FY25 LFPP Request for Applications - Copy.pdf

OMB No. 0581‐0240

Local Food Promotion Program

Fiscal Year 2025 Request for Applications

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-LFPP-G-25-0004

Publication Date: May 09, 2025

Application Due Date: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 27, 2025

2 | P a g e

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION

1.1 Executive Summary

1.2 2025 Highlights and Changes

1.3 Available Funding

1.4 Federal Award Period Duration and Size

1.5 Tips For Applicants

1.6 Timing to Obtain and Submit Grants.gov Required Elements

1.7 Agency Contact Information

1.8 Stakeholders Input

2.0 ELIGIBILITY

2.1 Eligible Applicants

2.2 Partners and Collaborators

2.3 Limit on Number of Awards

2.4 Cost Sharing

3.0 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

3.1 Legislative Authority

3.2 Purpose

3.3 Project Types

3.4 Priority Consideration

3.5 Performance Measures

3.6 Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities

3.7 Indirect Costs

3.8 Subawards

3.9 Coordinator Meeting Travel

4.0 APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

4.1 Application Checklist

4.2 SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

4.3 SF-424A – Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs

4.4 Project Abstract Summary

4.5 Project Narrative for Planning and Implementation Projects

4.6 Project Narrative for Turnkey Projects

4.7 Letters of Verification for Cost sharing Funds

4.8 Letters of Commitment from Partner and Collaborator Organizations

4.9 Evidence of Critical Infrastructure

4.10 Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA)

5.0 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

5.1 Electronic Application Package

5.2 Submission and Recipient Procedures and Requirements

5.3 Additional Submission details

5.4 Submission Date and Time

5.5 Intergovernmental Review

6.0 APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

6.1 Initial Review (Initial Screening)

6.2 Review Criteria (Technical Review)

6.3 Administrative Review (Selection Process and Risk Review)

7.0 AWARD NOTICES

3 | P a g e

7.1 Successful Applicants

7.2 Unsuccessful Applicants

8.0 POST‐AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

8.1 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

8.2 Reporting Requirements

8.3 Acknowledgement of USDA Support

9.0 OTHER INFORMATION

9.1 Definitions

9.2 Non-Discrimination Statement

9.3 Freedom of Information Act Requests

9.4 Paperwork Reduction

4 | P a g e

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION

Federal Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Funding Opportunity Title: Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP)

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-LFPP-G-25-0004

Assistance Listing Number: 10.175

Type of Federal Assistance: Grant Agreements will be used to provide federal awards to successful applicants.

Type of Application: New applications will be evaluated competitively using the selection process and evaluation criteria described in section 6.0 Application Review Information.

Application Deadline: Friday, June 27, 2025, through Grants.gov at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered for funding.

1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the 2025 fiscal year (FY) Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP). LFPP’s purpose is to support the development, coordination, and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing to increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.

LFPP is a part of the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) umbrella program. AMS welcomes applications that meet LAMP goals (see section 3.1) to support the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises, and value-added agricultural products.

AMS will competitively award grants to eligible applicants for projects that meet the purpose of the grant program. To be competitive, applications must meet all program standards, be of high quality, and include cost share of 25% of the federal amount requested, as required by statute. All applications will undergo review according to merit and evaluation procedures described in detail in section 6. This announcement provides information regarding eligibility criteria for applicants and projects, details on cost sharing requirements, and the forms and instructions needed to apply for an award.

In 2024, AMS funded 43 (17%) of the 251 eligible applications received and awarded a total of $14,150,364.94.

1.2 2025 HIGHLIGHTS AND CHANGES

Below are highlights of major changes to the program since last year.

• This Request for Applications (RFA) was reorganized following the recent changes to the Uniform Guidance, Appendix I to Part 200, Title 2. The reorganization lists basic program information upfront and the application submission requirements at the end.

https://sam.gov/fal/9bf5d11cc5fc49af8dda1254e4367dcd/view http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lamp https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/appendix-Appendix%20I%20to%20Part%20200

5 | P a g e

• This RFA was updated to remove the following:

o Language encouraging applications that “…benefit smaller farms and ranches, historically underserved farmers and ranchers, or new and beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved producers, veteran producers, and/or underserved communities...” and to engage and involve those beneficiaries in developing projects and applications;

o An Expertise and Partners review criterion (Section 6.2 Review Criteria), specifically that reflecting this emphasis, namely “particularly including historically underserved entities such as underserved, beginning, and/or limited resource entities;”

o Language encouraging applicants to consider including goals and activities related to reducing and stabilizing the level of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere or adapting to the already occurring climate change…”; and o Language in Section 9.1 Project Definition, removing definitions related to historically underserved farmers and ranchers

• The AMS General Terms and Conditions were updated to reflect recent changes to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200).

