funded, authorized, or carried out by any Federal agency. Federal agencies proposing actions affecting areas we have designated as critical habitat must consult with us on the effects of their proposed actions, pursuant to section 7(a)(2) of the Act. Economic Analysis Section 4(b)(2) of the Act requires that we designate or revise critical habitat based upon the best scientific data available, after taking into consideration the economic or any other relevant impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. Based on the August 22, 2006, proposed rule (71 FR 48883) to designate critical habitat for Catesbaea melanocarpa , we have prepared a draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation. The draft economic analysis considers the potential economic effects of actions relating to the conservation of Catesbaea melanocarpa , including costs associated with sections 4, 7, and 10 of the Act, and including those attributable to designating critical habitat. It further considers the economic effects of protective measures taken as a result of other Federal, State, and local laws that aid habitat conservation for C. melanocarpa in the critical habitat area. The draft analysis considers both economic efficiency and distributional effects. In the case of habitat conservation, efficiency effects generally reflect the “opportunity costs” associated with the commitment of resources to comply with habitat protection measures (such as lost economic opportunities associated with restrictions on land use). This analysis also addresses how potential economic impacts are likely to be distributed, including an assessment of any local or regional impacts of habitat conservation and the potential effects of conservation activities on small entities and the energy industry. Decision-makers can use this information to assess whether the effects of the designation might unduly burden a particular group or economic sector. Finally, this draft analysis looks retrospectively at costs incurred since the date we listed the species as endangered (64 FR 13116, March 17, 1999) and considers those costs that may occur in the 20 years following a designation of critical habitat. The draft economic analysis estimates the foreseeable economic impacts of the proposed critical habitat designation on government agencies and private businesses and individuals. The draft economic analysis identifies potential costs of approximately $132,300 to $441,000 to the private landowners over a 20-year period as a result of the proposed designation of critical habitat, including those costs coextensive with listing. The analysis measures lost economic efficiency associated with residential and commercial development, and public projects and activities. Overall, the analysis does not anticipate a decrease in the amount of construction activity on St. Croix as a result of the proposed rule. As a result, we do not anticipate small developers and construction firms to be affected. As stated earlier, we solicit data and comments from the public on this draft economic analysis, as well as on all aspects of the proposal. We may revise the proposal, or its supporting documents, to incorporate or address new information we receive during the comment period. Required Determinations—Amended In our August 22, 2006, proposed rule (71 FR 48883), we indicated that we would be deferring our determination of compliance with several statutes and Executive Orders until the information concerning potential economic impacts of the designation and potential effects on landowners and stakeholders was available in the draft economic analysis. Those data are now available for our use in making these determinations. In this notice, we are affirming the information contained in the proposed rule concerning Executive Order 13132 and Executive Order 12988; the Paperwork Reduction Act; and the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, “Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments” (59 FR 22951). Based on the information made available to us in the draft economic analysis, we are amending our Required Determinations, as provided below, concerning Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Executive Order 13211, Executive Order 12630, and the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. Regulatory Planning and Review In accordance with Executive Order 12866, this document is a significant rule because it may raise novel legal and policy issues. Based on our draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for Catesbaea melanocarpa , we estimate costs related to conservation activities for C. melanocarpa pursuant sections 4, 7, and 10 of the Act to range from $132,300 to $441,000 over a 20-year period. Therefore, based on our draft economic analysis, we do not anticipate that the proposed designation of critical habitat would result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or affect the economy in a material way. Due to the timeline for publication in the Federal Register , the Office of Management and Budget did not formally review the proposed rule or accompanying draft economic analysis. Further, Executive Order 12866 directs Federal agencies promulgating regulations to evaluate regulatory alternatives (Office of Management and Budget, Circular A-4, September 17, 2003). Pursuant to Circular A-4, once an agency has determined that the Federal regulatory action is appropriate, the agency will need to consider alternative regulatory approaches. Since the determination of critical habitat is a statutory requirement under the Act, we must then evaluate alternative regulatory approaches, where feasible, when promulgating a designation of critical habitat. In developing our designations of critical habitat, we consider economic impacts, impacts to national security, and other relevant impacts pursuant to section 4(b)(2) of the Act. Based on the discretion allowable under this provision, we may exclude any particular area from the designation of critical habitat providing that the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the benefits of specifying the area as critical habitat and that such exclusion would not result in the extinction of the species. We believe that the evaluation of the inclusion or exclusion of particular areas, or combination thereof, in a designation constitutes our regulatory alternative analysis. Regulatory Flexibility Act Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. ), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 1996, whenever an agency is required to publish a notice of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that describes the effect of the rule on small entities (small businesses, small organizations, and small government jurisdictions). However, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of an agency certifies the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In our proposed rule, we withheld our determination of whether this designation would result in a significant effect as defined under SBREFA until we completed our draft economic analysis of the proposed designation so that we would have the factual basis for our determination. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), small entities include small organizations, such as independent nonprofit organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions, including school boards and city and town governments that serve fewer than 50,000 residents, as well as small businesses (13 CFR 121.201). Small businesses include manufacturing and mining concerns with fewer than 500 employees, wholesale trade entities with fewer than 100 employees, retail and service businesses with less than $5 million in annual sales, general and heavy construction businesses with less than $27.5 million in annual business, special trade contractors doing less than $11.5 million in annual business, and agricultural businesses with annual sales less than $750,000. To determine if potential economic impacts to these small entities are significant, we considered the types of activities that might trigger regulatory impacts under this designation as well as types of project modifications that may result. In general, the term significant economic impact is meant to apply to a typical small business firm's business operations. To determine if the proposed designation of critical habitat for C. melanocarpa would affect a substantial number of small entities, we considered the number of small entities affected within particular types of economic activities (such as residential and commercial development). We considered each industry or category individually to determine if certification is appropriate. In estimating the numbers of small entities potentially affected, we also considered whether their activities have any Federal involvement; some kinds of activities are unlikely to have any Federal involvement and so will not be affected by the designation of critical habitat. Designation of critical habitat only affects activities conducted, funded, permitted, or authorized by Federal agencies; non-Federal activities are not affected by the designation. In our draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation, we evaluated the potential economic effects on small business entities resulting from conservation actions related to the listing of Catesbaea melanocarpa and proposed designation of critical habitat. The property proposed for designation is managed by the Virgin Islands Title and Trust Company on behalf of several individual landowners. This analysis estimates that these landowners could lose from $132,300 to $441,000 over a 20-year period. However, private landowners are generally not considered to be small entities. Furthermore, this analysis does not anticipate a decrease in the amount of construction activity on St. Croix as a result of the proposed rule. As a result, we do not anticipate that small developers and construction firms would be affected. Please refer to our draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation for a more detailed discussion of potential economic impacts. Executive Order 13211—Energy Supply, Distribution, and Use On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 on regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and use. Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. This proposed designation of critical habitat for Catesbaea melanocarpa is considered a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 due to its potential raising of novel legal and policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget has provided guidance for implementing this Executive Order that outlines nine outcomes that may constitute “a significant adverse effect” when compared without the regulatory action under consideration. The draft economic analysis finds that none of these criteria are relevant to this analysis. Thus, based on the information in the draft economic analysis, we do not expect energy-related impacts associated with C. melanocarpa conservation activities within proposed critical habitat. As such, we do not expect the proposed designation of critical habitat to significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. A Statement of Energy Effects is not required. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq. ), we make the following findings: (a) This rule will not produce a Federal mandate. In general, a Federal mandate is a provision in legislation, statute, or regulation that would impose an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal governments, or the private sector, and includes both “Federal intergovernmental mandates” and “Federal private sector mandates.” These terms are defined in 2 U.S.C. 658(5)-(7). “Federal intergovernmental mandate” includes a regulation that “would impose an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal governments,” with two exceptions. It excludes “a condition of federal assistance.” It also excludes “a duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal program,” unless the regulation “relates to a then-existing Federal program under which $500,000,000 or more is provided annually to State, local, and tribal governments under entitlement authority,” if the provision would “increase the stringency of conditions of assistance” or “place caps upon, or otherwise decrease, the Federal Government's responsibility to provide funding” and the State, local, or Tribal governments “lack authority” to adjust accordingly. At the time of enactment, these entitlement programs were: Medicaid; Aid to Families with Dependent Children work programs; Child Nutrition; Food Stamps; Social Services Block Grants; Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants; Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, and Independent Living; Family Support Welfare Services; and Child Support Enforcement. “Federal private sector mandate” includes a regulation that “would impose an enforceable duty upon the private sector, except (i) a condition of Federal assistance; or (ii) a duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal program.” The designation of critical habitat does not impose a legally binding duty on non-Federal government entities or private parties. Under the Act, the only regulatory effect is that Federal agencies must ensure that their actions do not destroy or adversely modify critical habitat under section 7 of the Act. Non-Federal entities that receive Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or otherwise require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for an action may be indirectly impacted by the designation of critical habitat. However, the legally binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency. Furthermore, to the extent that non-Federal entities are indirectly impacted because they receive Federal assistance or participate in a voluntary Federal aid program, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act would not apply; nor would critical habitat shift the costs of the large entitlement programs listed above onto State governments. (b) As discussed in the draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for Catesbaea melanocarpa , we expect the impacts on nonprofits and small governments to be negligible. There is no record of consultations between us and any of these governments since we listed C. melanocarpa as endangered on March 17, 1999 (64 FR 13116). It is likely that small governments involved with developments and infrastructure projects will be interested parties or involved with projects involving section 7 (of the Act) consultations for C. melanocarpa within their jurisdictional areas. Any costs associated with this activity are likely to represent a small portion of a local government's budget. Consequently, we do not believe that the designation of critical habitat for C. melanocarpa will significantly or uniquely affect these small governmental entities. As such, a Small Government Agency Plan is not required. Executive Order 12630—Takings In accordance with Executive Order 12630 (“Government Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Private Property Rights”), we have analyzed the potential takings implications of proposing critical habitat for Catesbaea melanocarpa . Critical habitat designation does not affect landowner actions that do not require Federal funding or permits, nor does it preclude development of habitat conservation programs or issuance of incidental take permits to permit actions that do require Federal funding or permits to go forward. In conclusion, the designation of critical habitat for C. melanocarpa does not pose significant takings implications. Author The primary authors of this notice are the staff of the Caribbean Fish and Wildlife Service Office. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ). Dated: March 5, 2007. David M. Verhey, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. E7-4542 Filed 3-13-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P 72 49 Wednesday, March 14, 2007 Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [Docket No. APHIS-2007-0009] Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection; National Animal Identification System; Species Data by State AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: New information collection; comment request. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to initiate a new information collection activity for collection of species data by State as part of the National Animal Identification System. DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before May 14, 2007. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov, select “Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service” from the agency drop-down menu, then click “Submit.” In the Docket ID column, select APHIS-2007-0009 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and related materials available electronically. Information on using Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the site's “User Tips” link. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0009, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state that your comment refers to Docket No. APHIS-2007-0009. Reading Room: You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 690-2817 before coming. Other Information: Additional information about APHIS and its programs is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on an information collection activity for collection of species data by State as part of the National Animal Identification System, contact Dr. John Wiemers, National Animal Identification Staff, VS, 2100 Lake Storey Road, Galesburg, IL 61401; (309) 344-1942. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS' Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 734-7477. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: National Animal Identification System; Species Data by State. OMB Number: 0579-XXXX. Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection. Abstract: As part of ongoing efforts to safeguard animal health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated implementation of a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) in 2004. The NAIS is a cooperative State-Federal-industry program administered by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The purpose of the NAIS is to provide a streamlined information system that will help producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal disease events in the United States. The first component of the program, premises registration, is well underway and the second component, animal identification, is being implemented for several species. The third component, animal tracing, is currently under development with USDA's State and industry partners. Industry, through private systems, and States will manage the animal tracking databases that maintain the movement records of animals. These information systems will provide the location of a subject animal and the records of other animals that the subject animal came into contact with at each premises. Participation in any component of the program is voluntary. Premises registration, the foundation of NAIS, is critical to rapidly detecting and evaluating the scope of animal disease outbreaks, controlling emergency program budgets, and improving emergency response efficiency. Having the ability to plot locations within a radius of affected premises will help determine the potential magnitude of a disease event and the resources that are needed to adequately respond in an effective manner. This can be accomplished only if the affected premises and other premises in the area have been registered. All 50 States, 60 Native American Tribes, and 2 territories are currently participating in premises registration. More than 350,000 premises have been registered to date. To encourage participation in premises registration, there is an emphasis, at the national level, on industry organizations (pork, beef, etc.) registering premises through cooperative agreements with APHIS. To track progress that will be made as a result of these efforts, APHIS needs reports of premises registered by species. APHIS needs assistance from each State to provide “species at the premises” statistics, since this information is stored only at the State level, rather than in the National Information Records Repository (NPRR). For States that use USDA's Standardized Premises Registration System, APHIS is able to generate a report of species information by State, but only with the written permission of each State animal health official. As indicated earlier, this is because the species data is kept only at the State level and not in the NPRR. APHIS is asking States that wish to gather this information themselves to include this information in the quarterly cooperative agreement progress reports they submit to APHIS. We are asking OMB to approve our use of these information collection activities for 3 years. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments from the public (as well as affected agencies) concerning our information collection. These comments will help us: (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through use, as appropriate, of automated, electronic, mechanical, and other collection technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Estimate of burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.5 hours per response. Respondents: Governmental entities participating in the premises registration component of the NAIS for States, Tribes, and territories. Estimated annual number of respondents: 15. Estimated annual number of responses per respondent: 4. Estimated annual number of responses: 60. Estimated total annual burden on respondents: 30 hours. (Due to averaging, the total annual burden hours may not equal the product of the annual number of responses multiplied by the reporting burden per response.) All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Done in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2007. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7-4646 Filed 3-13-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-34-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Availability of Funds and Request for Application for Competitive Cooperative Partnership Agreements—Correction Funding Opportunity Title: Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education (Commodity Partnerships Program) Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.457. Dates: Applications are due 5 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2007. Summary: Due to an error in the Application Deadline (Section IV—Application and Submission Information, C. Submission Dates and Times), the following notice supersedes the original Request for Applications, published on March 7, 2007 for Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education (Commodity Partnerships Program) at 72 FR 10113-10121. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of approximately $5.0 million for Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education (the Commodity Partnerships Program). The purpose of this cooperative partnership agreement program is to deliver training and information in the management of production, marketing, and financial risk to U.S. agricultural producers. The program gives priority to educating producers of crops currently not insured under Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities, including livestock and forage. A maximum of 50 cooperative partnership agreements will be funded, with no more than five in each of the ten designated RMA Regions. The maximum award for any of the 50 cooperative partnership agreements will be $100,000. Applicants must demonstrate non-financial benefits from a cooperative partnership agreement and must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in the project. This announcement consists of eight sections: Section I—Funding Opportunity Description A. Legislative Authority B. Background C. Definition of Priority Commodities D. Project Goal E. Purpose F. Objectives Section II—Award Information A. Type of Award B. Funding Availability C. Location and Target Audience D. Maximum Award E. Project Period F. Awardee Tasks G. RMA Activities H. Other Tasks Section III—Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing or Matching C. Other—Non-Financial Benefits Section IV—Application and Submission Information A. Contact to Request an Application Package B. Content and Form of Application Submission C. Submission Dates and Times D. Funding Restrictions E. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits F. Indirect Cost Rates G. Other Submission Requirements H. Electronic submissions I. 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 Program Logo 2. Requirement to Provide Project Information to an RMA-selected Representative 3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflict of Interest 4. Access to Panel Review Information 5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards 6. Audit Requirements 7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying 8. Applicable OMB Circulars 9. Requirement to Assure Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Laws 10. Requirement to Participate in a Post Award Conference 11. Requirement to Submit Educational Materials to the National AgRisk Education Library C. Reporting Requirements Section VII—Agency Contact Section VIII—Additional Information A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) B. Required Registration with the Central Contract Registry for Submission of Proposals C. Related Programs I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Legislative Authority The Commodity Partnerships Program is authorized under section 522(d)(3)(F) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act) (7 U.S.C. 1522(d)(3)(F)). B. Background RMA promotes and regulates sound risk management solutions to improve the economic stability of American agriculture. On behalf of FCIC, RMA does this by offering Federal crop insurance products through a network of private-sector partners, overseeing the creation of new risk management products, seeking enhancements in existing products, ensuring the integrity of crop insurance programs, offering outreach programs aimed at equal access and participation of underserved communities, and providing risk management education and information. One of RMA's strategic goals is to ensure that its customers are well informed as to the risk management solutions available. This educational goal is supported by section 522(d)(3)(F) of the Act, 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. C. Definition of Priority Commodities For purposes of this program, Priority Commodities are defined as: • 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. • Specialty crops. Commodities in this group may or may not be covered under a Federal crop insurance plan and include, but are not limited to, fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, syrups, honey, roots, herbs, and highly specialized varieties of traditional crops. • 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. A project is considered as giving priority to Priority Commodities if the majority of the educational activities of the project are directed to producers of any of the three classes of commodities listed above or any combination of the three classes. D. Project Goal The goal of this program is to ensure that “producers will be better able to use financial management, crop insurance, marketing contracts, and other existing and emerging risk management tools.” E. Purpose The purpose of the Commodity Partnership Program is to provide U.S. farmers and ranchers with training and informational opportunities to be able to understand: • The kinds of risks addressed by existing and emerging risk management tools; • The features and appropriate use of existing and emerging risk management tools; and • How to make sound risk management decisions. F. Objectives For 2007, the FCIC Board of Directors and the FCIC Manager are seeking projects with priorities that include the project objectives listed below which highlight the educational priorities within each RMA Region. The objectives are listed in priority order, with the most important objective designated as 1, the second most important designated as 2, etc. The order of priority will be considered in making awards. Applicants may propose other topics within any project objective but justification for those topics must be provided. RMA encourages applications that address multiple objectives, but each application must specify a single primary objective for funding purposes in an RMA Region. Applications that do not clearly specify a single primary objective for funding purposes in an RMA Region will be rejected. “Unrestricted Risk Management Topics” are topics that address the Commodity Partnership Program purpose as listed above in Section I E. In order of priority, the project objectives are: Billings, MT Region: (MT, ND, SD, and WY) 1. Unrestricted Risk Management Topics (Two funded projects). 2. Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR)-Lite Insurance Tools (MT, WY). 3. Pasture Rangeland and Forage (PRF) Rainfall Index Insurance Tools (ND). 4. PRF Vegetative Index Insurance Tools (SD). Davis, CA Region: (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and UT) 1. Unrestricted Risk Management Topics (Two funded projects). 2. AGR (CA) and AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (AZ, HI, NV, UT). 3. Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) Insurance Tools (CA, NV, UT). 4. Hawaii Tropical Fruit Tree Insurance Tools (HI). Jackson, MS Region: (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN) 1. Unrestricted Risk Management Topics (Two funded projects). 2. Record Keeping Requirements for AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (TN). 3. LRP Insurance Tools, PRF Rainfall Index and the PRF Vegetation Index Insurance Tools (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN). 4. Nursery Price Endorsement Crop Insurance Tool (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN). Oklahoma City, OK Region: (NM, OK, and TX) 1. Unrestricted Risk Management Topics (Two funded projects). 2. AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (NM). 3. PRF Rainfall Index (TX) and the PRF Vegetation Index (OK) Insurance Tools. 4. LRP (OK, TX) Insurance Tools. Raleigh, NC Region: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NY, NJ, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV) 1. Unrestricted Risk Management Topics (Two funded projects). 2. Aquaculture (Clams) Insurance Tools—(MA, VA). 3. Nursery Insurance Tools—(CT, DE, MA, ME, MD, NC, NH, NY, NJ, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV). 4. AGR Insurance Tools—(CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, and VA), AGR-Lite Insurance Tools—(CT, DE, MA, ME, MD, NC, NH, NY, NJ, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV), Livestock and LRP Insurance Tools—(WV), PRF Rainfall Index and the PRF Vegetation Index Insurance Tools—(PA) Spokane, WA Region: (AK, ID, OR, and WA) 1. Unrestricted Risk Management Topics (Two funded projects). 2. AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (Willamette Valley of OR and in Western WA). 3. PRF Rainfall Index Insurance Tool (ID) and PRF Vegetation Index Insurance Tool (OR). 4. LRP Lamb Pilot Insurance Tools (ID and OR). Springfield, IL Region: (IL, IN, MI, and OH) 1. Unrestricted Risk Management Topics (Two funded projects). 2. AGR (MI), LRP Insurance Tools, PRF Rainfall Index and PRF Vegetation Index Insurance Tools (IL, IN, MI, OH). 3. Cherry Pilot Insurance Tools (MI). 4. Grape Insurance Tools (IL, IN, MI, OH). St. Paul, MN Region: (IA, MN, and WI) 1. Unrestricted Risk Management Topics (Two funded projects). 2. AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (MN and WI). 3. LRP and Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) Insurance Tools. 4. Hybrid Corn Seed Insurance Tools (IA, MN, and WI) Topeka, KS Region: (CO, KS, MO, and NE) 1. Unrestricted Risk Management Topics (Two funded projects). 2. AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (CO, KS). 3. PRF Rainfall Index and PRF Vegetation Index Insurance Tools (CO). 4. Documentation Requirements for Irrigation Availability (CO, KS, NE) Valdosta, GA Region: (AL, FL, GA, SC, and Puerto Rico) 1. Unrestricted Risk Management Topics (Two funded projects). 2. PRF Rainfall Index and PRF Vegetation Index Insurance Tools (SC). 3. AGR-Lite Insurance Tools (AL, FL, GA and SC). 4. Avocado Fruit (Dade County, FL) and Citrus Insurance Tools (FL) II. Award Information A. Type of Award Cooperative Partnership Agreements, which require the substantial involvement of RMA. B. Funding Availability Approximately $5,000,000 is available in fiscal year 2007 to fund up to 50 cooperative partnership agreements. The maximum award will be $100,000. It is anticipated that a maximum of five agreements will be funded for each designated RMA Region. Applicants should apply for funding under that RMA Region where the educational activities will be directed. In the event that all funds available for this program are not obligated after the maximum number of agreements are awarded or if additional funds become available, these funds may, at the discretion of the Manager of FCIC, be used to award additional applications that score highly by the technical review panel or allocated pro-rata to awardees for use in broadening the size or scope of awarded projects if agreed to by the awardee. In the event that the Manager of FCIC determines that available RMA resources cannot support the administrative and substantial involvement requirements of all agreements recommended for funding, the Manager may elect to fund fewer agreements than the available funding might otherwise allow. It is expected that the awards will be made approximately 60 days after the application deadline. All awards will be made and agreements finalized no later than September 30, 2007. C. Location and Target Audience RMA Regional Offices and the States serviced within each Region are listed below. Staff from the respective RMA Regional Offices will provide substantial involvement for projects conducted within their Region. Billings, MT Regional Office: (MT, ND, SD, and WY) Davis, CA Regional Office: (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and UT) Jackson, MS Regional Office: (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN) Oklahoma City, OK Regional Office: (NM, OK, and TX) Raleigh, NC Regional Office: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV) Spokane, WA Regional Office: (AK, ID, OR, and WA) Springfield, IL Regional Office: (IL, IN, MI, and OH) St. Paul, MN Regional Office: (IA, MN, and WI) Topeka, KS Regional Office: (CO, KS, MO, and NE) Valdosta, GA Regional Office: (AL, FL, GA, SC, and Puerto Rico) Applicants must clearly designate in their application narratives the RMA Region where educational activities will be conducted, the specific groups of producers within the region that the applicant intends to reach through the project, and must clearly designate in their application the primary educational objective listed in Section I (F) that the project will address. Priority will be given to producers of Priority Commodities. Applicants proposing to conduct educational activities in more than one RMA Region must submit a separate application for each RMA Region. Single applications proposing to conduct educational activities in more than one RMA Region will be rejected. D. Maximum Award Any application that requests Federal funding of more than $100,000 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. E. Project Period Projects will be funded for a period of up to one year from the project starting date. F. 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: • Develop and conduct a promotional program. This program will include activities using media, newsletters, publications, or other appropriate informational dissemination techniques that are designed to: (a) Raise awareness for risk management; (b) inform producers of the availability of risk management tools; and (c) inform producers and agribusiness leaders in the designated RMA Region of training and informational opportunities. • Deliver risk management training and informational opportunities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals in the designated RMA Region. This will include organizing and delivering educational activities using instructional materials that have been assembled 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. • Document all educational activities conducted under the partnership agreement and the results of such activities, including criteria and indicators used to evaluate the success of the program. The awardee may also be required to provide information to an RMA-selected contractor to evaluate all educational activities and advise RMA as to the effectiveness of activities. G. RMA Activities FCIC, working through RMA, will be substantially involved during the performance of the funded project through RMA's ten Regional Offices. Potential types of substantial involvement may include, but are not limited to the following activities. • Assist in the selection of subcontractors and project staff. • Collaborate with the awardee in assembling, reviewing, and approving risk management materials for producers in the designated RMA Region. • 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 RMA Region. • 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. • Conduct an evaluation of the performance of the awardee in meeting the deliverables of the project. Applications that do not contain substantial involvement by RMA will be rejected. H. Other Tasks In addition to the specific, required tasks listed above, the applicant may propose additional tasks that would contribute directly to the purpose of this program. For any proposed additional task, the applicant must identify the objective of the task, the specific subtasks required to meet the objective, specific time lines for performing the subtasks, and the specific responsibilities of partners. The applicant must also identify specific ways in which RMA would have substantial involvement in the proposed project task. III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, universities, non-profit agricultural organizations, and other public or private organizations with the capacity to lead a local program of risk management education for farmers and ranchers in an RMA Region. Individuals are not eligible applicants. Although an applicant may be eligible to compete for an award based on its status as an eligible entity, other factors may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal assistance under this program governed by Federal law and regulations ( e.g. debarment and suspension; a determination of non-performance on a prior contract, cooperative agreement, grant or partnership; a determination of a violation of applicable ethical standards; a determination of being considered “high risk”). Applications from ineligible or excluded persons will be rejected in their entirety. B. Cost Sharing or Matching Although RMA prefers cost sharing by the applicant, this program has neither a cost sharing nor a matching requirement. C. Other—Non-Financial Benefits To be eligible, applicants must also be able to demonstrate that they will receive a non-financial benefit as a result of a 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 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). Applicants that do not demonstrate a non-financial benefit will be rejected. IV. Application and Submission Information A. Contact To Request Application Package Program application materials for the Commodity Partnerships Program under this announcement may be downloaded from http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements. Applicants may also request application materials from: Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: (202) 720-5265, fax: (202) 690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. B. Content and Form of Application Submission A complete and valid application package must include an electronic copy (Microsoft Word format preferred) of the narrative portion (Forms RME 1 and RME-2) of the application package on a compact disc and an original and two copies of the completed and signed application must be submitted in one package at the time of initial submission, which must include the following: 1. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424, “Application for Federal Assistance.” 2. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-A, “Budget Information—Non-construction Programs.” Federal funding requested (the total of direct and indirect costs) must not exceed $100,000. 3. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-B, “Assurances, Non-constructive Programs.” 4. Risk Management Education Project Narrative (Form RME-1). Complete all required parts of Form RME-1: Part I—Title Page Part II—A written narrative of no more than 10 single-sided pages which will provide reviewers with sufficient information to effectively evaluate the merits of the application according to the evaluation criteria listed in this notice. Although a Statement of Work, which is the third evaluation criterion, is to be completed in detail in RME Form-2, applicants may wish to highlight certain unique features of the Statement of Work in Part II for the benefit of the evaluation panel. If your narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first 10 pages will be reviewed. • No smaller than 12 point font size. • Use an easily readable font face ( e.g. , Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, Times Roman). • 8.5 by 11 inch paper. • One-inch margins on each page. • Printed on only one side of paper. • Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not bound or stapled in any other way. Part III—A Budget Narrative, describing how the categorical costs listed on SF 424-A are derived. The budget narrative should provide enough detail for reviewers to easily understand how costs were determined and how they relate to the goals and objectives of the project. Part IV—Provide a “Statement of Non-financial Benefits.” (Refer to Section III, Eligibility Information, C. Other—Non-financial Benefits, above). 5. “Statement of Work,” Form RME-2, which identifies tasks and subtasks in detail, expected completion dates and deliverables, and RMA's substantial involvement role for the proposed project. Applications that do not include items 1-5 above will be considered incomplete and will not receive further consideration and will be rejected. C. Submission Dates and Times Applications Deadline: Applications are due 5 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2007. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that RMA receives a complete application package by the closing date and time. USPS mail sent to Washington, DC headquarters is sanitized offsite, which may result in delays, loss, and physical damage to enclosures. Regardless of the delivery method you choose, please do so sufficiently in advance of the due date to ensure your application package is received on or before the deadline. It is your responsibility to meet the due date and time. E-mailed and faxed applications will not be accepted. Late application packages will not receive further consideration and will be rejected. D. Funding Restrictions Cooperative partnership agreement funds may not be used to: a. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or facility including a processing facility; b. Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment; c. Repair or maintain privately owned vehicles; d. Pay for the preparation of the cooperative partnership agreement application; e. Fund political activities; f. Purchase alcohol, food, beverage, or entertainment; g. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving a partnership agreement; h. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 CFR Parts 3015 and 3019, as applicable. E. 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 60 percent reimbursement of the funds awarded under the cooperative partnership agreement as indicated in Section III. Eligibility Information, C. Other—Non-financial Benefits. One goal of the Commodity Partnerships program is to maximize the use of the limited funding available for risk management education for producers of Priority Commodities. In order to accomplish this goal, RMA needs to ensure that the maximum amount of funds practicable is used for directly providing the educational opportunities. Limiting the amount of funding for salaries and benefits will allow the limited amount of funding to reach the maximum number of farmers and ranchers. F. 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 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. b. RMA will withhold all indirect cost rate funds for an award to an applicant requesting indirect costs if the applicant has not negotiated an indirect cost rate with its cognizant Federal agency. c. If an applicant is in the process of negotiating an indirect cost rate with its cognizant Federal agency, RMA will withhold all indirect cost rate funds from that applicant until the indirect cost rate has been established. d. If an applicant's indirect cost rate has expired or will expire prior to award announcements, a clear statement on renegotiation efforts must be included in the application. e. It is incumbent on all applicants to have a current indirect cost rate or begin negotiations to establish an indirect cost rate prior to the submission deadline. Because it may take several months to obtain an indirect cost rate, applicants needing an indirect cost rate are encouraged to start work on establishing these rates well in advance of submitting an application. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is responsible for assigning cognizant Federal agencies. f. Applicants may be asked to provide a copy of their indirect cost rate negotiated with their cognizant agency. g. RMA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants. G. Other Submission Requirements Mailed submissions: Applications submitted through express, overnight mail or another delivery service will be considered as meeting the announced deadline if they are received in the mailroom at the address stated below for express, overnight mail or another delivery service on or before the deadline. Applicants are cautioned that express, overnight mail or other delivery services do not always deliver as agreed. Applicants should take this into account because failure of such delivery services will not extend the deadline. Mailed applications will be considered as meeting the announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline in the mailroom at the address stated below for mailed applications. Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, to ensure that applications are received on or before the deadline time and date. Applicants using the U.S. Postal Services should allow for the extra security handling time for delivery due to the additional security measures that mail delivered to government offices in the Washington, DC area requires. Address when using private delivery services or when hand delivering: Attention: Risk Management Education Program, USDA/RMA/RME, Room 5720, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Address when using U.S. Postal Services: Attention: Risk Management Education Program, USDA/RMA/RME/Stop 0808, Room 5720, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0808. H. Electronic Submissions Applications transmitted electronically via Grants.gov will be accepted prior to the application date or time deadline. The application package can be accessed via Grants.gov, go to http://www.grants.gov, click on “Find Grant Opportunities,” click on “Search Grant Opportunities,” and enter the CFDA number (located at the beginning of this RFA) to search by CFDA number. From the search results, select the item that correlates to the title of this RFA. If you do not have electronic access to the RFA or have trouble downloading material and you would like a hardcopy, you may contact Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: (202) 720-5265, fax: (202) 690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. If assistance is needed to access the application package via Grants.gov ( e.g. , downloading or navigating PureEdge forms, using PureEdge with a Macintosh computer), refer to resources available on the Grants.gov Web site first( http://www.grants.gov/ ). Grants.gov assistance is also available as follows: • Grants.gov customer support Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726. Business Hours: M-F 7:00 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. E-mail: support@grants.gov. Applicants who submit their applications via the Grants.gov Web site are not required to submit any hard copy documents to RMA. When using Grants.gov to apply, RMA strongly recommends that you submit the online application at least two weeks prior to the application due date in case there are problems with the Grants.gov Web site and you want to submit your application via a mail delivery service. I. Acknowledgement of Applications Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by e-mail, whenever possible. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to provide e-mail addresses in their applications. If an e-mail address is not indicated on an application, receipt will be acknowledged by letter. There will be no notification of incomplete, unqualified or unfunded applications until the awards have been made. When received by RMA, applications will be assigned an identification number. This number will be communicated to applicants in the acknowledgement of receipt of applications. An application's identification number should be referenced in all correspondence regarding the application. If the applicant does not receive an acknowledgement within 15 days of the submission deadline, the applicant should notify RMA's point of contact indicated in Section VII, Agency Contact. V. Application Review Process A. Criteria Applications submitted under the Commodity Partnerships Program will be evaluated within each RMA Region according to the following criteria: Priority—Maximum 10 Points The applicant can submit projects that are not related to Priority Commodities. However, priority is given to projects relating to Priority Commodities and the degree in which such projects relate to the Priority Commodities. Projects that relate solely to Priority Commodities will be eligible for the most points. Project Benefits—Maximum 35 Points The applicant must demonstrate that the project benefits to farmers and ranchers warrant the funding requested. Applicants will be scored according to the extent they can: (a) Reasonably estimate the total number of producers reached through the various educational activities described in the Statement of Work; (b) justify such estimates with clear specifics; (c) identify the actions producers will likely be able to take as a result of the activities described in the Statement of Work; and (d) identify the specific measures for evaluating results that will be employed in the project. Reviewers' scoring will be based on the scope and reasonableness of the applicant's estimates of producers reached through the project, clear descriptions of specific expected project benefits, and well-designed methods for measuring the project's results and effectiveness. Statement of Work—Maximum 15 Points The applicant must produce a clear and specific Statement of Work for the project. For each of the tasks contained in the Description of Agreement Award (refer to Section II Award Information), the applicant must identify and describe specific subtasks, responsible entities, expected completion dates, RMA substantial involvement, and deliverables that will further the purpose of this program. Applicants will obtain a higher score to the extent that the Statement of Work is specific, measurable, reasonable, has specific deadlines for the completion of subtasks, relates directly to the required activities and the program purpose described in this announcement, which is to provide producers with training and informational opportunities so that the producers will be better able to use financial management, crop insurance, marketing contracts, and other existing and emerging risk management tools. Applicants are required to submit this Statement of Work on Form RME-2. Partnering—Maximum 15 Points The applicant must demonstrate experience and capacity to partner with and gain the support of grower organizations, agribusiness professionals, and agricultural leaders to carry out a local program of education and information in a designated RMA Region. The applicant is required to establish a written partnering plan that includes how each partner will aid in carrying out the project goal and purpose stated in this announcement and letters of support stating that the partner has agreed to do this work. The applicant must ensure this plan includes a list of all partners working on the project, their titles, and how they will be contributing to the deliverables listed in the agreement. Applicants will receive higher scores to the extent that they can document and demonstrate: (a) That partnership commitments are in place for the express purpose of delivering the program in this announcement; (b) that a broad group of farmers and ranchers will be reached within the RMA Region; (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; 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 Benefits criterion. Project Management—Maximum 15 Points The applicant must demonstrate an ability to implement sound and effective project management practices. Higher scores will be awarded to applicants that can demonstrate organizational skills, leadership, and experience in delivering services or programs that assist agricultural producers in the respective RMA Region. The project manager must demonstrate that he/she has the capability to accomplish the project goal and purpose stated in this announcement by a) Having a previous working relationship with the farm community in the designated RMA Region of the application, including being able to recruit approximately the number of producers to be reached in the application and/or b) having established the capacity to partner with and gain the support of grower organizations, agribusiness professionals, and agribusiness leaders locally to aid in carrying out a program of education and information, including being able to recruit approximately the number of producers to be reached in this application. Applicants that will employ, or have access to, personnel who have experience in directing local educational programs that benefit agricultural producers in the respective RMA Region will receive higher rankings. Past Performance—Maximum 10 Points If the applicant has been an awardee of other Federal or other government grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, the applicant must provide information relating to their past performance in reporting on outputs and outcomes under past or current federal assistance agreements. The applicant must also detail that they have consistently complied with financial and program reporting and auditing requirements. RMA reserves the right to add up to 10 points to applications due to past performance. Applicants with very good past performance will receive a score from 6-10 points. Applicants with acceptable past performance will receive a score from 1-5 points. Applicants with unacceptable past performance will receive a score of minus 5 points for this evaluation factor. Applicants without relevant past performance information will receive a neutral score of the mean number of points of all applicants with past performance. Under this cooperative partnership agreement, RMA will subjectively rate the awardee on project performance as indicated in Section II, G. The applicant must list all current public or private support to which personnel identified in the application have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary support for persons involved is included in the budget. An application that duplicates or overlaps substantially with an application already reviewed and funded (or to be funded) by another organization or agency will not be funded under this program. The projects proposed for funding should be included in the pending section. Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency—Maximum 15 Points Applicants must provide a detailed budget summary that clearly explains and justifies costs associated with the project. Applicants will receive higher scores to the extent that they can demonstrate a fair and reasonable use of funds appropriate for the project and a budget that contains the estimated cost of reaching each individual producer. The applicant must provide information factors such as: • The allowability and necessity for individual cost categories; • The reasonableness of amounts estimated for necessary costs; • The basis used for allocating indirect or overhead costs; • The appropriateness of allocating particular overhead costs to the proposed project as direct costs; and • The percent of time devoted to the project for all key project personnel identified in the application. Salaries of project personnel should be requested in proportion to the percent of time that they would devote to the project—Note: cannot exceed 60% of the total project budget. Applicants must list all current public or private support to which personnel identified in the application have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary support for persons involved is included in the budget. Only items or services that are necessary for the successful completion of the project will be funded as permitted under the Act. B. Review and Selection Process Applications will be evaluated using a two-part process. First, each application will be screened by RMA personnel to ensure that it meets the requirements in this announcement. Applications that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or 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 then sorted by project objective listed in Section I (F). These applications 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 two independent reviewers. Reviewers will be drawn from USDA, other Federal agencies, and others representing 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 by educational objective listed in Section I (F) according to the scores received. Those applications will be listed in initial rank order by objective within each RMA Region. The highest-ranking application for each objective will be funded in the order of priority (the highest-ranking application meeting objective 2 will be funded third, etc.) in each RMA Region. Note: Two projects will be funded in objective 1 in each RMA Region. In the event that there no applications that warrant funding in objectives 1-4 or if there are funds remaining, the process will be repeated until the funds are obligated. A lottery will be used to resolve any instances of a tie score that might have a bearing on funding recommendations. If such a lottery is required, the names of all tied applicants will be entered into a drawing. The first tied applicant drawn will have priority over other tied applicants for funding consideration. 