2024_RFSP_RFA2.pdf

OMB No. 0581-0240

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Regional Food System Partnerships

Fiscal Year 2024 Request for Applications

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-RFSP-G-24-0027

Publication Date: February 27, 2024

Application Due Date: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 14, 2024

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Program Solicitation Information

Funding Opportunity Title: Regional Food System Partnerships

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-RFSP-G-24-0027

Announcement Type: Initial

Assistance Listing Number: 10.177

Dates: Applications must be received on or before 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 14, 2024, 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) 2024 Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) grant program. RFSP purpose is to support partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local and regional food systems.

Approximately $5 million will be available to fund applications under this solicitation, minus administrative expenses. RFSP Planning and Design projects range from $100,000 to $250,000, while Implementation and Expansion projects range from $250,000 to $1,000,000. RFSP is part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP). AMS welcomes applications that meet 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. Eligible entities and activities remain the same as in previous years. A 25% cash match is required.

In the FY 2023 application cycle, AMS funded 10 (13%) of the 74 applications received.

AMS will competitively award grants to eligible applicants for projects that meet the purpose of the program, meet all program requirements, and are of high quality. All applications are reviewed using merit and customary evaluation procedures. This announcement provides information regarding eligibility criteria for applicants and projects, details on match requirements, and the forms and instructions needed to apply for an award.

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

USDA promotes climate-resilient landscapes and rural economic systems, including tools to support agriculture, forests, grazing lands, and rural communities. AMS encourages applicants to consider including goals and activities related to reducing and stabilizing the levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere or adapting to the already occurring climate change in their project’s design and implementation.

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.

https://sam.gov/fal/ee0f236369f44a1ab6bfaf378c735146/view http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:AMSGrants@usda.gov

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2024 Highlights and Changes

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

• The AMS General Terms and Conditions have been updated to reflect recent changes to the

Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and Buy America preference for infrastructure projects.

• The Farm to Institution project type is no longer available under RFSP.

• Applications applying under the ‘areas of concentrated poverty’ priority area must provide additional information on the Project Narrative (section 1.3.5).

Application Checklist

AMS requests 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 documents for an application package.

This program requires that all application packages include the following:

� SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance (Grants.gov) � SF-424A – Budget Summary (Grants.gov) � Project Abstract Summary (Grants.gov) � Project Narrative Form (section 5.2.4)

� Must use required template � Executive Summary is no more than 250 words � Ensure it does not exceed the page limit � Ensure the application excludes unallowable costs and activities per section 4.4

� Signed Letter(s) Verifying Matching Funds for each match resource � Signed Letter(s) of Commitment from each partner

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

� Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA)

Tips for Applicants

• To do business with the Federal Government and to submit your application electronically using Grants.gov, you must— o Have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);

o Be registered in SAM.gov, the Government's primary registrant database;

o Provide your UEI number and TIN on your application; and o Maintain an active SAM registration with current information throughout the application review period and, if you are awarded a grant, during the project period.

• Register in Grants.gov and submit applications early. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE

APPLICATION DEADLINE. AMS encourages to submit your application at least two weeks before the application deadline to ensure all certifications are met.

• The applicant organization registration process may take more than four weeks to complete.

You must complete the organization registration to allow enough to meet the required application submission deadlines. See section 5.3.1 for more information.

• Thoroughly read this RFA and follow all instructions.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY2024_AMSGeneralTermsandConditions.pdf

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• Thoroughly review the AMS General Terms and Conditions to understand allowable and unallowable costs.

• Apply to the correct grant program in Grants.gov using the correct Assistance Listing Number “10.177” and Funding Opportunity Number “USDA-AMS-TM-RFSP-G-24-0027.”

• Ensure you have the most recent copy of Adobe Reader installed on your computer and that it is compatible with Grants.gov software.

• Limit Application File Size/ File Name Characters (50 or less).

• Avoid Special Characters in File Names ($, %, &, *, Spanish "ñ", etc.).

• When uploading attachments, click the “Add Attachments” button (do NOT use the “paperclip” icon in Adobe Reader)

• Do not password-protect your documents and make sure all tracked-changes are “accepted”.

