[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 134 (Monday, July 13, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41938-41947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14321]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

[FOA No.: OPPE-014 & OPPE-016]


Funding Opportunity Announcement: Outreach and Assistance for 
Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and 
Ranchers

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

AGENCY: Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), 
Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Fiscal Years 2020 
and FY 2021.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funds for two fiscal 
years (FY 2020 and FY2021) 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 referred to as 
the ``2501 Program'').

DATES: Only one project proposal may be submitted per eligible entity. 
Proposals must be submitted through http://www.grants.gov and received 
by September 11, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Proposals submitted after 
this deadline will not be considered for funding.
    The OPPE will host at least two (2) teleconferences during the open 
period of this announcement as provided below. Additional sessions may 
be necessary to answer questions and clarify requirements. There is no 
registration required to participate.

 July 14, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. EST, Telephone Number: (877) 692-
8955, Passcode: 4438047
 July 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. EST,Telephone Number: (877) 692-
8955, Passcode: 6433267

ADDRESSES: 

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

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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 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.
    Email: [email protected].
    For Further Information, or for Programmatic Complaints, Please 
Contact: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Partnerships and 
Public Engagement, Attn: 2501 Program Director, Jamie 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: The overall goal of the 2501 Program is to 
encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, 
veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers with 
owning and operating farms and ranches and in participating equitably 
in the full range of agricultural, forestry, and related programs 
offered by USDA. In partnership with the OPPE, eligible entities may 
compete for funding on projects that provide education and training in 
agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, agriculturally related services, 
and USDA programs and to conduct outreach initiatives designed to 
accomplish those goals. This partnership includes working closely with 
USDA Liaisons to coordinate outreach and training initiatives, attend 
OPPE-led events in your proposed service territory, and collaborate 
with your State Food and Agriculture Council (Farm Service Agency, 
Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Rural Development).
    Funding/Awards: The total funding provided in the 2018 Farm Bill 
for this competitive program is approximately $15 million. The OPPE 
will award grants from this announcement, subject to availability of 
funds and the quality of applications received. All applicants will 
compete based on their organization's entity type (e.g., nonprofit 
organization or higher education institution), as described below. The 
maximum project period is three (3) years. The maximum amount of 
requested federal funding for projects shall not exceed $450,000 over 
the 3-year period. Additionally, the maximum award per year is 
$150,000. Projects that are part of multi-year initiatives will be 
funded in accordance with the approved statement of work and the OPPE 
Guidelines. Additionally, USDA has the discretion to fund multi-year 
projects to maximize outreach, education and technical assistance 
ensuring geographical distribution of funds as required in section 7 
U.S.C. 2279(c)(4)(G).
    Funds will be awarded to eligible entities that have documented 
knowledge of and experience with USDA programs and experience in 
providing agricultural education or other agriculturally related 
services to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran 
farmers and ranchers during the 3-year period preceding the submission 
of an application. The Secretary shall give priority to nongovernmental 
and community-based organizations (see Section V. Application Review 
Information).
    An applicant MUST be an entity or organization. ``Individuals'' do 
not meet the eligibility criteria.
    Funds under this program may not be used for the planning, repair, 
rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or facility. 
Program funds may not be used for start-up or financing costs for 
businesses or for an organization's capacity building. Program funds 
may also not be used as small agricultural loans for individual farmers 
or used to incentivize individuals to attend an event.
    Eligible entities may receive subsequent years funding 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.
    The OPPE reserves the right to approve one-year no cost extensions 
(no additional funds) for one-year projects.
    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 OPPE reserves the right to allocate funding 
between the three categories based upon the number and quality of 
applications received. There is no commitment by the OPPE to fund any 
particular application or to select a specific number of recipients 
within each category.
    Category #1: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.2, 
III.A.3, and III.A.4 (1890 Land Grant colleges and universities, 1994 
Tribal Land-Grant, Alaska Native and American Indian Tribal colleges 
and universities, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions of higher 
education).
    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).
    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
VI. Award Administration Information

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background

    The OPPE 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 with an expertise in working with socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran farmers and ranchers 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

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Program funding, organizations can provide agricultural education and 
training and extend our outreach efforts to connect with and assist 
local socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers 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 OPPE. 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 OPPE's intention to 
build lasting relationships between USDA, recipient organizations, and 
socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.
    2. Only one proposal will be accepted from each organization. This 
does not apply to applicants in the State of Massachusetts. The State 
fiscal transfer agent may submit multiple proposals ensuring that only 
one proposal is submitted on behalf of each of its individual fiscally 
sponsored organizations.

