Announcement of Grant and Loan Application Deadlines, 28616-28622 [2018-13235]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Utilities Service

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28616-28622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13235]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Announcement of Grant and Loan Application Deadlines

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of funds availability and solicitation of applications 
(NOFA).

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its Revolving Fund 
Program (RFP) application window and funds availability for Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2018. The Agency will make available $1,000,000 in grant funds to 
qualified private, non-profit organizations to establish a lending 
program for eligible entities. The Agency encourages

[[Page 28617]]

applications that will support recommendations made in the Rural 
Prosperity Task Force report to help improve life in rural America. 
www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity. Applicants are encouraged to consider 
projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities 
build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in 
infrastructure, partnerships and innovation. Key strategies include:

 Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America
 Developing the Rural Economy
 Harnessing Technological Innovation
 Supporting a Rural Workforce
 Improving Quality of Life

DATES: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or 
electronically according to the following deadlines:
     Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or 
sent overnight no later than July 20, 2018 to be eligible for FY 2018 
grant funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for 
FY 2018 grant funding. Prior to official submission of applications, 
applicants may request technical assistance or other application 
guidance from the Agency, as long as such requests are made prior to 
July 5, 2018. The Agency will not solicit or consider scoring or 
eligibility information that is submitted after the application 
deadline. The Agency reserves the right to contact applications to seek 
clarification information on materials contained in the submitted 
application.
     Electronic copies must be received by July 20, 2018 to be 
eligible for FY 2018 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications 
will not be eligible for FY 2018 grant funding. Prior to official 
submission of applications, applicants may request technical assistance 
or other application guidance from the Agency, as long as such requests 
are made prior to July 5, 2018. The Agency will not solicit or consider 
scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after the 
application deadline. The Agency reserves the right to contact 
applications to seek clarification information on materials contained 
in the submitted application.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain application guides and materials for the RFP 
program at the Water and Environmental Programs (WEP) website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-revolving-loan-funds. You may also request application guides and materials by 
contacting Derek Jones at (202) 720-9640.
    Submit electronic grant applications at https://www.grants.gov/ and 
follow the instructions on the website.
    Submit completed paper applications for RFP grants to: Rural 
Utilities Service, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1570, Room 2233-S, Washington, DC 
20250-1570. Applications should be marked Attention: Derek Jones, Water 
and Environmental Programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Derek Jones, Community Programs 
Specialist, Water and Environmental Programs, Rural Utilities Service, 
Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, STOP 1570, Room 2233-S, Washington, DC 20250-1570; 
Telephone: (202) 720-9640: Fax: (202) 690-0649.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS), USDA.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Grant Program to Establish a Fund for 
Financing Water and Wastewater Projects (Revolving Fund Program (RFP)).
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.864.
    Due Date for Applications: Applications must be mailed, shipped or 
submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than July 20, 2018 
to be eligible for FY 2018 grant funding. See Section D of this notice 
for details.
    The RFP is authorized under section 306(a)(2)(B) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Con Act), 7 U.S.C. 
1926(a)(2)(B). Eligible entities for the revolving loan fund will be 
the same entities eligible, under paragraph 1 or 2 of Section 306(a) of 
the Con Act, 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1) or (b)(2), to obtain a loan, loan 
guarantee, or grant from the RUS Water, Waste Disposal, and Wastewater 
loan and grant programs.

Items in Supplementary Information

    A. Program Description: Brief introduction to the RFP.
    B. Federal Award Information: Available funds.
    C. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of 
projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility.
    D. Application and Submission Information: Where to get 
application materials, what constitutes a completed application, how 
and where to submit applications, deadlines, items that are 
eligible.
    E. Application Review Information: Considerations and 
preferences, scoring criteria, review standards, selection 
information.
    F. Federal Award Administration Information: Award notice 
information, award recipient reporting requirements.
    G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts: website, phone, fax, email, 
contact name.
    H. Other Information: Non-discrimination Statement.

