**Federally-Recognized Tribes**

**Extension Program**

***[FY 2007 Request for Applications]{.underline}***

**APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 23, 2007**

![](media/image1.png)

#  U.S. Department of Agriculture

![](media/image2.png){width="0.47708333333333336in"
height="0.5923611111111111in"} **Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service**

**COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE; U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**FEDERALLY-RECOGNIZED TRIBES EXTENSION PROGRAM**

**INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT**

**CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE:** This program is listed in
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.500.

**DATES:** Applications must be received by close of business (COB) on
February 23, 2007 (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Applications received after
this deadline will normally not be considered for funding. Comments
regarding this request for applications (RFA) are requested within six
months from the issuance of this notice. Comments received after that
date will be considered to the extent practicable.

**STAKEHOLDER INPUT:** The Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service (CSREES) is requesting comments regarding this RFA
from any interested party. These comments will be considered in the
development of the next RFA for the program, if applicable, and will be
used to meet the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.
7613(c)(2)). This section requires the Secretary to solicit and consider
input on a current RFA from persons who conduct or use agricultural
research, education and extension for use in formulating future RFAs for
competitive programs. Written stakeholder comments on this RFA should be
submitted in accordance with the deadline set forth in the DATES portion
of this Notice.

Written stakeholder comments should be submitted by mail to: Policy,
Oversight, and Funds Management Staff; Office of Extramural Programs;
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; USDA; STOP
2299; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2299; or via
e-mail to: [RFP-<OEP@csrees.usda.gov>]{.underline}. (This e-mail address
is intended only for receiving comments regarding this RFA and not
requesting information or forms.) In your comments, please state that
you are responding to the Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program
RFA.

**EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:** CSREES anticipates the availability of grant
funds and requests applications for the Federally-Recognized Tribes
Extension Program (FRTEP) for fiscal year (FY) 2007 to support Extension
agents on Indian Reservations and Tribal jurisdictions. The amount
expected to be available for new projects under this program in FY 2007
is approximately \$625,000.

This notice identifies the objectives for FRTEP projects, the
eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application
forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a FRTEP grant.
CSREES additionally requests stakeholder input from any interested party
for use in the development of the next RFA for this program.

**Table of Contents**

**PART I**---**FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION [4](#part1)**\
A. Legislative Authority and Background [4](#legauth)\
B. Purpose and Priorities [4](#purpandprio)

**PART II**---**AWARD INFORMATION [5](#part2)**\
A. Available Funding [5](#availfund)\
B. Types of Applications [5](#types)\
C. Project Types [5](#projtypes)\
\
**PART III**---**ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION [6](#part3)**\
A. Eligible Applicants [6](#eligapp)\
B. Cost Sharing or Matching [6](#costsha)

**PART IV**---**APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION [7](#part4)**\
A. Address to Request Application Package [7](#addytoreq)\
B. Content and Form of Application Submission [8](#contandform)\
C. Submission Dates and Times [9](#subdates)\
D. Funding Restrictions [10](#fund)\
E. Other Submission Requirements [10](#other)

**PART V**---**APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS [11](#part5)**\
A. General [11](#gen)\
B. Evaluation Criteria [11](#eval)\
C. Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality [13](#conf)

D. Organizational Management Information [13](#org)

**PART VI**---**AWARD ADMINISTRATION [14](#part6)**\
A. General [14](#part6gen)\
B. Award Notice [14](#award)\
C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements [15](#admin)\
D. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements [16](#expected)

**PART VII**---**AGENCY CONTACT [17](#part7)**

**PART VIII**---**OTHER INFORMATION [18](#part8)**\
A. Access to Review Information [18](#access)\
B. Use of Funds; Changes [18](#use)\
C. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards [19](#confidential)\
D. Regulatory Information [19](#reg)\
E. Definitions [19](#def)\
F. CSREES' Grants.gov Implementation Plans [21](#csrees)\
G. DUNS Number [22](#duns)

[]{#part1 .anchor}**PART I**---**FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION**

**A. Legislative Authority and Background**

[[]{#legauth .anchor}]{.mark}

This program is authorized under Section 3(d) of the Act of May 8, 1914,
Smith-Lever Act, ch. 79, 38 Stat. 372, 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq. This program
supports extension agents on American Indian Reservations and Tribal
jurisdictions to address the unique needs and problems of American
Indian Tribal Nations.

