[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 133 (Friday, July 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41516-41524]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14325]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement
[FOA No.: OPPE-015]
Funding Opportunity Announcement--Solicitation for Applications
To Assist Persistent Poverty Farmers, Ranchers, Agriculture Producers
and Communities Through Agriculture Resources
AGENCY: Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE),
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).
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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Nos.: 10.902-Soil and
Water Conservation (CTA): Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment
Act; 10.443-Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged
Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits
applications for grants from community-based and non-profit
organizations, institutions of higher education, and tribal entities to
compete for financial assistance through the OPPE. Funding will be made
available for the purpose of leveraging USDA, state, local and private
sector resources, to address local agricultural and natural resource
issues, encourage collaboration and to develop state and local
leadership and partnerships to assist limited resource and socially
disadvantaged and veteran farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers and
communities through agriculture industries. The eligible entities will
provide technical assistance to persistent poverty communities, with
emphasis on socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers, ranchers and
agricultural producers to assist them in establishing a local working
leaders group, identifying issues, challenges and assets, preparing a
plan of action and identifying resources and means to address and
accomplish results through available programmatic services and
opportunities.
DATES: Proposals must be received via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Standard Time on August 24, 2020.
For Further Information or for Programmatic Complaints, Please
Contact: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Partnerships and
Public Engagement, Attn: Jacqueline Davis-Slay, Deputy 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: Proposals will be scored as they are
received and, if eligible, added to a ranking list of projects for
funding consideration. Funding recommendations will be forwarded to the
Director of OPPE who will make final selections. Funds will be awarded
to eligible entities that have documented knowledge of and experience
with USDA programs, experience in providing agricultural education or
other agricultural-related services to socially disadvantaged and/or
veteran farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers, experience with
economic development in persistent poverty areas, and in developing
partnerships with relevant entities and individuals to reach a common
goal.
An applicant MUST be an entity or organization. ``Individuals'' do
not meet the eligibility criteria.
Funds under this announcement may not be used for the following:
Planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a
building or facility; for start-up or financing costs for businesses or
for an organization's capacity building; as small agricultural loans
for individual farmers; or to incentivize individuals to attend an
event.
Funding/Awards: The total funding available for this competitive
opportunity is approximately $4 million (including funds provided in
the 2018 Farm Bill and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020).
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). The
maximum project period is 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. USDA has
the discretion to fund multi-year projects in an effort to maximize
outreach, education and technical assistance ensuring geographical
distribution of funds. Eligible entities may receive subsequent years
funding provided that:
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(a) Activities and associated costs do not overlap with projects
awarded in previous years; and
(b) Recipients and their key partners are successfully vetted
through the SAM.gov Federal award system.
The OPPE reserves the right to approve one-year no cost extensions
(no additional funds).
Funding will be awarded based on competition described below:
1890 Land Grant colleges and universities, 1994 Tribal Land-Grant,
Alaska Native and American Indian Tribal colleges and universities,
Hispanic-Serving Institutions of higher education), and other private
or state institutions of higher education with an agricultural
curriculum. Also included are nonprofit organizations, community-based
organizations, including a network or a coalition of community-based
organizations, and Native American tribal government (federally
recognized or non-federally recognized).
Higher consideration will be given to socially disadvantaged,
limited resource, beginning, or veteran farmer or rancher) servicing
legal entities, or joint operations according to the definition in the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
OPPE reserves the right to allocate funding between the two
categories based upon the number and quality of applications received.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Background
The OPPE is committed to ensuring that socially disadvantaged,
historically underserved (including limited resource, socially
disadvantaged, and veteran farmers, ranchers and agricultural
producers) are able to equitably participate in USDA programs.
Community-based and non-profit organizations, higher education
institutions, and eligible Tribal entities with an expertise in working
within rural persistent poverty areas of socially disadvantaged or
veteran farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers 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 and create sustainable growing communities.
With this funding, organizations must establish partnerships to provide
local agricultural education and training and extend outreach efforts
to connect with and assist local socially disadvantaged and/or veteran
farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers to provide them with
information on available USDA resources. Only one proposal will be
accepted from each organization.
