Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers Training Coordination Program (TAAF)
agricultural producers whose commodities have been certified as affected by imports, and who have been approved through individual application, with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to make adjustments to their operations, business plans,
Producers of commodities certified by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and who meet the eligibility requirements by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) are eligible for TAAF program participation.
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: Information will be provided by Program staff at a future date. Fiscal Year 2009: Information will be provided by Program staff at a future date. Fiscal Year 2010: Information will be provided by Program staff at a future date.
Uses and Use Restrictions
General Uses:
Through this RFA CSREES requests applications for the TAAF Training Coordination Program to establish a National TAAF Training Coordination Center responsible for the development and delivery of training and technical assistance to TAAF-eligible producers for business planning, diversification of enterprises, marketing, and other beneficial subjects as needed to aid producers in adjusting to the impact of imported commodities.
The National TAAF Training Coordination Center will design and administer the training requirements of TAAF, develop communications regarding TAAF training and technical assistance, and comply with reporting requirements as described under Part I(B) and in Part VI(D).
The successful National TAAF Training Coordination Program applicant will enter into a cooperative agreement with CSREES for establishment of the National TAAF Training Coordination Center to coordinate and implement the training and technical assistance component of the TAAF program under section 296(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2401e).
Please be advised that the following components of the TAAF program will be administered by FAS/FSA: certification of agricultural commodities eligibility certifications, approval of applications for cash benefits, and payments to implement business plans.
FAS, CSREES, FSA, and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will all be involved in the TAAF outreach effort.
FAS has established a website for TAAF which is now linked to USDA, FSA, CSREES, AMS websites and can be found at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/ITP/TAA/taa.asp.
Implementing regulations governing the TAAF program (including specific requirements for the provision of training and technical assistance) are expected to be published shortly in the Federal Register (as a Final Rule).
Applicants to the National TAAF Training Coordination Program must show their capacity to provide TAAF program coordination and training as described below:
1.
Coordination of TAAF
• Awardee will establish a National TAAF Training Coordination Center The National TAAF Training Coordination Center will:
o Develop rapid response implementation procedures for TAAF training and associated reporting activities;
o Contract with or make grants to state Cooperative Extension services or other qualified provider(s) to deliver TAAF training and technical assistance to TAAF-eligible producers;
o Conduct regional training workshops for TAAF trainers on existing or emerging TAAF topics;
o Develop a National and regional outreach and communication plan in concert with relevant agencies of the Department of Agriculture to promote the TAAF program;
o Provide effective TAAF communication at intra- and inter-regional and National levels, including use of media outlets and the distribution of TAAF materials;
o Provide a National "one-stop" source of TAAF information (National TAAF Training Coordination Center website).
o Coordinate with and report to CSREES, and report training activities and performance measures into associated ARRA data management systems (as described in Part VI.
(D));
2.
Training and Technical Assistance for TAAF
• Provide Initial Technical Assistance Training that will:
o Help TAAF-eligible producers improve their yield and marketing of certified agricultural commodities; and/or
o Enhance the feasibility and desirability of initiating production of one or more alternative agricultural commodities in exchange for agricultural commodities certified as eligible for TAAF.
• Provide Intensive Technical Assistance Training that includes:
o A series of courses to further assist TAAF-eligible producers in improving their competitiveness producing certified agricultural commodities with respect to which the producer was certified under this chapter; or one or more alternative agricultural commodities;
o Assistance to TAAF-eligible producers with developing an initial business plan based on the initial technical assistance training that can be approved in accordance with the requirements that will be set out in 7 CFR 1580.32.
An approved plan must reflect the skills gained by the producer through the intensive technical assistance courses, and demonstrate how the producer will apply those skills to make adjustments to its business and marking plans and operations with the goal of enhancing its farm profitability and ability to adjust to imports; and
o Assistance in developing a long-term business adjustment plan that meets regulatory requirements and includes steps to materially contribute to the economic adjustment of producers to changing market conditions, while taking into consideration the interests of the workers employed by the producer and demonstrating that the producer will have sufficient resources to implement the business plan.
Indirect costs may not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total Federal funds provided under this award (TFFA).
The recovery of indirect costs on the cooperative agreement made by CSREES under this program, as well as subawards may not exceed the lesser of the institution s official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 10 percent of total Federal funds awarded.
CSREES has determined that funds awarded under this authority may not be used for the renovation or refurbishment of research, education, or extension space; the purchase or installation of fixed equipment in such space; or the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of buildings or facilities.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals): Agriculture/Forestry/Fish and Game; Higher Education (includes Research); Natural Resources (mineral, water, wildlife, land).
Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals): Agriculture/Forestry/Fish and Game; Higher Education (includes Research); Natural Resources (mineral, water, wildlife, land).
Other public institution/organization: Agriculture/Forestry/Fish and Game; Higher Education (includes Research); Natural Resources (mineral, water, wildlife, land)
Beneficiary Eligibility
State; Public nonprofit institution/organization; Other public institution/organization
Credentials/Documentation
A Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number must be obtained - A DUNS number is a unique number that identifies an organization. It has been adopted by the Federal government to help track how Federal grant money is distributed. If your organization does not have a DUNS number, call the special Dun & Bradstreet hotline at 1-866-705-5711 to receive one free of charge. You will receive a DUNS number within several days of your request. Please note, individual proprietorships (i.e. farmers, ranchers) can request and receive a DUNS number, but must register with Grants.gov as an organization, not as an individual.
Registration with Central Contractor Registry (CCR) is required - The CCR is the central government repository for organizations working with the Federal government. If your organization is not already registered, identify the primary contact who should register your organization. When your organization registers with CCR, it will be required to designate an e-Business Point of Contact (e-Business POC). The e-Business POC authorizes individuals to submit grant applications on behalf of the organization and creates a special password called a Marketing Partner ID Number (M-PIN) to verify individuals authorized to submit grant applications for the organization. Visit the CCR Web site at http://www.ccr.gov to begin this process. It may take several days to collect the information needed for your organization s registration. The CCR Assistance Center can be reached at 888-227-2423. This information collection is approved under OMB Control No. 0524-0039, "CSREES Application Kit for Research and Extension Programs."
Applicants must furnish the information required in the request for applications (RFAs). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process. These include, but are not limited to the following:
Organizational Management Information - Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be submitted on a one time basis, with updates on an as needed basis, as part of the responsibility determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this RFA, if such information has not been provided previously under this or another CSREES program. CSREES will provide copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling these requirements as part of the preaward process. Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors which may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment or suspension of an individual involved or a determination that an applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational management information). This information collection is approved under OMB Circular Control No. 0524-0026, "Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights, Compliance and Organization Information.". OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
All RFAs are published on the Agency s website and Grants.gov.
Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process.
Please see the following Grants.gov link for more information: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
An environmental impact statement is required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Applications should be submitted as outlined in the RFA. Applications must follow the instructions provided per Grants.Gov and in the Agency guide to submitting applications via Grants.gov.
Award Procedures
Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 1613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the CSREES Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA.
Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application.
Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the RFA.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Subtitle C of Title 1 of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-210), amended the Trade Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-618) establishing the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers (TAAF) program. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) (Pub. L. 111-5) reauthorizes and amends the TAAF Program to provide both technical assistance and cash benefits to eligible producers of raw agricultural commodities and fishermen impacted by increased imports contributing to a specific decrease in the national average price, or quantity of production, or value of production of, or cash receipts for the agricultural commodity or fishery products compared to the average of the three (3) preceding marketing years. ARRA amendments to the TAAF program add certain classes of fisherman, increase the reporting requirements and overall transparency of the program, clarify eligibility determinations and associated processes, and clarify the roles and responsibilities of the applicants and the Federal partners., Public Law 107-210.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
:094 Deadlines:
Dates for specific deadlines are announced in the RFA each fiscal year.
:095 Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
From 30 to 180 days.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Specific details are provided in the Request for Applications (RFA) each fiscal year.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements. CSREES does not require matching or cost sharing support for this program, and matching resources will not be factored into the review process as evaluation criteria.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Three (3) year project period. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Funded projects will be expected to verify program accomplishments.
Detailed information on the performance measures for TAAF can be found on the OMB website at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/detail/10003023.2006.html#performanceMeasures.
Successful applicants will be responsible for reporting to CSREES, and reporting activities into associated ARRA data management systems.
CSREES Reports
CRIS Reports - Grantees are required to submit annual and summary evaluation reports via CSREES Current Research Information System (CRIS) http://cwf.uvm.edu/cris.
When access to the web is unavailable, please contact the CRIS Office at 202-690-0009 or e-mail cdeckers@cris.csrees.usda.gov.
CRIS is an electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.
CRIS reports are required to include the subaward and subcontract level information as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of Award.
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee via CRIS.
ARRA Reports:
Funds awarded pursuant to this RFA were made available by section 1887 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (Div.
B of ARRA).
