[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14574-14581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7656]



[[Page 14573]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part IV





Department of Agriculture





_______________________________________________________________________



Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service



_______________________________________________________________________



Request for Proposals (RFP): Community Food Projects Competitive Grants 
Program; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 58 / Wednesday, March 26, 1997 / 
Notices  

[[Page 14574]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


Request for Proposals (RFP): Community Food Projects Competitive 
Grants Program

ACTION: Announcement of availability of grant funds and request for 
proposals for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 
established new authority for a program of Federal grants to support 
the development of community food projects designed to meet the food 
needs of low-income people; increase the self-reliance of communities 
in providing for their own food needs; and promote comprehensive 
responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues.
    This notice sets out the objectives for these projects, the 
eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application 
procedures. Proposals are requested for (1) projects designed to 
increase food security in a community (termed Community Food Projects) 
and, (2) projects designed to provide training and technical assistance 
(T&TA) to entities that are, or might be interested in, developing 
community food security projects for funding (termed T&TA Projects). 
Applicants may request expert consultation as a part of their proposal 
request in order to subcontract to consultants or other groups to 
provide assistance for technical voids of the applicant organization.
    This notice contains the entire set of instructions needed to apply 
for a Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program (CFPCGP) 
grant.

DATES: Applications must be received on or before June 6, 1997. 
Proposals received after June 6, 1997 will not be considered for 
funding.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Elizabeth Tuckermanty, Cooperative 
State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 2225, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20250-2225; telephone (202) 720-5997; Internet: 
[email protected]; or Dr. Mark Bailey, Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, STOP 2241, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20250-2241; telephone: (202) 401-1898; Internet: 
[email protected].

Table of Contents

Part I--General Information

A. Legislative Authority
B. Definitions
C. Eligibility

Part II--Program Description

A. Purpose and Scope of the Program
B. Available Funds and Award Limitations
C. Matching Funds Requirement

Part III--Preparation of a Proposal

A. Program Application Materials
B. Content of a Proposal

Part IV--Submission of a Proposal

A. What to Submit
B. Where and When to Submit
C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

Part V--Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Selection Process
B. Technical Evaluation Criteria

Part VI--Supplementary Information

A. Access to Peer Review Information
B. Grant Awards
C. Use of Funds; Changes
D. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations that Apply
E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards
F. Evaluation of Program

Part I--General Information

A. Legislative Authority

    Section 25 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended by Section 
401(h) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 
(Pub. L. 104-127) (7 U.S.C. 2034), authorized a new program of Federal 
grants to support the development of community food projects; $16 
million is authorized over seven years (1996-2002). For fiscal year 
1997, approximately $2.5 million is available ($2.5 million has been 
authorized in each subsequent year through fiscal year 2002). These 
grants are intended to assist eligible private nonprofit entities that 
need a one-time infusion of Federal dollars to establish and sustain 
multi-purpose community food projects.

B. Definitions

    For the purpose of awarding grants under this program, the 
following definitions are applicable:
    (1) Administrator means the Administrator of the Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) and any other 
officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved 
may be delegated.
    (2) Authorized departmental officer means the Secretary or any 
employee of the Department who has the authority to issue or modify 
grant instruments on behalf of the Secretary.
    (3) Authorized organizational representative means the president, 
director, or chief executive officer of the applicant organization or 
the official, designated by the president or chief executive officer of 
the applicant organization, who has the authority to commit the 
resources of the organization.
    (4) Budget period means the interval of time (usually 12 months) 
into which the project period is divided for budgetary and reporting 
purposes.
    (5) Cash contributions means the applicant's cash outlay, including 
the outlay of money contributed to the applicant by non-Federal third 
parties.
    (6) Community Food Project is a project that requires a one-time 
infusion of Federal assistance to become self-sustaining and is 
designed to: (i) meet the food needs of low-income people; (ii) 
increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own 
food needs; and (iii) promote comprehensive responses to local food, 
farm, and nutrition issues. These activities help to increase food 
security in a community.
    (7) Department or USDA means the United States Department of 
Agriculture.
    (8) Grant means the award by the Secretary of funds to a private, 
non-profit entity to assist in meeting the costs of conducting, for the 
benefit of the public, an identified project which is intended and 
designed to accomplish the purpose of the CFPCGP as identified in these 
guidelines.
    (9) Grantee means the organization designated in the grant award 
document as the responsible legal entity to which a grant is awarded.
    (10) Matching means that portion of project costs not borne by the 
Federal Government, including the value of in-kind contributions.
    (11) Peer review experts means a group of experts qualified by 
training and experience in particular fields to give expert advice on 
the merit of grant applications in such fields, who evaluate eligible 
proposals submitted to this program in their personal area(s) of 
expertise.
    (12) Private non-profit entity means any corporation, trust, 
association, cooperative or other organization which (i) is operated 
primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar 
purposes in the public interest; (ii) is not organized primarily for 
profit; and (iii) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or 
expand its operations. For this purpose, the term nonprofit 
organization excludes (i) colleges or universities or their research 
foundations or other nonprofit elements;

