FY2020-Farm-and Ranch-Stress-Assistance-Network-FRSAN-508.pdf

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION

Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

Competitive Grants Program

FUNDING YEAR:

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE:

AVAILABLE FUNDING:

Fiscal Year 2020 June 23, 2020

Not Required

$7,187,000

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.500

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States (U.S.) Department of Agriculture

(USDA)

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) Competitive Grants Program is listed in the Assistance Listings under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 10.500.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines

Task Description Deadline

Application: 5:00 P.M. Eastern, June 23, 2020 [Ref to Part I § C of this RFA]

Letter of Intent: Not Required

Applicants Comments: Within six months from the issuance of this notice (NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month)

Stakeholder Input. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seeks comments on all request for applications (RFAs) so it can deliver programs efficiently, effectively, with integrity, and with a focus on customer service. NIFA considers comments, to the extent possible when developing RFAs and use comments to help meet the requirements of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1978. Applicants may submit written comments to Policy@usda.gov (email is for comments only). Please use the following subject line: Response to the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Competitive Grants Program

RFA.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/agricultural-research-extension-and-education-reform-act-1998 https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/agricultural-research-extension-and-education-reform-act-1998 mailto:Policy@usda.gov

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This notice identifies the objectives for FRSAN projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions.

NIFA requests applications for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) Competitive Grants Program for fiscal year (FY) 2020 to provide competitive grants to State departments of agriculture, State cooperative extension services, and nonprofit organizations to carry out programs to address farmer stress and suicide risk. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2020 is approximately $7,187,0000. Based on the FY 2020 competition, it is the intention of NIFA to provide continuation awards in FY 2021 and FY 2022. This RFA is being released prior to the passage of an appropriations act for FYs 2021 and 2022. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or appropriations acts may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

Topic: Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Applicant Webinar

Network Applicant Webinar

Join Zoom Meeting: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1603361408

Meeting ID: 160 336 1408

Time: May 6, 2020 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

One tap mobile

+16692545252, 1603361408#US (San Jose)

+16468287666, 1603361408# US (New York)

Dial-in-Information

Dial by your location

+1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)

+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 160 336 1408

Find your local number: https://www.zoomgov.com/u/aD7Afk0dl

Join by Skype for Business https://www.zoomgov.com/skype/1603361408 https://www.zoomgov.com/u/aD7Afk0dl https://www.zoomgov.com/skype/1603361408

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities

C. Program Area Description ……………………………………………………………………….……………9

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Application Restrictions C. Project and Grant Types D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application B. Content and Form of the Application C. Funding Restrictions

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process B. Evaluation Criteria C. Organizational Management Information D. Application Disposition

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements C. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements

PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

TABLE OF TABLES

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Table 2: List of Regions Table 3: Program Key Information Table 4. Steps to Obtain Application Materials Table 5: Help and Resources Table 6: Key Application Instructions Table 7: FRSAN Application Page Limits Table 8: 2019 FRSANP Checklist

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority Section 7522, Public Law 110-246, 122 Stat. 2033 (7 U.S.C. 5936) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2419, authorizes NIFA to establish a Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network as follows: 7 U.S.C.

5936 (a). In General – “The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall make competitive grants to eligible entities described in subsection (c) to establish a Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network that provides stress assistance programs to individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations.”

(b) Eligible Programs – Grants awarded under subsection (a) may be used to initiate, expand, or sustain programs that provide professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral for other forms of assistance as necessary through the following:

1. Farm telephone helplines and websites

2. Training, including training programs and workshops, for –

i. Advocates for individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture

ii. Other individuals and entities that may assist individuals who –

i. are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture

ii. are in crisis

3. Activities, including the dissemination of information and materials

B. Purpose and Priorities The purpose of the FRSAN program is to establish a network that connects individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations to stress assistance programs. The term “farmer” is used in the broadest sense and may be interpreted to include agricultural farmers, ranchers, workers, business owners, and non-industrial private forest owners and managers.

Agricultural work is one of the most hazardous professions, with risk of injury, disability, and death higher than most other career paths. Daily decision-making in the context of long-term planning to ensure crop and livestock yields and profits can prove extremely difficult. Even the most proactive planning can be short circuited by factors beyond an individual’s control, such as natural disasters or pest infestations. Operating costs are many, and prices have remained stubbornly flat for some commodities.

