Inviting Applications for Value-Added Producer Grants and Solicitation of Grant Reviewers

Published date11 December 2019
Citation84 FR 67703
Record Number2019-26626
SectionNotices
CourtAgriculture Department,Rural Business-cooperative Service
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 11, 2019)]
                [Notices]
                [Pages 67703-67711]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-26626]
                ========================================================================
                Notices
                 Federal Register
                ________________________________________________________________________
                This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
                or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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                Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 11, 2019 /
                Notices
                [[Page 67703]]
                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                Rural Business-Cooperative Service
                [Docket No. RBS-19-CO-OP-0018]
                Inviting Applications for Value-Added Producer Grants and
                Solicitation of Grant Reviewers
                AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
                ACTION: Notice.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative
                Service (Agency) is accepting applications for the Value-Added Producer
                Grant (VAPG) program. Approximately $37 million is currently available.
                The Agency may also utilize any funding that become available after
                publishing this notice. The Agency will publish the program funding
                level on the Rural Development website (https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants). Section VII also
                announces solicitation of non-Federal independent grant reviewers to
                evaluate and score applications submitted under this Notice.
                DATES: You must submit your application by March 10, 2020 or it will
                not be considered for funding. Paper applications must be postmarked
                and mailed, shipped or sent overnight by this date. You may also hand
                carry your application to one of our field offices, but it must be
                received by close of business on the deadline date. Electronic
                applications are permitted via http://www.grants.gov only and must be
                received before Midnight Eastern time on March 5, 2020. Late
                applications are not eligible for grant funding under this Notice.
                ADDRESSES: You should contact your USDA Rural Development State Office
                if you have questions about eligibility or submission requirements. You
                are encouraged to contact your State Office well in advance of the
                application deadline to discuss your project and to ask any questions
                about the application process. Application materials are available at
                http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
                 If you want to submit an electronic application, follow the
                instructions for the VAPG funding announcement on http://www.grants.gov. Please review the Grants.gov website at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization-registration.html for instructions
                on the process of registering your organization as soon as possible to
                ensure you are able to meet the electronic application deadline. If you
                want to submit a paper application, send it to the State Office located
                in the State where your project will primarily take place. You can find
                State Office Contact information at http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Grants Division, Cooperative Programs,
                Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of
                Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, MS 3253, Room 4008-South,
                Washington, DC 20250-3253, or call 202-690-1374.
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                Preface
                 The Agency encourages applications that will support
                recommendations made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force report to help
                improve life in rural America. www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity. Applicants
                are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable results in
                helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies
                through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships and
                innovation.
                 Key strategies include:
                 Achieving e-Connectivity for rural America
                 Developing the Rural Economy
                 Harnessing Technological Innovation
                 Supporting a Rural Workforce
                 Improving Quality of Life
                 Please note the following:
                 Hemp projects: VAPG applications proposing projects related to Hemp
                as defined in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-
                334, will be considered for funding if the projects meets all program
                eligibility requirements, including currently producing Hemp with a
                valid producer license and verifiable compliance with regulations
                published by the Agricultural Marketing Service at 7 CFR part 990 and
                the Rural Business-Cooperative Service at 7 CFR 4284, subpart J.
                 Local Agriculture Marketing Program (LAMP) Food Safety
                Implementation: Until Farm Bill implementation is finalized via the
                Agency rulemaking process, there will not be food safety reserve
                funding. Food safety training, certifications, and supplies that are
                eligible under the current program regulation may continue to be
                included in the work plan/budget.
                Overview
                 Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
                 Funding Opportunity Title: Value-Added Producer Grant.
                 Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications and
                Solicitation of Grant Reviewers.
                 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.352.
                 Dates: Application Deadline. You must submit your complete paper
                application by March 10, 2020, or it will not be considered for
                funding. Electronic applications must be received by http://www.grants.gov no later than Midnight Eastern time on March 5, 2020, or
                it will not be considered for funding.
                Paperwork Reduction Act
                 In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the paperwork
                burden associated with this Notice has been approved by the Office of
                Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0039.
                A. Program Description
                 The VAPG program is authorized under section 231 of the Agriculture
                Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-224), as amended by section
                10102 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) (see
                7 U.S.C. 1621 et. seq.). Applicants must adhere to the requirements
                contained in the program regulation, 7 CFR 4284, subpart J, which is
                incorporated by reference in this Notice.
                 The objective of this grant program is to assist viable Independent
                Producers, Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher
                Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in
                starting or expanding
                [[Page 67704]]
                value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of
                Value-Added Agricultural Products. Grants will be awarded competitively
                for either planning or working capital projects directly related to the
                processing and/or marketing of value-added products. Generating new
                products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and
                increasing producer income are the end goals of the program. All
                proposals must demonstrate economic viability and sustainability to
                compete for funding.
                 Funding priority will be made available to Beginning Farmers and
                Ranchers, Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers
                and Ranchers, Operators of Small and Medium-Sized Farms and Ranches
                structured as Family Farms or Ranches, Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives,
                and projects proposing to develop a Mid-Tier Value Chain. See 7 CFR
                4284.923 for Reserved Funds eligibility and 7 CFR 4284.924 for Priority
                Scoring eligibility.
                Definitions
                 The following term is incorporated from Section 10102 of the
                Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Majority Controlled Producer-Based
                Business venture means a venture greater than 50 percent of the
                ownership and control of which is held by--
                 ``(i) 1 or more producers; or
                 ``(ii) 1 or more entities, 100 percent of the ownership and control
                of which is held by 1 or more producers. The term `entity' means--
                 ``(i) a partnership;
                 ``(ii) a limited liability corporation;
                 ``(iii) a limited liability partnership; and
                 ``(iv) a corporation.
