American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The goal of this program is to fund organizations, to be known as Cooperators, that will collaborate with USDA on the delivery of targeted technical assistance and related activities to achieve future outcomes of improved participation of farmers, ranchers and forest land owners, numerous entities and individuals in USDA programs and services.
The funded Cooperators will provide ongoing coordination and substantial involvement with USDA to ensure that the plans for program development, curriculum development, deployment, and evaluation of impact are closely coordinated with USDA. Cooperators are required to coordinate with all other recipients of technical assistance resources in a manner as determined by USDA. Technical assistance must be directed to individuals and groups of socially disadvantaged producers, limited resource farmers and ranchers, veterans, and other key targeted communities.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Nonprofit Organization
Designations
Applicants must be domestic nonprofit entities or institutions for higher education (see Request for Application [RFA] Definitions in Part VIII, D). A letter stating the nonprofit status should be included as an attachment to Field 12, Other Attachments (RFA Part IV.B.).
Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirement. Project partners and collaborators need not meet the eligibility requirement. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the successful completion of the project, with the exception of individuals and non-domestic entities. Current Cooperators under Section 1006 of the Act are not eligible to apply as a lead applicant to this funding opportunity, but may serve as cooperators, collaborators and sub-contractors to lead applicants, provided their activities are new, non-duplicative activities. Individuals, non-domestic entities and private, for profit organizations are not eligible to apply to this funding opportunity.
Applicants for the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program must meet all the requirements outlined in this RFA. Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline will result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Pertinent details will be provided at a later date.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Pertinent details will be provided at a later date.
Program details & compliance
Description
The purpose of the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program is to ensure improved understanding of and participation in the full range of USDA programs and services among farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and operators through supporting the organizational delivery of technical assistance projects and establishment of technical assistance networks.
Mission Categories
Primary: Rural Community Development
Other categories:
General Collection and Communication of Statistical Data
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Projects must provide a range of technical assistance services to underserved agricultural producers or other members of socially disadvantaged groups in agriculture. The term “agricultural producer” is used to refer to agricultural farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners and operators.
Technical assistance partnerships focused on historically underserved agriculture producers. USDA is creating opportunities to ensure that historically underserved communities of farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and operators have the tools, programs, and support they need to succeed in agriculture. Approximately $75 million in American Rescue Plan funding will support technical assistance to connect underserved producers with USDA programs and services.
Cooperative Agreements will support organizations with proven track records working with underserved producer communities such as economically distressed/historically underserved communities, including socially disadvantaged producers, limited resource farmers and ranchers, veterans, and other key targeted communities. These organizations will work with underserved producer communities to provide an array of technical assistance specialized services that could include outreach, technical assistance, cooperative development training and support, financial training, mediation access, capacity building training, technical assistance concerning agriculture production, agriculture credit, and rural development to underserved farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners.
Restrictions
“The Cooperator may use a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate if one has been established for their organization, may negotiate one, or elect to use the 15% de minimis rate outlined in 2 CFR 200.414.”
Required Documentation
Applicants (unless excepted under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) must (1): Have an active SAM registration prior to applying; (2) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier number in its application; and (3) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an application under consideration or an active federal award. Applicants must furnish the information required in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements