32282 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service

Agricultural Telecommunications

Program; Fiscal Year 1996; Solicitation

of Proposals

AGENCY: Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service,

USDA.

ACTION: Agricultural

Telecommunications Program; Fiscal

Year 1996; Solicitation of Proposals.

SUMMARY: The Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service is soliciting proposals under the

Agricultural Telecommunications

Program. The Agricultural

Telecommunications Program is

authorized in the Food, Agriculture,

Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. It

is anticipated that grants will be

awarded competitively under the

program in support of the following

areas: (1) Program Delivery, (2)

Innovative Program Development/

Production, and (3) Capacity Building.

DATES: Proposals must be received by

close of business August 23, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Proposals sent by First Class

mail must be sent to the following

address: Proposal Services Unit, Grants

Management Branch, Office of

Extramural Programs, Cooperative State,

Research, Education, and Extension

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Ag Box 2245, Washington, DC 20250–

2245, Telephone: (202) 401–5048.

Proposals that are delivered by

Express mail, courier service, or by

hand must be sent to the following

address: Proposal Services Unit, Grants

Management Branch, Office of

Extramural Programs, Cooperative State,

Research, Education, and Extension

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Room 303, Aerospace Center, 901 D

Street SW., Washington, DC 20024,

Telephone (202) 401–5048.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Cathy Bridwell, 202–720–6084 for

programmatic issues, or Winston

Sherman, 202–401–5050 for

administrative issues.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

Program Description

(a) Purpose

(b) Available Funding

(c) Eligibility

(d) Definitions

(e) Application Categories

(f) Proposal Review

(g) Evaluation Criteria

How to Obtain Application Materials

Proposal Format

(a) Project Application (Form CFD–2101)

(b) Project Description

(c) Application Category

(d) Staffing Pattern and Procedure

(e) Personnel Support

(f) Budget

(g) Current and Pending Support

(h) Organizational and Management

Information

Compliance with the National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA)

Proposal Disposition

Proposal Submission

(a) What to Submit

(b) Where and When to Submit

Supplementary Information

(a) Federal Assistance Awards

(b) Obligation of the Federal Government

(c) Applicable Federal Statutes and

Regulations That Apply

Program Description

(a) Purpose

Proposals are requested for the

purpose of awarding competitive grants

for fiscal year (FY) 1996 under the

Agricultural Telecommunications

Program (Program). Grants will be

awarded to eligible institutions to assist

in development and utilization of an

agricultural communications network to

facilitate and to strengthen agricultural

extension, resident education and

research, and domestic and

international marketing of United States

commodities and products through a

partnership between eligible institutions

and the U.S. Department of Agriculture

(USDA). The network will employ

satellite and other telecommunications

technology to disseminate and to share

academic instruction, cooperative

extension programming, agricultural

research, and marketing information.

The authority for this program is

contained in Section 1673 of the Food,

Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade

Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101–624 (7

U.S.C. 5926). The program is

administered by the Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service (CSREES) of USDA.

(b) Available Funding

For fiscal year 1996, $1,106,760 is

available for the program. Grants under

this program may provide funds for no

more than 50 percent (50%) of the cost

of a proposed project, unless otherwise

determined by the Secretary in

accordance with the provisions of Sec.

1673(g) of Pub. L. No. 101–624 (7 U.S.C.

5926(g)). For the purpose of determining

the non-Federal share of such costs,

consideration will be given to

contributions in cash and in-kind, fairly

evaluated, including, but not limited to

premises, equipment and services.

Project funds will be awarded for one

fiscal year. Applicants may recompete

for additional funding, but projects will

not be renewed.

(c) Eligibility

Proposals are invited from accredited

institutions of higher education.

Applicants must demonstrate that they

participate in a network that distributes

programs consistent with the following

objectives: (1) Make optimal use of

available resources for agricultural

extension, resident education, and

research by sharing resources between

participating institutions; (2) improve

the competitive position of United

States agriculture in international

markets by disseminating information to

producers, processors, and researchers;

(3) train students for careers in

agriculture and food industries; (4)

facilitate interaction among leading

agricultural scientists; (5) enhance the

ability of United States agriculture to

respond to environmental and food

safety concerns; and; (6) identify new

uses for farm commodities and to

increase the demand for United States

agricultural products in both domestic

and foreign markets.

Pursuant to Sec. 1673(e) of Pub. L. No.

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

consideration will be given to

applications that—

(i) are submitted by institutions

affiliated with an established

agricultural telecommunications

network that distributes programs to a

wide geographical area; or

(ii) demonstrate the need for such

assistance, taking into consideration the

relative needs of all applicants and the

financial ability of the applicants to

otherwise secure or create the

telecommunications system.

These preferences will be factored

into the evaluation of the Partnerships

and Collaboration and Project Need

Criteria, respectively.

