Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines, 18882-18886 [2014-07567]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 65 / Friday, April 4, 2014 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Announcement of Grant Application
Deadlines
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Notice of Funds Availability
(NOFA).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) is announcing a special Fiscal
Year (FY) 2014 application window for
a Colonias Needs Assessment to be
completed through the Technical
Assistance and Training Grant Program
(TAT). In 2013, RUS partnered with
EPA to launch a USDA/EPA Mexico
Border Needs Assessment and Support
Project. The five-phased project intends
to identify small communities’ gaps in
water and wastewater infrastructure
development and in technical capacity
in the Mexico Border region. Once the
gaps are identified, the project intends
to support appropriate water and
wastewater infrastructure projects that
meet the specific needs of small
communities. The ultimate goal would
be to reduce health risks and increase
economic development in Colonias
regions. Phase 1 is completed and
consisted of RUS/EPA research and
collection of data related to socioeconomic factors, public health and
Federal and State investments in
infrastructure in Colonias regions. Phase
2 of the project is to conduct a detailed
assessment of water and wastewater
infrastructure needs in select Colonias
areas in four states, including California,
New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. The
areas of focus for the study are further
defined in the application guide and are
those where Phase I data showed
highest health, environmental and
economic challenges. Through this
announcement RUS seeks applications
to conduct the needs assessment and
provide a detailed accounting of results
that will enable RUS and EPA to
advance to Phase 3 of the project. The
grant will have a start date of July 1,
2014 and end on December 31, 2014.
The study will be done only in the
colonias areas. For RUS programs,
Colonia is defined as a community that
(1) is in the state of Arizona, California,
New Mexico, or Texas; (2) is within 150
miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, except
for any metropolitan area exceeding one
million people; (3) on the basis of
objective criteria, lacks adequate sewage
systems and lacks decent, safe, and
sanitary housing; and (4) existed as a
colonia before October 1, 1989.
However, the needs assessment may
include other rural areas classified as
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SUMMARY:
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Colonias by other state and Federal
agencies. RUS intends to award one
grant to an eligible entity for up to
$500,000. The grantee will be expected
to commence work July 1, 2014 and
submit all deliverables by December 31,
2014
DATES: You may submit completed
applications for the Colonias Water and
Waste Disposal Needs Assessment
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
from the date this NOFA is published
through June 3, 2014, 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 from the
date this NOFA is published through
June 3, 2014, 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.rurdev.usda.gov/UWPwwtat.htm
• You may also request application
guides and materials from RUS by
contacting WEP at (202) 720–9589.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anita O’Brien, Community Program
Specialist, 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) 690–3789, FAX: (202)
690–0649, Email: anita.obrien@
wdc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities
Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Colonias
Water Resource Studies Grant.
Announcement Type: Funding Level
Announcement, and Solicitation of
Applications.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1926 (a)(14);
Public Law 111–5, 123 Stat. 115.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.761.
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Due Dates for Applications:
Completed Colonias Water Resource
Studies grant applications must be
mailed, shipped or submitted
electronically through Grants.gov no
later than June 3, 2014 to be eligible for
funding.
Items in Supplementary Information
I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction
to the Technical Assistance and Training
Grants.
II. Award Information: Available funds,
maximum amounts. $500,000.
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 and items that are
eligible.
V. Application Review Information:
Considerations and preferences, scoring
criteria, review standards and selection
information.
VI. Award Administration Information:
Award notice information and award
recipient reporting requirements.
VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax,
email, and contact name.
I. Funding Opportunity
The U.S.-Mexico Border Region is a
dynamic area where public health and
environmental challenges are
interconnected, populations
intermingle, and water resources are
shared by both countries. USDA and
EPA work collaboratively with partners
to address critical public health and
environmental problems at the source
by providing often first-time drinking
and wastewater services to underserved
communities. The agencies have
embarked on a joint project to improve
estimates of gaps in community
infrastructure and to pilot approaches to
technical assistance and capacity
building that can be applied more
broadly and be provided in a manner
that can be sustained long term by
building capacity in the communities to
improve and maintain adequate
infrastructure. Ultimately, the project
will identify and vet approaches to
support small communities that can be
supported cooperatively by all
stakeholders.
