Notice of Funding Opportunity for Rural Cooperative Development Grants for Fiscal Year 2024, 23551-23560 [2024-07136]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 66 / Thursday, April 4, 2024 / Notices
Regional Forester, Pacific Northwest
Region
Regional Forester decisions affecting
National Forests in Oregon: The
Oregonian.
Regional Forester decisions affecting
National Forests in Washington: The
Seattle Times.
Regional Forester decisions that affect
all National Forests and Grasslands in
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Three Rivers District Ranger
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Tonasket District Ranger decisions:
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Sullivan Lake District Ranger
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Republic District Ranger decisions:
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Deschutes National Forest
Deschutes Forest Supervisor, District
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Manager decisions: The Bulletin.
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Fremont-Winema Forest Supervisor
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Malheur National Forest
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Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest
Supervisor, Darrington District Ranger,
and Skykomish District Ranger
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Mt. Baker District Ranger decisions
that encompass the northern half of the
district: Bellingham Herald.
Snoqualmie District Ranger decisions
that encompass the northern half of the
district: Snoqualmie Valley Record.
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Snoqualmie District Ranger decisions
that encompass the southern half of the
district: Enumclaw Courier Herald.
Mt. Hood National Forest
Mt. Hood Forest Supervisor and
District Ranger decisions: The
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Ochoco National Forest and Crooked
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Ochoco Forest Supervisor and District
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Willamette National Forest
Willamette Forest Supervisor, Middle
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Detroit District Ranger decisions:
Statesman Journal.
Dated: March 29, 2024.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest
System.
[FR Doc. 2024–07120 Filed 4–3–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Olympic National Forest
Olympic Forest Supervisor and
District Ranger decisions: The
Olympian.
[Docket No: RBS–24–CO–OP–0003]
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Rogue River-Siskiyou Forest
Supervisor, High Cascades District
Ranger, J. Herbert Stone Nursery
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District Ranger decisions: Rogue Valley
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Powers District Ranger decisions: The
World.
AGENCY:
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Corvallis Gazette-Times.
Central Coast Ranger District Ranger
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Area District Ranger decisions: The
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Hebo District Ranger decisions:
Tillamook Headlight Herald.
Umatilla National Forest
Umatilla Forest Supervisor and
District Ranger decisions: East
Oregonian.
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Umpqua Forest Supervisor and
District Ranger decisions: The NewsReview.
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Wallowa-Whitman Forest Supervisor
and Whitman District Ranger decisions:
Baker City Herald.
La Grande District Ranger decisions:
The Observer.
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Notice of Funding Opportunity for
Rural Cooperative Development Grants
for Fiscal Year 2024
Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
The Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBCS or the
Agency), a Rural Development (RD)
agency of the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA), invites
applications for grants under the Rural
Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG)
program for fiscal year (FY) 2024. This
notice is being issued to allow
applicants sufficient time to leverage
financing, prepare and submit
applications, and give the Agency time
to process applications within FY 2024.
Successful applications will be selected
by the Agency for funding and
subsequently awarded. All applicants
are responsible for any expenses
incurred in developing their
applications.
SUMMARY:
Completed applications must be
submitted electronically by no later than
11:59 p.m. eastern time (ET), June 3,
2024, through www.grants.gov, to be
eligible for grant funding. Late or
incomplete applications are not eligible
for funding under this notice and will
not be evaluated.
ADDRESSES: All applications must be
submitted electronically at
www.grants.gov. Additional resources
are available at https://
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
business-programs/rural-cooperativeDATES:
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development-grant-program,
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
rural-cooperative-development-grantprogram.
Applicants are encouraged to contact
the USDA RD State Office for the State
where the Project will be located in
advance of the application deadline to
discuss the Project and ask any
questions about the RCDG program or
the application process. Contact
information for USDA RD State Offices
can be found at www.rd.usda.gov/aboutrd/offices/state-offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa
Sharp at lisa.sharp@usda.gov, Business
Loan and Grant Analyst, Program
Management Division, RBCS, USDA,
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail
Stop-3226, Room 5160-South,
Washington, DC 20250–3226, or call
(202) 720–1400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name:
Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Rural
Cooperative Development Grant.
Announcement Type: Notice of
Funding Opportunity.
Funding Opportunity Number: RBCS–
RCDG–2024.
Assistance Listing Number: 10.771.
Dates: Completed applications must
be submitted electronically by 11:59
p.m. ET on, June 3, 2024, through
www.grants.gov, to be eligible for grant
funding. Late or incomplete
applications are not eligible for funding
under this notice and will not be
evaluated.
Rural Development Key Priorities: The
Agency encourages applicants to
consider Projects that will advance the
following key priorities (more details
available at www.rd.usda.gov/prioritypoints):
• Creating More and Better Market
Opportunities; Assisting Rural
communities recover economically
through more and better market
opportunities and through improved
infrastructure;
• Advancing Racial Justice, PlaceBased Equity, and Opportunity;
Ensuring all Rural residents have
equitable access to RD programs and
benefits from RD funded projects; and
• Addressing Climate Change and
Environmental Justice; 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
primary objective of the RCDG program
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is to improve the economic condition of
Rural Areas by helping individuals and
businesses start, expand, or improve
Rural cooperatives and Mutually Owned
Businesses through Cooperative
Development Centers.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority.
The RCDG program is authorized under
Section 310B(e) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act
(CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)), as
amended by the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115–
334, title VI, secs. 6412–15,
6601(a)(1)(B), 6701(c), (d)(1)), and
implemented by 7 CFR part 4284,
subparts A and F.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2024, (Pub. L. 118–42, Division B, title
VII, sec. 736, has designated funding for
Projects in Persistent Poverty Counties.
Persistent poverty counties are defined
in section 736 as ‘‘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.’’ The eligible
population in persistent poverty
counties includes any county seat of any
persistent poverty county that has a
population that does not exceed the
authorized population limit by more
than 10 percent. This provision
expanded the current 50,000 population
limit to 55,000 for only county seats
located in persistent poverty counties.
3. Definitions. The following
definition, in addition to the ones
published at 7 CFR 4284.3 and
4284.504, is applicable to this notice. In
addition, the terms ‘‘Rural’’ and ‘‘Rural
Area,’’ as defined in 7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13), will be used for this
program instead of the definition of
‘‘Rural and Rural Area’’ currently
published at 7 CFR 4284.3. The first
letter of each word in a defined term is
capitalized from this point forward in
the notice for easy identification.
Mutually Owned Business—An
organization owned and governed by
members who are its consumers,
producers, employees, or suppliers.
4. Application of Awards. The Agency
will review, evaluate, and score
applications received in response to this
notice based on the provisions found in
7 CFR 4284.511, .512, .513, and as
indicated in this notice. Awards under
the RCDG program will be made on a
competitive basis using specific
selection criteria contained in 7 CFR
4284.513.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grant.
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Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024.
Available Funds: $5.8 million will be
available for FY 2024. RBCS may at its
discretion, increase the total level of
funding available 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: Maximum amount
$200,000.
Anticipated Award Date: September
30, 2024.
Performance Period: The grant
performance period should begin no
earlier than October 1, 2024, and no
later than January 1, 2025. The
application must include no more than
a one-year grant performance period, or
it will not be considered for funding.
Applications that request funds for a
period beginning after January 1, 2025,
will not be considered for funding.
Projects must be completed within a
one-year timeframe. Prior written
approval is needed from the Agency if
the applicant is awarded a grant and
desires the grant performance period to
begin earlier or later than previously
approved.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards:
None.
Type of Assistance Instrument:
Financial Assistance Agreement.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants. Eligible
applicants must meet the eligibility
requirements of 7 CFR 4284.507. You
must be a nonprofit corporation or an
institution of higher education to apply
for this program. Public bodies and
individuals are not eligible to apply for
this program. Applicants must be aware
of the following:
(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 25.200. To register in SAM, entities
will be required to obtain a Unique
Entity Identifier (UEI). Instructions for
obtaining the UEI are available at
sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
Further information regarding SAM
registration and the UEI can be found in
this notice.
(b) Each applicant must certify that it
has not been debarred or suspended or
is otherwise excluded from or ineligible
for participation in Federal assistance
programs under Executive Order 12549,
Debarment and Suspension. The Agency
will check the Do Not Pay (DNP) system
at the time of application and prior to
funding any grant award to determine if
the applicant has been debarred or
suspended. Applicants are responsible
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for resolving any issues that are reported
in the DNP system and if issues are not
resolved by deadlines found in this
notice, the Agency may proceed to
award funds to other eligible applicants.
In addition, an applicant must be
eligible in accordance with 7 CFR
4284.6 and will be required to certify as
part of the application that it does not
have an outstanding judgment against it.
(c) The Further Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2024, Public Law
118–47, Division B, title VII, sections
744 and 745 provide that 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 provided with
funds appropriated by this Act, 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.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching. A match
of at least 25 percent (5 percent for 1994
Institutions) of the total project cost is
required for the application as provided
in 7 CFR 4284.513(f). When calculating
the Matching Funds requirement, round
up or down to whole dollars as
appropriate.
An example of how to calculate
Matching Funds is as follows:
(a) Take the amount of grant funds
requested and divide it by .75. This will
provide the total project cost.
Example: $200,000 (grant amount)/0.75
(percentage for use of grant funds)
= $266,667 (total project cost)
(b) Subtract the amount of grant funds
requested from the total project cost.
This will provide the Matching Funds
requirement.
Example: $266,667 (total project
cost)¥$200,000 (grant amount) =
$66,667 (Matching Funds
requirement)
(c) A quick way to confirm the correct
amount of Matching Funds is to take the
total project cost and multiply it by .25.
Example: $266,667 (total project cost) ×
.25 (maximum percentage of
Matching Funds requirement) =
$66,667 (Matching Funds
requirement)
The applicant must verify that all
Matching Funds are available during the
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grant performance period and provide
documentation with the application in
accordance with requirements identified
in section D.2(b)(8) of this notice. If
awarded a grant, additional verification
documentation may be required to
confirm the availability of Matching
Funds.
Other rules for Matching Funds that
applicants must follow are listed below.
(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 board/
advisory council member’s time.
(f) They cannot include other Federal
grants unless provided by authorizing
legislation.
(g) They cannot include cash or inkind contributions donated outside of
the grant period.
(h) They cannot include over-valued,
in-kind contributions.
(i) They cannot include any project
costs that are ineligible under the RCDG
program.
(j) They cannot include any project
costs that are restricted or unallowable
under 2 CFR part 200, subpart E, and
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (CFR
title 48) (for-profits) or successor
regulation.
(k) They can include loan funds from
a Federal source.
