2017_LFPP_RFA_Final_12142016.pdf

OMB No. 0581‐0240

Local Food Promotion Program

Fiscal Year 2017 Request for Applications

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-LFPP-G-17-0001

Publication Date: January 11, 2017

Application Due Date: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on March 27, 2017

2 | P a g e

Program Solicitation Information

Funding Opportunity Title: Local Food Promotion Program

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-LFPP-G-17-0001

Announcement Type: Initial

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.172

Dates: Applications must be received before 11:59 pm Eastern Time March 27, 2017 through www.Grants.gov. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered for funding.

Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP). LFPP’s purpose is to increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets, by developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of local and regional food businesses (including those that are not direct producer-to-consumer markets) that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products. Eligible applicants include agricultural businesses, agricultural cooperatives, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) networks, CSA associations, economic development corporations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, producer networks, producer associations, public benefit corporations, regional farmers’ market authorities, and Tribal governments. AMS will competitively award grants to eligible applicants for projects that meet the purpose of the grant program.

Approximately $13 million is available to fund applications under this solicitation. In the FY 2016 application cycle, AMS received 353 applications and was able to fund 52 (15%) of the applications. To be competitive, applications must be complete and of high quality.

LFPP planning grant awards range from $25,000 to $100,000. LFPP implementation grant awards range from $100,000 to $500,000. An applicant is limited to one LFPP award in a funding year. LFPP funding will be available for use beginning September 30, 2017. A 25 percent cash or in-kind funding match is required.

This announcement provides information regarding the eligibility criteria for applicants and projects, and the application forms and instructions needed to apply for an award.

Stakeholder Input: The AMS seeks your comments about this Request for Applications (RFA). We will consider the comments when we develop the next RFA for the program. Submit written stakeholder comments by the deadline set forth in the DATES portion of this Notice via e-mail to:

USDALFPPQuestions@ams.usda.gov. (This e-mail address is intended only for receiving comments regarding this RFA and not requesting information or forms.) In your comments, please state that you are commenting on the Local Food Promotion Program RFA.

https://www.cfda.gov/index?s=program&mode=form&tab=step1&id=958961216c4467e741ea6be0b5bfffcc http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:USDALFPPQuestions@ams.usda.gov

3 | P a g e

2017 Highlights and Changes

Below are highlights of major changes to the program since last year.

• Includes a definition for “partnership” and a definition for “collaborator” under sections 3.2 Partners and Collaborators and 4.2.5 Letters of Commitment from Partner and Collaborator Organizations.

• Revises section 3.3 Limit on Number of Applications to state that an organization that currently has an active (not closed-out) grant award from a previous year under either FMPP or LFPP may apply to receive an award under this RFA if the applicant closes out the previous award by the application due date mentioned in section 4.4 Submission Date and Time.

• Adds a link for a match calculator to help applicants calculate the required LFPP match.

• Revises the application requirements to only require the Accounting Systems and Financial

Capability Questionnaire for applications evaluated in the Administrative Review Phase (Step 3) of the Selection Process.

• Requires that the Project Narrative is submitted to AMS in PDF format rather than MS Word.

• Adds clarifying language in sections 4.2 Content and Form of Application Submission and in 4.7

Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures and Requirements that explains how to attach AMS-specific forms in Grants.gov and that Grants.gov does not verify whether these required forms are submitted by the applicant at the time of submission.

• Simplifies the review criteria language in section 5.1 Project Evaluation Criteria.

• Includes AMS’ policy on Late and Non-Responsive Applications under sections 4.3 Submitted

Application Qualification and 5.2 Review and Selection Process.

• Revises AMS’ process for answering questions regarding this Request for Applications under section 7.0 Agency Contacts.

4 | P a g e

Application Checklist

The application checklist below provides the required and conditionally required documents for an application package. AMS expects that applicants will read the entire RFA prior to the submission of their application to ensure that they understand the program’s requirements.

