native_led_final_RFP.docx

Native-led Organizations Tribal Food Sovereignty Grant Request for Proposals (RFP)

This RFP assists applicants in applying for state grants. This document describes the Native-led Organizations Tribal Food Sovereignty Grant, including information on who may apply for funding, activities eligible for funding and other information that will help the applicants plan their project and submit a competitive application. Applications are due no later than August 4, 2026 at 4:00pm Central Time (CT).

The applicant should check the SWIFT Supplier Portal for application materials and any updates including questions and answers and addendums.

Contents

Project overview This funding is part of the larger Climate Smart Food Systems (CSFS) program at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) focused on reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions throughout Minnesota’s food system.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) provides CSFS funding to support Native-led organizations that work with Native populations off reservation lands for projects related to food sovereignty that reduce GHG emissions. For the purpose of this RFP, a Native-led organization fits at least two of the following three criteria; the service population of the organization are members of the Native American community, the Executive Director is Native American, and/or the majority of the board members (51% or more) are Native American. Additionally, projects will improve food security and unlock economic prosperity in Low-Income and Disadvantaged Communities (LIDAC). This RFP is open to organizations that have documented, significant decision-making capacity and management by Native American members and leaders, and that work with Native American populations. Projects must reduce greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening Tribal Food Sovereignty, which is the right of communities to define their own food systems, including production, distribution, and culturally appropriate food access and the right to define, control, and sustain food systems rooted in their cultural traditions, land relationships, and self-determined governance. Organizations may determine what GHG emissions reduction projects are most beneficial for food sovereignty in their community and support the long-term goals of the Minnesota Climate Action Framework.

This funding complements our non-competitive Tribal Food Sovereignty and competitive Vibrant Local Food Economies funding. For more information, see the Climate Smart Food Systems webpage.

For purposes of this RFP, the terms “American Indian,” “Indian,” “Native,” and “Native American” are used interchangeably. “American Indian” and “Indian” reflect terminology used in federal and state statute, while “Native American” is used in general reference to Indigenous peoples in the United States.

Funding Using a competitive review process, MPCA expects to award approximately $4 million in grant funds to eligible projects. Grants will be cost reimbursement, and grantees will be expected to provide documentation for all payments. If selected, awardees may only incur eligible expenditures once the grant contract is fully executed and has reached its effective date.

The minimum award for this grant is $50,000 and the maximum grant award is $250,000. No match is required.

The estimated start date is November 1, 2026. Projects must be completed, all invoices submitted for reimbursement requests, and final reports/required documentation submitted no later than April 1, 2029 to be eligible for reimbursement funding. There will be no opportunity for extensions.

Federal Funds Payments will be subawarded to the Grantee from the United States Environmental Protection Agency through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, CFDA number 66.046. The Grantee is responsible for compliance with all federal requirements. The Grantee accepts full financial responsibility for any noncompliance. https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-terms-and-conditions Reimbursement Schedule Grant funding for eligible costs of the project will be reimbursed during and upon completion of the approved project with approved invoices. Invoices for expenses incurred will be submitted on a schedule agreed upon by the grantee and MPCA and may be submitted as frequently as monthly. Payment of the final 10% of grant funds will be retained until the project is completed satisfactorily and all deliverables have been submitted and approved. No funds shall be disbursed by the MPCA in the absence of adequate documentation of funds spent as determined by the MPCA.

Eligible and Ineligible Applicants To be eligible, the applicant’s headquarters must be physically located and serve communities that are within Minnesota boundaries and meet the minimum requirements below.

