Inviting Applications for the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program, 44015-44022 [2018-18682]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44015-44022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18682]


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                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / 
Notices

[[Page 44015]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Inviting Applications for the Delta Health Care Services Grant 
Program

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2018 applications for 
the Delta Health Care Services (DHCS) grant program. The Agency will 
publish the program funding level on the Rural Development website: 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants. The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance 
to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region through 
cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher 
education, research institutions, and economic development entities in 
the Delta Region.

DATES: You must submit completed applications for grants according to 
the following deadlines:
    Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent 
overnight no later than Midnight Eastern Time November 26, 2018. 
Electronic copies must be received by Midnight Eastern Time November 
19, 2018. Late applications are not eligible for funding under this 
Notice and will not be evaluated.

ADDRESSES: You should contact your USDA Rural Development State Office 
(State Office) if you have questions. You are encouraged to contact 
your State Office well in advance of the application deadline to 
discuss your Project and ask any questions about the application 
process. A list of State Office contacts can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. Program guidance as well as 
application templates may be obtained at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants or by contacting 
your State Office. If you want to submit an electronic application, 
follow the instructions for the DHCS funding announcement located at: 
https://www.grants.gov. Please review the Grants.gov website for 
instructions on the process of registering your organization as soon as 
possible to ensure you can meet the electronic application deadline. 
You are strongly encouraged to file your application early and allow 
sufficient time to manage any technical issues that may arise. If you 
want to submit a paper application, send it to the State Office located 
in the State where the Project will primarily take place.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Grants Division, Cooperative Programs, 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, MS 3253, Room 4208-South, 
Washington, DC 20250-3250, or call 202-690-1374.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Preface

    The Agency encourages applications that will support 
recommendations made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force report to help 
improve life in rural America, https://www.usda.gov/topics/rural/rural-prosperity. 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

Overview

    Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Delta Health Care Services Grant 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial Notice.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.874.
    Dates: Application Deadline. You must submit your complete 
application by Midnight Eastern Time November 26, 2018, or it will not 
be considered for funding. Electronic copies must be received by 
www.grants.gov no later than Midnight Eastern Time November 19, 2018, 
or it will not be considered for funding.

Executive Order (E.O.) 13175 Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This Executive Order imposes requirements on Rural Development in 
the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications or 
preempt tribal laws. Rural Development has determined that this Notice 
does not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian 
tribe(s) or on either the relationship or the distribution of powers 
and responsibilities between the Federal Government and the Indian 
tribes. Thus, this Notice is not subject to the requirements of 
Executive Order 13175. Tribal Consultation inquiries and comments 
should be directed to RD's Native American Coordinator at 
[email protected] or (720) 544-2911.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act requires Federal agencies to seek and 
obtain Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval before 
undertaking a collection of information directed to ten or more 
persons. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Agency conducted an analysis to determine the 
number of applications the Agency estimates that it will receive under 
the DHCS grant program. It was determined that the estimated number of 
applications was fewer than nine and in accordance with 5 CFR 1320, 
thus no OMB approval is necessary at this time.

A. Program Description

    The DHCS program is authorized by Section 379G of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008u), as amended by the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79). The primary objective of the 
program is to provide financial assistance to address the continued 
unmet health needs in the Delta Region through cooperation among health 
care professionals, institutions of higher education, research 
institutions, and other individuals and entities in the Delta Region. 
Grants are awarded on a

[[Page 44016]]

