Notice of Funds Availability for the Technical Assistance and Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions Grant Pilot Program, 62691-62697 [2020-21924]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Utilities Service

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 193 (Monday, October 5, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62691-62697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21924]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Notice of Funds Availability for the Technical Assistance and 
Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions Grant 
Pilot Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of funds availability.

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SUMMARY: Rural Utilities Services (RUS), a Rural Development agency of 
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the 
availability of up to $5 million in competitive grants to eligible 
entities to fund a new pilot program. This pilot program, called the 
Technical Assistance and Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater 
Treatment Solutions (TAT/RWTS) Grant Pilot Program, was authorized by 
the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, for the study and 
design of innovative treatment solutions of regional wastewater systems 
for historically impoverished communities that have had difficulty 
installing traditional wastewater treatment systems due to soil 
conditions.

DATES: Applications for TAT/RWTS grant(s) must be submitted 
electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time 
by November 4, 2020. Applications received after 11:59 p.m. Eastern 
Daylight Time on November 4, 2020 will not be considered.

ADDRESSES: 
    Application Submission: The application system for electronic 
submissions will be available at https://www.grants.gov/.
    Electronic submissions: Electronic submissions of applications will 
allow for the expeditious review of an Applicant's proposal. As a 
result, all applicants must file their application electronically.
    For additional information contact: Lois East: Telephone (660) 492-
4268, email: [email protected]. Persons with disabilities that require 
alternative means for communication should contact the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture (USDA) Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: This solicitation is issued 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 16 U.S.C. 1005; and Division 
B, Title VII General Provisions, Section 783 of the Further 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Pub. L. 116-94).

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS), (USDA).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Technical Assistance and Training for 
Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions (TAT/RWTS) Grant 
Pilot Program.
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funds Availability.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: Technical 
Assistance and Training and Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater 
Treatment Solutions (TAT/RWTS) Grant Pilot Program--10.761.
    Due Date for Applications: Applications for TAT/RWTS grant(s) must 
be received by 11:59 p.m. on November 4, 2020. Applications received 
after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on November 4, 2020 will not be 
considered.

Items in Supplementary Information

I. Program Overview
II. Federal Award Information
III. Definitions
IV. Eligibility Information
V. Application and Submission Information
VI. Application Review Information
VII. Federal Award Administration Information
VIII. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
IX. Other Information

I. Program Overview

A. Background

    Wastewater systems are basic and vital to both health and economic 
development. With environmentally sound waste disposal, rural 
communities can attract families and businesses that will invest in the 
community and improve the quality of life for all residents. Without 
safe and clean wastewater facilities, communities cannot sustain 
economic development or ensure the mitigation of health risks that can 
arise from poor sanitation.
    USDA's Rural Development Agencies, comprising the Rural Utilities 
Service (RUS), Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RB-CS), and Rural 
Housing Service (RHS), are leading the way in helping rural America 
improve the quality of life and increase the economic opportunities for 
rural people. RUS provides financing for much-needed infrastructure or 
infrastructure improvements to rural communities, which includes Water 
and Environmental Programs (WEP). WEP provides the technical assistance 
and financing necessary to develop, improve, and operate drinking water 
and waste disposal systems. Safe drinking water and sanitary waste 
disposal systems are vital to public health, and to the economic 
vitality of rural America. WEP is proud to be the only federal program 
exclusively focused on the water and waste infrastructure needs of 
rural communities with populations of 10,000 or less. Additionally, WEP 
provides funding to organizations that provide technical assistance and 
training to rural communities to support water and waste activities and 
is administered through National Office staff in Washington, DC, and a 
network of field staff in each state.
    On December 20, 2019, Congress passed the Further Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2020, which established a pilot program, the 
Technical Assistance and Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater 
Treatment Solutions (TAT/RWTS) Grant Pilot Program, to assist 
communities with wastewater systems. Specifically, Congress was 
concerned about raw sewage discharge in some rural communities, 
particularly historically impoverished communities that have had 
difficulty utilizing Rural Development programs. Rural Development was 
directed to develop a program to solve untreated raw sewage

[[Page 62692]]

issues with innovative technologies and strategic management and 
regulatory models. The program is to address rural wastewater 
management including county needs assessments, testing wastewater 
options, defining funding mechanisms for remediation and developing 
regulatory guidance. Congress appropriated $5 million in grant funding 
for the TAT/RWTS Grant Pilot Program in the Further Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2020, which is made available under this notice.

