[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 134 (Monday, July 13, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41938-41947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14321]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement
[FOA No.: OPPE-014 & OPPE-016]
Funding Opportunity Announcement: Outreach and Assistance for
Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and
Ranchers
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No.: 10.443--
Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and
Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers.
AGENCY: Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE),
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Fiscal Years 2020
and FY 2021.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funds for two fiscal
years (FY 2020 and FY2021) and solicits applications from community-
based and non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education,
and Tribal entities to compete for financial assistance through the
Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (hereinafter referred to as
the ``2501 Program'').
DATES: Only one project proposal may be submitted per eligible entity.
Proposals must be submitted through http://www.grants.gov and received
by September 11, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Proposals submitted after
this deadline will not be considered for funding.
The OPPE will host at least two (2) teleconferences during the open
period of this announcement as provided below. Additional sessions may
be necessary to answer questions and clarify requirements. There is no
registration required to participate.
July 14, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. EST, Telephone Number: (877) 692-
8955, Passcode: 4438047
July 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. EST,Telephone Number: (877) 692-
8955, Passcode: 6433267
ADDRESSES:
Filing a Complaint of Discrimination
To file a program discrimination complaint, you may obtain a
complaint form by sending an email to [email protected]. You or
your authorized
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representative must sign the complaint form. You are not required to
use the complaint form. You may write a letter instead. If you write a
letter, it must contain all the information requested in the form and
be signed by you or your authorized representative. Incomplete
information will delay the processing of your complaint. Employment
civil rights complaints will not be accepted through this email
address.
Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax,
or email:
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410.
Fax: (202) 690-7442.
Email: [email protected].
For Further Information, or for Programmatic Complaints, Please
Contact: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Partnerships and
Public Engagement, Attn: 2501 Program Director, Jamie L. Whitten
Building, Room 520-A, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250; Phone: (202) 720-6350; Fax: (202) 720-7704; Email:
[email protected].
Persons with Disabilities: Persons who require alternative means
for communication (braille large print, audiotape, etc.), should
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
Additionally, alternative means for submissions due to disability
status will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The overall goal of the 2501 Program is to
encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers,
veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers with
owning and operating farms and ranches and in participating equitably
in the full range of agricultural, forestry, and related programs
offered by USDA. In partnership with the OPPE, eligible entities may
compete for funding on projects that provide education and training in
agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, agriculturally related services,
and USDA programs and to conduct outreach initiatives designed to
accomplish those goals. This partnership includes working closely with
USDA Liaisons to coordinate outreach and training initiatives, attend
OPPE-led events in your proposed service territory, and collaborate
with your State Food and Agriculture Council (Farm Service Agency,
Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Rural Development).
Funding/Awards: The total funding provided in the 2018 Farm Bill
for this competitive program is approximately $15 million. The OPPE
will award grants from this announcement, subject to availability of
funds and the quality of applications received. All applicants will
compete based on their organization's entity type (e.g., nonprofit
organization or higher education institution), as described below. The
maximum project period is three (3) years. The maximum amount of
requested federal funding for projects shall not exceed $450,000 over
the 3-year period. Additionally, the maximum award per year is
$150,000. Projects that are part of multi-year initiatives will be
funded in accordance with the approved statement of work and the OPPE
Guidelines. Additionally, USDA has the discretion to fund multi-year
projects to maximize outreach, education and technical assistance
ensuring geographical distribution of funds as required in section 7
U.S.C. 2279(c)(4)(G).
Funds will be awarded to eligible entities that have documented
knowledge of and experience with USDA programs and experience in
providing agricultural education or other agriculturally related
services to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran
farmers and ranchers during the 3-year period preceding the submission
of an application. The Secretary shall give priority to nongovernmental
and community-based organizations (see Section V. Application Review
Information).
An applicant MUST be an entity or organization. ``Individuals'' do
not meet the eligibility criteria.
Funds under this program may not be used for the planning, repair,
rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.
Program funds may not be used for start-up or financing costs for
businesses or for an organization's capacity building. Program funds
may also not be used as small agricultural loans for individual farmers
or used to incentivize individuals to attend an event.
Eligible entities may receive subsequent years funding provided
that:
(a) Activities and associated costs do not overlap with projects
awarded in previous years; and
(b) Recipients are current and compliant with existing financial
and progress reporting. The progress of existing projects, along with
the percentage of funds used to date, may impact funding decisions.
The OPPE reserves the right to approve one-year no cost extensions
(no additional funds) for one-year projects.
Funding will be awarded based on peer competition within the three
categories described below along with the amount of anticipated funding
for each category. The OPPE reserves the right to allocate funding
between the three categories based upon the number and quality of
applications received. There is no commitment by the OPPE to fund any
particular application or to select a specific number of recipients
within each category.
Category #1: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.2,
III.A.3, and III.A.4 (1890 Land Grant colleges and universities, 1994
Tribal Land-Grant, Alaska Native and American Indian Tribal colleges
and universities, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions of higher
education).
Category #2: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.1 and
III.A.6 (i.e., nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations,
including a network or a coalition of community-based organizations,
Indian Tribes (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 450b), and National Tribal
organizations).
