[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7570-7575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02834]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of Advocacy and Outreach

[FOA No.: OAO-00008]


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

AGENCY: Office of Advocacy and Outreach, USDA.

ACTION: Funding opportunity announcement (FOA).

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits 
applications from eligible entities to compete for financial assistance 
through the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers 
and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (hereinafter the 
``2501 Program'').
    The overall goal of the 2501 Program is to assist socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating 
farms and ranches while increasing their participation in agricultural 
programs and services provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA). This program will assist eligible community-based and non-
profit organizations, higher education institutions, and tribal 
entities in providing outreach and technical assistance to socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.

DATES: Proposals must be received by April 13, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. EST, 
at www.grants.gov. Proposals received after this deadline will not be 
considered for funding.

ADDRESSES: How to File a Complaint of Discrimination: To file a 
complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination 
Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at: http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative.
    Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, 
or email:
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410.
    Fax: (202) 690-7442.
    Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#85f5f7eae2f7e4e8abecebf1e4eee0c5f0f6e1e4abe2eaf3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8efefce1e9fcefe3a0e7e0faefe5ebcefbfdeaefa0e9e1f8">[email protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Agency Contact: U.S. Department of Agriculture, DM--Office of 
Advocacy and Outreach, Attn: Kenya Nicholas, Program Director, Whitten 
Building Room 520-A, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20250, Phone: 202-720-6350, Fax: 202-720-7136, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bcf3fdeff8eafaee8e8c8d89fcd3cfd9df92c9cfd8dd92dbd3ca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e414f5d4a58485c3c3e3f3b4e617d6b6d207b7d6a6f20696178">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Persons with Disabilities: Persons who require alternative means 
for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), should 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Funding/Awards: The total funding potentially available for this 
competitive opportunity is $9.1 million. The Office of Advocacy and 
Outreach (OAO) will award new grants from this announcement, subject to 
availability of funds and the quality of applications received. All 
applications will be considered new projects and will compete based on 
the applicant's entity type (i.e., community-based organization, higher 
education institution, etc.), as described below. The maximum amount of 
requested federal funding for projects shall not exceed $400,000. The 
maximum project period is one (1) year.
    Funding will be awarded based on peer competition within the three 
(3) categories listed below. The amount of funding that OAO anticipates 
awarding within each category is identified below; however, OAO 
reserves the discretion to make available more or less than those 
anticipated amounts depending on the number and quality of applications 
received. There is no commitment by OAO to fund any particular 
application or to make a specific number of awards within each 
category.
    1. Category #1: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.2, 
III.A.3, and III.A.4 (1890, 1994, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions of 
higher education, American Indian tribal community colleges, and Alaska 
Native cooperative colleges).
    Anticipated amount of total funding: $4,000,000.
    2. Category #2: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.1 and 
III.A.6 (i.e., community-based organizations, including a network or a 
coalition of community-based organizations, Indian tribes (as defined 
in 25 U.S.C. 450b), and national tribal organizations).
    Anticipated amount of total funding: $4,000,000.
    3. Category #3: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.5 and 
III.A.7 (i.e., all other institutions of higher education and other 
organizations or institutions, including those that received funding 
under this program before January 1, 1996).
    Anticipated amount of total funding: $1,100,000.

Contents of This Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility Information
IV. Proposal and Submission Information
V. Application Review Information
VI. Award Administration Information

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Background

    The 2501 Program, administered by the OAO, is committed to ensuring 
equitable participation in USDA programs. Community-based and non-
profit organizations, higher education institutions, and eligible 
tribal entities can play a critical role in addressing the unique 
difficulties socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers 
face. Differences in demographics, culture, economics, and other 
factors preclude a single approach to identifying solutions that can 
benefit farmers and ranchers by connecting them with resources 
available from USDA.
    1. The 2501 Program was authorized by the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. The Food, Conservation and Energy 
Act of 2008 expanded the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture (the 
Secretary) to provide awards under the program and transferred the 
administrative authority to OAO. The 2014 Farm Bill further expanded 
the program to include outreach and assistance to veterans. The

[[Page 7571]]

2501 Program extends USDA's capacity to work with members of farming 
and ranching communities by funding projects that enhance the equitable 
participation of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and 
ranchers in USDA programs. Projects are intended to build lasting 
relationships between USDA and socially disadvantaged and veteran 
farmers and ranchers to improve their ability to start and maintain 
successful agricultural businesses.
2. Form of Submission
    Organizations may only submit one proposal for funding.