B. Program Description

    Qualified regional consortiums will receive TAT/RWTS grant funds to 
identify and evaluate economically feasible, innovative regional 
solutions to wastewater treatment concerns for historically 
impoverished communities in areas which have had difficulty installing 
traditional wastewater treatment systems due to soil conditions. Grants 
are for wastewater-related technical assistance, including such 
services as feasibility studies, preliminary design assistance and 
supervision, oversight, or training for the development of an 
application for financial assistance.
    Grantees will be expected to provide the Agency with a detailed 
report to include the area to be served, the issues with the present 
method of wastewater discharge, the alternatives and innovative 
solutions to the wastewater issue, the long-term cost and effect of the 
solution, the affordability including possible funding sources, 
potential treatment, staff training needs, and lifecycle cost analysis.

II. Federal Award Information

A. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.761

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Title: Technical 
Assistance and Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment 
Solutions (TAT/RWTS) Grant Pilot Program.

B. Funds Available

    Under the TAT/RWTS Grant Pilot Program, up to $5 million is made 
available to eligible applicants, to remain available until expended.

C. Approximate Number of Awards

    The number of awards will depend on the number of eligible 
applicants and the total amount of requested funds. The Agency intends/
expects to make approximately 2-3 awards in this fiscal year, to remain 
available until expended.

D. Type of Instrument

    Awards to successful applicants will be in the form of grants, for 
up to 100 percent of total eligible project costs, but not to exceed $5 
million, whichever is less.

III. Definitions

    The terms and conditions provided in this Notice of Solicitation of 
Application (NOSA) are applicable to and for purposes of this NOSA 
only. Unless otherwise provided in the award documents, all financial 
terms not defined herein shall have the meaning as defined by Generally 
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
    Consortium means regional institutions of higher education, 
academic health and research institutes, or economic development 
entities, or combination thereof, located in the region identified to 
be served that have experience in addressing these issues in the 
region.
    Eligible Project Costs means only those costs incurred during the 
grant period and that are directly related to the use and purposes of 
the TAT/RWTS Grant Pilot Program.
    GAAP means accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States of America.
    Historically impoverished area means an area meeting persistent 
poverty guidelines, which according to Section 740 of the General 
Provisions of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Public 
Law 116-94, dated December 20, 2019, is any county that has had 20 
percent or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30 
years, as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses, and 2007-
2011 American Community Survey 5-year average.
    Rural means cities, towns, or unincorporated areas that 
individually have populations of no more than 10,000 inhabitants as 
adjusted by exclusion of individuals incarcerated on a long-term or 
regional basis and the exclusion of the first 1,500 individuals who 
reside in housing located on a military base, according to the most 
recent decennial Census of the United States. The area to be served may 
be made up of combinations of these eligible areas. If the applicable 
population figure cannot be obtained from the most recent decennial 
Census, RD will determine the applicable population figure based on 
available population data.

IV. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Regional consortia located in the United States and its territories 
may apply for this grant program. Eligible entities would include a 
consortium of regional institutions of higher education, academic 
health and research institutes, or economic development entities 
located in the region identified to be served that have experience in 
addressing these issues in the region. The consortium must include a 
regional university, or the proposed scope of work must include 
coordinating with a regional university, to solve untreated raw sewage 
issues with innovative technologies and strategic management and 
regulatory models.
    Applicants must include all proposed activity under a single 
application. Application requirements and other important information 
is available at Grants.gov and on the TAT/RWTS web page https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-technical-assistance-training-grants.
    An applicant is eligible to apply for the TAT/RWTS grant if it:
    (1) Is a consortium (as defined in the definitions section of this 
notice);
    (2) Is legally established and located within one of the following:
    (a) A state within the United States;
    (b) The District of Columbia;
    (c) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; or
    (d) A United States territory;
    (3) Has the legal capacity and authority to carry out the grant 
purpose;
    (4) Has no delinquent debt to the federal government or no 
outstanding judgments to repay a federal debt;
    (5) Demonstrates that it possesses the financial, technical, and 
managerial capability to comply with federal and state laws and 
requirements; and,
    (6) Is not a corporation that has been convicted of a felony (or 
had an officer or agent acting on behalf of the corporation convicted 
of a felony) within the past 24 months. Any corporation that has any 
unpaid federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all 
judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have 
lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an 
agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax 
liability is not eligible.

