[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 24, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38524-38531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18808]
[[Page 38523]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part IV
Department of Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
_______________________________________________________________________
Request for Proposals: Community Food Projects Program; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 24, 1996 /
Notices
[[Page 38524]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
Request Proposals (RFP): Community Food Projects Program
AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Announcement of availability of grant funds and request for
proposals for the Community Food Projects Program.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
established new authority for a program of Federal grants to support
the development of community food projects designed to meet the food
needs of low-income people; increase the self-reliance of communities
in providing for their own food needs; and promote comprehensive
responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues.
This notice sets out the objectives for these projects, the
eligibility for criteria for projects and applicants, and the
application procedures. The legislation also allows technical
assistance under the program. Therefore, the applicants may request
technical assistance as a part of their proposal request in order to
subcontract to consultants or other groups to provide assistance for
technical voids of the applying organization.
This notice contains the set of instructions needed to apply for a
Community Food Project grant. To obtain application forms, please
contact Proposal Services, Grants Management Branch; Office of
Extramural Programs; USDA/CSREES at (202) 401-5048. When calling
Proposal Services please indicate that you are requesting forms for the
Community Food Projects Program.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 23, 1996. Proposals
received after August 23, 1996, will not be considered for funding.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Elizabeth Tuckermanty, Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Stop 2225, Washington, DC 20250-2225; telephone (202) 720-
5997; Internet:etuckermanty@reeusda.gov: or Dr. Mark Bailey,
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Stop 2241, Washington, DC 20250-2241;
telephone: (202) 401-1898; Internet:mbailey@reeusda.gov.
Table of Contents
Part I--General Information
A. Legislative Authority
B. Definitions
C. Eligibility
Part II--Program Description
A. Purpose of the Program
B. Available Funds and Award Limitations
C. Matching Funds Requirement
D. Scope of Program
Part III--Preparation of a Proposal
A. Program Application Materials
B. Content of a Proposal
Part IV--Submission of a Proposal
A. What to Submit
B. Where and When to Submit
C. Acknowledgment of Proposals
Part V--Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
A. Selection Process
B. Technical Evaluation Criteria
Part VI--Supplementary Information
A. Access to Peer Review Information
B. Grant Awards
C. Use of Funds; Changes
D. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations that Apply
E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards
F. Evaluation of Program
Part I--General Information
A. Legislative Authority
Section 25 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended by Section
401(h) of the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
(Pub. L. No. 104-127) (7 U.S.C. 2034) authorized a new program of
Federal grants to support the development of community food projects.
These grants are intended to help eligible private nonprofit entities
that need a one-time infusion of Federal assistance to establish and
carry out multi-purpose community food projects.
B. Definitions
For the purpose of awarding grants under this program, the
following definitions are applicable:
(1) ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) and any other
officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture to whom the
authority involved may be delegated.
(2) ``Authorized departmental officer'' means the Secretary or any
employee of the Department who has the authority to issue or modify
grant instruments on behalf of the Secretary.
(3) ``Authorized organizational representative'' means the
president or chief executive officer of the applicant organization or
the official, designated by the president or chief executive officer of
the applicant organization, who has the authority to commit the
resources of the organization.
(4) ``Budget period'' means the interval of time (usually 12
months) into which the project period is divided for budgetary and
reporting purposes.
(5) ``Cash contributions'' means the applicant's cash outlay,
including the outlay of money contributed to the applicant by non-
Federal third parties.
(6) ``Community food project'' is a project that requires a one-
time infusion of Federal assistance to become self-sustaining and is
designed to: (i) meet the food needs of low-income people; (ii)
increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own
food needs; and (iii) promote comprehensive responses to local food,
farm, and nutrition issues.
(7) ``Department'' or ``USDA'' means the United State Department of
Agriculture.
(8) ``Grant'' means the award by the Secretary of funds to a
private, non-profit entity to assist in meeting the costs of
conducting, for the benefit of the public, an identified project which
is intended and designed to accomplish the purpose of the program as
identified in these guidelines.
(9) ``Grantee'' means the organization designated in the grant
award document as the responsible legal entity to which a grant is
awarded.
(10) ``Matching'' means that portion of project costs not borne by
the Federal Government, including the value of in-kind contributions.
(11) ``Peer review panel'' means a group of experts qualified by
training and experience in particular fields to give expert advice on
the merit of grant applications in such fields, who evaluate eligible
proposals submitted to this program in their personal area(s) of
expertise.