Eligible Applicants

· Native American organizations or communities

· Incorporated non-federally recognized Tribes

· Consortia of Indian tribes

· Incorporated non-profit multi-purpose community-based Indian organizations (including Urban Indian Organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C §1603(29)—a nonprofit corporate body situated in an urban center governed by a board of directors of whom at least 51 percent are American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN), for establishing and administering an urban Indian health program and related activities as described in Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (defined by Indian Health Service

· Urban Indian Centers (defined as a community with a significant population of urban Indians. This definition is established under 25 USCS § 1603 (27))

· Native Community Development Financial Institutions (Native CDFIs)

· National or regional incorporated non-profit Native American organizations with Native American community-specific objectives

· Tribal Colleges and Universities

· Collaborations with non-eligible applicants are allowed as long as the primary organization working on the project is an eligible applicant (see more on collaborations below)

Ineligible Applicants

· Organizations that do not meet the minimum requirement of assurance of community representation

· Federally recognized Tribal Governments

· Individuals (including sole proprietorships)

· Entities or individuals that are currently suspended or debarred by the State of Minnesota and/or the federal government

· MPCA employees

· Entities that have documented grantee performance and/or compliance issues

· The MPCA may also deem an applicant ineligible because of, but not limited to, enforcement issues, labor standards, tax status, or other such issues

Minimum requirements: Assurance of community representation All applicants must provide assurance that your organization is representative of the Native American communities you serve.

To be considered an eligible applicant, at least two of the following three criteria must be true:

· The service population are members of the Native American Community,

· The Executive Director is Native American

· A majority of the board members (51% or more) represent a Native American community to be served (i.e. are members of a federally or state-recognized Tribe) The following entities are not exempt from this policy and must meet the assurance requirements:

· A Tribal college or university or a territorial public school or university governed by a board that’s separate from the Tribe or territorial government

· An American Indian Tribe applying as a nonprofit organization

Applicants that do not include this assurance in their attachments will be disqualified, and the application will not be considered for competition.

The “Assurance of Community Representation ” form can be found in Attachment A of the application.

Collaboration Multi-organization collaboration is allowed but not required. An eligible applicant could partner with an entity that does not meet the minimum eligibility requirements. All collaboration must follow conflict of interest requirements, and all proposed partners should submit letters of support.

Eligible and Ineligible Projects Eligible Projects:

Projects must strengthen food sovereignty and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by developing community-driven projects through meaningful engagement. Projects should show measurable movement towards existing food sovereignty goals as determined by the applicant and must have a demonstrated impact on Native American communities. Projects must expand program or project scope and/or community impact and do more than continue existing operating expenses to be considered eligible.

The MPCA is committed to the principle of environmental justice. This means that all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income benefit from equal levels of environmental protection, that pollution does not disproportionally impact any group of people, and that everybody has opportunities to participate in decisions that may affect their environment or health. For more information on environmental justice areas, see here.

Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to:

· Installation of deep winter greenhouse space or high tunnel for extended season local food production (local food is food that travels the entire supply chain (from production to consumption) in the same geographic locality)

· Converting gas- or diesel-powered equipment, including generators, used for food sovereignty work to electric or sustainable fuel sources

· Edible food plantings to increase local production and availability

· Expansion of use of local foraged and/or harvested foods

· Retrofitting structures used for food sovereignty work, such as food storage or food processing locations, to be more energy efficient

· Composting and prevention of wasted food and/or food rescue (wasted food is food produced for human consumption that goes uneaten and is instead sent to waste, recycling, or other disposal streams. Food rescue is rescuing or recovering wasted food from waste, recycling, or other disposal streams and redirecting it to donation for human consumption)

The primary project work will reduce GHG emissions and support food sovereignty. It is anticipated that projects will also include activities that result in co-benefits, such as centering Native and Indigenous knowledge, strengthening resiliency, advancing economic opportunity, and supporting health in communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. The following project activities related to co-benefits could be included and will be reviewed for eligibility on a case-by-case basis:

· Planning for sustainable food systems

· Land-based education to community members

· Culturally-focused workshops and training

· Cooking classes and demonstrations

· Pop-ups and food service

· Presentations on traditional food systems

· Education resources

· Cultural exchange classrooms

· Cultural exchange trips

· Consulting

· Purchasing seeds, plants, equipment, or materials to preserve, procure, or grow food

See Section 6 below for more information on tracking co-benefits.

