USDA-NRCS-MO-MULTI-23-NOFO0001251.pdf

Announcement for Missouri’s People’s Garden Initiative

Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Missouri NRCS Partnership Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO)

No. USDA-NRCS-MO-MULTI-23-

NOFO0001251

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO)

SUMMARY INFORMATION

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Title: Missouri’s People’s Garden Initiative

Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-MO-MULTI-23-NOFO0001251

Assistance Listing: This program is listed in the Assistance Listings (previously referred to as the Catalog of Federal Financial Assistance) on Sam.gov under 10.935 which can be found at:

https://www.sam.gov/.

SAM is a web-based, government-wide application that collects, validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the federal government's trading partners in support of the contract awards, grants, and electronic payment processes.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2023. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

The NRCS, an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is seeking opportunities to partner with, and support the efforts of natural resource conservation partners in Missouri to achieve any one of the following objectives:

Implement, coordinate, and/or support the development of Urban Gardens and/or People’s Garden’s Initiative: Proposals should seek to increase awareness, utilization, and installation of vegetable, specialty crop, native plant, and or related vegetative gardens in urban areas in Missouri.

Proposals shall provide learning opportunities to educate the general public and urban residents on the benefits of urban gardens, and locally produced food and/or garden sites. Proposals shall utilize innovative urban or established urban conservation practices, or seek to demonstrate overall benefits of urban gardens. Applicant must demonstrate the capability to unite members of the urban community to share their knowledge with producers, consumers, and other interested parties.

This notice identifies the objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions. Proposals will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete and/or noncompliant proposals will be eliminated from competition, and notification of elimination will be sent to the applicant. The Missouri State Conservationist reserves the right not to fund any or https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.sam.gov/ all applications. NRCS will accept applications under this notice for single or multiyear applications submitted by eligible entities.

For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov.

Key Dates

Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 22, 2023.

For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed.

The agency anticipates making selections by June 22, 2023 and expects to execute awards by September 30, 2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

A webinar will be conducted at 10:00am central standard time, on Tuesday, April 12th, 2023.

Information on how to participate may be obtained by contacting Brad McCord at 573-876-9423 or Amanda Zapien at 573-876-0901 or brad.mccord@usda.gov, or Amanda.zapien@usda.gov.

Webinar information will be posted to the Missouri NRCS web site at:

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/nrcs/missouri. A Microsoft Team link to the meeting to participate electronically is provided: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDgzY2MwNDQtNWE2MS00OTJlLThjZmQtZjQ5NDY4Yzg5MWU3%40thread.v2/0?

context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2260df8128-60b0-41c6-a9e7-7d138b6a2fc1%22%7d

Federal Funding Floor and Ceiling Amounts

The estimated funding floor for this opportunity is $5,000.00, and the estimated funding ceiling is $50,000.00. The funding floor means the minimum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. The ceiling is the maximum agreement funding amount for the Federal share per agreement awarded. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.

Federal Financial Assistance Training

The funding available through this NFO is Federal financial assistance. Grants 101 Training is highly recommended for those seeking knowledge about Federal financial assistance. The training is free and available to the public via https://www.cfo.gov/grants-training/. It consists of five modules covering each of the following topics: 1) laws, regulations, and guidance; 2) financial assistance mechanisms; 3) mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:brad.mccord@usda.gov mailto:Amanda.zapien@usda.gov https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/nrcs/missouri https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDgzY2MwNDQtNWE2MS00OTJlLThjZmQtZjQ5NDY4Yzg5MWU3%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2260df8128-60b0-41c6-a9e7-7d138b6a2fc1%22%7d https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDgzY2MwNDQtNWE2MS00OTJlLThjZmQtZjQ5NDY4Yzg5MWU3%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2260df8128-60b0-41c6-a9e7-7d138b6a2fc1%22%7d https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDgzY2MwNDQtNWE2MS00OTJlLThjZmQtZjQ5NDY4Yzg5MWU3%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2260df8128-60b0-41c6-a9e7-7d138b6a2fc1%22%7d https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDgzY2MwNDQtNWE2MS00OTJlLThjZmQtZjQ5NDY4Yzg5MWU3%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2260df8128-60b0-41c6-a9e7-7d138b6a2fc1%22%7d uniform guidance administrative requirements; 4) cost principles; and 5) risk management and single audit. FPAC agencies also apply Federal financial assistance regulations to certain non-assistance awards (e.g., non-assistance cooperative agreements).