[[Page 14575]]

(ii) hospitals; (iii) State, local, and Federally recognized Indian 
tribal governments; and (iv) those corporations, because of their size 
and nature of operations, which can be considered to be similar to 
commercial concerns.
    (13) Prior approval means written approval evidencing prior consent 
by an authorized departmental officer as defined in (2) above.
    (14) Project means the particular activity within the scope of the 
program supported by a grant award.
    (15) Project director means the single individual designated by the 
grantee in the grant application and approved by the Secretary who is 
responsible for the direction and management of the project.
    (16) Project period means the period, as stated in the award 
document and modifications thereto, if any, during which Federal 
sponsorship begins and ends.
    (17) Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other 
officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved 
may be delegated.
    (18) Third party in-kind contributions means non-cash contributions 
of property or services provided by non-Federal third parties, 
including real property, equipment, supplies and other expendable 
property, directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to a funded 
project or program.
    (19) Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) Project is a project 
that requests a one-time infusion of Federal assistance (i) to help one 
or more community-based entities develop high-quality proposals for 
funding under the CFPCGP and/or (ii) to provide information, education, 
and skills training to applicants, potential applicants, and/or past 
and current grantees to meet the goals of a Community Food Project (as 
described in Item 6 above).

C. Eligibility

    Proposals may be submitted by private, nonprofit entities. Because 
proposals for Community Food Projects must promote comprehensive 
responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues, applicants are 
encouraged to seek and create partnerships among public, private 
nonprofit, and private for-profit entities. However, no more than one-
third of an award for Community Food Projects or T&TA Projects may be 
subawarded to a for-profit organization or firm.
    To be eligible for a grant for a Community Food Project, a private 
nonprofit applicant must meet four requirements:
    (1) have experience in the area of:
    (a) community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-
sized farms, including the provision of food to people in low-income 
communities and the development of new markets in low-income 
communities for agricultural producers; or
    (b) job training and business development activities for food-
related activities in low-income communities;
    (2) demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal 
accountability and oversight, collect data, and prepare reports and 
other appropriate documentation;
    (3) demonstrate a willingness to share information with 
researchers, practitioners, and other interested parties; and
    (4) directly carry out the proposed activities in the community. 
Entities that supply expertise and/or materials to communities or 
projects in which they are not an integral part are not eligible for 
awards.
    To be eligible for a grant for a T&TA Project, a private nonprofit 
applicant must meet three requirements:
    (1) have experience and skills in providing education and training 
in community food security, assessing community food needs, coalition 
building, project development and evaluation, grant preparation and 
fund raising, and any other relevant component of training and 
technical assistance to be provided;
    (2) demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal 
accountability and oversight, collect data, and prepare reports and 
other appropriate documentation; and
    (3) demonstrate a willingness to share information with 
researchers, practitioners, and other interested parties.
    The intent of the CFPCGP is to encourage and support community-
based, grass-roots efforts that enhance food security. Applicants are 
strongly encouraged to link with academic experts and Cooperative 
Extension personnel in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of 
their projects. In addition, academic experts and Cooperative Extension 
personnel may wish to involve relevant community-based nonprofit 
organizations in developing proposals of mutual interest and serve as 
technical advisors to the applying entity.
    Successful applicants must provide matching funds, either in cash 
or in-kind, amounting to at least 50 percent of the total cost of the 
project during the term of the grant award as provided by section 25(e) 
of the Food Stamp Act of 1977.

Part II--Program Description

A. Purpose and Scope of the Program

    Proposals are invited for competitive grant awards under the CFPCGP 
for fiscal year 1997. This program is administered by the Cooperative 
State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) of the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA). The purpose of this program is to 
support the development of community food projects with a one-time 
infusion of Federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining. 
Community Food Projects should be designed to: (i) Meet the food needs 
of low-income people; (ii) increase the self-reliance of communities in 
providing for their own food needs; and (iii) promote comprehensive 
responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues. T&TA Projects, 
under this program, should be designed to assist nonprofit community 
entities to develop programs that meet these goals.
    Community food projects are intended to take a comprehensive 
approach to developing long-term solutions that help to ensure food 
security in communities by linking the food production and processing 
sectors to community development, economic opportunity, and 
environmental enhancement. Comprehensive solutions may include elements 
such as: (i) Improved access to high quality, affordable food among 
low-income households; (ii) expanded economic opportunities for 
community residents through local businesses or other economic 
development, improved employment opportunities, job training, youth 
apprenticeship, school-to-work transition, and the like, and (iii) 
support for local food systems, from urban gardening to local farms 
that provide high quality fresh foods, ideally with minimal adverse 
environmental impact. Any solution proposed must tie into community 
food needs.
    Project goals should integrate multiple objectives into their 
design. Proposed projects should seek to address impacts beyond a 
specific goal such as increasing food produced or available for a 
specific group. Goals and objectives should integrate economic, social, 
and environmental impacts such as job training, employment 
opportunities, small business expansion, neighborhood revitalization, 
open space development, transportation assistance or other community 
enhancements.

