The United States Rice Genome Sequencing Project; Interagency Program Announcement; Request for Proposals and Request for Input

SUMMARY: As a collaborative, interagency effort, the Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) of the Department

of Agriculture, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of

Energy are soliciting proposals for the United States Rice Genome

Sequencing Projects. Proposals are hereby requested from eligible

institutions as identified herein for competitive consideration of

awards. By this notice, the CSREES additionally solicits stakeholder

input from any interested party regarding the FY 1999 request for

proposals for use in the development of the next request for proposals

for The United States Rice Genome Sequencing Project.

DATES: Proposals are due May 4, 1999. Comments regarding this request

for proposals are requested within six months from the issuance of this

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

extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Ed Kaleikau; Plant Genome Program; NRI Competitive Grants

Program; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service;

U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2241; 1400 Independence Avenue,

S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250-2241; Telephone: 202-401-1901; Fax: 202-

401-6488; E-mail: [email protected]; or Dr. David Meinke; Plant

Genome Research Program; Division of Biological Infrastructure;

National Science Foundation; 4201 Wilson Blvd; Arlington, VA 22230;

Telephone: 703-306-1470; Fax: 703-306-0339; E-mail: [email protected]; or

Gregory L. Dilworth; Division of Energy Biosciences, ER-17; U.S.

Department of Energy; 19901 Germantown Road; Germantown, MD 20874;

Telephone: 301-903-2873; Fax: 301-903-1003; E-mail:

G[email protected].

Written comments should be submitted by first-class mail to: Office

of Extramural Programs; Competitive Research Grants and Awards

Management; USDA-CSREES; STOP 2299; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.;

Washington, D.C. 20250-2299, or via e-mail to: [email protected] In

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

year request for proposals to which you are responding.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

Purpose

Background

Introduction

Authority

Applicant Eligibility

Principal Investigator and Other Senior Staff

Award Information and Available Funding

How to Obtain Application Materials

Proposal Format

Proposal Submission

What to Submit

When and Where to Submit Proposals

Proposal Evaluation

Award Administration

Awards

Use of Funds; Changes

Applicable Regulations

Additional Information

Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

Stakeholder Input

Purpose

The purpose of this interagency program announcement is to solicit

proposals to initiate systematic sequencing of the genome of rice in

the United States as part of an international effort that includes the

Rice Genome Program of Japan. The ultimate goal of this project is to

sequence the entire rice genome as a model monocot (grass) species. The

target date for completion is before the year 2008. Initially, it is

anticipated that up to three 3-year awards will be made through this

program in fiscal year (FY) 1999 contingent upon the quality of

proposals received and the availability of funds.

Background

The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), in response to

a request of Congress, established an Interagency Working Group on

Plant Genomes (IWGPG) in May 1997. The IWGPG consisted of

representatives from the Department of Agriculture (USDA), National

Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National

Institutes of Health (NIH), the Office of Science and Technology Policy

(OSTP) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The IWGPG was

created to identify science-based priorities for a national plant

genome initiative and to plan for a collaborative interagency approach

to address these priorities. In January 1998, the IWGPG provided a

report describing a five-year plan and rationale for a National Plant

Genome Initiative. One of the Initiative's goals is to participate in

an international effort to sequence the rice genome in collaboration

with the Rice Genome Program of Japan, other countries and the private

sector where appropriate. It is expected that through these efforts the

resulting information, data, software, germplasm, and other research

tools and biological materials can be made readily and openly available

to the scientific community at large.

Grasses are one of the most diverse groups of plants and include

the world's major food crops such as rice, corn, wheat, rye, barley,

sorghum, sugarcane, and millet. While the genome size among grass

species varies greatly, they share common sets of genes. There has been

a strong interest among many plant biologists to sequence the rice

genome, as a representative monocot to complement and extend advances

made with the Arabidopsis thaliana (dicot) genome project. The rapid

advances in sequencing technologies have now made it a feasible

undertaking given the relatively small size of the rice genome

( 430 million base pairs).

Scientists interested in the genome sequencing of rice participated

in a workshop held in September 1997. An ad hoc international working

group, nominated in Singapore, met in February 1998 in Tsukuba, Japan

to develop a long-range plan for the International Rice Genome

Sequencing Project. A follow up Workshop on Rice Genome Sequencing was

held, with the support of USDA, NSF, and DOE, in Washington, D.C.,

April 1998, to address the U.S. response to this initiative. This

program announcement is an outcome of that workshop.