competitive basis. The maximum award amount per grant is $1,000,000.
Definitions
    The definitions you need to understand are as follows:
    Academic Health and Research Institute--A combination of a medical 
school, one or more other health profession schools or educational 
training programs (such as allied health, dentistry, graduate studies, 
nursing, pharmacy, public health), and one or more owned or affiliated 
teaching hospitals or health systems; or a health care nonprofit 
organization or health system, including nonprofit medical and surgical 
hospitals, that conduct health related research exclusively for 
scientific or educational purposes.
    Conflict of Interest--A situation in which a person or entity has 
competing personal, professional, or financial interests that make it 
difficult for the person or business to act impartially. Federal 
procurement standards prohibit transactions that involve a real or 
apparent conflict of interest for owners, employees, officers, agents, 
or their immediate family members having a financial or other interest 
in the outcome of the Project; or that restrict open and free 
competition for unrestrained trade. Specifically, Project Funds may not 
be used for services or goods going to, or coming from, a person or 
entity with a real or apparent conflict of interest, including, but not 
limited to, owner(s) and their immediate family members. An example of 
conflict of interest occurs when the consortium member's employees, 
board of directors, or the immediate family of either, have the 
appearance of a professional or personal financial interest in the 
recipients receiving the benefits or services of the grant.
    Consortium--A group of three or more entities that are regional 
Institutions of Higher Education, Academic Health and Research 
Institutes, and/or Economic Development Entities located in the Delta 
Region that have at least 1 year of prior experience in addressing the 
health care issues in the region. At least one of the consortium 
members must be legally organized as an incorporated organization or 
other legal entity and have legal authority to contract with the 
Federal Government.
    Delta Region--The 252 counties and parishes within the states of 
Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Missouri, and Tennessee that are served by the Delta Regional 
Authority. (The Delta Region may be adjusted by future Federal 
statute.) To view the areas identified within the Delta Region visit 
https://dra.gov/about-dra/dra-states.
    Economic Development Entity--Any public or non-profit organization 
whose primary mission is to stimulate local and regional economies 
within the Delta Region by increasing employment opportunities and 
duration of employment, expanding or retaining existing employers, 
increasing labor rates or wage levels, reducing outmigration, and/or 
creating gains in other economic development-related variables such as 
land values. These activities shall primarily benefit low and moderate-
income individuals in the Delta Region.
    Health System--The complete network of agencies, facilities, and 
all providers of health care to meet the health needs of a specific 
geographical area or target populations.
    Institution of Higher Education--A postsecondary (post-high school) 
educational institution that awards a bachelor's degree or provides not 
less than a 2-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward 
such a degree, or a postsecondary vocational institution that provides 
a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a 
recognized occupation.
    Nonprofit Organization--An organization or institution, including 
an accredited institution of higher education, where no part of the net 
earnings of which may inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder 
or individual.
    Project--All activities funded by the DHCS grant.
    Project Funds--Grant funds requested plus any other contributions 
to the proposed Project.
    Rural and rural area--Any area of a State:
     Not in a city or town that has a population of more than 
50,000 inhabitants, according to the latest decennial census of the 
United States; and
     The contiguous and adjacent urbanized area,
     Urbanized areas that are rural in character as defined by 
7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13).
     For the purposes of this definition, cities and towns are 
incorporated population centers with definite boundaries, local self-
government, and legal powers set forth in a charter granted by the 
State.
    State--Includes each of the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and, as may be 
determined by the Secretary to be feasible, appropriate and lawful, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
and the Republic of Palau.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Competitive Grant.
    Total Funding: $3,558,000.
    Maximum Award: $1,000,000.
    Minimum Award: $50,000.
    Project Period: Up to 24 months.
    Anticipated Award Date: January 31, 2019.

C. Eligibility Information

    Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements. 
Your application will not be considered for funding if it does not 
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or is missing 
required elements. Applicants that fail to submit the required elements 
by the application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be 
evaluated further. Information submitted after the application deadline 
will not be accepted.
1. Eligible Applicants
    Grants funded through DHCS may be made to a Consortium as defined 
in Paragraph A of this Notice. Consortiums are eligible to receive 
funding through this Notice. One member of the Consortium must be 
designated as the lead entity by the other members of the Consortium 
and have legal authority to contract with the Federal Government.
    The lead entity is the recipient (see 2 CFR 200.86) of the DHCS 
grant funds and accountable for monitoring and reporting on the Project 
performance and financial management of the grant. In addition, the 
lead entity (recipient) is responsible for subrecipient monitoring and 
management in accordance with 2 CFR 200.330 and 200.331, respectively. 
The remaining consortium members are subrecipients (see 2 CFR 200.93). 
They may receive subawards (see 2 CFR 200.94) from the recipient and 
are responsible for monitoring and reporting the Project performance 
and financial management of their subaward to the recipient.
    (a) An applicant is ineligible if they do not submit ``Evidence of 
Eligibility'' and ``Consortium Agreements'' as described in Section 
D.2. of this Notice.
    (b) An applicant is ineligible if they have been debarred or 
suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in 
Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, ``Debarment 
and Suspension.'' The Agency will check the System for Award Management 
(SAM) to determine if the applicant has been debarred or

