Community Development Revolving Loan Fund Access for Credit Unions, 17854-17857 [2021-07085]

Agencies

• National Credit Union Administration

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17854-17857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07085]


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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION


Community Development Revolving Loan Fund Access for Credit 
Unions

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity.

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE:  Community Development Revolving Loan Fund 
(CDRLF) Grants.

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER:  44.002.

SUMMARY: The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is issuing 
this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to announce the availability 
of technical assistance grants (awards) for low-income designated 
credit unions (LICUs) through the CDRLF. The CDRLF serves as a source 
of financial support in the form of loans and technical assistance 
grants that better enable LICUs to support the communities in which 
they operate. All grant awards made under this NOFO are subject to 
funds availability and are at the NCUA's discretion.

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency
H. Grant Terms and Conditions

A. Program Description

    The purpose of the Community Development Revolving Loan Fund 
(CDRLF) is to expand access of financial products and services, and 
increase diversity, equity, and economic inclusion to underserved 
communities. Through the CDRLF, the NCUA provides financial support in 
the form of technical assistance grants to low-income designated credit 
unions (LICUs) serving predominantly low-income members to modernize, 
build capacity and extend outreach into underserved communities.
    The NCUA will consider requests for various funding initiatives. 
More detailed information about the purpose of each initiative, amount 
of funds available, funding priorities, permissible uses of funds, 
funding limits, deadlines and other pertinent details will be defined 
in the grant round guidelines. In addition, the NCUA may periodically 
publish information regarding the CDRLF in Letters to Credit Unions, 
press releases, and/or on the NCUA website.

1. Funding Initiatives

    The list of potential funding initiatives available during 2021 
includes the following:
    i. Digital Services and Cybersecurity;
    ii. Minority Depository Institution (MDI) Mentoring; and
    iii. Underserved Outreach.

2. Authority and Regulations

    i. Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1772c-1, 1756, 1757(5)(D), and (7)(I), 
1766, 1782, 1784, 1785 and 1786;
    ii. Regulations: The regulation governing the CDRLF is found at 12 
CFR part 705. In general, this regulation is used by the NCUA to govern 
the CDRLF and set forth the program requirements. Additional 
regulations related to the low-income designation are found at 12 CFR 
parts 701.34 and 741.204. For the purposes of this NOFO, an 
``Applicant'' is a Participating Credit Union that submits a complete 
application to the NCUA under the CDRLF. The NCUA encourages Applicants 
to review the regulations, this NOFO, the grant round guidelines, and 
other program materials for a complete understanding of the program.

B. Award Information

    Approximately $1.5 million in awards will be available through this 
NOFO. The NCUA reserves the right to: (i) Award more or less than the 
amounts cited above; (ii) fund, in whole or in part, any, all, or none 
of the applications submitted in response to this NOFO; and (iii) 
reallocate funds from the amount that is anticipated to be available 
under this NOFO to other programs, particularly if the NCUA determines 
that the number of awards made under this NOFO is fewer than projected. 
General information about the purpose of each funding initiative and 
the maximum award amount is provided below.

[[Page 17855]]

1. Purpose of Funding Initiatives

    i. Digital Services and Cybersecurity: The Digital Services and 
Cybersecurity initiative provides financial assistance to credit unions 
to modernize, innovate, and protect credit unions and members against 
cyberattack. The goal of the initiative is to increase the access of 
safe, secure digital financial products and services to low-income and 
underserved communities. The NCUA also encourages credit union to apply 
for this initiative to help the credit union meet the challenges 
created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants can request funding for 
equipment needed to improve their remote work posture or implement new 
financial products and services which provide members access to the 
credit union without physical access to the branch. Applicants can 
select up to three of the eligible projects below:
    a. Implementation of Mobile/Online Banking Features;
    b. Remote Workforce Management and Solutions; and/or
    c. Strengthen Cybersecurity.
    ii. MDI Mentoring: The purpose of the MDI Mentoring initiative is 
to encourage strong and experienced credit unions to provide guidance 
to small MDI credit unions to increase their ability to thrive and 
serve low-income and underserved populations. This grant may be used 
for eligible expenses associated with facilitating a new mentorship 
relationship. Funding approval will be based on the applicant's ability 
to demonstrate a well-developed plan for the mentoring assistance it 
would receive from a mentor credit union. Applicants are expected to 
meet the objectives of this initiative by establishing a mentorship to 
accomplish the following objectives:
    a. Credit union growth and expansion, such as growing the 
membership or the loan portfolio;
    b. Improved management and operations, such as leadership training, 
developing new policy and procedure documents, or responding to exam or 
audit findings;
    c. Increased credit union capabilities, such as introducing a new 
program or service or improving credit union systems; and/or
    d. Other (applicants will have opportunity to justify additional 
projects).
    iii. Underserved Outreach: The Underserved Outreach initiative is 
designed to help credit unions implement innovative outreach strategies 
to increase access to financial products and services in underserved 
communities. The goal of this initiative is for credit unions to 
improve the financial health of individuals in underserved communities 
by closing the wealth gap, increasing equity, and expanding economic 
inclusion. Applicants are expected to address the challenges faced by 
underserved communities by offering financial products, services and 
programs through the following projects:
    a. New or expanded outreach efforts, such as developing 
partnerships with other organizations to assist the needs of low wealth 
persons and households;
    b. New or expanded financial education programs, such as providing 
small business or workforce training for minorities interested in 
starting and growing a business; or
    c. New or expanded financial products or services, such as 
developing and implementing a new product or program tailored to 
underserved and minority groups, like a first-time homeowner program.

