Notice2021-20810
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Inviting Applications for the Rural Business Development Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2022
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 27, 2021
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Business-Cooperative Service
Abstract
This notice is given to invite applications for grants under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program for fiscal year (FY) 2022, subject to the availability of funding. This notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2022. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. An announcement on the website at https:// www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas will identify the amount available in FY 2022 for RBDG applications. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 184 (Monday, September 27, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 184 (Monday, September 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53270-53276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20810]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket #: RBS-21-BUSINESS-0032]
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Inviting Applications
for the Rural Business Development Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2022
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice is given to invite applications for grants under
the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program for fiscal year
(FY) 2022, subject to the availability of funding. This notice is being
issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage
financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency
time to process applications within FY 2022. Successful applications
will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to
the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through
appropriations. An announcement on the website at <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas">https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas</a> will
identify the amount available in FY 2022 for RBDG applications. All
applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing
their applications.
DATES: Complete applications may be submitted in paper or electronic
format and must be received by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 28,
2022, in the USDA Rural Development State Office for the State where
the Project is located. A list of the USDA Rural Development State
Offices can be found at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices">https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices</a>.
ADDRESSES: This funding announcement will also be announced on
<a href="http://www.Grants.gov">www.Grants.gov</a>. Applications must be
[[Page 53271]]
submitted to the USDA Rural Development State Office for the State
where the Project is located. For Projects involving multiple states,
the application must be filed in the Rural Development State Office
where the Applicant is located. Applicants are encouraged to contact
their respective Rural Development State Office for an email contact to
submit an electronic application prior to the submission deadline date.
A list of the USDA Rural Development State Office contacts can be found
at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices">https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Sharp at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7814110b19560b10190a08380d0b1c19561f170e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7915100a18570a11180b09390c0a1d18571e160f">[email protected]</span></a>, or
Cindy Mason at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8eede7e0eaf7a0e3effde1e0cefbfdeaefa0e9e1f8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cfff5f2f8e5b2f1fdeff3f2dce9eff8fdb2fbf3ea">[email protected]</span></a>, Program Management Division, Rural
Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, MS 3226, Room 5160-South, Washington, DC 20250-
3226, or call (202) 720-1400. For further information on submitting
program applications under this notice, please contact the USDA Rural
Development State Office in the State where the applicant's
headquarters is located. A list of Rural Development State Office
contacts is provided at the following link: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices">https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices</a>.
Overview
Solicitation Opportunity Type: Rural Business Development Grant.
Announcement Type: Initial Solicitation Announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.351.
Dates: The deadline for completed applications to be received in
the USDA Rural Development State Office has been established as no
later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on February 28, 2022. A list of the
USDA Rural Development State Offices can be found at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices">https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices</a>.
Set Aside Funding: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub.
L. 116-260), designated funding for Federally-Recognized Native
American Tribes, Rural Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Communities/Rural
Economic Area Partnerships, projects in Persistent Poverty Counties (as
discussed below), Native American Persistent Poverty areas and for
Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) projects in FY
2021. Set aside funding may ultimately be made available through
appropriations in FY 2022 where continued emphasis is given to
financial assistance for projects located in these areas. Eligible
applicants for the Native American and Rural Empowerment Zone/
Enterprise Communities/Rural Economic Area Partnership set aside funds,
if available, must demonstrate that at least 75 percent of the benefits
of an approved grant will assist beneficiaries in the designated areas.
Eligible applicants for the Persistent Poverty Counties, Native
American Persistent Poverty areas, and the SECD set-aside funds, if
available, must demonstrate that 100 percent of the benefits of an
approved grant will assist beneficiaries in the designated areas. The
completed application deadline for these set aside funds, if available,
is consistent with the RBDG application deadline date of February 28,
2022. Applicants for set aside funds must indicate that they are
applying for set aside funds and may not submit a duplicate application
for regular RBDG funds. If funding for an anticipated set aside program
is not appropriated in FY 2022, or if any eligible applications for set
aside funding are not funded due to insufficient funds, such
applications will be allowed to compete for available FY 2022 regular
RBDG funds in the State where the Project is located.