B. Scope of Work

    The 2501 Program provides funding to eligible organizations with at 
least 3 years of documented history working with socially disadvantaged 
farmers or ranchers or veteran farmers or ranchers for projects 
designed to provide education and training in agriculture and to assist 
socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and 
operating viable agricultural enterprises. This is a non-construction 
grant. Proposals must be consistent with requirements stated in 7 
U.S.C. 2279(c)(3). Under this statute, the education, training and 
outreach program funds shall be used exclusively:
    1. To enhance coordination of the outreach, education, and training 
efforts authorized under agriculture programs;
    2. To assist the Secretary of Agriculture in:
    a. Reaching current and prospective socially disadvantaged farmers 
or ranchers or veteran farmers or ranchers in a linguistically 
appropriate manner; and
    b. improving the participation of those farmers and ranchers in 
USDA programs.
    There are five priority areas that support the goals of the 2501 
Program. Proposals from eligible entities must address at least two of 
the five 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 youth and beginning 
socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in rural and 
persistent poverty communities.
    The OPPE is required to seek input from stakeholders providing 
education and training under this grant program at least annually. This 
is to ensure that the program is responsive to the concerns of entities 
providing assistance (7 U.S.C. 2279(c)(4)(J)). To fulfill this 
obligation, the OPPE may require Project Directors to attend an Annual 
Partnership Symposium that can be expensed with awarded grant funds not 
to exceed $1,000 per award year. The symposium will allow participants, 
USDA officials, and other agriculture-related industry participants to 
network, encourage partnerships, share best practices, discuss 
programmatic requirements, share information on new and enhanced USDA 
programs and services, and obtain programmatic stakeholder feedback. 
Stakeholder input will also be accepted by those unable to attend the 
annual symposium in person by September 30th of each fiscal year at: 
[email protected].

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 or 
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 (including a list of participants with 
contact information); frequency of services or training delivered and 
to whom; development of products, curriculum, or resources provided. 
Other examples include but are not limited to the following:
    a. Number of socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers or 
ranchers served;
    b. number of conferences or training sessions held and number of 
socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers and ranchers that 
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/or veteran farmers and ranchers;
    e. number of applications completed by socially disadvantaged and/
or veteran farmers or ranchers submitted for consideration for USDA 
programs; or
    f. activity that supports increased participation of socially 
disadvantaged farmers and/or ranchers and/or veteran farmers and 
ranchers in USDA programs.
    Progress and Financial Reports will be required, as specified in 
Section VI, Subsection C, ``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. 
Specifically, outcomes must be quantitative as it relates to the 
project goals and objectives.
    Project Directors will be required to document anticipated outcomes 
that are funded under this announcement including, but not limited to 
the following:

[[Page 41941]]

    a. Documenting the number of new farmers and/or ranchers your 
organization assisted as a result of your project and the type of 
assistance;
    b. Documenting race, sex, national origin, disability and number of 
socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers or ranchers applying for 
USDA programs and services by program area;
    c. Documenting race, sex, national origin, disability and number of 
USDA program applications approved for funding, by program area, for 
socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers as a result of 
your activities;
    d. Documenting the number of socially disadvantaged or veteran 
farmers and/or ranchers that have better access to USDA Programs as a 
result of your outreach and/or training efforts;
    e. Documenting the enhanced sustainability and retention of farming 
operations among socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers;
    f. Documenting higher profitability and economic stability among 
socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers resulting from 
increased access to marketing and enhanced sales opportunities for 
their products; and
    g. Documenting an increase in the number and types of USDA programs 
and services utilized as a result of your project.
    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. 
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; 
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 our 
project will have on serving the needs of our stakeholders?
     How will my organization measure the effectiveness and 
efficiency of our proposed activities to meet the overall goals and 
objectives for this project?

II. Award Information

A. Statutory Authority

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

B. Expected Amount of Funding

    The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards in 
fiscal years 2020 and 2021 under this competitive opportunity is 
approximately $15 million.

C. Project Period

    The performance period for projects selected from this solicitation 
will not begin prior to the effective award date listed in the grant 
agreement. The maximum project period is three (3) years.

