MPPEP4 NOFO FINAL.pdf

Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP)—Phase 4 Fortifying the American Beef Industry

Fiscal Year 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Funding Opportunity Number: RD‐RBS‐26‐04‐MPPEP

Publication Date: May 7, 2026 Application Due Date: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on August 7, 2026

Victoria Collin Deputy Administrator Rural Business-Cooperative Service

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PROGRAM SOLICITATION INFORMATION

Funding Opportunity Title: Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program - Phase 4 - Fortifying the American Beef Industry

Funding Opportunity Number: RD‐RBS‐26‐04‐MPPEP

Announcement Type: Fiscal Year 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Assistance Listing Number: 10.381

Submission Deadline: Applications must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on August 7, 2026, through Grants.gov. Applications received after this deadline are not eligible for funding.

Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development (RD) Rural Business‐Cooperative Service (RBCS or Agency), requests applications for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program - Phase 4 (the Program or MPPEP-4) - Fortifying the American Beef Industry. MPPEP-4 is authorized under Section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which provides funding to make “loans and grants and provide other assistance to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency.” Pursuant to this authority, USDA is making competitive grant funding available to Very Small Processors and Small Processors, and to Intermediate Processors to maximize the value and utilization of their existing capacity, with a focus on promoting local supply chains.

Grant funding in the amount of $60 million is available under this Program. Funding will be divided equally into two separate competitions: one for Very Small Processors and Small Processors, and one for Intermediate Processors. Each competition will have its own ranking and award process. Cost share is required. Applicants will be required to identify sources and amounts that will make up the required cost share in the application and will need to verify cost share funding prior to final award approval. Two types of applications for each of the funding competitions will be accepted:

1. Processing Expansion Projects. Awards will range from $50,000 to $2 million to support a range of activities to increase and diversify processing capacity of American Meat and Poultry, including Equipment-only purchases over $250,000, and necessary improvements, upgrades, renovations or retrofits to an existing Facility needed to install the Equipment. A match requirement of 50 percent of the Project Cost is required for Processing Expansion Projects.

2. Simplified Equipment-Only Projects. Awards will range from $10,000 to $250,000 for projects that only request the cost of Equipment and do not include renovation, labor, installation, or certification costs. A match requirement of 25 percent of the Project Cost is required for Simplified Equipment-Only Projects.

Eligible applicants for MPPEP-4 include entities that are currently engaged in the Primary Processing of cattle for commercial markets or toll process and have been in business for at least one year. Eligible applicants include For‐Profit Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, Producer-owned cooperatives, Tribes, and Tribal Entities. Privately-owned entities must be Independently Owned and Operated, and all applicants must be Domestically Owned. Additionally, an applicant’s Facility must be physically located and operating in a State. Eligible applicants must be currently operating under a FSIS grant of inspection, grant of inspection under a Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or a State Meat and Poultry inspection program with standards at least equal to Federal inspection.

Ineligible applicants include entities that have an active Federal Award through MPPEP Phase 1, MPPEP Phase 2, MPPEP Phase 3, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Local Meat Capacity Grants program, or USDA AMS Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant program. An active award means that the Period of Performance has not ended.

http://www.grants.gov./

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Applicants must meet the definition of a Very Small Processor, a Small Processor, or an Intermediate Processor. Applicants that are nationally dominant in beef, pork, chicken, or turkey processing are ineligible; for the purpose of this NOFO, nationally dominant is characterized as holding a market share greater than or equal to the entity that holds the fourth largest share of the market for beef, pork, chicken, or turkey processing.

Please note, defined terms that are critical to your understanding of the requirements in this NOFO are located in Section 1.3. The first letter of each word in a defined term is capitalized throughout this NOFO for easy identification.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

The application must include all the information in the checklist located below. Failure to submit all required information with an application will result in the application being ineligible for the Program. Please see Section 4.2 for more information and details on the required documents and supporting information.

Document Details ☐ SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Maximum Period of Performance is 24 months for Simplified Equipment-Only Projects and 36 months for Processing Expansion Projects

☐ SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs

Assurances for Non-Construction Projects.

☐ AD-2106 – Questionnaire to Assist in the Assessment of USDA Compliance with Civil Rights Laws

Voluntary; not required.

☐ Project Narrative Application Grant Purpose and Project Details. Narrative is limited to 20 pages, not including application template and Supporting Documents.

☐Business Plan Business Plan including rationale for proposed project.

☐Financial Documents Income Statements, Balance Sheets and Cash Flow Projections for the Facility.

☐Key Personnel Information Name, project role description, credentials, and years of experience of Key Personnel.

