[Federal Register: March 3, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 43)]
[Notices]
[Page 11719-11726]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03mr00-159]
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Part VII
Department of Agriculture
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Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
Request for Proposals (RFP): Special Research Grants Program, Citrus
Tristeza Research; Notice
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
Request for Proposals (RFP): Special Research Grants Program,
Citrus Tristeza Research
AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
Department of Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of request for proposals and request for input.
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SUMMARY: The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service (CSREES) announces the availability of grant funds and requests
proposals for the Special Research Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza
Research for fiscal year (FY) 2000. The purpose of the program is to
support research that focuses on problems caused by Citrus Tristeza
Virus (CTV) and the Brown Citrus Aphid. This request for proposals
(RFP) sets forth procedures to be followed when submitting grant
proposals, rules governing the evaluation of proposals, the awarding of
grants, and regulations relating to the post-award administration of
such grants.
CSREES also is soliciting comments regarding this RFP from any
interested party. These comments will be considered in the development
of the next RFP for this program. Such comments will be used in meeting
the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998.
DATES: All proposals must be received at USDA on or by April 17, 2000.
Proposals not received on or by this date will not be considered for
funding.
User comments are requested within six months from the issuance of
the RFP. Comments received after that date will be considered to the
extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Proposals should be submitted to the following mailing
address: Special Research Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza Research; c/o
Proposal Services Unit; Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400
Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2245.
The address for hand-delivered proposals or proposals submitted
using an express mail or overnight courier service is: Special Research
Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza Research; c/o Proposal Services Unit;
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S.
Department of Agriculture; Room 303, Aerospace Center; 901 D Street,
SW; Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 401-5048.
Written user comments should be submitted by mail to: Policy and
Program Liaison Staff; Office of Extramural Programs; USDA-CSREES; STOP
2299; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2299; or via
e-mail to: RFP-OEP@reeusda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robin Huettel; Manager, Citrus
Tristeza Research Program; Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2220; 1400
Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2220; telephone (202)
401-5804; fax (202) 401-6869; internet: rhuettel@reeusda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
Part I--General Information
A. Legislative Authority
B. Definitions
C. Eligibility
Part II--Program Description
A. Purpose and Scope of the Program
B. Available Funds and Award Limitations
C. Applicant Peer Review Requirements
Part III--Preparation of a Proposal
A. Program Application Materials
B. Content of a Proposal
Part IV--Submission of a Proposal
A. What to Submit
B. Where and When to Submit
C. Acknowledgment of Proposals
Part V--Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
A. Selection Process
B. Evaluation Criteria
Part VI--Supplementary Information
A. Access to Review Information
B. Grant Awards
C. Use of Funds; Changes
D. Applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations
E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards
F. Regulatory Information
G. Stakeholder Input
Part I--General Information
A. Legislative Authority
The authority for this program is contained in section (c)(1)(A) of
the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act, section 2
of Pub. L. 89-106, as amended (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(A)). This program is
subject to the administrative regulations found in 7 CFR Part 3400.
In accordance with the statutory authority, the Secretary may make
grants for the purpose of conducting research to facilitate or expand
promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences
of importance to the United States.
B. Definitions
For the purpose of awarding grants under this program, the
following definitions are applicable:
(1) Administrator means the Administrator of the Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service and any other officer or
employee of the Department to whom the authority involved may be
delegated.
(2) Authorized departmental officer or awarding official means the
Secretary or any employee of the Department who has the authority to
issue or modify grant instruments on behalf of the Secretary.
(3) Authorized organizational representative means the president,
director, chief executive officer, or other designated official of the
applicant organization who has the authority to commit the resources of
the organization.
(4) Budget period means the interval of time (usually 12 months)
into which the project period is divided for budgetary and reporting
purposes.
(5) Department or USDA means the United States Department of
Agriculture.
(6) Grantee means the organization or entity designated in the
grant award document as the responsible legal entity to which a grant
is awarded.
(7) Peer review panel or group 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. The panel
members will evaluate eligible proposals submitted to this program in
their personal and professional area(s) of expertise.
(8) Prior approval means written approval evidencing prior consent
by an authorized departmental officer as defined in (2) above.
(9) Project means the particular activity within the scope of the
program supported by a grant award.
