PKG00249005-instructions.pdf

OMB No. 0581-0240

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Acer Access and Development Program

Fiscal Year 2019 Request for Applications

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-ACER-G-19-0006

Publication Date: March 12, 2019

Application Due Date: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 10, 2019

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Program Solicitation Information

Funding Opportunity Title: Acer Access and Development Program

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-AMS-TM-ACER-G-19-0006

Announcement Type: Initial

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.174

Dates: Applications must be received on or before 11:59 pm Eastern Time May 10, 2019, through www.Grants.gov . Applications received after this deadline will not be considered for funding.

Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2019 Acer Access and Development Program (Acer). AMS will competitively award grants to eligible applicants for projects that support the efforts of States, tribal governments, and research institutions to promote the domestic maple syrup industry through activities associated with: promotion of research and education related to maple syrup production; promotion of natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry; market promotion for maple syrup and maple-sap products; encouragement of owners and operators of privately held land containing species of trees in the genus Acer—to initiate or expand maple-sugaring activities on the land; or to voluntarily make the land available, including by lease or other means, for access by the public for maple-sugaring activities.

It is anticipated that approximately $4 million will be available to fund applications under this solicitation. The final amount available is subject to Congressional action. The maximum award is $500,000. In the FY 2018 application cycle, AMS received 9 applications and funded 6 (67%) of the applications. As such, to be competitive, applications must be complete and of high quality.

This announcement provides information about the eligibility criteria for applicants and projects, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for an award.

Stakeholder Input: AMS seeks your comments about this Request for Applications (RFA). We will consider the comments when we develop the next RFA for the program. Submit written stakeholder comments by the deadline set forth in the DATES portion of this Notice via e-mail to:

AMSGrants@ams.usda.gov. (This e-mail address is intended only for receiving comments regarding this RFA and not requesting information or forms.) In your comments, please state that you are commenting on the Acer Access and Development Program RFA.

http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:AMSGrants@ams.usda.gov

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Application Checklist

The application checklist below provides the required and conditionally required documents for an application package. AMS expects applicants to read the entire RFA prior to submitting their application to ensure that they understand the program’s requirements.

Acer requires that all application packages include the following:

� SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance (in Grants.gov) � SF-424B – Assurances - Non-Construction Program (in Grants.gov)

The following required application components must be combined into one PDF in the order listed below.

� Project Narrative � Fiscal Plan and Resources � A Letter of Commitment from Each Partner or Collaborator � Personnel Qualifications

When applicable, application packages may be required to include the following documents:

� AD-3030 – Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants (in Grants.gov)

� AD-3031 – Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants (in Grants.gov)

� Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) (PDF Attachment)

Timing to Obtain or Submit Grants.gov Required Elements

Required Action Timing to Obtain/Submit AMS Deadline to receive final application and all supporting materials through Grants.Gov.

May 10, 2019 – 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Obtaining Your Organization’s DUNS Number (if you do not already have one) 1-2 business days Establishing an Active SAM.gov Account (if you do not already have one) 7-10 business days Obtaining an TIN/EIN (if you do not already have one) Up to 2 weeks Creating your Grants.gov profile and registering your Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) authorization Up to 2 weeks

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Funding Opportunity Description

1.1 Legislative Authority

1.2 Purpose

1.3 Project Types

2.0 Award Information

2.1 Type of Federal Assistance

2.2 Type of Applications

2.3 Available Funding

2.4 Federal Award Period Duration

2.5 Award Size

3.0 Eligibility Information

3.1 Eligible Applicants

3.2 Partners and Collaborators

3.3 Cost Sharing and Matching

4.0 Application and Submission Information

4.1 Electronic Application Package

4.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

4.3 Submitted Application Qualification

4.4 Submission Date and Time

4.5 Intergovernmental Review

4.6 Funding Restrictions

4.7 Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures and Requirements

5.0 Application Review Information

5.1 Project Evaluation Criteria

5.2 Review and Selection Process

6.0 Award Administration Information

6.1 Award Notices

6.2 Unsuccessful Applicants

6.3 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

6.4 Reporting

7.0 Agency Contacts

7.1 Team Lead

7.2 Address

7.3 Grants.gov Questions

8.0 Other Information

8.1 Equal Opportunity Statement

8.2 Freedom of Information Act Requests

8.3 Prohibition on Using Funds under Grants and Cooperative Agreements with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements

8.4 Paperwork Burden Statement

OMB No. 0581-0240

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1.0 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) was authorized by section 12306 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113—79) and amended under section 12501 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115—334) (7 U.S.C. §1632c).

