33490 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 117 /Thursday, June 18, 1998 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service

Notice of Fiscal Year 1998 Agricultural

Telecommunications Program;

Solicitation of Proposals

AGENCY: Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service,

USDA.

SUMMARY: The Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service is soliciting proposals under the

Agricultural Telecommunications

Program. The Agricultural

Telecommunications Program is

authorized in Section 1673 of the Food,

Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade

Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101–624 (7 U.S.C.

5926). It is anticipated that grants will

be awarded competitively under the

program in support of the following

program areas: (1) Program Delivery and

Innovative Program Development/

Production, and (2) Capacity Building.

DATE: Applications must be received on

or before August 17, 1998. Proposals

received after August 17, 1998 will not

be considered for funding.

ADDRESSES: Proposals sent by First Class

mail must be sent to the following

address: Agricultural

Telecommunications Program, c/o

Proposal Services Unit, Office of

Extramural Programs, Cooperative State,

Research, Education, and Extension

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

STOP 2245, 1400 Independence

Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250–

2245. Telephone: (202) 401–5048.

Proposals that are delivered by

Express mail, courier service, or by hand

must be sent to the following address:

Agricultural Telecommunications

Program, c/o Proposal Services Unit,

Office of Extramural Programs,

Cooperative State, Research, Education,

and Extension Service, U.S. Department

of Agriculture, Room 303, Aerospace

Center, 901 D Street, S.W., Washington,

D.C. 20024. Telephone: (202) 401–5048.

For programmatic issues contact:

Cathy Bridwell; Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture;

STOP 2216; 1400 Independence

Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250–

2216; telephone (202) 720–6084;

Internet: cbridwell@reeusda.gov

For administrative issues contact: the

Grants Management Branch, Office of

Extramural Programs; Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture;

STOP 2246; 1400 Independence

Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250–

2246; telephone (202) 401–5050.

Table of Contents

Part I—Program Description

A. Purpose

B. Available Funding

C. Matching Funds Requirement

D. Eligibility

E. Definitions

Part II—Program Areas

A. Program Delivery and Innovative

Program Development/Production

B. Capacity Building

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

Part V—Selection Process and Evaluation

Criteria

A. Selection Process

B. Evaluation Criteria

Part VI—Supplementary Information

A. Access to Peer Review Information

B. Grant Awards

C. Use of Funds; Changes

D. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations

That Apply

E. Other Conditions

Part I—Program Description

A. Purpose

Proposals are requested for the

purpose of awarding competitive grants

for fiscal year (FY) 1998 under the

Agricultural Telecommunications

Program (Program). Grants will be

awarded to eligible institutions to assist

in the development and utilization of an

agricultural communications network to

facilitate and to strengthen agricultural

extension, resident education and

research, and domestic and

international marketing of United States

commodities and products through a

partnership between eligible institutions

and the U.S. Department of Agriculture

(USDA). The network will employ

satellite and other telecommunications

technology to disseminate and to share

academic instruction, cooperative

extension programming, agricultural

research, and marketing information.

The authority for this Program is

contained in Section 1673 of the Food,

Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade

Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101–624 (7 U.S.C.

5926). This Program is administered by

the Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service

(CSREES) of USDA.

B. Available Funding

For FY 1998, $873,000 is available for

the Program. Grants under this Program

may provide funds for no more than 50

percent (50%) of the cost of a proposed

project, unless otherwise determined by

the Secretary in accordance with the

provisions of Sec. 1673(g) of Pub. L.

101–624 (7 U.S.C. 5926(g)). Project

funds will be awarded for one fiscal

year. Applicants may recompete for

additional funding, but projects will not

be renewed. Funds will be awarded for

no more than $50,000 for Capacity

Building projects. Funds will be

awarded for no more than $100,000 for

Program Delivery and Innovative

Program Development/Production

projects.

C. Matching Funds Requirement

A grant awarded under this Program

must be matched by the recipient with

equal funds from a non-Federal source

unless otherwise determined by the

Secretary in accordance with the

provisions of Sec. 1673(g) of Pub. L.

101–624 (7 U.S.C. 5926(g)). The

matching requirement must be satisfied

through allowable costs incurred by the

recipient or subrecipient and through

third party in-kind contributions.

D. Eligibility

Proposals are invited from accredited

institutions of higher education.

Applicants must demonstrate that they

participate in a network that distributes

programs consistent with the following

objectives: (1) make optimal use of

available resources for agricultural

extension, resident education, and

research by sharing resources between

participating institutions; (2) improve

the competitive position of United

States agriculture in international

markets by disseminating information to

producers, processors, and researchers;

(3) train students for careers in

agriculture and food industries; (4)

facilitate interaction among leading

agricultural scientists; (5) enhance the

ability of United States agriculture to

respond to environmental and food

safety concerns, and; (6) identify new

uses for farm commodities and to

increase the demand for United States

agricultural products in both domestic

and foreign markets.

