Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels, 16210-16214 [05-6267]
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16210
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 70, No. 60
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Producers Certified as Eligible for
TAA, Contact: Farm Service Agency
service centers in Idaho.
For General Information About TAA,
Contact: Jean-Louis Pajot, Coordinator,
Trade Adjustment Assistance for
Farmers, FAS, USDA, (202) 720–2916,
e-mail: trade.adjustment@fas.usda.gov.
Dated: March 28, 2005.
A. Ellen Terpstra,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 05–6268 Filed 3–29–05; 8:45 am]
Foreign Agricultural Service
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
Trade Adjustment Assistance for
Farmers
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGENCY:
Foreign Agricultural Service,
USDA.
ACTION:
Notice.
The Administrator, Foreign
Agricultural Service (FAS), approved a
petition for trade adjustment assistance
(TAA) that was filed on February 11,
2005, by the Potato Growers of Idaho,
Blackfoot, Idaho. The certification date
is March 28, 2005. Beginning on this
date, Idaho potato producers who
produce fresh market potatoes will be
eligible to apply for fiscal year 2005
benefits during an application period
ending June 27, 2005.
Upon
investigation, the Administrator
determined that increased imports of
french fries contributed importantly to a
decline in producer prices of fresh
potatoes in Idaho by 21 percent during
January 2003 through December 2003,
when compared with the previous 5year average.
Eligible producers must apply to the
Farm Service Agency for benefits. After
submitting completed applications,
producers shall receive technical
assistance provided by the Extension
Service at no cost and may receive an
adjustment assistance payment, if
certain program criteria are satisfied.
Applicants must obtain the technical
assistance from the Extension Service by
September 26, 2005, in order to be
eligible for financial payments.
Producers of raw agricultural
commodities wishing to learn more
about TAA and how they may apply
should contact the Department of
Agriculture at the addresses provided
below for General Information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Natural Resources Conservation
Service
Tanana River Floodplain Acquisition
Project at Salcha, Alaska
Natural Resources
Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of a finding of no
significant impact.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969; the Council on
Environmental Quality Guidelines (40
CFR, part 1500); and the Natural
Resources Conservation Service
(formerly the Soil Conservation Service)
Guidelines (7 CFR, part 650); the
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives
notice that an environmental impact
statement is not being prepared for the
Tanana River Floodplain Acquisition
Project at Salcha, Alaska.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Febe Ortiz, Acting State Conservationist,
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Alaska State Office, 800 West Evergreen
Avenue, Suite 100, Palmer, AK 99645–
6539; Phone: 907–761–7760; Fax: 907–
761–7790.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
environmental assessment of this
federally assisted action indicates that
the project will not cause significant
local, regional, or national impacts on
the environment. As a result of these
findings, Febe Ortiz, Acting State
Conservationist, has determined that the
preparation and review of an
environmental impact statement are not
needed for this project.
The project purpose is to reduce flood
induced damages in the Tanana River
SUMMARY:
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floodplain at Salcha, Alaska and to
restore floodplain function and values.
The planned works of improvement
include the voluntary acquisition of
residential, commercial and other
property; the removal and
decommissioning of buildings and other
facilities; and the re-vegetation and
restoration of acquired sites. Restored
land will be maintained, in perpetuity,
for floodplain use and function.
The Notice of a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) has been
forwarded to the Environmental
Protection Agency and other interested
parties. A limited number of copies of
the FONSI are available to fill single
copy requests at the above address.
Basic data developed during the
environmental assessment are on file
and may be reviewed by contacting Febe
Ortiz.
No administrative action on
implementation of the proposal will be
taken until 30 days after the date of this
publication in the Federal Register.
Dated: March 23, 2005.
Mark R. Weatherstone,
Acting State Conservationist.
(This activity is listed in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance under No.
10.904—Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention—and is subject to the provisions
of Executive Order 12372, which requires
intergovernmental consultation with State
and local officials.)
[FR Doc. 05–6225 Filed 3–29–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Announcement of Grant Application
Deadlines and Funding Levels
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Notice of solicitation of
applications.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) announces its Community
Connect Grant Program application
window for funding during fiscal year
(FY) 2005. In addition, RUS announces
the minimum and maximum amounts
for Community Connect grants
applicable for the fiscal year. The
Community Connect Grant Program
regulations are contained in 7 CFR 1739,
subpart A.
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You may submit completed
applications for grants on paper or
electronically according to the following
deadlines:
• Paper copies must carry proof of
shipping no later than May 31, 2005 to
be eligible for FY 2005 grant funding.
Late applications are not eligible for FY
2005 grant funding.
• Electronic copies must be received
by May 31, 2005 to be eligible for FY
2005 grant funding. Late applications
are not eligible for FY 2005 grant
funding.
DATES:
You may obtain application
guides and materials for the Community
Connect Grant Program via the Internet
at the following Web site: https://
www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/
commconnect.htm. You may also
request application guides and materials
from RUS by contacting the appropriate
individual listed in section VII of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this notice.
Submit completed paper applications
for grants to the Rural Utilities Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Room 2845,
STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250–
1550. Applications should be marked
‘‘Attention: Director, Advanced Services
Division, Telecommunications
Program.’’