B. Scope of Work

    The 2501 Program provides funding for outreach and technical 
assistance projects designed to assist socially disadvantaged and 
veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and operating viable 
agricultural enterprises. The OAO requests applications from eligible 
entities, which will provide outreach and technical assistance to 
socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers.
    Proposed activities must address two or more of the following 
priority areas:
    1. Assist socially disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers in 
owning and operating successful farms and ranches;
    2. Improve participation among socially disadvantaged or veteran 
farmers and ranchers in USDA programs;
    3. Build relationships between current and prospective socially 
disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers and USDA's local, state, 
regional and National offices;
    4. Introduce agriculture-related information to socially 
disadvantaged or veteran farmers and ranchers through innovative 
outreach and technical assistance techniques.
    To encourage information sharing and to build capacity among 
awardees, the OAO may require Project Directors to attend an annual 
training conference that can be expensed with awarded grant funds not 
to exceed $1,000 for up to two authorized grantee personnel. The 
conference will allow awardees to share ideas and lessons learned, 
provide training on performance and financial reporting requirements, 
and provide information on USDA programs and services. In addition, 
Project Directors will have an opportunity to make contacts and gather 
information on best practices.

C. Anticipated Outputs/Outcomes

    1. Outputs. The term ``output'' means an outreach or assistance 
activity, effort, and associated work product related to improving the 
ability of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers to 
own and operate farms and ranches and to participate equitably in USDA 
programs and related activities. Outputs may be quantitative or 
qualitative but must be measurable during an assistance agreement 
funding period.
    Examples of outputs from the projects to be funded under this 
announcement may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    a. Number of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers or ranchers 
served;
    b. number of completed applications submitted for consideration for 
USDA programs;
    c. number of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and 
ranchers who attended conferences or trainings;
    d. number of conferences or training sessions held;
    e. type and topic of educational materials distributed at outreach 
events;
    f. creation of a program to enhance the viability of socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers; or
    g. activity that supports increased participation of socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers in 
USDA programs.
Creation of progress and final reports will be required, as specified 
in Section VI, Subsection D, ``Reporting Requirement.''
    2. Outcomes. The term ``outcome'' means the result, effect, or 
consequence that will occur from carrying out an outreach or assistance 
program or activity that is related to a programmatic goal or 
objective. Outcomes may be agricultural, behavioral, social, economic, 
or programmatic in nature.
    Project Directors will be required to document anticipated outcomes 
that are funded under this announcement which should include but are 
not limited to:
    a. Increase in participation in USDA programs among socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers;
    b. increase in receptiveness of socially disadvantaged and veteran 
farmers and ranchers to outreach efforts through effective 
communication;
    c. increase in economic stability of socially disadvantaged and 
veteran farmers and ranchers within a defined geographic area;
    d. increase in community marketing and sales opportunities for the 
products of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers; or
    e. increased use of resource conservation and sustainability 
practices among socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and 
ranchers.
    3. Performance Measures. To be eligible for consideration for 
funding, the applicant must develop performance measures expected to be 
achieved through proposed activities. These performance measures will 
provide insight and will be the mechanism to track progress. It is 
expected that the description of performance measures will include an 
estimate of the number of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers 
and ranchers served by the outreach and assistance activities of the 
project, including the assumptions used to make those estimates.
    The following are questions to consider when developing output and 
outcome measures of quantitative and qualitative results:
    <bullet> What are the measurable short term and longer term results 
the project will achieve?
    <bullet> How does the plan measure progress in achieving the 
expected results (including outputs and outcomes) and how will the 
approach use resources effectively and efficiently?

