FY2017AgVetsRFA.pdf

Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans

Competitive Grants Program

FY17 Request for Applications (RFA)

LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE: January 11, 2018

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 8, 2018

ELIGIBILITY: See Part III, A of RFA

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

AGRICULTURE

Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE: This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 10.334.

DATES:

Letters of Intent must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 11, 2018.

Letters of Intent will be evaluated by the program staff for suitability to the program and in regard to program priorities, needs, and scope (see Part IV, A of this RFA).

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on February 8, 2018. 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 six months from the issuance of this notice. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.

STAKEHOLDER INPUT: We at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seek your comments about this RFA. We will consider your 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 your written stakeholder comments by the deadline set forth in the DATES portion of this notice via email to Policy@nifa.usda.gov. (This email address is only for receiving comments regarding this RFA and not for requesting information or forms.) In your comments, please state that you are responding to the Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program (AgVets) RFA.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: NIFA requests applications for the AgVets for fiscal year 2017 (FY17) to provide grants to nonprofit organizations for training programs and services to establish and enhance farming and ranching opportunities for military veterans. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY17 is approximately $4,797,500.

This notice identifies the objectives for AgVets projects, deadline dates, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for an AgVets grant.

mailto:Policy@nifa.usda.gov

Table of Contents

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority and Background B. Purpose and Priorities

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Types of Applications C. Project Types and Grant Types D. Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Letter of Intent Instructions B. Electronic Application Package and 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. Use of Funds; Changes B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information D. Definitions E. Materials Available on the Internet

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority and Background

Section 760 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (H.R. 244) provides funds to NIFA for a pilot program to provide grants to nonprofit organizations for training programs and services to establish and enhance farming and ranching opportunities for military veterans.

The USDA’s Economic Research Service released a brief entitled “Rural Veterans at a Glance” in November 2013 (www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/42891/40612_eb25.pdf?v=41604).

In their preface, they write:

“Nearly 4 million veterans reside in rural (nonmetropolitan) America. They are a rapidly aging and increasingly diverse group of men and women who still comprise over 10 percent of rural adults despite consistently declining numbers.

Today, as in years past, a disproportionate share of men and women serving in the military grew up in rural counties and most return home after completing tours of duty. Thus, rural Americans are disproportionately represented in the veteran population, comprising 19 percent of all U.S. veterans compared with 16 percent of the general population.

…. This brief focuses on the changing demographic and socioeconomic profile of rural veterans, especially on features of the veteran population that distinguish them from nonveterans. Findings show the potentially positive economic impact of veterans, both young and old, who choose to live in rural communities. As younger veterans replace older ones, the demographic profile of this group of Americans is changing in ways that affect how rural programs and policies can best be tailored to meet their needs.”

The USDA and NIFA continue to take a leadership role in assisting returning veterans who are interested in pursuing careers in agriculture, while also supporting military families in rural America. While military veterans are eligible for most USDA programs, a hands-on immersive training experience has been identified as a critical strategy for helping them enter into and sustain successful careers in farming and ranching. With targeted outreach and key strategic partnerships, existing and pilot programs can assist veterans in securing meaningful employment opportunities that strengthen rural economies across America.

B. Purpose and Priorities

Program Purpose: The overarching goal of AgVets is to increase the number of military veterans gaining knowledge and skills through comprehensive, hands-on and immersive model farm/ranch programs offered regionally that lead to successful careers in the food and agricultural sector.

Program Priority Information:

Letter of Intent Deadline—January 11, 2018 (5:00 p.m., Eastern Time) http://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/42891/40612_eb25.pdf?v=41604

Application Deadline – February 8, 2018 (5:00 p.m., Eastern Time) Proposed Budget Requests –

• Applications must not exceed $1,000,000 total (including indirect costs) for project periods of 3 years.

• Applications with budget requests exceeding the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed.