(l) They can include travel and
incidentals for board/advisory council
members if the organization has
established written policies explaining
how these costs are normally
reimbursed, including rates. The
applicant must include an explanation
of this policy in the application, or the
contributions will not be considered as
eligible Matching Funds.
(m) The applicant 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.
(n) In-kind contributions provided by
individuals, businesses, or cooperatives
which are being assisted by the
applicant cannot be provided for the
direct benefit of their own projects as
RD 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 or
continuation of a Cooperative
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Development Center. Applicants must
use project funds, including grant and
Matching Funds, for eligible purposes
only (see 7 CFR 4284.508). In addition,
project funds may also be used for
programs providing for the coordination
of services and sharing of information
among the Centers as stated in 7 U.S.C.
1932(e)(4)(C)(vi).
(b) Project eligibility. All Project
activities must be for the benefit of a
Rural Area.
(c) Multiple applications deemed
ineligible. Only one application can be
submitted per applicant. If two
applications are submitted (regardless of
the applicant’s name) that include the
same Executive Director and/or advisory
boards or committees of an existing
Center, both applications will be
determined ineligible for funding.
(d) Satisfactory performance.
Applicants must be performing
satisfactorily on any outstanding RCDG
award to be considered eligible for a
new award. Satisfactory performance
includes being up to date on all
financial and performance reports as
prescribed in the grant award, and
current on all tasks and timeframes for
utilizing grant and Matching Funds as
approved in the work plan and budget.
If applicants have any unspent grant
funds on RCDG awards prior to FY
2023, the application will not be
considered for funding. If an applicant
has prior award(s) with unspent funds
of 50 percent or more than what the
approved work plan and budget
projected at the time a FY 2024
application is being evaluated, the
application will not be considered for
funding. The Agency will verify the
performance status of the applicant’s
prior awards and make a determination
after the FY 2024 application period
closes.
(e) Duplication of current services.
Applications must demonstrate that the
applicant is providing services to new
customers or new services to current
customers. If the work plan and budget
are duplicative of the applicant’s
existing award, the application will not
be considered for funding. If the
workplan and budget are duplicative of
a previous or existing RCDG and/or
Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant
award, the application will not be
considered for funding. The Agency will
make this determination at its sole
discretion. Please note that the Agency
only allows one active RCDG award to
a grantee to ensure that there is no
duplication of services.
(f) Indirect costs. Negotiated indirect
cost rate approval does not need to be
included in the application but will
need to be provided if a grant is
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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. Applicants considering a de
minimis rate or in need of establishing
an indirect cost rate should discuss
these options with the Agency.
D. Application and Submission
Information
1. Address to Request Application
Package. The RCDG program
application template, copies of
necessary forms and samples are
available at www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/rural-cooperative-developmentgrant-program. The RCDG program
regulations are available at 7 CFR part
4284 subparts A and F. For further
information, contact the USDA State
Office where the Project will be located
at www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/stateoffices.
2. Content and Form of Application
Submission. An application must
contain all the required elements
outlined in 7 CFR 4284.510 and this
notice. Each application must address
the applicable scoring criteria presented
in 7 CFR 4284.513 and this notice for
the type of funding being requested.
Applicants are encouraged, but not
required, to utilize the application
template found at www.rd.usda.gov/
programs-services/rural-cooperativedevelopment-grant-program. The
application template provides specific,
detailed instructions for each item of a
complete application. The Agency
emphasizes the importance of including
every item and strongly encourages
applicants to follow the instructions
carefully, using the examples and
illustrations in the application template.
Incomplete applications will be
ineligible to compete for funds.
Applications lacking sufficient
information to determine eligibility and
scoring will be considered ineligible.
Information submitted after the
application deadline will not be
accepted.
(a) Clarifications on Forms.
(1) Form SF–424, ‘‘Application for
Federal Assistance.’’ This form must
include the applicant’s Unique Entity
Identifier (UEI) number in item 8c on
the form. The UEI is assigned
automatically to all active SAM.gov
registered entities If an applicant does
not include the UEI number in the
application, it will not be considered for
funding.
(2) Form SF 424B, Assurances—NonConstruction Programs. This form is no
longer required as a part of the
application. This information is now
collected through the applicant’s
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registration or annual recertification in
SAM.gov through the Financial
Assistance General Representations and
Certifications.
(b) Clarifications on Proposal
Elements. Requirements below are
provided in addition to the
requirements provided in 7 CFR
4284.510(c).
(1) Title Page. Must include the title
of the Project as well as any other
relevant identifying information.
(2) Table of Contents. This must
include page numbers for each
component of the application.
(3) Executive Summary. In addition to
the items in 7 CFR 4284.510(c)(3), this
must discuss the percentage of work
that will be performed among
organizational staff, consultants, or
other contractors. The summary must
not exceed two pages.
(4) Eligibility. This discussion must
also include Matching Funds and other
eligibility requirements. This discussion
must not exceed two pages.
(5) Proposal Narrative. Must not
exceed 40 pages using at least 11-point
font and should describe the essential
aspects of the Project. The Executive
Summary and Eligibility discussion are
not included within the 40-page limit of
the proposal narrative.
(i) Information Sheet. If evaluation
criteria are listed on the Table of
Contents and then specifically and
individually addressed in narrative
form, it is not necessary to include an
information sheet. Otherwise, it is
required as described at 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(5)(ii).
(ii) Goals of the Project.
(A) Applicant must include a
statement providing information
outlined in 7 CFR 4284.510(c)(5)(iii)(A),
(B), (C) and (D).
(B) Expected economic impacts
should be tied to tasks included in the
work plan and budget.
(iii) Performance Evaluation Criteria.
The Agency has established annual
performance evaluation measures to
evaluate the RCDG program and the
applicant must provide estimates on the
following:
(A) Number of groups assisted who
are not legal entities.
(B) Number of businesses assisted that
are not cooperatives.
(C) Number of cooperatives assisted.
(D) Number of businesses
incorporated that are not cooperatives.
(E) Number of cooperatives
incorporated.
(F) Total number of jobs created as a
result of assistance.
(G) Total number of jobs saved as a
result of assistance.
(H) Number of jobs created for the
Center as a result of RCDG funding.
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(I) Number of jobs saved for the
Center as a result of RCDG funding.
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 the
organization because of the RCDG
funding or actual jobs to be created by
cooperative businesses or other
businesses as a result of assistance from
the organization. When calculating jobs
saved, estimates should be based only
on actual jobs that would have been lost
if the organization did not receive RCDG
funding or actual jobs that would have
been lost without assistance from the
organization.
Additional performance elements may
be included. In instances where job
creation or job retention may not be a
relevant indicator, applicants should
provide relevant, specific and
measurable performance elements that
could be included in an award
document. For example, applicants may
consider the following as it relates to
their specific work: housing
cooperatives (number of units created or
preserved); worker cooperatives
(number of jobs created, number of
employee-owned positions created);
consumer cooperatives (number of
people with access to groceries,
renewable energy services); shared
services cooperatives (number of
businesses with access to affordable
products or services, joint marketing,
distribution channels); real estate
cooperatives (number of community
members invested in their community,
number of real estate properties created
or saved).
(iv) Undertakings. The applicant must
expressly undertake to do the following:
(A) Take all practicable steps to
develop continuing sources of financial
support for the Center, particularly from
sources in the private sector;
(B) Make arrangements for the
activities by the Nonprofit Institution
operating the Center to be monitored
and evaluated; and
(C) Provide an accounting for the
money received by the grantee under
this subpart.
(v) Work Plan. Work plan and budget
proposal elements should be addressed
under proposal narrative criterion in 7
CFR 4284.510(c)(5)(iv), utilizing the
specific requirements of Section E.1(h)
of this notice.
(vi) Delivery of Cooperative
Development Assistance. The applicant
must describe its previous
accomplishments and outcomes in
Cooperative Development activities
and/or its potential for effective delivery
of Cooperative Development services to
Rural Areas. The description(s) should
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be addressed under proposal narrative
criterion in 7 CFR 4284.510(c)(5)(vii)
utilizing the specific requirements of
technical assistance and other services
in Section E.1(b) of this notice.
(vii) Qualifications of Personnel.
Applicants must describe the
qualifications of personnel expected to
perform key Center tasks, and whether
these personnel are to be full/part-time
Center employees or contract personnel.
All requirements of 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(5)(viii) should be addressed
under the proposal narrative criterion,
utilizing the specific requirements of
qualifications of those performing the
tasks in Section E.1(i) of this notice.
(viii) Support and Commitments and
Future Support. Applicants must
describe the level of support and
commitment in the community for the
proposed Center and the services it
would provide under 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(5)(ix) and the future
support and funding under 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(5)(x) utilizing the
requirements of commitment in section
E.1(f) and local and future support in
section E.1(j) of this notice.
(ix) Proposal Evaluation Criteria.
Applications will not be considered for
funding if they do not address all of the
proposal evaluation criteria. See
application review information in
Section E.1. of this notice for a
description of the proposal evaluation
criteria.
(x) Relevant Information. Only
appendices A–C will be considered
when evaluating applications. Do not
include resumes of staff or consultants
in the application.
(6) No Current Outstanding Federal
Judgments Certification. Each applicant
must certify that the United States has
not obtained an unsatisfied judgement
against its property, is not delinquent on
the payment of federal income taxes or
any other federal debt and will not use
grant funds to pay judgments obtained
by the United States. Applicants should
make this certification within their
application with this statement in the
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 relating to
this certification is not required.
(7) Certification. Applicants must
certify that they have obtained Matching
Funds as required by 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(7). Applicants should make
this certification within their
certification, with this statement:
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‘‘[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT]
certifies that Matching Funds will be
available at the same time grant funds
are anticipated to be spent and that
expenditures of Matching Funds shall
be pro-rated or spent in advance of grant
funding, such that for every dollar of the
total project cost, at least 25 cents (5
cents for 1994 Institutions) of Matching
Funds will be expended.’’ A separate
signature relating to this certification is
not required.
(8) Verification of Matching Funds.
Applicants must verify all Matching
Funds. The documentation must be
included in Appendix A of the
application and will not count towards
the 40-page limitation. The Agency
recommends making this verification
with a template letter, but the template
is not required. Template letters are
available for each type of Matching
Funds contribution at:
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
rural-cooperative-development-grantprogram.
(i) Matching Funds provided in cash.
The following requirements must be
met:
(A) Provided by the Applicant. The
application must include a statement
verifying: (1) the amount of the cash and
(2) the source of the cash. Applicants
may also provide a bank statement
dated 30 days or less from the
application deadline date to verify a
cash match.
(B) Provided by a Third-Party. The
application must include a signed letter
from the third party verifying: (1) how
much cash will be donated and (2) that
it will be available corresponding to the
proposed time frame or donated on a
specific date within the grant
performance period.
