Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Community Development Initiative for Fiscal Year 2015, 27887-27895 [2015-11741]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Housing Service

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27887-27895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11741]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Community 
Development Initiative for Fiscal Year 2015

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS), an agency within the USDA 
Rural Development mission area herein referred to as the Agency 
announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Community 
Development Initiative (RCDI) program. 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. This Notice contains revised evaluation criteria that 
are streamlined, in order to enhance program efficiency and delivery.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. local time, 
August 13, 2015. 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.

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.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-community-development-initiative-grants.
    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.rd.usda.gov/files/RCDI_State_Contacts.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Rural Development office for the 
state in which the applicant is located. A list of Rural Development 
State Office contacts is provided at the following link: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/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, August 13, 2015. 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.

A. Program Description

    Congress first authorized the RCDI in 1999 (Pub. L. 106-78, which 
was amended most recently by The Consolidated and Further Continuing 
Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235)). The RCDI was authorized 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. 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).
    Of particular note this year, the Agency is encouraging 
applications for projects based in or servicing high poverty areas. 
This emphasis will support Rural Development's (RD) mission of 
improving the quality of life for rural Americans and commitment to 
directing resources to those who most need them.

B. Federal Award Information

    Congress, in The Continuing and Further Continuing Appropriations 
Act, 2015 (Pub.L. 113-235), appropriated $4,000,000 in FY 2015 for the 
RCDI program. The amount of funding received in the FY 2015 
Appropriations Act can also be found at the following link: https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas#nosa.
    Qualified private, nonprofit and public (including tribal) 
intermediary organizations proposing to carry out financial and 
technical assistance programs will be eligible to receive the grant 
funding.

[[Page 27888]]

    The intermediary will be required to provide matching funds in an 
amount at least equal to the RCDI grant.
    A grant will be the type of assistance instrument awarded to 
successful applications.
    The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per intermediary is 
$50,000 and $250,000.
    Grant funds must be utilized within 3 years from date of the award.
    A grantee that has an outstanding RCDI grant over 3 years old, as 
of the application due date in this Notice, is not eligible to apply 
for this round of funding.
    The intermediary must provide a program of financial and technical 
assistance to one or more of the following: A private, nonprofit 
community-based housing and development organization, a low-income 
rural community or a federally recognized tribe.

C. Eligibility Information

    Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements 
by the application deadline. Applications which fail to meet any of 
these requirements by the application deadline will be deemed 
ineligible and will not be evaluated further, and will not receive a 
Federal award.

1. Eligible Applicants

    (a) 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 are eligible applicants. Definitions that describe 
eligible organizations and other key terms are listed below.
    (b) The recipient must be a nonprofit community-based housing and 
development organization, low-income rural community, or federally 
recognized tribe based on the RCDI definitions of these groups.
    (c) 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).
    (d) Any corporation (1) that has been convicted of a felony 
criminal violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or 
(2) 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 for financial assistance provided with funds 
appropriated by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations 
Act, 2015, unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or 
debarment of the corporation and has made a determination that this 
further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the 
Government.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    There is a matching requirement of at least equal to the amount of 
the grant. If this matching funds requirement is not met, the 
application will be deemed ineligible. See section D, Application and 
Submission Information, for required pre-award and post award matching 
funds documentation submission.
    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. The intermediary will be 
required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to the 
RCDI grant. 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.
    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 2 
CFR parts 200 and 400. Verification of matching funds must be submitted 
with the application. See Section D, other program requirements, for 
matching funds documentation and pre-award requirements.
    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.

3. Other Program Requirements

    (a) 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 
at the following link: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RCDI_State_Contacts.pdf. A map showing eligible rural areas can be 
found at the following link: https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=RBSmenu&NavKey=property@13.
    (b) 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.
    (c) Individuals cannot be recipients.

[[Page 27889]]

    (d) The intermediary must provide a program of financial and 
technical assistance to the recipient.
    (e) 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.
    (f) Proposals must be structured to utilize the grant funds within 
3 years from the date of the award.
    (g) 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.
    (h) 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.
    (i) 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.
    (j) 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.