[[Page 44017]]

suspended. In addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible for 
a grant due to an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a 
Federal Court (other than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment 
of Federal income taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt. The 
applicant must certify as part of the application that they do not have 
an outstanding judgment against them. The Agency will check the Credit 
Alert Interactive Voice Response System (CAIVRS) to verify this.
    (c) Any corporation (1) that has been convicted of a felony 
criminal violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or 
(2) 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 for financial assistance provided with funds 
appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-
141), unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or debarment of 
the corporation and has made a determination that this further action 
is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
    (d) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application 
includes any funding restrictions identified under Section D.6.
    (e) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application is 
not complete in accordance with the requirements stated in Section 
C.3.g.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
    Matching funds are not required. However, if you are adding any 
other contributions to the proposed Project, you must provide 
documentation indicating who will be providing the matching funds, the 
amount of funds, when those funds will be provided, and how the funds 
will be used in the Project budget. Examples of acceptable 
documentation include: A signed letter from the source of funds stating 
the amount of funds, when the funds will be provided, and what the 
funds can be used for or a signed resolution from your governing board 
authorizing the use of a specified amount of funds for specific 
components of the Project. The matching funds you identify must be for 
eligible purposes and included in your work plan and budget. 
Additionally, expected program income may not be used as matching funds 
at the time you submit your application. However, if you have a 
contract to provide services in place at the time you submit your 
application, you can verify the amount of the contract as matching 
funds. If you choose, you may use a template to summarize the matching 
funds. The template is available either from your State Office or the 
program website at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements
    (a) Use of Funds. Your application must propose to use Project 
Funds for eligible purposes. Eligible Project purposes include the 
development of:
     Health care services;
     health education programs;
     health care job training programs; and
     the development and expansion of public health-related 
facilities in the Delta Region.
    (b) Project Eligibility. The proposed Project must take place 
within the Delta Region as defined in this Notice. However, the 
applicant need not propose to serve the entire Delta Region.
    (c) Project Input. Your proposed Project must be developed based on 
input from local governments, public health care providers, and other 
entities in the Delta Region.
    (d) Grant Period Eligibility. All awards are limited to up to a 24 
month grant period based upon the complexity of the Project. Your 
proposed grant period should begin no earlier than February 1, 2019, 
and should end no later than 24 months following that date. If you 
receive an award, your grant period will be revised to begin on the 
actual date of award--the date the grant agreement is executed by the 
Agency--and your grant period end date will be adjusted accordingly. 
Your Project activities must begin within 90 days of the date of award. 
If you request funds for a time period beginning before February 1, 
2019, and/or ending later than 24 months from that date, your 
application will be ineligible. The length of your grant period should 
be based on your Project's complexity, as indicated in your application 
work plan.
    (e) Multiple Application Eligibility. The Consortium, including its 
members, is limited to submitting one application for funding under 
this Notice. We will not accept applications from Consortiums that 
include members who are also members of other Consortiums that have 
submitted applications for funding under this Notice. If we discover 
that a Consortium member is a member of multiple Consortiums with 
applications submitted for funding under this Notice, all applications 
will be considered ineligible for funding.
    (f) Satisfactory Performance Eligibility. If you have an existing 
DHCS award, you must be performing satisfactorily to be considered 
eligible for a new DHCS award. Satisfactory performance includes being 
up-to-date on all financial and performance reports as prescribed in 
the grant award, and current on tasks and timeframes for utilizing 
grant and matching funds as approved in the work plan and budget. If 
you have any unspent grant funds on DHCS awards prior to FY 2016, your 
application will not be considered for funding. If your FY 2016 and/or 
2017 award has unspent funds of 50 percent or more than what your 
approved work plan and budget projected at the time your FY 2018 
application is evaluated, your application may not be considered for 
funding. The Agency will verify the performance status of FY 2016 and 
2017 awards and make a determination after the FY 2018 application 
period closes.
    (g) Completeness Eligibility. Your application must provide all of 
the information requested in Section D.2. of this Notice. Applications 
lacking sufficient information to determine eligibility and scoring 
will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for scoring.
    (h) Indirect Costs. Your negotiated indirect cost rate approval 
does not need to be included in your application, but you will be 
required to provide it if a grant is awarded. Approval for indirect 
costs that are requested in an application without an approved indirect 
cost rate agreement is at the discretion of the Agency.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package
    The application template for this funding opportunity is located 
at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants. Use of the application template is strongly 
recommended to assist you with the application process. You may also 
contact your State Office for more information. Contact information for 
State Offices is located at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. You may also obtain an application package by calling 202-690-
1374.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    You may submit your application in paper form or electronically 
through Grants.gov. Your application must contain all required 
information. If you submit in paper form, any forms

