Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 6, 2001 / Notices 13487

Done at Washington, DC on March 1, 2001.

F. Edward Scarbrough,

U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius.

[FR Doc. 01–5420 Filed 3–5–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA)

Invitation for Applications for the

Value-Added Agricultural Product

Market Development Grant Program

(VADG) (Information Resource Center)

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative

Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBS) announces

the availability of up to $5,000,000 in

competitive grant funds for the

establishment of a value-added

technical resource center. RBS hereby

requests proposals from eligible

institutions to establish a single pilot

project to be known as the Agricultural

Marketing Resource Center. This Center

will have the capabilities, including

electronic, to coordinate and provide

information regarding research,

business, legal, financial, and logistical

assistance to independent producers

and processors of value-added

agricultural commodities and products

of agricultural commodities. The Center

will also develop a nationwide market

information and coordination system.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of an

application is 4:00 p.m. eastern time on

April 30, 2001. The application

deadline is firm as to date and hour and

applies to submission of the original

application and two copies to the

National Office in Washington, DC. The

agency will not consider any

application received after the deadline.

Comments regarding the information

collection requirements under the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 must

be received on or before May 7, 2001 to

be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Send proposals and other

required materials to Dr. Thomas H.

Stafford, Director, Cooperative

Marketing Division, Rural BusinessCooperative Service, USDA, Stop 3252,

Room 4204, 1400 Independence Avenue

SW., Washington, DC 20250–3252.

Telephone: (202) 690–0368, E-Mail:

thomas.stafford@usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.

Thomas H. Stafford, Director,

Cooperative Marketing Division, Rural

Business-Cooperative Service, USDA,

STOP 3252, Room 4202, 1400

Independence Ave. SW., Washington,

DC 20250–3252. Telephone (202) 690–

0368, Facsimile (202) 690–2723, E-mail:

thomas.stafford@usda.gov. You may

also obtain information from the RBS

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

rbs/coops/vadg.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

This solicitation is issued pursuant to

section 231 of the Agriculture Risk

Protection Act of 2000 authorizing the

establishment of the Value-Added

Agricultural Product Market

Development grants. The Secretary of

Agriculture has delegated the program’s

administration to USDA’s Rural

Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) for

the fiscal year ending September 30,

2001. The Rural Business-Cooperative

Service (RBS) was established by the

Department of Agriculture

Reorganization Act of 1994. The mission

of RBS is to improve the quality of life

in rural America by financing

businesses, providing technical

assistance, and creating effective

strategies for rural development. The primary objective of this program

is to establish a pilot project to be

known as the Agricultural Marketing

Resource Center. This Center will have

the capabilities, including electronic

capabilities, to collect, disseminate,

coordinate, and provide information on

value-added processing to independent

producers and processors of valueadded agricultural commodities and

products of agricultural commodities.

This includes information on valueadded research, business operations,

legal issues, financial issues, and

logistical assistance. The Center will

also develop a strategy to establish a

nationwide market information and

coordination system. A single grant will be awarded on a

competitive basis to an eligible

institution as defined in this NOFA

based on specific selection criteria. Parts

3015 and 3019 of 7 CFR will be

applicable to this program. This grant program has a matching

funds requirement. Applicants must

provide matching funds at least equal to

the grant. Grant funds will be disbursed

pursuant to relevant provisions of 7 CFR

parts 3015 and 3019, as applicable.

Matching funds must be used to support

the overall purpose of the VADG

program. All forms required to apply are

available from the Cooperative Services

Program web-site at http://

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

vadg.htm, by calling (202) 690–0368, or

faxing (202) 690–2723. Forms may also

be requested via the internet by sending

a message with your name, mailing

address (not e-mail), and phone number

to thomas.stafford@usda.gov. When

calling or e-mailing, please indicate you

are requesting forms for fiscal year FY

2001 (FY 2001) Value-Added Product

Market Development Grant Program.

Forms will be mailed to you (not

e-mailed or faxed) as quickly as

possible.

Definitions

Agency—The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBS) or its

successor.

Agricultural Product—Plant and

animal products and their by-products,

including aquaculturally produced fish

and seafood products and forestry

products.

Business Plan—A description of

economic activities that will lead to a

potential viable value-added venture

including feasibility studies, marketing

plans, business operations plans, and

legal evaluations.

Center—The Agricultural Marketing

Resource Center which is to be

established and operated by the grantee

to work with independent producers

and processors on value-added

ventures.

