2021 SUPPORTING STATEMENT
for
Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG)– The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260)
NOTE TO REVIEWER:
We are requesting review and approval of a new information collection. AMS requeted emergency approval from OMB for this collection and received approval on 6/2/21 under OMB control number 0581-0324. A burden is being imposed on eligible meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities for the collection of reporting requirements under section 764 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law on December 27, 2020.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make available $60 million for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2023. Given the limited time remaining in this fiscal year, meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities are mandated by the CAA to develop appropriate grant applications for the 2021 fiscal year program and the Department is mandated to adequately evaluate these new proposals and obligate the funds. Accordingly, we request approval of the information collection, so that the Department can allocate the grant funds as required by the CAA.
A. Justification.
EXPLAIN THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAKE THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION NECESSARY. IDENTIFY ANY LEGAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS THAT NECESSITATE THE COLLECTION.
The information collection requirements in this request are needed for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to administer a new competitive grant program, entitled the Meat and Poultry Interstate Shipment and Inspection Readiness Program (MPIRG), under its Transportation and Marketing Program’s Grants Division and in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Super Circular) (2 CFR part 200).
MPIRG is authorized and funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain risks in U.S. meat and poultry processing systems. The MPIRG supports meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities in making facility improvements and carrying out other planning activities necessary to attain Federal inspection and allow for interstate shipment.
The legal authority and administrative requirements to carry out the new grant program in this request is as follows:
Meat and Poultry Interstate Shipment and Inspection Readiness Program (MPIRG) is authorized pursuant to the authority of section 764 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) (Pub. L. 116-260). MPIRG competitively awards funds to meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to assist such facilities with respect to costs incurred in making improvements to such facilities and carrying out other planning activities necessary (1) to obtain a Federal grant of inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), as applicable; or (2) to operate as a State-inspected facility that is compliant with (A) the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program established under section 501 of that Act (21 U.S.C. 683); or (B) the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.) under the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program established under section 31 of that Act (21 U.S.C. 472).
To administer this competitive grant program, AMS will publish a Request for Applications (RFA) to establish application requirements, the review and approval process, and grant administration procedures in accordance with 2 CFR part 200. Meat or poultry slaughter and processing facilities who are (1) in operation as of the date on which the facility submits to AMS an application for the grant; and (2) seeking to obtain a Federal grant of inspection or be eligible for inspection under a Cooperative Interstate Shipment program as defined in the legislation, noted above, may apply. AMS selects the highest quality proposals submitted by those eligible to receive an MPIRG grant. Additionally, AMS solicits subject matter experts to act as peer reviewers for competitive grant programs under its purview. Interested individuals apply and those selected objectively review and evaluate grant applications against the criteria outlined in the published RFA.
INDICATE HOW, BY WHOM, AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE THE INFORMATION IS TO BE USED. EXCEPT FOR A NEW COLLECTION, INDICATE THE ACTUAL USE THE AGENCY HAS MADE OF THE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE CURRENT COLLECTION.
MPIRG is voluntary and respondents will either request or apply for this specific competitive grant program. In doing do, they provide information, and AMS is the primary user of the information.
The information collected is needed to certify that grant participants are complying with applicable program regulations, and the data collected is the minimum information necessary to effectively carry out the program requirements. The information collection requirements in this request are essential to carry out the intent of section 764 of the CAA, to provide the respondents the type of service they request, and for AMS to administer this program.
Most forms to be used for the MPIRG grant are used by all AMS grant programs (approved under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) No. 0581-0240). A small number of forms are specific to this competitive grant program. These forms may have specific programmatic dates, data elements and other information required for this specific grant program. For these reasons, the formatting of this collection lists forms grouped into two subtitles: 1) Standardized Forms for All AMS Grant Programs; and 2) Competitive AMS Grant Program Forms: MPIRG Only.
STANDARDIZED FORMS FOR ALL AMS GRANT PROGRAMS
The following forms are used by all AMS grant programs (approved under OMB No. 0581-0240) including MPIRG and the responses and burden for each are entered on the AMS-71 under the subtitle “Standardized Forms for All AMS Grant Programs” as one-line entry for MPIRG only.
