fy 16-cfp rfa.pdf

Community Food Projects Competitive Grant

Program

2016 Request for Applications (RFA)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 30, 2015

ELIGIBILITY: See Part III, A of RFA

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

AGRICULTURE

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE: This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.225.

DATES: Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 30, 2015.

Applications received after this deadline will normally not be considered for funding (see Part IV, C. of this RFA). Comments regarding this request for applications (RFA) are requested within 6 months from the issuance of this notice. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.

STAKEHOLDER INPUT: The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seeks your comments about this RFA. We will consider the comments when we develop the next RFA for the program, if applicable, and we’ll use them to meet the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the

Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2)).

Submit written stakeholder comments by the deadline set forth in the DATES portion of this Notice via e-mail to: Policy@nifa.usda.gov. (This e-mail address is intended only for receiving comments regarding this RFA and not requesting information or forms.) In your comments, please state that you are responding to the Community Food Projects RFA.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: NIFA requests applications for the Community Food Projects

Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) for fiscal year (FY) 2016. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2016 is $8.64 million.

This notice identifies the objectives for CFPCGP projects, the eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a CFPCGP grant.

A webinar will be held on October 22, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time for potential applicants.

The Adobe Connect link is: http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/cfp2016/.

mailto:Policy@nifa.usda.gov http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/cfp2016/

Table of Contents

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority and Background B. Purpose and Priorities C. Program Area Description

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Types of Applications C. Project Types

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Electronic Application Package B. Content and Form of Application Submission C. Submission Dates and Times D. Funding Restrictions E. Other Submission Requirements

PART V—APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. General B. Evaluation Criteria C. Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality D. Organizational Management Information E. Application Disposition

PART VI—AWARD ADMINISTRATION

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

PART VIII—OTHER INFORMATION

A. Access to Review Information B. Use of Funds; Changes C. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards D. Regulatory Information E. Definitions

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority and Background

The Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) legislative authority is located in Section 25 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2034), as amended by the

Agricultural Act of 2014 and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which authorizes a program of federal grants to establish and carry out Community Food Projects.

B. Purpose and Priorities

The CFPCGP RFA directly aligns with the Research, Education, and Economics Action Plan and specifically addresses Goal 4, Nutrition and Childhood Obesity by strengthening established strategic partnerships and strengthening implementation practices to encourage healthy eating and physical activity at the individual and community levels, focusing on high-risk groups and also advances Strategic Goal 4.2 of the USDA Strategic Plan, which is to promote Healthy Diet and

Physical Activity Behaviors.

CFPCGP specifically addresses NIFA’s Strategic Goal 1. (Science), by advancing our ability to fight hunger and ensure global food security (Subgoal 1.1).

The primary goals of the CFPCGP are to:

• Meet the food needs of low-income individuals through food distribution, community outreach to assist in participation in Federally assisted nutrition programs, or improving access to food as part of a comprehensive service;

• Increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for the food needs of the communities;

• Promote comprehensive responses to local food access, farm, and nutrition issues; and

• Meet specific state, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs including needs relating to:

o Equipment necessary for the efficient operation of a project;

o Planning for long-term solutions; or o The creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

Community Food Projects are intended to bring together stakeholders from the distinct parts of the food system and to foster understanding of national food security trends and how they might improve local food systems.

NIFA is soliciting applications for the CFPCGP under the following areas:

(1) Community Food Projects (CFP)

(2) Planning Projects (PP) and

(3) Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA)

C. Program Area Description

1. Community Food Projects (CFP) and Planning Projects (PP)

The purpose of the CFP is to support the development of projects with a one-time infusion of federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining. CFPs should be designed to create community-based food projects with objectives, activities and outcomes that are in alignment with

CFPCGP primary goals. The purpose of a Planning Project (PP) is to complete a plan toward the improvement of community food security in keeping with the primary goals of the CFPCGP (see

Part I, B.) PPs are to focus on a defined community and describe in detail the activities and outcomes of the planning project. Preference will be given to CFPs and PPs designed to:

(i) Develop linkages between two or more sectors of the food system;

(ii) Support the development of entrepreneurial projects;

(iii) Develop innovative connections between the for-profit and nonprofit food sectors;

(iv) Encourage long-term planning activities, and multi-system, interagency approaches with collaborations from multiple stakeholders that build the long-term capacity of communities to address the food and agricultural problems of the communities, such as food policy councils and food planning associations; or

(v) Develop new resources and strategies to help reduce food insecurity in the community and prevent foods insecurity in the future by-

a. Developing creative foods resources;

b. Coordinating food services with park and recreation programs and other community based outlets to reduce barriers to access; or

c. Creating nutrition education programs for at-risk populations to enhance food-purchasing and food-preparation skills and to heighten awareness of the connection between diet and health.

