18424 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 76 / Wednesday, April 22, 2009 / Notices 

54See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56375 

(September 7, 2007), 72 FR 52403, 52411 

(September 13, 2007). 

55 Id. 

56 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6). 

57 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 

58 15 U.S.C. 78o–3(b)(6). 

59 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 

60 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 

61 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 

when they are asked about exchanges at 

other broker-dealers. 

Finally, given the rule’s operational 

impact, we believe that it is appropriate 

for its effective date to be delayed by 

240 days following publication of the 

Regulatory Notice announcing 

Commission approval. This should 

provide sufficient time for brokerdealers and any other affected parties to 

make necessary changes to their systems 

and procedures without undue further 

delay of the rule’s implementation. 

In approving Rule 2821, the 

Commission took note of the numerous 

examinations of, and enforcement 

actions against, broker-dealers involving 

the sale of variable annuity products.54

We understood that many FINRA 

enforcement actions against brokerdealers involved unsuitable 

recommendations of variable annuities 

and noted that the rule was designed to 

curb these sales practice abuses.55 Rule 

2821 has been subject to a thorough 

notice and comment process, and these 

amendments to the rule respond 

directly to comments and questions 

raised by commenters. For that reason, 

we believe that it is appropriate to 

finalize the rule in order to provide 

broker-dealers and others affected by it 

with the clarity needed to make 

operational and systems changes 

required to implement the rule and 

achieve the investor protections for 

which it is designed. Accordingly, based 

on the foregoing reasons, the 

Commission believes that good cause 

exists, consistent with Sections 

15A(b)(6) 56 and 19(b)(2) 57 of the 

Exchange Act, to approve the proposed 

rule change. 

The Commission also finds good 

cause for approving the proposed rule 

change as modified by Amendment Nos. 

1 and 2 prior to the thirtieth day after 

the date of publication of notice in the 

Federal Register. Amendment No. 1 

originally indicated that funds had to 

remain in a segregated bank account 

until such time as the insurance 

company is notified of the brokerdealer’s approval or rejection of the 

application. Under the rule as amended 

by Amendment No. 1, there could be 

delays between the time when a 

principal approves an application and 

the time when an insurer receives the 

approved application (e.g., when a 

broker-dealer conveys principal 

approval to an insurer electronically but 

sends an approved application via 

regular mail), thereby creating a 

situation where the funds in a suspense 

account are released before the 

insurance company has received the 

application necessary to issue the 

contract. Therefore, Amendment No. 2 

clarifies that the insurance company 

must receive both a notification of 

approval and the application before 

funds can be released from the suspense 

account. Because these amendments do 

not significantly alter the proposed rule, 

which was subject to a full notice and 

comment period, the Commission finds 

that it is in the public interest to 

approve the proposed rule change, as 

modified by Amendment Nos. 1 and 2, 

as soon as possible to expedite their 

implementation. Accordingly, the 

Commission finds that there is good 

cause, consistent with and in 

furtherance of the objectives of Sections 

15A(b)(6) 58 and 19(b)(2) 59 of the 

Exchange Act, to approve Amendment 

Nos. 1 and 2 on an accelerated basis. 

VI. Conclusion 

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to 

Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act,60

that the proposed rule change (SR– 

FINRA–2008–019), as modified by 

Amendment Nos. 1 and 2, be and 

hereby is, approved on an accelerated 

basis. 

For the Commission, by the Division of 

Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated 

authority.61

Florence E. Harmon, 

Deputy Secretary. 

[FR Doc. E9–9159 Filed 4–21–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8010–01–P 

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION 

[Docket No. SSA–2009–0024] 

Financial Literacy Research 

Consortium Request for Applications 

(RFA); Program Announcement No. 

SSA–ORP–09–1 

AGENCY: Social Security Administration. 

ACTION: Notice and request for 

applications. 

SUMMARY: Social Security benefits are a 

key foundation in providing income 

security for millions of Americans. 

However, they are intended to 

complement other sources of income 

wherever feasible, such as pensions, taxdeferred retirement savings accounts, or 

personal savings. The current economic 

climate means that many Americans are 

now in danger of having insufficient 

savings for retirement and other life 

events. This situation occurs at a time 

when workers also need to take 

increasing responsibility for their 

savings decisions as many employers 

are moving from defined benefit to 

defined contribution plans. 

As described in the new SSA Agency 

Strategic Plan, we believe we have a 

special responsibility to help Americans 

of all working ages to understand the 

role of Social Security benefits and the 

need for Americans to save as they plan 

for retirement and other life events. 

More fundamentally, we also need to 

educate the public about the role of 

Social Security as one of the 

foundations of household income in the 

event of retirement, disability, or death. 

This includes a focus on key decisions 

such as when to stop working and when 

to take retirement benefits. 

The Financial Literacy Research 

Consortium (FLRC) will be an 

innovative, non-partisan 

multidisciplinary research and 

development (R&D) initiative to develop 

products to better inform the public 

about key financial literacy topics 

related to retirement savings and 

planning. We are interested in 

developing products—such as Internet 

tools as well as print materials—that 

help foster retirement and other savings 

strategies at all stages of the life cycle. 

Products may be tailored to new 

entrants to the workforce, mid-career 

workers, those approaching retirement, 

and those in retirement who must 

successfully manage retirement assets. 

In addition, as part of the FLRC, we are 

seeking some (but not exclusive) focus 

on educational products to help low and 

moderate income populations 

successfully plan and save for 

retirement and other life events, as well 

as products that improve understanding 

of Social Security’s programs. We are 

also interested in potentially evaluating 

optimal distributional channels for 

some or many of these products. 

Due to our existing relationship with 

the public, we are uniquely positioned 

to encourage saving. We have over 1,300 

field offices across the country, a Web 

site that received over 88 million visits 

in 2008, a Social Security Statement that 

is sent to approximately 150 million 

workers every year and professional 

public affairs staff around the country. 

We may distribute FLRC products (or 

revised products) to better inform the 

public about retirement savings topics. 

In addition, the FLRC will make 

available to the public products 

developed by the FLRC that may be of 


dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 76 / Wednesday, April 22, 2009 / Notices 18425 

value to the broader savings and 

retirement planning community. 

We are announcing the solicitation of 

applications for a cooperative agreement 

to compete for a Financial Literacy 

Research Consortium to help inform the 

public about financial literacy and 

savings. Section 1110 of the Act, 42 

U.S.C. 1310. In the first year, the 

Consortium will be composed of no 

more than two research centers. The 

centers will have a combined annual 

budget of approximately $5.0 million. 

We expect to fund the centers for a 

period of 5 years, contingent on an 

annual review process and continued 

availability of funds. 

DATES: The opening date of this 

announcement is the date of 

publication. The closing date for receipt 

of cooperative agreement applications 

under this announcement is June 6, 

2009. 

Notice/Letter of Intent: Prospective 

applicants are asked to submit, 

preferably with an e-mail attachment, 

within 30 days of publication of this 

RFA, an e-mail, fax, postcard or letter of 

intent that includes (1) the program 

announcement number (SSA–ORP–09– 

1) and title (Financial Literacy Research 

Consortium); (2) the name of the agency 

or organization that is applying and (3) 

the name, mailing address, e-mail 

address, telephone number and fax 

number for the organization’s contact 

person. The notice of intent is not 

required, is not binding, and does not 

enter into the review process of a 

subsequent application. 

The purpose of the notice of intent is 

to allow our staff to estimate the number 

of independent reviewers needed and to 

avoid potential conflicts of interest in 

the review. The notice of intent should 

be faxed to (202) 358–6355 or mailed to 

Social Security Administration, Office 

of Retirement Policy, 500 E St., SW., 

Washington, DC 20254. Attn: David 

Rogofsky. 

