Request for Proposals: Multi-Family Housing Transfer and Prepayment Technical Assistance Grants, 8418-8422 [2018-03900]

Download as PDF 8418 Notices Federal Register Vol. 83, No. 39 Tuesday, February 27, 2018 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. ongoing return on the public’s investment in rural areas. The grant funds must be used to assist eligible loan applicants with specific transactions to acquire Section 515 projects with maturing mortgages under the pilot program. Grant funds are available for obligation through September 30, 2018. DATES: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Request for Proposals: Multi-Family Housing Transfer and Prepayment Technical Assistance Grants AGENCY: ACTION: Rural Housing Service, USDA. Notice. This Request for Proposal (RFP or Notice) announces an availability of funds and the timeframe to submit proposals for Multi-Family Housing (MFH) Transfer and Prepayment Technical Assistance (TA) grants. Section 771 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 appropriated $1,000,000 to provide grants to qualified non-profit organizations and public housing authorities (PHA). Selected grantees will use the funds to provide financial and legal TA to the Rural Housing Service (RHS) MFH loan applicants to facilitate the acquisition of RHS Section 515 properties with maturing Rural Development (RD) mortgages, in areas at risk of losing affordable housing. Consistent with Section 771 and the pilot program initiated by RHS on March 1, 2017 (available at: www.rd.usda.gov/files/ RDUL-Nonprofit.pdf), this RFP is soliciting proposals from qualified nonprofit organizations and PHA to provide TA to MFH loan applicants who are qualified non-profit organizations and PHA with their acquisitions of Section 515 properties with maturing mortgages. Work performed under these grants is expected to result in an increased submission of quality applications for transfers of Section 515 properties to eligible non-profit and PHA loan applicants as defined in RD regulations. Furthermore, it will result in the preservation and continued availability of decent, safe, and sanitary housing for eligible Rural Rental Housing (RRH) tenants and maximize the Government’s daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:49 Feb 26, 2018 Jkt 244001 February 27, 2018. Complete proposals should be addressed to Mirna Reyes-Bible, Finance and Loan Analyst, Preservation and Direct Loan Division, STOP 0781 (Room 1243–S), USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250– 0781 and must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time March 29, 2018 (deadline). You should contact a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Office if you have questions. You are encouraged to contact your State Office well in advance of the proposal deadline to ask any questions about the process. Contact information for State Offices can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/ contact-us/state-offices. Program guidance as well as application guidance may be obtained at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/multi-family-housing-directloans. Please review the grants.gov website at: https://grants.gov/applicants/ organization/registration.jsp for instructions on the process of registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure you are able to meet the proposal deadline. Proposals received after the deadline will not be evaluated. RHS will date and time stamp incoming proposals to evidence timely receipt and; upon request, will provide the responding entities with a written acknowledgement of receipt. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mirna Reyes-Bible, Finance and Loan Analyst, Preservation and Direct Loan Division, STOP 0781 (Room 1243–S), USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–0781, telephone: (202) 720– 1753 (this is not a toll free number), or via email: mirna.reyesbible@ wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Overview Information Federal Agency Name: Rural Housing Service. Funding Opportunity Title: Request for Proposals: Multi-Family Housing Transfer and Prepayment Technical Assistance Grants. Announcement Type: Initial Announcement. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 10.447. Dates: The deadline for receipt of all proposals in response to this RFP is 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on March 29, 2018. Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the paperwork burden associated with this Notice has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570–0006. Funding Opportunity Description The TA grants authorized under this Notice are for the purpose of facilitating the transfer and preservation of existing RRH properties with maturing mortgages under Section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended. RHS regulations for the Section 515 program are published at 7 CFR part 3560. Proposals must demonstrate the responding entity’s experience and expertise in all aspects of acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable MFH properties and their demonstrated capacity to provide advisory services in affordable housing. All responding entities must project the net Return on Investment (ROI) of the grant funds being requested to demonstrate the relative effectiveness and efficiency of grantee’s proposed Statement of Work (SOW) for future Agency decisions and program revisions. Responding entities may submit separate requests involving properties in multiple local areas. For the purpose of this Notice, responding entities may and are encouraged to submit a grant proposal for multiple local areas provided they are within the same region as described in this section. A responding entity may apply to more than one region; however, separate proposals must be submitted for each region. Entities interested in responding to this Notice must consult with the Rural Development State Director in the proposal’s region to develop a list of E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM 27FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2018 / Notices targeted local areas in their respective State Office jurisdictions. To effectively represent the geographic diversity of projects within the RD portfolio the Agency will consider and score all proposals on a regional basis. RHS intends to award at least one grant for each of the four geographic regions listed below. North-East: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VI, WV South: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, NC, OK, MS, PR, SC, TN, TX, VI Mid-West: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI West: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY, WP I. Award Information RHS will evaluate and score the grant applications according to the criteria set forth in this Notice. RHS will select grantees based on the scoring as well as the goal of achieving the highest number of different grantees, areas and loan applicants, and cost-efficiency. The maximum award within a region will be $250,000. The maximum total expenditure for all TA services, including administrative costs, per project is $40,000. RHS has the authority under the Act to utilize up to 100 percent of the Section 771 appropriation for MFH TA grants. Funds not obligated to initial awardees by June 1, 2018, may be awarded to other non-profit and/or PHA applicants waiting for the TA grants based on scoring. When selecting a grantee, RHS may request changes to the SOW (see Part III of this Notice). Grantees must execute a Grant Agreement that will, among other things, incorporate a SOW (see Part III of this Notice) agreed to by the RHS. If the selected grantee does not accept the terms of RHS and/or does not deliver an executed Grant Agreement to RHS within ten business days after receiving the Grant Agreement with the agreed upon SOW, RHS may choose to rescind the award and select another grantee without further notice. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES II. Eligibility Information Eligibility for grants under this Notice is limited to non-profit organizations and PHAs meeting the requirements specified in this Notice. A. Expertise and Capacity Eligible grantees must have the knowledge, ability, technical expertise, practical experience, and capacity necessary to develop and package Section 515 property transfer transactions. They must also be able to demonstrate the ability to provide TA to non-profits and/or PHAs to facilitate VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:49 Feb 26, 2018 Jkt 244001 their acquisition of Section 515 properties, including, but not limited to, the submission of loan application packages. In addition, all eligible grantees must possess the ability to exercise leadership, organize work, and prioritize assignments to meet work demands in a timely and cost efficient manner. Eligible grantees will include a proposed SOW (see Section III of this Notice) which will be evaluated as part of any eligibility qualification and award determination. B. Organization Status Responding entities must document each of the following in their response: 1. Status as a non-profit and/or PHA. 2. Good standing within the State you are organized. 3. Legal authority to operate and deliver financial and legal TA under the applicable State law for the State(s) you propose to deliver the TA. Examples of acceptable documentation include but are not limited to bylaws, organizational charters, and statutes or regulations. 4. No current or unresolved default or violation of any other Federal, State or local grant or loan agreement(s). 5. Experience in providing TA for MFH affordable housing (describe in the SOW). 6. The requirements above will also apply to any entity performing services on behalf of the respondent. III. SOW Responding entities must submit a detailed SOW describing each of the following requirements: 1. An introduction/overview with a description of your plan to provide TA to non-profits and PHAs in the acquisition of Section 515 properties with maturing mortgages. 2. Explain your organization’s capabilities to execute your plan, focusing on the elements described in Section II.A of this RFP. 3. Provide a timeline projection with when, how, and to whom you intend to provide the TA. Include a grant funds usage projection that corresponds with the timeline and illustrates administrative costs in dollars, and as a percentage of the TA services provided. Please see Section IV for more information regarding eligible costs. 4. Describe the types of TA you propose to provide for non-profits and/ or PHAs to enable them to submit successful transfer applications to RHS. 5. Describe how you will access other funding sources for any needed development and/or construction, repair and rehabilitation of the MFH properties. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8419 6. Describe which services you will provide directly and which you will provide through third parties. 7. Describe how you will identify potential sellers of properties to be acquired by non-profits and/or PHAs. 8. Explain your process to use grant funds to non-profits and/or PHAs for actual legal and financial soft cost expenditures. 9. Describe your direct and indirect administrative costs that would be associated with the administration of this grant. 10. Describe any other strength and/ or capability not included above that you believe qualifies you to administer this grant. 11. Project the ROI of the requested grant funds to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of your proposal. Describe the method being used to project an ROI, which must involve a detailed examination of outputs and outcomes. IV. Eligible Purposes Entities responding to this Notice are required to provide TA to non-profits and/or PHAs acquiring Section 515 projects with maturing mortgages for eligible expenses in any or all of the following areas: Assisting non-profits or PHAs locate potential Section 515 properties with maturing mortgages for transfer; providing TA in the transfer analysis, negotiation, underwriting, and application process; and working with the non-profit or PHA to identify other financial assistance and help secure funding from other sources for the purpose of leveraging those funds with RHS funds. Costs will be limited to those that are allowed under 2 CFR part 200. The provider will need to secure RHS’ written approval for payment of any services not specifically listed below. 1. Eligible purposes may include soft costs such as legal costs, tax consultation fee, financial analysis, transaction structuring analysis and documentation of other transaction details such as Capital Needs Assessments (CNA), appraisals, and market surveys or other consultation, advisory and non-construction services the buyer may be required to provide as part of the application process. Build materials, labor and trades or any costs or expenditures otherwise typically included as any hard costs for actual construction, repairs, prepayment, interest or principal payments or reductions or other costs not disclosed to and approved by the RHS National Office prior to being incurred will not be eligible for payment with any of the grant funds awarded under this Notice. E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM 27FEN1 8420 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2018 / Notices 2. Grant funds will not be used by the provider for TA activities that are not directly related to a specific transaction (such as outreach, conferences, provider personnel education/training, etc.). 3. Grant funds will not be used by the provider for TA activities for transactions in which they have any direct or indirect ownership interest (regardless of whether it is an interest as a current or prospective owner). 4. In addition, if selected for funding, the respondent will be required to revise their SOW to identify any changes in the geographic location of the targeted areas and will submit their revised SOW to the National Office for approval. Any revision must not lower the initial score used in selection. If a revision lowers the score, it will result in a review of the initial scores for all applications received in the region and the grant will be awarded to the responding entity in the same manner as previously prescribed in this Notice. When submitted for approval, the respondent must also submit a summary of their consultation with the RD State Directors. At grant closing, the revised SOW will be attached to, and become a part of, the Grant Agreement. Revision and consultation under this paragraph is not an eligible purpose. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES V. Proposal and Submission Information All proposals must be delivered in three identical binders organized as follows: A. Summary The proposal must include a summary page listing all of the following items. This information should be double-spaced between items and not be in narrative form: A. Responding entity’s name, B. Responding entity’s Taxpayer Identification Number, C. Responding entity’s address, D. Responding entity’s telephone number, E. Name of responding entity’s contact person, telephone number, and address, F. Amount of grant requested, G. The MFH TA grant region for which the proposal is submitted (i.e., North-East, South, Mid-West, or West), and H. Responding entity’s Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database prior to submitting a proposal pursuant to 2 CFR 25.200(b), and other supporting information to substantiate their legal authority and good standing. Organizations can VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:49 Feb 26, 2018 Jkt 244001 receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at (866) 705–5711 or via the internet at https:// www.dnb.com/. Additional information concerning this requirement can be obtained on the grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov. Similarly, respondents may register for the CCR at https://uscontractingregistration.com or by calling (877) 252–2700. In addition, the responding entity must maintain registration in the CCR database at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under construction by the Agency. Similarly, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170, so long as an entity respondent does not have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b), the grantee must have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements should the responding entity receive funding. See 2 CFR 170.200(b). B. Felonies and Federal Tax Delinquencies Awards made under this Notice are subject to Sections 745 and 746 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Pub. L. 115–31) regarding corporate felony convictions and corporate Federal tax delinquencies. To comply with these provisions, all respondents must complete and include the proposed paragraph (A) of this representation, and all corporate respondents also must complete paragraphs (B) and (C) of this representation: (1) The responding entity: ______ [insert name] has __ has not __ (check one) filed articles of incorporation in one of the fifty States, the District of Columbia, or the various territories of the United States including American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands or the U.S. Virgin Islands. (2) Neither the responding entity nor any key principle or member of the controlling board, council, or governing body, ______ [insert name] has __ has not __ (check one) been convicted of a felony criminal violation under Federal or State law in the 24 months preceding the date of application. The entity has __ has not __ (check one) had any officer or agent of the respondent convicted of a felony criminal violation for actions taken on behalf of the respondent under Federal or State law PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 in the 24 months preceding the date of the signature on the pre-application. (3) The responding entity ______ [insert name] has __ does not have __ (check one) 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. C. Organizational and Financial Status Proposals must include organizational status documents reflecting the criteria in Section II.B of this Notice, as well as financial statements to evidence the responding entity’s status as a properly organized private or public non-profit or PHA and its financial ability to carry out the objectives of the grant program. If other entities will be working on behalf of the grantees, working agreements between the respondent and those entities must be submitted as part of the proposal and any associated cost must be included in the responding entity’s budget. Responding entities must also disclose all RHS projects in which the respondent and or its third-party affiliates have a direct or indirect ownership interest. D. Organizational Expertise and Experience Responding entities must provide a capabilities statement describing the respondent’s qualifications under Section II.A to provide TA on Section 515 transfers and loan applications. 1. Narrative The responding entity must include a narrative describing its knowledge, demonstrated ability, and practical experience in providing training and TA to MFH applicants of loans or grants for the development or rehabilitation of MFH, and the number of projects to which they have provided such assistance. This includes its knowledge and demonstrated ability in estimating development and construction costs of MFH and for obtaining the necessary permits and clearances. The responding entity must also explain why the targeted areas are at risk for loss of affordable housing. 2. Specific MFH Experience For purposes of demonstrating past MFH experience of responding entities, the Agency will consider experience with MFH programs beyond USDA MFH programs. E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM 27FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2018 / Notices The responding entity must identify the types of TA they proposed to offer will be delivered to the potential purchasers. Proposals must identify types of MFH financial assistance (loans, grants, tax credits, leveraged funding, etc.) for which the responding entity has applied in the last 5 years, as well as the success ratio of those applications. Proposals must also identify any applications of a third-party for MFH financial assistance where the responding entity assisted in the development and packaging of the application in the last 5 years, as well as the success ratio of those applications. Proposals must identify third parties to whom the responding entity has provided TA on applications for financial assistance for the development, rehabilitation or transfer of MFH projects in the last 5 years. Proposals must identify MFH projects for which the responding entity assisted in estimating transfer, development and rehabilitation/construction costs and obtaining permit and clearances in the last 5 years. Proposals must identify specific MFH projects for which the responding entity has been able to leverage funding from two or more sources for transfer, rehabilitation, or development. For the projects and applications above, information must be provided concerning the number of housing units, their size, their design, and the amount of grant and loan funds that were secured. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES 3. Key Personnel Proposals must include the resumes of the Key Personnel that will perform the day-to-day administration of this grant. Describe each Key Personnel’s ability to perform the proposal’s activities, and past experience in successfully managing grants. Also include an organizational plan that includes a staffing chart complete with name, job title, salary, hours, timelines, and descriptions of employee duties to achieve the objectives of the grant program. 4. Agents If the responding entity intends to have other entities working on its behalf, the narrative must identify those entities and address their ability to meet the stated eligibility requirements. E. SOW Proposals must include a detailed SOW (see Section III of this Notice). The ROI description and method of evaluation is an integral part of the VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:49 Feb 26, 2018 Jkt 244001 SOW and is a critical component of the selection process and is required under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Pub. L. 103–62). F. Scoring Criteria Worksheet Proposals must include a separate one-page information sheet listing each of the ‘‘Proposal Scoring Criteria’’ contained in Section VI of this Notice, followed by the page numbers of all relevant material and documentation that is contained in the proposal that supports these criteria. VI. Proposal Review Information Only those respondents deemed to be qualified under Sections V.A, V.B and V.C of this Notice will be scored under this section. The review process designed for this RFP will evaluate the degree to which the proposal sets forth measurable realistic objectives that are consistent with this Notice and can be completed within realistic time frames consistent with the proposal and processing guidance established by RD transfer regulations. Proposals will only compete against other proposals within the same region previously