Request for Proposals (RFP): Special Research Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza Research

SUMMARY: The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension

Service (CSREES) announces the availability of grant funds and requests

proposals for the Special Research Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza

Research for fiscal year (FY) 1999. The purpose of this program is to

support research that focuses on problems caused by Citrus Tristeza

Virus (CTV) and the Brown Citrus Aphid. National research priority

areas include: (1) Characterization and detection of CTV strains; (2)

biology and control of the brown citrus aphid; (3) host plant

resistance; (4) epidemiology and crop loss assessment; and (5)

development of cross-protecting CTV strains. The amount available for

support of this program in FY 1999 is approximately $467,800.

This Request for Proposals (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 Citrus Tristeza Research grant.

By this notice, CSREES additionally solicits stakeholder input from

any interested party regarding the FY 1999 Special Research Grants

Program, Citrus Tristeza Research, for use in the development of the

next request for proposals for this program.

DATES: PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE July 30, 1999. (See PART

IV--SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSAL below for information on where to submit

an application.) Proposals received after July 30, 1999 will not be

considered for funding. Comments regarding this request for proposals

are requested within 6 months from the issuance of this notice.

Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent

practicable.

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

please contact the Proposal Services Unit; Office of Extramural

Programs; USDA/CSREES; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW;

Washington, DC 20250-2245; telephone: (202) 401-5048. In your request,

please indicate that you are requesting forms for the Special Research

Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza Research.

Written stakeholder comments should be submitted by first-class

mail to: Policy and Program Liaison Staff; Office of Extramural

Programs; Competitive Research Grants and Awards Management; USDA-

CSREES; STOP 2299; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-

2299; or via e-mail to [email protected] In your comments, please

indicate that you are commenting on the FY 1999 Special Research Grants

Program, Citrus Tristeza Research.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robin Huettel, Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service; US Department of

Agriculture; STOP 2220; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC

20250-2220; telephone (202) 401-5804; Internet: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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--Supplementary Information

A. Access to Review Information

B. Grant Awards

C. Use of Funds; Changes

D. Applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations

E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

F. Regulatory Information

Stakeholder Input

CSREES is soliciting comments regarding this request for proposals

from any interested party. These comments will be considered in the

development of the next request for proposals for the program. Such

comments will be forwarded to the Secretary or his designee for use in

meeting the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural

Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998, 7 U.S.C.

7613(c)(2). This section requires the Secretary to solicit and consider

input on a current request for proposals from persons who conduct or

use agricultural research, education, or extension for use in

formulating the next request for proposals for an agricultural research

program funded on a competitive basis.

In your comments, please include the name of the program and the

fiscal year request for proposals to which you are responding. Comments

are requested within six months from the issuance of the request for

proposals. Comments received after that date will be considered to the

extent practicable.

Part I--General Information

A. Legislative Authority

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

the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act, section 2

of Pub. L. 89-106, as amended (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(A)).

In accordance with the statutory authority, the Secretary may make

grants 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:

(1) Administrator means the Administrator of the Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service and any other officer or

employee of the Department to whom the authority involved may be

delegated.

(2) 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.

(3) Authorized organizational representative means the president,

director, or chief executive officer of the applicant organization or

the official, designated by the president or chief executive officer of

the applicant organization, who has the authority to commit the

resources of the organization.

(4) Budget period means the interval of time (usually 12 months)

into which the project period is divided for budgetary and reporting

purposes.

(5) Department or USDA means the United States Department of

Agriculture.

(6) Grantee means the organization designated in the grant award

document as the responsible legal entity to which a grant is awarded.

(7) Peer review panel means a group of experts qualified by

training and

[[Page 35539]]

experience in particular fields to give expert advice on the scientific

and technical merit of grant applications in such fields, and who

evaluate eligible proposals submitted to this program in their personal

and professional area(s) of expertise.

(8) Prior approval means written approval evidencing prior consent

by an authorized departmental officer as defined in (2) above.

(9) Project means the particular activity within the scope of the

program supported by a grant award.

(10) Principal Investigator means the single individual designated

by the grantee in the grant application and approved by the Secretary

who is responsible for the direction and management of the project.

