usda-rd-mpep-phase4-processing-expansion-application-template-04242026.docx

Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program Phase 4: PROCESSING EXPANSION PROJECT

Application Template General Instructions Carefully review the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program Phase 4 (MPPEP 4) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) before you complete this document.

The MPPEP 4 NOFO Funding Opportunity Number is RD-RBS-26-04-MPPEP. You will find additional information about the NOFO on the MPPEP 4 webpage at this link: rd.usda.gov/MPPEP. (Look for the “Grants.gov Posting” button located to the right of the “Fact Sheet” button near the top of the page.)

· This template is intended to help you, but you do not have to use it in order to submit an application.

· Regardless of whether or not you use the template, you must complete and submit all required federal forms and registrations and include documentation that supports applicant and project eligibility claims.

· Your project narrative must be typed, single-spaced, and in 11-point font. It must not exceed twenty (20) 8.5 x 11 pages (excluding the application template and supporting documents listed in Section 4.2.2 of the MPPEP RFA). For example, if the template is 15 pages before you begin entering your project narrative information, your application ultimately may be as much as 35 pages in length (15 template pages plus 20 pages of applicant content).

· Documents must be submitted as directed in Section 4.2 in the MPPEP 4 NOFO and attached to your application package in Grants.gov (www.grants.gov).

· You must ensure you provide complete responses to all eligibility and evaluation questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

· Certifications, statements, and other standard terms used in this template (examples include “you,” “I,” “we,” “it,” “applicant,” “entity,” “grantee,” among others) refer to the legal entity applying for the MPPEP grant. By checking, signing, or otherwise acknowledging these elements, you acknowledge they are true and correct.

· If you have questions regarding this template, email MPPEP@usda.gov.

Table of Contents

Section 1: Applicant Information Applicant Organization Name:

Phone Number with area code:

Email:

Facility Address:

Mailing Address:

1. Entity Type | Select your business structure.

2. Type of Processor | Select your processor size.

3. Type of Processor | How many individuals are currently employed at your facility?

(Enter the number in the box on the right.)

4. Type of Processor | What were your annual sales in calendar year 2025?

(Enter the amount in the box on the right.)

5. Primary Processing | Does your facility currently primary process cattle?

6. Existing Business | The date your processing facility began operations.

(Enter the two-digit month and four-digit year in the box on the right.)

7. Inspection | Please select the inspection program(s) under which your facility currently operates and provide your applicable license number(s).

☐ USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) Grant of Inspection (GOI), including conditional and permanent

☐ Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program

☐ Federal-State Cooperative Inspection Program -or- Talmadge-Aiken Program

☐ State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) program

☐ Voluntary USDA FSIS or state inspection of non-amenable species

8. Further Processing | Does your project include further processing activities?

9. Further Processing | If ‘Yes” to Question 8, do you primarily conduct further processing of meat and/or poultry that is primary processed at your facility?

10. Facility Information | Provide the project location. Describe who owns the land upon which the Facility is located, who owns the Facility, and the relationship between Facility ownership and the business located at the Facility. NOTE: For projects located on Tribal lands in which the applicant is not a Tribal member or entity owned or operated by the Tribe, a Resolution of Support is required from the governing body of the Tribe with jurisdiction over the land where the proposed project is located.

11. Independently Owned and Operated | Describe how the applicant entity meets the definition of Independently Owned and Operated.

12. Domestically Owned | Describe how the applicant entity meets the definition of Domestically Owned.

13. Market Share | Specify the species to be processed and confirm whether the applicant is within the top four processors in the industry for the species or provides to or sources from the top four processors.

Section 2: Project Information

1. Project Description | In 500 words or fewer, please describe:

· Your project’s purpose and what it aims to accomplish

· The species you will harvest and process

· The proposed size of your operation, including the number of full-time and part-time employees and number of animals you anticipate harvesting

· Product(s) to be produced and/or type of equipment purchased

2. Work Plan | Include your Work Plan in Section 5: Merit Evaluation, Technical Merit and Achievability.

3. Budget | Include your Budget in Section 5: Merit Evaluation, Technical Merit and Achievability.

Section 3: Performance Metrics Provide data for the metrics listed below. If a particular metric does not apply to your project, type “N/A” in the space provided.

NOTE: Your Responses in Section 5: Merit Evaluation must demonstrate how you will achieve these performance metrics.

Project Start Target Amount at Project Completion

Pounds:

Head:

Pounds:

Section 4: Labor and Safety Violations Discuss the Facility’s current violations (i.e., alleged violations that are currently under investigation) or past violations of Federal and state safety and labor laws (including violations associated with third-parties that occurred at the Facility) and how and when any such violations were resolved. If there are no violations, type “N/A” in the space provided.

