Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant for Fiscal Year 2019, 12190-12193 [2019-06203]

Download as PDF 12190 Notices Federal Register Vol. 84, No. 62 Monday, April 1, 2019 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Housing Service Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant for Fiscal Year 2019 Rural Housing Service, USDA. Notice of solicitation of applications. AGENCY: ACTION: This Notice announces that the Rural Housing Service (Agency) is accepting Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 applications for the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant program. The Agency will publish the amount of funding received in the final appropriations act on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/ notices-solicitation-applications-nosas. Awards will be made from available funding on or before September 15, 2019. DATES: The Agency must receive applications in paper postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by 5:00 Eastern Daylight Time on June 17, 2019. Electronic applications must be submitted via grants.gov by Midnight Eastern time on June 10, 2019. 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 June 5, 2019. Technical assistance is not meant to be an analysis or assessment of the quality of the materials submitted, a substitute for agency review of completed applications, nor a determination of eligibility, if such determination requires in-depth analysis. 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 applicants to seek clarification information on materials contained in the submitted application. SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Mar 29, 2019 Jkt 247001 Applications will be submitted to the USDA Rural Development State Office in the state where the applicant’s headquarters is located. A listing of each State Office can be found at https:// www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_ Contacts.pdf. If you want to submit an electronic application, follow the instructions for the TAT funding announcement on https:// www.grants.gov. For those applicants located in the District of Columbia, applications will be submitted to the National Office in care of Shirley Stevenson, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, STOP 0787, Room 0175–S, Washington, DC 20250. Electronic applications will be submitted via https://www.grants.gov. All applicants can access application materials at https://www.grants.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Rural Development office in which the applicant is located. A list of the Rural Development State Office contacts can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/ files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. Applicants located in Washington DC can contact Shirley Stevenson at (202) 205–9685 or via email at Shirley.Stevenson@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Rural Housing Service, an Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) herein referred to as the Agency, published a final rule with comment in the Federal Register on January 14, 2016, implementing Section 6006 of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113–79) which provides authority to make Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grants. The final rule became effective on March 14, 2016, and is found at 7 CFR 3570, subpart F. A correction amendment was published in the Federal Register on May 6, 2016. The purpose of this Notice is to solicit applications for the FY 2019 TAT Grant Program. The Agency encourages applications that will help improve life in rural America. (See information on the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity found at 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 ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 To combat a key threat to economic prosperity, rural workforce and quality of life, the Agency also encourages applications that will support the Administration’s goal to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with Substance Use Disorder (including opioid misuse) in high-risk rural communities by strengthening the capacity to address prevention, treatment and/or recovery at the community, county, state, and/or regional levels. See https:// www.cdc.gov/pwid/vulnerable-countiesdata.html. Key strategies include: • Prevention: Reducing the occurrence of Substance Use Disorder (including opioid misuse) and fatal substance-related overdoses through community and provider education and harm reduction measures, such as the strategic placement of overdose reversing devices; • Treatment: Implementing or expanding access to evidence-based treatment practices for Substance Use Disorder (including opioid misuse), such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT); and • Recovery: Expanding peer recovery and treatment options that help people start and stay in recovery. State Director and Administrator discretionary points will be awarded to applications that address these Agency Goals. Paperwork Reduction Act The paperwork burden has been cleared by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575–0198. National Environmental Policy Act All recipients under this Notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970. However, awards for technical assistance and training under this Notice are classified as a Categorical Exclusion according to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), and usually do not require any additional documentation. The Agency will review each grant application to determine its compliance E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM 01APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 62 / Monday, April 1, 2019 / Notices with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide additional information or documentation to assist the Agency with this determination. 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 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 aian@ wdc.usda.gov or (720) 544–2911. Overview Federal Agency: Rural Housing Service. Funding Opportunity Title: Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant. Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA). Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.766. Dates: To apply for funds, the Agency must receive mailed-in applications by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 17, 2019. Electronic applications must be submitted via grants.gov by Midnight Eastern time on June 10, 2019. The Agency will not consider any application received after this deadline. 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 June 5, 2019. Technical assistance is not meant to be an analysis or assessment of the quality of the materials submitted, a substitute for agency review of completed applications, nor a determination of eligibility, if such determination requires in-depth analysis. 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 applicants to seek clarification information on materials contained in the submitted application. Availability of Notice: This Notice is available through the USDA Rural Development site at: https:// www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/noticessolicitation-applications-nosas. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Mar 29, 2019 Jkt 247001 I. Funding Opportunity Description A. Purpose Congress authorized the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant program in Title VI, Section 6006 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113–79). Program regulations can be found at 7 CFR part 3570, subpart F, which are incorporated by reference in this Notice. The purpose of this Notice is to seek applications from entities that will provide technical assistance and/or training with respect to essential community facilities programs. It is the intent of this program to assist entities in rural areas in accessing funding under the Rural Housing Service’s Community Facilities Programs in accordance with 7 CFR part 3570, subpart F. Funding priority will be made to private, nonprofit or public organizations that have experience in providing technical assistance and training to rural entities. II. Award Information Type of Awards: Grants will be made to eligible entities who will then provide technical assistance and/or training to eligible ultimate recipients. Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2019 Technical Assistance Training (TAT) Grant funds. Available Funds: The Agency is publishing the amount of funding received in the appropriations act on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/ newsroom/notices-solicitationapplications-nosas. Up to ten percent of the available funds may be awarded to the highest scoring Ultimate Recipient(s) as long as they score a minimum score of at least 70. Award Amounts: Grant awards for Technical Assistance Providers assisting Ultimate Recipients within one state may not exceed $150,000. Grant awards made to Ultimate Recipients will not exceed $50,000. The Agency reserves the right to reduce funding amounts based on the Agency’s determination of available funding or other Agency funding priorities. Award Dates: Awards will be made from available funding on or before September 15, 2019. III. Eligibility Information Both the applicant and the use of funds must meet eligibility requirements. The applicant eligibility requirements can be found at 7 CFR 3570.262. Eligible project purposes can be found at 7 CFR 3570.263. Ineligible project purposes can be found at 7 CFR 3570.264. Restrictions substantially similar to Sections 743, 744, 745, and 746 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114–113) will apply PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12191 unless noted on the Rural Development website (https://www.rd.usda.gov/ programs-services/community-facilitiestechnical-assistance-and-traininggrant). Any corporation (i) that has been convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or (ii) 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, 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. In addition, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act may be available for a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with an entity that requires employees or contractors of such entity seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such information. Additionally, no funds appropriated in this or any other Act may be used to implement or enforce the agreements in Standard Forms 312 and 4414 of the Government or any other nondisclosure policy, form, or agreement if such policy, form, or agreement does not contain the following provisions: ‘‘These provisions are consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee obligations, rights, or liabilities created by existing statute or Executive order relating to (1) classified information, (2) communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other whistleblower protection.’’ IV. Application and Submission Information The requirements for submitting an application can be found at 7 CFR 3570.267. All Applicants can access application materials at https:// www.grants.gov. Applications must be received by the Agency by the due date E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM 01APN1 12192 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 62 / Monday, April 1, 2019 / Notices listed in the DATES section of this Notice. Applications received after that due date will not be considered for funding. Paper copies of the applications will be submitted to the State Office in which the applicant is headquartered. Electronic submissions should be submitted at https:// www.grants.gov. A listing of the Rural Development State Offices may be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/ CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. For applicants whose headquarters are in the District of Columbia, they will submit their application to the National Office in care of Shirley Stevenson, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, STOP 0787, Room 0175–S, Washington, DC 20250. Both paper and electronic applications must be received by the Agency by the deadlines stated in the DATES section of this Notice. The use of a courier and package tracking for paper applications is strongly encouraged. An applicant can only submit one application for funding. Application information for electronic submissions may be found at https:// www.grants.gov. Applications will not be accepted via FAX or electronic email. V. Application Processing Applications will be processed and scored in accordance with this NOSA and 7 CFR 3570.273. Those applications receiving the highest points using the scoring factors found at 7 CFR 3570.273 will be selected for funding. Up to 10% of the available funds may be awarded to the highest scoring Ultimate Recipient(s) as long as they score a minimum score of at least 70. In the case of a tie, the first tie breaker will go to the applicant who scores the highest on matching funds. If two or more applications are still tied after using this tie breaker, the next tie breaker will go to the applicant who scores the highest in the multi-jurisdictional category. Once the successful applicants are announced, the State Office will be responsible for obligating the grant funds, executing all obligation documents, and the grant agreement, as provided by the agency. VI. Federal Award Administration Information 1. Federal Award Notice. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding official of the Agency shall make grants in ranked order to eligible applicants under the procedures set forth in this Notice and the grant regulation 7 CFR 3570, subpart F. Successful applicants will receive a letter in the mail containing instructions VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Mar 29, 2019 Jkt 247001 on requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the award. This letter is not an authorization to begin performance. In addition, selected applicants will be requested to verify that components of the application have not changed at the time of selection and on the award date, if requested by the Agency. The award is not approved until all information has been verified, and the awarding official of the Agency has signed Form RD 1940–1, ‘‘Request for Obligation of Funds’’ and the grant agreement. Unsuccessful and ineligible applicants will receive written notification of their review and appeal rights. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Grantees will be required to do the following: (a) Execute a Grant Agreement. (b) Execute Form RD 1940–1. (c) Use Form SF 270, ‘‘Request for Advance or Reimbursement’’ to request reimbursement. Provide receipts for expenditures, timesheets, and any other documentation to support the request for reimbursement. (d) Provide financial status and project performance reports as set forth at 7 CFR 3570.276. (e) Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to the Agency. (f) Ensure that records are maintained to document all activities and expenditures utilizing CF TAT grant funds and any matching funds, if applicable. Receipts for expenditures will be included in this documentation. (g) Provide audits or financial information as set forth in 7 CFR 3570.277. (h) Complete Form 400–4, ‘‘Assurance Agreement.’’ Each prospective recipient must sign Form RD 400–4, Assurance Agreement, which assures USDA that the recipient is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 7 CFR part 15 and other Agency regulations. It also assures that no person will be discriminated against based on race, color or national origin, in regard to any program or activity for which the relender receives Federal financial assistance. Finally, it assures that nondiscrimination statements are in the recipient’s advertisements and brochures. (i) Collect and maintain data provided by ultimate recipients on race, sex, and national origin and ensure Ultimate Recipients collect and maintain this data. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, ‘‘Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity,’’ PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These items should not be submitted with the application but should be available upon request by the Agency. (j) Provide a final performance report as set forth at 7 CFR 3570.276(a)(7). (k) Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural Development employees. (l) The applicant and the ultimate recipient must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive Order 12250, Executive Order 13166 Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E. The grantee must comply with policies, guidance, and requirements as described in the following applicable Code of Federal Regulations and any successor regulations: (1) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards). (2) 2 CFR parts 417 and 180 (Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)). (m) 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. 3. Reporting. Reporting requirements for this grant as set forth at 7 CFR 3570.276. VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contact Contact the Rural Development state office in the state where the applicant’s headquarters is located. A list of Rural Development State Offices can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_ State_Office_Contacts.pdf. For Applicants located in Washington DC, please contact Shirley Stevenson at (202) 205–9685 or via email at Shirley.Stevenson@wdc.usda.gov. VIII. 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/ E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM 01APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 62 / Monday, April 1, 2019 / Notices 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: (1) By mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov. Richard A. Davis, Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service. [FR Doc. 2019–06203 Filed 3–29–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Information Collection Activity; Comment Request Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 31, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Dickson, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulatory Team, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Mar 29, 2019 Jkt 247001 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, Washington, DC 20250, Telephone: 202–690–4492, email: thomas.dickson@ usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS is submitting to OMB for extension. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Thomas Dickson, Rural Development Innovation Center—Regulatory Team, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522, Washington, DC 20250, Telephone: 202–690–4492, email: thomas.dickson@ usda.gov. Title: Wholesale Contracts for the Purchase and Sale of Electric Power OMB Control Number: 0572–0089. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: Most RUS financed electric systems are cooperatives and are organized in a two-tiered structure. Retail customers are members of the distribution system that provides electricity to their homes and business. Distribution cooperatives, in turn, are members of power supply cooperatives, also known as generation and transmission cooperatives (G&T’s) that generate or purchase power and transmit the power to the distribution systems. For a distribution system, a lien on the borrower’s assets generally represents adequate security. However, since most G&T revenues flow from its distribution members, RUS requires, as PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12193 a condition of a loan or loan guarantee to a G&T the long-term requirements wholesale power contract (WPC) to purchase their power from the G&T at rates that cover all the G&T’s expenses, including debt service and margins. RUS considers Form 444 as an example for the G&T’s to utilize as either their WPC or create their own WPC if it has all the same information as the form. The WPC is specialized based on the combined requirements of the G&T and its members. The WPC is used by RUS G&T borrowers to enter into agreement with their distribution members for purchase of power from the G&T. The WPC is prepared and executed by the G&T and each member and by RUS and the information allows RUS to determine credit quality and credit worthiness to determine repayment ability for loans and loan guarantees. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 6 hours per response. Respondents: Small business or other for-profit; not-for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 10. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 60 hours. Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Diane M. Berger, Rural Development Innovation Center— Regulatory Team, (715) 619–3124. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. Bette B. Brand, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2019–06202 Filed 3–29–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the Louisiana Advisory Committee To Discuss Civil Rights Topics in Louisiana 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 Louisiana Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at 2:00:00 p.m. Central for a discussion on civil rights topics in Louisiana. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM 01APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 62 (Monday, April 1, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12190-12193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06203]


