RFID CA Project announcment 4.2.19 FINAL- posted 4.11.19.docx

Funding Opportunity Title: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Cooperative Agreement Project Proposals

Posted on Grants.Gov 4/11/19

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-GRANTS- USDA-APHIS-10025-VSCEAH00-19-0001

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.025, Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care

Key Dates: Applications must be received by June 7th, 2019 Work covered under the Cooperative Agreements is anticipated to begin on or before September 1, 2019.

Funding Opportunity Description:

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) is soliciting collaborators from state governments, academic institutions, or industry organizations to support projects in cattle through the administration of cooperative agreements. These agreements may be separate/standalone agreements or multi-state projects.

RFID Project Purpose: To increase the accuracy, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of collecting animal identification, movement information, and animal disease program records, while supporting the cattle industry’s management and marketing needs.

RFID Project Objective: The selected projects will document the capability of UHF backtags correlated with other Official identification devices for the collection of animal movement and disease program data without unduly impacting business operations (i.e., “the speed of commerce”), with an overall objective of supporting and improving disease traceability practices. For example: processes that correlate the UHF back tag with other ID such as LF RFID and/or visual identification where UHF readers are used to accommodate high volume facilities.

Projects must include the Performance Evaluation criteria listed below at a minimum.

Projects must evaluate the effectiveness, economic feasibility, and durability of UHF back tags, while documenting their performance and ability to supplement other official identification. Projects could cover any or multiple sectors within the cattle industry; e.g., cow/calf, stocker/backgrounder/feeder, dairy, movement and marketing, and harvest.

Projects that include evaluation of novel identification devices using approved technologies (i.e., LF or UHF) are acceptable; however, devices that have not been approved for official use should have prior test and field data to support their feasibility for the studies. Cooperators are expected to consult directly with manufacturers for specifications on devices and equipment to be utilized.

Projects must provide evaluation and documentation of the following performance capabilities of devices (e.g., eartags, backtags, etc.) for cattle:

· Read distance/range – the distance from which a reader can communicate with a tag or read a tag reliably.

· Read rate – the number or percent of tags that can be read in a single pass by the reader(s) within a given period of time.

Project plans will describe how performance capabilities will be measured using a combination of the following variables:

· Moving in a single file line and bunched together in groups

· Moving at different speeds (ex. Walk, run)

· Moving through alleys and chutes of various widths (e.g., 3 foot (single file), 8, and 12 feet) and construction (e.g., wood, metal, etc.)

· The ability to read only the animal(s) of interest within the reader field

· Demonstrate the feasibility and/or challenges of collecting data from groups of animals identified with mixed technologies used in the study; (e.g., cattle with LF only ear tags comingled with cattle having UHF only ear tags.)

· During loading and offloading from transport vehicles

· In a variety of management, production, and supply chain environments (e.g., feed bunks or water troughs, slaughter plants, sale rings, and milking parlors)

· Under the effect various environmental elements:

· Weather – minimum and maximum temperatures and relative humidity encountered across the continental U.S., (e.g., rain, mud, snow, etc.)

· Comparing the effects of: electrical noise, metal, wood, lighting, etc. on the ability to read RFID tags of different technologies Additional areas of interest are:

· Developing mechanisms/ processes for advancing use of electronic ID and records.

· Defining effective and sustainable models of data sharing between Industry, State, and USDA.

· Integrating third party data systems into USDA’s Animal Health Events Repository-AHER (Sharing private information with USDA is not necessary to participate in the AHER system).

· Conducting outreach and education for producers to understand long term value of a traceability system to the cattle industry.

· Customer service: Simplifying user acquisition and use of PINs and official tags (e.g., industry organizations serving in the role as “Tag Manager”).

Study design should take into consideration the use of various interrogators (readers) and the interoperability and compatibility of identification methods to be evaluated with readers currently used in the market place. If novel readers are tested, cooperators should ensure they are evaluated against proven equipment. Configuration of reading systems should follow manufacturer recommendations or be developed with reasonable modification. Performance capabilities documented by cooperators will be evaluated by Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) staff in the context of practicality and efficiency of the interrogator configuration.

Proposals should describe how results will be analyzed and study conclusions determined. This should include statistical analysis as appropriate.

Focus and Activities of RFID Projects: Cattle are the focus of these projects and proposals must define specific measurable outcomes that support the objectives defined in this announcement.

Total Amount to be Awarded: The combined amount of the agreements selected is not to exceed $1,000,000.