Introduction

Recognizing the potential of a rice genome sequencing effort to

contribute to their mission, NSF and DOE have joined with USDA to

initiate a U.S. Rice Genome Sequencing Project. This project will be

coordinated with other ongoing U.S. genome projects including the human

genome research project supported by NIH and DOE, the microbial genome

project supported by DOE, the NSF Plant Genome Research Program, and

the USDA Plant Genome Program in order to minimize duplication of

effort and to maximize efficient use of available resources. It is

intended that the U.S. efforts to

[[Page 5563]]

complete the sequence of rice will be coordinated on an international

level with other national and transnational programs.

As a member of the Gramineae and a crop plant, a wealth of

fundamental information about important aspects of plant biology,

including economically important characteristics, can be learned from

the genome sequence of rice. Because it shares collinear genomes, rice

is a key to knowledge of the genome organization of the other grasses.

Comparison of the sequence of the dicot, Arabidopsis thaliana, with

that of rice, a model monocot, will reveal what genome structures these

two different groups of angiosperms have in common and how they differ.

While the goals of the International Rice Genome Project must be

focused, the information provided by the International Project can be

exploited by the entire research community to learn: the functions and

relative map locations of all cereal genes; the use of map-based

sequence information to identify and provide markers for agronomically

significant genes; the molecular basis of plant growth and development

so that fundamental questions in plant p hysiology, biochemistry, cell

biology, and pathology can be addressed and; the relationship of genome

structure to gene expression.

Authority

The authority for the USDA participation in this program is found

in 7 U.S.C. 450i(b). The authority for NSF participation in this

program is found in the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as

amended, 42 U.S.C. 1861, et seq. The authority for DOE participation in

this program is found in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended,

Sec. 31, Pub. L. 83-703, 68 Stat. 919, (42 U.S.C. 2051); Energy

Reorganization Act of 1974, Title I, Sec. 107, Pub. L. 93-438, 88 Stat.

1240, (42 U.S.C. 5817); Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and

Development Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-577; Department of Energy

Organization Act of 1977, as amended, Pub. L. 95-91, (U.S.C. 7101).

Applicant Eligibility

Proposals are solicited from a broad community of scientists at

U.S. institutions, including any State agricultural experiment station,

college, university, other research institution or organization,

Federal agency, national laboratory, private organization, corporation,

or individual. Consortia of eligible individuals or organizations may

apply, but a single organization or individual must accept overall

management responsibility. Involvement of international collaborators

is encouraged, although primary support for foreign participants/

activities must be secured through their own national programs.

Principal Investigator and Other Senior Staff

The Principal Investigator (PI) and other senior staff responsible

for the project are expected to have expertise and experience in large-

scale, high-through-put genomic DNA sequencing. If the application is

submitted by a consortium of several groups from one or more

institutions, the consortium must make a convincing case that it can

function in an effective, efficient, timely and cost-conscious manner.

Award Information and Available Funding

The participating agencies currently have a total of approximately

$4 million available for this Program in FY 1999. Subject to the

availability of funds, the participating agencies anticipate that an

additional $4 million in funding will be available for this program in

each FY 2000 and FY 2001, for an anticipated total level of support for

this Program of $12 million over three years. The program anticipates

initially supporting up to three 3-year awards. These awards will be

made in the form of grants and cooperative agreements which will be

determined at the time of the award. The exact amount of the award will

depend on the advice of reviewers and on the availability of funds.

Each participating agency will obligate funds separately. However, a

proposal may be funded by one or more of the participating agencies.

How To Obtain Application Materials

All participating agencies have agreed to use the USDA guidelines

for proposal format (see below) and application kit. Other material may

be required at the time of funding to facilitate the implementation of

the award. The guidelines and application kit are available on the USDA

web site at the URL: http://www.reeusda.gov/crgam/nri/howto/applkit/

applkitdoc.htm.

Paper copies of these application materials may be obtained by

sending an e-mail with your name, complete mailing address (not e-mail

address), phone number, and materials that you are requesting to

[email protected]. Materials will be mailed to you (not e-mailed) as

quickly as possible. Alternatively, paper copies may be obtained by

writing or calling the Proposal Services Unit, Office of Extramural

Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service;

U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Ave.,

S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250-2245. Telephone: (202) 401-5048.

