Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program, 65509-65514 [E9-29466]
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impact statement is expected by May 1,
2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information contact Ron Pugh,
Deputy Regional Planning Director, at
US Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive,
Vallejo, CA, Phone 707–562–8951.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SEIS
proposed in this notice is required by
court orders issued in Sierra Forest
Legacy v. Rey, No. 2:05–cv–00205–
MCE–GGH (E.D. Cal. Nov. 4, 2009) and
People of the State of California v.
USDA, No. 2:05–cv–00211–MCE–GGH
(E.D. Cal. Nov. 4, 2009). Those orders
concluded that the Forest Service was
required to remedy the 2004
Framework’s violation of NEPA by
preparing a focused SEIS by May 1,
2010. Specifically, the Court stated as
follows:
the Court orders the Forest Service to prepare
another supplemental EIS on the Framework,
one that meets the range of alternatives and
analytical consistency identified by the Ninth
Circuit in its decision on the preliminary
injunction portion of this case. That
supplemental EIS process is to be completed
not later than May 1, 2010. The Ninth
Circuit’s decision on the 2004 Framework
concluded in a ruling on a motion for a
preliminary injunction that the 2004
Framework’s SEIS violated NEPA due a
failure to properly consider alternatives. See
Sierra Forest Legacy v. Rey, 577 F.3d 1015
(9th Cir. 2009). The Ninth Circuit found two
particular errors, as excerpted below:
First, USFS altered its modeling techniques
between the issuance of the 2001 FEIS and
the 2004 SEIS. Unfortunately, the 2004 SEIS
largely relied on fire risk and timber output
figures in the 2001 FEIS, a mistake that was
compounded because one of the alternatives
that was considered in 2004 was recalculated
under the new techniques, whereas the rest
of the alternatives to which it was compared
were not recalculated. Because USFS failed
to account for its changed modeling
techniques in the alternatives it considered,
Legacy has a strong probability of success on
the merits under NEPA.
Second, the 2004 SEIS introduced
substantively new objectives from those
contained within the 2001 FEIS. The 2004
SEIS repeatedly stated that its purpose was
to ‘‘adjust existing management direction,’’
2004 SEIS at 3098 (emphasis added), and to
broaden the basic strategy ‘‘to include other
management objectives such as reducing
stand density for forest health, restoring and
maintaining ecosystem structure and
composition, and restoring ecosystems after
severe wildfires and other large catastrophic
disturbance events,’’ 2004 SEIS at 2994
(emphasis added). The introduction of these
new objectives plainly constituted a change
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in circumstance that is ‘‘relevant to the
development and evaluation of alternatives’’
that USFS must account for * * * in the
alternatives it considers.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of this action is to remedy the
two flaws found by the Ninth Circuit, as
required in the District Court orders of
November 4, 2009.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposes to provide an
objective comparison of all of the alternatives
considered in detail in the 2004 Framework,
including those carried forward from the
2001 Framework. Alternatives F1 through F8
will be analyzed using the same modeling
methods that were used for Alternatives S1
and S2 (see Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement for the
Sierra Nevada Plan Amendment, January
2004, Chapter 2). A new SEIS to the 2004
Framework SEIS will be prepared that shows
the results of this analysis. The new SEIS
will also consider the objectives of reducing
stand density for forest health, restoring and
maintaining ecosystem structure and
composition, and restoring ecosystems after
severe wildfires and other large catastrophic
disturbance events, which the Ninth Circuit
found were introduced by the 2004
Framework. A new ROD consistent with the
scope of this supplement will be prepared
that considers all of this updated
information.
Responsible Official
Regional Forester, Pacific Southwest
Region, U.S. Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive,
Vallejo, CA 94592 is the Responsible Official.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Responsible Official will decide if a
different decision from that reached in the
2004 Framework ROD is warranted when the
range of alternatives flaws identified by the
Ninth Circuit are remedied or if continued
implementation of Alternative S2 as
originally chosen in the ROD for the 2004
SEIS is warranted.
Dated: December 9, 2009.
Thomas A. Contreras,
Deputy Regional Forester.
[FR Doc. E9–29446 Filed 12–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Technical Assistance and Training
Grant Program
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Notice of Funds Availability
(NOFA) under the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
for technical assistance and training
program and solicitation of applications.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) announces the availability of
grant funds pursuant to Title I of
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Division A of the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery
Act), Public Law 111–5 (Feb. 17, 2009)
with regard to the Technical Assistance
and Training Grant Program (TAT).
Funds authorized by the Recovery Act
are in addition to Fiscal Year (FY) 2009
funding for this grant program. The
intent of this notice is to advise the
public of the funds available and to
provide transparency as required by the
Recovery Act. Regulations for the
Technical Assistance and Training
Grant Program regulations can be found
at 7 CFR part 1775. Funding announced
is intended to support technical
assistance and training activities that
facilitate efforts by rural communities to
access Recovery Act funding for critical
water and waste disposal infrastructure
projects, particularly those communities
in smaller, lower income, and persistent
poverty areas.
DATES: You may submit completed
applications for TAT grants on paper or
electronically according to the following
deadlines:
Paper Submissions: Paper submission
of an application must be postmarked
and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight
no later than January 11, 2010 to be
eligible for grant funding. Late or
incomplete applications will not be
eligible for grant funding.
Electronic Submissions: Submit
electronic grant applications at https://
www.grants.gov (Grants.gov) and follow
the instructions you find on that Web
site. Electronic submissions of
applications must be received by
January 11, 2010 to be eligible for grant
funding. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for
grant funding.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain application
guides and materials for the Technical
Assistance and Training grants the
following ways:
• The Internet at the RUS Water and
Environmental Programs (WEP) Web
site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/.
• You may also request application
guides and materials from RUS by
contacting WEP at (202) 720–9586.
Completed applications may be
submitted the following ways:
Paper applications: Send completed
paper applications for Technical
Assistance and Training grants to the
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave.,
SW., Room 2233, STOP 1570,
Washington, DC 20250–1570.
Applications should be marked
‘‘Attention: Assistant Administrator,
Water and Environmental Programs.’’
Electronic applications: Electronic
grant applications may be submitted at
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https://www.grants.gov/ (Grants.gov),
following the instructions you find on
that Web site.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Saulnier, Branch Chief, Portfolio
Management Branch, Water &
Environmental Programs, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), Room 2231 South Building,
Stop 1570, 1400 Independence Ave.,
SW., Washington, DC 20250–1570.
Telephone: (202) 690–2526, FAX: (202)
690–0649, E-mail:
steve.saulnier@wdc.usda.gov.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
chapter 35), RUS invites comments on
this information collection for which
RUS intends to request approval from
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). Comments on this notice must
be received by February 8, 2010.
Comments are invited on (a) whether
the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of burden including
the validity of the methodology and
assumption used; (c) ways to enhance
the quality, utility and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d)
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the
use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Comments may be sent to Michele L.
Brooks, Director, Program Development
and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities
Services, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave.,
SW., Stop 1522, Room 5166—South
Building, Washington, DC 20250–1522.
