FY22 FDPNE RFA.pdf

Form RFA (01-21)

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Nutrition

Education (FDPNE) Grant Program

Fiscal Year 2022 Request for Applications (RFA)

Catalog for Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.594

Release Date: December 6, 2021 Application Due Date: 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST), March 1, 2022 Anticipated Award Date: August 2022

OMB BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number.

The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0584-0512. The estimated average time required to complete this information collection is 60 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

This Application Checklist provides applicants with a list of the required documents. However, FNS expects that applicants will read the entire RFA prior to the submission of their application and comply with all requirements outlined in the solicitation. The Application Checklist is for applicant use only and should not be submitted as part of the Application Package.

Complete the following at least four weeks prior to submission:

1. Obtain a Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number;

2. Register the DUNS number in the System for Award Management (SAM); and,

3. Register in Grants.gov.

When preparing your application, ensure:

1. Application format and narrative meet the requirements included in Section 3 “Application and

Submission Information.” This includes page limits, priorities outlined in Section V, and all necessary attachments.

When preparing your budget, ensure the following information is included:

‐ All key staff proposed to be paid by this grant.

‐ The percentage of time the Project Director will devote to the project in full-time equivalents

(FTEs).

‐ Your organization’s fringe benefit rate and amount, as well as the basis for the computation.

‐ The type of fringe benefits to be covered with Federal funds.

‐ Itemized travel expenses (including type of travel), travel justifications and basis for lodging estimates.

‐ Types of equipment and supplies, justifications, and estimates, ensuring that the budget is in line with the project description.

‐ Information for all contracts and justification for any sole-source contracts.

‐ Justification, description and itemized list of all consultant services.

‐ Indirect cost information (either a copy of a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or if no agreement exists and the applicant has never been approved for a NICRA, they may charge up to 10% de minimis). If applicant is requesting the de minimis rate or indirect costs are not requested, please indicate this in the budget narrative.

When submitting your application, ensure you have submitted the following:

1. SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

2. SF-424A – Budget Information and Instruction Form (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

3. SF-424B – Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

4. SF-LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

5. FNS-906 – Grant Program Accounting System & Financial Capability Questionnaire (Appendix )

6. Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (PDF - Upload using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15)

Application Checklist (continued)

When applicable, application packages are required to include the following documents:

1. AD-3030 – Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for

Corporate Applicants (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

2. AD-1047 – Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters

Primary Covered Transactions

3. AD-1048 – Certification Regarding Department, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary

Exclusion Lower Tier Covered Transactions

4. AD-1049 – Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (Grants) Alternative I

– For Grantees Other Than Individuals

5. AD-1052 – Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace State and State Agencies, Federal

Fiscal Year

6. AD-3031 – Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent Status For Corporate

Applicants

Table of Contents Application Checklist 3

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES 6

Program Description

Key Objectives

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION 8

Allowable Costs

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 11

Eligible Applicants

Cost Sharing or Matching Considerations

Other Eligibility Criteria

Pre-Award Screening Requirements

Acknowledgement of USDA Support

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 13

Content and Form of Application Submission

Submission Date

Preparing for Electronic Application Submission through Grants.gov

How to Submit an Application via Grants.gov

Grants.gov Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

Funding Restrictions

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 17

Evaluation of Grant Application Criteria

1. REVIEW CRITERIA

6. EVALUATION FACTORS AND CRITERIA

7. Review and Selection Process

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 19

1. FEDERAL AWARD NOTICE

2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Confidentiality of an Application

Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality of the Review Process

Administrative Regulations

Code of Federal Regulations and Other Government Requirements

3. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Financial Reports

Performance Progress Report (PPR)

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS 23

H. OTHER INFORMATION 23

Debriefing Requests

APPENDIX 24

RFA Budget Narrative Checklist

FNS‐908 Performance Progress Report (PPR) – For Reference Only

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES

USDA FNS has made the following changes to the FY22 FDPNE RFA:

USDA FNS is now utilizing a standard template for all request for applications (RFAs). The FY22 FDPNE RFA now utilizes this standard format template so information may be organized differently than in prior year RFAs.

Updated the eligibility criteria to clarify the requirements. Applicants are now required to submit a copy of their FNS-74 Federal-State Agreement to verify eligibility. If unable to do so due to pandemic office closures, the applicant must submit a signed attestation that they do have an FNS-74 agreement on file.

