81 FR 69999 - General Administrative Policy for Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreements

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 196 (October 11, 2016)

This final rule amends ARS regulations and adopts the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance entitled, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,'' as the uniform guidance within the REE mission area on the use, award, and administration of non-assistance cooperative agreements awarded pursuant to National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. It thereby gives regulatory effect to the OMB guidance.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 11, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69999-70004]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23884]



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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 11, 2016 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 69999]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service

7 CFR Part 550

RIN-0518-AA06


General Administrative Policy for Non-Assistance Cooperative 
Agreements

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service, (ARS), Research, Education, and 
Economics (REE), Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final rule amends ARS regulations and adopts the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance entitled, ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards,'' as the uniform guidance within the REE mission 
area on the use, award, and administration of non-assistance 
cooperative agreements awarded pursuant to National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. It thereby gives 
regulatory effect to the OMB guidance.

DATES: This final rule is effective October 11, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Hicks, 301-504-1141, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 1424 of the Food Security Act of 1985, Public Law 99-198, 
amended Section 1472(b) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3318(b)) to 
authorize the Secretary to use a cooperative agreement as a legal 
instrument reflecting a relationship between the Secretary and a State 
cooperative institution, State department of agriculture, college, 
university, other research or educational institution or organization, 
Federal or private agency or organization, individual, or any other 
party, if the Secretary determines (a) the objectives of the agreement 
will serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in 
agricultural research, extension, and teaching activities, including 
statistical reporting; and (b) all parties will contribute resources to 
the accomplishment of those objectives.
    The cooperative agreements authorized by 7 U.S.C. 3318(b) have been 
determined to be neither procurement nor assistance in nature and, 
therefore, not subject to the provisions of Federal Grant and 
Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 or the OMB Uniform Administrative 
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal 
Awards codified at 2 CFR part 200. Many of the standards and provisions 
of the OMB grants management circulars were adopted in whole or in part 
in 7 CFR part 550. Subparts A through D of Part 550, consisting of 
sections 550.1 through 550.62, included specific provisions of Federal 
assistance regulations and cost principles because they embody 
principles of good management and sound financial stewardship important 
to all Federal assistance and non-assistance awards.
    Although the non-assistance cooperative agreements described in 
this rule are substantially different than the Federal assistance-type 
cooperative agreements used by most Federal awarding agencies, as a 
matter of good business practice REE is amending 7 CFR part 550 to 
adopt 2 CFR part 200, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,'' (78 FR 78589) 
published on December 26, 2013, as supplemented by this part, and to 
update and streamline the existing REE administrative requirements 
applicable to non-assistance cooperative agreements. This rulemaking 
will reduce administrative burden for non-Federal entities receiving 
Federal funds under non-assistance cooperative agreements while 
reducing the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse. Accordingly, proper use 
of these non-assistance cooperative agreements promote and facilitate 
partnerships between the REE Agency and the Cooperator in support of 
research, extension, and education projects of mutual benefit to each 
party.

List of Subjects in Part 550

    Agricultural research, Non-assistance, Procedural rules, Research, 
Science, Technology.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of 
Agriculture, REE, revises 7 CFR part 550 to read as follows:

PART 550--GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY FOR NON-ASSISTANCE 
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

Sec.
550.100 Purpose and scope.
550.101 Definitions.
550.102 Applicability.
550.103 Eligibility.
550.104 Competition.
550.105 Duration.
550.106 Mutuality of interest.
550.107 Exceptions.
550.108 Conflicting policies and deviations.
550.109 Formation of non-assistance cooperative agreements.
550.110 Certifications and compliance with statutory and national 
policy requirements; REE conflict of interest policy.
550.111 Project supervision and responsibilities.
550.112 Administrative supervision.
550.113 Rules of the workplace.
550.114 Availability of funds.
550.115 Payment.
550.116 Prior approvals.
550.117 Program income.
550.118 Peer review.
550.119 Publications and audiovisuals.
550.120 Press releases.
550.121 Advertising.
550.122 Vesting of title.
550.123 Financial reporting.
550.124 Technical and property reporting requirements.

    Authority:  Section 1472(b) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 3318(b)).


Sec.  550.100  Purpose and scope.

