Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) for Fiscal Year 2014, 47427-47436 [2014-19132]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Housing Service

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 156 (Wednesday, August 13, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47427-47436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19132]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the 
Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) for Fiscal Year 2014

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the availability of $5,967,000 in Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2014 funding for competitive grant funds for the Rural 
Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program through the Rural 
Housing Service (RHS), an agency within the USDA Rural Development 
mission area herein referred to as the Agency. Applicants must provide 
matching funds in an amount at least equal to the Federal grant. These 
grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will 
provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop 
their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, 
community facilities, or community and economic development that will 
support the community.
    This Notice lists the information needed to submit an application 
for these funds.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. local time, 
November 12, 2014. The application

[[Page 47428]]

date and time are firm. The Agency will not consider any application 
received after the deadline. Applicants intending to mail applications 
must provide sufficient time to permit delivery on or before the 
closing deadline date and time. Acceptance by the United States Postal 
Service or private mailer does not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX) 
and postage due applications will not be accepted.

ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the 
application documents and requirements delineated in this Notice from 
the RCDI Web site: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-RCDI_Grants.html.
    Application information for electronic submissions may be found at 
https://www.grants.gov.
    Applicants may also request paper application packages from the 
Rural Development office in their state. A list of Rural Development 
State offices can be found via https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/RCDI_State_Contacts.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Rural Development office for the 
state the applicant is located. A list of Rural Development State 
Office contacts can be found via https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/RCDI_State_Contacts.pdf.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The paperwork burden has been cleared by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575-0180.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Housing Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Community Development Initiative.
    Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.446.
    Dates: The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. local 
time, November 12, 2014. The application date and time are firm. The 
Agency will not consider any application received after the deadline. 
Applicants intending to mail applications must provide sufficient time 
to permit delivery on or before the closing deadline date and time. 
Acceptance by the United States Postal Service or private mailer does 
not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX) and postage due applications 
will not be accepted.

Part I--Funding Opportunity Description

    Congress, in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Pub. L. 
113-76) authorized the RCDI to develop the capacity and ability of 
qualified private, nonprofit community-based housing and community 
development organizations, low-income rural communities, and federally 
recognized Native American Tribes to undertake projects related to 
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development in 
rural areas.

Part II--Award Information

    Congress appropriated $5,967,000 in FY 2014 for the RCDI program. 
Qualified private, nonprofit and public (including tribal) intermediary 
organizations proposing to carry out financial and technical assistance 
programs will be eligible to receive the funding. The intermediary will 
be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to 
the RCDI grant.
    The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per intermediary is 
$50,000 and $250,000.
    The intermediary must provide a program of financial and technical 
assistance to a private, nonprofit community-based housing and 
development organization, a low-income rural community or a federally 
recognized tribe.

Part III--Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    1. Qualified private, nonprofit, (including faith-based and 
community organizations and philanthropic foundations), in accordance 
with 7 CFR part 16, and public (including tribal) intermediary 
organizations. Definitions that describe eligible organizations and 
other key terms are listed below.
    2. RCDI grantees that have an outstanding grant over 3 years old, 
as of the application due date in this Notice, will not be eligible to 
apply for this round of funding. Grant and matching funds must be 
utilized in a timely manner to ensure that the goals and objectives of 
the program are met.

B. Program Definitions

    Agency--The Rural Housing Service (RHS) or its successor.
    Beneficiary--Entities or individuals that receive benefits from 
assistance provided by the recipient.
    Capacity--The ability of a recipient to implement housing, 
community facilities, or community and economic development projects.
    Conflict of interest--A situation in which a person or entity has 
competing personal, professional, or financial interests that make it 
difficult for the person or business to act impartially. Regarding use 
of both grant and matching funds, Federal procurement standards 
prohibit transactions that involve a real or apparent conflict of 
interest for owners, employees, officers, agents, or their immediate 
family members having a financial or other interest in the outcome of 
the project; or that restrict open and free competition for 
unrestrained trade. Specifically, project funds may not be used for 
services or goods going to, or coming from, a person or entity with a 
real or apparent conflict of interest, including, but not limited to, 
owner(s) and their immediate family members. An example of conflict of 
interest occurs when the grantee's employees, board of directors, or 
the immediate family of either, have the appearance of a professional 
or personal financial interest in the recipients receiving the benefits 
or services of the grant.
    Federally recognized tribes--Tribal entities recognized and 
eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
based on the current notice in the Federal Register published by the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs. Tribally Designated Housing Entities are 
eligible RCDI recipients.
    Financial assistance--Funds, not to exceed $10,000 per award, used 
by the intermediary to purchase supplies and equipment to build the 
recipient's capacity.
    Funds--The RCDI grant and matching money.
    Intermediary--A qualified private, nonprofit (including faith-based 
and community organizations and philanthropic organizations), or public 
(including tribal) organization that provides financial and technical 
assistance to multiple recipients.
    Low-income rural community--An authority, district, economic 
development authority, regional council, or unit of government 
representing an incorporated city, town, village, county, township, 
parish, or borough whose income is at or below 80 percent of either the 
state or national Median Household Income as measured by the 2010 
Census.
    Matching funds--Cash or confirmed funding commitments. Matching 
funds must be at least equal to the grant amount and committed for a 
period of not less than the grant performance period.
    Recipient--The entity that receives the financial and technical 
assistance from the Intermediary. The recipient

[[Page 47429]]

must be a nonprofit community-based housing and development 
organization, a low-income rural community or a federally recognized 
Tribe.
    Regional Collaboration--Multi-jurisdictional areas typically within 
a State, territory, or federally-designated Tribal land but which can 
cross State, territory, or Tribal boundaries. The Regional 
Collaboration approach is intended to combine the resources of the 
Agency with those of State and local governments, educational 
institutions, and the private and nonprofit sectors to implement 
regional economic and community development strategies.
    Rural and rural area--Any area other than (i) a city or town that 
has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and (ii) the 
urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such city or town.
    Technical assistance--Skilled help in improving the recipient's 
abilities in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community 
and economic development.

C. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are cash or confirmed funding commitments and must 
be at least equal to the grant amount and committed for a period of not 
less than the grant performance period. These funds can only be used 
for eligible RCDI activities. Matching funds must be used to support 
the overall purpose of the RCDI program.
    In-kind contributions such as salaries, donated time and effort, 
real and nonexpendable personal property and goods and services cannot 
be used as matching funds.
    Grant funds and matching funds must be used in equal proportions. 
This does not mean funds have to be used equally by line item.
    The request for advance or reimbursement and supporting 
documentation must show that RCDI fund usage does not exceed the 
cumulative amount of matching funds used.
    Grant funds will be disbursed pursuant to relevant provisions of 7 
CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019, as applicable. Verification of matching 
funds must be submitted with the application.
    The intermediary is responsible for demonstrating that matching 
funds are available, and committed for a period of not less than the 
grant performance period to the RCDI proposal. Matching funds may be 
provided by the intermediary or a third party. Other Federal funds may 
be used as matching funds if authorized by statute and the purpose of 
the funds is an eligible RCDI purpose.
    RCDI funds will be disbursed on an advance or reimbursement basis. 
Matching funds cannot be expended prior to execution of the RCDI Grant 
Agreement.
    No reimbursement will be made for any funds expended prior to 
execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement unless the intermediary is a non-
profit or educational entity and has requested and received written 
Agency approval of the costs prior to the actual expenditure.
    This exception is applicable for up to 90 days prior to grant 
closing and only applies to grantees that have received written 
approval but have not executed the RCDI Grant Agreement.
    The Agency cannot retroactively approve reimbursement for 
expenditures prior to execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement.

D. Other Program Requirements

    1. The recipient and beneficiary, but not the intermediary, must be 
located in an eligible rural area. The physical location of the 
recipient's office that will be receiving the financial and technical 
assistance must be in an eligible rural area. If the recipient is a 
low-income community, the median household income of the area where the 
office is located must be at or below 80 percent of the State or 
national median household income, whichever is higher. The applicable 
Rural Development State Office can assist in determining the 
eligibility of an area.
    A listing of Rural Development State Office contacts can be found 
via http:[sol][sol]www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/RCDI_State_
Contacts.pdf. A map showing eligible rural areas can be found at the 
following link: http:[sol][sol]eligibility.test.sc.egov.usda.gov/
eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=RBSmenu&NavKey=property@13.
    2. The recipient must be a nonprofit, which may include a faith-
based organization, philanthropic foundation, community-based housing 
and development organization, low-income rural community, or federally 
recognized tribe based on the RCDI definitions of these groups.
    3. Documentation must be submitted to verify recipient eligibility. 
Acceptable documentation varies depending on the type of recipient. 
Private nonprofit, faith or community-based organizations must provide 
a certificate of incorporation and good standing from the Secretary of 
the State of incorporation, or other similar and valid documentation of 
nonprofit status. For low-income rural community recipients, the Agency 
requires evidence that the entity is a public body and census data 
verifying that the median household income of the community where the 
office receiving the financial and technical assistance is located is 
at, or below, 80 percent of the State or national median household 
income, whichever is higher.
    For federally recognized tribes, the Agency needs the page listing 
their name from the current Federal Register list of tribal entities 
recognized and eligible for funding services (see the definition of 
federally recognized tribes in this Notice for details on this list).
    4. Individuals cannot be recipients.
    5. The intermediary must provide matching funds at least equal to 
the amount of the grant. Verification of matching funds must be 
submitted with the application. Matching funds must be committed for a 
period equal to the grant performance period.
    6. The intermediary must provide a program of financial and 
technical assistance to the recipient.
    7. The intermediary organization must have been legally organized 
for a minimum of 3 years and have at least 3 years prior experience 
working with private nonprofit community-based housing and development 
organizations, low-income rural communities, or tribal organizations in 
the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development.
    8. Proposals must be structured to utilize the grant funds within 3 
years from the date of the award.
    9. Each applicant, whether singularly or jointly, may only submit 
one application for RCDI funds under this Notice. This restriction does 
not preclude the applicant from providing matching funds for other 
applications.
    10. Recipients can benefit from more than one RCDI application; 
however, after grant selections are made, the recipient can only 
benefit from multiple RCDI grants if the type of financial and 
technical assistance the recipient will receive is not duplicative. The 
services described in multiple RCDI grant applications must have 
separate and identifiable accounts for compliance purposes.
    11. The intermediary and the recipient cannot be the same entity. 
The recipient can be a related entity to the intermediary, if it meets 
the definition of a recipient, provided the relationship does not 
create a conflict of interest that cannot be resolved to Rural 
Development's satisfaction.
    12. A nonprofit recipient must provide evidence that it is a valid 
nonprofit when the intermediary applies for the RCDI grant.

