Request for Proposals: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program

SUMMARY: The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996

established new authority for a program of Federal grants to support

the development of community food projects designed to meet the food

needs of low-income people; increase the self-reliance of communities

in providing for their own food needs; and promote comprehensive

responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues.

This RFP sets out the objectives for these projects, the

eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application

procedures. Proposals are requested for projects designed to increase

food security in a community (termed Community Food Projects).

This RFP contains the entire set of instructions needed to apply

for a Fiscal Year (FY) 1999 Community Food Projects Competitive Grants

Program (CFPCGP) grant.

DATES: APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE June 4, 1999. (See

PART IV--SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSAL below for information on where and

when to submit an application.) Proposals received after June 4, 1999

will be returned without review.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Mark R. Bailey, Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, STOP 2241, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC

20250-2241; telephone: (202) 401-1898; Internet: [email protected].,

or Dr. Elizabeth Tuckermanty, Cooperative State Research, Education,

and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 2240, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2240, telephone: (202)

205-0241; Internet: [email protected]

Table of Contents

Part I--General Information:

A. Legislative Authority

B. Definitions

C. Eligibility

Part II--Program Description

A. Purpose and Scope of the Program

B. Available Funds and Award Limitations

C. Matching Funds Requirement

Part III--Preparation of a Proposal

A. Program Application Materials

B. Content of a Proposal

Part IV--Submission of a Proposal

A. What to Submit

B. Where and When to Submit

C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

Part V--Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Selection Process

B. Evaluation Criteria

Part VI--Supplementary Information

A. Access to Review Information

B. Grant Awards

C. Use of Funds; Changes

D. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations that Apply

E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

F. Evaluation of Program

G. Stakeholder Input

Part I--General Information

A. Legislative Authority

Section 25 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended by Section

401(h) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996

(Pub. L. 104-127) (7 U.S.C. 2034), authorized a new program of Federal

grants to support the development of community food projects; $16

million is authorized over seven years (1996-2002). For FY 1999,

approximately $2.5 million is available ($2.5 million has been

authorized in each subsequent year through fiscal year 2002). These

grants are intended to assist eligible private nonprofit entities that

need a one-time infusion of Federal dollars to establish and sustain a

multi-purpose community food project.

B. Definitions

For the purpose of awarding grants under this program, the

following definitions are applicable:

(1) Administrator means the Administrator of the Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service and any other officer or

employee of the Department to whom the authority involved may be

delegated.

(2) Authorized departmental officer means the Secretary or any

employee of the Department who has the authority to issue or modify

grant instruments on behalf of the Secretary.

(3) Authorized organizational representative means the president,

director, or chief executive officer of the applicant organization or

the official, designated by the president, director, or chief executive

officer of the applicant organization, who has the authority to commit

the resources of the organization.

(4) Budget period means the interval of time (usually 12 months)

into which the project period is divided for budgetary and reporting

purposes.

(5) Cash contributions means the applicant's cash outlay, including

the outlay of money contributed to the applicant by non-Federal third

parties.

(6) Community Food Project is a project that requires a one-time

infusion of Federal assistance to become self-sustaining and is

designed to: (i) Meet the food needs of low-income people; (ii)

increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own

food needs; and (iii) promote comprehensive responses to local food,

farm, and nutrition issues. These activities help to increase food

security in a community.

(7) Department or USDA means the United States Department of

Agriculture.

(8) Grant means the award by the Secretary of funds to a private,

non-profit entity to assist in meeting the costs of conducting, for the

benefit of the public, an identified Community Food Project which is

intended and designed to accomplish the purpose of the program as

identified in these guidelines.

(9) Grantee means the organization designated in the grant award

document as the responsible legal entity to which a grant is awarded.

(10) Matching means that portion of project costs not borne by the

Federal Government, including the value of third party in-kind

contributions.

(11) Prior approval means written approval evidencing prior consent

by an authorized departmental officer as defined in (2) above.

(12) Private non-profit entity means any corporation, trust,

association, cooperative or other organization which (i) is operated

primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar

purposes in the public interest; (ii) is not organized primarily for

profit; and (iii) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or

expand its operations. For this program, the term private nonprofit

organization excludes public entities, including State, local, and

Federally recognized Indian tribal governments.

(13) Project means the particular activity within the scope of the

program supported by a grant award.

(14) Project director means the single individual designated by the

grantee in the grant application and approved by the Secretary who is

responsible for the direction and management of the project.

[[Page 19431]]

(15) Project period means the period, as stated in the award

document and modifications thereto, if any, during which Federal

sponsorship begins and ends.

(16) Review experts means a group of experts qualified by training

and experience in particular fields to give expert advice on the merit

of grant applications in such fields, and who evaluate eligible

proposals submitted to this program in their personal and professional

area(s) of expertise.

(17) Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture and any other

officer or employee of the Department to whom the authority involved

may be delegated.

