ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Office Item No: C9
Prepared by:
Angie Baggett, Grant Writer- Management
Analyst Meeting Date: December 12, 2023
Approved by:
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar SUBJECT: AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF GRANT PROPOSALS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
PESTICIDE REGULATION ALLIANCE GRANT PROGRAM AND THE WESTERN IPM CENTER ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM FOR 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
1.Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2023- authorizing the submittal of an application for the Department of Pesticide Regulation Alliance Grant Program.
2.Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2023- authorizing the submittal of an application for the Western IPM Center Annual Grant Program for 2024.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Fiscal Responsibility Climate and Environmental Responsibility.
PRIOR ACTION: On May 9, 2023, staff presented and discussed pesticides and chemicals used in the City parks; City Council directed staff to immediately stop the use of glyphosate and dithiopyr at parks, historic downtown, and within one-quarter mile of schools, and to post when the spraying of pesticides or chemicals will occur (Vote: 4-0, Green absent).
On August 9, 2022, directed staff to work on an IPM proposal specific to Vista, including costs and staff time (Vote: 5-0).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: During the presentation on May 9, 2023, staff estimated an increase in cost of $200,000 per year when implementing the proposed IPM plan for the City due to the higher product cost of the natural and organic pesticide/herbicide, the increased frequency of application required, training for staff on use of newly acquired natural and organic pesticides/herbicides, and the corresponding increase of labor hours needed.
Two grant funding opportunities have been identified for IPM education and implementation:
1)The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) offers the Alliance Grants Program; and 2)The 2024 Western IPM Center annual grant program.
The 2024 Alliance Grants Program is particularly seeking applications that address one or more of the following priority topic areas:
•IPM for underserved or disadvantaged communities;
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Approved above recommendation, adopted the following: 1) City Council Resolution No. 2023-206; Vote: 5-0. 2) City Council Resolution No. 2023-207; Vote: 5-0.
MEETING DATE: December 12, 2023 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF GRANT PROPOSALS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
PESTICIDE REGULATION ALLIANCE GRANT PROGRAM AND THE WESTERN IPM CENTER ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM FOR 2024
•Decreasing the use of high-risk/high-volume pesticides (such as fumigants like 1,3- dichloropropene or sulfuryl fluoride);
•Advancement of urban IPM and safer, more sustainable pest management tools and strategies in urban settings;
•Advancement of IPM and safer, more sustainable pest management tools and strategies in agricultural settings adjacent to or near a school(s);
•Two or more of the three sustainability pillars noted below and referenced in the Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) Roadmap:
1.Human Health and Social Equity,
2.Environmental Protections,
3.Economic Vitality
•Projects with budgets between $50,000 and $800,000 are invited to apply.
The types of projects that may be funded through the Western IPM Center annual grants program are:
•Project Initiation, Work Groups, and Outreach and Implementation. •The Center promotes the USDA Research, Education, and Economics Action Plan goals of effective, affordable, and environmentally sound integrated pest management practices and improved response to emerging or reemerging pests of high consequence. •The maximum award for these projects is $40,000.
The City is proposing to seek grant funding from the Department of Pesticide Regulations and the Western IPM Center for education and implementation funds for the City’s IPM program to mitigate the cost increases associated with the transition from traditional pest management programs.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the submission of the grant applications. A future agenda report will be brought back to the City Council for appropriation of awarded funds, if the application(s) are successful.
EXHIBITS:
1.City Council Resolution No. 2023- authorizing the submittal of an application for the Department of Pesticide Regulation Alliance Grant Program
2.City Council Resolution No. 2023- authorizing the submittal of an application for the Western IPM Center Annual Grant Program for 2024
3.Department of Pesticide Regulation Alliance Grant Solicitation 2024
4.Western IPM Center 2024 Annual Grant Program Request for Applications 12/12/2023 C9 2 of 24
00029213 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION ALLIANCE GRANT
PROGRAM
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A.The Department of Pesticide Regulation is soliciting Alliance Grant proposal applications that seek to promote or increase the implementation, expansion, and/or adoption of effective, proven, and affordable integrated pest management (IPM) systems or practices that reduce risks to public health and the environment in agricultural, urban, or wildland settings.
B.The City Council desires to continue to support and practice Climate and Environmental Responsibility.
2. Action.
A.The City Council authorizes the City Manager, or the City Manager’s designee, to file an application for the Department of Pesticide Regulation Alliance Grant Program and all related materials on behalf of the City of Vista for the Grant Program and to approve and execute, on behalf of the City of Vista, all agreements and related documents necessary and proper for the grant.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on December 12, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
APPROVED
Beverly Roxas
20220824116586
12/12/2023 C9 3 of 24
EXHIBIT 1
00029213 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE WESTERN IPM CENTER ANNUAL GRANT PROGRAM 2024
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A.The Western IPM Center is soliciting grant proposal applications that seek to fund Project Initiation, Work Groups, and Outreach and Implementation of IPM programs. The Center promotes the USDA Research, Education, and Economics Action Plan goals of effective, affordable, and environmentally sound integrated pest management practices and improved response to emerging or reemerging pests of high consequence.
B.The City Council desires to continue to support and practice Climate and Environmental Responsibility.
