LFPA25 NOFO_FINAL_508 COMPLIANT.pdf

OMB No. 0581‐0330

Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA25)

Fiscal Year 2025 Program Scope and Requirements

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-10182-LFPA0000-25-0001

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Publication Date: December 10, 2024

Project Summary Due Date: 11:59 pm EASTERN TIME ON April 30, 2025

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Funding Opportunity Title: Local Food Purchase Assistance Program

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA‐AMS‐10182‐LFPA0000‐25‐0001

Announcement Type: Initial

Assistance Listing Number: 10.182

Project Summary Due Date: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 30, 2025.

Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), will enter into cooperative agreements with state/territory and federally recognized Tribal governments for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA25). The purpose of this program is to allow state/territory and federally recognized Tribal governments to expand upon prior LFPA and LFPA Plus work, and to provide an opportunity for state/Territory and federally recognized Tribal governments who did not participate in LFPA or LFPA Plus to establish projects through LFPA25. The funding under LFPA25 will establish cooperative agreements with state/territory and federally recognized Tribal governments for the purpose of supporting local producers by purchasing local, unprocessed or minimally processed domestic foods and distributing the food to underserved communities. Projects should prioritize purchasing from historically underserved farmers/producers/fishers and small businesses including processors, aggregators, and distributors.

AMS will make only one award per State/territory; agencies within the State must coordinate if more than one agency wishes to implement this program. The state/territory and federally recognized Tribal governments can also partner with local organizations. Awards to federally recognized Tribal governments are not considered a state agency award, and additional awards will be made to federally recognized Tribal governments. Up to $471.5 million is available from funds authorized under Section 5(c) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 USC 714c(c)).

This announcement identifies the program scope and requirements for LFPA25.

AMS encourages projects that benefit historically underserved farmers/producers/fishers and small businesses including processors, aggregators, and distributors, provide food distribution to underserved communities that are not part of the normal food distribution networks, and incorporate culturally relevant foods, including kosher and halal, as appropriate based on community preferences. For cooperative agreements intending to serve these entities, projects should engage and involve those beneficiaries. AMS would like these relationships and purchase and distribution channels to continue past the conclusion of this program.

Stakeholder Input: AMS seeks comments about this Notice of Funding Announcement. We will consider the comments in developing any future funding announcements for the program. Email written comments within one year of the publication date of this document to LFPA@USDA.gov. (This e‐mail address is intended only for receiving comments and questions regarding this document and not requesting information or forms.) In your subject line, include, ‘Input LFPA25’.

mailto:LFPA@USDA.gov

Program Highlights

• This Funding Announcement is for the award of non‐competitive cooperative agreements.

• The Program Scope and Requirements and AMS General Terms and Conditions apply to the resulting awards along with the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR part 200).

• All references to Grants Solutions in the AMS General Terms and Conditions should be understood to refer to ezFedGrants. This program utilizes ezFedGrants, not Grant Solutions.

• Only State, territory, and Federally Recognized Tribal Governments will be considered for awards.

• There is no matching requirement for this program; however, none of the LFPA25 funds may be used for indirect or administrative costs. Recipients must confirm the availability of non‐ federal funds for the administration of the program.

Award Information

AMS expects Recipients to read the entire Funding Announcement prior to submitting a Project Summary to ensure the program’s requirements are understood.

LFPA25 requires Recipients who have previously received an LFPA or LFPA Plus agreement to submit o A completed LFPA25 Project Summary o Your organization must have a SO and GAO registered in ezFedGrants

LFPA25 requires new Recipients to submit:

o SF‐424 – Application for Federal Assistance o SF‐424A ‐ Budget Information for Non‐Construction Programs o LFPA25 Project Summary o Your organization must have a SO and GAO registered in ezFedGrants o Certification Regarding Lobbying form

The amount allocated to each State, Territory, or Tribal Government is provided starting on page 10 of this announcement. AMS reserves the right to adjust the final award amounts based on the Project Summary.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/September_October_2024_AMS_General_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