Request for Applications (RFA) (Reading) is an announcement and guidance documentation published by AMS that contains information regarding how to complete a grant application package, along with a public notice of funds. The Request for Application Announcement and Program Guidelines will be revised annually, or as needed, and posted with the application announcement at Grants.gov and on the AMS website at www.ams.usda.gov as soon as the Agency announces that it is accepting applications. While this document is not signed, applicants must read and utilize this document to prepare their application, review which items are allowable, and understand the terms and conditions of the grant award. Certain sections of these forms are uniform for every grant program, and while specific programmatic dates and other information varies, this does not affect the underlying Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) burden. AMS is submitting the MPIRG RFA as an example that is representative of what this new grant program will use.
SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance (approved under OMB No. 4040-0004) is completed once when the participants apply for the grant program. The information will be used by AMS to determine applicant eligibility for participation in the program. The information can be obtained electronically and is required to be collected electronically through Grants.gov. (Responses and burden will be submitted to OMB No. 4040-0004.)
AMS General Terms and Conditions (Reading) is a document published by AMS setting forth recipient compliance with terms and conditions of the award and all Federal grant regulations and administrative requirements including 2 CFR part 200. The document also includes recipient assurances and certifications with the incoming application submission; changes in project contacts, leaders, managers, and staff; cost principles; actions that need prior approval; performance monitoring; reporting requirements; and payment requirements. The AMS General Terms and Conditions does not require a signature and may be updated annually to reflect mandatory additions and other changes made by regulatory or OMB requirements. Certain sections of these forms are uniform for every grant program, and while specific programmatic dates and other information varies, this does not affect the underlying PRA burden. This document is available on the AMS website at www.ams.usda.gov. AMS is submitting one form as an example that is representative of what all AMS Grant Programs use.
Amendment Request is submitted by grant recipients and is required if there is a change in key personnel, scope or objectives of the grant, extension of the grant agreement, and/or budget changes. This information is prepared electronically and will be collected electronically as a function of the program. Program participants will collect and assemble the amendment request based on guidance provided by AMS. Instructions for how to submit an amendment request are outlined for the grant recipient in the AMS General Terms and Conditions. AMS is submitting an example that is representative of what information is collected by all AMS grant programs to process an amendment request.
Interim Performance Report Template is submitted by the grant recipients to track the progress of an award throughout the performance period. The interim performance report briefly summarizes activities performed and milestones achieved for each objective or sub-element of the narrative; notes unexpected delays or impediments as well as favorable or unusual developments; outlines work to be performed during the succeeding period; and comments on the level of grant funds and matching contributions expended to date on the project. The interim performance report template is available at the AMS grants website. AMS is submitting one form as an example that is representative of what all AMS grant programs use.
Final Performance Report Template is submitted no later than 120 calendar days after the performance period expiration date. The final performance report contains background information on the importance of the project, a description of how the issue or problem was approached, a summary of results, conclusions, and lessons learned, a description of the project beneficiaries, any publications, presentations or websites generated, and a contact person for the project. The final performance report template is available at the AMS grants website. AMS is submitting one form as an example that is representative of what all AMS grant programs use.
COMPETITIVE AMS GRANT PROGRAM: MPIRG ONLY
The following forms are used by MPIRG and the responses and burden for each are entered on the AMS-71 under the subtitle “Competitive AMS Grant Program Forms: MPIRG Only” to cover this program.
MPIRG Specific Terms and Conditions (Reading) is a document published by AMS setting forth recipient compliance with specific terms and conditions of the MPIRG award. The document includes applicable regulations and unique allowable and unallowable costs related to construction, equipment and real property defined in the legislation. The MPIRG Specific Terms and Conditions do not require a signature and may be updated annually to reflect mandatory additions and other changes made by regulatory or Office of Management and Budget grant requirements that does not affect the underlying PRA burden. AMS is submitting the MPIRG Specific Terms and Conditions as an example that is representative of what this new grant program will use.
