Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 165 / Monday, August 25, 2008 / Notices 49985 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

Request for Proposals: Fiscal Year 

2008 Funding Opportunity for 

Research on the Economic Impact of 

Cooperatives 

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative 

Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Initial notice of request for 

proposals. 

SUMMARY: Rural Business-Cooperative 

Service programs are administered 

through USDA Rural Development. 

USDA Rural Development announces 

the availability of $491,535 in 

competitive cooperative agreement 

funds for fiscal year (FY) 2008 to 

conduct research on the national 

economic impact of all types of 

cooperatives. USDA Rural Development 

hereby requests proposals from 

institutions of higher education 

interested in applying for a 

competitively awarded cooperative 

research agreement. This funding is a 

follow on to funding awarded in FY 

2006 and FY 2007, the intent of which 

was to encourage research on the critical 

issue of the economic value of 

cooperatives. Funding for FY 2008 is 

expected to expand upon research 

undertaken with FY 2006 and FY 2007 

funds. 

DATES: Interested parties may submit 

completed applications for the 

cooperative agreement on paper or 

electronically according to the following 

deadlines: 

Paper copies must be received by 

September 19, 2008, to be eligible for FY 

2008 funding. Electronic copies must be 

received by September 19, 2008, to be 

eligible for FY 2008 funding. Late 

applications are not eligible for FY 2008 

funding. 

ADDRESSES: Applicants may obtain 

application forms, guides, and materials 

for the cooperative agreement at http:// 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ 

reic.htm or by contacting USDA Rural 

Development at (202) 720–8460, (TDD: 

(800) 877–8339, Federal Information 

Relay Service) and ask for the 

cooperative research agreement 

application kit. 

Submit completed paper applications 

for a cooperative agreement to USDA 

Rural Development’s Cooperative 

Programs, Attn: Cooperative Research, 

Mail STOP 3250, Room 4016–South, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 

Washington, DC 20250–3250. The 

phone number that should be used for 

FedEx packages is (202) 720–7558. 

Submit electronic applications at 

http://www.grants.gov, following the 

instructions found on this Web site. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Visit 

the program Web site at http:// 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ 

reic.htm, which contains application 

guidance, including an Application 

Guide and application forms. Or you 

may contact USDA Rural Development 

at (202) 720–8460 (TDD: (800) 877–8339 

Federal Information Relay Service). 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 

44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., OMB must 

approve all ‘‘collections of information’’

by USDA Rural Development. The Act 

defines ‘‘collection of information’’ as a 

requirement for ‘‘answers to * * * 

identical reporting or recordkeeping 

requirements imposed on ten or more 

persons * * *.’’ (44 U.S.C. 3502(3)(A)). 

Because the RFP is expected to receive 

less than 10 respondents, the Paperwork 

Reduction Act does not apply. 

Overview 

Federal Agency: Rural Business–

Cooperative Service. 

Funding Opportunity Title: Research 

on the Economic Impact of 

Cooperatives. 

Announcement Type: Initial 

announcement. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance Number: 10.778 

Dates: You may submit completed 

applications for the cooperative 

agreement on paper or electronically 

according to the following deadlines: 

Paper copies must be received by 

September 19, 2008, to be eligible for FY 

2008 funding. Late applications are not 

eligible for FY 2008 funding. 

Electronic copies must be received by 

September 19, 2008, to be eligible for FY 

2008 funding. Late applications are not 

eligible for FY 2008 funding. 

I. Funding Opportunity Description 

This solicitation is issued pursuant to 

the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 

2008 (Pub. L. 110–161) directing funds 

‘‘for a cooperative research agreement 

with a qualified academic institution to 

conduct research on the national 

economic impact of all types of 

cooperatives.’’ The Secretary of 

Agriculture has delegated the program’s 

administration to USDA Rural 

Development. 

The primary objective of this 

cooperative research agreement program 

is to facilitate university research on the 

national economic impact of 

cooperatives. This cooperative research 

agreement is a continuation of research 

conducted in USDA Rural Development 

cooperative research agreements RD–

06–01 and RBS–07–31. As further 

described below, data generated and 

results produced in cooperative research 

agreements RD–06–01 and RBS–07–31 

will be accessible to the institution 

awarded this cooperative research 

agreement. To the extent that this 

research program will generate further 

data, existing Web-based methodologies 

will be used to enable cooperatives to 

enter financial and other impact data on 

a periodic basis; apply the methodology 

to collect data updates estimates of 

economic impact of cooperatives; 

analyze the impact of cooperatives on 

local wealth creation and retention, and 

analyze the total returns to investment 

in cooperatives. Methodologies will 

need to account for cooperative 

organizational complexity, such as a 

single organization’s several local, 

regional, and national locations, as well 

as sector differences. 

