[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 52 (Friday, March 16, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11669-11675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05434]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 52 / Friday, March 16, 2018 / 
Notices  

[[Page 11669]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of Advocacy and Outreach

[FOA No.: OAO-012]


Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No.: 10.443--
Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers 
and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program

AGENCY: Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO), USDA.

ACTION: Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits 
applications from community-based and non-profit organizations, 
institutions of higher education, and Tribal entities to compete for 
financial assistance through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially 
Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers 
Program (hereinafter known as the ``2501 Program''). Individual 
applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria.
    Funding is being provided to eligible entities who, in partnership 
with the Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO), will conduct outreach 
initiatives and training to achieve the overall goal of the 2501 
Program--to assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and 
ranchers in owning and operating farms and ranches while increasing 
their participation in agricultural programs and services provided by 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

DATES: Only one project proposal may be submitted per eligible entity. 
Proposals must be submitted through www.grants.gov and received by May 
15, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Proposals submitted after this deadline 
will not be considered for funding.
    Two (2) teleconferences will be held during the open period of this 
announcement to answer any clarifying questions on the following dates:

March 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. EST
April 25, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. EST

    To join each session, please use the following information:

Telephone Number: 1-888-455-1685
Passcode: 7087935

Filing a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a program discrimination complaint, you may obtain a 
complaint form by sending an email to [email protected]. You or 
your authorized representative must sign the complaint form. You are 
not required to use the complaint form. You may write a letter instead. 
If you write a letter, it must contain all of the information requested 
in the form and be signed by you or your authorized representative. 
Incomplete information will delay the processing of your complaint. 
Employment civil rights complaints will not be accepted through this 
email address.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email:
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410. 
Fax: (202) 690-7442. E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, 
Attn: Kenya Nicholas, Program Director, J.L. Whitten Building, Room 
520-A, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 
720-6350. Fax: (202) 720-7704. Email: [email protected].
    Persons With Disabilities: Persons who require alternative means 
for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). 
Additionally, alternative means for submissions due to disability 
status will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Funding/Awards: The total funding potentially available for this 
competitive opportunity is $8.4 million. The OAO will award new grants 
from this announcement, subject to availability of funds and the 
quality of applications received. All applications will be considered 
new projects and applicants will compete based on their organization's 
entity type (e.g., nonprofit organization, higher education 
institution), as described below. The maximum amount of requested 
federal funding for projects shall not exceed $200,000. The maximum 
project period is one (1) year. Projects that are part of multi-year 
initiatives will only be funded for 1 year. Eligible entities may apply 
each new funding cycle with a new project proposal provided that: (a) 
Activities and associated costs do not overlap with projects awarded in 
previous years; and (b) recipients are current and compliant with 
existing financial and progress reporting. The progress of existing 
projects, along with the percentage of funds used to date, may impact 
funding decisions.
    Funding will be awarded based on peer competition within the three 
categories described below along with the amount of anticipated funding 
for each category. The OAO reserves discretion to allocate funding 
between the three categories based upon the number and quality of 
applications received. Funding will be awarded based on peer 
competition within the three categories. There is no commitment by the 
OAO to fund any particular application or to select a specific number 
of recipients within each category.
    1. Category #1: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.2, 
III.A.3, and III.A.4 (1890 Land Grant colleges and universities, 1994 
Alaska Native and American Indian Tribal colleges and universities, and 
Hispanic-Serving Institutions of higher education).
    2. Category #2: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.1 and 
III.A.6 (i.e., nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, 
including a network or a coalition of community-based organizations, 
Indian Tribes (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 450b), and National Tribal 
organizations).
    3. Category #3: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.5 and 
III.A.7 (i.e., all other institutions of higher education including 
1862 colleges, nonprofit organizations without a 501(c)(3) status 
certification from the IRS, and other organizations or institutions, 
including those that received funding under this program before January 
1, 1996).

