Request for Proposals

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NORS-DUC Request for Proposals (RFP) - FY 2012-2013

Deadline for Submission:  Friday, December 9, 2011. 

The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (USDA/APHIS/CPHST), announces the FY12-13 RFP for the National Ornamentals Research Site at Dominican University of California (NORS-DUC).

The research site is intended to facilitate research activities supportive of the broad goal to safeguard nursery production and the forest industry. Proposals reflecting short-term applied research are requested that address research priorities, including, but are not limited to: methods development to inhibit Phytophthora ramorum spread, mitigations to manage P. ramorum, epidemiological studies on inoculum sources, pathways, soil sampling focal points and disease distribution in nurseries.

Each proposal must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for bio-safety. 

Applicants must also obtain a Plant Pest Permit from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and a permit from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) for any materials evaluated at NORS-DUC.

Request for proposals opens on Friday, September 9, 2011.  Please refer to the proposal checklist [ADD HOTLINK - link to the new section below - the section will need to be updated on or just before Sept 9, so you can make yourself a reminder], research priorities [ADD HOTLINK to the research section where the reserach priorities are detailed] and the review criteria [ADD HOTLINK to the section further down on the same webpage] for relevant information to assist in completing your proposal.

Each submitted proposal should have an abstract limited to 300 words, a proposal description limited to two pages, a two page CV for the PI and each CO-PI, a proposal checklist, and a budget. The budget can include funding for travel, materials, supplies, equipment, and, if applicable, salaries not including the principal investigator. Other supportive information can be attached as appropriate or desired, but every effort should be made to have all pertinent information included in the two-page research plan.

If approved, funds are not to be used for permanent salaries or capital equipment items. Expenses for travel are limited to $5,000. In addition to technical assistance and data collection, not to exceed eight hours/week, NORS-DUC will provide and maintain the site.

Submit each proposal into one Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file by Friday, December 9, 2011 to RFP.norsduc@dominican.edu. 

All proposals will be subject to a first round review in accordance with the set research priorities and review criteria. First round review will be completed by Friday, February 24, 2012, at which time all researchers will be notified of the status of their proposals.

Selected proposals will be carried forward into second round review and invited to submit a detailed workplan and expected site accommodations by Friday, April 6, 2012 for further consideration. Notification of funded projects will be sent on Friday, May 25, 2012, followed by a public announcement through the NORS-DUC website contingent upon approval of funding via the Farm Bill (section 10201).

All projects may start once funding for the fiscal year becomes available. Approximately $200,000 is available to fund projects ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 from the submitted proposals. Researchers, including international colleagues, who have already secured funding and only need space, are strongly encouraged to submit proposals; however, a negotiated space charge may apply for site use.

For questions, please contact Dr. Sibdas Ghosh, at sibdas.ghosh@dominican.edu. 

 

RFP FY 2012-2013 PROPOSAL CHECKLIST

Please check back on or after September 9, 2011 when the proposal checklist will be available for download.

 

Research Committee Charge and Responsibilities

Charge:  Our charge is to ensure that research objectives are appropriate, scientifically sound and consistent with the goals of the program.  This committee will interface with other NORS-DUC committees (nursery, forestry, federal/state NPB group, communications), etc.  The Research Committee will provide recommendations to the Steering Committee.  These recommendations for funding will be based on the scientific merit of the proposals based on priorities and criteria defined.  Among these recommendations will include evaluations and assessments of: experimental design, methodology; and priorities.   The Executive Committee is ultimately responsible for implementing the activities that are conducted at NORS-DUC.

Research Requirements:  Proposals should reflect short-term, very applied research which will address nursery concerns that lead to science-based regulatory decisions.  These include Best Management Practices.  Proposals must have an application for a site permit listing each principal investigator and each project proposal must meet permitting guidelines.

 Each proposal must have a NEPA for Biosafety.  Dominican University will provide and maintain the site.  DU will also provide technical assistance and data collection.  Salaries of researchers, travel, and technical support must be provided by the researcher.  Funds for some materials and supplies will be provided in the grant. 

RFP: The Request for Proposals will be initially sent out to researchers with a demonstrated record of scientific expertise in Oomycetes and plant pathology. After the first year, the distribution list may be broadened. A set of criteria are attached for proposal review. RFPs should be posted on the NORS-DUC website and possibly “Grants.gov”. Proposals should not be sent directly to the Research Committee to maintain confidentiality of committee members. 

 

Criteria for Evaluating NORS-DUC Research Proposals

Evaluation criteria will include, but not be restricted to the following: national and regional priority; scientific need and relevance; investigator's qualification; reasonableness of funding request; likelihood of success; and overall quality of proposal.

National and Regional Priority

  • Priority will be given to the national and/or regional need for the proposed research to solve problems of the U.S nursery and forest industry (as it relates to the nursery industry) as a whole (not the particular needs of an individual state or production area).

Scientific Need and Relevance

  • Consideration will be given to the scientific need and relevance of the proposed research as expressed by the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) and other nursery-related organizations and agencies.

 Investigator’s Qualifications

  • Importance will be given to the prior accomplishments, research, training, and experience of the investigator(s), particularly on nursery crops, and researchers ability to successfully complete the proposed research.

 Reasonableness of Funding Request

  • How reasonable is the request for funds for the proposed research?
  • Is it less, equal to, or in excess of what would be considered reasonable and adequate?
  • Salaries for permanent employees will not be allowed, but salaries for postdoctorates, graduate students, and temporary labor will be allowed.
  • In most cases, the purchase of capital equipment will not be allowed.

 Likelihood of Success

  • Will the project be completed in the timeframe outlined utilizing available resources?

 Quality of Proposal

  • Are the objectives clearly stated?
  • Is the proposal complete, well-written, conceived and planned?
  • Are methods and projected outcomes clearly defined?