MGD Q&A Responses_5.11-5.13.docx

McGovern-Dole FY2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity Questions and Answers 5/11/26-5/13/26

1. Q: Can I submit an application for a non-priority country?

A: Yes, as stated on page 10 of the NOFO, USDA/FAS will accept and review applications for non-priority countries, excepting countries listed in Proclamation 10998Proclamation 10998. However, organizations planning to submit an application for a non-priority country should be aware that USDA/FAS rarely funds projects in non-priority countries and that USDA/FAS will prioritize funding applications for the identified priority countries.

2. Q: The NOFO states that “U.S.-provided commodities are an integral part of McGovern-Dole and Applicants must use U.S.-provided commodities to maximize program reach to targeted beneficiaries in the most cost-effective manner.” (page 10). Should applicants prioritize maximizing amount (i.e. Metric Tonnage) or dollar value?

A: Correct, U.S. provided commodities are an integral part of the McGovern-Dole program as stated clearly throughout the NOFO, which USDA/FAS both measures in terms of dollar value and metric tonnage. USDA/FAS does not value one metric over the other, but looks at both together, and recognizing that the price-per-unit can vary greatly between different commodity types. Per the NOFO review criteria under section 6.2 (table 3), applicants will be evaluated on ensuring that the U.S. commodities and ration justification follow the NOFO content guidance, giving consideration to the country-specific cont In addition to supporting school meals, past McGovern-Dole projects have successfully used U.S. commodities to reduce hunger and improve attendance through take-home rations (THR) and through activities benefiting pregnant and lactating women and children under five. Applicants are also encouraged to explore the full scope of authorities governing the use of U.S.-provided commodities—including direct distribution, sale, and barter—to advance program objectives and strengthen project impact in the target country.

3. Q: If I am a new applicant and having issues registering for FAIS. Who can I reach out to for help? Are there any resources for helping to navigate FAIS?

A: If you are a new applicant experiencing issues registering for FAIS, there are several resources and points of contact available to assist you.

The McGovern-Dole grant opportunity page on Grants.gov includes helpful materials. Under the “Related Documents” tab of the funding announcement, you will find the FAIS User Manual, which provides step-by-step guidance for navigating the system. You should also refer to the FAIS new‑user registration guide, which outlines the full process for creating an account and accessing FAIS. This document explains how to register for a USDA eAuthentication account, how to log in to FAIS, and how to complete the one-time FAIS registration process, including selecting the correct organization type and roles.

If issues persist, applicants may contact PPDED@usda.gov.

4. Q: Honduras geographic targeting: Could USDA/FAS please clarify whether applicants are expected to focus exclusively on regions outside the current FY 2025 McGovern-Dole program footprint in La Paz and Intibucá, or whether applications may also include activities that address remaining gaps, underserved schools, or complementary support needs within those departments?

A: USDA/FAS encourages applicants to propose programming in surrounding regions to La Paz and Intibucá that complement active programming in those current regions. This includes the neighboring departments of Lempira, Ocotepeque, Copán, and Santa Bárbara. As noted in the NOFO (page 54), applicants should consider when choosing target regions the highest level of need, malnutrition levels, feasibility for safe and effective monitoring, and sustainable expansion of the Government of Honduras’ school feeding program. Specific to Honduras, applicants are also encouraged to take into account local capacity building to align with the Government of Honduras’ focus on decentralization of services and resources, and maximizing the use of U.S. agricultural commodities to target high malnutrition rates.

5. Q: Commodity calculator: Where can applicants access the most recent USDA/FAS commodity calculator for use in preparing McGovern-Dole applications?

A: Applicants preparing commodity budgets should estimate pricing using publicly available USDA pricing resources. The FY 2026 McGovern‑Dole NOFO directs applicants to account for rising commodity and freight rates and specifically points them to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) International Commodity Procurement Reports, which are published quarterly and provide up‑to‑date commodity prices and freight information for all food‑aid‑eligible U.S. agricultural commodities. These reports are available on the AMS International Procurement webpage at https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food/international-procurement and represent USDA’s most current reference for estimating commodity and freight costs.