ADDRESSES: We require that applicants 

submit an electronic application 

through www.grants.gov for Funding 

Opportunity Number SSA–ORP–09–1. 

The www.grants.gov ‘‘Get Registered’’ 

Web page is available to help explain 

the registration and application 

submission process. In addition, new 

Federal grant applicants may find the 

Grants.gov ‘‘Registration Brochure’’ on 

the above noted Web site to be helpful. 

Also, as questions come in from this 

RFA, we will be posting a Word 

attachment FAQ on the Office of 

Retirement Policy Web site (http:// 

www.ssa.gov/retirementpolicy). 

Questions can be submitted to 

flrc@ssa.gov and answers will be posted 

on the Web site as they become 

available. Therefore, all potential 

applicants should continue to monitor 

the Office of Retirement Policy Web site 

frequently in order to ensure that they 

have the latest updates of FAQs. 

If you experience problems with the 

steps related to registering to do 

business with the Federal government 

or application submission, your first 

point of contact is the Grants.gov 

support staff at support@grants.gov, 1– 

800–518–4726. If your difficulties are 

not resolved, you may also contact the 

SSA Grants Management Team for 

assistance: Audrey Adams, (410) 965– 

9469; Mary Biddle, (410) 965–9503; Ann 

Dwayer, (410) 965–9534; Phyllis Y. 

Smith (410) 965–9518. If extenuating 

circumstances prevent you from 

submitting an application through 

www.grants.gov, please contact the SSA 

Grants Management Team for possible 

prior approval to download, complete, 

and submit an application by mail. 

Should we grant such approval, the 

downloadable application package will 

be available at http://www.ssa.gov/oag. 

Please fax inquiries regarding the 

application process to the Grants 

Management Team at (410) 966–9310 or 

mail to: Social Security Administration, 

Office of Acquisition and Grants, Grants 

Management Team, Attention: SSA– 

ORP–09–1, 1st Floor, Rear Entrance, 

7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 

21244. To ensure receipt of the proper 

application package, please include 

program announcement number SSA– 

ORP–09–1 and the date of this 

announcement. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

nonprogrammatic information regarding 

the announcement or application 

package, contact: SSA, Office of 

Acquisition and Grants, Grants 

Management Team, 7111 Security Blvd., 

1st Floor Rear Entrance, Baltimore, MD 

21244. Contact persons are: Audrey 

Adams, Grants Management Officer, 

telephone (410) 965–9469, Mary Biddle, 

(410) 965–9503; Ann Dwayer, (410) 

965–9534; Phyllis Y. Smith, (410) 965– 

9518. The fax number is (410) 966– 

9310. 

For information on the program 

content of the announcement/ 

application, please submit a question to 

the mailbox flrc@ssa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents 

I. Funding Opportunity Description 

A. Purpose 

B. The Role of the Center(s) 

1. Key Product Research Questions 

2. Product Development and Testing 

3. Dissemination of Products and Findings 

4. Tasks 

C. Responsibilities 

1. Responsibilities 

2. SSA Responsibilities 

II. Award Information 

A. Type of Award 

B. Availability and Duration of Funding 

C. Letter of Intent 

III. Eligibility Information 

A. Eligible Applicants 

B. Cost Sharing or Matching 

C. Policies Regarding Potential Conflict of 

Interest in WIPA Service Delivery 

D. Other 

IV. Application and Submission Information 

A. Overview 

B. Availability of Application Forms 

C. Content and Organization of Technical 

Application 

D. Components of a Complete Application 

E. Guidelines for Application Submission 

F. Submission Date and Times 

G. Intergovernmental Review 

H. Funding Restrictions 

I. Other Submission Requirements 

V. Application Review Information 

A. Review Process and Funding 

B. Selection Process and Evaluation 

Criteria 

VI. Award Administration Information 

A. Notification 

B. Award Notices 

C. Administration and National Policy 

Requirements 

D. Reporting 

VII. Agency Contacts 

VIII. Other 

I. Funding Opportunity Description 

A. Purpose 

We are announcing the solicitation of 

applications for a cooperative agreement 

to compete for a Financial Literacy 

Research Consortium (FLRC). Section 

1110 of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 1310. We seek 

applications in support of the FLRC that 

will serve as a national resource 

fostering innovative R&D on how to 

encourage savings through greater 

financial literacy, being cognizant that 

Social Security income is a fundamental 

source of retirement savings for many, 

and thus a cornerstone of our 

involvement. 

The FLRC may consist of up to two 

research centers. The Consortium’s 

purpose is to benefit the public through 

the following: 

(1) Research, development and 

evaluation. We expect the FLRC to plan, 

initiate, and maintain a multidisciplinary R&D program of high 

quality. This R&D will result primarily 

in educational products that encourage 

savings and effective retirement 

planning, including planning for the key 

decisions around retirement timing and 

benefit receipt. It may also result in 

research-based recommendations on the 

architecture or structure of programs or 

mechanisms that encourage use of 

public and private sector savings plans. 


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(2) Dissemination. The FLRC will 

disseminate research findings and 

product prototypes through center Web 

sites and other media to inform the 

public as well as the broader retirement 

savings community including 

practitioners, policymakers and the 

public. 

(3) SSA’s Rights in Data. The Federal 

Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 

incorporates into the cooperative 

agreement the Government’s rights in 

data. 48 CFR 52.227–14. Under this 

cooperative agreement, references to the 

‘‘contract’’ in the FAR must refer to this 

cooperative agreement, and references 

to the ‘‘Contractor’’ in the FAR must 

refer to the agency’s FLRC cooperative 

agreement partner(s). 

The provision provides, among other 

things, that the agency will have 

unlimited rights in data first produced 

in performance of the cooperative 

agreement, which means that we will 

have the right, as to this data, to use, 

disclose, reproduce, prepare derivative 

works, distribute copies to the public, 

and display it publicly, in any manner 

and for any purpose. 48 CFR 52.227– 

14(1). In addition, the agency can permit 

others to have the same rights just 

described. 

Under FAR, the agency’s FLRC 

cooperative agreement partner(s) will 

have the right to release to others, 

reproduce, distribute, or publish any 

data first produced or specifically used 

by the agency’s FLRC cooperative 

agreement partner(s) in performance of 

this cooperative agreement, unless 

provided otherwise under this 

regulation. 48 CFR 52.227–14(b)(2)(i). 

Please refer to the FAR for a complete 

description of the parties’ rights in data. 

B. The Role of the Center(s)—The 

Center(s) Will Address the Following 

Key Research Questions Through Their 

R&D Initiatives 

1. Key Product Research Questions 

(a) How to encourage retirement 

savings for new labor force entrants in 

employer-sponsored retirement plans, 

individual retirement plans, or other 

savings vehicles. Time is a critical 

variable in amassing retirement savings 

and consequently, workers’ initial 

savings decisions upon entering the 

labor force can have lasting effects. We 

seek R&D on products that can help 

young workers make effective savings 

decisions at an age when income 

adequacy in retirement may appear to 

be a distant concern. Work in this area 

includes identifying sound savings 

principles and effective social 

marketing/media strategies for those 

entering the labor force. 

A potential near term future 

publication on this might be a 

‘‘Welcome to the Workforce Guide’’ 

provided to every new wage-earner. 

Work in this area might also include 

research-based recommendations on 

how we can clearly communicate issues 

regarding future solvency to accurately 

and effectively convey that Social 

Security benefits will remain an 

important component of the retirement 

savings strategies of many individuals. 