Independent Producers—Agricultural

producers, including associations of

producers and producer-owned

corporations, who do not produce the

agricultural product under contract or

joint ownership with any other

organization.

Matching Funds—Cash or confirmed

funding commitments from non-Federal

sources. Matching funds must be at least

equal to the grant amount. In-kind

contributions as defined in 7 CFR part

3015, subpart G and 7 CFR section

3019.23 can be used as matching funds.

Examples of in-kind contributions

include volunteer services furnished by

professional and technical personnel,

donated supplies and equipment, and

donated office space.

Non-Profit Corporation or

Institution—Any organization or

institution, including an accredited

institution of higher education, no part

of the net earnings of which inures, or

may lawfully inure, to the benefit of any

private shareholder or individual.

Public Body—Any state, county, city,

township, incorporated town or village,

borough, authority, district, economic

development authority, or Indian tribe

on Federal or state reservations or other

federally recognized tribe.

Technical Assistance—Development

activities to ensure that a successful

value-added venture is organized. These

activities include, but are not limited to,

conducting feasibility, environmental,

and other essential studies, or preparing

13488 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 6, 2001 / Notices

business, marketing, and other plans for

independent agricultural producers

wishing to enter into value-added

activities.

Value-Added—Changes in the raw or

partly processed agriculturally

produced commodity that result in a

product having a higher value to

potential buyers. Examples include

processing wheat into flour,

slaughtering livestock or poultry, further

processing of meat and poultry

products, or collecting and converting

methane from animal waste to generate

energy.

VADG—Value-Added Agricultural

Product Market Development Grant

Program.

Recipient Eligibility Requirements

A grant may be made to a nonprofit

corporation or institution, including an

accredited institution of higher

education, that demonstrates the

capacity and technical expertise to

provide assistance to independent

producers, an established plan outlining

support of the applicant in the

agricultural community, and the

availability of resources (in cash or inkind) of definite value to sustain the

Center following establishment. Grants

may not be made to public bodies.

Trade associations are not eligible

recipients.

Proposal Preparation

A proposal should contain the

following:

(1) Standard Form 424, ‘‘Application

for Federal Assistance.’’

(2) Standard Form 424A, ‘‘Budget

Information—Non-Construction

Programs.’’

(3) Standard Form 424B,

‘‘Assurances—Non-Construction

Programs.’’

(4) Table of Contents. For ease of

locating information, each proposal

must contain a detailed Table of

Contents immediately following the

required forms. The Table of Contents

should include page numbers for each

component of the proposal. Pagination

should begin immediately following the

Table of Contents.

(5) Proposal Summary. A summary of

the Proposal, not to exceed one page,

should include the following:

description of the proposed Center;

types of projects to be undertaken; and

names of the individuals responsible for

conducting and completing the work of

the Center.

(6) Proposal Narrative. The narrative

portion of the project proposal must

include at least the following:

(i) Information sheet. A separate onepage information sheet, which lists each

of the seven evaluation criteria listed in

this NOFA under the ‘‘Evaluation

Criteria and Weights’’ section, followed

by the page numbers of all relevant

material and documentation contained

in the proposal which addresses or

supports that criteria.

(ii) Goals of the Center. A clear

statement of the ultimate goals of the

proposed Center must be presented.

(iii) Specific Tasks to Be Performed by

the Center. The narrative must describe

the specific tasks that the Center will

perform in collecting and disseminating

information on value-added research,

business operations, legal issues,

financial issues, and logistical

assistance related to value-added

processing and in developing a strategy

to establish a nationwide market

information and coordination system.

(iv) Evaluation Criteria. Each of the

seven evaluation criteria listed in the

Evaluation Criteria and Weights section

of this NOFA must be addressed

specifically and individually by

category. Present these criteria in

narrative form with any supporting

documentation.

(7) Verification of Matching Funds.

For cash you should provide a copy of

a bank statement. Otherwise, you

should provide a copy of the confirmed

funding commitment from the funding

source.

(8) Budget. A detailed breakdown of

estimated costs and a project budget.

Grant Amounts

The amount of grant funds for the

Center in FY 2001 will not exceed

$5,000,000.