    (a) Purpose. This part adopts the OMB guidance in subparts A 
through F of 2 CFR part 200, as supplemented by this part, as REE 
policies and procedures for non-assistance cooperative agreements 
executed under the authority of Section 1472(b) of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as 
amended (7 U.S.C 3318(b)). It thereby makes applicable for REE non-
assistance cooperative

[[Page 70000]]

agreements the OMB guidance, as supplemented by this part.
    (b) Scope. The REE Agencies subject to this rule include ARS, 
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Economics Research 
Service (ERS), and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture 
(NIFA). These agreements are neither procurement nor assistance in 
nature, and therefore, are not subject to the Federal Grant and 
Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977.


Sec.  550.101  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    Agency Principal Investigator means the REE Agency technical 
representative, acting within the scope of delegated authority, who is 
responsible for participating with the cooperator in the accomplishment 
of a non-assistance cooperative agreement's objective(s), and 
monitoring and evaluating the cooperator's performance (i.e., ARS PI).
    Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) means the REE Agency's 
official with delegated authority to negotiate, award, administer, and 
terminate non-assistance cooperative agreements.
    Award means an executed non-assistance cooperative agreement.
    Cooperator means an eligible entity, as defined in 7 U.S.C. 
3318(b), who enters into a non-assistance cooperative agreement with a 
REE Agency to further research, extension, or teaching programs in the 
food and agricultural sciences.
    Cooperator resource contributions means a real and substantial 
contribution of resources (more than nominal), in furtherance of the 
objective(s) of the award, in order to evoke a partnership such that 
all parties to the agreement have a true stake in the project.
    Funding period means the period of time when Federal funding is 
available for obligation by the cooperator (start date through end 
date).
    Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (NACA) means a legal 
instrument which is neither a procurement contract nor an assistance-
type cooperative agreement, that furthers agricultural research, 
extension, or teaching programs in which the objectives of the 
agreement serve a mutual interest of the parties in agricultural 
research, extension, and teaching activities and all parties contribute 
resources to the accomplishment of those objectives.
    Peer Review is a process utilized by REE Agencies to determine if 
agency sponsored research projects have scientific merit and program 
relevance; to provide peer input, and make improvements to project 
design and technical approaches; and to provide insight on how to 
conduct the highest quality research in support of REE Agency missions 
and programs.
    Principle Investigator (PI) means the individual, designated by the 
cooperator, responsible for directing and monitoring the performance, 
the day-to-day activities, and the scientific and technical aspects of 
the cooperator's portion of a REE funded project. The PI works jointly 
with the REE Agency PI in the development of project objectives and all 
other technical and performance related aspects of the program or 
project. See additional responsibilities of PI in Sec.  550.111 of this 
part.
    REE Agency means the USDA, REE Mission Area agency (ARS, ERS, NASS, 
or NIFA) that enters into a non-assistance cooperative agreement.
    State Cooperative Institution is defined in 7 U.S.C. 3103(18) as 
institutions designated or receiving funds pursuant to the following 
eight statutory requirements, as may be amended:
    (1) The First Morrill Act--The Land Grant Institutions.
    (2) The Second Morrill Act--The 1890 Institutions, including 
Tuskegee University.
    (3) The Hatch Act of March 2, 1887 (24 Stat. 440-442, as amended; 7 
U.S.C. 361a-361i)--The State Agricultural Experiment Stations.
    (4) The Smith-Lever Act of May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 372-374, as 
amended; 7 U.S.C. 341-349)--The State Extension Services.
    (5) The McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act; 16 U.S.C. 582a 
et seq.--Cooperating Forestry Schools.
    (6) Public Law 95-113, Section 1430--A college or university having 
an accredited college of veterinary medicine or a department of 
veterinary science or animal pathology or similar unit conducting 
animal health and disease research in a State Agricultural Experiment 
Station.
    (7) Public Law 95-113, Section 1475(b), as added by Public Law 97-
98, section 1440--Colleges, universities, and Federal laboratories 
having a demonstrated capacity in aquaculture research.
    (8) Public Law 95-113, section 1480, as added by Public Law 97-98, 
section 1440--Colleges, universities, and Federal laboratories having a 
demonstrated capacity of rangeland research.


Sec.  550.102  Applicability.

    This part applies to all REE non-assistance cooperative agreements 
awarded under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 3318(b).


Sec.  550.103  Eligibility.