                 Also, Market Expansion Project means a project in which the
                Independent Producer applicant seeks to expand the market for an
                existing value-added product (produced and marketed by the applicant
                for at least 2 years at time of application) through sales to
                demonstrably new markets or to new customers in existing markets.
                 Additional terms you need to understand are defined in 7 CFR
                4284.902.
                B. Federal Award Information
                 Type of Instrument: Grant.
                 Approximate Number of Awards: To be determined.
                 Available Total Funding: $37 million.
                 Maximum Award Amount: Planning--$75,000; Working Capital--$250,000.
                 Project Period: Up to 36 months depending on the complexity of the
                project.
                 Anticipated Award Date: July 31, 2020.
                 Reservation of Funds: Ten percent of available funds for
                applications will be reserved for applicants qualifying as Beginning,
                Veteran, and Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers. An additional
                ten percent of available funds for applications from farmers or
                ranchers proposing development of Mid-Tier Value Chains. Funds are not
                obligated from these reserves prior to September 30, 2019, will be used
                for the VAPG general competition. If this is the case, Beginning,
                Veteran, and Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers and applicants
                proposing Mid-Tier Value Chains will compete with other eligible VAPG
                applications. In addition, in accordance with Division B, Title VII,
                Section 752 of Public Law 116-6, 10 percent of FY 2019 funds will be
                allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties. Any funds that
                become available after publication of this notice, that will be
                allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties, will be
                identified by the Agency at a later date, after the applicable
                appropriations language has been enacted.
                C. Eligibility Information
                 Applicants must comply with the program regulation 7 CFR part 4284
                subpart J to meet all the following eligibility requirements. Required
                documentation is included in the application package. Applications
                which fail to meet any of these requirements by the application
                deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be evaluated further.
                1. Eligible Applicants
                 You must demonstrate within the application narrative that you meet
                all the applicant eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 4284.920 and
                4284.921. This includes meeting the definition requirements at 7 CFR
                4284.902 by demonstrating how you meet the definition for Agricultural
                Producer (i.e., how you participate in the ``day to day labor,
                management, and field operations'' of your agricultural enterprise; how
                you qualify for one of the following applicant types: Independent
                Producer, Agricultural Producer Group, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative or
                Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business; and whether you meet the
                Emerging Market, Citizenship, Legal Authority and Responsibility,
                Multiple Grants and Active Grants requirements of the section. Required
                documentation to support eligibility is contained at 7 CFR 4284.931 and
                in the application package.
                 Federally-recognized Tribes and tribal entities must demonstrate
                that they meet the definition requirements for one of the four eligible
                applicant types. Rural Development State Offices and posted application
                toolkits will provide additional information on Tribal eligibility.
                 Per 4284.921, an applicant is ineligible if they have been debarred
                or suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation
                in Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, ``Debarment
                and Suspension.'' The Agency will check the System for Award Management
                (SAM) to determine if the applicant has been debarred or suspended. In
                addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible for a grant due to
                an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a Federal Court (other
                than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment of Federal income
                taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt. The applicant must certify as
                part of the application that they do not have an outstanding judgment
                against them. The Agency will check the Credit Alert Interactive Voice
                Response System (CAIVRS) to verify this.
                 Per the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-141) or
                successor appropriations act, any corporation (i) that has been
                convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within
                the past 24 months or (ii) that has any unpaid Federal tax liability
                that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative
                remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid
                in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority
                responsible for collecting the tax liability, is not eligible for
                financial assistance provided with funds appropriated by, unless a
                Federal agency has considered suspension or debarment of the
                corporation and has made a determination that this further action is
                not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
                 Per 4284.905(a), Applicants must comply with other applicable
                Federal laws. Applicants who are proposing working capital grants to
                produce and market value-added products in the industries of wine,
                beer, distilled spirits or other alcoholic merchandise must comply with
                Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations, including
                but not limited to permitting, filing of taxes and operational reports.
                Please visit TTB's website at https://www.ttb.gov/index.shtml for more
                information. If you are not in compliance with TTB's requirements,
                [[Page 67705]]
                the Agency may determine that you are not qualified to receive a
                Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making an award
                to another applicant. If, at any time after you have already received a
                VAPG award, you are found to be in noncompliance with TTB's operational
                reporting or tax requirements, the Agency may determine that you are
                not in compliance with your grant terms and conditions.
                 An Applicant may submit only one application in response to a
                solicitation and must explicitly direct that it competes in either the
                general funds competition or in one of the named reserved funds
                competitions. Multiple applications from separate entities with
                identical or greater than 75 percent common ownership, or from a
                parent, subsidiary or affiliated organization (with ``affiliation''
                defined by Small Business Administration regulation 13 CFR 121.103, or
                successor regulation) are not permitted. Further, Applicants who have
                already received a Planning Grant for the proposed project cannot
                receive another Planning Grant for the same project. Applicants who
                have already received a Working Capital Grant for the proposed project
                cannot receive any additional grants for that project (Proposals from
                previous award recipients should be substantially different in terms of
                products and/or markets and should not merely be extensions of
                previously funded projects).
                2. Cost-Sharing or Matching
                 There is a matching fund (cost-sharing) requirement of at least $1
                for every $1 in grant funds provided by the Agency (matching funds plus
                grant funds must equal proposed Total Project Cost). Matching funds may
                be in the form of cash or eligible in-kind contributions. Matching
                contributions and grant funds may be used only for eligible project
                purposes, including any contributions exceeding the minimum amount
                required. Applicant matching contributions in the form of raw
                commodity, time contributed to the project, or goods or services for
                which no out-of-pocket expenditure is made during the grant period,
                must be characterized as in-kind contributions. Donations of goods and
                service from third-parties must be characterized as in-kind
                contributions. Tribal applicants may utilize grants made available
                under Public Law 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination and Education
                Assistance Act of 1975, as their matching contribution, and should
                check with appropriate tribal authorities regarding the availability of
                such funding.