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    Proposed projects should seek solutions rather than focusing on 
short-term food relief. They should seek comprehensive solutions to 
problems across all levels of the food system from producer to 
consumer. This point is emphasized because many proposals submitted in 
fiscal year 1996 were primarily for expanding applicant efforts in food 
relief and assistance or for connecting established or partially 
established programs (such as community gardens and farmers markets) 
with little evidence of strategic planning and participation by 
stakeholders in the proposed project design. Successful proposals must 
emphasize a food system and/or food security approach (i.e., an 
applicant must describe the large food-related picture in the community 
and the place of the proposed project within it). They must also show 
evidence of coalition building and substantial community linkages.
    Applicants should be aware of several USDA policy themes and 
initiatives that have the potential to strengthen the impact and 
success of some community food projects. These include food recovery 
and gleaning excess food; connecting the urban consumer with the rural 
producer; aiding citizens in leaving public assistance and achieving 
self-sufficiency; and utilizing micro enterprise and/or development 
projects related to community food needs. Relevant ongoing initiatives 
include farmers markets; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development designated Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, and 
Champion Communities; and the AmeriCorps national service program (a 
potential source of contributors for community food projects).
    The community, not the individual per se, is the unit of analysis 
and medium for action. Many solutions to food access problems may come 
from beyond a community's own boundaries, since most food also comes 
from outside. In that context, wherever possible community food 
projects should support food systems based on strategies that improve 
the availability of high-quality locally-or regionally-produced foods 
to low-income people.
    Community food projects are intended to bring together stakeholders 
from the distinct parts of the food system. Solutions to hunger and 
access to food should reflect a process that involves partnership 
building among the public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit 
sectors. Together, these parties can address issues such as the 
capacity of the community to produce food and support local growers; 
the need for, and location of, grocery stores that market affordable, 
high quality food; transportation constraints; economic opportunities 
for residents to increase income, thereby increasing access to high 
quality nutritious food; community development issues; the environment; 
and so on.
    Community food projects should not be designed to merely support 
individual food pantries, farmers markets, community gardens or other 
established projects. Rather, proposed community food projects should 
build on these experiences and encourage innovative long-term efforts. 
A successful project should be able to endure and outlive the one-time 
infusion of government and other matching funds. Community food 
projects should be designed to become self-supporting (or have a 
sustainable funding source) and expand or prove to be a replicable 
model.
    The primary objectives of the CFPCGP are to increase the food self-
reliance of communities; promote comprehensive responses to local food, 
farm and nutrition issues; develop innovative linkages between the for-
profit and nonprofit food sectors; and encourage long-term planning 
activities and multi-system inter-agency approaches. The following are 
some examples of these objectives in practice:
     Developing a working link between a food bank and area 
farmers to market fresh produce to a community through community-
supported agriculture. Community members provide the financial support 
while the project develops links to institutions such as restaurants, 
food pantries, schools, and other institutions. The process increases 
community awareness and commitment to local agriculture, while 
providing farmers a local market for consumers, and expands the supply 
of and access to high-quality food.
     Implementing a comprehensive strategic plan for a lower-
income neighborhood to increase residents' access to high-quality, 
affordable food through farmers' markets, community gardens, 
supermarkets, and other food programs. Such a plan should include 
transportation assistance, business development, and/or neighborhood 
improvement. As with other sector planning, the community participates 
in identifying its food-related priorities and works with institutions 
through a collaborative interagency process to meet its objectives.
     Developing a system of community farm stands sponsored by 
neighborhood organizations and managed by youth that sell locally-grown 
produce in low-income communities. The project provides skills training 
and/or jobs and aims to become self-supporting within a reasonable 
time. It increases participants' understanding of the food system, 
including food production and distribution, expands interest in good 
nutrition, and provides entrepreneurial training opportunities for 
young people.
     A local food policy council may develop and implement a 
plan that creates several new food ventures, including a new 
supermarket in a low-income neighborhood. The council serves as the 
planning and coordinating entity that brings together local farmers, 
for-profit food operators such as restaurants, processors, and 
retailers with low-income neighborhood development organizations and 
job training groups, emergency food providers, city hall, and other 
community service entities.
     Developing a comprehensive community response to job and 
food needs by creating job opportunities that respond to the needs of 
local businesses, building technical expertise that leads to well-paid 
jobs. It will be necessary to bring together resources that facilitate 
the development of work skills, work ethics, education completion and 
that respond to community food and nutrition needs.