B. Eligible Project

    The goal of the TAT/RWTS Grant Pilot Program is to find regional 
solutions to longstanding wastewater treatment problems where soil 
conditions make traditional wastewater

[[Page 62693]]

treatment ineffective and economically unfeasible. Grant funds must be 
used to identify and evaluate economically feasible innovative regional 
solutions to wastewater treatment concerns for historically 
impoverished rural communities in areas which have had difficulty 
installing traditional wastewater treatment systems due to soil 
conditions.

C. Eligible Project Costs

    Eligible Project Costs are those costs defined in Section III. 
Grant funds must be used to identify and evaluate innovative regional 
solutions to wastewater treatment solutions for historically 
impoverished communities in areas which have had difficulty installing 
traditional wastewater treatment systems due to soil conditions.
    The work product must be related to the purpose above and be 
related to a proposed project that meets the following requirements:
    (1) MUST be regional in scope; and be for one of the following:
    (2) To construct, enlarge, extend or otherwise improve rural 
wastewater facilities; or
    (3) To construct or relocate public buildings, roads, bridges, 
fences, or utilities; and to make other public improvements necessary 
for the successful operation or protection of facilities authorized in 
paragraph (2) of this section; or
    (4) To relocate private buildings, roads, bridges, fences, or 
utilities, and to make other private improvements necessary for the 
successful operation or protection of facilities authorized in 
paragraph (2) of this section.

D. Ineligible Project Costs

    Grant funds may not be used to:
    (1) Fund political or lobbying activities;
    (2) Pay for work already completed;
    (3) Purchase real estate or vehicles, improve or renovate office 
space, or repair and maintain privately owned property;
    (4) Construct or furnish a building;
    (5) Intervene in the federal regulatory or adjudicatory 
proceedings;
    (6) Sue the Federal Government or any other government entities;
    (7) Pay for any other costs that are not allowable under 2 CFR part 
200, as adopted by USDA through 2 CFR part 400;
    (8) Make contributions or donations to others;
    (9) Fund projects that duplicate technical assistance given to 
implement action plans under the National Forest Dependent Rural 
Communities Economic Diversification Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6613). 
Applicants cannot receive both grants made under this part and grants 
that the Forest Service makes to implement the action plans for five 
continuous years from the date of grant approval by the Forest 
Services;
    (10) To pay an outstanding judgment obtained by the United States 
in a Federal Court (other than in the United States Tax Court), which 
has been recorded. An applicant will be ineligible to receive a grant 
until the judgment is paid in full or otherwise satisfied; and
    (11) Any project that creates a conflict of interest or an 
appearance of a conflict of interest.

V. Application and Submission Information

A. Electronic Application and Submission

    Applications must be submitted electronically using www.grants.gov. 
No other form of application will be accepted. Application and 
supporting materials are available at Grants.gov.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    You must submit your application electronically through Grants.gov. 
Your application must contain all required information.
    To apply electronically, you must follow the instructions for this 
funding announcement at https://www.grants.gov. Please note that we 
cannot accept applications through mail or courier delivery, in-person 
delivery, email, or fax.
    You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for 
this program by using a keyword, the program name, or the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance 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 Data Universal Number 
System (DUNS) number and you must also be registered and maintain 
registration in System for Award Management (SAM). We strongly 
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
begin the application process through Grants.gov (see paragraph (a) 
below for more on flexibility).
    You must submit all 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.
    (1) Applicants must complete and submit the following forms to 
apply for a TAT/RWTS grant:
    (a) Standard Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' 
to include your DUNS number. You must also provide your SAM Commercial 
and Government Entity (CAGE) Code and expiration date under the 
applicant eligibility discussion in your proposal narrative. If you do 
not include the CAGE code and expiration date and the DUNS number in 
your application, it will not be considered for funding. In accordance 
with OMB Memoranda M-20-26, the Agency can accept an application 
without an active SAM registration. However, the registration must be 
completed before an award is made. Current registrants in SAM with 
active registrations expiring before May 16, 2020 will be afforded a 
one-time extension of 60 days.
    (b) Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information for Non-Construction 
Programs.'' This form must be completed and submitted as part of the 
application package. You no longer must complete the Form SF 424B, 
``Assurances Non-Construction Programs'' as a part of your application. 
This information is now collected through your registration or annual 
recertification in sam.gov through the Financial Assistance General 
Certifications and Representation.
    (c) Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement;''
    (d) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable, applicant must 
include approved cost agreement rate schedule);
    (e) Certification regarding Forest Service grant; and
    (2) All applications shall be accompanied by the following 
supporting documentation in concise written narrative form:
    (a) Evidence of applicant's legal existence and authority;
    (b) Evidence of tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS);
    (c) A short statement of applicant's experience in providing 
services similar to those proposed;
    (d) A brief description of successfully completed projects 
including the need that was identified and objectives accomplished;
    (e) The latest financial information to show the applicant's 
financial capacity to carry out the proposed work;
    (f) A list of proposed services to be provided;
    (g) An estimated breakdown of costs (direct and indirect) including 
those to be funded by grantee as well as other

