[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19430-19437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9820]
[[Page 19429]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part III
Department of Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
_______________________________________________________________________
Request for Proposals: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants
Program; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 75 / Tuesday, April 20, 1999 /
Notices
[[Page 19430]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
Request for Proposals: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants
Program
AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Announcement of availability of grant funds and request for
proposals (RFP) for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants
Program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 RFP sets out the objectives for these projects, the
eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application
procedures. Proposals are requested for projects designed to increase
food security in a community (termed Community Food Projects).
This RFP contains the entire set of instructions needed to apply
for a Fiscal Year (FY) 1999 Community Food Projects Competitive Grants
Program (CFPCGP) grant.
DATES: APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE June 4, 1999. (See
PART IV--SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSAL below for information on where and
when to submit an application.) Proposals received after June 4, 1999
will be returned without review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mark R. Bailey, Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, STOP 2241, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250-2241; telephone: (202) 401-1898; Internet: [email protected].,
or Dr. Elizabeth Tuckermanty, Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 2240, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2240, telephone: (202)
205-0241; 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. Evaluation Criteria
Part VI--Supplementary Information
A. Access to 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
G. Stakeholder Input
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 FY 1999,
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 a
multi-purpose community food project.
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 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, director, 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 Community Food Project which is
intended and designed to accomplish the purpose of the program 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 third party in-kind
contributions.
(11) Prior approval means written approval evidencing prior consent
by an authorized departmental officer as defined in (2) above.
(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 program, the term private nonprofit
organization excludes public entities, including State, local, and
Federally recognized Indian tribal governments.
(13) Project means the particular activity within the scope of the
program supported by a grant award.
(14) 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.
[[Page 19431]]
(15) Project period means the period, as stated in the award
document and modifications thereto, if any, during which Federal
sponsorship begins and ends.
(16) 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, and who evaluate eligible
proposals submitted to this program in their personal and professional
area(s) of expertise.
(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 benefitting and specifically identifiable to a
funded project or program.
C. Eligibility
Grantees under the CFPCGP are statutorily limited to 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 with
public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit entities. However, no
more than one-third of an award for a Community Food Project may be
subawarded to a for-profit organization or firm.
To be eligible for a Community Food Project grant, a private
nonprofit applicant must meet three requirements:
(1) Have experience in the area of:
(a) Community food work that involves the provision of food to low-
income people and familiarity with developing new markets in low-income
communities to enhance their access to fresher, more nutritious foods;
and/or
(b) Job training and business development activities for food-
related activities in low-income communities to increase the potential
for long-term sustainability in the food security project being
proposed;
(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 commitment and willingness to share information
with researchers, evaluators, practitioners, and other interested
parties.
Successful applicants will be required to attend an evaluation
training meeting and should include in their budget request funding for
travel to Washington, D.C. for two persons to attend a two to three day
meeting. More information will be provided once successful applicants
are identified.
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 and/or other appropriate
professionals, and to involve other relevant community-based
organizations and local government entities, as they plan for and then
develop proposals that serve the mutual interests that support
community food security projects.
Part II--Program Description
A. Purpose and Scope of the Program
Proposals are invited for competitive grant awards under the CFPCGP
for FY 1999. 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.
Community Food Projects are intended to take a comprehensive
approach to developing long-term solutions to an identified community
food need 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.
B. Available Funds and Award Limitations
The amount of funds available in FY 1999 for support of grant
awards under this program is approximately $2,400,000. Applicants
should request a budget commensurate with the project proposed.
However, due to the effort required to properly evaluate proposals,
USDA strongly urges that the Federal funds requested for a Community
Food Project not be less than $10,000.
The spirit 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, the grant term may not exceed three years for any one
project. A Community Food 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. 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
Federal funds requested must be matched, at a minimum, on a dollar-
for-dollar basis.
Successful applicants must provide matching funds, either in cash
and/or third party in-kind, amounting to at least 50 percent of the
total cost of the project (i.e., an amount equal to or greater than the
amount of Federal funds being requested) during the term of the grant
award as provided by
[[Page 19432]]
section 25(e) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977. The Federal share of the
project costs can be no more than 50 percent of the total.