(10) Principal Investigator means the single individual designated
by the grantee in the grant application and approved by the
Administrator who is responsible for the scientific and technical
direction of the project.
(11) Project period means the total length of time that is approved
by the Administrator for conducting the research project as outlined in
an approved grant application.
(12) Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other
officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved
may be delegated.
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C. Eligibility
Proposals may be submitted by State agricultural experiment
stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions
and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or
corporations, and individuals. Although an applicant may be eligible
based on its status as one of these entities, other factors may exclude
an applicant from receiving Federal assistance under this program
(e.g., debarment or suspension, a determination of non-responsibility
based on submitted organizational management information).
Part II--Program Description
A. Purpose and Scope of the Program
Proposals are invited for competitive grant awards under the
Special Research Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza Research for fiscal
year (FY) 2000. The purpose of this grant program is to support
research that focuses on problems caused by CTV and the Brown Citrus
Aphid. This research should aim to facilitate promising breakthroughs
in this important area of the food and agricultural sciences.
CTV is a pathogen of citrus vectored by several aphid species. This
disease has been found in all the citrus producing regions of the
United States and is of world-wide importance. The virus strain complex
can cause a variety of symptoms, from mild to severe, depending upon
the host and its environment. Recently, in Florida, a new aphid vector,
the Brown Citrus Aphid was introduced. This vector is capable of
transmitting a severe stem-pitting form of the virus. The Brown Citrus
Aphid also occurs in Central America and the Caribbean Basin and thus
poses a threat to citrus in other citrus producing areas in the United
States (e.g., Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, and California).
The research priority areas that have been identified are (1)
Characterization and detection of CTV strains; (2) biology and control
of the Brown Citrus Aphid; (3) host plant resistance; (4) epidemiology
and crop loss assessment; and (5) development of cross-protecting CTV
strains.
B. Available Funds and Award Limitations
Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to support research
projects that focus on solving problems caused by the CTV and Brown
Citrus Aphid. The total amount of funds available in FY 2000 for
support of this program is approximately $595,000. Each proposal
submitted in FY 2000 shall request funding for a period not to exceed
two years. FY 2000 awardees would need to recompete in future years for
additional funding.
C. Applicant Peer Review Requirements
Subsection (c)(5) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities
Research Grant Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(5)), 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 are set forth in 7 CFR
3400.20. The regulations 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. For FY 2000,
CSREES requires that a notice of completion of the review be conveyed
in writing to CSREES as part of the submitted proposal. 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.
Part III--Preparation of a Proposal
A. Program Application Materials
Program application materials will be made available to interested
entities upon request. These materials include information about the
purpose of the program, how the program will be conducted, and the
required contents of a proposal, as well as the forms needed to prepare
and submit grant applications under the program. Program application
materials can be downloaded from the Internet at the following website:
http://www.reeusda.gov/ipm/funding.htm or may be obtained by writing
or calling the following office: Proposal Services Unit; Office of
Extramural Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400
Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2245; Telephone: (202)
401-5048. When contacting the Proposal Services Unit, please indicate
that you are requesting application materials for the FY 2000 Special
Research Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza Research. Application
materials also may be requested via Internet by sending a message with
your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and telephone number to
psb@reeusda.gov that states that you wish to receive a copy of the
application materials for the FY 2000 Special Research Grants Program,
Citrus Tristeza Research. The materials will then be mailed to you (not
e-mailed) as quickly as possible.
B. Content of a Proposal
(1) General
The proposal should follow these guidelines, enabling reviewers to
more easily evaluate the merits of each proposal in a systematic,
consistent fashion:
(a) The proposal should be prepared on only one side of the page
using standard size (8\1/2\" x 11") white paper, one inch margins,
typed or word processed using no type smaller than 12 point font
regardless of whether it is single or double spaced. Use an easily
readable font face (e.g., Geneva, Helvetica, CG Times). Once accepted
for review, your proposal will be read by at least three expert
reviewers. Thus it is to your advantage to ensure that your proposal is
not difficult to read.
(b) Each page of the proposal, including the Project Summary,
budget pages, required forms, and appendices, should be numbered
sequentially in the upper right-hand corner.
(c) The proposal should be stapled in the upper left-hand corner.