“Family farms as a group, across type, accounted for 98 percent of farms and 88 percent of production in 2018 (America’s Diverse Family Farms, Economic Research Service, 2019).” The ERS further notes “Financial performance varies across farm size. Most small farms have an operating profit margin (OPM) in the red zone—indicating a higher risk of financial problems— while most midsize, large, and very large farms operate in a lower financial risk zone (America’s Diverse Family Farms, Economic Research Service, 2019).” Correspondingly, some farmers and ranchers have reported increasing levels of stress associated with heightened risk of crop/livestock losses and loan defaults. Regardless of farm size, successfully operating a farm or ranch or associated business requires a wide range of skills, breadth of knowledge, and a resilient nature.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2419 https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2419 https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/2419 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:5936%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section5936)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:5936%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section5936)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

Financial stress is just one form of stress and, like other stressors, may be a short-term occurrence that abates when the condition is addressed and/or alleviates on its own. Long-term stress can be more threatening to an individual’s physical and mental health. In worst case scenarios, unresolved stressors may contribute to a person threatening and/or harming themselves. In a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study comparing suicide rates for major occupational groups across 17 states, the rate of suicides by farmers was 32.2 per 100,000 in 2015. The 32.2 rate was more than twice the rate for the general population (13.3) in 2015.

Taking practical steps to manage stress can help lessen or prevent such ill effects. Knowing where to turn is also key. Programs that offer access to resources (e.g., information, skills) and people (e.g., Extension agents, health care providers) can also help identify underlying causes of farm/ranch risk factors and serve as an entry point to working with farmers and ranchers on recognizing their stress, understanding the importance of seeking assistance, and learning how to manage their stress. However, lack of access due to geography, distance, and availability of resources and providers, combined with any real or perceived stigma and privacy concerns, can influence an individual’s decision to seek and receive help.

The FRSAN is aligned with the following USDA Strategic Goals:

1. Strategic Goal 2: Maximize the Ability of American Agricultural Producers To Prosper by Feeding and Clothing the World;

2. Strategic Goal 3: Promote American Agriculture Products and Exports

3. Strategic Goal 4: Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development;

4. Strategic Goal 5: Strengthen the Stewardship of Private Lands Through Technology and

Research;

5. Strategic Goal 6: Ensure Productive and Sustainable Use of Our National Forest System

Lands; and

6. Strategic Goal 7: Provide all Americans Access to a Safe, Nutritious, and Secure Food

Supply.

C. Program Area Description Establishment of a network that assists farmers and ranchers in times of stress can offer a conduit to improving behavioral health awareness, literacy, and outcomes for agricultural producers, workers, and their families. Connecting these individuals with resources, support, and training at the state and local level is critical to helping them successfully navigate the potential challenges they may encounter when working, developing careers, and building sustainable enterprises in farming and ranching. Through key strategic partnerships and collaboration, existing and experienced programs can conduct outreach, offer training such as Mental Health First Aid, deliver evidence-based information, and make appropriate referrals that strengthen the coping skills and quality of life of America’s farm and ranch families and the communities in which they live.

In 2019, the FRSAN program launched with four awards corresponding to US regions in the Northeast, North Central, South, and West. In 2020, funding has increased fivefold to support regional frameworks offering stress assistance programs, training, services, and referral.

In FY20, NIFA is seeking applications from regional partnerships and collaborations that are led by or include nongovernmental organizations (NGO), state departments of agriculture (SDA), Cooperative Extension Services (CES), and Indian tribes with expertise in providing professional agricultural behavioral health awareness, counseling as appropriate, education, training, and https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-strategic-plan-2018-2022.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/program/farm-and-ranch-stress-assistance-network-frsan referral for other forms of assistance as necessary. NIFA is soliciting applications that align with, build upon, and/or complement the projects funded in FY19.

In addition, applicant organizations must have demonstrable prior experience working in the agricultural stress assistance space. For purposes of implementing FRSAN, a network is an organizational arrangement among three or more separately operated domestic public or private entities, including the applicant organization, with established working histories in the targeted region.

