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Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI)

Grant Program

2016 Request for Applications (RFA)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 16, 2015

ELIGIBILITY: See Part III, A of RFA

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

AGRICULTURE

Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE: This program is listed in the

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.331.

DATES: Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 16, 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 Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant

Program RFA.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: NIFA requests applications for the Food Insecurity Nutrition

Incentive (FINI) Grant Program for fiscal year (FY) 2016 to support projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in the

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing incentives at the point of purchase. Applications are requested in each of the following three categories: (1) FINI Pilot

Projects (awards not to exceed a total of $100,000 over one year); (2) Multi-year, community-based FINI Projects (awards not to exceed a total of $500,000 over no more than four years); and

(3) Multi-year, FINI Large-Scale Projects (awards of $500,000 or more over no more than four years). Grantees will be expected to conduct a project assessment and to cooperate with and contribute to an independent evaluation to determine the relative effectiveness of the grant program in achieving the legislative goals of “increasing fruit and vegetable purchases” and

“improving the nutrition and health status” of participating households (Food, Conservation, and

Energy Act of 2008, § 4405(b)(4)(A)). The appropriated amount available for NIFA to support this program in FY 2016 is approximately $16.8 million. This RFA is being released prior to the passage of an appropriations act for FY 2016. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

This notice identifies the objectives for FINI projects, the eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a FINI mailto:Policy@nifa.usda.gov grant. A webinar reviewing these RFA proposal and match requirements will be held on October

14th, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time for potential applicants.

The webinar can be accessed here: http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/finip/

The webinar will be recorded and posted to the FINI webpage, accessible here:

http://nifa.usda.gov/program/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/finip/ http://nifa.usda.gov/program/food-insecurity-nutrition-incentive-fini-grant-program

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 VII—AGENCY CONTACT

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 Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grants Program is authorized by section 4208 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, which amends section 4405 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy

Act of 2008 (“FCEA”) (7 U.S.C. 7517). The authority to administer this program was delegated to the Director of NIFA through the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics

(REE). See 79 FR 44101 (July 30, 2014), available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-

07-30/pdf/2014-17352.pdf. In FY 2016, it is anticipated that up to $16,800,000 will be available for grants under this program.

B. Purpose and Priorities

The FINI RFA directly aligns with Strategic Goal 4.2 of the USDA Strategic Plan, which is to

Promote Healthy Diet and Physical Activity Behaviors.

The FINI RFA also aligns with the USDA Research, Education, and Economics (REE) 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

The FINI RFA specifically addresses NIFA’s “Strategic Goal 1 (Science), by combating childhood obesity by ensuring the availability of affordable, nutritious food and providing individuals and families science-based nutritional guidance (Subgoal 1.5).”

The primary goal of the FINI grants program is to fund and evaluate projects intended to

“increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing incentives at the point of purchase” (FCEA, § 4405(b)(2)(A)(ii)(II)). For FINI grants, NIFA defines “fruits and vegetables” as “any variety of fresh, canned, dried, or frozen whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, or oils, and salt (i.e. sodium).” The program will test strategies that could contribute to our understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants to inform future efforts, and develop effective and efficient benefit redemption technologies.

The Act requires the Secretary to conduct an independent evaluation of funded projects, to measure the impact of projects on: “improving the nutrition and health status of participating households receiving incentives” and “increasing fruit and vegetable purchases in participating households.”

Incentivizing purchases of fruits and vegetables increases their affordability and consumption.

For example, USDA recently completed an evaluation of the Healthy Incentives Pilot (HIP), which investigated the impact of making fruits and vegetables more affordable to SNAP participants. Under HIP, SNAP households received 30 cents deposited directly back onto their http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-30/pdf/2014-17352.pdf http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-30/pdf/2014-17352.pdf

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to be spent on any SNAP-eligible food or beverage for every SNAP dollar they spent on targeted fruits and vegetables at participating SNAP-authorized retailers including large supermarkets, grocery stores and farmers markets. This pilot operated in

Hampden County MA between November 2011 and December 2012. A rigorous evaluation showed that HIP significantly increased the consumption of targeted fruits and vegetables and this increased consumption was on the order of about one quarter of a cup per day. The final evaluation report is available online at http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthy-incentives-pilot-final-evaluation-report.