Grantees may provide for the non-Federal share through cash and/or
third party 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. Examples of matching funds include
direct costs such as: Rent for office space used exclusively for the
funded project; duplication or postage costs; and staff time from an
entity other than the applicant for job training or nutrition
education.
Part III--Preparation of a Proposal
A. Program Application Materials
Program application materials will be made available to interested
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. To obtain program
application materials, please contact the Proposal Services Unit;
Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400
Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2245; Telephone: (202)
401-5048. When contacting the Proposal Services Unit, please indicate
that you are requesting application materials for the FY 1999 Community
Food Projects Competitive Grants Program.
Application materials may also be requested via Internet by sending
a message with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and telephone
number to [email protected] that states that you wish to receive a copy
of the application materials for the FY 1999 Community Food Projects
Competitive Grants Program. The materials will then be mailed to you
(not e-mailed) as quickly as possible. You may also download this RFP
and the application forms by contacting the agency home page at
www.reeusda.gov, and clicking on ``Funding Opportunities,'' that brings
up ``All Funding Opportunities,'' and then click on ``Community Food
Projects 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
regardless of whether it is single or double spaced. Use an easily
readable font face (e.g., Geneva, Helvetica, CG Times). Once accepted
for review, your proposal will be read by at least three expert
reviewers. Thus it is to your advantage to ensure that your proposal is
not difficult to read.
(b) Each page of the proposal, including the Project Summary,
budget pages, required forms, and 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 in
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''. 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 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) Table of Contents
For ease in locating information, each proposal must contain a
detailed table of contents just after the Cover Page. The Table of
Contents should include page numbers for each component of the
proposal. Page numbers, shown in the top right corner, should begin
with the first page of the project summary.
(4) 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.
(5) Project Narrative
PLEASE NOTE: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 10 pages. This
maximum has been established to ensure fair and equitable competition.
Reviewers are instructed that they need to read only the first 10 pages
of the Project Narrative and to ignore information on additional pages.
The Project Narrative must repeat and answer each of the following
eight questions ((a) through (h) below):
(a) What is the community and the need(s) to be served by the
proposed project? This part of the narrative lays the foundation as to
the significance of the proposed project.
Succinctly describe critical elements of 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.
(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? This information will inform the reviewers on the extent
to which the community is involved.
Include a description of the relevant experience of the
organizations, including the applicant organization, that will be
involved, and any project history. Letters from the organizations
involved acknowledging their support and contributions must be provided
in an appendix to the proposal. Letters specifying the type and amount
of support, where appropriate, are strongly encouraged, for this
provides evidence of community involvement. Proposals should
demonstrate extensive community linkages and coalitions.
(c) What are the goals or purposes to be achieved by the proposed
project?
[[Page 19433]]
List these goals and/or purposes of the project and a justification
for the goals in terms of the needs stated above.
(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 objectives 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 toward each
of these three objectives? How will you assess whether or to what
degree the project achieves these 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 objective (i), increase employment and
the income of farmers (addresses objective (ii), and reduce the extent
of poor nutrition among low-income residents (addresses objective
(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.
Community Food Project proposals should contain a strong evaluation
component. Innovative evaluation strategies are especially encouraged.
Evaluations should focus on the measurement of success in meeting the
major objectives of the CFPCGP. As required by the statute, a national
evaluation of the CFPCGP is being planned. Additional information on
how the evaluation process will affect projects funded under the
program will be provided in the future.
Through CFPCGP project operations and an evaluation of them, USDA
also hopes to learn more about what happens to make such projects
succeed, 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) Development of innovative linkages and coalitions between
two or more sectors of the food system;
(ii) support for entrepreneurial and job-training projects; and
(iii) encouragement of both short-term and long-term planning
activities that encompass many agencies and organizations with
different food security interests and missions in order to promote
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 the outline of a 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 Community Food Project to advance local
capacity-building and deliver sustainability.