4. Eligible Grant Purposes

    Fund uses must be consistent with the RCDI purpose. A nonexclusive 
list of eligible grant uses includes the following:
    (a) 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.
    (b) Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct community 
development programs, e.g., homeownership education or training for 
business entrepreneurs.
    (c) Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct development 
initiatives, e.g., programs that support micro-enterprise and 
sustainable development.
    (d) Develop the capacity of recipients to increase their leveraging 
ability and access to alternative funding sources by providing training 
and staffing.
    (e) Develop the capacity of recipients to provide the technical 
assistance component for essential community facilities projects.
    (f) 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.
    (g) Improve recipient's organizational capacity by providing 
training and resource material on developing strategic plans, board 
operations, management, financial systems, and information technology.
    (h) 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.
    (i) Provide funds to recipients for training-related travel costs 
and training expenses related to RCDI.

5. Ineligible Fund Uses

    The following is a list of ineligible grant uses:
    (a) Pass-through grants, and any funds provided to the recipient in 
a lump sum that are not reimbursements.
    (b) Funding a revolving loan fund (RLF).
    (c) Construction (in any form).
    (d) Salaries for positions involved in construction, renovations, 
rehabilitation, and any oversight of these types of activities.
    (e) Intermediary preparation of strategic plans for recipients.
    (f) Funding prostitution, gambling, or any illegal activities.
    (g) Grants to individuals.
    (h) 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.
    (i) Paying obligations incurred before the beginning date without 
prior Agency approval or after the ending date of the grant agreement.
    (j) Purchasing real estate.
    (k) Improvement or renovation of the grantee's, or recipient's 
office space or for the repair or maintenance of privately owned 
vehicles.
    (l) Any purpose prohibited in 2 CFR part 200 or 400.
    (m) Using funds for recipient's general operating costs.
    (n) Using grant or matching funds for Individual Development 
Accounts.
    (o) Purchasing vehicles.

6. Program Examples and Restrictions

    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.)
    (a) 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.
    (b) 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 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.
    (c) The intermediary may provide technical assistance to the 
recipient on how to create and operate a revolving loan fund. The 
intermediary may not

[[Page 27890]]

monitor or operate the revolving loan fund. RCDI funds, including 
matching funds, cannot be used to fund revolving loan funds.
    (d) 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.
    (e) 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.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. 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.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-community-development-initiative-grants.
    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.rd.usda.gov/files/RCDI_State_Contacts.pdf. You may also obtain a copy by calling 202-205-
9685.

2. 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:
    (a) A summary page, double-spaced between items, listing the 
following: (This information should not be presented in narrative 
form.)
    (1) Applicant's name,
    (2) Applicant's address,
    (3) Applicant's telephone number,
    (4) Name of applicant's contact person and telephone number,
    (5) Applicant's fax number,
    (6) County where applicant is located,
    (7) Congressional district number where applicant is located,
    (8) Amount of grant request, and
    (9) Number of recipients.
    (b) A detailed Table of Contents containing page numbers for each 
component of the application.
    (c) A project overview, no longer than five pages, including the 
following items, which will also be addressed separately and in detail 
under ``Building Capacity and Expertise'' of the ``Evaluation 
Criteria.''
    (1) The type of technical assistance to be provided to the 
recipients and how it will be implemented.
    (2) How the capacity and ability of the recipients will be 
improved.
    (3) The overall goals to be accomplished.
    (4) The benchmarks to be used to measure the success of the 
program. Benchmarks should be specific and quantifiable.
    (d) 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.
    (e) 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.
    (f) The following information for each recipient:
    (1) Recipient's entity name,
    (2) Complete address (mailing and physical location, if different),
    (3) County where located,
    (4) Number of Congressional district where recipient is located,
    (5) Contact person's name and telephone number, and
    (6) 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.
    (g) Submit evidence that each recipient entity is eligible. 
Documentation must be submitted to verify recipient eligibility. 
Acceptable documentation varies depending on the type of recipient:
    (1) 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. A nonprofit recipient must provide evidence 
that it is a valid nonprofit when the intermediary applies for the RCDI 
grant. Organizations with pending requests for nonprofit designations 
are not eligible.
    (2) 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.
    (3) Federally recognized tribes--provide the page listing their 
name from the Federal Register list of tribal entities published most 
recently by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The 2014 list is available at 
79 FR 4748-53 and https://www.bia.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/text/idc006989.
    (h) 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 27891]]