========================================================================
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. 84, No. 62 / Monday, April 1, 2019 / 
Notices

[[Page 12190]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant for 
Fiscal Year 2019

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications.

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

SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Rural Housing Service (Agency) 
is accepting Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 applications for the Community 
Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant program. The 
Agency will publish the amount of funding received in the final 
appropriations act on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas. Awards will be made from 
available funding on or before September 15, 2019.

DATES: The Agency must receive applications in paper postmarked and 
mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by 5:00 Eastern Daylight Time on 
June 17, 2019. Electronic applications must be submitted via grants.gov 
by Midnight Eastern time on June 10, 2019. 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 June 5, 2019. Technical assistance is not meant to be an 
analysis or assessment of the quality of the materials submitted, a 
substitute for agency review of completed applications, nor a 
determination of eligibility, if such determination requires in-depth 
analysis. 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 applicants to seek 
clarification information on materials contained in the submitted 
application.

ADDRESSES: Applications will be submitted to the USDA Rural Development 
State Office in the state where the applicant's headquarters is 
located. A listing of each State Office can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. If you want to 
submit an electronic application, follow the instructions for the TAT 
funding announcement on https://www.grants.gov. For those applicants 
located in the District of Columbia, applications will be submitted to 
the National Office in care of Shirley Stevenson, 1400 Independence 
Ave. SW, STOP 0787, Room 0175-S, Washington, DC 20250. Electronic 
applications will be submitted via https://www.grants.gov. All 
applicants can access application materials at https://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Rural Development office in which 
the applicant is located. A list of the Rural Development State Office 
contacts can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. Applicants located in Washington DC can 
contact Shirley Stevenson at (202) 205-9685 or via email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Rural Housing Service, an Agency of the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) herein referred to as 
the Agency, published a final rule with comment in the Federal Register 
on January 14, 2016, implementing Section 6006 of the Agriculture Act 
of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79) which provides authority to make Community 
Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grants. The final 
rule became effective on March 14, 2016, and is found at 7 CFR 3570, 
subpart F. A correction amendment was published in the Federal Register 
on May 6, 2016. The purpose of this Notice is to solicit applications 
for the FY 2019 TAT Grant Program.
    The Agency encourages applications that will help improve life in 
rural America. (See information on the Interagency Task Force on 
Agriculture and Rural Prosperity found at 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

    To combat a key threat to economic prosperity, rural workforce and 
quality of life, the Agency also encourages applications that will 
support the Administration's goal to reduce the morbidity and mortality 
associated with Substance Use Disorder (including opioid misuse) in 
high-risk rural communities by strengthening the capacity to address 
prevention, treatment and/or recovery at the community, county, state, 
and/or regional levels. See https://www.cdc.gov/pwid/vulnerable-counties-data.html. Key strategies include:
     Prevention: Reducing the occurrence of Substance Use 
Disorder (including opioid misuse) and fatal substance-related 
overdoses through community and provider education and harm reduction 
measures, such as the strategic placement of overdose reversing 
devices;
     Treatment: Implementing or expanding access to evidence-
based treatment practices for Substance Use Disorder (including opioid 
misuse), such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT); and
     Recovery: Expanding peer recovery and treatment options 
that help people start and stay in recovery.
    State Director and Administrator discretionary points will be 
awarded to applications that address these Agency Goals.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The paperwork burden has been cleared by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575-0198.

National Environmental Policy Act

    All recipients under this Notice are subject to the requirements of 
7 CFR part 1970. However, awards for technical assistance and training 
under this Notice are classified as a Categorical Exclusion according 
to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), and usually do not require any additional 
documentation. The Agency will review each grant application to 
determine its compliance

[[Page 12191]]

with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide additional 
information or documentation to assist the Agency with this 
determination.

