Public Telecommunications Facilities Program: Closing Date; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, 63120-63122 [E9-28738]
Download as PDF
63120
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 230 / Wednesday, December 2, 2009 / Notices
93–C–0069, issued by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture under the
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. §§ 2131 59).
In addition to determining whether
the applicant meets the three public
display criteria, NMFS must determine
whether the applicant has demonstrated
that the proposed activity is humane
and does not represent any unnecessary
risks to the health and welfare of marine
mammals; that the proposed activity by
itself, or in combination with other
activities, will not likely have a
significant adverse impact on the
species or stock; and that the applicant’s
expertise, facilities and resources are
adequate to accomplish successfully the
objectives and activities stated in the
application.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial
determination has been made that the
activity proposed is categorically
excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement.
Concurrent with the publication of
this notice in the Federal Register,
NMFS is forwarding copies of this
application to the Marine Mammal
Commission and its Committee of
Scientific Advisors.
Dated: November 24, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9–28835 Filed 12–1–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XT16
Marine Mammals; File No. 15153
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Dolphin Quest Hawaii, 69–425
Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa, HI
96738, has applied in due form for a
permit to import two bottlenose
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for the
purposes of public display.
DATES: Written or telefaxed comments
must be received on or before January 4,
2010.
ADDRESSES: The application and related
documents are available for review
VerDate Nov<24>2008
18:28 Dec 01, 2009
Jkt 220001
upon written request or by appointment
in the following offices:
Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
(301)713–2289; fax (301)713–0376; and
Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601
Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, Honolulu, HI
96814–4700; phone (808)944–2200; fax
(808)973–2941.
Written comments on this application
should be submitted to the Chief,
Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, at the address listed above.
Comments may also be submitted by
facsimile to (301)713–0376, or by email
to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
Please include the File No. 15153 in the
subject line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public
hearing should submit a written request
to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and
Education Division at the address listed
above. The request should set forth the
specific reasons why a hearing on this
application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Skidmore or Kristy Beard,
(301)713–2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations
governing the taking and importing of
marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The applicant requests authorization
to import two male adult captive-born
bottlenose dolphins from Dolphin Quest
in Hamilton, HM FX, Bermuda to
Dolphin Quest Hawaii, Waikoloa, HI.
The applicant requests this import for
the purpose of public display. The
receiving facility, Dolphin Quest
Hawaii, is: (1) open to the public on a
regularly scheduled basis with access
that is not limited or restricted other
than by charging for an admission fee;
(2) offers an educational program based
on professionally accepted standards of
the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks
and Aquariums; and (3) holds an
Exhibitor’s License, number 95–C–0037,
issued by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture under the Animal Welfare
Act (7 U.S.C. §§ 2131 – 59).
In addition to determining whether
the applicant meets the three public
display criteria, NMFS must determine
whether the applicant has demonstrated
that the proposed activity is humane
and does not represent any unnecessary
risks to the health and welfare of marine
mammals; that the proposed activity by
itself, or in combination with other
activities, will not likely have a
significant adverse impact on the
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
species or stock; and that the applicant’s
expertise, facilities, and resources are
adequate to accomplish successfully the
objectives and activities stated in the
application.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial
determination has been made that the
activity proposed is categorically
excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement.
Concurrent with the publication of
this notice in the Federal Register,
NMFS is forwarding copies of this
application to the Marine Mammal
Commission and its Committee of
Scientific Advisors.
Dated: November 24, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9–28833 Filed 12–1–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration
[Docket No. 0911201414–91414-01]
Public Telecommunications Facilities
Program: Closing Date; Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance
AGENCY: National Telecommunications
and Information Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of Closing Date for
Solicitation of Applications.
Pursuant to the Further
Continuing Appropriations, 2010,
Division B of Pub. L. No. 111–88, the
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA),
U.S. Department of Commerce,
announces the solicitation of
applications for planning and
construction grants for public
telecommunications facilities under the
Public Telecommunications Facilities
Program (PTFP) for fiscal year (FY)
2010.
SUMMARY:
DATES: NTIA announces two Closing
Dates for the FY 2010 grant round.