    (i) A timeline identifying specific activities and proposed dates 
for completion.
    (j) 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.
    (k) 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. Non-federal entities that have never received a negotiated 
indirect cost rate may use the de minimis rate of 10% of modified total 
direct costs (MTDC).
    (l) 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.)
    (m) Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
    (n) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions.''
    (o) Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
    (p) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements.''
    (q) Certification of Non-Lobbying Activities.
    (r) Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if 
applicable.
    (s) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement,'' for the applicant.
    (t) Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees. (A statement acknowledging whether or not a 
relationship exists is required).
    (u) Form AD-3030, ``Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and 
Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants,'' if you are a 
corporation. A corporation is any entity that has filed articles of 
incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic 
of the Marshall Islands, or the various territories of the United 
States including American Samoa, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana 
Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Corporations include 
both for profit and non-profit entities.

3. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System 
for Awards Management (SAM)

    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).
    An applicant, unless excepted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c), or (d), 
is required to:
    (a) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application;
    (b) Provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and
    (c) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or 
an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding 
agency.
    The Federal awarding agency may not make a federal award to an 
applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and 
SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the 
requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a 
Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the 
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that 
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
applicant.
    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://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. 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.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-community-development-initiative-grants.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. local time, 
August 13, 2015. The application date and time are firm. The Agency 
will not consider any application received after the deadline. You may 
submit your application in paper form or electronically through 
Grants.gov. 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.
    To submit a paper application, 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.rd.usda.gov/files/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

[[Page 27892]]

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.

5. 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 allowed in accordance with 2 CFR parts 200 
and 400.

E. Application Review Information

1. Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria and 
weights:
(a) Building Capacity and Expertise--Maximum 40 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 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 that is to be 
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.
    The narrative response must contain the following items. This list 
also contains the points for each item.
    (1) 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; (10 Points)
    (2) 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; (7 Points)
    (3) Identify which RCDI purpose areas will be addressed with this 
assistance: Housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development; (3 Points)
    (4) 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; (5 Points)
    (5) 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. (10 Points)
    (6) 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: (5 Points)
    (i) Nonprofit organizations in rural areas.
    (ii) Low-income communities in rural areas (also include the type 
of entity, e.g., city government, town council, or village board).
    (iii) Federally recognized tribes or any other culturally diverse 
organizations.
(b) Soundness of Approach--Maximum 15 Points
    The applicant can receive up to 15 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 15 points for this criterion will be based on the 
following:
    (1) The proposal fits the objectives for which applications were 
invited, is clearly stated, and the applicant has defined how this 
proposal will be implemented. (7 Points)
    (2) The ability to provide the proposed financial and technical 
assistance based on prior accomplishments. (6 Points)
    (3) 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. (2 
Points)
(c) Population and Income--Maximum 15 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 https://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:

[[Page 27893]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Scoring
                          Population                            (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,000 or less...............................................          5
10,001 to 20,000.............................................          4
20,001 to 30,000.............................................          3
30,001 to 40,000.............................................          2
40,001 to 50,000.............................................          1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 or equal to 70 percent of state or national median          10
 household income............................................
Greater than 70, but less than or equal to 80 percent of               5
 state or national median household income...................
In excess of 80 percent of state or national median household          0
 Income......................................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) State Director's Points Based on Project Merit--Maximum 10 Points
    (1) This criterion will be addressed by the Agency, not the 
applicant.
    (2) Up to 10 points may be awarded by the Rural Development State 
Director to any application(s) that benefits their state regardless of 
whether the applicant is headquartered in their state. The total points 
awarded under this criterion, to all applications, will not exceed 10.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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.
(e) 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.
    Points may be awarded to applications that meet at least one of the 
following six criteria below (note: the maximum points can be given to 
any one of the following six criteria):
    (1) The project is based in a census tract with poverty greater 
than or equal to 20%;
    (2) The project is based in a community (village, town, city, or 
Census Designated Place) that is 75% CF grant eligible (rural community 
having a population of 5,000 or less and median household income (MHI) 
of 60% or less of the state's non-metropolitan median household income 
(NMHI);
    (3) The project's service area includes at least one census tract 
with poverty greater than or equal to 20%;
    (4) The project's service area includes at least one community 
(village, town, city, or Census Designated Place) that is 75% CF grant 
eligible (rural community having a population of 5,000 or less and MHI 
of 60% or less of the state's NMHI);
    (5) The project serves a Strikeforce area (see link below).
    (6) The project serves a Promise Zone (see link below) and eligible 
applicant provides evidence of partnership with a Promise Zone Lead 
Applicant organization.
    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 greater than or equal to 20 percent, click on the 
following link: https://rdgdwe.sc.egov.usda.gov/rdpoverty/

