Assisting Specialty Crop Exports, Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab (ASCE-SPIL) NOFO.pdf

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Assisting Specialty Crop Exports, Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab (ASCE-SPIL)

Application Submission Deadline: July 17, 2024

Summary The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs, announces this funding opportunity to support the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports by issuing a new award(s). This opportunity is available to colleges and universities in the United States and non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and is intended to support initiatives described to promote the development of sustainable packaging of U.S. specialty crops exported to current and prospective foreign markets.

A. Program Description

Specialty crop producers feed the United States and the world with nutritious fruits, nuts, and vegetables and supply our communities with horticulture products. Yet, they have unique challenges and opportunities to compete in the domestic market and a vast array of barriers that prevent their world-class products from entering foreign markets. Specialty crops that are eligible for this project are those listed in the definition provided by USDA/AMS:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop

Packaging plays an important role in the export of fresh fruits and vegetables and other specialty crops. Packaging ensures that specialty crops safely travel thousands of miles by preserving food and protecting products from damage during the journey from the farm to the consumer's table.

Packaging ensures food safety by preventing contamination from pathogens and contaminants.

Packaging and labeling also allow lots to be traced back to the source of production.

Exporters are facing increasing demands from foreign regulators and consumers to distribute their products either in sustainable packaging or in no packaging at all. Both the European Union and Canada have issued draft regulations that would require the phase out of nearly all single-use plastic packaging for the retail sale of fresh fruits and vegetables as soon as 2028. Several countries are requiring Price Look-Up (PLU) stickers to be certified compostable and are considering the adoption of minimum recycled content standards for packaging and implementing new country-specific recyclability labeling requirements.

The following links provide illustrative examples of recent Canadian and EU regulatory proposals:

• April 25, 2023: USDA/FAS GAIN Report - Canada Consults on a Regulatory Framework for Plastic Packaging:

https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName =Canada%20Consults%20on%20a%20Regulatory%20Framework%20for%20Plastic%2 0Packaging_Ottawa_Canada_CA2023-0019

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Foreign Agricultural Service https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Canada%20Consults%20on%20a%20Regulatory%20Framework%20for%20Plastic%20Packaging_Ottawa_Canada_CA2023-0019 https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Canada%20Consults%20on%20a%20Regulatory%20Framework%20for%20Plastic%20Packaging_Ottawa_Canada_CA2023-0019 https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Canada%20Consults%20on%20a%20Regulatory%20Framework%20for%20Plastic%20Packaging_Ottawa_Canada_CA2023-0019

• August 2023: Environment Climate Change Canada Consultation document: Pollution prevention planning notice for primary food plastic packaging:

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/corporate/transparency/consultations/consultation-pollution-prevention-planning-notice-primary-food-plastic-packaging.html

• April 2024: USDA/FAS GAIN Report - European Union Finalizes New Rules for

Packaging and Packaging Waste Reduction:

https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName =European%20Union%20Finalizes%20New%20Rules%20for%20Packaging%20and%2 0Packaging%20Waste%20Reduction_Brussels%20USEU_European%20Union_E42024- 0012.pdf

Changing packaging systems and associated labels to comply with new regulatory requirements can take several years. The steps needed to make changes in these systems include: conducting market research; developing project proposals; obtaining capital; conducting research and development (R&D); obtaining food safety approvals for new and recycled food contact materials; procuring new packaging equipment lines and packaging materials; conducting production and consumer pilot projects before moving to commercial scale implementation; and working with wholesalers and retailers to transition to the new packaging. At every step of this process, new technical challenges can emerge, while efforts to scale new technologies and materials can encounter shortages and volatile prices for materials.

A large portion of the exporters of fruit, vegetable, tree nuts and other specialty crops tend to be smaller companies without in-house capabilities to engage in the long-term planning and R&D needed to prepare for compliance with foreign sustainable packaging regulations. Exporters and their customers also need to understand associated financial and environmental tradeoffs, including the carbon footprint and food loss results of single-use plastic and alternative packaging formats.

The Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab (ASCE-SPIL) project seeks to support research and implementation projects that advance U.S. specialty crop exports by developing innovative solutions to emerging foreign regulatory requirements for packaging and labeling of specialty crops.

The recipient will act as the Managing Entity of ASCE-SPIL. In this capacity, the recipient will establish the ASCE-SPIL and develop, select, and manage a portfolio of subawards for industry and academic researchers working on sustainable packaging R&D and commercialization pilot activities to support U.S. exports of specialty crops.