Pursuant to Sec. 1673(e) of Pub. L.

101–624 (7 U.S.C. 5926(e)), preferential

consideration will be given to

applications that—(i) are submitted by

institutions affiliated with an

established agricultural

telecommunications network that

distributed programs to a wide

geographical area; or (ii) demonstrate

the need for such assistance, taking into

consideration the relative needs of all

applicants and the financial ability of

the applicants to otherwise secure or

create the telecommunications system.

These preferences will be factored

into the evaluation of the Partnerships

and Collaboration and Project Need

Criteria, respectively.
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 117 /Thursday, June 18, 1998 / Notices 33491

E. Definitions

For the purpose of awarding funding

under this Program, the following

definitions are applicable:

(1) Accredited institutions of higher

education means a college or university

which is an educational institution in

any State which: (a) admits as regular

students only persons having a

certificate of graduation from a school

providing secondary education, or the

recognized equivalent of such a

certificate; (b) is legally authorized

within such State to provide a program

of education beyond secondary

education; (c) provides an educational

program for which a baccalaureate

degree or any other higher degree is

awarded; (d) is a public or other

nonprofit institution; and (e) is

accredited by a nationally recognized

accrediting agency or association.

(2) Administrator means the

Administrator of the Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service (CSREES) and any other officer

or employee of the Department to whom

the authority involved may be

delegated.

(3) Agricultural telecommunications

means those activities established to

encourage development and utilization

of an agricultural communications

network employing satellite and other

telecommunications technologies to

disseminate and to share academic

instruction, cooperative extension

programming, agricultural research, and

marketing information.

(4) Authorized departmental officer

means the Secretary of the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) or

the individual acting within the scope

of delegated authority, who is

responsible for awarding and

administering grants on behalf of the

Secretary.

(5) Authorized organizational

representatives means the president or

chief executive officer of the applicant

organization or the official, designated

by the president or chief executive

officer of the applicant organization,

who has the authority to commit the

resources of the organization.

(6) Budget period means the interval

of time (usually 12 months) into which

the project period is divided for

budgetary and reporting purposes.

(7) Cash contributions means the

applicant’s cash outlay, including the

outlay of money contributed to the

applicant by non-Federal third parties.

(8) Communications network refers to

television or cable television origination

or distribution equipment, signal

conversion equipment (including both

modulators and demodulators),

computer hardware and software,

programs or terminals, or related

devices, used to process and exchange

data through a telecommunications

system in which signals are generated,

modified or prepared for transmission,

or received, via telecommunications

terminal equipment or via

telecommunications transmission.

(9) Delivery means the transmission

and reception of programs by facilities

that transmit, receive, or carry data

between telecommunications terminal

equipment at each end of a

telecommunications circuit or path.

(10) Department or USDA means the

United States Department of

Agriculture.

(11) Equipment means tangible

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.

(12) Facilities includes microwave

antennae, fiberoptic cables and

repeaters, coaxial cables,

communications satellite ground station

complexes, and copper cable electronic

equipment associated with

telecommunications transmission and

similar items subject to the approval of

the authorized departmental officer.

(13) Grant means the award by the

authorized departmental officer of funds

to an accredited institution of higher

education to assist in meeting the costs

of conducting, for the benefit of the

public, as identified project which is

intended and designed to accomplish

the purpose of the program as identified

in these guidelines.

(14) Grantee means the organization

designated in the grant award document

as the responsible legal entity to which

a grant is awarded.

(15) Matching means that portion of

allowable project costs not borne by the

Federal Government, including the

value of in-kind contributions.

(16) Peer Review Panel means a group

of experts qualified by training and

experience in particular fields to give

expert advice on the merit of grant

applications in such fields, who

evaluate eligible proposals submitted to

this program in their personal area(s) of

expertise.

(17) Prior approval means written

approval evidencing prior consent by an

authorized departmental officer as

defined in (4) above.

(18) Project means the particular

activity within the scope of the program

supported by a grant award.

(19) Project director means the single

individual designated by the grantee in

the grant application and approved by

the authorized departmental officer who

is responsible for the direction and

management of the project.

(20) Project period means the period,

as stated in the award document and

modifications thereto, if any, during

which Federal sponsorship begins and

ends.

(21) Satellite ground station complex

includes transmitters, receivers, and

communications antennae at the Earth

station site together with the

interconnecting terrestrial transmission

facilities (including cables, line, or

microwave facilities) and modulating

and demodulating equipment necessary

for processing traffic received from the

terrestrial distribution system prior to

transmission via satellite and the traffic

received from the satellite prior to

transfer to terrestrial distribution

systems.