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
supports the sound development of
rural communities and the growth of
our economy without endangering the
environment. 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.
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The additional funding for the
Colonias Studies, under the TAT Grant
Program, will allow colonias
communities to better plan and secure
dependable water supplies for
rebuilding their community’s health and
economic development. Qualified
private non-profit organizations may
apply to receive a grant to conduct
water infrastructure studies to evaluate
infrastructure gaps, determine local
stakeholders and institutions, access
community funding opportunities and
provide technical support to colonias
communities.
Deliverables required under this
colonias TAT grant are:
1. Creation of a searchable database of
information required to be collected as
part of the needs assessment. A full list
of the information collection
requirements is detailed in the
application guide, and includes such
data as population, general
demographics, existing water and waste
disposal infrastructure, incidence rate of
water borne infectious disease,
assessment of access to indoor
plumbing, etc. The database must
include geospatial information that
allows for mapping.
2. A report (in electronic and paper
form) summarizing and analyzing the
data collected that:
• Identifies areas of greatest need and
where investment will have highest
economic and public health impact
(including maps).
• Identifies areas that lack access to
water and/or waste disposal
infrastructure.
• Estimates the capital investment
needed in water and waste disposal
infrastructure in the study area (modest
in scope and design). The estimate
should include a listing of each colonia
assessed, identification of the type of
infrastructure required and the
recommended approach (i.e.,
connection to existing system, new
cluster system, centralized system and
estimated capital costs).
• Provides information on
communities’ capacity to apply for
funding, and operate and maintain
utilities.
• Identifies the areas where other
technical assistance is needed and for
what purposes;
3. Lists of local institutions/
community leaders that can serve as
points of contacts for the targeted
communities.
4. Recommends approaches for
technical assistance and outreach to
communities in high needs areas.
5. This report is due by December 31,
2014.
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II. Award Information
Available funds: $500,000.
III. 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. Have an active registration with
current information in the System for
Award Management (SAM) (previously
the Central Contractor Registry (CCR)_at
https://www.sam.gov and have a Dun
and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number.
2. Be legally established, located
within a state within the United States,
the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a
United States territory 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 be a colonias water
resource study that will evaluate and
recommend sources of dependable
water supply and infrastructure that can
be developed and used by colonias
communities in one or more of the
colonias states of Arizona, California,
New Mexico, or Texas.
C. Other-Requirements
1. DUNS numbers and SAM
Registration. Applicants must have Dun
and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) numbers
and be registered in System for Award
Management (SAM) at https://
www.sam.gov prior to submitting an
electronic or paper application. The
DUNS numbers and SAM requirements
are contained in 2 CFR part 25. SAM is
the repository for standard information
about applicants and recipients.
2. DUNS Number. As required by the
OMB, all applicants for grants must
supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data
Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number when applying. The Standard
Form 424 (SF–424) contains a field for
you to use when supplying your DUNS
number. Obtaining a DUNS number
costs nothing and requires a short
telephone call to Dun and Bradstreet.
Please see https://www.grants.gov/
applicants/request_duns_number.jsp for
more information on how to obtain a
DUNS number or how to verify your
organization’s number.
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3. System for Award Management
(SAM). In accordance with 2 CFR part
25, applicants, whether applying
electronically or by paper, must be
registered in SAM prior to submitting an
application. Applicants may register for
the SAM at https://www.sam.gov. The
SAM registration must remain active,
with current information, at all times
during which an entity has an
application under consideration by an
agency or has an active Federal Award.
To remain registered in the SAM
database after the initial registration, the
applicant is required to review and
update on an annual basis from the date
of initial registration or subsequent
updates of its information in the SAM
database at https://www.sam.gov to
ensure it is current, accurate and
complete.
IV. 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.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-wwtat.htm.
• https://www.grants.gov. or,
• Water and Environmental Programs
for paper copies of these materials:
Telephone: (202) 720–9589
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:
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
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courier delivery services to the RUS
receipt point set forth below. RUS will
not accept applications by fax or email.
For paper applications mail or ensure
delivery of an original paper application
(no stamped, photocopied, or initialed
signatures) and two copies by June 3,
2014 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: www.grants.gov. You must be
preregistered 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 SAM at
https://www.sam.gov. 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 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 NonConstruction)’’.