The cooperative agreement proposal 

must address specifically, and in detail 

sufficient to assess the effectiveness of 

proposed work, how the following 

deliverables will be provided: 

1. An analysis of how and the extent 

to which cooperatives facilitate the 

creation and retention of wealth within 

the local communities they serve. The 

analysis should include the 

identification of cooperative models and 

practices that could enhance 

cooperative contribution to local wealth 

creation. An estimate of cooperative 

wealth creation should be made for the 

U.S. and for each of the following four 

categories or classes of cooperatives: 

i. Commercial sales or marketing—

includes farm supply and marketing, 

grocery and consumer goods, businessto-business, the emerging ethanol and 

biofuels related industry, and 

manufacturing. 

ii. Social and public services—

includes housing, health care, day care/ 

elder care, transportation, and 

educational services. 

iii. Financial services—includes 

credit unions, banks, and mutual 

insurance. 

iv. Utilities—includes electric, 

telephone, water, waste, and other 

regulated utilities. 

2. An analysis of the total returns to 

investment in cooperatives, including 

returns to the cooperative businesses at 

the enterprise level as well as the 

impact of cooperative returns and 

services to the cooperatives’ members at 

their enterprise levels. Total returns to 

investment should be analyzed using 

the same classification scheme as 

describe in Deliverable 1 above. 


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3. Development of sound 

methodologies to utilize available and 

newly-generated data to identify and 

measure the economic impacts of 

cooperatives as to the following: 

i. Local and regional significance and 

impact analysis using appropriate inputoutput, social accounting matrix, and 

multiplier tools; 

ii. Differential economic impacts of 

cooperatives as compared to other types 

of organizations performing the same 

general functions, including but not 

limited to (a) the differential impacts of 

local ownership versus ownership from 

outside the region and (b) any special 

economic impacts generated by the 

patron-oriented characteristics of 

cooperative businesses; 

iii. Whether a non-cooperative 

business enterprise would exist in the 

local or regional economy if the 

cooperative did not exist; 

iv. Displacement or replacement of 

other businesses by cooperatives; 

v. Departure of a cooperative 

including a cooperative’s replacement 

by another type of business; and 

vi. Impact on local, regional, and 

national tax generation and on 

infrastructure. 

4. Because output of the FY 2006 

research will likely not be available 

before January 2009, USDA Rural 

Development will arrange for the 

winner of this competition to obtain 

updates and preliminary data from the 

University of Wisconsin, the FY 2006 

and FY 2007 award recipient, as 

progress is being made on the FY 2006 

and FY 2007 research. Data available to 

the FY 2008 award recipient will 

include: 

i. number and headquarters location 

of cooperatives, 

ii. volume measures appropriate for 

each sector (revenues, dollar value, and 

other appropriate size indicators), 

iii. number of persons impacted by 

the cooperative (members, patrons, or 

investors), and 

iv. number of full-time equivalent jobs 

and other economic impact variables. 

v. Cooperative data will be identified 

using the North American Industry 

Classification System (NAICS). 

5. Economic impact analyses as 

described in deliverables 3 and 4 above 

to be conducted on a sector basis. 

Sectors to be analyzed include: 

i. Housing, 

ii. health care, 

iii. daycare/elder care, 

iv. financial services, 

v. grocery/consumer retail, 

vi. business-to-business (wholesaling, 

manufacturing), 

vii. agricultural marketing (including 

organic and conventional), 

viii. agricultural supplies and 

services, 

ix. public services (including 

transportation and education), 

x. renewable energy, and 

xi. utilities. 

6. The population of a database for 

individual cooperative and summary 

data collected and additional data 

generated as necessary to obtain 

economic impacts as described in 

deliverables 3 and 4 above. The 

database is to be delivered to USDA 

Rural Development. USDA Rural 

Development will work with the grantee 

to integrate data from this deliverable 

into existing database applications. 

7. The performance of subcontracting 

services, oversight, and financial 

controls for the overall project. 

8. The submission of quarterly 

progress reports and quarterly financial 

reports to USDA Rural Development; 

and 

9. The preparation and submission of 

publishable quality written reports for 

Deliverables 1 through 5 to USDA Rural 

Development. 

USDA Rural Development will 

competitively award one cooperative 

agreement to fund the collection and 

analysis of data to determine the 

national economic impact of 

cooperatives. An institution of higher 

education may subcontract or 

collaborate with others on the research 

and data collection. A formal 

consortium of academic institutions is 

allowed. 