• A new section 6.3.1 Risk Review was added to describe the factors used by AMS to evaluate the risk posted by applicants before making an award.

• Section 9.1 was updated to include the “project” definition.

1.3 AVAILABLE FUNDING

Anticipated Available Funding: $11 million. Enactment of a continuing resolution, appropriations act, or other action may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

Cost Share Requirements: A 25% cash or in-kind contribution is required.

1.4 FEDERAL AWARD PERIOD DURATION AND SIZE

AMS expects applicants to complete their projects within the required performance period. AMS encourages applicants to take the full performance period to allow enough time to complete projects. However, a project may be completed before the scheduled performance period end date. The applicant must indicate the start date and end date on Block 17 of the SF-424 “Application for Federal Assistance.”

Award size varies by project type. Applicants must not request less than the minimum or more than the maximum award amounts. Applicants must justify the requested funding amounts within the “LFPP Project Narrative” or “LFPP Turnkey Marketing and Promotion Project Narrative” or “LFPP Turnkey Recruitment and Training”.

Project Type Duration (Months) Start Date End Date Minimum

Award Maximum

Award

Planning 24 September 30, September 29, 2027 $25,000 $100,000

Turnkey Projects (Both Types) 24 September 30, September 29, 2027 $50,000 $100,000

Implementation 36 September 30, September 29, 2028 $100,000 $500,000 https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY25AMSGDGeneralTermsandConditions.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyMarketingandPromotionProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyRecruitmentandTrainingProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyRecruitmentandTrainingProjectNarrative.pdf

6 | P a g e

1.5 TIPS FOR APPLICANTS

• To submit your application electronically using Grants.gov, you must:

o Have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);

o Be registered in SAM.gov;

o Provide your UEI number and TIN on your application; and o Maintain an active and current SAM registration.

• Allow time for Grants.gov Registration Completion:

o The organization registration process can take as long as four weeks.

o Complete the registration as early as possible to meet all deadlines. See section 5.0 Submission

Requirements and Deadlines for more information.

• Review General Terms and Conditions:

o Review the AMS General Terms and Conditions to understand allowable and unallowable costs.

• Ensure File Compatibility:

o Use latest version of Adobe Reader that it is compatible with Grants.gov software.

• File Naming and Size:

o Limit file names to 50 characters or less.

o Avoid special characters in file names ($, %, &, *, Spanish "ñ", etc.).

• Attachment Upload:

o Use the “Add Attachments” button in Grants.gov for upload.

o Do not use the “paperclip” icon in Adobe Reader.

• File Security and Formatting:

o Do not password-protect files.

o Accept all tracked changes in documents before submission.

• Accurate Data Entry:

o Verify that your UEI number is correctly entered on the SF-424 form cover page.

• Grants.gov Resources for Support:

o Applicant FAQs o Workspace Overview

By following these steps and recommendations, applicants can reduce errors, meet deadlines, and ensure compliance with submission requirements.

https://sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY25AMSGDGeneralTermsandConditions.pdf https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-faqs.htm https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview.html

7 | P a g e

1.6 TIMING TO OBTAIN AND SUBMIT GRANTS.GOV REQUIRED ELEMENTS

Required Action Timing to

Obtain/Submit

AMS Deadline to receive final application and all supporting materials through Grants.Gov

June 27, 2025 – 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Obtaining Your Organization’s UEI Number (if you do not already have one) 7-10 business days

Establishing an Active SAM.gov Account (if you do not already have one) Up to 4 weeks

Obtaining a TIN/EIN (if you do not already have one) Up to 2 weeks

Creating your Grants.gov profile and registering your Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) authorization

Up to 4 weeks

1.7 AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

1.7.1 AMS PROGRAM CONTACTS

After closely reviewing this RFA in its entirety, applicants and other interested parties that have questions are encouraged to contact the LFPP program staff by e-mail at FMLFPPGrants@usda.gov.

AMS provides resources and information on the LFPP website (www.ams.usda.gov/lfpp) that may be helpful to applicants, including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), descriptions of funded projects, Project Narrative Guides, and required application forms. AMS staff is available to provide timely technical assistance.