(b) How to encourage the protection of 

retirement resources for mid-career 

individuals (e.g., limiting lump-sum 

distributions from employer plans upon 

job changes, responsible use of loan 

provisions within employer-provided 

plans, limiting overall debt levels). 

Workers who have maintained adequate 

savings throughout the first half of their 

careers must take care to ensure these 

retirement assets are protected and 

continue to grow until retirement. In 

addition, workers who have not 

maintained adequate savings may still 

have time to make corrections. We are 

interested in R&D on educational 

products that help ensure against the 

diminishment or loss of these critical 

retirement resources. Work in this area 

includes: considerations of asset 

management and work strategies that 

can affect savings, pensions, and Social 

Security benefits. 

(c) How to encourage work and 

retirement decisions for near-retirees 

that ensure adequate retirement income. 

Workers’ retirement decisions can 

substantially affect their well-being later 

in life, regardless of their previous 

savings behavior. We are interested in 

R&D on effective retirement planning 

educational products for this group. 

Work in this area includes: Effects (both 

separately and together) of starting 

Social Security benefits at different ages; 

pension distribution options; and 

private asset management. 

(d) How to encourage effective 

resource management for current 

retirees in order to prevent hardship late 

in life. Financial literacy encompasses 

not only the accumulation phase of 

asset management, but also the 

decumulation phase. We are interested 

in R&D on appropriate educational 

resource management products to help 

retirees maintain adequate income 

throughout retirement. Examples of this 

includes: Managing private savings, 

pensions, and other assets during 

retirement (either in isolation or as a 

whole), such as annuitization options. 

(e) How to encourage and design 

effective retirement savings strategies 

for the low- and moderate-income 

populations (young and mid-career). 

Conventional savings strategies are often 

inappropriate for the low-income 

population. We are interested in R&D on 

effective educational products for 

helping these individuals save for 

retirement. Work in this area includes: 

Developing plan designs for savings 

needs that are not met by restricted use 

vehicles (e.g., IRAs) and developing 

plan designs and communicating about 

investment strategies for low-income 

persons who are more likely to have 

immediate and unforeseen financial 

needs; communicating about 

opportunities for saving for recipients of 

means-tested public assistance 

programs; developing educational 

products appropriate for persons with 

limited access to workplace savings 

vehicles and mainstream financial 

institutions. 

(f) Additionally, the FLRC may 

involve financial literacy research 

related to specific programs or features 

of programs relevant to the agency. We 

are interested in R&D that relates to 

Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) 

and Supplemental Security Income 

(SSI) recipients. Potential future 

products in these areas might include a 

‘‘Guide to Disability Benefits,’’ an 

innovatively designed outreach tool to 

help individuals understand SSDI and 

SSI disability benefits and the disability 

determination process. Other products 

could focus on savings topics relevant to 

the disabled population or on work 

incentives in the SSDI or SSI programs 

(e.g., a ‘‘Guide to Work Incentives’’). 

There may be several subgroups 

within the target audiences mentioned 

above, for example, those with limited 

reading skills. To most effectively 

develop products to reach target 

audiences and potential subgroups, 

applicants are encouraged to consider 

teaming with partners who have 

expertise in conducting research with 

disadvantaged and hard-to-reach 

populations, including low-income 

populations, youth with disabilities and 

adults with disabilities. 

We are also interested in R&D on 

products that would promote better 

understanding of complex provisions of 

Social Security; for instance, a potential 

product could be a ‘‘Guide to the WEP 

(Windfall Elimination Provision)/GPO 

(Government Pension Offset).’’ 

2. Product Development and Testing 

The center(s) will develop products 

designed to address the five key 

research questions in ways that will 

engage the public. Initial product 

development will be guided primarily 

by qualitative research such as focus 

groups and in-depth, unstructured 

individual interviews, but it could 

include relevant quantitative survey 


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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 76 / Wednesday, April 22, 2009 / Notices 18427 

research as well that assesses increased 

knowledge and changes in behavior. 

Additional quantitative research might 

be utilized in subsequent evaluation of 

the products, particularly within the 

context of specific potential 

distributional channels. The key goal of 

the FLRC is not only to develop 

compelling products, but also to get 

these products into the hands of the 

public. Evaluation of the most effective 

ways to do this will be of great 

importance. 

Products generated by the FLRC 

center(s) can include: 

(a) Innovative web-based interactive 

technologies and social networking 

applications. 

(b) Print publications which are 

innovative and compelling in terms of 

graphics, layout, or messaging. 

(c) Development of research-based 

recommendations on the most effective 

distributional channels for the above 

products. Channels could include not 

only our distributional resources such 

as the annual statement, teleservice 

centers and field offices, but also 

employers, non-profit national and 

community organizations, and public 

libraries. 

(d) Development of research-based 

recommendations on optimal 

architecture, plan design, or plan 

defaults. Recommendations would be 

developed and refined through 

qualitative research and possibly largescale, randomized experiments. 

(e) Development of research-based 

recommendations on optimal 

combinations of multiple sequenced 

interventions—possibly even including 

some forms of personalized assistance— 

in consumer outreach and education. 

Advertising and social marketing 

principles hold that multiple exposures 

are often necessary for consumers to 

gain awareness and change behavior. 

Recommendations would be developed 

and refined through qualitative research 

and possibly large-scale, randomized 

experiments. 

(f) Relevant research papers on key 

issues related to financial literacy. It is 

expected that as a result of the above 

types of products being researched and 

tested, one further outcome would be 

papers disseminated to the broader 

research and policy community on 

testing results. This would enhance the 

broader knowledge base about financial 

literacy. In addition, there might be a 

need for basic research in a previously 

unexamined area of financial literacy or 

analysis that would identify policy 

changes that would support financial 

literacy and savings. Although we 

acknowledge that there might be a 

compelling rationale for centers to 

produce basic research or policy 

analysis papers, prospective applicants 

should be aware that we are looking for 

these papers to constitute no more than 

15% of total center funding. 

(g) Development of an experimental 

recommended audience segmentation 

strategy within or even across multiple 

age groups. This would group those 

with similar attitudes and behaviors 

toward retirement saving, within more 

broadly defined age bands, in order to 

tailor products that each segment would 

find compelling. 

(h) In general, evaluation includes: 

Focus groups, in-depth interviews, 

observational research, surveys, and 

larger scale randomized experiments. 

(i) To optimally develop and test 

products, it is anticipated that a 

multidisciplinary approach might be 

utilized in some, many, or all instances. 

Examples of the relevant disciplines 

that could be included in the mix are: 

Economics (behavioral, consumer and 

family economics); social marketing; 

marketing science; psychology; 

sociology. 

3. Dissemination of Products and 

Findings 

At our discretion, we may distribute 

or arrange to distribute products or 

copies of products developed by the 

center(s). We may also seek further 

testing and research within or outside of 

the FLRC before making a determination 

about distribution. We may make 

changes to the FLRC product as we 

deem necessary for its continued use. 

See 48 CFR 52.227–14. 

In addition, we expect that the 

center(s) will become a focal point for 

the public, including the broader saving 

and financial planning community 

(retirement plan sponsors, human 

resources departments, government 

agencies, and others). The center(s) will 

have a dedicated Web site on which all 

products and research results will be 

available for use, download, and 

distribution by this broader community. 

We realize that effective R&D 

encompassing all of the above may be 

well beyond the current capacity and 

scope of any one center. Therefore, 

prospective centers are strongly 

encouraged to engage partners and 

affiliates to complement and 

supplement their own areas of expertise. 

Similarly, a center may choose to 

concentrate on a few of the research 

questions and on priority target 

demographic audience segments. The 

goal of the Consortium as a whole is to 

produce high-quality research and 

educational products covering the range 

of objectives discussed above. 