Grantees that receive both FINI and SNAP-Ed funds:

While SNAP-Ed providers are encouraged to form partnerships and collaborations in order to leverage resources, SNAP-Ed funds may not be used to provide actual cash or other financial incentives.

SNAP-Ed funds can be used for policy, systems and environmental change interventions, such as working with retailers on fruit and vegetable product placement, and social marketing in addition to educational efforts at venues such as Farmers Markets, Senior

Centers, Child Care locations etc.

All FINI projects must (1) have the support of the State agency responsible for the administration of SNAP; (2) increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase; (3) operate through authorized SNAP retailers, and in compliance with all relevant SNAP regulations and operating requirements; (4) agree to participate in the FINI comprehensive program evaluation; (5) ensure that the same terms and conditions apply to purchases made by individuals with SNAP benefits and with incentives under the FINI grants program as apply to purchases made by individuals who are not members of households receiving benefits as provided in 7 CFR. 278.2(b); and (6) include effective and efficient technologies for benefit redemption systems that may be replicated in other States and communities.

The term “incentive” means any financial or non-financial inducements that would increase the purchase and consumption of eligible fruits and vegetables by SNAP clients.

• Examples of allowable financial incentives include, but are not limited to, vouchers redeemable for eligible fruits and vegetables; other SNAP-eligible items received for having purchased fruits and vegetables; and direct point-of-sale discounts on eligible fruits and vegetables.

• Examples of allowable non-financial incentives include, but are not limited to, giveaways of eligible fruits and vegetables; and nutrition education.

• Examples of unallowable incentives include, but are not limited to, giveaways of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and lottery tickets.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthy-incentives-pilot-final-evaluation-report http://www.fns.usda.gov/healthy-incentives-pilot-final-evaluation-report

Incentives that are not allowed may not be paid for with either Federal or matching funds. In addition, the cost of incentives must be allowable under the applicable cost principles in 2 CFR part 200, Subpart E.

Priority will be given to grant proposals with incentives that are most likely to directly and efficiently increase the purchase and consumption of eligible fruits and vegetables by SNAP clients. Any grant proposal that includes non-financial incentives will be subject to additional scrutiny prior to approval, and would need to explain clearly how it contributes to the overall objectives of this program. In general, USDA expects non-financial incentives, if used, to be supplemental to a strong financial-based incentive.

Note: Because the statutory language of the 2014 Farm Bill requires FINI grantees to provide incentives specifically to SNAP clients, the equal treatment provision of 7 CFR 278.2(b) does not apply to FINI grantees for the purpose of providing incentives under the FINI grants.

In reviewing applications submitted in response to this RFA, and depending on the type of FINI project (as described in further detail in Part I, C.1, C.2, and C.3), NIFA will give priority to projects that:

• Maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participants;

• Test innovative or promising strategies that would contribute to our understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants, that would inform future efforts;

• Develop innovative or improved benefit redemption systems that could be replicated or scaled;

• Use direct-to-consumer sales marketing;

• Demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers;

• Provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables (as defined in Subpart

VIII (E) of this document), especially culturally appropriate fruits and vegetables for the target audience; and

• Are located in underserved communities, particularly Promise Zones and StrikeForce communities (see Part VIII, E for more information).

FINI projects present the opportunity to bring together stakeholders from the distinct parts of the food system and to foster understanding of how they might improve the nutrition and health status of participating households receiving incentives to purchase fruits and vegetables. FINI projects are also intended to address the development of effective and efficient technologies for benefit redemption that are replicable by others.

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

C. Program Area Description

NIFA is soliciting applications for three (3) types of grants: (1) FINI Pilot Projects (FPP);

(2) FINI Projects (FP); and (3) FINI Large Scale Projects (FLSP).

1. FINI Pilot Projects (FPP)

Funding Level: Awards not to exceed $100,000.

Period of Performance: Project period is not to exceed one year.

