Inviting Applications for the Rural Business Development Grant Program To Provide Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems, 14411-14415 [2016-06036]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 52 / Thursday, March 17, 2016 / Notices
The meeting is open to the public.
The agenda will include time for people
to make oral statements of three minutes
or less. Individuals wishing to make an
oral statement should request in writing
by April 1, 2016, to be scheduled on the
agenda. Anyone who would like to
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CONTACT. All reasonable
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Dated: February 26, 2016.
Robert West,
District Ranger.
[FR Doc. 2016–06014 Filed 3–16–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation
Service
[Docket No. NRCS–2016–0002]
Notice of Meeting of the Agricultural
Air Quality Task Force
Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Department of
Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of Meeting.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Air
Quality Task Force (AAQTF) will meet
for discussions on critical air quality
issues relating to agriculture. Special
emphasis will be placed on obtaining a
greater understanding about the
relationship between agricultural
production and air quality. The meeting
is open to the public, and a draft agenda
is included in this notice.
DATES: The meeting will convene at 8:00
a.m. EDT on Wednesday and Thursday
April 6–7, 2016. A public comment
period will be held on the morning of
April 7. The meeting will end at
approximately 3:00 p.m. on April 7.
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SUMMARY:
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The meeting will be held at
the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, 300 Army
Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions and comments should be
directed to Dr. Greg Johnson, Designated
Federal Official, USDA, NRCS, 1201
Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 800, Portland
Oregon 97232; telephone: (503) 273–
2424; fax: (503) 273–2401; or email:
greg.johnson@por.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of
this meeting is given under the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App.
2. Additional information concerning
AAQTF, including revised agendas for
the April 6–7, 2016 meeting that occurs
after this Federal Register Notice is
published, may be viewed at:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/
detail/national/air/taskforce
ADDRESSES:
14411
or to request special assistance at the
meeting, please contact Greg Johnson
(contact information listed above).
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programs and activities on the basis of
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on the basis of political beliefs and
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to all programs.) Persons with
disabilities who require alternate means
for communication of program
information (Braille, large print, audio
tape, etc.) should contact the USDA’s
Target Center at (202) 720–2000 (voice
and TDD).
Draft Agenda
Signed this 10th day of March 2016, in
Washington, DC
Jason A. Weller,
Chief.
Meeting of the AAQTF
[FR Doc. 2016–06078 Filed 3–16–16; 8:45 am]
April 6–7, 2016 Arlington, Virginia
A. Welcome remarks and introductions
B. U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)
Leadership Remarks
C. AAQTF Charge, History and
Direction
D. Federal Advisory Committee Rules
and Guidelines
E. USDA Climate Change Building
Blocks, Greenhouse Gas Mitigation,
and US Agriculture
F. Update on agricultural air quality
regulatory issues at the EPA
G. Updates from USDA agencies (Forest
Service, NRCS, National Institute of
Food and Agriculture, and
Agricultural Research Service)
H. AAQTF Subcommittee Formation
and Break Out Sessions
I. Agricultural Air Quality Issues and
Solutions
J. Ammonia Emissions Measurement
and Modeling, and USDA–EPA
Collaboration
K. Public Input (Individual
presentations limited to 5 minutes)
Please note that the timing of events
in the agenda is subject to change to
accommodate changing schedules of
expected speakers and or extended
discussions.
BILLING CODE 3410–16–P
Procedural
This meeting is open to the public. On
April 7, 2016, the public will have an
opportunity to provide up to 5 minutes
of input to the AAQTF.
Information on Services for Individuals
With Disabilities
For information on facilities or
services for individuals with disabilities
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Inviting Applications for the Rural
Business Development Grant Program
To Provide Technical Assistance for
Rural Transportation Systems
Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice is to invite
applications for grants to provide
technical assistance for rural
transportation (RT) systems under the
Rural Business Development Grant
(RBDG) program for fiscal year (FY)
2016. Funding shall be made available
to qualified national organizations to
provide technical assistance for RT
systems and for RT systems to Federally
Recognized Native American Tribes’
(FRNAT) (collectively ‘‘Programs’’) from
funds appropriated for the RBDG
program. The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBS) will
administer these awards for FY 2016
under the RBDG program and the
Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act. This notice is subject
to the terms and funds for the Programs
made available in the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114–
113) (FY 2016 appropriation).
All applicants are responsible for any
expenses incurred in developing their
applications.
DATES: Completed applications must be
received in the USDA Rural
Development State Office no later than
SUMMARY:
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4:30 p.m. (local time) on March 31,
2016. Applications received at a USDA
Rural Development State Office after
this date will not be considered for FY
2016 funding.
ADDRESSES: Submit applications in
paper format to the USDA Rural
Development State Office for the State
where the project is located. A list of the
USDA Rural Development State Office
contacts can be found at: https://
www.rurdev.usda.gov/
StateOfficeAddresses.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cindy Mason and Kristi Kubista-Hovis,
Specialty Programs Division, Business
Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
1400 Independence Avenue SW., MS
3226, Room 4204-South, Washington,
DC 20250–3226, or call 202–720–1400.