[[Page 62694]]

sources. Sufficient detail should be provided to permit the approving 
official to determine reasonableness, applicability, and eligibility;
    (h) Evidence that a financial management system is in place or 
proposed;
    (i) A description of the type of technical assistance to be 
provided and the tasks to be contracted;
    (j) A description of how the effectiveness and results of the 
proposed TAT/RWTS project will be measured;
    (k) Number of personnel on staff or to be contracted to provide the 
service and their experience with similar projects;
    (l) A statement indicating the maximum number of months it would 
take to complete the project; and
    (m) Explanation of the cost effectiveness of the project.
    (3) Applicants must submit a flexible work plan/project proposal.
    The proposal will outline the project in sufficient detail to 
provide a reader with a clear understanding of how the proposed TAT/
RWTS project will address the technical assistance needs of RUS 
eligible sewer utilities in historically impoverished communities in 
areas which have had difficulty installing traditional wastewater 
treatment systems due to soil conditions.
    (4) The applicant must provide evidence of compliance with other 
federal statutes, including but not limited to the following:
    (a) Debarment and suspension information is required in accordance 
with 2 CFR part 417 (Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension) 
supplemented by 2 CFR part 180, if it applies. The section heading is 
``What information must I provide before entering into a covered 
transaction with a Federal agency?'' located at 2 CFR 180.335. It is 
part of OMB's Guidance for Grants and Agreements concerning Government-
wide Debarment and Suspension.
    (b) All of your organization's known workplaces by including the 
actual address of buildings (or parts of buildings) or other sites 
where work under the award takes place. Workplace identification is 
required under the drug-free workplace requirements in Subpart B of 2 
CFR part 421, which adopts the Governmentwide implementation (2 CFR 
part 182) of the Drug-Free Workplace Act.
    (c) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards).
    (d) 2 CFR part 182 (Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Financial Assistance)) and 2 CFR part 421 (Requirements for 
Drug Free Workplace (Financial Assistance)).
    (e) Executive Order 13166, ``Improving Access to Services for 
Persons with Limited English Proficiency.'' For information on limited 
English proficiency and agency-specific guidance, go to https://www.lep.gov.

C. DUNS Number and SAM

    To be eligible (unless you are excepted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c) 
or (d)), you are required to do the following:
    (1) Provide a valid DUNS number in your application. The DUNS 
number can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 
705-5711;
    (2) Register in SAM before submitting your application. You may 
register in SAM at no cost at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. 
You must provide your SAM CAGE Code and expiration date. When 
registering in SAM, you must indicate you are applying for a federal 
financial assistance project or program or are currently the recipient 
of funding under any federal financial assistance project or program; 
and
    (3) Maintain active and current SAM registration. The SAM 
registration must remain active with current information at all times 
while the Agency is considering an application or while a federal grant 
award or loan is active. To maintain the registration in the SAM 
database, the applicant must review and update the information in the 
SAM database annually from date of initial registration or from the 
date of the last update. The applicant must ensure that the information 
in the database is current, accurate, and complete. Applicants must 
ensure they complete the Financial Assistance General Certifications 
and Representations in SAM.
    If you have not fully complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM 
requirements, the Agency may determine that the applicant is not 
qualified to receive a federal award and the Agency may use that 
determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. In 
accordance with OMB Memoranda M-20-26, the Agency can accept an 
application without an active SAM registration. However, the 
registration must be completed before an award is made. Current 
registrants in SAM with active registrations expiring before May 16, 
2020 will be afforded a one-time extension of 60 days. Please refer to 
Section F for additional submission requirements that apply to grantees 
selected for this program.