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 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 one that proposes to reach the same producers likely to be reached by another applicant that scored higher by the panel and the same general educational material is proposed to be delivered. An organization, or group of organizations in partnership, may apply for funding under other FCIC or RMA programs, in addition to the program described in this announcement. However, if the Manager of FCIC determines that an application recommended for funding is sufficiently similar to a project that has been funded or has been recommended to be funded under another RMA or FCIC program, then the Manager may elect to not 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 Following approval by the awarding official of RMA 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 awarding official of RMA shall enter into cooperative partnership agreements with those selected applicants. The agreements provide the amount of Federal funds for use in the project period, the terms and conditions of the award, and the time period for the project. The effective date of the agreement shall be on the date the agreement is executed by both parties and it shall remain in effect for up to one year or through September 30, 2008, whichever is later. 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 awardee by FCIC must be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are obligated in accordance with the approved 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. Reasons for denial of funding can include, but are not limited to, incomplete applications, applications with evaluation scores that are lower than other applications in an RMA Region, or applications that propose to deliver education to groups of producers in an RMA Region that are largely similar to groups reached in a higher ranked application. B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 1. Requirement To Use Program Logo Awardees will be required to use a program logo and design provided by RMA for all instructional and promotional materials. 2. Requirement To Provide Project Information to an RMA-Selected Representative Awardees will be required to assist RMA in evaluating the effectiveness of its educational programs by providing documentation of educational activities and related information to any representative selected by RMA for program evaluation purposes. 3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflicts of Interest Private organizations that are involved in the sale of Federal crop insurance, or that have financial ties to such organizations, are eligible to apply for funding under this announcement. However, such entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct activities that would otherwise be required under a Standard Reinsurance Agreement or any other agreement in effect between FCIC and the entity. Also, such entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct activities that could be perceived by producers as promoting one company's services or products over another's. If applying for funding, such organizations are encouraged to be sensitive to potential conflicts of interest and to describe in their application the specific actions they will take to avoid actual and perceived conflicts of interest. 4. Access to Panel Review Information Upon written request from the applicant, scores from the evaluation panel, not including the identity of reviewers, will be sent to the applicant after the review and awards process has been completed. 5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards The names of applicants, the names of individuals identified in the applications, the content of applications, and the panel evaluations of applications 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 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. 6. Audit Requirements Awardees are subject to audit. 7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying Section 1352 of Public Law 101-121, enacted on October 23, 1989, imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification related to lobbying on awardees of Federal contracts, grants, cooperative 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 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: (1) To certify that they have neither used nor will use any appropriated funds for payment of lobbyists; (2) to disclose the name, address, payment details, and purpose of any agreements with lobbyists whom awardees of their subcontractors will pay with profits or other non-appropriated funds on or after December 22, 1989; and (3) to file quarterly updates about the use of lobbyists if material changes occur in their use. The law establishes civil penalties for non-compliance. A 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. 8. 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. 9. Requirement To Assure Compliance With Federal Civil Rights Laws Project leaders of all cooperative partnership agreements funded as a result of this notice are required to know and abide by Federal civil rights laws and to assure USDA and RMA that the awardee is in compliance with and will continue to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), 7 CFR Part 15, and USDA regulations promulgated thereunder, 7 CFR 1901.202. RMA requires that awardees submit an Assurance Agreement (Civil Rights), assuring RMA of this compliance prior to the beginning of the project period. 10. Requirement To Participate in a Post Award Conference RMA requires that project leaders attend a post award conference 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. In their applications, applicants should budget for possible travel costs associated with attending this conference. 11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the National AgRisk Education Library RMA requires that project leaders upload digital copies of all risk management educational materials developed because of the project to the National AgRisk Education Library ( http://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 progress reports, quarterly financial reports (OMB Standard Form 269), and quarterly Activity Logs (Form RME-3) 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. Awardees will be required to submit prior to the award: • A completed and signed Form RD 400-4, Assurance Agreement (Civil Rights). • A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.” • A completed and signed AD-1047, “Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters—Primary Covered Transactions.” • A completed and signed AD-1049, “Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace.” • A completed and signed Faith-Based Survey on EEO. VII. Agency Contact For Further Information Contact: Applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact: Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop 0808, Room 5720, Washington, DC 20250-0808, phone: 202-720-5265, fax: 202-690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov . You may also obtain information regarding this announcement from the RMA Web site at: http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements . VIII. Additional Information A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of over 70 million businesses worldwide. The Office of Management and Budget published a notice of final policy issuance in the Federal Register June 27, 2003 (68 FR 38402) that requires a DUNS number in every application ( i.e. , hard copy and electronic) for a grant or cooperative agreement on or after October 1, 2003. Therefore, potential applicants should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to obtain one. For information about how to obtain a DUNS number, go to http://www.grants.gov . Please note that the registration may take up to 14 business days to complete. B. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry for Submission of Proposals The Central Contract Registry (CCR) is a database that serves as the primary Government repository for contractor information required for the conduct of business with the Government. This database will also be used as a central location for maintaining organizational information for organizations seeking and receiving grants from the Government. Such organizations must register in the CCR prior to the submission of applications. A DUNS number is needed for CCR registration. For information about how to register in the CCR, visit “Get Started” at the Web site, http://www.grants.gov . Allow a minimum of 5 business days to complete the CCR registration. C. Related Programs Funding availability for this program may be announced at approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but separate programs—CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States), and CFDA No. 10.459 (Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program). 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. Signed in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2007. Eldon Gould, Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. [FR Doc. E7-4592 Filed 3-13-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-08-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Announcement of Availability of Funds and Request for Application for Competitive Cooperative Partnership Agreements—Correction Funding Opportunity Title: Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions (Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program). Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.459. Dates: Applications are due 5 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2007. Summary: Due to an error in the Application Deadline (Section IV—Application and Submission Information, C. Submission Dates and Times), the following notice supersedes the original Request for Applications, published on March 7, 2007 for Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program at 72 FR 10121-10128. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of approximately $500,000 for Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions (the Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program). The purpose of this cooperative partnership agreement program is to deliver training and information in the management of production, marketing, and financial risk to U.S. agricultural producers. The program gives priority to educating producers of crops currently not insured under Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities, including livestock and forage. A maximum of 50 cooperative partnership agreements will be funded, with no more than five in each of the ten designated RMA Regions. The maximum award for any cooperative partnership agreement will be $10,000. Awardees must demonstrate non-financial benefits from a cooperative partnership agreement and must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in the project. Funding availability for this program may be announced at approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but separate programs—CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education), and CFDA No. 10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States). Prospective applicants should carefully examine and compare the notices for each program. This Announcement Consists of Eight Sections Section I—Funding Opportunity Description A. Legislative Authority B. Background C. Definition of Priority Commodities D. Project Goal E. Purpose Section II—Award Information A. Type of Award B. Funding Availability C. Location and Target Audience D. Maximum Award E. Project Period F. Description of Agreement Award: Awardee Tasks G. RMA Activities H. Other Tasks Section III—Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing or Matching C. Other—Non-Financial Benefits Section IV—Application and Submission Information A. Contact to Request Application Package B. Content and Form of Application Submission C. Submission Dates and Times D. Intergovernmental Review E. Funding Restrictions F. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits G. Indirect Cost Rates H. Other Submission Requirements I. Electronic submissions J. 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 Program Logo 2. Requirement to Provide Project Information to an RMA-selected Representative 3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflict of Interest 4. Access to Panel Review Information 5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards 6. Audit Requirements 7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying 8. Applicable OMB Circulars 9. Requirement to Assure Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Laws 10. Requirement to Participate in a Post Award Teleconference 11. Requirement to Submit Educational Materials to the National AgRisk Education Library C. Reporting Requirements Section VII—Agency Contact Section VIII—Additional Information A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) B. Required Registration with the Central Contract Registry for Submission of Proposals C. Related Programs Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Legislative Authority The Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program is authorized under section 522(d)(3)(F) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act) (7 U.S.C.) 1522(d)(3)(F)). B. Background RMA promotes and regulates sound risk management solutions to improve the economic stability of American agriculture. On behalf of FCIC, RMA does this by offering Federal crop insurance products through a network of private-sector partners, overseeing the creation of new risk management products, seeking enhancements in existing products, ensuring the integrity of crop insurance programs, offering outreach programs aimed at equal access and participation of underserved communities, and providing risk management education and information. One of RMA's strategic goals is to ensure that its customers are well informed as to the risk management solutions available. This educational goal is supported by section 522(d)(3)(F) of the Act, 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. C. Definition of Priority Commodities For purposes of this program, Priority Commodities are defined as : • 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. • Specialty crops . Commodities in this group may or may not be covered under a Federal crop insurance plan and include, but are not limited to, fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, syrups, honey, roots, herbs, and highly specialized varieties of traditional crops. • 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. A project is considered as giving priority to Priority Commodities if the majority of the educational activities of the project are directed to producers of any of the three classes of commodities listed above or any combination of the three classes. D. Project Goal The goal of this program is to ensure that “producers will be better able to use financial management, crop insurance, marketing contracts, and other existing and emerging risk management tools”. E. Purpose The purpose of the Commodity Partnership Small Session Program is to provide U.S. farmers and ranchers with training and informational opportunities to be able to understand: • The kinds of risks addressed by existing and emerging risk management tools; • The features and appropriate use of existing and emerging risk management tools; and • How to make sound risk management decisions. II. Award Information A. Type of Award Cooperative Partnership Agreements, which require the substantial involvement of RMA. B. Funding Availability Approximately $500,000 is available in fiscal year 2007 to fund up to 50 cooperative partnership agreements. The maximum award for any agreement will be $10,000. It is anticipated that a maximum of five agreements will be funded in each of the ten designated RMA Regions. In the event that all funds available for this program are not obligated after the maximum number of agreements are awarded or if additional funds become available, these funds may, at the discretion of the Manager of FCIC, be used to award additional applications that score highly by the technical review panel or allocated pro-rata to awardees for use in broadening the size or scope of awarded projects if agreed to by the awardee. In the event that the Manager of FCIC determines that available RMA resources cannot support the administrative and substantial involvement requirements of all agreements recommended for funding, the Manager may elect to fund fewer agreements than the available funding might otherwise allow. It is expected that the awards will be made approximately 60 days after the application deadline. All awards will be made and agreements finalized no later than September 30, 2007. C. Location and Target Audience RMA Regional Offices and the States serviced within each Region are listed below. Staff from the respective RMA Regional Offices will provide substantial involvement for projects conducted within the Region: Billings, MT Regional Office: (MT, ND, SD, and WY) Davis, CA Regional Office: (AZ, CA, HI, NV, and UT) Jackson, MS Regional Office: (AR, KY, LA, MS, and TN) Oklahoma City, OK Regional Office: (NM, OK, and TX) Raleigh, NC Regional Office: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, and WV) Spokane, WA Regional Office: (AK, ID, OR, and WA) Springfield, IL Regional Office: (IL, IN, MI, and OH) St. Paul, MN Regional Office: (IA, MN, and WI) Topeka, KS Regional Office: (CO, KS, MO, and NE) Valdosta, GA Regional Office: (AL, FL, GA, SC, and Puerto Rico) Applicants must clearly designate in their application narratives the RMA Region where educational activities will be conducted and the specific groups of producers within the region that the applicant intends to reach through the project. Priority will be given to producers of Priority Commodities. Applicants proposing to conduct educational activities in more than one RMA Region must submit a separate application for each RMA Region. Single applications proposing to conduct educational activities in more than one RMA Region will be