Submit electronic grant applications
at https://www.grants.gov (Grants.gov),
following the instructions you find on
that Web site.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Orren E. Cameron III, Director,
Advanced Services Division,
Telecommunications, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
telephone: (202) 690–4493, fax: (202)
720–1051.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities
Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title:
Community Connect Grant Program.
Announcement Type: Initial
announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.863.
Dates: You may submit completed
applications for grants on paper or
electronically according to the following
deadlines:
• Paper copies must carry proof of
shipping no later than May 31, 2005, to
be eligible for FY 2005 grant funding.
Late applications are not eligible for FY
2005 grant funding.
• Electronic copies must be received
by May 31, 2005, to be eligible for FY
2005 grant funding. Late applications
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are not eligible for FY 2005 grant
funding.
Program regulation (7 CFR 1739, subpart
A).
Items in Supplementary Information
I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to
the Community Connect Grant Program.
II. Award Information: Available funds and
minimum and maximum amounts.
III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible,
what kinds of projects are eligible, what
criteria determine basic eligibility.
IV. Application and Submission Information:
Where to get application materials, what
constitutes a completed application, how
and where to submit applications,
deadlines, items that are eligible.
V. Application Review Information:
Considerations and preferences, scoring
criteria, review standards, selection
information.
VI. Award Administration Information:
Award notice information, award
recipient reporting requirements.
VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, email,
contact name.
II. Award Information
I. Funding Opportunity
The provision of broadband
transmission service is vital to the
economic development, education,
health, and safety of rural Americans.
The purpose of the Community Connect
Grant Program is to provide financial
assistance in the form of grants to
eligible applicants that will provide
currently unserved areas, on a
‘‘community-oriented connectivity’’
basis, with broadband transmission
service that fosters economic growth
and delivers enhanced educational,
health care, and public safety services.
RUS will give priority to rural areas that
it believes have the greatest need for
broadband transmission services, based
on the criteria contained herein.
Grant authority will be used for the
deployment of broadband transmission
service to extremely rural, lower-income
communities on a ‘‘community-oriented
connectivity’’ basis. The ‘‘communityoriented connectivity’’ concept will
stimulate practical, everyday uses and
applications of broadband by cultivating
the deployment of new broadband
transmission services that improve
economic development and provide
enhanced educational and health care
opportunities in rural areas. Such an
approach will also give rural
communities the opportunity to benefit
from the advanced technologies that are
necessary to achieve these goals. Please
see 7 CFR 1739, subpart A for specifics.
This notice has been formatted to
conform to a policy directive issued by
the Office of Federal Financial
Management (OFFM) of the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB),
published in the Federal Register on
June 23, 2003. This Notice does not
change the Community Connect Grant
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A. Available Funds
1. General. The Administrator has
determined that the following amounts
are available for grants in FY 2005
under 7 CFR 1739.2(a).
2. Grants
a. $8.9 million is available for grants.
Under 7 CFR 1739.2, the Administrator
has established a minimum grant
amount of $50,000. There is no
maximum grant amount for FY 2005.
b. Assistance instrument: RUS will
execute grant documents appropriate to
the project prior to any advance of funds
with successful applicants.
c. Community Connect grants cannot
be renewed. Award documents specify
the term of each award. Applications to
extend existing projects are welcomed
(grant applications must be submitted
during the application window) and
will be evaluated as new applications.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Who Is Eligible for Grants? (See 7
CFR 1739.10.)
1. Only entities legally organized as
one of the following are eligible for
Community Connect Grant Program
financial assistance:
a. An incorporated organization,
b. An Indian tribe or tribal
organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C.
450b(b) and (c),
c. A State or local unit of government,
d. A cooperative, private corporation
or limited liability company organized
on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.
2. Individuals are not eligible for
Community Connect Grant Program
financial assistance directly.
3. Applicants must have the legal
capacity and authority to own and
operate the broadband facilities as
proposed in its application, to enter into
contracts and to otherwise comply with
applicable federal statutes and
regulations.
B. What Are the Basic Eligibility
Requirements for a Project?
1. Required matching contributions.
Please see 7 CFR 1739.14 for the
requirement. Grant applicants must
demonstrate a matching contribution, in
cash or in kind (new, non-depreciated
items), of at least fifteen (15) percent of
the total amount of RUS financial
assistance requested. Matching
contributions must be used for eligible
purposes of Community Connect grant
assistance (see 7 CFR 1739.14).
2. To be eligible for a grant, the
Project must (see 7 CFR 1739.11):
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a. Serve a Rural Area throughout
which Broadband Transmission Service
does not currently exist, to be verified
by RUS prior to the award of the grant;
b. Serve one and only one Community
recognized in the latest U.S. Census. For
FY 2005, RUS will accept communities
added to the Census through the Count
Question Resolution Process, and
considers a Census Designated Place to
be an unincorporated town, village, or
borough, and thus a ‘‘community’’ as
defined in 7 CFR 1739. Additional
communities located in the contiguous
areas outside the Community’s
boundaries that are not recognized (due
to size) in the U.S. Census, can be
included in the applicant’s proposed
Service Area, but must be supported by
documentation, acceptable to RUS, as to
their existence. Communities made
eligible through the Count Question
Resolution Process may lack
corresponding Per Capita Income (PCI)
data, so for scoring purposes, applicants
claiming eligibility through the Count
Question Resolution Process should
propose a substitute PCI which is
available for a geographical area which
includes and most nearly replicates the
applicant’s proposed service area,
subject to RUS acceptance;
c. Deploy Basic Broadband
Transmission Service, free of all charges
for at least 2 years, to all Critical
Community Facilities located within the
proposed Service Area;
d. Offer Basic Broadband
Transmission Service to residential and
business customers within the proposed
Service Area; and
e. Provide a Community Center with
at least ten (10) Computer Access Points
within the proposed Service Area, and
make Broadband Transmission Service
available therein, free of all charges to
users for at least 2 years.