Persistent poverty counties: The Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2021 (Pub. L. 116-260) designated funding for projects in Persistent
Poverty Counties. ``Persistent Poverty Counties'' as defined in Section
736 is ``any county that has had 20 percent or more of its population
living in poverty over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1990 and
2000 decennial censuses, and 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-year
average, or any territory or possession of the United States''. Another
provision in Section 736 expands the eligible population in Persistent
Poverty Counties to include any county seat of such a Persistent
Poverty County that has a population that does not exceed the
authorized population limit by more than 10 percent. This provision
expands the current 50,000 population limit to 55,000 for only county
seats located in Persistent Poverty Counties. Therefore, beneficiaries
of technical assistance services located in county seats of Persistent
Poverty Counties with populations up to 55,000 (per the 2010 Census)
are eligible.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of the program is to promote
economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of
grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two
separate categories, business opportunity grants and business
enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community
projects that serve rural areas.
Business opportunity projects must be in compliance with eligible
uses as stated in 7 CFR 4280.417(a)(1) that include the establishment
of business support centers or providing funds for job training and
leadership development in rural areas. Business opportunity projects
must be consistent with any local and area-wide strategic plans for
community and economic development, coordinated with other economic
development activities in the project area, and consistent with any
Rural Development State Strategic Plan.
Business enterprise projects must be in compliance with 7 CFR
4280.417(a)(2) and are used to finance or develop small and emerging
businesses in rural areas. Enterprise grant purposes include projects
for the acquisition and development of land, access streets and roads,
the conversion or modernization of buildings, capitalization of
revolving loan funds and the purchase of machinery and equipment for
businesses located in a rural area.
The Agency encourages applicants to consider projects that will
advance the key priorities below:
<bullet> Assisting Rural communities recover economically from the
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly disadvantaged
communities.
<bullet> Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD
programs and benefits from RD funded projects.
<bullet> Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to
the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural
communities.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. The RBDG Program is
authorized under 7 U.S.C. 1932(c) and implemented by 7 CFR part 4280,
subpart E. Assistance provided under the RBDG Program will be made to
eligible entities and will be used for funding various business
opportunity projects and business enterprise projects, as applicable,
that serve Rural Areas.
3. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this notice
are published at 7 CFR 4280.403.
4. Application Awards. Awards under the RBDG Program will be made
on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7
CFR part 4280, subpart E. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score
applications received in response to this notice based on the
provisions found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, and as indicated in
this notice. The Agency advises all interested parties that the
applicant bears the full burden in preparing and submitting an
application in response to this notice whether or not funding is
[[Page 53272]]
appropriated for this Program in FY 2022.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Awards: Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2022.
Available Funds: Anyone interested in submitting an application for
funding under this Program is encouraged to consult the Rural
Development Notices of Solicitation of Applications website at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas">http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas</a>.
Anticipated Award Dates: Set Aside awards, if applicable: May 31,
2022. Regular awards: August 31, 2022.
Performance Period: June 1, 2022, through September 30, 2024.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants.
Grants may be made to a Public Body/Government Entity, an Indian
Tribe, or a Nonprofit entity primarily serving rural areas. In
accordance with 7 CFR 4280.416(d), applicants that are not delinquent
on any Federal debt or not otherwise disqualified from participation in
these Programs are eligible to apply. The Agency will check the System
for Award Management (SAM) to determine if the applicant has been
debarred or suspended at the time of application and prior to the
awarding of grant funds.
2. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System and System
for Award Management.
All applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number which can be obtained at no cost via a
toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711 or at <a href="http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform">http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform</a> or any subsequent unique entity identifier number. Each
applicant applying for loan or grant funds must (i) be registered in
the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application
and (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application,
unless determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110. Applicants 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.
Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance General
Certifications and Representations in SAM.
The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has complied
with all applicable DUNS (unique entity identifier) and SAM
requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the
requirements by the time the Agency is ready to make an award, the
agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a
Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a
Federal award to another applicant.
All other restrictions in this notice will apply.