Ineligible projects:

Any project that does not have a primary purpose of strengthening food sovereignty and reducing GHG emissions is ineligible.

Eligible and Ineligible Costs Eligible Costs Any cost that is directly related to the workplan tasks of a food sovereignty project that reduces GHG emissions and not deemed ineligible below or by MPCA staff. Examples include but are not limited to:

· Electric vehicles and charging stations

· Staff and/or contractor hours for food sovereignty work

· Construction costs related to approved project activities

· Composting or wasted food prevention infrastructure

· Food processing space development and completion

· Food sovereignty, climate smart education programming

· Solar panels and related equipment directly supporting food production, processing, education or other food sovereignty related activities

· Community engagement activities, as related to the overall project

Ineligible costs Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to:

· Any expenses incurred before the contract is fully executed, including applicant’s expense for preparing the eligibility and costs associated with preparing applications

· Bad debts, late payment fees, finance charges or contingency funds, interest, and investment management fees

· Attorney fees

· Employee worksite parking

· Lobbying, lobbyists and political contributions

· Mark-up on purchases and/or subcontracts

· Taxes, except sales tax on eligible equipment and expenses

· Activities associated with permit fees

· Activities addressing enforcement actions or that involve a financial penalty

· Memberships (including subscriptions and dues)

· Stipends or reimbursement to non-staff stakeholders for their attendance at stakeholder participation meetings or their related expenses

· Alcoholic refreshments

· Entertainment, gifts, prizes and decorations

· Merit awards and bonuses

· Donations and fundraising

· Computer(s), tablets, and software, unless unique to the project and specifically approved by the MPCA as a direct expense

· Purchase or rental of mobile communication devices such as pagers, cell phones, and personal data assistants (PDAs), unless unique to the project and specifically approved by the MPCA Priorities Community Engagement Eligible applicants should already have a relationship with the community being served and have a plan to meaningfully engage and work with the community during its implementation.

Meaningful involvement happens when:

· People have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health;

· Community concerns are considered in the decision-making process; and

· The decision makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.

The State of Minnesota’s Environmental Justice Framework Report further explains meaningful involvement.

Projects that include meaningful community engagement will score higher points during evaluation.

Project Evaluation and Assessment All projects must contribute to the goal of reducing GHG emissions. Projects must also identify, track, and assess co-benefits achieved that relate to their specific project goals. Examples of co-benefits could include:

· Increased food supply resilience, food security, and food sovereignty

· Economic opportunities for emerging farmers

· Creation of jobs to create and maintain programs

· Access to healthy and traditional foods

· Support Indigenous practices of sustainable land stewardship

· Reduce household food expenditures

· Reduce food waste

· Reduce inputs to food production, such as fuel, water, and fertilizers

· Reduce waste to landfills and the environmental harms from landfills

· Air quality improvements from reduced use of fossil fuels

· Improved water quality and other ecosystem benefits

The applicant must provide information on how they will track and assess co-benefits identified for their project.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data Applicants are not expected to calculate GHG emissions and reductions directly. Applicants will be expected to collect data that the MPCA will use to calculate overall GHG emissions reductions for each project. Data will be directly tied to the type of project. Example projects involving different elements of food handling and associated example data are listed below. This list is not exhaustive; data needed will be identified through consultation between the MPCA grant managers and the applicant prior to contract finalization.

1. Projects involving transportation

a. Road/air miles avoided or replaced by more efficient mode (specify fuel type)

2. Efficient electrical systems and infrastructure

a. kw or kWh, BTUs or BTUs per hour, or therms

b. Tons of hempcrete instead of concrete, board feet of wood instead of steel, etc.

3. Food sourcing and farming

a. Similar to efficient electrification and/or transportation

4. Food processing, shelf-life extension

a. Pounds or tons of food waste avoided

b. Could also be electrification or transportation-related

5. Regenerative agriculture

a. Acres and practices under baseline and future conditions

6. Wasted food and/or food rescue

a. Pounds or tons of wasted food avoided and/or tons of food rescued from disposal and instead used for human consumption

7. Plant-based diets

a. Pounds or tons of foods avoided and replacement information (specify baseline and future food types)

7. Application Instructions In completing the application, please ensure all sections are addressed and the application is submitted before the deadline. Pay close attention to any specific information that is requested and demonstrate connections to project eligibility.

All applicants should complete and submit all required documents. Required documents include:

· Application (Microsoft Word format)

· Work plan (Microsoft Word format)

· Budget (Microsoft Excel format)

· Exhibits C, D, E & H (attached to the application. Filled out completely and signed. Word format)

· Supporting documentation, as applicable (any format)

· Assurance of community representation ( Attachment A of the application form)

· Letters of support from collaborating partners

8. Application Submission Instructions Applications must be received electronically by the MPCA no later than August 4, 2026 at 4:00pm CT. Application submissions received after the deadline will not be considered eligible.

Submit applications and required documents via the SWIFT Supplier Portal. The MPCA is not responsible for any errors or delays caused by technology-related issues, even if they are caused by the MPCA.

Registration in the SWIFT system is required to apply for the grant. Applicants interested in applying will need to register as a bidder in the system by clicking on the SWIFT Supplier Portal, then Register for an Account and Register as a Bidder. Applicants should allow up to 2 business days for registration.

If an applicant is already registered in the SWIFT system as a Supplier (previously known as a vendor), then the applicant does not need to register as a bidder. The applicant will need their Supplier ID.

Questions regarding submitting an application can be directed to the Vendor Assistance Help Desk at 651-201-8100, option 1 or by clicking on Supplier Portal Help within the SWIFT Supplier Portal.

Applications submitted via any other method, including but not limited to fax, mail, email, and in-person deliveries, will not be accepted.

By submitting an application, each applicant warrants that the information provided is true, correct, and reliable for purposes of evaluation for potential grant award. The submission of inaccurate or misleading information may be grounds for disqualification from the award, as well as subject the applicant to suspension or debarment proceedings and other remedies available by law.

All costs incurred in responding to this RFP will be borne by the applicant.

9. Application Questions The MPCA is obligated to be transparent in all aspects surrounding grant work. To meet this obligation, all questions must be submitted in the same manner. Applicants who have any questions regarding this RFP must email questions to grants.pca@state.mn.us, subject line: “Native-led Organizations Tribal Food Sovereignty Grant” no later than July 21, 2026 at 4:00pm CT.

Answers to questions will be posted frequently on the SWIFT Supplier Portal. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check the SWIFT Supplier Portal for the most recent updates about an open RFP, including questions, answers, and addendums. Please do not contact MPCA staff directly with your questions as all questions and answers must be recorded within the posted Questions and Answers document.

The MPCA will host an informational webinar to provide attendees with an overview of the grant program, eligibility, and application requirements. The webinar will include time for Q&A in which attendees will be provided an opportunity to ask the MPCA questions concerning the RFP. Questions from the webinar will be posted in the Q&A in the SWIFT Supplier Portal. More information will be provided on the MPCA grants and loans page.

MPCA employees are not authorized to discuss this RFP with applicants outside of the Q&A forum nor give advice on any applications. Contact regarding this RFP with any MPCA employee may result in disqualification.

10. Application Review Process Applications received by the grant deadline will be reviewed by MPCA staff using a two-step process. Late applications will not be considered for review.

Step 1: Eligibility Review The MPCA will determine if eligibility requirements are met. Any application found to be ineligible will be eliminated from further evaluation. Minimum requirements:

· Applicant is eligible as described in section 3 of this RFP.

· Project is eligible as described in section 4 of this RFP.

· All required forms are submitted.

Step 2: Application Scoring Only applications meeting the eligibility criteria under Step 1 will be considered for scoring in Step 2. Reviewers will evaluate applications per project using the weighted criteria listed in Exhibit A.

In addition to the ability to partially award projects, the MPCA reserves the right to refrain from awarding any grants.