• Input the correct UEI (formerly DUNS) number on the SF-424 form cover page.

• Review the Grants.gov Applicant User and Registration Guides:

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-faqs.html https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview.html

Program Key Information

Title Description

Program Name Regional Food System Partnerships Assistance Listing 10.177 Funding Opportunity Number USDA-AMS-TM-RFSP-G-24-0027 Project Types Planning and Design

Implementation and Expansion Available Funding $5M Application Deadline May 14, 2024 Grant Duration 24-36 months Award Range $100,000- $1,000,000

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

May 14, 2024 – 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Obtaining Your Organization’s UEI Number (if you do not already have one) 7-10 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 https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY2024_AMSGeneralTermsandConditions.pdf https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-faqs.html https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview.html

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

4.0 FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS

4.1 Cost Sharing and Matching

4.2 Indirect costs

4.3 Subawards

4.4 Allowable and Unallowable Activities

4.5 Coordinator Meeting Travel

5.0 Application and Submission Information

5.1 Electronic Application Package

5.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

5.3 Application Submission and Receipt Procedures and Requirements

5.4 Application submission requirements

5.5 Submission Date and Time

5.6 Intergovernmental Review

6.0 Application Review Information

6.1 Project Evaluation Criteria

6.2 Review and Selection Process

7.0 Award Administration Information

7.1 Award Notices

7.2 Unsuccessful Applicants

7.3 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

7.4 Reporting Requirements

7.5 Acknowledgement of USDA Support

8.0 Agency Contacts

8.1 Programmatic Questions

8.2 Available Resources

8.3 Address

8.4 Grants.gov Questions

9.0 Other Information

9.1 Definitions

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9.2 Equal Opportunity Statement

9.3 Freedom Of Information Act Requests

9.4 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. § 1627c), as amended. 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 the viability and resilience of the local or regional food economy.

Applicants must partner to promote 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 receiving a grant may:

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

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=7+U.S.C.+%EF%BF%BD+1627c&f=treesort&fq=true&num=0&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title7-section1627c

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RFSP recipients may apply for other LAMP programs on behalf of eligible entities that wish to participate in eligible activities under the RFSP 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, goal setting, and identifying strategies for developing local or regional food systems. Specifically, these projects support food system’s efforts to build community connections (public and private) that allow a region to drive the discovery and promotion of collaboration opportunities within the food system.

Applicants should seek public and private partners that operate across the regional food economy and can access diverse non-Federal financial and technical resources. Examples of eligible project activities for these partnerships include but are not limited to:

• Convening partners to define the regional food system scope and structure, share opportunities and challenges, and develop inclusive approaches to address challenges and improve connection and success across the regional food system.

• Creating and conducting feasibility studies and data-driven implementation plans that achieve measurable goals for the partnership’s work in developing the regional food system.

• Conducting research on specific market, mid-tier value chain, or infrastructure investments (including studies analyzing the capital needs or gaps of the regional food system) to prioritize next steps at the local, regional, state, or tribal government level.

• Connecting food value chain entities with partners and funders to engage in activities that strengthen the regional food system.

• Researching and developing metrics to measure and evaluate the partnership’s early development work and establish 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 for Planning and Design projects. Applicants should describe how the goals, objectives, and activities in the application build on previous efforts within the food system, 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:

• Creating 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.

• Developing processes for ongoing community and business engagement to provide a forum for ideas, concerns, and updates across the regional food system.

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• Analyzing capital needs and gaps and identifying resources to support the regional food system.

• Identifying resources for food system enterprises, providing technical assistance for partners and stakeholders, and applying for programs and resources that align with regional food system efforts, including other LAMP programs or capital investments.

1.3.3 RFSP PARTNERSHIP FUNCTIONS

RFSP is intended to fund the partnership functions and to build capacity for decision making and coordination efforts, obtaining additional resources, planning direction, and related activities. The partnership or its member entities must identify and use other resources to cover the costs of implementation where such other resources exist. RFSP partnerships are encouraged to focus on activities not commonly funded under other USDA programs, including but 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). Awarded applicants 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.