A key premise of the ASCE-SPIL is collaborative research through partnerships. To accomplish the goals of this innovation lab, the recipient must identify high-quality research activities, focusing on industry-identified priorities that will advance the objectives outlined below.

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/corporate/transparency/consultations/consultation-pollution-prevention-planning-notice-primary-food-plastic-packaging.html https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/corporate/transparency/consultations/consultation-pollution-prevention-planning-notice-primary-food-plastic-packaging.html https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/corporate/transparency/consultations/consultation-pollution-prevention-planning-notice-primary-food-plastic-packaging.html https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=European%20Union%20Finalizes%20New%20Rules%20for%20Packaging%20and%20Packaging%20Waste%20Reduction_Brussels%20USEU_European%20Union_E42024-0012.pdf https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=European%20Union%20Finalizes%20New%20Rules%20for%20Packaging%20and%20Packaging%20Waste%20Reduction_Brussels%20USEU_European%20Union_E42024-0012.pdf https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=European%20Union%20Finalizes%20New%20Rules%20for%20Packaging%20and%20Packaging%20Waste%20Reduction_Brussels%20USEU_European%20Union_E42024-0012.pdf https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=European%20Union%20Finalizes%20New%20Rules%20for%20Packaging%20and%20Packaging%20Waste%20Reduction_Brussels%20USEU_European%20Union_E42024-0012.pdf

OBJECTIVES

• Provide support to research activities developing sustainable packaging solutions to comply with emerging foreign regulations.

• Identify and address key R&D challenges impacting new formats of sustainable packaging.

• Conduct commercial pilots of innovative packaging systems including, but not limited to, compostable packaging, packaging that minimizes the use of plastic, packaging systems free of single-use plastics, innovative transport packaging, and reusable packaging systems.

• Facilitate collaboration between domestic and international researchers and producers of sustainable packaging.

• Identify the carbon footprint and food loss impacts of single-use plastic and alternative packaging.

The recipient will issue its own competitive Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to partner with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector by issuing subawards a that define, authorize, and fund the work to be done under the ASCE-SPIL. The recipient is responsible for overall program implementation, financial and administrative management, assurance of quality of results by its partners, and reporting of results, among other responsibilities.

Prior to issuing subawards, the recipient must develop a strategy to monitor the process of technology adoption and program impact. All research activities must be structured to answer, directly or indirectly, at least two of the following questions before, during, and after the development and dissemination of research and development or commercialization outputs:

• How does the research activity advance ASCE-SPIL objectives and the FAS goal of maintaining or increasing U.S. exports of specialty crops?

• How does the research activity enable U.S. exporters to comply with emerging regulatory requirements for packaging and labeling?

• How does the research activity improve the environmental sustainability of packaging for exported specialty crops?

• How does the research activity support the development of packaging materials that are alternatives to single-use plastic packaging?

• How does the research activity support the development of reusable packaging systems for the export of specialty crops?

• How does the research activity support the export of specialty crops that will be sold at retail without packaging?

• How does the research activity reduce food loss and waste of exported fresh produce?

• How does the research activity promote the implementation of new sustainable packaging at a commercial scale for exports of specialty crops?

• How does the research activity provide further analysis of the carbon footprint and food loss impacts of single-use plastic and alternative packaging?

Competitive Research Selection for Subawards USDA/FAS maintains a commitment to fair and open competitive processes for soliciting awards and subawards out of conviction that this approach generates the highest-quality research and strengthens outcomes. As a result, the funds allocated for research activities must be used for subawards issued through competitive NOFOs by the recipient. To support a vigorously competitive solicitation process, the recipient will develop and publicize NOFOs that elicit high-quality applications from a diverse type and number of institutions and private sector researchers in the U.S., and their foreign research partners, if any.

For each NOFO that the recipient releases, the recipient will organize an intellectually rigorous peer review process through which peer reviewers with a range of relevant expertise, including packaging and specialty crop industry experts will be engaged. The Competitive Research Selection process must produce a portfolio of subawards that collectively meet the ASCE-SPIL objectives.

