APEC-ASEAN Communications and Messaging NOFO_Final.pdf

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)

Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Building Effective Communication Strategies and Messaging in the APEC and ASEAN Region

A. Program Description

Issued By Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs, New Technologies and Production Methods Division.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 10.960

CFDA Title Technical Agricultural Assistance.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title Building Effective Communication Strategies and Messaging in the APEC and ASEAN Region

NOFO Number

USDA-FAS-10960-0200-10.-20-0003

Authorizing Authority for Program National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, PL 95-113, as amended, 7 USC § 3319a

Appropriation Authority for Program Further Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2020, PL 116-94

Announcement Type Continuation

Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

Agricultural biotechnologies continue to develop new tools that allow agricultural producers to protect yields, improve plant and animal health, preserve the environment, and provide choice to consumers in the products they have available, among other desirable outcomes. International trade in such products relies upon a favorable policy environment. Obstacles to trade through de jure or de facto bans, delays in country approvals, and nonscience-based regulations delay trade, disincentivize innovation, and limit producer and consumer choice.

Improving communication on the science, benefits, sustainability, practice and the promise of agricultural biotechnologies at the local, regional, and national level helps the United States achieve its strategic goals. This project includes activities that support the goal to enhance countries’ abilities to create and deliver more effective and targeted messaging on agricultural biotechnology to policy makers, stakeholders and the general public.

The New Technologies and Production Methods Division (NTPMD) seeks to continue its engagement effort initiated in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology (HLPDAB) by hosting intersessional activities for participating APEC and ASEAN economies on strategic communication and targeted messaging. The intersessional activities should help to build on the partnering economies’ capacities to create a communication strategy and develop and deliver targeted messages on agricultural biotechnologies for a more effective and proactive communication approach on the subject of new technologies.

Trainings will be conducted for one economy or between two or three economies to provide ample opportunity for a hands-on experience. The partnering organization will work with FAS NTPMD to identify the participating economies.

The goal of this program is to advance NTPMD’s strategic goals pertaining to agricultural biotechnologies and to support its existing work on engaging APEC economies participating in HLPDAB. This will be accomplished through efforts on the following objectives. The project narrative should discuss in detail how the organization will achieve the objectives listed below.

a) Conduct communication and outreach training for participating APEC economies related to the agricultural biotechnologies including genetic engineering and gene editing.

b) Participating APEC and ASEAN economies will learn how to assess their communication needs, draft a communications strategy, identify targeted audiences, develop effective verbal and written messaging, and learn how to successfully engage an audience to communicate effectively about the science of agricultural biotechnologies and make evidence-based decision making in the participating economies.

B. Federal Award Information

Award Amounts, Important Dates, and Extensions

Estimated Award Amount: Initial award of up to $80,000 for the initial period of performance, with additional awards (contingent upon the availability of funding) of up to a total of $1,500,000.

Projected number of Awards: 1

Period of Performance: 60 months

Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): October 1, 2020

Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): September 30, 2025

Extensions, with or without cost, may be considered; please see Section H. Additional Information – Extension.

Funding Instrument:

Cost-Reimbursable Agreement

Note that indirect costs, by law, cannot exceed 10% of direct costs under this agreement instrument. FAS has no authority to waive this ceiling.

C. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants:

Cornell University is the only partner eligible for this award. Cornell University was substantially engaged in the planning and implementation of the 2020 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology (HLPDAB) workshops and has the sole ability to follow up on specific issues and topics with partnering APEC economies. Cornell University, with its team of trained global facilitators, is uniquely positioned to provide the APEC and ASEAN economies with the tools and skills needed to communicate effectively about the science of agricultural biotechnology and promote evidence-based decision-making.

Work envisioned under this NOFO will follow up on the specific needs identified in the HLPDAB workshop and capitalize on the relationships established in the meeting and the approach used.

Eligibility Criteria

Notwithstanding the above, the applicant must have an active registration in the SAM database at www.sam.gov – pending or expired registrants are not eligible. This requirement must be met by the closing date of the announcement and will not be waived.

Please contact the program officer listed if you have questions about this requirement.

