FINAL FY25 Food for Peace NOFO.pdf

Public Burden Statement: We estimate the public reporting burden for this collection will be 264 hours, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering data, and completing and submitting the information. This is a voluntary information collection. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the following address:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service International Food Assistance Division 1400 Independence Ave., SW Room 6650-S; ATTN: PRA (0503-0028). Do not return the completed form to this address.

OMB #0503-0028

Expiration: 10/31/2027

FOOD FOR PEACE

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

FISCAL YEAR 2025

Table of Contents

1. Basic Information

1.1 Executive Summary

1.2 Federal Agency Name

1.3 Funding Opportunity Title

1.4 Announcement Type

1.5 Funding Opportunity Number

1.6 Assistance Listing Number

1.7 Funding Details

1.8 Key Dates

1.9 Estimated Period of Performance:

2.0 Agency Contact Information

2. Eligibility

2.1 Eligible Applicants

2.2 Eligibility Threshold Criteria

2.3 Substantial Compliance

2.4 Evidence of Eligibility

2.5 Funding Restrictions

2.6 Multiple Applications

2.7 Cost Share/Match Requirement

3. Program Description

3.1 Authorizing Statutes and Regulations

3.2 Type of Assistance Instrument

4. Application Contents and Format

4.1 Technical Application Format

4.2 Full Application

4.3 Specific Application Formats

4.4 Electronic Signatures

4.5 Proprietary Information

4.6 Other Application Information

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

5.1 Address to Request Application Package

5.2 Unique Entity ID and System for Award Management (SAM)

5.3 Submission Instructions

5.4 Submission Dates and Times

5.5 Intergovernmental Review

6. Application Review Information

6.1 Eligibility Threshold Review

6.2 Review Criteria

6.3 Review and Selection Process

6.4 Risk Review

7. Award Notices

8. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

8.1 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

8.2 Post-Award Performance Expectations

8.3 Reporting

8.4 Monitoring

8.5 Conflict of Interest

8.6 Mandatory Disclosures

9. Other Information

9.1 Extensions

9.2 No Awards

9.3 SAM.gov Registration Instructions

9.4 Faith-Based Organizations

APPENDIX A – Budget Summary

APPENDIX B – Budget Narrative

APPENDIX C – Eligible Commodities

APPENDIX D – Past Performance Review Template

APPENDIX E – USDA Branding and Marketing Guidance

1. Basic Information

1.1 Executive Summary

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), International Food Assistance Division, announces this funding opportunity to support Food for Peace, Title II (FFP) by issuing new awards. USDA/FAS will only accept applications for FFP programs in the following countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya and Rwanda.

This funding opportunity is to provide immediate emergency food assistance of U.S. agricultural commodities. It also advances President Trump’s commitment to ensure that international assistance delivers a measurable return on investment for the American people and that the benefits of U.S. food assistance flows back to America’s hardworking taxpayers, farmers, ranchers and producers who make this assistance possible. USDA’s America First approach to international food assistance requires all partners of its international assistance programs to adopt the following reforms:

1. Commodities procured must be 100% U.S. origin.

a. USDA is committed to bring Food for Peace back to its core functions to support

American Farmers feeding the world’s hungriest. All food provided under this program should be U.S.-grown and produced (see Appendix C Eligible Commodities). Cash and food vouchers will not be provided under these awards.

2. Strict accountability measures to prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and diversion will be instituted.

a. Every U.S. taxpayer dollar must be traceable to prevent fraud, waste and abuse of U.S. commodities and funds. Continued compliance measures must be in place with strict accountability measures. Ensuring that U.S.-grown commodities reach their intended beneficiaries and save lives is of the highest importance to USDA.

3. Long-term dependency on foreign aid will be reduced.

a. USDA will regularly monitor and evaluate projects on the ground with the goal of offboarding and graduating projects, ensuring that Title II funding prioritizes emergency and in-need geographies rather than forever aid countries.

1.2 Federal Agency Name

United States Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service

1.3 Funding Opportunity Title

Food for Peace Program, Title II

1.4 Announcement Type

New Announcement

1.5 Funding Opportunity Number

USDA-FAS-10.624-0700-25(696) – Rwanda USDA-FAS-10.624-0700-25(519) – El Salvador USDA-FAS-10.624-0700-25(520) – Guatemala USDA-FAS-10.624-0700-25(521) – Haiti USDA-FAS-10.624-0700-25(6601) – Democratic Republic of the Congo USDA-FAS-10.624-0700-25(663) – Ethiopia USDA-FAS-10.624-0700-25(615) – Kenya

1.6 Assistance Listing Number

10.624 Food for Peace, Title II

1.7 Funding Details

Total Available Federal Funding: $357,000,000 USDA expects to issue individual awards in the amount of $20 million to $200 million, which must include commodity, freight, and project operation costs.