[[Page 47430]]

Organizations with pending requests for nonprofit designations are not 
eligible.
    13. If the recipient is a low-income rural community, identify the 
unit of government to which the financial and technical assistance will 
be provided, e.g., town council or village board. The financial and 
technical assistance must be provided to the organized unit of 
government representing that community, not the community at large.
    14. If a grantee has an outstanding RCDI grant over 3 years old, as 
of the application due date in this Notice, it is not eligible to apply 
for this round of funding.
    15. The indirect cost category in the project budget should be used 
only when a grant applicant has a federally negotiated indirect cost 
rate. A copy of the current rate agreement must be provided with the 
application.
    16. Grant applicants must obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data 
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and register in the System for 
Award Management (SAM) prior to submitting a pre-application pursuant 
to 2 CFR 25.200(b). In addition, an entity applicant must maintain 
registration in SAM at all times during which it has an active Federal 
award or an application or plan under construction by the Agency. 
Similarly, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are required 
to report information about first-tier subawards and executive 
compensation in accordance to 2 CFR part 170. So long as an entity 
applicant does not have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b), the 
applicant must have the necessary processes and systems in place to 
comply with the reporting requirements should the applicant receive 
funding. See 2 CFR 170.200(b).

E. Eligible Fund Uses

    Fund uses must be consistent with the RCDI purpose. A nonexclusive 
list of eligible grant uses includes the following:
    1. Provide technical assistance to develop recipients' capacity and 
ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, 
or community and economic development, e.g., the intermediary hires a 
staff person to provide technical assistance to the recipient or the 
recipient hires a staff person, under the supervision of the 
intermediary, to carry out the technical assistance provided by the 
intermediary.
    2. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct community 
development programs, e.g., homeownership education or training for 
business entrepreneurs.
    3. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct development 
initiatives, e.g., programs that support micro-enterprise and 
sustainable development.
    4. Develop the capacity of recipients to increase their leveraging 
ability and access to alternative funding sources by providing training 
and staffing.
    5. Develop the capacity of recipients to provide the technical 
assistance component for essential community facilities projects.
    6. Assist recipients in completing pre-development requirements for 
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development 
projects by providing resources for professional services, e.g., 
architectural, engineering, or legal.
    7. Improve recipient's organizational capacity by providing 
training and resource material on developing strategic plans, board 
operations, management, financial systems, and information technology.
    8. Purchase of computers, software, and printers, limited to 
$10,000 per award, at the recipient level when directly related to the 
technical assistance program being undertaken by the intermediary.
    9. Provide funds to recipients for training-related travel costs 
and training expenses related to RCDI.

F. Ineligible Fund Uses

    The following is a list of ineligible grant uses:
    1. Pass-through grants, capacity grants, and any funds provided to 
the recipient in a lump sum that are not reimbursements.
    2. Funding a revolving loan fund (RLF).
    3. Construction (in any form).
    4. Salaries for positions involved in construction, renovations, 
rehabilitation, and any oversight of these types of activities.
    5. Intermediary preparation of strategic plans for recipients.
    6. Funding prostitution, gambling, or any illegal activities.
    7. Grants to individuals.
    8. Funding a grant where there may be a conflict of interest, or an 
appearance of a conflict of interest, involving any action by the 
Agency.
    9. Paying obligations incurred before the beginning date without 
prior Agency approval or after the ending date of the grant agreement.
    10. Purchasing real estate.
    11. Improvement or renovation of the grantee's, or recipient's 
office space or for the repair or maintenance of privately owned 
vehicles.
    12. Any purpose prohibited in 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, or 3019, as 
applicable.
    13. Using funds for recipient's general operating costs.
    14. Using grant or matching funds for Individual Development 
Accounts.
    15. Purchasing vehicles.

G. Program Examples and Restrictions

    The purpose of this initiative is to develop or increase the 
recipient's capacity through a program of financial and technical 
assistance to perform in the areas of housing, community facilities, or 
community and economic development. Strengthening the recipient's 
capacity in these areas will benefit the communities they serve. The 
RCDI structure requires the intermediary (grantee) to provide a program 
of financial and technical assistance to recipients.
    The recipients will, in turn, provide programs to their communities 
(beneficiaries). The following are examples of eligible and ineligible 
purposes under the RCDI program. (These examples are illustrative and 
are not meant to limit the activities proposed in the application. 
Activities that meet the objectives of the RCDI program and meet the 
criteria outlined in this Notice will be considered eligible.)
    1. The intermediary must work directly with the recipient, not the 
ultimate beneficiaries. As an example:
    The intermediary provides training to the recipient on how to 
conduct homeownership education classes. The recipient then provides 
ongoing homeownership education to the residents of the community--the 
ultimate beneficiaries. This ``train the trainer'' concept fully meets 
the intent of this initiative. The intermediary is providing technical 
assistance that will build the recipient's capacity by enabling them to 
conduct homeownership education classes for the public.
    This is an eligible purpose. However, if the intermediary directly 
provided homeownership education classes to individuals in the 
recipient's service area, this would not be an eligible purpose because 
the recipient would be bypassed.
    2. If the intermediary is working with a low-income community as 
the recipient, the intermediary must provide the technical assistance 
to the entity that represents the low-income community and is 
identified in the application. Examples of entities representing a low-
income community are a village board or a town council.
    If the intermediary provides technical assistance to the Board of 
the low-income community on how to establish a cooperative, this would 
be an eligible purpose. However, if the intermediary works directly 
with individuals from

