Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 8, 2009 / Notices 15921 

11. Requirement To Submit Educational 

Materials to the National AgRisk 

Education Library 

RMA requires that project leaders 

upload digital copies of all risk 

management educational materials 

developed because of the project to the 

National AgRisk Education Library 

(http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for 

posting, if electronically reporting. RMA 

will be clearly identified as having 

provided funding for the materials. 

Projects leaders not reporting 

electronically will not be required to 

post educational materials onto the 

National AgRisk Education Library, but 

are highly encouraged to do so. 

12. Requirement To Submit Proposed 

Results to the National AgRisk 

Education Library 

RMA requires that project leaders 

submit results of the project to the 

National AgRisk Education Library 

(http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for 

posting if electronically reporting. 

Projects leaders not reporting 

electronically will not be required to 

post results onto the National AgRisk 

Education Library, but are highly 

encouraged to do so. 

13. Requirement To Submit a Project 

Plan of Operation in the Event of a 

Human Pandemic Outbreak 

RMA requires that project leaders 

submit a project plan of operation in 

case of a human pandemic event. The 

plan should address the concept of 

continuing operations as they relate to 

the project. This should include the 

roles, responsibilities, and contact 

information for the project team and 

individuals serving as back-ups in case 

of a pandemic outbreak. 

C. Reporting Requirements 

Awardees will be required to submit 

quarterly progress reports, quarterly 

financial reports (OMB Standard Form 

269), and quarterly Activity Logs (Form 

RMA–300) throughout the project 

period, as well as a final program and 

financial report not later than 90 days 

after the end of the project period. 

Awardees will be required to submit 

prior to the award: 

• A completed and signed Assurance 

Agreement (Civil Rights). 

• A completed and signed FaithBased Survey on EEO. 

VII. Agency Contact 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Applicants and other interested parties 

are encouraged to contact: Lydia M. 

Astorga, USDA–RMA–RME, phone: 

202–260–4728, fax: 202–690–3605, email: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. You 

may also obtain information regarding 

this announcement from the RMA Web 

site at: http://www.rma.usda.gov/ 

aboutrma/agreements. 

VIII. Other Information 

A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 

Numbering System (DUNS) 

A DUNS number is a unique ninedigit sequence recognized as the 

universal standard for identifying and 

keeping track of over 70 million 

businesses worldwide. The Office of 

Management and Budget published a 

notice of final policy issuance in the 

Federal Register June 27, 2003 (68 FR 

38402) that requires a DUNS number in 

every application (i.e., hard copy and 

electronic) for a grant or cooperative 

agreement on or after October 1, 2003. 

Therefore, potential applicants should 

verify that they have a DUNS number or 

take the steps needed to obtain one. For 

information about how to obtain a 

DUNS number, go to http:// 

www.grants.gov. Please note that the 

registration may take up to 14 business 

days to complete. 

B. Required Registration With the 

Central Contract Registry (CCR) for 

Submission of Proposals 

The Central Contract Registry (CCR) is 

a database that serves as the primary 

Government repository for contractor 

information required for the conduct of 

business with the Government. This 

database will also be used as a central 

location for maintaining organizational 

information for organizations seeking 

and receiving grants from the 

Government. Such organizations must 

register in the CCR prior to the 

submission of applications. A DUNS 

number is needed for CCR registration. 

For information about how to register in 

the CCR, visit ‘‘Get Started’’ at the Web 

site, http://www.grants.gov. Allow a 

minimum of 5 business days to 

complete the CCR registration. 

C. Related Programs 

Funding availability for this program 

may be announced at approximately the 

same time as funding availability for 

similar but separate programs—CFDA 

No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and 

Assistance Partnerships), and CFDA No. 

10.458 (Crop Insurance Education in 

Targeted States). These programs have 

some similarities, but also key 

differences. The differences stem from 

important features of each program’s 

authorizing legislation and different 

RMA objectives. Prospective applicants 

should carefully examine and compare 

the notices for each program. 

Signed in Washington, DC, on April 2, 

2009. 

William J. Murphy, 

Acting Manager, Federal Crop Insurance 

Corporation. 

[FR Doc. E9–7896 Filed 4–7–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–08–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation 

Funding Opportunity Title: Crop 

Insurance Education in Targeted 

States (Targeted States Program) 

Announcement Type: Announcement 

of Availability of Funds and Request for 

Application for Competitive 

Cooperative Agreements—Correction. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.458. 

DATES: Hard copy applications are due 

[5 p.m. EDT, May 11, 2009]. Electronic 

applications submitted through 

Grants.gov are due at [11:59 p.m. EDT, 

May 11, 2009]. 

SUMMARY: Due to some errors, the 

following notice supersedes the original 

Request for Applications, published on 

March 27, 2009, for the Targeted States 

Program at 74 FR 13403–13410. 

The Federal Crop Insurance 

Corporation (FCIC), operating through 

the Risk Management Agency (RMA), 

announces the availability of 

approximately $4.5 million (subject to 

availability of funds) to fund 

cooperative agreements under the Crop 

Insurance Education in Targeted States 

program (the Targeted States Program). 

The purpose of this cooperative 

agreement program is to deliver crop 

insurance education and information to 

U.S. agricultural producers in certain 

States that have been designated as 

historically underserved with respect to 

crop insurance. The states, collectively 

referred to as Targeted States, are 

Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, 

Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, 

Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. 

A maximum of 16 cooperative 

agreements will be funded, one in each 

of the 16 Targeted States. Awardees 

must agree to the substantial 

involvement of RMA in the project. 

Funding availability for this program 

may be announced at approximately the 

same time as funding availability for 

similar but separate programs—CFDA 

No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and 

Assistance Partnerships), CFDA No. 

10.457 (Commodity Partnerships for 

Risk Management Education), and 

CFDA No. 10.459 (Commodity 


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15922 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 8, 2009 / Notices 

Partnerships for Small Agricultural Risk 

Management Education Sessions). 

Prospective applicants should carefully 

examine and compare the notices for 

each program. 

The collections of information in this 

announcement have been approved by 

OMB under control number 0563–0067, 

and is currently at OMB for renewal. 