In the event two applicants are tied and there isn’t sufficient funding to award both projects, the MPCA will select the applicant with the highest score in the following criteria, in descending order, until a winner is able to be determined:

· Food sovereignty

· Greenhouse gas emissions reductions

· Co-benefits Notification All applicants will be notified by MPCA staff approximately 60 days following application submission. Applicants selected for funding will be contacted concerning the next steps in the award process, including the pre-award financial and grantee capacity review as applicable, and execution of the appropriate agreements, with follow-up by the grantee within a reasonable time frame.

11. Grantee Responsibilities Awardees are required to be a registered vendor in SWIFT and will sign the grant agreement using DocuSign.

Grant agreement Each grantee must formally enter into a grant contract agreement. The grant contract agreement will address the conditions of the award, including implementation for the project. Grantees should read the grant contract agreement, sign, and once signed, comply with all conditions of the grant contract agreement. No work on grant activities can begin until a fully executed grant contract agreement is in place and the State’s Authorized Representative has notified the Grantee that work may start. The funded applicant will be legally responsible for assuring implementation of the work plan and compliance with all applicable state requirements including worker’s compensation insurance, nondiscrimination, data privacy, budget compliance, and reporting.

A sample State of Minnesota grant agreement can be found on the Office of Grants Management webpage, listed by organization type, for your reference. Much of the language reflected in the sample grant agreement is required by statute.

Accountability and Reporting requirements It is the policy of the State of Minnesota to monitor progress on state grants by requiring grantees to submit written progress reports at least annually until all grant funds have been expended and all of the terms in the grant contract agreement have been met.

Email updates about the status of the project are required to be provided to the MPCA Authorized Representative whenever an invoice is submitted to MPCA Accounts Payable. The MPCA Authorized Representative will not approve an invoice through the state system without this project update. A Grant Project Final Report, in a format provided to the grantee by the MPCA, is required to be submitted to the MPCA Authorized Representative at the same time as the final invoice is submitted to MPCA Accounts Payable.

Public data Per Minnesota Statutes § 13.599

· Names and addresses of grant applicants and amount requested will be public data once proposal responses are opened.

· All remaining data in proposal responses (except trade secret data as defined and classified in Minnesota Statutes §13.37) will be public data after the evaluation process is completed. For the purposes of this grant, data will be considered public when all the grant contract agreements have been fully executed.

· All data created or maintained by the MPCA as part of the evaluation process (except trade secret data as defined and classified in Minnesota Statutes §13.37) will be public data after the evaluation process is completed. For the purposes of this grant, Data will be considered public when all the grant contract agreements have been fully executed.

Conflict of interest State grant policy requires that steps and procedures are in place to prevent individual and organizational conflicts of interest, both in reference to applicants and reviewers per Minnesota Statutes § 16B.98 Subd. 2-3 and OGM Policy 08-01 Conflict of Interest in State Grant-Making Policy.

Organizational conflicts of interest occur when:

· a grantee or applicant is unable or potentially unable to render impartial assistance or advice to the Department due to competing duties or loyalties

· a grantee’s or applicant’s objectivity in carrying out the grant is or might be otherwise impaired due to competing duties or loyalties In cases where a conflict of interest is in question or disclosed, the applicants or grantees will be notified and actions may be pursued, including but not limited to, revising the grant work plan or grantee duties to mitigate the risk, requesting the grant applicant to submit an organizational conflict of interest mitigation plan, disqualification from eligibility for the grant award, amending the grant, or termination of the grant contract agreement.

Grant monitoring Minn. Stat. §16B.97 and Policy on Grant Monitoring require the following:

· One monitoring visit during the grant period on all state grants of $50,000 and higher.

· Annual monitoring visits during the grant period on all grants of $250,000 and higher.

· Conducting a financial reconciliation of grantee’s expenditures at least once during the grant period on grants of $50,000 and higher. For this purpose, the grantee must make expense receipts, employee timesheets, invoices, and any other supporting documents available upon request by the State.

The monitoring schedule will be determined at a later date.

