Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2024, 43-48 [2023-26792]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43-48]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26792]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[DOCKET #: RBS-23-BUSINESS-0024]


Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Innovation 
Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2024

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS, Agency), a Rural 
Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), invites applications under the Rural Innovation Stronger 
Economy (RISE) program for fiscal year (FY) 2024, subject to the 
availability of funding. The Agency estimates $2,000,000 will be 
available for the RISE Program for FY 2024. Selected applicants will 
use Agency grant funds to provide financial assistance in support of 
innovation centers and job accelerator programs that improve the 
ability of distressed rural communities to create high wage jobs, 
accelerate the formation of new businesses, and help rural communities 
identify and maximize local assets. All applicants are responsible for 
any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

DATES: Completed applications must be submitted electronically no later 
than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time April 1, 2024, through www.grants.gov to 
be eligible for grant funding. Please review the Grants.gov website for 
instructions on the process of registering your organization as soon as 
possible to ensure that you are able to meet the electronic application 
deadline. The Agency will not consider any application(s) received 
after the deadline and that are not submitted through www.grants.gov. 
Potential applicants may submit a concept proposal for review by the 
Agency to www.grants.gov by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 1, 2024 in 
compliance with 7 CFR 4284.1115(a). The application and Concept 
Proposal deadline dates and times are firm.

ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for a RISE grant, or to submit a 
Concept Proposal for their project, may download the application 
documents and requirements delineated in this Notice from the RD RISE 
website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-innovation-stronger-economy-rise-grants. Information for the 
submission of an electronic application may be found at: 
www.grants.gov. Concept Proposals containing elements outlined in 
Section D.2 of this Notice must be submitted to www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Reister, Program Management 
Division, RBCS, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop-3226, 
Washington, DC 20250-3226, (202) 720-1400 or email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview

    Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications.
    Funding Opportunity Number: RD-RBS-24-01-RISE.
    Assistance Listing: 10.755.
    Dates: Electronic applications must be received and accepted by no 
later than 11:59 Eastern Time, April 1, 2024, or they will not be 
considered for funding.
    Potential applicants may submit a concept proposal for review by 
the Agency to https://www.grants.gov: February 1, 2024 in compliance 
with 7 CFR 4284.1115(a). Submission of a concept proposal is not an 
application for program funds.
    Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants 
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities 
(more details available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points):
     Assisting rural communities to recover economically 
through more and better market opportunities and through improved 
infrastructure;
     Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD 
programs and benefits from RD funded projects; and
     Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to 
the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural 
communities.

A. Program Description

    1. Purpose of the Program. The RISE program is a grant program to 
help struggling communities by funding job accelerators in low-income 
rural communities. The primary objective of the RISE program is to 
support jobs accelerator partnerships to improve the ability of 
distressed rural communities to create high wage jobs, accelerate the 
formation of new businesses through innovation centers, and help rural 
communities identify and maximize local assets.
    2. Statutory Authority. The RISE program is a grant program 
authorized under section 379I of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008w). The regulations governing this 
program are published at 7 CFR part 4284, subpart L.
    3. Definitions. The definitions applicable to this Notice are 
published at 7 CFR 4284.1103. In addition, the terms ``rural'' and 
``rural area'' are defined at section 379I of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)) and will be used for this 
program.
    4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and 
score

[[Page 44]]

applications received in response to this Notice based on the 
provisions found in 7 CFR 4284.1117, Scoring RISE grant applications, 
and as indicated in this Notice. Awards under the RISE program will be 
made on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained 
in 7 CFR 4284.1118, Selecting RISE grant applications for award. The 
Agency will award RISE grants in accordance with 7 CFR 4284.1119, 
Awarding and Administering RISE Grants.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024.
    Available Funds: Funding is anticipated to be $2,000,000. RBCS may, 
at its discretion, increase the total level of funding available in 
this funding round or in any category in this funding round from any 
available source provided the awards meet the requirements of the 
statute which made the funding available to the agency.
    Award Amounts: The minimum award amount per grant is $500,000 and 
the maximum award amount per grant is $2,000,000, as authorized by 
Section 379I of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 2008w).
    Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2024.
    Anticipated Performance Period: September 15, 2024 through December 
31, 2028.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
    Type of Assistance Instrument: Grant Agreement.

C. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants. An eligible applicant must be a rural jobs 
accelerator partnership formed after December 20, 2018, and meet the 
eligibility criteria found in 7 CFR 4284.1112 and this Notice to apply 
for this program. Eligibility exclusions are as follows:
    (a) Individuals and individual entities such as businesses are not 
eligible applicants for the RISE program.
    (b) An applicant is not eligible 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) at the time of application, prior to funding any grant award, and 
disbursement of funds 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. See 7 CFR 
4284.1109. 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 at the time of application, prior to 
funding any grant award and each disbursement of funds to verify this 
information.
    (c) Any corporation that has been convicted of a felony criminal 
violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or 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 unless a Federal 
agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and 
has made a determination that this further action is not necessary to 
protect the interests of the Government.
    Applications that fail to meet any of these requirements by the 
application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be 
evaluated further.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching. The matching funds requirement is 20 
percent of the eligible project costs of any activity carried out using 
RISE grant funds. Matching funds must be available throughout the grant 
term and applied individually to each RISE activity. Grant funds may 
only be used for up to 80 percent of an eligible RISE activity. 
Additional information on matching funds is found at 7 CFR 4284.1114. 
When calculating the matching funds requirement, round to whole dollars 
as appropriate. The matching funds requirement is calculated by 
multiplying the total eligible project costs of each eligible RISE 
activity by 0.20. The amount of matching funds required for the RISE 
activities is then added together to obtain the total amount of non-
Federal matching funds required for the project. Applications that only 
provide matching funds equal to 20 percent of the grant amount will be 
deemed ineligible due to an insufficient matching funds amount.
    A written commitment of matching funds must be provided to verify 
that all matching funds are available during the grant period and this 
documentation should be included in the application in accordance with 
requirements identified in Section D.2 of this Notice. If an applicant 
is awarded a grant, additional verification documentation may be 
required to confirm the availability of matching funds for the duration 
of the grant term.
    Matching funds must meet all of the following criteria:
    (a) They must be spent on eligible expenses during the grant 
period.
    (b) They must be from eligible sources.
    (c) They must be spent in advance or as a pro-rata portion of grant 
funds being spent.
    (d) They must be provided by either the applicant or a third party 
in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution.
    (e) They cannot include other Federal grants unless provided by 
authorizing legislation.
    (f) They cannot include cash or in-kind contributions donated 
outside of the grant period.
    (g) They cannot include over-valued, in-kind contributions.
    (h) They cannot include any project costs that are ineligible under 
the RISE program.
    (i) They cannot be used for ineligible grant purposes as stated in 
7 CFR 4284.1114, 2 CFR part 200, subpart E, ``Cost Principles,'' and 
the most current Federal Acquisition Regulation (for-profits) or 
successor regulations.
    (j) They can include reasonable and customary travel expenses for 
staff delivering the RISE program if written policies explaining how 
these costs are normally reimbursed, including rates, have been 
established. An explanation of this policy must be included in the 
application, or the contributions will not be considered as eligible 
matching funds.
    (k) Applicants must be able to document and verify the number of 
hours worked and the value associated with any in-kind contribution 
being used to meet a matching funds requirement.
    (l) In-kind contributions provided by individuals, businesses, or 
cooperatives which are being assisted by the Applicant cannot provide 
any direct benefit to their own projects as the Agency considers this 
to be a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of 
interest.
    3. Other Eligibility Requirements.
    (a) Purpose Eligibility. Applications must propose the 
establishment of an innovation center and/or costs directly related to 
operations of an innovation center and/or costs directly associated 
with support of programs to be carried out at or in direct partnership 
with job accelerators as outlined in 7 CFR 4284.1113. The Applicant 
project outcome must accelerate the formation of new businesses with 
high-growth potential, improve the ability of rural