This Announcement Consists of Eight 

Sections: 

Section I—Funding Opportunity Description 

A. Legislative Authority 

B. Background 

C. Project Goal 

D. Purpose 

Section II—Award Information 

A. Type of Award 

B. Funding Availability 

C. Location and Target Audience 

D. Maximum Award 

E. Project Period 

F. Description of Agreement AwardAwardee Tasks 

G. RMA Activities 

H. Other Tasks 

Section III—Eligibility Information 

A. Eligible Applicants 

B. Cost Sharing or Matching 

Section IV—Application and Submission 

Information 

A. Contact to Request Application Package 

B. Content and Form of Application 

Submission 

C. Funding Restrictions 

D. Limitation on Use of Project Funds for 

Salaries and Benefits 

E. Indirect Cost Rates 

F. Other Submission Requirements 

G. Electronic Submissions 

H. Acknowledgement of Applications 

Section V—Application Review Process 

A. Criteria 

B. Selection and Review Process 

Section VI—Award Administration 

Information 

A. Award Notices 

B. Administrative and National Policy 

Requirements 

1. Requirement to Use Program Logo 

2. Requirement to Provide Project 

Information to an RMA-Selected 

Representative 

3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations 

and Potential Conflict of Interest 

4. Access to Panel Review Information 

5. Confidential Aspects of Applications 

and Awards 

6. Audit Requirements 

7. Prohibitions and Requirements 

Regarding Lobbying 

8. Applicable OMB Circulars 

9. Requirement To Assure Compliance 

With Federal Civil Rights Laws 

10. Requirement to Participate in a Post 

Award Conference 

11. Requirement to Submit Educational 

Materials to the National AgRisk 

Education Library 

12. Requirement to Submit Proposed 

Results to the National AgRisk Education 

Library 

13. Requirement to Submit a Project Plan 

of Operation in the Event of a Human 

Pandemic Outbreak 

C. Reporting Requirements 

Section VII—Agency Contact 

Section VIII—Additional Information 

A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 

Numbering System (DUNS) 

B. Required Registration with the Central 

Contract Registry (CCR) for Submission 

of Proposals 

C. Related Programs 

Full Text of Announcement 

I. Funding Opportunity Description 

A. Legislative Authority 

The Targeted States Program is 

authorized under section 524(a)(2) of 

the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act). 

B. Background 

RMA promotes and regulates sound 

risk management solutions to improve 

the economic stability of American 

agriculture. On behalf of FCIC, RMA 

does this by offering Federal crop 

insurance products through a network 

of private-sector partners, overseeing the 

creation of new risk management 

products, seeking enhancements in 

existing products, ensuring the integrity 

of crop insurance programs, offering 

outreach programs aimed at equal 

access and participation of underserved 

communities, and providing risk 

management education and information. 

One of RMA’s strategic goals is to 

ensure that its customers are well 

informed of risk management solutions 

available. This educational goal is 

supported by section 524(a)(2) of the 

Act. This section authorizes funding for 

the establishment of crop insurance 

education and information programs in 

States that have historically been 

underserved by the Federal crop 

insurance program. In accordance with 

the Act, the sixteen States designated as 

‘‘underserved’’ are Connecticut, 

Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, Nevada, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, 

Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming 

(collectively referred to as ‘‘Targeted 

States’’). Hawaii was added this fiscal 

year when Congress authorized the 2008 

Farm Bill. 

C. Project Goal 

The goal of the Targeted States 

Program is to ensure that farmers and 

ranchers in the Targeted States are 

sufficiently informed so as to take full 

advantage of existing and emerging crop 

insurance products. In carrying out the 

programs established under the Food, 

Conservation, And Energy Act of 2008, 

the Secretary of Agriculture has placed 

special emphasis on risk management 

strategies, education, and outreach 

specifically targeted at— 

(A) Beginning farmers or ranchers; 

(B) Legal immigrant farmers or 

ranchers who are attempting to become 

established producers in the United 

States; 

(C) Socially disadvantaged farmers or 

ranchers; 

(D) Farmers or ranchers who— 

(i) Are preparing to retire; and 

(ii) Are using transition strategies to 

help new farmers or ranchers get 

started; and 

(E) New or established farmers or 

ranchers who are converting production 

and marketing systems to pursue new 

markets. 

D. Purpose 

The purpose of the Targeted States 

Program is to provide farmers and 

ranchers in Targeted States with 

education and information to be able to 

understand: 

• The kinds of risk addressed by crop 

insurance; 

• The features of existing and 

emerging crop insurance products; 

• The use of crop insurance in the 

management of risk; 

• How the use of crop insurance can 

affect other risk management decisions, 

such as the use of marketing and 

financial tools; 

• How to make informed decisions on 

crop insurance prior to the sales closing 

date deadline; and 

• Recordkeeping requirements for 

crop insurance. 

In addition, for 2009, the FCIC Board 

of Directors and the FCIC Manager are 

seeking projects that also include the 

Special Emphasis Topics listed below 

which highlight the educational 

priorities within each of the Targeted 

States: 

Massachusetts—LGM Dairy Cattle, 

Northern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 

Insurance Tools. 

West Virginia—LGM Dairy Cattle, and 

Nursery Crop Insurance Tools. 

Pennsylvania—Apiculture, LGM 

Dairy Cattle, Pasture Rangeland Forage, 

Northern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 

Insurance Tools. 

New York—Apiculture, LGM Dairy 

Cattle, Pasture Rangeland Forage, 

Northern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 

Insurance Tools. 

Connecticut—LGM Dairy Cattle, 

Northern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 

Insurance Tools. 

Delaware—LGM Dairy Cattle, 

Southern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 

Insurance Tools. 

Maine—LGM Dairy Cattle, Northern 

Potatoes, and Nursery Crop Insurance 

Tools. 

Maryland—LGM Dairy Cattle, 

Southern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 

Insurance Tools. 


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New Hampshire—LGM Dairy Cattle, 

and Nursery Crop Insurance Tools. 

New Jersey—LGM Dairy Cattle, 

Southern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 

Insurance Tools. 

Rhode Island—LGM Dairy Cattle, 

Northern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 

Insurance Tools. 

Vermont—LGM Dairy Cattle, 

Northern Potatoes, and Nursery Crop 

Insurance Tools. 

Wyoming—Pasture, Rangeland 

Forage, Livestock Gross Margin, 

Specialty Crops, and Underserved 

Commodities. 

Nevada—Crop Insurance in general. 

Utah—Crop Insurance in general. 

Hawaii—Macadamia Nut and Trees, 

Hawaii Tropical Fruit and Trees, 

Nursery Crop Insurance Tools. 

II. Award Information 

A. Type of Award 

Cooperative Agreements, which 

require the substantial involvement of 

RMA. 

B. Funding Availability 

Approximately $4,500,000 (subject to 

availability of funds) is available in 

fiscal year 2009 to fund up to 16 

cooperative agreements, a maximum of 

one agreement for each of the Targeted 

States. The maximum funding amount 

anticipated for each Targeted State’s 

agreement is as follows. Applicants 

should apply for funding for that 

Targeted State where the applicant 

intends to deliver the educational 

activities. 

Connecticut ........................... $235,000 

Delaware ............................... 263,000 

Hawaii ................................... 233,000 

Maine .................................... 243,000 

Maryland ............................... 324,000 

Massachusetts ...................... 228,000 

Nevada ................................. 235,000 

New Hampshire .................... 212,000 

New Jersey ........................... 259,000 

New York .............................. 479,000 

Pennsylvania ........................ 562,000 

Rhode Island ........................ 204,000 

Utah ...................................... 284,000 

Vermont ................................ 242,000 

West Virginia ........................ 230,000 

Wyoming ............................... 267,000 

Total ............................... 4,500,000 

Funding amounts were determined by 

first allocating an equal amount of 

$200,000 to each Targeted State. 

Remaining funds were allocated on a 

pro rata basis according to each 

Targeted State’s share of 2007 

agricultural cash receipts relative to the 

total for all Targeted States. Both 

allocations were totaled for each 

Targeted State and rounded to the 

nearest $1,000. 

In the event that additional funds 

become available under this program or 

in the event that no application for a 

given Targeted State is recommended 

for funding by the evaluation panel, 

these additional funds may, at the 

discretion of the Manager of FCIC, be 

allocated pro-rata to State awardees for 

use in broadening the size or scope of 

awarded projects within the Targeted 

State, if agreed to by the awardee. 

In the event that the Manager of FCIC 

determines that available RMA 

resources cannot support the 

administrative and substantial 

involvement requirements of all 

agreements recommended for funding, 

the Manager may elect to fund fewer 

agreements than the available funding 

might otherwise allow. It is expected 

that the awards will be made 

approximately 120 days after the 

application deadline. All awards will be 

made and agreements finalized no later 

than September 30, 2009. 

C. Location and Target Audience 

Targeted States serviced by RMA 

Regional Offices are listed below. Staff 

from the respective RMA Regional 

Offices will provide substantial 

involvement for Targeted States projects 

conducted within the respective 

Regions. 

Billings, MT Regional Office: (WY) 

Davis, CA Regional Office: (HI, NV 

and UT) 

Raleigh, NC Regional Office: (CT, DE, 

MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT 

and WV) 

Applicants must clearly designate the 

Targeted State where crop insurance 

educational activities for the project will 

be delivered in their application in 

block 12 of the SF–424 form, 

Application for Federal Assistance. 

Applications without this designation 

will be rejected. Applicants may apply 

to deliver education to producers in 

more than one Targeted State, but a 

separate application must be submitted 

for each Targeted State. Single 

applications proposing to conduct 

educational activities in more than one 

Targeted State will be rejected. 

D. Maximum Award 

Any application that requests Federal 

funding of more than the amount listed 

above for a project in a given Targeted 

State will be rejected. 

E. Project Period 

Projects will be funded for a period of 

up to one year from the project starting 

date. 

F. Description of Agreement Award 

Awardee Tasks 

In conducting activities to achieve the 

purpose and goal of this program in a 

designated Targeted State, the awardee 

will be responsible for performing the 

following tasks: 

• Develop and conduct a promotional 

program. This program will include 

activities using media, newsletters, 

publications, or other appropriate 

informational dissemination techniques 

that are designed to: (a) Raise awareness 

for crop insurance; (b) inform producers 

of the availability of crop insurance; (c) 

inform producers of the crop insurance 

sales closing dates prior to the deadline; 

and (d) inform producers and 

agribusiness leaders in the designated 

Targeted State of training and 

informational opportunities. 

• Deliver crop insurance training and 

informational opportunities to 

agricultural producers and agribusiness 

professionals in the designated Targeted 

State in a timely manner prior to crop 

insurance sales closing dates in order 

for producers to make informed 

decisions prior to the crop insurance 

sales closing dates deadline. This will 

include organizing and delivering 

educational activities using 

instructional materials that have been 

assembled to meet the local needs of 

agricultural producers. Activities should 

be directed primarily to agricultural 

producers, but may include those 

agribusiness professionals that have 

frequent opportunities to advise 

producers on crop insurance tools and 

decisions. 

• Document all educational activities 

conducted under the cooperative 

agreement and the results of such 

activities, including criteria and 

indicators used to evaluate the success 

of the program. The awardee may also 

be required to provide information to an 

RMA-selected contractor to evaluate all 

educational activities and advise RMA 

as to the effectiveness of activities. 

G. RMA Activities 

FCIC, working through RMA, will be 

substantially involved during the 

performance of the funded project 

through three of RMA’s ten Regional 

Offices. Potential types of substantial 

involvement may include, but are not 

limited to the following activities. 

• Collaborate with the awardee in 

assembling, reviewing, and approving 

risk management materials for 

producers in the designated RMA 

Region. 

• Collaborate with the awardee in 

reviewing and approving a promotional 

program for raising awareness for risk 


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15924 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 66 / Wednesday, April 8, 2009 / Notices 

management and for informing 

producers of training and informational 

opportunities in the RMA Region. 

• Collaborate with the awardee on the 

delivery of education to producers and 

agribusiness leaders in the RMA Region. 

This will include: (a) Reviewing and 

approving in advance all producer and 

agribusiness leader educational 

activities; (b) advising the project leader 

on technical issues related to crop 

insurance education and information; 

and (c) assisting the project leader in 

informing crop insurance professionals 

about educational activity plans and 

scheduled meetings. 

• Conduct an evaluation of the 

performance of the awardee in meeting 

the deliverables of the project. 

• Assist in the selection of 

subcontractors and project staff. 

Applications that do not contain 

substantial involvement by RMA will be 

rejected. 

H. Other Tasks 

In addition to the specific, required 

tasks listed above, the applicant may 

propose additional tasks that would 

contribute directly to the purpose of this 

program. For any proposed additional 

task, the applicant must identify the 

objective of the task, the specific 

subtasks required to meet the objective, 

specific time lines for performing the 

subtasks, and the specific 

responsibilities of partners. The 

applicant must also identify specific 

ways in which RMA would have 

substantial involvement in the proposed 

project task. 

III. Eligibility Information 

A. Eligible Applicants 

Eligible applicants include State 

departments of agriculture, universities, 

non-profit agricultural organizations, 

and other public or private 

organizations with the capacity to lead 

a local program of crop insurance 

education for farmers and ranchers 

within a Targeted State. Individuals are 

eligible applicants. Although an 

applicant may be eligible to compete for 

an award based on its status as an 

eligible entity, other factors may 

exclude an applicant from receiving 

Federal assistance under this program 

governed by Federal law and regulations 

(e.g., debarment and suspension; a 

determination of non-performance on a 

prior contract, cooperative agreement, 

grant or partnership; a determination of 

a violation of applicable ethical 

standards; a determination of being 

considered ‘‘high risk’’). Applications 

from ineligible or excluded persons will 

be rejected in their entirety. 

B. Cost Sharing or Matching 

Although RMA prefers cost sharing by 

the applicant, this program has neither 

a cost sharing nor a matching 

requirement. 

IV. Application and Submission 

Information 

A. Contact to Request Application 

Package 

Program application materials for the 

Targeted States Program under this 

announcement may be downloaded 

from http://www.rma.usda.gov/ 

aboutrma/agreements. Applicants may 

also request application materials from: 

Lydia M. Astorga, USDA–RMA–RME, 

phone: (202) 260–4728, fax: (202) 690– 

3605, e-mail: RMA.RiskEd@rma.usda.gov. 

B. Content and Form of Application 

Submission 

A complete and valid application 

must be submitted in one package at the 

time of initial submission, which must 

include the following: 

1. An original and two copies of the 

completed and signed application 

2. A completed and signed OMB 

Standard Form 424, ‘‘Application for 

Federal Assistance.’’ 

3. A completed and signed OMB 

Standard Form 424–A, ‘‘Budget 

Information—Non-construction 

Programs.’’ 

4. A completed and signed OMB 

Standard Form 424–B, ‘‘Assurances, 

Non-constructive Programs.’’ 

5. An electronic copy (Microsoft Word 

format preferred) on a compact disk 

(CD) of the completed: 

a. Risk Management Education Project 

Narrative (RME–1 Form). Complete all 

required parts. 

b. ‘‘Written Narrative’’—no more than 

10 single-sided pages which will 

provide reviewers with sufficient 

information to effectively evaluate the 

merits of the application according to 

the evaluation criteria listed in this 

notice. Although a Statement of Work, 

which is the third evaluation criterion, 

is to be completed in detail on RME–2 

Form, applicants may wish to highlight 

certain unique features of the Statement 

of Work for the benefit of the evaluation 

panel. If your narrative exceeds the page 

limit, only the first 10 pages will be 

reviewed. 

• No smaller than 12 point font size. 

• Use an easily readable font face 

(e.g., Arial, Geneva, Helvetica, Times 

Roman). 

• 8.5 by 11 inch paper. 

• One-inch margins on each page. 

• Printed on only one side of paper. 

• Held together only by rubber bands 

or metal clips; not bound or stapled in 

any other way. 

c. ‘‘Budget Narrative,’’ describing how 

the categorical costs listed on SF 424– 

A are derived. The budget narrative 

should provide enough detail for 

reviewers to easily understand how 

costs were determined and how they 

relate to the goals and objectives of the 

project. 

d. ‘‘Partnering Plan’’ include how 

each partner will aid in carrying out the 

project goal providing specific tasks. 

Letters of commitment from individuals 

and/or groups, dated no more than 60 

days prior to the application date, and 

should indicate the specific tasks they 

have agreed to do with the applicant. 

e. ‘‘Statement of Work,’’ RME–2 Form, 

which identifies tasks and subtasks in 

detail, expected completion dates and 

deliverables, and RMA’s substantial 

involvement role for the proposed 

project. 

6. A completed and signed OMB 

Standard Form LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of 

Lobbying Activities.’’ 

7. A completed and signed AD–1047, 

‘‘Certification Regarding Debarment, 

Suspension and Other Responsibility 

Matters—Primary Covered 

Transactions.’’ 

8. A completed and signed AD–1049, 

‘‘Certification Regarding Drug-Free 

Workplace.’’ 

Applications that do not include 

items 1–8 above will be considered 

incomplete, will not receive further 

consideration, and will be rejected. The 

RME–1 Form, the RME–2 Form, Written 

Narrative, Budget Narrative, and 

Partnering Plan must be provided in 

electronic copy (Microsoft Word format 

preferred) on a compact disk (CD). 

C. Funding Restrictions 

Cooperative agreement funds may not 

be used to: 

a. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or 

construct a building or facility including 

a processing facility; 

b. Purchase, rent, or install fixed 

equipment; 

c. Repair or maintain privately owned 

vehicles; 

d. Pay for the preparation of the 

cooperative agreement application; 

e. Fund political activities; 

f. Purchase alcohol, food, beverage, or 

entertainment; 

g. Lend money to support farming or 

agricultural business operation or 

expansion; 

h. Pay costs incurred prior to 

receiving a partnership agreement; or 

i. Fund any activities prohibited in 7 

CFR Parts 3015 and 3019, as applicable. 


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D. Limitation on Use of Project Funds 

for Salaries and Benefits 

Total costs for salary and benefits 

allowed for projects under this 

announcement will be limited to not 

more than 70 percent reimbursement of 

the funds awarded under the 

cooperative agreement. One goal of the 

Targeted States Program is to maximize 

the use of the limited funding available 

for crop insurance education for 

Targeted States. In order to accomplish 

this goal, RMA needs to ensure that the 

maximum amount of funds practicable 

is used for directly providing the 

educational opportunities. Limiting the 

amount of funding for salaries and 

benefits will allow the limited amount 

of funding to reach the maximum 

number of farmers and ranchers. 

E. Indirect Cost Rates 

a. Indirect costs allowed for projects 

submitted under this announcement 

will be limited to ten (10) percent of the 

total direct cost of the cooperative 

agreement. Therefore, when preparing 

budgets, applicants should limit their 

requests for recovery of indirect costs to 

the lesser of their institution’s official 

negotiated indirect cost rate or 10 

percent of the total direct costs. 

b. RMA reserves the right to negotiate 

final budgets with successful applicants. 

c. Applicants may be asked to provide 

a copy of their indirect cost rate 

negotiated with their cognizant agency. 

F. Other Submission Requirements 

Mailed submissions: Applications 

submitted through express, overnight 

mail or another delivery service will be 

considered as meeting the announced 

deadline if they are received in the 

mailroom at the address stated below for 

express, overnight mail or another 

delivery service on or before the 

deadline. Applicants are cautioned that 

express, overnight mail or other delivery 

services do not always deliver as agreed. 

Applicants should take this into account 

because failure of such delivery services 

will not extend the deadline. Mailed 

applications will be considered as 

meeting the announced deadline if they 

are received on or before the deadline in 

the mailroom at the address stated 

below for mailed applications. 

Applicants using the U.S. Postal Service 

(USPS) should allow for the extra time 

for delivery due to the additional 

security measures that mail delivered to 

government offices in the Washington 

DC area requires. USPS mail sent to 

Washington DC headquarters is 

sanitized offsite, which may result in 

delays, loss, and physical damage to 

enclosures. 

Address when using private delivery 

services or when hand delivering: 

Attention: Risk Management Education 

Program, USDA/RMA/RME, Room 6709, 

South Building, 1400 Independence 

Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250. 

Address when using U.S. Postal 

Services: Attention: Risk Management 

Education Program, USDA/RMA/RME/ 

Stop 0808, Room 6709, South Building, 

1400 Independence Ave., SW., 

Washington, DC 20250–0808. 

Applicants are responsible for 

ensuring that RMA receives a complete 

application package by the closing date 

and time. Regardless of the delivery 

method you choose, please do so 

sufficiently in advance of the due date 

to ensure your application package is 

received on or before the deadline. Emailed and faxed applications will not 

be accepted. Application packages 

received after the deadline will not 

receive further consideration and will 

be rejected. 

G. Electronic Submissions 

Applications transmitted 

electronically via Grants.gov will be 

accepted prior to the application date or 

time deadline. The application package 

can be accessed via Grants.gov, go to 

http://www.grants.gov, click on ‘‘Find 

Grant Opportunities,’’ click on ‘‘Search 

Grant Opportunities,’’ and enter the 

CFDA number (found at the beginning 

of the RFA) to search by CFDA number. 

From the search results, select the item 

that correlates to the title of this RFA. 

If you do not have electronic access to 

the RFA or have trouble downloading 

material and you would like a hardcopy, 

you may contact Lydia M. Astorga, 

USDA–RMA–RME, phone: (202) 260– 

4728, fax: (202) 690–3605, e-mail: 

RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. 

If assistance is needed to access the 

application package via Grants.gov (e.g., 

downloading or navigating PureEdge 

forms, using PureEdge with a Macintosh 

computer, using Adobe), refer to 

resources available on the Grants.gov 

Web site first (http://www.grants.gov/). 

Grants.gov assistance is also available as 

follows: 

• Grants.gov customer support. Toll 

Free: 1–800–518–4726. Business Hours: 

M–F 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern Time. Email: support@grants.gov. 

Applicants who submit their 

applications via the Grants.gov Web site 

are not required to submit any hard 

copy documents to RMA. 

When using Grants.gov to apply, RMA 

strongly recommends that you submit 

the online application at least two 

weeks prior to the application due date 

in case there are problems with the 

Grants.gov website and you want to 

submit your application via a mail 

delivery service. Electronic applications 

submitted through Grants.gov are due at 

11:59 p.m. EDT on the application 

deadline date. 

H. Acknowledgement of Applications 

Receipt of applications will be 

acknowledged by e-mail, whenever 

possible. Therefore, applicants are 

encouraged to provide e-mail addresses 

in their applications. If an e-mail 

address is not indicated on an 

application, receipt will be 

acknowledged by letter. There will be 

no notification of incomplete, 

unqualified or unfunded applications 

until the awards have been made. When 

received by RMA, applications will be 

assigned an identification number. This 

number will be communicated to 

applicants in the acknowledgement of 

receipt of applications. An application’s 

identification number should be 

referenced in all correspondence 

regarding the application. If the 

applicant does not receive an 

acknowledgement within 15 days of the 

submission deadline, the applicant 

should notify RMA’s point of contact 

indicated in Section VII, Agency 

Contact. 

V. Application Review Information 

A. Criteria 

Applications submitted under the 

Targeted States program will be 

evaluated within each Targeted State 

according to the following criteria: 

Project Impacts—Maximum 30 Points 

The applicant must demonstrate that 

the project benefits to farmers and 

ranchers warrant the funding requested. 

Applicants will be scored according to 

the extent they can: (a) Identify the 

specific actions producers will likely be 

able to take as a result of the educational 

activities described in the Statement of 

Work; (b) identify the specific measures 

for evaluating results that will be 

employed in the project; (c) reasonably 

estimate the total number of producers 

reached through the various methods 

and educational activities described in 

the Statement of Work; and (d) justify 

such estimates with clear specifics. 

Reviewers’ scoring will be based on the 

scope and reasonableness of the 

applicant’s clear descriptions of 

specific, expected actions producers 

will accomplish, and well-designed 

methods for measuring the project’s 

results and effectiveness. Applicants 

using direct contact methods with 

producers will be scored higher. 


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Statement of Work—Maximum 20 

Points 

The applicant must produce a clear 

and specific Statement of Work for the 

project. For each of the tasks contained 

in the Description of Agreement Award 

(refer to Section II Award Information), 

the applicant must identify and describe 

specific subtasks, responsible entities, 

expected completion dates, RMA 

substantial involvement, and 

deliverables that will further the 

purpose of this program. Applicants 

will obtain a higher score to the extent 

that the Statement of Work is specific, 

measurable, reasonable, has specific 

deadlines for the completion of 

subtasks, relates directly to the required 

activities and the program purpose 

described in this announcement. 

Applicants are required to submit this 

Statement of Work on RME–2 Form. All 

narratives should give estimates of how 

many producers will be reached through 

this project. Estimates for non-producers 

can also be made but they should be 

separate from the estimates of 

producers. 

Partnering—Maximum 15 Points 

The applicant must demonstrate 

experience and capacity to partner with 

and gain the support of grower 

organizations, agribusiness 

professionals, and agricultural leaders to 

carry out a local program of education 

and information in a designated 

Targeted State. The applicant is 

required to establish a written 

partnering plan that includes how each 

partner will aid in carrying out the 

project goal and purpose stated in this 

announcement and letters of 

commitment dated no more than 60 

days prior to submission of application 

stating that the partner has agreed to do 

this work. The applicant must ensure 

this plan includes a list of all partners 

working on the project, their titles, and 

how they will be contributing to the 

deliverables listed in the agreement. The 

partnering plan will not count towards 

the maximum length of the application 

narrative. Applicants will receive higher 

scores to the extent that they can 

document and demonstrate in the 

written partnering plan: (a) That 

partnership commitments are in place 

for the express purpose of delivering the 

program in this announcement; (b) that 

a broad group of farmers and ranchers 

will be reached within the Targeted 

State; (c) that partners are contributing 

to the project and involved in recruiting 

producers to attend the training; (d) that 

a substantial effort has been made to 

partner with organizations that can meet 

the needs of producers; and (e) 

statements from each partner regarding 

the number of producers that partner is 

committed to recruit for the project that 

would support the estimates specified 

under the Project Impacts criterion. 

Project Management—Maximum 15 

Points 

The applicant must demonstrate an 

ability to implement sound and effective 

project management practices. Higher 

scores will be awarded to applicants 

that can demonstrate organizational 

skills, leadership, and experience in 

delivering services or programs that 

assist agricultural producers in the 

respective Targeted State. The project 

manager must demonstrate that he/she 

has the capability to accomplish the 

project goal and purpose stated in this 

announcement by (a) having a previous 

working relationship with the farm 

community in the designated Targeted 

State of the application, including being 

able to recruit approximately the 

number of producers to be reached in 

the application and/or (b) having 

established the capacity to partner with 

and gain the support of grower 

organizations, agribusiness 

professionals, and agribusiness leaders 

locally to aid in carrying out a program 

of education and information, including 

being able to recruit approximately the 

number of producers to be reached in 

this application. Applicants are 

encouraged to designate an alternate 

Project Leader in the event the Project 

Leader is unable to finish the project. 