                 Matching funds must be available at time of application and must be
                certified and verified as described in 7 CFR 4284.931(b)(3) and (4). Do
                not include projected income as a matching contribution because it
                cannot be verified as available. Note that matching funds must also be
                discussed as part of the scoring criterion Commitments and Support as
                described in section. E.1.(c).
                3. Project Eligibility
                 You must demonstrate within the application narrative that you meet
                all the project eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 4284.922.
                 (a) Product eligibility. Applicants for both planning and working
                capital grants must meet all requirements at 7 CFR 4284.922(a),
                including that your value-added product must result from one of the
                five methodologies identified in the definition of Value-Added
                Agricultural Product at 7 CFR 4284.902. In addition, you must
                demonstrate that, as a result of the project, the customer base for the
                agricultural commodity or value-added product will be expanded, by
                including a baseline of current customers for the commodity, and an
                estimated target number of customers that will result from the project;
                and that, a greater portion of the revenue derived from the marketing
                or processing of the value-added product is available to the applicant
                producer(s) of the agricultural commodity, by including a baseline of
                current revenues from the sale of the agricultural commodity and an
                estimate of increased revenues that will result from the project. Note
                that working capital grants for market expansion projects per 7 CFR
                4284.922(b) must demonstrate expanded customer base and increased
                revenue resulting only from sales of existing products to new
                customers. VAPG recognizes that market expansion projects may involve
                in marketing and promotion activities such as trade shows, farmers
                markets, and various media advertising which also result in increased
                sales to existing customers. However, market expansion award recipients
                must use grant and matching funds only on activities that demonstrably
                focus on marketing products they have produced and sold for at least
                two years, to new markets and/or to new customers in existing markets,
                such that the producer's customer base (number of customers) is
                expanded, per program requirements. Grant and matching funds cannot be
                deliberately expended on sales of existing products to existing
                customers.
                 In addition, per the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, working
                capital applications must include a statement describing the direct or
                indirect producer benefits intended to result from the proposed project
                within a reasonable period of time after the receipt of a grant.
                 (b) Purpose eligibility. Applicants for both planning and working
                capital grants must meet all requirements at 7 CFR 4284.922(b)
                regarding maximum grant amounts, verification of matching funds,
                eligible and ineligible uses of grant and matching funds, and a
                substantive, detailed work plan and budget.
                 (1) Planning Grants. A planning grant is used to fund development
                of a defined program of economic planning activities to determine the
                viability of a potential value-added venture, specifically for paying a
                qualified consultant to conduct and develop a feasibility study,
                business plan, and/or marketing plan associated with the processing
                and/or marketing of a value-added agricultural product. Planning grant
                funds may not be used to fund working capital activities.
                 (2) Working Capital Grants. This type of grant provides funds to
                operate a value-added project, specifically to pay the eligible project
                expenses directly related to the processing and/or marketing of the
                value-added product that are eligible uses of grant funds. Working
                capital funds may not be used for planning purposes.
                 (c) Reserved Funds Eligibility. To qualify for Reserved Funds as a
                Beginning, Veteran, or Socially-Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher or if
                you propose to develop a Mid-Tier Value Chain, you must meet the
                requirements found at 7 CFR 4284.923. If your application is eligible,
                but is not awarded under the Reserved Funds, it will automatically be
                considered for general funds in that same fiscal year, as funding
                levels permit.
                 (d) Priority Points. To qualify for Priority Points for projects
                that contribute to increasing opportunities for Beginning Farmers or
                Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers, or if you are an
                Operator of a Small or Medium-sized Farm or Ranch structured as a
                Family Farm, a Veteran Farmer or Rancher, propose a Mid-Tier Value
                Chain project, or are a Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, you must meet
                the applicable eligibility requirements at 7 CFR 4284.923 and 4284.924
                and must address the relevant proposal evaluation criterion.
                 Priority points will also be awarded during the scoring process to
                eligible Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer
                [[Page 67706]]
                or Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based
                Business Ventures that best contribute to creating or increasing
                marketing opportunities for Beginning Farmers or Ranchers, Socially-
                Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers, and/or Veteran Farmers or Ranchers.
                You must meet the eligibility requirements at 7 CFR 4284.923 and
                4284.924 and must address the relevant proposal evaluation criterion.
                4. Eligible Uses of Grant and Matching Funds
                 Eligible uses of grant and matching funds are discussed, along with
                examples, in 7 CFR 4284.925. In general, grant and cost-share matching
                funds have the same use restrictions and must be used to fund only the
                costs for eligible purposes as defined at 7 CFR 4284.925(a) and (b).
                5. Ineligible Uses of Grant and Matching Funds
                 Federal procurement standards prohibit transactions that involve a
                real or apparent Conflict of Interest for owners, employees, officers,
                agents, or their Immediate Family members having a personal,
                professional, financial or other interest in the outcome of the
                project; including organizational conflicts, and conflicts that
                restrict open and free competition for unrestrained trade. A list (not
                all-inclusive) of ineligible uses of grant and matching funds is found
                in 7 CFR 4284.926.
                D. Application and Submission Information
                1. Address to Request Applications
                 The application toolkit, regulation, and official program
                notification for this funding opportunity can be obtained online at
                http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
                You may also contact your USDA Rural Development State Office by
                visiting http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. The toolkit
                contains an application checklist, templates, required grant forms, and
                instructions. Although the Agency highly recommends their use, use of
                the templates in the toolkit is not mandatory.
                2. Content and Form of Application Submission
                 You may submit your application in paper form or electronically
                through Grants.gov. Your application must contain all required
                information.