Other Submission Requirements and Information None

Maintenance of Effort (MOE) MOE is not allowable.

Cost Share or Match: None/Not required.

http://www.sam.gov/

D. Application and Submission Information

Key Dates and Times

Application Start Date: July 30, 2020

Application Submission Deadline: August 14, 2020 11:59:59 PM EST

Anticipated Funding Selection Date: August 17, 2020

Anticipated Award Date: August 24, 2020

Address to Request Application Package This NOFO represents the full application information. For additional information or questions, please contact the program officer(s) listed in Section G.

Applications will be processed through the ezFedGrants portal at https://grants.fms.usda.gov

– prospective applicants are encouraged to register for this portal. Applicants that are unable to access the ezFedGrants portal should contact the program manager for alternative submission instructions. Note that if selected, registration is a requirement of performance.

Content and Form of Application Submission

Institutions should apply following the guidelines below:

Required forms and certifications, including:

• Standard Form 424, signed by the applicant

• Project Narrative – add any programmatic direction that is needed here

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, when warranted.

• Standard Form 424A. This should be accompanied by a detailed budget worksheet and a detailed budget narrative (NOTE: A budget narrative must be provided). All line items should be described in sufficient detail that would enable FAS to determine that the costs are reasonable and allowable for the project per federal regulations.

a. Personnel: Costs of employee salaries and wages. For each staff person, provide the name (if known), title, time commitment to the project as a percentage of a full-time equivalent (FTE), annual salary, and grant funded salary.

Do not include the costs of consultants, subgrants or contractors.

Consultants, subgrants and contractors are to be included under “Contractual.”

b. Fringe Benefits: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as part of an approved indirect cost rate. Provide the method used to https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_2_1-V2.1.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf calculate the proposed rate amount. If a fringe benefit has been negotiated with, or approved by, a cognizant federal agency, attach a copy of the negotiated fringe benefit agreement. If no rate agreement exists, provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, retirement insurance, taxes, etc. Identify the base for allocating these fringe benefit expenses. (Attach the agreement to the application package.) For foreign entities this may not apply.

c. Travel: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the applicant organization (do not include costs of sub-contractor, subgrantees or consultant travel). For each proposed trip, provide the purpose, number of travelers, travel origin and destination, number of days, and a breakdown of costs for airfare, lodging, meals, car rental, and incidentals. The basis for the airfare, lodging, meals, car rental, and incidentals must be provided, such as past trips, current quotations, Federal Travel Regulations, etc.

d. Equipment: Equipment is not an allowable expenditure for this award.

Equipment is defined as any article of nonexpendable, tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the capitalization level established by the organization for financial statement purposes, or (b) $5000.

e. Supplies: Supplies are tangible personal property other than that included in the equipment category if the acquisition cost is less than the lesser of the capitalization level established by the non-Federal entity for financial statement purposes or $5,000, regardless of the length of its useful life. Specify general categories of supplies and their costs. Show computations and provide other information which supports the amount requested. A computing device is a supply.

f. Contractual: Costs of all contracts for services and goods that further the work of the project. Do not put sub-contractors, sub-awardees, and/or sub-grantees that do not perform work to further the project.

This includes the types of sub-contractors, sub-awardees, and/or sub-grantees that work for the Prime awardee exclusively, (i.e., landscapers, trash collectors, etc.) These costs belong under other cost categories such as equipment, supplies, construction, other, etc.

Include third party evaluation contracts (if applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations. Demonstrate that all procurement transactions will be conducted in a manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free competition. Identify proposed sub-contractor work and the cost of each sub-contractor.

Provide a detailed budget for each sub-contractor that is expected to perform work estimated to be $25,000 or more, or 50% of the total work effort, whichever is less.

• Identify each planned subcontractor and its total proposed budget. Each subcontractor's budget and supporting detail should be included as part of the applicant's budget narrative.

• Provide the following information for each planned subcontract: a brief description of the work to be subcontracted; the number of quotes solicited and received, if applicable; the cost or price analysis performed by the applicant; names and addresses of the subcontractors tentatively selected and the basis for their selection; e.g., unique capabilities (for sole source subcontracts), low bidder, delivery schedule, technical competence; type of contract and estimated cost and fee or profit; and, affiliation with the applicant, if any.

