Announcement of the Availability of Community Facilities Program Disaster Grants, 60856-60861 [2024-16580]
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impending ADH to the individual
suspected of committing an IPV. The
notification contains an explanation of
the charge against the individual, the
potential penalties, and a listing of the
rights and options afforded to the
individual. A similar notification is sent
to individuals who are being prosecuted
through the court.
In some State agencies, one of the
options available to the individual
under 7 CFR 273.16(f)(2) is the ability
for the individual to waive the right to
an ADH and accept the disqualification
penalty. The disqualification waiver
may be included in the advance
notification or provided as a separate
attachment for the individual to sign
and submit to avoid having the ADH.
Similarly, under 7 CFR 273.16(h)(2),
State agencies may establish procedures
to provide the accused individual with
the option to consent to a Program
disqualification to avoid criminal
prosecution.
Once a determination is made
regarding an IPV, the State agency must
send notification to the affected
individual of the action taken on the
ADH or court decision, as required at 7
CFR 273.16(e)(9). This includes
notifying the person that he/she will be
disqualified and when the
disqualification will become effective.
One of the factors used by a State
agency to determine the appropriate
disqualification penalty to assign to an
individual is whether or not the
individual was found to have
committed any prior IPVs. The way that
State agencies determine this is by
accessing and checking eDRS. eDRS is
an automated system developed by FNS
that contains records of
disqualifications in every State. Per 7
CFR 273.16(i)(4) State agencies are
responsible for checking eDRS to
determine the appropriate length of
each disqualification.
7 CFR 273.16(i)(2)(i) requires State
agencies to update the eDRS system,
which includes reporting
disqualifications as they occur and
removing records which are no longer
accurate, relevant, or complete. States
have a choice between using a batch
process for correcting and resubmitting
data or submitting data directly through
the eDRS website. Data entry errors are
identified at the point of entry and
corrections can be made immediately.
Description of Respondents: State
Agencies and Individuals.
Number of Respondents: 486,769.
Frequency of Responses:
Recordkeeping; Reporting: Occasionally;
Annually.
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Total Burden Hours: 99,786.9643.
Rachelle Ragland-Greene,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024–16592 Filed 7–26–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
The Department of Agriculture has
submitted the following information
collection requirement(s) to OMB for
review and clearance under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13. Comments are
requested regarding; whether the
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of burden including
the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used; ways to enhance the
quality, utility and clarity of the
information to be collected; and ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to
respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Comments regarding this information
collection received by August 28, 2024
will be considered. Written comments
and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be
submitted within 30 days of the
publication of this notice on the
following website www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain. Find this
particular information collection by
selecting ‘‘Currently under 30-day
Review—Open for Public Comments’’ or
by using the search function. An agency
may not conduct or sponsor a collection
of information unless the collection of
information displays a currently valid
OMB control number and the agency
informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information
that such persons are not required to
respond to the collection of information
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
Food and Nutrition Service
Title: The FNS User Access Request
Form Data Collection.
OMB Control Number: 0584–0532.
Summary of Collection: The Federal
Information Security Modernization Act
of 2014 (Pub. L. 113–283) and Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
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Circular A–130, Managing Information
as a Strategic Resource, established a
minimum set of controls to be included
in Federal automated information
security programs. Establishing
minimum controls over the provisioning
of access to sensitive systems and data
is directed in OMB Circular A–130.
Need and Use of the Information: The
FNS User Access Request Form, FNS–
674, is designed for this purpose and
can be used in situations where (1)
access to the FNCS network or an FNCS
information system is required; (2)
current access is required to be
modified; and (3) access is no longer
required and must be revoked. FNCS
employees, contractors, State Agencies
and partners (Food Banks, etc.) have
requested access to FNCS systems via
the User Access Request form. FNCS has
used the information collected to grant
access to the FNCS network and
information systems. Information that is
collected includes: Name,
e-Authentication ID (if applicable),
telephone number, email address,
contract expiration date, temporary
employee expiration date, office
address, State/locality codes, system
name, form type, type of access, action
requested, comments and special
instructions.
Description of Respondents: State and
Local Government, Private Sector
Businesses or other for-profits
institutions.
Number of Respondents: 7,200.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 2,370.
Rachelle Ragland-Greene,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024–16555 Filed 7–26–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
[Docket No. RHS–24–CF–0026]
Announcement of the Availability of
Community Facilities Program Disaster
Grants
Rural Housing Service, USDA.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Rural Housing Service
(RHS or Agency), a Rural Development
(RD) mission area of the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA),
announces the availability of up to $38
million in grant funding through its
Community Facilities Program (CF) to
repair essential community facilities
SUMMARY:
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damaged by Presidentially Declared
Disasters in Calendar Year (CY) 2022 or
to repair or replace essential community
facilities damaged by Presidentially
Declared Disasters in CY 2023 and
Other Disasters in CY 2023, to remain
available until expended. RHS may at
its discretion, increase the total level of
funding available from any available
source provided the awards meet the
requirements of the statute which made
the funding available to the Agency.
This Notice supersedes the prior
Disaster Grant Notice published in the
Federal Register on July 20, 2023.
Preapplications and complete
applications for the Community
Facilities Program Disaster Grants will
be accepted on a continual basis by the
applicable USDA RD State Office (see
ADDRESSES section for details),
beginning on July 29, 2024, until all
funds have been obligated. The
applicable USDA RD State Office will
conduct an initial review and rating of
preapplications and complete
applications received by 4:00 p.m. local
time on September 12, 2024.
Subsequent preapplication and
application reviews, rankings, and
selections will occur in additional
rounds if funds remain. Interested
applicants must contact the RD Office
for the state where the project is located
to discuss potential projects prior to
preparing their application.
DATES:
This funding opportunity
will be made available on Grants.gov for
informational purposes only.
Preapplications and complete
applications must be submitted to the
USDA RD State Office for the state
where the project is located.
Application information may be
submitted in paper or electronic format
to the appropriate RD State Office and
will be accepted on a continual basis
until all funds have been obligated.
Applicants must contact their
respective RD State Office for
information on grant eligibility, the
application process, and for an address
to submit application information. A list
of the USDA RD State Office contacts
can be found at: https://
www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.
ADDRESSES:
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Surabhi Dabir at Surabhi.dabir@
usda.gov, Community Facilities
Program, RHS, USDA, or call 202–578–
9315. Persons with disabilities that
require alternative means for
communication should contact the
Federal Relay Service at 711 Relay
Service.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Overview
Federal Agency Name: Rural Housing
Service (RHS), USDA.
