Announcement of Loan Application Procedures, and Deadlines for the Rural Energy Savings Program, 55081-55090 [2017-25089]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Utilities Service

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 222 (Monday, November 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55081-55090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25089]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Announcement of Loan Application Procedures, and Deadlines for 
the Rural Energy Savings Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA); the RESP application 
process and deadlines.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing funding 
availability and is soliciting letters of intent for loan applications 
under the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP), announcing the 
application process for those loans and deadlines for applications from 
eligible entities. These loans are made available under the authority 
of Section 6407 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, 
as amended, (Section 6407) and the Title III, Section 769 of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017. This notice describes the 
eligibility requirements, the application process and deadlines, the 
criteria that will be used by RUS to assess Applicants' 
creditworthiness, and how to obtain application materials.

DATES: The application process consists of two steps. To be considered 
for this funding, Applicants must submit their documentation no later 
than the mandatory dates set forth herein.
    Step 1: To be considered for financing pursuant to this notice, an 
Applicant seeking financing must submit a Letter of intent to apply, as 
provided herein, in an electronic Portable Document Format (PDF), not 
to exceed 10 MB in size, by electronic mail (email) to 
RESP@wdc.usda.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. (EST) on January 19, 2018. 
Late or incomplete Letters of Intent will not be considered by RUS.

[[Page 55082]]

    Step 2: An RESP Applicant that has been invited in writing by RUS 
to proceed with the loan application, as provided in this NOFA, will 
have up to sixty (60) days to complete the documentation for a complete 
application. The sixty (60) day timeframe will begin from the date the 
RESP Applicant receives an email with RUS' Invitation to proceed. If 
the deadline to submit the completed application falls on Saturday, 
Sunday, or a Federal holiday, the application is due the next business 
day. Instructions on how to submit the loan application package will be 
included in the RUS Invitation to proceed to the RESP Applicant.

ADDRESSES: Copies of this NOFA and other information on the Rural 
Energy Savings Program may be obtained by:
    (1) Contacting Robert Coates at (202) 260-5415 to request a copy of 
this Notice.
    (2) Sending an electronic mail (email) to 
Robert.Coates@wdc.usda.gov. The email must be identified as RESP Notice 
of Funding Availability in the subject field.
    (3) The Letter of intent must be submitted by the Applicant in an 
electronic PDF (PDF) format not to exceed 10 Megabytes (10 MB) by 
electronic mail (email) to RESP@WDC.USDA.GOV on or before the deadline 
set forth herein. No paper letters of intent will be accepted.
    (4) The completed loan application package must be submitted 
following the instructions that will be outlined in the RUS Invitation 
to proceed to the RESP Applicant. The loan application package must be 
marked with the subject line ``Attention: Christopher McLean, Assistant 
Administrator for the Electric Program; RESP Loan Application.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Coates, Rural Utilities 
Service--Electric Program, Rural Development, United States Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1568, Room 0217-S, 
Washington, DC 20250-1560; Telephone: (202) 260-5415; Email 
Robert.Coates@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS), USDA.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP).
    Announcement Type: Requests for Letter of intent and Applications.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.751.
    Dates: Submit the Letter of intent on or before January 19, 2018 
and the completed loan application package on or before sixty (60) days 
from the receipt date of a written RUS Invitation to proceed.

Administrative Procedure Act Statement

    This NOFA is being issued without advance rulemaking or public 
comment. The Administrative Procedure Act of 1946, as amended (5 U.S.C. 
553) (APA), has several exemptions to rulemaking requirements. Among 
them is an exception for a matter relating to ``loans, grants, 
benefits, or contracts.'' Furthermore, the 30 day effective date policy 
is excepted for ``good cause.'' USDA has determined, consistent with 
the APA that making these funds available under this NOFA for the RESP 
is in the public interest since the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2017 (Pub. L. 115-31) appropriated a budget authority of $8,000,000 
until September 30, 2018 and the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002, as amended, authorized the program until that very same date. 
RUS is using its experience operating under the 2016 Notice of 
Solicitation for Applications and this NOFA in its effort to undertake 
a rulemaking process to more permanently codify requirements.

Information Collection and Recordkeeping Requirements

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35), OMB approved this information collection under OMB Control 
Number 0572-0151. The current expiration date for the information 
collection is December 31, 2019.

Definitions and Rules of Grammatical Construction

    For the purpose of RESP, the following terms must have the 
following meanings:
    Administrator means the Administrator of the Rural Utilities 
Service, an agency under the Rural Development mission area of the 
United States Department of Agriculture.
    Applicant means an Eligible entity interested in applying for a 
RESP that is planning to submit a Letter of intent.
    Commercially available technology means equipment, devices, 
applications, or systems that have a proven, reliable performance and 
replicable operating history specific to the proposed application. The 
equipment, device, application or system is based on established 
patented design or has been certified by an industry-recognized 
organization and subject to installation, operating, and maintenance 
procedures generally accepted by industry practices and standards. 
Service and replacement parts for the equipment, device, application or 
system must be readily available in the marketplace with established 
warranty applicable to parts, labor and performance.
    Completed loan application means an application containing all 
information required by RUS to approve a loan and that is materially 
complete in form and substance satisfactory to RUS within the specified 
time.
    Conditional commitment letter means the notification issued by the 
Administrator to a RESP Applicant advising it of the total loan amount 
approved for it as a RESP borrower, the acceptable security 
arrangement, and such controls and conditions on the RESP borrower's 
financial, investment, operational and managerial activities deemed 
necessary by the Administrator to adequately secure the Government's 
interest. This notification will also describe the accounting standards 
and audit requirements applicable to the transaction.
    Conflict of interest means a situation or situations, event or 
series of events, that jointly or severely undermines an individual's 
judgement, ability, or commitment to providing an accurate, unbiased, 
fair and reliable assessment or determination about the cost-
effectiveness of the Energy efficiency measures due to self-interest or 
cannot be justified by the prevailing and sound application of the 
generally accepted standards and principles of the industry.
    Eligible entity means an entity described in section C.1. of this 
NOFA.
    Energy audit means an analysis or inspection of the energy flows in 
a building, process, or system with the goal of identifying 
opportunities to enhance energy efficiency. The activity should result 
in an objective standard-based technical report containing 
recommendations on the Energy efficiency measures to reduce energy 
costs or consumption of the Qualified consumer and an analysis of the 
estimated benefits and costs of pursuing each recommendation in a 
payback period not to exceed 10 years. The report will include a 
payback analysis of the aggregated energy efficiency measures.
    Energy efficiency measures means for or at a property served by an 
Eligible entity, structural improvements or investments in cost-
effective, commercially available technologies that result in a 
decrease in a Qualified consumer's energy usage or costs.

