Inviting Applications for the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program, 27370-27377 [2021-10610]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 96 (Thursday, May 20, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27370-27377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10610]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Docket #: RBS-2021-CO-OP-0001]


Inviting Applications for the Delta Health Care Services Grant 
Program

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

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

SUMMARY: This Notice of Funding Availability (Notice) announces that 
the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal 
year (FY) 2021 applications for the Delta Health Care Services (DHCS) 
grant program. Approximately $3 million is currently available for FY 
2021. All funds must support projects located in persistent poverty 
counties as described in the Overview section of this Notice. The 
Agency will publish the program funding level on the Rural Development 
website https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants. The purpose of this program is to provide financial 
assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta 
Region through cooperation among health care professionals, 
institutions of higher education, research institutions, and economic 
development entities in the Delta Region.

DATES: Completed applications for grants must be submitted 
electronically by no later than midnight Eastern Standard Time July 19, 
2021 through https://www.grants.gov to be eligible for grant funding. 
Please review the

[[Page 27371]]

Grants.gov website at https:/www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/
organization-registration.html for instructions on the process of 
registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure you are 
able to meet the electronic application deadline. Late applications are 
not eligible for funding under this Notice and will not be evaluated.

ADDRESSES: You are encouraged to contact your USDA Rural Development 
State Office well in advance of the application deadline to discuss 
your Project and ask any questions about the application process. 
Contact information for State Offices can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
    Program guidance as well as application templates may be obtained 
at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants, or by contacting your State Office. To submit an electronic 
application, follow the instructions for the DHCS funding announcement 
located at https://www.grants.gov. Please review the Grants.gov website 
at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html for instructions on the process of registering your 
organization as soon as possible to ensure you are able to meet the 
electronic application deadline. You are strongly encouraged to file 
your application early and allow sufficient time to manage any 
technical issues that may arise.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Honie Turner, Program Management 
Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 3201, Room 5803-
South, Washington, DC 20250-3226, 202-720-1400 or email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Agency Name: USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Delta Health Care Services Grant 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial Notice.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.874.
    Dates: Application Deadline. Your electronic application must be 
received by https://www.grants.gov no later than Midnight Eastern 
Standard Time July 19, 2021, or it will not be considered for funding.

Hemp Related Projects

    Please note that no assistance or funding can be provided to a hemp 
producer unless they have a valid license issued from an approved 
State, Tribal or Federal plan as defined by the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018, Public Law 115-334. Verification of valid hemp licenses 
will occur at the time of award.

Persistent Poverty Counties

    The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, SEC. 736 designates 
funding for projects in Persistent Poverty Counties. Persistent Poverty 
Counties as defined in SEC. 736 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, or any territory or 
possession of the United States''. Another provision in Section 736 
expands the eligible population in Persistent Poverty Counties to 
include any county seat of such a Persistent Poverty County that has a 
population that does not exceed the authorized population limit by more 
than 10 percent. Therefore, applications for projects in Persistent 
Poverty County seats with populations up to 55,000 (per the 2010 
Census) are eligible. Funding of approximately $3 million is available 
to support Persistent Poverty Counties.
    The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility 
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The 
Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification 
on materials contained in the submitted application. See the 
Application Guide for a full discussion of each item. For requirements 
of completed grant applications, refer to Section D of this document.

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

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

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act requires Federal agencies to seek and 
obtain Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval before 
undertaking a collection of information directed to ten or more 
persons. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Agency conducted an analysis to determine the 
number of applications the Agency estimates that it will receive under 
the DHCS grant program. It was determined that the estimated number of 
applications was fewer than nine and in accordance with 5 CFR 1320, 
thus OMB approval is not necessary at this time.

A. Program Description

    The DHCS program is authorized by Section 379G of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008u), as amended by the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). The primary 
objective of the program is to provide financial assistance to address 
the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region through 
cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher 
education, research institutions, and other individuals and entities in 
the Delta Region. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. The 
maximum award amount per grant is $1,000,000.
Definitions
    The definitions you need to understand are as follows:
    Academic Health and Research Institute--A combination of a medical 
school, one or more other health profession schools or educational 
training programs (such as allied health, dentistry, graduate studies, 
nursing, pharmacy, public health), and one or more owned or affiliated 
teaching or health systems; or a health care nonprofit organization or 
health system, including nonprofit medical and surgical hospitals, that 
conduct health related research.
    Conflict of Interest--A situation in which a person or entity has 
competing personal, professional, or financial interests that make it 
difficult for the person or business to act impartially. Federal 
procurement standards prohibit transactions that involve a real or 
apparent conflict of interest for owners, employees, officers, agents, 
or their immediate family members having a financial or other interest 
in the outcome of the Project; or that restrict open and free 
competition for unrestrained trade. Specifically, Project Funds may not 
be used for services or goods going to, or coming from, a person or 
entity with a real or apparent conflict of interest, including, but not 
limited to, owner(s) and their immediate family