4. Tasks 

Each center will perform the following 

tasks: 

(a) Research, development (including 

educational materials and distributional 

channel testing), and dissemination of 

findings. Each center will be expected to 

plan, initiate, and maintain a research 

program that meets the highest 

standards of rigor and objectivity. 

Applicants need to describe their 

quality assurance standards. We reserve 

the right to review all publications 

created using Consortium funding prior 

to publication or dissemination. 

Joint research between Consortium 

and our researchers is encouraged, as is 

collaboration with other organizations 

interested in financial literacy. In 

instances where there is joint research 

with our researchers, we expect that 

there would be joint authorship of 

research papers. Federal employees 

cannot receive any funding support for 

collaborations. Planning and execution 

of the research program must always 

consider the policy implications of 

research findings. However, we also 

consider it appropriate, for example, to 

pursue advances in research techniques, 

when related to primary objectives of 

the Consortium. 

In order to ensure the practical utility 

of the centers’ R&D activities, a group of 

eight nationally recognized scholars or 

experts, as well as financial services and 

social marketing practitioners from both 

the non-profit and business sectors must 

periodically review the center’s 

activities. (See Part I, Section C, Center 

Responsibilities.) 

(b) Dissemination. An important 

feature of each center’s responsibilities 

is making knowledge and information 

available to the public, including but 

not limited to the broader retirement 

savings community. The centers will be 

expected to host a Web site as a go-to 

resource for research, recommendations, 

and prototypes of practical products and 

distributional channels. In addition, the 

centers will be expected to organize 

conferences, workshops, lectures, 

seminars, or other ways of sharing 

current research activities and findings. 

The Consortium will hold an annual 

conference on issues related to financial 

literacy, with organizational 

responsibility rotating among the 

centers if there is more than one center 

in the consortium. The centers will 

work with us to produce a conference 

agenda. The conference will be held in 

Washington, DC. The hosting center will 

also have the responsibility for 

preparing and distributing a bound 

volume of conference papers and related 

materials to conference participants. 


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(c) Reporting. Every three months 

during the award period, the grantee 

will produce a quarterly report of 

progress. The grantee’s quarterly 

progress report should provide a concise 

summary of the progress made towards 

completion of activities in the annual 

work plan. The grantee should pay 

particular attention in the report to 

achieving any milestones set forth in the 

work plan, delays in achieving 

milestones, and the affect of delays on 

the final product. Details regarding the 

format of quarterly progress reports will 

be provided in the FLRC Terms and 

Conditions at the time of award. In 

addition to the regular reporting, the 

grantee will provide ad hoc and timely 

‘‘hotline’’ reports on any significant 

issues that arise with respect to 

management and implementation of the 

work. 

C. Responsibilities 

1. Center Responsibilities 

The centers have the primary and lead 

responsibility to define objectives and 

approaches; plan research, conduct 

studies, and analyze data; design 

products; and publish results, 

interpretations, and conclusions of their 

work. 

Occasionally, we will request quick 

turnaround projects from the FLRC. 

These projects include: Commenting on 

our research plans, providing critical 

commentary on research products, 

conducting research, composing policy 

briefs, performing statistical analyses, 

pulling together key research findings 

and recommendations in PowerPoint 

presentations, developing products, 

organizing research dissemination 

opportunities such as seminars and 

workshops and other activities designed 

to inform the agency’s R&D initiatives. 

Funding for these as well as other 

related activities should be included in 

the budget narrative at a level of 

$200,000. The agency can raise the 

ceiling above $200,000 for quick 

turnaround projects if both need and 

funds exist. For qualitative research, 

assuming the materials were ready to be 

tested, quick turnaround would be 

defined as focus groups taking place 

within three weeks to one month of task 

order award, with top line (executive 

summary—summary of findings) reports 

to be delivered within one week after 

research is concluded. For quantitative 

research, a quick turnaround might 

involve an online research panel. 

Therefore, prospective applicants 

should ensure that they have the 

capability of bringing on skilled, 

relevant partners who could 

accommodate this type of timeframe, if 

they currently do not have the in-house 

capability to do so. 

Jointly with us, each center will select 

approximately eight nationally 

recognized scholars or experts and 

financial services/social marketing 

practitioners from the non-profit and 

business sectors who are unaffiliated 

with any center to provide assistance in 

formulating the center’s research agenda 

and advice on implementation. Each 

center must select four scholars/ 

practitioners or experts, and we will 

select four scholars/practitioners. Efforts 

will be made in selecting the scholars/ 

practitioners to ensure a broad range of 

academic disciplines and viewpoints. 

Funded under this agreement, the 

scholars/practitioners must meet once a 

year at the FLRC Annual Conference in 

Washington, DC. On occasion, all 

centers’ scholars/practitioners will meet 

jointly to evaluate and provide advice 

on Consortium objectives and progress. 

Further, the centers may contact the 

scholars/practitioners throughout the 

year for suggestions regarding center 

activities. The agency’s Project Officer 

or representative will participate in all 

meetings. 

2. SSA Responsibilities 

We will be involved with the 

Consortium in jointly establishing 

research priorities and dates to 

accomplish the objectives of this 

announcement. We, or our 

representatives, will provide the 

following types of support to the 

Consortium: 

(a) Consultation and technical 

assistance in planning, operating, and 

evaluating the Consortium’s activities. 

(b) Information about our programs, 

policies, and research priorities. 

(c) Assistance in identifying our 

information and technical assistance 

resources pertinent to the centers’ 

success. 

(d) Review of Consortium activities 

and collegial feedback to ensure that 

objectives and award conditions are 

being met. We may suspend or 

terminate any cooperative agreement in 

whole or in part at any time before the 

date of expiration, if the awardee 

materially fails to comply with the 

terms and conditions of the cooperative 

agreement, if the awardee does not meet 

technical performance requirements, or 

the project is no longer relevant to the 

agency. We will promptly notify the 

awardee in writing of the determination 

and the reasons for suspension or 

termination together with the effective 

date. We reserve the right to suspend 

funding for individual projects in 

process or in previously approved 

research areas or tasks after granting 

awards. 

In general, we seek organizations with 

demonstrated capacity for providing 

quality innovative R&D, and working 

with government policymakers. 

II. Award Information 

A. Type of Award 

All awards made under this program 

will be made in the form of a 

cooperative agreement. A cooperative 

agreement, as distinct from a grant, 

anticipates substantial involvement 

between the agency and the awardee 

during the performance of the project. A 

comprehensive annual review process 

will allow us to evaluate, recommend 

changes, and approve each center’s 

activities. Our involvement may include 

collaboration or participation in the 

activities of the centers as determined at 

the time of award. The terms of the 

award are in addition to, not in lieu of, 

otherwise applicable guidelines and 

procedures. The issuance of the terms 

occurs along with the notice of award. 

The grantee must apply to continue 

the cooperative agreement in order to 

receive funds in subsequent years of the 

5-year agreement. The grantee will 

produce a continuation application, 

subject to review and approval by us. 

The continuation application should 

clearly describe a set of research, and 

dissemination activities that best 

address the priorities of the agency. We 

will engage in a dialogue with grantees 

throughout the award period regarding 

research topics. Based on that dialogue, 

we will provide the grantee with 

guidance (in writing) on the agency’s 

research priorities for the subsequent 

continuation cycle. 

B. Availability and Duration of Funding 

1. Approximately $5.0 million will be 

available to fund the initial 12-month 

budget period of a proposed five-year 

cooperative agreement(s) pursuant to 

the announcement. 

