2021 RFSP RFA FINAL COMPLIANT.pdf

OMB No. 0581-0240

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Regional Food System Partnerships

Fiscal Year 2021 Request for Applications

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-RFSP-G-21-0009

Publication Date: May 5, 2021

Application Due Date: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on July 6, 2021

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Program Solicitation Information

Funding Opportunity Title: Regional Food System Partnerships

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-RFSP-G-21-0009

Announcement Type: Initial

Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) Number: 10.177

Dates: Applications must be received on or before 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 6, 2021, through

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) 2021 Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) grant program. AMS will competitively award grants to eligible applicants for projects that meet the purpose of this grant program.

Approximately $15.3 million will be available to fund RFSP applications under this solicitation, including funding from the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-334 (2018 Farm Bill) and H.R.133

– the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding). RFSP Planning and Design projects range from $100,000 to $250,000. Implementation and Expansion projects range from $250,000 to

$1,000,000. Congress has provided the H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding due to COVID-19 impacts to the food system, and AMS encourages projects that respond to COVID-19 needs and impacts. However, funding is not contingent upon applicants directly addressing COVID-19 issues. AMS welcomes applications that meet Local Agriculture Marketing Program (LAMP) goals (see section 1.1) to support the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises, and value-added agricultural products and thereby support pandemic recovery in the sector. Eligible entities and activities for RFSP remain the same as in previous years.

In the FY 2020 application cycle, AMS received 114 RFSP applications and was able to fund 23 (20%) of the applications. However, AMS expects to award funding to more projects in FY2021 given the increased funding amount. To be competitive, applications must meet all program requirements, be of high quality, and satisfy a match of either 10% or 25% dependent on the award funding source. All applications will undergo review according to merit and customary evaluation procedures. Ultimate project funding will be determined based on aggregate ranking. This announcement provides information regarding eligibility criteria for applicants and projects, details on match funding, and the application forms and instructions needed to apply for an award.

AMS encourages applications that benefit smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran producers, and/or underserved communities. For projects intending to serve these entities, applicants should engage and involve those beneficiaries when developing projects and applications.

Stakeholder Input: AMS seeks comments about this Request for Applications (RFA). We will consider the comments in developing the next RFA for the program. Email written stakeholder comments within one year of the publication date of this RFA to: AMSGrants@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 Regional Food System Partnerships RFA.

http://www.grants.gov/ https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F116th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F133&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd3eb04ed00764649935008d8b3fc72fe%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637457244121794334%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=hLqhVd1MKqu8dvvAMf4p1B9bo0UqWDUtTx0mFMxLTuQ%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F116th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F133&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd3eb04ed00764649935008d8b3fc72fe%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637457244121794334%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=hLqhVd1MKqu8dvvAMf4p1B9bo0UqWDUtTx0mFMxLTuQ%3D&reserved=0 mailto:AMSGrants@usda.gov

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2021 Highlights and Changes

• The RFA and AMS General Terms and Conditions were updated to reflect changes to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).

• Application budgets should include travel costs to attend an AMS grants management conference. See section 4.6.5 for more information.

• Section 4.6.4 has been updated to allow pre-award costs up to 180 days prior to the start date of an award.

• FY2021 RFSP funding is based on two funding sources: 1) The Agriculture Improvement Act of

2018, Public Law 115-334 (2018 Farm Bill) provided $5 million; and 2) H.R.133 – the

Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding) provided $10.3 million, available until expended.

• Due to the H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding, there are two match levels for FY2021 awards. Funding awarded under H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding will require a 10% match to improve access to the program in a time when the pandemic may make it difficult to provide the full level of match funds usually required by the program, and also provides for in-kind match sources to meet the

10% requirement. Funding awarded under the 2018 Farm Bill will require a 25% cash-only match, as is usually required.

• Additional updates include:

o Congress has provided the H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding due to COVID-19 impacts to the food system, and AMS encourages projects that respond to COVID-19 needs and impacts. However, funding is not contingent upon applicants directly addressing COVID-

19 issues. AMS welcomes applications that meet LAMP goals to support the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises, and value-added agricultural products and thereby support pandemic recovery in the sector. Eligible entities and activities remain the same as in previous years.

o Section 3.4 has been updated to reflect the FY2021 matching fund requirements established by legislation. The H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding ($10.3 million) minimally requires a 10% match and includes cash and/or in-kind. The 2018 Farm Bill ($5 million) minimally requires a 25% cash match.