2. Review and Selection Process

    (a) Rating and ranking.
    Applications will be rated and ranked on a national basis by a 
review panel 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 Expertise'' and the applicant with the highest score in 
that category will receive a higher ranking. If the scores for 
``Building Capacity and Expertise'' are the same, the scores will be 
compared for the next criterion, in sequential order, until one highest 
score can be determined.
    (b) 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.
    (1) Recipients were not located in eligible rural areas based on 
the definition in this Notice.
    (2) Applicants failed to provide evidence of recipient's status, 
i.e., documentation supporting nonprofit evidence of organization.
    (3) 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.
    (4) Application did not follow the RCDI structure with an 
intermediary and recipients.
    (5) Recipients were not identified in the application.
    (6) Intermediary did not provide evidence it had been incorporated 
for at least 3 years as the applicant entity.
    (7) Applicants failed to address the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
    (8) The purpose of the proposal did not qualify as an eligible RCDI 
purpose.
    (9) Inappropriate use of funds (e.g., construction or renovations).
    (10) The applicant proposed providing financial and technical 
assistance directly to individuals.
    (11) The application package was not received by closing date and 
time.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notice

    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.
    Successful applicants will receive a selection letter by mail 
containing

[[Page 27894]]

instructions on requirements necessary to proceed with execution and 
performance of the award. This letter is not an authorization to begin 
performance. 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'' and the grant agreement.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification including appeal 
rights by mail.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Grantees will be required to do the following:
    (a) Execute a Rural Community Development Initiative Grant 
Agreement.
    (b) Execute Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    (c) 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.
    (d) Provide financial status and project performance reports on a 
quarterly basis starting with the first full quarter after the grant 
award.
    (e) Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to 
the Agency.
    (f) 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.
    (g) 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.
    (h) 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.
    (i) Provide a final project performance report.
    (j) Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees.
    (k) 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.
    (l) The grantee must comply with policies, guidance, and 
requirements as described in the following applicable Code of Federal 
Regulations, and any successor regulations:
    (i) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements For Federal Awards).
    (ii) 2 CFR parts 417 and 180 (Government-wide Debarment and 
Suspension (Nonprocurement)
    (m) Form AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax 
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants,'' Must be signed by 
corporate applicants who receive an award under this Notice.

3. Reporting

    After grant approval and through grant completion, you will be 
required to provide the following, as indicated in the Grant Agreement:
    (a) SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report'' and SF-PPR, ``Performance 
Progress Report'' will be required on a quarterly basis (due 30 working 
days after each calendar quarter). The Performance Progress Report 
shall include the elements described in the grant agreement.
    (b) Final financial and performance reports will be due 90 calendar 
days after the period of performance end date.
    (c) A summary at the end of the final report with elements as 
described in the grant agreement to assist in documenting the annual 
performance goals of the RCDI program for Congress.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

    Contact the Rural Development office in the State where the 
applicant's headquarters is located. A list of Rural Development State 
Offices can be found via https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/RCDI_State_Contacts.pdf.

H. Other Information

    Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants, OMB No. 1894-
0010 (applies only to nonprofit applicants only--submission is 
optional).
    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.

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 most recent 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.

[[Page 27895]]

    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 must be a nonprofit 
community-based housing and development organization, a low-income 
rural community or a federally recognized Tribe.
    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.

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.)

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).

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: May 11, 2015.
Tony Hernandez,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-11741 Filed 5-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P