1.2 PURPOSE

1.3 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

2.0 AWARD INFORMATION

2.1 TYPE OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

2.2 LFPA25 PROJECTS

2.3 AVAILABLE FUNDING

2.4 DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS IF A PRIOR LFPA AGREEMENT IS IN PLACE

2.5 FEDERAL AWARD PERIOD DURATION

2.6 AWARD SIZE

3.0 ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

3.1 ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS

3.2 ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES

3.3 COST SHARING AND MATCHING

4.0 PROJECT SUMMARY SUBMISSION INFORMATION FOR ENTITIES WITH PRIOR LFPA

OR LFPA PLUS AGREEMENTS

4.1 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION

4.2 CONTENT AND FORM OF PROJECT SUMMARY SUBMISSION

4.3 SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME

4.4 FUNDS NOT APPLIED FOR

5.0 PROJECT SUMMARY SUBMISSION INFORMATION FOR NEW RECIPIENTS

5.1 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION

5.2 CONTENT AND FORM OF PROJECT SUMMARY SUBMISSION

5.3 SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME

5.4 INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

5.5 FUNDS NOT APPLIED FOR

5.6 HOW TO REGISTER TO APPLY THROUGH GRANTS.GOV

6.0 FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

6.1 DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS

6.2 ALLOWABLE AND UNALLOWABLE COSTS AND ACTIVITIES

6.3 SUPPLANTING

6.4 SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC BUSINESSES

7.0 EZFEDGRANTS.GOV REQUIREMENTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

MANAGEMENT

7.1 TIPS FOR RECIPIENTS

8.0 PROJECT SUMMARY REVIEW INFORMATION

9.0 AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

9.1 AWARD NOTICES

9.2 ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

9.3 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

10.0 AGENCY CONTACTS

10.1 PROGRAMMATIC QUESTIONS

10.2 ADDRESS

10.3 AVAILABLE RESOURCES

10.4 EZFEDGRANTS.GOV QUESTIONS

11.0 OTHER INFORMATION

11.1 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

11.2 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS

11.3 PAPERWORK REDUCTION

1.0 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA25) is authorized by Section 5(c) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 USC 714c(c)).

1.2 PURPOSE

The purpose of this program is to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency through the procurement of local, domestic, and unprocessed or minimally processed agricultural commodities. The program achieves this purpose in the overarching goals below:

1. Provide an opportunity for State and Tribal Governments to strengthen their local and regional food system by making purchases from local farmers/producers/fishers, prioritizing purchasing from historically underserved producers/farmers/fishers and small businesses including processors, aggregators, and distributors.

2. Establish and broaden partnerships with the food distribution community and local food networks to ensure distribution of fresh and nutritious foods in underserved communities.

3. Increase access to local food and improve supply chain resiliency by building partnerships with historically underserved farmers/producers/fishers, small businesses, and underserved communities that will continue after the program concludes.

1.2.1 DEFINITIONS

Domestic food. “Agricultural Commodity” means a product grown, processed, and otherwise prepared for sale or distribution exclusively in the United States or its territories, except with respect to minor ingredients. Minor ingredients from nondomestic sources will be allowed to be utilized as a United States product if such ingredients are not otherwise: (1) produced in the United States; and (2) commercially available in the United States at fair and reasonable prices from domestic sources. The following ingredients are determined by AMS Commodity Procurement as not available at fair and reasonable prices and are waived from U.S. origin restrictions: (1) Vitamin A (Retinol Palmitate), (2) Vitamin D, (3) Carageenan (stabilizing agent), (4) Sorbic Acid (preservative), (5) Potassium Sorbate (preservative), (6) Rennet (coagulant), (7) Items excepted from the Buy American Act under FAR 25.104 Nonavailable Articles.

Historically underserved. Some groups of people are identified in Farm Bill legislation and in USDA policy as being Historically Underserved (HU). Members of these groups have been historically underserved by, or subject to discrimination in, Federal policies and programs. Four groups are defined by USDA as “Historically Underserved”, including farmers or ranchers who are: Beginning; Socially Disadvantaged; Veterans; and Limited Resource.

Local or regional producers are farmers, ranchers, producers, fishers, processors or distributors and other businesses involved in food production or distribution that are located in the state or tribal region or within 400 miles of the delivery destination.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/25.104 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/25.104 https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/underserved-farmers-ranchers

Local or regional food means food that is raised, produced, aggregated, stored, processed, and distributed in the locality or region where the final product is marketed to consumers, so that the total distance that the product travels between the farm or ranch where the product originates and the point of sale to the end consumer is at most 400 miles, or both the final market and the origin of the product are within the same State, territory, or tribal land.

Small business. A small business is defined based on Small Business Association (SBA) size standards and varies depending on the NAICS code of the business. SBA size standards can be found in eCFR :: 13 CFR Part 121 ‐‐ Small Business Size Regulations.

Underserved communities are those defined in accordance with Exec Order 13985, Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, Jan 20, 2021:

Sec. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this order:

(a) The term “equity” means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

(b) The term “underserved communities” refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of “equity.”

Unprocessed or minimally processed foods include fruits and vegetables (including 100% juices); grain products such as pastas and rice; meats (whole, pieces, or food items such as ground meats), fish; meat alternates such as beans or legumes; and fluid milk and other dairy foods such as cheese and yogurt.