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(b) Standard Form 424A, ‘‘Budget
Information—Non-Construction
Programs’’.
(c) Standard Form 424B,
‘‘Assurances—Non-Construction
Programs’’.
(d) SF–LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of Lobbying
Activity’’.
(e) Form AD 1047, ‘‘Certification
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and
Other Responsibility Matters—Primary
Covered Transaction’’.
(f) Form AD 1049, ‘‘Certification
Regarding Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements (Grants) Alternative I—
For Grantees Other Than Individuals’’.
(g) Form AD 1048, ‘‘Certification
Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion—
Lower Tier Covered Transactions’’.
(h) Form RD 400–1, ‘‘Equal
Opportunity Agreement’’.
(i) Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance
Agreement (Under Title VI, Civil Rights
Act of 1964)’’.
(j) AD–3030, ‘‘Representations
Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate
Applicant’’.
(k) AD–3031, ‘‘Assurance Regarding
Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent
Status for Corporate Applicant’’.
(l) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if
applicable, applicant must include
approved cost agreement rate schedule).
(m) Certification regarding Forest
Service grant.
(n) 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
and Certificate of Good Standing. If the
jurisdiction in which the applicant is
organized does not require or issue such
documentation, or the applicant
otherwise cannot provide it, the
applicant must submit a statement
explaining why the supporting
documentation is not included with the
application; and;
(iii) Certified list of directors/officers
with their respective terms.
(b) Evidence of tax exempt status from
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
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(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 modified in the
application guide and listed below:
(i) Methodology: Describe the method
by which you will conduct the study
and complete deliverables.
(ii) Experience of the applicant in
conducting similar types of work or in
assessing needs in Colonias areas.
(iii) Personnel on staff or to be
contracted to conduct the assessment
and complete deliverables and their
experience with similar projects. Also
describe any existing partnerships that
will be leveraged to meet the
deliverables.
(iv) Documentation on cost
effectiveness of methodology and
approach proposed to complete the
project.
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 Colonias Water
and Waste Disposal Assessment will be
conducted and how deliverables will be
met. The proposal should cover the
following elements (in addition to
information contained in 7 CFR 1775
Sections 1775.10 and 1775.11).
(a) Present a brief project overview.
Explain your understanding of the
purpose of the project, how it relates to
the RUS goals, how you will carry out
the project, what the project will
produce, and who will direct it.
(b) Prepare a detailed timeline of
activities proposed that clearly defines
when work will be completed, and
deliverables submitted for review and
final approval.
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(c) 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 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. Corporations that have
been convicted of a felony (or had an
officer or agent 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.
(v) Submit the most recent audit of
your organization.
V. Application Review Information
A. Within 30 days of receiving your
application, RUS will acknowledge the
application’s receipt by letter to the
Applicant. The application will be
reviewed for completeness to determine
if it contains all of the items required.
If the application is incomplete or
ineligible, RUS will return it to the
Applicant 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 paragraph C of this section.
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:
Scoring criteria
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1. Applicant Status: National Organization, Multi-State, State .........................................................................................................
2. Degree of expertise in conducting similar assessments and producing deliverables such as those specified in grant ............
3. Applicant Resource (staff vs. contract personnel) .......................................................................................................................
Applicant may not contract with a nonaffiliated organization for more than 49 percent of the grant to provide the proposed
assistance.
4. Description of the service area: Particularly of the governance structures in place and opportunities to leverage existing
partnerships. (Medium Household Income and Population are considered in this scoring criterion).
5. Project Duration: Points are awarded for projects that accomplish objectives within a 12 month period ..................................
6. Needs Assessment: Extent of understanding of the purpose of the project ...............................................................................
7. Goals/Objectives: Goals and objectives should be clearly defined, tied to the need as defined in the work plan, and are
measurable.
8. Work plan: Extent to which the work plan clearly articulates a well thought out approach and methodology to accomplishing
objectives.
9. Actual assistance provided: ..........................................................................................................................................................
Scope of assistance (ability to conduct assistance in the colonias areas in Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas) as
defined in this NOFA.
10. Methodology: Extent to which the evaluation methods are specific to the program, clearly defined, measurable, with expected project outcomes.