▪ Applicants who indicate they can provide a 10% match will only be considered for H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding.

▪ Applicants who indicate they can provide a 25% cash match will only be considered for 2018 Farm Bill funding.

▪ All applications will be reviewed together, with the same criteria and review process. High ranking projects will be awarded. The match amount provided by the applicant will determine which funding source AMS will use to make an award (H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding or 2018 Farm Bill).

▪ Applicants may not replicate the same application and submit it using different match amounts. For example, applicants are not allowed to submit the same application, with the same objectives, with a 10% match, and the same https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY2021_GD_TermsandConditions.pdf https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F116th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F133&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd3eb04ed00764649935008d8b3fc72fe%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637457244121794334%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=hLqhVd1MKqu8dvvAMf4p1B9bo0UqWDUtTx0mFMxLTuQ%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.congress.gov%2Fbill%2F116th-congress%2Fhouse-bill%2F133&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd3eb04ed00764649935008d8b3fc72fe%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637457244121794334%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=hLqhVd1MKqu8dvvAMf4p1B9bo0UqWDUtTx0mFMxLTuQ%3D&reserved=0

4 | P a g e application, with the same objectives, with a 25% match. Applicants must commit to one match amount that AMS will consider if selected for funding.

▪ Should insufficient high-ranking projects be identified for the 25% cash match, AMS may allow an opportunity for high ranking applicants to modify their application to offer a 25% cash match.

o AMS hopes to award as much of the H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding and Annual Funding as possible this year but may decide to not award the full 2018 Farm Bill Funding and use remaining funds to supplement available funds for FY2022 applications. In any case, applicants must demonstrate the capacity to meet Federal grants management requirements.

Application Checklist

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

RFSP requires that all application packages include the following:

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

Project Narrative Form (including Fiscal Plan and Resources and Personnel Qualifications) o Must use required template o Executive Summary supports project goals and objectives, and is no more than 250 words o Ensure the Narrative does not exceed the page limit specified in section 4.2.2 o Ensure the proposal excludes unallowable costs and activities per section 1.3.3

Signed Letter(s) Verifying Matching Funds for EACH Cash or In-kind Resource

Signed Letter(s) of Commitment from Each Partner at the time of application

If applicable, packages may also be required to include the following documents:

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) (PDF Attachment)

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 through Grants.Gov.

July 6, 2021 – 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 a TIN/EIN (if you do not already have one) Up to 2 weeks

Creating your Grants.gov profile and registering your Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) authorization

Up to 2 weeks

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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1.0 Funding Opportunity Description

1.1 Legislative Authority

1.2 Purpose

1.3 Project Types

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 and Size

3.0 Eligibility Information

3.1 Eligible Applicants - Partnerships

3.2 Eligible Entities

3.3 Eligible Partners

3.4 Limit on Number of Awards

3.5 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

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 Requirements

7.0 Agency Contacts

7.1 Programmatic Questions

7.2 Available Resources

7.3 Address

7.4 Grants.gov Questions

8.0 Other Information

8.1 Definitions

8.2 Equal Opportunity Statement

8.3 Freedom Of Information Act Requests

8.4 Paperwork Reduction

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1.0 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) is authorized by subtitle A of the Agricultural Marketing

Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. § 1621 et seq.) as amended under section 10102 of the Agriculture Improvement

Act of 2018, Public Law 115-334. LAMP supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing; local and regional food markets and enterprises; and value-added agricultural products. The primary goals of LAMP are to:

• Connect and cultivate regional food economies through public-private partnerships.

• Support the development of business plans, feasibility studies, and strategies for value-added agricultural production and local and regional food system infrastructure.

• Strengthen capacity and regional food system development through community collaboration and expansion of mid-tier value chains.

• Improve income and economic opportunities for producers and food businesses through job creation; and

• Simplify the application processes and the reporting processes for the Program.

The Regional Food System Partnerships Program (RFSP), Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion

Program (FMLFPP), and Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) Program are implemented under LAMP.

RFSP and FMLFPP are administered by AMS and VAPG is administered by the Rural Business-Cooperative

Service under Rural Development. This RFA is for RFSP.

1.2 PURPOSE

The RFSP supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems. The RFSP focuses on building and strengthening local or regional food economy viability and resilience, and this includes pandemic response and recovery.