B. Available Funds and Award Limitations

    The total amount of funds available in fiscal year 1997 for support 
of this program is approximately $2,500,000. Up to 10% of available 
funds (approximately $250,000) will be available for T&TA Projects, and 
the remainder for Community Food Projects. Applicants should request a 
budget commensurate with the project proposed. However, due to the 
effort required to properly evaluate proposals, USDA strongly urges 
that requests for support do not fall below $10,000.
    The intent of the authorizing legislation is that no one grant 
should command a significant portion of the total funds available and 
that many grants be awarded each year. Therefore, USDA has concluded 
that no single grant shall exceed $100,000 in any single year or more 
than $250,000 over the life of the project.
    Applicants may request one, two, or three years of funding, but in 
all cases, USDA funding may not exceed three years for any one project. 
A Community Food Project or a T&TA Project may be supported by only a 
single grant under this program.
    Awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project with 
budgets considered only after the merits of the project have been 
determined.

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USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with successful 
applicants. It is intended that the grantee will perform the 
substantive effort on the project. No more than one-third of the award, 
as determined by budget expenditures, may be subawarded to for-profit 
organizations. For purposes of obtaining additional knowledge or 
expertise that is not currently within the applicant organization, 
funds for expert consultation may be included in the All Other Direct 
Costs section of the proposed budget.

C. Matching Funds Requirement

    The Federal share of the cost of establishing or carrying out a 
community food project that receives assistance under this program may 
not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the project during the term of the 
grant. Grantees may provide for the non-Federal share through cash and/
or in kind contributions, fairly evaluated, including facilities, 
equipment, and services. A grantee may provide for the non-Federal 
share of the funding through State government, local government, or 
private sources.

Part III--Preparation of a Proposal

A. Program Application Materials

    Program application materials will be made available to eligible 
entities upon request. These materials include information about the 
purpose of the program, how the program will be conducted, and the 
required contents of a proposal, as well as the forms needed to prepare 
and submit grant applications under the program.

B. Content of a Proposal

(1) General
    The proposal should follow these guidelines, enabling reviewers to 
more easily evaluate the merits of each proposal in a systematic, 
consistent fashion:
    (a) The proposal should be prepared on only one side of the page 
using standard size (8\1/2\''  x  11'') white paper, one inch margins, 
typed or word processed using no type smaller than 12 point font, and 
single spaced. Use an easily readable font face (e.g., Geneva, 
Helvetica, CG Times).
    (b) Each page of the proposal, beginning with the Project Summary 
and including any appendices, should be numbered sequentially in the 
top right corner.
    (c) The proposal should be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. 
Do not bind. An original and 9 copies (10 total) must be submitted as 
one package, along with 20 copies of the ``Project Summary'' as a 
separate attachment.
(2) Cover Page
    Complete Form CSREES-661, Application for Funding, in its entirety. 
This form is to be utilized as the Cover Page. In Block 14., note the 
total amount of Federal dollars being requested.
    (a) Blocks 7., 13., 18., 19., 20., and 21. have been completed for 
you.
    (b) In Block 8. enter Community Food Project or T&TAP if the 
proposal is a Training & Technical Assistance Project. Ignore all 
references to a program number.
    (c) Note that providing a Social Security Number is voluntary, but 
is an integral part of the CSREES information system and will assist in 
the processing of the proposal.
    (d) The original copy of the Application for Funding form must 
contain the pen-and-ink signatures of the project director(s) and 
authorized organizational representative for the applicant 
organization.
    (e) Note that by signing the Application for Funding form, the 
applicant is providing the required certifications set forth in 7 CFR 
Part 3017, as amended, regarding Debarment and Suspension and Drug-Free 
Workplace, and 7 CFR Part 3018, regarding Lobbying. The three 
certification forms are included in this application package for 
informational purposes only. It is not necessary to sign and submit the 
forms to USDA as part of the proposal.
(3) Compliance With the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
    As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (the Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service regulations implementing NEPA), the 
environmental data for any proposed project is to be provided to CSREES 
so that CSREES may determine whether any further action is needed. In 
some cases, however, the preparation of environmental data may not be 
required. Certain categories of actions are excluded from the 
requirements of NEPA.
    In order for CSREES to determine whether any further action is 
needed with respect to NEPA, pertinent information regarding the 
possible environmental impacts of a particular project is necessary; 
therefore, Form CSREES-1234, NEPA Exclusions Form, must be included in 
the proposal indicating whether the applicant is of the opinion that 
the project falls within a categorical exclusion and the reasons 
therefor. If it is the applicant's opinion that the proposed project 
falls within the categorical exclusions, the specific exclusion must be 
identified. Form CSREES-1234 and supporting documentation should be 
placed after Form CSREES-661, Application for Funding, in the proposal.
    Even though a project may fall within the categorical exclusions, 
CSREES may determine that an Environmental Assessment or an 
Environmental Impact Statement is necessary for an activity. This will 
be the case if substantial controversy on environmental grounds exists 
or if other extraordinary conditions or circumstances are present which 
may cause such activity to have a significant environmental effect.
(4) Table of Contents
    For ease in locating information, each proposal must contain a 
detailed table of contents just after the NEPA Exclusions Form. The 
Table of Contents should include page numbers for each component of the 
proposal. Page numbers, shown in the top right corner, should begin 
immediately following the Table of Contents.
(5) Project Summary
    The proposal must contain a project summary of 250 words or less on 
a separate page. The summary must be self-contained and describe the 
overall goals and relevance of the project. The summary should also 
contain a listing of the major organizations participating in the 
project. The Project Summary should immediately follow the Table of 
Contents. In addition to the summary, this page must include the title 
of the project, the name of the applicant organization, the authorized 
organizational representative, and the project director(s) followed by 
the summary.
(6) Project Narrative
    The Project Narrative shall not exceed 10 pages. It must repeat and 
answer each of the following 9 questions:
    (a) FOR COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS: What is the community to be served 
by the proposed project?
    Describe the local food economy or food system, demographics, 
income, and geographic characteristics of the area to be served and any 
other pertinent information, such as the community's assets and needs.
    FOR T&TA PROJECTS: What types of communities are being targeted by 
the proposed project?
    Provide a general description of the local food economies or food 
systems, demographics, incomes, and geographic characteristics of the 
areas to be served and any other pertinent information,