(ii) Matching Funds provided by an
in-kind donation. The following
requirements must be met:
(A) Provided by the Applicant. The
application must include a signed letter
from the applicant or the authorized
representative verifying: (1) the nature
of the goods and/or services to be
donated and how they will be used, (2)
when the goods and/or services will be
donated (i.e., corresponding to the
proposed grant performance period or to
specific dates within the specified time
frame), and (3) the value of the goods
and/or services. Please note that most
applicant contributions for the RCDG
program are considered applicant cash
match in accordance with this notice.
Applicants needing clarification for
verification of Matching Funds should
contact the RD State Office. Identifying
Matching Funds improperly can affect
application scoring.
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(B) Provided by a Third-Party. The
application must include a signed letter
from the third party verifying: (1) the
nature of the goods and/or services to be
donated and how they will be used, (2)
when the goods and/or services will be
donated (i.e., corresponding to the
proposed grant performance period or to
specific dates within the grant
performance period), and (3) the value
of the goods and/or services.
(iii) Identification and Verification of
Matching Funds. To ensure applicants
are identifying and verifying Matching
Funds appropriately, please note the
following:
(A) If applicants are paying for goods
and/or services as part of the Matching
Funds requirement, the expenditure is
considered a cash match, and must
verify it as such. Universities must
verify the goods and services they are
providing to the Project as a cash match
and the verification must be approved
by the appropriate approval official (i.e.,
sponsored programs office or
equivalent).
(B) If applicants have already received
cash from a third party (e.g., a
foundation) before the start of the
proposed grant performance period, the
applicant must verify this as its own
cash match and not as a third-party cash
match. If applicants are receiving cash
from a third party during the grant
performance period, then the applicant
must verify the cash as a third-party
cash match.
(C) Board resolutions for a cash match
must be approved at the time of
application.
(D) Applicants can only consider
goods or services for which no
expenditure is made as an in-kind
contribution.
(E) If a non-profit or another
organization contributes the services of
affiliated volunteers, they must follow
the third-party, in-kind donation
verification requirement for each
individual volunteer.
(F) Expected program income may not
be used to fulfill the applicant Matching
Funds requirement at the time of the
application submission. If the applicant
has a contract to provide services in
place at the time of application
submission, then they must submit the
contract with the application, and
applicants can verify the amount of the
contract as a cash match.
(G) The valuation processes used for
in-kind contributions do not need to be
included in the application, but
applicants must be able to demonstrate
how the valuation was derived if a grant
is awarded. The grant award may be
withdrawn, or the amount of the grant
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reduced if applicant cannot demonstrate
how the valuation was derived.
Successful applicants must comply
with requirements identified in this
notice in Section F, Federal Award
Administration Information.
(c) Completeness. An application will
not be considered for funding if it fails
to meet all eligibility criteria by the
application deadline or does not
provide sufficient information to
determine eligibility and scoring.
Applicants must include, in one
submission to the Agency, all the forms
and proposal elements as discussed in
the program regulation and as clarified
further in this notice. Incomplete
applications will not be reviewed by the
Agency.
3. System for Award Management and
Unique Entity Identifier.
(a) At the time of application, each
applicant must have an active
registration in the SAM before
submitting its application in accordance
with 2 CFR part 25. To register in SAM,
entities will be required to obtain a UEI.
Instructions for obtaining the UEI are
available at sam.gov/content/entityregistration.
(b) Each 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) Each applicant must ensure that it
completes the Financial Assistance
General Representations and
Certifications in SAM.
(d) Each 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 Dates and Times.
(a) Application Technical Assistance.
Prior to official submission of
applications, applicants may request
technical assistance or other application
guidance from the Agency, if such
requests are made prior to May 6, 2024.
Agency contact information can be
found in Section G of this notice.
(b) Application Deadline Date.
Completed applications must be
submitted electronically through
www.grants.gov and received no later
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than 11:59 p.m. ET on June 3, 2024, to
be eligible for grant funding. Please
review the Grants.gov website at
www.grants.gov/register for instructions
on the process of registering an
organization as soon as possible to
ensure that all electronic application
deadlines are met. Grants.gov will not
accept applications submitted after the
deadline.
The Agency will not solicit or
consider new scoring or eligibility
information that is submitted after the
application deadline. RBCS also
reserves the right to ask applicants for
clarifying information and additional
verification of assertions in the
application.
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:
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/officefederal-financial-management/. If the
applicant’s State has a SPOC, then a
copy of the application must be
submitted for review. Any comments
obtained through the SPOC must be
provided to the applicant’s State Office
for consideration as part of the
application. If the applicant’s State has
not established a SPOC, applications
may be submitted directly to the
Agency. Applications from federally
recognized Indian Tribes are not subject
to this requirement.
6. Funding Restrictions.
(a) The use of grant funds is outlined
at 7 CFR 4284.508. Grant funds may be
used to pay for up to 75 percent of the
cost of establishing and operating
centers for Rural Cooperative
Development. Grant funds may be used
to pay for 95 percent of the cost of
establishing and operating centers for
Rural Cooperative Development when
the applicant is a college identified as
a ‘‘1994 Institution’’ for purposes of the
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status
Act of 1994, as defined by 7 U.S.C. 301
note; Public Law 103–382, as amended.
(b) As required by 7 U.S.C. Chapter
38, Subchapter VII and 7 CFR part 990,
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 7 U.S.C. 1639o.
Verification of valid hemp licenses will
occur at the time of award. The purpose
of the RCDG program is to provide
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technical assistance, so funding to
produce hemp or marketing hemp
production is not eligible.
(c) Project funds, including grant and
Matching Funds, cannot be used for
ineligible grant purposes as provided in
7 CFR 4284.10. Also, applicants shall
not use Project funds for the following:
(1) To purchase, rent, or install
laboratory equipment or processing
machinery;
(2) To pay for the operating costs of
any entity receiving assistance from the
Center;
(3) To pay costs of the Project where
a Conflict of Interest exists;
(4) To fund any activities prohibited
by 2 CFR part 200; or
(5) To fund any activities considered
unallowable by 2 CFR part 200, subpart
E, Cost Principles, and the Federal
Acquisition Regulation or successor
regulations.
(d) In addition, an application will
not be considered for funding if it does
any of the following:
(1) Focuses assistance on only one
cooperative or Mutually Owned
Business;
(2) Requests more than the maximum
grant amount; or
(3) Proposes ineligible costs that equal
more than 10 percent of total project
costs. The ineligible costs will NOT be
removed at this stage to proceed with
application processing. For purposes of
this determination, the grant amount
requested plus the Matching Funds
amount constitutes the total project
costs.
(e) We will consider applications for
funding that include ineligible costs of
10 percent or less of total project costs
if the remaining costs are determined
eligible. If the application is successful,
ineligible costs must be removed and
replaced with eligible costs before the
Agency makes the grant award, or the
amount of the grant award will be
reduced accordingly. If the Agency
cannot determine the percentage of
ineligible costs due to lack of detail, the
application will not be considered for
funding.
7. Other Submission Requirements.
Applications must be submitted
electronically. Note that we cannot
accept applications submitted through
mail or courier delivery, in-person
delivery, email, or fax. For electronic
applications, applicants must follow the
instruction for this funding
announcement at www.grants.gov.
Applicants can locate the Grants.gov
downloadable application package for
this program by using a keyword, the
program name, Assistance Listing
Number or the Funding Opportunity
Number for this program.
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Users of Grants.gov must already have
a UEI number and must also be
registered and maintain registration in
SAM in accordance with 2 CFR part 25.
The UEI number must be associated
with the correct tax identification
number of the RCDG applicant. We
strongly recommend that applicants do
not wait until the application deadline
date to begin the application process
through Grants.gov.
All application documents must be
submitted through Grants.gov.
Applications must include electronic
signatures. Original signatures may be
required if funds are awarded. After
electronically applying through
Grants.gov, applicants will receive an
automated acknowledgement from
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov
tracking number.
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E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria. Scoring criteria will follow
statutory criteria in 7 U.S.C. 1932(e), the
criteria published in the program
regulations at 7 CFR 4284.513, and
criteria in this notice. Applicants should
also include Content and Form of
Application Submission information as
described in Section D.2 of this notice.
if addressing these items under the
scoring criteria. Evaluators will base
scores only on the responses within
each individual scoring criteria.
Applicant may cross-reference another
section to avoid duplication of
narrative. The maximum number of
points available is 110. Newly
established or proposed Centers that do
not yet have a track record on which to
evaluate the criteria should refer to the
expertise and track records of staff or
consultants expected to perform tasks
related to the respective criteria.
Proposed or newly established Centers
must be organized well enough at the
time of application to address their
capabilities for meeting these criteria.
The clarifications provided below are
in addition to, and do not replace the
guidance provided in 7 CFR 4284.513.
(a) Administrative Capabilities.
Maximum score of ten (10) points. At a
minimum, applicants must discuss the
administrative capabilities provided in
7 CFR 4284.513(a) and expertise in
administering Federal grant funding
within the last five years, including but
not limited to past RCDG awards. Please
list the name of the Federal grant
program(s), the amount(s), and the
date(s) of funding received.
Applicants will score higher on this
criterion by demonstrating that the
Center has independent governance.
Applicants that are universities or
parent organizations should
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demonstrate that there is a separate
board of directors for the Center.
(b) Technical Assistance and Other
Services. Maximum score of ten (10)
points. Each application will be
evaluated based on its demonstrate
expertise within the last five years in
providing technical assistance and
accomplishing effective outcomes in
Rural Areas to promote and assist the
development of cooperatively and
Mutually Owned Businesses. At a
minimum, applicants must discuss:
(1) Potential for delivering effective
technical assistance;
(2) The types of assistance provided;
(3) The expected effects of that
assistance;
(4) The sustainability of organizations
receiving the assistance; and
(5) The transferability of the
applicant’s Cooperative Development
strategies and focus to other areas of the
United States.
A chart or table showing the outcomes
of the demonstrated expertise based
upon the performance elements listed in
Section D.2(b)(5)(iii) of this notice or as
identified in the award document on
previous RCDG awards is
recommended. At a minimum, please
provide information for FY 2019 to FY
2023 awards. Applicants may also
include any performance outcomes from
a FY 2023 RCDG award. It is preferred
that one chart or table for each award
year be provided. The intention is for
the applicant to provide actual
performance numbers based upon
award years (fiscal year) even though
the grant performance period for the
award was implemented during the next
calendar or fiscal year. If applicants
have not previously received an RCDG
award, provide a narrative of
explanation.