Examples of CFP Projects include, but are not limited to, community gardens with market stands, value chain projects, food hubs, farmers’ markets, farm-to-institutions projects, and marketing & consumer cooperatives. All projects must involve low-income participants.

Examples of PPs include, but are not limited to, community food assessments' coordination of collaboration development plan, GIS analysis, food sovereignty study, and farm-to-institution exploration. All projects must involve low-income participants.

2. Training and Technical Assistance (T & TA) Projects

The primary purposes of the T & TA project are to assist individual organizations in the development and submission of Community Food Projects (CFP) and Planning Projects (PP) proposals and assist current program grantees to more effectively operate and evaluate their projects.

In 2016, NIFA will award one, large multi-year grant award. Collaborations among T & TA providers with broad expertise should provide a one-stop service to applicants requesting assistance. T & TA Projects should be designed to have national relevance. No pilot projects will be considered in this category. Expertise for T & TA should encompass the broad array of community food activities, including a strong comprehensive evaluation, using the ‘Whole

Measures,” evaluation method which lead to meeting CFPCGP goals. Organizations that can demonstrate an involvement in community food security issues and programs along with a strong outcome evaluation and training competence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Examples of T & TA services offered may include assistance in project development, grantsmanship training, project evaluation using “Whole Measures,” and/or assistance on a particular type of project, for example, urban farms, community gardens, direct marketing, and farm-to-institution methods. Activities might include, but are not limited to, workshop training, peer to peer interaction, one on one training, assistance with evaluation/Whole Measures, webinars, and/or video-conferencing.

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2016 is $8.64 million. The funds will be awarded through a grant. There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

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

Service, as the payment system for funds. For more information see http://fms.treas.gov/index1.html.

B. Types of Applications

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

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

Resubmitted application. This is an application that had previously been submitted to CFPCGP but not funded. Project Directors (PDs) must respond to the previous review panel summary (see

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

C. Project Types

1. Community Food Projects (CFP)

Applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project. No single CFP award shall exceed $125,000 in any single year or more than $400,000 over four years.

Applications that exceed budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed. Applicants may request one, two, three or four years of funding, but in all cases, the grant term may not exceed 4 years for any proposal. A no-cost extension may be requested. A CFP project may be supported by only one grant under this program. All CFP awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project with budgets considered only after the merits of the project have been determined. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants.

2. Planning Projects (PP)

Applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project. No single PP award shall exceed $35,000 for the total project period. The maximum PP award period shall not exceed three years since it is for planning purposes.

Applications that exceed the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed. All PP awards will be made on the merit of the proposed project with budgets considered only after the merits http://fms.treas.gov/index1.html of the project have been determined. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants.

3. Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA)

Applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project. No single T &

TA award shall exceed $250,000 in any single year. It is anticipated that one award will be made for $500,000 over two to four year period. The maximum T & TA award shall not exceed four years. Applications that exceed the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed.

All T & TA awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project with budgets considered only after the merits of the project have been determined. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants.

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

1. CFP, PP, and T&TA Eligibility

Applicants for CFP, PD and the T&TA must meet the following eligibility here. Public food program service providers, tribal organizations, or private nonprofit entities, including gleaners (see

Definition in Part VIII, E.), meeting the following three requirements are eligible to receive a CFP, PP, and T&TA grant:

(1) (a) have experience in the area of (i) community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-size farms, including the provision of food to people in low-income communities and the development of new markets in low-income communities for agricultural producers; (ii) job training and business development activities for food-related activities in low-income communities;

or (iii) efforts to reduce food insecurity in the community, including food distribution, improving access to services, or coordinating services and programs; (2) demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal accountability, collect data, and prepare reports and other necessary documentation; (3) demonstrate a willingness to share information with researchers, evaluators, practitioners, and other interested parties, including a plan for dissemination of results;

and (4) collaborate with 1 or more local partner organizations to achieve at least 1 hunger-free communities goal. See http://ric.nal.usda.gov/10583 for more information about hunger-free communities’ goals.

Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.

2. Partners and Collaborators

Applicants for CFP and PP awards are encouraged to seek and create partnerships with public or private, nonprofit or for-profit entities, including links with academic institutions (including minority-serving colleges and universities), and/or other appropriate professionals, community-based organizations, local government entities and Promise Zone lead applicant/organization or implementation partner, and StrikeForce area coordinators and/or partnering entities. Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements. Project partners and collaborators need not meet the eligibility requirements. When planning collaborations, see Part III, B. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the successful completion of the project. See Part IV, D., Funding Restrictions.

Fiscal Agent:

If an institution/organization cannot accept Federal funds directly, a letter must be included in the application stating that in the event the application results in an award, the award funds must be administered through a fiscal agent organization on their behalf. This agent must be identified in the letter from the applicant and the letter must be countersigned by an authorized representative of http://ric.nal.usda.gov/10583 the fiscal agent organization. The letter should include the fiscal agent’s point of contact, address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address. This letter is to be included as an attachment to

Field 12, Other Attachments (Part IV.B.3.c.). In the event an application is recommended for funding, NIFA will request that both the applicant school or institution/organization and the fiscal agent organization submit complete management information (see Part V, D.).

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

CFP and PP applicants MUST provide matching on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all federal funds awarded. Match must be documented for all project years at the time the application is submitted.

CFP and PP grantees shall provide matching funds through cash and/or in-kind contributions, including third-party in-kind contributions fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services.

The non-federal share of the funding may come from state government, local government, other non-profit entities, or private sources. Federal money cannot be used to match. Examples of qualifying matching contributions may include direct costs such as: rent for office space used exclusively for the funded project; duplication or postage costs; and staff time from an entity other than the applicant for job training or nutrition education.

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Electronic Application Package

Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov to NIFA in response to this RFA.

We urge you to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For an overview of the Grants.gov application process see http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/grant-application-process.html.

New and Previous Users of Grants.gov

Prior to preparing an application, we recommend that the Project Director/Principal Investigator

(PD/PI) first contact an Authorized Representative (AR, also referred to as Authorized

Organizational Representative or AOR) to determine if the organization is prepared to submit electronic applications through Grants.gov. If not (e.g., the institution/organization is new to the electronic grant application process through Grants.gov), then the one-time registration process must be completed PRIOR to submitting an application. It can take as long as 2 weeks to complete the registration process so it is critical to begin as soon as possible. In such situations, the AR should go to “Register” in the top right corner of the Grants.gov web page (or go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html) for information on registering the institution/organization with Grants.gov. Part II.1. of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide contains detailed information regarding the registration process. Refer to item 2. below to locate the

“NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide”.

Steps to Obtain Application Package Materials

To receive application materials:

1. You must download and install a version of Adobe Reader compatible with Grants.gov to access, complete, and submit applications. For basic system requirements and download instructions, see http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/software/adobe-reader-compatibility.html. Grants.gov has a test package that will help you determine whether your current version of Adobe Reader is compatible.

2. To obtain the application package from Grants.gov, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html. Under Step 1 click on

“Download a Grant Application Package,” and enter the funding opportunity number

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-CFP-005415

In the appropriate box and click “Download Package.” From the search results, click

“Download” to access the application package.

Contained within the application package is the “NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.”

This guide contains an introduction and general Grants.gov instructions, information about how to use a Grant Application Package in Grants.gov, and instructions on how to complete the application forms.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/grant-application-process.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/grant-application-process.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/software/adobe-reader-compatibility.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/software/adobe-reader-compatibility.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

If you require assistance to access the application package (e.g., downloading or navigating Adobe forms) or submitting the application, refer to resources available on the Grants.gov website (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html). Grants.gov assistance is also available at:

Grants.gov customer support

800-518-4726 Toll-Free or 606-545-5035

Business Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Closed on federal holidays.

Email: support@grants.gov

Grants.gov iPortal (see https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants): Top

10 requested help topics (FAQs), Searchable knowledge base, self-service ticketing and ticket status, and live web chat (available 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. ET). Get help now!