Grantee performance evaluation For awards greater than $25,000, a grantee performance evaluation will be posted publicly in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 16B.98, Subdivision 12 and OGM Policy 08-13.

Authorized representatives Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §16B.98, subd. 5 (d), grantees must clearly post on the grantee’s website the names of, and contact information for, the grantee’s leadership and the employee or other person who directly manages and oversees a grant contract agreement on behalf of the grantee.

Prevailing wage requirements For grant-funded projects that include construction work and have a total project cost of $25,000 or more, prevailing wage rules apply per; Minn. Stat. §§ 177.41 through 177.44. These rules require that the wages of laborers and workers should be comparable to wages paid for similar work in the community as a whole.

You can learn more about prevailing wage at Prevailing-wage information | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Grantee bidding requirements Municipalities Grantees that are political subdivisions or municipalities must use these guidelines:

A. Municipalities are required to comply with Minnesota Statutes §471.345, Uniform Municipal Contracting Law.

B. The Grantee and any subrecipients must comply with prevailing wage rules per Minnesota Statutes §§ 177.41 through 177.50, as applicable.

C. Municipalities and any subrecipients must not contract with vendors who are suspended or debarred by the State of Minnesota or the federal government: Suspended and Debarred Vendors, Minnesota Office of State Procurement D. The Grantee must maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award, and administration of contracts.

Nongovernmental entities Grantees that are nongovernmental entities must use these guidelines:

A. Any services and/or materials that are expected to cost $100,000 or more must undergo a formal notice and bidding process.

B. Services and/or materials that are expected to cost between $25,000 and $99,999 must be competitively awarded based on a minimum of three (3) verbal quotes or bids or awarded to a targeted vendor.

C. Services and/or materials that are expected to cost between $10,000 and $24,999 must be competitively awarded based on a minimum of two (2) verbal quotes or bids or awarded to a targeted vendor.

D. The grantee must take all necessary affirmative steps to assure that targeted vendors from businesses with active certifications through these entities are used when possible:

a. State Department of Administration's Certified Targeted Group, Economically Disadvantaged and Veteran-Owned Vendor List

b. Metropolitan Council Underutilized Business Program

c. Small Business Certification Program through Hennepin County, Ramsey County, and City of St. Paul: Central Certification Directory E. The grantee must maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the actions of its employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts.

F. The grantee must maintain support documentation of the purchasing or bidding process used to contract services in their financial records, including support documentation justifying a single source bid, if applicable.

G. Notwithstanding the above, the State may waive bidding process requirements when:

a. Vendors included in response to competitive grant request for proposal process were approved and incorporated as an approved work plan for the grant; or

b. It is determined there is only one reasonably able and available source for such materials or services and that grantee has established a fair and reasonable price.

H. The Grantee and any subrecipients must comply with prevailing wage rules per Minnesota Statutes §§ 177.41 through 177.50, as applicable.

I. The grantee and any subrecipients must not contract with vendors who are suspended or debarred by the State of Minnesota or the federal government: Suspended and Debarred Vendors, Minnesota Office of State Procurement.

Pre-award risk assessment and financial review In accordance with Minnesota Statutes §16B.981 and OGM Policy 08-06: Preaward Risk Assessment of Potential Grantees, it is required to consider a grant applicant's past performance and financial and operational capacity before awarding grants of $50,000 or more. Granting agencies will request, review, and analyze information, including Exhibits C-H, as referenced in this RFP, as applicable.

In order to comply with this requirement, the following information and documents will need to be submitted along with your application:

1. Capacity Responses: All potential grantees: Exhibit C

a) Please describe your history of performing the work that will be funded by the grant.

b) This includes describing your organization’s current staffing and current budget.