Applicants will score higher on this
criterion by providing evidence of
outcomes for more than three fiscal year
awards and demonstrating that any
organizations assisted within the last
five years are sustainable. Please
describe specific Project(s) when
addressing items 1–5 of paragraph (b) of
this section. To reduce duplication,
descriptions of specific Projects and
their impacts, outcomes, and roles can
be discussed once under criterion (b) or
(c) of this section. Applicants must
cross-reference the information under
the other criterion.
(c) Economic Development. Maximum
score of ten (10) points. Applicant’s
demonstrated ability to assist in the
development of the items listed in 7
CFR 4284.513(c) or Mutually Owned
Businesses will be evaluated. Examples
of facilitating development of new
cooperative approaches are organizing
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cooperatives among underserved
individuals or communities; an
innovative market approach; a type of
cooperative currently not in the
applicant’s service area; a new
cooperative structure; novel ways to
raise member equity or community
capitalization; conversion of an existing
business to cooperative ownership.
Applicants will score higher on the
Economic Development criteria by
providing quantifiable economic
measurements showing the impacts of
past development projects within the
last five years, and details of the
applicant’s role in Economic
Development outcomes.
(d) Past performance in Establishing
Legal Business Entities. Maximum score
of ten (10) points. Applicants
demonstrating past performance in
establishing legal cooperative business
entities and other legal business entities
since October 1, 2019, will be evaluated.
Provide the name of the organization(s)
established, the date(s) of formation,
and the applicant’s role(s) in assisting
with the incorporation(s) under this
criterion. Documentation verifying the
establishment of legal business entities
must be included in Appendix C of the
application and will not count against
the 40-page limit for the narrative. The
documentation must include proof that
organizational documents were filed
with the Secretary of State’s Office (i.e.,
Certificate of Incorporation or
information from the State’s official
website naming the entity established
and the date of establishment); or if the
business entity is not required to
register with the Secretary of State, or a
certification from the business entity
that a legal business entity has been
established and when. Please note that
applicants are not required to submit
articles of incorporation to receive
points under this criterion. Applicants
that are an established legal cooperative
business will score higher on this
criterion. If the applicant’s State does
not incorporate cooperative business
entities, please describe how the
established business entity operates like
a cooperative. Examples may include,
but are not limited to, principles and
practices of shared ownership,
democratic control, and distribution of
net income based on use of the business
rather than equity contributed.
(e) Networking and Regional Focus.
Maximum score of ten (10) points. A
panel of USDA employees will evaluate
the applicant’s demonstrated
commitment to:
(1) Networking with other
Cooperative Development Centers, and
other organizations involved in Rural
Economic Development efforts, and
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(2) Developing multi-organizational
and multi-State approaches to
addressing the Economic Development
and cooperative needs of Rural Areas.
Applicants will score higher on this
criterion by demonstrating the outcomes
of multi-organizational and multi-State
approaches. Please describe the
Project(s), partners and the outcome(s)
that resulted from the approach.
(f) Commitment. Maximum score of
ten (10) points. See 7 CFR 4284.513(e).
Applicants will score higher on this
criterion by defining and describing the
underserved and economically
distressed areas within the service area,
provide economic statistics, and
identify past or current Projects within
or affecting these areas, as appropriate.
Persistent poverty counties provisions
are included in the 2024 Consolidated
Appropriations Act, therefore Projects
identified in the work plan and budget
that are located in persistent poverty
counties, will score higher on this
criterion.
(g) Matching Funds. Maximum score
of ten (10) points. Each applicant’s
Matching Funds requirements will be
evaluated on requirements listed in 7
CFR 4284.513(f). A chart or table should
be provided to describe all Matching
Funds being committed to the Project.
Formal documentation to verify all the
Matching Funds must be included in
Appendix A of the application.
Applicants will be scored on the total
amount and type of Matching Funds
(cash vs. in-kind). You will be scored on
the total amount and how you identify
your Matching Funds.
(1) If you meet the 25 percent (5
percent for 1994 Institutions) Matching
Funds requirement, points will be
assigned as follows:
(i) In-kind only—one (1) point;
(ii) Mix of in-kind and cash—Three
(3) to four (4) points (maximum points
will be awarded if the ratio of cash to
in-kind is 30 percent or more); or
(iii) Cash only—five (5) points.
(2) If you exceed the 25 percent (5
percent for 1994 Institutions) Matching
Funds requirement, points will be
assigned as follows:
(i) In-kind only—two (2) points;
(ii) Mix of in-kind and cash—six (6)
to seven (7) points (maximum points
will be awarded if the ratio of cash to
in-kind is 30 percent or more); or
(iii) Cash only—up to ten (10) points.
(h) Work Plan/Budget. Maximum
score of ten (10) points. Applicant’s
work plan will be evaluated for detailed
actions and an accompanying timetable
for implementing the proposal. The
budget must present a breakdown of the
estimated costs associated with
cooperative and business development
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activities as well as the operation of the
Center and allocate these costs to each
of the tasks to be undertaken. Matching
Funds as well as grant funds must be
accounted for separately in the budget.
At a minimum, the following should be
discussed.
(1) Specific tasks (whether it be by
type of service or specific project) to be
completed using grant and Matching
Funds;
(2) How customers will be identified;
(3) Key personnel; and
(4) The evaluation methods to be used
to determine the success of specific
tasks and overall objectives of Center
operations. Please provide qualitative
methods of evaluation. For example,
evaluation methods should go beyond
quantitative measurements of
completing surveys or number of
evaluations.
Applicants will score higher on this
criterion by presenting a clear, logical,
realistic, and efficient work plan and
budget.
(i) Qualifications of those Performing
the Tasks. Maximum score of ten (10)
points. The application will be
evaluated to determine if the
requirements of 7 CFR 4284.513(i) have
been met. The application must indicate
whether the personnel expected to
perform the tasks are full/part-time
employees of the organization or are
contract personnel. Applicants will
score higher on this criterion by
demonstrating commitment and
availability of qualified personnel
expected to perform the tasks.
(j) Local and Future Support.
Maximum score of ten (10) points. A
panel of USDA employees will evaluate
each application for local and future
support. Support should be discussed
directly when responding to this
criterion.
(1) Discussion of local support should
include previous and/or expected local
support and plans for coordinating with
other developmental organizations in
the proposed service area, or with State
and local government institutions.
Applicants will score higher by
demonstrating strong support from
potential beneficiaries and formal
evidence of intent to coordinate with
other developmental organizations.
Applicants may also submit a maximum
of ten letters of support or intent to
coordinate with the applicant to verify
discussion of local support. These
letters should be included in Appendix
B of the application and will not count
against the 40-page limit for the
narrative. Documentation to verify local
support will be required before an
award is made.
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(2) Discussion of future support is
required in the applicant’s vision for
funding operations in future years.
Applicants should document:
(i) New and existing funding sources
that support applicant goals;
(ii) Alternative funding sources that
reduce reliance on Federal, State, and
local grants; and
(iii) The use of in-house personnel for
providing services versus contracting
out for expertise. Please discuss the
strategy for building in-house technical
assistance capacity.
Applicants will score higher by
demonstrating that future support will
result in long-term sustainability of the
Center, including the fostering of inhouse personnel development in order
to provide services.
(k) Administrator Discretionary
Points. Maximum score of ten (10)
points. The Administrator may choose
to award up to 10 points to an eligible
non-profit corporation or institution of
higher education that has never
previously been awarded an RCDG grant
or whose application seeks to advance
the key priorities addressed in the
Supplemental Section of this notice and
detailed below. Points will be assigned
as follows:
(1) Applicant has never received a
RCDG award—five (5) points;
(2) Applicant seeks to advance one or
more of the following key priorities—
five (5) points:
(i) Assisting Rural communities
recover economically through more and
better market opportunities and through
improved infrastructure. Applicant
would receive priority points if the
Project is located in or serving a Rural
community whose economic well-being
ranks in the most distressed tier
(distress score of 80 or higher) of the
Distressed Communities Index using the
Distressed Communities Look-Up Map
available at www.rd.usda.gov/prioritypoints.
(ii) Ensuring all Rural residents have
equitable access to RD programs and
benefits from RD funded projects. Using
the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)
Look-Up Map (available at
www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points), an
applicant would receive priority points
if the Project is: Located in or serving a
community with a score 0.75 or above
on the SVI;
• Is a federally recognized Tribe,
including Tribal instrumentalities and
entities that are wholly owned by
Tribes; or
• Is a Project where at least 50
percent of the Project beneficiaries are
members of federally Recognized Tribes
and non-Tribal applicants include a
Tribal Resolution of Consent from the
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Tribe or Tribes that the applicant is
proposing to serve.
(iii) Reducing climate pollution and
increasing resilience to the impacts of
climate change through economic
support to Rural communities. Using
the Disadvantaged Community and
Energy Community Look-Up Map
(available at www.rd.usda.gov/prioritypoints), applicants will receive priority
in three ways:
• If the Project is located in or serves
a Disadvantaged Community as defined
by the Climate and Economic Justice
Screening Tool (CEJST), from the White
House Council on Environmental
Quality;
• If the Project is located in or serves
an Energy Community as defined by the
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); and
• If applicants can demonstrate
through a written narrative how the
proposed climate-impact Projects will
improve the livelihoods of community
residents and meet pollution mitigation
or clean energy goals.
2. Review and Selection Process. The
USDA RD State Office will review
applications to determine if they are
eligible for assistance based on
requirements in 7 CFR part 4284,
subparts A and F, this notice, and other
applicable Federal regulations. If
determined eligible, applications will be
scored by a panel of USDA employees
in accordance with the point allocation
specified in section E.1 of this notice.
The Administrator may choose to award
up to ten (10) Administrator priority
points based on criteria (k) 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 appropriations funding limitation
for the RCDG program has been reached.
Applications that cannot be fully
funded may be offered partial funding at
the Agency’s discretion. The Agency
reserves the right to offer the applicant
less than the full amount of grant
funding requested. Applications
evaluated, but not funded, will not be
carried forward into the competition for
any subsequent fiscal year program
funding. Successful applicants must
comply with requirements identified in
Section F of this notice.
F. Federal Award Administration
Information
1. Federal Award Notices. If an
application is selected for funding, the
applicant will receive a signed notice of
Federal award by postal or electronic
mail from the USDA RD State Office
where the applicant is located
containing instructions and
requirements necessary to proceed with
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execution and performance of the
award. Applicants must comply with all
applicable statutes, regulations, and
notice requirements before the grant
award will be funded.
Applicants not selected for funding
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
(NAD) procedures. Note that rejected
applicants that are successful in their
NAD appeals will not receive funding if
all FY 2024 RCDG program funding has
already been awarded and obligated to
other applicants.
