1. RFR Document- AGR-NDR2-FY27 - Updated 8-11-26.pdf

Natural Disaster Recovery Grant II (NDR2) Fiscal Year 2027

Request for Responses (RFR) RFR File: AGR-NDR2-FY27

The NDR2 Program provides compensation to producers for losses related to crop, timber, and livestock, including on-farm infrastructure, as a consequence of weather events in 2023 or 2024.

Application Deadline

Responses must be received no later than 4:00 PM, September 30, 2026

Submission Instructions

All proposals must be submitted as listed in Section 4:

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/natural-disaster-recovery-program-ii-for-agriculture-ndrii-2023-2024

Contact Information

Email: ndr2@mass.gov

Updated 08-11-26: Questions must be submitted by email to ndr2@mass.gov.

The deadline forquestions is extended to 4:00PM on Friday, August 28, 2026 https://www.mass.gov/how-to/natural-disaster-recovery-program-ii-for-agriculture-ndrii-2023-2024 mailto:ndr2@mass.gov robert.monahan Underline robert.monahan Highlight

GRANT OPPORTUNITY

NATURAL DISASTER RECOVERY GRANT II

Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs Rebecca L. Tepper, Secretary

RFR ID: AGR-NDR2-FY27

Proposals Sought For The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (“MDAR” or “Department”) invites responses from eligible operations for participation in the Natural Disaster Recovery Grant II Program (“NDR2” or “Program”). The Program provides compensation to producers for losses related to crop, timber, and on-farm infrastructure losses, as a consequence of any weather event in 2023 or 2024 as defined as eligible in this RFR. Eligible losses include those related to crops, timber, on-farm infrastructure, future economic loss, and bare-ground recovery practices. (See Section 2.B – Loss Types for further details.)

Overview & Goals NDR2 is a non-competitive disaster recovery program designed to mitigate the financial impacts of weather-related losses that occurred in 2023 and 2024 as defined as eligible in this RFR on Massachusetts agricultural operations. The Program supports recovery and continued agricultural production by providing partial compensation for documented Eligible Losses, subject to available funding.

Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants must be an Agricultural Business that meets the requirements of an Eligible Producer, as defined in this RFR, and that experienced an Eligible Loss due to a qualifying weather event in 2023 and/or 2024 as defined as eligible in this RFR. (See Section 2 – Eligibility for further details.)

Eligible Projects For purposes of this Program, “Projects” are limited to recovery-related loss categories.

Payments may be made for Eligible Losses associated with the Project Types/Areas, as defined in this RFR. (See Section 2B – for further details).

Application Deadline Applicants may submit only one application under this Program. Applications must be received by 4:00pm on September 30, 2026. (See Section 4A. - Application Instructions for more details)

Funding Availability Payment amounts will be calculated based on documented Eligible Losses and may be prorated based on total Program demand and available funding. The Department may establish a maximum total payment per Applicant. (See Section 3 – Funding for further details.)

Match Requirement There is no match requirement.

Duration of Contract The maximum contract end date is September 30, 2027.

Contact Information Email: ndr2@mass.gov mailto:ndr2@mass.gov

DEFINITIONS

Agricultural Business is a business, cooperative, nonprofit, municipal, Tribal, or other entity engaged in the growing, raising, cultivating, harvesting, marketing, storing, processing, and distribution of agricultural, aquacultural, horticultural, or livestock products within the Commonwealth. Activities that constitute “farming” and “agriculture” are interpreted consistent with M.G.L. c. 128, § 1A.

Applicant is an individual or entity submitting an application to the Department for compensation under this Program. The Applicant must meet the definition of Eligible Producer.

Aquaculture is the propagation and rearing of fish, including shellfish species in controlled or selected environments for commercial purposes.

Bare-ground Practices are cultivation methods associated with land recovery and land preparation following a weather-related loss, including activities necessary to restore land for agricultural purposes.

Commercial Agricultural Producer is an individual or entity engaged in the production of agricultural products for commercial sale, or distribution, and who demonstrates production activity in calendar year 2023 and/or 2024.

Crop means a plant or plant product that is grown for a specific purpose such as food, fiber, animal feed, or fuel that is produced in the United States as part of a farming operation and is intended to be commercially marketed. It also includes Aquaculture, as defined in this Agreement; trees that produce an annual crop (such as an orchard tree for fruit or a maple tree for sap); trees that are the crop themselves but do not fall under the definition of timber (such as Christmas trees); bushes that are low, branching, woody plants, which at maturity produce an annual crop (such as a blueberry bush); vines that are perennial plants that produce an annual crop and have a flexible stem supported by climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface (such as grape or kiwi); and nursery stock that is decorative or nondecorative plants grown in a container or controlled environment, all of which are intended to be commercially marketed and are produced in the United States. It excludes:

• Crops for fodder and grazing crops,

• Animal feed that has been harvested and stored for later use or sale,

• Aquatic species that do not meet the definition of aquaculture,

• Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant that does not meet the definition of hemp,

• Livestock,

• Honeybees, and

• Timber.