C. See paragraph IV.B of this notice
for a discussion of the items that make
up a completed application. You may
also refer to 7 CFR 1739.15 for
completed grant application items.
IV. Application and Submission
Information
A. Where To Get Application
Information
The application guide, copies of
necessary forms and samples, and the
Community Connect Grant Program
regulation are available from these
sources:
1. The Internet: https://www.usda.gov/
rus/telecom/commconnect.htm, or
https://www.grants.gov.
2. The RUS, Advanced Services
Division, for paper copies of these
materials: (202) 690–4493.
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B. What Constitutes a Completed
Application?
1. Detailed information on each item
required can be found in the
Community Connect Grant Program
regulation and the Community Connect
Grant Program application guide.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to
read and apply both the regulation and
the application guide. This Notice does
not change the requirements for a
completed application for any form of
Community Connect Grant Program
financial assistance specified in the
Community Connect Grant Program
regulation. The Community Connect
Grant Program regulation and the
application guide provide specific
guidance on each of the items listed and
the Community Connect Grant Program
application guide provides all necessary
forms and sample worksheets.
2. A completed application must
include the following documentation,
studies, reports and information in form
satisfactory to RUS. Applications should
be prepared in conformance with the
provisions in 7 CFR 1739, subpart A,
and applicable USDA regulations
including 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and
3019. Applicants must use the RUS
Application Guide for this program
containing instructions and all
necessary forms, as well as other
important information, in preparing
their application. Completed
applications must include the following:
a. An Application for Federal
Assistance. A completed Standard Form
424.
b. An executive summary of the
Project. The applicant must provide
RUS with a general project overview.
c. Scoring criteria documentation.
Each grant applicant must address and
provide documentation on how it meets
each of the scoring criteria detailed 7
CFR 1739.17.
d. System design. The applicant must
submit a system design, including,
narrative specifics of the proposal,
associated costs, maps, engineering
design studies, technical specifications
and system capabilities, etc.
e. Scope of work. The scope of work
must include specific activities and
services to be performed under the
proposal, who will carry out the
activities and services, specific timeframes for completion, and a budget for
all capital and administrative
expenditures reflecting the line item
costs for all grant purposes, the
matching contribution, and other
sources of funds necessary to complete
the project.
f. Community-Oriented Connectivity
Plan. The applicant must provide a
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detailed Community-Oriented
Connectivity Plan.
g. Financial information and
sustainability. The applicant must
provide financial statements and
information and a narrative description
demonstrating the sustainability of the
Project.
h. A statement of experience. The
applicant must provide a written
narrative describing its demonstrated
capability and experience, if any, in
operating a broadband
telecommunications system.
i. Evidence of legal authority and
existence. The applicant must provide
evidence of its legal existence and
authority to enter into a grant agreement
with RUS and to perform the activities
proposed under the grant application.
j. Funding commitment from other
sources. If the Project requires
additional funding from other sources in
addition to the RUS grant, the applicant
must provide evidence that funding
agreements have been obtained to
ensure completion of the Project.
k. Compliance with other Federal
statutes. The applicant must provide
evidence of compliance with other
Federal statutes and regulations,
including, but not limited to the
following:
(i) 7 CFR part 15, subpart A—
Nondiscrimination in Federally
Assisted Programs of the Department of
Agriculture—Effectuation of Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(ii) 7 CFR part 3015—Uniform Federal
Assistance Regulations.
(iii) 7 CFR part 3017—
Governmentwide Debarment and
Suspension (Non-procurement).
(iv) 7 CFR part 3018—New
Restrictions on Lobbying.
(v) 7 CFR part 3021—
Governmentwide Requirements for
Drug-Free Workplace (Financial
Assistance).
(vi) Certification regarding
Architectural Barriers.
(vii) Certification regarding Flood
Hazard Precautions.
(viii) An environmental report, in
accordance with 7 CFR 1794.
(ix) Certification that grant funds will
not be used to duplicate lines, facilities,
or systems providing Broadband
Transmission Service.
(x) Federal Obligation Certification on
Delinquent Debt.
5. DUNS Number. As required by the
OMB, all applicants for grants must now
supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data
Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number when applying. The Standard
Form 424 (SF–424) contains a field for
you to use when supplying your DUNS
number. Obtaining a DUNS number
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costs nothing and requires a short
telephone call to Dun and Bradstreet.
Please see the Community Connect Web
site or Grants.gov for more information
on how to obtain a DUNS number or
how to verify your organization’s
number.
C. How Many Copies of an Application
Are Required?
1. Applications submitted on paper:
Submit the original application and two
(2) copies to RUS.
2. Electronically submitted
applications: The additional paper
copies for RUS are not necessary if you
submit the application electronically
through Grants.gov.
D. How and Where To Submit an
Application
Grant applications may be submitted
on paper or electronically.