D. Award Type

    Funding for selected projects will be in the form of a grant 
agreement which must be fully executed no later than September 30 
annually. The anticipated Federal involvement will be limited to the 
following activities:
    1. Approval of recipients' final budget and Project Narrative or 
statement of work accompanying the grant agreement;
    2. Monitoring of recipients' performance through quarterly, annual 
(for multi-year projects) 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 non-profit, community-based organizations, networks, or a 
coalition of community-based organizations with at least 3 years of 
documented expertise in working with socially disadvantaged farmers or 
ranchers or veteran farmers or ranchers that:
     Demonstrates experience in providing agricultural 
education or other agriculturally related services on USDA programs and 
services to socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers;
     provides documentary evidence of work with, and on behalf 
of, socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or 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 or veteran farmers or 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 or veteran farmers or 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

    There are no cost-sharing nor matching requirements associated with 
this program. Applicants may charge their negotiated indirect cost rate 
or 10 percent, whichever is lower. Indirect cost rates exceeding 10 
percent will not be permitted.

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 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 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 Grants.gov and in the System for 
Awards Management (www.SAM.gov); both of which could take several 
weeks. Therefore, it is

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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 priority areas to 
provide outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged or veteran 
farmers or ranchers as stated in Section I, Part B, Scope of Work.
    5. Recipients of a 2501 Grant with a Period of Performance that 
extends beyond 90 days of the current fiscal year are not eligible to 
apply. For example, current 2501 Grant recipients must complete their 
projects by December 31, 2020, to be eligible to apply. Organizations 
that were awarded a 2501 Grant in FY2019 whose Period of Performance 
extends beyond this date are ineligible.
    6. Incomplete or partial applications will not be eligible for 
consideration.

IV. Proposal and Submission Information

A. Data Universal Numbering System

    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.

B. System for Award Management (SAM)

    It is a requirement to register for SAM (http://www.sam.gov). There 
is NO fee to register for this site. 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 registering for Grants.gov where all 
organizations must submit their application.
    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 OPPE may not 
make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied 
with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If 
an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time 
the OPPE is ready to make a Federal award, the OPPE 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 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.
    Should an applicant be awarded a grant, ezFedGrants (USDA's 
financial grants management system) is linked with SAM to ensure 
funding payments are directed properly as entities must enter their 
banking information through SAM; as a result, Federal agencies cannot 
award funding to any organization not properly/fully registered in SAM.

C. Obtain Proposal Package From Grants.gov (www.grants.gov)

    All applicants must register for an account on Grants.gov to submit 
their application. There is no cost for registration. All applications 
must be submitted through Grants.gov. This website is managed by the 
Department of Health and Human Services, not the OPPE. Many Federal 
agencies use this website to post Funding Opportunity Announcements 
(FOA). Please click on the ``Support'' tab to contact their customer 
support personnel if you need help with submitting your application.
    Applicants may download individual grant proposal forms from 
Grants.gov. For assistance with Grants.gov, please consult the 
Applicant User Guide at http://grants.gov/assets/ApplicantUserGuide.pdf.
    Applicants are required to submit proposals through Grants.gov. 
Applicants will be required to register with Grants.gov 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 Grants.gov. The OPPE 
is not responsible for submission issues associated with Grants.gov. If 
you experience submission issues, please contact Grants.gov support 
staff for assistance.
    Proposals must be submitted by September 11, 2020, via Grants.gov 
at 11:59 p.m. EST. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be 
considered.

D. Content of Proposal Package Submission

    All submissions must contain completed and electronically signed 
original application forms, as well as a Project Narrative and a Budget 
Narrative as described below:
    1. Forms, documents, and attachments. The forms listed below can be 
found in the proposal package at Grants.gov and must be submitted with 
all applications. Required forms are provided in the package as 
fillable forms. Applicants must download and complete these forms and 
submit them in the application submission portal at Grants.gov. PDF 
documents listed below are documents the applicant must create and 
submit in PDF format. Please use the checklist of documents below to 
submit your application through Grants.gov:

 Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance
 Project/Performance Site Location(s)
 Project Abstract Summary
 Project Narrative File (this is where you will attach your 
Project Narrative in PDF format)
 Standard Form (SF) 424A, Budget Information-Non-Construction 
Programs
 Budget Narrative File (this is where you will attach your 
Budget Narrative in PDF format)
 Standard Form (SF) 424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
 Key Contacts Form (please provide first, middle, and last 
names)
 Form AD-1047 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters (Primary Covered Transactions)
 Form AD-1048 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion (lower Tier Covered Transactions)
 Form AD-1049 Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements (Grants)
 Form AD-3030 Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and 
Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants
 Form AD-3031, Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax 
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants

[[Page 41943]]

 Attachments Form (where you may place all your appendices)

    Please note, additional required forms from organizations being 
awarded 2501 Grant funds will be provided for execution upon grant 
approval.
    2. Below is further guidance, where needed, for completing the 
forms, documents, and attachment forms listed above.
SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance
    Complete all highlighted areas on this form. Please pay particular 
attention to block 18a of the SF-424. This is the amount of Federal 
funding you are requesting under the 2501 Program. This form is the 
official requesting document and the amount that will be considered if 
you should have any discrepancies between this form and your Budget 
Information Form, SF-424A. Ensure this form is completed with accuracy; 
particularly email addresses and phone numbers. The OPPE may not be 
able to reach you if your information is incorrect.
Project/Performance Site Location(s)
    Complete all highlighted areas on this form. Add additional 
locations if your project will be carried out at additional sites.
Project Abstract Summary
    A Project Abstract Summary is a concise summary about your project. 
No points will be given or subtracted for the Project Summary Page as 
it will be used only for informational purposes. It 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''); the Project Abstract Summary should reflect the goal of 
your specific project. Please limit your Project Abstract Summary to 
250 words and include the following:
     Your organization's name;
     Name of your project;
     Three or four sentences describing your project;
     The primary populations/communities you serve;
     The project's geographic service area (counties, state(s), 
etc.); and
     Project Director's name, email address, and telephone 
number.
Project Narrative (Not To Exceed 30 Double-Spaced Pages)
    The Project Narrative is a document that you create. It must 
include a timeline of proposed activities. Formatting requirements for 
Project Narratives are 1-inch margins and 12-point font, Number each 
page of the Project Narrative to indicate the total number of pages 
(i.e., 1 of 30, 2 of 30, etc.). To ensure fairness and uniformity for 
all applicants, Project Narratives not conforming to this stipulation 
may not be considered.
     Project proposals should include a well-conceived strategy 
for addressing the priority areas stated in Section I, Part B, Scope of 
Work. Organizations should state which priority areas will be 
addressed. Additionally, proposals must: (1) Define and establish the 
existence of the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers or 
veteran farmers or ranchers, or both; (2) identify the geographic area 
of service; and (3) discuss the potential impact of the project; and 
(4) clearly document how you plan to fulfill the requirement to 
coordinate efforts with the USDA Liaisons and SFAC in your service 
territory.
     Programmatic Capability: Project proposals must: (1) 
identify the experience of the organization(s) taking part in the 
project (past successes); (2) identify the names of organizations that 
will be your partners in the project if any; (3) identify the 
qualifications, relevant experience, education, and publications of 
each Project Director or collaborator; (4) specifically address the 
work to be completed by key personnel and their roles and 
responsibilities within the scope of the proposed project. This 
includes partnering scenarios whereas each partners' roles and 
responsibilities must be defined.
     Financial Management Experience: Document a demonstrated 
ability to successfully manage and complete your project by including 
details of past successfully completed projects and financial 
management experiences.
     Tracking and Measuring: Clearly document a detailed plan 
for tracking and measuring the progress and results of the project in 
terms of achieving expected project outputs and outcomes as stated in 
Section I, Part C, Performance Measures.
     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, Part B. The 
timeline is part of the 20-page limit but can be as simple as a one-
page description of tasks. The timeline may be in a table format.
    Please attach your Project Narrative in PDF format to the Mandatory 
Project Narrative form in your Grants.gov package.
SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
    Please provide as much information as possible on the SF-424A; 
particularly for multi-year projects. For example, on page 1 of SF-
424A, line 1 across may indicate year one of your project, line 2 
across may indicate year two of your project, and line 3 across may 
indicate year three of your project. On page 1A of SF-424A, columns 1 
through 3 may represent each year of your project. All cost categories 
on page 1A of this form are considered direct costs. Please remember 
that your indirect cost rate may not exceed the 10 percent statutory 
limitation on indirect costs found in 7 U.S.C. 2279(l)(7).
Budget Narrative (Not To Exceed 5 Pages)
    The Budget Narrative is a document that you create. It must be no 
more than five pages. It does NOT have to be double spaced. You may use 
tables. The Budget Narrative should identify and describe the costs 
associated with the proposed project, including sub-awards or contracts 
and indirect costs. These costs should be very detailed and descriptive 
as to their purpose. Please review 2 CFR part 200, subpart E, to ensure 
your project is not planned with unallowable costs. Applicants may 
charge their negotiated indirect cost rate or 10 percent, whichever is 
lower. Indirect cost rates exceeding 10 percent will not be permitted. 
Other funding sources may also be identified in the Budget Narrative. 
Each cost indicated must be reasonable, allocable, necessary, and 
allowable under Federal Cost Principles (2 CFR part 200, subpart E-Cost 
Principles) in order to be funded.
    Special notes when creating your budget:
    1. 2501 Program funds may not be used for the planning, repair, 
rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or facility. 
Program funds may not be used for start-up or financing costs for 
businesses or for capacity building. Program funds may also not be used 
as small agricultural loans for individual farmers or used to 
incentivize individuals to attend an event.
    2. Costs must be deemed reasonable. This includes salaries for key 
personnel which may not exceed the prevailing wage rates established by 
the