The Agency requires information to make an eligibility
determination through applications that must include, but are not
limited to, the following:
(a) An original and one copy of SF-424, ``Application For Federal
Assistance (For Non-construction)'' and an original Form RD 400-4,
``Assurance Agreement'';
(b) Copies of applicant's organizational documents showing the
applicant's legal existence and authority to perform the activities
under the grant;
(c) A proposed scope of work, including a description of the
proposed Project. Grant funds may be used for projects identified in 7
CFR 4280.417(a) as either a business opportunity type grant or a
business enterprise type grant. The scope of work must include details
of the proposed activities to be accomplished and timeframes for
completion of each task, the number of months duration of the Project,
and the estimated time it will take from grant approval to beginning of
Project implementation. In accordance with 7 CFR 4280.421, a Project
must reasonably be expected to be completed within 1 full year after it
has begun;
(d) A written narrative that includes, at a minimum, the following
items:
(1) An explanation of why the Project is needed, the benefits of
the proposed Project, and how the Project meets the eligible grant
purposes;
(2) Area to be served, identifying each governmental unit, i.e.,
town, county, Indian reservation, etc., to be affected by the Project;
(3) Description of how the Project will coordinate Economic
Development activities with other Economic Development activities
within the Project area;
(4) Business to be assisted, if appropriate, and Economic
Development to be accomplished;
(5) An explanation of how the proposed Project will result in newly
created, increased, or supported jobs in the area and the number of
projected new and supported jobs within the next 3 years;
(6) A description of the applicant's demonstrated capability and
experience in providing the proposed Project assistance or similar
Economic Development activities, including experience of key staff
members and persons who will be providing the proposed Project
activities and managing the Project;
(7) The method and rationale used to select the areas and
businesses that will receive the service;
(8) A brief description of how the work will be performed including
whether organizational staff or consultants or contractors will be
used;
(9) Please note that no assistance or funding can be provided to
hemp producers or processors unless they have a valid license issued
from an approved State, Tribal or Federal plan as per Section 10113 of
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-334.
Verification of valid hemp licenses will occur at the time of award;
and
(10) Other information the Agency may request to assist in making a
grant award determination.
(e) The latest 3 years of financial information to show the
applicant's financial capacity to carry out the proposed work. If the
applicant is less than 3 years old, at a minimum, the information
should include all balance sheet(s), income statement(s), and cash flow
statement(s) since the date of the applicant's formation. A current
financial statement of the applicant, within 90 days of the application
submission, is required;
(f) Intergovernmental review comments from the State Single Point
of Contact, or evidence that the State has elected not to review the
program under Executive Order 12372. Applications from federally
recognized tribes are exempt from this requirement;
(g) Documentation regarding the availability and amount of other
funds to be used in conjunction with the funds from the RBDG award;
(h) A budget which includes salaries, fringe benefits, consultant
costs, indirect costs, and other appropriate direct costs for the
Project; and
(i) RBDG construction project grants must conform with 7 CFR part
1924, subpart A and the environmental policies and procedures of 7 CFR
part 1970.
3. General Processing and Scoring Provisions.
The Agency will review each application for assistance in
accordance with the scoring provisions and program priorities
established in 7 CFR 4280.435. The Agency will assign each application
a priority rating based on the total score and will select applications
for funding based on the priority ratings and the total funds available
to the program for opportunity-type projects and enterprise-type
projects.
[[Page 53273]]
(a) The Agency will score each application based on the information
contained in the application and its supporting information. All
applications submitted for funding must be in one package and contain
sufficient information to permit the Agency to complete a thorough
priority rating. Agency employees may not consider any information that
is not provided by the applicant in writing for scoring purposes.
Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not provide
sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing required
elements. Points will be awarded to an eligible application as follows:
<bullet> Leveraging. If the grant will fund a critical element of a
larger program of Economic Development, without which the overall
program either could not proceed or would be far less effective, or if
the program to be assisted by the grant will also be partially funded
from other sources, points will be awarded if Rural Development's
funding is: (i) Less than 20 percent of the project costs--30 points;
(ii) between 20 percent and up to 50 percent of the project--20 points;
(iii) between 51 percent and up to 75 percent of the project--10
points. The application must contain a firm commitment in writing of
other funding for the project or points will not be awarded to the
application for leveraging.
<bullet> Demographics. Points will be awarded for each of the
following criteria met by the community or communities that will
receive the benefit of the grant, up to a total of 40 points from all
categories: (i) Communities experiencing trauma due to a major natural
disaster that occurred not more than 3 years prior to the filing of the
application for assistance will be awarded 15 points; (ii) Communities
that have suffered a loss of 20 percent or more in their total jobs
caused by the closure of a military facility or other employers within
the last 3 years will be awarded 15 points; (iii) Communities that have
experienced Long-Term poverty as demonstrated by being a former Rural
empowerment zone, Rural economic area partnership zone, Rural
enterprise community, champion community, or a persistent poverty
county as determined by USDA's Economic Research Service will receive
10 points; and (iv) If the community has experienced Long-Term
population decline as demonstrated by the latest three decennial
censuses, 10 points will be awarded.
<bullet> Population. Points will be awarded if the proposed
project(s) will be located in a community of: (i) Under 5,000
population--15 points; (ii) Between 5,000 and up to 15,000 population--
10 points; or (iii) Between 15,001 and 25,000 population--5 points.
