Announcement of Grant and Loan Application Deadlines, 16763-16767 [2014-06622]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 58 / Wednesday, March 26, 2014 / Notices
end of the month following the month
in which the subaward was made.
VII. Agency Contacts
A. Web site: https://
www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWPindividualwellsystems.htm.
B. Phone: 202–720–0499.
C. Fax: 202–690–0649.
D. Email: JoyceM.Taylor@
wdc.usda.gov.
E. Main point of contact: Joyce M.
Taylor, Community Programs Specialist,
Water Programs Division, Water and
Environmental Programs, RUS, U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
Dated: February 28, 2014.
John Charles Padalino,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–06621 Filed 3–25–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Announcement of Grant and Loan
Application Deadlines
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Notice of funding availability
and solicitation of applications.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) announces its Revolving Fund
Program (RFP) application window for
Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. In addition to
announcing the application window,
RUS announces the available funding of
$1,000,000 for competitive grants.
The RFP is authorized under section
306(a)(2)(B) of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act (Con Act),
7 U.S.C. 1926 (a)(2)(B). Under the RFP,
qualified private, non-profit
organizations receive RFP grant funds to
establish a lending program for eligible
entities. Eligible entities for the
revolving loan fund will be the same
entities eligible, under paragraph 1 or 2
of Section 306(a) of the Con Act, 7
U.S.C. 1926(a)(1) or (b)(2), to obtain a
loan, loan guarantee, or grant from the
RUS Water, Waste Disposal and
Wastewater loan and grant programs.
This year administrative discretion
points may be awarded for work plans
that:
1. Directs loans to the smallest
communities with the lowest incomes
emphasizing areas where according to
the American Community Survey data
by census tracts show that at least 20%
of the population is living in poverty.
This emphasis will support Rural
Development’s goal of providing 20% of
its funding by 2016 to these areas of
need.
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SUMMARY:
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2. Directs loans to areas which lack
running water, flush toilets, and modern
sewage disposal systems, and areas
which have open sewers and high rates
of disease caused by poor sanitation, in
particular, colonias or Substantially
Underserved Trust Areas.
3. Directs loans that emphasize energy
and water efficient components to
reduce costs and increase sustainability
of rural systems.
DATES: You may submit completed
applications for grants on paper or
electronically according to the following
deadlines:
• Paper copies must be postmarked
and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight
no later than May 27, 2014 to be eligible
for FY 2014 grant funding. Late or
incomplete applications will not be
eligible for FY 2014 grant funding.
• Electronic copies must be received
by May 27, 2014 to be eligible for FY
2014 grant funding. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for FY
2014 grant funding.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain application
guides and materials for the RFP
program at the Water and
Environmental Programs (WEP) Web
site: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWPrevolvingfund.html. You may also
request application guides and materials
by contacting Joyce M. Taylor at (202)
720–0499.
Submit completed paper applications
for RFP 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: Joyce M. Taylor,
Water and Environmental Programs.
Submit electronic grant applications
at https://www.grants.gov (Grants.gov)
and follow the instructions you find on
that Web site.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joyce M. Taylor, Community Programs
Specialist, Water Programs Division,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural
Utilities Service, STOP 1570, Room
2233–S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–1570;
Telephone: (202) 720–0499: Fax: (202)
690–0649.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities
Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Grant
Program to Establish a Fund for
Financing Water and Wastewater
Projects (Revolving Fund Program
(RFP)).
Announcement Type: Solicitation of
Applications.
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16763
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) Number: 10.864.
Due Date for Applications:
Applications must be mailed, shipped
or submitted electronically through
Grants.gov no later than May 27, 2014
to be eligible for FY 2014 grant funding.
Items in Supplementary Information
I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to
the RFP.
II. Award Information: Available funds,
maximum amounts $1,000,000.
III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible,
what kinds of projects are eligible, what
criteria determine basic eligibility.
IV. Application and Submission Information:
Where to get application materials, what
constitutes a completed application, how
and where to submit applications,
deadlines, items that are eligible.
V. Application Review Information:
Considerations and preferences, scoring
criteria, review standards, selection
information.
VI. Award Administration Information:
Award notice information, award
recipient reporting requirements.
VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, email,
contact name.
I. Funding Opportunity
Drinking water systems are basic and
vital to both health and economic
development. With dependable water
facilities, rural communities can attract
families and businesses that will invest
in the community and improve the
quality of life for all residents. Without
dependable water facilities, the
communities cannot sustain economic
development.
RUS provides financial and technical
assistance to help communities bring
safe drinking water and sanitary,
environmentally sound waste disposal
facilities to rural Americans. It supports
the sound development of rural
communities and the growth of our
economy without endangering the
environment.
The Revolving Fund Program (RFP)
has been established to assist
communities with water or wastewater
systems. Qualified private, non-profit
organizations, who are selected for
funding, will receive RFP grant funds to
establish a lending program for eligible
entities. Eligible entities for the
revolving loan fund will be the same
entities eligible to obtain a loan, loan
guarantee, or grant from the Water and
Waste Disposal loan and grant programs
administered by RUS, under 7
U.S.C.1926(a)(1) and (2). As grant
recipients, the non-profit organizations
will set up a revolving loan fund to
provide loans to finance
predevelopment costs of water or
wastewater projects, or short-term small
capital projects not part of the regular
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operation and maintenance of current
water and wastewater systems. The
amount of financing to an eligible entity
shall not exceed $100,000.00 and shall
be repaid in a term not to exceed 10
years. The rate shall be determined in
the approved grant work plan.