For further information on this notice,
please contact the USDA Rural
Development State Office in the State in
which the applicant’s headquarters is
located.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Solicitation Opportunity Title: Rural
Business Development Grants.
Announcement Type: Initial
Announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number: 10.351.
Dates: Completed applications must
be received in the USDA Rural
Development State Office no later than
4:30 p.m. (local time) on March 31,
2016, to be eligible for FY 2016 grant
funding. Applications received after this
date will not be eligible for FY 2016
grant funding.
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A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. The
purpose of this program is to improve
the economic conditions of rural areas.
2. Statutory Authority. This program
is authorized under section 310B(c) of
the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)).
Regulations are contained in 7 CFR part
4280, subpart E. The program is
administered on behalf of RBS at the
State level by the USDA Rural
Development State Offices. Assistance
provided to rural areas under the
program may include the provision of
on-site technical assistance to local and
regional governments, public transit
agencies, and related non-profit and forprofit organizations in rural areas; the
development of training materials; and
the provision of necessary training
assistance to local officials and agencies
in rural areas.
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Awards under the RBDG passenger
transportation program will be made on
a competitive basis using specific
selection criteria contained in 7 CFR
part 4280, subpart E, and in accordance
with section 310B(c) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1932(c)). Information required to
be in the application package includes
Standard Form (SF) 424, ‘‘Application
for Federal Assistance;’’ RD 1940–20,
‘‘Request for Environmental
Information;’’ Scope of Work Narrative;
Income Statement; Balance Sheet or
Audit for previous 3 years; AD–1047,
‘‘Debarment/Suspension Certification;’’
AD–1048, ‘‘Certification Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility
and Voluntary Exclusion;’’ AD–1049,
‘‘Certification Regarding Drug-Free
Workplace Requirements;’’ SF LLL,
‘‘Disclosure of Lobbying Activities;’’ RD
400–1, ‘‘Equal Opportunity Agreement;’’
RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance Agreement;’’ and
a letter stating Board authorization to
obtain assistance. For the FRNAT grant,
which must benefit FRNATs, at least 75
percent of the benefits of the project
must be received by members of
FRNATs. The project that scores the
greatest number of points based on the
RBDG selection criteria and the
discretionary points will be selected for
each grant.
Applicants must be qualified national
non-profit organizations with
experience in providing technical
assistance and training to rural
communities nationwide for the
purpose of improving passenger
transportation service or facilities. To be
considered ‘‘national,’’ RBS requires a
qualified organization to provide
evidence that it operates RT assistance
programming Nation-wide. There is not
a requirement to use the grant funds in
a multi-State area. Grants will be made
to qualified national non-profit
organizations for the provision of
technical assistance and training to rural
communities for the purpose of
improving passenger transportation
services or facilities.
3. Definition of Terms. The definitions
applicable to this notice are published
at 7 CFR 4280.403.
4. Application Awards. The Agency
will review, evaluate, and score
applications received in response to this
notice based on the provisions in 7 CFR
4280, subpart E and as indicated in this
notice. However, the Agency advises all
interested parties that the applicant
bears the burden in preparing and
submitting an application in response to
this notice.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grants.
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Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2016.
Approximate Number of Awards: To
be determined based on qualified
applications received. Historically two
awards have been made.
Expected Amounts of Individual
Awards and Amount of Funding per
Federal Award: $500,000 and $250,000
depending on the number of applicants.
Maximum Awards: A total of
$500,000 will be awarded for technical
assistance for rural transportation
systems and a maximum of $250,000 for
FRNATs.
Award Date: Prior to September 30,
2016.
Performance Period: October 1, 2016,
through September 30, 2017.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards:
None.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
To be considered eligible, an entity
must be a qualified national non-profit
organization serving rural areas as
evidenced in its organizational
documents and demonstrated
experience, per 7 CFR part 4280,
subpart E. Grants will be competitively
awarded to qualified national non-profit
organizations.
The Agency requires the following
information to make an eligibility
determination that an applicant is a
national non-profit organization. These
applications must include, but are not
limited to, the following:
(a) An original and one copy of SF
424, ‘‘Application for Federal
Assistance (For Non-construction);’’
(b) Copies of applicant’s
organizational documents showing the
applicant’s legal existence and authority
to perform the activities under the grant;
(c) A proposed scope of work,
including a description of the proposed
Project, details of the proposed activities
to be accomplished and timeframes for
completion of each task, the number of
months duration of the Project, and the
estimated time it will take from grant
approval to beginning of Project
implementation;
(d) A written narrative that includes,
at a minimum, the following items:
(i) An explanation of why the Project
is needed, the benefits of the proposed
Project, and how the Project meets the
grant eligible purposes;
(ii) Area to be served, identifying each
governmental unit, i.e., town, county,
etc., to be affected by the Project;
(iii) Description of how the Project
will coordinate Economic Development
activities with other Economic
Development activities within the
Project area;
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(iv) Businesses to be assisted, if
appropriate, and Economic
Development to be accomplished;
(v) An explanation of how the
proposed Project will result in newly
created, increased, or supported jobs in
the area and the number of projected
new and supported jobs within the next
3 years;
(vi) A description of the applicant’s
demonstrated capability and experience
in providing the proposed Project
assistance, including experience of key
staff members and persons who will be
providing the proposed Project activities
and managing the Project;
(vii) The method and rationale used to
select the areas and businesses that will
receive the service;
(viii) A brief description of how the
work will be performed, including
whether organizational staff or
consultants or contractors will be used;
and
(ix) Other information the Agency
may request to assist it in making a
grant award determination.