[]{#purpandprio .anchor}**B. Purpose and Priorities**

[]{.mark}

The purpose of this program is to support Extension agents who establish
Extension education programs on the Indian Reservations and Tribal
jurisdictions of Federally-Recognized Tribes. In fiscal year (FY) 2007,
funded projects will support one or more of the five Strategic Goals
outlined in the CSREES Strategic Plan for FY 2004-2009 (see Part VIII,
E., Definitions):

1.  Enhance economic opportunities for agricultural producers;

2.  Support increased economic opportunities and improved quality of
    life in rural America;

3.  Enhance protection and safety of the Nation's agriculture and food
    supply;

4.  Improve the Nation's nutrition and health; and

5.  Protect and enhance the Nation's natural resource base and
    environment.

[]{#part2 .anchor}**PART II---AWARD INFORMATION**

[]{#availfund .anchor}**A. Available Funding**

Funding for new FRTEP projects is contingent upon Congressional
appropriations. If funds become available, we expect that approximately
\$625,000 will be available to fund new projects in FY 2007. Grants may
be awarded to successful applicants. There is no commitment by USDA to
fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

[]{#types .anchor}

**B. Types of Applications**

In FY 2007, an application may be submitted to the FRTEP Program as a
**New Application**. This is a project application that has not been
previously submitted to the FRTEP Program. All new applications will be
reviewed competitively using the selection process and evaluation
criteria described in Part V---Application Review Requirements.

[]{#projtypes .anchor}**C. Project Types**

[]{.mark}

In FY 2007, applications should be submitted for a 4-year period as
CSREES anticipates making these awards as continuation grants in FY 2007
to reduce the administrative burden to the grant applicants. A
continuation grant is an award for which an application is approved for
a specified time period, but each year of funding (within that specified
time period) is awarded on an annual basis and subject to the
availability of annual appropriations and satisfactory progress of the
project. Therefore, awards made in FY 2007 will provide funds for the
first year of the project. It is expected that all four years of the
project will be at the same level as the initial project year except for
reasonable cost-of-living increases (see Part IV, B.2., Budget). There
is no set limit to the amount of funding an applicant may request,
nevertheless, funding requests must be reasonable and fully justified
(see Part V, B.5., Cost Effectiveness of Proposed Project).

[]{#part3 .anchor}**PART III**---**ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION**

[]{#eligapp .anchor}**A. Eligible Applicants**

Applications may be submitted by 1862 and 1890 Land-Grant Institutions,
including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University**.**
Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply
provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the
project. An applicant's failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the
time of an application deadline will result in CSREES returning the
application without review or, even though an application may be
reviewed, will preclude CSREES from making an award.

[]{#costsha .anchor}**B. Cost Sharing or Matching**\
\
CSREES does not require matching support for this program, and matching
resources will not be factored into the review process as evaluation
criteria.

[]{#part4 .anchor}**PART IV---APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION**

[]{#addytoreq .anchor}**A. Address to Request Application Package**

Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov to CSREES
in response to this RFA.

Prior to preparing an application, it is suggested that the PD/PI first
contact an Authorized Representative (AR) to determine if the
organization is prepared to submit electronic applications through
Grant.gov. If the organization is not prepared, the AR should see
<http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp> for steps for
preparing to submit applications through Grants.gov.

The steps to access application materials are as follows:

1.  Download and install PureEdge Viewer, a small, free program that
    provides access to the grant application. See
    <http://www.grants.gov/resources/download_software.jsp#pureedge>.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
2.  The application package must be obtained via Grants.gov, go to
    [http://www.grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/), click on "Apply for
    Grants" in the left-hand column, click on "**Step 1:** [Download a
    Grant Application Package and
    Instructions](https://apply.grants.gov/forms_apps_idx.html)**,"**
    enter the funding opportunity number USDA-CSREES-SLBCD-000322 in the
    appropriate box and click "Download Package." From the search
    results, click "Download" to access the application package.