identified in this Notice. Selection points will be awarded as follows: A. Key Personnel 1. Key Personnel has successful verifiable experience performing the requirements of this RFP: Less than 2 years: 0 points 2–5 years: 5 points More than 5–8 years: 10 points More than 8–12 years: 20 points More than 12 years: 30 points 2. Key Personnel has successful verifiable experience managing grants through their lifecycle: 1 or less grants: 0 points 2–4 grants: 5 points 5–8 grants: 10 points 9–12 grants: 20 points 13 or more grants: 30 points B. Target Areas 1. The more areas the proposal commits to targeting, the more points will be awarded. Points will be given based on the number of areas within a region that the responding entity has targeted: 5 or less targeted areas: 0 points 6 targeted areas: 5 points 7 targeted areas: 10 points 8 targeted areas: 15 points 9 or more targeted areas: 20 points 2. RHS wants the responding entity to cover as much of the grant region as possible and as supported by the respective RD State Office(s). For this reason, additional points will be PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8421 awarded to grant proposals that target areas in more than two States within the same region. All responses to this Notice only compete within the regions previously identified. The grant proposal commits to targeting areas in the following number of States: Less than 3 States: 0 points 3 or 4 States: 5 points 5 or 6 States: 10 points 7 or 8 States: 15 points 9 or more States: 20 points C. Multifamily Housing Experience 1. The number of individually successful (approved, obligated or completed) multi-family loan or grant applications the responding entity has assisted in developing and packaging: 0–1 applications: 0 points 2–3 applications: 5 points 4–6 applications: 10 points 7–9 applications: 20 points 10 or more applications: 30 points 2. The number of clients seeking loans or grants for the development, rehabilitation, or transfer of multifamily projects to whom the respondent has provided training and TA. 0–1 clients: 0 points 2–3 clients: 5 points 4–6 clients: 10 points 7–9 clients: 15 points 10 or more clients: 20 points 3. The number of multi-family projects for which the respondent has assisted in estimating transfer, development and rehabilitation/ construction costs and obtaining the necessary permits and clearances: 0 to 1 projects: 0 points 2 to 4 projects: 5 points 5 to 7 projects: 10 points 8 to 9 projects: 15 points 10 or more projects: 20 points 4. The number of times the responding entity has been able to leverage funding from two or more sources for the transfer, rehabilitation, or development of a multi-family project. 0 to 1 times: 0 points 2 to 4 times: 5 points 5 to 10 times: 10 points 11 to 15 times: 15 points 16 or more times: 20 points D. Administrative Costs Administrative costs as a percentage of grant funds used: More than 20%: 0 points 15% or more but less 20%: 5 points 10% or more but less 15%: 15 points 5% or more but less 10%: 25 points Less than 5%: 40 points E. Additional Factors In the event two or more proposals within a region are scored with an equal E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM 27FEN1 8422 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2018 / Notices amount of points, the Agency will make selections based on achieving the maximum number of areas, regions, grantees and loan applicants being served, as well as cost-efficiency. All proposals received under this Notice and grantees will be screened for eligibility to participate in the grant program using Treasury’s Do Not Pay Portal in compliance with the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act. RHS will notify all responding entities whether their proposal has been accepted or rejected and provide appeal rights under 7 CFR part 11, as appropriate. daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Paperwork Reduction Act The reporting requirements contained in this Notice have been approved by the OMB under Control Number 0575– 0181. 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, 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, familial/ 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. 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: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:49 Feb 26, 2018 Jkt 244001 Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410; Fax: (202) 690–7442; or Email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Dated: February 15, 2018. Curtis M. Anderson, Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service. [FR Doc. 2018–03900 Filed 2–26–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Maine Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. ACTION: Announcement of meeting. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the Maine Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a meeting on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. EST for the purpose of preparing for its public meeting on voting rights issues in the state. DATES: The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. EST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Evelyn Bohor, at ero@usccr.gov or 202– 376–7533. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Call Information: Dial: 1–888– 724–9516, Conference ID: 315918. Members of the public can listen to the discussion. This meeting is available to the public through the above listed toll free number. Any interested member of the public may call this number and listen to the meeting. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. The conference call operator will ask callers to identify themselves, the organization they are affiliated with (if any), and an email address prior to placing callers into the conference room. Callers can expect to incur regular charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, according to their wireless plan. The Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and providing the Service with the conference call number and conference ID number. Members of the public are also entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office within 30 days following the meeting. Written comments may be mailed to the Eastern Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20425. They may also be faxed to the Commission at (202) 376–7548, or emailed to Evelyn Bohor at ero@usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Eastern Regional Office at (202) 376– 7533. Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Regional Programs Unit Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Records of the meeting will be available via www.facadatabase.gov under the Commission on Civil Rights, Maine Advisory Committee link (https:// www.facadatabase.gov/committee/ meetings.aspx?cid=252). Persons interested in the work of this Committee are directed to the Commission’s website, https://www.usccr.gov, or may contact the Regional Programs Unit Office at the above email or street address. Agenda Welcome and Roll Call Discussion: Voting Rights in Maine Public Comment Future Plans and Actions Adjournment Exceptional Circumstance: Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.150, the notice for this meeting is given less than 15 calendar days prior to the meeting because of the exceptional circumstance of this Committee doing work on the FY 2018 statutory enforcement report. Dated: February 22, 2018. David Mussatt, Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit. [FR Doc. 2018–03910 Filed 2–26–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P E:\FR\FM\27FEN1.SGM 27FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8418-8422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03900]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

