Consolidated Multifamily Housing Technical Assistance Grant Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Fiscal Year 2024, 76065-76080 [2024-21033]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Housing Service

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76065-76080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21033]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket No. RHS-24-MFH-0032]


Consolidated Multifamily Housing Technical Assistance Grant 
Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Fiscal Year 2024

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA).

ACTION: Consolidated notice of funding availability

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SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural 
Development (RD) agency of the USDA, announces the availability of 
funding for Multifamily Housing Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance 
(MFH NP TA) Grants and Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance (FLH TA) 
Grants. This funding is available for eligible technical assistance 
(TA) providers seeking grants to provide technical assistance services 
to qualified applicants.

DATES: Complete applications must be submitted in electronic format and 
must be received by 12 p.m. ET (noon) on November 18, 2024.
    To initiate the application process, the applicant must send an 
email message, by 12 p.m. ET (noon) on November 13, 2024 to the RHS 
Production and Preservation Division at

[[Page 76066]]

[email protected] for MFH Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance Grant 
applications or [email protected] for FLH Technical Assistance Grant 
applications as outlined in Section D, Application and Submission 
Information. Any emails submitted after 12 p.m. ET (noon) on November 
13, 2024 will be rejected and will not be considered.
    The General Section of this consolidated notice provides the 
application procedures and requirements that are applicable to both 
programs in this notice. Program Sections A and B of this notice 
provide descriptions of the specific programs for which funding is made 
available and explains any additional procedures and requirements 
applicable to the specific program. Please be sure to read both the 
General Section and the Program Sections of this consolidated notice to 
ensure that all requirements have been responded to and are included 
with the application.

ADDRESSES: All applications made in response to this notice must be 
submitted electronically to the RHS Production and Preservation 
Division, Program Support Branch as outlined in Section D, Application 
and Submission Information. Entities submitting more than one 
application must submit a separate email of interest for each 
submission. All email requests must be sent to one of the following 
addresses: [email protected] for MFH NP Transfer TA Grant applications 
or [email protected] for FLH TA Grant applications. This grant funding 
opportunity will also be announced on www.Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General questions about this 
consolidated notice may be directed to Stephanie Vergin, Policy 
Advisor, Production and Preservation Division, Multi-Family Housing, 
United States Department of Agriculture; Phone: 651-602-7820; or email 
at [email protected] or [email protected].
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Mission Area, agency, staff office, or the 711 Federal Relay Service.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    This is the second year that MFH is issuing a consolidated notice 
for its technical assistance grant programs. MFH designed this 
consolidated notice with the intent to simplify the application 
process, better coordinate services for applicants, and ensure 
transparency and predictability in funding cycles. It is the Agency's 
belief that consolidating the MFH TA notices will avoid duplication of 
efforts within the communities it serves and better serve its rural 
stakeholders most in need of these programs. The RHS Production & 
Preservation Division will host a virtual workshop prior to the 
application deadline to provide general information and guidance 
regarding this notice. The workshop will be announced via GovDelivery 
notice and will also be posted on the MFH Programs website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/multi-family-housing-programs.
    Prospective respondents are encouraged to read this entire notice 
thoroughly and attend the informational workshop for more information 
and clarification prior to submitting funding applications.

Organization of the Consolidated Notice

    This notice is divided into two major sections, the General Section 
and Program Sections A and B. The standard forms, certifications, 
assurances, procedures, and requirements applicable to both technical 
assistance grant programs are included in the General Section of this 
notice. Program Sections A and B separately outline each technical 
assistance grant funding opportunity with program-specific eligibility, 
statutory and regulatory requirements, and include the factors used for 
scoring and ranking applications, the grant award process, and any 
additional requirements and/or limitations specific to each program.
    Please read both the General Section and Program Sections A-B of 
this notice carefully to ensure all application and program 
requirements are met. Not all respondents are eligible to receive 
awards under both funding opportunities identified within this 
consolidated notice.
    Rural Development Priorities: The Agency encourages respondents to 
consider projects that will advance the following key priorities:
     Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice. 
Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of 
climate change through economic support to rural communities,
     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
     Creating More and Better Market Opportunities. Assisting 
rural communities to recover economically through more and better 
market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
    For further information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.

Table of Contents: General Section

A. Program Descriptions
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
H. Other Information

I. General Section

    RHS administers the Multifamily Housing Programs that provide 
affordable multifamily rental housing in rural areas by financing 
projects geared for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals and 
families as well as domestic farm laborers. The MFH programs extend 
their reach by guaranteeing loans for affordable rental housing 
designed for low to moderate-income residents in rural areas and towns. 
MFH Programs are administered, subject to appropriations, by the USDA 
as authorized under Sections 514, 515, 516 and 521 of the Housing Act 
of 1949, as amended.

A. Program Descriptions

(1) Purpose of the Programs

    The Section 515 MFH NP TA Grants are intended to provide technical 
assistance to multifamily housing borrowers and applicants to 
facilitate the acquisition of Section 515 properties by nonprofit 
organizations and public housing authorities.
    The FLH TA Grants are intended to provide technical assistance to 
qualified Section 514 loan and Section 516 grant applicants to 
encourage the development, repair, and preservation of domestic and 
migrant FLH projects.
    RHS has a strong interest in broad geographic availability of 
technical assistance services and expanding the pool of technical 
assistance providers. Respondents will compete in a national funding 
pool and multiple awards may be made in a single region. However, if 
there are qualified and eligible respondents, RHS will prioritize 
awarding at least one MFH NP TA Grant and one FLH TA Grant in each of 
the following four geographic regions:

Midwestern Region: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI
Northeastern Region: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV
Southern Region: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, PR, SC, TN, TX, VI
Western Region: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY


[[Page 76067]]


    Multifamily Housing's four geographic regions may also be found on 
the following website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/all-programs/multi-family-housing-programs.
    Each entity applying for funding under this notice, whether 
individually or jointly, is limited to submission of one grant 
application per technical assistance program, per geographic region. 
Entities applying in more than one geographic region must submit 
separate applications for each region in which they apply. Respondents 
may propose to serve single-State or multi-State areas within 
geographic regions.

(2) Statutory and Regulatory Authority

    MFH NP TA Grants are authorized under Sec. 745 of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103), Sec. 745 of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328), and Sec. 743 
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-42) and 
implemented by 7 CFR part 3560.
    MFH FLH TA Grants are authorized under Section 516(i) of the 
Housing Act of 1949, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 1486(i); and implemented by 
7 CFR part 3560.
    To be eligible for funding under this consolidated notice, 
respondents must meet all statutory and regulatory requirements 
applicable to the program(s) for which funding is sought. RD program 
regulations may be found at the following website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/page/regulations-and-guidance.

(3) Definitions and Acronyms

    The definitions and acronyms applicable to this notice are 
published at 7 CFR part 3560.11 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3560#3560.11; 7 CFR 15.2 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-A/part-15; 2 CFR part 200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200; and 2 CFR 
part 400 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-400.
    The following supplementary definitions and acronyms are applicable 
to and for the purpose of this notice only.
    Applicant--one who submits an application to receive technical 
assistance services from a technical assistance provider (Grantee), and 
application means such an application.
    Broad-based nonprofit organization (as an Off-FLH loan/grant 
applicant)--nonprofit organization with a membership that reflects a 
variety of interests in the market area.
    Capacity--demonstrated experience in the areas of federal grant 
administration and technical assistance program development and 
delivery.
    Co-respondent--a separate legal entity made part of the application 
process by the primary respondent through a Memorandum of Understanding 
(MOU) or other agreement who will be accountable to the primary 
respondent for any federal award funds received.
    Conflicts of interest--situations in which an officer, director, 
board member, agent, employee, or partner of the non-Federal entity 
being considered for a Federal award, any immediate family member of 
these parties, or any organization which employs or is about to employ 
any of these parties, have a competing personal, professional, 
financial, and/or other interest in activities performed under the 
Federal award or may receive a tangible personal benefit from 
activities performed under the Federal award which renders them unable, 
or gives the appearance of being unable, to be impartial in conducting/
administering the Federal award.
    Consultant--an individual who provides professional advice or 
services for a fee but may not be an employee of the engaging party. 
The term ``consultant'' may also include a firm that provides paid 
professional advice or services, or independent entities engaged under 
a grant to provide a specific service or product (product purchase or 
fee-for-service). They are not employees of the grantee, and no 
employer-employee relationship exists between the consultant and the 
grantee.
    Contract--for the purpose of Federal financial assistance, a legal 
instrument by which a recipient or subrecipient purchases property or 
services needed to carry out the project or program under a federal 
award.
    Contractor--an entity that receives a contract as defined in this 
section.
    Curable deficiency--omission, error, or oversight that, if 
corrected, would not alter the review and/or scoring of an application 
in a positive or negative fashion.
    Disallowed costs--charges to a federal award that the Federal 
awarding agency or pass- through entity determines to be unallowable, 
in accordance with the applicable Federal statutes, regulations, or the 
terms and conditions of the Federal award.
    Expenditures--charges made by a non-Federal entity to a project or 
program for which a Federal award was received.
    Federal awarding agency--the Federal agency that provides a Federal 
award directly to a non-Federal entity.
    Federal share--the portion of the Federal award costs that are paid 
using Federal funds.
    Grant Agreement--a legal instrument of financial assistance between 
a Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity and a non-Federal 
entity that, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6302, 6304: (1) Is used to enter 
into a relationship the principal purpose of which is to transfer 
anything of value to carry out a public purpose authorized by a law of 
the United States (see 31 U.S.C. 6101(3)); and not to acquire property 
or services for the Federal awarding agency or pass- through entity's 
direct benefit or use; (2) Is distinguished from a cooperative 
agreement in that it does not provide for substantial involvement of 
the Federal awarding agency in carrying out the activity contemplated 
by the Federal award; (3) Does not include an agreement that provides 
only: (i) Direct United States Government cash assistance to an 
individual; (ii) A subsidy; (iii) A loan; (vi) A loan guarantee; or (v) 
Insurance.
    Grantee--a legal entity that has been awarded financial assistance 
under one of the Agency's grant programs and assumes responsibility for 
fiscal accountability for managing awarded funds, supervision of grant-
supported activities, and submission of final reports.
    Indirect Costs (facilities & administrative (F&A))--costs incurred 
for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective, 
and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically 
benefitted, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved. To 
facilitate equitable distribution of indirect expenses to the cost 
objectives served, it may be necessary to establish a number of pools 
of indirect F&A costs. Indirect F&A cost pools must be distributed to 
benefitted cost objectives on bases that will produce an equitable 
result in consideration of relative benefits derived.
    Indirect cost rate--a percentage established by a Federal 
department or agency for a grantee organization, which the grantee uses 
in computing the dollar amount it charges to the grant to reimburse 
itself for indirect costs incurred in doing the work of the grant 
project.
    Key personnel services--technical assistance service delivery and 
grant administration.
    Market Area--the geographic or locational delineation of the market 
for a specific project, including outlying areas that will be impacted 
by the project, i.e., the area in which