All television and nonbroadcast
applications must be received at the
PTFP office no later than 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern Standard Time, on February 4,
2010. With the exception of applications
for new FM stations filed during the
February 2010 Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) FM Window,
discussed in the next paragraph, all
E:\FR\FM\02DEN1.SGM
02DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 230 / Wednesday, December 2, 2009 / Notices
radio applications also must be received
at the PTFP office no later than 5:00
p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on
February 4, 2010.
Because the FCC will accept
applications for new FM facilities only
during the period February 19–26, 2010
(‘‘FM Window’’), NTIA will provide
sufficient time for FM applicants
participating in the FM Window to file
their PTFP and FCC applications.
Completed PTFP applications for
projects filed at the FCC during this FM
Window must be received at the PTFP
office no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time, on February 26, 2010.
Applications submitted by facsimile
are not acceptable. If an application is
received after the Closing Date due to (1)
carrier error, when the carrier accepted
the package with a guarantee for
delivery by the Closing Date and Closing
Time, (2) significant weather delays or
natural disasters, or (3) delays due to
national security issues, NTIA will,
upon receipt of proper documentation,
consider the application as having been
received by the deadline. NTIA will not
accept applications posted on the
Closing Date or later and received after
these deadlines.
ADDRESSES: To obtain a printed
application package, submit completed
applications, or send any other
correspondence, write to PTFP at the
following address: NTIA/PTFP, Room
H–4812, U.S. Department of Commerce,
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20230. Application
materials may be obtained electronically
via the Internet at www.ntia.doc.gov/
ptfp or www.Grants.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William Cooperman, Director, Public
Broadcasting Division, telephone: (202)
482–5802; fax: (202) 482–2156.
Information about the PTFP also can be
obtained electronically via the Internet
at www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Electronic Access
The Federal Funding Opportunity
(FFO) announcement for the PTFP FY
2010 grant cycle is available through
www.Grants.gov or by viewing the
PTFP Internet site at www.ntia.doc.gov/
ptfp. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to read the FFO and the
programmatic regulations at 15 CFR Part
2301 to obtain further information and
instructions on the application
requirements for the program.
Statutory and Regulatory Authority
The PTFP is authorized by the
Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. §§ 390–393, 397–
VerDate Nov<24>2008
18:28 Dec 01, 2009
Jkt 220001
399(b). The PTFP operates pursuant to
rules (1996 Rules), which were
published on November 8, 1996 (61 FR
57966). Copies of the 1996 Rules (15
CFR pt. 2301) are posted on the NTIA
Internet site at www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp/
Rules/currentrules.htm, and NTIA will
make printed copies available to
applicants upon request.
Program Information
The PTFP assists, through matching
grants, in the planning and construction
of public telecommunications facilities
in order to: (1) extend delivery of
services to as many citizens as possible
by the most cost-effective means,
including use of broadcast and
nonbroadcast technologies; (2) increase
public telecommunications services and
facilities available to, operated by, and
controlled by minorities and women;
and (3) strengthen the capability of
existing public television and radio
stations to provide public
telecommunications services to the
public.
The PTFP funds the construction of
new public radio and television stations
and new nonbroadcast public
telecommunications facilities; the
digital conversion of public radio and
television stations; and the replacement
of equipment at public radio and
television stations. A description of the
112 projects awarded during the FY
2009 PTFP grant round may be found on
the Internet at www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp/
Projects/2009/index.htm.
Funding Availability
Issuance of grants is subject to the
availability of FY 2010 funds. At this
time, the Congress has passed the
Further Continuing Appropriations,
2010, to fund operations of the PTFP
through December 18, 2009. Further
notice will be made in the Federal
Register about the final status of
funding for this program at the
appropriate time. For FY 2009, NTIA
awarded $19.4 million in PTFP funds to
111 projects, including 63 radio awards,
47 television awards, and one
nonbroadcast award. The radio awards
ranged from $7,556 to $322,364. The
television awards ranged from $5,122 to
$731,924. One nonbroadcast award was
made for $50,142.