Contents of This Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility Information
IV. Proposal and Submission Information
V. Application Review Information

[[Page 11670]]

VI. Award Administration Information

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background

    The OAO is committed to ensuring that socially disadvantaged and 
veteran farmers and ranchers are able to equitably participate in USDA 
programs. Differences in demographics, culture, economics, and other 
factors preclude a single approach to identifying solutions that can 
benefit our underserved farmers and ranchers. Community-based and non-
profit organizations, higher education institutions, and eligible 
Tribal entities can play a critical role in addressing the unique 
difficulties they face and can help improve their ability to start and 
maintain successful agricultural businesses. With 2501 Program funding, 
organizations can extend our outreach efforts to connect with and 
assist socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers and to 
provide them with information on available USDA resources.
    1. The 2501 Program was authorized by the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. The Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 expanded the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture (the 
Secretary) to provide awards under the program and transferred the 
administrative authority to the OAO. The Agricultural Act of 2014 
further expanded the program to include outreach and assistance to 
veterans. The 2501 Program extends USDA's capacity to work with members 
of farming and ranching communities by funding projects that enhance 
the equitable participation of socially disadvantaged and veteran 
farmers and ranchers in USDA programs. It is the OAO's intention to 
build lasting relationships between USDA, the recipient's 
organizations, and socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and 
ranchers.
    2. Only one proposal will be accepted from each organization.

B. Scope of Work

    The 2501 Program provides funding to eligible organizations for 
training and technical assistance projects designed to assist socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating 
viable agricultural enterprises. Proposals must be consistent with 
requirements stated in 7 U.S.C. 2279(a)(2). Under this statute, the 
outreach and technical assistance program funds shall be used 
exclusively:
    1. To enhance coordination of the outreach, technical assistance, 
and education efforts authorized under agriculture programs;
    2. To assist the Secretary of Agriculture in:
    a. Reaching current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers 
or ranchers and veteran farmers or ranchers in a linguistically 
appropriate manner; and
    b. improving the participation of those farmers and ranchers in 
USDA programs.
    Proposals from eligible entities must address two or more of the 
following priority areas:
    1. Assist socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers in 
owning and operating successful farms and ranches;
    2. Improve participation among socially disadvantaged or veteran 
farmers and ranchers in USDA programs;
    3. Build relationships between current and prospective farmers and 
ranchers who are socially disadvantaged or veterans and USDA's local, 
state, regional, and National offices;
    4. Introduce agriculture-related information to socially 
disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers through innovative 
training and technical assistance techniques; and
    5. Introduce agricultural education targeting socially 
disadvantaged youth, and/or socially disadvantaged beginning farmers 
and ranchers, in rural and persistent poverty communities.
    To encourage information sharing and to build capacity among 
recipients, the OAO may require Project Directors to attend an annual 
training conference that can be expensed with awarded grant funds not 
to exceed $1,000 per award for up to two authorized entity personnel. 
The conference will allow recipients, USDA officials, and other 
agriculture-related guests to share ideas and lessons learned; provide 
training on performance and financial reporting requirements; and 
provide information on USDA programs and services. In addition, Project 
Directors will have an opportunity to make contacts and gather 
information on best practices.

C. Anticipated Outputs (Activities), Outcomes (Results), and 
Performance Measures

    1. Outputs (Activities). The term ``output'' means an outreach, 
educational component, or assistance activity, task, or associated work 
product related to improving the ability of socially disadvantaged and 
veteran farmers and ranchers to own and operate farms and ranches, 
assistance with agriculture related activities, or guidance for 
participation in USDA programs. Outputs may be quantitative or 
qualitative but must be measurable during the period of performance.
    Examples of outputs from the projects to be funded under this 
announcement may describe an organization's activities and their 
participants such as: Number of workshops or meetings held and number 
of participants attending; frequency of services or training delivered; 
and to whom and/or development of products, curriculum, or resources 
provided. Other examples include but are not limited to the following:
    a. Number of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers or ranchers 
served;
    b. number of conferences or training sessions held and number of 
socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers who attended;
    c. type and topic of educational materials distributed at outreach 
events;
    d. creation of a program to enhance the operational viability of 
socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers;
    e. number of completed applications submitted for consideration for 
USDA programs; or
    f. activity that supports increased participation of socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers in 
USDA programs.
    Progress and Financial Reports will be required, as specified in 
Section VI, Subsection D, ``Reporting Requirement.''
    2. Outcomes (Results). The term ``outcome'' means the difference or 
effect that has occurred as a result from carrying out an activity, 
workshop, meeting, or from delivery of services related to a 
programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes refer to the final impact, 
change, or result that occurs as a direct result of the activities 
performed in accomplishing the objectives and goals of your project. 
Outcomes may refer to results that are agricultural, behavioral, 
social, or economic in nature. Outcomes may reflect an increase in 
knowledge or skills, a greater awareness of available resources or 
programs, or actions taken by stakeholders as a result of learning.
    Project Directors will be required to document anticipated outcomes 
that are funded under this announcement which should include but are 
not limited to:
    a. Increase in participation in USDA programs among socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers;
    b. increase in receptiveness of socially disadvantaged and veteran 
farmers and ranchers to outreach efforts through effective 
communication;
    c. increase in economic stability of socially disadvantaged and 
veteran