(e) The latest 3 years of financial
information to show the applicant’s
financial capacity to carry out the
proposed work. If the applicant is less
than 3 years old, at a minimum, the
information should include all balance
sheet(s), income statement(s) and cash
flow statement(s). A current audited
report is required if available;
(f) Documentation regarding the
availability and amount of other funds
to be used in conjunction with the funds
from RBDG;
(g) A budget which includes salaries,
fringe benefits, consultant costs, indirect
costs, and other appropriate direct costs
for the Project.
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2. Cost Sharing or Matching.
Matching funds are not required.
3. Other
Applications will only be accepted
from qualified national non-profit
organizations to provide technical
assistance for RT. There are no
‘‘responsiveness,’’ or ‘‘threshold’’
eligibility criteria for these grants. There
is no limit on the number of
applications an applicant may submit
under this announcement. In addition to
the forms listed under program
description, Form AD–3030
‘‘Representations Regarding Felony
Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status
for Corporate Applicants,’’ must be
completed in the affirmative.
None of the funds made available by
this or any other Act may be used to
enter into a contract, memorandum of
understanding, or cooperative
agreement with, make a grant to, or
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provide a loan or loan guarantee to, any
corporation that has any unpaid Federal
tax liability that has been assessed, for
which all judicial and administrative
remedies have been exhausted or have
lapsed, and that is not being paid in a
timely manner pursuant to an agreement
with the authority responsible for
collecting the tax liability, where the
awarding agency is aware of the unpaid
tax liability, 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.
None of the funds made available by
this or any other Act may be used to
enter into a contract, memorandum of
understanding, or cooperative
agreement with, make a grant to, or
provide a loan or loan guarantee to, any
corporation that was convicted of a
felony criminal violation under any
Federal law within the preceding 24
months, where the awarding agency is
aware of the conviction, 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.
4. Completeness Eligibility
Applications will not be considered
for funding if they do not provide
sufficient information to determine
eligibility or are missing required
elements.
D. Application and Submission
Information
1. Address To Request Application
Package
For further information, entities
wishing to apply for assistance should
contact the USDA Rural Development
State Office provided in the ADDRESSES
section of this notice to obtain copies of
the application package.
Applications must be submitted in
paper format. Applications submitted to
a Rural Development State Office must
be received by the closing date and local
time deadline.
2. Content and Form of Application
Submission
An application must contain all of the
required elements. Each application
received in a USDA Rural Development
State Office will be reviewed to
determine if it is consistent with the
eligible purposes contained in section
310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1932(c)). Each selection priority
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criterion outlined in 7 CFR 4280.435
must be addressed in the application.
Failure to address any of the criterion
will result in a zero-point score for that
criterion and will impact the overall
evaluation of the application. Copies of
7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, will be
provided to any interested applicant
making a request to a USDA Rural
Development State Office.
All projects to receive technical
assistance through these passenger
transportation grant funds are to be
identified when the applications are
submitted to the USDA Rural
Development State Office. Multiple
project applications must identify each
individual project, indicate the amount
of funding requested for each individual
project, and address the criteria as
stated above for each individual project.
For multiple-project applications, the
average of the individual project scores
will be the score for that application.
The applicant documentation and
forms needed for a complete application
are located in the Program Description
section of this notice, and 7 CFR part
4280, subpart E.
(a) There are no specific formats,
specific limitations on number of pages,
font size and type face, margins, paper
size, number of copies, and the
sequence or assembly requirements.
(b) The component pieces of this
application should contain original
signatures on the original application.
(c) Since these grants are for technical
assistance for transportation purposes,
no additional information requirements
other than those described in this notice
and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E are
required.
3. Unique Entity identifier and System
for Award Management (SAM)
All applicants must have a Dun and
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) number which can be
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request
line at (866) 705–5711 or at https://
fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Each
applicant (unless the applicant is an
individual or Federal awarding agency
that is excepted from the requirements
under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c) or has an
exception approved by the Federal
awarding agency under 2 CFR
25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be
registered in the System for Award
Management (SAM) before submitting
its application; (ii) provide a valid
unique entity identifier in its
application; and (iii) 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
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agency. The Federal awarding agency
may not make a Federal award to an
applicant until the applicant has
complied with all applicable unique
entity identifier 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.
