This Summer issue includes new updates from our Commodity Procurement Program (CPP). It includes some useful WBSCM information, highlights the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools (LFS) programs, as well as CPP's quarterly webinar on Subcontracting Plans with an emphasis on Fiscal Year 2023. |
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Looking for WBSCM Help?
Heather Calhoon, WBSCM Operations Branch
 If you are new to working with Commodity Procurement Program or even if you have been doing business with us for years, it can sometimes be overwhelming with all the different activities that need to be completed in the Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system. WBSCM has a variety of helpful resources located on the Help tab which can answer most, if not all, ‘How To’ questions. On the Welcome page, important announcements can be found relating to the most recent release, along with important links that take you to the most common work instructions relating to a specific topic, such as electronic invoicing. The additional folders located on the left hand panel under the Help tab have additional resources to explore. Specifically the following can be found:
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Course Material: Interactive course that presents step-by-step processes for various WBSCM functions.
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Job Aids: Shorter help documents that highlight a specific step or function within a larger process.
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Work Instructions: Longer help documents that walk users through a process in more in-depth detail.
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Release Notes: Current and past release notes listing all system improvements that have been made to WBSCM.
If ever needing additional help and you are unable to find a help document for it, please reach out to WBSCMAMSHelpDesk@usda.gov and we will be happy to assist you.
Cooperative Agreements
Elizabeth Lober, Office of the Deputy Administrator
 While the Commodity Procurement Program has historically been the food procurement branch of Agricultural Marketing Service, the pandemic has brought new opportunities to our program. We are leading the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools (LFS) programs. Both of these programs require purchases of domestic local food, targeting underserved farmers and ranchers for distribution to either underserved communities or through the national school lunch program.
The Request For Applications (RFA) for LFPA became available in December 2021 and required proposals be submitted by June 20, 2022. This two-year program is for $400 million dollars and is funded by American Rescue Plan Act funding. States and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes were able to provide plans regarding their purchase of local domestic food that would then be distributed targeting underserved communities within their state or tribal region. As of July 5th, there were 21 agreements in place out of 86 proposals that were received. The LFPA team continues to review proposals and make awards.
The LFS program is funded with $200 million in Commodity Corporation Funds and, like the LFPA program, it targets purchases from underserved farmers and ranchers. States are able to craft a plan for making the purchases and distributing the food through the national school lunch program. Thus far, no agreements are in place for this program. However, please note that the LFS program application deadline was extended from July 20, 2022 to August 31, 2022. Details on the changes will be available in the LFS Request for Applications, Version 3, at www.grants.gov. We encourage state applicants to contact MRP.AMS.LFS@usda.gov or the LFS team point of contact for your region.
Through non-competitive cooperative agreements the LFPA/LFA team will continue to work closely with recipients to ensure the goals of the programs are met.
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