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.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 27, 2018 / 
Notices

[[Page 8418]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Request for Proposals: Multi-Family Housing Transfer and 
Prepayment Technical Assistance Grants

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This Request for Proposal (RFP or Notice) announces an 
availability of funds and the timeframe to submit proposals for Multi-
Family Housing (MFH) Transfer and Prepayment Technical Assistance (TA) 
grants. Section 771 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 
appropriated $1,000,000 to provide grants to qualified non-profit 
organizations and public housing authorities (PHA). Selected grantees 
will use the funds to provide financial and legal TA to the Rural 
Housing Service (RHS) MFH loan applicants to facilitate the acquisition 
of RHS Section 515 properties with maturing Rural Development (RD) 
mortgages, in areas at risk of losing affordable housing. Consistent 
with Section 771 and the pilot program initiated by RHS on March 1, 
2017 (available at: www.rd.usda.gov/files/RDUL-Nonprofit.pdf), this RFP 
is soliciting proposals from qualified non-profit organizations and PHA 
to provide TA to MFH loan applicants who are qualified non-profit 
organizations and PHA with their acquisitions of Section 515 properties 
with maturing mortgages.
    Work performed under these grants is expected to result in an 
increased submission of quality applications for transfers of Section 
515 properties to eligible non-profit and PHA loan applicants as 
defined in RD regulations. Furthermore, it will result in the 
preservation and continued availability of decent, safe, and sanitary 
housing for eligible Rural Rental Housing (RRH) tenants and maximize 
the Government's ongoing return on the public's investment in rural 
areas.
    The grant funds must be used to assist eligible loan applicants 
with specific transactions to acquire Section 515 projects with 
maturing mortgages under the pilot program. Grant funds are available 
for obligation through September 30, 2018.

DATES: February 27, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Complete proposals should be addressed to Mirna Reyes-Bible, 
Finance and Loan Analyst, Preservation and Direct Loan Division, STOP 
0781 (Room 1243-S), USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-0781 and must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern 
Daylight Time March 29, 2018 (deadline).
    You should contact a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural 
Development State Office if you have questions. You are encouraged to 
contact your State Office well in advance of the proposal deadline to 
ask any questions about the process. Contact information for State 
Offices can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
    Program guidance as well as application guidance may be obtained 
at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/multi-family-housing-direct-loans.
    Please review the grants.gov website at: https://grants.gov/applicants/organization/registration.jsp for instructions on the 
process of registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure 
you are able to meet the proposal deadline. Proposals received after 
the deadline will not be evaluated.
    RHS will date and time stamp incoming proposals to evidence timely 
receipt and; upon request, will provide the responding entities with a 
written acknowledgement of receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mirna Reyes-Bible, Finance and Loan 
Analyst, Preservation and Direct Loan Division, STOP 0781 (Room 1243-
S), USDA Rural Development, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-0781, telephone: (202) 720-1753 (this is not a toll free number), 
or via email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview Information

    Federal Agency Name: Rural Housing Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Request for Proposals: Multi-Family 
Housing Transfer and Prepayment Technical Assistance Grants.
    Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 10.447.
    Dates: The deadline for receipt of all proposals in response to 
this RFP is 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on March 29, 2018.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the paperwork 
burden associated with this Notice has been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0006.

Funding Opportunity Description

    The TA grants authorized under this Notice are for the purpose of 
facilitating the transfer and preservation of existing RRH properties 
with maturing mortgages under Section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949, 
as amended. RHS regulations for the Section 515 program are published 
at 7 CFR part 3560. Proposals must demonstrate the responding entity's 
experience and expertise in all aspects of acquisition and 
rehabilitation of affordable MFH properties and their demonstrated 
capacity to provide advisory services in affordable housing. All 
responding entities must project the net Return on Investment (ROI) of 
the grant funds being requested to demonstrate the relative 
effectiveness and efficiency of grantee's proposed Statement of Work 
(SOW) for future Agency decisions and program revisions.
    Responding entities may submit separate requests involving 
properties in multiple local areas. For the purpose of this Notice, 
responding entities may and are encouraged to submit a grant proposal 
for multiple local areas provided they are within the same region as 
described in this section. A responding entity may apply to more than 
one region; however, separate proposals must be submitted for each 
region. Entities interested in responding to this Notice must consult 
with the Rural Development State Director in the proposal's region to 
develop a list of

[[Page 8419]]

targeted local areas in their respective State Office jurisdictions. To 
effectively represent the geographic diversity of projects within the 
RD portfolio the Agency will consider and score all proposals on a 
regional basis. RHS intends to award at least one grant for each of the 
four geographic regions listed below.