Funding Opportunity Title:
Announcement of the Availability of
Community Facilities Program Disaster
Grants.
Announcement Type: Notice of
Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Funding Opportunity Number:
USDA–RHS–CFDG–2024.
Assistance Listing: 10.766.
Dates: Preapplications and complete
applications for the Community
Facilities Disaster Grant Program will be
accepted on a continual basis by the
applicable USDA RD State Office (see
ADDRESSES section for details),
beginning on July 29, 2024, until all
funds have been obligated. The
applicable USDA RD State Office will
conduct an initial review and rating of
preapplications and complete
applications received by 4:00 p.m. local
time on September 12, 2024.
Subsequent preapplication and
application reviews, rankings, and
selections will occur in additional
rounds if funds remain. Interested
applicants must contact the RD Office
for the state where the project is located
to discuss potential projects prior to
preparing their application.
Rural Development Key Priorities: The
Agency encourages applicants to
consider projects that will advance the
following key priorities (more details
available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/
priority-points):
• 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
CF offers direct loans, loan guarantees
and grants to develop or improve
essential public services and facilities in
communities across rural America.
Public bodies, non-profit organizations
and Federally recognized Tribes can use
the funds to construct, expand or
improve facilities that provide health
care, education, public safety, and
public services. Projects include fire and
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rescue stations, village and town halls,
health care clinics, hospitals, adult and
childcare centers, assisted living
facilities, rehabilitation centers, public
buildings, schools, libraries, and many
other community-based initiatives.
This Notice supersedes the prior
Notice titled ‘‘Announcement of the
Availability of Community Facilities
Program Disaster Repair Grants’’ that
published in the Federal Register [88
FR 46732] on July 20, 2023. This Notice
is being issued pursuant to the disaster
funds made available by the Disaster
Relief Supplemental Appropriations
Act, 2023 and amended by General
Provision sec. 774 of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2024. Grants will
be provided to eligible applicants to
repair eligible essential community
facilities damaged by Presidentially
Declared Disasters that occurred in CY
2022 or to repair or replace eligible
community facilities damaged by
Presidentially Declared Disasters and
Other Disasters that occurred in CY
2023. For the most current list of
Presidentially Declared Disasters, visit
the United States (U.S.) Department of
Homeland Security, Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) website at
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/
declarations.
Details on eligible CF applicants and
eligible CF projects may be found in
Section C. Eligibility Information below.
While RD State Offices will review
and process applications received, grant
funds will be held in reserve by the
USDA Rural Development National
Office. State Offices may request funds
for obligation as needed. If at any time
the demand for grant funds is greater
than the amount of grant funds
available, a priority ranking scoring
system will be used by the RD National
Office to determine which projects are
selected for further processing.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority
The Community Facilities Disaster
Grant Program is authorized under
Division N—Disaster Relief
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2023 (Pub. L. 117–328); Sec. 774 of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024
(Pub. L. 118–42); and Section 306(a)(19)
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act, as amended (7 U.S.C.
1926(a)(19)); 2 CFR parts 200 and 400
(uniform Federal grant awards
regulations) and 7 CFR part 3570,
subpart B, Community Facilities Grant
Program regulations.
3. Definitions
In addition to the definitions and
abbreviations noted below that are
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relevant to this Notice, please refer to 7
CFR 3570.53 [https://www.ecfr.gov/
current/title-7/section-3570.53] for
further additional definitions relevant to
this Notice:
Calendar Year (CY). The period of
time beginning on January 1 and ending
on December 31 for a given year.
Eligible 2022 Disasters. Disasters that
occurred in CY 2022 for which a
declaration was made by the President
in accordance with applicable statutes
that a disaster occurred, necessitating
assistance in the recovery of the
impacted area.
Eligible 2023 Disasters.
(i) Disasters that occurred in CY 2023
for which a declaration was made by the
President in accordance with applicable
statutes that a disaster occurred,
necessitating assistance in the recovery
of the impacted area; or
(ii) Other Disasters: Events that
occurred in CY 2023 that were caused
by a natural catastrophe, technological
accident, or human-caused event that
results in severe property damage,
deaths, multiple injuries, and/or severe
environmental harm for which:
1. there was a declaration of a disaster
or public health emergency by a local,
state, or Tribal government in
accordance with applicable law;
2. there was a Presidential Executive
Order related to the disaster; or
3. there was a multi agency response
effort at the Federal and/or Tribal level
was undertaken to address the impact of
the disaster.
Preapplication. The components of an
application and supporting information
that will be used to determine applicant
eligibility and a proposed project’s
priority for available funds.
4. Application of Awards
The Agency will review and evaluate
applications received in response to this
notice based on the eligibility
provisions found in 7 CFR 3570.61 and
as indicated in this notice. For instance,
applicants must be organized as a public
body, community-based nonprofit
corporation or association, or a
Federally recognized Tribe. Further, the
proposed project must primarily serve
rural areas, be in an eligible rural area,
serve a public purpose, and the
applicant must be unable to finance the
proposed project from its own
resources, or other funding resources, or
through commercial credit at reasonable
rates and terms without the requested
grant assistance. Applications will be
processed by the USDA RD State Office
in the state where the applicant’s project
is located. Applications under the
Community Facilities Disaster Grant
Program will be accepted on a continual
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basis until funds are fully obligated.
Applications received by 4:00 p.m. local
time on September 12, 2024 will be
scored on a priority basis in accordance
with criteria outlined in E. Application
Review Information in this notice.
If at any time the demand for grant
funds is greater than the amount of grant
funds available, a priority ranking
scoring system will be used to
determine which projects are selected
for further processing.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: Funds available
until expended.
Available Funds: Up to $38 million.
RHS may at its discretion, increase the
total level of funding available from any
available source provided the awards
meet the requirements of the statute
which made the funding available to the
Agency.
Award Amounts: Grants may cover up
to 75 percent of total project cost. There
is no minimum or maximum award
amount. The Agency will review and
evaluate applications received as set
forth in this Notice. The Agency will
assign points to each application in
accordance with the scoring and
selection criteria outlined in this Notice.
Anticipated Award Date: It is
anticipated that all awards will be made
by December 31, 2024. However, funds
remain available until fully obligated.
Subsequent application reviews,
rankings, and selections may occur in
additional rounds if funds remain
available.
Performance Period: The period of
performance will be noted in the Grant
Agreement and will extend for 5 years
from the date of obligation of funds.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards:
None.