[[Page 27372]]

members. An example of conflict of interest occurs when the consortium 
member's employees, board of directors, or the immediate family of 
either, have the appearance of a professional or personal financial 
interest in the recipients receiving the benefits or services of the 
grant.
    Consortium--A group of three or more entities that are regional 
Institutions of Higher Education, Academic Health and Research 
Institutes, and/or Economic Development Entities located in the Delta 
Region that have at least one year of prior experience in addressing 
the health care issues in the region. At least one of the consortium 
members must be legally organized as an incorporated organization or 
other legal entity and have legal authority to contract with the 
Federal Government.
    Delta Region--The 252 counties and parishes within the states of 
Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Missouri, and Tennessee that are served by the Delta Regional 
Authority. (The Delta Region may be adjusted by future Federal 
statute.) To view the areas identified within the Delta Region visit 
https://dra.gov/about-dra/dra-states.
    Economic Development Entity--Any public or non-profit organization 
whose primary mission is to stimulate local and regional economies 
within the Delta Region by increasing employment opportunities and 
duration of employment, expanding or retaining existing employers, 
increasing labor rates or wage levels, reducing outmigration, and/or 
creating gains in other economic development-related variables such as 
land values. These activities shall primarily benefit low- and 
moderate-income individuals in the Delta Region.
    Health System--The complete network of agencies, facilities, and 
all providers of health care to meet the health needs of a specific 
geographical area or target populations.
    Institution of Higher Education--A postsecondary (post-high school) 
educational institution that awards a bachelor's degree or provides not 
less than a two year program that is acceptable for full credit toward 
such a degree, or a postsecondary vocational institution that provides 
a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a 
recognized occupation.
    Nonprofit Organization--An organization or institution, including 
an accredited institution of higher education, where no part of the net 
earnings of which may inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder 
or individual.
    Project--All activities funded by the DHCS grant.
    Project Funds--Grant funds requested plus any other contributions 
to the proposed Project.
    Rural and rural area--Any area of a State: (1) Not in a city or 
town that has a population of more than 50,000 inhabitants, according 
to the latest decennial census of the United States; and (2) The 
contiguous and adjacent urbanized area; (3) Urbanized areas that are 
rural in character as defined by 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13); and (4) For the 
purposes of this definition, cities and towns are incorporated 
population centers with definite boundaries, local self-government, and 
legal powers set forth in a charter granted by the State.
    State--Includes each of the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and, as may be 
determined by the Secretary to be feasible, appropriate and lawful, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
and the Republic of Palau.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Competitive Grant.
    Total Funding: $3,000,000.
    Maximum Award: $1,000,000.
    Minimum Award: $50,000.
    Project Period: Up to 24 months.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2021.

C. Eligibility Information

    Applicants must meet all the following eligibility requirements. 
Your application will not be considered for funding if it does not 
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or is missing 
required elements. Applicants that fail to submit the required elements 
by the application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be 
evaluated further. Information submitted after the application deadline 
will not be accepted.
1. Eligible Applicants
    Grants funded through DHCS may be made to a Consortium as defined 
in Paragraph A of this Notice. One member of the Consortium must be 
designated as the lead entity by the other members of the Consortium 
and have legal authority to contract with the Federal Government.
    The lead entity is the recipient (see 2 CFR 200.86) of the DHCS 
grant funds and accountable for monitoring and reporting on the Project 
performance and financial management of the grant. It is expected that 
the recipient will make subawards in the form of a grant, cooperative 
agreement, or contract, as appropriate, to the other members of the 
Consortium. If a grant or cooperative agreement is awarded, the 
organization receiving the subaward is a subrecipient (see 2 CFR 
200.93), and the recipient is responsible for complying with all 
applicable requirements of 2 CFR part 200, including provisions for 
making and monitoring an award. If a contract is awarded, the 
organization receiving the subaward is a contractor, and the recipient 
is responsible for following its written procurement procedures and 
complying with the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Both subrecipients 
and contractors are required to comply with all applicable laws and 
regulations, including performance and financial reporting, as 
described in their award document.
    (a) An applicant is ineligible if they do not submit ``Evidence of 
Eligibility'' and ``Consortium Agreements'' as described in Section 
D.2. of this Notice.
    (b) An applicant is ineligible if they have been debarred or 
suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in 
Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, ``Debarment 
and Suspension.'' The Agency will check the System for Award Management 
(SAM) to determine if the applicant has been debarred or suspended. In 
addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible for a grant due to 
an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a Federal Court (other 
than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment of Federal income 
taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt. The applicant must certify as 
part of the application that they do not have an outstanding judgment 
against them. The Agency will check the DO NOT PAY System to verify 
this information.
    (c) Any corporation (1) that has been convicted of a felony 
criminal violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or 
(2) that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, 
for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted 
or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant 
to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax 
liability, is not eligible for financial assistance provided with funds 
appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-
260), unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or debarment of 
the corporation and has made a determination that this further action 
is

