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

fiscal year (FY) 1999. Subject to the availability of funds, the

anticipated amount available for support of this program in FY 1999 is

$1,216,279.

This notice 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 Potato

Research Project grant.

By this notice, the Cooperative State Research, Education, and

Extension Service additionally solicits stakeholder input from any

interested party regarding the FY 1999 request for proposals for the

Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research, for use in the

development of the next request for proposals for this program.

DATES: Applications must be received on or before May 14, 1999.

Proposals received after May 14, 1999, will not be considered for

funding.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding stakeholder input 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, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. James Parochetti; Cooperative

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

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

D.C. 20250-2220; telephone: (202) 401-4354; 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 of the Program

B. Available Funds and Award Limitations

C. Applicant Peer Review Requirements

Part III--Content of a Proposal

A. Application for Funding (Form CSREES-661)

B. Table of Contents

C. Objectives

D. Progress Report

E. Procedures

F. Justification

G. Cooperation and Institutional Units Involved

H. Literature Review

I. Current Work

J. Facilities and Equipment

K. Project Timetable

L. Personnel Support

M. Collaborative and/or Subcontractual Arrangements

N. Budget (Form CSREES-55)

O. Current and Pending Support (Form CSREES-663)

P. Assurance Statement(s) (Form CSREES-662)

Q. Certifications

R. Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act

S. Additions to Project Description

Part IV--How to Obtain Application Materials

Part V--Submission of a Proposal

A. What to Submit

B. Where and When to Submit

C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

Part VI--CSREES Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Selection Process

B. Evaluation Criteria

Part VII--Supplementary Information

A. Access to CSREES Peer Review Information

B. Grant Awards

C. Use of Funds; Changes

D. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations that Apply

E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

F. Regulatory Information

G. Stakeholder Input

Part I--General Information

A. Legislative Authority

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

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

2 of Pub. L. No. 89-106, as amended (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(B)). The

administrative regulations at 7 CFR part 3400 for Special Grants

Programs awarded under the authority of section 2(c)(1)(A) of this Act

(7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(A)) do not apply to grants solicited and awarded

under this RFP.

In accordance with the statutory authority, grants awarded under

this program will be for the purpose of facilitating or expanding

ongoing State-Federal food and agricultural research programs that--(i)

promote excellence in research on a regional and national level; (ii)

promote the development of regional research centers; (iii) promote the

research partnership between the Department of Agriculture, colleges

and universities, research foundations, and State agricultural

experiment stations for regional research efforts; and (iv) facilitate

coordination and cooperation of research among States through regional

research grants.

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 (CSREES) 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,

chief executive officer or functional equivalent of the applicant

organization or the official, designated by the president, chief

executive officer or functional equivalent 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 entity designated in the grant award document

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

(7) Peer review panel means an assembled group of experts or

consultants qualified by training and experience in particular

scientific or technical fields to give expert advice on the scientific

and technical merit of grant applications in those fields.

(8) Principal Investigator/Project Director means the single

individual designated by the grantee in the grant application and

approved by the Secretary who is responsible for the

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direction and management of the project. Note that a proposal may have

multiple secondary co-principal investigators/project directors but

only one principal investigator/project director.

(9) Prior approval means written approval evidencing prior consent

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

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

program supported by a grant award.

(11) Project period means the total length of time that is approved

by the Administrator for conducting the research project, as stated in

the award document and modifications thereto, if any, during which

Federal sponsorship begins and ends.

(12) Scientific peer review means 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.

(13) 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, land-grant colleges and universities, research foundations

established by land-grant colleges and universities, colleges and

universities receiving funds under the Act of October 10, 1962, as

amended (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.), and accredited schools or colleges of

veterinary medicine. The proposals must be directly related to potato

varietal development/testing. 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 of the Program

Proposals are invited for competitive grant awards under the

Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research for FY 1999. The

purpose of this grant program is to support potato research that

focuses on varietal development/testing. As used herein, varietal

development/testing is research using traditional and biotechnological

genetics to develop improved potato variety(ies). Aspects of

evaluation, screening and testing must support or complement the

development of improved varieties. This program is administered by

CSREES of USDA.