Type of Assistance Instrument: Grant.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
An eligible CF applicant must:
(a) Be one of the types of entities
outlined in 7 CFR 3570.61(a);
(b) Be unable to finance the proposed
project from its own resources, or
through commercial credit as outlined
in 7 CFR 3570.61(c); and
(c) Have the legal authority and
responsibility to own, construct,
operate, and maintain the proposed
Facility as outlined in 7 CFR 3570.61(e).
2. Eligible Projects
An eligible CF project must:
(a) Be an eligible Facility as outlined
in 7 CFR 3570.61(b);
(b) Be financially feasible as outlined
in 7 CFR 3570.61(d); and
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(c) Be for public use as outlined in 7
CFR 3570.61(f).
3. Eligible Uses of Funds
Grant funds must be used to repair
essential community facilities damaged
by Eligible 2022 Disasters, or to repair
or replace essential community facilities
damaged by Eligible 2023 Disasters,
including the replacement of damaged
equipment or vehicles and/or the
purchase of new equipment to
undertake repairs to damaged facilities
and for related purposes as outlined in
7 CFR 3570.62. Such damage may
include physical or environmental harm
that reduces the value, usefulness, or
normal function of an eligible essential
community facility.
4. Project Location Eligibility
To be eligible for CF Program Disaster
Grants under this Notice:
The eligible project must be located in
an eligible rural area (including a rural
area of a Reservation for Tribes)
impacted by Eligible 2022 Disasters or
Eligible 2023 Disasters. The term ‘‘rural
and rural area’’ is defined in Section
343(a)(13)(C) of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13)(C)), as amended, as a city,
town or, unincorporated area that has a
population of not more than 20,000
inhabitants, and which excludes certain
populations pursuant to 7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13)(H) and (I). The boundaries
for unincorporated areas in determining
populations will be based on the Census
Designated Places (CDP). Data from the
2020 Census will be used in
determining population.
For information on determining if a
project is located in an area with a
Presidential Disaster Declaration go to
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/
declarations.
For information indicating a project is
located in an area impacted by Other
Disasters in CY 2023, please secure
documentation such as a declaration of
a disaster or public health emergency by
a local, state, or Tribal government in
accordance with applicable law;
Presidential Executive Order related to
the disaster; or demonstration that a
multi-agency response effort at the
Federal or Tribal level was undertaken
to address the impact of the disaster.
Your state emergency management
agency may be able to assist. Go to
https://www.usa.gov/state-emergencymanagement for more information. This
documentation should be included with
your preapplication.
5. Cost Sharing or Matching
The Community Facilities Program
Disaster Grant may fund up to 75
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percent of the cost of repair to a
damaged Facility. Funding for the
balance of the project may consist of
other CF financial assistance, applicant
contributions, or loans and grants from
other sources. In-kind contributions are
not an acceptable source of cost-sharing
funds. Applicants must utilize cash
contributions to fund the remaining
project costs and these funds must be
expended for an eligible purpose. The
Community Facilities Direct Loan
Program resources are also available to
eligible applicants to satisfy cost sharing
requirements. Applicants may request a
combination of Community Facilities
Direct Loan and Disaster Grants in one
application.
6. Other Program Requirements
Grant funds will be administered in
accordance with this notice and all
applicable statutory and regulatory
requirements including eligibility for CF
grants. Further, the Agency will
consider the applicant’s ability to
finance the proposed project from its
own resources, other funding resources,
and/or through commercial credit at
reasonable rates and terms.
D. Application and Submission
Information
1. Address To Request Application
Package
The requirements for submitting an
application can be found at 7 CFR
3570.65. Applications will be processed
by a USDA RD State Office. Agency
state office contact information is
available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/
about-rd/state-offices. Interested
applicants must contact the RD Office
for the state where the project is located
to discuss potential projects prior to
preparing their application.
Applications will be accepted on a
continual basis until funds are fully
obligated.
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2. Content and Form of Application
Submission
An application must contain all the
required elements outlined in 7 CFR
3570.65. Applicants must meet
applicable statutory and regulatory
requirements including environmental,
procurement, and construction
requirements, including adherence to
applicable Tribal, state and local codes
and standards. The applicable RD State
Office can assist applicants in
understanding complete application
requirements based on the scope of the
proposed project.
Applicants may elect to submit a
preapplication or a complete
application for funds. Applicants that
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elect to first submit a preapplication
will do so to determine applicant
eligibility and the proposed project’s
priority for available funds. Each
preapplication must include an SF–424,
‘‘Application for Federal Assistance’’
with project description; evidence of an
applicant’s legal existence and
authority; appropriate clearinghouse
agency comments; and financial
feasibility report, RD Form 1942–54
‘‘Applicant’s Feasibility Report.’’
Preapplications and complete
applications must address the criteria
presented in E. Application Review
Information of this Notice, such as
population of the project location,
median household income of the
population served, whether the project
addresses a public healthcare
emergency or public safety response at
the local, state, national and/or Tribal
level, and whether the project is in an
area impacted by a disaster that has
necessitated a coordinated inter-agency
strategic response.
For projects located in an area
impacted by an Other Disasters event in
CY 2023, applications and
preapplications must include
documentation such as a declaration of
a disaster or public health emergency by
a local, state, or Tribal government in
accordance with applicable law; a
Presidential Executive Order related to
the disaster; or documentation
demonstrating that a multi-agency
response effort at the Federal or Tribal
level was undertaken to address the
impact of the disaster.
3. System for Award Management and
Unique Entity Identifier
(a) At the time of application, each
applicant must have an active
registration in the System for Award
Management (SAM) before submitting
its application in accordance with 2
CFR part 25. In order to register in SAM,
entities will be required to obtain a
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
Instructions for obtaining the UEI are
available at https://sam.gov/content/
entity-registration.
(b) Applicant must maintain an active
SAM registration, with current, accurate
and complete information, at all times
during which it has an active Federal
award or an application under
consideration by a Federal awarding
agency.
(c) Applicant must ensure they
complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and
Representations in SAM.
(d) Applicants must provide a valid
UEI in its application, unless
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110.
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(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
Applications will be accepted on a
continual basis, beginning on the
publication date of this Notice, until all
funds are obligated. The applicable
USDA Rural Development State Office
will conduct an initial review and rating
of complete applications and
preapplications received by 4:00 p.m.
local time on September 12, 2024.
Subsequent application reviews,
rankings, and selections may occur in
additional rounds if funds remain.
5. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order (E.O.) 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs,’’ applies to this program. This
E.O. requires that Federal agencies
provide opportunities for consultation
on proposed assistance with State and
local governments. Many states have
established a Single Point of Contact
(SPOC) to facilitate this consultation.