D. Submission Dates and Times

    In order to be considered for funding, applications must be 
received by the specified date in the DATES section at the beginning of 
this notice. RUS will acknowledge the application's receipt by email to 
the applicant. The application will be reviewed for completeness to 
determine if it contains all of the items required. In order to be 
considered for funds under this notice, applications must be deemed 
complete and must be received by Grants.gov by the deadline specified 
in the DATES section of this notice.

E. 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 a copy of the 
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 if you do not 
want to submit a copy of the application, our State Offices will submit 
your application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or agencies.

F. Compliance With Other Federal Statutes and Other Submission 
Requirements

    (1) Other Federal Statutes. The applicant must certify to 
compliance with other Federal Statutes and regulations by completing 
the Financial Assistance General Certification and Representations in 
SAM, including, but not limited to the following:
    (a) 7 CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally 
Assisted Programs of the Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of 
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Civil Rights compliance 
includes, but is not limited to the following:
    (i) Collect and maintain data provided by ultimate recipients on 
race, sex, and national origin and ensure that ultimate recipients 
collect and maintain this data. Race and ethnicity data will be 
collected in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
Federal Register Notice, ``Revisions of the

[[Page 62695]]

Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and 
Ethnicity'' (published October 30, 1997 at 62 FR 58782). 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 RUS; and
    (b) 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, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 
1975, Executive Order 12250, and 7 CFR 1901, subpart E;
    (b) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards), or any 
successor regulations;
    (c) Executive Order 13166, ``Improving Access to Services for 
Persons with Limited English Proficiency.'' For information on limited 
English proficiency and agency-specific guidance, go to https://www.lep.gov/; and
    (d) Federal Obligation Certification on Delinquent Debt.

VI. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

    All applications that are complete and eligible will be scored and 
ranked competitively. The categories for scoring criteria used are the 
following:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Scoring criteria                                              Points
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Scope of Assistance: Proposed services to be provided  Up to 15 points.
(2) Degree of Expertise: Applicant's experience in         Up to 15 points.
 providing services similar to those proposed and/or
 description of successfully completed projects including
 the need that was identified and objectives accomplished.
(3) Applicant Resource (staff vs. contract personnel)....  Up to 10 points.
(4) Goals/Objectives: Goals/objectives are clearly         Up to 10 points.
 defined and tied to need, results and measurable
 outcomes.
(5) Extent to which the work plan clearly articulates a    Up to 10 points.
 well-thought-out approach to accomplishing objectives;
 and clearly defines how the applicant would respond to
 historically impoverished communities in areas which
 have had difficulty installing traditional wastewater
 treatment systems due to soil conditions.
(6) Financial Controls...................................  Up to 5 points.
(7) Project Duration: Maximum number of months it would    Up to 5 points.
 take to complete the project.
(8) Innovative Approach to Identifying and Targeting       Up to 10 points.
 Wastewater Treatment.
(9) Direct Efforts Towards Identified Communities in       Up to 10 points.
 Historically Impoverished Counties.
(10) Direct Efforts Towards Identified Communities in the  Up to 10 points.
 Mid-South Region.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Review and Selection Process