Table of Contents

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Available Funding

2. Type of Award

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Other

3. Cost Sharing or Matching

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Information for New Users of Grants.gov

2. Electronic Application Package

3. Content and Form of Application Submission

iii. Indirect Costs Limitations

4. Submission Dates and Times and Correspondence

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Restrictions

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

1. Review and Selection Process

2. Merit/Technical Criteria

3. Administrative and Risk Criteria

4. Awards Over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (if applicable)

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. Federal Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT

H. OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX A - Instructions for Completing SF424 APPENDIX B – Instructions for Completing SF424A APPENDIX C – Budget Narrative Guidance

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The authority for the People’s Garden Initiative is subsection (a) of 7 U.S.C. 6923, which identifies the mission of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP) and requires the Director of OUAIP to carry out activities in furtherance of that mission, including “managing programs, including for community gardens….” and “engaging in stakeholder relations and developing external partnerships.” The People’s Garden Initiative, and the partnerships entered into to facilitate it through a cooperative agreement, is such an activity authorized by 7 U.S.C.

6923(a).

The Purpose of the Missouri People’s Garden Initiative is to 1) Increase awareness of urban agriculture in Missouri, 2) Provide support for implementation of gardens in urban areas across Missouri, 3) Increase opportunities for the delivery, development, promotion, and support of urban gardens and conservation practices associated with urban areas, and 4) Increase consumer and the general public’s awareness of partner conservation organizations in urban areas and programmatic opportunities between potential partners in urban areas for advanced soil and water conservation practices through outreach, education, and implementation of conservation practices in urban areas within Missouri.

The attached link provides information about urban hubs and metropolitan areas: Metropolitan statistical area. Proposals must support food producing gardens with an educational component.

Applicants must meet all 3 criteria below to be eligible for funding:

1) Collaborate with others like USDA agencies, food banks, Girl Scouts, Master Gardeners, conservation districts, etc.

2) Grow sustainably, such as use native plant species, rain barrels, integrated pest management, xeriscaping.

3) Teach about gardening and resilient, local food systems.

Proposals should benefit the community – garden produces food for those in need, demonstrates principles of conservation, provides wildlife habitat, provides a greenspace for gathering. A private garden with no public access or public-facing educational displays would not be eligible. Proposals should utilize environmentally sustainable practices – garden features pollinator habitat, cover crops, soil health, crop rotation, and irrigation management. Proposals should also educate – garden has signage and/or a web / social media presence explaining how food grows and food production, food systems, sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, garden components; tours, workshops, classes or other educational activities that educate about food production, food systems, food preparation, sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and other topics as appropriate to the garden.

Proposed projects must be performed in Missouri.

https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro.html https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro.html

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Available Funding

a. Estimated Funding NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of these programs in FY 2023 will be approximately $300,000.00. However, the agency retains the discretion to award a larger or lesser amount. This NFO is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2023, which may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. Of the $300,000 available in this NFO, $150,000 are available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are designated specifically for use in the St. Louis Urban Hub service area (greater St. Louis metropolitan area). A link to the Urban Food Hub designation is listed below:

https://www.usda.gov/peoples-garden/what-pg/seventeen-usda-urban-hubs

The remaining $150,000 is available throughout the remainder of the state of Missouri.

b. Start Dates and Performance Periods Agreements awarded pursuant to this NFO may be 1 to 3 years in duration. NRCS anticipates making selections by June 6, 2023 and expects to execute awards by September 1, 2023. Applicants should plan their projects based on an estimated project start date of October 1, 2023. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

c. Number of Awards NRCS expects to make up to eight award(s).

2. Type of Award

a. Type of Federal Award The agency plans to award cooperative agreement(s) pursuant to this opportunity.