> Contained within the application package is the "[CSREES Grants.gov
> Application Guide: A Guide for Preparation and Submission of CSREES
> Applications via
> Grants.gov.](http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/grant_forms/electronic_app_guide.pdf)"
> This Guide contains an introduction and general Grants.gov
> instructions, information about how to use a Grant Application Package
> in Grants.gov, and instructions on how to complete the application
> forms.
>
> **If assistance is needed to access the application package** (e.g.,
> downloading or navigating PureEdge forms, using PureEdge with a
> Macintosh computer), refer to resources available on the Grants.gov
> Web site first (<http://grants.gov/>). Grants.gov assistance is also
> available as follows:

-   Grants.gov customer support\
    Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726\
    Business Hours: M-F 7:00 am -- 9 pm Eastern Standard Time\
    Email: <support@grants.gov>

See <http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/electronic.html> for additional
resources for applying electronically.

[]{#contandform .anchor}**B. Content and Form of Application
Submission**

::: Definition-Term
:::

::: Definition-Term
Electronic applications should be prepared following Part V and VI of
the document entitled "[A Guide for Preparation and Submission of CSREES
Applications via
Grants.gov](http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/grant_forms/electronic_app_guide.pdf)."
This guide is part of the corresponding application package (see Section
A. of this Part). The following is **additional information** needed in
order to prepare an application in response to this RFA. If there is
discrepancy between the two documents, the information contained in this
RFA is overriding.
:::

1\. [R&R Other Project Information Form.]{.underline}

a\. Project Summary/Abstract (Field 6. on the Form). The summary should
also include the relevance of the project to the goals of FRTEP.

b\. Project Narrative (Field 7. on the Form).

The Project Narrative shall not exceed 20 pages of written text and up
to five additional pages for figures and tables. This maximum (25 pages)
has been established to ensure fair and equitable competition. The
Project Narrative must include all of the following:

(1) Situation Statement, Goals Statement, and Statement of Program
    Objectives: The Project Description should include the situational
    statement that indicates the need for funding and the program goals
    and objectives.

(2) Target Audience(s) and Geographic Description of the Area to Be
    Served.

(3) Statement of Approach: Include a description of major strategies to
    be undertaken; procedures for stakeholder input; anticipated program
    delivery methods; observation on the feasibility of reaching program
    objectives and the relevance of methods used to reach objectives;
    identification of partnerships and a description of each partner's
    roles and responsibilities, including those of the Cooperative
    Extension Service(s) and the Tribe(s); and a proposed timeline for
    achieving the major objectives.

(4) Project Review and Evaluation: Identify appropriate methodologies
    for reviewing and evaluating the project.

c\. Other Attachments (Field 11. on the Form).

(1) Letters of Support. Letter(s) indicating support from the Tribe(s)
    and/or Tribal department(s), e.g., Land and Water, Fish and Game,
    Natural Resources, Agriculture, etc., must be included. The
    letter(s) must indicate support for the project objectives and a
    commitment to provide appropriate office facilities, including
    utilities, for the project.

(2) Appendices to Project Narrative. Appendices to the Project Narrative
    are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project.
    The addition of appendices should not be used to circumvent the text
    and/or figures and tables page limitations.

(3) Collaborative Arrangements. If it will be necessary to enter into
    formal consulting or collaborative arrangements with others, such
    arrangements should be fully explained and justified. If the
    consultant(s) or collaborator(s) are known at the time of
    application, a vitae or resume should be provided. In addition,
    evidence (e.g., letter of support) should be provided that the
    collaborators involved have agreed to render these services. The
    applicant also will be required to provide additional information on
    consultants and collaborators in the budget portion of the
    application.