1. Submitting Applications on Paper
a. Address paper applications for
grants to the Rural Utilities Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Room 2845,
STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250–
1550. Applications should be marked
‘‘Attention: Director, Advanced Services
Division, Telecommunications
Program.’’
b. Paper applications must show proof
of mailing or shipping consisting of one
of the following:
(i) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service
(USPS) postmark;
(ii) A legible mail receipt with the
date of mailing stamped by the USPS; or
(iii) A dated shipping label, invoice,
or receipt from a commercial carrier.
c. Due to screening procedures at the
Department of Agriculture, packages
arriving via the USPS are irradiated,
which can damage the contents. RUS
encourages applicants to consider the
impact of this procedure in selecting
their application delivery method.
2. Electronically Submitted
Applications
a. Applications will not be accepted
via facsimile machine transmission or
electronic mail.
b. Electronic applications for grants
will be accepted if submitted through
the Federal government’s Grants.gov
initiative at https://www.grants.gov.
c. How to use Grants.gov:
(i) Navigate your Web browser to
https://www.grants.gov.
(ii) Follow the instructions on that
Web site to find grant information.
(iii) Download a copy of the
application package.
(iv) Complete the package off-line.
(v) Upload and submit the application
via the Grants.gov Web site.
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d. Grants.gov contains full
instructions on all required passwords,
credentialing and software.
e. RUS encourages applicants who
wish to apply through Grants.gov to
submit their applications in advance of
the deadline.
f. If a system problem occurs or you
have technical difficulties with an
electronic application, please use the
customer support resources available at
the Grants.gov Web site.
g. New information for FY 2005: RUS
clarifies its application of the definition
of ‘‘community’’ to enable more rural
areas to qualify for application to this
program.
(i) A Census Designated Place will
now be recognized as an unincorporated
town, village or borough.
(ii) Communities recognized by the
Count Question Resolution Process will
now be accepted as being in the ‘‘latest
U.S. Census’’.
Salary and administrative expenses will
be subject to review, and may be limited
by RUS for reasonableness in relation to
the scope of the Project; and
e. The purchase of land, buildings, or
building construction needed to carry
out the Project.
E. Deadlines
A. Criteria
1. Paper applications must be
postmarked and mailed, shipped, or
sent overnight no later than May 31,
2005 to be eligible for FY 2005 grant
funding.
2. Electronic grant applications must
be received by May 31, 2005 to be
eligible for FY 2005 funding. Late
applications are not eligible for FY 2005
grant funding.
1. Grant applications are scored
competitively and subject to the criteria
listed below.
2. Grant application scoring criteria
(total possible points: 100). See 7 CFR
1739.17 for the items that will be
reviewed during scoring and for scoring
criteria.
a. The rurality of the Project (up to 40
points);
b. The economic need of the Project’s
Service Area (up to 30 points); and
c. The ‘‘community-oriented
connectivity’’ benefits derived from the
proposed service (up to 30 points).
F. Funding Restrictions
1. Eligible Grant Purposes
Grant funds may be used to finance:
a. The construction, acquisition, or
leasing of facilities, including spectrum,
to deploy Broadband Transmission
Service to all participating Critical
Community Facilities and all required
facilities needed to offer such service to
residential and business customers
located within the proposed Service
Area;
b. The improvement, expansion,
construction, or acquisition of a
Community Center that furnishes free
access to broadband Internet service,
provided that the Community Center is
open and accessible to area residents
before, during, and after normal working
hours and on Saturday or Sunday. Grant
funds provided for such costs shall not
exceed the greater of five percent (5%)
of the grant amount requested or
$100,000;
c. End-User Equipment needed to
carry out the Project;
d. Operating expenses incurred in
providing Broadband Transmission
Service to Critical Community Facilities
for the first 2 years of operation and in
providing training and instruction.
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2. Ineligible Grant Purposes
a. Grant funds may not be used to
finance the duplication of any existing
Broadband Transmission Service
provided by another entity.
b. Facilities financed with grant funds
cannot be utilized, in any way, to
provide local exchange
telecommunications service to any
person or entity already receiving such
service.
3. Please see 7 CFR 1739.3 for
definitions, 7 CFR 1739.12 for eligible
grant purposes, and 7 CFR 1739.13 for
ineligible grant purposes.
V. Application Review Information
B. Review Standards
1. All applications for grants must be
delivered to RUS at the address and by
the date specified in this notice (see also
7 CFR 1739.2) to be eligible for funding.
RUS will review each application for
conformance with the provisions of this
part. RUS may contact the applicant for
additional information or clarification.
2. Incomplete applications as of the
deadline for submission will not be
considered. If an application is
determined to be incomplete, the
applicant will be notified in writing and
the application will be returned with no
further action.
3. Applications conforming with this
part will then be evaluated
competitively by a panel of RUS
employees selected by the
Administrator of RUS, and will be
awarded points as described in the
scoring criteria in 7 CFR 1739.17.
Applications will be ranked and grants
awarded in rank order until all grant
funds are expended.
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4. Regardless of the score an
application receives, if RUS determines
that the Project is technically or
financially infeasible, RUS will notify
the applicant, in writing, and the
application will be returned with no
further action.
B. Phone: (202) 690–4493.
C. Fax: (202) 720–1051.
D. Main point of contact: Orren E.
Cameron III, Director, Advanced
Services Division, Telecommunications
Program, Rural Utilities Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
C. Selection Process
Grant applications are ranked by final
score. RUS selects applications based on
those rankings, subject to the
availability of funds.