For a list of States that maintain a SPOC,
please see the White House website:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
management/office-federal-financialmanagement/. If your State has a SPOC,
you may submit a copy of the
application directly for review. Any
comments obtained through the SPOC
must be provided to your State Office
for consideration as part of your
application. If your state has not
established a SPOC, you may submit
your application directly to the Agency.
Applications from Federally recognized
Tribes are not subject to this
requirement.
6. Funding Restrictions
Grant funds may not be used to fund
ineligible purposes per 7 CFR 3570.63.
Grant funds may not be used to:
(a) Pay initial operating expenses or
annual recurring costs, including
purchases or rentals that are generally
considered to be operating and
maintenance expenses (unless a CF loan
is part of the funding package);
(b) Construct or repair electric
generating plants, electric transmission
lines, or gas distribution lines to provide
services for commercial sale;
(c) Refinance existing indebtedness;
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(d) Pay interest;
(e) Pay for facilities located in
nonrural areas, except as noted in
§ 3570.61(b)(1);
(f) Pay any costs of a project when the
median household income of the
population to be served by the proposed
Facility is above 90 percent of the State
Nonmetropolitan Median Household
Income (SNMHI);
(g) Pay project costs when other loan
funding for the project is available at
reasonable rates and terms;
(h) Pay an amount greater than 75
percent of the cost to develop the
Facility;
(i) Pay costs to construct facilities to
be used for commercial rental unless it
is a minor part (15 percent or less) of the
total floor space of the proposed
Facility, provided, however, that the
ineligible activity must be related to and
enhance the primary purpose of the
Facility;
(j) Construct facilities primarily for
the purpose of housing State, Federal, or
quasi-Federal agencies;
(k) Pay for any purposes restricted by
7 CFR 1942.17(d)(2); and
(l) Pay expenses that have been
reimbursed from any other sources or
that other sources are obligated to
reimburse.
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E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Application Review Information—
Applications and preapplications will
be reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR
3570.70 and scored by RD State Offices
on a priority basis in accordance with
the criteria below. If at any time the
demand for grant funds is greater than
the amount of grant funds available, the
RD National Office will utilize a priority
ranking scoring system to determine
which projects may proceed with a
complete application for funding. Points
will be distributed as follows:
(a) Population priorities. The
proposed project is located in a rural
community having a population of:
(1) 5,000 or less—30 points;
(2) Between 5,001 and 12,000,
inclusive—20 points; or
(3) Between 12,001 and 20,000,
inclusive—10 points.
(b) Income priorities. The median
household income of the population to
be served by the proposed project is
below the higher of the poverty line or:
(1) 60 percent of the SNMHI—30
points;
(2) 70 percent of the SNMHI—20
points;
(3) 80 percent of the SNMHI—10
points; or
(4) 90 percent of the SNMHI—5
points.
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18:51 Jul 26, 2024
Jkt 262001
(c) Other priorities. Points will be
assigned for one or more of the
following:
(1) Project is aligned with a state
strategic plan or priorities—10 points;
(2) Project addresses a declared public
health emergency by a local, state, or
Tribal government in accordance with
applicable law—10 points; and/or
(3) Project addresses public safety—10
points.
(d) Discretionary.
The State Director may assign up to
15 points to a project in addition to
those that may be scored under
paragraphs (a) through (c) of this
section, in accordance with 7 CFR
3570.67(d)(1). These points are to
address unforeseen exigencies or
emergencies, such as the loss of a
community facility due to an accident
or natural disaster or the loss of joint
financing if Agency funds are not
committed in a timely fashion. In
addition, the points will be awarded to
projects benefiting from the leveraging
of funds in order to improve
compatibility and coordination between
the Agency and other agencies’ selection
systems and for those projects that are
the most cost effective.
In selecting projects for funding at the
National Office level, additional points
will be awarded based on the priority
assigned to the project by the State
Office. Only the three highest priority
projects for a State will be awarded
points, with the top ranked project
receiving 5 points, the next one
receiving 3 points, and the third ranked
project receiving 1 point.
The Administrator may also assign up
to 30 additional points to account for
geographic distribution of funds,
emergency conditions caused by
economic problems, and other
initiatives identified by the Secretary.
Due to the competitive nature of this
program, complete applications and
Preapplications receiving the same score
will be competed/ranked based on the
Income priority score, and then if
necessary, the Population priority score.
2. Review and Selection Process
The Agency reserves the right to offer
the applicant less than the grant funding
requested.
Applications will be reviewed by RD
State Offices in accordance with 7 CFR
3570.70 (a)–(d) and scored on a priority
basis in accordance with the criteria
outlined in this Notice. If at any time
the demand for grant funds is greater
than the amount of grant funds
available, the RD National Office will
use a priority ranking scoring system to
determine which projects are invited to
submit a complete application. Each
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
request for grant assistance will be
carefully scored and prioritized to
determine which projects should be
selected for further development and
funding.
The RD National Office will inform
State Office approval officials of the
eligible applications with the highest
priority score that may proceed with a
complete application for funding. When
selecting projects, the following
circumstances must be considered:
(1) Scoring of project and scores of
other applications on hand;
(2) Funds available in the National
Office reserve; and
(3) If other Community Facilities
financial assistance is needed for the
project, the availability of other funding
sources.
3. Anticipated Announcement and
Federal Award Dates
The applicable USDA Rural
Development State Office will conduct
an initial review and rating of
preapplications and complete
applications received by 4:00 p.m. local
time on September 12, 2024.
Subsequent application reviews,
rankings, and selections will occur in
additional rounds if funds remain.
F. Federal Award Administration
Information
1. Federal Award Notices
Applicants selected for funding will
be provided a Letter of Conditions.
Upon acceptance of the conditions, the
applicant will sign and return to the
processing office Forms RD 1942–46,
‘‘Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions’’,
and RD 1940–1, ‘‘Request for Obligation
of Funds’’. The grant is approved on the
date an Agency signed copy of Form RD
1940–1, ‘‘Request for Obligation of
Funds,’’ is mailed to the applicant.