2\. [Budget]{.underline}

Applicants may request funding to pay travel costs for up to two
meetings per year for members of a Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension
Program Advisory Committee. In addition, an amount budgeted should
include sufficient funds for the Reservation Extension Agent to attend
the annual meetings of the FRTEP Agents and the annual meetings of the
Intertribal Agriculture Council or the Southwest Indian Agriculture
Association, or both.

The initial year of funding (FY 2007) is to be used as the base for
funding in years 2-4, therefore, subsequent yearly funding requests (and
budgets) must not exceed the amount requested for the first year, plus a
reasonable cost-of-living adjustment. In addition to specific yearly
budget requests, a cumulative budget is required detailing the requested
total support for the overall project period.

3\. [CSREES Supplemental Information Form]{.underline}

a\. Program Code (Field 2. on the Form). Enter the program code name
(i.e., enter "Federally-Recognized Tribes Extension Program") and the
program code (i.e., enter "LP").

b\. Conflict of Interest List (Field 4. on the Form). A conflict of
interest list is not required under this program. Do not include a
conflict of interest list.

[]{#subdates .anchor}**C. Submission Dates and Times**

**Instructions for submitting an application are included in Part IV,
Section 1.9 of the CSREES Grants.gov Application Guide.**

Applications must be received by Grants.gov by COB on February 23, 2007
(5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Applications received after this deadline will
normally not be considered for funding.

The receipt of all applications will be acknowledged by e-mail.
Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide accurate e-mail
addresses, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R Application for Federal
Assistance.

If the AR has not received a confirmation message from CSREES within 30
days of submission of the application, please contact the Program
Contact identified in Part VII of the applicable RFA (for the Small
Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) the Program Contacts are
specified under subsection 1.5 of the SBIR Program Solicitation) and
request the proposal number assigned to the application. **Failure to do
so may result in (for competitive programs) the application not being
considered for funding by the peer review panel or (for non-competitive
programs) a delay in the issuance of an award.   Once the application
has been assigned a proposal number, this number should be cited on all
future correspondence.**

[]{#fund .anchor}

**D. Funding Restrictions**

[]{.mark}

Pursuant to Section 1473 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, indirect costs and tuition
remission are unallowable and no funds will be approved for this
purpose. Costs that are a part of an institution's indirect cost pool
may not be reclassified as direct costs for the purpose of making them
allowable.

Any expense not directly related to the program or project is considered
unallowable. Examples include child-care services, kitchen help hired to
prepare refreshments, and promotional or appreciation gifts such as
clothing, coffee mugs, or bags.

CSREES has determined that grant funds awarded under this authority may
not be used for

the renovation or refurbishment of research, education, or extension
space; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such space; or
the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of
buildings or facilities.

[]{#other .anchor}**E. Other Submission Requirements**

::: Definition-Term
:::

The applicant should follow the submission requirements noted in the
document entitled "A Guide for Preparation and Submission of CSREES
Applications via Grants.gov."

[]{#part5 .anchor}**PART V---APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS**

[]{#gen .anchor}**A. General**

Each application will be evaluated in a 2-part process. First, each
application will be screened to ensure that it meets the administrative
requirements as set forth in this RFA. Second, applications that meet
these requirements will be technically evaluated by a review panel.

Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in
relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account
the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific,
technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well
as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research,
education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers
experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific,
education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers
other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and
consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted
audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers
experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges,
universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and
non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to
maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and
female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the
need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to
producers and the general public of each application.

[]{#eval .anchor}**B. Evaluation Criteria**

The evaluation criteria below will be used in reviewing applications
submitted in response to this RFA:

  ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------
  **Criteria**                                               **Points**

  Statement of Need, Site Location, Scope of Project         20

  Program Objectives                                         20

  Program Design and Methodologies                           15

  Evaluation Methodologies                                   15

  Cost Effectiveness of Proposed Project                     15

  Quality of Stakeholder/Participant Involvement in the      15
  Proposed Project                                           
  ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------

[]{.mark}

1.  **Statement of Need, Site Location, Scope of Project**

-   How well stated a case does the applicant make for overcoming a
    problem or taking advantage of an opportunity?