Applicants that will employ, or have 

access to, personnel who have 

experience in directing local 

educational programs that benefit 

agricultural producers in the respective 

Targeted State will receive higher 

rankings. 

Budget Appropriateness and 

Efficiency—Maximum 15 Points 

Applicants must provide a detailed 

budget summary that clearly explains 

and justifies costs associated with the 

project. Applicants will receive higher 

scores to the extent that they can 

demonstrate a fair and reasonable use of 

funds appropriate for the project and a 

budget that contains the estimated cost 

of reaching each individual producer. 

The applicant must provide information 

factors such as: 

• The allowability and necessity for 

individual cost categories; 

• The reasonableness of amounts 

estimated for necessary costs; 

• The basis used for allocating 

indirect or overhead costs; 

• The appropriateness of allocating 

particular overhead costs to the 

proposed project as direct costs; and 

• The percent of time devoted to the 

project for all key project personnel 

identified in the application. Salaries of 

project personnel should be requested 

in proportion to the percent of time that 

they would devote to the project and 

cannot exceed 70 percent of the total 

project budget. Applicants must list all 

current public or private support to 

which personnel identified in the 

application have committed portions of 

their time, whether or not salary support 

for persons involved is included in the 

budget. Only items or services that are 

necessary for the successful completion 

of the project will be funded as 

permitted under the Act. An application 

that duplicates or overlaps substantially 

with an application already reviewed 

and funded (or to be funded) by another 

organization or agency will not be 

funded under this program. The projects 

proposed for funding should be 

included in the pending section. 

Targeted Producers—Maximum 10 

Points 

Applicants will obtain a higher score 

to the extent that the project places 

special emphasis on risk management 

strategies, education, and outreach 

specifically targeted at: 

• Beginning farmers or ranchers; 

• Legal immigrant farmers or ranchers 

who are attempting to become 

established producers in the United 

States; 

• Socially disadvantaged farmers or 

ranchers; 

• Farmers or ranchers who— 

Æ Are preparing to retire; and 

Æ Are using transition strategies to 

help new farmers or ranchers get 

started; and 

• New or established farmers or 

ranchers who are converting production 

and marketing systems to pursue new 

markets. 

Past Performance—Maximum 10 Points 

If the applicant has been an awardee 

of other Federal or other government 

grants, cooperative agreements, or 

contracts in the past three years, the 

applicant must provide information 

relating to their past performance in 

reporting on outputs and outcomes 

under past or current federal assistance 

agreements or contracts. The applicant 

must also detail that they have 

consistently complied with financial 

and program reporting and auditing 

requirements. RMA will review past 

performance reports during the review 

panel process. RMA reserves the right to 

add up to 10 points or subtract up to 10 

points from applications due to past 

performance. RMA has established 10 

evaluation standards from which your 


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past performance scores is based upon. 

The 10 evaluation standards are 

demonstrated by: (1) Submitting all 

required documents (educational and 

promotional) to the RO for review prior 

to dissemination, (2) developing a 

training plan or accurate set of 

instructional materials, (3) delivering 

the materials to his/her intended 

audience as specified in the statement of 

work, (4) being able to draw at least 50 

percent of the audience estimated in the 

application, (5) developing a 

promotional plan or accurate set of 

promotional materials and properly 

promoting the program to his/her 

intended audience, (6) using the RMA 

logo when deemed appropriate, (7) 

participating in quarterly conference 

calls when asked, (8) notifying RO 

employees of when crop insurance and 

risk management education workshops 

and seminars are being held in their 

region in timely manner, (9) submitting 

complete quarterly reports by 

established deadlines, and (10) 

achieving the goals and objectives stated 

upfront in the statement of work. 

Applicants with very good past 

performance will receive a score from 

6–10 points. Very good past 

performance is designated by an 

agreement holder that meets the 10 

standards stated above from 70 percent 

to 100 percent of the time. Applicants 

with acceptable past performance will 

receive a score from 1–5 points when 

the 10 standards are met 40 percent to 

69 percent of the time. Applicants with 

unacceptable past performance will 

receive a score of zero to minus 10 

points when an applicant meets the 10 

standards less than 39 percent of the 

time. Applicants without relevant past 

performance information will receive a 

neutral score of the mean number of 

points of all applicants with past 

performance. These past performance 

points will be applied only to 

applications that the review panel 

scored above the minimum score. 

Applications receiving less than the 

minimum score required to be eligible 

for potential funding will not receive 

past performance points. 

Projected Audience Description— 

Maximum 5 Points 

The applicant must clearly identify 

and describe the targeted audience for 

the project. Applicants will receive 

higher scores to the extent that they can 

reasonably and clearly describe their 

target audience and why the audience 

would choose to participate in the 

project. The applicant must describe 

why the proposed audience wants the 

information the project will deliver and 

how they will benefit from it. 

B. Review and Selection Process 

Applications will be evaluated using 

a two-part process. First, each 

application will be screened by RMA 

personnel to ensure that it meets the 

requirements in this announcement. 

Applications that do not meet the 

requirements of this announcement or 

are incomplete will not receive further 

consideration during the next process. 

Applications that meet announcement 

requirements will be sorted into the 

Targeted State in which the applicant 

proposes to conduct the project and will 

be presented to a review panel for 

consideration. 

Second, the review panel will meet to 

consider and discuss the merits of each 

application. The panel will consist of 

not less than three independent 

reviewers. Reviewers will be drawn 

from USDA, other Federal agencies, and 

others representing public and private 

organizations, as needed. After 

considering the merits of all 

applications within a Targeted State, 

panel members will score each 

application according to the criteria and 

point values listed above. The panel 

will then rank each application against 

others within the Targeted State 

according to the scores received. A 

lottery will be used to resolve any 

instances of a tie score that might have 

a bearing on funding recommendations. 

If such a lottery is required, the names 

of all tied applicants will be entered 

into a drawing. The first tied applicant 

drawn will have priority over other tied 

applicants for funding consideration. 

The review panel will report the 

results of the evaluation to the Manager 

of FCIC. The panel’s report will include 

the recommended applicants to receive 

cooperative agreements for each 

Targeted State. Funding will not be 

provided for an application receiving a 

score less than 60. An organization, or 

group of organizations in partnership, 

may apply for funding under other FCIC 

or RMA programs, in addition to the 

program described in this 

announcement. However, if the Manager 

of FCIC determines that an application 

recommended for funding is sufficiently 

similar to a project that has been funded 

or has been recommended to be funded 

under another RMA or FCIC program, 

then the Manager may elect to not fund 

that application in whole or in part. The 

Manager of FCIC will make the final 

determination on those applications that 

will be awarded funding. 