Projects to be Awarded: 2-5 Cooperative Agreements

Eligibility: State(s), Tribe(s), academic institutions, and livestock industry organizations are eligible to apply; however, cooperators must demonstrate the ability to conduct unbiased and authoritative studies. Preference will be given to collaborative projects conducted by or with State Animal Health Officials.

Cost Sharing: Cooperators should describe cost-share or in-kind funding for the project.

Application and Submission: An Applicant may submit only one application.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply through the Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov Applicants may also apply by email, or mail to the address indicated in the Announcement.

Table of Contents

A. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Program Description:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides various programs that support the economic viability of animal agriculture. The Veterinary Services (VS) unit of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works to improve the health, productivity, and quality of life for animals and people by maintaining and promoting the safety and availability of animals, animal products, and veterinary biologics.

Animal disease traceability, or knowing the whereabouts of diseased and at-risk animals, where they have been, and when, is important to ensuring a rapid response when animal disease events take place. Although animal disease traceability does not prevent disease, an efficient and accurate traceability system reduces the number of animals and response time involved in a disease investigation; which, in turn, reduces the economic impact on owners and affected communities.

On January 11, 2013, the USDA published the final rule, 9 CFR Part 86 Traceability for Livestock Moving Interstate. The regulations set forth in the rule established APHIS’ Animal Disease Traceability program and improved the ability to trace covered animals back from slaughter and forward from premises where animals are officially identified. The regulations also help to trace animals’ interstate movements. The ADT framework reestablished the use of the basic, cost-effective identification methods widely accepted by producers and successfully used in APHIS’ disease eradication programs (e.g., the brucellosis eradication program and requirements for identification of official calf-hood vaccinates).

Since the publication of the final rule many animal health officials, as well as industry stakeholders, acknowledge that the level of traceability necessary in the United States is unachievable with visual only tags. There is now significant support for the implementation of RFID technology as the official identification method for cattle to achieve effective and efficient disease traceability.

Authority: Under the Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA), as amended, (7 USC §§ 8301 et. seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to issue regulations and orders and to carry out operations and measures to prevent, detect, control, and eradicate diseases and pests of livestock and to cooperate with other Federal agencies, States or political subdivisions of States, national governments of foreign countries, local governments of foreign countries, domestic or international organizations, domestic or international associations, Indian tribes and other persons to carry out the purposes of the AHPA.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Total Available Funds: $1,000,000

2. Anticipated # of awards: 2-5 cooperative agreements

3. Period of Performance: Projects should have specific outcomes achievable within one year of the award date and provide evaluation of identification methods across temperature and other environmental extremes encountered in the continental United States. Studies that incorporate evaluation of long-term performance of novel or unapproved devices may receive up to a one-year extension to report results on durability and retention after the initial project period has expired.

4. Cooperators will meet with APHIS-VS staff remotely and allow them full on-site access to observe project activities outlined in the approved work plan enabling evaluation of progress associated with the agreement as needed.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

State(s) and Tribe(s) are encouraged to work with local academic institutions to design and implement the projects. Non-governmental entities may apply, but must demonstrate the ability to conduct unbiased and authoritative studies. Collaborative projects are encouraged.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their respective applications through Grants.gov. They may also apply by email, or forward a single (1) paper copy of their application (including project proposals and work plans) to the address at the end of this announcement.

Address to Request Application Package:

Section V.B. (below) “Content and Form of Application Submission – Proposals/Work Plans” contains the Project Work Plan template, which outlines the format applicants need to use when applying. Paper copies of the other required application forms (SF- 424, “Application for Federal Assistance”, SF-424A, “Budget Information – Non Construction Programs”, and SF-424B, “Assurances – Non-construction Programs”) can be requested from the following address:

Penny Strang

USDA APHIS VS

2150 Centre Ave, Bldg B Ft. Collins, CO 80526 Phone: (970) 494-7386 E-Mail: penny.m.strang@usda.gov

They can also be retrieved from the APHIS Web site at the following address: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/forms/sa_forms_by_category/ct_grant_application_forms If an applicant chooses to apply through Grants.gov, the SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B can be filled out and submitted online. The Work Plan described in D2 should then be submitted as an attachment.

Content and Form of Application Submission – Proposals / Work Plans

PROJECT PROPOSAL/WORK PLAN AND BUDGET FOR RFID PROJECT

FOR FY 2018

Recipient:

Geographic Location: [Provide a precise location of the project and area to be served by the proposed project.]