-   Does the applicant adequately relate those issues that will be
    addressed in this project to the stated needs of the community?

-   How well stated a case does the applicant make relative to reaching
    an underserved population in terms of geographic distribution and/or
    number of people to be served?

-   Are the proposed activities, the geographic area to be covered and
    the number of people to be reached adequate for the funding amount
    requested?

2.  **Program Objectives**

    -   Are the objectives written to address one or more of the five
        Strategic Goals contained in Part I, B.?

    -   Are the specific program objectives written in clear, concise,
        complete, measurable and logically arranged statements?

    -   Do the proposed project objectives provide sufficient
        justification for funding this proposal?

3.  **Program Design and Methodologies**

-   Will the program designs and strategies likely produce the outcomes
    needed to meet the objectives described above?

-   Is the project sufficiently focused and does it contain a critical
    mass of leadership and resources to undertake the activity?

-   Are the scope and duration of the programs adequate to produce
    positive outcomes?

-   Is the appropriate research base used to support the selected
    educational design and activities?

4.  **Evaluation Methodologies**

-   Are the evaluation designs and methodologies adequate to measure the
    extent to which program objectives are being met?

5.  **Cost Effectiveness of Proposed Project**

-   How well stated is the relationship between the proposed budget and
    the anticipated outcomes of this project?

-   How effective do the salaries and other direct costs appear to be in
    support of Extension program delivery?

-   Is there proper balance, as well as sufficiency and efficiency of
    funds, among the individual budget items?

-   Does the applicant include other sources of funding and describe how
    they will support increased program delivery or services?

6.  **Quality of Stakeholder/Participant Involvement in the Proposed
    Project**

-   Does the applicant demonstrate Tribal interest and commitment to the
    program that is sufficient to produce positive outcomes?

[]{#conf .anchor}**C. Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality**

During the peer evaluation process, extreme care will be taken to
prevent any actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may impact
review or evaluation. For the purpose of determining conflicts of
interest, the academic and administrative autonomy of an institution
shall be determined by reference to the current Higher Education
Directory, published by Higher Education Publications, Inc., 6400
Arlington Boulevard, Suite 648, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. Phone:
(703) 532-2300. Web site:
[[http://www.hepinc.com]{.underline}](http://www.hepinc.com/).

Names of submitting institutions and individuals, as well as application
content and peer evaluations, will be kept confidential, except to those
involved in the review process, to the extent permitted by law. In
addition, the identities of peer reviewers will remain confidential
throughout the entire review process. Therefore, the names of the
reviewers will not be released to applicants.

[]{#org .anchor}**D. Organizational Management Information**

Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be
submitted on a one time basis, with updates on an as needed basis, as
part of the responsibility determination prior to the award of a grant
identified under this RFA, if such information has not been provided
previously under this or another CSREES program. CSREES will provide
copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling these requirements as
part of the preaward process. Although an applicant may be eligible
based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors which
may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and
nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment
or suspension of an individual involved or a determination that an
applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational
management information).

[]{#part6 .anchor}**PART VI---AWARD ADMINISTRATION**

[]{#part6gen .anchor}**A. General**

Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding
official of CSREES shall make grants to those responsible, eligible
applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the
procedures set forth in this RFA. The date specified by the awarding
official of CSREES 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 RFA 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 and
3019 of 7 CFR).

[]{#award .anchor}**B. Award Notice**

The award document will provide pertinent instructions and information
including, at a minimum, the following:

\(1\) Legal name and address of performing organization or institution
to whom the Administrator has issued an award under the terms of this
request for applications;

\(2\) Title of project;

\(3\) Name(s) and institution(s) of PDs chosen to direct and control
approved activities;

\(4\) Identifying award number assigned by the Department;

\(5\) Project period, specifying the amount of time the Department
intends to support the project without requiring recompetition for
funds;

\(6\) Total amount of Departmental financial assistance approved by the
Administrator during the project period;

\(7\) Legal authority(ies) under which the award is issued;

\(8\) Appropriate Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number;

\(9\) Applicable award terms and conditions (see
<http://www.csrees.usda.gov/business/awards/awardterms.html> to view
CSREES award terms and conditions);

\(10\) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds to
accomplish the stated purpose of the award; and

\(11\) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by CSREES to
carry out its respective awarding activities or to accomplish the
purpose of a particular award.

