USHBC Production Research

 

            Request for Proposals     Guide to Submission     Memorandum of Agreement     Contact

      

Date:    October 8, 2004

To:       Potential Production Survey Suppliers

From:    USHBC Industry Relations Committee

 

Request for Proposals    

 

You are invited to submit a proposal quantifying North American highbush and lowbush blueberry production for consideration by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). Enclosed are guidelines for you, or your affiliates, to use in submitting a proposal to the USHBC. As a national research and promotion program representing highbush blueberry growers in the United States, the USHBC is supported by production assessments from both domestic and imported highbush blueberries.  USHBC activities are conducted with oversight by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

 

The scope of this project is to determine current and future blueberry crop projections for North America.  Among the goals of this research is to:

 

  • Develop a system to capture accurate current highbush and lowbush production data and future projections both domestically and internationally.
  • On a region-by-region basis, determine current acreage, production, blueberry varieties and age of plants.
  • Develop future projections of new plantings, particularly in the Western United States and British Columbia, over the next five and ten year periods.

 

Highbush blueberries are currently commercially produced in 35 states.  British Columbia is the major highbush blueberry producer in Canada. More than 90% of U.S production comes from the top six production states of Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, North Carolina, Georgia and Washington.  Maine is the primary producer of lowbush (wild blueberries) with the remainder of the lowbush crop sourced from the eastern Canadian provinces. Additional details concerning the blueberry industry can be found on our website at www.blueberry.org.

 

The USHBC will eventually build a knowledge base of future crop projections for Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and South America.  Though this phase of our study will not be addressed in the current request for proposals, your thoughts as to how we might address the international aspects of blueberry production in the future would be welcome. Successful applicants may be requested to present their findings at the annual USHBC meeting held each year in late February or early March.

 

The timeline for the application process follows:

  • Request for Proposals:                           October 8, 2004
  • Proposal Submission Deadline:               January 17, 2005
  • Funding Notification:                              March 1, 2005

 

 

Proposals will be reviewed by the USHBC Industry Relations Committee for recommendation to the USHBC Council for final proposal approval and funding.   Those submitting the winning proposal will be required to submit their proposal in the USDA format and sign a USDA Memorandum of Agreement prior to funding.  For reference, a draft copy of the Memorandum of Agreement is included with the enclosed Guide to Submission of Research Proposals or can be downloaded from the USHBC website at www.blueberry.org.

 

At the present time, the committee is estimating a budget of up to $15,000 for this project.  For proposals that address exceptional added opportunities, additional funding may be available.

 

It is preferred that proposals be submitted electronically to:

mnezbeth@ushbc.org

Subject:  Production Research

 

CD’s, disks or hard copies of the proposal may be mailed to:

USHBC Industry Relations Committee

2390 East Bidwell Street, Suite #300

Folsom, California 95630

 

 

 

Guide to Submission of Blueberry Production Research Proposals

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

 

This format is recommended for proposals submitted to the USHBC.  Proposals that do not adequately address these points may not be considered for funding:

 

  1. Title Page:  Include name of researcher(s), affiliation(s), address, email, phone and fax numbers.
  2. Objectives:  Objectives should be stated in a logical sequence.
  3. Procedure:  Sufficient details of procedures should be given to allow the committee to evaluate the proposal.  All proposals should contain a description of design and implementation
  4. Timetable:  A timetable should be included which details the project completion date and anticipated submission of the final report.  If funding is for multiple years, the researcher should provide dates when progress reports will be issued.
  5. Budget:  The budget should contain a list of expenditures detailed as to material, labor, supplies and maintenance, equipment, overhead and other miscellaneous costs.  Please include in a separate line-item cost a one-time presentation to the USHBC during either its spring or fall meeting at a location to be determined.  Note that overhead costs for USHBC projects are limited to the USDA standard of 11%.
  6. References Cited
  7. Memorandum of Agreement:  Each proposal must contain the signatures of the chairman of the department, the dean of the college, or the head of the division.  If the proposal is accepted, the researcher (Contractor) will be required to submit a Memorandum of Agreement to the USHBC.  This agreement details specific requirements that must be met in order for the USHBC to approve any project.  An example of a draft of the required Memorandum of Agreement is attached to these guidelines for Contractor reference in preparing the final agreement.  Recipients of multiple year funding agree to provide the USHBC with annual progress reports.
  8. Personnel:  Personnel other than the principal investigator(s) should be listed, along with their responsibilities relating to the project. 
  9. Vitae:  A brief vitae of the principal investigator(s) would be useful to the committee.  Please include previous published projects that are most relevant to the current proposal.

 

Final Reports:  Acceptance of funding commits the principal investigator(s) to submitting a final report to the committee for distribution to the members of the USHBC.  This report should contain a brief introduction, a description of research design, a summary of results and any conclusions. 

 

Continuation of Funding:  Projects originally designated for one year of funding may receive additional funding if warranted.  A budget for an additional year of funding should be included, as well as how an additional year will further add to the results.

 

Annual Report:  If the project extends to multiple years, an annual report should be submitted by January 15th.  The annual reports must be submitted in order for a proposal to be considered for continued funding. 

 

Notification of Funding:  The researcher will be notified within 45 days of the USHBC Spring Meeting as to the committee’s decision. 