A. Program Description

    Drinking water systems are basic and vital to both health and 
economic development. With dependable water facilities, rural 
communities can attract families and businesses that will invest in the 
community and improve the quality of life for all residents. Without 
dependable water facilities, the communities cannot sustain economic 
development.
    RUS provides financial and technical assistance to help communities 
bring safe drinking water and sanitary, environmentally sound waste 
disposal facilities to rural Americans. It supports the sound 
development of rural communities and the growth of our economy without 
endangering the environment.
    The RFP was established under 7 U.S.C. part 1783 to assist 
communities with water or wastewater systems. Qualified private, non-
profit organizations, who are selected for funding, will receive RFP 
grant funds to establish a lending program for eligible entities. 
Eligible entities for the revolving loan fund will be those entities 
eligible under 7 U.S.C.1926(a)(1) and (2) to obtain a loan, loan 
guarantee, or grant from the Water and Waste Disposal loan and grant 
programs administered by RUS. As grant recipients, the non-profit 
organizations will set up a revolving loan fund to provide loans to 
finance predevelopment costs of water or wastewater projects, or short-
term small capital projects not part of the regular operation and 
maintenance of current water and wastewater systems. The amount of 
financing to an eligible entity shall not exceed $100,000 and shall be 
repaid in a term not to exceed 10 years. The rate shall be determined 
in the approved grant work plan.

B. Federal Award Information

    Available funds: $1,000,000.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants
    An applicant is eligible to apply for the RFP grant if it:
    a. Is a private, non-profit organization;
    b. Is legally established and located within one of the following:
    i. A state within the United States;

[[Page 28618]]

    ii. The District of Columbia;
    iii. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; or
    iv. A United States territory;
    c. Has the legal capacity and authority to carry out the grant 
purpose;
    d. Has a proven record of successfully operating a revolving loan 
fund to rural areas;
    e. Has capitalization acceptable to the Agency, and is composed of 
at least 51 percent of the outstanding interest or membership being 
citizens of the United States or individuals who reside in the United 
States after being legally admitted for permanent residence;
    f. Has no delinquent debt to the Federal government or no 
outstanding judgments to repay a Federal debt;
    g. Demonstrates that it possesses the financial, technical, and 
managerial capability to comply with Federal and state laws and 
requirements; and,
    h. Is not a corporation that has been convicted of a felony (or had 
an officer or agent acting on behalf of the corporation convicted of a 
felony) within the past 24 months. Any Corporation that has any unpaid 
Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial 
and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and 
that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with 
the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability is not 
eligible.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
    Applicants must contribute at least 20 percent of funds from 
sources other than the proceeds of an RFP grant to pay part of the cost 
of a loan recipient's project. In-kind contribution will not be 
considered.
3. Other: The Basic Eligibility Requirements for a Project
    a. The following activities are authorized under the RFP statute:
    i. Grant funds must be used to capitalize a revolving fund program 
for the purpose of providing direct loan financing to eligible entities 
for pre-development costs associated with proposed or with existing 
water and wastewater systems, or,
    ii. Short-term costs incurred for equipment replacement, small-
scale extension of services, or other small capital projects that are 
not part of the regular operations and maintenance activities of 
existing water and wastewater systems.
    b. Grant funds may not be used to pay any of the following:
    i. Payment of the Grant Recipient's administrative costs or 
expenses, or,
    ii. Delinquent debt owed to the Federal Government.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package