(11) Project period means the period, as stated in the award

document and modifications thereto, if any, during which Federal

sponsorship begins and ends.

(12) 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. Although an applicant may be eligible

based on its status as one of these entities, other factors may exclude

an applicant from receiving Federal assistance under this program

(e.g., debarment or suspension, a determination of non-responsibility

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, Citrus Tristeza Research for fiscal

year (FY) 1999. The purpose of this grant program is to support

research that focuses on problems caused by Citrus Tristeza Virus and

the brown citrus aphid. This research should aim to facilitate

promising breakthroughs in this important area of the food and

agricultural sciences.

Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) is a pathogen of citrus vectored by

several aphid species. This disease has been found in all the citrus

producing regions of the United States and is of world-wide importance.

The virus strain complex can cause a variety of symptoms, from mild to

severe, depending upon the host and its environment. Recently, in

Florida, a new aphid vector, the Brown Citrus Aphid was introduced.

This vector is capable of transmitting a severe stem-pitting form of

the virus. The Brown Citrus Aphid also occurs in Central America and

the Caribbean Basin and thus poses a threat to citrus in other citrus

producing areas in the United States (e.g., Louisiana, Texas, Arizona,

and California).

The research priority areas that have been identified include (1)

characterization and detection of CTV strains; (2) biology and control

of the Brown Citrus Aphid; (3) host plant resistance; (4) epidemiology

and crop loss assessment; and (5) development of cross-protecting CTV

strains.

B. Available Funds and Award Limitations

Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to support research

projects that focus on solving problems caused by the CTV and brown

citrus aphids. The total amount of funds available in FY 1999 for

support of this program is approximately $467,800. Each proposal

submitted in FY 1999 shall request funding for a period not to exceed

one year. Funding for additional years will depend upon the

availability of funds and progress toward objectives. FY 1999 awardees

would need to recompete in future years for additional funding.

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, SW; Washington, DC 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, Citrus Tristeza 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 FY 1999 Special Research Grants Program, Citrus

Tristeza 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

regardless of whether it is single or double spaced. Use an easily

readable font face (e.g., Geneva, Helvetica, CG Times). Once accepted

for review, your proposal will be read by at least three expert

reviewers. Thus it is to your advantage to ensure that your proposal is

not difficult to read.

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

budget pages, required forms, and 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

Complete Form CSREES-661, Application for Funding, in its entirety.

This form is to be utilized as the Cover Page. Form CSREES-661 serves

as a source document for the CSREES grant database; it is therefore

important that it be completed accurately.

(a) In Block 6, complete the title of the project. The project

title 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) Blocks 7 and 8 should be completed to read ``Special Research

Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza Research.''

(c) In Block 13, the Type of Award Request is ``new.''

(d) In Block 14., note the total amount of Federal dollars being

requested.

(e) In Block 15, designate Principal Investigators (PIs). Be

advised that the

[[Page 35540]]

designation of excessive numbers of co-PIs creates problems during

final review and award processing. Listing multiple co-PIs 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#1 in Block 15.a.

(g) In Block 22 list the names or acronyms of all other public or

private sponsors 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.

(h) The original copy of the Application for Funding form must

contain the pen-and-ink signatures of the PI(s) and authorized

organizational representative for the applicant organization. Note that

by signing the Application for Funding form, the applicant is providing

the required certifications set forth in 7 CFR Part 3017, regarding

Debarment and Suspension and Drug-Free Workplace, and 7 CFR Part 3018,

regarding Lobbying. The three certification forms are included in this

application package for informational purposes only. It is not

necessary to sign and submit the forms to USDA as part of the proposal.

(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 PI(s), followed by the summary.

(5) Project Narrative

Note: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 10 pages. This

maximum has been established to ensure fair and equitable

competition. Reviewers are instructed that they need to read only

the first 10 pages of the Project Narrative and to ignore

information on additional pages. The Project Narrative should

contain the following items:

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

statement(s) of the 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 a description of the proposed

investigations and/or experiments in the sequence in which it is

planned to carry them out; techniques to be employed, including their

feasibility; kinds of results expected; means by which data will be

analyzed or interpreted; pitfalls which might be encountered; and

limitations to proposed procedures.