[[Page 55083]]

    Energy efficiency program (EE Program) means a program set up by an 
Eligible entity to provide financing to Qualified consumers so that 
they can reduce their energy use or costs by implementing energy 
efficiency measures.
    Financial feasibility means an Eligible entity's ability to 
generate sufficient revenues to cover its expenses, sufficient cash 
flow to service its debts and obligations as they come due, and meet 
the financial ratios set forth in the applicable loan documents.
    Invitation to proceed means the written notification issued by RUS 
to the Eligible entity acknowledging that the Letter of intent was 
received and reviewed, describing the next steps in the application 
process and inviting the Eligible entity to submit a complete 
application.
    Key performance indicators means the set of measures that help an 
entity to determine if it is reaching its performance and operational 
goals. These indicators can be both financial and non-financial.
    Letter of intent means a signed letter issued by an Applicant 
notifying RUS of its intent to apply for a RESP loan and addressing all 
the elements identified in section D.1.a. of this NOFA.
    Qualified consumer means a consumer served by an Eligible entity 
that has the ability to repay a loan made by an RESP borrower under the 
RESP program, as determined by the Eligible entity.
    RESP applicant means an Eligible entity that has received a written 
Invitation to proceed from RUS to apply for a RESP loan.
    RESP borrower means an Eligible entity with an approved RESP loan.
    Small business means an entity that is in accordance with the Small 
Business Administration's (SBA) small business size standards found in 
13 CFR part 121.
    Special advance means an advance, not to exceed 4 percent of the 
total approved loan amount, that a RESP borrower may request to defray 
the start-up costs of establishing a new EE Program.
    Start-up costs mean amounts paid or incurred for: (a) Creating or 
implementing an active energy efficiency program; or (b) investing in 
the integration of an active energy efficiency program. Start-up costs 
may include, but are not limited to, amounts paid or incurred in the 
analysis or survey of potential markets, products such as software and 
hardware, labor supply, consultants, salaries and other working capital 
directly related to creation or enhancement of an energy efficiency 
program consistent with RESP.
    With regard to the rules of grammatical construction, unless the 
context otherwise indicates, ``includes'' and ``including'' are not 
limiting, and ``or'' is not exclusive.

Additional Items in Supplementary Information

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Agency Review of Letter of intent and Loan Application
F. Federal Award Administration Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
H. Other Information

A. Program Description

    The USDA through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) provides RESP 
loans to Eligible entities that agree to, in turn, make loans to 
Qualified consumers for the purpose of implementing Energy efficiency 
measures. These loans are made available under the authority of Section 
6407. Eligible Energy efficiency measures funded under this NOFA must 
be for or at a property or properties served by a RESP borrower, using 
commercially available technologies that would allow Qualified 
consumers to decrease their energy use or costs through cost-effective 
measures including structural improvements to the structure. Loans made 
by RESP borrowers under this program may be repaid through charges 
added to the Qualified consumer's bill for the property or properties 
for, or at which, energy efficiencies are or will be implemented. The 
purpose of the program is to help rural families and small businesses 
achieve cost savings by providing loans to Qualified consumers to 
implement durable cost-effective Energy efficiency measures.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Loan.
    Fiscal Year 2017 Funds: $8,000,000 in budget authority through 
September 30, 2018.
    Authority: RESP is a program to be carried out by the Rural 
Utilities Service pursuant to Section 6407 of the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002, 7 U.S.C. 8107a, as amended; and Section 
769, Title VII, Division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2017, Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Entities Include

    a. Any public power district, public utility district, or similar 
entity, or any electric cooperative described in section 501(c)(12) or 
1381(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that borrowed and 
repaid, prepaid, or is paying an electric loan made or guaranteed by 
the Rural Utilities Service (or any predecessor agency);
    b. Any entity primarily owned or controlled by 1 or more entities 
described in section C.1.a. of this NOFA; and
    c. Any other entity that is an eligible borrower of the Rural 
Utilities Service, as determined under 7 CFR 1710.101.

2. Equity Contributions

    a. To be eligible for a RESP loan, a newly created Eligible entity 
or an entity primarily owned or controlled by one (1) or more entities 
described in section C.1.a. of this NOFA must have a minimum equity 
position in the EE Program proposed to be funded with RESP at the time 
of the loan closing and the Eligible entity will be required to 
continue to maintain the minimum equity position for the period of time 
determined by the Administrator and as set forth in the loan documents. 
The required equity position and terms will be determined by the 
Administrator on a case-by-case basis based upon review of the risk 
profile of the Eligible entity and other security arrangements.
    b. If the Administrator determines that the RESP Applicant under 
this section does not have acceptable equity, in the Energy Efficiency 
Program at the time of application, the Administrator may consider the 
following to meet such shortfall regarding equity:
    i. The infusion of additional capital into the Energy efficiency 
program by an Investor to meet any shortfall. RUS may require that the 
additional capital be deposited into a RESP Applicant's special account 
subject to a deposit account control agreement with RUS prior to loan 
closing.
    ii. An unconditional, irrevocable letter of credit satisfactory to 
the Administrator in the amount of the shortfall. RUS must be an 
unconditional payee under the letter of credit and the letter of credit 
must be in place prior to loan closing and remain in place until the 
loan is repaid.
    iii. General obligation bonds issued by tribal, state or local 
governments in the amount of the shortfall. If the equity requirement 
is satisfied with general obligation bonds, any lien securing the bonds 
must be subordinate to the lien of the government securing the RESP 
loan.