Proposal Format

The proposals should be prepared following the guidelines and the

instructions below.

Each proposal must contain the following elements in the order

indicated:

1. Application For Funding Cover Page (Form CSREES-661). All

proposals must contain an Application for Funding (Form CSREES-661),

which must be signed by the proposed principal investigator(s) and by

the cognizant Authorized Organizational Representative who possesses

the necessary authority to commit the applicant's time and other

relevant resources. Principal investigators who do not sign the

proposal cover sheet will not be listed on the award document in the

event an award is made. The title of the proposal must be brief (80-

character maximum), yet represent the major emphasis of the project.

Because this title will be used to provide information to those who may

not be familiar with the proposed project, highly technical words or

phraseology should be avoided where possible. In addition, phrases such

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

2. Table of Contents. For ease in locating information, each

proposal must contain a detailed table of contents just after the

proposal cover page. The Table of Contents should include page numbers

for each component of the proposal. Pagination should begin immediately

following the Project Summary (see next section).

3. Project Summary (Form CSREES-1232). The proposal must contain a

Project Summary form (Form CSREES-1232). This form must be assembled as

the third page of the proposal (immediately after the Table of

Contents) and should not be numbered. The names and institutions of all

principal and co-investigators should be listed on this form (if space

is insufficient, please enter ``see attached'' in this space and

provide this information on a separate sheet immediately following the

Project Summary form in the proposal). The project summary itself MUST

fit within the space indicated (approximately 250 words). The summary

is not intended for the general reader; consequently, it may contain

technical language comprehendible by persons in disciplines relating to

the food and agricultural sciences. The project summary should be a

self-contained,

[[Page 5564]]

specific description of the activity to be undertaken and should focus

on: Overall project goal(s) and supporting objectives; plans to

accomplish project goal(s); and relevance of the project to the

systematic sequencing of the genome of rice in the United States.

4. Project Description. A description of the project must not

exceed 20 pages inclusive of tables, diagrams and other visual

material. The project description should be numbered and single-spaced

with text on one side of the page using a 12 point (10 cpi) type font

size and one-inch margins. The following points must be addressed in

this section.

A. Sequencing Strategies--The proposal should include descriptions

of: 1. DNA substrates to be sequenced: Include source of the DNA

(clones), map of the chromosomal region involved, rationale for

choosing the region, method of substrate preparation and all other

pertinent information. The strategies proposed must be scalable and

applicable to efforts to sequence the entire rice genome.

2. Sequence quality and quantity: This section should include the

level of accuracy to be sought and how that will be measured, the

number of bases to be sequenced per unit time, and a discussion of the

finishing process and how that will be defined. Plans to fill sequence

gaps and coordinate sequencing efforts within the rice community must

be discussed in detail.

3. Genome sequencing technologies and strategies: Technologies/

strategies that will be used should be described as well as plans for

incorporating new developments and/or improvements in sequencing

protocols, strategies and technologies as they become available.

4. Costs of production sequencing in relation to the product

proposed: The cost-effectiveness of the sequences generated will be a

very important issue. An estimate of the dollars required to produce a

specific number of bases (which should include the costs of generating

clones, assembly and annotation) should be given. If investigators are

proposing a strategy that will yield less than the complete genome

sequence, they must provide an overall vision of how this strategy will

contribute to the cost-effective completion of the entire rice genome.

B. Project Management--The proposal should include descriptions of:

1. Plans for establishing coordination with the Rice Genome Program of

Japan and other existing or planned rice sequencing projects, both

nationally and internationally.

2. Plans for establishing a close linkage to the plant biology

research community at large in order to ensure a close collaboration

between the sequencing project and the ultimate user community of the

sequence information.

3. Ways to assess progress of the project, including establishing

milestones and measuring progress toward them. A common advisory

committee will be appointed based upon suggestions from all of the

participants, including the agencies, which will serve as a means of

advising all participants of problems or solutions which will benefit

all of the participants. Describe how such an advisory committee can be

incorporated into the management strategies of the proposed project.

4. Available facilities and equipment including a statement of

institutional commitment for the successful completion of the project.