Requested Project Type –Training and Outreach Projects only Requested Grant Type – Standard Grants only Program Area Contact – Mr. Brent Elrod (belrod@nifa.usda.gov)

To help achieve the AgVets Program goal, this program is seeking projects that will develop a model training program specifically designed for hands-on farming and ranching training for military veterans. These model training programs must:

• Offer farm and ranch hands-on training and classroom education through an immersive onsite learning experience leading to a comprehensive understanding of successful farm/ranch operation/management practices aligned to the veteran cohort’s interests;

• Develop or identify curriculum used, including cutting edge technologies and innovations that producers can adopt to help manage their operations;

• Include the appropriate mix of education, workshops, tours and instructor-supervised field experiences;

• Be led and managed by a project team that has experience in one or more areas that include o veteran engagement in agricultural pursuits, particularly concerning small and medium-size farms and agribusiness, such as the provision of education and training to veterans and the development of skills leading to job placement and career opportunities in farming and ranching, including access to land, equipment, and capital;

o on-the-job training and education, apprenticeship, and business development activities for veterans pursuing vocational and entrepreneurial interests that support and grow the food supply chain; and/or o efforts to enhance and increase workforce readiness and employment prospects for service-disabled veterans through volunteer engagement and leadership development efforts that promote nature-based reintegration, civic ecology, and earning farm and off-farm income;

• Be led and managed by a project team that has demonstrated competency to implement a project of comparable size and complexity, provide fiscal accountability, collect data, and prepare reports and other necessary documentation;

• Provide support for veteran participation with a special focus on diverse and underrepresented groups. Successful applications will include a sound approach to outreach and selection of participants;

• As appropriate, align education and training goals with USDA programs and resources to increase awareness and engagement with state and local offices of Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS), and Rural Development (RD), including learning about potential job and career opportunities within the USDA;

mailto:belrod@nifa.usda.gov

• Evaluate the training model and participate in cross-program evaluation to assess the collective impact toward shared performance measures and outcome goals through activities that include Project Team meetings, conference calls, and engagement with federal agency partners as appropriate;

• Ensure results are disseminated through an effective communication plan; and

• Contribute program information and resources to Farm Answers https://farmanswers.org/Programs?au=Veterans

Other Key Program Information:

There are other programs and initiatives at the regional and national level that can offer support to veterans as they explore agricultural career and entrepreneurial opportunities after they conclude their military service. Helping veterans understand and connect with available resources may also inform policy recommendations at the state and/or federal level that strengthen collaboration on transitioning Service members’ education, training, and apprenticeship programs, including use of GI Bill benefits, which promote the food and agricultural sector as a viable career option. To further this direction, AgVets encourages (but does not require) applicants to explore how their projects might connect with entities that include:

• Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp

• Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Grant Program https://www.outreach.usda.gov/grants/

• Extension Risk Management Education Centers (ERMEs) http://extensionrme.org/About.aspx

• Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs) http://rrdc.info/

• Small Business Administration and their resourced partners such as Veterans Business

Outreach Center (VBOC) program https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/vboc;

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/sbdc, Women’s Business Center (WBCs) https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/wbc, and the Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program

• Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service https://www.dol.gov/vets/veterans/index.htm

• Department of Veteran Affairs and Veteran Serving Organizations

The AgVets program directly aligns with:

• USDA’s Strategic Plan for FY2014-2018—Goal 1 http://www.usda.gov/documents/usda-strategic-plan-fy-2014-2018.pdf

• 2014 USDA’s Research, Education and Economics (REE) Action Plan https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/ree-action-plan Goal 7, Strategy 1, Strategy 4 https://farmanswers.org/Programs?au=Veterans https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp https://www.outreach.usda.gov/grants/ http://extensionrme.org/About.aspx http://rrdc.info/ https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/vboc https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/sbdc https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/sbdc https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/wbc https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/wbc https://www.dol.gov/vets/veterans/index.htm http://www.usda.gov/documents/usda-strategic-plan-fy-2014-2018.pdf https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/ree-action-plan

• NIFA’s Strategic Plan 2014-2018 https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-strategic-plan-fy2014-fy2018 Goal 1, Sub-Goal 1.7

• AgVets also contributes to advancing USDA’s Veterans in Agriculture task force goals:

1. Transitioning service members and Veterans are aware of opportunities available to them in employment, education, and entrepreneurship (3Es).