North-East: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VI, WV
South: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, NC, OK, MS, PR, SC, TN, TX, VI
Mid-West: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI
West: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY, WP

I. Award Information

    RHS will evaluate and score the grant applications according to the 
criteria set forth in this Notice. RHS will select grantees based on 
the scoring as well as the goal of achieving the highest number of 
different grantees, areas and loan applicants, and cost-efficiency. The 
maximum award within a region will be $250,000. The maximum total 
expenditure for all TA services, including administrative costs, per 
project is $40,000.
    RHS has the authority under the Act to utilize up to 100 percent of 
the Section 771 appropriation for MFH TA grants. Funds not obligated to 
initial awardees by June 1, 2018, may be awarded to other non-profit 
and/or PHA applicants waiting for the TA grants based on scoring.
    When selecting a grantee, RHS may request changes to the SOW (see 
Part III of this Notice). Grantees must execute a Grant Agreement that 
will, among other things, incorporate a SOW (see Part III of this 
Notice) agreed to by the RHS. If the selected grantee does not accept 
the terms of RHS and/or does not deliver an executed Grant Agreement to 
RHS within ten business days after receiving the Grant Agreement with 
the agreed upon SOW, RHS may choose to rescind the award and select 
another grantee without further notice.

II. Eligibility Information

    Eligibility for grants under this Notice is limited to non-profit 
organizations and PHAs meeting the requirements specified in this 
Notice.

A. Expertise and Capacity

    Eligible grantees must have the knowledge, ability, technical 
expertise, practical experience, and capacity necessary to develop and 
package Section 515 property transfer transactions. They must also be 
able to demonstrate the ability to provide TA to non-profits and/or 
PHAs to facilitate their acquisition of Section 515 properties, 
including, but not limited to, the submission of loan application 
packages. In addition, all eligible grantees must possess the ability 
to exercise leadership, organize work, and prioritize assignments to 
meet work demands in a timely and cost efficient manner. Eligible 
grantees will include a proposed SOW (see Section III of this Notice) 
which will be evaluated as part of any eligibility qualification and 
award determination.

B. Organization Status

    Responding entities must document each of the following in their 
response:
    1. Status as a non-profit and/or PHA.
    2. Good standing within the State you are organized.
    3. Legal authority to operate and deliver financial and legal TA 
under the applicable State law for the State(s) you propose to deliver 
the TA. Examples of acceptable documentation include but are not 
limited to bylaws, organizational charters, and statutes or 
regulations.
    4. No current or unresolved default or violation of any other 
Federal, State or local grant or loan agreement(s).
    5. Experience in providing TA for MFH affordable housing (describe 
in the SOW).
    6. The requirements above will also apply to any entity performing 
services on behalf of the respondent.

III. SOW

    Responding entities must submit a detailed SOW describing each of 
the following requirements:
    1. An introduction/overview with a description of your plan to 
provide TA to non-profits and PHAs in the acquisition of Section 515 
properties with maturing mortgages.
    2. Explain your organization's capabilities to execute your plan, 
focusing on the elements described in Section II.A of this RFP.
    3. Provide a timeline projection with when, how, and to whom you 
intend to provide the TA. Include a grant funds usage projection that 
corresponds with the timeline and illustrates administrative costs in 
dollars, and as a percentage of the TA services provided. Please see 
Section IV for more information regarding eligible costs.
    4. Describe the types of TA you propose to provide for non-profits 
and/or PHAs to enable them to submit successful transfer applications 
to RHS.
    5. Describe how you will access other funding sources for any 
needed development and/or construction, repair and rehabilitation of 
the MFH properties.
    6. Describe which services you will provide directly and which you 
will provide through third parties.
    7. Describe how you will identify potential sellers of properties 
to be acquired by non-profits and/or PHAs.
    8. Explain your process to use grant funds to non-profits and/or 
PHAs for actual legal and financial soft cost expenditures.
    9. Describe your direct and indirect administrative costs that 
would be associated with the administration of this grant.
    10. Describe any other strength and/or capability not included 
above that you believe qualifies you to administer this grant.
    11. Project the ROI of the requested grant funds to demonstrate the 
effectiveness and efficiency of your proposal. Describe the method 
being used to project an ROI, which must involve a detailed examination 
of outputs and outcomes.

IV. Eligible Purposes

    Entities responding to this Notice are required to provide TA to 
non-profits and/or PHAs acquiring Section 515 projects with maturing 
mortgages for eligible expenses in any or all of the following areas: 
Assisting non-profits or PHAs locate potential Section 515 properties 
with maturing mortgages for transfer; providing TA in the transfer 
analysis, negotiation, underwriting, and application process; and 
working with the non-profit or PHA to identify other financial 
assistance and help secure funding from other sources for the purpose 
of leveraging those funds with RHS funds. Costs will be limited to 
those that are allowed under 2 CFR part 200. The provider will need to 
secure RHS' written approval for payment of any services not 
specifically listed below.
    1. Eligible purposes may include soft costs such as legal costs, 
tax consultation fee, financial analysis, transaction structuring 
analysis and documentation of other transaction details such as Capital 
Needs Assessments (CNA), appraisals, and market surveys or other 
consultation, advisory and non-construction services the buyer may be 
required to provide as part of the application process. Build 
materials, labor and trades or any costs or expenditures otherwise 
typically included as any hard costs for actual construction, repairs, 
prepayment, interest or principal payments or reductions or other costs 
not disclosed to and approved by the RHS National Office prior to being 
incurred will not be eligible for payment with any of the grant funds 
awarded under this Notice.

