Request for Application
Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS)
LFS RFA draft 1-21-22
OMB: 0581-0334
OMB No. 0581‐XXXX
Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS)
Fiscal Year 2022 Request for Applications
Funding Opportunity Number:
Publication Date:
Application Due Date:
Program Solicitation Information
Funding Opportunity Title: Local Food for Schools Program
Funding Opportunity Number:
Announcement Type: Initial
Assistance Listing Number:
Dates: Applications must be received by, through Grants.gov. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered for funding.
Executive Summary: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications from state governments for the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Program. The goal will be to establish cooperative agreements with state governments for the purpose of purchasing domestic, locally grown foods from local producers, small businesses, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers for distribution to schools. AMS will make only one award per state government; agencies within the state must coordinate if more than one agency wishes to implement this program. The state governments can also partner with local organizations. Up to $200 million is available from funds authorized under section 5(c) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 USC 714c(c)).
This announcement identifies the eligibility criteria for LFS applicants, the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for an LFS award.
AMS encourages applications that benefit both small businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers and provides food distribution to schools. For cooperative agreements intending to serve these entities, applicants should engage and involve those beneficiaries when developing projects and applications. AMS would like these relationships and purchase and distribution channels to continue past the conclusion of this program.
Stakeholder Input: AMS seeks comments about this Request for Applications (RFA). Email written comments within one year of the publication date of this RFA to (TBD). (This e-mail address is intended only for receiving comments and questions regarding this RFA and not requesting information or forms.) In your subject line, include, ‘Input LFS’.
This RFA is for considering non-competitive applications.
The RFA and AMS General Terms and Conditions apply to this RFA along with the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR part 200).
Only state governments will be considered for this RFA
AMS expects applicants to read the entire RFA prior to submitting applications to ensure the program’s requirements are understood.
This application checklist provides the required and conditionally required documents for an application package.
LFS requires that all application packages include the following:
SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance (in Grants.gov)
Project Narrative Form
Ensure the required template is used
Ensure the Executive Summary is no more than 250 words
Ensure the Project Narrative does not exceed the page limit
1.0 Funding Opportunity Description 5
2.1 Type of Federal Assistance 7
2.4 Federal Award Period Duration 7
3.0 Eligibility Information 11
3.3 Cost Sharing and Matching 11
4.0 Application and Submission Information 12
4.1 Electronic Application Package 12
4.2 Content and Form of Application Submission 12
4.3 Submission Date and Time 13
4.4 Intergovernmental Review 14
4.7 How to Register to Apply Through Grants.gov 15
5.0 Application Review Information 19
6.0 Award Administration Information 20
6.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements 20
7.4 EZFedGrants.gov Questions 21
8.1 Equal Opportunity Statement 22
The Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) is authorized by section 5(c) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 USC 714c(c)).
The purpose of this program is to increase purchasing of local and regional foods for distribution to schools. The program achieves this purpose in the overarching goals below:
Provide an opportunity for states to strengthen their local and regional food system.
Help to support local, small, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers through building and expanding economic opportunities.
Establish and broaden partnerships with farmers/producers and schools to ensure distribution of fresh and nutritious foods.
Definitions
Local or regional producers are farmers, ranchers, producer, processors or distributors and other businesses involved in food production or distribution that are located in the state or tribal region or within 400 miles of the delivery destination.
Local or regional food. Locally and Regionally Produced Food means food that is raised, produced, aggregated, stored, processed, and distributed in the locality or region where the final product is marketed to consumers, so that the total distance that the product travels between the farm or ranch where the product originates and the point of sale to the end consumer is at most 400 miles, or both the final market and the origin of the product are within the same state, territory, or tribal land.
Domestic Food. “Agricultural Commodity” means a product grown, processed, and otherwise prepared for sale or distribution exclusively in the United States or its territories, except with respect to minor ingredients. Minor ingredients from nondomestic sources will be allowed to be utilized as a United States product if such ingredients are not otherwise: (1) produced in the United States; and (2) commercially available in the United States at fair and reasonable prices from domestic sources. The following ingredients are determined by AMS Commodity Procurement as not available at fair and reasonable prices and are waived from U.S. origin restrictions: (1) Vitamin A (Retinol Palmitate), (2) Vitamin D, (3) Carageenan (stabilizing agent), (4) Sorbic Acid (preservative), (5) Potassium Sorbate (preservative), (6) Rennet (coagulant), (7) Items excepted from the Buy American Act under FAR 25.104 Nonavailable Articles.
Socially Disadvantaged producers. Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher is a farmer or rancher who is a member of a Socially Disadvantaged Group. A Socially Disadvantaged Group is a group whose members have been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and, where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.
Schools. 7 CFR 210.2: School means: (a) An educational unit of high school grade or under, recognized as part of the educational system in the state and operating under public or nonprofit private ownership in a single building or complex of buildings; (b) any public or nonprofit private classes of preprimary grade when they are conducted in the aforementioned schools; or (c) any public or nonprofit private residential child care institution, or distinct part of such institution, which operates principally for the care of children, and, if private, is licensed to provide residential child care services under the appropriate licensing code by the state or a subordinate level of government, except for residential summer camps which participate in the Summer Food Service Program for Children, Job Corps centers funded by the Department of Labor, and private foster homes. The term “residential child care institutions” includes, but is not limited to: homes for the mentally, emotionally or physically impaired, and unmarried mothers and their infants; group homes; halfway houses; orphanages; temporary shelters for abused children and for runaway children; long-term care facilities for chronically ill children; and juvenile detention centers. A long-term care facility is a hospital, skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or distinct part thereof, which is intended for the care of children confined for 30 days or more.
Small Business. A small business is generally defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a business that is: a for profit-businesses of any legal structure; independently owned and operated, not nationally dominant in its field, and physically located and operated in the U.S. or its territories.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will establish cooperative agreements with state governments for the purpose of supporting local, regional, small, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers through food purchasing. State governments will purchase food from local and regional farmers/producers, targeting small businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers. These cooperative agreements will allow for states to procure local, domestic foods that are unique to their geographic area and meet the needs of their schools. In addition to increasing local food consumption, funds are expected to help build and expand economic opportunity for local, small, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers.
USDA will provide the state government funding for food purchases as well as guidance, technical assistance, instruction, and monitoring throughout the life cycle of the cooperative agreement.
The expectation of this program is for recipients to spend awarded funds on food purchases, including distribution costs. Funds used for food purchases must be used exclusively for domestic food products (also known as commodities) that are unprocessed or minimally processed. Applicants may not request direct or indirect costs associated with developing and administering the program. All food purchased must meet the definition of domestically produced as well as the definition of local as defined in section 1.2.1. The period of performance for the Cooperative Agreements will be one year from the time of award. State agencies should determine funding amounts based on their local food purchase availability and the needs of schools. Funds may be used to cover the costs of production, storage and distribution of agricultural products to schools.
State governments will submit proposals indicating how they will use the funds to purchase commodities to meet the specified objectives within their state. These funds will be awarded through a non-competitive process based on a formula derived from enrollment and earnings of schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. Cooperative Agreement applications will be awarded based on acceptability and ability to meet the goals of the program.
Subawards
State agencies will ensure that subrecipients maintain appropriate records and follow all applicable Federal statutes and regulations as well as the Cooperative Agreement and AMS General Terms and Conditions
2.1 Type of Federal Assistance
AMS will use a Cooperative Agreement to provide the Federal award to applicants.
2.2 Type of Applications
New application. AMS will review all applications for conformance with the criteria in section 5.0 and may require the applicant to provide additional information or clarification by a specified date.
2.3 Available Funding
The total funding available for the program is up to $200 million.
2.4 Federal Award Period Duration
Projects must be completed within 1 year from time of award. It is acceptable to complete a project before the scheduled performance period end date. The applicant must indicate the start and end dates on the SF-424, “Application for Federal Assistance” in block 17.