Category #3: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.5 and
III.A.7 (i.e., all other institutions of higher education including
1862 colleges, nonprofit organizations without a 501(c)(3) status
certification from the IRS, and other organizations or institutions,
including those that received funding under this program before January
1, 1996).
Contents of this Announcement
I. Funding Opportunity Description
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility Information
IV. Proposal and Submission Information
V. Application Review Information
VI. Award Administration Information
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Background
The OPPE is committed to ensuring that socially disadvantaged and
veteran farmers and ranchers are able to equitably participate in USDA
programs. Differences in demographics, culture, economics, and other
factors preclude a single approach to identifying solutions that can
benefit our underserved farmers and ranchers. Community-based and non-
profit organizations, higher education institutions, and eligible
Tribal entities with an expertise in working with socially
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran farmers and ranchers can
play a critical role in addressing the unique difficulties they face
and can help improve their ability to start and maintain successful
agricultural businesses. With 2501
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Program funding, organizations can provide agricultural education and
training and extend our outreach efforts to connect with and assist
local socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers to
provide them with information on available USDA resources.
1. The 2501 Program was authorized by the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. The Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008 expanded the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture (the
Secretary) to provide awards under the program and transferred the
administrative authority to the OPPE. The Agricultural Act of 2014
further expanded the program to include outreach and assistance to
veterans. The 2501 Program extends USDA's capacity to work with members
of farming and ranching communities by funding projects that enhance
the equitable participation of socially disadvantaged and veteran
farmers and ranchers in USDA programs. It is the OPPE's intention to
build lasting relationships between USDA, recipient organizations, and
socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.
2. Only one proposal will be accepted from each organization. This
does not apply to applicants in the State of Massachusetts. The State
fiscal transfer agent may submit multiple proposals ensuring that only
one proposal is submitted on behalf of each of its individual fiscally
sponsored organizations.
B. Scope of Work
The 2501 Program provides funding to eligible organizations with at
least 3 years of documented history working with socially disadvantaged
farmers or ranchers or veteran farmers or ranchers for projects
designed to provide education and training in agriculture and to assist
socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and
operating viable agricultural enterprises. This is a non-construction
grant. Proposals must be consistent with requirements stated in 7
U.S.C. 2279(c)(3). Under this statute, the education, training and
outreach program funds shall be used exclusively:
1. To enhance coordination of the outreach, education, and training
efforts authorized under agriculture programs;
2. To assist the Secretary of Agriculture in:
a. Reaching current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers
or ranchers or veteran farmers or ranchers in a linguistically
appropriate manner; and
b. improving the participation of those farmers and ranchers in
USDA programs.
There are five priority areas that support the goals of the 2501
Program. Proposals from eligible entities must address at least two of
the five following priority areas:
1. Assist socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers in
owning and operating successful farms and ranches;
2. Improve participation among socially disadvantaged or veteran
farmers and ranchers in USDA programs;
3. Build relationships between current and prospective farmers and
ranchers who are socially disadvantaged or veterans and USDA's local,
state, regional, and National offices;
4. Introduce agriculture-related information to socially
disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers through innovative
training and technical assistance techniques; and
5. Introduce agricultural education targeting youth and beginning
socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in rural and
persistent poverty communities.
The OPPE is required to seek input from stakeholders providing
education and training under this grant program at least annually. This
is to ensure that the program is responsive to the concerns of entities
providing assistance (7 U.S.C. 2279(c)(4)(J)). To fulfill this
obligation, the OPPE may require Project Directors to attend an Annual
Partnership Symposium that can be expensed with awarded grant funds not
to exceed $1,000 per award year. The symposium will allow participants,
USDA officials, and other agriculture-related industry participants to
network, encourage partnerships, share best practices, discuss
programmatic requirements, share information on new and enhanced USDA
programs and services, and obtain programmatic stakeholder feedback.
Stakeholder input will also be accepted by those unable to attend the
annual symposium in person by September 30th of each fiscal year at:
[email protected].
C. Anticipated Outputs (Activities), Outcomes (Results), and
Performance Measures
1. Outputs (Activities). The term ``output'' means an outreach,
educational component, or assistance activity, task, or associated work
product related to improving the ability of socially disadvantaged or
veteran farmers and ranchers to own and operate farms and ranches,
assistance with agriculture related activities, or guidance for
participation in USDA programs. Outputs may be quantitative or
qualitative but must be measurable during the period of performance.
Examples of outputs from the projects to be funded under this
announcement may describe an organization's activities and their
participants such as: Number of workshops or meetings held and number
of participants attending (including a list of participants with
contact information); frequency of services or training delivered and
to whom; development of products, curriculum, or resources provided.
Other examples include but are not limited to the following:
a. Number of socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers or
ranchers served;
b. number of conferences or training sessions held and number of
socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers and ranchers that
attended;
c. type and topic of educational materials distributed at outreach
events;
d. creation of a program to enhance the operational viability of
socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers and ranchers;
e. number of applications completed by socially disadvantaged and/
or veteran farmers or ranchers submitted for consideration for USDA
programs; or
f. activity that supports increased participation of socially
disadvantaged farmers and/or ranchers and/or veteran farmers and
ranchers in USDA programs.