Clarified certain allowable costs including that FNS will not fund more than one nutrition education reinforcement item (incentive) per household during the grant period of performance.

Updated the project objectives to include protein as one of five nutrition-related outcome choices for each project objective.

The application template has been updated and can be found in the supplemental documents tab of this RFA package on Grants.gov.

USDA FNS has recorded a webinar series that is available for viewing on the FNS website. The series reviews the RFA and highlights the changes/updates made for the FY22 grant opportunity. The webinars can be accessed by clicking here, or typing the following into your internet browser:

https://www.fns.usda.gov/fdpir/fdpne-grant-application-technical-assistance

Program Description Since 2008, FNS has awarded funding each fiscal year for nutrition education projects through Food Distribution Program Nutrition Education (FDPNE) grants. Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and State agencies (SAs) that have a direct agreement with FNS to administer FDPIR are eligible to apply for funds to conduct projects that provide nutrition information and services to FDPIR participants.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended through Public Law 115-334, authorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and provides for the provision of funds to State Agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) to conduct nutrition education activities. Since 2008, annual appropriations acts have provided funding for nutrition education services to State Agencies and Federally Recognized Tribes who are current FDPIR allowance holders and have a direct agreement with FNS to administer FDPIR. The need for FDPNE is determined annually by Congress. Funding is usually provided in the annual appropriations bill. FNS anticipates the 2022 Appropriations Act to provide $998,000 under Title IV for this grant program. Grant awards are dependent on availability of funding.

The overall goal of the FDPNE grant program is to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for FDPIR will make healthy food choices consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA MyPlate Guidance. The project requirements for FDPNE grants are loosely based on the SNAP Education Plan Guidance. FNS selects components of The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans for development of FDPNE program goals. Examples of FDPNE projects that received funding in prior years can be found here.

Nutrition education services are a combination of educational strategies and learning experiences, accompanied by supporting policy, systems, and environmental interventions, designed to facilitate the voluntary adoption of food choices and other nutrition-related behaviors conducive to the health and well-being of participants.

In the context of this grant program, nutrition education should focus on how USDA Foods in the FDPIR food package may be used to contribute to a healthy diet. The Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) or State Agency (SA) shall work with appropriate organizations and partners such as: extension agents, tribal colleges and universities, registered dieticians, diabetes coordinators, and public health nutrition professionals to provide food and nutrition information, recipes, or cooking demonstrations, as appropriate for households who participate or are eligible to participate in the FDPIR program. The ITO or SA shall provide nutrition education and information specific to the foods included in the FDPIR food package to improve the health of FDPIR participating households.

Desired outcomes of this grant program include:

1) Improve nutrition-related skills and behaviors among FDPIR participants, resulting in healthier food choices and a better understanding of healthy ways to prepare USDA Foods provided in the FDPIR food package;

a. Examples of nutrition-related skills are:

Knowing how to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables and incorporate them into recipes.

Using lower fat cooking methods such as baking, steaming, or sautéing in place of frying.

Preparing food with less sodium.

b. Examples of nutrition-related behaviors are:

Being confident in preparing healthy meals for individuals or the family.

Eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables most days.

Choosing to use healthy cooking methods.

Practicing portion control.

Modeling healthy choices for others at family and community events.

2) Strengthen existing partnerships to provide sustainable nutrition education and wellness promotion programs in Tribal communities.

a. Existing partner organizations could include: local tribal colleges, local health and wellness centers, tribal/cooperative extension, SNAP-Ed educators, schools, or other community organizations that have an established history working with Indian Tribal Organizations.

b. Providing sustainable nutrition education and wellness promotion programs could include development of culturally relevant nutrition education and wellness resources (e.g., lesson materials, videos, cookbooks) that can be maintained and readily available for FDPIR participants.

3) Increase Tribal capacity to influence and reinforce nutrition-related skills and behaviors throughout the community.

a. Increased capacity refers to continuing, expanding, creating, and maintaining new partnerships with other organizations or individuals that will help you reach your FDPIR nutrition goals.

b. For example, developing a tribal wellness policy that requires healthy food and beverage choices be available at community events;

c. Or working with a tribal wellness center or health clinic to include foods available in the FDPIR food package in cooking or wellness classes and programming.