2. Transitioning service members and Veterans understand how they can contribute and benefit from the food and agricultural sectors, and to communities in rural America.

3. Veterans know about, and use, programs and incentives offered by USDA.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-strategic-plan-fy2014-fy2018

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The anticipated amount available for AgVets grants in FY17 is approximately $4,797,500.

There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

The Automated Standard Applications for Payment System (ASAP), operated by the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA. For more information see https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm.

B. Types of Applications

In FY17, you may only submit a new Standard Grant application to the AgVets Program:

New application. This is a project application that has not been previously submitted to the AgVets Program. We will review all new applications competitively using the screening for administrative requirements, review panel evaluation of proposals using evaluation criteria and selection process described in Part V—Application Review Requirements.

C. Project Types and Grant Types

1. Project Types - The AgVets program will accept Training and Outreach project types.

Training and Outreach Projects must conduct programs and activities that deliver science-based knowledge and informal educational programs to veterans through an immersive onsite learning experience leading to a comprehensive understanding of successful farm/ranch operation/management practices. Training and Outreach projects may also include related matters such as certification programs, instructional materials and innovative instructional methods appropriate to help prospective producers successfully manage their operations.

2. Grant Types - The following is the available grant type under this RFA.

Standard Grant. This is an award instrument by which NIFA agrees to support a specified level of effort for a predetermined project period without the announced intention of providing additional support at a future date.

D. Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research

For information about the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research, see http://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research.

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm http://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

AgVets applicants must be nonprofit organizations. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, 2 CFR part 200, defines the term “nonprofit organization” as follows:

Nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization, not including institutions of higher education (IHEs), that:

(a) Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest;

(b) Is not organized primarily for profit; and

(c) Uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operations of the organization.

A letter stating the non-profit status should be included as an attachment to Field 12, Other Attachments (Part IV.C.3.c.). Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the 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.

Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirement. Project partners and collaborators need not meet the eligibility requirement. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the successful completion of the project. Applications submitted by individuals are not eligible for consideration under any category applicable to AgVets.

Fiscal Agent (not required):

If an applicant uses a fiscal agent, a letter must be included in the application stating that in the event the application results in an award, the award funds will 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.). In the event an application is recommended for funding, NIFA will request that both the applicant or institution/organization and the fiscal agent organization submit complete management information (see Part V, D.).

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

NIFA does not require matching support for this program and matching resources will not be factored into the review process as evaluation criteria.

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Letter of Intent Instructions We encourage submission of a “Letter of Intent to Submit an Application” by January 11, 2018. This does not obligate you in any way, but provides useful information to NIFA in preparing for application review.

If you do not submit a letter of intent by the specified due date you may still submit an application by the application due date specified in the RFA. Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows program staff to estimate the potential review workload and plan the review.

Please follow the guidelines below for LOI submission:

1. The LOI must adhere to the following formatting guidelines:

a. Font size must be at least 12 point

b. Margins must be at least one inch in all directions

c. Line spacing must not exceed six lines of text per vertical inch

d. Page size must be letter (i.e., 8.5 inches × 11 inches)

2. The LOI may not exceed two pages.

a. On Page 1, provide only the following information:

i. Name, professional title, organization name, and email address of the lead project director (PD) and name, professional title, and organization or institution name of all collaborating investigators

ii. Program Eligibility that is most closely addressed in the application (see III.A.1.a)

b. On Page 2, include:

i. A descriptive title

ii. Rationale

iii. Overall hypothesis or goal

iv. Specific objectives

v. Approach

vi. Potential impact and expected outcomes

3. NIFA will only accept a LOI in the portable document format (PDF). Attach the PDF LOI to an email addressed to AgVets@nifa.usda.gov. In the email subject line, write: Letter of Intent [Program Area Code] _ [PDs Last Name].