Applicants will work with their partners to catalyze the development of local or regional food systems.

Applicants will coordinate efforts within the partnership to set priorities, connect resources and services, and measure progress towards common goals.

Partnerships are authorized to:

• Determine the size and scope of the local or regional food system in which the project’s goals, outreach objectives, and eligible activities are to be carried out.

• Coordinate with AMS to receive technical assistance; and

• Conduct outreach and education for potential participation in the partnership agreement and eligible activities.

Partnerships must bring a variety of financial and technical capabilities, demonstrate experience or readiness to work effectively and collaboratively with public and private entities across sectors, and present innovative, sustainable, and measurable approaches to achieving the project’s goals.

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RFSP grant recipients may apply for other LAMP programs on behalf of producers or eligible entities that desire to participate in eligible activities under the partnership agreement.

1.3 PROJECT TYPES

RFSP offers Planning and Design and Implementation and Expansion project types.

1.3.1 PLANNING AND DESIGN PROJECTS

Planning and Design projects support partnerships in the early stages of convening, envisioning, and planning processes for developing local or regional food systems, including for pandemic recovery.

Through these processes, partnerships can determine the goals, outreach, objectives, and eligible activities to be carried out in the regional food system, including defining the region’s parameters

(economic, geographic, etc.). Specifically, these projects support a food system’s capacity to develop and build community connections (public and private) that allow a region to engage in activities that drive the discovery and promotion of collaboration opportunities within the food system. Emphasis is placed on inclusively seeking public and private collaborators that connect and cultivate regional food economies and diverse non-Federal financial and technical resources. Examples of eligible project activities for these partnerships include but are not limited to:

• Convening established and potential partners, such as current or past FMLFPP or VAPG grantees, to define the regional food system scope and structure, share opportunities and challenges, and develop an approach that is inclusive of any potential members of a regional food system.

• Creating and conducting feasibility studies, implementation plans, and assessments, including studies analyzing capital needs and gaps.

• Conducting research on specific market, mid-tier value chain, or infrastructure investments or policy analysis to prioritize next steps at the local, regional, state, and tribal government level.

• Connecting food value chain entities with partners and funders to engage in activities that strengthen the regional food system, such as providing technical assistance to food system enterprises seeking capital investments or initiating and monitoring projects associated with other LAMP programs.

• Researching possible metrics to measure and evaluate the partnership’s early development work and identify ways to use and improve them to establish time-defined performance benchmarks for achieving partnership goals.

1.3.2 IMPLEMENTATION AND EXPANSION PROJECTS

Implementation and Expansion projects support partnerships building on prior or ongoing efforts within a local or regional food system. Partnerships funded in this track will have already completed most or all the activities discussed above for Planning and Design projects. Applicants should describe how the goals, objectives, and activities in their proposal build on and/or align with previous efforts, clearly engage entities with a shared commitment to the regional food system and maintain a diverse public-private network that enhances food system development. Examples of eligible project activities for these partnerships include but are not limited to:

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• Connecting eligible entities and partners to meet identified needs in transporting local agricultural products to market, including those impacted by COVID-19.

• Creating innovative value chains in which producers, manufacturers, buyers, and other related actors form collaborative, transparent partnerships with a commitment to shared operational values and social mission goals, which may include value chains that respond to COVID-19 impacts to the food system.

• Prioritizing strategies to fill food systems gaps, meet stakeholder needs, and facilitate market opportunities and food access solutions.

• Institutionalizing processes for ongoing community and business engagement to ensure sustainable approaches meet regional needs and provide a forum for ideas, concerns, and updates.

• Conducting research on specific market, mid-tier value chain, or infrastructure investments or policy analysis to prioritize next steps at the local, regional, state, and tribal government level.

• Supporting food system efforts to analyze capital needs and gaps.

• Increasing stakeholder awareness of regulatory considerations and market channel requirements that may impede the ability of food value chains to access certain channels and assisting producers in navigating such systems.

• Identifying resources for food system enterprises, providing technical assistance for partnership activities such as fiscal sponsorship, and applying for programs and resources that align with regional food system efforts, including other LAMP programs or those seeking capital investments.

• Evaluating the partnership’s expansion work and establishing time-defined performance measures for achieving partnership goals.