    a. The internet: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-revolving-loan-funds or Grants.gov website: https://www.grants.gov/.
    b. For paper copies of these materials, you may call (202) 720-
9583.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    a. You may file an application in either paper or electronic 
format. To be considered for support, you must be an eligible entity 
and must submit a complete application by the deadline date. Applicants 
should consult the cost principles and general administrative 
requirements for grants pertaining to their organizational type in 
order to prepare the budget and complete other parts of the 
application. You also must demonstrate compliance (or intent to 
comply), through certification or other means, with a number of public 
policy requirements. Applications should be prepared in conformance 
with 7 CFR part 1783, and departmental and other applicable regulations 
including 2 CFR parts 180, 182, 200, 400 and 421, or any successor 
regulations.
    Whether you file a paper or an electronic application, you will 
need a DUNS number and must be registered in the System for Award 
Management (SAM). Detailed information on obtaining a DUNS number and 
registering for SAM may be found in section D(3).
    b. Applicants must complete and submit the following forms to apply 
for a RFP grant:
    i. Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.''
    ii. Standard Form 424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs.''
    iii. Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
    iv. Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activity.''
    v. Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement.''
    vi. Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement (Under Title VI, Civil 
Rights Act of 1964).''
    c. The project proposal should outline the project in sufficient 
detail to provide a reader with a complete understanding of how the 
loan program will work. Explain what you will accomplish by lending 
funds to eligible entities. Demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed 
loan program in meeting the objectives of this grant program. The 
proposal should cover the following elements:
    i. Present a brief project overview. Explain the purpose of the 
project, how it relates to RUS's purposes, how you will carry out the 
project, what the project will produce, and who will direct it.
    ii. Describe why the project is necessary. Demonstrate that 
eligible entities need loan funds. Quantify the number of prospective 
borrowers or provide statistical or narrative evidence that a 
sufficient number of borrowers will exist to justify the grant award. 
Describe the service area. Address community needs.
    iii. Clearly state your project goals. Your objectives should 
clearly describe the goals and be concrete and specific enough to be 
quantitative or observable. They should also be feasible and relate to 
the purpose of the loan program.
    iv. The narrative should cover in more detail the items briefly 
described in the Project Summary. It should establish the basis for any 
claims that you have substantial expertise in promoting the safe and 
productive use of revolving funds. In describing what the project will 
achieve, you should tell the reader if it also will have broader 
influence. The narrative should address the following points:
    (1) Document your ability to administer and service a revolving 
fund in accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR part 1783.
    (2) Document your ability to commit financial resources to 
establish the RFP with funds your organization controls. This 
documentation should describe the sources of funds other than the RFP 
grant that will be used to pay your operational costs and provide 
financial assistance for projects.
    (3) Demonstrate that you have secured commitments of significant 
financial support from other funding sources, if appropriate.
    (4) List the fees and charges that borrowers will be assessed.
    v. The work plan must describe the tasks and activities that will 
be accomplished with available resources during the grant period. It 
must show the work you plan to do to achieve the anticipated outcomes, 
goals, and objectives set out for the RFP. The plan must:
    (1) Describe the work to be performed by each person.
    (2) Give a schedule or timetable of work to be done.
    (3) Show evidence of previous experience with the techniques to be 
used or their successful use by others.

