USDA TAP

FAQ

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions

What is the SAM Registration?

The system for Award Management, also known as “SAM,” is an official website of the U.S. government that allows entities to do business with the U.S. government. SAM’s Registration is the official process for entity registration for the U.S government.

Please allow up to 10 business days for your SAM Registration to be processed.

Click here to read more at the official Sam.gov website

Who do I contact about my documents?

We have a variety of contacts provided by the USDA to help you with your documents. Please refer to our “Contact” page for more information

How do I start the grant application process?

We have provided a brief description and simple instructions about this grant application process. Please refer to our “Grant List” page for more information

Are there workshops available?

Yes! We have curated a short series of workshops videos which are available on our “Workshops” page

What is the difference between the loan and grant program?

The application process is essentially the same, with some differences in the documents that need to be filled out. The application documents can be found at the bottom of the “Community and Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program” page or by clicking here. From a financial perspective, the difference is whether or not the entity can afford a loan. The USDA will assess whether or not the entity has the cashflows to make a loan payment. Some projects require a combination of a loan and grant due to the size of it. The number of available funds concerning the grant is limited, but the USDA tries to extend grants to communities according to funding availability.

What is the difference between the construction and non-construction project? What are some examples for both?

Non-construction projects can include, but are not limited to, vehicle purchases and equipment purchases (such as fire trucks, apparatus, and uniforms). Construction projects could include items such a new police station and fire halls. Some projects will have a component of both, such as the construction of a new building and the purchase of a new truck. However, more often than not is one or the other.

What is the maximum amount the the USDA grant program would award a community entity?

Grant applications are currently capped at $50,000. The amount is contingent on the community’s area and grant eligibility, which can be found here. There are occasions when the national office makes new grant packages available that will allow the USDA Area Specialist to go over the $50,000 threshold. However, that is currently not the case (the threshold remains at $50,000).

What is the maximum amount the the USDA loan program would award a community entity?

The amount can vary and is therefore “open-ended.” The USDA has funded projects anywhere from $100,000 to $75,000,000 (loans can exceed that amount). Should the amount exceed $25,000,000, the USDA Area Specialist will need to get approval from the National Office, which can extend the duration of the application process.

Can you give an example of a project where an entity has received both a grant and loan for the same project?

One example of a combination would be a new fire truck. The cost of a new fire truck can amount to $300,000-$500,000, which means that part of the funding could be a grant and the other part could be a loan.

Can an entity find out if its non-construction or construction project is eligible for funding before filling out the grant and loan program application? If so, what is the best way to go about it?

The USDA recommends for entities to reach out to a USDA employee to discuss any needs prior to filling out the application documents. A map with contacts for different locations can be found here.

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