Definitions 

The definitions at 7 CFR 3019.2 are 

incorporated by reference. 

II. Award Information 

Type of Award: Cooperative 

Agreement. 

Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2008. 

Approximate Total Funding: 

$491,535. 

Approximate Number of Awards: 1. 

Approximate Average Award: 

$491,535. 

Floor of Award Range: None. 

Ceiling of Award Range: $491,535. 

Anticipated Award Date: September 

25, 2008. 

Budget Period Length: 24 months. 

Project Period Length: 24 months. 

III. Eligibility Information 

A. Eligible Applicants 

Applicants must be institutions of 

higher education. Proposals may be 

submitted by public or private colleges 

or universities, research foundations 

maintained by a college or university, or 

private nonprofit organizations funded 

by a group of colleges or universities. 

B. Cost Sharing or Matching 

Matching funds are not required but 

are highly encouraged. Applicants must 

verify in their applications that 

matching funds are available for the 

time period of the agreement if the 

matching funds are required to complete 

the project. Matching funds must be 

provided by either the applicant or by 

a third party in the form of cash or inkind contributions. Matching funds 

must be spent on eligible expenses and 

must be from eligible sources. 

C. Other Eligibility Requirements 

Indirect Cost Eligibility: Public Law 

110–161, ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations 

Act, 2008’’ continues the provision 

which states ‘‘No funds appropriated by 

this Act may be used to pay negotiated 

indirect cost rates on cooperative 

agreements or similar arrangements 

between the United States Department 

of Agriculture and nonprofit institutions 

in excess of 10 percent of the total direct 

cost of the agreement when the purpose 

of such cooperative arrangements is to 

carry out programs of mutual interest 

between the two parties.’’ Indirect costs 

in excess of 10 percent of the direct cost, 

therefore, will be ineligible for funding. 

Activity Eligibility: A cooperative 

agreement reflects a relationship 

between the United States Government 

and an eligible recipient where the 

principal purpose of the relationship is 

the transfer of money, property, 

services, or anything of value to the 

eligible recipient to carry out the 

desired research; and substantial 

involvement is anticipated between 

USDA Rural Development acting for the 

United States Government and the 

eligible recipient during the 

performance of the research in the 

agreement. A cooperative agreement is 

not a grant. Therefore, the project 

proposed must include a description of 

USDA Rural Development’s substantial 

participation. USDA Rural Development 

may subsequently negotiate the nature 

of its participation before the 

cooperative agreement is executed. 

Applicants that propose budgets that 

include more than 10 percent of total 

project costs that are ineligible for the 

program will be ineligible, and the 

application will not be considered for 

funding. However, if an application 

with 10 percent or less of ineligible 

costs is selected for funding, all 

ineligible costs must be removed from 

the project and replaced with eligible 

activities or the amount of the award 

will be reduced accordingly. 

Cooperative Agreement Period 

Eligibility: Applications that have a 

timeframe of more than 24 months will 


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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 165 / Monday, August 25, 2008 / Notices 49987 

be considered ineligible and will not be 

considered for funding. Applications 

that request funds for a time period 

ending after September 30, 2010, will 

not be considered for funding. 

Completeness Eligibility: Applications 

without sufficient information to 

determine eligibility will not be 

considered for funding. Applications 

that are missing any required elements 

(in whole or in part) will not be 

considered for funding. 

IV. Application and Submission 

Information 

A. Address To Request Application 

Package 

If you plan to apply using a paper 

application, you can obtain the 

application package for this funding 

opportunity at http:// 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ 

reic.htm. If you plan to apply 

electronically, you must visit http:// 

www.grants.gov and follow the 

instructions. 

B. Content and Form of Submission 

You may submit your application in 

paper or in an electronic format. You 

may view the Application Guide at 

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ 

reic.htm. 

If you submit your application in 

paper form, you must submit one signed 

original of your complete application 

along with two additional copies. 

If you submit your application 

electronically, you must follow the 

instructions given at http:// 

www.grants.gov. Applicants are advised 

to visit the site well in advance of the 

application deadline if they plan to 

apply electronically to insure that they 

have obtained the proper authentication 

and have sufficient computer resources 

to complete the application. 