II. Award Information
Available funds: Rural Development
is making $1,000,000 available for
competitive grants in FY2014.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Who is eligible to apply?
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An applicant is eligible to apply for
the RFP grant if it:
1. Is a private, non-profit organization;
2. Is legally established and located
within one of the following:
(a) A state within the United States;
(b) The District of Columbia;
(c) The Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico; or
(d) A United States territory;
3. Has the legal capacity and authority
to carry out the grant purpose;
4. Has a proven record of successfully
operating a revolving loan fund to rural
areas;
5. Has capitalization acceptable to the
Agency, and is composed of at least 51
percent of the outstanding interest or
membership being citizens of the United
States or individuals who reside in the
United States after being legally
admitted for permanent residence;
6. Has no delinquent debt to the
Federal Government;
7. Has no outstanding judgments to
repay a Federal debt;
8. Demonstrates that it possesses the
financial, technical, and managerial
capability to comply with Federal and
State laws and requirements;
9. Corporations that have been
convicted of a felony (or had an officer
or agency acting on behalf of the
corporation convicted of a felony)
within the past 24 months are not
eligible. Any Corporation that has any
unpaid federal tax liability that has been
assessed, for which all judicial and
administrative remedies have been
exhausted or have lapsed, and that is
not being paid in a timely manner
pursuant to an agreement with the
authority responsible for collecting the
tax liability is not eligible.
B. What are the basic eligibility
requirements for a project?
1. The following activities are
authorized under the RFP statute:
(a) Grant funds must be used to
capitalize a revolving fund program for
the purpose of providing direct loan
financing to eligible entities for pre-
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development costs associated with
proposed or with existing water and
wastewater systems, or,
(b) Short-term costs incurred for
equipment replacement, small-scale
extension of services, or other small
capital projects that are not part of the
regular operations and maintenance
activities of existing water and
wastewater systems.
2. Grant funds may not be used to pay
any of the following:
(a) Payment of the Grant Recipient’s
administrative costs or expenses, or,
(b) Delinquent debt owed to the
Federal Government.
IV. Application and Submission
Information
A. The grant application guide, copies
of necessary forms and samples, and the
RFP regulation are available from these
sources:
1. The Internet: https://
www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWPrevolvingfund.html or https://
www.grants.gov.
2. For paper copies of these materials,
you may call (202) 720–9589.
B. You may file an application in
either paper or electronic format.
Whether you file a paper or an
electronic application, you will need a
DUNS number.
1. DUNS Number.
DUNS Number. The applicant for a
grant must supply a Dun and Bradstreet
Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number as part of an
application. The Standard Form 424
(SF–424) contains a field for the DUNS
number. The applicant can obtain the
DUNS number free of charge by calling
Dun and Bradstreet. Please see https://
fedgov.dnb.com/webform for more
information on how to obtain a DUNS
number or how to verify your
organization’s number. Prior to
submitting an application, the applicant
must register in the System for Award
Management (SAM) (formerly Central
Contractor Registry, (CCR)). Applicants
may register for the SAM at https://
www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. The
SAM registration must remain active
with current information at all times
while RUS is considering an application
or while a Federal Grant Award or loan
is active. To maintain the registration in
the SAM database the applicant must
review and update the information in
the SAM database annually from date of
initial registration or from the date of
the last update. The applicant must
ensure that the information in the
database is current, accurate, and
complete.
2. Applications submitted by paper:
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(a) Send or deliver paper applications
by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or
courier delivery services to: Water and
Environmental Programs, Rural Utilities
Service, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW., Attention: Joyce M. Taylor, Mail
STOP 1570, Room 2233–S, Washington,
DC 20250–1570.
(b) For paper applications mail or
ensure delivery of an original paper
application (no stamped, photocopied,
or initialed signatures) and two copies
by the deadline date. The application
and any materials sent with it become
Federal records by law and cannot be
returned to you.
3. Electronically submitted
applications:
(a) Applications will not be accepted
by fax or electronic mail.
(b) Electronic applications for grants
will be accepted if submitted through
Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov.
(c) Applicants must preregister
successfully with Grants.gov to use the
electronic applications option.
Application information may be
downloaded from Grants.gov without
preregistration.
(d) Applicants who apply through
Grants.gov should submit their
electronic applications before the
deadline.
(e) Grants.gov contains full
instructions on all required passwords,
credentialing, and software. Follow the
instructions at Grants.gov for registering
and submitting an electronic
application.
(f) Grants.gov has two preregistration
requirements: A DUNS number and an
active registration in the SAM. See Item
1 above for instructions on obtaining a
DUNS number and registering in the
SAM.
C. A complete application must meet
the following requirements:
1. To be considered for support, you
must be an eligible entity and must
submit a complete application by the
deadline date. You should 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 RFP grant:
(a) Standard Form 424, ‘‘Application for
Federal Assistance’’
(b) Standard Form 424A, ‘‘Budget
Information—Non-Construction
Programs’’
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(c) Standard Form 424B, ‘‘Assurances—
Non-Construction Programs’’
(d) Standard Form LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of
Lobbying Activity’’
(e) Form RD 400–1, ‘‘Equal Opportunity
Agreement’’
(f) Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance
Agreement (Under Title VI, Civil
Rights Act of 1964)
3. The project proposal should outline
the project in sufficient detail to provide
a reader with a complete understanding
of how the loan program will work.
