Special Research Grants Program, Food Safety Research, Fiscal Year 1998 Request for Proposals

SUMMARY: CSREES announces the availability of grant funds and requests

proposals for the Special Research Grants Program, Food Safety Research

for fiscal year (FY) 1998. The amount available for support of this

program in FY 1998 is approximately $1,869,545.

This RFP sets out the objectives for these projects, the

eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, the application

procedures, and the set of instructions needed to apply for a Food

Safety Research Project grant.

DATES: Applications must be received on or before August 3, 1998.

Proposals received after August 3, 1998, will not be considered for

funding.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of this RFP and application materials for

the FY 1998 Special Research Grants Program, Food Safety Research,

contact the Proposal Services Unit, Office of Extramural Programs;

USDA/CSREES at (202)401-5048. Application materials may also be

requested via Internet by sending a mesage with your name, mailing

address (not e-mail) and telephone number to [email protected] that

states that you wish to receive a copy of the RFP and application

materials for the FY 1998 Special Research Grants Program, Food Safety

Research.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Anne Bertinuson, Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, STOP 2220, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington,

D.C. 20250-2220; telephone (202) 401-6825; Internet:

[email protected]; or Dr. William Wagner, Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, STOP 2220, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington,

D.C. 20250-2220; telephone (202) 401-4952; Internet:

[email protected].

Table of Contents

Part I--General Information:

A. Legislative Authority

B. Definitions

C. Eligibility

Part II--Program Description

A. Purpose and Scope of the Program

B. Available Funds and Award Limitations

Part III--Preparation of a Proposal

A. Program Application Materials

B. Content of a Proposal

Part IV--Submission of a Proposal

A. What to Submit

B. Where and When to Submit

C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

Part V--Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Selection Process

B. Evaluation Criteria

Part VI--Additional Information:

A. Access to Peer Review Information

B. Grant Awards

C. Use of Funds; Changes

D. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations that Apply

E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

F. Regulatory Information

Part I--General Information

A. Legislative Authority

The authority for this program is contained in section 2(c)(1)(A)

of the Act of August 4, 1965, Pub. L. 89-106, as amended (7 U.S.C.

450i(c)(1)(A)). This Program is subject to the administrative

provisions found in 7 CFR Part 3400 (56 FR 58147, November 15, 1991)

for the Special Research Grants Program which set forth procedures to

be followed when submitting grant proposals, rules governing the

evaluation of proposals, the awarding of grants, and post-award

administration of such grants. However, where there are differences

between this RFP and the administrative provisions, the RFP shall take

precedence.

In accordance with the statutory authority, grants awarded under

the Special Research Grants Program are for the purpose of conducting

research to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of

the food and agricultural sciences of importance to the United States.

B. Definitions

For the purpose of awarding grants under this program, the

following definitions are applicable in addition to the definitions

identified in 7 CFR Part 3400.

(1) Authorized departmental officer means the Secretary or any

employee of the Department who has the authority to issue or modify

grant instruments on behalf of the Secretary.

(2) Authorized organizational representative means the president,

director, or the chief executive officer of the applicant organization

or the official, designated by the president, director, or chief

executive officer of the applicant organization, who has the authority

to commit the resources of the organization.

(3) Grant means the award by the Secretary of funds to a grantee to

assist in meeting the costs of conducting, for the benefit of the

public, an identified project which is intended and designed to

establish, discover, elucidate, or confirm information or the

underlying mechanisms relating to a research program area identified in

this program solicitation.

(4) Principal Investigator/Project Director means the single

individual designated by the grantee in the grant application and

approved by the Secretary who is responsible for the scientific and

technical direction of the project.

(5) Prior approval means written approval evidencing prior consent

by an authorized departmental officer as defined in (1) above.

(6) Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other

officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved

may be delegated.

C. Eligibility

Proposals may be submitted by State agricultural experiment

stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions

and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or

corporations, and individuals. Proposals must be directly related to

ensuring the safety of imported and domestic fruits and vegetables.

Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of

these entities, there are factors which may exclude an applicant from

receiving Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits

under this program (e.g., debarment or suspension of an individual

involved or a determination that an applicant is not responsible based

on submitted organizational management information).