Depending on the nature of a particular proposal received, the agency may elect to negotiate an alternate award type with the selected applicant.

The agency will be substantially involved in the work performed under the agreement and will undertake activities such as the following:

a. Authority to suspend work if specifications or work statements are not met

b. Review and approval of substantive provisions of proposed subawards or contracts beyond existing Federal policy

c. Agency and recipient collaboration or joint participation

d. Direct agency operational involvement or participation during the activity

b. Procurement Contracts The agency does not expect to award procurement contracts associated with this NFO.

https://www.usda.gov/peoples-garden/what-pg/seventeen-usda-urban-hubs

c. Eligibility of Renewal or Supplemental Project Applications Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards. An application for renewal means an application submitted to continue an existing agreement that meets the objectives and requirements of this NFO. An application for supplementation of an existing project means an application to add components to an existing agreement so that it would meet the objectives and requirements in this NFO.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

Applicants and applications must meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline to be considered for award. Eligible applicant type is determined by the implementing program statute. Applicant entities identified in the SAM.gov exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or excluded from receiving Federal contracts and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program (2 CFR 200.206(d)). Neither foreign entities nor individuals are eligible to apply for this opportunity.

Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to the following entity types:

a. City or township governments

b. County governments

c. Independent school districts

d. Individuals

e. Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)

f. Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)

g. Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)

h. Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)

i. Private institutions of higher education

j. Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education

k. Special district governments

l. State governments

m. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities

2. Other

Any award made pursuant to this NFO will be made to a single entity. Applicants that apply as “partnerships” or other similar groupings must clearly describe the relationship between the applicant and the “partner” parties. In all but exceptional cases, it must be reflected in the award as an awardee/sub awardee relationship.

An applicant organization may submit more than one application for different projects or proposing different approaches. In the case of applications submitted as revisions or corrections to a previously submitted application under this NFO, the agency will consider the last application submitted prior to the established deadline.

Awards made pursuant to this NFO are not Farm Bill incentive contracts; therefore, the awards in and of themselves are not limited by the payment limitation in 16 USC Chapter 58. However, any agricultural producers receiving a payment through participation in a project awarded under this NFO must meet the eligibility requirements of 7 CFR Part 12 and 7 CFR Part 1400 and have control of the land involved for the term of the proposed award period.

3. Cost Sharing or Matching

There is not a specific match requirement for this NFO. However, applications will be evaluated in part on the relative contribution of non-Federal resources to the project. Cost sharing may be achieved with contributions of cash, services, materials, equipment, or third-party in-kind contributions. Refer to Section D of this NFO for information about any required submittals related to match or cost-share requirements. Refer to Section E for a description of how voluntary match will be evaluated. While the pace of cost-sharing/matching may vary throughout the award period, the agency will actively monitor cost-sharing/matching levels as it receives payment requests to ensure the total cost sharing/matching requirement is met by the award period of performance end date. Additional details about cost sharing or matching funds/contributions are located at 2 CFR 200.306.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Information for New Users of Grants.gov

a. Overview

While a Grants.gov account is not required to download an NFO and related documents, it is required to submit an application. If your organization has never submitted an application via Grants.gov, please be aware that there are several steps you must take to register your organization before you can submit an application. Completing those steps can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly.

For information about the Grants.gov pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html.

b. Register to Apply through Grants.gov

Carefully review the registration steps and gather information requested prior to beginning the registration process to avoid last-minute searches for required information. For assistance with the registration process, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html mailto:support@grants.gov

Organizations must complete all steps to register (steps i. through v. below). Complete organization instructions are included on Grants.gov here:

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

Although creating a Grants.gov account online can take only minutes, SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, organizations should begin the process early to ensure they have sufficient time to complete registration and meet required application submission deadlines.

Individuals are not subject to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) or SAM requirement and may begin with step iii., Create a Grants.gov Account, listed below. (Note: Individuals are not eligible for all opportunities.)

c. Steps to Register

i. Obtain a UEI: All entities applying for funding must have a UEI issued by SAM.gov.