Anticipated Number of Awards: 7-14 USDA/FAS reserves the right to make additional awards under this opportunity if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made, consistent with agency policy and guidance. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions.

1.8 Key Dates

Deadline for Question Submission: 06-03-2026 at 5:00:00 PM EST

Application Submission Deadline: 06-12-2026 at 5:00:00 PM EST

1.9 Estimated Period of Performance:

18 to 24 months

2.0 Agency Contact Information

For all inquiries, contact:

Foreign Agricultural Service, International Food Assistance Division, Food for Peace Program Email Address: foodforpeace@usda.gov Subject for Emails: Food for Peace

2. Eligibility

2.1 Eligible Applicants

In accordance with the Food for Peace authorizing legislation, 7 U.S.C. § 1722(a), public or private organizations, including intergovernmental organizations and other multilateral organizations, are eligible Applicants.

All Applicants must have an active registration in the U.S. Government System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) before the application submission deadline. Applicants with inactive, expired, pending, or excluded listings will be deemed ineligible. Requests for exceptions, waivers, or extensions will not be considered. More information about SAM.gov registration can be found in Section 9.3: SAM.gov Registration Instructions. If an award is made, SAM registration must be maintained throughout the life of the project.

USDA will not accept applications from, or provide resources to individuals, parastatal organizations, or U.S. Government departments and agencies. Additionally, USDA will not make awards to foreign governments.

2.2 Eligibility Threshold Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate existing capacity to distribute emergency food assistance within the beneficiary country or experience with implementing emergency food assistance programs in an international emergency context.

2.3 Substantial Compliance

All applications will be reviewed for eligibility and must meet the eligibility requirements described above. Applicants that fail to meet the threshold of eligibility will be deemed ineligible for funding consideration and will be notified within 14 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section 4, Application Contents and Format, of this solicitation or they will be deemed ineligible for funding consideration.

2.4 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 the Applicant or that additional information would be unnecessary. USDA/FAS will not make assumptions as to the nature of the Applicant.

2.5 Funding Restrictions

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 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-2007-title7-section1722&num=0&edition=2007 http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-400 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 application submitted under this program.

Also, federal funds may not be used to sue the Federal Government or any other government entity.

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 when prohibited by statute.

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

2.6 Multiple Applications

An Applicant may not submit more than one concept paper per country but may submit more than one concept paper in response to this NOFO and may be offered more than one award.

2.7 Cost Share/Match Requirement

Applicants are encouraged to include matching grants from private sector actors and non-profit entities to spur accelerated assistance and to produce multiplier effects throughout the emergency assistance interventions. Please see Full Application (see section 4.2) and Review Criteria (section 6.2) for further details on what will be considered as cost share and how it will be considered during the review of the full application package.

3. Program Description

The Food for Peace, Title II Program, will be administered by USDA in consultation with the Department of State – and will complement USDA’s existing international food assistance programs.

The principal objective of the Food for Peace, Title II Program is to furnish U.S. agricultural commodities on behalf of the people of the United States to address famine, food crises, and acute food insecurity in which at least one of the following criteria are met:

• At least 20 percent of households have significant food consumption gaps or are https://www.usda.gov/directives/dr-2255-001 marginally able to meet minimum food needs only with irreversible coping strategies such as liquidating livelihood assets (i.e. Integrated Phase Classification level 3);1

• Food insecurity is reasonably attributed to sudden-onset or deteriorating conditions, resulting from armed conflict, violence, and hazardous environmental events; or

• The severity of the crisis exceeds existing local and international capacities to respond and therefore, UNHCR has issued a formal emergency declaration, signaling the need for an urgent and exceptional response.2

Under this Notice of Funding Opportunity, USDA/FAS will only accept applications for the following seven countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya, and Rwanda.

This funding opportunity is to provide immediate emergency food assistance using U.S.

agricultural commodities, for which:

1. Commodities procured must be 100% U.S. origin.

a. USDA is committed to bringing Food for Peace back to its core function supporting

American Farmers feeding the world’s hungriest. All food provided under this program should be U.S.-grown and produced (see Appendix C Eligible Commodities). Cash and food vouchers will not be provided under these awards.

2. Strict accountability measures to prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and diversion shall be instituted.

a. Every U.S. taxpayer dollar must be traceable to prevent fraud, waste and abuse of U.S. commodities and funds. Continued compliance measures must be in place with strict accountability measures. Ensuring that U.S.-grown commodities reach their intended beneficiaries and save lives is of the highest importance to USDA.