An application must contain all of the 

following elements. Any application 

that is missing any element or contains 

an incomplete element will not be 

considered for funding: 

1. Form SF–424, ‘‘Application for 

Federal Assistance.’’ In order for this 

form to be considered complete, it must 

contain the legal name of the applicant, 

the applicant’s Dun and Bradstreet Data 

Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 

number, the applicant’s complete 

mailing address, the name and 

telephone number of a contact person, 

the employer identification number 

(EIN), the start and end dates of the 

project, the Federal funds requested, 

other funds that will be used as 

matching funds, an answer to the 

question, ‘‘Is applicant delinquent on 

any Federal debt?’’, the name and 

signature of an authorized 

representative, the telephone number of 

the authorized representative, and the 

date the form was signed. Other 

information requested on the form may 

be applicable, but the above-listed 

information is required for an 

application to be considered complete. 

The DUNS number is a nine-digit 

identification number, which uniquely 

identifies business entities. Applicants 

can receive a DUNS number at no cost 

by accessing http://www.dnb.com/us/ or 

calling (866) 705–5711. 

2. Form SF–424A, ‘‘Budget 

Information—Non-Construction 

Programs.’’ In order for this form to be 

considered complete, the applicant 

must fill out Sections A, B, C, and D. 

The applicant must include both 

Federal and any matching funds to be 

included. 

3. Form SF–424B, ‘‘Assurances—NonConstruction Programs.’’ In order for 

this form to be considered complete, the 

form must be signed by an authorized 

official and include the title, name of 

applicant, and date. 

4. Title Page. The title page must 

include the title of the project as well as 

any other relevant identifying 

information. The length should not 

exceed one page. 

5. Table of Contents. For ease of 

locating information, each proposal 

must contain a detailed Table of 

Contents immediately following the title 

page. 

6. Executive Summary. A summary of 

the proposal, not to exceed one page, 

must briefly describe the project, 

including goals, tasks to be completed, 

and other relevant information that 

provides a general overview of the 

project. In the event an applicant 

submits more than one page for this 

element, only the first page submitted 

will be considered. 

7. Eligibility Discussion. A detailed 

discussion, not to exceed four pages, 

will describe how the applicant meets 

the eligibility requirements. In the event 

that more than four pages are submitted, 

only the first four pages will be 

considered. 

i. Applicant Eligibility. The applicant 

must first describe how it meets the 

definition of an institution of higher 

education. 

ii. Purpose Eligibility. The applicant 

must describe how the project purpose 

is eligible for funding. The project 

purpose is comprised of two 

components. First, the applicant must 

describe how the proposed project 

consists of activities needed to 

determine the national economic impact 

of all types of cooperatives. Second, the 

applicant must demonstrate that the 

combined activities are sufficient to 

estimate the national economic impact 

of all types of cooperatives. 

8. Proposal Narrative. The narrative 

must include the following information: 

i. Project Title. The title of the 

proposed project must be brief, not to 

exceed 75 characters, yet describe the 

essentials of the project. It should match 

the project title submitted on the SF–

424. The project title does not need to 

appear on a separate page. It can be 

included on the title page and/or on the 

information sheet. 

ii. Information Sheet. A separate onepage information sheet listing each of 

the evaluation criteria referenced in this 

funding announcement followed by the 

page numbers of all relevant material 

contained in the proposal that address 

or support each criterion. 

iii. Goals of the Project. A clear 

statement of the ultimate goals of the 

project must be included. There must be 

an explanation of how economic benefit 

will be measured. 

iv. Workplan. The narrative must 

contain a description of the project and 

set forth the tasks involved in 

reasonable detail. The description 

should specify the activity, who will 

perform the activity, during what 

timeframe the activity will take place, 

and the cost of the activity. Please note 

that one of the proposal evaluation 

criteria evaluates the workplan and 

budget. Applicants should only submit 

the workplan and budget once, either in 

this section or as part of the workplan/ 

budget evaluation criterion discussion. 

v. Proposal Evaluation Criteria. Each 

of the proposal evaluation criteria 

referenced in this funding 

announcement must be addressed, 

specifically and individually, in 

narrative form. 

9. Certification of Judgment. 

Applicants must certify that the United 

States has not obtained a judgment 

against them. No Federal funds shall be 

used to pay a judgment obtained by the 

United States. It is suggested that 

applicants use the following language 

for the certification. ‘‘[INSERT NAME 

OF APPLICANT] certifies that the 

United States has not obtained a 

judgment against it.’’ A separate 

signature is not required. 