(12) ``Private non-profit entity'' means any corporation, trust,
association, cooperative or other organization which (1) is operated
primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar
purposes in the public interest; (2) is not organized primarily for
profit; and (3) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve and/or
expand its operations.
(13) ``Project director'' means the single individual designated by
the grantee in the grant application and approved by the secretary who
is responsible for the direction and management of the project.
(14) ``Prior approval'' means written approval evidencing prior
consent by an authorized departmental officer as defined in (2) above.
[[Page 38525]]
(15) ``Project'' means the particular activity within the scope of
the program supported by a grant award.
(16) ``Project period'' means the period, as stated in the award
document and modifications thereto, if any, during which Federal
sponsorship begins and ends.
(17) ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other
officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture to whom the
authority involved may be delegated.
(18) ``The Third party in-kind contributions'' means non-cash
contributions of property or services provided by non-Federal third
parties, including real property, equipment, supplies and other
expendable property, directly benefiting and specifically identifiable
to a funded project or program.
C. Eligibility
Proposals may be submitted by private, nonprofit entities. Because
the projects must promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm,
and nutrition issues, applicants are encouraged to seek and create
partnerships among public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit
entities, applicants are encouraged to seek and create partnerships
among public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit entities.
However, no more than \1/3\ of an award may be subawarded to a for-
profit organization or firm.
To be eligible for a grant, a private nonprofit applicant must meet
three mandatory requirements:
(1) have experience in the area of:
(a) community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-
sized farms, including the provision of food to people in low-income
communities and the development of new markets in low-income
communities for agricultural producers; or
(b) job training and business development activities for food-
related activities in low-income communities;
(2) demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal
accountability and oversight, collect data, and prepare reports and
other appropriate documentation; and
(3) demonstrate a willingness to share information with
researchers, practitioners, and other interested parties.
Matching Funds. Successful applicants must provide matching funds,
either in cash or in kind, amounting to at least 50 percent of the
total cost of the project during the term of the grant award as
provided by section 25(e) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977.
In addition to the mandatory requirements above, applicants are
encouraged to address how projects will be designed to:
(1) develop linkages between two or more sectors of the food
system;
(2) support the development of entrepreneurial projects;
(3) develop innovative linkages between the for-profit and non-
profit food sectors; or
(4) encourage long-term planning activities and multi-system,
interagency approaches.
Part II--Program Description
A. Purpose of the Program
Proposals are invited for competitive grant awards under the
Community Food Projects Program for fiscal year 1996. The purpose of
this grant program is to support the development of community food
projects. Such projects must require a one-time infusion of Federal
assistance to become self-sustaining and be designed to: (1) meet the
food needs of low-income people; (2) increase the self-reliance of
communities in providing for their own food needs; and (3) promote
comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues. This
program is administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service (CSREES) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA).
B. Available Funds and Award Limitations
The total amount of funds available in fiscal year 1996 for support
of this program which is approximately $1,000,000.
Because the projects funded by this grant authority will be
community-based and funded substantially by non-federal sources, it is
expected that no one grant should command a significant portion of the
total funds available for support of this program which is
approximately $1,000,000.
Because the projects funded by this grant authority will be
community-based and funded substantially by non-federal sources, it is
expected that no one grant should command a significant portion of the
total funds available. Applicants should request a budget commensurate
with the project proposed. However, due to the effort required to
properly evaluate proposals, USDA strongly urges that requests for
support do not fall below $10,000. Awards will be made based on the
merit of proposed projects with budgets that do not exceed $200,000.
Awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project with
budgets considered only after the merits of the project have been
determined. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with
successful applicants. It is intended that the awardee non-profit
organization will perform the substantive portion of the project. No
more than one-third of the award, as determined by budget expenditures,
may be subawarded to for-profit organizations. For purposes of
obtaining additional knowledge that is not currently within the
applicant organization, funds for technical assistance may be included
in the All Other Direct Costs section of the proposed budget. (See
budget instructions included with the budget form.)
Applicants may request one, two, or three years of funding, but in
all cases, USDA funding may not exceed three years for any one project.
Applicants may submit only one proposal for the same project
objectives.
Based on this guidance, USDA has concluded that no single grant
shall exceed $250,000 in any single year or more than $500,000 over the
life of the project.
A community food project may be supported by only a single grant
under this program. If an applicant is interested in receiving a multi-
year award, this must be proposed when the application is first
submitted. For example, an applicant may want funding for a planning
phase in the first year of the project and funding for an
implementation phase in the subsequent year(s). The total funds
required for all phases of the project must be specified in the initial
proposal.