Applicants can use these reports to calculate approximate per‑metric‑ton commodity costs and shipping charges by matching their proposed commodity list with the most recent AMS procurement awards.

6. Q: Access to prior evaluations: The NOFO states that “Applicants, particularly those that have not implemented McGovern-Dole or similar programming, should consult evaluations for lessons learned from prior/current McGovern-Dole programming in the country,” and the associated footnote notes that “USDA/FAS will post evaluations for priority countries with recent McGovern-Dole programming on Grants.gov as Related Documents for this announcement” (NOFO, p. 14). Could USDA/FAS please confirm where applicants can access the referenced prior McGovern-Dole and USDA Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement evaluations?

A: Yes, past evaluations for Cambodia, Honduras, Liberia, and Timor-Leste are now available via the McGovern-Dole program page https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/mcgovern-dole-food-education-program/mcgovern-dole-project-evaluation-reports. This link is also being made available under Grants.gov “Related Documents”.

7. Q: Timor-Leste government capacity strengthening: The NOFO states that USDA/FAS expects applicants to “clearly articulate a strategy to bolster Government of Timor-Leste management and administration to the current school feeding program through technical assistance and continuous process improvements.” Could USDA/FAS please clarify its preference regarding engagement with municipal governments as part of this strategy? Specifically, does USDA/FAS support direct partnership with government actors, including municipal-level authorities, as part of technical assistance and capacity-strengthening activities?

A: USDA/FAS supports technical assistance approaches that work collaboratively with Government of Timor‑Leste authorities at all administrative levels—including but not limited to national and municipal—when such engagement strengthens the management, coordination, and long‑term sustainability of the school feeding program.

8. Q: We understand Section 2.1 of the NOFO, together with 7 CFR 1599.1(f)(1), to mean that U.S. for‑profit entities are eligible to apply under the “Other Organizations” category and note that Sections 3.1 and 8.6.h further reference for‑profit recipients. We would appreciate USDA/FAS confirmation that this interpretation is correct. In addition, Appendix A lists “Proof of 501(c)(3) status documentation” as a required submission, which we understand to apply only to applicants seeking eligibility as Private Voluntary Organizations under 7 CFR 1599.2. Could USDA/FAS please confirm that for‑profit applicants applying as “Other Organizations” are exempt from providing 501(c)(3) documentation, and clarify what alternative documentation (e.g., articles of incorporation, certificate of good standing, or other evidence of legal entity status) USDA/FAS expects to establish eligibility for this applicant category?

A: Based on Section 2.1 of the NOFO, together with 7 CFR 1599.1(f)(1), USDA/FAS confirms that U.S. for‑profit entities are eligible to apply under the “Other Organizations” category. The OMB guidance at subparts A through E of 2 CFR part 200 and supplemented by 2 CFR part 400, applies to all McGovern-Dole awards made by FAS to all recipients that are private voluntary organizations, including a private voluntary organization that is a foreign organization, as defined in 2 CFR 200.47; cooperatives, including a cooperative that is a for-profit entity or a foreign organization; or other organizations, including organizations that are for-profit entities or foreign organizations, but not including intergovernmental organizations.

As listed in the NOFO, “Proof of 501(c)(3) status documentation to support eligibility determination” is a required submission for applicant organizations that are applying as a Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) with nonprofit status as an eligibility criterion. Because for‑profit entities do not seek eligibility as PVOs and instead qualify under “Other Organizations,” they are not required to submit 501(c)(3) documentation.

For applicants applying as “Other Organizations,” the NOFO states that applicants must provide any documentation needed to establish eligibility when it is not immediately obvious (Section 2.4). For for‑profit entities, this typically means submitting standard business documentation—such as articles of incorporation, a certificate of good standing, or similar evidence of legal entity status—only if USDA/FAS requests it during eligibility review. No specific alternative documentation is mandated in the NOFO for “Other Organizations.”