Peer Reviewer Application and Qualification Form is a mandatory form for reviewers to complete and to submit their personal or work qualifications and resume. Reviewers will apply their knowledge and expertise to objectively assess applications and provide both a numeric score and written comments for each application. The form contains a checklist for potential reviewers to identify their employment and voluntary work experience. Boxes are provided for potential reviewers to indicate (a) their area of experience or expertise and (b) whether the person is a current or retired nonprofit, for-profit, or Federal/State government employee. The form is submitted to AMS electronically through Grant Solutions. The reviewer qualifications are used to determine whether a reviewer is qualified to serve as part of the grant review process.
AMS-34 Peer Reviewer Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Worksheet is mandatory for reviewers to sign to indicate compliance with the conflict of interest and confidentiality requirements. Regarding confidentiality, reviewers must agree not to copy, quote, or otherwise use or disclose to anyone, any information from any application. Reviewers must also agree with the conflict of interest requirements, which include that the reviewer does not have: a) a direct financial interest in the review outcome; or have direct and predictable financial interests in the outcome; b) indirect interests with the organization or personnel submitting an application under AMS grant programs; or C) any relationship, such as a close personal friendship, that may affect the reviewers’ judgment or be seen as doing so by a reasonable person familiar with the relationship. Peer reviewers will not be eligible to serve as a reviewer if they are (a) employed by, volunteer for, or serve as a board member or other type of committee/team member for an organization that submitted an application that same year under AMS grant programs; or (b) a proposed subcontractor or financial beneficiary in a budget from any organization submitting an application that same year under AMS grant programs. The form is submitted electronically through GrantSolutions.
Peer Reviewer AMS Grant Programs Scoresheet is a document which includes space for the proposal title and tracking number as well as space for consensus comments that focus on each assigned proposal’s strengths, weaknesses and suggestions for improvement. The document is used to derive final scores and rankings of assigned proposals and is submitted electronically through GrantSolutions.
Grant Application is completed one time when the eligible entity applies for a competitive grant. Required components of a grant application include a Project Narrative; Fiscal Plan and Resources; Personnel Qualifications; Letters of Commitment from Partner and Collaborator Organizations. The RFA published for each competitive grant program describes the specific grant application components, process and eligibility requirements in detail. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) is a document published to reflect an estimate of indirect cost rate negotiated between the Federal Government and a Grant Recipient organization which reflects the indirect costs (facilities and administrative costs) and fringe benefit expenses incurred by the organization that will be the same across all the agencies of the United States.
Project Beneficiaries Questionnaire is a voluntary form that AMS requests new recipients to complete to indicate which groups their project is intended to serve. The questionnaire is in the form of a checklist which contains the following categories: Ethnic groups – American Indian or Alaska Native; Black or African American; Asian; Hispanic or Latino; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; Farmers/ranchers –Women Farmers or Ranchers; Youth Farmers or Ranchers; Socially Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers; Urban Farmers or Ranchers; Rural Farmers or Ranchers; Appalachia Farmers or Ranchers; Certified Organic Farmers or Ranchers; and Others - Low Income/Low Access Communities, Children, Youth, Elderly, Minority-Serving Institutions, Rural Communities, and Urban Communities. AMS emails the form to prospective grant recipients.
Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire is completed by recipients and used by AMS to evaluate the recipient’s accounting system to ensure the system will allow for the adequate, appropriate, and transparent use of Federal funds. Recipients of Federal funds must maintain an adequate accounting system that meets the criteria outlined in 2 CFR part 200’s Standards for Financial and Program Management. The questionnaire is available at the AMS grants website.
AMS Grant Programs Worksheet is submitted along with each SF-270 request to document the details of requested reimbursed costs shown on the SF-270. The data provided on the Worksheet enables AMS to ensure that the requested reimbursements were part of the approved project budget, and to assess if the project is on track with the approved timeline. The worksheet collects the Grant Agreement Number; Recipient Organization; Recipient Contact; Time Period of the Request; Payee name; Date of Expense; Amount; Assigned Budget Category; and any Notes to explain the expense. The Worksheet is available at the AMS grants website.