(18) Third Party in-kind contributions means non-cash contributions

of property or services provided by non-Federal third parties,

including real property, equipment, supplies and other expendable

property, directly benefitting and specifically identifiable to a

funded project or program.

C. Eligibility

Grantees under the CFPCGP are statutorily limited to private,

nonprofit entities. Because proposals for Community Food Projects must

promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition

issues, applicants are encouraged to seek and create partnerships with

public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit entities. However, no

more than one-third of an award for a Community Food Project may be

subawarded to a for-profit organization or firm.

To be eligible for a Community Food Project grant, a private

nonprofit applicant must meet three requirements:

(1) Have experience in the area of:

(a) Community food work that involves the provision of food to low-

income people and familiarity with developing new markets in low-income

communities to enhance their access to fresher, more nutritious foods;

and/or

(b) Job training and business development activities for food-

related activities in low-income communities to increase the potential

for long-term sustainability in the food security project being

proposed;

(2) Demonstrate competency to implement a project, provide fiscal

accountability and oversight, collect data, and prepare reports and

other appropriate documentation; and

(3) Demonstrate a commitment and willingness to share information

with researchers, evaluators, practitioners, and other interested

parties.

Successful applicants will be required to attend an evaluation

training meeting and should include in their budget request funding for

travel to Washington, D.C. for two persons to attend a two to three day

meeting. More information will be provided once successful applicants

are identified.

The intent of the CFPCGP is to encourage and support community-

based, grass-roots efforts that enhance food security. Applicants are

strongly encouraged to link with academic and/or other appropriate

professionals, and to involve other relevant community-based

organizations and local government entities, as they plan for and then

develop proposals that serve the mutual interests that support

community food security projects.

Part II--Program Description

A. Purpose and Scope of the Program

Proposals are invited for competitive grant awards under the CFPCGP

for FY 1999. This program is administered by the Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) of the U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA). The purpose of this program is to

support the development of Community Food Projects with a one-time

infusion of Federal dollars to make such projects self-sustaining.

Community Food Projects should be designed to: (i) Meet the food needs

of low-income people; (ii) increase the self-reliance of communities in

providing for their own food needs; and (iii) promote comprehensive

responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues.

Community Food Projects are intended to take a comprehensive

approach to developing long-term solutions to an identified community

food need that help to ensure food security in communities by linking

the food production and processing sectors to community development,

economic opportunity, and environmental enhancement. Comprehensive

solutions may include elements such as: (i) Improved access to high

quality, affordable food among low-income households; (ii) expanded

economic opportunities for community residents through local businesses

or other economic development, improved employment opportunities, job

training, youth apprenticeship, school-to-work transition, and the

like, and (iii) support for local food systems, from urban gardening to

local farms that provide high quality fresh foods, ideally with minimal

adverse environmental impact. Any solution proposed must tie into

community food needs.

Project goals should integrate multiple objectives into their

design. Proposed projects should seek to address impacts beyond a

specific goal such as increasing food produced or available for a

specific group. Goals and objectives should integrate economic, social,

and environmental impacts such as job training, employment

opportunities, small business expansion, neighborhood revitalization,

open space development, transportation assistance or other community

enhancements.

B. Available Funds and Award Limitations

The amount of funds available in FY 1999 for support of grant

awards under this program is approximately $2,400,000. Applicants

should request a budget commensurate with the project proposed.

However, due to the effort required to properly evaluate proposals,

USDA strongly urges that the Federal funds requested for a Community

Food Project not be less than $10,000.

The spirit of the authorizing legislation is that no one grant

should command a significant portion of the total funds available and

that many grants be awarded each year. Therefore, USDA has concluded

that no single grant shall exceed $100,000 in any single year or more

than $250,000 over the life of the project.

Applicants may request one, two, or three years of funding, but in

all cases, the grant term may not exceed three years for any one

project. A Community Food Project may be supported by only a single

grant under this program.

Awards will be made based on the merit of the proposed project with

budgets considered only after the merits of the project have been

determined. USDA reserves the right to negotiate final budgets with

successful applicants. It is intended that the grantee will perform the

substantive effort on the project. No more than one-third of the award,

as determined by budget expenditures, may be subawarded to for-profit

organizations. For purposes of obtaining additional knowledge or

expertise that is not currently within the applicant organization,

funds for expert consultation may be included in the All Other Direct

Costs section of the proposed budget.

C. Matching Funds Requirement

Federal funds requested must be matched, at a minimum, on a dollar-

for-dollar basis.

Successful applicants must provide matching funds, either in cash

and/or third party in-kind, amounting to at least 50 percent of the

total cost of the project (i.e., an amount equal to or greater than the

amount of Federal funds being requested) during the term of the grant

award as provided by

[[Page 19432]]

section 25(e) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977. The Federal share of the

project costs can be no more than 50 percent of the total.