Minimally processed means that products may be whole, cut, pureed, fresh, frozen, canned, dried or otherwise processed such that the original product character is retained. The effects of the following food handling and preservation techniques shall not be considered as changing an agricultural product into a product of a different kind or character: Cooling; refrigerating; freezing; size adjustment made by peeling, slicing, dicing, cutting, chopping, shucking, and grinding; forming ground products into patties without any additives or fillers; drying/dehydration; washing; packaging (such as placing eggs in cartons), vacuum packing and bagging (such as placing vegetables in bags or combining two or more types of vegetables or fruits in a single package); the addition of ascorbic acid or other preservatives to prevent oxidation of produce; butchering livestock and poultry; cleaning fish; and the pasteurization of milk.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-121#121.201 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-121#121.201

1.3 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will enter into cooperative agreements with States, territories, and Tribal Governments to expand upon prior LFPA and LFPA Plus work, and to provide an opportunity for State/territories and Tribal governments that did not participate in LFPA or LFPA Plus to establish projects through LFPA25. States, territories, and Tribal governments will purchase local, unprocessed or minimally processed domestic foods from local producers, targeting historically underserved farmers/producers/fishers and small businesses including processors, aggregators, and distributors.

Food purchased will target distribution to underserved communities. In addition to increasing local food consumption, funds are expected to help build and expand economic opportunity for local and historically underserved farmers/producers/fishers and small businesses including processors, aggregators, and distributors.

AMS encourages projects that benefit historically underserved farmers/producers/fishers and small businesses, provide food distribution to underserved communities that are not part of the normal food distribution networks, and incorporate culturally relevant foods, including kosher and halal, as appropriate based on community preferences. For cooperative agreements intending to serve these entities, recipients should engage and involve those beneficiaries when developing their Project Summary. AMS would like these relationships and purchase and distribution channels to continue past the conclusion of this program.

USDA will provide the State, territory, or Tribal government funding for food purchases as well as guidance, technical assistance, instruction, and monitoring throughout the life cycle of the cooperative agreement.

Funding can only be used for food procurement. Recipients may not request direct or indirect costs associated with developing or administering the program. All food purchased must be unprocessed or minimally processed, and must meet the definitions of domestic and local, as defined in section 1.2.1.

See section 4.6.2 “Allowable and unallowable costs and activities” for more information.

$100 million in funding will be available for Tribal agreements, $50 million of which will be allocated for Tribes enrolled in past rounds of LFPA, the remaining $50 million will be allocated to Tribes that have not previously participated in the LFPA program. The remainder of the funds, $371.5 million will be available to state governments and territories. These funds will be awarded through a non‐competitive process. Funds awarded to States and territories will be based on the statutory The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) funding formula. This formula considers the poverty rate and unemployment levels in each state to ensure the distribution of funds corresponds to feeding needs in each state. Cooperative Agreements will be awarded based on acceptability of the Project Summary and the ability of the recipient to meet the goals of the program.

1.3.1 SUBAWARDS

State/territory and Tribal Governments will ensure that subrecipients maintain appropriate records and follow all applicable Federal statutes and regulations as well as the Grant Agreement and AMS General Terms and Conditions.

Recipients with subawards of more than $30,000 must report on subrecipients in the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System at https://www.fsrs.gov/. This reporting should occur as soon as possible once there is a signed grant agreement with the subrecipient.

Please see Appendix A to 2 CFR § 170 for additional reporting requirements concerning subawards.

2.0 AWARD INFORMATION

2.1 TYPE OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

AMS will establish Cooperative Agreements with eligible entities. AMS will award new Cooperative Agreements to Tribal Governments and states/territories, and will not amend LFPA and LFPA Plus agreements to add LFPA25 funding to existing agreements. This round of LFPA25 is a separate program.

Project Summaries must be received by April 30, 2025.

2.2 LFPA25 PROJECTS

AMS will review all Project Summaries for conformance with the criteria in section 5.0.

2.3 AVAILABLE FUNDING

Funds awarded to States and territories will be based on the statutory The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) funding formula. Amendments to award amounts may occur, depending on initial demand for the program and the availability of funds. Final adjustments may occur to the award once the final Project Summaries have been submitted. The total funding available is up to $471.5 million.

2.4 DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS IF A PRIOR LFPA AGREEMENT IS IN PLACE

AMS will review Project Summaries and approve them as they are received. If a recipient has a prior LFPA or LFPA Plus agreement, funds from LFPA (ARPA) and LFPA Plus (CCC) must be expended prior to the disbursement of funds through an LFPA25 agreement.