Local Food Promotion Program USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Room 1510-S South Building Stop 0264 Washington, DC 20250-0264 FMLFPPGrants@usda.gov

1.7.2 GRANTS.GOV QUESTIONS

All questions regarding Grants.gov technical assistance must be directed to Applicant Support. Applicants may also call the 24/7 toll-free support number 1-800-518-4726 or email support@grants.gov.

1.8 STAKEHOLDERS INPUT

AMS seeks comments about this Request for Applications (RFA). We will consider the comments in developing the next RFA for the program. Email written stakeholder comments within one year of the publication date of this RFA to: AMSGrants@usda.gov. This e-mail address is intended only for receiving comments regarding this RFA and not for requesting information or forms. In your email subject line, please state that you are commenting on the Local Food Promotion Program RFA.

mailto:FMLFPPGrants@usda.gov http://www.ams.usda.gov/lfpp https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ams.usda.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2FFMLFPPFAQs.pdf&data=04%7C01%7C%7C7163625c249843dafd3408d9faf7797e%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637816763065785377%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=GbqaY7m62PtF3ZtkC3VnwXWY1qPplq2RWm8DYt6cNj0%3D&reserved=0 https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/lfpp/awards https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPP_Project_Narrative_Guide.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPP_Project_Narrative_Guide.pdf mailto:FMLFPPGrants@usda.gov https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:AMSGrants@usda.gov

8 | P a g e

2.0 ELIGIBILITY

2.1 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

All applicants must be domestic entities owned, operated, and located within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or Tribal Governments. Eligible applicants include:

Entity Type Description

Agricultural Business or Cooperative

Business or member-owned entity that provide, hold, deliver, transport, offer, or sell agricultural products or services for member benefit as well as the organization or other business that they represent.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Network or Association

Formal groups of farms that work collectively to offer consumers regular (usually weekly) deliveries of locally-grown farm products during one or more harvest season(s) often on a subscription or membership basis. This includes organizations or other businesses that assist, serve, or represent community-supported agriculture (CSA) or CSA networks.

Economic Development Corporation

Organizations whose missions is to improve, maintain, develop, and/or market or promote a specific geographic area.

Food Council Food policy council or food and farm system network that represents multiple organizations involved in the production, processing, and consumption of food and local, Tribal or State governments that addresses food and farm-related issues and needs within city, county, State, Tribal region, multicounty region, or other region designated.

Local Government Any unit of government within a State, including a county; borough;

municipality; city; town; township; parish; local public authority, including any public housing agency under the United States Housing Act of 1937 , or a public transportation agency; special district; school district; intrastate district; council of governments, whether or not incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State law; and any other agency or instrumentality of a multi-state, regional, or intra-state or local government.

Nonprofit Corporation Any organization or institution, including nonprofits with State or IRS 501 (c) status and accredited institutions of higher education, where no part of the organization or institution’s net earnings of which inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

9 | P a g e

Entity Type Description

Producer Network or Association

Producer group- or member-owned organizations or businesses that provide, offer, or sell agricultural products or services through a common distribution system for the mutual member benefit the owners, as well as organizations or other businesses that assist, represent, or serve producers or producer networks.

Public Benefit Corporation Corporation organized to construct or operate a public improvement, the profits from which inure to the benefit of one or more State or to the people therein.

Regional Farmers Market Authority

Entity that establishes and enforces State, regional, or county policies and jurisdiction over State, regional, or county farmers markets. State agencies are eligible if their State’s regulatory statutes identify the specific State agency as a regional farmers market authority.

Tribal Government Governing body or governmental agency of any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community (including any native village as defined in Section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 85 Stat. 688 (43 U.S.C. § 1602) certified by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

2.2 PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS

Engagement with partners and collaborators strengthens LFPP projects. Partners and collaborators may come from private or public, for-profit or nonprofit entities.

• A partner is in a relationship involving close cooperation with the applicant and shares responsibilities in the management of the project.

• A collaborator is a person or an organization unaffiliated with the applicant that cooperates with the applicant in the conduct of the project and is not immediately connected to the management of the project.

Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements. Project partners and collaborators do not need to meet the eligibility requirements provided in section 2.1.

The applicant may subcontract or subaward with partners and collaborators or may engage with them without funding. For instance, a project may have partners or collaborators who have their own funding or who are contributing to the project financially, such as by providing a cash or in-kind cost share. Regardless of whether there is a financial subcontract or subaward relationship, applications must show evidence of existing community or industry engagement (see section 4.8).

Applications should demonstrate a commitment to engage potential project beneficiaries as active participants.