LFPP requires that all application packages include the following:

☐ SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

☐ SF-424B – Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

☐ Project Narrative (limited to no more than 15 pages, excluding existing Project Narrative form content (14 Project Narrative form content + 15 pages of project information)) (PDF - Upload using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15)

☐ Signed Letters Verifying Matching Funds for EACH cash and/or in kind resource (PDF or MS Word

- Upload using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15)

☐ Signed Letters of Commitment from Partner and Collaborator Organizations (PDF or MS Word - Upload using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15)

When applicable, application packages are required to include the following documents:

☐ AD-3030 – Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

☐ AD-3031 – Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

☐ Signed HUD Form 50153 Promise Zone Certification Form (PDF - Upload using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15)

☐ Signed Letter(s) Stating Evidence of Critical Resources and Infrastructure (PDF or MS Word - Upload using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15)

☐ Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (PDF - Upload using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15)

Timing to Obtain and Submit Grants.gov Required Elements

Required Action Timing to Obtain/Submit

AMS Deadline to receive final application and all supporting materials March 27, 2017 – 11:59 p.m. [Eastern Time]

Obtaining Your Organization’s DUNS Number (if you do not already have one) 1-2 business days Establishing an Active SAM.gov Account (if you do not already have one) 7-10 business days Obtaining an TIN/EIN (if you do not already have one) Up to 2 weeks Creating your Grants.gov profile and registering your AOR authorization Up to 2 weeks

5 | P a g e

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Funding Opportunity Description

1.1 Legislative Authority

1.2 Purpose

1.3 Project Types

1.4 Priority Areas

2.0 Award Information

2.1 Type of Federal Assistance

2.2 Type of Applications

2.3 Available Funding

2.4 Federal Award Period Duration

2.5 Award Size

3.0 Eligibility Information

3.1 Eligible Applicants

3.2 Partners and Collaborators

3.3 Limit on Number of Applications

3.4 Cost-Sharing and Matching

4.0 Application and Submission Information

4.1 Electronic Application Package

4.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

4.3 Submitted Application Qualification

4.4 Submission Date and Time

4.5 Intergovernmental Review

4.6 Funding Restrictions

4.7 Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures and Requirements . 28

5.0 Application Review Information

5.1 Project Evaluation Criteria

5.2 Review and Selection Process

6.0 Award Administration Information

6.1 Award Notices

6.2 Unsuccessful Applicants

6.3 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

6.4 Reporting

7.0 Agency Contacts

8.0 Other Information

8.1 Equal Opportunity Statement

8.2 Freedom of Information Act Requests

8.3 Prohibition on Using Funds under Grants and Cooperative Agreements with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements

8.4 Paperwork Reduction

6 | P a g e

1.0 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) is authorized by the Farmer-to- Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3005). FMLFPP is administered in two components, the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP). This RFA is for LFPP.

1.2 PURPOSE

To increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets, by:

• developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of:

local and regional food businesses (including those that are not direct producer-to-consumer markets) that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products.

Local or Regional Food Business: An organization or business entity that functions as an intermediary between producers (farmers or growers) and buyers by carrying out one or more local or regional food supply chain activities—including aggregating, storing, processing, and/or distributing locally or regionally produced food products—to meet local and regional market demand.

• Examples include but are not limited to: food hubs, food aggregators, food distributors, food wholesalers, food processors, and other value-added production enterprises, such as shared-use kitchen or kitchen incubator operations.

1.2.1 LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY PRODUCED FOOD

Locally or Regionally Produced Food: A food product that is raised, produced, aggregated, stored, processed, and distributed in the locality or region where the final product is marketed to consumers, so that the total distance that the product travels between the farm or ranch where the product originates and the point of sale to the end consumer is at most 400 miles, or both the final market and the origin of the product are within the same State, territory, or tribal land.

FMLFPP recognizes that domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities, as well as local and regional food businesses may source or market some of their food products outside of the defined locality or region. These enterprises are eligible to apply for FMLFPP, but award recipients may only use Federal award funds to build a business’s capacity to develop, improve, and/or expand local or regional supply chain activities, and may not use award funds to support supply chain activities for food items originating from or being sold to areas outside the defined locality or region.

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3005%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3005)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

7 | P a g e

1.3 PROJECT TYPES

LFPP awards both Planning and Implementation projects. Both planning and implementation projects require a 25 percent match of cash or an in-kind contribution of the total cost of the project. See section

4.2.4 Matching Funds and Letters of Verification for more information. An applicant may submit more than one application for competitive review; however, LFPP will only make one Federal award per applicant if more than one of their applications is recommended for funding.1

1.3.1 PLANNING PROJECTS

Planning projects are used in the planning stages of establishing, improving or expanding a local and regional food business that will:

• Increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products; and

• Develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets.

Such activities would include developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to such businesses. Projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Completing a feasibility study for a new food hub.

• Hiring an expert(s) to provide technical assistance to implement a local/regional food transportation system.

• Hiring an expert(s) to provide training on managing a local/regional food storage or processing facility.

• Devising a business plan to conduct an implement project as described below.