Eligible entities may compete for funding on projects that provide
outreach, education and training in agriculture, conservation,
agribusiness, and forestry, with a focus on economic and workforce
development, innovation and technology, and quality of life through
agriculture industries. This partnership includes working closely with
OPPE, USDA Liaisons and the State Food and Agriculture Council (SFAC)
to coordinate outreach and training events and attend OPPE-led events
in your proposed service territory.
The overall goal is to develop partnerships with eligible entities
to expand outreach and assistance to help socially disadvantaged and
historically underserved farmers, ranchers, ag producers and
communities in persistent poverty areas, including in Opportunity
Zones, through the agriculture sector to foster hope and opportunity,
build assets and create wealth. Eligible entities will identify
communities to receive tailored technical assistance and support by
organizing and facilitating summits and training through partnerships
with the USDA Liaisons and SFAC, collectively known and the OneUSDA
team. Entities will establish a local prosperity council that consists
of (but not limited to) the mayor, county planning committee, board of
supervisors, superintendents and Board of Education, farmers, ranchers,
agriculture producers, faith-based, etc. to focus on locally driven,
bottom up solutions to address communities self-identified challenges
and issues.
Proposals will be accepted for projects in any of the 50 States,
the District of Columbia, the Caribbean area (Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Islands area (Guam, American Samoa,
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). A total of up to
$4 million is available for Fiscal Year 2020 for this funding
opportunity. Applicants must be a Native American tribal government
(federally recognized or non-federally recognized), a nonprofit having
a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher
education), or a private, public or state-controlled institution of
higher education.
B. Program Description
The statutory authority for this action is 7 U.S.C. 2279(c), which
authorizes award funding for projects designed to provide outreach,
education and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged and/or
veteran farmers or ranchers.
Funds are also being awarded under the Conservation Technical
Assistance, Soil and Water Conservation (CTA): Soil Conservation and
Domestic Allotment Act, Public Law 74-76, N/A, 16. U.S.C. 590a-590f,
590q.
C. Purpose
The purpose of this funding is to leverage USDA and partnering
entities to assist persistent poverty communities with socially
disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers, ranchers and agricultural
producers, to improve, restore, maintain natural resources and growth
in their communities through an established platform and process that
focuses on fostering hope and opportunity, asset building and wealth
creation. In addition, funding may be used to educate and assist
persistent poverty communities with socially disadvantaged and/or
veteran farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers on accessing
resources and opportunities available through the Coronavirus Aid,
Relief, and Economic Security Act. Through the approved grant,
organizations will assist persistent poverty communities and farmers,
ranchers and agriculture producers by developing partnerships and
strategies to address self-identified challenges and issues to:
1. Enhance coordination and collaboration through outreach,
education, and training summits and workshops;
2. Educate persistent poverty communities with limited resource,
socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers and ranchers on
increasing their access to and participation in USDA programs;
3. Assist persistent poverty communities to become economically
sustainable through a locally driven bottom-up process;
4. Assist persistent poverty communities with limited resource,
socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers, ranchers and
agricultural producers to build and strengthen access to USDA
programmatic services and opportunities that promote economic and
community development;
5. Improve natural resources concerns;
6. Increase the number of agriculture producers;
7. Improve the environment and economic status of working
agriculture lands;
8. Create Local Prosperity Councils through coordination and
collaboration of USDA local officials, community
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leaders, farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers;
9. Develop plans to create sustainable communities that address
self-identified challenges through the agriculture industry.
Proposals from eligible entities must address at least five of the
following priority areas:
1. Increased access of USDA's programs and services.
2. Resolution of heirs' property issues.
3. Improved financial literacy.
4. Increased and retained new entrepreneurs in agriculture industry
to include farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.
5. Improved knowledge of agriculture business understanding.
6. Promotion of USDA programs and services to build capacity to
promote economic and workforce development, innovation and technology
through the agriculture industry.