2. Action.
A.The City Council authorizes the City Manager, or the City Manager’s designee, to file an application for the Western IPM Center Annual Grant Program 2024 and all related materials on behalf of the City of Vista for the Grant Program and to approve and execute, on behalf of the City of Vista, all agreements and related documents necessary and proper for the grant.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on December 12, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
APPROVED
Beverly Roxas
20231201151627
12/12/2023 C9 4 of 24
EXHIBIT 2
1 DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION
ALLIANCE GRANTS PROGRAM 2024 SOLICITATION
The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is excited to announce that the 2024 Alliance Grants Program is open for applications. To support the transition to safer, more sustainable pest management practices in California, DPR annually funds alliance projects that promote or increase the implementation, expansion, or adoption of effective, proven, and affordable integrated pest management (IPM) systems or practices in agricultural, urban, or wildland settings. Projects should focus on reducing impacts to public health or the environment from pesticides of high regulatory concern or that are considered high-risk. The program has a long history of awarding diverse projects that meet these goals and advance many different aspects of IPM.
The 2024 Alliance Grants Program is particularly seeking applications that address one or more of the following priority topic areas:
•IPM for underserved or disadvantaged communities;
•Decreasing the use of high-risk/high-volume pesticides (such as fumigants like 1,3- dichloropropene or sulfuryl fluoride);
•Advancement of urban IPM and safer, more sustainable pest management tools and strategies in urban settings;
•Advancement of IPM and safer, more sustainable pest management tools and strategies in agricultural settings adjacent to or near a school(s);
•TWO or more of the three sustainability pillars noted below and referenced in the Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) Roadmap:
1.Human Health and Social Equity,
2.Environmental Protections,
3.Economic Vitality
Successful applications will demonstrate strong partnerships, outreach, or an educational or training component to promote IPM and the broad application of the proposed IPM systems or practices. The most competitive Alliance Grant projects are those that address the topic areas listed above, can serve as a model for similar situations, have a high potential for wide adoption, and for which research has already been completed (for projects with research, please see our Research Grants Program).
This year, the program has up to $1,100,000 in funding for projects up to three years in length (end date of June 30, 2027). Projects with budgets between $50,000 and $800,000 are invited to apply.
Apply today and your project may contribute to DPR’s mission to protect human health and the environment by fostering reduced-risk pest management and supporting the State’s transition to system-wide adoption of safer, more sustainable pest management practices! 12/12/2023 C9 5 of 24
EXHIBIT 3
2 Completed proposal applications must be submitted no later than Thursday, January 18, 2024 to the DPR Pest Management Grants Program email address at [email protected].
If you would like to receive updates on DPR’s Alliance Grants solicitation, please sign up for our subscriber list.
12/12/2023 C9 6 of 24
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Program Dates and Deadlines.....................................................................................................................3 Eligibility Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 3 Proposal Application Process ...................................................................................................................... 5 Review and Notification Process ................................................................................................................6 Informational Videos ..................................................................................................................................7 DPR-Hosted “Office Hours”........................................................................................................................ 7 Ranking Considerations for Reviewers .......................................................................................................8
PROGRAM DATES AND DEADLINES
•Early July 2023 – Solicitation period opens; DPR begins accepting proposal applications •Thursday, January 18, 2024 – Final application deadline •Thursday, May 9, 2024 (9:30 am) – Pest Management Advisory Committee (PMAC) Alliance Grants proposal review meeting
•Late June 2024 – Funding decision emails sent out
•September 1, 2024 – Earliest project start date pending full execution of the grant agreement •June 30, 2027 – Latest project end date
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
1.The project must primarily benefit the people of California.
2.The project must not mention, promote, or disparage a pest control brand or trade name in a deliverable or use the image of a product in a deliverable. Active ingredient names must be used instead.
3.All applicants, principal investigators, key personnel, subrecipients, subcontractors, and consultants must meet all eligibility requirements and be eligible to contract with DPR.
4.All University of California/California State University System (UC/CSU) grantees, principal investigators, key personnel, subrecipients, subcontractors, and consultants must abide by all provisions of the applicable UC/CSU Terms and Conditions, including overhead capped at 25%.
Or:
All Non-UC/CSU grantees, principal investigators, key personnel, subcontractors, and consultants must abide by all provisions of the Non-UC/CSU Terms and Conditions, including overhead capped at 25%.
Note that an individual with delegated authority to sign grant agreements is required to sign the proposal application confirming that all terms and conditions have been reviewed and accepted.
12/12/2023 C9 7 of 24
4 5.Alliance Team members must have the appropriate background and technical experience to complete the project. DPR’s grant manager assigned to the grant must be a full and participating member of the Alliance Team.
6.The funding requested must be within the minimum and maximum funding limits of $50,000- $800,000.
7.The project must not depend on other sources of funding for the completion of any task or deliverable. However, in-kind contributions of personnel time, equipment, facilities, and materials by Alliance Team members are allowed.
8.The project goals and objectives must be clearly stated and must promote or increase the implementation, expansion, or adoption of effective, proven, and affordable IPM systems or practices that reduce pesticide impacts to public health and the environment in agricultural, urban, or wildland settings.
9.The project must demonstrate adoption of the IPM strategy is taking place (or beginning to) by the end of the grant period.
10.The project must not be contingent on additional research. Projects that focus on research are encouraged to apply to DPR’s Research Grants Program.