2.5 Award Size
These funds will be awarded through a noncompetitive process using enrollment and earnings data from schools participating in the National School Lunch Program as guidance.
Initiatives should apply for an amount that meets their needs considering the guideline amount for their state. After initial awards are made, AMS will determine the best course of action to redistribute remaining funds.
Allocations to states will be based on enrollment share and states must ensure equitable distribution to individual school districts as is required in 7 CFR 250.58(b).
Estimated State Allocation Levels
State |
Allocation |
Alabama |
$3,128,973 |
Alaska |
$520,635 |
Arizona |
$4,380,275 |
Arkansas |
$2,206,790 |
California |
$23,071,364 |
Colorado |
$2,649,917 |
Connecticut |
$1,873,058 |
Delaware |
$575,467 |
District of Columbia |
$425,986 |
Florida |
$11,459,410 |
Georgia |
$7,169,232 |
Guam |
$129,188 |
Hawaii |
$646,962 |
Idaho |
$1,059,555 |
Illinois |
$7,360,472 |
Indiana |
$4,416,116 |
Iowa |
$2,193,501 |
Kansas |
$2,055,804 |
Kentucky |
$3,224,859 |
Louisiana |
$3,393,196 |
Maine |
$776,210 |
Maryland |
$2,998,739 |
Massachusetts |
$3,564,026 |
Michigan |
$5,850,347 |
Minnesota |
$3,458,752 |
Mississippi |
$2,259,206 |
Missouri |
$3,855,078 |
Montana |
$727,981 |
Nebraska |
$1,489,555 |
Nevada |
$1,666,705 |
New Hampshire |
$558,989 |
New Jersey |
$4,983,590 |
New Mexico |
$1,554,492 |
New York |
$11,891,161 |
North Carolina |
$5,677,516 |
North Dakota |
$568,228 |
Ohio |
$7,029,211 |
Oklahoma |
$3,002,891 |
Oregon |
$2,062,715 |
Pennsylvania |
$6,807,688 |
Puerto Rico |
$1,198,811 |
Rhode Island |
$560,189 |
South Carolina |
$3,098,510 |
South Dakota |
$648,747 |
Tennessee |
$4,108,280 |
Texas |
$22,311,051 |
Utah |
$1,944,687 |
Vermont |
$333,763 |
Virgin Islands |
$45,365 |
Virginia |
$4,387,182 |
Washington |
$3,644,643 |
West Virginia |
$1,222,078 |
Wisconsin |
$3,447,772 |
Wyoming |
$325,080 |
Total |
$200,000,000 |
3.0 Eligibility Information
3.1 Eligible Applicants
Eligible entities include the state agencies, commissions, or departments that are responsible for agriculture, procurement, food distribution, emergency response, administration of the National School Lunch Program, or similar activities within the state. AMS will make only one award per state or territory; agencies within the state must coordinate if more than one agency wishes to implement this program.
3.2 Eligible Beneficiaries
Eligible beneficiaries of purchases include those involved in the production and distribution of local domestic food. Contracts shall be awarded to farmers, producers, processors, or distributors of local domestic product that meet the definition of a local or regional producer as defined in 1.2.1. All food purchased must meet the definition of local and domestic. States are required to target purchases from beneficiaries that meet the definition of socially disadvantaged. States are also required to target purchases from small businesses. Purchases must comply with Section 7, Procurement, of the AMS General Terms and Conditions. Recipients must maintain records and documentation to support the charges against the Federal awards.
Eligible beneficiaries to receive the food are schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. States are required to ensure equitable distribution of food to tribal schools as required for the National School Lunch Program. Compliance will be monitored through quarterly performance reports.
An applicant may subcontract or subaward with partners and collaborators. Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements listed in this RFA.
A partnership is a relationship involving close cooperation between parties having specified and joint rights and responsibilities in the management of the project.
A collaborator is a person or an organization unaffiliated with the applicant that cooperates with the applicant in the conduct of the project and is not immediately connected to the management of the project.
