DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

SUBJECT: Agricultural Telecommunications Program; Fiscal Year 1994;

Request for Proposals; Application Guidelines.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Barbara A. White, 202-720-1949 for program information, or Margaret

Bell, Cooperative Funds Division, Extension Service, USDA, 202-401-

4314, for fiscal or budget information.

Program Description

(a) Purpose

Proposals are requested for the purpose of awarding competitive

grants for fiscal year 1994 under the Agricultural Telecommunications

Program. Grants will be awarded to eligible institutions to assist in

development and utilization of an agricultural communications network

to facilitate and to strengthen agricultural extension, resident

education and research, and domestic and international marketing of

United States commodities and products through a partnership between

eligible institutions and the Department of Agriculture. The network

will employ satellite and other telecommunications technology to

disseminate and to share academic instruction, cooperative extension

programming, agricultural research, and marketing information. The

authority for this program is contained in section 1673 of the Food,

Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, Public Law 101-624.

The program is administered by the Extension Service (ES) of the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA).

(b) Available Funding

For fiscal year 1994, $1.221 million is available for the program.

For the purpose of determining the non-Federal share of such costs,

consideration will be given to contributions in cash and in-kind,

fairly evaluated, including, but not limited to premises, equipment and

services. Grants under this program may provide funds for no more than

50 percent (50%) of the cost of a proposed project, unless otherwise

determined by the Secretary.

(c) Eligibility

Proposals are invited from accredited institutions of higher

education. Applicants must demonstrate that they participate in a

network that distributes programs consistent with the following

objectives:

(1) Make optimal use of available resources for agricultural

extension, resident education, and research by sharing resources

between participating institutions;

(2) Improve the competitive position of United States agriculture

in international markets by disseminating information to producers,

processors, and researchers;

(3) Train students for careers in agriculture and food industries;

(4) Facilitate interaction among leading agricultural scientists;

(5) Enhance the ability of United States agriculture to respond to

environmental and food safety concerns, and;

(6) Identify new uses for farm commodities and to increase the

demand for United States agricultural products in both domestic and

foreign markets.

In addition to the above, an applicant must qualify as a

responsible applicant in order to be eligible for a grant under the

program. To qualify as responsible, an applicant must meet the

following standards:

(1) Adequate financial resources for performance, the necessary

experience, organizational and technical qualifications, and

facilities, or a firm commitment, arrangement, or ability to obtain the

same (including any to be obtained through sub-agreements(s)/

contract(s);

(2) Ability to comply with the proposed or required completion

schedule for the project;

(3) Adequate financial management system and audit procedures that

provide efficient and effective accountability and control of all

funds, property, and other assets;

(4) Satisfactory record of integrity, judgment, and performance,

including, in particular, any prior performance under grants and

contracts from the Federal Government; and

(5) Otherwise be qualified and eligible to receive Federal

assistance under the applicable laws and regulations.

(d) Definitions

For the purpose of awarding funding under this program, the

following definitions are applicable:

(1) ``Administrative costs'' means the total of direct and indirect

costs as defined in the Departmental Assistance Regulations, related to

the operation of a project under this program;

(2) ``Agricultural telecommunications'' means those activities

established to encourage development and utilization of an agricultural

communications network employing satellite and other telecommunications

technologies to disseminate and to share academic instruction,

cooperative extension programming, agricultural research, and marketing

information;

(3) ``Awarding official'' means the Administrator, Extension

Service, USDA;

(4) ``Communications network'' refers to television or cable

television origination or distribution equipment, signal conversion

equipment (including both modulators and demodulators), computer

hardware and software, programs or terminals, or related devices, used

to process and exchange data through a telecommunications system in

which signals are generated, modified or prepared for transmission, or

received, via telecommunications terminal equipment or via

telecommunications transmission;

(5) ``Delivery'' means the transmission and reception of programs

by facilities that transmit, receive, or carry data between

telecommunications terminal equipment at each end of a

telecommunications circuit or path;

(6) ``Facilities'' includes microwave antennae, fiberoptic cables

and repeaters, coaxial cables, communications satellite ground station

complexes, copper cable electronic equipment associated with

telecommunications transmission;

(7) ``Grant'' means the award by the Administrator to an awardee to

develop agricultural telecommunication programs utilizing an

agricultural telecommunications network;

