Process and Technology Improvement Grants: The purpose of these grants is to support efforts by State agencies and their community-based and faith-based partners to develop and implement: 1) Simplified SNAP application and eligibility systems; or 2) Measures to improve access to SNAP benefits by eligible

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applicants.

Grant proposals should focus on improving the quality and efficiency of operations and processes within the SNAP office.

Specifically, FNS is interested in initiatives that use new technologies or examine office processes in order to improve application processing timeliness for initial applications or recertification.

Selected Recipients for this Program

Fiscal Year 2016: ? Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DE) ? $667,618 ? Florida Department of Children and Families (FL) ? $447,282 ? Info Line of San Diego 2-1-1 (CA) ? $100,000 ? Maryland Department of Human Resources (MD) ? $723,065 ? Missouri Department of Social Services (MO) ? $955,035 ? Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NE) ? $607,000 ? Washington Department of Social and Health Services (WA) ? $1,500,000. Fiscal Year 2017: Currently unavailable. Fiscal Year 2018: No Current Data Available

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds for PTIG projects are to be used to improve the quality and efficiency of operations within SNAP offices.

Examples of how grants funds can be used include: 1) Upgrades to SNAP eligibility systems; 2) Upgrades or implementation of workflow management systems for caseworkers; 3) Document imaging systems; 4) Mobile technology such as the use of web platforms that send text message alerts and reminders directly to client or apps designed for tablets and smartphones which allow clients to upload documents and review and update their case information; 5) Contractual services related to Business Process Reengineering (BPR), etc. Pre-award costs will not be awarded for this grant project.

Projects predicated on waiving SNAP regulations are not allowable and will not be considered for funding.

However, if during the grant period, a State agency determines a waiver is needed, the State may apply for one but there is no guarantee FNS will approve the waiver.

No more than 25 percent of the grant funds may be used for outreach activities.

Applications must comply with criteria listed in the Request for Application package.

Applications must comply with criteria listed in the Request for Application package.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State agencies that administer the SNAP, State or local governments; agencies that provide health or welfare services; public health or educational entities and private nonprofit entities such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The entities eligible to receive grants under this competition are: - The 53 State agencies that administer the SNAP; - State or local governments; - Agencies providing health or welfare services; - Public health or educational entities; and - Private non-profit entities such as community-based or faith-based organizations, food banks, or other emergency feeding organizations. (1) State agencies and State and local governments should have the necessary approvals of state officials (such as councils or legislatures) of funding prior to submitting the application. Applicants should also acknowledge in their application that all necessary approvals for funding have been obtained. (2) Non-profit organizations are required to submit a copy of the IRS Determination Letter, form 501(c)(3) or proof of application for exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a list of their Board of Directors if applicable, and their most recent audited financial statements signed by the Treasurer or the Treasurer of the board. Educational entities are also required to submit their most recent financial statements signed by the Treasurer or Treasurer of the board. Applications submitted without these will be considered non-responsive and eliminated from consideration. All corporations, including non-profit corporations are required to complete the attached representation regarding felony convictions and tax delinquency. Agreements are established between State Agencies and FNS. States use funds to improve service to SNAP applicants and recipients.

Credentials/Documentation

Proof of non-profit status is required of nonprofit organizations and institutions. Nonprofits must also submit an IRS Determination Letter, Form 501C (3). Specific instructions provided in Request for Application. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Special Instructions Letters of Commitment or Endorsement FNS recognizes that the grant proposals responding to this RFA will directly affect State agency operations.

Therefore, if the grant proposal is from an entity other than a State agency, it must show that a State agency strongly endorses or is involved in the proposed project in order to be considered. Please refer to the two types of letters described below to determine which is appropriate to submit with your proposal.

Please note that State agencies are able to submit an application on their own in which case a letter of endorsement is needed.

If the State agency is partnering with another entity on the project a letter of commitment from that entity is required.

State agencies may choose to submit an application on their own as well as additional application(s) with other organizations.