C. Matching Funds Requirement
The Federal share of the cost of establishing or carrying out a
community food project that receives assistance under this program may
not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the project during the term of the
grant. Grantees may provide for the non-Federal share through a payment
in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including facilities, equipment,
or services. A grantee may provide for the non-Federal share of the
funding through State government, local government, or private sources.
D. Scope of the Program
Community food projects are intended to take a comprehensive
approach to developing long-term solutions that help to ensure food
security in communities by linking the food sector to community
development, economic opportunity, and environmental enhancement.
[[Page 38526]]
Comprehensive solutions may include elements such as: (1) improved
access to high quality, affordable food among low-income households;
(2) support for local food systems, from urban gardening to local farms
that provide high quality fresh foods, ideally with minimal adverse
environmental impact; (3) expanded economic opportunities for community
residents through local business or other economic development,
improved employment opportunities, job training, youth apprenticeship,
school-to-work transition, and the like. Any solution proposed must tie
into community food needs.
Project goals should integrate multiple objectives into their
design. The project should seek to address impacts beyond a specific
goal such as increasing food produced or available for a specific
group. Goals and objectives should integrate economic, social and
environmental impacts such as job training, employment opportunities,
small business expansion, neighborhood revitalization, open space
development, transportation assistance or other community enhancements.
All goals and objectives should be directed at arriving at these three
outcomes; (1) Low-income people's food needs are met; (2) increased
self-reliance of communities in providing for their food needs; and (3)
Responses are comprehensive addressing local food, farm, nutrition,
environmental and economic issues.
Community food projects are intended to go beyond the models
offered by emergency and Federal food assistance programs by creating
the opportunity for all community members to gain better access to
affordable food. Ideally these projects will seek solutions over the
longer term rather than focusing on short-term food relief. They will
seek comprehensive solutions to problems across all levels of the food
system from farmer to consumer.
Applicants should be aware of several USDA policy themes and
initiatives that have the potential to strengthen the impact and
success of some community food projects. These include food recovery
and gleaning excess food; connecting the urban consumer with the rural
producer; aiding citizens in leaving public assistance and achieving
self-sufficiency; and utilizing micro enterprise and/or assets
development projects related to community food needs. Relevant ongoing
initiatives include the following:
(1) Farmers Markets. The Federal-State Market Improvement Program
(FSMIP) administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
provides $1.2 million in matching grants to state governments for
marketing projects that carry out the purposes of the Agriculture
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627). AMS also provides technical
assistance to farmers' and alternative markets through its Wholesale
and Alternative Markets Branch.
(2) EZ/EC Presidential Initiative. The President and Vice
President, along with the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Department
of Housing and Urban Development have designated Empowerment Zones,
Enterprise Communities, and Champion Communities in both urban and
rural areas. These have been targeted for services by Federal
departments, including USDA. These are economically disadvantaged areas
and are likely to face community food needs.
(3) AmeriCorps. The AmeriCorps national service program is a
potential source of members interested in working on community food
projects.
(4) Food recovery--Gleaning workbook.
The community, not the individual per se, is the unit of analysis
and medium for action. Many solutions to food access problems may come
from beyond a community's own boundaries, since most food also comes
from outside. In that context, wherever possible community food
projects should support food systems based on regional agriculture and
strategies that improve the availability of high-quality locally-
produced foods to low-income areas.
Community food projects are intended to bring together stakeholders
from the distinct parts of the food system. Solutions to hunger, and
access to food, should reflect a process that involves partnership
building among the public, private nonprofit and private for-profit
sectors. Together, these parties can address issues such as the
capacity of the community to produce food and support local growers;
the need for, and location of grocery stores that market affordable,
high-quality food; transportation constraints; economic opportunities
for residents to increase income thereby increasing access to high-
quality nutritious food; community developments issues; the
environment; and so on.
Community food projects should not be designed to merely support
individual food pantries, farmers' markets, community gardens or other
established projects. Rather, the community food projects should build
on these experiences and encourage innovative long-term efforts. A
successful project should be able to endure and outlive the one-time
infusion of government and matching funds. Community food projects
should be designed to become self-supporting (or have a sustainable
funding source) and expand or prove to be a replicable model.