Have the following information available when contacting Grants.gov:

Funding Opportunity Number (FON)

Name of agency you are applying to

Specific area of concern

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

You should prepare electronic applications following Parts V and VI of the NIFA Grants.gov

Application Guide. This guide is part of the corresponding application package (see Section A. of this Part). The following is additional information needed to prepare an application in response to this RFA. If there is discrepancy between the two documents, the information contained in this RFA is overriding.

Note the attachment requirements (e.g., PDF) in Part III section 3. of the guide. ANY

PROPOSALS THAT ARE NON-COMPLIANT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS (e.g., content format, PDF file format, file name restrictions, and no password protected files)

WILL BE AT RISK OF BEING EXCLUDED FROM NIFA REVIEW. Grants.gov does not check for NIFA required attachments or that attachments are in PDF format; see Part III section 6.1 of the guide for how to check the manifest of submitted files. Partial applications will be excluded from NIFA review. We will accept subsequent submissions of an application until close of business on the closing date in the RFA (see Part V, 2.1 of the NIFA Grants.gov

Application Guide for further information).

For any questions related to the preparation of an application, review the NIFA Grants.gov

Application Guide and the applicable RFA. If assistance is still needed for preparing application forms content, contact:

Email: electronic@nifa.usda.gov

Phone: 202-401-5048

Business hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays.

1. SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet

Information related to the questions on this form is dealt with in detail in Part V, 2. of the NIFA

Grants.gov Application Guide.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-resources.html http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants mailto:electronic@nifa.usda.gov

2. SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s)

Information related to the questions on this form is dealt with in detail in Part V, 3. of the NIFA

Grants.gov Application Guide.

3. R&R Other Project Information Form

Information related to the questions on this form is dealt with in detail in Part V, 4. of the NIFA

a. Field 7. Project Summary/Abstract. The summary should also include the relevance of the project to the goals of CFPCGP. See Part V. 4.7 of NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for further instructions and a link to a suggested template.

b. Field 8. Project Narrative.

NOTE: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 10 pages of written text regardless of whether it is single- or double-spaced and up to 5 additional pages for figures and tables. We have established this maximum 15 pages) to ensure fair and equitable competition. The Project Narrative must include all of the following or the proposal will not be reviewed.

1. Community Food Project (CFPs)

The Project Narrative for CFPs must include the heading followed by the response for each of the points noted below.

(a) The Community to Be Involved in the Project and the Needs to Be Addressed. Identify and succinctly describe the critical elements and needs of the local food economy or food system, including demographics, income, and geographic characteristics of the area or community to be served. Beyond a recitation of statistics, applications should describe local capabilities and assets, such as those identified in a community food assessment, and involvement of low-income communities in the context of project activities and operations.

Most relevant is an explanation of why the applicant and its partners selected the activities proposed in the application. Note the main targets or beneficiaries of the project and the community needs and opportunities being addressed. The needs addressed should directly relate to project goals and objectives described below. It is recommended that this section be no more than one and one-half pages.

(b) The Organizations and Communities Involved in the Project. List the organizations and communities to be involved in carrying out the proposed project and the segments of the local food economy or system they link. Include a description of the relevant experience of each community group or organization, including the applicant organization that will be involved, and any related project history. Proposals should demonstrate extensive community linkages and coalitions.

Applicant organizations should demonstrate a history of commitment to and direct involvement in food security projects in low-income communities or in communities with low-income groups, as well as success in outreach to low-income participants. The qualifications of staff involved with the proposed project and/or organizational leadership should reflect the expertise necessary to carry out the proposed project activities or similar types of activities. Experience in and connections with the community will be considered as important as academic or professional credentials in this regard.

Ensure that low-income residents are actively involved in planning project goals, objectives, and outcomes. In particular, describe how the communities being served – particularly the targeted residents and organizations – were involved in planning the project and will be engaged in its implementation. Please reference planning activities, assessments, meetings, or other activities that demonstrate community input into key decision-making.

Letters from the key organizations involved in the project, acknowledging their support and contributions, must be provided. A limited number of additional support letters – such as those from farmers or schools, where appropriate, are encouraged to provide evidence of broad community involvement in both planning and future decision-making. All support letters should be attached in Field 12, Other Attachments (See Part IV, B. 3. c., below, Key Organization Support).

