 |
|
|
Joining the Southern Appalachian-CESU |
|
|
|
|
|
Home > Joining the Southern Appalachian-CESU
|
|
Joining the Southern Appalachian-CESU
|
The SA-CESU is structured as a working collaboration among federal agencies and private sector partners.
If you represent a federal agency, click here.
Read on if you represent a university, state agency, tribe, research institute, NGO, museum, or any type of non-federal entity.
|
|
For all Non-Federal Entities interested in joining the SA-CESU:
What is the benefit in joining the Southern Appalachian CESU?
Private sector organizations or institutes that become partners in the SA-CESU benefit in several ways.
- Collaboration with a federal agency increases the opportunities for other potential research projects. Long term relationships often develop since federal land management agencies have a high interest in researchers with specialized skills or knowledge that are not found within the agency. Multi-agency projects expose the researcher to several agencies and multiple inroads for potential research projects.
- Graduate students benefit from participating in the development of real life research, and the introduction to federal land management agencies as potential sources of employment or federal resource management issues.
- Federal scientists are available that can facilitate, direct or cooperate on research projects; serve on graduate student committees; contribute to scholarly activities; and teach in their areas of expertise.
- Private sector research programs benefit from consistent and comprehensive agreements that maximize opportunities for research, create broadened scope of contacts with federal agencies and offer a voice in establishing research agendas within the SA-CESU. In addition, the skills and expertise within the private sector organization are easily accessible by federal resource managers throughout the country.
What is a private sector partner expected to provide to the SA-CESU?
The private sector partner is expected to provide research, technical assistance and education to federal land management, environmental and research agencies.
Each federal agency in the SA-CESU has committed to conduct an active program of research, technical assistance and education with the private sector partner institutions. This includes providing appropriate funds to support some projects and joint funding between the federal agency and a partner(s) for other projects. In addition, the federal agencies have agreed to provide opportunities for research on federal lands or using federal facilities when and where practical.
The private sector partner will sign a single cooperative agreement or cooperative venture that includes all the federal agencies in the Southern Appalachian CESU. The federal agencies will use the cooperative agreement to transfer the necessary funding needed to conduct the research, technical assistance and/or education.
An important side note is that the SA-CESU is linked to all other 16 CESUs across the nation through a national agreement. This means that federal agencies in other CESUs may request the services of any partner institution within the Southern Appalachian CESU.
Joining the SA-CESU: the Terms and Conditions
So just what terms and conditions are entailed in being a partner of the SA-CESU?
Each partner institution is joined to the SA-CESU through a cooperative agreement that addresses overhead (indirect costs), cost-sharing and other elements of cooperative ventures. This agreement allows projects between federal agencies and partner institutions to be efficiently conducted. The following are key elements in the agreement (please reference a copy of the agreement for other elements):
- There are no fees or dues required for a private sector entity to join the SA-CESU.
- This is a five year agreement that terminates in 2009. It will then be renewed for another five years.
- This is classified as a cooperative agreement (as opposed to a formal services contract) which allows tremendous flexibility between the partners and the federal agency in developing a project.
- The partner institution allows the faculty, graduate students, and facilities to be available to support the federal agencies.
- The partner can offer educational and training opportunities to participating federal agency employees, as appropriate.
- The partner can actively participate in the SA-CESU Advisory Committee in refining the role and mission statement of the CESU.
- A maximum 17.5% indirect cost rate will be paid on work covered by the agreement (except for the USDA Forest Service which is mandated no indirect cost at land grant universities).
- The host university (UT) cannot charge an indirect cost for funds transferred directly from a participating federal agency to a partner institution for a SA-CESU project.
- The person identified as the official SA-CESU contact within the private sector partner also has some specific obligations. These include marketing SA-CESU opportunities within the partner institute, responding to inquiries on SA-CESU administrative issues (e.g., voting on potential new members), making sure the partner is represented at, or presenting to, annual SA-CESU workshops, and providing information for a directory of skill and capabilities.
The Application Process
I. Summary
The SA-CESU Executive Committee is responsible for setting the policies pertaining to the application process for admission of candidate organizations into membership in the SA-CESU. The Executive Committee consists of one representative from each partner institution member. The fundamental feature of these policies is that candidate organizations will be evaluated using steps similar to those used when the founding membership was defined. The Executive Committee will base its decisions on application materials and, in most cases, an interview. The addition of a new non-Federal Partner must be approved by the SA-CESU Executive Committee. Consistent with Article III.C of the Cooperative Agreement, new members will be added through an amendment to the agreement. And, “Amendments shall be in writing, signed, and agreed to by all signatories of this agreement”.