1.2 PURPOSE

To support the efforts of States, tribal governments, and research institutions to promote the domestic maple syrup industry through the following activities:

(1) Promotion of research and education related to maple syrup production.

(2) Promotion of natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry.

(3) Market promotion for maple syrup and maple-sap products.

(4) Encouragement of owners and operators of privately held land containing species of trees in the genus Acer:

(A) to initiate or expand maple-sugaring activities on the land; or

(B) to voluntarily make the land available, including by lease or other means, for access by the public for maple-sugaring activities.

1.2.1 DEFINITION OF MAPLE-SUGARING

The collection of sap from any species of tree in the genus Acer for the purpose of boiling to produce food. Acer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as maple.

1.3 PROJECT TYPES

Applicants must align their proposal to one of the following two project types:

• Market Development and Promotion

• Producer and Landowner Education

Applicants may apply under only one project type. Each project type is described in greater detail below.

All applications must illustrate a regional or national impact on domestic maple syrup or maple-sap products and have the potential to quantitatively increase maple-sugaring activities or maple syrup production.

1.3.1 MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION

Projects should emphasize improving consumer knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the maple syrup industry and its products. Specifically, this funding area focuses on enhancing the market for domestic maple syrup and maple-sap products through consumer promotion, including education related to maple syrup production, research, and natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry.

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:1632c%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section1632c)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

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Examples include:

• Information campaigns for consumers highlighting sustainable practices implemented by the maple syrup industry.

• Consumer education campaigns highlighting maple syrup and maple-sap products inputs and output to generate greater awareness of maple product development.

• National consumer awareness campaigns about domestic maple syrup production.

• Increased consumer awareness of maple product development by general promotion of agritourism of land devoted to maple-sugaring.

• Campaigns that emphasize awareness of U.S. maple products and foster the development of relationships between maple producers and international buyers and traders.

1.3.2 PRODUCER AND LANDOWNER EDUCATION

Projects should emphasize improving producer knowledge, awareness, and understanding of research, educational resources, or natural resource sustainability practices affecting the maple syrup industry and its products. Specifically, this funding area focuses on increasing maple syrup and maple-sap product producer knowledge and awareness of current research, educational resources, and natural resource sustainability practices that increase maple product production through increased efficiency and reduced inputs. Projects in this funding area can also encourage landowners and operators of privately-held land containing maple trees to initiate or expand maple-sugaring activities on the land or to voluntarily make the land available, including by lease or other means, for access by the public for maple-sugaring activities. These efforts must emphasize potential economic return for producers as well as landowners and operators of privately-held land containing maple trees.

Examples include:

• Education campaigns drawing attention to new processes or procedures that streamline or decrease the cost of maple syrup or maple-sap products.

• Producer awareness campaigns encouraging landowners and maple syrup producers to utilize new, safer, and more efficient technologies.

• The establishment or expansion of maple producer land-sourcing networks and organizations on a state, regional, or national level.

• Informational campaigns for landowners and operators of privately held land about the economic benefits of initiating or expanding maple-sugaring activities or making their land available for maple-sugaring activities.

• Campaigns that highlight the sustainability of operating maple-sugaring activities on privately held land.

1.3.3 PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING

Projects are not eligible for funding if the proposed activities:

• Are related to construction or purchasing land for use by a non-Federal entity.

• Are related to State, territorial, tribal, regional, or other non-Federal entity specific marketing campaigns.

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• Benefit only one agricultural producer or individual.

• Depend upon the completion of another project or the receipt of another grant.

• Duplicate activities in a project that has received a Federal award from another Federal award program.

2.0 AWARD INFORMATION

2.1 TYPE OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

AMS will use a Grant Agreement to provide a Federal award to successful applicants.

2.2 TYPE OF APPLICATIONS

New application. All new applications will be reviewed competitively using the selection process and evaluation criteria described in section 5.0 Application Review Information.