Supplemental Policies
The following supplemental policies
are discussed in the FFO and will be in
effect during the FY 2010 grant cycle:
A) Section 2301.10 of the PTFP Final
Rules provides for submission of
applications resulting from catastrophic
damage or emergency situations. NTIA
would like to clarify its implementation
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
63121
of this provision. For FY 2010 PTFP
applicants, when an eligible broadcast
applicant suffers catastrophic damage to
the basic equipment essential to its
continued operation as a result of a
natural or manmade disaster, or as the
result of significant equipment failure,
and is in dire need of assistance in
funding replacement of the damaged
equipment, it may file an emergency
application for PTFP funding at any
time.
B) For FY 2010 PTFP applications,
since there is no potential for terrestrial
interference with Ku-band satellite
uplinks, applicants may submit
applications to the FCC for Ku-band
satellite uplinks after a PTFP award is
made. Grant recipients for Ku-band
satellite uplinks will be required to
document receipt of FCC authorizations
to operate the uplink prior to the release
of Federal funds. NTIA may accept FCC
authorizations that are in the name of an
organization other than the PTFP
applicant.
C) PTFP applicants are not required to
submit copies of their PTFP
applications to the FCC, nor are they
required to submit copies of the FCC
transmittal cover letters as part of their
PTFP applications. Many distance
learning applications propose projects
that are nationwide in nature. NTIA,
therefore, believes that the requirement
to provide a summary copy of the
application to every state
telecommunications agency in a
potential service area is unduly
burdensome to applicants. PTFP
applicants for distance learning projects
must notify the state
telecommunications agencies in the
states in which they are located, but
they are not required to notify every
state telecommunications agency in a
potential service area.
D) For digital television conversion
projects, NTIA has created two new
Subpriorities — Subpriority A
(Transmission Equipment) and
Subpriority B, (Master Control and
Production Equipment; Translators) in
the Broadcast Other category.
E) For digital radio conversion
projects, NTIA has created a new
Subpriority — Subpriority C, Radio
Digital Conversion, in the Broadcast
Other category.
Catalog of Domestic Federal Assistance
11.550, Public Telecommunications
Facilities Program.
Eligibility
To apply for and receive a PTFP
Construction Grant or Planning Grant,
an applicant must be: (a) a public or
noncommercial educational broadcast
E:\FR\FM\02DEN1.SGM
02DEN1
63122
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 230 / Wednesday, December 2, 2009 / Notices
station; (b) a noncommercial
telecommunications entity; (c) a system
of public telecommunications entities;
(d) a non-profit foundation, corporation,
institution, or association organized
primarily for educational or cultural
purposes; or (e) a state, local, or Indian
tribal government (or agency thereof), or
a political or special purpose
subdivision of a state.
Evaluation and Selection Process
See 15 CFR § 2301.16 for a description
of the Technical Evaluation and 15 CFR
§ 2301.18 for the Selection Process.
Evaluation Criteria
See 15 CFR § 2301.17 for a full
description of the Evaluation Criteria.
The six evaluation criteria are: 1)
Applicant Qualifications; 2) Financial
Qualifications; 3) Project Objectives; 4)
Urgency; 5) Technical Qualifications
(construction applicants only) or
Planning Qualifications (planning
applicants only); and 6) Special
Consideration.
Funding Priorities and Selection
Factors
See 15 CFR § 2301.4 and the
supplemental policies above for a
description of the PTFP Priorities and
15 CFR § 2301.18 for the Selection
Factors.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Intergovernmental Review
PTFP applications are subject to
Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs,’’ if the state in which the
applicant organization is located
participates in the process. Usually,
submission to the State Single Point of
Contact (SPOC) needs to be only the SF
424 and PTFP–2 pages of the
application, but applicants should
contact their own SPOC offices to find
out about and comply with its
18:28 Dec 01, 2009
Jkt 220001
Universal Identifier
All applicants (nonprofit, state, local
government, universities, and tribal
organizations) will be required to
provide a Dun and Bradstreet Data
Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number during the application process.
See the October 30, 2002 (67 FR 66177),
and April 8, 2003 (68 FR 17000),
Federal Register notices for additional
information. Organizations can receive a
DUNS number at no cost by calling the
dedicated toll-free DUNS Number
request line 1–866–705–5711 or via the
Internet at www.fedgov.dnb.com/
webform.
The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements
The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification of Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements
contained in the Federal Register notice
of February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7696) is
applicable to this solicitation.