(c) Project Goals and Intended Outcomes. List the goals and intended outcomes of the project.

Outcomes should describe specific changes or results that will occur as a consequence of the project and that will constitute “success” for the initiative. These may include benefits caused by program activities such as changes in participants’ skills, behaviors, or qualities of life, and positive changes in conditions in the community served or reductions in negative conditions. Outcomes should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely, describe what will be accomplished, and who and how many people, e.g., residents, participants, will benefit. It is recommended that this section be no more than two pages.

(d) Activities to Achieve the Goals. Discuss how the goals and intended outcomes will be achieved. Discuss how the proposed project outcomes will be realized by providing a systematic description of how the most important steps or milestones will be accomplished. In addition to these descriptions, it is recommended that a table of up to three pages be provided with implementation details for these activities, including: (a) specific steps and achievements in planning and implementation; (b) timetables for milestones, and, as relevant; (c) expected numbers of participants involved in each step of the process.

(e) Relationship to Program Objectives. Discuss how the project and its proposed outcomes will address the objectives of the CFPCGP as described in Part I., B. Discuss the specific changes that will result among participants or in the communities served that address these CFPCGP priorities.

It is recommended that this section be no more than one page.

(f) Evaluation. CFP proposals should contain a strong evaluation component. Innovative evaluation strategies are especially encouraged. Evaluations should focus on “logic models” (The logic model should be attached to Field 12) and the measurement of Indicators of Success in meeting the legislative goals and objectives of the CFPCGP. (See Part VIII, E., Definitions.)

Through CFPCGP project operations and an evaluation of them, USDA seeks to determine best practices, including valuable lessons learned; therefore, proposals are encouraged that include both process evaluations (developing and monitoring indicators of progress towards the objectives) and outcome evaluations (to determine whether the objectives were met).

(g) Self-Sustainability. Describe which aspects or components of the project will continue beyond the end of the project period. Discuss how a one-time infusion of Federal funds will be sufficient for the proposed CFP to advance local capacity-building and achieve sustainability. Projects should identify actual or potential funding sources for continuation of the project after federal funding has ended. Applicants should differentiate between how the basic elements of the project will be continued versus how the low-income community will be changed and its capacity advanced.

Projects should provide evidence, e.g., a market analysis or the outline of a business plan, to demonstrate that it is likely to become self-sustaining and provide employees with important job skills. Business plan outlines or any other document of evidence for sustainability should be no more than five pages should be included as an appendix. Such evidence should be included as an

Other Attachment, Field 12 (see Part IV.B.3.c.).

2. Planning Projects (PP)

The Project Narrative for PP should include the heading followed by the response for each of the points noted below.

(a) The Community to Be Involved in the Project and the Needs to Be Addressed. Identify and succinctly describe your approach to determining the critical elements and needs of the local food economy or food system, including demographics, income, and geographic characteristics of the area or community to be served. It is strongly recommended that assets of low-income communities be included in the analysis. The needs addressed should directly relate to project goals and objectives described below. It is recommended that this section be no more than one and one-half pages.

(b) The Organizations and Communities Involved in the Project. List the organizations and communities to be involved in carrying out the proposed PP and the segments of the local food economy or system they link. Include a description of the relevant experience of each community group or organization, including the applicant organization, that will be involved, and any related project history. Proposals should demonstrate extensive community linkages and coalitions.

Planning Projects should address how the proposed project assists applicants, eligible entities, and others in understanding the primary goals of the CFPCGP which are to: (1)(a) meet the food needs of low-income individuals through food distribution, community outreach to assist in participation in Federally assisted nutrition programs, or improving access to food as part of a comprehensive service; (b) increase the self-reliance of low-income communities in providing for their own food needs; and (c) promote comprehensive responses to local food access, farm, and nutrition issues; or

(2) meet specific State, local, or neighborhood food and agriculture needs for (a) equipment necessary for the efficient operation of a project; (b) planning for long-term solutions; or (c) the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers; It is recommended that this section be no more than two pages.

Letters from the key organizations involved in the project, acknowledging their support and contributions, must be provided. A limited number of other support letters – such as those from farmers or schools – where appropriate, are encouraged to provide evidence of broad community involvement. All support letters should be attached in Field 12, Other Attachments (See Part IV, B.3.c., below, Key Organization Support).