In addition to the above, an applicant

must qualify as a responsible applicant

in order to be eligible for a grant under

the program. To qualify as responsible,

an applicant must meet the following

standards:

(1) Adequate financial resources for

performance, the necessary experience,

organizational and technical

qualifications, and facilities, or a firm

commitment, arrangement, or ability to

obtain the same (including any to be

obtained through sub-agreement(s)/

contract(s));

(2) Ability to comply with the

proposed or required completion

schedule for the project;

(3) Adequate financial management

system and audit procedures that

provide efficient and effective
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices 32283

accountability and control of all funds,

property, and other assets;

(4) Satisfactory record of integrity,

judgment, and performance, including,

in particular, any prior performance

under grants and contracts from the

Federal Government;

(5) Otherwise be qualified and eligible

to receive Federal assistance under the

applicable laws and regulations; and

(d) Definitions

For the purpose of awarding funding

under this program, the following

definitions are applicable:

(1) Administrative costs means the

total of direct and indirect costs as

defined in 7 CFR 3015, USDA Uniform

Federal Assistance Regulations, related

to the operation of a project under this

program;

(2) Administrator means the

Administrator of CSREES and any other

officer or employee of the Department to

whom the authority to issue or modify

grant instruments has been delegated.

(3) Agricultural telecommunications

means those activities established to

encourage development and utilization

of an agricultural communications

network employing satellite and other

telecommunications technologies to

disseminate and to share academic

instruction, cooperative extension

programming, agricultural research, and

marketing information;

(4) Awarding official means the

Administrator or any other officer or

employee of the Department to whom

the authority to issue or modify

Agricultural Telecommunications grant

instruments on behalf of the Department

has been delegated.

(5) Communications network refers to

television or cable television origination

or distribution equipment, signal

conversion equipment (including both

modulators and demodulators),

computer hardware and software,

programs or terminals, or related

devices, used to process and exchange

data through a telecommunications

system in which signals are generated,

modified or prepared for transmission,

or received, via telecommunications

terminal equipment or via

telecommunications transmission;

(6) Delivery means the transmission

and reception of programs by facilities

that transmit, receive, or carry data

between telecommunications terminal

equipment at each of a

telecommunications terminal

equipment at each end of a

telecommunications circuit or path;

(7) Facilities includes microwave

antennae, fiberoptic cables and

repeaters, coaxial cables,

communications satellite ground station

complexes, copper cable electronic

equipment associated with

telecommunications transmission;

(8) Grant means the assistance award

by the Administrator to a grantee to

develop agricultural

telecommunications programs utilizing

an agricultural telecommunications

network;

(9) Grantee means the entity

designated in the grant award document

as the responsible legal entity to whom

a grant is awarded;

(10) Peer Review Panel means a group

of appropriate employees of the Federal

Government qualified to give advice on

the merit of grant applications

submitted under this program;

(11) Project means the particular

activity within the scope of the program

as identified herein that is supported by

a grant under this program;

(12) Project Director means the

individual who is responsible for

technical direction of the project, as

designated by the grantee in the award

proposal and approved by the

Administrator,

(13) Project Period means the total

time approved by the Administrator for

conducting the proposed project as

outlined in the approved Federal

assistance proposal or the approved

portions thereof.

(e) Application Categories

Applicants may submit proposals in

any of the following program areas as

specified in the authorization: (1)

Program Delivery, (2) Innovative

Program Development/Production, and

(3) Capacity Building.

(1) Program Delivery

(A) Description

Applicants may submit a proposal in

the Program Delivery Category

requesting funding to operate an

agricultural communications network,

employing satellite and other

telecommunications technology, to

deliver Cooperative Extension

programming, academic instruction,

agricultural research and marketing

information through partnership(s)

between eligible institutions and the

Department of Agriculture. The project

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

stated in the proposal. Proposals in this

category must clearly target a systematic

approach to building an infrastructure

to deliver programming at a distance.

Each proposal will be evaluated based

on three broad principles: (1) Is there a

real need for the project, (2) will the

strategy identified meet the need, and

(3) is the project sustainable.

Each proposal must document the

need for the project, based on literature

review, case studies, audience analysis

and/or needs assessment.

The project strategy should reflect an

integrated approach to instructional

design including subject-matter content,

educational methodology and

compatible production and delivery

techniques. The approach as described

must meet the need.

Evidence must be given that the

project will be supported by the

institution or by other groups or

institutions who may wish to continue

the project.

(B) Proposal Narrative

The narrative portion of the proposal

must describe how the project meets the

three broad principles identified above.

It must not exceed 14 pages in length

and no additional material or appendix

will be considered. The narrative should

contain the following sections:

(i) Principle One-Need

Project Need

Describe the background and situation

leading to the need for the project. The

project must be based on a need

articulated by an audience or on a needs

assessment. Describe the targeted

audience(s) for whom the project will be

designed including pertinent history

identified in need, demographics, and

expected impact on audience. If

appropriate, describe the methodology

and results of the needs assessment.

Demonstrate the need for assistance

under this program, including financial

ability or inability to otherwise pursue

the proposed program.

(ii) Principle Two-Strategy

(a) Partnerships and Collaboration

Describe partnerships and

collaborations fostered through this

project including expected impact and

benefit to those involved such as

learner, institution, agency, state, and

nation. Partners are defined as all those

who will collaborate on the Project.