2.3 AVAILABLE FUNDING

It is anticipated that approximately $4 million will be available to fund applications in FY 2019.

Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

2.4 FEDERAL AWARD PERIOD DURATION

Acer projects are awarded for a period of 36 months (3 years), although it is acceptable to complete a project before the scheduled performance period ending date. All projects under this RFA will begin on September 30, 2019, and must end no later than September 29, 2022. Insert these start and end dates on Block 17 on the SF-424 “Application for Federal Assistance.”

2.5 AWARD SIZE

Maximum grant award is $500,000.

3.0 ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

3.1 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants are State agencies, tribal governments, and research institutions from the 50 States, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Research institutions are organizations that typically conduct research with non-Federal and Federal funds, including colleges and universities, Federally funded research and development centers, national user facilities, industrial laboratories, or other research institutes.

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3.2 PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS

An applicant may subcontract or subaward with partners and collaborators (see section 4.6.2). Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements. Project partners and collaborators need not meet these eligibility requirements provided in section 3.1.

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

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

Partners and Collaborators may come from private or public, for-profit or nonprofit entities, including but not limited to:

• New and beginning farmers and ranchers (individuals or entities that have not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years and substantially participate in the operation);

• Rural enterprises (small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenue);

• Agri-businesses; and

• Local government entities.

Applicants are required to show evidence of existing community or industry support and engagement.

AMS will not award grant funds for projects that solely benefit one individual or entity.

3.3 COST SHARING AND MATCHING

Acer does not have a Federal cost sharing or matching requirement.

4.0 APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

4.1 ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PACKAGE

Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov in response to this RFA. We urge applicants to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For an overview of the Grants.gov application process see Grants.gov’s Apply for Grants webpage. This RFA contains the information needed to obtain and complete required application forms and AMS-specific attachments. More information about applying through Grants.gov can be found in section 4.7 Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures and Requirements.

Applicants can find the opportunity under either the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number “10.174,” or the Acer Funding Opportunity Number “USDA-AMS-TM-ACER-G-19-0006.”

4.2 CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

4.2.1 SF-424 APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

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

Block Instructions:

#1 Type of Submission Application #2 Type of Application New #4 through #7 Not required #8c Organizational DUNS Applicant DUNS# for the organization submitting the application. See D&B Request a DUNS Number #8d Address Enter the organization street address as it appears in

SAM.gov. P.O. Boxes will not be accepted. Enter a 9-digit zip code.

#10 Name of Federal Agency AMS, USDA #11 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

10.174

#12 Funding Opportunity Number USDA-AMS-TM-ACER-G-19-0006

#13 Competition Identification Number Not applicable #14 Areas Affected by Project Enter cities, counties, States affected by project.

#15 Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project

Provide a short description of the project.

#16a Congressional Districts for Applicant

Enter the Congressional district where your main office is located.

#16b Congressional Districts for Program/Project

Enter the Congressional district where your project will be implemented. Write “All” if the project will be implemented in more than one location.

#17 Proposed Project Start Date and End Date

Start Date: September 30, 2019.

End date: September 29, 2022.

#18a Estimated Funding - Federal Total Acer award requested.

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

This initiative is subject to intergovernmental review.

Consult this website (https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc) to determine applicability in your State.

4.2.2 SF-424B ASSURANCES NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS

Required: Form SF-424B is available via the opportunity at www.Grants.gov.

4.2.3 PROJECT NARRATIVE

Required. The Project Narrative must be submitted as a PDF and attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15. Handwritten applications or applications in MS Word will not be accepted. The Project Narrative must be typed, single-spaced, in an 11-point font, not to exceed fifteen (15) 8.5 x 11 pages.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc http://www.grants.gov/

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

The supporting documents in the subsequent sections do not count against the 15-page limit for the Project Narrative.

(1) Executive Summary

Include a summary of 250 words or less suitable for dissemination to the public. This summary should provide a concise outline of the project’s outcome(s) and description of the general tasks to be completed during the project period to fulfill this goal.

(2) Alignment and Intent

(i) Clearly state the purpose of the project and Project Type identified in section 1.3 Project Types.

Describe the specific issue, problem, or need that the project will address in relation to the statutory language of the program (7 U.S.C. §1632c). Include data and/or estimates that describe the extent of the issue, problem, or need.