Program Code: FPP

FINI Pilot Projects (FPP) support the development of projects with an infusion of Federal dollars to pilot innovative strategies to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables (as defined in

Subpart VIII (E) of this document) by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase. FPPs must have the support of the State SNAP agency, operate through authorized SNAP retailers, and comply with all relevant SNAP regulations and operating requirements. FPPs are aimed at new entrants seeking funding for a project in the early stages of incentive program development. The project should be designed to create community-based food incentive projects with objectives, activities, and outcomes that are in alignment with the FINI grants program’s primary goals. Preference will be given to pilot projects that include one or more of the following:

(i) Maximize the share of funds used for direct incentives to participants;

(ii) Test innovative or promising strategies that would contribute to our understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants, to inform future efforts;

(iii) Develop innovative or improved benefit redemption systems that could be replicated or scaled;

(iv) Use direct-to-consumer sales marketing;

(v) Provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables, especially culturally appropriate fruits and vegetables for the target audience; and/or

(iv) Are located in underserved communities, particularly Promise Zones and

StrikeForce communities.

Examples of FPPs include, but are not limited to, innovative strategies working at point of purchase with SNAP authorized retailers, including food stores, market stands, farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture programs (CSAs), marketing and consumer cooperatives, and other SNAP authorized retailers

Project Self-Evaluation. All projects must involve SNAP participants. All FPPs must submit a project proposal that includes a method of evaluating the success of the program in developing a viable project. Because FINI Pilot Projects are in the earliest stages of development and would not offer a fair test of effectiveness, they will only be required to submit limited information and data for the comprehensive program evaluation that will inform the Department of potential new strategies and promising new programs to consider in future funding cycles. FPP grantees will be required to provide their self-assessment data to the independent evaluation contractor. Project assessments must follow USDA guidelines to ensure an appropriate level of comparability of methods, outcomes, and measures.

2. FINI Projects (FP)

Funding Level: Awards not to exceed $500,000.

Period of Performance: Project period is not to exceed four (4) years

Program Code: FIP

FINI Projects (FP) support the development and evaluation of projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables (as defined in Subpart VIII (E) of this document) by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase. The projects will test strategies that could increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants to inform future efforts, and develop effective and efficient benefit redemption technologies.

FPs should be designed to create or support local community-based food projects with objectives, activities, and outcomes that are in alignment with the FINI grants program’s primary goals. FPs are aimed at mid-sized groups developing incentive programs at the local or State level; organizations in this category are typically not new to implementing such programs, although projects are required to expand the breadth, scope or reach of these programs, rather than supplant current program resources. FPs are not in the pilot stages of development and should have established relationships with necessary partners and collaborators. FPs must have the support of the State SNAP agency, operate through authorized SNAP retailers, and comply with all relevant SNAP regulations and operating requirements. Preference will be given to projects that include one or more of the following:

of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants, to inform future efforts;

(iii) Develop innovative or improved benefit redemption systems that could be replicated or scaled;

(iv) Use direct-to-consumer sales marketing;

(v) Demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers;

(vi) Provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables, especially culturally

(vii) Are located in underserved communities, particularly Promise Zones and

Examples of FPs include, but are not limited to, innovative strategies working at point of purchase with SNAP authorized retailers, including food stores, market stands, farmers’ markets, CSAs, marketing and consumer cooperatives, and other SNAP authorized retailers.

Project Self-Evaluation. All FPs must involve SNAP participants and include an evaluation of whether the project met its goals and objectives. Project evaluations must follow USDA guidelines to ensure an appropriate level of comparability of methods, outcomes, and measures.

All FPs will also be required to cooperate with and contribute to an independent evaluation contractor conducting the comprehensive program evaluation.

3. FINI Large Scale Projects (FLSP)

Funding Level: Awards of $500,000 or greater

Period of Performance: Project period is not to exceed four (4) years

Program Code: FLSP

The primary purpose of the FINI Large Scale Projects (FLSP) is to develop and evaluate projects to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables (as defined in subpart VIII (E) of this document) by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase, using effective and efficient benefit redemption technologies. The projects will test strategies that could contribute to our understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants to inform future efforts.