Part II—Program Areas

A. Program Delivery and Innovative

Program Development/Production

1. Description

Applicants may submit a proposal in

the Program Delivery and Innovative

Program Development/Production area

requesting funding to: (1) operate an

agricultural communications network,

employing satellite and other

telecommunications technology, to

deliver Cooperative Extension

programming, academic instruction,

agricultural research and marketing

information through partnership(s)

between eligible institutions and the

Department; or, (2) develop distance

education programming. The project

goal(s) and objective(s) must be clearly

stated in the proposal. Proposals in this

area must clearly target a systematic

approach to building an infrastructure

to deliver programming at a distance or

must demonstrate an innovation to

developing distance education

programming.

Each proposal will be evaluated based

on three broad principles: (1) Is there a

real need for the project; (2) will the

strategy identified meet the need; and

(3) is the project sustainable?

Each proposal must document the

need for the project, based on literature

review, case studies, audience analysis

and/or needs assessment.

The project strategy should reflect an

integrated approach to instructional

design including subject-matter content,

educational methodology and

compatible production and delivery

techniques. The approach described

must meet the identified need.

Evidence must be given that the

project will be supported by the

institution or by other groups or
33492 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 117 /Thursday, June 18, 1998 / Notices

institutions that may wish to continue

the project.

2. Project Narrative

The narrative portion of the proposal

must describe how the project meets the

three broad principles identified above.

It must not exceed 20 pages in length

and no additional material or appendix

will be considered. The narrative should

contain the following sections:

(a) Project Need. Describe the

background and situation leading to the

need for the project. The project must be

based on a need articulated by an

audience or on a needs assessment.

Describe the targeted audience(s) for

whom the project will be designed

including pertinent history identified in

need, demographics, and expected

impact on audience. If appropriate,

describe the methodology and results of

the needs assessment. Demonstrate the

need for assistance under this Program,

including financial ability or inability to

otherwise pursue the proposed program.

(b) Strategy. (i) Partnerships and

Collaboration. Describe partnerships

and collaborations fostered through this

project including expected impact and

benefit to those involved such as

learner, institution, agency, state, and

nation. Partners are defined as all those

who will collaborate on the project.

Submit evidence that partnerships are

in place, and that those partners have a

substantial role and interest in the

project. Examples of role and interest

might include joint risk-taking and

shared benefits. Include information

about any current affiliations with

established agricultural

telecommunications networks that

distribute programs to a wide

geographical area.

(ii) Appropriate Distance Learning

Technologies. Describe appropriate

distance learning technologies

including, but not limited to, internet,

multimedia, audio/visual, and other

telecommunications technologies to be

developed or employed in this project.

(iii) Infrastructure. Describe a

framework representing both the

technological and human infrastructure

for this project including, but not

limited to, technical trouble-shooting,

scheduling and operation management,

and learner and program support.

Evidence of learner support includes,

but is not limited to, facilitation of

access, accommodation for diversity in

special needs and learning styles, and

recognition of need for alternative

modes of program design and delivery.

(iv) Innovation. Describe the

innovative application of distance

education/learning delivery identified

in the project. Examples of innovation

may include, but are not limited to,

approaches in reaching audiences,

methods of connectivity and/or

interaction, use of existing resources

with innovations in the teaching/

learning transaction, and

entrepreneurial approaches to distance

education delivery.

(v) Outreach Plan. Describe a plan for

informing others about positive and

negative outcomes, results, lessons

learned, innovative ideas, and research

findings from the project.

(vi) Evaluation Plan. Describe both

formative and summative design for

evaluating specific aspects of the

project. These designs may include

methods for evaluating the overall

effectiveness of the Program in terms of

teaching and learning, behavior change/

problem-solving, immediate

application, meeting learner needs, and/

or potential for replication.

(c) Sustainability. (i) Project

Sustainability. Include strong evidence

of the project’s ability to continue and

grow after receiving the funding.

Examples may include replication by

others; continued funding other than

from this Program, or opportunities for

sale of products; and/or use of ideas and

results of project by others.

(ii) Cost/Benefit. Include a cost-benefit

analysis of the proposed project,

including comparison to other delivery

methods, relative benefit to learner, and

staffing costs versus benefits.

B. Capacity Building

1. Description

Applicants submitting proposals in

the Capacity Building area should target

the development of capacity in the area

of distance education at the university,

state, regional, national or international

level. Proposals must include a detailed

plan for assessing capacity or a plan for

targeting need based on a completed

needs assessment.

Each proposal will be evaluated based

on three broad principles: (1) Is there a

real need for the project; (2) will the

strategy identified meet the need; and

(3) is the project sustainable?

Each proposal must document the

need for the project, based on literature

review, case studies, audience analysis

and needs assessment.