Part II--Program Description

A. Purpose and Scope of the Program

Proposals are invited for competitive grant awards under the

Special Research Grants Program, Food Safety Research for FY 1998. The

purpose of this grant program is to support problem-solving food safety

research that addresses National emerging issues in food safety. The

first year of this program will focus on research needs under the

President's Initiative to Ensure the Safety of Imported and Domestic

Fruits and Vegetables. Proposals are encouraged that address:

(1) developing safe and efficacious techniques to enhance or ensure

safety

[[Page 33473]]

of fresh and minimally processed imported and domestic fruits and

vegetables;

(2) developing means to prevent infection and cross-contamination

of fresh and minimally processed imported and domestic fruits and

vegetables by microbial pathogens during harvesting, handling,

transportation, and distribution;

(3) developing procedures for sampling fresh and minimally

processed imported and domestic fruits and vegetables to accurately

detect the presence of microbial pathogens.

Encouragement is also given for proposals which address minor fruit

and vegetable crops. Proposals should describe how the research will be

transferred for implementation. Thus, partnerships are encouraged with

potential users of the new practices or technologies.

B. Available Funds and Award Limitations

Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to support research

projects that address food safety research that focuses on ensuring the

safety of imported and domestic fruits and vegetables. Matching funds

are encouraged but not required. The total amount of funds available in

FY 1998 for support of this program is approximately $1,869,545. Each

proposal submitted in FY 1998 shall request funding for a period not to

exceed two years. Funding for additional years will depend upon the

availability of funds, progress toward objectives, and program

priorities. FY 1998 awardees would need to recompete in future years

for additional funding.

Congress, in Section 716 of the Agriculture, Rural Development,

Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

for FY 1998, Pub. L. 105-86, encourages entities receiving Federal

financial assistance to use grant funds to purchase only American-made

equipment or products in the case of any equipment or product

authorized to be purchased with funds provided under this program.

Part III--Preparation of a Proposal

A. Program Application Materials

Program application materials will be made available to interested

entities upon request. These materials include information about the

purpose of the program, how the program will be conducted, and the

required contents of a proposal, as well as the forms needed to prepare

and submit grant applications under the program. To obtain program

application materials, please contact the Proposal Services Unit;

Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education,

and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400

Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D. C. 20250-2245; Telephone:

(202) 401-5048. When contacting the Proposal Services Unit, please

indicate that you are requesting application materials for the Special

Research Grants Program, Food Safety Research.

Application materials may also be requested via Internet by sending

a message with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and telephone

number to [email protected] that states that you wish to receive a copy

of the application materials for the Special Research Grants Program,

Food Safety Research. The materials will then be mailed to you (not e-

mailed) as quickly as possible.

B. Content of a Proposal

(1) General

The proposal should follow these guidelines, enabling reviewers to

more easily evaluate the merits of each proposal in a systematic,

consistent fashion:

(a) The proposal should be prepared on only one side of the page

using standard size (8\1/2\'' x 11'') white paper, one inch margins,

typed or word processed using no type smaller than 12 point font, and

single spaced. Use an easily readable font face (e.g., Geneva,

Helvetica, CG Times).

(b) Each page of the proposal, including the Project Summary,

budget pages, required forms, and any appendices, should be numbered

sequentially in the upper right-hand corner.

(c) The proposal should be stapled in the upper left-hand corner.

Do not bind. An original and 9 copies (10 total) must be submitted in

one package, along with 20 copies of the ``Project Summary'' as a

separate attachment.

(2) Cover Page

Each copy of each grant proposal must contain an ``Application for

Funding'', Form CSREES-661. One copy of the application, preferably the

original, must contain the pen-and-ink signature(s) of the proposing

principal investigator(s)/project director(s)(PI/PD) and the authorized

organizational representative who possesses the necessary authority to

commit the organization's time and other relevant resources to the

project. Any proposed PI/PD or co-PI/PD whose signature does not appear

on Form CSREES-661 will not be listed on any resulting grant award.

Complete both signature blocks located at the bottom of the

``Application for Funding'' form.

Form CSREES-661 serves as a source document for the CSREES grant

database; it is therefore important that it be completed accurately.

The following items are highlighted as having a high potential for

errors or misinterpretations:

(a) Title of Project (Block 6). The title of the project must be

brief (80-character maximum), yet represent the major thrust of the

effort being proposed. Project titles are read by a variety of

nonscientific people; therefore, highly technical words or phraseology

should be avoided where possible. In addition, introductory phrases

such as ``investigation of'' or ``research on'' should not be used.

(b) Program to Which You Are Applying (Block 7). ``Special Research

Grants Program, Food Safety Research'' should be inserted in this

block. You may ignore the reference to a Federal Register announcement.

(c) Program Area and Number (Block 8). The name of the program

area, ``Food Safety Research,'' should be inserted in this block. You

should ignore references to the program number and the Federal Register

announcement.