Prior to the disbursement of grant
funds, applicants approved for funding
will be required to sign an Agency
approved Grant Agreement, meet any
pre-disbursement conditions outlined in
the Letter of Conditions, and meet the
applicable Statutory or Regulatory
authority for this action listed in Section
A. Program Description.
In the event the application is not
approved, the applicant will be notified
in writing of the reasons for rejection
and provided applicable review and
appeal rights in accordance with 7 CFR
part 11.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
Additional requirements that apply to
grantees selected to receive Community
Facilities Program Disaster Grants can
E:\FR\FM\29JYN1.SGM
29JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 145 / Monday, July 29, 2024 / Notices
be found in the Grants and Agreements
regulations applicable to the
Department of Agriculture and codified
in 2 CFR parts 180, 200, 400, 415, 417,
418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and
48 CFR 31.2.
3. Reporting
As outlined in the letter of conditions
and grant agreement issued by the
Agency, grant recipients will be
required to provide performance reports
and annual financial statements in
accordance with 2 CFR part 200 as
adopted by the Agency in 2 CFR part
400. Grant recipients will also provide
performance and financial monitoring
and reporting information in accordance
with 2 CFR part 200, subpart D, ‘‘Post
Federal Award Requirements.’’
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
For general questions about this
announcement, please contact your
USDA Rural Development State Office
provided in the ADDRESSES section of
this notice.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
H. Other Information
(a) Paperwork Reduction Act.
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
chapter 35), the information collection
requirements associated with this
program, as covered in this notice, have
been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under
OMB Control Number 0575–0173.
(b) National Environmental Policy
Act.
All recipients under this Notice are
subject to the requirements of 7 CFR
part 1970.
(c) Federal Funding Accountability
and Transparency Act.
All applicants, in accordance with 2
CFR part 25, must be registered in SAM
and have a UEI number as stated in
Section D.3 of this notice. All recipients
of Federal financial assistance are
required to report information about
first-tier sub-awards and executive total
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR
part 170.
(d) 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
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).
(e) Equal Opportunity for Religious
Organizations.
(1) Faith-based organizations may
apply for this award on the same basis
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18:51 Jul 26, 2024
Jkt 262001
as any other organization, as set forth at,
and subject to the protections and
requirements of, this part and any
applicable constitutional and statutory
requirements, including 42 U.S.C.
2000bb et seq. USDA will not, in the
selection of recipients, discriminate for
or against an organization on the basis
of the organization’s religious character,
motives, or affiliation, or lack thereof, or
on the basis of conduct that would not
be considered grounds to favor or
disfavor a similarly situated secular
organization.
(2) A faith-based organization that
participates in this program will retain
its independence from the Government
and may continue to carry out its
mission consistent with religious
freedom and conscience protections in
Federal law. Religious accommodations
may also be sought under many of these
religious freedom and conscience
protection laws.
(3) A faith-based organization may not
use direct Federal financial assistance
from USDA to support or engage in any
explicitly religious activities except
when consistent with the Establishment
Clause of the First Amendment and any
other applicable requirements. An
organization receiving Federal financial
assistance also may not, in providing
services funded by USDA, or in their
outreach activities related to such
services, discriminate against a program
beneficiary or prospective program
beneficiary on the basis of religion, a
religious belief, a refusal to hold a
religious belief, or a refusal to attend or
participate in a religious practice.
(f) Non-Discrimination Statement.
In accordance with Federal civil
rights laws and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (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,
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
60861
audiotape, American Sign Language)
should contact the responsible Mission
Area, agency, staff office; or the 711
Federal Relay Service.
To file a program discrimination
complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD–3027, USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint
Form, which can be obtained online at
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/
files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any
USDA office, by calling (866) 632–9992,
or by writing a letter addressed to
USDA. The letter must contain the
complainant’s name, address, telephone
number, and a written description of the
alleged discriminatory action in
sufficient detail to inform the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about
the nature and date of an alleged civil
rights violation. The completed AD–
3027 form or letter must be submitted to
USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256–1665 or (202) 690–
7442; or
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–16580 Filed 7–26–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–XV–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
[S–122–2024]
Foreign-Trade Zone 29; Application for
Subzone; Catalent Pharma Solutions,
LLC; Winchester, Kentucky
An application has been submitted to
the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board by
the Louisville & Jefferson County
Riverport Authority, grantee of FTZ 29,
requesting subzone status for the facility
of Catalent Pharma Solutions, LLC,
located in Winchester, Kentucky. The
application was submitted pursuant to
the provisions of the Foreign-Trade
Zones Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–
81u), and the regulations of the FTZ
Board (15 CFR part 400). It was formally
docketed on July 23, 2024.
The proposed subzone (32.6 acres) is
located at 1100 Enterprise Drive,
Winchester, Kentucky. A notification of
proposed production activity has been
submitted and is being processed under
15 CFR 400.37 (Doc. B–34–2024). The
E:\FR\FM\29JYN1.SGM
29JYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60856-60861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16580]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
[Docket No. RHS-24-CF-0026]
Announcement of the Availability of Community Facilities Program
Disaster Grants
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency), a Rural Development
(RD) mission area of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), announces the availability of up to $38 million in grant
funding through its Community Facilities Program (CF) to repair
essential community facilities
[[Page 60857]]
damaged by Presidentially Declared Disasters in Calendar Year (CY) 2022
or to repair or replace essential community facilities damaged by
Presidentially Declared Disasters in CY 2023 and Other Disasters in CY
2023, to remain available until expended. RHS may at its discretion,
increase the total level of funding available from any available source
provided the awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the
funding available to the Agency. This Notice supersedes the prior
Disaster Grant Notice published in the Federal Register on July 20,
2023.
DATES: Preapplications and complete applications for the Community
Facilities Program Disaster Grants will be accepted on a continual
basis by the applicable USDA RD State Office (see ADDRESSES section for
details), beginning on July 29, 2024, until all funds have been
obligated. The applicable USDA RD State Office will conduct an initial
review and rating of preapplications and complete applications received
by 4:00 p.m. local time on September 12, 2024. Subsequent
preapplication and application reviews, rankings, and selections will
occur in additional rounds if funds remain. Interested applicants must
contact the RD Office for the state where the project is located to
discuss potential projects prior to preparing their application.
ADDRESSES: This funding opportunity will be made available on
Grants.gov for informational purposes only. Preapplications and
complete applications must be submitted to the USDA RD State Office for
the state where the project is located. Application information may be
submitted in paper or electronic format to the appropriate RD State
Office and will be accepted on a continual basis until all funds have
been obligated.
Applicants must contact their respective RD State Office for
information on grant eligibility, the application process, and for an
address to submit application information. A list of the USDA RD State
Office contacts can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Surabhi Dabir at
[email protected], Community Facilities Program, RHS, USDA, or
call 202-578-9315. Persons with disabilities that require alternative
means for communication should contact the Federal Relay Service at 711
Relay Service.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency Name: Rural Housing Service (RHS), USDA.
Funding Opportunity Title: Announcement of the Availability of
Community Facilities Program Disaster Grants.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-RHS-CFDG-2024.
Assistance Listing: 10.766.
