Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) Inviting Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2017, 83196-83201 [2016-27977]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
83196
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 81, No. 224
Monday, November 21, 2016
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Meeting of the Council for Native
American Farming and Ranching
Office of Tribal Relations,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
This notice announces a
forthcoming meeting of The Council for
Native American Farming and Ranching
(CNAFR), a public advisory committee
of the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR).
Notice of the meetings are provided in
accordance with the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, as amended. This will
be the first meeting held during fiscal
year 2017 and will consist of, but not be
limited to: Hearing public comments,
update of USDA programs and
activities, and discussion of committee
priorities. This meeting will be open to
the public.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
December 8, 2015, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m., and December 9, 2015, 8:30 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be open
to the public on both days. Note that a
period for public comment will be held
on December 8, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. to
4:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the Flamingo Hotel, 3555 S. Las Vegas
Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, in
the El Dorado Room.
Written Comments: Written comments
may be submitted to: the CNAFR
Contact Person, Josiah Griffin, Acting
Designated Federal Officer, USDA/
Office of Tribal Relations, 1400
Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg.,
501–A; Stop 0160; Washington, DC
20250; by Fax: (202) 720–1058; or by
email: Josiah.Griffin@osec.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions should be directed to Josiah
Griffin, Acting Designated Federal
Officer; USDA/Office of Tribal
Relations, 1400 Independence Ave. SW.,
Whitten Bldg., 501–A; Stop 0160;
Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202)
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:09 Nov 18, 2016
Jkt 241001
720–1058 or email:
Josiah.Griffin@osec.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the provisions of
Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA), as amended (5
U.S.C. App. 2), USDA established an
advisory council for Native American
farmers and ranchers. The CNAFR is a
discretionary advisory committee
established under the authority of the
Secretary of Agriculture.
The CNAFR will operate under the
provisions of the FACA and report to
the Secretary of Agriculture. The
purpose of the CNAFR is (1) to advise
the Secretary of Agriculture on issues
related to the participation of Native
American farmers and ranchers in
USDA programs; (2) to transmit
recommendations concerning any
changes to USDA regulations or internal
guidance or other measures that would
eliminate barriers to program
participation for Native American
farmers and ranchers; (3) to examine
methods of maximizing the number of
new farming and ranching opportunities
created by USDA programs through
enhanced extension and financial
literacy services; (4) to examine
methods of encouraging
intergovernmental cooperation to
mitigate the effects of land tenure and
probate issues on the delivery of USDA
programs; (5) to evaluate other methods
of creating new farming or ranching
opportunities for Native American
producers; and (6) to address other
related issues as deemed appropriate.
The Secretary of Agriculture selected
a diverse group of members representing
a broad spectrum of persons interested
in providing solutions to the challenges
of the aforementioned purposes. Equal
opportunity practices were considered
in all appointments to the CNAFR in
accordance with USDA policies. The
Secretary selected the members in
November 2016.
Interested persons may present views,
orally or in writing, on issues relating to
agenda topics before the CNAFR.
Written submissions may be submitted
to the contact person on or before
November 30, 2015. Oral presentations
from the public will be heard from 2:00
p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on December 8, 2015.
Those individuals interested in making
formal oral presentations should notify
the contact person and submit a brief
statement of the general nature of the
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
issue they wish to present and the
names and addresses of proposed
participants by November 30, 2015. All
oral presentations will be given three (3)
to five (5) minutes depending on the
number of participants.
The OTR will also make the agenda
available to the public via the OTR Web
site https://www.usda.gov/tribalrelations
no later than 10 business days before the
meeting and at the meeting. The
minutes from the meeting will be posted
on the OTR Web site. OTR welcomes
the attendance of the public at the
CNAFR meetings and will make every
effort to accommodate persons with
physical disabilities or special needs. If
you require special accommodations
due to a disability, please notify the
Contact Person, at least 10 business days
in advance of the meeting.
Dated: November 15, 2016.
Leslie Wheelock,
Director, Office of Tribal Relations.
[FR Doc. 2016–27915 Filed 11–18–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Notice of Solicitation of Applications
(NOSA) Inviting Applications for the
Rural Economic Development Loan
and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year
2017
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 pursuant
to 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A for fiscal
year (FY) 2017, subject to the
availability of funding. This Notice is
being issued in order to allow
applicants sufficient time to leverage
financing, prepare and submit their
applications, and give the Agency time
to process applications within FY 2017.