II. Award Information

A. Statutory Authority

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

B. Expected Amount of Funding

    The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards 
under this competitive opportunity is $9.1 million. Funding will be 
awarded based on peer competition within the three (3) categories 
listed below. The amount of funding that OAO anticipates awarding 
within each category is identified below; however, OAO reserves the 
discretion to make available more or less than those anticipated 
amounts depending on the number and quality of applications received. 
There is no commitment by OAO to fund any particular application or to 
make a specific number of awards within each category.
    1. Category #1: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.2, 
III.A.3, and III.A.4 (1890, 1994, and Hispanic-serving institutions of 
higher education, American Indian tribal community colleges, and Alaska 
Native cooperative colleges).
    Anticipated amount of total funding: $4,000,000.
    2. Category #2: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.1 and 
III.A.6 (i.e., community-based organizations, including a network or a 
coalition of

[[Page 7572]]

community-based organizations, Indian tribes (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 
450b), and national tribal organizations).
    Anticipated amount of total funding: $4,000,000.
    3. Category #3: Eligible entities described in Sections III.A.5 and 
III.A.7 (i.e., all other institutions of higher education and other 
organizations or institutions that received funding under this program 
before January 1, 1996).
    Anticipated amount of total funding: $1,100,000.

C. Project Period

    The project period for awards resulting from this solicitation will 
not begin prior to the effective award date and may not exceed one 
year.

D. Award Type

    Funding for selected projects will be in the form of a grant which 
must be fully executed no later than September 30, 2015. The 
anticipated Federal involvement will be limited to the following 
activities:
    1. Approval of awardees' final budget and statement of work 
accompanying the grant agreement.
    2. Monitoring of awardees' performance through quarterly and final 
financial and performance reports; and
    3. Evaluation of awardees' use of federal funds through desk audits 
and on-site visits.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Entities

    1. Any community-based organization, network, or coalition of 
community-based organizations that:
    <bullet> Demonstrates experience in providing agricultural 
education or other agricultural-related services to socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers;
    <bullet> provides documentary evidence of work with, and on behalf 
of socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers during the 
3-year period preceding the submission of a proposal for assistance 
under this program; and
    <bullet> does not or has not engaged in activities prohibited under 
Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    2. An 1890 or 1994 institution of higher education (as defined in 7 
U.S.C. 7601).
    3. An American Indian tribal community college or an Alaska Native 
cooperative college.
    4. A Hispanic-Serving Institution of higher education (as defined 
in 7 U.S.C. 3103).
    5. Any other institution of higher education (as defined in 20 
U.S.C. 1001) that has demonstrated experience in providing agricultural 
education or other agricultural-related services to socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
    6. An Indian tribe (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 450b) or a National 
tribal organization that has demonstrated experience in providing 
agricultural education or other agriculturally-related services to 
socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
    7. All other organizations or institutions that received funding 
under this program before January 1, 1996 but only with respect to 
projects that the Secretary considers are similar to projects 
previously carried out by the entity under this program.

B. Cost-Sharing or Matching

    Matching is not required for this program.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

    Applications from eligible entities that meet all criteria will be 
evaluated as follows:
    1. Proposals must comply with the submission instructions and 
requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement. Pages in 
excess of the page limitation will not be considered.
    2. Proposals must be received through www.grants.gov as specified 
in Section IV of this announcement on or before the proposal submission 
deadline. Applicants will receive an electronic confirmation receipt of 
their proposal from www.grants.gov.
    3. Proposals received after the submission deadline will be 
considered late and will not be considered.
    4. Proposals must address two or more of the priority areas that 
provide outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged or veteran 
farmers and ranchers as stated in Section I, Subsection B, Scope of 
Work.

IV. Proposal and Submission Information

 A. Obtain Proposal Package

    Applicants may download individual grant proposal forms from 
www.grants.gov. For assistance with www.grants.gov, please consult the 
Applicant User Guide at (http://grants.gov/assets/ApplicantUserGuide.pdf).

B. Form of Proposal Submission

    Applicants are required to submit proposals through www.grants.gov. 
Applicants will be required to register through www.grants.gov in order 
to begin the proposal submission process. We strongly suggest you 
initiate this process immediately to avoid processing delays due to 
registration requirements.
    Proposals must be submitted by April 13, 2015, via www.grants.gov 
at 5:00 p.m. EST. Proposals received after this deadline will not be 
considered.