The project strategy should reflect an

integrated approach to instructional

design including subject-matter content,

educational methodology and

compatible production and delivery

techniques. The approach described

must meet the identified need.

Evidence must be given that the

project will be supported by the

institution or by other groups of

institutions that may wish to continue

the project.

2. Project Narrative

The narrative portion of the proposal

must describe how the project meets the

three broad principles identified above.

It must not exceed 20 pages in length

and no additional material or appendix

will be considered. The narrative should

contain the following sections:

(a) Project Need. Describe the

background and situation leading to the

need for the project. The project must be

based on a need articulated by an

audience or on a needs assessment.

Describe the targeted audience(s) for

whom the project will be designed

including pertinent history identified in

need, demographics, and expected

impact on the targeted audience(s). If

appropriate, describe the methodology

and results of the needs assessment.

Applicants should describe how the

capacity built will improve program

production or program delivery.

Demonstrate the need for assistance

under this Program, including financial

ability or inability to otherwise pursue

the proposed program.

(b) Strategy. (i) Capacity Assessment.

Include a detailed assessment of

capacity or a fully developed plan for

assessing capacity. Areas of

consideration include, but are not

limited to: faculty/staff development;

support resources; production/technical

capability; delivery capability; building

learner capacity.

(ii) Evaluation Plan. Describe both

formative and summative design for

evaluating specific aspects of the

project. These designs may include

methods for evaluating the overall

effectiveness of program in terms of

teaching and learning, behavior change/

problem-solving, immediate

application, meeting learner need, and/

or potential for replication.

(iii) Outreach Plan. Describe a plan

for informing others about positive and

negative outcomes, results, lessons

learned, innovative ideas, research

findings from the project.

(c) Sustainability. (i) Sustainability.

Include strong evidence of the project’s

ability to continue and grow after

receiving the funding. Examples may

include replication by others; continued

funding other than from this Program, or

opportunities for sale of products; and/

or use of ideas and results of project by

others.

(ii) Institutional Commitment. Discuss

institutional commitment to the project.

For example, substantiate that the

institution(s) attributes a priority to the

project; discuss how the project will

contribute to the achievement of the
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 117 /Thursday, June 18, 1998 / Notices 33493

institution’s(s’) long-term (five- to tenyear) goals; explain how the project will

help satisfy the institution’s(s’) high

priority objectives; or show how this

project is linked to and supported by the

institution’s(s’) strategic plan.

(iii) Partnerships and Collaboration.

Describe partnerships and

collaborations fostered through this

project including expected impact and

benefit to those involved such as the

learner, institution, agency, state, and

nation. Partners are defined as all those

who will collaborate on the project.

Submit evidence that partnerships are

in place, and that those partners have a

substantial role and interest in the

project. Examples of role and interest

might include joint risk taking and

shared benefits. Include information

about any current affiliations with

established agricultural

telecommunications networks that

distribute programs to a wide

geographical area.

Part III—Preparation of a Proposal

A. Program Application Materials

Copies of this solicitation and the

Application Submission Package, which

contains required forms, certifications,

and instructions for preparing and

submitting project applications, may be

obtained by contacting: Agricultural

Telecommunications Program, c/o

Proposal Services Unit, Office of

Extramural Programs, Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Stop 2245, 1400 Independence Avenue,

S.W., Washington, DC 20250–2245.

Telephone: (202) 401–5048.

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 stating that

you wish to receive a copy of the

application materials for the FY 1998

Agricultural Telecommunications

Program. The materials will then be

mailed to you (not e-mailed) as quickly

as possible.

B. Content of a Proposal

1. Cover Page. Complete the ‘‘Project

Application’’ form, Form CFR–2101, in

its entirety. a. One copy of the ‘‘Project

Application’’ form must contain the

pen-and-ink signatures of the project

director and authorized organizational

representative for the applicant

organization.

b. Note that by signing the ‘‘Project

Application’’ form the applicant is

providing the required certifications set

forth in 7 CFR Part 3017, as amended by

61 FR 250, January 4, 1996, regarding

Debarment and Suspension and DrugFree Workplace, and 7 CFR Part 3018,

regarding Lobbying. The certification

forms are included in the application

package for informational purposes

only. It is not necessary to submit the

forms to USDA.

2. Table of Contents. For ease in

locating information, each proposal

must contain a detailed table of contents

just after the proposal cover page. The

Table of Contents should include page

numbers for each component of the

proposal. Pagination should begin

immediately following the Table of

Contents.

3. Project Summary. The proposal

must contain a project summary of 200

words or less on a separate page. This

page must include the title of the project

and the names of the project director

and the applicant organization, followed

by the summary. The summary should

be self-contained, and should describe

the situation, targeted audience,

purpose of the project, program goal,

methodology, and expected outcomes of

the project.