[[Page 55084]]

    iv. Any other equity requirements determined necessary by the 
Administrator to meet the shortfall.

D. Application and Submission Information

    Complete applications for loans to Eligible entities under this 
NOFA will be processed on a first-come-first-serve basis (queue) until 
funds appropriated to carry out RESP are expended on or before 
September 30, 2018. RUS will give priority to the Eligible entities in 
the queue pursuant to the NOFA issued on June 21, 2016 and that have 
not been invited to proceed yet. The Administrator may use the queued 
entities, provided they still meet the applicable requirements, 
pursuant to this NOFA should funding become available in the future. To 
be considered for this funding, Applicants must submit their 
documentation no later than the mandatory dates set forth in this NOFA. 
The application process consists of two steps.
    1. Step 1: Letter of Intent--To be considered for financing 
pursuant to this notice, an Applicant seeking financing must submit a 
mandatory Letter of intent with the following information no later than 
11:59 p.m. (EST) on January 19, 2018. Applicants must submit all the 
information identified in the Letter of intent ``Evaluation Criteria 
Checklist'' available online at the following Web address: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resp/. A sample Letter of intent is available online at 
the following Web address: www.rd.usda.gov/files/RD-RUS-SampleLetterofIntent.pdf.
    By submitting the Letter of intent, the Applicant certifies to RUS 
that it has the intent of submitting a complete RESP loan application 
on or before the date set forth as the application deadline in the 
event that RUS provides an Invitation to proceed. RUS will not consider 
Letters of intent where the project description exceeds five (5) pages. 
An Invitation to proceed with the loan application sent by the RUS is 
not to be deemed as an offer by the Agency. The Letter of intent must 
contain the following:
    a. Applicant's Profile and Point of Contact--
    i. Name and legal status of the Eligible entity and its address and 
principal place of business.
    ii. The Eligible entity's tax identification number, DUNS and 
Bradstreet (D&B) number.
    iii. Specify if the Eligible entity is a current or a former RUS 
borrower.
    iv. Identify the service territory.
    v. Identify the net assets value and specify if the Eligible entity 
has been placed in receivership liquidation, or under a workout 
agreement or declared bankruptcy or has had a decree or order issued 
for relief in any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar action over 
the last 10 years. The Applicant must submit a copy of its balance 
sheet and income statements for the last 3 years. If applicable, the 
Applicant must provide the balance sheet and income statements for the 
last 3 years of the entity or entities providing equity or security for 
the RESP loan together with an explanation of the legal relationship 
among the legal entities.
    vi. Identify a point of contact and provide contact information.
    b. The description of the project must not exceed five (5) pages 
(size 8.5 x 11) and must include the following:
    i. A description of the service to be provided to Qualified 
consumers.
    ii. Identity of the staff or contractors that will be implementing 
the EE Program and their credentials.
    iii. Implementation plan that briefly addresses:
    A. The marketing strategy.
    B. How the Applicant will operate the relending process.
    C. A schedule showing sources and uses of funds to implement the EE 
Program.
    D. A brief description of the processes, procedures, and 
capabilities to quantify and verify the reduction in energy consumption 
or decrease in the energy costs of the Qualified consumers.
    iv. A list of eligible Energy efficiency measures that will be 
implemented. An Applicant with an existing EE Program in place by April 
8, 2014, may describe the Energy efficiency measures, its 
implementation plan, and its measurement and verification system for 
the existing program in its Letter of intent to expedite the 
application process.
    c. The Applicant must provide evidence of its key performance 
indicators for the 5 complete years prior to the submission of the loan 
application if the total loan amount exceeds 5 million dollars.
    2. Step 2: Loan Application--A RESP Applicant that has been invited 
in writing by RUS to proceed with the loan application, as provided in 
this NOFA, will have up to sixty (60) days to complete the 
documentation for a complete application. The sixty (60) day timeframe 
will begin from the date the RESP Applicant receives an email with RUS' 
Invitation to proceed. If the deadline to submit the completed 
application falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday, the 
application is due the next business day. The Administrator may grant 
an extension of time to complete the documentation required for an 
application if, in the Administrator's sole judgment, extraordinary 
circumstances prevented the RESP Applicant from completing the 
application within the timeframe herein stipulated (60 days). An 
Applicant may not submit more than one application in this funding 
cycle for the same EE Program. However, one or more Eligible entities 
may submit their applications using the same EE Program model. In 
extending an Invitation to proceed to an Applicant in the queue, RUS 
reserves the right to meet overall RUS Program objectives and 
therefore, may notify the Applicant that the amount of financing to be 
awarded is below the level sought by the Applicant.
    Instructions on how to submit the loan application package will be 
included in the RUS Invitation to proceed to the RESP Applicant. An 
initial conference call will be scheduled within 10 days from the date 
of the written invitation to proceed with the RESP loan application and 
a General Field Representative (GFR) will be assigned to assist the 
RESP Applicant during this part of the application process.
    a. Loan Application Package--The RESP Applicant's application 
package must include the following documents:
    i. Cover Letter. A signed cover letter from the RESP Applicant's 
General Manager or highest ranking officer requesting a RESP loan under 
this NOFA.
    ii. Board Resolution. A signed copy of the board resolution or 
applicable authorizing document approving and establishing the EE 
Program.
    iii. Environmental Compliance Agreement. A copy of the duly 
executed Multi-tier Action Environmental Compliance Agreement (Multi-
tier Agreement). A template of a Multi-tier Agreement can be found in 
Exhibit H of RD Instruction 1970-A, Environmental Policies and 
Procedures (https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/1970a.pdf). A copy of the 
Multi-tier Agreement will be provided to the RESP Applicant with the 
Invitation to proceed and discussed with the RESP Applicant in the 
initial conference call.
    iv. Financial Forecast. A financial forecast approved by the 
applicable governing body of the RESP Applicant in support of its loan 
application. RUS encourages RESP Applicants to follow the format set 
forth in RUS Form 325, which may be obtained from a GFR. The financial 
forecast must cover a period of at least 10 years and must demonstrate 
that the RESP Applicant's operation is economically viable and that the 
proposed loan is financially feasible.

