[Federal Register: July 6, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 129)]
[Notices]
[Page 37025-37027]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06jy07-74]
 
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 
Food and Drug Administration
 
 
Cooperative Agreement to Support the Joint Institute for Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition
 
AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
 
ACTION: Notice.
 
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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing its
intention to receive and consider a single source application for the
award of a cooperative agreement in fiscal year 2007 (FY) to the
University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) to support the Joint
Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN). This award
will strengthen existing programs and allow expansion of JIFSAN's
education, outreach and applied research programs and external
partnerships that have already been established.
 
DATES: Applications are due within 30 days after the publication of the
funding opportunity in the Federal Register.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gladys M. Bohler, Office of
Acquisition and Grants Services, Food and Drug Administration, 5630
Fishers Lane, rm. 2105, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-7168, or e-mail:
.
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
 
I. Funding Opportunity Description
 
Funding Opportunity Number; Notice of Intent to Renew a Cooperative
Agreement; RFA-FD-07-001 CFSAN Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Number: 93.103
 
    An estimated amount of support in FY07 will be for up to $2.0
million (direct plus indirect cost) the total amount being subject to
annual budget appropriations, with an additional 4 years of support.
JIFSAN is located on the University of Maryland Campus in College Park,
MD. Competition is limited to UMCP because of the unique partnership
between FDA and UMCP. The cooperative agreement will continue to allow
for a more efficient use of research, scientific, education, and
outreach resources which enhance overall public health by expanding and
improving food safety and nutrition as well as other program areas that
impact on public health policy.
 
II. Eligibility Information
 
    FDA believes UMCP is uniquely qualified to fulfill the objectives
of the proposed cooperative agreement. UMCP is in close proximity to
the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and the
Center for Veterinary Medicine offices and laboratories in Prince
Georges County, MD. UMCP has vast resources which complement and
greatly expand FDA's research, scientific, education and outreach
resources. As the UMCP and FDA are both located within the greater
Washington, DC area increased interactions with the USDA Beltsville
Agricultural Research Center and other world class research and medical
institutions are possible. UMCP is the Washington region's most
comprehensive research institution, with numerous academic programs
relevant to FDA's mission and the resources to support CFSAN's areas of
interest, including: microbiology, chemistry, food science, animal
health sciences, agriculture, public policy, risk assessment,
computational science, economics, and survey methodology. UMCP serves
as a primary center for
 
[[Page 37026]]
 
graduate study and research and provides undergraduate and graduate
instruction across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines. The
University extends its intellectual resources to the community through
innovative projects designed to serve individuals, governments and the
private sector throughout the State of Maryland, the nation, and the
international community.
    The University has developed core facilities to provide effective
use of state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation with high
acquisition, installation, and maintenance costs to conduct research at
the forefront of science. An electron microscopy facility jointly
supported by FDA and the University opened in 2000. CFSAN has moved its
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrumentation and personnel to the
University's NMR facility in the Chemistry building. These
instrumentation centers complement CFSAN's resources and expertise.The
University has developed http://www.FoodRisk.org (formerly the Risk
Analysis Clearinghouse) which is the only web-based information
resource specializing in food safety risk analysis, including risk
assessment, risk management, and risk communication. Users include
government officials from around the world seeking the latest risk
assessment, or training and workshop opportunities. The Web site for
FoodRisk.org contains: (1) Data and tools for researchers seeking to
fill data gaps, build models, and develop expertise; (2) specialized
data, peer networks, and access to modeling tools for risk assessors
and project managers; and (3) the latest risk assessments, and
information on workshops and training opportunities for interested
individuals from around the world. The Web site for FoodRisk.org also
operates the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health
Organization (FAO/WHO) Acrylamide in Food Network, the internationally
sanctioned repository for information about the safety and prevention
of acrylamide in food.
    The University through JIFSAN has developed a broad range of
international agreements with: (1) The Ministry of Science and
Technology Thailand; (2) the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA);
(3) the Central Science Laboratory, Department for Environment Food and
Rural Affairs in York, UK; and (4) the Department of Natural Resources
and Environment in Victoria Australia. Additionally JIFSAN has been
designated a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization
(PAHO/WHO) Collaborating Center for Food Safety Risk Analysis. These
agreements enable UMCP and JIFSAN to: (1) Further promote international
scientific, education, outreach and cooperative research activities;
and (2) deepen the understanding of the scientific, economic and social
issues/needs within the respective countries.
    Acknowledging the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to
knowledge, the University maintains organized research units outside
the usual academic department structures. Through collaborative
projects, FDA has access to additional University resources that
include: (1) The Center for Risk Communication Research where
cooperative projects related to risk communication studies have been
and will continue to be developed; (2) The Center for Food Systems
Security and Safety, within the College of Agriculture and Natural
Resources, providing opportunities for the development of
multidisciplinary food safety research using an integrated food systems
approach; and (3) The Maryland NanoCenter established as a partnership
among the A. James Clark School of Engineering, the College of
Computer, Math, and Physical Sciences (CMPS), and the College of
Chemical and Life Sciences provides access to major nano-research,
equipment and informational seminars that could foster trans-
disciplinary collaboration among a critical mass of researchers
spanning the sciences and engineering.
    As UMCP is part of the University System of Maryland (comprised of
eleven universities, two research institutions and two regional higher
education centers) additional education, research and outreach
expertise through affiliated campuses/faculty may be accessed to build
additional relationships that advance our mutual goals. Collaboration
between the public and the private sectors has proven to be an
efficient means for both FDA and the University to remain current with
scientific and technical advances associated with FDA regulated
products (i.e., foods, cosmetics and animal drugs and feed additives).
The degree to which we nurture, develop and build on these
collaborations directly impacts our ability to enhance public health.
The information and expertise obtained through this partnership between
FDA and UMCP can be leveraged by all segments of the food safety and
nutrition community, as well as by public health organizations, other
Federal agencies, and academic institutions in the performance of their
roles.
    As of October 1, 2003, applicants are required to have a DUNS
number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal
government. The DUNS number is a 9-digit identification number, which
uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy
and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, call 1-866-705-5711.
Be certain that you identify yourself as a Federal grant applicant when
you contact Dun and Bradstreet.
 