Please refer to the section above on ?Limitations on the Number of Applications.? Applications that require a letter of commitment or a letter of endorsement which fail to provide one will be considered non-responsive and eliminated from consideration.

FNS will NOT consider additions or revisions to applications once they are received.

Therefore, unless the applicant is a State agency submitting an application on its own, a letter of commitment or letter of endorsement must be include the application package to be considered for funding.

Such letters may be addressed to the FNS Grant Officer. A Letter of Commitment is required if the grant proposal is from a State agency working in partnership with another organization(s).

The letter(s) of commitment must describe: - the organization?s role in the project, - the amount of time it intends to commit to the project and an attestation that it will cooperate with the grant applicant in implementing the project, and - must be provided on the respective organization?s letterhead and be signed by an authorizing individual. A Letter of Endorsement is required if an applicant is not partnering with a State agency.

The State agency?s letter of endorsement must: - explain that the State agency is aware of the projected impact on its system and is supportive of the proposed project, and - be on the respective State agency?s letterhead and be signed by an authorizing official.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Application packages should be prepared in accordance with instructions in a specific Request for Application (RFA) and sent to the grant officer identified in the RFA.

Award Procedures

Following the initial screening process, FNS will assemble a peer panel group to review and determine the technical merits of each application. The peer panel will evaluate the proposals based on how well they address the required application components. The peer panel members will recommend applications for consideration for a grant award based on the evaluation scoring. The selecting official reserves the right to award a grant to meet agency priorities, program balance, geographical representation, or project diversity. The selecting official will consider the panel recommendations. In general, awards will be based on rank funding order. However, FNS reserves the right to fund out of rank order to achieve agency priorities (such as to grant an award to an entity that includes a joint effort between a State agency and a community-based or faith-based organization, demographic, or socioeconomic diversity, etc.). If the panel review indicates that FNS has received few or no technically acceptable proposals, the selecting official may determine that FNS will make no awards, or commit less than the $5 million set aside for this purpose.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Authorization

Section, 17a(1), Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. 2026(a)(a); Section 17(b)(1), 7 U.S.C. 2026(b)(1); Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-171; Public Law 110-246, American Taxpayer Relief Act, Public Law 112-240.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Provided in Request for Application.

Appeals

Instructions provided in Request for Application.

Renewals

Instructions provided in Request for Application.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. Matching requirements are not applicable to this program. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grantees will be allowed to use the grant funds for the duration of the 3 year project period. Grants awarded in FY17 will be funded for the period of September 30, 2017, through September 30, 2020. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Final report and major change reporting, if applicable.

Cash reports are not applicable.

Quarterly progress reports.

Financial status reports.

Final report and major change reporting, if applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.

Records

State agencies must maintain records as necessary to support the use of SNAP Grant funds in accordance with the Grant Agreement. Such records must be retained for a period of 3 years after the date of submission of the final report for the fiscal year to which the records pertain, except that if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the 3-year period as long as required for the resolution of the issues raised by the audit.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-3505-0-1-605.

Obigations

(Salaries) FY 16 Not Available; FY 17 est $5,000,000; and FY 18 est $5,000,000 - FNS is authorized to award up to $5 million annually in Process and Technology Improvement Grants (PTIG). The grant awards are multiyear money intended to fund projects for a 3 year period.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

See: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fy2017-snap-process-and-technology-improvement-grants.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Program Participation Grants: 7 CFR Part 3015, 7 CFR Part 3016, 7CFR Part 3017, 7 CFR Part 3021, 7 CFR Part 3019.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None. Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

Mary Rose Conroy 3101 Park Center Drive, 8th floor, Alexandria, Virginia 22302 Email: maryrose.conroy@fns.usda.gov Phone: 703-305-2803

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The review panel to score and rank applications uses Technical Review Criteria which includes: (1) Soundness or Merit of Project Design; (2) Budget Appropriateness and Economic Efficiency; (3) Organizational Experience and Management/Staff Capability; (4) Project Oversight and Evaluation; and (5) Presentation.