DESCRIBE WHETHER, AND TO WHAT EXTENT, THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION INVOLVES THE USE OF AUTOMATED, ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, OR OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL COLLECTION TECHNIQUES OR OTHER FORMS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, E.G. PERMITTING ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES, AND THE BASIS FOR THE DECISION FOR ADOPTING THIS MEANS OF COLLECTION. ALSO DESCRIBE ANY CONSIDERATION OF USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE BURDEN.
AMS grant programs employ several online systems (i.e., SAM.gov; Grants.gov; GrantSolutions.gov) to administer its grant programs from funding opportunity planning through award to grant closeout. These online systems allow grant management specialists, financial and budget staff, and award applicants and recipients to manage all aspects of their grants business and reporting electronically. This helps produce assured compliance with Federal government and agency standards, improves transparency and accountability, shortens processing timelines, and reduces time spent on administrative activities.
Applicants must be registered to do business with the Federal Government through the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).
AMS posts the majority of forms that applicants need to apply for MPIRG on the AMS grants and opportunities website at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants, which includes the Request for Applications (RFA); AMS General Terms and Conditions; MPIRG Specific Terms and Conditions; Project Narrative Template Form; and Partner Organization Letter Template.
The Application for Federal Assistance (SF 424) for AMS Grant Programs can be obtained and must be submitted electronically at http://www.grants.gov along with all other required components of the grant application.
AMS Grants Division has chosen to partner with Grant Solutions, a financial assistance management software platform, to assist AMS with managing the entire award life cycle including pre-award, award, post-award, and closeout for MPIRG. MPIRG applicants, staff, and award recipients will utilize the Grant Solutions system for reviewer recruitment, application review, performance reporting, and property tracking.
The Peer Reviewer Application and Qualification Form, AMS-34 Peer Reviewer Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Worksheet, and Peer Reviewer AMS Grant Programs Scoresheet can be obtained in the Application Review Module (ARM) through Grant Solutions and submitted electronically at https://grantsolutions.gov. AMS will utilize the collected information to select subject matter experts for the peer review process for grant application reviews, to manage the grant application evaluation process and to select award recipients. Use of this online system will allow for fair and comprehensive review of hundreds of MPIRG applications through an organized and manageable process.
Once award recipients are selected, AMS grant programs utilize the Grant Solutions online system, which is USDA’s OMB Circular A-123 system of record for processing Federal financial assistance transactions. The system provides significant efficiencies to all users managing grant and agreement portfolios at AMS. The Notice of Award and Grant Agreement (AMS 33), which requires an original signature, can be signed and submitted electronically via the Grant Solutions website.
The majority of forms that award recipients need to manage and report on MPIRG are posted on the AMS grants and opportunities website at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants including the AMS Grant Programs Worksheet; Interim Performance Report Template; Final Performance Report Template; and Amendment Request Template. The Request for Advance or Reimbursement (SF 270), Federal Financial Repot (SF 425), and Tangible Personal Property Reports (SF 428 C and B) can be obtained at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html.
The Request for Advance or Reimbursement (SF 270) along with an AMS Grant Programs Worksheet and Federal Financial Repot (SF 425) can be submitted electronically through the Grant Solutions website.
All progress reporting including an Amendment Request; Interim Performance Report Template; Final Performance Report Template and property management activities such as Tangible Personal Property Reports (SF 428 C and B) can be submitted electronically at https://grantsolutions.gov.
DESCRIBE EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION. SHOW SPECIFICALLY WHY ANY SIMILAR INFORMATION ALREADY AVAILABLE CANNOT BE USED OR MODIFIED FOR USE FOR THE PURPOSE(S) DESCRIBED IN ITEM 2 ABOVE.
This program is not maintained by any other Agency; therefore, the requested information will not be available from any other existing records.