1.3.2 IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS

Implementation projects are used to establish a new local and regional food business, or to improve or expand an existing local and regional food business that will:

• Increase domestic consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products; and

• Develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets.

Such activities would include developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement and expansion of such businesses.

Projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Establishing or expanding the scope of local/regional food incubator programs.

• Establishing, expanding, or diversifying the operation of existing community kitchens and food processing facilities.

1 See section 3.3 Limit on Number of Applications for more information.

8 | P a g e

• Instituting individual or group-based Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification for sellers of local food into wholesale marketing channels.

• Aggregating from producer to wholesale buyers through a website or virtual marketplace.

• Exploring opportunities for food hubs/aggregators to create greater institutional and retail market access for local food through joint business networks.

• Cultivating new wholesale market channels for locally grown specialty and culturally appropriate foods.

• Helping urban farmers scale up production and increase their farm-based income by creating new wholesale market opportunities.

• Investigating and implementing more cost-effective means of transportation for local food supply chains through backhaul, route optimization, and/or other operational efficiencies.

• Providing training and/or technical assistance to accomplish any of, or related to, any of the above activities.

If the applicant previously received an LFPP planning award that is directly related to the current proposal, the applicant must indicate how the previous planning project contributed to the work proposed in the current proposal. Applicants should explain this connection in their Project Narrative (section 4.2.3 Project Narrative). PLEASE NOTE that the previously awarded LFPP planning project grant agreement must be closed out as required under section 3.3 Limit on Number of Applications.

1.3.3 PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

Projects are not eligible for funding if the proposed activities:

• Are not related to local and regional food activities.

• Are to glean, purchase, or collect food or services to donate to other entities and/or individuals

(see section 4.6.4).

• Are for production-related expenses, including the purchase of farm equipment, tools, materials, supplies and other related costs (see section 4.6.4).

• Depend on the purchase or lease-to-own of a vehicle—vehicles can be leased, but not leased-to-own or purchased (see section 4.6.4).

• Benefit only one agricultural producer or individual.

• Promote local/regional food consumption in general (not related to a specific product, good or service) (see section 4.6.4).

• Depend upon a critical component (such as land and structures) not in place at the time of application submission (See section 4.2.9).

• Depend upon the completion of another project or the receipt of another grant.

• Duplicate activities in a project that has received a Federal award from another Federal award program, including the activities of another current FMLFPP project.

1.4 PRIORITY AREAS

9 | P a g e

Priority consideration will be given to projects that: (1) Benefit communities located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to supermarkets as defined in section 1.4.1 Low Income/Low Food Access, (2) Are implemented in and support agri-businesses located in rural areas or towns that have populations of 50,000 or less, or (3) Involve Promise Zone Lead Applicant Organizations. AMS will award at least 10 percent of its total funding to these projects.

AMS does not require that submitted projects be implemented in designated priority areas or involve Promise Zone partnerships. All applications, whether requesting consideration under the priority areas or not, will be given equal consideration in the evaluation process.

Promise Zone projects will be evaluated equally during the peer review process as well, but will receive five priority points in addition to the final score provided by reviewers.

1.4.1 LOW INCOME/LOW FOOD ACCESS

To be considered a limited access priority area, the project’s implementation address must be in a low income/low food access (LI/LA) census tract as defined by the USDA. “Implementation address” refers to the street address or census tract location within the targeted community (LI/LA census tract) at which the applicant plans to conduct or deliver approved project activities.

The applicant is required to provide their census tract(s) for at least one LI/LA address (priority area). If your organization or business is located in and/or primarily serves at least one LI/LA community (as defined by one of the four major map layers on the ERS Food Access Research Atlas map), your application will be considered under this priority area.

Further information on how to provide the required information can be found in the in section 4.2 Content and Form of Application Submission and the FMLFPP Project Narrative.

1.4.2 PROMISE ZONE(S)

For applicants partnering with Promise Zone Lead Applicant Organizations, identify the specific Promise Zone area in which your project activities will be implemented. Then, include with your application, the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Promise Zone Certification Form, signed by the Promise Zone Official authorized to certify that the project meets the qualifying criteria. Further information on how to provide the required information can be found in the in section 4.2 Content and Form of Application Submission and the FMLFPP Project Narrative.

For more information on current Promise Zones, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Website: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/promise-zones/.

2.0 AWARD INFORMATION

2.1 TYPE OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

FMLFPP will use a Grant Agreement to provide a Federal award to successful applicants.