Dated: March 24, 2005.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 05–6267 Filed 3–29–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–15–P
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
RUS recognizes that each funded
project is unique, and therefore may
attach conditions to different projects’
award documents. RUS generally
notifies applicants whose projects are
selected for awards by faxing an award
letter. RUS follows the award letter with
a grant agreement that contains all the
terms and conditions for the grant. An
applicant must execute and return the
grant agreement, accompanied by any
additional items required by the grant
agreement.
B. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
The items listed in paragraph IV.B.2.k
of this notice, and the Community
Connect Grant Program regulation,
application guide and accompanying
materials implement the appropriate
administrative and national policy
requirements.
C. Reporting
1. Performance reporting. All
recipients of Community Connect Grant
Program financial assistance must
provide annual performance activity
reports to RUS until the project is
complete and the funds are expended. A
final performance report is also
required; the final report may serve as
the last annual report. The final report
must include an evaluation of the
success of the project. See 7 CFR
1739.19.
2. Financial reporting. All recipients
of Community Connect Grant Program
financial assistance must provide an
annual audit, beginning with the first
year a portion of the financial assistance
is expended. Audits are governed by
United States Department of Agriculture
audit regulations. Please see 7 CFR
1739.20.
VII. Agency Contacts
A. Web site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/
commconnect.htm. The RUS’s Web site
maintains up-to-date resources and
contact information for the Community
Connect Grant Program.
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
DOC has submitted to the Office for
Management and Budget (OMB) for
clearance the following proposal for
collection of information under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13.
Agency: International Trade
Administration.
Title: Advocacy Questionnaire.
OMB Number: 0625–0220.
Agency Form Number: ITA–4133P.
Type of Request: Regular Submission.
Burden: 205 hours.
Number of Respondents: 200.
Avg. Hours Per Response: 30 minutes.
Needs and Uses: The International
Trade Administration’s (ITA) Advocacy
Center marshals federal resources to
assist U.S. firms competing for foreign
government procurements worldwide.
The Advocacy Center works closely
with the Trade Promotion Coordination
Committee which is chaired by the
Secretary of Commerce and includes 19
Federal agencies involved in export
promotion.
Advocacy assistance is wide and
varied, but most often is employed to
assist U.S. commercial interests that
must deal with foreign governments or
government-owned corporations to win
or maintain business transactions in
foreign markets. The Advocacy Center is
at the core of the President’s National
Export Strategy and its goal to ensure
opportunities for American companies
in the international marketplace.
The purpose of the Advocacy
Questionnaire is to collect the necessary
information to evaluate whether a firm
qualifies for USG advocacy assistance.
The Advocacy Center, appropriate ITA
officials, officers at U.S. Embassies/
Consulates worldwide, and other federal
government agencies that provide
advocacy support (the Advocacy
Network) to U.S. firms, will request
firm(s) seeking USG advocacy support
to complete the questionnaire. Without
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
this information, we would be unable to
determine if a firm is eligible for U.S.
government advocacy.
Affected Public: Business community.
Frequency: On occasion.
Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
obtain or retain a benefit, voluntary.
OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker,
(202) 395–7340.
Copies of the above information
collection proposal can be obtained by
writing Diana Hynek, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer,
Department of Commerce, Room 6625,
14th & Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20230; e-mail:
dHynek@doc.gov.
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent to
David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, at
David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov or fax
(202) 395–7285, within 30 days of the
publication of this notice in the Federal
Register.
Dated: March 24, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05–6229 Filed 3–29–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–FP–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
The Department of Commerce has
submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35).
Agency: National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Title: Gear-Marking Requirements in
Antarctic Fisheries.
Form Number(s): None.
OMB Approval Number: 0648–0367.
Type of Request: Regular submission.
Burden Hours: 11.
Number of Respondents: 4.
Average Hours Per Response: 2 hours,
45 minutes.
Needs and Uses: The vessels
participating in Antarctic fisheries must
mark the vessel’s fishing gear with
official vessel identification number,
Federal permit or tag number, or some
other specified form of identification.
The information is used for enforcement
purposes. The authority for this
requirement comes from the Antarctic
Marine Living Resources Convention
Act of 1984.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations.
E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM
30MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16210-16214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6267]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its Community
Connect Grant Program application window for funding during fiscal year
(FY) 2005. In addition, RUS announces the minimum and maximum amounts
for Community Connect grants applicable for the fiscal year. The
Community Connect Grant Program regulations are contained in 7 CFR
1739, subpart A.
[[Page 16211]]
DATES: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or
electronically according to the following deadlines:
Paper copies must carry proof of shipping no later than
May 31, 2005 to be eligible for FY 2005 grant funding. Late
applications are not eligible for FY 2005 grant funding.
Electronic copies must be received by May 31, 2005 to be
eligible for FY 2005 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible
for FY 2005 grant funding.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain application guides and materials for the
Community Connect Grant Program via the Internet at the following Web
site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm. You may also
request application guides and materials from RUS by contacting the
appropriate individual listed in section VII of the Supplementary
Information section of this notice.
Submit completed paper applications for grants to the Rural
Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence
Ave., SW., Room 2845, STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-1550.
Applications should be marked ``Attention: Director, Advanced Services
Division, Telecommunications Program.''