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such as the assets and needs of the targeted communities.
    (b) What organizations will be involved in carrying out the 
proposed project and which segments of the local food economy or system 
do they link?
    Include a description of the relevant experience of the 
organizations, including the applicant organization, that will be 
involved and any project history. Letters acknowledging the support of 
these organizations are strongly encouraged and should be provided in 
the appendix to the proposal. Proposals should demonstrate extensive 
community linkages and coalitions.
    (c) What are the goals or purposes to be achieved by the proposed 
project?
    List these goals and/or purposes.
    (d) How will the goals be achieved?
    Provide a systematic description of the approach by which the goals 
will be accomplished.
    (e) What are the major milestones that will indicate progress 
toward achieving the project goals?
    Provide a time line or description for accomplishing major project 
objectives.
    (f) The legislation outlines three major outcomes of the CFPCGP: 
(i) Meet the food needs of low-income people; (ii) increase the self-
reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs; and 
(iii) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition 
issues. What measures will be used to assess project progress on each 
of these three outcomes? How will you assess performance on the 
outcomes?
    For example, an applicant may propose to develop a farmers market 
in a low-income urban area, selling produce grown by farmers in the 
surrounding area, and employing staff from both the urban and rural 
communities. The goals may be to increase access to fresh produce by 
community residents (addresses outcome i) increase employment and the 
income of farmers (addresses outcome ii) and reduce the extent of poor 
nutrition among low-income residents (addresses outcome iii). Possible 
outcome measures are the change in the consumption of produce by 
customers, the number of jobs created by the market, and the change in 
income experienced by the farmers supplying the market.
    Proposals should contain a strong evaluation component. Those with 
innovative evaluation strategies are especially encouraged. One 
desirable outcome of the CFPCGP is to learn more about what happens to 
make such projects succeed, only partially succeed, or fail. Therefore, 
proposals are encouraged that include both process evaluations 
(developing and monitoring indicators of progress towards the 
objectives) and outcome evaluations (to determine whether the 
objectives were met). Applicants should seek the help of experts in 
evaluation design and implementation as appropriate.
    (g) How does the proposed project address each of the following 
issues: (i) Develop innovative linkages and coalitions between two or 
more sectors of the food system; (ii) support entrepreneurial and job-
training projects; and (iii) encourage long-term planning activities 
and multi-system, interagency approaches?
    Provide a description of how each of these issues, as appropriate, 
will be addressed. Entrepreneurial projects should provide evidence 
(e.g., in the form of a market analysis or business plan) to 
demonstrate that it is likely to become self-sustaining and provide 
employees with important job skills.
    (h) What are the plans for achieving self-sustainability?
    Describe why a one-time infusion of Federal funds will be 
sufficient for the proposed project.
    (i) Additional information
    Provide any additional information which supports the need for and 
usefulness of the project.
(7) Key Personnel
    Identify the primary project director and the co-project 
director(s) and other key personnel required for this project. An 
organizational chart should be provided if available. What is their 
relevant experience? Include resumes or vitae that provide adequate 
information so that proposal reviewers can make an informed judgment as 
to their capabilities and experience.
(8) Budget
    (a) Budget Form: Prepare the budget form in accordance with 
instructions provided with the form. A budget form is required for each 
year of requested support. In addition, a cumulative budget is required 
detailing the requested total support for the overall project period. 
(For example, for a 3-year project, the proposal would include 4 budget 
forms; one for each of the three years of the project and one 
cumulative budget for the full 3 years.) The budget form may be 
reproduced as needed by applicants. Funds may be requested under any of 
the categories listed on the form, provided that the item or service 
for which support is requested is allowable under the authorizing 
legislation, the applicable Federal cost principles, and these program 
guidelines, and can be justified as necessary for the successful 
conduct of the proposed project.
    In addition to the budget form, applicants should include remarks 
and budget item justifications on a separate page.
    (b) Matching Funds
    (1) Proposals must include written verification of commitments of 
matching support (including both cash and in-kind contributions) from 
third parties. Written verification means:
    (i) For any third party cash contributions, a separate pledge 
agreement for each donation, signed by the authorized organizational 
representatives of the donor organization and the applicant 
organization, which must include: (a) The name, address, and telephone 
number of the donor; (b) the name of the applicant organization; (c) 
the title of the project for which the donation is made; (d) the dollar 
amount of the cash donation; and (e) a statement that the donor will 
pay the cash contribution during the grant period; and
    (ii) For any third party in-kind contributions, a separate pledge 
agreement for each contribution, signed by the authorized 
organizational representatives of the donor organization and the 
applicant organization, which must include: (a) The name, address, and 
telephone number of the donor; (b) the name of the applicant 
organization; (c) the title of the project for which the donation is 
made; (d) a good faith estimate of the current fair market value of the 
in-kind contribution; and (e) a statement that the donor will make the 
contribution during the grant period.
    (2) The sources and amount of all matching support from outside the 
applicant institution should be summarized on a separate page and 
placed in the proposal immediately following the budget form. All 
pledge agreements must be placed in the proposal immediately following 
the summary of matching support.
    (3) Applicants should refer to OMB Circulars A-110, Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions 
of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-profit Organizations, and 
A-122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations, for further 
guidance and other requirements relating to matching and allowable 
costs.
(9) Current and Pending Support
    All proposals must list any other current public or private support 
(including in-house support) to which key personnel identified in the 
proposal have committed portions of their time,