III. Application and Submission
 
    FDA will accept the application for this program electronically via
http://www.grants.gov. The applicant is encouraged to apply
electronically by visiting the Web site http://www.grants.gov and
following instructions under ``Apply for Grants.'' The required
application, SF 424 (Research & Related) (also referred to as the
``SF424 (R&R)''), can be completed and submitted online. The package
should be labeled ``Response to RFA-FD-07 001''. If you experience
technical difficulties with your online submission you should contact
Gladys M. Bohler by telephone 301-827-7168 or by e-mail:
.
    Information about submitting an application electronically can be
found on the http://www.grants.gov Web site. In order to apply
electronically, the applicant must have a DUNS number and register in
the central contractor registration (CCR) database.
 
A. Dun and Bradstreet Number (DUNS)
 
    As of October 1, 2003, applicants are required to have a DUNS
number to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the Federal
government. The DUNS number is a 9-digit identification number, which
uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy
and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, call 1-866-705-5711.
Be certain that you identify yourself as a Federal grant applicant when
you contact Dun and Bradstreet.
 
B. Central Contractor Registration
 
    Applicants must register with the CCR database. This database is a
government-wide warehouse of commercial and financial information for
all organizations conducting business with the Federal Government. The
preferred method for completing a registration is through the World
Wide Web at http://www.ccr.gov. This Web site provides a CCR handbook
with detailed information on data you will need prior to beginning the
online pre-registration, as well as steps to walk you through the
registration process. You must have a DUNS number to begin your
 
[[Page 37027]]
 
 
registration. For foreign entities the Web site is
http://www.grants.gov/RequestaDUNS.gov.

In order to access grants.gov an
applicant will be required to register with the Credential Provider.
Information about this is available at
https://apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister.
    A copy of the complete RFA can also be viewed on FDA's Center for
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Web site at
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html.
(FDA has verified the Web site and its address but we are
not responsible for changes subsequent to the Web site or its address
after this document publishes in the Federal Register).
 
IV. Agency Contacts
 
    For issues regarding the programmatic aspects of this document,
contact Christine L. Hileman, Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition (HFS-006), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch
Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, 301-436-1674, or e-mail:
.
    For issues regarding the administrative and financial management
aspects of this document contact, Gladys Melendez-Bohler at 301-827-
7168 or by e-mail:
.
 
    Dated: June 26, 2007.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. E7-13046 Filed 7-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S
 

Cooperative Agreement to Support the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition July 6, 2007