11. Percentage of applicant’s contributions (in-kind support) ..........................................................................................................
12. Sustainability: Applicant demonstrates ability to sustain project without federal award using a thorough financial analysis to
include: Cash on hand, projected revenues, outside source contributions, and show a steady increase to sustainability within 5 years.
13. Prior Grant/Years Funded ..........................................................................................................................................................
10. Administrative Discretion ............................................................................................................................................................
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 the
Colonias Water Resource Studies 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.
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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.
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Up to 10.
Up to 5.
Up to 10.
Up to 25.
Up to 5.
Up to 15.
Up to 15.
Up to 40.
Up to 20.
Up to 20.
Up to 10.
Up to 10.
Up to 15.
Up to 15.
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
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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–425, ‘‘Federal Financial
Report,’’ 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 grantees are to submit an
original of each report to the National
Office. The project performance reports
should detail, preferably in a narrative
format, activities that have transpired
for the specific time period.
H. 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:
1. 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.
2. 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 by the
end of the month following the month
in which the award was made.
3. 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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:37 Apr 03, 2014
Jkt 232001
end of the month following the month
in which the subaward was made.
I. 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.
VII. Agency Contacts
A. Web site: https://
www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-wwtat.htm.
The RUS’ Web site maintains up-to-date
resources and contact information for
Technical Assistance and Training
Grants program.
B. Phone: 202–720–9589
C. Fax: 202–690–0649.
D. Email: anita.obrien@wdc.usda.gov.
E. Main point of contact: Anita
O’Brien, Community Program
Specialist, Water and Environmental
Programs, Water Programs Division,
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department
of Agriculture.
Dated: February 12, 2014.
John Charles Padalino,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–07567 Filed 4–3–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
[Docket No. 140312238–4238–01]
RIN 0694–XC013
Reporting for Calendar Year 2013 on
Offsets Agreements Related to Sales
of Defense Articles or Defense
Services to Foreign Countries or
Foreign Firms
Bureau of Industry and
Security, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; annual reporting
requirements.
AGENCY:
This notice is to remind the
public that U.S. firms are required to
report annually to the Department of
Commerce (Commerce) information on
contracts for the sale of defense articles
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
or defense services to foreign countries
or foreign firms that are subject to
offsets agreements exceeding $5,000,000
in value. U.S. firms are also required to
report annually to Commerce
information on offsets transactions
completed in performance of existing
offsets commitments for which offsets
credit of $250,000 or more has been
claimed from the foreign representative.
This year, such reports must include
relevant information from calendar year
2013 and must be submitted to
Commerce no later than June 15, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Reports should be
addressed to ‘‘Offsets Program Manager,
U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of
Strategic Industries and Economic
Security, Bureau of Industry and
Security, Room 3878, Washington, DC
20230.’’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ronald DeMarines, Office of Strategic
Industries and Economic Security,
Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S.
Department of Commerce, telephone:
202–482–3755; fax: 202–482–5650;
email: ronald.demarines@bis.doc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 723(a)(1) of the Defense
Production Act of 1950, as amended
(DPA) (50 U.S.C. app. § 2172 (2009)
requires the President to submit an
annual report to Congress on the impact
of offsets on the U.S. defense industrial
base. Section 723(a)(2) directs the
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to
prepare the President’s report and to
develop and administer the regulations
necessary to collect offsets data from
U.S. defense exporters.
The authorities of the Secretary
regarding offsets have been delegated to
the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Industry and Security. The regulations
associated with offsets reporting are set
forth in part 701 of title 15 of the Code
of Federal Regulations. Offsets are
compensation practices required as a
condition of purchase in either
government-to-government or
commercial sales of defense articles
and/or defense services, as defined by
the Arms Export Control Act and the
International Traffic in Arms
Regulations. For example, a company
that is selling a fleet of military aircraft
to a foreign government may agree to
offset the cost of the aircraft by
providing training assistance to plant
managers in the purchasing country.