(6) Supplementary Considerations
In drafting the project narrative, applicants should keep in mind
the intent of the program. Proposed projects should seek solutions
rather than be focused 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 previously 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. 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 information sharing, 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 efforts; connecting the low-income urban consumer with the
rural food 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
USDA and other Federal initiatives include farmers' markets; USDA's
Office of Sustainable Development and Small Farms; USDA and U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development designated Empowerment
Zones, Enterprise Communities; and the AmeriCorps National Service
Program (a potential source of staff support for Community Food
Projects).
Applicants should also recognize the role played by food and
nutrition assistance programs administered by USDA and may want to
discuss in their proposals the utilization of these programs by the
community and the connection to the proposed Community Food Project.
These programs include: the Food Stamp Program; child nutrition
programs such as the School Lunch, School Breakfast, Women, Infants,
and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition, Child and Adult Care Food,
and Summer Food Service Programs; and commodity distribution programs.
Applicants also should be cognizant of resources available from
other Federal programs with similar or related goals, such as the
Community Food and Nutrition Program (CFNP) and Job Opportunities for
Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program administered by the Office of
Community Services within the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
Some solutions to food access problems may come from beyond a
community's own boundaries, since most food also comes from outside.
However, 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
[[Page 19434]]
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 project should be designed to endure and outlive the one-time
infusion of government and other matching funds. Community Food
Projects should be intended 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
public, 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 their goods, thereby expanding 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 in food-related activities
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.
(7) Key Personnel
Identify the key personnel to be involved in the project, including
the project director, if known. (An organizational chart may be
included if available.) What is their relevant experience? Include
resumes or vitae that provide adequate information for proposal
reviewers to make an informed judgment as to the capabilities and
experience of the key personnel. For new positions in the project or
for positions that are currently unfilled, a job description should be
provided.
(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 three-year project, the proposal would include four
budget forms; one for each of the three years of the project and one
cumulative budget for the full three years.) A detailed line-item
breakdown of matching contributions should be submitted on separate
pages following each yearly budget and the cumulative budget. 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. Applicants must also
include a budget narrative or explanation sheet to explain and justify
their budgets.
The relative merits of each proposal are judged without initially
considering proposed budgets. Once proposals are ranked based on the
evaluation criteria, then budgets are closely examined. Thus,
applicants should attach an explanation for all budget items to the
budget form. Such information is useful to the reviewers and CSREES
staff in making final budget recommendations to the Administrator.
(b) Matching Funds. (1) Proposals should 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
third party 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) The value of applicant contributions to the project shall be
established in accordance with applicable cost principles. Applicants
should refer to OMB Circulars A-110,
[[Page 19435]]
Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other 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, 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 other
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.
(10) 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
most cases, based on previously funded projects, the preparation of
environmental data is not usually 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 the
last page of 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.
However, this rarely occurs.
Part IV--Submission of a Proposal
A. What To Submit
An original and nine copies of the complete proposal must be
submitted. Each copy of the 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 4, 1999. Proposals that are
hand-delivered, delivered by courier, or sent via overnight delivery
services must be sent or delivered to:
Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program c/o Proposal
Services Unit,
Office of Extramural Programs, USDA/CSREES, Room 303, Aerospace
Center, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, Telephone: (202) 401-
5048.
Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their
completed proposals via overnight mail or delivery services to
ensure timely receipt by the USDA.
Proposals sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be sent to the
following address: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program,
c/o Proposal Services Unit, Office of Extramural Programs, USDA/CSREES,
STOP 2245, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-2245,
Telephone: (202) 401-5048.
C. Acknowledgment of Proposals
The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing and by
e-mail, therefore applicants are encouraged to provide e-mail
addresses, where designated, on the Form CSREES-661. The 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 4, 1999. Since the
award process must be completed by September 30, 1999, 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 basic eligibility
requirements as set forth in this RFP. Proposals not meeting the
requirements as set forth in this RFP will be returned without review.
Second, each proposal that meets the eligibility requirements will be
evaluated and judged on its merits by expert reviewers.
A number of individual experts will review and evaluate each
proposal that is accepted for review basing their evaluation on the
stated criteria. The reviewers will be selected from among those
recognized as uniquely qualified by training and experience in their
respective fields to render expert advice on the merit of proposals
being reviewed. These reviewers will be drawn from a number of areas,
among them government, universities, and other pertinent entities
involved primarily in community food security organizations or
activities. The views of the individual reviewers will be used by
CSREES to determine which proposals will be recommended to the
Administrator for funding.