4. Submission Dates and Times
(a) Application Deadline Date: No
later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on
March 31, 2016.
Explanation of Deadlines:
Applications must be in the USDA
Rural Development State Office by the
local deadline date and time as
indicated above. If the due date falls on
a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday,
the application is due the next business
day.
(b) The deadline date means that the
completed application package must be
received in the USDA Rural
Development State Office by the
deadline date established above. All
application documents identified in this
notice are required.
(c) If completed applications are not
received by the deadline established
above, the application will neither be
reviewed nor considered under any
circumstances. (d) The Agency will
determine the application receipt date
based on the actual date postmarked.
(e) This notice is for RT technical
assistance grants only and therefore,
intergovernmental reviews are not
required.
(f) These grants are for RT technical
assistance grants only, no construction
or equipment purchases are permitted.
If the grantee has a previously approved
indirect cost rate, it is permissible,
otherwise, the applicant may elect to
charge the 10 percent indirect cost
permitted under 2 CFR 200.414(f) or
request a determination of its Indirect
Cost Rate. Due to the time required to
evaluate Indirect Cost Rates, it is likely
that all funds will be awarded by the
time the Indirect Cost Rate is
determined. No foreign travel is
permitted. Pre-Federal award costs will
only be permitted with prior written
approval by the Agency.
(g) Applicants must submit
applications in hard copy format as
previously indicated in the Application
and Submission Information section of
this notice. If the applicant wishes to
hand deliver its application, the
addresses for these deliveries can be
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located in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice.
(h) 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).
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
All eligible and complete applications
will be evaluated and scored based on
the selection criteria and weights
contained in 7 CFR 4280.435 and will
select grantees subject to the grantees’
satisfactory submission of the additional
items required by 7 CFR part 4280,
subpart E and the USDA Rural
Development Letter of Conditions.
Failure to address any one of the criteria
by the application deadline will result
in the application being determined
ineligible, and the application will not
be considered for funding. The amount
of an RT grant may be adjusted, at RBS’s
discretion, to enable RBS to award RT
grants to the applications with the
highest priority scores in each category.
2. Review and Selection Process
The State Offices will review
applications to determine if they are
eligible for assistance based on
requirements contained in 7 CFR
4280.416 and 4280.417. If determined
eligible, your application will be
submitted to the National Office.
Funding of projects is subject to the
applicant’s satisfactory submission of
the additional items required by that
subpart and the USDA Rural
Development Letter of Conditions. The
Agency reserves the right to award
additional discretionary points under 7
CFR 4280.435(k).
In awarding discretionary points, the
Agency scoring criteria regularly assigns
points to applications that direct loans
or grants to projects based in or serving
census tracts with poverty rates greater
than or equal to 20 percent. This
emphasis will support Rural
Development’s mission of improving the
quality of life for rural Americans and
commitment to directing resources to
those who most need them.
F. Federal Award Administration
Information
1. Federal Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive
notification for funding from the USDA
Rural Development State Office.
Applicants must comply with all
applicable statutes and regulations
before the grant award will be approved.
Unsuccessful applications will receive
notification by mail.
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2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
Additional requirements that apply to
grantees selected for this program can be
found in 7 CFR 4280.408, 4280.410, and
4280.439. Awards are subject to USDA
grant regulations at 2 CFR chapter IV
which incorporates the new Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
regulations 2 CFR part 200.
All successful applicants will be
notified by letter, which will include a
letter of conditions, and a letter of intent
to meet the conditions. This letter is not
an authorization to begin performance.
If the applicant wishes to consider
beginning performance prior to the grant
being officially closed, all pre-award
costs must be approved in writing and
in advance by the Agency. The grant
will be considered officially awarded
when all conditions in the letter of
conditions have been met and the
Agency obligates the funding for the
project.
Additional requirements that apply to
grantees selected for this program can be
found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E; the
Grants and Agreements regulations of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture
codified in 2 CFR parts 400.1 to 400.18,
and successor regulations to these parts.
In addition, all recipients of Federal
financial assistance are required to
report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation
(see 2 CFR part 170). You will be
required to have the necessary processes
and systems in place to comply with the
Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109–
282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR
170.200(b), unless you are exempt under
2 CFR 170.110(b)). More information on
these requirements can be found at
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/value-added-producer-grants.
The following additional
requirements apply to grantees selected
for this program:
(a) Form RD 4280–2 ‘‘Rural BusinessCooperative Service Financial
Assistance Agreement.’’
(b) Letter of Conditions.
(c) Form RD 1940–1, ‘‘Request for
Obligation of Funds.’’
(d) Form RD 1942–46, ‘‘Letter of
Intent to Meet Conditions.’’
(e) Form AD–1047, ‘‘Certification
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and
Other Responsibility Matters-Primary
Covered Transactions.’’