[[Page 27373]]

not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
    (d) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application 
includes any funding restrictions identified under Section D.6.
    (e) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application is 
not complete in accordance with the requirements stated in Section C.3.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
    Matching funds are not required. However, if you are adding any 
other contributions to the proposed Project, you must provide 
documentation indicating who will be providing the matching funds, the 
amount of funds, when those funds will be provided, and how the funds 
will be used in the Project budget. Examples of acceptable 
documentation include: A signed letter from the source of funds stating 
the amount of funds, when the funds will be provided, and what the 
funds can be used for or a signed resolution from your governing board 
authorizing the use of a specified amount of funds for specific 
components of the Project. The matching funds you identify must be for 
eligible purposes and included in your work plan and budget. 
Additionally, expected program income may not be used as matching funds 
at the time you submit your application. If you choose, you may use a 
template to summarize the matching funds. The template is available 
either from your State Office or the program website at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements
    (a) Use of Funds. Your application must propose to use Project 
Funds for eligible purposes. Eligible Project purposes include the 
development of: (1) Health care services; (2) health education 
programs; (3) health care job training programs; and (4) the 
development and expansion of public health-related facilities in the 
Delta Region.
    (b) Project Eligibility. The proposed Project must take place 
within the Delta Region as defined in this Notice. However, the 
applicant need not propose to serve the entire Delta Region. All funds 
must support projects located in persistent poverty counties as 
described in the Overview section of this Notice.
    (c) Project Input. Your proposed Project must be developed based on 
input from local governments, public health care providers, and other 
entities in the Delta Region.
    (d) Grant Period Eligibility. All awards are limited to up to a 24-
month grant period based upon the complexity of the Project. Your 
proposed grant period should begin no earlier than October 1, 2021 and 
should end no later than 24 months following that date. If you receive 
an award, your grant period will be revised to begin on the actual date 
of award--the date the grant agreement is executed by the Agency--and 
your grant period end date will be adjusted accordingly. Your Project 
activities must begin within 90 days of the date of award. If you 
request funds for a time period beginning before October 1, 2021, and/
or ending later than 24 months from that date, your application will be 
ineligible. The length of your grant period should be based on your 
Project's complexity, as indicated in your application work plan.
    (e) Multiple Application Eligibility. The Consortium, including its 
members, is limited to submitting one application for funding under 
this Notice. We will not accept applications from Consortiums that 
include members who are also members of other Consortiums that have 
submitted applications for funding under this Notice. If we discover 
that a Consortium member is a member of multiple Consortiums with 
applications submitted for funding under this Notice, all applications 
will be considered ineligible for funding.
    (f) Satisfactory Performance Eligibility. If you have an existing 
DHCS award, you must be performing satisfactorily to be considered 
eligible for a new DHCS award. Satisfactory performance includes being 
up to date on all financial and performance reports as prescribed in 
the grant award, and current on tasks and timeframes for utilizing 
grant and matching funds as approved in the work plan and budget. If 
you have any unspent grant funds on DHCS awards prior to FY 2018, your 
application will not be considered for funding. If your FY 2019 or FY 
2020 award has unspent funds of 50 percent or more than what your 
approved work plan and budget projected at the time your FY 2021 
application is evaluated, your application may not be considered for 
funding. The Agency will verify the performance status of FY 2019 and 
2020 awards and make a determination after the FY 2021 application 
period closes. The Agency understands that recipients may have had a 
loss of operations due to COVID-19 and will consider providing 
flexibility in terms of fund utilization on previous awards with 
acceptable justification of delays resulting from the COVID-19 
pandemic.
    (g) Completeness Eligibility. Your application must provide all the 
information requested in Section D.2. of this Notice. Applications 
lacking sufficient information to determine eligibility and scoring 
will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for scoring.
    (h) Indirect Costs. Your negotiated indirect cost rate approval 
does not need to be included in your application, but you will be 
required to provide it if a grant is awarded. Approval for indirect 
costs that are requested in an application without an approved indirect 
cost rate agreement is at the discretion of the Agency.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package
    The application template for this funding opportunity is located at 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants. Use of the application template is strongly recommended to 
assist you with the application process. You may also contact your 
State Office for more information. Contact information for State 
Offices is located at https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
2. 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, 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 CFDA number 
for this program.
    When you enter the Grants.gov website, you will find information 
about applying electronically through the site, as well as the hours of 
operation.
    To use Grants.gov, you must already have a DUNS number and you must 
also be registered and maintain registration in SAM. We strongly 
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
begin the application process through Grants.gov.
    You must submit all 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