Cost Sharing Requirements
PTFP requires cost sharing. By statute,
PTFP cannot fund a construction project
for more than 75 percent of the eligible
project costs. NTIA has established a
policy of funding most new public
broadcasting station activation projects
at a 75 percent Federal share, and most
other television, radio and nonbroadcast
projects at a 50 percent Federal share.
NTIA can fund planning applications
up to 100 percent of the eligible project
costs, but has established a policy of
funding planning applications at a 75
percent Federal share. Any applicant
can request Federal funding greater than
PTFP’s policy, up to the statutory
maximum, and provide justification for
the request.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
requirements. The PTFP Internet site
has a link to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) home page that has
the names and addresses of the SPOC
offices. Applicants may directly access
the OMB Internet site at
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/
spoc.html.
Limitation of Liability
In no event will the Department of
Commerce be responsible for proposal
preparation costs if this program fails to
receive funding or is cancelled because
of other agency priorities. Publication of
this announcement does not obligate the
agency to award any specific project or
to obligate any available funds.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Notwithstanding any other provision
of the law, no person is required to
respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a penalty for failure to comply
with, a collection of information subject
to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA), unless that
collection displays a currently valid
OMB control number. The PTFP
application form has been cleared under
OMB Control No. 0660–0003.
Executive Order 13132
It has been determined that this notice
does not contain policies with
Federalism implications as that term is
defined in Executive Order 13132.
Administrative Procedure Act/
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Prior notice and opportunity for
public comment are not required by the
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Administrative Procedure Act or any
other law for this rule concerning
grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C.
§ 553(a)(2)). Because notice and
opportunity for comment are not
required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 553 or
any other law, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. § 601 et seq.)
are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory
flexibility analysis has not been
prepared.
Dated: November 24, 2009.
Anthony G. Wilhelm,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of
Telecommunications and Information
Applications.
[FR Doc. E9–28738 Filed 12–1–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–60–S
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING
COMMISSION
Agency Information Collection
Activities Under OMB Review
AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading
Commission.
ACTION: Notice; Information Collection
3038–0031, Procurement Contracts.
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.), this notice announces that
the Information Collection Request (ICR)
abstracted below has been forwarded to
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review and comment. The
ICR describes the nature of the
information collection and its expected
costs and burden; it includes the actual
data collection instruments [if any].
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before January 4, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR A COPY
CONTACT: Steven A. Grossman at CFTC,
(202) 418–5192; FAX: (202) 418–5529;
e-mail: sgrossman@cftc.gov; mailto:
gwalker@cftc.gov and refer to OMB
Control No. 3038–0031.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title:
Procurement Contracts, OMB Control
No. 3038–0031. This is a request for
extension of a currently approved
information collection.
Abstract: This information collection
consists of procurement activities
relating to solicitations, amendments to
solicitations, requests for quotations,
construction contracts, awards of
contracts, performance bonds, and
payment information for individuals
(vendors) or contractors engaged in
providing supplies or services.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
E:\FR\FM\02DEN1.SGM
02DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63120-63122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28738]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
[Docket No. 0911201414-91414-01]
Public Telecommunications Facilities Program: Closing Date;
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of Closing Date for Solicitation of Applications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Further Continuing Appropriations, 2010,
Division B of Pub. L. No. 111-88, the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce,
announces the solicitation of applications for planning and
construction grants for public telecommunications facilities under the
Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) for fiscal year
(FY) 2010.
DATES: NTIA announces two Closing Dates for the FY 2010 grant round.
All television and nonbroadcast applications must be received at
the PTFP office no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on
February 4, 2010. With the exception of applications for new FM
stations filed during the February 2010 Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) FM Window, discussed in the next paragraph, all
[[Page 63121]]
radio applications also must be received at the PTFP office no later
than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on February 4, 2010.
Because the FCC will accept applications for new FM facilities only
during the period February 19-26, 2010 (``FM Window''), NTIA will
provide sufficient time for FM applicants participating in the FM
Window to file their PTFP and FCC applications. Completed PTFP
applications for projects filed at the FCC during this FM Window must
be received at the PTFP office no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time, on February 26, 2010.