1.3.3 PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

All AMS awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the AMS Terms and Conditions. Applicants that have questions concerning the allowability of costs after reviewing the Terms and Conditions should contact AMS staff using the contact information listed under section 7.0.

RFSP is intended to fund the partnership functions and to build capacity for decision making, coordination efforts, obtaining additional resources, and planning direction and needed activities. The partnership or its member entities must identify and use other resources to cover costs of implementation where such other resources exist. Activities that can be funded under this grant because they are not commonly funded under other USDA programs might include but are not limited to value chain coordination, convening multiple types of partners and stakeholders for strategic planning, grant-writing, and program exploration on behalf of partners and entities.

AMS recognizes that businesses may source or market some of their food products outside of the defined locality or region. These businesses may participate in RFSP projects as long as they meet the eligibility requirements (see section 3.0), but award recipients may use Federal award funds only to build a business’ capacity to develop, improve, and/or expand local or regional supply chain activities, and not to support supply chain activities for food items originating from or being sold to areas outside the defined locality or region.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY2021_GD_TermsandConditions.pdf

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Projects are not eligible for funding if the proposed activities:

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

• Are related to construction or purchasing land for use by a non-Federal entity.

• Benefit only one agricultural producer or individual.

• 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.

• Provide capital for revolving loan funds or seed equity funds.

1.3.4 PRIORITY AREAS

AMS will prioritize applications that:

• Leverage significant non-Federal financial and technical resources and coordinate with other local, State, Tribal, or national efforts. Any match resources included in the proposal above and beyond the respective match requirement (see section 3.5) may lend support to the proposal.

• Cover an area that includes communities with areas of concentrated poverty that provide significant opportunities for high impact investment; or

• Have multiple entities and partners, although such partners need not be based in the partnership’s defined region.

AMS will review and apply priority consideration, based on applicant narrative responses, during its administrative review process (see section 5.2).

2.0 AWARD INFORMATION

2.1 TYPE OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

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

2.2 TYPE OF APPLICATIONS

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

2.3 AVAILABLE FUNDING

FY2021 funding for RFSP is based on two funding sources: 1) The 2018 Farm Bill provided $5 million and

2) H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding provided $10.3 million. Any funds not awarded under this RFA will be applied to the RFA for the next competitive award cycle. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

2.4 FEDERAL AWARD PERIOD DURATION AND SIZE

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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 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”.

Award size varies by project type. Applicants may not request less than or more than the respective minimum/maximum amounts. Applicants must justify the requested funding amounts within the Project

Narrative.

Project Type Duration (Months)

Start Date Completion Date Minimum Award

Maximum Award

Planning & Design

24 October 31, 2021 October 30, 2023 $100,000 $250,000

Implementation & Expansion

36 October 31, 2021 October 30, 2024 $250,000 $1,000,000

3.0 ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

3.1 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS - PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships are eligible to apply to RFSP. A partnership is an agreement between one or more eligible entities (see section 3.2) and one or more eligible partners (see section 3.3).

An application may be submitted by an eligible entity or an eligible partner on behalf of the partnership.

The partnership must specify in its application which organization(s) in the partnership are responsible for receiving and managing the award.

Partnerships that include Limited Resource Entities are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applicants must be domestic entities owned, operated, and located within the 50 United States, the

District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or Tribal Governments.

3.2 ELIGIBLE ENTITIES

Eligible entities include:

Entity Type Description

Producer An owner-operator or tenant that produces a crop or handles livestock and is entitled to a share of the farm income.

Farmer or Rancher Cooperative

A business or service organization (1) that is owned and democratically controlled by the people who use its services and (2) whose benefits (services received and earnings allocations) are

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Entity Type Description distributed to the user-owners based on how much they use the cooperative.

Producer Network or Association

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 member benefit of the owners, as well as organizations or other businesses that assist, represent, or serve producers or producer networks.

Majority-Controlled Producer- Based Business Venture

A venture with greater than 50 percent of the ownership and control held by one or more producers or one or more entities that are wholly owned and controlled by one or more producers.

Entities described here include legal partnerships, limited liability corporations, limited liability partnerships, and corporations.

Food Council Food policy council or food and farm system network that represents multiple organizations involved in the production, processing, and consumption of food, and local, Tribal, and State governments.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Network or Association

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. This includes 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, or public transportation agency; 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, 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 organization’s or institution’s net earnings inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

Public Benefit Corporations Corporations organized to construct or operate a public improvement, the profits from which inure to the benefit of one or more State or to the people therein.