11.The project must not include activities directed toward, or used to subsidize, DPR personnel, DPR work activities, or any DPR-funded work activities delegated to others, such as county agricultural commissioners.
12.Eligible applicants may include (but are not limited to) entities such as government and tribal agencies, universities, colleges, consultants, pest control businesses, commodity groups, and nonprofit organizations. Principal investigators, key personnel, subrecipients, subcontractors, and consultants must not have outstanding fines or penalties with DPR or with any county agricultural commissioner.
13.DPR employees are not eligible to receive funds or participate as part of the Alliance Team with the exception of the grant manager; however other state employees may receive funds and participate as part of the Alliance Team.
14.PMAC members or their alternates involved in an Alliance Grant proposal application must abide by the conflict-of-interest requirements contained within the PMAC Charter. 12/12/2023 C9 8 of 24
5 PROPOSAL APPLICATION PROCESS
The 2024 Alliance Grants proposal application package is now available and may be downloaded. The 2024 Alliance Grants proposal application package contains all required documents for preparing your proposal application. Please read and review the documents carefully and relay any questions to [email protected].
The proposal application package consists of the following documents:
•Department of Pesticide Regulation Alliance Grants Program 2024 Solicitation (PDF – this document),
•Alliance Grant Proposal Application Form (Microsoft Word document), •Alliance Grants Program 2024 Supplemental Guidance Documents (PDF); •Budget Tables Worksheet (Microsoft Excel Worksheet);
•Subaward Budget Tables Worksheets (Microsoft Excel Worksheet; if applicable); •Terms and Conditions for UC/CSU grantees (PDF), and
•Terms and Conditions for non-UC/CSU grantees (PDF).
Completed proposal applications must be submitted no later than Thursday, January 18, 2024 to the DPR Pest Management Grants Program email address at [email protected].
Completed proposal applications should contain all the required documents listed below. Optional documents may be included as needed to support the proposal application. Submit the documents as follows:
•Submit all of the following as a combined single PDF.
☐Completed Alliance Grant Proposal Application Form, including:
•Completed Section 1: Project Information;
•Completed Section 2: Alliance Grant Proposal Application Questions (Note: Answers to Questions 1 – 4 should not exceed one page each, for a total of four pages.); and •Completed Section 3: Scope of Work and Budget.
☐Letters of support from expected beneficiaries of the IPM systems or practices and from others who can attest to the quality or effectiveness of the applicant’s similar work. ☐Curriculum vitae or resumes of principal investigators (PIs) and key personnel. (Note:
curriculum vitae or resumes should not exceed three pages for each individual.) ☐A list of active ingredients that will likely be affected if the proposed IPM systems or practices are adopted.
☐A list of active ingredients proposed to be used during the course of the project (if applicable).
☐(OPTIONAL) Illustrative graphics that enhance the application (e.g. flow charts). •Submit the key cited documents as a combined single PDF.☐Full-text versions of up to five key cited documents that document the effective, proven, and affordable IPM systems or practices that your project will build upon. 12/12/2023 C9 9 of 24
6 •Submit the Scope of Work and Budget Information section of the proposal application form as an additional Microsoft Word Document.
☐Word file of Scope of Work and Budget.
•Submit the Budget Tables Worksheet and any needed Subaward Budget Tables Worksheets as Microsoft Excel Worksheets.
☐Budget Tables Worksheet containing completed calculations for all applicable budget categories in the composite budget.
☐Subaward Budget Tables Worksheets containing completed calculations for all applicable budget categories for each subcontractor or subrecipient (if applicable).
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
REVIEW AND NOTIFICATION PROCESS
After you submit your proposal application, DPR staff will perform an initial screening of the submitted materials for completeness of the submitted application package, accuracy and completeness of budget calculations and justifications, and satisfaction of eligibility requirements. Eligibility requirements can be found in the Eligibility Requirements section. Please note that submitted proposal applications that are incomplete, missing required components, or which clearly do not meet all eligibility requirements are subject to disqualification without further review.
Complete proposal applications that are found to meet all eligibility requirements in DPR’s initial screening will be reviewed and ranked by DPR staff and the Pest Management Advisory Committee (PMAC)1, a diverse stakeholder group with members having expertise or interest in pest management that assists DPR’s Grants Programs with proposal application review.
PMAC will make its grant funding recommendations to the Director via a consensus-based proposal application ranking process that occurs during a public meeting on May 9, 2024. DPR staff will also rank the proposal applications and the independent DPR and PMAC rankings are evenly-weighted and combined. DPR staff use the combined DPR and PMAC rankings to provide their funding recommendations to the Director. The Director considers both PMAC and DPR rankings and funding recommendations in making the final funding decisions.
Funding award decisions for individual proposal applications will be sent to applicants via an email from the Alliance Grants Program Lead, Dr. Tory Vizenor, by late June 2024. Feedback for applicants whose projects were not selected for funding will be provided after awards are announced. 1 For more information about PMAC, including dates and agendas of public meetings and the current roster, visit the PMAC website.