2. Maximum Award Amount

    The maximum amount for a CDRLF award is determined by the type of 
funding initiative. There is no minimum amount for CDRLF awards. The 
maximum award amount for each funding initiative is provided below.

i. Digital Services and Cybersecurity--$7,000
ii. MDI Mentoring--$25,000
iii. Underserved Outreach--$50,000

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    This NOFO is open to credit unions that meet the eligibility 
requirements defined in 12 CFR part 705. A credit union must have a 
low-income designation obtained in accordance with 12 CFR 701.34 or 
741.204 in order to participate in the CDRLF.
    i. Non-Federally Insured Applicants: Each Applicant that is a non-
federally insured, state-chartered credit union must submit additional 
application materials. These additional materials are more fully 
described in 12 CFR 705.7(b)(3) and in the application.
    a. Non-federally insured, state-chartered credit unions must agree 
to be examined by the NCUA. The specific terms and covenants pertaining 
to this condition will be provided in the award agreement of the 
Participating Credit Union.

2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number

    The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is a unique nine-
character number used to identify your organization. The federal 
government uses the DUNS number to track how federal money is 
allocated. Registering for a DUNS number is FREE. Applicants can obtain 
a DUNS number by visiting the Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) website or calling 
1-866-705-5711. The NCUA will not consider an application that does not 
include a valid DUNS number issued by Dun and Bradstreet (D&B). Such an 
application will be deemed incomplete and will be declined.

3. Employer Identification Number

    Each application must include a valid and current Employer 
Identification Number (EIN) issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS). The NCUA will not consider an application that does not include 
a valid and current EIN. Such an application will be deemed incomplete 
and will be declined. Information on how to obtain an EIN may be found 
on the IRS's website.

4. System for Award Management

    All Applicants are required by federal law to have an active 
registration with the federal government's System for Award Management 
(SAM) prior to applying for funding. SAM is a web-based, government-
wide application that collects, validates, stores, and disseminates 
business information about the federal government's trading partners in 
support of the contract awards, grants, and electronic payment 
processes. An active SAM account status and CAGE number is required to 
apply for a CDRLF award. Credit unions that have an existing 
registration with SAM must recertify and maintain an active status 
annually. The SAM registration and recertification process is FREE. 
First-time SAM users can register by following the instructions in the 
Quick Start Guide for New Registrations. Existing users can recertify 
or renew their SAM account status by following the instructions in the 
Quick Start Guide for Renewing Registrations. The NCUA will not 
consider an applicant that does not have an active SAM status. Such an 
application will be deemed incomplete and will be declined.

5. Other Eligibility Requirements

    i. Financial Viability: Applicants must meet the underwriting 
standards established by the NCUA, including those pertaining to 
financial viability, as set forth in the application and defined in 12 
CFR 705.7(c).
    ii. Compliance With Past Agreements: In evaluating funding requests 
under this NOFO, the NCUA will consider an Applicant's record of 
compliance with

[[Page 17856]]

past agreements. The NCUA, in its sole discretion, will determine 
whether to consider an application from an Applicant with a past record 
of noncompliance, including any deobligation (i.e., removal of unused 
awards) of funds.
    a. If an Applicant is in default of a previously executed agreement 
with the NCUA, the NCUA will not consider an application for funding 
under this NOFO.
    b. If an Applicant is a prior Participating Credit Union under the 
CDRLF and has unused awards as of the date of application, the NCUA may 
request a narrative from the Applicant that addresses the reason for 
its record of noncompliance. The NCUA, in its sole discretion, will 
determine whether the reason is sufficient to proceed with the review 
of the application.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Application

    Under this NOFO, all applications must be submitted online in the 
NCUA's web-based application system, CyberGrants, in order to be 
considered. Applications must be submitted online at https://www.cybergrants.com/ncua/applications. The application and related 
documents are also located on the NCUA's website at https://www.ncua.gov/services/Pages/resources-expansion/grants-loans.aspx.

