Inviting Applications for Value-Added Producer Grants and Solicitation of Grant Reviewers, 67703-67711 [2019-26626]
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67703
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 84, No. 238
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket No. RBS–19–CO–OP–0018]
Inviting Applications for Value-Added
Producer Grants and Solicitation of
Grant Reviewers
Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This Notice announces that
the Rural Business-Cooperative Service
(Agency) is accepting applications for
the Value-Added Producer Grant
(VAPG) program. Approximately $37
million is currently available. The
Agency may also utilize any funding
that become available after publishing
this notice. The Agency will publish the
program funding level on the Rural
Development website (https://
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
value-added-producer-grants). Section
VII also announces solicitation of nonFederal independent grant reviewers to
evaluate and score applications
submitted under this Notice.
DATES: You must submit your
application by March 10, 2020 or it will
not be considered for funding. Paper
applications must be postmarked and
mailed, shipped or sent overnight by
this date. You may also hand carry your
application to one of our field offices,
but it must be received by close of
business on the deadline date.
Electronic applications are permitted
via https://www.grants.gov only and
must be received before Midnight
Eastern time on March 5, 2020. Late
applications are not eligible for grant
funding under this Notice.
ADDRESSES: You should contact your
USDA Rural Development State Office if
you have questions about eligibility or
submission requirements. You are
encouraged to contact your State Office
well in advance of the application
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SUMMARY:
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deadline to discuss your project and to
ask any questions about the application
process. Application materials are
available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/
programs-services/value-addedproducer-grants.
If you want to submit an electronic
application, follow the instructions for
the VAPG funding announcement on
https://www.grants.gov. Please review
the Grants.gov website at https://
grants.gov/applicants/organizationregistration.html for instructions on the
process of registering your organization
as soon as possible to ensure you are
able to meet the electronic application
deadline. If you want to submit a paper
application, send it to the State Office
located in the State where your project
will primarily take place. You can find
State Office Contact information at
https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/
state-offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Grants Division, Cooperative Programs,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service,
United States Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW, MS 3253, Room 4008-South,
Washington, DC 20250–3253, or call
202–690–1374.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Preface
The Agency encourages applications
that will support recommendations
made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force
report to help improve life in rural
America. www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity.
Applicants are encouraged to consider
projects that provide measurable results
in helping rural communities build
robust and sustainable economies
through strategic investments in
infrastructure, partnerships and
innovation.
Key strategies include:
• Achieving e-Connectivity for rural
America
• Developing the Rural Economy
• Harnessing Technological Innovation
• Supporting a Rural Workforce
• Improving Quality of Life
Please note the following:
Hemp projects: VAPG applications
proposing projects related to Hemp as
defined in the Agriculture Improvement
Act of 2018, Public Law 115–334, will
be considered for funding if the projects
meets all program eligibility
requirements, including currently
producing Hemp with a valid producer
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license and verifiable compliance with
regulations published by the
Agricultural Marketing Service at 7 CFR
part 990 and the Rural BusinessCooperative Service at 7 CFR 4284,
subpart J.
Local Agriculture Marketing Program
(LAMP) Food Safety Implementation:
Until Farm Bill implementation is
finalized via the Agency rulemaking
process, there will not be food safety
reserve funding. Food safety training,
certifications, and supplies that are
eligible under the current program
regulation may continue to be included
in the work plan/budget.
Overview
Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural
Business-Cooperative Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: ValueAdded Producer Grant.
Announcement Type: Notice of
Solicitation of Applications and
Solicitation of Grant Reviewers.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number: 10.352.
Dates: Application Deadline. You
must submit your complete paper
application by March 10, 2020, or it will
not be considered for funding.
Electronic applications must be received
by https://www.grants.gov no later than
Midnight Eastern time on March 5,
2020, or it will not be considered for
funding.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act, the paperwork burden
associated with this Notice has been
approved by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control
Number 0570–0039.
A. Program Description
The VAPG program is authorized
under section 231 of the Agriculture
Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L.
106–224), as amended by section 10102
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018 (Pub. L. 115–334) (see 7 U.S.C.
1621 et. seq.). Applicants must adhere
to the requirements contained in the
program regulation, 7 CFR 4284, subpart
J, which is incorporated by reference in
this Notice.
The objective of this grant program is
to assist viable Independent Producers,
Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer
and Rancher Cooperatives, and
Majority-Controlled Producer-Based
Businesses in starting or expanding
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value-added activities related to the
processing and/or marketing of ValueAdded Agricultural Products. Grants
will be awarded competitively for either
planning or working capital projects
directly related to the processing and/or
marketing of value-added products.
Generating new products, creating and
expanding marketing opportunities, and
increasing producer income are the end
goals of the program. All proposals must
demonstrate economic viability and
sustainability to compete for funding.
Funding priority will be made
available to Beginning Farmers and
Ranchers, Veteran Farmers and
Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged
Farmers and Ranchers, Operators of
Small and Medium-Sized Farms and
Ranches structured as Family Farms or
Ranches, Farmer or Rancher
Cooperatives, and projects proposing to
develop a Mid-Tier Value Chain. See 7
CFR 4284.923 for Reserved Funds
eligibility and 7 CFR 4284.924 for
Priority Scoring eligibility.
Definitions
The following term is incorporated
from Section 10102 of the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018. Majority
Controlled Producer-Based Business
venture means a venture greater than 50
percent of the ownership and control of
which is held by—
‘‘(i) 1 or more producers; or
‘‘(ii) 1 or more entities, 100 percent of
the ownership and control of which is
held by 1 or more producers. The term
‘entity’ means—
‘‘(i) a partnership;
‘‘(ii) a limited liability corporation;
‘‘(iii) a limited liability partnership;
and
‘‘(iv) a corporation.
Also, Market Expansion Project means
a project in which the Independent
Producer applicant seeks to expand the
market for an existing value-added
product (produced and marketed by the
applicant for at least 2 years at time of
application) through sales to
demonstrably new markets or to new
customers in existing markets.
Additional terms you need to
understand are defined in 7 CFR
4284.902.
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B. Federal Award Information
Type of Instrument: Grant.
Approximate Number of Awards: To
be determined.
Available Total Funding: $37 million.
Maximum Award Amount:
Planning—$75,000; Working Capital—
$250,000.
Project Period: Up to 36 months
depending on the complexity of the
project.
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Anticipated Award Date: July 31,
2020.
Reservation of Funds: Ten percent of
available funds for applications will be
reserved for applicants qualifying as
Beginning, Veteran, and SociallyDisadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers. An
additional ten percent of available funds
for applications from farmers or
ranchers proposing development of
Mid-Tier Value Chains. Funds are not
obligated from these reserves prior to
September 30, 2019, will be used for the
VAPG general competition. If this is the
case, Beginning, Veteran, and SociallyDisadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers and
applicants proposing Mid-Tier Value
Chains will compete with other eligible
VAPG applications. In addition, in
accordance with Division B, Title VII,
Section 752 of Public Law 116–6, 10
percent of FY 2019 funds will be
allocated for assistance in persistent
poverty counties. Any funds that
become available after publication of
this notice, that will be allocated for
assistance in persistent poverty
counties, will be identified by the
Agency at a later date, after the
applicable appropriations language has
been enacted.
C. Eligibility Information
Applicants must comply with the
program regulation 7 CFR part 4284
subpart J to meet all the following
eligibility requirements. Required
documentation is included in the
application package. Applications
which fail to meet any of these
requirements by the application
deadline will be deemed ineligible and
will not be evaluated further.
1. Eligible Applicants
You must demonstrate within the
application narrative that you meet all
the applicant eligibility requirements of
7 CFR 4284.920 and 4284.921. This
includes meeting the definition
requirements at 7 CFR 4284.902 by
demonstrating how you meet the
definition for Agricultural Producer
(i.e., how you participate in the ‘‘day to
day labor, management, and field
operations’’ of your agricultural
enterprise; how you qualify for one of
the following applicant types:
Independent Producer, Agricultural
Producer Group, Farmer or Rancher
Cooperative or Majority-Controlled
Producer-Based Business; and whether
you meet the Emerging Market,
Citizenship, Legal Authority and
Responsibility, Multiple Grants and
Active Grants requirements of the
section. Required documentation to
support eligibility is contained at 7 CFR
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4284.931 and in the application
package.
Federally-recognized Tribes and tribal
entities must demonstrate that they
meet the definition requirements for one
of the four eligible applicant types.
Rural Development State Offices and
posted application toolkits will provide
additional information on Tribal
eligibility.
Per 4284.921, an applicant is
ineligible if they have been debarred or
suspended or otherwise excluded from
or ineligible for participation in Federal
assistance programs under Executive
Order 12549, ‘‘Debarment and
Suspension.’’ The Agency will check
the System for Award Management
(SAM) to determine if the applicant has
been debarred or suspended. In
addition, an applicant will be
considered ineligible for a grant due to
an outstanding judgment obtained by
the U.S. in a Federal Court (other than
U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the
payment of Federal income taxes, or is
delinquent on Federal debt. The
applicant must certify as part of the
application that they do not have an
outstanding judgment against them. The
Agency will check the Credit Alert
Interactive Voice Response System
(CAIVRS) to verify this.
Per the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115–141) or successor
appropriations act, any corporation (i)
that has been convicted of a felony
criminal violation under any Federal
law within the past 24 months or (ii)
that has any unpaid Federal tax liability
that has been assessed, for which all
judicial and administrative remedies
have been exhausted or have lapsed,
and that is not being paid in a timely
manner pursuant to an agreement with
the authority responsible for collecting
the tax liability, is not eligible for
financial assistance provided with funds
appropriated by, unless a Federal
agency has considered suspension or
debarment of the corporation and has
made a determination that this further
action is not necessary to protect the
interests of the Government.
Per 4284.905(a), Applicants must
comply with other applicable Federal
laws. Applicants who are proposing
working capital grants to produce and
market value-added products in the
industries of wine, beer, distilled spirits
or other alcoholic merchandise must
comply with Alcohol and Tobacco Tax
and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations,
including but not limited to permitting,
filing of taxes and operational reports.
Please visit TTB’s website at https://
www.ttb.gov/index.shtml for more
information. If you are not in
compliance with TTB’s requirements,
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the Agency may determine that you are
not qualified to receive a Federal award
and use that determination as a basis for
making an award to another applicant.
If, at any time after you have already
received a VAPG award, you are found
to be in noncompliance with TTB’s
operational reporting or tax
requirements, the Agency may
determine that you are not in
compliance with your grant terms and
conditions.
An Applicant may submit only one
application in response to a solicitation
and must explicitly direct that it
competes in either the general funds
competition or in one of the named
reserved funds competitions. Multiple
applications from separate entities with
identical or greater than 75 percent
common ownership, or from a parent,
subsidiary or affiliated organization
(with ‘‘affiliation’’ defined by Small
Business Administration regulation 13
CFR 121.103, or successor regulation)
are not permitted. Further, Applicants
who have already received a Planning
Grant for the proposed project cannot
receive another Planning Grant for the
same project. Applicants who have
already received a Working Capital
Grant for the proposed project cannot
receive any additional grants for that
project (Proposals from previous award
recipients should be substantially
different in terms of products and/or
markets and should not merely be
extensions of previously funded
projects).