rejected. D. Maximum Award Any application that requests Federal funding of more than $10,000 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. E. Project Period Projects will be funded for a period of up to one year from the project starting date. F. Description of Agreement Award Awardee Tasks In conducting activities to achieve the purpose and goal of this program in a designated RMA Region, the awardee will be responsible for performing the following tasks: • Develop and conduct a promotional program. This program will include activities using media, newsletters, publications, or other appropriate informational dissemination techniques that are designed to: (a) Raise awareness for risk management; (b) inform producers of the availability of risk management tools; and (c) inform producers and agribusiness leaders in the designated RMA Region of training and informational opportunities. • Deliver risk management training and 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 that have been assembled 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. • 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 an RMA-selected contractor to evaluate all educational activities and advise RMA as to the effectiveness of activities. G. RMA Activities FCIC, working through RMA, will be substantially involved during the performance of the funded project through RMA's ten Regional Offices. Potential types of substantial involvement may include, but are not limited to the following activities. • Assist in the selection of subcontractors and project staff. • Collaborate with the awardee in assembling, reviewing, and approving risk management materials for producers in the designated RMA Region. • 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 RMA Region. • 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. • Conduct an evaluation of the performance of the awardee in meeting the deliverables of the project. Applications that do not contain substantial involvement by RMA will be rejected. H. Other Tasks In addition to the specific, required tasks listed above, the applicant may propose additional tasks that would contribute directly to the purpose of this program. For any proposed additional task, the applicant must identify the objective of the task, the specific subtasks required to meet the objective, specific time lines for performing the subtasks, and the specific responsibilities of partners. The applicant must also identify specific ways in which RMA would have substantial involvement in the proposed project task. III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, universities, non-profit agricultural organizations, and other public or private organizations with the capacity to lead a local program of risk management education for farmers and ranchers in an RMA Region. Individuals are not eligible applicants. Although an applicant may be eligible to compete for an award based on its status as an eligible entity, other factors may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal assistance under this program governed by Federal law and regulations (e.g. debarment and suspension; a determination of non-performance on a prior contract, cooperative agreement, grant or cooperative partnership; a determination of a violation of applicable ethical standards; a determination of being considered “high risk”). Applications from ineligible or excluded persons will be rejected in their entirety. B. Cost Sharing or Matching Although RMA prefers cost sharing by the applicant, this program has neither a cost sharing nor a matching requirement. C. Other—Non-Financial Benefits To be eligible, applicants must also be able to demonstrate that they will receive a non-financial benefit as a result of a cooperative partnership agreement. Non-financial benefits must accrue to the applicant and must include more than the ability to provide employment income to the applicant or for the applicant's employees or the community. The applicant must demonstrate that performance under the cooperative partnership agreement will further the specific mission of the applicant (such as providing research or activities necessary for graduate or other students to complete their educational program). Applications that do not demonstrate a non-financial benefit will be rejected. IV. Application and Submission Information A. Contact To Request Application Package Program application materials for the Commodity Partnerships Program under this announcement may be downloaded from http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements . Applicants may also request application materials from: Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: (202) 720-5265, fax: (202) 690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov . B. Content and Form of Application Submission A complete and valid application package must include an electronic copy (Microsoft Word format preferred) of the narrative portion (Forms RME 1 and RME-2) of the application package on a compact disc and an original and two copies of the completed and signed application must be submitted in one package at the time of initial submission, which must include the following: 1. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424, “Application for Federal Assistance”. 2. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-A, “Budget Information—Non-construction Programs”. Federal funding requested (the total of direct and indirect costs) must not exceed $10,000. 3. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-B, “Assurances, Non-constructive Programs”. 4. Risk Management Education Project Narrative (Form RME-1). Complete all required parts of Form RME-1: Part I—Title Page Part II—A written narrative of no more than 5 single-sided pages which will provide reviewers with sufficient information to effectively evaluate the merits of the application according to the evaluation criteria listed in this notice. Although a Statement of Work, which is the third evaluation criterion, is to be completed in detail in RME Form-2, applicants may wish to highlight certain unique features of the Statement of Work in Part II for the benefit of the evaluation panel. If your narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed. • No smaller than 12-point font size. • Use an easily readable font face ( e.g. , Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, Times Roman). • 8.5 by 11 inch paper. • One-inch margins on each page. • Printed only on one side of paper. • Unbound, held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not bound or stapled in any other way. Part III—A Budget Narrative, describing how the categorical costs listed on SF 424-A are derived. The budget narrative should provide enough detail for reviewers to easily understand how costs were determined and how they relate to the goals and objectives of the project. Part IV—Provide a “Statement of Non-financial Benefits”. (Refer to Section III, Eligibility Information, above). 5. “Statement of Work”, Form RME-2, which identifies tasks and subtasks in detail, expected completion dates and deliverables, and RMA's substantial involvement role for the proposed project. Applications that do not include items 1-5 above will be considered incomplete and will not receive further consideration and will be rejected. C. Submission Dates and Times Applications Deadline: Applications are due 5 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2007. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that RMA receives a complete application package by the closing date and time. USPS mail sent to Washington D.C. headquarters is sanitized offsite, which may result in delays, loss, and physical damage to enclosures. Regardless of the delivery method you choose, please do so sufficiently in advance of the due date to ensure your application package is received on or before the deadline. It is your responsibility to meet the due date and time. E-mailed and faxed applications will not be accepted. Late application packages will not receive further consideration and will be rejected. D. Intergovernmental Review Not applicable. E. Funding Restrictions Cooperative partnership agreement funds may not be used to: a. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or facility including a processing facility; b. Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment; c. Repair or maintain privately owned vehicles; d. Pay for the preparation of the cooperative partnership agreement application; e. Fund political activities; f. Alcohol, food, beverage or entertainment; g. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving a cooperative partnership agreement; h. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 CFR Parts 3015 and 3019, as applicable. F. 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 60 percent reimbursement of the funds awarded under the cooperative partnership agreement as indicated in Section III. Eligibility Information, C. Other—Non-financial Benefits. One goal of the Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program is to maximize the use of the limited funding available for risk management education for producers of Priority Commodities. In order to accomplish this goal, RMA needs to ensure that the maximum amount of funds practicable is used for directly providing the educational opportunities. Limiting the amount of funding for salaries and benefits will allow the limited amount of funding to reach the maximum number of farmers and ranchers. G. 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 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. b. RMA will withhold all indirect cost rate funds for an award to an applicant requesting indirect costs if the applicant has not negotiated an indirect cost rate with its cognizant Federal agency. c. If an applicant is in the process of negotiating an indirect cost rate with its cognizant Federal agency, RMA will withhold all indirect cost rate funds from that applicant until the indirect cost rate has been established. d. If an applicant's indirect cost rate has expired or will expire prior to award announcements, a clear statement on renegotiation efforts must be included in the application. e. It is incumbent on all applicants to have a current indirect cost rate or begin negotiations to establish an indirect cost rate prior to the submission deadline. Because it may take several months to obtain an indirect cost rate, applicants needing an indirect cost rate are encouraged to start work on establishing these rates well in advance of submitting an application. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is responsible for assigning cognizant Federal agencies. f. Applicants may be asked to provide a copy of their indirect cost rate negotiated with their cognizant agency. g. RMA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants. H. Other Submission Requirements Mailed submissions: Applications submitted through express, overnight mail or another delivery service will be considered as meeting the announced deadline if they are received in the mailroom at the address stated below for express, overnight mail or another delivery service on or before the deadline. Applicants are cautioned that express, overnight mail or other delivery services do not always deliver as agreed. Applicants should take this into account because failure of such delivery services will not extend the deadline. Mailed applications will be considered as meeting the announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline in the mailroom at the address stated below for mailed applications. Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, to ensure that applications are received on or before the deadline time and date. Applicants using the U.S. Postal Services should allow for the extra security handling time for delivery due to the additional security measures that mail delivered to government offices in the Washington DC area requires. Address when using private delivery services or when hand delivering: Attention: Risk Management Education Program, USDA/RMA/RME, Room 5720, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Address when using U.S. Postal Services: Attention: Risk Management Education Program, USDA/RMA/RME/Stop 0808, Room 5720, South Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250-0808. I. Electronic Submissions Applications transmitted electronically via Grants.gov will be accepted prior to the application date or time deadline. The application package can be accessed via Grants.gov, go to http://www.grants.gov , click on “Find Grant Opportunities”, click on “Search Grant Opportunities,” and enter the CFDA number (beginning of the RFA) to search by CFDA number. From the search results, select the item that correlates to the title of this RFA. If you do not have electronic access to the RFA or have trouble downloading material and you would like a hardcopy, you may contact Lon Burke, USDA-RMA- RME, phone: (202) 720-5265, fax: (202) 690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. If assistance is needed to access the application package via Grants.gov (e.g., downloading or navigating PureEdge forms, using PureEdge with a Macintosh computer), refer to resources available on the Grants.gov Web site first ( http://www.grants.gov/ ). Grants.gov assistance is also available as follows: • Grants.gov customer support. Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726. Business Hours: M-F 7:00 a.m.—9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. E-mail: support@grants.gov. Applicants who submit their applications via the Grants.gov Web site are not required to submit any hard copy documents to RMA. When using Grants.gov to apply, RMA strongly recommends that you submit the online application at least two weeks prior to the application due date in case there are problems with the Grants.gov Web site and you want to submit your application via a mail delivery service. J. Acknowledgement of Applications Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by e-mail, whenever possible. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to provide e-mail addresses in their applications. If an e-mail address is not indicated on an application, receipt will be acknowledged by letter. There will be no notification of incomplete, unqualified or unfunded applications until after the awards have been made. When received by RMA, applications will be assigned an identification number. This number will be communicated to applicants in the acknowledgement of receipt of applications. An application's identification number should be referenced in all correspondence regarding the application. If the applicant does not receive an acknowledgement within 15 days of the submission deadline, the applicant should notify RMA's point of contact indicated in Section VII, Agency Contact. V. Application Review Process A. Criteria Applications submitted under the Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program will be evaluated within each RMA Region according to the following criteria: Priority—Maximum 10 Points The applicant can submit projects that are not related to Priority Commodities. However, priority will be given to projects relating to Priority Commodities and the degree in which such projects relate to the Priority Commodities. Projects that relate solely to Priority Commodities will be eligible for the most points. Project Benefits—Maximum 25 Points The applicant must demonstrate that the project benefits to farmers and ranchers warrant the funding requested. Applicants will be scored according to the extent they can: (a) Reasonably estimate the number of producers reached through the various educational activities described in the Statement of Work; (b) justify such estimates with clear specifics; (c) identify the actions producers will likely be able to take as a result of the activities described in the Statement of Work; and (d) identify the specific measures for evaluating results that will be employed in the project. Reviewers' scoring will be based on the scope and reasonableness of the applicant's estimates of producers reached through the project, clear descriptions of specific expected project benefits, and well-designed methods for measuring the project's results and effectiveness. Statement of Work—Maximum 15 Points The applicant must produce a clear and specific Statement of Work for the project. For each of the tasks contained in the Description of Agreement Award (refer to Section II Award Information), the applicant must identify and describe specific subtasks, responsible entities, expected completion dates, RMA substantial involvement, and deliverables that will further the purpose of this program. Applicants will obtain a higher score to the extent that the Statement of Work is specific, measurable, reasonable, has specific deadlines for the completion of subtasks, relates directly to the required activities and the program purpose described in this announcement, which is to provide producers with training and informational opportunities so that the producers will be better able to use financial management, crop insurance, marketing contracts, and other existing and emerging risk management tools. Applicants are required to submit this Statement of Work on Form RME-2. Project Management—Maximum 15 Points The applicant must demonstrate an ability to implement sound and effective project management practices. Higher scores will be awarded to applicants that can demonstrate organizational skills, leadership, and experience in delivering services or programs that assist agricultural producers in the respective RMA Region. The project manager must demonstrate that he/she has the capability to accomplish the project goal and purpose stated in this announcement by (a) having a previous working relationship with the farm community in the designated RMA Region of the application, including being able to recruit approximately the number of producers to be reached in the application and/or (b) having established the capacity to partner with and gain the support of grower organizations, agribusiness professionals, and agribusiness leaders locally to aid in carrying out a program of education and information, including being able to recruit approximately the number of producers to be reached in this application. Applicants that will employ, or have access to, personnel who have experience in directing local educational programs that benefit agricultural producers in the respective RMA Region will receive higher rankings. Past Performance—Maximum 10 Points If the applicant has been an awardee of other Federal or other government grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, the applicant must provide information relating to their past performance in reporting on outputs and outcomes under past or current federal assistance agreements. The applicant must also detail that they have consistently complied with financial and program reporting and auditing requirements. RMA reserves the right to add up to 10 points and subtract 5 points to applications due to past performance. Applicants with very good past performance will receive a score from 6-10 points. Applicants with acceptable past performance will receive a score from 1-5 points. Applicants with unacceptable past performance will receive a score of minus 5 points for this evaluation factor. Applicants without relevant past performance information will receive a neutral score of the mean number of points of all applicants with past performance. Under this cooperative partnership agreement, RMA will subjectively rate the awardee on project performance as indicated in Section II, G. The applicant must list all current public or private support to which personnel identified in the application have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary support for persons involved is included in the budget. An application that duplicates or overlaps substantially with an application already reviewed and funded (or to be funded) by another organization or agency will not be funded under this program. The projects proposed for funding should be included in the pending section. Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency—Maximum 15 Points Applicants must provide a detailed budget summary that clearly explains and justifies costs associated with the project. Applicants will receive higher scores to the extent that they can demonstrate a fair and reasonable use of funds appropriate for the project and a budget that contains the estimated cost of reaching each individual producer. The applicant must provide information factors such as: • The allowability and necessity for individual cost categories; • The reasonableness of amounts estimated for necessary costs; • The basis used for allocating indirect or overhead costs; • The appropriateness of allocating particular overhead costs to the proposed project as direct costs; and • The percent of time devoted to the project for all key project personnel identified in the application. Salaries of project personnel should be requested in proportion to the percent of time that they would devote to the project— Note: cannot exceed 60% of the total project budget. Applicants must list all current public or private support to which personnel identified in the application have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary support for persons involved is included in the budget. Only items or services that are necessary for the successful completion of the project will be funded as permitted under the Act. B. Review and Selection Process Applications will be evaluated using a two-part process. First, each application will be screened by RMA personnel to ensure that it meets the requirements in this announcement. Applications that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or that are incomplete 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 two independent reviewers. Reviewers will be drawn from USDA, other Federal agencies, and others representing 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. A lottery will be used to resolve any instances of a tie score that might have a bearing on funding recommendations. If such a lottery is required, the names of all tied applicants will be entered into a drawing. The first tied applicant drawn will have priority over other tied applicants for funding consideration. 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 45. 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 one that proposes to reach the same producers likely to be reached by another applicant that scored higher by the panel and the same general educational material is proposed to be delivered. An organization, or group of organizations in partnership, may apply for funding under other FCIC or RMA programs, in addition to the program described in this announcement. However, if the Manager of FCIC determines that an application recommended for funding is sufficiently similar to a project that has been funded or has been recommended to be funded under another RMA or FCIC program, then the Manager may elect to not 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 Following approval by the awarding official of RMA 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 awarding official of RMA shall enter into cooperative partnership agreements with those selected applicants. The agreements provide the amount of Federal funds for use in the project period, the terms, and conditions of the award, and the time period for the project. The effective date of the agreement shall be on the date the agreement is executed by both parties and it shall remain in effect for up to one year or through September 30, 2008, whichever is later. After a 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 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. Reasons for denial of funding can include, but are not limited to, incomplete applications, applications with evaluation scores that are lower than other applications in an RMA Region, or applications that are highly similar to a higher-scoring application in the same RMA Region. Highly similar is an application that proposes to reach the same producers likely to be reached by another applicant that scored higher by the panel and the same general educational material is proposed to be delivered. B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 1. Requirement To Use Program Logo Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements will be required to use a program logo and design provided by RMA for all instructional and promotional materials. 2. Requirement to Provide Project Information to an RMA-selected Representative Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements may be required to assist RMA in evaluating the effectiveness of its educational programs by providing documentation of educational activities and related information to any contractor selected by RMA for program evaluation purposes. 3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflicts of Interest Private organizations that are involved in the sale of Federal crop insurance, or that have financial ties to such organizations, are eligible to apply for funding under this announcement. However, such entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct activities that would otherwise be required under a Standard Reinsurance Agreement or any other agreement in effect between FCIC and the entity. Also, such entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct activities that could be perceived by producers as promoting one company's services or products over another's. If applying for funding, such organizations are encouraged to be sensitive to potential conflicts of interest and to describe in their application the specific actions they will take to avoid actual and perceived conflicts of interest. 4. Access to Panel Review Information Upon written request from the applicant, scores from the evaluation panel, not including the identity of reviewers, will be sent to the applicant after the review and awards process has been completed. 5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards The names of applicants, the names of individuals identified in the applications, the content of applications, and the panel evaluations of applications 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 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. 6. Audit Requirements Applicants awarded cooperative partnership agreements are subject to audit. 7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying Section 1352 of Public Law 101-121, enacted on October 23, 1989, imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification related to lobbying on awardees of Federal contracts, grants, cooperative 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 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: (1) To certify that they have neither used nor will use any appropriated funds for payment of lobbyists; (2) to disclose the name, address, payment details, and purpose of any agreements with lobbyists whom awardees of their subcontractors will pay with profits or other non-appropriated funds on or after December 22, 1989; and (3) to file quarterly up-dates about the use of lobbyists if material changes occur in their use. The law establishes civil penalties for non-compliance. A copy of the certification and disclosure forms must be submitted with the application, are available at the address, and telephone number listed in Section VII. Agency Contact. 8. Applicable OMB Circulars All partnership agreements funded as a result of this notice will be subject to the requirements contained in all applicable OMB circulars. 9. Requirement To Assure Compliance With Federal Civil Rights Laws Awardees of all cooperative partnership agreements funded as a result of this notice are required to know and abide by Federal civil rights laws and to assure USDA and RMA that the awardee is in compliance with and will continue to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq. ), 7 CFR Part 15, and USDA regulations promulgated thereunder, 7 CFR § 1901.202. RMA requires awardees to submit Form RD 400-4, Assurance Agreement (Civil Rights), assuring RMA of this compliance prior to the beginning of the project period. 10. Requirement To Participate in a Post Award Teleconference RMA requires that project leaders participate in a post award teleconference 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. 11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the National AgRisk Education Library RMA requires that project leaders upload digital copies of all risk management educational materials developed because of the project to the National AgRisk Education Library ( http://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 progress reports, quarterly financial reports (OMB Standard Form 269), and quarterly Activity Logs (Form RME-3) 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. Awardees will be required to submit prior to the award: • A completed and signed Form RD 400-4, Assurance Agreement (Civil Rights). • A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities”. • A completed and signed AD-1047, “Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters—Primary Covered Transactions.” • A completed and signed AD-1049, “Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace”. • A completed and signed Faith-Based Survey on EEO. VII. Agency Contact For Further Information Contact: Applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact: Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop 0808, Washington, DC 20250-0808, phone: 202-720-5265, fax: 202-690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. You may also obtain information regarding this announcement from the RMA Web site at: http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements. VIII. Additional Information A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of over 70 million businesses worldwide. The Office of Management and Budget published a notice of final policy issuance in the Federal Register June 27, 2003 (68 FR 38402) that requires a DUNS number in every application (i.e., hard copy and electronic) for a grant or cooperative agreement on or after October 1, 2003. Therefore, potential applicants should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to obtain one. For information about how to obtain a DUNS number, go to http://www.grants.gov. Please note that the registration may take up to 14 business days to complete. B. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry for Submission of Proposals The Central Contract Registry (CCR) is a database that serves as the primary Government repository for contractor information required for the conduct of business with the Government. This database will also be used as a central location for maintaining organizational information for organizations seeking and receiving grants from the Government. Such organizations must register in the CCR prior to the submission of applications. A DUNS number is needed for CCR registration. For information about how to register in the CCR, visit “Get Started” at the Web site, http://www.grants.gov. Allow a minimum of 5 business days to complete the CCR registration. C. Related Programs Funding availability for this program may be announced at approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but separate programs—CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education), 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. Signed in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2007. Eldon Gould, Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. [FR Doc. E7-4593 Filed 3-13-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-08-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Announcement of Availability of Funds and Request for Application for Competitive Cooperative Agreements—Correction Funding Opportunity Title: Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States (Targeted States Program). Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.458. Dates: Applications are due 5 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2007. Summary: Due to an error in the Application Deadline (Section IV—Application and Submission Information, C. Submission Dates and Times), the following notice supersedes the original Request for Applications, published on March 7, 2007 for Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States (Targeted States Program) at 72 FR 10128-10135. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), operating through the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announces the availability of approximately $4.5 million to fund cooperative agreements under the Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States program (the Targeted States Program). The purpose of this cooperative agreement program is to deliver crop insurance education and information to U.S. agricultural producers in certain States that have been designated as historically underserved with respect to crop insurance. The states, collectively referred to as Targeted States, are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. A maximum of 15 cooperative agreements will be funded, one in each of the 15 Targeted States. Awardees of awards must agree to the substantial involvement of RMA in the project. Funding availability for this program may be announced at approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but separate programs—CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships) CFDA No. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education), and CFDA No. 10.459 (Commodity Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk Management Education Sessions). Prospective applicants should carefully examine and compare the notices for each program. This Announcement Consists of Eight Sections Section I—Funding Opportunity Description A. Legislative Authority B. Background C. Project Goal D. Purpose Section II—Award Information A. Type of Award B. Funding Availability C. Location and Target Audience D. Maximum Award E. Project Period F. Description of Agreement Award—Awardee Tasks G. RMA Activities H. Other Tasks Section III—Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing or Matching Section IV—Application and Submission Information A. Contact to Request Application Package B. Content and Form of Application Submission C. Submission Dates and Times D. Funding Restrictions E. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for Salaries and Benefits F. Indirect Cost Rates G. Other Submission Requirements H. Electronic submissions I. Acknowledgement of Applications Section V—Application Review Process 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 Program Logo 2. Requirement to Provide Project Information to an RMA-selected Representative 3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflict of Interest 4. Access to Panel Review Information 5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards 6. Audit Requirements 7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying 8. Applicable OMB Circulars 9. Requirement to Assure Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Laws 10. Requirement to Participate in a Post Award Conference 11. Requirement to Submit Educational Materials to the National AgRisk Education Library C. Reporting Requirements Section VII—Agency Contact Section VIII—Additional Information A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) B. Required Registration with the Central Contract Registry for Submission of Proposals C. Related Programs Full Text of Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Legislative Authority The Targeted States Program is authorized under section 524(a)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act). B. Background RMA promotes and regulates sound risk management solutions to improve the economic stability of American agriculture. On behalf of FCIC, RMA does this by offering Federal crop insurance products through a network of private-sector partners, overseeing the creation of new risk management products, seeking enhancements in existing products, ensuring the integrity of crop insurance programs, offering outreach programs aimed at equal access and participation of underserved communities, and providing risk management education and information. One of RMA's strategic goals is to ensure that its customers are well informed as to the risk management solutions available. This educational goal is supported by section 524(a)(2) of the Act. This section authorizes funding for the establishment of crop insurance education and information programs in States that have historically been underserved by the Federal crop insurance program. In accordance with the Act, the fifteen States designated as “underserved” are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming (collectively referred to as “Targeted States”). C. Project Goal The goal of the Targeted States Program is to ensure that farmers and ranchers in the Targeted States are sufficiently informed so as to take full advantage of existing and emerging crop insurance products. D. Purpose The purpose of the Targeted States Program is to provide farmers and ranchers in Targeted States with education and information to be able to understand: • The kinds of risk addressed by crop insurance; • The features of existing and emerging crop insurance products; • The use of crop insurance in the management of risk; • How the use of crop insurance can affect other risk management decisions, such as the use of marketing and financial tools; • How to make informed decisions on crop insurance prior to the sales closing date deadline; and • Recordkeeping requirements for crop insurance. In addition, for 2007, the FCIC Board of Directors and the FCIC Manager are seeking projects that also include the topics listed below which highlight the educational priorities within each of the twelve Northeast Targeted States: Aquaculture (Clams)—(MA) Nursery—(CT, DE, MA, ME, MD, NH, NY, NJ, PA, RI, VT, and WV) AGR—(CT, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT) AGR-Lite—(CT, DE, MA, ME, MD, NH, NY, NJ, PA, RI, VT, and WV) Livestock and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)—(WV) Pasture Rangeland and Forage Rainfall Index and the Pasture Rangeland and Forage Vegetation Index—(PA) II. Award Information A. Type of Award Cooperative Agreements, which require the substantial involvement of RMA. B. Funding Availability Approximately $4,500,000 is available in fiscal year 2007 to fund up to 15 cooperative agreements, a maximum of one agreement for each of the Targeted States. The maximum funding amount anticipated for each Targeted State's agreement is as follows. Applicants should apply for funding for that Targeted State where the applicant intends on delivering educational activities. Connecticut $225,000 Delaware 261,000 Maine 225,000 Maryland 370,000 Massachusetts 209,000 Nevada 208,000 New Hampshire 173,000 New Jersey 272,000 New York 617,000 Pennsylvania 754,000 Rhode Island 157,000 Utah 301,000 Vermont 226,000 West Virginia 209,000 Wyoming 293,000 Total 4,500,000 Funding amounts were determined by first allocating an equal amount of $150,000 to each Targeted State. Remaining funds were allocated on a pro rata basis according to each Targeted State's share of 2000 agricultural cash receipts relative to the total for all Targeted States. Both allocations were totaled for each Targeted State and rounded to the nearest $1,000. 