Successful applications will be selected
by the Agency for funding and
subsequently awarded to the extent that
funding may ultimately be made
available through appropriations. An
announcement on the Web site at https://
www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/noticessolicitation-applications-nosas will
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM
21NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2016 / Notices
identify the amount received, if any, in
the appropriations.
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 Offices no
later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) are:
Second Quarter, December 31, 2016;
Third Quarter, March 31, 2017; and
Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2017.
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.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/stateoffices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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:
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Overview
Solicitation Opportunity Type: Rural
Economic Development Loans and
Grants.
Announcement Type: Initial
Solicitation Announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number: 10.854.
Dates: The deadline for completed
applications to be received in the USDA
Rural Development State Office no later
than 4:30 p.m. (local time) are: Second
Quarter, December 31, 2016; Third
Quarter, March 31, 2017; and Fourth
Quarter, June 30, 2017.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. The
purpose of the program is to promote
rural economic development and job
creation projects.
2. Statutory Authority. These
Programs are authorized under 7 U.S.C.
940c and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A.
Assistance provided to rural areas, as
defined, under this program may
include business startup costs, business
expansion, business incubators,
Technical assistance feasibility studies,
Advanced telecommunications services
and computer networks for medical,
educational, and job training services,
and community facilities projects for
economic development.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:09 Nov 18, 2016
Jkt 241001
Awards under the REDLG Programs
will be made on a competitive basis
using specific selection criteria
contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart
A. Information required to be in the
application package includes Standard
Form (SF) 424, ‘‘Application for Federal
Assistance;’’ a Resolution of the Board
of Directors; AD–1047, ‘‘Debarment/
Suspension Certification;’’ AD–1049
‘‘Certification Regarding Drug-Free
Workplace Requirements;’’ SF LLL,
Restrictions on Lobbying; RD 400–1,
‘‘Equal Opportunity Agreement;’’ RD
400–4, ‘‘Assurance Agreement;’’
Assurance Statement for the Uniform
Act; Seismic Certification (if
construction); paperwork required in
accordance with 7 CFR part 1970,
‘‘Environmental Policies and
Procedures.’’ If the proposal involves
new construction; large increases in
employment; hazardous waste; a change
in use, size, capacity, purpose, or
location from an original facility; or is
publicly controversial, the following is
required: environmental documentation
in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970;’’
RUS Form 7, ‘‘Financial and Statistical
Report;’’ and RUS Form 7a,
‘‘Investments, Loan Guarantees, and
Loans,’’ or similar information; and
written narrative of Project description.
Applications will be tentatively scored
by the State Offices and submitted to the
National Office for review.
3. Definition of Terms. The definitions
applicable to this Notice are published
at 7 CFR 4280.3.
4. Application Awards. The Agency
will review, evaluate, and score
applications received in response to this
Notice based on the provisions found in
7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, 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 whether or
not funding is appropriated for these
Programs in FY 2017.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Awards: Loans and Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2017.
Available Funds: Anyone interested
in submitting an application for funding
under these Programs are encouraged to
consult the Rural Development Web
Newsroom Web site at https://
www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/noticessolicitation-applications-nosas for
funding information.
Maximum Award: The Agency
anticipates the following maximum
amounts per award: Loans—$1,000,000;
Grants—$300,000.
Award Dates: Second Quarter,
February 28, 2017; Third Quarter, May
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
83197
31, 2017; and Fourth Quarter, August
31, 2017.
Performance Period: October 1, 2016,
through September 30, 2017.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards:
None.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Loans and grants may be made to any
entity that is identified by USDA Rural
Development as an eligible borrower
under the Rural Electrification Act of
1936, as amended (Act). In accordance
with 7 CFR 4280.13, applicants that are
not delinquent on any Federal debt or
otherwise disqualified from
participation in these Programs are
eligible to apply. An applicant must be
eligible under 7 U.S.C. 940c.
Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, any former Rural Utilities Service
borrower that has repaid or prepaid an
insured, direct, or guaranteed loan
under the Act, or any not-for-profit
utility that is eligible to receive an
insured or direct loan under such Act
shall be eligible for assistance under
section 313(b)(2)(B) of such Act in the
same manner as a borrower under such
Act. All other restrictions in this Notice
will apply.