    REE Agencies may enter into a non-assistance cooperative agreements 
with eligible entities to further research, extension, or teaching 
programs in the food and agricultural sciences. Eligible entities are 
any State agricultural experimental station, State cooperative 
extension service, any college or university, other research or 
education institution or organization, Federal or private agency or 
organization, an individual, or other party, either foreign or 
domestic.


Sec.  550.104  Competition.

    REE Agencies may enter into non-assistance cooperative agreements, 
as authorized by this part, without regard to any requirements for 
competition specified in 2 CFR 200.202 and 200.206. (7 U.S.C. 3318(e)).


Sec.  550.105  Duration.

    REE Agencies may enter into non-assistance cooperative agreements 
for a period not to exceed five years. (7 U.S.C. 3318(c)).


Sec.  550.106  Mutuality of interest.

    The REE Agency must document all parties' interest in the project. 
Mutual interest exists when all parties benefit in the same qualitative 
way from the objectives of the award. If one party to the non-
assistance cooperative agreement would independently have an interest 
in the project, which is shared by the other party, and all parties 
contribute resources to obtain the end result of the project, mutual 
interest exists.


Sec.  550.107  Exceptions.

    This part does not apply to:
    (a) USDA Federal Financial Assistance agreements subject to 2 CFR 
parts 400 and 415;
    (b) Procurement contracts or other agreements subject to the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or the Agriculture Acquisition 
Regulation (AgAR); or
    (c) Agreements providing loans or insurance directly to an 
individual.


Sec.  550.108  Conflicting policies and deviations.

    This part supersedes and takes precedence over any individual REE 
regulations and directives dealing with executed and administered non-
assistance cooperative agreements entered into under the delegated 
authority of 7 U.S.C. 3318(b). This part may only be superseded, in 
whole or in part, by a specifically worded Federal

[[Page 70001]]

statute, regulation, or Executive Order. Deviations from specific 
provisions of part 550 must be authorized by the USDA-REE-
Administrative and Financial Management (AFM)-Financial Management and 
Agreements Division (FMAD), or any successor organization, based on a 
documented justification. In the interest of maximum uniformity, 
exceptions from any requirements of this Part will be permitted only in 
unusual circumstances. Responsibility for developing, interpreting, and 
updating this Part is assigned to the USDA-REE-AFM-FMAD, or any 
successor organization.


Sec.  550.109  Formation of non-assistance cooperative agreements.