Do not bind. An original and 9 copies (10 total) must be submitted in
one package, along with 20 copies of the Project Summary as a separate
attachment.
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(2) Cover Page
Complete Form CSREES-661, Application for Funding, in its entirety.
This form is to be utilized as the Cover Page. Form CSREES-661 serves
as a source document for the CSREES grant database; it is therefore
important that it be completed accurately.
(a) In Block 6, complete the title of the project. The project
title must be brief (80-character maximum), yet represent the major
thrust of the effort being proposed. Project titles are read by a
variety of nonscientific people; therefore, highly technical words or
phraseology should be avoided where possible. In addition, introductory
phrases such as ``investigation of'' or ``research on'' should not be
used.
(b) Blocks 7 and 8 should be completed to read ``Special Research
Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza Research.''
(c) In Block 13, the Type of Award Request is ``new.''
(d) In Block 14., note the total amount of Federal dollars being
requested.
(e) In Block 15, designate Principal Investigator(s)/Project
Directors(s) (PI/PD). Listing multiple co-PIs beyond those required for
genuine collaboration is discouraged. Note that providing a Social
Security Number is voluntary, but is an integral part of the CSREES
information system and will assist in the processing of the proposal.
(f) Type of Performing Organization (Block 18). A check should be
placed in the box beside the type of organization which actually will
carry out the effort. For example, if the proposal is being submitted
by an 1862 Land-Grant institution but the work will be performed in a
department, laboratory, or other organizational unit of an agricultural
experiment station, box ``03'' should be checked. If portions of the
effort are to be performed in several departments, check the box that
applies to the individual listed as PI/PD #1 in Block 15.a.
(g) In Block 22 list the names or acronyms of all other public or
private sponsors including other agencies within USDA and other
programs funded by CSREES to whom your application has been or will be
sent. In the event you decide to send your application to another
organization or agency at a later date, you must inform the identified
CSREES program manager as soon as practicable. Submitting your proposal
to other potential sponsors will not prejudice its review by CSREES;
however, duplicate support for the same project will not be provided.
(h) The original copy of the Application for Funding form must
contain the pen-and-ink signatures of the PI/PD(s) and authorized
organizational representative for the applicant organization.
(i) Note that by signing the Application for Funding form, the
applicant is providing the required certifications set forth in 7 CFR
Part 3017, regarding Debarment and Suspension and Drug-Free Workplace,
and 7 CFR Part 3018, regarding Lobbying. The three certification forms
are included in this application package for informational purposes
only. It is not necessary to sign and submit the forms to USDA as part
of the proposal.
(3) Table of Contents
For consistency and ease in locating information, each proposal
must contain a detailed Table of Contents just after the Cover Page.
The Table of Contents should include page numbers for each component of
the proposal. Page numbers, shown in the upper right-hand corner,
should begin with the first page of the Project Summary.
(4) Project Summary
The proposal must contain a Project Summary of 250 words or less on
a separate page. The summary must be self-contained and describe the
overall goals and relevance of the project. The summary should also
contain a listing of the major organizations participating in the
project. The Project Summary should immediately follow the Table of
Contents. In addition to the summary, this page must include the title
of the project, the name of the applicant organization, the authorized
organizational representative, and the PI(s), followed by the summary.
(5) Project Narrative
Note: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 10 pages. To ensure
fair and equitable competition, reviewers are instructed that they
need to read only the first 10 pages of the Project Narrative and to
ignore information on additional pages. The Project Narrative should
contain the following items:
(a) Objectives--Clear, concise, complete, and logically arranged
statement(s) of the specific aims of the proposed effort must be
included in all proposals.
(b) Procedures--The procedures or methodology to be applied to
the proposed effort should be explicitly stated. This section should
include but not necessarily be limited to a description of the
proposed investigations and/or experiments in the sequence in which
it is planned to carry them out; techniques to be employed,
including their feasibility; kinds of results expected; means by
which data will be analyzed or interpreted; pitfalls which might be
encountered; and limitations to proposed procedures.
(c) Justification--This section should include in-depth
information on the magnitude of the problem and its relevance to
ongoing food and agricultural research programs; the importance of
starting the work during the current fiscal year, and reasons for
having the work performed by the proposing institution.