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:43%20section:1602%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title43-section1602)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

10 | P a g e

2.3 LIMIT ON NUMBER OF AWARDS

Applicants may submit more than one application to LFPP in this round of funding. If an applicant is selected as a finalist for more than one award, that applicant is still limited to receive one LFPP award per funding cycle. AMS staff will contact the applicant to discuss which application they would like to complete.

If an applicant has an active LFPP award, the applicants must close out the award to be eligible to apply for a new LFPP award. For example, a Planning award recipient must close out that award prior to applying for an Implementation award. The applicant must submit all required close-out documentation by the application due date mentioned in section 5.5. Please refer to the applicable AMS General Award Terms and Conditions, available on the Grants Terms and Conditions webpage, for close-out instructions.

2.3.1 FISCAL SPONSORS/AGENTS

Eligible applicants may use fiscal sponsors/agents in their effort to attain and administer a grant award. Such applicants seeking to implement a project may:

• Apply directly to AMS through Grants.gov and request to use funds to establish a contractual relationship with a fiscal sponsor/agent to perform administrative or financial functions on behalf of the applicant; or

• Use a fiscal sponsor/agent to apply for an award on behalf of the implementing organization. By doing so, the sponsor/agent accepts all financial and legal liabilities for that grant recipient’s grant award at the time the agreement is signed. Fiscal sponsors/agents would submit the application as the applicant organization, and the Authorized Organization Role (AOR) responsible for all grant decisions and activities, including but not limited to implementation, subcontracts, and reporting to AMS. The AOR would be an employee of the fiscal sponsor/agent. Fiscal sponsors/agents are bound by the same requirements provided in this RFA as other applicant organizations, including the limit on applications.

An applicant organization cannot accept an award and later transfer the award to another organization (including a fiscal sponsor/agent).

2.3.2 REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM PARTNERSHIPS (RFSP) RECIPIENT APPLICANTS

In accordance with the LAMP legislation, current RFSP grant recipients may apply for a LFPP grant on behalf of requesting producers and/or eligible entities (as listed in the Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) RFA).

Active RFSP recipients are eligible to receive more than one FMPP or LFPP project within an award cycle to allow them to apply on behalf of those entities.

Active RFSP recipients applying to LFPP on behalf of their eligible partnerships should indicate on the “LFPP Project Narrative” or “LFPP Turnkey Marketing and Promotion Project Narrative” or “LFPP Turnkey Recruitment and Training” that they are a current RFSP recipient. They must meet all program requirements (see section 4 and 5) and undergo competitive peer review (see section 6) as do all other FMPP or LFPP applicants.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/terms-and-conditions https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=7+U.S.C.+%EF%BF%BD+1627c&f=treesort&fq=true&num=0&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title7-section1627c https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/rfsp/apply https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyMarketingandPromotionProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyRecruitmentandTrainingProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyRecruitmentandTrainingProjectNarrative.pdf

11 | P a g e

If selected for funding, active RFSP recipients signing the grant agreement as the AOR on behalf of their producers and eligible entities accept all financial and legal liabilities for that grant recipient’s award at the time the agreement is signed. In addition, they are responsible for all decisions and project activities related to the grant agreement, and accountable for meeting Federal statutory requirements, regulatory requirements, and the terms and conditions of the award. An applicant organization, including RFSP recipient applicants, cannot accept an award and later transfer the award to another organization (including the producer or eligible entity associated with the active RFSP grant).

Alternatively, RFSP recipients wanting to solely provide technical assistance or administrative support to producers and/or eligible entities applying to LFPP, but not serve as the AOR, may provide that directly with no formalized agreement, and the eligible entities or producers may apply directly (noting that the project must benefit more than one producer). The RFSP recipient could also choose to pursue the contractual relationship mentioned in section 2.3.1 Fiscal Sponsor/Agents.

2.4 COST SHARING

This funding opportunity requires recipients to fund their projects, in part, with cost sharing funds from non- Federal sources in the form of cash and/or in-kind contributions equal to 25% of the amount of Federal funds being requested.

Cash contributions are generally defined as an actual cash contribution (not the ‘value’ of someone’s time/effort) from the applicant’s general revenue/reserves/savings/line of credit, or 3rd-party partner(s), or other non-Federal grants. The applicant must be able to track and show the source of the cost share funding and that the funding source was dedicated entirely to the grant project and produce records to that effect (for example, taking the cash cost share in your accounting system, or from your partner, and placing it into a special ‘grant project’ account).