(ii) List the objectives of the project. The objectives must be related to addressing the issue(s), problem(s), or need(s) mentioned in section (2)(i).

(iii) Provide a description of the benefits that are intended to be achieved as a result of engaging in the activities associated with this project, including the number of affected producers or processors.

(3) Technical Merit

(i) Provide a Work Plan that describes the activities and timeline associated with each project objective.

Include the following information for each objective mentioned in the Alignment and Intent section above: a timeline for each activity and major output including the anticipated date of completion; how and where the activities will take place; required resources; milestone(s) for assessing progress and success; the person(s) responsible for completing the activity, including collaborative arrangements or subcontractors; if conducting training and technical assistance, how participants will be recruited; and how you will help guide program development and delivery.

(ii) If the proposed project will be or has been submitted to another federal program for funding, provide the grant program name.

(iii) If the proposed project builds on work previously funded by a federal program, including AMS grant programs, provide the year and grant program name, and describe how the proposed project, if funded, would not duplicate work previously funded by the federal government.

(4) Achievability

(i) Respond to each of the following outcome indicators that is relevant to the project with baseline and/or estimated target numbers. If an outcome indicator does not apply, state that it is not applicable.

http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:1632c%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section1632c)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants

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Outcome 1: To Increase Consumption of and Access to Maple Syrup and Maple-Sap Products.

Indicator Description Estimated Number N/A

1.a. Total number of project beneficiaries/stakeholders reached ☐

1.b.

Of the total number that were reached, the number that reported buying, selling, aggregating, storing, producing, and/or distributing maple syrup or maple-sap products

1.c.

Of the total number that were reached, the number that gained knowledge on how to access or produce maple syrup or maple-sap products

Outcome 2: To Increase Sales of Maple Syrup or Maple-Sap Products.

For projects that do not already have a baseline of sales in dollars or an initial customer count, one of the objectives of the project must be to determine and document the value of sales increases or percent change in customer count by the end of the project.

Indicator Description Estimated Number N/A

2.a. Sales increased as a result of marketing and/or promotion activities during the project performance period.

Initial (Original) Sales Amount (in dollars) $ ☐ Estimated Final (Resulted) Sales Amount (in dollars) $ ☐ Percent Change ((n final – n initial)/n initial) * 100 = % change) % ☐

Outcome 3: To Develop New Market Opportunities for Producers or Processors of Maple Syrup or Maple-Sap Products.

Please provide estimated target numbers.

Indicator Description Estimated Number N/A

Number of new and/or existing delivery systems/access points reached that expanded and/or improved maple syrup or maple-sap products

3.a Number of farmers markets ☐ 3.b. Number of roadside stands ☐ 3.c. Number of agritourism activities ☐ 3.d. Number of grocery stores ☐ 3.e. Number of wholesale markets ☐ 3.f. Number of other systems/access points, not noted ☐

Of the maple syrup or maple-sap product landowner or operators of privately held land containing maple trees reached, the:

3.g. Number that reported an increase in revenue expressed in dollars ☐ 3.h. Number that reported an increase in maple-sugaring activities ☐ 3.i. Number that reported an increase in maple syrup production ☐

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Indicator Description Estimated Number N/A

Number of jobs, farmers that went into production 3.j. Number of jobs maintained/created ☐

3.k. Number of new beginning farmers that began producing maple syrup or maple-sap products ☐

3.l. Number of socially disadvantaged farmers1 that began producing maple syrup or maple-sap products ☐

Outcome 4: To Increase the Sustainable Practices of Maple Syrup Production Resulting in Increased Yield, Reduced Inputs, Increased Efficiency, Increased Economic Return, and/or Conservation of Resources.

Indicator Description Estimated Number N/A

Adoption of best practices and technologies as a result of promotional activities resulting in increased yields, reduced inputs, increased efficiency, increased economic return, and conservation of resources

4.a Number of producers indicating adoption of recommended practices ☐

4.b. Number of producers reporting reduction in pesticides, fertilizer, water used/acre ☐

4.c. Number of producers reporting increased dollar returns per acre or reduced costs per acre ☐

(ii) For each completed outcome indicator, describe how you derived the numbers, how you intend to measure and achieve each relevant outcome and indicator, and any potential challenges to achieving the estimated targets and action steps for addressing them.