    In lieu of 2 CFR 200.201 through 200.204, 200.206, and 200.306, 
this section establishes project development, resource contributions, 
indirect cost reimbursement, and tuition remission provisions for non-
assistance cooperative agreements.
    (a) Project development. REE Agencies provide partial funding to 
cooperators to support research projects that contribute to REE program 
objectives and help carry out the REE mission. The project must consist 
of a project plan and/or statement of work, and a budget as follows:
    (1) Project plan. A project plan must be jointly developed by the 
Agency PI and the cooperator, and be compliant with a REE program 
requirement. The REE Agency may include program-specific requirements, 
as applicable. These requirements should be aligned with Agency 
strategic goals, strategic objectives, or performance goals that are 
relevant to the program.
    (2) Statement of work. A detailed statement of work must be jointly 
planned, developed, and prepared by the cooperator's PI and the Agency 
PI to address the objective(s), approach, statement of mutual interest, 
performance responsibilities (which may include specific performance 
goals, indicators, milestones, or expected outcomes, such as outputs, 
or services performed or public impacts of any of these, with an 
expected timeline for accomplishment), and any mutual agreements.
    (3) Budget. The budget is a funding plan that must be jointly 
developed by the Agency PI and the Cooperator PI. The approved budget 
must identify the cooperator resource contributions, both direct and 
indirect, by budget line item. The cooperator must provide a budget 
justification/narrative.
    (b) Resource contributions. Each party must contribute resources 
towards the successful completion of the non-assistance cooperative 
agreement.
    (1) Agency resource contributions. The Agency's contribution is the 
Federal share as reflected in the award.
    (2) Cooperator resource contributions. The Cooperator's 
contribution may consist of funds, services, or in-kind contributions, 
must be no less than 20 percent of the total funding provided by the 
REE Agency, and cannot fall below 20 percent of the total Federal 
funding throughout the period of performance. All cooperator 
contributions must consist of a sufficient amount of itemized direct 
costs to demonstrate a true stake in the project, as determined by the 
ADO. All contributions must be documented in the budget and be 
consistent with the cooperator's institution classification of costs.
    (i) Cooperator resource contributions must meet all of the 
following criteria:
    (A) Are verifiable from the Cooperator's records;
    (B) Are not included as contributions for any other Federal award;
    (C) Are necessary and reasonable for accomplishment of project or 
program objectives;
    (D) Are allowable under 2 CFR part 200, subpart E;
    (E) Are not paid by the Federal government under another Federal 
award, except where the Federal statute authorizing a program 
specifically provides that Federal funds made available for such 
program can be applied to cooperator resource contributions of other 
Federal programs;
    (F) Conform to other provisions of this Part, as applicable.
    (ii) Cooperator's share of contributions to the project may 
include:
    (A) Unrecovered indirect costs, including indirect costs of the 
cooperator's resource contributions. Unrecovered indirect cost means 
the difference between the amount charged to the award and the amount 
which could have been charged to the award under the cooperator's 
approved negotiated indirect cost rate.
    (B) Values for cooperator's contributions of services and property, 
established in accordance with 2 CFR 200.434. If the REE Agency 
authorizes the cooperator to donate buildings or land for construction/
facilities acquisition projects or long term use, the value of the 
donated property for cooperator contributions must be the lesser of 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B)(1) or (2) of this section (refer to paragraph 
(b)(2)(ii)(H) of this section for more on the value of donated 
property):
    (1) The value of the remaining life of the property recorded in the 
cooperator's accounting records at the time of donation.
    (2) The current fair market value. However, when there is 
sufficient justification, the REE Agency may approve the use of the 
current fair market value of the donated property, even if it exceeds 
the value described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(B)(1) of this section at 
the time of donation.
    (C) Volunteer services furnished by third-party professional and 
technical personnel, consultants, and other skilled and unskilled 
labor, if the service is an integral and necessary part of an approved 
project or program. Rates for third-party volunteer services must be 
consistent with those paid for similar work by the cooperator. In those 
instances in which the required skills are not found in the cooperator, 
rates must be consistent with those paid for similar work in the labor 
market in which the cooperator competes for the kind of services 
involved. In either case, paid fringe benefits that are reasonable, 
necessary, allocable, and otherwise allowable may be included in the 
valuation. (Refer to paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H) of this section for more 
on third-party in-kind contributions.)
    (D) Donated employee services furnished by third-party 
organization. These services must be valued at the employee's regular 
rate of pay plus an amount of fringe benefits that is reasonable, 
necessary, allocable, and otherwise allowable, and indirect costs at 
either the third-party organization's approved federally negotiated 
indirect cost rate, or, a rate in accordance with 2 CFR 200.414(d), 
provided these services employ the same skill(s) for which the employee 
is normally paid. Where donated services are treated as indirect costs, 
indirect cost rates will separate the value of the donated services so 
that reimbursement for the donated services will not be made. (Refer to 
paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H) of this section for more on third-party in-kind 
contributions.)
    (E) Donated property from third parties, which may include such 
items as office supplies, laboratory supplies, or workshop and 
classroom supplies. Value assessed to donated property included in the 
cooperator contributions must not exceed the fair market value of the 
property at the time of the donation. (Refer to paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(H) 
in this section for more on third-party in-kind contributions.)
    (F) Third-party-donated equipment, buildings and land. The method 
used for determining cooperator contributions for which title passes to 
the cooperator may differ according to the purpose of the Award, if 
paragraph

[[Page 70002]]

