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Federal Nutrition Programs Participation Assistance for Farmers and Farmers’ Markets – Grant

Program

Fiscal Year 2019 Request for Applications

Catalog for Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.580

Dates:

Release Date: July 15, 2019

Application Due Date: 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard Time (EST), September 13, 2019

Anticipated Award Date: September 27, 2019

OMB BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0584-0512. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average XX hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

NOTE: Information italicized should be addressed/completed by the Program area.

Information in black should not be changed. If additional information is required it may be added.

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION TEMPLATE – REV.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

On December 31, 2017, Grants.gov officially retired the legacy. PDF application package as a method to apply for a

Federal grant. This changed the way many Grants.gov users completed and submitted their grant applications.

For information on Workspace application process, visit:

https://grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://communications.grants.gov/app/l/6q3KZ8jGoQl892veDQGyBvbQ/8wUMOSFAzsZ0MK9DNLgLtg/hysv8Unh3EXvtNpco6IwbQ https://communications.grants.gov/app/l/6q3KZ8jGoQl892veDQGyBvbQ/8wUMOSFAzsZ0MK9DNLgLtg/hysv8Unh3EXvtNpco6IwbQ https://grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

Application Checklist This application checklist provides a list of the required documents; however FNS expects that applicants will read the entire RFA prior to the submission of their application.

In order to apply, at least four weeks prior to submission, you must have:

Obtained a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number;

Registered the DUNS number into the System for Award Management (SAM); and, Registered in grants.gov.

When preparing your application, ensure:

Your application format and narrative meet the requirements included in Section IV “Application and Submission

Information,” including page limits and priorities outlined in Section IV, and all necessary attachments.

When preparing your budget, ensure the following information is included:

All key staff who are paid by this grant.

The percentage of time the project director will devote to the project in full-time equivalents.

Your organization’s fringe benefit amount along with the basis for the computation.

The type of fringe benefits to be covered with Federal funds.

Itemized travel expenses (including type of travel), travel justifications and basis for lodging estimates.

Types of equipment and supplies, justifications, and estimates, ensuring that the budget is in line with the project description.

Information for all contracts and justification for any sole-source contracts.

Justification, description and itemized list of all consultant services.

Indirect cost information (either a copy of a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or if no agreement exists, the basis of the indirect costs requested). If none requested, please indicate this in the budget narrative.

When submitting your application, ensure you have submitted the following:

SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

SF-424A – Budget Information and Instruction Form (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

SF-424B – Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

SF-LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.

FNS-906 – Grant Program Accounting System & Financial Capability Questionnaire (in Appendix X)

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (PDF – Upload using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item

#15)

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

AD-1047 - Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters Primary Covered

Transactions

AD-1048 - Certification Regarding Department, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion Lower Tier

Covered Transactions

AD-1049 - Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (Grants) Alternative I – For Grantees Other

Than Individuals

AD-1050 - Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (Grants) Alternative II – For Grantees Who

Are Individuals

AD-1052 - Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace State and State Agencies, Federal Fiscal Year

AD-3030 – Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants

(fillable PDF in Grants.gov).

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SFLLL_1_2-V1.2.pdf

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Contents

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Authorizing Legislation and Background

Purpose / Key Objectives

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Type of Award

Application and Review Dates

Award Period

Allowable Costs

Unallowable Costs

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Eligible applicants

Cost sharing or matching considerations

Pre-application Screening Requirements

Other eligibility criteria

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Application Format

Application Content

Submission Date

Electronic Submission Details

How to Submit an Application via Grants.gov

Application Deadline and Proof of Timely Submission

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Evaluation Factors and Criteria

Review and Selection Process

Determination of Award Amounts

VI. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION (REQUIRED)

Federal Award Notice

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

FINANCIAL REPORTING

PROGRESS REPORTING

VII. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

Debriefing Requests

IX. APPENDIX

SNAP Mobile Transaction Processing Application (The App) Requirements

RFA Budget Narrative Checklist

Purpose ................................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

Organization Information .................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Authorizing Legislation and Background

Authorized by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, the Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program (SNAP) is the cornerstone of the Nation’s nutrition assistance safety net. The

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) authorizes and monitors retailers to participate in SNAP. Currently, more than 250,000 retailers are authorized to accept SNAP. Thousands of retailers, including farmers’ markets and direct marketing farmers (FMs and DMFs), apply for SNAP authorization each year.