3. Long-term dependency on foreign aid will be reduced.

a. USDA will regularly monitor and evaluate the projects on the ground with the goal of offboarding and graduating projects, ensuring that Title II prioritizes emergency and in-need geographies rather than forever aid countries.

3.1 Authorizing Statutes and Regulations

Title II, Public Law 83-480, Agricultural Trade and Development Assistance Act of 1954, as amended, (7 U.S.C. §§ 1721, et seq.)

Public Law 119-37, Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026

Awards to Applicants other than foreign public entities will also be subject to 2 CFR Part 200 as supplemented by 2 CFR Part 400, with the exception that subsection F of 2 CFR Part 200 will not apply to a foreign organization (as defined in 2 CFR Part 200) or a for-profit entity.

3.2 Type of Assistance Instrument

1 https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipcinfo-website/ipc-overview-and-classification-system/en/ 2 https://www.unhcr.org/where-we-work/emergencies https://www.congress.gov/bill/83rd-congress/senate-bill/2475/text/pl https://www.congress.gov/bill/83rd-congress/senate-bill/2475/text/pl https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ37/PLAW-119publ37.pdf https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ37/PLAW-119publ37.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-400 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipcinfo-website/ipc-overview-and-classification-system/en/ https://www.unhcr.org/where-we-work/emergencies

USDA/FAS anticipates that Grant Agreements will be funded pursuant to this funding opportunity.

In this type of agreement, the recipient is expected to implement the project autonomously with little programmatic involvement from USDA/FAS. However, USDA/FAS maintains an oversight role, and the recipient must ensure that USDA/FAS is kept apprised of challenges, obstacles, and progress under the project.

4. Application Contents and Format

Application Submission Procedures

USDA/FAS will follow a multi-phase merit review process:

1. Technical Application (Concept Paper); and

2. Full Application

The first phase of the application process is the submission of a Concept Paper to USDA/FAS.

Following the Concept Paper review, USDA/FAS will notify Applicants whether they are selected for the second round to submit a Full Application. USDA/FAS will clearly communicate the timeline of these application components and award phases to the Applicants.

Neither submission of a Concept Paper nor receiving an invitation to write a full application will guarantee funding from USDA.

4.1 Technical Application Format

Concept Paper (10-13 pages maximum). Excess pages exceeding the limits prescribed in this section will not be considered for review. USDA will only review complete Concept Paper submissions.

A Concept Paper submission package must include the following to be considered complete:

1) Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis (1-2 pages)

2) Technical Approach, Activities, and Oversight (4-5 pages)

3) Budget Overview (1 page)

4) Commodity Table (1-2 pages)

5) Map of the Proposed Target Areas (1 page)

6) Past Performance (1-2 pages)

1) Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis (1 -2 pages)

Provide a problem statement of the acute food insecurity or nutrition crisis, and the severity of current and projected household-level food insecurity. Please refer to IPC1 (integrated Food Security Phase Classification) as a baseline for the food insecurity level. Include the scale and context: How many people are affected and how severely in the targeted geographic area? Who among the targeted geographical area is most affected? How does that compare to the overall population in the targeted geographic area? Provide data and data sources to support the analysis.

Provide a gap analysis of unmet needs that outlines opportunities for coordination and collaboration with other entities providing assistance. What are the food insecurity and global acute malnutrition rates? What other humanitarian, development, or social protection interventions are already being implemented in the proposed geographic area that have significant food security and nutrition implications for the proposed target populations? What needs are currently being met and unmet? How will the Applicant coordinate food and nutrition security activities with other donors, humanitarian organizations, government entities, and community members to leverage resources, maximize impact, and avoid duplication? To what extent and in what ways are these dynamics anticipated to change over the life of the proposed project?

2) Technical Approach, Activities, Oversight (4-5 pages):

Provide the vision and approach of proposed activities to address the food and nutrition security problems identified in the problem statement. Identify intended beneficiaries and the targeting criteria used to select them. Detail the timeline for the proposed project3. Please be creative and innovative, showing efficiency throughout the proposed project approach and accountability of U.S. taxpayer funding.

Provide the objectives and intended impact the proposed project aims to achieve. Under each objective, describe the proposed interventions to address the needs identified in the problem statement. Demonstrating a high level of impact of proposed activities is paramount. Include details on the scale and context of the intervention, as well as the anticipated outputs and outcomes, such as the number of beneficiaries expected to benefit from USDA/FAS funding, and quantity of U.S. commodities to be distributed.

Eligible food and nutrition security interventions include but are not limited to: general and targeted food distributions; food-for-work/assets; emergency school feeding limited to refugee camps; conditional rations; food-assisted social protection; management of acute malnutrition, and potential complementary activities that support the early post-acute food insecurity and nutrition emergency recovery phase.