Submit evidence that partnerships are

in place, and that those partners have a

substantial role and interest in the

project. Examples of role and interest

might include joint risk-taking and

shared benefits. Include information

about any current affiliations with

established agricultural

telecommunications networks that

distribute programs to a wide

geographical area.

(b) Alternative Distance Learning

Technologies

Describe alternative distance learning

technologies including, but not limited

to, internet, multimedia, audio/visual,
32284 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices

and other telecommunications

technologies to be developed or

employed in this project.

(c) Infrastructure

Describe a framework representing

both the technological and human

infrastructure for this project including,

but not limited to, technical troubleshooting, scheduling and operation

management, and learner and program

support. Evidence of learner support

includes, but is not limited to,

facilitation of access, accommodation

for diversity in special needs and

learning styles, and recognition of need

for alternative modes of program design

and delivery.

(d) Innovation

Describe the innovative application of

distance education/learning delivery

identified in the project. Examples of

innovation may include, but are not

limited to, approaches in reaching

audiences, methods of connectivity and/

or interaction, use of existing resources

with innovations in the teaching/

learning transaction, and

entrepreneurial approaches to distance

education delivery.

(e) Outreach Plan

Describe a plan for informing others

about positive and negative outcomes,

results, lessons learned, innovative

ideas, and research findings from the

project.

(f) Evaluation Plan

Describe both formative and

summative design for evaluating

specific aspects of the project. These

designs may include methods for

evaluating the overall effectiveness of

program in terms of teaching and

learning, behavior change/problemsolving, immediate application, meeting

learner needs, and/or potential for

replication.

(iii) Principle Three-Sustainability

(a) Project Sustainability

Include strong evidence of the

project’s ability to continue and grow

after receiving the funding. Examples

may include replication by others;

continued funding other than from this

program, or opportunities for sale of

products; and/or use of ideas and results

of project by others.

(b) Cost/Benefit

Include a cost-benefit analysis of the

proposed project, including comparison

to other delivery methods, relative

benefit to learner, and staffing costs

versus benefits.

(2) Innovative Program Development/

Production

(A) Description

Applicants submitting a proposal in

the Innovative Program Development/

Production Category must demonstrate

an innovation to distance education

programming. The innovation might be

a new approach or a new approach to

a traditional model of distance

education. The project should

contribute some aspect to the body of

knowledge of distance education.

Examples might include innovative

approaches to entrepreneurship,

evaluation, and the teaching/learning

transaction.

Each proposal will be evaluated based

on three broad principles: (1) Is there a

real need for the project, (2) will the

strategy identified meet the need, and

(3) is the project sustainable.

Each proposal must document the

need for the project, based on literature

review, case studies, audience analysis

and/or needs assessment.

The project strategy should reflect an

integrated approach to instructional

design including subject-matter content,

educational methodology and

compatible production and delivery

techniques. The approach must meet the

identified need.

Evidence must be given that the

project will be supported by the

institution or by other groups or

institutions who may wish to continue

the project.

(B) Project Narrative

The narrative portion of the proposal

must describe how the project meets the

three broad principles identified above.

It must not exceed 15 pages in length

and no additional material or appendix

will be considered. The narrative should

contain the following sections:

(i) Principle One-Need

(a) Project Need

Describe the background and situation

leading to the need for the project. The

project must be based on a need

articulated by an audience or on a needs

assessment. Describe the targeted

audience(s) for whom the project will be

designed including pertinent history

identified in need, demographics, and

expected impact on audience. If

appropriate, describe the methodology

and results of the needs assessment.

Demonstrate the need for assistance

under this program, including financial

ability or inability to otherwise pursue

the proposed program.

(b) Innovation

Describe the innovative application of

distance education/learning identified

in the project. Examples of innovation

may include, but are not limited to,

approaches in reaching audiences,

methods of connectivity and/or

interaction, use of existing resources

with innovations in the teaching/

learning transaction, and

entrepreneurial approaches to distance

education.

(ii) Principle Two-Strategy

(a) Instructional Methodology/Strategies

Explain the instructional/educational

method or strategy to be implemented

including appropriateness for audience

and learning environment. Explanation

should demonstrate knowledge of how

people learn and/or interact in a

mediated environment.

(b) Evaluation Plan

Describe both formative and

summative design for evaluating

specific aspects of the project. These

designs may include methods for

evaluating the overall effectiveness of

program in terms of teaching and

learning, behavior change/problemsolving, immediate application, meeting

learner needs, and/or potential for

replication.

(c) Outreach Plan

Describe a plan for informing others

positive and negative outcomes, results,

lessons learned, innovative ideas, and

research findings from the project.

(d) Partnerships and Collaboration

Describe partnerships and

collaborations fostered through this

project including expected impact and

benefit to those involved such as the

learner, institution, agency, state, and

nation. Partners are defined as all those

who will collaborate on the project.

Submit evidence that partnerships are

in place, and that those partners have a

substantial role and interest in the

project. Examples of role and interest

might include joint risktaking and

shared benefits. Include information

about any current affiliations with

established agricultural

telecommunications networks that

distribute programs to a wide

geographical area.