FLSP should be designed to create or support multi-county, State-wide and regional incentive programs. FLSP should be coordinated food projects with objectives, activities, and outcomes that align with the FINI grants program’s primary goals. Projects must have the support of the

State SNAP agency, operate through authorized SNAP retailers, and comply with all relevant

SNAP regulations and operating requirements. Projects are required to expand the breadth, scope or reach of these programs, rather than supplant current program resources. Preference will be given to projects that include one or more of the following:

of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants, to inform future efforts;

(iii) Develop innovative or improved benefit redemption systems that could be replicated or scaled;

(iv) Use direct-to-consumer sales marketing;

(v) Demonstrate a track record of designing and implementing successful nutrition incentive programs that connect low-income consumers and agricultural producers;

(vi) Provide locally or regionally produced fruits and vegetables, especially culturally

(vii) Are located in underserved communities, particularly Promise Zones and

FINI Large Scale Projects include, but are not limited to, innovative strategies working at point of purchase with SNAP authorized retailers, including food stores, market stands, farmers’ markets, CSAs, marketing and consumer cooperatives, and other SNAP authorized retailers.

Project Self-Evaluation. All projects must involve SNAP participants and include an evaluation of whether the project met its goals and objectives. Project evaluations must follow USDA guidelines to ensure an appropriate level of comparability of methods, outcomes, and measures.

As discussed below, a higher level of rigor will be expected for the FSLP evaluations. All FLSPs will also be required to cooperate with and contribute to an independent evaluation contractor conducting the comprehensive program evaluation.

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The amount available for NIFA support of this program in FY 2016 is approximately $16.8 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 (ASAP) system, 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

In FY 2016, you may submit applications to the FINI Program:

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

Program. 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 the FINI

Program 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

Applications will be accepted for three (3) project types: (1) FINI Pilot Projects; (2) FINI

Projects; and (3) FINI Large-Scale Projects. The FINI grants program will only accept one application across the three project types per project team under this RFA.

1. FINI Pilot Projects (FPP)

FPPs are aimed at new entrants seeking funding for a project in the early stages of incentive program development. Applicants should request a budget commensurate with the proposed project. No single FINI Pilot project (FPP) award shall exceed $100,000 for the total project period. The maximum FINI Pilot Project award period is one year. Applications that exceed the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed. All FPP awards will be made on the merit of the proposed project, with budgets considered only after the merits of the project have been determined. NIFA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants.

http://fms.treas.gov/index1.html

2. FINI Projects (FP)

FINI Projects are aimed at mid-sized groups developing incentive programs at the local or State level. Applicants should request a budget and project period commensurate with the proposed project. FP proposals should include a budget of no more than $500,000 for a project period not to exceed four years. Proposal budgets may be less than $500,000 and/or a proposed project period of less than four years. Applications that exceed budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed.

All FINI 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. NIFA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants.

3. FINI Large Scale Projects (FLSP)

FLSPs are aimed at groups developing multi-county, State, and regional incentive programs with the largest target audience of all FINI projects. Applicants should request a budget and project period commensurate with the proposed project. FLSP proposals should include a budget of

$500,000 or more for a project period not to exceed four years. Applicants may submit a proposed project period of less than four years. All FINI 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. NIFA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful applicants.

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

Applications may only be submitted by government agencies and non-profit organizations.

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.

1. FPP, FP, & FLSP Eligible Entity

Eligibility to receive this grant is limited to government agencies and non-profit organizations

(FCEA, § 4405(b)(2)(A)). Eligible government agencies and non-profit organizations may include: an emergency feeding organization; an agricultural cooperative; a producer network or association; a community health organization; a public benefit corporation; an economic development corporation; a farmers’ market; a community-supported agriculture program; a buying club; a SNAP-authorized retailer; and a State, local, or tribal agency. All applicants must demonstrate in their application that they are a government agency or non-profit organization.