The FRSAN Program will fund four (4) regional centers nationwide (see description in Table 2):

1. Northeast Region FRSAN

2. North Central Region FRSAN

3. Southern Region FRSAN

4. Western Region FRSAN

Regional lead entities must have the capacity to make state-level sub-awards, to include monitoring the performance of specific projects and active participation within the larger regional network. Providing training and/or offering direct services in every state/territory in the targeted region is not required in FY 2020. However, the applicant must clearly articulate where and why training and services are being offered, as well as any rationale for areas not served and how all states (and territories, as appropriate), will be added to the network in FYs 2021 and 2022, if the project intends to seek continuation funding in those years. If possible, a national, region-wide or sub-regional helpline and/or website that is available to all states should be implemented and publicized beginning in FY 2021.

Since all proposed regional partnerships (networks) must be initially composed of three or more member institutions/entities, applications to FRSAN funding opportunity must provide signed commitment letters from at least three key collaborators. Letters must delineate the expertise, roles, responsibilities, and commitments, including service area and/or role of each network member. A member may participate in more than one regional network, but may only serve as lead entity in a single region. In addition, members participating in more than one regional network must demonstrate the capacity to meet the responsibilities associated with multiple region commitments.

While network members may be located in urban or rural areas within a particular region, at least two network members involved in the proposed project must be currently delivering services in USDA’s ERS-designated rural counties or rural census tracts in urban counties. To ascertain whether a particular county or census tract is rural, please refer to the Rural-Urban Continuum Codes. NIFA will not review applications that fail to include at least two entities serving rural communities and will consider such applications non-responsive. For purposes of FRSAN, applications must focus services in one of four regions described in Table 2.

https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/rural-urban-continuum-codes/ https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/rural-urban-continuum-codes/

Table 2: List of Regions

Northeast Region Southern Region North Central Region

Western Region

• Connecticut,

• Delaware,

• Maine,

• Maryland,

• Massachusetts,

• New Hampshire,

• New Jersey,

• New York,

• Pennsylvania,

• Rhode Island,

• Vermont,

• West Virginia

• The District of Columbia

• Alabama,

• Arkansas,

• Florida,

• Georgia,

• Kentucky,

• Louisiana,

• Mississippi,

• North Carolina,

• Oklahoma,

• South Carolina,

• Tennessee,

• Texas,

• Virginia

• Puerto Rico

• The U.S. Virgin Islands

• Illinois,

• Indiana,

• Iowa,

• Kansas,

• Michigan,

• Minnesota,

• Missouri,

• Nebraska,

• North Dakota,

• Ohio,

• South Dakota

• Wisconsin

• Alaska,

• Arizona,

• California,

• Colorado,

• Hawaii,

• Idaho,

• Montana,

• Nevada,

• New Mexico,

• Oregon,

• Utah,

• Washington,

• Wyoming

• American Samoa,

• Northern Mariana Islands,

• Guam

• Micronesia

Funds may be used to map resources in each region, provide a framework for how those resources can be/are connected, and train state-level people working with agricultural producers (train-the-trainer model) about how to identify farmers under stress, about the existence of a given regional network, availability of specific resources and how to access them, as well as how to make referrals to programs that are equipped to provide direct behavioral care assistance. Such maps must link with USDA programs such as Agriculture Mediation Program and Crop Insurance Mediation and state and county-level USDA field offices with which producers may engage if and when appropriate.

Table 3: Program Key Information

Title Description Program Code: FRSAN

Program Code Name: Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network CFDA Number 10.500

Project Type: Extension Projects ONLY Grant Type: Standard Grants ONLY

Application Deadline June 23, 2020 Grant Duration: 12 Months with eligibility for continuation funding Anticipated # of Awards: 4

Maximum Award Amount: $7,187,000 including indirect costs for a project period of 36 months

Budgets must not exceed $7,187,000 total ($2,396,750 in FY20, $2,400,000 in FY21, and $2,400,000 in FY22).

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/agricultural-mediation-program-factssheet.pdf https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/About-RMA/Laws-and-Regulations/Mediation

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding The anticipated amount available for FRSAN in FY 2020 is approximately $7,187,000. Lead applicants may not submit more than one application. NIFA anticipates making four awards, one award in each of the four designated regions. Applicants may request up to $7,187,000, including indirect costs, to serve a particular region for a three-year project period. USDA is not committed to fund any particular application. The Automated Standard Application for Payments, operated by the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA.