Department means the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).

Eligible Loss means the following types of losses caused by a Weather Event in 2023 or 2024 that resulted in necessary expenses related to the following:

• Crop Loss

• Future Economic Loss

• Timber Loss

• Infrastructure Loss

• Bare-Ground Practices Necessary to Mitigate Land Loss

Eligible Producer is a producer that suffered an Eligible Loss in Massachusetts as a direct result of a weather event in 2023 or 2024 as defined as eligible in this RFR and had an ownership share and a production risk in the crop, livestock, or timber (including timber rights). In addition, an Eligible Producer is a person or legal entity that must be a:

• citizen of the United States;

• resident alien; for purposes of this part, resident alien means “lawful alien” as defined in 7 CFR part 1400;

• partnership consisting solely of citizens or resident aliens of the United States;

• corporation, limited liability corporation, or other farm organizational structure organized under

State law consisting solely of citizens or resident aliens of the United States; or

• Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, as defined in section 4(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and

Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

Farmer / Farm Operator is an individual who owns or exercises legal authority to make operational decisions for a commercial agricultural business engaged in activities defined in M.G.L. c. 128, § 1A.

Infrastructure is the on-farm buildings (including immovable equipment and machinery that is needed for agricultural production; above ground irrigation; Aquaculture Infrastructure; on-farm roads, bridges, and culverts; and plasticulture.

Market Loss means the inability to market crops or value-added products to potential customers, due to impacts from weather events in 2023 or 2024 as defined as eligible in this RFR, leading to losses in revenue.

Private Forest Land means land that had at least 10% canopy cover of timber of any size immediately before the natural disaster occurred and is suitable for growing timber and is owned by a private individual, group, association, corporation, or other private legal entity.

Plasticulture means a planting system that utilizes some plastic material in the agricultural application and includes, but is not limited to, any of the following: raised beds, plastic mulch, plastic covering or protection, fumigation film, and/or plastic drip irrigation tape/tubing.

Stand means a contiguous group of trees sufficiently uniform in age class distribution, composition, and structure and growing on a site of sufficiently uniform quality, to be a distinguishable unit, such as mixed, pure, even-aged, and uneven-aged stands.

Timber means growing trees on woodland with the intention of the trees producing timber wood or pulp for commercial purposes.

Value-added Product means a product made by an Eligible Producer from a crop or milk in which they had risk in production. The Eligible Producer must have had risk in the crop, milk, or value-added product at the time of the weather event, as defined as eligible in this RFR.

Weather Event means any short-term state of the atmosphere not typical to historic average weather conditions. This may include phenomena like storms, heatwaves, drought, or heavy rainfall, that can significantly impact the environment and human populations. These events can range in intensity and duration but must have occurred in either 2023 or 2024.

1. INTRODUCTION

The Natural Disaster Recovery Grant II Program (“NDR II” or “Program”) Program provides compensation to producers for crop, timber, and on-farm infrastructure losses, as a consequence of any Weather Event.

This Program is a non-competitive recovery grant program. Awards are based on verified eligible losses and available funding.

The NDR-II Program is funded through a federal appropriation managed by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and is limited to coverage of losses not otherwise covered by existing FSA programs.

Applicants are eligible for.

2. ELIGIBILITY

A. Applicants

A1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants must be an Agricultural Business that meets the requirements of an Eligible Producer, as defined in this RFR, and that has experienced an Eligible Loss valuing at least $2,500 due to one or more Weather Events, as defined in this RFR.

A2. Ineligible Applicants Applicants that do not meet the definition of Eligible Producer, fail to demonstrate an Eligible Loss, or do not submit required documentation are not eligible for participation in this Program and will not be eligible to receive any funding under this Program.

A3. Size of Operation

While there is no minimum acreage requirement, an Eligible Producer must demonstrate that they were engaged in agricultural production in calendar year 2023 and/or 2024, corresponding to the year for which a loss claim is submitted. Demonstration of production may be established through Support Documentation listed in Section 4B.

A4. Property Ownership or Lease Applicants must demonstrate legal control of the property on which the eligible loss occurred at the time of the Weather Event or Events. Where the Applicant does not own the property, a written lease agreement or other binding agreement demonstrating the right to operate the agricultural activity at the time of the loss is required. MDAR may request additional documentation as needed to confirm legal control of ownership.

A5. Previous Applicants Applicants that previously received funding through MDAR’s Natural Disaster Recovery (NDR) Program in 2023 are eligible to apply under this Program provided that the Applicant has not already received reimbursement for the losses included in the application. MDAR will consider prior disaster payments when reviewing applications and determining payment amounts to ensure that total assistance received by an Eligible Applicant does not exceed documented eligible losses.

A6. Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Properties Applicants that own land subject to an Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) must be in compliance with the terms of their APR at the time of application.

A7. Produce Farm Registrations

All produce operations submitting responses under this RFR are subject to registration under MDAR’s Produce Safety and Market Access regulation, 330 CMR 34.00, regardless of whether the farm is classified as a Covered Farm or a Non-Covered Farm as defined in the regulation. Registration will be required as a condition of funding under any contract issued through this Program. For more information on MDAR’s Produce Safety Program, visit: www.mass.gov/produce-safety-program.