2.2 TYPE OF APPLICATIONS

http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas.aspx http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2017FMLFPPProjectNarrative.docx http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=PZ_Certification_Guidance.pdf http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=PZ_Certification_Guidance.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/resources/tm-hud-50153 http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2017FMLFPPProjectNarrative.docx https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/promise-zones/ https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/promise-zones/

10 | P a g e

New application. All new applications will be reviewed competitively using the selection process and evaluation criteria described in section 5.0 Application Review Information.

Continuation application. These applicants have received prior FMLFPP funding, such as an LFPP planning grant or a previous FMPP grant. Such applications must contain the same information that is required for new applications, as well as a description – via the FMLFPP Project Narrative form – of how the newly proposed project builds on previous activities. Continuation applications will be evaluated according to the same evaluation criteria as new applications, in addition to considering the applicant’s performance during the previous FMFLPP grants and their apparent ability to improve upon that work.

2.3 AVAILABLE FUNDING

Approximately $13 million will be available to fund applications in fiscal year 2017.

2.4 FEDERAL AWARD PERIOD DURATION

AMS expects applicants to complete their projects within the required timeframe. It is acceptable to complete a project before the scheduled performance period end date, however AMS encourages applicants to take the full allowable grant period to allow ample time to complete projects. The applicant must indicate the start date and end date on Block 17 of the SF-424 “Application for Federal Assistance”.

Planning projects are awarded for up to 18 months and are expected to begin on September 30, 2017 and be completed by March 31, 2019.

Implementation projects are awarded for up to 36 months and are expected to begin on September 30, 2017 and be completed by September 29, 2020.

2.5 AWARD SIZE

2.5.1 PLANNING PROJECTS

Minimum grant award is $25,000. Maximum award is $100,000.

2.5.2 IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS

Minimum grant award is $100,000. Maximum award is $500,000.

3.0 ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

3.1 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

All applicants must be domestic entities owned, operated, and located within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Tribal Governments, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Eligible applicants include:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2017FMLFPPProjectNarrative.docx

11 | P a g e

Entity Type Description

Agricultural Businesses Business entities that provide, hold, deliver, transport, offer, or sell agricultural products or services.

Agricultural Cooperatives Group-owned or member-owned entities or businesses that provide, offer, or sell agricultural products or services for the mutual benefit of their members.

Producer Networks Producer group- or member-owned organizations or businesses that provide, offer, or sell agricultural products or services through a common distribution system for the mutual benefit of their members.

Producer Associations Organizations or other businesses that assist, represent, or serve producers or producer networks.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Networks

Formal groups of farms that work collectively to offer consumers regular (usually weekly) deliveries of locally-grown farm products during one or more harvest season(s) often on a subscription or membership basis. Customers have access to a selected share or range of farm products offered by the group of farmers based on partial or total advance payment of a subscription or membership fee.

CSA Associations Organizations or other businesses that assist, serve or represent CSAs or CSA networks.

Local Governments Any unit of government within a state, including a county; borough;

municipality; city; town; township; parish; local public authority, including any public housing agency under the United States Housing Act of 1937; special district; school district; intrastate district; council of governments, whether or not incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State law; and any other agency or instrumentality of a multi-, regional, or intra-state or local government.

Nonprofit Corporations Any organization or institution, including nonprofits with State or IRS 501 (c) status and accredited institutions of higher education, where no part of the net earnings of which inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

12 | P a g e

Entity Type Description

Public Benefit Corporations Corporations organized to construct or operate a public improvement, the profits from which inure to the benefit of a State(s) or to the people thereof.

Economic Development Corporations

Organizations whose missions are to improve, maintain, develop and/or market or promote a specific geographic area.

Regional Farmers Market Authorities

Entities that establish and enforce regional, State, or county policies and jurisdiction over State, regional, or county farmers markets. State agencies are eligible if the State’s regulatory statutes identify the specific State agency as a regional farmers market authority. For example, the state of Alabama has a Farmers Market Authority that is identified through the Alabama Administrative Code.

Tribal Governments Governing bodies or governmental agencies of any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community (including any native village as defined in Section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 85 Stat. 688 (43 U.S.C. § 1602)) certified by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

3.2 PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS

Applicants are required to show evidence of existing community or industry support and engagement.

AMS will not award grant funds for projects that solely benefit one individual or entity.

Support may come from private or public, for-profit or nonprofit entities, including but not limited to:

• New and beginning farmers and ranchers (individuals or entities that have not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years and substantially participate in the operation);

• Rural enterprises (small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenue);

• Agri-businesses;

• Local government entities; and

• Promise Zone lead applicant/organization or implementation partners.

Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements. Project partners and collaborators need not meet these eligibility requirements. A partnership is a relationship involving close cooperation between parties, having specified and joint rights and responsibilities in the management of the project. A collaborator is a person or an organization unaffiliated with the applicant that cooperates with the applicant in the conduct of the project and is not immediately connected to the management of the http://fma.state.al.us/pdfs/STCertFarmersMrkts05-12.pdf http://fma.state.al.us/pdfs/STCertFarmersMrkts05-12.pdf http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:43%20section:1602%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title43-section1602)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/4396/promise-zones-certification-form-and-guidance/

13 | P a g e project. An example of a partner or collaborator could be a non-profit or local producer that offers access to materials or services in support of the proposed project that would not otherwise be available.

3.3 LIMIT ON NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS

An applicant may submit multiple project proposals to FMPP and LFPP. If recommended for multiple awards, applicants will be awarded at most one LFPP award and one FMPP award under this RFA. For example:

• For LFPP, this means that an applicant may be awarded one Planning OR one Implementation grant, but not both during the 2017 award cycle.

• For FMPP, this means that an applicant may be awarded one Capacity Building OR one Community Development, Training, and Technical Assistance grant, but not both during the 2017 award cycle.

If recommended for an award under both FMPP and LFPP, applicants may accept one FMPP and one LFPP award under this RFA. Program staff will contact the applicant to discuss the situation, if applicable.

An organization that currently has an active (not closed-out) grant award from a previous year under either FMPP or LFPP may apply to receive an award under this RFA if the applicant closes out the previous award by the application due date mentioned in section 4.4 Submission Date and Time.

AMS will evaluate the highest scoring applications to ensure there is no duplication of funding between LFPP and FMPP and base final funding decisions on this information and communicate any issues to applicants, if applicable.

3.3.1 FISCAL SPONSORS/AGENTS

FMLFPP eligible applicants may use fiscal sponsors/agents in their effort to attain and administer a grant award under FMLFPP. Such applicants seeking to implement an FMLFPP project may:

• Submit an application directly to AMS through Grants.gov and request to use funds to establish contractual relationship with a fiscal sponsor/agent to perform administrative or financial functions on behalf of the applicant; or

• Utilize a fiscal sponsor/agent to apply for an LFPP and/or FMPP award on behalf of the implementing organization. By doing so, the sponsor/agent accepts all financial and legal liabilities for that organization at the time the award is made. In the case of FMLFPP applications, fiscal sponsors/agents would submit the application as the applicant organization, and the Authorized Organizational Representative responsible for all grant decisions would be an employee of the fiscal sponsor/agent. Fiscal sponsors/agents are bound by the same requirements mentioned in this RFA as other applicant organizations.

An applicant organization cannot accept an award and later transfer the award to a fiscal sponsor/agent.

3.4 COST-SHARING AND MATCHING

14 | P a g e

LFPP requires matching funds in the form of cash and/or in-kind contribution in an amount equal to 25 percent of the total cost of the project.

Committing more than the required 25 percent match will not convey any advantage to the application in terms of evaluation and scoring during the review process. Cost sharing or the required match must be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. Refer to 2 CFR § 200.306 for additional Federal requirements and definitions including the basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions.

In-kind contributions are generally defined, when used as a cost share or match for a grant, as the value of goods or services provided by a third party for the benefit of the grant program, where no funds transferred hands. These contributions cannot satisfy a cost sharing or matching requirement for this grant program if they are used towards satisfying a match requirement under any other Federal grant agreement the applicant is party to.

In addition, applicants may not use program income or Federal funds of any kind as a match or cost-share. The time devoted to the project by unspecified individuals, groups, or volunteers is not an acceptable match. For example, time and travel expenses of producers who will attend trainings or conferences are not an acceptable match.

All matching contributions must be committed or in place when the proposal is submitted to LFPP, and prior to accepting the award. Additional anticipated matching funds not in place by the time the project commences cannot be counted toward the matching requirement.

Applicants should indicate how the match will specifically align with their requested funding when completing the budget section of the FMLFPP Project Narrative and submit letters or other documentation verifying the match for EACH cash and/or in-kind resource. Refer to section 4.2.4 Matching Funds and Letters of Verification for more information.

Indirect costs may count toward your match. Refer to section 4.6.2 Using Indirect Costs on LFPP Cost Sharing or Matching for more information.

The total amount of funds your organization will bring as a match must be noted in the Budget and Justification section of the Project Narrative. To calculate the required 25 percent match, use the LFPP Match Calculator.