Economic Development Corporations

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

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Entity Type Description

Regional Farmers Market Authorities

Entities that establish and enforce State, regional, or county policies and jurisdiction over State, regional, or county farmers markets. State agencies are eligible if their State’s regulatory statutes identify the specific State agency as a regional farmers market authority.

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.

3.3 ELIGIBLE PARTNERS

Eligible partners include:

Entity Type Description

State Agencies or Regional Authorities

Planning commissions, councils of governments, regional economic development organizations/districts, and similar organizations.

Philanthropic Corporations An independent, corporate or private foundation established to support charitable activities serving the common welfare, primarily through grantmaking.

Private Corporations A company that is owned by one person or a small group of people, for example a family, and whose shares are available only to specific individuals and are not traded on a stock market.

Institutions of Higher Education

Educational institutions that meet the requirements specified at 20 U.S.C. § 1001.

Commercial, Federal or Farm Credit System Lending Institutions

An accredited financial organization such as a bank, credit union, or finance company that makes agriculture loans and may or may not also be a depository institution.

3.4 LIMIT ON NUMBER OF AWARDS

Applicants may submit multiple project proposals to RFSP. If recommended for more than one award, applicants are limited to receiving one award. If the applicant is recommended for multiple awards, AMS staff will contact the applicant to discuss the options.

Applicants must close out an active RFSP award to be eligible to receive another RFSP award. For example, a Planning & Design award recipient must close out that award prior to applying for an

Implementation & Expansion award. The applicant must submit all required close out documentation by 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.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title20/html/USCODE-2011-title20-chap28-subchapI-partA-sec1001.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title20/html/USCODE-2011-title20-chap28-subchapI-partA-sec1001.htm

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3.5 COST SHARING AND MATCHING

This funding opportunity requires matching funds from non-Federal sources in the form of cash and/or in-kind contributions in an amount equal to 10% or 25% of the total Federal portion of the grant. The funding source legislates the matching amounts (see section 2.3):

• H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding ($10.3 million): 10% match requirement (cash and/or in-kind match funds may meet this requirement).

• 2018 Farm Bill ($5 million): 25% match requirement (cash-only match funds necessary to meet requirement).

The match amount provided by the applicant will determine the funding source AMS uses to make an award. As such:

• Applicants that provide and commit to a 10% cash OR in-kind match at the time of application will be considered for H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding ($10.3 million).

• Applicants that provide and commit to a 25% cash-only match at the time of application will be considered for 2018 Farm Bill funding ($5 million).

Applicants may not replicate the same application and submit it using different match amounts. For example, applicants are not allowed to submit the same application, with the same objectives, with a

10% match, and the same application, with the same objectives, with a 25% match. Applicants must commit to one match amount that AMS will consider if selected for funding.

Should insufficient high-ranking projects be identified for the 25% cash match, AMS may allow an opportunity for high ranking applicants to modify their application to offer a 25% cash match.

All applications will be evaluated according to merit and customary evaluation procedures. If a project is selected for funding, any match amount exceeding the respective requirement will be considered voluntary and must be documented and secured at the time of the award. Any match amount exceeding the respective requirement may also be considered under the Priority Area for leveraging significant non-Federal financial and technical resources (see section 1.3.4).

Match contributions may be in the form of cash or in-kind resources, such as a partner’s cash contribution to the project or professional volunteer services as described in 2 CFR § 200.306(e).

Cost sharing for the required match must be in the form of allowable direct 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. For example, a partner, such as a tribal community member, may volunteer their professional expertise as a match contribution to the project as described in 2 CFR § 200.306(e). These https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/rfsp/administer https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecfr.gov%2Fcgi-bin%2Ftext-idx%3Fnode%3D2%3A1.1.2.2.1%23se2.1.200_1306&data=04%7C01%7C%7C1604178fab0d4ee0044408d8fdbf5251%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637538345448905293%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=mU5XIM9PxWLv3QlzBZKFh4ToE7329%2FUNnxJxq07vPNQ%3D&reserved=0 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1306 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1306 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=2:1.1.2.2.1#se2.1.200_1306

14 | P a g e contributions cannot satisfy a cost sharing or matching requirement for this grant program if they are used toward satisfying a match requirement under any other Federal grant agreement to which the applicant is a party.

