(a) An annual performance report will be required of all State departments of agriculture 90 days after the end of the first year of the date of the signed grant agreement and each year until the expiration date of the grant period. If the grant period is one year or less, then only a final performance report (see paragragh (b) of this section) is required. The annual performance report shall include the following:
(1) Briefly summarize activities performed, targets, and/or performance goals achieved during the reporting period for each project.
(2) Note unexpected delays or impediments as well as favorable or unusual developments for each project.
(3) Outline work to be performed during the next reporting period for each project.
(4) Comment on the level of grant funds expended to date for each project.
(b) A final performance report will be required by the State department of agriculture within 90 days following the expiration date of the grant period. The final progress report shall include the following:
(1) An outline of the issue, problem, interest, or need for each project.
(2) How the issue or problem was approached via the project(s).
(3) How the goals of each project were achieved.
(4) Results, conclusions, and lessons learned for each project.
(5) How progress has been made to achieve long term outcome measures for each project.
(6) Additional information available (e.g., publications, Web sites).
(7) Contact person for each project with telephone number and e-mail address.
(c) A final SF-269A ``Financial Status Report (Short Form)'' (SF-269 ``Financial Status Report (Long Form)'' if the project(s) had program income) is required within 90 days following the expiration date of the grant period.
(d) AMS will monitor States, as it determines necessary, to assure that projects are completed in accordance with the approved State plan. If AMS, after reasonable notice to a State, finds that there has been a failure by the State to comply substantially with any provision or requirement of the State plan, AMS may disqualify, for one or more years, the State from receipt of future grants under the SCBGP.
(e) States shall diligently monitor performance to ensure that time schedules are being met, project work within designated time periods is being accomplished, and other performance measures are being achieved.
(f) State departments of agriculture shall retain records pertaining to the SCBGP for 3 years after completion of the grant period or until final resolution of any audit findings or litigation claims relating to the SCBGP.