The Agency requires the following
information to make an eligibility
determination. 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., tribe, 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;
E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM
21NON1
83198
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2016 / Notices
In addition to the forms listed under the
program description, Form AD 3030
‘‘Representations Regulation 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.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
For loans, either the Ultimate
Recipient or the Intermediary must
provide supplemental funds for the
Project equal to at least 20 percent of the
loan to the Intermediary. For grants, the
Intermediary must establish a Revolving
Loan Fund (or Fund) and contribute an
amount equal to at least 20 percent of
the Grant. The supplemental
contribution must come from
Intermediary’s funds which may not be
from other Federal Grants, unless
permitted by law.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
(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 last 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 REDLG; and
(g) A budget which includes salaries,
fringe benefits, consultant costs, indirect
costs, and other appropriate direct costs
for the Project.
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.
3. Other
Applications will only be accepted for
projects that promote rural economic
development and job creation.
There are no ‘‘responsiveness’’ or
‘‘threshold’’ eligibility criteria for these
loans and grants. There is no limit on
the number of applications an applicant
may submit under this announcement.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:09 Nov 18, 2016
Jkt 241001
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.
All applicants must have a Dun and
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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
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.
Please note that applicants must
locate the downloadable application
package for this program by the Catalog
of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
or FedGrants Funding Opportunity
Number, which can be found at https://
www.grants.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application
Submission
An application must contain all of the
required elements. Each selection
priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR
4280.42(b) 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 A,
will be provided to any interested
applicant making a request to a Rural
Development State Office. An original
copy of the application must be filed
with the Rural Development State Office
for the State where the Intermediary is
located.
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 A. There
are no specific formats required per this
Notice, and applicants may request
E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM
21NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2016 / Notices
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
forms and addresses from the
ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
(a) There are no specific limitations
on the number of pages or other
formatting requirements other than
those described in the PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION section.
(b) There are no specific limitations
on the number of pages, font size and
type face, margins, paper size, number
of copies, and the sequence or assembly
requirements.
(c) The component pieces of this
application should contain original
signatures on the original application.
please contact USDA’s TARGET Center
at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).
3. Submission Dates and Times
(a) Application Deadline Dates: No
later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on:
Second Quarter, December 31, 2016;
Third Quarter, March 31, 2017; and
Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2017.
Explanation of Dates: Applications
must be in the USDA Rural
Development State Office by the dates
and times 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 and time 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) 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). 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.
(f) 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.
(g) If you require alternative means of
communication for program information
(e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
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 part
4280, subpart A. If determined eligible,
your application will be submitted to
the National Office. Funding of projects
is subject to the Intermediary’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 4280.43.
In order to distribute funds among the
greatest number of projects possible,
applications will be reviewed,
prioritized, and funded by ranking each
State’s highest scoring Project in highest
to lowest score order. The highest
scoring Project from each State will be
considered that State’s Priority One
Project. Priority One projects will be
ranked according to score from highest
to lowest. The second highest scoring
Project from each State will be
considered the State’s Priority Two
Project. Priority Two projects will be
ranked according to score from highest
to lowest and so forth until all projects
have been scored and ranked in priority
order. All Priority One projects will be
funded before any Priority Two projects
and so forth until funds are depleted, so
as to ensure broad geographic
distribution of funding.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:09 Nov 18, 2016
Jkt 241001
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 part 4280, subpart
A. 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.
F. Federal Award Administration
Information
1. Federal Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive
notification for funding from the Rural
Development State Office. Applicants
must comply with all applicable statutes
and regulations before the loan/grant
award can be approved. Provided the
application and eligibility requirements
have not changed, an application not
selected will be reconsidered in three
subsequent quarterly funding
competitions for a total of four
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
83199
competitions. If an application is
withdrawn, it can be resubmitted and
will be evaluated as a new application.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
Additional requirements that apply to
intermediaries or grantees selected for
these Programs can be found in 7 CFR
part 4280, subpart A. Awards are subject
to USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR
Chapter IV which incorporated the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) regulations 2 CFR 200.
All successful applicants will be
notified by letter which will include a
Letter of Conditions, and a Letter of
Intent to Meet Conditions. This letter is
not an authorization to begin
performance. If the applicant wishes to
consider beginning performance prior to
the loan or grant being officially closed,
all pre-award costs must be approved in
writing and in advance by the Agency.
