FY2020-GusNIP-Modified-508-4-1-2020.pdf

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive

Program

The RFA was revised on April 1, 2020 to align with the FY 2019 modified RFA for this program

2020 Request for Applications (RFA)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 18, 2020

ELIGIBILITY: See Part III, A of RFA

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE

Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Grant Program

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE: This program is listed in the

Assistance Listings under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 10.331.

DATES: Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on May 18, 2020. Applications received after this deadline will normally not be considered for funding (see Part IV, C of this

RFA). Comments regarding this request for applications (RFA) are requested within six months from the issuance of this notice. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.

STAKEHOLDER INPUT: We at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seek your comments about this RFA. We will consider your comments when we develop the next

RFA for the program, if applicable, and we’ll use them to meet the requirements of section

103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.

7613(c)(2)). Submit your written stakeholder comments by the deadline set forth in the DATES portion of this notice via email to Policy@usda.gov. (This email address is only for receiving comments regarding this RFA and not for requesting information or forms.) In your comments, please state that you are responding to the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Grant Program

RFA, formerly known as FINI.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: NIFA requests applications for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition

Incentive Program (GusNIP) formerly known as the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI)

Grant Program, for fiscal year (FY) 2020 to support projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Program (SNAP) and nutrition assistance by providing incentives at the point of purchase. The anticipated amount available for NIFA to support this program in FY 2020 is approximately

$41.5 million.

This notice identifies the objectives for GusNIP projects, deadline dates, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a GusNIP grant. FINI is now GusNIP throughout the 2020 RFA, only the program codes remain the same. For example, GusNIP pilot program is still FPP for a pilot program.

mailto:Policy@usda.gov

Table of Contents

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority and Background

B. Purpose and Priorities

C. Program Area Description

D. Program Policy

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

B. Types of Applications

C. Project Types

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Electronic Application Package

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

C. Submission Dates and Times

D. Funding Restrictions

E. Other Submission Requirements

PART V—APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process

B. Evaluation Criteria

C. Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality

D. Organizational Management Information

E. Application Disposition

PART VI—AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General

B. Award Notice

C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

D. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements

PART VII—AGENCY CONTACT

PART VIII—OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds; Changes

B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards

C. Regulatory Information

D. Definitions

E. Materials Available on the Internet

Table 1: Comprehensive GusNIP Program Evaluation Table

Table 2: Description of Program Names and Codes

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority and Background

Section 4205 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 amended section 4405 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (“FCEA”) (7 U.S.C. 7517). The authority to administer this program was delegated to the Director of NIFA through the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) (see 79 FR 44101 (July 30, 2014). In FY 2020, it is anticipated that approximately $41.5 million will be available for grants under this program.

B. Purpose and Priorities

Strategic Goal 7 of the USDA Strategic Plan: Provide all Americans access to a safe, nutritious and secure food supply. The primary goal of the GusNIP grant program is to fund and evaluate projects intended to “increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase” (FCEA, § 4405(b)(2)(A)(ii)(II)). For

GusNIP grant, NIFA defines “fruits and vegetables” as “any variety of fresh, canned, dried, or frozen whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, or oils, and salt (i.e. sodium).”

The program will test strategies that could contribute to our understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants to inform future efforts.

Incentivizing purchases of fruits and vegetables increases their affordability and consumption. For example, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently completed an evaluation of the Healthy Incentives Pilot (HIP), which investigated the impact of making fruits and vegetables more affordable to SNAP participants. Under HIP, SNAP households received 30 cents on every SNAP dollar they spent on targeted fruits and vegetables at participating SNAP-authorized firms including large supermarkets, grocery stores and farmers markets. This pilot operated in Hampden County, MA between November 2011 and December 2012. A rigorous evaluation showed that HIP significantly increased the consumption of targeted fruits and vegetables and this increased consumption was on the order of about one quarter of a cup per day.

The final evaluation report is available online at Healthy Incentives Pilot Final Evaluation Report.

Grantees that receive both GusNIP and SNAP-Ed funds must keep in mind the following SNAP-

Ed guidelines:

SNAP-Ed is an evidence-based program that helps people lead healthier lives. SNAP-Ed teaches people using or eligible for SNAP about good nutrition and how to make their food dollars stretch further. SNAP-Ed participants also learn to be physically active.

• While SNAP-Ed providers are encouraged to form partnerships and collaborations in order to leverage resources, SNAP-Ed funds may not be used to provide actual cash or other financial incentives.

• SNAP-Ed funds can be used for policy, systems and environmental change interventions, such as working with firms on fruit and vegetable product placement, and social marketing in addition to educational efforts at venues such as Farmers Markets, Senior Centers, Child

Care locations, etc.