Grantees may provide for the non-Federal share through cash and/or

third party in-kind contributions, fairly evaluated, including

facilities, equipment, and services. A grantee may provide for the non-

Federal share of the funding through State government, local

government, or private sources. Examples of matching funds include

direct costs such as: Rent for office space used exclusively for the

funded project; duplication or postage costs; and staff time from an

entity other than the applicant for job training or nutrition

education.

Part III--Preparation of a Proposal

A. Program Application Materials

Program application materials will be made available to interested

entities upon request. These materials include information about the

purpose of the program, how the program will be conducted, and the

required contents of a proposal, as well as the forms needed to prepare

and submit grant applications under the program. To obtain program

application materials, please contact the Proposal Services Unit;

Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education,

and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400

Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-2245; Telephone: (202)

401-5048. When contacting the Proposal Services Unit, please indicate

that you are requesting application materials for the FY 1999 Community

Food Projects Competitive Grants Program.

Application materials may also be requested via Internet by sending

a message with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and telephone

number to [email protected] that states that you wish to receive a copy

of the application materials for the FY 1999 Community Food Projects

Competitive Grants Program. The materials will then be mailed to you

(not e-mailed) as quickly as possible. You may also download this RFP

and the application forms by contacting the agency home page at

www.reeusda.gov, and clicking on ``Funding Opportunities,'' that brings

up ``All Funding Opportunities,'' and then click on ``Community Food

Projects Program.''

B. Content of a Proposal

(1) General

The proposal should follow these guidelines, enabling reviewers to

more easily evaluate the merits of each proposal in a systematic,

consistent fashion:

(a) The proposal should be prepared on only one side of the page

using standard size (8\1/2\'' x 11'') white paper, one inch margins,

typed or word processed using no type smaller than 12 point font

regardless of whether it is single or double spaced. Use an easily

readable font face (e.g., Geneva, Helvetica, CG Times). Once accepted

for review, your proposal will be read by at least three expert

reviewers. Thus it is to your advantage to ensure that your proposal is

not difficult to read.

(b) Each page of the proposal, including the Project Summary,

budget pages, required forms, and appendices, should be numbered

sequentially in the top right corner.

(c) The proposal should be stapled in the upper left-hand corner.

Do not bind. An original and 9 copies (10 total) must be submitted in

one package, along with 20 copies of the ``Project Summary'' as a

separate attachment.

(2) Cover Page

Complete Form CSREES-661, Application for Funding, in its entirety.

This form is to be utilized as the Cover Page. In Block 14., note the

total amount of Federal dollars being requested.

(a) Blocks 7., 13., 18., 19., 20., and 21., have been completed for

you.

(b) In Block 8., enter ``Community Food Project''. Ignore all

references to a program number.

(c) Note that providing a Social Security Number is voluntary, but

is an integral part of the CSREES information system and will assist in

the processing of the proposal.

(d) The original copy of the Application for Funding form must

contain the pen-and-ink signatures of the project director(s) and

authorized organizational representative for the applicant

organization.

(e) Note that by signing the Application for Funding form, the

applicant is providing the required certifications set forth in 7 CFR

part 3017 regarding Debarment and Suspension and Drug-Free Workplace,

and 7 CFR part 3018, regarding Lobbying. The three certification forms

are included in this application package for informational purposes

only. It is not necessary to sign and submit the forms to USDA as part

of the proposal.

(3) Table of Contents

For ease in locating information, each proposal must contain a

detailed table of contents just after the Cover Page. The Table of

Contents should include page numbers for each component of the

proposal. Page numbers, shown in the top right corner, should begin

with the first page of the project summary.

(4) Project Summary

The proposal must contain a project summary of 250 words or less on

a separate page. The summary must be self-contained and describe the

overall goals and relevance of the project. The summary should also

contain a listing of the major organizations participating in the

project. The Project Summary should immediately follow the Table of

Contents. In addition to the summary, this page must include the title

of the project, the name of the applicant organization, the authorized

organizational representative, and the project director(s), followed by

the summary.

(5) Project Narrative

PLEASE NOTE: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 10 pages. This

maximum has been established to ensure fair and equitable competition.

Reviewers are instructed that they need to read only the first 10 pages

of the Project Narrative and to ignore information on additional pages.

The Project Narrative must repeat and answer each of the following

eight questions ((a) through (h) below):

(a) What is the community and the need(s) to be served by the

proposed project? This part of the narrative lays the foundation as to

the significance of the proposed project.

Succinctly describe critical elements of the local food economy or

food system, demographics, income, and geographic characteristics of

the area to be served and any other pertinent information, such as the

community's assets and needs.

(b) What organizations will be involved in carrying out the

proposed project and which segments of the local food economy or system

do they link? This information will inform the reviewers on the extent

to which the community is involved.

Include a description of the relevant experience of the

organizations, including the applicant organization, that will be

involved, and any project history. Letters from the organizations

involved acknowledging their support and contributions must be provided

in an appendix to the proposal. Letters specifying the type and amount

of support, where appropriate, are strongly encouraged, for this

provides evidence of community involvement. Proposals should

demonstrate extensive community linkages and coalitions.