• All required flow down provisions in the award must be included in any subcontract.

• In this section also include subgrantees. Provide information for each planned subgrant. Identify each planned subawardee and its total proposed budget. Include a brief description of the work to be performed.

g. Other Direct Costs: Any other items proposed as direct costs that do not fall under the budget categories listed above. Provide an itemized list with costs, and state the basis for each proposed item.

h. Indirect Costs: Indirect costs means those costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefited without effort disproportionate to the results achieved.

This will be a cost reimbursable agreement issued under 7 USC § 3319a. University indirect costs for cost reimbursable agreements are limited to 10% of direct costs.

The SF-424 and SF-424A can be completed within the ezFedGrants platform. However, the other required forms must be downloaded from the Forms sections on Grants.gov or will be sent to you upon request to the program officer(s) named in Section G.

Please be aware that OMB Memorandum 18-24: Strategies to Reduce Grant Recipient Reporting Burden has been approved. Various required forms needed to apply for Federal Financial Assistance no longer need to be completed individually at time of application. They are covered in the Financial Assistance Certifications Report.

Effective January 1, 2020, the Financial Assistance Certifications are a common set of certifications and representations required by Federal statutes or regulations in accordance with the grants guidance under Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR 200.208 Certifications and Representations). Those non-Federal entities who intend to apply for, or are already recipients of Federal grants or agreements, must read and agree to the corresponding certifications and representations. Registrants who reply yes to the questions are required to keep these certifications and representations current, accurate, and complete as part of their entity registration.

All of the terms do not apply to foreign entities however all entity types receiving financial assistance from FAS must respond yes because the Lobbying Disclosure term does apply to foreign entities along with being registered in SAM. All other terms do not apply to foreign entities.

FAS will verify in SAM.gov that the proper forms are completed, and if they have not been, you will be contacted and directed to do so. Your award will not be issued until the proper forms are completed within the SAM.gov portal.

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

The recipient is required to:

(i) Be registered in SAM (https://www.sam.gov) before submitting its application;

(ii) Provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and

(iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

The Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

FAS is using ezFedGrants, which is an electronic grants management system.

Applicant(s) with electronic access are required to submit their applications electronically through the ezFedGrants portal.

https://www.sam.gov/

Before you can apply, you must have a DUNS number, be registered in SAM, and have access to the ezFedGrants website.

Applicants are encouraged to register early. The registration process can take approximately four weeks to be completed. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines.

DUNS number. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number can be found at the following website: http://www.dnb.com/duns-number.html The DUNS number must be included in the data entry field labeled "Organizational DUNS" on the Standard Forms (SF)-424 forms submitted as part of this application.

System for Award Management. In addition to having a DUNS number, applicants applying electronically through ezFedGrants must register with SAM.

Step-by-step instructions for registering with SAM can be found here:

www.sam.gov

Failure to register with SAM will result in your application being rejected during the submissions process.

ezFedGrants System Access and Electronic Signature

Level 2 eAuthentication. The next step in the registration process is to obtain a Level 2 eAuthentication account that will allow access to the ezFedGrants system.

Instructions for getting a Level 2 eAuthentication account can be obtained by emailing ezFedGrants-cfo@usda.gov, or by reviewing the ezFedGrants Job Aids at https://nfc.usda.gov/FSS/ClientServices/ezFedGrants/index.php.

If you experience any issues with self-registration or have eAuthentication-related questions, please contact the eAuthenticationHelpDesk for assistance:

By email to eAuthHelpDesk@usda.gov

Requesting a role in ezFedGrants. After obtaining eAuthentication, users will need a role in the system. Descriptions of the roles available and instructions on how to request a role can be obtained by emailing ezFedGrants@cfo.usda.gov, or by reviewing the ezFedGrants Job Aids at https://nfc.usda.gov/FSS/ClientServices/ezFedGrants/index.php.