Eligible Grant and Matching Fund Uses

Grant funds may be used to pay up to

50 percent of the cost of establishing the

Center, including the collection of

information the Center will disseminate

to independent producers and

processors of value-added agricultural

commodities and products of

agricultural commodities. The

applicant’s funding match may be either

in cash or in-kind contributions in

accordance with 7 CFR parts 3015 and

3019 and must be from non-Federal

sources. Grant and matching funds may

be used for, but are not limited to, the

following purposes:

1. Activities to develop the Center’s

capacity to collect, interpret and

disseminate principles, facts, technical

knowledge, or other information that

may be useful to independent

agricultural producers or processors

wishing to enter into value-added

activities.

2. Activities to develop a market

information sharing and coordination

system.

3. Activities to develop training and

instructional materials for independent

agricultural producers wishing to enter

into value-added activities.

4. Activities to develop resources

concerning principles of organizing

value-added enterprises, facts, and other

information concerning the business,

economic, and technical nature of

value-added activities.

Ineligible Grant and Matching Fund

Uses

Grant and matching funds cannot be

used to:

1. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or

construct a building or facility

(including a processing facility);

2. purchase, rent, or install fixed

equipment;

3. repair or maintain privately owned

vehicles;

4. pay for the preparation of the grant

application;

5. fund political activities;

6. pay costs incurred prior to

receiving this grant;

7. fund any activities prohibited in 7

CFR parts 3015 and 3019, as applicable;

or

8. fund the Center’s continuing

operation.

Funds from this grant and the

recipient’s matching funds cannot be

used for the architectural or engineering

design work for the physical facility that

are often part of the project feasibility

studies.

Methods for Evaluating and Ranking

Applications

RBS will review all applications for

conforming to the requirements of this

NOFA. Applications that fall within the

guidelines of this NOFA will then be

evaluated by a panel of agricultural

economists and other technical experts

appointed by RBS. Applications will be

evaluated competitively and points

awarded as specified in the Evaluation

Criteria and Weights section of this

NOFA. After assigning points upon

those criteria, the application with the

highest ranking will be awarded the

grant.

Evaluation Criteria and Weights

RBS will initially determine whether

the submitting organization is eligible

and whether the application contains

the information required by this NOFA.

Prior to technical examination, each

proposal will be reviewed for

responsiveness to the funding

solicitation. Submissions that do not

meet the guidelines stated in this NOFA

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 6, 2001 / Notices 13489

will be eliminated from the competition

and will be returned to the applicant.

After this initial screening, RBS will use

the following criteria to rate and rank

proposals received in response to this

NOFA. Failure to address any of the

following criteria will disqualify the

proposal:

1. Nature of the Center’s operations

(Maximum 20 points). Describe in detail

the operation of the Center including

the specific tasks to be performed.

Demonstrate how and where

information will be collected,

processed, stored, and disseminated

(print and electronic). Describe in detail

relevant experience in collecting and

distributing research information on

business principles and operations,

legal activities, financial matters, and

logistical methodologies. Describe in

detail what type of electronic

capabilities the Center will adopt.

Proposals will be evaluated under this

criteria for their overall ability to

maximize (1) the utility of the

information to be provided, (2) its

accessibility, (3) its comprehensiveness

to the user, and (4) the level of personal

assistance provided by the Center.

2. Ability and experience in producer

and producer group outreach (maximum

20 points). Describe in detail your

experience in reaching producers and

producer groups with the kind of

information that would be provided by

the Center. This includes mechanisms

for promoting the Center’s products and

services, methods of interacting with

stakeholders, and ways of obtaining

feedback from producers and producer

groups about information products and

services received.

3. Experience in developing an

electronic market information and

coordination system (Maximum 15

points). Describe in detail relevant

experience in developing and operating

electronic market information and

coordinating systems including web

page design and maintenance, on-line

transactions, and other relevant

activities.

4. Qualifications of the personnel

performing the tasks; and a

demonstrated track-record of performing

activities similar to those being

proposed (maximum 15 points).

Describe in detail qualifications of the

in-house staff who will actually do the

proposed tasks and provide resumes

and information about their

organizations. If a consultant or others

are to be hired, include a statement as

to their commitment, as well as their

qualifications.

5. A sound plan of work incorporating

the appropriate tasks to establish the

Agricultural Marketing Resource Center

(maximum 10 points). Describe in detail

your plan of work to establish the

Center. This plan must provide a ‘‘road

map’’ for establishing the Center from

start to finish. This includes time tables,

project benchmarks, and the evaluation

procedures used to determine the

success of the effort.