Cost sharing must be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs. Refer to 2 CFR § 200.306 for additional Federal requirements and definitions, including the basis for determining the value of cash and in-kind contributions.

In-kind contributions are generally defined as the value of goods or services provided by the contributor for the benefit of the grant project, where no funds transferred hands. For example, a partner, such as a Tribal community member, may volunteer their professional expertise as an in-kind contribution to the project as described in 2 CFR § 200.306(e).

Any cost share amount exceeding the requirement will be considered voluntary and must be documented and secured at the time of the award. There is no competitive advantage for an applicant to provide a cost share that exceeds the required amount. If the project is selected for funding, any exceeding amount will be considered voluntary and must be documented and secured at the time an applicant is recommended for the award.

Cost share contributions (either cash or in-kind) cannot be used for this program if they are already being used toward satisfying a cost share requirement under any other Federal grant agreement.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.306#p-200.306(e)

12 | P a g e

All cost sharing contributions must be committed or secured at the time an applicant is selected for an award.

An award will not be issued unless all cost sharing funds over the life of the grant are secured. Additional anticipated cost sharing funds not in place by the time the project starts cannot be counted toward the cost sharing requirement.

Applicants must indicate the total amount of cost share and how it will specifically align with their requested funding when completing the fiscal plan and resources section of the “LFPP Project Narrative” or “LFPP Turnkey Marketing and Promotion Project Narrative” or “LFPP Turnkey Recruitment and Training Project Narrative”.

Additionally, applicants must submit signed letters verifying the cost share for EACH cash and/or in-kind resource (see section 4.7).

Indirect costs may count toward non-Federal cost share (see section 3.7.1).

Applicants may not use Federal funds of any kind (as defined in 2CFR § 200.306(b)(5)) or program income as cost share. Program income is defined as income directly generated by a supported activity or earned as a result of the Federal award during the period of performance (2 CFR § 200.1). Unless otherwise stated in the Notice of Award (NOA) provisions section, AMS authorizes the use of program income through the additive method (2 CFR § 200.307(e)(2)). Any program income generated during the grant period must be used to further the objectives of the project and under the conditions of the award.

3.0 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

3.1 LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) is authorized by subtitle A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. § 1627c), as amended. The program is implemented in accordance with 2 CFR 200—Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and 2 CFR Chapter IV relating to the Department of Agriculture. LAMP supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises, and value-added agricultural products. The primary goals are to:

• Connect the regional food economy by bringing farmers, businesses and communities together.

• Support the development of business plans, feasibility studies, and strategies for value-added agricultural products and local and regional food system infrastructure.

• Strengthen capacity and development of regional food system development through community collaboration and expansion of mid-tier value chains.

• Improve income and job opportunities for producers and food businesses.

• Simplify the application and the reporting processes for the program.

The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) Program and the Regional Food Partnership Program (RFSP) are implemented under LAMP. LFPP, FMPP and RSFP are administered by AMS and VAPG is administered by the Rural Business- Cooperative Service under Rural Development. This RFA is for LFPP.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyMarketingandPromotionProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyMarketingandPromotionProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyRecruitmentandTrainingProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.306#p-200.306(b)(5) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Program%20income) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.307#p-200.307(b)(2) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.307#p-200.307(b)(2) https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=7+U.S.C.+%EF%BF%BD+1627c&f=treesort&fq=true&num=0&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title7-section1627c

13 | P a g e

3.2 PURPOSE

LFPP funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products. The program focuses on:

• Supporting the processing, aggregation, distribution, and storage of local and regional food products that are marketed locally or regionally, including value-added agricultural products.

• Encouraging the development of value-added agricultural products.

• Assisting with business development plans and feasibility studies.

• Developing marketing strategies for producers of local food and value-added products.

• Facilitating regional food chain coordination and mid-tier value chain development.

• Promoting new business opportunities and marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food waste.

• Responding to changing technology needs in indirect producer-to-consumer marketing; and

• Covering expenses related to cost incurred in obtaining food safety certification and improvements to food safety practices and equipment.

3.3 PROJECT TYPES

LFPP offers four project types: Planning, Implementation, Turnkey Marketing and Promotion, and Turnkey Recruitment and Training. Each application must select only one project type.

Project Type

Planning Implementation Turnkey Marketing and Promotion Turnkey Recruitment and Training

Funding Range

$25,000 - $100,000 $100,000 - $500,000 $50,000 - $100,000 $50,000 - $100,000

Duration (months)

24 36 24 24

Description Supports the planning stages of a food business that supports the development, coordination or expansion of local and regional food system.