[[Page 41944]]

Department of Labor by occupation and geographical area (see 2 CFR 
200.404 and appendix II(D)).
    3. Food for conferences may not exceed $10 per person. 
Additionally, cattle for demonstration projects only, may not exceed 
$4000, which includes any transportation costs, feed/feeding lot, 
etc.). Grant funds may NOT be used to pay attendees as an incentive for 
participation in conferences nor be advertised as such. For a list of 
unallowable costs, please see 2 CFR part 200, subpart E.
    Please attach your Budget Narrative in PDF format to the Mandatory 
Budget Narrative form in your Grants.gov package.
SF 424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
    Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Key Contacts Form
    Provide first, middle, and last names of all key personnel that 
will be working on the proposed project. All organizations should 
submit at least a Project Director or Manager and a Financial 
Representative. Additional Key Contacts Forms may be used as necessary. 
Please ensure this form is completed with accuracy. Individuals not 
listed on an applicants' Key Contacts Form will not receive information 
about or access to data that concerns the applicant organization.
Form AD-1047 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
Responsibility Matters (Primary Covered Transactions)
    Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Form AD-1048 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion (lower Tier Covered Transactions)
    Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Form AD-1049 Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 
(Grants)
    Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Form AD-3030 Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax 
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants
    Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Form AD-3031, Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent 
Status for Corporate Applicants
    Please review, complete, and submit this form as required.
Attachments Form for 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 (if 
applicable), or other supporting documentation which is encouraged but 
not required. Using this form in your Grants.gov application package, 
applicants can consolidate all supplemental materials into one 
attachment or attach appendices documents individually. Do not include 
documents from other sections as an Appendix.
    DO NOT PASSWORD PROTECT ANY OF YOUR SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS OR FORMS. 
Password protected documents cannot be viewed by the OPPE or the Peer 
Review Panel.

E. 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 
sub-awards 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 consultants and contractors, and conduct cost 
and price analyses to the extent required by applicable procurement 
regulations.
    The OPPE awards funds to one eligible applicant as the lead award 
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 lead award recipient will be held 
accountable to the OPPE for the proper administrative requirements and 
expenditure of all funds.

F. Submission Dates and Times

    The closing date and time for receipt of proposal submissions is 
September 11, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., EST, via Grants.gov. Proposals 
received after the submission deadline will be considered late without 
further consideration. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov 
without exception. Additionally, organizations must also be registered 
in the System of Awards Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.
    Creating an account for both websites can take several weeks to 
receive account verification and/or PIN numbers. Please allow 
sufficient time to complete access requirements for these websites. 
Grants.gov supports many Federal granting agencies and their 
applicants. Delaying the submission of your application until the last 
day could be result in your application not being received on time due 
to issues pertaining to a high volume of users, system maintenance, 
issues with registration, having a pending registration because of a 
backlogged system, and expired SAM.gov registrations. The proposal 
submission deadline is firm.