The primary objectives of the community food projects are to
increase the food self-reliance of communities; promote comprehensive
responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues; develop innovative
linkages between the for-profit and nonprofit food sectors, and
encourage long-term planning activities and multi-system inter-agency
approaches. The following are some examples of these objectives in
practice:
* Developing a working link between a food bank and area farmers to
market fresh produce to a community through community-supported
agriculture. Community members provide the financial support while the
project develops links to institutions such as restaurants, food
pantries, schools or other institutions. The process increases
community awareness and commitment to local agriculture, while
providing farmers a local market and consumers, and to expand the
supply of and access to quality food.
* Implementing a comprehensive strategic plan for a lower-income
neighborhood to increase residents' access to quality, affordable food
through farmers' markets, community gardens, supermarkets, and other
food programs related to access, such as transportation assistance,
business development and neighborhood improvement. As with other sector
planning, the community participates in identifying its food-related
priorities, and works with institutions through a collaborative
interagency process to meet its objectives.
* Developing a system of community farm stands sponsored by
neighborhood organizations and managed by youth that sell locally-grown
produce in low-income communities. The project provides skills training
and/or jobs, and aims to become self-supporting within a reasonable
time. It increases participants' understanding of the food system,
including food production and distribution, expands interest in good
nutrition, and provides entrepreneurial training opportunities for
young people.
* A local food policy council may develop an implement a plan that
creates several new food ventures, including a new supermarket in a
low-income neighborhood. The council serves as the planning and
coordinating entity that brings together local farms, for-profit food
operators such as restaurants, processors, and retailers
[[Page 38527]]
with low-income neighborhood development organizations and job training
groups, emergency food providers, city hall and other community
services entities.
Part III--Preparation of a Proposal
A. Program Application Materials
Program application materials will be made available to eligible
entities upon request. These materials include information about the
purpose of the program, how the program will be conducted, and the
required contents of a proposal, as well as the forms needed to prepare
and submit grant applications under the program.
B. Content of a Proposal
To obtain application forms, please contract Proposal Services,
Grants Management Branch; Office of Extramural Programs; USDA/CSREES at
(202) 401-5048. When calling Proposal Services please indicate that you
are requesting forms for the Community Food Projects Program.
1. Cover Page: Complete the ``Application for Funding'' Form in its
Entirety
a. Note that providing a Social Security Number is voluntary, but
is an integral part of the CSREES information system and will assist in
the processing of the proposal.
b. One copy of the ``Application for Funding'' form must contain
the pen-and-ink signatures of the project director(s) and authorized
organizational representative for the applicant organization.
c. Note that by signing the ``Application for Funding'' form the
applicant is providing the required certifications set forth in 7 CFR
Part 3017, as amended, regarding Debarment and Suspension and Drug-Free
Workplace, and 7 CFR Part 3018, regarding Lobbying. The certification
forms are included in this application package for informational
purposes only. It is not necessary to submit the forms to USDA.
2. Table of Contents
For ease in locating information, each proposal must contain a
detailed table of contents just after the proposal cover page. The
Table of Contents should include page numbers for each component of the
proposal. Pagination should begin immediately following the Table of
Contents.
3. Project Summary
The proposal must contain a project summary of 250 words or less on
a separate page. This page must include the title of the project and
the names of the primary project director(s) and the applicant
organization, followed by the summary. The summary should be self-
contained, and should described the overall goals and relevance of the
project. The summary should also contain a listing of all organizations
involved in the project. The Project Summary should immediately follow
the Table of Contents.
4. Project Narrative
The Project Narrative for a community food project must be prepared
on only one side of the page using standard size (8\1/2\'' x 11'';
21.6 cm x 27.9 cm) white paper, one inch margins, typed or word
processed using no type smaller than 10 point font regardless of
whether it is single or double spaced. The project narrative shall not
exceed 10 pages. The community food project narrative must repeat and
answer each of the following 10 questions:
a. What is the community to be served by the proposed project?
Describe the local food economy or food system, demographics,
income, geographic characteristics of the area to be served and any
other pertinent information.
b. What organizations will be involved in carrying out the proposed
project and which segments of the local food economy or system do they
link?
Include a description of the relevant experience of the
organizations that will be involved and any project history. Letters
acknowledging the support of these organizations should be provided in
the appendix to the proposal.
c. What are the goals or purposes to be achieved by the proposed
community food project?
d. How will the goals be achieved?
Provide a description of the approach by which the goals will be
accomplished.
e. What are the major milestones that will indicate progress toward
achieving the project goals?