Key Objectives Below is a list of the Program Objectives. As noted in the section below, within “Activities/Indicators Tracker”, proposed activities should be clearly aligned to these Objectives and their associated Activities and Indicators.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

The following information is intended to provide applicants with information to help applicants make informed decisions about proposal submissions.

Total amount of funding expected to award: $998,000 Anticipated number of awards: 15 Anticipated award announcement date:August, 2022 Expected amounts of individual Federal awards: $10,000 - $175,000 Anticipated start dates and period of performance: September 01, 2022 – September 31, 2023

# Objectives 1 Create and/or disseminate culturally relevant nutrition education resources (posters, handouts, videos, cookbooks) that encourage participants to work towards one or more of the nutrition‐ related outcomes.

a. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Focus on whole fruits and vary your veggies.

b. Reduce sodium intake.

c. Make half your grains whole grains.

d. Vary your proteins. Meat and poultry selections should be lean or low‐fat.

e. Move to fat‐free or low‐fat dairy products.

2 Conduct community outreach (healthy cooking demos, nutrition education games, and nutrition handouts, healthy recipe distributions) at community events, health fairs, gatherings, and/or celebrations that promotes one or more of the nutrition‐related outcomes targeting FDPIR eligible participants.

a. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Focus on whole fruits and vary your veggies.

b. Reduce sodium intake.

c. Make half your grains whole grains.

d. Vary your proteins. Meat and poultry selections should be lean or low‐fat.

e. Move to fat‐free or low‐fat dairy products.

3 Improve nutrition‐related skills among FDPIR participants by conducting healthy cooking and food demonstrations and/or nutrition and wellness classes or activities demonstrating how to use the USDA Foods included in the FDPIR food package to accomplish one or more of the nutrition‐ related outcomes.

a. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Focus on whole fruits and vary your veggies.

b. Reduce sodium intake.

c. Make half your grains whole grains.

d. Vary your proteins. Meat and poultry selections should be lean or low‐fat.

e. Move to fat‐free or low‐fat dairy products.

4 Develop and/or implement community tribal wellness policies or practices at community events, gatherings, and celebrations that reinforce one or more of the nutrition‐related outcomes.

a. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Focus on whole fruits and vary your veggies.

b. Reduce sodium intake.

c. Make half your grains whole grains.

d. Vary your proteins. Meat and poultry selections should be lean or low‐fat.

e. Move to fat‐free or low‐fat dairy products.

Anticipated amounts and/or numbers of individual awards: N/A Estimated funding per award: N/A Application due date: :March 1, 2022

Please note:

Grant awards are subject to the availability of funding and/or appropriations of funds.

FNS reserves the right to use this solicitation and competition to award additional grants this year or the subsequent fiscal year, should additional funds become available.

The submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Applications will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria listed in Section V.

Allowable Costs The provisions of 2 CFR 200 Subpart E allow FNS to make reasonable judgments as to what is necessary and reasonable to be approved for funding in a project proposal.

When FDPIR participants or potentially eligible persons are not the primary target of a nutrition class or the nutrition education is provided in conjunction with another program (e.g., SNAP-Ed, The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC], and the Indian Health Service), FDPNE may fund the pro rata share of the class that includes FDPIR participants.

For example, if a nutrition education class has 100 participants and 25 students are FDPIR-eligible, FDPNE funds may cover 25 percent of the cost.

The chart included below provides examples of activities and services in each budget category that may be considered for funding through FDPNE as well as those activities and services that will not be considered for funding.

Budget Category FNS will consider funding FNS will not fund

Staff/Labor Note: staff will only be funded for the duration of the grant period (1 year).

Salaries and benefits of staff directly involved in nutrition education conducted as part of the proposed project plan.

Salaries and benefits of essential staff covered by FDPIR administrative funds (example: FDPIR director) or other federal funding sources.

Contractual staff involved in nutrition education conducted as part of the proposed project plan.

Salaries and benefits of staff or contractual staff involved in proposed projects who have no role in nutrition education. For example, staff whose role is to maintain community gardens.

Travel (in-State & out of

State)

In-State travel to conduct nutrition education. This includes funds for mileage.

Travel for staff to attend conferences when FDPIR admin funds are available for travel. Funding for attendance at the NAFDPIR conference or regional FDPIR conferences will not be provided.

