Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2000/03/03/00-5123/request-for-proposals-rfp-special-research-grants-program-potato-research
Timestamp: 2018-04-26 00:49:55
Document Index: 797834300

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3400', 'art 3019', 'art 3015', 'art 3019', 'art 3015', 'art 3015', 'arts 1', 'art 3407', 'arts 3015', 'art 3015', 'art 15']

All proposals must be received at USDA on or before April 3, 2000. Proposals not received on or before this date will not be considered for funding.
11695-11703 (9 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/00-5123 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/00-5123
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The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) announces the availability of grant funds and requests proposals for the Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research for fiscal year (FY) 2000. Subject to the availability of funds, the anticipated amount available for support of this program in FY 2000 is $1,300,000.
CSREES also is soliciting comments regarding this request for proposals from any interested party. These comments will be considered in the development of the next request for proposals for this program. Such comments will be used in meeting the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998, (AREERA).
Proposals should be submitted to the following mailing address: Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Ave., SW; Washington DC 20250-2245.
The address for hand-delivered proposals or proposals submitted using an express mail or overnight courier service is: Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research; c/o Proposal Services Unit; 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.
Written user comments should be submitted by mail to: Policy and Program Liaison Staff; Office of Extramural Programs; USDA-CSREES; STOP 2299; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2299; or via e-mail to: RFP-OEP@reeusda.gov. (This e-mail address is intended only for receiving stakeholder input comments regarding this RFP, and not for requesting information or forms.)
Dr. James Parochetti; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2220; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2220; telephone: (202) 401-4354; Internet: jparochetti@reeusda.gov.
The authority for this program is contained in section (c)(1)(B) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act, in section 2 of Pub. L. No. 89-106, as amended (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(1)(B)). Only section 3400.1, Applicability of regulations, Subpart C, Peer and Merit Review Arranged by Grantees, and Subpart D, Annual Reports of the administrative regulations at 7 CFR part 3400 for Special Grants Programs awarded under the authority of section 2(c) of this Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)) apply to grants solicited and awarded under subsection 2(c)(1)(B).
(3) Authorized organizational representative (AOR) means the Start Printed Page 11697president, director, or chief executive officer or other designated official of the applicant organization who has the authority to commit the resources of the organization.
Proposals are invited for competitive grant awards under the Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research for FY 2000. The purpose of this grant program is to support potato research that focuses on varietal development/testing. As used herein, varietal development/testing is research using traditional and biotechnological genetics to develop improved potato variety(ies). Aspects of evaluation, screening and testing must support or complement the development of improved varieties. This program is administered by CSREES of USDA.
Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to support regional research projects that are composed of potato research that focuses on varietal development/testing. For purposes of this program, regional research means research having application beyond the immediate State in which the awardee resides and performs the project. The anticipated amount of funds available in FY 2000 for support of this program is approximately $1,300,000. Each proposal submitted in FY 2000 shall request funding for a period not to exceed one year. Funding for additional years will depend upon the availability of funds and progress toward objectives. FY 2000 awardees would need to recompete in future years for additional funding.
Subsection (c)(5) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(5)) requires applicants to conduct a scientific peer review of a proposed research project in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary prior to the Secretary making a grant award under this authority. Regulations implementing this requirement are set forth in 7 CFR 3400.20. The regulations impose the following requirements for scientific peer review by applicants of proposed research projects:
2. Notice of completion and retention of records. A notice of completion of the review shall be conveyed in writing to CSREES either as part of the submitted proposal or prior to the issuance of an award, at the option of CSREES (see Part III. Q.). The written notice constitutes certification by the applicant that a review in compliance with these regulations has occurred. Applicants are not required to submit results of the review to CSREES; however, proper documentation of the review process and results should be retained by the applicant.
Each copy of each grant proposal must contain an Application for Funding, (Form CSREES-661). One copy of the application, preferably the original, must contain the pen-and-ink signature(s) of the proposing principal investigator(s)/project director(s) and the AOR who possesses the necessary Start Printed Page 11698authority to commit the organization's time and other relevant resources to the project. Any proposed principal investigator or co-principal investigator whose signature does not appear on Form CSREES-661 will not be listed on any resulting grant award. Complete both signature blocks located at the bottom of the Application for Funding form.
All items of major instrumentation available for use or assignment to the proposed project also should be itemized. In addition, items of nonexpendable equipment needed to conduct and bring the project to a successful conclusion should be listed, Start Printed Page 11699including dollar amounts and, if funds are requested for their acquisition, justified.
If you expect to enter into subcontractual arrangements, please note that the provisions contained in 7 CFR part 3019, USDA Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations, and the general provisions contained in 7 CFR part 3015.205, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations, flow down to subrecipients. In addition, required clauses from 7 CFR part 3019 Sections 40-48 (Procurement Standards) and Appendix A (Contract Provisions) should be included in final contractual documents, and it is necessary for the subawardee to make a certification relating to debarment/suspension. This latter requirement is explained further under subsection Q. of these guidelines.
For projects awarded under the authority of Sec. 2(c)(1)(B), no funds will be awarded for the renovation or refurbishment of research spaces; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such spaces; or for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.
Travel and subsistence should be in accordance with organizational policy. Irrespective of the organizational policy, allowances for airfare will not normally exceed round trip jet economy air accommodations. Please note that 7 CFR Part 3015.205 is applicable to air travel.