All GusNIP projects must do the following: (1) aim to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase; (2) operate through authorized and reported SNAP firms per Part I Section D of this

RFA titled “Program Policy”, and in compliance with all relevant SNAP regulations and operating requirements; (3) agree to participate in the GusNIP comprehensive program evaluation and https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2014-07-30/pdf/2014-17352.pdf https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/strategic-goals http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthy-incentives-pilot-final-evaluation-report http://snaped.fns.usda.gov/ facilitate participation through data collection, and the use of Data Use Agreements and

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as outlined in Part IV § B and Part I § D of this RFA

(Content and Form of Application Submission and Program Policy, respectively); and (4) ensure that the same terms and conditions apply to purchases made by individuals with SNAP benefits and with incentives provided under the GusNIP grant program as apply to purchases made by individuals who are not members of households receiving benefits as provided in 7 C.F.R.

278.2(b).

Applicants must submit a letter of support from applicable SNAP State Agencies as part of their grant application.

In reviewing applications submitted in response to this RFA, and depending on the type of GusNIP project (as described in further detail in Part I, C.1, C.2, and C.3), NIFA will give priority to projects that:

• Maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participants;

• Use direct-to-consumer sales marketing;

• Demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers;

• Provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables;

• Include a project design (1) that provides incentives when fruits or vegetables are purchased using supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; and (2) in which the incentives earned may be used only to purchase fruits or vegetables;

• Have demonstrated the ability to provide services to underserved communities and/or economically distressed communities, particularly Opportunity Zones;

• Include coordination with multiple stakeholders, such as farm organizations, nutrition education programs, cooperative extension services, public health departments, private and public health insurance agencies, cooperative grocers, grocery associations, and community-based and non-governmental organizations;

• Offer supplemental services in high-need communities, including online ordering, transportation between home and store, and delivery services;

• Include food retailers (firms) that are open (1) for extended hours and (2) most or all days of the year; or address other criteria as established by the Secretary.

GusNIP projects present the opportunity to bring together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system and to foster understanding of how they might improve the nutrition and health status of participating households receiving incentives through the purchase of fruits and vegetables.

Produce Prescription Projects (PPR) also present an opportunity to bring together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food and healthcare systems and to foster understanding of how they might improve the health and nutrition status of participating households prescribed fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to educational opportunities relating to nutrition to members participating in a produce prescription project.

PPR are aimed at groups developing county, multi-county, and state-wide programs, partnering with one or more healthcare entities. Pilot Produce Prescription Projects may be aimed at groups developing programs at less than the county level. The primary purpose of the PPR is to conduct projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of the projects on (1) the improvement of dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables; (2) the reduction of individual and household food insecurity; and (3) the reduction in healthcare use and associated costs.

In carrying out a project using a PPR grant an eligible entity shall partner with 1 or more healthcare partners. See pages 11 and 12 for full application requirements for Produce Prescription.

C. Program Area Description

NIFA is soliciting applications for four types of grants:

1. GusNIP Pilot Projects (FPP);

2. GusNIP Projects (FIP);

3. GusNIP Large Scale Projects (FLSP);

4. Produce Prescription (PPR); and

1. GusNIP Pilot Projects (FPP)

Funding Level: Awards not to exceed $100,000.

Period of Performance: Project period is up to one year.

Program Code: FPP

GusNIP Pilot Projects (FPP) support the development of projects with an infusion of federal dollars to pilot innovative strategies to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables (as defined in Subpart

VIII (E) of this document) by low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing incentives at the point of purchase. FPPs must operate through authorized SNAP firms, and comply with all relevant SNAP regulations and operating requirements. FPPs are aimed at new entrants seeking funding for a project in the early stages of incentive program development. The project should be designed to create community-based food incentive projects with objectives, activities, and outcomes that are in alignment with the GusNIP grant program’s primary goals. Preference will be given to pilot projects that do one or more of the following:

a) Maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participant

b) Use direct-to-consumer sales marketing;

c) Demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers;

d) Provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables;

e) Include a project design (1) that provides incentives when fruits or vegetables are purchased using supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; and (2) in which the incentives earned may be used only to purchase fruits or vegetables;

f) Have demonstrated the ability to provide services to underserved communities; and/or economically distressed communities, particularly Opportunity Zones;

g) Include coordination with multiple stakeholders, such as farm organizations, nutrition education programs, cooperative extension services, public health departments, private and public health insurance agencies, cooperative grocers, grocery associations, and community-based and non-governmental organizations;

h) Offer supplemental services in high-need communities, including online ordering, transportation between home and store, and delivery services; and

i) Include food retailers (firms) that are open (1) for extended hours and (2) most or all days

Examples of FPPs include, but are not limited to, innovative strategies working at point of purchase with SNAP authorized firms, including food stores, market stands, farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture programs (CSAs), marketing and consumer cooperatives, and other SNAP authorized firms.