Since 2012, funding has been appropriated to FNS to support the participation of Farmers’ Markets and Direct Marketing Farmers (FMs and DMFs) in their efforts to attract more SNAP customers and to help individual FMs and DMFs that meet specific requirements, to procure low- or no-cost wireless

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) point-of-sale (POS) devices through the SNAP EBT Equipment

Program.

Additionally, Report 115-706 of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations for the 115th Congress, 2nd Session encourages FNS to use FY2019 funding to assist FMs and DMFs in obtaining EBT equipment that can process transactions in SNAP and other Federal nutrition assistance programs.

Purpose / Key Objectives

FNS announces, through this Request for Applications, the availability of a maximum of $4 million to be used over a maximum of four (4) years for award as a cooperative agreement. This solicitation is contingent upon the availability of funds.

The primary goals of the grant are to increase the participation of FMs and DMFs in SNAP and access to FMs and DMFs by SNAP recipients. The grantee will use resources from this grant to assist FMs and DMFs in becoming SNAP authorized and supporting the participation of and processing of transactions by these FMs and DMFs, including the following activities:

1. Objective 1: Outreach and assistance to FMs and DMFs that are not currently SNAP-authorized.

a. The grantee will assist these FMs and DMFs in completing the application process for

SNAP authorization, and becoming SNAP-authorized.

2. Objective 2: Access to a secure SNAP Mobile Transaction Processing Application (The App) by SNAP-authorized FMs and DMFs. The App must:

a. Be in use in the current SNAP FM environment;

b. Adhere to all EBT security requirements, including encrypted PIN-entry as specified in

Section IX. Appendix;

c. Be certified and able to conduct all required SNAP transaction types as specified in Section

IX. Appendix; and

d. Have the ability to capture GPS data to identify the location of the device, and enable the transmission of GPS data to FNS as part of the transaction message at a future date, as determined by FNS.

Successful grant applicants will identify The App that will be used and describe how each requirement in Section IX. Appendix will be satisfied. The proposed activities and indicators measuring success must be mapped to Program Objectives in the below format under Section IV (note that additional Activities/Indicators can be added as needed). Note:

Indicators are defined as any metric you anticipate will be able to be tracked during the period of performance of the grant.

The grantee will enter into a formal agreement with a provider of The App to provide newly authorized FMs and DMFs with access to The App at no cost to the FM for up to one-year. The App provider must meet requirements as specified in Section IX. Appendix.

The formal agreement will specify all costs and terms for the participation of an FM receiving access to The App for one-year at no cost, and on-going access subsequent to the no-cost period.

This grant opportunity is not intended to support the development of an untested mobile application for SNAP. However, the grantee may collaborate or coordinate with The App provider to develop additional functionality for The App that would enable the processing of transactions for other Federal nutrition programs.

FMs and DMFs will provide their own mobile device and cellular and data services necessary for transaction processing. Under the Grant the cost of the app and any related licenses will be covered for participating markets and farmers for 1 (one) year from the date of market or farmer sign-up.

3. Objective 3: Training and technical support for FMs and DMFs in applying for SNAP authorization and on-going participation in SNAP. The grantee will:

a. Train FMs and DMFs on installing, operating and maintaining The App;

b. Help troubleshoot issues, and provide technical assistance through the term of the no-cost agreement; and

c. Guide FMs and DMFs in locating SNAP training materials and information, and facilitating questions and resolutions with FNS.

Once the one-year no-cost option expires, the grantee will assist FMs and DMFs in transitioning their agreement from no-cost to full-cost, or will facilitate transition to the State

SNAP Agency SNAP-only alternative that serves the jurisdiction(s) where the FM is located.