Applicants must enter the UEI in the data entry field labeled "UEI" on the SF-424 form.

ii. Register with SAM: All organizations must register with System for Award Management (SAM) to apply online through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. Part of the SAM registration process includes designating an Electronic Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC). The EBiz POC plays an integral part in the organization’s Grants.gov registration and application process. The individual in that role must authorize all other roles in Grants.gov. For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html

iii. Create a Grants.gov Account: From the Grants.gov webpage (https://www.grants.gov/), click “Register” in the top right-hand corner and follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

iv. Add an Organization Applicant Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the UEI for the organization in the UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) field while adding a profile. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html

v. EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, you must establish roles for individuals in the organization. The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role is critical; it https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html gives an individual permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. Without this role, the organization cannot submit any applications. The request for role assignment will be routed to the organization’s EBiz POC for approval. Once approved, the AOR can submit an application online.

For more detailed instructions about creating a EBiz POC authorized profile on Grants.gov, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html

Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

d. Electronic Signature

When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. Please be aware that the EBiz POC and the person with AOR Role cannot be the same individual; they must be different people. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role. This step (step c.v. above) is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

e. 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 NFO, you can create individual instances of a workspace. An applicant can start an application in Workspace and return to work on it later within Workspace.

f. Apply for an Opportunity

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

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

ii. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the status of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

• Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html 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/adobe-software-compatibility.html

• 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.

• 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 UEI. Once it is completed, the information will transfer (i.e., prepopulate) to the other forms.

iii. 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.

iv. Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

2. Electronic Application Package

Applicants interested in submitting an application in response to this NFO must submit it via Grants.gov; the agency will not accept applications submitted via email or any other method. Applicants are urged to submit early to the Grants.gov system.

For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518- 4726 or support@grants.gov. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts.

Address to Request Application Package All information necessary to apply for this opportunity is included in the Grants.gov opportunity announcement.

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 http://www.grants.gov/

3. Content and Form of Application Submission

The agency may choose not to consider applications that fail to comply with the required content, format, and page limits, or those that are incomplete.

To be considered for funding under this opportunity, an application must contain the documents in a-e below.

a. Application Form

(Standard Form 424 Application for Federal Assistance) See Instructions for Completing SF 424 located in the appendices section.

b. Project Narrative

Each page must be numbered and have one-inch margins. The text of the project narrative must be single spaced and typed in a standard typeface (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, Courier) with no smaller than 12-point font. The project narrative must not exceed 10 pages. This page limitation applies to the project narrative only.

i. Project/workshop title.

ii. Primary area that application pertains to as described in Section A, Part 2 of this announcement.

iii. Project director/contact name and contact information (including address, email, and telephone number); Give a detailed description of how the project will be organized and managed, including a list/description of project partners.

iv. Names and affiliations of application collaborators. Include a list of key technical and administrative personnel, their relevant education or experience, and their anticipated contributions to the project. Résumés and Curriculum Vitae are not required, if submitted they will count towards the 10-page maximum.

v. Project/workshop geographic area/location (where application activities will take place). Who will be affected and benefit from this project/workshop? Identify the geographic location and the relative size and scope (e.g., acres, farm types, demographics, etc.) of the project area.

vi. Institutional background. Describes the applicant institution in terms of its location, demographics, mission, relationship to the service area and past successes in the project area.

vii. Problem statement/needs assessment. Documents the problem or need with hard data, linking it to the funding source’s goals and priorities. What is the situation that is causing concern? Why is it happening?

viii. Program goals and objectives. Identifies anticipated outcomes and benefits in measurable terms. How is the situation expected to change as a result of the award?

ix. Methods/implementation. Describes the activities that directly support the achievement of the objectives. Include a timeline with actions, timeframes, and associated milestones through project completion, as well as a description of staffing needs.

x. Benefits/Expected results and transferability. Identify the results and benefits derived from the project. Identify project beneficiaries, i.e., agricultural producers by type, region, or sector; Historically Underserved producers and communities; rural communities; and/or municipalities. Explain how these entities will benefit.

Describe how the results will be communicated to others via outreach activities.