Progress and Financial Reports will be required, as specified in
Section VI, Subsection C, ``Reporting Requirement.''
2. Outcomes (Results). The term ``outcome'' means the difference or
effect that has occurred as a result from carrying out an activity,
workshop, meeting, or from delivery of services related to a
programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes refer to the final impact,
change, or result that occurs as a direct result of the activities
performed in accomplishing the objectives and goals of your project.
Outcomes may refer to results that are agricultural, behavioral,
social, or economic in nature. Outcomes may reflect an increase in
knowledge or skills, a greater awareness of available resources or
programs, or actions taken by stakeholders as a result of learning.
Specifically, outcomes must be quantitative as it relates to the
project goals and objectives.
Project Directors will be required to document anticipated outcomes
that are funded under this announcement including, but not limited to
the following:
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a. Documenting the number of new farmers and/or ranchers your
organization assisted as a result of your project and the type of
assistance;
b. Documenting race, sex, national origin, disability and number of
socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers or ranchers applying for
USDA programs and services by program area;
c. Documenting race, sex, national origin, disability and number of
USDA program applications approved for funding, by program area, for
socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers as a result of
your activities;
d. Documenting the number of socially disadvantaged or veteran
farmers and/or ranchers that have better access to USDA Programs as a
result of your outreach and/or training efforts;
e. Documenting the enhanced sustainability and retention of farming
operations among socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers;
f. Documenting higher profitability and economic stability among
socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers resulting from
increased access to marketing and enhanced sales opportunities for
their products; and
g. Documenting an increase in the number and types of USDA programs
and services utilized as a result of your project.
3. Performance Measures. Performance measures are tied to the goals
or objectives of each activity and ultimately the overall purpose of
the project. They provide insight into the effectiveness of proposed
activities by indicating areas where a project may need adjustments.
Applicants must develop performance measure expectations which will
occur as a result of their proposed activities. These expectations will
be used as a mechanism to track the progress and success of a project.
Project performance measures should include statements such as: Whether
workshops or technical assistance will meet the needs of farmers or
ranchers in the service area and why; how much time will be spent in
group training or individual hands-on training of farmers and ranchers;
or whether activities will meet the demands of stakeholders. Project
performance measures must include the assumptions used to make those
estimates.
Consider the following questions when developing performance
measurement statements:
What is the measurable short-term and long-term impact our
project will have on serving the needs of our stakeholders?
How will my organization measure the effectiveness and
efficiency of our proposed activities to meet the overall goals and
objectives for this project?
II. Award Information
A. Statutory Authority
The statutory authority for this action is 7 U.S.C. 2279(c), which
authorizes award funding for projects designed to provide outreach and
assistance to socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers.
B. Expected Amount of Funding
The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards in
fiscal years 2020 and 2021 under this competitive opportunity is
approximately $15 million.
C. Project Period
The performance period for projects selected from this solicitation
will not begin prior to the effective award date listed in the grant
agreement. The maximum project period is three (3) years.
D. Award Type
Funding for selected projects will be in the form of a grant
agreement which must be fully executed no later than September 30
annually. The anticipated Federal involvement will be limited to the
following activities:
1. Approval of recipients' final budget and Project Narrative or
statement of work accompanying the grant agreement;
2. Monitoring of recipients' performance through quarterly, annual
(for multi-year projects) and final financial and performance reports;
and
3. Evaluation of recipients' use of federal funds through desk
audits and on-site visits.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Entities
1. Any non-profit, community-based organizations, networks, or a
coalition of community-based organizations with at least 3 years of
documented expertise in working with socially disadvantaged farmers or
ranchers or veteran farmers or ranchers that:
Demonstrates experience in providing agricultural
education or other agriculturally related services on USDA programs and
services to socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers;
provides documentary evidence of work with, and on behalf
of, socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers during the 3-
year period preceding the submission of a proposal for assistance under
this program; and
does not or has not engaged in activities prohibited under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
2. An 1890 or 1994 institution of higher education (as defined in 7
U.S.C. 7601).
3. An American Indian Tribal community college or an Alaska Native
cooperative college.
4. A Hispanic-Serving Institution of higher education (as defined
in 7 U.S.C. 3103).
5. Any other institution of higher education (as defined in 20
U.S.C. 1001) that has demonstrated experience in providing agricultural
education or other agricultural-related services to socially
disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers.
6. An Indian Tribe (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304) or a national
tribal organization that has demonstrated experience in providing
agricultural education or other agriculturally related services to
socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers.
7. All other organizations or institutions that received funding
under this program before January 1, 1996, but only with respect to
projects that the Secretary considers similar to projects previously
carried out by the entity under this program.
B. Cost-Sharing or Matching
There are no cost-sharing nor matching requirements associated with
this program. Applicants may charge their negotiated indirect cost rate
or 10 percent, whichever is lower. Indirect cost rates exceeding 10
percent will not be permitted.
C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria
Applications from eligible entities that meet all criteria will be
evaluated as follows:
1. Proposals must comply with the submission instructions and
requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement. Pages in
excess of the page limitation will not be considered.