[]{#admin .anchor}**C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements**

Several Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant applications
considered for review and to project grants awarded under this program.
These include, but are not limited to:

7 CFR Part 1, subpart A**---**USDA implementation of the Freedom of
Information Act.

7 CFR Part 3**---**USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-129
regarding debt collection.

7 CFR Part 15, subpart A**---**USDA implementation of Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

7 CFR Part 331 and 9 CFR Part 121**---**USDA implementation of the
Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002.

7 CFR Part 3015**---**USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations,
implementing OMB directives (i.e., OMB Circular Nos. A-21 and A-122, now
codified at 2 CFR Parts 220 and 230) 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 7 CFR Part 3021**---**Governmentwide
Requirements for Drug Free Workplace (Grants).

7 CFR Part 3018**---**USDA implementation of Restrictions on Lobbying.
Imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification
related to lobbying on recipients of Federal contracts, grants,
cooperative agreements, and loans.

7 CFR Part 3019**---**USDA implementation of OMB Circular A-110, Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements With
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit
Organizations.

7 CFR Part 3052**---**USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-133,
Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non profit Organizations.

7 CFR Part 3407**---**CSREES procedures to implement the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.

29 U.S.C. 794 (section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and 7 CFR Part
15b (USDA implementation of statute) **---**prohibiting discrimination
based upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs.

35 U.S.C. 200 et seq. **---**Bayh Dole Act, controlling allocation of
rights to inventions made by employees of small business firms and
domestic nonprofit organizations, including universities, in Federally
assisted programs (implementing regulations are contained in 37 CFR Part
401).

[]{#expected .anchor}**D. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting
Requirements**

[]{.mark}

Grantees are required to submit initial project information and annual
and summary reports to CSREES' Current Research Information System
(CRIS). The CRIS database contains narrative project information,
progress/impact statements, and final technical reports that are made
available to the public. For applications recommended for funding,
instructions on preparation and submission of project documentation will
be provided to the applicant by the Agency contact. Documentation must
be submitted to CRIS before CSREES funds will be released. Project
reports will be requested by the CRIS office when required. For more
information about CRIS, visit http://cris.csrees.usda.gov.

[]{#part7 .anchor}**PART VII---AGENCY CONTACT**

Applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact Joan
F. Gill; National Program Leader; Science and Education Resources
Development; Multicultural Alliances; Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP
2250; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2250;
telephone: 202-720-6487; fax: 202-720-4924; e-mail:
serdegrants@csrees.usda.gov.

[]{#part8 .anchor}**PART VIII---OTHER INFORMATION**

**A. Access to Review Information**

[]{#access .anchor}

Copies of reviews, not including the identity of reviewers, and a
summary of the panel comments will be sent to the applicant PD after the
review process has been completed.

[]{#use .anchor}**B. Use of Funds; Changes**

**1. [Delegation of Fiscal Responsibility]{.underline}**

Unless the terms and conditions of the award state otherwise, the
awardee may not in whole or in part delegate or transfer to another
person, institution, or organization the responsibility for use or
expenditure of award funds.

**2. [Changes in Project Plans]{.underline}**\
\
a. The permissible changes by the awardee, PD(s), or other key project
personnel in the approved project shall be limited to changes in
methodology, techniques, or other similar aspects of the project to
expedite achievement of the project\'s approved goals. If the awardee or
the PD(s) is uncertain as to whether a change complies with this
provision, the question must be referred to the Authorized Departmental
Officer (ADO) for a final determination. The ADO is the signatory of the
award document, not the program contact.

b\. Changes in approved goals or objectives shall be requested by the
awardee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such
changes. In no event shall requests for such changes be approved which
are outside the scope of the original approved project.