Title: Technical Assistance and
Training Grant Program (TAT).
OMB Control Number: 0572–0144.
Type of Request: New information
collection package.
Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) provides financial and technical
assistance to help communities bring
safe drinking water and sanitary,
environmentally sound waste disposal
facilities to rural Americans in greatest
need. The additional funding provided
by the Recovery Act for Technical
Assistance and Training grants will
support technical assistance and
training activities that facilitate efforts
by rural communities to access
Recovery Act funding for critical water
and waste disposal infrastructure
projects, particularly those communities
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in smaller, lower income, and persistent
poverty areas in accordance with 7 CFR
part 1775. Qualified private non-profit
organizations may apply.
Estimate of Total Annual Burden:
Public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated to
be 1042 total burden hours.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
357.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Respondent: 1.
Copies of this information collection
can be obtained from Michele Brooks,
Program Development and Regulatory
Analysis, at (202) 690–1078.
All responses to this information
collection and recordkeeping notice will
be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All
comments will also become a matter of
public record.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
XII. Application Review Information:
Considerations and preferences; scoring
criteria; review standards; and selection
information;
XIII. Award Administration Information:
Award notice information and award
recipient reporting requirements;
XIV. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, email, and contact name.
I. Overview
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.761.
Dates: Completed TAT grant
applications must be mailed, shipped or
submitted electronically through
Grants.gov no later than January 11,
2010 to be eligible for funding.
On February 17, 2009, President
Obama signed into law the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(Recovery Act) Public Law 111–5, 123
Stat. 115 (2009) and stated that: ‘‘The
essential goal of the Recovery Act is to
provide a direct fiscal boost to help lift
our Nation from the greatest economic
crisis in our lifetimes and lay the
foundation for future growth.’’
Accordingly, the Recovery Act identifies
five overall purposes as follows: A. To
preserve and create jobs and promote
economic recovery; B. to assist those
most impacted by the recession; C. to
provide investments needed to increase
economic efficiency by spurring
technological advances in science and
health; D. to invest in transportation,
environmental protection, and other
infrastructure that will provide longterm economic benefits; and E. to
stabilize State and local government
budgets.’’ The Recovery Act further
instructs the President and the heads of
Federal departments and agencies to
manage and expend Recovery Act funds
to achieve these five purposes,
‘‘commencing expenditures and
activities as quickly as possible
consistent with prudent management.’’
Items in Supplementary Information
II. Funding Opportunity
I. Overview: Describes the purposes of the
Recovery Act,
II. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to
the Technical Assistance and Training
Grants;
III. Award Information: Persistent Poverty
and Funds available;
IV. Available Funds;
V. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible,
what kinds of projects are eligible, what
criteria determine basic eligibility;
VI. Accountability and Transparency: Jobs
created;
VII. Buy American: Iron, Steel and
manufactured goods are produced in the
United States;
VIII. Reporting Requirements;
IX. Wage—Rates Requirements: All laborers
and mechanics shall be paid at rates not
less than those prevailing on similar
projects;
X. Civil Rights: This program is subject to all
Civil Rights Laws;
XI. Application and Submission Information:
Where to get application materials; what
constitutes a completed application; how
and where to submit applications;
deadlines; and, items that are eligible;
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
provides financial and technical
assistance to help communities bring
safe drinking water and sanitary,
environmentally sound waste disposal
facilities to rural Americans in greatest
need. The additional funding provided
by the Recovery Act for Technical
Assistance and Training grants will
allow rural communities to better
identify and evaluate solutions to water
and waste disposal problems, assist
applicants in preparing applications for
water and waste grants made in
accordance with 7 CFR part 1775, or
improve operation and maintenance of
existing water and waste disposal
facilities in rural areas. Qualified private
non-profit organizations may apply.
In using funds made available by the
Recovery Act for infrastructure
investment, recipients shall give
preference to activities that can be
started and completed expeditiously.
Recipients shall also use grant funds in
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities
Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Technical
Assistance and Training Grants (TAT).
Announcement Type: Funding Level
Announcement and Solicitation of
Applications.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1926 (a)(14); Pub. L.
111–5, 123 Stat. 115.
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a manner that maximizes job creation
and economic benefit.
III. Award Information
At least ten percent of funding shall
be allocated for assistance in persistent
poverty counties. ‘‘Persistent poverty
counties’’ means any county that has
had twenty percent or more of its
population living in poverty over the
past thirty years, as measured by the
1980, 1990, and 2000 decennial
censuses.
IV. Available Funds
The Water and Environmental
Programs will utilize $5 million of
Recovery Act funds for TAT grants to be
awarded by September 30, 2010.
V. Eligibility Information
A. What Are the Basic Eligibility
Requirements for Applying?
(For more specific information see 7
CFR 1775, Section 1775.35.) The
applying entity (Applicant) must:
1. Be a private, non-profit
organization that has tax-exempt status
from the United States Internal Revenue
Service (IRS);
2. Be legally established and have the
proven ability, background, experience,
legal authority and actual capacity to
provide technical assistance and/or
training to carry out the grant purpose.
3. Have no delinquent debt to the
Federal Government or no outstanding
judgments to repay a Federal debt.
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B. What Are the Basic Eligibility
Requirements for a Project?
The project must identify and
evaluate solutions to water and waste
disposal problems, assist applicants in
preparing applications for water and
waste grants made in accordance with 7
CFR part 1775 of this chapter, or
improve operation and maintenance of
existing water and waste disposal
facilities in rural areas.
VI. Accountability and Transparency
With respect to these funds made
available to State or local governments
for infrastructure investments, the
Governor, mayor, or other chief
executive, as appropriate, shall certify
that the infrastructure investment has
received the full review and vetting
required by law and that the chief
executive accepts responsibility that the
infrastructure investment is an
appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
Such certification shall include a
description of the investment, the
estimated total cost, and the amount of
these funds to be used, and shall be
posted on the following Web site
https://www.recovery.gov. A State or
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local agency may not receive
infrastructure investment funding from
funds made available in this Act unless
this certification is made and posted.
VII. Buy American
A. None of the funds made available
by this Act may be used for a project for
the construction, alteration,
maintenance, or repair of a public
building or public work unless all the
iron, steel and manufactured goods used
in the project are produced in the
United States.
B. Exception—This shall not apply if
the head of the Federal department or
agency involved finds that—(1)
Applying subsection would be
inconsistent with the public interest; (2)
iron, steel, and the relevant
manufactured goods are not produced in
the United States in sufficient and
reasonably available quantities and of a
satisfactory quality or (3) inclusion of
iron, steel, and manufactured goods are
produced in the United States will
increase the cost of the overall project
by more than 25 percent.
C. If the head of a Federal department
or agency determines that it is necessary
to waive the application of submission
(1) based on a finding under subsection
(2), the head of the department or
agency shall publish in the Federal
Register a detailed written justification
as to why the provision is being waived.