6. Amount and type of linkages

within the agriculture community

(Maximum 10 points). Describe in detail

the types of linkages and support the

applicant has from the agriculture

community, including development

organizations, cooperatives, and other

agribusinesses. Discuss the nature of

these relationships and any joint

activities with them.

7. Amount and type of resources to

sustain the Center once established

(Maximum 10 points). Described in

detail the various sources of funding

and in-kind support available to the

applicant to sustain operations once the

Center has been established and grant

funding exhausted. Discuss how the

Center will retain its in-house expertise

after grant funds are exhausted.

What and Where To Submit

An original and two copies of the

proposal, with all required forms and

documentation, must be submitted in

one package to: Dr. Thomas H. Stafford,

Director, Cooperative Marketing

Division, Rural Business-Cooperative

Service, USDA, Stop 3252, Room 4204,

1400 Independence Avenue SW,

Washington, D.C. 20250–3252.

Applications sent electronically or by

facsimile will not be accepted.

When To Submit

The deadline for receipt of an

application is 4:00 p.m. eastern time on

April 30, 2001. The application

deadline is firm as to date and hour and

applies to submission of the original

application and two copies to the

National Office in Washington, DC. The

Agency will not consider any

application received after the deadline.

Grantee Requirements

The grantee will be required to do the

following.

1. Sign a Value-Added Agricultural

Product Market Development Grant

Agreement acceptable to RBS.

2. Sign required Federal grant making

forms.

3. Use Standard Form 270, ‘‘Request

for Advance or Reimbursement’’ to

request advances and reimbursements.

4. Submit a Standard Form 269,

‘‘Financial Status Report’’ and list

expenditures according to agreed upon

budget categories on a quarterly basis

starting with the first full quarter after

the grant award.

5. Submit quarterly performance

reports which compare

accomplishments to the objectives; if

established objectives are not met, the

report must discuss problems or delays

that may affect completion of the

project, establish objectives for the next

reporting period; and discuss

compliance with any special conditions

on the use of awarded funds.

6. Maintain a financial management

system that is acceptable to the Agency.

7. Collect and maintain data provided

by the independent producers on race,

sex, and national origin.

8. Submit a final project performance

report.

Other Federal Statutes and Regulations

That Apply

Several other Federal statutes and

regulations apply to proposals

considered for review and to the grant

awarded. These include, but are not

limited to:

7 CFR part 15, subpart A—

Nondiscrimination in Federally

Assisted Programs of the Department of

Agriculture—Effectuation of Title VI of

the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

7 CFR part 3015—Uniform Federal

Assistance Regulations.

7 CFR part 3017—Governmentwide

Debarment and Suspension

(Nonprocurement) and

Governmentwide Requirements for

Drug-Free Workplace (Grants).

7 CFR part 3018—New Restrictions on

Lobbying.

7 CFR part 3019—Uniform

Administrative Requirements for Grants

and Agreements with Institutions of

Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other

Non-Profit Organizations.

7 CFR part 3052—Audits of States,

Local Governments, and Non-Profit

Organizations.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The reporting requirements contained

in this NOFA have received temporary

emergency clearance by the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) under

Control Number 0570–0040. However,

in accordance with the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995, RBS will seek

standard OMB approval of the reporting

requirements contained in this NOFA.

Comments should be submitted within

60 days of May 7, 2001.

Abstract: RBS, an Agency within the

USDA Rural Development mission area,

will administer the VADG program. The

primary objective of this program is to

establish the Agricultural Marketing

Resource Center. This Center will have

the capabilities, including electronic

13490 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 6, 2001 / Notices

capabilities, to coordinate and provide

to independent producers and

processors of value-added agricultural

commodities and products of

agricultural commodities information

on value-added research, business

operations, legal issues, financial issues,

and logistical assistance related to

value-added processing. The Center will

also develop a strategy to establish a

nationwide market information and

coordination system.

Public Burden in This NOFA

At this time, the Agency is requesting

OMB clearance of the following burden:

Standard Form 424 ‘‘Application for

Federal Assistance.’’

This form is used by applicants as a

required face sheet for applications for

Federal assistance.

Standard Form 424A ‘‘Budget

Information—Non-construction

Programs.’’

This form must be completed by

applicants to show the project’s budget

breakdown, both as to expense

categories and the division between

Federal and non-Federal sources.