(8) ``Grantee'' means the entity designated in the grant award

document as the responsible legal entity to whom a grant is awarded;

(9) ``Peer Review Panel'' means a panel of appropriate employees of

the Federal Government;

(10) ``Project'' means the particular activity within the scope of

the program as identified herein;

(11) ``Project Director`` means the individual who is responsible

for technical direction of the project, as designated by the awardee in

the award proposal and approved by the Administrator, Extension

Service, USDA;

(12) ``Project Period'' means the total time approved by the

Administrator, Extension Service, USDA, for conducting the proposed

project as outlined in the approved Federal assistance proposal or the

approved portions thereof.

Application Categories

Applicants may submit proposals in any of the following program

areas as specified in the authorization: (a) Program Delivery, (b)

Staff/Faculty Training, (c) Program Development/Production.

(a) Program Delivery

Applicants may submit a proposal requesting funding to operate an

agricultural communications network, employing satellite and other

telecommunications technology, to deliver Cooperative Extension

programming, academic instruction, agricultural research and marketing

information through partnership(s) between eligible institutions and

the Department of Agriculture. In addition to the initial required

information under Project Description, the proposal must include a

business plan which defines a structure for the technical design and

development of the delivery system, scheduling and operation,

including:

(1) Development and employment of distance learning technologies,

such as satellite, computer, multimedia, audio/visual and other

telecommunications technologies;

(2) Providing learner and program support:

(3) Satellite transponder booking, receiving and turn-around

service;

(4) A satellite operations center, including technical trouble-

shooting;

(5) Marketing of network programs.

(b) Staff/Faculty Training

Applicants may submit a proposal requesting funding to establish a

network training concept targeting faculty/staff development in

distance learning, in cooperation with eligible institution(s).

Delivery system(s) for training will be designed/developed using

appropriate distance learning technologies with emphasis on satellite

delivery and the Internet. In addition to the required information in

Program Description, the proposal must contain detail regarding

targeted audience including rationale for selected delivery methods as

well as emphasis on learner control and/or flexibility. Curriculum

content in the following areas must also be addressed:

(1) Distance education as a process including review of both human

and technical infrastructure;

(2) Systematic approach to the design of distance learning

experiences emphasizing the instructional design process for developing

distance learning opportunities based on an acceptable model from

literature;

(3) Research targeting effectiveness of selected technologies in

the teaching-learning process implemented at a distance;

(4) Mechanism(s) for evaluating distance learning using qualitative

and/or quantitative approaches, including but not limited to learning

outcome, preference for delivery, learning style, and level of

interaction.

An integrated approach to instructional design should be evident

including subject-matter content, educational methodology, and

compatible production and delivery techniques. This section should

include the following:

(a) Specific Learning Objectives: These should be stated in terms

of behavioral changes expected to occur in the audience(s) based on

participation in the program, not in terms of what the program will

deliver.

(b) Instructional Methodology/Strategies: Fully explain the

instructional/educational method or strategy to be implemented

including appropriateness for audience and learning environment.

Explanation should demonstrate knowledge of how people learn and/or

interact in a mediated environment.

(c) Detailed outline of subject-matter content/curriculum to be

included in the program.

(d) Production Techniques: Provide detailed explanation of

production techniques used in producing and delivery of program. It

should be clear from the narrative how subject-matter content,

instructional method/strategy, and production will be integrated.

(e) Multiple Media/Wrap-Around: Applicants are encouraged to use a

full range of available options in support/and delivery of projects

such as satellite video teleconferencing, audio conferencing, computer

mediated instruction, and Internet electronic communication network

with print materials available in digital format for future reference/

modification. Fully describe the use of multiple media delivery modes

and any plans for integration in wrap-around programs.

(f) Interactivity: Fully describe the expected level of

interactivity necessary based on principles underlying teaching-

learning transaction, sound instructional design, and mode of delivery

used.

(g) Program Evaluation: Describe both formative and summative

design for evaluation success in meeting learning objective(s) listed

under (a). In addition, describe strategy for evaluating overall

effectiveness of program delivery in terms such as teaching and

learning style, behavior change/problem-solving, immediate application,

meeting learner need, and potential for replication.