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2. Cost-Sharing or Matching
There is a matching fund (costsharing) requirement of at least $1 for
every $1 in grant funds provided by the
Agency (matching funds plus grant
funds must equal proposed Total Project
Cost). Matching funds may be in the
form of cash or eligible in-kind
contributions. Matching contributions
and grant funds may be used only for
eligible project purposes, including any
contributions exceeding the minimum
amount required. Applicant matching
contributions in the form of raw
commodity, time contributed to the
project, or goods or services for which
no out-of-pocket expenditure is made
during the grant period, must be
characterized as in-kind contributions.
Donations of goods and service from
third-parties must be characterized as
in-kind contributions. Tribal applicants
may utilize grants made available under
Public Law 93–638, the Indian SelfDetermination and Education
Assistance Act of 1975, as their
matching contribution, and should
check with appropriate tribal authorities
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regarding the availability of such
funding.
Matching funds must be available at
time of application and must be
certified and verified as described in 7
CFR 4284.931(b)(3) and (4). Do not
include projected income as a matching
contribution because it cannot be
verified as available. Note that matching
funds must also be discussed as part of
the scoring criterion Commitments and
Support as described in section. E.1.(c).
3. Project Eligibility
You must demonstrate within the
application narrative that you meet all
the project eligibility requirements of 7
CFR 4284.922.
(a) Product eligibility. Applicants for
both planning and working capital
grants must meet all requirements at 7
CFR 4284.922(a), including that your
value-added product must result from
one of the five methodologies identified
in the definition of Value-Added
Agricultural Product at 7 CFR 4284.902.
In addition, you must demonstrate that,
as a result of the project, the customer
base for the agricultural commodity or
value-added product will be expanded,
by including a baseline of current
customers for the commodity, and an
estimated target number of customers
that will result from the project; and
that, a greater portion of the revenue
derived from the marketing or
processing of the value-added product is
available to the applicant producer(s) of
the agricultural commodity, by
including a baseline of current revenues
from the sale of the agricultural
commodity and an estimate of increased
revenues that will result from the
project. Note that working capital grants
for market expansion projects per 7 CFR
4284.922(b) must demonstrate expanded
customer base and increased revenue
resulting only from sales of existing
products to new customers. VAPG
recognizes that market expansion
projects may involve in marketing and
promotion activities such as trade
shows, farmers markets, and various
media advertising which also result in
increased sales to existing customers.
However, market expansion award
recipients must use grant and matching
funds only on activities that
demonstrably focus on marketing
products they have produced and sold
for at least two years, to new markets
and/or to new customers in existing
markets, such that the producer’s
customer base (number of customers) is
expanded, per program requirements.
Grant and matching funds cannot be
deliberately expended on sales of
existing products to existing customers.
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67705
In addition, per the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018, working
capital applications must include a
statement describing the direct or
indirect producer benefits intended to
result from the proposed project within
a reasonable period of time after the
receipt of a grant.
(b) Purpose eligibility. Applicants for
both planning and working capital
grants must meet all requirements at 7
CFR 4284.922(b) regarding maximum
grant amounts, verification of matching
funds, eligible and ineligible uses of
grant and matching funds, and a
substantive, detailed work plan and
budget.
(1) Planning Grants. A planning grant
is used to fund development of a
defined program of economic planning
activities to determine the viability of a
potential value-added venture,
specifically for paying a qualified
consultant to conduct and develop a
feasibility study, business plan, and/or
marketing plan associated with the
processing and/or marketing of a valueadded agricultural product. Planning
grant funds may not be used to fund
working capital activities.
(2) Working Capital Grants. This type
of grant provides funds to operate a
value-added project, specifically to pay
the eligible project expenses directly
related to the processing and/or
marketing of the value-added product
that are eligible uses of grant funds.
Working capital funds may not be used
for planning purposes.
(c) Reserved Funds Eligibility. To
qualify for Reserved Funds as a
Beginning, Veteran, or SociallyDisadvantaged Farmer or Rancher or if
you propose to develop a Mid-Tier
Value Chain, you must meet the
requirements found at 7 CFR 4284.923.
If your application is eligible, but is not
awarded under the Reserved Funds, it
will automatically be considered for
general funds in that same fiscal year, as
funding levels permit.
(d) Priority Points. To qualify for
Priority Points for projects that
contribute to increasing opportunities
for Beginning Farmers or Ranchers,
Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or
Ranchers, or if you are an Operator of
a Small or Medium-sized Farm or Ranch
structured as a Family Farm, a Veteran
Farmer or Rancher, propose a Mid-Tier
Value Chain project, or are a Farmer or
Rancher Cooperative, you must meet the
applicable eligibility requirements at 7
CFR 4284.923 and 4284.924 and must
address the relevant proposal evaluation
criterion.
Priority points will also be awarded
during the scoring process to eligible
Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer
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or Rancher Cooperatives, and MajorityControlled Producer-Based Business
Ventures that best contribute to creating
or increasing marketing opportunities
for Beginning Farmers or Ranchers,
Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or
Ranchers, and/or Veteran Farmers or
Ranchers. You must meet the eligibility
requirements at 7 CFR 4284.923 and
4284.924 and must address the relevant
proposal evaluation criterion.
4. Eligible Uses of Grant and Matching
Funds
Eligible uses of grant and matching
funds are discussed, along with
examples, in 7 CFR 4284.925. In
general, grant and cost-share matching
funds have the same use restrictions and
must be used to fund only the costs for
eligible purposes as defined at 7 CFR
4284.925(a) and (b).
5. Ineligible Uses of Grant and Matching
Funds
Federal procurement standards
prohibit transactions that involve a real
or apparent Conflict of Interest for
owners, employees, officers, agents, or
their Immediate Family members having
a personal, professional, financial or
other interest in the outcome of the
project; including organizational
conflicts, and conflicts that restrict open
and free competition for unrestrained
trade. A list (not all-inclusive) of
ineligible uses of grant and matching
funds is found in 7 CFR 4284.926.
D. Application and Submission
Information
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1. Address to Request Applications
The application toolkit, regulation,
and official program notification for this
funding opportunity can be obtained
online at https://www.rd.usda.gov/
programs-services/value-addedproducer-grants. You may also contact
your USDA Rural Development State
Office by visiting https://
www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/stateoffices. The toolkit contains an
application checklist, templates,
required grant forms, and instructions.
Although the Agency highly
recommends their use, use of the
templates in the toolkit is not
mandatory.
2. Content and Form of Application
Submission
You may submit your application in
paper form or electronically through
Grants.gov. Your application must
contain all required information.
To apply electronically, you must
follow the instructions for this funding
announcement at https://
www.grants.gov. Please note that we
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cannot accept emailed or faxed
applications.
You can locate the Grants.gov
downloadable application package for
this program by using a keyword, the
program name, or the Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance Number for this
program.
When you enter the Grants.gov
website, you will find information about
applying electronically through the site,
as well as the hours of operation.
To use Grants.gov, you must already
have a DUNS number and you must also
be registered and maintain registration
in SAM. We strongly recommend that
you do not wait until the application
deadline date to begin the application
process through Grants.gov.
You must submit all your application
documents electronically through
Grants.gov.
After electronically applying through
Grants.gov, you will receive an
automatic acknowledgement from
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov
tracking number.
If you want to submit a paper
application, send it to the State Office
located in the State where your project
will primarily take place. You can find
State Office Contact information at:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/
state-offices. An optional-use Agency
application template is available online
at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/value-added-producer-grants.
Your application must contain all the
required forms and proposal elements
described in 7 CFR 4284.931, unless
otherwise clarified in this Notice. You
are encouraged, but not required to
utilize the Application Toolkits found at
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/value-added-producer-grants,
however, you must provide all of the
information requested by the template.
You must become familiar with the
program regulation at 7 CFR part 4284,
subpart J in order to submit a successful
application. Basic application contents
are outlined below:
• Standard Form (SF)-424,
‘‘Application for Federal Assistance,’’ to
include your DUNS number and SAM
(CAGE) code and expiration date (or
evidence that you have begun the SAM
registration process). Because there are
no specific fields for a CAGE code and
expiration date, you may identify them
anywhere you want to on the form. If
you do not include your DUNS number
in your application, it will not be
considered for funding.
• SF–424A, ‘‘Budget InformationNon-Construction Programs.’’ This form
must be completed and submitted as
part of the application package.
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• SF–424B, ‘‘Assurances—NonConstruction Programs.’’ This form must
be completed, signed, and submitted as
part of the application package.
• Form AD–3030, ‘‘Representations
Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate
Applicants,’’ if you are a corporation. A
corporation is any entity that has filed
articles of incorporation in one of the 50
States, the District of Columbia, the
Federated States of Micronesia, the
Republic of Palau, and the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, or the various
territories of the United States including
American Samoa, Guam, Midway
Islands, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico,
or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Corporations
include both for profit and non-profit
entities.
• You must certify that there are no
current outstanding Federal judgments
against your property and that you will
not use grant funds to pay for any
judgment obtained by the United States.
You must also certify that you are not
delinquent on the payment of Federal
income taxes, or any Federal debt. To
satisfy the Certification requirement,
you should include this statement in
your application: ‘‘[INSERT NAME OF
APPLICANT] certifies that the United
States has not obtained an unsatisfied
judgment against its property, is not
delinquent on the payment of Federal
income taxes, or any Federal debt, and
will not use grant funds to pay any
judgments obtained by the United
States.’’ A separate signature is not
required.
You must provide a valid permit or
evidence of having begun the permitting
process if you are proposing a working
capital grant to produce and market
value-added products in the industries
of wine, beer, distilled spirits or other
alcoholic merchandise.
You must provide a valid producer
license issued by a State, Tribe, or
USDA, as applicable in accordance with
7 CFR part 990 if you are proposing to
market value-added hemp products.
• Executive Summary and Abstract. A
one-page Executive Summary
containing the following information:
legal name of applicant entity,
application type (planning or working
capital), applicant type, amount of grant
request, a summary of your project, and
whether you are submitting a simplified
application, and whether you are
requesting Reserved Funds. Also
include a separate abstract of up to 100
words briefly describing your project.
• Eligibility discussion.
• Work plan and budget.
• Performance evaluation criteria.
• Proposal evaluation criteria.
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• Certification and verification of
matching funds.
• Reserved Funds and Priority Point
documentation (as applicable).
• Feasibility studies, business plans,
and/or marketing plans, as applicable.
Appendices containing required
supporting documentation.
grants.gov/applicants/organization_
registration.jsp for instructions on the
process of registering your organization
as soon as possible to ensure you are
able to meet the electronic application
deadline. Grants.gov will not accept
applications submitted after the
deadline.
3. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) and System
for Awards Management (SAM)
To be eligible (unless you are
excepted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c) or
(d), you are required to:
(a) Provide a valid DUNS number in
your application, which can be obtained
at no cost via a toll-free request line at
(866) 705–5711;
(b) Register in SAM before submitting
your application. You may register in
SAM at no cost at https://www.sam.gov/
portal/public/SAM/. You must provide
your SAM Cage Code and expiration
date or evidence that you have begun
the SAM registration process at time of
application; and
(c) Continue to maintain an active
SAM registration with current
information at all times during which
you have an active Federal award or an
application or plan under consideration
by a Federal awarding agency.
If you have not fully complied with
all applicable DUNS and SAM
requirements, the Agency may
determine that the applicant is not
qualified to receive a Federal award and
the Agency may use that determination
as a basis for making an award to
another applicant. Please refer to
Section F. 2 for additional submission
requirements that apply to grantees
selected for this program.
5. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order (E.O.) 12372,
Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs, applies to this program. This
E.O. requires that Federal agencies
provide opportunities for consultation
on proposed assistance with State and
local governments. Many States have
established a Single Point of Contact
(SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. A
list of States that maintain a SPOC may
be obtained at https://
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc.
If your State has a SPOC, you must
submit your application directly for
review. Any comments obtained
through the SPOC must be provided to
RD for consideration as part of your
application. If your State has not
established a SPOC or you do not want
to submit your application to the SPOC,
RD will submit your application to the
SPOC or other appropriate agency or
agencies. Applications from federally
recognized Indian tribes are not subject
to Intergovernmental Review.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Application Deadline Date: March 10,
2020.
Explanation of Deadlines: Paper
applications must be postmarked and
mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by
March 10, 2020. The Agency will
determine whether your application is
late based on the date shown on the
postmark or shipping invoice. You may
also hand carry your application to one
of our field offices, but it must be
received by close of business on the
deadline date. If the due date falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday,
the application is due the next business
day. Late applications will
automatically be considered ineligible
and will not be evaluated further.
Electronic applications must be
received at https://www.grants.gov no
later than Midnight Eastern time, March
5, 2020 to be eligible for funding. Please
review the Grants.gov website at https://
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6. Funding Restrictions
Funding limitations and reservations
found in the program regulation at 7
CFR 4284.927 will apply, including:
(a) Use of Funds. Grant funds may be
used to pay up to 50 percent of the total
eligible project costs, subject to the
limitations established for maximum
total grant amount. Grant funds may not
be used to pay any costs of the project
incurred prior to the date of grant
approval. Grant and matching funds
may only be used for eligible purposes.
(See examples of eligible and ineligible
uses in 7 CFR 4284.925 and 4284.926,
respectively).
(b) Grant Period (project period). Your
project timeframe or grant period can be
a maximum of 36 months in length from
the date of award, depending on the
complexity of your project. Your
proposed grant period should begin no
earlier than the anticipated award
announcement date in this Notice and
should end no later than 36 months
following that date. If you receive an
award, your grant period will be revised
to begin on the actual date of award—
the date the grant agreement is executed
by the Agency—and your grant period
end date will be adjusted accordingly.
Your project activities should begin
within 90 days of that date of award.
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The length of your grant period should
be based on your project’s complexity,
as indicated in your application work
plan. For example, it is expected that
most planning grants can be completed
within 12 months.
(c) Program Income. If income
(Program Income) is earned during the
grant period as a result of the project
activities, it is subject to the
requirements in 2 CFR 200.80, and must
be managed and reported accordingly.
(d) Majority Controlled ProducerBased Business. The total amount of
funds awarded to Majority Controlled
Producer-Based Businesses in response
to this announcement shall not exceed
10 percent of the total funds obligated
for the program during the fiscal year.
(e) Reserved Funds. Ten percent of all
funds available will be reserved to fund
projects that benefit Beginning Farmers
or Ranchers, Veteran Farmers or
Ranchers or Socially- Disadvantaged
Farmers or Ranchers. In addition, 10
percent of total funding available will be
used to fund projects that propose
development of Mid-Tier Value Chains
as part of a Local or Regional Supply
Chain Network. See related definitions
in 7 CFR 4284.902. In addition, in
accordance with Title VII, Section 750
of Public Law 115–30, 10 percent of FY
2019 funds will be allocated for
assistance in persistent poverty
counties. Any funds that become
available after publishing this notice
that will be allocated for assistance in
persistent poverty counties will be
identified by the Agency at a later date,
after the applicable appropriations
language has been enacted.
(f) Disposition of Reserved Funds Not
Obligated. For this announcement, any
reserved funds that have not been
obligated by September 30, 2019, will be
available to the Secretary to make VAPG
grants in accordance with Section
210A(i)(3)(ii) of the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018.
7. Other Submission Requirements
(a) National Environmental Policy
Act.
This Notice has been reviewed in
accordance with 7 CFR part 1970,
‘‘Environmental Policies and
Procedures,’’ and it has been
determined that an Environmental
Impact Statement is not required
because the issuance of regulations and
instructions, as well as amendments to
them, describing administrative and
financial procedures for processing,
approving, and implementing the
Agency’s financial programs is
categorically excluded in the Agency’s
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) regulation found at 7 CFR
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1970.53(f). We have determined that
this Notice does not constitute a major
Federal action significantly affecting the
quality of the human environment.
The Agency will review each grant
application to determine its compliance
with 7 CFR part 1970 and whether
proposed financial assistance by the
Agency would have a
disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effect
on minority or low-income populations.
The applicant may be asked to provide
additional information or
documentation to assist the Agency
with this determination.
(b) Civil Rights Compliance
Requirements.
All grants made under this Notice are
subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR
part 15, subpart A) and Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
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E. Application Review Information
Applications will be reviewed and
processed as described at 7 CFR
4284.940. The Agency will review your
application to determine if it is
complete and eligible. If at any time, the
Agency determines that your
application is ineligible, you will be
notified in writing as to the reasons it
was determined ineligible and you will
be informed of your review and appeal
rights. Funding of successfully appealed
applications will be limited to available
funds.
The Agency will only score
applications in which the applicant and
project are eligible, which are complete
and sufficiently responsive to program
requirements, and in which the Agency
agrees on the likelihood of financial
feasibility for working capital requests.
We will score your application
according to the procedures and criteria
specified in 7 CFR 4284.942, and with
tiered scoring thresholds as specified
below.
1. Scoring Criteria
For each criterion, you must show
how the project has merit and why it is
likely to be successful. Your complete
response to each criterion must be
included in the body of the application,
including summarizations of any
feasibility studies, business and
marketing plans. If you do not address
all parts of the criterion, or do not
sufficiently communicate relevant
project information, you will receive
lower scores. VAPG is a competitive
program, so you will receive scores
based on the quality of your responses.
Simply addressing the criteria will not
guarantee higher scores. The maximum
number of points that can be awarded
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to your application is 100. For this
announcement, the minimum score
requirement for funding is 50 points.
The Agency application toolkit
provides additional instruction to help
you to respond to the criteria below.
(a) Nature of the Proposed Venture
(graduated score 0–30 points).
For both planning and working
capital grants, you must discuss the
technological feasibility of the project,
as well as operational efficiency,
profitability, and overall economic
sustainability resulting from the project.
You must also demonstrate the potential
for expanding the customer base for the
agricultural commodity or value-added
product, and the expected increase in
revenue returns to the producer-owners
providing the majority of the raw
agricultural commodity to the project.
Working capital applicants must also
provide the potential number of jobs
that will result from the project, along
with a justifiable basis for these
projections. Please see the application
template for more information. All
applicants must reference and
summarize third-party data and other
information that specifically supports
your value-added project; discuss the
value-added process you are proposing;
potential markets and distribution
channels; the value to be added to the
raw commodity through the valueadded process; cost and availability of
inputs, your experience in marketing
the proposed or similar product;
business financial statements; and any
other relevant information that supports
the viability of your project. Working
capital applicants should demonstrate
that these outcomes will result from the
project and include supportable
projections of increase in customer base,
revenue returned to producers and jobs
resulting from the project in order to
receive up to the maximum number of
points. Planning grant applicants should
describe the expected results, and the
reasons supporting those expectations.
Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do
not address the criterion.
(2) 1–5 points will be awarded if you
do not address each of the following:
technological feasibility, operational
efficiency, profitability, and overall
economic sustainability.
(3) 6–13 points will be awarded if you
address technological feasibility,
operational efficiency, profitability, and
overall economic sustainability, but do
not reference third-party information
that supports the success of your
project.
(4) 14–22 points will be awarded if
you address technological feasibility,
operational efficiency, profitability, and
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overall economic, supported by thirdparty information demonstrating a
reasonable likelihood of success.
(5) 23–30 points will be awarded if all
criterion components are well
addressed, supported by third-party
information, and demonstrate a high
likelihood of success.
(b) Qualifications of Project Personnel
(graduated score 0–20 points).
You must identify all individuals who
will be responsible for managing and
completing the proposed tasks in the
work plan, including the roles and
activities that owners, staff, contractors,
consultants or new hires may perform;
and show that these individuals have
the necessary qualifications and
expertise, including those hired to do
market or feasibility analyses, or to
develop a business operations plan for
the value-added venture. You must
include the qualifications of those
individuals responsible for leading or
managing the total project (applicant
owners or project managers), as well as
those individuals responsible for
conducting the various individual tasks
in the work plan (such as consultants,
contractors, staff or new hires). You
must discuss the commitment and the
availability of any consultants or other
professionals to be hired for the
project—especially those who may be
consulting on multiple VAPG projects).
If staff or consultants have not been
selected at the time of application, you
must provide specific descriptions of
the qualifications required for the
positions to be filled. Applications that
demonstrate the strong credentials,
education, capabilities, experience and
availability of project personnel that
will contribute to a high likelihood of
project success will receive more points
than those that demonstrate less
potential for success in these areas.
Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do
not address the criterion.
(2) 1–4 points will be awarded if
qualifications and experience of all staff
is not addressed and/or if necessary,
qualifications of unfilled positions are
not provided.
(3) 5–9 points will be awarded if all
project personnel are identified but do
not demonstrate qualifications or
experience relevant to the project.
(4) 10–14 will be awarded if most key
personnel demonstrate strong
credentials and/or experience, and
availability indicating a reasonable
likelihood of success.
(5) 15–20 points will be awarded if all
personnel demonstrate strong, relevant
credentials or experience, and
availability indicating a high likelihood
of project success.
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(c) Commitments and Support
(graduated score 0–10 points).
Producer, end-user, and third-party
commitments will be evaluated under
this criterion. Sole proprietors can
receive a maximum of 9 points.
Multiple producer applications can
receive a maximum of 10 points.
(1) Producer commitments to the
project will be evaluated based on the
number of named and documented
independent producers currently
involved in the project; and the nature,
level and quality of their contributions.
(2) End-user commitments will be
evaluated based on potential or
identified markets and the potential
amount of output to be purchased, as
indicated by letters of intent or contracts
(purchase orders) from potential buyers
referenced within the application.
Applications that demonstrate
documented intent to purchase the
value-added product will receive more
points. Note: For planning grants, this
criterion can be addressed by evidence
of interest or support from identified or
potential customers.