(c) What are the goals or purposes to be achieved by the proposed

project?

[[Page 19433]]

List these goals and/or purposes of the project and a justification

for the goals in terms of the needs stated above.

(d) How will the goals be achieved?

Provide a systematic description of the approach by which the goals

will be accomplished.

(e) What are the major milestones that will indicate progress

toward achieving the project goals?

Provide a time line or description for accomplishing major project

objectives.

(f) The legislation outlines three major objectives of the CFPCGP:

(i) Meet the food needs of low-income people;

(ii) increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for

their own food needs; and

(iii) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and

nutrition issues.

What measures will be used to assess project progress toward each

of these three objectives? How will you assess whether or to what

degree the project achieves these outcomes?

For example, an applicant may propose to develop a farmers' market

in a low-income urban area, selling produce grown by farmers in the

surrounding area, and employing staff from both the urban and rural

communities. The goals may be to increase access to fresh produce by

community residents (addresses objective (i), increase employment and

the income of farmers (addresses objective (ii), and reduce the extent

of poor nutrition among low-income residents (addresses objective

(iii). Possible outcome measures are the change in the consumption of

produce by customers, the number of jobs created by the market, and the

change in income experienced by the farmers supplying the market.

Community Food Project proposals should contain a strong evaluation

component. Innovative evaluation strategies are especially encouraged.

Evaluations should focus on the measurement of success in meeting the

major objectives of the CFPCGP. As required by the statute, a national

evaluation of the CFPCGP is being planned. Additional information on

how the evaluation process will affect projects funded under the

program will be provided in the future.

Through CFPCGP project operations and an evaluation of them, USDA

also hopes to learn more about what happens to make such projects

succeed, partially succeed, or fail. Therefore, proposals are

encouraged that include both process evaluations (developing and

monitoring indicators of progress towards the objectives) and outcome

evaluations (to determine whether the objectives were met). Applicants

should seek the help of experts in evaluation design and implementation

as appropriate.

(g) How does the proposed project address each of the following

issues: (i) Development of innovative linkages and coalitions between

two or more sectors of the food system;

(ii) support for entrepreneurial and job-training projects; and

(iii) encouragement of both short-term and long-term planning

activities that encompass many agencies and organizations with

different food security interests and missions in order to promote

multi-system, interagency approaches?

Provide a description of how each of these issues, as appropriate,

will be addressed. Entrepreneurial projects should provide evidence

(e.g., in the form of a market analysis or the outline of a business

plan) to demonstrate that it is likely to become self-sustaining and

provide employees with important job skills.

(h) What are the plans for achieving self-sustainability?

Describe why a one-time infusion of Federal funds will be

sufficient for the proposed Community Food Project to advance local

capacity-building and deliver sustainability.

(6) Supplementary Considerations

In drafting the project narrative, applicants should keep in mind

the intent of the program. Proposed projects should seek solutions

rather than be focused on short-term food relief. They should seek

comprehensive solutions to problems across all levels of the food

system from producer to consumer. This point is emphasized because many

proposals submitted previously were primarily for expanding applicant

efforts in food relief and assistance, or for connecting established or

partially established programs (such as community gardens and farmers'

markets) with little evidence of strategic planning and participation

by stakeholders in the proposed project design. Proposals must

emphasize a food system and/or food security approach (i.e., an

applicant must describe the large food-related picture in the community

and the place of the proposed project within it). They must also show

evidence of information sharing, coalition building, and substantial

community linkages.

Applicants should be aware of several USDA policy themes and

initiatives that have the potential to strengthen the impact and

success of some community food projects. These include food recovery

and gleaning efforts; connecting the low-income urban consumer with the

rural food producer; aiding citizens in leaving public assistance and

achieving self-sufficiency; and utilizing micro enterprise and/or

development projects related to community food needs. Relevant ongoing

USDA and other Federal initiatives include farmers' markets; USDA's

Office of Sustainable Development and Small Farms; USDA and U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development designated Empowerment

Zones, Enterprise Communities; and the AmeriCorps National Service

Program (a potential source of staff support for Community Food

Projects).

Applicants should also recognize the role played by food and

nutrition assistance programs administered by USDA and may want to

discuss in their proposals the utilization of these programs by the

community and the connection to the proposed Community Food Project.

These programs include: the Food Stamp Program; child nutrition

programs such as the School Lunch, School Breakfast, Women, Infants,

and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition, Child and Adult Care Food,

and Summer Food Service Programs; and commodity distribution programs.

Applicants also should be cognizant of resources available from

other Federal programs with similar or related goals, such as the

Community Food and Nutrition Program (CFNP) and Job Opportunities for

Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program administered by the Office of

Community Services within the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services.

Some solutions to food access problems may come from beyond a

community's own boundaries, since most food also comes from outside.

However, wherever possible, Community Food Projects should support food

systems based on strategies that improve the availability of high-

quality locally or regionally produced foods to low-income people.