2.5 FEDERAL AWARD PERIOD DURATION

The period of performance of the cooperative agreements will be three years from the time of award. It is acceptable to complete a project before the scheduled performance period end date. The period of performance will be specified in the cooperative agreement.

2.6 AWARD SIZE

These funds will be awarded through a noncompetitive process in the amount specified in the table on pages 10‐17 of this announcement. After cooperative agreements are awarded, AMS will determine the final amount of the award based on the Project Summary submitted by the recipient. AMS will redistribute any remaining funds in a manner to be determined after all Project Summaries are received.

Awards to States and territories will be based on The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) funding formula (as represented in the table below). This formula considers the poverty rate and https://www.fsrs.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-170 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-170 unemployment levels in each state to ensure the distribution of funds corresponds to nutrition assistance needs in each state. Awards to Tribes will be based on participation in previous rounds of LFPA and LFPA Plus. Fifty million dollars is available for agreements to additional tribes.

2.6.1 STATE AND TERRITORY ALLOCATIONS

TEFAP ALLOCATION WORKSHEET (FY25 FORMULA)

ALLOCATION OF FUNDING FOR STATES AND TERRITORIES

Region/State Allocation

NORTHEAST

Connecticut $3,745,704

Maine $1,249,360

Massachusetts $6,438,862

New Hampshire $967,827

New York $24,033,651

Rhode Island $1,124,836

Vermont $498,027

Virgin Islands $189,051

MID-ATLANTIC

Delaware $1,026,503

District of Columbia $958,045

Maryland $4,850,063

New Jersey $9,902,456

Pennsylvania $13,003,131

Puerto Rico $8,243,001

Virginia $7,614,081

West Virginia $2,280,467

SOUTHEAST

Alabama $5,633,744

Florida $22,439,038

Georgia $11,620,639

Kentucky $5,878,902

Mississippi $3,552,579

North Carolina $11,424,325

South Carolina $5,681,359

Tennessee $7,698,500

MIDWEST

Illinois $14,714,408

Indiana $7,126,596

Iowa $2,988,354

Michigan $11,664,117

Minnesota $4,732,009

Ohio $13,254,230

Wisconsin $5,489,945

SOUTHWEST

Arizona $8,053,671

Arkansas $3,585,120

Louisiana $6,389,464

New Mexico $2,816,040

Oklahoma $4,903,569

Texas $35,278,903

Utah $2,786,436

MOUNTAIN PLAINS

Colorado $5,482,139

Kansas $2,643,574

Missouri $6,232,961

Montana $1,111,229

Nebraska $1,674,327

North Dakota $580,388

South Dakota $777,698

Wyoming $531,840

WESTERN

Alaska $765,450

California $47,284,232

Guam $305,298

Hawaii $1,216,009

Idaho $1,766,779

Nevada $3,922,801

N Mariana Isl. $164,509

Oregon $4,708,863

Washington $8,494,890

2.6.2 TRIBAL GOVERNMENT ALLOCATIONS

Tribe Allocation

Alabama‐Coushatta Tribe of Texas $208,963

Alabama‐Quassarte Tribal Town $175,174

Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association $38,927

Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor $195,516

Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians $293,320

Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria $246,923

Bishop Paiute Tribe $228,179

Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation $264,707

Blue Lake Rancheria $105,074

Catawba Indian Nation $619,609

Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska $513,301

Cherokee Nation $3,544,266

Cheyenne and Arapaho $318,427

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe $1,362,462

Chickahominy Indian Tribe ‐ Eastern Division $314,036

Chignik Lagoon Village Council $110,270

Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation $155,710

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma $1,751,737

Columbia River Inter‐Tribal Fish Commission $1,476,967

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes $354,240

Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation $1,033,881

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon $103,547

Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon

$272,492

Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana $193,269

Cowlitz Indian Tribe $81,272

Crow Tribe of Indians $875,868

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians $1,181,070

Ekwok Village Council $49,516

Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe $202,547

Flandreau Sioux Tribe $233,565

Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa $285,512

Forest County Potawatomi Community $79,861

Fort Belknap Indian Community $778,550

Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribe $114,641

Galena Village Louden Tribe $172,056

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians $453,970

Holy Cross Tribe $319,050

Hoopa Valley Tribe $282,908

Igiugig Village $132,881

Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska $506,990

Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation $109,196

Ketchikan Indian Community $63,717

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe $364,505

Levelock Village Council $178,677

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe $642,304

Lummi Nation $205,405

Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation $187,997

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation $540,985

Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria $107,829

Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin $1,464,260

Metlakatla Indian Community $175,174

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians $939,757

Modoc Nation $97,319

Monacan Indian Nation $304,827

Narragansett Indian Tribe $186,852

Native Village of Fort Yukon $297,930

Native Village of Paimiut $73,511

Native Village of Port Heiden $34,876