    (1) Incomplete or ineligible applications. If the application is 
incomplete or ineligible, RUS will return it to the applicant with an 
explanation. The RUS reserves the right to request additional 
information once an application is determined to be complete to 
minimize the risk of duplication of other federal efforts. The RUS 
grant offered to the successful applicant will be based on the 
submitted application and may be more narrowly tailored than the 
submitted application to meet rural community needs at the time of the 
offer or over the course of the grant period.
    (2) The Reviewers. A review team will evaluate all applications and 
proposals based on the scoring criteria in paragraph A. of this 
section.
    (3) Ranking of Qualifying Applications. Qualified applications will 
be ranked by their final score and selected for funding based on the 
highest scores. Due to the short application window and pilot nature of 
the program, the Agency expects to award a small number of grants under 
this notice. The Agency reserves the right to make no grant awards if 
all applications are incomplete and/or score below 65 points. Each 
applicant will be notified via email of the Agency's funding decision.
    (4) Other Agency Determinations. In making its decision about your 
application, RUS may determine that your application is:
    (a) Eligible and selected for funding;
    (b) Eligible and offered fewer funds than requested;
    (c) Eligible but not selected for funding; or
    (d) Ineligible for the grant.
    (5) Appeal Request. In accordance with 7 CFR part 1900, subpart B, 
the applicant generally has the right to appeal adverse decisions. Some 
adverse decisions cannot be appealed such as an award being denied RUS 
funding due to a lack of funds available for the grant program. 
However, an applicant may make a request to the National Appeals 
Division (NAD) to review the accuracy of the finding that the decision 
cannot be appealed. The appeal must be in writing and filed at the 
appropriate regional office, which can be found at www.nad.usda.gov or 
by calling (703) 305-1166.
    (6) Grant Agreement. Applicants selected for funding will complete 
a grant agreement suitable to RUS, which outlines the terms and 
conditions of the grant award. Pursuant to the grant agreement, grant 
funds may be released over the course of the grant period in 
reimbursement of the performance of eligible, approved activities which 
do not duplicate similar federal efforts or tasks. The grant agreement 
may also include reporting and pre-approval requirements consistent 
with 7 CFR part 1775 which if not met, may result in a delay in 
reimbursement, disallowance of expense or a suspension of the grant.
    (7) Reimbursement. Grantees will be reimbursed as follows:
    (a) SF-270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' will be 
completed by the grantee and submitted to the National Office along 
with the work product.
    (b) Upon receipt of a properly completed SF-270, payment will 
ordinarily be made within 30 days.
    (c) Any change in the scope of the project, budget adjustments of 
more than 10 percent of the total budget, or any other significant 
change in the project must be reported to and approved by the approving 
official by written amendment to the Grant Agreement. Any change not 
approved may be cause for termination of the grant.

C. Other Requirements

    In order to be considered for funds, complete applications must be 
received by the deadline specified in the DATES section of this Notice.
    (1) Insufficient funds. If available funds are insufficient to fund 
the total amount of an application:
    (a) The applicant will be notified and given the option to lower 
the grant request and accept the remaining funds. If the applicant 
agrees to lower the grant request, the applicant must certify that the 
purposes of the project will be met and provide the remaining total 
funds needed to complete the project.

[[Page 62696]]

    (b) If two or more applications have the same priority score, both 
applicants will be notified and given the option to lower the grant 
requests and accept the remaining funds. If an applicant agrees to 
lower its grant request, the applicant must certify that the purposes 
of the project will be met and provide the remaining total funds needed 
to complete the project.
    (2) Award considerations. All award considerations will be on a 
discretionary basis. In determining the amount of an award, the RUS 
will consider the amount requested, subject to available funds.
    (3) Notification of funding determination. Applicants will be 
informed in writing by the RUS as to the funding determination of the 
application.

VII. Federal Award Administration Information

A. Federal Award Notices

    (1) TAT/RWTS grants will be administered in accordance with 
Departmental Regulations, and as otherwise specified in this Notice.
    (2) Applicants selected for funding will receive a signed notice of 
Federal award containing instructions on requirements necessary to 
proceed with execution and performance of the award.
    (3) Applicants not selected for funding will be notified in writing 
and informed of any review and appeal rights. Awards to successfully 
appealed applications will be limited to available funding.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this 
program can be found in the Grants and Agreements regulations of the 
Department of Agriculture codified in 2 CFR parts 180, 400, 415, 417, 
418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and 48 CFR 31.2.
    In addition, 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 of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282) 
reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are exempt 
under 2 CFR 170.110(b)).
    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for this program:
     Execution of an agency approved Grant Agreement.
     Acceptance of a written Letter of Conditions.
     Submission of Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of 
Funds.''
     Submission of Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet 
Conditions.''
     SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if 
applicable.
    You no longer must complete the following forms for acceptance of a 
federal award. This information is now collected through your 
registration or annual recertification in SAM.gov in the Financial 
Assistance General Certifications and Representations section:
     Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
     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 Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirements (Grants).''
     Form AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or 
Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.''