[[Page 76068]]

alternative, similar properties effectively compete with the subject 
property.
    Non-curable deficiency--omission, error, or oversight that, if 
corrected, would alter the review and/or scoring of the application in 
a positive or negative fashion.
    Non-Federal Entity--a State, local government, Indian tribe, or 
nonprofit organization that carries out a federal award as a recipient 
or subrecipient.
    Organizational conflicts of interest--situations in which the non-
Federal entity being considered for a federal award is unable, or 
appears to be unable, to be impartial in conducting/administering the 
Federal award because of its relationship with a parent company, 
affiliate, subsidiary organization, or other related organization or 
party.
    Period of Performance--the total estimated time interval between 
the start of the initial grant award and the planned end date.
    Primary Respondent--one who submits an application, request, or 
plan required to be approved by an Agency as a condition of eligibility 
for Federal financial assistance, and application means such an 
application, request, or plan.
    Respondent (see Primary Respondent).
    Supportive Services--services that help tenants with challenges 
maintain stable housing (e.g., employment assistance, meals, 
transportation, personal care assistance, housekeeping, wellness 
checks, care coordination, and outpatient health services).
    Targeted service area--area targeted to receive technical 
assistance services.
    Technical Assistance--technical expertise, information and services 
provided by eligible entities with the necessary knowledge, experience, 
and capacity to provide the services outlined in this notice to 
eligible respondents.
Commonly Used Acronyms
CFR Code of Federal Regulation
FLH Farm Labor Housing
MFH Multifamily Housing
NOFA Notice of Funding Availability
NP Nonprofit organization
OMB Office of Management and Budget
PHA Public Housing Authority
RD Rural Development
RHS Rural Housing Service
SAM System for Award Management
SOW Statement of Work/Scope of Work
TA Technical Assistance
TDHE Tribally Designated Housing Entity
UEI Unique Entity Identifier
USDA United States Department of Agriculture

(4) Application for Awards

    Awards under these programs will be made on a competitive basis 
using specific selection criteria contained in Program Sections A and B 
of this notice.
    The Agency advises all interested parties that expenses incurred in 
applying for this notice will be borne by and be at the respondent's 
sole risk.

B. Federal Award Information

    Funding Opportunity Title: Consolidated MFH Technical Assistance 
Grant Program NOFA FY 2024
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
    Assistance Listing (AL) Numbers:
 Multifamily Housing Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance 
Grants: 10.494
 Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance Grants: 10.495
    Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-RD-HCFP-NPTA-FLHTA
    Dates: Complete applications must be submitted in electronic format 
and must be received by 12 p.m. ET (noon) on November 18, 2024. To 
initiate the application process, the applicant must send an email 
message, by 12 p.m. ET (noon) on November 13, 2024 to the RHS 
Production and Preservation Division at [email protected] for MFH 
Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance Grant applications or 
[email protected] for FLH Technical Assistance Grant applications as 
outlined in Section D, Application and Submission Information. Any 
emails submitted after 12 p.m. ET (noon) on November 13, 2024 will be 
rejected and will not be considered.
    Available Funds:
     $4.9 million for MFH NP TA Grants--Fiscal Year Funds: FY 
2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024
     $2 million for FLH TA Grants--Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024
    Type of Award: Technical Assistance Grants
    Award Amounts:
     The minimum and maximum award amounts per funded MFH NP TA 
Grant application are $100,000 and $750,000, respectively.
     The minimum and maximum award amounts per funded FLH TA 
Grant application are $50,000 and $250,000, respectively.
    Anticipated Award Date: The Agency anticipates making awards 120 
days after the application deadline.
    Performance Period: 24 months from executed grant agreement.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards None.
    Type of Assistance Instrument: Grant Agreement.
    Respondents selected for funding will complete a grant agreement 
suitable to the Agency, which outlines the terms and conditions of the 
Grant award. The Agency may request changes to the SOW which will be 
incorporated into the grant agreement. If a selected grantee does not 
accept the terms of the Agency and/or does not deliver an executed 
Grant Agreement to the Agency within ten (10) business days after 
receiving the Grant Agreement with the Agency-approved SOW, the Agency 
may choose to rescind the award and select another grantee based on 
scoring without further notice.
    The grant period of performance is 24 months with an extension 
allowed for up to an additional 12 months at the Agency's discretion. 
However, proposals should be structured to utilize all grant funds 
within 24 months from the date of the award. The grant term will be 
defined in the Grant Agreement and will become effective once signed by 
the Grantee and the Agency. Grant funds will be obligated within ten 
(10) business days after both parties have executed the Grant 
Agreement.

C. Eligibility Information

(1) Eligible Respondents

    To be considered eligible for funding under this notice, all 
respondents are required to meet both the general eligibility 
requirements outlined below, as well as the program specific 
requirements outlined in Program Sections A or B of this notice, as 
applicable.
    Except as may be modified in Program Sections A and B of this 
notice, the general requirements, procedures, and principles outlined 
below apply to respondents for both funding opportunities contained in 
this notice.
    (a) All respondents will be screened for eligibility to participate 
in the grant program using Treasury's Do Not Pay Portal in compliance 
with the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act.
    (b) Debarment and suspension information is required in accordance 
with 2 CFR 180 (OMB's Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide 
Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)) supplemented by 2 CFR 417 
(Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension) if it applies. The section 
heading is ``What information must I provide before entering into a 
covered transaction with a Federal agency?'' located at 2 CFR 180.335. 
It is part of OMB's Guidance for Grants and Agreements concerning 
Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension. Respondents are not

[[Page 76069]]

eligible if they have been debarred or suspended or otherwise excluded 
from, or ineligible for, participation in Federal assistance programs 
under 2 CFR parts 180 and 417.
    (c) Conflicts of Interest. No Grantee funded under this notice or 
its officers, directors, board members, agents, employees, or partners 
can participate in conducting or administering the grant award if a 
real or apparent conflict of interest exists.
    Entities applying for funding under this notice and all funded 
Grantees must disclose in writing any potential conflicts of interest 
to the Agency, including situations that would create a conflict of 
interest, potential for conflict of interest, or any appearance of a 
conflict of interest.
    Unless approved by the Agency, Grantees may not provide TA for 
projects in which they or their third-party affiliates have a direct or 
indirect ownership interest. Respondents must disclose all MFH projects 
in which they or their third-party affiliates have a direct or indirect 
ownership interest.
    Unless approved by the Agency, neither the Grantee nor any officer, 
director, board member or partner of the Grantee may accept or share 
any compensation or remuneration, directly or indirectly, in any form 
whatsoever, from or with any party interested in the activities 
performed under the grant agreement.
    Unless approved by the Agency, neither the Grantee nor any officer, 
director, board member, partner or any person employed by the Grantee 
may accept compensation or remuneration contrary to the intentions of 
the grant agreement.
    Unless approved by the Agency, neither the Grantee nor any officer, 
director, board member or partner of the Grantee may be involved as an 
officer, director, board member or general partner in a business 
venture with an officer, director, board member or general partner of 
any other party interested in the activities performed under the grant 
agreement.
    Grantees funded under this notice must maintain written standards 
of conduct governing organizational conflicts of interest and conflicts 
of interest related to the performance of its officers, directors, 
board members, agents, and employees in conducting/administering 
Federal grant awards. The standards of conduct must provide for 
disciplinary actions to be applied for violations of such standards by 
the Grantee and its directors, board members, officers, employees, and 
agents.

(2) Cost Sharing or Matching

    There are no cost sharing or matching requirements for either 
program.

(3) Discretionary Points

    Please refer to Program Sections A and B.

(4) Other

    Each entity applying for funding under this notice, whether 
individually or jointly, may submit only one application per program, 
per geographic region. MFH's geographic regions are listed in the 
General Section A.1. of this notice.
    The use of consultants/contractors for key personnel services 
(technical assistance service delivery and grant administration) is 
limited to a maximum of 20 percent of the total key personnel services 
budget. This requirement is intended to advance the Agency's goal of 
increasing the capacity of Agency-funded nonprofit TA providers to 
deliver technical assistance services directly to recipients.
    The total direct and indirect administrative costs associated with 
the administration of the grant should not exceed 20 percent of the 
total technical assistance grant fund.
    Any respondent with an open MFH Transfer or FLH technical 
assistance funding award must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward 
completion of the work plan identified in their Agency-approved grant 
agreement to be eligible for funding under this notice. In evaluating 
satisfactory progress, RHS will consider past performance in managing 
funds, including, but not limited to, the ability to account for funds 
appropriately; timely use of funds received from RHS; meeting 
performance targets for completion of activities; and receipt of 
promised matching or leveraged funds.