Project Self-Evaluation. All projects must involve SNAP participants. All FPPs must submit a project proposal that includes a method of evaluating the success of the program in developing a viable project. Because GusNIP Pilot Projects are in the earliest stages of development and would not offer a fair test of effectiveness, they will only be required to submit limited information and data for the comprehensive program evaluation that will inform the Department of potential new strategies and promising new programs to consider in future funding cycles. FPP grantees will be required to provide their self-assessment data to the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers. Project assessments must follow

USDA guidelines to ensure an appropriate level of comparability of methods, outcomes, and measures.

2. GusNIP Projects

Funding Level: Awards not to exceed $500,000.

Period of Performance: Project period is not to exceed four (4) years

Program Code: FIP

GusNIP Projects (FIP) support the development and evaluation of projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables (as defined in Part VIII D. of this RFA) by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase. The projects will test strategies that could increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants to inform future efforts.

FIPs should be designed to create or support local community-based food projects with objectives, activities, and outcomes that are in alignment with the GusNIP grant program’s primary goals.

FIP(s) are aimed at mid-sized groups developing incentive programs at the local or state level;

organizations in this category are typically not new to implementing such programs, although projects are required to expand the breadth, scope or reach of these programs, rather than supplant current program resources. FIPs are not in the pilot stages of development and should have established relationships with necessary partners and collaborators. FIPs must operate through authorized SNAP firms, and comply with all relevant SNAP regulations and operating requirements. Preference will be given to projects that do one or more of the following:

a) Maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participants;

b) Use direct-to-consumer sales marketing;

c) Demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers;

d) Provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables;

e) Include a project design (1) that provides incentives when fruits or vegetables are purchased using supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; and (2) in which the incentives earned may be used only to purchase fruits or vegetables;

f) Have demonstrated the ability to provide services to underserved communities; and/or economically distressed communities, particularly Opportunity Zones;

g) Include coordination with multiple stakeholders, such as farm organizations, nutrition education programs, cooperative extension services, public health departments, private and public health insurance agencies, cooperative grocers, grocery associations, and community-based and non-governmental organizations;

h) Offer supplemental services in high-need communities, including online ordering, transportation between home and store, and delivery services; and

i) Include food retailers (firms) that are open (1) for extended hours and (2) most or all days

j) Use effective and efficient benefit redemption technologies.

Examples of FIPs include, but are not limited to, innovative strategies working at point of purchase with SNAP authorized firms, including food stores, market stands, farmers’ markets, CSAs, marketing and consumer cooperatives, and other SNAP authorized firms.

Project Self-Evaluation. All FIPs must involve SNAP participants and include an evaluation of whether the project met its goals and objectives. Project evaluations must follow USDA guidelines to ensure an appropriate level of comparability of methods, outcomes, and measures.

All FIPs grantees will be required to cooperative with and contribute to the Nutrition Incentive

Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers.

3. GusNIP Large Scale Projects

Funding Level: Awards of $500,000 or greater

Period of Performance: Project period is not to exceed four (4) years

Program Code: FLSP

The primary purpose of the GusNIP Large Scale Projects (FLSP) is to develop and evaluate projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables (as defined in Part VIII D of this RFA) by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase. The projects will test strategies that could contribute to our understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants to inform future efforts.

FLSP are designed to create or support multi-county, State-wide and regional incentive programs.

FLSP should be coordinated food projects with objectives, activities, and outcomes that align with the GusNIP grant program’s primary goals. Projects must operate through authorized SNAP firms, and comply with all relevant SNAP regulations and operating requirements. Projects are required to expand the breadth, scope or reach of these programs, rather than supplant current program resources. Preference will be given to projects that do one or more of the following:

a) Maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participants;

b) Use direct-to-consumer sales marketing;

c) Demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers;

d) Provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables;

e) Include a project design (1) that provides incentives when fruits or vegetables are purchased using supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; and (2) in which the incentives earned may be used only to purchase fruits or vegetables;

f) Have demonstrated the ability to provide services to underserved communities; and/or economically distressed communities, particularly Opportunity Zones;

g) Include coordination with multiple stakeholders, such as farm organizations, nutrition education programs, cooperative extension services, public health departments, private and public health insurance agencies, cooperative grocers, grocery associations, and community-based and non-governmental organizations;

h) Offer supplemental services in high-need communities, including online ordering, transportation between home and store, and delivery services; and

i) Include food retailers (firms) that are open (1) for extended hours and (2) most or all days

j) Use effective and efficient benefit redemption technologies.