(c) Project Goals and Objectives. List the outcome-based goals and objectives of the project and a justification for the goals in terms of the identified need(s). Be specific. Ensure that low-income residents are actively engaged in planning project goals, objectives, and outcomes. Also include a description of low-income input and decision-making in the formulation of the goals and objectives. Discuss how significant are the low-income food security issues are that will be addressed by the proposed project; is there an informative description of the community, its characteristics, assets, and needs; discuss how specifically will the community named in this description benefit from the proposed project. It is recommended that this section be no more than two pages.

(d) Activities to Achieve the Goals. Discuss how the goals and intended outcomes will be achieved. Discuss how the proposed project outcomes will be realized by providing a systematic description of how the most important steps or milestones will be accomplished. In addition to these descriptions, it is recommended that a table of up to three pages be provided with implementation details for these activities, including: (a) specific steps and achievements in planning and implementation; (b) timetables for milestones; and, as relevant, (c) expected numbers of participants involved in each step of the process. It is recommended that this section be no more than two pages, although a table may be added as an additional page (within the total 15 page limit) to relate specific activities to goals and outcomes.

(e) Relationship to Program Objectives. Discuss how project outcomes will address the objectives of the CFPCGP as described in Part I., B., and how the project will make a difference for the low-income community. It is recommended that this section be no more than one page.

3. T &TA

The Project Narrative for T & TA Projects should include the heading followed by a response for each of the points noted below.

(a) Community Food Security Issues and Programs. The proposal should provide a succinct description of community food security issues and programs and the scope of involvement of the applicant entity. Such items as the food economy or food system should be noted as should pertinent information regarding demographic and geographic characteristics of the area(s) or type(s) of organizations previously served and/or to be served.

(b) Organization Involved. List all collaborating organizations and individuals who will be assisting and their respective roles in the provision of training and technical assistance. Provide documentation with letters of support showing commitment from organizations and individuals who have agreed to collaborate if the proposal is funded by NIFA (see Key Organizational Support below). This is critical as T & TA becomes a one stop referral for all T & TA needs of applicants.

(c) Project Goals and Objectives. List the goals and objectives of the project and a justification for the goals in terms of the types of services that will be provided.

(d) Activities to Achieve the Goals. Discuss how the goals will be achieved. Provide a systematic description of the approach by which the goals will be accomplished. A chart may be added to outline specific timeframes for activities leading to the accomplishment of goals and objectives.

(e) Timeline. On an annual basis, identify the major milestones that will indicate progress toward achieving the project goals and objectives. Provide a standardized timeline or systematic description of the approach for accomplishing these major outcomes. A yearly report using “Whole

Measures” for the Community Food Projects Indicators of Success is due by the end of July each year. A chart may be added to outline specific timeframes for activities leading to the accomplishment of goals and objectives.

The proposed work plan can be for a period of up to four years. Training and technical assistance should be scheduled so that potential applicant organizations will have ample opportunity to take advantage of the assistance offered with sufficient time to construct and submit a CFP proposal in the foreseeable near future. T & TA for existing grantees should be timed so that grantees can utilize the assistance provided to improve their projects during the grant period.

(f) Evaluation. T & TA proposals should contain an internal evaluation component as well as the external evaluation and comprehensive report using “Whole Measures” for all CFP projects to use to contribute to the overall evaluation. A plan for the dissemination of project results should be included. The Project Narrative for T & TA Projects does not have to address self-sustainability; as such projects are not expected to become self-sustaining following the expenditure of Federal funds. However, T & TA Project applicants may want to address how their training and assistance activities, including evaluation, will help sustain CFP-type activities in future years in the areas to be served.

c. Field 12. Other Attachments. All attachments must be in PDF Format.

See Part V., Section 4.12 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide (Field 12 on the Form) for instructions regarding Felony and Tax Representation. Form located http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/felony_tax_cert.doc.

Response to Previous Review. This requirement only applies to "Resubmitted

Applications” Part II, B., "Types of Applications" identifies the type of application(s) that may be submitted in response to this RFA. PDs must respond to the previous review summary on no more than one page titled "RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS REVIEW" and save file as ResponsetoPreviousReview. If desired, additional comments may be included in the text of the Project Narrative subject to the page limitations of that section.