4.0 APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

4.1 ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PACKAGE

Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov to FMLFPP in response to this RFA. We urge you to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For an overview of the Grants.gov application process see http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.

LFPP is posted as a funding opportunity on www.Grants.gov. Please make sure you apply for the correct funding opportunity. This RFA contains the information needed to obtain and complete the required application forms and AMS-specific attachments.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1306 http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2017FMLFPPProjectNarrative.docx http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Calculator_LFPP%20Match.xlsx http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Calculator_LFPP%20Match.xlsx http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/

15 | P a g e

You can find the opportunity under either the CFDA number “10.172,” or the LFPP Funding Opportunity Number “USDA-AMS-TM-LFPP-G-17-0001.”

4.2 CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

4.2.1 SF-424 APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

Required. The SF-424 is available via the opportunity at Grants.gov. Most information blocks on the required form are either self-explanatory or are adequately explained in the instructions. However, you must use the following supplemental instructions associated with specific blocks on form SF-424. This form is a fillable PDF form in Grants.gov.

Block Instructions #1 Type of Submission Application #2 Type of Application New or Continuation #4 through #7 Not required

#8c Organizational DUNS

Applicant DUNS# for the Organization submitting the application. See D&B Request a DUNS Number.

NOTE: Applicants that apply for a grant must be capable of managing and monitoring Federal funds and project activities and outcomes. Recipients cannot transfer the award to another recipient organization once a grant is awarded (you may not apply under one DUNS number and switch to another later). Refer to section 4.7.2, a. Obtain a DUNS of this RFA.

#8d Address Enter the organization street address as it appears in SAM.gov. P.O. Boxes will not be accepted. Enter a 9-digit zip code.

#10 Name of Federal Agency AMS, USDA #11 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 10.172

#12 Funding Opportunity Number

USDA-AMS-TM-LFPP-G-17-0001

Please ensure you are applying for the correct grant program.

#13 Competition Identification Number Not applicable #14 Areas Affected by Project Enter cities, counties, states affected by project #15 Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project Provide a short description of the project.

#16a Congressional Districts for Applicant Enter the Congressional district where your main office is located.

#16b Congressional Districts for Program/Project

Enter the Congressional district where your project will be implemented. Write “All” if the projects will be implemented in more than one location.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

16 | P a g e

Block Instructions

#17 Proposed Project Start Date and End Date

Planning Projects - Your performance period cannot be more than 18 months in length. Planning projects begin September 30, 2017 and end no later than March 31, 2019.

Implementation Projects – Your performance period cannot be more than 36 months (3 years) in length.

Implementation projects begin September 30, 2017 and end no later than September 29, 2020.

#18 Estimated Funding - Federal Total Federal award requested.

#18b Estimated Funding - Applicant Enter the amount of match or cost share from the applicant organization and/or other partners.

#19 Is Applicant Subject to Review by State Under Executive Order 12372 Process?

This initiative is subject to intergovernmental review Consult this website (https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc) to determine applicability in your State.

4.2.2 SF-424B ASSURANCES FOR NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS

Required. The SF-424B is available as a PDF via the opportunity at Grants.gov. This form is a fillable form in Grants.gov.

4.2.3 PROJECT NARRATIVE

Required. Applicants are required to prepare and submit a narrative using the FMLFPP Project Narrative form. The form and instructions are available on program website at:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp/apply.

All applicants must complete the FMLFPP Project Narrative form and convert it to PDF. This PDF document must be attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15.

Handwritten applications or applications in MS Word will not be accepted. The narrative must be typed, single-spaced, in 11-point font, not to exceed fifteen (15) 8.5 x 11 pages (excluding existing Project Narrative form content). For example, if the Project Narrative form is 14 pages before you begin entering your project information into the form, your narrative may be up to 29 pages (14 pages + 15 pages). DO NOT modify the margins of the FMLFPP Project Narrative form.

The supporting documents listed below do not count toward the 15-page limit. Prior to submitting your application to Grants.gov, make sure that it is in final form (i.e., if you used the “track changes” function, accept all changes before converting the document to PDF for final submission so that the mark-up is not visible).

In the Budget and Justification section of the FMLFPP Project Narrative, provide a justification of projected project costs. The matching fund calculation is provided in section 4.2.4 below.

4.2.4 MATCHING FUNDS AND LETTERS OF VERIFICATION

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2017FMLFPPProjectNarrative.docx https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp/apply

17 | P a g e

Required. Each LFPP application requires written verification of match commitment from any party, including the applicant, who will contribute cash or in-kind matching from non-Federal resources.