Before issuing any NOFOs, the recipient will, in consultation with USDA/FAS, create and rely on an External Advisory Committee (EAC) that reviews all applications submitted in response to NOFOs. EAC members must have direct experience with sustainable packaging or the export of specialty crops, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. One member of the EAC may be an employee of USDA/FAS. The EAC provides recommendations to the recipient on subaward selection. The EAC then periodically reviews the progress of the subaward activities and provides recommended changes as needed. The recipient will present subaward selections to USDA/FAS for final review. USDA/FAS can reject any subaward selections within 15 days after receiving the proposed selections if it determines that the recommended selection does not meet the objectives identified in Section A.

Funding Opportunity Number

USDA-FAS-10621-0750-10.-24-0005

Assistance Listing Number

10.621 Assisting Specialty Crop Exports

Authorizing Legislation Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, as amended, 15 USC § 714c(f)

B. Federal Award Information

Total Available Federal Funding: Total Available Federal Funding $5,000,000 With an initial award of up to $1,500,000.

Subject to the availability of funding a cumulative total of $5 million, may be available throughout the period of performance of the award. See Section H, Other Information, for additional information on incremental funding.

Anticipated Number of Awards: 1

Cost Share/Match Requirement: None/Not Required

Projected Period of Performance Start: September 1, 2024

Projected Period of Performance End: August 31, 2029

Extensions are not available under any circumstances; the recipient must ensure that all activities have concluded by the end date.

Type of Assistance Instrument:

USDA/FAS anticipates that a Cooperative Agreement will be funded pursuant to this funding opportunity.

This type of agreement provides for substantial involvement between USDA/FAS and/or other USDA agencies, and the selected applicant in the performance of the project. This may include:

• close monitoring of the successful applicant’s performance to verify the results proposed by the applicant;

• collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

• in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR 200.318, review of proposed procurement;

• approving qualifications of key personnel (USDA will not select the recipient’s employees or contractors; but may disallow costs for specific individuals where required by statute or regulation); and

• reviewing and commenting on reports prepared under the cooperative agreement (the final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient).

• Review and approval of proposed subawards and contracts, prior to award.

Additional Awards USDA/FAS reserves the right to make additional awards under this solicitation, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than 6 months after the original selection decisions.

No Awards USDA/FAS reserves the right to make no awards under this competition.

C. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants: Colleges and universities in the United States, including State Cooperative Institutions as defined at 7 USC 3103; Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status

All applicants must have an active registration in the U.S. Government System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) before the application submission deadline of the announcement;

applicants with inactive, expired, pending, or excluded listings will be deemed ineligible.

Exceptions, waivers, or extensions will not be considered. Please contact the program officer(s) listed in Section G, Federal Awarding Agency Contact, if you have questions about this requirement. Applicants with inactive, expired, pending, or excluded listings will be deemed http://www.sam.gov/ ineligible. Exceptions, waivers, or extensions will not be considered. Please contact the program officer(s) listed in Section G, Federal Awarding Agency Contact, if you have questions about this requirement.

Threshold Criteria Cost Share/Match Requirement: None/Not Required

Ineligible activities: If an application is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, that portion of the application will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the application, render the entire application ineligible for funding.

Multiple Applications/Awards An individual applicant may not submit more than one application in response to this NOFO, and may not be offered more than one award.

Substantial Compliance All applications will be reviewed for eligibility and must meet the eligibility requirements described in Section C to be considered eligible. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section D of this solicitation or else they will be rejected. However, where a page limit is expressed in Section D with respect to the application, or parts thereof, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed. Applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in application format, including selecting a legible font type and size for use in the application.

Evidence of Eligibility Applicants are responsible for including documentation, if necessary, establishing that they meet the stated eligibility requirements, when it is not immediately obvious. Applicants should not presume that USDA/FAS is sufficiently familiar with their organization that this is unnecessary, and USDA/FAS will not make assumptions as to the nature of the applicant’s organization.

D. Application and Submission Information

This announcement contains all information necessary to apply to this funding opportunity.

Deadline for Question Submission: June 11, 2024 Applicants may submit questions about this funding opportunity to the Section G contact.

Submission Dates and Times Application Submission Deadline: July 17, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT (UTC -04:00) Applications received after this time will not be accepted. Applicants are advised to make their submissions 1-2 days before this deadline in case of computer problems.

Anticipated Award Date: August 23, 2024

Content and Form of Application Submission A complete application package must include:

• Standard Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, showing the Unique Entity Identifier, and signed by the applicant

• Standard Form SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, showing the budget categorization. Applicants are advised to consult 2 CFR 200 Subpart E for guidance on proper categorization of cost items. An improper categorization will not itself be grounds for a determination of ineligibility, but may delay approval and/or adversely impact the application’s evaluation scoring.