Applicants must propose culturally and nutritionally appropriate U.S. commodities for food assistance activities from the USDA/FAS list of approved items (see Appendix C Eligible Commodities). Applicants may propose appropriate specialized nutritious products, including, but not limited to ready-to-use supplementary foods, fortified blended flours, and micronutrient powders, to respond to nutrition crises and support nutrition during food security crises. Applicants should explain the rationale for their selections.

3 When developing commodity procurement timelines, Applicants should assume that once a call forward for U.S.

provided commodities is initiated, it will take up to 90 days for containerized commodities to arrive at U.S. port, and up to 45 days for bulk commodities to be available at U.S. port for export. Additional information on USDA’s Commodity Procurement Master Solicitation, policies and procurement schedules can be referenced at the following website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/international-procurement.

Applicants should describe the start-up, roll-out, and scaling of project activities, including information on how the activities will interact with the host government and community members, and any other donors and implementing organizations in the proposed area of operation.

To maximize the effectiveness of USDA/FAS’s food assistance efforts, Applicants must demonstrate proactive coordination with established in-country service providers— particularly, local and faith-based organizations—and engage private sector stakeholders to leverage existing networks, resources, and expertise. This collaboration is essential to ensure a unified, impactful approach that addresses immediate needs and strengthens community resilience; and to maximize resources to achieve maximum results.

Applicants must address the risks of operating in the target country, ways that they will assess and detect risks and how they will mitigate them. Describe policies and practice for assessing, managing, and mitigating the risks of fraud, waste, abuse, or other misuse of U.S. Government resources.

Applicants must incorporate robust monitoring and accountability mechanisms into their program design. Applicants should describe the tools, staffing, and systems they will utilize to monitor program activities, safeguard U.S. resources, and ensure programmatic impact.

Applicants should identify the types of data they will collect to ensure both accountability and impact. Proposals must include information on how the eligibility of targeted beneficiaries will be verified to protect program integrity and avoid duplication across programs.

As this funding is for emergency assistance (rather than development assistance), Applicants should provide an exit strategy for the end of the award period. This could include resolving the need for the project and winding down activities, or transitioning the activities to national ownership or other organizations focused on longer-term development.

3) Budget Overview (1 Pages):

At the Concept Paper stage, Applicants should include the estimated costs of U.S.

commodities and freight, Internal Transportation Shipping and Handling (ITSH), administration, and activities. The budget overview should make the total amount of federal funds requested clear, and include the proposed indirect cost rate, if applicable. The budget should demonstrate reasonableness, allowability, and allocability of costs and cost-effectiveness to accomplish the proposed project. The budget must propose at a minimum 50% of the requested funds allocated for U.S. commodity and freight costs. The budget overview should also provide a short summary as to how the funds will be spent. USDA/FAS expects Applicants to include their table of estimated costs using the following format:

Table 1: Funding Request Total Budget (USD) Administration Activities

ITSH

Indirect Costs Cost Share/Matching Funds Sub-total: Operating Budget U.S. Commodity Cost Freight Cost Total Federal Funds Requested (excluding cost share) Percent Allocated to U.S.

Commodity and Freight Costs (50% minimum, excluding cost share)

Definitions:

Administration: Costs related to the overall non-activity specific operation of the project including salaries for management (Chief of Party), finance and administrative support staff, monitoring systems, in-country office rent, etc.

Activities: Costs specifically related to technical implementation of the project including accountability and oversight mechanisms. Example activities would include food assistance4, maternal and child nutrition, emergency school feeding limited to refugee camps, management of acute malnutrition, etc.

Internal Transportation, Storage and Handling (ITSH): ITSH is used to cover costs directly associated with moving Title II food commodities from designated ports or points of entry abroad to storage and distribution sites in the target country, storing food aid commodities, and distributing food aid commodities.

Indirect Costs: Costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefitted.5

4) Commodity Management (1-2 Pages):

In detail, please provide the following information:

a. Commodity Table: Commodity Name, Packaging Requirements, Tonnage, Commodity Usage, Estimated Arrival to Destination Country.

Table: The recommended format for commodities Commodity Name

Packaging Requirem ents

Tonnage Commodity Usage

Estimated Arrival to Destination Country

4 Please note that for food assistance and other activity budgets, Applicants should include all internal transportation, shipping, and handling (ITSH) related costs under the ITSH portion of the budget. However, they should include other activity costs, such as staff salaries, in the activity budgets.

5 See 2 CFR 200.1 “Indirect cost”.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Indirect%20cost)

b. Commodity Usage: Applicants should specify how the project will use the commodities, and calculations used to generate tonnage needs.

c. Economic and Market Impact: Describe why the U.S.-provided commodities will not unduly disrupt prices for agricultural commodities or normal patterns of commercial trade within the target country/region.