<bullet> Unemployment. If the proposed project will be located in
areas where the unemployment rate: (i) Exceeds the State rate by 25
percent or more--20 points will be awarded; (ii) exceeds the State rate
by less than 25 percent--10 points will be awarded; or (iii) is equal
to or less than the State unemployment rate--0 points will be awarded.
<bullet> Median household income. If the proposed project(s) will
be located in areas where Median Household Income (MHI) as prescribed
by section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C
106) for a family of 4 for the State is: (i) Less than or equal to the
poverty line--25 points will be awarded; (ii) More than the poverty
line but less than 65 percent of State MHI--15 points will be awarded;
(iii) Between 65 and 85 percent of the State MHI--10 points will be
awarded; or (iv) If the area has greater than 85 percent of the State
MHI--0 points will be awarded.
<bullet> Experience. If the applicant provides evidence of
successful experience in the type of activity proposed based on its
current employees' resumes demonstrating: (i) 10 or more years of
experience--30 points will be awarded; (ii) At least 5 but less than 10
years of experience--20 points will be awarded; (iii) At least 3 years
but less than 5 years of experience--10 points will be awarded; or (iv)
At least 1 but less than 3 years of experience--5 points will be
awarded.
<bullet> Small business start-up or expansion. If the Applicant has
evidence that small business development will be supported by startup
or expansion as a result of the activities to be carried out under the
grant by written evidence provided to the Agency from a small, or a
Small and Emerging Business that includes the number of jobs that will
be supported and created, 5 points will be awarded for each letter up
to a total of 25 points. Letters must address the specific business
producing the letter, the connection to the project activities and
provide further information relative to job creation and support to
meet the letter of support criteria. Generic or duplicated letters are
not acceptable under this criterion.
<bullet> Jobs created or supported. Points will be awarded if the
anticipated development, expansion, or furtherance of business
enterprises as a result of the proposed Project will create and/or
support existing jobs associated with the affected businesses. The
number of jobs must be evidenced by a written commitment from the
business(es) to be assisted. Points will be awarded based on the ratio
of jobs to be supported by the amount of grant funds. For projects
supporting: (i) One job for less than $5,000 of grant funds--25 points
will be awarded; (ii) one job for $5,000 but less than $10,000 of grant
funds--20 points; (iii) one job for $10,000 but less than $15,000--15
points; (iv) one job for $15,000 but less than $20,000--10 points; or
(v) one job for $20,000 but less than $25,000 of grant funds--5 points
will be awarded.
<bullet> Size of grant request. Projects utilizing grant funds of:
(i) Less than $100,000--25 points will be awarded; (ii) $100,000 to
$200,000--15 points will be awarded; or (iii) more than $200,000 but
equal to or less than $500,000--10 points will be awarded. No points
will be awarded to applications of $500,000 or greater.
<bullet> Indirect cost. If the applicant is not requesting grant
funds to cover their administrative or indirect costs, 5 points will be
awarded.
<bullet> Discretionary points. Either the State Director or
Administrator may assign up to 50 discretionary points to an
application when under their approval authority. Assignment of
discretionary points must include a written justification. Permissible
justifications are geographic distribution of funds, special Secretary
of Agriculture initiatives such as Priority Communities, or a state's
strategic goals. The number of points to be awarded will be determined
by the impact of the project on the stated initiative. Discretionary
points may only be assigned to initial grants. However, in the case
where two Projects have the same score, the State Director may add one
point to the Project that best fits the State's strategic plan
regardless of whether the Project is an initial or subsequent grant.
The following are examples of special Secretary of Agriculture
initiatives that can support obtaining discretionary points.
(i) Assisting rural communities recover economically from the
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly disadvantaged
communities. Applicant may receive priority points if the project is
located in or serving one of the top 10% of counties or county
equivalents based upon county risk score in the United States. The
website, <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points">https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>, has the data to
confirm if your location qualifies or not.
(ii) Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD
programs and benefits from RD funded projects. Applicant may receive
priority points if
[[Page 53274]]
the project is located in or serving a community with score 0.75 or
above on the CDC Social Vulnerability Index. The website, <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points">https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>, has the data to confirm if your
location qualifies or not.