VIII. Reporting Requirements Under 2
CFR 176.50 ARRA Sec. 1512
A. Not later than 10 days after the end
of calendar quarter, each recipient that
received ARRA funds from a Federal
agency shall submit a report to that
agency that contains (a) the total amount
of recovery funds received from that
agency; (b) the amount of ARRA funds
received that were expended or
obligated to projects or activities; (c) a
detailed list of all projects or activities
for which recovery funds were
expended or obligated, including—the
name, a description, an evaluation of
the completion status, an estimate of the
number of jobs created, the number of
jobs retained, and for infrastructure
investments made by State and local
governments, the purpose, total cost,
and rationale of the agency for funding
the infrastructure investment with funds
made available under ARRA, including
a name of the person to contact at the
agency if there are concerns with the
infrastructure investment; (d) detailed
information on any subcontracts or
subgrants awarded by the recipient to
include the data elements required to
comply with the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of
2006 (Pub. L. 109–282), allowing
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aggregate reporting on awards below
$25,000.
B. Compliance—Within 180 days of
enactment, as a condition of receipt of
funds under ARRA, Federal agencies
shall require any recipient of such funds
to provide the information required
under recipient reports.
IX. Wage—Rates Requirements
All laborers and mechanics employed
by contractors and subcontractors on
projects funded directly by or assisted
in whole or in part by and through the
Federal Government pursuant to this
Act shall be paid wages at rates not less
than those prevailing on projects of a
character similar in the locality as
determined by the Secretary of Labor in
accordance with subchapter IV of
chapter 31 of title 40, United States
Code. Further details on eligible
applicants and projects may be found in
the relevant regulations listed in Section
II.C.
X. Civil Rights
Programs referenced in this notice are
subject to applicable civil rights laws.
These laws include the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1968, as amended in 1988,
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 and the Age Discrimination Act of
1975.
XI. Application and Submission
Information
A. Where To Get Application
Information
The grant application guide, copies of
necessary forms and samples, and the
Technical Assistance Grants regulation
(7 CFR 1775) are available from these
sources:
• The Internet: https://www.usda.gov/
rus/water/,
• https://www.grants.gov. or,
• For paper copies of these materials:
call (202) 720–9586.
1. You may file an application in
either paper or electronic format.
Whether you file a paper or an
electronic application, you will need a
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data
Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number. You must provide your DUNS
number on the SF–424, ‘‘Application for
Federal Assistance.’’
To verify that your organization has a
DUNS number or to receive one at no
cost, call the dedicated toll-free request
line at 1–866–705–5711 or access the
Web site https://
www.dunandbradstreet.com. You will
need the following information when
requesting a DUNS number:
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a. Legal Name of the Applicant;
b. Headquarters name and address of
the Applicant;
c. The names under which the
Applicant is doing business as (dba) or
other name by which the organization is
commonly recognized;
d. Physical address of the Applicant;
e. Mailing address (if separate from
headquarters and/or physical address)
of the Applicant;
f. Telephone number;
g. Contact name and title;
h. Number of employees at the
physical location.
2. Send or deliver paper applications
by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or
courier delivery services to the RUS
receipt point set forth below. RUS will
not accept applications by fax or e-mail.
For paper applications mail or ensure
delivery of an original paper application
(no stamped, photocopied, or initialed
signatures) and two copies by the
January 11, 2010 to the following
address: Assistant Administrator, Water
and Environmental Programs, Rural
Utilities Service, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., STOP 1548, Room 5145
South, Washington, DC 20250–1548.
The application and any materials
sent with it become Federal records by
law and cannot be returned to you.
3. For electronic applications, you
must file an electronic application at the
Web site: https://www.grants.gov. You
must be registered with Grants.gov
before you can submit a grant
application. If you have not used
Grants.gov before, you will need to
register with the Central Contractor
Registry (CCR) and the Credential
Provider. You will need a DUNS
number to access or register at any of
the services. The registration processes
may take several business days to
complete. Follow the instructions at
Grants.gov for registering and
submitting an electronic application.
RUS may request original signatures on
electronically submitted documents
later.
The CCR registers your organization,
housing your organizational information
and allowing Grants.gov to use it to
verify your identity. You may register
for the CCR by calling the CCR
Assistance Center at 1–888–227–2423 or
you may register online at: https://
www.ccr.gov.
The Credential Provider gives you or
your representative a username and
password, as part of the Federal
Government’s e-Authentication to
ensure a secure transaction. You will
need the username and password when
you register with Grants.gov or use
Grants.gov to submit your application.
You must register with the Central
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Provider through Grants.gov: https://
apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister.
B. What Constitutes a Completed
Application?
1. To be considered for assistance,
you must be an eligible entity and must
submit a complete application by the
deadline date.
You must consult the cost principles
and general administrative requirements
for grants pertaining to their
organizational type in order to prepare
the budget and complete other parts of
the application.
You also must demonstrate
compliance (or intent to comply),
through certification or other means,
with a number of public policy
requirements.
2. Applicants must complete and
submit the following forms to apply for
a Technical Assistance and Training
grant:
(a) Standard Form 424, ‘‘Application
for Federal Assistance (For NonConstruction).’’
(b) Standard Form 424 A & B, ‘‘Budget
Information—Non-Construction
Programs.’’
(c) RD Instruction 1940–Q, Exhibit A–
1 or Standard Form LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of
Lobbying Activity’’, whichever is
appropriate (include only if grant is over
$100,000).
(d) Form AD 1047, ‘‘Certification
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and
Other Responsibility Matters—Primary
Covered Transaction.’’
(e) Form AD 1049, ‘‘Certification
Regarding Drug Free Workplace
Requirements (Grants) Alternative I—
For Grantees Other Than Individuals.’’
(f) Form AD 1048, ‘‘Certification
Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion—
Lower Tier Covered Transactions.’’
(g) Form RD 400–1, ‘‘Equal
Opportunity Agreement.’’
(h) Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance
Agreement’’ (Under Title VI, Civil
Rights Act of 1964).
(i) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if
applicable, applicant must include
approved cost agreement rate schedule).
(j) Statement of Compliance for Title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(k) Certification regarding Forest
Service grant.
(l) Attachment regarding assistance
provided to Rural Development
Employees as required by RD
Instruction 1900–D.
3. All applications shall be
accompanied by the following
supporting documentation:
(a) Evidence of applicant’s legal
existence and authority in the form of:
(i) Certified copies of current
authorizing and organizational
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documents for new applicants or former
grantees where changes were made
since the last legal opinion was obtained
in conjunction with receipt of an RUS
grant, or, certification that no changes
have been made in authorizing or
organizing documents since receipt of
last RUS grant by applicant.
(ii) Current annual corporation report,
Certificate of Good Standing, or
statement they are not required.
(iii) Certified list of directors/officers
with their respective terms.
(b) Evidence of tax exempt status from
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
(c) Narrative of applicant’s experience
in providing services similar to those
proposed. Provide brief description of
successfully completed projects
including the need that was identified
and objectives accomplished.
(d) Latest financial information to
show the applicant’s financial capacity
to carry out the proposed work. A
current audit report is preferred;
however applicants can submit a
balance sheet and an income statement
in lieu of an audit report.
(e) List of proposed services to be
provided.