[[Page 44018]]

requiring signatures must include an original signature.
    To apply electronically, you must follow the instructions for this 
funding announcement at: https://www.grants.gov. Please note that we 
cannot accept emailed or faxed applications.
    You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for 
this program by using a keyword, the program name, or the CFDA number 
for this program.
    When you enter the Grants.gov website, you will find information 
about applying electronically through the site, as well as the hours of 
operation.
    To use Grants.gov, you must already have a DUNS number and you must 
also be registered and maintain registration in SAM. We strongly 
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
begin the application process through Grants.gov.
    You must submit all of your application documents electronically 
through Grants.gov. Applications must include electronic signatures. 
Original signatures may be required if funds are awarded.
    After applying electronically through Grants.gov, you will receive 
an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov 
tracking number.
    If you want to submit a paper application, send it to the State 
Office located in the State where the Project will primarily take 
place. You can find State Office contact information at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
    The organization submitting the application will be considered the 
lead entity. The Contact/Program Manager must be associated with the 
lead entity submitting the application.
    Your application must also contain the following required forms and 
proposal elements:
    (a) Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' The 
application for Federal assistance must be completed by the lead entity 
as described in Section C.1. of this Notice. Your application must 
include your DUNS number and SAM Commercial and Government Entity 
(CAGE) code and expiration date (or evidence that you have begun the 
SAM registration process). Because there are no specific fields for a 
CAGE code and expiration date, you may identify them anywhere you want 
to on the form. If you do not include the DUNS number in your 
application, it will not be considered for funding. The form must be 
signed by an authorized representative.
    (b) Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs.'' This form must be completed and submitted as part of the 
application package for non-construction Projects.
    (c) Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' This 
form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the 
application package for non-construction Projects.
    (d) Form SF-424C, ``Budget Information--Construction Programs.'' 
This form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the 
application package for construction Projects.
    (e) Form SF-424D, ``Assurances--Construction Programs.'' This form 
must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the application 
package for construction Projects.
    (f) Form AD-3030. Form AD-3030, ``Representations Regarding Felony 
Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants,'' if you 
are a corporation. A corporation is any entity that has filed articles 
of incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic 
of the Marshall Islands, or the various territories of the United 
States including American Samoa, Guam, Midway Islands, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands. Corporations include both for profit and non-profit entities.
    (g) Executive Summary. You must provide a summary of the proposal, 
not to exceed one page, briefly describing the Project, tasks to be 
completed, and other relevant information that provides a general 
overview of the Project.
    (h) Evidence of Eligibility. You must provide evidence of the 
Consortium's eligibility to apply under this Notice. This section must 
include a detailed summary demonstrating how each Consortium member 
meets the definition of an eligible entity as defined under Definitions 
of this Notice.
    (i) Consortium Agreements. The application must include a formal 
written agreement with each Consortium member that addresses the 
negotiated arrangements for administering the Project to meet Project 
goals, the Consortium member's responsibilities to comply with 
administrative, financial, and reporting requirements of the grant, 
including those necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable 
Federal regulations and policies, and facilitate a smooth functioning 
collaborative venture. Under the agreement, each Consortium member must 
perform a substantive role in the Project and not merely serve as a 
conduit of funds to another party or parties. This agreement must be 
signed by an authorized representative of the lead entity and an 
authorized representative of each partnering consortium entity.
    (j) Scoring Criteria. Each of the scoring criteria in this Notice 
must be addressed in narrative form. Failure to address each scoring 
criterion will result in the application being determined ineligible.
    (k) Performance Measures. The Agency has also established annual 
performance measures to evaluate the DHCS program. You must provide 
estimates on the following performance measures as part of your 
application:
     Number of businesses assisted;
     Number of jobs created;
     Number of jobs saved;
     Number of individuals assisted/trained.
    It is permissible to have a zero in a performance element. When you 
calculate jobs created, estimates should be based upon actual jobs to 
be created by your organization as a result of the DHCS funding or 
actual jobs to be created by businesses as a result of assistance from 
your organization. When you calculate jobs saved, estimates should be 
based only on actual jobs that would have been lost if your 
organization did not receive DHCS funding or actual jobs that would 
have been lost without assistance from your organization.
    You can also suggest additional performance elements for example 
where job creation or jobs saved may not be a relevant indicator. These 
additional elements should be specific, measurable performance elements 
that could be included in an award document.
    (l) Financial Information and Sustainability. You must provide 
current financial statements and a narrative description demonstrating 
sustainability of the Project, all of which show sufficient resources 
and expertise to undertake and complete the Project and how the Project 
will be sustained following completion. Applicants must provide 3 years 
of pro-forma financial statements for the Project.
    (m) Evidence of Legal Authority and Existence. The lead entity must 
provide evidence of its legal existence and authority to enter into a 
grant agreement with the Agency and perform the activities proposed 
under the grant application.
    (n) Service Area Maps. You must provide maps with sufficient detail 
to show the area that will benefit from the proposed facilities and 
services and the location of the facilities improved or