Results from Prior CFPCGP Support. This requirement only applies to applicants who have received prior grant award(s) under this program. If the PD or a co-PD has received

CFPCGP, including support in the past five years, information on results from that prior funding is required. This information will be used in the review of the application. PDs must summarize prior results from funding and limit the response to one page per award.

For each award, list the NIFA award number, the amount and period of support, the title of the project and a summary of the results of the completed work. Save file as

PriorCFPCGPSupport.

http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/felony_tax_cert.doc

Key Organization Support. Attach signed letters from key organizations involved in the project acknowledging their support, contributions and commitment; title the attachment ‘Key Organization Support’. Provide evidence of broad community involvement in both planning and decision-making. This section is limited to two page letters of support for each key organization. (See subsection 1. or 2., as appropriate, of

Part IV, B.3.b. for additional information).

Matching Funds Documentation. For CFP and PP applicants, this grant program requires applicants to match Federal funds awarded on a dollar-for-dollar basis from non-

Federal sources as described in Part III, B. Letters signed by the AR from each source of matching funds are required, and should be attached in Field 12; title the attachment

‘Matching Funds’. Recommended contents of the letter are described below in item 6., R&R Budget (Fed/Non-Fed).

All of the applicant's matching support should be shown on the original budget in the appropriate categories (salary, materials and supplies, equipment, etc.) A budget narrative for these items must also be included. Proposals should include written verification of commitments of matching support of in-kind contributions from third parties.

Written verification means that for any third party in-kind contributions, a separate pledge agreement for each contribution, signed by the authorized organizational representatives of the donor organization and the applicant organization, which must include: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the donor; (2) the name of the applicant organization; (3) the title of the project for which the donation is made; (4) a good faith estimate of the current fair market value of the third party in-kind contribution; and (5) a statement that the donor will make the contribution during the grant period. The sources and amounts of all matching support from outside the applicant institution should be summarized and included in the Budget Justification as well as all pledge agreements. The value of applicant contributions to the project shall be established in accordance with applicable cost principles.

Appendices to Project Narrative. Title the attachment as ‘Appendices’ in the document header and save file as ‘Appendices’. Appendices to the Project Narrative are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project. The addition of appendices must not exceed seven (7) pages for CFP and PP proposals and should not be used to circumvent the text and/or figures and tables page limitations.

Logic Model. Title the attachment as ‘Logic Model’ in the document header and save file as ‘LogicModel’. In order to allow for sufficient evaluation of projects as described, it is recommended that applicants set aside between five and ten percent of the total project budget for evaluation purposes. Applicants should seek the help of academic or other experts in evaluation design and implementation, as appropriate and available. A logic model or chart may also be used. It is recommended that this section be no more than one page.

http://www.nifa.usda.gov/about/strat_plan_logic_models.html http://www.nifa.usda.gov/about/strat_plan_logic_models.html

Fiscal Agent Letter. See Part I.A. If it is necessary to include a fiscal agent letter then title the attachment as ‘Fiscal Agent’ in the document header and save file as

‘FiscalAgent’.

4. R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded)

Information related to the questions on this form is dealt with in detail in Part V, 5. of the NIFA

Grants.gov Application Guide. This section of the Guide includes information about the people who require a Senior/Key Person Profile, and details about the Biographical Sketch and the

Current and Pending Support, including a link to a suggested template for the Current and

Pending Support.

5. R&R Personal Data – As noted in Part V, 6. of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide, the submission of this information is voluntary and is not a precondition of award.

6. R&R Budget

Information related to the questions on this form is dealt with in detail in Part V, 7. of the NIFA

a. Field D. Domestic Travel.