Proposals will be ranked relative to all those received, and
ranking will be based on how well the applicant answered the eight
questions in the Project Narrative, the potential for achieving project
goals and objectives, the extent to which appropriate community
organizations are involved, and whether, in the judgment of the
reviewers, the project will become self-sustaining. Final approval for
those proposals recommended for an award will be made by the agency
Administrator (or designee).
There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular proposal or
to make a specific number of awards. Care will be taken to avoid
actual, potential, and/or the appearance of conflicts of interest among
reviewers. Evaluations will be
[[Page 19436]]
confidential to USDA staff members, expert reviewers, and the project
director(s), to the extent permitted by law.
B. Evaluation Criteria
The evaluation of proposals will be based on the following
criteria, weighted relative to each other, and assigned a point value,
as noted in the parentheses following each criteria discussion.
(1) The degree to which the proposed project addresses the three
statutory objectives of the CFPCGP, namely (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 (25 points);
(2) The food security problem(s) being discussed, including an
informative description of the community, its characteristics, assets,
and needs (10 points);
(3) The goals and purposes of the project and how these goals will
be achieved. The Secretary, in accordance with the legislation
authorizing this program, will give preference to proposed projects
that include one or more of the following goals, which will be given
equal weight: (i) Developing linkages between two or more sectors of
the food system; (ii) supporting the development of entrepreneurial
activities as part of the proposed project; (iii) developing innovative
linkages between the for-profit and nonprofit food sectors; and (iv)
encouraging long-term planning activities and multi-system, interagency
approaches (25 points);
(4) A discussion of the organizations, including the applicant
entity, to be involved in the proposed project, highlighting their
relevant experience and extent of support. The extent to which an
applicant private, nonprofit organization can demonstrate a history of
commitment to and direct involvement in food security projects in low
income communities or in communities with low income groups is an
important evaluation element. The qualifications of staff involved with
the proposed project and/or organizational leadership should reflect
the expertise necessary to carry out the proposed activities or similar
types of activities. Experience in and connections with the community
will be considered as important as academic or professional credentials
in this regard (15 points);
(5) The viability of plans for achieving self-sufficiency with a
one-time infusion of federal funds (15 points);
(6) The strength of the proposed project's evaluation component (8
points); and
(7) The time line for accomplishing project goals and objectives (2
points).
Part VI--Supplementary Information
A. Access To Review Information
Copies of summary reviews will be sent to all applicant project
directors automatically, as soon as possible after the review process
has been completed. The identity of the individual expert reviewers
will not be provided.
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 under the
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 (parts 3015, 3016, and 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) Performance Reporting Requirements
The grantee must 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.
(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
[[Page 19437]]
director(s) are uncertain as to whether a change complies with this
provision, the question must be referred to the 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 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) 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 involve transfers or
expenditures of amounts requiring prior approval as set forth in the
applicable Federal cost principles or the Departmental regulations,
unless prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of a grant.
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--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--USDA implementation of Governmentwide Debarment and
Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-
Free Workplace (Grants).
7 CFR part 3018--USDA implementation of 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 Other Agreements With
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit
Organizations.
7 CFR part 3052--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits
of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations.
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 1977, 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 USDA by providing relevant information on their respective
projects.
Applicants need to plan for their own internal self-assessments and
evaluations to measure the effectiveness of each project.
G. Stakeholder Input
CSREES has determined that this program is not an agricultural
research, extension, or education program for the purposes of section
103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform
Act of 1998 (``1998 Act''), 7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2). Therefore, CSREES is
not required by statute to solicit stakeholder input regarding this
RFP. CSREES, however, always welcomes constructive comments from
interested parties regarding an RFP or particular program. Such
comments for this program may be sent to the contact listed in the
preamble of this notice.
Done at Washington, DC, this 14th day of April 1999.
Colien Hefferan,
Acting Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service.
[FR Doc. 99-9820 Filed 4-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P