The loan or 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
intermediaries or grantees selected for
these Programs can be found in 7 CFR
4280, subpart A; 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)).
The following additional
requirements apply to intermediaries or
grantees selected for these Programs:
(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.’’
E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM
21NON1
83200
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2016 / Notices
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
(g) Form AD–1049, ‘‘Certification
Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace
Requirement (Grants).’’
(h) 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.
(i) Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance
Agreement.’’ Each prospective recipient
must sign Form RD 400–4, Assurance
Agreement, which assures USDA that
the recipient is in compliance with Title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 7 CFR
part 15 and other Agency regulations.
That no person will be discriminated
against based on race, color or national
origin, in regard to any program or
activity for which the re-lender receives
Federal financial assistance. That
nondiscrimination statements are in
advertisements and brochures.
Collect and maintain data provided by
ultimate recipients on race, sex, and
national origin and ensure Ultimate
Recipients collect and maintain this
data. 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.
The applicant and the ultimate
recipient must comply with Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of
the Education Amendments of 1972,
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975,
Executive Order 12250, Executive Order
13166 Limited English Proficiency
(LEP), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.
(i) SF LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of Lobbying
Activities,’’ if applicable.
(j) 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 complete the Project within
the total time 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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:09 Nov 18, 2016
Jkt 241001
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 doing established time
periods. This disclosure shall be
accompanied by a statement of the
action taken or planned to resolve the
situation; and
(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 of the Letter of
Conditions.
(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 report, Project
performance, and financial status report
are received and approved by the
Agency.
In addition to any reports required by
2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 400.1 to 400.18,
the Intermediary or grantee must
provide reports as required by 7 CFR
part 4280, subpart A.
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.
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
H. Civil Rights Requirements
All grants made under this Notice are
subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR
part 15, subpart A) and Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VIII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title IX,
Executive Order 13166 (Limited English
Proficiency), Executive Order 11246,
and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of
1974.
I. Other Information
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the information
collection requirement contained in this
Notice is approved by OMB under OMB
Control Number 0570–0070.
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 grant assistance are
required to report information about
first-tier sub-awards and executive total
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR
part 170.
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil
rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees, and
institutions participating in or
administering USDA Programs are
prohibited from discriminating based on
race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender
expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/
parental status, income derived from a
public assistance program, political
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
civil rights activity, in any program or
activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means of communication for
program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign
Language, etc.) should contact the
responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
TTY) or contact USDA through the
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM
21NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2016 / Notices
Additionally, program information may
be made available in languages other
than English.
To file a program discrimination
complaint, complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–
3027, found online at https://
www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_
cust.html and at any USDA office or
write a letter addressed to USDA and
provide in the letter all of the
information requested in the form. To
request a copy of the complaint form,
call (866) 632–9992. Submit your
completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250–9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690–7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
Dated: November 15, 2016.
Samuel H. Rikkers,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–27977 Filed 11–18–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–570–827]
Certain Cased Pencils From the
People’s Republic of China:
Preliminary Results of Antidumping
Duty Administrative Review and Partial
Rescission; 2014—2015
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: In response to requests from
interested parties, the Department of
Commerce (the Department) is
conducting an administrative review of
the antidumping duty order on certain
cased pencils (pencils) from the
People’s Republic of China (PRC). The
period of review (POR) is December 1,
2014, through November 30, 2015. The
Department preliminarily finds that
Shandong Rongxin Import & Export Co.,
Ltd. (Rongxin) is not eligible for a
separate rate, and, thus, remains part of
the PRC-wide entity. In addition, we are
rescinding the administrative review
with respect to Orient International
Holding Shanghai Foreign Trade Co.,
Ltd. (SFTC), and Wah Yuen Stationery
Co. Ltd. and its affiliate, Shandong Wah
Yuen Stationery Co. Ltd., and its
claimed affiliate, Tianjin Tonghe
Stationery Co. Ltd. (collectively, Wah
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:09 Nov 18, 2016
Jkt 241001
Yuen), because the requests for
administrative review of these
companies were timely withdrawn.
Interested parties are invited to
comment on these preliminary results.