(b)(2)(ii)(F)(1) or (2) of this section apply:
    (1) If the purpose of the Federal award is to assist the non-
Federal entity in the acquisition of equipment, buildings or land, the 
aggregate value of the donated property may be claimed as cooperator 
resource contributions.
    (2) If the purpose of the Award is to support activities that 
require the use of equipment, buildings or land, normally only 
depreciation charges for equipment and buildings may be made. However, 
the fair market value of equipment or other capital assets and fair 
rental charges for land may be allowed, provided that the REE Agency 
has approved the charges. See also 2 CFR 200.420.
    (G) The value of donated property must be determined in accordance 
with the usual accounting policies of the cooperator, with the 
following qualifications:
    (1) The value of donated land and buildings must not exceed its 
fair market value at the time of donation to the Cooperator as 
established by an independent appraiser (e.g., certified real property 
appraiser or General Services Administration representative) and 
certified by a responsible official of the cooperator as required by 
the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition 
Policies Act of 1970, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 4601-4655) (Uniform Act) 
except as provided in the implementing regulations at 49 CFR part 24.
    (2) The value of donated equipment must not exceed the fair market 
value of equipment of the same age and condition at the time of 
donation.
    (3) The value of donated space must not exceed the fair rental 
value of comparable space as established by an independent appraisal of 
comparable space and facilities in a privately-owned building in the 
same locality.
    (4) The value of loaned equipment must not exceed its fair rental 
value.
    (H) For third-party in-kind contributions, the fair market value of 
these goods and services must be documented and to the extent feasible 
supported by the same methods used internally by the cooperator.
    (c) Indirect costs and tuition remission--(1) Reimbursement of 
indirect costs. Reimbursement of indirect costs is either prohibited or 
limited as further described in paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iii) of 
this section, and the limit is identified on the approved budget, when 
applicable.
    (i) State cooperative institutions. Payment of indirect costs to 
State cooperative institutions in connection with a non-assistance 
cooperative agreement is prohibited, as described in 7 U.S.C. 3319. 
This prohibition does not apply to funds for international agricultural 
programs conducted by a State cooperative institution and administered 
by the Secretary, or to funds provided by a Federal agency for such 
cooperative program or project through a fund transfer, advance, or 
reimbursement.
    (ii) Non-profit organizations. Payment of indirect costs to non-
profit organizations in connection with a non-assistance cooperative 
agreement is limited to 10 percent of the total direct cost of the 
Award. (Annual Appropriations Bill for Agriculture and Related 
agencies, General Provisions.)
    (iii) All other cooperating entities. With the exception of 
paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, payment of indirect 
costs is allowable in connection with a non-assistance cooperative 
agreement. Reimbursement of indirect costs is limited to the 
percentage(s) established in the cooperator's approved negotiated 
indirect cost rate or, if applicable, the de minimis indirect cost 
rate.
    (2) Tuition remission. Reimbursement of tuition expenses to State 
cooperative institutions in connection with non-assistance cooperative 
agreements is prohibited. (7 U.S.C. 3319)
    (d) Terms and conditions. The Agency may impose award-specific 
terms and conditions or require additional assurances when appropriate.


Sec.  550.110  Certifications and compliance with statutory and 
national policy requirements; REE conflict of interest policy.

    (a) Federal statutory and national policy requirements. The 
Cooperator must adhere to and comply with, all statutory and national 
policy requirements of the Federal Government. All signed 
certifications and assurances must be received by the REE Agency prior 
to execution of the award.
    (b) REE conflict of interest policy. (1) The Cooperator must 
disclose in writing any potential conflict of interest to the REE 
awarding agency, prior to award, and when a potential conflict arises 
during NACA period of performance.
    (2) The Cooperator must maintain written standards of conduct 
covering conflicts of interest and governing the performance of their 
employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of 
contracts, and any subawards.


Sec.  550.111  Project supervision and responsibilities.

    (a) The Cooperator is responsible and accountable for the 
performance and conduct of all its employees assigned to the project. 
REE Agencies do not have authority to supervise cooperator employees 
nor engage in the employer/employee relationship.
    (b) The Cooperator PI must:
    (1) Work jointly with the Agency PI on developing the project 
statement of work and budget;
    (2) Assure that technical project performance and financial status 
reports are timely submitted in accordance with the terms and 
conditions of the award;
    (3) Advise the Agency PI of any issues that may affect the timely 
completion of the project (award);
    (4) Assure that appropriate acknowledgements of support are 
included in all publications and audiovisuals, in accordance with Sec.  
550.119 of this part;
    (5) Assure that inventions are appropriately reported, in 
accordance with Sec.  550.124 of this part;
    (6) Upon request, provide the Agency a project plan for use during 
external peer reviews; and
    (7) When appropriate, work with the Agency PI to prepare findings 
for peer-reviewed publication in scientific journals, and make 
presentations/talks to shareholders, etc.


Sec.  550.112  Administrative supervision.

    The Cooperator is responsible for employer/employee relations such 
as personnel, performance, and time management issues. The Cooperator 
is solely responsible for the administrative supervision of its 
employees, even when its employees are working in Agency facilities.


Sec.  550.113  Rules of the workplace.