(iii) Describe how you will disseminate the project’s results (positive and negative) to similar organizations, stakeholders, and others that may be interested in the project’s results or implementing a similar project.

(5) Expertise and Partners

(i) List key staff, including personnel and external project partners and collaborators that comprise the Project Team, their roles, and their relevant experience and past successes in developing and operating projects similar to this project. Ensure that you have included Letters of Commitment from Partner and Collaborator Organizations to support the information.

(ii) Describe your management plan for coordinating, communicating, and sharing data and reports among members of the Project Team and stakeholder groups, both internally to personnel and externally to partners and collaborators.

1 Socially Disadvantaged Farmer is a farmer who is a member of a Socially Disadvantaged Group. A Socially Disadvantaged Group is a group whose members have been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.

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(iii) Describe how the project, and its partnerships and collaborations, will be sustained beyond the project’s period of performance (without grant funds).

4.2.4 FISCAL PLAN AND RESOURCES

Required: The Fiscal Plan and Resources requirement includes a Budget Spreadsheet and Budget Narrative. The Budget Spreadsheet must show the relevant expenditure categories in the far left column. Relevant cost categories include:

• Personnel

• Fringe Benefits

• Travel

• Special Purpose Equipment

• Supplies

• Contracts/Consultants

• Other

• Indirect Costs

• Program Income

Proceeding across the page, there must be a column showing the dollar amount of Federal funds requested. Provide separate Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and cumulative budgets.

The Budget Narrative must break down and explain how the dollar amounts for each category shown on the Budget Spreadsheet were derived and what they cover. See section 4.6.3 Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities for a full listing of allowable and unallowable costs.

The Fiscal Plan and Resources do not count toward the 15-page Project Narrative maximum.

4.2.5 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

Required: Provide a one- to two-page resume or summary of relevant experience and/or qualifications of the principal investigator(s) and for each of the other major project participants. Longer resumes will be disregarded.

4.2.6 LETTERS OF COMMITMENT FROM PARTNER AND COLLABORATOR ORGANIZATIONS

Required: Applicants must provide letters of commitment (in MS Word or PDF) from all project partners and collaborators. More information can be found on partners and collaborators in section 3.2 Partners and Collaborators. The letter must state the partner or collaborator agrees to the project management plan presented in the Project Narrative. Emails will not be accepted. The Letter of Commitment must include the following:

• Project Applicant

• Project Title

• A short introduction describing the partnering organization’s mission and its interest in Acer development

• What the organization commits to participating in and supporting

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• The time period of the partnership

• Roles of the participating individuals, as applicable, and any individual time commitment

• A statement that these individuals and the organization agree to abide by the management plan contained in the application

Submit Letters of Commitment on letterhead and address them to the applicant (i.e., Project Director).

Clearly indicate at the top of the documents that they are LETTERS OF COMMITMENT. Letters must accompany the proposal at the time of application. Unsigned letters will not be accepted.

Letter(s) must be attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Add Attachments” button under Form SF-424 item #15.

PLEASE NOTE: Acer does not require Congressional letters of support nor do such letters carry additional weight during the evaluation process.

4.2.7 FORM AD-3030 – REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING FELONY CONVICTION AND TAX

DELINQUENT STATUS FOR CORPORATE APPLICANTS

Required if the applicant is a corporation. A corporation includes, but is not limited to, any entity that has filed articles of incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories.

Corporations can include both for-profit and non-profit entities. AD-3030 is a self-certification form. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine if the AD-3030 needs to be completed and submitted. The applicant must submit the version of the form in Grants.gov. This requirement does not apply to State departments of agriculture, but it may apply to State universities and State colleges. Most information blocks on the required form are self-explanatory; however, AMS is providing further clarification below.

Block Instructions

#1 Applicant’s Name Enter the name of the individual or authorized representative-AOR who is submitting the application on behalf of the applicant organization.

#2 Applicant’s Address Enter the address of the applicant organization.

#3 Tax ID No. Enter the last four digits of the applicant organization’s Tax Identification Number.

#4A, 4B, 4C Questions

Address these questions by checking the Yes or No boxes.

For question 4B, see below for what is meant by “acting on behalf” of.