☐Letters of Support Evidence of support for the project.

☐Tribal Resolution of Consent – if applicable For projects on Tribal lands.

TIPS FOR APPLICANTS

• To do business with the Federal Government and to submit your application electronically using Grants.gov, you must — o Have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN);

https://www.grants.gov/

4 | P a g e o Be registered in SAM.gov (System for Award Management), the Government's primary registrant database;

o Provide your UEI number and TIN on your application; and o Maintain an active SAM registration with current information throughout the application review period and, if you are awarded a grant, throughout the life of the Federal Award.

• Register and submit applications early. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE APPLICATION

DEADLINE.

• Thoroughly read this NOFO and follow all the instructions.

• Thoroughly review the guidelines and policies as outlined in this NOFO to ensure the application is received and eligible for consideration, and to understand allowable and unallowable costs.

Apply for the correct grant Program (Assistance Listing number “10.381” and Funding Opportunity Number

“USDA- RD‐RBS‐26-04‐MPPEP”).

• Make sure you have the most recent copy of Adobe Reader installed on your computer and that it is compatible with Grants.gov software. Grants.gov supports Adobe Reader version 9.0.0 and higher.

• Limit Application File Name Characters (50 or fewer).

• When uploading attachments, click the “Add Attachments” button (do NOT use the “paperclip” icon in Adobe Reader). Acceptable file types include .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx.

• Do not password-protect your documents and make sure all tracked-changes are “accepted”.

• Avoid Special Characters in File Names ($, %, &, *, Spanish "ñ", etc.).

• Input the correct UEI number on the SF-424 cover page.

• Review the Grants.gov Applicant User and Registration Guides:

o grants.gov/applicants/applicant-faqs o grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview

Timing to Obtain and Submit Grants.gov Required Elements

Required Action Timing to Obtain/Submit

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

☐ 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).

7 - 10 Business Days

☐ Creating your Grants.gov profile. Up to 2 weeks https://sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-faqs https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview https://www.sam.gov/

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Funding Opportunity Description

1.1 Legislative Authority

1.2 Purpose

1.3 Definitions

1.4 Application of Awards

1.5 Allowable Uses of funds

1.6 Unallowable Uses of Funds

2.0 Federal Award Information

2.1 Type of Federal Assistance and Award Estimate

2.2 Available Funding and Award Size

2.3 Federal Award Period of Performance

2.4 Anticipated Award Date

2.5 Type of Assistance Instrument

2.6 Technical Assistance & Resources

3.0 Eligibility Information

3.1 Applicants Eligible for Funding

3.2 APPLICANTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

3.3 COST SHARING

4.0 Application and Submission Information

4.1 Address to Request Application Package

4.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

4.3 System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier

4.4 Submission Date and Time

4.5 Intergovernmental Review

4.6 Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures and Requirements

5.0 Application Review Information

5.1 Merit Evaluation Criteria

5.2 Review and Selection Process

6.0 Award Administration Information

6.1 Federal Award Notices

6.2 Unsuccessful Applicants

6.3 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

6.4 Reporting Requirements

6.5 Payments

7.0 Federal Award Agency Contacts

7.1 Programmatic Questions

7.2 Grants.gov Questions

8.0 Other Information

8.1 Paperwork Reduction Act

8.2 National Environmental Policy Act

8.3 Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations

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8.4 Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act

8.5 Non-discrimination Statement

1.0 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

MPPEP-4 is authorized by Section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (Pub. L. No.

117-2), which provides funding “to make loans and grants and provide other assistance to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency.” Pursuant to this authority, USDA is making competitive grant funding available to Very Small Processors, Small Processors, and Intermediate Processors to maximize the value and utilization of their existing capacity, with a focus on promoting local supply chains. The Program is being administered by RBCS.

1.2 PURPOSE

The primary purpose of MPPEP-4 is to support the American Beef Industry by increasing processing capacity and promoting more competition in the sector, which is particularly vulnerable to disruption, consolidation and concentration. Based on public input, USDA identified an urgent need to expand and diversify Meat and Poultry processing capacity; increase producer income; assist with Equipment purchases to enable access to new market or sales channels or to support process improvement; support employee training of Equipment operations, butchery skills, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) compliance, and achieving product specifications and consistency; and waste management. MPPEP-4 is targeted to support Very Small Processors, Small Processors, and Intermediate Processors engaged in the Primary Processing of cattle, with a focus on promoting local supply chains. MPPEP-4 funds will help the American Beef Industry diversify the Meat and Poultry supply chain and open local market opportunities. The applicant’s Facility must Primary Process cattle in order for the project to be eligible for the Program, however, funds or Equipment may be used for processing Meat and Poultry at the Facility.