[[Page 27374]]

automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov 
tracking number.
    The organization submitting the application will be considered the 
lead entity. The Contact/Program Manager must be associated with the 
lead entity submitting the application.
    Your application must also contain the following required forms and 
proposal elements:
    (a) Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' The 
application for Federal assistance must be completed by the lead entity 
as described in Section C.1. of this Notice. Your application must 
include your DUNS number and SAM Commercial and Government Entity 
(CAGE) code and expiration date (or evidence that you have begun the 
SAM registration process). Because there are no specific fields for a 
CAGE code and expiration date, you may identify them anywhere you want 
to on the form If you do not include the CAGE code and expiration date 
and the DUNS number in your application, it will not be considered for 
funding. The form must be signed by an authorized representative.
    (b) Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs.'' This form must be completed and submitted as part of the 
application package.
    (c) Form SF-424C, ``Budget Information--Construction Programs.'' 
This form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the 
application package for construction Projects.
    (d) Executive Summary. A summary of the proposal, not to exceed one 
page, briefly describing the Project, tasks to be completed, and other 
relevant information that provides a general overview of the Project 
must be provided.
    (e) Evidence of Eligibility. Evidence of the Consortium's 
eligibility to apply under this Notice must be provided. This section 
must include a detailed summary demonstrating that the applicant is a 
Consortium as defined in paragraph A of this Notice and explain how 
each Consortium member meets the definition of an eligible entity as 
defined under Definitions of this Notice.
    (f) Consortium Agreements. The application must include a formal 
written agreement with each Consortium member that addresses the 
negotiated arrangements for administering the Project to meet Project 
goals, the Consortium member's responsibilities to comply with 
administrative, financial, and reporting requirements of the grant, 
including those necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable 
Federal regulations and policies, and facilitate a smooth functioning 
collaborative venture. Under the agreement, each Consortium member must 
perform a substantive role in the Project and not merely serve as a 
conduit of funds to another party or parties. This agreement must be 
signed by an authorized representative of the lead entity and an 
authorized representative of each partnering consortium entity.
    (g) Scoring Criteria. Each of the scoring criteria in this Notice 
must be addressed in narrative form. Failure to address each scoring 
criterion will result in the application being determined ineligible.
    (h) Performance Measures. The Agency has established annual 
performance measures to evaluate the DHCS program. Estimates on the 
following performance measures, as part of your application, must be 
provided:
    (1) Number of businesses assisted;
    (2) Number of jobs created;
    (3) Number of jobs saved; and
    (4) Number of individuals assisted/trained.
    It is permissible to have a zero in a performance element. When 
calculating jobs created, estimates should be based upon actual jobs to 
be created by your organization as a result of the DHCS funding or 
actual jobs to be created by businesses as a result of assistance from 
your organization. When calculating jobs saved, estimates should be 
based only on actual jobs that would have been lost if your 
organization did not receive DHCS funding or actual jobs that would 
have been lost without assistance from your organization.
    You can also suggest additional performance elements for example 
where job creation or jobs saved may not be a relevant indicator. These 
additional elements should be specific, measurable performance elements 
that could be included in an award document.
    (i) Financial Information and Sustainability. Current financial 
statements and a narrative description demonstrating sustainability of 
the Project, all of which show sufficient resources and expertise to 
undertake and complete the Project and how the Project will be 
sustained following completion must be provided. Applicants must 
provide three years of pro-forma financial statements for the Project.
    (j) Evidence of Legal Authority and Existence. The lead entity must 
provide evidence of its legal existence and authority to enter into a 
grant agreement with the Agency and perform the activities proposed 
under the grant application.
    (k) Service Area Maps. Maps with sufficient detail to show the area 
that will benefit from the proposed facilities and services and the 
location of the facilities improved or purchased with grant funds, if 
applicable, must be provided.
    (l) You must certify that there are no current outstanding Federal 
judgments against your property and that you will not use grant funds 
to pay for any judgment obtained by the United States. You must also 
certify that you are not delinquent on the payment of Federal income 
taxes, or any Federal debt. To satisfy the Certification requirement, 
you should include this statement in your application: ``[INSERT NAME 
OF APPLICANT] certifies that the United States has not obtained an 
unsatisfied judgment against its property, is not delinquent on the 
payment of Federal income taxes, or any Federal debt, and will not use 
grant funds to pay any judgments obtained by the United States.'' A 
separate signature is not required.
    (m) Environmental information necessary to support the Agency's 
environmental finding. Required information can be found in 7 CFR part 
1970, specifically in Subpart B, Exhibit C and Subpart C, Exhibit B. 
These documents can be found here: https://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/regulations-guidelines/instructions. Construction related activities 
funded by RD must comply with State and local building codes. Depending 
on the construction actions anticipated, an appropriate 7 CFR 1970 
compliant environmental document will need to be submitted and 
approved, prior to commencement of construction. Non-construction 
Projects applying under this Notice are hereby classified as 
Categorical Exclusions according to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), the award of 
financial assistance for planning purposes, management and feasibility 
studies, or environmental impact analyses, which do not require any 
additional documentation.
3. DUNS Number and SAM Registration
    To be eligible (unless you are exempted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c) 
or (d)), you are required to:
    (a) Provide a valid DUNS number in your application, which can be 
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711;
    (b) Register in SAM before submitting your application. You may 
register in SAM at no cost at https://www.sam.gov/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