A8. Environmental Justice For the purposes of this RFR, “Environmental Justice” includes the equal protection and meaningful involvement of all people and communities in the development, implementation, and enforcement of energy, climate change, and environmental laws, regulations, and policies, as well as the equitable distribution of environmental and energy benefits and burdens. MDAR is committed to Environmental Justice and, in doing so, we are working to ensure communities across the state have the capacity to advance environmental, energy, and food justice, engage in meaningful ways, and help shape policies and programs with equity at the center. Through our programs and services, we aim to support Applicants working directly with communities most impacted by environmental, energy, and food injustice, and the disproportionate impacts of climate change.

For more information, please refer to EEA’s Environmental Justice Program Webpage.

A9. Legal Compliance

Eligible Applicants must be in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including, but not limited to, statutes, regulations, bylaws, and ordinances in effect at the time of application and at the time the eligible loss occurred.

All records submitted to MDAR under this RFR are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, and may be disclosed unless exempt under M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26).

B. Eligible Loss Categories

B1. Loss Types For the purpose of this Program, “Projects” are limited to recovery related loss categories. MDAR will make payments for Eligible Losses, as defined in this RFR, associated with the following Project Types/Areas:

• Crop Loss

• Future Economic Loss

• Infrastructure Loss http://www.mass.gov/produce-safety-program https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-environmental-justice-equity-oeje

• Timber Loss

• Bare-Ground Practices

For each Eligible Loss type, the eligibility requirements and limitations applicable to that loss category are described in the table below. These requirements define the scope of the Eligible Losses under this Program and are used solely to determine eligibility and payment amounts.

Eligible Loss Type: Crop

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible Crop losses must meet the definition of a Crop and have been produced by the

Applicant. This includes value-added products and stored crops.

• The Applicant must have experienced at least a 15 percent crop value loss across all crops that experienced a loss due to the Weather Event or Events, either through crops being destroyed, having lower yield or quality, Market Loss, or market changes that necessitated a producer selling products to a different market channel, resulting in lower revenue.

• Crops that an applicant purchased for resale and had a change in characteristic because of the time held (for example, a plant purchased at a size of 2 inches and sold as an 18-inch plant after holding for 4 months is eligible).

Examples

• Floods from excessive rain inundated a 5-acre field planted with tomatoes, destroying the entire crop.

• A six-week period without any precipitation resulted in squash growing to only 75% of expected size.

• A sudden thaw resulted in 600 gallons of spoiled, unusable maple sap.

• A late freeze meant apple yield was reduced by 50%.

• Farmers market closures meant that harvested produce was unable to be marketed and spoiled as a result.

• A Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) resulted in the closure of an aquaculture bed for two weeks, resulting in zero sales for that period of time.

• A windstorm damaged Christmas trees, resulting in them having to be harvested and destroyed.

Eligible Loss Type: Future Economic Loss

a. Eligible losses include perennial crops and crops that take multiple years to mature.

b. Eligible crops include, but are not limited to fruits, nuts, berries, and asparagus.

c. Eligible loss is based on the years between planting and having an expected fully mature crop, which varies by commodity.

d. The applicant must have experienced at least a 5 percent loss of total cultivated stock, by number of plants.

e. Replacement cost for plants not eligible for FSA’s Tree Replacement Program (TAP) is eligible.

Eligibility requires crop replacement. The applicant must demonstrate that the lost crops or similar perennial have been replanted since the Weather Event or commit to replanting by September 30, 2027.

• Asparagus crowns were flooded and destroyed, requiring them to be replanted.

• Saturated soil resulted in root rot, destroying peach trees.

Eligible Loss Type: Infrastructure

On-Farm Buildings

a. Eligible on-farm buildings include, but are not limited to, barns, silos, hoophouses, greenhouses, processing sheds, poultry houses, and nursery buildings.

b. Immovable infrastructure damaged or destroyed in buildings that suffered damage or destruction, such as stalls, watering equipment, milking equipment, and washing/packing equipment is also eligible.

c. The building is not required to have a commodity or livestock present at the time of the Weather Event that caused damage to the structure as long as there is evidence that commodities or livestock were present in the structure 12 months prior to the Weather Event.

d. Rental costs for facilities rented in 2023-2024 due to loss of or damage to a structure.

e. A building must have suffered damage equal to at least 15% of its value at the time of the loss to qualify as an eligible loss.

Above Ground Irrigation

a. Eligibility for damaged above-ground irrigation systems is limited to above-ground features and where evidence is present that a crop was grown under or directly above the structure within 12 months prior to the Weather Event that caused damage to the irrigation system.

b. The irrigation system must have suffered damage equal to at least 15% of its value at the time of the loss to qualify as an eligible loss.