                 To apply electronically, you must follow the instructions for this
                funding announcement at http://www.grants.gov. Please note that we
                cannot accept emailed or faxed applications.
                 You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for
                this program by using a keyword, the program name, or the Catalog of
                Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program.
                 When you enter the Grants.gov website, you will find information
                about applying electronically through the site, as well as the hours of
                operation.
                 To use Grants.gov, you must already have a DUNS number and you must
                also be registered and maintain registration in SAM. We strongly
                recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to
                begin the application process through Grants.gov.
                 You must submit all your application documents electronically
                through Grants.gov.
                 After electronically applying through Grants.gov, you will receive
                an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov
                tracking number.
                 If you want to submit a paper application, send it to the State
                Office located in the State where your project will primarily take
                place. You can find State Office Contact information at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. An optional-use Agency
                application template is available online at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
                 Your application must contain all the required forms and proposal
                elements described in 7 CFR 4284.931, unless otherwise clarified in
                this Notice. You are encouraged, but not required to utilize the
                Application Toolkits found at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants, however, you must provide all of the
                information requested by the template. You must become familiar with
                the program regulation at 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J in order to submit
                a successful application. Basic application contents are outlined
                below:
                 Standard Form (SF)-424, ``Application for Federal
                Assistance,'' to include your DUNS number and SAM (CAGE) code and
                expiration date (or evidence that you have begun the SAM registration
                process). Because there are no specific fields for a CAGE code and
                expiration date, you may identify them anywhere you want to on the
                form. If you do not include your DUNS number in your application, it
                will not be considered for funding.
                 SF-424A, ``Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.''
                This form must be completed and submitted as part of the application
                package.
                 SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' This
                form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the
                application package.
                 Form AD-3030, ``Representations Regarding Felony
                Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants,'' if you
                are a corporation. A corporation is any entity that has filed articles
                of incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the
                Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic
                of the Marshall Islands, or the various territories of the United
                States including American Samoa, Guam, Midway Islands, the Commonwealth
                of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin
                Islands. Corporations include both for profit and non-profit entities.
                 You must certify that there are no current outstanding
                Federal judgments against your property and that you will not use grant
                funds to pay for any judgment obtained by the United States. You must
                also certify that you are not delinquent on the payment of Federal
                income taxes, or any Federal debt. To satisfy the Certification
                requirement, you should include this statement in your application:
                ``[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] certifies that the United States has not
                obtained an unsatisfied judgment against its property, is not
                delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or any Federal debt,
                and will not use grant funds to pay any judgments obtained by the
                United States.'' A separate signature is not required.
                 You must provide a valid permit or evidence of having begun the
                permitting process if you are proposing a working capital grant to
                produce and market value-added products in the industries of wine,
                beer, distilled spirits or other alcoholic merchandise.
                 You must provide a valid producer license issued by a State, Tribe,
                or USDA, as applicable in accordance with 7 CFR part 990 if you are
                proposing to market value-added hemp products.
                 Executive Summary and Abstract. A one-page Executive
                Summary containing the following information: legal name of applicant
                entity, application type (planning or working capital), applicant type,
                amount of grant request, a summary of your project, and whether you are
                submitting a simplified application, and whether you are requesting
                Reserved Funds. Also include a separate abstract of up to 100 words
                briefly describing your project.
                 Eligibility discussion.
                 Work plan and budget.
                 Performance evaluation criteria.
                 Proposal evaluation criteria.
                [[Page 67707]]
                 Certification and verification of matching funds.
                 Reserved Funds and Priority Point documentation (as
                applicable).
                 Feasibility studies, business plans, and/or marketing
                plans, as applicable.
                 Appendices containing required supporting documentation.
                3. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System
                for Awards Management (SAM)
                 To be eligible (unless you are excepted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c)
                or (d), you are required to:
                 (a) Provide a valid DUNS number in your application, which can be
                obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711;
                 (b) Register in SAM before submitting your application. You may
                register in SAM at no cost at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.
                You must provide your SAM Cage Code and expiration date or evidence
                that you have begun the SAM registration process at time of
                application; and
                 (c) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current
                information at all times during which you have an active Federal award
                or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding
                agency.
                 If you have not fully complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM
                requirements, the Agency may determine that the applicant is not
                qualified to receive a Federal award and the Agency may use that
                determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.
                Please refer to Section F. 2 for additional submission requirements
                that apply to grantees selected for this program.
                4. Submission Dates and Times
                 Application Deadline Date: March 10, 2020.
                 Explanation of Deadlines: Paper applications must be postmarked and
                mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by March 10, 2020. The Agency will
                determine whether your application is late based on the date shown on
                the postmark or shipping invoice. You may also hand carry your
                application to one of our field offices, but it must be received by
                close of business on the deadline date. If the due date falls on a
                Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the application is due the next
                business day. Late applications will automatically be considered
                ineligible and will not be evaluated further.
                 Electronic applications must be received at http://www.grants.gov
                no later than Midnight Eastern time, March 5, 2020 to be eligible for
                funding. Please review the Grants.gov website at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions on the
                process of registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure
                you are able to meet the electronic application deadline. Grants.gov
                will not accept applications submitted after the deadline.
                5. Intergovernmental Review
                 Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal
                Programs, applies to this program. This E.O. requires that Federal
                agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance
                with State and local governments. Many States have established a Single
                Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. A list of
                States that maintain a SPOC may be obtained at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc. If your State has a SPOC, you must
                submit your application directly for review. Any comments obtained
                through the SPOC must be provided to RD for consideration as part of
                your application. If your State has not established a SPOC or you do
                not want to submit your application to the SPOC, RD will submit your
                application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or agencies.