[[Page 11671]]

farmers and ranchers within a defined geographic area;
    d. increase in community marketing and sales opportunities for the 
products of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers; or
    e. increased use of resource conservation and sustainability 
practices among socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and 
ranchers.
    3. Performance Measures. Performance measures are tied to the goals 
or objectives of each activity and ultimately the overall purpose of 
the project. They provide insight into the effectiveness of proposed 
activities by indicating areas where a project may need adjustments to 
ensure success. Applicants must develop performance measure 
expectations which will occur as a result of their proposed activities. 
These expectations will be used as a mechanism to track the progress 
and success of a project. Project performance measures should include 
statements such as: Whether workshops or technical assistance will meet 
the needs of farmers or ranchers in the service area and why; how much 
time will be spent in group training or individual hands-on training of 
farmers and ranchers in the service area; or whether activities will 
meet the demands of stakeholders. Project performance measures must 
include the assumptions used to make those estimates.
    Consider the following questions when developing performance 
measurement statements:
     What is the measurable short-term and long-term impact the 
project will have on servicing or meeting the needs of stakeholders?
     How will the organization measure the effectiveness and 
efficiency of their proposed activities to meet their overall goals and 
objectives?

II. Award Information

A. Statutory Authority

    The statutory authority for this action is 7 U.S.C. 2279, as 
amended, which authorizes award funding for projects designed to 
provide outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged and veteran 
farmers and ranchers.

B. Expected Amount of Funding

    The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards 
under this competitive opportunity is $8.4 million.

C. Project Period

    The performance period for projects selected from this solicitation 
will not begin prior to the effective award date. The maximum project 
period is one (1) year. Projects that are part of multi-year 
initiatives will only be funded for 1 year.

D. Award Type

    Funding for selected projects will be in the form of a grant which 
must be fully executed no later than September 30, 2018. The 
anticipated Federal involvement will be limited to the following 
activities:
    1. Approval of recipients' final budget and statement of work 
accompanying the grant agreement;
    2. Monitoring of recipients' performance through quarterly and 
final financial and performance reports; and
    3. Evaluation of recipients' use of federal funds through desk 
audits and on-site visits.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Entities

    1. Any community-based organization, network, or coalition of 
community-based organizations that:
     Demonstrates experience in providing agricultural 
education or other agricultural-related services to socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers;
     provides documentary evidence of work with, and on behalf 
of, socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers during the 
3-year period preceding the submission of a proposal for assistance 
under this program; and
     does not or has not engaged in activities prohibited under 
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    2. An 1890 or 1994 institution of higher education (as defined in 7 
U.S.C. 7601).
    3. An American Indian Tribal community college or an Alaska Native 
cooperative college.
    4. A Hispanic-serving Institution of higher education (as defined 
in 7 U.S.C. 3103).
    5. Any other institution of higher education (as defined in 20 
U.S.C. 1001) that has demonstrated experience in providing agricultural 
education or other agricultural-related services to socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
    6. An Indian Tribe (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304) or a national 
tribal organization that has demonstrated experience in providing 
agricultural education or other agriculturally-related services to 
socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
    7. All other organizations or institutions that received funding 
under this program before January 1, 1996, but only with respect to 
projects that the Secretary considers similar to projects previously 
carried out by the entity under this program.

B. Cost-Sharing or Matching

    Matching is not required for this program.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

    Applications from eligible entities that meet all criteria will be 
evaluated as follows:
    1. Proposals must comply with the submission instructions and 
requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement. Pages in 
excess of the page limitation will not be considered.
    2. Proposals must be received through www.grants.gov as specified 
in Section IV of this announcement on or before the proposal submission 
deadline. Applicants will receive an electronic confirmation receipt of 
their proposal from www.grants.gov.
    3. Proposals received after the submission deadline will not be 
considered. Please note that in order to submit proposals, 
organizations must create accounts in www.grants.gov and in the System 
for Awards Management (SAM.gov); both of which could take up to 3 days 
or longer. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that organizations begin 
this process immediately. Registering early could prevent unforeseen 
delays in submitting your proposal.
    4. Proposals must address a minimum of two or more of the priority 
areas that provide outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged or 
veteran farmers and ranchers as stated in Section I, Subsection B, 
Scope of Work.
    5. Incomplete or partial applications will not be eligible for 
consideration.