Provide a time line for accomplishing major project objectives.
f. The legislation outlines three major outcomes of the Community
Food Projects: (1) meet the food needs of low-income people, (2)
increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own
food needs; and (3) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm
and nutrition issues. What measures will be used to assess project
progress on the above three outcomes? How will you assess performance
on the outcomes?
For example, an applicant may propose to develop a farmers' market
in a low-income urban area, selling produce grown by farmers in the
surrounding area, and employing staff from both the urban and rural
communities. The goals may be to increase access to fresh produce by
community residents, (addresses outcome 1) increase employment and the
income of farmers (addresses outcome 2). Possible outcome measures are
the change in the consumption of produce by customers, the number of
jobs created by the market, and the change in income experienced by the
farmers supplying the market.
g. What are the plans for achieving self-sustainability?
Describe why a one-time infusion of Federal funds will be
sufficient for the proposed project.
h. Additional information: Provide any additional information which
supports the need for and usefulness of the project.
5. Key Personnel
Idenfiy the primary project director and the co-project manager(s)
and other key personnel required for this project. An organizational
chart should be provided if available. What is their relevant
experience? Include vitae that provide adequate information so that
proposal reviewers can make an informed judgment as to their
capabilities and experience.
6. Budget
A. Budget Form: Prepare the budget form in accordance with
instructions provided with the form. A budget form is required for each
year of requested support. In addition, a summary budget is required
detailing the requested total support for the overall project period.
The budget form may be reproduced as needed by applicants. Funds may be
requested under any of the categories listed on the form, provided that
the item or service for which support is requested is allowable under
the authorizing legislation, the applicable Federal cost principles,
and these program guidelines, and can be justified as necessary for the
successful conduct of the proposed project.
B. Matching Funds
(1) Proposals must include written verification of commitments of
matching support (including both cash and in-kind contributions) from
third parties. Written verification means:
(a) For any third party cash contributions, a separate pledge
agreement for each donation, signed by the authorized organizational
representatives of the donor organization and the applicant
organization, which must include: (1)
[[Page 38528]]
the name, address, and telephone number of the donor; (2) the name of
the applicant organization; (3) the title of the project for which the
donation is made; (4) the dollar amount of the cash donation; and (5) a
statement that the donor will pay the cash contribution during the
grant period; and
(b) For any third party in-kind contributions, a separate pledge
agreement for each contribution, signed by the authorized
organizational representatives of the donor organization and the
applicant organization, which must include: (1) the name, address, and
telephone number of the donor; (2) the name of the applicant
organization; (3) the title of the project for which the donation is
made; (4) a good faith estimate of the current fair market value of the
in-kind contribution; and (5) a statement that the donor will make the
contribution during the grant period.
(2) The sources and amount of all matching support from outside the
applicant institution should be summarized on a separate page and
placed in the proposal immediately following the budget form. All
pledge agreements must be placed in the proposal immediately following
the summary of matching support.
(3) Applicants should refer to OMB Circulars A-110, ``Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions
of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-profit Organizations,''
and A-122, ``Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations,'' for
further guidance and other requirements relating to matching and
allowable costs.
7. Current and Pending Support
All proposals must list any other current public or private support
(including in-house support) to which key personnel identified in the
proposal have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary
support for person(s) involved is included in the budget. Analogous
information must be provided for any pending proposals that are being
considered by, or that will be submitted in the near future to, other
possible sponsors, including other USDA programs or agencies.
Concurrent submission of identical or similar proposals to the possible
sponsors will not prejudice proposal review or evaluation by the
Administrator for this purpose. However, a proposal that duplicates or
overlaps substantially with a proposal already reviewed and funded (or
that will be funded) by another organization or agency will not be
funded under this program. The application material includes Form
CSREES-663 which is suitable for listing current and pending support.
8. Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (the Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service regulations implementing NEPA), the
environmental data for any proposed project is to be provided to CSREES
so that CSREES may determine whether any further action is needed. In
some cases, however, the preparation of environmental data may not be
required. Certain categories of actions are excluded from the
requirements of NEPA.
In order for CSREES to determine whether any further action is
needed with respect to NEPA, pertinent information regarding the
possible environmental impacts of a particular project is necessary;
therefore, Form CSREES-1234, ``NEPA Exclusions Form,'' must be included
in the proposal indicating whether the applicant is of the opinion that
the project falls within a categorical exclusion and the reasons
therefor. If it is the applicant's opinion that the proposed project
falls within the categorical exclusions, the specific exclusion must be
identified. Form CSREES-1234 and supporting documentation should be
placed after the Form CSREES-661, ``Application for Funding,'' in the
proposal.