7. Improved knowledge of agriculture and natural resources.
8. Increased use or implementation of conservation practices.
Eligible projects will increase the delivery of agriculture and
conservation assistance to limited resource, socially disadvantaged
and/or veteran farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers through
coordinating and leveraging program outreach and technical assistance
to manage natural resources. Outreach projects should focus on
assisting socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers, ranchers and
agricultural producers with all aspects of participating in USDA
programs, including understanding and assisting in the program
application process.
Eligible projects will identify and organize persistent poverty
communities that include farmers, ranchers and agriculture producers to
identify key challenges and develop strategies to assist them through
agriculture industries to become economically sustainable, safe,
educated and prosperous. Projects must follow the program summary six-
step action items required and target economic development, innovation
and technology, workforce development and quality of life.
Projects may include, but not limited to, providing technical
assistance, transfer of technology, developing natural resource tools
and information to address resource concerns in soil, water, air and
plants, and animals.
The following steps will be required of all successful awardees:
(a) Identify persistent poverty communities https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/county-typology-codes.aspx, including
communities located in Opportunity Zones, with limited resource,
socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers, ranchers and
agricultural producers. Assist with identifying local leaders and
partners to create a Local Prosperity Council to champion in order to
carry out local efforts needed to engage Federal, state, and local
partners, to connect them with USDA programs and resources.
(b) Conduct an assessment of local challenges and issues within
identified communities. This step is to list and describe, with
appropriate detail, resources needed to assist the local community.
These should be concrete, practical opportunities for partnerships or
projects of interest to the Local Prosperity Council.
(c) List all local assets with a detailed description of each one.
This step is required to identify and describe all local assets and
community resources that are being leveraged by the Local Prosperity
Council to accomplish its goals.
(d) Identify key collaborators and partners. This should be a list
of potential and existing community partners with contact information.
(e) Describe ongoing implementation efforts in the community.
Additional information must be provided, in narrative form, regarding
steps that stakeholders in the community have taken to address the
challenges independently.
(f) Provide technical assistance to communities applying for
programmatic resources, services, and opportunities. Host in-person
and/or online trainings for socially disadvantaged and/or veteran
farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers in persistent poverty
areas (https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/county-typology-codes.aspx), including in Opportunity Zones (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-18-48.pdf). Trainings can include, but are not limited to
bringing awareness to USDA capacity building programs, conservation
awareness, urban agriculture awareness, and other types of trainings
and workshops.
D. 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,
ranchers and agricultural producers 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 limited resource, socially disadvantaged and/or
veteran farmers or ranchers served or trained;
b. number of trainings held and number of limited resource,
socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers, ranchers and
agricultural producers that attended;
c. number of local prosperity councils with self-identified
challenges and assessments;
d. number of persistent poverty communities, including communities
in Opportunity Zones, identified;
e. number of USDA agencies providing resources;
f. number of programs and resources applied for by communities and
limited resource, socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers,
ranchers and agricultural producers;
g. number of mentors and local leaders identified;
h. number of State and local resources leveraged;
i. number of private sector partners and resources leveraged;
j. creation of a program to enhance the operational viability of
limited resource, socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers,
ranchers and agricultural producers;
k. number of limited resource, socially disadvantaged and/or
veteran farmers and/or ranchers and agricultural producer applications
assisted with submitting for consideration for USDA programs;
l. activity that supports increased participation of limited
resource, socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers, ranchers and
agricultural producers in USDA programs; or
m. Partnerships formed locally to improve access to USDA's programs
and services.
n. Progress and Financial Reports will be required, no more than
quarterly.
2. Outcomes (Results)
The term ``outcome'' means the difference or effect that has
occurred as
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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:
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 the number of local prosperity councils created;
Document the number of assessments, plans and strategies developed;
c. Documenting race, sex, national origin, disability and number of
limited resource, socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers or
ranchers applying for USDA programs and services by program area;
d. 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;
e. Documenting the number of limited resource, socially
disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers and ranchers that have better
access to USDA Programs, including conservation implementation, as a
result of your outreach and/or training efforts;
f. Documenting the enhanced sustainability and retention of farming
operations among limited resource, socially disadvantaged and/or
veteran farmers or ranchers;
g. Documenting higher profitability and economic stability among
limited resource, socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers or
ranchers resulting from increased access to marketing and enhanced
sales opportunities for their products;
h. Documenting an increase in the number and types of USDA programs
and services utilized as a result of your project; and
i. Documenting partnerships and resources leveraged, including a
list of all individuals, parties, entities or organization.