• A detailed budget and budget narrative, in which cost items are quantified and described in sufficient detail to enable USDA/FAS to independently determine that the proposed costs are reasonable and allowable for the project and consistent with applicable regulations. Applicants should quantify and describe any voluntary cost share in their budget and budget narrative.

o Since this award will be incrementally funded, the detailed budget and narrative should reflect a total of $5 million for 5 years with a break down for every year, including $1.5 million for the first year.

o If indirect costs are included in the budget, attach a copy of the latest indirect cost rate agreement negotiated with a cognizant federal agency. If a negotiated indirect cost agreement does not exist, please attach a description of the basis for the indirect cost calculation. If electing to utilize the de minimis rate, consistent with 2 CFR 200.414(f), please include a statement of election.

• A detailed project narrative or plan of operation no more than fifteen (15) pages in length, single spaced. Supplemental documents (CVs, etc.) are not subject to page limits, but should be submitted only if relevant. The project narrative should describe in plain language:

o Activities to be undertaken, described in detail, indicating locations, timelines, personnel, and other factors that will demonstrate applicant’s capacity to develop, select, and manage a portfolio of subawards for industry and academic researchers working on sustainable packaging R&D and commercialization pilot activities to support U.S. exports of specialty crops.

o Ability to design an activity to develop, select, and manage a portfolio of subawards for industry and academic researchers working on sustainable packaging R&D and commercialization pilot activities to support U.S. exports of specialty crops o Ability to make grants or grant recommendations or other activities in support of research and development including the peer review by panelists with a range of relevant expertise, including packaging and specialty crop industry experts.

o Awareness of the context and inter-related issues for the agricultural products and packaging in question, such as packaging cost and performance, food loss and waste, carbon footprint, and consumer preferences, as well as emerging regulations to eliminate or reduce single-use plastic packaging for specialty crops, including applicability and connection to the objectives described in Section A.

o Awareness of specialty crop industry-identified priorities for sustainable packaging as well as current R&D challenges impacting formats of sustainable packaging.

o Awareness of the processes for obtaining foreign regulatory approval for sustainable packaging, including food safety authorities’ approval of food contact materials.

o Ability to facilitate collaboration between domestic and international researchers and producers of sustainable packaging.

o Ability to enhance industry, public and policy-maker understanding about sustainable packaging related to the issues in Section A.

o Ability to disseminate information about ASCE-SPIL to exporters, packaging producers, retailers, and the anticipated effectiveness of such dissemination.

• Standard Form SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable to the applicant

Specific application formats While these guidelines establish the minimum type size requirements, applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in selection of an appropriate font for use in the application.

Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Each applicant is required to:

(i) Have an active registration in SAM before submitting its application;

(ii) Have assented to the federal assistance certifications in the SAM platform;

(iii) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in its application; and

(iv) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

SAM.gov Registration Instructions Organizations applying to this funding opportunity must have an active SAM.gov registration. If you have never done business with the Federal Government, you will need to register your organization in SAM.gov. If you do not have a SAM.gov account, then you will create an account using login.gov1 to complete your SAM.gov registration. SAM.gov registration is FREE. The process for entity registrations includes obtaining Unique Entity ID (UEI), a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned an entity by SAM.gov, and requires assertions, representations and certifications, and other information about your organization. Please review the Entity Registration Checklist for details on this process.

Entities outside the United States (defined at 2 CFR 200.1 as “foreign organizations” and “foreign public entities”) must obtain a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code prior to SAM.gov registration An NCAGE is required for all foreign entities prior to registering in SAM.gov. You can complete the registration once you enter the NCAGE. You can

1 Login.gov a secure sign in service used by the public to sign into Federal Agency systems including SAM.gov and Grants.gov. For help with login.gov accounts you should visit http://login.gov/help.

https://login.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=622e0a761b8fe114cc45ea04bc4bcb9a https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1#p-200.1(Foreign%20organization) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1#p-200.1(Foreign%20public%20entity) http://login.gov/help submit your request for an NCAGE Code by going to the NATO Support Activity (NSPA) NCAGE Request Tool at CAGE/NCAGE Code Request which contains detailed instructions.

If you have done business with the Federal Government previously, you can check your entity status using your government issued UEI to determine if your registration is active. SAM.gov requires you renew your registration every 365 days to keep it active.