Electronic Signature. Applications submitted through ezFedGrants constitute a submission as electronically signed applications. When you submit the http://www.dnb.com/duns-number.html http://www.sam.gov/ mailto:ezFedGrants-cfo@usda.gov mailto:eAuthHelpDesk@usda.gov application through ezFedGrants, the name of your Signatory Official on file will be inserted into the signature line of the application.

If you experience difficulties accessing information or have any questions please email the Helpdesk at ezFedGrants-cfo@usda.gov.

Intergovernmental Review An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicant(s) must contact their State’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the State’s process under Executive Order 12372 (https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html) Name and addresses of the SPOCs are maintained at the Office of Management and Budget’s home page at:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SPOC-February-2019.pdf

Funding Restrictions

Generally, funds may not be used in any manner that is prohibited by 2 CFR Part 200 and 2 CFR Part 400, or the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Also, FAS grant agreement funds may only be used for the purpose set forth in the award, and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Grant agreement funds and non-monetary support may not be used for matching contributions for other federal grants or cooperative agreements, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. Federal employees are prohibited from serving in any capacity (paid or unpaid) on any proposal submitted under this program. Federal employees may not receive funds under this award. Also, federal funds may not be used to sue the Federal Government or any other government entity.

In addition, this will be a cost reimbursable agreement issued under 7 U.S.C.

3319a; therefore, University indirect costs are limited to 10% of the direct costs.

Management and Administration (M&A) Costs:

M&A costs are not allowable.

Indirect Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Costs Indirect F&A costs means those costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefited without effort disproportionate to the results achieved. By statute, indirect costs for cost reimbursable agreements cannot exceed 10% of direct costs.

Other Submission Requirements All applications must be submitted electronically as indicated above.

E. Application Review Information mailto:ezFedGrants-cfo@usda.gov https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/SPOC-February-2019.pdf

Application Evaluation Criteria Prior to making a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency is required by 31 U.S.C.

3321 and 41 U.S.C. 2313 to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information. Therefore application evaluation criteria may include the following risk based considerations of the applicant: (1) financial stability; (2) quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards; (3) history of performance in managing federal award; (4) reports and findings from audits; and (5) ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements.

Review and Selection Process

The Program Manager will ensure the application is submitted on time as specified in this announcement. Also, the Program Manager will ensure the organization is capable of delivering the programs/activities as described in the announcement based on the applicant’s project narrative.

The Agency conducts an initial review of applications to determine the responsiveness of the application. If an applicant is determined to be ineligible (see Section C. Eligibility Information) or an application is determined to be non-responsive, FAS will notify the applicant.

These factors will also apply:

i. Prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold as defined by 48 CFR § 2.101, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently

FAPIIS).

ii. An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through

SAM.

iii. Will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR §200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

Notice of Award Notice of award will be given to the institution via email. This email is not an authorization to begin performance. The notice of Federal award signed by the grants officer (or equivalent) is the authorizing document through electronic means. It should also indicate if there are any pass-through obligations that successful applicants are required to meet upon receiving award funds, including specific timeline requirements.

Administrative Policy Requirements All successful applicants for all grant and cooperative agreements are required to comply with Standard Administrative Terms and Conditions listed under Grants and Cooperative Agreements, which are available online at:

https://www.fas.usda.gov/grants/general_terms_and_conditions/default.asp

The applicable Standard Administrative Terms and Conditions will be for the last year specified at that URL, unless the application is to continue an award first awarded in an earlier year. In that event, the terms and conditions that apply will be those in effect for the year in which the award was originally made unless explicitly stated otherwise in subsequent mutually-agreed amendments to the award.

Before accepting the award the potential awardee should carefully read the award package for instructions on administering the grant award and the terms and conditions associated with responsibilities under Federal Awards. Recipients must accept all conditions in this NOFO as well as any Special Terms and Conditions in the Notice of Award to receive an award under this program.

Reporting

Federal Financial Reporting Requirements The Federal Financial Reporting Form (FFR), as known as the SF-425, must be submitted for each quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.

Reporting must be filed by 30 days after the end of each reporting period, and within 90 days of the end of the agreement. The required form is available online at:

https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/149786

Program Performance Reporting Requirements Performance Progress Reporting is required for each quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. Reporting must be filed by 30 days after the end of each reporting period and within 90 days of the end of the agreement and should include details the activities undertaken, and progress made during the reporting period.