IF THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION IMPACTS SMALL BUSINESSES OR OTHER SMALL ENTITIES (ITEMS 5 OF THE OMB FORM 83-I), DESCRIBE THE METHODS USED TO MINIMIZE BURDEN.
Small- to mid-size meat or poultry processing facilities will apply for MPIRG to receive assistance in obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection in the 50 States, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Meat or poultry processing facilities considered small entities, which employ 25 or fewer employees, will apply to MPIRG to enter the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program in Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The CIS program was launched in May 2011 by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The CIS program is a breakthrough option for small and very small plants operating under the jurisdiction of State inspection. Participation in CIS provides State-inspected establishments selected for the CIS program the ability to ship products across State lines. The program strengthens rural communities through job creation, and provides more product choices for consumers and creates new opportunities and markets for participating establishments, generating a $3.2-million increase in overall sales over the period before CIS inception, according to FSIS data.
The act of collecting information for MPIRG will not have an adverse impact on small businesses or other small entities. Offering templates for required forms and electronic submission of grant applications will simplify and lessen the burden on applicant’s resources because they will no longer need to produce, duplicate and submit paper applications. In addition, the information, voluntarily collected from each applicant to receive grant funds will help meat processors across the country bolster U.S. meat processing capacity and increase their capability to process backlogged livestock, while maintaining the stringent food safety standards consumers expect in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DESCRIBE THE CONSEQUENCE OF FEDERAL PROGRAM OR POLICY ACTIVITIES IF THE COLLECTION IS NOT CONDUCTED OR IS CONDUCTED LESS FREQUENTLY, AS WELL AS ANY TECHNICAL OR LEGAL OBSTACLES TO REDUCING BURDEN.
MPIRG’s purpose is to provide funds through grants to eligible meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and address supply chain risks in U.S. meat and poultry processing systems.
In accordance with section 764 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2023, $60 million is appropriated to the MPIRG and eligible entities will have to apply to be eligible to receive grant funds until expended. Without this collection of information, AMS would not be able to review applications, award grant funds to eligible entities, reimburse costs, or monitor grants compliance with regulations and administration procedures of the program.
EXPLAIN ANY SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WOULD CAUSE AN INFORMATION COLLECTION TO BE CONDUCTED IN A MANNER:
REQUIRING RESPONDENTS TO REPORT INFORMATION TO THE AGENCY MORE OFTEN THAN QUARTERLY;
Respondents are not required to report more than quarterly.
REQUIRING RESPONDENTS TO PREPARE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO A COLLECTION OF INFORMATION IN FEWER THAN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF IT;
Respondents are not required to prepare a written response to a collection of information fewer than 30 days after receipt.
REQUIRING RESPONDENTS TO SUBMIT MORE THAN AN ORIGINAL AND TWO COPIES OF ANY DOCUMENT;
Respondents are not required to submit more than an original and two copies of any document.
REQUIRING RESPONDENTS TO RETAIN RECORDS, OTHER THAN HEALTH, MEDICAL, GOVERNMENT CONTRACT, GRANT-IN-AID, OR TAX RECORDS FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS;
Respondents are not required to retain any records for more than 3 years. This is part of normal business practice.
IN CONNECTION WITH A STATISTICAL SURVEY, THAT IS NOT DESIGNED TO PRODUCE VALID AND RELIABLE RESULTS THAT CAN BE GENERALIZED TO THE UNIVERSE OF STUDY;
The information collected will not be utilized in connection with a statistical survey.
REQUIRING THE USE OF A STATISTCAL DATA CLASSIFICATION THAT HAS NOT BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY OMB;
There is no requirement for a statistical data classification.
THAT INCLUDES A PLEDGE OF CONFIDENTIALITY THAT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED IN STATUE OR REGULATION, THAT IS NOT SUPPORTED BY DISCLOSURE AND DATA SECURITY POLICIES THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE PLEDGE, OR WHICH UNNECESSARILY IMPEDES SHARING OF DATA WITH OTHER AGENCIES FOR COMPATIBLE CONFIDENTIAL USE; OR
No confidential information is collected.