If the action of the official or agent resulted in a benefit to the corporation, then the official or agent was “acting on behalf” of the corporation. If the action of the official or agent resulted in a benefit to the official or agent, then the official or agent was not acting on behalf of the corporation.

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Block Instructions

#5A Applicant’s Signature (By) The individual or authorized representative who is submitting the application on behalf of the applicant organization must sign the form.

#5B Title/Relationship of the Individual if Signing in a Representative Capacity

Enter the title of the individual or authorized representative who is submitting the application on behalf of the applicant organization.

#5C Date Signed Date the form.

4.2.8 FORM AD-3031, ASSURANCE REGARDING FELONY CONVICTION OR TAX DELINQUENT

STATUS FOR CORPORATE APPLICANTS

Required if the applicant is a corporation. A corporation includes, but is not limited to, any entity that has filed articles of incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories.

Corporations can include both for-profit and non-profit entities.

The applicant must submit the fillable PDF version of the form in Grants.gov. AD-3031 is a self-certification form. It is the applicant’s responsibility to determine if the AD-3031 needs to be completed and submitted.

4.2.9 NEGOTIATED INDIRECT COST RATE AGREEMENT (NICRA)

Required if the applicant has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Refer to section

4.6.1 Indirect Costs for more information. The NICRA must be in PDF format and attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15.

4.3 SUBMITTED APPLICATION QUALIFICATION

Your application will not be accepted if it:

• Is received by Grants.gov after the submission deadline (see AMS’ Policy on Late Applications).

• Is submitted via any method other than through Grants.gov.

Your application will be rejected if it:

• Is non-responsive to the requirements of this RFA (see AMS’ Policy on Non-Responsive Applications).

4.4 SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Ensure that all components of the application are complete before submission. Allow enough time for the application process, as it may take more than one attempt before your application is successfully submitted. AMS encourages you to submit your application at least two weeks prior to the application deadline to ensure all certifications and registrations are met.

Only applications submitted and validated by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 10, 2019, to Grants.gov will be accepted. See AMS’ Policy on Late Applications.

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

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4.5 INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

Acer is subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” Refer to https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc.

4.6 FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

4.6.1 INDIRECT COSTS

Indirect costs (also known as “facilities and administrative costs”—defined at 2 CFR §200.56) are those costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective, and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefitted, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved.

As stated in the regulations (2 CFR §§200.413 and 414), any non-Federal entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, except State and Local Government and Indian Tribe Indirect Cost Proposals, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely. As described in 2 CFR §200.403, costs must be consistently charged as either indirect or direct costs, but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both. If chosen, this methodology once elected must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such time as a recipient chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the recipient may apply to do at any time.

All applicants who elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent must use the MTDC as the base.

MTDC are defined in 2 CFR §200.68 as all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDCs exclude equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs, and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000. Other items may be excluded only when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

If an applicant has a negotiated indirect cost rate approved by its cognizant agency, the applicant must submit a copy of its approved NICRA with its application. Entities that would like to negotiate an indirect cost rate must contact their cognizant agency. For assignments of cognizant agencies see 2 CFR §200.19.

4.6.2 SUBAWARD RESTRICTION

The applicant is expected to perform a major portion of the project; however, subawards or subcontracts with partners, collaborators, or other parties that provide additional knowledge, expertise, or resources for the purposes of the proposed project that are not otherwise available within the applicant organization are allowable. Using grant funds to competitively “re-grant” funds in mini-grant programs or to activities that are not central to the purpose of the project or for unknown costs is unallowable.

4.6.3 ALLOWABLE AND UNALLOWABLE COSTS AND ACTIVITIES

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AMS awards are subject to the most recent General Terms and Conditions, Uniform Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR §200), and other laws and regulations affecting Federal assistance.

Applicants that have questions concerning the allowability of costs after reviewing this section should contact the Agency point of contact under section 7.0 Agency Contacts.

Item Description

Advisory Councils Unallowable for costs incurred by advisory councils or committees.

Buildings and Land - Construction

Unallowable for the acquisition of buildings, facilities, or land or to make additions, improvements, modifications, replacements, rearrangements, reinstallations, renovations or alterations of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement, and architecture fees). This also includes construction and construction-related materials, which may include, but are not limited to, the purchase of building materials such as wood, nails, concrete, asphalt, roofing, gravel, sand, paint, insulation, drywall, or plumbing.