[[Page 47431]]

the community to establish the cooperative, this is not an eligible 
purpose.
    The recipient's capacity is built by learning skills that will 
enable them to support sustainable economic development in their 
communities on an ongoing basis.
    3. The intermediary may provide technical assistance to the 
recipient on how to create and operate a revolving loan fund. The 
intermediary may not monitor or operate the revolving loan fund. RCDI 
funds, including matching funds, cannot be used to fund revolving loan 
funds.
    4. The intermediary may work with recipients in building their 
capacity to provide planning and leadership development training. The 
recipients of this training would be expected to assume leadership 
roles in the development and execution of regional strategic plans. The 
intermediary would work with multiple recipients in helping communities 
recognize their connections to the greater regional and national 
economies.
    5. The intermediary could provide training and technical assistance 
to the recipients on developing emergency shelter and feeding, short-
term housing, search and rescue, and environmental accident, 
prevention, and cleanup program plans. For longer term disaster and 
economic crisis responses, the intermediary could work with the 
recipients to develop job placement and training programs, and develop 
coordinated transit systems for displaced workers.

Part IV--Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application Package

    Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the 
application documents and requirements delineated in this Notice from 
the RCDI Web site: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-RCDI_Grants.html.
    Application information for electronic submissions may be found at 
https://www.grants.gov.
    Applicants may also request paper application packages from the 
Rural Development office in their state. A list of Rural Development 
State office contacts can be found via https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/RCDI_State_Contacts.pdf.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    If the applicant is ineligible or the application is incomplete, 
the Agency will inform the applicant in writing of the decision, 
reasons therefore, and its appeal rights and no further evaluation of 
the application will occur.
    A complete application for RCDI funds must include the following:
    1. A summary page, double-spaced between items, listing the 
following: (This information should not be presented in narrative 
form.)
    a. Applicant's name,
    b. Applicant's address,
    c. Applicant's telephone number,
    d. Name of applicant's contact person and telephone number,
    e. Applicant's fax number,
    f. County where applicant is located,
    g. Congressional district number where applicant is located,
    h. Amount of grant request, and
    i. Number of recipients.
    2. A detailed Table of Contents containing page numbers for each 
component of the application.
    3. A project overview, no longer than five pages, including the 
following items, which will also be addressed separately and in detail 
under ``Building Capacity'' of the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
    a. The type of technical assistance to be provided to the 
recipients and how it will be implemented.
    b. How the capacity and ability of the recipients will be improved.
    c. The overall goals to be accomplished.
    d. The benchmarks to be used to measure the success of the program. 
Benchmarks should be specific and quantifiable.
    4. Organizational documents, such as a certificate of incorporation 
and a current good standing certification from the Secretary of State 
where the applicant is incorporated and other similar and valid 
documentation of non-profit status, from the intermediary that confirms 
it has been legally organized for a minimum of 3 years as the applicant 
entity.
    5. Verification of source and amount of matching funds, e.g., a 
copy of a bank statement if matching funds are in cash or a copy of the 
confirmed funding commitment from the funding source.
    The verification must show that matching funds are available for 
the duration of the grant performance period. The verification of 
matching funds must be submitted with the application or the 
application will be considered incomplete.
    The applicant will be contacted by the Agency prior to grant award 
to verify that the matching funds provided with the application 
continue to be available. The applicant will have 15 days from the date 
contacted to submit verification that matching funds continue to be 
available.
    If the applicant is unable to provide the verification within that 
timeframe, the application will be considered ineligible. The applicant 
must maintain bank statements on file or other documentation for a 
period of at least 3 years after grant closing except that the records 
shall be retained beyond the 3-year period if audit findings have not 
been resolved.
    6. The following information for each recipient:
    a. Recipient's entity name,
    b. Complete address (mailing and physical location, if different),
    c. County where located,
    d. Number of Congressional district where recipient is located,
    e. Contact person's name and telephone number, and
    f. Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.'' If the Form RD 400-4 is 
not submitted for a recipient, the recipient will be considered 
ineligible. No information pertaining to that recipient will be 
included in the income or population scoring criteria and the requested 
funding may be adjusted due to the deletion of the recipient.
    7. Submit evidence that each recipient entity is eligible:
    a. Nonprofits--provide a current valid letter confirming non-profit 
status from the Secretary of the State of incorporation or the IRS, a 
current good standing certification from the Secretary of the State of 
incorporation, or other valid documentation of nonprofit status of each 
recipient.
    b. Low-income rural community--provide evidence the entity is a 
public body, and a copy of the 2010 census data to verify the 
population, and evidence that the median household income is at, or 
below, 80 percent of either the State or national median household 
income. We will only accept data and printouts from https://www.census.gov.
    c. Federally recognized tribes--provide the page listing their name 
from the Federal Register list of tribal entities published by the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs on May 6, 2013 (78 FR 26384) or from the 2014 
list which can be found at https://www.bia.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/text/idc006989.
    8. Each of the ``Evaluation Criteria'' must be addressed 
specifically and individually by category. Present these criteria in 
narrative form. Documentation must be limited to three pages per 
criterion. The ``Population'' and ``Income'' criteria for recipient 
locations can be provided in the form of a list; however, the source of 
the data must be included on the page(s).