Out of State travel to attend nutrition education conferences and/or training that will be utilized to carry out the proposed FDPNE project plan. Out of state travel expenses include funding for travel, lodging, and per diem.

Travel to conferences with no focus on nutrition education in FDPIR programs.

Funding to purchase or lease a vehicle for travel.

Food

Reasonable amount of food to conduct recipe/taste-testing/cooking demonstrations as part of the proposed FDPNE project plan. (Note: USDA Foods inventory may be used for Nutrition Education and recorded on form FNS-152 Monthly Distribution of Donated Food to Family Units, according to 7 CFR 250.18(a)).

Full meals for FDPIR participants.

Food purchases that amount to more than 10% of total grant funds requested.

Food to be used as refreshments during an activity or event.

Growing or purchasing food for distribution to FDPIR participants as a supplement to the FDPIR food package.

Materials/Supplies (< $5,000 unit cost)

Nutrition Education Materials (Examples include: handouts, flyers, or posters, bulletin boards, cookbooks, banners, calendars).

Coupons/vouchers to be redeemed for food.

Nutrition education reinforcement items that are of nominal value (< $5.00 each) and are used in conjunction with an event/activity to reinforce one of the chosen nutrition-related outcomes (examples may include: measuring cups, measuring spoons, or refrigerator magnets with a nutrition message).

Nutrition education reinforcement items that cost more than $5.00 each.

One nutrition education reinforcement item per household. (Ex: It is estimated that 75 people from 50 households will attend the cooking demo so only 50 reinforcement items will be funded) over the course of the project period.

Nutrition education reinforcement items per person. More than one nutrition education reinforcement item per household over the course of the project period.

Nutrition education reinforcement items that do not relate to nutrition education, do not reinforce one of the four nutrition-related outcomes chosen in the project proposal, and/or are not utilized in conjunction with a nutrition event/activity.

Resources to be used to provide nutrition education (such as ChooseMyPlate.gov resources).

Physical education supplies or materials that are to be used in conjunction with a nutrition education class or activity.

Materials or supplies for nutrition classes/activities for FDPIR participants and potentially eligible persons that utilize USDA Foods available in the FDPIR food package.

Gardening supplies such as: seeds, starter plants, mulch, flowers, hoses, rakes, soil, materials for aquaponics/hydroponics, etc.

Gardening supplies for projects that plan to grow produce that will be

Relevant topics could include:

Meal Planning Food Portions Nutrient Composition of Foods Healthy Cooking Modifying Recipes MyPlate distributed to individuals in the community including FDPIR participants.

Cell phones or other supplies that are not directly related to accomplishing one of the four nutrition-related outcomes.

Prizes or giveaways.

Rental or purchase of garden equipment such as tractors, land, greenhouses, hoop houses, raised beds, or aquaponic/hydroponic systems.

Equipment (> $5,000 unit cost)

Kitchen equipment to be used to conduct taste testing, cooking, or food demonstrations related to nutrition education activities.

Construction projects such as constructing an office, kitchen, greenhouse, aquaponics system, or hoop house.

Clinical nutrition services such as health screenings and medical treatments.

Other

Local public service radio or television announcements, ads, or social media initiatives including nutrition messages related to project goals and/or promoting nutrition education events for FDPIR participants and potentially eligible persons.

Postage and/or shipping and handling required to mail nutrition education reinforcement items to individual households.

Postage and/or shipping and handling required to conduct the proposed nutrition education project. (Ex.

Mailing nutrition education calendars or handouts to a central FDPIR program location).

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Eligible Applicants

ITOs and SAs that administer FDPIR may apply individually and/or as a consortium (e.g., as a region or a regional nutrition advisory council). A FDPIR allowance holder is an entity that has a direct agreement with FNS to administer FDPIR. All applications must be submitted by an FDPIR allowance holder. This allowance holder MUST have a direct relationship with FNS. To verify eligibility, applicants are required to submit a copy of their FNS-74 Federal-State Agreement with their application package. If the applicant is unable to access a copy of their signed FNS-74 due to pandemic office closures, they should submit a signed attestation that an FNS-74 agreement is on file with FNS (?). If a copy of the FNS-74, or signed attestation, is not included, the applicant will be deemed ineligible, and the application will not be considered.