Allowable for rental costs of land with prior approval. However, lease to own agreements (i.e., lease-to-own or rent-to-own) are not allowable. The lease or rental agreement must terminate at the end of the grant cycle.

A building is any permanent structure designed or intended for support, enclosure, shelter, or protection of people, animals, or property and having a permanent roof supported by columns or walls.

Conferences Unallowable if the project solely consists of conference/workshop costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.432.

Allowable if the conference is a part of a larger project to fulfill the purpose of a grant program’s legislated purpose. Allowable conference costs paid by the non-Federal recipient as a sponsor or host of the conference may include rental of facilities, speakers’ fees, costs of meals (see Meals in the General Terms and Conditions for restrictions), and refreshments, local transportation, and other items incidental to such conferences with the exception of entertainment costs that are unallowable. If registration fees are collected, the recipient must report fees as program income (See 2 CFR §200.307 Program Income).

Allowable to rent a building or room for training; however, where appropriate, AMS encourages the use of technologies such as webinars, teleconferencing, or videoconferencing as an alternative to renting a building or a room. The recipient should use the most cost-effective facilities, such as State government conference rooms, if renting a building or a room is necessary.

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMSGrantsTermsandConditions.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=988467ba214fbb07298599affd94f30a&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1432 https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMSGrantsTermsandConditions.pdf https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/AMSGrantsTermsandConditions.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=988467ba214fbb07298599affd94f30a&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1307

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Item Description

Entertainment Costs Unallowable for entertainment costs include amusement, diversion, and social activities and any costs directly associated with such costs (such as bands, orchestras, dance groups, tickets to shows, meals, lodging, rentals, transportation, and gratuities). Entertainment costs are defined in 2 CFR §200.438.

Equipment Unallowable for acquisition costs of general purpose equipment or lease to own agreements (i.e., lease-to-own or rent-to-own).

Allowable for rental costs of general purpose equipment. Vehicles may be leased, but not purchased. The lease or rental agreement must terminate at the end of the grant cycle.

For vehicle and equipment leases or rentals with an acquisition cost that equals or exceeds $5,000, rates should be in light of such factors as: rental costs of comparable vehicles and equipment, if any; market conditions in the area;

alternatives available; and the type, life expectancy, condition, and value of the vehicle or equipment leased.

Allowable for acquisition costs and rental costs of special purpose equipment provided the following criteria is met:

1) Necessary for the research, scientific, or other technical activities of the grant award;

2) Not otherwise reasonably available and accessible;

3) The type of equipment is normally charged as a direct cost by the organization;

4) Acquired in accordance with organizational practices;

5) Must be used only to meet the legislative purpose of the grant program and objectives of the grant award;

6) More than one single commercial organization, commercial product, or individual must benefit from the use of the equipment;

7) Must not use special purpose equipment acquired with grant funds to provide services for a fee to compete unfairly with private companies that provide equivalent services; and

8) Equipment is subject to the full range of acquisition, use, management, and disposition requirements under 2 CFR §200.313 as applicable.

Definitions

Equipment is defined as tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost that equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1438 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=2:1.1.2.2.1&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1438 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=27767ced17852a0f709e351009375919&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1313

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Acquisition cost means the cost of the asset including the cost to prepare the asset for its intended use. Acquisition cost for equipment includes the net invoice price of the equipment, including the any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus necessary to make it usable for its acquired purpose.

General Purpose Equipment means equipment that is not limited to technical activities. Examples include office equipment and furnishings, modular offices, telephone networks, information technology equipment and systems, air conditioning equipment, reproduction and printing equipment, and motor vehicles.

Special Purpose Equipment is equipment used only for research, scientific, or technical activities.

Fixed Amount Subawards

Unallowable.

Fundraising and Investment Management Costs

Unallowable for organized fundraising, including financial campaigns, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred to raise capital or obtain contributions, regardless of the purpose for which the funds will be used. This includes salaries of personnel involved in activities to raise capital.

Goods or Services for Personal Use

Unallowable for costs of goods or services for personal use of employees regardless of whether the cost is reported as taxable income to the employees.

Indirect Costs - Unrecovered

Unallowable for unrecovered indirect costs.