D. Application and Submission Information

(1) Content and Form of Application Submissions

    Applications to this notice must be submitted electronically using 
the process described below. To initiate the application process, the 
applicant must send an email message, by 12 p.m. ET (noon) on November 
13, 2024 to the RHS Production and Preservation Division at 
[email protected] for MFH Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance Grant 
applications or [email protected] for FLH Technical Assistance Grant 
applications. The email message must contain the following information:
    (a) Subject line: TA Grant Application Submission
    (b) Body of email: Respondent Name and complete Contact Information 
(including address, phone number, email address to receive application 
submission information).
    (c) Request language: Please provide application submission 
instructions so that we may submit our MFH Nonprofit Transfer TA Grant 
application or Farm Labor Housing TA Grant application.
    Application submission instructions will be emailed to all 
interested respondents supplying valid email addresses within two (2) 
business days from the date the email of interest is received by the 
Agency. Any email submitted after 12 p.m. ET (noon) on November 13, 
2024 will be rejected and will not be considered. Entities submitting 
more than one application must submit a separate email of interest for 
each submission. The Agency is not liable for technical issues or 
system-related difficulties that affect an applicant's ability to 
submit applications in a timely fashion in accordance with the 
instructions of this NOFA.

(2) Forms, Requirements and Procedures for All Respondents

    All respondents are required to electronically submit signed copies 
of the standard forms, certifications, and assurances listed in this 
section, unless the requirements in the Program Section specify 
otherwise. All forms should be completed in their entirety using the 
most current versions of unexpired OMB-approved forms. All application 
packages must include a Table of Contents and a separate one-page sheet 
listing each of the Scoring Criteria from Program Sections A or B, 
followed by the page numbers of all relevant material and documentation 
contained within the submitted application materials to support those 
criteria.
    (i) Except as may be modified in the Program Sections A and B, the 
forms and standard certifications and assurances required for all 
respondents are:
    (A) SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance'' which can be 
obtained at: https://www.grants.gov/.
    (B) Standard Form 424A, ``Budget Information-Non-Construction 
Programs'' which can be obtained at: https://www.grants.gov/.
    (C) Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable, 
or a statement certifying the entity's election to charge the de 
minimis rate of 10 percent of the modified total direct costs (MTDC).

[[Page 76070]]

    (D) Form SF-LLL, ``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' if 
applicable, or a statement certifying that the organization does not 
lobby.
    (E) Form RD 3560-30, ``Certification of no Identity of Interest 
(IOI),'' if applicable: https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD3560-30.PDF.
    (F) Form RD 3560-31, ``Identity of Interest Disclosure/
Qualification Certification'' if applicable (IOI is defined in 7 CFR 
3560.11): https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD3560-31.PDF.
    (G) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement'': https://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/RD400-4.PDF.
    (H) Form RD 400-6, ``Compliance Statement'': https://formsadmin.sc.egov.usda.gov/eFormsAdmin/browseFormsAction.do?pageAction=displayPDF&formIndex=0.
    (ii) All responding entities must include organizational status 
documents and current (within six months of this notice's deadline 
date) financial statements to evidence their status as a properly 
organized private or public nonprofit agency, or public/tribal housing 
authority, with the financial ability to carry out the approved 
objectives of the TA grant program under which funding is sought. This 
requirement includes (at minimum):
    (A) Status as a NP (i.e., Articles of Incorporation, IRS nonprofit 
certification) or PHA.
    (B) Good standing within the State or Tribe in which the entity is 
organized.
    (C) Legal authority to provide services stated in the application 
under the applicable laws for the state(s) in which operation is 
proposed. (Examples of acceptable documentation for this requirement 
include, but are not limited to, bylaws, organizational charters, and 
statutes or regulations).
    (D) Certification of no current or unresolved default or violation 
of any other Federal, Tribal, State, or local grant or loan 
agreement(s).
    (E) The requirements above will also apply to all entities 
performing services on behalf of the respondent.

(3) System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier

    (a) At the time of application, each respondent must have an active 
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting 
its application in accordance with 2 CFR 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) Respondent 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) Respondent must complete the Financial Assistance General 
Certifications and Representations in SAM.
    (d) Respondent 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 respondent has 
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If a 
respondent has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the 
Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the 
respondent is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that 
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
respondent.

(4) Submission Dates and Times

    Submission dates and times can be found in the DATES section of 
this notice.

(5) Intergovernmental Review

    Applications under this notice are not subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

(6) Funding Restrictions

    Refer to Program Sections A and B for Ineligible Grant Fund 
Purposes/Costs.

E. Application Review Information

(1) Application Review Criteria

    To be eligible for funding under this notice, respondents must meet 
the criteria set forth in the individual Program Sections A and B of 
this notice, as well as all general eligibility criteria as follows:
    a. The application must be complete as specified by this notice;
    b. The complete application must be received by the submission 
deadline specified in this notice;
    c. The application proposal must be for authorized purposes; and
    d. The respondent must be an eligible entity and must not currently 
be debarred, suspended, or delinquent on any Federal debt.
    No application will be accepted after the specified deadline unless 
the date and time is extended by another notice published in the 
Federal Register. Applications will first be reviewed to determine if 
they meet the ``Eligible Respondents'' eligibility requirements 
outlined in Program Sections A or B as applicable. If all ``Eligible 
Respondents'' eligibility requirements are met, applications will then 
be reviewed for completeness. All complete applications will be 
reviewed for eligible grant activities, eligible costs, and eligible 
purposes. If the Agency determines that any application is ineligible 
or incomplete, application processing will be discontinued, which means 
the application will be rejected and returned to the respondent without 
being scored.
    RHS may contact respondents to clarify items and/or to correct 
curable (correctable) technical deficiencies identified within 
application packages after the application deadline is reached. RHS 
will notify respondents of any curable deficiencies and will do so on a 
uniform basis for all respondents. If deficiencies are not corrected 
within the period prescribed by RHS, the application will be rejected 
as incomplete, and will not be considered for funding.
    Only applications meeting all the general eligibility criteria 
above will be scored and ranked. RHS will consider the scoring factors 
outlined in Program Sections A and B to score and rank application(s) 
for each TA program respectively. Points will be awarded only for 
factors that are well-documented in the application package and, in the 
opinion of the Agency, meet the objectives outlined in each of the 
evaluation criteria. References to external websites, publications, 
and/or other information not submitted as part of the application 
package will not be reviewed or considered. Therefore, full 
documentation and support of all criteria is recommended and 
encouraged.
    Risk Review: The Agency may request additional documentation from 
selected respondents in order to evaluate the financial, management, 
and performance risk posed by awardees as required by 2 CFR 200.206. 
Based on the risk review, the Agency may apply special conditions that 
correspond to the degree of risk assessed, either pre-award or post-
award.
    If the Agency determines it is unable to select an application for 
funding, the respondent will be informed in writing. Such notification 
will include the reasons the respondent was not selected. The Agency 
will advise respondents whose applications do not meet eligibility and/
or selection criteria of applicable review rights or appeal rights in 
accordance with 7 CFR part 11.

[[Page 76071]]

(2) Review and Selection Process

    Refer to Program Sections A and B for program specific application 
reviewing, scoring and selection processes.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

(1) Federal Award Notice

    The Agency will notify in writing respondents whose applications 
have been selected for funding. At the time of notification, the Agency 
will advise respondents what additional information and documentation 
is required along with a timeline for submitting the additional 
information.

(2) Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for these TA Grant program awards:
    (a) Grantees must complete Form RD 1942-46 ``Letter of Intent to 
Meet Conditions.''
    (b) Grantees must complete Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation 
of Funds.''
    (c) Grantees must use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or 
Reimbursement,'' to request reimbursements and provide receipts for 
expenditures, timesheets, and any other documentation to support the 
request for reimbursement, as determined by the Agency.
    (d) Grantees must maintain a financial management system that is 
acceptable to the Agency.
    (e) Grantees must certify that the U.S. has not obtained an 
outstanding judgment against their organization in a Federal Court 
(other than in the United States Tax Court).
    (f) MFH NP TA Grants are authorized under Sec. 745 of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103), Sec. 745 of 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328), and Sec. 
743 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-42) and 
implemented by 7 CFR part 3560.
    MFH FLH TA Grants are authorized under Section 516(i) of the 
Housing Act of 1949, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 1486(i); and implemented by 
7 CFR part 3560.
    (g) Workplace identification is required under the drug-free 
workplace requirements in 2 CFR part 182, which provides guidance on 
the portion of the Drug-Free Workplace Act applicable to grants, as 
adopted by 2 CFR part 421. Therefore, grantees must identify all 
organizational known workplaces by including the actual physical 
addresses of buildings (or parts of buildings) or other sites where 
work under the award takes place.
    (h) Grantees must comply with all other requirements in 2 CFR part 
182 (Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial 
Assistance)) and 2 CFR part 421 (Requirements for Drug Free Workplace 
(Financial Assistance).