Section 5: Merit Evaluation All eligible, complete applications will be evaluated using the merit evaluation criteria in the MPPEP Phase 4 NOFO. In some instances, discretionary points will be added to the total score prior to generating a final score.

Competitive applications will accurately and fully describe project objectives that align with the goals described in Section 1.2 of the NOFO, and with the Performance Metrics in Section 3 of this document. Please be certain your responses are specific to your project, market, and community. A failure to address any of the following questions – or to otherwise sufficiently communicate relevant project information – will result in a lower score.

1. Alignment and Intent (up to 20 points)

a. Project Objectives and Throughput Constraints (0 – 5 points) Identify specific constraints or challenges in Meat and/or Poultry processing throughput, and describe the project’s objectives, including how you will address those issues related to processing capacity and Value-Added product development.

b. Processing Constraints (0 – 5 points) Describe specific constraints or challenges in Meat and/or Poultry processing operations, including access to available labor, regulatory compliance, byproduct handling, waste management, and energy efficiency, and how the project will address those issues.

c. Producer Benefits (0 – 5 points) Describe in specific detail the producers that will benefit from increased Processing capacity. Descriptions should include the general location and business size of producers served and encompass the number of producers who sell live animals into the Facility versus the number who use toll processing, and how the project will drive value to those producers. Processors should identify the percentage of processing capacity dedicated to toll processing.

d. Operations (0 – 5 points) Describe your existing business operations and how the Project will improve the business’ financial health, producer impact, and operational efficiency. The Project should represent a logical outgrowth of current business operations, including Primary Processing.

2. Market Impact and Opportunities (up to 20 points)

a. Animal Procurement (0 – 10 points) Describe a clear plan for procuring animals from Meat and/or Poultry producers and outline how the project will provide more opportunities for Meat and/or Poultry producers relative to the existing processing opportunities in your geographic area. The description should quantify whether or not the project will increase throughput for Primary Processing as well as the anticipated increase in toll processing customers served by the Facility.

b. Market Development (0 – 10 points) Describe specific opportunities in meeting demonstrated market demand. The market demand should be characterized by customer type, the size of the estimated market, and geographic area. Customer type may include but is not limited to toll processing customers, purchasers of finished products, and/or purchasers of processing byproducts such as hides or compost. Application claims related to market demand should be supported by letters of commitment or interest from actual customers.

3. Financial Viability (up to 20 points)

a. Financial Viability (0 – 4 points) Describe how the project will improve the financial viability of the existing Facility, such as through increased profitability, evidence of which is supported by comparing historical and pro forma financial projections for three years.

b. Producer Commitments (0 – 4 points) Provide a description of commitments from producers to demonstrate reliability of supply.

c. Customers and Sales (0 – 4 points) Describe customers and sales channels served by the Facility, including existing customers and any new customers associated with the project, to demonstrate product demand and robust sales. Customer and sales channel descriptions should align with letters of commitment or interest.

d. Optimal Processing Capacity (0 – 4 points) Describe the plan and timeline for achieving optimal processing capacity at the existing Facility. Additionally, provide an overview of any cost reduction measures associated with the project to lower long-term operational costs (e.g., utility expenses, transportation of offal, etc.) as well as how the project will improve labor conditions at the Facility.

e. Producer Viability (0 – 4 points) Describe how the project will contribute to ongoing financial viability of local producers, including the price paid to producers for live animals and/or opportunities for toll processing services.

4. Technical Merit and Achievability (up to 20 points)

a. Work Plan (0-5 points) Describe the tasks, steps, or activities that are needed to complete the proposed project within the Period of Performance. Then list each task, step, or activity in the table below and include the expected timeframe during which it will be accomplished, the Key Personnel who will work on the task, and the expected outcome.

Task/Step/Activity Descriptions (Add or delete tasks as needed for your project below. Make sure you include a complete description for each one.)

Task 1:

Task 2:

Task 3:

Task 4:

Task 5:

MPPEP Phase 4 Processing Expansion Application Template

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Work Plan Table (Add or delete rows from the table below, as necessary to identify all tasks/steps/activities described above.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

MPPEP Phase 4 Processing Expansion Application Template

b. Budget (0-5 points) Provide the overall budget in the table below and then provide additional details by budget category in the sections below.

Salaries and Wages

Fringe Benefits

Travel

Equipment

Construction

Contractual

Supplies

Other

Total Costs

1. Salaries and Wages Expenses Details List each employee who will be performing work for the project, including key personnel and administrative personnel, and the amount associated with the work. These costs should be reasonable for the services provided and conform to the established written policy of your organization. Add or delete rows from the table below, as necessary to identify all costs.