Submit electronic grant applications at https://www.grants.gov
(Grants.gov), following the instructions you find on that Web site.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Orren E. Cameron III, Director,
Advanced Services Division, Telecommunications, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, telephone: (202) 690-4493,
fax: (202) 720-1051.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Community Connect Grant Program.
Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.863.
Dates: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or
electronically according to the following deadlines:
Paper copies must carry proof of shipping no later than
May 31, 2005, to be eligible for FY 2005 grant funding. Late
applications are not eligible for FY 2005 grant funding.
Electronic copies must be received by May 31, 2005, to be
eligible for FY 2005 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible
for FY 2005 grant funding.
Items in Supplementary Information
I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the Community Connect
Grant Program.
II. Award Information: Available funds and minimum and maximum
amounts.
III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of
projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility.
IV. Application and Submission Information: Where to get application
materials, what constitutes a completed application, how and where
to submit applications, deadlines, items that are eligible.
V. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences,
scoring criteria, review standards, selection information.
VI. Award Administration Information: Award notice information,
award recipient reporting requirements.
VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, email, contact name.
I. Funding Opportunity
The provision of broadband transmission service is vital to the
economic development, education, health, and safety of rural Americans.
The purpose of the Community Connect Grant Program is to provide
financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that
will provide currently unserved areas, on a ``community-oriented
connectivity'' basis, with broadband transmission service that fosters
economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and
public safety services. RUS will give priority to rural areas that it
believes have the greatest need for broadband transmission services,
based on the criteria contained herein.
Grant authority will be used for the deployment of broadband
transmission service to extremely rural, lower-income communities on a
``community-oriented connectivity'' basis. The ``community-oriented
connectivity'' concept will stimulate practical, everyday uses and
applications of broadband by cultivating the deployment of new
broadband transmission services that improve economic development and
provide enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural
areas. Such an approach will also give rural communities the
opportunity to benefit from the advanced technologies that are
necessary to achieve these goals. Please see 7 CFR 1739, subpart A for
specifics.
This notice has been formatted to conform to a policy directive
issued by the Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM) of the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), published in the Federal
Register on June 23, 2003. This Notice does not change the Community
Connect Grant Program regulation (7 CFR 1739, subpart A).
II. Award Information
A. Available Funds
1. General. The Administrator has determined that the following
amounts are available for grants in FY 2005 under 7 CFR 1739.2(a).
2. Grants
a. $8.9 million is available for grants. Under 7 CFR 1739.2, the
Administrator has established a minimum grant amount of $50,000. There
is no maximum grant amount for FY 2005.
b. Assistance instrument: RUS will execute grant documents
appropriate to the project prior to any advance of funds with
successful applicants.
c. Community Connect grants cannot be renewed. Award documents
specify the term of each award. Applications to extend existing
projects are welcomed (grant applications must be submitted during the
application window) and will be evaluated as new applications.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Who Is Eligible for Grants? (See 7 CFR 1739.10.)
1. Only entities legally organized as one of the following are
eligible for Community Connect Grant Program financial assistance:
a. An incorporated organization,
b. An Indian tribe or tribal organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C.
450b(b) and (c),
c. A State or local unit of government,
d. A cooperative, private corporation or limited liability company
organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.
2. Individuals are not eligible for Community Connect Grant Program
financial assistance directly.
3. Applicants must have the legal capacity and authority to own and
operate the broadband facilities as proposed in its application, to
enter into contracts and to otherwise comply with applicable federal
statutes and regulations.
B. What Are the Basic Eligibility Requirements for a Project?
1. Required matching contributions. Please see 7 CFR 1739.14 for
the requirement. Grant applicants must demonstrate a matching
contribution, in cash or in kind (new, non-depreciated items), of at
least fifteen (15) percent of the total amount of RUS financial
assistance requested. Matching contributions must be used for eligible
purposes of Community Connect grant assistance (see 7 CFR 1739.14).
2. To be eligible for a grant, the Project must (see 7 CFR
1739.11):
[[Page 16212]]
a. Serve a Rural Area throughout which Broadband Transmission
Service does not currently exist, to be verified by RUS prior to the
award of the grant;
b. Serve one and only one Community recognized in the latest U.S.
Census. For FY 2005, RUS will accept communities added to the Census
through the Count Question Resolution Process, and considers a Census
Designated Place to be an unincorporated town, village, or borough, and
thus a ``community'' as defined in 7 CFR 1739. Additional communities
located in the contiguous areas outside the Community's boundaries that
are not recognized (due to size) in the U.S. Census, can be included in
the applicant's proposed Service Area, but must be supported by
documentation, acceptable to RUS, as to their existence. Communities
made eligible through the Count Question Resolution Process may lack
corresponding Per Capita Income (PCI) data, so for scoring purposes,
applicants claiming eligibility through the Count Question Resolution
Process should propose a substitute PCI which is available for a
geographical area which includes and most nearly replicates the
applicant's proposed service area, subject to RUS acceptance;
c. Deploy Basic Broadband Transmission Service, free of all charges
for at least 2 years, to all Critical Community Facilities located
within the proposed Service Area;
d. Offer Basic Broadband Transmission Service to residential and
business customers within the proposed Service Area; and
e. Provide a Community Center with at least ten (10) Computer
Access Points within the proposed Service Area, and make Broadband
Transmission Service available therein, free of all charges to users
for at least 2 years.