B. Application Restrictions NIFA will evaluate applications using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA. Application for FY 2020 is limited to the following applications types:

1. New application: New applications will be evaluated using the criteria described in Part V of this RFA and are subject to the due dates herein (see Appendix III for definition).

Note: It is the intention of NIFA to make awards for each fiscal year commencing in FY 2020 through FY 2022 based upon the FY 2020 competition. Therefore, only new proposals are being solicited, and they should contain a plan of work for each year, budget and budget narrative for each year, and a consolidated budget covering the entire period. The proposal cover page (See Part IV, this RFA, Application and Submission Information) should include the entire grant period and the total amount being requested for the entire period of the grant proposal (e.g., FY 2020 – FY 2022 or three (3) years). Note that yearly funding awards will be made on an annual basis contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory performance by the regional networks in the management and oversight of regional and sub-regional FRSAN projects.

FRSAN project period is three (3) years. In FY 2020, NIFA plans to make continuation grants for an initial project period of one year to grantees that have requested funding for up to 3 years.

A continuation grant is a grant instrument by which the Department agrees to support a specified level of effort for a predetermined project period with a statement of intention to provide additional support at a future date, provided that grantee performance has been satisfactory, appropriations are available for this purpose, and continued support would be in the best interest of the Federal government and the public. If these three elements are met, NIFA plans to provide additional support in FYs 2021 and 2022. NIFA will provide applicants funded in FY 2020 with further instructions about submitting continuation applications in FYs 2021 and 2022.

C. Project and Grant Types Applications will be accepted for Regional Networks. The long-term goal of the FRSAN projects is to establish a nationwide Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network that provides stress assistance programs to individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations on a regional basis. Network members must initiate, expand, or sustain programs that provide professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral for other forms of assistance as necessary through the following:

1. Farm telephone helplines and websites https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm

2. Training, including training programs and workshops, for the following:

i. Advocates for individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture

ii. Other individuals and entities that may assist individuals who-

i. are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture

ii. are in crisis

3. Support groups

4. Outreach services and activities, including the dissemination of information and materials

It is NIFA’s intention to fund four grants to four separate FRSAN regional leads as a result of this FY 2020 competition: one each in the Northeast Region, North Central Region, Southern Region, and the Western Region. The maximum award for a standard grant is $7,187,000 for a three-year project.

D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and maintain and effectively communicate and train their staff regarding policies and procedures. In the event an application to NIFA results in an award, the Authorized Representative (AR) assures, through acceptance of the award that the institution will comply with the above requirements. Award recipients must, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training. See Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for further information.

https://ecfr.io/Title-02/pt2.1.422 https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements Applicants for the FRSAN must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Applications may only be submitted by a collaborative state; tribal; local or regionally-based network, or partnership of qualified public and/or private entities, as determined by the Secretary. For purposes of implementing FRSAN, a network is an organizational arrangement among three or more separately operated domestic public or private entities, including the applicant organization, with established working histories in the targeted region. These collaborations may include the following entities: Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); State departments of agriculture, State cooperative extension services; and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Applications submitted by individuals, or by organizations that do not involve other entities in a network or partnership, are not eligible for consideration and will be excluded from review.

Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – duplicate or multiple submissions is not allowed. NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching No Match Required - The FRSAN has NO matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:25%20section:5304%20edition:prelim) https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this RFA electronically; no other method or response is accepted. The electronic application for this RFA and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101. Table 4 provides instructions on how to obtain an electronic application. Part II § 1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide (Application Guide) contains detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process.

Table 4. Steps to Obtain Application Materials

Steps Action

Step One: Register New Users to Grants.gov must register early with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application (Register Here).

Step Two:

Download Adobe

Download and Install Adobe Reader (see Adobe Software Compatibility for basic system requirements)

Step Three: Find Application

Using this funding opportunity number USDA-NIFA-OP-007413, search for application here: Opportunity Package.

Step Four: Assess Readiness

Contact an AR prior to starting an application to assess the organization’s readiness to submit an electronic application.