Establish, improve, or expand a new or existing Local and Regional Food Business Enterprise that benefits the local and regional food system.

Supports marketing and promotion activities through a set of 5 pre-defined activities.

Supports vendor and producer recruitment and training activities through a set of 5 pre-defined activities.

14 | P a g e

Project Type

Planning Implementation Turnkey Marketing and Promotion Turnkey Recruitment and Training

Key Points Planning awards should not include Implementation project type activities.

Recipients of previous Planning awards must describe how that work informs the Implementation project application.

Simplified application.

Projects conduct a minimum of 3 (of 5) specific activities.

Simplified application.

Projects conduct a minimum of 3 (of 5) specific activities.

3.3.1 PLANNING PROJECTS

Planning projects range from $25,000 to $100,000 to be spent within 24 months (2 years). Planning projects are used in the planning stages of developing, coordinating, or expanding a food business that supports locally and regionally produced agricultural products and food system infrastructure.

Example of eligible project activities include, but are not limited to:

• Completing a feasibility study or facilitating supply chain partner planning for a new intermediary food channel (i.e., food hub), to analyze market potential, capacity, and potential competitors, and partners in the region.

• Hiring experts for technical assistance to implement a local/regional food transportation system.

• Hiring experts for training on managing a local/regional food storage or processing facility.

• Devising a business development plan associated with the processing/marketing of local/regional agricultural products, including value-added agricultural products.

3.3.2 IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS

Implementation projects range from $100,000 to $500,000 to be spent within 36 months (3 years).

Implementation projects are used to establish a new food enterprise or market channel or to improve or expand an existing food enterprise or market channel that supports locally and regionally produced agricultural products and food system infrastructure.

Example of eligible project activities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing or expanding food incubator programs or mid-tier value chains.

• Connecting, cultivating, and strengthening relationships between local and regional producers and local and regional food businesses and consumer-facing markets.

• Instituting group-based Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification to increase opportunities for farmers to sell produce into institutional or wholesale marketing channels, including providing financial support for making changes and upgrades to practices and equipment to improve food safety.

• Cultivating new local and regional wholesale market channels through an online portal or virtual marketplace.

• Investigating and implementing more cost-effective means of transportation for food supply chains through backhaul, route optimization, and/or other operational efficiencies.

15 | P a g e

If the applicant previously received an LFPP planning award that is directly related to the submitted proposal, the applicant must indicate how this project contributed to its proposed work in the Project Narrative (section

4.5 or 4.6).

3.3.3 TURNKEY MARKETING AND PROMOTION

The Turnkey Marketing and Promotion option range from $50,000 to $100,000 to be spent within 24 months (2 years). The Turnkey Marketing and Promotion option offers a streamlined application for common LFPP marketing and promotion activities. Those applying to the Turnkey Marketing and Promotion option agree to conduct specific activities that support the marketing and promotion of intermediated producer-to-consumer market opportunities for local and regional foods. Applicants must select a minimum of 3 and maximum of 5, pre-defined activities listed below. Applicants may not propose other activities under this project type. Doing so will disqualify the application from consideration.

• Identify and analyze new or improved market opportunities.

• Develop or revise a marketing plan.

• Design or purchase marketing and promotion media.

• Implement a marketing plan.

• Evaluate marketing and promotion activities.

Applicants who would otherwise choose Planning or Implementation project types may apply under the Turnkey track, if they focus on marketing and promotion and meet all other Turnkey requirements, including the lower funding maximum. Applicants to the Turnkey project type must use the simplified “LFPP Turnkey Marketing and Promotion Project Narrative Form”. See more information in section 4.6.

3.3.4 TURNKEY RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING

The Turnkey Recruitment and Training option range from $50,000 to $100,000 to be spent within 24 months (2 years). The Turnkey Recruitment and Training option offers a streamlined application for common LFPP recruitment and training activities for local and regional food system stakeholders. Turnkey applications must clearly demonstrate benefits to farmers and ranchers. Those applying to the Turnkey Recruitment and Training track agree to conduct specific activities that support the development or delivery of vendor and producer recruitment strategies, as well as training opportunities. Applicants must select a minimum of 3 and maximum of 5, pre-defined activities listed below. Applicants may not propose other activities under this project type.

Doing so will disqualify the application from consideration.

• Identify and analyze new or improved strategies for vendor and producer recruitment, training, or both.

• Develop or revise strategies or plans for vendor and producer recruitment, training, or both.

• Design materials for vendor and producer recruitment, training, or both.