G. 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.

H. Pre-Submission Proposal Assistance

    1. The OPPE may not assist individual applicants by reviewing draft 
proposals or providing advice on how to respond to evaluation criteria. 
However, the OPPE 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]. Additionally, the OPPE will host public 
teleconferences to address questions and clarify requirements during 
the open period of this solicitation. Dates, time, and phone numbers 
are provided on Page 1 of this announcement.
    2. The OPPE 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/. Reviewing this section of our website will likely save you 
valuable time. The OPPE will update the FAQs on a weekly

[[Page 41945]]

basis and conduct teleconferences on an as-needed basis.
    3. Please visit our website:https://www.outreach.usda.gov/grants/index.htm to review the most recent Terms and Conditions for 
administering our grants. This version is subject to change upon new 
program requirements.
    4. Applicants selected for funding must inform their participants 
that USDA, or any of its third-party representatives, may contact them 
for quality assurance.

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 evaluated under the regulations established under 2 
CFR part 200.
    An External Peer Review Panel (Panel) will use a point system to 
rate each proposal, awarding a maximum of 105 points for nonprofit and 
community-based organizations (75 points, plus an additional 30 
discretionary points for secretarial priorities) and 100 points for all 
other applicants (70 points, plus an additional 30 discretionary points 
for secretarial priorities). Each proposal will be reviewed by at least 
two members of the Peer Review Panel. Panel members will review, and 
score all submitted applications. The Panel will numerically score and 
rank each application and funding will be awarded within the three 
funding categories. Funding decisions will be based on the Panel's 
recommendations. Final funding decisions will be made by the designated 
approving official and are not appealable.
    Please be patient as processing all submitted applications, vetting 
key personnel, proposal reviews, approval process, and agreement 
creation is a lengthy process that takes approximately two to three 
months. All applicants will be notified electronically of their 
application status when final selections have been made and will be 
provided an opportunity for application feedback as provided within the 
correspondence.

B. Evaluation Criteria for New Grants Proposals

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Criteria                                              Maximum points
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Project Narrative: Under this criterion, your proposal must address at least two of the five               30
 priority areas identified in Section I, Part B, Scope of Work and will be evaluated to the
 extent to which the narrative includes a well-conceived strategy for addressing those
 requirements and objectives (see Section IV, Part D.2. Project Narrative, for additional
 information). Please note that applicants may assist either socially disadvantaged farmers and
 ranchers, or veteran farmers and ranchers, or both groups in the proposal. There are no
 additional points for addressing both of these groups. Conversely, there are no points deducted
 if your proposal addresses only one of these groups.
In addition, the OPPE may award up to 30 discretionary points (six (5) points for each bullet                 30
 shown below) for the following (see Section I, Part B, Scope of Work):
     Nongovernmental and community-based organizations with a documented history working
     with socially disadvantaged and/or veteran farmers or ranchers (2018 Farm Bill provision).
     Projects that are carried out in states or communities identified as Opportunity
     Zones (https://www.cdfifund.gov/Pages/Opportunity-Zones.aspx)
     Projects located in rural (https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do) or persistent poverty communities (https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/county-typology-codes.aspx) that address the following five (5) priorities: e-Connectivity,
     Economic Development, Innovation and Technology, Workforce Development, and Quality of Life
     (such as reducing recidivism, access to mental health programs, etc.). See the USDA Rural
     Task Force Report (https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-prosperity-report.pdf);
     Projects designed to assist socially disadvantaged beginning and/or youth farmers
     and/or ranchers (as defined in 7 U.S.C. 2279);
     Projects with an emphasis on partnering and leveraging funding with other
     organizations, entities or programs to maximize areas of coverage in conducting training
     and outreach services (i.e., nonprofits, for profits, Federal, state, tribal and local
     entities, higher education institutions, etc.). Partners' roles and responsibilities must
     be defined to determine the involvement and efforts to increase training and outreach to
     socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to qualify for these points.
     Projects with a focus on socially disadvantaged and veteran heirs' property issues/
     resolution; financial literacy; and increased profitability of agricultural operations of
     socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers through effective and proven
     marketing opportunities to increase access to capital and markets.
2. Programmatic Capability: Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on their                 10
 ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed project considering the applicant's:
 Organizational experience, staff expertise and qualifications, and the organization's resources
 (see Section IV, Part D, 2. Programmatic Capability). 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 criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on                5
 their demonstrated ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed project considering
 the applicants' past performance in successfully completing and managing prior funding
 agreements (see Section IV, Part D, 2. Financial Management Experience). 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.