4. Program Areas. Each proposal must

identify the area under which funds are

requested and contain the required

information for that area. Note that the

project narrative should be limited to 20

pages in length.

5. Staffing Pattern and Procedure.

Each proposal must describe the staff

needed for project administration,

instructional design/curriculum

development, production, evaluation,

and marketing/promotion. The narrative

should demonstrate that the staffing and

implementation procedure will result in

an integrated approach involving

content specialists, instructional

designers, and quality production

resources, and that the individual staff

members proposed are qualified to

perform these roles. The emphasis of the

narrative should be placed on the

relationship of the staff expertise to the

proposed effort.

6. 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 identified clearly. For each project

director 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:

(a) An estimate of the time

commitments necessary;

(b) A curriculum vitae limited to the

presentation of academic, research and

extension credentials, e.g., educational,

employment and professional history,

and honors and awards, with emphasis

on their relationship to the effort being

proposed. Unless pertinent to the

project, to personal status, or 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. The

vitae shall be no more than two pages

in length, excluding the publication

list(s); and

(c) Publication List(s). A

chronological list of the most

representative publications during the

past five years as it relates to the

proposed effort, including those in

press, must be provided for each

professional project member for whom a

curriculum vitae is provided. Authors

should be listed in the same order as

they appear on each paper cited, along

with the title and complete reference as

these items usually appear in journals.

7. A. Budget. A detailed budget is

required for each year of funding

requested. In addition, a summary

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 this

solicitation, and can be justified as

necessary for the successful conduct of

the proposed project.

The following guidelines should be

used in developing your 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 Professionals and Other

Personnel and the number of full-time

equivalents (FTE) must be shown in the

spaces provided. Grant funds may not

be used to augment the total salary or

rate of salary of project personnel or to

reimburse them for time in addition to

a regular full-time salary covering the

same general period of employment.

Salary funds requested must be

consistent with the normal policies of

the institution and with OMB Circular

No. A–21, Cost Principles for

Educational Institutions. Administrative

and Clerical salaries are normally

classified as indirect costs. However, if

requested under A., they must be fully

justified.

(b) Fringe Benefits. Funds may be

requested for fringe benefit costs if the

usual accounting practices of the
33494 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 117 /Thursday, June 18, 1998 / Notices

institution provide that institutional

contributions to employee benefits

(social security, retirement, etc.) be

treated as direct costs. Fringe benefit

costs may be included only for those

personnel whose salaries are charged as

a direct cost to the project. See OMB

Circular No. A–21, Cost Principles for

Educational Institutions, for further

guidance in this area.

(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. As such, items of necessary

instrumentation or other nonexpendable

equipment should be listed individually

by description and estimated cost. This

applies to revised budgets, as the

equipment item(s) and amount(s) may

change. Each applicant also must attach

to its budget an analysis of the costs and

benefits of purchasing (or leasing)

different types of facilities, equipment,

components, hardware and software,

and other items.

In addition, pursuant to Section

716(b) of Pub. L. 105–86 (the

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food

and Drug Administration, and Related

Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998), in

the case of any equipment or product

that may be authorized to be purchased

with funds provided under this

program, entities receiving such funds

are encouraged to use such funds to

purchase only American-made

equipment or products.

Note: Sec. 1673(g)(2) of Pub. L. 101–624

identifies that not more than 10% of the

funds appropriated for this program may be

applied to the acquisition and installation of

nonexpendable equipment.

(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.

(e) Travel. The type and extent of

travel and its relationship to project

objectives should be described briefly

and justified.

(f) Publication Costs/Page Charges.

Anticipated costs of preparing and

publishing results of the project 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 on a separate sheet of paper

attached to the budget. This applies to

revised budgets, as the item(s) and

dollar amount(s) may change. Examples

may include space rental at remote

locations, subcontractual costs, and

charges for consulting services.

Applicants are encouraged to consult

the ‘‘Instructions for Completing the

Agricultural Telecommunications

Program Budget,’’ for detailed guidance

relating to this budget category.

(i) Indirect Costs. If requested, the

current rate negotiated with the

cognizant Federal negotiating agency

should be used. Indirect costs may not

exceed the negotiated rate. If no rate has

been negotiated, a reasonable dollar

amount in lieu of indirect costs may be

requested, which will be subject to

approval by USDA.

B. Matching funds. (1) Proposals must

include written verification of

commitments of matching support

(including both cash and in-kind

contributions) from third parties.