5) Map of the proposed target area(s) (1 page):

Include a map that clearly identifies the geographic locations to be targeted by the activities, with as much specificity as possible based on the urgency of the response and scaled to an administrative level appropriate for the activity coverage.

6) Past Performances (1-2 submitted):

Applicants must identify points of contact for at least one, and no more than two, grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts implemented by the organization within the previous three years. For projects without a Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) on CPARS.gov, each point of contact must complete a Past Performance Review form (see Appendix D) and submit it to foodforpeace@usda.gov by the closing date of this announcement. For any reference projects with an existing CPAR on CPARS.gov, the Applicant may provide that CPAR as a substitute for submitting a Past Performance Review form. Applicants must submit the CPAR information (contract number, assessment date, and UEI) in an e-mail to foodforpeace@usda.gov. The organization must proactively communicate any significant cases of waste, fraud, abuse, commodity loss and diversion in related past performance over the last three years.

4.2 Full Application

Full Application Package (33-35 pages): FAS will inform the Applicant if a full application package is requested and the timeline for the application deadline. The full application package must substantively align with the approved Concept Paper. Receiving an invitation to write a full application does not guarantee funding from USDA.

Required Forms:

• Standard Form SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, showing the Unique Entity

Identifier, and signed by the Applicant.

Required Narratives (33-35 pages):

• Expanded Technical Narrative/Activity Design and Description – (10 pages)

• Organizational Capacity and Staffing (5-6 pages total) o Narrative – on the ground capacity for managing/distributing U.S. commodities and staffing plan (2 pages) o Organization Chart (1 page) o In Country Registration (1 page) mailto:foodforpeace@usda.gov mailto:foodforpeace@usda.gov https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_Mandatory_3_0-V3.0.pdf o Applicant’s most recent Single Audit (no page limit restrictions) o Sub-Recipient Information (1-2 pages)

• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) (2-3 pages) o Performance Indicator Table (2-3 pages) o M&E budget allocation (in Budget)

• Commodity (5 pages) o Commodity Table o Commodity Management and Logistics Plan

• Budget (11 pages) o Budget Summary (1 page) o Budget Narrative (10 pages) o Detailed Budget (no page limit – template provided on Grants.gov as part of the section “related documents” with this NOFO)

Applicants should review the content guidance carefully to determine which sections they may submit as attachments and what information they are required to input directly into Food Aid Information System (FAIS). USDA/FAS strongly discourages, and will not consider, any additional, non-required materials submitted by or on behalf of the Applicant.

4.2.1. Application:

1. Expanded Technical Narrative/Activity Design and Description (10 Pages):

Expand upon the technical narrative and activity design submitted in the Concept Paper. This document should clearly articulate the sequencing of all activities, commodity distribution, and overall plan for implementation. The Applicant should provide additional detail on how they selected target beneficiaries, how targeting aligns with Food for Peace program objectives, and how they will ensure commodities reach intended target beneficiaries. A timeline of the project should be included with proposed activity start/end dates and the timing and duration of each activity. Highlight who (the lead implementing partner, or subrecipient(s)) is implementing which aspects of the project, including how coordination of similar activities will take place on the ground. For commodity distribution activities, please include the key steps involved in procuring, transporting, storing, handling, distributing, and post-distribution and monitoring of commodities. If proposing a matching grant cost share, Applicants must provide tentative examples and showcase how such investments will support the activities of this grant.

Interventions should incorporate innovative approaches to overcome barriers and ensure sustainability. Applicants must expand upon the risk assessment provided in the Concept Paper.

To maximize the effectiveness of USDA’s emergency response efforts, Applicants must demonstrate proactive coordination with established in-country service-providers (particularly local and faith-based organizations) and engage private sector stakeholders to leverage existing networks, resources, and expertise. This collaboration is essential to ensure a unified, impactful approach that addresses immediate needs and strengthens community resilience.

2. Organizational Capacity and Staffing (5-6 pages)

a. Narrative (2 pages): Applicants must clearly describe their organizational capabilities to develop, manage, implement, monitor, report, and provide for accountability and sustainability of the proposed project in the target country.

https://grants.gov/ https://www.fas.usda.gov/food-aid-information-system https://www.fas.usda.gov/food-aid-information-system

Applicants must also describe their project management capability and experience implementing international food assistance projects, particularly in an emergency context, and experience within the anticipated country of implementation.

Applicants must disclose their registration status in the proposed country.

Applicants are advised to include in their proposal any Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in place that reiterate the Applicant’s ability to implement the program within the country. Applicants should also describe any MOUs that are in place with Subrecipients that may assist with implementing a FFP project.

Applicants must include a staffing plan for the project that demonstrates the technical and regional or national expertise required for efficient and effective project implementation, administration, and management. The staffing plan should include a brief description of staff positions and levels of experience.