(d) Type of Award Request (Block 13). Check the box adjacent to

``New.'' Leave the section adjacent to ``Prior USDA Award No.'' blank.

(e) Principal Investigator(s)/Project Director(s) (Block 15). The

designation of excessive numbers of co-PI/PD's creates problems during

final review and award processes. Listing multiple co-PI/PD's, beyond

those required for genuine collaboration, is therefore discouraged.

Note that providing a Social Security Number is voluntary, but is an

integral part of the CSREES information system and will assist in the

processing of the proposal.

(f) Type of Performing Organization (Block 18). A check should be

placed in the box beside the type of organization which actually will

carry out the effort. For example, if the proposal is being submitted

by an 1862 Land-Grant institution but the work will be performed in a

department, laboratory, or other organizational unit of an agricultural

experiment station, box ``03'' should be checked. If portions of the

effort are to be performed in several departments, check the box that

applies to the individual listed as PI/PD #1 in Block 15.a.

(g) Other Possible Sponsors (Block 22). List the names or acronyms

of all other public or private sponsors

[[Page 33474]]

including other agencies within USDA and other programs funded by

CSREES to whom your application has been or might be sent. In the event

you decide to send your application to another organization or agency

at a later date, you must inform the identified CSREES program manager

as soon as practicable. Submitting your proposal to other potential

sponsors will not prejudice its review by CSREES; however, duplicate

support for the same project will not be provided.

(3) Table of Contents

For consistency and ease in locating information, each proposal

must contain a detailed Table of Contents just after the Cover Page.

The Table of Contents should include page numbers for each component of

the proposal. Page numbers, shown in the upper right-hand corner,

should begin with the first page of the Project Summary.

(4) Project Summary

The proposal must contain a Project Summary of 250 words or less on

a separate page. The summary must be self-contained and describe the

overall goals and relevance of the project. The summary should also

contain a listing of the major organizations participating in the

project. The Project Summary should immediately follow the Table of

Contents. In addition to the summary, this page must include the title

of the project, the name of the applicant organization, the authorized

organizational representative, and the principal investigator(s)/

project director(s), followed by the summary.

(5) Project Narrative

PLEASE NOTE: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 15 pages. This

maximum has been established to ensure fair and equitable competition.

Reviewers are instructed that they need to read only the first 15 pages

of the Project Narrative and to ignore information on additional pages.

(a) Objectives--Clear, concise, complete, and logically arranged

statement(s) of specific aims of the proposed effort must be included

in all proposals.

(b) Procedures--The procedures or methodology to be applied to the

proposed effort should be explicitly stated. This section should

include but not necessarily be limited to:

(i) a description of the proposed investigations and/or experiments

in the sequence in which it is planned to carry them out;

(ii) techniques to be employed, including their feasibility;

(iii) kinds of results expected;

(iv) means by which data will be analyzed or interpreted;

(v) pitfalls which might be encountered; and

(vi) limitations to proposed procedures.

(c) Justification--This section should include in-depth information

on the following, when applicable:

(i) estimates of the magnitude of the food safety problem and its

relevance to ongoing National food and agricultural research programs;

(ii) importance of starting the work during the current fiscal

year, and

(iii) reasons for having the work performed by the proposing

institution.

(d) Cooperation and Institutional Units Involved--Cooperative and

multi-State (regional) applications are encouraged. Identify each

institutional unit contributing to the project. Identify each State in

a multiple-State proposal and designate the lead State. When

appropriate, the project should be coordinated with the efforts of

other State and/or national programs. Clearly define the roles and

responsibilities of each institutional unit of the project team, if

applicable.

(e) Literature Review--A summary of pertinent publications with

emphasis of their relationship to the effort being proposed should be

provided and should include all important and recent publications from

other institutions, as well as those from the applicant institution.

The citations themselves should be accurate, complete, and written in

an acceptable journal format.

(f) Current Work--Current unpublished institutional activities to

date in the program area under which the proposal is being submitted

should be described.

(g) Equipment and Facilities--All facilities which are available

for use or assignment to the project during the requested period of

support should be reported and described briefly. Any potentially

hazardous materials, procedures, situations, or activities, whether or

not directly related to a particular phase of the effort, must be

explained fully, along with an outline of the precautions to be

exercised. Examples include work with toxic chemicals and experiments

that may put human subjects or animals at risk.

All items of major instrumentation available for use or assignment

to the proposed project also should be itemized. In addition, items of

nonexpendable equipment needed to conduct and bring the project to a

successful conclusion should be listed, including dollar amounts and,

if funds are requested for their acquisition, justified.