To be eligible to receive a FPP, FP, or FLSP grant, applicants must propose projects that: (1) have the support of the State SNAP agency; (2) would increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase; (3) operate through authorized SNAP retailers, and comply with all relevant SNAP regulations and operating requirements; (4) agree to participate in the FINI comprehensive program evaluation; (5) ensure that the same terms and conditions apply to purchases made by individuals with SNAP benefits and with incentives under the FINI grants program as apply to purchases made by individuals who are not members of households receiving benefits as provided in 7 C.F.R. 278.2(b); and (6) include effective and efficient technologies for benefit redemption systems that may be replicated in other States and communities.

In addition, applicants must meet the following requirements to receive a FPP, FP, or FLSP grant: (1) have experience in (i) efforts to reduce food insecurity in the community, including food distribution, improving access to services, or coordinating services and programs; or (ii) experience with the SNAP program; (2) demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal accountability, collect data, and prepare reports and other necessary documentation; (3) secure the commitment of the State SNAP agency to cooperate with the project; and (4) possess a demonstrated willingness to share information with researchers, evaluators (including the independent evaluator for the program), practitioners, and other interested parties, including a plan for dissemination of results to stakeholders.

Projects are encouraged to provide employees with important job skills. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to have experience the following areas: (i) community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-sized 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; and (ii) job training and business development activities for food-related activities in low-income communities.

2. Partners and Collaborators

Applicants for FPP, FP, and FLSP awards are encouraged to seek and create partnerships with public or private, non-profit 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; Promise Zone lead applicant/organization or implementation partners; and StrikeForce area coordinators and/or partnering entities for the purposes of providing additional resources and strengthening under-resourced communities. Only the applicant must meet the requirements specified above for grant eligibility. 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 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.) of the application. In the event an application is recommended for funding, NIFA will request that both the applicant institution/organization and the fiscal agent organization submit complete management information (see Part V, D.). Include documents showing the organizations non-profit status here.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

FPP, FP, and FLSP applicants MUST provide matching contributions 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. FPP, FP, and FLSP grantees may meet the match requirement 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, 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.

Note that if an applicant partners with a for-profit entity, the non-Federal share that is required to be provided by the applicant may not include the services of an employee of that for-profit entity, including salaries or expenses covered by that employer. (FCEA, § 4405(b)(1)(c)(ii)).

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 Current 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-FINI-005395 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 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 about how to use a Grant Application Package in Grants.gov, and instructions on how to complete the application forms.

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.

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 https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants mailto:electronic@nifa.usda.gov

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.

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

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 FINI grants program. 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:

1. FINI Pilot Projects, FINI Projects, and FINI Large Scale Projects

The Project Narrative for FINI Pilot Projects (FPPs), FINI Projects (FPs), and FINI Large Scale

Projects (FLSPs) must include the headings below in bold 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 and how the community might benefit from an incentive project. 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 page.

(b) The Organizations and Communities Involved in the Project. List the organizations and communities to be involved in carrying out the proposed project. 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 community linkages and coalitions as appropriate. 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. Specify the degree to which paid and volunteer staff will be utilized. Experience in and connections with the community will be considered as important as academic or professional credentials in this regard.

To the extent practicable ensure that low-income residents are involved in planning; in particular, describe how the communities being served – particularly the targeted residents and organizations have been or will be involved in planning the project and will be engaged in its implementation and evaluation process. 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, should be provided. A limited number of additional support letters – such as those from farmers or partner organizations, 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, and how they contribute to the primary goal of the FINI grants program. Outcomes should describe specific changes or results that will occur as a consequence of the project and that will constitute “success” for the initiative, including a general description of the range of fruits and vegetables that would be incentivized (such as, but not limited to, fresh, canned, or dried forms).

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 and include how the proposed activities comply with the rules and regulations of

SNAP. 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. Particular attention should be given to existing technical capabilities and any technical solutions that must be developed for goals, objectives, and outcomes to be achieved. 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, implementing, and evaluating; (b) timetables for milestones, and, as relevant; (c) expected numbers of participants involved in each step of the process. Describe how the proposed project will develop effective and efficient technologies for benefit redemption systems that may be replicated and scaled in other States and communities in the future.

(e) Relationship to Program Objectives. Discuss how the project and its proposed outcomes will address the objectives of the FINI grants program as described in Part I., B. Discuss the specific changes that will result among participants or in the communities served that address these FINI grants program priorities. It is recommended that this section be no more than one page.