C. See paragraph IV.B of this notice for a discussion of the items
that make up a completed application. You may also refer to 7 CFR
1739.15 for completed grant application items.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Where To Get Application Information
The application guide, copies of necessary forms and samples, and
the Community Connect Grant Program regulation are available from these
sources:
1. The Internet: https://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm,
or https://www.grants.gov.
2. The RUS, Advanced Services Division, for paper copies of these
materials: (202) 690-4493.
B. What Constitutes a Completed Application?
1. Detailed information on each item required can be found in the
Community Connect Grant Program regulation and the Community Connect
Grant Program application guide. Applicants are strongly encouraged to
read and apply both the regulation and the application guide. This
Notice does not change the requirements for a completed application for
any form of Community Connect Grant Program financial assistance
specified in the Community Connect Grant Program regulation. The
Community Connect Grant Program regulation and the application guide
provide specific guidance on each of the items listed and the Community
Connect Grant Program application guide provides all necessary forms
and sample worksheets.
2. A completed application must include the following
documentation, studies, reports and information in form satisfactory to
RUS. Applications should be prepared in conformance with the provisions
in 7 CFR 1739, subpart A, and applicable USDA regulations including 7
CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019. Applicants must use the RUS Application
Guide for this program containing instructions and all necessary forms,
as well as other important information, in preparing their application.
Completed applications must include the following:
a. An Application for Federal Assistance. A completed Standard Form
424.
b. An executive summary of the Project. The applicant must provide
RUS with a general project overview.
c. Scoring criteria documentation. Each grant applicant must
address and provide documentation on how it meets each of the scoring
criteria detailed 7 CFR 1739.17.
d. System design. The applicant must submit a system design,
including, narrative specifics of the proposal, associated costs, maps,
engineering design studies, technical specifications and system
capabilities, etc.
e. Scope of work. The scope of work must include specific
activities and services to be performed under the proposal, who will
carry out the activities and services, specific time-frames for
completion, and a budget for all capital and administrative
expenditures reflecting the line item costs for all grant purposes, the
matching contribution, and other sources of funds necessary to complete
the project.
f. Community-Oriented Connectivity Plan. The applicant must provide
a detailed Community-Oriented Connectivity Plan.
g. Financial information and sustainability. The applicant must
provide financial statements and information and a narrative
description demonstrating the sustainability of the Project.
h. A statement of experience. The applicant must provide a written
narrative describing its demonstrated capability and experience, if
any, in operating a broadband telecommunications system.
i. Evidence of legal authority and existence. The applicant must
provide evidence of its legal existence and authority to enter into a
grant agreement with RUS and to perform the activities proposed under
the grant application.
j. Funding commitment from other sources. If the Project requires
additional funding from other sources in addition to the RUS grant, the
applicant must provide evidence that funding agreements have been
obtained to ensure completion of the Project.
k. Compliance with other Federal statutes. The applicant must
provide evidence of compliance with other Federal statutes and
regulations, including, but not limited to the following:
(i) 7 CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally
Assisted Programs of the Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(ii) 7 CFR part 3015--Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations.
(iii) 7 CFR part 3017--Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
(Non-procurement).
(iv) 7 CFR part 3018--New Restrictions on Lobbying.
(v) 7 CFR part 3021--Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free
Workplace (Financial Assistance).
(vi) Certification regarding Architectural Barriers.
(vii) Certification regarding Flood Hazard Precautions.
(viii) An environmental report, in accordance with 7 CFR 1794.
(ix) Certification that grant funds will not be used to duplicate
lines, facilities, or systems providing Broadband Transmission Service.
(x) Federal Obligation Certification on Delinquent Debt.
5. DUNS Number. As required by the OMB, all applicants for grants
must now supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number when applying. The Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a
field for you to use when supplying your DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS
number
[[Page 16213]]
costs nothing and requires a short telephone call to Dun and
Bradstreet. Please see the Community Connect Web site or Grants.gov for
more information on how to obtain a DUNS number or how to verify your
organization's number.
C. How Many Copies of an Application Are Required?
1. Applications submitted on paper: Submit the original application
and two (2) copies to RUS.
2. Electronically submitted applications: The additional paper
copies for RUS are not necessary if you submit the application
electronically through Grants.gov.
D. How and Where To Submit an Application
Grant applications may be submitted on paper or electronically.
1. Submitting Applications on Paper
a. Address paper applications for grants to the Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW.,
Room 2845, STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-1550. Applications should be
marked ``Attention: Director, Advanced Services Division,
Telecommunications Program.''
b. Paper applications must show proof of mailing or shipping
consisting of one of the following:
(i) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service (USPS) postmark;
(ii) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
USPS; or
(iii) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
c. Due to screening procedures at the Department of Agriculture,
packages arriving via the USPS are irradiated, which can damage the
contents. RUS encourages applicants to consider the impact of this
procedure in selecting their application delivery method.
2. Electronically Submitted Applications
a. Applications will not be accepted via facsimile machine
transmission or electronic mail.
b. Electronic applications for grants will be accepted if submitted
through the Federal government's Grants.gov initiative at https://
www.grants.gov.
c. How to use Grants.gov:
(i) Navigate your Web browser to https://www.grants.gov.
(ii) Follow the instructions on that Web site to find grant
information.