(3) Third-party commitments to the
project will be evaluated based on the
critical and tangible nature of their
contribution to the project, such as
technical assistance, storage, processing,
marketing, or distribution arrangements
that are necessary for the project to
proceed; and the level and quality of
these contributions. Applications that
demonstrate strong technical and
logistical support to successfully
complete the project will receive more
points.
Letters of commitment by producers,
end-users, and third-parties should be
summarized as part of your response to
this criterion, and the letters must be
included in Appendix B. Please note
that VAPG does not require
Congressional letters of support, nor do
they carry any extra weight during the
evaluation process. Also, note that
because applications with cash
matching contributions are awarded
more points than those pledging only
in-kind contributions, applicants will
not be able to substitute an in-kind
match for cash after awards are made.
Points will be awarded as follows:
(i) 0 points will be awarded if you do
not address the criterion
(ii) Independent Producer
Commitment
(A) Sole Proprietor (one owner/
producer): 1 point
(B) Multiple Independent Producers
(note: in cases where family members,
such as husband and wife, are eligible
Independent Producers, each family
member will count as one Independent
Producer): 2 points
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(iii) Level of Commitment
(A) All matching contributions are inkind: 1 point
(B) Matching contribution consists of
both cash and in-kind: 2 points
(C) All matching contributions are
cash: 4 points
(iv) End-user commitment:
(A) No or insufficiently documented
commitment from end-users: 0 points
(B) Well-documented commitment
from one end-user: 1 point
(C) Well-documented commitment
from more than one end-user: 2 points
(v) Third-party commitment:
(A) No or insufficiently documented
commitment from third-parties: 0 points
(B) Well-documented commitment
from one third-party: 1 point
(C) Well-documented commitment
from more than one third-party: 2 points
(d) Work Plan and Budget (graduated
score 0–20 points).
You must submit a comprehensive
work plan and budget (for full details,
see 7 CFR 4284.922(b)(5)). Your work
plan must provide specific and detailed
descriptions of the tasks and the key
project personnel that will accomplish
the project’s goals. The budget must
present a detailed breakdown and
description of all estimated costs of
project activities (including source and
basis for their valuation) and allocate
those costs among the listed tasks, as
instructed in the application package.
You must show the source and use of
both grant and matching funds for all
tasks. Matching funds must be spent at
a rate equal to, or in advance of, grant
funds. An eligible start and end date for
the entire project, as well as for each
individual project task must be clearly
shown. The project timeframe must not
exceed 36 months and should be scaled
to the complexity of the project.
Working capital applications must
include an estimate of program income
expected to be earned during the grant
period (see 2 CFR 200.307).
Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do
not address the criterion.
(2) 1–7 points will be awarded if the
work plan and budget do not account
for all project goals, tasks, costs,
timelines, and responsible personnel.
(3) 8–14 points will be awarded if you
provide a clear, comprehensive work
plan detailing all project goals, tasks,
timelines, costs, and responsible
personnel in a logical and realistic
manner that demonstrates a reasonable
likelihood of success.
(4) 15–20 points will be awarded if
you provide a clear, comprehensive
work plan detailing all project goals,
tasks, timelines, costs, and responsible
personnel in a logical and realistic
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manner that demonstrates a high
likelihood of success.
(e) Priority Points up to 10 points
(lump sum 0 or 5 points plus, graduated
score 0–5 points).
It is recommended that you use the
Agency application package when
applying for priority points and refer to
the requirements specified in 7 CFR
4284.924. Priority points may be
awarded in both the general funds and
Reserved Funds competitions.
(1) 5 points will be awarded if you
meet the requirements for one of the
following categories and provide the
documentation described in 7 CFR
4284.923 and 4284.924 as applicable:
Beginning Farmer or Rancher, SociallyDisadvantaged Farmer or Rancher,
Veteran Farmer or Rancher, or Operator
of a Small or Medium-sized Farm or
Ranch that is structured as a Family
Farm, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative,
or are proposing a Mid-Tier Value Chain
project.
(2) Up to 5 priority points will be
awarded if you are an Agricultural
Producer Group, Farmer or Rancher
Cooperative, or Majority-Controlled
Producer-Based Business Venture
(referred to below as ‘‘applicant group’’)
whose project ‘‘best contributes to
creating or increasing marketing
opportunities’’ for Operators of Smalland Medium-sized Farms and Ranches
that are structured as Family Farms,
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers,
Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and
Ranchers, and Veteran Farmers and
Ranchers (referred to below as ‘‘priority
groups’’). For each of the priority point
levels below, applications must
demonstrate how the proposed project
will contribute to new or increased
marketing opportunities for respective
priority groups. Guidance on relevant
information required to adequately
demonstrate this requirement can be
found in program application package.
(i) 2 priority points will be awarded
if the existing membership of the
applicant group is comprised of either
more than 50 percent of any one of the
four priority groups or more than 50
percent of any combination of the four
priority groups.
(ii) 1 priority point will be awarded if
the existing membership of the
applicant group is comprised of two or
more of the priority groups. One point
is awarded regardless of whether a
group’s membership is comprised of
two, three, or all four of the priority
groups.
(iii) 2 priority points will be awarded
if the applicant’s proposed project will
increase the number of priority groups
that comprise applicant membership by
one or more priority groups. However,
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if an applicant group’s membership is
already comprised of all four priority
groups, such an applicant would not be
eligible for points under this criterion
because there is no opportunity to
increase the number of priority groups.
Note also that this criterion does not
consider either the percentage of the
existing membership that is comprised
of the four priority groups or the
number of priority groups currently
comprising the applicant group’s
membership.
(f) Administrator Priority Categories
(graduated score 0–10 points).
The Administrator of the Agency may
choose to award up to 10 points to an
application to improve the geographic
diversity of awardees and/or foster
persistent poverty counties and/or help
reduce unemployment through job
creation in a fiscal year. To ensure that
funds are more broadly utilized in
support of recommendations made in
the Rural Prosperity Task Force report
to help improve life in rural America,
the Administrator may also choose to
award points to eligible applicants who
have never previously been awarded a
VAPG grant. Eligible applicants who
have never previously received VAPG
funds and who want to be considered
for discretionary points must
specifically request consideration for
these points and certify that neither the
applicant entity or any of its owner or
members have ever received a VAPG
grant. To be considered for these points,
you must discuss how your workplan
and budget supports one or more of the
five following key strategies:
Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural
America;
Improving Quality of Life;
Supporting a Rural Workforce;
Harnessing Technological Innovation;
and
Economic Development.
2. Review and Selection Process
The Agency will select applications
for award under this Notice in
accordance with the provisions
specified in 7 CFR 4284.950(a).
If your application is eligible and
complete, it will be qualitatively scored
by at least two reviewers based on
criteria specified in section E.1. of this
Notice. One of these reviewers will be
an experienced RD employee from your
servicing State Office and at least one
additional reviewer will be a nonFederal, independent reviewer, who
must meet the following qualifications.
Independent reviewers must have at
least a bachelor’s degree in one or more
of the following fields: Agri-business,
agricultural economics, agriculture,
animal science, business, marketing,
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economics or finance; and a minimum
of 8 years of experience in an
agriculture-related field (e.g. farming,
marketing, consulting, or research; or as
university faculty, trade association
official or non-Federal government
official in an agriculturally-related
field). Each reviewer will score
evaluation criteria (a) through (d) and
the totals for each reviewer will be
added together and averaged. The RD
State Office reviewer will also assign
priority points based on criterion (e) in
section E.1. of this Notice. These will be
added to the average score. The sum of
these scores will be ranked highest to
lowest and this will comprise the initial
ranking.
The Administrator of the Agency may
choose to award up to 10 Administrator
priority points based on criterion (f) in
section E.1. of this Notice. These points
will be added to the cumulative score
for a total possible score of 100.
A final ranking will be obtained based
solely on the scores received for criteria
(a) through (e). A minimum score of 50
points is required for funding.
Applications for Reserved Funds will be
funded in rank order until funds are
depleted. Unfunded reserve
applications will be returned to the
general funds where applications will
be funded in rank order until the funds
are expended. Funding for Majority
Controlled Producer-Based Business
Ventures is limited to 10 percent of total
grant funds expected to be obligated as
a result of this Notice. These
applications will be funded in rank
order until the funding limitation has
been reached. Grants to these applicants
from Reserved Funds will count against
this funding limitation. In the event of
tied scores, the Administrator shall have
discretion in breaking ties.
If your application is ranked, but not
funded, it will not be carried forward
into the next competition.
F. Federal Award Administration
Information
1. Federal Award Notices
If you are selected for funding, you
will receive a signed notice of Federal
award by postal mail, containing
instructions on requirements necessary
to proceed with execution and
performance of the award.
If you are not selected for funding,
you will be notified in writing via postal
mail and informed of any review and
appeal rights. Funding of successfully
appealed applications will be limited to
available funding.
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2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
Additional requirements that apply to
grantees selected for this program can be
found in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J; the
Grants and Agreements regulations of
the Department of Agriculture codified
in 2 CFR parts 180, 400, 415, 417, 418,
421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and 48
CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to
these parts.
In addition, all recipients of Federal
financial assistance are required to
report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation
(see 2 CFR part 170). You will be
required to have the necessary processes
and systems in place to comply with the
Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109–
282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR
170.200(b), unless you are exempt under
2 CFR 170.110(b)). More information on
these requirements can be found at
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/value-added-producer-grants.
The following additional
requirements apply to grantees selected
for this program:
(a) Agency approved Grant
Agreement.
(b) Letter of Conditions.
(c) Form RD 1940–1, ‘‘Request for
Obligation of Funds.’’
(d) Form RD 1942–46, ‘‘Letter of
Intent to Meet Conditions.’’
(e) Form AD–1047, ‘‘Certification
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and
Other Responsibility Matters-Primary
Covered Transactions.’’
(f) Form AD–1048, ‘‘Certification
Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary ExclusionLower Tier Covered Transactions.’’
(g) Form AD–1049, ‘‘Certification
Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace
Requirement (Grants).’’
(h) Form AD–3031, ‘‘Assurance
Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate
Applicants.’’ Must be signed by
corporate applicants who receive an
award under this Notice.
(i) Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance
Agreement.’’
(j) SF LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of Lobbying
Activities,’’ if applicable.
(k) Use Form SF 270, ‘‘Request for
Advance or Reimbursement.’’
3. Reporting
After grant approval and through
grant completion, you will be required
to provide the following, as indicated in
the Grant Agreement:
(a) A SF–425, ‘‘Federal Financial
Report,’’ and a project performance
report will be required on a semiannual
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basis (due 30 working days after end of
the semiannual period). For the
purposes of this grant, semiannual
periods end on March 31st and
September 30th. The project
performance reports shall include the
elements prescribed in the grant
agreement.
(b) A final project and financial status
report within 90 days after the
expiration or termination of the grant.
(c) Provide outcome project
performance reports and final
deliverables.
