Title
ARPA Phoenix Resilient Food Systems Programs - Amendments to Agri-Food Tech Innovation Grant Agreements (Ordinance S-49141)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute amendments to Agreements: 157264-0 with Homer Farms and 157263-0 with YoBro Farms to increase grant funding. Further request to authorize City Controller to disburse all funds related to these items. Funding is available through the City's allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and is in the Phoenix Resilient Food System category of the ARPA Strategic Plan approved by the Mayor and Council. There is no impact to the General Fund. The expenditures will not exceed $86,870.
Report
Summary
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) developed a food assistance plan to address the food needs of vulnerable populations and communities impacted by COVID-19. The plan provides: 1) access to healthy foods for impacted populations; 2) infrastructure assistance regarding transportation and delivery with a focus on home delivery; 3) support for food banks, food pantries and community food agencies; 4) support for increased local food production; and 5) business and employment opportunities throughout the food system spectrum.
Economic Development and Innovation
Agri-Food Technology Innovation Grant Program
The Agri-Food Technology Innovation Grant program is designed to encourage existing entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, and sustainable food cooperatives across the entire food system to address challenges associated with the impact of COVID-19. Agri-food technology are innovative tools and solutions created within the food supply chain to improve the food and agriculture industry.
Due to a prior grant awardee declining grant funding, an additional $86,870 is available. The additional funding would be awarded to the next highest scored applicants in the evaluation process, which are Homer Farms and YoBro Farms. Both awardees only received a portion of their total grant request due to the total amount of funding available. Homer Farms' grant award will increase from $35,000 to $98,268 and YoBro Farms will increase from $32,098 to $55,700.
Procurement Information
Services may be procured, as needed, in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10 to implement and administer programs intended to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contract Term
The contract term for Homer Farms and YoBro Farms will remain as stated in the original agreements.
All agreements may be extended based on available funding, which extensions may be executed by the City Manager, or his designee.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. Funding is available through the City's allocation of ARPA funding and is in the Phoenix Resilient Food System category of the ARPA Strategic Plan approved by Mayor and Council.
The funding breakdown is as follows:
Homer Farms - The initial authorization was for $35,000. This first amendment will increase the authorization by $63,268 for a new total not-to-exceed agreement value of $98,268.
YoBro Farms - The initial authorization was for $32,098. This first amendment will increase the authorization by $23,602 for a new total not-to-exceed agreement value of $55,700.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The City Council approved:
The ARPA Strategic Plan on June 8, 2021;
ARPA Agri-Food Technology Innovation Grants (Ordinance S-48802) on June 15, 2022.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Karen Peters and the Office of Environmental Programs.