12/12/2023 C9 10 of 24
7 INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS
DPR staff have produced recorded videos on topics to assist applicants in successfully applying to our grants programs. These videos are available on DPR’s YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@CaliforniaPesticides and include sessions devoted to the following topics:
•DPR’s Grant Programs – Purpose and Priorities
Reviews the basics about DPR’s grants programs and provides a broad overview of topics that applicants should keep in mind when applying
•Budgets and Budget Justifications
Discusses the budget and budget justifications that applicants complete when applying to DPR’s Grants Programs
•Building a Strong Alliance Team
Discusses how to build a strong Alliance Team for applicants applying to the Alliance Grants Program
•Scope of Work, Objectives, Tasks, and Deliverables
Discusses the scope of work that applicants complete when applying to DPR’s grants programs If you have any further questions after reviewing these videos, contact DPR staff at [email protected] or consider scheduling an appointment with DPR staff during our new DPR-hosted “Office Hours” to review specific questions. For more information on “Office Hours,” see below.
DPR-HOSTED “OFFICE HOURS”
This year, DPR’s Grants Program is hosting “office hours” for potential applicants to be able to reserve 30-minute appointments to discuss various aspects of the Research and Alliance Grants Program proposal applications. Please note that discussion may not focus on any of the criteria or aspects that are competitively ranked by DPR staff and Pest Management Advisory Committee (PMAC) members when reviewing and ranking proposal applications. For example, DPR staff will be unable to provide guidance on topics such as choice of proposal topic, quality of ideas, or experimental plans. A list of competitively ranked criteria can be found in the “Ranking Considerations for Reviewers” section of the solicitation. These “office hour” appointments are intended to assist applicants with the more complex sections of the proposal application such as the budget and budget justification.
For information on competitively ranked criteria that will not be able to be addressed in “office hours” appointments, please consider reviewing the Alliance Grants Guidance Document, or the recorded applicant assistance informational videos described above.
To sign up for a 30-minute appointment, use the 2024 DPR Grants Program "Office Hours" form. Note that when requesting a scheduled appointment during “office hours,” you will be prompted to include a specific set of questions or topics for discussion.
12/12/2023 C9 11 of 24
8 To maximize your appointment time, DPR staff highly recommend that you complete the sections of the proposal application for the Research Grants or Alliance Grants Program that you want to discuss in advance to the best of your ability, including the required Excel spreadsheet for budget calculations.
RANKING CONSIDERATIONS FOR REVIEWERS
The criteria below will be used by DPR staff and PMAC members when ranking proposal applications:
QUESTION 1 – BENEFITS TO CALIFORNIANS (3 0 PERCENT WEIGHT) What DPR priority topics areas does this project seek to address? Is there a need for this project and will the people of California and expected beneficiaries of the IPM systems or practices significantly benefit from the project?
• Alignment with DPR Priority Areas and the SPM Roadmap (10 Percent) o Does the project address one or more (more is better) of the DPR priority areas? o Which priority topic areas are addressed, and how?
o What is the expected scale of impact to pest management practices in the priority topic areas?
• Benefits to Californians Generally (20 percent)
o How does the project align with the Alliance Grant Program’s mission to promote or increase the implementation, expansion, or adoption of effective, proven, and affordable integrated pest management systems or practices that reduce risks to public health and the environment in agricultural, urban, or wildland settings through the utilization of an Alliance Team representing state, local, public, private, educational, and other stakeholders?
o Which pesticides and pests relevant to California are being addressed by the project? o Which California stakeholders are expected to benefit from this project? o What is the expected reduction in the usage of pesticides of high regulatory concern or considered high-risk through the proposed project’s implementation, expansion, or adoption of the proposed IPM systems or practices?
o How has the proposal shown the specific IPM systems or practices being advocated are ready for adoption?
o How does the proposal show efficacy of the proposed IPM system or practices has been established?
o Are letters of support from people who can attest to the quality or effectiveness of the applicant’s similar work included and what do these letters indicate? o Are letters of support from Alliance Team members and any other appropriate people who would be involved in implementing, expanding, and adopting the proposal’s goals and objectives included and what is their stakeholder reach? o What are the risks from current pesticide use practices this project seeks to address? 12/12/2023 C9 12 of 24
9 QUESTION 2 – IPM PRACTICES AND ADOPTION, ALLIANCE FORMATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION (15 PERCENT WEIGHT)
Will this project aid in the implementation, expansion, or adoption of established IPM systems or practices?
•How will this project aid in the implementation, expansion, and adoption of established IPM systems or practices and lead to a reduction in public health or environmental risks? •What are the Alliance Team members, roles, and expectations for the successful completion of the project?
•How does the proposal show the Alliance Team members are committed to fully completing their portion of the project?
•What are the project goals and objectives and how will the Alliance Team will assist in accomplishing these goals and objectives?
•What processes are proposed to achieve the project goals and objectives, whether by surveys, trainings, on-line courses, etc.?
•What is the project’s outreach/communication framework? •What is the potential for expansion of the project results? •What methods are being used to measure the success of the project? •Does this project aid in the implementation, expansion, or adoption of IPM systems or practices that would otherwise remain unfunded or underfunded?
•Does the public interest of the project outweigh any potential private interests? QUESTION 3 – ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND FEASIBILITY (15 PERCENT WEIGHT) Does this project have economic benefits and will it be economically feasible to implement? Projects are encouraged to address economic considerations of the IPM practices to provide cost-benefit information needed by pest managers as they make decisions. •How will the project show economic feasibility to pest managers? •What are the economic benefits of the project?