Native Village of Tyonek $309,824

Native Village of Unalakleet $175,174

Navajo Nation $2,160,475

Ninilchik Village $521,453

Northern Cheyenne Tribe $539,535

Nisqually Indian Tribe $1,751,737

Oglala Sioux Tribe $5,955,902

Osage Nation $318,940

Pascua Yaqui Tribe $423,820

Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma $269,184

Poarch Band of Creek Indians $336,406

Ponca Tribe of Nebraska $515,517

Pueblo of Zuni $77,855

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe $112,890

Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska $883,654

Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians $142,109

Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians $856,405

Rosebud Sioux Tribe $361,870

Salamatof Tribe $87,966

Sauk‐Suiattle Indian Tribe $205,031

Seminole Nation of Oklahoma $220,423

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians $461,859

Shinnecock Indian Nation $87,227

Sitka Tribe of Alaska $965,402

Spirit Lake Tribe $340,814

The Chickasaw Nation $606,276

Tolowa Dee‐ni’ Nation (T D‐N in EFG) $125,144

Tunica‐Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana $258,655

Tuolumne Band of Me‐Wuk Indians $2,826,478

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians $1,362,462

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee $467,130

Walker River Paiute Tribe $96,965

Wyandotte Nation $109,620

Yurok Tribe $459,423

Total $50,000,000

3.0 ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

3.1 ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS

Eligible entities include the state, territory or federally recognized Tribal government agencies, commissions, or departments that are responsible for agriculture, procurement, food distribution, emergency response or similar activities. AMS will make only one award per State or territory. Awards to Tribal Governments are not considered a state agency award; additional awards will be made to Tribal Governments.

3.2 ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES

Eligible beneficiaries of purchases include those involved in the production and distribution of local domestic food. Purchases will be made from farmers, producers, fishers, processors, or distributors that meet the definition of a local producer as defined in 1.2.1. All food purchased must meet the definition of local, minimally processed or unprocessed, and domestic. States, territories, and Tribal governments should target purchases from beneficiaries that are historically underserved and/or small businesses.

Purchases must comply with Section 7, Procurement, of the AMS General Terms and Conditions.

Recipients must maintain records and documentation to support the charges against the Federal awards.

Eligible beneficiaries to receive the food are those members of communities in need of food.

Distribution target communities should meet the definition of underserved. Food distribution may occur through state agencies, non‐profit organizations engaged in food distribution, and other entities capable of ensuring program requirements are met.

A recipient may subaward with partners and collaborators. Only the recipient must meet the eligibility requirements listed in this Funding Announcement.

• A partnership is a relationship involving close cooperation between parties having specified and joint rights and responsibilities in the management of the project.

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

Partners and collaborators may come from private or public, for‐profit, or nonprofit entities. Recipients must show evidence of existing community or industry support and engagement.

3.3 COST SHARING AND MATCHING

LFPA25 does not have a federal cost sharing or matching requirement.

4.0 PROJECT SUMMARY SUBMISSION INFORMATION FOR ENTITIES WITH

PRIOR LFPA OR LFPA PLUS AGREEMENTS

State, Territories, and Tribal Governments that have previously entered into a LFPA and/or LFPA Plus cooperative agreements with USDA AMS must follow the instructions in this section (4.0) to respond to this NOFO.

4.1 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION

Only electronic Project Summaries may be submitted via LFPA@usda.gov in response to this NOFO.

Recipients are urged to submit their project summaries earlier than the deadline in Section 4.3. This NOFO contains the information needed to obtain and complete the required Project Summary.

4.2 CONTENT AND FORM OF PROJECT SUMMARY SUBMISSION

4.2.1 LFPA25 PROJECT SUMMARY

Required: All recipients must submit a Project Summary using the “LFPA25 – Project Summary” template. The template requires:

• Basic organizational and contact information.

• A no more than 500‐word summary of the proposed project. The summary should include a concise overview of how the project will accomplish the program goals listed in section 1.2 of the NOFO. Recipients must describe: activities to be performed, including subawards (when applicable); producers you will purchase from and venues you will distribute food through; and any other pertinent information. It should also address how the project will provide an opportunity for State and Tribal Governments to strengthen their local and regional food system by making purchases from local farmers/producers/fishers, prioritizing purchasing from historically underserved producers/farmers/fishers and small businesses; and will establish and broaden partnerships with the food distribution community and local food networks to ensure distribution of fresh and nutritious foods in underserved communities.

• Estimated outcome indicators, including how many producers and food distribution locations will benefit from the proposed project, in alignment with program goals.