Community Food Projects are intended to bring together stakeholders

from the distinct parts of the food system. Solutions to hunger and

access to food should reflect a process that involves partnership

building among the public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit

sectors. Together, these parties can address issues such as: the

capacity of the community to produce food and support local growers;

the need for, and location of, grocery stores that market affordable,

high quality food; transportation constraints; economic opportunities

for residents to

[[Page 19434]]

increase income, thereby increasing access to high quality nutritious

food; community development issues; the environment; and so on.

Community Food Projects should not be designed to merely support

individual food pantries, farmers' markets, community gardens or other

established projects. Rather, proposed Community Food Projects should

build on these experiences and encourage innovative long-term efforts.

A project should be designed to endure and outlive the one-time

infusion of government and other matching funds. Community Food

Projects should be intended to become self-supporting (or have a

sustainable funding source) and expand or prove to be a replicable

model.

The primary objectives of the CFPCGP are to increase the food self-

reliance of communities; promote comprehensive responses to local food,

farm and nutrition issues; develop innovative linkages between the

public, for-profit, and nonprofit food sectors; and encourage long-term

planning activities and multi-system inter-agency approaches. The

following are some examples of these objectives in practice:

Developing a working link between a food bank and area

farmers to market fresh produce to a community through community-

supported agriculture. Community members provide the financial support

while the project develops links to institutions such as restaurants,

food pantries, schools, and other institutions. The process increases

community awareness and commitment to local agriculture, while

providing farmers a local market for their goods, thereby expanding the

supply of and access to high-quality food.

Implementing a comprehensive strategic plan for a lower-

income neighborhood to increase residents' access to high-quality,

affordable food through farmers' markets, community gardens,

supermarkets, and other food programs. Such a plan should include

transportation assistance, business development, and/or neighborhood

improvement. As with other sector planning, the community participates

in identifying its food-related priorities and works with institutions

through a collaborative interagency process to meet its objectives.

Developing a system of community farm stands sponsored by

neighborhood organizations and managed by youth that sell locally grown

produce in low-income communities. The project provides skills training

and/or jobs and aims to become self-supporting within a reasonable

time. It increases participants' understanding of the food system,

including food production and distribution, expands interest in good

nutrition, and provides entrepreneurial training opportunities for

young people.

A local food policy council may develop and implement a

plan that creates several new food ventures, including a new

supermarket in a low-income neighborhood. The council serves as the

planning and coordinating entity that brings together local farmers,

for-profit food operators such as restaurants, processors, and

retailers with low-income neighborhood development organizations and

job training groups, emergency food providers, city hall, and other

community service entities.

Developing a comprehensive community response to job and

food needs by creating job opportunities in food-related activities

that respond to the needs of local businesses, building technical

expertise that leads to well-paid jobs. It will be necessary to bring

together resources that facilitate the development of work skills, work

ethics, education completion and that respond to community food and

nutrition needs.

(7) Key Personnel

Identify the key personnel to be involved in the project, including

the project director, if known. (An organizational chart may be

included if available.) What is their relevant experience? Include

resumes or vitae that provide adequate information for proposal

reviewers to make an informed judgment as to the capabilities and

experience of the key personnel. For new positions in the project or

for positions that are currently unfilled, a job description should be

provided.

(8) Budget

(a) Budget Form: Prepare the budget form in accordance with

instructions provided with the form. A budget form is required for each

year of requested support. In addition, a cumulative budget is required

detailing the requested total support for the overall project period.

(For example, for a three-year project, the proposal would include four

budget forms; one for each of the three years of the project and one

cumulative budget for the full three years.) A detailed line-item

breakdown of matching contributions should be submitted on separate

pages following each yearly budget and the cumulative budget. The

budget form may be reproduced as needed by applicants. Funds may be

requested under any of the categories listed on the form, provided that

the item or service for which support is requested is allowable under

the authorizing legislation, the applicable Federal cost principles,

and these program guidelines, and can be justified as necessary for the

successful conduct of the proposed project. Applicants must also

include a budget narrative or explanation sheet to explain and justify

their budgets.

The relative merits of each proposal are judged without initially

considering proposed budgets. Once proposals are ranked based on the

evaluation criteria, then budgets are closely examined. Thus,

applicants should attach an explanation for all budget items to the

budget form. Such information is useful to the reviewers and CSREES

staff in making final budget recommendations to the Administrator.

(b) Matching Funds. (1) Proposals should include written

verification of commitments of matching support (including both cash

and in-kind contributions) from third parties. Written verification

means:

(i) For any third party cash contributions, a separate pledge

agreement for each donation, signed by the authorized organizational

representatives of the donor organization and the applicant

organization, which must include: (a) The name, address, and telephone

number of the donor; (b) the name of the applicant organization; (c)

the title of the project for which the donation is made; (d) the dollar

amount of the cash donation; and (e) a statement that the donor will

pay the cash contribution during the grant period; and

(ii) For any third party in-kind contributions, a separate pledge

agreement for each contribution, signed by the authorized

organizational representatives of the donor organization and the

applicant organization, which must include: (a) The name, address, and

telephone number of the donor; (b) the name of the applicant

organization; (c) the title of the project for which the donation is

made; (d) a good faith estimate of the current fair market value of the

third party in-kind contribution; and (e) a statement that the donor

will make the contribution during the grant period.