2. Applicants must include detailed 

budget estimates for the first year, 

assuming a funding level of $5.0 

million. If an applicant receives an 

award under the FLRC for less than $5.0 

million, the agency and the applicant 

will jointly renegotiate research 

priorities. 

3. The amount of funds available for 

the cooperative agreement in future 

years has not been established. 

Legislative support for continued 

funding of the Consortium cannot be 

guaranteed and funding is subject to 

future appropriations and budgetary 

approval. We expect Consortium 

support during future fiscal years at an 


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annual level of approximately $5 

million. 

4. The announcement allows for the 

unequal division of funds among 

multiple chosen centers. 

5. Additional funds may become 

available from the agency or other 

Federal agencies in support of 

Consortium projects. 

6. Initial awards, pursuant to this 

announcement, will be made on or 

about September 15, 2009. 

Although we anticipate two awards, 

nothing in this announcement restricts 

our ability to make more or fewer 

awards, to make an award of lesser 

amount, or to add additional centers to 

the FLRC in the future. Further, we are 

not required to fund all proposed 

Consortium activities in any year. We 

will review all proposed activities 

annually. 

C. Letter of Intent 

Prospective applicants must submit a 

letter of intent by May 7, 2009, which 

includes (1) this program announcement 

number and title; (2) a brief description 

of the proposed center; (3) the name, 

postal and e-mail addresses, telephone 

and fax numbers of the Center Director; 

and (4) the identities of the key 

personnel and participating institutions. 

The letter of intent is not required, is 

not binding, and does not enter into the 

review process of a subsequent 

application. The sole purpose of the 

letter of intent is to allow our staff to 

estimate the potential review workload 

and avoid conflicts of interest in the 

review. The letter of intent should be 

sent to: SSA, Office of Retirement 

Policy, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, 

DC 20254, Attention: David Rogofsky. 

III. Eligibility Information 

A. Eligible Applicants 

We are seeking applications from 

domestic Institutions of Higher 

Education, Non-Profit organizations, 

Commercial organizations, Federal and 

State Governments, and Native 

American tribal organizations. A 

research team may consist of 

organizations, individuals, or 

institutions that are geographically 

distant, to the extent that the research 

design requires and accommodates such 

arrangements. Nothing in this 

announcement precludes non-academic 

entities from being affiliated with an 

applicant. 

No cooperative agreement funds may 

be paid as profit to any cooperative 

agreement recipient. For-profit 

organizations may apply with the 

understanding that no funds may be 

paid as profit. Profit is considered as 

any amount in excess of the allowable 

costs of the award recipient. 

In accordance with an amendment to 

the Lobbying Disclosure Act, popularly 

known as the Simpson-Craig 

Amendment, those entities organized 

under section 501(c)4 of the Internal 

Revenue Code that engage in lobbying 

are prohibited from receiving Federal 

cooperative agreement awards. 

B. Cost Sharing 

We will not provide a center’s entire 

funding. Recipients of our cooperative 

agreement are required to contribute a 

non-Federal match of at least 5 percent 

toward the total approved cost of each 

center. The total approved cost of the 

project is the sum of the Federal share 

(maximum of 95 percent) and the nonFederal share (minimum of 5 percent). 

The non-Federal share may be cash or 

in-kind (property or services) 

contributions. 

C. Other 

Each center director must have a 

demonstrated capability to organize, 

administer, and direct the center. The 

director will be responsible for the 

organization and operation of the center 

and for communication with us on 

scientific and operational matters. The 

director must also have a minimum time 

commitment of 25 percent to 

Consortium activities. Racial/ethnic 

minority individuals, women, and 

persons with disabilities are encouraged 

to apply as directors. Submission of a 

list of previous grants and cooperative 

agreements held by the director is 

required, including the names and 

contact information of each grant’s and 

cooperative agreement’s administrator. 

In addition to the director, skilled 

personnel and institutional resources 

capable of providing a strong research, 

development and testing base in the 

specified priority areas must be 

available. The institution must show a 

strong commitment to the Consortium’s 

support. Such commitment may be 

provided as dedicated space, salary 

support for investigators or key 

personnel, dedicated equipment or 

other financial support for the proposed 

center. 

IV. Application and Submission 

Information 

A. Overview 

This part contains information on the 

preparation of an application for 

submission under this announcement 

and the forms necessary for submission. 

Potential applicants should read this 

part carefully in conjunction with the 

information provided in Part I. 

We anticipate that the applicant will 

have access to additional sources of 

funding for some projects and 

arrangements with other organizations 

and institutions. The applicant 

(including the center Director and other 

key personnel) must make all current 

and anticipated related funding 

arrangements (including contact 

information for grant/contract/ 

cooperative agreement administrators) 

explicit in an attachment to the 

application (Part IV, Section D). As part 

of the annual review process, this 

information will be updated and 

reviewed to limit duplicative funding 

for center projects. 

B. Availability of Application Forms 

The application kit is available at 

www.grants.gov. For information 

regarding the application package, 

contact: SSA, Office of Acquisition and 

Grants, Grants Management Team, 7111 

Security Blvd, 1st Floor Rear Entrance, 

Baltimore, MD 21244. Contact person is 

Phyllis Y. Smith, Chief, Grants 

Management Office, telephone (410) 

965–8518, e-mail: 

Phyllis.Y.Smith@ssa.gov. The fax 

number is (410) 966–9610. To request 

an application kit for those without 

Internet access or for those experiencing 

extenuating circumstances preventing 

the submission of an electronic 

application, contact the Grants 

Management Office as mentioned above. 

When requesting an application kit, 

the applicant should refer to the 

program announcement number SSA– 

ORP–09–1 and the date of this 

announcement to ensure receipt of the 

proper application kit. 

As questions arise, an FLRC FAQ 

attachment in Word will be posted and 

revised on the Office of Retirement 

Policy Web site (http://www.ssa.gov/ 

retirementpolicy). This will enable us to 

respond to questions about this RFA 

from interested parties. 

C. Content and Organization of 

Technical Application 

The application must begin with the 

required application forms and a threepage (double-spaced) overview and 

summary of the application. Staff 

resumes should be included in a 

separate appendix. 

Budget Narrative: In addition to 

providing an explanation of the budget 

categories specified in the required 

forms, the budget narrative must also 

link the R&D and administration to the 

center’s funding level. The special 

instructions attachment of the 

application kit provides information on 

the distribution and presentation of 

budget data. Though we believe that all 


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of the stated goals and objectives are 

important, we expect that the 

substantial majority of funds will 

support R&D. In addition, allocation of 

funds for occasional agency requested 

activities is required (described in Part 

I, Section C–1). 

Also, this section should include 

documentation of the availability, 

potential availability, or expectation of 

other funds (from the host institution, 

universities, foundations, other Federal 

agencies, etc.) and the use of these 

funds. When contemplating additional 

funding, applicants must note whether 

the host institution is donating the 

funding, is in-hand from another 

funding source, or applied for from 

another funding source. Formal 

commitments for the 5 percent, nonFederal, minimum budget share should 

be highlighted in this section. 

Seeking additional support from other 

sources is encouraged. However, funds 

pertaining to this announcement must 

not duplicate those received from other 

funding sources. 

Project Narrative: The core of the 

application must contain five sections, 

presented in the following order: 

(1) A brief (not more than 30 pages) 

background environmental scan and 

situation analysis of the key current 

financial literacy issues and trends— 

with an emphasis on retirement 

savings—as they pertain to the priority 

target audience segments to be 

addressed by the proposed center. The 

analysis should cover the general state 

of savings strategies, current educational 

products and distributional channels 

(uptake, utilization, etc) targeted to 

these audiences. The analysis should 

discuss concisely, but comprehensively, 

important priority R&D initiatives based 

on either/both current key noted gaps in 

current efforts, or on emerging societal 

trends that require new ways of 

reaching the public. 