4. Objective 4: Monitoring progress, including achievements, milestones, and risks and issues.

a. Among other metrics, the grantee will monitor and track the success of outreach activities and training, the number of participating FMs and DMFs using The App, and number of transactions being processed.

b. The grantee will also participate in any effort to enable the transmission of GPS data to

FNS as part of the transaction message.

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Type of Award

FNS will award this grant in the form of a cooperative agreement to enable collaboration between

FNS and the grantee during project development and project execution. Examples of FNS participation include:

Evaluation of quarterly progress reports and financial reports to monitor the grantee’s project activities and ensure that the objectives, terms and conditions of the agreement are met; and

Periodic on-site and off-site technical assistance to provide evaluation and guidance on project activities and outputs as they relate to FNS objectives, including:

o Review of project plans and milestones;

o Evaluation of technology improvements; and o Other technical assistance related to project objectives.

Periodic collaborative meetings.

FNS will provide funding for approved grants through the Grant Award/Letter of Credit process, upon receipt of a properly executed Cooperative Agreement and subject to the availability of funds.

Application and Review Dates

The deadline for submitting applications may be found in Section IV. Application and Submission

Information. FNS anticipates awarding grants no more than 120 days from the application deadline.

Award Period

The award period for the FY2019 Grant will be up to four (4) years. All grant funds must be obligated and all program activities under the grant (other than activities relating to the close out of the grant) must be completed by the end of the award period. The close-out of the grant must occur no later than

90 days following the termination date of the agreement, and all obligations incurred under the grant must be liquidated by this date. Any funds that are not liquidated within 90 days following the end of the award period must be returned to FNS. In addition, the final progress reports are due to FNS no later than 90 days following the end of the award period. Please see the section on Federal Award

Administration Information for details on reporting requirements. A total of up to $4 million in

Federal funding is available for the Grant.

FNS anticipates awarding the grant through a competitive process by September 2019. Grantees may use grant funds for the duration of the project period. The period of performance begins on September

30, 2019, and will not exceed four (4) years from the start date, or September 29, 2023. FNS intends to fund one (1) grant under this RFA. However, the number of grants awarded will be dependent on the quality and nature of the applications received.

Allowable Costs

Among other costs, budgets may include expenses related to personnel, contractors, equipment and supplies, meeting expenses, travel, and trainings.

Equipment and Supplies: Expenditures for both equipment (i.e., items of personal property having a useful life of more than one year and a cost of $5,000 or more) and supplies are allowable expenses.

For purposes of this grant, equipment does not include mobile or wireless POS terminals. Markets and farmers will provide their own device as well as their own cellular and data services.

Procurement Contracts: Grantees may use grant funds to procure contracts for goods and services.

Unallowable Costs

State Collaboration: Grant funds may not be used to provide no-cost EBT equipment to States to fulfill the State’s requirement to provide a no-cost EBT only option to markets and farmers. The grantee may collaborate with States on providing a mobile solution as part of the States’ responsibility, however, the grantee may not use grant funds for those costs.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Eligible applicants

Eligible entities include nonprofit entities. A nonprofit entity is any organization or institution with

IRS 501(c) status or accredited institutions of higher education, where no part of the net earnings benefit any private shareholder or individual. All applicant organizations must be domestic entities and shall be owned, operated, and located within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or the United States Virgin Islands.

Cost sharing or matching considerations

Cost sharing and matching are not required to apply for grant funds, However, FNS supports collaboration among local, State, regional, or national partnerships that leverage assets to most effectively reach the goals associated with this grant. Collaboration may include sub-grants and in-kind contributions of resources by partner organizations. In-kind contributions may include donations of services, equipment, meeting space, or other resources to be used specifically for the proposed project. The value of these in-kind contributions should be calculated and noted both in the Project

Narrative and the Budget Narrative. Commitments of in-kind contributions and/or cost-sharing should be demonstrated through letters of commitment and included in the application package.