Title

Title:

Title:

Title:

Title:

Title:

SALARIES/WAGES TOTAL

2. Fringe Benefits Expenses Details Provide the fringe benefit rates for each of the project’s employees listed above, as well as a description of the items included in the fringe benefits. The costs of the fringe benefits should be reasonable and in accordance with established policies of your organization. Add or delete rows from the table below, as necessary to identify all costs.

Title:

Title:

Title:

Title:

Title:

FRINGE BENEFITS TOTAL

3. Travel Expenses Details Explain the purpose for each Trip Request. Note that travel costs are limited to those allowed by written procedures for your organization. In the case of air travel, project participants must use the lowest reasonable commercial airfares. For organizations that have no formal travel polity and commercial organizations, allowable travel costs may not exceed those established by the Federal Travel Regulations, issue by GSA, including the maximum per diem and subsistence rates prescribed in those regulations. This information is available at www.gsa.gov. Add or delete rows from the table below, as necessary to identify all costs.

Trip #

Description

Name(s) of Travelers

Time Period:

Purpose:

TRAVEL TOTAL

4. Equipment Expenses Details List all items that qualify as Equipment (see 2 CFR 200.1 for the definition) that will be purchased as part of the proposed project. You must include a description of the item, the purpose for which it will be used, the cost per unit, the number of units, the expected date of purchase, and the total cost in the table below. Add or delete rows from the table below, as necessary to identify all costs.

Item and Purpose

Item:

Item:

Item:

Item:

Item:

EQUIPMENT TOTAL

5. Construction Expenses Details List all construction costs associated with any Equipment purchases identified above. Include all contractual expenses under the category below, rather than in this category. Add or delete rows from the table below, as necessary to identify all costs.

6. Contractual Expenses Details List all procurement contracts that are planned for the proposed project in the table below, including the name of the vendor, the purpose of the contract, and the cost of the contract. Add or delete rows from the table below, as necessary to identify all costs.

Vendor:

Purpose:

Vendor:

Purpose:

Vendor:

Purpose:

Vendor:

Purpose:

Vendor:

Purpose:

☐ By checking this box, I affirm that my organization followed the same policies and procedures used for procurements from non-Federal sources, which reflect applicable State and local laws and regulations and conform to the Federal laws and standards identified in 2 CFR § 200.317 through § 200.327, as applicable. If the contractor(s)/consultant(s) is/are not already selected, I affirm that my organization will follow the same requirements.

7. Supplies Expenses Details List the items that cost less than $10,000 per unit and describe the item, its purpose, the cost per unit, the number of units, the expected purchase date, and the aggregate amount for that item. Add or delete rows from the table below, as necessary to identify all costs.

Item and Purpose

Item:

Item:

Item:

Item:

Item:

SUPPLIES TOTAL

8. Other Expenses Details List all expenses that are not covered under the previous categories, including a description of the expense, the purpose of the expense, the expected date or time period during which the expense will be incurred, and the amount of the expense. Add or delete rows from the table below, as necessary to identify all costs.

Description and Purpose

Time Period

Description:

Purpose:

Description:

Purpose:

Description:

Purpose:

Description:

Purpose:

Description:

Purpose:

OTHER EXPENSES TOTAL

9. Cost Sharing Details List the sources and amounts of Cost Sharing below.

COST SHARING TOTAL

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

c. Key Personnel (0 – 5 points) Describe the Key Personnel and demonstrate that they have the experience and capacity to implement the project and maintain expanded operations after the Period of Performance ends.

d. Major Risks (0 – 5 points) Identify major risks (e.g., product recall; current and past and violations of Federal and state health and safety laws, regulations and standards; labor risks; access to operating capital risk; and other legal risks) and appropriate risk mitigation strategies.

5. Labor and Personnel (up to 8 points)

a. Compensation (0 – 2 points) Demonstrate how the project enhances worker recruitment and productivity through payment of wages that are commensurate with the type of work carried out, the knowledge required, and the cost of living for the area in which the Facility is located.

b. Essential Benefits (0 – 2 points) Demonstrate how the project enhances worker benefits such as health care, work-life balance, personal time off, and other benefits.

c. Worker Training (0 – 2 points) Demonstrate how the project enhances safety through providing worker training that is based on diverse learning styles; is clear, accurate, and practical; and has a proven track record of improving worker safety.

d. Quality Working Conditions (0 – 2 points) Demonstrate how the project enhances the physical environment, health and safety measures, working hours, workload, organizational culture, and job security through providing quality working conditions.