1.3.4 PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

Projects are not eligible for funding if the proposed activities:

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

• Are to purchase land, or for construction of a building or structure.

• Are to purchase general purpose equipment. – general purpose equipment can be leased, but not leased-to-own or purchased. See section 4.4.

• 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.

1.3.5 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 above and beyond the match requirement (see section 4.1) may lend support to the application.

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• Cover an area that includes distressed low-income rural or urban communities with areas of persistent poverty that provide significant opportunities for high impact investment, as demonstrated by a “distressed “or “at-risk” score on the Distressed Communities Index (DCI) developed by the Economic Innovation Group.

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

Applicants are not required to meet these priorities to be eligible to apply or receive grant funds. AMS will review and apply priority consideration, based on applicant narrative responses, during its administrative review process (see section 5.2). To the maximum extent practicable, AMS will ensure geographical diversity in selecting partnership grant recipients from high-scoring applications.

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. New applications will be evaluated competitively using the selection process and evaluation criteria described in section 6.0.

2.3 AVAILABLE FUNDING

AMS anticipates approximately $4.5 million will be available in FY2024. The availability and level of funding may be contingent on Federal appropriations actions.

2.4 FEDERAL AWARD PERIOD DURATION AND SIZE

AMS expects applicants to complete their projects within the required performance period. AMS encourages applicants to take the full performance period to allow ample time to complete projects.

However, it is acceptable to complete a project before the scheduled performance period end date. 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 award amounts. Applicants must justify the requested award funding amounts within the RFSP project narrative.

Project Type Duration (Months) Start Date End Date Minimum

Award Maximum

Award Planning &

Design 24 September 30, 2024 September 29, 2026 $100,000 $250,000

Implementation & Expansion 36 September 30, 2024 September 29, 2027 $250,000 $1,000,000 https://eig.org/distressed-communities/2022-dci-interactive-map/ https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2024RFSPNarrativeForm.docx

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3.0 ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

3.1 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS - PARTNERSHIPS

Only eligible partnerships may 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). The agreement may be in the form of any official documentation such as a contract or Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU).

An application may be submitted either by an eligible entity or an eligible partner on behalf of the partnership. The partnership must specify in its application which organization in the partnership is responsible for receiving and managing the award.

Partnerships that include organizations that engage and provide technical assistance services to historically underserved farmers and ranchers in addressing their needs 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 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.

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Entity Type Description

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.

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.

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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 applications to RFSP. If panel scores indicate a recommendation for more than one award, applicants are still limited to receiving one award per funding cycle. 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 apply for 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 the application due date mentioned in section 5.5. Please refer to the General Award Terms and Conditions, available on the “How to Administer the Award” webpage, for closeout instructions.

4.0 FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS

4.1 COST SHARING AND MATCHING

This funding opportunity requires matching funds from non-Federal sources in the form of cash contributions equal to or greater than 25% of the amount of Federal funds being requested.

Cash match contributions are generally defined as an actual cash contribution (not the ‘value’ of someone’s time/effort) from the applicant’s general revenue/reserves/savings/line of credit, or 3rd-party partner(s), or other non-Federal grants. The applicant must be able to track and show the source 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 https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/rfsp/administer

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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.

Any match amount exceeding the requirement will be considered voluntary and must be documented and secured at the time of the award. Any match amount exceeding the requirement may be considered under the Priority Area for leveraging significant non-Federal financial and technical resources (see section 1.3.5). For match funds in excess of the required minimum 25% cash 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.

In-kind match contributions are generally defined as the value of goods or services provided by the contributor for the benefit of the grant project, where no funds transferred hands. For example, a partner, such as a Tribal community member, may volunteer their professional expertise as an in-kind match contribution to the project as described in 2 CFR § 200.306(e).

Match contributions (either cash or in-kind) cannot be used for RFSP if they are already being 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. 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 5.2.4 and submit signed letter (s) verifying the match for EACH cash and in-kind resource (see section 5.2.5.