During the tenure of a grant, PDs must attend a PD meeting each year. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss their projects, opportunities for collaborative efforts, and to enhance dissemination of exemplary end products/results. Reasonable travel expenses to attend this meeting may be included in the application’s budget under travel expenses.

b. Matching or Cost Sharing

As stated in Part III, B., matching funds are mandatory for CFPs and PPs. The R&R Budget

(“Fed/Non-Fed”) form must be utilized. For grants that require matching funds as specified under

Part III, B., the Budget Narrative should include written verification of commitments of matching support (including both cash and in-kind contributions) from third parties. Written verification means:

(a) For any third party cash contributions, a separate pledge agreement for each donation, signed by the authorized representatives of the donor organization (and the applicant organization ONLY if provided after submission of the application), must include: (1)

The donor’s name, address, and telephone number; (2) the name of the applicant organization; (3) the title of the project; (4) the dollar amount of the cash donation (the budget narrative must describe how the cash donation will be used); (5) a statement that the donor will pay the cash contribution during the grant period; and (6) whether the applicant can designate cash as the applicant deems necessary or the cash contribution has been designated to a particular budget item.

(b) For any third party in-kind contributions, a separate pledge agreement for each contribution, signed by the authorized representatives of the donor organization (and the applicant organization ONLY if provided after submission of the application), must include: (1) The donor’s name, address, and telephone number; (2) the name of the applicant organization; (3) the title of the project; (4) a good faith estimate of the current fair market value of the third party in-kind contribution and a description of how the fair market value was determined; and (5) a statement that the donor will make the contribution during the grant period.

The source and amount of costs and/or the value of third-party in-kind contributions proposed by the applicant to meet a matching or cost sharing requirement must be identified in the application

(i.e., block 8 of the application) . Allowability of costs for cost sharing and matching purposes is determined by the applicable cost principles (2CFR 200).

Field H. Indirect Cost

See Part V, section 7.9 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for information about requesting indirect cost.

7. Supplemental Information Form

Information related to the questions on this form is dealt with in detail in Part VI, 1. of the NIFA

a. Field 2. Program to which you are applying.

Community

Food Projects

(CFP)

Planning

Projects (PP)

Training &

Technical

Assistance

(T&TA)

Program Code

Name

“Community

Food Projects

Competitive

Grant Program”

“Community

Food Projects

Competitive

Grant Program”

“Community

Food Projects

Competitive

Grant

Program”

Program Code LN.C LN.B LN.A

Note that accurate entry of the program code is very important for proper and timely processing of an application.

b. Field 8. Conflict of Interest List. See Part VI, 1.8 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application

Guide for further instructions and a link to a suggested template.

C. Submission Dates and Times

Prior to electronic submission of the application via Grants.gov, it is strongly recommended that an administrative review be conducted to ensure that an application complies with all application preparation instructions. An application checklist is included in Part VII of the NIFA Grants.gov

Application Guide to assist with this review.

Instructions for submitting an application are included in Part IV, Section 1.9 of the NIFA

Applications must be received by Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 30, 2015. Applications received after this deadline will normally not be considered for funding.

If you have trouble submitting an application to Grants.gov, you should FIRST contact the

Grants.gov Help Desk to resolve any problems. Keep a record of any such correspondence.

See Part IV. A. for Grants.gov contact information.

We send email correspondence to the AR regarding the status of submitted applications.

Therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide accurate e-mail addresses, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R Application for Federal Assistance.

If the AR has not received correspondence from NIFA regarding a submitted application within

30 days of the established deadline, contact the Agency Contact identified in Part VII of the applicable RFA and request the proposal number assigned to the application. Failure to do so may result in the application not being considered for funding by the peer review panel.

Once the application has been assigned a proposal number, this number should be cited on all future correspondence.

D. Funding Restrictions

1. Construction and Renovation

With prior approval, and in accordance with applicable Federal cost principles, grant funds may be used to plan, acquire, or construct a building or facility, or to acquire land; and for improvements, alterations, renovations, or repairs to land or buildings, necessary to carry out a funded project under this program. However, requests to use grant funds for such purposes must demonstrate that such expenditures are essential to achieving the major purpose for which the grant request is made.

2. Subcontract Restriction

The applicant shall perform a substantive portion of the project and no more than 50 percent of a

CFP or PP, as determined by budget expenditures, may be sub awarded. Projects may divide their budget allocations between partners as it fits their work plan. (For additional knowledge or expertise that is not available within the applicant organization, funds for expert consultation may be included in the “All Other Direct Costs” section of the proposed budget.)

3. Multiple Submissions

The CFPCGP encourages applicants to submit one comprehensive proposal rather than multiple proposals under this RFA.

4. Funding Period Limitation

The funding period will commence on the effective date cited in the award instrument.