                Applications from federally recognized Indian tribes are not subject to
                Intergovernmental Review.
                6. Funding Restrictions
                 Funding limitations and reservations found in the program
                regulation at 7 CFR 4284.927 will apply, including:
                 (a) Use of Funds. Grant funds may be used to pay up to 50 percent
                of the total eligible project costs, subject to the limitations
                established for maximum total grant amount. Grant funds may not be used
                to pay any costs of the project incurred prior to the date of grant
                approval. Grant and matching funds may only be used for eligible
                purposes. (See examples of eligible and ineligible uses in 7 CFR
                4284.925 and 4284.926, respectively).
                 (b) Grant Period (project period). Your project timeframe or grant
                period can be a maximum of 36 months in length from the date of award,
                depending on the complexity of your project. Your proposed grant period
                should begin no earlier than the anticipated award announcement date in
                this Notice and should end no later than 36 months following that date.
                If you receive an award, your grant period will be revised to begin on
                the actual date of award--the date the grant agreement is executed by
                the Agency--and your grant period end date will be adjusted
                accordingly. Your project activities should begin within 90 days of
                that date of award. The length of your grant period should be based on
                your project's complexity, as indicated in your application work plan.
                For example, it is expected that most planning grants can be completed
                within 12 months.
                 (c) Program Income. If income (Program Income) is earned during the
                grant period as a result of the project activities, it is subject to
                the requirements in 2 CFR 200.80, and must be managed and reported
                accordingly.
                 (d) Majority Controlled Producer-Based Business. The total amount
                of funds awarded to Majority Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in
                response to this announcement shall not exceed 10 percent of the total
                funds obligated for the program during the fiscal year.
                 (e) Reserved Funds. Ten percent of all funds available will be
                reserved to fund projects that benefit Beginning Farmers or Ranchers,
                Veteran Farmers or Ranchers or Socially- Disadvantaged Farmers or
                Ranchers. In addition, 10 percent of total funding available will be
                used to fund projects that propose development of Mid-Tier Value Chains
                as part of a Local or Regional Supply Chain Network. See related
                definitions in 7 CFR 4284.902. In addition, in accordance with Title
                VII, Section 750 of Public Law 115-30, 10 percent of FY 2019 funds will
                be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties. Any funds
                that become available after publishing this notice that will be
                allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties will be
                identified by the Agency at a later date, after the applicable
                appropriations language has been enacted.
                 (f) Disposition of Reserved Funds Not Obligated. For this
                announcement, any reserved funds that have not been obligated by
                September 30, 2019, will be available to the Secretary to make VAPG
                grants in accordance with Section 210A(i)(3)(ii) of the Agriculture
                Improvement Act of 2018.
                7. Other Submission Requirements
                 (a) National Environmental Policy Act.
                 This Notice has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970,
                ``Environmental Policies and Procedures,'' and it has been determined
                that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required because the
                issuance of regulations and instructions, as well as amendments to
                them, describing administrative and financial procedures for
                processing, approving, and implementing the Agency's financial programs
                is categorically excluded in the Agency's National Environmental Policy
                Act (NEPA) regulation found at 7 CFR
                [[Page 67708]]
                1970.53(f). We have determined that this Notice does not constitute a
                major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human
                environment.
                 The Agency will review each grant application to determine its
                compliance with 7 CFR part 1970 and whether proposed financial
                assistance by the Agency would have a disproportionately high and
                adverse human health or environmental effect on minority or low-income
                populations. The applicant may be asked to provide additional
                information or documentation to assist the Agency with this
                determination.
                 (b) Civil Rights Compliance Requirements.
                 All grants made under this Notice are subject to Title VI of the
                Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15,
                subpart A) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
                E. Application Review Information
                 Applications will be reviewed and processed as described at 7 CFR
                4284.940. The Agency will review your application to determine if it is
                complete and eligible. If at any time, the Agency determines that your
                application is ineligible, you will be notified in writing as to the
                reasons it was determined ineligible and you will be informed of your
                review and appeal rights. Funding of successfully appealed applications
                will be limited to available funds.
                 The Agency will only score applications in which the applicant and
                project are eligible, which are complete and sufficiently responsive to
                program requirements, and in which the Agency agrees on the likelihood
                of financial feasibility for working capital requests. We will score
                your application according to the procedures and criteria specified in
                7 CFR 4284.942, and with tiered scoring thresholds as specified below.
                1. Scoring Criteria
                 For each criterion, you must show how the project has merit and why
                it is likely to be successful. Your complete response to each criterion
                must be included in the body of the application, including
                summarizations of any feasibility studies, business and marketing
                plans. If you do not address all parts of the criterion, or do not
                sufficiently communicate relevant project information, you will receive
                lower scores. VAPG is a competitive program, so you will receive scores
                based on the quality of your responses. Simply addressing the criteria
                will not guarantee higher scores. The maximum number of points that can
                be awarded to your application is 100. For this announcement, the
                minimum score requirement for funding is 50 points.
                 The Agency application toolkit provides additional instruction to
                help you to respond to the criteria below.
                 (a) Nature of the Proposed Venture (graduated score 0-30 points).
                 For both planning and working capital grants, you must discuss the
                technological feasibility of the project, as well as operational
                efficiency, profitability, and overall economic sustainability
                resulting from the project. You must also demonstrate the potential for
                expanding the customer base for the agricultural commodity or value-
                added product, and the expected increase in revenue returns to the
                producer-owners providing the majority of the raw agricultural
                commodity to the project. Working capital applicants must also provide
                the potential number of jobs that will result from the project, along
                with a justifiable basis for these projections. Please see the
                application template for more information. All applicants must
                reference and summarize third-party data and other information that
                specifically supports your value-added project; discuss the value-added
                process you are proposing; potential markets and distribution channels;
                the value to be added to the raw commodity through the value-added
                process; cost and availability of inputs, your experience in marketing
                the proposed or similar product; business financial statements; and any
                other relevant information that supports the viability of your project.