Indirect costs may count as an in-kind match, but not as a cash match contribution (see section 4.2.1).

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.

4.2 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.

In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.414 (f), 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.306 https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2024RFSPNarrativeForm.docx https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=53cfed494ca461702eb33592d38dec37&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_180 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414

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Cost Proposals, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC). The de minimis rate does not require documentation to justify its use and may be used indefinitely. As described in 2 CFR § 200.403, costs must be consistently charged as either direct or indirect costs and may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both. Once elected, this methodology must be used consistently for all Federal awards until 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 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.

4.2.1 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 in-kind contribution, but not both. Please note that indirect costs may not be used for the required cash match in this program, but only for in-kind contributions.

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 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.

4.3 SUBAWARDS

The recipient may use sub-awarding and/or sub-contracting methods with eligible partners via its partnership agreement to accomplish the proposed project.

The recipient may not use the grant to competitively “re-grant” funds in mini-grant programs, or for activities that are not central to the purpose of the project, or for unknown costs. However, the recipient may use its match to offer mini-grants if so desired, as long as they further the project’s purposes and comply with Federal match requirements at 2 CFR § 200.306. If the recipient chooses to offer project mini-grants with non-Federal funds that do not comply with these regulations, those funds https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.413 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306

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4.4 ALLOWABLE AND UNALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES

All AMS awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the AMS General Terms and Conditions.

Applicants that have questions concerning the allowability of costs after reviewing this document should contact AMS staff using the contact information listed under section 8.0.

4.5 COORDINATOR MEETING TRAVEL

Recipients are expected to attend an AMS sponsored grants management meeting during the project’s period of performance. The proposed budget must include travel funds for the Project Coordinator and any additional key personnel as reasonably determined by the recipient and AMS.

To estimate these costs in the budget section, please account for flight, hotel, per diem, and ground transportation expenses for a 3-day, 2-night stay. Location and dates are to be determined with a possibility of a virtual conference. If the conference is virtual, recipients will be able to reallocate those funds to another allowable item.

5.0 APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

5.1 ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PACKAGE

Applicants MUST apply for this program electronically via Grants.gov. No other submission method is accepted. AMS urges applicants to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For an overview of the Grants.gov application process, see Grants.gov’s How to 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 5.3.

Applicants can find the opportunity under either the Assistance Listing number “10.177,” or the RFSP Funding Opportunity Number “USDA-AMS-TM-RFSP-G-24-0027”.

5.2 CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

5.2.1 SF-424 APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

Required: Form SF-424 is available via the opportunity at Grants.gov. Applicants may use the following supplemental instructions associated with specific blocks on the SF-424.

Box Instructions 1 - Type of Submission Select Application 2 - Type of Application Select New 8.c - Organizational Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

Enter applicant UEI for the organization submitting the application.

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants

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Box Instructions 8.d – 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)

Enter 10.177

12 - Funding Opportunity Number Enter USDA-AMS-TM-RFSP-G-24-0027 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 descriptive title of the project

16a - Congressional Districts for Applicant

Enter the Congressional district where the applicant is located

16b - Congressional Districts for Program/Project

Enter the Congressional district where your project will be implemented, or “All” if the project will be implemented in more than one location

17 - Proposed Project Start Date and End Date

Enter Start Date: September 30, 2024 Enter End date: No later than September 29, 2026 (for Planning projects) or September 29, 2027 (for Implementation projects)

18.a - Estimated Funding - Federal Enter the total Federal amount requested 18.b – 18.f Estimated Funding – Applicant

Enter the total match amount from the applicant organization and/or other partners

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

See section 5.6

5.2.2 SF-424A BUDGET INFORMATION

Required. SF-424A is available via the application package in Grants.gov. Most information blocks on the required form are either self-explanatory or adequately explained in the form instructions. However, for RFSP applications the following supplemental instructions must be used for specific boxes on the form.

On SF-424A, please complete only Sections A, B, and C. Do not complete Sections D-F.