B. Available Funds and Award Limitations

Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to support regional

research projects that are composed of potato research that focuses on

varietal development/testing. For purposes of this program, regional

research means research having application beyond the immediate State

in which the awardee resides and performs the project. The total amount

of funds available in FY 1999 for support of this program is

approximately $1,216,279. 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.

Under this program, and subject to the availability of funds, the

Secretary may make grant awards for the support of research projects

available for up to three years to further the program.

C. 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. No. 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 14347, 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 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 III--Content of a Proposal

All applications should be typed on 8 1/2'' x 11'' white paper,

single-spaced, and on one side of the page only. It would be helpful if

the name of the submitting institution were typed at the top of each

page for easy identification in the event the proposal becomes

disassembled while being reviewed. All proposals must contain the

following forms and narrative information to assist CSREES personnel

during the review and award processes:

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A. Application for Funding (Form CSREES-661)

Each copy of each grant proposal must contain an Application for

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

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

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

organizational representative who possesses the necessary authority to

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

project. Any proposed principal investigator or co-principal

investigator whose signature does not appear on Form CSREES-661 will

not be listed on any resulting grant award. Complete both signature

blocks located at the bottom of the Application for Funding form.

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

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

The following items are highlighted as having a high potential for

errors or misinterpretations:

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

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

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

nonscientific people; therefore, highly technical words or phraseology

should be avoided where possible. In addition, introductory phrases

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

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

Grants Program, Potato Research'' should be inserted in this block. You

may ignore the reference to a Federal Register announcement.

3. Program Area and Number (Block 8). The name of the program area,

``Potato Research,'' should be inserted in this block. You should

ignore references to the program number and the Federal Register

announcement.

4. Type of Award Request (Block 13). If the project being proposed

is a renewal of a grant that has been supported under the same program

at any time during the previous five fiscal years, it is important that

you show the latest grant number assigned to the project by CSREES.

5. Principal Investigator(s) (Block 15). The designation of

excessive numbers of co-principal investigators creates problems during

final review and award processes. Listing multiple co-principal

investigators, beyond those required for genuine collaboration, is

therefore discouraged.

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

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

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

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

department, laboratory, or other organizational unit of an agricultural

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

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

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

7. Other Possible Sponsors (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.

B. Table of Contents

For consistency and ease of locating information, each proposal

submitted should contain a Table of Contents.

C. Objectives

Clear, concise, complete, and logically arranged statement(s) of

the specific aims of the proposed effort must be included in all

proposals. For renewal applications, a restatement of the objectives

outlined in the active grant also should be provided.

D. Progress Report

If the proposal is a renewal of an existing project supported under

the same program, include a clearly identified summary progress report

describing the results to date. The progress report should contain the

following information:

1. A comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals

established for the active grant;

2. The reasons for slippage if established goals were not met;

3. Other pertinent information, including, when appropriate, cost

analysis and explanation of cost overruns or unexpectedly high unit

costs.

E. 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:

1. A description of the proposed investigations and/or experiments

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

2. Techniques to be employed, including their feasibility;

3. Kinds of results expected;

4. Means by which data will be analyzed or interpreted;

5. Pitfalls which might be encountered; and

6. Limitations to proposed procedures.

F. Justification

This section should include in-depth information on the following,

when applicable:

1. Estimates of the magnitude of the problem and its relevance to

ongoing State-Federal food and agricultural research programs;

2. Importance of starting the work during the current fiscal year;

and

3. Reasons for having the work performed by the proposing

institution.

G. 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.

H. 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.

I. Current Work

Current unpublished institutional activities to date in the program

area under which the proposal is being submitted should be described.

J. 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

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precautions to be exercised. Examples include work with toxic chemicals

and experiments that may put human subjects or animals at risk.

All items of major instrumentation available for use or assignment

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

nonexpendable equipment needed to conduct and bring the project to a

successful conclusion should be listed, including dollar amounts and,

if funds are requested for their acquisition, justified.