2. Certification: Certification that the entity is not suspended or debarred by the State of Minnesota or the federal government: Exhibit D

3. Evidence of good standing: For-profit and nonprofit potential grantees: Exhibit E For-profit and nonprofit grantees: Filed and up-to-date with the Secretary of State

4. Nonprofit grantees as applicable: Exhibit F

· Most recent Form 990 or Form 990-EZ

· Most recent audited financial statement of a charitable organization which has received total revenue in excess of $750,000 for the 12 months of operations covered by the statement per Minnesota Statutes. § 309.53

· Most recent board-reviewed (or managing group if applicable) financial statements, description of internal controls over business expenditures and outcomes of grant funds, if awarded, and evidence of exemption

5. For-profit Certification Disclosure and required documents: Exhibit G

· Most recent federal and state tax returns:

· If not in business long enough to have a tax return, description of internal controls over business expenditures and outcomes of grant funds, if awarded

· Current financial statements (audited)

· Certification that business is not under bankruptcy proceedings

· Disclosure of any liens on assets

6. Certification: No current principals have been convicted of a felony financial crime in the last ten years: All potential Grantees: Exhibit H The submission of inaccurate or misleading information may be grounds for disqualification from the Grant Contract Agreement contract agreement award and may subject an organization to suspension or debarment proceedings, as well as other remedies available to the State, by law.

Based on Minnesota Statutes §16B.981/Chapter 62 - MN Laws, Article 7, Section 11, Subd. 3-5 establishes the authority for a granting agency to:

· Provide or require enhanced grant oversight

· Request additional information from a potential grantee to determine whether there is a substantial risk that the potential grantee cannot or would not perform the required duties of the Grant Contract Agreement

· The potential grantee has 15 business days to respond

· Develop a plan to address the risk or concerns identified

· Not award the grant.

· The granting agency must provide notice of this determination to not award the grant to the grantee and the Commissioner of Administration.

· The notice must include the following:

· The reason for postponing/not awarding the grant

· The timeline for the process for contesting the agency’s decision Please note, only awarded applicants will be required to fill out and provide documentation related to Exhibit F and G.

Audits Per Minn. Stat. § 16B.98 Subdivision 8, the grantee’s books, records, documents, and accounting procedures and practices of the grantee or other party that are relevant to the grant or transaction are subject to examination by the MPCA and either the legislative auditor or the state auditor, as appropriate. This requirement will last for a minimum of six years from the grant agreement end date, receipt, and approval of all final reports, or the required period of time to satisfy all state and program retention requirements, whichever is later.

Affirmative action and non-discrimination requirements for all grantees A. The grantee agrees not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status in regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age in regard to any position for which the employee or applicant for employment is qualified. Minn. Stat. §363A.02. The grantee agrees to take affirmative steps to employ, advance in employment, upgrade, train, and recruit minority persons, women, and persons with disabilities.

B. The grantee must not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of physical or mental disability in regard to any position for which the employee or applicant for employment is qualified. The grantee agrees to take affirmative action to employ, advance in employment, and otherwise treat qualified disabled persons without discrimination based upon their physical or mental disability in all employment practices such as the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment, advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including apprenticeship. Minnesota Rules, part 5000.3500.

C. The grantee agrees to comply with the rules and relevant orders of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights issued pursuant to the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

Voter registration requirement The grantee will ensure voter registration services for its employees and for the public served by the grantee (Minn. Stat. § 201.162).

Funding acknowledgement This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under assistance agreement 66.046 to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this document, as well as any images, video, text, or other content created by generative artificial intelligence tools, nor does any such content necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA.

Right of Cancellation The State reserves the right to cancel this solicitation if it is considered to be in its best interest. The State reserves the right to negotiate modifications to the application or to reject any and all applications received as a result of this Request for Proposals. The State does not intend to award a grant contract agreement solely on the basis of any response made to this request, or pay for information solicited or obtained.

Exhibit 1: Application evaluation score sheet A 100 ‒ point scale will be used to evaluate eligible applications and develop final recommendations.