Monitoring FAS through its authorized representatives, has the right, at all reasonable times, to make site visits to review project accomplishments and management control systems and to https://www.fas.usda.gov/grants/general_terms_and_conditions/default.asp https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/149786 provide such technical assistance as may be required. During site visits, FAS will review grant recipients’ files related to the grant-funded program.

As part of any monitoring and program evaluation activities, grant recipients must permit FAS, upon reasonable notice, to review grant-related records and to interview the organization’s staff and clients regarding the program, and to respond in a timely and accurate manner to FAS requests for information relating to their grant program.

Close Out Reporting Requirements.

Within 90 days after the end of the period of performance, or after an amendment has been issued to close out a grant, whichever comes first, recipients must submit a final FFR and final progress report detailing all accomplishments and a qualitative summary of the impact of those accomplishments throughout the period of performance.

If applicable, an inventory of all construction projects that used funds from this program has to be reported using the Real Property Status Report (Standard Form SF 429) available at:

https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/149866

Acceptance of final reports by the agency constitutes a closeout of the award with no further notice or obligation to either party. This acceptance will indicate the period of performance has expired, and any remaining funds will be deobligated.

Records must be retained for a minimum of three years after the final reports are submitted, as described in 2 CFR 200.333

The recipient is responsible for returning any funds that have been drawn down but remain as unliquidated on recipient financial records.

The recipient is responsible for returning any funds that have been drawn down or reimbursed but remain as unliquidated on recipient financial records.

G. Awarding Agency Contact Information

Contact and Resource Information The designated agency points of contact for this agreement are:

Ted Shibata Phone: 202- 649-3866 Email: ted.shibata@usda.gov

Laura White Phone: 202-690-5857 https://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/149866 mailto:ted.shibata@usda.gov

Email: lauraj.white@usda.gov

Elizabeth Jones Phone: 202-690-3317 Email: Elizabeth.Jones@usda.gov

Maria Pool Phone: 202-720-8371 Email: Maria.Pool@usda.gov

1400 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20250-1033

Hours of Operation: 8:30AM – 5:00PM EST

If you have difficulties submitting your application via ezFedGrants and the help desk can not resolve your issue before the application submission deadline date, please contact any of the FAS employees listed above and request to email your application.

H. Additional Information

1. Extensions Extensions to this program are allowed.

Applicants may request a no-cost and/or cost extension in order to complete all project activities. The request must be submitted 60 days prior to the expiration of the performance period. Requests for extensions are subject to approval by FAS.

2. Prior Approval The Recipient shall not, without the prior written approval of the FAS Program Manager, request reimbursement, incur costs or obligate funds for any purpose pertaining to the operation of the project, program, or activities prior to the approved Budget Period/Performance Period.

3. Budget Revisions

a. Transfers of funds between direct cost categories in the approved budget when such cumulative transfers among those direct cost categories exceed ten percent of the total budget approved in this Award require prior written approval by the FAS Program Manager.

b. The Recipient shall obtain prior written approval from the FAS Program Manager for any budget revision that would result in the need for additional resources/funds.

c. The Recipient is not authorized at any time to transfer amounts budgeted for direct costs to the indirect costs line item or vice versa, without prior written approval of the FAS Program Manager.

mailto:lauraj.white@usda.gov mailto:Elizabeth.Jones@usda.gov mailto:Maria.Pool@usda.gov

4. Post-award program income

In the event program income becomes available to the recipient post-award, it is the recipient’s responsibility to notify the FAS Program Manager to explain how that development occurred, as part of their request for guidance and/or approval. The Program Manager will review approval requests for program income on a case-by-case basis;

approval is not automatic. Consistent with the policy and processes outlined in 2 C.F.R.

Part 200, pertinent guidance and options, as determined by the type of recipient and circumstances involved, may be approved by the Grant Officer. If approval is granted, an award modification will be issued with an explanatory note in the remarks section of the face page concerning guidance and/or options pertaining to the recipient’s approved request. All instances of program income shall be listed in the progress and financial reports.