Explain what you will accomplish by
lending funds to eligible entities.
Demonstrate the feasibility of the
proposed loan program in meeting the
objectives of this grant program. The
proposal should cover the following
elements:
(a) Present a brief project overview.
Explain the purpose of the project, how
it relates to RUS’s 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. Demonstrate that eligible
entities need loan funds. Quantify the
number of prospective borrowers or
provide statistical or narrative evidence
that a sufficient number of borrowers
will exist to justify the grant award.
Describe the service area. Address
community needs.
(c) Clearly state your project goals.
Your objectives should clearly describe
the goals and be concrete and specific
enough to be quantitative or observable.
They should also be feasible and relate
to the purpose of the loan program.
(d) The narrative should cover in
more detail the items briefly described
in the Project Summary. It should
establish the basis for any claims that
you have substantial expertise in
promoting the safe and productive use
of revolving funds. In describing what
the project will achieve, you should tell
the reader if it also will have broader
influence. The narrative should address
the following points:
(1) Document your ability to
administer and service a revolving fund
in accordance with the provisions of 7
CFR part 1783.
(2) Document your ability to commit
financial resources to establish the RFP
with funds your organization controls.
This documentation should describe the
sources of funds other than the RFP
grant that will be used to pay your
operational costs and provide financial
assistance for projects.
(3) Demonstrate that you have secured
commitments of significant financial
support from other funding sources, if
appropriate.
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(4) List the fees and charges that
borrowers will be assessed.
(e) The work plan must describe the
tasks and activities that will be
accomplished with available resources
during the grant period. It must show
the work you plan to do to achieve the
anticipated outcomes, goals, and
objectives set out for the RFP. The plan
must:
(1) Describe the work to be performed
by each person.
(2) Give a schedule or timetable of
work to be done.
(3) Show evidence of previous
experience with the techniques to be
used or their successful use by others.
(4) Outline the loan program to
include the following: Specific loan
purposes, a loan application process;
priorities, borrower eligibility criteria,
limitations, fees, interest rates, terms,
and collateral requirements.
(5) Provide a marketing plan.
(6) Explain the mechanics of how you
will transfer loan funds to the
borrowers.
(7) Describe follow-up or continuing
activities that should occur after project
completion such as monitoring and
reporting borrowers’ accomplishments.
(8) Describe how the results will be
evaluated. The evaluation criteria
should be in line with the project
objectives.
(9) List all personnel responsible for
administering this program along with a
statement of their qualifications and
experience.
(f) The written justification for
projected costs should explain how
budget figures were determined for each
category. It should indicate which costs
are to be covered by grant funds and
which costs will be met by your
organization or other organizations. The
justification should account for all
expenditures discussed in the narrative.
It should reflect appropriate costsharing contributions. The budget
justification should explain the budget
and accounting system proposed or in
place. The administrative costs for
operating the budget should be
expressed as a percentage of the overall
budget. The budget justification should
provide specific budget figures,
rounding off figures to the nearest
dollar. Applicants should consult OMB
Circular A–122: ‘‘Cost Principles for
Non-Profit Organizations,’’ or successor
guidance for information about
appropriate costs for each budget
category.
(g) In addition to completing the
standard application forms, you must
submit:
(1) Supplementary material that
demonstrate that your organization is
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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.
(2) A certified list of directors and
officers with their respective terms.
(3) Evidence of tax exempt status from
the IRS.
(4) Debarment and suspension
information required in accordance 2
CFR 417, 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.
(5) All of your organization’s known
workplaces by including the actual
address of buildings (or parts of
buildings) or other sites where work
under the award takes place. Workplace
identification is required under the
drug-free workplace requirements in
accordance with 2 CFR 421. The section
heading is ‘‘How and when must I
identify workplaces?’’ It is part of the
Department of Agriculture’s rules on
Government-wide Requirements for
Drug-Free Workplace (Financial
Assistance).
(6) The most recent audit of your
organization.
(7) The following financial
statements:
i. A pro forma balance sheet at startup and for at least three additional
years; Balance sheets, income
statements, and cash flow statements for
the last three years.
ii. If your organization has been
formed less than three years, the
financial statements should be
submitted for the periods from
inception to the present. Projected
income and cash flow statements for at
least three years supported by a list of
assumptions showing the basis for the
projections. The projected income
statement and balance sheet must
include one set of projections that
shows the revolving loan fund only and
a separate set of projections that shows
your organization’s total operations.
(8) Additional information to support
and describe your plan for achieving the
grant objectives. The information may
be regarded as essential for
understanding and evaluating the
project and may be found in letters of
support, resolutions, policies, and other
relevant documents. The supplements
may be presented in appendices to the
proposal.
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V. Application Review Information
A. Within 30 days of receiving your
application, RUS will send you a letter
of acknowledgment. Your application
will be reviewed for completeness to
determine if you included all of the
items required. If your application is
incomplete or ineligible, RUS will
return it to you with an explanation.
B. A review team, composed of at
least two members, will evaluate all
applications and proposals. They will
make overall recommendations based
on factors such as eligibility, application
completeness, and conformity to
application requirements. They will
score the applications based on criteria
in the next section.