MPPEP-4 is aligned with USDA’s plan to fortify the American Beef Industry through three coordinated priorities:

1. Protecting And Improving The Business Of Ranching: Strengthening the foundation of U.S. cattle production through endangered species reforms, enhanced disaster relief, increased grazing access, increased access to capital, and affordable risk management tools.

2. Expanding Processing, Consumer Transparency, And Market Access: Lowering long-term costs, increasing marketing options, and ensuring consumers have clear, truthful information about American beef.

3. Building Demand Alongside Domestic Supply: Growing the domestic herd while boosting domestic and international demand so that ranchers are not trapped in the boom/bust cycle that has defined past cattle markets.

1.3 DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this Program, the following definitions will apply:

Agency means the Rural Business-Cooperative Service or any successor agency directed by the Secretary of Agriculture to administer the Program.

Business Plan means a formal statement describing the Applicant’s business goals, the reasons why they are attainable, and the Applicant’s plan for achieving those goals, including Pro Forma Financial Statements appropriate to the term and scope of the project and sufficient to evidence the viability of the project. It may also contain background information about the applicant and its officers and employees.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319 https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319

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Complete Application means an application that contains all parts necessary for the Agency to determine applicant and project eligibility, assess the financial feasibility and technical merit of the project, and determine a priority score for the application as determined by the Agency.

Cost Sharing has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Domestically Owned means an entity organized in the United States under the laws of a State or under a Tribe’s jurisdiction where the entity operates, and a majority of the entity is owned by US citizens.

Equipment has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Facility means a single Meat Processing plant designed, built, equipped, etc., for Processing.

Federal Award has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Financial Assistance Agreement or FAA means an agreement between the Agency and the Recipient setting forth the terms and conditions under which the Federal Award will be administered. The FAA is executed using Form RD 4280-2, or its successor form.

For-Profit Organization has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Further Processing or Further Processed means conversion of raw Meat and Poultry products, through smoking, curing, salting, fermenting, cooking, canning, refining, or rendering into cooked, cured, and preserved products. Also known as Value-Added Processing.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) means a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product.

Independently Owned and Operated means not owned by and not subject to the control, authority or direction of other legal entities, including parent corporations and affiliates.

Indian Tribe (Tribe) has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Intermediate Processor means a Processor with 500 or more employees but fewer than 3,000.

Key Personnel means the owners, employees, new hires, consultants, and/or contractors who will be overseeing and/or completing the tasks in the Work Plan.

Local Government has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Meat means species amenable to USDA inspection including cattle, sheep, swine, goats, Siluriformes (catfish), and equine. Also, nonamenable species eligible for voluntary inspection including exotic species as described in 9 CFR part 352 and rabbit as described in 9 CFR part 354.

Nonprofit Organization has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Period of Performance has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Poultry means species amenable to USDA inspection including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas, ratites, squabs (young pigeons). Also, nonamenable species subject to voluntary inspection, including migratory waterfowl and game birds as described in 9 CFR part 362.

Primary Processing or Primary Processed means slaughtering, cutting and boning of raw Meat and Poultry for human consumption.

Processing means Primary Processing and Further Processing.

Processor means a business engaged in Primary Processing or Further Processing .

Program or MPPEP-4 means the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program authorized by https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/chapter-III/subchapter-A/part-352 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-9/chapter-III/subchapter-A/part-354 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1

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Section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and administered by the Agency.

Project Cost has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Real Property has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Recipient has the meaning located at 2 CFR § 200.1.

Small Processor means a Processor with 10 or more employees but fewer than 500.

State means any of the 50 States of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Tribal Entities means all entities falling under the eligible legal structures, including but not limited to: tribally-owned corporations, intertribal non-profits and associations, Alaska Native Corporations, Native entities within the State of Alaska recognized by and eligible to receive services from the U.S.

Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, Native Hawaiian organizations including Homestead Associations, State recognized Tribes/non-profits, and individually-owned Native American entities.

Value‐Added means the incremental profit earned from each transaction or step in manufacture after deducting production costs, depreciation, and other relevant expenses. Each stage of production or ownership transfer typically adds value to a good, product, or service.

Very Small Processor means a Processor with fewer than 10 employees or annual sales of less than $2.5 million.

1.4 APPLICATION OF AWARDS

The Agency will review, evaluate and score MPPEP-4 applications received based on the specific selection criteria contained in this NOFO. Awards under MPPEP-4 will be made on a competitive basis. The Agency advises all interested parties that the applicant bears the full burden in preparing and submitting an application in response to this NOFO regardless of whether or not an applicant is selected for funding and whether or not funding is made available for MPPEP-4 in FY 2026.