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 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.

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Housing Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Community Facilities Technical 
Assistance and Training Grant.
    Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.766.
    Dates: To apply for funds, the Agency must receive mailed-in 
applications by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 17, 2019. 
Electronic applications must be submitted via grants.gov by Midnight 
Eastern time on June 10, 2019. The Agency will not consider any 
application received after this deadline. 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 June 5, 2019. Technical assistance is not meant to be an 
analysis or assessment of the quality of the materials submitted, a 
substitute for agency review of completed applications, nor a 
determination of eligibility, if such determination requires in-depth 
analysis. 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 applicants to seek 
clarification information on materials contained in the submitted 
application.
    Availability of Notice: This Notice is available through the USDA 
Rural Development site at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Purpose

    Congress authorized the Community Facilities Technical Assistance 
and Training Grant program in Title VI, Section 6006 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79). Program regulations can be 
found at 7 CFR part 3570, subpart F, which are incorporated by 
reference in this Notice. The purpose of this Notice is to seek 
applications from entities that will provide technical assistance and/
or training with respect to essential community facilities programs. It 
is the intent of this program to assist entities in rural areas in 
accessing funding under the Rural Housing Service's Community 
Facilities Programs in accordance with 7 CFR part 3570, subpart F. 
Funding priority will be made to private, nonprofit or public 
organizations that have experience in providing technical assistance 
and training to rural entities.

II. Award Information

    Type of Awards: Grants will be made to eligible entities who will 
then provide technical assistance and/or training to eligible ultimate 
recipients.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2019 Technical Assistance Training (TAT) 
Grant funds.
    Available Funds: The Agency is publishing the amount of funding 
received in the appropriations act on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas. Up to 
ten percent of the available funds may be awarded to the highest 
scoring Ultimate Recipient(s) as long as they score a minimum score of 
at least 70.
    Award Amounts: Grant awards for Technical Assistance Providers 
assisting Ultimate Recipients within one state may not exceed $150,000. 
Grant awards made to Ultimate Recipients will not exceed $50,000. The 
Agency reserves the right to reduce funding amounts based on the 
Agency's determination of available funding or other Agency funding 
priorities.
    Award Dates: Awards will be made from available funding on or 
before September 15, 2019.

III. Eligibility Information

    Both the applicant and the use of funds must meet eligibility 
requirements. The applicant eligibility requirements can be found at 7 
CFR 3570.262. Eligible project purposes can be found at 7 CFR 3570.263. 
Ineligible project purposes can be found at 7 CFR 3570.264. 
Restrictions substantially similar to Sections 743, 744, 745, and 746 
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-113) will 
apply unless noted on the Rural Development website (https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities-technical-assistance-and-training-grant). Any corporation (i) that has been 
convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within 
the past 24 months or (ii) 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, 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. In addition, none of the funds 
appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act may 
be available for a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with an 
entity that requires employees or contractors of such entity seeking to 
report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal confidentiality 
agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise restricting such 
employees or contractors from lawfully reporting such waste, fraud, or 
abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement representative 
of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive such 
information. Additionally, no funds appropriated in this or any other 
Act may be used to implement or enforce the agreements in Standard 
Forms 312 and 4414 of the Government or any other nondisclosure policy, 
form, or agreement if such policy, form, or agreement does not contain 
the following provisions: ``These provisions are consistent with and do 
not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee 
obligations, rights, or liabilities created by existing statute or 
Executive order relating to (1) classified information, (2) 
communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General 
of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a 
gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and 
specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other 
whistleblower protection.''

IV. Application and Submission Information

    The requirements for submitting an application can be found at 7 
CFR 3570.267. All Applicants can access application materials at https://www.grants.gov. Applications must be received by the Agency by the due 
date

[[Page 12192]]

listed in the DATES section of this Notice. Applications received after 
that due date will not be considered for funding. Paper copies of the 
applications will be submitted to the State Office in which the 
applicant is headquartered. Electronic submissions should be submitted 
at https://www.grants.gov. A listing of the Rural Development State 
Offices may be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. For applicants whose headquarters are in 
the District of Columbia, they will submit their application to the 
National Office in care of Shirley Stevenson, 1400 Independence Ave. 
SW, STOP 0787, Room 0175-S, Washington, DC 20250. Both paper and 
electronic applications must be received by the Agency by the deadlines 
stated in the DATES section of this Notice. The use of a courier and 
package tracking for paper applications is strongly encouraged. An 
applicant can only submit one application for funding.
    Application information for electronic submissions may be found at 
https://www.grants.gov.
    Applications will not be accepted via FAX or electronic email.