(iii) Principle Three-Sustainability

Project Sustainability

Include strong evidence of the

project’s ability to continue and grow

after receiving the funding. Examples

may include replication by others;

continued funding other than from this
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices 32285

program, or opportunities for sale of

products; and/or use of ideas and results

of project by others.

(3) Capacity Building

(A) Description

Applicants submitting proposals in

this category should target the

development of capacity in the area of

distance education at the university,

state, regional, or national or

international level. Proposals must

include a detailed plan for assessing

capacity or a plan for targeting need

based on a completed needs assessment.

Each proposal will be evaluated based

on three broad principles: (1) Is there a

real need for the project, (2) will the

strategy identified meet the need, and

(3) in the project sustainable.

Each proposal must document the

need for the project, based on literature

review, case studies, audience analysis

and needs assessment.

The project strategy should reflect an

integrated approach to instructional

design including subject-matter content,

educational methodology and

compatible production and delivery

techniques. The approach described

must meet the identified need.

Evidence must be given that the

project will be supported by the

institution or by other groups or

institutions who may wish to continue

the project.

(B) Project Narrative

The narrative portion of the proposal

must describe how the project meets the

three broad principles identified above.

It must not exceed 15 pages in length

and no additional material or appendix

will be considered. The narrative should

contain the following sections:

(i) Principle One-Need

Project Need

Describe the background and situation

leading to the need for the project. The

project must be based on a need

articulated by an audience or on a needs

assessment. Describe the targeted

audiences(s) for which the project will

be designed including pertinent history

identified in need, demographics, and

expected impact on audience. If

appropriate, describe the methodology

and results of the needs assessment.

Applicants should describe how the

capacity built will improve program

production or program delivery.

Demonstrate the need for assistance

under this program, including financial

ability or inability to otherwise pursue

the proposed program.

(ii) Principle Two-Strategy

(a) Capacity Assessment

Include a detailed assessment of

capacity or a fully developed plan for

assessing capacity. Areas of

consideration include, but are not

limited to: faculty/staff development;

support resources; production/technical

capability; delivery capability; building

learner capacity.

(b) Evaluation Plan

Describe both formative and

summative design for evaluating

specific aspects of the project. These

designs may include methods for

evaluating the overall effectiveness of

program in terms of teaching and

learning, behavior change/problemsolving, immediate application, meeting

learner need, and/or potential for

replication.

(c) Outreach Plan

Describe a plan for informing others

about positive and negative outcomes,

results, lessons learned, innovative

ideas, research findings from the

project.

(iii) Principle Three-Sustainability

(a) Sustainability

Include strong evidence of the

project’s ability to continue and grow

after receiving the funding. Examples

may include replication by others;

continued funding other than from this

program, or opportunities for sale of

products; and/or use of ideas and results

of project by others.

(b) Institutional Commitment

Discuss institutional commitment to

the project. For example, substantiate

that the institution(s) attributes a

priority to the project; discuss how the

project will contribute to the

achievement of the institution’s(s’) longterm (five- to ten-year) goals; explain

how the project will help satisfy the

institution’s(s’) high priority objectives;

or show how this project is linked to

and supported by the institution’s(s’)

strategic plan.

(c) Partnerships and Collaboration

Describe partnerships and

collaborations fostered through this

project including expected impact and

benefit to those involved such as the

learner, institution, agency, state, and

nation. Partners are defined as all those

who will collaborate on the project.

Submit evidence that partnerships are

in place, and that those partners have a

substantial role and interest in the

project. Examples of role and interest

might include joint risk taking and

shared benefits. Include information

about any current affiliations with

established agricultural

telecommunications networks that

distribute programs to a wide

geographical area.

(f) Proposal Review

All proposals received will be

acknowledged. A preliminary review

will be made for responsiveness to this

solicitation; proposals that do not fall

within the solicitation guidelines will

be eliminated from competition. All

remaining proposals will be reviewed

by a peer review panel comprised of

full-time Federal employees and will be

evaluated against criteria included in

the announcement.

(g) Evaluation Criteria

The maximum score a proposal can

receive is 100 points. The peer review

panel will be selected and organized to

provide maximum expertise and

objective judgment in the evaluation of

proposals. In the event the number of

proposals accepted outnumbered dollars

available, proposals will be ranked and

supported levels will be recommended

by the panel(s) within the limitation of

total funding available in FY 1996.

(1) Program Delivery

Evaluation Criteria and Weight

(A) Principle One-Need—40 Points

Project Need

Did the proposal describe the

background and situation leading to the

need for the project? Is the project based

on a need articulated by an audience, or

on a needs assessment? Are the targeted

audience(s) for whom the project will be

designed described, including pertinent

history identified in need,

demographics, and expected impact on

audience? If appropriate, are

methodology and results of needs

assessment described? Did the proposal

demonstrate the need for assistance

under this program, including a

statement of financial ability or inability

to otherwise pursue the proposed

program and the impact of participation

in this program on this ability?

(B) Principle Two-Strategy—40 Points

(i) Partnerships and Collaboration

Are partnerships and collaborations

fostered through this project described,

including expected impact and benefit

to those involved such as learner,

institution, agency, state, and nation? Is

there evidence that partnerships are in

place, and that those partners have a

substantial role and interest in the

project and are examples of role and
32286 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices

interest given, including joint risk

taking and shared benefits? Is evidence

provided of any current affiliations with

established agricultural

telecommunications networks that

distribute programs to a wide

geographical area?

