American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program

 

The goal of this program is to fund organizations, to be known as Cooperators, that will collaborate with USDA on the delivery of targeted technical assistance and related activities to achieve future outcomes of improved equitable participation of farmers, ranchers and forest land owners, numerous entities and individuals in USDA programs and services. The funded Cooperators will provide ongoing coordination and substantial involvement with USDA to ensure that the plans for program development, curriculum development, deployment, and evaluation of impact are closely coordinated with USDA. Cooperators are required to coordinate with all other recipients of technical assistance resources in a manner as determined by USDA. Individuals and groups that are the ultimate recipients of the technical assistance must be economically distressed/underserved communities, including socially disadvantaged producers, limited resource farmers and ranchers, veterans, and other key targeted communities.

Active 10.234 National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture B - Project Grants Not applicable. USDA ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS, RANCHERS, FOREST LANDOWNERS AND OPERATORS, AND GROUPS., Title AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021, Section 1006
7 U.S.C. 3318 Designations Applicants must be domestic nonprofit entities or institutions for higher education (see Request for Application [RFA] Definitions in Part VIII, D). A letter stating the nonprofit status should be included as an attachment to Field 12, Other Attachments (RFA Part IV.B.). Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirement. Project partners and collaborators need not meet the eligibility requirement. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the successful completion of the project, with the exception of individuals and non-domestic entities. Current Cooperators under Section 1006 of the Act are not eligible to apply as a lead applicant to this funding opportunity, but may serve as cooperators, collaborators and sub-contractors to lead applicants, provided their activities are new, non-duplicative activities. Individuals, non-domestic entities and private, for profit organizations are not eligible to apply to this funding opportunity. Applicants for the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program must meet all the requirements outlined in this RFA. Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline will result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA's Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process. Pertinent details will be provided at a later date. 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). Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)Number and System 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 UEI and 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: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/american-rescue-plan-technical-assistance-investment-program 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. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 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. Pertinent details will be provided at a later date. Pertinent details will be provided at a later date. Not applicable. Projects must provide a range of technical assistance services to underserved agricultural producers or other members of socially disadvantaged groups in agriculture. The term “agricultural producer” is used to refer to agricultural farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners and operators. Technical assistance partnerships focused on historically underserved agriculture producers. USDA is creating opportunities to ensure that historically underserved communities of farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and operators have the tools, programs, and support they need to succeed in agriculture. Approximately $75 million in American Rescue Plan funding will support technical assistance to connect underserved producers with USDA programs and services. Cooperative Agreements will support organizations with proven track records working with underserved producer communities such as economically distressed/historically underserved communities, including socially disadvantaged producers, limited resource farmers and ranchers, veterans, and other key targeted communities. These organizations will work with underserved producer communities to provide an array of technical assistance specialized services that could include outreach, technical assistance, cooperative development training and support, financial training, mediation access, capacity building training, technical assistance concerning agriculture production, agriculture credit, and rural development to underserved farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners. Performance Reports: The following 2CFR policy requirements apply to this assistance listing: Subpart E, Cost Principles Additional Information: REEport GRANT REPORTING: All grant reporting must be completed using the Research, Education, and Extension project online reporting tool (REEport). Initial reporting (item a. below) is to be submitted through the REEport system. Annual progress and final reporting (items b. and c. below) must also be done through the REEport system. Information on REEport can be found on NIFA’s web site at https://nifa.usda.gov/tool/reeport and the REEport software can be found at https://portal.nifa.usda.gov. a. Initial Reporting Documentation in the REEport Database-- Research, Education, and Extension project online reporting tool (REEport). All projects must be documented in REEport. The NIFA contact for all REEport documentation is: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, ATTN: REEport, P.O. Box 419205, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205. E-mail: electronic@usda.gov Progress Reports: b. Progress Report. All projects must report annually into REEport. An annual Progress Report is due 90 calendar days after the award’s anniversary date (i.e., one year following the month and day of which the project period begins and each year thereafter up until a final report is required). An annual Progress Report covers the most recent one-year period. The following information, when applicable, must be included in the Accomplishments section of the annual Progress Report. (1) A comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals established for the reporting period (where the output of the project can be expressed readily in numbers, a computation of the cost per unit of output should be submitted if the information is considered useful); (2) The reasons for slippage if established goals were not met; and (3) Additional pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or unexpectedly high unit costs. Final Report: c. Final Report. The Final Report is required within 90 calendar days after the expiration or termination of the award. The Final Report covers the entire period of performance of the award and must describe progress made during the entire timeframe of the project instead of covering accomplishments made only during the final reporting segment of the project. In addition to supplying the information required under item b. of this article, the final report must include the following when applicable: Identify equipment purchased with any Federal funds under the award and indicate subsequent use of such equipment. FINANCIAL REPORTING: As outlined in 2 CFR 200.329, the recipient must submit financial status reports by the frequency required in the terms and conditions of the award. The following are the financial reporting requirements for NIFA. Federal Financial Report, Form SF-425: NIFA uses the SF-425, Federal Financial Report to monitor cash. A “Federal Financial Report,” Form SF-425, is due on an annual basis no later than 90 days following the end of the award anniversary date (i.e., one year following the month and day when the project period begins and each year thereafter up until a final report is required). An annual Progress Report covers the most recent one-year period. A final “Federal Financial Report,” Form SF-425, is due 120 days after the expiration date of this award. The report must be submitted to the Awards Management Division (AMD) as a pdf attachment to an email sent to awards@usda.gov. If questions are encountered regarding financial reporting requirements, please contact: Awards Management Division (AMD) Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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 SPECIAL NOTES: (1) Refer to the Competitive Requests for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. RFAs are generally released annually and 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) The details of the reporting requirements are included in the NIFA Research Terms and Conditions (dated November 12, 2020) https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/fedrtc/agencyspecifics/nifa_1120.pdf (3) Further guidance is provided under 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and 2 CFR Part 400, USDA’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. 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 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: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/american-rescue-plan-technical-assistance-investment-program 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, Kansas City, MO 64141 Ahlishia Shipley
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
Kansas City, MO 64141 US
Ahlishia.Shipley@usda.gov
Phone: 202.445.5456 https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/american-rescue-plan-technical-assistance-investment-program 12-1500-1-1-501 (Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$25,000,000.00; FY 23 est $1,850,000.00; FY 24 FY 21$0.00; FY 20$0.00; - Not applicable/available. 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.