Organization Characterization

· Applicant provides a concise overview of their organization and how they are well-placed to implement the project

· Applicant includes Assurance of Community Representation, if applicable

· Project addresses geographic isolation or infrastructure barriers impacting food access

Food Sovereignty:

· Project identifies and supports measurable movement towards existing food sovereignty goals

· Project demonstrates a clear impact on food sovereignty needs in the community

Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Calculations – Supporting Data

· Application demonstrates capacity for GHG emissions related data collection to support MPCA GHG emissions reduction calculations

Co-Benefits

· Reasonable co-benefits related to the project are identified in the application

· Co-benefits are measurable, and meaningfully involve, inform, and/or directly connect to communities impacted by the project

Community Engagement

· Applicant describes relationships with communities impacted by the project

· Project includes plans for engagement and outreach to be conducted throughout the project and when sharing results with other persons and organizations

Project evaluation and assessment

· Applicant describes how they will evaluate the effectiveness of the project and includes baseline values and anticipated or desired changes

· Project includes detailed plans for assessment of all components including co-benefits

· Steps for data collection and measuring are clear

Experience and Qualifications:

· Applicant has experience managing federal grants, including written and implemented procedures

· Organizations and specific individuals that will do the work on the project are qualified for their roles with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to carry out the project successfully

· Letters of support from any project partners are included

Workplan and Budget

· Project has clear steps for successful implementation, including resources and planning

· The work plan includes detailed tasks that demonstrate how the project’s objectives will be completed

· The roles of all identified partners are clearly defined in the workplan and letters of support are provided

· Costs are detailed and clearly explained in the budget, meet eligibility requirements, and are clearly associated with the workplan’s objectives

· Project shows a strong probability for success (i.e., financially realistic, cost effective, achievable in the specified timeframe, etc)

Exhibit 2: Build America, Buy America (BABA) and Davis-Bacon Act

BABA

All eligible energy-related projects are considered infrastructure and subject to BABA rules. A general guideline, which may not be all-inclusive, is fixtures that are permanent (e.g., hard wired) are required to follow BABA.

Limited projects under this RFP are subject to the Buy America Sourcing requirements under BABA provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (P.L. 117-58, §§7091170917) when using Federal funds for the purchase of goods, products, and materials on any form of construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of infrastructure in the United States. The Buy America preference applies to all of the iron and steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used for the infrastructure project under an award for identified EPA financial assistance funding programs.

All the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States. BABA requirements for iron and steel are the same as American Iron and Steel. BABA manufactured products require the final manufacturing in the United States.

Project waivers may be pursued after award; however, without an EPA-approved waiver, the BABA requirements must be met.

BABA – Required Use of American Iron, Steel, Manufactured Products, and Construction Materials Recipients of an award of Federal financial assistance from a program for infrastructure are hereby notified that none of the funds provided under this award may be used for an infrastructure project unless:

1. All iron and steel used in the project are produced in the United States—this means all manufacturing processes, from the initial melting stage through the application of coatings, occurred in the United States;

2. All manufactured products used in the project are produced in the United States— this means the manufactured product was manufactured in the United States; and the cost of the components of the manufactured product that are mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States is greater than 55 percent of the total cost of all components of the manufactured product, unless another standard that meets or exceeds this standard has been established under applicable law or regulation for determining the minimum amount of domestic content of the manufactured product; and

3. All construction materials are manufactured in the United States—this means that all manufacturing processes for the construction material occurred in the United States. The construction material standards are listed below.

For legal definitions and sourcing requirements, consult the EPA Build America, Buy America website, 2 CFR Part 184, and the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Memorandum M-24-02 Implementation Guidance on Application of Buy America Preference in Federal Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure.

Davis-Bacon Act

The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) require payment of local prevailing wages to construction workers performing work on federally funded construction projects. The Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) applies to each federal government or District of Columbia contract in excess of $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works and requires that contractors and subcontractors pay their laborers and mechanics employed under such contracts no less than the locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits for corresponding work on similar projects in the area. The DBA’s prevailing wage provisions also apply to “Related Acts,” under which federal agencies assist construction projects through grants, loans, loan guarantees, and insurance. Examples of Related Acts include the Federal-Aid Highway Acts, the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor administers the DBRA. For more information on the Davis Bacon Act: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/66-dbra image1.png image2.png