REQUIRING RESPONDENTS TO SUBMIT PROPRIETARY TRADE SECRET, OR OTHER CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION UNLESS THE AGENCY CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT IT HAS INSTITUTED PROCEDURES TO PROTECT THE INFORMATION’S CONFIDENTIALITY TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Respondents are not required to submit proprietary trade secrets or other confidential information.
IF APPLICABLE, PROVIDE A COPY AND IDENTIFY THE DATE AND PAGE NUMBER OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER OF THE AGENCY’S NOTICE, REQIRED BY 5 CFR 1320.8(d), SOLICITING COMMENTS ON THE INFORMATION COLLECTION PRIOR TO SUBMISSION TO OMB. SUMMARIZE PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED IN RESPONSE TO THAT NOTICE AND DESCRIBE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE AGENCY IN RESPONSE TO THESE COMMENTS. SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS COMMENTS RECEIVED ON COST AND HOUR BURDEN.
AMS requeted emergency approval from OMB for this collection and received approval on 6/2/21 under OMB control number 0581-0324. The 60-day notice for public comment on the new information collection was published in the Federal Register on May 19,2021, Vol. 86, No. 95, page 27063. No comments were received.
DESCRIBE EFFORTS TO CONSULT WITH PERSONS OUTSIDE THE AGENCY TO OBTAIN THEIR VIEWS ON THE AVAILABILITY OF DATA, FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION, THE CLARITY OF INSTRUCTIONS AND RECORDKEEPING, DISCLOSURE, OR REPORTING FORMAT (IF ANY), AND ON THE DATA ELEMENTS TO BE RECORDED, DISCLOSED, OR REPORTED.
Staff from the AMS Grants Division attend the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), an association that represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories, to discuss policy issues and lessons learned that pertain to AMS grants. Staff held telephone conversations and virtual meetings with NASDA to seek consultation related to the MPIRG and received written feedback from NASDA in consolidation with 27 state departments of agriculture that operate state meat and poultry inspection programs. In addition, staff will discuss issues informally at meetings and in telephone conversations with applicants prior to the application deadline and with grant recipients as they carry out their projects.
The AMS Grants Division consulted with a number of different stakeholders and industry members about this new grant program including the following:
Barbara P Glenn, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture at [email protected] and (202) 296-9680.
Rebecca Barnett, Public Policy Manager, National Association of State Departments of
Agriculture at [email protected].
Rebecca Thistlethwaite, Director of Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN) at [email protected] and (541) 806-1526.
CONSULTATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THOSE FROM WHOM INFORMATION IS TO BE OBTAINED OR THOSE WHO MUST COMPILE RECORDS SHOULD OCCUR AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 3 YEARS – EVEN IF THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION ACTIVITY IS THE SAME AS IN PRIOR PERIODS. THERE MAY BE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY PRECLUDE CONSULTATION IN A SPECIFIC SITUATION. THESE CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD BE EXPLAINED.
AMS cannot identify a circumstance that would preclude consultation with stakeholders.
EXPLAIN ANY DECISION TO PROVIDE ANY PAYMENT OR GIFT TO RESPONDENTS, OTHER THAN REMUNERATION OF CONTRACTORS OR GRANTEES.
No payments or gifts are provided to respondents for filling out forms. Payment will be made in the form of a grant if the applicant’s project is awarded.
DESCRIBE ANY ASSURANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY PROVIDED TO RESPONDENTS AND THE BASIS FOR THE ASSURNACE IN STATUTE, REGULATION, OR AGENCY POLICY.
MPIRG does not request confidential information from respondents and therefore provides no assurances related to confidentiality.
PROVIDE ADDITIONAL JUSTIFICATION FOR ANY QUESTIONS OF A SENSITIVE NATURE, SUCH AS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUTDES, RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, AND OTHER MATTERS THAT SHOULD INCLUDE THE REASONS WHY THE AGENCY CONSIDERS THE QUESTIONS NECESSARY, THE SPECIFIC USES TO BE MADE OF THE INFORMATION, THE EXPLANATION TO BE GIVEN TO PERSONS FROM WHOM THE INFORMATION IS REQUESTED, AND ANY STEPS TO BE TAKEN TO OBTAIN THEIR CONSENT.
