McGovern Dole - Q A Responses Week of April 15-19 2024.pdf

McGovern-Dole FY2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity Questions and Answers

Week of April 15-19

1. Q: Page 32 of the NOFO, second to last paragraph states, “The Applicant’s key personnel should be managers with general responsibilities for implementation of the agreement, such as the country director, finance director, and chief of party, as well as critical technical staff for specific activities under the agreement.” Page 33 of the NOFO, fifth paragraph states, “CVs for any person in a key personnel position with major oversight of the proposed project.” Would USDA kindly confirm whether applicants should highlight key personnel based on internal administrative polices (by titles and descriptions in the Staffing Plan) but only submit CVs for the chief of party or personnel with major oversight for the project?

A: Per Page 33 of the NOFO, CV (submitted as a separate attachment, no page limit):

Applicants must attach the CV for the project lead, most typically the chief of party. The Applicant should also submit CVs for any person in a key personnel position with major oversight of the proposed project, e.g., the country director and program manager. The CV should clearly demonstrate the person’s relevant work experience and qualifications for the position.

2. Q: In the 2024 McGovern-Dole Public Meeting, USDA/FAS stated that, “Salt is not an agriculture commodity.” Some McGovern-Dole projects in current implementation include locally produced salt in their LRP plan. Would USDA kindly confirm if iodized salt is no longer an allowable commodity for LRP in McGovern-Dole projects? If the targeted population experiences a prevalence of iodine deficiency, could an applicant propose to procure locally produced, iodized salt through other funds that are not from USDA to supplement school meals that are funded by USDA?

A: Salt is not a qualified agricultural commodity and therefore cannot be included as part of the calculated local and regional procurement component. Alternatively, the purchase of salt can be an allowable activity cost under the McGovern-Dole funding portion of the budget or a cost share contribution, if Applicants demonstrate that the use of salt would enhance the effectiveness of the proposed activity.

Regarding procurement of salt through external funds, applicants can use outside funds (not McGovern-Dole funds) based on their organizational discretion.

3. Q: When inputting information into the webform on the grants.gov application portal, the drop-down menu does not have any activities under LRP. Is this correct? Should the applicant be creating a custom activity for each LRP activity?

A: Applications are not submitted through grants.gov. Per the NOFO’s Application and Submission Information starting on page 16, applications should be submitted through the Food Aid Information System (FAIS). Applicants should ensure that LRP information is provided in the correct sections of the application. Per the NOFO Content Guidance starting on page 21, Local and Regional Procurement Information (LRP) information should appear in the Intro, Strategic Analysis, and the Commodity Management section of the applications.

4. Q: Is there a minimum amount of historical data we are supposed to include in the previous projects section of the strategic analysis?

A: There is not a specified amount of historical data that applicants should provide. Per pg. 23 of the NOFO under Main Section, Country Overview and Context, Previous Projects. If Applicants are already implementing McGovern-Dole programming or other programming in the country, Applicants should describe challenges they have faced, opportunities they have had, and how they intend to address or mitigate challenges and build upon the opportunities in a continuation project or a new project.

5. Q: Is it possible for an organization to apply under only one strategic objective and not both?

A: No, as defined in the McGovern-Dole Authorizing legislation (7 USC 1736o-1), both strategic objectives must be addressed in the project proposal.

“Subject to subsection (l), the Secretary may establish a program, to be known as ‘‘McGovern Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program’’, requiring the procurement of agricultural commodities and the provision of financial and technical assistance to carry out—

(1) preschool and school food for education programs in foreign countries to improve food security, reduce the incidence of hunger, and improve literacy and primary education, particularly with respect to girls; and (2) maternal, infant, and child nutrition programs for pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, and children who are 5 years of age or younger.”