Specific reporting requirements under ARRA will be identified in the Terms and Conditions of the Award.
1.
Award Level Transaction Data Feed - Awardees are required to submit bimonthly reports to CSREES detailing funds distribution as technical training assistance is initiated (this information ultimately feeds to the USAspending.gov).
Report frequency is currently bimonthly, however the frequency of report transmissions may change to be required weekly within the terms of the award.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-15.pdf or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-15).
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
2.
Funding Notifications - This is a cumulative report that is to be completed immediately upon release of any type of public notification (local, regional, or National) including: press releases, significant web updates, public presentations that refer to TAAF, TAAF training opportunity announcements, and any other public sharing of information related to the use of ARRA funds.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-15.pdf or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-15).
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
Quarterly Recipient Reporting - Beginning October 1, 2009, this reporting is mandated in §1512 of the ARRA.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-plan&program_id=7544 or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-21.
A centralized reporting tool is being implemented to facilitate and ease the reporting process.
Section 1512 reporting requirements were further elucidated by OMB Webinars presented during the week of July 20, 2009 (archived on the OMB Webinar website).
The initial report deadline is October 10, 2009 and will recur quarterly for the duration of the award.
Data validation is performed by FAS.
Any corrections will be returned to the awardee and must be addressed during the last week of the month in which they were returned.
The final draft of each report will be moved to Recovery.gov on the last day of the report month.
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to www.FederalReporting.Gov by the TAAF Training Coordination Program awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
3.
Performance Measures:
The measures have been revised to enrich the performance metrics for Recovery targets.
In some instances, targets will not be available until additional baseline data has been collected.
Please refer to Performance Measures published on the Recovery.gov for the FAS TAAF Recovery Plan which are available via the direct link or at the following website:
TAAF Performance Measures or
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-plan&program_id=7544
A final "Financial Status Report" (SF-269) or "Federal Financial Report" (SF-425) is due within 90 days of the expiration date of the grant and should be submitted to the Awards Management Branch, Office of Extramural Programs at the address listed below, in accordance with instructions contained in 2 CFR 3430.55 (also refer to Section 3015.82 of the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations).
Awards Management Branch
Office of Extramural Programs
Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service
U.S.
Department of Agriculture
STOP 2271
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-2271
Telephone: (202) 401-4986.
No cash reports are required.
Funded projects will be expected to verify program accomplishments.
Detailed information on the performance measures for TAAF can be found on the OMB website at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/detail/10003023.2006.html#performanceMeasures.
Successful applicants will be responsible for reporting to CSREES, and reporting activities into associated ARRA data management systems.
CSREES Reports
CRIS Reports - Grantees are required to submit annual and summary evaluation reports via CSREES Current Research Information System (CRIS) http://cwf.uvm.edu/cris.
When access to the web is unavailable, please contact the CRIS Office at 202-690-0009 or e-mail cdeckers@cris.csrees.usda.gov.
CRIS is an electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.
CRIS reports are required to include the subaward and subcontract level information as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of Award.
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee via CRIS.
ARRA Reports:
Funds awarded pursuant to this RFA were made available by section 1887 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (Div.
B of ARRA).
Specific reporting requirements under ARRA will be identified in the Terms and Conditions of the Award.
1.
Award Level Transaction Data Feed - Awardees are required to submit bimonthly reports to CSREES detailing funds distribution as technical training assistance is initiated (this information ultimately feeds to the USAspending.gov).
Report frequency is currently bimonthly, however the frequency of report transmissions may change to be required weekly within the terms of the award.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-15.pdf or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-15).
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
2.
Funding Notifications - This is a cumulative report that is to be completed immediately upon release of any type of public notification (local, regional, or National) including: press releases, significant web updates, public presentations that refer to TAAF, TAAF training opportunity announcements, and any other public sharing of information related to the use of ARRA funds.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-15.pdf or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-15).
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
Quarterly Recipient Reporting - Beginning October 1, 2009, this reporting is mandated in §1512 of the ARRA.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-plan&program_id=7544 or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-21.
A centralized reporting tool is being implemented to facilitate and ease the reporting process.
Section 1512 reporting requirements were further elucidated by OMB Webinars presented during the week of July 20, 2009 (archived on the OMB Webinar website).
The initial report deadline is October 10, 2009 and will recur quarterly for the duration of the award.
Data validation is performed by FAS.
Any corrections will be returned to the awardee and must be addressed during the last week of the month in which they were returned.
The final draft of each report will be moved to Recovery.gov on the last day of the report month.