G. Solicitation of Non-Federal
Independent Grant Reviewers
Rural Development is seeking nonFederal independent grant reviewers
under this Notice. Reviewers must be
able to use their professional knowledge
and experience to evaluate and score
VAPG program applications against the
evaluation criteria published in this
Notice, and effectively communicate
their findings in writing.
1. Qualifications
All reviewers must meet the following
qualifications.
(a) Have at least a bachelor’s degree in
one or more of the following fields: agribusiness, agricultural economics,
business, marketing, economics or
finance, and
(b) A minimum of 8 years of
experience in an agriculture-related
field (e.g. farming, marketing,
consulting, or research; or as university
faculty, trade association official or nonFederal government official in an
agriculturally-related field).
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2. Ethical Standards
Prospective reviewers must be able to
exercise the highest level of ethical
standards in avoiding conflict of
interests and maintaining
confidentiality.
(a) Conflict of Interest
Individuals selected as non-Federal
independent grant reviewers will be
required to certify that they do not have
a conflict of interest or an appearance
thereof with any VAPG application they
are assigned to review. This may
include but is not limited to
certification that they did not apply for
a VAPG grant and are not affiliated with
persons or organizations applying for
VAPG funds.
(b) Confidentiality
Reviewers will also be required to
sign a certification statement regarding
the safeguarding of information
contained in assigned applications.
Failure to identify a conflict-ofinterest or the unauthorized disclosure
of information may subject reviewers to
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administrative sanction, i.e., removal
from the current review and/or
disqualification from involvement in
future reviews of grant applications.
3. Training
All reviewers must review and
understand program requirements and
must attend a mandatory training
webinar.
4. System Requirements
(a) Reviewers must have reliable
internet access using Internet Explorer
and be able to reliably both access
applications and submit scores
electronically, and
(b) All reviewers must be able to
complete requirements for, obtain, and
maintain USDA Level 2 e-Authorization
credentialing.
To apply, please send a resume
addressing relevant qualifications and
experience to CPGrants@wdc.usda.gov
by February 10, 2020.
H. Agency Contacts
If you have questions about this
Notice, please contact the State Office as
identified in the ADDRESSES section of
this Notice. You are also encouraged to
visit the application website for
application tools, including an
application guide and templates. The
website address is: https://
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
value-added-producer-grants. You may
also contact National Office staff at
CPGrants@wdc.usda.gov or call the
main line at 202–720–1400.
I. Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil
rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees, and
institutions participating in or
administering USDA programs are
prohibited from discriminating based on
race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender
expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/
parental status, income derived from a
public assistance program, political
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
civil rights activity, in any program or
activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means of communication for
program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign
Language, etc.) should contact the
responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
67711
TTY) or contact USDA through the
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
Additionally, program information may
be made available in languages other
than English.
To file a program discrimination
complaint, complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–
3027, found online at https://
www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_
cust.html and at any USDA office or
write a letter addressed to USDA and
provide in the letter all of the
information requested in the form. To
request a copy of the complaint form,
call (866) 632–9992. Submit your
completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410;
(2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
Bette B. Brand,
Administrator, Rural Business—Cooperative
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–26626 Filed 12–10–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–201–845]
Sugar From Mexico: Notice of
Termination of Amendment to the
Agreement Suspending the
Antidumping Duty Investigation
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: On October 18, 2019, the
United States Court of International
Trade (CIT) issued a final judgment in
CSC Sugar LLC v. United States, Ct. No.
17–00215, Slip Op. 19–132 (CIT October
18, 2019) (CSC Sugar II), vacating the
2017 amendment to the Agreement
Suspending the Antidumping Duty
Investigation on Sugar from Mexico.
Commerce is now terminating the
amendment consistent with the Court’s
order.
DATES: Applicable December 7, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sally C. Gannon, Bilateral Agreements
Unit, Office of Policy and Negotiations,
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–0162.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\11DEN1.SGM
11DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67703-67711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26626]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 11, 2019 /
Notices
[[Page 67703]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket No. RBS-19-CO-OP-0018]
Inviting Applications for Value-Added Producer Grants and
Solicitation of Grant Reviewers
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service (Agency) is accepting applications for the Value-Added Producer
Grant (VAPG) program. Approximately $37 million is currently available.
The Agency may also utilize any funding that become available after
publishing this notice. The Agency will publish the program funding
level on the Rural Development website (https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants). Section VII also
announces solicitation of non-Federal independent grant reviewers to
evaluate and score applications submitted under this Notice.
DATES: You must submit your application by March 10, 2020 or it will
not be considered for funding. Paper applications must be postmarked
and mailed, shipped or sent overnight by this date. You may also hand
carry your application to one of our field offices, but it must be
received by close of business on the deadline date. Electronic
applications are permitted via https://www.grants.gov only and must be
received before Midnight Eastern time on March 5, 2020. Late
applications are not eligible for grant funding under this Notice.
ADDRESSES: You should contact your USDA Rural Development State Office
if you have questions about eligibility or submission requirements. You
are encouraged to contact your State Office well in advance of the
application deadline to discuss your project and to ask any questions
about the application process. Application materials are available at
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
If you want to submit an electronic application, follow the
instructions for the VAPG funding announcement on https://www.grants.gov. Please review the Grants.gov website at https://grants.gov/applicants/organization-registration.html for instructions
on the process of registering your organization as soon as possible to
ensure you are able to meet the electronic application deadline. If you
want to submit a paper application, send it to the State Office located
in the State where your project will primarily take place. You can find
State Office Contact information at https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Grants Division, Cooperative Programs,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, MS 3253, Room 4008-South,
Washington, DC 20250-3253, or call 202-690-1374.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Preface
The Agency encourages applications that will support
recommendations made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force report to help
improve life in rural America. www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity. Applicants
are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in
helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies
through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships and
innovation.
Key strategies include:
Achieving e-Connectivity for rural America
Developing the Rural Economy
Harnessing Technological Innovation
Supporting a Rural Workforce
Improving Quality of Life
Please note the following:
Hemp projects: VAPG applications proposing projects related to Hemp
as defined in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-
334, will be considered for funding if the projects meets all program
eligibility requirements, including currently producing Hemp with a
valid producer license and verifiable compliance with regulations
published by the Agricultural Marketing Service at 7 CFR part 990 and
the Rural Business-Cooperative Service at 7 CFR 4284, subpart J.
Local Agriculture Marketing Program (LAMP) Food Safety
Implementation: Until Farm Bill implementation is finalized via the
Agency rulemaking process, there will not be food safety reserve
funding. Food safety training, certifications, and supplies that are
eligible under the current program regulation may continue to be
included in the work plan/budget.
Overview
Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Value-Added Producer Grant.
Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications and
Solicitation of Grant Reviewers.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.352.
Dates: Application Deadline. You must submit your complete paper
application by March 10, 2020, or it will not be considered for
funding. Electronic applications must be received by https://www.grants.gov no later than Midnight Eastern time on March 5, 2020, or
it will not be considered for funding.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the paperwork
burden associated with this Notice has been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0039.
A. Program Description
The VAPG program is authorized under section 231 of the Agriculture
Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-224), as amended by section
10102 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) (see
7 U.S.C. 1621 et. seq.). Applicants must adhere to the requirements
contained in the program regulation, 7 CFR 4284, subpart J, which is
incorporated by reference in this Notice.
The objective of this grant program is to assist viable Independent
Producers, Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher
Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in
starting or expanding
[[Page 67704]]
value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of
Value-Added Agricultural Products. Grants will be awarded competitively
for either planning or working capital projects directly related to the
processing and/or marketing of value-added products. Generating new
products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and
increasing producer income are the end goals of the program. All
proposals must demonstrate economic viability and sustainability to
compete for funding.
Funding priority will be made available to Beginning Farmers and
Ranchers, Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers
and Ranchers, Operators of Small and Medium-Sized Farms and Ranches
structured as Family Farms or Ranches, Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives,
and projects proposing to develop a Mid-Tier Value Chain. See 7 CFR
4284.923 for Reserved Funds eligibility and 7 CFR 4284.924 for Priority
Scoring eligibility.
Definitions
The following term is incorporated from Section 10102 of the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Majority Controlled Producer-Based
Business venture means a venture greater than 50 percent of the
ownership and control of which is held by--
``(i) 1 or more producers; or
``(ii) 1 or more entities, 100 percent of the ownership and control
of which is held by 1 or more producers. The term `entity' means--
``(i) a partnership;
``(ii) a limited liability corporation;
``(iii) a limited liability partnership; and
``(iv) a corporation.
Also, Market Expansion Project means a project in which the
Independent Producer applicant seeks to expand the market for an
existing value-added product (produced and marketed by the applicant
for at least 2 years at time of application) through sales to
demonstrably new markets or to new customers in existing markets.
Additional terms you need to understand are defined in 7 CFR
4284.902.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Instrument: Grant.
Approximate Number of Awards: To be determined.
Available Total Funding: $37 million.
Maximum Award Amount: Planning--$75,000; Working Capital--$250,000.
Project Period: Up to 36 months depending on the complexity of the
project.
Anticipated Award Date: July 31, 2020.
Reservation of Funds: Ten percent of available funds for
applications will be reserved for applicants qualifying as Beginning,
Veteran, and Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers. An additional
ten percent of available funds for applications from farmers or
ranchers proposing development of Mid-Tier Value Chains. Funds are not
obligated from these reserves prior to September 30, 2019, will be used
for the VAPG general competition. If this is the case, Beginning,
Veteran, and Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers and applicants
proposing Mid-Tier Value Chains will compete with other eligible VAPG
applications. In addition, in accordance with Division B, Title VII,
Section 752 of Public Law 116-6, 10 percent of FY 2019 funds will be
allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties. Any funds that
become available after publication of this notice, that will be
allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties, will be
identified by the Agency at a later date, after the applicable
appropriations language has been enacted.
C. Eligibility Information
Applicants must comply with the program regulation 7 CFR part 4284
subpart J to meet all the following eligibility requirements. Required
documentation is included in the application package. Applications
which fail to meet any of these requirements by the application
deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be evaluated further.
1. Eligible Applicants
You must demonstrate within the application narrative that you meet
all the applicant eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 4284.920 and
4284.921. This includes meeting the definition requirements at 7 CFR
4284.902 by demonstrating how you meet the definition for Agricultural
Producer (i.e., how you participate in the ``day to day labor,
management, and field operations'' of your agricultural enterprise; how
you qualify for one of the following applicant types: Independent
Producer, Agricultural Producer Group, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative or
Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business; and whether you meet the
Emerging Market, Citizenship, Legal Authority and Responsibility,
Multiple Grants and Active Grants requirements of the section. Required
documentation to support eligibility is contained at 7 CFR 4284.931 and
in the application package.
Federally-recognized Tribes and tribal entities must demonstrate
that they meet the definition requirements for one of the four eligible
applicant types. Rural Development State Offices and posted application
toolkits will provide additional information on Tribal eligibility.