(3) Reporting

    (a) Grantees must comply with reporting requirements of 2 CFR part 
200 and must provide the required financial status and project 
performance reports for the period after grant approval and throughout 
the grant period of performance as outlined in the Agency approved 
grant agreement.
    (b) Grantees must maintain records to document all activities and 
expenditures utilizing technical assistance grant funds. Receipts for 
expenditures will be included in this documentation.
    (c) Grantees must provide a final project performance report as 
outlined in the Agency approved grant agreement.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

    Stephanie Vergin, Policy Advisor, Production and Preservation 
Division, Multi-Family Housing, United States Department of Agriculture 
at [email protected] or [email protected].

H. Other Information

1. Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), OMB must approve all ``collection of information'' as 
defined at 42 U.S.C. 3502(3). In accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements as covered in this notice, are exempt 
because the requirements are not imposed on 10 or more people, as 
defined at 44 U.S.C. 3502(3)(A)(i)).
    RHS has concluded that the reporting requirements contained in this 
NOFA will involve less than 10 persons and do not require approval 
under the provisions of the Act.

2. National Environmental Policy Act

    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
Public Law 91-190, this funding announcement has been reviewed in 
accordance with 7 CFR part 1970 (Environmental Policies and 
Procedures). As permitted by 7 CFR 1970.51(b), The Agency has 
determined that because:
     this action meets the criteria established in 7 CFR 
1970.53(f);
     no ``extraordinary circumstances exist'' as defined at 7 
CFR 1970.52(a); and
     the action is not ``connected'' (see 40 CFR 1508.25(a)(1)) 
to other actions with potentially significant impacts, is not 
considered a ``cumulative action,'' and;
     the action is not precluded by 40 CFR 1506.1.
    Therefore, the Agency has determined that the action does not have 
a significant effect on the human environment, and therefore neither an 
Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact Statement is 
required. All recipients under this notice are subject to the 
requirements of 7 CFR part 1970.
     For Non-Construction Programs under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA):
    Technical assistance awards for financial and technical assistance 
under this notice are classified as a Categorical Exclusion according 
to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), and usually do not require any additional 
documentation. MFH will review each grant application to determine its 
compliance with 7 CFR 1970. The respondent may be asked to provide 
additional information or documentation to MFH with this determination.

3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act

    All respondents, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/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 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/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 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.
    All respondents must certify to compliance with 7 CFR part 15, 
subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the 
Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964, by

[[Page 76072]]

completing the Financial Assistance General Certification and 
Representations in SAM.
    Civil Rights compliance includes, but is not limited to the 
following:
    (a) Collecting and maintaining data provided by ultimate recipients 
on race, sex, and national origin.
    (b) Collection of race and ethnicity data in accordance with Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to 
the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and 
Ethnicity'' (published October 30, 1997 at 62 FR 58782). Sex data will 
be collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 
1972.
    This data should not be submitted with the application but should 
be available upon request by the Agency.

5. USDA 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, 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.

II. Program Sections

Organization of the Program Sections

    Program Sections A and B of this notice provide descriptions for 
both of the specific programs. In addition to the requirements set 
forth in the General section, the following program sections outline 
additional procedures and requirements applicable to each program.
    Both funding opportunities contained in this consolidated notice 
are identified in the following chart entitled Consolidated Multifamily 
Housing Technical Assistance Grant Program Funding Chart FY 2024. This 
chart includes Program Name, the Assistance Listing Number for each 
program, the Funding Amounts Available, and the Program Section 
Reference for program- specific application requirements.

                Consolidated Multifamily Housing Technical Assistance Grant Program Funding Chart
                                                     FY 2024
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Program
                         TA program name                            Assistance        Funding         section
                                                                    listing No.      available       reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multifamily Housing Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance               10.494    $4.9 million               A
 Grants.........................................................
Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance Grants..................          10.495       2 million               B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Program Section A

Multifamily Housing Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance Grants

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information

A. Program Description

    The technical assistance (TA) grants offered under this funding 
opportunity are for the purpose of facilitating the transfer and 
preservation of existing Rural Rental Housing properties under Section 
515 of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1485). Agency 
regulations for the Section 515 program are published at 7 CFR part 
3560. The Agency is authorized to utilize the appropriations from each 
fiscal year, for a total appropriation of $4.9 million, to provide 
grants to NPs and PHAs meeting the qualification standards of this 
Notice, who will then provide technical assistance, including financial 
and legal services, to MFH borrowers to facilitate the acquisition of 
Section 515 MFH properties by nonprofit organizations and public 
housing authorities. Public Law 117-103, Sec. 745; Public Law 117-328, 
Sec. 745; and Public Law 118-42, Sec. 743. These grants must be 
provided in areas where the USDA Secretary determines there is a risk 
of loss of affordable housing in order to keep such properties in the 
MFH program. Risk of loss of affordable housing may be driven by market 
conditions or may be due to property-specific factors, including 
mortgages reaching maturity, owner ability to prepay existing Agency 
loans, poor physical condition of the property, or failing ownership.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant
    Fiscal Year (FY) Funds: 2022, 2023 and 2024
    Award Amounts: $4.9 million for MFH Nonprofit Transfer TA Grants

C. Eligibility Information

(1) Eligible Respondents

    Eligibility for MFH Nonprofit Transfer Technical Assistance Grants 
is limited to private and public nonprofit organizations and public 
housing authorities meeting the qualification requirements of this 
Notice. Potentially qualifying NPs and PHAs include

[[Page 76073]]

tribally designated housing entities (TDHE) and Tribal housing NPs.
    Eligible entities responding to this notice must have the 
knowledge, ability, technical expertise, practical experience, and 
capacity necessary to develop and package Section 515 property transfer 
transactions. They must also demonstrate the ability to provide 
technical assistance to NPs and/or PHAs to facilitate their acquisition 
of Section 515 properties. In addition, all eligible entities must 
demonstrate the ability to exercise leadership, organize work, and 
prioritize assignments to meet work demands in a cost-efficient and 
timely manner within the 24-month grant term.

(2) Eligible Grant Activities

    Grantees awarded under this notice are expected to provide 
technical assistance services to NPs and/or PHAs who are acquiring 
Section 515 projects in order to increase TA recipients' capacity 
(knowledge, skills, and abilities) in the following areas: Locating 
potential Section 515 properties for transfer; completing the transfer 
analysis, negotiation, application, underwriting, and closing 
processes; and identifying and securing capital and operating funding 
from the Agency and/or other sources for the purpose of acquisition, 
repair, rehabilitation, and/or ongoing operations of the property, 
including the coordination and provision of supportive services for 
tenants.

(3) Eligible Costs

    Costs will be limited to those allowed under 2 CFR 200. Grantees 
may, with Agency concurrence and approval, utilize MFH NP TA grant 
funds for the following purposes: soft costs such as financial 
analysis, transaction structuring analysis and completion of other 
transaction details such as Capital Needs Assessments, appraisals, 
market surveys or other consultation, and advisory and non-construction 
services required as part of the application process. Grantees may 
request Agency approval on a case-by-case basis for costs not included 
in this list.

(4) Ineligible Purposes/Costs

    In addition to costs identified as unallowable by 2 CFR parts 200 
and 400, grant funds cannot be used for the following:
    (a) Grant funds cannot be used by the grantee for activities that 
are not directly related to preservation transactions (such as 
conferences, sponsorships, provider personnel education/training, 
etc.).
    (b) Grant funds cannot be used by the grantee for activities or 
transactions in which they have any direct or indirect ownership 
interest (regardless of whether it is an interest as a current or 
prospective owner).
    (c) Grant funds cannot be used to reimburse grantees for technical 
assistance services provided to another nonprofit or public body 
applicant in the development and packaging of its loan/grant docket and 
project when those applicant entities have requested reimbursement for 
technical assistance expenses as part of their total project 
development cost (See 7 CFR 3560.553(c) and 7 CFR 3560.53(o)(3)). 
Duplication of service costs is not allowed.
    (d) Grant funds cannot be used when an identity of interest exists 
between the technical assistance provider (or any third-party entity 
acting on their behalf) and the loan/grant applicant. Identity of 
interest is defined in 7 CFR 3560.11.
    (e) Grant funds cannot be used for building materials, labor costs, 
or expenditures otherwise typically included as any hard costs for 
actual construction or repairs, prepayment, interest, or principal 
payments.

D. Application and Submission Information

(1) Electronic Application Submissions

    All materials must be submitted electronically as outlined above in 
Section D, Application and Submission Information in the General 
Section of this notice.