USDA/FAS does not require descriptions for service-level staff (e.g., cleaning staff). The staffing plan should be cost-effective and demonstrate a solid understanding of key technical and organizational requirements. These include, but are not limited to, adequate field monitoring staff, and an appropriate mix of skills, while avoiding excessive staffing. Applicants must also identify Key Personnel positions in the staffing plan. The Applicant’s Key Personnel should be managers with general responsibilities for implementation of the agreement, such as the country director, finance director, logistics/supply chain director, and/or Chief of Party, as well as critical technical staff for specific activities under the agreement. FAS expects Applicants to refer to their organization’s internal administrative policies for determining Key Personnel. If appropriate for project implementation, Applicants may designate staff of proposed Subrecipients as Key Personnel.

b. Organization Chart (1 page): Applicants must include an appropriate and adequate organizational chart identifying all proposed positions, including positions within Subrecipients, that will be involved in implementing the project. FAS expects Applicants to identify all Key Personnel positions.

c. In Country Registration (1 page): Applicants must disclose their registration status in the targeted country. Applicants must already be registered in the target country.

d. Applicant’s most recent Single Audit (no page limit restrictions) or an explanation that the Applicant is not required to undergo a Single Audit.

e. Subrecipient Information (1-2 pages): FAS expects Applicants to identify any Subrecipients that would be involved in the project and provide a description of each Subrecipient’s responsibilities. USDA/FAS uses “Subrecipient” to refer to an entity that enters into a subaward with a Recipient for the purpose of implementing the project in the target country as described in an agreement. Such an entity would receive commodities, USDA/FAS-provided funds, program income, sale proceeds, or other resources from the Applicant to use for this purpose and would be accountable to the Applicant for the use of such commodities, funds, program income, sale proceeds, or resources.

1. Applicants must include the Subrecipient’s unique entity identifier number in the description. Applicants must also confirm that: the Subrecipient does not appear on the Treasury Department’s Office of

Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list and Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List; that the Subrecipient does not have active exclusions in the System for Award Management (SAM); and that the Subrecipient is not listed in the United Nations Security designation list.

2. Applicants must provide at least one letter of commitment per Subrecipient, from the Subrecipient, to confirm the relationship and anticipated level of work under the project.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation (2-3 pages) Demonstrating a high level of impact of proposed activities is paramount. Applicants should embrace the concept of radical transparency and robust communication in the management of risks, communication of issues, and demonstration of progress.

All Applicants must include a performance indicator table, and a monitoring budget allocation, in their application.

a) Performance Indicators Table (maximum 3 pages)

All Applicants must submit a table of both standard and custom performance indicators linked to their proposed project results. Each desired project result should be linked to one or more standard or custom indicators. For each indicator, the Applicant must identify a baseline value (where possible), semi-annual targets for each period of up to 6 months of the project, and a life of project target.

Standard indicators are identified below in Table X. Standard indicators are required if applicable to the project design and desired results. Note that while identifying disaggregates is not required at the application stage, awardees will be expected to track relevant disaggregates for standard and custom indicators.

Table X: Standard Indicators for USDA/FAS Food for Peace projects Required if applicable.

# Indicator 1 Number of individuals participating in U.S. Government (USG) food security activities 2 Number of children under five (0-59 months) reached with nutrition-specific interventions through USG-supported activities 3 Number of children under two (0-23 months) reached with community-level nutrition interventions through USG-supported activities 4 Number of pregnant women reached with nutrition-specific interventions through

USG-supported activities 5 Quantity of food (MT) distributed to beneficiaries 6 Percentage of households with poor, borderline, and acceptable Food Consumption

Score (FCS) 7 Reduced Coping Strategies Index (rCSI) 8 Prevalence of households with moderate or severe food insecurity 9 Prevalence of acute malnutrition

In addition to standard indicators, Applicants should also propose custom indicators that will fill the gaps in their results measurement and may reflect their specific context and proposed project design. Custom indicators may also serve to demonstrate accountability and to show mitigation of waste, fraud, abuse, and diversion. Custom indicators proposed for a project should be a mix of output and outcome indicators, and should meet the criteria of being direct, objective, adequate, and practical.

Applicants must include, at a minimum, these columns in the table: Brief Identification of a Result, Performance Indicator, Standard or Custom, Baseline Value, Targets for first semi-annual period, second semi-annual period, etc. (to correspond to each semi-annual period in the project), and Life of Project Target.

b) M&E budget allocation

USDA/FAS expects the M&E budget allocation to be in the budget narrative.