Per 4284.921, an applicant is ineligible if they have been debarred
or suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation
in Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, ``Debarment
and Suspension.'' The Agency will check the System for Award Management
(SAM) to determine if the applicant has been debarred or suspended. In
addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible for a grant due to
an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a Federal Court (other
than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment of Federal income
taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt. The applicant must certify as
part of the application that they do not have an outstanding judgment
against them. The Agency will check the Credit Alert Interactive Voice
Response System (CAIVRS) to verify this.
Per the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-141) or
successor appropriations act, any corporation (i) that has been
convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within
the past 24 months or (ii) that has any unpaid Federal tax liability
that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative
remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid
in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority
responsible for collecting the tax liability, is not eligible for
financial assistance provided with funds appropriated by, unless a
Federal agency has considered suspension or debarment of the
corporation and has made a determination that this further action is
not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
Per 4284.905(a), Applicants must comply with other applicable
Federal laws. Applicants who are proposing working capital grants to
produce and market value-added products in the industries of wine,
beer, distilled spirits or other alcoholic merchandise must comply with
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations, including
but not limited to permitting, filing of taxes and operational reports.
Please visit TTB's website at https://www.ttb.gov/index.shtml for more
information. If you are not in compliance with TTB's requirements,
[[Page 67705]]
the Agency may determine that you are not qualified to receive a
Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making an award
to another applicant. If, at any time after you have already received a
VAPG award, you are found to be in noncompliance with TTB's operational
reporting or tax requirements, the Agency may determine that you are
not in compliance with your grant terms and conditions.
An Applicant may submit only one application in response to a
solicitation and must explicitly direct that it competes in either the
general funds competition or in one of the named reserved funds
competitions. Multiple applications from separate entities with
identical or greater than 75 percent common ownership, or from a
parent, subsidiary or affiliated organization (with ``affiliation''
defined by Small Business Administration regulation 13 CFR 121.103, or
successor regulation) are not permitted. Further, Applicants who have
already received a Planning Grant for the proposed project cannot
receive another Planning Grant for the same project. Applicants who
have already received a Working Capital Grant for the proposed project
cannot receive any additional grants for that project (Proposals from
previous award recipients should be substantially different in terms of
products and/or markets and should not merely be extensions of
previously funded projects).
2. Cost-Sharing or Matching
There is a matching fund (cost-sharing) requirement of at least $1
for every $1 in grant funds provided by the Agency (matching funds plus
grant funds must equal proposed Total Project Cost). Matching funds may
be in the form of cash or eligible in-kind contributions. Matching
contributions and grant funds may be used only for eligible project
purposes, including any contributions exceeding the minimum amount
required. Applicant matching contributions in the form of raw
commodity, time contributed to the project, or goods or services for
which no out-of-pocket expenditure is made during the grant period,
must be characterized as in-kind contributions. Donations of goods and
service from third-parties must be characterized as in-kind
contributions. Tribal applicants may utilize grants made available
under Public Law 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act of 1975, as their matching contribution, and should
check with appropriate tribal authorities regarding the availability of
such funding.
Matching funds must be available at time of application and must be
certified and verified as described in 7 CFR 4284.931(b)(3) and (4). Do
not include projected income as a matching contribution because it
cannot be verified as available. Note that matching funds must also be
discussed as part of the scoring criterion Commitments and Support as
described in section. E.1.(c).
3. Project Eligibility
You must demonstrate within the application narrative that you meet
all the project eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 4284.922.
(a) Product eligibility. Applicants for both planning and working
capital grants must meet all requirements at 7 CFR 4284.922(a),
including that your value-added product must result from one of the
five methodologies identified in the definition of Value-Added
Agricultural Product at 7 CFR 4284.902. In addition, you must
demonstrate that, as a result of the project, the customer base for the
agricultural commodity or value-added product will be expanded, by
including a baseline of current customers for the commodity, and an
estimated target number of customers that will result from the project;
and that, a greater portion of the revenue derived from the marketing
or processing of the value-added product is available to the applicant
producer(s) of the agricultural commodity, by including a baseline of
current revenues from the sale of the agricultural commodity and an
estimate of increased revenues that will result from the project. Note
that working capital grants for market expansion projects per 7 CFR
4284.922(b) must demonstrate expanded customer base and increased
revenue resulting only from sales of existing products to new
customers. VAPG recognizes that market expansion projects may involve
in marketing and promotion activities such as trade shows, farmers
markets, and various media advertising which also result in increased
sales to existing customers. However, market expansion award recipients
must use grant and matching funds only on activities that demonstrably
focus on marketing products they have produced and sold for at least
two years, to new markets and/or to new customers in existing markets,
such that the producer's customer base (number of customers) is
expanded, per program requirements. Grant and matching funds cannot be
deliberately expended on sales of existing products to existing
customers.
In addition, per the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, working
capital applications must include a statement describing the direct or
indirect producer benefits intended to result from the proposed project
within a reasonable period of time after the receipt of a grant.
(b) Purpose eligibility. Applicants for both planning and working
capital grants must meet all requirements at 7 CFR 4284.922(b)
regarding maximum grant amounts, verification of matching funds,
eligible and ineligible uses of grant and matching funds, and a
substantive, detailed work plan and budget.
(1) Planning Grants. A planning grant is used to fund development
of a defined program of economic planning activities to determine the
viability of a potential value-added venture, specifically for paying a
qualified consultant to conduct and develop a feasibility study,
business plan, and/or marketing plan associated with the processing
and/or marketing of a value-added agricultural product. Planning grant
funds may not be used to fund working capital activities.
(2) Working Capital Grants. This type of grant provides funds to
operate a value-added project, specifically to pay the eligible project
expenses directly related to the processing and/or marketing of the
value-added product that are eligible uses of grant funds. Working
capital funds may not be used for planning purposes.
(c) Reserved Funds Eligibility. To qualify for Reserved Funds as a
Beginning, Veteran, or Socially-Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher or if
you propose to develop a Mid-Tier Value Chain, you must meet the
requirements found at 7 CFR 4284.923. If your application is eligible,
but is not awarded under the Reserved Funds, it will automatically be
considered for general funds in that same fiscal year, as funding
levels permit.
(d) Priority Points. To qualify for Priority Points for projects
that contribute to increasing opportunities for Beginning Farmers or
Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers, or if you are an
Operator of a Small or Medium-sized Farm or Ranch structured as a
Family Farm, a Veteran Farmer or Rancher, propose a Mid-Tier Value
Chain project, or are a Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, you must meet
the applicable eligibility requirements at 7 CFR 4284.923 and 4284.924
and must address the relevant proposal evaluation criterion.
Priority points will also be awarded during the scoring process to
eligible Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer
[[Page 67706]]
or Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based
Business Ventures that best contribute to creating or increasing
marketing opportunities for Beginning Farmers or Ranchers, Socially-
Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers, and/or Veteran Farmers or Ranchers.
You must meet the eligibility requirements at 7 CFR 4284.923 and
4284.924 and must address the relevant proposal evaluation criterion.
4. Eligible Uses of Grant and Matching Funds
Eligible uses of grant and matching funds are discussed, along with
examples, in 7 CFR 4284.925. In general, grant and cost-share matching
funds have the same use restrictions and must be used to fund only the
costs for eligible purposes as defined at 7 CFR 4284.925(a) and (b).
5. Ineligible Uses of Grant and Matching Funds
Federal procurement standards prohibit transactions that involve a
real or apparent Conflict of Interest for owners, employees, officers,
agents, or their Immediate Family members having a personal,
professional, financial or other interest in the outcome of the
project; including organizational conflicts, and conflicts that
restrict open and free competition for unrestrained trade. A list (not
all-inclusive) of ineligible uses of grant and matching funds is found
in 7 CFR 4284.926.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Applications
The application toolkit, regulation, and official program
notification for this funding opportunity can be obtained online at
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
You may also contact your USDA Rural Development State Office by
visiting https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. The toolkit
contains an application checklist, templates, required grant forms, and
instructions. Although the Agency highly recommends their use, use of
the templates in the toolkit is not mandatory.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
You may submit your application in paper form or electronically
through Grants.gov. Your application must contain all required
information.
To apply electronically, you must follow the instructions for this
funding announcement at https://www.grants.gov. Please note that we
cannot accept emailed or faxed applications.
You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for
this program by using a keyword, the program name, or the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program.
When you enter the Grants.gov website, you will find information
about applying electronically through the site, as well as the hours of
operation.
To use Grants.gov, you must already have a DUNS number and you must
also be registered and maintain registration in SAM. We strongly
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to
begin the application process through Grants.gov.
You must submit all your application documents electronically
through Grants.gov.
After electronically applying through Grants.gov, you will receive
an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov
tracking number.
If you want to submit a paper application, send it to the State
Office located in the State where your project will primarily take
place. You can find State Office Contact information at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. An optional-use Agency
application template is available online at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
Your application must contain all the required forms and proposal
elements described in 7 CFR 4284.931, unless otherwise clarified in
this Notice. You are encouraged, but not required to utilize the
Application Toolkits found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants, however, you must provide all of the
information requested by the template. You must become familiar with
the program regulation at 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J in order to submit
a successful application. Basic application contents are outlined
below:
Standard Form (SF)-424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance,'' to include your DUNS number and SAM (CAGE) code and
expiration date (or evidence that you have begun the SAM registration
process). Because there are no specific fields for a CAGE code and
expiration date, you may identify them anywhere you want to on the
form. If you do not include your DUNS number in your application, it
will not be considered for funding.
SF-424A, ``Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.''
This form must be completed and submitted as part of the application
package.
SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' This
form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the
application package.
Form AD-3030, ``Representations Regarding Felony
Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants,'' if you
are a corporation. A corporation is any entity that has filed articles
of incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic
of the Marshall Islands, or the various territories of the United
States including American Samoa, Guam, Midway Islands, the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin
Islands. Corporations include both for profit and non-profit entities.
You must certify that there are no current outstanding
Federal judgments against your property and that you will not use grant
funds to pay for any judgment obtained by the United States. You must
also certify that you are not delinquent on the payment of Federal
income taxes, or any Federal debt. To satisfy the Certification
requirement, you should include this statement in your application:
``[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] certifies that the United States has not
obtained an unsatisfied judgment against its property, is not
delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or any Federal debt,
and will not use grant funds to pay any judgments obtained by the
United States.'' A separate signature is not required.
You must provide a valid permit or evidence of having begun the
permitting process if you are proposing a working capital grant to
produce and market value-added products in the industries of wine,
beer, distilled spirits or other alcoholic merchandise.
You must provide a valid producer license issued by a State, Tribe,
or USDA, as applicable in accordance with 7 CFR part 990 if you are
proposing to market value-added hemp products.
Executive Summary and Abstract. A one-page Executive
Summary containing the following information: legal name of applicant
entity, application type (planning or working capital), applicant type,
amount of grant request, a summary of your project, and whether you are
submitting a simplified application, and whether you are requesting
Reserved Funds. Also include a separate abstract of up to 100 words
briefly describing your project.
Eligibility discussion.
Work plan and budget.
Performance evaluation criteria.
Proposal evaluation criteria.
[[Page 67707]]
Certification and verification of matching funds.
Reserved Funds and Priority Point documentation (as
applicable).