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

on the magnitude of the problem and its relevance to ongoing food and

agricultural research programs; the importance of starting the work

during the current fiscal year, and reasons for having the work

performed by the proposing institution.

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

multi-State 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.

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. For purposes

of proposal development, informal day-to-day contacts between key

project personnel and outside experts are not considered to be

collaborative arrangements and thus do not need to be detailed.

All anticipated subcontractual arrangements also should be

explained and justified in this section. A proposed statement of work,

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

the general provisions contained in 7 CFR 3015.205, USDA Uniform

Federal Assistance Regulations, flow down to subrecipients. In

addition, when applicable, required clauses from 7 CFR 3019.40 through

3019.48 (``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.

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

emphasis on 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) Facilities and Equipment--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 precautions to be exercised.

Examples

[[Page 35541]]

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 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; and

(b) 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. A chronological list of the most representative

publications during the past five (5) years must be provided for each

professional project member for whom a vitae 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) Conflict-of-Interest List

A separate Conflict-of Interest List form (Form CSREES-1233) must

be submitted for each investigator for whom a curriculum vitae is

required. This form is necessary to assist program staff in excluding

from proposal review those individuals who have conflicts-of-interest

with the project personnel in the grant proposal. The Program Manager

must be informed of additional conflicts-of-interest that arise after

the proposal has been submitted.

(8) Budget

Each proposal must contain a detailed budget for up to 12 months.

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 the proposal

budget(s):

(1) 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 and with the applicable OMB Cost

Principles. Administrative and clerical salaries are normally

classified as indirect costs. (See Item 9. below.) However, if

requested under A.2.e., they must be fully justified.

(2) 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. See, e.g., OMB Circular No. A-21, Cost

Principles for Educational Institutions, for further guidance in this

area.

(3) 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. (However, institutions may

establish lower limits.) 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.

Note: For projects awarded under the authority of subsection

(c)(1)(A) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant

Act, 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.

(4) 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.

(5) Travel--The type and extent of travel and its relationship to

project objectives should be described briefly and justified. If travel

is proposed, provide the purpose, the destination, method of travel,

number of persons traveling, number of days, and estimated cost for

each trip. If details of a trip are not known at the time of proposal

submission, provide a basis for determining the amount requested.

Airfare allowances normally will not exceed round-trip jet economy air

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

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

(6) 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.

(7) 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.

(8) 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, e-mail,

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.

(9) Indirect Costs--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 funds awarded. This limitation also applies to any sub-awardee

or subcontractor, and should be reflected in the sub-recipient budget.

(10) 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.

[[Page 35542]]

(9) 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 other

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 should be used for

listing current and pending support. Note that the project being

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

(10) 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, 3, 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. 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.

(11) 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

most cases, based on previously funded projects, the preparation of

environmental data is not usually 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 the

last page of 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.

(12) Applicant Peer Review Requirements

Subsection (c)(5) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities

Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. Sec. 450i(c)), as amended by section 212

of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of

1998 (``1998 Act''), Pub. L. 105-185, requires applicants to conduct a

scientific peer review of a proposed research project in accordance

with regulations promulgated by the Secretary prior to the Secretary

making a grant award under this authority. Regulations implementing

this requirement currently are the subject of a proposed rule making

(64 FR 14348, March 24, 1999). The statute requires promulgation of a

final rule prior to award of a grant under this program. The proposed

rule would impose the following requirements for scientific peer review

by applicants of proposed research projects:

1. Credible and independent. Review arranged by the grantee must

provide for a credible and independent assessment of the proposed

project. A credible review is one that provides an appraisal of

technical quality and relevance sufficient for an organizational

representative to make an informed judgment as to whether the proposal

is appropriate for submission for Federal support. To provide for an

independent review, such review may include USDA employees, but should

not be conducted solely by USDA employees.

2. Notice of completion and retention of records. A notice of

completion of the review shall be conveyed in writing to CSREES either

as part of the submitted proposal or prior to the issuance of an award,

at the option of CSREES. The written notice constitutes certification

by the applicant that a review in

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compliance with these regulations has occurred. Applicants are not

required to submit results of the review to CSREES; however, proper

documentation of the review process and results should be retained by

the applicant.