Aquaculture Infrastructure

a. Eligible Infrastructure includes but is not limited to tanks, docks, breeding houses, and cages.

b. The aquaculture Infrastructure is not required to have had aquaculture present at the time of the Weather Event as long as there is evidence that an aquacultural crop was present within 12 months prior to the Weather Event that caused damage.

c. Aquaculture infrastructure must have suffered damage equal to at least 15% of the operation’s total infrastructure value at the time of the loss to qualify as an eligible loss.

On-Farm Roads, Bridges, and Culverts

a. Eligible roads, bridges, and culverts must provide direct access to crop production, be privately owned, and be located on the farm.

b. To be eligible, farm roads, bridges, or culverts must have suffered significant damage, such as a collapsed bridge that would prohibit use by typical farm machinery or be impassable or nearly impassable.

Plasticulture

a. Eligible plasticulture losses include Applicants whose plastic covering and materials used to prevent the growth of weeds, protect plants, and increase crop yields were damaged by the Weather Events.

b. Eligible plasticulture losses include demonstrable damage to high/low tunnels, greenhouse coverings, row coverings, irrigation drip tape/tubing, etc. that are located on the farm premises.

c. Plasticulture infrastructure must have suffered damage equal to at least 15% of the operation’s total infrastructure value at the time of the loss to qualify as an eligible loss.

Maple infrastructure

a. Eligible maple infrastructure includes tubing, fittings, and tanks.

b. Maple infrastructure must have suffered damage equal to at least 15% of the operation’s total tubing, fitting, and tank infrastructure.

All Infrastructure losses

• Eligibility requires infrastructure repair or replacement. The Applicant must demonstrate that the infrastructure has been repaired after the Weather Event or will be replaced by September 30, 2027.

• Lightning strike caused a barn fire.

• Excessive wind destroyed a hoop house.

• Flooding washed out a culvert under a road that provided access to fields.

• Heavy snow load collapsed a greenhouse.

• Downed limbs due to ice damaged maple tubing.

Eligible Loss Type: Timber

a. Eligible timber losses are limited to Private Forest Land with a minimum stand of 10 contiguous forested acres under the same ownership.

b. The Eligible Producer must be the owner of the property and the associated timber rights at the time of the Weather Event or Events and must demonstrate that at the time of the event they were actively managing the forest for timber with a forest management plan written by a licensed forester and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (“DCR”).

c. Timber losses must be due to a direct result of the Weather Event or Events.

d. Damage includes main stem breakage, reduction of live crown by at least 30%, breakage of the central leader, or visible lifting or separation of root plate.

e. An application must be for land on which at least 25% of the eligible trees in that stand must have suffered damage or mortality.

f. Trees that are eligible must be 8 inches or greater diameter at breast height (DBH).

g. The salvage value of damaged trees must be indicated and deducted from loss claim.

h. Proof of Forest Management Plan and a loss evaluation letter from a Massachusetts licensed forester are both REQUIRED.

i. Cost-share payments for the forester’s assessment services can be covered (75% coverage).

An invoice for services must be included.

Examples

• Wind damaged 30% of mature trees in an eligible stand, making their wood unmarketable.

Eligible Loss Type: Bare Ground Practices

a. Eligible ground must have grown a crop on it at the time of the Weather Event and experienced a loss associated with that crop.

b. Eligible bare-ground practices to restore the land include but are not limited to costs associated with removing debris from farmland; grading, shaping, or leveling land; restoring conservation structures such as diversion ditches; providing emergency water during drought for livestock or crops; land prep including mowing and harrowing under damaged plants; adding nutrients to soil in areas of critical erosion risk; and planting and managing cover crops to prevent erosion.

c. Payments are only eligible for reimbursement on bare-ground practices that have been completed at the time of program application.

• A flooded river deposited debris on a field that had to be cleaned up for future planting.

• Heavy precipitation washed out diversion ditches that needed to be regraded.

B2. Eligible Expenditures The following conditions apply to all Eligible Losses under this Program:

• The Applicant must meet the definition of Eligible Producer as defined in this RFR.

• The Eligible Loss must have occurred in Massachusetts on land or water owned, leased, or otherwise in control of the Applicant.

• The Eligible Loss must have occurred between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024, inclusive.

• The combined total of all Eligible Losses claimed by an Applicant must equal or exceed $2,500.

Type of Loss Minimum Loss Required

Crops 15% total value loss for all crops that experienced a loss, combined.

Future Economic Loss 5% total plant loss for all eligible perennial crops combined.

Infrastructure Building, irrigation, or road/bridge/culvert infrastructure must have suffered damage equal to at least 15% of its value.

Plasticulture, aquaculture, or maple infrastructure must have suffered damage equal to at least 15% of the operation’s total infrastructure value of eligible items.

Roads, bridges, and culverts This loss, plus any claimed losses in other categories, must total greater than $2,500.

Timber A minimum of 10 forested acres, under the same ownership, on which there is a stand of at least 10 acres in which at least 25% of the trees suffered a decline or mortality. Decline is represented by a 30% or greater crown dieback.