(f) Form AD–1048, ‘‘Certification
Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary ExclusionLower Tier Covered Transactions.’’
(g) Form AD–1049, ‘‘Certification
Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace
Requirement (Grants).’’
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(h) Form AD–3030, ‘‘Representation
Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax
Delinquent Status for Corporate
Applicants.’’ Must be signed by
corporate applicants who receive an
award under this notice.
(i) Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance
Agreement.’’
(j) SF LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of Lobbying
Activities,’’ if applicable.
(k) use Form SF 270, ‘‘Request for
Advance or Reimbursement.’’
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3. Reporting
(a) A Financial Status Report and a
project performance activity report will
be required of all grantees on a quarterly
basis until initial funds are expended
and yearly thereafter, if applicable,
based on the Federal fiscal year. The
grantee will cause the project to be
completed within the total sums
available to it in accordance with the
Scope of Work and any necessary
modifications thereof prepared by the
grantee and approved by the Agency. A
final project performance report will be
required with the final Financial Status
Report. The final report may serve as the
last quarterly report. The final report
must provide complete information
regarding the jobs created and
supported as a result of the grant if
applicable. Grantees must continuously
monitor performance to ensure that time
schedules are being met, projected work
by time periods is being accomplished,
and other performance objectives are
being achieved. Grantees must submit
an original of each report to the Agency
no later than 30 days after the end of the
quarter. The project performance reports
must include, but not be limited to, the
following:
(1) A comparison of actual
accomplishments to the objectives
established for that period;
(2) Problems, delays, or adverse
conditions, if any, which have affected
or will affect attainment of overall
project objectives, prevent meeting time
schedules or objectives, or preclude the
attainment of particular project work
elements during established time
periods. This disclosure shall be
accompanied by a statement of the
action taken or planned to resolve the
situation;
(3) Objectives and timetable
established for the next reporting
period;
(4) Any special reporting
requirements, such as jobs supported
and created, businesses assisted, or
economic development which results in
improvements in median household
incomes, and any other specific
requirements, should be placed in the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:03 Mar 16, 2016
Jkt 238001
reporting section in the Letter of
Conditions; and
(5) Within 90 days after the
conclusion of the project, the grantee
will provide a final project evaluation
report. The last quarterly payment will
be withheld until the final report is
received and approved by the Agency.
Even though the grantee may request
reimbursement on a monthly basis, the
last 3 months of reimbursements will be
withheld until a final project, project
performance, and financial status report
are received and approved by the
Agency.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
For general questions about this
announcement, please contact your
USDA Rural Development State Office
provided in the ADDRESSES section of
this notice.
H. Other Information
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act, the paperwork burden
has been cleared by OMB.
Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act
All applicants, in accordance with 2
CFR part 25, must have a DUNS
number, which can be obtained at no
cost via a toll-free request line at
(866)705–5711 or online at https://
fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Similarly, all
applicants must be registered in SAM
prior to submitting an application.
Applicants may register for the SAM at
https://www.sam.gov. All recipients of
Federal financial assistance are required
to report information about first-tier
sub-awards and executive total
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR
part 170.
I. Nondiscrimination
The U.S. Department of Agriculture
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.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights
program complaint of discrimination,
complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF),
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
14415
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.
Individuals who are deaf, hard of
hearing, or have speech disabilities and
wish to file either an EEO or program
complaint may 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.
Dated: March 9, 2016.
Samuel H. Rikkers,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–06036 Filed 3–16–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Inviting Applications for the Rural
Economic Development Loan and
Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2016
Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
This notice is to invite
applications for loans and grants under
the Rural Economic Development Loan
and Grant (REDLG) programs for fiscal
year (FY) 2016. Funding to support up
to $37 million in loans and $11 million
in grants is currently available. The
commitment of program dollars will be
made to applicants of selected responses
that have fulfilled the necessary
requirements for obligation.
All applicants are responsible for any
expenses incurred in developing their
applications.
DATES: The deadlines for completed
applications to be received in the USDA
Rural Development State Office no later
than 4:30 p.m. (local time) are: Third
Quarter, March 31, 2016; and Fourth
Quarter, June 30, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Submit applications in
paper format to the USDA Rural
Development State Office for the State
where the project is located. A list of the
USDA Rural Development State Office
contacts can be found at: https://
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\17MRN1.SGM
17MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14411-14415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06036]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Inviting Applications for the Rural Business Development Grant
Program To Provide Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation
Systems
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice is to invite applications for grants to provide
technical assistance for rural transportation (RT) systems under the
Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program for fiscal year (FY)
2016. Funding shall be made available to qualified national
organizations to provide technical assistance for RT systems and for RT
systems to Federally Recognized Native American Tribes' (FRNAT)
(collectively ``Programs'') from funds appropriated for the RBDG
program. The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) will administer
these awards for FY 2016 under the RBDG program and the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act. This notice is subject to the terms and
funds for the Programs made available in the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-113) (FY 2016 appropriation).