• A detailed work plan and project timeline. It is important that recipients have a well thought out and plan that is clearly described to AMS.

• A budget. The budget must equal the total amount of funding requested. Funding can only be used for food procurement. Recipients may not request direct or indirect costs associated with developing or administering the program. All food purchased must be unprocessed or minimally processed, must meet the definitions of domestic and local, as defined in section

1.2.1. See section 4.6.2 “Allowable and unallowable costs and activities” for more information.

• Acknowledgement of several program requirements.

The Project Summary must be typed, single‐spaced, in an 11‐point font. The final summary using the template “LFPA25 – Project Summary” must not exceed 10 pages, including existing form content. DO NOT modify the margins of the form.

PLEASE NOTE: AMS does not require Congressional letters of support, and such letters do not carry additional weight during the evaluation process.

4.3 SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME

Recipients must submit Project Summaries via LFPA@usda.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 30, 2025. AMS will not consider Project Summaries received after this deadline for funds. Your Project Summary may not be reviewed if it is:

• Received after the submission deadline;

• Submitted via any method other than through LFPA@usda.gov;

• Submitted to the wrong grant program; or

• Not responsive to the requirements of this Funding Announcement (eligibility, incomplete

Project Summary, not providing all required documents, etc.);

• The recipient organization does not have a SO and GAO registered in ezFedGrants.

See AMS’ Late and/or Non‐Responsive Applications Policy for more information.

4.4 FUNDS NOT APPLIED FOR

States, territories, or Tribal Governments who do not submit a Project Summary or do not request all available funding prior to the due date for the submission of Project Summaries will forfeit all or that portion of available funding not requested. AMS will allocate funds not applied for, by a date determined by AMS. This distribution may include State agencies, territories, Tribal governments, or local governments.

5.0 PROJECT SUMMARY SUBMISSION INFORMATION FOR NEW RECIPIENTS

New recipients are States, Territories, or Tribal Governments that did not enter into a cooperative agreement with USDA AMS under the prior LFPA or LFPA Plus programs. New recipients must follow the instructions in this section (5.0) to respond to this NOFO.

5.1 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION

Only electronic Project Summaries may be submitted via Grants.gov in response to this Program NOFO.

We urge recipients to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For an overview of the Grants.gov submission process, please visit the Grants.gov website. This NOFO contains the information needed to obtain and complete required Project Summary and AMS‐specific attachments.

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

Recipients can find the opportunity under the Assistance Listing number “10.182.”

5.2 CONTENT AND FORM OF PROJECT SUMMARY SUBMISSION

5.2.1 FORM SF‐424 APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

Required: Form SF‐424 is available via the opportunity at Grants.gov. Most information blocks on the required form are either self‐explanatory or adequately explained in the instructions. However, recipients must use the following supplemental instructions associated with specific blocks on form SF‐ 424.

Block Instruction

1. Type of Submission Application.

2. Type of Application New.

4. and 5. Not applicable.

8.c. UEI Organization’s SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI).

The UEI must be active upon submission of application.

8.d. Address The organization street address as it appears in SAM.gov. P.O. Boxes will not be accepted. Enter a 9‐digit zip code.

10. Name of Federal Agency AMS, USDA

11. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (Assisted Listing Number)

10.182

12. Funding Opportunity Number USDA‐AMS‐10182‐LFPA0000‐25‐0001

13. Competition Identification Number Not applicable.

16.a. Congressional Districts for Applicant Enter the Congressional district where your main office is located.

16.b. Congressional Districts for Program/Project

Enter the Congressional district(s) where your project will be performed. Write “All” if the projects will be performed in more than one location.

17. Proposed Project Start Date and End Date Enter proposed start date and end date. End date must be within 36 months of award

18. Estimated Funding Total Federal funds allocated by AMS.

19. Is Applicant Subject to Review by State Under Executive Order 12372 Process?

c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372

5.2.2 SF‐424A

Required: Form SF‐424A is available via the opportunity at Grants.gov. Most information blocks on the required form are either self‐explanatory or adequately explained in the instructions. However, recipients must use the following supplemental instructions associated with specific blocks on form SF‐ 424A.

Block Instruction

1.a. Grant Program Function or Activity LFPA25.

1.b. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

10.182

1.c. Estimated Unobligated Federal Funds Enter the total amount of federal funds requested.

1.d., 1.e., 1.f Not applicable.

1.g.

Enter the total amount of federal funds requested.

2., 3., 4. Not applicable.

6. Column (1). Object Class Categories LFPA25

6.f. Column (1). Contractual Enter the total amount of federal funds requested. Leave all other budget category lines blank.

Section C. Non‐Federal Resources Not applicable.