C. All applications that are complete
and eligible will be ranked
competitively based on the following
scoring criteria:
1. Degree of expertise and successful
experience in making and servicing
commercial loans, with a successful
record, for the following number of full
years:
(a) At least 1 but less than 3 years—5
points
(b) At least 3 but less than 5 years—10
points
(c) At least 5 but less than 10 years—20
points
(d) 10 or more years—30 points
2. Extent to which the work plan
demonstrates a well thought out,
comprehensive approach to
accomplishing the objectives of this
part, clearly defines who will be served
by the project, clearly articulates the
problem/issues to be addressed,
identifies the service area to be covered
by the RFP loans and appears likely to
be sustainable; Up to 40 points.
3. Percentage of applicant
contributions. Points allowed under this
paragraph will be based on written
evidence of the availability of funds
from sources other than the proceeds of
an RFP grant to pay part of the cost of
a loan recipient’s project. In-kind
contributions will not be considered.
Funds from other sources as a
percentage of the RFP grant and points
corresponding to such percentages are
as follows:
(a) Less than 20%—ineligible
(b) At least 20% but less than 50%—10
points
(c) 50% or more—20 points
4. Extent to which the goals and
objectives are clearly defined, tied to the
work plan, and are measurable; Up to 15
points.
5. Lowest ratio of projected
administrative expenses to loans
advanced; Up to 10 points.
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6. The evaluation methods for
considering loan applications and
making RFP loans are specific to the
program, clearly defined, measurable,
and are consistent with program
outcomes; Up to 20 points.
7. Administrator’s discretion points
may be awarded based on the following:
Emphasis on High Poverty Areas. To
the maximum extent possible, high
attention should be made on directing
loans to rural communities and rural
areas with the lowest incomes with
emphasis to areas where at least 45% of
children qualify for the National School
Lunch Program. This emphasis will
support Rural Development’s goal of
providing 15% of its funding by 2015 to
these areas of need.
Factors include:
(a) Directs loans to the smallest
communities with the lowest incomes
emphasizing areas where according to
the American Community Survey data
by census tracts show that at least 20%
of the population is living in poverty.
This emphasis will support Rural
Development’s goal of providing 20% of
its funding by 2016 to these areas of
need.
(b) Directs loans to areas which lack
running water, flush toilets, and modern
sewage disposal systems, and areas
which have open sewers and high rates
of disease caused by poor sanitation, in
particular, colonias or Substantially
Underserved Trust Areas.
(c) Directs loans that emphasize
energy and water efficient components
to reduce costs and increase
sustainability of rural systems;
Up to 10 points.
VI. 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 RFP
grants. Each applicant will be notified
in writing of the score its application
receives.
B. In making its 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
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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/ 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, the funds will be
requested through the field office
terminal system. Ordinarily, payment
will be made within 30 days after
receipt of a proper request for
reimbursement.
3. Grantees are encouraged to use
women- and minority-owned banks (a
bank which is owned at least 50 percent
by women or minority group members)
for the deposit and disbursement of
funds.
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 the grant
agreement. Any change not approved
may be cause for termination of the
grant.
G. 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. The Grantee will
provide project reports as follows:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
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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,
or successor guidance. 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 organization’s
statement of income and expense and
balance sheet signed by an appropriate
official of the organization. Financial
statements will be submitted within 90
days after the grantee’s fiscal year.
3. Recipient and Subrecipient
Reporting.
The applicant must have the
necessary processes and systems in
place to comply with the reporting
requirements for first-tier sub-awards
and executive compensation under the
Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act of 2006 in the event
the applicant receives funding unless
such applicant is exempt from such
reporting requirements pursuant to 2
CFR part 170, § 170.110(b). The
reporting requirements under the
Transparency Act pursuant to 2 CFR
part 170 are as follows:
(a) First Tier Sub-Awards of $25,000
or more in non-Recovery Act funds
(unless they are exempt under 2 CFR
part 170) must be reported by the
Recipient to https://www.fsrs.gov no later
than the end of the month following the
month the obligation was made. Please
note that currently underway is a
consolidation of eight federal
procurement systems, including the
Sub-award Reporting System (FSRS),
into one system, the System for Award
Management (SAM). As result the FSRS
will soon be consolidated into and
accessed through https://www.sam.gov/
portal/public/SAM/.
(b) The Total Compensation of the
Recipient’s Executives (5 most highly
compensated executives) must be
reported by the Recipient (if the
Recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR
part 170) to https://www.sam.gov/
portal/public/SAM/ by the end of the
month following the month in which
the award was made.
(c) The Total Compensation of the
Subrecipient’s Executives (5 most
highly compensated executives) must be
reported by the Subrecipient (if the
Subrecipient meets the criteria under 2
CFR part 170) to the Recipient by the
end of the month following the month
in which the subaward was made.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:43 Mar 25, 2014
Jkt 232001
VII. Agency Contacts
A. Web site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/
water. The Rural Utilities Service Web
site maintains up-to-date resources and
contact information for the RFP.
B. Phone: 202–720–9589.
C. Fax: 202–690–0649.
D. Email: JoyceM.Taylor@wdc.
usda.gov.
E. Main point of contact: Joyce M.
Taylor, Community Programs Specialist,
Water and Environmental Programs,
Water Programs Division, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dated: February 26, 2014.