(d) Cooperation and Institutional Units Involved-- Cooperative
and multi-State applications are encouraged. Identify each
institutional unit contributing to the project. Identify each State
in a multiple-State proposal and designate the lead State. When
appropriate, the project should be coordinated with the efforts of
other State and/or national programs. Clearly define the roles and
responsibilities of each institutional unit of the project team, if
applicable.
If it will be necessary to enter into formal consulting or
collaborative arrangements with other individuals or organizations,
such arrangements should be fully explained and justified. For
purposes of proposal development, informal day-to-day contacts
between key project personnel and outside experts are not considered
to be collaborative arrangements and thus do not need to be
detailed.
All anticipated subcontractual arrangements also should be
explained and justified in this section. A proposed statement of
work, budget, and budget narrative for each arrangement involving
the transfer of substantive programmatic work or the providing of
financial assistance to a third party must be provided. Agreements
between departments or other units of your own institution and minor
arrangements with entities outside of your institution (e.g.,
requests for outside laboratory analyses) are excluded from this
requirement. If you expect to enter into subcontractual
arrangements, please note that the provisions contained in 7 CFR
part 3019, USDA Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals,
and Other Non-Profit Organizations, and the general provisions
contained in 7 CFR 3015.205, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance
Regulations, flow down to subcontractors. In addition, when
applicable, required clauses from 7 CFR 3019.40 through 3019.48
(``Procurement Standards'') and Appendix A (``Contract Provisions'')
should be included in final contractual documents, and it is
necessary for the subcontractor to make a certification relating to
debarment/suspension.
(e) Literature Review--A summary of pertinent publications with
emphasis on their relationship to the effort being proposed should
be provided and should include all important and recent publications
from other institutions, as well as those from the applicant
institution. The citations themselves should be accurate, complete,
and written in an acceptable journal format.
(f) Current Work--Current unpublished institutional activities
to date in the program area under which the proposal is being
submitted should be described.
(g) Facilities and Equipment--All facilities which are available
for use or assignment to
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the project during the requested period of support should be
reported and described briefly. Any potentially hazardous materials,
procedures, situations, or activities, whether or not directly
related to a particular phase of the effort, must be explained
fully, along with an outline of precautions to be exercised.
Examples include work with toxic chemicals and experiments that may
put human subjects or animals at risk.
All items of major instrumentation available for use or
assignment to the proposed project should be itemized. In addition,
items of nonexpendable equipment not currently accessible and needed
to conduct and bring the project to a successful conclusion should
be listed, including dollar amounts and, if funds are requested for
their acquisition, justified.
(h) Project Timetable--The proposal should outline all important
phases as a function of time, year by year, for the entire project,
including periods beyond the grant funding period.
(6) Key Personnel
All senior personnel who are expected to be involved in the effort
must be clearly identified. For each person, the following should be
included:
(a) An estimate of the time commitment involved; and
(b) Vitae of all key persons who are expected to work on the
project, whether or not CSREES funds are sought for their support. Each
vitae should be limited to two (2) pages in length, excluding
publications listings. A chronological list of the most representative
publications during the past five (5) years must be provided for each
professional project member for whom a vitae appears. Authors should be
listed in the same order as they appear on each paper cited, along with
the title and complete reference as these usually appear in journals.
(7) Conflict-of-Interest List
A separate Conflict-of Interest List form (Form CSREES-1233) must
be submitted for each investigator for whom a curriculum vitae is
required. This form is necessary to assist program staff in excluding
from proposal review those individuals who have conflicts-of-interest
with the project personnel in the grant proposal. The Program Manager
must be informed of additional conflicts-of-interest that arise after
the proposal has been submitted.