• Implement plans for vendor and producer recruitment, training, or both.

• Evaluate outcomes related to vendor and producer recruitment, training, or both.

Applicants who would otherwise choose Planning or Implementation project types may apply using the Turnkey option, if they focus on recruitment or training for vendors and producers and meet all other Turnkey requirements, such as the lower funding maximum.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyMarketingandPromotionProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyMarketingandPromotionProjectNarrative.pdf

16 | P a g e

Applicants to the Turnkey project type must use the simplified “LFPP Turnkey Recruitment and Training Project Narrative Form”. See more information in section 4.6.

3.3.5 PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

Projects are not eligible for consideration if the proposed activities:

• Are not related to local and regional food system activities.

• Are for agricultural production related expenses, including crop production and the purchase of farm equipment, tools, materials, supplies, and other related costs (section 3.6)

• Include training, labor or other activities related to agricultural production, including harvesting, crop rotation, and planting techniques.

• Benefit only one agricultural producer, vendor, or individual. Applicants must collaborate with others to benefit the larger community.

• Are to buy land, or for construction of a building or structure.

• Intend to register, train, and/or educate customers about Food Assistance Programs (such as SNAP, WIC, etc.), other than providing information about how they can use those benefits at the market.

• Depend upon the completion of another project or the receipt of another grant.

• Include legal fees and other costs associated with establishing a business or organization.

• Duplicate activities that are already funded by another Federal award program, including the

Farmers Market Promotion Program.

For additional information on allowable and unallowable activities please refer to the AMS General Terms and Conditions as well as the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Applicants that have questions concerning the allowability of costs after reviewing these documents should contact AMS staff using the contact information listed under section 1.7.1.

3.4 PRIORITY CONSIDERATION

AMS will prioritize applications that:

• Benefit underserved communities, including communities that are located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally grown food, which AMS has determined to mean the application is for a project located in a low income/low food access (LI/LA) census tract (as defined below); or

• Are used to carry out eligible activities under a partnership agreement in a Regional Food Systems Partnership project (see section 2.3.2) and have not received a LFPP award within the past five (5) years.

To qualify for LI/LA priority consideration, the project’s implementation address must be in a LI/LA census tract, as defined by one of the four major map layers on the ERS Food Access Research Atlas. “Implementation address” refers to the street address or census tract location within the targeted community where the applicant plans to conduct or deliver approved project activities.

The applicant must provide its census tract(s) for at least one LI/LA address (priority area). If your organization or business is located in and/or primarily serves at least one LI/LA community, your application will be considered under this priority area.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyRecruitmentandTrainingProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FMLFPPTurnkeyRecruitmentandTrainingProjectNarrative.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY25AMSGDGeneralTermsandConditions.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY25AMSGDGeneralTermsandConditions.pdf https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ams.usda.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2FFMLFPPFAQs.pdf&data=04%7C01%7C%7C7163625c249843dafd3408d9faf7797e%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637816763065785377%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=GbqaY7m62PtF3ZtkC3VnwXWY1qPplq2RWm8DYt6cNj0%3D&reserved=0 https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas/

17 | P a g e

Applicants are not required to meet these priorities to be eligible to apply for or receive grant funds. AMS will review the applicants’ project narrative responses and consider these priorities during the administrative review process (see section 6.3).

3.5 PERFORMANCE MEASURES

To evaluate and report on the outcomes of the LFPP program on a national scale, AMS collects information on performance measures. Each project submitted must include target numbers for at least one outcome and at least one of the indicators listed under the selected outcome(s) listed in the Achievability section of the Project Narrative (section 4.5 or 4.6). The progress of the one or more outcomes and indicators selected will need to be reported in the Annual Performance Report, and the results will be reported in the Final Performance Report.

Please refer to the Grant Performance Measures website for more information.

3.6 ALLOWABLE AND UNALLOWABLE COSTS AND ACTIVITIES

All AMS awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the AMS General Terms and Conditions.

Applicants that have questions concerning the allowability of costs after reviewing this document should contact AMS staff using the contact information listed under section 1.7.1.

3.7 INDIRECT COSTS

Indirect costs (also known as “facilities and administrative costs”—defined at 2 CFR § 200.1) are those costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective, and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefitted, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved.