Standard Form 424B ‘‘Assurances—

Non-Construction Programs.’’

This form must be completed by the

applicant to give the Federal

government certain assurances that the

applicant has the legal authority to

apply for Federal assistance and the

financial capacity to pay the nonFederal share of project costs. The

applicant also gives assurance it will

comply with various legal and

regulatory requirements as described in

the form.

The grant awardee will be required to

do the following.

1. Sign a Value-Added Agricultural

Product Market Development Grant

Agreement acceptable to RBS.

2. Use Standard Form 270, ‘‘Request

for Advance or Reimbursement’’ to

request advances and reimbursements.

3. Submit a Standard Form 269,

‘‘Financial Status Report’’ and list

expenditures according to agreed upon

budget categories on a quarterly basis

starting with the first full quarter after

the grant award.

4. Submit quarterly performance

reports which compares

accomplishments to the objectives. If

established objectives are not met,

discuss problems, delays, or other

problems that may affect completion of

the project; establish objectives for the

next reporting period; and discuss

compliance with any special conditions

on the use of awarded funds.

5. Maintain a financial management

system that is acceptable to the Agency.

6. Collect and maintain data provided

by the independent producers on race,

sex, and national origin.

7. Submit a final project performance

report.

Project Proposal

The applicant must submit a project

proposal containing the elements

described in this NOFA and in the

format prescribed. The elements of the

proposal are: (1) Table of Contents

providing page numbers for each

component of the proposal; (2) a project

Summary, not to exceed one page, that

includes a description of the project and

the names of individuals working on the

project; and (3) a project narrative that

discusses the goals of the Center, the

specific tasks to be performed, and the

seven criteria which are the basis for

selection for funding.

Project Reporting Requirements

The grant Awardee will be required to

submit written performance reports on a

quarterly basis. The performance report

shall include, but need not be limited

to: (1) A comparison of actual

accomplishments to the objectives; (2) if

objectives were not met, reasons why

they were not; (3) problems, delays, or

adverse conditions which will

materially affect attainment of planned

project objectives; (4) objectives

established for the next reporting

period; and (5) status of compliance

with any special conditions on the use

of awarded funds.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting

burden for this collection of information

is estimated to average 13 hours per

response.

Respondents: Non-profit corporations

and institutions of higher education.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

40.

Estimated Number of Responses per

Respondent: 1.2.

Estimated Number of Responses: 48.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on

Respondents: 628 hours.

Copies of this information collection

can be obtained from Cheryl Thompson,

Regulations and Paperwork

Management Branch, (202) 692–0043.

Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether

the proposed collection of information

is necessary for the proper performance

of the functions of the Agency,

including whether the information will

have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of

the Agency estimate of the burden of the

proposed collection of information,

including the validity of the

methodology and assumptions used; (c)

ways to enhance the quality, utility, and

clarity of the information to be

collected; and (d) ways to minimize the

burden of the collection of information

on those who are to respond, including

the use of appropriate automated,

electronic, mechanical, or other

technological collection techniques or

other forms of information technology.

All responses to this NOFA will be

summarized and included in the request

for OMB approval. All comments will

also become a matter of public record.

Comments on the paperwork burden

may be sent to Cheryl Thompson,

Regulations and Paperwork

Management Branch, Rural

Development, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Stop 0742, 1400

Independence Avenue SW.,

Washington, DC 20250–0742.

Dated: February 26, 2001.

William F. Hagy III,

Acting Administrator, Rural BusinessCooperative Service, United States

Department of Agriculture.

[FR Doc. 01–5372 Filed 3–5–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA)

Inviting Applications for the ValueAdded Agricultural Product Market

Development Grant Program (VADG)

(Independent Producers)

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative

Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBS) announces

the availability of approximately

$20,000,000 in competitive grant funds

to help independent producers enter

into value-added activities under 231(a)

of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of

2000. RBS hereby requests proposals

from eligible independent producers of

agricultural commodities interested in a

competitively awarded grant to develop

business plans to establish a viable

marketing opportunity for their valueadded product; or to acquire capital to

establish a value-added business

venture or alliance that will allow the

producers to better compete in domestic

and international markets. Up to

$10,000,000 will be allocated for the

first competition, with unused funds

being made available in a second

competition. The maximum award per

grant is $500,000.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of an

application for the first competition is 5

p.m. eastern time on April 23, 2001.