John Charles Padalino,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–06622 Filed 3–25–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
The Department of Commerce will
submit to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
chapter 35).
Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
Title: Survey of Construction—
Questionnaire for Building Permit
Official.
OMB Control Number: 0607–0125.
Form Number(s): SOC–QBPO.
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Burden Hours: 225.
Number of Respondents: 900.
Average Hours per Response: 15
minutes.
Needs and Uses: The information
collected on the SOC–QBPO is
necessary to carry out the sampling for
the Survey of Housing Starts, Sales and
Completions (OMB number 0607–0110),
also known as the Survey of
Construction (SOC). Government
agencies and private companies use
statistics from SOC to monitor and
evaluate the large and dynamic housing
construction industry.
The U.S. Census Bureau is requesting
an extension of the currently approved
collection, scheduled to expire on May
31, 2014. The SOC–QBPO is an
electronic questionnaire. Census Bureau
field representatives (FRs) use Computer
Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI)
to collect the data. We will continue to
use the current CAPI questionnaire
without any revisions and are
requesting approval of continued use of
the existing questionnaire in the field.
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
16767
The overall length of the interview and
the sample size also will not change.
The Census Bureau FRs use the SOCQBPO to obtain information on the
operating procedures of a permit office.
This enables them to locate, classify,
list, and sample building permits for
residential construction. These permits
are used as the basis for the sample
selected for SOC. The Manufacturing
and Construction Division (MCD),
within the Census Bureau, also uses the
information to verify and update the
geographic coverage of permit offices.
Failure to collect this information
would make it difficult, if not
impossible, to classify accurately and
sample building permits for the SOC.
The SOC produces data for two
principal economic indicators: New
Residential Construction (housing starts
and housing completions) and New
Residential Sales. Information from the
SOC is also used in the estimation of the
value of new residential construction
put in place for the Census Bureau’s
data on construction spending.
Affected Public: State, local, or tribal
government.
Frequency: Annually.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C.,
Section 182.
OMB Desk Officer: Brian HarrisKojetin, (202) 395–7314.
Copies of the above information
collection proposal can be obtained by
calling or writing Jennifer Jessup,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance
Officer, (202) 482–0336, Department of
Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20230 (or via the Internet at jjessup@
doc.gov).
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB
Desk Officer either by fax (202–395–
7245) or email (bharrisk@omb.eop.gov).
Dated: March 21, 2014.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014–06642 Filed 3–25–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
E:\FR\FM\26MRN1.SGM
26MRN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16763-16767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06622]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Announcement of Grant and Loan Application Deadlines
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability and solicitation of
applications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its Revolving Fund
Program (RFP) application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. In addition
to announcing the application window, RUS announces the available
funding of $1,000,000 for competitive grants.
The RFP is authorized under section 306(a)(2)(B) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Con Act), 7 U.S.C. 1926
(a)(2)(B). Under the RFP, qualified private, non-profit organizations
receive RFP grant funds to establish a lending program for eligible
entities. Eligible entities for the revolving loan fund will be the
same entities eligible, under paragraph 1 or 2 of Section 306(a) of the
Con Act, 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1) or (b)(2), to obtain a loan, loan
guarantee, or grant from the RUS Water, Waste Disposal and Wastewater
loan and grant programs. This year administrative discretion points may
be awarded for work plans that:
1. Directs loans to the smallest communities with the lowest
incomes emphasizing areas where according to the American Community
Survey data by census tracts show that at least 20% of the population
is living in poverty. This emphasis will support Rural Development's
goal of providing 20% of its funding by 2016 to these areas of need.
2. Directs loans to areas which lack running water, flush toilets,
and modern sewage disposal systems, and areas which have open sewers
and high rates of disease caused by poor sanitation, in particular,
colonias or Substantially Underserved Trust Areas.
3. Directs loans that emphasize energy and water efficient
components to reduce costs and increase sustainability of rural
systems.
DATES: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or
electronically according to the following deadlines:
Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or
sent overnight no later than May 27, 2014 to be eligible for FY 2014
grant funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for
FY 2014 grant funding.
Electronic copies must be received by May 27, 2014 to be
eligible for FY 2014 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications
will not be eligible for FY 2014 grant funding.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain application guides and materials for the RFP
program at the Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) Web site: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-revolvingfund.html. You may also request
application guides and materials by contacting Joyce M. Taylor at (202)
720-0499.
Submit completed paper applications for RFP 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: Joyce M. Taylor, Water and Environmental
Programs.
Submit electronic grant applications at https://www.grants.gov
(Grants.gov) and follow the instructions you find on that Web site.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joyce M. Taylor, Community Programs
Specialist, Water Programs Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Rural Utilities Service, STOP 1570, Room 2233-S, 1400 Independence Ave.
SW., Washington, DC 20250-1570; Telephone: (202) 720-0499: Fax: (202)
690-0649.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Grant Program to Establish a Fund for
Financing Water and Wastewater Projects (Revolving Fund Program (RFP)).
Announcement Type: Solicitation of Applications.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.864.
Due Date for Applications: Applications must be mailed, shipped or
submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than May 27, 2014
to be eligible for FY 2014 grant funding.
Items in Supplementary Information
I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the RFP.
II. Award Information: Available funds, maximum amounts $1,000,000.
III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of
projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility.