(8) Budget
A detailed budget for each year of requested support must be
submitted. In addition, a cumulative budget is required detailing
requested support for the overall project period. The budget form may
be reproduced as needed by applicants. Funds may be requested under any
of the categories listed on the form, provided that the item or service
for which support is requested is allowable under the authorizing
legislation, the applicable Federal cost principles, and these program
guidelines, and can be justified as necessary for the successful
conduct of the proposed project. Applicants must also include a budget
narrative to explain and justify their budgets. The following
guidelines should be used in developing the proposal budget(s):
(a) Salaries and Wages--Salaries and wages are allowable charges
and may be requested for personnel who will be working on the project
in proportion to the time such personnel will devote to the project. If
salary funds are requested, the number of Senior and Other Personnel
and the number of CSREES Funded Work Months must be shown in the spaces
provided. Grant funds may not be used to augment the total salary or
rate of salary of project personnel or to reimburse them for time in
addition to a regular full-time salary covering the same general period
of employment. Salary funds requested must be consistent with the
normal policies of the institution and with the applicable OMB Cost
Principles. Administrative and clerical salaries are normally
classified as indirect costs. (See Item i. below.) However, if
requested under A.2.e., they must be fully justified.
(b) Fringe Benefits--Funds may be requested for fringe benefit
costs if the usual accounting practices of your institution provide
that institutional contributions to employee benefits (social security,
retirement, etc.) be treated as direct costs. Fringe benefit costs may
be included only for those personnel whose salaries are charged as a
direct cost to the project. See, e.g., OMB Circular No. A-21, Cost
Principles for Educational Institutions, for further guidance in this
area.
(c) Nonexpendable Equipment--Nonexpendable equipment means tangible
nonexpendable personal property including exempt property charged
directly to the award having a useful life of more than one year and an
acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. (However, institutions may
establish lower limits.) As such, items of necessary instrumentation or
other nonexpendable equipment should be listed individually by
description and estimated cost in the budget narrative. This applies to
revised budgets as well, as the equipment item(s) and amount(s) may
change.
Note: For projects awarded under the authority of subsection
(c)(1)(A) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant
Act, no funds will be awarded for the renovation or refurbishment of
research spaces; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in
such spaces; or for the planning, repair, rehabilitation,
acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.
(d) Materials and Supplies--The types of expendable materials and
supplies which are required to carry out the project should be
indicated in general terms with estimated costs in the budget
narrative.
(e) Travel--The type and extent of travel and its relationship to
project objectives should be described briefly and justified. If travel
is proposed, provide the purpose, the destination, method of travel,
number of persons traveling, number of days, and estimated cost for
each trip. If details of a trip are not known at the time of proposal
submission, provide a basis for determining the amount requested.
Airfare allowances normally will not exceed round-trip jet economy air
accommodations. U.S. flag carriers must be used when available. See 7
CFR 3015.205(b)(4) for further guidance.
(f) Publication Costs/Page Charges--Anticipated costs of preparing
and publishing results of the research being proposed (including page
charges, necessary illustrations, and the cost of a reasonable number
of coverless reprints) may be estimated and charged against the grant.
(g) Computer (ADPE) Costs--Reimbursement for the costs of using
specialized facilities (such as a university or department-controlled
computer mainframe or data processing center) may be requested if such
services are required for completion of the work.
(h) All Other Direct Costs--Anticipated direct project charges not
included in other budget categories must be itemized with estimated
costs and justified in the budget narrative. This applies to revised
budgets as well, as the item(s) and dollar amount(s) may change.
Examples 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.
(i) Indirect Costs--The recovery of indirect costs under this
program may not exceed the lesser of the grantee institution's official
negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 19 percent of total
Federal funds awarded. This limitation also applies to any
subcontractor, and should be reflected in the subcontractor's budget.
[[Page 11724]]
(j) Cost-sharing--Cost-sharing is encouraged; however, cost-sharing
is not required.
(9) Budget Narrative
All budget categories for which support is requested, must be
individually listed (with costs) and justified on a separate sheet of
paper and placed immediately behind the Budget Form.
(10) Current and Pending Support
All proposals must list any other current public or private support
(including in-house support) to which key personnel identified in the
proposal have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary
support for person(s) involved is included in the budget for each
project. Analogous information must be provided for any pending
proposals that are being considered by, or that will be submitted in
the near future to, other possible sponsors, including other USDA
programs or agencies. Concurrent submission of identical or similar
proposals to other possible sponsors will not prejudice proposal review
or evaluation by the Administrator for this purpose. However, a
proposal that duplicates or overlaps substantially with a proposal
already reviewed and funded (or that will be funded) by another
organization or agency will not be funded under this program. The
application material includes Form CSREES-663, Current and Pending
Support, which should be used for listing current and pending support.