Any applicant that is not an allowance holder may still receive a grant project, BUT an FDPIR allowance holder (the State or ITO listed on the FNS-74) MUST submit the application project on the Tribe’s behalf AND serve as the Tribe’s fiscal sponsor, ensuring both progress and financial status reports are submitted as well as maintaining and accounting for the Tribe’s grant funding.

If one or more ITOs wish to apply as a consortium, one ITO must be designated as the lead agency and apply on behalf of the other ITO(s). This ITO must be a FDPIR allowance holder. The lead agency is responsible, fiscally, and operationally, for the overall administration of the project.

Cost Sharing or Matching Considerations

There are no cost sharing or matching requirements for this program.

Other Eligibility Criteria

FNS will accept only one application from each organization or consortium in response to this solicitation.

Pre-Award Screening Requirements

In reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, prior to making a Federal award, Federal awarding agencies, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.205, are required to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualifications or financial integrity information. Additionally, Federal awarding agencies are required to have a framework in place for evaluating the risks posed by applicants before they receive Federal awards.

The FNS review of risk posed by applicants will be based on the following:

SAM.gov, the System for Award Management, the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS

FAPIIS, the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System that has been established to track contractor misconduct and performance

Dun & Bradstreet, the system where applicants establish a DUNS number that is used by the Federal government to better identify related organizations that are receiving funding under grants and cooperative agreements

U.S. Department of Agriculture, AD-3030, Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants

FNS Risk Assessment Questionnaire o Applicants must complete the Grant Program Accounting System & Financial

Capability Questionnaire that allows FNS to evaluate aspects of the applicant’s financial stability, quality of management systems, and history of performance, reports and findings from audits. The questionnaire contains a number of questions that may be an indicator of potential risk.

The evaluation of the information obtained from the designated systems and the risk assessment questionnaire may result in FNS imposing special conditions or additional oversight requirements that correspond to the degree of risk assessed.

Acknowledgement of USDA Support

As outlined in 2 CFR 415.2, grant recipients shall include acknowledgement of USDA Food and Nutrition Service support on any publications written or published with grant support and, if feasible, on any publication reporting the results of, or describing, a grant-supported activity. Recipients shall include acknowledgement of USDA Food and Nutrition Service support on any audiovisual which is produced with grant support and which has a direct production cost of over $5,000.

1. When acknowledging USDA support, use the following language: "This material is based upon work that is supported by the Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.” Grantees should follow the USDA Visual Standards Guide when using the USDA logo.

2. Grant recipients may be asked to host USDA officials for a site visit during the course of their grant award. All costs associated with the site visit will be paid for by USDA and are not expected to be included in grant budgets.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Content and Form of Application Submission

FNS strongly encourages eligible applicants interested in applying to this program to adhere to the following applicant format. The proposed project plan should be presented on 8 ½” x 11” white paper with at least 1-inch margins on the top and bottom. All pages should be single-spaced, in 12-point font. The project description with relevant information should be captured on no more than 12 pages, not including the cover sheet, table of contents, resumes, letter of commitment(s), endorsement letter(s), budget narrative(s), appendices, and required forms. All pages, excluding the form pages, must be numbered. Applicants must use the application template provided in the RFA package.

Special Instructions:

f. Late application submission will not be considered in this competition. FNS will not consider additions or revisions to applications unless they are submitted via Grants.gov by the deadline.

No additions or revisions will be accepted after the deadline.

g. Applications submitted without the required supporting documents, forms, certification will not be considered.

h. Applications missing a written proposal or budget narrative will not be considered.

i. FNS reserves the right to request clarification on any application submitted in response to this solicitation.

j. Applications not submitted via Grants.gov will not be considered.

k. If multiple application packages are submitted through Grants.gov by the same applicant in response to this solicitation, FNS will accept the latest application package successfully submitted. All other packages submitted by the applicant will be removed from this competition.

l. Applications received without the accompanying copy of Form FNS-74 Federal-State Agreement or a signed attestation that a Form FNS-74 is on file will not be considered.

Cover Sheet The cover page should include, at a minimum:

f. Applicant’s name and mailing address

g. Primary contact’s name, job title, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address

h. Grant program title and subprogram title (if applicable)

i. Authorizing official’s name, email address, and phone number

Table of Contents The Table of Contents should include relevant sections, subsections and associated page numbers.

Application Project Summary The application should clearly describe the proposed project activities and anticipated outcomes that would result if the proposal were to be funded.The application project summary should contain the information outlined in the application template.