                Working capital applicants should demonstrate that these outcomes will
                result from the project and include supportable projections of increase
                in customer base, revenue returned to producers and jobs resulting from
                the project in order to receive up to the maximum number of points.
                Planning grant applicants should describe the expected results, and the
                reasons supporting those expectations.
                 Points will be awarded as follows:
                 (1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not address the criterion.
                 (2) 1-5 points will be awarded if you do not address each of the
                following: technological feasibility, operational efficiency,
                profitability, and overall economic sustainability.
                 (3) 6-13 points will be awarded if you address technological
                feasibility, operational efficiency, profitability, and overall
                economic sustainability, but do not reference third-party information
                that supports the success of your project.
                 (4) 14-22 points will be awarded if you address technological
                feasibility, operational efficiency, profitability, and overall
                economic, supported by third-party information demonstrating a
                reasonable likelihood of success.
                 (5) 23-30 points will be awarded if all criterion components are
                well addressed, supported by third-party information, and demonstrate a
                high likelihood of success.
                 (b) Qualifications of Project Personnel (graduated score 0-20
                points).
                 You must identify all individuals who will be responsible for
                managing and completing the proposed tasks in the work plan, including
                the roles and activities that owners, staff, contractors, consultants
                or new hires may perform; and show that these individuals have the
                necessary qualifications and expertise, including those hired to do
                market or feasibility analyses, or to develop a business operations
                plan for the value-added venture. You must include the qualifications
                of those individuals responsible for leading or managing the total
                project (applicant owners or project managers), as well as those
                individuals responsible for conducting the various individual tasks in
                the work plan (such as consultants, contractors, staff or new hires).
                You must discuss the commitment and the availability of any consultants
                or other professionals to be hired for the project--especially those
                who may be consulting on multiple VAPG projects). If staff or
                consultants have not been selected at the time of application, you must
                provide specific descriptions of the qualifications required for the
                positions to be filled. Applications that demonstrate the strong
                credentials, education, capabilities, experience and availability of
                project personnel that will contribute to a high likelihood of project
                success will receive more points than those that demonstrate less
                potential for success in these areas.
                 Points will be awarded as follows:
                 (1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not address the criterion.
                 (2) 1-4 points will be awarded if qualifications and experience of
                all staff is not addressed and/or if necessary, qualifications of
                unfilled positions are not provided.
                 (3) 5-9 points will be awarded if all project personnel are
                identified but do not demonstrate qualifications or experience relevant
                to the project.
                 (4) 10-14 will be awarded if most key personnel demonstrate strong
                credentials and/or experience, and availability indicating a reasonable
                likelihood of success.
                 (5) 15-20 points will be awarded if all personnel demonstrate
                strong, relevant credentials or experience, and availability indicating
                a high likelihood of project success.
                [[Page 67709]]
                 (c) Commitments and Support (graduated score 0-10 points).
                 Producer, end-user, and third-party commitments will be evaluated
                under this criterion. Sole proprietors can receive a maximum of 9
                points. Multiple producer applications can receive a maximum of 10
                points.
                 (1) Producer commitments to the project will be evaluated based on
                the number of named and documented independent producers currently
                involved in the project; and the nature, level and quality of their
                contributions.
                 (2) End-user commitments will be evaluated based on potential or
                identified markets and the potential amount of output to be purchased,
                as indicated by letters of intent or contracts (purchase orders) from
                potential buyers referenced within the application. Applications that
                demonstrate documented intent to purchase the value-added product will
                receive more points. Note: For planning grants, this criterion can be
                addressed by evidence of interest or support from identified or
                potential customers.
                 (3) Third-party commitments to the project will be evaluated based
                on the critical and tangible nature of their contribution to the
                project, such as technical assistance, storage, processing, marketing,
                or distribution arrangements that are necessary for the project to
                proceed; and the level and quality of these contributions. Applications
                that demonstrate strong technical and logistical support to
                successfully complete the project will receive more points.
                 Letters of commitment by producers, end-users, and third-parties
                should be summarized as part of your response to this criterion, and
                the letters must be included in Appendix B. Please note that VAPG does
                not require Congressional letters of support, nor do they carry any
                extra weight during the evaluation process. Also, note that because
                applications with cash matching contributions are awarded more points
                than those pledging only in-kind contributions, applicants will not be
                able to substitute an in-kind match for cash after awards are made.
                 Points will be awarded as follows:
                 (i) 0 points will be awarded if you do not address the criterion
                 (ii) Independent Producer Commitment
                 (A) Sole Proprietor (one owner/producer): 1 point
                 (B) Multiple Independent Producers (note: in cases where family
                members, such as husband and wife, are eligible Independent Producers,
                each family member will count as one Independent Producer): 2 points
                 (iii) Level of Commitment
                 (A) All matching contributions are in-kind: 1 point
                 (B) Matching contribution consists of both cash and in-kind: 2
                points
                 (C) All matching contributions are cash: 4 points
                 (iv) End-user commitment:
                 (A) No or insufficiently documented commitment from end-users: 0
                points
                 (B) Well-documented commitment from one end-user: 1 point
                 (C) Well-documented commitment from more than one end-user: 2
                points
                 (v) Third-party commitment:
                 (A) No or insufficiently documented commitment from third-parties:
                0 points
                 (B) Well-documented commitment from one third-party: 1 point
                 (C) Well-documented commitment from more than one third-party: 2
                points
                 (d) Work Plan and Budget (graduated score 0-20 points).
