[Federal Register: March 13, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 49)]
[Notices]
[Page 14817-14823]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13mr01-135]
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Part VII
Department of Agriculture
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Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
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Special Research Grants Program--Pest Management Alternatives Research:
Special Program Addressing Food Quality Protection Act Issues for
Fiscal Year 2001; Request for Proposals; Notice
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
Special Research Grants Program--Pest Management Alternatives
Research: Special Program Addressing Food Quality Protection Act Issues
for Fiscal Year 2001; Request for Proposals
AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice of request for proposals and request for input.
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SUMMARY: The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service (CSREES) requests proposals for competitive grant awards under
the Special Research Grants Program titled ``Pest Management
Alternatives Program: Addressing Food Quality Protection Act Issues for
Fiscal Year (FY) 2001.'' This program addresses anticipated changes in
pest management on food, feed, livestock, and ornamental commodities
resulting from implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act of
1996 (FQPA) and related regulatory actions.
The goals of this program are to develop, test, and implement pest
management alternatives and possible mitigation strategies to ensure
that crop producers have reliable methods of managing pests considered
a high priority under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) and
related regulatory actions.
By this notice, CSREES also requests input regarding the FY 2001
Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Special Research Grants Program--
Pest Management Alternatives Research: Special Program Addressing Food
Quality Protection Act 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: Proposals must be received by close of business (COB) on May 14,
2001 (5 p.m. EST).
User comments are requested within six months from the issuance of
this notice. Comments received after that date will be considered to
the extent practicable (see Section VII.C.).
ADDRESSES: Proposals submitted through the U.S. mail should be sent to
the following address: Special Research Grants Program--Pest Management
Alternatives Research; 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.
Hand-delivered proposals (brought in person by the applicant or
through a courier service) must be delivered to the following address:
Special Research Grants Program--Pest Management Alternatives Research;
Proposal Services Unit; Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of
Agriculture; Room 1307, Waterfront Building; 800 9th Street, SW.;
Washington, DC 20024. The telephone number is (202) 401-5048. Proposals
transmitted via a facsimile (fax) machine will not be accepted.
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: Dennis D. Kopp, Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of
Agriculture; STOP 2220; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250-2220. Telephone: (202) 401-6437; fax number: (202) 401-4888; e-
mail address: dkopp@reeusda.gov.
Stakeholder Input
CSREES is requesting comments regarding the FY 2001 Special
Research Grants Program--Pest Management Alternatives Research RFP from
any interested party. In your comments, please include the name of the
program and the fiscal year request for proposals to which you are
responding. These comments will be considered in the development of the
next request for proposals 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). Comments should be submitted as provided in the ADDRESSES and
DATES portions of this Notice. The e-mail address in the ADDRESS
portion is intended only for receiving comments regarding the FY 2001
RFP for this program, and not for requesting information or forms.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
Part I. General Information
A. Legislative Authority
B. Eligibility
C. Applicant Peer Review Requirements
Part II. Program Description
A. Purpose of the Program
B. Available Funding
C. Program Description
Part III. Proposal Format
A. Application for Funding (Form CSREES-661)
B. Table of Contents
C. Executive Summary
D. Problem Statement
E. Objectives
F. Research, Education, and Technology Transfer Plan
G. Literature Cited
H. User Involvement
I. Facilities and Equipment
J. Collaborative Arrangements
K. Personnel Support
L. Budget
M. Additions to Project Description
N. Current and Pending Support
O. Assurance Statement(s)
P. Peer Review Certification
Q. Other Certifications
R. Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
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. Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
A. Selection Process
B. Evaluation Criteria
Part VII. Supplementary Information
A. Confidentiality
B. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations that Apply
C. Additional Information
Part I. General Information
A. Legislative Authority
This program is administered by CSREES, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA). The authority is contained in section (c)(1)(A) of
the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act, in section
2 of Pub. L. 89-106, as amended (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(A)). Under this
authority, subject to the availability of funds, the Secretary may make
grants, for periods not to exceed three years, to State agricultural
experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research
institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations
or corporations, and individuals 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. 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.
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Proposals from scientists affiliated with non-United States
organizations are not eligible for funding nor are scientists who are
directly or indirectly engaged in the development of pest management
tactics for profit; however, their collaboration with funded projects
is encouraged.
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. 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.
Part II. Program Description
A. Purpose of the Program
The Pest Management Alternatives Program (PMAP) was established to
support the development and implementation of pest management
alternatives when regulatory action by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) or voluntary cancellation by the registrant results in the
unavailability of certain agricultural pesticides or pesticide uses.