(iii) Reduce climate pollution and increasing resilience to the
impacts of climate change through economic support to rural
communities. Applicants may receive points if the project is located in
or serving coal, oil and gas, and power plant communities whose
economic well-being ranks in the most distressed tier of the Distressed
Communities Index. The website, <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points">https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>, has the data to confirm if your location qualifies or not. Or,
applicants may receive points by demonstrating how proposed climate-
impact projects improve the livelihoods of community residents and meet
pollution mitigation or clean energy goals.
(b) Unfunded applications. The Agency will notify eligible
applicants in writing if RBDG funds are not available. The applicant is
permitted to respond in writing that they wish their application to be
reconsidered in the next fiscal year. The applicant may provide
additional updated information to the Agency prior to the next fiscal
year's application deadline for their project.
(c) Unfunded applications for set aside funding. The Agency will
notify eligible applicants in writing if set aside funds are not
available. Applications that are eligible for set aside funds but are
unfunded due to the availability of funds will be allowed to compete
for available FY 2022 regular RBDG funds in the State where the Project
is located. For Projects involving multiple states, the application
will be returned to the Rural Development State Office where the
Applicant is located and will compete for funds in that State. The
Agency will notify eligible applicants in writing if their application
will not be funded in FY 2022 due to insufficient funds in the set
aside and regular RBDG programs.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package.
For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance
should contact the USDA Rural Development State Office provided in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice to obtain copies of the application
package.
Prior to official submission of grant applications, applicants may
request technical assistance or other application guidance from the
Agency, as long as such requests are made prior to February 11, 2022.
Technical assistance is not meant to be an analysis or assessment of
the quality of the materials submitted, a substitute for agency review
of completed applications, nor a determination of eligibility.
The Agency will not solicit or consider scoring or eligibility
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The
Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification
information on materials contained in the submitted application.
Applications may be submitted in paper or electronic format to the
appropriate Rural Development State Office and must be received by 4:30
p.m. local time on February 28, 2022. Applicants are encouraged to
contact their respective Rural Development State Office for an email
contact to submit an electronic application prior to the submission
deadline date(s). All applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number which can be obtained at no
cost via a toll-free request line at: (866) 705-5711 or at <a href="http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform">http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform</a>. Each applicant applying for grant funds (unless
the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is
excepted from the requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c) or has an
exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR
25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in the System for Award
Management (SAM) before submitting its application; (ii) provide a
valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue
to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all
times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or
plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The Federal
awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the
applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and
SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the
requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a
Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another
applicant.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission.
An application must contain all of the required elements and be
submitted in one package. Each selection priority criterion outlined in
7 CFR 4280.427 must be addressed in the application. Failure to address
any of the criterion will result in a zero-point score for that
criterion and will impact the overall evaluation of the application. An
original copy of the application must be filed with the Rural
Development State Office for the State where the Project is located.
For Projects involving multiple states, the application must be filed
in the Rural Development State Office where the Applicant is located.
The applicant documentation and forms needed for a complete
application are located in the PROGRAM DESCRIPTION section of this
notice, and in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, a copy of which will be
provided to any interested applicant making a request to a Rural
Development State Office. There are no specific formats required per
this notice, and applicants may request forms and addresses from the
ADDRESSES section of this notice. Any form that requires an original
signature but is signed electronically in the application submission
must be signed in ink by the authorized person prior to the
disbursement of funds.
(a) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages or
other formatting requirements other than those described in the PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION section.
(b) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages, font
size and type face, margins, paper size, and the sequence or assembly
requirements but the application package should be well organized and
include a table of contents, if appropriate.
(c) The component pieces of this application should contain
original signatures on the original application.
3. Submission Dates and Times.
(a) Application Deadline Dates: Applications must be submitted to
the appropriate Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m.
(local time) on February 28, 2022.
(b) The deadline date means that the completed application package
must be received in the USDA Rural Development State Office by the
established deadline date and time. All application documents
identified in this notice are required in the submission to be
considered a complete application. The Agency will determine the
application receipt date for paper applications based on the actual
date postmarked. The date of receipt for electronic application
submissions will be the date received in the Rural Development State
Office by the designated Agency staff person.
(c) If completed applications are not received by the February 28,
2022, deadline, the application will neither be
[[Page 53275]]
reviewed nor considered for funding under any circumstances.
(d) Indirect costs will be permitted in accordance with applicable
law and in accordance with 2 CFR part 200. Pre-Federal award costs will
only be permitted with prior written approval by the Agency.
(e) Applicants may submit applications in hard copy or electronic
format as previously indicated in the Application and Submission
Information section of this notice. If the applicant wishes to hand
deliver its application, the addresses for these deliveries are located
in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
(f) If you require alternative means of communication for program
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria.