Written verification means:

(a) For any third party cash

contributions, a separate pledge

agreement for each donation, signed by

the authorized organizational

representatives of the donor

organization and the applicant

organization, which must include: (1)

the name, address, and telephone

number of the donor; (2) the name of the

applicant organization; (3) the title of

the project for which the donation is

made; (4) the dollar amount of the cash

donation; and (5) a statement that the

donor will pay the cash contribution

during the project period; and

(b) For any third party in-kind

contributions, a separate pledge

agreement for each contribution, signed

by the authorized organizational

representatives of the donor

organization and the applicant

organization, which must include: (1)

the name, address, and telephone

number of the donor; (2) the name of the

applicant organization; (3) the title of

the project for which the donation is

made; (4) a good faith estimate of the

current fair market value of the in-kind

contribution; and (5) a statement that

the donor will make the contribution

during the grant period.

(2) The sources and amount of all

matching support from outside the

applicant institution should be

summarized on a separate page and

placed in the proposal immediately

following the budget form and any

attachment thereto. All pledge

agreements must be placed in the

proposal immediately following the

summary of matching support.

(3) Applicants should refer to OMB

Circulars A–110, ‘‘Uniform

Administrative Requirements for Grants

and Agreements With Institutions of

Higher Education, Hospitals and Other

Non-Profit Organizations,’’ and A–122,

‘‘Cost Principles for Non-Profit

Organizations,’’ for further guidance and

other requirements relating to matching

and allowable costs.

8. Current and Pending Support. All

proposals must list any other current

public or private support (including inhouse 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. 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 the 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.

9. Compliance with the National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As

outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (the

CSREES regulations implementing

NEPA), the environmental data or

documentation for any proposed project

is to be provided to CSREES in order to

assist CSREES in carrying out its

responsibilities under NEPA. In some

cases, however, the preparation of

environmental data may not be

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 (e.g., preparation

of an environmental assessment (EA) or

environmental impact statement (EIS)),

pertinent information regarding the

possible environmental impacts of a

proposed project is necessary; therefore,

the National Environmental Policy Act

Exclusions Form (Form CSREES–1234)

provided must be included in the

proposal indicating whether the

applicant is of the opinion that the

project falls within one or more of the

categorical exclusions. Form CSREES–
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 117 /Thursday, June 18, 1998 / Notices 33495

1234 should be included at the end of

the proposal. Even though a project may

fall within the categorical exclusions,

CSREES may determine that an EA or an

EIS is necessary for an activity, if

substantial controversy on

environmental grounds exists or if other

extraordinary conditions or

circumstances are present which may

cause such activity to have a significant

environmental effects.

Part IV—Submission of a Proposal

A. What To Submit

An original and eight copies of the

proposal must be submitted. Each copy

of each proposal 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 on or

before (60 days from date of

publication).

Proposals sent by First Class mail

must be sent to the following address:

Agricultural Telecommunications

Program, c/o Proposal Services Unit,

Office of Extramural Programs,

Cooperative State Research, Education,

and Extension Service, U.S. Department

of Agriculture, STOP 2245, 1400

Independence Avenue, S.W.,

Washington, D.C. 20250–2245,

Telephone: (202) 401–5048.

Proposals that are delivered by

Express mail, courier service, or by

hand must be submitted to the following

address (Note that the zip code differs

from that shown above): Agricultural

Telecommunications Program, c/o

Proposal Services Unit, Office of

extramural Programs, Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Room 303, Aerospace Center, 901 D

Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024,

Telephone: (202) 401–5048.

Part V—Selection Process and

Evaluation Criteria

A. Selection Process

1. All proposals will be

acknowledged.

2. 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

solicitation. Proposals that meet these

requirements will be technically

evaluated by a peer review panel using

the criteria identified in the annual

solicitation, as appropriate. Each

proposal will be judged on its own

merits.

3. Final decisions will be made by

USDA based upon the individual views

of the panel members and consideration

of other factors, including the budget

limitation.

B. Evaluation Criteria

The maximum score a proposal can

receive is 100 points. The peer review

panel will be selected and organized to

provide maximum expertise and

objective judgment in the evaluation of

proposals. In the event the number of

proposals accepted exceed dollars

available, proposals will be ranked and

support levels will be recommended by

the panel(s) within the limitation of

total funding available in FY 1998. The

projects will be judged based on the

following criteria.

1. Program Delivery and Innovative

Program Development/Production

(a) Project Need—40 points.

Did the proposal describe the

background and situation leading to the

need for the project? Is the project based

on a need articulated by an audience, or

on a needs assessment? Are the targeted

audience(s) for whom the project will be

designed described, including pertinent

history identified in need,

demographics, and expected impact on

audience? If appropriate, are

methodology and results of needs

assessment described? Did the proposal

demonstrate the need for assistance

under this Program, including a

statement of financial ability or inability

to otherwise pursue the proposed

program and the impact of participation

in this Program on this ability?