USDA/FAS does not currently require Recipient-managed third-party evaluations of proposed Food for Peace projects. In their M&E budget, Applicants should consider all costs associated with collecting, managing and sharing data throughout the project’s life cycle that will help demonstrate accountability and achievement of desired results. Examples of M&E costs may include but are not limited to: costs associated with implementer-managed third-party monitors, technology that supports timely and accurate data collection, data management systems, or equipment that supports documentation of project activities and results.

4. Commodity (5 pages) Applicants must use U.S. commodities to maximize program reach, and Applicants must dedicate at a minimum 50% of the proposed budget to U.S. commodities and freight to meet the goals of the program. Applicants are also encouraged to explore the full authority governing the utilization of U.S.-provided commodities, to meet program objectives and enhance the project’s success and efficiency in the target country.

All U.S.-provided commodities will adhere to food safety standards established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Applicants are responsible for complying with commodity import laws in target countries. Applicants are encouraged to consult with USDA/FAS Overseas Offices (Posts) regarding necessary import documentation and approval procedures, especially for products that are derived from genetically engineered crops.

a. Commodity Table For U.S.-donated commodities, each Applicant must include the information below using the suggested table format below:

• Commodity: For example, Fortified Rice, 5/20 Long Grain, Well Milled,

• Total Quantity Metric Tons (MT) (10/100/1000 MT): USDA/FAS expects

Applicants to provide U.S. commodity tonnages as whole numbers only and in multiples of ten. Applicants should calculate the total quantity of each commodity following 2018 Sphere standards6 of 2,100 kilocalories per person per day, as well as the minimum required nutrients laid out in the 2018 Sphere Handbook and adjusted as needed for targeting specific demographic groups by age and/or sex. This must align with the interventions described in the project narrative.

• Package Size/Type (e.g., 25/50 kg bag/ Packaged in 6/4-liter cans, and plastic bottles or 20-liter pail)

• Estimated Delivery to Destination Country (Month and Year)

Table: The recommended format for commodities

Commodity Name

Total Quantity Metric Tons

Commodity Usage

Package Size/Type

Estimated Arrival to Destination Country

b. Commodity Management and Logistics Plan

• Processing or Packaging

• Duty Free Entry

• Transportation and Storage

• Economic and Market Impact

Please describe in the Commodity Management and Logistics Plan the following:

a) Processing or Packaging USDA/FAS expects Applicants to:

• Provide information on any reprocessing or repackaging of the requested commodities that would take place prior to the distribution,

• Indicate if there will not be any reprocessing or repackaging of the requested commodities.

• Request additional commodity packaging if Applicants anticipate that it might be needed in case of damage during shipping or internal transportation. USDA/FAS recommends Applicants add an additional two percent to the requested number of bags or cartons needed for commodity packaging.

b) Duty-Free Entry USDA/FAS expects Applicants to:

• Affirm that the project will import and distribute U.S.-donated commodities for direct distribution free from all customs, duties, tolls, and taxes Applicants should cite related supporting information or written documentation.

6 https://spherestandards.org/wp-content/uploads/Sphere-Handbook-2018-EN.pdf

• If the commodities will not enter duty-free, indicate who will be responsible for paying any applicable customs, duties, tolls, or taxes. USDA/FAS will not pay for any customs, duties, tolls or taxes on USDA-funded commodities.

• Outline any additional steps taken to ensure seamless entry into the target country and each country in transit, including the payment of local expeditors or agents.

c) Transportation and Storage FAS expects Applicants to:

• Provide in detail the operations and logistics of the Applicant’s ability to deliver the U.S. commodities.

• Clearly describe the Applicant’s ability to protect the commodities and the Applicant’s ability to avert risk.

• Clearly describe the proposed port, transportation, storage, and warehouse capacities to demonstrate ability to handle the requested commodities without undue spoilage or waste.

• Clearly describe inland transportation and handling procedures from the receiving port or procurement markets to distribution points.

• Address warehouse security, safety, storage, and commodity handling practices, and fire prevention and protection.

Please be advised that USDA/FAS requires 24-hour security at warehouses and surrounding premises while there are commodities on site and budget accordingly. Additionally, Cargo Preference rules apply to U.S.-donated commodities that require ocean transportation; Applicants should consider the impact of Cargo Preference requirements when constructing their budget.

d) Economic and Market Impact Applicants must:

• Assert that, to the best of their knowledge, the importation and distribution of the U.S.-donated commodities in the target country will not result in a substantial disincentive to or interference with domestic production or marketing in that country;

• Describe why the U.S.-donated commodities will not displace or interfere with any sales of U.S. commodities that may otherwise be made to or within the country; and

• Assert that the commodities can be procured without unduly disrupting world prices for agricultural commodities or normal patterns of commercial trade with foreign countries.

To do this, Applicants must cite primary or secondary data sources, as practicable.