Even though a project may fall within the categorical exclusions,
CSREES may determine that an Environmental Assessment or an
Environmental Impact Statement is necessary for an activity, if
substantial controversy on environmental grounds exists or if other
extraordinary conditions or circumstances are present which may cause
such activity to have a significant environmental effect.
9. Organizational Management Information
Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be
submitted on a one-time basis prior to the award of a grant under this
program if such information has not been provided previously under this
or another program for which the sponsoring agency is responsible.
Copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling the requirements
contained in this section will be provided by USDA once a grant has
been recommended for funding.
Part IV--Submission of a Proposal
A. What to Submit
An original and 14 copies must be submitted. Each copy of each
proposal must be stapled in the upper lefthand corner. (DO NOT BIND)
All copies of the proposal must be submitted in one package.
B. Where and When to Submit
Proposals must be received by close of business on August 23, 1996.
Proposals sent by First Class mail must be sent to the following
address: Proposal Services, Grants Management Branch, Office of
Extramural Programs, USDA/CSREES, Stop 2245, Washington, DC 20250-2245,
Telephone: (202) 401-5048.
Note: Hand-delivered proposals or those delivered by overnight
express service should be brought to the following address: Proposal
Services, Grants Management Branch; Office of Extramural Programs;
USDA/CSREES; Room 303, Aerospace Center; 901 D Street, S.W.;
Washington, DC 20024. The telephone number is (202) 401-5048.
C. Acknowledgment of Proposals
The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing and
this acknowledgment will contain an identifying proposal number. Once
your proposal has been assigned an identification number, please cite
that number in future correspondence.
Part V--Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
A. Selection Process
Given the short period in which USDA has to process project
proposals, proposals must be received on or before August 23, 1996.
Applicants are highly encouraged to convey their completed proposals
via over-night mail or delivery services to ensure timely receipt by
the USDA. Proposals will be ranked relative to all those received, and
ranking will be based primarily on technical merit, and potential for
sustainment. Those proposals recommended for an award will be conveyed
to the Administrator (or his designee) for final approval.
Since the award process must be completed by September 30, 1996,
applicants should submit fully developed proposals that meet all the
requirements set forth in this RFP, and have fully developed budgets as
well. However, USDA does retain the right to conduct discussions with
applicants to resolve technical and/or budget issues as deemed
necessary by USDA.
Each proposal will be evaluated in a two-part process. First, each
proposal
[[Page 38529]]
will be screened to ensure it meets the requirements as set forth in
this RFP. Proposals that meet these requirements will be technically
evaluated by a review panel. Each proposal will be judged on its own
merits. Proposals not meeting the requirements as set forth in this RFP
will be returned without review.
A panel of individual experts will evaluate the proposed projects.
The individual panel members will be selected from among those
recognized as specialists who are uniquely qualified by training and
experience in their respective fields to render expert advice on the
merit of proposals being reviewed. It is anticipated that these experts
will be drawn from a number of areas, among them government,
universities, and entities involved in community food organizations or
institutions, and rural development. The individual views of the panel
members will be used to determine which proposal should be recommended
to the Administrator (or his designee) for final funding decisions.
There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular proposal or
to make a specific number of awards. USDA also may elect to fund
several or none of the proposed approaches to the same topic area. Care
will be taken to avoid actual and potential conflicts of interest among
reviewers. Evaluations will be confidential to USDA staff members, peer
reviewers, and the proposed principal project director(s), to the
extent permitted by law.
The members of the review panel will take into consideration
evaluation criteria that includes, but is not limited to the following:
the amount of available funding; geographic distribution of
applications; and balance and diversity among different approaches to
community food needs; the quality of proposed internal project
evaluations; and quantitative outcome measures and other considerations
pertinent to assuring that the total mix of funded projects best serves
the public purpose.
B. Community Food Projects Technical Evaluation Criteria
1. Applicability and Merit. The primary evaluation criteria will be
based upon the merit of the proposed project in regard to its ability
to meet the food needs of low-income people in the proposed community;
increase the self-reliance of the proposed community for providing for
its own food needs; and promote comprehensive responses to local food,
farm, and nutrition issues.
(Refer to Questions a. through e. in Part III, item B.4.) This area
will comprise approximately 30 percent of the weight during evaluation.