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 F; the Grants and
Agreements regulations applicable to
the Department of Agriculture codified
in 2 CFR parts 180, 200, 400, 415, 417,
418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and
48 CFR part 31, 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
in accordance with 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 Form RD 4280–2,
Rural Business Cooperative Service
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) SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying
Activities, if applicable.
3. Reporting. After grant approval and
through grant completion, applicants
will be required to provide an SF–425,
Federal Financial Report, and a Project
performance report on a semiannual
basis (due 30 working days after the end
of the semiannual period). The Project
performance reports shall include the
following:
(a) A comparison of actual
accomplishments to the objectives
established for that period;
(b) Reasons why established
objectives were not met, if applicable;
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23559
(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) The grantee must provide a final
Project and financial status report
within 90 days after the expiration or
termination of the grant performance
period with a summary of the Project
performance reports and final
deliverables to close out a grant in
accordance with 2 CFR 200.344.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
For general questions about this
announcement, please contact the
USDA RD State Office provided in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice.
H. 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 the
program, as covered in this notice, have
been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under
OMB Control Number 0570–0006.
2. National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA). All recipients under this notice
are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR
part 1970. However, awards for
technical assistance and training under
this notice are classified as a Categorical
Exclusion pursuant to 7 CFR 1970.53(b),
and usually do not require any
additional documentation. RBCS 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 RBCS with this
determination. A review for NEPA
compliance is required prior to the
award of grant funds.
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 funding
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 and section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, title VIII of
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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
www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/
documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any
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:
(a) Mail: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410; or
(b) Fax: (833) 256–1665 or (202) 690–
7442; or
(c) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:01 Apr 03, 2024
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USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
Kathryn E. Dirksen Londrigan,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 2024–07136 Filed 4–3–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Notice of Public Meeting of the
Tennessee Advisory Committee
Persons who desire additional
information may contact the Regional
Programs Unit at (202) 809–9618.
Records and documents discussed
during the meeting will be available for
public viewing as they become available
at the www.facadatabase.gov. Persons
interested in the work of this advisory
committee are advised to go to the
Commission’s website, www.usccr.gov,
or to contact the Regional Programs Unit
at the above phone number or email
address.
Agenda
AGENCY:
Commission on Civil Rights.
ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 3:30 p.m.
(CST)
Notice is hereby given,
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the U.S. Commission
on Civil Rights (Commission), and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA) that a meeting of the Tennessee
Advisory Committee to the Commission
will convene by Zoom on Thursday,
April 11, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. (CT). The
purpose of the meeting is to discuss
their draft report on Voting Rights.
DATES: The meeting will take place on
Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 3:30 p.m.
(CST).
Registration Link (Audio/Visual):
https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/
register/WN_5ETd-lD2QIi7oJJPqnA49A.
Telephone (Audio Only): Dial (833)
568–8864 USA Toll Free; Access Code:
161 235 6880.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Victoria Moreno at vmoreno@usccr.gov
or by phone at 434–515–0204.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
meeting is available to the public
through the Zoom link above. If joining
only via phone, callers can expect to
incur charges for calls they initiate over
wireless lines, and the Commission will
not refund any incurred charges.
Individuals who are deaf, deafblind and
hard of hearing may also follow the
proceedings by first calling the Federal
Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 and
providing the Service with the call-in
number found through registering at the
web link provided above for the
meeting.
Members of the public are entitled to
make comments during the open period
at the end of the meeting. Members of
the public may also submit written
comments; the comments must be
received in the Regional Programs Unit
within 30 days following the respective
meeting. Written comments may be
emailed to Victoria Moreno at
vmoreno@usccr.gov. All written
comments received will be available to
the public.
1. Welcome & Roll Call
2. Chair’s Comments
3. Discussion on Report
4. Next Steps
5. Public Comment
6. Adjourn
SUMMARY:
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Dated: April 1, 2024.
David Mussatt,
Supervisory Chief, Regional Programs Unit.
[FR Doc. 2024–07158 Filed 4–3–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–580–904]
Forged Steel Fittings From the
Republic of Korea: Final Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review; 2021–2022
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Commerce (Commerce) determines that
Samyoung Fitting Co., Ltd. (Samyoung),
a producer/exporter subject to this
administrative review, made sales of
forged steel fittings at less than normal
value. The period of review (POR) is
December 1, 2021, through November
31, 2022.
DATES: Applicable April 4, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Daniel Alexander, AD/CVD Operations,
Office VII, Enforcement and
Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone:
(202) 482–4313.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
Background
On September 25, 2023, Commerce
published the Preliminary Results for
this review in the Federal Register and
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 66 (Thursday, April 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23551-23560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07136]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket No: RBS-24-CO-OP-0003]
Notice of Funding Opportunity for Rural Cooperative Development
Grants for Fiscal Year 2024
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or the Agency), a
Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), invites applications for grants under the Rural
Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program for fiscal year (FY) 2024.
This notice is being issued to allow applicants sufficient time to
leverage financing, prepare and submit applications, and give the
Agency time to process applications within FY 2024. Successful
applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and
subsequently awarded. All applicants are responsible for any expenses
incurred in developing their applications.
DATES: Completed applications must be submitted electronically by no
later than 11:59 p.m. eastern time (ET), June 3, 2024, through
www.grants.gov, to be eligible for grant funding. Late or incomplete
applications are not eligible for funding under this notice and will
not be evaluated.
ADDRESSES: All applications must be submitted electronically at
www.grants.gov. Additional resources are available at https://
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/rural-cooperative-
[[Page 23552]]
development-grant-program, www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the USDA RD State Office for
the State where the Project will be located in advance of the
application deadline to discuss the Project and ask any questions about
the RCDG program or the application process. Contact information for
USDA RD State Offices can be found at www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/offices/state-offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Sharp at [email protected],
Business Loan and Grant Analyst, Program Management Division, RBCS,
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop-3226, Room 5160-South,
Washington, DC 20250-3226, or call (202) 720-1400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Cooperative Development Grant.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Funding Opportunity Number: RBCS-RCDG-2024.
Assistance Listing Number: 10.771.
Dates: Completed applications must be submitted electronically by
11:59 p.m. ET on, June 3, 2024, through www.grants.gov, to be eligible
for grant funding. Late or incomplete applications are not eligible for
funding under this notice and will not be evaluated.
Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants
to consider Projects that will advance the following key priorities
(more details available at www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points):
Creating More and Better Market Opportunities; Assisting
Rural communities recover economically through more and better market
opportunities and through improved infrastructure;
Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and
Opportunity; Ensuring all Rural residents have equitable access to RD
programs and benefits from RD funded projects; and
Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice;
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 primary objective of the RCDG
program is to improve the economic condition of Rural Areas by helping
individuals and businesses start, expand, or improve Rural cooperatives
and Mutually Owned Businesses through Cooperative Development Centers.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. The RCDG program is
authorized under Section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)), as amended by the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334, title VI, secs.
6412-15, 6601(a)(1)(B), 6701(c), (d)(1)), and implemented by 7 CFR part
4284, subparts A and F.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, (Pub. L. 118-42,
Division B, title VII, sec. 736, has designated funding for Projects in
Persistent Poverty Counties. Persistent poverty counties are defined in
section 736 as ``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.'' The eligible population in persistent poverty counties
includes any county seat of any persistent poverty county that has a
population that does not exceed the authorized population limit by more
than 10 percent. This provision expanded the current 50,000 population
limit to 55,000 for only county seats located in persistent poverty
counties.
3. Definitions. The following definition, in addition to the ones
published at 7 CFR 4284.3 and 4284.504, is applicable to this notice.
In addition, the terms ``Rural'' and ``Rural Area,'' as defined in 7
U.S.C. 1991(a)(13), will be used for this program instead of the
definition of ``Rural and Rural Area'' currently published at 7 CFR
4284.3. The first letter of each word in a defined term is capitalized
from this point forward in the notice for easy identification.
Mutually Owned Business--An organization owned and governed by
members who are its consumers, producers, employees, or suppliers.
4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and
score applications received in response to this notice based on the
provisions found in 7 CFR 4284.511, .512, .513, and as indicated in
this notice. Awards under the RCDG program will be made on a
competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7 CFR
4284.513.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grant.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024.
Available Funds: $5.8 million will be available for FY 2024. RBCS
may at its discretion, increase the total level of funding available 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: Maximum amount $200,000.
Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2024.
Performance Period: The grant performance period should begin no
earlier than October 1, 2024, and no later than January 1, 2025. The
application must include no more than a one-year grant performance
period, or it will not be considered for funding. Applications that
request funds for a period beginning after January 1, 2025, will not be
considered for funding. Projects must be completed within a one-year
timeframe. Prior written approval is needed from the Agency if the
applicant is awarded a grant and desires the grant performance period
to begin earlier or later than previously approved.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
Type of Assistance Instrument: Financial Assistance Agreement.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants. Eligible applicants must meet the
eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 4284.507. You must be a nonprofit
corporation or an institution of higher education to apply for this
program. Public bodies and individuals are not eligible to apply for
this program. Applicants must be aware of the following:
(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 25.200. To register in SAM,
entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at sam.gov/content/entity-registration. Further information regarding SAM registration and
the UEI can be found in this notice.
(b) Each applicant must certify that it has not been debarred or
suspended or is otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation
in Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, Debarment
and Suspension. The Agency will check the Do Not Pay (DNP) system at
the time of application and prior to funding any grant award to
determine if the applicant has been debarred or suspended. Applicants
are responsible
[[Page 23553]]
for resolving any issues that are reported in the DNP system and if
issues are not resolved by deadlines found in this notice, the Agency
may proceed to award funds to other eligible applicants. In addition,
an applicant must be eligible in accordance with 7 CFR 4284.6 and will
be required to certify as part of the application that it does not have
an outstanding judgment against it.
(c) The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, Public Law
118-47, Division B, title VII, sections 744 and 745 provide that 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 provided with funds appropriated by
this Act, 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.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching. A match of at least 25 percent (5
percent for 1994 Institutions) of the total project cost is required
for the application as provided in 7 CFR 4284.513(f). When calculating
the Matching Funds requirement, round up or down to whole dollars as
appropriate.
An example of how to calculate Matching Funds is as follows:
(a) Take the amount of grant funds requested and divide it by .75.
This will provide the total project cost.
Example: $200,000 (grant amount)/0.75 (percentage for use of grant
funds) = $266,667 (total project cost)
(b) Subtract the amount of grant funds requested from the total
project cost. This will provide the Matching Funds requirement.
Example: $266,667 (total project cost)-$200,000 (grant amount) =
$66,667 (Matching Funds requirement)
(c) A quick way to confirm the correct amount of Matching Funds is
to take the total project cost and multiply it by .25.
