Risk Management Education Partnerships

 

To deliver training and information as well as outreach activities in the management of production, marketing, financial, legal and human risk to the U.S. agricultural producers with a priority to producers of crops not insurable with Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
10.460
Federal Agency/Office
Risk Management Agency, Department of Agriculture
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Not applicable.
Authorization
Federal Crop Insurance Act (FCIA), 7 U.S.C. 1522(d)(3)(F)
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants include State departments of agriculture, universities, non-profit agricultural organization and other public or private organizations with the capacity to lead a local program of risk management education for farmers and ranchers in an RMA Region. Individuals are not eligible applicants. Although an applicant may be eligible to compete for an award based on its status as an eligible entity, other factors may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal assistance under this program (e.g. debarment and suspension; a determination of non-performance on a prior contract, cooperative agreement, grant, or partnership; a determination of a violation of applicable ethical standards.
Beneficiary Eligibility
The ultimate beneficiaries of this education program are agricultural producers with a priority of producers of crops not insurable by Federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and undeserved commodities. Applicants receiving awards will ensure that such producers receive effective risk management education, information and outreach activities that can impact the risk management decision making.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to deliver crop insurance education and information programs to producers in the written narratives and statements of work that accompany applications.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. All applicants must submit applications in compliance with the criteria outlined in the Request for Applications (RFA) by the deadline specified in the Notice. Applications must be submitted electronically. Hard copy applications are not acceptable. Program application materials may be downloaded from the RMA website at www.rma.usda.gov.
Award Procedure
Each application will be evaluated using a two-part process. First, each application will be screened by RMA personnel to ensure that it meets the requirements listed in the Request for Applications announcement. Second, a review panel will consider the merits of all applications that meet the requirements in the announcement. The panel will examine and score applications based on the evaluation criteria contained in the Request for Applications. Other review panel information is provided in the Request for Applications announcement. Following its review, the panel will report to the Manager of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) with a listing of the recommended applicants to receive cooperative agreements. The Manager of FCIC will make the final determination on applications that will be awarded funding.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 90 to 120 days. Deadlines and other key dates are listed in the Request for Applications. Applicants may contact headquarters or a regional office if they have additional questions.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
Not applicable.
How may assistance be used?
Entities receiving funding will use funds to (a) plan a local program of risk management education and outreach activities for agricultural producers, (b) develop and assemble instructional materials, (c) promote awareness for risk management and education opportunities, (d) deliver education activities to agricultural producers and agribusiness professional, (e) document project activities, (f) report activities and spending as directed by RMA, and (g) measure the results of the training and/or activities. Applicants may propose additional uses of funds that meet the objective and direction of the project. Indirect costs allowed for projects submitted under this program will be limited to ten percent of total direct costs of the cooperative agreement. Funds may not be used to (a) plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or facility including a processing facility, (b) purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment, (c) repair or maintain privately owned vehicles, (d) pay for the preparation of the cooperative agreement application, (e) fund political activities, (f) purchase alcohol, give-away promotional items, or entertainment, (g) lend money to support farming or agricultural business operation or expansion, (h) pay entrance fees, conference registration fees, or other expenses to conferences or similar activities for any person not on the agenda or not working at an event booth promoting RMA programs or the RMA funded project. These expenses will not be paid for the recipient’s Board of Directors, family members or similar entities, (i) pay costs associated 501(c) applications, and (j) Fund any activities prohibited in 2 CFR Parts 200 and 400, as applicable.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: 10 Regional Offices and RMED DC Office provide substantial involvement on these projects.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
Recipients will maintain (at its place of business) all records required by the agreement and the respective OMB circulars.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funding will normally be available for projects that will begin in September and will continue for up to eighteen months. Method of releasing federal funds is through the submission and certifying of the SF-270 on an as needed basis. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: The Recipient submits an SF-270 with backup documentation to request funds on an as needed basis. Before a request is approved it is reviewed and certified by the Grants and Agreement Specialist. The assistance is provided through the request of funds (SF-270) and requires the approval of RMA.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
RMA has ten Regional Offices serving potential applicants. A listing may be obtained from the RMA website or RMA Headquarters.
Headquarters Office
Michael Heiserman
1400 Independence Ave. SW USDA South Building
W
Washington, DC, DC 20250 USA
Michael.Heiserman@usda.gov
Phone: 000-00=0000
Website Address
http://www.rma.usda.gov/
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-4085-0-3-351
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 22$5,460,000.00; FY 23 est $4,673,000.00; FY 24 est $4,673,000.00; FY 21$953,000.00; FY 20$0.00; FY 19$0.00; FY 18$6,106,852.00; FY 17$4,753,757.00; FY 16$4,579,825.00; - Fiscal year 2023, RMA awarded approximately 18 cooperative agreements with an average of $303,333 (the lowest amount being $63,195 and the highest award at $1,878,530.09).
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Fiscal year 2021, RMA awarded approximately 9 cooperative agreements with an average of $105,865 (the lowest amount being $22,000 and the highest award at $348,411).
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
This program is announced as a Request for Applications at www.Grants.gov and the RMA web site, along with specific information on obtaining an application package.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 



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