VI. Award Administration Information 

A. Award Notices 

Following approval by the awarding 

official of RMA of the applications to be 

selected for funding, project leaders 

whose applications have been selected 

for funding will be notified. Within the 

limit of funds available for such a 

purpose, the awarding official of RMA 

shall enter into cooperative agreements 

with those awardees. The agreements 

provide the amount of Federal funds for 

use in the project period, the terms and 

conditions of the award, and the time 

period for the project. The effective date 

of the agreement shall be the date the 

agreement is executed by both parties 

and it shall remain in effect for up to 

one year or through September 30, 2010, 

whichever is later. After a cooperative 

agreement has been signed, RMA will 

extend to awardees, in writing, the 

authority to draw down funds for the 

purpose of conducting the activities 

listed in the agreement. All funds 

provided to the awardee by FCIC must 

be expended solely for the purpose for 

which the funds are obligated in 

accordance with the approved 

agreement and budget, the regulations, 

the terms and conditions of the award, 

and the applicability of Federal cost 

principles. No commitment of Federal 

assistance beyond the project period is 

made or implied for any award resulting 

from this notice. 

Notification of denial of funding will 

be sent to applicants after final funding 

decisions have been made and awardees 

announced publicly. Reasons for denial 

of funding can include, but are not 

limited to, incomplete applications, 

applications with evaluation scores 

below 60, or applications with 

evaluation scores that are lower than 

those of other applications in a Targeted 

State. 

B. Administrative and National Policy 

Requirements 

1. Requirement To Use Program Logo 

Awardees of cooperative agreements 

will be required to use a program logo 

and design provided by RMA for all 

instructional and promotional materials, 

if appropriate. 

2. Requirement to Provide Project 

Information to an RMA-Selected 

Representative 

Awardees of cooperative agreements 

may be required to assist RMA in 

evaluating the effectiveness of its 

educational programs by providing 

documentation of educational activities 

and related information to any 

representative selected by RMA for 

program evaluation purposes. 


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3. Private Crop Insurance Organizations 

and Potential Conflicts of Interest 

Private organizations that are 

involved in the sale of Federal crop 

insurance, or that have financial ties to 

such organizations, are eligible to apply 

for funding under this announcement. 

However, such entities will not be 

allowed to receive funding to conduct 

activities that would otherwise be 

required under a Standard Reinsurance 

Agreement or any other agreement in 

effect between FCIC and the entity. 

Also, such entities will not be allowed 

to receive funding to conduct activities 

that could be perceived by producers as 

promoting one company’s services or 

products over another’s. If applying for 

funding, such organizations are 

encouraged to be sensitive to potential 

conflicts of interest and to describe in 

their application the specific actions 

they will take to avoid actual and 

perceived conflicts of interest. 

4. Access to Panel Review Information 

Upon written request from the 

applicant, scores from the evaluation 

panel, not including the identity of 

reviewers, will be sent to the applicant 

after the review and awards process has 

been completed. 

5. Confidential Aspects of Applications 

and Awards 

The names of applicants, the names of 

individuals identified in the 

applications, the content of 

applications, and the panel evaluations 

of applications will all be kept 

confidential, except to those involved in 

the review process, to the extent 

permitted by law. In addition, the 

identities of review panel members will 

remain confidential throughout the 

entire review process and will not be 

released to applicants. At the end of the 

fiscal year, names of panel members 

will be made available. However, 

panelists will not be identified with the 

review of any particular application. 

When an application results in a 

cooperative agreement, that agreement 

becomes a part of the official record of 

RMA transactions, available to the 

public upon specific request. 

Information that the Secretary of 

Agriculture determines to be of a 

confidential, privileged, or proprietary 

nature will be held in confidence to the 

extent permitted by law. Therefore, any 

information that the applicant wishes to 

be considered confidential, privileged, 

or proprietary should be clearly marked 

within an application, including the 

basis for such designation. The original 

copy of an application that does not 

result in an award will be retained by 

RMA for a period of one year. Other 

copies will be destroyed. Copies of 

applications not receiving awards will 

be released only with the express 

written consent of the applicant or to 

the extent required by law. An 

application may be withdrawn at any 

time prior to award. 

6. Audit Requirements 

Awardees of cooperative agreements 

are subject to audit. 

7. Prohibitions and Requirements with 

Regard to Lobbying 

Section 1352 of Public Law 101–121, 

enacted on October 23, 1989, imposes 

prohibitions and requirements for 

disclosure and certification related to 

lobbying on awardees of Federal 

contracts, grants, cooperative 

agreements, and loans. It provides 

exemptions for Indian Tribes and tribal 

organizations. Current and prospective 

awardees, and any subcontractors, are 

prohibited from using Federal funds, 

other than profits from a Federal 

contract, for lobbying Congress or any 

Federal agency in connection with the 

award of a contract, grant, cooperative 

agreement, or loan. In addition, for each 

award action in excess of $100,000 

($150,000 for loans) the law requires 

awardees and any subcontractors: (1) To 

certify that they have neither used nor 

will use any appropriated funds for 

payment of lobbyists; (2) to disclose the 

name, address, payment details, and 

purpose of any agreements with 

lobbyists whom awardees or their 

subcontractors will pay with profits or 

other non-appropriated funds on or after 

December 22, 1989; and (3) to file 

quarterly up-dates about the use of 

lobbyists if material changes occur in 

their use. The law establishes civil 

penalties for non-compliance. A copy of 

the certification and disclosure forms 

must be submitted with the application 

and are available at the address and 

telephone number listed in Section VII. 

Agency Contact. 

8. Applicable OMB Circulars 

All cooperative agreements funded as 

a result of this notice will be subject to 

the requirements contained in all 

applicable OMB circulars. 

9. Requirement to Assure Compliance 

with Federal Civil Rights Laws 

Project leaders of all cooperative 

agreements funded as a result of this 

notice are required to know and abide 

by Federal civil rights laws and to 

assure USDA and RMA that the awardee 

is in compliance with and will continue 

to comply with Title VI of the Civil 

Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et 

seq.), 7 CFR Part 15, and USDA 

regulations promulgated thereunder, 7 

CFR 1901.202. RMA requires that 

awardees submit an Assurance 

Agreement (Civil Rights), assuring RMA 

of this compliance prior to the 

beginning of the project period. 

10. Requirement To Participate in a Post 

Award Conference 

RMA requires that project leaders 

attend a post award conference, if 

conducted, to become fully aware of 

cooperative agreement requirements and 

for delineating the roles of RMA 

personnel and the procedures that will 

be followed in administering the 

agreement and will afford an 

opportunity for the orderly transition of 

agreement duties and obligations if 

different personnel are to assume postaward responsibility. In their 

applications, applicants should budget 

for possible travel costs associated with 

attending this conference. 

11. Requirement To Submit Educational 

Materials to the National AgRisk 

Education Library 

RMA requires that project leaders 

upload digital copies of all risk 

management educational materials 

developed because of the project to the 

National AgRisk Education Library 

(http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for 

posting, if electronically reporting. RMA 

will be clearly identified as having 

provided funding for the materials. 