Questions of a sensitive nature are not found in this information collection.
PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF THE HOUR BURDEN OF THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION.
THE STATEMENT SHOULD:
INDICATE THE NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS, FREQUENCY OF RESPONSE, ANNUAL HOUR BURDEN, AND AN EXPLANATION OF HOW THE BURDEN WAS ESTIMATED. UNLESS DIRECTED TO DO SO, AGENCIES SHOULD NOT CONDUCT SPECIAL SURVEYS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON WHICH TO BASE HOUR BURDEN ESTIMATES. CONSULTATION WITH A SAMPLE (FEWER THAN 10) OF POTENTIAL RESPONDENTS IS DESIRABLE. IF THE HOUR BURDEN ON RESPONDENTS IS EXPECTED TO VARY WIDELY BECAUSE OF DIFFERENCE IN ACTIVITY, SIZE, OR COMPLEXITY, SHOW THE RANGE OF ESTIMATED HOUR BURDEN, AND EXPLAIN THE REASONS FOR THE VARIANCE. GENERALLY, ESTIMATES SHOULD NOT INCLUDE BURDEN HOURS FOR CUSTOMARY AND USUAL BUSINESS PRACTICES.
This collection has 2,798 respondents; 5,126 responses and 12,005 hours for reporting and recordkeeping. The public reporting burden is estimated to average 2.34 hours (2 hours and 20 minutes) per response.
The number of responses was calculated based on the standardized requirements that are either read or submitted for all AMS Grant Programs (RFA, SF-424, AMS 33, Terms and Conditions, amendments, and reporting), while also considering the specifics of MPIRG. The complete public reporting burden is summarized on AMS-71.
IF THIS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL COVERS MORE THAN ONE FORM, PROVIDE SEPARATE HOUR BURDEN ESTIMATES FOR EACH FORM AND AGGREGATE THE HOUR BURDENS IN ITEM 13 OF OMB FORM 83-I.
The complete public reporting burden is summarized on the AMS-71.
PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF ANNUALIZED COST TO RESPONDENTS FOR THE HOUR BURDENS FOR COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION, IDENTIFYING AND USING APPROPRIATE WAGE RATE CATEGORIES.
The respondents estimated annual cost in providing information to the MPIRG is $505,890.70.
This total has been estimated by multiplying 12,005 total burden hours by $42.14, the national estimate for the mean hourly wage of full-time management analyst employees (13-1111). Data for computation of this hourly wage were obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Management Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm.
PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST BURDEN TO RESPONDENTS OR RECORDKEEPERS RESULTING FROM THE
COLLECTION OF INFORMATION. (DO NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF
ANY HOUR BURDEN SHOWN IN ITEMS 12 AND 14).
THE COST ESTIMATE SHOULD BE SPLIT INTO TWO COMPONENTS: (a) A TOTAL CAPTIAL AND START-UP-COST COMPONENT (ANNUALIZED ONVER ITS EXPECTED USEFUL LIFE); AND (b) A TOTAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE AND PURCHASE OF SERVICES COMPONENT. THE ESTIMATES SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH GENERATING, MAINTAINING AND DISCLOSING OR PROVIDING THE INFORMATION. INCLUDE DESCRIPTIONS OF METHODS USED TO ESTIMATE MAJOR COST FACTORS INCLUDING SYSTEM AND TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION, EXPECTED USEFUL LIFE OF CAPITAL EQUIPMENT, THE DISCOUNT RATE(S), AND THE TIME PERIOD OVER WHICH COSTS WILL BE INCURRED. CAPITAL AND START-UP COSTS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHER ITEMS, PREPARATIONS FOR COLLECTING INFORMATION SUCH AS PURCHASING COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE, MONITORING, SAMPLING, DRILLING AND TESTING EQUIPMENT; AND RECORD STORAGE FACILITIES.