C. Reporting

    Grantees shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that time 
schedules are being met, projected work by time periods is being 
accomplished, and other performance objectives are being achieved.
    (1) SF-269 ``Financial Status Report (short form)'' and a project 
performance activity report will be required of all grantees on a 
quarterly basis, due 30 days after the end of each quarter.
    (2) A final project performance report will be required with the 
last SF-269 due 90 days after the end of the last quarter in which the 
project is completed. The final report may serve as the last quarterly 
report.
    (3) All grantees are to submit an original of each report to the 
National Office. The project performance reports should detail, in a 
narrative format, activities that have transpired for the specific time 
period.
    (4) The grantee will provide an audit report or financial 
statements in accordance with Uniform Audit Requirements for Federal 
Awards at 2 CFR part 200, subpart F.

VIII. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information, contact: Lois East: telephone (660) 492-
4268, email: [email protected]. Persons with disabilities that require 
alternative means for communication should contact the USDA Target 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice).

IX. Other Information

A. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Information Collection and Recordkeeping requirements contained 
in this rule have been approved by an emergency clearance under OMB 
Control Number 0572-NEW. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), RUS invites comments on this 
information collection for which the Agency intends to request approval 
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). RUS invites comments on 
any aspect of this collection of information including suggestions for 
reducing the burden. Comments may be submitted regarding this 
information collection by the following method:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and, in the lower ``Search Regulations and Federal 
Actions'' box, select ``RUS'' from the agency drop-down menu, then 
click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select Docket No. RUS-20-
WATER-0035 to submit or view public comments and to view supporting and 
related materials available electronically. Information on using 
Regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, 
submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the 
comment period, is available through the site's ``User Tips'' link. 
Comments on this information collection must be received by December 4, 
2020.
    Copies of all forms, regulations, and instructions referenced in 
this NOSA may be obtained from RUS. Data furnished by the applicants 
will be used to determine eligibility for program benefits. Furnishing 
the data is voluntary; however, the failure to provide data could 
result in program benefits being withheld or denied.
    The Information Collection and Recordkeeping requirements contained 
in this NOFA have been approved by an emergency clearance under OMB 
Control Number 0572-NEW. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), RUS invites comments on this 
information collection for which the agency intends to request approval 
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
    Comments on this notice must be received by December 4, 2020. 
Comments are invited on (a) whether the collection of information is

[[Page 62697]]

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 burden 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, 
electronical, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques 
or other forms of information technology.
    Title: Technical Assistance and Training for Innovative Regional 
Wastewater Treatment Solutions (TAT/RWTS) Grant Pilot Program.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Abstract: The TAT/RWTS Grant Pilot Program was authorized by the 
Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, for the study and design 
of innovative treatment solutions of regional wastewater systems for 
historically impoverished communities that have had difficulty 
installing traditional wastewater treatment systems due to soil 
conditions. Qualified regional consortiums will receive TAT/RWTS grant 
funds to identify and evaluate economically feasible, innovative 
regional solutions to wastewater treatment concerns for historically 
impoverished communities in areas which have had difficulty installing 
traditional wastewater treatment systems due to soil conditions. Grants 
are for wastewater-related technical assistance, including such 
services as feasibility studies, preliminary design assistance and 
supervision, oversight, or training for the development of an 
application for financial assistance.
    Grantees will be expected to provide the Agency with a detailed 
report to include the area to be served, the issues with the present 
method of wastewater discharge, the alternatives and innovative 
solutions to the wastewater issue, the long-term cost and effect of the 
solution, the affordability including possible funding sources, 
potential treatment, staff training needs, and lifecycle cost analysis.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 4.5 hours per response.
    Respondents: Regional consortia of higher education, academic 
health and research institutes, or economic development entities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden and Record Keeping Hours on 
Respondents: 242 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from MaryPat 
Daskal, Regulatory Division Team 2, Rural Development Innovation 
Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Stop 
1522, Washington, DC 20250. Phone: 202-720-7853.
    All responses to this information collection and recordkeeping 
notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. 
All comments will also become a matter of public record.

B. Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the 
basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender 
identity, reprisal and where applicable, political beliefs, marital 
status, familiar or parental status, religion, sexual orientation, or 
all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public 
assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or 
in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not 
all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment 
activities.)
    If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of 
discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form 
(PDF), found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or complete the form at any USDA office, or 
call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter 
containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your 
completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at 
[email protected].
    Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech 
disabilities and wish to file either an EEO or program complaint, 
please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 
or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
    Persons with disabilities, who wish to file a program complaint, 
please see information above on how to contact us directly by mail or 
by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program 
information, (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Chad A. Rupe,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-21924 Filed 10-2-20; 8:45 am]
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