[[Page 27375]]

assistance project or program or are currently the recipient of funding 
under any Federal financial assistance project or program; and
    (c) 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. 
Please refer to Section F. 2 for additional submission requirements 
that apply to grantees selected for this program.
4. Submission Date and Time
    Application Deadline Date: July 19, 2021.
    Explanation of Deadline: Electronic applications must be RECEIVED 
by https://www.grants.gov by midnight Eastern Standard Time July 19, 
2021, to be eligible for funding. Please review the Grants.gov website 
at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html for instructions on the process of registering your 
organization as soon as possible to ensure you can meet the electronic 
application deadline. Grants.gov will not accept applications submitted 
after the deadline.
5. Intergovernmental Review
    Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs, applies to this program. This E.O. requires that Federal 
agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance 
with State and local governments. Many States have established a Single 
Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of 
States that maintain a SPOC, please see the White House website: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/. If your State has a SPOC, you may submit your application 
directly for review. Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be 
provided to your State Office for consideration as part of your 
application. If your State has not established a SPOC or you do not 
want to submit your application to the SPOC, your State Office will 
submit your application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or 
agencies.
    You are also encouraged to contact Honie Turner, Program Management 
Division at 202-720-1400 or [email protected] if you have questions 
about this process.
6. Funding Restrictions
    Project Funds may not be used for ineligible purposes. In addition, 
you may not use Project Funds for the following:
    (a) To duplicate current services or to replace or to substitute 
support previously provided. However, Project Funds may be used to 
expand the level of effort or a service beyond what is currently being 
provided;
    (b) To pay for costs to prepare the application for funding under 
this Notice;
    (c) To pay for costs of the Project incurred prior to the effective 
date of the period of performance;
    (d) To pay expenses for applicant employee training not directly 
related to the Project;
    (e) Fund political activities;
    (f) To pay for assistance to any private business enterprise which 
does not have at least 51 percent ownership by those who are either 
citizens of the United States or reside in the United States after 
being legally admitted for permanent residence;
    (g) To pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
    (h) Engage in any activities that are considered a Conflict of 
Interest, as defined by this Notice; or
    (i) Fund any activities prohibited by 2 CFR 200;
    In addition, your application will not be considered for funding if 
it does any of the following:
    (1) Requests more than the maximum grant amount; or
    (2) Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent of 
the Project Funds.
    We will consider your application for funding if it includes 
ineligible costs of 10 percent or less of total Project Funds, if it is 
determined eligible otherwise. However, if your application is 
successful, those ineligible costs must be removed and replaced with 
eligible costs before the Agency will make the grant award or the 
amount of the grant award will be reduced accordingly. If we cannot 
determine the percentage of ineligible costs, your application will not 
be considered for funding.
7. Other Submission Requirements
    (a) Applications will not be accepted if the text is less than 11-
point font. You must submit your application electronically, through 
Grants.gov. You can find State Office contact information at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. You must follow the 
instructions for this funding announcement at https://www.grants.gov. A 
password is not required to access the website.
    (b) National Environmental Policy Act. This Notice has been 
reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970, ``Environmental Policies 
and Procedures.'' We have determined that an Environmental Impact 
Statement is not required because the issuance of regulations and 
instructions, as well as amendments to them, describing administrative 
and financial procedures for processing, approving, and implementing 
the Agency's financial programs is categorically excluded in the 
Agency's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulation found at 7 
CFR 1970.53(f). We have determined that this Notice does not constitute 
a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment.
    The Agency will review each grant application to determine its 
compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide 
additional information or documentation to assist the Agency with this 
determination.
    (c) Civil Rights Compliance Requirements. All grants made under 
this Notice are subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as 
required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A) and Section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