[[Page 47432]]

    9. A timeline identifying specific activities and proposed dates 
for completion.
    10. A detailed project budget that includes the RCDI grant amount 
and matching funds. This should be a line-item budget, by category. 
Categories such as salaries, administrative, other, and indirect costs 
that pertain to the proposed project must be clearly defined. 
Supporting documentation listing the components of these categories 
must be included. The budget should be dated: Year 1, year 2, year 3, 
as applicable.
    11. Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' (Do not 
complete Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information.'' A separate line-item 
budget should be presented as described in No. 13 of this section.)
    12. Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
    13. Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions.''
    14. Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
    15. Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements.''
    16. Certification of Non-Lobbying Activities.
    17. Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if 
applicable.
    18. Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement,'' for the applicant.
    19. Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees. (A statement acknowledging whether or not a 
relationship exists is required).
    20. For grants, the applicant's Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering Systems (DUNS) number and registration in the System for 
Award Management (SAM) in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. As required by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), all grant applications must 
provide a DUNS number when applying for Federal grants, on or after 
October 1, 2003. Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by 
calling the dedicated toll-free number at 1-866-705-5711 or via 
Internet at https://www.dnb.com/us/. Additional information concerning 
this requirement can be obtained on the Grants.gov Web site at https://www.grants.gov. Similarly, applicants may register for SAM at https://www.sam.gov or by calling 1-866-606-8220.
    The DUNS number should be identified in the ``Organizational DUNS'' 
field on Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance.'' Since there are no specific fields for a Commercial and 
Government Entity (CAGE) code and expiration date, they may be 
identified anywhere on the Form SF 424. If the applicant does not 
provide the CAGE code and expiration date and the DUNS number in the 
application, it will not be considered for funding. The required forms 
and certifications can be downloaded from the RCDI Web site at: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HAD-RCDI_Grants.html.

C. Other Submission Information

    Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants, OMB No. 1894-
0010 (applies only to nonprofit applicants only--submission is 
optional).
    The original application package must be submitted to the Rural 
Development State Office where the applicant's headquarters is located. 
A listing of Rural Development State Offices can be found via https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/RCDI_State_Contacts.pdf. 
Applications will not be accepted via FAX or electronic mail.
    Applicants may file an electronic application at https://www.grants.gov. 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. If 
a system problem or technical difficulty occurs with an electronic 
application, please use the customer support resources available at the 
Grants.gov Web site.
    Technical difficulties submitting an application through Grants.gov 
will not be a reason to extend the application deadline. If an 
application is unable to be submitted through Grants.gov, a paper 
application must be received in the appropriate Rural Development State 
Office by the deadline noted previously.
    First time Grants.gov users should carefully read and follow the 
registration steps listed on the Web site. These steps need to be 
initiated early in the application process to avoid delays in 
submitting your application online.
    In order to register with System for Award Management (SAM), your 
organization will need a DUNS number. Be sure to complete the Marketing 
Partner ID (MPID) and Electronic Business Primary Point of Contact 
fields during the SAM registration process.
    These are mandatory fields that are required when submitting grant 
applications through Grants.gov. Additional application instructions 
for submitting an electronic application can be found by selecting this 
funding opportunity on Grants.gov.

D. Funding Restrictions

    Meeting expenses. In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1345, ``Expenses of 
Meetings,'' appropriations may not be used for travel, transportation, 
and subsistence expenses for a meeting. RCDI grant funds cannot be used 
for these meeting-related expenses. Matching funds may, however, be 
used to pay for these expenses.
    RCDI funds may be used to pay for a speaker as part of a program, 
equipment to facilitate the program, and the actual room that will 
house the meeting.
    RCDI funds cannot be used for meetings; they can, however, be used 
for travel, transportation, or subsistence expenses for program-related 
training and technical assistance purposes. Any training not delineated 
in the application must be approved by the Agency to verify compliance 
with 31 U.S.C. 1345. Travel and per diem expenses (including meals and 
incidental expenses) will be similar to those paid to Agency employees.
    Rates are based upon location. Rate information can be obtained 
from the applicable Rural Development State Office. When lodging is not 
available at the government rate, grantees and recipients may exceed 
the Government rate for lodging by a maximum of 20 percent.
    Grantees and recipients will be restricted to traveling coach class 
on common carrier airlines. Mileage and gas reimbursement will be the 
same rate used by Agency employees. This rate may be obtained from the 
applicable Rural Development State Office.