Dates: Preapplications and complete applications for the Community
Facilities Disaster Grant Program will be accepted on a continual basis
by the applicable USDA RD State Office (see ADDRESSES section for
details), beginning on July 29, 2024, until all funds have been
obligated. The applicable USDA RD State Office will conduct an initial
review and rating of preapplications and complete applications received
by 4:00 p.m. local time on September 12, 2024. Subsequent
preapplication and application reviews, rankings, and selections will
occur in additional rounds if funds remain. Interested applicants must
contact the RD Office for the state where the project is located to
discuss potential projects prior to preparing their application.
Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities
(more details available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points):
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
CF offers direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or
improve essential public services and facilities in communities across
rural America. Public bodies, non-profit organizations and Federally
recognized Tribes can use the funds to construct, expand or improve
facilities that provide health care, education, public safety, and
public services. Projects include fire and rescue stations, village and
town halls, health care clinics, hospitals, adult and childcare
centers, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, public
buildings, schools, libraries, and many other community-based
initiatives.
This Notice supersedes the prior Notice titled ``Announcement of
the Availability of Community Facilities Program Disaster Repair
Grants'' that published in the Federal Register [88 FR 46732] on July
20, 2023. This Notice is being issued pursuant to the disaster funds
made available by the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act,
2023 and amended by General Provision sec. 774 of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2024. Grants will be provided to eligible
applicants to repair eligible essential community facilities damaged by
Presidentially Declared Disasters that occurred in CY 2022 or to repair
or replace eligible community facilities damaged by Presidentially
Declared Disasters and Other Disasters that occurred in CY 2023. For
the most current list of Presidentially Declared Disasters, visit the
United States (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) website at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations.
Details on eligible CF applicants and eligible CF projects may be
found in Section C. Eligibility Information below.
While RD State Offices will review and process applications
received, grant funds will be held in reserve by the USDA Rural
Development National Office. State Offices may request funds for
obligation as needed. If at any time the demand for grant funds is
greater than the amount of grant funds available, a priority ranking
scoring system will be used by the RD National Office to determine
which projects are selected for further processing.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority
The Community Facilities Disaster Grant Program is authorized under
Division N--Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328); Sec. 774
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-42); and
Section 306(a)(19) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act,
as amended (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(19)); 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (uniform
Federal grant awards regulations) and 7 CFR part 3570, subpart B,
Community Facilities Grant Program regulations.
3. Definitions
In addition to the definitions and abbreviations noted below that
are
[[Page 60858]]
relevant to this Notice, please refer to 7 CFR 3570.53 [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/section-3570.53] for further additional
definitions relevant to this Notice:
Calendar Year (CY). The period of time beginning on January 1 and
ending on December 31 for a given year.
Eligible 2022 Disasters. Disasters that occurred in CY 2022 for
which a declaration was made by the President in accordance with
applicable statutes that a disaster occurred, necessitating assistance
in the recovery of the impacted area.
Eligible 2023 Disasters.
(i) Disasters that occurred in CY 2023 for which a declaration was
made by the President in accordance with applicable statutes that a
disaster occurred, necessitating assistance in the recovery of the
impacted area; or
(ii) Other Disasters: Events that occurred in CY 2023 that were
caused by a natural catastrophe, technological accident, or human-
caused event that results in severe property damage, deaths, multiple
injuries, and/or severe environmental harm for which:
1. there was a declaration of a disaster or public health emergency
by a local, state, or Tribal government in accordance with applicable
law;
2. there was a Presidential Executive Order related to the
disaster; or
3. there was a multi agency response effort at the Federal and/or
Tribal level was undertaken to address the impact of the disaster.
Preapplication. The components of an application and supporting
information that will be used to determine applicant eligibility and a
proposed project's priority for available funds.
4. Application of Awards
The Agency will review and evaluate applications received in
response to this notice based on the eligibility provisions found in 7
CFR 3570.61 and as indicated in this notice. For instance, applicants
must be organized as a public body, community-based nonprofit
corporation or association, or a Federally recognized Tribe. Further,
the proposed project must primarily serve rural areas, be in an
eligible rural area, serve a public purpose, and the applicant must be
unable to finance the proposed project from its own resources, or other
funding resources, or through commercial credit at reasonable rates and
terms without the requested grant assistance. Applications will be
processed by the USDA RD State Office in the state where the
applicant's project is located. Applications under the Community
Facilities Disaster Grant Program will be accepted on a continual basis
until funds are fully obligated. Applications received by 4:00 p.m.
local time on September 12, 2024 will be scored on a priority basis in
accordance with criteria outlined in E. Application Review Information
in this notice.
If at any time the demand for grant funds is greater than the
amount of grant funds available, a priority ranking scoring system will
be used to determine which projects are selected for further
processing.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: Funds available until expended.
Available Funds: Up to $38 million. RHS may at its discretion,
increase the total level of funding available from any available source
provided the awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the
funding available to the Agency.
Award Amounts: Grants may cover up to 75 percent of total project
cost. There is no minimum or maximum award amount. The Agency will
review and evaluate applications received as set forth in this Notice.
The Agency will assign points to each application in accordance with
the scoring and selection criteria outlined in this Notice.
Anticipated Award Date: It is anticipated that all awards will be
made by December 31, 2024. However, funds remain available until fully
obligated. Subsequent application reviews, rankings, and selections may
occur in additional rounds if funds remain available.
Performance Period: The period of performance will be noted in the
Grant Agreement and will extend for 5 years from the date of obligation
of funds.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
Type of Assistance Instrument: Grant.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
An eligible CF applicant must:
(a) Be one of the types of entities outlined in 7 CFR 3570.61(a);
(b) Be unable to finance the proposed project from its own
resources, or through commercial credit as outlined in 7 CFR
3570.61(c); and
(c) Have the legal authority and responsibility to own, construct,
operate, and maintain the proposed Facility as outlined in 7 CFR
3570.61(e).
2. Eligible Projects
An eligible CF project must:
(a) Be an eligible Facility as outlined in 7 CFR 3570.61(b);
(b) Be financially feasible as outlined in 7 CFR 3570.61(d); and
(c) Be for public use as outlined in 7 CFR 3570.61(f).
3. Eligible Uses of Funds
Grant funds must be used to repair essential community facilities
damaged by Eligible 2022 Disasters, or to repair or replace essential
community facilities damaged by Eligible 2023 Disasters, including the
replacement of damaged equipment or vehicles and/or the purchase of new
equipment to undertake repairs to damaged facilities and for related
purposes as outlined in 7 CFR 3570.62. Such damage may include physical
or environmental harm that reduces the value, usefulness, or normal
function of an eligible essential community facility.