[[Page 55085]]

RUS may request projections for a longer period of time, or additional 
information, if RUS deems it necessary based on the financial structure 
of the RESP Applicant and necessary to make a determination regarding 
loan feasibility. The financial forecast and related projections 
submitted in support of a loan application must include:
    A. Current and projected cash flows.
    B. A pro forma balance sheet, statement of operations, and general 
funds summary projected for each year during the forecast period. The 
requested RESP loan must be included in the financial forecast.
    C. The financial goals established for margins, debt service 
coverage, equity, and levels of general funds to be invested in the EE 
Program. The financial forecast must use the accrual method of 
accounting for analyzing costs and revenues and, as applicable, compare 
the economic results of the various alternatives on a present value 
basis.
    D. A full explanation of the assumptions, supporting data, and 
analysis used in the forecast, including the methodology used to 
project revenues, operating expenses, power costs, and any other 
factors having a material effect on the balance sheet and the financial 
ratios such as equity and debt service coverage. RUS may require 
additional data and analysis on a case-by-case basis to assess the 
probable future competitiveness of the RESP Applicant.
    E. Current and projected non-operating income and expense.
    F. An itemized budget and schedule for the activities to be 
implemented with the RESP funds and a discussion on how the loan loss 
reserve will be set up, the expected delinquency and default rates. The 
RESP applicant is expected to forecast the amount of loans to be made 
to Qualified consumers over a 10 year timeframe. If the RESP Applicant 
determines to charge interest, the RESP Applicant must describe how it 
is going to use the funds generated from the interest to be received 
from the loans to the Qualified consumers.
    G. A sensitivity analysis may be required by RUS on a case-by-case 
basis.
    v. EE Program Implementation Work Plan (IWP). The RESP Applicant 
must produce, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, an IWP, duly 
approved by the applicable governing body of the Eligible entity. The 
IWP must address all the following core elements:
    A. Marketing. In this section the RESP Applicant will identify the 
qualified customers by market segment that will benefit from the 
funding available under this NOFA and explains the marketing and 
outreach efforts to be executed in implementing the relending program. 
In the identification of the marketing effort to the qualified 
customers, the RESP Applicant should provide racial and ethnic 
demographics for the service area or individuals.
    B. Operations. In this section the RESP Applicant will describe its 
Energy efficiency program and how it will operate the relending 
process. The RESP Applicant must also identify the staff that will be 
implementing the program, including the tasks that each one will be 
carrying out, and whether or not it will be outsourcing some or all of 
the execution of the program.
    The RESP Applicant must describe its expertise and the credentials 
of any third party implementing outsourced tasks to effectively 
implement the Energy efficiency measures at the scale contemplated by 
the EE Program for which RESP funding is requested. The statement of 
qualifications must show the party's experience carrying out the 
financial and technical expertise components of an EE program at the 
desired scale. The RESP Applicant will be held accountable to RUS for 
actions or omissions departing from the required standards by those 
partners or contractors, arising from or in connection with an EE 
Program funded under this NOFA.
    In this section the RESP Applicant will identify the anticipated 
amount of special advance for start-up costs and purposes over the 
expected schedule to draw down the funds attributable to such purposes. 
In addition, the RESP Applicant will describe the expected schedule to 
implement the EE Program with an itemized allocation of expected 
resources including anticipated costs assigned to each task. The IWP 
must only include those activities and investments identified in the 
Multi-tier Agreement executed between RUS and the RESP Applicant. If 
any additional activities or investments are to be pursued, additional 
environmental review would be required.
    The RESP Applicant must describe the processes and procedures that 
will be put in place to avoid a Conflict of interest in the 
implementation of the energy efficiency loan program for Qualified 
consumers.
    C. Financials. The RESP Applicant must address the items identified 
in the Financial Forecast section of this NOFA, Section D.2.a.iv.
    D. Measurement and Verification. The RESP Applicant must describe 
the processes, procedures, and capabilities to quantify and verify the 
reduction in energy consumption or decrease in energy costs of the 
Qualified consumers. An RESP Applicant may provide a measurement and 
verification plan approved by a state or local regulatory body or 
sponsored by a governmental entity. A measurement and verification plan 
developed and certified by an industry recognized professional or 
entity will also be acceptable. Other measurement and verification 
plans may be acceptable if the Eligible entity can support, to the 
satisfaction of the Administrator, that the protocols and methodology 
used to verify the Energy efficiency measures are cost-effective and 
follow generally accepted industry principles and standards. An RESP 
Applicant with an existing EE Program as of April 8, 2014, may submit 
the measurement and verification plan previously established to fulfill 
this requirement.
    vi. Articles of incorporation and bylaws or other applicable 
governing and organizational documents. The RESP Applicant must provide 
the Applicant's articles of incorporation or other applicable 
organizational documents currently in effect, as filed with the 
appropriate state office, setting forth the RESP applicant's corporate 
purpose; and the bylaws or other applicable governing documents 
currently in effect, as adopted by the RESP Applicant's applicable 
governing body. RESP Applicants that are active RUS borrowers may 
comply with this requirement by notifying in writing to RUS that there 
are no material changes to the documents already on file with RUS.
    vii. Statement of Compliance with other federal statutes. The RESP 
Applicant must provide statement of compliance with other federal 
statutes, including but not limited to the following:
    A. Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs. 7 CFR part 15, 
subpart A, Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted Programs of the 
Department of Agriculture--Effectuation on Title VI of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964, RUS Bulletin 1790-1, ``Nondiscrimination Among 
Beneficiaries of RUS Program.'' Eligible entities must complete and 
submit RUS Form 266, Assurance Agreement.
     Signing Form 266 (``Assurance Agreement'') Each 
prospective recipient must sign Form 266, 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 
recipient receives Federal financial assistance. That