(ii) Alternative Distance Learning

Technologies

Does the proposal include a plan for

the development and employment of

alternative distance learning

technologies including, but not limited

to, internet, multimedia, audio/visual,

and other telecommunications

technologies?

(iii) Infrastructure

Does the proposal include a

framework representing both the

technological and human infrastructure

including, but not limited to, technical

trouble-shooting, scheduling and

operation management, and learner and

program support? Is there evidence of

learner support including, but not

limited to, facilitation of access,

accommodation for diversity in special

needs and learning styles, and

recognition of need for alternative

modes of program design and delivery?

(iv) Innovation

Does the proposal describe how the

application of distance education/

learning delivery identified in the

project is innovative? Are examples

provided that may include, but are not

limited to, approaches in reaching

audiences; methods of connectivity and/

or interaction; use of existing resources

with innovations in the teaching/

learning transaction; entrepreneurial

approaches to distance education

delivery.

(v) Outreach Plan

Is there an outreach plan articulating

an approach for informing others about

positive and negative outcomes, results,

lessons learned, innovative ideas, and

research findings from the project?

(vi) Evaluation Plan

Are both formative and summative

design for evaluating specific aspects of

the project described? Do they include

evaluating the overall effectiveness of

program in terms of teaching and

learning, behavior change/problemsolving, immediate application, meeting

learner need, and/or potential for

replication?

(C) Principle Three-Sustainability—20

Points

(i) Project Sustainability

Does the proposal present strong

evidence of the project’s ability to

continue and grow after receiving the

funding? Does this evidence include

replication by others; continued funding

other than from this program, or

opportunities for sale of products; and/

or use of ideas and results of project by

others?

(ii) Cost/Benefit

Does the proposal include a costbenefit analysis of the proposed project,

including comparison to other delivery

methods, relative benefit to learner, and

staffing costs versus benefits?

(2) Innovative Program Development/

Production

Evaluation Criteria and Weight

(A) Principle One-Need—30 Points

(i) Project Need

Does the proposal describe the

background and situation leading to the

need for the project? Is the project based

on a need articulated by an audience, or

on a needs assessment? Are the targeted

audience(s) for whom the project will be

designed described, including pertinent

history identified in need,

demographics, and expected impact on

audience? If appropriate, are

methodology and results of needs

assessment described? Did the proposal

demonstrate the need for assistance

under this program, including a

statement of financial ability or inability

to otherwise pursue the proposed

program and the impact of participation

in this program on this ability?

(ii) Innovation

Does the proposal describe how the

application of distance education/

learning is innovative? Are examples

provided that may include, but are not

limited to, approaches in reaching

audiences; methods of connectivity and/

or interaction; use of existing resources

with innovations in the teaching/

learning transaction; entrepreneurial

approaches to distance education?

(B) Principle Two-Strategy—50 Points

Does the proposal make the case that

the strategy outlined will accomplish

the goals and meet the need(s) identified

in part one?

(i) Instructional Methodology/Strategies

Is the instructional/educational

method or strategy to be implemented

explained, including its appropriateness

for the audience and learning

environment? Does the explanation

demonstrate knowledge of how people

learn and/or interact in a mediated

environment?

(ii) Evaluation Plan

Are both formative and summative

design for evaluating specific aspects of

the project described? Do they include

evaluating the overall effectiveness of

program in terms of teaching and

learning, behavior change/problemsolving, immediate application, meeting

learner need, and/or potential for

replication?

(iii) Outreach Plan

Does the outreach plan articulate an

approach for informing others about

positive and negative outcomes, results,

lessons learned, innovative ideas, and

research findings from the project?

(iv) Partnerships and Collaboration

Are partnerships and collaborations

fostered through this project described,

including expected impact and benefit

to those involved such as learner,

institution, agency, state, and nation? Is

there evidence that partnerships are in

place, and that those partners have a

substantial role and interest in the

project? Are examples of role and

interest given such as joint risk taking

and shared benefits? Is evidence

provided of any current affiliations with

established agricultural

telecommunications networks that

distribute programs to a wide

geographical area?

(C) Principle Three-Sustainability—20

Points

Project Sustainability

Does the proposal present strong

evidence of the project’s ability to

continue and grow after receiving the

funding. Does this evidence include

replication by others; continued funding

other than from this program, or

opportunities for sale of products; and/

or use of ideas and results of project by

others?

(3) Capacity Building

Evaluation Criteria and Weight

(A) Principle One-Need—20 Points

Project Need

Did the proposal describe the

background and situation leading to the

need for the project? Is the project based

on a need articulated by an audience, or

on a needs assessment? Are the targeted

audience(s) for whom the project will be

designed described, including pertinent

history identified in terms of need,

demographics, and expected impact on

audience? If appropriate, are the
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices 32287

methodology and results of needs

assessment described? Did the applicant

describe how the capability built will

improve program production or program

delivery? Did the proposal demonstrate

the need for assistance under this

program, including a statement of

financial ability or inability to otherwise

pursue the proposed program and the

impact of participation in this program

on this ability?