5. Budget (Page limit: 11 pages) Applicants must submit a Budget Summary, Budget Narrative, and Detailed Budget that outline the total amount of Federal funding requested, including the total amounts requested for U.S.

commodity, freight, and operating costs. Applicants must outline their proposed project operating costs, including administration, activity, ITSH, and indirect costs. These documents should expand upon the budget provided in the Concept Paper and demonstrate responsible use of Federal funds. Strong applications will include budgets that are realistic, demonstrate cost effectiveness, and leverage cost efficiencies while also delivering on project results. Applicants https://www.maritime.dot.gov/ports/cargo-preference/cargo-preference https://www.maritime.dot.gov/ports/cargo-preference/cargo-preference should also include any expected cost share and expand upon how these commitments spur accelerated assistance and produce multiplier effects throughout the emergency assistance interventions.

For international organizations and agencies within the United Nations system, the available funding amount indicated in Section 1 Basic Information of this NOFO includes the United Nations (U.N.) Development Coordination Levy, if applicable. If USDA/FAS determines that the levy is applicable to a U.N. Applicant, this levy will be “agency-administered,” and the Applicant must explicitly account for this in its application and budget.

In all documents, Applicants should present figures rounded to the nearest dollar consistently across all budget documents.

i. Budget Summary (1 page):

The Budget Summary must present the total amount of Federal funding requested and the proposed operating budget. The operating budget should include administrative, activity, ITSH, and indirect costs and show funding amounts for the specific line items that make up those expense categories (please refer to Appendix A Budget Summary). The operating budget should also include any expected cost share and program income. Applicants must also submit an estimated budget for U.S. commodities (Commodity Cost) and freight. USDA/FAS expects the estimates to account for rising commodity and freight rates. Applicants should note that the “Administrative Costs (cash portion)” field of the C-1 should account for all Federal funds included in the “FFP Funds” section of the operating budget (excluding cost share and program income).

ii. Budget Narrative (10 page limit):

The Budget Narrative must complement the Budget Summary by providing greater detail on the composition of each line item, the budget’s overall cost effectiveness, and the Applicant’s adherence to applicable cost principles. The narrative should explain why costs are reasonable, allocable, allowable, and necessary for project implementation. The Applicant should justify costs in the Budget Narrative with supporting information to clearly identify the basis of all costs, such as market surveys, price quotations, current salaries, historical experience, etc. Any assumptions should be clearly stated. For every line-item request reflected in the Detailed Budget, only the total of that request needs to be included in the Budget Narrative; rates, calculations, and cost escalations should be presented in the Detailed Budget. Applicants should refer to Appendix B, Budget Narrative, and provide a similar cost categorization structure and level of detail in their application’s Budget Narrative.

iii. Detailed Budget (no page limit):

The Detailed Budget must present line-item level cost calculations for each year of the proposed period of performance. Data on unit costs, number of units, and cost escalations should be clearly presented. Cost categories should mirror the Budget Summary and Budget Narrative and include detailed information for: salaries/personnel, benefits, travel, professional services/contractual, office, supplies, equipment, other, indirect costs, anticipated program income, and cost share.

Proposed administrative costs, each proposed activity, and ITSH should be detailed in unique and separate tabs, the totals of which align with the Budget Summary. Applicants should duplicate the sheet labelled “Activity n” to add one sheet per proposed activity. The total cumulative proposed costs should also be included in the “Detailed Budget” tab which should present aggregated costs across administrative, activities, and ITSH categories. Indirect cost calculations and the base of application should be clearly presented. This document must be submitted in Excel format. Additional tabs may be added for activities only.

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) (attachment, no page limit) Organizations with a current NICRA from a cognizant U.S. Government agency must submit that NICRA with their application; indirect costs will be allowable as defined in that NICRA. If the Applicant applies an indirect cost rate which is less than the rate approved under the current NICRA, an authorized representative of the Applicant must state in the budget narrative that the Applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.

Organizations that do not have a current negotiated NICRA may elect to:

• Charge a de minimis rate of 15 percent of modified total direct costs, which may be used indefinitely; or

• Develop a negotiated rate, upon notification that USDA/FAS will make an award. In this case, the Applicant should develop a tentative indirect cost rate application based on its most recently completed fiscal year, in accordance with the cognizant agency's guidelines for establishing indirect cost rates and submit it to the cognizant agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost rate applications may include estimated indirect costs in their proposed budget. However, if an award is made, USDA will not pay more than the de minimis rate without an approved NICRA. When an Applicant requests an indirect cost rate, it must not charge costs that it includes in the indirect cost pool to the award’s direct costs.

SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, (attachment no page limit) Application for Federal Assistance, showing the Unique Entity ID, and signed by the…