Forecast the lasting impact of project results.

xi. Evaluation plan. Presents a plan for determining the success of the project at interim points and at the end of the project.

xii. References, bibliographies, and citations, If your proposal will include information collection from non-Federal sources, ensure the collection meets the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act. Surveys of individuals or entities are generally prohibited without prior approval from the Office of Management and Budget. For additional guidance about allowable and unallowable activities, please visit the following website: https://pra.digital.gov/do-i-need-clearance/

The following documents do not count toward the above stated page limit.

c. Standard Form (SF) 424A, Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

Fill in all spaces as appropriate. Section B, Item 6, Column 1 should reflect the agency funds, and Column 2 should reflect the applicant’s matching funds. This form is the summary budget for the project and should include the full project totals on pages one and two. See Instructions for Completing SF 424A located in the appendices section. Refer to Section D of this opportunity for information regarding indirect costs. Errors in the SF-424A with regard to classifying costs may be negotiated after selection.

d. Budget Narrative

In a separate document titled “Budget Narrative,” explain and justify all requested budget items/costs. (Refer to the budget narrative guidance located in the appendices section.) Detail how the totals on the SF-424A were determined and demonstrate a clear connection between costs and the proposed project activities.

For personnel salary costs, include the base-line salary figures and the estimates of time (as percentages) to be directly charged to the project. Describe any item that https://pra.digital.gov/do-i-need-clearance/ under the applicable Federal cost principles requires the agency’s approval and estimate its cost. The pages included as the budget narrative to not count toward the page limit. Errors in the budget narrative with regard to classifying costs may be negotiated after selection. Refer to the Budget Narrative Guidance located at the end of this document regarding procurement standards when including contracts for goods or services. Sole-source contracting is prohibited without proper justification. See Procurement Standards located at 2 CFR 200.317-327.

i. Build America, Buy American. “Buy America” preference applies to Federal financial assistance awards that include construction components, even if it is funded by both Federal and non-Federal funds under the award. Subawards should conform to the terms and conditions of the Federal award from which they flow. A Buy America preference only applies to articles, materials, and supplies that are consumed in, incorporated into, or affixed to a construction project. Refer to the General Terms and Conditions for additional information:

https://www.fpacbc.usda.gov/about/grants-and-agreements/award-terms-and-conditions/index.html

ii. Indirect Costs Recovery. If requesting indirect costs, provide the calculation specifying the amounts used in applying the base (the base specified in the applicable rate agreement) by the applicable rate. The calculation can be displayed in different formats but must capture the components (i.e., amounts used in determining the base and the rate applied to the base).

A. To be eligible to recover any indirect costs under a Federal award, recipients must either 1) have a current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) with a Federal agency that has not expired; or 2) qualify for use of the de minimis rate authorized by 2 CFR 200.414(f) and described below.

For-profit entities (if eligible to apply) must obtain a NICRA from their cognizant agency. USDA will not accept an indirect cost agreement negotiated or approved by the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

B. Any non-Federal entity (except State and local governments that receive more than $35 million per year in Federal funding) that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely. No documentation is required to justify the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate, simply indicate in your budget narrative that the recipient elects to use the de minimis rate. Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) means 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). MTDC excludes 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 https://www.fpacbc.usda.gov/about/grants-and-agreements/award-terms-and-conditions/index.html

$25,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.

C. 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 non-Federal entity chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the non-Federal entity may apply to do at any time.

iii. Indirect Costs Limitations.

A. In accordance with USDA’s annual appropriations act, indirect costs will be limited to no more than 10 percent of total direct costs for non-profit organizations or institutions of higher education that receive a cooperative or contribution agreement. The 10 percent indirect cost rate applies to both federal and non-federal funds. Other types of entities are not subject to this statutory limitation.

B. Applicants not subject to a statutory limitation, which have a current NICRA must calculate indirect costs using the rate and base specified in their NICRA. A recipient may voluntarily reduce or waive recovery of indirect costs at its sole discretion and must not be encouraged or coerced in any way to do so by the agency. A copy of the applicant’s current NICRA must be provided with the application. Indirect costs may not be recovered under an expired NICRA. However, if an applicant with a current NICRA is subject to the statutory limitation, indirect costs must be calculated as follows. First, multiply the NICRA rate by the base stated in the NICRA to arrive at Amount A. Next, multiply the statutory limit of 10 percent by the total of all direct costs to arrive at Amount B. The lower of Amount A and B is the amount of indirect cost to include on the budget.