(2) A research, development, and 

evaluation prospectus for a five-year 

research agenda, outlining the major 

research themes to be investigated over 

the next five years. In particular, the 

prospectus will describe the activities 

planned for the priority research areas 

and other additional R&D ideas 

proposed by the applicant. The 

prospectus should follow from the 

background analysis section, and it 

should detail how the proposed R&D 

would plan to result in products that 

would be innovative, engaging, and 

compelling to several or all of the target 

audiences, while reaching their 

intended audiences through effective 

distributional channels. The prospectus 

should be clear on how the proposed 

agenda and products do not duplicate 

research or products currently available 

in the public and private sectors. 

The prospectus must include detailed 

descriptions of individual research 

projects expected in the center’s first 

year of operation. The special 

instructions attachment of the 

application kit provides guidelines for 

project proposals. The prospectus 

should be specific about long-term 

research themes and projects. The lines 

of research described in the prospectus 

should be concrete enough that project 

descriptions in subsequent research 

plan amendments can be viewed as 

articulating a research theme discussed 

in the prospectus. An application that 

contains an ad hoc categorization of an 

unstructured set of research projects, 

rather than a set of projects that strike 

a coherent theme, will be judged 

unfavorably. 

Note: Once we have selected up to two 

successful FLRC applicants, we will review 

the FLRC research agenda and determine 

research priorities. This may include the 

addition, modification, or removal of 

proposed research projects. After review, 

each center will submit to us a revised 

research plan and budget. The research plan 

will be periodically reviewed and revised as 

necessary. The application should discuss 

how the centers select research projects to 

propose, including involvement of the 

outside scholars/practitioners, the agency, 

and other advisors and participants in the 

consortium. 

(3) A prospectus for dissemination of 

research findings, including ways to 

reach a broad audience of the retirement 

savings community. Dissemination 

plans should detail the proposed center 

Web site and conferences. 

(4) A staffing and organization 

proposal for the center, including an 

analysis of the types of background 

needed among staff members, the 

center’s organizational structure, and 

linkages with the host institution and 

other organizations. In this section, the 

applicant should specify how it will 

ensure an effective approach to R&D and 

where appropriate, identify the 

necessary links to experts engaged in 

outreach and education. 

The applicant should identify the 

center Director and key senior research 

staff. Full resumes of proposed staff 

members must be included as a separate 

appendix to the application. Each 

proposed staff member must indicate 

the time commitment to the center and 

other commitments. The application 

should specify how administrative 

arrangements would be made to 

minimize start-up and transition delays. 

Note that once we award the 

cooperative agreement, changes in key 

staff will require prior approval from us. 

The kinds of administrative and tenure 

arrangements, if any, the center 

proposes to make should also be 

discussed in this section. In addition, 

the authors of the application and the 

role that they will play in the proposed 

center must be specified. 

If the applicant envisions an 

arrangement of several universities or 

entities, this section should describe the 

specifics of the relationships, including 

leadership, management, and 

administration. The staffing proposal 

should pay particular attention to 

discussing how a focal point for R&D 

will be maintained given the 

arrangement proposed. The applicant 

should also discuss the criteria for 

selection, and expected contribution of 

the outside scholars/practitioners. 

The application should provide an 

organizational experience summary of 

past work at the institution proposed as 

the location (or the host) of the center 

that relates directly or indirectly to the 

research priorities of this request. This 

discussion should include more than a 

listing of the individual projects 

completed by the individuals who are 

included in the application. The 

discussion should provide a sense of 

institutional commitment to R&D on 

issues involving financial literacy. The 

application must list in an appendix 

appropriate recent or current research 

projects, with a brief research summary, 

contact person, references, and address 

and telephone numbers of references. 

This section should also discuss the 

experience of the research staff in 

working with the government agencies 

and their demonstrated capacity to 

provide relevant support to these 

agencies. 

D. Components of a Complete 

Application 

A complete application package 

consists of one electronic application. It 

should include the following items: 

(1) Project Abstract/Summary (not to 

exceed three pages); 

(2) Table of Contents; 

(3) Part I (Face Sheet)—Application 

for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 

424); 

(4) Part II—Budget Information— 

(a) Form SF–424A—Sections A 

through F 

(b) Form SSA SF424 Section G— 

Personnel 

(5) Budget Narrative for Section B— 

Budget Categories; 

(6) Copy of the applicant’s approved 

indirect cost rate agreement, if 

appropriate; 

(7) Part III—Project Narrative. The 

project narrative should be organized in 

five sections: 


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(a) Background Environmental Scan 

and Situation Analysis 

(b) Research, Development, and 

Evaluation Prospectus 

(c) Dissemination Prospectus, 

(d) Staffing Proposal Including Staff 

Utilization, Staff Background, 

Organizational Experience, and 

Partnerships with other organizations. 

(8) Assurances—Form SF–424B; 

(9) Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, 

Form SF–LLL, if applicable. 

(10) Any appendices/attachments; 

and 

(11) Supplement to Section II—Key 

Personnel. 

E. Guidelines for Application 

Submission 

These guidelines should be followed 

in submitting applications: 

(1) All applicants requesting our 

funds for cooperative agreement projects 

under this announcement must submit 

the standard forms provided in the 

application kit. 

(2) The application must be executed 

by an individual authorized to act for 

the applicant organization and to 

assume for the applicant organization 

the obligations imposed by the terms 

and conditions of the cooperative 

agreement award. 

(3) Length: Applications should be as 

brief and concise as possible, but ensure 

successful communication of the 

applicant’s proposal to the reviewers. 

The Project Narrative portion of the 

application may not exceed 100 doublespaced pages (excluding the resume and 

outside funding appendices), equivalent 

to being typewritten on one side using 

standard (81⁄2′′ x 11′′) size paper and 12- 

point font. Attachments that support the 

project narrative count within the 100- 

page limit. Attachments not applicable 

to the project narrative do not count 

toward this page limit. 

(4) Attachments/Appendices, should 

only be included to provide supporting 

documentation. 

(5) On all applications developed by 

more than one organization, the 

application must identify only one 

institution as the lead organization and 

the official applicant. The other(s) can 

be included as sub-grantees or 

subcontractors. 

F. Submission Dates and Times 

Applicants must submit applications 

through www.grants.gov by the closing 

date of June 6, 2009. However, when the 

SSA Grants Management Team 

approves the submission of a mailed 

application due to extenuating 

circumstances, applications may be 

mailed or hand-delivered to: Social 

Security Administration, Office of 

Acquisition and Grants, Grants 

Management Team, Attention: SSA– 

ORP–09–1, 1st Floor-Rear Entrance, 

7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 

21244. Hand-delivered applications are 

accepted between the hours of 8 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. An 

application will be considered as 

meeting the deadline if it is either: 

(1) Received from Grants.gov on or 

before the deadline date; or 

(2) Received at the above address on 

or before the deadline, when a mailed 

application has been authorized by the 

Grants Management Team; or 

(3) Postmarked by June 6, 2009 when 

a mailed application has been 

authorized by the Grants Management 

Team. Packages approved for mailing 

must be sent through the U.S. Postal 

Service or by commercial carrier on or 

before the deadline date and received in 

time to be considered during the 

competitive review and evaluation 

process. Applicants are cautioned to 

request a legibly dated U.S. Postal 

Service postmark or to obtain a legibly 

dated receipt from a commercial carrier 

as evidence of timely mailing. Private 

metered postmarks are not acceptable as 

proof of timely mailing. 