Letters may be submitted in either PDF or MS Word formatting. Letter(s) must be attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15.

Submit one letter verifying the match for EACH cash or in‐kind resource signed by the matching organization.

AMS has posted A SUGGESTED MATCH VERIFICATION TEMPLATE LETTER on the LFPP application website. We highly encourage you to use this template. If you do not use this template or if you are an applicant submitting a match, your match verification document must minimally include the following:

• Project Applicant

• Project Title

• Cash Commitment per year (if applicable) and Total Cash Match

• In-kind Contribution per year (if applicable) and Total In-kind Match. Break down items into categories as applicable:

o Salaries (employee name, title, duties, pay rate/hr, amount matched per year) o Items/Activities (fair market value per unit, how value determined (provide documentation), and amount matched per year)

• Explanation of how each type of match will correspond to the budget, or be used by the

Applicant

• Signature of Matching Organization Representative with typed name and title.

Submit Matching Funds and Letters of Verification on letterhead and address them to the LFPP Applicant (i.e., Project Director). Clearly indicate at the top of the documents that they are MATCH VERIFICATION LETTERS. Letters must accompany the proposal at the time of application. Unsigned letters will not be accepted.

4.2.5 LETTERS OF COMMITMENT FROM PARTNER AND COLLABORATOR ORGANIZATIONS

Required. Applicants must provide letters of commitment (in MS Word or PDF) from all project partners and collaborators. A partnership is a relationship involving close cooperation between parties having specified and joint rights and responsibilities in the management of the project. A collaborator is a person or an organization that cooperates with the applicant in the conduct of the project but is not immediately connected to the management of the project.

The letter must state the partner or collaborator agrees to the project management plan presented in the Project Narrative. The “Commitment from Partner Organization” letters are different from the matching verification letters in that they illustrate general community support for the project rather than simply showing financial or activity support. If an organization is also providing matching support (see section 4.3.4), the organization should submit both a Letter of Commitment and a Match Verification Letter. Emails will not be accepted.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Verification%20of%20Matching%20Funds%20Template%20Letter.docx

18 | P a g e

Letter(s) must be attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15.

AMS has posted A SUGGESTED PARTNER ORGANIZATION TEMPLATE LETTER on the LFPP application website. We highly-encourage you to use this template. If you do not use this template, your document must minimally include the following:

• Project Applicant

• Project Title

• A short introduction describing the partnering organization’s mission and its interest in FMLFPP development

• What the organization commits to participating in and supporting

• The time period of the partnership

• Roles of the participating individuals, as applicable, and any individual time commitment

• A statement that these individuals and the organization agree to abide by the management plan contained in the application

Submit Letters of Commitment on letterhead and address them to the applicant (i.e., Project Director).

Clearly indicate at the top of the documents that they are LETTERS OF COMMITMENT. Letters must accompany the proposal at the time of application. Unsigned letters will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: LFPP does not require Congressional letters of support nor do they carry any weight during the evaluation process.

4.2.6 AD-3030, REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING FELONY CONVICTION AND TAX

DELINQUENT STATUS FOR CORPORATE APPLICANTS

Required if the applicant is a corporation. A corporation includes, but is not limited to, any entity that has filed articles of incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories.

Corporations can include both for-profit and non-profit entities. The AD-3030 is a self-certification form.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine if the AD-3030 needs to be completed and submitted. The applicant must submit the fillable PDF version of the form in Grants.gov. Most information blocks on the required form are self-explanatory; however, FMLFPP is providing further clarification below.

Block Instructions

#1 Applicant’s Name Enter the name of the individual or authorized representative that is submitting the application on behalf of the applicant organization.

#2 Applicant’s Address Enter the address of the applicant organization.

#3 Tax ID No. Enter the last four digits of the applicant organization’s Tax Identification number.

#4A, 4B, 4C Questions Address these questions by checking the Yes or No boxes.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Partnering%20Organization%20Template%20Letter.docx

19 | P a g e

For question 4B, see below for what is meant by “acting on behalf of.”

If the action of the official or agent resulted in a benefit to the corporation, then the official or agent was “acting on behalf” of the corporation. If the action of the official or agent resulted in a benefit to the official or agent, then the official or agent was not acting on behalf of the corporation.

#5A Applicant’s Signature (By) The individual or authorized representative that is submitting the application on behalf of the applicant organization must sign the form.