II. Application Process
Prospective member organizations, whether solicited or unsolicited, are required to provide the appropriate application materials described below. The application must be signed at the appropriate administrative level within the candidate institution. Based on review of these materials, the Executive Committee will determine whether or not to proceed with the interview stage of the admission process. The prospective member organization must have a sponsor that is currently a member of the SA-CESU Executive Committee.
A. Application Materials
An academic institution (such as a university) seeking membership as a SA-CESU partner must submit to the Host University a letter of interest confirming that they have reviewed the general CESU descriptive materials and the SA-CESU Cooperative and Joint Venture Agreement, and that they agree to abide by all of the responsibilities and expectations of partner institution. In addition,
the applicant should make it clear in their letter of interest how they would expect to contribute to the research capabilities of the SA-CESU, and how they expect their association with the SA-CESU to benefit them in terms of their ability to conduct research.
A prospective academic institution must include within their letter of interest a written response to the ten (10) elements listed in the original “Program Announcement and Request for Proposals for Establishing a Second Round of Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units” (15 September 1999). The ten elements are:
- A contact person, along with their title, address, phone number, fax, and email address,
- A list of programs relevant to the Federal land management, environmental and research agencies, including degrees offered and number if graduate students in each program,
- A list of and brief description of faculty with expertise in disciplines and interdisciplinary work relevant to Federal land management, environmental and research agencies (do not submit vitae),
- A list and brief description of relevant facilities and equipment,
- A list and brief description of relevant experience in research, technical assistance, and education linked to CESU Network objectives (such as previous grants, special project awards and so forth),
- A list and description of current formal and informal relationships with Federal land management, environmental and research agencies,
- A description of services to be provided to the participating Federal agencies and Federal employee(s) by the university
- A description of the university's willingness to accept a limited overhead rate of 17.5% and cost items to which the rate is applicable for activities conducted through the CESU, including research, technical assistance and educational services (this overhead rate must apply to the entire university for CESU activities).
- A description of administrative support, including the ability (and administrative charges, if any) to transfer, subcontract, and receive funds between CESU partners, and through the national CESU Network, and
- Staff, faculty time, educational services and other commitments the university wishes to offer the CESU, including amount, kind, dollar value and duration of assistantships, work-study funds, clerical support, and so forth.
A non-academic applicant (such as a state agency, research institute, NGO, or museum) should include, within their letter of interest, a written response to the three elements listed in the original “Program Announcement and Request for Proposals for Establishing a Second Round of Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units” (15 September 1999). The three elements are:
- A contact person, along with their title, address, phone number, fax, and email address,
- A brief description of research, educational and technical assistance services to be offered to federal land management, environmental and research agencies, and
- Other information relevant to CESU Network objectives.
After receipt of the application materials, the Executive Committee will consider the nomination.
B. Interview Of Applicant
If a majority of the Executive Committee agrees that the nomination of a non-federal applicant appears to have merit, an invitation will be extended to the appropriate official to attend the next Executive Committee meeting. This meeting is required of all non-federal applicants. It provides an opportunity for the applicant to make a presentation to the committee addressing the components of their application materials. The committee is free to ask additional relevant questions as well as answer any questions that the proposed new partner may have. In cases where there is overwhelming support by the Executive Committee, an interview may be waived and an election of the new partner conducted.
III. Admission Decision
The Executive Committee will discuss the merits of the application material and put the nomination to a vote. Non-Federal applicants are elected to membership by unanimous consent of the Executive Committee. For successful applicants, the Host Institution will prepare an appropriate amendment to the list of members in the SA-CESU Agreement. The amendment will be signed and agreed to by all signatories to the SA-CESU Cooperative Agreement. The amendment and documentation of the application process will be forwarded to the National CESU Council for concurrence. Following the National Council’s approval of the amendment, the Host University will issue a formal letter of acceptance welcoming the new partner, and distribute the amended agreement to all SA-CESU member organizations.
Who to Contact to Join the SA-CESU?
The host university, the University of Tennessee, oversees the administrative services of the Southern Appalachian CESU. The host also oversees the inclusion of new members.
The process for applying for membership begins with a contact to the host university.
Contact Dr. Keith Belli
Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
The University of Tennessee
425 Plant Biotech. Bldg
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: 865- 974-7989
Fax: 865-974-2085
kbelli@utk.edu
Dr. Belli will provide direction on how to apply for membership.
|
back to top
For all Federal Entities interested in joining the SA-CESU:
Any and all Federal Agencies are welcome to join the Southern Appalachian CESU provided the following two conditions are met:
- The agency is already represented within the National CESU Council. To check whether your agency is on this council, click here.
- The agency is willing to pay a one time membership fee of $10,000 to the SA-CESU.
What are the benefits of a federal agency joining the Southern Appalachian CESU?
Federal agencies that become partners in the SA-CESU benefit in several ways.