Pre-application Screening Requirements

In reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, Federal Awarding Agencies, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.400, are required, prior to making a Federal award, to review information available through various OMB-designated repositories for eligibility qualification or financial integrity, and to have in place a framework for evaluating the risks posed by applicants before they receive Federal awards. The evaluation of the information obtained from the designated repository systems and the risk assessment may result in the Food and Nutrition Service Agency (FNS) imposing special conditions that correspond to the degree of risk assessed. The Federal repository systems FNS will review include:

1) SAM, the System for Award Management, the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS;

2) FAPIIS, the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, is a database that has been established to track contractor misconduct and performance;

3) Dun and Bradstreet, the system where applicants establish a DUNS number which is used by the Federal government to better identify related organizations that are receiving funding under grants and cooperative agreements, and to provide consistent name and address data for electronic grant application systems. The Federal government requires that all applicants for

Federal grants and cooperative agreements with the exception of individuals other than sole proprietors have a DUNS number.

4) U.S. Department of Agriculture, AD-3030, Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and

Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.

Applicants must also respond to the pre-application assessment questions below to allow FNS to evaluate aspects of the applicant’s financial stability, quality of management systems, and history of performance, reports and findings from audits. A questionnaire containing these questions has been provided to facilitate the process. Applicants must answer all the pre-application questions. While answering “yes” may be an indicator of risk, the consideration and evaluation of these questions is only an indicator of potential risk and may or may not result in an additional oversight requirements or special conditions be placed on an award should an award be made. Decisions regarding additional oversight requirements will take into consideration the total number of risks identified.

1. Has your organization received a Federal award within the past 3 years? Yes___ No___

2. Does your organization utilize accounting software to manage your financial records?

Yes___ No___

3. Does your accounting system identify the receipt and expenditure of program funds separately for each grant? Yes___ No___

4. Does your organization have a dedicated individual responsible for monitoring organizational funds, such as an accountant or a finance manager? Yes___ No___

5. Is there a separation of duties for staff handling the approval of transactions and the recording and payment of funds? Yes___ No___

6. Does your organization have the ability to specifically identify and allocate employee effort to an applicable program? Yes___ No___

7. Does your organization have a property/inventory management system in place to track the location and value of equipment purchased under the award? Yes___ No___

8. Has your organization been audited within the last 5 fiscal years? Yes___ No___

9. If the answer to question number 8 is yes, was this report issued under the Single Audit requirement? If no, a hyperlink or copy of the report will be required. Yes___ No___

10. If answer to question 8 is yes, was there a “Qualified Opinion” or “Adverse Opinion”?

Yes___ No___

11. If answer to question 8 is yes, is there a material weakness disclosed? Yes___ No___

12. If answer to question 8 is yes, is there a significant deficiency disclosed? Yes___ No___

Applications received after the deadline date will be deemed ineligible and will not be reviewed or considered. FNS will not accept mailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications. Applications submitted without the required supporting documents, forms, and certification will result in a reduced panel score. Also, applications not submitted via the www.grants.gov portal will not be considered.

Other eligibility criteria

Each eligible applicant may only submit one (1) application in response to this grant solicitation.

Suspended or debarred organizations are ineligible to submit applications in response to this grant solicitation.

1. Acknowledge USDA support: As outlined in 2 CFR 415.2, grant recipients shall include acknowledgement of USDA Food and Nutrition Service support on any publications written or published with grant support and, if feasible, on any publication reporting the results of, or describing, a grant-supported activity. Recipients shall include acknowledgement of USDA

Food and Nutrition Service support on any audiovisual which is produced with grant support and which has a direct production cost of over $5,000.

o When acknowledging USDA support, use the following language: "This material is based upon work that is supported by the Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.” Grantees are asked to follow the USDA Visual Standards Guide when using the USDA logo.

Grant recipients may be asked to host USDA officials for a site visit during the course of their grant award. All costs associated with the site visit will be paid for by USDA and are not expected to be included in grant budgets.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Applicants may obtain the RFA package by downloading the application from Grants.gov at www.grants.gov.