Bare Ground Practices At least 15% of the applicant’s land must have had a crop or livestock loss and a practice implemented to restore the affected land back to pre-weather event conditions.

B3. Ineligible Expenditures

The following costs, losses, or claims are not eligible for payment under this Program:

General Ineligibility

• Losses that did not result directly from a qualifying Weather Event.

• Losses that occurred outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

• Losses for which the Applicant has already received full compensation from federal, state, or private insurance or disaster recovery programs, where such payments equal or exceed the documented loss.

• Losses that do not meet the definition of an Eligible Loss under this RFR.

• Losses related to crops, products, or infrastructure not owned, leased, or otherwise under the control of the Applicant at the time of the Weather Event.

• Losses associated with normal business risk, market fluctuations unrelated to a Weather

Event, or voluntary management decisions.

• Claims for future work, upgrades, or improvements that are not directly tied to a documented

Eligible Loss.

Crop Loss Ineligibility

• Fodder and grazing crops.

• Animal feed that has been harvested and stored for later use or sale.

• Resale items not held for characteristic change.

• Stored commodities covered under FSA’s On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program.

• Livestock and honeybees.

• Losses not directly related to the sale of a crop (e.g., agritourism activities such as corn mazes or hayrides).

• Losses of crops produced by other producers, including products purchased for resale.

• Aquaculture losses for farm-raised fish that were compensated, in whole or in part, under

FSA’s Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) in 2023 or 2024.

Future Economic Loss Ineligibility

• Replacement costs for plants or crops that are eligible for coverage under FSA’s Tree Assistance Program (TAP).

Timber Loss Ineligibility

• Costs associated with the extraction or removal of damaged timber.

Infrastructure Loss Ineligibility

On-Farm Buildings

• Equipment buildings, repair shops, fencing, and movable equipment.

Above-Ground Irrigation

• Pumps, wells, and underground irrigation infrastructure.

Aquaculture Infrastructure

• Boats and portable equipment that can be easily moved without damage.

On-Farm Roads, Bridges, and Culverts

• Roads, bridges, and culverts located on forest land that do not provide direct access to crop production.

Plasticulture Infrastructure

• Generators, machinery, and other equipment that can be moved around the farm.

Bare Ground Practices Ineligibility

• Practices necessary because of a loss that did not impact a crop present on the land at the time of loss.

• Debris removal, grading/shaping/releveling, and restoring conservation structures that occurred as a result of flooding in July of 2023 in Franklin County, due to these practices being eligible for payment under FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).

• Debris removal and grading/shaping/releveling that occurred as a result of flooding in July of 2023 in Hampshire County, due to these practices being eligible for payment under FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).

3. FUNDING & BUDGET GUIDELINES

3A. Funding Availability / Maximum Funding

The program has a minimum eligible loss threshold of $2,500, as described above in Section B2. Upon review of total requested funding, the Department may establish a maximum total payment per Applicant.

Payments are calculated based on documented Eligible Losses and may be prorated based on total Program demand and available funding.

3B. Budget Guidelines & Award Levels

Applications must include sufficient documentation to support the calculation and justification of Eligible Losses, as specified in the Application Form and supporting documentation requirements.

Payment amounts may be calculated based on median or average prices derived from reported application data and external sources, such as supplier information, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (“NASS”), and data collected from MDAR’s 2023 NDR Program.

Eligible Losses for which payments have already been received through federal, state, or private insurance or disaster recovery programs, including but not limited to USDA programs, the Farm Service Agency (“FSA”), the Risk Management Agency (“RMA”), or MDAR’s prior 2023 NDR Program, will be deducted from any calculated payment. In no instance will the total of all payments exceed the documented value of the Applicant’s Eligible Loss.

Depending upon the total Program demand and available funding, payment amounts may be prorated. In some cases, Applicants who have already received recovery payments may receive a reduced payment or no additional payment under this Program.

3C. Appropriation

All contracts shall be subject to available funding, whether through the appropriation and authorization of sufficient funds or the receipt of sufficient revenues. If available funding ceases for any reason, a contract shall be deemed under suspension, and contract performance must halt. A contractor will not be entitled to compensation for any performance provided during the period of contract suspension. MDAR may lift the suspension if available funding is received. In the absence of foreseeable funding available, MDAR may terminate the contract.

3D. Match Requirement There is no match requirement for this Program.

3E. Multiple Program Applications

Applicants may have previously applied to and been awarded MDAR and/or other state or federal disaster recovery program for losses arising from the same Weather Event or Events or may have received insurance payments for those losses. MDAR will consider prior disaster recovery payments received or anticipated when determining payment amounts under this Program. MDAR’s determinations regarding payment eligibility and amounts shall be final and binding.

4. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & EVALUATION

4A. Application Submission Instructions Submission Requirements:

Only one application will be accepted and reviewed per Applicant. The application must include all properties owned, leased, or otherwise in the control of the Applicant for which an Eligible Loss claim is being submitted. For properties with multiple farming operations managed by different parties, either the individual operator(s) or the landowner may apply for the Program, but not both for the same Eligible Loss.