C. Information Management--The proposal should include: 1. Data

management plan should address both internal and external data

management issues, including: (1) Mechanisms to assess validity and

accuracy of data obtained which will augment or complement procedures

to monitor accuracy which may be mandated by the agencies; (2)

mechanisms for annotation of data and release of both raw and finished

data into public databases--creative, cost-effective strategies for

annotating sequences are encouraged; and (3) community access to data

mechanisms of data distribution and interactions with other community

databases.

2. Data release policies including how rapidly sequence data will

be publicly released after production. The sponsoring agencies require

the rapid release of sequence data as described in the most recent

International Strategy Meeting on Human Genome Sequencing held in 1997

in Bermuda. The National Human Genome Research Institute has set forth

these principles on the NIH web site at the following URL: http://

www.nhgri.nih.gov/Grant__info/Funding/Statements/RFA/data__release.html

3. A statement signed by an authorized institutional official

should be included which clearly describes the institutional policy for

sharing information materials resulting from this work with other

researchers of the community of scientists.

5. References to Project Description. All references cited should

be complete, including titles and co-authors, and should conform to an

accepted journal format.

6. Facilities and Equipment. All facilities and major items of

equipment that are available for use or assignment to the proposed

research project during the requested period of support should be

described. In addition, items of nonexpendable equipment necessary to

conduct and successfully complete the proposed project and for which

support is requested under this program should be listed in the budget

narrative with the amount and justification for each item.

7. Collaborative Arrangements. If the nature of the proposed

project requires collaboration or subcontractual arrangements with

other research scientists, corporations, organizations, agencies, or

entities, the applicant must identify the collaborator(s) and provide a

full explanation of the nature of the collaboration. Funding

contributions by collaborators that will be used to accomplish the

stated objectives should be identified. Evidence (i.e., letters of

intent) should be provided to assure peer reviewers that the

collaborators involved have agreed to render this service. Note,

however, that the contributions of collaborators will not be a direct

factor in the awarding of any award. In addition, the proposal must

indicate whether or not such a collaborative arrangement(s) has the

potential for conflict(s) of interest.

8. Vitae and Publication List(s). (A) Curriculum vitae. The

curriculum vitae should be limited to a presentation of academic and

research credentials, or commodity production knowledge or experience

with that commodity (e.g., educational, employment and professional

history, and honors and awards). Unless pertinent to the project, to

personal status, or to the status of the organization, meetings

attended, seminars given, or personal data such as birth date, marital

status, or community activities should not be included. Each vitae

shall be no more than two pages in length, excluding the publication

lists; and

(B) Publication List(s). A chronological list of all publications

in refereed journals during the past four years, including those in

press, must be provided for each professional project member for whom a

curriculum vitae is provided. Authors should be listed in the same

order as they appear on each paper cited, along with the title and

complete reference as these items usually appear in journals.

9. Conflict of Interest List (Form CSREES-1233). A separate

Conflict of Interest List Form (Form CSREES-1233) must be submitted for

each investigator for whom a curriculum vitae is required (see above).

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 proposal.

[[Page 5565]]

CSREES must be informed of additional conflicts of interest that arise

after the proposal has been submitted. Instructions below are

reiterated on Form CSREES-1233.

For each investigator (and other personnel as described in the

program description), list ALPHABETICALLY the full names of only the

individuals for each category. Other investigators working in the

applicant's specific research area are deemed not to be a conflict of

interest for the applicant unless those investigators fall within one

of the categories listed below. Additional pages may be used as

necessary. A conflict of interest list must be submitted before a

proposal is considered complete. Inclusion of a curriculum vitae or

publication list in lieu of Form CSREES-1233 is not sufficient.

All collaborators on research projects within the past

four years, including current and planned collaborations;

All co-authors on publications within the past four years,

including pending publications and submissions;

All persons in your field with whom you have had a

consulting, financial arrangement, or other arrangement that might give

rise to a conflict of interest within the past four years; and

All thesis or postdoctoral advisees/advisors within the

past four years.

10. Budget (Form CSREES-55). A detailed budget is required for each

year of requested support. In addition, a summary budget is required

detailing requested support for the overall project period. A copy of

the form which must be used for this purpose (Form CSREES-55), along

with instructions for completion, is included in the Application Kit

and may be reproduced as needed by applicants. Funds may be requested

under any of the categories listed, provided that the item or service

for which support is requested may be identified as necessary for

successful conduct of the proposed project, is allowable under

applicable Federal cost principles, and is not prohibited under any

applicable Federal statute.