DATES: Effective November 21, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Kolberg, AD/CVD Operations,
Office I, Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–1785.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On December 1, 2015, the Department
published a notice of an opportunity to
request an administrative review of the
antidumping duty order on cased
pencils from the PRC.1 On December 30,
2015, Dixon Ticonderoga Company
(Dixon) requested an administrative
review of Rongxin, and Wah Yuen.2 On
December 31, 2015, SFTC requested an
administrative review of its own exports
during the POR.3 On February 9, 2016,
the Department initiated a review of
Rongxin, SFTC, and Wah Yuen.4 On
March 30, 2016, SFTC timely withdrew
its request for administrative review.5
Finally, on May 5, 2016, Dixon timely
withdrew its request for an
administrative review of Wah Yuen.6
Scope of the Order
The merchandise subject to the order
includes certain cased pencils from the
PRC. The subject merchandise is
currently classifiable under Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS) subheading 9609.1010. A full
description of the scope of the order is
contained in the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum.7 Although the HTSUS
1 See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Order, Finding, Or Suspended Investigation;
Opportunity To Request Administrative Review, 80
FR 75078 (December 1, 2015).
2 See letter from Dixon, re: ‘‘Certain Cased Pencils
from the People’s Republic of China: Request for
Administrative Review,’’ dated December 30, 2015.
3 See letter from SFTC, re: ‘‘Request for
Administrative Review of the Antidumping Duty
Order on Certain Cased Pencils from the People’s
Republic of China,’’ dated December 31, 2015.
4 See Initiation of Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, 81 FR
6832 (February 9, 2016) (Initiation Notice).
5 See letter from SFTC, re: ‘‘Withdrawal of
Request for Review: Administrative Review of the
Antidumping Order on Cased Pencils from the
People’s Republic of China,’’ dated March 30, 2016.
6 See letter from Dixon, re: ‘‘Certain Cased Pencils
from the People’s Republic of China: Partial
Withdrawal of Request for Administrative Review,’’
dated May 5, 2016.
7 See Memorandum from Christian Marsh, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Operations, to Paul Piquado
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and
Compliance, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
83201
subheadings are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the
written product description is
dispositive.
Partial Rescission of the Administrative
Review
Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), the
Secretary will rescind an administrative
review, in whole or in part, if a party
that requested the review withdraws the
request within 90 days of the date of
publication of the Initiation Notice. On
March 30, 2016, SFTC timely withdrew
its request for a review of its own
exports and, on May 5, 2016, Dixon
timely withdrew its request for a review
of Wah Yuen. Accordingly, the
Department is rescinding this
administrative review with respect to
SFTC and Wah Yuen.
Methodology
The Department is conducting this
review in accordance with section
751(a)(1)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (the Act). We have
preliminary determined that Rongxin is
not eligible for a separate rate; as such,
the Department has not calculated a
margin for these preliminary results. For
a full description of the methodology
and analysis underlying our
determination, see the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum.8 A list of topics
discussed in the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum is included as Appendix
I to this notice. The Preliminary
Decision Memorandum is a public
document and is on file electronically
via Enforcement and Compliance’s
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Centralized Electronic Service System
(ACCESS). ACCESS is available to
registered users at https://
access.trade.gov, and it is available to
all parties in the Department’s Central
Records Unit, Room B8024 of the main
Department of Commerce building. In
addition, a complete version of the
Preliminary Decision Memorandum can
be accessed directly on the internet at
https://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/. The
signed Preliminary Decision
Memorandum and the electronic
versions of the Preliminary Decision
Memorandum are identical in content.
Preliminary Results of Review
The Department preliminarily
determines that, for the period
Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty
Administrative Review and Partial Rescission:
Certain Cased Pencils from the People’s Republic of
China; 2014—2015,’’ dated concurrently with and
hereby adopted by this notice (Preliminary Decision
Memorandum).
8 A list of topics discussed in the Preliminary
Decision Memorandum is provided at Appendix I
to this notice.
E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM
21NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83196-83201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27977]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) Inviting
Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs
for Fiscal Year 2017
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This Notice is to invite applications for loans and grants
under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Programs
pursuant to 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A for fiscal year (FY) 2017,
subject to the availability of funding. This Notice is being issued in
order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing,
prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to
process applications within FY 2017. Successful applications will be
selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the
extent that funding may ultimately be made available through
appropriations. An announcement on the Web site at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas will
[[Page 83197]]
identify the amount received, if any, in the appropriations.