Applications submitted by facsimile are not acceptable. If an
application is received after the Closing Date due to (1) carrier
error, when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for
delivery by the Closing Date and Closing Time, (2) significant weather
delays or natural disasters, or (3) delays due to national security
issues, NTIA will, upon receipt of proper documentation, consider the
application as having been received by the deadline. NTIA will not
accept applications posted on the Closing Date or later and received
after these deadlines.
ADDRESSES: To obtain a printed application package, submit completed
applications, or send any other correspondence, write to PTFP at the
following address: NTIA/PTFP, Room H-4812, U.S. Department of Commerce,
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. Application
materials may be obtained electronically via the Internet at
www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp or www.Grants.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Cooperman, Director, Public
Broadcasting Division, telephone: (202) 482-5802; fax: (202) 482-2156.
Information about the PTFP also can be obtained electronically via the
Internet at www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
The Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement for the PTFP FY
2010 grant cycle is available through www.Grants.gov or by viewing the
PTFP Internet site at www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to read the FFO and the programmatic regulations at 15 CFR
Part 2301 to obtain further information and instructions on the
application requirements for the program.
Statutory and Regulatory Authority
The PTFP is authorized by the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 390-393, 397-399(b). The PTFP operates
pursuant to rules (1996 Rules), which were published on November 8,
1996 (61 FR 57966). Copies of the 1996 Rules (15 CFR pt. 2301) are
posted on the NTIA Internet site at www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp/Rules/currentrules.htm, and NTIA will make printed copies available to
applicants upon request.
Program Information
The PTFP assists, through matching grants, in the planning and
construction of public telecommunications facilities in order to: (1)
extend delivery of services to as many citizens as possible by the most
cost-effective means, including use of broadcast and nonbroadcast
technologies; (2) increase public telecommunications services and
facilities available to, operated by, and controlled by minorities and
women; and (3) strengthen the capability of existing public television
and radio stations to provide public telecommunications services to the
public.
The PTFP funds the construction of new public radio and television
stations and new nonbroadcast public telecommunications facilities; the
digital conversion of public radio and television stations; and the
replacement of equipment at public radio and television stations. A
description of the 112 projects awarded during the FY 2009 PTFP grant
round may be found on the Internet at www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp/Projects/2009/index.htm.
Funding Availability
Issuance of grants is subject to the availability of FY 2010 funds.
At this time, the Congress has passed the Further Continuing
Appropriations, 2010, to fund operations of the PTFP through December
18, 2009. Further notice will be made in the Federal Register about the
final status of funding for this program at the appropriate time. For
FY 2009, NTIA awarded $19.4 million in PTFP funds to 111 projects,
including 63 radio awards, 47 television awards, and one nonbroadcast
award. The radio awards ranged from $7,556 to $322,364. The television
awards ranged from $5,122 to $731,924. One nonbroadcast award was made
for $50,142.
Supplemental Policies
The following supplemental policies are discussed in the FFO and
will be in effect during the FY 2010 grant cycle:
A) Section 2301.10 of the PTFP Final Rules provides for submission
of applications resulting from catastrophic damage or emergency
situations. NTIA would like to clarify its implementation of this
provision. For FY 2010 PTFP applicants, when an eligible broadcast
applicant suffers catastrophic damage to the basic equipment essential
to its continued operation as a result of a natural or manmade
disaster, or as the result of significant equipment failure, and is in
dire need of assistance in funding replacement of the damaged
equipment, it may file an emergency application for PTFP funding at any
time.
B) For FY 2010 PTFP applications, since there is no potential for
terrestrial interference with Ku-band satellite uplinks, applicants may
submit applications to the FCC for Ku-band satellite uplinks after a
PTFP award is made. Grant recipients for Ku-band satellite uplinks will
be required to document receipt of FCC authorizations to operate the
uplink prior to the release of Federal funds. NTIA may accept FCC
authorizations that are in the name of an organization other than the
PTFP applicant.
C) PTFP applicants are not required to submit copies of their PTFP
applications to the FCC, nor are they required to submit copies of the
FCC transmittal cover letters as part of their PTFP applications. Many
distance learning applications propose projects that are nationwide in
nature. NTIA, therefore, believes that the requirement to provide a
summary copy of the application to every state telecommunications
agency in a potential service area is unduly burdensome to applicants.