Project Narrative

The project narrative should clearly identify what the applicant is proposing and how it will address a solution, the expected results and/or benefits once the solution is achieved, and how it will meet the RFA program scope and objectives. The proposed project methodology should describe the project design, address program specific methodology needs, procedures, timetables, monitoring/oversight, and the organization’s project staffing. The project narrative should contain the information outlined in the application template.

Activities/Indicators Tracker Proposed Activities and indicators measuring success must be mapped to Program Objectives (as described in Section I – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION) in the below format (note that additional Activities/Indicators can be added as needed). Note: Indicators are defined as any metric you anticipate will be able to be tracked during the period of performance of the grant. Common examples include Number of People Attended, Number of People Impacted, Number of Conferences Delivered, Number of Materials Created, Number of Trainings, Number of People Trained. The activities/indicators tracker will also include information on the project timeline and responsibilities. The application template contains specific information required.

(Example) Objective # Create and/or disseminate culturally relevant nutrition education resources (posters, handouts, videos, cookbooks) that encourage participants to work towards one or more of the nutrition‐related outcomes.

a. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Focus on whole fruits and vary your veggies.

Activity Create and distribute handout on nutrition benefits of fruits and vegetables.

Indicator(s) No. Trained

Timeline Start date – End date (monthly)

Person Responsible

Nutrition Educator

Objective #

Activity

Indicator(s)

Objective #

Activity

Indicator(s)

Application Budget Narrative The budget narrative should correspond with the proposed project narrative and application budget.

The narrative must justify and support the bona fide needs of the budget’s direct cost. If the budget includes indirect costs, the applicant must provide a copy of its most recently approved Federal indirect cost rate agreement. All non-profit organizations must include their 501(c)(3) determination letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). All funding requests must be in whole dollars.

Indirect Cost Rate

A current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), negotiated with a Federal negotiating agency, should be used to charge indirect costs. Indirect costs may not exceed the negotiated rate. If a NICRA is used, the percentage and base should be indicated. If the applicant does not have, and has never been approved for, a NICRA, they may charge up to 10% de minimis.

In this instance, the applicant must indicate they are requesting the de minimis rate. An applicant may elect not to charge indirect costs and, instead, use all grant funds for direct costs. If indirect costs are not charged, the phrase "none requested" should be stated in the budget narrative. For questions related to the indirect cost rate, please work with the Grant Officer as noted in Section VII of this RFA.

Required Grant Application Forms

Please refer to the Application Checklist for a list of required grant forms.

Submission Date Complete grant applications must be uploaded to www.grants.gov by 11:59 PM EST on the due date listed on the cover page.

Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov. Mailed, e-mailed or hand-delivered application packages will not be accepted. For further instructions, go here.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

FNS will not consider additions or revisions to applications unless they are submitted via

Grants.gov by the deadline. No additions or revisions will be accepted after the deadline.

If multiple application packages are submitted through Grants.gov by the same applicant in response to this solicitation, FNS will accept the latest application package successfully.

submitted. All other packages submitted by the applicant will be removed from this competition.

FNS strongly encourages applicants to begin the registration process at least four weeks before the due date and to submit applications to Grants.gov at least one week before the deadline to allow time to troubleshoot any issues, should they arise. Please note that upon submission, Grants.gov may send multiple confirmation notices; applicants should ensure receipt of confirmation that the application was accepted. Applicants experiencing difficulty submitting applications to Grants.gov should contact the Grant Officer noted in the Agency Contacts (Section VII) of this RFA. FNS will evaluate submission issues on a case-by-case basis.

Preparing for Electronic Application Submission through Grants.gov

Applicants must register with Grants.gov, Dun and Bradstreet and Sam.gov in order to submit an application to FNS via Grants.gov, as required. FNS strongly encourages applicants to begin the registration process at least four weeks before the due date.

In order to submit an application, you must:

1. Obtain a DUNS number

1. If your organization does not have a DUNS number, or if you are unsure of your organization’s DUNS, contact Dun & Bradstreet at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling 1-888-814-1435, Monday thru Friday, 8am-9pm ET. There is no fee associated with obtaining a DUNS number.