GusNIP Large Scale Projects include, but are not limited to, innovative strategies working at point of purchase with SNAP authorized firms, including food stores, market stands, farmers’ markets, CSAs, marketing and consumer cooperatives, and other SNAP authorized firms.

Project Self-Evaluation. All projects must involve SNAP participants and include an evaluation of whether the project met its goals and objectives. Project evaluations must follow USDA guidelines to ensure an appropriate level of comparability of methods, outcomes, and measures. A higher level of rigor will be expected for the FLSP evaluations. All FLSPs will also be required to cooperate with and contribute to the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers.

4. Produce Prescription

Funding Level: Awards of $500,000 or less; total available is $4.5 million – No Match Required

Period of Performance: Project period is not to exceed three (3) years

Program Code: PPR with one or more healthcare entities. Pilot Produce Prescription Projects may be aimed at groups developing programs at less than the county level. The primary purpose of the PPR is to conduct projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of the projects on (1) the improvement of dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables; (2) the reduction of individual and household food insecurity; and (3) the reduction in healthcare use and associated costs.

In carrying out a project using a PPR grant an eligible entity shall partner with 1 or more healthcare partners.

To be eligible to receive a PPR grant an eligible entity must prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables to members; submit to the Secretary an application containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the information described below; and either provide financial or non-financial incentives for members to purchase or procure fresh fruits and vegetables; provide educational resources on nutrition to members; or establish additional accessible locations for members to procure fresh fruits and vegetables. One is eligible to participate in the PPR program if they are eligible for the following: (1) benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); or (2) medical assistance under a State plan or a waiver of such a plan under title XIX of the

Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and enrolled under such plan or waiver; and (3) a member of a low-income household that suffers from, or is at risk of developing, a diet-related health condition.

Application. An application must identify the one or more healthcare partners with which the eligible entity is partnering with and include a description of the methods by which an eligible entity must:

• Screen and verify eligibility for members for participation in a produce prescription project.

This may be a one or two part verification process.

• Implement an effective produce prescription project, including the role of each healthcare partner in implementing the produce prescription project;

• Evaluate members participating in a produce prescription project with respect to the matters described in the eligibility section.

• Provide educational opportunities relating to nutrition to members participating in a produce prescription project; and

• Inform members of the availability of produce prescription project, including locations at which produce prescriptions may be redeemed.

Additional Application Requirements:

• include a description of any additional non-profit or emergency feeding organizations that shall be involved in the project and the role of each additional non-profit or emergency feeding organization in implementing and evaluating an effective PPR;

• include documentation of a partnership agreement with a relevant State Medicaid agency or other appropriate entity as determined by the Secretary, to evaluate the effectiveness of the produce prescription project in reducing healthcare use and associate costs;

• provide adequate plans to collect data for reporting and agreement to provide the information for the evaluation report;

• include an agreement stating your organization intends to share information and core data with the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and

Information Centers.

Applicability. The following applies under the PPR program:

a) In general, the value of any benefit provided to a participant in any activity funded under the PPR will be treated as supplemental nutrition benefits under section 8(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2017 (b)).

b) Prohibition on Collection of Sales Taxes. Each State must ensure that no State or local tax is collected on a purchase of food with assistance provided under GusNIP or under the

PPR.

c) No limitation of benefits. Grants made available under GusNIP or under the PPR cannot be used to carry out any project that limits the use of benefits under the Food and Nutrition

Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) or any other Federal nutrition law.

d) Household Allotment. Assistance provided under GusNIP or under the PPR to households receiving benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program must not:

o be considered part of the supplemental nutrition benefits of the household; or o be used in the collection or disposition of claims under section 13 of the Food and

Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2022).

Applicants should request a budget and project period commensurate with the proposed project.

Ten percent of the total funding is allocated towards the PPR projects; for 2020 the total is $4.5 million for PPR grants.

Project Self-Evaluation. All projects must involve eligible participants under PPR and include an evaluation of whether the project met its goals and objectives. Project evaluations must follow

USDA guidelines to ensure an appropriate level of comparability of methods, outcomes, and measures. As discussed below, a higher level of rigor will be expected for the PPR evaluations.

All PPRs will also be required to cooperate with and contribute core data to the Nutrition

Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers.