#5B Title/Relationship of the Individual if Signing in a Representative Capacity

Enter the title of the individual or authorized representative that is submitting the application on behalf of the applicant organization.

#5C Date Signed Date the form.

4.2.7 AD-3031, ASSURANCE REGARDING FELONY CONVICTION OR TAX DELINQUENT

STATUS FOR CORPORATE APPLICANTS

Required if the applicant is a corporation. A corporation includes, but is not limited to, any entity that has filed articles of incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories.

Corporations can include both for-profit and non-profit entities.

The applicant must submit the fillable PDF version of the form in Grants.gov. AD-3031 is a self-certification form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine if the AD-3031 needs to be completed and submitted.

4.2.8 HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) PROMISE ZONE CERTIFICATION FORM

Required if the proposal involves a Promise Zone Implementation Partner. If the proposal involves a Promise Zone Implementation Partner, the HUD Promise Zone Certification Form must accompany the proposal at the time of application. This form is also available on the LFPP website. Unsigned forms will not be accepted. This PDF form must be attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15.

4.2.9 EVIDENCE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Required if critical resources and/or infrastructure are necessary for the completion of the proposed project. Applicants are required to submit evidence (as PDFs or MS Word) that critical resources and infrastructure that the initiation and completion of a project depend on are in place, meaning in working condition or usable, at the time of proposal submission. Land, structures, and other critical resources must be in place and in working condition at the time of application submission. The letter must indicate the critical resources that are necessary for initiation and completion of the project and certify that they http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/economicdevelopment/programs/pz https://www.ams.usda.gov/resources/tm-hud-50153

20 | P a g e are in place and committed prior to the start date of the project. Letter(s) must be attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15.

AMS has posted A SUGGESTED EVIDENCE OF CRITICAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE TEMPLATE LETTER on the LFPP application website. We highly encourage you to use this template. If you do not use this template, your letter must include the following:

• Project Applicant

• Project Title

• A statement about committing/approving/granting permission, etc. of the critical resource or infrastructure to the project for the time period

• Describe the approved use of the critical resource or infrastructure approved for the project, any costs associated with its use, and any qualifying circumstances for its use.

Submit Evidence of Critical Resources and Infrastructure on letterhead and address them to the applicant (i.e., Project Director). Clearly indicate at the top of the documents that they are EVIDENCE OF CRITICAL RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE. The evidence must accompany the proposal at the time of application. PLEASE NOTE: Do not include letters of support in place of this document.

4.2.10 NEGOTIATED INDIRECT COST RATE AGREEMENT (NICRA)

Required if the applicant has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Refer to section

4.6.1 Indirect Costs for more information. The NICRA must be in PDF format and attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15.

4.3 SUBMITTED APPLICATION QUALIFICATION

Your application will not be accepted if it:

• Is received by Grants.gov after the submission deadline (see AMS’ Policy on Late Applications).

• Is submitted via any method other than through www.Grants.gov.

Your application will be rejected if it:

• Is not responsive to the requirements of this RFA (See AMS’ Policy on non-Responsive Applications).

AMS will also not accept an application (after submission or prior to award) if FMLFPP determines that:

• An applicant or recipient has committed fraud, including inclusion of materially misleading or incorrect information on the application (such as misrepresentation of DUNS registration or false identity statements).

• An applicant or recipient has mismanaged Federal funds.

• The proposal is funding the same activities as another Federal grant program.

• An applicant is found to be ineligible for a Federal award.

4.4 SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME

The deadline for submitting FY 2017 applications is 11:59 pm Eastern Time, March 27, 2017.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Critical%20Resource-Infrastructure%20Template%20Letter.docx https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Critical%20Resource-Infrastructure%20Template%20Letter.docx https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMSPolicyonConsiderationofLateNonresponsiveApplications.pdf http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMSPolicyonConsiderationofLateNonresponsiveApplications.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMSPolicyonConsiderationofLateNonresponsiveApplications.pdf

21 | P a g e

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Ensure that all components of the application are complete before submission. Allow enough time for the application process, as it may take more than one attempt before your application is successfully submitted. AMS encourages organizations to submit applications at least 2 weeks prior to the application deadline to ensure all certifications and registrations are met.

Only applications submitted and validated by 11:59 pm EDT on March 27, 2017 to Grants.gov will be accepted. See AMS’ Policy on Late Applications.

4.5 INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

FMLFPP is subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” Refer to https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc.

4.6 FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

4.6.1 INDIRECT COSTS

Indirect costs (also known as “facilities and administrative costs”—defined at 2…