IV. Proposal and Submission Information

A. System for Award Management (SAM)

    It is a requirement to register for SAM (www.sam.gov). There is NO 
fee to register for this site.
    Per 2 CFR part 200, applicants are required to: (1) Be registered 
in SAM prior to submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique 
entity identifier in the application; and (3) continue to maintain an 
active SAM registration with current information at all times during 
which the organization has an active Federal award or an application or 
plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The OAO may not 
make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied 
with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements.

[[Page 11672]]

If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the 
time the OAO is ready to make a Federal award, OAO may determine that 
the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that 
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
applicant.
    SAM contains the publicly available data for all active exclusion 
records entered by the Federal Government identifying those parties 
excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and 
certain types of Federal financial and non-financial assistance and 
benefits. All applicant organizations and their key personnel will be 
vetted through SAM.gov to ensure they are in compliance with this 
requirement and not on the Excluded Parties List. Organizations 
identified as having delinquent Federal debt may contact the Treasury 
Offset Program at (800) 304-3107 for instructions on resolution, but 
will not be awarded a 2501 Program grant prior to resolution.

B. Obtain Proposal Package From www.grants.gov

    Applicants may download individual grant proposal forms from 
www.grants.gov. For assistance with www.grants.gov, please consult the 
Applicant User Guide at http://grants.gov/assets/ApplicantUserGuide.pdf.
    Applicants are required to submit proposals through www.grants.gov. 
Applicants will be required to register through www.grants.gov in order 
to begin the proposal submission process. We strongly suggest you 
initiate this process immediately to avoid processing delays due to 
registration requirements.
    Federal agencies post funding opportunities on www.grants.gov. The 
OAO is not responsible for submission issues associated with 
www.grants.gov. If you experience submission issues, please contact 
www.grants.gov support staff for assistance.
    Proposals must be submitted by May 15, 2018, via www.grants.gov at 
11:59 p.m. EST. Proposals received after this deadline will not be 
considered.

C. Content of Proposal Package Submission

    All submissions must contain completed and electronically signed 
original application forms, as well as a Project Summary, Project 
Narrative, and a Budget Narrative as described below:
    1. Forms and documents. The forms listed below can be found in the 
proposal package at www.grants.gov and must be submitted with all 
applications. Required forms are provided as fillable PDF templates. 
Applicants must download and complete these forms and submit them in 
the application submission portal at www.grants.gov. PDF documents 
listed below are documents the applicant must create in Word format and 
then submit in PDF format.

 Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance
 Standard Form (SF) 424A, Budget Information-Non-Construction 
Programs
 Standard Form (SF) 424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
 Key Contacts Form (please provide first, middle, and last 
names)
 PDF document of 1-Page Project Summary
 PDF document of Project Narrative
 PDF document of Budget Narrative
 Form AD-3031, Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax 
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants

    Please note, additional forms will be required from organizations 
being awarded the 2501 Grant.
    2. Attachments. The attachments listed below are required for all 
proposals and must be included in the proposal package at 
www.grants.gov. Attachment 1 will consist of the Project Summary Page 
and the Project Narrative. Attachment 2 will consist of the Budget 
Narrative. Please submit the summary and narratives in PDF format to 
preserve the content and formatting. Attachment 3 will consist of 
Appendices.

    Note: Number each page of each attachment and indicate the total 
number of pages per attachment (i.e., 1 of 15, 2 of 15, etc.). DO 
NOT PASSWORD PROTECT ANY OF YOUR SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS. Documents that 
are password protected cannot be viewed by the OAO staff or members 
of the Independent Review Panel.