c\. Changes in approved project leadership or the replacement or
reassignment of other key project personnel shall be requested by the
awardee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such
changes.

d\. Transfers of actual performance of the substantive programmatic work
in whole or in part and provisions for payment of funds, whether or not
Federal funds are involved, shall be requested by the awardee and
approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such transfers, unless
prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of the award.

e\. The project period may be extended by CSREES without additional
financial support, for such additional period(s) as the ADO determines
may be necessary to complete or fulfill the purposes of an approved
project, but in no case shall the total project period exceed five
years. Any extension of time shall be conditioned upon prior request by
the awardee and approval in writing by the ADO, unless prescribed
otherwise in the terms and conditions of award.

f\. Changes in Approved Budget: Unless stated otherwise in the terms and
conditions of award, changes in an approved budget must be requested by
the awardee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to instituting such
changes if the revision will involve transfers or expenditures of
amounts requiring prior approval as set forth in the applicable Federal
cost principles, Departmental regulations, or award.

[]{#confidential .anchor}**C. Confidential Aspects of Applications and
Awards**

When an application results in an award, it becomes a part of the record
of CSREES transactions, available to the public upon specific request.
Information that the Secretary determines to be of a confidential,
privileged, or proprietary nature will be held in confidence to the
extent permitted by law. Therefore, any information that the applicant
wishes to have considered as confidential, privileged, or proprietary
should be clearly marked within the application. The original copy of an
application that does not result in an award will be retained by the
Agency for a period of three years. Other copies will be destroyed. Such
an application will be released only with the consent of the applicant
or to the extent required by law. An application may be withdrawn at any
time prior to the final action thereon.

[]{#reg .anchor}

**D. Regulatory Information**

For the reasons set forth in the final Rule related Notice to 7 CFR part
3015, subpart V (48 FR 29114, 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. 0524-0039.

[]{#def .anchor}**E. Definitions**

For the purpose of this program, the following definitions are
applicable:

*1862 Land-grant colleges and universities* means those institutions
eligible to receive funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat.
503-505, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 301-305, 307 and 308), including the
land-grant institutions in the *Insular Area.*

*1890 Institution* or *1890 Land-grant institution* or *1890 colleges
and universities* means one of those institutions eligible to receive
funds under the Act of August 30, 1890, (26 Stat. 417-419, as amended; 7
U.S.C. 321-326 and 328), including Tuskegee University and West Virginia
State University.

*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 is
delegated.

*Authorized departmental officer* or *ADO* means the Secretary or any
employee of the Department who has the authority to issue or modify
grant instruments on behalf of the Secretary.

*Authorized representative* or *AR* means the president, director, or
chief executive officer or other designated official of the applicant
organization who has the authority to commit the resources of the
organization.

*Budget period* means the interval of time (usually 12 months) into
which the project period is divided for budgetary and reporting
purposes.

*Department* or *USDA* means the United States Department of
Agriculture.

*Extension activity* means an act or process that delivers science-based
knowledge and informal educational programs to people, enabling them to
make practical decisions.

*Grant* means the award by the Secretary of funds to an eligible
organization or individual to assist in meeting the costs of conducting,
for the benefit of the public, an identified project which is intended
and designed to accomplish the purpose of the program as identified in
these guidelines.

*Grantee* means an organization designated in the grant award document
as the responsible legal entity to which a grant is awarded.

*Institutional Review Board* refers to an administrative body charged
with protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in
activities conducted by the affiliated institution. It approves,
requires modifications in, or disapproves all activities within its
jurisdiction.

*Insular Area* means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated
States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic
of Palau, and the Virgin Islands of the United States.

*Merit review* means an evaluation of a proposed project or elements of
a proposed program whereby the technical quality and relevance to
regional and national goals are assessed.

*Prior approval* means written approval evidencing prior consent by an
authorized departmental officer as defined above.

*Project* means the particular activity within the scope of the program
supported by a grant award.

*Project director* means the single individual designated in the grant
application and approved by the Secretary who is responsible for the
direction and management of the project.