(h) Promotion and Marketing: Describe how the educational effort

will be promoted and marketed to targeted audience(s) identified such

as marketing strategy, methods of promotion (print, media, flyers,

radio), collaborative efforts, and time line.

(c) Program Development/Production

Proposals for development of educational programs should consider

high priority national issues and should clearly describe the

importance of the topic selected to the target audience(s). Applicants

may submit proposals in one of two categories; (1) Targeted Programs or

(2) Innovative Programs.

(1) Targeted Programs

(a) Extension System National Initiatives:

--Communities in Economic Transition

--Decisions for Health

--Food Safety and Quality

--Plight of Young Children

--Sustainable Agriculture

--Waste Management

--Water Quality

--Youth at Risk

(b) Other base programs within the scope of agricultural science

and education and in line with the purpose of this funding:

--Agricultural Competitiveness and Profitability

--Community Resource and Economic Development

--Family Development and Resource Management

--4-H and Youth Development

--Leadership and Volunteer Development

--Natural Resources and Environmental Management

--Nutrition, Diet and Health

(c) Resident instruction courses/programs as appropriate under

authorizing language (see (c) Eligibility).

(2) Innovative Programs

In addition to the required Program Description information,

applicants requesting funds for innovative programs must emphasize a

creative approach to distance education programming. Examples might

include: meeting an identified high-priority need; inclusion of limited

resource audiences; pilot projects demonstrating innovative

combinations of satellite/video, computer networking, audio

conferencing, and/or wrap-around plans and materials; match of audience

needs/characteristics to delivery system; and design of evaluation

protocol for measuring teaching-learning transaction.

An integrated approach to instructional design should be evident

including subject-matter content, educational methodology and

compatible production and delivery techniques. This section should

include the following:

(a) Specific Learning Objectives: These should be stated in terms

of behavioral changes expected to occur in the audience(s) based on

participation in the program, not in terms of what the program will

deliver.

(b) Instructional Methodology/Strategies: Fully explain the

instructional/educational method or strategy to be implemented

including appropriateness for audience and learning environment.

Explanation should demonstrate knowledge of how people learn and/or

interact in a mediated environment.

(c) Detailed outline of subject-matter content/curriculum to be

included in the program.

(d) Production Techniques: Provide detailed explanation of

production techniques used in producing and delivery of program. It

should be clear from the narrative how subject-matter content,

instructional method/strategy, and production will be integrated.

(e) Multiple Media/Wrap-Around: Applicants are encouraged to use a

full range of available option in support/and delivery of projects such

as satellite video teleconferencing, audio conferencing, computer

mediated instruction, and Internet electronic communication network

with print materials available in digital format for future reference/

modification. Fully describe the use of multiple media delivery modes

and any plans for integration in wrap-around programs.

(f) Interactivity: Fully describe the expected level of

interactivity necessary based on principles underlying teaching-

learning transaction, sound instructional design, and mode of delivery

used.

(g) Program Evaluation: Describe both formative and summative

design for evaluating success in meeting learning objective(s) listed

under (a). In addition, describe strategy for evaluating overall

effectiveness of program delivery in terms such as teaching and

learning style, behavior change/problem-solving, immediate application,

meeting learner need, and potential for replication.

(h) Promotion and Marketing: Describe how the educational effort

will be promoted and marketed to target audience(s) identified such as

marketing strategy, methods of promotion (print, media flyers, radio),

collaborative efforts, and time line.

Proposal Preparation

(a) Proposal Cover Page

(1) Title of Proposal

The title of the proposal must be brief (80-character maximum) yet

represent the major thrust of the project.

(2) Other Information

Include the following information on the proposal cover page:

(a) Name, address, telephone, fax number, and e-mail address of

applicant and project director.

(b) Signatures and date. The cover page must contain the original

signatures of the Project Director and the Authorized Organizational

Representative who possesses the necessary authority to commit the

applicant's time and other relevant resources.

(c) Project Summary. Each proposal must contain a 200 work abstract

containing a brief description of the project. The abstract should

describe the situation, targeted audience, purpose of project, program

goal, methodology, and expected outcomes of the project.