Section A – Budget Summary

Box Instructions 1.a – Grant Program Function or Activity Enter “RFSP – Federal” 1.b – Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

Enter “10.177”

1.e – Federal Enter the amount of Federal funding requested for the project

1.f – Non-Federal Enter the total match contribution amount provided for the project

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Section B – Budget Categories

Box Instructions 6.a – 6.j – Object Class Categories In Column 1, enter the amount of Federal funds requested for each Object Class Category. Do not include match funding.

For example, if you are requesting $2,000 in Federal funds for “Travel”, enter 2000 in Column 1, box 6.c

Section C – Non-Federal Resources

Box Instructions 8.a – Grant Program Should auto-populate from Section A, Box 1.a 8.b – 8.d Enter the match amount being provided from each source (Applicant, State, or Other) for the project

5.2.3 PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY

Required. The Project Abstract Summary form will be used as the award description for the overarching Federal award. This is separate from the RFSP Project Narrative form. The Project Abstract Summary must include:

• Project purpose

• Activities to be performed

• Deliverables and expected outcomes

• Intended beneficiary(ies): Who will benefit from this beyond the applicant organization?

• Subrecipient, key partner, and collaborator activities. Identify the key partners, collaborators and subrecipients you know will be part of the work are and how their engagement will support the program goals.

5.2.4 PROJECT NARRATIVE

Required. Applicants MUST prepare and submit a narrative using the RFSP Project Narrative form. 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 or delete or change any text in it. 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.

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/readonly/Project_AbstractSummary_2_0-V2.0.pdf

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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.

5.2.5 MATCHING FUNDS LETTERS OF VERIFICATION

Required: Applicants MUST 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. For example, if the match contribution will be provided by the applicant organization and two partners, a total of 3 match verification letters are required.

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

Instructions for organizations submitting Matching Funds Verification Letters: Submit Matching Fund 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. AMS will not accept unsigned letters.

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

5.2.6 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:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/VerificationofMatchingFundsTemplateLetter.docx https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/PartneringOrganizationTemplateLetter.docx

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• Project Applicant

• 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

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

Instructions for organizations submitting Letters of Commitment: Submit letters 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. AMS will not accept unsigned letters or letters emailed separately.

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.

5.2.7 NEGOTIATED INDIRECT COST RATE AGREEMENT (NICRA)

Required if the applicant has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Refer to section 4.2 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.

5.3 APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND RECEIPT PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS

5.3.1 HOW TO REGISTER TO APPLY

Applicants MUST have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), an active SAM.gov account, and a Grants.gov account to submit an application. AMS recommends that applicants start the registration process in these systems immediately to allow enough time to meet application submission deadlines. Registration in these systems collectively may in some cases take more than four weeks to complete. The steps below provide details on how to complete each registration.

Individual applicants eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity can find complete instructions here: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration

Organization applicants can find complete instructions here:

https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/OrganizationRegistration.htm

1. Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): Entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a UEI from SAM.gov. Applicants must enter the UEI number in the data entry field labeled "Organizational UEI" on the SF-424. Getting a UEI requires validation steps in SAM.gov.

Applicants are encouraged to start this process as early as possible, and, if applicable, this includes providing guidance to subapplicants on getting their own UEI.

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/OrganizationRegistration.htm https://gsa.gov/entityid

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2. Register with the System for Award Management (SAM): In addition to having a UEI number, organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with SAM. Current SAM.gov registrants have already been assigned their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and can view it within SAM.gov. All organizations must register with SAM to apply online. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM.gov accounts must be updated annually, and your organization must have an active SAM.gov account to submit your application to Grants.gov. Organizations must maintain an active SAM registration with current information throughout the application review period and, if you are awarded a grant, during the project period.

3. Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. Applicants must know their organization's UEI number to complete this process. Completing this process automatically triggers an email request for applicant roles to the organization's E-Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) for review. The EBiz POC is a representative from your organization who is the contact listed for SAM. To apply for grants on behalf of your organization, you will need the Authorized Organization Role (AOR).

a. Watch the video on how to Register in Grants.gov and create an institutional profile.

Applicants are required to use Login.gov to sign into Grants.gov.