(h) Project Timetable--The proposal should outline all important

phases as a function of time, year by year, for the entire project,

including periods beyond the grant funding period.

(6) Key Personnel

All senior personnel who are expected to be involved in the effort

must be clearly identified. For each person, the following should be

included:

(a) an estimate of the time commitment involved;

(b) vitae of the principal investigator(s)/project director(s),

senior associate(s), and other professional personnel. This section

should include vitae of all key persons who are expected to work on the

project, whether or not CSREES funds are sought for their support. The

vitae should be limited to two (2) pages each in length, excluding

publications listings; and

(c) a chronological listing of the most representative publications

during the past five (5) years. This listing must be provided for each

professional project member for whom a vita appears. Authors should be

listed in the same order as they appear on each paper cited, along with

the title and complete reference as these usually appear in journals.

(7) Collaborative and/or Subcontractual Arrangements

If it will be necessary to enter into formal consulting or

collaborative arrangements with other individuals or organizations,

such arrangements should be fully explained and justified. In addition,

evidence should be provided that the collaborators involved have agreed

to render these services. A letter of intent from the individual or

organization will satisfy this requirement.

All anticipated subcontractual arrangements should be explained and

justified in this section. A proposed statement of work and a budget

for each arrangement involving the transfer of substantive programmatic

work or the providing of financial assistance to a third party must be

provided. Agreements between departments or other units of your own

institution and minor arrangements with entities outside of your

institution (e.g., requests for outside laboratory analyses) are

excluded from this requirement.

If you expect to enter into subcontractual arrangements, please

note that the provisions contained in 7 CFR Part 3019, USDA Uniform

Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions

of

[[Page 33475]]

Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations, and

the general provisions contained in 7 CFR Part 3015.205, USDA Uniform

Federal Assistance Regulations, flow down to subrecipients. In

addition, required clauses from 7 CFR Part 3019 Sections 40-48

(``Procurement Standards'') and Appendix A (``Contract Provisions'')

should be included in final contractual documents, and it is necessary

for the subawardee to make a certification relating to debarment/

suspension.

(8) Certifications

Note that by signing the Form CSREES-661 the applicant is providing

the required certifications set forth in 7 CFR Part 3017, as amended,

regarding Debarment and Suspension and Drug-Free Workplace, and 7 CFR

Part 3018, regarding Lobbying. The certification forms are included in

the application package for informational purposes only. These forms

should not be submitted with your proposal since by signing the Form

CSREES-661 your organization is providing the required certifications.

If the project will involve a subcontractor or consultant, the

subcontractor/consultant should submit a Form AD-1048 to the grantee

organization for retention in their records. This form should not be

submitted to USDA.

(9) Additions to the Project Narrative

Each project narrative or description is expected to be complete in

itself. However, in those instances in which the inclusion of

additional information is deemed necessary, appendices may be either

attached or submitted as part of the proposal. Material in the

appendices must be identified, and if not attached to each proposal

must be identified with the title of the project and the name(s) of the

PI/PD's as they appear on the Form CSREES-661. Examples of material

suitable as appendices include photographs that do not reproduce well,

reprints, and other pertinent materials which are deemed to be

unsuitable for inclusion in the body of the proposal.

(10) Budget

Prepare the budget form (Form CSREES-55) in accordance with

instructions provided. A budget form is required for each year of

requested support. In addition, a cumulative budget is required

detailing the requested total support for the overall project period.

(For example, for a two-year project, the proposal would include three

budget forms; one for each of the two years of the project and one

cumulative budget for the full two years.) The budget form may be

reproduced as needed by applicants. Funds may be requested under any of

the categories listed on the form, provided that the item or service

for which support is requested is allowable under the authorizing

legislation, the applicable Federal cost principles and these program

guidelines, and can be justified as necessary for the successful

conduct of the proposed project. Applicants must also include a budget

narrative to explain and justify their budgets. The following

guidelines should be used in developing your proposal budget(s):

(a) Salaries and Wages. Salaries and wages are allowable charges

and may be requested for personnel who will be working on the project

in proportion to the time such personnel will devote to the project. If

salary funds are requested, the number of Senior and Other Personnel

and the number of CSREES Funded Work Months must be shown in the spaces

provided. Grant funds may not be used to augment the total salary or

rate of salary of project personnel or to reimburse them for time in

addition to a regular full-time salary covering the same general period

of employment. Salary funds requested must be consistent with the

normal policies of the institution.