3. Renewal and supplemental grants. Review by the grantee is not

automatically required for renewal or supplemental grants as defined in

7 CFR 3400.6. A subsequent grant award will require a new review if,

according to CSREES, either the funded project has changed

significantly, other scientific discoveries have affected the project,

or the need for the project has changed. Note that a new review is

necessary when applying for another standard or continuation grant

after expiration of the grant term.

4. Scientific Peer Review. Scientific peer review is an evaluation

of a proposed project for technical quality and relevance to regional

or national goals performed by experts with the scientific knowledge

and technical skills to conduct the proposed research work. Peer

reviewers may be selected from an applicant organization or from

outside the organization, but shall not include principal or co-

principal investigators, collaborators or others involved in the

preparation of the application under review.

Because of the nature of the rule making process, these

requirements are subject to change based upon the comments received.

Applicants whose proposals are recommended for funding must comply with

the review requirements as promulgated in the final rule as a condition

precedent to receiving an award under this RFP.

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 before July 30, 1999. Proposals

that are hand-delivered, delivered by courier, or sent via overnight

delivery services must be sent or delivered to: Special Research Grants

Program, Citrus Tristeza 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.

Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their

completed proposals via overnight mail or delivery services to

ensure timely receipt by the USDA.

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

following address: Special Research Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza

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.

C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing and by

e-mail, therefore applicants are encouraged to provide e-mail

addresses, where designated, on the Form CSREES-661. The acknowledgment

will contain an identifying proposal number. Once your proposal has

been assigned a proposal 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 RFP.

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

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

forth in this RFP. Proposals not meeting the requirements as set forth

in this RFP will not be considered for funding. However, USDA retains

the right to conduct discussions with applicants to resolve technical

and/or budget issues as it deems necessary. Second, each proposal that

meets the requirements will be technically evaluated by a peer review

panel.

The individual peer panel members will be selected from among those

recognized as specialists who are uniquely qualified by training and

experience in their respective fields to render expert advice on the

merit of proposals being reviewed. The individual reviews of the panel

members will be used 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, potential, and/or the appearance of conflicts of interest among

reviewers. Evaluations will be confidential to USDA staff members, peer

reviewers, and the principal investigator(s), to the extent permitted

by law.

B. Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation of proposals will be based on the following

criteria, weighted relative to each other as noted in the parentheses

following each criteria listed.

(1) Overall scientific and technical quality of the proposal(15

points);

(2) Scientific and technical quality of the approach (10 points);

(3) Relevance and importance of proposed research to solution of

specific areas of inquiry, and application of expected results for

States in which the grantee resides and will perform the work (30

points);

(4) Feasibility of attaining objectives; adequacy of professional

training and experience, facilities and equipment (40 points);

(5) The appropriateness of the level of funding requested (5

points).

Part VI--Supplementary Information

A. Access To Review Information

Copies of summary reviews will be sent to the applicant principle

investigator automatically, as soon as possible after the review

process has been completed. The identity of the individual peer

reviewers will not be provided.

B. Grant Awards

(1) General

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

official of CSREES 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 15 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).

[[Page 35544]]

(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 principal investigator(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

(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) Changes in Project Plans

(a) The permissible changes by the grantee, principal

investigator(s), 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 principal investigator(s) are

uncertain as to whether a change complies with this provision, the

question must be referred to the CSREES 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 CSREES 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. Applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations

This program is subject to the administrative provisions for the

Special Research Grants Program found in 7 CFR Part 3400, which set

forth procedures to be followed when submitting grant proposals, the

processes regarding the awarding of grants, and regulations relating to

the post-award administration of such grants. However, where there are

differences between this RFP and the administrative provisions, this

RFP shall take precedence to the extent that the administrative

provisions authorize such deviations.

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 1.1--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. No. 95-224), as

well as general policy requirements applicable to recipients of

Departmental financial assistance.

7 CFR Part 3016--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 Other Agreements With

Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit

Organizations.

7 CFR Part 3052--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-133,

Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations.

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

[[Page 35545]]

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 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.

Done at Washington, D.C., this 24 day of June 1999.

Charles W. Laughlin,

Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-16638 Filed 6-29-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-22-P