6. Community Impact and Support (up to 7 points) Attach letters of support in Appendix A:

a. Connection to the Project (0 – 2 points) Letters of community support for the project must identify the stakeholder submitting the letter and demonstrate their direct connection to the project activities.

b. Community Impact (0 – 5 points) Letters of community support for the project must include a description of the sustained community impact that will be supported by expansion activities to be carried out under the proposed project as well as any additional information relative to the project’s impact on the long‐term needs and goals of the community.

7. Prior Assistance (up to 5 points) Discuss the number of prior MPPEP Phase 1, MPPEP Phase 2, MPPEP Phase 3, USDA AMS Local Meat Capacity Grant, or USDA AMS Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant awards you have received, if any.

Section 6: Appendices

1. Appendix A: Letters of Support Attach letters of support from State or local leadership or the Tribe where the proposed project will take place.

2. Appendix B: Tribal Resolution of Consent (if applicable) Attach a Tribal Resolution of Consent for a project located on Tribal Lands where the applicant is not a member of the Tribe nor an entity owned or operated by that Tribe, a Tribal Resolution of Consent must be provided. Other documentation such as a Letter of Support from the Tribal Council for the governing body of the Tribe with jurisdiction over the Tribal Lands where the project is located (if applicable) is also an acceptable acknowledgement of Tribal consent.

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

4. Appendix D: Evidence of Customer Demand Attach letters of commitment or interest from existing customers for the proposed project. Customers may include distributors, retailers, or other purchasers of finished product; and customers may be ranchers or meat companies who purchase processing services from the Facility. Customer letters should specify estimated volumes of purchasing by product line or service.

5. Appendix E: Financial Documents Attach the following to assist the Agency in determining financial viability of the project:

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

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

6. Appendix F: Key Personnel Information Provide the name, project role description, credentials, and years of experience for all Key Personnel.

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

Paid Preparer Name:

Business Name:

Physical Address:

Emal Address:

Phone Number:

Section 7: Applicant Certifications By signing and submitting the SF-424 form “Application for Federal Assistance” as a part of your grant application package, you certify the following statements:

· I do not have a known relationship or association with a USDA Rural Development employee. (If there is a relationship or relationships, you must identify each known USDA RD employee.)

· As an applicant, I am a legal entity in good standing, and operating in accordance with the laws of the state or states, or Tribe or Tribes, in which you have a place of business. This includes child labor laws.

· I have not been found, and will not be found, unfit to maintain a grant of federal or state equivalent inspection because of federal or state court convictions of a felony or multiple misdemeanors involving the acquisition, handling, or distribution of adulterated or misbranded meat or poultry products, fraud in connection with transactions in food, or other similar factors.

· If awarded a grant, I agree I will comply fully with all applicable USDA FSIS standards.

· I acknowledge I possess a Federal Grant of Inspection, a grant of inspection under a Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or a state meat and poultry inspection program with standards at least equal to federal inspection processes.

· I have disclosed all violations of Federal and state health, safety and labor laws, regulations and standards, if any, that occurred up to 5 years prior to the date of the application, including any remedial actions that have been taken to rectify such violations, and if I am currently in compliance with such laws, regulations and standards.

· I certify I have the necessary certifications in place to ensure regulatory compliance with all food safety measures providing safe products to consumers.

· I confirm that any equipment required for my project is available or can be procured and delivered within the proposed project development schedule (barring unforeseen supply chain disruptions to availability) and will be installed to the manufacturer’s specifications and design requirements. NOTE: This is not applicable in instances in which equipment is not part of the proposed project.

· I have identified the balance of funding necessary (25 - 50 percent of total project costs) to complete the project according to the timeline and budget proposed in my application.

· My project will be constructed following all applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards.

· I affirm that my existing business does not hold a market share equal to or greater than the fourth largest share of the national market for beef, pork, chicken, or turkey processing.

· I confirm my existing business does not source – in the aggregate – more than 20 percent of inputs from entities that hold market share equal to or greater than the fourth largest share of the national market for beef, pork, chicken, or turkey processing.

· I confirm I do not provide – in the aggregate – more than 20 percent of outputs to entities that hold market share equal to or greater than the fourth largest share of the national market for beef, pork, chicken, or turkey processing.

· I affirm that understand USDA Rural Development will check the Do Not Pay System to verify that – as the applicant – I have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management (SAM)

· I have not been debarred or suspended from participation in federal programs

· I am not listed on the Credit Alert Verification Reporting System, the U.S. Treasury Offset Program, or on Social Security death records I understand I am responsible for resolving any issues reported in the Do Not Pay System. If issues are not resolved by the time USDA Rural Development is prepared to award MPPEP grants, I will not be eligible for an award.

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