[[Page 28619]]

    (4) Outline the loan program to include the following: Specific 
loan purposes, a loan application process, priorities, borrower 
eligibility criteria, limitations, fees, interest rates, terms, and 
collateral requirements.
    (5) Provide a marketing plan.
    (6) Explain the mechanics of how you will transfer loan funds to 
the borrowers.
    (7) Describe follow-up or continuing activities that should occur 
after project completion such as monitoring and reporting borrowers' 
accomplishments.
    (8) Describe how the results will be evaluated. The evaluation 
criteria should be in line with the project objectives.
    (9) List all personnel responsible for administering this program 
along with a statement of their qualifications and experience.
    vi. The written justification for projected costs should explain 
how budget figures were determined for each category. It should 
indicate which costs are to be covered by grant funds and which costs 
will be met by your organization or other organizations. The 
justification should account for all expenditures discussed in the 
narrative. It should reflect appropriate cost-sharing contributions. 
The budget justification should explain the budget and accounting 
system proposed or in place. The administrative costs for operating the 
budget should be expressed as a percentage of the overall budget. The 
budget justification should provide specific budget figures, rounding 
off figures to the nearest dollar. Applicants should consult 2 CFR 200, 
Subpart E, ``Cost Principals,'' for information about appropriate costs 
for each budget category.
    vii. In addition to completing the standard application forms, you 
must submit:
    (1) Supplementary material that demonstrate that your organization 
is legally recognized under state or Tribal and Federal law. 
Satisfactory documentation includes, but is not limited to, 
certificates from the Secretary of State, or copies of state statutes 
or laws establishing your organization. Letters from the IRS awarding 
tax-exempt status are not considered adequate evidence.
    (2) A certified list of directors and officers with their 
respective terms.
    (3) Evidence of tax exempt status from the IRS.
    (4) The most recent audit of your organization.
    (5) The following financial statements:
    (a) Pro forma balance sheet at start-up and for at least three 
additional years; Balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow 
statements for the last three years.
    (b) If your organization has been formed less than three years, the 
financial statements should be submitted for the periods from inception 
to the present. Projected income and cash flow statements for at least 
three years supported by a list of assumptions showing the basis for 
the projections. The projected income statement and balance sheet must 
include one set of projections that shows the revolving loan fund only 
and a separate set of projections that shows your organization's total 
operations.
    (6) Additional information to support and describe your plan for 
achieving the grant objectives. The information may be regarded as 
essential for understanding and evaluating the project and may be found 
in letters of support, as resolutions, policies, and other relevant 
documents. The supplements may be presented in appendices to the 
proposal.
    d. Compliance with other federal statutes. The applicant must 
provide evidence of compliance with other federal statutes, including 
but not limited to the following:
    i. Debarment and suspension information is required in accordance 
with 2 CFR part 417 (Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension) 
supplemented by 2 CFR part 180, if it applies. 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. It 
is part of OMB's Guidance for Grants and Agreements concerning 
Government-wide Debarment and Suspension.
    ii. 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 
part 182) of the Drug-Free Workplace Act.
    iii. 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Assistance Requirements, Cost 
Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards).
    iv. 2 CFR part 182 (Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Financial Assistance)) and 2 CFR part 421 (Requirements for 
Drug Free Workplace (Financial Assistance)).
    v. 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.
    e. Requirements for numbers of copies of submitted applications.
    i. Send or deliver paper applications by the U.S. Postal Service 
(USPS) or courier delivery services to: USDA, Rural Development, Rural 
Utilities Service, Water and Environmental Programs, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Attention: Derek Jones, Mail STOP 1570, Room 2233-S, 
Washington, DC 20250-1570.
    ii. For paper applications mail or ensure delivery of an original 
paper application (no stamped, photocopied, or initialed signatures) 
and two copies by the deadline date. The application and any materials 
sent with it become Federal records by law and cannot be returned to 
you.
    iii. Electronically submitted applications:
    (1) Applications will not be accepted by fax or electronic mail.
    (2) Electronic applications for grants will be accepted if 
submitted through Grants.gov.
    (3) Applicants must preregister successfully with Grants.gov to use 
the electronic applications option. Application information may be 
downloaded from Grants.gov without preregistration.
    (4) Applicants who apply through Grants.gov should submit their 
electronic applications before the deadline.
    (5) Grants.gov contains full instructions on all required 
passwords, credentialing, and software. Follow the instructions at 
Grants.gov for registering and submitting an electronic application.
    (6) Grants.gov has two preregistration requirements: A DUNS number 
and an active registration in the SAM. See section D(3) below for 
instructions on obtaining a DUNS number and registering in the SAM.
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
    The applicant for a grant must supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data 
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as part of an application. The 
Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a field for the DUNS number. The 
applicant can obtain the DUNS number free of charge by calling Dun and 
Bradstreet. Please see https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform for more 
information on how to obtain a DUNS number or how to verify your 
organization's number. In accordance with 2 CFR part 25, whether 
applying electronically or by paper, the applicant must register in the 
System for Award Management (SAM) prior to submitting

[[Page 28620]]

an application. Applicants may register for the SAM at https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1. The SAM registration must remain active with 
current information at all times while RUS is considering an 
application or while a Federal Grant award or loan is active. To remain 
registered in the SAM database the applicant must review and update the 
information in the SAM database annually from date of initial 
registration or from the date of the last update. The applicant must 
ensure that the information in the database is current, accurate, and 
complete.
4. Submission Dates and Times
    You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or 
electronically according to the following deadlines:
    a. Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent 
overnight no later than July 20, 2018 to be eligible for FY 2018 grant 
funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for FY 
2018 grant funding.
    b. Electronic copies must be received by July 20, 2018 to be 
eligible for FY 2018 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications 
will not be eligible for FY 2018 grant funding.
5. Funding Restrictions
    Grant proceeds may be used solely to establish the revolving loan 
fund to provide loans to eligible entities for: Pre-development costs 
associated with proposed or existing water and wastewater projects, and 
short-term costs incurred for replacement equipment or other small 
capital projects not part of regular operations and maintenance of 
existing water and wastewater systems. Grant recipients may not use 
grant funds in any manner inconsistent with the purposes described in 7 
CFR 1783.12 or in the terms of the grant agreement. Administrative 
expenses may, however, be paid or reimbursed from revolving loan fund 
assets that are not RFP grant funds, including revolved funds and funds 
originally contributed by the grant recipient.