(2) Content and Form of Application Submissions

    In addition to the forms, certifications and assurances required of 
all respondents as outlined in the General Section of this notice, 
complete application packages for the MFH NP TA Grant must also contain 
a written grant proposal that includes the following required 
information:
    (a) Summary page, which must include the following:
    a. Responding entity's name, address, telephone number, and 
complete contact information for the entity's main point of contact;
    b. Responding entity's Taxpayer Identification Number;
    c. Grant Amount requested;
    d. The State(s), area(s), and/or geographic region for which the 
application is being submitted; and
    e. Responding entity's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number 
required for registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) 
prior to submitting an application pursuant to 2 CFR 25.200(b).
    (b) Organizational Expertise and Experience Capabilities Statement. 
Responding entities must provide a capabilities statement describing 
their knowledge, demonstrated ability, practical experience, and 
capacity to develop and package Section 515 property transfer 
transactions. They must also describe their ability to provide 
technical assistance to NPs and/or PHAs to facilitate the acquisition, 
repair, and rehabilitation of Section 515 MFH properties. In addition, 
respondents must demonstrate the ability to exercise leadership, 
organize work, and prioritize assignments to meet work demands in a 
cost-efficient and timely manner within the 24-month grant term. If the 
respondent intends to have other entities working on its behalf, those 
entities must be identified and their abilities to meet the stated 
eligibility requirements and experience in delivering approved 
technical assistance services must also be addressed.
    (c) Narrative. The responding entity must include a written 
narrative describing its knowledge, demonstrated ability, and practical 
experience in completing transfers of Section 515 properties and/or 
providing training and technical assistance to NPs and PHAs for the 
transfer and rehabilitation of Section 515 properties. If the 
responding entity intends to have other entities working on its behalf, 
the narrative must identify those entities and address their ability to 
meet the stated eligibility requirements and experience in delivering 
approved technical assistance services.
    Respondents must identify Section 515 transfer transactions for 
which the respondent and/or other entities working on its behalf has 
provided technical assistance to the transferor or transferee on 
applications for the transfer of Section 515 projects in the last five 
years. For the projects and applications noted above, the respondent 
must provide the Section 515 property name and location (city and 
state), technical assistance recipient organizational name and location 
(city and state), source of technical assistance funding, and outcome 
of the transaction (i.e., no ownership change, transaction in process, 
transfer completed).
    (d) Key Personnel and Staffing Plan. Proposals must include the 
resumes of all staff personnel that will perform key personnel services 
of (1) delivery of technical assistance and (2) administration of the 
grant. (Capital Needs Assessments (CNAs), appraisals, and market 
surveys are not considered to be key personnel services). The staffing 
plan must describe each staff

[[Page 76074]]

member's ability to perform the proposed activities and/or their 
experience in successfully managing service delivery of TA grants. The 
plan must include a staffing chart complete with name, job title, 
salary, hours, timelines, and descriptions of all proposed employee 
duties that will achieve the objectives of the grant program. If 
respondents intend to contract for any key personnel services from 
outside their organization (not to exceed the 20% limit), the 
qualifications of all entities acting on behalf of respondents must 
also be addressed.
    (e) Statement of Work (SOW). Responding entities must submit a 
detailed SOW that includes the following requirements:
    a. Introduction/overview with a description of the organization's 
proposed plan to provide technical assistance to NPs and PHAs in the 
acquisition of Section 515 properties.
    b. The organization's capabilities to execute the proposed plan 
within the prescribed 24-month grant term.
    c. The organization's plan to identify potential sellers of Section 
515 properties.
    d. The organization's plan to identify and provide services to NPs 
and PHAs interested in acquiring these properties.
    e. Types of proposed technical assistance and legal and/or 
financial services that will enable NPs and/or PHAs to submit transfer 
applications to the Agency within the prescribed 24-month grant term. 
Clearly explain the services to be provided directly by the 
respondent's organization and all services that will be provided by 
third parties. The responding entity must specify the State(s), 
area(s), and/or geographic region in which they and any proposed third-
party subrecipients/contractors/consultants will offer technical 
assistance services. Respondents must also explain why each targeted 
service area and/or property is at risk of loss of affordable housing.
    f. The organization's experience in identifying and successfully 
assisting entities in the acquisition, repair, and rehabilitation of 
Section 515 MFH properties.
    g. A detailed budget justification that aligns with the key project 
tasks/activities and a grant funds usage projection that corresponds 
with a 24-month timeline for service delivery. The grant funds usage 
projection should illustrate direct and indirect administrative costs 
in dollars, and as a percentage of the technical assistance services 
provided (not to exceed 20 percent).
    h. Additional strengths, qualifications, or capabilities not 
included above that enhance the respondent's capacity to deliver 
services under this grant.
    i. Current working agreements or contracts between the respondent 
and any entity performing services on its behalf must be submitted as 
part of the application package and any associated costs must be 
included in the responding entity's budget.

E. Application Review Information

    All application packages will be reviewed to determine eligibility 
and completeness. All eligible, complete applications will be evaluated 
and competitively scored using the Application Scoring Criteria 
outlined below. Points will be awarded only for factors that are well-
documented in the application package and, in the opinion of the 
Agency, meet the objectives outlined in each of the evaluation 
criteria. References to external websites, publications and/or other 
information not submitted as part of the application package will not 
be reviewed. Therefore, full documentation and support of all criteria 
is encouraged.
    The review process designed for this notice will evaluate the 
degree to which the application sets forth measurable, realistic 
objectives that are consistent with this notice and can be completed 
within a 24-month grant period consistent with the application and 
processing guidance established by Agency transfer regulations.

Application Scoring Criteria (Points Can Be Earned In All Sections)

1. Respondent Experience (RHS Section 515)

    a. Respondent has successful, verifiable experience completing 
Section 515 transfers during the past five years. Experience must be 
demonstrated by submitting a list of past 515 project transfers. To 
receive points, the respondent must have acted as the developer or 
technical assistance provider for the project and, at a minimum must 
have a submitted transfer application currently pending approval or 
closed with the Agency:
 1-2 Section 515 project transfers: 10 points
 3-5 Section 515 project transfers: 20 points
 6-8 Section 515 project transfers: 30 points
 9 or more Section 515 project transfers: 40 points

    b. Respondent has successful, verifiable experience providing 
technical assistance that has increased the capacity of NPs and/or PHAs 
to complete Section 515 transfers. Experience must be demonstrated by 
submitting a list of past instances of providing technical assistance. 
Points will be awarded according to the number of NP and/or PHA clients 
to whom the respondent has provided Section 515 technical assistance 
services during the past five years:

 1-4 Section 515 technical assistance clients: 10 points
 5-8 Section 515 technical assistance clients: 20 points
 9 or more Section 515 technical assistance clients: 30 points

2. Respondent Experience (Other Affordable Multifamily Housing 
Programs)

    a. Respondent has successful, verifiable experience completing 
other affordable MFH project transfers during the past five years. 
Experience must be demonstrated by submitting a list of other 
affordable housing (non-515) past project transfers. To receive points, 
the respondent must have acted as the developer or technical assistance 
provider for the project and, at a minimum, obtained funding approval:

 1-2 affordable housing project transfers: 5 points
 3-5 affordable housing project transfers: 10 points
 6-8 affordable housing project transfers: 15 points
 9 or more affordable housing project transfers: 20 points

    b. Respondent has successful, verifiable experience providing 
technical assistance that has increased the capacity of NPs and/or PHAs 
to complete other (non-Section 515) affordable MFH project transfers. 
Experience must be demonstrated by submitting a list of past instances 
of providing technical assistance. Points will be awarded according to 
the number of NP and/or PHA clients to whom the respondent has provided 
affordable MFH project technical assistance during the past five years:

 1-4 affordable housing project clients: 5 points
 5-8 affordable housing project clients: 10 points
 9 or more affordable housing project clients: 15 points

3. Proposed Outcomes

    a. Respondent uses technical assistance resources to maximize the 
number of Section 515 projects assisted with grant funding. Scoring is 
based on the Statement of Work. Points will be awarded according to the 
proposed number of projects to be assisted under the grant:


[[Page 76075]]


 1-5 projects: 5 points
 6-10 projects: 10 points
 11 or more projects: 15 points

    b. Respondent uses technical assistance resources to increase the 
capacity of NPs and PHAs to complete transfers of Section 515 
properties. Scoring is based on the Statement of Work. Points will be 
awarded according to the proposed number of NPs or PHAs to be served 
under the grant:

 1-3 NPs/PHAs: 5 points
 4-6 NPs/PHAs: 10 points
 7 or more NPs/PHAs: 15 points

    c. Respondent uses technical assistance resources to increase the 
capacity of NPs and PHAs to offer supportive services for tenants. 
Scoring is based on the Statement of Work. Points will be awarded 
according to the proposed number of projects assisted where new 
supportive services will be included:

 1-3 projects: 5 points
 4-6 projects: 10 points
 7 or more projects: 15 points

4. Grant Administration

    a. Respondent uses grant resources to maximize the funding 
available for direct program delivery to TA recipients. Points will be 
awarded according to the administrative costs as a percentage of grant 
funds used (not to exceed 20%):

 Administrative costs 10 percent to 20 percent: 5 points
 Administrative costs less than 10 percent: 10 points

    b. Respondent has successful, verifiable experience managing 
service delivery or technical assistance through the grant lifecycle 
during the past five years. Experience must be demonstrated by 
submitting a list of past instances of managing service delivery or 
providing technical assistance. Experience considered for scoring 
purposes includes submitting timely requests for funding, meeting 
reporting requirements, and closing out awards. Points will be awarded 
according to the degree of experience:

 Previous experience as described with 1-4 grants: 5 points
 Previous experience as described with 5 or more grants: 10 
points

5. Multifamily Housing Program Delivery Goals

    All applications meeting the minimum scoring requirement of 50 
points may be eligible for up to 15 additional points for proposals 
that offer TA services to support the MFH program delivery goals 
outlined in a. and b. below.
    a. Geographic coverage (10 points): The respondent proposes to 
serve a geographic area that is underserved by other technical 
assistance providers or proposes to serve areas with a significant 
number of properties in need of preservation, as identified by the 
respondent and verified by the Agency.
    b. Innovative TA service delivery models (5 points). The agency 
seeks to test a range of TA delivery models to assess the methods of TA 
delivery that are most effective to facilitate preservation; therefore, 
points may be awarded for respondents proposing a TA service delivery 
model that is different from other proposed models.