C. Content of Proposal Package Submission

    All submissions must contain completed and electronically signed 
original application forms, as well as a Narrative Proposal, as 
described below:
    1. Forms. The forms listed below can be found in the proposal 
package at www.grants.gov.
    <bullet> Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance;
    <bullet> Standard Form 424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs; and
    <bullet> Standard Form 424B, Non-Construction Programs.
    2. Attachments. The elements listed below are required for all 
grant proposals and are included in the proposal package at 
www.grants.gov as fillable PDF templates. Applicants must download and 
complete these attachments and save the completed PDF files to the 
application submission portal at www.grants.gov. Note: Please number 
each page of each attachment and indicate the total number of pages per 
attachment (i.e., 1 of 10, 2 of 10, etc.).
    <bullet> Attachment 1: Project Summary Page. The proposal must 
contain a Program Summary Page, which must follow immediately after the 
budget form, and should not be numbered. The program summary is limited 
to 250 words. The program summary should be a self-contained, specific 
description of the activities to be undertaken. The summary should 
focus on the overall program goals and supporting objectives and plans 
to accomplish the goals. The importance of a concise, informative 
program summary cannot be overemphasized. Please do not reiterate the 
objectives of this program, the summary should reflect the goals of 
your specific proposal.
    <bullet> Attachment 2: Project Narrative. In 15 double-spaced pages 
or less (one-inch margins, 12-point font), indicate the organization 
that will conduct the project, the geographical area served by the 
project, and the priority areas that will be addressed by the project. 
Please be concise.
    [cir] Discuss the merits of your proposed project. Specifically, it 
is critical that the proposal: (1) Define and establish the existence 
of the needs of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the 
defined geographic area; (2) define and establish the existence of the 
needs

[[Page 7573]]

of veteran farmers and ranchers in the defined geographic area; (3) 
identify the experience of the organization(s) taking part in the 
project; (4) identify the geographic area of service; and (5) discuss 
the potential impact of the project.
    [cir] Identify the qualifications, relevant experience, education, 
and publications of each Project Director or collaborator. Also, 
specifically discuss the roles and responsibilities of key personnel 
within the scope of work to be completed by the proposed project. This 
includes past completed projects and financial management experiences.
    <bullet> In an organized format, map out the timeline for each task 
to be accomplished during the proposed award period. Identify the 
relationship of each task to a priority area identified as one of the 
four priority areas in Section I, Subsection B.
    <bullet> Attachment 3: Budget Narrative. The budget narrative 
should identify and describe the costs associated with the proposed 
project, including sub-awards or contracts and indirect costs. An 
eligible entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate 
may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct 
costs in accordance with 2 CFR 200.414. Other funding sources may also 
be identified in this attachment. Each cost indicated must be allocable 
and fully allowable under the Federal Cost Principles in order to be 
funded. The budget narrative should not exceed 2 pages.
    <bullet> Attachment 4: Appendices. For example, any Letters of 
Commitment, Letters of Support and approvals or other actions by Tribal 
Governments are encouraged but not required documentation for this 
funding opportunity. However, applicants can consolidate all 
supplemental materials into one additional attachment. Do not include 
sections from other attachments as an Appendix.

D. Sub-Awards and Partnerships

    Funding may be used to provide sub-awards, which includes using 
sub-awards to fund partnerships; however, the awardee must utilize at 
least 50 percent of the total funds awarded, and no more than three 
subcontracts will be permitted. All sub-awardees must comply with 
applicable requirements for sub-awards. Applicants must provide 
documentation of a competitive bidding process for services, contracts 
and products, including consultant contracts, and conduct cost and 
price analyses to the extent required by applicable procurement 
regulations.
    The OAO awards funds to one eligible applicant as the awardee. 
Please indicate a lead applicant as the responsible party if other 
organizations are named as partners or co-applicants or members of a 
coalition or consortium. The awardee is accountable to the OAO for the 
proper expenditure of all funds.

E. Submission Dates and Times

    The closing date and time for receipt of proposal submissions is 
April 13, 2015, at 5:00 p.m., EST via www.grants.gov. Proposals 
received after the submission deadline will be considered late without 
further consideration.

 F. Confidential Information

    In accordance with 7 CFR 2500.017, the names of entities submitting 
proposals, as well as proposal contents and evaluations, will be kept 
confidential to the extent permissible by law. If an applicant chooses 
to include confidential or proprietary information in the proposal, it 
will be treated in accordance with Exemption 4 of the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA). Exemption 4 of the FOIA protects trade secrets, 
and commercial and financial information obtained from a person that is 
privileged or confidential.