Applications that do not meet the 

above criteria will be considered late 

applications. We will not waive or 

extend the deadline for any applicant 

unless we waive or extend the deadline 

for all applicants. We will notify each 

late applicant of non-application 

consideration. 

Letters of intent, which are optional, 

are requested by May 7, 2009. See Part 

II, Section C for details. 

G. Intergovernmental Review 

Executive Order 12372 and 12416— 

Intergovernmental Review of Federal 

Programs 

This program is not covered by the 

requirements of Executive Order 12372, 

as amended by Executive Order 12416, 

relating to the Federal policy for 

consulting with State and local elected 

officials on proposed Federal financial 

assistance. 

(Catalog of Domestic Federal Assistance: 

Program No. 96.007, Social Security— 

Research and Demonstration) 

H. Funding Restrictions 

There will be limitations concerning 

allowable construction expenses. 

Submitted budgets may include minor 

construction expenses, such as 

alterations and renovations. This could 

include work required to change the 

interior arrangements or other physical 

characteristics of an existing facility or 

installed equipment so that it may be 

more effectively used for the project. 

Alteration and renovation may include 

work referred to as improvements, 

conversion, rehabilitation, remodeling, 

or modernization, but is distinguished 

from construction and large-scale 

permanent improvements. 

Awards will not allow reimbursement 

of pre-award costs. 

I. Other Submission Requirements 

We require that applicants submit an 

electronic application through 

www.grants.gov for Funding 

Opportunity Number SSA–ORP–09–1. If 

you experience problems with the steps 

related to registering to do business with 

the Federal government or application 

submission, your first point of contact is 

the Grants.gov support staff at 

support@grants.gov, 1–800–518–4726. If 

your difficulties are not resolved, you 

may also contact the SSA Grants 

Management Team for assistance: 

Audrey Adams, 410–965–9469; Mary 

Biddle, 410–965–9503; Ann Dwayer, 

410–965–9534; Phyllis Y. Smith, 410– 

965–9518. 

If extenuating circumstances prevent 

you from submitting an application 

through www.grants.gov, please contact 

the SSA Grants Management Team for 

possible prior written approval to 

download, complete, and submit an 

application by mail. Should we grant 

such approval; the downloadable 

application package will be available at 

http://www.ssa.gov/oag. Please fax 

inquiries regarding the application 

process to the Grants Management Team 

at 410–966–9310 or mail to: Social 

Security Administration, Office of 

Acquisition and Grants, Grants 

Management Team, Attention: SSA– 

ORP–09–1, 1st Floor—Rear Entrance, 

7111 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 

21244. To ensure receipt of the proper 

application package, please include 

program announcement number SSA– 

ORP–09–1 and the date of this 

announcement. 

V. Application Review Information 

A. Review Process and Funding 

In addition to any other reviews, a 

review panel consisting of at least three 

qualified persons will be formed. Each 

panelist will objectively review and 

score the cooperative agreement 

applications using the evaluation 

criteria listed below. The panel will 

recommend centers based on (1) the 

application scores; (2) the feasibility and 

adequacy of the project plan and 

methodology; and (3) how the centers 

would jointly meet the objectives of the 

Consortium. The agency will consider 

the panel’s recommendations when 


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awarding the cooperative agreements. 

Although the results from the review 

panel are the primary factor used in 

making funding decisions, they are not 

the sole basis for making awards. The 

agency will consider other factors as 

well (such as duplication of internal and 

external research effort) when making 

funding decisions. 

All applicants must use the guidelines 

provided in the agency’s application kit 

at www.grants.gov, for preparing 

applications requesting funding under 

this cooperative agreement 

announcement. These guidelines 

describe the minimum amount of 

required project information. However, 

when completing the Project Narrative, 

please follow the guidelines under Part 

IV, Section C, above. 

All awardees must adhere to our 

Privacy and Confidentiality Regulations, 

as well as provide specific safeguards 

surrounding client information sharing, 

paper/computer records/data, and other 

issues potentially arising from 

administrative data. 20 CFR part 401. 

Additional details regarding 

safeguarding of Personally Identifiable 

Information are available in the SSA 

Grants Administration Manual, Section 

3–10–60, available at http:// 

www.ssa.gov/oag/grants/ 

ssagrant_info.htm. 

B. Selection Process and Evaluation 

Criteria 

The evaluation criteria correspond to 

the outline for the development of the 

Budget and Project Narrative Statement 

of the application described in Part IV, 

Section C, above. The application 

should be prepared in the format 

indicated by the outline described in the 

components of a complete application 

(Part IV, Section D). 

Selection of the successful applicants 

will be based on the technical and 

financial criteria laid out in this 

announcement. Reviewers will 

determine the strengths and weaknesses 

of each application in terms of the 

evaluation criteria listed below. 

The point value following each 

criterion heading indicates the 

maximum numerical relative weight 

that each section will be given in the 

review process. An unacceptable rating 

on any individual criterion may render 

the application unacceptable. 

Consequently, applicants should take 

care that all criteria are fully addressed 

in the applications. Applications will be 

reviewed as follows: 

(1) Quality of the background 

environmental scan/situation analysis. 

(10 points) Reviewers will judge 

applications on whether they provide a 

thoughtful, coherent, and pragmatic 

discussion of the key research questions 

influencing financial literacy, 

particularly within the context of 

retirement savings. 

(2) Quality of the research, 

development, and evaluation 

prospectus. (30 points) Reviewers will 

judge this section on whether the R&D 

agenda and methodology are both sound 

and geared toward achieving practical 

results. Applications must address how 

they will develop and test compelling 

calls to action within the context of the 

key research questions, and they must 

address how they will approach the 

evaluation of distributional channels. 

The reviewers will judge the 

application on the breadth and depth of 

the applicant’s commitment to R&D, 

particularly with regard to the key 

product research questions and product 

development and testing described in 

Part I, Section B, parts 1 and 2. The 

discussion and research proposed must 

address at least three product research 

questions and three-product 

development and testing examples, with 

a multi-disciplinary approach. 

Applicants will generally receive higher 

scores for addressing more than four 

product research questions as well as 

more than three product development 

and testing examples. However, a strong 

proposal focusing on three areas will 

outscore one that is broad and weakly 

defined. Applicants with additional 

insightful research proposals will also 

score higher. Besides detailed plans for 

research projects in the first year, the 

research agenda should discuss possible 

projects over the longer five-year 

horizon. 

(3) Dissemination. (15 points) 

Reviewers will evaluate the proposed 

Web site, conferences, and other 

strategies for dissemination of research 

and other related information to the 

general public, including but not 

limited to a broad and disparate set of 

practitioner and policy communities. 

(4) Quality of the staffing proposal 

and proposed administration. (25 

points) Reviewers will judge the 

applicant’s center Director, staff and 

proposed business partners/ 

subawardees on relevant research 

experience, demonstrated research and 

testing experience, prior administrative 

and leadership skills, and public 

administration experience. Relevant 

research experience may include, but is 

not limited to: (a) Prior publications on 

financial literacy tools, financial 

education in the workplace, retirement 

planning, saving over the life cycle, 

affect of benefits and/or health on 

timing of retirement and claiming 

decisions (with ideally at least some 

publications incorporating a social 

marketing approach); (b) Prior 

published financial literacy research 

with audience segments reflecting the 

above priority areas is sought; (c) 

Relevant administrative and practical 

public administration experience that 

may include, but not be limited to, 

leading a current center; serving in a 

senior government capacity in a relevant 

agency such as the Department of 

Treasury, the Federal Reserve or the 

Social Security Administration; or board 

leadership of relevant non-profit 

organizations. 