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, ranchers and
agricultural producers; 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:
a. What is the measurable short-term and long-term impact your
project will have on serving the needs of historically underserved
farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers?
b. How will your organization measure the effectiveness and
efficiency of our proposed activities to meet the overall goals and
objectives for this project?
c. How will your project track the compilation of a complete
assessment of local challenges and document how the connection will be
made to link them with available resources for assistance?
d. Who can you best partner with to leverage resources available to
assist historically underserved farmers, ranchers and agricultural
producers?
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,
education and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged and/or
veteran farmers or ranchers.
Grant funds are also being awarded under the Conservation Technical
Assistance, Soil and Water Conservation (CTA): Soil Conservation and
Domestic Allotment Act, Public Law 74-76, N/A, 16. U.S.C. 590a-590f,
590q.
Applicants may charge their negotiated indirect cost rate or 10
percent, whichever is lower. Indirect cost rates exceeding 10 percent
will not be permitted.
B. Expected Amount of Funding
The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards
under this competitive opportunity is approximately $4 million,
including funds provided in the 2018 Farm Bill and the Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2020.
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 3 years.
D. Award Type
Funding for selected projects will be in the form of a grant which
must be fully executed no later than September 30, 2020. 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
Applicants and applications must meet eligibility criteria by the
application deadline to be considered for award. Eligible applicant
type is determined by the implementing program statute. Eligibility for
this opportunity is limited to the following entity types:
1. Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than
institutions of higher education).
2. Native American tribal governments (federally and non-federally
recognized).
3. Private institutions of higher education.
4. Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education.
(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
strongly suggested that organizations begin this process immediately.
Registering early could prevent unforeseen delays in submitting your
proposal.
[[Page 41520]]
Applicants identified in the SAM.gov exclusions database as
ineligible, prohibited/restricted or excluded from receiving Federal
contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and
benefits will not be considered for Federal funding (2 CFR 200.205(d)).
B. Cost-Sharing or Matching
There are no cost-sharing nor matching requirements associated with
this funding announcement.
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. Pages in excess of the page limitation will not be
considered.
2. Proposals must be received through Grants.gov on or before the
proposal submission deadline. Applicants will receive an electronic
confirmation receipt of their proposal from Grants.gov. Proposals
received after the submission deadline will not be considered.
Proposals must address a minimum of five priority areas to provide
outreach, training and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged
or veteran farmers or ranchers as stated in leveraging partnerships.
3. 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 (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 www.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
www.grants.gov. For assistance with www.grants.gov, please consult the
Applicant User Guide at http://grants.gov/assets/ApplicantUserGuide.pdf.
Applicants are required to submit proposals through www.grants.gov
will be required to register with www.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 www.grants.gov. The
OPPE is not responsible for submission issues associated with
www.grants.gov. If you experience submission issues, please contact
www.grants.gov support staff for assistance.
Proposals must be submitted by August 24, 2020, via www.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 www.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 www.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:
a. Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance.
b. Project Abstract Summary (including site location(s) with
demographic information).
c. Project Narrative File (this is where you will attach your
Project Narrative in PDF format).
d. Standard Form (SF) 424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction
Programs.
e. Budget Narrative File (this is where you will attach your Budget
Narrative in PDF format).
f. Standard Form (SF) 424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.
g. Key Contacts Form (please provide first, middle, and last
names).
h. Form AD-3030 Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.
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i. Form AD-3031, Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.
j. Attachments Form (where you may place all your appendices).
Please note, additional required forms from organizations being
awarded a grant will be provided for execution upon 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 this funding opportunity. 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)
Please include all locations if your proposed project will be
carried out at additional sites.
Each page must be on numbered 8\1/2\'' x 11'' paper with one-inch
margins. The text of the proposal must be double spaced and typed in
New Times Roman, no smaller than 12-point font and must not exceed 10
pages. Letters of support and are not included in the page restriction.
