BIODIESEL (10.306)

Program

10.306 BIODIESEL

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Authorization

Section 9006 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246), amended the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) to re-establish the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program which requires that the Secretary make competitive grants to eligible entities to educate governmental and private entities that operate vehicle fleets, other interested entities (as determined by the Secretary), and the public about the benefits of biodiesel fuel use. The Secretary delegated this authority to the Chief Economist, who in turn delegated this authority to the Director of the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses (OEPNU). OEPNU has joined with NIFA for assistance in administering Biodiesel Education under the authorities found in the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) and Section 1472 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3318). Specific Biodiesel Education administrative provisions are found in 7 CFR 2903., 7 U.S.C 3318.

Program Number

10.306

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

The goals of the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program as originally established in Sec. 9004 of the Farm Security Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8104) were to stimulate biodiesel consumption and to stimulate the development of a biodiesel infrastructure. The information and outreach activities to raise awareness of the benefits of biodiesel fuel use complemented the incentives provided by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) (Pub. L. 109-58), and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-140). As a result of increased awareness and consumption of biodiesel over the past 5 years, the FY 2008 Biodiesel Education program will focus on educational programs which will support advances in infrastructure, technology transfer, fuel quality, fuel safety and increasing feedstock production.

Types of Assistance

Project Grants

Uses and Use Restrictions

This funding is used for education and outreach activities. Program funds may not be used for renovation or refurbishment or research space; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such space; or the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition or construction of buildings or facilities. Grant funds must be used for allowable costs necessary to conduct approved research and extension objectives. Funds may not be used for any purposes other than those approved in the grant award documents.

When preparing budgets, applicants should limit their requests for recovery of indirect costs to their institution�s official negotiated indirect cost rate. If no rate has been established the applicant may indicate "None�will negotiate" and a reasonable dollar amount for indirect costs may be requested, which will be subject to approval by USDA. In the latter case, if a proposal is recommended for funding, an indirect cost rate proposal must be submitted prior to award to support the amount of indirect costs requested. CSREES will request an indirect cost rate proposal and provide instructions, as necessary.

An applicant may elect not to charge indirect costs and, instead, use all grant funds for direct costs. If indirect costs are not charged, the phrase "None requested" should be written in this space. Grantees electing this alternative will not be allowed to charge, as direct costs, indirect costs that otherwise would be in the grantee's indirect cost pool under the applicable Office of Management and Budget cost principles. Grantees who request no indirect costs will not be permitted to revise their budgets at a later date to charge indirect costs to grant funds.

No other indirect cost recovery caps apply to these funds.

Funds made available under Biodiesel Education shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement, and architect fees).

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations or institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).

Beneficiary Eligibility

Nonprofit organizations or institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).

Credentials/Documentation

A Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number must be obtained - A DUNS number is a unique number that identifies an organization. It has been adopted by the Federal government to help track how Federal grant money is distributed. If your organization does not have a DUNS number, call the special Dun & Bradstreet hotline at 1-866-705-5711 to receive one free of charge. You will receive a DUNS number within several days of your request. Please note, individual proprietorships (i.e. farmers, ranchers) can request and receive a DUNS number, but must register with Grants.gov as an organization, not as an individual.

Registration with Central Contractor Registry (CCR) is required - The CCR is the central government repository for organizations working with the Federal government. If your organization is not already registered, identify the primary contact who should register your organization. When your organization registers with CCR, it will be required to designate an e-Business Point of Contact (e-Business POC). The e-Business POC authorizes individuals to submit grant applications on behalf of the organization and creates a special password called a Marketing Partner ID Number (M-PIN) to verify individuals authorized to submit grant applications for the organization. Visit the CCR Web site at http://www.ccr.gov to begin this process. It may take several days to collect the information needed for your organization�s registration. The CCR Assistance Center can be reached at 888-227-2423. This information collection is approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0039, �NIFA Application Kit for Research and Extension Programs.�

Applicants must furnish the information required in the request for applications (RFAs).

Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process. These include, but are not limited to the following:

Organizational Management Information - Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be submitted on a one time basis, with updates on an as needed basis, as part of the responsibility determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this RFA, if such information has not been provided previously under this or another NIFA program. NIFA will provide copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling these requirements as part of the preaward process. Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors which may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment or suspension of an individual involved or a determination that an applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational management information). This information collection is approved under OMB Circular Control No. 0524-0026, �Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights, Compliance and Organization Information.�. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

All RFAs are published on the Agency�s website and Grants.gov. Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process. Please see the following Grants.gov link for more information: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. An environmental impact statement is required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Applications should be submitted as outlined in the RFA. Applications must follow the instructions provided per Grants.Gov and in the Agency guide to submitting applications via Grants.gov.

Award Procedure

Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 1613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA.

Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors:
(a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities;

(b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields;

(c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs;

(d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations;

(e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and

(f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application.

Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the RFA.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Section :094 - Deadlines:
Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the RFA each fiscal year.
Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. Respective links are provided below:
http://www.nifa.usda.gov/
http://www.grants.gov

Section :095 - Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
From 30 to 180 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Awards are made as continuation grants, and subsequent annual funding is provided based on demonstrated progress.

Specific details are provided in the Request for Applications (RFA) each fiscal year.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

This program has no matching requirements. Funds are awarded competitively.

No formula grants are awarded under Subtitle K of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. 3319e].

NIFA does not require matching or cost sharing support for this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The term of a competitive grant under this authority may not exceed five (5) years.

Same level of funding for five years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Grantees also are required to submit annual and summary progress reports via NIFA's
Current Research Information System (CRIS). This reporting requirement was approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0042, �NIFA Current Research Information System (CRIS).

� CRIS is an electronic, web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submission of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. NIFA uses the SF-425, Federal Financial Report to monitor cash. Grantees also are required to submit annual and summary progress reports via NIFA's
Current Research Information System (CRIS). This reporting requirement was approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0042, �NIFA Current Research Information System (CRIS).

� CRIS is an electronic, web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submission of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. A final �Financial Status Report� (SF-269) or �Federal Financial Report� (SF-425) is due within 90 days of the expiration date of the grant and should be submitted to the Awards Management Branch, Office of Extramural Programs at the address listed below, in accordance with instructions contained in 2 CFR 3430.55 (also refer to Section 3015.82 of the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations).

Awards Management Branch
Office of Extramural Programs
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
STOP 2271
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-2271
Telephone: (202) 401-4986. Grantees also are required to submit annual and summary progress reports via NIFA's
Current Research Information System (CRIS). This reporting requirement was approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0042, �NIFA Current Research Information System (CRIS).

� CRIS is an electronic, web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submission of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal 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. Nonfederal 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 No. A-133. Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, �Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations,� and implemented in 7 CFR 3052. This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General.

Records

In accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-profit Organizations [2 CFR 215, Subpart C, Section 215.53, (OMB Circular A-110)] grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and must be retained at least three (3) years. Records must be retained beyond the three-year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: DATA MUST BE PROVIDED BY PROGRAM UNIT AT A FUTURE DATE. Fiscal Year 2009: DATA MUST BE PROVIDED BY PROGRAM UNIT AT A FUTURE DATE. Fiscal Year 2010: DATA MUST BE PROVIDED BY PROGRAM UNIT AT A FUTURE DATE.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-1500-0-1-352.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $959,585; FY 09 est $960,000; FY 10 est $960,000 - The difference between the appropriation and obligation numbers reflects legislative authorized set-asides deducted as appropriate, and in some cases the availability of obligational authority from prior years.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive project grant or cooperative agreement are established, these will be announced in the annual program announcement or Request for Application (RFA).

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

7 CFR Part 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-formula Grant Programs � General Grant Administrative Provisions and Program-Specific Administrative Provisions; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) ; 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations; and 7 CFR Part 3021� USDA implementation of Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (Financial Assistance).

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader, Plant and Animal Systems (PAS), 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 2220, Washington , District of Columbia 20024 Phone: (202) 401-5877, 401-6443 or 401- Fax: (202) 401-5179

Web Site Address

http://www.nifa.usda.gov/

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Biodiesel Education Program and NBB Biodiesel Education Fuel Project. Fiscal Year 2009: Represents Continuation Awards; hence, the projects funded are the same as FY 2008. Fiscal Year 2010: Represents Continuation Awards; hence, the projects funded are the same as FY 2008.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Request for Application (RFA).