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 may, at the discretion of the Manager of FCIC, be allocated pro-rata to State awardees for use in broadening the size or scope of awarded projects within the Targeted State if agreed to by the awardee. In the event that the Manager of FCIC determines that available RMA resources cannot support the administrative and substantial involvement requirements of all agreements recommended for funding, the Manager may elect to fund fewer agreements than the available funding might otherwise allow. It is expected that the awards will be made approximately 60 days after the application deadline. All awards will be made and agreements finalized no later than September 30, 2007. C. Location and Target Audience Targeted States serviced by RMA Regional Offices are listed below. Staff from the respective RMA Regional Offices will provide substantial involvement for Targeted States projects conducted within the respective Regions. Billings, MT Regional Office: (WY). Davis, CA Regional Office: (NV and UT). Raleigh, NC Regional Office: (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT and WV). Applicants must clearly designate in their application narrative the Targeted State where crop insurance educational activities for the project will be delivered. 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. Single applications proposing to conduct educational activities in more than one Targeted State will be rejected. D. Maximum Award Any application that requests Federal funding 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. 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. 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 agribusiness leaders in the designated Targeted State of training and informational opportunities. • Deliver crop insurance training and informational opportunities to agricultural producers and 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 prior to the crop insurance sales closing dates deadline. This will include organizing and delivering educational activities using instructional materials that have been assembled 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 crop insurance tools and decisions. • 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 may also be required to provide information to an RMA-selected contractor to evaluate all educational activities and advise RMA as to the effectiveness of activities. G. RMA Activities FCIC, working through RMA, will be substantially involved during the performance of the funded project through three of RMA's ten Regional Offices. Potential types of substantial involvement may include, but are not limited to the following activities. • Assist in the selection of subcontractors and project staff. • Collaborate with the awardee in assembling, reviewing, and approving risk management materials for producers in the designated RMA Region. • 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 RMA Region. • 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. • Conduct an evaluation of the performance of the awardee in meeting the deliverables of the project. Applications that do not contain substantial involvement by RMA will be rejected. H. Other Tasks In addition to the specific, required tasks listed above, the applicant may propose additional tasks that would contribute directly to the purpose of this program. For any proposed additional task, the applicant must identify the objective of the task, the specific subtasks required to meet the objective, specific time lines for performing the subtasks, and the specific responsibilities of partners. The applicant must also identify specific ways in which RMA would have substantial involvement in the proposed project task. III. Eligibility Information A. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, universities, non-profit agricultural organizations, and other public or private organizations with the capacity to lead a local program of crop insurance education for farmers and ranchers within a Targeted State. Individuals are eligible applicants. Although an applicant may be eligible to compete for an award based on its status as an eligible entity, other factors may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal assistance under this program governed by Federal law and regulations (e.g. debarment and suspension; a determination of non-performance on a prior contract, cooperative agreement, grant or partnership; a determination of a violation of applicable ethical standards; a determination of being considered “high risk”). Applications from ineligible or excluded persons will be rejected in their entirety. B. Cost Sharing or Matching Although RMA prefers cost sharing by the applicant, this program has neither a cost sharing nor a matching requirement. IV. Application and Submission Information A. Contact To Request Application Package Program application materials for the Targeted States Program under this announcement may be downloaded from http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements . Applicants may also request application materials from: Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: (202) 720-5265, fax: (202) 690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. B. Content and Form of Application Submission A complete and valid application package must include an electronic copy (Microsoft Word format preferred) of the narrative portion (Forms RME-1 and RME-2) of the application package on a compact disc and an original and two copies of the completed and signed application must be submitted in one package at the time of initial submission, which must include the following: 1. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424, “Application for Federal Assistance.” 2. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-, “Budget Information—Non-construction Programs.” Federal funding requested (the total of direct and indirect costs) must not exceed the maximum level for the respective Targeted State, as specified in Section II, Award Information. 3. A completed and signed OMB Standard Form 424-, “Assurances, Non-constructive Programs.” 4. Risk Management Education Project Narrative (Form RME-1). Complete all required parts of Form RME-1: Part I—Title Page. Part II—A written narrative of no more than 10 single-sided pages which will provide reviewers with sufficient information to effectively evaluate the merits of the application according to the evaluation criteria listed in this notice. Although a Statement of Work, which is the second evaluation criterion, is to be completed in detail in RME Form-2, applicants may wish to highlight certain unique features of the Statement of Work in Part II for the benefit of the evaluation panel. If your narrative exceeds the page limit, only the first 10 pages will be reviewed. • No smaller than 12 point font size. • Use an easily readable font face (e.g., Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, Times Roman). • 8.5 by 11 inch paper. • One-inch margins on each page. • Printed on only one side of paper. • Held together only by rubber bands or metal clips; not bound or stapled in any other way. Part III—A Budget Narrative, describing how the categorical costs listed on SF 424-A are derived. The budget narrative should provide enough detail for reviewers to easily understand how costs were determined and how they relate to the goals and objectives of the project. Part IV—(Not required for Targeted States Program). 5. “Statement of Work,” (Form RME-2), which identifies tasks and subtasks in detail, expected completion dates and deliverables, and RMA's substantial involvement role for the proposed project. Applications that do not include items 1-5 above will be considered incomplete and will not receive further consideration and will be rejected. C. Submission Dates and Times Applications Deadline: Applications are due 5 p.m. EDT, April 23, 2007. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that RMA receives a complete application package by the closing date and time. USPS mail sent to Washington D.C. headquarters is sanitized offsite, which may result in delays, loss, and physical damage to enclosures. Regardless of the delivery method you choose, please do so sufficiently in advance of the due date to ensure your application package is received on or before the deadline. It is your responsibility to meet the due date and time. Emailed and faxed applications will not be accepted. Late application packages will not receive further consideration and will be rejected. D. Funding Restrictions Cooperative agreement funds may not be used to: a. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or facility including a processing facility; b. Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment; c. Repair or maintain privately owned vehicles; d. Pay for the preparation of the cooperative agreement application; e. Fund political activities; f. Alcohol, food, beverage, or entertainment; g. Pay costs incurred prior to receiving a cooperative agreement; h. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 CFR Parts 3015 and 3019, as applicable. E. 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 60 percent reimbursement of the funds awarded under the cooperative agreement. One goal of the Targeted States Program is to maximize the use of the limited funding available for crop insurance education for Targeted States. In order to accomplish this goal, RMA needs to ensure that the maximum amount of funds practicable is used for directly providing the educational opportunities. Limiting the amount of funding for salaries and benefits will allow the limited amount of funding to reach the maximum number of farmers and ranchers. F. 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 will withhold all indirect cost rate funds for an award to an applicant requesting indirect costs if the applicant has not negotiated an indirect cost rate with its cognizant Federal agency. c. If an applicant is in the process of negotiating an indirect cost rate with its cognizant Federal agency, RMA will withhold all indirect cost rate funds from that applicant until the indirect cost rate has been established. d. If an applicant's indirect cost rate has expired or will expire prior to award announcements, a clear statement on renegotiation efforts must be included in the application. e. It is incumbent on all applicants to have a current indirect cost rate or begin negotiations to establish an indirect cost rate prior to the submission deadline. Because it may take several months to obtain an indirect cost rate, applicants needing an indirect cost rate are encouraged to start work on establishing these rates well in advance of submitting an application. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is responsible for assigning cognizant Federal agencies. f. Applicants may be asked to provide a copy of their indirect cost rate negotiated with their cognizant agency. g. RMA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants. G. Other Submission Requirements Mailed submissions: Applications submitted through express, overnight mail or another delivery service will be considered as meeting the announced deadline if they are received in the mailroom at the address stated below for express, overnight mail or another delivery service on or before the deadline. Applicants are cautioned that express, overnight mail or other delivery services do not always deliver as agreed. Applicants should take this into account because failure of such delivery services will not extend the deadline. Mailed applications will be considered as meeting the announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline in the mailroom at the address stated below for mailed applications. Applicants are responsible for mailing applications well in advance, to ensure that applications are received on or before the deadline time and date. Applicants using the U.S. Postal Service should allow for the extra time for delivery due to the additional security measures that mail delivered to government offices in the Washington DC area requires. Address when using private delivery services or when hand delivering: Attention: Risk Management Education Program, USDA/RMA/RME, Room 5720, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. Address when using U.S. Postal Services: Attention: Risk Management Education Program, USDA/RMA/RME/Stop 0808, Room 5720, South Building, 1400 Independence Ave, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0808. H. Electronic Submissions Applications transmitted electronically via Grants.gov will be accepted prior to the application date or time deadline. The application package can be accessed via Grants.gov, go to http://www.grants.gov , click on “Find Grant Opportunities,” click on “Search Grant Opportunities,” and enter the CFDA number (beginning of the RFA) to search by CFDA number. From the search results, select the item that correlates to the title of this RFA. If you do not have electronic access to the RFA or have trouble downloading material and you would like a hardcopy, you may contact Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: (202) 720-5265, fax: (202) 690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. If assistance is needed to access the application package via Grants.gov (e.g., downloading or navigating PureEdge forms, using PureEdge with a Macintosh computer), refer to resources available on the Grants.gov Web site first ( http://www.grants.gov/ ). Grants.gov assistance is also available as follows: • Grants.gov customer support Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726. Business Hours: M-F 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. E-mail: support@grants.gov. Applicants who submit their applications via the Grants.gov website are not required to submit any hard copy documents to RMA. When using Grants.gov to apply, RMA strongly recommends that you submit the online application at least two weeks prior to the application due date in case there are problems with the Grants.gov website and you want to submit your application via a mail delivery service. I. Acknowledgement of Applications Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by e-mail, whenever possible. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to provide e-mail addresses in their applications. If an e-mail address is not indicated on an application, receipt will be acknowledged by letter. There will be no notification of incomplete, unqualified or unfunded applications until the awards have been made. When received by RMA, applications will be assigned an identification number. This number will be communicated to applicants in the acknowledgement of receipt of applications. An application's identification number should be referenced in all correspondence regarding the application. If the applicant does not receive an acknowledgement within 15 days of the submission deadline, the applicant should notify RMA's point of contact indicated in Section VII, Agency Contact. V. Application Review Process A. Criteria Applications submitted under the Targeted States program will be evaluated within each Targeted State according to the following criteria: Project Benefits—maximum 35 points The applicant must demonstrate that the project benefits to farmers and ranchers warrant the funding requested. Applicants will be scored according to the extent they can: (a) Reasonably estimate the total number of producers reached through the various educational activities described in the Statement of Work; (b) justify such estimates with clear specifics; (c) identify the actions producers will likely be able to take as a result of the activities described in the Statement of Work; and (d) identify the specific measures for evaluating results that will be employed in the project. Reviewers' scoring will be based on the scope and reasonableness of the applicant's estimates of producers reached through the project, clear descriptions of specific expected project benefits, and well-designed methods for measuring the project's results and effectiveness. Statement of Work—maximum 25 points The applicant must produce a clear and specific Statement of Work for the project. For each of the tasks contained in the Description of Agreement Award (refer to Section II Award Information), the applicant must identify and describe specific subtasks, responsible entities, expected completion dates, RMA substantial involvement, and deliverables that will further the purpose of this program. Applicants will obtain a higher score to the extent that the Statement of Work is specific, measurable, reasonable, has specific deadlines for the completion of subtasks, relates directly to the required activities and the program purpose described in this announcement. Applicants are required to submit this Statement of Work on Form RME-2. Partnering—maximum 15 points The applicant must demonstrate experience and capacity to partner with and gain the support of grower organizations, agribusiness professionals, and agricultural leaders to carry out a local program of education and information in a designated Targeted State. The applicant is required to establish a written partnering plan that includes how each partner will aid in carrying out the project goal and purpose stated in this announcement and letters of support stating that the partner has agreed to do this work. The applicant must ensure this plan includes a list of all partners working on the project, their titles, and how they will be contributing to the deliverables listed in the agreement. Applicants will receive higher scores to the extent that they can document and demonstrate: (a) That partnership commitments are in place for the express purpose of delivering the program in this announcement; (b) that a broad group of farmers and ranchers will be reached within the Targeted State; (c) that partners are contributing to the project and involved in recruiting producers to attend the training; (d) that a substantial effort has been made to partner with organizations that can meet the needs of producers; 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 Benefits criterion. Project Management—maximum 15 points The applicant must demonstrate an ability to implement sound and effective project management practices. Higher scores will be awarded to applicants that can demonstrate organizational skills, leadership, and experience in delivering services or programs that assist agricultural producers in the respective Targeted State. The project manager must demonstrate that he/she has the capability to accomplish the project goal and purpose stated in this announcement by (a) having a previous working relationship with the farm community in the designated Targeted State of the application, including being able to recruit approximately the number of producers to be reached in the application and/or (b) having established the capacity to partner with and gain the support of grower organizations, agribusiness professionals, and agribusiness leaders locally to aid in carrying out a program of education and information, including being able to recruit approximately the number of producers to be reached in this application. Applicants that will employ, or have access to, personnel who have experience in directing local educational programs that benefit agricultural producers in the respective Targeted State will receive higher rankings. Past Performance—Maximum 10 Points If the applicant has been an awardee of other Federal or other government grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts, the applicant must provide information relating to their past performance in reporting on outputs and outcomes under past or current federal assistance agreements. The applicant must also detail that they have consistently complied with financial and program reporting and auditing requirements. RMA reserves the right to add up to 10 points and subtract 5 points to applications due to past performance. Applicants with very good past performance will receive a score from 6-10 points. Applicants with acceptable past performance will receive a score from 1-5 points. Applicants with unacceptable past performance will receive a score of minus 5 points for this evaluation factor. Applicants without relevant past performance information will receive a neutral score of the mean number of points of all applicants with past performance. Under this cooperative partnership agreement, RMA will subjectively rate the awardee on project performance as indicated in Section II, G. The applicant must list all current public or private support to which personnel identified in the application have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary support for persons involved is included in the budget. An application that duplicates or overlaps substantially with an application already reviewed and funded (or to be funded) by another organization or agency will not be funded under this program. The projects proposed for funding should be included in the pending section. Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency—Maximum 15 points Applicants must provide a detailed budget summary that clearly explains and justifies costs associated with the project. Applicants will receive higher scores to the extent that they can demonstrate a fair and reasonable use of funds appropriate for the project and a budget that contains the estimated cost of reaching each individual producer. The applicant must provide information factors such as: • The allowability and necessity for individual cost categories; • The reasonableness of amounts estimated for necessary costs; • The basis used for allocating indirect or overhead costs; • The appropriateness of allocating particular overhead costs to the proposed project as direct costs; and • The percent of time devoted to the project for all key project personnel identified in the application. Salaries of project personnel should be requested in proportion to the percent of time that they would devote to the project—Note: cannot exceed 60% of the total project budget. Applicants must list all current public or private support to which personnel identified in the application have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary support for persons involved is included in the budget. Only items or services that are necessary for the successful completion of the project will be funded as permitted under the Act. B. Review and Selection Process Applications will be evaluated using a two-part process. First, each application will be screened by RMA personnel to ensure that it meets the requirements in this announcement. Applications that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or are incomplete will not receive further consideration during the next process. Applications that meet announcement requirements will be sorted into the Targeted State 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 two independent reviewers. Reviewers will be drawn from USDA, other Federal agencies, and others representing 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 listed above. The panel will then rank each application against others within the Targeted State according to the scores received. A lottery will be used to resolve any instances of a tie score that might have a bearing on funding recommendations. If such a lottery is required, the names of all tied applicants will be entered into a drawing. The first tied applicant drawn will have priority over other tied applicants for funding consideration. 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 agreements for each Targeted State. Funding will not be provided for an application receiving a score less than 60. 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 to not 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 Following approval by the awarding official of RMA 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 awarding official of RMA shall enter into cooperative agreements with those awardees. The agreements provide the amount of Federal funds for use in the project period, the terms and conditions of the award, and the time period for the project. The effective date of the agreement shall be on the date the agreement is executed by both parties and it shall remain in effect for up to one year or through September 30, 2008, whichever is later. After a cooperative 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 awardee by FCIC must be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are obligated in accordance with the approved 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 awardees announced publicly. Reasons for denial of funding can 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. B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 1. Requirement to Use Program Logo Awardees of cooperative agreements will be required to use a program logo and design provided by RMA for all instructional and promotional materials. 2. Requirement to Provide Project Information to an RMA-Selected Representative Awardees of cooperative agreements may be required to assist RMA in evaluating the effectiveness of its educational programs by providing documentation of educational activities and related information to any contractor selected by RMA for program evaluation purposes. 3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations and Potential Conflicts of Interest Private organizations that are involved in the sale of Federal crop insurance, or that have financial ties to such organizations, are eligible to apply for funding under this announcement. However, such entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct activities that would otherwise be required under a Standard Reinsurance Agreement or any other agreement in effect between FCIC and the entity. Also, such entities will not be allowed to receive funding to conduct activities that could be perceived by producers as promoting one company's services or products over another's. If applying for funding, such organizations are encouraged to be sensitive to potential conflicts of interest and to describe in their application the specific actions they will take to avoid actual and perceived conflicts of interest. 4. Access to Panel Review Information Upon written request from the applicant, scores from the evaluation panel, not including the identity of reviewers, will be sent to the applicant after the review and awards process has been completed. 5. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards The names of applicants, the names of individuals identified in the applications, the content of applications, and the panel evaluations of applications 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 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. 6. Audit Requirements Awardees of cooperative agreements are subject to audit. 7. Prohibitions and Requirements Regarding Lobbying Section 1352 of Public Law 101-121, enacted on October 23, 1989, imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification related to lobbying on awardees of Federal contracts, grants, cooperative 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 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: (1) To certify that they have neither used nor will use any appropriated funds for payment of lobbyists; (2) to disclose the name, address, payment details, and purpose of any agreements with lobbyists whom awardees of their subcontractors will pay with profits or other non-appropriated funds on or after December 22, 1989; and (3) to file quarterly up-dates about the use of lobbyists if material changes occur in their use. The law establishes civil penalties for non-compliance. A 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. 8. 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. 9. Requirement To Assure Compliance With Federal Civil Rights Laws Project leaders of all cooperative agreements funded as a result of this notice are required to know and abide by Federal civil rights laws and to assure USDA and RMA that the awardee is in compliance with and will continue to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et. seq.), 7 CFR Part 15, and USDA regulations promulgated thereunder, 7 CFR § 1901.202. RMA requires that awardees submit Form RD 400-4, Assurance Agreement (Civil Rights), assuring RMA of this compliance prior to the beginning of the project period. 10. Requirement To Participate in a Post Award Conference RMA requires that project leaders attend a post award conference to become fully aware of cooperative 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. In their applications, applicants should budget for possible travel costs associated with attending this conference. 11. Requirement To Submit Educational Materials to the National AgRisk Education Library RMA requires that project leaders upload digital copies of all risk management educational materials developed because of the project to the National AgRisk Education Library ( http://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 progress reports, quarterly financial reports (OMB Standard Form 269), and quarterly Activity Logs (Form RME-3) 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. Awardees will be required to submit prior to the award: • A completed and signed Form RD 400-4, Assurance Agreement (Civil Rights). • A completed and signed OMB Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.” • A completed and signed AD-1047, “Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters—Primary Covered Transactions.” • A completed and signed AD-1049, “Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace.” • A completed and signed Faith-Based Survey on EEO. VII. Agency Contact For Further Information Contact: Applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact: Lon Burke, USDA-RMA-RME, phone: 202-720-5265, fax: 202-690-3605, e-mail: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. You may also obtain information regarding this announcement from the RMA Web site at: http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/agreements/. VIII. Additional Information A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of over 70 million businesses worldwide. The Office of Management and Budget published a notice of final policy issuance in the Federal Register June 27, 2003 (68 FR 38402) that requires a DUNS number in every application (i.e., hard copy and electronic) for a grant or cooperative agreement on or after October 1, 2003. Therefore, potential applicants should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to obtain one. For information about how to obtain a DUNS number, go to http://www.grants.gov . Please note that the registration may take up to 14 business days to complete. B. Required Registration With the Central Contract Registry for Submission of Proposals The Central Contract Registry (CCR) is a database that serves as the primary Government repository for contractor information required for the conduct of business with the Government. This database will also be used as a central location for maintaining organizational information for organizations seeking and receiving grants from the Government. Such organizations must register in the CCR prior to the submission of applications. A DUNS number is needed for CCR registration. For information about how to register in the CCR, visit ”Get Started” at the Web site, http://www.grants.gov. Allow a minimum of 5 business days to complete the CCR registration. C. Related Programs Funding availability for this program may be announced at approximately the same time as funding availability for similar but separate programs—CFDA No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and Assistance Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.456 (Risk Management Research Partnerships), CFDA No. 10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for Risk Management Education), and CFDA No. 10.459 (Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program). 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. Signed in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2007. Eldon Gould, Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. [FR Doc. E7-4594 Filed 3-13-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-08-P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service 30-Day Pre-Decisional Review and Opportunity To Object; Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Land Management Plan (Grasslands Plan) AGENCY: The Pike and San Isabel National Forests and the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, Forest Service, U.S.D.A. Authority: 36 CFR 219.9(b)(2)(i) and 36 CFR 219.9(b)(2)(iii). Notice: Availability of the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Land Management Plan (Grasslands Plan), and 30-Day Pre-decisional Review and Objection Period. SUMMARY: The Forest Supervisor for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests and the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) has made available the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Land Management Plan (Grasslands Plan) for a 30-day pre-decisional review and objection period. The 30-day pre-decisional review and objection period commences the day following the publication of the legal notice in the Pueblo Chieftain, Pueblo, Colorado. DATES: March 8, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barb Masinton, 719-553-1475. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Supervisor for the PSICC has announced a 30-day pre-decisional review and objection period for the Grasslands Plan, as provided by 36 CFR 219.13(a). The 30-day pre-decisional review and objection period will commence the day following the publication date of the legal notice in the Pueblo Chieftain, Pueblo, Colorado. The publication date of the legal notice in this newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection (see January 2006 Forest Service Handbook 1909.12, Chapter 50, section 51.13b). Objections may be filed only by non-federal agencies, organizations and individuals who participated in the planning process through the submission of written comments to the Forest Service pertaining to the Grasslands Plan or supporting documents. It is helpful to reference your earlier written comments to document your standing in this objection process. These objections must be: (a) In writing, (b) submitted to the Grasslands Plan Reviewing Officer (Regional Forester, Rocky Mountain Region), and (c) submitted during the 30-day pre-decisional review and objection period. Additionally, objections must contain the following: 1. The name, mailing address, and telephone number of the person or entity filing the objection. Where a single objection is filed by more than one person, the objection must indicate the lead objector to contact. The Reviewing Officer may appoint the first name listed as the lead objector to act on behalf of all parties to the single objection when the single objection does not specify a lead objector. The Reviewing Officer may communicate directly with the lead objector and is not required to notify the other listed objectors about the objection response or any other written correspondence related to the single objection; 2. A statement of the issues and the parts of the Grasslands Plan to which the objection applies, and how the objecting party would be adversely affected; 3. A concise statement explaining how the objector believes that the Grasslands Plan in inconsistent with law, regulation, or policy, or how the objector disagrees with the decision, and providing any recommendations for change; and 4. A signature or other verification of authorship is required (a scanned signature when filing electronically is acceptable). The written notice of objection, including attachments, must be submitted to the Grasslands Plan Reviewing Officer for the Rocky Mountain Region by mail, e-mail, fax, hand-delivery, express delivery, or messenger service. Objections sent by the U.S. Postal Service must be mailed to: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, ATTN: Rick Cables, Regional Forester and Grasslands Plan Reviewing Officer, P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, CO 80225. E-mail: Electronically-filed objections will be accepted at: objections-rocky-mountain-regional-office@fs.fed.us. E-mailed objections must be in Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, or rich text format (.rtf) file formats. For electronically-mailed objections, the sender should typically receive an automated electronic acknowledgment from the agency as confirmation of receipt. If the sender does not receive an automated acknowledgement of the receipt of the objection, it is the sender's responsibility to ensure timely receipt by other means. Fax: The number to use for faxing written objections is: (303) 275-5482. Objections that are delivered by hand, by express delivery, or messenger service must be done so during business hours, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Mountain Time, at: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, ATTN: Rick Cables, Regional Forester and Grasslands Plan Reviewing Officer, 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO 80401. Objections must be postmarked, e-mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered within 30 days following the date of publication of the legal notice in the Pueblo Chieftain, Pueblo, Colorado. The pre-decisional Grasslands Plan and supporting documents can be accessed, viewed, and downloaded at the following Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/projects/forest_revision/. The Grasslands Plan is also available in paper copy or compact disc (CD) formats by request. Note that all objections, including names and addresses, become part of the public record and are subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, except for proprietary documents and information. Dated: March 8, 2007. Robert J. Leaverton, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 07-1178 Filed 3-13-07; 8:45 am]