(b) Fringe Benefits. Funds may be requested for fringe benefit

costs if the usual accounting practices of your institution provide

that institutional contributions to employee benefits (social security,

retirement, etc.) be treated as direct costs. Fringe benefit costs may

be included only for those personnel whose salaries are charged as a

direct cost to the project.

(c) Nonexpendable Equipment. Nonexpendable equipment means tangible

nonexpendable personal property including exempt property charged

directly to the award having a useful life of more than one year and an

acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. As such, items of

necessary instrumentation or other nonexpendable equipment should be

listed individually by description and estimated cost in the budget

narrative. This applies to revised budgets as well, as the equipment

item(s) and amount(s) may change. Congress, in the Agriculture, Rural

Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

Appropriations Act, 1998, Pub. L. 105-86, encourages entities to use

Federal grant funds to purchase only American-made equipment or

products.

Note: For projects awarded under the authority of Sec. 2(c)(1)(A)

of Pub. L. 89-106, no funds will be awarded for the renovation or

refurbishment of research spaces; the purchase or installation of fixed

equipment in such spaces; or for the planning, repair, rehabilitation,

acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.

(d) Materials and Supplies. The types of expendable materials and

supplies which are required to carry out the project should be

indicated in general terms with estimated costs in the budget

narrative.

(e) Travel. The type and extent of travel and its relationship to

project objectives should be described briefly and justified. For both

domestic and foreign travel, provide the purpose, the destination,

method of travel, number of persons traveling, number of days, and

estimated cost for each trip in the budget narrative. Airfare

allowances normally will not exceed round-trip jet economy air

accommodations. U.S. flag carriers must be used when available. See 7

CFR Part 3015.205(b)(4) for further guidance.

(f) Publication Costs/Page Charges. Anticipated costs of preparing

and publishing results of the research being proposed (including page

charges, necessary illustrations, and the cost of a reasonable number

of coverless reprints) may be estimated and charged against the grant.

(g) Computer (ADPE) Costs. Reimbursement for the costs of using

specialized facilities (such as a university- or department-controlled

computer mainframe or data processing center) may be requested if such

services are required for completion of the work.

(h) All Other Direct Costs. Anticipated direct project charges not

included in other budget categories must be itemized with estimated

costs and justified in the budget narrative. This applies to revised

budgets as well, as the item(s) and dollar amount(s) may change.

Examples may include space rental at remote locations, subcontractual

costs, charges for consulting services, telephone, facsimile, shipping

costs, and fees for necessary laboratory analyses. You are encouraged

to consult the ``Instructions for Completing Form CSREES-55, Budget,''

of the Application Kit for detailed guidance relating to this budget

category.

(i) Indirect Costs. Section 712 of Pub. L. 105-86 limits indirect

costs for this program to 14 percent of total Federal funds provided

under each award. Therefore, the recovery of indirect costs under this

program may not exceed the lesser of the grantee institution's official

negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 14 percent of total

Federal

[[Page 33476]]

funds awarded (TFFA). If no rate has been negotiated, a reasonable

dollar amount (equivalent to or less than 14 percent of total Federal

funds requested) in lieu of indirect costs may be requested, subject to

approval by USDA.

(j) Cost-sharing. Cost-sharing is encouraged; however, cost-sharing

is not required nor will it be a direct factor in the awarding of any

grant.

(11) Current and Pending Support

All proposals must list any other current public or private support

(including in-house support) to which key personnel identified in the

proposal have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary

support for person(s) involved is included in the budget. Analogous

information must be provided for any pending proposals that are being

considered by, or that will be submitted in the near future to, other

possible sponsors, including other USDA programs or agencies.

Concurrent submission of identical or similar proposals to the possible

sponsors will not prejudice proposal review or evaluation by the

Administrator for this purpose. However, a proposal that duplicates or

overlaps substantially with a proposal already reviewed and funded (or

that will be funded) by another organization or agency will not be

funded under this program. The application material includes Form

CSREES-663, ``Current and Pending Support,'' which is suitable for

listing current and pending support. Note that the project being

proposed should be included in the pending section of the form.

(12) Compliance With the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (the Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service regulations implementing NEPA), the

environmental data for any proposed project is to be provided to CSREES

so that CSREES may determine whether any further action is needed. In

some cases, however, the preparation of environmental data may not be

required. Certain categories of actions are excluded from the

requirements of NEPA.