Partners and collaborators may come from private or public, for-profit, or nonprofit entities. Applicants must show evidence of existing community or industry support and engagement.
3.3 Cost Sharing and Matching
LFS does not have a Federal cost sharing or matching requirement.
4.1 Electronic Application Package
Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov in response to this RFA. We urge applicants to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For an overview of the Grants.gov application process, please visit the Grants.gov website. This RFA contains the information needed to obtain and complete required application forms and AMS-specific attachments.
Applicants can find the opportunity under the Assistance Listing number “.”
Required: Form SF-424 is available via the opportunity at Grants.gov. Most information blocks on the required form are either self-explanatory or adequately explained in the instructions. However, applicants must use the following supplemental instructions associated with specific blocks on form SF-424.
Block |
Instruction |
#1 Type of Submission |
Application. |
#2 Type of Application |
New. |
#4 and #5 |
Not applicable. |
# 8c Organizational Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) or System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Unique Entity ID (UEI) |
Applicant DUNS# or SAM UEI for the Organization submitting the application. See D&B Request a DUNS Number. |
#8d Address |
The organization street address as it appears in SAM.gov. P.O. Boxes will not be accepted. Enter a 9-digit zip code. |
#10 Name of Federal Agency |
AMS, USDA |
#11 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (Assisted Listing Number) |
|
#12 Funding Opportunity Number |
|
#13Competition Identification Number |
Not applicable. |
#14 Areas Affected by Project |
Enter state affected by project. |
#15 Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project |
Provide a short description of the project. |
#16a Congressional Districts for Applicant |
Enter the Congressional district where your main office is located. |
#16b Congressional Districts for Program/Project |
Enter the Congressional district where your project will be performed. Write “All” if the projects will be performed in more than one location. |
#17 Proposed Project Start Date and End Date |
Enter proposed start date and end date. End date must be within 12 months of award |
#18 Estimated Funding |
Total Federal funds requested. |
#19 Is Applicant Subject to Review by state Under Executive Order 12372 Process? |
|
Required: Applicants are required to prepare and submit a narrative using the LFS narrative form. The narrative must describe how the recipient will meet the program objectives and goals, provide resources, financial controls, meet reporting requirements (progress and financial), manage risks, and mitigate potential fraud. A timeline of activities and milestones must be included that contains proposed time of procurements and delivery periods.
In order to meet the goals of the program, it is important that recipients have a well thought out plan that includes responses to program objectives and activities planned. The submission must address how the funds increase local food consumption and help build and expand economic opportunity for local, regional farmers/producers, for small businesses, and for socially disadvantaged farmers/producers. Include how the distribution of food will be made to schools.
The narrative must also include a budget narrative and justification section. The line item for procurements/contractual/subawards should include the amount of the proposed budget dedicated to the purchase of food either by the recipient or through subawards. Applicants that wish to include expenses for food storage and distribution should add a line for those line items, subject to the terms and conditions included in this document. The budget must be dedicated to the purchase of food. The individual subaward budgets are not expected at the submission of this application. Funds are not available for administrative expenses.
The narrative must be typed, single-spaced, in an 11-point font, not to exceed twenty (20) pages, excluding existing form content. The narrative form is 10 pages. The narrative form including completed content cannot exceed 30 pages. DO NOT modify the margins of the Project Narrative form.
Prior to submitting the application to Grants.gov, please make sure no tracked changes or mark-up edits and comments are visible.
Applicants must submit the LFS Project Narrative form as a PDF and attached to the Grants.gov application package using the “Project Narrative Attachment Form” on the application package. Handwritten applications or applications in MS Word will not be accepted.
The supporting documents in subsequent sections do not count toward the 20-page limit for the Project Narrative.
PLEASE NOTE: AMS does not require Congressional letters of support and such letters do not carry additional weight during the evaluation process.
Applicants must submit applications via Grants.gov by. AMS cannot consider applications received after this deadline for funds. Your application may not be reviewed or considered for funding if it is:
• Received by Grants.gov after the submission deadline;
• Submitted via any method other than through Grants.gov;
• Submitted to the wrong grant program; or
• Not responsive to the requirements of this RFA (eligibility, incomplete application, not providing all required documents, etc.)