1.5 ALLOWABLE USES OF FUNDS

1. Processing Expansion Projects. Processing Expansion Projects will be funded by grants ranging from $50,000 to $2 million to support a range of activities to increase and diversify processing capacity of American Meat and Poultry including Equipment-only purchases over $250,000, and necessary improvements, upgrades, renovations or retrofits to an existing Facility needed to install the Equipment.

Funds may be used for any Meat or Poultry processing performed at the Facility.

Allowable uses of grant funds for Processing Expansion Projects include, but are not limited to:

• Purchasing or upgrading old or outdated processing Equipment, including refrigeration, cold storage expansion, packaging and labeling Equipment, smokers, vacuum tumblers, mixers, grinders, slicers and other Further Processing and value-added Equipment;

• Purchasing and installing virtual grading Equipment, special-purpose inventory management and traceability software, x-rays, and other Equipment designed to improve Processing capacity across multiple product lines;

• Purchasing or upgrading composting and other solid or liquid waste treatment Equipment;

• Upgrading Equipment to ensure food safety;

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1

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• Purchasing or updating Equipment to increase byproduct and other types of carcass utilization;

• Developing, customizing, and installing Equipment, devices, and technology that automates processing functions to improve worker conditions and safety;

• Purchasing new or retrofitting existing mobile or modular processing units;

• Developing, customizing, and installing Equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and/or increases efficient water use;

• Making internal or minimal external improvements, upgrades, renovations or retrofits (modifications) to an existing Facility needed/necessary to install the new Equipment; allowable construction activities include necessary electrical upgrades, HVAC-related improvements, and room reconfigurations (usually involves more than a room), and all expenses must be allocable/necessary to the Equipment installation;

• Marketing costs targeted specifically towards 1) local producers to increase the supply of livestock or poultry or number of producers requesting toll processing services from the Facility,

2) local consumers such as schools, restaurants, boutique stores, local grocery stores, etc., and

3) development of local markets for offal, hides, tallow, pet food, etc., to reduce operational expenses;

• Training on the use of all Equipment purchased under the grant and associated new processes;

• Processor costs associated with obtaining certification under the USDA National Organic Program or Process Verified Program;

• Ensuring compliance with occupational and other safety requirements under applicable law; including revising existing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans; and

• Personnel and fringe benefits costs directly related to the implementation of the project, to include financial and performance report development, award compliance, and other management costs associated with procurement for the project. Costs must be reasonable and cannot include day-to-day operations expenses.

2. Simplified Equipment-Only Projects. Simplified Equipment-Only Projects will be funded by grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 for Equipment purchases to Processors engaged in the Primary Processing of cattle. The Equipment may be used for any Meat or Poultry processing performed at the Facility. Grant funds used to fund Simplified Equipment-Only Projects can only be used to fund Equipment purchases, but not associated renovation, labor, installation, or certification costs.

1.6 UNALLOWABLE USES OF FUNDS

The following uses of funds are not allowable:

• Research and development;

• Purchase or lease of Real Property;

• Purchase, lease, maintenance, or repair of vehicles with the exception of mobile processing units;

• New Facility construction or expansion of existing facilities, build out of an existing space that would increase the footprint of the Facility and require breaking ground during construction;

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• Construction expenses not directly related or allocable to the installation of Equipment included in the project budget;

• Construction expenses that require new ground disturbance;

• Equipment, including cold storage, that will be disconnected from or operate independently of the Facility, with the exception of retrofitting mobile processing units;

• Further Processing activities at a Facility that does not have Primary Processing capacity for cattle;

• Routine maintenance and repair of buildings and Equipment;

• Raw materials or labor used in Primary Processing or Further Processing;

• Project planning, such as business plans and feasibility studies;

• Expenses or activities that have been or will be reimbursed under any federal, State, or local government funding, unless part of the Cost Sharing for this Project;

• Costs incurred outside the Period of Performance;

• Paying for indirect project costs;

• Subawards;

• Costs that support or oppose union organizing;

• Grant application preparation costs;

• Further Processing that sources more than 20 percent of inputs from entities that hold market share greater than or equal to the top four processors in beef, pork, chicken, or turkey, at the time of application; and

• Primary Processing or Further Processing that provides more than 20 percent of output to entities that hold market share greater than or equal to the top four processors in beef, pork, chicken, or turkey, at the time of application.

Applicants that have questions concerning the allowability of costs after reviewing this section should contact Agency staff using the contact information listed under Section 7.0, “Agency Contacts”.