2. Capacity to become self-sustaining. Applications will be
evaluated based on an assessment of the project's ability for
continuing to term and becoming self-sufficient once Federal funding
ends. (Refer to Questions f. and j. in Part III, item B.4.).
Approximately 20 percent of the evaluation weight will be applied to
this area.
3. Organizational and staff qualifications and experience. Awards
are provided to the non-profit organization. However, the working
history of the organization and the experience of the principal project
director will be key evaluation criteria. Experience in the area of
community food work, particularly if that work also involved small or
medium-size farms; provision of food to people in low-income
communities; the development of new markets for agricultural goods in
low-income communities, particularly as a means to enhance income for
agricultural procedures; job training or business development for food-
related activities in low-income communities; competency to implement
the proposed project; ability to provide the appropriate financial/
fiscal oversight; and the ability to collect data, prepare reports, and
perform other necessary administrative functions. Approximately 20
percent of the evaluation will be based on this area.
4. Additional evaluation criteria. This area will comprise
approximately 30 percent of the total evaluation. These criteria will
be considered relative to the extent the proposed work contributes to:
a. developing linkages between two or more sectors of the food
system;
b. supporting the development of entrepreneurial projects;
c. developing innovative linkages between the for-profit and
nonprofit food sectors;
d. encouraging long-term planning activities and multi-system,
interagency approaches; and
e. incorporating linkages to one or more ongoing USDA themes or
initiatives (such as, but not limited to, those described in the
background section).
Part VI--Supplementary Information
A. Access to Peer Review Information
After final decisions have been announced, CSREES will, upon
request, inform the project director of the reasons for its decision on
a proposal. Verbatim copies of summary reviews, not including the
identity of the reviewers, will be made available to respective project
directors upon specific request.
B. Grant Awards
1. General: Within the limit of funds available for such purpose,
the awarding official of CSREES shall make grants to those responsible,
eligible applicants whose proposals are judged most meritorious in the
announced program areas under the evaluation criteria and procedures
set forth in this request for proposals. The date specified by the
Administrator as the effective date of the grant shall be no later than
September 30 of the Federal fiscal year in which the project is
approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose,
unless otherwise permitted by law. It should be noted that the project
need not be initiated on the grant effective date, but as soon
thereafter as practicable so that project goals may be attained within
the funded project period. All funds granted by CSREES under this
request for proposals shall be expended solely for the purpose for
which the funds are granted in accordance with the approved application
and budget, the regulations, the terms and conditions of the award, the
applicable Federal cost principles, and the Department's assistance
regulations (part 3015, part 3016, and part 3019 of 7 CFR).
2. Organizational Management Information: Specific management
information relating to an applicant shall be submitted on a one-time
basis prior to the award of a grant identified under this part if such
information has not been provided previously under this or another
program for which the sponsoring agency is responsible. Copies of forms
recommended for use in fulfilling the requirements contained in this
section will be provided by the sponsoring agency as part of the
preaward process.
3. Grant Award Document and Notice of Grant Award: The grant award
document shall include at a minimum the following:
a. Legal name and address of performing organization or institution
to whom the Administrator has awarded a grant under the terms of this
request for proposals;
b. Title of Project;
c. Name(s) and address(es) of project director(s) chosen to direct
and control approved activities;
d. Identifying grant number assigned by the Department;
e. Project period, specifying the amount of time the Department
intends to support the project without requiring recompetition for
funds;
f. Total amount of Department financial assistance approved by the
Administrator during the project period;
[[Page 38530]]
g. Legal authority(ies) under which the grant is awarded;
h. Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds to
accomplish the stated purpose of the grant award; and
i. Other information or provisions deemed necessary by CSREES to
carry out their respective granting activities or to accomplish the
purpose of a particular grant.
4. Notice of Grant Award. The notice of grant award, in the form of
a letter, will be prepared and will provide pertinent instructions or
information to the grantee that is not included in the grant award
document.
5. CSREES will award standard grants to carry out this program. A
standard grant is a funding mechanism whereby CSREES agrees to support
a specified level of effort for a predetermined time period without
additional support at a future date.
C. Use of Funds; Changes
1. Delegation of Fiscal Responsibility: The grantee may not in
whole or in part delegate or transfer to another person, institution,
or organization the responsibility for use or expenditure of grant
funds.