G. Pre-Submission Proposal Assistance

    1. The OAO may not assist individual applicants by reviewing draft 
proposals or providing advice on how to respond to evaluation criteria. 
However, the OAO will respond to questions from individual applicants 
regarding eligibility criteria, administrative issues related to the 
submission of the proposal, and requests for clarification regarding 
the announcement. Any questions should be submitted to 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#145b55475042524626242521547b6771773a616770753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="105f51435446564222202125507f6375733e656374713e777f66">[email protected]</span></a>.
    2. The OAO will post questions and answers (Q&A's) relating to this 
funding opportunity during its open period at www.grants.gov on the 
following Web page: http://www.outreach.usda.gov/grants/. The OAO will 
update the Q&A's on a weekly basis and conduct webinars on an as-needed 
basis.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

    Only eligible entities whose proposals meet the threshold criteria 
in Section III of this announcement will be reviewed according to the 
evaluation criteria set forth below. Applicants should explicitly and 
fully address these criteria as part of their proposal package. Each 
proposal will be reviewed under the regulations established under 7 CFR 
Chapter XXV Part 2500 Subpart C.
    The OAO will use a point system to rate each proposal, awarding a 
maximum of 100 points (95 points, plus an additional 5 discretionary 
points for programmatic priorities). Each proposal will be given a 
numerical score by an independent review panel, and will be rank-
ordered accordingly. Preliminary funding recommendations will be 
provided to the designated approving official based on this ranking. 
Final funding decisions will be made by the designated approving 
official.

B. Evaluation Criteria for New Grants Proposals

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Criteria                              Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Project Narrative: Under this criterion, the OAO will              45
 evaluate the extent to which the narrative includes a well-
 conceived strategy for addressing the requirements and
 objectives stated in: (i) Section I, Part B, Scope of Work
 (15 points), identifying two or more of the priority
 areas; (ii) Section I, Part C(1) Anticipated Outputs (15
 points), documenting the extent to which the proposal
 seeks to connect socially disadvantaged and veteran
 farmers and ranchers with USDA agricultural programs;
 (iii) Section I, Part C(2), Anticipated Outcomes (10
 points), indicating the final result or effect of your
 proposed project as it relates to the overall goals and
 objectives of the program; and (iv) Section I, Part C(3)
 Performance Measures (5 points), documenting the extent to
 which the applicant clearly demonstrates how they will
 ensure timely and successful completion of the project and
 whether the proposal sets forth a reasonable time schedule
 for execution of the tasks associated with the projects.
 In addition, the OAO may award up to 5 discretionary
 points for the following Secretary priorities and
 initiatives:..............................................
    <bullet> Projects assisting beginning farmers and
     ranchers (as defined in 7 U.S.C. 3319f);
    <bullet> Projects to assist StrikeForce states/
     communities as identified through the StrikeForce
     Initiative);
    <bullet> Projects that propose to assist with USDA's
     commitment to Tribal organizations with successful
     demonstration on implementation methods encompassing
     Tribal participation and buy-in;
    <bullet> Projects located in rural Promise Zones;

[[Page 7574]]

 
    <bullet> Projects with an emphasis on partnering with
     other USDA government agencies to leverage resources
     and to promote other USDA programs and initiatives
     (research, small and beginning farmers, and feeding
     programs, etc.); and
    <bullet> Projects that maximize areas of coverage for              5
     outreach by leveraging and partnering/collaborating
     with other Federal, state, local resources, etc.......
2. Tracking and Measuring: Under this criterion, the OAO              20
 will evaluate the effectiveness of the applicant's
 detailed plan for tracking and measuring its progress
 toward achieving the expected project outputs and outcomes
3. Programmatic Capability: Under this criterion,                     10
 applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to
 successfully complete and manage the proposed project
 taking into account the applicant's: (i) (5 points)
 organizational experience and plan for timely and
 successfully achieving the objectives of the proposed
 project; and (ii) (5 points) staff expertise/
 qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources or the
 ability to obtain them, to successfully achieve the goals
 of the proposed project...................................
4. Past Funding Performance: Under this criterion,                     5
 applicants will be evaluated based on their demonstrated
 ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed
 project taking into account the applicants' past
 performance in successfully completing and managing prior
 funding agreements identified in Attachment 2 of the
 proposal as described in Section IV.C of the announcement;
5. Budget: Under this criterion, the OAO will evaluate the            15
 proposed project budget to determine whether, (i) (10
 points) costs are reasonable and allowable to accomplish
 the proposed goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes;
 and (ii) (5 points) the proposed budget provides a
 detailed breakdown of the approximate funding used for
 each major activity. For a list of unallowable costs,
 please see 2 CFR Part 200.................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Selection of Reviewers

    Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in 
relevant fields including, outreach, technical assistance, cooperative 
extension services, civil rights, education, statistical and 
ethnographic data collection and analysis, and agricultural programs. 
Reviewers will be drawn from a diverse group of experts to create 
balanced review panels. More information on the selection of reviewers 
can be found in 7 CFR 2500.023.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

Proposal Notifications and Feedback
    1. The successful applicant will be notified by the OAO via 
telephone, email, or postal mail. The notification will advise the 
applicant that its proposed project has been evaluated and recommended 
for award. The notification will be sent to the original signer of the 
SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The award notice will be 
forwarded to the grantee for execution and returned to the OAO grants 
officer, who is the authorizing official. Once grant documents are 
executed by all parties, authorization to begin work will be given. At 
a minimum, this process can take up to 30 days from the date of 
recommendation.
    2. The OAO will send notification to unsuccessful applicants via 
email or postal mail. The notification will be sent to the original 
signer of the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.
    3. Applicant feedback will be provided using the procedures 
established by 7 CFR Chapter XXV Part 2500.026.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    All awards resulting from this FOA will be administered in 
accordance with the OAO assistance regulations codified at 7 CFR part 
2500. A listing and description of general federal regulations and cost 
principles applicable to the award of assistance agreements under this 
FOA can be found in 7 CFR Chapter XXV Part 2500.003.
    Applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and guidelines include 
the following: (a) OAO Federal Financial Assistance Programs--General 
Award Administrative Procedures, guidelines to be followed when 
submitting grant proposals and cooperative agreements and rules 
governing the evaluation of proposals, 7 CFR part 2500; (b) the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards, 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and supplemented by 2 
CFR part 400; and (c) the USDA General Program Administrative 
Regulations, 2 CFR part 415.

C. Data Universal Numbering System, System for Award Management, and 
Central Contractor Registry Registration

    In accordance with the Federal Funding Accountability and 
Transparency Act (FFATA) and the USDA implementation, all applicants 
must obtain and provide an identifying number from Dun and Bradstreet's 
(D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS). Applicants can receive a 
DUNS number, at no cost, by calling the toll-free DUNS Number request 
line at 1-866-705-5711, or visiting the D&B Web site at www.dnb.com.
    In addition, FFATA requires applicants to register with the Central 
Contractor Registry (CCR) and the System for Award Management (SAM). 
This registration must be maintained and updated annually. Applicants 
can register or update their profile, at no cost, by visiting the SAM 
Web site at www.sam.gov which will satisfy both the CCR and SAM 
registration requirements. This is a requirement to register for 
www.grants.gov.

D. Reporting Requirement

    In accordance with 7 CFR Chapter XXV Part 2500.045 and 2500.046, 
the following reporting requirements will apply to awards provided 
under this FOA. The OAO reserves the right to revise the schedule and 
format of reporting requirements as necessary in the award agreement.
    1. Quarterly progress reports and financial reports will be 
required.
    <bullet> Quarterly Progress Reports. The awardee must submit the 
OMB-approved Performance Progress Report form (SF-PPR, Approval Number: 
0970-0334). For each report, the awardee must complete fields 1 through 
12 of the SF-PPR. To complete field 10, the awardee is required to 
provide a detailed narrative of project performance and activities as 
an attachment, as described in the award agreement. Quarterly progress 
reports must be submitted to the designated OAO official within 30 days 
after the end of each calendar quarter.
    <bullet> Quarterly Financial Reports. The awardee must submit the 
Standard Form 425, Federal Financial Report. For each report, the 
awardee must complete both the Federal Cash Transaction Report and the 
Financial Status Report sections of the SF-425. Quarterly financial 
reports must be submitted to the designated OAO official within 30 days 
after the end of each calendar quarter.

[[Page 7575]]

    2. Final progress and financial reports will be required upon 
project completion. The final progress report should include a summary 
of the project or activity throughout the funding period, achievements 
of the project or activity, and a discussion of problems experienced in 
conducting the project or activity. The final financial report should 
consist of a complete SF-425 indicating the total costs of the project. 
Final progress and financial reports must be submitted to the 
designated OAO official within 90 days after the completion of the 
award period.

    Signed this 5th day of February, 2015.
Carolyn C. Parker,
Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
[FR Doc. 2015-02834 Filed 2-10-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P


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