Example: $266,667 (total project cost) x .25 (maximum percentage of
Matching Funds requirement) = $66,667 (Matching Funds requirement)
The applicant must verify that all Matching Funds are available
during the grant performance period and provide documentation with the
application in accordance with requirements identified in section
D.2(b)(8) of this notice. If awarded a grant, additional verification
documentation may be required to confirm the availability of Matching
Funds.
Other rules for Matching Funds that applicants must follow are
listed below.
(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 board/advisory council member's time.
(f) They cannot include other Federal grants unless provided by
authorizing legislation.
(g) They cannot include cash or in-kind contributions donated
outside of the grant period.
(h) They cannot include over-valued, in-kind contributions.
(i) They cannot include any project costs that are ineligible under
the RCDG program.
(j) They cannot include any project costs that are restricted or
unallowable under 2 CFR part 200, subpart E, and the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (CFR title 48) (for-profits) or successor
regulation.
(k) They can include loan funds from a Federal source.
(l) They can include travel and incidentals for board/advisory
council members if the organization has established written policies
explaining how these costs are normally reimbursed, including rates.
The applicant must include an explanation of this policy in the
application, or the contributions will not be considered as eligible
Matching Funds.
(m) The applicant 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.
(n) In-kind contributions provided by individuals, businesses, or
cooperatives which are being assisted by the applicant cannot be
provided for the direct benefit of their own projects as RD 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 or continuation of a Cooperative Development Center.
Applicants must use project funds, including grant and Matching Funds,
for eligible purposes only (see 7 CFR 4284.508). In addition, project
funds may also be used for programs providing for the coordination of
services and sharing of information among the Centers as stated in 7
U.S.C. 1932(e)(4)(C)(vi).
(b) Project eligibility. All Project activities must be for the
benefit of a Rural Area.
(c) Multiple applications deemed ineligible. Only one application
can be submitted per applicant. If two applications are submitted
(regardless of the applicant's name) that include the same Executive
Director and/or advisory boards or committees of an existing Center,
both applications will be determined ineligible for funding.
(d) Satisfactory performance. Applicants must be performing
satisfactorily on any outstanding RCDG award to be considered eligible
for a new award. Satisfactory performance includes being up to date on
all financial and performance reports as prescribed in the grant award,
and current on all tasks and timeframes for utilizing grant and
Matching Funds as approved in the work plan and budget. If applicants
have any unspent grant funds on RCDG awards prior to FY 2023, the
application will not be considered for funding. If an applicant has
prior award(s) with unspent funds of 50 percent or more than what the
approved work plan and budget projected at the time a FY 2024
application is being evaluated, the application will not be considered
for funding. The Agency will verify the performance status of the
applicant's prior awards and make a determination after the FY 2024
application period closes.
(e) Duplication of current services. Applications must demonstrate
that the applicant is providing services to new customers or new
services to current customers. If the work plan and budget are
duplicative of the applicant's existing award, the application will not
be considered for funding. If the workplan and budget are duplicative
of a previous or existing RCDG and/or Socially Disadvantaged Groups
Grant award, the application will not be considered for funding. The
Agency will make this determination at its sole discretion. Please note
that the Agency only allows one active RCDG award to a grantee to
ensure that there is no duplication of services.
(f) Indirect costs. Negotiated indirect cost rate approval does not
need to be included in the application but will need to be provided if
a grant is
[[Page 23554]]
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. Applicants considering a de minimis rate or
in need of establishing an indirect cost rate should discuss these
options with the Agency.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package. The RCDG program
application template, copies of necessary forms and samples are
available at www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program. The RCDG program regulations are available
at 7 CFR part 4284 subparts A and F. For further information, contact
the USDA State Office where the Project will be located at
www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission. An application must
contain all the required elements outlined in 7 CFR 4284.510 and this
notice. Each application must address the applicable scoring criteria
presented in 7 CFR 4284.513 and this notice for the type of funding
being requested.
Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to utilize the
application template found at www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program. The application template
provides specific, detailed instructions for each item of a complete
application. The Agency emphasizes the importance of including every
item and strongly encourages applicants to follow the instructions
carefully, using the examples and illustrations in the application
template.
Incomplete applications will be ineligible to compete for funds.
Applications lacking sufficient information to determine eligibility
and scoring will be considered ineligible. Information submitted after
the application deadline will not be accepted.
(a) Clarifications on Forms.
(1) Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' This form
must include the applicant's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number in
item 8c on the form. The UEI is assigned automatically to all active
SAM.gov registered entities If an applicant does not include the UEI
number in the application, it will not be considered for funding.
(2) Form SF 424B, Assurances--Non-Construction Programs. This form
is no longer required as a part of the application. This information is
now collected through the applicant's registration or annual
recertification in SAM.gov through the Financial Assistance General
Representations and Certifications.
(b) Clarifications on Proposal Elements. Requirements below are
provided in addition to the requirements provided in 7 CFR 4284.510(c).
(1) Title Page. Must include the title of the Project as well as
any other relevant identifying information.
(2) Table of Contents. This must include page numbers for each
component of the application.
(3) Executive Summary. In addition to the items in 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(3), this must discuss the percentage of work that will be
performed among organizational staff, consultants, or other
contractors. The summary must not exceed two pages.
(4) Eligibility. This discussion must also include Matching Funds
and other eligibility requirements. This discussion must not exceed two
pages.
(5) Proposal Narrative. Must not exceed 40 pages using at least 11-
point font and should describe the essential aspects of the Project.
The Executive Summary and Eligibility discussion are not included
within the 40-page limit of the proposal narrative.
(i) Information Sheet. If evaluation criteria are listed on the
Table of Contents and then specifically and individually addressed in
narrative form, it is not necessary to include an information sheet.
Otherwise, it is required as described at 7 CFR 4284.510(c)(5)(ii).
(ii) Goals of the Project.
(A) Applicant must include a statement providing information
outlined in 7 CFR 4284.510(c)(5)(iii)(A), (B), (C) and (D).
(B) Expected economic impacts should be tied to tasks included in
the work plan and budget.
(iii) Performance Evaluation Criteria. The Agency has established
annual performance evaluation measures to evaluate the RCDG program and
the applicant must provide estimates on the following:
(A) Number of groups assisted who are not legal entities.
(B) Number of businesses assisted that are not cooperatives.
(C) Number of cooperatives assisted.
(D) Number of businesses incorporated that are not cooperatives.
(E) Number of cooperatives incorporated.
(F) Total number of jobs created as a result of assistance.
(G) Total number of jobs saved as a result of assistance.
(H) Number of jobs created for the Center as a result of RCDG
funding.
(I) Number of jobs saved for the Center as a result of RCDG
funding.
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 the organization because of the RCDG funding or actual
jobs to be created by cooperative businesses or other businesses as a
result of assistance from the organization. When calculating jobs
saved, estimates should be based only on actual jobs that would have
been lost if the organization did not receive RCDG funding or actual
jobs that would have been lost without assistance from the
organization.
Additional performance elements may be included. In instances where
job creation or job retention may not be a relevant indicator,
applicants should provide relevant, specific and measurable performance
elements that could be included in an award document. For example,
applicants may consider the following as it relates to their specific
work: housing cooperatives (number of units created or preserved);
worker cooperatives (number of jobs created, number of employee-owned
positions created); consumer cooperatives (number of people with access
to groceries, renewable energy services); shared services cooperatives
(number of businesses with access to affordable products or services,
joint marketing, distribution channels); real estate cooperatives
(number of community members invested in their community, number of
real estate properties created or saved).
(iv) Undertakings. The applicant must expressly undertake to do the
following:
(A) Take all practicable steps to develop continuing sources of
financial support for the Center, particularly from sources in the
private sector;
(B) Make arrangements for the activities by the Nonprofit
Institution operating the Center to be monitored and evaluated; and
(C) Provide an accounting for the money received by the grantee
under this subpart.
(v) Work Plan. Work plan and budget proposal elements should be
addressed under proposal narrative criterion in 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(5)(iv), utilizing the specific requirements of Section
E.1(h) of this notice.
(vi) Delivery of Cooperative Development Assistance. The applicant
must describe its previous accomplishments and outcomes in Cooperative
Development activities and/or its potential for effective delivery of
Cooperative Development services to Rural Areas. The description(s)
should
[[Page 23555]]
be addressed under proposal narrative criterion in 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(5)(vii) utilizing the specific requirements of technical
assistance and other services in Section E.1(b) of this notice.
(vii) Qualifications of Personnel. Applicants must describe the
qualifications of personnel expected to perform key Center tasks, and
whether these personnel are to be full/part-time Center employees or
contract personnel. All requirements of 7 CFR 4284.510(c)(5)(viii)
should be addressed under the proposal narrative criterion, utilizing
the specific requirements of qualifications of those performing the
tasks in Section E.1(i) of this notice.
(viii) Support and Commitments and Future Support. Applicants must
describe the level of support and commitment in the community for the
proposed Center and the services it would provide under 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(5)(ix) and the future support and funding under 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(5)(x) utilizing the requirements of commitment in section
E.1(f) and local and future support in section E.1(j) of this notice.
(ix) Proposal Evaluation Criteria. Applications will not be
considered for funding if they do not address all of the proposal
evaluation criteria. See application review information in Section E.1.
of this notice for a description of the proposal evaluation criteria.
(x) Relevant Information. Only appendices A-C will be considered
when evaluating applications. Do not include resumes of staff or
consultants in the application.
(6) No Current Outstanding Federal Judgments Certification. Each
applicant must certify that the United States has not obtained an
unsatisfied judgement against its property, is not delinquent on the
payment of federal income taxes or any other federal debt and will not
use grant funds to pay judgments obtained by the United States.
Applicants should make this certification within their application with
this statement in the 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 relating to this certification is not required.
(7) Certification. Applicants must certify that they have obtained
Matching Funds as required by 7 CFR 4284.510(c)(7). Applicants should
make this certification within their certification, with this
statement: ``[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] certifies that Matching Funds
will be available at the same time grant funds are anticipated to be
spent and that expenditures of Matching Funds shall be pro-rated or
spent in advance of grant funding, such that for every dollar of the
total project cost, at least 25 cents (5 cents for 1994 Institutions)
of Matching Funds will be expended.'' A separate signature relating to
this certification is not required.
(8) Verification of Matching Funds. Applicants must verify all
Matching Funds. The documentation must be included in Appendix A of the
application and will not count towards the 40-page limitation. The
Agency recommends making this verification with a template letter, but
the template is not required. Template letters are available for each
type of Matching Funds contribution at: www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program.
(i) Matching Funds provided in cash. The following requirements
must be met:
(A) Provided by the Applicant. The application must include a
statement verifying: (1) the amount of the cash and (2) the source of
the cash. Applicants may also provide a bank statement dated 30 days or
less from the application deadline date to verify a cash match.