Applicants must complete and submit all required application materials as outlined below. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Submission Deadline:

Applications must be received by 4:00 PM, Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Late submissions, including those delayed by mail or technical issues, will not be accepted.

Submission Options:

Applications must be submitted through the online application system available at:

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/natural-disaster-recovery-program-ii-for-agriculture-ndrii-2023-2024.

The online application form must be completed in its entirety.

Attachments:

All attachments must be in Microsoft Word or Excel, Adobe Acrobat (pdf), or standard image (.jpg, .png, .tif, etc.) formats. Submissions exceeding 50 MB will not be accepted.

Accessibility:

Reasonable accommodation will be made for Applicants with demonstrated hardships, such as limited or lack of access to the internet or a computer.

Important Notes

• The option to save an incomplete application and return to it to continue working on it later only saves the work for 30 days, and does NOT save any uploaded attachments.

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to retain a copy of their entire submission.

• All Applicants/Bidders are advised to allow adequate time for submission of their proposal by considering delays online impediments like Internet traffic, internet connection speed, file size, and file volume.

• MDAR is not responsible for delays encountered by Bidders or their agents, or for a Bidder’s local hardware failures, such as computers or related networks, associated with bid compilation or submission.

4B. Supporting Documentation

Submitting a signed application attests to the truth and accuracy of the claims made.

Supporting documentation is used to verify Applicant eligibility, confirm the occurrence and extent of reported losses, and validate information provided in the application. Applicants should submit documentation that clearly supports the losses described in their application and corresponds to the loss category selected. The Department may request additional documentation as needed.

Purpose Type of Documentation

Applicant Eligibility

Documentation that demonstrates the production of agricultural goods in 2023 and/or 2024 is required. Acceptable forms of documentation include:

• IRS Schedule F, FSA acreage report, or similar records

• Sales receipts or invoices

• FSA farm number

• Lease agreement or tax parcel ID (if applicable)

General Proof of Loss (All Categories)

• Photographs of damage or destruction

• Insurance claims or payment documentation

• Insurance adjustment reports

• Other records supporting timing, cause, and extent of loss https://www.mass.gov/how-to/natural-disaster-recovery-program-ii-for-agriculture-ndrii-2023-2024

Crop Loss (Including Market Loss)

• Crop or production records

• Sales records or pricing documentation

• Market disruption documentation (e.g., cancellations, buyer correspondence), if applicable

Future Economic Loss

• Planting records or invoices

• Replanting or replacement documentation

• Other records supporting loss of perennial stock

Timber Loss

• Approved forest management plan (proof required).

• Letter from a Massachusetts licensed forester (required. Letter must include site of loss; overall size, in acres, of each stand suffering damage; number of acres damaged or destroyed; type of damage (i.e.: wind, flooding, fire, etc.); percentage of loss for the acreage represented by percentage of trees destroyed and unable to be sold for timber; percentage of trees suffering 30% or greater crown dieback; estimated total value of loss, including an explanation of methodology for determination; salvage value and extraction cost of damaged trees; and methodology for their assessment.)

• Salvage value or payment documentation, if applicable

Infrastructure Loss

• Photographs or evidence of damage

• Documentation of prior use for storage or processing of an agricultural crop within 12 months prior to reported loss

• Repair or replacement estimates or invoices

• Documentation supporting total infrastructure value

Bare Ground Practices

• Photographs or documentation of damage and completed remediation

• Receipts or invoices for materials or services

• Documentation of self-performed work, if applicable

4C. Additional Contract Documentation

If selected, the Applicant will be required to submit the following forms to complete the contract:

• Commonwealth Standard Contract Form with Commonwealth Terms & Conditions

• Completed Contractor Authorized Signature Verification Form

• Completed Commonwealth W-9 tax information form

• Completed Electronic Funds Transfer Form

These forms do not need to be completed as part of the response. Assistance to complete these forms will be provided to Respondents selected to participate in the Program. These forms are available for review at www.mass.gov/osd or by request.

4D. Review Process / Evaluation Timeline

The Department cannot assist in the preparation of grant applications. In order to maintain integrity of the competitive grant process, the Department is unable to advise and/or provide individuals with any information regarding specific applications during the solicitation process. This Program is non-competitive and does not involve scoring, ranking, or comparison of applications.

http://www.mass.gov/osd

The review process will consist of the following steps.

Step 1: Eligibility & Completeness Review Applications will be reviewed to confirm that all required information and documentation have been submitted and that the Applicant meets Program eligibility requirements.

Step 2: Clarification (If Needed) If additional information or clarification is required to verify eligibility or loss calculations, the Department may contact the Applicant. Applicants will be given a specified timeframe to respond. Failure to respond may result in ineligibility.

Step 3: Verification (If Applicable) The Department may conduct a telephone, virtual, or on-site verification to confirm the accuracy of the submitted information. Verification does not guarantee funding.

Following review, MDAR may adjust calculated payment amounts based on verified information, available funding, and Program requirements. Final funding recommendations will be conveyed to the Commissioner of Agricultural Resources and the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for final determinations. Once the review period has ended and award decisions are finalized, Applicants will be notified via the primary email address listed on the application.