[[Page 44019]]

purchased with grant funds if applicable.
    (o) Certification of no current outstanding Federal judgment. You 
must certify that there are no current outstanding Federal judgments 
against your property and that you will not use grant funds to pay for 
any judgment obtained by the United States. You must also certify that 
you are not delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or any 
Federal debt. To satisfy the Certification requirement, you should 
include this statement in your application: ``[INSERT NAME OF 
APPLICANT] certifies that the United States has not obtained an 
unsatisfied judgment against its property, is not delinquent on the 
payment of Federal income taxes, or any Federal debt, and will not use 
grant funds to pay any judgments obtained by the United States.'' A 
separate signature is not required.
    (p) Environmental information necessary to support the Agency's 
environmental finding. Required information can be found in 7 CFR part 
1970, specifically in Subpart B, Exhibit C and Subpart C, Exhibit B. 
These documents can be found here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/regulations-guidelines/instructions. Non-construction Projects applying 
under this Notice are hereby classified as Categorical Exclusions 
according to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), the award of financial assistance for 
planning purposes, management and feasibility studies, or environmental 
impact analyses, which do not require any additional documentation.
3. DUNS Number and SAM Registration
    In order to be eligible (unless you are exempted under 2 CFR 
25.110(b), (c) or (d), you are required to:
    (a) Provide a valid DUNS number in your application, which can be 
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711;
    (b) Register in SAM before submitting your application. You may 
register in SAM at no cost at: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/; 
and
    (c) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which you have an active Federal award 
or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding 
agency.
    The Agency may not make a Federal award to you until you have 
complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. If you have not 
fully complied with requirements by the time the Agency is ready to 
make a Federal award, the Agency may determine that the applicant is 
not qualified to receive a Federal award and the Agency may use this 
determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.
4. Submission Date and Time
    Application Deadline Date: November 26, 2018.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Complete paper applications must be 
postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by November 26, 2018. 
The Agency will determine whether your application is late based on the 
date shown on the postmark or shipping invoice. You may also hand carry 
your application to one of our field offices, but it must be received 
by close of business on the deadline date. If the due date falls on a 
Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the reporting package is due the 
next business day. Late applications are not eligible for funding.
    Electronic applications must be RECEIVED by: https://www.grants.gov 
by midnight Eastern Time November 19, 2018, to be eligible for funding. 
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 can 
meet the electronic application deadline. Grants.gov will not accept 
applications submitted after the deadline.
5. Intergovernmental Review
    Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs, applies to this program. This E.O. requires that Federal 
agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance 
with State and local governments. Many States have established a Single 
Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of 
States that maintain a SPOC, please see the White House website: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SPOC-Feb.-2018.pdf. If your State has a SPOC, you may submit your application 
directly for review. Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be 