(2) The sources and amount of all matching support from outside the

applicant institution should be summarized on a separate page and

placed in the proposal immediately following the budget form. All

pledge agreements must be placed in the proposal immediately following

the summary of matching support.

(3) The value of applicant contributions to the project shall be

established in accordance with applicable cost principles. Applicants

should refer to OMB Circulars A-110,

[[Page 19435]]

Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements

With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Non-profit

Organizations, and A-122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations,

for further guidance and other requirements relating to matching and

allowable costs.

(9) Current and Pending Support

All proposals must list any other current public or private support

(including in-house support) to which key personnel identified in the

proposal have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary

support for person(s) involved is included in the budget. Analogous

information must be provided for any pending proposals that are being

considered by, or that will be submitted in the near future to, other

possible sponsors, including other USDA programs or agencies.

Concurrent submission of identical or similar proposals to other

possible sponsors will not prejudice proposal review or evaluation by

the Administrator for this purpose. However, a proposal that duplicates

or overlaps substantially with a proposal already reviewed and funded

(or that will be funded) by another organization or agency will not be

funded under this program. The application material includes Form

CSREES-663, Current and Pending Support, which is suitable for listing

current and pending support. Note that the project being proposed

should be included in the proposed section of the form.

(10) Compliance With the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

As outlined in 7 CFR part 3407 (the Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service regulations implementing NEPA), the

environmental data for any proposed project is to be provided to CSREES

so that CSREES may determine whether any further action is needed. In

most cases, based on previously funded projects, the preparation of

environmental data is not usually required. Certain categories of

actions are excluded from the requirements of NEPA.

In order for CSREES to determine whether any further action is

needed with respect to NEPA, pertinent information regarding the

possible environmental impacts of a particular project is necessary;

therefore, Form CSREES-1234, NEPA Exclusions Form, must be included in

the proposal indicating whether the applicant is of the opinion that

the project falls within a categorical exclusion and the reasons

therefor. If it is the applicant's opinion that the proposed project

falls within the categorical exclusions, the specific exclusion must be

identified. Form CSREES-1234 and supporting documentation should be the

last page of the proposal.

Even though a project may fall within the categorical exclusions,

CSREES may determine that an Environmental Assessment or an

Environmental Impact Statement is necessary for an activity. This will

be the case if substantial controversy on environmental grounds exists

or if other extraordinary conditions or circumstances are present which

may cause such activity to have a significant environmental effect.

However, this rarely occurs.

Part IV--Submission of a Proposal

A. What To Submit

An original and nine copies of the complete proposal must be

submitted. Each copy of the proposal must be stapled in the upper left-

hand corner. DO NOT BIND. In addition, submit 20 copies of the

proposal's Project Summary. All copies of the proposal and Project

Summary must be submitted in one package.

B. Where and When To Submit

Proposals must be received by June 4, 1999. Proposals that are

hand-delivered, delivered by courier, or sent via overnight delivery

services must be sent or delivered to:

Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program c/o Proposal

Services Unit,

Office of Extramural Programs, USDA/CSREES, Room 303, Aerospace

Center, 901 D Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, Telephone: (202) 401-

5048.

Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their

completed proposals via overnight mail or delivery services to

ensure timely receipt by the USDA.

Proposals sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be sent to the

following address: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program,

c/o Proposal Services Unit, Office of Extramural Programs, USDA/CSREES,

STOP 2245, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-2245,

Telephone: (202) 401-5048.

C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

The receipt of all proposals will be acknowledged in writing and by

e-mail, therefore applicants are encouraged to provide e-mail

addresses, where designated, on the Form CSREES-661. The acknowledgment

will contain an identifying proposal number. Once your proposal has

been assigned an identification number, please cite that number in

future correspondence.

Part V--Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria

A. Selection Process

Proposals must be received on or before June 4, 1999. Since the

award process must be completed by September 30, 1999, applicants

should submit fully developed proposals that meet all the requirements

set forth in this RFP and have fully developed budgets as well.

However, USDA does retain the right to conduct discussions with

applicants to resolve technical and/or budget issues as it deems

necessary.

Each proposal will be evaluated in a two-part process. First, each

proposal will be screened to ensure it meets the basic eligibility

requirements as set forth in this RFP. Proposals not meeting the

requirements as set forth in this RFP will be returned without review.

Second, each proposal that meets the eligibility requirements will be

evaluated and judged on its merits by expert reviewers.