D. Program Policy

This section deals with certain aspects of GusNIP and SNAP policies as they pertain to the

GusNIP grant program. This section also deals with policies regarding the participation of firms

(e.g., convenience stores, grocery stores, farmers markets, direct-marketing farmers) participating in GusNIP grant projects. “Firm” is defined at 7 CFR 271.2. Questions regarding the policies discussed below may be directed to FINI@fns.usda.gov. General questions about

SNAP and EBT should be directed to USDA FNS’s Ask the Expert system at: Ask the Expert

(→ “Nutrition” → “Supplemental Nutrition Asst. Prgm.”). This system can provide prompt answers for general SNAP inquiries.

1. Definition of Incentive

The term “incentive” means any financial inducements that would increase the purchase and consumption of GusNIP qualifying fruits and vegetables by SNAP clients.

a) Examples of allowable financial incentives include coupons or gift cards redeemable for

GusNIP qualifying fruits and vegetables.

b) Examples of unallowable incentives include, but are not limited to, giveaways of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and lottery tickets.

The cost of incentives must be allowable under the applicable cost principles in 2 CFR part

200, Subpart E. Unallowable incentives may not be paid for with either Federal or matching funds.

2. Firm Requirements

GusNIP Qualifying Fruits and Vegetables. A GusNIP grant project must incentivize the purchase of

GusNIP qualifying fruits and vegetables. Such GusNIP qualifying fruits or vegetables would be considered SNAP staple foods in the fruit or vegetable staple food category.

GusNIP grantees may choose to only incentivize a narrower subset of the GusNIP qualifying fruit or vegetable category (e.g., incentivize only fresh, local fruit). For example, some grantees have chosen to incentivize the fruits and vegetables that appear on their States’ Special Supplemental

Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Approved Products List

(APL). This is an acceptable subset of fruits and vegetables to incentivize under GusNIP. It should be noted, however, that some States’ WIC APLs may exclude products that would otherwise be considered GusNIP qualifying fruits and vegetables (e.g., white potatoes). Some

GusNIP grantees have, nevertheless, opted to incentivize only fruits and vegetables that appear on their States’ WIC APLs as this simplifies implementation with their participating firms.

GusNIP grantees that seek to incentivize only a narrower subset of the GusNIP qualifying fruit or vegetable category must justify this in their proposal.

GusNIP grantees may not incentivize only specific brand names or product lines of qualifying fruits or vegetables, nor may GusNIP grantees incentivize only a specific subset of GusNIP qualifying fruits or vegetables that are not considered by FNS and NIFA to advance the spirit or purpose of the GusNIP.

mailto:FINI@fns.usda.gov http://www.fns.usda.gov/ask-the-expert

The definition of GusNIP qualifying fruits and vegetables includes any variety of fresh, canned, dried, or frozen whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, or oils, and salt (i.e.

sodium). Examples of GusNIP qualifying fruits and vegetables include, but are not limited to, the following: frozen spinach, fresh apples, sundried tomatoes, 100% orange juice, and canned artichoke hearts (so long as these products contain no added sugars, fats, oils, or salts). SNAP eligible seeds and plants intended for cultivation and consumption (e.g., tomato seeds or tomato plants) and fresh herbs (e.g., fresh basil, thyme, or mint) are also considered GusNIP qualifying fruits and vegetables.

Examples of fruit-based and vegetable-based products that do not qualify for the purposes of

GusNIP include accessory food items such as powdered, dried, or extracted herbs and spices, fruit punch (less than 100% fruit juice), honey, ketchup and other condiments, as well as multiple ingredient food items that are not primarily composed of qualifying fruits and vegetables (such as pastries containing fruit, frozen pizza pies, or burritos). If you are uncertain as to whether or not a fruit or vegetable product qualifies for the purposes of GusNIP, please check the ingredients panel for the presence of the four aforementioned additives. If sugars, fats, oils, or salts are present as a listed ingredient on the product’s nutrition label, then that product is generally not considered a

GusNIP qualifying fruit or vegetable.

In previous years, incentives could be earned by purchasing or redeemed to purchase any SNAP eligible food. Additionally, in previous years, incentives could be earned through a “no purchase required” mechanism. This is no longer allowable under GusNIP. However, the “no purchase required” is acceptable for the Produce Prescription program (PPR). Non-financial incentives are no longer allowable under GusNIP.

Sales Tax. Per Section 4405(a)(3) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008

Farm Bill), as amended by Section 4208 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill), no

State or local sales tax shall be collected on any purchase of food made using GusNIP grant project incentives.

Equal Treatment. Because the statutory language of the 2018 Farm Bill requires GusNIP grantees to provide incentives specifically to SNAP clients, the equal treatment provision of 7 CFR §278.2(b) and 7 CFR §274.7(f) does not apply to GusNIP grantees for the purpose of providing incentives under the GusNIP grant.