10. Verification of Matching Funds. 

Applicants must provide a budget to 

support the workplan showing all 

sources and uses of funds during the 

project period. Applicants will be 

required to verify any and all matching 

funds, both cash and in-kind. All 

proposed matching funds must be 

specifically documented in the 

application. If the matching funds are to 

be provided by an in-kind contribution 


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from the applicant, the application must 

include a signed letter from an 

authorized representative of the 

applicant verifying the goods or services 

to be donated, when the goods and 

services will be donated, and the value 

of the goods or services. Applicants 

should note that only goods or services 

for which no expenditure is made can 

be considered in-kind. If the applicant 

is paying for goods and services as part 

of the matching funds contribution, the 

expenditure is considered a cash match, 

and should be verified as such. If the 

matching funds are to be provided by a 

third party in cash, the application must 

include a signed letter from that third 

party verifying how much cash will be 

donated and when it will be donated. 

Verification of funds donated outside 

the proposed time period of the 

cooperative agreement will not be 

accepted. If the matching funds are to be 

provided by a third party in-kind 

donation, the application must include 

a signed letter from the third party 

verifying the goods or services to be 

donated, when the goods and services 

will be donated, and the value of the 

goods or services. Verification of in-kind 

contributions donated outside the 

proposed time period of the cooperative 

agreement will not be accepted. 

Verification of in-kind contributions 

that are over-valued will not be 

accepted. The valuation process for the 

in-kind funds does not need to be 

included in the application, especially if 

it is lengthy, but the applicant must be 

able to demonstrate how the valuation 

was achieved at the time of notification 

of tentative selection for the award. If 

the applicant cannot satisfactorily 

demonstrate how the valuation was 

determined, the award may not be 

made. 

If matching funds are in cash, they 

must be spent on goods and services 

that are eligible expenditures for this 

cooperative agreement program. If 

matching funds are in-kind 

contributions, the donated goods or 

services must be considered eligible 

expenditures for this program. The 

matching funds must be spent or 

donated during the agreement period. 

(See 7 CFR parts 3015 and 3019 for 

funds use eligibility rules.) 

If acceptable verification for all 

proposed matching funds is missing 

from the application by the application 

deadline, the application will receive 

zero points for the Funding Match part 

of the evaluation criteria. 

C. Submission Dates and Times 

Application Deadline Date: 

September 19, 2008. 

Explanation of Deadlines: Paper 

applications must be RECEIVED by the 

deadline date (see Section IV.F. for the 

address). Final electronic applications 

must be RECEIVED by http:// 

www.grants.gov by the deadline date. If 

your application does not meet the 

deadline above, it will not be 

considered for funding. You will be 

notified whether or not your application 

was received on time. 

D. Intergovernmental Review of 

Applications 

Executive Order 12372, 

Intergovernmental Review of Federal 

Programs, does not apply to this 

program. 

E. Funding Restrictions 

Funding restrictions apply to both 

Federal funds and matching funds. 

Funds may only be used for activities 

related to determining the economic 

impact of cooperatives. 

No funds made available under this 

solicitation shall be used to: 

1. Pay for the preparation of the 

cooperative agreement application; 

2. Pay expenses not directly related to 

the funded project; 

3. Fund political or lobbying 

activities; 

4. Fund any activities prohibited by 7 

CFR parts 3015 or 3019; 

5. Duplicate current services or 

replace or substitute support previously 

provided; 

6. Pay costs of the project incurred 

prior to the date of agreement approval; 

or 

7. Pay any judgment or debt owed to 

the United States. 

F. Other Submission Requirements 

You may submit your paper 

application for a cooperative agreement 

to USDA Rural Development’s 

Cooperative Programs, Attn: 

Cooperative Research, Mail STOP 3250, 

Room 4016–South, 1400 Independence 

Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250–3250. 

The phone number that should be used 

for FedEx packages is (202) 720–7558. 

You may also choose to submit your 

application electronically at http:// 

www.grants.gov. Final applications may 

not be submitted by electronic mail, 

facsimile, or by hand-delivery. Any 

application submission in a nonelectronic format must contain all 

required documents in one envelope. 

V. Application Review Information 

A. Criteria 

All eligible and complete applications 

will be evaluated based on the following 

criteria and maximum point allowances. 

Failure to address any one of the 

following criteria by the application 

deadline will result in a determination 

of incomplete and the application will 

not be considered for funding. The total 

points available for the set of criteria are 

100. 

1. Relevance of the project proposal 

(30 points). Proposals will be evaluated 

on how directly they address the stated 

objective of demonstrating economic 

impact of all types of cooperatives in the 

United States. Factors to be weighed by 

evaluators in scoring a proposal’s 

relevance will include the: 

• Definition of clear and objective 

measures of impact; 

• Definition of specific measurement 

strategies for obtaining impact measures 

from each major cooperative sector and 

each category of persons impacted by 

cooperatives; and 

• Description of sound data collection 

and analysis methodology. 