2. Proposals must be received through Grants.gov as specified in
Section IV of this announcement on or before the proposal submission
deadline. Applicants will receive an electronic confirmation receipt of
their proposal from Grants.gov.
3. Proposals received after the submission deadline will not be
considered. Please note that in order to submit proposals,
organizations must create accounts in Grants.gov and in the System for
Awards Management (www.SAM.gov); both of which could take several
weeks. Therefore, it is
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strongly suggested that organizations begin this process immediately.
Registering early could prevent unforeseen delays in submitting your
proposal.
4. Proposals must address a minimum of two priority areas to
provide outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged or veteran
farmers or ranchers as stated in Section I, Part B, Scope of Work.
5. Recipients of a 2501 Grant with a Period of Performance that
extends beyond 90 days of the current fiscal year are not eligible to
apply. For example, current 2501 Grant recipients must complete their
projects by December 31, 2020, to be eligible to apply. Organizations
that were awarded a 2501 Grant in FY2019 whose Period of Performance
extends beyond this date are ineligible.
6. Incomplete or partial applications will not be eligible for
consideration.
IV. Proposal and Submission Information
A. Data Universal Numbering System
In accordance with the Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act (FFATA) and the USDA implementation, all applicants
must obtain and provide an identifying number from Dun and Bradstreet's
(D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS). Applicants can receive a
DUNS number, at no cost, by calling the toll-free DUNS number request
line at (866) 705-5711 or visiting the D&B website at www.dnb.com.
B. System for Award Management (SAM)
It is a requirement to register for SAM (http://www.sam.gov). There
is NO fee to register for this site. This registration must be
maintained and updated annually. Applicants can register or update
their profile, at no cost, by visiting the SAM website at www.sam.gov.
This is a requirement to registering for Grants.gov where all
organizations must submit their application.
Per 2 CFR part 200, applicants are required to: (1) Be registered
in SAM prior to submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique
entity identifier in the application; and (3) continue to maintain an
active SAM registration with current information at all times during
which the organization has an active Federal award or an application or
plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The OPPE may not
make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied
with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If
an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time
the OPPE is ready to make a Federal award, the OPPE may determine that
the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another
applicant.
SAM contains the publicly available data for all active exclusion
records entered by the Federal Government identifying those parties
excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and
certain types of Federal financial and non-financial assistance and
benefits. All applicant organizations and their key personnel will be
vetted through SAM to ensure they are in compliance with this
requirement and not on the Excluded Parties List. Organizations
identified as having delinquent Federal debt may contact the Treasury
Offset Program at (800) 304-3107 for instructions on resolution but
will not be awarded a 2501 Program grant prior to resolution.
Should an applicant be awarded a grant, ezFedGrants (USDA's
financial grants management system) is linked with SAM to ensure
funding payments are directed properly as entities must enter their
banking information through SAM; as a result, Federal agencies cannot
award funding to any organization not properly/fully registered in SAM.
C. Obtain Proposal Package From Grants.gov (www.grants.gov)
All applicants must register for an account on Grants.gov to submit
their application. There is no cost for registration. All applications
must be submitted through Grants.gov. This website is managed by the
Department of Health and Human Services, not the OPPE. Many Federal
agencies use this website to post Funding Opportunity Announcements
(FOA). Please click on the ``Support'' tab to contact their customer
support personnel if you need help with submitting your application.
Applicants may download individual grant proposal forms from
Grants.gov. For assistance with Grants.gov, please consult the
Applicant User Guide at http://grants.gov/assets/ApplicantUserGuide.pdf.
Applicants are required to submit proposals through Grants.gov.
Applicants will be required to register with Grants.gov to begin the
proposal submission process. We strongly suggest you initiate this
process immediately to avoid processing delays due to registration
requirements.
Federal agencies post funding opportunities on Grants.gov. The OPPE
is not responsible for submission issues associated with Grants.gov. If
you experience submission issues, please contact Grants.gov support
staff for assistance.
Proposals must be submitted by September 11, 2020, via Grants.gov
at 11:59 p.m. EST. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be
considered.
D. Content of Proposal Package Submission
All submissions must contain completed and electronically signed
original application forms, as well as a Project Narrative and a Budget
Narrative as described below:
1. Forms, documents, and attachments. The forms listed below can be
found in the proposal package at Grants.gov and must be submitted with
all applications. Required forms are provided in the package as
fillable forms. Applicants must download and complete these forms and
submit them in the application submission portal at Grants.gov. PDF
documents listed below are documents the applicant must create and
submit in PDF format. Please use the checklist of documents below to
submit your application through Grants.gov:
Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance
Project/Performance Site Location(s)
Project Abstract Summary
Project Narrative File (this is where you will attach your
Project Narrative in PDF format)
Standard Form (SF) 424A, Budget Information-Non-Construction
Programs
Budget Narrative File (this is where you will attach your
Budget Narrative in PDF format)
Standard Form (SF) 424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
Key Contacts Form (please provide first, middle, and last
names)
Form AD-1047 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters (Primary Covered Transactions)
Form AD-1048 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion (lower Tier Covered Transactions)
Form AD-1049 Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements (Grants)
Form AD-3030 Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and
Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants
Form AD-3031, Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants
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Attachments Form (where you may place all your appendices)
Please note, additional required forms from organizations being
awarded 2501 Grant funds will be provided for execution upon grant
approval.