•From an economic standpoint, how do the IPM systems or practices proposed for implementation, expansion, or adoption in the proposal application compare to others currently available or in use?
•How does the project propose to overcome economic barriers to implementation, expansion, or adoption in the relevant agricultural, urban, or wildland setting? QUESTION 4 – OUTREACH PLAN (20 PERCENT WEIGHT)
What is the proposed outreach plan to promote the IPM system for implementation, expansion, or adoption? What people, expertise, organizations, or networks will comprise the Alliance Team? •Who are the Alliance Team members and what is their expertise and role in the project? •What is the proposed schedule for conducting outreach and who is the targeted audience for each effort?
•What are the methods being used to accomplish the outreach? 12/12/2023 C9 13 of 24
10 •Are there any planned metrics for measuring success of the project and IPM implementation, expansion, or adoption?
SCOPE OF WORK AND BUDGET (20 PERCENT WEIGHT)
Considering all submitted proposal application materials, are the materials and methods sufficient to support the completion of the project?
•Do the outreach methods support the completion of the project’s goals and objectives? •Are the project goals, objectives, tasks, and deliverables clearly stated and reasonably achievable within the grant period?
•Will the successful completion of the tasks achieve the objectives? •Do the principal investigator and key personnel have the background, technical experience, and commitment needed to complete the project?
•Is the budget reasonable to complete the project?
•Does the budget justification and the budget tables worksheet (including any needed subaward budget tables worksheets) appropriately justify project expenses? 12/12/2023 C9 14 of 24
Western Integrated Pest Management Center
2024 Annual Grant Program
Request for Applications
The 2024 Western IPM Center annual grant program uses the proposal management system that requires information for the proposal body be filled into form fields.
Exceptions are the Application Form, Conflict of Interest and Current and Pending Support forms that are supplied as Microsoft Word documents – project directors should have these filled out and uploaded as PDF files. Electronic signatures are acceptable on the Application Form. If you do not have access to the portal to submit your proposal electronically, please contact Matt Baur for assistance (530-750-1271).
Grants available in this RFA include Project Initiation, Work Groups, and Outreach and Implementation. The Planning Documents project type has been moved to a separate RFA that is open all year long. Please see westernipm.org or the newsletter for details.
Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Friday, December 8, 2023.
For electronic applications, applicants must register at https://grants.ipmcenters.org The total amount available this year is approximately $320,000. The maximum award for each project is $40,000.
If you encounter any problems or have questions please contact Western IPM Center Grant Panel Manager Jill Schroeder at [email protected].
Key Dates
October 4: RFA released
November 3: RFA Webinar (2 p.m. Pacific Standard Time)
December 8: Completed application due by 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time Details about the webinar are in the Center’s October newsletter. Visit www.westernipm.org and look under “Publication” to access newsletter issues. 12/12/2023 C9 15 of 24
EXHIBIT 4
Western IPM Center 2024 Annual Grants Program RFA
1 I. SUMMARY
The Western Integrated Pest Management Center (“The Center”) engages a broad diversity of stakeholders in the West to identify strategic directions and set priorities for integrated pest management (IPM) research, education, and extension for pest management in all settings. Through these activities the Center promotes the USDA Research, Education, and Economics Action Plan goals of effective, affordable, and environmentally sound integrated pest management practices and improved response to emerging or reemerging pests of high consequence. The Center supports the National Roadmap for Integrated Pest Management ( http://bit.ly/IPMRoadMap)
The Center works to reduce the risks that pests and pest-management practices pose to people, the environment and the economy of the American West by supporting the development and adoption of integrated pest management. Our vision is a healthier West with fewer pests.
Center grants provide funds to complement other federal, state and private funding sources by supporting project initiation research, outreach and implementation efforts, and work groups. We encourage projects that extend IPM practices to stakeholders who will use IPM strategies to decrease the risks associated with pests and pest management while addressing Center goals.
Available funds. Funding of approximately $320,000 is available for this competitive grant program.
Budget limits are $40,000 per project, and indirect charges of no more than 30% of total federal funds.
Who may apply? Eligible applicants include private individuals and institutions, faculty and qualified staff of two- and four-year universities, businesses and 501(c)3 corporations, commodity organizations, tribal governments and other governmental and non-governmental organizations. The project director (PD) must be in the Western Region, but co-project directors may be from outside the region. The Western Region includes the following states and territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. First Nations should be within this broad geographic area.
Proposal submission. All applications should be submitted through a secure online system at grants.ipmcenters.org. If you need to mail in a copy of the proposal, please contact the grant manager or other Center staff to make arrangements to send in your proposal. Proposal submission must be completed by 5 p.m. PST, Friday, December 8, 2023.
Proposal timeline. Projects must start March 1, 2024 and end by February 28, 2025.
II. GENERAL INFORMATION
Regional Importance and Center Priorities
Stakeholders from the 17 Western states and Pacific Island territories and First Nations identify priorities for the Western IPM Center, and the Center is committed to addressing those pest management needs.
The following are regional priorities established by the Western IPM Center Advisory Committee and stakeholders, and proposals should specifically address one or more of these priorities. 12/12/2023 C9 16 of 24
Western IPM Center 2024 Annual Grants Program RFA
2 The list below is not ranked and explanations are to illustrate concepts and for clarity and are not designed to be all-encompassing or exclusionary.
