INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM: R&D-99-014

TO:          All Reinsured Companies
             All Risk Management Field Offices

FROM:        Tim B. Witt	   /s/ Tim B. Witt
             Deputy Administrator

SUBJECT:    New Program Review Council Meeting  

The Risk Management Agency (RMA) has scheduled a New Program Review Council (Review Council) meeting from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Central time, May 19, 1999. It will be held in Room 142 at RMA's Kansas City Office at 9435 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. This meeting is being held in conjunction with the Multiple Peril Crop Insurance industry data processing managers' meeting beginning the next day at Crown Center in Kansas City.

The Review Council reviews the design of pilot programs at various milestones in the development process and makes recommendations as necessary for the continued direction of each program. Presentations proposed for this meeting are pilot programs for raspberries/blackberries in the Pacific States, processing pumpkins in the Midwest, and a disappearing deductible type of process tentatively called Coverage Enhancement Option (CEO). Attached is a draft agenda for the meeting.

As part of the Business Process Reengineering effort for Tool Management and to improve communications and awareness of new program development with industry partners, reinsured companies are invited to participate in the discussions and provide feedback, comments, or any other information pertinent to the developmental work. Please advise Elaine Taylor by April 26, 1999, of the name, phone number, and e-mail address (fax number if e-mail is not available) of the person who will be attending the meeting and indicate whether attendance will be in person or by teleconference. Elaine may be reached at (816) 926-6343, or by fax at (816) 926-7343. Materials will be provided to attendees approximately 1-2 weeks prior to the meeting.

DISPOSAL:

This Informational Memorandum is for the purpose of transmitting information and the expiration date is Dec. 31, 1999

1:00 p.m. Introduction and Bill Jones

Review Council Overview RMA Specialty Crops Coordinator

1:10 p.m. Raspberry/Blackberry Jo Scott, Project Manager

1:40 p.m. Processing Pumpkins David Niepert

Springfield RSO, RMA

2:00 p.m. Coverage Enhancement Option Nelson Maurice

(CEO) Senior Underwriter, RMA

2:30 p.m. Adjourn