4E. Evaluation Criteria Applications will not be scored or ranked. Evaluation is conducted solely to:

• Confirm Applicants’ eligibility;

• Verify documentation of eligible losses;

• Validate calculations used to determine payment amounts; and

• Ensure compliance with Program requirements and applicable state and federal laws.

Submission of an application does not guarantee payment.

5. PROJECT TERMS & COMPLIANCE

5A. Contract Terms

If awarded, all Projects will be required to execute and abide by the standard Commonwealth of Massachusetts Terms and Conditions and General USDA General Terms and Conditions, to the extent such is in compliance with the preliminary injunction entered on June 5, 2026, in Massachusetts, et al. v.

USDA, et al., No. 1-26-cv-11396.In addition, all final contracts are subject to successful negotiation of a Final Scope of Services. MDAR does not guarantee that any contract may result or that any particular funding level will be awarded from this RFR. A contract is considered fully executed once signed by both parties.

MDAR reserves the right to interpret, clarify, modify, or supplement the terms and conditions of this RFR and any resulting contract at any time, at its sole discretion, to ensure proper administration of the Program and compliance with all applicable state and federal requirements. The absence of a specific provision within this RFR shall not limit MDAR’s authority to impose additional terms, conditions, or requirements determined necessary for the effective implementation of the Program.

All determinations made by MDAR, including eligibility decisions, allowable expenditures, reporting requirements, compliance actions, and award amounts, shall be final and binding. By entering into a contract with MDAR, contractors agree to comply with any such directives issued during the contract period.

Requirements will be defined in the grant contract and Scope of Services. The Applicant acknowledges that they will need to attest to the following in order to participate in the Program:

• The Applicant gives permission for a site visit (physical access to the sites claimed in this application) by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) staff. All site visits will be arranged with the Applicant in advance.

• The Applicant has the authority to request payment from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

• The Applicant agrees to provide additional information and documentation upon the request of MDAR to prove all losses claimed and information made on this application.

• The Applicant must repay the award or portion of the award to MDAR if any funds received were issued in error; are based on incorrect representations made to MDAR; or if any costs forming the basis of an award under this program are covered by other federal, state, non-profit grant awards and/or any funds received by insurance claims. The Applicant agrees that the final determination of whether there has been a duplication of benefits and the amount to be repaid, if any, will be made by MDAR.

• The Applicant authorizes MDAR to share all records and information necessary relevant to this award with federal and state agencies and as otherwise required under the public records law, M.G.L. c. 66, Sec. 6A, and M.G.L. c. 4, Sec. 7(26).

• The Applicant understands that any amount awarded may be considered taxable income and may result in the issuance of a 1099-G and that any questions about tax or other liability should be directed to the appropriate tax or legal professional.

• The Applicant authorizes its insurance company, bank, financial institution, or other related party to release to MDAR all records and information necessary to process the application.

• The Applicant certifies, under the pains and penalties of perjury, that it has submitted a Response (complete application) to this RFR that is the Applicant’s eligible financial loss as evidenced by the execution of its authorized signatory, and that the Applicant’s Response may be subject to negotiation by the Strategic Sourcing Team (“SSST”). Also, the terms of the RFR, the Applicant’s Response, and any negotiated terms shall be deemed accepted by MDAR and included as part of the Contract upon execution of this document by the State Purchasing Agent or his designee.

• The Applicant certifies that if engaged in crop production agriculture they are subject to registration under Produce Safety & Market Access 330 CMR 34.03, regardless of whether the farm is a Covered Farm or a Non-Covered Farm, as defined in the regulation. Registration will be a condition of funding in any contract. For more information on MDAR’s Produce Safety Program, please visit the Produce Safety Program website.

• The Applicant certifies that if engaged in dairy production they are subject to registration under 330 CMR 27.00. Registration will be a condition of funding in any contract. For more information on MDAR’s Dairy Program, please visit the Dairy Program website.

http://www.mass.gov/produce-safety-program https://www.mass.gov/dairy-program

• The Applicant certifies that all sites enrolled in the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (“APR”) program or Farm Viability Enhancement Program (“FVEP”) must be in full compliance with all the applicable rules and regulations of those programs.

• The Applicant acknowledges that they are subject to spot checks and may be chosen for such checks, which may be conducted over the phone or in person, and that if found out of compliance with the Program requirements will be determined ineligible for payments or required to return payments.

• The Applicant authorizes the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to release their Federal crop insurance and FSA program information, applications, data, and other relevant documents in their possession for the purpose of allowing MDAR to not duplicate benefits already received from USDA programs.

• The Applicant authorizes MDAR to release this application, data, and other relevant documents in their possession to FSA for the purpose of ensuring the Applicant’s compliance with all Program, legal, and recordkeeping requirements.