1. It may take 2-3 business days to obtain a DUNS number.

2. Register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

1. SAM.gov combines Federal procurement systems and the Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance into one system. For additional information regarding SAM.gov, see the following link: https://www.sam.gov/SAM

2. Must have your organization’s DUNS, entity’s Tax ID Number (TIN), and taxpayer name (as it appears on last tax return). It may take 3-5 business days to register in SAM.gov; however, in some instances the SAM process to complete the migration of permissions and/or the renewal of the entity record will require 5-7 days or more.

3. All applicants must have current SAM status at the time of application submission and throughout the duration of a Federal Award in accordance with two CFR Part 25.

4. We strongly encourage applicants to begin the process at least 3 weeks before the due date of the grant solicitation.

3. Create a Grants.gov Account:

The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. Applicants must know their organization's DUNS number to complete this process. Completing this process automatically triggers an email request for applicant roles to the organization's E-Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) for review. The EBiz POC is a representative from your organization who is the contact listed for SAM.gov. To apply for grants on behalf of your organization, you will need the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-registration.html

4. Authorize Grants.gov Roles:

After creating an account on Grants.gov, the EBiz POC receives an email notifying them of your registration and request for roles. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been approved as an AOR.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview/workspace-roles.html

5. Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview/workspace-roles.html

Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization's AOR that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize individuals who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as an AOR; this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

How to Submit an Application via Grants.gov Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement (FOA) or RFA, you can create individual instances of a workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518- 4726 and email at support@grants.gov. If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist the Center with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, please contact the Grant Officer noted in the Agency Contacts (Section VII) of this RFA.

Grants.gov Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission All applications must be received by 11:59 PM EST on the due date listed on the cover page, as detailed here. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant AOR will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application.

Applicant AORs will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When FNS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for FNS funding.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission could take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

Additional Information on Grants.gov and the Registration Process:

NOTICE: Special Characters and Naming Conventions All applicants MUST follow Grants.gov guidance on file naming conventions. To avoid submission issues, please follow the guidance provided by Grants.gov (per the Grants.gov Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Are there restrictions on file names for any attachment I include with my application package?

File attachment names longer than approximately 50 characters can cause problems processing packages. Please limit file attachment names. Also, do not use any special characters (examples: & – * % / # ’ -). This includes periods (.) and spacing followed by a dash in the file. To separate words in naming a file, use underscore, as in the following example: Attached_File.pdf.

Please note that if these guidelines are not followed, your application will be rejected. FNS will not accept any application rejected from www.grants.gov portal due to incorrect naming conventions.

Additional information and applicant resources are available at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

Funding Restrictions

Please refer to the table included in Section 2: Federal Award Information. This table includes information on funding restrictions.

Pre-award costs will not be awarded for the project.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Evaluation of Grant Application Criteria

1. REVIEW CRITERIA

FNS will pre-screen all applications to ensure the applicants are eligible entities. If an applicant is deemed ineligible or does not include a copy of their FNS-74 form, the application will be deemed ineligible and it will not be included for further evaluation.

Applicants should be sure to follow all directions in the application template to document your project and budget requests. Each section of the project application is evaluated independently according to the evaluation factors and criteria described below.

FNS will pre-screen all applications to ensure the applicants are eligible entities and are in compliance with all Program regulations. FNS will not approve any waivers from Program regulations for any projects submitted in response to this solicitation.

6. EVALUATION FACTORS AND CRITERIA

The following selection criteria will be used to evaluate applications for this RFA.

Project Design and Implementation (50 points)

a) The project goal(s) and nutrition-related outcome(s) are clearly identified and appropriate for the proposed project. The applicant followed directions in the RFA for selecting goal(s), outcome(s), activities, and timeline. Activities are reasonable and appropriate for proposed goal(s) and nutrition-related outcome(s);

b) Timeline appears reasonable and feasible given proposed activities. In other words, under normal circumstances, it would be possible for the organization to complete the described tasks during the funding period;

c) The application documents method(s) that will determine progress and successes and the number of participants reached through activities;

d) The method(s) selected to monitor progress and success is sufficient to determine if the goal(s) are accomplished; and

e) All application content requirements, as listed in the application template, are included.

Budget Appropriateness (25 points)

a) The budget is consistent with project goals(s) and activities;

b) Calculations of all costs, are correct;

c) A detailed narrative/justification is provided for each individual line item; and

d) Funding requested is allowable, economical, and reasonable in relation to the proposed scope and effort of the proposed project. In other words, are individual line items within the scope of the FDPNE grant, and are the described costs necessary to accomplish the project goal(s)?