provided to your State Office for consideration as part of your 
application. If your State has not established a SPOC or you do not 
want to submit your application to the SPOC, your State Office will 
submit your application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or 
agencies.
    You are also encouraged to contact Cooperative Programs at 202-690-
1374 or [email protected] if you have questions about this process.
6. Funding Restrictions
    Project Funds may not be used for ineligible purposes. In addition, 
you may not use Project Funds for the following:
    (a) To duplicate current services or to replace or to substitute 
support previously provided. However, Project Funds may be used to 
expand the level of effort or a service beyond what is currently being 
provided;
    (b) To pay for costs to prepare the application for funding under 
this Notice;
    (c) To pay for costs of the Project incurred prior to the effective 
date of the period of performance;
    (d) To pay expenses for applicant employee training not directly 
related to the Project;
    (e) Fund political activities;
    (f) To pay for assistance to any private business enterprise which 
does not have at least 51 percent ownership by those who are either 
citizens of the United States or reside in the United States after 
being legally admitted for permanent residence;
    (g) To pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
    (h) Engage in any activities that are considered a Conflict of 
Interest, as defined by this Notice; or
    (i) Fund any activities prohibited by 2 CFR 200;
    In addition, your application will not be considered for funding if 
it does any of the following:
    i. Requests more than the maximum grant amount; or
    ii. Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent of 
the Project Funds.
    We will consider your application for funding if it includes 
ineligible costs of 10 percent or less of total Project Funds, if it is 
determined eligible otherwise. However, if your application is 
successful, those ineligible costs must be removed and replaced with 
eligible costs before the Agency will make the grant award or the 
amount of the grant award will be reduced accordingly. If we cannot 
determine the percentage of ineligible costs, your application will not 
be considered for funding.
7. Other Submission Requirements
    (a) You should not submit your application in more than one format. 
You must choose whether to submit your application in hard copy or 
electronically. Applications submitted in hard copy should be mailed or 
hand-delivered to the State Office where the Project will primarily 
take place. You can find State Office contact information at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. To apply electronically, you 
must follow the instructions for this funding announcement at: https://

[[Page 44020]]

www.grants.gov. A password is not required to access the website.
    (b) National Environmental Policy Act. This Notice has been 
reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970, ``Environmental Policies 
and Procedures.'' We have determined that an Environmental Impact 
Statement is not required because the issuance of regulations and 
instructions, as well as amendments to them, describing administrative 
and financial procedures for processing, approving, and implementing 
the Agency's financial programs is categorically excluded in the 
Agency's National Environmental Policy Act regulation found at 7 CFR 
1970.53(f), ``Environmental Policies and Procedures.'' We have 
determined that this Notice does not constitute a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
    The Agency will review each grant application to determine its 
compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide 
additional information or documentation to assist the Agency with this 
determination.
    (c) Civil Rights Compliance Requirements. All grants made under 
this Notice are subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as 
required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A) and Section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