Project Description

The project goal(s) and objectives(s) must be clearly stated in the

proposal. This narrative portion of the application must not exceed 15

pages. Business plan require for proposals submitted under the Program

Delivery category are not to exceed 20 pages. Proposals for all

categories must include the following components:

(1) Project Need

Each proposal must contain a clear and concise statement

identifying the background and situation leading to the project need,

goal(s) and supporting objectives.

(2) Audience Description

Describe targeted audience(s) for whom the project will be designed

including pertinent history identified in need, demographics, and

expected impact on audience.

(3) Partnerships and Collaboration

Describe partnerships and collaborations fostered through this

project including expected impact and benefit to those involved such as

learner, institution, agency, state, nation.

(4) Staffing Pattern and Procedure

Describe the staff needed for project administration, instructional

design/curriculum development, production, evaluation, and marketing/

promotion. Narrative should demonstrate that staffing and

implementation procedure will result in an integrated approach

involving content specialists, instructional designers, and quality

production resources. Provide an outline (management plan)

demonstrating integration.

(5) Budget

A budget and a detailed narrative in support of the budget is

required. Show all funding sources and itemize costs by the following

line items: salary costs, fringe benefits costs, equipment, materials

and supplies, travel, publication/printing/duplication costs, computer

costs and all other costs. While some funds are available for the

acquisition and installation of telecommunications transmission

facilities, applicants are cautioned that no more than 10 percent of

the funds available may be awarded for that purpose.

Funds may be requested under any of the line items listed above

provided that the item or service for which support is requested is

identified as necessary for successful conduct of the project, is

allowable under the authorizing legislation and the applicable Federal

cost principles, and is not prohibited under any applicable Federal

statute. Salaries of project personnel who will be working on the

project may be requested in proportion to the effort they will devote

to the project.

Proposal Submission

(a) What To Submit

An original and two copies of the proposal must be submitted. Each

copy of each proposal must be stapled securely in the supper left hand

corner (Do Not Bind). All copies of the proposal must be submitted in

one package.

Proposals may also be submitted electronically via the Internet in

addition to the required hard copy version to the address listed below.

To obtain a copy of the electronic application submission information,

send an electronic mail message to: [email protected]. In the body of

the message, type the following one-line-only message: send aft-

guidelines. To submit a copy of your proposal electronically, send an

ascii text version to: [email protected]. Additionally, when

submitting electronically, applicants are still required to submit

three copies of the Proposal Cover Page which contains original

signatures and date (i.e., three cover pages with original signatures

and date must be submitted even though electronic submission is used).

(b) Where and When to Submit

Proposals submitted through regular mail must be postmarked by July

1, 1994 and sent to:

By Surface Mail (U.S. Postal Service): Extension Service, USDA

Cooperative Management Staff, Cooperative Funds Division, Ag Box 0995,

Washington, DC 20250-0995

By Overnight Mail or Courier: Extension Service, USDA, Cooperative

Management Staff, Cooperative Funds Division, 2nd Floor Mezzanine,

Cotton Annex, 300--12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0995.

Hard copy delivered proposals must be received by July 1, 1994.

Proposals submitted electronically, in addition to the required hard

copy Proposal Cover Pages, must be received by July 1, 1994.

Proposal Review, Evaluation, and Disposition

(a) Proposal Review

All proposals received will be acknowledged. Prior to technical

examination, a preliminary review will be made for responsiveness to

this solicitation. Proposals that do not fall within the solicitation

guidelines will be eliminated from competition. All accepted proposals

will be reviewed by a peer review panel comprised of full-time Federal

employees and will be evaluated objectively.

The peer review panel will be selected and organized to provide

maximum expertise and objective judgment in the evaluation of

proposals. In the event the number of proposals accepted outnumber

dollars available, proposals will be ranked and support levels will be

recommended by the panel(s) within the limitation of total funding

available in fiscal year 1994.

(b) Evaluation Criteria

In evaluating the proposal, the peer review panel will take into

account the degree to which the proposal demonstrates the following:

(1) High priority national need/issue as documented in the

proposal--20 pts

(2) Degree to which project is matched to audience needs/

characteristics including modular approach and adaptation for meeting

needs of more than one audience (appropriate multiple use designs will

be given highest consideration)--20 pts

(3) Sophistication of instructional design (Application Categories

(b) & (c) only) including:--20 pts

Incorporation of instructional design knowledge-base;

Learner objectives:

Selection of instructional strategy/methods and delivery;

Selection of production techniques;

Level of interactivity appropriate to instructional method

and delivery;

Appropriate combination of multiple media.