Part V--Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria and 
weights:
1. Building Capacity--Maximum 60 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate how they will improve the 
recipients' capacity, through a program of financial and technical 
assistance, as it relates to the RCDI purposes.
    Capacity-building financial and technical assistance should provide 
new functions to the recipients or expand existing functions that will 
enable the recipients to undertake projects in the areas of housing, 
community facilities, or community and economic

[[Page 47433]]

development that will benefit the community. Capacity-building 
financial and technical assistance may include, but is not limited to: 
training to conduct community development programs, e.g., homeownership 
education, or the establishment of minority business entrepreneurs, 
cooperatives, or micro-enterprises; organizational development, e.g., 
assistance to develop or improve board operations, management, and 
financial systems; instruction on how to develop and implement a 
strategic plan; instruction on how to access alternative funding 
sources to increase leveraging opportunities; staffing, e.g., hiring a 
person at intermediary or recipient level to provide technical 
assistance to recipients.
    The program of financial and technical assistance provided, its 
delivery, and the measurability of the program's effectiveness will 
determine the merit of the application.
    All applications will be competitively ranked with the applications 
providing the most improvement in capacity development and measurable 
activities being ranked the highest.
    a. The narrative response must:
    i. Describe the nature of financial and technical assistance to be 
provided to the recipients and the activities that will be conducted to 
deliver the technical assistance;
    ii. Explain how financial and technical assistance will develop or 
increase the recipient's capacity. Indicate whether a new function is 
being developed or if existing functions are being expanded or 
performed more effectively;
    iii. Identify which RCDI purpose areas will be addressed with this 
assistance: Housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development; and
    iv. Describe how the results of the technical assistance will be 
measured. What benchmarks will be used to measure effectiveness? 
Benchmarks should be specific and quantifiable.
    b. The maximum 60 points for this criterion will be broken down as 
follows:
    i. Type of financial and technical assistance and implementation 
activities. 35 points.
    ii. An explanation of how financial and technical assistance will 
develop capacity. 10 points.
    iii. Identification of the RCDI purpose. 5 points.
    iv. Measurement of outcomes. 10 points.
2. Expertise--Maximum 30 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate that it has conducted programs of 
financial and technical assistance and achieved measurable results in 
the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development in rural areas.
    Provide the name, contact information, and the type and amount of 
the financial and technical assistance the applicant organization has 
provided to the following for the last 3 years:
    a. Nonprofit organizations in rural areas.
    b. Low-income communities in rural areas (also include the type of 
entity, e.g., city government, town council, or village board).
    c. Federally recognized tribes or any other culturally diverse 
organizations.
3. Population--Maximum 30 Points
    Population is based on the average population from the 2010 census 
data for the communities in which the recipients are located. The 
physical address, not mailing address, for each recipient must be used 
for this criterion. Community is defined for scoring purposes as a 
city, town, village, county, parish, borough, or census-designated 
place where the recipient's office is physically located.
    The applicant must submit the census data from the following Web 
site in the form of a printout of the applicable ``Fact Sheet'' to 
verify the population figures used for each recipient. The data can be 
accessed on the Internet at http:[sol][sol]www.census.gov; click on 
``American FactFinder,'' fill in field and click ``Go''; the name and 
population data for each recipient location must be listed in this 
section.
    The average population of the recipient locations will be used and 
will be scored as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Scoring
                         Population                            (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,000 or less..............................................           30
5,001 to 10,000............................................           20
10,001 to 20,000...........................................           10
20,001 to 50,000...........................................            5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Income--Maximum 30 Points
    The average of the median household income for the communities 
where the recipients are physically located will determine the points 
awarded. The physical address, not mailing address, for each recipient 
must be used for this criterion. Applicants may compare the average 
recipient median household income to the State median household income 
or the national median household income, whichever yields the most 
points. The national median household income to be used is $51,914.
    The applicant must submit the income data in the form of a printout 
of the applicable information from the following Web site to verify the 
income for each recipient.
    The data being used is from the 2010 census. The data can be 
accessed on the Internet at https://www.census.gov; click on ``American 
FactFinder,'' fill in field and click ``Go''; the name and income data 
for each recipient location must be listed in this section. Points will 
be awarded as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Scoring
              Average recipient median income                  (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 60 percent of state or national median household            30
 income....................................................
From 60 to 70 percent of state or national median household           20
 income....................................................
Greater than 70 to 80 percent of state or national median             10
 household income..........................................
In excess of 80 percent of state or national median                    0
 household income..........................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Soundness of Approach--Maximum 50 Points
    The applicant can receive up to 50 points for soundness of 
approach. The overall proposal will be considered under this criterion. 
Applicants must list the page numbers in the application that address 
these factors.
    The maximum 50 points for this criterion will be broken down as 
follows:
    a. The ability to provide the proposed financial and technical 
assistance based on prior accomplishments has been demonstrated. 10 
Points.
    b. The proposed financial and technical assistance program is 
clearly stated and the applicant has defined how this proposal will be 
implemented. The plan for implementation is viable. 10 Points.
    c. Cost effectiveness will be evaluated based on the budget in the 
application. The proposed grant amount and matching funds should be 
utilized to maximize capacity building at the recipient level. 15 
points.
    d. The proposal fits the objectives for which applications were 
invited. 15 points.
6. Technical assistance for the development of Renewable Energy Systems 
and Energy Efficiency Improvements--Maximum 20 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate how they will improve the 
recipients' capacity to carry out activities related to