These activities pertain to pesticides identified for possible
regulatory action under section 210 of the FQPA, Pub. L. No. 104-170,
which amended the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act,
or through EPA's pesticide re-registration program. The program has
been developed pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between USDA and EPA signed August 15, 1994, and amended April 18,
1996, which establishes a coordinated framework for these two agencies
to support programs that make alternative pest management materials
available to agricultural producers. In this MOU, USDA and EPA agreed
to cooperate in conducting the research, technology transfer, and
registration activities necessary to address pest management
alternatives needed in agriculture.
B. Available Funding
The amount available for support of this program in fiscal year
(FY) 2001 is approximately $1,500,000. It is anticipated that EPA will
also provide support to the program. Section 710 of the Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2001, Pub. L. 106-387, prohibits
CSREES from paying indirect costs on competitively awarded agricultural
research, education, or extension grants that exceed 19 percent of
total Federal funds provided for each award. An alternative method of
calculation of this limitation is to multiply total direct costs by
23.456 percent.
C. Program Description
This competitive grants program supports efforts to modify existing
pest management approaches or develop new methods that address needs
created by the implementation of FQPA and related regulatory actions.
In FY 2001, CSREES will provide funding for projects that: (1) Identify
and develop replacement or mitigation technologies for pesticides with
uses that may change or be eliminated through FQPA implementation or
related regulatory action, (2) demonstrate promising alternative pest
management strategies in the field in close collaboration with
interested growers and grower groups, and (3) support outreach
activities that promote the implementation of pest management
alternatives through education and extension. Proposals that include
combinations of the three objectives will also be considered.
The EPA priorities for FQPA tolerance reassessment and
reregistration review should be considered in determining needed
alternative pest control chemistries and practices. The EPA priorities
are given in a June 14, 2000, Federal Register notice ``Pesticide
Reregistration Performance Measures and Goals'' (65 FR 37375, June 14,
2000) available on EPA web site at: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-
PEST/2000/June/Day-14/p15034.htm. This notice provides the schedule for
completion of regulatory review for high priority chemicals. The
overall priorities for FQPA review are given on the EPA web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/fqpa/toleran.htm.
Activities funded by the PMAP could address work needed to
facilitate grower knowledge and adoption of reduced risk pesticides
that are newly-registered or are candidates for registration. Recently-
registered chemical pesticides are identified in annual reports on the
web site of the EPA Office of Pesticide Programs at: http://
www.epa.gov/pesticides. Chemical pesticides that are candidates for
registration in fiscal year 2001 are named in the interim work plan of
the EPA Registration Division. The interim work plan is available on
the web site at: http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/workplan. Twenty-five new
chemicals are included in the work plan in addition to many new uses
for 64 already-registered chemicals. The work plan provides the trade
name, crops, and company for each chemical and identifies those
chemicals that qualified for the EPA reduced-risk status. Biopesticides
that are recently-registered and those under consideration for
registration are identified on the web site at: http://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/biopesticides.
Updates to EPA pesticide priority review and registration lists are
available at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides. EPA also issues an
electronic newsletter that will announce updates. Sign-up information
for the electronic newsletter is available at: http://www.epa.gov/
pesticides.
Proposals should show substantial evidence that producers,
commodity groups, and other affected user groups are actively involved
in some or all of the following activities: (a) Needs assessment, (b)
priority setting, (c)
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project design; and that they will be supportive of the project if it
is funded. Public-private partnerships and matching resources from non-
Federal sources, including producer or commodity groups, are
encouraged. All proposals must include an outreach component. The
amount of outreach activities increases from Objective I to Objective
III below. Proposals should show potential for commercialization
(including product registration if necessary) of any new technologies
that are developed.
The three project objectives in FY 2001 are as follows:
I. Replacement or Mitigation Technologies: The focus should be on
modification of existing approaches or introduction of new methods,
especially biologically based methods, that can be rapidly brought to
bear on pest management challenges resulting from implementation of
FQPA and related regulatory actions. Durability and practicality of the
proposed pest management option(s) or mitigation procedure(s), and
compatibility with integrated pest management systems, are critical.
Both technological and economic feasibility should be considered. Pest
management alternatives or risk mitigation options identified should
address various risk concerns including dietary, occupational and non-
occupational exposure, ground and/or surface water, and other
ecological risks. Applicants must document that a crop profile has been
or is being developed for the crop targeted in the proposal, or
otherwise provide compelling evidence as to the importance of their
proposed research.
II. Demonstration Projects: The focus should be on technologies or
mitigation strategies that have been developed and show promise, but
require field demonstration.