In order for CSREES to determine whether any further action is

needed with respect to NEPA, pertinent information regarding the

possible environmental impacts of a particular project is necessary;

therefore, Form CSREES-1234, ``NEPA Exclusions Form,'' must be included

in the proposal indicating whether the applicant is of the opinion that

the project falls within a categorical exclusion and the reasons

therefor. If it is the applicant's opinion that the proposed project

falls within the categorical exclusions, the specific exclusion must be

identified. Form CSREES-1234 and supporting documentation should be

placed after Form CSREES-661, ``Application for Funding,'' in the

proposal.

Even though a project may fall within the categorical exclusions,

CSREES may determine that an Environmental Assessment or an

Environmental Impact Statement is necessary for an activity. This will

be the case if substantial controversy on environmental grounds exists

or if other extraordinary conditions or circumstances are present which

may cause such activity to have a significant environmental effect.

However, this rarely occurs.

(13) Assurance Statement(s) (Form CSREES-662)

A number of situations encountered in the conduct of projects

require special assurance, supporting documentation, etc., before

funding can be approved for the project. In addition to any other

situation that may exist with regard to a particular project, it is

expected that some applications submitted in response to these

guidelines will include the following:

(a) Recombinant DNA or RNA Research. As stated in 7 CFR

3015.205(b)(3), all key personnel identified in the proposal and all

endorsing officials of the proposing organization are required to

comply with the guidelines established by the National Institutes of

Health entitled, ``Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA

Molecules,'' as revised. If your project proposes to use recombinant

DNA or RNA techniques, the application must so indicate by checking the

``yes'' box in Block 19 of Form CSREES-661 and by completing Section A

of Form CSREES-662. For applicable proposals recommended for funding,

Institutional Biosafety Committee approval is required before CSREES

funds will be released.

(b) Animal Care. Responsibility for the humane care and treatment

of live vertebrate animals used in any grant project supported with

funds provided by CSREES rests with the performing organization. Where

a project involves the use of living vertebrate animals for

experimental purposes, all key project personnel and all endorsing

officials of the proposing organization are required to comply with the

applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act of 1996, as amended (7

U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the

Secretary in 9 CFR Parts 1, 2, as amended, 3, as amended, and 4

pertaining to the care, handling, and treatment of these animals. If

your project will involve these animals or activities, you must check

the ``yes'' box in Block 20 of Form CSREES-661 and complete Section B

of Form CSREES-662. In the event a project involving the use of live

vertebrate animals results in a grant award, funds will be released

only after the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee has approved

the project.

(c) Protection of Human Subjects. Responsibility for safeguarding

the rights and welfare of human subjects used in any grant project

supported with funds provided by CSREES rests with the performing

organization. Guidance on this issue is contained in the National

Research Act, Pub. L. No. 93-348, as amended, and implementing

regulations established by the Department under 7 CFR Part 1c. If you

propose to use human subjects for experimental purposes in your

project, you should check the ``yes'' box in Block 21 of Form CSREES-

661 and complete Section C of Form CSREES-662. In the event a project

involving human subjects results in a grant award, funds will be

released only after the appropriate Institutional Review Board has

approved the project.

Part IV--Submission of a Proposal

A. What To Submit

An original and nine copies of the complete proposal must be

submitted. Each copy of the proposal must be stapled in the upper left-

hand corner. DO NOT BIND. In addition, submit 20 copies of the

proposal's Project Summary. All copies of the proposal and Project

Summary must be submitted in one package.

B. Where and When To Submit

Proposals must be received on or by August 3, 1998. Proposals may

be sent by First Class mail, but applicants are strongly encouraged to

send their proposal by certified mail and obtain a receipt to document

the mailing. Proposals sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be sent to

the following address:

Special Grants Program--Food Safety Research c/o Proposal Services

Unit, Office of Extramural Programs

USDA/CSREES, STOP 2245, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC

20250-2245 Telephone: (202) 401-5048

Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their

completed proposals via overnight mail or delivery services to

ensure

[[Page 33477]]

timely receipt by the USDA and to obtain a receipt to document

dispatch of the proposal.

Hand-delivered proposals or those delivered by an overnight express

service should be brought to the following address:

Special Grants Program--Food Safety Research, c/o Proposal Services

Unit, Office of Extramural Programs.

USDA/CSREES, Room 303, Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, SW., Washington,

DC 20024, Telephone: (202) 401-5048

C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing and

this acknowledgment will contain an identifying proposal number. Once

your proposal has been assigned an identification number, please cite

that number in future correspondence.

Part V--Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Selection Process

Applicants should submit fully developed proposals that meet all

the requirements set forth in this request for proposals.