4. Project Location Eligibility
To be eligible for CF Program Disaster Grants under this Notice:
The eligible project must be located in an eligible rural area
(including a rural area of a Reservation for Tribes) impacted by
Eligible 2022 Disasters or Eligible 2023 Disasters. The term ``rural
and rural area'' is defined in Section 343(a)(13)(C) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(C)),
as amended, as a city, town or, unincorporated area that has a
population of not more than 20,000 inhabitants, and which excludes
certain populations pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(H) and (I). The
boundaries for unincorporated areas in determining populations will be
based on the Census Designated Places (CDP). Data from the 2020 Census
will be used in determining population.
For information on determining if a project is located in an area
with a Presidential Disaster Declaration go to https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations.
For information indicating a project is located in an area impacted
by Other Disasters in CY 2023, please secure documentation such as a
declaration of a disaster or public health emergency by a local, state,
or Tribal government in accordance with applicable law; Presidential
Executive Order related to the disaster; or demonstration that a multi-
agency response effort at the Federal or Tribal level was undertaken to
address the impact of the disaster. Your state emergency management
agency may be able to assist. Go to https://www.usa.gov/state-emergency-management for more information. This documentation should be
included with your preapplication.
5. Cost Sharing or Matching
The Community Facilities Program Disaster Grant may fund up to 75
[[Page 60859]]
percent of the cost of repair to a damaged Facility. Funding for the
balance of the project may consist of other CF financial assistance,
applicant contributions, or loans and grants from other sources. In-
kind contributions are not an acceptable source of cost-sharing funds.
Applicants must utilize cash contributions to fund the remaining
project costs and these funds must be expended for an eligible purpose.
The Community Facilities Direct Loan Program resources are also
available to eligible applicants to satisfy cost sharing requirements.
Applicants may request a combination of Community Facilities Direct
Loan and Disaster Grants in one application.
6. Other Program Requirements
Grant funds will be administered in accordance with this notice and
all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements including
eligibility for CF grants. Further, the Agency will consider the
applicant's ability to finance the proposed project from its own
resources, other funding resources, and/or through commercial credit at
reasonable rates and terms.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
The requirements for submitting an application can be found at 7
CFR 3570.65. Applications will be processed by a USDA RD State Office.
Agency state office contact information is available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices. Interested applicants must
contact the RD Office for the state where the project is located to
discuss potential projects prior to preparing their application.
Applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are
fully obligated.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
An application must contain all the required elements outlined in 7
CFR 3570.65. Applicants must meet applicable statutory and regulatory
requirements including environmental, procurement, and construction
requirements, including adherence to applicable Tribal, state and local
codes and standards. The applicable RD State Office can assist
applicants in understanding complete application requirements based on
the scope of the proposed project.
Applicants may elect to submit a preapplication or a complete
application for funds. Applicants that elect to first submit a
preapplication will do so to determine applicant eligibility and the
proposed project's priority for available funds. Each preapplication
must include an SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance'' with
project description; evidence of an applicant's legal existence and
authority; appropriate clearinghouse agency comments; and financial
feasibility report, RD Form 1942-54 ``Applicant's Feasibility Report.''
Preapplications and complete applications must address the criteria
presented in E. Application Review Information of this Notice, such as
population of the project location, median household income of the
population served, whether the project addresses a public healthcare
emergency or public safety response at the local, state, national and/
or Tribal level, and whether the project is in an area impacted by a
disaster that has necessitated a coordinated inter-agency strategic
response.
For projects located in an area impacted by an Other Disasters
event in CY 2023, applications and preapplications must include
documentation such as a declaration of a disaster or public health
emergency by a local, state, or Tribal government in accordance with
applicable law; a Presidential Executive Order related to the disaster;
or documentation demonstrating that a multi-agency response effort at
the Federal or Tribal level was undertaken to address the impact of the
disaster.
3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier
(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting
its application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. In order to register
in SAM, entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier
(UEI). Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
(b) Applicant must maintain an active SAM registration, with
current, accurate and complete information, at all times during which
it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by
a Federal awarding agency.
(c) Applicant must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
(d) Applicants 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
Applications will be accepted on a continual basis, beginning on
the publication date of this Notice, until all funds are obligated. The
applicable USDA Rural Development State Office will conduct an initial
review and rating of complete applications and preapplications received
by 4:00 p.m. local time on September 12, 2024. Subsequent application
reviews, rankings, and selections may occur in additional rounds if
funds remain.
5. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs,'' applies to this program. This E.O. requires that Federal
agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance
with State and local governments. Many states have established a Single
Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of
States that maintain a SPOC, please see the White House website:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/. If your State has a SPOC, you may submit a copy of the
application directly for review. Any comments obtained through the SPOC
must be provided to your State Office for consideration as part of your
application. If your state has not established a SPOC, you may submit
your application directly to the Agency. Applications from Federally
recognized Tribes are not subject to this requirement.
6. Funding Restrictions
Grant funds may not be used to fund ineligible purposes per 7 CFR
3570.63.
Grant funds may not be used to:
(a) Pay initial operating expenses or annual recurring costs,
including purchases or rentals that are generally considered to be
operating and maintenance expenses (unless a CF loan is part of the
funding package);
(b) Construct or repair electric generating plants, electric
transmission lines, or gas distribution lines to provide services for
commercial sale;
(c) Refinance existing indebtedness;
[[Page 60860]]
(d) Pay interest;
(e) Pay for facilities located in nonrural areas, except as noted
in Sec. 3570.61(b)(1);
(f) Pay any costs of a project when the median household income of
the population to be served by the proposed Facility is above 90
percent of the State Nonmetropolitan Median Household Income (SNMHI);
(g) Pay project costs when other loan funding for the project is
available at reasonable rates and terms;
(h) Pay an amount greater than 75 percent of the cost to develop
the Facility;
(i) Pay costs to construct facilities to be used for commercial
rental unless it is a minor part (15 percent or less) of the total
floor space of the proposed Facility, provided, however, that the
ineligible activity must be related to and enhance the primary purpose
of the Facility;
(j) Construct facilities primarily for the purpose of housing
State, Federal, or quasi-Federal agencies;
(k) Pay for any purposes restricted by 7 CFR 1942.17(d)(2); and
(l) Pay expenses that have been reimbursed from any other sources
or that other sources are obligated to reimburse.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Application Review Information--Applications and preapplications
will be reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR 3570.70 and scored by RD
State Offices on a priority basis in accordance with the criteria
below. If at any time the demand for grant funds is greater than the
amount of grant funds available, the RD National Office will utilize a
priority ranking scoring system to determine which projects may proceed
with a complete application for funding. Points will be distributed as
follows:
(a) Population priorities. The proposed project is located in a
rural community having a population of:
(1) 5,000 or less--30 points;
(2) Between 5,001 and 12,000, inclusive--20 points; or
(3) Between 12,001 and 20,000, inclusive--10 points.