[[Page 55086]]

nondiscrimination statements are in advertisements and brochures.
     Collect and maintain data provided by ultimate 
beneficiaries on race, sex, and national origin. 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. 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, 
Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Executive Order 12250, Executive Order 
13166 Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart 
E.
     Civil rights compliance reviews should be conducted by the 
Agency at pre award and post award. The results of the review should be 
documented on Form 9, Compliance Review, and appropriate documentation 
attached to substantiate findings of compliance or noncompliance. The 
original Form 9 should be maintained in the case file with copies 
forwarded to the Rural Development Program Compliance Branch. If the 
recipient is not in compliance, copies must be immediately forwarded to 
the Director, Civil Rights Staff, with a recommendation for action to 
be taken.
     RD Instruction 2006-P requires that a Civil Rights Impact 
Analysis be conducted prior to approving or implementing a wide range 
of Agency activities. The Agency will prepare Form RD 2006-38, Civil 
Rights Impact Analysis, on the recipient.
     Signing Form 400-1 Equal Opportunity Agreement in 
accordance with Executive Order 11246. The requirement of the Equal 
Opportunity Clause within a construction contract where federal 
financial assistance exceeds $10,000.
    B. Standard Form 100--Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Report 
EEO-1. This form, required by the Department of Labor, sets forth 
employment data for Eligible entities with 100 or more employees. A 
copy of this form, as submitted to the Department of Labor, is to be 
included in the application for an insured loan if the Eligible entity 
has more than 100 employees.
    C. Form AD-1049--Certificate Regarding Drug Free Workplace 
Requirements. This form is required as prescribed in 2 CFR parts 182 
and 421, Requirements for Drug Free Workplace (Financial Assistance). 
Information on all of your organization's known workplaces by including 
the actual address of buildings (or parts of buildings) or other sites 
where work under the award takes place. Workplace identification is 
required under the drug-free workplace requirements in Subpart B of 2 
CFR part 421, which adopts the Government-wide implementation (2 CFR 
part182) of the Drug-Free Workplace Act.
    D. Form AD-1047--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and 
Other Responsibility Matters. This form is required in accordance with 
2 CFR part 417 (Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension) supplemented 
by 2 CFR part 180, if it applies. See the section heading is ``What 
information must I provide before entering into a covered transaction 
with the Federal Government? '' located at 2 CFR 180.335.
    E. Executive Order 13166, ``Improving Access to Services for 
Persons with Limited English Proficiency.'' For information on limited 
English proficiency and agency-specific guidance, go to https://www.LEP.gov.
    F. Lobbying for Grants, Loans, Contracts and Cooperative 
Agreements. The information on lobbying is required pursuant to 2 CFR 
part 418. The RESP Applicant should consult RUS before submitting this 
information.
    G. Report on Federal debt delinquency. This report indicates 
whether or not the RESP Applicant is delinquent on any Federal debt.
    H. Certify Accounting, Auditing, and Reporting Requirements. The 
RESP Applicant must certify to RUS that it is aware of and will abide 
by the accounting, auditing, and reporting requirements as described 
within the Federal Award Administration Information section of this 
NOFA.
    I. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS). The Dun 
and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS Unique entity 
identifier and System for Award Management (SAM). Applicants must 
supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number with their Letters of Intent and RESP Applicants with their loan 
application. Please see https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. RESP Applicant 
are required to be registered in SAM before submitting an application, 
provide a valid unique entity identifier in the application, and 
continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which the entity has an active Federal 
award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal 
awarding agency. The agency may not make a Federal award to a RESP 
Applicant until the RESP Applicant has complied with all applicable 
unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If a RESP 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 RESP Applicant is not qualified to 
receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for 
making a Federal award to another RESP Applicant. Applicants may 
register for the SAM at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM. To remain 
registered in SAM, the Applicant must review and update the information 
in the SAM database annually from the date of initial registration or 
last update. Applicants must ensure that the information in the 
database is current, accurate, and complete.

E. Agency Review: Letter of Intent and Loan Application

    1. General--Loans made to RESP Applicants for eligible purposes 
under this program will be made only when the Administrator, in his 
judgment, finds that there is reasonably adequate security and the loan 
will be repaid within the time agreed.
    The Administrator, on case-by-case basis, may set financial 
coverage ratios based on the risk profile of the RESP Applicant and 
specific loan terms. Those financial ratios will be included in the 
RESP borrower's loan documents with RUS. Existing RUS borrowers will be 
subject to their current debt service coverage ratios in their current 
loan documents, unless notified otherwise. A RESP Applicant must, after 
submitting a loan application, promptly notify RUS of any changes in 
its circumstances that materially affect the information contained in 
the loan application.
    2. Letter of Intent Review--RUS will consider complete Letters of 
intent as they are received. Upon review of the Letters of Intent, RUS 
will issue a notification to the Applicant indicating the result of the 
initial screening. Letters of intent will be reviewed by RUS for the 
following:
    a. Eligibility to participate in RESP in accordance with section C. 
of this NOFA.
    b. Eligibility and feasibility of the project. Compliance with the 
purpose of Section 6407 to help rural families and small businesses 
achieve cost savings by providing loans to Qualified consumers to 
implement durable cost-effective Energy efficiency measures.