IPM for Indigenous, Insular and Isolated People – Promoting IPM for underserved communities and audiences.
IPM in Changing Landscapes – Creating IPM tools and tactics for landscapes changed by natural forces, including climate and fire.
IPM Culture and Capacity – Enhancing the acceptance of IPM, strengthening the networks, structures and institutions that promote it, and developing new scientists to lead it.
IPM in New Places – Promoting IPM to new, challenging and changing industries, such as animal agriculture, aquaculture, chemically intensive cropping systems, urban farming, indoor production, etc.
Invasive Species – Creating IPM responses to invasive pests and resurgent native pests disrupting IPM programs.
Biological Control of Pests – For insects, weeds, diseases and vertebrate pests IPM and Ecosystem Services – Using IPM to protect and promote ecosystem services in managed and natural landscapes.
Soil-Borne Pest Management – Developing IPM tactics to manage soil-borne pests.
Urban Pest Management – Promoting IPM for homes, schools and communities, including the safe use of pesticides in homes and gardens.
New Technologies to Manage Pests – Developing novel and non-traditional approaches to managing insects, weeds, diseases and vertebrate pests.
IPM for Pest-Resistance Management – Developing IPM tools and techniques to reduce pest development of resistance.
While not required, proposals that actively involve potential end-users – farmers and ranchers, pest control advisors (PCAs), pest control professionals (PCPs), independent crop consultants, land managers, school or housing administrators, etc. – are encouraged.
III.REGIONAL INVOLVEMENT
The Center grant program seeks to support collaboration among states, islands, territories and First Nations so projects should have participants from multiple states, territories, islands, and/or First Nations or clearly demonstrate that the project will be of regional benefit. Exceptions are allowed when applicant can document that the host/pest combination is locally important only. If you have questions about the regional requirement, please contact the grant manager listed below. 12/12/2023 C9 17 of 24
Western IPM Center 2024 Annual Grants Program RFA
3 IV. MATCHING FUNDS
No matching funds are required.
V. RESOURCES
Recipients of Western IPM Center grants are held to the NIFA Agency Specific Terms and Conditions available at nifa.usda.gov/terms-and-conditions. Additional information about these terms and conditions can also be found at https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/
Complimentary to the Code of Federal Regulations and the Agency Specific Terms and Conditions, the NIFA Federal Assistance Policy Guide also provides direction for recipients of NIFA-funded grants and is available at nifa.usda.gov/policy-guide
IPM Assessment Toolkit. The toolkit for assessing IPM outcomes is available at ipmimpact.ucanr.edu The toolkit is a rich source of information and guidance about evaluation methodology. Please refer to this website or other similar sociological references and scientists as needed to assist you.
Western IPM Center Signature Programs
Western IPM Center Signature Programs provide support to foster collaborations. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with the Risk Communication Signature Program, the Crop Pest-Loss and Impact Assessment Signature Program, the Protocols for Responding to Invasive Species in the West Signature Program, or the Climate-based Decision Tools Signature Program where appropriate. For more information on Signature Programs, see the Center Projects section of the westernipm.org website.
Multistate Project Work Groups
Multistate project work groups supported by the Associations of Agriculture Experiment Station Directors are formed to collaborate in projects that two or more states share as a priority. Western IPM Center-funded projects are encouraged to leverage resources from multistate project work groups.
Some examples include:
W3008: Integrated Onion Pest and Disease Management
W4185: Biological Control in Pest Management Systems of Plants W4186: Variability, Adaptation and Management of Nematodes Impacting Crop Production WERA 11 Western Regional Turfgrass Research
WERA 77 Managing Invasive Weeds in Wheat
WERA 1017 Coordination of IPM Research, Extension and Education in the West WERA 1021 Spotted Winged Drosophila Biology, Ecology and Management
Multistate project work group details are listed at http://www.nimss.org/ .
VI. TYPES OF PROJECTS
The types of projects that may be funded through the Western IPM Center grants program are Project Initiation, Work Groups, and Outreach and Implementation. The maximum award on these projects is $40,000.
If you wish to submit applications for more than one project or project type, you must submit separate applications.
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4 Project Initiation
Project Initiation proposals test new IPM research ideas. Project Initiation activities are proof-of- concept, preliminary experiments focused on developing, facilitating or catalyzing novel IPM solutions to priority issues. Applicants should identify the benefits that could be realized if their researched IPM solutions prove to be successful.
Work Groups
Work group projects assemble a diverse group of stakeholders to collaboratively address a regional IPM priority. Multi-state work groups address information, resource and research needs in region-wide or broad-area categories and enhance communication and collaboration within the region. Work groups outputs often include proposals for future funding. Student participation, and participation by potential end-users (farmers and ranchers, land managers, school and housing administrators, etc.) is strongly encouraged.
Previously funded IPM work groups must apply for renewal each year and funding will be based on the merit of the proposal and accomplishments from prior funding periods. Applications for work group renewal must be received by the application due date. They will be evaluated in competition with the other applications and will be reviewed according to the same criteria as new applications. Work group renewal applications must include a brief progress report documenting accomplishments of the last funding cycle. Please upload this progress report to the supporting documents section of the grant submission and referenced in the project narrative text.