(f) Estimated breakdown of costs
(direct and indirect) including those to
be funded by grantee as well as other
sources. Sufficient detail should be
provided to permit the approval official
to determine reasonableness,
applicability, and allowability.
(g) Evidence that a Financial
Management System is in place or
proposed.
(h) Documentation on each of the
priority ranking criteria listed in 7 CFR
1775, § 1775.11 as follows:
(i) List of the associations to be served
and the State or States where assistance
will be provided. Identify associations
by name, or other characteristics such as
size, income, location, and provide MHI
and population.
(ii) Description of the type of
technical assistance and/or training to
be provided and the tasks to be
contracted.
(iii) Description of how the project
will be evaluated and provide clearly
stated goals and the method proposed to
measure the results that will be
obtained.
(iv) Documentation of need for
proposed service. Provide detailed
explanation of how the proposed
services differ from other similar
services being provided in the same
area.
(v) Personnel on staff or to be
contracted to provide the service and
their experience with similar projects.
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(vi) Statement indicating the number
of months it takes to complete the
project or service.
(vii) Documentation on cost
effectiveness of project. Provide the cost
per association to be served or proposed
cost of personnel to provide assistance.
(viii) Other factors for consideration
such as emergency situation, training
need identified, health or safety
problems, geographic distribution, Rural
Development Office recommendations,
etc.
4. Applicants must also submit a work
plan/project proposal that will outline
the project in sufficient detail to provide
a reader with a complete understanding
of how the proposed Technical
Assistance and Training grant will
address the needs of the rural area. The
proposal should cover the following
elements (in addition to information
contained in 7 CFR part 1775, sections
1775.10 and 1775.11):
(a) Present a brief project overview.
Explain the purpose of the project, how
it relates to the RUS purposes, how you
will carry out the project, what the
project will produce, and who will
direct it.
(b) Describe why the project is
necessary. Describe how eligible rural
communities will benefit from the
technical assistance. Describe the
service area and how the technical
assistance will benefit the rural
communities.
(c) Clearly state your goals. Your
objectives should clearly describe the
goals, be concrete and specific enough
to be quantitative or observable. They
should also be feasible and relate to the
purpose of the proposed technical
assistance and training.
(d) In addition to completing the
standard application forms, you must
also submit supplementary materials, as
follows:
(i). Demonstrate that your
organization is legally recognized under
State and Federal law. Satisfactory
documentation includes, but is not
limited to, certificates from the
Secretary of State, or copies of State
statutes or laws establishing your
organization. Letters from the IRS
awarding tax-exempt status are not
considered adequate evidence.
(ii). Submit a certified list of directors
and officers with their respective terms.
(iii). Submit evidence of tax-exempt
status from the Internal Revenue
Service.
(iv). You must disclose debarment
and suspension information required in
accordance with 7 CFR 3017,
§ 3017.335, if it applies. The section
heading is ‘‘What information must I
provide before entering into a covered
transaction with the Department of
Agriculture?’’ It is part of the
Department of Agriculture’s rules on
Government-wide Debarment and
Suspension.
(v). Submit the most recent audit of
your organization.
XII. Application Review Information
A. Single State Applications
1. Grant applications submitted at the
State level will receive a letter
acknowledging receipt and confirmation
that all information required for a full
application was included in the packet.
The State will notify the applicant of
missing information. The applicant will
have 14 business days to respond.
2. The State Office will review
applications for eligibility. Those
applicants that are deemed ineligible
will be notified. Applicants deemed
eligible will be forwarded to the
National Office for funding
consideration.
3. The National Office will review all
applications received from State Offices.
Applications will compete on a priority
basis and will be scored and ranked.
The applications receiving the highest
scores and subject to the availability of
funds will be selected for final
processing. The National Office will
send these applications back to the State
Office for processing. The State Office
will notify the applicant(s) that they
have been selected for funding.
4. Applicants not selected for funding
due to low priority rating shall be
notified by the State Office.
B. National and Multi-State
Applications
1. National and multi-State
applications submitted to the National
Office will receive a letter
acknowledging receipt and confirmation
that all information required for a full
application was included in the packet.
The National Office shall notify the
applicant of missing information. The
applicant will have 14 business days to
respond.
2. The National Office will review
applications for eligibility. Those
applications that are deemed ineligible
will be notified. Applications deemed
eligible will be reviewed and given a
rating score. Applications receiving the
highest scores will be grouped with
those received from State Offices for
funding consideration.
3. The National Office will review all
applications received. Applications will
compete on a priority basis and will be
scored and ranked. The applications
receiving the highest scores and subject
to the availability of funds will be
notified by the National Office that they
have been selected for funding. The
National Office shall conduct final
processing of multi-State and national
applications.
4. Multi-State and National applicants
not selected for funding due to low
priority rating will be notified by the
National Office.
C. Low Priority Applications
Applications that cannot be funded in
the fiscal year received will not be
retained for consideration in the
following fiscal year.
D. All applications that are complete
and eligible will be scored based on the
criteria outlined in 7 CFR 1775,
§ 1775.10, § 1775.11 and RUS Guide
1775–2. After each application is scored
they will be ranked competitively. The
categories for scoring criteria used are
the following:
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Scoring criteria
Points
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Scope of assistance (national, multi-State, and single State/area) ......................................................................................
Degree of expertise ...............................................................................................................................................................
Percentage of applicant’s contributions .................................................................................................................................
Applicant Resource (staff vs. contract personnel) ................................................................................................................
Needs Assessment: Extent that problems/issues are clearly defined and supported by data ............................................
Description of the service area, particularly the demographics of the rural communities being served (population and
MHI of the communities).
7. Goals/Objectives: Goals/objectives are clearly defined, are tied to need, and are measurable ..........................................
8. Extent to which the work plan clearly articulates a well thought out approach to accomplishing objectives; and clearly
defines who will be served by the study.
9. Extent to which the evaluation methods are specific to the program, clearly defined, measurable, with expected project
outcomes.
10. Type of technical assistance applicant is providing ............................................................................................................
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65514
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 236 / Thursday, December 10, 2009 / Notices
Scoring criteria
11.
12.
13.
14.
Project duration ....................................................................................................................................................................
Sustainability ........................................................................................................................................................................
Prior Grant Years Funded ...................................................................................................................................................
Administrative Discretion .....................................................................................................................................................
G. Project Reporting
XIII. Award Administration
Information
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Points
A. RUS will rank all qualifying
applications by their final score.
Applications will be selected for
funding, based on the highest scores and
the availability of funding for the
Technical Assistance and Training
grants.
B. In making our decision about your
application, RUS may determine that
your application is:
1. Eligible and selected for funding;
2. Eligible but offered fewer funds
than requested;
3. Eligible but not selected for
funding; or
4. Ineligible for the grant.
C. In accordance with 7 CFR part
1900, subpart B, you generally have the
right to appeal adverse decisions. Some
adverse decisions cannot be appealed.
For example, if you are denied RUS
funding due to a lack of funds available
for the grant program, this decision
cannot be appealed. However, you may
make a request to the National Appeals
Division (NAD) to review the accuracy
of our finding that the decision cannot
be appealed. The appeal must be in
writing and filed at the appropriate
Regional Office, which can be found at
https://www.nad.usda.gov/offices.htm or
by calling (703) 305–1166.