(iii) Download a copy of the application package.
(iv) Complete the package off-line.
(v) Upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site.
d. Grants.gov contains full instructions on all required passwords,
credentialing and software.
e. RUS encourages applicants who wish to apply through Grants.gov
to submit their applications in advance of the deadline.
f. If a system problem occurs or you have technical difficulties
with an electronic application, please use the customer support
resources available at the Grants.gov Web site.
g. New information for FY 2005: RUS clarifies its application of
the definition of ``community'' to enable more rural areas to qualify
for application to this program.
(i) A Census Designated Place will now be recognized as an
unincorporated town, village or borough.
(ii) Communities recognized by the Count Question Resolution
Process will now be accepted as being in the ``latest U.S. Census''.
E. Deadlines
1. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or
sent overnight no later than May 31, 2005 to be eligible for FY 2005
grant funding.
2. Electronic grant applications must be received by May 31, 2005
to be eligible for FY 2005 funding. Late applications are not eligible
for FY 2005 grant funding.
F. Funding Restrictions
1. Eligible Grant Purposes
Grant funds may be used to finance:
a. The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities,
including spectrum, to deploy Broadband Transmission Service to all
participating Critical Community Facilities and all required facilities
needed to offer such service to residential and business customers
located within the proposed Service Area;
b. The improvement, expansion, construction, or acquisition of a
Community Center that furnishes free access to broadband Internet
service, provided that the Community Center is open and accessible to
area residents before, during, and after normal working hours and on
Saturday or Sunday. Grant funds provided for such costs shall not
exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the grant amount requested
or $100,000;
c. End-User Equipment needed to carry out the Project;
d. Operating expenses incurred in providing Broadband Transmission
Service to Critical Community Facilities for the first 2 years of
operation and in providing training and instruction. Salary and
administrative expenses will be subject to review, and may be limited
by RUS for reasonableness in relation to the scope of the Project; and
e. The purchase of land, buildings, or building construction needed
to carry out the Project.
2. Ineligible Grant Purposes
a. Grant funds may not be used to finance the duplication of any
existing Broadband Transmission Service provided by another entity.
b. Facilities financed with grant funds cannot be utilized, in any
way, to provide local exchange telecommunications service to any person
or entity already receiving such service.
3. Please see 7 CFR 1739.3 for definitions, 7 CFR 1739.12 for
eligible grant purposes, and 7 CFR 1739.13 for ineligible grant
purposes.
V. Application Review Information
A. Criteria
1. Grant applications are scored competitively and subject to the
criteria listed below.
2. Grant application scoring criteria (total possible points: 100).
See 7 CFR 1739.17 for the items that will be reviewed during scoring
and for scoring criteria.
a. The rurality of the Project (up to 40 points);
b. The economic need of the Project's Service Area (up to 30
points); and
c. The ``community-oriented connectivity'' benefits derived from
the proposed service (up to 30 points).
B. Review Standards
1. All applications for grants must be delivered to RUS at the
address and by the date specified in this notice (see also 7 CFR
1739.2) to be eligible for funding. RUS will review each application
for conformance with the provisions of this part. RUS may contact the
applicant for additional information or clarification.
2. Incomplete applications as of the deadline for submission will
not be considered. If an application is determined to be incomplete,
the applicant will be notified in writing and the application will be
returned with no further action.
3. Applications conforming with this part will then be evaluated
competitively by a panel of RUS employees selected by the Administrator
of RUS, and will be awarded points as described in the scoring criteria
in 7 CFR 1739.17. Applications will be ranked and grants awarded in
rank order until all grant funds are expended.
[[Page 16214]]
4. Regardless of the score an application receives, if RUS
determines that the Project is technically or financially infeasible,
RUS will notify the applicant, in writing, and the application will be
returned with no further action.
C. Selection Process
Grant applications are ranked by final score. RUS selects
applications based on those rankings, subject to the availability of
funds.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
RUS recognizes that each funded project is unique, and therefore
may attach conditions to different projects' award documents. RUS
generally notifies applicants whose projects are selected for awards by
faxing an award letter. RUS follows the award letter with a grant
agreement that contains all the terms and conditions for the grant. An
applicant must execute and return the grant agreement, accompanied by
any additional items required by the grant agreement.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The items listed in paragraph IV.B.2.k of this notice, and the
Community Connect Grant Program regulation, application guide and
accompanying materials implement the appropriate administrative and
national policy requirements.
C. Reporting
1. Performance reporting. All recipients of Community Connect Grant
Program financial assistance must provide annual performance activity
reports to RUS until the project is complete and the funds are
expended. A final performance report is also required; the final report
may serve as the last annual report. The final report must include an
evaluation of the success of the project. See 7 CFR 1739.19.
2. Financial reporting. All recipients of Community Connect Grant
Program financial assistance must provide an annual audit, beginning
with the first year a portion of the financial assistance is expended.
Audits are governed by United States Department of Agriculture audit
regulations. Please see 7 CFR 1739.20.
VII. Agency Contacts
A. Web site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/commconnect.htm. The RUS's Web
site maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for the
Community Connect Grant Program.
B. Phone: (202) 690-4493.
C. Fax: (202) 720-1051.
D. Main point of contact: Orren E. Cameron III, Director, Advanced
Services Division, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dated: March 24, 2005.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6267 Filed 3-29-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