See AMS’ Late and/or Non-Responsive Applications Policy for more information.
This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with state and local officials.
4.5 Funds Not Applied For
State agencies who do not apply for or do not request all available funding during the specified application period will forfeit all or that portion of available funding not requested. AMS will allocate funds not applied for, by a date determined by AMS.
Indirect costs are not allowable. Subject to terms and conditions, eligible entities may propose direct costs for food storage, and distribution expenses. Applicants may not request direct or indirect costs associated with developing and administering the program. All costs specific to this cooperative agreement must be direct costs for food, food storage, and food distribution specific to this cooperative agreement. Examples of allowable operational expense include:
Fees charged by commercial warehouse operators and common carriers for storage and transportation of commodities.
Salaries of temporary workers hired to assist with the handling, storage, transportation, or distribution of commodities.
All AMS awards are subject to the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the AMS General Terms and Conditions.
Applicants that have questions concerning the allowability of costs after reviewing this document should contact AMS staff using the contact information listed under section 7.0.
Supplanting
The funds awarded through this RFA must increase, expand, or replace, and not duplicate, existing activities of the host initiatives.
Technical assistance and subawards will not be made available to a foreign entity making direct investment in the United States, as defined in 15 CFR § 801.2, where the assistance is provided to a specific business and is not publicly available.
The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. Therefore, complete your registration allowing sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines.
Organization
applicants can find complete instructions
here:
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html
Obtain a DUNS Number: All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Applicants must enter the DUNS number in the data entry field labeled "Organizational DUNS" on the SF-424 form.
Register with SAM: In addition to having a DUNS number, organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). All organizations must register with SAM to apply online. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM.gov accounts must be updated annually, and your organization must have an active SAM.gov account to submit your application to Grants.gov.
Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. Applicants must know their organization's DUNS number or UEI to complete this process. Completing this process automatically triggers an email request for applicant roles to the organization's E-Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) for review. The EBiz POC is a representative from your organization who is the contact listed for SAM. To apply for grants on behalf of your organization, the EBiz POC will need to identify and assign an individual to the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) role.
Authorize Grants.gov Roles: After creating an account on Grants.gov, the EBiz POC receives an email notifying him or her of your registration and request for roles. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, including the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been approved as an AOR.
Track Role Status: After registering with Grants.gov and authorizing the applicant AOR, Grants.gov allows you to track your status
b. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization's AOR who submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize individuals who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as AORs. This step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.
How to Submit an Application to AMS via Grants.gov
Applicants may use the Grants.gov Workspace, a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement, you can create individual instances of a Workspace.
Create a Workspace: This allows you to complete your Workspace online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.
Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace, complete all the required forms, and check for errors before submission.
Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace so that they will appear similar to other Standard or AMS forms. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, and then accessed through Adobe Reader.
NOTE: You may need to visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software.Mandatory Fields in Forms: Fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color are mandatory fields you must complete to successfully submit your application.
Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant’s name, address, and DUNS number or UEI. To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 form information first. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.
Submit a Workspace: Submit your application through Workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting the application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the due date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.
SPECIAL NOTE: Grants.gov does not check for AMS required attachments. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required attachments listed in section 4.2 are included.Track a Workspace: After successfully submitting a workspace package, Grants.gov automatically assigns a Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) to the package, which will be listed on the Confirmation page generated after submission.
Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides additional training resources, including video tutorials. Applicants may also call the 24/7 toll-free support number 1-800-518-4726, or email support@grants.gov. Grants.gov will issue a ticket number that you and Grants.gov can refer to if the issue is not resolved. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the person(s) mentioned in section 7.0.
Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission
All applications must be received by the due date established in section 4.3. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov using an electronic date/time stamp generated when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant AOR will then receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov. Applicant AORs will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.