     Attachment 1: Project Summary Page. The proposal must 
contain a Project Summary Page, which should not be numbered and must 
follow immediately after the SF Form 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance form. The Project Summary Page is limited to 250 words. It 
should be a synopsis or summary of the project's goals and objectives. 
It should be written as a CONCISE notice or advertisement about your 
organization, including your organization's name; name of your project; 
two or three sentences describing your project; the project's 
geographic service area; and the Project Director's name, email 
address, and telephone number. No points will be given or subtracted 
for the Project Summary Page. This will allow the OAO to quickly glean 
pertinent information on the project. Organizations can expect that the 
Project Summary Page may be used in its entirety or in part for media 
purposes to include press releases, informational emails to potential 
stakeholders or partners, to provide upper echelons of government with 
a snapshot of an organization, and for demographic purposes. Please do 
not restate the objectives of the 2501 Program (i.e. ``to provide 
outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers 
and veterans farmers and ranchers''); it should reflect the goal of 
your specific project.
     Attachment 1: Project Narrative. In 15 double-spaced pages 
or less, using 1-inch margins and 12-point font, indicate the 
organization that will conduct the project, the geographical area 
served by the project, and the priority areas that will be addressed by 
the project. Please be concise. Note: Members of the review panel will 
not be required to review proposals from organizations that have 
deviated from these formatting specifications.
    [cir] Discuss the merits of your proposed project. Specifically, 
proposals must: (1) Define and establish the existence of the needs of 
socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and 
ranchers, or both in the defined geographic area; (2) identify the 
experience of the organization(s) taking part in the project; (3) 
identify the names of organizations that will be your partners in the 
project, if any; (4) identify the geographic area of service; and (5) 
discuss the potential impact of the project.
    [cir] Identify the qualifications, relevant experience, education, 
and publications of each Project Director or collaborator. Also, 
specifically address the work to be completed by key personnel and the 
roles and responsibilities within the scope of the proposed project. 
This includes past completed projects and financial management 
experiences.
    [cir] In an organized format, create a timeline for each task to be 
accomplished during the period of performance timeframe. Relate each 
task to one of the five priority areas in Section I, Subsection B. The 
timeline is part of the 15 page limit but can be as simple as a one-
page description of tasks.
    Attachment 2: Budget Narrative. The Budget Narrative should 
identify and describe the costs associated with the proposed project, 
including sub-awards or contracts and indirect costs. An eligible 
entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate may 
elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent

[[Page 11673]]

maximum of total direct costs in accordance with 2 CFR 200.414(f).
    Organizations with previously approved indirect cost rates must 
submit their Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) with this 
application in Attachment 3. All submitted NICRA agreements must be 
CURRENT. Other funding sources may also be identified in this 
attachment. Each cost indicated must be reasonable, allocable, 
necessary, and allowable under the Federal Cost Principles (2 CFR part 
200, subpart E-Cost Principles) in order to be funded. The Budget 
Narrative should not exceed two pages and is not part of the Project 
Narrative.
     Attachment 3: Appendices. Organizations may submit 
abbreviated Articles of Incorporation for recently established 
organizations (must have been established at least 3 years prior to 
this application); r[eacute]sum[eacute]s for key personnel; Letters of 
Commitment; Letters of Intent, Partnership Agreements, or Memoranda of 
Understanding with partner organizations; Letters of Support; 501(c)(3) 
certification from the IRS, or other supporting documentation which is 
encouraged but not required. Applicants can consolidate all 
supplemental materials into one additional attachment. Do not include 
sections from other attachments as an Appendix.
    Checklist of documents to submit through www.grants.gov:
    1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

    Note: Ensure this is completed with accuracy; particularly email 
addresses and phone numbers. The OAO may not be able to reach you if 
your information is incorrect.

    2. Project Summary Page (no more than 250 words)
    3. Project Narrative including a timeline (no more than 15 pages, 
12 point font, and 1 inch margins only)

    Note: To ensure fairness and uniformity for all applicants, 
Project Narratives not conforming to this stipulation may not be 
considered.

    4. SF-424A, Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs
    5. SF 424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
    6. Budget Narrative (not to exceed 2 pages)
    7. Key Contacts Form (include the Project Director/Manager and 
Financial Representative). Provide first, middle, and last names.

    Note: Please ensure this form is completed with accuracy. 
Individuals not listed on an applicants' Key Contact Form will not 
receive information about or access to data that concerns the 
applicant organization.

