Food Safety and Security Monitoring Project (93.448)

 

Program

93.448 Food Safety and Security Monitoring Project

 

Federal Agency

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Authorization

Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, Public Law 107-188.

 

Program Number

93.448

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To complement, develop and improve State, Indian Tribal, and local food safety and security testing programs through the provision of supplies, personnel, facility upgrades, training in current food testing methodologies and participation in proficiency testing to establish additional reliable laboratory sample analysis capacity and analysis of surveillance samples.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

These cooperative agreements are intended to expand participation in networks to enhance Federal, State, local and tribal food safety and security efforts. These cooperative agreements are also for the promotion of a continuing, reliable capability and capacity for laboratory sample analyses of foods and food products for the rapid detection and identification of toxic chemicals or toxins. These cooperative agreement funds cannot be used to fund or conduct food inspections for food safety regulatory agencies. They may not be used for new building construction, however remodeling of existing facilities is allowed, provided that remodeling costs do not exceed 25% of the grant.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

This cooperative agreement program is only available to State, Local and Tribal government Food Emergency Response (FERN) laboratories.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Ultimately the general population will be the beneficiary of more rapid and reliable food testing to enhance food safety efforts. The FERN laboratory network will also benefit from better testing methods, equipment and training.

Credentials/Documentation

Central Contractor Registry (CCR),a DUNS Number, and an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the Single Point of Contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected this program.

Application Procedure

An original and 2 copies of the completed Grant Application form PHS 5161-1 with copies of the appendices for each of the copies should be submitted to Cynthia Polit, Senior Grants Management Specialist, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, HFA-500, Rm 2105, Rockville, MD. 20857; for commercial carrier or hand delivery the address is 5630 Fishers Lane, HFA500, Rm 2105 Rockville, MD 20852. The outside of the mailing package should be labeled "Response to RFA-FDA-ORA-05-1." If submission is electronic, the application package is posted under the "APPLY" section of this announcement under http://www.grants.gov. The required application PHS 424 pages can be completed and submitted on-line.

Award Procedure

All accepted applications receive a scientific review for technical merit and a recommendation for approval by an appropriate initial ad hoc review group. All approved and scored applications compete for available funds on the basis of score, scientific merit and program analysis. Geographic distribution will be a consideration in the award selection process.

Deadlines

Applications will be due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. All awards will be made by September 30, 2005.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Renewals are available. Procedures are the same as for new applications.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula or match requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The length of support will depend on the nature of the project. For those projects with an expected duration of more than 1 year, a 2nd or 3rd year of non-competitive continuation of support will depend on: 1) performance during the preceding year and, 2) availability of Federal funds.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

The original and 2 copies of an annual Financial Status Report (FSR) (SF269) must be sent to FDA's grants management officer within 90 days of the budget period end date of the grant. For continuing cooperative agreements, quarterly reports and an annual program progress repot are also required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year under the nonfederal audit requirement except as noted in Circular A-133." In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records

Records must be retained for 3 years from the date of the final financial status report.

 

Program Accomplishments

None. New program.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0600-0-1-554.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 04 $0; FY 05 est $2,100,000; and FY 06 est $2,100,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Up to $350,000 total per award per year(direct plus indirect combined) for up to 3 years.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

42 CFR Part 52-Grants for Research Projects; 45 CFR Part 74-Uniform Administrative Requirements for Awards and Sub-awards to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Nonprofit Organizations and Commercial Organizations; and Certain Grants and Agreements with State, Local Governments and Indian Tribal Governments; 45 CFR Part 92-Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments; the PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50.000, (Rev) April 1, 1994; Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs as implemented through 45 CFR Part 100--Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities.

 

Related Programs

None.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Regional and Local Office information will be provided in the application packet, if applicable.

Headquarters Office

Grants Management Contact: Cynthia Polit, Division of Contracts & Grants Management, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, HFA-500, Rm 2105, Rockville, MD. 20857, phone 301-827-7180, email cpolit@oc.fda.gov. Program Contact: Thomas Savage, Division of Field Science, Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), Food and Drug Administration, HFC-140, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rm 1241, Rockville, MD 20857, phone 301-827-1026, email tsavage@ora.fda.gov.

Web Site Address

http://www.fda.gov/ora/fed_state/default.htm

 

Examples of Funded Projects

None.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

All applications will be reviewed for responsiveness by the Grants Management staff and the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). To be responsive, the application must be submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Register Notice and must bear the original signature of the applicant institution's/organization's authorized official. Non-responsive applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. If submitted electronically the signature requirement does not apply. All responsive applications will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee. Each application will be scored and ranked based on the following criteria: a) adequacy of facilities, expertise of project staff, equipment, support services, commitment to analyze surveillance samples, and quality management practices needed for the project; b) expertise in the use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of foods or animal tissues; c) expertise in the use of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of foods or animal tissues; d) expertise in the use of inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry for the analysis of foods or animal tissues; e) expertise in the use of ELISA and other antibody based analyses for the identification of toxins in foods or animal tissues; f) current food or animal tissue analysis programs; g) the rationale and design to meet the goals of the cooperative agreement; h) quality control and quality assurance procedures and practices; i) abilities and procedures in place to recall personnel, establish extended work-weeks. All funding decisions will be made by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs or his designee.