[[Page 14579]]

whether or not salary support for person(s) involved is included in the 
budget. Analogous information must be provided for any pending 
proposals that are being considered by, or that will be submitted in 
the near future to, other possible sponsors, including other USDA 
programs or agencies. Concurrent submission of identical or similar 
proposals to the possible sponsors will not prejudice proposal review 
or evaluation by the Administrator for this purpose. However, a 
proposal that duplicates or overlaps substantially with a proposal 
already reviewed and funded (or that will be funded) by another 
organization or agency will not be funded under this program. The 
application material includes Form CSREES-663, Current and Pending 
Support, which is suitable for listing current and pending support. 
Note that the project being proposed should be included in the proposed 
section of the form.

Part IV--Submission of a Proposal

A. What To Submit

    An original and 9 copies of the complete proposal must be 
submitted. Each copy of each proposal must be stapled in the upper 
left-hand corner. DO NOT BIND. In addition, submit 20 copies of the 
proposal's Project Summary. All copies of the proposal and Project 
Summary must be submitted in one package.

B. Where and When To Submit

    Proposals must be received by June 6, 1997. Proposals sent by First 
Class mail must be sent to the following address: Proposal Services 
Unit, Grants Management Branch, Office of Extramural Programs, USDA/
CSREES, STOP 2245, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 
20250-2245, Telephone: (202) 401-5048.

    Note: Hand-delivered proposals or those delivered by an 
overnight express service such as Federal Express should be brought 
to the following address: Proposal Services Unit, Grants Management 
Branch, Office of Extramural Programs, USDA/CSREES, Room 303, 
Aerospace Center, 901 D Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20024, 
Telephone: (202) 401-5048.

C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

    The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing and 
this acknowledgment will contain an identifying proposal number. Once 
your proposal has been assigned an identification number, please cite 
that number in future correspondence.

Part V--Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Selection Process

    Proposals must be received on or before June 6, 1997. Applicants 
are highly encouraged to convey their completed proposals via over-
night mail or delivery services to ensure timely receipt by the USDA. 
Proposals will be ranked relative to all those received, and ranking 
will be based primarily on technical merit and potential for 
sustainment. Those proposals recommended for an award will be conveyed 
to the Administrator (or designee) for final approval.
    Since the award process must be completed by September 30, 1997, 
applicants should submit fully developed proposals that meet all the 
requirements set forth in this RFP and have fully developed budgets as 
well. However, USDA does retain the right to conduct discussions with 
applicants to resolve technical and/or budget issues as it deems 
necessary.
    Each proposal will be evaluated in a two-part process. First, each 
proposal will be screened to ensure it meets the requirements as set 
forth in this RFP. Proposals that meet these requirements will be 
technically evaluated by expert reviewers. Second, each proposal will 
be judged on its own merits. Proposals not meeting the requirements as 
set forth in this RFP will be returned without review.
    A panel of individuals will evaluate the proposed projects. The 
individual panel members will be selected from among those recognized 
as specialists who are uniquely qualified by training and experience in 
their respective fields to render expert advice on the merit of 
proposals being reviewed. These panel members will be drawn from a 
number of areas, among them government, universities, and entities 
involved in community food organizations or institutions, and rural 
development. The individual views of reviewers will be used to 
determine which proposals will be recommended for funding.
    There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular proposal or 
to make a specific number of awards. USDA also may elect to fund 
several or none of the proposed approaches to the same topic area. Care 
will be taken to avoid actual and potential conflicts of interest among 
reviewers. Evaluations will be confidential to USDA staff members, peer 
reviewers, and the project director(s), to the extent permitted by law.
    The members of the review panel will take into consideration 
evaluation criteria that includes, but is not limited to, the 
following: The amount of available funding; geographic distribution of 
applications; balance and diversity among different approaches to 
community food needs; the quality of proposed internal project 
evaluations; and quantitative outcome measures and other considerations 
pertinent to ensuring that the total mix of funded projects best serves 
the public interest.