V. Application Processing

    Applications will be processed and scored in accordance with this 
NOSA and 7 CFR 3570.273. Those applications receiving the highest 
points using the scoring factors found at 7 CFR 3570.273 will be 
selected for funding. Up to 10% of the available funds may be awarded 
to the highest scoring Ultimate Recipient(s) as long as they score a 
minimum score of at least 70. In the case of a tie, the first tie 
breaker will go to the applicant who scores the highest on matching 
funds. If two or more applications are still tied after using this tie 
breaker, the next tie breaker will go to the applicant who scores the 
highest in the multi-jurisdictional category.
    Once the successful applicants are announced, the State Office will 
be responsible for obligating the grant funds, executing all obligation 
documents, and the grant agreement, as provided by the agency.

VI. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. Federal Award Notice. Within the limit of funds available for 
such purpose, the awarding official of the Agency shall make grants in 
ranked order to eligible applicants under the procedures set forth in 
this Notice and the grant regulation 7 CFR 3570, subpart F.
    Successful applicants will receive a letter in the mail containing 
instructions on requirements necessary to proceed with execution and 
performance of the award. This letter is not an authorization to begin 
performance. In addition, selected applicants will be requested to 
verify that components of the application have not changed at the time 
of selection and on the award date, if requested by the Agency.
    The award is not approved until all information has been verified, 
and the awarding official of the Agency has signed Form RD 1940-1, 
``Request for Obligation of Funds'' and the grant agreement.
    Unsuccessful and ineligible applicants will receive written 
notification of their review and appeal rights.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Grantees will 
be required to do the following:
    (a) Execute a Grant Agreement.
    (b) Execute Form RD 1940-1.
    (c) Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement'' to 
request reimbursement. Provide receipts for expenditures, timesheets, 
and any other documentation to support the request for reimbursement.
    (d) Provide financial status and project performance reports as set 
forth at 7 CFR 3570.276.
    (e) Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to 
the Agency.
    (f) Ensure that records are maintained to document all activities 
and expenditures utilizing CF TAT grant funds and any matching funds, 
if applicable. Receipts for expenditures will be included in this 
documentation.
    (g) Provide audits or financial information as set forth in 7 CFR 
3570.277.
    (h) Complete Form 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.'' Each prospective 
recipient must sign Form RD 400-4, Assurance Agreement, which assures 
USDA that the recipient is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964, 7 CFR part 15 and other Agency regulations. It also 
assures that no person will be discriminated against based on race, 
color or national origin, in regard to any program or activity for 
which the re-lender receives Federal financial assistance. Finally, it 
assures that nondiscrimination statements are in the recipient's 
advertisements and brochures.
    (i) Collect and maintain data provided by ultimate recipients on 
race, sex, and national origin and ensure Ultimate Recipients collect 
and maintain this data. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in 
accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to the 
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and 
Ethnicity,'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be 
collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 
1972. These items should not be submitted with the application but 
should be available upon request by the Agency.
    (j) Provide a final performance report as set forth at 7 CFR 
3570.276(a)(7).
    (k) Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees.
    (l) The applicant and the ultimate recipient must comply with Title 
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education 
Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 
Executive Order 12250, Executive Order 13166 Limited English 
Proficiency (LEP), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E. The grantee must 
comply with policies, guidance, and requirements as described in the 
following applicable Code of Federal Regulations and any successor 
regulations:
    (1) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards).
    (2) 2 CFR parts 417 and 180 (Government-wide Debarment and 
Suspension (Nonprocurement)).
    (m) 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.
    3. Reporting.
    Reporting requirements for this grant as set forth at 7 CFR 
3570.276.

VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

    Contact the Rural Development state office in the state where the 
applicant's headquarters is located. A list of Rural Development State 
Offices can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. For Applicants located in Washington DC, 
please contact Shirley Stevenson at (202) 205-9685 or via email at 
[email protected].

VIII. 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/

[[Page 12193]]

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:
    (1) By 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].

Richard A. Davis,
Acting Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-06203 Filed 3-29-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P
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