An eligible proposal needs to show to the review committee members and the MDA Commissioner that:
- The project should result in a significant benefit to the specialty crop industry (or a segment of the industry—potatoes, for example).
- The project has external support from specialty crop stakeholders; a stakeholder is a specialty crop grower, grower-level group, processor, or distributor. The proposal needs to list the farmer(s) or organization(s) and describe the reasons they would like you to conduct this project.
- The project should positively affect and produce measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public.
- The proposed project will not solely benefit a particular commercial product; provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual; or result in unfair competition with private companies that provide equivalent products or services (for example, increase one co-op’s sales of specialty crops at the expense of another co-op).
An eligible proposal needs to show to the review committee members and the MDA Commissioner that:
- The project should result in a significant benefit to the specialty crop industry (or a segment of the industry—potatoes, for example).
- The project has external support from specialty crop stakeholders; a stakeholder is a specialty crop grower, grower-level group, processor, or distributor. The proposal needs to list the farmer(s) or organization(s) and describe the reasons they would like you to conduct this project.
- The project should positively affect and produce measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public.
- The proposed project will not solely benefit a particular commercial product; provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual; or result in unfair competition with private companies that provide equivalent products or services (for example, increase one co-op’s sales of specialty crops at the expense of another co-op).
Yes. Prior to 2020, such a project would not have been eligible, but under new guidance it can be. We know, for example, that some specialty crop growers produce and market non-specialty crops (such as wild rice) through the same channels.
Yes. Prior to 2020, such a project would not have been eligible, but under new guidance it can be. We know, for example, that some specialty crop growers produce and market non-specialty crops (such as wild rice) through the same channels.
Yes to both questions.
Yes to both questions.
Documentation
Yes, under the Procurement Standards section of Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR Part 200.317 to 200.326), grant recipients must have documented policies and processes for purchasing goods and services with federal (SCBG) funding. Additionally, your organization must follow the same policies and procedures for procurements from non-federal sources.
To illustrate an example, the State of Minnesota’s contracting and bidding requirements for non-governmental organization grantees are described in clause 4.3 of the Competitive Grant Agreement for Non-Governmental Organizations (Microsoft Word, updated June 2020). These should conform to most Federal law and standards for most non-University or government grantee organizations for typical SCBG grant project procurement purchases.
Yes, under the Procurement Standards section of Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR Part 200.317 to 200.326), grant recipients must have documented policies and processes for purchasing goods and services with federal (SCBG) funding. Additionally, your organization must follow the same policies and procedures for procurements from non-federal sources.
To illustrate an example, the State of Minnesota’s contracting and bidding requirements for non-governmental organization grantees are described in clause 4.3 of the Competitive Grant Agreement for Non-Governmental Organizations (Microsoft Word, updated June 2020). These should conform to most Federal law and standards for most non-University or government grantee organizations for typical SCBG grant project procurement purchases.
The State of Minnesota does not require financial documentation to be submitted by a for-profit business as part of the application process. We may, however, request a recent balance sheet to perform a financial review before making final award recommendations to the Commissioner.
All applicants must obtain a DUNS number and be registered with the System for Award Management (keep the e-mail confirmation) as described in the RFP.