4. We discourage the submission of more than one LOI to a program.

5. Scientific program staff will review LOIs to plan for appropriate expertise for the peer review panel and to ensure that proposed projects fit appropriately within the Program Area Priorities.

B. Electronic Application Package and Content and Form of Application Submission Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov to NIFA in response to this RFA.

mailto:AgVets@nifa.usda.gov

We urge you to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For information about the pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle see http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html.

New 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 two 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/applicants/adobe-software-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/download-application-package.html and enter the funding opportunity number

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-OP-006410

Click “Search.” On the displayed page, click the corresponding link to continue. A Grant Application Package is tied to a particular funding opportunity. You may submit an application ONLY to the particular funding opportunity to which the Grant Application Package is associated.

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.

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 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://get.adobe.com/reader/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/download-application-package.html the Grants.gov website (https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.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. EST).

Have the following information available when contacting Grants.gov:

• Funding Opportunity Number (FON)

• Name of agency you are applying to

• Specific area of concern

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 you need 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 whether 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. EST, 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. See Part V, Section 2.18 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances (e.g., Prohibition Against Entities Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements).

2. SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s) https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.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 mailto:electronic@nifa.usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/

Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 3 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

3. R&R Other Project Information Form Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 4 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

a. Field 7. Project Summary/Abstract – (PDF Format is Required) The summary should also include the relevance of the project to the goals of AgVets. See Part V. 4.7 of NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for:

• instructions including a

• link to a suggested template.

The Summary/Abstract is limited to 250 words and must be single-spaced.

b. Field 8. Project Narrative – (PDF Format is Required)

16 PAGES is the Page Limit for the Project Narrative (including any figures and tables). We have established this maximum (16 pages) to ensure fair and equitable competition.

Applications that exceed required page limits or that do not meet the required PDF format will be excluded from review.

The Project Narrative for AgVets must include the information noted below (any additional information, e.g., cover sheets, table of contents, will be subject to the page limit and therefore are discouraged from inclusion). The Project Narrative must include the heading followed by the response for each of the points noted below.

1) Introduction. The introduction should include a clear statement of the long-term goal(s) of the proposed project. Justify the need for the program by identifying the target audience and explaining their needs (military and veteran population, service disability, region, workforce opportunity: as defined by the Economic Research Service as being farm dependent, primarily based on industry wage and employment, or have employment in agriculture or other natural resource-based industries that is above the national average, structure of the particular industry being targeted and associated job skills/training needed, critical barriers such as access to land, equipment, and capital, etc.); and by briefly summarizing, as appropriate to the respective scope of work proposed, how the program has and will offer a comprehensive, immersive learning experience that becomes a model for veterans pursuing opportunities in agriculture, and facilitates – as appropriate – connections to USDA field offices, including Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Rural Development, the Cooperative Extension Service, as well as the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration and/or other federal entities at the regional, state or local level.

If necessary, provide a map or schematic of the model farm/ranch, including the region(s) served (See Part VIII.D. Definitions). Show evidence that the project has a clear plan to recruit and seek qualified referrals to the project to meet the projected number of veterans served. As a pilot, discuss how the project builds upon or relates to other models or systems that support Service Members transitioning to veteran status. All works cited should be referenced. (Related evaluation criteria (see Part V.B): Relevancy.)

2) Objectives and Outcomes. Concisely present the goals, associated objectives and expected outputs and outcomes of the project in relation to the audience and needs identified in the introduction. Provide the number of veterans that will be served.

Estimate how many of them will attain specific, anticipated knowledge gains or actions (e.g., job placement and career advancement in farming and ranching, vocational and entrepreneurial achievements across the food supply chain; or volunteer and workforce readiness opportunities for service-disabled veterans) and demonstrate how program participants have been informed about and connected with resources that can assist their chosen endeavors. Discuss whether and how this program can be adapted to other regions, communities and/or agricultural systems. Applicants are encouraged to use approximately two of the 16 pages for this section. (Related evaluation criteria: Technical merit.)

3) Approach. The activities proposed to achieve each objective must be clearly stated and the approaches being applied clearly described. Applicants are encouraged to use approximately four of the 16 pages for this section. Specifically, this section must include the following:

a. Description of the activities proposed for each objective;

b. Timeline of the proposed project, including activities and major outputs and associated outcomes for each year of the project;

c. How and where the activities will be provided and the appropriateness of the approach for the veteran audience served;

d. The referral and recruitment process for the veteran audience, including past and prospective focus on disabled, women, African-American, Asian-American Pacific Islanders, Hispanic-American, Native American and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender veterans, as well as how you will identify possible challenges to your proposed strategy and your plan to address those challenges;

e. Description of the pilot farm/ranch, including acreage, facilities and equipment, spectrum of agricultural activities offered; e.g., row crops, livestock, orchards, gardens, apiaries, commercial kitchens;

f. Description of any non-formal curriculum, programs, resources and other materials developed/used;

g. Description of the outreach and selection process for student veterans who will be provided support to participate in training;

h. Demonstration, as appropriate, of any engagement with federal agency partners at the regional, state, and/or local level;

i. How will the project, and its partnerships and collaborations be sustained beyond the life of the grant (e.g., plans for eventual self-support or institutionalization or other sources of support)? If there are no plans to sustain the effort, explain why not, and how the impact of the project will be lasting.

j. What makes this pilot unique or different from existing similar efforts, if any?

k. Barriers that may be encountered and limitations to proposed procedures, and how you will address them. (Related evaluation criteria: Technical merit:

Achievability.)

4) Personnel and Resources. Describe in detail the Key Personnel’s experience working with military veterans and the ability to provide effective education, training, outreach, and mentoring programs through a comprehensive, immersive farm/ranch field experience. Describe ongoing or recently completed significant activities related to the proposed project, and how they promoted workforce development in the agricultural sector. This information may include: the years and locations of prior activities; number of training assistance or education activities previously carried out; number of participants and graduates from the program, including special populations; success rate in completing the program; percentage of graduates who are still engaged in agricultural production and related fields; and/or percentages of those who improved their operations.

Applicants are encouraged to use approximately two of the 16 pages (of the Project Narrative) for this section. (Related evaluation criteria: Expertise and track record;

Adequacy of available or obtainable support personnel.)

5) Plan for Outcome Based Reporting. Third-party evaluators are required. Be sure the budget reflects work to be completed by professional evaluators. Participatory evaluation, and formative as well as summative evaluation, are encouraged. All projects must describe methods and resources for documenting and evaluating their outcomes and impacts. Clearly identify a minimum of two expected outcomes within the life of the project, and explain the plan to document and evaluate these outcomes. At a minimum, the plan should include:

a. A completed logic model or alternative schematic that illustrates the causal linkages between planned activities and desired outcomes. A logic model template and explanation of its components can be located at https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/integrated-programs-logic-model-planning-process.

In addition, see www.cyfar.org for a program example.

b. A description of anticipated outcomes, their significance, and potential beneficiaries.

c. A list and description of project performance measures (also referred to as indicators of success) by which your progress will be measured and success determined. To provide a useful, portable tool for veterans to benchmark their farm and ranch business acumen, NIFA is recommending consideration of use of the Farm & Ranch Business Health Assessment as individuals enter and exit the respective pilot programs (see Part VIII.E. Other Information: Materials Available on the Internet).

NIFA anticipates sharing additional information on how data will be stored and used as part of a program webinar.

d. Identify who will be responsible for overseeing and measuring performance for the project and link to the overall project plan and timeline for completion.

e. Indicate the amount of funding that will be set aside for monitoring and performance measurement.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/integrated-programs-logic-model-planning-process http://www.cyfar.org/

Applicants are encouraged to use approximately four of the 16 pages (of the Project Narrative) for this section. (Related evaluation criteria: Adequacy of plans for the participatory evaluation process.)