[[Page 55087]]

    c. The financial status of the Applicant to determine the 
Applicant's likelihood to complete the full application.
    3. Loan Application Review
    a. Loan Feasibility. Based on the complete application, RUS must 
have reasonable assurance that the loan, together with all other 
outstanding loans and other obligations of the RESP Applicant, will be 
repaid in full as scheduled, in accordance with the loan documents. In 
making a finding of loan feasibility, RUS will consider, among others: 
(i) That expected amount of loans and loan amounts are based on 
reasonable assumptions and adequate supporting data and analysis; (ii) 
the interest rate, application fees, servicing fees and any other fees 
expected to be charged to the Qualified consumer per customer class; 
(iii) the projected revenues, expenses, and any other reliable 
financial information that could enable RUS to assess its ability to 
repay the loan within a term not to exceed 20 years; (iv) the ability 
of the RESP Applicant to meet the required coverage ratios; (v) such 
risk factors that may substantially impair the RESP Applicant's ability 
to operate a sustainable business; (vi) supplemental sources of funding 
to carry out the EE Program; (vii) management's experience implementing 
EE Programs at the expected scale; and (viii) the financial and 
management controls in place.
    b. Loan Security. Loans will ordinarily be secured by a first and 
prior lien on substantially all the RESP borrower's property, and in 
any event will be secured by the best security position practicable in 
a manner which will adequately protect the interest of the Government 
during the repayment period of the loan. Collateral that is used to 
secure a loan must ordinarily be free from liens or security interests 
other than those permitted by RUS or existing security documents. RUS 
may in certain circumstances agree to share its first lien position 
with another lender provided the RESP loan is adequately secured and 
the security arrangements are acceptable to RUS. In such circumstances, 
RUS will consider entering into joint security arrangements with other 
lenders on a pari passu basis.
    c. Loan Term. Amortization schedule must be based on a loan term 
that does not exceed 20 years from the date on which the loan is 
closed.
    d. EE Program Compliance. Proceeds from a RESP loan may only be 
used for loans to Qualified consumers for the purpose of implementing 
Energy efficiency measures that decrease energy (not just electricity) 
usage or costs of the Qualified consumer by an amount that ensures, to 
the maximum extent practicable, that a loan term of not more than 10 
years will not pose an undue financial burden on the Qualified 
consumer.
    Proceeds from the interest charged to the Qualified consumers may 
be used to establish a loan loss reserve, and to offset personnel and 
program costs necessary to carry out the program. Nonetheless, under no 
circumstances will the RESP borrower be able to charge more than 3 
percent interest rate to its customers. Loans made by the RESP borrower 
to Qualified consumers may not exceed 10 years.
    Qualified consumers must ordinarily repay their loans to the RESP 
borrower through charges added by the RESP borrower to the electric 
bill associated with the property where the Energy efficiency measures 
are or will be implemented. The repayment mechanism adopted to 
implement an EE Program under RESP must not prevent the voluntary 
prepayment of the loan by the owner of the property. A RESP borrower 
may adopt any other repayment mechanism to carry out its EE Program 
with RESP proceeds as long as it can demonstrate that the proposed 
repayment mechanism has appropriate risk mitigation features and 
ensures repayment to the RESP borrower if the Qualified consumer will 
no longer be a customer of the RESP borrower.
    Loans made by a RESP borrower to a Qualified consumer using RESP 
loan funds must require an Energy audit by the RESP borrower to 
determine the impact of the proposed Energy efficiency measures on the 
energy costs and consumption of the Qualified consumer. The RESP 
borrower may engage contractors to carry out the Energy audits 
necessary to fulfill this requirement. In so doing, the RESP borrower 
must engage contractors with adequate expertise to perform the Energy 
audits according to the applicable standards of the industry. The 
credentials of the energy auditors used or proposed to be used by the 
RESP Applicant will be subject to RUS review. RUS may reject a loan 
application or refuse to disburse loan proceeds to the RESP borrower 
that fails to demonstrate that the Energy audits will be or have been 
performed by qualified individuals.
    4. Ancillary Provisions
    a. Contractor's Expertise--Contractor's adequate expertise may be 
determined by using the following criteria:
    i. Contractor's staff possesses a current residential or commercial 
Energy auditor or building analyst certification from a national, 
industry-recognized organization.
    ii. Contractor's staff possesses proficiency in the knowledge, 
skills and abilities needed to conduct whole house assessments, 
building performance diagnostics and reasoning, and estimates of energy 
savings from improvement installations (via calculations or a modeling 
software tool) accredited by training and credentialing. The 
credentialing process must be at least as robust as those employed by 
nationally recognized certification bodies or suitable to meet or 
exceed the rigor of the standards of federal, state or local government 
entities.
    iii. The contractor must demonstrate adequate capacity and 
resources to engage customers, conduct whole house assessments, 
building performance testing and diagnostic reasoning, and fulfillment 
of all program data collection and reporting requirements. This 
includes having access to satisfactory diagnostic equipment, tools, 
qualified staff, data systems and software, and administrative support.
    iv. The contractor must be current and in good standing with all 
local registration and licensing requirements for their specific region 
and trade.
    v. The contractor must employ or sub-contract to companies with 
workers who are qualified to install or physically oversee the 
installation of home performance improvements in compliance with local 
building codes and industry-accepted protocols.
    vi. In the absence of fulfilling the first criterion under this 
subsection, the contractor for commercial Energy audits, must meet one 
of the following criteria:
    A. Be a licensed professional engineer in the state in which the 
audit is conducted with at least 1 year experience and who has 
completed at least two similar type Energy audits;
    B. Be an individual with a four-year engineering or architectural 
degree with at least 3 years of experience and who has completed at 
least five similar type Energy audits; or
    C. Be an individual with an energy auditor certification recognized 
by the U.S. Department of Energy through its Better Buildings Workforce 
Guidelines project. For related information please visit: https://www4.eere.energy.gov/workforce/projects/workforceguidelines.
    b. Collateral. RUS generally requires that borrowers provide it 
with a first priority lien on all of the borrower's real and personal 
property, including intangible personal property and any property 
acquired after the date of the loan. For existing RUS borrowers, the