K. 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.

L. Personnel Support

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

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

included:

1. An estimate of the time commitment involved;

2. Vitae of the principal investigator(s), senior associate(s), and

other professional personnel. This section should include vitae of all

key persons who are expected to work on the project, whether or not

CSREES funds are sought for their support. The vitae should be limited

to two (2) pages each in length, excluding publications listings; and

3. A chronological listing of the most representative publications

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

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

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

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

M. Collaborative and/or Subcontractual Arrangements

If it will be necessary to enter into formal consulting or

collaborative arrangements with other individuals or organizations,

such arrangements should be fully explained and justified. 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 should be explained and

justified in this section. A proposed statement of work, a curriculum

vitae and a budget for each arrangement involving the transfer of

substantive programmatic work or the providing of financial assistance

to a third party must be provided. Agreements between departments or

other units of your own institution and minor arrangements with

entities outside of your institution (e.g., requests for outside

laboratory analyses) are excluded from this requirement.

If you expect to enter into subcontractual arrangements, please

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

Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions

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

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

Federal Assistance Regulations, flow down to subrecipients. In

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

(Procurement Standards) and Appendix A (Contract Provisions) should be

included in final contractual documents, and it is necessary for the

subawardee to make a certification relating to debarment/suspension.

This latter requirement is explained further under subsection Q of

these guidelines.

N. Budget (Form CSREES-55)

Each proposal must contain a detailed budget (Form CSREES-55) for

up to 12 months of support. 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 and can be identified as

necessary and reasonable for the successful conduct of the project.

The following guidelines should be used in developing your proposal

budget:

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 OMB Circular No. A-21, Cost

Principles for Educational Institutions. 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.

Note: In accordance with Section 1473 of the National

Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977,

as amended, 7 U.S.C. 3319, tuition remission is not an allowable

cost under Section 2(c)(1)(B) projects, and no funds will be

approved for this purpose.

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 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. As such, items of

necessary instrumentation or other nonexpendable equipment should be

listed individually by description and estimated cost. 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 Sec.

2(c)(1)(B) of Pub. L. No. 89-106, no funds will be awarded for the

renovation or refurbishment of research spaces; the purchase or

installation of fixed equipment in such spaces; or for the planning,

repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building

or facility.

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 specified. Funds may be requested for

field work or for travel to professional meetings. In the budget

narrative, for both domestic and foreign travel, provide the purpose,

the destination, method of travel, number of persons traveling, number

of days, and estimated cost for each trip. If details of each trip are

not known at the time of proposal submission, provide the basis for

determining the amount requested.

Travel and subsistence should be in accordance with organizational

policy. Irrespective of the organizational policy, allowances for

airfare will not normally exceed round trip jet economy air

accommodations. Please note that 7 CFR Part 3015.205 is applicable to

air travel.

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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 on a separate sheet of paper attached to Form

CSREES-55. 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. Pursuant to Section 1473 of the National

Agriculture Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as

amended, 7 U.S.C. 3319, indirect costs are not allowable costs under

Section 2(c)(1)(B) projects, and no funds will be approved for this

purpose. Further, costs that are a part of an institution's indirect

cost pool (e.g., administrative or clerical salaries) may not be

reclassified as direct costs for the purpose of making them allowable.

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.

O. Current and Pending Support (Form CSREES-663)

All proposals must contain Form CSREES-663 listing this proposal

and any other current or pending support to which key project personnel

have committed or are expected to commit portions of their time,

whether or not salary support for the person(s) involved is included in

the budget. This proposal should be identified in the pending section

of this form.

P. 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:

1. Recombinant DNA or RNA Research. As stated in 7 CFR Part

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

signatory 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 (Application for Funding)

and by completing Section A of Form CSREES-662 (Assurance

Statement(s)). For applicable proposals recommended for funding,

Institutional Biosafety Committee approval is required before CSREES

funds will be released.

2. 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 signatory 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.

3. Protection of Human Subjects. Responsibility for safeguarding

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

supported with funds provided by CSREES rests with the performing

organization. Guidance on this issue is contained in the National

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

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

propose to use human subjects for experimental purposes in your

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

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

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

released only after the appropriate Institutional Review Board has

approved the project.

Q. Certifications

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 certification forms are included in

this application package for informational purposes only. These forms

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

CSREES-661 your organization is providing the required certifications.

If the project will involve a subcontractor or consultant, the

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

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

submitted to USDA.

R. Compliance With the National Environmental Policy Act

As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (CSREES's implementing regulations

of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)), environmental data or documentation for the

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

in carrying out its responsibilities under NEPA, which includes

determining whether the project requires an Environmental Assessment or

an Environmental Impact Statement or whether it can be excluded from

this requirement on the basis of several categorical exclusions. To

assist CSREES in this determination, the applicant should review the

categories defined for exclusion to ascertain whether the proposed

project may fall within one of the exclusions.