(B) Principle Two-Strategy—30 Points

(i) Capacity Assessment

Is a detailed assessment of capacity or

a fully developed plan for assessing

capacity included? Does the assessment

include faculty/staff development;

support resources; production/technical

capability; delivery capability; building

learner capacity?

(ii) Evaluation Plan

Are both formative and summative

design for evaluating specific aspects of

the project described? Do they include

evaluating the overall effectiveness of

program in terms of teaching and

learning, behavior change/problemsolving, immediate application, meeting

learner need, and/or potential for

replication?

(iii) Outreach

Does the outreach plan articulate an

approach for informing others about

positive and negative outcomes, results,

lessons learned, innovative ideas, and

research findings from the project?

(C) Principle Three-Sustainability—50

Points

(i) Sustainability

Does the proposal present strong

evidence of the project’s ability to

continue and grow after receiving the

funding. Does this evidence include

replication by others; continued funding

other than from this program, or

opportunities for sale of products; and/

or use of ideas and results of project by

others?

(ii) Institutional Commitment

Does the proposal discuss the

institutional commitment to the project?

Does the proposal substantiate that the

institution(s) attributes a priority to the

project; discuss how the project will

contribute to the achievement of the

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

help satisfy the institution’s(s’) high

priority objectives; or show how this

project is linked to and supported by the

institution’s(s’) strategic plan?

(iii) Partnerships and Collaboration

Are partnerships and collaborations

fostered through this project described,

including expected impact and benefit

to those involved such as learner,

institution, agency, state, and nation? Is

there evidence that partnerships are in

place, and that those partners have a

substantial role and interest in the

project? Are examples of role and

interest given including joint risk taking

and shared benefits? Is evidence

provided by any current affiliations

with established agricultural

telecommunications networks that

distribute programs to a wide

geographical area?

How to Obtain Application Materials

Copies of this solicitation and the

Application Submission Package, which

contains required forms, certifications,

and instructions for preparing and

submitting project applications, may be

obtained by contacting: Proposal

Services Unit, Grants Management

Branch, Office of Extramural Programs,

Cooperative State Research, Education,

and Extension Service, U.S. Department

of Agriculture, Ag Box 2245,

Washington, DC 20250–2245,

Telephone: (202) 401–5048.

Application materials may also be

requested via Internet by sending a

message with your name, mailing

address (not e-mail) and telephone

number to psb@reeusda.gov that states

that you wish to receive a copy of the

application materials for the FY 1996

Agricultural Telecommunications

Program. The materials will then be

mailed to you (not e-mailed) as quickly

as possible.

Proposal Format

Members of the review committees

and the staff expect each project

description to be complete in itself and

should address the described criteria.

Proposals should adhere to the

following format:

(a) Project Application (Form CFD–

2101). All full proposals submitted by

eligible applicants should contain a

Project Application, Form CFD–2101,

which must be signed by the proposed

project director and endorsed by the

cognizant Authorized Organizational

Representative who possesses the

necessary authority to commit the

applicant’s time and other relevant

resources. The title of the proposal must

be brief (80-character maximum), yet

represent the major emphasis of the

project. Because this title will be used

to provide information to those who

may not be familiar with the proposed

project, highly technical words or

phraseology should be avoided where

possible.

(b) Project Description. Each proposal

must contain a clear and concise

overview (abstract) of the project. The

overview should describe the situation,

targeted audience, purpose of project,

program goal, methodology, and

expected outcomes of the project. The

abstract should not exceed 200 words.

(c) Application Category: Each

proposal must state the category under

which funds are requested and contain

the required information described

under section (e) of the Program

Description Application Categories.

(d) Staffing Pattern and Procedure.

Each proposal must describe the staff

needed for project administration,

instructional design/curriculum

development, production, evaluation,

and marketing/promotion. Narrative

should demonstrate that the staffing and

implementation procedure will result in

an integrated approach involving

content specialists, instructional

designers, and quality production

resources, and that the individual staff

members proposed are qualified to

perform these roles.

(e) Personnel Support. To assist peer

reviewers in assessing the competence

and experience of the proposed project

staff, key personnel who will be

involved in the proposed project must

be identified clearly. For each project

director involved, and for all senior

associates and other professional

personnel who expect to work on the

project, whether or not funds are sought

for their support, the following should

be included:

(1) An estimate of the time

commitments necessary;

(2) Curriculum vitae. The curriculum

vitae should be limited to a presentation

of academic and research credentials,

e.g., educational, employment and

professional history, and honors and

awards. Unless pertinent to the project,

to personal status, or the status of the

organization—meetings attended,

seminars given, or personal data such as

birth date, marital status, or community

activities should not be included. The

vitae shall be no more than two pages

each in length, excluding the

publication lists. The Department

reserves the option of not forwarding for

further consideration a proposal in

which each vitae exceeds the two-page

limit; and

(3) Publication List(s). A

chronological list of the most

representative publications during the

past five years, including those in press,

must be provided for each professional

project member for whom a curriculum

vitae is provided. Authors should be
32288 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices

listed in the same order as they appear

on each paper cited, along with the title

and complete reference as these items

usually appear in journals.