- Delivery of usable knowledge in a timely manner.
- Facilitation of long-term collaborative relationships to solve resource issues.
- Addition of depth and breath to federal units.
- Provision of the most efficient contracting bridge available.
- Staying alert to emerging science issues and concerns.
- Transcending the boundaries of federal agencies.
- Ability to focus on multi-disciplinary problem solving.
- Provision of a forum for exchange of information and delivery of new information.
- Opportunities for professional development of federal employees.
- Increase in efficiency for collaboration.
- Alignment of research interests of partners.
What is a federal agency expected to provide to the Southern Appalachian CESU?
Most federal agencies in the Southern Appalachian CESU are primarily information seekers, meaning that they seek answers to their research needs and information requests from the private sector partners within the CESU. The National Park Service is an example of an information seeker.
Some federal agencies are primarily information providers, meaning that they can assist in providing research, technical assistance and/or education through Interagency Agreements. The USGS is an example of an information provider.
Some federal agencies are both information seekers and providers. For example, the USDA Forest Service at times seeks information and at time provides information.
Each federal agency in the SA-CESU has committed to conduct an active program of research, technical assistance and education with the private sector partner institutions. This includes providing appropriate funds to support some projects and joint funding between the federal agency and a partner(s) for other projects. In addition, the federal agencies have agreed to provide opportunities for research on federal lands or using federal facilities when and where practical.
Joining the SA-CESU: the Terms and Conditions
So just what terms and conditions are entailed in being a federal partner of the SA-CESU?
- A one time entry fee of $10,000 is required at time of joining.
- Each federal agency is joined to the SA-CESU through a cooperative agreement that addresses overhead (indirect costs), cost-sharing and other elements of cooperative ventures. This agreement allows projects between federal agencies and partner institutions to be efficiently conducted. The following are key elements in the agreement (please reference a copy of the agreement for other elements):
- This is a five year agreement that terminates in 2009. It will then be renewed for another five years.
- This is classified as a cooperative agreement (as opposed to a formal procurement contract) which allows tremendous flexibility between the partners and the federal agency in developing a project;
- The federal agency is permitted to locate a representative at the host university.
- The partner institutions support the federal agencies by:
- allowing the faculty, graduate students, and facilities to be available
- offering educational and training opportunities to participating federal agency employees, as appropriate
- The federal agency can actively participate in the SA-CESU Advisory Committee in refining the role and mission statement of the CESU;
- A maximum 17.5% indirect cost rate will be paid on work covered by the agreement (except for the USDA Forest Service which is mandated no indirect cost at land grant universities);
The person identified as the official SA-CESU contact within the federal agency also has some specific obligations. These include marketing SA-CESU services within the agency, responding to inquiries on SA-CESU administrative issues (e.g., voting on potential new members), making sure the agency is represented at annual SA-CESU workshops, and providing research need information to the SA-CESU.
The Application Process
I. Summary
The SA-CESU Executive Committee is responsible for setting the policies pertaining to the application process for admission of candidate federal agencies into membership in the SA-CESU. The Executive Committee consists of one representative from each partner institution member. The fundamental feature of these policies is that candidate federal agencies will be evaluated using steps similar to those used when the founding membership was defined. The Executive Committee will base its decisions on application materials. Consistent with Article III.C of the Cooperative Agreement, new members will be added through an amendment to the agreement. And, “Amendments shall be in writing, signed, and agreed to by all signatories of this agreement”.
II. Application Process
Prospective federal agencies, whether solicited or unsolicited, are required to provide the appropriate application materials described below. The application must be signed at the appropriate administrative level within the federal agency.
A. Application Materials
A federal agency seeking membership must submit to the Host University a letter of interest stating that their agency is a current member of the National CESU Council, and that they are prepared to fulfill their responsibilities as a Federal Agency Member of the SA-CESU, including the payment of the one-time assessment of $10,000 to the host University. This letter must also confirm that the applicant has read the SA-CESU Cooperative Agreement and agrees to abide by all the responsibilities and expectations of federal agency members. Also, the federal agency will designate a representative, with full contact information, who is willing to actively participate in the SA-CESU.
III. Admission Decision
There is no requirement for a formal vote regarding the admission of a federal partner, given that the application requirements described above have all been fulfilled.
Who to Contact to Join the SA-CESU?
The host university, the University of Tennessee, oversees the administrative services of the Southern Appalachian CESU. The host also oversees the inclusion of new members.
The process for applying for membership begins with a contact to the host university.
Contact Dr. Keith Belli
Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
The University of Tennessee
425 Plant Biotech. Bldg
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: 865- 974-7989
Fax: 865-974-2085
kbelli@utk.edu
Dr. Belli will provide direction on how to apply for membership.
|
back to top
| |