• The Applicant will retain financial and other records relating to the program and funds received for a period of three years after completion of the distribution of program payments or until final resolution of any audit findings or litigation claims that may arise relating to the distribution of such funds, whichever is later. Failure to provide MDAR access to these records will result in a breach of the Applicant’s agreement with MDAR. In the case of a breach, the Applicant shall be responsible for a full refund of all payments to MDAR.

• The Applicant agrees that they are a person or legal entity that is a citizen of the United States;

resident alien, for purposes of this part, resident alien means “lawful alien” as defined in 7 CFR part 1400; partnership consisting solely of citizens or resident aliens of the United States;

corporation, limited liability corporation, or other farm organizational structure organized under State law consisting solely of citizens or resident aliens of the United States; or Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, as defined in section 4(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

• The Applicant certifies that all statements made on this application and any other program documents are true and correct and understands that any false statements made as part of the application, or any other Program documents can be the subject of substantial civil and/or criminal liability and sanctions.

5B. Duration of Contracts

All Projects must be completed by September 30, 2027.

5C. Installation Standards & Permits MDAR may verify claimed Eligible Losses prior to reimbursement, including through documentation review or site visits. Only losses meeting the requirements of this RFR and applicable law shall be eligible for payment.

6. DELIVERABLES, REPORTING & INVOICING

6A. Project Deliverables Program deliverables are limited to documentation necessary to verify Applicant eligibility, Eligible Losses, and payment amounts under this Program. Deliverables may include supporting records, certifications, or other materials required to substantiate claims or comply with state or federal reporting requirements.

6B. Reporting Requirements MDAR may request additional information after payment has been issued, including documentation or certification describing how Program funds were used, to support program monitoring, audit, evaluation, or public reporting requirements.

6C. Invoicing & Payment

Payments under this Program will be made on a calculated payment basis, as determined by MDAR, and are subject to verification of Eligible Losses and compliance with Program requirements.

Award recipients must submit any documentation required by MDAR to support payment, including records demonstrating the nature and value of Eligible Losses and any prior recovery payments received.

MDAR reserves the right to adjust, withhold, or recover payments if documentation is incomplete, inaccurate, or inconsistent with Program requirements.

Funds awarded through this program may be considered taxable income, and recipients are solely responsible for determining and satisfying any resulting tax obligations. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 7A, § 3 and 815 CMR 9.00, the Office of the Comptroller may intercept or withhold payments to satisfy outstanding debts owed to the Commonwealth, including unpaid taxes, child support, or other legally enforceable obligations, which may reduce the amount disbursed to the recipient. The Department does not provide tax advice and Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult a qualified tax professional to understand the potential tax implications of accepting an award.

7. DEADLINES & PROCUREMENT CALENDAR

Release of RFR August 3, 2026

Information Session/Questions

Applicants may submit questions regarding this RFR and application process.

Questions must be submitted by email to ndr2@mass.gov. The deadline for questions is 4:00PM on Friday, August 28, 2026. All questions and answers will be posted at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/natural-disaster-recovery-program-ii-for-agriculture-ndrii-2023-2024 so that all applicants can review.

A prerecorded informational webinar has been made publicly available for interested applicants on the NDR2 webpage at https://www.mass.gov/how-to/natural-disaster-recovery-program-ii-for-agriculture-ndrii-2023-2024.

Application Due Date 4:00PM on Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Estimated Award Date February, 2027 mailto:ndr2@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/how-to/natural-disaster-recovery-program-ii-for-agriculture-ndrii-2023-2024 https://www.mass.gov/how-to/natural-disaster-recovery-program-ii-for-agriculture-ndrii-2023-2024

Estimated Contract Start Date

Notwithstanding any verbal representations by the parties, or an earlier start date listed in the Standard Contract Form, and only after an award is issued and a final scope of services has been negotiated, the effective start date of a contract shall be the latest of the following dates: the date the Standard Contract Form has been executed by an authorized signatory of the contractor and the procuring department; the date of secretariat or other approval(s) required by law or regulation; or a later date specified in the Standard Contract Form.

8. MISCELLANEOUS

Type of Procurement Grant

Single or Multiple Departments

This RFR is a single department procurement. All contracts awarded under this RFR will be utilized only by MDAR.

Request for Single or Multiple Contractors

Multiple Contractors

RFR Distribution Method

This RFR has been distributed by MDAR’s Farm and Market Newsletter, posted to the program’s website at www.mass.gov/agr, and by a distribution list of requested applicants.

This RFR has been distributed electronically via COMMBUYS. It is the responsibility of every applicant to check COMMBUYS for any addenda or modifications to an RFR to which they intend to respond. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its subdivisions accept no liability and will provide no accommodations to applicants who fail to check for amended RFRs and submit inadequate or incorrect responses. Potential Respondents are advised to check the “last change” field on the summary page of RFRs for which they intend to submit a response to ensure they have the most recent RFR files.

Respondents may not alter RFR language or any RFR component files.

Those submitting a proposal must respond in accordance to the RFR directions and complete only those sections that prompt a Respondent for a response. Modifications to the body of this RFR, specifications, terms and conditions, or which change the intent of this RFR are prohibited.