    8. R[eacute]sum[eacute]s of key personnel, current Negotiated 
Indirect Cost Rate Agreements, Partnership Agreements, Letters of 
Intent, Support, or Recommendation, proof of 501(c)(3) status (if 
applicable), etc.
    Best practice notes:
     Complete the following as soon as possible:
    (1) Obtain a registered DUNs number.
    (2) Register and maintain an active System for Award Management 
(SAMs) account.
    (3) Register in www.grants.gov.
     Only submit Adobe PDF file format documents to 
www.grants.gov to preserve content and formatting.
     Name your documents with short titles to prevent issues 
with uploading/downloading documents from www.grants.gov. Documents 
with long names may not always upload/download properly.
     Do not password protect any submitted forms or documents.
     Ensure all the information on your SF-424 Application and 
Key Contact forms are correct. Include first, middle, and last names on 
Key Contact forms.
    Where to Upload Attachments on Your Application. There are three 
blocks on the application where you may upload attachments:
     On block 14, click on ``Add Attachment'' to upload your 
Project Summary and Project Narrative.
     In the section that reads ``Budget Narrative File(s)'', 
type in the ``Mandatory Budget Narrative Filename''. Just below the 
file name, click on ``Add Mandatory Budget Narrative'' to upload your 
Budget Narrative.
     After block 15, click on ``Add Attachments'' to add all 
your supporting documents (r[eacute]sum[eacute]s, Partnership 
Agreements, Letters of Support, etc.).

D. Sub-Awards and Partnerships

    Funding may be used to provide sub-awards, which includes using 
sub-awards to fund partnerships; however, the recipient must utilize at 
least 50 percent of the total funds awarded, and no more than three 
subcontracts will be permitted. All sub-awardees must comply with 
applicable requirements for sub-awards. Applicants must provide 
documentation of a competitive bidding process for services, contracts, 
and products, including consultant contracts, and conduct cost and 
price analyses to the extent required by applicable procurement 
regulations.
    The OAO awards funds to one eligible applicant as the recipient. 
Please indicate a lead applicant as the responsible party if other 
organizations are named as partners or co-applicants or members of a 
coalition or consortium. The recipient will be held accountable to the 
OAO for the proper administrative requirements and expenditure of all 
funds.

E. Submission Dates and Times

    The closing date and time for receipt of proposal submissions is 
May 15, 2018, at 11:59 p.m., EST, via www.grants.gov. Proposals 
received after the submission deadline will be considered late without 
further consideration. Proposals must be submitted through 
www.grants.gov without exception. Additionally, organizations must also 
be registered in the SAM (www.sam.gov). Creating an account for both 
websites can take several days to receive account verification and/or 
PIN numbers. Please allow sufficient time to complete access 
requirements for these websites. The proposal submission deadline is 
firm.

F. Confidential Information

    In accordance with 2 CFR part 200, the names of entities submitting 
proposals, as well as proposal contents and evaluations, will be kept 
confidential to the extent permissible by law. Any information that the 
applicant wishes to have considered as confidential, privileged, or 
proprietary should be clearly marked as such in the proposal. If an 
applicant chooses to include confidential or proprietary information in 
the proposal, it will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by 
law.

G. Pre-Submission Proposal Assistance

    1. The OAO may not assist individual applicants by reviewing draft 
proposals or providing advice on how to respond to evaluation criteria. 
However, the OAO will respond to questions from individual applicants 
regarding eligibility criteria, administrative issues related to the 
submission of the proposal, and requests for clarification regarding 
the announcement. Any questions should be submitted to 
[email protected].
    2. The OAO will post questions and answers relating to this funding 
opportunity during its open period on the Frequently Asked Questions 
(FAQs) section of our website: http://www.outreach.usda.gov/grants/. 
The OAO will update the FAQs on a weekly basis and conduct webinars on 
an as-needed basis.
    3. Please visit our website at: https://www.outreach.usda.gov/grants/index.htm to review the most recent Terms and Conditions for 
receiving an award as it provides additional information pertaining to 
the OAO

[[Page 11674]]

awards. This version is subject to change upon new program 
requirements.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

    Only eligible entities whose proposals meet the threshold criteria 
in Section III of this announcement will be reviewed according to the 
evaluation criteria set forth below. Applicants should explicitly and 
fully address these criteria as part of their proposal package. Each 
proposal will be reviewed under the regulations established under 2 CFR 
part 200.
    A review panel that is independent of OAO will use a point system 
to rate each proposal, awarding a maximum of 100 points (90 points, 
plus an additional 10 discretionary points for programmatic 
priorities). Each proposal will be reviewed by at least two members of 
the Independent Review Panel who will review and score all applications 
submitted. The Independent Review Panel will numerically score and rank 
each application within the three categories and funding decisions will 
be based on their recommendations to the designated approving official. 
Final funding decisions will be made by the designated approving 
official.