D. Applicants selected for funding
will complete a grant agreement, which
outlines the terms and conditions of the
grant award.
E. Grantees will be reimbursed as
follows:
1. SF–270, ‘‘Request for Advance or
Reimbursement,’’ will be completed by
the grantee and submitted to either the
State or National Office not more
frequently than monthly.
2. Upon receipt of a properly
completed SF–270, payment will
ordinarily be made within 30 days.
F. Any change in the scope of the
project, budget adjustments of more
than 10 percent of the total budget, or
any other significant change in the
project must be reported to and
approved by the approval official by
written amendment to RUS Guide 1775–
1 (Grant Agreement). Any change not
approved may be cause for termination
of the grant.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:19 Dec 09, 2009
Jkt 220001
1. Grantees shall constantly monitor
performance to ensure that time
schedules are being met, projected work
by time periods is being accomplished,
and other performance objectives are
being achieved.
2. SF–269, ‘‘Financial Status Report
(short form),’’ and a project performance
activity report will be required of all
grantees on a quarterly basis, due 30
days after the end of each quarter.
3. A final project performance report
will be required with the last SF–269
due 90 days after the end of the last
quarter in which the project is
completed. The final report may serve
as the last quarterly report.
4. All multi-State grantees are to
submit an original of each report to the
National Office. Grantees serving only
one State are to submit an original of
each report to the State Office. The
project performance reports should
detail, preferably in a narrative format,
activities that have transpired for the
specific time period.
H. The grantee will provide an audit
report or financial statements as follows:
1. Grantees expending $500,000 or
more Federal funds per fiscal year will
submit an audit conducted in
accordance with OMB Circular A–133.
The audit will be submitted within 9
months after the grantee’s fiscal year.
Additional audits may be required if the
project period covers more than one
fiscal year.
2. Grantees expending less than
$500,000 will provide annual financial
statements covering the grant period,
consisting of the Grantee’s statement of
income and expense and balance sheet
signed by an appropriate official of the
Grantee. Financial statements will be
submitted within 90 days after the
grantee’s fiscal year.
XIV. Agency Contacts
A. Web site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/
water. The RUS’ Web site maintains upto-date resources and contact
information for Technical Assistance
and Training Grants program.
B. Phone: 202–720–9583.
C. Fax: 202–690–0649.
D. E-mail: anita.obrien@wdc.usda.gov.
E. Main point of contact: Anita
O’Brien, Loan Specialist, Water and
Environmental Programs, Water
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Programs Division, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dated: October 19, 2009.
Jonathan Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E9–29466 Filed 12–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–15–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Sunshine Act Notice
AGENCY: United States Commission on
Civil Rights.
ACTION: Notice of closed portions of
meeting.
SUMMARY: On November 12, 2009 (74 FR
58241) the U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights announced a business meeting to
be held on Friday, November 20, 2009
at the Commission’s headquarters. On
Friday, November 20, 2009 the
Commission’s General Counsel, David
Blackwood, certified that portions of the
meeting were appropriate to be closed
pursuant to exemptions 2, 6, 9, and 10
of 45 CFR 702.53. A majority of the
Commissioners present voted to close
portions of the meeting pursuant to this
certification. The Presiding Officer,
Chairman Gerald Reynolds, issued a
statement setting forth the time and
location of the closed meeting and the
persons present in closed session. A
complete verbatim transcript and/or
electronic recording of the closed
proceedings will be maintained by the
Commission.
The decision to close portions of the
meeting was too close in time to the day
of the meeting for the publication of a
revised notice to appear in advance of
the scheduled meeting date. The details
of the meeting, including the portions
which were closed to the public, are:
DATE AND TIME: Friday,
November 20, 2009; 9:30 a.m. EST.
PLACE: 624 9th St., NW., Room 540,
Washington, DC 20425.
Meeting Agenda
This meeting is open to the public,
except where noted otherwise.
I. Approval of Agenda.
II. Program Planning.
• Motion Regarding Special Assistant
GS Level. [Discussion of this agenda
item was held in closed session.]
E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 236 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65509-65514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29466]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) under the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for technical assistance and
training program and solicitation of applications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces the availability
of grant funds pursuant to Title I of Division A of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), Public Law 111-5
(Feb. 17, 2009) with regard to the Technical Assistance and Training
Grant Program (TAT). Funds authorized by the Recovery Act are in
addition to Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 funding for this grant program. The
intent of this notice is to advise the public of the funds available
and to provide transparency as required by the Recovery Act.
Regulations for the Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program
regulations can be found at 7 CFR part 1775. Funding announced is
intended to support technical assistance and training activities that
facilitate efforts by rural communities to access Recovery Act funding
for critical water and waste disposal infrastructure projects,
particularly those communities in smaller, lower income, and persistent
poverty areas.
DATES: You may submit completed applications for TAT grants on paper or
electronically according to the following deadlines:
Paper Submissions: Paper submission of an application must be
postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than January
11, 2010 to be eligible for grant funding. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for grant funding.
Electronic Submissions: Submit electronic grant applications at
https://www.grants.gov (Grants.gov) and follow the instructions you find
on that Web site. Electronic submissions of applications must be
received by January 11, 2010 to be eligible for grant funding. Late or
incomplete applications will not be eligible for grant funding.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain application guides and materials for the
Technical Assistance and Training grants the following ways:
The Internet at the RUS Water and Environmental Programs
(WEP) Web site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/.
You may also request application guides and materials from
RUS by contacting WEP at (202) 720-9586.
Completed applications may be submitted the following ways:
Paper applications: Send completed paper applications for Technical
Assistance and Training grants to the Rural Utilities Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2233, STOP
1570, Washington, DC 20250-1570.
Applications should be marked ``Attention: Assistant Administrator,
Water and Environmental Programs.''
Electronic applications: Electronic grant applications may be
submitted at
[[Page 65510]]
https://www.grants.gov/ (Grants.gov), following the instructions you
find on that Web site.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Saulnier, Branch Chief,
Portfolio Management Branch, Water & Environmental Programs, Rural
Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Room 2231
South Building, Stop 1570, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC
20250-1570. Telephone: (202) 690-2526, FAX: (202) 690-0649, E-mail:
steve.saulnier@wdc.usda.gov.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
chapter 35), RUS invites comments on this information collection for
which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB). Comments on this notice must be received by February 8,
2010.
Comments are invited on (a) whether the collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of
the methodology and assumption used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Comments may be sent to Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Services, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop 1522, Room
5166--South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
Title: Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program (TAT).
OMB Control Number: 0572-0144.
Type of Request: New information collection package.
Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) provides financial and
technical assistance to help communities bring safe drinking water and
sanitary, environmentally sound waste disposal facilities to rural
Americans in greatest need. The additional funding provided by the
Recovery Act for Technical Assistance and Training grants will support
technical assistance and training activities that facilitate efforts by
rural communities to access Recovery Act funding for critical water and
waste disposal infrastructure projects, particularly those communities
in smaller, lower income, and persistent poverty areas in accordance
with 7 CFR part 1775. Qualified private non-profit organizations may
apply.
