Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/06/28/2011-16121/announcement-of-value-added-producer-grant-application-deadlines
Timestamp: 2016-02-13 12:57:48
Document Index: 728877588

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 25', 'art 25', 'art 4284', 'arts 3000', 'arts 3015', 'art 3021', 'arts 25', 'art 3052']

Federal Register | Announcement of Value-Added Producer Grant Application Deadlines
Dates: Application deadlines. Completed paper applications, for both unreserved funds or reserved funds, must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than August 29, 2011 to be eligible for FY 2011 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2011 grant funding.
-37779 (6 pages)
Document Number: 2011-16121
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/2011-16121 Action
Submit paper applications to the Rural Development State Office for the State in which the Project will primarily take place. Addresses may be found at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html.
Applicants should visit the program Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG_Grants.html which contains application guidance. Applicants can also contact their USDA Rural Development State Office by calling 800-670-6553 and pressing “1.” Applicants are encouraged to contact their State Offices well in advance of the deadline to discuss their projects and ask any questions about the application process.
Producers seeking funding under this Notice have to submit applications that include specified information, certifications, and agreements. All of the forms, information, certifications, and agreements required to apply for grants under this Notice have been authorized under OMB Control Number 0570-0064. Overview Back to Top
Availability of Notice. This Notice is available on the USDA Rural Development Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG_Grants.html.
D. Approximate Average Award.$116,000.
Multiple VAPG grants. In accord with 7 CFR 4284.920(e), applicants may not submit multiple grant requests, including separate entities with identical or greater than 75 percent common ownership, and in cases where an applicant is requesting an additional planning or working capital grant for a project that has already received a planning or working capital grant. If multiple grants are submitted, all such applications will be deemed ineligible to compete for Federal grant funds.
The application package, including an application guide and other materials for applying on paper for this funding opportunity, can be obtained at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG_Grants.html. Alternatively, applicants can contact their USDA Rural Development State Office by calling 800-670-6553 and pressing “1.”
In accordance with 2 CFR part 25, to apply for Federal grant funding, all applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711 or online at http://www.dnb.com/us. Similarly, 2 CFR part 25 requires that all applicants maintain registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. Applicants must register for the CCR at http://www.ccr.gov, and may call the toll-free technical assistance line at 1-866-606-8220 and press “1” for CCR.
Reserved funds. For FY 2011, 10 percent of total funding available will be used to fund projects that benefit beginning farmers or ranchers, or socially-disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. In addition, 10 percent of total funding available will also be used to fund projects that propose development of mid-tier value chains.
V. Application Review, Award, and Administration Information Back to Top
1. Nature of the Proposed Venture (graduated score 0
-30 points). Working capital applicants should demonstrate the technological feasibility of the project, as well as the operational efficiency, profitability, and overall economic sustainability resulting from the project. Planning grant applicants should address this criterion by describing the expected outcomes as indicated above, and the rationale supporting those expectations. Applicants should reference third-party information that specifically supports the value-added project; discuss the value-added process proposed, potential markets and distribution channels; value to be added to the raw commodity through the value-added process; potential increase in customer base and increased revenue returning to producers; cost and availability of inputs, experience of the applicant in marketing the proposed or similar product; and any other relevant information that supports the viability of the project. Points will be awarded as follows.
2. Qualifications of Project Personnel
(graduated score 0-20 points). Applicants should identify and describe the qualifications of individuals responsible for leading or managing the total project, as well as those individuals responsible for actually conducting the individual tasks in the work plan. Applications should discuss the credentials, education, capabilities, experience, availability and commitment of project personnel. If staff or consultants have not been selected at the time of application, provide specific descriptions of the qualifications required for the positions to be filled. Points will be awarded as follows:
4. Work Plan and Budget (graduated score 0-20 points). In accord with 7 CFR 4284.922(b)(5), applicants must submit a comprehensive work plan and budget. The work plan must provide specific and detailed narrative descriptions of the tasks and the key project personnel that will accomplish the project's goals. The budget must present a detailed breakdown of all estimated costs associated with the activities and allocate those costs among the listed tasks. The source and use of both grant and matching funds must be specified for all tasks. An eligible start and end date for the project itself and for individual project tasks must be clearly indicated and may not exceed Agency specified timeframes for the grant period.
VI. Administrative Information Back to Top
8. Departmental regulations. Unless specifically stated otherwise in this Notice or in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J, this Notice incorporates by reference the regulations of the Department of Agriculture's Office of Chief Financial Officer (or successor office) as codified in 7 CFR parts 3000 through 3099, including, but not necessarily limited to, 7 CFR parts 3015 through 3019, 7 CFR part 3021, 2 CFR parts 25, 170 and 417, and 7 CFR part 3052; and successor regulations to these parts.
For general questions about this announcement and for program technical assistance, applicants should contact their USDA Rural Development State Office at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html. The State Office can also be reached by calling 800-670-6553 and pressing “1.” If an applicant is unable to contact their State Office, a nearby State Office may be contacted or the RBS National Office can be reached by calling Lyn Millhiser at (202) 720-1227 or Tracey Kennedy at 202-690-1428, or via e-mail: cpgrants@wdc.usda.gov. Applicants are also encouraged to visit the application Web site for application tools, including an application guide and templates. The Web address is: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG_Grants.html.