Outreach and Implementation
Outreach and Implementation projects build on previous IPM research by providing outreach to stakeholders to encourage the adoption and implementation of IPM practices. Outreach and implementation grants may be initiated by someone involved in earlier research, or may be proposed by applicants based on the research done by another scientist or group. Examples include, but are not limited to workshops, demonstration projects, printed documents and online IPM resources.
A goal of outreach and implementation projects should be the increased adoption of IPM practices in agricultural, community or natural settings. The target audience, distribution plan for project products, and evaluation plan to assess knowledge or behavior change among the target audience must be clearly articulated.
VII. EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA
A panel of reviewers will evaluate all applications. Most reviewers are from outside the Western Region, so when writing the proposal narrative and your biosketch, do not assume that reviewers will be familiar with Western crops, pest or conditions, or your program, abilities or past accomplishments.
The review panel will score applications using the Proposal Score Sheet below. Projects are evaluated and scored against all applications received, not just against proposals within a specific project type.
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5 PROPOSAL SCORE SHEET
Criterion Project Initiation Work Group Outreach & Implementation Preparation
(10 points)
• Information is clearly presented
• Meets all format requirements with all required forms and components included Problem and
justification
(20 points)
• Proposal identifies project type, lists one or more regional priority areas addressed by the project (listed on Page 2), and describes how the project will address the Center priorities. • Proposal cites specific stakeholder priorities and needs and documents stakeholder participation • Proposal documents regional collaboration or that the crop/pest combination only occurs locally Potential for
Success (25
points)
-Objective
-Approach
-Procedures
• Objectives logically target a
solution to the problem
• Approach likely to result in
novel, effective solutions to
important IPM issues
• Procedures are linked to
objectives and likely to result in
clear evidence with respect to
problem
• Timeline and scale of project
reasonable
• Collaborators have agreed to
participate through a letter of
support
• Objectives are either new
or significantly expand a
previous effort
• Composition of the work
group has the potential to
coordinate regionally and
catalyze solutions to
complex IPM issues
• Procedures linked to
objectives
• Timeline and scale of
project reasonable
• Collaborators have agreed
to participate through a
letter of support
• Objectives logically focus on a
solution to the problem
• Project clearly identifies the
audience targeted by the outreach
and implementation efforts
• Procedures are linked to
objectives
• Target audience (stakeholders)
have documented a desire for
products and willingness to
implement IPM solutions
Historically
Underserved
Stakeholders
(10 points)
• The project is led by or involves historically underserved stakeholders who have had limited participation in, or have received limited benefits from USDA programs. This includes limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers/landowners, and EPSCoR states. • The proposal must provide evidence of a specific relationship in the Key Personnel section or provide evidence that the underserved audience will be engaged in the Stakeholder Engagement and/or Outputs and Outcomes sections
• Definitions of underserved communities can be found at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing- room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for- underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ and https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/25/executive-order-on- diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce/ • A socially disadvantaged group has been subjected to racial, ethnic, or other prejudice without regard to their individual qualities. Examples include: Pacific Islanders, Alaska Natives, First Nations, Hispanics, and African Americans.
Outputs and
Outcomes (15
points)
• Outputs link to project objectives and are reasonable for the type and scale of the project • Outcomes clearly relate to IPM Center priorities
• Methods and indicators for measuring outcomes are clearly described Expertise &
Participation
(15 points)
• Biosketches demonstrate necessary expertise to successfully complete the project • The project actively involves end-users (farmers and ranchers, land managers, school and housing administrators, etc.) and students, as appropriate
• The proposal describes how stakeholders will be involved in the project • Evidence of a specific relationship with an underserved group should be provided if the project is focused on historically underserved stakeholders
Budget (5
points)
• Budget is well-defined and within the project funding limits described in this RFA • Proposed project costs are reasonable, allocable and allowable per Title 2: 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards • Budget narrative follows the order of the budget form and fully justifies budget items
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6 Rubric for Underserved Stakeholder Engagement
Clearly Identified Can be inferred Not addressed
Stakeholder group(s) 2 1 0
Stakeholder participation* 2 1 0
Resources or effort directed to stakeholders 2 1 0
Stakeholder letters of support** 2 1 0
Stakeholders are traditionally underserved*** 2 1 0
*Stakeholders are listed as collaborators or key personnel **Letters of support on organization letterhead – 2 pts; email correspondence -1 pt, none – 0 pts ***Underserved communities or persons with limited participation in USDA programs, EPSCoR states and socially disadvantaged groups
VIII. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Applications are due by 5 p.m. PST, Friday, December 8, 2023.
Applicants will have to register at grants.ipmcenters.org and applications will be submitted there.
Application Form
Project information and certifications such as compliance with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), and Audit and Financial Certification are included in the Application Form. The form should be signed by the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). Electronic signatures are acceptable.
Project Narrative (Limit 4,250 words):
Project Summary (500 words)
Provide a concise summary of the project proposal
Problem and Justification (word limit 1000)
Describe the problem and how this project is expected to contribute to addressing it. Include the project type, citations that document the stakeholder-identified needs addressed by the proposed project, and the regional priority area or areas the project addresses. How will this proposed work integrate into your overall IPM program and goals? How will the project address Western IPM Center priorities? Any tables or figures presented as background information should be placed in a file, uploaded into the Supporting Documents Section, and referenced in the text.
