July 23 2020 FFPr Merit Based NOFO QA.pdf

Responses to FY2020 FFPr Merit-Based NOFO Questions

Questions received July 20 – 23, 2020

1. Is it possible to use these funds for administrative costs (salaries, benefits etc.) as well as activities?

A: Yes. Once commodity funds are monetized, proceeds can be allocated to budget items according to the terms and conditions of the current award. Additional CCC Admin money will not be awarded. Only commodity funds will be awarded.

2. Page 2 of the NOFO indicates that the ceiling per award is $11,000,000. Can USDA clarify whether this refers to the commodity cost to USDA or monetization proceeds to the implementer (i.e. additional operating budget)?

A: The Estimate Funding per Award values refer to the commodity cost to USDA

3. Page 4 of the NOFO indicates that the maximum length of the updated budget narrative is 6 pages, but page 10 indicates the maximum length of the budget narrative is 20 pages. We respectfully suggest that six pages is insufficient to comply with USDA's budget narrative template requirements and that the 20-page limit is more appropriate. Can USDA confirm that the limit is 20 pages?

A: The NOFO has been updated to reflect the 20-page maximum