[[Page 41946]]

 
4. Tracking and Measuring: Under this criterion, the applicant's proposal will be evaluated                   15
 based upon clearly documenting a detailed plan for tracking and measuring their progress toward
 achieving the expected project outputs (see Section I, Part C,1. Outputs Activities).
 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 (see Section I, Part C, 2 Outcomes Results). For example, state how your
 organization plans to connect socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers or ranchers with USDA
 agricultural programs. Specifically, how many new or existing farmers and ranchers were
 assisted in applying for USDA's programs and services, versus the number of farmers and
 ranchers approved. 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 project. This criterion should clearly address how you will quantify the
 tracking of your progress and measuring the success of your planned project (see Section I,
 Part C, 3. Performance Measures).
5. Budget: Under this criterion, your proposed project budget will be evaluated to determine                  10
 whether costs are reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary to accomplish the proposed
 goals and objectives (see 2 CFR 200.404 and appendix II-D). The proposed budget must provide a
 detailed breakdown of the approximate funding used for each major activity (see Section IV,
 Part D.2. Budget Narrative). Additionally, indirect costs (10 percent maximum) must be
 appropriately applied. For a list of unallowable costs, please see 2 CFR part 200, subpart E.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Selection of Reviewers

    All applications will be reviewed by the Panel. Panel members are 
selected based upon training and experience in assisting socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. This assistance 
includes, but is not limited to, bringing increased awareness of USDA's 
programs and services in underserved communities, 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, 
including applicant peers, to create a balanced panel.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

Proposal Notifications and Feedback
    1. Successful applicants will be notified by the OPPE via 
telephone, email, and/or postal mail that its proposed project has been 
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 
OPPE. If the individual is no longer in the position, please notify the 
OPPE immediately to submit the new contact for the application by 
updating your organization's Key Contacts form and forwarding a 
r[eacute]sum[eacute] of the new key personnel. The grant agreement will 
be forwarded to the recipient for execution and must be returned to the 
OPPE 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. 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.

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 the OPPE 
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 OPPE 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 the 
OPPE'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. Reporting Requirement

    Your approved statement of work, timeline, and budget are your 
guiding documents in carrying out the activities of your project and 
for your reporting requirements. Please familiarize yourself with 
USDA's grants management system called ezFedGrants: https://www.nfc.usda.gov/FSS/ClientServices/ezFedGrants/. In accordance with 2 
CFR part 200, the following reporting requirements will apply to awards 
provided under this FOA. The OPPE 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 as follows:
     Quarterly Progress Reports. The recipient is required to 
provide a detailed narrative of project performance and activities as 
described in the award agreement. Quarterly progress reports must be 
submitted to the designated OPPE official via ezFedGrants within 30 
days after the end of each calendar quarter. This includes, but is not 
limited to, activities completed, events held, and the release of sign-
in sheets with participants' contact information.
     Quarterly Financial Reports. The recipient must submit SF 
425, Federal Financial Report to the designated OPPE official via 
ezFedGrants within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.
    2. Annual reports may be required for multi-year projects.
    3. Final Progress and Financial Reports will be required upon 
project completion. The Final Progress Report must 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. It 
should convey the impact your project had on the communities you served 
and discuss the project's accomplishments in achieving expected 
outcomes. This requirement includes, but is not limited to, the number 
of new

[[Page 41947]]

USDA applicants as a result of your award, the number of approved 
applicants for USDA programs and services, increased awareness of USDA 
programs and services, etc.
    4. 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 OPPE official via 
ezFedGrants within 90 days after the completion of the award period as 
follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Report                             Performance period            Due date      Grace period
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form SF-425, Federal Financial Report and       1 October thru 31 December......      12/31/2020       1/30/2021
 Progress Report (Due Quarterly).
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                1 January thru 31 March.........       3/31/2021       4/30/2021
                                                1 April thru 30 June............       6/30/2021       7/30/2021
                                                1 July thru 30 September........       9/30/2021      10/30/2021
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------
Annual (for multi-year project) and Final            Earlier of December 30, 2021, or 90 days after project
 Progress and Financial Reports.                                           completion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Dates subject to change at the discretion of the OPPE.


    Signed this 23 day of June 2020.
Jacqueline Davis-Slay,
Deputy Director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2020-14321 Filed 7-10-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3412-89-P