Applicants may request paper copy of this solicitation and required forms by contacting the FNS

Grants Officer at:

http://www.grants.gov/

Trinity Richardson, Grant Officer

Grants and Fiscal Policy Division

U.S. Department of Agriculture, FNS

3101 Park Center Drive Room 740

Alexandra, VA 22302

E-mail: trinity.richardson@usda.gov

Application Format

FNS strongly encourages eligible applicants interested in applying to this program to adhere to the following applicant format:

“8 ½” X 11” page size on white paper with at least 1 inch margins on the top and bottom;

All pages should be single-spaced, in 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font size (smaller font may be used in tables, charts and graphs as long as they are clearly readable);

The project description with relevant information (not including cover sheet, table of contents, resumes, letter of commitment(s) from app provider, budget narrative(s), appendices, and required forms) should be captured on no more than 50 pages. All pages, excluding the form pages, must be sequentially numbered.

Application Content

To be considered complete, the grant application must include all the required documents and information listed. Applications that include all OMB approved forms, listed on Grants.gov will be considered for the award. However, if other required information is not included in the submission this will result in a lower panel score.

Special Instructions:

Late application submission will not be considered in this competition.

Applications submitted without the required supporting documents, forms, certification will not be considered.

Applications not submitted via the Grants.gov portal will not be considered.

If multiple application packages are submitted through the grants.gov web portal by the same applicant in response to this solicitation, FNS will accept the latest application package successfully submitted. All other packages submitted by the applicant will be removed from this competition.

FNS reserves the right to use this solicitation and competition to award additional grants in future fiscal years should additional funds be made available.

Grant awards are contingent upon the availability of Federal funds.

A Letter of Commitment from the mobile application provider is required with the application.

Cover Sheet

The cover page should include, at a minimum:

Applicant’s name and mailing address

Primary contact’s name, job title, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address

Grant program title and subprogram title (if applicable)

Table of Content

Include relevant topic page number

Application Project Summary

The application should clearly describe the proposed project activities and anticipated outcomes that would result if the proposal is funded.

Project Narrative

The project narrative should clearly identify what the applicant is proposing and how it will address a solution, the expected results and/or benefits once the solution is achieved, and how it will meet the

RFA program scope and objectives. The proposed project methodology should describe the project design, address program specific methodology needs, procedures, timetables, monitoring/oversight, and the organization’s project staffing. It should also address any additional RFA specific requirements.

Activities/Indicators Tracker

Proposed Activities and indicators measuring success must be mapped to Program Objectives (as described in Section I – Program Description) in the below format (note that additional

Activities/Indicators can be added as needed). Note: Indicators are defined as any metric you anticipate will be able to be tracked during the period of performance of the grant.

Objective 1: Outreach and Assistance

Proposed Activity 1:

Indicator 1:

Indicator 2:

Proposed Activity 2:

Objective 2: SNAP Mobile Transaction Processing Application (The App)

Objective 3: Training and Technical Support

Objective 4: Monitoring

Application Budget Narrative

The budget narrative should correspond with the proposed project narrative and application budget.

The narrative must justify and support the bona fide needs of the budget’s direct cost. If the budget includes indirect costs, the applicant must provide a copy of its most recently approved Federal indirect cost rate agreement. All non-profit organizations must include their 501(c)(3) determination letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). All funding requests must be in whole dollars.

Indirect Cost Rate: A current Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), negotiated with a Federal negotiating agency, is to be used to charge indirect costs. Indirect costs may not exceed the negotiated rate. If a NICRA is used, the percentage and base should be indicated. If the applicant does not have, and has never been approved for, a NICRA, they may charge up to 10% de minimis; in this instance, the applicant must note that this is what they are requesting. An applicant may elect not to charge indirect costs and, instead, use all grant funds for direct costs. If indirect costs are not charged, the phrase "None requested" should be stated in the budget narrative. If there are any questions related to Indirect Cost Rate, please work with the Grant

Officer (see contact information provided in below section) to address.