6) Management, Collaboration and Partnership Plan. It is critical to have a clearly articulated management plan that describes the roles and functions of all partnerships, collaborators and organizations, as related to the proposed project. Strong partnerships among complementary organizations with shared leadership are essential to successful and sustainable projects, see “Definitions” (Part VIII.D) for definitions of Partnership and Collaborator. Include time allocated by each partner for attainment of objectives; key roles of each partner and collaborator; and plan for administration of the proposed project and its maintenance and partnerships. Describe the plans for coordination, communication, data-sharing and reporting among members of the project team and stakeholder groups. Describe the commitment of the project team to this project; and how the partnership and its impact will be sustained beyond the period of the award.

Applicants are encouraged to use approximately two of the 16 pages for this section. In addition, letters of commitment signed by the AR of the partnering organization demonstrating that the partners involved have agreed to abide by the Management Plan must be provided (see “Other Attachments” below). (Related evaluation criteria:

Partnerships and collaboration; Achievability.)

The following table summarizes the sections of the Project Narrative for AgVets applications, suggests an approximate number of pages to allocate to each section, and shows the evaluation criteria most relevant to each section:

Narrative Section Suggested

Number of Pages

Related Evaluation Criteria (see Part V, B. of this

RFA)

Introduction 2 Relevancy Objectives and Outcomes

2 Technical merit

Approach 4 Technical merit; Achievability Personnel and Resources 2 Expertise and track record of the applicants;

Adequacy of available or obtainable support personnel, facilities and instrumentation

Plan for Outcome Based Reporting

4 Adequacy of plans for the participatory evaluation process, outcome-based reporting, and the communication of findings, logic model and results beyond the immediate target audience

Management and Collaboration Plan

2 Partnerships and collaboration; Achievability

16 total

c. Field 12. Add Other Attachments

See Part V. Section 4.12 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide (Field 12 on the form) for instructions regarding mandatory Felony Convictions or Tax Delinquent Status. Do not add any other attachments not specifically requested in this RFA. Specifically, do not attach examples of curricula or other appendices. Attaching additional narrative or figures or tables other than those specifically requested in this RFA will result in disqualification from review.

Included below are additional attachments that are to be included, as appropriate.

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

2. Fiscal Agent Letter. See Part III.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) Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 5 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. This section of the guide includes instructions about senior/key person profile requirements, 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. Part V.6 also notes the importance and use of the information.

6. R&R Budget Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 7 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. Include the travel costs for the Project Director, Evaluator, and any other key staff member(s) to attend the annual Project Director and Evaluator meeting beginning in the first year of funding and during each year of the project.

For further information and instructions regarding indirect costs, refer to Part V, section 7.9 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. For indirect cost funding restrictions, refer to Part IV, D. of this RFA.

7. Supplemental Information Form Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part VI, 1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

a. Field 2. Program to which you are applying. Enter the program code name (i.e., enter “Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans (AgVets) Competitive Grants Program”) and the program code (i.e., enter “AGVET”). 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

1. Letter of Intent (LOI)

Letters of Intent must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on January 11, 2018.

2. Full Application

Full applications must be received by Grants.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on February 8, 2018.

Applications received after this deadline will normally not be considered for funding.

We recommend that you conduct an administrative review of the application before submission of it via Grants.gov to ensure that it complies with all preparation instructions. An application checklist is included in Part VII of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide to assist with this review.

While the checklist should be used to check the application for completeness, the application should be checked for the following required item(s). This is not an exhaustive list of required items; it only serves to highlight items that are critical to Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans review. Applications that fail to include these items will not be accepted for review. The list includes:

• Summary/Abstract

• Narrative with all required sections: Introduction; Objectives and Outcomes; Approach;

Personnel and Resources; Plan for Outcome Based Reporting; and Management and Collaboration Plan;

• Budget for the entire duration of the project (3 years);

• Budget Narrative

In addition, applications will not be accepted for review if they:

• Exceed the maximum pages allowed for the Project Narrative.