11. Budget Narrative. A budget narrative should be included which

discusses how the budget specifically supports the proposed project

activities. It should explain how each budget item (such as salaries

and wages for professional and technical staff, student workers,

travel, equipment, etc.) is essential to achieving project objectives.

Funds may be requested under any of the categories listed on the budget

form, provided that the item or service for which support is sought is

allowable under the enabling legislation and the applicable Federal

cost principles.

The following guidelines should be used in developing your 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 Funded Work Months must be shown in the spaces

provided. Award 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. 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.

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. Items of necessary

instrumentation or other nonexpendable equipment should be listed

individually by description and estimated cost. This applies to revised

budgets, as the equipment item(s) and amount(s) may change. NOTE: If

the organization has established a lower threshold, amounts less than

$5,000 may be included in this category.

No funds will be awarded for the purchase or installation of fixed

equipment. In the case of any equipment or product that may be

authorized to be purchased with funds provided under this program,

entities receiving such funds are encouraged to use such funds to

purchase only American-made equipment or products.

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.

5. Travel. The type and extent of travel and its relationship to

project objectives should be described briefly and justified. Provide

the purpose of the trip, destination, mode of transportation, number of

people, number of days, and cost per trip. Airfare allowances normally

should 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.

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 award.

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 on a separate sheet of paper attached to Form

CSREES-55. This applies to revised budgets, as the item(s) and dollar

amount(s) may change. Examples may include space rental at remote

locations, subcontractual costs, charges for consulting services, 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. When submitting a proposal, institutions should

use their current Federal negotiated rate for indirect costs. Please

note that indirect costs for proposals funded by USDA will be capped at

14% of total Federal funds provided under that award. Congress, in

section 711 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug

Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 1999,

Sec. 101(a) of Pub. L. No. 105-277, prohibits CSREES from using the

funds available for this Program for FY 1999 to pay indirect costs

exceeding 14 percent of the total Federal funds provided under each

award on competitively awarded research grants.

(Note: The FY 1999 Appropriations Act supercedes the limitation

on indirect costs of 19 percent of the total Federal funds provided

for competitively-awarded research grants in Section 230(a) of the

Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform

[[Page 5566]]

Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 3310). Therefore, awards made by CSREES are

limited to this 14 percent indirect costs limitation. This

limitation also applies to the recovery of indirect costs by any

subawardee or subcontractor, and should be reflected in the

subrecipient budget.)

To accommodate the differences in allowable indirect costs between

USDA, NSF and DOE, the applicant may be required at the time of award

to submit a separate budget with indirect cost rates appropriate to

each agency.

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

award.

12. Current and Pending Support (Form CSREES-663). All proposals

must contain Form CSREES-663 listing this proposal and any other

current public or private research 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 the 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 participating agency 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.

13. Assurance Statements (Form CSREES-662) (Research Involving

Special Considerations). If it is anticipated that the research project

will involve recombinant DNA or RNA research, experimental vertebrate

animals, or human subjects, an Assurance Statement, Form CSREES-662,

must be completed and included in the proposal. Please note that funds

will not be released until the awarding agency receives and approves

documentation indicating approval by the appropriate institutional

committee(s) regarding DNA or RNA research, animal care, or the

protection of human subjects, as applicable.

14. Certifications Regarding Debarment and Suspension, Drug-Free

Work Place, and Lobbying. By signing the Application For Funding cover

page (Form CSREES-661), applicants are 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. Submission of the individual forms found in the

application kit is not required (Forms AD-1047, -1049, -1050, and the

Certification Regarding Lobbying). For additional information, refer to

the certification at the bottom of Form CSREES-661.

Form AD-1048 must be completed by a subcontractor or consultant and

retained by the awardee.

Questions specifically related to the completion of the above

certifications should be directed to the CSREES Office of Extramural

Programs, Grants Management Branch at (202) 401-5050.

15. National Environmental Policy Act Exclusions Form (Form CSREES-

1234). As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (CSREES's implementation of the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C.