(b) Strategy—40 points. (1)

Partnerships and Collaboration. Are

partnerships and collaborations fostered

through this project described,

including expected impact and benefit

to those involved such as learner,

institution, agency, state, and nation? Is

there evidence that partnerships are in

place, and that those partners have a

substantial role and interest in the

project and are examples of role and

interest given, including joint risk

taking and shared benefits? Is evidence

provided of any current affiliations with

established agricultural

telecommunications networks that

distribute programs to a wide

geographical area?

(ii) Alternative Distance Learning

Technologies. Does the proposal include

a plan for the development and

employment of alternative distance

learning technologies including, but not

limited to, internet, multimedia, audio/

visual, and other telecommunications

technologies?

(iii) Infrastructure. Does the proposal

include a framework representing both

the technological and human

infrastructure including, but not limited

to, technical trouble-shooting,

scheduling and operation management,

and learner and program support? Is

there evidence of learner support

including, but not limited to, facilitation

of access, accommodation for diversity

in special needs and learning styles, and

recognition of need for alternative

modes of program design and delivery?

(iv) Innovation. Does the proposal

describe how the application of distance

education/learning delivery identified

in the project is innovative? Are

examples provided that may include,

but are not limited to, approaches in

reaching audiences; methods of

connectivity and/or interaction; use of

existing resources with innovations in

the teaching/learning transaction;

entrepreneurial approaches to distance

education delivery.

(v) Outreach Plan. Is there an

outreach plan articulating an approach

for informing others about positive and

negative outcomes, results, lessons

learned, innovative ideas, and findings

from the project?

(vi) Evaluation Plan. Are both

formative and summative design for

evaluating specific aspects of the project

described? Do they include evaluating

the overall effectiveness of program in

terms of teaching and learning, behavior

change/problem-solving, immediate

application, meeting learner needs, and/

or potential for replication?

(c) Sustainability—20 points. (i)

Project Sustainability. Does the proposal

present strong evidence of the project’s

ability to continue and grow after

receiving the funding? Does this

evidence include replication by others;

continued funding other than from this

program, or opportunities for sale of

products; and/or use of ideas and results

of project by others?

(ii) Cost/Benefit. Does the proposal

include a cost-benefit analysis of the

proposed project, including comparison

to other delivery methods, relative

benefit to learner, and staffing costs

versus benefits?

2. Capacity Building

(a) Project Need—20 points. Did the

proposal describe the background and

situation leading to the need for the

project? Is the project based on a need

articulated by an audience, or on a

needs assessment? Are the targeted

audience(s) for whom the project will be

designed described, including pertinent

history identified in terms of need,

demographics, and expected impact on

an audience? If appropriate, are the
33496 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 117 /Thursday, June 18, 1998 / Notices

methodology and results of needs

assessment described? Did the applicant

describe how the capacity built will

improve program production or program

delivery? Did the proposal demonstrate

the need for assistance under this

Program, including a statement of

financial ability or inability to otherwise

pursue the proposed program and the

impact of participation in this Program

on this ability?

(b) Strategy—30 points. (i) Capacity

Assessment. Is a detailed assessment of

capacity or a fully developed plan for

assessing capacity included? Does the

assessment include faculty/staff

development; support resources;

production/technical capability;

delivery capability; building learner

capacity?

(ii) Evaluation Plan. Are both

formative and cummative design for

evaluating specific aspects of the project

described? Do they include evaluating

the overall effectiveness of the Program

in terms of teaching and learning,

behavior change/problem-solving,

immediate application, meeting learner

needs, and/or potential for replication?

(iii) Outreach. Does the outreach plan

articulate an approach for informing

others about positive and negative

outcomes, results, lessons learned,

innovative ideas, and findings from the

project?

(c) Sustainability—50 points. (i)

Sustainability. Does the proposal

present strong evidence of the project’s

ability to continue and grow after

receiving the funding? Does this

evidence include replication by others;

continued funding other than from this

Program, or opportunities for sale of

products; and/or use of ideas and results

of project by others?

(ii) Institutional Commitment. Does

the proposal discuss the institutional

commitment to the project? Does the

proposal substantiate that the

institution(s) attributes a priority to the

project; discuss how the project will

contribute to the achievement of the

institution’s(s’) long-term (five- to tenyear) goals; explain how the project will

help satisfy the institution’s(s’) high

priority objectives; or show how this

project is linked to and supported by the

institution’s(s’) strategic plan?

(iii) Partnerships and Collaboration.

Are partnerships and collaborations

fostered through this project described,

including expected impact and benefit

to those involved such as learner,

institution, agency, state, and nation? Is

there evidence that partnerships are in

place, and that those partners have a

substantial role and interest in the

project? Are examples of role and

interest given including joint risk taking

and shared benefits? Is evidence

provided of any current affiliations with

established agricultural

telecommunications networks that

distribute programs to a wide

geographical area?