2. Quality of Workplan (30 points). 

The quality evaluation criterion will be 

based on whether the proposal outlines 

a sound plan of work that will meet the 

objectives in a timely and cost-efficient 

manner. Factors to be weighed by 

evaluators in scoring a proposal’s 

workplan will include: 

• How well the steps for carrying out 

the work are defined; 

• The logic of the sequence of 

proposed steps and the likelihood they 

will achieve their intended result; 

• The establishment of clear 

benchmarks and timetables to measure 

the progress of the project; 

• The detail, accuracy, and 

reasonableness of the project’s proposed 

budget; and 

• The ability to replicate measures 

from the FY 2006 and FY 2007 funding 

cycles. 

3. Quality of personnel and 

management plan (20 points). The 

quality of the management plan and the 

personnel involved in carrying out the 

proposed project will evaluate the 

capabilities of the individuals and 

institutions to implement the work plan 

in an effective manner. Factors to be 

weighed by evaluators in scoring a 

proposal’s personnel and management 

plan will include the: 

• Experience of project leaders and 

the lead institution in managing 

complex research projects; 

• Demonstration of a clear 

understanding of business models and 

general economic development; 

• Management controls, progress 

measurements, and reporting systems 

within a structured project management 

plan; and 

• Experience and relevant skills of 

researchers, consultants, and 


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subcontractors assigned to carry out 

specific roles in the project. 

4. Funding match and cooperative 

community support (20 points). Points 

will be awarded on the basis of the 

percentage match provided by the 

applicant and the level of support for 

the proposal from the cooperative 

community as evidenced by 

contribution of resources to the match 

and other indications of support. 

• Up to 20 points will be awarded for 

matching funds provided by or arranged 

for by the applicant. Two points will be 

awarded for each 5 percent match, up to 

a maximum of 20 points for a 50 percent 

match. 

B. Review and Selection Process 

Each application will be initially 

reviewed by Rural Development 

personnel for eligibility and to 

determine whether all required 

elements are complete. A list of required 

elements follows: 

• SF–424 

• SF–424A 

• SF–424B 

• Title Page 

• Table of Contents 

• Executive Summary 

• Applicant Eligibility Discussion 

• Purpose Eligibility Discussion 

• Project Title 

• Information Sheet 

• Goals of the Project 

• Work Plan 

• Proposal Evaluation Criterion 1 

• Proposal Evaluation Criterion 2 

• Proposal Evaluation Criterion 3 

• Proposal Evaluation Criterion 4 

• Certification of Judgment 

• Verification of any Matching Funds 

Any incomplete or ineligible 

applications will not be further 

evaluated or considered for funding. 

All eligible and complete proposals 

will be evaluated by a team of at least 

three reviewers based on criteria 1 

through 4 described in paragraph A of 

this section. Reviewers will represent 

the Rural Development broad mission 

area, and will include at least three 

employees of USDA. 

Once the scores for criteria 1 through 

4 have been independently completed 

by the three reviewers, the scores will 

be used to rank the proposals. If the 

three reviewers rank the best proposal 

differently then, with the aid of a 

facilitator, the three reviewers will 

develop a consensus ranking. If the 

three reviewers cannot reach a 

consensus, two additional reviewers 

will review the proposals and be added 

to the rankings. A final ranking will be 

obtained based on the consensus 

rankings of the three member review 

panel, or, if appointed, the average of 

the five reviewers’ rankings. Final 

award recommendation will be sent to 

the Under Secretary for Rural 

Development for final selection 

concurrence. 

After the award selection is made, all 

applicants will be notified of the status 

of their applications by mail. The 

awardee must meet all statutory and 

regulatory program requirements in 

order to receive the award. In the event 

that an awardee cannot meet the 

requirements, the award will be 

withdrawn. 

C. Anticipated Announcement and 

Award Dates 

Award Date: The announcement of 

award selection is expected to occur on 

or about September 25, 2008. 

VI. Award Administration Information 

A. Award Notices 

The successful applicant will receive 

a notification of tentative selection for 

funding from USDA Rural Development. 

The applicant must sign a mutually 

agreed to cooperative agreement and 

comply with all applicable statutes, 

regulations, and this notice before the 

award will receive final approval. 

Unsuccessful applicants will receive 

notification, including mediation 

procedures and appeal rights, by mail. 

B. Administrative and National Policy 

Requirements 

This award is subject to 7 CFR parts 

3015 and 3019. These regulations may 

be accessed at http:// 

www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-tablesearch.html#page1. 