E. Application Review Information

    Within 30 days of receiving your application, RUS will send you a 
letter of acknowledgment. Your application will be reviewed for 
completeness to determine if you included all of the items required. If 
your application is incomplete or ineligible, RUS will return it to you 
with an explanation. A review team, composed of at least two RUS staff 
members, will evaluate all applications and proposals. They will make 
overall recommendations based on factors such as eligibility, 
application completeness, and conformity to application requirements. 
They will score the applications based on criteria in the following 
section.
1. Criteria
    All applications that are complete and eligible will be ranked 
competitively based on the following scoring criteria:
    a. Degree of expertise and successful experience in making and 
servicing commercial loans, with a successful record, for the following 
number of full years:
    i. At least 1 but less than 3 years--5 points.
    ii. At least 3 but less than 5 years--10 points.
    iii. At least 5 but less than 10 years--20 points.
    v. 10 or more years--30 points.
    b. Extent to which the work plan demonstrates a well thought out, 
comprehensive approach to accomplishing the objectives of this part, 
clearly defines who will be served by the project, clearly articulates 
the problem/issues to be addressed, identifies the service area to be 
covered by the RFP loans and appears likely to be sustainable; Up to 40 
points.
    c. Percentage of applicant contributions. Points allowed under this 
paragraph will be based on written evidence of the availability of 
funds from sources other than the proceeds of an RFP grant to pay part 
of the cost of a loan recipient's project. In-kind contributions will 
not be considered. Funds from other sources as a percentage of the RFP 
grant and points corresponding to such percentages are as follows:
    i. Less than 20 percent--ineligible.
    ii. At least 20 percent but less than 50 percent--10 points.
    iii. 50 percent or more--20 points.
    d. Extent to which the goals and objectives are clearly defined, 
tied to the work plan, and are measurable; Up to 15 points.
    e. Lowest ratio of projected administrative expenses to loans 
advanced; Up to 10 points.
    f. The evaluation methods for considering loan applications and 
making RFP loans are specific to the program, clearly defined, 
measurable, and are consistent with program outcomes; Up to 20 points.
    g. Administrator's discretion points up to 10 points may be 
awarded. To the maximum extent possible, there should be an emphasis on 
high poverty areas in rural communities and rural areas with the lowest 
incomes, particularly those areas with emphasis to areas where at least 
45 percent of children qualify for the National School Lunch Program. 
Factors include:
    i. Directs loans to the smallest communities with the lowest 
incomes emphasizing areas where according to the American Community 
Survey data by census tracts show that at least 20 percent of the 
population is living in poverty.
    ii. Directs loans to areas which lack running water, flush toilets, 
and modern sewage disposal systems, and areas which have open sewers 
and high rates of disease caused by poor sanitation, in particular, 
Colonias or Substantially Underserved Trust Areas.
    iii. Directs loans that emphasize energy and water efficient 
components to reduce costs and increase sustainability of rural 
systems.
2. Review and Selection Process
    RUS will rank all qualifying applications by their final score. 
Applications will be selected for funding, based on the highest scores 
and the availability of funding for RFP grants. Each applicant will be 
notified in writing of the score its application receives. This year 
administrative discretion points may be awarded for work plans that:
    a. Direct loans to the smallest communities with the lowest incomes 
emphasizing areas where according to the American Community Survey data 
by census tracts show that at least 20 percent of the population is 
living in poverty.
    b. Direct loans to areas that lack running water, flush toilets, 
and modern sewage disposal systems, and areas which have open sewers 
and high rates of disease caused by poor sanitation, in particular, 
Colonias or Substantially Underserved Trust Areas.
    c. Direct loans that emphasize energy and water efficient 
components to reduce costs and increase sustainability of rural 
systems.
    d. In making its decision about your application, RUS may determine 
that your application is:
    i. Eligible and selected for funding,
    ii. Eligible but offered fewer funds than requested,
    iii. Eligible but not selected for funding, or
    iv. Ineligible for the grant.
    e. In accordance with 7 CFR part 1900, subpart B, you generally 
have the right to appeal adverse decisions. Some adverse decisions 
cannot be appealed. For example, if you are denied RUS funding due to a 
lack of funds available for the grant program, this decision cannot be 
appealed. However, you may make a request to the National Appeals 
Division (NAD) to review the accuracy