*Project period* means the period, as stated in the award document,
during which Federal sponsorship begins and ends.

*Secretary* means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other officer or
employee of the Department to whom the authority involved is delegated.

> [CSREES Strategic Goals and Objectives (FY 2004-2009)]{.underline}
>
> *Strategic Goal 1: Enhance Economic Opportunities for Agricultural
> Producers*
>
> Objective 1.1: Provide information, knowledge, and education to help
> expand markets and reduce trade barriers
>
> Objective 1.2: Support international economic development and trade
> capacity building
>
> Objective 1.3: Provide science-based knowledge and technologies to
> generate new or improved high-quality products and processes to expand
> markets for the agricultural sector
>
> Objective 1.4: Provide science-based information, knowledge, and
> education to facilitate risk management by farmers and ranchers
>
> Objective 1.5: Contribute science-based information, analysis, and
> education to promote the efficiency of agricultural production systems
>
> *Strategic Goal 2: Support Increased Economic Opportunities and
> Improved Quality of Life in Rural America*
>
> Objective 2.1: Expand economic opportunities in rural America by
> bringing scientific insights into economic and business decision
> making
>
> Objective 2.2: Provide science-based technology, products, and
> information to facilitate informed decisions affecting the quality of
> life in rural areas
>
> *Strategic Goal 3: Enhance Protection and Safety of the Nation's
> Agriculture and Food Supply*
>
> Objective 3.1: Reduce the incidence of food borne illnesses and
> contaminants through science-based knowledge and education
>
> Objective 3.2: Develop and deliver science-based information and
> technologies to reduce the number and severity of agricultural pest
> and disease outbreaks
>
> *Strategic Goal 4: Improve the Nation's Nutrition and Health*
>
> Objective 4.1: Improve human health by better understanding the
> nutrient requirements of individuals and the nutritional value of
> foods
>
> Objective 4.2: Promote healthier food choices and lifestyles
>
> *Strategic Goal 5: Protect and Enhance the Nation's Natural Resource
> Base and Environment*
>
> Objective 5.1: Provide science-based knowledge and education to
> improve the management of forests and rangelands
>
> Objective 5.2: Provide science-based knowledge and education to
> improve the management of soil, air, and water resources to support
> production and enhance the environment

[]{#csrees .anchor}**F. CSREES' Grants.gov Implementation Plans**

CSREES is continuing to develop its capacity to exchange proposal and
grant data electronically with its grantees through
[Grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/) and to process, review, and award
proposals and grants electronically.

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, CSREES offered an electronic application
option for select grant programs and partnered with five institutions to
use Grants.gov Apply.  CSREES utilized the SF-424 R&R (Research and
Related) forms package (see 70 FR 9656, published in the Federal
Register on February 28, 2005) along with CSREES Agency-specific forms
and instructions to receive the electronic applications. These pilot
activities were successful and provided lessons for applicants and
CSREES.

As a result, for the FY 2007 (October 1, 2006-September 30, 2007) cycle,
CSREES is requiring electronic submission through Grants.gov for some
programs while providing a Grants.gov option for others. Please visit
<http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/fy07changes.html> for information
about FY 2007 submission requirements by program. For more information
about CSREES' Grants.gov plans, including important announcements,
program implementation, and detailed requirements, see the CSREES' web
site, <http://www.csrees.usda.gov/business/other_links/egov/egov.html>.
The information on these web sites will be updated as appropriate.  It
is suggested that the sites be visited periodically for important
updates.

[]{#duns .anchor}**G. DUNS Number**

A Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number
is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for
identifying and keeping track of over 70 million businesses worldwide. A
Federal Register notice of final policy issuance (68 FR 38402) requires
a DUNS number in every application (i.e., hard copy and electronic) for
a grant or cooperative agreement (except applications from individuals)
submitted on or after October 1, 2003. Therefore, potential applicants
should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to
obtain one. For information about how to obtain a DUNS number go to
<http://www.grants.gov/RequestaDUNS>. Please note that the registration
may take up to 14 business days to complete.