2. Below is further guidance, where needed, for completing the
forms, documents, and attachment forms listed above.
SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance
Complete all highlighted areas on this form. Please pay particular
attention to block 18a of the SF-424. This is the amount of Federal
funding you are requesting under the 2501 Program. This form is the
official requesting document and the amount that will be considered if
you should have any discrepancies between this form and your Budget
Information Form, SF-424A. Ensure this form is completed with accuracy;
particularly email addresses and phone numbers. The OPPE may not be
able to reach you if your information is incorrect.
Project/Performance Site Location(s)
Complete all highlighted areas on this form. Add additional
locations if your project will be carried out at additional sites.
Project Abstract Summary
A Project Abstract Summary is a concise summary about your project.
No points will be given or subtracted for the Project Summary Page as
it will be used only for informational purposes. It may be used in its
entirety or in part for media purposes to include press releases,
informational emails to potential stakeholders or partners, to provide
upper echelons of government with a snapshot of an organization, and
for demographic purposes. Please do not restate the objectives of the
2501 Program (i.e. ``to provide outreach and assistance for socially
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veterans farmers and
ranchers''); the Project Abstract Summary should reflect the goal of
your specific project. Please limit your Project Abstract Summary to
250 words and include the following:
Your organization's name;
Name of your project;
Three or four sentences describing your project;
The primary populations/communities you serve;
The project's geographic service area (counties, state(s),
etc.); and
Project Director's name, email address, and telephone
number.
Project Narrative (Not To Exceed 30 Double-Spaced Pages)
The Project Narrative is a document that you create. It must
include a timeline of proposed activities. Formatting requirements for
Project Narratives are 1-inch margins and 12-point font, Number each
page of the Project Narrative to indicate the total number of pages
(i.e., 1 of 30, 2 of 30, etc.). To ensure fairness and uniformity for
all applicants, Project Narratives not conforming to this stipulation
may not be considered.
Project proposals should include a well-conceived strategy
for addressing the priority areas stated in Section I, Part B, Scope of
Work. Organizations should state which priority areas will be
addressed. Additionally, proposals must: (1) Define and establish the
existence of the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or
veteran farmers or ranchers, or both; (2) identify the geographic area
of service; and (3) discuss the potential impact of the project; and
(4) clearly document how you plan to fulfill the requirement to
coordinate efforts with the USDA Liaisons and SFAC in your service
territory.
Programmatic Capability: Project proposals must: (1)
identify the experience of the organization(s) taking part in the
project (past successes); (2) identify the names of organizations that
will be your partners in the project if any; (3) identify the
qualifications, relevant experience, education, and publications of
each Project Director or collaborator; (4) specifically address the
work to be completed by key personnel and their roles and
responsibilities within the scope of the proposed project. This
includes partnering scenarios whereas each partners' roles and
responsibilities must be defined.
Financial Management Experience: Document a demonstrated
ability to successfully manage and complete your project by including
details of past successfully completed projects and financial
management experiences.
Tracking and Measuring: Clearly document a detailed plan
for tracking and measuring the progress and results of the project in
terms of achieving expected project outputs and outcomes as stated in
Section I, Part C, Performance Measures.
In an organized format, create a timeline for each task to
be accomplished during the period of performance timeframe. Relate each
task to one of the five priority areas in Section I, Part B. The
timeline is part of the 20-page limit but can be as simple as a one-
page description of tasks. The timeline may be in a table format.
Please attach your Project Narrative in PDF format to the Mandatory
Project Narrative form in your Grants.gov package.
SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
Please provide as much information as possible on the SF-424A;
particularly for multi-year projects. For example, on page 1 of SF-
424A, line 1 across may indicate year one of your project, line 2
across may indicate year two of your project, and line 3 across may
indicate year three of your project. On page 1A of SF-424A, columns 1
through 3 may represent each year of your project. All cost categories
on page 1A of this form are considered direct costs. Please remember
that your indirect cost rate may not exceed the 10 percent statutory
limitation on indirect costs found in 7 U.S.C. 2279(l)(7).
Budget Narrative (Not To Exceed 5 Pages)
The Budget Narrative is a document that you create. It must be no
more than five pages. It does NOT have to be double spaced. You may use
tables. The Budget Narrative should identify and describe the costs
associated with the proposed project, including sub-awards or contracts
and indirect costs. These costs should be very detailed and descriptive
as to their purpose. Please review 2 CFR part 200, subpart E, to ensure
your project is not planned with unallowable costs. Applicants may
charge their negotiated indirect cost rate or 10 percent, whichever is
lower. Indirect cost rates exceeding 10 percent will not be permitted.
Other funding sources may also be identified in the Budget Narrative.
Each cost indicated must be reasonable, allocable, necessary, and
allowable under Federal Cost Principles (2 CFR part 200, subpart E-Cost
Principles) in order to be funded.
Special notes when creating your budget:
1. 2501 Program funds may not be used for the planning, repair,
rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.
