American Rescue Plan Centers of Excellence for Meat and Poultry Processing and Food Safety Research and Innovation Phase III
Program Objective
The MPPRI Program is part of the broader USDA investment to transform the food supply chain. Given that the meat and poultry processing sector is particularly vulnerable to disruption, increasing capacity and promoting competition in this sector is a high priority for USDA. Therefore, the USDA MPPRI awards will provide grants as equity-free (non-diluted) funding to promote private sector companies with SBIR/STTR Phase I/II success for the integration of technology that has been developed, with minimal additional research required, to impact technology advancements and adoption to benefit the supply chain resilience of small and mid-size meat and poultry processors.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
. Eligibility Requirements
1. NIFA selected current and previously awarded SBIR/STTR Phase I/II recipients.
2. Companies were selected based upon SBIR/STTR project completion in areas that
represent potential fits with demonstrated efficacy for applications in meat and poultry
processing.
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3. Expected stage of technologies should correspond to Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
4 through TRL 7. TRLs for reference are as described in TRL Stage Definition, Table 1.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
4. Technology providers must provide non-restrictive access or non-exclusive licenses
for any technologies or related enabling technologies developed under this award to
facilitate the ability of the small and mid-size processor to implement the technology.
Exclusive licensing is not allowable for technologies developed under this award.
5. Eligibility requires businesses to be located within the United States. The purpose of
the ownership requirement is to limit the program to companies controlled by United
States citizens or permanent resident aliens as a way of maximizing the likelihood
that the funding will stimulate innovative activity within the United States economy.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Pertinent details will be provided at a later date.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Program details & compliance
Description
The goal of this directed Request for Applications (RFA) is to make emerging technologies more
accessible to small and mid-size processors through work with small business innovators that
have demonstrated significant efficacy in development and advancements towards
commercialization of relevant technology. Eligible meat and poultry processing channels include
independent business owners, entrepreneurs, producers, and other groups, such as cooperatives
and worker associations who are less resourced. Awards will be made to select technology
providers that are past SBIR/STTR Phase I/II recipients that can provide rapid technological
advancements to small and mid-size processors in three priority areas:
1. Monitoring and improving complex processes,
2. Worker safety, and
3. Food safety.
The purpose of a research application is to provide a written statement that contains sufficient
information to objectively ascertain that the proposed activities demonstrate a sound approach to
an innovation that answers both a scientific question and has a strong potential to be
commercialized. Selection of awardees will be an expedited and opportunistic process by NIFA
and USDA staff based upon 1) appropriate fit to at least one of the three priority areas and 2)
likelihood of impact to meeting the Secretary’s objectives. A peer/external review panel will not
be used. The awardees will have other requirements to validate their eligibility, and yet other
criteria may be selected relevant to the Secretary’s guidance based upon the number of select
invitees that apply.
Mission Categories
Primary: Production and Operation
Other categories:
Research and Development
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Pertinent details will be provided at a later date.
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