Feasibility studies, business plans, and/or marketing
plans, as applicable.
Appendices containing required supporting documentation.
3. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System
for Awards Management (SAM)
To be eligible (unless you are excepted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c)
or (d), you are required to:
(a) Provide a valid DUNS number in your application, which can be
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711;
(b) Register in SAM before submitting your application. You may
register in SAM at no cost at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.
You must provide your SAM Cage Code and expiration date or evidence
that you have begun the SAM registration process at time of
application; and
(c) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current
information at all times during which you have an active Federal award
or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding
agency.
If you have not fully complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM
requirements, the Agency may determine that the applicant is not
qualified to receive a Federal award and the Agency may use that
determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.
Please refer to Section F. 2 for additional submission requirements
that apply to grantees selected for this program.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Application Deadline Date: March 10, 2020.
Explanation of Deadlines: Paper applications must be postmarked and
mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by March 10, 2020. The Agency will
determine whether your application is late based on the date shown on
the postmark or shipping invoice. You may also hand carry your
application to one of our field offices, but it must be received by
close of business on the deadline date. If the due date falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the application is due the next
business day. Late applications will automatically be considered
ineligible and will not be evaluated further.
Electronic applications must be received at https://www.grants.gov
no later than Midnight Eastern time, March 5, 2020 to be eligible for
funding. Please review the Grants.gov website at https://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions on the
process of registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure
you are able to meet the electronic application deadline. Grants.gov
will not accept applications submitted after the deadline.
5. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs, applies to this program. This E.O. requires that Federal
agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance
with State and local governments. Many States have established a Single
Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. A list of
States that maintain a SPOC may be obtained at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc. If your State has a SPOC, you must
submit your application directly for review. Any comments obtained
through the SPOC must be provided to RD for consideration as part of
your application. If your State has not established a SPOC or you do
not want to submit your application to the SPOC, RD will submit your
application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or agencies.
Applications from federally recognized Indian tribes are not subject to
Intergovernmental Review.
6. Funding Restrictions
Funding limitations and reservations found in the program
regulation at 7 CFR 4284.927 will apply, including:
(a) Use of Funds. Grant funds may be used to pay up to 50 percent
of the total eligible project costs, subject to the limitations
established for maximum total grant amount. Grant funds may not be used
to pay any costs of the project incurred prior to the date of grant
approval. Grant and matching funds may only be used for eligible
purposes. (See examples of eligible and ineligible uses in 7 CFR
4284.925 and 4284.926, respectively).
(b) Grant Period (project period). Your project timeframe or grant
period can be a maximum of 36 months in length from the date of award,
depending on the complexity of your project. Your proposed grant period
should begin no earlier than the anticipated award announcement date in
this Notice and should end no later than 36 months following that date.
If you receive an award, your grant period will be revised to begin on
the actual date of award--the date the grant agreement is executed by
the Agency--and your grant period end date will be adjusted
accordingly. Your project activities should begin within 90 days of
that date of award. The length of your grant period should be based on
your project's complexity, as indicated in your application work plan.
For example, it is expected that most planning grants can be completed
within 12 months.
(c) Program Income. If income (Program Income) is earned during the
grant period as a result of the project activities, it is subject to
the requirements in 2 CFR 200.80, and must be managed and reported
accordingly.
(d) Majority Controlled Producer-Based Business. The total amount
of funds awarded to Majority Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in
response to this announcement shall not exceed 10 percent of the total
funds obligated for the program during the fiscal year.
(e) Reserved Funds. Ten percent of all funds available will be
reserved to fund projects that benefit Beginning Farmers or Ranchers,
Veteran Farmers or Ranchers or Socially- Disadvantaged Farmers or
Ranchers. In addition, 10 percent of total funding available will be
used to fund projects that propose development of Mid-Tier Value Chains
as part of a Local or Regional Supply Chain Network. See related
definitions in 7 CFR 4284.902. In addition, in accordance with Title
VII, Section 750 of Public Law 115-30, 10 percent of FY 2019 funds will
be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties. Any funds
that become available after publishing this notice that will be
allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties will be
identified by the Agency at a later date, after the applicable
appropriations language has been enacted.
(f) Disposition of Reserved Funds Not Obligated. For this
announcement, any reserved funds that have not been obligated by
September 30, 2019, will be available to the Secretary to make VAPG
grants in accordance with Section 210A(i)(3)(ii) of the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018.
7. Other Submission Requirements
(a) National Environmental Policy Act.
This Notice has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970,
``Environmental Policies and Procedures,'' and it has been determined
that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required because the
issuance of regulations and instructions, as well as amendments to
them, describing administrative and financial procedures for
processing, approving, and implementing the Agency's financial programs
is categorically excluded in the Agency's National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) regulation found at 7 CFR
[[Page 67708]]
1970.53(f). We have determined that this Notice does not constitute a
major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human
environment.
The Agency will review each grant application to determine its
compliance with 7 CFR part 1970 and whether proposed financial
assistance by the Agency would have a disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental effect on minority or low-income
populations. The applicant may be asked to provide additional
information or documentation to assist the Agency with this
determination.
(b) Civil Rights Compliance Requirements.
All grants made under this Notice are subject to Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15,
subpart A) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
E. Application Review Information
Applications will be reviewed and processed as described at 7 CFR
4284.940. The Agency will review your application to determine if it is
complete and eligible. If at any time, the Agency determines that your
application is ineligible, you will be notified in writing as to the
reasons it was determined ineligible and you will be informed of your
review and appeal rights. Funding of successfully appealed applications
will be limited to available funds.
The Agency will only score applications in which the applicant and
project are eligible, which are complete and sufficiently responsive to
program requirements, and in which the Agency agrees on the likelihood
of financial feasibility for working capital requests. We will score
your application according to the procedures and criteria specified in
7 CFR 4284.942, and with tiered scoring thresholds as specified below.
1. Scoring Criteria
For each criterion, you must show how the project has merit and why
it is likely to be successful. Your complete response to each criterion
must be included in the body of the application, including
summarizations of any feasibility studies, business and marketing
plans. If you do not address all parts of the criterion, or do not
sufficiently communicate relevant project information, you will receive
lower scores. VAPG is a competitive program, so you will receive scores
based on the quality of your responses. Simply addressing the criteria
will not guarantee higher scores. The maximum number of points that can
be awarded to your application is 100. For this announcement, the
minimum score requirement for funding is 50 points.
The Agency application toolkit provides additional instruction to
help you to respond to the criteria below.
(a) Nature of the Proposed Venture (graduated score 0-30 points).
For both planning and working capital grants, you must discuss the
technological feasibility of the project, as well as operational
efficiency, profitability, and overall economic sustainability
resulting from the project. You must also demonstrate the potential for
expanding the customer base for the agricultural commodity or value-
added product, and the expected increase in revenue returns to the
producer-owners providing the majority of the raw agricultural
commodity to the project. Working capital applicants must also provide
the potential number of jobs that will result from the project, along
with a justifiable basis for these projections. Please see the
application template for more information. All applicants must
reference and summarize third-party data and other information that
specifically supports your value-added project; discuss the value-added
process you are proposing; potential markets and distribution channels;
the value to be added to the raw commodity through the value-added
process; cost and availability of inputs, your experience in marketing
the proposed or similar product; business financial statements; and any
other relevant information that supports the viability of your project.
Working capital applicants should demonstrate that these outcomes will
result from the project and include supportable projections of increase
in customer base, revenue returned to producers and jobs resulting from
the project in order to receive up to the maximum number of points.
Planning grant applicants should describe the expected results, and the
reasons supporting those expectations.
Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not address the criterion.
(2) 1-5 points will be awarded if you do not address each of the
following: technological feasibility, operational efficiency,
profitability, and overall economic sustainability.
(3) 6-13 points will be awarded if you address technological
feasibility, operational efficiency, profitability, and overall
economic sustainability, but do not reference third-party information
that supports the success of your project.
(4) 14-22 points will be awarded if you address technological
feasibility, operational efficiency, profitability, and overall
economic, supported by third-party information demonstrating a
reasonable likelihood of success.
(5) 23-30 points will be awarded if all criterion components are
well addressed, supported by third-party information, and demonstrate a
high likelihood of success.
(b) Qualifications of Project Personnel (graduated score 0-20
points).
You must identify all individuals who will be responsible for
managing and completing the proposed tasks in the work plan, including
the roles and activities that owners, staff, contractors, consultants
or new hires may perform; and show that these individuals have the
necessary qualifications and expertise, including those hired to do
market or feasibility analyses, or to develop a business operations
plan for the value-added venture. You must include the qualifications
of those individuals responsible for leading or managing the total
project (applicant owners or project managers), as well as those
individuals responsible for conducting the various individual tasks in
the work plan (such as consultants, contractors, staff or new hires).
You must discuss the commitment and the availability of any consultants
or other professionals to be hired for the project--especially those
who may be consulting on multiple VAPG projects). If staff or
consultants have not been selected at the time of application, you must
provide specific descriptions of the qualifications required for the
positions to be filled. Applications that demonstrate the strong
credentials, education, capabilities, experience and availability of
project personnel that will contribute to a high likelihood of project
success will receive more points than those that demonstrate less
potential for success in these areas.
Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not address the criterion.
(2) 1-4 points will be awarded if qualifications and experience of
all staff is not addressed and/or if necessary, qualifications of
unfilled positions are not provided.
(3) 5-9 points will be awarded if all project personnel are
identified but do not demonstrate qualifications or experience relevant
to the project.
(4) 10-14 will be awarded if most key personnel demonstrate strong
credentials and/or experience, and availability indicating a reasonable
likelihood of success.
(5) 15-20 points will be awarded if all personnel demonstrate
strong, relevant credentials or experience, and availability indicating
a high likelihood of project success.
[[Page 67709]]
(c) Commitments and Support (graduated score 0-10 points).
Producer, end-user, and third-party commitments will be evaluated
under this criterion. Sole proprietors can receive a maximum of 9
points. Multiple producer applications can receive a maximum of 10
points.
(1) Producer commitments to the project will be evaluated based on
the number of named and documented independent producers currently
involved in the project; and the nature, level and quality of their
contributions.
(2) End-user commitments will be evaluated based on potential or
identified markets and the potential amount of output to be purchased,
as indicated by letters of intent or contracts (purchase orders) from
potential buyers referenced within the application. Applications that
demonstrate documented intent to purchase the value-added product will
receive more points. Note: For planning grants, this criterion can be
addressed by evidence of interest or support from identified or
potential customers.
(3) Third-party commitments to the project will be evaluated based
on the critical and tangible nature of their contribution to the
project, such as technical assistance, storage, processing, marketing,
or distribution arrangements that are necessary for the project to
proceed; and the level and quality of these contributions. Applications
that demonstrate strong technical and logistical support to
successfully complete the project will receive more points.
Letters of commitment by producers, end-users, and third-parties
should be summarized as part of your response to this criterion, and
the letters must be included in Appendix B. Please note that VAPG does
not require Congressional letters of support, nor do they carry any
extra weight during the evaluation process. Also, note that because
applications with cash matching contributions are awarded more points
than those pledging only in-kind contributions, applicants will not be
able to substitute an in-kind match for cash after awards are made.
Points will be awarded as follows:
(i) 0 points will be awarded if you do not address the criterion
(ii) Independent Producer Commitment
(A) Sole Proprietor (one owner/producer): 1 point
(B) Multiple Independent Producers (note: in cases where family
members, such as husband and wife, are eligible Independent Producers,
each family member will count as one Independent Producer): 2 points
(iii) Level of Commitment
(A) All matching contributions are in-kind: 1 point
(B) Matching contribution consists of both cash and in-kind: 2
points
(C) All matching contributions are cash: 4 points
(iv) End-user commitment:
(A) No or insufficiently documented commitment from end-users: 0
points
(B) Well-documented commitment from one end-user: 1 point
(C) Well-documented commitment from more than one end-user: 2
points
(v) Third-party commitment:
(A) No or insufficiently documented commitment from third-parties:
0 points
(B) Well-documented commitment from one third-party: 1 point
(C) Well-documented commitment from more than one third-party: 2
points
(d) Work Plan and Budget (graduated score 0-20 points).
You must submit a comprehensive work plan and budget (for full
details, see 7 CFR 4284.922(b)(5)). Your work plan must provide
specific and detailed descriptions of the tasks and the key project
personnel that will accomplish the project's goals. The budget must
present a detailed breakdown and description of all estimated costs of
project activities (including source and basis for their valuation) and
allocate those costs among the listed tasks, as instructed in the
application package. You must show the source and use of both grant and
matching funds for all tasks. Matching funds must be spent at a rate
equal to, or in advance of, grant funds. An eligible start and end date
for the entire project, as well as for each individual project task
must be clearly shown. The project timeframe must not exceed 36 months
and should be scaled to the complexity of the project. Working capital
applications must include an estimate of program income expected to be
earned during the grant period (see 2 CFR 200.307).
Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not address the criterion.
(2) 1-7 points will be awarded if the work plan and budget do not
account for all project goals, tasks, costs, timelines, and responsible
personnel.
(3) 8-14 points will be awarded if you provide a clear,
comprehensive work plan detailing all project goals, tasks, timelines,
costs, and responsible personnel in a logical and realistic manner that
demonstrates a reasonable likelihood of success.
(4) 15-20 points will be awarded if you provide a clear,
comprehensive work plan detailing all project goals, tasks, timelines,
costs, and responsible personnel in a logical and realistic manner that
demonstrates a high likelihood of success.
(e) Priority Points up to 10 points (lump sum 0 or 5 points plus,
graduated score 0-5 points).
It is recommended that you use the Agency application package when
applying for priority points and refer to the requirements specified in
7 CFR 4284.924. Priority points may be awarded in both the general
funds and Reserved Funds competitions.
(1) 5 points will be awarded if you meet the requirements for one
of the following categories and provide the documentation described in
7 CFR 4284.923 and 4284.924 as applicable: Beginning Farmer or Rancher,
Socially-Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher, Veteran Farmer or Rancher, or
Operator of a Small or Medium-sized Farm or Ranch that is structured as
a Family Farm, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, or are proposing a Mid-
Tier Value Chain project.
(2) Up to 5 priority points will be awarded if you are an
Agricultural Producer Group, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, or
Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Venture (referred to below
as ``applicant group'') whose project ``best contributes to creating or
increasing marketing opportunities'' for Operators of Small- and
Medium-sized Farms and Ranches that are structured as Family Farms,
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and
Ranchers, and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (referred to below as
``priority groups''). For each of the priority point levels below,
applications must demonstrate how the proposed project will contribute
to new or increased marketing opportunities for respective priority
groups. Guidance on relevant information required to adequately
demonstrate this requirement can be found in program application
package.
(i) 2 priority points will be awarded if the existing membership of
the applicant group is comprised of either more than 50 percent of any
one of the four priority groups or more than 50 percent of any
combination of the four priority groups.
(ii) 1 priority point will be awarded if the existing membership of
the applicant group is comprised of two or more of the priority groups.
One point is awarded regardless of whether a group's membership is
comprised of two, three, or all four of the priority groups.
(iii) 2 priority points will be awarded if the applicant's proposed
project will increase the number of priority groups that comprise
applicant membership by one or more priority groups. However,
[[Page 67710]]
if an applicant group's membership is already comprised of all four
priority groups, such an applicant would not be eligible for points
under this criterion because there is no opportunity to increase the
number of priority groups. Note also that this criterion does not
consider either the percentage of the existing membership that is
comprised of the four priority groups or the number of priority groups
currently comprising the applicant group's membership.
(f) Administrator Priority Categories (graduated score 0-10
points).
The Administrator of the Agency may choose to award up to 10 points
to an application to improve the geographic diversity of awardees and/
or foster persistent poverty counties and/or help reduce unemployment
through job creation in a fiscal year. To ensure that funds are more
broadly utilized in support of recommendations made in the Rural
Prosperity Task Force report to help improve life in rural America, the
Administrator may also choose to award points to eligible applicants
who have never previously been awarded a VAPG grant. Eligible
applicants who have never previously received VAPG funds and who want
to be considered for discretionary points must specifically request
consideration for these points and certify that neither the applicant
entity or any of its owner or members have ever received a VAPG grant.
To be considered for these points, you must discuss how your workplan
and budget supports one or more of the five following key strategies:
Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America;
Improving Quality of Life;
Supporting a Rural Workforce;
Harnessing Technological Innovation; and
Economic Development.
2. Review and Selection Process
The Agency will select applications for award under this Notice in
accordance with the provisions specified in 7 CFR 4284.950(a).
If your application is eligible and complete, it will be
qualitatively scored by at least two reviewers based on criteria
specified in section E.1. of this Notice. One of these reviewers will
be an experienced RD employee from your servicing State Office and at
least one additional reviewer will be a non-Federal, independent
reviewer, who must meet the following qualifications. Independent
reviewers must have at least a bachelor's degree in one or more of the
following fields: Agri-business, agricultural economics, agriculture,
animal science, business, marketing, economics or finance; and a
minimum of 8 years of experience in an agriculture-related field (e.g.
farming, marketing, consulting, or research; or as university faculty,
trade association official or non-Federal government official in an
agriculturally-related field). Each reviewer will score evaluation
criteria (a) through (d) and the totals for each reviewer will be added
together and averaged. The RD State Office reviewer will also assign
priority points based on criterion (e) in section E.1. of this Notice.
These will be added to the average score. The sum of these scores will
be ranked highest to lowest and this will comprise the initial ranking.
The Administrator of the Agency may choose to award up to 10
Administrator priority points based on criterion (f) in section E.1. of
this Notice. These points will be added to the cumulative score for a
total possible score of 100.
A final ranking will be obtained based solely on the scores
received for criteria (a) through (e). A minimum score of 50 points is
required for funding. Applications for Reserved Funds will be funded in
rank order until funds are depleted. Unfunded reserve applications will
be returned to the general funds where applications will be funded in
rank order until the funds are expended. Funding for Majority
Controlled Producer-Based Business Ventures is limited to 10 percent of
total grant funds expected to be obligated as a result of this Notice.
These applications will be funded in rank order until the funding
limitation has been reached. Grants to these applicants from Reserved
Funds will count against this funding limitation. In the event of tied
scores, the Administrator shall have discretion in breaking ties.
If your application is ranked, but not funded, it will not be
carried forward into the next competition.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
If you are selected for funding, you will receive a signed notice
of Federal award by postal mail, containing instructions on
requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the
award.
If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in
writing via postal mail and informed of any review and appeal rights.
Funding of successfully appealed applications will be limited to
available funding.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this
program can be found in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J; the Grants and
Agreements regulations of the Department of Agriculture codified in 2
CFR parts 180, 400, 415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and 48
CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to these parts.
In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and
executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to
have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L.
109-282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are
exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)). More information on these requirements
can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected
for this program:
(a) Agency approved Grant Agreement.
(b) Letter of Conditions.
(c) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
(d) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
(e) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters-Primary Covered Transactions.''
(f) Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered
Transactions.''
(g) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace
Requirement (Grants).''
(h) Form AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.'' Must be signed by
corporate applicants who receive an award under this Notice.
(i) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
(j) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
(k) Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
3. Reporting
After grant approval and through grant completion, you will be
required to provide the following, as indicated in the Grant Agreement:
(a) A SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' and a project
performance report will be required on a semiannual
[[Page 67711]]
basis (due 30 working days after end of the semiannual period). For the
purposes of this grant, semiannual periods end on March 31st and
September 30th. The project performance reports shall include the
elements prescribed in the grant agreement.
(b) A final project and financial status report within 90 days
after the expiration or termination of the grant.
(c) Provide outcome project performance reports and final
deliverables.
G. Solicitation of Non-Federal Independent Grant Reviewers
Rural Development is seeking non-Federal independent grant
reviewers under this Notice. Reviewers must be able to use their
professional knowledge and experience to evaluate and score VAPG
program applications against the evaluation criteria published in this
Notice, and effectively communicate their findings in writing.
1. Qualifications
All reviewers must meet the following qualifications.
(a) Have at least a bachelor's degree in one or more of the
following fields: agri-business, agricultural economics, business,
marketing, economics or finance, and
(b) A minimum of 8 years of experience in an agriculture-related
field (e.g. farming, marketing, consulting, or research; or as
university faculty, trade association official or non-Federal
government official in an agriculturally-related field).
2. Ethical Standards
Prospective reviewers must be able to exercise the highest level of
ethical standards in avoiding conflict of interests and maintaining
confidentiality.
(a) Conflict of Interest
Individuals selected as non-Federal independent grant reviewers
will be required to certify that they do not have a conflict of
interest or an appearance thereof with any VAPG application they are
assigned to review. This may include but is not limited to
certification that they did not apply for a VAPG grant and are not
affiliated with persons or organizations applying for VAPG funds.
(b) Confidentiality
Reviewers will also be required to sign a certification statement
regarding the safeguarding of information contained in assigned
applications.
Failure to identify a conflict-of-interest or the unauthorized
disclosure of information may subject reviewers to administrative
sanction, i.e., removal from the current review and/or disqualification
from involvement in future reviews of grant applications.
3. Training
All reviewers must review and understand program requirements and
must attend a mandatory training webinar.
4. System Requirements
(a) Reviewers must have reliable internet access using Internet
Explorer and be able to reliably both access applications and submit
scores electronically, and
(b) All reviewers must be able to complete requirements for,
obtain, and maintain USDA Level 2 e-Authorization credentialing.
To apply, please send a resume addressing relevant qualifications
and experience to [email protected] by February 10, 2020.
H. Agency Contacts
If you have questions about this Notice, please contact the State
Office as identified in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. You are
also encouraged to visit the application website for application tools,
including an application guide and templates. The website address is:
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
You may also contact National Office staff at [email protected] or
call the main line at 202-720-1400.
I. Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages
other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA
by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410;
(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: [email protected].
Bette B. Brand,
Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-26626 Filed 12-10-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P