2. Minimum Application Content

    A complete application will consist of similar components for each 
funding initiative. At a minimum, each initiative requires a narrative 
response that describes the Applicant's proposed use of the CDRLF 
award. The NCUA reserves the right to waive this requirement for any 
funding initiatives with a defined list of allowable project 
activities. The NCUA will identify the funding initiatives that do not 
require a narrative response in the grant round guidelines. Other 
application contents that are specific to a particular funding 
initiative will be defined in the grant round guidelines found on 
NCUA's website.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    i. The NCUA will accept applications beginning May 3, 2021, at 9:00 
a.m. eastern time (ET). Applications must be submitted by June 26, 
2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Late applications will not be considered.

E. Application Review Information

1. Eligibility and Completeness Review

    The NCUA will review each application to determine whether it is 
complete and that the Applicant meets the eligibility requirements 
described in the regulations, the grant round guidelines, and in this 
NOFO. An incomplete application or one that does not meet the 
eligibility requirements will be declined without further 
consideration.

2. Evaluation Criteria

    Each funding initiative, due to its structure and impact, may have 
varying degrees of evaluation criteria assigned. The evaluation 
criteria for each funding initiative is fully described in the grant 
round guidelines.

3. Application Review

    The purpose of the application review is to determine whether an 
application satisfies the criteria set forth for each particular 
funding initiative. The NCUA will evaluate each application in 
accordance with the criteria and procedures described in the grant 
round guidelines. The NCUA reserves the right to contact the Applicant 
during its review for the purpose of clarifying or confirming 
information contained in the application. If so contacted, the 
Applicant must respond within the time specified by the NCUA or the 
NCUA, in its sole discretion, may decline the application without 
further consideration.

4. Scoring and Funding Decision

    The NCUA will make its funding decision based on a scoring system 
that establishes a ranking position for each application. The 
applications will be ranked according to the scoring criteria set forth 
for each funding initiative in the grant round guidelines.

F. Federal Award Administration

1. NCUA Award Notice

    The NCUA will notify each Applicant of its funding decision by 
email. In addition, the NCUA will announce the successful applications 
through a press release that includes a list of the Awardees. 
Applicants that are approved for funding will also receive instructions 
on how to proceed with the post-award activities.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    i. Award Agreement: The specific terms and conditions will be 
established in the award agreement each Participating Credit Union must 
sign prior to formally accepting an award. Each Participating Credit 
Union under this NOFO must enter into an agreement with the NCUA before 
the NCUA will disburse the award funds. The agreement includes the 
terms and conditions of funding, including but not limited to the: (i) 
Award amount; (ii) grant award details; (iii) roles and 
responsibilities; (iv) accounting treatment; (v) signature pages; and 
(vi) reporting requirements.
    ii. Failure to Sign Agreement: The NCUA, in its sole discretion, 
may rescind an award if the Applicant fails to sign and return the 
agreement or any other requested documentation, within the time 
specified by the NCUA.

3. Reimbursement Process

    Applicants that are approved for funding will be responsible for 
the complete and timely submission of the post-award activities. This 
includes, but it is not limited to, signing the award agreement and 
completing a reimbursement request. Successful Applicants must submit a 
reimbursement request in order to receive the awarded funds. The 
reimbursement requirements are different depending on the funding 
initiative. The NCUA will define the reimbursement requirements for 
each funding initiative in the post-award guidelines.
    The reimbursement request may require, all or a combination of, the 
following items: (i) Certification of expenses, (ii) project related 
documentation, (iii) a summary of project accomplishments and outcomes, 
or (iv) a certification form signed by a credit union official (e.g., 
CEO, manager, or Board Chairperson) authorized to request the 
reimbursement and make the certifications. The NCUA, in its sole 
discretion, may modify these requirements. Additional reimbursement 
request requirements will be described in the post-award guidelines.