Table 5: Help and Resources

Grants.gov Support NIFA Support

Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518-4726 Toll- Free or 606-545-5035 Email support: support@grants.gov Self-service customer based support:

Grants.gov iPortal Key Information: Customer service business Hours 24/7, except federal holidays.

Phone: 202-401-5048

Key Information: Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

B. Content and Form of the Application The Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this RFA. The RFA overrides the Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. NIFA will accept subsequent submissions to an application until the application deadline. However, applicants that do not meet the application requirements, to include partial applications, risk being excluded from NIFA’s review. NIFA will assign a proposal number to all applications that https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html/ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://get.adobe.com/reader/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/search-opportunity-package.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf meet the requirements of this RFA. Applicants must refer to the proposal number when corresponding with NIFA. Table 6 outlines other key instructions for applicants.

Table 6: Key Application Instructions Instruction References

(All references are to the Application Guide)

Attachments must be in a portable document format (PDF) format.

Part III § 3

Check the manifest of submitted files to verify attachments are in the correct format.

Part III § 6.1

Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission.

Part VII and

Follow the submission instructions. Part IV § 1.5

Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R.

Part IV § 1.5

Contact the Grants.gov helpdesk for technical support, and keep a record of the correspondence.

Contact NIFA if applicant does not receive correspondence from NIFA regarding an application within 30 days of the application deadline.

SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet. See Part V § 2 and Part V § 2.17of the Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances.

SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s). See Part V § 3 of the Application Guide.

R&R Other Project Information Form. See Part V § 4 of the Application Guide.

1. Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the FRSAN. See Part V § 4.7 of the Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates. The Project Summary must provide the following information in the order listed below:

a. Project title

b. List of Project Directors (PDs) and Co-PDs and their institutions/organizations

c. List of other collaborating institutions/organizations

d. Concise (250 words or less) description of the project

e. Funding amount requested

2. Field 8. Project Narrative (PN). The PN must not exceed 22 1.5 spaced pages of written text and up to 6 1.5 spaced additional pages for maps, figures and tables (the font size for tables should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman). The page limits outlined here ensure fair and equitable competition. Please include a one-page Table of Contents in the project narrative, which will not count towards the narrative’s 28-page limit total.

Appendices to the PN are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project.

Do not add appendices to circumvent the page limit.

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf

Your application will be reviewed and scored according to the quality of your response to the requirements in Sections A-D detailed below. In developing the Project Narrative section of your application, indicate the Section letter and number in your response, e.g., type “A.1”, “A.2”, etc., before your response to each question. Please do not combine two or more questions or refer to another section of the Project Narrative in your response, such as indicating that the response for B.2 is in C.7.

The PN must include all the following:

a. Introduction:

1. The introduction must include a clear statement of need and significance of the regional network your project proposes to create and implement. Identify the region (Northeast, South, North Central, or West), target audience (including specific minority/historically underserved farmer/farmworker groups) within the region, and explain their needs. Provide the most relevant data for the region the project will be serving, including data on stressors faced by agricultural communities and workers in states within your region, as well as data on the effects of those stressors on agricultural producers and their well-being. Provide references for data. Explain and substantiate any assumptions made.

2. Include existing (most relevant for the FRSAN program) stress assistance programs available to farmers in the identified region and briefly comment on how those programs currently collaborate/network with each other. If necessary, provide a map/table that clearly shows services currently offered to producers/agricultural businesses in the chosen region.

3. List key network members (organizations) collaborating on the proposed project.

Describe how the proposed regional FRSAN project fits within the context of what is already available in the region. For example: Will the specific network be adding to/enhancing/avoiding duplication of any existing efforts? Are there programmatic gaps in the region and what are some specific resources other regions might have available that your network could tap into for the benefit of agricultural communities in your own region? What is the expected public value/ significance of the regional network you will establish?

b. Proposed Approach FRSAN seeks to fulfill four programmatic goals in each region.

1. Establish a diverse, regionally representative network of member organizations

2. Develop a clearinghouse (see “Definitions” [Appendix III]) of farmer assistance programs in the region (inclusive of programs providing professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral). The clearinghouse should make non-proprietary information and resources available and accessible to the other networks.

3. Educate individuals/team in your region about FRSAN activities and how they can access and use existing resources and programs in their work with agricultural workers and communities under stress.