All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in
developing their applications.
DATES: Completed applications must be received in the USDA Rural
Development State Office no later than
[[Page 14412]]
4:30 p.m. (local time) on March 31, 2016. Applications received at a
USDA Rural Development State Office after this date will not be
considered for FY 2016 funding.
ADDRESSES: Submit applications in paper format to the USDA Rural
Development State Office for the State where the project is located. A
list of the USDA Rural Development State Office contacts can be found
at: https://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Mason and Kristi Kubista-Hovis,
Specialty Programs Division, Business Programs, Rural Business-
Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW., MS 3226, Room 4204-South, Washington, DC 20250-3226, or
call 202-720-1400. For further information on this notice, please
contact the USDA Rural Development State Office in the State in which
the applicant's headquarters is located.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Solicitation Opportunity Title: Rural Business Development Grants.
Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.351.
Dates: Completed applications must be received in the USDA Rural
Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on March
31, 2016, to be eligible for FY 2016 grant funding. Applications
received after this date will not be eligible for FY 2016 grant
funding.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of this program is to
improve the economic conditions of rural areas.
2. Statutory Authority. This program is authorized under section
310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1932(c)). Regulations are contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E. The
program is administered on behalf of RBS at the State level by the USDA
Rural Development State Offices. Assistance provided to rural areas
under the program may include the provision of on-site technical
assistance to local and regional governments, public transit agencies,
and related non-profit and for-profit organizations in rural areas; the
development of training materials; and the provision of necessary
training assistance to local officials and agencies in rural areas.
Awards under the RBDG passenger transportation program will be made
on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7
CFR part 4280, subpart E, and in accordance with section 310B(c) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)).
Information required to be in the application package includes Standard
Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance;'' RD 1940-20,
``Request for Environmental Information;'' Scope of Work Narrative;
Income Statement; Balance Sheet or Audit for previous 3 years; AD-1047,
``Debarment/Suspension Certification;'' AD-1048, ``Certification
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary
Exclusion;'' AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements;'' SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities;'' RD 400-
1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement;'' RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement;''
and a letter stating Board authorization to obtain assistance. For the
FRNAT grant, which must benefit FRNATs, at least 75 percent of the
benefits of the project must be received by members of FRNATs. The
project that scores the greatest number of points based on the RBDG
selection criteria and the discretionary points will be selected for
each grant.
Applicants must be qualified national non-profit organizations with
experience in providing technical assistance and training to rural
communities nationwide for the purpose of improving passenger
transportation service or facilities. To be considered ``national,''
RBS requires a qualified organization to provide evidence that it
operates RT assistance programming Nation-wide. There is not a
requirement to use the grant funds in a multi-State area. Grants will
be made to qualified national non-profit organizations for the
provision of technical assistance and training to rural communities for
the purpose of improving passenger transportation services or
facilities.
3. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this notice
are published at 7 CFR 4280.403.
4. Application Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score
applications received in response to this notice based on the
provisions in 7 CFR 4280, subpart E and as indicated in this notice.
However, the Agency advises all interested parties that the applicant
bears the burden in preparing and submitting an application in response
to this notice.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2016.
Approximate Number of Awards: To be determined based on qualified
applications received. Historically two awards have been made.
Expected Amounts of Individual Awards and Amount of Funding per
Federal Award: $500,000 and $250,000 depending on the number of
applicants.
Maximum Awards: A total of $500,000 will be awarded for technical
assistance for rural transportation systems and a maximum of $250,000
for FRNATs.
Award Date: Prior to September 30, 2016.
Performance Period: October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
To be considered eligible, an entity must be a qualified national
non-profit organization serving rural areas as evidenced in its
organizational documents and demonstrated experience, per 7 CFR part
4280, subpart E. Grants will be competitively awarded to qualified
national non-profit organizations.
The Agency requires the following information to make an
eligibility determination that an applicant is a national non-profit
organization. These applications must include, but are not limited to,
the following:
(a) An original and one copy of SF 424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance (For Non-construction);''
(b) Copies of applicant's organizational documents showing the
applicant's legal existence and authority to perform the activities
under the grant;
(c) A proposed scope of work, including a description of the
proposed Project, details of the proposed activities to be accomplished
and timeframes for completion of each task, the number of months
duration of the Project, and the estimated time it will take from grant
approval to beginning of Project implementation;
(d) A written narrative that includes, at a minimum, the following
items:
(i) An explanation of why the Project is needed, the benefits of
the proposed Project, and how the Project meets the grant eligible
purposes;
(ii) Area to be served, identifying each governmental unit, i.e.,
town, county, etc., to be affected by the Project;
(iii) Description of how the Project will coordinate Economic
Development activities with other Economic Development activities
within the Project area;
[[Page 14413]]
(iv) Businesses to be assisted, if appropriate, and Economic
Development to be accomplished;
(v) An explanation of how the proposed Project will result in newly
created, increased, or supported jobs in the area and the number of
projected new and supported jobs within the next 3 years;
(vi) A description of the applicant's demonstrated capability and
experience in providing the proposed Project assistance, including
experience of key staff members and persons who will be providing the
proposed Project activities and managing the Project;
(vii) The method and rationale used to select the areas and
businesses that will receive the service;
(viii) A brief description of how the work will be performed,
including whether organizational staff or consultants or contractors
will be used; and
(ix) Other information the Agency may request to assist it in
making a grant award determination.