2.0 FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

2.1 TYPE OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AND AWARD ESTIMATE

The Federal Award will be a grant. Approximately 75 MPPEP-4 grants will be awarded in FY 2026.

2.2 AVAILABLE FUNDING AND AWARD SIZE

Approximately $60 million is available to fund projects, split equally between two competitions:

1. Very Small Processors and Small Processors; and

2. Intermediate Processors.

For Processing Expansion Projects, awards will range from $50,000 to $2 million. For Simplified Equipment- Only Projects, awards will range from $10,000 to $250,000.

Requests for less than the minimum or more than the maximum award amount for each type of project will not be considered for funding. USDA does not guarantee minimum funding levels or a specific number of awards. Partial awards may be offered by the Agency. If partial awards are offered, a new Work Plan and budget will be negotiated for a revised Project Cost. RBCS may at its discretion, increase the total level of

12 | P a g e funding available in this funding round, or in any category in this funding round, from any available source provided the awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the funding available to the Agency.

2.3 FEDERAL AWARD PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The maximum Period of Performance for Processing Expansion Projects is 36 months. The maximum Period of Performance for Simplified Equipment-Only Projects is 24 months. MPPEP-4 grant funds may only support costs incurred during the Period of Performance of the Federal Award.

2.4 ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE

The anticipated award selection date is October 22, 2026. Your Period of Performance cannot start before the date the award is made.

2.5 TYPE OF ASSISTANCE INSTRUMENT

RBCS will enter into a Financial Assistance Agreement (Form RD 4280-2) to provide a Federal Award to each successful applicant.

2.6 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & RESOURCES

RBCS provides resources and information on its website (rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program) that may be helpful to applicants, including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s), required application forms and Agency contact information. RBCS staff is available to provide timely responses to questions emailed to mppep@usda.gov.

USDA AMS offers no-cost technical assistance to applicants to help prepare grant applications through its Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity -Technical Assistance Program (MPPTA). Applicants are encouraged to contact the MPPTA network of providers for broad-scope technical support from preapplication to post-award grant management, business planning and processing, operational resources, supply chain development expertise, and resources specific to historically underserved USDA stakeholders.

Visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/mppta to connect with these services. While services offered through MPPTA will not include co-drafting grant application elements, MPPTA service providers may be able to assist with activities such as writing a business plan.

Technical assistance includes educational and informational help either through one-on-one meetings or publicly available resources. Specific forms of assistance may include:

• Business plan development for processed products, strategic planning assistance, financial statement development, cash flow projections, capitalization plans, and distribution and supply chain innovation; and

• Assistance in providing innovative, yet practical, planning for the systematic aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, or distribution of food.

FSIS District Offices Points of Contacts: Office of Field Operations (OFO) | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov)

FSIS Small Plant Help Desk: Small Plant Help Desk | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov)

3.0 ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

3.1 APPLICANTS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

Eligible applicants include For-Profit Organizations, Nonprofit organizations, Producer-owned cooperatives, Tribes, and Tribal Entities.

Eligible applicants must also meet the following requirements:

https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program mailto:mppep@usda.gov http://www.ams.usda.gov/mppta https://www.fsis.usda.gov/contactus/fsis-offices/office-field-operations-ofo https://www.fsis.usda.gov/contactus/fsis-offices/office-field-operations-ofo https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/compliance-guidance/small-very-small-plant-guidance

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• Meet the definition of Very Small Processor, Small Processor, or Intermediate Processor;

• Be currently engaged in the Primary Processing of cattle for commercial markets or toll process and been in operation for at least one year (as of the date of the application);

• Currently operate under an FSIS grant of inspection, grant of inspection under a Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or a state meat and poultry inspection program with standards at least equal to Federal inspection;

• Be Independently Owned and Operated;

• Be Domestically Owned; and

• Operate their Processing facility in a State.

For the purposes of this Program, Processors who perform Further Processing activities must be primarily conducting Further Processing of Meat and/or Poultry Primary Processed at their own Facility. For example, a Processor cannot be Primary Processing one head of cattle at its facility and purchase the majority of beef to be Further Processed from one of the top four processors to create Further Processed products.

3.2 APPLICANTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

The following entities are not eligible for MPPEP-4 funding:

• Entities that have an active Federal Award through MPPEP Phase 1, MPPEP Phase 2, MPPEP Phase 3, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Local Meat Capacity Grants program, or USDA AMS Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant program. An active award means that the Period of Performance has not ended.

• Entities that are not Domestically Owned or that are headquartered in countries determined to be foreign adversaries as defined by 15 CFR 791.