4. Provide a range of services referenced in the legislative authorit(ies).

Given these goals, proposals should concisely and clearly present objectives, activities, and expected outcomes associated with your proposed project. All activities listed under an objective must be presented in a sequence in which the activities are expected to be performed. The sum of activities under each objective must lead to completion of that objective within the 3-year maximum project duration. In addition, for each activity, indicate the following:

i. Specific expected/desired result(s)/outcome(s) of the activity;

ii. Means (e.g. tools) by which results/outcomes will be monitored, captured and measured;

iii. How results will be used and by whom; and

iv. Possible limitation(s) to the proposed procedures and how you plan to mitigate them.

FRSAN regional programs are expected to provide deliverables reflective of diversity in farm and ranch populations specific to their region. Describe your project team’s ability and readiness to develop appropriate (i.e., ethnically-, racially-, linguistically- and socio-economically-sensitive) network, clearinghouse, training, and outreach inclusive of such audiences.

c. Project Performance Assessment Plan

Project performance assessment plans allow projects to follow and review outcomes achieved and use results to inform, refine and adjust future project plans as needed.

Applicants to the FRSAN program need to submit a plan for monitoring and measuring performance of their projects. The plan must include the following elements:

1. A logic model, a theory of change, or an alternative schematic that illustrates the causal linkages between planned activities and desired outcomes.

2. A timeline to demonstrate the duration and the sequence of proposed activities, as well as division of labor (as noted in “Section D” below). Each objective might have multiple activities. Chart against a quarterly scale, so that the timeline depicts 1 year / 4 quarters for each year of the project.

3. Indicate who on the team will provide the project performance assessment oversight. NIFA encourages but does not require grantees to include on their teams a project performance measurement expert or an evaluator who can help develop the monitoring plan and conduct outcomes reporting.

i. Measure how farmers and ranchers are connected with USDA programs such as Agriculture Mediation Program and/or Crop Insurance Mediation, and state, regional, and local field offices as appropriate.

ii. Measure how farmers and ranchers are connected to other governmental programs and resources through agencies such as HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency, Department of Labor, and Department of Veterans Affairs, as appropriate.

d. Institutional Capacity, Division of Labor and Management Plan It is critical to have a clearly articulated management plan that describes the roles and functions of all partners, collaborators and the organizations, as related to the proposed project. Strong partnerships among complementary organizations (e.g.

Indian tribes, SDAs, CES, and NGOs) with shared leadership are essential to FRSAN projects. For definitions of Partnership and Collaborator, see “Definitions” (Appendix

III).

1. Provide justification for selection of the partner organizations. Clearly state each organization’s previous and current work that make it a good fit for the proposed project. Briefly describe your institutions’ and teams’ ability to meet https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2018/agricultural_mediation_program_jan2018.pdf https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/About-RMA/Laws-and-Regulations/Mediation the gaps and limitations in services by detailing your accomplishments from similar projects and your experiences serving producers in your region.

2. Describe how the relationship between organizations partnering on the proposed project will be managed. Describe the plans for coordination, communication, data-sharing and reporting among members of the project team and stakeholder groups, as well as with the other regional networks as appropriate.

3. Provide a brief summary of key staff that will manage the proposed project, their respective roles, and percent of time they will be dedicating to the project.

4. Describe the commitment of the lead organization and partners to this project;

and how the collaboration and its impact will be sustained beyond the award period.

e. Budget and Budget Narrative:

1. There should be a direct relationship between the items in the budget and budget narrative, as well as between budget narrative and the objectives/activities contained in the Project Narrative.

2. Every item in the budget must be justified in the proposal. The amount of detail depends on the nature of the project and the breakdown of costs.

3. Proposed budgets must not exceed $7,187,000 total ($2,396,750 in FY20, $2,400,000 in FY21, and $2,400,000 in FY22).

4. Budget breakdown and budget narrative should be provided for each project year (Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3). The project start date must be September 1, 2020 and the end date must be August 31, 2023.

5. Annual budgets are to include reasonable expenses for two 2-day trips for project director, co-project director(s), and project evaluation lead to attend FRSAN project director’s meetings in either the Kansas City or Washington, DC metro area. The first meeting will occur in Winter 2021 and the second in Winter 2022. The purpose of these meetings is to encourage networking among regional project teams from the four regions, meet with stakeholders, and support alignment of efforts on indicators and outcomes measures.