Letter of Commitment Requirements

The eligible applicant that intends to submit an application should submit a Letter of Commitment from the mobile app provider. The letter should include the providers name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of the primary point of contact. The letter should include a description of services the provider is contributing to the grantee and the role the provider would have in the project.

The applicant can send the letter via the mail or e-mail to the FNS Grants Officer identified below:

Trinity Richardson

Grant Officer, Grants and Fiscal Policy Division

Alexandra, VA 22301

E-mail: Trinity.Richardson@usda.gov

Required Grant Application Forms

The required grants.gov forms are located at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/forms-repository.html

(A) Non-Construction Grant Projects Forms: SF-424 Family

Application and Instruction for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

Budget Information and Instructions (SF-424A)

Assurance-Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)

(B) SF LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities)

Indicate on your form whether your organization intends to conduct lobbying activities.

If you organization does not intend to lobby, write “Not Applicable.”

(C) Additional Required Forms and Information

DUNS number. Please see below for further information

SAM registration. Please see below for further information.

Submission Date

Complete grant applications must be uploaded to www.grants.gov by 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard

Time (EST), on September 13, 2019.

Late applications will not be considered.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/forms-repository.html

Applications must be submitted via the Grants.gov web portal. Mailed, e-mailed or hand-delivered application packages will not be accepted.

Grant awards are subject to the availability of funding and/or appropriations of funds.

FNS reserves the right to use this solicitation and competition to award additional grants this or subsequent fiscal years should additional funds become available.

USDA strongly encourages applicants to begin the process at least four weeks before the due date and to submit applications to Grants.gov at least one week before the deadline to allow time to troubleshoot any issues, should they arise. The grants.gov system provides several confirmation notices; applicants should ensure receipt of confirmation that the application was accepted.

Applicants experiencing difficulty submitting an application to www.grants.gov should contact the grant support team listed in Section VII: Federal Agency Contacts.

Electronic Submission Details

Please be aware that the grants.gov system provides several confirmation notices; applicants should ensure receipt of confirmation that the application was accepted. Applicants experiencing difficulty submitting applications to www.grants.gov should contact the grant support team noted in Section VII: Federal Agency Contacts.

In order to submit an application, you must:

1. Obtain a DUNS number

In order to obtain a DUNS number, if your organization does not have one, or if you are unsure of your organization’s number, contact Dun and Bradstreet via the internet at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling 1-888-814-1435, Monday thru Friday, 8am-9pm ET. There is no fee associated with obtaining a DUNS number. There is no fee associated with obtaining a DUNS number.

It may take 2-3 business days to obtain a DUNS number.

2. Register in the System for Award Management (SAM)

SAM combines Federal procurement systems and the Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance into one new system. For additional information regarding SAM, see the following link:

https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/

Must have organization’s DUNS, entity’s Tax ID Number (TIN), and taxpayer name (as it appears on last tax return). It may take 3-5 business days to register in SAM, however in some instances the SAM process to complete the migration of permissions and/or the renewal of the entity record will require 5-7 days or more.

All applicants must have current SAM status at the time of application submission and throughout the duration of a Federal Award in accordance with 2 CFR Part 25.

We strongly encourage applicants to begin the process at least 3 weeks before the due date of the grant solicitation.

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. Completing this process automatically triggers an email request for applicant roles to the organization's E-Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) for review. The EBiz POC is a representative from your organization who is the contact listed for SAM. To apply for grants on http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ behalf of your organization, you will need the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html

4. Authorize Grants.gov Roles: After creating an account on Grants.gov, the EBiz POC receives an email notifying them of your registration and request for roles. The EBiz POC will then log in to

Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online anytime after you have been approved as an AOR.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-4-aor-authorization.html

5. Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-5-track-aor-status.html

Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization's AOR that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize individuals who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as an AOR; this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

How to Submit an Application via Grants.gov

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement (FOA), you can create individual instances of a workspace. Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to:

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

1. Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

2. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace, complete all the required forms, and check for errors before submission.

a. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace so that they will appear similar to other Standard forms. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

• NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-3-username-password.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-4-aor-authorization.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-4-aor-authorization.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-5-track-aor-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-5-track-aor-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

b. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

c. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and DUNS number. To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

3. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the

Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

4. Track a Workspace: After successfully submitting a workspace package, a Grants.gov

Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the package. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Applicant Support

Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support

Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist the Center with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

Grants.gov File Name Procedures

All applicants MUST follow Grants.gov guidance on file naming conventions. To avoid submission issues, please follow the guidance provided in the Grants.gov Frequently Asked

Questions (FAQ): https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html.

