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| 10.778 RESEARCH ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COOPERATIVES |
| (REIC) |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006, Title III, Public Law 109-97, as amended, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006, Division B, Title III, Chapter 8, Section 3801, Public Law 109-148. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| The encouragement of research on the national economic impact or value of all types of cooperatives in the United States. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Direct Payments for Specified Use (Cooperative Agreements). |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| An REIC cooperative agreement is to be used to conduct research on the national economic impact of all types of cooperative organizations. The research is to include development of methodology and collection and analysis of data as well as describing the economic impacts. Indirect costs are restricted to no more than 10 percent of the direct cost. Direct costs are not to include construction or fixed assets. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Institutions of Higher Education, including consortia of academic institutions, research foundations maintained by a college or university, or private nonprofit organizations funded by a group of colleges or universities, are eligible to apply. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Public or private colleges or universities. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| Applicants must provide a budget supporting the work plan that details all sources and uses of funds during the project period. Applicants are required to verify matching funds, both cash and in-kind such that USDA can verify all representations. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| USDA will solicit applications on a competitive basis by publication of a notice in the Federal Register and through the www.grants.gov Federal Web site. Unless otherwise specified, applicants must file an original and two copies of the proposal and all required forms or as otherwise instructed in the annual announcement. An applicant must submit Form SF-424, Form SF-424A, Form SF-424B, and other information as directed. Each proposal must contain the following elements and any additional elements published in the announcement: (1) Title Page; (2) Table of Contents; (3) Executive Summary; (4) Eligibility Discussion; (5) Proposal Narrative including, but not limited to: (i) Project Title; (ii) Information Sheet; (iii) Goals of the Project; (iv) Work Plan; (v) Proposal Evaluation Criteria; (6) Certification of Judgment; and (7) Verification of Matching Funds. |
| Award Procedure |
| Qualified academic institutions must submit their application to the Rural Development-Cooperative Programs National Office where it will be reviewed and scored on a competitive basis as described in the annual solicitation for proposals. If selected for an award, the applicant must complete the objectives as defined in the approved proposal. |
| Deadlines |
| Contact the headquarter for application deadlines. It is anticipated that the Federal Register Notice will establish a June 30, 2006 deadline. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| From 30 to 60 days after the application is filed with the Rural Development-Cooperative Programs. |
| Appeals |
| Applicants may appeal any adverse decisions to USDA's National Appeals Division. |
| Renewals |
| Not applicable. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| This program has no statutory formula. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| The cooperative agreement funds will be dispersed quarterly on a reimbursement basis over a period of up to two years. |
| Reports |
| Progress reports must be submitted to the Rural Development-Cooperative Programs National Office within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter. A final report must be submitted to the Rural Development-Cooperative Programs National Office within 90 days after the project is completed. Form SF-269 or SF-269A, "Financial Status Report" must be submitted Quarterly. Form SF-270 "Request for Advance or Reimbursement" may be submitted when required, but no more often than monthly. |
| Audits |
| In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133. |
| Records |
| The recipient will maintain adequate records and accounts to assure that agreement funds are used for authorized purposes. Records will also be maintained by the Rural Development-Cooperative Programs National Office and Rural Development Budget Office according to USDA and Agency record-keeping requirements. |
| Account Identification |
| 12-1900-0-1-452. |
| Obligations |
| FY 07 $500,000; FY 08 est $491,535; and FY 09 est not reported. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| One agreement in the amount of $491,535 is anticipated. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| This program was new in FY 2006. In previous years 3 to 5 applications were received and it is anticipated that the same number will be received and 1 award will be made in fiscal year 2008. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| 7 CFR 3015; 7 CFR 3019. Please see all details in the program notice of request for proposals in the Federal Register. Application guidelines are on the website listed below and through www.grants.gov. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| USDA-Rural Development's Cooperative Programs, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Stop 3252, Washington, DC 20250-3252 Telephone: (202) 690-0368, Fax: (202) 690-2723 E-mail: cpgrants@wdc.usda.gov. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/reic.htm |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| None. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| One award was made in FY 2006 and in FY 2007. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated by a review panel based on the criteria published in the Federal Register. The top ranked proposal will be funded. |
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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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