Project Coordinator: [Recipient Organization’s Authorized Representative] Title:

Address:

Phone:

Fax:

E-Mail:

This Work Plan (WP) reflects a cooperative relationship between the [insert Recipient’s agency name], the Recipient and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS). It outlines the mission-related goals, objectives, and anticipated performances outcomes that support Animal Disease Traceability and the related roles and responsibilities of the parties (e.g., mutual roles, VS role(s), and Recipient [role as negotiated.]

Involvement by other parties in the project, which is incidental to the agreement, must be discussed later in the WP as contributing parties who will work on the project.

RFID project proposals must include:

a. Project Objectives - clearly explain project objectives

b. Project Description and Desired Outcomes - provide a comprehensive description of the project, including purpose, objectives, scope of work, methodology/approach, and expected deliverables, for example:

1. What areas or sector of the industry are being evaluated?

2. What are the expected outcomes? Explain how the desired outcomes will be measured.

3. Fully explain the activities that will ensure objectives are achieved

4. Other

c. Explanation of Participants

1. How the project will be administered

2. Involvement of other States and/or Tribes;

3. Other participating organizations

d. Documentation of Outcomes/Results

1. Specifically explain how the desired outcomes will be documented – how will differences in the technologies be analyzed and reported? Cooperators should utilize both narrative and data reporting to document cooperative agreement results.

2. What are the potential merits of the technologies to cattle industry business practices?

3. Other

e. Budget plan

1. Provide budget details that reflect the expenditures for the project presented (or that will be presented) on Standard Form 424A, and expand on the details in the attached budget template as suggested below.

2. Expenditures covered in the project include: RFID readers, travel of personnel supporting the project, RFID system integrators and equipment, manufacturers support, travel, etc. It is preferred that State personnel supporting the projects be covered by existing ADT cooperative agreements; however, this expenditure can be covered when necessary. Cooperators will need to obtain RF back tags, approved official ID, and novel identification devices directly from the manufacturer. RFID readers purchased for project shall be returned to VS upon completion unless otherwise approved by ADT staff.

f. Resources Needed - provide a narrative describing the resources needed to complete the project objectives. The financial details shall be reflected in the financial plan and do not necessarily need to be included in the narrative, but the program narrative and the financial plan must coincide with one another. Consider the following:

1. Number and Type of Personnel: Identify approximate number of hours to be worked and the rate of pay per hour (or percentage of effort) for each major task in the project, total for each employee, and the overall total.

2. Fringe Benefits: List benefits included; i.e., health and life insurance, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, retirement, including social security, leave, and pensions, etc.

3. Contributing Parties: List any third party contributors who may be contributing to this project; describe the nature of their effort and their contributions.

4. Equipment Needed: Provide a description of the equipment to be purchased or leased, including unit cost and total purchase or leasing costs. Identify the purpose of each equipment item, and how it will benefit or be used for the project.

Important: OMB Circular A-87 states: “Capital expenditures for special purpose equipment are allowable as direct costs, provided that items with a unit cost of $5,000 or more have the prior approval of the awarding agency.” Applicants should identify any equipment needs in the initial work/financial plan or a post-award request for approval will be required.

5. Travel Needs:

· Local Travel: Describe any local travel to daily work sites along with the purpose for the travel. Indicate by position type who will be traveling and by what means. Indicate the number of trips per day/week/month, as appropriate, mileage and related rates plus meals (if authorized by regulation). Total projected mileage, rates, and total costs are to be reflected in the financial plan.

· Extended Travel: Describe the extended or overnight travel that will be performed (number of trips, their purpose, frequency, and approximate dates). Indicate by position type who will be traveling and by what means. Identify the purpose of each separate trip. If actual trips are unknown, provide the basis for the proposed travel charges. Indicate the number of trips, rates, transportation costs, and total cost in the financial plan.

6. Supplies: Provide a description of the supplies needed to perform the project activities how they will benefit or be used for the project. Provide quantities needed and unit costs.

7. Contracts: Describe the purpose of the contract; i.e., what goods or services are being purchased for what activity and where.

8. Other: Identify any direct costs which were not itemized elsewhere, such as: communications; printing; publication charges; computer time or usage; or office space rental, square footage, and cost per square foot.