III. Outreach Activities: An additional objective of the program in
FY 2001 is to promote the exchange of pest management information
related to FQPA implementation and related regulatory actions between
researchers, extension agents, growers, and any other affected parties
by offering one time support for publications, website development,
regional workshops or other relevant activities during the FY 2001
funding cycle. The total available funding for proposals addressing
only outreach activities will be no more than 10% of the total program
budget.
Note: In FY 2001, PMAP is complemented by two FQPA-related pest
management competitive grant programs administered by CSREES under
the Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants
Program, under section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626). These programs are
the Crops at Risk (CAR) from FQPA Implementation program and the
FQPA Risk Mitigation for Major Food Crop Systems program (RAMP).
Both programs extend the horizon for successful development of
alternatives from generally less than 2 years in the case of PMAP to
between 2 to 4 years for CAR, and up to 5 years for RAMP. CAR will
support intermediate-term research and implementation that provides
a transition for the most vulnerable crops or cropping systems at
risk because of FQPA. RAMP will support multi-state, long-term,
biointensive research to enhance stability and sustainability of
pest management systems of major food crop systems placed at risk
because of FQPA. Also note that the development of replacements for
methyl bromide is supported by the Methyl Bromide Transitions (MBT)
Program, another program within the Integrated Research, Education,
and Extension Competitive Grants Program. MBT is designed to support
the discovery and implementation of practical pest management
alternatives for commodities affected by the methyl bromide phase-
out. PMAP is unable to consider proposals which better fit the
eligibility of CAR, RAMP, or MBT. Contact Dennis D. Kopp (telephone:
(202) 401-6437; fax:(202) 401-4888; e-mail address:
dkopp@reeusda.gov) if you have questions about which program is most
appropriate for your proposal.
Part III. Proposal Format
Each project description shall be complete in itself. The
administrative provisions governing the Special Research Grants
Program, 7 CFR Part 3400, set forth instructions for the preparation of
grant proposals. The following requirements deviate from those
contained in section 3400.4(c). The following provisions of this
solicitation shall apply. Proposals should adhere to the format
requirements for the specific objective addressed by the proposal
format below. Sections A. through F. should be no more than 12 pages in
length, numbered, and single-spaced with text on one side of the page
using a 12 point (10 cpi) type font size and one-inch margins.
A. Application for Funding (Form CSREES-661)
All proposals must contain an Application for Funding (Form CSREES-
661), which must be signed by the proposed principal investigator(s)
and by the cognizant Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) who
possesses the necessary authority to commit the applicant's time and
other relevant resources. Principal investigators who do not sign the
proposal cover sheet will not be listed on the grant document in the
event an award is made. The title of the proposal must be brief (80-
character maximum), yet represent the major emphasis of the project.
Because this title will be used to provide information to those who may
not be familiar with the proposed project, highly technical words or
phraseology should be avoided where possible. In addition, phrases such
as ``investigation of'' or ``research on'' should not be used.
B. Table of Contents
For ease in locating information, each proposal must contain a
detailed table of contents just after the proposal cover page. The
Table of Contents should include page numbers for each component of the
proposal. Pagination should begin immediately following the Table of
Contents.
C. Executive Summary
Describe the project in terms that can be understood by a diverse
audience of university personnel, producers, various public and private
groups, budget staff, and the general public. This should be on a
separate page, no more than one page in length and have the following
format: Name(s) of principal investigator(s) and institutional
affiliation, project title, key words, and project summary.
D. Problem Statement
Identify the pest management problem addressed, its significance,
and options for solution. Identify the commodity(ies) and the
pesticides that will be addressed by the proposed project. EPA has
published in the Federal Register several lists of pesticides they
consider high priority for review. Proposals that address pesticides on
these lists will have priority (see Part VI.A.). Define the production
area addressed, its size (including acreage), frequency and severity of
losses to pests controlled with priority pesticides, and the potential
applicability of this study to other production regions. As
appropriate, proposals should address issues as they relate to current
integrated pest management and crop production practices, technologic
and economic feasibility of potential new practices, and their
potential durability.
E. Objectives
Provide clear, concise, complete, and logically arranged statements
of the specific aims of the proposed effort.
F. Research, Education, and Technology Transfer Plan
This section is needed only if the proposed project includes
development
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of replacement or mitigation technologies (Objective I.). Proposals
should provide a credible detailed plan for the research, education,
and technology transfer required for implementation within the next two
to four years of the alternative solution in the field, and should
identify milestones of project accomplishments.
G. Literature Cited
A concise list of key references cited in the proposal should be
included in this section.
H. User Involvement
Describe the role of producers, commodity groups, and other end-
users in identifying the need for the work being proposed, and their
anticipated involvement in the project if funded. Competitive proposals
will demonstrate involvement of affected user groups in project design,
implementation, and funding.