Form CSREES-1234, NEPA Exclusions Form (copy in Application Kit),

indicating the applicant's opinion of whether or not the project falls

within one or more categorical exclusions, along with supporting

documentation, must be included in the proposal. The information

submitted in association with NEPA compliance should be

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identified in the Table of Contents as ``NEPA Considerations'' and Form

CSREES-1234 and supporting documentation should be placed after the

Form CSREES-661, Application for Funding, in the proposal.

The following Categorical Exclusions apply:

(1) USDA Categorical Exclusions (7 CFR 1b.3)

(i) Policy development, planning and implementation which are

related to routine activities such as personnel, organizational

changes, or similar administrative functions;

(ii) Activities which deal solely with the funding of programs,

such as program budget proposals, disbursements, and transfer or

reprogramming of funds;

(iii) Inventories, research activities, and studies, such as

resource inventories and routine data collection when such actions are

clearly limited in context and intensity;

(iv) Educational and informational programs and activities;

(v) Civil and criminal law enforcement and investigative

activities;

(vi) Activities which are advisory and consultative to other

agencies and public and private entities; and

(vii) Activities related to trade representation and market

development activities abroad.

(2) CSREES Categorical Exclusions (7 CFR 3407.6(a)(2))

Based on previous experience, the following categories of CSREES

actions are excluded because they have been found to have limited scope

and intensity and to have no significant individual or cumulative

impacts on the quality of the human environment:

(i) The following categories of research programs or projects of

limited size and magnitude or with only short-term effects on the

environment:

(A) Research conducted within any laboratory, greenhouse, or other

contained facility where research practices and safeguards prevent

environmental impacts;

(B) Surveys, inventories, and similar studies that have limited

context and minimal intensity in terms of changes in the environment;

and

(C) Testing outside of the laboratory, such as in small isolated

field plots, which involves the routine use of familiar chemicals or

biological materials.

(ii) Routine renovation, rehabilitation, or revitalization of

physical facilities, including the acquisition and installation of

equipment, where such activity is limited in scope and intensity.

Even though the applicant considers that a proposed project may

fall within a categorical exclusion, CSREES may determine that an

Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement is

necessary for a proposed project 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.

S. Additions to Project Description

Each project description is expected to be complete in itself.

However, in those instances in which the inclusion of additional

information is necessary, the number of copies submitted should match

the number of copies of the application requested in Part V(A) below.

Each set of such materials must be identified with the title of the

project and the name(s) of the principal investigator(s)/project

director(s) as they appear on the ``Application for Funding.'' Examples

of additional materials include photographs that do not reproduce well,

reprints, and other pertinent materials which are deemed to be

unsuitable for inclusion in the body of the proposal.

Part IV--How To Obtain Application Materials

Copies of this solicitation and the Application Kit may be obtained

by writing to the address or calling the telephone number which

follows: 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. When contacting

the Proposal Services Unit, please indicate that you are requesting

forms for the Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research.

These materials may also be requested via Internet by sending a

message with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and phone number

to [email protected] which states that you want a copy of the application

materials for the FY 1999 Special Research Grants Program, Potato

Research. The materials will then be mailed to you (not e-mailed) as

quickly as possible.

Part V--Submission of a Proposal

A. What To Submit

An original and three copies of each grant proposal must be

submitted. Proposals should contain all requested information when

submitted. Each proposal should be typed on 8\1/2\'' x 11'' white

paper, single-spaced, and on one side of the page only. Please note

that the text of the proposal should be prepared using no type smaller

than 12 point font size and one-inch margins. Staple each copy of the

proposal in the upper left-hand corner. Please do not bind copies of

the proposal.

B. Where and When To Submit

Proposals must be received on or before May 14, 1999, and submitted

to the following mailing address: Special Research Grants Program,

Potato Research; 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 Ave., SW.;

Washington, DC 20250-2245; Telephone: (202) 401-5048.

Note: Hand-delivered proposals or those delivered by overnight

express service should be brought to the following address: Special

Research Grants Program, Potato Research; c/o Proposal Services

Unit, Office of Extramural Programs; CSREES/USDA; Room 303,

Aerospace Center; 901 D Street, SW.; Washington, DC 20024. The

telephone number is (202) 401-5048.