• Entities that hold a domestic market share greater than or equal to the entity that holds the fourth largest share of the market for beef, pork, chicken, or turkey processing.

• Meat and Poultry processing entities that are custom‐exempt or otherwise uninspected and do not operate under Federal inspection or State equivalent inspection.

• Meat and Poultry processing entities that are exclusively for non‐commercial use.

• Entities that are debarred or suspended or are otherwise excluded from, or ineligible for participation in, Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, “Debarment and Suspension.”

• Entities against whom an outstanding judgment has been obtained by the United States in a Federal court (other than U.S. Tax Court).

• Entities that are delinquent on Federal debt.

• Entities having unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability.

• Entities that have affiliates that are also submitting applications in circumstances in which all entities have identical or greater than 75 percent common ownership, or entities that have a parent, subsidiary or affiliated organization ( as defined by the Small Business Administration in 13 CFR 121.103, or successor regulation) that has also submitted an application.

• Entities submitting an application that includes unallowable costs in excess of 10 percent of

14 | P a g e the Project Cost will not be eligible to compete for funds. Applications that include unallowable costs totaling 10 percent or less of the Project Cost must remove those costs from the Project budget or replace them with allowable costs, if selected for an award.

• Entities that submit an application to the wrong grant program.

• Entities that are not responsive to the requirements of this NOFO.

• Entities that submit an incomplete application.

3.3 COST SHARING

For Processing Expansion Projects, recipients are required to contribute 50% of the Project Cost as a match to Federal funding. For Simplified Equipment-Only Projects, recipients are required to contribute 25% of the Project Cost as a match to Federal funding. Evidence of Cost Sharing will be verified by the Agency at the time of award. If the applicant cannot verify Cost Sharing within the time frame specified in the letter of conditions for the award, the Agency may offer funding to the next highest ranked project.

The applicant is responsible for defining the Project Cost of the MPPEP-4 project. In-kind donations cannot be used to meet the cost sharing requirement. Additionally, project activities that are unallowable may not be used to meet the cost sharing requirement. If program income is expected during the period of performance as a result of Project activities, it is subject to the requirements of 2 CFR 200.307. Program income is not an eligible source of cost share.

4.0 APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

4.1 ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

This funding opportunity is located on Grants.gov. Applicants can find the opportunity under either the Assistance Listing number 10.381 or the Funding Opportunity Number “RD‐RBS‐26‐04‐MPPEP.”

The Application Template is located at rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program. Applicants are encouraged to use the provided Application Template to ensure all required application elements are addressed, however it is not required. Applicants who choose not to use the Application Template and do not provide all the required information will not be eligible to receive an award.

4.2 CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

1. Required Forms.

(a) Form SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance;

(b) Form SF 424B, Assurances ‐ Non-Construction Programs; and

(c) Form AD‐2106, Questionnaire to Assist in the Assessment of USDA Compliance with Civil Rights Laws. Submission of this form is optional.

2. Project Narrative and Supporting Documents.

(a) Required format. Applicants are required to prepare and submit a project narrative. The project narrative and all supporting documents must be submitted as one of the following file types:

.pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx. and attached to the Grants.gov application package.

The project narrative must be typed, single-spaced, and in an 11-point font, not to exceed twenty (20) 8.5 x 11” pages, not including the Application Template or supporting documents, as listed in Section 4.2.2(1)-(2). For example, if the application template is 15 pages before you begin entering your project narrative information, your application may be up to 35 pages in length when completed (15 page application template + 20 pages of applicant content). Handwritten https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.307 https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/meat-and-poultry-processing-expansion-program

15 | P a g e applications will not be accepted.

Prior to submitting an application to Grants.gov, make sure that it is in final form (e.g., if the “track changes” function was used, accept all changes before submitting so that the mark-up is not visible in the submitted application).

The forms, financials and all supporting documents in the subsequent sections do not count against the 20-page limit for the project narrative.

(b) Application Template. Sections in the template include:

(1) Applicant Information. Provide information for the Agency to confirm that applicant is eligible for the Program. See Section 3.1 for Applicant Eligibility requirements. The information provided must include the following:

(i) Entity type. The application must identify the type of entity applying.

(ii) Type of Processor. The application must identify which definition of Processor the applicant meets (Very Small Processor, Small Processor, or Intermediate Processor) as well as the annual revenue and the number of employees employed by the entity during the 365 days prior to the date of application. The number of employees includes all individuals employed on a full-time, part-time, or other basis. This includes employees obtained from a temporary employee agency, professional employee organization or leasing concern. Part-time and temporary employees are counted the same as full-time employees. Volunteers (i.e., individuals who receive no compensation, including no in-kind compensation, for work performed) are not considered employees.