Projects leaders not reporting 

electronically will not be required to 

post educational materials onto the 

National AgRisk Education Library, but 

are highly encouraged to do so. 

12. Requirement To Submit Proposed 

Results to the National AgRisk 

Education Library 

RMA requires that project leaders 

submit results of the project to the 

National AgRisk Education Library 

(http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/) for 

posting if electronically reporting. 

Projects leaders not reporting 

electronically will not be required to 

post results onto the National AgRisk 

Education Library, but are highly 

encouraged to do so. 

13. Requirement To Submit a Project 

Plan of Operation in the Event of a 

Human Pandemic Outbreak 

RMA requires that project leaders 

submit a project plan of operation in 

case of a human pandemic event. The 

plan should address the concept of 

continuing operations as they relate to 

the project. This should include the 

roles, responsibilities, and contact 

information for the project team and 


rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
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individuals serving as back-ups in case 

of a pandemic outbreak. 

C. Reporting Requirements 

Awardees will be required to submit 

quarterly progress reports, quarterly 

financial reports (OMB Standard Form 

269), and quarterly Activity Logs (RMA 

300 Form) throughout the project 

period, as well as a final program and 

financial report not later than 90 days 

after the end of the project period. 

Awardees will be required to submit 

prior to the award: 

• A completed and signed Assurance 

Agreement (Civil Rights). 

• A completed and signed FaithBased Survey on EEO. 

VII. Agency Contact 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Applicants and other interested parties 

are encouraged to contact: Lydia M. 

Astorga, USDA–RMA–RME, phone: 

202–260–4728, fax: 202–690–3605, email: RMA.Risk-Ed@rma.usda.gov. You 

may also obtain information regarding 

this announcement from the RMA 

website at: http://www.rma.usda.gov/ 

aboutrma/agreements/. 

VIII. Other Information 

A. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 

Numbering System (DUNS) 

A DUNS number is a unique ninedigit sequence recognized as the 

universal standard for identifying and 

keeping track of over 70 million 

businesses worldwide. The Office of 

Management and Budget published a 

notice of final policy issuance in the 

Federal Register June 27, 2003 (68 FR 

38402) that requires a DUNS number in 

every application (i.e., hard copy and 

electronic) for a grant or cooperative 

agreement on or after October 1, 2003. 

Therefore, potential applicants should 

verify that they have a DUNS number or 

take the steps needed to obtain one. For 

information about how to obtain a 

DUNS number, go to http:// 

www.grants.gov. Please note that the 

registration may take up to 14 business 

days to complete. 

B. Required Registration With the 

Central Contract Registry (CCR) for 

Submission of Proposals 

The Central Contract Registry (CCR) is 

a database that serves as the primary 

Government repository for contractor 

information required for the conduct of 

business with the Government. This 

database will also be used as a central 

location for maintaining organizational 

information for organizations seeking 

and receiving grants from the 

Government. Such organizations must 

register in the CCR prior to the 

submission of applications. A DUNS 

number is needed for CCR registration. 

For information about how to register in 

the CCR, visit ‘‘Get Started’’ at the Web 

site, http://www.grants.gov. Allow a 

minimum of 5 business days to 

complete the CCR registration. 

C. Related Programs 

Funding availability for this program 

may be announced at approximately the 

same time as funding availability for 

similar but separate programs—CFDA 

No. 10.455 (Community Outreach and 

Assistance Partnerships), and CFDA No. 

10.457 (Commodity Partnerships For 

Risk Management Education). These 

programs have some similarities, but 

also key differences. The differences 

stem from important features of each 

program’s authorizing legislation and 

different RMA objectives. Prospective 

applicants should carefully examine 

and compare the notices for each 

program. 

Signed in Washington, DC on April 2, 

2009. 

William J. Murphy, 

Acting Manager, Federal Crop Insurance 

Corporation. 

[FR Doc. E9–7895 Filed 4–7–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–08–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Bureau of Economic Analysis 

Proposed Information Collection; 

Comment Request; Survey: Ocean 

Freight Revenues and Foreign 

Expenses of United States Carriers; 

Survey: U.S. Airline Operators’ Foreign 

Revenues and Expenses 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The Department of 

Commerce, as part of its continuing 

effort to reduce paperwork and 

respondent burden, invites the general 

public and other Federal agencies to 

comment on proposed and/or 

continuing information collections, as 

required by the Paperwork Reduction 

Act of 1995. 

DATES: Written comments must be 

submitted on or before 5 p.m. June 8, 

2009. 

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments 

to Diana Hynek, Departmental 

Paperwork Clearance Officer, 

Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 

14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., 

Washington, DC 20230, or via e-mail at 

dhynek@doc.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Requests for additional information or 

copies of the information collection 

instrument and instructions should be 

directed to Edward Dozier, Current 

Account Services Branch, Balance of 

Payments Division, (BE–58), Bureau of 

Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of 

Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; 

phone: (202) 606–9559; fax: (202) 606– 

5314; or via e-mail at 

edward.dozier@bea.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract 

The Bureau of Economic Analysis 

(BEA) is responsible for the compilation 

of the U.S. international transactions 

accounts (ITAs), which it publishes 

quarterly in news releases, on its Web 

site, and in its monthly journal, the 

Survey of Current Business. These 

accounts provide a statistical summary 

of all U.S. international transactions 

and, as such, are one of the major 

statistical products of BEA. They are 

used extensively by both government 

and private organizations for national 

and international economic policy 

formulation and for analytical purposes. 

The information collected in these 

surveys is used to develop the 

‘‘transportation’’ portion of the ITAs. 

Potential respondents are U.S. ocean 

and air carriers engaged in international 

transportation of goods and/or 

passengers. The information is collected 

on a quarterly basis from U.S. ocean and 

air carriers whose total annual covered 

revenues or total annual covered 

expenses are, or are expected to be, 

$500,000 or more. U.S. ocean and air 

carriers whose total annual covered 

revenues and total annual covered 

expenses are, or are expected to be, each 

below $500,000 are exempt from 

reporting. 

Without this information, an integral 

component of the ITAs would be 

omitted. No other government agency 

collects comprehensive quarterly data 

on U.S. ocean carriers’ freight revenues 

and foreign expenses or U.S. airline 

operators’ foreign revenues and 

expenses. There are no changes 

proposed to the form or instructions. 

II. Method of Collection 

The survey forms will be sent to 

respondents each quarter via U.S. mail; 

the surveys are also available from our 

Web site. Respondents return the 

surveys one of four ways: U.S. mail, 

electronically using BEA’s electronic 

collection system (eFile), fax or email. 

Responses will be due within 50 days 

after the close of each calendar quarter. 

III. Data 

OMB Number: 0608–0011. 


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