Please note that SAM.gov registration is different than obtaining a UEI only. Obtaining an UEI only validates your organization’s legal business name and address. Please review the Frequently Asked Question on the difference for additional details.

Organizations should ensure that their SAM.gov registration includes a current e-Business (EBiz) point of contact name and email address. The EBiz point of contact is critical for Grants.gov Registration and system functionality.

Contact the Federal Service Desk for help with your SAM.gov account, to resolve technical issues or chat with a help desk agent: (866) 606-8220. The Federal Service desk hours of operation are Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm ET.

Intergovernmental Review Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, may be applicable to awards resulting from this announcement. USDA implemented the Executive Order in 2 CFR

415.5. USDA/FAS may require applicants selected for funding to provide a copy of their application to their State Point of Contact (SPOC) for review. These reviews are not required before submitting an application. Only applicants that USDA/FAS selects for funding under this announcement are subject to the Intergovernmental Review requirement. For more information about USDA’s implementation for Intergovernmental Review, please visit https://www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/intergovernmental-review

Funding Restrictions Generally, funds may not be used in any manner that is prohibited by applicable regulations, including 2 CFR Part 200 and 2 CFR Part 400. Awards issued pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity may only be used for the purpose set forth in the award, consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Capital expenses, such as the purchase of equipment, not entirely attributable to this award, must be pro-rated.

For example, agreement funds and other support may not be used for matching contributions for other federal grants or cooperative agreements, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. Federal employees are prohibited from acting as an agent of the applicant in any capacity (paid or unpaid) on any proposal submitted under this program. Also, federal funds may not be used to sue the Federal Government or any other government entity.

Compensation for personal services: Employees, consultants, or other personnel, including those of subrecipients, and regardless of the method of engagement, may not exceed the pro-rata equivalent of GS-15 on the General Schedule (for 2024, $159,950 per year, $612.84 per day, or https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/CageTool/home https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0051214&sys_kb_id=dd40f4ef1b9641d0937fa64ce54bcb7a&spa=1 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0051214&sys_kb_id=dd40f4ef1b9641d0937fa64ce54bcb7a&spa=1 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/intergovernmental-review

$76.60 per hour). Non-monetizable fringe benefits, such as health insurance coverage, are not included to this ceiling.

Indirect Costs: In general, costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective but not readily assignable to specific awards, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved, are considered indirect costs. These may include facilities not specific to individual projects, enterprise-wide services such as IT, and enterprise management. Pursuant to USDA Departmental Regulation DR2255-001, a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) with a cognizant U.S. Government agency will be honored, except where prohibited by statute.

Other Submission Information Applications should be submitted through the ezFedGrants system at https://grants.fms.usda.gov/

Applicants who require assistance with any USDA-managed computer system should reach out to the program officer(s) listed in Section G, Federal Awarding Agency Contact, at least 5 business days in advance of the application submission deadline. Applicants should provide as much detail as possible to facilitate resolution of the issue.

E. Application Review Information

Review and Selection Process In all cases, the agency will conduct an initial responsiveness review of all applications submitted to determine:

1) the application was submitted on time as specified in this announcement (See Section D. Application and Submission Information);

2) the applicant is eligible (see Section C. Eligibility Information);

3) all the required forms and documents are submitted no later than the Application Submission Deadline specified in Section D. Application and Submission Information, Content and Form of Application Submission.

If an applicant is determined to be ineligible or an application is determined to be incomplete, the agency will notify the applicant prior to commencing with evaluation of applications, usually within 15 business days of the Application Submission Deadline. An applicant that feels such a determination is made in error may request reconsideration, highlighting evidence supporting their claim, by email to the program officer(s) listed in Section G, Federal Awarding Agency Contact, within 3 business days of notification.

The agency will convene a review panel, which may include both federal and non-federal reviewers, to review the eligible applications against the evaluation criteria described below. The reviewers will ensure that the applicant is capable of delivering the programs/activities as described in the announcement based on the applicant’s project narrative and assign a score and provide summary comments based on the evaluation criteria identified below. The review panel will make a recommendation to the selecting official, who is not a member of the panel.

The selecting official may select applications out of rank order in consideration of strategic program priorities, such as geographical distribution, incorporation of minority-serving institutions, or congressional directive. Selection determinations are final and cannot be appealed.