Insurance and Indemnification

Allowable as indirect costs for insurance and indemnification.

Memberships, Subscriptions, and Professional Activity Costs

Unallowable for costs of membership in any civic or community organization.

Allowable for costs of membership in business, technical, and professional organizations.

Organization Costs Unallowable for costs of investment counsel and staff and similar expenses incurred to enhance income from investments.

Allowable with prior approval for organization costs per 2 CFR §200.455.

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Participant Support Costs

Allowable for such items as stipends or subsistence allowances, and registration fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (but not employees) in connection with approved conferences, training projects, surveys, and focus groups.

Pre-Award Costs Allowable if such costs are necessary for efficient and timely performance of the scope of the project work. Such costs are allowable only to the extent that they would have been allowable if incurred after the date of the Federal award.

A recipient may incur pre-award costs 90 calendar days before award. Expenses more than 90 calendar days pre-award require prior approval. These costs and associated activities must be included in the recipient’s project narrative and budget justification. All costs incurred before the award are at the potential recipient’s risk. The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of an award imposes no obligation on AMS to award funds for such costs.

Printing and Publications

Allowable to pay the cost of preparing informational leaflets, reports, manuals, and publications relating to the project; however, the printing of hard copies is discouraged given the prevalence of electronic/virtual publication means.

Rearrangement and Reconversion Costs

Allowable as indirect costs incurred for ordinary and normal rearrangement and alteration of facilities.

Allowable as direct costs with prior approval for special arrangements and alterations costs incurred specifically for the award.

Rearrangement and reconversion costs are those incurred in restoring or rehabilitating the non-Federal entity’s facilities to approximately the same condition existing immediately before the start of the grant agreement, less costs related to normal wear and tear.

Selling and Marketing Costs – Promotional Items, Gifts, Prizes, etc.

Unallowable for promotional items, swag, gifts, prizes, memorabilia, and souvenirs.

Selling and Marketing Costs – Coupons, Incentives or Other Price Discounts

Unallowable for costs of the value of coupon/incentive redemptions or price discounts (e.g., the $5.00 value for a $5.00 clip-out coupon).

Allowable for costs associated with printing, distribution, or promotion of coupons/tokens or price discounts (e.g., a print advertisement that contains a clip-out coupon) as long as they benefit more than a single program or organization.

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Selling and Marketing Costs – Food for Displays, Tastings, Cooking Demonstrations

Allowable for food for displays, tastings, and cooking demonstrations with prior approval.

Selling and Marketing Costs – General Marketing Costs

Unallowable for costs designed solely to promote the image of an organization, general logo, or general brand.

Allowable for costs designed to promote products that align with the purpose of the grant program.

Selling and Marketing Costs – Sponsorships

Unallowable for costs associated with sponsorships. A sponsorship is a form of advertising in which an organization uses grant funds to have its name and/or logo associated with certain events and where the organization does not necessarily know how the funds associated with sponsorship costs will be used.

These costs also only benefit the organization offering funding, limiting the beneficiaries to the sponsor organization.

Unallowable for the costs associated with fees for individuals or companies to have their products placed at retail markets (i.e., slotting fees or allowances).

Travel Costs Unallowable for travel costs of government officials per 2 CFR §200.474

Unallowable for travel costs of producers or processors simply to gain marketing experience, to network and/or to sell their products.

Allowable for domestic travel, when costs are limited to those allowed by formal organizational policy and the purpose aligns with the legislated purpose of the program.

Allowable travel costs for recipients that do not have formal travel policies and may not exceed those established by the Federal Travel Regulation, issued by General Services Administration (GSA), including the maximum per diem and subsistence rates prescribed in the regulation. If a recipient does not have a formal travel policy, those regulations will be used to determine the amount that may be charged for travel costs.

4.7 GRANTS.GOV APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND RECEIPT PROCEDURES AND

REQUIREMENTS

4.7.1 HOW TO REGISTER TO APPLY THROUGH GRANTS.GOV

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

If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/individual-registration.html

Organization applicants can find complete instructions here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

1) Obtain a DUNS Number: All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Applicants must enter the DUNS number in the data entry field labeled "Organizational DUNS" on the SF- 424 form.

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

3) Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. Applicants must know their organization's DUNS number to complete this process.