B. Evaluation Criteria for New Grants Proposals

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Criteria                              Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Project Narrative: Under this criterion, your                      40
 proposal will be evaluated to the extent to which the
 narrative includes a well-conceived strategy for
 addressing the requirements and objectives stated in
 Section I, Part B, Scope of Work, (see page 5, Project
 Narrative, for further clarification) identifying a
 minimum of two or more of the priority areas...........
In addition, the OAO may award up to 10 discretionary                 10
 points (two (2) points each) for the following:
     Projects assisting beginning farmers and
     ranchers (as defined in 7 U.S.C. 3319f);
     Projects to assist states/communities
     identified as persistent poverty;
     Projects located in rural areas; and
     Projects with an emphasis on partnering
     with other nonprofits, Federal, state, and local
     entities to maximize areas of coverage for outreach
     (i.e., research, small and beginning farmers, and
     feeding programs, etc.)
     Projects leveraging funding from other
     Federal, state, and local entities, to maximize
     funding for outreach (i.e., research, small and
     beginning farmers, and feeding programs, etc.)
2. Programmatic Capability: Under this criterion,                     10
 applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to
 successfully complete and manage the proposed project
 taking into account the applicant's: Organizational
 experience, its staff's expertise and/or
 qualifications, and the organization's resources. The
 organization must also clearly document its historical
 successes and future plans to continue assisting
 socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers
3. Financial Management Experience: Under this                         5
 criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on their
 demonstrated ability to successfully complete and
 manage the proposed project taking into account the
 applicants' past performance in successfully completing
 and managing prior funding agreements identified,
 Section I, Part C, Performance Measures (see page 8).
 Past performance documentation on successfully
 completed projects may be at the Federal, state, or
 local community level. Per 2 CFR 200.205, if an
 applicant is a prior recipient of Federal awards, their
 record in managing that award will be reviewed,
 including timeliness of compliance with applicable
 reporting requirements and conformance to the terms and
 conditions of previous Federal awards..................
4. Budget: Under this criterion, proposed project budget              15
 will be evaluated to determine whether costs are
 reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary to
 accomplish the proposed goals and objectives; and
 whether the proposed budget provides a detailed
 breakdown of the approximate funding used for each
 major activity. Additionally, indirect costs must be
 appropriately applied (see page 14). For a list of
 unallowable costs, please see 2 CFR Part 200, subpart E
5. Tracking and Measuring: Under this criterion, the                  20
 applicant's proposal will be evaluated based upon
 clearly documenting a detailed plan for tracking and
 measuring their progress toward achieving the expected
 project outputs and outcomes as stated in Section I,
 Part C, Performance Measures (see page 7). Applicants
 should indicate how they intend to clearly document the
 effectiveness of their project in achieving proposed
 thresholds or benchmarks in relation to stated goals
 and objectives. For example, state how your
 organization plans to connect socially disadvantaged
 and veteran farmers and ranchers with USDA agricultural
 programs. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they
 will ensure timely and successful completion of the
 project with a reasonable time schedule for execution
 of the tasks associated with the projects..............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Selection of Reviewers

    All applications will be reviewed by members of an Independent 
Review Panel. Panel members are selected based upon training and 
experience in relevant fields including outreach, technical assistance, 
cooperative extension services, civil rights, education, statistical, 
and ethnographic data collection and analysis, and agricultural 
programs, and are drawn from a diverse group of experts to create a 
balanced panel.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

Proposal Notifications and Feedback
    1. The successful applicant will be notified by the OAO via 
telephone, email, and/or postal mail. The notification will advise the 
applicant that its proposed project has been evaluated and recommended 
for award. The notification will be sent to the Project Manager listed 
on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Project Managers 
should be the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) and 
authorized to sign on behalf of the organization. It is imperative that 
this individual is responsive to notifications by the OAO. If the 
individual is no longer in the position, please notify the OAO 
immediately to submit the new contact for the application by updating 
your organization's Key Contact form and forwarding a 
r[eacute]sum[eacute] of the new key personnel. The award notice will be 
forwarded to the recipient for execution and must be returned to the 
OAO Director, who is the authorizing official. Once grant documents are 
executed by all parties, authorization to begin work will be given. At 
a minimum, this process can take up to 30 days from the date of 
notification.
    2. The OAO will also send notification to unsuccessful applicants 
via email or postal mail. The notification will be sent to the Project 
Manager listed on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. 
Project Managers should be the AOR.
    3. Within 10 days of award status notification, unsuccessful 
applicants may request feedback on their application. Feedback will be 
provided as expeditiously as possible. Feedback sessions will be 
scheduled contingent upon the number of requests and in accordance with 
7 CFR 2500.026.

