American Rescue Plan Centers of Excellence for Meat and Poultry Processing and Food Safety Research and Innovation Phase III

 

The MPPRI Program is part of the broader USDA investment to transform the food supply chain. Given that the meat and poultry processing sector is particularly vulnerable to disruption, increasing capacity and promoting competition in this sector is a high priority for USDA. Therefore, the USDA MPPRI awards will provide grants as equity-free (non-diluted) funding to promote private sector companies with SBIR/STTR Phase I/II success for the integration of technology that has been developed, with minimal additional research required, to impact technology advancements and adoption to benefit the supply chain resilience of small and mid-size meat and poultry processors. 2 The goal of this directed Request for Applications (RFA) is to make emerging technologies more accessible to small and mid-size processors through work with small business innovators that have demonstrated significant efficacy in development and advancements towards commercialization of relevant technology. Eligible meat and poultry processing channels include independent business owners, entrepreneurs, producers, and other groups, such as cooperatives and worker associations who are less resourced. Awards will be made to select technology providers that are past SBIR/STTR Phase I/II recipients that can provide rapid technological advancements to small and mid-size processors in three priority areas: 1. Monitoring and improving complex processes, 2. Worker safety, and 3. Food safety. The purpose of a research application is to provide a written statement that contains sufficient information to objectively ascertain that the proposed activities demonstrate a sound approach to an innovation that answers both a scientific question and has a strong potential to be commercialized. Selection of awardees will be an expedited and opportunistic process by NIFA and USDA staff based upon 1) appropriate fit to at least one of the three priority areas and 2) likelihood of impact to meeting the Secretarys objectives. A peer/external review panel will not be used. The awardees will have other requirements to validate their eligibility, and yet other criteria may be selected relevant to the Secretarys guidance based upon the number of select invitees that apply.

Active 10.243 National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture B - Project Grants Not applicable. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Section 1001 (b)(4) . Eligibility Requirements 1. NIFA selected current and previously awarded SBIR/STTR Phase I/II recipients. 2. Companies were selected based upon SBIR/STTR project completion in areas that represent potential fits with demonstrated efficacy for applications in meat and poultry processing. 5 3. Expected stage of technologies should correspond to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 through TRL 7. TRLs for reference are as described in TRL Stage Definition, Table 1. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 4. Technology providers must provide non-restrictive access or non-exclusive licenses for any technologies or related enabling technologies developed under this award to facilitate the ability of the small and mid-size processor to implement the technology. Exclusive licensing is not allowable for technologies developed under this award. 5. Eligibility requires businesses to be located within the United States. The purpose of the ownership requirement is to limit the program to companies controlled by United States citizens or permanent resident aliens as a way of maximizing the likelihood that the funding will stimulate innovative activity within the United States economy. Not applicable. The System for Award Management (SAM) combines eight federal procurement systems, including CCR, and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance into one new system. CCR activities are conducted through SAM (the CCR website will redirect users to SAM). and System Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) for Award Management (SAM): Each applicant (unless excepted under 2 CFR ? 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR ? 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) Provide a valid UEI number in its application; and (iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. It also must state that the Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEIand SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant. Applicants must furnish the information required in the Competitive 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 pre-award 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." SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available as follows: RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Pertinent details will be provided at a later date. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 30 to 60 days. Pertinent details will be provided at a later date. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for more details. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for more details. Not applicable. Pertinent details will be provided at a later date. Not applicable. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503, but records must be available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office (GAO). This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. Relation to other audit requirements, but records must be available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office (GAO). This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. In accordance with 2 CFR Part 400 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, ? 200.334 Retention requirements for records. 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 (3) year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved. 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D applies to this program. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. In accordance with statutory time limits, project periods, including no-cost extensions of time, are not to exceed five (5) years. Further details are provided in the Award document Form NIFA-2009 and the This agreement is covered by the Research Terms and Conditions (RTC) as described on the NIFA webpage for terms and conditions (https://nifa.usda.gov/terms-and-conditions) including the NIFA specific terms and conditions dated Nov 2020 located at the following link: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/fedrtc/agencyspecifics/nifa_1120.pdf SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: NIFA utilizes the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), a secure, web-based electronic payment and information system that allows federal agencies to administer funds. Currently, ASAP is the only payment source for new NIFA grantees. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Pertinent details will be provided at a later date. Pertinent details will be provided at a later date. National Institute of Food and Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 419205, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205 Courier/Package Delivery Address: 2312 East Bannister Road, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-3061, David Songstad
National Institute of Food and Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 419205, Mail Stop 10000,
Kansas City, MO 64141 USA
David.Songstad@usda.gov
Phone: (816) 412-7422 12-0408-0-1-351 (Project Grants) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $15,000,000.00; FY 24 FY 21$0.00; - Anticipated program funding is approximately $15,000,000. Award size: Approximately $1,000,000 (proposals of scope less than $500,000 will not be considered). Number of anticipated awards: 15, anticipated award funding success rate is between 30-60%. Period of performance: No more than 2 years from project initiation. As an administrator of U.S. government support, NIFA works in partnership with grantees to ensure responsible stewardship of federal funds. Our grantees and partners are required to comply with all relevant rules and regulations. The following resources are provided to NIFA's partners and award recipients to support their adherence to federal regulations governing program performance: NIFA's primary (main) website: https://nifa.usda.gov/regulations-and-guidelines The following represent specific documents and direct links: POLICY GUIDE NIFA's Federal Assistance Policy Guide describes agency policies and procedures. https://nifa.usda.gov/policy-guide CERTIFICATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS Certifications and representations provided through the NIFA application process. https://nifa.usda.gov/certifications-and-representations ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF USDA SUPPORT BY NIFA When acknowledging USDA support in accordance with 2 CFR Part 415, grantees must use the following acknowledgement for all projects or initiatives supported by NIFA. https://nifa.usda.gov/acknowledgment-usda-support-nifa FEDERAL REGULATIONS The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) lists all regulations published in the Federal Register. https://nifa.usda.gov/federal-regulations FOIA The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has the right to request access to federal documents and information such as research data. https://nifa.usda.gov/foia NEPA POLICY AND GUIDANCE The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Policy and Guidance set the standard for identifying potential environmental impacts. https://nifa.usda.gov/nepa-policy-and-guidance OGFM ISSUED CORRESPONDENCE The Office of Grants and Financial Management occasionally issues correspondence to applicants, grantees, and/or the general public for informational or clarification purposes. https://nifa.usda.gov/ogfm-issued-correspondence RESEARCH MISCONDUCT NIFA requires that all its awardees adhere to the USDA Scientific Integrity Policy and the Federal Policy on Research Misconduct. https://nifa.usda.gov/research-misconduct NIFA'S AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS Award terms and conditions are determined by statutory, regulatory, and agency requirements, as well as each grant's circumstances. Terms and conditions dictate important items related to your grant, including method of payment, reporting frequency and content, and prior approval requirements. References to the terms and conditions of awards are located on the NIFA 2009 Award Fact Sheet. NIFA's Research terms and conditions (see link below) is applicable to this program https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/fedrtc/agencyspecifics/nifa_1120.pdf Not applicable.