(B) Provided by a Third-Party. The application must include a
signed letter from the third party verifying: (1) how much cash will be
donated and (2) that it will be available corresponding to the proposed
time frame or donated on a specific date within the grant performance
period.
(ii) Matching Funds provided by an in-kind donation. The following
requirements must be met:
(A) Provided by the Applicant. The application must include a
signed letter from the applicant or the authorized representative
verifying: (1) the nature of the goods and/or services to be donated
and how they will be used, (2) when the goods and/or services will be
donated (i.e., corresponding to the proposed grant performance period
or to specific dates within the specified time frame), and (3) the
value of the goods and/or services. Please note that most applicant
contributions for the RCDG program are considered applicant cash match
in accordance with this notice. Applicants needing clarification for
verification of Matching Funds should contact the RD State Office.
Identifying Matching Funds improperly can affect application scoring.
(B) Provided by a Third-Party. The application must include a
signed letter from the third party verifying: (1) the nature of the
goods and/or services to be donated and how they will be used, (2) when
the goods and/or services will be donated (i.e., corresponding to the
proposed grant performance period or to specific dates within the grant
performance period), and (3) the value of the goods and/or services.
(iii) Identification and Verification of Matching Funds. To ensure
applicants are identifying and verifying Matching Funds appropriately,
please note the following:
(A) If applicants are paying for goods and/or services as part of
the Matching Funds requirement, the expenditure is considered a cash
match, and must verify it as such. Universities must verify the goods
and services they are providing to the Project as a cash match and the
verification must be approved by the appropriate approval official
(i.e., sponsored programs office or equivalent).
(B) If applicants have already received cash from a third party
(e.g., a foundation) before the start of the proposed grant performance
period, the applicant must verify this as its own cash match and not as
a third-party cash match. If applicants are receiving cash from a third
party during the grant performance period, then the applicant must
verify the cash as a third-party cash match.
(C) Board resolutions for a cash match must be approved at the time
of application.
(D) Applicants can only consider goods or services for which no
expenditure is made as an in-kind contribution.
(E) If a non-profit or another organization contributes the
services of affiliated volunteers, they must follow the third-party,
in-kind donation verification requirement for each individual
volunteer.
(F) Expected program income may not be used to fulfill the
applicant Matching Funds requirement at the time of the application
submission. If the applicant has a contract to provide services in
place at the time of application submission, then they must submit the
contract with the application, and applicants can verify the amount of
the contract as a cash match.
(G) The valuation processes used for in-kind contributions do not
need to be included in the application, but applicants must be able to
demonstrate how the valuation was derived if a grant is awarded. The
grant award may be withdrawn, or the amount of the grant
[[Page 23556]]
reduced if applicant cannot demonstrate how the valuation was derived.
Successful applicants must comply with requirements identified in
this notice in Section F, Federal Award Administration Information.
(c) Completeness. An application will not be considered for funding
if it fails to meet all eligibility criteria by the application
deadline or does not provide sufficient information to determine
eligibility and scoring. Applicants must include, in one submission to
the Agency, all the forms and proposal elements as discussed in the
program regulation and as clarified further in this notice. Incomplete
applications will not be reviewed by the Agency.
3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.
(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active
registration in the SAM before submitting its application in accordance
with 2 CFR part 25. To register in SAM, entities will be required to
obtain a UEI. Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at
sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
(b) Each 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) Each applicant must ensure that it completes the Financial
Assistance General Representations and Certifications in SAM.
(d) Each 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 Dates and Times.
(a) Application Technical Assistance. Prior to official submission
of applications, applicants may request technical assistance or other
application guidance from the Agency, if such requests are made prior
to May 6, 2024. Agency contact information can be found in Section G of
this notice.
(b) Application Deadline Date. Completed applications must be
submitted electronically through www.grants.gov and received no later
than 11:59 p.m. ET on June 3, 2024, to be eligible for grant funding.
Please review the Grants.gov website at www.grants.gov/register for
instructions on the process of registering an organization as soon as
possible to ensure that all electronic application deadlines are met.
Grants.gov will not accept applications submitted after the deadline.
The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility
information that is submitted after the application deadline. RBCS also
reserves the right to ask applicants for clarifying information and
additional verification of assertions in the application.
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: www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/. If the applicant's State has a
SPOC, then a copy of the application must be submitted for review. Any
comments obtained through the SPOC must be provided to the applicant's
State Office for consideration as part of the application. If the
applicant's State has not established a SPOC, applications may be
submitted directly to the Agency. Applications from federally
recognized Indian Tribes are not subject to this requirement.
6. Funding Restrictions.
(a) The use of grant funds is outlined at 7 CFR 4284.508. Grant
funds may be used to pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of
establishing and operating centers for Rural Cooperative Development.
Grant funds may be used to pay for 95 percent of the cost of
establishing and operating centers for Rural Cooperative Development
when the applicant is a college identified as a ``1994 Institution''
for purposes of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of
1994, as defined by 7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382, as amended.
(b) As required by 7 U.S.C. Chapter 38, Subchapter VII and 7 CFR
part 990, 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 7 U.S.C. 1639o. Verification of valid
hemp licenses will occur at the time of award. The purpose of the RCDG
program is to provide technical assistance, so funding to produce hemp
or marketing hemp production is not eligible.
(c) Project funds, including grant and Matching Funds, cannot be
used for ineligible grant purposes as provided in 7 CFR 4284.10. Also,
applicants shall not use Project funds for the following:
(1) To purchase, rent, or install laboratory equipment or
processing machinery;
(2) To pay for the operating costs of any entity receiving
assistance from the Center;
(3) To pay costs of the Project where a Conflict of Interest
exists;
(4) To fund any activities prohibited by 2 CFR part 200; or
(5) To fund any activities considered unallowable by 2 CFR part
200, subpart E, Cost Principles, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation
or successor regulations.
(d) In addition, an application will not be considered for funding
if it does any of the following:
(1) Focuses assistance on only one cooperative or Mutually Owned
Business;
(2) Requests more than the maximum grant amount; or
(3) Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent of
total project costs. The ineligible costs will NOT be removed at this
stage to proceed with application processing. For purposes of this
determination, the grant amount requested plus the Matching Funds
amount constitutes the total project costs.
(e) We will consider applications for funding that include
ineligible costs of 10 percent or less of total project costs if the
remaining costs are determined eligible. If the application is
successful, ineligible costs must be removed and replaced with eligible
costs before the Agency makes the grant award, or the amount of the
grant award will be reduced accordingly. If the Agency cannot determine
the percentage of ineligible costs due to lack of detail, the
application will not be considered for funding.
7. Other Submission Requirements. Applications must be submitted
electronically. Note that we cannot accept applications submitted
through mail or courier delivery, in-person delivery, email, or fax.
For electronic applications, applicants must follow the instruction for
this funding announcement at www.grants.gov. Applicants can locate the
Grants.gov downloadable application package for this program by using a
keyword, the program name, Assistance Listing Number or the Funding
Opportunity Number for this program.
[[Page 23557]]
Users of Grants.gov must already have a UEI number and must also be
registered and maintain registration in SAM in accordance with 2 CFR
part 25. The UEI number must be associated with the correct tax
identification number of the RCDG applicant. We strongly recommend that
applicants do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the
application process through Grants.gov.
All application documents must be submitted through Grants.gov.
Applications must include electronic signatures. Original signatures
may be required if funds are awarded. After electronically applying
through Grants.gov, applicants will receive an automated
acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking
number.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria. Scoring criteria will follow statutory criteria in 7
U.S.C. 1932(e), the criteria published in the program regulations at 7
CFR 4284.513, and criteria in this notice. Applicants should also
include Content and Form of Application Submission information as
described in Section D.2 of this notice. if addressing these items
under the scoring criteria. Evaluators will base scores only on the
responses within each individual scoring criteria. Applicant may cross-
reference another section to avoid duplication of narrative. The
maximum number of points available is 110. Newly established or
proposed Centers that do not yet have a track record on which to
evaluate the criteria should refer to the expertise and track records
of staff or consultants expected to perform tasks related to the
respective criteria. Proposed or newly established Centers must be
organized well enough at the time of application to address their
capabilities for meeting these criteria.
The clarifications provided below are in addition to, and do not
replace the guidance provided in 7 CFR 4284.513.
(a) Administrative Capabilities. Maximum score of ten (10) points.
At a minimum, applicants must discuss the administrative capabilities
provided in 7 CFR 4284.513(a) and expertise in administering Federal
grant funding within the last five years, including but not limited to
past RCDG awards. Please list the name of the Federal grant program(s),
the amount(s), and the date(s) of funding received.
Applicants will score higher on this criterion by demonstrating
that the Center has independent governance. Applicants that are
universities or parent organizations should demonstrate that there is a
separate board of directors for the Center.
(b) Technical Assistance and Other Services. Maximum score of ten
(10) points. Each application will be evaluated based on its
demonstrate expertise within the last five years in providing technical
assistance and accomplishing effective outcomes in Rural Areas to
promote and assist the development of cooperatively and Mutually Owned
Businesses. At a minimum, applicants must discuss:
(1) Potential for delivering effective technical assistance;
(2) The types of assistance provided;
(3) The expected effects of that assistance;
(4) The sustainability of organizations receiving the assistance;
and
(5) The transferability of the applicant's Cooperative Development
strategies and focus to other areas of the United States.
A chart or table showing the outcomes of the demonstrated expertise
based upon the performance elements listed in Section D.2(b)(5)(iii) of
this notice or as identified in the award document on previous RCDG
awards is recommended. At a minimum, please provide information for FY
2019 to FY 2023 awards. Applicants may also include any performance
outcomes from a FY 2023 RCDG award. It is preferred that one chart or
table for each award year be provided. The intention is for the
applicant to provide actual performance numbers based upon award years
(fiscal year) even though the grant performance period for the award
was implemented during the next calendar or fiscal year. If applicants
have not previously received an RCDG award, provide a narrative of
explanation.
Applicants will score higher on this criterion by providing
evidence of outcomes for more than three fiscal year awards and
demonstrating that any organizations assisted within the last five
years are sustainable. Please describe specific Project(s) when
addressing items 1-5 of paragraph (b) of this section. To reduce
duplication, descriptions of specific Projects and their impacts,
outcomes, and roles can be discussed once under criterion (b) or (c) of
this section. Applicants must cross-reference the information under the
other criterion.
(c) Economic Development. Maximum score of ten (10) points.