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 Offices no later than 4:30 p.m. (local
time) are: Second Quarter, December 31, 2016; Third Quarter, March 31,
2017; and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2017.
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.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 Type: Rural Economic Development Loans and
Grants.
Announcement Type: Initial Solicitation Announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.854.
Dates: The deadline for completed applications to be received in
the USDA Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. (local
time) are: Second Quarter, December 31, 2016; Third Quarter, March 31,
2017; and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2017.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of the program is to promote
rural economic development and job creation projects.
2. Statutory Authority. These Programs are authorized under 7
U.S.C. 940c and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Assistance provided to
rural areas, as defined, under this program may include business
startup costs, business expansion, business incubators, Technical
assistance feasibility studies, Advanced telecommunications services
and computer networks for medical, educational, and job training
services, and community facilities projects for economic development.
Awards under the REDLG Programs will be made on a competitive basis
using specific selection criteria contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart
A. Information required to be in the application package includes
Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance;'' a
Resolution of the Board of Directors; AD-1047, ``Debarment/Suspension
Certification;'' AD-1049 ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements;'' SF LLL, Restrictions on Lobbying; RD 400-1, ``Equal
Opportunity Agreement;'' RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement;'' Assurance
Statement for the Uniform Act; Seismic Certification (if construction);
paperwork required in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970, ``Environmental
Policies and Procedures.'' If the proposal involves new construction;
large increases in employment; hazardous waste; a change in use, size,
capacity, purpose, or location from an original facility; or is
publicly controversial, the following is required: environmental
documentation in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970;'' RUS Form 7,
``Financial and Statistical Report;'' and RUS Form 7a, ``Investments,
Loan Guarantees, and Loans,'' or similar information; and written
narrative of Project description. Applications will be tentatively
scored by the State Offices and submitted to the National Office for
review.
3. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this Notice
are published at 7 CFR 4280.3.
4. Application Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score
applications received in response to this Notice based on the
provisions found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, 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 whether or not funding is
appropriated for these Programs in FY 2017.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Awards: Loans and Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2017.
Available Funds: Anyone interested in submitting an application for
funding under these Programs are encouraged to consult the Rural
Development Web Newsroom Web site at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas for funding information.
Maximum Award: The Agency anticipates the following maximum amounts
per award: Loans--$1,000,000; Grants--$300,000.
Award Dates: Second Quarter, February 28, 2017; Third Quarter, May
31, 2017; and Fourth Quarter, August 31, 2017.
Performance Period: October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Loans and grants may be made to any entity that is identified by
USDA Rural Development as an eligible borrower under the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (Act). In accordance with 7 CFR
4280.13, applicants that are not delinquent on any Federal debt or
otherwise disqualified from participation in these Programs are
eligible to apply. An applicant must be eligible under 7 U.S.C. 940c.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any former Rural Utilities
Service borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct, or
guaranteed loan under the Act, or any not-for-profit utility that is
eligible to receive an insured or direct loan under such Act shall be
eligible for assistance under section 313(b)(2)(B) of such Act in the
same manner as a borrower under such Act. All other restrictions in
this Notice will apply.
The Agency requires the following information to make an
eligibility determination. 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.,
tribe, 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 83198]]
(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 last 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 REDLG; and
(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
For loans, either the Ultimate Recipient or the Intermediary must
provide supplemental funds for the Project equal to at least 20 percent
of the loan to the Intermediary. For grants, the Intermediary must
establish a Revolving Loan Fund (or Fund) and contribute an amount
equal to at least 20 percent of the Grant. The supplemental
contribution must come from Intermediary's funds which may not be from
other Federal Grants, unless permitted by law.
3. Other
Applications will only be accepted for projects that promote rural
economic development and job creation.
There are no ``responsiveness'' or ``threshold'' eligibility
criteria for these loans and grants. There is no limit on the number of
applications an applicant may submit under this announcement. In
addition to the forms listed under the program description, Form AD
3030 ``Representations Regulation 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.
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 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.
Please note that applicants must locate the downloadable
application package for this program by the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance Number or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which can be
found at https://www.grants.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
An application must contain all of the required elements. Each
selection priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR 4280.42(b) 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 A, will be provided to any interested applicant making a
request to a Rural Development State Office. An original copy of the
application must be filed with the Rural Development State Office for
the State where the Intermediary is located.