Note that the project being proposed should be included in the pending
section of the form.
(11) Assurance Statement(s) (Form CSREES-662)
A number of situations encountered in the conduct of projects
require special assurance, supporting documentation, etc., before
funding can be approved for the project. In addition to any other
situation that may exist with regard to a particular project, it is
expected that some applications submitted in response to these
guidelines will include the following:
(a) Recombinant DNA or RNA Research. As stated in 7 CFR
3015.205(b)(3), all key personnel identified in the proposal and all
endorsing officials of the proposing organization are required to
comply with the guidelines established by the National Institutes of
Health entitled, ``Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA
Molecules,'' as revised. If your project proposes to use recombinant
DNA or RNA techniques, the application must so indicate by checking the
``yes'' box in Block 19 of Form CSREES-661 and by completing Section A
of Form CSREES-662. For applicable proposals recommended for funding,
Institutional Biosafety Committee approval is required before CSREES
funds will be released.
(b) Animal Care. Responsibility for the humane care and treatment
of live vertebrate animals used in any grant project supported with
funds provided by CSREES rests with the performing organization. Where
a project involves the use of living vertebrate animals for
experimental purposes, all key project personnel and all endorsing
officials of the proposing organization are required to comply with the
applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, as amended (7 U.S.C.
2131 et seq.) and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the
Secretary in 9 CFR parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 pertaining to the care,
handling, and treatment of these animals. If your project will involve
these animals or activities, you must check the ``yes'' box in Block 20
of Form CSREES-661 and complete Section B of Form CSREES-662. In the
event a project involving the use of live vertebrate animals results in
a grant award, funds will be released only after the Institutional
Animal Care and Use Committee has approved the project.
(c) Protection of Human Subjects. Responsibility for safeguarding
the rights and welfare of human subjects used in any grant project
supported with funds provided by CSREES rests with the performing
organization. Guidance on this issue is contained in the National
Research Act, Pub. L. 93-348, as amended, and implementing regulations
established by the Department under 7 CFR part 1c. If you propose to
use human subjects for experimental purposes in your project, you
should check the ``yes'' box in Block 21 of Form CSREES-661 and
complete Section C of Form CSREES-662. In the event a project involving
human subjects results in a grant award, funds will be released only
after the appropriate Institutional Review Board has approved the
project.
(12) Compliance With the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
As outlined in 7 CFR part 3407 (the Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service regulations implementing NEPA), the
environmental data for any proposed project is to be provided to CSREES
so that CSREES may determine whether any further action is needed. In
most cases, based on previously funded projects, the preparation of
environmental data is not usually required. Certain categories of
actions are excluded from the requirements of NEPA.
In order for CSREES to determine whether any further action is
needed with respect to NEPA, pertinent information regarding the
possible environmental impacts of a particular project is necessary;
therefore, Form CSREES-1234, NEPA Exclusions Form, must be included in
the proposal indicating whether the applicant is of the opinion that
the project falls within a categorical exclusion and the reasons
therefor. If it is the applicant's opinion that the proposed project
falls within the categorical exclusions, the specific exclusion must be
identified. Form CSREES-1234 and supporting documentation should be the
last page of the proposal.
Even though a project may fall within the categorical exclusions,
CSREES may determine that an Environmental Assessment or an
Environmental Impact Statement is necessary for an activity. This will
be the case if substantial controversy on environmental grounds exists
or if other extraordinary conditions or circumstances are present which
may cause such activity to have a significant environmental effect.
However, this rarely occurs.
Part IV--Submission of a Proposal
A. What To Submit
An original and nine copies of the complete proposal must be
submitted. Each copy of the proposal must be stapled in the upper left-
hand corner. DO NOT BIND. In addition, submit 20 copies of the
proposal's Project Summary. All copies of the proposal and Project
Summary must be submitted in one package.
B. Where and When To Submit
Proposals must be received on or before April 17, 2000. Proposals
that are hand-delivered, delivered by courier, or sent via overnight
delivery services must be sent or delivered to: Special Research Grants
Program, Citrus Tristeza Research; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Office
of Extramural Programs; USDA/CSREES; Room 303, Aerospace Center; 901 D
Street, SW; Washington, DC 20024; Telephone: (202)401-5048.
Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their
completed proposals via overnight mail or delivery services to
ensure timely receipt by the USDA.
Proposals sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be sent to the
following address: Special Research Grants Program, Citrus Tristeza
Research; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Office of
[[Page 11725]]
Extramural Programs; USDA/CSREES; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW; Washington, DC 20250-2245; Telephone: (202) 401-5048.
C. Acknowledgment of Proposals
The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing or by
e-mail, therefore applicants are encouraged to provide e-mail
addresses, where designated, on the Form CSREES-661. The acknowledgment
will contain an identifying proposal number. Once your proposal has
been assigned a proposal number, please cite that number in future
correspondence.
Part V--Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
A. Selection Process
Applicants should submit fully developed proposals that meet all
the requirements set forth in this RFP.
Each proposal will be evaluated in a two-part process. First, each
proposal will be screened to ensure it meets the requirements as set
forth in this RFP. Proposals not meeting the requirements as set forth
in this RFP will not be considered for funding. However, USDA retains
the right to conduct discussions with applicants to resolve technical
and/or budget issues as it deems necessary. Second, each proposal that
meets the requirements will be technically evaluated by a peer review
panel.
The individual peer panel members will be selected from among those
recognized as specialists who are uniquely qualified by training and
experience in their respective fields to render expert advice on the
merit of proposals being reviewed. The individual reviews of the panel
members will be used to determine which proposals should be recommended
to the Administrator (or his designee) for final funding decisions.
There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular proposal or
to make a specific number of awards. Care will be taken to avoid
actual, potential, and/or the appearance of conflicts of interest among
reviewers. Evaluations will be confidential to USDA staff members, peer
reviewers, and the principal investigator(s), to the extent permitted
by law.
The specificity of these organisms and their host limits the areas
in which relevant research can be carried out. The brown citrus aphid
has recently been introduced into the citrus growing areas of Florida.
Research on both the virus/aphid and on field biology of the aphid is
largely conducted in the areas of Florida and Puerto Rico where it is
established. CSREES anticipates that the expertise necessary to review
proposals will be found at organizations in these geographic areas.
Therefore, conflict-of-interest rules will be amended to allow
reviewers to evaluate submitted proposals from their own university as
long as the applicant and reviewer do not work on the same campus.
Thus, for this program, the scientists from the University of Florida
but from other campuses (i.e., Research and Education Centers) are not
considered to be in conflict.
B. Evaluation Criteria
The evaluation of proposals will be based on the following
criteria, weighted relative to each other as noted in the parentheses
following each criterion listed.
(1) Overall scientific and technical quality of the proposal (15
points);
(2) Scientific and technical quality of the approach (10 points);
(3) Relevance and importance of proposed research to solution of
specific areas of inquiry, and application of expected results for
States in which the grantee resides and will perform the work (30
points);
(4) Feasibility of attaining objectives; adequacy of professional
training and experience, facilities and equipment (40 points);
(5) The appropriateness of the level of funding requested (5
points).
Part VI--Supplementary Information
A. Access To Review Information
Copies of summary reviews will be sent to the applicant principle
investigator automatically, as soon as possible after the review
process has been completed. The identity of the individual peer
reviewers will not be provided.
B. Grant Awards
(1) General
Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding
official of CSREES shall make grants to those responsible, eligible
applicants whose proposals are judged most meritorious under the
procedures set forth in this RFP. The date specified by the
Administrator as the effective date of the grant shall be no later than
September 30 of the Federal fiscal year in which the project is
approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose,
unless otherwise permitted by law. It should be noted that the project
need not be initiated on the grant effective date, but as soon
thereafter as practical so that project goals may be attained within
the funded project period. All funds granted by CSREES under this RFP
shall be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are
granted in accordance with the approved application and budget, the
regulations, the terms and conditions of the award, the applicable
Federal cost principles, and the Department's assistance regulations
(parts 3015, 3016, and 3019 of 7 CFR).
(2) Organizational Management Information
Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be
submitted on a one-time basis as part of the responsibility
determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this part
if such information has not been provided previously under this or
another program for which the sponsoring agency is responsible. Copies
of forms recommended for use in fulfilling the requirements contained
in this section will be provided by the sponsoring agency as part of
the preaward process.