                 You must submit a comprehensive work plan and budget (for full
                details, see 7 CFR 4284.922(b)(5)). Your work plan must provide
                specific and detailed descriptions of the tasks and the key project
                personnel that will accomplish the project's goals. The budget must
                present a detailed breakdown and description of all estimated costs of
                project activities (including source and basis for their valuation) and
                allocate those costs among the listed tasks, as instructed in the
                application package. You must show the source and use of both grant and
                matching funds for all tasks. Matching funds must be spent at a rate
                equal to, or in advance of, grant funds. An eligible start and end date
                for the entire project, as well as for each individual project task
                must be clearly shown. The project timeframe must not exceed 36 months
                and should be scaled to the complexity of the project. Working capital
                applications must include an estimate of program income expected to be
                earned during the grant period (see 2 CFR 200.307).
                 Points will be awarded as follows:
                 (1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not address the criterion.
                 (2) 1-7 points will be awarded if the work plan and budget do not
                account for all project goals, tasks, costs, timelines, and responsible
                personnel.
                 (3) 8-14 points will be awarded if you provide a clear,
                comprehensive work plan detailing all project goals, tasks, timelines,
                costs, and responsible personnel in a logical and realistic manner that
                demonstrates a reasonable likelihood of success.
                 (4) 15-20 points will be awarded if you provide a clear,
                comprehensive work plan detailing all project goals, tasks, timelines,
                costs, and responsible personnel in a logical and realistic manner that
                demonstrates a high likelihood of success.
                 (e) Priority Points up to 10 points (lump sum 0 or 5 points plus,
                graduated score 0-5 points).
                 It is recommended that you use the Agency application package when
                applying for priority points and refer to the requirements specified in
                7 CFR 4284.924. Priority points may be awarded in both the general
                funds and Reserved Funds competitions.
                 (1) 5 points will be awarded if you meet the requirements for one
                of the following categories and provide the documentation described in
                7 CFR 4284.923 and 4284.924 as applicable: Beginning Farmer or Rancher,
                Socially-Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher, Veteran Farmer or Rancher, or
                Operator of a Small or Medium-sized Farm or Ranch that is structured as
                a Family Farm, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, or are proposing a Mid-
                Tier Value Chain project.
                 (2) Up to 5 priority points will be awarded if you are an
                Agricultural Producer Group, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, or
                Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Venture (referred to below
                as ``applicant group'') whose project ``best contributes to creating or
                increasing marketing opportunities'' for Operators of Small- and
                Medium-sized Farms and Ranches that are structured as Family Farms,
                Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and
                Ranchers, and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (referred to below as
                ``priority groups''). For each of the priority point levels below,
                applications must demonstrate how the proposed project will contribute
                to new or increased marketing opportunities for respective priority
                groups. Guidance on relevant information required to adequately
                demonstrate this requirement can be found in program application
                package.
                 (i) 2 priority points will be awarded if the existing membership of
                the applicant group is comprised of either more than 50 percent of any
                one of the four priority groups or more than 50 percent of any
                combination of the four priority groups.
                 (ii) 1 priority point will be awarded if the existing membership of
                the applicant group is comprised of two or more of the priority groups.
                One point is awarded regardless of whether a group's membership is
                comprised of two, three, or all four of the priority groups.
                 (iii) 2 priority points will be awarded if the applicant's proposed
                project will increase the number of priority groups that comprise
                applicant membership by one or more priority groups. However,
                [[Page 67710]]
                if an applicant group's membership is already comprised of all four
                priority groups, such an applicant would not be eligible for points
                under this criterion because there is no opportunity to increase the
                number of priority groups. Note also that this criterion does not
                consider either the percentage of the existing membership that is
                comprised of the four priority groups or the number of priority groups
                currently comprising the applicant group's membership.
                 (f) Administrator Priority Categories (graduated score 0-10
                points).
                 The Administrator of the Agency may choose to award up to 10 points
                to an application to improve the geographic diversity of awardees and/
                or foster persistent poverty counties and/or help reduce unemployment
                through job creation in a fiscal year. To ensure that funds are more
                broadly utilized in support of recommendations made in the Rural
                Prosperity Task Force report to help improve life in rural America, the
                Administrator may also choose to award points to eligible applicants
                who have never previously been awarded a VAPG grant. Eligible
                applicants who have never previously received VAPG funds and who want
                to be considered for discretionary points must specifically request
                consideration for these points and certify that neither the applicant
                entity or any of its owner or members have ever received a VAPG grant.
                To be considered for these points, you must discuss how your workplan
                and budget supports one or more of the five following key strategies:
                 Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America;
                 Improving Quality of Life;
                 Supporting a Rural Workforce;
                 Harnessing Technological Innovation; and
                 Economic Development.
                2. Review and Selection Process
                 The Agency will select applications for award under this Notice in
                accordance with the provisions specified in 7 CFR 4284.950(a).
                 If your application is eligible and complete, it will be
                qualitatively scored by at least two reviewers based on criteria
                specified in section E.1. of this Notice. One of these reviewers will
                be an experienced RD employee from your servicing State Office and at
                least one additional reviewer will be a non-Federal, independent
                reviewer, who must meet the following qualifications. Independent
                reviewers must have at least a bachelor's degree in one or more of the
                following fields: Agri-business, agricultural economics, agriculture,
                animal science, business, marketing, economics or finance; and a
                minimum of 8 years of experience in an agriculture-related field (e.g.
                farming, marketing, consulting, or research; or as university faculty,
                trade association official or non-Federal government official in an
                agriculturally-related field). Each reviewer will score evaluation
                criteria (a) through (d) and the totals for each reviewer will be added
                together and averaged. The RD State Office reviewer will also assign
                priority points based on criterion (e) in section E.1. of this Notice.