[[Page 8420]]

    2. Grant funds will not be used by the provider for TA activities 
that are not directly related to a specific transaction (such as 
outreach, conferences, provider personnel education/training, etc.).
    3. Grant funds will not be used by the provider for TA activities 
for transactions in which they have any direct or indirect ownership 
interest (regardless of whether it is an interest as a current or 
prospective owner).
    4. In addition, if selected for funding, the respondent will be 
required to revise their SOW to identify any changes in the geographic 
location of the targeted areas and will submit their revised SOW to the 
National Office for approval. Any revision must not lower the initial 
score used in selection. If a revision lowers the score, it will result 
in a review of the initial scores for all applications received in the 
region and the grant will be awarded to the responding entity in the 
same manner as previously prescribed in this Notice. When submitted for 
approval, the respondent must also submit a summary of their 
consultation with the RD State Directors. At grant closing, the revised 
SOW will be attached to, and become a part of, the Grant Agreement. 
Revision and consultation under this paragraph is not an eligible 
purpose.

V. Proposal and Submission Information

    All proposals must be delivered in three identical binders 
organized as follows:

A. Summary

    The proposal must include a summary page listing all of the 
following items. This information should be double-spaced between items 
and not be in narrative form:
    A. Responding entity's name,
    B. Responding entity's Taxpayer Identification Number,
    C. Responding entity's address,
    D. Responding entity's telephone number,
    E. Name of responding entity's contact person, telephone number, 
and address,
    F. Amount of grant requested,
    G. The MFH TA grant region for which the proposal is submitted 
(i.e., North-East, South, Mid-West, or West), and
    H. Responding entity's Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number, registration in the Central Contractor 
Registration (CCR) database prior to submitting a proposal pursuant to 
2 CFR 25.200(b), and other supporting information to substantiate their 
legal authority and good standing. Organizations can receive a DUNS 
number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number 
request line at (866) 705-5711 or via the internet at https://www.dnb.com/. Additional information concerning this requirement can be 
obtained on the grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov. Similarly, 
respondents may register for the CCR at https://uscontractingregistration.com or by calling (877) 252-2700. In 
addition, the responding entity must maintain registration in the CCR 
database at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an 
application or plan under construction by the Agency. Similarly, all 
recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report 
information about first-tier sub-awards and executive compensation in 
accordance with 2 CFR part 170, so long as an entity respondent does 
not have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b), the grantee must have the 
necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting 
requirements should the responding entity receive funding. See 2 CFR 
170.200(b).

B. Felonies and Federal Tax Delinquencies

    Awards made under this Notice are subject to Sections 745 and 746 
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Pub. L. 115-31) regarding 
corporate felony convictions and corporate Federal tax delinquencies. 
To comply with these provisions, all respondents must complete and 
include the proposed paragraph (A) of this representation, and all 
corporate respondents also must complete paragraphs (B) and (C) of this 
representation:
    (1) The responding entity: ______ [insert name] has __ has not __ 
(check one) filed articles of incorporation in one of the fifty States, 
the District of Columbia, or the various territories of the United 
States including American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, 
Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of 
Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (2) Neither the responding entity nor any key principle or member 
of the controlling board, council, or governing body, ______ [insert 
name] has __ has not __ (check one) been convicted of a felony criminal 
violation under Federal or State law in the 24 months preceding the 
date of application. The entity has __ has not __ (check one) had any 
officer or agent of the respondent convicted of a felony criminal 
violation for actions taken on behalf of the respondent under Federal 
or State law in the 24 months preceding the date of the signature on 
the pre-application.
    (3) The responding entity ______ [insert name] has __ does not have 
__ (check one) 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.

C. Organizational and Financial Status

    Proposals must include organizational status documents reflecting 
the criteria in Section II.B of this Notice, as well as financial 
statements to evidence the responding entity's status as a properly 
organized private or public non-profit or PHA and its financial ability 
to carry out the objectives of the grant program. If other entities 
will be working on behalf of the grantees, working agreements between 
the respondent and those entities must be submitted as part of the 
proposal and any associated cost must be included in the responding 
entity's budget.
    Responding entities must also disclose all RHS projects in which 
the respondent and or its third-party affiliates have a direct or 
indirect ownership interest.

D. Organizational Expertise and Experience

    Responding entities must provide a capabilities statement 
describing the respondent's qualifications under Section II.A to 
provide TA on Section 515 transfers and loan applications.
1. Narrative
    The responding entity must include a narrative describing its 
knowledge, demonstrated ability, and practical experience in providing 
training and TA to MFH applicants of loans or grants for the 
development or rehabilitation of MFH, and the number of projects to 
which they have provided such assistance. This includes its knowledge 
and demonstrated ability in estimating development and construction 
costs of MFH and for obtaining the necessary permits and clearances.
    The responding entity must also explain why the targeted areas are 
at risk for loss of affordable housing.
2. Specific MFH Experience
    For purposes of demonstrating past MFH experience of responding 
entities, the Agency will consider experience with MFH programs beyond 
USDA MFH programs.

[[Page 8421]]

