October 6, 2014
KANSAS CORN COMMISSION SPONSORED
RESEARCH/EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY
To:
All Interested Parties
From:
Sue Hardman – Programs Manager
Re:
Proposals for the Kansas Corn Commission for Fiscal Year 2016.
Please bring this request for Proposals to the attention of the faculty and other
interested parties.
The deadline for submitting Proposals to the Kansas Corn Commission is
November 7, 2014. They may be submitted via email to me
(shardman@ksgrains.com) with the proposal attached as a PDF or word processing file
which will include the signed cover page.
Please follow the “Proposal Instructions”. Note the length is limited to five pages
plus the cover page. The “Request for Proposals” has been revised by the
commission, so please review carefully. The areas in bold specify higher priorities for
the Kansas Corn Commission. Fewer, larger projects that are multi-disciplinary are
welcome and encouraged.
KANSAS CORN COMMISSION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FISCAL YEAR 2016
The Kansas Corn Commission is soliciting research and education Proposals for FY
2016. Proposals are due at the Commission by November 7, 2014. An individual may
be listed as lead principal investigator on only one proposal, but may be a secondary
principal investigator on multiple proposals. Please note that the following topics are of
significant importance and Proposals identifying these topics are more likely to receive
funding.
Proposals will be accepted and given priority in the following areas:
1.
Value-Added Projects
The proposal program should be commercially significant and have the potential to use
large quantities of corn. Proposals having principal investigators from at least two
disciplines plus private entity cooperation are preferred. The research must address at
least one of the following topics:
a. Identify additional value-added uses of the chemicals/components of the corn
plant.
b. Opportunities for alternative ethanol uses and/or blends.
c. Identify additional value-added uses of distiller’s grains.
2.
Marketing Extension Program and Transportation
The proposed program should include extensive educational training of corn pricing,
crop disappearance/market share, risk management and crop insurance options, yield
protection, farm program considerations and options in marketing available to Kansas
Corn producers.
3.
Production/Environmental Programs
Proposals should address cropping systems for the Kansas corn industry for the year
2016 and beyond and should focus on the most economical/efficient cropping systems
with minimal impact on the environment. Proposals that take into consideration
technology advances i.e. drought tolerant corn, are of interest to the commission.
Proposals having principal investigators from at least two disciplines are preferred and
must include an economic impact analysis. Proposals should address either of the
following topics:
a. Best management practices (BMPs) for corn production in Kansas to minimize
the impact of nutrient elements and pesticides on the environment; compare new
BMPs to current ones with verification of the on-site benefits to water quality (this
includes monitoring runoff samples for specific nutrients and pesticides);
(preferences will be given to multi-disciplinary research/extension team projects)
crop protection/pest management; replacement of existing controls/seed
treatments.
b. Irrigation efficiency/sprinkler efficiency. Projects looking at improving water
usage to preserve resources like the Ogallala Aquifer. Projects to determine
the best use of irrigation with new drought tolerant crop technologies.
PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS
The following instructions are provided to aid in the preparation of project Proposals.
Failure to follow these instructions may eliminate your proposal from further
consideration.
1.
Estimated Period of Performance.
We anticipate awards will be announced in January 2015. We further anticipate
contracts shall begin on or about July 1, 2015, with quarterly reports required and a
final report due no later than June 30, 2016. If this contract period is not the most
suitable for completing the project, recommend a different contract period.
2.
Technical Questions.
All questions pertaining to this solicitation shall be directed to Sue Hardman,
Programs Manager (email shardman@ksgrains.com), at the Kansas Corn
Commission (phone 785-448-6922.)
3.
Submission of Proposals.
The deadline for submitting Proposals to the Kansas Corn Commission is
November 7, 2014. An individual may be listed as the lead principal investigator on
only one proposal but be listed as a secondary principal investigator on more than
one proposal.
4.
Proposal Format.
Proposals should be no longer than five (5) pages plus the cover page. Proposals
should be written in lay language and they should contain the following information:
a. Cover Page: Follow the format of the enclosed cover page.
i. Title: The major thrust of the project. Highly technical words or phraseology
should be avoided. No more than 15 words for title.
ii. Principal investigator(s), department, email and telephone number.
d. Objectives: A clear and complete one-sentence statement for each specific,
numbered objective of the project arranged in logical sequence.
e. Procedure: A description of the investigations and/or experiments proposed, the
techniques to be used in carrying out the proposed project, the methods by which
experimental date will be analyzed or interpreted, and the procedures for applying
results or accomplishing technology transfer.
f. Justification: Importance of the issue to the improvement of Kansas corn
production.
g. Project Location(s): Location(s) for field research.
h. Duration of the project (number of years). If this is a multi-year project, which
year does this proposal represent?
i. Budget total: Provide a detailed budget using the template provided indicating
how the requested funds will be used. Indirect costs are not allowed.
j. Facilities and Equipment: Are they adequate to complete the project?
k. Related Information: A summary of the most significant work related to the
project should be described. Provide a brief review of how the proposed project will
supplement previous work.
l. Expected Outcome: Provide a brief description of the expected outcomes of the
proposed research or education program. The expected outcomes may be the
generation of new information as reflected in tangible products such as new
varieties, development and/or acceptance of new methodologies, research,
Extension, or other publications, patents, software, and others. Where feasible,
identify the measurable economic, social and environmental benefits expected to
result from the project. Examples of such benefits include cost savings, enhanced
economic and employment impacts, improved health and nutrition, human or
community development, more efficient natural resource utilization and minimizing
the impact of agriculture on the environment. Identify, where appropriate, the
potential recipients of the benefits such as producers, consumers, taxpayers and
communities. Describe how the results of the research will be communicated to
potential users. If outcomes are not expected during the life of the project, please
develop a schedule.
5.
Project Proposals will be reviewed by the Commission and/or independent
panels using the following criteria:
a. Significance of the proposed project to the topics list for the commission.
b. Likelihood the project will improve the profitability of growers and meet the
expected outcomes of the project.
c. Relationship of proposed research to ongoing and past research.
d. Interdisciplinary expertise/talents are of priority.
e. Facilities and equipment already available.
f. Duration of project.
6.
Funds not used shall be returned to the Commission.
Proposal Cover Page
Project Title:
Proposal to:
Kansas Corn Commission
From:
Funding Period:
Amount
Requested:
Project Status:
New ____
Continuing_____
If Continuing, Year ___ of ____ total years
Lead Investigator
Name, Unit, Email
and Phone:
Other Investigators
Name, Unit, Email
and Phone:
By signature below, I certify that the investigator(s), department head(s), and
appropriate Dean(s)/Director(s) associated with this proposal have indicated their
agreement with the content, procedures, commitments, and obligations included in this
submission. This submission is thus institutionally authorized.
__________________________________
Name, title, institution
Budget
For the period of ______________
Personnel:
Equipment:
Travel:
Supplies and Materials:
Other Expenses:
Total Request:
Per Year
Total