Estimate of Total Annual Burden: Public reporting burden for this
collection of information is estimated to be 1042 total burden hours.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 357.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Michele
Brooks, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 690-1078.
All responses to this information collection and recordkeeping
notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval.
All comments will also become a matter of public record.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Technical Assistance and Training Grants
(TAT).
Announcement Type: Funding Level Announcement and Solicitation of
Applications.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1926 (a)(14); Pub. L. 111-5, 123 Stat. 115.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.761.
Dates: Completed TAT grant applications must be mailed, shipped or
submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than January 11,
2010 to be eligible for funding.
Items in Supplementary Information
I. Overview: Describes the purposes of the Recovery Act,
II. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the Technical
Assistance and Training Grants;
III. Award Information: Persistent Poverty and Funds available;
IV. Available Funds;
V. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of projects
are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility;
VI. Accountability and Transparency: Jobs created;
VII. Buy American: Iron, Steel and manufactured goods are produced
in the United States;
VIII. Reporting Requirements;
IX. Wage--Rates Requirements: All laborers and mechanics shall be
paid at rates not less than those prevailing on similar projects;
X. Civil Rights: This program is subject to all Civil Rights Laws;
XI. Application and Submission Information: Where to get application
materials; what constitutes a completed application; how and where
to submit applications; deadlines; and, items that are eligible;
XII. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences;
scoring criteria; review standards; and selection information;
XIII. Award Administration Information: Award notice information and
award recipient reporting requirements;
XIV. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, e-mail, and contact name.
I. Overview
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) Public Law 111-5,
123 Stat. 115 (2009) and stated that: ``The essential goal of the
Recovery Act is to provide a direct fiscal boost to help lift our
Nation from the greatest economic crisis in our lifetimes and lay the
foundation for future growth.'' Accordingly, the Recovery Act
identifies five overall purposes as follows: A. To preserve and create
jobs and promote economic recovery; B. to assist those most impacted by
the recession; C. to provide investments needed to increase economic
efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; D.
to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other
infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and E. to
stabilize State and local government budgets.'' The Recovery Act
further instructs the President and the heads of Federal departments
and agencies to manage and expend Recovery Act funds to achieve these
five purposes, ``commencing expenditures and activities as quickly as
possible consistent with prudent management.''
II. Funding Opportunity
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) provides financial and technical
assistance to help communities bring safe drinking water and sanitary,
environmentally sound waste disposal facilities to rural Americans in
greatest need. The additional funding provided by the Recovery Act for
Technical Assistance and Training grants will allow rural communities
to better identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal
problems, assist applicants in preparing applications for water and
waste grants made in accordance with 7 CFR part 1775, or improve
operation and maintenance of existing water and waste disposal
facilities in rural areas. Qualified private non-profit organizations
may apply.
In using funds made available by the Recovery Act for
infrastructure investment, recipients shall give preference to
activities that can be started and completed expeditiously. Recipients
shall also use grant funds in
[[Page 65511]]
a manner that maximizes job creation and economic benefit.
III. Award Information
At least ten percent of funding shall be allocated for assistance
in persistent poverty counties. ``Persistent poverty counties'' means
any county that has had twenty percent or more of its population living
in poverty over the past thirty years, as measured by the 1980, 1990,
and 2000 decennial censuses.
IV. Available Funds
The Water and Environmental Programs will utilize $5 million of
Recovery Act funds for TAT grants to be awarded by September 30, 2010.
V. Eligibility Information
A. What Are the Basic Eligibility Requirements for Applying?
(For more specific information see 7 CFR 1775, Section 1775.35.)
The applying entity (Applicant) must:
1. Be a private, non-profit organization that has tax-exempt status
from the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS);
2. Be legally established and have the proven ability, background,
experience, legal authority and actual capacity to provide technical
assistance and/or training to carry out the grant purpose.
3. Have no delinquent debt to the Federal Government or no
outstanding judgments to repay a Federal debt.
B. What Are the Basic Eligibility Requirements for a Project?
The project must identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste
disposal problems, assist applicants in preparing applications for
water and waste grants made in accordance with 7 CFR part 1775 of this
chapter, or improve operation and maintenance of existing water and
waste disposal facilities in rural areas.
VI. Accountability and Transparency
With respect to these funds made available to State or local
governments for infrastructure investments, the Governor, mayor, or
other chief executive, as appropriate, shall certify that the
infrastructure investment has received the full review and vetting
required by law and that the chief executive accepts responsibility
that the infrastructure investment is an appropriate use of taxpayer
dollars. Such certification shall include a description of the
investment, the estimated total cost, and the amount of these funds to
be used, and shall be posted on the following Web site https://www.recovery.gov. A State or local agency may not receive
infrastructure investment funding from funds made available in this Act
unless this certification is made and posted.
VII. Buy American
A. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for a
project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a
public building or public work unless all the iron, steel and
manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United
States.
B. Exception--This shall not apply if the head of the Federal
department or agency involved finds that--(1) Applying subsection would
be inconsistent with the public interest; (2) iron, steel, and the
relevant manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in
sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory
quality or (3) inclusion of iron, steel, and manufactured goods are
produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall
project by more than 25 percent.
C. If the head of a Federal department or agency determines that it
is necessary to waive the application of submission (1) based on a
finding under subsection (2), the head of the department or agency
shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed written justification
as to why the provision is being waived.
VIII. Reporting Requirements Under 2 CFR 176.50 ARRA Sec. 1512
A. Not later than 10 days after the end of calendar quarter, each
recipient that received ARRA funds from a Federal agency shall submit a
report to that agency that contains (a) the total amount of recovery
funds received from that agency; (b) the amount of ARRA funds received
that were expended or obligated to projects or activities; (c) a
detailed list of all projects or activities for which recovery funds
were expended or obligated, including--the name, a description, an
evaluation of the completion status, an estimate of the number of jobs
created, the number of jobs retained, and for infrastructure
investments made by State and local governments, the purpose, total
cost, and rationale of the agency for funding the infrastructure
investment with funds made available under ARRA, including a name of
the person to contact at the agency if there are concerns with the
infrastructure investment; (d) detailed information on any subcontracts
or subgrants awarded by the recipient to include the data elements
required to comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282), allowing aggregate
reporting on awards below $25,000.
B. Compliance--Within 180 days of enactment, as a condition of
receipt of funds under ARRA, Federal agencies shall require any
recipient of such funds to provide the information required under
recipient reports.
IX. Wage--Rates Requirements
All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and
subcontractors on projects funded directly by or assisted in whole or
in part by and through the Federal Government pursuant to this Act
shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects
of a character similar in the locality as determined by the Secretary
of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40,
United States Code. Further details on eligible applicants and projects
may be found in the relevant regulations listed in Section II.C.
X. Civil Rights
Programs referenced in this notice are subject to applicable civil
rights laws.
These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of
1968, as amended in 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.