E. Application Review Information

    The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are 
eligible for assistance based on requirements in this Notice, and other 
applicable Federal regulations. If determined eligible, your 
application will be scored by a panel of USDA employees in accordance 
with the point allocation specified in this Notice. Applications will 
be funded in rank order until the funding limitation has been reached. 
Applications that cannot be fully funded may be offered partial funding 
at the Agency's discretion.
1. Scoring Criteria
    All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on 
the following criteria. Evaluators will base scores only on the 
information provided or cross-referenced by page number in each 
individual scoring criterion. DHCS is a competitive program, so you 
will receive scores based on the quality of your responses. Simply 
addressing the criteria will not guarantee higher scores. The total 
points possible for the criteria are 110. The minimum score requirement 
for funding is 60 points. It is at the Agency's discretion to fund 
applications with a score of 59 points or less if it is in the best 
interest of the Federal Government.
    (a) Community Needs and Benefits derived from the Project (maximum 
of 30 points). A panel of USDA employees will assess how the Project 
will benefit the residents in the Delta Region. This criterion will be 
scored based on the documentation in support of the community needs for 
health services and public health-related facilities and the benefits 
to people living in the Delta Region derived from the implementation of 
the proposed Project. It should lead clearly to the identification of 
the Project participant pool and the target population for the Project 
and provide convincing links between the Project and the benefits to 
the community to address its health needs. The Agency will consider:
    (1) The extent of the applicant's documentation explaining the 
health care needs, issues, and challenges facing the service area. 
Include what problems the residents face and how the Project will 
benefit the residents in the region.
    (2) The extent to which the applicant is able to show the 
relationship between the Project's design, outcome, and benefits.
    (3) The extent to which the applicant explains the Project and its 
implementation and provides milestones which are well-defined and can 
be realistically completed.
    (4) The extent to which the applicant clearly outlines a plan to 
track, report, and evaluate performance outcomes.
    Applicants should attempt to quantify benefits in terms of outcomes 
from the Project; that is, ways in which peoples' lives, or the 
community, will be improved. Provide estimates of the number of people 
affected by the benefits arising from the Project.
    (b) The Project Management and Organization Capability (maximum of 
30 points). A panel of USDA employees will evaluate the Consortium's 
experience, past performance, and accomplishments addressing health 
care issues to ensure effective Project implementation. This criterion 
will be scored based on the documentation of the Project's management 
and organizational capability. The Agency will consider:
    (1) The degree to which the organization has a sound management and 
fiscal structure including: Well-defined roles for administrators, 
staff, and established financial management systems.
    (2) The extent to which the applicant identifies and demonstrates 
that qualifications, capabilities, and educational background of the 
identified key personnel (at a minimum the Project Manager) who will 
manage and implement programs are relevant and will contribute to the 
success of the Project.
    (3) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates current 
successful and effective experience (or demonstrated experience within 
the past 5 years) addressing the health care issues in the Delta 
Region.
    (4) The extent to which the applicant has experience managing 
grant-funded programs.
    (5) The extent to which administrative/management costs are 
balanced with funds designated for the provision of programs and 
services.
    (6) The extent and diversity of eligible entity types within the 
applicant's Consortium of regional institutions of higher education, 
academic health and research institutes, and economic development 
entities located in the Delta Region.
    (c) Work Plan and Budget (maximum of 30 points). You must provide a 
work plan and budget that includes the following: (1) The specific 
activities, such as programs, services, trainings, and/or construction-
related activities for a facility to be performed under the Project; 
(2) the estimated line item costs associated with each activity, 
including grant funds and other necessary sources of funds; (3) the key 
personnel who will carry out each activity (including each Consortium 
member's role); and (4) the specific time frames for completion of each 
activity.
    An eligible start and end date for the Project and for individual 
Project tasks must be clearly shown and may not exceed Agency specified 
timeframes for the grant period. You must show the source and use of 
both grant and other contributions for all tasks. Other contributions 
must be spent at a rate equal to, or in advance of, grant funds.
    A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your work plan for detailed 
actions and an accompanying timetable for implementing the proposal. 
Clear and comprehensive work plans detailing all project goals, tasks, 
timelines, costs, and responsible personnel in a logical and realistic 
manner will result in a higher score.
    (d) Local Support (maximum 10 points). A panel of USDA employees 
will evaluate your application for local support of the proposed 
Project. The application must include documentation detailing support 
solicited from local government, public health care providers, and 
other entities in the Delta Region. Evidence of support can include; 
but is not limited to surveys conducted amongst Delta Region residents 
and stakeholders, notes