Program funds may not be used for start-up or financing costs for
businesses or for capacity building. Program funds may also not be used
as small agricultural loans for individual farmers or used to
incentivize individuals to attend an event.
2. Costs must be deemed reasonable. This includes salaries for key
personnel which may not exceed the prevailing wage rates established by
the
[[Page 41944]]
Department of Labor by occupation and geographical area (see 2 CFR
200.404 and appendix II(D)).
3. Food for conferences may not exceed $10 per person.
Additionally, cattle for demonstration projects only, may not exceed
$4000, which includes any transportation costs, feed/feeding lot,
etc.). Grant funds may NOT be used to pay attendees as an incentive for
participation in conferences nor be advertised as such. For a list of
unallowable costs, please see 2 CFR part 200, subpart E.
Please attach your Budget Narrative in PDF format to the Mandatory
Budget Narrative form in your Grants.gov package.
SF 424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Key Contacts Form
Provide first, middle, and last names of all key personnel that
will be working on the proposed project. All organizations should
submit at least a Project Director or Manager and a Financial
Representative. Additional Key Contacts Forms may be used as necessary.
Please ensure this form is completed with accuracy. Individuals not
listed on an applicants' Key Contacts Form will not receive information
about or access to data that concerns the applicant organization.
Form AD-1047 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters (Primary Covered Transactions)
Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Form AD-1048 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion (lower Tier Covered Transactions)
Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Form AD-1049 Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements
(Grants)
Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Form AD-3030 Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants
Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Form AD-3031, Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent
Status for Corporate Applicants
Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Attachments Form for Appendices
Organizations may submit abbreviated Articles of Incorporation for
recently established organizations (must have been established at least
3 years prior to this application); r[eacute]sum[eacute]s for key
personnel; Letters of Commitment; Letters of Intent, Partnership
Agreements, or Memoranda of Understanding with partner organizations;
Letters of Support; 501(c)(3) certification from the IRS (if
applicable), or other supporting documentation which is encouraged but
not required. Using this form in your Grants.gov application package,
applicants can consolidate all supplemental materials into one
attachment or attach appendices documents individually. Do not include
documents from other sections as an Appendix.
DO NOT PASSWORD PROTECT ANY OF YOUR SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS OR FORMS.
Password protected documents cannot be viewed by the OPPE or the Peer
Review Panel.
E. Sub-Awards and Partnerships
Funding may be used to provide sub-awards, which includes using
sub-awards to fund partnerships; however, the recipient must utilize at
least 50 percent of the total funds awarded, and no more than three
sub-awards will be permitted. All sub-awardees must comply with
applicable requirements for sub-awards. Applicants must provide
documentation of a competitive bidding process for services, contracts,
and products, including consultants and contractors, and conduct cost
and price analyses to the extent required by applicable procurement
regulations.
The OPPE awards funds to one eligible applicant as the lead award
recipient. Please indicate a lead applicant as the responsible party if
other organizations are named as partners or co-applicants or members
of a coalition or consortium. The lead award recipient will be held
accountable to the OPPE for the proper administrative requirements and
expenditure of all funds.
F. Submission Dates and Times
The closing date and time for receipt of proposal submissions is
September 11, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., EST, via Grants.gov. Proposals
received after the submission deadline will be considered late without
further consideration. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov
without exception. Additionally, organizations must also be registered
in the System of Awards Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.
Creating an account for both websites can take several weeks to
receive account verification and/or PIN numbers. Please allow
sufficient time to complete access requirements for these websites.
Grants.gov supports many Federal granting agencies and their
applicants. Delaying the submission of your application until the last
day could be result in your application not being received on time due
to issues pertaining to a high volume of users, system maintenance,
issues with registration, having a pending registration because of a
backlogged system, and expired SAM.gov registrations. The proposal
submission deadline is firm.
G. Confidential Information
In accordance with 2 CFR part 200, the names of entities submitting
proposals, as well as proposal contents and evaluations, will be kept
confidential to the extent permissible by law. Any information that the
applicant wishes to have considered as confidential, privileged, or
proprietary should be clearly marked as such in the proposal. If an
applicant chooses to include confidential or proprietary information in
the proposal, it will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by
law.
H. Pre-Submission Proposal Assistance
1. The OPPE may not assist individual applicants by reviewing draft
proposals or providing advice on how to respond to evaluation criteria.
However, the OPPE will respond to questions from individual applicants
regarding eligibility criteria, administrative issues related to the
submission of the proposal, and requests for clarification regarding
the announcement. Any questions should be submitted to
[email protected]. Additionally, the OPPE will host public
teleconferences to address questions and clarify requirements during
the open period of this solicitation. Dates, time, and phone numbers
are provided on Page 1 of this announcement.
2. The OPPE will post questions and answers relating to this
funding opportunity during its open period on the Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) section of our website: http://www.outreach.usda.gov/grants/. Reviewing this section of our website will likely save you
valuable time. The OPPE will update the FAQs on a weekly
[[Page 41945]]
basis and conduct teleconferences on an as-needed basis.
3. Please visit our website:https://www.outreach.usda.gov/grants/index.htm to review the most recent Terms and Conditions for
administering our grants. This version is subject to change upon new
program requirements.