When AMS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will electronically acknowledge receipt of the application to the applicant AOR’s email address. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the email from Grants.gov stating the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by AMS.
AMS will not accept applications packages by fax, email, or postal mail. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by AMS. See AMS’ Policy on Late Applications.
Special Note for Applicants with Slow Internet Connections. Applicants using slow internet connections, such as dial-up connections, may experience significantly longer transmission times when submitting their application to Grants.gov, especially if there are large attachments contained in the upload. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error message or a successfully received transmission notification via email to the applicant AOR.
EZFedGrants.gov Requirements and Cooperative Agreement Management
Cooperative Agreements will be processed and managed using the online grants management system, ezFedGrants (eFG). Recipients are required to use eFG system to manage LFS Agreements throughout the entire agreement lifecycle, which include, digitally signing agreements, and preparing reimbursement claims, repayment requests, and financial and performance reports.
In order to access eFG system, recipients must obtain a USDA Verified Identity eAuthentication Account Level 2 and submit an Access Request (to identify the Organization(s) represented and select the appropriate primary user role).
The eFG system requires each recipient to have a minimum of at least one Grants Administrative Officer (GAO) and one Signatory Official (SO). It is best practice to have at least one back up in each role to keep items, such as claims or reporting, moving through the system.
The chart below identifies the various roles a recipient can designate and the actions they can take in eFG system.
ezFedGrants Role |
Role Functions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signatory Official (SO) |
|
For eAuthentication issues contact the eAuthentication helpdesk at eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov. or dial 1-800-457-3642. Recipients new to eFG should review the Job Aids located in the Training Section of the OCFO.usda.gov/ezFedGrants.
Tips for Applicants
Register and submit applications through Grant.gov early. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE APPLICATION DEADLINE.
Thoroughly read this RFA and follow all the instructions provided by AMS.
Thoroughly review the AMS General Terms and Conditions to understand allowable and unallowable costs.
Apply for the correct grant program
Assistance Listing number “” and “Funding Opportunity Number”
Make sure you have the most recent copy of Adobe Reader installed on your computer and that it is compatible with Grants.gov software. Grants.gov supports Adobe Reader version 9.0.0 and higher.
Limit Application File Name Characters (50 or less).
When uploading attachments, click the “Add Attachments” button (do NOT use the “paperclip” icon in Adobe Reader).
Do not password-protect your documents and make sure all tracked-changes are “accepted”.
Avoid Special Characters in File Names ($, %, &, *, Spanish "ñ", etc.).
Input the correct DUNS number or UEI on the SF-424 cover page.
Review the EZFedGrants.gov Applicant User and Registration Guides.
5.0 Application Review Information
This is a non-competitive RFA. AMS will review each project narrative to ensure that it meets the statutory purpose of the program, all application criteria are fulfilled in accordance with section 4.0, and all costs are allowable. A review of applications will be completed to ensure a complete work plan is provided that includes plan and objectives, resources, financial controls, reporting and evaluation, risk and fraud mitigation plans and a timeline for your program.
AMS will notify the individual listed on the SF-424 “Application for Federal Assistance” in block 8f if additional information is required after the initial review of the application. AMS will work with applicants to negotiate any revisions if necessary and possible. Failure to provide requested information in a timely manner may result in a project not receiving funding.
6.1 Award Notices
Upon announcement of the Federal awards, AMS will prepare and send a Notice of Award and Cooperative Agreement to each recipient for signature by the appropriate official. Cooperative Agreements consist of a 1-page Agreement Face Sheet (AMS-33) that will be signed by AMS and the AOR.
The Notice of Award and Cooperative agreement will provide pertinent instructions and information including, at a minimum, the information described in 2 CFR § 200.211 and a reference to the AMS General Terms and Conditions.
6.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements
All AMS grant and cooperative agreements include the AMS General Terms and Conditions as part of the Notice of Award and Grant Agreement. More information is provided in the most recent version of the AMS General Terms and Conditions under the Administrative and National Policy Requirements section.