B. Technical Evaluation Criteria

(1) Applicability and Merit
    The primary evaluation criteria will be based upon the merit of the 
proposed project in regard to its ability to meet the food needs of 
low-income people in the proposed community; increase the self-reliance 
of the proposed community for providing for its own food needs; and 
promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition 
issues. (Refer to Questions a. through e. in Part III, item B.(6))
(2) Capacity To Become Self-Sustaining
    Applications will be evaluated based on an assessment of the 
project's ability for continuing to term and becoming self-sufficient 
once Federal funding ends. (Refer to Questions f. and h. in Part III, 
item B.(6)).
(3) Organizational and Staff Qualifications and Experience
    Awards are provided to the non-profit organization. However, the 
working history of the organization and the experience of the 
authorized organizational representative and/or project director will 
be key evaluation criteria. Experience in the area of community food 
work, particularly if that work also involved small or medium-size 
farms; provision of food to people in low-income communities; the 
development of new markets for agricultural goods in low-income 
communities, particularly as a means to enhance income for agricultural 
producers; job training or business development for food-related 
activities in low-income communities; competency to implement the 
proposed project; ability to provide the appropriate financial/fiscal 
oversight; and the ability to collect data, prepare reports, and 
perform other necessary administrative functions.
(4) Additional Evaluation Criteria
    These criteria will be considered relative to the extent the 
proposed project contributes to:
    (a) developing linkages between two or more sectors of the food 
system;
    (b) supporting the development of entrepreneurial projects;

[[Page 14580]]

    (c) developing innovative linkages between the for-profit and 
nonprofit food sectors;
    (d) encouraging long-term planning activities and multi-system, 
interagency approaches; and
    (e) Incorporating linkages to one or more ongoing USDA themes or 
initiatives (such as, but not limited to, those described in the 
background section). (Refer to Question g. in Part III, item B.(6))

Part VI--Supplementary Information

A. Access to Peer Review Information

    After final decisions have been announced, CSREES will, upon 
request, inform the project director of the reasons for its decision on 
a proposal. To the extent possible, verbatim copies of summary reviews, 
not including the identity of the reviewers, will be made available to 
project directors after the review process has been completed.

B. Grant Awards

(1) General
    Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding 
official of CSREES shall make grants to those responsible, eligible 
applicants whose proposals are judged most meritorious in the announced 
program areas under the evaluation criteria and procedures set forth in 
this request for proposals. The date specified by the Administrator as 
the effective date of the grant shall be no later than September 30 of 
the Federal fiscal year in which the project is approved for support 
and funds are appropriated for such purpose, unless otherwise permitted 
by law. It should be noted that the project need not be initiated on 
the grant effective date, but as soon thereafter as practical so that 
project goals may be attained within the funded project period. All 
funds granted by CSREES under this request for proposals shall be 
expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are granted in 
accordance with the approved application and budget, the regulations, 
the terms and conditions of the award, the applicable Federal cost 
principles, and the Department's assistance regulations (part 3015, 
part 3016, and part 3019 of 7 CFR).
(2) Organizational Management Information
    Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be 
submitted on a one-time basis as part of the responsibility 
determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this part 
if such information has not been provided previously under this or 
another program for which the sponsoring agency is responsible. Copies 
of forms recommended for use in fulfilling the requirements contained 
in this section will be provided by the sponsoring agency as part of 
the preaward process.
(3) Grant Award Document and Notice of Grant Award
    The grant award document shall include at a minimum the following:
    (a) Legal name and address of performing organization or 
institution to whom the Administrator has awarded a grant under the 
terms of this request for proposals;
    (b) Title of project;
    (c) Name(s) and address(es) of project director(s) chosen to direct 
and control approved activities;
    (d) Identifying grant number assigned by the Department;
    (e) Project period, specifying the amount of time the Department 
intends to support the project without requiring recompetition for 
funds;
    (f) Total amount of Departmental financial assistance approved by 
the Administrator during the project period;
    (g) Legal authority(ies) under which the grant is awarded;
    (h) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds 
to accomplish the stated purpose of the grant award; and
    (i) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by CSREES to 
carry out its respective granting activities or to accomplish the 
purpose of a particular grant.
    The notice of grant award, in the form of a letter, will be 
prepared and will provide pertinent instructions or information to the 
grantee that is not included in the grant award document.
    CSREES will award standard grants to carry out this program. A 
standard grant is a funding mechanism whereby CSREES agrees to support 
a specified level of effort for a predetermined time period without 
additional support at a future date.