4321 et seq.)), the environmental data or documentation for any

proposed project is to be provided to CSREES in order to assist CSREES

in carrying out its responsibilities under NEPA. In some cases,

however, the preparation of environmental data or documentation may not

be required. Certain categories of actions are excluded from the

requirements of NEPA. The USDA and CSREES exclusions are listed in 7

CFR 1b.3 and 7 CFR 3407.6, respectively.

In order for CSREES to determine whether any further action is

needed with respect to NEPA (e.g., preparation of an environmental

assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS)), pertinent

information regarding the possible environmental impacts of a proposed

project is necessary; therefore, the National Environmental Policy Act

Exclusions Form (Form CSREES-1234) provided in the Application Kit must

be included in the proposal indicating whether the applicant is of the

opinion that the project falls within one or more of the categorical

exclusions. Form CSREES-1234 should follow Form CSREES-661, Application

for Funding, in the proposal.

Even though a project may fall within the categorical exclusions,

CSREES may determine that an EA or an EIS is necessary for an activity

if substantial controversy on environmental grounds exists or if other

extraordinary conditions or circumstances are present that may cause

such activity to have a significant environmental effect.

16. Additions to Project Description. The participating agencies

expect each project description to be complete while meeting the page

limit established in this section (Proposal Format). However, if the

inclusion of additional information is necessary to ensure the

equitable evaluation of the proposal (e.g., photographs that do not

reproduce well, reprints, and other pertinent materials that are deemed

to be unsuitable for inclusion in the text of the proposal), then 14

copies of the materials should be submitted. Each set of such materials

must be identified with the name of the submitting organization, and

the name(s) of the principal investigator(s). Information may not be

appended to a proposal to circumvent page limitations prescribed for

the project description. Extraneous materials will not be used during

the peer review process.

Proposal Submission

What To Submit

An original and 14 copies of a proposal must be submitted. Each

copy must be stapled securely in the upper left-hand corner (DO NOT

BIND). All copies of the proposal must be submitted in one package.

When and Where To Submit Proposals

Proposals must be received by May 4, 1999. Proposals sent by First

Class mail must be sent to the following address: The United States

Rice Genome Sequencing Project; c/o 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.

Proposals that are delivered by express mail, a courier service, or

by hand must be submitted to the following address (note that the zip

code differs from that shown above): The United States Rice Genome

Sequencing Project; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Office of Extramural

Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service;

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 303, Aerospace Center; 901 D

Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20024; Telephone: (202) 401-5048.

Facsimile (FAX) copies will not be accepted.

Proposal Evaluation

Selection of awards will be based on merit review by experts using

established peer review systems as described in these guidelines. A

special emphasis panel will be formed to review the applications and

site visits may be used as needed. The following evaluation factors

will be used in reviewing applications:

1. Performance competence: This criterion addresses the technical

merit of the proposed approach, the capabilities of the proposed

personnel, including those of the Principal

[[Page 5567]]

Investigator and other senior staff as discussed above, the adequacy of

the resources available or proposed, and the likelihood that this

project will lead to a successful, timely, cost-effective completion of

the rice genome sequence.

2. Project management: This criterion addresses the overall quality

of the technical and managerial aspects of the proposal, including

plans for the release of the data and the sharing of the information

and resources resulting from the project to the scientific community as

noted below, and for management oversight and long-range planning.

3. Effect of the activity on the scientific and agricultural

infrastructure: This criterion addresses the potential of the proposed

activity to contribute to better understanding or improvement of the

quality and effectiveness of the Nation's scientific research,

education, and human resources capabilities. An important issue is a

likelihood of national impact and widespread, appropriate dissemination

and use of results in strengthening the scientific and agricultural

infrastructure of this nation.

4. Scientific collaboration and information sharing: Sequencing of

the genome of a model organism is a community activity. As such, a

close collaboration among the scientists and organizations involved in

sequencing activities and effective dissemination to the users of the

information are important components of this criterion.

5. Scientific merit of the project: This criterion addresses the

conceptual adequacy of the sequencing approach including suitability

and feasibility of methodology, clarity and delineation of objectives,

demonstration of feasibility through preliminary data, novelty,

uniqueness and originality.

