[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 6925-6926] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-3440] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [OPP-00522; FRL-5766-8] Notice of Funds Availability for Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program FY98 AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of funds availability for FY98. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The goal of EPA's Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) is to reduce the risks from the use of pesticides in agricultural and non-agricultural settings in the U.S. As part of this program, the Office of Pesticide Programs is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement under section 20 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended, to assist the private sector partners and supporters of PESP in researching and implementing programs to reduce pesticide risk. Evaluation criteria and proposal format are outlined in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION unit below. DATES: The original proposal and five copies must be received by EPA no later than 5 p.m., March 13, 1998. ADDRESSES: The proposal and copies may be submitted by mail to: Laura Sallmen Smith, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. By courier, overnight express, or in person: 2800 Crystal Drive, 5th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202. No fax or electronic submissions will be accepted. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Contact: Laura Sallmen Smith, Project Officer, by phone: (703) 308-8716 or e-mail: sallmen- [email protected]. For hearing- and speech-impaired persons, the telephone number may be accessed via TTY (text telephone) by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877- 8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) is a voluntary public/private initiative administered by the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal of PESP is to reduce the risks from the use of pesticides in agricultural and non-agricultural settings in the U.S. As part of this program, OPP is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement under section 20 of FIFRA, as amended, [[Page 6926]] to assist the members of PESP in researching and implementing programs to reduce pesticide risk. There are currently 102 members of PESP, ranging from pesticide users in utility rights-of-way to growers of tree fruits to pest control businesses serving homes and schools. II. Authority This cooperative agreement will be made under section 20 of FIFRA, as amended. III. Cooperative Agreement 1. Duration amount. This cooperative agreement will be issued for a limit of $5 million in funding over a 5-year project period. Actual funding will depend on future appropriations. 2. Evaluation criteria. Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:The applicant has a demonstrated ability to effectively develop research and technology transfer projects that meet the goal of pesticide risk reduction. The applicant has a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate the outcomes of the projects to the appropriate audiences. The applicant has a demonstrated ability to develop an impact assessment to accurately reflect the project's outcomes. The applicant is national in scope. The applicant has demonstrated expertise in bringing together diverse interests and perspectives as represented by U.S. pesticide users, both agricultural and non-agricultural, to engage in constructive dialog. The applicant has a demonstrated ability to integrate varied competing interests toward reducing pesticide risk. The applicant has a working knowledge of PESP and pesticide regulation, including FIFRA, FQPA, FFDCA, and state laws. The applicant is able to translate broad-based national goals into specific, practical programs. The applicant's organization contains a diversity of pesticide interests and knowledge, including, but not limited to: research and emerging technologies, food processing, education, regulation, economics, and marketing. The applicant has appropriate financial controls and expertise in managing projects. 3. Proposal format. Proposals must be typewritten, double-spaced in 12 point or larger print using 8.5 x 11 inch paper with minimum 1 inch lateral and vertical margins. Pages must be numbered in order starting with the proposal narrative and continuing through appendices. An original and five copies are required. Cover page. Include the following information on the cover page: project title, project coordinator, organization, address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Abstract. The abstract will be a stand-alone document, not to exceed one page, containing the specifics of what is proposed and what you expect to accomplish regarding reducing pesticide risk. Table of contents. A one page table listing the different parts of your proposal and the page number on which each part begins. Proposal narrative. Containing the following sections, not to exceed 10 pages: i. Project title. A brief description of the project. ii. Approach and methods. Detail how your organization will undertake the following: a. Development process for pesticide risk reduction research and technology transfer projects with PESP partners and supporters. b. Management process for these projects. c. Strategy for communication of project results to pesticide users and the public at large. iii. Organizational qualifications. Detail your organization's expertise and capabilities to achieve the goals of the project. iv. Impact assessment. Detail how you will evaluate the success of the projects in terms of measurable environmental results. Appendices. These appendices must be included in the grant proposal in addition to the 10-page narrative. Additional appendices are not permitted. i. Major participants. This appendix should list all individuals having a major role in the proposal. Provide name, organizational affiliation or occupation, and a description of the role each will play in the project. A brief resume (up to two pages) should also be submitted for each individual listed. ii. Budget. Please outline, in a one-page table format, a budget including the following categories: personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual, other (with details on content of other), indirect costs (include only if you have an audited indirect cost rate established with a Federal agency), and total funding requested. The total funding requested should be no more than the maximum of $5 million. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, the Agency will treat as ineligible for consideration any application that is received after its deadline. Applicants should take this factor into account and make early submission of their materials to avoid loss of eligibility brought about by unanticipated delays or other delivery- related problems. Dated: February 2, 1998. Janet L. Andersen, Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 98-3440 Filed 2-10-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-F