Stakeholder Engagement (250 words)
What is the role of stakeholders in this project?
Objectives (word limit 500)
Include a concise, complete, logically arranged and numbered series of statements defining the objectives of the project. The nature of the project and its objectives will determine the ease of 12/12/2023 C9 21 of 24
Western IPM Center 2024 Annual Grants Program RFA
7 predicting success, but where feasible, indicate the likelihood of achieving the objectives in a specified length of time.
Procedures (word limit 1,000)
Include a numbered procedure statement corresponding with each numbered objective that outlines the working plans and methods designed to achieve each objective. The procedure statement must show that the proposed work has the potential to accomplish the objectives.
Timelines are effective in demonstrating when stages of the project are expected to be completed.
Outputs (Word limit 250)
What will the project produce? Outputs may include publications in peer reviewed or other professional or non-professional journals, grant proposals, workshops, conferences, demonstrations, presentations at professional science society, extension or other meetings or field days, training materials, signage, websites, technical reports, and white papers. Identify the target audiences for the outputs
Outcomes (Word limit 500)
Proposals must address two key points in this section: (1) expected outcomes and how the outcomes relate to the Western IPM Center priorities identified above, and (2) methods and indicators to measure progress towards the expected outcomes.
Outcomes are the results or changes among individuals, groups, communities, systems or society that may be influenced by your outputs. Use of the terms "outcomes" and "impacts" can vary. But for the purposes of this program, outcomes are defined as follows.
• Short-term outcomes are related to learning: Changes in awareness, knowledge, attitude, skills, opinions, aspirations, and motivations of the target audience. • Medium-term outcomes are related to actions: Behaviors, practices, decisions made, polices affected or social actions taken by members of the target audience. • Long-term outcomes are related to conditions changes: social, economic, or environmental conditions that change as a result of actions taken by end-users.
Project directors can collect data to evaluate changes in learning, action, or condition, OR collect baseline data that can be used later to measure future changes in learning, action or condition.
Additional information concerning evaluation methodology can be found at ipmimpacts.ucanr.edu.
Although not required, a logic model can be an effective tool to demonstrate how this specific project fits into an overall program or larger project and how this projects accomplishes regional goals. If the application includes a logic model, please upload the PDF document into the supporting documents section and reference it in the text.
Cooperation of Key Personnel and Institutional Units Involved (250 words) Identify key personnel and each institutional unit contributing to the project. In multiple- institution applications, each institution must be identified, and the lead institution designated.
The Project Director and Co-Project Directors are the project leaders who are directly 12/12/2023 C9 22 of 24
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8 responsible for completing the objectives of the project. The Project Director and Co-Project Directors must each provide a biosketch that documents evidence of their expertise related to the project as proposed. Collaborators are also considered key personnel; these individuals will be providing assistance needed to complete the objectives of the project. Collaborators do not need to provide a biosketch but can be included if it provides additional support for appropriate expertise on the project.
Applications must clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each person and institutional unit of the project team, if applicable.
If the project includes consulting, collaborative, or sub-contract arrangements, such agreements must be fully explained and justified in the budget narrative. Please include an estimate of any significant time involvement by a collaborator that is not defined in the budget request.
Evidence must be provided that the project co-directors and collaborators involved have agreed to render these services. Acceptable documentation for this purpose includes letters of intent or statements of work from the individual or organization. Copies of either letters or email messages from the project co-directors and collaborators will suffice for this purpose. Letters of intent or letters of support from stakeholders should be included in the Supporting Documents Section.
Literature Cited (1,000 words)
Please provide citations for any literature cited in the proposal.
Budget
The budget needs to include the following sections that apply to the proposed project: Indirect costs; Materials and supplies; Other direct costs; Outreach; Personnel - Salaries/Wages and Fringe Benefits; Printing and Publication Costs; Subcontracts/Cooperating Institutions; Subcontracts/Mini-grants; Travel. The budget form must be followed by a narrative that fully justifies each of the budget items and follows the order of the budget form.
Conflict of interest (COI) and Current and Pending (C&P)
COI and C&P forms need to be filled out by the Project Director and each co-Project Director and uploaded as a single pdf file into the grant management system.
Supporting Documents
Please include letters of support from project partners and stakeholders. The project partner letters and stakeholder support letters should be collated into separate PDF files (one for project partners and the other for stakeholder support letters) and uploaded into the appropriate sub-sections.
Tables, figures, and illustrations should be collated into a PDF file and uploaded into the labelled sub-section.
All other supporting documents, such as a logic model, should be collated into a single PDF file and uploaded into the labelled sub-section.
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9 IX. FINAL REPORT
A final report must be submitted into the portal at grants.ipmcenters.org no later than 60 days after the expiration of the project.
X. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
Applicants will have to register at grants.ipmcenters.org and applications are submitted there.
If you have questions or problems with the submission system, contact Jill Schroeder, Grant Program Manager
Western Integrated Pest Management Center
Email: [email protected]
www.westernipm.org
The Regional IPM Centers are supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and comply with the USDA-NIFA nondiscrimination policy ( www.csrees.usda.gov/about/nondiscrimination.html) . 12/12/2023 C9 24 of 24