IV. Application and Submission Information: Where to get application
materials, what constitutes a completed application, how and where
to submit applications, deadlines, items that are eligible.
V. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences,
scoring criteria, review standards, selection information.
VI. Award Administration Information: Award notice information,
award recipient reporting requirements.
VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, email, contact name.
I. Funding Opportunity
Drinking water systems are basic and vital to both health and
economic development. With dependable water facilities, rural
communities can attract families and businesses that will invest in the
community and improve the quality of life for all residents. Without
dependable water facilities, the communities cannot sustain economic
development.
RUS provides financial and technical assistance to help communities
bring safe drinking water and sanitary, environmentally sound waste
disposal facilities to rural Americans. It supports the sound
development of rural communities and the growth of our economy without
endangering the environment.
The Revolving Fund Program (RFP) has been established to assist
communities with water or wastewater systems. Qualified private, non-
profit organizations, who are selected for funding, will receive RFP
grant funds to establish a lending program for eligible entities.
Eligible entities for the revolving loan fund will be the same entities
eligible to obtain a loan, loan guarantee, or grant from the Water and
Waste Disposal loan and grant programs administered by RUS, under 7
U.S.C.1926(a)(1) and (2). As grant recipients, the non-profit
organizations will set up a revolving loan fund to provide loans to
finance predevelopment costs of water or wastewater projects, or short-
term small capital projects not part of the regular
[[Page 16764]]
operation and maintenance of current water and wastewater systems. The
amount of financing to an eligible entity shall not exceed $100,000.00
and shall be repaid in a term not to exceed 10 years. The rate shall be
determined in the approved grant work plan.
II. Award Information
Available funds: Rural Development is making $1,000,000 available
for competitive grants in FY2014.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Who is eligible to apply?
An applicant is eligible to apply for the RFP grant if it:
1. Is a private, non-profit organization;
2. Is legally established and located within one of the following:
(a) A state within the United States;
(b) The District of Columbia;
(c) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; or
(d) A United States territory;
3. Has the legal capacity and authority to carry out the grant
purpose;
4. Has a proven record of successfully operating a revolving loan
fund to rural areas;
5. Has capitalization acceptable to the Agency, and is composed of
at least 51 percent of the outstanding interest or membership being
citizens of the United States or individuals who reside in the United
States after being legally admitted for permanent residence;
6. Has no delinquent debt to the Federal Government;
7. Has no outstanding judgments to repay a Federal debt;
8. Demonstrates that it possesses the financial, technical, and
managerial capability to comply with Federal and State laws and
requirements;
9. Corporations that have been convicted of a felony (or had an
officer or agency acting on behalf of the corporation convicted of a
felony) within the past 24 months are not eligible. Any Corporation
that has any unpaid federal tax liability that has been assessed, for
which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or
have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to
an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax
liability is not eligible.
B. What are the basic eligibility requirements for a project?
1. The following activities are authorized under the RFP statute:
(a) Grant funds must be used to capitalize a revolving fund program
for the purpose of providing direct loan financing to eligible entities
for pre-development costs associated with proposed or with existing
water and wastewater systems, or,
(b) Short-term costs incurred for equipment replacement, small-
scale extension of services, or other small capital projects that are
not part of the regular operations and maintenance activities of
existing water and wastewater systems.
2. Grant funds may not be used to pay any of the following:
(a) Payment of the Grant Recipient's administrative costs or
expenses, or,
(b) Delinquent debt owed to the Federal Government.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. The grant application guide, copies of necessary forms and
samples, and the RFP regulation are available from these sources:
1. The Internet: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-revolvingfund.html
or https://www.grants.gov.
2. For paper copies of these materials, you may call (202) 720-
9589.
B. You may file an application in either paper or electronic
format.
Whether you file a paper or an electronic application, you will
need a DUNS number.
1. DUNS Number.
DUNS Number. The applicant for a grant must supply a Dun and
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as part of an
application. The Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a field for the
DUNS number. The applicant can obtain the DUNS number free of charge by
calling Dun and Bradstreet. Please see https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
for more information on how to obtain a DUNS number or how to verify
your organization's number. Prior to submitting an application, the
applicant must register in the System for Award Management (SAM)
(formerly Central Contractor Registry, (CCR)). Applicants may register
for the SAM at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. The SAM
registration must remain active with current information at all times
while RUS is considering an application or while a Federal Grant Award
or loan is active. To maintain the registration in the SAM database the
applicant must review and update the information in the SAM database
annually from date of initial registration or from the date of the last
update. The applicant must ensure that the information in the database
is current, accurate, and complete.
2. Applications submitted by paper:
(a) Send or deliver paper applications by the U.S. Postal Service
(USPS) or courier delivery services to: Water and Environmental
Programs, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Attention: Joyce M. Taylor, Mail STOP 1570, Room 2233-S, Washington, DC
20250-1570.
(b) For paper applications mail or ensure delivery of an original
paper application (no stamped, photocopied, or initialed signatures)
and two copies by the deadline date. The application and any materials
sent with it become Federal records by law and cannot be returned to
you.
3. Electronically submitted applications:
(a) Applications will not be accepted by fax or electronic mail.
(b) Electronic applications for grants will be accepted if
submitted through Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov.
(c) Applicants must preregister successfully with Grants.gov to use
the electronic applications option. Application information may be
downloaded from Grants.gov without preregistration.