[[Page 55088]]

agency may, at its sole discretion, rely on existing security 
arrangements with RUS. When a RESP borrower is unable by reason of 
preexisting encumbrances, or otherwise, to furnish a first priority 
lien on its entire system, the Administrator may accept other forms of 
security, such as a parent guarantee, state guarantee, an irrevocable 
letter of credit, or a pledge of revenues if the Administrator 
determines such credit support is reasonably adequate and otherwise 
acceptable in form and substance.
    c. Appeal Rights. Applicants and RESP Applicants have appeal or 
review rights for Agency decisions made under this NOFA. Programmatic 
decisions based on clear and objective statutory or regulatory 
requirements are not appealable; however, such decisions are reviewable 
for appealability by the National Appeals Division (NAD). An Applicant 
and a RESP Applicant can appeal any Agency decision that directly and 
adversely impacts it. Appeals will be conducted by USDA NAD and will be 
handled in accordance with 7 CFR part 11.
    d. Eligible Activities and Investments. A RESP borrower may provide 
financing to Qualified consumers to implement or invest in one or more 
set of Energy efficiency measures listed in this section. However, a 
RESP borrower may be able to fund other Energy efficiency measures if 
it can justify, to the satisfaction of the Administrator, that the 
proposed Energy efficiency measure is cost effective and the technology 
is commercially available. Eligible activities and investments include, 
but are not limited, to:
    i. Lighting:
    A. Lighting fixture upgrades to improve efficiency.
    B. Re-lamping to more energy efficient bulbs.
    C. Lighting controls.
    ii. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC):
    A. Central Air Systems--Energy Star qualified equipment.
    B. Economizers.
    C. Heat pumps.
    D. Furnaces--Energy Star qualified equipment.
    E. Air Handlers.
    F. Programmable controls.
    G. Duct sealing.
    iii. Building Envelope Improvements:
    A. Improved insulation--added insulation beyond existing levels, or 
above existing building codes.
    B. Caulking and weather stripping of doors and windows.
    C. Window upgrades--Energy Star qualifying windows.
    D. Door upgrades--door upgrades could include man-doors, and 
overhead doors with integrated insulation and energy efficient windows.
    E. Materials listed in Appendix A to Part 440 of the U.S. 
Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program, 10 CFR part 
440, Appendix A--Standards for Weatherization Materials.
    iv. Water Heaters.
    v. Compressed Air Systems.
    vi. Motors:
    A. High efficiency motors--motors with a rated efficiency beyond 
the Energy Policy Act standards.
    B. Variable frequency drive.
    vii. Boilers, dryers, heaters and process-related equipment or 
equipment not otherwise specified, e.g. commercial coolers and 
freezers.
    viii. Energy audits.
    ix. On or Off Grid Renewable energy systems if consistent with the 
statutory purpose of RESP.
    x. Energy storage devices if permanently installed to reduce the 
energy cost or usage of small businesses and families within a rural 
area.
    xi. Energy efficient appliance upgrades if attached to real 
property as fixtures.
    xii. Irrigation or water and waste disposal system efficiency 
improvements.
    xiii. Necessary and incidental activities and investments directly 
related to implementation of an Energy efficiency measure.
    e. Funding Disbursements and Restriction.
    i. General. RUS will disburse RESP funds to the RESP borrower in 
accordance with the terms of the executed loan documents. Excluding the 
special advance for start-up activities, all loan funds will be 
disbursed either as an advance in anticipation of consumer loans to be 
made by the RESP borrower; or as a reimbursement for eligible program 
costs, including consumer loans already made, upon the RESP borrower 
having complied with the loan conditions set forth in the loan 
documents. Within a 12-month consecutive period, any disbursements of 
loan funds to an RESP borrower must not exceed 50 percent of the 
approved loan amount.
    ii. Loan Advances. The RESP borrower must provide to the Qualified 
consumers all RESP loan funds that the RESP borrower receives within 
one year of receiving them from RUS. If the RESP borrower does not re-
lend the RESP loan funds within one year, the unused RESP loan funds, 
and any interest earned on those RESP loan funds, must be returned to 
the Federal Government and will be applied to the RESP borrower's debt. 
The RESP borrower will not be eligible to receive additional RESP loan 
funds from RUS until providing evidence, satisfactory to RUS, that RESP 
loan funds from a previous advance have been fully relent to Qualified 
consumers or returned to the Federal Government.
    RUS will disburse the RESP loan funds in advance only if: (i) The 
RESP borrower has established written procedures that will minimize the 
time elapsing between the transfer of RESP loan funds from RUS and 
their disbursement to the Qualified consumer; and, (ii) the requests 
for advances made by the RESP borrower are limited to the minimum 
amounts needed and timed to be in accordance with the actual immediate 
cash needs to carry out the Energy Efficiency program.
    iii. Loan term for loans to Qualified consumers. Each loan made by 
the RESP borrower to a Qualified consumer may not exceed a term of 10 
years.
    iv. Unauthorized uses of funds. The RESP borrower must not finance 
the purchase or modification of personal property with proceeds from 
the RESP loan unless the personal property is or becomes attached to 
real property (including a manufactured home) as a fixture. The RESP 
borrower must keep adequate processes, procedures and records and must 
not commingle RESP funds with other sources of funding in the 
implementation of an EE Program.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. General. A successful loan RESP Applicant will receive a 
Conditional commitment letter from the Administrator notifying it of 
the total loan amount approved by RUS; any additional controls on the 
its financial, investment, operational and managerial activities; 
acceptable security arrangements; and such other conditions deemed 
necessary by the Administrator to adequately secure the Government's 
interest and ensure repayment. Upon receipt of the acceptance of the 
loan offer from the RUS Borrower, RUS will begin to prepare the loan 
documents with the assistance of the Eligible entity. Upon completion 
of the loan documents, RUS will forward the loan documents to the RESP 
borrower.
    Receipt of a Conditional commitment letter from the Administrator 
does not authorize the RESP borrower to commence performance under the 
award. All RUS requirements and loan conditions specified in the 
Conditional commitment letter must be met before the loan will be 
advanced. RUS will notify the RESP borrower when it is

