91 



4. Whoi you do site reviews how frequently are negative reports sent to 

 Congress? What proportion of projects where you do site reviews do you 

 r^ect? 



To date, approximately 10% of rqxnts submitted to Congress have been 

 negative. AnoAer 15-20% of projects have had major deficiencies. 



5. Do you consider these site reviews to be legitimatdy peer reviewed? 



Yes, we do. Members of all site visit teams are chosen based upon dieir 

 demonstrated expertise in the field of science represented by the individual 

 project to be evaluated or upon their administrative knowledge. They are also 

 selected for their familiarity widi the mission of USDA and dieir broad 

 knowledge of national needs as articulated in our strategic plan. 



6. Can you please give us some examples of recent negative reports? 



The fc^lowing negative reports were recendy forwarded to Congress: 



• WeUxiessCeaXeratWaUace State Community College. This project involves 

 the construction of a physical education building to support die college's 

 physical education and adiletic program. It is clearly outside the mission of 

 USDA. 



• Center for Rural Health and Epidemiology at Georgia Southern University. 

 This project involves die construction of a facility designed primarily to 

 support medical and non-agriculture programs. As dieir matdi, they plan to 

 use a performing arts center, wliich is not acceptable because it is clearly 

 outside die scope of die project and die mission of USDA. 



7. Matching federal funds with institutional funds appears to be a good way to 

 assure partnership under the Buildings and Facilities Program. Would you 

 outUne how the matching requirement is administered? 



In acoocdanoe with Conference language, we require grantees to provide at least 

 a 50/50 match from non-federal sources and have made it clear to grantees that 

 cash is the preferred method of matching. We specify acceptable matching 

 contributions in our annual program guidelines, wiiich are provkled to all grant- 

 ees. Each grant award specifies the donatrons that are allowable under the 

 individual proiect 