DETAILED FINANCIAL PLAN (RECIPIENT NAME) – (TIME PERIOD)

Financial Plan will match the SF-424-A, Section B – Budget Categories

Personnel

Subtotal

Fringe Benefits

Subtotal

Travel

Subtotal

Equipment

Subtotal

Supplies

Subtotal

Contractual

Subtotal

Other

Subtotal

INDIRECT COSTS (28% On Total Direct Costs)

TOTAL PROJECT COSTS

Less Recipient Share

APHIS Cost Share

Application Forms The following forms must be submitted with the Work Plan (above):

· Application for Federal Assistance: Standard Form (SF) 424

· Budget Information: SF 424A

· Assurance – Non-Construction Programs: SF 424B

· Certificate Regarding Lobbying Activities (for awards over $100,000)

· SF LLL (for awards over $100,000)

· If claiming indirect costs, a copy of the current, negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement Submission Dates and Times, including Other Relevant Dates:

· Submission Deadline: 11:59 PM (US eastern time) June 7th, 2019, through Grants.gov, email, or mail. If e-mailed, the packaged must be received by USDA/APHIS by the deadline. If mailed, the package must be postmarked by the deadline.

· Evaluation and Selection: The evaluation and selection of applications will be conducted within 30 days of the application deadline. Following the selection process, all applicants will be notified whether their application will be funded. The evaluation committee reserves the right to suggest modifications to the application and associated budget.

· Allocation of Funds: Unless otherwise indicated, funds will be allocated for a one year period beginning on the date indicated in the Notice of Award.

Intergovernmental Review At the time that applicants apply for funding support, it is highly encouraged that they also initiate this process if applicable in their State, because satisfactory compliance with the process can take up to 60 days for new projects and 30 days for continuation projects.

For FY 2018, the Intergovernmental Review Process (CFDA 10.025) is subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs” in the States or Territories of: American Samoa, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Iowa (State Agencies only), Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada (send SF-424 to NV for their records only), New Hampshire, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Utah (State Agencies only), Virgin Islands, and West Virginia. Awards will not be made until this process has been completed in the applicable states. Names and addresses of States’ Single Point of Contact (SPOC) are listed in the Office of Management and Budget’s home page at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc. For those applicants that have this process in their state, submit your application to the SPOC simultaneously to submitting to APHIS. Failure to meet with this requirement will result in a rejection of your application. A copy of the SPOC waiver or approval letter will be required at the time the award is made.

Funding Restrictions Project funds must be obligated by the recipient within 12 months from the date the funds are made available by APHIS (the date of approval on the Notice of Award) unless otherwise stated in the Notice of Award. Extensions of time to obligate funds beyond the agreed funding period will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Construction and/or major rehabilitation of buildings and fixed structures is not authorized.

The applicant must submit a copy of its fully executed current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, negotiated by its recognized Federal Agency, when indirect costs are assessed in the budget. Higher education institutions and non-profit organizations’ assessment of indirect costs are limited to not more than 10% of total direct costs or the application of their indirect cost rate agreement, whichever is less.

Other Submission Requirements Applicants can apply to this funding opportunity through Grants.gov. First time Grants.gov users should go to the “Get Registered” tab on the Grants.gov site and carefully read and follow the steps listed in order to apply. Your organization will need to be registered with System for Award Management (SAM). In order to register with the SAM, a requirement for registering with Grants.gov, your organization will need a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) Number. A DUNS number is a unique nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company, Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). To determine if your organization already has a DUNS number or to obtain a DUNS number, contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711. Be sure to complete the Marketing Partner ID (MPIN) and Electronic Business Primary Point of Contact fields during the CCR registration process. These are mandatory fields that are required when submitting grant applications through Grants.gov.

Please note: The DUNS and SAM requirements described above are applicable to all applicants whether you choose to apply through Grants.gov or submit a paper application package.

Applications must be received through Grants.gov or at the address below by close of business on the closing date indicated in D4 “Submission Dates and Times”.

Applications may be submitted electronically in MS Word or PDF format (email or delivered electronic media), or one original paper application package by regular mail or commercial carrier to:

Penny Strang

USDA APHIS VS

2150 Centre Ave, Bldg B Ft. Collins, CO 80526 Phone: (970) 494-7386 E-Mail: penny.m.strang@usda.gov

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Selection of Projects: Project proposals are due by 11:59 PM EST June 7th, 2019. State, academic, and other cooperators should work collectively and collaboratively to develop a proposal that evaluates approved RFID technologies in cattle management systems most prevalent in their area.

Proposals received will undergo a detailed review by VS for evaluation as potential Work Plans and to ensure the study design incorporates the requisite analysis prior to any award. Recommended revisions to the initial proposal will be negotiated between ADT staff and the potential cooperator prior to any award as needed. ADT staff may seek counsel from subject-matter experts as appropriate. VS will make every effort to ensure that reviewers and consultants have no conflict of interest with any project that is being reviewed.