(4) Degree to which project reflects partnerships with other land

grant institutions and appropriate organizations and agencies--10 pts

(5) Demonstrated expertise of individuals providing project content

and satellite-delivered material, including on-air delivery skills--10

pts

(6) Demonstrated interdisciplinary approach as appropriate to

topic--10 pts

(7) Formative and summative evaluation strategy contributing to

further development of improved distance education programming--10 pts

(8) Degree to which project is an integrated and innovative

approach to meet an identified high priority need--10 pts

In addition, preference will be given proposals that:

(1) are submitted by institutions affiliated with an established

agricultural telecommunications network that distributes programs to a

wide geographical area; or

(2) demonstrate the need for such assistance, taking into

consideration the relative needs of all applicants and the financial

ability of the applicants to otherwise secure or create the

telecommunications system.

(c) Proposal Disposition

When the peer review panel has completed its deliberations, the

USDA program coordinator, based on the recommendations of the peer

review panel, will recommend to the Awarding Official that the project

be (a) approved for support from currently available funds or (b)

declined due to insufficient funds or unfavorable review.

USDA reserves the right to negotiate with the Project Director and/

or the submitting entity regarding project revisions (e.g., reductions

in scope of work), funding level, or period of support prior to

recommending any project for funding.

A proposal may be withdrawn at any time before a final funding

decision is made. One copy of each proposal that is not selected for

funding (including those that are withdrawn) will be retained by USDA

for one year and remaining copies will be destroyed.

Supplementary Information

(a) Federal Assistance Awards

Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding

official shall make awards to those responsible, eligible applicants

whose proposals are judged most meritorious under the evaluation

criteria and procedures set forth in these solicitation and application

guidelines.

The date specified by the awarding official as the beginning of the

project period shall be not later than September 30, 1994.

All funds awarded under the Program shall be expended solely for

the purpose for which the funds are awarded in accordance with the

approved application and budget, the terms and conditions of any

resulting award, the applicable Federal cost principles, and the

Department's Federal assistance regulations.

(b) Obligation of the Federal Government

Neither the approval of any application nor the award of any

Federal assistance commits or obligates the United States in any way to

provide further support of a project or any portion thereof.

(c) Applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations That Apply

Federal statutes and regulations that apply to Federal assistance

proposals considered for review or grants awarded under the Program

include, but are not limited to, the following:

7 CFR part 1b--USDA Implementation of the National Environmental Policy

Act;

7 CFR part 3--USDA Implementation of OMB Circular A-129 regarding debt

collection;

7 CFR part 1.1--USDA Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act;

7 CFR part 15, Subpart A--USDA Implementation of title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964;

7 CFR part 3015--USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations,

implementing OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A-110, A-21, and A-

122) and incorporating provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6310-6308 (formerly, the

Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, P.L. 95-224), as

well as general policy requirements applicable to recipients of

Departmental financial assistance;

7 CFR part 3016--USDA Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants

and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments;

7 CFR part 3017, as amended--USDA Implementation of Governmentwide

Debarment and Suspension (nonprocurement) and Governmentwide

Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants);

7 CFR part 3018--USDA Implementation of New Restrictions on Lobbying.

Imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification

related to lobbying on recipients of Federal contracts, grants,

cooperative agreements, and loans;

7 CFR part 3051--Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other

Nonprofit Institutions (58 Fed. Reg. 41,410 [August 3, 1993]),

implementing OMB Circular A-133, ``Audits of Institutions of Higher

Education and Other Nonprofit Institutions'';

29 U.S.C. 794, Section 504--Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and 7 CFR part

15B (USDA implementation of the statute), prohibiting discrimination

based upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs;

and,

35 U.S.C. 200, et seq.--Bayh-Dole Act controlling allocation of rights

to inventions made by employees of small business firms and domestic

nonprofit organizations, including universities, in Federally assisted

programs (implementing regulations are contained in 37 CFR part 401).

John S. Bottum,

Acting Associate Administrator, Extension Service.

[FR Doc. 94-12003 Filed 5-17-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-09-M