PTFP applicants for distance learning projects must notify the state
telecommunications agencies in the states in which they are located,
but they are not required to notify every state telecommunications
agency in a potential service area.
D) For digital television conversion projects, NTIA has created two
new Subpriorities -- Subpriority A (Transmission Equipment) and
Subpriority B, (Master Control and Production Equipment; Translators)
in the Broadcast Other category.
E) For digital radio conversion projects, NTIA has created a new
Subpriority -- Subpriority C, Radio Digital Conversion, in the
Broadcast Other category.
Catalog of Domestic Federal Assistance
11.550, Public Telecommunications Facilities Program.
Eligibility
To apply for and receive a PTFP Construction Grant or Planning
Grant, an applicant must be: (a) a public or noncommercial educational
broadcast
[[Page 63122]]
station; (b) a noncommercial telecommunications entity; (c) a system of
public telecommunications entities; (d) a non-profit foundation,
corporation, institution, or association organized primarily for
educational or cultural purposes; or (e) a state, local, or Indian
tribal government (or agency thereof), or a political or special
purpose subdivision of a state.
Evaluation and Selection Process
See 15 CFR Sec. 2301.16 for a description of the Technical
Evaluation and 15 CFR Sec. 2301.18 for the Selection Process.
Evaluation Criteria
See 15 CFR Sec. 2301.17 for a full description of the Evaluation
Criteria. The six evaluation criteria are: 1) Applicant Qualifications;
2) Financial Qualifications; 3) Project Objectives; 4) Urgency; 5)
Technical Qualifications (construction applicants only) or Planning
Qualifications (planning applicants only); and 6) Special
Consideration.
Funding Priorities and Selection Factors
See 15 CFR Sec. 2301.4 and the supplemental policies above for a
description of the PTFP Priorities and 15 CFR Sec. 2301.18 for the
Selection Factors.
Cost Sharing Requirements
PTFP requires cost sharing. By statute, PTFP cannot fund a
construction project for more than 75 percent of the eligible project
costs. NTIA has established a policy of funding most new public
broadcasting station activation projects at a 75 percent Federal share,
and most other television, radio and nonbroadcast projects at a 50
percent Federal share. NTIA can fund planning applications up to 100
percent of the eligible project costs, but has established a policy of
funding planning applications at a 75 percent Federal share. Any
applicant can request Federal funding greater than PTFP's policy, up to
the statutory maximum, and provide justification for the request.
Intergovernmental Review
PTFP applications are subject to Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' if the state in which
the applicant organization is located participates in the process.
Usually, submission to the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) needs
to be only the SF 424 and PTFP-2 pages of the application, but
applicants should contact their own SPOC offices to find out about and
comply with its requirements. The PTFP Internet site has a link to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) home page that has the names and
addresses of the SPOC offices. Applicants may directly access the OMB
Internet site at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
Universal Identifier
All applicants (nonprofit, state, local government, universities,
and tribal organizations) will be required to provide a Dun and
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number during the
application process. See the October 30, 2002 (67 FR 66177), and April
8, 2003 (68 FR 17000), Federal Register notices for additional
information. Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by
calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line 1-866-705-5711
or via the Internet at www.fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements
The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification of Requirements
for Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register
notice of February 11, 2008 (73 FR 7696) is applicable to this
solicitation.
Limitation of Liability
In no event will the Department of Commerce be responsible for
proposal preparation costs if this program fails to receive funding or
is cancelled because of other agency priorities. Publication of this
announcement does not obligate the agency to award any specific project
or to obligate any available funds.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), unless that
collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. The PTFP
application form has been cleared under OMB Control No. 0660-0003.
Executive Order 13132
It has been determined that this notice does not contain policies
with Federalism implications as that term is defined in Executive Order
13132.
Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act
Prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not required by
the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this rule
concerning grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C. Sec. 553(a)(2)).
Because notice and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to
5 U.S.C. Sec. 553 or any other law, the analytical requirements of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. Sec. 601 et seq.) are
inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not been
prepared.
Dated: November 24, 2009.
Anthony G. Wilhelm,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Telecommunications and
Information Applications.
[FR Doc. E9-28738 Filed 12-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-S