[[Page 44021]]

from focus groups, or letters of support from local entities.
    (e) Administrator Discretionary Points (maximum of 10 points). The 
Administrator may choose to award:
    i. Up to 5 points for projects with a primary purpose of providing 
treatment and counseling services for opioid abuse. Applicants who want 
to be considered for discretionary points must discuss how their 
workplan and budget addresses opioid misuse in the Delta Region; and
    ii. up to 5 points for projects that seek to help rural communities 
build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investment in 
infrastructure, partnerships and innovation. Eligible applicants who 
want to be considered for discretionary points must discuss how their 
workplan and budget supports one or more of the five following key 
strategies:
     Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America;
     Improving Quality of Life;
     Supporting a Rural Workforce;
     Harnessing Technological Innovation; and
     Economic Development
2. Review and Selection Process
    The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are 
eligible for assistance based on requirements in this Notice, and other 
applicable Federal regulations. If determined eligible, your 
application will be scored by a panel of USDA employees in accordance 
with the point allocation specified in this Notice. The review panel 
will convene to reach a consensus on the scores for each of the 
eligible applications. The Administrator may choose to award up to 10 
Administrator discretionary points based on criterion (e) in section 
E.1. of this Notice. These points will be added to the cumulative score 
for a total possible score of 110. Applications will be funded in 
highest ranking order until the funding limitation has been reached. 
Applications that cannot be fully funded may be offered partial funding 
at the Agency's discretion. If your application is ranked and not 
funded, it will not be carried forward into the next competition.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices
    If you are selected for funding, you will receive a signed notice 
of Federal award by postal mail, containing instructions on 
requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the 
award.
    If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in 
writing via postal mail and informed of any review and appeal rights. 
Funding of successfully appealed applications will be limited to 
available FY 2018 funding.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this in 
program can be found in 2 CFR parts 25, 170, 180, 200, 400, 415, 417, 
418, and 421; and 48 CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to these 
parts. All recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to 
report information about first-tier subawards and executive 
compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to have the 
necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the Federal 
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act reporting requirements (see 
2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)). These 
regulations may be obtained at: https://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/.
    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for this program:
     Agency approved Grant Agreement.
     Letter of Conditions.
     Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
     Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
     Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered 
Transactions.''
     Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
     Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirement (Grants).''
     Form AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or 
Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.'' Must be signed by 
corporate applicants who receive an award under this Notice.
     Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
     RD Instruction 1940-Q, Exhibit A-1, ``Certification for 
Contracts, Grants and Loans.''
     SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities'' if 
applicable.
3. Reporting
    After grant approval and through grant completion, you will be 
required to provide the following:
    a. A SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' and a project 
performance report will be required on a semiannual basis (due 30 
working days after end of the semiannual period). For the purposes of 
this grant, semiannual periods end on June 30 and December 31. The 
project performance reports shall include a comparison of actual 
accomplishments to the objectives established for that period;
    b. Reasons why established objectives were not met, if applicable;
    c. Reasons for any problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if any, 
which have affected or will affect attainment of overall project 
objectives, prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude 
the attainment of particular objectives during established time 
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the 
action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and
    d. Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting 
period.
    e. Provide a final project and financial status report within 90 
days after the expiration or termination of the grant.
    f. Provide outcome project performance reports and final 
deliverables.

G. Agency Contacts

    If you have questions about this Notice, please contact the State 
Office as identified in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. You are 
also encouraged to visit the application website for application tools, 
including an application template. The website address is: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants.

H. Other Information

Nondiscrimination Statement
    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large

[[Page 44022]]

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:
    (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].

    Dated: August 16, 2018.
 Bette B. Brand,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-18682 Filed 8-28-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P