(b) Income priorities. The median household income of the
population to be served by the proposed project is below the higher of
the poverty line or:
(1) 60 percent of the SNMHI--30 points;
(2) 70 percent of the SNMHI--20 points;
(3) 80 percent of the SNMHI--10 points; or
(4) 90 percent of the SNMHI--5 points.
(c) Other priorities. Points will be assigned for one or more of
the following:
(1) Project is aligned with a state strategic plan or priorities--
10 points;
(2) Project addresses a declared public health emergency by a
local, state, or Tribal government in accordance with applicable law--
10 points; and/or
(3) Project addresses public safety--10 points.
(d) Discretionary.
The State Director may assign up to 15 points to a project in
addition to those that may be scored under paragraphs (a) through (c)
of this section, in accordance with 7 CFR 3570.67(d)(1). These points
are to address unforeseen exigencies or emergencies, such as the loss
of a community facility due to an accident or natural disaster or the
loss of joint financing if Agency funds are not committed in a timely
fashion. In addition, the points will be awarded to projects benefiting
from the leveraging of funds in order to improve compatibility and
coordination between the Agency and other agencies' selection systems
and for those projects that are the most cost effective.
In selecting projects for funding at the National Office level,
additional points will be awarded based on the priority assigned to the
project by the State Office. Only the three highest priority projects
for a State will be awarded points, with the top ranked project
receiving 5 points, the next one receiving 3 points, and the third
ranked project receiving 1 point.
The Administrator may also assign up to 30 additional points to
account for geographic distribution of funds, emergency conditions
caused by economic problems, and other initiatives identified by the
Secretary.
Due to the competitive nature of this program, complete
applications and Preapplications receiving the same score will be
competed/ranked based on the Income priority score, and then if
necessary, the Population priority score.
2. Review and Selection Process
The Agency reserves the right to offer the applicant less than the
grant funding requested.
Applications will be reviewed by RD State Offices in accordance
with 7 CFR 3570.70 (a)-(d) and scored on a priority basis in accordance
with the criteria outlined in this Notice. If at any time the demand
for grant funds is greater than the amount of grant funds available,
the RD National Office will use a priority ranking scoring system to
determine which projects are invited to submit a complete application.
Each request for grant assistance will be carefully scored and
prioritized to determine which projects should be selected for further
development and funding.
The RD National Office will inform State Office approval officials
of the eligible applications with the highest priority score that may
proceed with a complete application for funding. When selecting
projects, the following circumstances must be considered:
(1) Scoring of project and scores of other applications on hand;
(2) Funds available in the National Office reserve; and
(3) If other Community Facilities financial assistance is needed
for the project, the availability of other funding sources.
3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates
The applicable USDA Rural Development State Office will conduct an
initial review and rating of preapplications and complete applications
received by 4:00 p.m. local time on September 12, 2024. Subsequent
application reviews, rankings, and selections will occur in additional
rounds if funds remain.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
Applicants selected for funding will be provided a Letter of
Conditions. Upon acceptance of the conditions, the applicant will sign
and return to the processing office Forms RD 1942-46, ``Letter of
Intent to Meet Conditions'', and RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of
Funds''. The grant is approved on the date an Agency signed copy of
Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds,'' is mailed to the
applicant.
Prior to the disbursement of grant funds, applicants approved for
funding will be required to sign an Agency approved Grant Agreement,
meet any pre-disbursement conditions outlined in the Letter of
Conditions, and meet the applicable Statutory or Regulatory authority
for this action listed in Section A. Program Description.
In the event the application is not approved, the applicant will be
notified in writing of the reasons for rejection and provided
applicable review and appeal rights in accordance with 7 CFR part 11.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected to receive
Community Facilities Program Disaster Grants can
[[Page 60861]]
be found in the Grants and Agreements regulations applicable to the
Department of Agriculture and codified in 2 CFR parts 180, 200, 400,
415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and 48 CFR 31.2.
3. Reporting
As outlined in the letter of conditions and grant agreement issued
by the Agency, grant recipients will be required to provide performance
reports and annual financial statements in accordance with 2 CFR part
200 as adopted by the Agency in 2 CFR part 400. Grant recipients will
also provide performance and financial monitoring and reporting
information in accordance with 2 CFR part 200, subpart D, ``Post
Federal Award Requirements.''
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
For general questions about this announcement, please contact your
USDA Rural Development State Office provided in the ADDRESSES section
of this notice.
H. Other Information
(a) Paperwork Reduction Act.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
chapter 35), the information collection requirements associated with
this program, as covered in this notice, have been approved by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575-
0173.
(b) National Environmental Policy Act.
All recipients under this Notice are subject to the requirements of
7 CFR part 1970.
(c) Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act.
All applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be
registered in SAM and have a UEI number as stated in Section D.3 of
this notice. All recipients of Federal financial assistance are
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and
executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
(d) 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 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).
(e) Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations.
(1) Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same
basis as any other organization, as set forth at, and subject to the
protections and requirements of, this part and any applicable
constitutional and statutory requirements, including 42 U.S.C. 2000bb
et seq. USDA will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate for
or against an organization on the basis of the organization's religious
character, motives, or affiliation, or lack thereof, or on the basis of
conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a
similarly situated secular organization.
(2) A faith-based organization that participates in this program
will retain its independence from the Government and may continue to
carry out its mission consistent with religious freedom and conscience
protections in Federal law. Religious accommodations may also be sought
under many of these religious freedom and conscience protection laws.
(3) A faith-based organization may not use direct Federal financial
assistance from USDA to support or engage in any explicitly religious
activities except when consistent with the Establishment Clause of the
First Amendment and any other applicable requirements. An organization
receiving Federal financial assistance also may not, in providing
services funded by USDA, or in their outreach activities related to
such services, discriminate against a program beneficiary or
prospective program beneficiary on the basis of religion, a religious
belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or
participate in a religious practice.
(f) Non-Discrimination Statement.
In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (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, staff office; or the 711 Federal
Relay Service.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
which can be obtained online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866)
632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must
contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a
written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient
detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about
the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed
AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-16580 Filed 7-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P