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 A. There are no specific formats
required per this Notice, and applicants may request
[[Page 83199]]
forms and addresses from the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
(a) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages or
other formatting requirements other than those described in the PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION section.
(b) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages, font
size and type face, margins, paper size, number of copies, and the
sequence or assembly requirements.
(c) The component pieces of this application should contain
original signatures on the original application.
3. Submission Dates and Times
(a) Application Deadline Dates: No later than 4:30 p.m. (local
time) on: Second Quarter, December 31, 2016; Third Quarter, March 31,
2017; and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2017.
Explanation of Dates: Applications must be in the USDA Rural
Development State Office by the dates and times 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 and time 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) 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). 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.
(f) 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.
(g) 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 part
4280, subpart A. 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.
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 part
4280, subpart A. If determined eligible, your application will be
submitted to the National Office. Funding of projects is subject to the
Intermediary'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 4280.43.
In order to distribute funds among the greatest number of projects
possible, applications will be reviewed, prioritized, and funded by
ranking each State's highest scoring Project in highest to lowest score
order. The highest scoring Project from each State will be considered
that State's Priority One Project. Priority One projects will be ranked
according to score from highest to lowest. The second highest scoring
Project from each State will be considered the State's Priority Two
Project. Priority Two projects will be ranked according to score from
highest to lowest and so forth until all projects have been scored and
ranked in priority order. All Priority One projects will be funded
before any Priority Two projects and so forth until funds are depleted,
so as to ensure broad geographic distribution of funding.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive notification for funding from
the Rural Development State Office. Applicants must comply with all
applicable statutes and regulations before the loan/grant award can be
approved. Provided the application and eligibility requirements have
not changed, an application not selected will be reconsidered in three
subsequent quarterly funding competitions for a total of four
competitions. If an application is withdrawn, it can be resubmitted and
will be evaluated as a new application.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Additional requirements that apply to intermediaries or grantees
selected for these Programs can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A.
Awards are subject to USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR Chapter IV which
incorporated the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations 2
CFR 200.
All successful applicants will be notified by letter which will
include a Letter of Conditions, and a Letter of Intent to Meet
Conditions. This letter is not an authorization to begin performance.
If the applicant wishes to consider beginning performance prior to the
loan or grant being officially closed, all pre-award costs must be
approved in writing and in advance by the Agency. The loan or 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 intermediaries or grantees
selected for these Programs can be found in 7 CFR 4280, subpart A; 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)).
The following additional requirements apply to intermediaries or
grantees selected for these Programs:
(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.''
[[Page 83200]]
(g) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace
Requirement (Grants).''
(h) 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.
(i) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.'' Each prospective
recipient must sign Form RD 400-4, Assurance Agreement, which assures
USDA that the recipient is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, 7 CFR part 15 and other Agency regulations. That no
person will be discriminated against based on race, color or national
origin, in regard to any program or activity for which the re-lender
receives Federal financial assistance. That nondiscrimination
statements are in advertisements and brochures.
Collect and maintain data provided by ultimate recipients on race,
sex, and national origin and ensure Ultimate Recipients collect and
maintain this data. 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.
The applicant and the ultimate recipient must comply with Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive
Order 12250, Executive Order 13166 Limited English Proficiency (LEP),
and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.
(i) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
(j) 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 complete the Project
within the total time 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 doing established time
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the
action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and
(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 of the Letter
of Conditions.
(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 report, Project performance, and
financial status report are received and approved by the Agency.
In addition to any reports required by 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 400.1 to
400.18, the Intermediary or grantee must provide reports as required by
7 CFR part 4280, subpart A.
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. Civil Rights Requirements
All grants made under this Notice are subject to Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15,
subpart A) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title
VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title IX, Executive Order 13166
(Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
I. Other Information
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
information collection requirement contained in this Notice is approved
by OMB under OMB Control Number 0570-0070.
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 grant assistance are
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and
executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or
administering USDA Programs are prohibited from discriminating based on
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
[[Page 83201]]
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages
other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA
by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington,
DC 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Dated: November 15, 2016.
Samuel H. Rikkers,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-27977 Filed 11-18-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