Refunds. FMs with one central EBT point-of-sale (POS) terminal often utilize scrip or tokens for the redemption of SNAP benefits. Under such a system, SNAP households swipe their EBT cards at the FM’s central EBT POS terminal for a declared amount and receive specially marked tokens which can only be spent on eligible food at the FM’s stalls and booths. If, after shopping, SNAP households still possess an excess of these tokens they may return to the FM’s central EBT POS terminal for a refund on such tokens.

Refunds, both for such tokens and for any product purchased with SNAP benefits, can never be made in cash. Providing cash refunds for SNAP scrip or items purchased with SNAP benefits is considered trafficking SNAP benefits. This is a serious violation of SNAP rules and can have lasting legal ramifications for any firm engaging in such practices. Refunds of SNAP scrip and purchases made with SNAP benefits must be returned to the SNAP household’s EBT card through a refund transaction on an EBT POS device.

Incentives received through a GusNIP grant project are intended to increase the consumption of qualifying fruits and vegetables and must be spent accordingly. The returning or refunding of

GusNIP benefits is not consistent with the intention of the GusNIP grant program. While spoiled or undesired food products purchased with GusNIP benefits may be exchanged for equivalent food products at the firm’s discretion, GusNIP benefits may neither be refunded with cash, nor refunded onto a SNAP household’s EBT card through a refund transaction on an EBT POS device.

Therefore, if an FM using a scrip system utilizes a distinct GusNIP benefit token (i.e., valid only for

GusNIP qualifying fruits and vegetables), such tokens may only be redeemed as intended at the FM;

they may not be refunded or exchanged.

SNAP Firm Data Confidentiality. Under 7 CFR §278.1(q), certain forms of SNAP firm information are prohibited from disclosure. Local and State SNAP Agencies may not disclose such firm data to

GusNIP grantees. The names and addresses of SNAP authorized firm are available to the public and can be obtained via the SNAP Retailer Locator.

However, the FNS number for individual firms is not public information and is subject to restrictions in SNAP regulations at 7 CFR §278.1(q); therefore, it must be obtained directly from the firm. Likewise, SNAP redemption or transaction data at the individual firm level is considered protected data and must be obtained directly from the firm. GusNIP grantees should work in close concert with their participating firm in order to obtain any such required information. Both the FNS number and individual firm transaction/redemption data, while necessary for data collection and evaluation purposes, are protected and shall not be published in a public report. SNAP firm transactions/redemptions should only be reported in aggregate.

Whenever transmitting any confidential SNAP firm data to FNS or NIFA, this data must be password protected.

Changes in GusNIP Grantee Primary Point of Contact. As described in Part VIII § A(2) of this

RFA, GusNIP grantees are required to inform the USDA regarding any changes in their GusNIP grant project’s primary point(s) of contact. At the very least this means that GusNIP grantees must inform FNS and NIFA points of contact of any change to their Project Directors (PDs) no more than 10 calendar days after the change occurs. GusNIP grantees are also strongly encouraged to inform NIFA and FNS points of contact of changes to other primary grantee points of contact in a timely fashion. The NIFA and FNS points of contact are: Daniel Cline, Jaheon Koo and FINI-

FNS. As necessary, NIFA will provide updates to USDA points of contacts to all grantees.

Allowable Participation of Firms in your GusNIP Grant Project. It is necessary to partner with firms to conduct a GusNIP grant project. Before a firm can participate in a FINI grant, the following steps must occur in this order:

1. If the firm is not already SNAP authorized, the firm applies for and obtains SNAP

Authorization;

2. The grantee and firm sign a MOU (for more regarding this MOU, see below);

3. The firm submits the signed MOU to the SNAP Retailer Service Center;

4. The grantee submits to FNS the firm’s information (i.e., FNS number, firm name, firm address); and,

5. FNS responds within 30 calendar days to approve or deny the participation of the firm.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailerlocator mailto:Daniel.Cline@fns.usda.gov?subject=FINI mailto:jaheon.koo@usda.gov mailto:FINI@fns.usda.gov?subject=FINI mailto:FINI@fns.usda.gov?subject=FINI https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-apply https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-apply https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-retailer-service-center mailto:FINI@fns.usda.gov?subject=Request%20for%20GusNIP%20firm%20participation%20

This application process may take up to 60 calendar days, so it is important that GusNIP grantees work closely with their firms to ensure that this firm approval process is not delayed. More information is available regarding this process online at: FINI Grant Program.

Memorandum of Understanding between Grantee and Firm(s). FINI grantees must work with their prospective firm(s) to obtain a MOU before that firm can participate in the GusNIP grant project.