C. Use of Funds; Changes

(1) Delegation of Fiscal Responsibility
    The grantee may not in whole or in part delegate or transfer to 
another person, institution, or organization the responsibility for use 
or expenditure of grant funds.
(2) Reporting Requirements
    The grantee will be expected to prepare an annual report that 
details all significant activities towards achieving the goals and 
objectives of the project. The narrative should be succinct and be no 
longer than five pages, using 12-point, single-spaced type. A budget 
summary should be attached to this report, which will provide an 
overview of all monies spent during the reporting period.
(3) Changes in Project Plans
    (a) The permissible changes by the grantee, project director(s), or 
other key project personnel in the approved project grant shall be 
limited to changes in methodology, techniques, or other aspects of the 
project to expedite achievement of the project's approved goals. If the 
grantee and/or the project director(s) are uncertain as to whether a 
change complies with this provision, the question must be referred to 
the CSREES Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) for a final 
determination.
    (b) Changes in approved goals or objectives shall be requested by 
the grantee and approved in writing by the CSREES ADO prior to 
effecting such changes. In no event shall requests for such changes be 
approved which are outside the scope of the original approved project.
    (c) Changes in approved project leadership or the replacement or 
reassignment of other key project personnel shall be requested by the 
grantee and approved in writing by the awarding official of CSREES 
prior to effecting such changes.
    (d) Transfers of actual performance of the substantive programmatic 
work in whole or in part and provisions for payment of funds, whether 
or not Federal funds are involved, shall be requested by the grantee 
and approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such transfers.
    (e) Changes in Project Period: The project period may be extended 
by CSREES without additional financial support, for such additional 
period(s) as the ADO determines may be necessary to complete or fulfill 
the purposes of an approved project. Any extension of time shall be 
conditioned upon prior request by the grantee and approval in writing 
by the ADO, unless prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of 
a grant.
    (f) Changes in Approved Budget: Changes in an approved budget must 
be requested by the grantee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to 
instituting such changes if the revision will:
    (i) Involve transfers of amounts budgeted for indirect costs to 
absorb an increase in direct costs;
    (ii) Involve transfers of amounts budgeted for direct costs to 
accommodate changes in indirect cost rates negotiated during a budget 
period

[[Page 14581]]

and not approved when a grant was awarded; or
    (iii) Involve transfers or expenditures of amounts requiring prior 
approval as set forth in the applicable Federal cost principles, 
Departmental regulations, or in the grant award.

D. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations that Apply

    Several other Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant 
proposals considered for review and to project grants awarded under 
this program. These include but are not limited to:
    7 CFR Part 1.1--USDA implementation of the Freedom of Information 
Act.
    7 CFR Part 3--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-129 
regarding debt collection.
    7 CFR Part 15, subpart A--USDA implementation of Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
    7 CFR Part 3015--USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations, 
implementing OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A-21 and A-122) and 
incorporating provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6301-6308 (formerly the Federal 
Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, Pub. L. 95-224), as well 
as general policy requirements applicable to recipients of Departmental 
financial assistance.
    7 CFR Part 3016--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.
    7 CFR Part 3017, as amended by 61 Federal Register 250, January 4, 
1996--USDA implementation of Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension 
(Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Grants).
    7 CFR Part 3018--USDA implementation of New Restrictions on 
Lobbying. Imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and 
certification related to lobbying on recipients of Federal contracts, 
grants, cooperative agreements, and loans.
    7 CFR Part 3019--USDA implementation of OMB Circular A-110, Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions 
of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations.
    7 CFR Part 3051--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-133 
regarding audits of institutions of higher education and other 
nonprofit institutions.
    7 CFR Part 3407--CSREES procedures to implement the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.
    29 U.S.C. 794 (section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and 7 CFR 
Part 15B (USDA implementation of statute)--prohibiting discrimination 
based upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs.
    35 U.S.C. 200 et seq.--Bayh-Dole Act, controlling allocation of 
rights to inventions made by employees of small business firms and 
domestic nonprofit organizations, including universities, in Federally 
assisted programs (implementing regulations are contained in 37 CFR 
Part 401).

E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

    When a proposal results in a grant, it becomes a part of the record 
of the Agency's transactions, available to the public upon specific 
request. Information that the Secretary determines to be of a 
privileged nature will be held in confidence to the extent permitted by 
law. Therefore, any information that the applicant wishes to have 
considered as privileged should be clearly marked as such and sent in a 
separate statement, two copies of which should accompany the proposal. 
The original copy of a proposal that does not result in a grant will be 
retained by the Agency for a period of one year. Other copies will be 
destroyed. Such a proposal will be released only with the consent of 
the applicant or to the extent required by law. A proposal may be 
withdrawn at any time prior to the final action thereon.

F. Evaluation of Program

    Section 25(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1997, as amended, requires 
USDA to provide for an evaluation of the success of community food 
projects supported under this authority. All grantees shall be expected 
to assist the USDA by providing relevant information on their 
respective projects. Applicants are also encouraged to plan for their 
own internal self-assessments and evaluations to measure the 
effectiveness of each project.

    Done at Washington, D.C., this 21st day of March 1997.
B.H. Robinson,
Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-7656 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P