All matching contributions must be committed or secured at the time an applicant is recommended for an award. Applicants must submit a signed letter(s) with the application, which serves as the verification for each cash and in-kind matching contribution (see section 4.2.3). An award will not be issued unless all matching funds over the life of the grant are secured. Additional anticipated matching funds not in place by the time the project commences cannot be counted toward the matching requirement.

Applicants must indicate the total match amount and how it will specifically align with their requested funding when completing the fiscal plan and resources sections of the RFSP Project Narrative (see section 4.2.2) and submit letters or other documentation verifying the match for EACH cash and in-kind resource (see section 4.2.3).

Indirect costs may count as an in-kind match, but not as a cash match contribution (see section 4.6.2).

Applicants may not use program income (as defined in 2 CFR § 200. 1) or Federal funds of any kind as a match or cost share.

4.0 APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

4.1 ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PACKAGE

Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov in response to this RFA. We urge applicants to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For an overview of the Grants.gov application process see Grants.gov’s Apply for Grants webpage. This RFA contains the information needed to obtain and complete required application forms and AMS-specific attachments. More information about applying through Grants.gov can be found in section 4.7.

Applicants can find the opportunity under either the Assistance Listing number “10.177,” or the RFSP

Funding Opportunity Number “USDA-AMS-TM-RFSP-G-21-0009”.

4.2 CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

4.2.1 SF-424 APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

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

424.

Block Instructions

#1 Type of Submission Application

#2 Type of Application New

#4 through #7 Not required https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ams.usda.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2F2021_RFSPNarrativeForm.docx&data=04%7C01%7C%7C844f4d55d5c1479cc0aa08d91092797f%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637559043551197879%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=DkqlsGJ07IornYCX4YVm2wFOLiPd%2FHDRpHB2SUkhcTg%3D&reserved=0 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=53cfed494ca461702eb33592d38dec37&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_180 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

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Block Instructions

#8c Organizational DUNS Applicant DUNS# for the organization submitting the application. See D&B Request a DUNS Number

#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 (Assistance Listing Number)

10.177

#12 Funding Opportunity Number USDA-AMS-TM-RFSP-G-21-0009

#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 project will be implemented in more than one location

#17 Proposed Project Start Date and End Date

Start Date: October 31, 2021 End date: Enter the appropriate End Date for your project type

#18a Estimated Funding - Federal Total Federal amount requested

#18b – 18f 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?

See section 4.5

4.2.2 PROJECT NARRATIVE

Required. Applicants are required to prepare and submit a narrative using the RFSP Project Narrative form. The form and instructions are available on the program’s webpage. The Project Narrative must clearly describe the project’s partners, actual or potential definition of “region,” objectives and goals, types and sequence of project activities, monitoring and evaluation strategies associated with the proposed activities, and how the applicant will manage the project.

The project narrative must be typed and single-spaced in an 11-point font and must not exceed fifteen

(15) 8.5 x 11 pages (excluding pre-existing form content). For example, if the form is 15 pages before you begin entering your project narrative information, your form may be up to 30 pages in length when completed (15 original pages + 15 pages of applicant content). DO NOT modify the margins of the

Project Narrative form. Applicants must submit the RFSP Project Narrative form as a PDF and attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Project Narrative Attachment Form” on the application package. Handwritten applications or applications submitted in MS Word will not be accepted.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ams.usda.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2F2021_RFSPNarrativeForm.docx&data=04%7C01%7C%7C844f4d55d5c1479cc0aa08d91092797f%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637559043551197879%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=DkqlsGJ07IornYCX4YVm2wFOLiPd%2FHDRpHB2SUkhcTg%3D&reserved=0 https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/rfsp

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Prior to submitting the application to Grants.gov, please make sure no tracked changes or mark-up edits and comments are visible.

The supporting documents listed below do not count toward the 15-page limit.

4.2.3 MATCHING FUNDS LETTERS OF VERIFICATION

Required: Each application is required to have written verification of match commitment from any party, including the applicant, who will contribute cash or in-kind matching non-Federal resources to the project.

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 grant program’s application website. We highly encourage you to use this template. If you do not use this template, 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/hour, amount matched per year) o Items/Activities (fair market value per unit, how value determined, 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 Fund and Letters of Verification on letterhead and address them to the 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.

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

4.2.4 LETTERS OF COMMITMENT FROM PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Required: Applicants must provide letters of commitment (not support) from all project partners at the time of application. More information can be found on partners in section 3.3.