(e) The latest 3 years of financial information to show the
applicant's financial capacity to carry out the proposed work. If the
applicant is less than 3 years old, at a minimum, the information
should include all balance sheet(s), income statement(s) and cash flow
statement(s). A current audited report is required if available;
(f) Documentation regarding the availability and amount of other
funds to be used in conjunction with the funds from RBDG;
(g) A budget which includes salaries, fringe benefits, consultant
costs, indirect costs, and other appropriate direct costs for the
Project.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching.
Matching funds are not required.
3. Other
Applications will only be accepted from qualified national non-
profit organizations to provide technical assistance for RT. There are
no ``responsiveness,'' or ``threshold'' eligibility criteria for these
grants. There is no limit on the number of applications an applicant
may submit under this announcement. In addition to the forms listed
under program description, Form AD-3030 ``Representations Regarding
Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants,''
must be completed in the affirmative.
None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be
used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or
cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan
guarantee to, any corporation that has any unpaid Federal tax liability
that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative
remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid
in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority
responsible for collecting the tax liability, where the awarding agency
is aware of the unpaid tax liability, 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.
None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be
used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or
cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan
guarantee to, any corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal
violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months, where
the awarding agency is aware of the conviction, 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.
4. Completeness Eligibility
Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing
required elements.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance
should contact the USDA Rural Development State Office provided in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice to obtain copies of the application
package.
Applications must be submitted in paper format. Applications
submitted to a Rural Development State Office must be received by the
closing date and local time deadline.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
An application must contain all of the required elements. Each
application received in a USDA Rural Development State Office will be
reviewed to determine if it is consistent with the eligible purposes
contained in section 310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)). Each selection priority criterion
outlined in 7 CFR 4280.435 must be addressed in the application.
Failure to address any of the criterion will result in a zero-point
score for that criterion and will impact the overall evaluation of the
application. Copies of 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, will be provided to
any interested applicant making a request to a USDA Rural Development
State Office.
All projects to receive technical assistance through these
passenger transportation grant funds are to be identified when the
applications are submitted to the USDA Rural Development State Office.
Multiple project applications must identify each individual project,
indicate the amount of funding requested for each individual project,
and address the criteria as stated above for each individual project.
For multiple-project applications, the average of the individual
project scores will be the score for that application.
The applicant documentation and forms needed for a complete
application are located in the Program Description section of this
notice, and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E.
(a) There are no specific formats, specific limitations on number
of pages, font size and type face, margins, paper size, number of
copies, and the sequence or assembly requirements.
(b) The component pieces of this application should contain
original signatures on the original application.
(c) Since these grants are for technical assistance for
transportation purposes, no additional information requirements other
than those described in this notice and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E are
required.
3. Unique Entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
All applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number which can be obtained at no cost via a
toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711 or at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or
Federal awarding agency that is excepted from the requirements under 2
CFR 25.110(b) or (c) or has an exception approved by the Federal
awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be
registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting
its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its
application; and (iii) 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
[[Page 14414]]
agency. The Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an
applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique
entity identifier 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.
4. Submission Dates and Times
(a) Application Deadline Date: No later than 4:30 p.m. (local time)
on March 31, 2016.
Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be in the USDA Rural
Development State Office by the local deadline date and time as
indicated above. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or
Federal holiday, the application is due the next business day.
(b) The deadline date means that the completed application package
must be received in the USDA Rural Development State Office by the
deadline date established above. All application documents identified
in this notice are required.
(c) If completed applications are not received by the deadline
established above, the application will neither be reviewed nor
considered under any circumstances. (d) The Agency will determine the
application receipt date based on the actual date postmarked.
(e) This notice is for RT technical assistance grants only and
therefore, intergovernmental reviews are not required.
(f) These grants are for RT technical assistance grants only, no
construction or equipment purchases are permitted. If the grantee has a
previously approved indirect cost rate, it is permissible, otherwise,
the applicant may elect to charge the 10 percent indirect cost
permitted under 2 CFR 200.414(f) or request a determination of its
Indirect Cost Rate. Due to the time required to evaluate Indirect Cost
Rates, it is likely that all funds will be awarded by the time the
Indirect Cost Rate is determined. No foreign travel is permitted. Pre-
Federal award costs will only be permitted with prior written approval
by the Agency.
(g) Applicants must submit applications in hard copy format as
previously indicated in the Application and Submission Information
section of this notice. If the applicant wishes to hand deliver its
application, the addresses for these deliveries can be located in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice.