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to www.FederalReporting.Gov by the TAAF Training Coordination Program awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
3.
Performance Measures:
The measures have been revised to enrich the performance metrics for Recovery targets.
In some instances, targets will not be available until additional baseline data has been collected.
Please refer to Performance Measures published on the Recovery.gov for the FAS TAAF Recovery Plan which are available via the direct link or at the following website:
TAAF Performance Measures or
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-plan&program_id=7544
A final "Financial Status Report" (SF-269) or "Federal Financial Report" (SF-425) is due within 90 days of the expiration date of the grant and should be submitted to the Awards Management Branch, Office of Extramural Programs at the address listed below, in accordance with instructions contained in 2 CFR 3430.55 (also refer to Section 3015.82 of the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations).
Awards Management Branch
Office of Extramural Programs
Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service
U.S.
Department of Agriculture
STOP 2271
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-2271
Telephone: (202) 401-4986.
Funded projects will be expected to verify program accomplishments.
Detailed information on the performance measures for TAAF can be found on the OMB website at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/detail/10003023.2006.html#performanceMeasures.
Successful applicants will be responsible for reporting to CSREES, and reporting activities into associated ARRA data management systems.
CSREES Reports
CRIS Reports - Grantees are required to submit annual and summary evaluation reports via CSREES Current Research Information System (CRIS) http://cwf.uvm.edu/cris.
When access to the web is unavailable, please contact the CRIS Office at 202-690-0009 or e-mail cdeckers@cris.csrees.usda.gov.
CRIS is an electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.
CRIS reports are required to include the subaward and subcontract level information as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of Award.
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee via CRIS.
ARRA Reports:
Funds awarded pursuant to this RFA were made available by section 1887 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (Div.
B of ARRA).
Specific reporting requirements under ARRA will be identified in the Terms and Conditions of the Award.
1.
Award Level Transaction Data Feed - Awardees are required to submit bimonthly reports to CSREES detailing funds distribution as technical training assistance is initiated (this information ultimately feeds to the USAspending.gov).
Report frequency is currently bimonthly, however the frequency of report transmissions may change to be required weekly within the terms of the award.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-15.pdf or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-15).
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
2.
Funding Notifications - This is a cumulative report that is to be completed immediately upon release of any type of public notification (local, regional, or National) including: press releases, significant web updates, public presentations that refer to TAAF, TAAF training opportunity announcements, and any other public sharing of information related to the use of ARRA funds.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-15.pdf or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-15).
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
Quarterly Recipient Reporting - Beginning October 1, 2009, this reporting is mandated in §1512 of the ARRA.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-plan&program_id=7544 or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-21.
A centralized reporting tool is being implemented to facilitate and ease the reporting process.
Section 1512 reporting requirements were further elucidated by OMB Webinars presented during the week of July 20, 2009 (archived on the OMB Webinar website).
The initial report deadline is October 10, 2009 and will recur quarterly for the duration of the award.
Data validation is performed by FAS.
Any corrections will be returned to the awardee and must be addressed during the last week of the month in which they were returned.
The final draft of each report will be moved to Recovery.gov on the last day of the report month.
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to www.FederalReporting.Gov by the TAAF Training Coordination Program awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
3.
Performance Measures:
The measures have been revised to enrich the performance metrics for Recovery targets.
In some instances, targets will not be available until additional baseline data has been collected.
Please refer to Performance Measures published on the Recovery.gov for the FAS TAAF Recovery Plan which are available via the direct link or at the following website:
TAAF Performance Measures or
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-plan&program_id=7544
A final "Financial Status Report" (SF-269) or "Federal Financial Report" (SF-425) is due within 90 days of the expiration date of the grant and should be submitted to the Awards Management Branch, Office of Extramural Programs at the address listed below, in accordance with instructions contained in 2 CFR 3430.55 (also refer to Section 3015.82 of the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations).
Awards Management Branch
Office of Extramural Programs
Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service
U.S.
Department of Agriculture
STOP 2271
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-2271
Telephone: (202) 401-4986.
Funded projects will be expected to verify program accomplishments.
Detailed information on the performance measures for TAAF can be found on the OMB website at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/detail/10003023.2006.html#performanceMeasures.
Successful applicants will be responsible for reporting to CSREES, and reporting activities into associated ARRA data management systems.
CSREES Reports
CRIS Reports - Grantees are required to submit annual and summary evaluation reports via CSREES Current Research Information System (CRIS) http://cwf.uvm.edu/cris.