[[Page 28621]]

of our finding that the decision cannot be appealed. The appeal must be 
in writing and filed at the appropriate regional office, which can be 
found at www.nad.usda.gov or by calling (703) 305-1166.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices
    RUS generally notifies by mail applicants whose projects are 
selected for awards. However, the receipt of an award letter does not 
serve to authorize the applicant to commence performance under the 
award. RUS follows the award letter with an agreement containing terms 
and conditions for the grant. Applicants selected for funding will 
complete and return grant agreement, which outlines the terms and 
conditions of the grant award.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    The items listed in Section D of this notice, the RFP program 
regulation and departmental and other regulations including 2 CFR parts 
180, 182, 200, 400, 421, and any successor regulations implement the 
appropriate administrative and national policy requirements, which 
include but are not limited to:
    a. SF-270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' will be 
completed by the Non-Federal Entity and submitted to either the state 
or national office no more frequently than monthly.
    b. Upon receipt of a properly completed SF-270, the funds will be 
requested through the field office terminal system. Ordinarily, payment 
will be made within 30 days after receipt of a proper request for 
reimbursement.
    c. Non-Federal Entities may use women- and minority-owned banks (a 
bank which is owned at least 50 percent by women or minority group 
members) for the deposit and disbursement of funds.
3. Reporting
    a. Any change in the scope of the project, budget adjustments of 
more than 10 percent of the total budget, or any other significant 
change in the project must be reported to and approved by the approval 
official by written amendment to the grant agreement. Any change not 
approved may be cause for termination of the grant.
    b. Non-Federal Entities shall constantly monitor performance to 
ensure that time schedules are being met, projected work by time 
periods is being accomplished, and other performance objectives are 
being achieved. The Non-Federal Entity will provide project reports as 
follows:
    i. SF-425, ``Financial Status Report (short form),'' and a project 
performance activity report will be required of all Non-Federal 
Entities on a quarterly basis, due 30 days after the end of each 
quarter.
    ii. A final project performance report will be required with the 
last SF-425 due 90 days after the end of the last quarter in which the 
project is completed. The final report may serve as the last quarterly 
report.
    iii. All multi-State Non-Federal Entities are to submit an original 
of each report to the National Office. Non-Federal Entities serving 
only one State are to submit an original of each report to the State 
Office. The project performance reports should detail, preferably in a 
narrative format, activities that have transpired for the specific time 
period.
    c. Financial reporting. The Non-Federal Entity will provide an 
audit report or financial statements as follows:
    i. Non-Federal Entities expending $750,000 or more Federal funds 
per fiscal year will submit an audit conducted in accordance with 2 CFR 
part 200. The audit will be submitted within nine months after the Non-
Federal Entity's fiscal year. Additional audits may be required if the 
project period covers more than one fiscal year.
    ii. Non-Federal Entities expending less than $750,000 will provide 
annual financial statements covering the grant period, consisting of 
the organization's statement of income and expense and balance sheet 
signed by an appropriate official of the organization. Financial 
statements will be submitted within 90 days after the Non-Federal 
Entity's fiscal year.
    iii. Recipient and Subrecipient Reporting. The applicant must have 
the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the 
reporting requirements for first-tier sub-awards and executive 
compensation under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency 
Act of 2006 in the event the applicant receives funding unless such 
applicant is exempt from such reporting requirements pursuant to 2 CFR 
part 170, Sec.  170.110(b). The reporting requirements under the 
Transparency Act pursuant to 2 CFR part 170 are as follows:
    (1) First Tier Sub-Awards of $25,000 or more in non-Recovery Act 
funds (unless they are exempt under 2 CFR part 170) must be reported by 
the Recipient to https://www.fsrs.gov no later than the end of the month 
following the month the obligation was made.
    (2) The Total Compensation of the Recipient's Executives (five most 
highly compensated executives) must be reported by the Recipient (if 
the Recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 170) to https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1 by the end of the month following the month 
in which the award was made.
    (3) The Total Compensation of the Subrecipient's Executives (five 
most highly compensated executives) must be reported by the 
Subrecipient (if the Subrecipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 
170) to the Recipient by the end of the month following the month in 
which the subaward was made.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    1. Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-revolving-loan-funds. The RUS website maintains up-to-date 
resources and contact information for the RFP.
    2. Phone: (202) 720-9640.
    3. Fax: (202) 690-0649.
    4. Email: [email protected].
    5. Main point of contact: Derek Jones, Community Programs 
Specialist, Water and Environmental Programs, Rural Utilities Service, 
Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

H. Other Information

1. 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). 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.

[[Page 28622]]

    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 the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 
by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410;
    (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: June 1, 2018.
Kenneth L. Johnson,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-13235 Filed 6-19-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P