Proposals that do not meet the minimum selection criteria outlined below will not be considered for an award.

Selection Criteria:

· Sound study design and experience in animal science studies; particularly related to traceability.

· Study designs that leverage use of UHF back tags to compliment LF or visual identification methods in special circumstances such as livestock auctions.

· Ability to complete the project within a 12 month period.

· USDA would like to have data from a diversity of cattle industry sectors; while no cooperator is expected to evaluate all sector types and environments, consideration will be given to those that test multiple variables.

· Cooperators having strong working relationship between State Animal Health Official, academic institution, and livestock industry will be given preference. An established infrastructure with livestock production environments is desirable.

· Projects should include timetables for key activities with target dates for accomplishing each activity. Key activities must correlate to the project’s objectives and desired results.

· The application must provide specific measurable objectives in the proposal, including initial implementation goals. This information will be a priority in the evaluation of the application. The specific performance measures will be used to evaluate the success of the project. Include how each element will be measured. It is critical for the application to have well defined performance measures.

· Factors related to solutions that work at the “speed of commerce”; (i.e., without unduly impeding existing management processes).

· Developing mechanisms/ processes for advancing use of electronic ID and records.

· Advancing mechanisms/processes for traceability to birth herd or first point of commingling is desirable.

· Defining effective and sustainable models of data sharing between Industry, State, and USDA.

· Integrating third party data systems into USDA’s Animal Health Events Repository-AHER (Sharing private information with USDA is not necessary to participate in the AHER system).

· Conducting outreach and education for producers to understand long term value of a traceability system to the cattle industry.

· Customer service: e.g., simplifying user acquisition and use of PINs and official tags.

· Demonstrating the effectiveness of collecting official identification to generate movement records using RFID devices (tags and readers) for incorporation into electronic ICVI software applications and systematic distribution of the data to the shipping and receiving states

· Evaluating and documenting the performance capabilities and cost effectiveness of RFID technology for reading official identification numbers in slaughter plants for tag retirement and processes that will enable cross-referencing of official identification to the carcass through final inspection.

· For identification devices not currently approved, evaluation of long-term performance (durability and retention >24 months).

F. Federal Award Administration Information Award Notice Applications selected for funding will be notified by letter after the selection process is complete. The notice of award will be mailed approximately 5 days after the initial notification. The signature of the authorized agent and receipt of the notice of award by APHIS for final signature will initiate the cooperative agreement. A letter will be mailed to all other applicants on approximately the same date the selected applicants are first notified.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements Successful applicants must comply with the requirements contained in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards”, 2 CFR Part 200; Non-procurement Debarment and Suspension” 2 CFR 417; “Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace", 2 CFR Part 421; "New Restrictions on Lobbying", 2 CFR Part 418; and Office of Management and Budget regulations governing "Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public", 5 CFR 1320.

Reporting The Project Administrator will provide to the APHIS Program Manager quarterly accomplishment reports on program activities outlined in this application. The reports will be used by APHIS to verify compliance with provisions of this Agreement. These reports will be due as specified in the cooperative agreement document.

The Project Administrator will provide to the APHIS Program Manager a properly certified quarterly Federal Financial Report, SF-425, as specified in the cooperative agreement document. Any requests for an extension of time to submit the SF-425 must be made in writing to APHIS’ Program Manager. Extensions of time to submit the SF-425 are subject to the discretion of APHIS’ Program Manager and, if allowed, shall be provided by the authorized representative in writing.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) For questions of programmatic content, please contact:

Dr. Aaron Scott

USDA APHIS VS

2150 Centre Ave, Bldg B Mailstop 3E87 Ft. Collins, CO 80526 Phone: (970) 494-7249 E-Mail: Aaron.E.Scott@USDA.gov

For Cooperative Agreement application and administrative questions, please contact:

Penny Strang

USDA APHIS VS

2150 Centre Ave, Bldg B Ft. Collins, CO 80526 Phone: (970) 494-7386 E-Mail: Penny.M.Strang@usda.gov

H. Other Information The USDA is not obligated to make any award as a result of this announcement nor to make any changes to future announcements. Only the APHIS Authorized Departmental Officer can bind the Government to expenditure of funds and this obligation of funds shall only occur in writing by authorized officials and under the approved USDA, APHIS Cooperative Agreement format.

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