C. Recipients are prohibited from shifting unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

D. Applicants who are individuals applying for funds separate from a business or non-profit organization they may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, do not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

iv. Cost Share or Matching. Cost sharing/matching must be committed at the time of application submission. The budget narrative must show the amounts and sources of match or cost share (including both cash and in-kind contributions).

Refer to the Budget Narrative Guidance located in the appendices section for information about making contract vs. subaward determinations.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.403

e. Grants.gov Lobbying Form

Under Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 1352, an applicant or recipient must not use any federally appropriated funds (both annually appropriated and continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a grant or cooperative agreement award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award.

Lobbying is defined as influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress connection with the award. Submission of an application also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 2 CFR Part 418, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying.

f. Statement of Current and Pending Support.

Submit a Statement of Current and Pending Support for each key personnel who will participate in the project. Use the template located in the Related Documents tab of the opportunity.

g. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, must be submitted only fi you/your organization have/has made or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying. See 2 CFR 418.110 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

h. Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable

If charging indirect costs using a NICRA (including for cost share), upload the NICRA under Other Attachments (listed as an Optional Form) in the Grants.gov Opportunity Application Package.

i. Disclosure of Potential Conflict of Interest

In accordance with 2 CFR 400.2, applicants must maintain written standards of conduct covering conflicts of interest and governing the performance of its employees in the selection, award, and administration of Federal awards. No employee, officer, or agent may participate in the selection, award, or administration of a Federal award if he or she has a real or apparent conflict of interest. Such a conflict of interest would arise when the employee, officer or agent, any member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any of the parties referenced, has a financial or other interest in, or a tangible personal benefit from, an applicant considered for a Federal award. The standards of conduct must provide for disciplinary actions to be applied for violations of such standards by officers, employees, or agents of the applicant.

If the applicant has a parent, affiliate, or subsidiary organization that is not a state, local government, or Indian tribe, the applicant must also maintain written standards of conduct covering organizational conflicts of interest. Organizational conflict of interest means that because of the relationships with a parent company, affiliate, or subsidiary organization, the applicant is unable or appears to be unable to be impartial in conducting a Federal award action involving a related organization.

Applicants must disclose in writing any potential conflicts of interest to the USDA awarding agency or pass-through entity. Include the name of the individual, the name of the entity with which the individual has a conflict, the nature of the financial or other interest, the value of the interest, a description of how the interest relates to your application. Upload disclosures under Other Attachments (listed separately under Optional Forms) in Grants.gov. If no conflict exists, no submission is required.

j. Post Award Documentation

Any needed documentation will be requested from successful applicants at time of notice of intent to award.

k. Unique entity identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the agency is ready to make an award, it may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

Entities must obtain a UEI and register in SAM prior to registering with Grants.gov. A description of each is below. Entities are strongly encouraged to apply early for their SAM registration.

System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: To register, go to:

https://www.sam.gov. The Federal Service Desk is available for registration assistance and can be contacted via the Help tab at the website listed above.

Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding UEI or SAM issues.

4. Submission Dates and Times and Correspondence

Applicants must submit applications via Grants.gov. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on May 22, 2023. An application submitted or resubmitted after the deadline is late (an application is considered on time at 11:59.59 pm ET, but it is late at 12:00 am ET). Late submissions will not be reviewed or considered.

https://www.sam.gov/

Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role attempting to submit the application. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process; be patient and give the system time to process the application.

If you have trouble submitting an application to Grants.gov, you should FIRST contact the Grants.gov Help Desk to resolve any issues. Keep a record of any such correspondence. See Section D. 2. for Grants.gov contact information.

For applications successfully transmitted to Grants.gov before the deadline: The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive:

• an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov

• an email with the official date/time stamp (this stamp is used to determine if the application was received prior to the deadline) and Grants.gov

When the agency successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will also provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the applicant.