(f) Evaluation. Evaluation is a critical purpose of the FINI grant program. By testing and evaluating various methods and technologies to increase the fruit and vegetable purchases and improving the nutrition and health status of participating households through the FINI grant program, NIFA seeks to determine best practices, and the relative effectiveness of various incentive programs as well as benefit redemption methods. The evaluation requirements of the

FINI grant program, therefore, include both process (developing and monitoring indicators of progress towards objectives) and outcomes. Recognizing that FINI projects are likely to vary substantially in scale and maturity, and that grantees are likely to vary considerably in evaluation capacity and expertise, the evaluation requirements differ for each of the three grant categories.

The FINI grant program requires a project self-evaluation by each grantee and participation in the program evaluation conducted by the independent evaluator.

All FINI Pilot Projects (FPP) must include a process analysis, a self-assessment of their success in developing a viable project. FPPs will document the process, challenges, and success of implementation and operations. Because these projects are in the earliest stages of development that do not offer a fair test of their potential effectiveness, limited information will be reported to the independent evaluator. FPPs must provide preliminary results of their self-assessment in the annual report to NIFA and to the independent evaluation contractor.

All FINI Projects (FP) must include a process analysis, a self-assessment of their success in developing and operating a viable project. FPs will document the process, challenges, and success of implementation and operations. The process assessment should contain enough timely information over the course of the project to improve program outcomes. FPs must provide preliminary results of their self-assessment in the annual report to NIFA and to the independent evaluator. In addition, because of their expected scope, FPs will be required to cooperate with the independent evaluator.

All FINI Large-Scale Projects (FLSP) must include (1) a process assessment that documents the process, challenges, and success of implementation and operations and (2) an outcome assessment that documents the project’s effectiveness in increasing fruit and vegetable purchases among SNAP participants. The process assessment should contain enough timely information over the course of the project to measure program outcomes. Preliminary results shall be included in the annual report to NIFA and to the independent evaluation contractor. Outcome self-assessments must follow guidelines developed by the independent evaluation contractor in collaboration with grantees to ensure an appropriate level of comparability of methods, outcomes, and measures. In addition, because of their expected scale and maturity, FLSPs will be required to cooperate with the independent evaluator.

Project Type Project Self-Evaluation Comprehensive Program Evaluation

(by independent evaluator)

FPP Process evaluation Required to participate Participation includes providing self-assessment information to independent evaluator.

FP Process evaluation Required to participate

Contribute to minimum core data set Collaborate with independent evaluator to identify comparison sites FLSP Rigorous self-evaluation (process and outcome) Required to participate

Contribute to minimum core data set Collaborate with independent evaluator to identify comparison sites

Comprehensive FINI Program Evaluation (by independent evaluator). The independent evaluation is expected to be based on a cluster evaluation model that builds on the collaboration and coordination of individual project assessments and an overall program evaluation. It is expected to consist of four components: a process analysis to describe project implementation and support future replication of successful approaches, an outcome analysis to assess the effectiveness of each FP and FSLP, a comparative analysis to integrate results across sites and approaches, attempting to answer the question of what works best (and when or where), and technical assistance to support consistent implementation of evaluation protocols.

USDA has determined that a comparison group design offers the best balance between the statutory requirement to use “rigorous methodologies capable of producing scientifically valid information” while accommodating the limited administrative and evaluation capacities of potential FPs and FSLPs (FPPs have a limited role in the independent evaluation). This quasi-experimental approach uses a comparison site – such as a neighborhood across town or a group of SNAP participants who are not offered the nutrition incentive – as a baseline to assess the effect of offering an incentive. Outcomes for each group (intervention and comparison) are measured before and again sometime after the nutrition incentive is provided. The independent evaluator – working in collaboration with FPs and FSLPs – will identify groups that are as similar as possible to the intervention communities to make the comparison as fair as possible.

All FPs and FSLPs will be required to cooperate with the independent evaluator by:

Supporting implementation of evaluation requirements (including but not limited to helping the independent evaluation contractor identify appropriate comparison sites or groups and providing the minimum core data set…