6. Publication Costs/Page Charges. Anticipated costs of preparing and publishing results of the research being proposed (including page charges, necessary illustrations, and the cost of a reasonable number of coverless reprints) Start Printed Page 11700may be estimated and charged against the grant.
10. Cost-sharing. Cost-sharing is encouraged; however, cost-sharing is not required nor will it be a direct factor in the awarding of any grant.
1. Recombinant DNA or RNA Research. As stated in 7 CFR Part 3015.205(b)(3), all key personnel identified in the proposal and all signatory officials of the proposing organization are required to comply with the guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health entitled, “Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules,” as revised. If your project proposes to use recombinant DNA or RNA techniques, the application must so indicate by checking the “yes” box in Block 19 of Form CSREES-661 (Application for Funding) and by completing Section A of Form CSREES-662 (Assurance Statement(s)). For applicable proposals recommended for funding, Institutional Biosafety Committee approval is required before CSREES funds will be released.
2. Animal Care. Responsibility for the humane care and treatment of live vertebrate animals used in any grant project supported with funds provided by CSREES rests with the performing organization. Where a project involves the use of living vertebrate animals for experimental purposes, all key project personnel and all signatory officials of the proposing organization are required to comply with the applicable provisions of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the Secretary in 9 CFR Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 pertaining to the care, handling, and treatment of these animals. If your project will involve these animals or activities, you must check the “yes” box in Block 20 of Form CSREES-661 and complete Section B of Form CSREES-662. In the event a project involving the use of live vertebrate animals results in a grant award, funds will be released only after the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee has approved the project.
As outlined in 7 CFR part 3407 (CSREES's implementing regulations of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)), environmental data or documentation for the proposed project is to be provided to CSREES in order to assist CSREES in carrying out its responsibilities under NEPA. These responsibilities include determining whether the project requires an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or whether it can be excluded from this requirement on the basis of several categorical exclusions listed in 7 CFR 3407.6. To assist CSREES in this determination, the applicant should review the categories defined for exclusion to ascertain whether the Start Printed Page 11701proposed project may fall within one of the exclusions.
Copies of this request for proposals and the Application Kit may be obtained by writing to the address or calling the telephone number which follows: Proposal Services Unit, Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Ave., SW; Washington DC 20250-2245; Telephone: (202) 401-5048. When contacting the Proposal Services Unit, please indicate that you are requesting forms for the Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research.
These materials may also be requested via Internet by sending a message with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and phone number to psb@reeusda.gov which states that you want a copy of the application materials for the FY 2000 Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research. The materials will then be mailed to you (not e-mailed) as quickly as possible.
An original and 18 copies of each grant proposal must be submitted. Proposals should contain all requested information when submitted. Each proposal should be typed on 8 1/2” x 11” white paper, single-spaced, and on one side of the page only. Please note that the text of the proposal should be prepared using no type smaller than 12 point font size and one-inch margins. It would be helpful if the name of the submitting institution were typed at the top of each page for easy identification in the event the proposal becomes disassembled while being reviewed. Staple each copy of the proposal in the upper left-hand corner. Please do not bind copies of the proposal.
Proposals must be received on or before April 3, 2000, and submitted to the following mailing address: Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Ave., SW; Washington, DC 20250-2245; Telephone: (202) 401-5048.
Hand-delivered proposals or those delivered by overnight express service should be brought to the following address: Special Research Grants Program, Potato Research; c/o Proposal Services Unit, Office of Extramural Programs; CSREES/USDA; Room 303, Aerospace Center; 901 D Street, SW; Washington, DC 20024. The telephone number is (202) 401-5048.
The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing or via the Internet (e-mail). Therefore, it is important to include your e-mail address on Form CSREES-712 when applicable. This acknowledgment will contain a proposal identification number. Once your proposal has been assigned a proposal number, please cite that number in future correspondence.
1. General: Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding official of CSREES shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose proposals are judged most meritorious in the announced program area and procedures set forth in this request for proposals. The date specified Start Printed Page 11702by the Administrator as the effective date of the grant shall be no later than September 30. It should be noted that the project need not be initiated on the grant effective date, but as soon thereafter as practicable so that project goals may be attained within the funded project period. All funds granted by CSREES under this request for proposals shall be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are granted in accordance with the approved application and budget, the terms and conditions of the award, the applicable Federal cost principles, and the Department's assistance regulations (Parts 3015 and 3019, of 7 CFR).
7 CFR Part 3015—Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations, implementing OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A-21, and A-122) and incorporating provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6301-6308 (formerly the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, Pub. L. No. 95-224), as well as general policy requirements applicable to recipients of Departmental financial assistance.
29 U.S.C. 794, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and 7 CFR Part 15d (USDA implementation of statute)—prohibiting discrimination based upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs.
The original copy of a proposal that does not result in a grant will be retained by CSREES for a period of one year. Other copies will be destroyed. Such a proposal will be released only with the consent of the applicant or to Start Printed Page 11703the extent required by law. A proposal may be withdrawn at any time prior to the final action thereon.
CSREES is soliciting comments regarding this solicitation of applications from any interested party. In your comments, please include the name of the program and the fiscal year of the request for proposals to which you are responding. These comments will be considered in the development of the next request for proposals for the program. Such comments will be used in meeting the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of AREERA, 7 U.S.C. 7613(c). Comments should be submitted as provided for in the Addresses and Dates portions of this Notice.
[FR Doc. 00-5123 Filed 3-2-00; 8:45 am]