    Cooperator employees, while engaged in work at REE facilities, will 
abide by the Agency's standard operating procedures with regard to the 
maintenance of laboratory notebooks, dissemination of information, 
equipment operation standards, facility access, hours of work, Federal 
agency required training, and the Rules and Regulations Governing 
Conduct on Federal Property (41 CFR part 102-74, subpart C). Cooperator 
employees will also undergo any background investigations/clearances, 
and submit to any health monitoring medical surveillance requirements 
associated with the REE facility where they will work.


Sec.  550.114  Availability of funds.

    Unless otherwise stated in the agreement, the funding period will 
begin on the start date of the period of performance specified on the 
Award Face Sheet.

[[Page 70003]]

Sec.  550.115  Payment.

    Reimbursement is the standard method of payment for non-assistance 
cooperative agreements. All payments to the Cooperator will be made in 
U.S. dollars by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), utilizing the 
Cooperator's DUNS number and current SAM registration information. The 
method of payment will be identified on the Award Face Sheet and 
includes:
    (a) Electronic payment system. The Agency-accepted electronic 
payment system is the default method of payment.
    (b) EFT/Treasury Check. When the payment method identified on the 
Award Face Sheet is ``EFT/Treasury Check,'' the Cooperator must submit 
invoices to the Agency on the OMB-approved SF-270, ``Request for 
Advance or Reimbursement.'' In addition to the SF-270, the Cooperator 
must provide:
    (1) Total dollar amount requested for reimbursement itemized by 
approved budget categories, including the indirect cost rate for the 
award, when applicable.
    (2) Name, phone number, email address, and the Cooperator's 
financial contact, should the ADO or Agency PI have any invoice 
questions.


Sec.  550.116  Prior approvals.

    (a) Approval. With regard to 2 CFR 200.308(d)(4), prior documented 
approval from the REE Agency ADO is required for all prior approval 
requirements described in paragraph 2 CFR 200.308(d)(2).
    (b) No cost extensions. With regard to 2 CFR 200.308(d)(2), all 
time extensions will only be approved by an amendment to the award. The 
Cooperator shall prepare and submit a written request to the ADO (which 
must be received no later than 10 days prior to the expiration date of 
the award). The request must contain, at a minimum, the following 
information:
    (1) The length of additional time required to complete project 
objectives and a justification for the extension;
    (2) A summary of progress to date (a copy of the most recent 
progress report is acceptable provided the information is current); 
and,
    (3) Signature of the Authorized Representative and the Principal 
Investigator requesting the extension. Any request received by the ADO 
that does not meet this requirement will be returned for the necessary 
signature(s).
    (c) Budget revisions. Budget revisions among direct cost categories 
or programs, functions, and activities for awards in which the Federal 
share of the project exceeds the Simplified Acquisition Threshold and 
the cumulative amount of such transfers exceeds or is expected to 
exceed 10 percent of the total budget as last approved by the REE 
Agency requires prior documented approval.
    (d) Advertising. See Sec.  550.121 of this part.


Sec.  550.117  Program income.

    (a) Use of program income. (1) Program income earned must be added 
to the non-assistance cooperative agreement, unless otherwise specified 
in the award.
    (2) When specified in the award, program income can be used towards 
fulfilling the cooperator's resource contributions for the same award.
    (b) Disclosing program income. The Cooperator must disclose program 
income in financial reports. Refer to Sec.  550.123 of this part.
    (c) Program income closeout. The REE Agency and the Cooperator will 
negotiate appropriate uses of income earned balances, after the period 
of performance, as part of the agreement closeout process.


Sec.  550.118  Peer review.

    Upon request of the REE Agency, Cooperators may be required to 
provide documentation in support of peer review activities, and 
Cooperator's personnel may be requested to participate in peer review 
forums to assist the REE Agency with their reviews.


Sec.  550.119  Publications and audiovisuals.