The MOU must be signed and dated by the grantee project director(s) and all of the firm’s owners.

If the grantee is working with a chain of centrally owned and operated firms, then one MOU that includes all relevant information on every participating firm location will be sufficient. The MOU must be accompanied by a coversheet bearing the GusNIP grantee name, the GusNIP grant award number, the firm’s name(s), the firm’s FNS number(s), and the phrase “GusNIP Grantee-Firm

MOU Attached”.

The MOU must be submitted by the firm to the SNAP Retailer Service Center before USDA can approve the firm to participate in a GusNIP grant project and must include the following information:

• The name of the firm (including any other names the firm does business as or under);

• The street address of the firm;

• The mailing address of the firm (if different than the street address of the firm);

• The firm’s FNS number;

• The firm’s hours and days of operation;

• The proposed start date of the firm’s participation in the grantee’s GusNIP grant project;

• The expected end date of the firm’s participation in the grantee’s GusNIP grant project;

• A general description of the incentives being offered at the firm as part of the project;

• A general description of any other waivers expected, requested, received, or applicable to the firm’s involvement in the project;

• An acknowledgement that the firm will provide the grantee with all incentive transaction-related data necessary for a robust evaluation of the GusNIP grant project and that this data will be furnished to NIFA and FNS;

• An acknowledgement that the firm will follow all relevant GusNIP and SNAP rules including, but not limited to, the following:

o The firm will only accept incentives for GusNIP qualifying fruits or vegetables;

o The firm will never accept incentives for ineligible products (i.e., non-food, alcohol, tobacco, or hot food products);

o The firm will never exchange incentives for cash (i.e., trafficking);

o The firm will never provide cash or SNAP EBT change for incentives;

o The firm will never provide cash or SNAP EBT refunds for incentives;

o The firm will never accept incentives from individuals known not to be legally entitled to possess incentives;

o The firm will never accept incentives to pay credit accounts; and, o The firm will never knowingly provide false information of a substantive nature regarding their participation in the grant project.

• An acknowledgement that any firm’s failure to abide by GusNIP and SNAP rules may result in SNAP disqualification, civil money penalties, and/or criminal penalties.

• An acknowledgement that any grantee’s failure to abide by GusNIP grant program rules may result in rescission, in whole or in part, of grant funds.

https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/FINI-Grant-Program

• An acknowledgement that grantees are responsible for overseeing firms participating in their grant project to ensure that SNAP and GusNIP rules are followed. Grantees will be held responsible for instances of noncompliance that occur at any of their participating firms.

Misuse of Grant Funds. In cases in which GusNIP grant funds have been spent on unallowable expenses or otherwise misallocated, the USDA will require that the grantee repay the full amount of grant funds that have been misallocated.

Grantee Noncompliance with Program Policy. Grantees and their participating firms are expected to comply with all of the policies and requirements laid out in this RFA document as well as any

GusNIP or SNAP policies or requirements further clarified in Q&As, memoranda, or other relevant

USDA documents (including all applicable provisions of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and

SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 278). Grantees will be notified in writing of instances of noncompliance and will face serious repercussions for repeated instances of noncompliance.

Examples of such noncompliance include, but are not limited to, failure to timely report a change of Project Director (PD), allowing unapproved firms to participate in a project, and/or incentivizing ineligible products.

First Instance of Noncompliance. If the grantee or the grantee’s firms fail to comply with GusNIP or SNAP rules and this is the first instance of noncompliance associated with that grantee, then the

USDA will notify the grantee of the issue in writing and establish a timeline for corrective action.

The general timeline for such corrective action is 30 calendar days, although the timeline may be extended or shortened depending on the nature and extent of the issue at hand at the discretion of the USDA.

If the grantee fails to take required corrective action within the established timeline, then the

USDA will immediately suspend that grantee’s access to grant funds. Access to grant funds will be restored when corrective action has been taken.

Second Instance of Noncompliance. If the grantee or the grantee’s firms fail to comply with

GusNIP or SNAP rules and this is the second instance of noncompliance associated with that grantee, then the USDA will immediately suspend that grantee’s access to grant funds, notify the grantee of the issue in writing and establish a timeline for corrective action. The general timeline for such corrective action is 30 calendar days, although the timeline may be extended or shortened depending on the nature and extent of the issue at hand at the discretion of the USDA. Access to grant funds will be restored when corrective action has been taken.