6. In the budget narrative, costs (e.g., personnel, materials, travel, etc.) are to be broken down and itemized rather than shown as lump sums.

7. NOTE: The budget narrative does not count toward the maximum page count stated in PART IV, B., 3.

f. Sustainability:

1. Describe steps you will take toward the project’s sustainability beyond the life of the FRSAN grant. For example, identify opportunities (such as resources, trainings, partnerships, collaborations, funding streams) you plan to explore/develop/enhance during the life of the proposed project to help you sustain project operations after NIFA funding has expired. If planning to sustain only certain aspects of the project beyond NIFA funding, clearly identify them.

2. Include your main project sustainability activities in the proposal timeline.

The following table summarizes the sections of the Project Narrative, suggests an approximate number of pages (not including tables) to allocate to each section, and shows the evaluation criteria most relevant to each section:

Table 7: FRSAN Application Page Limits

Narrative Section Suggested Number of Pages

Related Evaluation Criteria (see Part V § B)

Introduction 4 of 22 Relevancy Proposed Approach 6 of 22 Partnerships and collaboration;

Technical merit; Achievability Project Performance Assessment

6 of 22 Adequacy of plans for the participatory evaluation process, outcome-based reporting, and the communication of findings and results

Institutional Capacity, Division of Labor and Management Plan

6 of 22 Partnerships and collaboration;

Expertise and track record of the applicants; Adequacy of available or obtainable support personnel, facilities and instrumentation;

Achievability

3. Field 12, Add Other Attachments. See Part V § 4.12 of the Application Guide.

a. Commitment Letters. PDF attachment(s). No page limits. Letters of commitment from all partners (signed by the Authorized Representative (AR) of the partnering organization) stating that the partners involved have agreed to their stated roles in the project and have agreed to abide by the Management Plan. Letters from other organizations or people whose participation is important to the success of the project, committing those collaborators to specific roles, are also encouraged. Title the attachment(s) as ‘Letter of Commitment – Organization Name’ in the document header and save file as ‘Letter of Commitment Organization Name’. Other more general letters of support (i.e., from those who are not committing to a specific role in the project) are not needed and should not be included.

Do not add any other attachments not specifically requested in this RFA. Specifically, do not attach examples of curricula or other resource materials. Attaching additional narrative or figures or tables other than those specifically requested in this RFA will result in disqualification from review.

b. Check List. Please ensure that you check off on the list below and include with project narrative. This inclusion will not count towards the narrative’s page limitation. Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Program – Checklist for FY 2020 Application.

This checklist is a tool to help applicants review that they have included all the forms and attachments. It is not a substitute for carefully following all the instructions in the RFA and the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

Table 8: 2020 FRSAN Checklist

Application Contents 2020 FRSAN Checklist

Check Off

File Name for

PDF

Attachment (or application form/section)

Contents (see the FY 2020 Request for Applications (RFA), the Application Package, and Instructions (NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide)

SF-424 R&R

Cover Sheet Project/Perf. Site Location(s) Other Project Information

Forms in the Application Package – see instructions in the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for all three (3) forms

Project Summary (pdf)

Use the suggested Application Support Templates or include all of the same information on one (1) page

Table of Contents Include a one-page table of contents □ Table of Contents Title □ Table of Contents List of Project Directors/Co-PDs & Institutions □ Table of Contents Project description - 250 words or less □ Table of Contents List of other collaborating organizations not on

PD/co-PD list

Table of Contents Logic Model and other Tools in graphic depiction □ Table of Contents Percent of total federal funds allocated to Indian tribes/SDAs/CES/NGOs

Project Narrative (pdf)

No more than 22 pages, include the following sections:

Project Narrative (pdf)

1.Introduction □

Project Narrative (pdf)

2.Proposed Approach □

Project Narrative (pdf)

3.Project Performance Assessment □

Project Narrative (pdf)

4.Institutional Capacity, Division of Labor and Management Plan

File Name for PDF Attachment (or application form/section)

Contents (see the FY 2020 Request for Applications (RFA), the Application Package, and Instructions (NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide)

Bibliography (pdf)

Bibliography and References (no page limit) □ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/application-support-templates