File attachment names longer than approximately 50 characters can cause problems processing packages. Please limit file attachment names. Also, do not use any special characters (example: &,–

,*,%,/,#’, -), this includes periods (.), spacing followed by a dash in the file and for word separation, use underscore (example: Attached_File.pdf) in naming the attachments. Please note that if these guidelines are not followed, your application will be rejected. FNS will not accept any application rejected from www.grants.gov portal due to incorrect naming conventions.

Application Deadline and Proof of Timely Submission

All applications must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard Time on September 13, 2019. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant AOR will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number

(GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application.

Applicant AORs will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

USDA will not accept mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications. FNS will deem applications received after the deadline as ineligible and will not review late applications. Additionally, FNS will not review incomplete applications.

When FNS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by FNS.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the

AOR role. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

Please allow sufficient time to complete your application package and ensure the package is uploaded through the www.grants.gov web portal. If the same applicant in response to this solicitation submits multiple application packages through the Grants.gov web portal, FNS will accept the latest application package successfully submitted. All other packages submitted by the application will be removed from this competition.

USDA strongly encourages applicants to begin the process at least 4 weeks before the due date and to submit applications to Grants.gov at least 1 week before the deadline to allow time to troubleshoot any issues, should they arise. Applicants experiencing difficulty submitting an application to www.grants.gov should contact the Grants.gov Support Center at 1-800-518-4726 or via e-mail at support@grants.gov.

Complete grant applications must be uploaded to www.grants.gov by 11:59 PM, Eastern Standard

Time (EST), September 13, 2019.

Late applications will not be considered.

Applications must be submitted via the Grants.gov web portal. Mailed, e-mailed or hand-delivered application packages will not be accepted.

Grant awards are subject to the availability of funding and/or appropriations of funds.

FNS reserves the right to use this solicitation and competition to award additional grants in this or subsequent fiscal years should additional funds become available.

Please be aware that the grants.gov system provides several confirmation notices; applicants should ensure receipt of confirmation that the application was accepted. Applicants mailto:support@grants.gov experiencing difficulty submitting applications to www.grants.gov should contact the agency contact noted in Section VII: Federal Agency Contacts.

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

FNS will pre-screen all applications to ensure the applicants are eligible entities and are in compliance with all Program regulations. If an application does not include all appropriate information, FNS will consider the application to be non-responsive and will eliminate it from further evaluation. FNS will not approve any waivers from SNAP regulations for any project submitted in response to this solicitation.

Additionally, the review committee will evaluate proposals against the criteria below. The project narrative sections include a point value to indicate the importance of each section; however, reviewers will be evaluating proposals based on all sections regardless of whether point values are provided.

Evaluation Factors and Criteria

The following selection criteria will be used to evaluate applications for this RFA.

1. Project Design (35 points)

a. The proposal describes the overall approach and the general techniques that will be used to conduct outreach to FMs and DMFs that are not currently SNAP-authorized

(Objective 1).

b. The proposal clearly describes the current characteristics of The App, including but not limited to (Objective 2):

i. its development and current functionality, and the transaction types that it can currently process;

ii. how The App meets the minimum requirements for processing SNAP EBT as stated in the Appendix.

iii. certifications of The App; and

iv. formal agreement between the grantee and The App provider that clearly describes the relationship between the two entities and the responsibilities and obligations of each.

c. The proposal provides evidence that the proposed approach is well-suited to meet the purposes of this grant opportunity, including a clear understanding of the EBT transaction process (Objective 2).

d. The proposal describes the overall approach and the general techniques that will be used to support the training of SNAP-authorized FMs and DMFs (Objective 3).

e. The proposal clearly describes the proposed project’s direct effect on the participation of FMs and DMFs as SNAP-authorized retailers. For example, proposals may demonstrate impact by measuring time savings or cost savings, or the benefit(s) that

FMs and DMFs may experience while going through the application process (Objective

4).