Third Instance of Noncompliance. If the grantee or the grantee’s firms fail to comply with GusNIP or SNAP rules and this is the third instance of noncompliance associated with that grantee, then the

USDA will immediately suspend that grantee’s access to grant funds, notify the grantee of the issue in writing and establish a timeline for corrective action. In addition, the USDA will rescind

10% of the total Federal grant funding. The general timeline for such corrective action is 30 calendar days, although the timeline may be extended or shortened depending on the nature and extent of the issue at hand at the discretion of the USDA. Access to the remaining grant funds will be restored when corrective action has been taken.

Further Instances of Noncompliance. If the grantee or the grantee’s firms fail to comply with

GusNIP or SNAP rules and more than three such instances of noncompliance have already been documented, then the USDA will rescind the remaining Federal GusNIP grant funds in their entirety.

Considering a History of Noncompliance during Application Evaluation. A history of noncompliance with GusNIP or any other USDA grant policies and requirements will be considered during the grant application evaluation process as detailed in Section B. Evaluation.

Required Cashier Training and Advertising Plan. GusNIP grant projects succeed best when cashiers and on-site staff are well-trained and involved as stakeholders in the project. Additionally, no GusNIP project can succeed in reaching SNAP recipients without some form of project promotion, outreach, or advertising. Therefore, FLSP and FIP grantees must include a detailed plan for cashier/staff training and advertising of their grant project in their grant application. If the grantee wishes to significantly change this plan after the grantee is awarded, then the grantee must notify NIFA and FNS in writing and receive approval for the proposed change.

Required Self-Evaluation Plan and Evaluation Reporting. As noted in Part I. C, FIP, FLSP, and

PPR grantees must involve SNAP participants and include an evaluation of whether the project met its goals and objectives. Project self-evaluations must follow USDA guidelines to ensure an appropriate level of comparability of methods, outcomes, and measures. To ensure that project self-evaluations follow USDA guidelines, NIFA and FNS will rigorously review the project self-evaluation plan submitted as a part of the GusNIP grant application. FIP, FLSP, and PPR projects will be expected to provide annual updates to NIFA and FNS on the progress and outcomes of their project self-evaluation including a final self-evaluation report at the conclusion of their grant project. If FIP, FLSP, or PPR grantees wish to significantly change their project self-evaluation, then they must first notify and receive approval from NIFA and FNS. Due to their increased scale and sophistication, more rigorous standards will be applied to the USDA assessment of FLSP and

PPR projects self-evaluations.

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The anticipated amount available for NIFA support of this program in FY 2020 is approximately

$41.5 million for the GusNIP projects (FPP, FIP, FSLP, & PPR). The funds will be awarded through grants. There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

Awards issued as a result of this RFA will have designated the Automated Standard Applications for Payment (ASAP) system, operated by the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal

Service, as the payment system for funds. For more information see Automated Standard

Application for Payments.

B. Types of Applications

In FY 2020, you may submit the following types of applications:

New application: This is a project application that has not been previously submitted to the

GusNIP. We will review all new applications competitively using the selection process and evaluation criteria described in Part V—Application Review Requirements.

Resubmitted application (applies to GusNIP only this year): This is an application that had previously been submitted to the GusNIP Program but not funded. Project Directors (PDs) must respond to the previous review panel summary (see Response to Previous Review, part IV).

Resubmitted applications must be received by the relevant due dates, will be evaluated in competition with other pending applications in appropriate area to which they are assigned, and will be reviewed according to the same evaluation criteria as new applications.

C. Project Types

Applications will be accepted for four (4) project types: (1) GusNIP Pilot Projects; (2) GusNIP

Projects; (3) GusNIP Large-Scale Projects; and (4) Produce Prescription. With the exception of produce prescription, the FINI grant program will only accept one application across the four project types per project team under this RFA. For the Produce Prescription, this program cannot be combined with FINI in the same proposal, but applicants may apply for a separate FINI grant in addition to the Program Prescription. It is important to keep these two types of programs separate due to the different criteria used in the application process.

All FPP awards will be made on the merit of the proposed project, with budgets considered only after the merits of the project have been determined. NIFA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants.

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm

1. GusNIP Pilot Projects (FPP)

FPPs are aimed at new entrants seeking funding for a project in the early stages of incentive program development. Applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project. No single GusNIP Pilot project (FPP) award will exceed $100,000 for the total project period. The maximum GusNIP Pilot Project award period is one year. Applications that exceed the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed.

2. GusNIP Projects (FIP)

FINI Projects are aimed at mid-sized groups developing incentive programs at the local or State level. Applicants should request a budget and project period commensurate with the proposed project. FIP proposals must include a budget of no more than $500,000 for a project period not to exceed four years. Proposal budgets may be less than $500,000 and/or a proposed project period of less than four years. Applications that exceed budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed.

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