AMS has posted a PARTNER ORGANIZATION TEMPLATE on the grant program’s application website. We highly encourage you to use this template. If you do not use this template, the Letters of Commitment must include at least the following information:

• Project Applicant.

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

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• Project Title.

• A short introduction describing the partner entity’s mission and its reason(s) for joining the partnership.

• The specific role(s) the entity is committing to for the project, including the participation of specific individuals, as applicable; and

• A statement that these individuals and the entity 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 that they are LETTERS OF COMMITMENT. Letters must accompany the proposal at the time of application. Unsigned letters or letters emailed separately will not be accepted.

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

PLEASE NOTE: RFSP does not require Congressional letters of support and such letters do not carry additional weight during the evaluation process.

4.2.5 NEGOTIATED INDIRECT COST RATE AGREEMENT (NICRA)

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

4.6.1 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 may not be reviewed or considered for funding if it is:

• Received by Grants.gov after the submission deadline, or

• Submitted via any method other than through Grants.gov, or

• Submitted to the wrong grant program, or

• Not responsive to the requirements of this RFA (eligibility, incomplete application, not providing all required documents, etc.).

See AMS’ Late and/or Non-Responsive Applications Policy for more information.

4.4 SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME

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 you to submit your application at least two weeks prior to the application deadline to ensure all certifications and registrations are met.

Only applications submitted and validated by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 6, 2021 to Grants.gov will be accepted. See AMS’ Late and/or Non-Responsive Applications Policy.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMSPolicyonConsiderationofLateNonresponsiveApplications.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMSPolicyonConsiderationofLateNonresponsiveApplications.pdf

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4.5 INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with state and local officials.

4.6 FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

4.6.1 INDIRECT COSTS

Indirect costs (also known as “facilities and administrative costs”—defined at 2 CFR § 200.1) are those costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective, and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefitted, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved.

As stated in 2 CFR § 200.413 and 414, any non-Federal entity that does not have a current negotiated

(including provisional) indirect cost rate, except State and Local Government and Indian Tribe Indirect

Cost Proposals, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs

(MTDC) that may be used indefinitely. No documentation is required to justify the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate. As described in 2 CFR § 200.403, costs must be consistently charged as either indirect or direct costs, but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both. If chosen, this methodology once elected must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such time as a recipient chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the recipient may apply to do at any time.

All applicants who elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent must use the MTDC as the base.

MTDC are defined in 2 CFR § 200.1 as all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDCs exclude equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs, and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000. Other items may be excluded only when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

If an applicant has a negotiated indirect cost rate approved by its cognizant agency, the applicant must submit a copy of its approved NICRA with its application. Entities that would like to negotiate an indirect cost rate must contact their cognizant agency. For assignments of cognizant agencies, see 2 CFR § 200.1.

4.6.2 USING INDIRECT COSTS FOR COST SHARING OR MATCHING

The maximum indirect costs allowed for a project may be included under the Federal portion of the budget or, alternatively, may be offered as an in-kind matching contribution if no indirect costs are requested on the Federal portion of the budget. For example, if a proposed project’s maximum allowable indirect costs are $8,000, the applicant may include $8,000 on the Federal portion of the budget or $8,000 as a matching contribution, but not both.

The applicant may split the indirect cost allocation between the Federal and non-Federal portions of the budget only if the total amount of indirect costs does not exceed the maximum indirect costs allowed.

Alternatively, the recipient may request any other combination that, when combined, does not exceed https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf https://ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ee82f7b5882adf7c5bc8bfebbb19f99a&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_11&rgn=div8 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1413 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1414 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=988467ba214fbb07298599affd94f30a&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1403 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=988467ba214fbb07298599affd94f30a&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_168 https://ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ee82f7b5882adf7c5bc8bfebbb19f99a&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_11&rgn=div8

19 | P a g e the maximum indirect costs allowable. Refer to 2 CFR §§ 200.413 and 200.414 for additional information on determining if costs charged to the award are direct or indirect.

4.6.3 SUBAWARD RESTRICTION

The recipient is expected to perform a majority of the work of the project and may use sub-awarding and/or sub-contracting methods with eligible partners via its partnership agreement to do so for the purposes of the proposed project.

Using Federal grant funds to competitively “re-grant” funds in mini-grant programs, or for activities that are not…