American Rescue Plan Centers of Excellence for Meat and Poultry Processing and Food Safety Research and Innovation Phase III

The MPPRI Program is part of the broader USDA investment to transform the food supply chain. Given that the meat and poultry processing sector is particularly vulnerable to disruption, increasing capacity and promoting competition in this sector is a

The goal of this program is to make emerging technologies more accessible to small and mid-size processors through work with small business innovators that have demonstrated significant efficacy in development and advancements towards commercialization of relevant technology. Eligible meat and poultry processing channels include independent business owners, entrepreneurs, producers, and other groups, such as cooperatives and worker associations who are less resourced. Awards will be made to select technology providers that are past SBIR/STTR Phase I/II recipients that can provide rapid technological advancements to small and mid-size processors in three priority areas: 1. Monitoring and improving complex processes, 2. Worker safety, and 3. Food safety. The purpose of a research application is to provide a written statement that contains sufficient information to objectively ascertain that the proposed activities demonstrate a sound approach to an innovation that answers both a scientific question and has a strong potential to be commercialized. Selection of awardees will be an expedited and opportunistic process by NIFA and USDA staff based upon 1) appropriate fit to at least one of the three priority areas and 2) likelihood of impact to meeting the Secretary's objectives. A peer/external review panel will not be used. The awardees will have other requirements to validate their eligibility, and yet other criteria may be selected relevant to the Secretary's guidance based upon the number of select invitees that apply.

. Eligibility Requirements 1. NIFA selected current and previously awarded SBIR/STTR Phase I/II recipients. 2. Companies were selected based upon SBIR/STTR project completion in areas that represent potential fits with demonstrated efficacy for applications in meat and poultry processing. 5 3. Expected stage of technologies should correspond to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 through TRL 7. TRLs for reference are as described in TRL Stage Definition, Table 1. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 4. Technology providers must provide non-restrictive access or non-exclusive licenses for any technologies or related enabling technologies developed under this award to facilitate the ability of the small and mid-size processor to implement the technology. Exclusive licensing is not allowable for technologies developed under this award. 5. Eligibility requires businesses to be located within the United States. The purpose of the ownership requirement is to limit the program to companies controlled by United States citizens or permanent resident aliens as a way of maximizing the likelihood that the funding will stimulate innovative activity within the United States economy.

Pertinent details will be provided at a later date.

In accordance with statutory time limits, project periods, including no-cost extensions of time, are not to exceed five (5) years. Further details are provided in the Award document Form NIFA-2009 and the This agreement is covered by the Research Terms and Conditions (RTC) as described on the NIFA webpage for terms and conditions (https://nifa.usda.gov/terms-and-conditions) including the NIFA specific terms and conditions dated Nov 2020 located at the following link: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/fedrtc/agencyspecifics/nifa_1120.pdf SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: NIFA utilizes the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), a secure, web-based electronic payment and information system that allows federal agencies to administer funds. Currently, ASAP is the only payment source for new NIFA grantees.

Pertinent details will be provided at a later date.