Applicant's demonstrated ability to assist in the development of the
items listed in 7 CFR 4284.513(c) or Mutually Owned Businesses will be
evaluated. Examples of facilitating development of new cooperative
approaches are organizing cooperatives among underserved individuals or
communities; an innovative market approach; a type of cooperative
currently not in the applicant's service area; a new cooperative
structure; novel ways to raise member equity or community
capitalization; conversion of an existing business to cooperative
ownership.
Applicants will score higher on the Economic Development criteria
by providing quantifiable economic measurements showing the impacts of
past development projects within the last five years, and details of
the applicant's role in Economic Development outcomes.
(d) Past performance in Establishing Legal Business Entities.
Maximum score of ten (10) points. Applicants demonstrating past
performance in establishing legal cooperative business entities and
other legal business entities since October 1, 2019, will be evaluated.
Provide the name of the organization(s) established, the date(s) of
formation, and the applicant's role(s) in assisting with the
incorporation(s) under this criterion. Documentation verifying the
establishment of legal business entities must be included in Appendix C
of the application and will not count against the 40-page limit for the
narrative. The documentation must include proof that organizational
documents were filed with the Secretary of State's Office (i.e.,
Certificate of Incorporation or information from the State's official
website naming the entity established and the date of establishment);
or if the business entity is not required to register with the
Secretary of State, or a certification from the business entity that a
legal business entity has been established and when. Please note that
applicants are not required to submit articles of incorporation to
receive points under this criterion. Applicants that are an established
legal cooperative business will score higher on this criterion. If the
applicant's State does not incorporate cooperative business entities,
please describe how the established business entity operates like a
cooperative. Examples may include, but are not limited to, principles
and practices of shared ownership, democratic control, and distribution
of net income based on use of the business rather than equity
contributed.
(e) Networking and Regional Focus. Maximum score of ten (10)
points. A panel of USDA employees will evaluate the applicant's
demonstrated commitment to:
(1) Networking with other Cooperative Development Centers, and
other organizations involved in Rural Economic Development efforts, and
[[Page 23558]]
(2) Developing multi-organizational and multi-State approaches to
addressing the Economic Development and cooperative needs of Rural
Areas.
Applicants will score higher on this criterion by demonstrating the
outcomes of multi-organizational and multi-State approaches. Please
describe the Project(s), partners and the outcome(s) that resulted from
the approach.
(f) Commitment. Maximum score of ten (10) points. See 7 CFR
4284.513(e). Applicants will score higher on this criterion by defining
and describing the underserved and economically distressed areas within
the service area, provide economic statistics, and identify past or
current Projects within or affecting these areas, as appropriate.
Persistent poverty counties provisions are included in the 2024
Consolidated Appropriations Act, therefore Projects identified in the
work plan and budget that are located in persistent poverty counties,
will score higher on this criterion.
(g) Matching Funds. Maximum score of ten (10) points. Each
applicant's Matching Funds requirements will be evaluated on
requirements listed in 7 CFR 4284.513(f). A chart or table should be
provided to describe all Matching Funds being committed to the Project.
Formal documentation to verify all the Matching Funds must be included
in Appendix A of the application. Applicants will be scored on the
total amount and type of Matching Funds (cash vs. in-kind). You will be
scored on the total amount and how you identify your Matching Funds.
(1) If you meet the 25 percent (5 percent for 1994 Institutions)
Matching Funds requirement, points will be assigned as follows:
(i) In-kind only--one (1) point;
(ii) Mix of in-kind and cash--Three (3) to four (4) points (maximum
points will be awarded if the ratio of cash to in-kind is 30 percent or
more); or
(iii) Cash only--five (5) points.
(2) If you exceed the 25 percent (5 percent for 1994 Institutions)
Matching Funds requirement, points will be assigned as follows:
(i) In-kind only--two (2) points;
(ii) Mix of in-kind and cash--six (6) to seven (7) points (maximum
points will be awarded if the ratio of cash to in-kind is 30 percent or
more); or
(iii) Cash only--up to ten (10) points.
(h) Work Plan/Budget. Maximum score of ten (10) points. Applicant's
work plan will be evaluated for detailed actions and an accompanying
timetable for implementing the proposal. The budget must present a
breakdown of the estimated costs associated with cooperative and
business development activities as well as the operation of the Center
and allocate these costs to each of the tasks to be undertaken.
Matching Funds as well as grant funds must be accounted for separately
in the budget. At a minimum, the following should be discussed.
(1) Specific tasks (whether it be by type of service or specific
project) to be completed using grant and Matching Funds;
(2) How customers will be identified;
(3) Key personnel; and
(4) The evaluation methods to be used to determine the success of
specific tasks and overall objectives of Center operations. Please
provide qualitative methods of evaluation. For example, evaluation
methods should go beyond quantitative measurements of completing
surveys or number of evaluations.
Applicants will score higher on this criterion by presenting a
clear, logical, realistic, and efficient work plan and budget.
(i) Qualifications of those Performing the Tasks. Maximum score of
ten (10) points. The application will be evaluated to determine if the
requirements of 7 CFR 4284.513(i) have been met. The application must
indicate whether the personnel expected to perform the tasks are full/
part-time employees of the organization or are contract personnel.
Applicants will score higher on this criterion by demonstrating
commitment and availability of qualified personnel expected to perform
the tasks.
(j) Local and Future Support. Maximum score of ten (10) points. A
panel of USDA employees will evaluate each application for local and
future support. Support should be discussed directly when responding to
this criterion.
(1) Discussion of local support should include previous and/or
expected local support and plans for coordinating with other
developmental organizations in the proposed service area, or with State
and local government institutions. Applicants will score higher by
demonstrating strong support from potential beneficiaries and formal
evidence of intent to coordinate with other developmental
organizations. Applicants may also submit a maximum of ten letters of
support or intent to coordinate with the applicant to verify discussion
of local support. These letters should be included in Appendix B of the
application and will not count against the 40-page limit for the
narrative. Documentation to verify local support will be required
before an award is made.
(2) Discussion of future support is required in the applicant's
vision for funding operations in future years. Applicants should
document:
(i) New and existing funding sources that support applicant goals;
(ii) Alternative funding sources that reduce reliance on Federal,
State, and local grants; and
(iii) The use of in-house personnel for providing services versus
contracting out for expertise. Please discuss the strategy for building
in-house technical assistance capacity.
Applicants will score higher by demonstrating that future support
will result in long-term sustainability of the Center, including the
fostering of in-house personnel development in order to provide
services.
(k) Administrator Discretionary Points. Maximum score of ten (10)
points. The Administrator may choose to award up to 10 points to an
eligible non-profit corporation or institution of higher education that
has never previously been awarded an RCDG grant or whose application
seeks to advance the key priorities addressed in the Supplemental
Section of this notice and detailed below. Points will be assigned as
follows:
(1) Applicant has never received a RCDG award--five (5) points;
(2) Applicant seeks to advance one or more of the following key
priorities--five (5) points:
(i) Assisting Rural communities recover economically through more
and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
Applicant would receive priority points if the Project is located in or
serving a Rural community whose economic well-being ranks in the most
distressed tier (distress score of 80 or higher) of the Distressed
Communities Index using the Distressed Communities Look-Up Map
available at www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
(ii) Ensuring all Rural residents have equitable access to RD
programs and benefits from RD funded projects. Using the Social
Vulnerability Index (SVI) Look-Up Map (available at www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points), an applicant would receive priority points if the
Project is: Located in or serving a community with a score 0.75 or
above on the SVI;
Is a federally recognized Tribe, including Tribal
instrumentalities and entities that are wholly owned by Tribes; or
Is a Project where at least 50 percent of the Project
beneficiaries are members of federally Recognized Tribes and non-Tribal
applicants include a Tribal Resolution of Consent from the
[[Page 23559]]
Tribe or Tribes that the applicant is proposing to serve.
(iii) Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the
impacts of climate change through economic support to Rural
communities. Using the Disadvantaged Community and Energy Community
Look-Up Map (available at www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points), applicants
will receive priority in three ways:
If the Project is located in or serves a Disadvantaged
Community as defined by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
(CEJST), from the White House Council on Environmental Quality;
If the Project is located in or serves an Energy Community
as defined by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); and
If applicants can demonstrate through a written narrative
how the proposed climate-impact Projects will improve the livelihoods
of community residents and meet pollution mitigation or clean energy
goals.
2. Review and Selection Process. The USDA RD State Office will
review applications to determine if they are eligible for assistance
based on requirements in 7 CFR part 4284, subparts A and F, this
notice, and other applicable Federal regulations. If determined
eligible, applications will be scored by a panel of USDA employees in
accordance with the point allocation specified in section E.1 of this
notice. The Administrator may choose to award up to ten (10)
Administrator priority points based on criteria (k) 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 appropriations funding limitation for the RCDG
program has been reached. Applications that cannot be fully funded may
be offered partial funding at the Agency's discretion. The Agency
reserves the right to offer the applicant less than the full amount of
grant funding requested. Applications evaluated, but not funded, will
not be carried forward into the competition for any subsequent fiscal
year program funding. Successful applicants must comply with
requirements identified in Section F of this notice.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices. If an application is selected for
funding, the applicant will receive a signed notice of Federal award by
postal or electronic mail from the USDA RD State Office where the
applicant is located 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.
Applicants not selected for funding 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 (NAD) procedures.
Note that rejected applicants that are successful in their NAD appeals
will not receive funding if all FY 2024 RCDG program funding has
already been awarded and obligated to other applicants.
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 F; the Grants and Agreements
regulations applicable to the Department of Agriculture codified in 2
CFR parts 180, 200, 400, 415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170;
and 48 CFR part 31, 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 in accordance with 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 Form RD 4280-2, Rural Business Cooperative Service
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) SF LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable.
3. Reporting. After grant approval and through grant completion,
applicants will be required to provide an SF-425, Federal Financial
Report, and a Project performance report on a semiannual basis (due 30
working days after the end of the semiannual period). The Project
performance reports shall include the following:
(a) 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) The grantee must provide a final Project and financial status
report within 90 days after the expiration or termination of the grant
performance period with a summary of the Project performance reports
and final deliverables to close out a grant in accordance with 2 CFR
200.344.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
For general questions about this announcement, please contact the
USDA RD State Office provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
H. 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 the program, as covered in this
notice, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
under OMB Control Number 0570-0006.
2. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). All recipients under
this notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970.
However, awards for technical assistance and training under this notice
are classified as a Categorical Exclusion pursuant to 7 CFR 1970.53(b),
and usually do not require any additional documentation. RBCS 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 RBCS with this determination. A review for
NEPA compliance is required prior to the award of grant funds.
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 funding 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 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, title VIII of
[[Page 23560]]
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 www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any 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:
(a) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410; or
(b) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(c) Email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Kathryn E. Dirksen Londrigan,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA Rural
Development.
[FR Doc. 2024-07136 Filed 4-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P