Application Contents 2020 FRSAN Checklist

Check Off

Letter of Commitment_

Signed letter(s) that Partners have agreed to their role in the project and to abide by management plan; often multiple attachments, no page limit

Org Name (pdf attachment(s))

Organizational Information □

R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (form)

Information and Biographical Sketch form for each person. Current and Pending Support is required with this application)

R&R Personal Data (form)

Providing this information is required □

R&R Budget (form)

Complete the R&R budget forms □

Budget Justification (pdf)

Explain each item; no page limit

R&R Sub-award Budget (form)

Required if any sub-awards

Supplemental Information Form (form)

Program Code = FRSAN □

Conflict of Interest (pdf)

Complete a Conflict of Interest form for each key /senior person (Application Support Templates) then combine them into one (1) pdf document to attach.

R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded). See Part V § 5 of the Application Guide for profile requirements, details about the biographical sketch, and suggested support templates.

R&R Personal Data. This information is voluntary and is not a precondition of award (see Part V § 6 of the Application Guide).

R&R Budget. See Part V § 7 of the Application Guide.

1. Indirect costs (IDC) – See Part IV § C of this RFA for funding restrictions regarding indirect cost, and Part V 7.9 of the Application Guide for additional information.

Data Management Plan. A DMP is required for this program. Applicants should clearly articulate how the project director (PD) and co-PDs plan to manage and disseminate the data generated by the project. The DMP will be considered during the merit review process (see Part V § B of this RFA, Part III § 3.1 of the Application Guide and NIFA’s Data Management Plan).

Supplemental Information Form. See Part VI § 1 of the Application Guide.

1. Field 2. Program to which the applicant is applying. Enter the program name FRSAN and the program code Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. Accurate entry is critical.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/application-support-templates https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/PKG00249520-instructions.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects

2. Field 8. Conflict of Interest List. See Part VI § 1.8 of the Application Guide.

Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants. This is required for corporate applicants. See Part VI § 2 of the Application Guide for a description of the term, “corporation.”

C. Funding Restrictions Indirect Cost (IDC) not to exceed 30 percent of Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA) of the recipient. Section 1462(a) and (c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) limits IDC for the overall award to 30 percent of Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA) under a research, education, or extension grant. The maximum IDC rate allowed under the award is determined by calculating the amount of IDC using:

1. the sum of an institution’s negotiated indirect cost rate and the indirect cost rate charged by sub-awardees, if any; or

2. 30 percent of TFFA.

The maximum allowable IDC rate under the award, including the IDC charged by the sub-awardee(s), if any, is the lesser of the two rates.

If the result of number one is the lesser of the two rates, the grant recipient is allowed to charge the negotiated IDC rate on the prime award and the sub-award(s), if any. Any sub-awards would be subject to the sub-awardee’s negotiated IDC rate. The sub-awardee may charge its negotiated IDC rate on its portion of the award, provided the sum of the IDC rate charged under the award by the prime awardee and the sub-awardee(s) does not exceed 30 percent of the TFFA.

If the result of number two is the lesser of the two rates, then the maximum IDC rate allowed for the overall award, including any sub-award(s), is limited to 30 percent of the TFFA. That is, the IDC of the prime awardee plus the sum of the IDC charged by the sub-awardee(s), if any, may not exceed 30 percent of the TFFA.

In the event of an award, the prime awardee is responsible for ensuring the maximum indirect cost allowed for the award is not exceeded when combining IDC for the Federal portion (i.e., prime and sub-awardee(s)) and any applicable cost-sharing (see 7 CFR 3430.52(b)). Amounts exceeding the maximum allowable IDC are considered unallowable. See sections 408 and 410 of

2 CFR 200.

Successful applicants must not use grant funds awarded under the authority of this RFA to renovate or refurbish research, education, or extension space; purchase or install fixed equipment in such space; or to plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct buildings or facilities.

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process NIFA evaluates each application in a two-part process. First, we screen each application to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements as set forth in this RFA. Second, a scientific peer- review process will be used to technically evaluate applications that meet the administrative requirements using a review panel (see NIFA Peer Review Process)..

Scientific Peer Review Process:

NIFA selects reviewers for the review panel based upon their training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors:

1. the level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities;

2. the need to include experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or…