E. Application Review Information

    The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are 
eligible for assistance based on requirements in this Notice, and other 
applicable Federal regulations. If determined eligible, your 
application will be scored by a panel of USDA employees in accordance 
with the point allocation specified in this Notice. Applications will 
be funded in rank order until the funding limitation has been reached. 
Applications that cannot be fully funded may be offered partial funding 
at the Agency's discretion.
1. Scoring Criteria
    All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on 
the following criteria. Evaluators will base scores only on the 
information provided or cross-referenced by page number in each

[[Page 27376]]

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

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices
    If you are selected for funding, you will receive a signed notice 
of Federal award by postal or electronic mail, containing instructions 
on requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of 
the award.
    If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in 
writing via postal or electronic mail and informed of any review and 
appeal rights. Funding of successfully appealed applications will be 
limited to available FY 2021 funding.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this 
program can be found in 2 CFR parts 25, 170, 180, 200, 400, 415, 417, 
418, and 421; and 48 CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to these 
parts. All recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to 
report information about first tier subawards and executive 
compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to have the 
necessary processes and systems in

[[Page 27377]]

place to comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and 
Transparency Act reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless 
you are exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)). These regulations may be 
obtained at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse.
    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for this program:
    (a) Execution of an Agency approved Grant Agreement.
    (b) Acceptance of a written Letter of Conditions.
    (c) Submission of Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of 
Funds.''
    (d) RD Instruction 1940-Q, Exhibit A-1, ``Certification for 
Contracts, Grants and Loans.''
    (e) SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities'' if applicable.
3. Reporting
    After grant approval and through grant completion, you will be 
required to provide the following:
    a. A SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' and a project 
performance report will be required on a semiannual basis (due 30 
working days after end of the semiannual period). For the purposes of 
this grant, semiannual periods end on June 30th and December 31st. The 
project performance reports shall include a comparison of actual 
accomplishments to the objectives established for that period;
    b. Reasons why established objectives were not met, if applicable;
    c. Reasons for any problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if any, 
which have affected or will affect attainment of overall project 
objectives, prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude 
the attainment of particular objectives during established time 
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the 
action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and
    d. Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting 
period.
    e. Provide a final project and financial status report within 90 
days after the expiration or termination of the grant.
    f. Provide outcome project performance reports and final 
deliverables.

G. Agency Contacts

    For general questions about this announcement and for program 
Technical Assistance, please contact the appropriate State Office at 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. You may also contact 
Honie Turner, Program Management Division, Direct Programs Branch, 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA at (202) 720-1400 or email 
[email protected]. You are also encouraged to visit the application 
website for application tools, including an application template. The 
website address is: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants.

H. Other Information

Non-Discrimination Statement
    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and 
at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in 
the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy 
of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form 
or letter to USDA by:

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410; and
(2) Email: [email protected].

Mark Brodziski,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-10610 Filed 5-19-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P