Although this distorts the true price of
the aircraft, the foreign government may
require this sort of extra compensation
as a condition of awarding the contract
to purchase the aircraft. As described in
E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM
04APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18882-18886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07567]
[[Page 18882]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is announcing a special
Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 application window for a Colonias Needs
Assessment to be completed through the Technical Assistance and
Training Grant Program (TAT). In 2013, RUS partnered with EPA to launch
a USDA/EPA Mexico Border Needs Assessment and Support Project. The
five-phased project intends to identify small communities' gaps in
water and wastewater infrastructure development and in technical
capacity in the Mexico Border region. Once the gaps are identified, the
project intends to support appropriate water and wastewater
infrastructure projects that meet the specific needs of small
communities. The ultimate goal would be to reduce health risks and
increase economic development in Colonias regions. Phase 1 is completed
and consisted of RUS/EPA research and collection of data related to
socio-economic factors, public health and Federal and State investments
in infrastructure in Colonias regions. Phase 2 of the project is to
conduct a detailed assessment of water and wastewater infrastructure
needs in select Colonias areas in four states, including California,
New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. The areas of focus for the study are
further defined in the application guide and are those where Phase I
data showed highest health, environmental and economic challenges.
Through this announcement RUS seeks applications to conduct the needs
assessment and provide a detailed accounting of results that will
enable RUS and EPA to advance to Phase 3 of the project. The grant will
have a start date of July 1, 2014 and end on December 31, 2014.
The study will be done only in the colonias areas. For RUS
programs, Colonia is defined as a community that (1) is in the state of
Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas; (2) is within 150 miles of
the U.S.-Mexico border, except for any metropolitan area exceeding one
million people; (3) on the basis of objective criteria, lacks adequate
sewage systems and lacks decent, safe, and sanitary housing; and (4)
existed as a colonia before October 1, 1989. However, the needs
assessment may include other rural areas classified as Colonias by
other state and Federal agencies. RUS intends to award one grant to an
eligible entity for up to $500,000. The grantee will be expected to
commence work July 1, 2014 and submit all deliverables by December 31,
2014
DATES: You may submit completed applications for the Colonias Water and
Waste Disposal Needs Assessment 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 from the date this
NOFA is published through June 3, 2014, 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 from the date this NOFA is published through June 3, 2014, 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.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-wwtat.htm
You may also request application guides and materials from
RUS by contacting WEP at (202) 720-9589.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anita O'Brien, Community Program
Specialist, 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) 690-3789, FAX: (202) 690-0649, Email: anita.obrien@wdc.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Colonias Water Resource Studies Grant.
Announcement Type: Funding Level Announcement, and Solicitation of
Applications.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1926 (a)(14); Public Law 111-5, 123 Stat. 115.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.761.
Due Dates for Applications: Completed Colonias Water Resource
Studies grant applications must be mailed, shipped or submitted
electronically through Grants.gov no later than June 3, 2014 to be
eligible for funding.
Items in Supplementary Information
I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the Technical
Assistance and Training Grants.
II. Award Information: Available funds, maximum amounts.
$500,000.
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 and items that are
eligible.
V. Application Review Information: Considerations and
preferences, scoring criteria, review standards and selection
information.
VI. Award Administration Information: Award notice information
and award recipient reporting requirements.
VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, email, and contact name.
I. Funding Opportunity
The U.S.-Mexico Border Region is a dynamic area where public health
and environmental challenges are interconnected, populations
intermingle, and water resources are shared by both countries. USDA and
EPA work collaboratively with partners to address critical public
health and environmental problems at the source by providing often
first-time drinking and wastewater services to underserved communities.
The agencies have embarked on a joint project to improve estimates of
gaps in community infrastructure and to pilot approaches to technical
assistance and capacity building that can be applied more broadly and
be provided in a manner that can be sustained long term by building
capacity in the communities to improve and maintain adequate
infrastructure. Ultimately, the project will identify and vet
approaches to support small communities that can be supported
cooperatively by all stakeholders.
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) supports the sound development of
rural communities and the growth of our economy without endangering the
environment. 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.
[[Page 18883]]
The additional funding for the Colonias Studies, under the TAT
Grant Program, will allow colonias communities to better plan and
secure dependable water supplies for rebuilding their community's
health and economic development. Qualified private non-profit
organizations may apply to receive a grant to conduct water
infrastructure studies to evaluate infrastructure gaps, determine local
stakeholders and institutions, access community funding opportunities
and provide technical support to colonias communities.