Section D. Forecasted Cash Needs Not applicable.

Section E. Budget Estimates of Federal Funds Needed for Balance of the Project

Not applicable.

21. Direct Charges Enter the total amount of federal funds allocated by AMS.

22. Indirect Charges Not applicable.

5.2.3 LFPA25 PROJECT SUMMARY

Required: All recipients must submit a Project Summary using the “LFPA25 – Project Summary” template. The template requires:

• Basic organizational and contact information.

• A no more than 500‐word summary of the proposed project. The summary should include a concise overview of how the project will accomplish the program goals listed in section 1.2 of the NOFO. Recipients must describe: activities to be performed, including subawards (when applicable); producers you will purchase from and venues you will distribute food through; and any other pertinent information. It should also address how the project will provide an opportunity for State and Tribal Governments to strengthen their local and regional food system by making purchases from local farmers/producers/fishers, prioritizing purchasing from historically underserved producers/farmers/fishers and small businesses; and will establish and broaden partnerships with the food distribution community and local food networks to ensure distribution of fresh and nutritious foods in underserved communities.

• Estimated outcome indicators, including how many producers and food distribution locations will benefit from the proposed project, in alignment with program goals.

• A detailed work plan and project timeline. It is important that recipients have a well thought out and plan that is clearly described to AMS.

• A budget. The budget must equal the total amount of funding requested. Funding can only be used for food procurement. Recipients may not request direct or indirect costs associated with developing or administering the program. All food purchased must be unprocessed or minimally processed, must meet the definitions of domestic and local, as defined in section

1.2.1. See section 4.6.2 “Allowable and unallowable costs and activities” for more information.

• Acknowledgement of several program requirements.

The Project Summary must be typed, single‐spaced, in an 11‐point font. The final summary using the template “LFPA25 – Project Summary” must not exceed 10 pages, including existing form content. DO NOT modify the margins of the form.

PLEASE NOTE: AMS does not require Congressional letters of support, and such letters do not carry additional weight during the evaluation process.

5.2.4 CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING FORM

Required: The form is self‐explanatory. Read the form completely and provide the required information and signature.

5.3 SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME

Recipients must submit Project Summaries via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 30, 2025.

AMS will not consider Project Summaries received after this deadline for funds. Your Project Summary may not be reviewed if it is:

• Received after the submission deadline;

• Submitted via any method other than through Grants.gov;

• Submitted to the wrong grant program; or

• Not responsive to the requirements of this Funding Announcement (eligibility, incomplete

Project Summary, not providing all required documents, etc.);

• The applicant organization does not have a SO and GAO registered in ezFedGrants.

See AMS’ Late and/or Non‐Responsive Applications Policy for more information.

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

5.4 INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with state and local officials.

5.5 FUNDS NOT APPLIED FOR

States, territories, or Tribal Governments who do not submit a Project Summary or do not request all available funding prior to the due date for the submission of Project Summaries will forfeit all or that portion of available funding not requested. AMS will allocate funds not applied for, by a date determined by AMS. This distribution may include State agencies, territories, Tribal governments, or local governments.

5.6 HOW TO REGISTER TO APPLY THROUGH GRANTS.GOV

5.6.1 STEPS TO REGISTER

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. Therefore, complete your registration allowing sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Organization applicants can find complete instructions here: Applicant Registration | Grants.gov

1) Register with SAM.gov: Organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). All organizations must register with SAM to apply online. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM.gov accounts must be updated annually, and your organization must have an active SAM.gov account to submit your application to Grants.gov.

2) Obtain a SAM UEI: All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a SAM Unique Entity Identifier. Applicants must enter the UEI in the data entry field labeled "SAM UEI" on the SF‐424 form. After April 4, 2022, the DUNS number is no longer used as the entity identifier for federal awards. Information about finding your Unique Entity ID (UEI) or registering for a UEI is available at Entity Registration | SAM.gov.

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 UEI 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. To apply for grants on behalf of your organization, the EBiz POC will need to identify and assign an individual to the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role.

4) Authorize Grants.gov Roles: After creating an account on Grants.gov, the EBiz POC receives an email notifying him or her of your registration and request for roles. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, including the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html https://sam.gov/entity-registration https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-4-aor-authorization.html on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been approved as an AOR.

5) Track Role Status: After registering with Grants.gov and authorizing the applicant AOR, Grants.gov allows you to track your status

b. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization's AOR who 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 AORs. This step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

5.6.2 HOW TO SUBMIT THE PROJECT SUMMARY TO AMS VIA GRANTS.GOV

Recipients may use the Grants.gov Workspace, a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement, you can create individual instances of a Workspace.