XI. Application and Submission Information
A. Where To Get Application Information
The grant application guide, copies of necessary forms and samples,
and the Technical Assistance Grants regulation (7 CFR 1775) are
available from these sources:
The Internet: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/,
https://www.grants.gov. or,
For paper copies of these materials: call (202) 720-9586.
1. You may file an application in either paper or electronic
format. Whether you file a paper or an electronic application, you will
need a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number. You must provide your DUNS number on the SF-424, ``Application
for Federal Assistance.''
To verify that your organization has a DUNS number or to receive
one at no cost, call the dedicated toll-free request line at 1-866-705-
5711 or access the Web site https://www.dunandbradstreet.com. You will
need the following information when requesting a DUNS number:
[[Page 65512]]
a. Legal Name of the Applicant;
b. Headquarters name and address of the Applicant;
c. The names under which the Applicant is doing business as (dba)
or other name by which the organization is commonly recognized;
d. Physical address of the Applicant;
e. Mailing address (if separate from headquarters and/or physical
address) of the Applicant;
f. Telephone number;
g. Contact name and title;
h. Number of employees at the physical location.
2. Send or deliver paper applications by the U.S. Postal Service
(USPS) or courier delivery services to the RUS receipt point set forth
below. RUS will not accept applications by fax or e-mail. For paper
applications mail or ensure delivery of an original paper application
(no stamped, photocopied, or initialed signatures) and two copies by
the January 11, 2010 to the following address: Assistant Administrator,
Water and Environmental Programs, Rural Utilities Service, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1548, Room 5145 South, Washington, DC
20250-1548.
The application and any materials sent with it become Federal
records by law and cannot be returned to you.
3. For electronic applications, you must file an electronic
application at the Web site: https://www.grants.gov. You must be
registered with Grants.gov before you can submit a grant application.
If you have not used Grants.gov before, you will need to register with
the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and the Credential Provider. You
will need a DUNS number to access or register at any of the services.
The registration processes may take several business days to complete.
Follow the instructions at Grants.gov for registering and submitting an
electronic application. RUS may request original signatures on
electronically submitted documents later.
The CCR registers your organization, housing your organizational
information and allowing Grants.gov to use it to verify your identity.
You may register for the CCR by calling the CCR Assistance Center at 1-
888-227-2423 or you may register online at: https://www.ccr.gov.
The Credential Provider gives you or your representative a username
and password, as part of the Federal Government's e-Authentication to
ensure a secure transaction. You will need the username and password
when you register with Grants.gov or use Grants.gov to submit your
application. You must register with the Central Provider through
Grants.gov: https://apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister.
B. What Constitutes a Completed Application?
1. To be considered for assistance, you must be an eligible entity
and must submit a complete application by the deadline date.
You must consult the cost principles and general administrative
requirements for grants pertaining to their organizational type in
order to prepare the budget and complete other parts of the
application.
You also must demonstrate compliance (or intent to comply), through
certification or other means, with a number of public policy
requirements.
2. Applicants must complete and submit the following forms to apply
for a Technical Assistance and Training grant:
(a) Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance (For
Non-Construction).''
(b) Standard Form 424 A & B, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction
Programs.''
(c) RD Instruction 1940-Q, Exhibit A-1 or Standard Form LLL,
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activity'', whichever is appropriate (include
only if grant is over $100,000).
(d) Form AD 1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transaction.''
(e) Form AD 1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug Free Workplace
Requirements (Grants) Alternative I--For Grantees Other Than
Individuals.''
(f) Form AD 1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered
Transactions.''
(g) Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement.''
(h) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement'' (Under Title VI, Civil
Rights Act of 1964).
(i) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable, applicant must
include approved cost agreement rate schedule).
(j) Statement of Compliance for Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964.
(k) Certification regarding Forest Service grant.
(l) Attachment regarding assistance provided to Rural Development
Employees as required by RD Instruction 1900-D.
3. All applications shall be accompanied by the following
supporting documentation:
(a) Evidence of applicant's legal existence and authority in the
form of:
(i) Certified copies of current authorizing and organizational
documents for new applicants or former grantees where changes were made
since the last legal opinion was obtained in conjunction with receipt
of an RUS grant, or, certification that no changes have been made in
authorizing or organizing documents since receipt of last RUS grant by
applicant.
(ii) Current annual corporation report, Certificate of Good
Standing, or statement they are not required.
(iii) Certified list of directors/officers with their respective
terms.
(b) Evidence of tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS).
(c) Narrative of applicant's experience in providing services
similar to those proposed. Provide brief description of successfully
completed projects including the need that was identified and
objectives accomplished.
(d) Latest financial information to show the applicant's financial
capacity to carry out the proposed work. A current audit report is
preferred; however applicants can submit a balance sheet and an income
statement in lieu of an audit report.
(e) List of proposed services to be provided.
(f) Estimated breakdown of costs (direct and indirect) including
those to be funded by grantee as well as other sources. Sufficient
detail should be provided to permit the approval official to determine
reasonableness, applicability, and allowability.
(g) Evidence that a Financial Management System is in place or
proposed.
(h) Documentation on each of the priority ranking criteria listed
in 7 CFR 1775, Sec. 1775.11 as follows:
(i) List of the associations to be served and the State or States
where assistance will be provided. Identify associations by name, or
other characteristics such as size, income, location, and provide MHI
and population.
(ii) Description of the type of technical assistance and/or
training to be provided and the tasks to be contracted.
(iii) Description of how the project will be evaluated and provide
clearly stated goals and the method proposed to measure the results
that will be obtained.
(iv) Documentation of need for proposed service. Provide detailed
explanation of how the proposed services differ from other similar
services being provided in the same area.
(v) Personnel on staff or to be contracted to provide the service
and their experience with similar projects.
[[Page 65513]]
(vi) Statement indicating the number of months it takes to complete
the project or service.
(vii) Documentation on cost effectiveness of project. Provide the
cost per association to be served or proposed cost of personnel to
provide assistance.
(viii) Other factors for consideration such as emergency situation,
training need identified, health or safety problems, geographic
distribution, Rural Development Office recommendations, etc.
4. Applicants must also submit a work plan/project proposal that
will outline the project in sufficient detail to provide a reader with
a complete understanding of how the proposed Technical Assistance and
Training grant will address the needs of the rural area. The proposal
should cover the following elements (in addition to information
contained in 7 CFR part 1775, sections 1775.10 and 1775.11):
(a) Present a brief project overview. Explain the purpose of the
project, how it relates to the RUS purposes, how you will carry out the
project, what the project will produce, and who will direct it.
(b) Describe why the project is necessary. Describe how eligible
rural communities will benefit from the technical assistance. Describe
the service area and how the technical assistance will benefit the
rural communities.
(c) Clearly state your goals. Your objectives should clearly
describe the goals, be concrete and specific enough to be quantitative
or observable. They should also be feasible and relate to the purpose
of the proposed technical assistance and training.