When access to the web is unavailable, please contact the CRIS Office at 202-690-0009 or e-mail cdeckers@cris.csrees.usda.gov.
CRIS is an electronic, Web-based inventory system that facilitates both grantee submissions of project outcomes and public access to information on Federally-funded projects.
CRIS reports are required to include the subaward and subcontract level information as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of Award.
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee via CRIS.
ARRA Reports:
Funds awarded pursuant to this RFA were made available by section 1887 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (Div.
B of ARRA).
Specific reporting requirements under ARRA will be identified in the Terms and Conditions of the Award.
1.
Award Level Transaction Data Feed - Awardees are required to submit bimonthly reports to CSREES detailing funds distribution as technical training assistance is initiated (this information ultimately feeds to the USAspending.gov).
Report frequency is currently bimonthly, however the frequency of report transmissions may change to be required weekly within the terms of the award.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-15.pdf or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-15).
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
2.
Funding Notifications - This is a cumulative report that is to be completed immediately upon release of any type of public notification (local, regional, or National) including: press releases, significant web updates, public presentations that refer to TAAF, TAAF training opportunity announcements, and any other public sharing of information related to the use of ARRA funds.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/memoranda_fy2009/m09-15.pdf or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-15).
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to CSREES by the awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
Quarterly Recipient Reporting - Beginning October 1, 2009, this reporting is mandated in §1512 of the ARRA.
Detailed information can be at the OMB website at: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-plan&program_id=7544 or via the direct link for OMB Guidance: M-09-21.
A centralized reporting tool is being implemented to facilitate and ease the reporting process.
Section 1512 reporting requirements were further elucidated by OMB Webinars presented during the week of July 20, 2009 (archived on the OMB Webinar website).
The initial report deadline is October 10, 2009 and will recur quarterly for the duration of the award.
Data validation is performed by FAS.
Any corrections will be returned to the awardee and must be addressed during the last week of the month in which they were returned.
The final draft of each report will be moved to Recovery.gov on the last day of the report month.
PLEASE NOTE: These reports are made to www.FederalReporting.Gov by the TAAF Training Coordination Program awardee as agreed to in the Terms and Conditions of the award.
3.
Performance Measures:
The measures have been revised to enrich the performance metrics for Recovery targets.
In some instances, targets will not be available until additional baseline data has been collected.
Please refer to Performance Measures published on the Recovery.gov for the FAS TAAF Recovery Plan which are available via the direct link or at the following website:
TAAF Performance Measures or
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-plan&program_id=7544
A final "Financial Status Report" (SF-269) or "Federal Financial Report" (SF-425) is due within 90 days of the expiration date of the grant and should be submitted to the Awards Management Branch, Office of Extramural Programs at the address listed below, in accordance with instructions contained in 2 CFR 3430.55 (also refer to Section 3015.82 of the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations).
Awards Management Branch
Office of Extramural Programs
Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service
U.S.
Department of Agriculture
STOP 2271
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-2271
Telephone: (202) 401-4986.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," and implemented in 7 CFR 3052. This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General.
Records
In accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Non-profit Organizations [2 CFR 215, Subpart C, Section 215.53, (OMB Circular A-110)] grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and must be retained at least three (3) years. Records must be retained beyond the three-year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1408-0-1-352.
Obigations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $17,640,000; FY 10 est $17,640,000 - The difference between the appropriation and obligation numbers reflects legislative authorized set-asides deducted as appropriate, and in some cases the availability of obligational authority from prior years.
The following specific details were provided by the Budget Office:
FY 09 - Total $19,600,000 of which federal administration set aside is $1,960,000 and $17,640,000 is available for award. There is no set aside for SBIR or Biotech Risk.
FY 10 - Assume the same as in FY 09. Do not know how much will be available for sure as of now.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive project grant or cooperative agreement are established, these will be announced in the annual program announcement or RFA.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
7 CFR Part 3430, Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-formula Grant Programs - General Grant Administrative Provisions and Program-Specific Administrative Provisions; 7 CFR Part 3015, USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; 7 CFR Part 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and Government wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants); 7 CFR Part 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; and 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
USDA, CSREES, National Program Leader for Trade Adjustment Assistance, Economic and Community Systems (ECS) Unit; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 2215, , Washington, District of Columbia 20250-2215 Phone: (202) 720-7947 and (202) 401-218 Fax: (202) 720-7947 and (202) 401-218
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Within guidelines established for the program as described in the RFAs.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
The Social Innovators of 2014
For 2014, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has recognized 37 individuals for their outstanding work in the field of social enterprise.