6. Administrator Discretionary Points

    Respondents that meet the minimum scoring requirement may be 
considered for up to 15 discretionary scoring points (5 points for each 
category) as determined by the Administrator, which advance any or all 
of the Agency's three key funding priorities, provided that all other 
requirements set forth in this notice are otherwise met. The three key 
priorities are:
    (i) Creating More and Better Markets: Assisting rural communities 
to recover economically through more and better market opportunities 
through improved infrastructure. (5 points): Applicants receive 
priority points if the project is located in or serving a rural 
community whose economic well-being ranks in the most distressed tier 
of the Distressed Communities Index. The Distressed Communities Index 
provides a score between 1-100 for every community at the zip code 
level. The most distressed tier of the index are those communities with 
a score over 80. For additional information on data sources used for 
this priority determination, please download the Data Sources for Rural 
Development Priorities document at the following website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/rd-ic-prioritiesdatasupplementalupdatedfy2024.pdf. Note: US Territories are 
considered distressed and qualify for priority points. Provide a copy 
of the map showing the project is eligible to claim points.
    (ii) Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and Opportunity: 
Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and 
benefits from RD funded projects (5 points). Applicant receives 
priority points if the project is located in or serving a community 
with score 0.75 or above on the CDC Social Vulnerability Index. Please 
use the Community Look-Up Map to look up a map or list to determine if 
your project qualifies for priority points. Provide a copy of the map 
showing the project is eligible to claim points.
    Applications from and benefiting a Rural Partner's Network's (RPN) 
community network will receive priority points (rural.gov) in 
applicable funding notices. Currently RPN Networks exist in Alaska, 
Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North 
Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Please use the 
Community Look-Up map to determine if your project qualifies for 
priority points.
    Applications from Federally Recognized Tribes, including Tribal 
instrumentalities and entities that are wholly owned by Tribes will 
receive priority points. Federally Recognized Tribes are classified as 
any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or 
community as defined by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act 
(List Act) of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-454). Please refer to the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs for the listing of Federally Recognized Tribes that was 
published on January 1, 2023, in the Federal Register [88 FR 2112]. 
Additionally, projects where at least 50 percent of the project 
beneficiaries are members of Federally Recognized Tribes, will receive 
priority points if applications from non-Tribal applicants include a 
Tribal Resolution of Consent from the Tribe or Tribes that the 
applicant is proposing to serve. For additional information on data 
sources used for this priority determination, please download the Data 
Sources for Rural Development Priorities document by using the 
following link: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/rd-ic-prioritiesdatasupplementalupdatedfy2024.pdf. Note: US Territories are 
considered socially vulnerable and qualify for priority points.
    (iii) Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice: Reducing 
climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate 
change through economic support to rural communities (5 points). 
Applicant can receive priority points through one of the three options 
listed below:
    Option 1: Applicants will receive points 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 (CEQ). CEJST is a tool to help Federal 
agencies identify disadvantaged communities that will benefit from 
programs included in the Justice40 initiative. Census tracts are 
considered disadvantaged if they meet the thresholds for at least one 
of the CEJST's eight (8) categories of burden: Climate,

[[Page 76076]]

Energy, Health, Housing, Legacy Pollution, Transportation, Water and 
Wastewater, or Workforce Development.
    Option 2: Applicants will receive points if the project is located 
in or serves an Energy Community as defined by the Inflation Reduction 
Act (IRA). The IRA defines energy communities as:
     A ``brownfield site'' (as defined in certain subparagraphs 
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)).
     A ``metropolitan statistical area'' or ``non-metropolitan 
statistical area'' that has (or had at any time after 2009). 0.17 
percent or greater direct employment or 25 percent or greater local tax 
revenues related to the extraction, processing, transport, or storage 
of coal, oil, or natural gas; and has an unemployment rate at or above 
the national average unemployment rate for the previous year.
     A census tract (or directly adjoining census tract) in 
which a coal mine has closed after 1999; or in which a coal-fired 
electric generating unit has been retired after 2009.
    Option 3: Applicants will receive points by demonstrating through 
written narrative how proposed climate-impact projects improve the 
livelihoods of community residents and meet pollution mitigation or 
clean energy goals.
    Information on whether your project qualifies for priority points 
can be found at the following website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points. To determine if your project qualifies for priority 
points under Option 1 or Option 2, please use the Disadvantaged 
Community & Energy Community Look-Up Map on the following website: 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points. Provide a copy of the map 
showing the project is eligible to claim points.
    The minimum score requirement for grants awarded under this funding 
opportunity is 50 points. Final scores are determined by the Agency. 
The Agency reserves the right to withhold the awarding of funds for 
applications that fail to meet the minimum required final score. 
Meeting the minimum scoring requirement and/or receiving priority 
funding points or discretionary points from the Administrator does not 
guarantee a funding award.
    The Agency will notify all responding entities whether their 
application has been accepted or rejected and provide appeal rights 
under 7 CFR part 11, as appropriate.

Program Section B

Farm Labor Housing Technical Assistance Grant Program

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information

A. Program Description

    The technical assistance grants authorized under this funding 
opportunity are for the purpose of encouraging farm labor housing 
development, repair, and preservation activities under Section 516(i) 
of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1486(i)). RHS 
regulations for Section 514 and Section 516 FLH programs and provisions 
for FLH technical assistance grants are published at 7 CFR part 3560, 
subparts L and M. FLH grants are authorized under Section 516(i) of the 
Housing Act of 1949, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1486(i), and implemented by 
7 CFR part 3560.
    The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to improve the 
overall quality of Section 514 FLH loan and Section 516 FLH grant 
application packages submitted to the Agency for funding consideration 
in areas determined to have unmet need and unsatisfied market demand 
for farm labor housing development, repair, and preservation 
activities, as identified by the respondent and verified by the Agency.
    Eligible entities responding to this notice are expected to have 
knowledge, experience, and expertise in farm labor housing development, 
repair, and preservation activities; federal grant administration; and 
technical assistance program development, implementation, and delivery. 
In addition, eligible entities must possess the ability to exercise 
leadership, organize work, and prioritize assignments to meet work 
demands in a timely and cost-efficient manner within a 24-month grant 
performance period.

B. Federal Award Information

Type of Award: Grant
Fiscal Year (FY) Funds: 2024
Award Amounts: $2 million.

C. Eligibility Information

(1) Respondent Eligibility

    Eligibility for FLH Technical Assistance Grants is limited to 
qualified nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations must meet 
the definition of nonprofit organization in 7 CFR 3560.11. Qualifying 
nonprofit organizations include tribal housing nonprofits.

(2) Eligible Grant Activities

    The primary work permitted under these FLH TA grant awards will 
focus on eligible nonprofit organizations delivering direct technical 
assistance advisory services to qualified FLH loan/grant applicants who 
lack the knowledge, experience and/or capacity to develop, package, and 
submit their own loan and grant dockets to the Agency for funding 
consideration. Grantees may assist FLH loan/grant applicants with 
analysis, negotiation, application, underwriting, and closing 
processes; and identifying and securing capital and operating funding 
from the Agency and/or other sources for the purpose of new 
construction, acquisition, repair and/or rehabilitation, and ongoing 
operations of the property, including the coordination and provision of 
supportive services for tenants.
    Qualified applicants for Section 514 Off-FLH loans and Section 516 
Off-FLH grants may include broad-based nonprofit organizations, 
nonprofit organizations of farmworkers, federally recognized Indian 
tribes, community organizations, agencies or political subdivisions of 
State, Tribal or local Governments (such as housing authorities), and 
other eligible FLH organizations.
    Qualified applicants for Section 514 On-Farm Labor Housing (On-FLH) 
loans must be farm owners, family farm partnerships, family farm 
corporations, or associations of farmers engaged in agricultural or 
aquacultural farming operations whose farming operations demonstrate a 
need for On-FLH and who will own the housing and operate it on a 
nonprofit basis.
    Section 516 grants are not available for On-FLH.
    Farm labor housing may be constructed in either urban or rural 
areas if need and demand for such housing is supported. However, 
respondents should concentrate their proposed technical assistance 
grant activities in areas identified as having unmet need and 
unsatisfied market demand for FLH development, repair, and preservation 
activities, as identified by the respondent and verified by the Agency.

(3) Eligible Costs

    Costs will be limited to those allowed under 2 CFR part 200. 
Grantees may, with Agency concurrence and approval, utilize FLH TA 
grant funds for the following purposes: Conducting targeted outreach 
efforts to inform and recruit

[[Page 76077]]

potential FLH applicants; providing advisory services to eligible FLH 
applicants for conducting site searches, estimating construction costs, 
resolving planning, and zoning issues, and negotiating and executing 
property acquisitions; assisting applicants during the application 
development, packaging, submission, underwriting and closing processes; 
and for other transaction details that are considered part of the 
application process, such as financial analyses, Capital Needs 
Assessments (CNAs), appraisals, market surveys/studies, and other 
consultation, advisory and non-construction services. Grantees may 
request Agency approval on a case-by-case basis for costs not included 
in the list.
    Grantees may also on a case-by-case basis, and with advance 
approval by the Agency, provide technical assistance to entities 
approved for FLH funding during the construction and rent-up/lease-up 
phases of development, and provide training to Agency-funded FLH 
projects to support successful long-term management of FLH properties.

(4) Ineligible Purposes/Costs

    In addition to costs identified as unallowable by 2 CFR parts 200 
and 400, grant funds cannot be used for the following:
    (a) Construction (in any form) including building materials, labor, 
and costs or expenditures otherwise typically included as hard costs 
for actual construction.
    (b) To reimburse grantees for technical assistance services 
provided to another nonprofit or public body applicant in the 
development and packaging of its loan/grant docket and project when 
those applicant entities have requested reimbursement for technical 
assistance expenses as part of their total project development cost 
(See 7 CFR 3560.553(c) and 7 CFR part 3560.53(o)(3)) (Duplication of 
service costs is not allowed).
    (c) In counties with Agency-financed FLH properties currently 
operating under a ``diminished need'' occupancy waiver (7 CFR 
3560.576(e)), which are listed on RD's website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/multifamily-housing-programs/farm-labor-housing-technical-assistance-grants#to-apply.
    (d) When an identity of interest exists between the technical 
assistance provider (or any third-party entity acting on their behalf) 
and the loan/grant applicant. Identity of interest is defined in 7 CFR 
3560.11.