2. Implementation and Monitoring (15 points)

a. The proposal includes a project timeline that outlines proposed tasks and demonstrates that sufficient time is allotted for each activity.

b. The proposal describes a well-thought-out, organized performance measurement and assessment process that will measure whether the project’s objectives have been achieved and to what extent, assesses lessons learned, and describes new or enhanced approaches to improving performance. The proposal should describe:

i. who will measure and assess the project’s objectives;

ii. how the objectives will be measured and assessed; and

iii. when the objectives will be measured.

c. The proposal should include a communication plan for communicating internally with

FNS, and externally with FMs and DMFs and project stakeholders.

d. The proposal should include sample report templates for summarizing the number of participating markets and farmers as well as the participating in training and outreach.

3. Sustainability (20 points)

a. The proposal shows that the project is very likely to be sustained after the grant period ends. The proposal should clearly demonstrate that there is a business plan to enable the continued participation of FMs and DMFs after the no-cost period.

4. Budget Appropriateness and Economic Efficiency (20 points)

a. The proposal includes:

i. A line item budget;

ii. A narrative that demonstrates how funds will be spent, by whom and for what purpose. The narrative should provide enough detail for reviewers to easily understand how costs were determined and how they relate to the objectives of the project. There should be adequate justification for budget costs based on current industry costs/standards;

iii. A copy of the approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement must be attached if indirect costs are shown as a budget expense to the project; and

iv. If applicable, the budget must show how the costs are going to be allocated among the various fees for processing EBT transactions, credit/debit transactions, and other associated fees. It should demonstrate that this grant is only going to fund approved costs;

b. The proposal should be cost effective; it must demonstrate that the anticipated results are commensurate with the cost of the project;

c. Proposals that include hiring a consultant or contracting of work must provide the following information:

i. Consultant’s name and description of service;

ii. Itemized list of all direct costs and fees;

iii. Salaries must have the number of personnel including the position title;

iv. Specialty and specialized qualifications as appropriate to the salary;

v. Number of estimated hours times hourly wage;

vi. All expenses and fees directly related to the proposed services to be rendered to the project;

vii. Applications that are required to issue a bid should provide a narrative explaining the requirements and provide a reasonable estimate of Contractual and Consultant Costs;

NOTE: Proposal submissions that omit the required budget forms, budget narratives and/or line item descriptions will not receive the full point value for this criterion. Therefore, applicants should recognize that a well-written budget narrative that justifies the proposed project expenditures assists the reviewers during the review process.

5. Staff Capability and Management (10 points)

a. The proposal identifies the project director/manager and other key staff. The proposal includes resumes that demonstrate that the proposed staff has the appropriate technical and experiential backgrounds for their proposed roles. If the applicant is unable to identify the project director/manager or key staff, it must include, in the application package, job descriptions for the positions that must be assigned. Applicants should address their contingency or back-up plans in the event of key staff departures.

b. The proposal outlines the amount of time and effort the project director or manager, key staff, and, if applicable, partnering organizations, will contribute to the project.

c. The proposal demonstrates that effective and consistent oversight by qualified project managers will be implemented throughout the project, and that effective communication will exist within the applicant’s organization.

d. The proposal includes an organization chart of the proposed project.

e. Applicants should address their contingency or back-up plans in the event of key staff departures.

Review and Selection Process

Following the initial screening process, FNS will assemble a panel group to review and determine the technical merits of each application. The panel will evaluate the proposals based on how well they address the required application components and array the applications from highest to lowest score.

The panel members will recommend applications for consideration for a grant…