Proposals that fail to comply with the required content and format
will not be considered for funding. Materials submitted exceeding the
maximum page limits and/or formatting structure will not be considered.
Incomplete proposals will not be considered. Proposals must be divided
into the following sections and are limited to the number of pages
stated per section:
a. Project Summary: 250 words maximum.
b. Introduction: One (1) page maximum.
c. Needs Assessment: One (2) page maximum.
d. Program Objectives: One (2) page maximum.
e. Methods: Two (2) page maximum plus Deliverables Table.
f. Budget: One (1) page maximum.
g. Evaluation: 250 words maximum.
E. Project Summary--Up to 10 Points: (First Page of Grant Application.
250-Word Maximum.)
A good summary will provide a frame of reference for the reviewer
as they begin the review process. It should be clear, concise, and
interesting. The summary should be one to three paragraph long and
include the Project Title. The summary should include one or two
sentences about each of the following: The applicant organization, a
statement on capacity of the organization to implement the proposed
activities, a statement on the communities' needs and challenges and
strategies for addressing them, a statement on the objectives and
methods, the need motivating the request, the project start and end
dates, the measurable outcomes and methodology, other organizations
that will be involved, the project total cost, including funds already
obtained, and the amount requested in this proposal.
F. Introduction--Up to 10 Points: One (1) Page Narrative Maximum
This section should introduce your organization to the reviewer and
lend credibility to your organization's qualifications and ability to
successfully manage a federal agreement. The response should be
succinct, offer a good balance between quantitative and qualitative
information, and be free of unnecessary verbiage. It should include a
brief history of the organization, including its mission statement and
goals, capacity to implement your proposal, evidence of past events,
accomplishments, and description of your clientele, including
demographic information, organizational funding sources. Describe your
history of successfully managing these federal and non-federal
agreements, including meeting and complying with reporting
requirements, submitting final acceptable technical reports, and
reporting on progress made in achieving the results under those
agreements.
Applicants must state if they are assisting either a Historically
Underserved Community (socially disadvantaged, limited resource,
beginning, or veteran farmers or ranchers) according to the definition
in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Applicants who self-
certifying as Historically Underserved may be requested to provide
records to verify their claim. For more information visit: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/people/outreach/slbfr/?cid=nrcsdev11_001040.
G. Needs Assessment--Up to 25 Points: (Two (2)-Page Maximum.)
The needs assessment is critical to the success of your
application. It is the justification for your proposal and should focus
on the condition that your proposal will address. Use care to ensure
your proposal makes no unsupported assumptions. Your Needs Assessment
should make a compelling case and identify focal area(s) within the
project area or priority criteria, demonstrate the tie-in to the
organizational mission and goals, describe the issues to be addressed,
and the history of, and need for, the proposed innovation, provide
statistical and authoritarian evidence that clearly supports the needs
identified in the proposal and supports a high probability for success,
and makes a compelling case for the project funding based on
demonstrated need, the extent to which the proposal addresses at least
five of the priority areas identified, the narrative includes a well-
conceived strategy for addressing those requirements, objectives and
the needs or problems to be solved, relates to purposes and goals of
the applicant, includes reasonable dimensions versus trying to solve
global issues, developed with input from clients and beneficiaries, and
makes no unsupportive assumptions.
H. Programmatic Objectives--Up to 20 Points (Two (2)-Page Maximum)
This section of the proposal should make a compelling case
identifying focal area(s) within the project area or priority criteria,
thoroughly address project outcomes, not project activities. Identify
the primary beneficiary of the grant such as veteran, beginning,
tribal, socially disadvantaged, limited resource farmers/ranchers, etc.
You should be using language that supports the issues identified in the
needs assessment. Avoid including topics that pertain to providing,
establishing, or developing a method to address the problem. Your
objectives should include at least one objective for each problem
identified in the Needs Assessment. Each objective must be specific,
measurable, achievable, realistic, and contain a timeline for
completion. Be sure to describe how the outcomes will be measured.