[[Page 11675]]

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    All awards resulting from this solicitation will be administered in 
accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards codified at 2 CFR part 200, as supplemented by USDA 
implementing regulations at 2 CFR parts 400 and 415, and OAO Federal 
Financial Assistance Programs--General Award Administrative Procedures, 
7 CFR part 2500.
    In compliance with its obligations under Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166, it is the policy of the 
OAO to provide timely and meaningful access for persons with Limited 
English Proficiency (LEP) to projects, programs, and activities 
administered by Federal grant recipients. Recipient organizations must 
comply with these obligations upon acceptance of grant agreements as 
written in OAO's Terms and Conditions. Following these guidelines is 
essential to the success of our mission to improve access to USDA 
programs for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.

C. Data Universal Numbering System, System for Award Management, and 
www.grants.gov.

    In accordance with the Federal Funding Accountability and 
Transparency Act (FFATA) and the USDA implementation, all applicants 
must obtain and provide an identifying number from Dun and Bradstreet's 
(D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS). Applicants can receive a 
DUNS number, at no cost, by calling the toll-free DUNS number request 
line at (866) 705-5711, or visiting the D&B website at www.dnb.com.
    In addition, FFATA requires applicants to register with the System 
for Award Management (SAM). This registration must be maintained and 
updated annually. Applicants can register or update their profile, at 
no cost, by visiting the SAM website at www.sam.gov. This is a 
requirement to register for www.grants.gov.
    All applicants must register for an account on www.grants.gov in 
order to submit their application. There is no cost for registration. 
All applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov. This website 
is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, not OAO. 
Many Federal agencies use this website to post Funding Opportunity 
Announcements (FOA). Please click on the ``Support'' tab to contact 
their customer support personnel for help with submitting your 
application.

D. Reporting Requirement

    In accordance with 2 CFR part 200, the following reporting 
requirements will apply to awards provided under this FOA. The OAO 
reserves the right to revise the schedule and format of reporting 
requirements as necessary in the award agreement.
    1. Quarterly Progress Reports and Financial Reports will be 
required.
     Quarterly Progress Reports. The recipient must submit the 
most current OMB-approved Performance Progress Report form (SF-PPR). 
For each report, the recipient must complete fields 1 through 12 of the 
SF-PPR. To complete field 10, the recipient is required to provide a 
detailed narrative of project performance and activities as an 
attachment, as described in the award agreement. Quarterly progress 
reports must be submitted to the designated OAO official within 30 days 
after the end of each calendar quarter.
     Quarterly Financial Reports. The recipient must submit SF 
425, Federal Financial Report. For each report, the recipient must 
complete both the Federal Cash Transaction Report and the Financial 
Status Report sections of the SF-425. Quarterly financial reports must 
be submitted to the designated OAO official within 30 days after the 
end of each calendar quarter.
    2. Final Progress and Financial Reports will be required upon 
project completion. This report should include a summary of the project 
or activity throughout the funding period, achievements of the project 
or activity, and a discussion of overall successes and issues 
experienced in conducting the project or project activities. The final 
Financial Report should consist of a complete SF-425 indicating the 
total costs of the project. Final Progress and Financial Reports must 
be submitted to the designated OAO official within 90 days after the 
completion of the award period as follows:
    3.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Report                             Performance period            Due date      Grace period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form SF-425, Federal Financial Report and       October thru December...........      12/30/2018       1/30/2019
 Progress Report (Due Quarterly).               January thru March..............       3/30/2019       4/30/2019
                                                April thru June.................       6/30/2019       7/30/2019
                                                July thru September.............       9/30/2019      10/30/2019
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
Final Progress and Financial Reports (Due            Earlier of December 30, 2019, or 90 days after project
 Quarterly).                                                               completion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Dates subject to change at the discretion of OAO.


    Signed this 12th day of March 2018.
Christian Obineme,
Acting Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
[FR Doc. 2018-05434 Filed 3-15-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P