G. Federal Awarding Agency

1. Methods of Contact

    Further information can be found at https://www.ncua.gov/services/Pages/resources-expansion/grants-loans.aspx. For questions related to 
the CDRLF, email the NCUA's Office of Credit Union Resources and 
Expansion at [email protected].

2. Information Technology Support

    People who have visual or mobility impairments that prevent them 
from using the NCUA's website should call (703) 518-6610 for guidance 
(this is not a toll-free number).

[[Page 17857]]

H. Grant Terms and Conditions

    1. All credit unions are required to certify the following terms 
and conditions prior to submitting an application:
    i. The Applicant is a low-income designated credit union, as 
defined in Section 701.34 of the NCUA's Rules and Regulations.
    ii. Applicant shall comply with United States Office of Management 
and Budget, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and 
Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
    iii. Applicants are required to have an audit conducted if they 
hold $750,000 or more in Federal awards during a fiscal year. 
Applicants that hold less than $750,000 in Federal awards are exempt 
from this law.
    a. For example, if a credit union uses a $250,000 loan from the 
NCUA's CDRLF and a $500,000 grant from the Community Development 
Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, totaling $750,000 in Federal awards 
during the same fiscal year; then the credit union must have an audit 
conducted.
    iv. Applicant is responsible for the efficient and effective 
administration of the Federal Award through application of sound 
management practices. Applicant assumes the responsibility for 
administering Federal Funds in a manner consistent with underlying 
agreements, program objectives, and the term and conditions of the 
Federal Award.
    v. No employee, contractor, consultant or vendor has participated 
substantially for this grant-funded activity, nor otherwise benefited 
directly or indirectly from the grant, who, to its knowledge (assuming 
reasonable diligence), has a ``covered relationship'' with an NCUA 
employee who presently holds a position that would enable him or her to 
influence a pending or future grant award, or a reimbursement of 
permitted expenses thereunder.
    vi. An employee, contractor, consultant or vendor of the Applicant 
would have such a ``covered relationship'' if he or she were either: 
(1) A member of the household of an NCUA employee who presently holds a 
position that would enable him or her to influence a pending or future 
grant award, or a reimbursement thereunder; or (2) a relative of such 
an NCUA employee with whom he or she has a close personal relationship. 
5 CFR 2635.502(b)(1)(ii).
    vii. Applicant must disclose in writing to the NCUA any potential 
conflict of interest in accordance with applicable Federal awarding 
agency policy.
    viii. Per 2 CFR 200.113, Applicant must disclose all violations of 
Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations 
potentially affecting the award.
    ix. The Applicant conducts its activities such that no person is 
excluded from participation in, is denied the benefits of, or is 
subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, 
sex, age or disability in the distribution of services and/or benefits 
provided under this grant program. The credit union agrees to provide 
evidence of its compliance as required by the NCUA. Furthermore, credit 
unions should ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1964.
    x. If a credit union enters into commitments for a project before 
the grant decision is made, credit union will be obligated to pay 
project expenses from its own funds should the grant not be approved; 
if the grant is approved the credit union may be responsible for a 
portion of the expenses due prior to the grant approval date.
    xi. Requests to reallocate or change approved project (s) and/or 
request an extension to the deadline must be submitted in writing prior 
to the original deadline and approved by the NCUA prior to Applicant 
incurring expenses.
    xii. The Applicant is aware that the NCUA will correspond with the 
credit union regarding this application by email (utilizing the email 
provided in this application).
    xiii. Applicant hereby acknowledges that the NCUA reserves full 
discretion to deny reimbursement under this grant in the event the NCUA 
determines the Applicant is, or previously was, either in breach of 
any-condition or limitation in the grant guidelines, or in breach of 
the `covered relationship' restriction set forth above.
    xiv. Information included in Outcome Summary or Success Stories is 
considered by the NCUA to be Research Data and is governed by 2 CFR 
200.315 and may be made publicly available.
    xv. Applicant is aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent 
information or the omission of any material fact, may subject Applicant 
to criminal, civil or administrative penalties for fraud, false 
statements, false claims or otherwise. (U.S. Code Title 18, Section 
1001 and Title 31, Sections 3729-3730, and 3801-3812).
    xvi. Applicant is aware recipients and subrecipients are prohibited 
from obligating or expending loan or grant funds to procure or obtain 
equipment, services, or systems that uses covered telecommunications 
equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any 
system, or as critical technology as part of any system in accordance 
with Public Law 115-232, section 889 and 2 CFR 200.216 .

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board on April 1, 
2021.
Melane Conyers-Ausbrooks,
Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2021-07085 Filed 4-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P