    In addition to 2 CFR 415.2, ``Acknowledgement of USDA Support on 
Publications and Audiovisuals,'' the Cooperator must adhere to the 
following:
    (a) The REE Agency acknowledgment of support must read: ``This 
material is based upon work supported by the Department of Agriculture, 
(type Agency name) under Agreement No. (type the Federal Award 
Identification Number (FAIN) here).''
    (b) All material described in 2 CFR 415.2 must also contain the 
following disclaimer unless the publication or audiovisual is formally 
cleared by the REE Agency: ``Any opinions, findings, conclusion, or 
recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the 
author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Department of 
Agriculture.''
    (c) Any public or technical information related to work carried out 
under a non-assistance cooperative agreement must be submitted by the 
developing party to the other for advice and comment. Information 
released to the public must describe the contributions of both parties 
to the work effort. In the event of a dispute, a separate publication 
or audiovisual may be made with effective statements of acknowledgment 
and disclaimer.
    (d) The Cooperator must submit to the Agency PI copies of all final 
publications and audiovisuals resulting from the research conducted 
under the non-assistance cooperative agreement.
    (e) REE Agencies and the Federal Government shall enjoy a royalty-
free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or 
otherwise use, and to authorize others to use, for Federal purposes any 
materials developed in conjunction with a non-assistance cooperative 
agreement or contract under such a cooperative agreement.


Sec.  550.120  Press releases.

    Press releases or other forms of public notification for a broad 
public audience will be submitted to the REE Agency for review, prior 
to release to the public. The REE Agency will be given the opportunity 
to review, in advance, all written press releases and any other written 
information (including web content postings) to be released to the 
public by the Cooperator, and require changes as deemed necessary, if 
the material mentions by name the REE Agency, or the USDA, or any REE 
or USDA employee or research unit or location.


Sec.  550.121  Advertising.

    The Cooperator will not refer in any manner to the USDA or any REE 
Agency in connection with the use of the results of the award, without 
prior specific written authorization by the REE Agency. Information 
obtained as a result of the award will be made available to the public 
in printed or other forms by the REE Agency at its discretion. The 
Cooperator will be given due credit for its cooperation in the project. 
Prior approval is required.


Sec.  550.122  Vesting of title.

    Title to equipment and supplies and other tangible personal 
property will vest in the Cooperator as described in 2 CFR 200.313 and 
200.314, unless otherwise specified in the award. (7 U.S.C. 3318(d))


Sec.  550.123  Financial reporting.

    The Cooperator must submit financial reports at the interval 
required by the REE Agency, as identified on the Award Face Sheet, and 
may submit financial reports to the ADO electronically (refer to 2 CFR 
200.335 Methods for collection, transmission, and storage of 
information).
    (a) The OMB-approved SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' may be

[[Page 70004]]

used to report the financial status of an award; however, a financial 
report must contain an itemization of actual dollar amounts expended on 
the project during the reporting period (in line with the approved 
budget), and cumulative totals expended for each budget category from 
the start date of the award.
    (b) Financial reporting due dates:
    (1) Quarterly and semi-annual reports are due no later than 30 
calendar days after the reporting period.
    (2) Annual reports are due no later than 90 days following the end 
of the award anniversary date (i.e., one year following the month and 
day when the period of performance begins, and each year thereafter up 
until a final report is required).
    (c) Final financial report:
    (1) Requests for extensions must be submitted to the ADO.
    (2) Regardless of Agency-provided extensions for submission of the 
final financial report, funds will not be available for any drawdowns/
payments that exceed statutory limits, as well as any expiring 
appropriations.


Sec.  550.124  Technical and property reporting requirements.

    (a) Technical performance report. The Cooperator must submit 
technical performance reports at the interval required by the REE 
Agency, as identified on the Award Face Sheet, and may submit 
performance reports to the REE Agency electronically.
    (1) The performance report must follow the format of the Government 
wide Research Performance Progress Report, and must include the 
information described in 2 CFR 200.328(b)(2)(i) through (iii). (2) The 
final performance report covers the entire period of performance of the 
award, and must describe progress made during the entire timeframe of 
the project.
    (b) Intellectual property reporting. Reporting intellectual 
property resulting from a REE Agency award will be carried out through 
Interagency Edison (iEdison). The non-Federal entity must submit 
Invention Reports and Utilization Reports, including other relevant 
reports, at the iEdison web interface: www.iedison.gov.
    (c) Tangible personal property report. Upon termination or 
expiration of the award, the non-Federal entity must identify personal 
property/equipment purchased with any Federal funds under the award on 
the OMB-approved SF-428, ``Tangible Personal Property Report and 
Instructions.''

    Dated: September 23, 2016.
Catherine Woteki,
Chief Scientist, USDA, Under Secretary, Research, Education, and 
Economics.
[FR Doc. 2016-23884 Filed 10-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-03-P