Each proposal will be evaluated in a two-part process. First, each

proposal will be screened to ensure that it meets the requirements as

set forth in this request for proposals. Second, proposals that meet

these requirements will be technically evaluated by a peer review

panel.

The individual peer panel members will be selected from among those

persons recognized as specialists who are uniquely qualified by

training and experience in their respective fields to render expert

advice on the merit of the proposals being reviewed. The individual

views of the panel members will be used by CSREES staff to determine

which proposals should be recommended to the Administrator (or his

designee) for final funding decisions.

There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular proposal or

to make a specific number of awards. Care will be taken to avoid actual

and potential conflicts of interest among reviewers. Evaluations will

be confidential to USDA staff members, peer panel reviewers, and the

proposed principal investigator(s)/project director(s), to the extent

permitted by law.

B. Evaluation Criteria

In accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR 3400.5, the evaluation

factors below will be used in lieu of those contained in 7 CFR 3400.15

in reviewing applications submitted in response to this request for

proposals on National issues for food safety in fruits and vegetables:

(1) Scientific merit of the proposal (represents 50% of the

evaluation).

Conceptual adequacy of the hypothesis or approach as

related to the program objectives in reducing microbial contamination

of fresh fruits and vegetables;

Clarity and delineation of proposed project objectives as

related to National issues and objectives;

Adequacy of the description of the proposed work;

Suitability and feasibility of the methodology for

implementation in reducing microbial contamination of fresh fruits and

vegetables;

Probability of success of the project; and

Novelty, uniqueness, and originality.

(2) Qualifications of the proposed project personnel and adequacy

of the facilities (represents 25% of the evaluation).

Training and demonstrated awareness of previous

alternative approaches to relevant objective(s) listed in the Request

for Proposals and performance record and/or potential for future

accomplishments;

Time allocated for systematic attainment of objectives;

Institutional experience and competence in food safety of

fruits and vegetables; and

Adequacy of available or obtainable support personnel,

facilities, and instrumentation.

(3) Adoption or transfer of technology strategies (represents 25%

of the evaluation).

Established or documented linkage with industry

partner(s); and

Clear and effective plan for educational outreach and

technology transfer to end users in fruit and vegetable industry.

Part VI--Additional Information:

A. Access to Peer Review Information

Copies of summary reviews, not including the identity of the

reviewers, will be sent to all applicant PI/PD's automatically, after

the review process has been completed.

B. Grant Awards

(1) General

Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the

Administrator shall make grants to those responsible, eligible

applicants whose proposals are judged most meritorious under the

procedures set forth in this request for proposals. The date specified

by the Administrator as the effective date of the grant shall be no

later than September 30 of the Federal fiscal year in which the project

is approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose,

unless otherwise permitted by law. It should be noted that the project

need not be initiated on the grant effective date, but as soon

thereafter as practical so that project goals may be attained within

the funded project period. All funds granted by CSREES under this

request for proposals shall be expended solely for the purpose for

which the funds are granted in accordance with the approved application

and budget, the regulations, the terms and conditions of the award, the

applicable Federal cost principles, and the Department's assistance

regulations (Parts 3015, 3016, and 3019 of 7 CFR).

(2) Organizational Management Information

Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be

submitted on a one-time basis as part of the responsibility

determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this part

if such information has not been provided previously under this or

another program for which the sponsoring agency is responsible. Copies

of forms recommended for use in fulfilling the requirements contained

in this section will be provided by the sponsoring agency as part of

the preaward process.

(3) Grant Award Document and Notice of Grant Award

The grant award document shall include at a minimum the following:

(a) Legal name and address of performing organization or

institution to whom the Administrator has awarded a grant under the

terms of this request for proposals;

(b) Title of project;

(c) Name(s) and address(es) of PI/PD's chosen to direct and control

approved activities;

(d) Identifying grant number assigned by the Department;

(e) Project period, specifying the amount of time the Department

intends to support the project without requiring recompetition for

funds;

(f) Total amount of Departmental financial assistance approved by

the Administrator during the project period;

(g) Legal authority(ies) under which the grant is awarded;

(h) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds

to accomplish the stated purpose of the grant award; and

[[Page 33478]]

(i) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by CSREES to

carry out its respective granting activities or to accomplish the

purpose of a particular grant.

The notice of grant award, in the form of a letter, will be

prepared and will provide pertinent instructions or information to the

grantee that is not included in the grant award document.