 

 

It is preferred that all proposals be submitted electronically to:

mnezbeth@ushbc.org

Subject:  Production Research

 

CD’s, disks, or hard copies may be mailed to:

USHBC Industry Relations Committee

2390 East Bidwell Street, Suite #300

Folsom, California 95630

 

 

 

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

DRAFT

 

 

This AGREEMENT is entered into by and between the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), hereinafter referred to as the “Council”, and (insert name of researcher or organization conducting the project), hereinafter referred to as the “Contractor”.

 WHEREAS, the project entered into by means of this Agreement is of mutual interest and benefit to the Council and to the Contractor

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

  

  1. STATEMENT OF WORK.  The Contractor agrees to use its best efforts to perform the project described in Appendix A hereof. (Contractor is to attach as an appendix page to this agreement a complete project proposal which includes, but is not limited to, complete details concerning principal investigators, co-investigators/collaborators; project start and completion dates; objective of the project; justification; project hypothesis, description and research design; schedule of progress reports; budget and payment schedule). Contractor will make brief progress reports of the project periodically to Council and a final report will be rendered on completion of the project.

 

  1. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR.  (List names of researchers involved in this study)  The Contractor will primarily rely on in-house staff to undertake project assignments. However, the Contractor retains the right to subcontract specific tasks to outside parties.  Should the Contractor elect to subcontract specific tasks, subcontractors will be subject to the same contractual terms as the Contractor in regard to reporting and record keeping, travel expenses, title of property, confidential information, influencing legislation and/or influencing governmental policy or action, and following Federal Civil Rights policies.  The Contractor will be fully responsible for the quality of all work products.

 

  1. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.  Work will commence from the date of contract signature and upon written contract approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) until the project completion. Work undertaken prior to contract approval by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is at the own risk of the Contractor, as the Council is not financially liable if AMS does not approve the contract. The project will be conducted during the period of (insert specific dates for initiation and completion of the project).

 

  1. PROJECT COSTS AND PAYMENTS.  Council will pay Contractor the initial sum of $(insert dollar amount) upon final agreement approval and signature for costs to be incurred to initiate the project, and $(insert dollar amount) upon successful completion of the project as detailed in the Budget section of Appendix A.  No expenses paid by the Council to the Contractor shall be used in any manner for the purpose of the influencing of legislation and/or the influencing of governmental policy or action.

 

  1. TAX EXEMPT STATUS.  The Contractor must inform vendors/subcontractors of the Council’s tax-exempt status and all vendors and subcontractors are subject to the same terms and conditions as the Contractor.

 

  1. FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS POLICIES.  The Contractor agrees that during the performance of this Agreement, it shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status. The Contractor agrees that it will fully comply with any and all applicable Federal, State, and local equal employment opportunity statues, ordinances, and regulations, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and the Equal Pay Act of 1963.  Nothing in this section shall require the Contractor to comply with or become liable under law, ordinance, regulation, or rule that does not otherwise apply to the Contractor.

 

 

  1. PROPERTY. The Council will have sole ownership of all materials purchased for this project. All non-proprietary information collected as part of the project will be the property of the Council. (Note: This does not apply for contracts with USDA Agricultural Research Service and may not apply to contracts with University researchers.)

 

  1. COPYRIGHT/TRADEMARKS. The Council reserves the right to copyright or trademark any or all materials developed under this agreement. (Note:  This does not apply for contacts with USDA Agricultural Research Service and may not apply to contacts with University researchers.)   

 

  1. PUBLICATIONS/DELIVERABLES.  The Principal Investigator may publish results from this project; however, USDA AMS must review all publications/deliverables prior to publication or use.  Under no circumstances can a contract agency release any materials, data, information or other deliverables to anyone other than the Council without USDA AMS review and approval. 

 

  1. BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Contractor must (a) maintain accurate records, books, and documents involving transactions relating to the agreement and (b) retain the records, books, and documents for three (3) years.  Records, books and documents may be subject to inspection and audit by a representative of the Secretary of Agriculture.

 

  1. INDEMNIFICATION.  (a) The Contractor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Council and the Secretary and their affiliates, members, officers, directors, agents, and employees against all losses, damages, liabilities, cost or expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees (collectively, losses), resulting from all claims, proceedings, investigations, or actions (collectively, claims) arising out of or in connection with the contract and the services rendered by the Contractor.  This indemnification obligation shall survive the expiration or termination of this contact. (b) The Council agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Contractor against all losses resulting from claims arising out of or in connection with Council-supplied products or materials, or representations concerning the Council, or its services or products, to the extent furnished or prepared by or at the Councils request for use by the Contractor, including, without limitations, infringement upon intellectual property of other proprietary rights.  This indemnification obligation shall survive the expiration or termination of this contract.

 

 

  1. TERMINATION. The Council and the USDA reserve the right, at their own discretion and for any reason deemed by them to be sufficient, to cancel or modify the project after the date of contract signature.  In such event, it is agreed that the Council is liable for all commitments made prior to cancellation or modification and shall reimburse the Contractor for all reasonable amounts due or owing in accordance with this contract at the time of said termination.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused these presents to be executed.

 

U.S. HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY COUNCIL                   (Name Of Contracting Organization)

 

 

___________________________________                       _______________________________

USHBC Executive Director                                            (Authorized Signature)

 

___________________________________                       _______________________________     

USHBC            Chairman                                                          (Printed Name/Title)

 

Date: ____________________                                        Date:____________________

 

 

 

 Contact:

 

U.S. HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY COUNCIL

2390 East Bidwell Street, Suite 300    Folsom, California 95630

Phone (916) 983-0111     Fax (916) 983-9022     Web Site: http://www.bluebery.org 

(e-mail)