[[Page 47434]]

the development of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency 
improvements for housing, community facilities, or community and 
economic development.
7. Regional Collaboration Applications--Maximum 20 Points
    The Agency encourages applications that promote substantive 
economic growth, including job creation, as well as specifically 
addressing the circumstances of those sectors within the region that 
have fewer prospects and the greatest need for improved economic 
opportunity.
    A Regional Collaboration project should implement goals, objectives 
or actions identified in a Regional Strategic Plan which addresses 
priorities specified at a regional scale. Applications should 
demonstrate:
    a. Clear leadership at the Intermediary level in organizing and 
coordinating a regional initiative;
    b. Evidence that the Recipient's region has a common economic basis 
that supports the likelihood of success in implementing its strategy; 
and
    c. Evidence that technical assistance will be provided that will 
increase the Recipient's capacity to assess their circumstance, 
determine a long term sustainable vision for the region, and implement 
a comprehensive strategic plan, including identifying performance 
measures and establishing a system to collect the data to allow 
assessment of those performance measures.
8. Local Investment Points--Maximum 20 Points
    Intermediaries must be physically located in an eligible rural 
community and must include evidence of investment in the community. The 
intent is to ensure that RCDI funds are expended in the rural 
community.
9. Investing in Manufacturing Communities--Maximum 25 Points
    Grant applicants demonstrating a technical assistance plan to help 
boost investing in manufacturing communities will be awarded a maximum 
of 25 additional points.
    The applicant must demonstrate how their efforts will attract 
manufacturers and their supply chain of local innovators, producers, 
and distributors to create new jobs and strengthen the local economy. 
Applicant must demonstrate how it will support the redevelopment of 
manufacturing communities that have had major plant closings, in 
partnership with local leaders, workers and businesses. The maximum 25 
points for this criterion will be awarded as follows:
    a. Demonstrates how this project will attract manufacturing to the 
region. (10 points)
    b. The ability to provide technical assistance to develop and 
implement long term strategies to orient the communities' and regions' 
economies for innovation, job creation, and export promotion. (5 
Points)
    c. Emphasizes some combination of public-private partnership, 
including higher education collaboration. (5 Points)
    d. Demonstrates how this project will lead to further development 
of the region's industrial ecosystem. (5 points)
10. State Director's Points Based on Project Merit--Maximum 20 Points
    a. This criterion will be addressed by the Agency, not the 
applicant.
    b. Up to 20 points may be awarded by the Rural Development State 
Director to any application that benefits their state regardless of 
whether the applicant is headquartered in their state.
    c. When an intermediary submits an application that will benefit a 
state that is not the same as the state in which the intermediary is 
headquartered, it is the intermediary's responsibility to notify the 
State Director of the state which is receiving the benefit of their 
application. In such cases, State Directors awarding points to 
applications benefiting their state must notify the reviewing state in 
writing.
    d. State Directors have a maximum of 20 points per state that may 
be awarded to one or more applications.
    e. The total points that may be awarded to any application may not 
exceed 20.
    f. Assignment of any points under this criterion requires a written 
justification and must be tied to and awarded based on how closely the 
application aligns with the Rural Development State Office's strategic 
goals.
11. Support of Agency's Strategic Goals--Maximum 20 Points
    This criterion will be addressed by the Agency, not the applicant. 
The Agency Administrator may award up to 20 points to any application 
to the extent that the application supports Strategic Goal One in the 
USDA Strategic Plan 2014-2018. This plan can be found at the following 
link: www.usda.gov/documents/usda-strategic-plan-fy-2014-2018.pdf.
12. StrikeForce, Promise Zones and census tracts with poverty rates 
greater than or equal to 20 percent--Maximum 20 Points
    Applicants can receive 20 points if their project is based in or 
serving StrikeForce, Promise Zones or census tracts with poverty rates 
greater than or equal to 20 percent and are eligible under this RCDI 
program. This emphasis will support Rural Development's mission of 
improving the quality of life for rural Americans and our commitment to 
directing resources to those who most need them.
    USDA's StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity Initiative is 
part of the Agency's commitment to growing economies, increasing 
investments and creating opportunities in poverty-stricken rural 
communities. The Promise Zone Initiative designates a number of high 
poverty urban, rural and tribal communities as Promise Zones, where the 
federal government will partner with and invest in communities to 
create jobs, leverage private investment, increase economic activity, 
expand educational opportunities, and improve public safety. For a 
listing of StrikeForce areas and designated Promise Zones, click on the 
following link: https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=STRIKE_FORCE, then click the StrikeForce or Promise 
Zones button from the left menu. For a mapping tool identifying census 
tracts with poverty rates greater than or equal to 20 percent, click on 
the following link: https://rdgdwe.sc.egov.usda.gov/rdpoverty/.
    The maximum 20 points for this criterion will be awarded for any of 
the following:
    a. StrikeForce--The project serves a StrikeForce area. Identify the 
StrikeForce area and clearly demonstrate to what extent the project 
will support the StrikeForce area.
    b. Promise Zones--The project serves a Promise Zone, and eligible 
applicant provides evidence of partnership with a Promise Zone Lead 
Applicant organization. Identify the specific Promise Zone, the 
expected benefits of the project to the Promise Zone strategy, and a 
statement expressing the nature of the partnership with the Promise 
Zone Lead Applicant organization. Or,
    c. Poverty greater than or equal to 20 percent--At least 50 percent 
of the combined recipient(s) service area includes census tracts with 
poverty rates greater than or equal to 20 percent. Must provide the 
address and census tract in which the recipient will conduct or deliver 
approved project activity.