(f) Budget. A detailed budget is

required. A copy of the form which

must be used for this purpose, Form

CFD–2102, along with instructions for

completion, is included in the

Application Submission Package and

may be reproduced as needed by

applicants. Funds may be requested

under any of the categories listed,

provided that the item or service for

which support is requested may be

identified as necessary for successful

conduct of the proposed project, is

allowable under applicable Federal cost

principles, and is not prohibited under

any applicable Federal statute. While

some funds are available for the

acquisition and installation of

telecommunications transmission

facilities, applicants are cautioned that

no more than 10 percent (10%) of the

funds available may be awarded for that

purpose. As stated under section (b) of

the Program Description Available

Funding, for each grant the Federal

funds provided may be for no more than

50 percent of the cost of the proposed

project unless otherwise determined by

the Secretary.

Applicants’ budgets shall specify the

total cost of the proposed program, the

amount of assistance requested for the

proposed program, and other sources of

funding that will be used for the

proposed program. Each applicant also

must attach to its budget an analysis of

the costs and benefits of purchasing (or

leasing) different types of facilities,

equipment, components, hardware and

software, and other items.

(g) Current and Pending Support. All

proposals must list any other current

public or private research support

(including in-house support) to which

key personnel identified in the proposal

have committed portions of their time,

whether or not salary support for

person(s) involved is included in the

budget. Analogous information must be

provided for any pending proposals that

are being considered by, or that will be

submitted in the near future to, other

possible sponsors, including other

USDA programs or agencies. Concurrent

submission of identical or similar

proposals to the possible sponsors will

not prejudice proposal review or

evaluation by the Administrator for this

purpose. However, a proposal that

duplicates or overlaps substantially

with a proposal already reviewed and

funded (or that will be funded) by

another organization or agency will not

be funded under this program. The

application material includes Form

CSREES–663 which is suitable for

listing current and pending support.

(h) Organizational Management

Information. Specific management

information relating to an applicant

shall be submitted on a one-time basis

prior to the award of a grant for this

Program if such information has not

been provided previously under this or

another program for which the

sponsoring agency is responsible. The

Department will contact an applicant to

request organizational management

information once a proposal has been

recommended for funding.

Compliance With the National

Environment Policy Act (NEPA)

As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (the

CSREES regulations implementing

NEPA), environmental data or

documentation for any proposed project

is to be provided to CSREES in order to

assist CSREES in carrying out its

responsibilities under NEPA. In some

cases, however, the preparation of

environmental data or documentation

may not be required. Certain categories

of actions are excluded from the

requirements of NEPA. The applicant

shall review the following categorical

exclusions and determine if the

proposed project may fall within one or

more of the exclusions.

(1) Department of Agriculture

Categorical Exclusions (7 CFR 1b.3).

(i) Policy development, planning and

implementation which are related to

routine activities such as personnel,

organizational changes, or similar

administrative functions;

(ii) Activities which deal solely with

the funding of programs, such as

program budget proposals,

disbursements, and transfer or

reprogramming of funds;

(iii) Inventories, research activities,

and studies, such as resource

inventories and routine data collection

when such actions are clearly limited in

context and intensity;

(iv) Educational and informational

programs and activities;

(v) Civil and criminal law

enforcement and investigative activities;

(vi) Activities which are advisory and

consultative to other agencies and

public private entities; and

(vii) Activities related to trade

representation and market development

activities abroad.

(2) CSREES Categorical Exclusions

(7 CFR 3407.6).

Based on previous experience, the

following categories of CSREES actions

are excluded because they have been

found to have limited scope and

intensity and to have no significant

individual or cumulative impacts on the

quality of human environment:

(i) The following categories of

research programs or projects limited in

size and magnitude with only shortterm effects on the environment:

(A) Research conducted within any

laboratory, greenhouse, or other

contained facility where research

practices and safeguards prevent

environmental impacts;

(B) Surveys, inventories, and similar

studies that have limited context and

minimal intensity in terms of changes in

the environment; and

(C) Testing outside of the laboratory,

such as in small isolated field plots,

which involves the routine use of

familiar chemicals or biological

materials.

(ii) Routine renovation, rehabilitation,

or revitalization of physical facilities,

including the acquisition and

installation of equipment, where such

activity is limited in scope and

intensity.

In order for CSREES to determine

whether any further action is needed

with respect to NEPA (e.g., preparation

of an environmental assessment (EA) or

environmental impact statement (EIS)),

pertinent information regarding the

possible environmental impacts of a

proposed project is necessary; therefore,

the National Environmental Policy Act

Exclusions Form (Form CSREES—1234)

provided with the application materials

must be included in the proposal

indicating whether the applicant is of

the opinion that the project falls within

one or more of the categorical

exclusions listed above.

Even though a project may fall within

the categorical exclusions, CSREES may

determine that an EA or an EIS is

necessary for a proposed project should

substantial controversy on

environmental grounds exist or if other

extraordinary conditions or

circumstances are present that may

cause a project to have a significant

environmental effect.