(d) In addition to completing the standard application forms, you
must also submit supplementary materials, as follows:
(i). Demonstrate that your organization is legally recognized under
State and Federal law. Satisfactory documentation includes, but is not
limited to, certificates from the Secretary of State, or copies of
State statutes or laws establishing your organization. Letters from the
IRS awarding tax-exempt status are not considered adequate evidence.
(ii). Submit a certified list of directors and officers with their
respective terms.
(iii). Submit evidence of tax-exempt status from the Internal
Revenue Service.
(iv). You must disclose debarment and suspension information
required in accordance with 7 CFR 3017, Sec. 3017.335, if it applies.
The section heading is ``What information must I provide before
entering into a covered transaction with the Department of
Agriculture?'' It is part of the Department of Agriculture's rules on
Government-wide Debarment and Suspension.
(v). Submit the most recent audit of your organization.
XII. Application Review Information
A. Single State Applications
1. Grant applications submitted at the State level will receive a
letter acknowledging receipt and confirmation that all information
required for a full application was included in the packet. The State
will notify the applicant of missing information. The applicant will
have 14 business days to respond.
2. The State Office will review applications for eligibility. Those
applicants that are deemed ineligible will be notified. Applicants
deemed eligible will be forwarded to the National Office for funding
consideration.
3. The National Office will review all applications received from
State Offices. Applications will compete on a priority basis and will
be scored and ranked. The applications receiving the highest scores and
subject to the availability of funds will be selected for final
processing. The National Office will send these applications back to
the State Office for processing. The State Office will notify the
applicant(s) that they have been selected for funding.
4. Applicants not selected for funding due to low priority rating
shall be notified by the State Office.
B. National and Multi-State Applications
1. National and multi-State applications submitted to the National
Office will receive a letter acknowledging receipt and confirmation
that all information required for a full application was included in
the packet. The National Office shall notify the applicant of missing
information. The applicant will have 14 business days to respond.
2. The National Office will review applications for eligibility.
Those applications that are deemed ineligible will be notified.
Applications deemed eligible will be reviewed and given a rating score.
Applications receiving the highest scores will be grouped with those
received from State Offices for funding consideration.
3. The National Office will review all applications received.
Applications will compete on a priority basis and will be scored and
ranked. The applications receiving the highest scores and subject to
the availability of funds will be notified by the National Office that
they have been selected for funding. The National Office shall conduct
final processing of multi-State and national applications.
4. Multi-State and National applicants not selected for funding due
to low priority rating will be notified by the National Office.
C. Low Priority Applications
Applications that cannot be funded in the fiscal year received will
not be retained for consideration in the following fiscal year.
D. All applications that are complete and eligible will be scored
based on the criteria outlined in 7 CFR 1775, Sec. 1775.10, Sec.
1775.11 and RUS Guide 1775-2. After each application is scored they
will be ranked competitively. The categories for scoring criteria used
are the following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scoring criteria Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Scope of assistance (national, Up to 10.
multi-State, and single State/area).
2. Degree of expertise................ Up to 5.
3. Percentage of applicant's Up to 10.
contributions.
4. Applicant Resource (staff vs. Up to 10.
contract personnel).
5. Needs Assessment: Extent that Up to 15.
problems/issues are clearly defined
and supported by data.
6. Description of the service area, Up to 25.
particularly the demographics of the
rural communities being served
(population and MHI of the
communities).
7. Goals/Objectives: Goals/objectives Up to 15.
are clearly defined, are tied to
need, and are measurable.
8. Extent to which the work plan Up to 40.
clearly articulates a well thought
out approach to accomplishing
objectives; and clearly defines who
will be served by the study.
9. Extent to which the evaluation Up to 20.
methods are specific to the program,
clearly defined, measurable, with
expected project outcomes.
10. Type of technical assistance Up to 20.
applicant is providing.
[[Page 65514]]
11. Project duration.................. Up to 5.
12. Sustainability.................... Up to 10.
13. Prior Grant Years Funded.......... Up to 15.
14. Administrative Discretion......... Up to 15.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
XIII. Award Administration Information
A. RUS will rank all qualifying applications by their final score.
Applications will be selected for funding, based on the highest scores
and the availability of funding for the Technical Assistance and
Training grants.
B. In making our decision about your application, RUS may determine
that your application is:
1. Eligible and selected for funding;
2. Eligible but offered fewer funds than requested;
3. Eligible but not selected for funding; or
4. Ineligible for the grant.
C. In accordance with 7 CFR part 1900, subpart B, you generally
have the right to appeal adverse decisions. Some adverse decisions
cannot be appealed. For example, if you are denied RUS funding due to a
lack of funds available for the grant program, this decision cannot be
appealed. However, you may make a request to the National Appeals
Division (NAD) to review the accuracy of our finding that the decision
cannot be appealed. The appeal must be in writing and filed at the
appropriate Regional Office, which can be found at https://www.nad.usda.gov/offices.htm or by calling (703) 305-1166.
D. Applicants selected for funding will complete a grant agreement,
which outlines the terms and conditions of the grant award.
E. Grantees will be reimbursed as follows:
1. SF-270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' will be
completed by the grantee and submitted to either the State or National
Office not more frequently than monthly.
2. Upon receipt of a properly completed SF-270, payment will
ordinarily be made within 30 days.
F. Any change in the scope of the project, budget adjustments of
more than 10 percent of the total budget, or any other significant
change in the project must be reported to and approved by the approval
official by written amendment to RUS Guide 1775-1 (Grant Agreement).
Any change not approved may be cause for termination of the grant.
G. Project Reporting
1. Grantees shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that
time schedules are being met, projected work by time periods is being
accomplished, and other performance objectives are being achieved.
2. SF-269, ``Financial Status Report (short form),'' and a project
performance activity report will be required of all grantees on a
quarterly basis, due 30 days after the end of each quarter.
3. A final project performance report will be required with the
last SF-269 due 90 days after the end of the last quarter in which the
project is completed. The final report may serve as the last quarterly
report.
4. All multi-State grantees are to submit an original of each
report to the National Office. Grantees serving only one State are to
submit an original of each report to the State Office. The project
performance reports should detail, preferably in a narrative format,
activities that have transpired for the specific time period.
H. The grantee will provide an audit report or financial statements
as follows:
1. Grantees expending $500,000 or more Federal funds per fiscal
year will submit an audit conducted in accordance with OMB Circular A-
133.
The audit will be submitted within 9 months after the grantee's
fiscal year. Additional audits may be required if the project period
covers more than one fiscal year.
2. Grantees expending less than $500,000 will provide annual
financial statements covering the grant period, consisting of the
Grantee's statement of income and expense and balance sheet signed by
an appropriate official of the Grantee. Financial statements will be
submitted within 90 days after the grantee's fiscal year.
XIV. Agency Contacts
A. Web site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water. The RUS' Web site
maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for Technical
Assistance and Training Grants program.
B. Phone: 202-720-9583.
C. Fax: 202-690-0649.
D. E-mail: anita.obrien@wdc.usda.gov.
E. Main point of contact: Anita O'Brien, Loan Specialist, Water and
Environmental Programs, Water Programs Division, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dated: October 19, 2009.
Jonathan Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E9-29466 Filed 12-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