C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing and

this acknowledgment will contain a proposal identification number. Once

your proposal has been assigned an identification number, please cite

that number in future correspondence.

Part VI--CSREES Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Selection Process

Applicants should submit fully developed proposals that meet all

the requirements set forth in this request for proposals.

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

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

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

these requirements will be technically evaluated by a scientific peer

review panel.

The individual panel members will be selected from among those

persons recognized as specialists who are uniquely qualified by

training and experience in their respective fields to render expert

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

views of the panel members will be used to determine which proposals

should be recommended to the Administrator (or his designee) for final

funding decisions.

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

to make a specific number of awards. Care

[[Page 15264]]

will be taken to avoid actual and potential conflicts of interest among

reviewers. Evaluations will be confidential to CSREES staff members,

peer reviewers, and the proposed principal investigator(s), to the

extent permitted by law.

B. Evaluation Criteria

1. Overall scientific and technical quality of the proposal--10

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 beyond the State 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; the cooperation and

involvement of multiple institutions or states--50 points.

Part VII--Supplementary Information

A. Access to CSREES Scientific Peer Review Information

After final decisions have been announced, CSREES will, upon

request, inform the principal investigator of the reasons for its

decision on a proposal.

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 in the

announced program area and procedures set forth in this request for

proposals. The date specified by the Administrator as the effective

date of the grant shall be no later than September 30 of the Federal

fiscal year in which the project is approved for support and funds are

appropriated for such purpose, unless otherwise permitted by law. It

should be noted that the project need not be initiated on the grant

effective date, but as soon thereafter as practicable 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 terms and conditions of

the award, the applicable Federal cost principles, and the Department's

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

2. Organizational Management Information: Specific management

information relating to an applicant shall be submitted on a one-time

basis as part of the responsibility determination prior to the award of

a grant if such information has not been provided previously under this

or another program for which the sponsoring agency, CSREES, is

responsible. Copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling the

requirements contained in this section will be provided by CSREES as

part of the pre-award process.

3. Grant Award Document: 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 this program;

b. Title of Project;

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

direct and control approved activities;

d. Grant identification 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 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.

4. Notice of Grant Award: 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.

5. 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 any

guarantee of additional support at a future date.

C. Use of Funds; Changes

Unless otherwise stipulated in the terms and conditions of the

grant award, the following provisions apply:

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

research 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 Authorized Departmental

Officer for a final determination.

b. Changes in approved goals, or objectives, shall be requested by

the grantee and approved in writing by the Authorized Departmental

Officer prior to effecting such changes. In no event shall requests for

such changes be approved which are outside the scope of the original

approved project.

c. Changes in approved project leadership or the replacement or

reassignment of other key project personnel shall be requested by the

grantee and approved in writing by the awarding official of CSREES

prior to effecting such changes.

d. Transfers of actual performance of the substantive programmatic

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

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

and approved in writing by the Authorized Departmental Officer prior to

effecting such transfers.

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

CSREES without additional financial support, for such additional

period(s) as the Authorized Departmental Officer determines may be

necessary to complete or fulfill the purposes of an approved project.

Any extension of time shall be conditioned upon prior request by the

grantee and approval in writing by the Authorized Departmental Officer,

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

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

be requested by the grantee and approved in writing by the authorized

departmental officer 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 grant award document.

D. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations That Apply

Several other Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant

proposals considered for review and to project grants awarded under

this program. These include but are not limited to:

[[Page 15265]]

7 CFR 1.1--USDA implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.

7 CFR Part 3, 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--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 3017--USDA implementation of Governmentwide Debarment

and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for

Drug-Free Workplace (Grants).

7 CFR Part 3018--USDA implementation of New Restrictions on

Lobbying. Imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and

certification related to lobbying on recipients of Federal contracts,

grants, cooperative agreements, and loans.

7 CFR Part 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, 62 FR 45947--USDA implementation of OMB Circular

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

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

request. Information that the Secretary determines to be of a

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

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

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

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

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

will be retained by CSREES 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.

G. 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 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 year's 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., this 19th day of March, 1999.

Colien Hefferan,

Acting Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and

Extension Service.

[FR Doc. 99-7686 Filed 3-29-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-22-P