(iii) Engaged in Primary Processing. The application must indicate that the applicant is currently engaged in the Primary Processing of cattle for commercial markets or toll process.

(iv) Existing business. The application must state whether the applicant has been in operation for at least one year.

(v) Inspection. The application must indicate that the applicant currently operates under an FSIS grant of inspection, grant of inspection under a Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or a state meat and poultry inspection program with standards at least equal to Federal inspection.

(vi) Facility Information. Applicants must provide the project location. Applicants must also describe who owns the land upon which the Facility is located, who owns the Facility and the relationship between Facility ownership and the business located at the Facility.

(vii) Independently Owned and Operated. The application must describe how the applicant meets the definition of Independently Owned and Operated.

(viii) Domestically Owned. The application must describe how the applicant meets the definition of Domestically Owned.

(ix) Confirmation of Primary Processing and Further Processing. The application must state whether the applicant is primarily conducting Further Processing of Meat and/or Poultry Primary Processed at its own Facility.

(2) Project Information. Provide information for the Agency to confirm that the project is eligible for the Program. The information provided must include the following:

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(i) Project Description. In 500 words or fewer, describe your project’s purpose and what it aims to accomplish. Discuss the species you will harvest and process; the proposed size of your operation, including the number of full-time and part-time employees and number of animals you anticipate harvesting; and the product(s) to be produced and/or type of Equipment to be purchased.

(ii) Work Plan. The application must include a description of the tasks, steps, or activities that are needed to complete the proposed project within the Period of Performance. Each task, step, or activity must be described separately and include the expected timeframe during which it will be accomplished, the Key Personnel who will work on the task, and the expected outcome.

(iii) Budget. The application must include a budget that includes all expenses (grant and Cost Sharing) for the proposed project. Refer to Section 1.5 for a list of allowable uses of funds and to Section 1.6 for unallowable uses of funds. The expenses must be organized according to the following categories:

a. Salaries and wages. List each employee who will be performing work for the project, including Key Personnel and administrative personnel, and the amount associated with the work. These costs must be reasonable for the services provided and be in accordance with the established written policy of your organization.

b. Fringe benefits. Provide the fringe benefits rate and amount for each of the employees who will be performing work for the project. You must also provide a narrative description of the items that are included in the fringe benefits (for example, health insurance, paid time off). The costs of the fringe benefits must be reasonable and in accordance with the established written policies of your organization.

c. Travel expenses. Provide a summary and cost for each trip, including the destination, the expected date(s) of travel, the purpose for the trip, the name(s) of the traveler(s), and the total amount for the trip. Note that travel costs are limited to those allowed by the written procedures for your organization. In the case of air travel, project participants must use the lowest reasonable commercial airfares. For organizations that have no formal travel policy, allowable travel costs must not exceed those established by the Federal Travel Regulations, issued by GSA, including the maximum per diem and subsistence rates described in those regulations. This information is available at www.gsa.gov.

d. Equipment. List all items that qualify as Equipment (see 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition) that will be purchased as part of the proposed project.

You must include a description of the item, the purpose for which it will be used, the cost per unit, the number of units, the expected date of purchase, and the total cost.

e. Construction. List allowable construction costs associated with any Equipment purchases identified.

f. Contractual. List all procurement contracts that are planned for the proposed project and include the name of the vendor, the purpose of the contract, and the cost of the contract.

g. Supplies. List all items that cost less than $10,000 per unit and describe http://www.gsa.gov/

17 | P a g e the item, its purpose, the cost per unit, the number of units, the expected purchase date, and the aggregate amount for that item.

h. Other. List all expenses that are not covered under the previous categories, including a description of the expenses, the purpose of the expense, the expected date or time period during which the expense will be incurred, and the amount of the expense.

i. Cost Sharing. List the source and amount of all Cost Sharing for the proposed project.

j. Program Income. Describe how program income will be earned and calculated. See 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition of program income as well as references to how it is calculated.

(3) Performance Metrics. Applicants must track progress towards goals to demonstrate success. Applicants must provide data for the following metrics:

(i) Processing volume

a. Current number of Meat and/or Poultry processed in Primary Processing annually;

b. Target number of Meat and/or Poultry processed in Primary Processing annually as a result of MPPEP-4 funding;

c. Number of pounds of Meat and/or Poultry currently Further Processed; and

d. Target number of pounds of Meat and/or Poultry to be Further Processed as a result of MPPEP-4 funding.