[[Page 45]]

businesses and distressed rural communities to create high-wage jobs, 
and strengthen rural regional economies. Project funds, including grant 
and matching funds, must be for eligible purposes only as outlined in 7 
CFR 4284.1114.
    (b) Project Eligibility. All project activities must be for the 
benefit of communities, industries and residents located in a rural 
area, as defined. The Applicant is cautioned against taking any actions 
or incurring any obligations prior to the Agency completing the 
environmental review that would either limit the range of alternatives 
to be considered or that would have an adverse effect on the 
environment, such as the initiation of construction. If the Applicant 
takes any such actions or incurs any such obligations, it could result 
in project ineligibility. Projects involving the construction of an 
innovation center as an eligible purpose are subject to the 
environmental requirements of 7 CFR part 1970, as well as the 
applicable design and construction requirements of RD and the adopted 
codes of the jurisdiction.
    (c) Additional Eligibility Requirements.
    (i) The rural jobs accelerator partnership must have a lead 
applicant who is responsible for the administration of the grant 
proceeds and activities. A lead applicant will be the named applicant 
on Agency documents and must be one of the following entities listed in 
7 CFR 4284.1112(b), which is as follows:
    (1) A district organization;
    (2) An Indian Tribe or a political subdivision of a Tribe, 
including a special purpose unit of a tribal government engaged in 
economic development activities, or a consortium of Indian Tribes;
    (3) A State or a political subdivision of a State, including a 
special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic 
development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions;
    (4) An institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) or a consortium 
of institutions of higher education; or
    (5) A public or private nonprofit organization.
    (ii) The Lead Applicant must be registered in the System for Award 
Management (SAM) prior to submitting an application. The Lead Applicant 
must also maintain an active SAM registration with current information 
at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an 
application under consideration by the Agency. All other restrictions 
in this Notice will apply.
    (iii) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application 
includes any funding restrictions identified under Section D.6 of this 
Notice. Inclusion of funding restrictions outlined in Section D.6 of 
this Notice precludes the Agency from making a federal award.
    (d) Completeness. An application will not be considered for funding 
if it fails to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of application 
deadline or does not provide sufficient information to determine 
eligibility and scoring. Applicants must include all the forms and 
proposal elements as discussed in the regulation and as clarified 
further in this Notice in one package. Incomplete applications will not 
be reviewed by the Agency.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package. For further information 
and program materials, including an Application Template, contact the 
RD National Office and/or review the program website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-innovation-stronger-economy-rise-grants. Application information is also available 
at www.grants.gov.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission. An application must 
contain all the required elements outlined in 7 CFR 4284.1115. Each 
application must address the applicable scoring criteria presented in 7 
CFR 4284.1117 for the type of funding being requested.
    The Application Template provides specific, detailed instructions 
for each item of a complete application. The Agency strongly encourages 
the Applicant to use the examples and illustrations in the Application 
Template to assist in developing a complete application package.
    Potential applicants may submit a concept proposal for review by 
the Agency to www.grants.gov by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 1, 
2024 in compliance with 7 CFR 4284.1115(a). The concept proposal should 
be in a narrative format up to 10 pages in length using a minimum of 
11-point font and submitted electronically through www.grants.gov. The 
concept proposal must include all items stated in 7 CFR 4284.1115(a). 
The concept proposal will be evaluated by the Agency and an 
encouragement or discouragement letter will be issued to the potential 
applicant. If a discouragement letter is issued, it will detail any 
weaknesses evaluated in the Agency's review, though a complete 
application may still be submitted prior to the application deadline. 
Applicants who submit a concept proposal to the Agency will not need to 
resubmit the same information with their application. However, 
submission of a concept proposal is not an application for program 
funds. Applicants that do not submit a concept proposal may still 
submit a complete application for Agency review.
    Only one application can be submitted per applicant, who is defined 
as a lead applicant as found in 7 CFR 4284.1112(b). If two applications 
are submitted by the same lead applicant, both applications will be 
deemed ineligible for funding. Applications must be submitted 
electronically through www.grants.gov. Applications submitted to the 
Agency in any format outside of Grants.gov will not be considered for 
funding.
    3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.
    (a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active 
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting 
its application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. In order to register 
in SAM, entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier 
(UEI). Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
    (b) Applicant must maintain an active SAM registration, with 
current, accurate and complete information, at all times during which 
it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by 
a Federal awarding agency.
    (c) Applicant must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance 
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
    (d) Applicant must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless 
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110.
    (e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has 
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the 
Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the 
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that 
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
applicant.
    4. Submission Date and Time.
    (a) Concept Proposal Submittals. Potential applicants may 
electronically submit a concept proposal for review by the Agency to 
www.grants.gov by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 1, 2024, in 
compliance with 7 CFR 4284.1115(a)