5. Intergovernmental Review

This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” When completing the SF-424, check block c, “Program is not covered by E.O. 13272.”

6. Funding Restrictions

Funds may not be used to pay any of the following costs unless otherwise permitted by law and approved in writing by the agency in advance of incurring such costs:

a. Profit and management fees. Any funds awarded to for-profit entities must be used for reimbursement of award related direct and indirect costs only.

a. Costs above the amount of funds authorized for the project.

b. Costs incurred prior to the effective date of the award, including time spent applying for this opportunity.

c. Costs which lie outside the scope of the approved project and amendments thereto.

d. Entertainment costs, regardless of their apparent relationship to project objectives.

e. Compensation for injuries to persons, or damage to property arising out of project activities.

f. Consulting services performed by a Federal employee during official duty hours when such consulting services result in the payment of additional compensation to the employee.

g. Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, buildings, and land and for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment which materially increase their value or useful life. See 2 CFR 200.439 for additional information.

h. Management fees and profit. Any funds awarded to for-profit entities must be used for reimbursement of award related direct and indirect costs only.

i. Meals: Meals that are a part of the costs of meetings and conferences cannot be charged to an award. Note: Meals may be charged to an award only if they are necessary for the performance of the project. For instance, meals (normally only lunch) that are a necessary part of the costs of meetings and conferences (i.e., required attendance and continuity of a meeting), the primary purpose of which is the dissemination of information, are allowable, as are costs of transportation, rental of facilities, speakers’ fees, and other items incidental to such meetings or conferences. Note: Meals consumed while in official travel status do not fall in this category. They are considered to be per diem expenses and should be reimbursed in accordance with the organization’s established travel policies subject to statutory limitations or in accordance with Federal travel policies.

j. Costs normally charged as indirect costs may not be charged as direct costs without proper justification and agency approval. Proper justification includes documentation that the costs meet the criteria for allowability (see 2 CFR 200.403). Examples of such costs include rent, utilities, depreciation on buildings and equipment, the costs of operating and maintaining facilities, and general administration and general expenses, such as the salaries and expenses of executive officers, personnel administration, and accounting.

k. Salaries that are not commensurate with level of work. All costs must be reasonable to be allowable (2 CFR 200.403), and 2 CFR 200.404 defines a reasonable cost as one if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost.

Salaries determined not to be reasonable compared to the level of work will be unallowable.

l. Software produced by non-domestic entities. Project budgets must not include costs (both Federal costs and cost-share) for software developed by non-domestic entities if it will be utilized by the Federal government or hosted on Federal systems.

m. Refer to Section D for applicable indirect cost restrictions, if any.

This list is not exhaustive. For additional information please refer to 2 CFR Part 200, subpart E, Cost Principals.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Review and Selection Process

Applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete, noncompliant, and/or applications not meeting the formatting criteria may be eliminated from competition. In that event, the agency will send notification of elimination to the applicant. The agency intends to select and award without conducting any discussions or allowing applicants to correct deficiencies or omissions in their applications. Consequently, applicants must ensure their applications are complete and accurate. However, while the agency intends to select without contacting applicants, it reserves the right to request applicants to revise their applications to correct deficiencies or omissions it identifies. If this occurs, the agency will conduct discussions with all applicants, identify deficiencies and omissions for all, and give applicants an opportunity to submit a revised application by a common cut-off date. The agency may also contact individual applicants to clarify certain components of their applications.

Merit/technical reviews will be conducted by a technical review board nominated by the approving official. Risk reviews will be conducted by the FPAC Business Center, Grants and Agreements Division. The approving official will make the final award decisions. The approving official for this opportunity is the Missouri State Conservationist.

2. Merit/Technical Criteria

Selection will be based on applicants receiving the highest rating or score on the evaluation criteria, while also proposing a reasonable budget amount to achieve beneficial natural resource outcomes. Proposals will be evaluated using the criteria below:

a. Addresses at least one or more Missouri NRCS People’s Garden priorities, listed on page 5, Section A, Program Description

b. Details the extent to which direct assistance is provided to establish and maintain People’s Garden activities which educate…