• Attach any extra narrative or graphic materials or other attachments not specifically requested in the RFA.

• Exceed the maximum federal budget request.

• Include objectives or an approach that does not fit the purpose and scope of the AgVets program.

Instructions for submitting an application are included in Part IV, Section 1.9 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

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. We strongly encourage you to provide accurate email 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 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, you should cite this number on all future correspondence.

D. Funding Restrictions

Grant funds awarded under this authority may not be used for:

• Indirect costs that exceed the established limit – Section 713 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Pub. L. 115-31) limits indirect costs to 30 percent of the total federal funds provided (or 42.857 percent of total direct costs) under each award.

Therefore, when preparing budgets, you should limit your request for the recovery of indirect costs to the lesser of your institution’s official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 30 percent of total Federal funds awarded. See Part V section 7.9 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for further indirect cost information.

E. Other Submission Requirements

You should follow the submission requirements noted in Part IV, Section 1.9 in the document entitled “NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.”

For information about the status of a submitted application, see Part III, Section 6 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

PART V—APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. General

We evaluate each application in a two-part process. First, we screen each application to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements as set forth in this RFA. Second, a technical review panel will evaluate applications that meet the administrative requirements.

We select reviewers based upon their training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors:

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

• the need to include experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, training or outreach activities;

• the need to include other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and veterans) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs;

• the need to include experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., veteran organizations, colleges, universities, industry, state and federal agencies, and private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations;

• the need to maintain a balanced composition with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and

• the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness of each application to veterans, producers, agribusiness, and the general public.

All AgVets 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.

After the peer review panel has completed its deliberations, the responsible program staff of AgVets will recommend that your project be approved for support from currently available funds or be declined due to insufficient funds or unfavorable review.

AgVets reserves the right to negotiate with the PD/PI and/or with the submitting organization regarding project revisions (e.g., reductions in the scope of work, funding level, period, or method of support) prior to recommending any project for funding.

We will send copies of reviews, not including the identity of reviewers, and a summary of the panel comments to the PD after the review process has been completed.

B. Evaluation Criteria

The AgVets proposal review process includes an assessment of each of the program’s evaluation criteria by an external panel of experts. Program reviewers consider the overall strengths and weaknesses of each criterion and evaluate the overall likelihood that the project will have a significant outcome and impact in consideration of the AgVets program’s goals. An application does not need to be equally meritorious in all criteria to be judged likely to have high impact on meeting the AgVets program goals. The AgVets program evaluation criteria are listed below and in priority order of importance:

Partnerships and Collaborations will be reviewed to determine to what extent the application represents a substantial and effective collaborative network or partnership of public and/or private entities. Reviewers will evaluate whether or not the proposal includes the necessary partnerships to meet the training and workforce development needs of veterans, and whether the project makes appropriate use of the expertise and other strengths of each of the partners. In addition, these partner organizations must have been involved and played an important role in the project design and development. Projects must also employ an equitable and appropriate decision-making and oversight process that includes all partners.

Relevancy will be evaluated based on the explanation and relevant documentation that demonstrate that the project is directed toward increasing the numbers of veterans seeking and securing educational, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities in the food and agriculture sector. In addition, the relevancy will be evaluated by the description of the necessity of the project based on the needs identified for the target audience, the inclusion of veterans in the conceptualization and development of project activities, and the degree to which the project builds upon past or current work or partnerships examining veteran workforce needs.

Technical merit will be evaluated on the basis of:

a) Clarity and delineation of objectives, activities and outcomes;

b) Conceptual adequacy of the proposed activities to meet the needs of the targeted audience including suitability and feasibility of the approach (e.g., social, economic and cultural relevance, distance based versus face-to-face);

c) Innovation and originality…