2. Changes in Project Plans:
a. The permissible changes by the grantee, project director(s), or
other key project personnel in the approved research project grant
shall be limited to changes in methodology, techniques, or other
aspects of the project to expedite achievement of the project's
approved goals. If the grantee and/or the project director(s) are
uncertain as to whether a change complies with this provision, the
question must be referred to the CSREES Authorized Departmental Officer
for a final determination.
b. Changes in approved goals, or objectives, shall be requested by
the grantee and approved in writing by the CSREES Authorized
Departmental Officer prior to effecting such changes. In no event shall
requests for such changes be approved which are outside the scope of
the original approved project.
c. Changes in approved project leadership or the replacement or
reassignment of other key project personnel shall be requested by the
grantee and approved in writing by the awarding official of CSREES
prior to effecting such changes.
d. Transfers of actual performance of the substantive programmatic
work in whole or in part and provisions for payment of funds, whether
or not Federal funds are involved, shall be requested by the grantee
and approved in writing by the Department prior to effecting such
transfers.
e. Changes in Project Period: The project period may be extended by
CSREES without additional financial support, for such additional
period(s) as the Authorized Departmental Officer determines may be
necessary to complete or fulfill the purposes of an approved project.
Any extension of time shall be conditioned upon prior request by the
grantee and approval in writing by the Authorized Departmental Officer,
unless prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of a grant.
f. Changes in Approved Budget: Changes in an approved budget must
be requested by the grantee and approved in writing by the authorized
departmental officer prior to instituting such changes if the revision
will:
(1) Involve transfers of amounts budgeted for indirect costs to
absorb an increase in direct costs;
(2) Involve transfers of amounts budgeted for direct costs to
accommodate changes in indirect cost rates negotiated during a budget
period and not approved when a grant was awarded; or
(3) Involve transfers or expenditures of amounts requiring prior
approval as set forth in the applicable Federal cost principles,
Departmental regulations, or in the grant award.
D. Other Federal Statues and Regulations that Apply
Several other Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant
proposals considered for review and to project grants awarded under
this program. These include but are not limited to:
7 CFR Part 1, subpart A--USDA implementation of the Freedom of
Information Act.
7 CFR Part 3--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-129
regarding debt collection.
7 CFR Part 15, subpart A--USDA implementation of Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
7 CFR Part 3015--USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations,
implementing OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A-21, and A-122) and
incorporating provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6301-6308 (formerly the Federal
Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, Pub. L. 95-224), as well
as general policy requirements applicable to recipients of Departmental
financial assistance.
7 CFR Part 3016--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.
7 CFR Part 3017, as amended--USDA implementation of Governmentwide
Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants), as amended.
7 CFR Part 3018--USDA implementation of New Restrictions on
Lobbying. Imposes new prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and
certification related to lobbying on recipients of Federal contracts,
grants, cooperative agreement, and loans.
7 CFR Part 3019--USDA implementation of OMB Circular A-110, Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions
of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations.
7 CFR Part 3051--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-133
regarding audits of institutions of higher education and other
nonprofit institutions.
7 CFR Part 3407--CSREES procedures to implement the National
Environmental Policy Act;
29 U.S.C. 794, section 504--Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and CFR
Part 15B (USDA implementation of statue), prohibiting discrimination
based upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs.
35 U.S.C. 200 et seq.--Bayh-Dole Act, controlling allocation of
rights to inventions made by employees of small business firms and
domestic nonprofit organizations, including universities, in Federally
assisted programs (implementing regulations are contained are contained
in 37 CFR Part 401).
E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards
When a proposal results in a grant, it becomes a part of the record
of the Agency's transactions, available to the public upon specific
request. Information that the Secretary determines to be of a
privileged nature will be held in confidence to the extent permitted by
law. Therefore, any information that the applicant wishes to have
considered as privileged should be clearly marked as such and sent in a
separate statement, two copies of which should accompany the proposal.
The original copy of a proposal that does not result in a grant will be
retained by the Agency for a period of one year. Other copies will be
destroyed. Such a proposal will be released only with the consent of
the applicant or to the extent required by law. A proposal may be
withdrawn at any time prior to the final action thereon.
[[Page 38531]]
F. Evaluation of Program
Section 25(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1997, as amended, requires
USDA to provide for an evaluation of the success of community food
projects supported under this authority. All grantees shall be expected
to assist the USDA by providing relevant information on their
respective projects. Applicants are also encouraged to plan for their
own internal self-assessments and evaluations to measure the
effectiveness of each project.
Done at Washington, D.C., this 18th day of July 1996.
Colien Hefferan,
Acting Associate Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service.
[FR Doc. 96-18808 Filed 7-19-96; 3:26 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-M