I. Facilities and Equipment
All facilities and major items of equipment that are available for
use or assignment to the proposed research project during the requested
period of support should be described. In addition, items of
nonexpendable equipment not currently accessible and necessary to
conduct and successfully complete the proposed project should be listed
with the amount and justification for each item.
J. Collaborative Arrangements
If the nature of the proposed project requires collaboration or
subcontractual arrangements with other research scientists,
corporations, organizations, agencies, or entities, the applicant must
identify the collaborator(s) and provide a full explanation of the
nature of the collaboration. Funding contributions by collaborators
that will be used to accomplish the stated objectives should be
identified. Evidence (i.e., letters of intent) should be provided to
assure peer reviewers that the collaborators involved have agreed to
render this service. In addition, the proposal must indicate whether or
not such a collaborative arrangement(s) has the potential for
conflict(s) of interest.
K. Personnel Support
To assist peer reviewers in assessing the competence and experience
of the proposed project staff, key personnel who will be involved in
the proposed project must be clearly identified. For each principal
investigator involved, and for all senior associates and other
professional personnel who are expected to work on the project, whether
or not funds are sought for their support, the following should be
included:
(i) An estimate of the time commitments necessary.
(ii) Curriculum vitae. A concise curriculum vitae for all Principal
Investigators is required and should be limited to 2 pages. The vitae
should document academic and research experiences, commodity production
knowledge and experience (e.g., educational, employment and
professional history, and honors and/or awards). Unless pertinent to
the project, to personal status, or to the status of the organization,
meetings attended, seminars given, or personal data such as birth date,
marital status, or community activities should not be included. Each
vita shall be no more than two pages in length, excluding the
publication lists.
(iii) Publication list(s). A chronological list of all publications
in refereed journals during the past four years, including those in
press, must be provided for each professional project member for whom a
curriculum vitae is provided. Authors should be listed in the same
order as they appear on each paper cited. Standard scientific journal
citation format should be used for all references.
L. Budget
A detailed budget is required for each year of requested support.
In addition, a summary budget is required detailing requested support
for the overall project period. A copy of the form which must be used
for this purpose (Form CSREES-55), along with instructions for
completion, is included in the Application Kit and may be reproduced as
needed by applicants. Funds may be requested under any of the
categories listed, provided that the item or service for which support
is requested may be identified as necessary for successful conduct of
the proposed project, is allowable under applicable Federal cost
principles, and is not prohibited under any applicable Federal statute.
However, 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 the recovery of indirect
costs by any sub-awardee or subcontractor, and should be reflected in
the sub-recipient budget. Successful PIs, or their designated
representative, and an end-user/beneficiary of the proposed activities
will be required to participate in one regional outreach activity, i.e.
workshop, field day, or growers meeting, approved by the CSREES program
manager during the course of the project. Participation in regional
workshops supported by this program should be given priority when
planning outreach commitments. Travel support for two individuals per
project to meet this requirement should be included in the budget.
Proposals that request more than 10% of the total program budget (see
Part II.B.) are required to provide additional justification and will
be strictly scrutinized during the review process.
Note: For projects awarded under the authority of Sec.
2(c)(1)(A), 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.
M. Additions to Project Description
The Administrator of CSREES, the members of peer review groups, and
the relevant program staff expect each project description to be
complete within the page limit established in this section (Proposal
Format). However, if the inclusion of additional information is
necessary to ensure the equitable evaluation of the proposal (e.g.,
photographs that do not reproduce well, reprints, and other pertinent
materials that are deemed to be unsuitable for inclusion in the text of
the proposal), then 20 copies of the materials should be submitted.
Each set of such materials must be identified with the name of the
submitting organization, and the name(s) of the principal
investigator(s). Information may not be appended to a proposal to
circumvent page limitations prescribed for the project description.
Extraneous materials will not be used during the peer review process.
Note: Specific organizational management information relating to
an applicant shall be submitted on a one-time basis prior to the
award of a grant for this program if such information has not been
provided previously under this or another program for which the
sponsoring agency is responsible. If necessary, USDA will contact an
applicant to request organizational management information once a
proposal has been recommended for funding.
N. Current and Pending Support
All proposals must contain Form CSREES-663 listing this proposal
and any other current public or private research support (including in-
house support) to which key personnel identified in the proposal have
committed portions of their time, whether or not salary support for the
person(s) involved is included in the budget for each project.
Analogous information must be provided for any
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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 of CSREES 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.
