Afghanistan Agricultural Extension Project (AAEP)

 

To provide professional development training for Afghanistan’s agricultural extension staff, designed to facilitate the delivery of a more effective, demand-driven extension service to producers and other rural clientele in selected areas of the country.

Deleted 04/02/2020 (Archived.) 10.324 Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants) Fiscal Year 2014: Training workshops related to priority needs continued in the initial four provinces where AAEP is working. Due to demand from neighboring provinces, AAEP expanded into an additional 13 provinces in FY 2014. The development of inter-provincial working groups strengthened so that Afghanistan can build a network of expertise within their own country. As USDA and NIFA transition out of this project, AAEP will continue to work closely with USAID as there are plans for the universities to continue their activities for an additional three years. USDA’s participation in this project, however, will end September 30, 2014.

To date in FY 2014, the following accomplishments have already been achieved: more than 600 Farmer Field Schools and 900 Farmer Field Demos at the district and village levels have been developed; 37 work groups around such areas as vegetables, wheat, livestock health, etc., were established, bringing together extension staff with university faculty, NGOs and the private sector; extension personnel trained through the project have gone on to train more than 6,000 farmers; 290 women have been trained in such areas as vegetable production, food processing, nutrition, and food safety... Fiscal Year 2015: This phase of the project, and NIFA’s involvement in it, ended on September 30, 2014. Therefore, there are no projected activities/accomplishments in FY 2015. Fiscal Year 2016: This phase of the project, and NIFA’s involvement in it, ended on September 30, 2014. Therefore, there are no projected activities/accomplishments in FY 2016. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (P.L. 111-117), Public Law 111-117; Section 632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151), 22 U.S.C 2151; Economy Act (31 U.S.C.1535) , 31 U.S.C 1535. Only land-grant institutions are eligible to receive AAEP awards. Eligible land-grant institutions include all 1862, 1890, and 1994 land-grant institutions. All consortia members must be land-grant institutions. Only land-grant institutions are eligible to receive AAEP awards. Eligible land-grant institutions include all 1862, 1890, and 1994 land-grant institutions. All consortia members must be land-grant institutions. A Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number must be obtained - A DUNS number is a unique number that identifies an organization. It has been adopted by the Federal government to help track how Federal grant money is distributed. If your organization does not have a DUNS number, call the special Dun & Bradstreet hotline at 1-866-705-5711 to receive one free of charge. You will receive a DUNS number within several days of your request. Please note, individual proprietorships (i.e. farmers, ranchers) can request and receive a DUNS number, but must register with Grants.gov as an organization, not as an individual.

Registration with Central Contractor Registry (CCR) is required - The CCR is the central government repository for organizations working with the Federal government. If your organization is not already registered, identify the primary contact who should register your organization. When your organization registers with CCR, it will be required to designate an e-Business Point of Contact (e-Business POC). The e-Business POC authorizes individuals to submit grant applications on behalf of the organization and creates a special password called a Marketing Partner ID Number (M-PIN) to verify individuals authorized to submit grant applications for the organization. Visit the CCR Web site at http://www.ccr.gov to begin this process. It may take several days to collect the information needed for your organization’s registration. The CCR Assistance Center can be reached at 888-227-2423. This information collection is approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0039, “NIFA Application Kit for Research and Extension Programs.”

Applicants must furnish the information required in the request for applications (RFAs). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process. These include, but are not limited to the following:

Organizational Management Information - Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be submitted on a one time basis, with updates on an as needed basis, as part of the responsibility determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this RFA, if such information has not been provided previously under this or another NIFA program. NIFA will provide copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling these requirements as part of the preaward process. Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors which may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment or suspension of an individual involved or a determination that an applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational management information). This information collection is approved under OMB Circular Control No. 0524-0026, “Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights, Compliance and Organization Information.”. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Applications should be submitted as outlined in the RFA. Applications must follow the instructions provided per Grants.Gov and in the Agency guide to submitting applications via Grants.gov.

Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 1613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA.

Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors:
(a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities;
(b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields;
(c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs;
(d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations;
(e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and
(f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application.

Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the Request for Applications (RFA). Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines. Deadlines: Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the RFA. Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. Respective links are provided below:

http://nifa.usda.gov
http://www.grants.gov

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
From 30 to 180 days. Not Applicable. Specific details are provided in the Request for Applications (RFA). Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Request for Application (RFA). The purpose of the Afghanistan Agricultural Extension Project (AAEP) is to assist Afghanistan to:
• deiver a more effective, demand-driven extension service to producers and other rural clientele in selected areas of the country;
• focus on professional development training for extension staff in order to increase extension’s ability to meet farmers’ needs and to ultimately build public confidence;
• develop a cadre of extension staff with the technical expertise and appropriate methodologies to effectively extend information and knowledge;
• increase public accessibility to, and use of, government extension services;
• develop extension training modules and educational materials based on high-priority needs;
• prepare future extension personnel;
• encourage a pluralistic approach to extension that responds to farmers’ needs for research-based technologies that is built upon the innovations of Afghanistan farmers; and
• promote coordination among the various entities providing extension-related services. Grant funds may not be used for the renovation or refurbishment of research, education, or extension space; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such space; or the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of buildings or facilities. Grant funds may not be used to support the salaries of U.S. government employees.
The purchase of equipment is limited to that which is required for training, teaching, extension demonstration, and other relevant project activities. Indirect Costs: Consortiums submitting a project proposal shall limit indirect costs to ten percent (10%) of the total federal funds requested. Fully discretionary. Program Reports:
Grantees are to submit initial project information, quarterly, and annual reports to NIFA's electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.

The details of these reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions. No cash reports are required. Progress Reports:
Grantees are required to submit initial project information, quarterly, and annual summary reports to NIFA’s electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. The details of these reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions.

A Quarterly Performance Report must be submitted within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter during the period of performance of this agreement. In general, the program report should include a summary of the overall progress toward project objectives, current problems, or unusual developments. In addition, projections for the upcoming quarter’s program activities, along with any other pertinent information may be included. The Federal Financial Report (SF-425) and a detailed line-item expenditures report should support the reported program activity.

An Annual Performance Report must be submitted within 90 days after the completion of the first year of the project, and annually thereafter during the life of the grant. Generally, the Annual Performance Reports should include a summary of the overall progress toward project objectives, current problems or unusual developments, the next year's activities, and any other information that is pertinent to the ongoing project or which may be specified in the terms and conditions of the award.

Given the high visibility of U.S. assistance projects in Afghanistan, there is a critical need to provide progress reports on a regular and frequent basis. Such reports should include activities and outcomes as they relate to achieving the overall objective of building capacity to deliver effective extension services. In addition to success stories, reports should include problems encountered and/or external factors that constrain progress towards planned objectives. Expenditure Reports:
Grantees are to submit initial project information, quarterly, and annual reports to NIFA' s electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects. The details of these reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions.

A Quarterly Financial Report must be submitted within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter during the period of performance of this agreement. The Federal Financial Report (SF-425) and a detailed line-item expenditures report should support the reported program activity.

A final Federal Financial Report (SF-425) is due within 90 days of the expiration date of the grant and should be submitted to the address listed below, in accordance with instructions contained in 2 CFR 3430.55 (also refer to Section 3015.82 of the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations).

Awards Management Division (AMD)
Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
STOP 2271
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-2271
Telephone: (202) 401-4986

The details of these reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions. Performance Monitoring:

Grantees are required to submit initial project information, quarterly, and annual summary reports to NIFA’s electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.

The details of these reporting requirements are included in the award terms and conditions. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements. This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. In accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-profit Organizations [2 CFR 215, Subpart C, Section 215.53, (OMB Circular A-110)] grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and must be retained at least three (3) years. Records must be retained beyond the three-year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved. This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements. NIFA does not require matching support for this program and matching resources will not be factored into the review process as evaluation criteria. However, the lead and consortium institutions are encouraged to contribute resources to the accomplishment of project objectives. Institutions are further encouraged to cost share the difference between their negotiated indirect cost rate agreement and the limited ten percent (10%) recoverable rate for this project. Funds are awarded competitively. No formula grants are awarded under this authority.
This program does not have MOE requirements. The term of competitive cooperative agreements under this program may not exceed three years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit. None. USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader, Center for International Programs, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 2203, Washington , District of Columbia 20250-2203 Email: Policy@nifa.usda.gov Phone: (202) 720-3801 Fax: (202) 690-2355 http://nifa.usda.gov/grants 12-0502-0-1-352. (Cooperative Agreements) FY 14 $0; FY 15 est $0; and FY 16 est $0 - NOTES:

The Afghanistan Agricultural Extension Project (AAEP) represents a single, one-time funding opportunity. NIFA received funding for the project in 2011 from USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service under a reimbursable agreement. A single award was made to a lead institution for to a consortium of universities in November, 2012. The period of performance for the award went through September 30, 2014, at which time all project activities ended.
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There has been no recent funding for this Program. However, the award(s) have not yet reached the Statutory Time Limit and/or the project(s) have not yet been “closed out.”

Hence, NIFA does not wish to archive this CFDA Program. If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive project grant or cooperative agreement are established, these will be announced in the program announcement or Request for Application (RFA). 2 CFR Part 215—Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations; 2 CFR Part 220 – Cost Principles for Educational Institutions; 7 CFR Part 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-formula Federal Assistance Programs – General Award Administrative Provisions and Program-Specific Administrative Provisions; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) ; 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations; 7 CFR Part 3021— USDA implementation of Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (Financial Assistance) and 7 CFR 3052 - Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations. Not Applicable.