6. Appropriateness of the proposed budget.

Award Administration

The U.S. Rice Genome Sequencing Project will be administered and

managed as an interagency program involving all participating agencies

throughout the entire process from the development of the program

announcement to the review and selection. USDA, NSF and DOE will fund

awards separately. The amount of each award will be determined jointly

by USDA/NSF/DOE representatives after the panel review process has been

completed. Other material may be required at the time of funding to

facilitate the implementation of the award from participating agencies.

Awards will be administered as follows:

Awards

1. General: Within the limit of funds available for such purpose,

the awarding official shall make awards to those responsible, eligible

applicants whose proposals are judged most meritorious in the announced

program area by procedures set forth in this request for proposals. The

date specified as the effective date of the award 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 award effective date, but as soon

thereafter as practicable so that project goals may be attained within

the funded project period. All funds awarded under this request for

proposals shall be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds

are awarded in accordance with the approved application and budget, the

terms and conditions of the award, the applicable Federal cost

principles, and the applicable participating agency assistance

regulations.

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

an award 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 awarding agency as

part of the pre-award process.

3. Award Document: The award document shall include at a minimum

the following:

a. Legal name and address of performing organization or institution

to whom the funding agency has awarded an award under this program;

b. Title of Project;

c. Name(s) and address(es) of principal investigator(s) chosen to

direct and control approved activities;

d. Award identification number assigned by the funding agency;

e. Project period, specifying the amount of time the funding agency

intends to support the project without requiring recompetition for

funds;

f. Total award amount approved by the funding agency during the

project period;

g. Legal authority(ies) under which the award is made;

h. Approved budget plan for categorizing project funds to

accomplish the stated purpose of the award; and

i. Other information or provisions deemed necessary by the funding

agency to carry out its respective awarding activities or to accomplish

the purpose of a particular award.

4. Notice of Award: The notice of award, in the form of a letter,

will be prepared and will provide pertinent instructions or information

to the awardee that is not included in the award document.

5. The awarding agency will make awards as either grants or

cooperative agreements to carry out this program.

Use of Funds; Changes

Unless otherwise stipulated in the terms and conditions of the

award, the following provisions apply:

1. Delegation of Fiscal Responsibility: The awardee may not in

whole or in part delegate or transfer to another person, institution,

or organization the responsibility for use or expenditure of funds.

2. Changes in Project Plans:

a. The permissible changes by the awardee, principal

investigator(s), or other key project personnel in the approved

research project award 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 awardee and/or the principal

investigator(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 awardee 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

awardee and approved in writing by the awarding official 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 awardee

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

e. Changes in Project Period: The project period may be extended by

the awarding agency 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

[[Page 5568]]

extension of time shall be conditioned upon prior request by the

awardee and approval in writing by the ADO, unless prescribed otherwise

in the terms and conditions of an award.

f. Changes in Approved Budget: Changes in an approved budget must

be requested by the awardee 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 costs principles, Departmental regulations, or in

the award document.

Applicable Regulations

Several other Federal statutes and regulations apply to proposals

considered for review and to projects awarded under this program. These

include but are not limited to regulations cited in the section

entitled REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE in the Catalog of

Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) for each of the participating

agencies. The CFDA numbers are as follows: USDA--10.206; NSF--47.074;

DOE--81.049. The OMB number for NSF is OMB No. 3145-0058. The USDA

component of this program is subject to the program regulations at 7

CFR 3411. Note that CSREES, consistent with those regulations, has

provided other terms in this RFP to govern proposal format and

evaluation.

Additional Information

Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

When a proposal results in an award, it becomes a part of the

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

specific request. Information that the Administrator 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 an

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

copies will be destroyed. Proposals that do not receive an award will

be released to others only with the consent of the applicant or to the

extent required by law. If such a request is made, the applicant will

be consulted prior to release of the proposal. A proposal may be

withdrawn at any time prior to the final selection action thereon.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact project

officers and discuss their plans. Inquiries regarding the announcement

can be directed to any one of the agency representatives identified at

the beginning of this request for proposals.

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 as

needed. 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

(Pub. L. 105-185). This section requires the Secretary of Agriculture

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.

Done at Washington, D.C., on this 27th day of January, 1999.

Colien Hefferan,

Acting Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and

Extension Service.

Mary E. Clutter,

Assistant Director for Biological Sciences, National Science

Foundation.

Patricia Dehmer,

Associate Director, Office of Sciences, Department of Energy.

[FR Doc. 99-2538 Filed 2-2-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-22-P