1) Create a Workspace: This allows you to complete your Workspace online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

2) Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace, complete all the required forms, and check for errors before submission.

a. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace so that they will appear similar to other Standard or AMS forms. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, and then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: You may need to visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software.

b. Mandatory Fields in Forms: Fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color are mandatory fields you must complete to successfully submit your application.

c. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant’s name, address, and UEI. To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF‐424 form information first. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

3) Submit a Workspace: Submit your application through Workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting the application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the due date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

SPECIAL NOTE: Grants.gov does not check for AMS required attachments. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required attachments listed in section 4.2 are included.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-5-track-aor-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

4) Track a Workspace: After successfully submitting a workspace package, Grants.gov automatically assigns a Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) to the package, which will be listed on the Confirmation page generated after submission.

Technical Support: Grants.gov provides additional training resources, including video tutorials.

Recipients may also call the 24/7 toll‐free support number 1‐800‐518‐4726, or email support@grants.gov. Grants.gov will issue a ticket number that you and Grants.gov can refer to if the issue is not resolved. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the person(s) mentioned in section 7.0.

5.6.3 TIMELY RECEIPT REQUIREMENTS AND PROOF OF TIMELY SUBMISSION

All Project Summaries must be received by the due date established in section 5.3. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov using an electronic date/time stamp generated when the Project Summary is successfully received by Grants.gov. The AOR will then receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov. 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 AMS successfully retrieves the Project Summary from Grants.gov and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will electronically acknowledge receipt of the document to the AOR’s email address. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the email from Grants.gov stating the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your Project Summary. Project Summaries received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by AMS.

AMS will not accept Project Summaries by fax, email, or postal mail. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by AMS. See AMS’ Policy on Late Applications.

Special Note for Recipients with Slow Internet Connections. Recipients using slow internet connections, such as dial‐up connections, may experience significantly longer transmission times when submitting their Project Summary to Grants.gov, especially if there are large attachments contained in the upload.

Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error message or a successfully received transmission notification via email to the AOR.

6.0 FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

6.1 DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS

Indirect costs are not allowable. Recipients may not request direct or indirect costs associated with developing and administering the program.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMSPolicyonConsiderationofLateNonresponsiveApplications.pdf

6.2 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. All references to Grants Solutions in the AMS General Terms and Conditions should be understood to refer to ezFedGrants. This program utilizes ezFedGrants not Grant Solutions.

Funding can only be used for food procurement. Recipients may not request direct or indirect costs associated with developing or administering the program. Funding may only be used for the purchase of allowable foods. Allowable foods that may be purchased with LFPA25 funds must meet the definitions of local, domestic, and unprocessed or minimally processed as defined in section 1.2.1.

Allowable foods may include but are not limited to the examples below, all products must be local and can not include any additional additives, flavors, or colorings:

• Meat, poultry, or fish products that are sliced, ground, smoked, made into a jerky or “stick” etc.

• Items such as olive oil, hemp seed oil, honey, syrup, tea etc.

• Produce items such as juice, cider, salsa, marinara sauce, sauerkraut etc. Juice can only contain one produce item and cannot be a blend of multiple produce items.

• Bean and legume items such as tofu, tempeh, nut butters etc.

• Dairy products such as sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir, milk, butter etc.

The final cost of allowable foods may include costs associated with storage and distribution of those foods. Any associated storage and distribution costs must be subsumed within the final cost of the allowable food being purchased. Storage and distribution costs associated with the purchase of allowable foods may include:

• Lease or rental of equipment used in the physical handling, storage, and transportation of foods purchased through LFPA25 (delivery vehicles, forklifts, refrigerators, freezers, etc);

• Fees charged by commercial warehouse operators and common carriers for storage and transportation of foods purchased through LFPA25;

• Lease or rental of warehouse space to store LFPA25 foods;

• Supplies used in the storage and handling of LFPA25 products (boxes, pallets, etc);

• Salaries of temporary workers hired to assist with the handling, storage, transportation, or distribution of foods purchased and distributed through LFPA25.

The cost of storage and distribution activities cannot be “broken out” from the cost of food and paid from project funds as individual budget items. These costs must be rolled into the final cost of the allowable foods purchased through the program. AMS will only provide reimbursements for the purchase of allowable foods. Costs that are not inherent parts of food procurement are not an allowable use of funds.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/September_October_2024_AMS_General_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf

Recipients that have questions concerning the allowability of costs after reviewing this document should contact AMS staff using the contact information listed under section 7.0.

6.3 SUPPLANTING

The funds awarded through this Funding Announcement must supplement (by increasing or expanding), but not duplicate, existing food procurement and food distribution activities of the host initiatives.

6.