A number of individual experts will review and evaluate each

proposal that is accepted for review basing their evaluation on the

stated criteria. The reviewers will be selected from among those

recognized as uniquely qualified by training and experience in their

respective fields to render expert advice on the merit of proposals

being reviewed. These reviewers will be drawn from a number of areas,

among them government, universities, and other pertinent entities

involved primarily in community food security organizations or

activities. The views of the individual reviewers will be used by

CSREES to determine which proposals will be recommended to the

Administrator for funding.

Proposals will be ranked relative to all those received, and

ranking will be based on how well the applicant answered the eight

questions in the Project Narrative, the potential for achieving project

goals and objectives, the extent to which appropriate community

organizations are involved, and whether, in the judgment of the

reviewers, the project will become self-sustaining. Final approval for

those proposals recommended for an award will be made by the agency

Administrator (or designee).

There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular proposal or

to make a specific number of awards. Care will be taken to avoid

actual, potential, and/or the appearance of conflicts of interest among

reviewers. Evaluations will be

[[Page 19436]]

confidential to USDA staff members, expert reviewers, and the project

director(s), to the extent permitted by law.

B. Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation of proposals will be based on the following

criteria, weighted relative to each other, and assigned a point value,

as noted in the parentheses following each criteria discussion.

(1) The degree to which the proposed project addresses the three

statutory objectives of the CFPCGP, namely (i) meet the food needs of

low-income people; (ii) increase the self-reliance of communities in

providing for their own food needs; and (iii) promote comprehensive

responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues (25 points);

(2) The food security problem(s) being discussed, including an

informative description of the community, its characteristics, assets,

and needs (10 points);

(3) The goals and purposes of the project and how these goals will

be achieved. The Secretary, in accordance with the legislation

authorizing this program, will give preference to proposed projects

that include one or more of the following goals, which will be given

equal weight: (i) Developing linkages between two or more sectors of

the food system; (ii) supporting the development of entrepreneurial

activities as part of the proposed project; (iii) developing innovative

linkages between the for-profit and nonprofit food sectors; and (iv)

encouraging long-term planning activities and multi-system, interagency

approaches (25 points);

(4) A discussion of the organizations, including the applicant

entity, to be involved in the proposed project, highlighting their

relevant experience and extent of support. The extent to which an

applicant private, nonprofit organization can demonstrate a history of

commitment to and direct involvement in food security projects in low

income communities or in communities with low income groups is an

important evaluation element. The qualifications of staff involved with

the proposed project and/or organizational leadership should reflect

the expertise necessary to carry out the proposed activities or similar

types of activities. Experience in and connections with the community

will be considered as important as academic or professional credentials

in this regard (15 points);

(5) The viability of plans for achieving self-sufficiency with a

one-time infusion of federal funds (15 points);

(6) The strength of the proposed project's evaluation component (8

points); and

(7) The time line for accomplishing project goals and objectives (2

points).

Part VI--Supplementary Information

A. Access To Review Information

Copies of summary reviews will be sent to all applicant project

directors automatically, as soon as possible after the review process

has been completed. The identity of the individual expert reviewers

will not be provided.

B. Grant Awards

(1) General

Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding

official of CSREES shall make grants to those responsible, eligible

applicants whose proposals are judged most meritorious under the

procedures set forth in this request for proposals. The date specified

by the Administrator as the effective date of the grant shall be no

later than September 30 of the Federal fiscal year in which the project

is approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose,

unless otherwise permitted by law. It should be noted that the project

need not be initiated on the grant effective date, but as soon

thereafter as practical so that project goals may be attained within

the funded project period. All funds granted by CSREES under this

request for proposals shall be expended solely for the purpose for

which the funds are granted in accordance with the approved application

and budget, the regulations, the terms and conditions of the award, the

applicable Federal cost principles, and the Department's assistance

regulations (parts 3015, 3016, and 3019 of 7 CFR).

(2) Organizational Management Information

Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be

submitted on a one-time basis as part of the responsibility

determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this part

if such information has not been provided previously under this or

another program for which the sponsoring agency is responsible. Copies

of forms recommended for use in fulfilling the requirements contained

in this section will be provided by the sponsoring agency as part of

the preaward process.

(3) Grant Award Document and Notice of Grant Award

The grant award document shall include at a minimum the following:

(a) Legal name and address of performing organization or

institution to whom the Administrator has awarded a grant under the

terms of this request for proposals;

(b) Title of project;

(c) Name(s) and address(es) of project director(s) chosen to direct

and control approved activities;

(d) Identifying grant number assigned by the Department;

(e) Project period, specifying the amount of time the Department

intends to support the project without requiring recompetition for

funds;

(f) Total amount of Departmental financial assistance approved by

the Administrator during the project period;

(g) Legal authority(ies) under which the grant is awarded;

(h) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds

to accomplish the stated purpose of the grant award; and

(i) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by CSREES to

carry out its respective granting activities or to accomplish the

purpose of a particular grant.

The notice of grant award, in the form of a letter, will be

prepared and will provide pertinent instructions or information to the

grantee that is not included in the grant award document.