In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.414, any applicant that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) indirect cost rate, except State and Local Government and Indian Tribe Indirect Cost Proposals, may choose to charge a de minimis rate of 15 percent of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC). The de minimis rate can be used without providing documentation to justify it. An applicant can use the de minimis rate indefinitely or choose to negotiate a rate, which they may do at any time through their cognizant agency (Federal agency that provides the largest amount of funding). As described in 2 CFR § 200.403, costs must be consistently charged as either direct or indirect costs, and but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both.

All applicants who elect to charge a de minimis rate must use the MTDC as the base. MTDC are defined in 2 CFR § 200.1 as all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $50,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDCs exclude equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs, and the portion of each subaward in excess of $50,000. Other items may be excluded only when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

If an applicant has a negotiated indirect cost rate approved by its cognizant agency, the applicant must submit a copy of its approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) with its application. Entities that would like to negotiate an indirect cost rate must contact their cognizant agency. For assignments of cognizant agencies, see 2 CFR § 200.1.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/performance-measures https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY25AMSGDGenhttps:/www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/FY25AMSGDGeneralTermsandConditions.pdferalTermsandConditions.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.1

18 | P a g e

3.7.1 USING INDIRECT COSTS FOR COST SHARING

The maximum indirect costs allowed for a project may be included in different ways:

1. They can be part of the Federal portion of the project budget. For example, if the maximum indirect cost is $8,000, the applicant can include the full amount in the Federal part of the budget.

2. Alternatively, indirect cost can be offered as an In-Kind Cost Share contribution. For example, if the maximum indirect cost is $8,000, the applicant can include the full amount in the In-kind Cost Share part of the budget.

3. The applicant may split the indirect cost allocation between the Federal and non-Federal portions of the budget only if the total amount of indirect costs does not exceed the maximum indirect costs allowed. For example, they could include $4,000 in the Federal budget and $4,000 as an in-kind contribution. Alternatively, the applicant may request any other combination that, when combined, does not exceed the maximum indirect costs allowable.

Refer to 2 CFR §200.413 and §200.414 for additional information on determining if costs charged to the award are direct or indirect.

3.8 SUBAWARDS

The applicant is expected to perform most of the work of the project. However, the applicant may subaward and/or contract (2 CFR 200.331) with partners, collaborators, or other parties that provide additional knowledge, expertise, or resources to complete the proposed project and that are not available within the applicant organization. In all subaward or contract scenarios, the primary applicant will maintain the oversight and reporting responsibility as the AOR. See section 2.3.1 for more information. Using grant funds to competitively “re-grant” funds in mini-grant programs or to activities that are not central to the purpose of the project or for unknown costs is unallowable.

3.9 COORDINATOR MEETING TRAVEL

Recipients are expected to attend an AMS sponsored grant management meeting during the project’s period of performance. The proposed budget must include travel funds for an individual identified in the Key Staff section of the Project Narrative. In addition, the application may include travel costs for a second staff member.

Estimate the cost of travel including flight, hotel, per diem, ground transportation to a major city for 3-day, 2-night stay. For previous year, an example of this estimate can be around $1,700 per individual. Location and dates are to be determined with possibility of a virtual conference. If the conference is virtual, recipients will be able to reallocate those funds to another allowable item.

4.0 APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

Applicants MUST submit the required documentation in the appropriate format as listed in this section.

4.1 APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Before submitting an application, applicants must read the RFA in its entirety to fully understand the program’s requirements. This application checklist provides the mandatory and, if applicable, documents for an application package.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.413 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.331

19 | P a g e

Mandatory Documents:

SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance (Grants.gov) SF-424A – Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs (Grants.gov) Project Abstract Summary (Grants.gov) Project Narrative Form (section 4.5 or 4.6)

Must use required template.

Executive Summary is no more than 250 words.

Ensure it does not exceed the page limit specified in section 4.5 or 4.6.

Ensure the application excludes unallowable costs and activities per section 3.6.

Ensure the federal funds requested do not exceed the maximum or minimum award amount per section 3.3.

Signed Letter(s) of Verification for Cost Sharing Funds for each cost share resource per section 4.7.

Signed Letter(s) of Commitment from Partners and Collaborators per section 4.8.

If applicable, packages may also be required to include the following documents:

Signed Letter(s) Stating Evidence of Critical Resources and Infrastructure per section 4.9.

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) per section 4.10.

AMS recommends submitting applications at least two weeks before the deadline to account for any issues.

4.2 SF-424 APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

Required. Form SF-424 is available via the application package in Grants.gov. Applicants must use the following supplemental instructions associated with specific blocks on form SF-424.

Block Instructions

1 - Type of Submission Select Application 2 - Type of Application Select New 4 through 7…