(3) Grant Award Document and Notice of Grant Award
The grant award document shall include at a minimum the following:
(a) Legal name and address of performing organization or
institution to whom the Administrator has awarded a grant under the
terms of this request for proposals;
(b) Title of project;
(c) Name(s) and address(es) of principal investigator(s) chosen to
direct and control approved activities;
(d) Identifying grant number assigned by the Department;
(e) Project period, specifying the amount of time the Department
intends to support the project without requiring recompetition for
funds;
(f) Total amount of Departmental financial assistance approved by
the Administrator during the project period;
(g) Legal authority(ies) under which the grant is awarded;
(h) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds
to accomplish the stated purpose of the grant award; and
(i) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by CSREES to
carry out its respective granting activities or to accomplish the
purpose of a particular grant.
The notice of grant award, in the form of a letter, will be
prepared and will provide pertinent instructions or information to the
grantee that is not included in the grant award document.
CSREES will award standard grants to carry out this program. A
standard grant
[[Page 11726]]
is a funding mechanism whereby CSREES agrees to support a specified
level of effort for a predetermined time period without additional
support at a future date.
C. Use of Funds; Changes
(1) Delegation of Fiscal Responsibility
Unless the terms and conditions of the grant state otherwise, the
grantee may not in whole or in part delegate or transfer to another
person, institution, or organization the responsibility for use or
expenditure of grant funds.
(2) Changes in Project Plans
(a) The permissible changes by the grantee, principal
investigator(s), or other key project personnel in the approved project
grant shall be limited to changes in methodology, techniques, or other
aspects of the project to expedite achievement of the project's
approved goals. If the grantee and/or the principal investigator(s) are
uncertain as to whether a change complies with this provision, the
question must be referred to the CSREES Authorized Departmental Officer
(ADO) for a final determination.
(b) Changes in approved goals or objectives shall be requested by
the grantee and approved in writing by the CSREES ADO prior to
effecting such changes. In no event shall requests for such changes be
approved which are outside the scope of the original approved project.
(c) Changes in approved project leadership or the replacement or
reassignment of other key project personnel shall be requested by the
grantee and approved in writing by the awarding official of CSREES
prior to effecting such changes.
D. Applicable Federal Statutes and Regulations
This program is subject to the administrative provisions for the
Special Research Grants Program found in 7 CFR part 3400, which set
forth procedures to be followed when submitting grant proposals, the
processes regarding the awarding of grants, and regulations relating to
the post-award administration of such grants. However, where there are
differences between this RFP and the administrative provisions, this
RFP shall take precedence to the extent that the administrative
provisions authorize such deviations.
Several other Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant
proposals considered for review and to project grants awarded under
this program. These include but are not limited to:
7 CFR part 3019--USDA implementation of OMB Circular A-110, Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements With
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit
Organizations.
7 CFR part 3052--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-133,
Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations.
E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards
When a proposal results in a grant, it becomes a part of the record
of the Agency's transactions, available to the public upon specific
request. Information that the Secretary determines to be of a
privileged nature will be held in confidence to the extent permitted by
law. Therefore, any information that the applicant wishes to have
considered as privileged should be clearly marked as such and sent in a
separate statement, two copies of which should accompany the proposal.
The original copy of a proposal that does not result in a grant will be
retained by the Agency for a period of one year. Other copies will be
destroyed. Such a proposal will be released only with the consent of
the applicant or to the extent required by law. A proposal may be
withdrawn at any time prior to the final action thereon.
F. Regulatory Information
For the reasons set forth in the final Rule-related Notice to 7 CFR
part 3015, subpart V (48 FR 29115, June 24, 1983), this program is
excluded from the scope of the Executive Order 12372 which requires
intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. Under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended (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 solicitation of
applications from any interested party. In your comments, please
include the name of the program and the fiscal year of the RFP to which
you are responding. These comments will be considered in the
development of the next RFP for the program. Such comments will be used
in meeting the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.
7613(c)(2)). Comments should be submitted as provided for in the
ADDRESSES and DATES portions of this Notice.
Done at Washington, D.C., this 28th day of February 2000.
Charles W. Laughlin,
Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5176 Filed 3-2-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P
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