D. Application and Submission Information

(1) Electronic Application Submissions

    All materials must be submitted electronically as outlined above in 
Section D, Application and Submission Information in the General 
Section of this notice.

(2) Content and Format of Application Packages

    In addition to the forms, certifications and assurances required of 
all respondents as outlined in the General Section of this notice, 
complete application packages for FLH TA Grants must also contain a 
written grant proposal that includes the following required 
information:
    (a) Summary page, which must include the following:
    1. Responding entity's name, address, telephone number, and 
complete contact information for the entity's main point of contact;
    2. Responding entity's Taxpayer Identification Number;
    3. Grant Amount requested;
    4. The State(s), area(s), and/or geographic region for which the 
application is being submitted; and
    5. Responding entity's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number 
required for registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) 
prior to submitting an application pursuant to 2 CFR 25.200(b).
    (b) Organizational Expertise and Experience Capabilities Statement. 
The responding entity must provide a capabilities statement describing 
overall organizational knowledge, demonstrated ability, and practical 
experience in developing, packaging, and submitting Section 514/516 
development, repair, and preservation activity transactions for Agency 
funding consideration; developing, implementing, and delivering farm 
labor housing technical assistance programs; and managing Federal 
technical assistance grants throughout their lifecycle. In addition, 
respondents must demonstrate the ability to exercise leadership, 
organize work, and prioritize assignments to meet work demands in a 
cost-efficient and timely manner within the 24-month grant term. If the 
respondent intends to have other entities working on its behalf, those 
entities must be identified and their abilities to meet the stated 
eligibility requirements and experience in delivering approved 
technical assistance services must also be addressed.
    (c) Narrative. The responding entity must include a written 
narrative describing its knowledge, demonstrated ability, and practical 
experience in farm labor housing development, Federal grant 
administration, and technical assistance program development, 
implementation, and delivery. If the respondent intends to have other 
entities working on its behalf, those entities must be identified and 
their abilities to meet the stated eligibility requirements and 
experience in delivering approved technical assistance services must 
also be addressed.
    To demonstrate overall organizational knowledge, experience, and 
expertise in farm labor housing development, repair, and preservation 
activities, respondents must identify by property name, type, and 
location, all FLH projects (both Section 514/516 and non-RHS) their 
organization has successfully developed, repaired and/or preserved in 
the past five (5) years. Please specify projects that continue to 
operate successfully to meet farm labor housing demand in the 
communities where they were developed. Respondents may also include a 
list of any successful, verifiable experience in completing or 
obtaining funding for other affordable Multifamily Housing projects 
during the past five years.
    To demonstrate overall organizational knowledge, experience, and 
expertise in developing, implementing, and delivering farm labor 
housing technical assistance programs, respondents must identify by 
name and location the organizations and communities to which they have 
provided farm labor housing technical assistance services, the types of 
TA services provided to these entities, the sources of the technical 
assistance funding (including any leveraged funding sources), the 
number of Section 514/516 loan/grant packages developed and submitted 
for Agency funding consideration on behalf of these entities, and a 
description of how the respondent's technical assistance services 
contributed to the development, repair, and/or preservation of farm 
labor housing that continues to operate successfully to meet farm labor 
housing demand in the community where it was developed. Include the 
outcomes/success ratios of all transactions/projects listed above that 
were initiated within the past five years (e.g., project approved for 
funding, project currently in development, project completed, etc.).
    To demonstrate overall organizational knowledge, experience, and 
expertise in managing Federal technical assistance grants throughout 
their lifecycle (including submitting timely requests for 
reimbursements, meeting reporting requirements, and closing out 
awards), respondents must identify the total

[[Page 76078]]

number and type(s) of Federal technical assistance grants their 
organization has successfully administered within the past five years, 
including the awarding Federal agencies involved.
    (d) Key Personnel and Staffing Plan. Proposals must include the 
resumes of all personnel who will perform key personnel services of (1) 
technical assistance delivery and (2) grant administration (CNAs, 
appraisals, and market surveys are not considered key personnel 
services). The staffing plan must describe each staff member's ability 
to perform the proposed activities and/or their experience in 
successfully managing service delivery of TA grants. The plan must 
include a staffing chart complete with name, job title, salary, hours, 
timelines, and descriptions of all proposed employee duties that will 
achieve the objectives of the grant program. If respondents intend to 
contract for any key personnel services from outside their organization 
(not to exceed the 20% limit), the qualifications of all entities 
acting on behalf of respondents must also be addressed.
    (e) Statement of Work. Responding entities must submit a detailed 
SOW that includes the following requirements:
    1. Introduction/overview with a description of the proposed plan to 
identify and provide advisory services to eligible individuals, groups 
and organizations applying for Section 514/516 FLH loans and grants in 
underserved market areas.
    2. The organization's capabilities to execute the proposed plan 
within the prescribed 24-month grant period.
    3. The organization's plan to identify and recruit qualified 
individuals, groups and organizations who lack the knowledge, 
experience and/or capacity to package and submit Section 514/516 
applications for Agency funding consideration. The SOW must provide a 
projected number of Section 514 loan and Section 516 grant application 
packages the respondent intends to submit for Agency funding 
consideration during the 24-month grant period. The SOW should discuss 
how the respondent's existing FLH knowledge and expertise, in 
combination with statistical data analysis, were utilized in 
identifying potential loan/grant applicants and how those findings 
provided foundational context to their planning efforts. Respondents 
should also include a discussion of their organizational ability to 
effectively serve the targeted applicants based on key personnel, 
established timeframes, and budget projections. Please include the data 
utilized to support the proposal, all of which must be current, 
relevant, and verifiable.
    4. The organization's plan to identify areas with unmet need and 
unsatisfied market demand for FLH development, repair, and/or 
preservation activities. In determining the underserved areas to target 
for FLH TA services, respondents must consider the total number of 
farmworkers in the area, the number and percentage of farmworkers who 
are without adequate housing in the area and projected future housing 
demand in the area. Consultation with major employers of farm laborers 
and with farmworker organizations in each market area under 
consideration is strongly encouraged prior to determining which areas 
to target for services. The SOW should discuss how the respondent's 
existing FLH knowledge and expertise, in combination with statistical 
data analysis, were utilized in identifying underserved market areas 
and how those findings provided foundational context to their planning 
efforts. Also include a discussion of the respondent's organizational 
ability to effectively serve the targeted market areas based on key 
personnel, established timeframes, and budget projections. Respondents 
should include the data utilized to support their proposals, all of 
which must be current, relevant, and verifiable.
    5. Types of proposed technical assistance and legal and/or 
financial services that will enable qualified applicants in underserved 
areas to submit successful Section 514/516 applications to the Agency 
within the prescribed 24-month grant period. Respondents must clearly 
explain the services to be provided directly by their organization and 
all services that will be provided by third parties. The responding 
entity must specify the State(s) and/or geographic regions in which 
they and any proposed third-party contractors, consultants or 
subrecipients will offer technical assistance services. Respondents 
must specify why each applicant and targeted service area needs the 
proposed technical assistance services.
    6. A detailed budget justification that aligns with the key project 
tasks/activities and a grant funds usage projection that corresponds 
with a 24-month timeline for service delivery. The grant funds usage 
projection should illustrate direct and indirect administrative costs 
in dollars, and as a percentage of the technical assistance services 
provided (not to exceed 20%).
    7. Additional strengths, qualifications, or capabilities not 
discussed above that may enhance the respondent's capacity to deliver 
services under this grant.

E. Application Review Information

    All application packages will be reviewed to determine eligibility 
and completeness. All eligible, complete applications will be evaluated 
and competitively scored using the Application Scoring Criteria 
outlined below. Points will be awarded only for factors that are well- 
documented in the application package and, in the opinion of the 
Agency, meet the objectives outlined in each of the evaluation 
criteria. References to external websites, publications and/or other 
information not submitted as part of the application package will not 
be reviewed. Therefore, full documentation and support of all criteria 
is encouraged.
    The review process designed for this notice will evaluate the 
degree to which the application sets forth measurable realistic 
objectives that are consistent with this notice and can be completed 
within a 24-month grant term consistent with the application and 
processing guidance established by Agency regulations.