[[Page 46]]

and as stated in Section D.2 of this Notice. Submission of a concept 
proposal is not an application for program funds.
    (b) Application Deadline Date. Completed applications must be 
submitted electronically through www.grants.gov no later than 11:59 
p.m. Eastern Time, April 1, 2024, to be eligible for grant funding.
    Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for funding 
under this grant opportunity. The Agency will not solicit or consider 
new scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after the 
application deadline. The Agency also reserves the right to ask 
applicants for clarifying information and additional verification of 
assertions in the application.
    5. Intergovernmental Review of Applications. 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 an 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 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. 
Applications from Federally recognized Tribes are not subject to this 
requirement.
    6. Funding Restrictions.
    (a) Please note that no assistance or funding from this grant 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.
    (b) Grant funds may be used to pay for up to 80 percent of eligible 
project activity costs. Grant funds may be used to pay for costs 
directly related to the purchase or construction of an innovation 
center located in a low-income rural area; costs directly related to 
operations of an innovation center including purchase of equipment, 
office supplies, and administrative costs including salaries directly 
related to the project; costs directly associated with support programs 
to be carried out at or in direct partnership with job accelerators; 
reasonable and customary travel expenses directly related to job 
accelerators and at rates in compliance with 2 CFR 200.474; utilities, 
operating expenses of the innovation center and job accelerator 
programs and associated programs; and administrative costs of the 
grantee not exceeding 10% of the grant amount for the duration of the 
project.
    (c) Applications must include a cost and performance plan for no 
more than a four-year grant period, or it will not be considered for 
funding. The grant period should begin no earlier than September 15, 
2024, and no later than January 1, 2025. Applications that request 
funds for a project with a performance period ending after December 31, 
2028, will not be considered for funding. Projects must be completed 
within a four-year timeframe. Prior approval is needed from the Agency 
if applicants are awarded a grant and desire the grant period to begin 
earlier or later than previously discussed or approved.
    The Agency may approve requests to extend the grant period for up 
to an additional two-year period at its discretion. Further guidance on 
grant period extensions will be provided in the award document.
    (d) Project funds, including grant and matching funds, cannot be 
used for ineligible grant purposes as stated in 7 CFR 4284.1114, 2 CFR 
part 200, subpart E, ``Cost Principles,'' and the most current Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (for-profits) or successor regulations.
    (e) In addition, an application will not be considered for funding 
if it does any of the following:
    (i) Focuses assistance on only one business;
    (ii) Requests less than the minimum grant amount or more than the 
maximum grant amount;
    (iii) Includes administrative costs in excess of 10 percent of the 
grant amount for the project budget; or
    (iv) Funds that pass through to a member of the partnership in the 
form of lease payments or other activities with a conflict of interest 
or appearance thereof.
    7. Other Submission Requirements.
    (a) Applications should not be submitted in more than one format or 
in more than one submission. Applications should be submitted 
electronically through www.grants.gov only. Applications will not be 
accepted through mail or courier delivery, in-person delivery, email, 
or fax.
    (b) To submit an application electronically, applicants must follow 
instructions provided at www.grants.gov. The Grants.gov website 
provides information about applying electronically as well as the hours 
of operation. A password is not required to access the website. 
Applicants are advised to not wait until the application deadline date 
to begin the application process through Grants.gov. The Grants.gov 
downloadable application package for this program may be located by 
using a keyword, the program name, or the assistance listing number for 
this program. Instructions for registering an organization can be found 
at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration and should be completed 
as soon as possible to ensure that the electronic application deadline 
can be met. Grants.gov will not accept applications submitted after the 
deadline.
    (c) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages or 
other formatting requirements of an application, but a complete 
application should be in a narrative form using a minimum of 11-point 
font. The narrative must clearly describe the jobs accelerator 
partnership, characteristics of the targeted region and targeted 
industry cluster(s), and how the project meets the RISE program 
initiatives.
    (d) The Agency also reserves the right to ask applicants for 
clarifying information and additional verification of assertions made 
in the application.

E. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria. All eligible and complete applications will be 
evaluated and scored based on the selection criteria and weights 
contained in 7 CFR 4284.1117. Failure to address any of the application 
criteria by the application deadline will result in the application 
being determined ineligible, and the application will not be considered 
for funding.
    Priority will be given to projects that will leverage next 
generation gigabit broadband service to promote entrepreneurship and 
entities based in geographical areas with established agriculture and 
technology sectors which are focused on the development of precision 
and autonomous agriculture technologies as a way to strengthen rural 
economies and create jobs.
    To focus investments in areas resulting in the greatest opportunity 
for growth in prosperity, the Agency encourages applications that serve 
the smallest communities with the lowest incomes, with an emphasis on 
areas where at least 20 percent of the

[[Page 47]]

population is living in poverty, according to the American Community 
Survey data or other comparable data by census tracts or Indian 
Reservations.
    The Agency encourages energy communities to utilize the RISE 
program to support workforce development; identify and maximize local 
assets; spur job creation; and connect to regional opportunities, 
networks, and industry clusters.
    2. Review and Selection Process. Applications will be selected for 
award in accordance with the selection criteria in 7 CFR 4284.1118. 
Applications that cannot be fully funded may be offered partial funding 
at the Agency's discretion. If an application is evaluated as an 
eligible project, but not funded, it will not be carried forward into 
the next competition.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. Federal Award Notices.
    The Agency will award RISE grants in accordance with 7 CFR 
4284.1119. Applicants awarded funding will receive a signed notice of 
Federal award by postal or electronic mail from the USDA RD State 
Office located where the application was submitted, containing 
instructions and requirements necessary to proceed with execution and 
performance of the award. Applicants must comply with all applicable 
statutes, regulations, and Notice requirements before the grant award 
will be funded.
    If an application is not selected for funding, the Applicant will 
be notified in writing via postal or electronic mail and informed of 
any review and appeal rights. See 7 CFR part 11 for USDA National 
Appeals Division procedures. We anticipate that there will be no 
available funds for successful appellants once all FY 2024 funds, if 
available, are awarded and obligated.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Additional 
requirements that apply to grantees selected for this program can be 
found in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart L; the Grants and Agreements 
regulations of the Department of Agriculture codified in 2 CFR parts 
180, 184, 400, 415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25, 200, and 170; and 48 
CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to these parts.
    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). Applicants 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 exempt under 2 CFR 
170.110(b)).
    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for awards within this program:
    (a) Execution of an Agency-approved financial assistance agreement;
    (b) Acceptance of a written letter of conditions; and submission of 
the following Agency forms:
    (1) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    (2) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
    (3) Form RD 400-1 for construction projects.
    3. Reporting. After grant approval and through grant completion, 
applicants will be required to provide an SF-425, ``Federal Financial 
Report,'' and a performance report on a semiannual basis (due 30 
working days after end of the semiannual period) for the first two 
years, and then annually thereafter, with the first report submitted no 
later than six months after receiving a grant under this section. The 
project performance reports shall include all items listed in 7 CFR 
4284.1120(h)(2).

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

    If you have questions about this Notice, please see the contact 
provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Notice. 
Applicants wanting to apply for a RISE grant please see the ADDRESSES 
section of this Notice.

H. Build America Buy America Act

    Funding to Non-Federal Entities. Awardees that are Non-Federal 
Entities, defined pursuant to 2 CFR 200.1 as any State, local 
government, Indian tribe, Institution of Higher Education, or nonprofit 
organization, shall be governed by the requirements of Section 70914 of 
the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) within the Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58), and its implementing 
regulations at 2 CFR part 184. Any requests for waiver of these 
requirements must be submitted pursuant to USDA's guidance available 
online at https://www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver.

I. Other Information

    1. Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the information 
collection requirements associated with this program, as covered in 
this Notice, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0075.
    2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this 
Notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970.
    3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All 
applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be registered in SAM 
and have a UEI number as stated in Section D.3 of this notice. All 
recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report 
information about first-tier sub-awards and executive total 
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
    4. Civil Rights Act. 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, 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) and section 
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, title VIII of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1968, title IX, Executive Order 13166 (Limited English 
Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and the Equal Credit Opportunity 
Act of 1974.
    5. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil 
rights laws and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, 
its Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, 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.
    Program information may be made available in languages other than 
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large 
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the 
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; or the 711 Relay 
Service.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should 
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 
which can be obtained online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf from any

[[Page 48]]

USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter 
addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, 
address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged 
discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an 
alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter 
must be submitted 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; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: [email protected]
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Karama Neal,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-26792 Filed 12-29-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P