(d) Applicants who apply through Grants.gov should submit their
electronic applications before the deadline.
(e) Grants.gov contains full instructions on all required
passwords, credentialing, and software. Follow the instructions at
Grants.gov for registering and submitting an electronic application.
(f) Grants.gov has two preregistration requirements: A DUNS number
and an active registration in the SAM. See Item 1 above for
instructions on obtaining a DUNS number and registering in the SAM.
C. A complete application must meet the following requirements:
1. To be considered for support, you must be an eligible entity and
must submit a complete application by the deadline date. You should
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 RFP grant:
(a) Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance''
(b) Standard Form 424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction
Programs''
[[Page 16765]]
(c) Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs''
(d) Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activity''
(e) Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement''
(f) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement (Under Title VI, Civil Rights
Act of 1964)
3. The project proposal should outline the project in sufficient
detail to provide a reader with a complete understanding of how the
loan program will work. Explain what you will accomplish by lending
funds to eligible entities. Demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed
loan program in meeting the objectives of this grant program. The
proposal should cover the following elements:
(a) Present a brief project overview. Explain the purpose of the
project, how it relates to RUS's 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. Demonstrate that
eligible entities need loan funds. Quantify the number of prospective
borrowers or provide statistical or narrative evidence that a
sufficient number of borrowers will exist to justify the grant award.
Describe the service area. Address community needs.
(c) Clearly state your project goals. Your objectives should
clearly describe the goals and be concrete and specific enough to be
quantitative or observable. They should also be feasible and relate to
the purpose of the loan program.
(d) The narrative should cover in more detail the items briefly
described in the Project Summary. It should establish the basis for any
claims that you have substantial expertise in promoting the safe and
productive use of revolving funds. In describing what the project will
achieve, you should tell the reader if it also will have broader
influence. The narrative should address the following points:
(1) Document your ability to administer and service a revolving
fund in accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR part 1783.
(2) Document your ability to commit financial resources to
establish the RFP with funds your organization controls. This
documentation should describe the sources of funds other than the RFP
grant that will be used to pay your operational costs and provide
financial assistance for projects.
(3) Demonstrate that you have secured commitments of significant
financial support from other funding sources, if appropriate.
(4) List the fees and charges that borrowers will be assessed.
(e) The work plan must describe the tasks and activities that will
be accomplished with available resources during the grant period. It
must show the work you plan to do to achieve the anticipated outcomes,
goals, and objectives set out for the RFP. The plan must:
(1) Describe the work to be performed by each person.
(2) Give a schedule or timetable of work to be done.
(3) Show evidence of previous experience with the techniques to be
used or their successful use by others.
(4) Outline the loan program to include the following: Specific
loan purposes, a loan application process; priorities, borrower
eligibility criteria, limitations, fees, interest rates, terms, and
collateral requirements.
(5) Provide a marketing plan.
(6) Explain the mechanics of how you will transfer loan funds to
the borrowers.
(7) Describe follow-up or continuing activities that should occur
after project completion such as monitoring and reporting borrowers'
accomplishments.
(8) Describe how the results will be evaluated. The evaluation
criteria should be in line with the project objectives.
(9) List all personnel responsible for administering this program
along with a statement of their qualifications and experience.
(f) The written justification for projected costs should explain
how budget figures were determined for each category. It should
indicate which costs are to be covered by grant funds and which costs
will be met by your organization or other organizations. The
justification should account for all expenditures discussed in the
narrative. It should reflect appropriate cost-sharing contributions.
The budget justification should explain the budget and accounting
system proposed or in place. The administrative costs for operating the
budget should be expressed as a percentage of the overall budget. The
budget justification should provide specific budget figures, rounding
off figures to the nearest dollar. Applicants should consult OMB
Circular A-122: ``Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations,'' or
successor guidance for information about appropriate costs for each
budget category.
(g) In addition to completing the standard application forms, you
must submit:
(1) Supplementary material that 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.
(2) A certified list of directors and officers with their
respective terms.
(3) Evidence of tax exempt status from the IRS.
(4) Debarment and suspension information required in accordance 2
CFR 417, 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.
(5) All of your organization's known workplaces by including the
actual address of buildings (or parts of buildings) or other sites
where work under the award takes place. Workplace identification is
required under the drug-free workplace requirements in accordance with
2 CFR 421. The section heading is ``How and when must I identify
workplaces?'' It is part of the Department of Agriculture's rules on
Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial
Assistance).
(6) The most recent audit of your organization.
(7) The following financial statements:
i. A pro forma balance sheet at start-up and for at least three
additional years; Balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow
statements for the last three years.
ii. If your organization has been formed less than three years, the
financial statements should be submitted for the periods from inception
to the present. Projected income and cash flow statements for at least
three years supported by a list of assumptions showing the basis for
the projections. The projected income statement and balance sheet must
include one set of projections that shows the revolving loan fund only
and a separate set of projections that shows your organization's total
operations.
(8) Additional information to support and describe your plan for
achieving the grant objectives. The information may be regarded as
essential for understanding and evaluating the project and may be found
in letters of support, resolutions, policies, and other relevant
documents. The supplements may be presented in appendices to the
proposal.
[[Page 16766]]
V. Application Review Information
A. Within 30 days of receiving your application, RUS will send you
a letter of acknowledgment. Your application will be reviewed for
completeness to determine if you included all of the items required. If
your application is incomplete or ineligible, RUS will return it to you
with an explanation.