Part VI—Supplementary Information

A. Access to Peer Review Information

Information regarding the peer review

process will be made available to the

extent permitted under the Freedom of

Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), the

Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), and

implementing Departmental and other

Federal regulations. Implementing

Departmental regulations are found at 7

CFR Part 1.

B. Grant Awards

1. General

Within the limit of funds available for

such purpose, the awarding official of

CSREES shall make grants to those

responsible, eligible applicants whose

proposals are judged most meritorious

in the announced program area and

under the procedures set forth in this

solicitation. The date specified by the

Administrator as the effective date of

the grant shall be no later than

September 30 of the Federal fiscal year

in which the project is approved for

support and funds are appropriated for

such purpose, unless otherwise

permitted by law. It should be noted

that the project need not be initiated on

the grant effective date, but as soon

thereafter as practicable so that project

goals may be attained within the funded

project period. All funds granted by

CSREES under this solicitation shall be

expended solely for the purpose for

which the funds are granted in

accordance with the approved

application and budget, the terms and

conditions of the award, the applicable

Federal cost principles, and the

Department’s assistance regulations

(Parts 3015, 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

(a) The grant award document shall

include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) Legal name and address of

performing organization.

(2) Title of project.

(3) Name(s) and address(es) of Project

Director(s).

(4) Identifying grant number assigned

by the Department.

(5) Project period, which specifies

how long the Department intends to

support the effort.

(6) Total amount of Departmental

financial assistance approved during the

project period.

(7) Legal authority under which the

grant is awarded.

(8) Approved budget plan for

categorizing project funds to accomplish

the stated purpose of the grant award.

(9) Other information or provisions

deemed necessary by the Department to

carry out its granting activities or to

accomplish the purpose of a particular

grant.

(b) The notice of grant award, in the

form of a letter, will provide pertinent

instructions and information to the

grantee which are not included in the

grant award document described above.

C. Use of Funds; Changes

1. Delegation of fiscal responsibility.

The grantee may not in whole or in part

delegate or transfer to another person,

institution, or organization the

responsibility for use or expenditure of

grant funds.

2. Change in project plans. (a) The

permissible changes by the grantee,

project director(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 project

director(s) are uncertain as to whether a

change complies with this provision,

the question must be referred to the

Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO)

for a final determination.

(b) Changes in approved goals, or

objectives, shall be requested by the

grantee 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

grantee and approved in writing by the

ADO prior to effecting such changes.

(d) Transfers of actual performance of

the substantive programmatic work in
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 117 /Thursday, June 18, 1998 / Notices 33497

whole or in part and provisions for

payment of funds, whether or not

Federal funds are involved, shall be

requested by the grantee and approved

in writing by the ADO prior to effecting

such transfers.

3. Changes in project period. 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. Any extension of time

shall be conditioned upon prior request

by the grantee and approval in writing

by the ADO, unless prescribed

otherwise in the terms and conditions of

a grant.

4. Changes in approved budget.

Changes in an approved budget must be

requested by the grantee and approved

in writing by the ADO prior to

instituting such changes if the revision

will result in a need or claim for the

award of additional funds or involve

transfers or expenditures of amounts

requiring prior approval as set forth in

the applicable Federal cost principles,

Departmental regulations, or in the grant

award.

D. Other Federal Statutes and

Regulations that Apply

Several other Federal statutes and/or

regulations apply to grant proposals

considered for review and to project

grants awarded under this part. These

include but are not limited to:

7 CFR Part 1—USDA implementation

of the Freedom of Information Act.

7 CFR Part 3, as amended by 62 FR

40924 and 60451—USDA

implementation of OMB Circular A–

129, regarding debt collection.

7 CFR Part 15, subpart A—USDA

implementation of Title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

7 CFR Part 3015, as amended by 62

FR 45947—USDA Uniform Federal

Assistance Regulations, implementing

OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A–

21, and A–22) and incorporating

provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6301–6308

(formerly the Federal Grant and

Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977,

Pub. L. 95–224), as well as general

policy requirements applicable to

recipients of Departmental financial

assistance.

7 CFR Part 3017, as amended by 61

FR 250, January 4, 1996—USDA

implementation of Governmentwide

Debarment and Suspension

(Nonprocurement) and

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, as amended by 62

FR 45934—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 Nonprofit

Institutions.

7 CFR 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).

E. Other Conditions

The Department may, with respect to

any grant, impose additional conditions

prior to or at the time of any award

when, in the Department’s judgment,

such conditions are necessary to assure

or protect advancement of the approved

project, the interests of the public, or the

conservation of grant funds.

Done at Washington, D.C., on this 11th day

of June, 1998.

Colien Hefferan,

Acting Administrator, Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service.

[FR Doc. 98–16155 Filed 6–17–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–22–M