CSREES will award standard grants to carry out this program. A

standard grant is a funding mechanism whereby CSREES agrees to support

a specified level of effort for a predetermined time period without

additional support at a future date.

C. Use of Funds; Changes

(1) Delegation of Fiscal Responsibility

The grantee may not in whole or in part delegate or transfer to

another person, institution, or organization the responsibility for use

or expenditure of grant funds.

(2) Performance Reporting Requirements

The grantee must prepare an annual report that details all

significant activities towards achieving the goals and objectives of

the project. The narrative should be succinct and be no longer than

five pages, using 12-point, single-spaced type.

(3) Changes in Project Plans

(a) The permissible changes by the grantee, project director(s), or

other key project personnel in the approved project grant shall be

limited to changes in methodology, techniques, or other aspects of the

project to expedite achievement of the project's approved goals. If the

grantee and/or the project

[[Page 19437]]

director(s) are uncertain as to whether a change complies with this

provision, the question must be referred to the Authorized Departmental

Officer (ADO) for a final determination.

(b) Changes in approved goals or objectives shall be requested by

the grantee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to effecting such

changes. In no event shall requests for such changes be approved which

are outside the scope of the original approved project.

(c) Changes in approved project leadership or the replacement or

reassignment of other key project personnel shall be requested by the

grantee and approved in writing by the awarding official of CSREES

prior to effecting such changes.

(d) Changes in Approved Budget: Changes in an approved budget must

be requested by the grantee and approved in writing by the ADO prior to

instituting such changes if the revision will involve transfers or

expenditures of amounts requiring prior approval as set forth in the

applicable Federal cost principles or the Departmental regulations,

unless prescribed otherwise in the terms and conditions of a grant.

D. Other Federal Statutes and Regulations that Apply

Several other Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant

proposals considered for review and to project grants awarded under

this program. These include but are not limited to:

7 CFR part 1--USDA implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.

7 CFR part 3--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-129 regarding

debt collection.

7 CFR part 15, subpart A--USDA implementation of Title VI of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

7 CFR part 3015--USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations,

implementing OMB directives (i.e., Circular Nos. A-21 and A-122) and

incorporating provisions of 31 U.S.C. 6301-6308 (formerly the Federal

Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, Pub. L. 95-224), as well

as general policy requirements applicable to recipients of Departmental

financial assistance.

7 CFR part 3016--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and

Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments.

7 CFR part 3017--USDA implementation of Governmentwide Debarment and

Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-

Free Workplace (Grants).

7 CFR part 3018--USDA implementation of Restrictions on Lobbying.

Imposes prohibitions and requirements for disclosure and certification

related to lobbying on recipients of Federal contracts, grants,

cooperative agreements, and loans.

7 CFR part 3019--USDA implementation of OMB Circular A-110, Uniform

Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements With

Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit

Organizations.

7 CFR part 3052--USDA implementation of OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits

of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations.

7 CFR part 3407--CSREES procedures to implement the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.

29 U.S.C. 794 (section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973) and 7 CFR part

15B (USDA implementation of statute)--prohibiting discrimination based

upon physical or mental handicap in Federally assisted programs.

35 U.S.C. 200 et seq.--Bayh-Dole Act, controlling allocation of

rights to inventions made by employees of small business firms and

domestic nonprofit organizations, including universities, in Federally

assisted programs (implementing regulations are contained in 37 CFR

Part 401).

E. Confidential Aspects of Proposals and Awards

When a proposal results in a grant, it becomes a part of the record

of the Agency's transactions, available to the public upon specific

request. Information that the Secretary determines to be of a

privileged nature will be held in confidence to the extent permitted by

law. Therefore, any information that the applicant wishes to have

considered as privileged should be clearly marked as such and sent in a

separate statement, two copies of which should accompany the proposal.

The original copy of a proposal that does not result in a grant will be

retained by the Agency for a period of one year. Other copies will be

destroyed. Such a proposal will be released only with the consent of

the applicant or to the extent required by law. A proposal may be

withdrawn at any time prior to the final action thereon.

F. Evaluation of Program

Section 25(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, requires

USDA to provide for an evaluation of the success of community food

projects supported under this authority. All grantees shall be expected

to assist USDA by providing relevant information on their respective

projects.

Applicants need to plan for their own internal self-assessments and

evaluations to measure the effectiveness of each project.

G. Stakeholder Input

CSREES has determined that this program is not an agricultural

research, extension, or education program for the purposes of section

103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform

Act of 1998 (``1998 Act''), 7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2). Therefore, CSREES is

not required by statute to solicit stakeholder input regarding this

RFP. CSREES, however, always welcomes constructive comments from

interested parties regarding an RFP or particular program. Such

comments for this program may be sent to the contact listed in the

preamble of this notice.

Done at Washington, DC, this 14th day of April 1999.

Colien Hefferan,

Acting Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and

Extension Service.

[FR Doc. 99-9820 Filed 4-19-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-22-P