(h) 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).
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated and scored
based on the selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR 4280.435
and will select grantees subject to the grantees' satisfactory
submission of the additional items required by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart
E and the USDA Rural Development Letter of Conditions. Failure to
address any one of the criteria by the application deadline will result
in the application being determined ineligible, and the application
will not be considered for funding. The amount of an RT grant may be
adjusted, at RBS's discretion, to enable RBS to award RT grants to the
applications with the highest priority scores in each category.
2. Review and Selection Process
The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are
eligible for assistance based on requirements contained in 7 CFR
4280.416 and 4280.417. If determined eligible, your application will be
submitted to the National Office. Funding of projects is subject to the
applicant's satisfactory submission of the additional items required by
that subpart and the USDA Rural Development Letter of Conditions. The
Agency reserves the right to award additional discretionary points
under 7 CFR 4280.435(k).
In awarding discretionary points, the Agency scoring criteria
regularly assigns points to applications that direct loans or grants to
projects based in or serving census tracts with poverty rates greater
than or equal to 20 percent. This emphasis will support Rural
Development's mission of improving the quality of life for rural
Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need
them.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive notification for funding from
the USDA Rural Development State Office. Applicants must comply with
all applicable statutes and regulations before the grant award will be
approved. Unsuccessful applications will receive notification by mail.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this
program can be found in 7 CFR 4280.408, 4280.410, and 4280.439. Awards
are subject to USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR chapter IV which
incorporates the new Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations
2 CFR part 200.
All successful applicants will be notified by letter, which will
include a letter of conditions, and a letter of intent to meet the
conditions. This letter is not an authorization to begin performance.
If the applicant wishes to consider beginning performance prior to the
grant being officially closed, all pre-award costs must be approved in
writing and in advance by the Agency. The grant will be considered
officially awarded when all conditions in the letter of conditions have
been met and the Agency obligates the funding for the project.
Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this
program can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E; the Grants and
Agreements regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture codified
in 2 CFR parts 400.1 to 400.18, and successor regulations to these
parts.
In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and
executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to
have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L.
109-282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are
exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)). More information on these requirements
can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected
for this program:
(a) Form RD 4280-2 ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service Financial
Assistance Agreement.''
(b) Letter of Conditions.
(c) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
(d) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
(e) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters-Primary Covered Transactions.''
(f) Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered
Transactions.''
(g) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace
Requirement (Grants).''
[[Page 14415]]
(h) Form AD-3030, ``Representation Regarding Felony Conviction and
Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.'' Must be signed by
corporate applicants who receive an award under this notice.
(i) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
(j) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
(k) use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
3. Reporting
(a) A Financial Status Report and a project performance activity
report will be required of all grantees on a quarterly basis until
initial funds are expended and yearly thereafter, if applicable, based
on the Federal fiscal year. The grantee will cause the project to be
completed within the total sums available to it in accordance with the
Scope of Work and any necessary modifications thereof prepared by the
grantee and approved by the Agency. A final project performance report
will be required with the final Financial Status Report. The final
report may serve as the last quarterly report. The final report must
provide complete information regarding the jobs created and supported
as a result of the grant if applicable. Grantees must continuously
monitor performance to ensure that time schedules are being met,
projected work by time periods is being accomplished, and other
performance objectives are being achieved. Grantees must submit an
original of each report to the Agency no later than 30 days after the
end of the quarter. The project performance reports must include, but
not be limited to, the following:
(1) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives
established for that period;
(2) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if any, which have
affected or will affect attainment of overall project objectives,
prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude the
attainment of particular project work elements during established time
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the
action taken or planned to resolve the situation;
(3) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting
period;
(4) Any special reporting requirements, such as jobs supported and
created, businesses assisted, or economic development which results in
improvements in median household incomes, and any other specific
requirements, should be placed in the reporting section in the Letter
of Conditions; and
(5) Within 90 days after the conclusion of the project, the grantee
will provide a final project evaluation report. The last quarterly
payment will be withheld until the final report is received and
approved by the Agency. Even though the grantee may request
reimbursement on a monthly basis, the last 3 months of reimbursements
will be withheld until a final project, project performance, and
financial status report are received and approved by the Agency.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
For general questions about this announcement, please contact your
USDA Rural Development State Office provided in the ADDRESSES section
of this notice.
H. Other Information
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the paperwork
burden has been cleared by OMB.
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act
All applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must have a DUNS
number, which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line
at (866)705-5711 or online at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Similarly,
all applicants must be registered in SAM prior to submitting an
application. Applicants may register for the SAM at https://www.sam.gov.
All recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report
information about first-tier sub-awards and executive total
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
I. Nondiscrimination
The U.S. Department of Agriculture 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.)
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.
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech
disabilities and wish to file either an EEO or program complaint may
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.
Dated: March 9, 2016.
Samuel H. Rikkers,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06036 Filed 3-16-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