IF COST ESTIMATES ARE EXPECTED TO VARY WIDELY, AGENCIES SHOULD PRESENT RANGES OF COST BURDENTS AND EXPLAIN THE REASONS FOR THE VARIANCE. THE COST OF PURCHASING OR CONTRACTING OUT INFORMATION COLLECTION SERVICES SHOULD BE A PART OF THIS COST BURDEN ESTIMATE. IN DEVELOPING COST BURDEN ESTIMATES, AGENCIES MAY CONSULT WITH A SAMPLE OF RESPONDENTS (FEWER THAN 10), UTILIZE THE 60-DAY PRE-OMB SUBMISSION PURBLIC COMMENT PROCESS AND USE EXISTING ECONOMIC OR REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RULEMAKING CONTAINING THE INFORMATION COLLECTION, AS APPROPRIATE.
GENERALLY, ESTIMATES SHOULD NOT INCLUDE PURCHASES OF EQUIPMENT OR SERVICE, OR PORTIONS THEROF, MADE: (1) PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1, 1995, (2) TO ACHIEVE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE INFORMATION COLLECTION, (3) FOR REASONS OTHER THAN TO PROVIDE INFORMATION OR KEEPING RECORDS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, OR (4) AS PART OF CUSTOMARY AND USUAL BUSINESS OR PRIVED PRACTICES.
There are no capital/start-up or ongoing operation/maintenance costs associated with this information collection.
PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. ALSO, PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD USED TO ESTIMATE COST, WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE QUANTIFICATION OF HOURS, OPERATION EXPENSES (SUCH AS EQUIPMENT, OVERHEAD, PRINTING, AND SUPPORT STAFF), AND ANY OTHER EXPENSE THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INCURRED WITHOUT THIS COLLECTION OF INFORMATION. AGENCIES ALSO MAY AGGREGATE COST ESTIMATES FROM ITEMS 12, 13, AND 14 IN A SINGLE TABLE.
Estimated Annual Cost to Federal Government to Operate MPIRG
Salaries/Benefits and Compensation/Awards |
$1,023,532.00 |
Total |
$1,023,532.00 |
The estimated annual cost currently to operate MPIRG is $1,023,532.00 per year. The MPIRG program will consist of one GS-13 Team Lead who is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the grant program and six GS-11 Grant Management Specialists who are responsible for working with grant recipients from pre-award to closeout. The Team Lead and Grant Management Specialists work on MPIRG on a full-time basis.
Grant program oversight and policy management is provided by one GS-15 Grants Division Director on a part time basis.
EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR ANY PROGRAM CHANGES OR ADJUSTMENTS REPORTED IN ITEMS 13 OR 14 OF THE OMB FORM 83-I.
This collection is for grant program authorized by Section 764 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law on December 27, 2020.
FOR COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION WHOSE RESULTS WILL BE PUBLISHED, OUTLINE PLANS FOR TABULATION, AND PUBLICATION. ADDRESS ANY COMPLEX ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES THAT WILL BE USED. PROVIDE THE TIME SCHEDULE FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT, INCLUDING BEGINNING AND ENDING DATES OF THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION COMPLETION OF REPORT, PUBLICATION DATES, AND OTHER ACTIONS.
The collected information will not be published, except for a listing of the awarded projects that will be posted on the AMS program website. This listing will be publicized through AMS Public Affairs, and Congress will also be notified.
IF SEEKING APPROVAL TO NOT DISPLY THE EXPIRATION DATE FOR OMB APPROVAL OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION, EXPLAIN THE REASONS THAT DISPLAY WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE.
Each form currently contains an OMB number and an expiration date.
EXPLAIN EACH EXCEPTION TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT IDENTIFIED IN ITEM 19, “CERTIFICATION FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSIONS,” OF OMB FORM 83-I.
The agency is able to certify compliance with all provisions under Item 19 of OMB Form 83-I.
COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS.
This information collection does not employ statistical methods.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT |
| Author | John Lund |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-12-24 |