Prior to selection, the agency may contact the highest ranking applicants to seek clarification and to negotiate technical and programmatic aspects of the application. If an application includes a subaward, FAS may request to speak with all parties included in the application to ensure sufficient planning and coordination has taken place prior to making an award.

Evaluation Criteria Applicants will be evaluated based on the extent and quality to which they demonstrate that they have the capabilities, staff, and resources to successfully perform the project as described in Section A. Applicants will be evaluated based on the extent to which they present a clear and convincing vision of the project reflective of the identified needs as described in Section A.

Because the research activities will not be selected until after awarded, USDA/FAS seeks to identify the applicant best capable to perform the management and oversight of the eventual research portfolio while being able to provide robust outreach and substantial input and guidance to such research.

Factor 1: Technical awareness of sustainable packaging (25 Pts) The applicant will be evaluated on the extent and quality to which they demonstrate an understanding of the context and inter-related issues for the agricultural products and packaging in question, such as packaging cost and performance, food loss and waste, carbon footprint, and consumer preferences, foreign food contact material regulatory requirements, as well as emerging regulations to eliminate or reduce single-use plastic packaging for specialty crops, including applicability and connection to the objectives described in Section A.

Factor 2: Applicant’s capacity (40 Pts) The applicant will be evaluated on the extent and quality to which they demonstrate that they have the capacity to implement the project described in a credible, effective, and time-bound manner. This factor includes an assessment of the applicant’s ability to design an activity to develop, select, and manage a portfolio of subawards for industry and academic researchers working on sustainable packaging R&D and commercialization pilot activities to support U.S.

exports of specialty crops. USDA/FAS will consider evidence that the applicant has experience in making grants or grant recommendations or other activities in support of research and development including the peer review of proposals by panelists with a range of relevant expertise such as packaging and specialty crop industry experts. USDA/FAS will also consider whether the applicant is familiar with packaging, sustainability, and relevant specialty crops. To the extent that the applicant will need to identify additional staff or partners, a clear and reasonable plan should demonstrate how this will occur.

Factor 3: Dissemination and Collaboration (25 Pts)

• Dissemination Plan Included (10 Pts)

• Applicant’s explanation of the plan to disseminate the effort and how it can enhance public and policy-maker understanding about sustainable packaging related to the issues in Section A.

• Planned Collaboration (15 Pts)

• Applicant’s explanation of a plan to consult with specialty crop industry advisors and facilitate collaboration between domestic and international researchers and producers of sustainable packaging.

Factor 5: Professional formatting, spelling, and grammar (10 Pts) The applicant will be evaluated on the extent to which their budget documents are detailed, organized, in-scope, and appropriate including demonstration of professional organization and formatting throughout the project narrative and supporting documents with limited spelling and grammatical errors.

Integrity in Performance Prior to making a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency is required by 31 USC 3321 and 41 USC 2313 to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information. Therefore, application evaluation criteria may include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant: (1) financial stability; (2) quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards; (3) history of performance in managing federal award; (4) reports and findings from audits; and (5) ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements.

Prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, currently $250,000, the federal agency is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov (currently FAPIIS).

• An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM.gov and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM.gov.

• The Federal awarding agency will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2

CFR § 200.206

Conflict of Interest The Applicant’s Conflict of Interest (COI) Point of Contact as defined in USDA/FAS Conflict of Interest Policy must notify the USDA/FAS contact identified in Section G of this solicitation of any actual or potential conflict of interest that they are aware of that may provide the Applicant with an unfair competitive advantage in competing for USDA/FAS financial assistance awards within 10 calendar days of becoming aware of the conflict of interest. Examples of an unfair competitive advantage include but are not limited to situations in which an USDA/FAS employee reviewed and commented on or drafted all or part of an applicant’s application. Note https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/3321 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/41/2313 https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/2/200.206 that USDA/FAS does not generally consider receiving information from an USDA/FAS employee limited to whether the applicant or the applicant’s proposed project is eligible to compete for funding to confer an unfair competitive advantage. In addition, assistance agreements made under this solicitation will include a term and condition notifying recipients of their COI disclosure obligations and responsibilities under the award including the need to have systems in place to address, resolve and disclose COIs to USDA/FAS.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

Federal Award Notices Successful applicants will be notified of the status of their application/award by email. This notification is not authorization to proceed, and such notification should be construed as provisional.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements All successful applicants for all grant and cooperative agreements are required to comply with the applicable General Administrative Terms and Conditions, which can be found at https://www.fas.usda.gov/grants/general_terms_and_conditions/default.asp. The applicant is presumed to have read, understood, and accepted these terms when accepting a USDA/FAS award. Applicants with questions about the applicable terms should contact the program officer(s) listed in Section G, Federal Awarding Agency Contact.

The applicable Terms and Conditions will be for the last year specified at that URL.

Before accepting an award, the applicant should carefully read the award package for instructions on administering the award and the terms and conditions associated with responsibilities under Federal Awards. Recipients must accept all conditions in this NOFO as well as any Special Terms and Conditions in the Notice of Award to receive an award under this program.

Subaward and Executive Compensation Reporting Applicants must ensure that they have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the subaward and executive total compensation reporting requirements established at 2 CFR 170, unless they quality for an exception from the requirements, should they be selected for funding.

Mandatory Disclosures As required by 2 CFR 200.113, non-federal entities or applicants for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.339 including suspension and debarment.

Reporting Financial Reports, using form SF-425, Federal Financial Report (FFR), must be submitted semi-annually, within 30 days of the end of the reporting period. A final financial report must be submitted within 120 days of the end date of the agreement.

https://www.fas.usda.gov/grants/general_terms_and_conditions/default.asp https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-170.210 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-170.210 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.339

Performance Progress Reports must be submitted semi-annually, within 30 days of the end of the reporting period. A final performance progress report must be submitted within 120 days of the end date of the agreement. The recipient may use any appropriate format for performance progress reports, provided the report includes:

a) A comparison of actual accomplishments to those projected for the period;

b) The reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate; and

c) Additional pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs.

Recipients are encouraged to include photographs and other supplemental material in performance progress reports. For awards in which the total lifetime value exceeds $500,000, additional reporting may be required as described in Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200.

Monitoring USDA/FAS through its authorized representatives, has the right, at all reasonable times, to make site visits to review project accomplishments and management control systems and to provide such technical assistance as may be required. During site visits, USDA/FAS will review recipients’ files related to the program.

As part of any monitoring and program evaluation activities, grant recipients must permit USDA/FAS, upon reasonable notice, to review assistance agreement-related records and to interview the organization’s staff and clients regarding the program, and to respond in a timely and accurate manner to FAS requests for information relating to the program.

Closeout Within 120 days after the end of the period of performance, recipients must submit a final FFR and final progress report detailing all accomplishments and a qualitative summary of the impact of those accomplishments throughout the period of performance. After final reports have been reviewed and approved by the agency, and any residual amount due to the recipient or due to be returned to the agency, the award is subject to closeout. Acceptance of final reports by the agency constitutes a closeout of the award with no further notice or obligation to either party.

This acceptance will indicate the period of performance has expired, and any remaining funds will be deobligated. Records must be retained for a minimum of three years after the final reports are submitted.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

For all inquiries, contact:

Name: Andrew Stephens Email Address: andrew.stephens@usda.gov Phone Number: 202-720-0663 Hours of Operation: 8:00AM – 4:30PM EDT https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/2/appendix-XII_to_part_200 mailto:andrew.stephens@usda.gov

H. Other Information

Incremental Funding This award may be incrementally funded with a potential cumulative total of $5,000,000 over the 5-year period of performance. The first year of funding will be up to $1,500,000. The detailed budget and narrative should reflect a total budget of $5,000,000 for 5 years with a break down for every year, including $1,500,000 for the first year. All incremental funding will be based on funding availability, satisfactory performance, and other applicable considerations.

Budget Revisions Transfers of funds between direct cost categories in the approved budget when such cumulative transfers among those direct cost categories exceed ten percent of the total budget approved in this Award require written approval from the agency. The total budget amount may not be increased without a bilaterally executed amendment to the award.

Post-award program income In the event program income becomes available to the recipient post-award, it is the recipient’s responsibility to notify the USDA/FAS Program Manager to explain how that development occurred, as part of their request for guidance and/or approval. If approval is granted, an award modification will be issued with an explanatory note in the remarks section of the face page concerning guidance and/or options pertaining to the recipient’s approved request. All instances of program income shall be listed in the progress and financial reports.

Electronic Signatures Consistent with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act), USDA/FAS uses and accepts electronic signatures for application and award documents.

USDA/FAS will neither solicit nor send physical copies of documents.