O. Assurance Statement(s)
If it is anticipated that the research project will involve
recombinant DNA or RNA research, experimental vertebrate animals, or
human subjects, an Assurance Statement, Form CSREES-662, must be
completed and included in the proposal. Please note that grant funds
will not be released until CSREES receives and approves documentation
indicating approval by the appropriate institutional committee(s)
regarding DNA or RNA research, animal care, or the protection of human
subjects, as applicable.
P. Peer Review Certification
By signing the Application for Funding form, the AOR of the
applicant institution is providing the required certification that the
full proposal has received a credible and independent peer review
arranged by the institution (see Part I.C.).
Q. Other 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. These responsibilities
include determining whether the project requires an Environmental
Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or whether
it can be excluded from this requirement on the basis of one or more of
the categorical exclusions listed in 7 CFR 3407.6. 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 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.
Even though the applicant considers that a proposed project may
fall within a categorical exclusion, CSREES may determine that an EA or
an EIS is necessary for an activity if substantial controversy on
environmental grounds exists or if other extraordinary conditions or
circumstances are present that may cause such activity to have a
significant environmental effect.
Part IV. How To Obtain Application Materials
Copies of this solicitation, the administrative provisions for the
Program (7 CFR part 3400), and the Application Kit, which contains
required forms, certifications, and instructions for preparing and
submitting applications for funding, may be obtained by contacting:
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 forms for the
Special Research Grants Program--Pest Management Alternatives Research:
Special Program Addressing Food Quality Protection Act Issues.
Application materials may also 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 2001 Special Research Grants
Program--Pest Management Alternatives Research: Special Program
Addressing Food Quality Protection Act Issues. 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 20 copies of a proposal must be submitted. Each
copy must be stapled securely in the upper left-hand corner (DO NOT
BIND). All copies of the proposal must be submitted in one package.
B. Where and When To Submit
Proposals must be received by COB on May 14, 2001 (5:00 p.m. EST).
Proposals submitted by mail must be sent to the following address:
Special Research Grants--Pest Management Alternatives Program; c/o
Proposal Services Unit; Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of
Agriculture; Mail STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington,
DC 20250-2245; telephone: (202) 401-5048.
Proposals to be delivered by Express mail, courier service, or by
hand must be sent to the following address: Special Research Grants--
Pest Management Alternatives; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Office of
Extramural Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 1307,
Waterfront Building; 800 9th Street, SW.; Washington, DC 20024;
telephone: (202) 401-5048.
C. Acknowledgment of Proposals
The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged 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 all future correspondence.
Part VI. Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
A. Selection Process
Priority will be given to proposals that address pesticides
currently under regulatory review or being evaluated by
[[Page 14823]]
EPA (see Part II.C.). Proposals will be evaluated for relevancy ,
methodology and scientific rigor by a peer panel with appropriate
expertise. Panel members will include representatives with appropriate
scientific backgrounds from land-grant universities, USDA, EPA, and
other organizations representative of the breadth of the program's
stakeholders. Funding determinations will be based on, subject to the
availability of funds, the proposals receiving the highest combined
relevancy and scientific merit scores.
B. Evaluation Criteria
1. Relevance to Program Objectives (30 points). Factors that will
be considered include: importance of the crop/pest combination
(particularly agronomic and economic considerations), number of crops
and pesticides addressed, user involvement in planning and
implementation, potential for rapid integration (within 3 years) into
production practices, and demonstration of consideration of existing
IPM programs.
2. Importance of the Problem (Problem Statement) (particularly
ecological and agronomic considerations) (10 points)
3. Appropriateness of Methods in Meeting Objectives (15 points)
4. Feasibility of Attaining Project Objectives Within the Time
Period Allotted. (10 points)
4. Potential to Reduce Reliance (15 points)
5. Level of User Involvement (10 points)
6. Appropriateness of the Budget (10 points)
Part VII. Supplementary Information
A. Confidentiality
CSREES receives grant proposals in confidence and will protect the
confidentiality of their contents to the maximum extent permitted by
law. Information contained in unfunded proposals will remain the
property of the applicant. However, CSREES will retain one copy of all
proposals received for a one year period; extra copies will be
destroyed.
When a proposal results in a grant, it becomes a part of the public
record, available to the public upon specific request under the Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA). Information that the Secretary of
Agriculture 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 by the applicant with the term ``confidential
proprietary information.''
B. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations That Apply
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, rules
governing the evaluation of 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. Other Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant
proposals considered for review or to grants awarded under this
program. These include, but are not limited to:
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
7 CFR Part 3052--Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-
Profit Organizations.
C. Additional Information
For 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 Executive Order No. 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.
Done at Washington, DC, this 7th day of March 2001.
Colien Hefferan.
Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-6202 Filed 3-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P
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