The following additional 

documentation requirements apply to 

the awardee selected for this program: 

• Agency Approved Cooperative 

Agreement 

• Form RD 1940–1, ‘‘Request for 

Obligation of Funds’’

• Form AD–1047, ‘‘Certification 

Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and 

Other Responsibility Matters-Primary 

Covered Transactions’’

• Form AD–1048, ‘‘Certification 

Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 

Ineligibility and Voluntary ExclusionLower Tier Covered Transactions’’

• Form AD–1049, ‘‘Certification 

Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace 

Requirements (Grants)’’

• Form RD 400–1, ‘‘Equal 

Opportunity Agreement’’

• Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance 

Agreement’’

Additional information on these 

requirements can be found at http:// 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ 

reic.htm. 

Reporting Requirements: You must 

provide USDA Rural Development with 

an original or an electronic copy that 

includes all required signatures of the 

following reports. The reports should be 

submitted to the Agency contact listed 

on your Cooperative Agreement. Failure 

to submit satisfactory reports on time 

may result in suspension or termination 

of your award. 

1. Form SF–269 or SF–269A. A 

‘‘Financial Status Report,’’ listing 

expenditures according to agreed upon 

budget categories, on a quarterly basis. 

Reporting periods end each December 

31, March 31, June 30, and September 

30. Reports are due 30 days after the 

reporting period ends. 

2. Quarterly performance reports that 

compare accomplishments to the 

objectives stated in the proposal. 

Identify all tasks completed to date and 

provide documentation supporting the 

reported results. If the original schedule 

provided in the workplan is not being 

met, the report should discuss the 

problems or delays that may affect 

completion of the project. Objectives for 

the next reporting period should be 

listed. Compliance with any special 

condition on the use of award funds 

should be discussed. Reporting periods 

end each December 31, March 31, June 

30, and September 30. Reports are due 

30 days after the reporting period ends. 

Supporting documentation must also be 

submitted for completed tasks. The 

supporting documentation for 

completed tasks include, but are not 

limited to, questionnaire or interview 

guides, publications of research 

findings, summaries of data collected, 

and any other documentation related to 

how funds were spent. 

3. Final Project performance reports 

that compare accomplishments to the 

objectives stated in the proposal. 

Identify all tasks completed and provide 

documentation supporting the reported 

results. If the original schedule provided 

in the workplan was not met, the report 

must discuss the problems or delays 

that affected completion of the project. 

Compliance with any special condition 

on the use of award funds should be 

discussed. Supporting documentation 

for completed tasks must also be 

submitted. The supporting 

documentation for completed tasks 

include, but are not limited to, 

publications of research findings, 

summaries of data collected, 

documentation of data and software 

delivered to USDA Rural Development, 

and any other documentation related to 

how funds were spent. The final 

performance report is due within 90 

days of the completion of the project. 


ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES
49990 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 165 / Monday, August 25, 2008 / Notices 

VII. Agency Contacts 

For general questions about this 

announcement and for program 

technical assistance, please contact the 

USDA Rural Development’s Cooperative 

Programs, Mail STOP 3250, Room 4016–

South, 1400 Independence Avenue, 

SW., Washington, DC 20250–3250, 

Telephone: (202) 720–8460 (TDD: (800) 

877–8339 Federal Information Relay 

Service), e-mail: 

cpgrants@wdc.usda.gov. 

VIII. Non-Discrimination Statement 

USDA prohibits discrimination in all 

its programs and activities on the basis 

of race, color, national origin, age, 

disability, and where applicable, sex, 

marital status, familial status, parental 

status, religion, sexual orientation, 

genetic information, political beliefs, 

reprisal, or because all or part of an 

individual’s income is derived from any 

public assistance program. (Not all 

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require 

alternative means for communication of 

program information (Braille, large 

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 

USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–

2600 (voice and TDD). To file a 

complaint of discrimination, write to 

USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 

Washington, DC 20250–9410, or call 

(800) 795–3272 (voice), or (202) 720–

6382 (TDD). ‘‘USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider, employer, and 

lender.’’

Dated: August 4, 2008. 

Ben Anderson, 

Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative 

Service. 

[FR Doc. E8–19599 Filed 8–22–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Foreign–Trade Zones Board 

[Docket 46–2008] 

Foreign–Trade Zone 38 - Spartanburg 

County, SC, Application for Subzone 

Status, Cornell Dubilier Marketing, Inc. 