B. A review team, composed of at least two members, will evaluate
all applications and proposals. They will make overall recommendations
based on factors such as eligibility, application completeness, and
conformity to application requirements. They will score the
applications based on criteria in the next section.
C. All applications that are complete and eligible will be ranked
competitively based on the following scoring criteria:
1. Degree of expertise and successful experience in making and
servicing commercial loans, with a successful record, for the following
number of full years:
(a) At least 1 but less than 3 years--5 points
(b) At least 3 but less than 5 years--10 points
(c) At least 5 but less than 10 years--20 points
(d) 10 or more years--30 points
2. Extent to which the work plan demonstrates a well thought out,
comprehensive approach to accomplishing the objectives of this part,
clearly defines who will be served by the project, clearly articulates
the problem/issues to be addressed, identifies the service area to be
covered by the RFP loans and appears likely to be sustainable; Up to 40
points.
3. Percentage of applicant contributions. Points allowed under this
paragraph will be based on written evidence of the availability of
funds from sources other than the proceeds of an RFP grant to pay part
of the cost of a loan recipient's project. In-kind contributions will
not be considered. Funds from other sources as a percentage of the RFP
grant and points corresponding to such percentages are as follows:
(a) Less than 20%--ineligible
(b) At least 20% but less than 50%--10 points
(c) 50% or more--20 points
4. Extent to which the goals and objectives are clearly defined,
tied to the work plan, and are measurable; Up to 15 points.
5. Lowest ratio of projected administrative expenses to loans
advanced; Up to 10 points.
6. The evaluation methods for considering loan applications and
making RFP loans are specific to the program, clearly defined,
measurable, and are consistent with program outcomes; Up to 20 points.
7. Administrator's discretion points may be awarded based on the
following:
Emphasis on High Poverty Areas. To the maximum extent possible,
high attention should be made on directing loans to rural communities
and rural areas with the lowest incomes with emphasis to areas where at
least 45% of children qualify for the National School Lunch Program.
This emphasis will support Rural Development's goal of providing 15% of
its funding by 2015 to these areas of need.
Factors include:
(a) Directs loans to the smallest communities with the lowest
incomes emphasizing areas where according to the American Community
Survey data by census tracts show that at least 20% of the population
is living in poverty. This emphasis will support Rural Development's
goal of providing 20% of its funding by 2016 to these areas of need.
(b) Directs loans to areas which lack running water, flush toilets,
and modern sewage disposal systems, and areas which have open sewers
and high rates of disease caused by poor sanitation, in particular,
colonias or Substantially Underserved Trust Areas.
(c) Directs loans that emphasize energy and water efficient
components to reduce costs and increase sustainability of rural
systems;
Up to 10 points.
VI. 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 RFP grants. Each applicant will be
notified in writing of the score its application receives.
B. In making its 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/ 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, the funds will be
requested through the field office terminal system. Ordinarily, payment
will be made within 30 days after receipt of a proper request for
reimbursement.
3. Grantees are encouraged to use women- and minority-owned banks
(a bank which is owned at least 50 percent by women or minority group
members) for the deposit and disbursement of funds.
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 the grant agreement. Any change not
approved may be cause for termination of the grant.
G. 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. The
Grantee will provide project reports as follows:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
[[Page 16767]]
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, or successor guidance. 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
organization's statement of income and expense and balance sheet signed
by an appropriate official of the organization. Financial statements
will be submitted within 90 days after the grantee's fiscal year.
3. Recipient and Subrecipient Reporting.
The applicant must have the necessary processes and systems in
place to comply with the reporting requirements for first-tier sub-
awards and executive compensation under the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 in the event the applicant
receives funding unless such applicant is exempt from such reporting
requirements pursuant to 2 CFR part 170, Sec. 170.110(b). The
reporting requirements under the Transparency Act pursuant to 2 CFR
part 170 are as follows:
(a) First Tier Sub-Awards of $25,000 or more in non-Recovery Act
funds (unless they are exempt under 2 CFR part 170) must be reported by
the Recipient to https://www.fsrs.gov no later than the end of the month
following the month the obligation was made. Please note that currently
underway is a consolidation of eight federal procurement systems,
including the Sub-award Reporting System (FSRS), into one system, the
System for Award Management (SAM). As result the FSRS will soon be
consolidated into and accessed through https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.
(b) The Total Compensation of the Recipient's Executives (5 most
highly compensated executives) must be reported by the Recipient (if
the Recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 170) to https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ by the end of the month following the
month in which the award was made.
(c) The Total Compensation of the Subrecipient's Executives (5 most
highly compensated executives) must be reported by the Subrecipient (if
the Subrecipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 170) to the
Recipient by the end of the month following the month in which the
subaward was made.
VII. Agency Contacts
A. Web site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water. The Rural Utilities
Service Web site maintains up-to-date resources and contact information
for the RFP.
B. Phone: 202-720-9589.
C. Fax: 202-690-0649.
D. Email: JoyceM.Taylor@wdc.usda.gov.
E. Main point of contact: Joyce M. Taylor, Community Programs
Specialist, Water and Environmental Programs, Water Programs Division,
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dated: February 26, 2014.
John Charles Padalino,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06622 Filed 3-25-14; 8:45 am]
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