B. Review and Selection Process

1. Rating and ranking
    Applications will be rated and ranked on a national basis by a 
review panel

[[Page 47435]]

based on the ``Evaluation Criteria'' contained in this Notice.
    If there is a tied score after the applications have been rated and 
ranked, the tie will be resolved by reviewing the scores for ``Building 
Capacity'' and the applicant with the highest score in that category 
will receive a higher ranking. If the scores for ``Building Capacity'' 
are the same, the scores will be compared for the next criterion, in 
sequential order, until one highest score can be determined.
2. Initial screening
    The Agency will screen each application to determine eligibility 
during the period immediately following the application deadline. 
Listed below are examples of reasons for rejection from previous 
funding rounds. The following reasons for rejection are not all 
inclusive; however, they represent the majority of the applications 
previously rejected.
    a. Recipients were not located in eligible rural areas based on the 
definition in this Notice.
    b. Applicants failed to provide evidence of recipient's status, 
i.e., documentation supporting nonprofit evidence of organization.
    c. Applicants failed to provide evidence of committed matching 
funds or matching funds were not committed for a period at least equal 
to the grant performance period.
    d. Application did not follow the RCDI structure with an 
intermediary and recipients.
    e. Recipients were not identified in the application.
    f. Intermediary did not provide evidence it had been incorporated 
for at least 3 years as the applicant entity.
    g. Applicants failed to address the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
    h. The purpose of the proposal did not qualify as an eligible RCDI 
purpose.
    i. Inappropriate use of funds (e.g., construction or renovations).
    j. The applicant proposed providing financial and technical 
assistance directly to individuals.
    k. The application package not received by closing date and time.

Part VI--Award Administration Information

A. General Information

    Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding 
official of the Agency shall make grants in ranked order to eligible 
applicants under the procedures set forth in this Notice.

B. Award Notice

    Applicants will be notified of selection by letter. In addition, 
selected applicants will be requested to verify that components of the 
application have not changed at the time of selection and on the award 
obligation date, if requested by the Agency.
    The award is not approved until all information has been verified, 
and the awarding official of the Agency has signed Form RD 1940-1, 
``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification including appeal 
rights by mail.

C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Grantees will be required to do the following:
    1. Execute a Rural Community Development Initiative Grant 
Agreement.
    2. Execute Form RD 1940-1.
    3. Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' to 
request reimbursements. Provide receipts for expenditures, timesheets 
and any other documentation to support the request for reimbursement.
    4. Provide financial status and project performance reports on a 
quarterly basis starting with the first full quarter after the grant 
award.
    5. Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to the 
Agency.
    6. Ensure that records are maintained to document all activities 
and expenditures utilizing RCDI grant funds and matching funds. 
Receipts for expenditures will be included in this documentation.
    7. Provide annual audits or management reports on Form RD 442-2, 
``Statement of Budget, Income and Equity,'' and Form RD 442-3, 
``Balance Sheet,'' depending on the amount of Federal funds expended 
and the outstanding balance.
    8. Collect and maintain data provided by recipients on race, sex, 
and national origin and ensure recipients collect and maintain the same 
data on beneficiaries. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in 
accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to the 
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and 
Ethnicity,'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be 
collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 
1972. These items should not be submitted with the application but 
should be available upon request by the Agency.
    9. Provide a final project performance report.
    10. Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees.
    11. The intermediary and recipient must comply with Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Executive Order 12250, 
and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.
    12. The grantee must comply with policies, guidance, and 
requirements as described in the following applicable OMB Circulars and 
Code of Federal Regulations:
    a. OMB Circular A-87 (Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian 
Tribal Government);
    b. OMB Circular A-122 (Cost Principles for Non-profit 
Organizations);
    c. OMB Circular A-133 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and 
Non-Profit Organizations);
    d. 7 CFR part 3015 (Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations);
    e. 7 CFR part 3016 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments);
    f. 2 CFR parts 417 and 180 (Government-wide Debarment and 
Suspension (Nonprocurement);
    g. 7 CFR part 3019 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and 
Other Non-profit Organizations); and
    h. 7 CFR part 3052 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-
Profit Organizations).

D. Reporting

    Reporting requirements can be found in the Grant Agreement.

Part VII--Agency Contact

    Contact the Rural Development office in the State where the 
applicant's headquarters is located. A list of Rural Development State 
Offices is included in this Notice.

Part VIII--Nondiscrimination Statement

Non-Discrimination Policy

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the 
bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender 
identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, 
marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all 
or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance 
program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any 
program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all 
prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment 
activities.)

[[Page 47436]]

To File a Program Complaint

    If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of 
discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form 
(PDF), found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the 
form.
    You may also write a letter containing all of the information 
requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to 
us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, 
by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Persons With Disabilities

    Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech 
disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint 
please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 
or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
    Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, 
please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or 
by email.
    If you require alternative means of communication for program 
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Part IX--Appeal Process

    All adverse determinations regarding applicant eligibility and the 
awarding of points as part of the selection process are appealable 
pursuant to 7 CFR part 11. Instructions on the appeal process will be 
provided at the time an applicant is notified of the adverse decision.
    In the event the applicant is awarded a grant that is less than the 
amount requested, the applicant will be required to modify its 
application to conform to the reduced amount before execution of the 
grant agreement. The Agency reserves the right to reduce or withdraw 
the award if acceptable modifications are not submitted by the awardee 
within 15 working days from the date the request for modification is 
made. Any modifications must be within the scope of the original 
application.

    Dated: August 1, 2014.
Tony Hernandez,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-19132 Filed 8-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P