                These will be added to the average score. The sum of these scores will
                be ranked highest to lowest and this will comprise the initial ranking.
                 The Administrator of the Agency may choose to award up to 10
                Administrator priority points based on criterion (f) in section E.1. of
                this Notice. These points will be added to the cumulative score for a
                total possible score of 100.
                 A final ranking will be obtained based solely on the scores
                received for criteria (a) through (e). A minimum score of 50 points is
                required for funding. Applications for Reserved Funds will be funded in
                rank order until funds are depleted. Unfunded reserve applications will
                be returned to the general funds where applications will be funded in
                rank order until the funds are expended. Funding for Majority
                Controlled Producer-Based Business Ventures is limited to 10 percent of
                total grant funds expected to be obligated as a result of this Notice.
                These applications will be funded in rank order until the funding
                limitation has been reached. Grants to these applicants from Reserved
                Funds will count against this funding limitation. In the event of tied
                scores, the Administrator shall have discretion in breaking ties.
                 If your application is ranked, but not funded, it will not be
                carried forward into the next competition.
                F. Federal Award Administration Information
                1. Federal Award Notices
                 If you are selected for funding, you will receive a signed notice
                of Federal award by postal mail, containing instructions on
                requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the
                award.
                 If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in
                writing via postal mail and informed of any review and appeal rights.
                Funding of successfully appealed applications will be limited to
                available funding.
                2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
                 Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this
                program can be found in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J; the Grants and
                Agreements regulations of the Department of Agriculture codified in 2
                CFR parts 180, 400, 415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and 48
                CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to these parts.
                 In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are
                required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and
                executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to
                have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the
                Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L.
                109-282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are
                exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)). More information on these requirements
                can be found at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
                 The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected
                for this program:
                 (a) Agency approved Grant Agreement.
                 (b) Letter of Conditions.
                 (c) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
                 (d) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
                 (e) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
                and Other Responsibility Matters-Primary Covered Transactions.''
                 (f) Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
                Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered
                Transactions.''
                 (g) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace
                Requirement (Grants).''
                 (h) Form AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax
                Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.'' Must be signed by
                corporate applicants who receive an award under this Notice.
                 (i) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
                 (j) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
                 (k) Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
                3. Reporting
                 After grant approval and through grant completion, you will be
                required to provide the following, as indicated in the Grant Agreement:
                 (a) A SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' and a project
                performance report will be required on a semiannual
                [[Page 67711]]
                basis (due 30 working days after end of the semiannual period). For the
                purposes of this grant, semiannual periods end on March 31st and
                September 30th. The project performance reports shall include the
                elements prescribed in the grant agreement.
                 (b) A final project and financial status report within 90 days
                after the expiration or termination of the grant.
                 (c) Provide outcome project performance reports and final
                deliverables.
                G. Solicitation of Non-Federal Independent Grant Reviewers
                 Rural Development is seeking non-Federal independent grant
                reviewers under this Notice. Reviewers must be able to use their
                professional knowledge and experience to evaluate and score VAPG
                program applications against the evaluation criteria published in this
                Notice, and effectively communicate their findings in writing.
                1. Qualifications
                 All reviewers must meet the following qualifications.
                 (a) Have at least a bachelor's degree in one or more of the
                following fields: agri-business, agricultural economics, business,
                marketing, economics or finance, and
                 (b) A minimum of 8 years of experience in an agriculture-related
                field (e.g. farming, marketing, consulting, or research; or as
                university faculty, trade association official or non-Federal
                government official in an agriculturally-related field).
                2. Ethical Standards
                 Prospective reviewers must be able to exercise the highest level of
                ethical standards in avoiding conflict of interests and maintaining
                confidentiality.
                 (a) Conflict of Interest
                 Individuals selected as non-Federal independent grant reviewers
                will be required to certify that they do not have a conflict of
                interest or an appearance thereof with any VAPG application they are
                assigned to review. This may include but is not limited to
                certification that they did not apply for a VAPG grant and are not
                affiliated with persons or organizations applying for VAPG funds.
                 (b) Confidentiality
                 Reviewers will also be required to sign a certification statement
                regarding the safeguarding of information contained in assigned
                applications.
                 Failure to identify a conflict-of-interest or the unauthorized
                disclosure of information may subject reviewers to administrative
                sanction, i.e., removal from the current review and/or disqualification
                from involvement in future reviews of grant applications.
                3. Training
                 All reviewers must review and understand program requirements and
                must attend a mandatory training webinar.
                4. System Requirements
                 (a) Reviewers must have reliable internet access using Internet
                Explorer and be able to reliably both access applications and submit
                scores electronically, and
                 (b) All reviewers must be able to complete requirements for,
                obtain, and maintain USDA Level 2 e-Authorization credentialing.
                 To apply, please send a resume addressing relevant qualifications
                and experience to [email protected] by February 10, 2020.
                H. Agency Contacts
                 If you have questions about this Notice, please contact the State
                Office as identified in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. You are
                also encouraged to visit the application website for application tools,
                including an application guide and templates. The website address is:
                http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
                You may also contact National Office staff at [email protected] or
                call the main line at 202-720-1400.
                I. Nondiscrimination Statement
                 In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of
                Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
                Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or
                administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on
                race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including
                gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital
                status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
                program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
                rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA
                (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing
                deadlines vary by program or incident.
                 Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
                communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
                audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible
                Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or
                contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
                Additionally, program information may be made available in languages
                other than English.
                 To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
                Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or
                write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the
                information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint
                form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA
                by:
                 (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
                Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
                20250-9410;
                 (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
                 (3) Email: [email protected].
                Bette B. Brand,
                Administrator, Rural Business--Cooperative Service.
                [FR Doc. 2019-26626 Filed 12-10-19; 8:45 am]
                 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
                

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