I. Methods--Up to 20 Points: (Two (2)-Page Maximum.)
Clearly describe program activities that constitute a solution with
reasons for selections of activities, methods, activities and
procedures are innovative and explain to the grant reviewer the
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steps that will be taken to complete the objectives identified in the
previous section. This section demands clarity and justification in
describing how the objectives will be met. Use care to present a
reasonable number of activities that can be completed within the budget
and grant period. Clearly describe the program activities, their
sequence, and explain your reason for choosing this combination of
activities. Provide a detailed description of how the project will be
organized and managed. Include a list of key project personnel, their
relevant education or experience, and their anticipated contributions
to the project. Explain the level of participation required in the
project by government (USDA) and non-government/public-sector entities
and identify who will participate in monitoring and evaluating the
project. Proposal must describe how the project will be sustained post
agreement and if the activities and outcomes are transferable to other
organizations.
J. Budget--Up to 10 Points: (One (1) Page Maximum)
The extent which the proposal describes the costs required to
achieve the desired objectives, including personnel, fringe benefits,
travel, equipment, supplies, indirect costs, and requested USDA
financial assistance, lists partnering organizations, provides detailed
costs, and includes a well written description of the costs required
(including time, responsibilities and number of key staffs). Applicants
may charge their negotiated indirect cost rate or 10 percent, whichever
is lower. Indirect cost rates exceeding 10 percent will not be
permitted.
K. Evaluation--Up to 5 Points-(One (1) Page Maximum)
The extent to which the proposal presents a plan for determining
the degree to which objectives are met and methods are followed,
presents a plan for evaluating accomplishments of objectives, a plan
for evaluating and modifying methods over the course of the project,
clearly states criteria of success and describes how success will be
measured, and define how progress will be reported and technical
representative(s) kept informed. DO NOT PASSWORD PROTECT ANY OF YOUR
SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS OR FORMS.
L. 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.
M. Submission Dates and Times
The closing date and time for receipt of proposal submissions is
August 24, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., EST, via www.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. The proposal
submission deadline is firm.
N. 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.
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 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 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
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.
Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the
provisions of this notice. Incomplete, noncompliant, and/or proposals
not meeting the formatting criteria will be eliminated from
competition.
Merit/technical reviews will be conducted by a qualified evaluation
panel (panel). Risk reviews will be conducted prior to making the final
award decisions. Evaluated proposals will be forwarded to the Director
of the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement who will make the
final selections.
Each proposal will be reviewed by at least two members of the
panel. Panel members will review, and score all submitted applications.
The Panel Lead will numerically score and rank each application and
funding will be awarded within the two funding categories. Funding
decisions will be based on the Panel's recommendations. Final funding
decisions are not appealable.
Please be patient as processing all submitted applications, vetting
key personnel, proposal reviews, approval process, and agreement
creation is a
[[Page 41523]]
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. Selection of Reviewers
All applications will be reviewed by the Review Panel. Panel
members are selected based upon training and experience in assisting
historically undeserved farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.
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.
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. Additionally, the authorizing statute and
regulation for this opportunity is also the Conservation Technical
Assistance, CFDA 10.902--Soil and Water Conservation (CTA): Soil
Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, Public Law 74-76, N/A, 16.
U.S.C. 590a-590f, 590q.
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/or veteran farmers, ranchers
and agricultural producers.
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. No more than Quarterly Progress Reports and Financial Reports
will be required as follows:
a. 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.
b. 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 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:
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Report Performance period Due date Grace period
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Form SF-425, Federal Financial 1 October thru 31 December................... 12/31/2020 1/30/2021
Report and Progress Report (Due 1 January thru 31 March...................... 3/31/2021 4/30/2021
Quarterly). 1 April thru 30 June 1....................... 6/30/2021 7/30/2021
July thru 30 September....................... 9/30/2021 10/30/2021
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual (for multi-year project) Earlier of December 30, 2021, or 90 days after project completion.
and Final Progress and Financial
Reports.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Dates subject to change at the discretion of the OPPE.
Signed this 26 day of June 2020.
Jacqueline Davis-Slay,
Deputy Director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2020-14325 Filed 7-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3412-89-P