4. Applicants selected for funding must inform their participants
that USDA, or any of its third-party representatives, may contact them
for quality assurance.
V. Application Review Information
A. Evaluation Criteria
Only eligible entities whose proposals meet the threshold criteria
in Section III of this announcement will be reviewed according to the
evaluation criteria set forth below. Applicants should explicitly and
fully address these criteria as part of their proposal package. Each
proposal will be evaluated under the regulations established under 2
CFR part 200.
An External Peer Review Panel (Panel) will use a point system to
rate each proposal, awarding a maximum of 105 points for nonprofit and
community-based organizations (75 points, plus an additional 30
discretionary points for secretarial priorities) and 100 points for all
other applicants (70 points, plus an additional 30 discretionary points
for secretarial priorities). Each proposal will be reviewed by at least
two members of the Peer Review Panel. Panel members will review, and
score all submitted applications. The Panel will numerically score and
rank each application and funding will be awarded within the three
funding categories. Funding decisions will be based on the Panel's
recommendations. Final funding decisions will be made by the designated
approving official and are not appealable.
Please be patient as processing all submitted applications, vetting
key personnel, proposal reviews, approval process, and agreement
creation is a lengthy process that takes approximately two to three
months. All applicants will be notified electronically of their
application status when final selections have been made and will be
provided an opportunity for application feedback as provided within the
correspondence.
B. Evaluation Criteria for New Grants Proposals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Criteria Maximum points
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Project Narrative: Under this criterion, your proposal must address at least two of the five 30
priority areas identified in Section I, Part B, Scope of Work and will be evaluated to the
extent to which the narrative includes a well-conceived strategy for addressing those
requirements and objectives (see Section IV, Part D.2. Project Narrative, for additional
information). Please note that applicants may assist either socially disadvantaged farmers and
ranchers, or veteran farmers and ranchers, or both groups in the proposal. There are no
additional points for addressing both of these groups. Conversely, there are no points deducted
if your proposal addresses only one of these groups.
In addition, the OPPE may award up to 30 discretionary points (six (5) points for each bullet 30
shown below) for the following (see Section I, Part B, Scope of Work):
Nongovernmental and community-based organizations with a documented history working
with socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers or ranchers (2018 Farm Bill provision).
Projects that are carried out in states or communities identified as Opportunity
Zones (https://www.cdfifund.gov/Pages/Opportunity-Zones.aspx)
Projects located in rural (https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do) or persistent poverty communities (https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/county-typology-codes.aspx) that address the following five (5) priorities: e-Connectivity,
Economic Development, Innovation and Technology, Workforce Development, and Quality of Life
(such as reducing recidivism, access to mental health programs, etc.). See the USDA Rural
Task Force Report (https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-prosperity-report.pdf);
Projects designed to assist socially disadvantaged beginning and/or youth farmers
and/or ranchers (as defined in 7 U.S.C. 2279);
Projects with an emphasis on partnering and leveraging funding with other
organizations, entities or programs to maximize areas of coverage in conducting training
and outreach services (i.e., nonprofits, for profits, Federal, state, tribal and local
entities, higher education institutions, etc.). Partners' roles and responsibilities must
be defined to determine the involvement and efforts to increase training and outreach to
socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to qualify for these points.
Projects with a focus on socially disadvantaged and veteran heirs' property issues/
resolution; financial literacy; and increased profitability of agricultural operations of
socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers through effective and proven
marketing opportunities to increase access to capital and markets.
2. Programmatic Capability: Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on their 10
ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed project considering the applicant's:
Organizational experience, staff expertise and qualifications, and the organization's resources
(see Section IV, Part D, 2. Programmatic Capability). The organization must also clearly
document its historical successes and future plans to continue assisting socially disadvantaged
and veteran farmers and ranchers.
3. Financial Management Experience: Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on 5
their demonstrated ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed project considering
the applicants' past performance in successfully completing and managing prior funding
agreements (see Section IV, Part D, 2. Financial Management Experience). Past performance
documentation on successfully completed projects may be at the Federal, state, or local
community level. Per 2 CFR 200.205, if an applicant is a prior recipient of Federal awards,
their record in managing that award will be reviewed, including timeliness of compliance with
applicable reporting requirements and conformance to the terms and conditions of previous
Federal awards.
[[Page 41946]]
4. Tracking and Measuring: Under this criterion, the applicant's proposal will be evaluated 15
based upon clearly documenting a detailed plan for tracking and measuring their progress toward
achieving the expected project outputs (see Section I, Part C,1. Outputs Activities).
Applicants should indicate how they intend to clearly document the effectiveness of their
project in achieving proposed thresholds or benchmarks in relation to stated goals and
objectives (see Section I, Part C, 2 Outcomes Results). For example, state how your
organization plans to connect socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers with USDA
agricultural programs. Specifically, how many new or existing farmers and ranchers were
assisted in applying for USDA's programs and services, versus the number of farmers and
ranchers approved. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they will ensure timely and
successful completion of the project with a reasonable time schedule for execution of the tasks
associated with the project. This criterion should clearly address how you will quantify the
tracking of your progress and measuring the success of your planned project (see Section I,
Part C, 3. Performance Measures).