(i) An additional criterion will be the 

center’s demonstrated potential to 

facilitate, on its own or through 

partnerships/subawards, applied 

research to inform the development and 

testing of educational outreach materials 

and channels. The reviewers will 

consider both the evidence of past 

involvement in related R&D, and the 

specific plans for seeking applied 

outcomes described in the application 

as part of that potential. Applications 

that list key proposed partnership/ 

proposed subawardee personnel, along 

with the accompanying rationale for 

selection, (e.g., entities and 

organizations external to the applicants) 

are highly desirable. 

(ii) Reviewers will consider references 

from grant/cooperative agreement/ 

contract administrators on previous 

grants, cooperative agreements and 

contracts held by the proposed center 

Director or other key personnel, as well 

as other known references within the 

agency. Reviewers will take into 

account past performance on other 

grants/cooperative/contracts. 

(iii) Director and staff time 

commitments to the center also will be 

a factor in evaluation. Reviewers will 

evaluate the affiliations of proposed key 

personnel to ensure fulfillment of the 

required multi-disciplinary nature of the 

consortium. 

(iv) The reviewers will judge 

applicants on the nature and extent of 

the organizational support for research 

and dissemination in areas related to the 

center’s central priorities and this 

request. Reviewers will evaluate the 

commitment of the host institution (and 

the proposed institutional unit that will 

contain the center) to assess its ability 

to support both of the center’s major 

activities: (1) R&D and (2) 

dissemination. 

(v) The application should address 

how the applicant will pull a team 

together of subawardees—what their 

evaluation criteria will be, and how they 

will manage the subawardees if the 

applicant is the recipient of an award. 

The government expects that all 

applicable subawardees will be in any 


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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 76 / Wednesday, April 22, 2009 / Notices 18433 

relevant meetings and conference calls 

with the government. 

(5) Extent to which applicants meet 

program policy evaluation criteria. It 

may be desirable to select centers for 

awards based upon the applicants’ total 

mix of areas of concentration so as to 

round out portfolio objectives. (10 

points) 

(6) Appropriateness of the budget for 

carrying out the planned staffing and 

activities. (10 points) Reviewers will 

consider whether (1) the budget ensures 

an efficient and effective allocation of 

funds to achieve the objectives of this 

solicitation, and (2) the applicant has 

additional funding from other sources, 

in particular, the host institution. 

Applications that show funding from 

other sources that supplement funds 

from this cooperative agreement will be 

given higher marks than those without 

financial support. Awardees are 

required to contribute a minimum of 5 

percent cost share of total project costs. 

Panel Recommendations. Once each 

application is scored and ranked, the 

panel will then review the top 

applicants and recommend centers that 

together best address the range of 

responsibilities described in Part I. 

VI. Award Administration Information 

A. Notification 

Grants.gov will issue application 

receipt acknowledgments. 

B. Award Notices 

Applicants who have been selected 

will receive an official electronic notice 

of award signed by an SSA Grants 

Management Officer around September 

15, 2009. Those who were not selected 

will be notified by official letter. 

C. Administration and National Policy 

Requirements 

Grantees will have access to 

confidential beneficiary information and 

will be subject to our background 

checks and fingerprinting in accordance 

with our personnel, security and 

suitability requirements. In addition, 

grantees are required to adhere to our 

policy regarding the protection of 

Personally Identifiable Information (PII). 

When making awards, we will distribute 

the necessary packages including forms 

and consents for completion, for both 

PII and Suitability Determination. 

D. Reporting 

Every three months during the award 

period, the grantee will produce a 

quarterly report of progress. The 

grantee’s quarterly progress reports 

should provide a concise summary of 

the progress being made toward 

completion of activities in the annual 

work plan. The grantee should pay 

particular attention in the reports to 

achieving any milestones set forth in the 

work plan, delays in achieving 

milestones, and the affect of delays on 

the final product. Details regarding the 

format of quarterly progress reports will 

be provided in the FLRC Terms and 

Conditions at the time of award. In 

addition to the regular reporting, the 

grantee will provide ad hoc and timely 

‘‘hotline’’ reports on any significant 

issues that arise with respect to 

management and implementation of the 

work. 

In addition, the grantee will submit 

quarterly and annual financial status 

reports to us. We will provide detailed 

instructions for submitting financial 

reports and the required forms with 

each year’s award. 

VII. Agency Contacts 

For matters related to the application 

and submission process for this 

cooperative agreement, contact Audrey 

Adams, (410) 965–9469; Mary Biddle, 

(410) 965–9503; Ann Dwayer, (410) 

965–9534; Phyllis Y. Smith, (410) 965– 

9518. The mailing address is SSA, 

Office of Acquisition and Grants, Grants 

Management Team, 7111 Security Blvd., 

1st Floor, Rear Entrance, Baltimore, MD 

21244. The fax number is (410) 966– 

9310. 

For program content information, 

send questions to the FLRC mailbox at 

flrc@ssa.gov. Questions and answers 

will be continuously posted to the 

Office of Retirement Policy Web site. 

VIII. Other 

This announcement is for the initial 

competition of the FLRC. 

Along with the official notice of 

award each year, we will issue a set of 

Terms and Conditions that define 

closely the responsibilities of the center 

and of us towards meeting the goals of 

the cooperative agreement. 

An Annual Priority Research Memo 

will also be issued each year before the 

start of the continuation cycle to guide 

the centers in preparing their 

continuation applications. 

We are committed to accessibility of 

our products to persons with 

disabilities. Each center’s Web site 

should meet accessibility standards 

identified in Section 508 of the 

Rehabilitation Act. The annual 

conference also should be accessible to 

persons with disabilities. 

For additional information on how we 

sponsor grants and other details go to 

the Grants Home page at http:// 

www.ssa.gov/oag. 

Michael J. Astrue, 

Commissioner of Social Security. 

[FR Doc. E9–9151 Filed 4–21–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4191–02–P 

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES 

TRADE REPRESENTATIVE 

[Docket No. WTO/DS381] 

WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding 

Regarding United States—Measures 

Concerning the Importation, Marketing 

and Sale of Tuna and Tuna Products 

AGENCY: Office of the United States 

Trade Representative. 

ACTION: Notice; request for comments. 

SUMMARY: The Office of the United 

States Trade Representative (‘‘USTR’’) is 

providing notice that on March 9, 2009, 

Mexico requested the establishment of a 

panel under the Marrakesh Agreement 

Establishing the World Trade 

Organization (‘‘WTO Agreement’’) 

concerning U.S. limitations on the use 

of a dolphin-safe label for tuna and tuna 

products. That request may be found at 

http://www.wto.org contained in a 

document designated as WT/DS381/4. 

USTR invites written comments from 

the public concerning the issues raised 

in this dispute. 

DATES: Although USTR will accept any 

comments received during the course of 

the dispute, comments should be 

submitted on or before May 30, 2009 to 

be assured of timely consideration by 

USTR. 

ADDRESSES: Comments should be 

submitted electronically to http:// 

www.regulations.gov, docket number 

USTR–2008–0038. If you are unable to 

provide submissions by http:// 

www.regulations.gov, please contact 

Sandy McKinzy at (202) 295–9483 to 

arrange for an alternative method of 

transmission. If (as explained below) the 

comment contains confidential 

information, then the comment should 

be submitted only by fax to Sandy 

McKinzy at (202) 395–3640. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Amy Karpel, Associate General Counsel, 

Office of the United States Trade 

Representative, 600 17th Street, NW., 

Washington, DC, (202) 395–3150. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 

127(b) of the Uruguay Round 

Agreements Act (URAA) (19 U.S.C. 

3537(b)(1)) requires that notice and 

opportunity for comment be provided 

after the United States submits or 

receives a request for the establishment 


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