Partnerships and Sustainability (15 points)

a) Priority will be given to applicants who identified a new or existing partner organization to work with to achieve the project goal(s); and

b) The applicant documented how it will continue these activities after the funding period ends.

Past Performance and First Time Applicants (10 points)

a) Priority will be given to first time grant applicants.

b) Priority will be given to applicants who have demonstrated success in previous FDPNE grant projects. This includes timely submission of progress and financial status reports.

7. Review and Selection Process Following the initial screening process, FNS will assemble a panel group to review and determine the technical merits of each application. The panel will evaluate the proposals based on how well they address the required application components and array the applications from highest to lowest score.

The panel members will recommend applications for consideration for a grant award based on the evaluation scoring. The Selecting Official reserves the right to accept the panel’s recommendation or to select an application for funding out of order to meet agency priorities, program balance, geographical representation, or project diversity. FNS reserves the right to use this solicitation and competition to award additional grants in the next fiscal year should additional funds be made available.

NOTE: If a discrepancy exists between the total funding request (submitted on SF-424, SF-424A, and budget or budget narrative) within the application package in response to this solicitation, FNS will only consider and evaluate the estimated funding request contained on SF-424.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. FEDERAL AWARD NOTICE

The Government is not obligated to make any award as a result of this RFA. Unless an applicant receives a signed award document with terms and conditions, any contact from a FNS Grants or Program Officer should not be considered as a notice of a grant award. No pre-award or pre-agreement costs incurred prior to the effective start date are allowed unless approved and stated on FNS’ signed award document (FNS-529). Only the recognized FNS authorized signature can bind the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service to the expenditure of funds related to an award’s approved budget.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Confidentiality of an Application

When an application results in an award, it becomes a part of the record of FNS transactions, available to the public upon specific request. Information that the Secretary determines to be of a confidential, privileged, or proprietary nature will be held in confidence to the extent permitted by law. Therefore, any information that the applicant wishes to have considered as confidential, privileged, or proprietary should be clearly marked within the application. Any application that does not result in an award will be not released to the public. An application may be withdrawn at any time prior to the final action thereon.

Safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is any information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, such as name, social security number, date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name, or biometric records, and any other information that is linked or linkable to an individual, such as medical, educational, financial, and employment information (National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-122, Guide to Protecting the Confidentiality of Personally Identifiable information, April 2010).

Applicants submitting applications in response to this RFA must recognize that confidentiality of PII and other sensitive data is of paramount importance to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. All federal and non-federal employees (e.g., contractors, affiliates, or partners) working for or on behalf of FNS are required to acknowledge understanding of their responsibilities and accountability for using and protecting FNS PII in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974; Office of Management and Budget

Memorandum M-06-15, Safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information; M-06-16, Protection of Sensitive Agency Information; M-07-16, Safeguarding Against and Responding to the Breach of Personally Identifiable Information; and the NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-122, Guide to Protecting the Confidentiality of Personally Identifiable Information.

By submitting an application in response to this RFA, applicants are assuring that all data exchanges conducted throughout the application submission and pre-award process (and during the performance of the grant, if awarded) will be conducted in a manner consistent with applicable Federal laws. By submitting a grant application, applicants agree to take all necessary steps to protect such confidentiality, including the following: (1) ensuring that PII and sensitive data developed, obtained or otherwise associated with UDSA FNS funded grants is securely transmitted. Transmission of applications through Grants.gov is secure; (2) ensuring that PII is not transmitted to unauthorized users, and that PII and other sensitive data is not submitted via email; and (3) Data transmitted via approved file sharing services (WatchDox, ShareFile, etc.), CDs, DVDs, thumb drives, etc., must be encrypted.

Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality of the Review Process The agency requires all panel reviewers to sign a conflict of interest and confidentiality form to prevent any actual or perceived conflicts of interest that may affect the application review and evaluation process. Names of applicants, including States and tribal governments, submitting an application will be kept confidential, except to those involved in the review process, to the extent permitted by law. In addition, the identities of the reviewers will remain confidential throughout the entire process.

Therefore, the names of the reviewers will not be released to applicants.

Administrative Regulations Federal Tax Liabilities Restrictions None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan guarantee to, any corporation that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed,…