    The responding entity must identify the types of TA they proposed 
to offer will be delivered to the potential purchasers. Proposals must 
identify types of MFH financial assistance (loans, grants, tax credits, 
leveraged funding, etc.) for which the responding entity has applied in 
the last 5 years, as well as the success ratio of those applications.
    Proposals must also identify any applications of a third-party for 
MFH financial assistance where the responding entity assisted in the 
development and packaging of the application in the last 5 years, as 
well as the success ratio of those applications.
    Proposals must identify third parties to whom the responding entity 
has provided TA on applications for financial assistance for the 
development, rehabilitation or transfer of MFH projects in the last 5 
years.
    Proposals must identify MFH projects for which the responding 
entity assisted in estimating transfer, development and rehabilitation/
construction costs and obtaining permit and clearances in the last 5 
years.
    Proposals must identify specific MFH projects for which the 
responding entity has been able to leverage funding from two or more 
sources for transfer, rehabilitation, or development.
    For the projects and applications above, information must be 
provided concerning the number of housing units, their size, their 
design, and the amount of grant and loan funds that were secured.
3. Key Personnel
    Proposals must include the resumes of the Key Personnel that will 
perform the day-to-day administration of this grant. Describe each Key 
Personnel's ability to perform the proposal's activities, and past 
experience in successfully managing grants. Also include an 
organizational plan that includes a staffing chart complete with name, 
job title, salary, hours, timelines, and descriptions of employee 
duties to achieve the objectives of the grant program.
4. Agents
    If the responding entity intends to have other entities working on 
its behalf, the narrative must identify those entities and address 
their ability to meet the stated eligibility requirements.

E. SOW

    Proposals must include a detailed SOW (see Section III of this 
Notice). The ROI description and method of evaluation is an integral 
part of the SOW and is a critical component of the selection process 
and is required under the Government Performance and Results Act of 
1993 (Pub. L. 103-62).

F. Scoring Criteria Worksheet

    Proposals must include a separate one-page information sheet 
listing each of the ``Proposal Scoring Criteria'' contained in Section 
VI of this Notice, followed by the page numbers of all relevant 
material and documentation that is contained in the proposal that 
supports these criteria.

VI. Proposal Review Information

    Only those respondents deemed to be qualified under Sections V.A, 
V.B and V.C of this Notice will be scored under this section. The 
review process designed for this RFP will evaluate the degree to which 
the proposal sets forth measurable realistic objectives that are 
consistent with this Notice and can be completed within realistic time 
frames consistent with the proposal and processing guidance established 
by RD transfer regulations. Proposals will only compete against other 
proposals within the same region previously identified in this Notice. 
Selection points will be awarded as follows:

A. Key Personnel

    1. Key Personnel has successful verifiable experience performing 
the requirements of this RFP:

Less than 2 years: 0 points
2-5 years: 5 points
More than 5-8 years: 10 points
More than 8-12 years: 20 points
More than 12 years: 30 points

    2. Key Personnel has successful verifiable experience managing 
grants through their lifecycle:

1 or less grants: 0 points
2-4 grants: 5 points
5-8 grants: 10 points
9-12 grants: 20 points
13 or more grants: 30 points

B. Target Areas

    1. The more areas the proposal commits to targeting, the more 
points will be awarded. Points will be given based on the number of 
areas within a region that the responding entity has targeted:

5 or less targeted areas: 0 points
6 targeted areas: 5 points
7 targeted areas: 10 points
8 targeted areas: 15 points
9 or more targeted areas: 20 points

    2. RHS wants the responding entity to cover as much of the grant 
region as possible and as supported by the respective RD State 
Office(s). For this reason, additional points will be awarded to grant 
proposals that target areas in more than two States within the same 
region. All responses to this Notice only compete within the regions 
previously identified. The grant proposal commits to targeting areas in 
the following number of States:

Less than 3 States: 0 points
3 or 4 States: 5 points
5 or 6 States: 10 points
7 or 8 States: 15 points
9 or more States: 20 points

C. Multifamily Housing Experience

    1. The number of individually successful (approved, obligated or 
completed) multi-family loan or grant applications the responding 
entity has assisted in developing and packaging:

0-1 applications: 0 points
2-3 applications: 5 points
4-6 applications: 10 points
7-9 applications: 20 points
10 or more applications: 30 points

    2. The number of clients seeking loans or grants for the 
development, rehabilitation, or transfer of multi-family projects to 
whom the respondent has provided training and TA.

0-1 clients: 0 points
2-3 clients: 5 points
4-6 clients: 10 points
7-9 clients: 15 points
10 or more clients: 20 points

    3. The number of multi-family projects for which the respondent has 
assisted in estimating transfer, development and rehabilitation/
construction costs and obtaining the necessary permits and clearances:

0 to 1 projects: 0 points
2 to 4 projects: 5 points
5 to 7 projects: 10 points
8 to 9 projects: 15 points
10 or more projects: 20 points

    4. The number of times the responding entity has been able to 
leverage funding from two or more sources for the transfer, 
rehabilitation, or development of a multi-family project.

0 to 1 times: 0 points
2 to 4 times: 5 points
5 to 10 times: 10 points
11 to 15 times: 15 points
16 or more times: 20 points

D. Administrative Costs

    Administrative costs as a percentage of grant funds used:

More than 20%: 0 points
15% or more but less 20%: 5 points
10% or more but less 15%: 15 points
5% or more but less 10%: 25 points
Less than 5%: 40 points

E. Additional Factors

    In the event two or more proposals within a region are scored with 
an equal

[[Page 8422]]

amount of points, the Agency will make selections based on achieving 
the maximum number of areas, regions, grantees and loan applicants 
being served, as well as cost-efficiency.
    All proposals received under this Notice and grantees will be 
screened for eligibility to participate in the grant program using 
Treasury's Do Not Pay Portal in compliance with the Improper Payments 
Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act.
    RHS will notify all responding entities whether their proposal has 
been accepted or rejected and provide appeal rights under 7 CFR part 
11, as appropriate.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The reporting requirements contained in this Notice have been 
approved by the OMB under Control Number 0575-0181.

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, 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, familial/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. 
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:
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410;
    Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

     Dated: February 15, 2018.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-03900 Filed 2-26-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.