5. Budget: Under this criterion, your proposed project budget will be evaluated to determine 10
whether costs are reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary to accomplish the proposed
goals and objectives (see 2 CFR 200.404 and appendix II-D). The proposed budget must provide a
detailed breakdown of the approximate funding used for each major activity (see Section IV,
Part D.2. Budget Narrative). Additionally, indirect costs (10 percent maximum) must be
appropriately applied. For a list of unallowable costs, please see 2 CFR part 200, subpart E.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Selection of Reviewers
All applications will be reviewed by the Panel. Panel members are
selected based upon training and experience in assisting socially
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. This assistance
includes, but is not limited to, bringing increased awareness of USDA's
programs and services in underserved communities, outreach, technical
assistance, cooperative extension services, civil rights, education,
statistical and ethnographic data collection and analysis, and
agricultural programs, and are drawn from a diverse group of experts,
including applicant peers, to create a balanced panel.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
Proposal Notifications and Feedback
1. Successful applicants will be notified by the OPPE via
telephone, email, and/or postal mail that its proposed project has been
recommended for award. The notification will be sent to the Project
Manager listed on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.
Project Managers should be the Authorized Organizational Representative
(AOR) and authorized to sign on behalf of the organization. It is
imperative that this individual is responsive to notifications by the
OPPE. If the individual is no longer in the position, please notify the
OPPE immediately to submit the new contact for the application by
updating your organization's Key Contacts form and forwarding a
r[eacute]sum[eacute] of the new key personnel. The grant agreement will
be forwarded to the recipient for execution and must be returned to the
OPPE Director, who is the authorizing official. Once grant documents
are executed by all parties, authorization to begin work will be given.
At a minimum, this process can take up to 30 days from the date of
notification.
2. Within 10 days of award status notification, unsuccessful
applicants may request feedback on their application. Feedback will be
provided as expeditiously as possible. Feedback sessions will be
scheduled contingent upon the number of requests and in accordance with
7 CFR 2500.026.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
All awards resulting from this solicitation will be administered in
accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements
for Federal Awards codified at 2 CFR part 200, as supplemented by USDA
implementing regulations at 2 CFR parts 400 and 415, and the OPPE
Federal Financial Assistance Programs-General Award Administrative
Procedures, 7 CFR part 2500. In compliance with its obligations under
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166, it
is the policy of the OPPE to provide timely and meaningful access for
persons with Limited English Proficiency
(LEP) to projects, programs, and activities administered by Federal
grant recipients. Recipient organizations must comply with these
obligations upon acceptance of grant agreements as written in the
OPPE's Terms and Conditions. Following these guidelines is essential to
the success of our mission to improve access to USDA programs for
socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.
C. Reporting Requirement
Your approved statement of work, timeline, and budget are your
guiding documents in carrying out the activities of your project and
for your reporting requirements. Please familiarize yourself with
USDA's grants management system called ezFedGrants: https://www.nfc.usda.gov/FSS/ClientServices/ezFedGrants/. In accordance with 2
CFR part 200, the following reporting requirements will apply to awards
provided under this FOA. The OPPE reserves the right to revise the
schedule and format of reporting requirements as necessary in the award
agreement.
1. Quarterly Progress Reports and Financial Reports will be
required as follows:
Quarterly Progress Reports. The recipient is required to
provide a detailed narrative of project performance and activities as
described in the award agreement. Quarterly progress reports must be
submitted to the designated OPPE official via ezFedGrants within 30
days after the end of each calendar quarter. This includes, but is not
limited to, activities completed, events held, and the release of sign-
in sheets with participants' contact information.
Quarterly Financial Reports. The recipient must submit SF
425, Federal Financial Report to the designated OPPE official via
ezFedGrants within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.
2. Annual reports may be required for multi-year projects.
3. Final Progress and Financial Reports will be required upon
project completion. The Final Progress Report must include a summary of
the project or activity throughout the funding period, achievements of
the project or activity, and a discussion of overall successes and
issues experienced in conducting the project or project activities. It
should convey the impact your project had on the communities you served
and discuss the project's accomplishments in achieving expected
outcomes. This requirement includes, but is not limited to, the number
of new
[[Page 41947]]
USDA applicants as a result of your award, the number of approved
applicants for USDA programs and services, increased awareness of USDA
programs and services, etc.
4. The final Financial Report should consist of a complete SF-425
indicating the total costs of the project. Final Progress and Financial
Reports must be submitted to the designated OPPE official via
ezFedGrants within 90 days after the completion of the award period as
follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report Performance period Due date Grace period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form SF-425, Federal Financial Report and 1 October thru 31 December...... 12/31/2020 1/30/2021
Progress Report (Due Quarterly).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1 January thru 31 March......... 3/31/2021 4/30/2021
1 April thru 30 June............ 6/30/2021 7/30/2021
1 July thru 30 September........ 9/30/2021 10/30/2021
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Annual (for multi-year project) and Final Earlier of December 30, 2021, or 90 days after project
Progress and Financial Reports. completion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Dates subject to change at the discretion of the OPPE.
Signed this 23 day of June 2020.
Jacqueline Davis-Slay,
Deputy Director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2020-14321 Filed 7-10-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3412-89-P