(ii) Valued-Added product lines

a. Current number of Value‐Added product lines produced by the Facility; and

b. Target number of new Value-Added product lines produced by the Facility as a result of MPPEP-4 funding.

(iii) Producers served

a. Current number of Meat and/or Poultry producers who sell live animals to the Facility;

b. Target number of Meat and/or Poultry producers who sell live animals to the Facility as a result of MPPEP-4 funding;

c. Current number of toll processing customers served by the Facility (i.e., fee-for-service processing); and

d. Target number of toll processing customers served by the Facility as a result of MPPEP-4 funding.

(iv) Sales channels

a. Current number of sales channels sold into by the Facility; and

b. Target number of sales channels sold into by the Facility as a result of MPPEP- 4 funding.

(v) Jobs

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a. Current number of employees at the Facility; and

b. Target number of employees at the Facility as a result of MPPEP-4 funding.

(4) Labor and safety violations. The application must disclose the Facility’s current violations (i.e., alleged violations that are currently under investigation) or past violations of Federal and state safety and labor laws (including violations associated with third-parties that occurred at the Facility) and how and when any such violations were resolved.

(5) Merit Evaluation. The application must provide a response to each evaluation criterion in Section 5.1. In addition, the application must provide the following items to address the information needed for the merit evaluation.

(i) Letters of support. The application must attach letters of support from State or local leadership or the Tribe where the proposed project will take place. Letters of support must be submitted with the application in Grants.gov to be considered.

Letters can be addressed to the RBCS Administrator. Qualifying leaders may include but are not limited to State government officials, local government officials, and trade associations of agricultural producers, processors, or other enterprises. All letters must include the following items:

a. Identification of the stakeholder producing the letter and their connection to the project activities;

b. A description of the sustained community impact that will be supported by expansion activities to be carried out under the grant; and

c. Additional information relative to the project’s impact on the long‐term needs and goals of the community.

(ii) Tribal Resolution of Consent. For a project located on Tribal Lands where the applicant is not a member of the Tribe nor an entity owned or operated by that Tribe, a Tribal Resolution of Consent must be provided. Other documentation such as a Letter of Support from the Tribal Council for the governing body of the Tribe with jurisdiction over the Tribal Lands where the project is located (if applicable) is also an acceptable acknowledgement of Tribal consent. Any applicant that fails to provide a Tribal Resolution or Letter of Consent from the Tribe will not be considered for funding.

3. Other Supporting Information. Applicants are required to submit the following supporting information. Please refer to the Tips for Applicants section for a list of acceptable file types.

(a) Business Plan. For Processing Expansion Projects only, provide a Business Plan that meets the definition in Section 1.3.

(b) Evidence of Customer Demand. Provide letters of commitment or interest from existing customers for the proposed project. Customers may include distributors, retailers, or other purchasers of finished product; and customers may be ranchers or meat companies who purchase processing services from the Facility. Customer letters should specify estimated volumes of purchasing by product line or service. Letters that do not identify specific products, services, or estimated volumes will not be considered evidence of customer demand. Letters do not have to identify a specific proposed activity associated with their commitment or interest, but the application should be clear which sales channels or customers are associated with the proposed activities.

(c) Financial Documents. Provide the following to assist the Agency in determining financial

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(i) Current balance sheet and income statements (dated within 90 days of application).

(ii) Three years of projected financials including but not limited to (A) balance sheet, (B) income statement, and (C) cash flow statement. Include an explanation of assumptions used in development of projections. Ensure grant funds are included in the financial projections.

(d) Key Personnel Information. Provide the name, project role description, credentials, and years of experience for all Key Personnel.

(e) Paid Preparer. If a third-party such as a grant writer was paid to develop and/or assemble grant application materials, provide their individual name, business name, physical address, email address, and phone number.

4. Applicant certifications. By signing and submitting the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, as a part of the grant application package, applicants are certifying that they agree to the following statements:

(a) The applicant does not have a known relationship or association with an Agency employee. If there is a known relationship, the applicant must identify each Agency employee with whom the applicant has a known relationship.

(b) The applicant is a legal entity in good standing and operating in accordance with the laws of the State(s) or Tribe(s) where the applicant has a place of business, including child labor laws.

(c) The applicant has not been found or may not be found to be unfit to maintain a grant of Federal or State equivalent inspection because of convictions, in a Federal or State court, of a felony, or multiple misdemeanors involving the acquisition, handling, or distribution of adulterated or misbranded meat or fraud in connection with transactions in food, or other factors.

(d) The applicant who receives an award must comply with FSIS standards and must possess a Federal Grant of Inspection during the Period of Performance for the MPPEP-4 grant.