Deliverables required under this colonias TAT grant are:
1. Creation of a searchable database of information required to be
collected as part of the needs assessment. A full list of the
information collection requirements is detailed in the application
guide, and includes such data as population, general demographics,
existing water and waste disposal infrastructure, incidence rate of
water borne infectious disease, assessment of access to indoor
plumbing, etc. The database must include geospatial information that
allows for mapping.
2. A report (in electronic and paper form) summarizing and
analyzing the data collected that:
Identifies areas of greatest need and where investment
will have highest economic and public health impact (including maps).
Identifies areas that lack access to water and/or waste
disposal infrastructure.
Estimates the capital investment needed in water and waste
disposal infrastructure in the study area (modest in scope and design).
The estimate should include a listing of each colonia assessed,
identification of the type of infrastructure required and the
recommended approach (i.e., connection to existing system, new cluster
system, centralized system and estimated capital costs).
Provides information on communities' capacity to apply for
funding, and operate and maintain utilities.
Identifies the areas where other technical assistance is
needed and for what purposes;
3. Lists of local institutions/community leaders that can serve as
points of contacts for the targeted communities.
4. Recommends approaches for technical assistance and outreach to
communities in high needs areas.
5. This report is due by December 31, 2014.
II. Award Information
Available funds: $500,000.
III. 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. Have an active registration with current information in the
System for Award Management (SAM) (previously the Central Contractor
Registry (CCR)--at https://www.sam.gov and have a Dun and Bradstreet
(D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.
2. Be legally established, located within a state within the United
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a
United States territory 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 be a colonias water resource study that will
evaluate and recommend sources of dependable water supply and
infrastructure that can be developed and used by colonias communities
in one or more of the colonias states of Arizona, California, New
Mexico, or Texas.
C. Other-Requirements
1. DUNS numbers and SAM Registration. Applicants must have Dun and
Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numbers and be
registered in System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov
prior to submitting an electronic or paper application. The DUNS
numbers and SAM requirements are contained in 2 CFR part 25. SAM is the
repository for standard information about applicants and recipients.
2. DUNS Number. As required by the OMB, all applicants for grants
must supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number when applying. The Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a field
for you to use when supplying your DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS number
costs nothing and requires a short telephone call to Dun and
Bradstreet. Please see https://www.grants.gov/applicants/request_duns_number.jsp for more information on how to obtain a DUNS number or how
to verify your organization's number.
3. System for Award Management (SAM). In accordance with 2 CFR part
25, applicants, whether applying electronically or by paper, must be
registered in SAM prior to submitting an application. Applicants may
register for the SAM at https://www.sam.gov. The SAM registration must
remain active, with current information, at all times during which an
entity has an application under consideration by an agency or has an
active Federal Award. To remain registered in the SAM database after
the initial registration, the applicant is required to review and
update on an annual basis from the date of initial registration or
subsequent updates of its information in the SAM database at https://www.sam.gov to ensure it is current, accurate and complete.
IV. 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.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-wwtat.htm.
https://www.grants.gov. or,
Water and Environmental Programs for paper copies of these
materials: Telephone: (202) 720-9589
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:
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
[[Page 18884]]
courier delivery services to the RUS receipt point set forth below. RUS
will not accept applications by fax or email. For paper applications
mail or ensure delivery of an original paper application (no stamped,
photocopied, or initialed signatures) and two copies by June 3, 2014 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: www.grants.gov. You must be preregistered
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 SAM at
https://www.sam.gov. 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 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 424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction
Programs''.
(c) Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs''.
(d) SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activity''.
(e) Form AD 1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transaction''.
(f) Form AD 1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements (Grants) Alternative I--For Grantees Other Than
Individuals''.
(g) Form AD 1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered
Transactions''.
(h) Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement''.
(i) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement (Under Title VI, Civil
Rights Act of 1964)''.
(j) AD-3030, ``Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicant''.
(k) AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicant''.
(l) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable, applicant must
include approved cost agreement rate schedule).
(m) Certification regarding Forest Service grant.