Proposal Disposition

When the peer review panel has

completed its deliberations, the USDA

program coordinator, based on the

recommendations of the peer review

panel, will recommend to the awarding

official that the project be (a) approved

for support from currently available

funds or (b) declined due to insufficient

funds or unfavorable review.

USDA reserves the right to negotiate

with the Project Director and/or the

submitting entity regarding project

revisions (e.g., reductions in scope of

work), funding level, or period of
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 121 / Friday, June 21, 1996 / Notices 32289

support prior to recommending any

project for funding.

A proposal may be withdrawn at any

time before a final funding decision is

made. One copy of each proposal that is

not selected for funding (including

those that are withdrawn) will be

retained by USDA for one year and

remaining copies will be destroyed.

Proposal Submission

(a) What to Submit

An original and eight copies of the

proposal must be submitted. Each copy

of each proposal must be stapled

securely in the upper left hand corner

(Do Not Bind). All copies of the

proposal must be submitted in one

package.

(b) Where and When to Submit

Proposals must be received by close of

business August 23, 1996.

Proposals sent by First Class mail

must be sent to the following address:

Proposal Services Unit, Grants

Management Branch, Office of

Extramural Programs, Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

Ag Box 2245, Washington, D.C. 20250–

2245, Telephone: (202) 401–5048.

Proposals that are delivered by

Express mail, courier service, or by

hand must be submitted to the following

address (not that the zip code differs

from that shown above): Proposal

Services Unit. Grants Management

Branch, Office of Extramural Programs,

Cooperative State Research, Education,

and Extension Service, U.S. Department

of Agriculture, Room 303, Aerospace

Center, 901 D Street SW, Washington,

DC 20024, Telephone: (202) 401–5048.

Supplementary Information

(a) Federal Assistance Awards

Within the limit of funds available for

such purpose, the awarding official

shall make awards to those responsible,

eligible applicants whose proposals are

judged most meritorious under the

evaluation criteria and procedures set

forth in these application guidelines.

The date specified by the awarding

official as the beginning of the project

period shall be not later than September

30, 1996.

All funds awarded under the Program

shall be expended solely for the purpose

for which the funds are awarded in

accordance with the approved

application and budget, the terms and

conditions of any resulting award, the

applicable Federal cost principles, and

the USDA Uniform Federal Assistance

Regulations (7 CFR Parts 3015 and

3019).

(b) Obligation of the Federal

Government

Neither the approval of any

application nor the award of any

Federal assistance commits or obligates

the United States in any way to provide

further support of a project or any

portion thereof.

(c) Applicable Federal Statutes and

Regulations That Apply

Federal statutes and regulations that

apply to Federal assistance proposals

considered for review or grants awarded

under the Program include, but are not

limited to, the following:

7 CFR part 1.1—USDA

Implementation of the Freedom of

Information Act;

7 CFR part 1b—USDA

Implementation of the National

Environmental Policy Act;

7 CFR part 3—USDA Implementation

of OMB Circular A–129 regarding debt

collection;

7 CFR part 15, Subpart A—USDA

Implementation of Title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964;

7 CFR part 3015—USDA Uniform

Federal Assistance Regulations,

implementing OMB directives (i.e.,

Circular Nos. A–110, A–21, and A–122)

and incorporating provisions of 31

U.S.C. 6301–6308 (formerly, the Federal

Grant the Cooperative Agreement Act of

1977, Pub. L. 95–224), as well as general

policy requirements applicable to

recipients of Departmental financial

assistance;

7 CFR part 3016—USDA Uniform

Administrative Requirements for Grants

and Cooperative Agreements to State

and Local Governments;

7 CFR part 3017, as amended—USDA

Implementation of Governmentwide

Debarment and Suspension

(Nonprocurement) and

Governmentwide Requirements for

Drug-Free Workplace (Grants);

7 CFR part 3018—USDA

Implementation of New Restrictions on

Lobbying. Imposes prohibitions and

requirements for disclosure and

certification related to lobbying on

recipients of Federal contracts, grants,

cooperative agreements, and loans;

7 CFR part 3019—USDA Uniform

Administrative Requirements for Grants

and Agreements with Institutions of

Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other

Non-Profit Organizations implementing

OMB Circular A–110;

7 CFR part 3051—Audits of

Institutions of Higher Education and

Other Nonprofit Institutions,

implementing OMB Circular A–133,

regarding audits of institutions of higher

education and other nonprofit

institutions.

29 U.S.C. 794, Section 504—

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and 7 CFR

part 15B (USDA implementation of the

statute), prohibiting discrimination

based upon physical or mental handicap

in Federally assisted programs; and

35 U.S.C. 200, et seq.—Bayh-Dole Act

controlling allocation of rights to

inventions made by employees of small

business firms and domestic nonprofit

organizations, including universities, in

Federally assisted programs

(implementing regulations are contained

in 37 CFR part 401).

Done at Washington, D.C., on this 17 day

of June 1996.

B.H. Robinson,

Administrator, Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service.

[FR Doc. 96–15851 Filed 6–20–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–09–M