[[Page 55089]]

authorized to commence performance using RESP funds.
    2. Loan Term. RUS will make loans to RESP Applicant under RESP for 
a term not to exceed 20 years from the date on which the loan is 
closed.
    3. Interest rate. Loans made under RESP will not bear interest (0 
percent) although indebtedness not paid when due will be subject to 
interest, penalties, administrative costs and late fees as provided in 
the loan documents.
    4. Repayment. The repayment of each advance to the RESP borrower 
must be amortized for a period not to exceed 10 years. However, any 
special advances under a loan must be made during the first 10-year 
period of the term of the underlying loan and repayment of such special 
advance shall be required during the 10 year period with such period 
beginning on the date on which such special advance is made. A RESP 
borrower may elect to defer the repayment of the special advance to the 
end of the 10-year period. However, all amounts advanced on the loan by 
RUS to the RESP borrower must be paid prior to the final maturity which 
must not exceed 20 years. The RESP borrower is responsible for fully 
repaying the RESP loan to RUS according to the loan documents 
regardless of repayment by its Qualified consumers.
    5. Financial Ratios. The requirements for coverage ratios will be 
set forth in the Conditional commitment letter and RESP borrower's loan 
documents with RUS. The minimum coverage ratios required of RESP 
borrowers, whether applied on an annual or average basis will be 
determined by the Administrator on case-by-case basis based on the risk 
profile of the RESP Applicant and specific loan features. Existing RUS 
borrowers will be subject to their current debt service coverage 
ratios. When new loan documents are executed, the Administrator may, on 
a case-by-case basis, increase the coverage ratio of the RESP borrower 
if the Administrator determines that higher ratios are required to 
ensure the repayment made by RUS. Also, the Administrator may, on a 
case-by-case basis, reduce the coverage ratios if the Administrator 
determines that the lower ratios are required to ensure the repayment 
of the loan made by RUS.
    6. Equity Requirements. The required equity position would be 
determined by the Administrator on a case-by-case basis and will be set 
forth in the Conditional commitment letter and the loan documents as a 
condition to the RESP loan.
    7. Opinion of counsel. An opinion of counsel is required at closing 
and must be acceptable to the Administrator, opining that the RESP 
Applicant is properly organized and has the required corporate 
authority to enter into the proposed transaction. It must also identify 
the proposed collateral to secure the RESP loan and certify that such 
collateral is free of liens or identify any issues that may arise for 
the Government regarding the securing and perfecting of a first and 
prior lien on such property comprising the collateral.
    8. Loan Term and Conditions. The Administrator reserves the right 
to modify or waive certain requirements if the Administrator believes 
such modifications or waiver are in the best interest of the government 
and the Administrator has determined that the loan will be repaid in 
the designated time period and the security is adequate. Also, the 
Administrator, at his sole discretion, may add such terms and 
conditions in a loan under this NOFA to ensure the RESP loan is timely 
repaid and is adequately secured.
    9. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. The items 
listed in this notice implement the appropriate administrative and 
national policy requirements, which include but are not limited to:
    a. Execution of a RESP loan agreement and related loan documents;
    b. Compliance with policies, guidance, and requirements as 
described in Section D.2.a.vii. (Statement of Compliance with other 
federal statutes) of this notice, and any successor regulations.
    10. Reporting
    a. Performance Reporting. RUS will establish periodic reporting 
requirements. These will be enumerated in the loan documents.
    b. Accounting Requirements. RESP borrowers must follow RUS' 
accounting requirements. These requirements, which will be specified in 
the loan agreement, include, but are not limited to, the following:
    i. RUS accounting requirements include compliance with Generally 
Accepted Accounting Principles, as well as compliance with the 
requirements of the applicable regulations: 7 CFR part 200 (for RESP 
borrowers, under this CFR Part, the term ``grant recipient'' will also 
mean loan recipient) or the system of accounting prescribed by RUS 
Bulletin 1767. The Administrator may modify the accounting requirements 
if, in his judgement, it is necessary to satisfy the purpose of Section 
6407.
    ii. RESP borrowers must comply with all reasonable RUS requests to 
support ongoing monitoring efforts. The RESP borrowers must afford RUS, 
through their representatives, a reasonable opportunity, at all times 
during business hours and upon prior notice, to have access to and the 
right to inspect any or all books, records, accounts, invoices, 
contracts, leases, payrolls, timesheets, cancelled checks, statements, 
and other documents, electronic or paper of every kind belonging to or 
in possession of the RESP borrowers or in any way pertaining to its 
property or business, including its parents, affiliates, and 
subsidiaries, if any, and to make copies or extracts therefrom.
    c. Audit Requirements. RESP borrowers will be required to prepare 
and furnish to RUS, at least once during each 12-month period, a full 
and complete report of its financial condition, operations, and cash 
flows, in form and substance satisfactory to RUS, audited and certified 
by an independent certified public accountant, satisfactory to RUS, and 
accompanied by a report of such audit, in form and substance 
satisfactory to RUS. RESP borrowers must follow the 7 CRF 1773, Policy 
on Audits for RUS borrowers or 2 CFR part 200, subpart F audit 
requirements. The Administrator may modify the audit requirements if, 
in his judgement, it is necessary to satisfy the purpose of Section 
6407.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

    Robert Coates, Electric Program, Rural Utilities Service, Rural 
Development, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., STOP 1568, Room 0217-S, Washington DC 20250-1510; 
Telephone: (202) 260-5415; Email: Robert.Coates@wdc.usda.gov.

H. Other Information

1. Other Funding Opportunities

    Applicants may also consider the funding opportunities under the 
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program, 7 CFR 1710, Subpart H.

2. USDA Non-Discrimination 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).

[[Page 55090]]

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. 
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:
    a. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410;
    b. Facsimile: (202) 690-7442; or
    c. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
    d. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: September 26, 2017.
Christopher McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-25089 Filed 11-17-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P