CSREES will award standard grants to carry out this program. A

standard grant is a funding mechanism whereby CSREES agrees to support

a specified level of effort for a predetermined time period without

additional support at a future date.

C. Use of Funds; Changes

(1) Delegation of Fiscal Responsibility

The grantee may not in whole or in part delegate or transfer to

another person, institution, or organization the responsibility for use

or expenditure of grant funds.

(2) Reporting Requirements

The grantee must prepare an annual report that details all

significant activities towards achieving the goals and objectives of

the project. The narrative should be succinct and be no longer than

five pages, using 12-point, single-spaced type. A budget summary should

be attached to this report, which will provide an overview of all

monies spent during the reporting period.

(3) Changes in Project Plans

(a) The permissible changes by the grantee, PI/PD, or other key

project personnel in the approved project grant shall be limited to

changes in methodology, techniques, or other aspects of the project to

expedite achievement of the project's approved goals. If the grantee

and/or the PI/PD's are uncertain as to whether a change complies with

this provision, the question must be referred to the Authorized

Departmental Officer (ADO) for a final determination.

(b) Changes in approved goals or objectives shall be requested by

the grantee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such

changes. In no event shall requests for such changes be approved which

are outside the scope of the original approved project.

(c) Changes in approved project leadership or the replacement or

reassignment of other key project personnel shall be requested by the

grantee and approved in writing by the awarding official of CSREES

prior to effecting such changes.

(d) Transfers of actual performance of the substantive programmatic

work in whole or in part and provisions for payment of funds, whether

or not Federal funds are involved, shall be requested by the grantee

and approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such transfers,

unless prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of the grant.

(e) Changes in Project Period: The project period may be extended

by CSREES without additional financial support, for such additional

period(s) as the ADO determines may be necessary to complete or fulfill

the purposes of an approved project. Any extension of time shall be

conditioned upon prior request by the grantee and approval in writing

by the ADO, unless prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of

a grant.

(f) Changes in Approved Budget: Changes in an approved budget must

be requested by the grantee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to

instituting such changes if the revision will involve transfers or

expenditures of amounts requiring prior approval as set forth in the

applicable Federal cost principles, Departmental regulations, or in the

grant award.

D. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations That Apply

Several other Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant

proposals considered for review and to project grants awarded under

this program. These include but are not limited to:

7 CFR Part 1--USDA implementation of the Freedom of Information

Act.

7 CFR Part 3--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-129

regarding debt collection.

7 CFR Part 15, subpart A--USDA implementation of Title VI of the

Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

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

implementing OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A-21 and A-122) and

incorporating provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6301-6308 (formerly the Federal

Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, Pub. L. 95-224), as well

as general policy requirements applicable to recipients of Departmental

financial assistance.

7 CFR Part 3016, as amended--Uniform Administrative Requirements

for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.

7 CFR Part 3017--USDA implementation of Governmentwide Debarment

and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for

Drug-Free Workplace (Grants).

7 CFR Part 3018--USDA implementation of 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 3019--USDA implementation of OMB Circular A-110, Uniform

Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions

of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations.

7 CFR Part 3052 (62 FR 45947)--USDA implementation of OMB Circular

No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit

Institutions.

7 CFR Part 3407--CSREES procedures to implement the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.

29 U.S.C. 794 (section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and 7 CFR

Part 15B (USDA implementation of statute)--prohibiting discrimination

based upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs.

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).

E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

When a proposal results in a grant, it becomes a part of the record

of the Agency's transactions, available to the public upon specific

request. Information that the Secretary determines to be of a

privileged nature will be held in confidence to the extent permitted by

law. Therefore, any information that the applicant wishes to have

considered as privileged should be clearly marked as such and sent in a

separate statement, two copies of which should accompany the proposal.

The original copy of a proposal that does not result in a grant will be

retained by the Agency for a period of one year. Other copies will be

destroyed. Such a proposal will be released only with the consent of

the applicant or to the extent required by law. A proposal may be

withdrawn at any time prior to the final action thereon.

F. Regulatory Information

For the reasons set forth in the final Rule-related Notice to 7 CFR

Part 3015, subpart V (48 FR 29115, June 24, 1983), this program is

excluded from the scope of the Executive Order 12372 which requires

intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. Under

the

[[Page 33479]]

provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter

35), the collection of information requirements contained in this

Notice have been approved under OMB Document No. 0524-0022.4

Done at Washington, D.C., this 11 day of 1998.

Colien Hefferan,

Acting Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and

Extension Service.

[FR Doc. 98-16152 Filed 6-17-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-22-P