(Electrolytic Capacitors) 

An application has been submitted to 

the Foreign–Trade Zones Board (the 

Board) by the South Carolina State Ports 

Authority, grantee of FTZ 38, requesting 

special–purpose subzone status for the 

aluminum electrolytic capacitor 

manufacturing plant of Cornell Dubilier 

Marketing, Inc. (CDM), located in 

Liberty, South Carolina. The application 

was submitted pursuant to the 

provisions of the Foreign–Trade Zones 

Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u), 

and the regulations of the Board (15 CFR 

part 400). It was formally filed on 

August 18, 2008. 

The CDM facility (308 employees/34 

acres/152,520 sq.ft.) is located at 140 

Technology Place in Liberty (Pickens 

County), South Carolina. The plant is 

used to produce aluminum electrolytic 

capacitors (up to 6,100 units annually) 

for export and the domestic market. The 

manufacturing process involves slitting, 

formation, winding, and electrolyte 

impregnation of etched aluminum foil 

using domestically–sourced material 

inputs and foreign–origin etched 

aluminum foil (HTSUS 7607.19, 5.3%; 

aluminum foil represents about 37% of 

finished capacitor value). 

FTZ procedures would exempt CDM 

from customs duty payments on the 

foreign etched aluminum foil used in 

export production. On domestic 

shipments, the company could be able 

to elect the duty rate that applies to 

finished aluminum electrolytic 

capacitors (duty free) for the foreign 

etched aluminum foil. The application 

indicates that the savings from FTZ 

procedures would help improve the 

facility’s international competitiveness. 

In accordance with the Board’s 

regulations, Pierre Duy of the FTZ Staff 

is designated examiner to investigate the 

application and report to the Board. 

Public comment is invited from 

interested parties. Submissions (original 

and 3 copies) shall be addressed to the 

Board’s Executive Secretary at the 

address below. The closing period for 

their receipt is October 24, 2008. 

Rebuttal comments in response to 

material submitted during the foregoing 

period may be submitted during the 

subsequent 15-day period to November 

10, 2008. 

A copy of the application and 

accompanying exhibits will be available 

for public inspection at each of the 

following locations: Office of the Port 

Director, U.S. Customs and Border 

Protection, 150–A West Phillips Road, 

Greer, SC 29650; and, Office of the 

Executive Secretary, Foreign–Trade 

Zones Board, Room 2111, U.S. 

Department of Commerce, 1401 

Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, 

DC 20230–0002. For further 

information, contact Pierre Duy at 

pierrelduy@ita.doc.gov, or (202) 482–

1378. 

Dated: August 19, 2008. 

Andrew McGilvray, 

Executive Secretary. 

[FR Doc. E8–19643 Filed 8–22–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

International Trade Administration 

[A–570–890] 

Wooden Bedroom Furniture from the 

People’s Republic of China: Notice of 

Partial Rescission of Antidumping 

Duty Administrative Review 

AGENCY: Import Administration, 

International Trade Administration, 

Department of Commerce. 

SUMMARY: On March 7, 2008, the 

Department of Commerce (‘‘the 

Department’’) initiated the third 

administrative review of the 

antidumping duty order on wooden 

bedroom furniture from the People’s 

Republic of China (‘‘PRC’’) covering the 

period January 1, 2007, through 

December 31, 2007. See Notice of 

Initiation of Administrative Review of 

the Antidumping Duty Order on 

Wooden Bedroom Furniture from the 

People’s Republic of China, 73 FR 12387 

(March 7, 2008) (‘‘Initiation Notice’’). 

Between March 7 and June 5, 2008, 

several parties withdrew their requests 

for review. Therefore, the Department is 

rescinding the administrative review of 

sales of wooden bedroom furniture with 

respect to the entities for whom all 

review requests have been withdrawn. 

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 25, 2008. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Robert Bolling, AD/CVD Operations, 

Office 8, Import Administration, 

International Trade Administration, 

U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th 

Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, 

Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 

482–3434. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

On January 4, 2005, the Department 

published in the Federal Register the 

antidumping duty order on wooden 

bedroom furniture from the PRC. See 

Notice of Amended Final Determination 

of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and 

Antidumping Duty Order: Wooden 

Bedroom Furniture from the People’s 

Republic of China, 70 FR 329 (January 

4, 2005). On January 2, 2008, the 

Department published a notice of 

opportunity to request an administrative 

review of the antidumping duty order 

on wooden bedroom furniture from the 

PRC for the period January 1, 2007, 

through December 31, 2007. See 

Antidumping or Countervailing Duty 

Order, Finding, or Suspended 

Investigation: Opportunity to Request 

Administrative Review, 73 FR 158 

(January 2, 2008). 

The Department received multiple 

timely requests for review and on March 


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