All AMS Cooperative Agreement recipients are required to comply with Executive Order 14042 Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contract-like Award Cooperator Recipients.
Participants are required to comply with record retention and audit requirements in accordance with 7 CFR 210.9(b)(17). Upon request, make all accounts and records pertaining to its school food service available to the state agency and to FNS, for audit or review, at a reasonable time and place. Such records shall be retained for a period of 3 years after the date of the final Claim for Reimbursement for the fiscal year to which they pertain, except that if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the 3 year period as long as required for resolution of the issues raised by the audit.
Reporting and award closeout requirements are included in the AMS General Terms and Conditions. To ensure attainment of program goals and to monitor progress, award recipients are required to complete quarterly, annual, and final financial and progress reports. These reports will provide quantitative data that will be used by USDA to validate the effectiveness of the program and to assist in consideration of future programs. Upon issuance of award, AMS will provide a template to collect information from recipients. Information to be collected will include:
Name of vendors and dollar value awarded to vendors receiving contracts and type of food purchased (fruit, vegetable, dairy, seafood, other).
Break-down of number of small businesses awarded contracts, dollar value of purchases, and type of commodity purchased (fruit, vegetable, dairy, seafood, other).
Break-down of number of socially disadvantaged farmers/producers awarded contracts, dollar value of purchases, and type of commodity purchased (fruit, vegetable, dairy, seafood, other).
Name and location of organizations receiving food aid.
These performance reports must provide a description of the following activities conducted during the reporting period: budget information, deviations from the proposed plan, difficulties encountered, solutions developed to overcome difficulties, and major planned activities for the next quarter.
At the end of each performance year, recipients will be required to provide a final report. This report will include a summary of the data from the quarterly progress reports and a narrative addressing questions 1 through 3 below. The narrative responses will be used to measure the outcome of the program.
Percentage of new marketing opportunities established by purchasing from local and regional farmers/producers, and of those, what percentage will likely be sustained after the funding is expended.
Percentage of new marketing opportunities established by purchasing from socially disadvantaged farmers/producers, and of those, what percentage will likely be sustained after the funding is expended.
Percentage of new marketing opportunities established by purchasing from small businesses, , and of those, what percentage will likely be sustained after the funding is expended.
Responses to question 1, 2, and 3 should compare the number of partnerships built through the LFS to partnerships in existence prior to the program, and of those, the percentage that will continue at the conclusion of the program.
7.1 Programmatic Questions
After closely reviewing this RFA in its entirety, applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to contact the LFS staff by e-mail with questions about the cooperative agreement program at
For additional information, please visit the AMS website.
Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS)
USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 2549 South Building
Stop 0201
Washington, DC 20250-0264
AMS provides resources and information on the LFS website that may be helpful to applicants, including descriptions of funded projects, and required application forms.
For assistance using the ezFedGrants Portal, please contact ezFedgrants@cfo.usda.gov. Questions about specific awards, agreements, or policies, please contact ezFedGrants.AMSHelpDesk@ams.usda.gov.
8.1 Equal Opportunity Statement
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Recipients must comply with 7 CFR Subpart A; Part 15 (15.1 (a)) “…that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of an applicant or recipient receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture or any Agency thereof”.
Cooperative Agreement awardees should be prepared to communicate this opportunity to persons with limited English proficiency.
The Freedom of Information Act of 1966 (5 U.S.C. § 552) (FOIA) and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a), as implemented by USDA’s regulations (7 CFR part 1, Subpart A) govern the release or withholding of information to the public in connection with this Federal award. The release of information under these laws and regulations applies only to records held by AMS and imposes no requirement on the recipient or any subrecipient to permit or deny public access to their records.
FOIA requests for records relating to this Federal award may be directed to USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service, FOIA/PA Officer, Room 1671-S, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-0273, Telephone: (202) 302-0650; or email: AMS.FOIA@usda.gov.
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-XXXX. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 4 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives Fiscal Year 2021 Request for Applications – Current Initiatives |
| Author | United States Department of Agriculture |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2022-06-01 |
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