Application Scoring Criteria (Points Can Be Earned In All Sections)

1. Respondent Experience (RHS Section 514/516)

    a. Respondent has successful, verifiable experience completing 
Section 514/516 transactions during the past five years. Experience 
must be demonstrated by submitting a list of past Section 514/516 
transactions. To receive points, the respondent must have acted as the 
developer or technical assistance provider for the project and, at a 
minimum, must have a submitted application currently pending approval 
or closed with the Agency:

 1-2 completed or pending Section 514/516 transactions: 10 
points
 3-5 completed or pending Section 514/516 transactions: 20 
points
 6-8 completed or pending Section 514/516 transactions: 30 
points
 9 or more completed or pending Section 514/516 transactions: 
40 points

    b. Respondent has successful, verifiable experience providing 
technical assistance to qualified borrowers in completing Section 514/
516 transactions. Experience must be demonstrated by submitting a list 
of past instances of providing technical assistance. Points will be 
awarded according to the number of qualified borrowers to whom the 
respondent has provided Section 514/516 technical assistance during the 
past five years:


[[Page 76079]]


 1-4 Section 514/516 borrowers provided with technical 
assistance: 10 points
 5-8 Section 514/516 borrowers provided with technical 
assistance: 20 points
 9 or more Section 514/516 borrowers provided with technical 
assistance: 30 points

2. Respondent Experience (Other/Non-RHS Affordable Multifamily Housing 
Programs)

    a. Respondent has successful, verifiable experience completing or 
obtaining funding for non-RHS FLH or other affordable MFH projects 
during the past five years. Experience must be demonstrated by 
submitting a list of past project transactions. To receive points, the 
respondent must have acted as the developer or technical assistance 
provider for the project and, at a minimum, must have obtained funding 
approval:

 1-3 non-RHS FLH or MFH transactions completed/obtained funding 
approval: 5 points
 4-6 non-RHS FLH or MFH transactions completed/obtained funding 
approval: 10 points
 7-9 non-RHS FLH or MFH transactions completed/obtained funding 
approval: 15 points
 10 or more non-RHS FLH or MFH transactions completed/obtained 
funding approval: 20 points

    b. Respondent has successful, verifiable experience providing 
technical assistance to non- RHS FLH or MFH borrowers. Experience must 
be demonstrated by submitting a list of past instances of providing 
technical assistance. Points will be awarded according to the number of 
non-RHS FLH or MFH borrowers to whom the respondent has provided 
technical assistance in the past five years:
 1-4 non-RHS FLH or MFH borrowers assisted: 5 points
 5-8 non-RHS FLH or MFH borrowers assisted: 10 points
 9 or more non-RHS FLH or MFH borrowers assisted: 15 points

3. Proposed Outcomes

    a. Respondent uses technical assistance resources to maximize the 
number of areas assisted (based on the proposed Statement of Work). 
Points will be awarded according to the proposed number of areas with 
unmet need/unsatisfied market demand targeted for services under the TA 
grant:

 1-5 proposed market areas: 5 points
 6-10 proposed market areas: 10 points
 11 or more proposed market areas: 15 points

    b. Respondent uses technical assistance resources to identify and 
assist qualified Section 514/516 applicants (based on the Statement of 
Work). Points will be awarded according to the proposed number of 
qualified 514/516 applicants to be served under the grant:

 1-3 qualified Section 514/516 applicants: 5 points
 4-6 qualified Section 514/516 applicants: 10 points
 7 or more qualified Section 514/516 applicants: 15 points

    c. Respondent uses technical assistance resources to increase the 
number of successful section 514/516 applications submitted for Agency 
funding consideration (based on the Statement of Work). Points will be 
awarded according to the proposed number of Section 514/516 loan/grant 
application packages to be submitted for Agency funding consideration 
during the 24-month grant period of performance:

 1-5 application packages: 5 points
 6-10 application packages: 10 points
 More than 10 packages: 15 points

    d. Respondent uses technical assistance resources to increase the 
capacity of Section 514/516 owners to offer supportive services for 
tenants. Scoring is based on the Statement of Work. Points will be 
awarded according to the proposed number of 514/516 loan/grant 
application packages to be submitted for Agency funding that include 
new supportive services for tenants:

 1-3 projects: 5 points
 4-6 projects: 10 points
 7 or more projects: 15 points

4. Grant Administration

    a. Respondent uses grant resources to maximize the funding 
available for direct program delivery to TA recipients. Percentage of 
grant funds used for direct and indirect administrative costs (not to 
exceed 20% of total projected costs):

 Total Administrative costs 10% to 20%: 5 points
 Total Administrative Costs Less than 10%: 10 points

    b. Respondent has successful, verifiable experience managing 
service delivery or technical assistance throughout the grant lifecycle 
during the past five years. Experience must be demonstrated by 
submitting a list of past instances of managing service delivery or 
providing technical assistance. Experience considered for scoring 
purposes includes submitting timely requests for funding, meeting 
reporting requirements, and closing out awards. Points will be awarded 
according to the degree of experience:

 1-4 grants successfully managed during the past five years: 5 
points
 5 or more grants successfully managed during the past five 
years: 10 points

5. FLH Program Delivery Goals

    All applications meeting the minimum scoring requirement of 50 
points may be eligible for up to 15 additional points for proposals 
that offer TA services to support the FLH program delivery goals 
outlined in a. and b. below.
    a. Geographic coverage (10 points): Respondent proposes to serve 
geographic areas that are underserved by other technical assistance 
providers, as identified by the respondent and verified by the Agency.
    b. Innovative TA service delivery models (5 points): The agency 
seeks to test a range of TA delivery models to assess the methods of TA 
delivery that are most effective to facilitate successful FLH 
development, repair, and preservation activities. Describe any 
supporting innovative delivery approaches associated with 
implementation of the outlined key personnel tasks, including 
contingencies for delivering TA services remotely/virtually in order to 
avoid service delays and disruptions.

6. Administrator Discretionary Points

    Respondents meeting the minimum scoring requirements may be 
considered for up to 15 discretionary scoring points (5 points for each 
category) as determined by the Administrator, which advance any or all 
of the Agency's three key funding priorities, provided that all other 
requirements set forth in this notice are otherwise met. The three key 
priorities are:
    (i) Creating More and Better Markets: Assisting rural communities 
to recover economically through more and better market opportunities 
through improved infrastructure (5 points). Applicants receive priority 
points if the project is located in or serving a rural community whose 
economic well-being ranks in the most distressed tier of the Distressed 
Communities Index. The Distressed Communities Index provides a score 
between 1-100 for every community at the zip code level. The most 
distressed tier of the index are those communities with a score over 
80. Please use the Distressed Communities Index Look-Up Map to 
determine if your project qualifies for priority points. Provide a copy 
of the map showing the project is eligible to claim points. For 
additional

[[Page 76080]]

information on data sources used for this priority determination, 
please download the Data Sources for Rural Development Priorities 
document at the following website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/rd-ic-prioritiesdatasupplementalupdatedfy2024.pdf. Note: US 
Territories are considered distressed and qualify for priority points. 
Provide a copy of the map showing the project is eligible to claim 
points.
    (ii) Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and Opportunity: 
Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and 
benefits from RD funded projects (5 points). Applicant receives 
priority points if the project is located in or serving a community 
with a score of 0.75 or above on the CDC Social Vulnerability Index. 
Please use Community Look-Up Map to look up a map or list to determine 
if your project qualifies for priority points. Provide a copy of the 
map showing the project is eligible to claim points.
    Applications from and benefiting a Rural Partner's Network's (RPN) 
community network will receive priority points (rural.gov) in 
applicable funding notices. Currently RPN Networks exist in Alaska, 
Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North 
Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Please use the 
Community Look-Up map to determine if your project qualifies for 
priority points.
    Applications from Federally Recognized Tribes, including Tribal 
instrumentalities and entities that are wholly owned by Tribes will 
receive priority points. Federally Recognized Tribes are classified as 
any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or 
community as defined by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act 
(List Act) of 1994 (Public Law 103-454). Please refer to the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs for the listing of Federally Recognized Tribes that was 
published on January 1, 2023 in the Federal Register [88 FR 2112].
    Additionally, projects where at least 50 percent of the project 
beneficiaries are members of Federally Recognized Tribes will receive 
priority points if applications from non-Tribal applicants include a 
Tribal Resolution of Consent from the Tribe or Tribes that the 
applicant is proposing to serve. For additional information on data 
sources used for this priority determination, please download the Data 
Sources for Rural Development Priorities document by using the 
following link: https://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/rd-ic-prioritiesdatasupplementalupdatedfy2024.pdf. Note: US Territories are 
considered socially vulnerable and qualify for priority points.
    (iii) Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice: Reducing 
climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate 
change through economic support to rural communities (5 points). 
Applicants can receive priority points through one of the three options 
listed below:
    Option 1: Applicants will receive points 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 (CEQ). CEJST is a tool to help Federal 
agencies identify disadvantaged communities that will benefit from 
programs included in the Justice40 initiative. Census tracts are 
considered disadvantaged if they meet the thresholds for at least one 
of the CEJST's eight (8) categories of burden: Climate, Energy, Health, 
Housing, Legacy Pollution, Transportation, Water and Wastewater, or 
Workforce Development.
    Option 2: Applicants will receive points if the project is located 
in or serves an Energy Community as defined by the Inflation Reduction 
Act (IRA). The IRA defines energy communities as:
     A ``brownfield site'' (as defined in certain subparagraphs 
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)).
     A ``metropolitan statistical area'' or ``non-metropolitan 
statistical area'' that has (or had at any time after 2009).
     0.17% or greater direct employment or 25% or greater local 
tax revenues related to the extraction, processing, transport, or 
storage of coal, oil, or natural gas; and has an unemployment rate at 
or above the national average unemployment rate for the previous year.
     A census tract (or directly adjoining census tract) in 
which a coal mine has closed after 1999; or in which a coal-fired 
electric generating unit has been retired after 2009.
    Option 3: Applicants will receive points by demonstrating through 
written narrative how proposed climate-impact projects improve the 
livelihoods of community residents and meet pollution mitigation or 
clean energy goals.
    To determine if your project qualifies for priority points under 
Option 1 or Option 2, please use the Disadvantaged Community & Energy 
Community Look-Up Map. Provide a copy of the map showing the project is 
eligible to claim points.
    The minimum score requirement for grants awarded under this funding 
opportunity is 50 points. Final scores are determined by the Agency. 
The Agency reserves the right to withhold the awarding of funds for 
applications that fail to meet the minimum required final score.
    Meeting the minimum scoring requirements and/or receiving priority 
funding points or discretionary points from the Administrator does not 
guarantee a funding award.
    The Agency will notify all responding entities whether their 
application has been accepted or rejected and provide appeal rights 
under 7 CFR part 11, as appropriate.

Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-21033 Filed 9-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P