(n) 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 and Certificate of Good
Standing. If the jurisdiction in which the applicant is organized does
not require or issue such documentation, or the applicant otherwise
cannot provide it, the applicant must submit a statement explaining why
the supporting documentation is not included with the application; and;
(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 modified in the application guide and
listed below:
(i) Methodology: Describe the method by which you will conduct the
study and complete deliverables.
(ii) Experience of the applicant in conducting similar types of
work or in assessing needs in Colonias areas.
(iii) Personnel on staff or to be contracted to conduct the
assessment and complete deliverables and their experience with similar
projects. Also describe any existing partnerships that will be
leveraged to meet the deliverables.
(iv) Documentation on cost effectiveness of methodology and
approach proposed to complete the project.
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 Colonias Water and Waste
Disposal Assessment will be conducted and how deliverables will be met.
The proposal should cover the following elements (in addition to
information contained in 7 CFR 1775 Sections 1775.10 and 1775.11).
(a) Present a brief project overview. Explain your understanding of
the purpose of the project, how it relates to the RUS goals, how you
will carry out the project, what the project will produce, and who will
direct it.
(b) Prepare a detailed timeline of activities proposed that clearly
defines when work will be completed, and deliverables submitted for
review and final approval.
[[Page 18885]]
(c) 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 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. Corporations that have been convicted of a felony (or had
an officer or agent 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.
(v) Submit the most recent audit of your organization.
V. Application Review Information
A. Within 30 days of receiving your application, RUS will
acknowledge the application's receipt by letter to the Applicant. The
application will be reviewed for completeness to determine if it
contains all of the items required. If the application is incomplete or
ineligible, RUS will return it to the Applicant 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 paragraph C of this section.
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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scoring criteria Points
------------------------------------------------------------------ --------
1. Applicant Status: National Up to 10.
Organization, Multi-State, State.
2. Degree of expertise in conducting Up to 5.
similar assessments and producing
deliverables such as those specified
in grant.
3. Applicant Resource (staff vs. Up to 10.
contract personnel).
Applicant may not contract with a
nonaffiliated organization for more
than 49 percent of the grant to
provide the proposed assistance..
4. Description of the service area: Up to 25.
Particularly of the governance
structures in place and
opportunities to leverage existing
partnerships. (Medium Household
Income and Population are considered
in this scoring criterion).
5. Project Duration: Points are Up to 5.
awarded for projects that accomplish
objectives within a 12 month period.
6. Needs Assessment: Extent of Up to 15.
understanding of the purpose of the
project.
7. Goals/Objectives: Goals and Up to 15.
objectives should be clearly
defined, tied to the need as defined
in the work plan, and are measurable.
8. Work plan: Extent to which the Up to 40.
work plan clearly articulates a well
thought out approach and methodology
to accomplishing objectives.
9. Actual assistance provided:....... Up to 20.
Scope of assistance (ability to
conduct assistance in the colonias
areas in Arizona, California, New
Mexico, or Texas) as defined in this
NOFA..
10. Methodology: Extent to which the Up to 20.
evaluation methods are specific to
the program, clearly defined,
measurable, with expected project
outcomes.
11. Percentage of applicant's Up to 10.
contributions (in-kind support).
12. Sustainability: Applicant Up to 10.
demonstrates ability to sustain
project without federal award using
a thorough financial analysis to
include: Cash on hand, projected
revenues, outside source
contributions, and show a steady
increase to sustainability within 5
years.
13. Prior Grant/Years Funded......... Up to 15.
10. Administrative Discretion........ Up to 15.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 the Colonias Water Resource Studies
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
[[Page 18886]]
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-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' 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 grantees are to submit an original of each report to the
National Office. The project performance reports should detail,
preferably in a narrative format, activities that have transpired for
the specific time period.
H. 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:
1. 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.
2. 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 by the end of the month following the month in which the
award was made.
3. 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.
I. 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.
VII. Agency Contacts
A. Web site: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-wwtat.htm. The RUS' Web
site maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for
Technical Assistance and Training Grants program.
B. Phone: 202-720-9589
C. Fax: 202-690-0649.
D. Email: anita.obrien@wdc.usda.gov.
E. Main point of contact: Anita O'Brien, Community Program
Specialist, Water and Environmental Programs, Water Programs Division,
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dated: February 12, 2014.
John Charles Padalino,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-07567 Filed 4-3-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P