All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated and scored
based on the selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR part
4280, subpart E. Failure to address any one of the criteria by the
application deadline will result in the application being determined
ineligible, and the application will not be considered for funding.
2. Review and Selection Process.
The Rural Development State Offices will review applications to
determine if they are eligible for assistance based on requirements
contained in 7 CFR 4280.416 and 7 CFR 4280.417. Funding of projects is
subject to the availability of funds and Applicant's satisfactory
submission of the items required by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E and this
Notice, in addition to any conditions specifically outlined in any
issued USDA Rural Development Letter of Conditions if available funds
are to be awarded.
Applications for set aside funds, if available, will compete at the
National Office in their respective categories. Applications for
regular RBDG projects will compete at the state level in their
respective category, business opportunity grants or business enterprise
grants, for funding made available through Rural Development State
allocated funds. Applications will be reviewed, prioritized by score,
and funded by ranking each Project in highest to lowest score order
until available funds are exhausted. If funds are exhausted at the
state level, each State's highest scoring unfunded business enterprise
project will have the opportunity to compete for funding through a
final national competition.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices.
Successful applicants will receive notification for funding from
the Rural Development State Office. Applicants must comply with all
applicable statutes and regulations before the grant award can be
approved and funded. If an application is withdrawn by the applicant,
it can be resubmitted later and will be evaluated as a new application
in the period submitted.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this
Program can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E. Awards are subject
to USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR part 400 which incorporated the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 2 CFR part 200.
All successful applicants will be notified by letter which will
include a Letter of Conditions and a Letter of Intent to Meet
Conditions. This letter is not an authorization to begin performance,
but it is a notification that grant funds may be awarded subject to
conditions. The grant will be considered officially awarded when all
conditions in the Letter of Conditions have been met and the Agency
obligates the funding for the Project. If the applicant wishes to
consider beginning their project performance prior to the grant being
officially closed, all pre-award costs must be approved in writing and
in advance by the Agency.
Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for these
Programs can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, the Grants and
Agreements regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture codified
in 2 CFR 400.1 to 400.2 and 2 CFR parts 415 to 422, and successor
regulations to these parts.
In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and
executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). The applicant will be
required to have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply
with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006
(Pub. L. 109-282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless
the recipient is exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)).
The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected
for these Programs:
(a) Form RD 4280-2 ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service Financial
Assistance Agreement.''
(b) Letter of Conditions.
(c) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
(d) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
(e) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
(f) Grantees will use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or
Reimbursement'' when requesting grant funds from the Agency.
3. Reporting.
(a) A Financial Status Report and a Project performance activity
report will be required of all grantees on a quarterly basis until
initial funds are expended and yearly thereafter, if applicable, based
on the Federal fiscal year. Grantees must continuously monitor
performance to ensure that time schedules are being met, projected work
by time periods is being accomplished, and other performance objectives
are being achieved. Grantees must submit an original of each report to
the Agency no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter. The
grantee will complete the Project within the total time available to it
in accordance with the Scope of Work and any necessary modifications
thereof prepared by the grantee and approved by the Agency. A final
Project performance report will be required with the final Financial
Status Report. The final report may serve as the last quarterly report.
The final report must provide complete information regarding the jobs
created and supported as a result of the RBDG grant if applicable. The
Project performance reports must include, but not be limited to, the
following:
(1) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives
established for that period.
(2) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if any, which have
affected or will affect attainment of overall Project objectives,
prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude the
attainment of particular Project work elements during established time
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the
action taken or planned to resolve the situation.
(3) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting
period.
(4) Any special reporting requirements, such as jobs supported and
created, businesses assisted, or economic development which results in
improvements in median household incomes, and any other specific
requirements, will be placed in the reporting section of the Letter of
Conditions.
(5) Within 90 days after the conclusion of the Project, the grantee
[[Page 53276]]
will provide a final Project evaluation report. The last quarterly
payment will be withheld until the final report is received and
approved by the Agency. Even though the grantee may request
reimbursement on a monthly basis, the last 3 months of reimbursements
will be withheld until a final report, Project performance, and
financial status report are received and approved by the Agency.
(b) In addition to any reports required by 2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR
400.1 to 400.2, and 2 CFR parts 415 to 422, the grantee must provide
reports as required by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
For general questions about this announcement, please contact your
USDA Rural Development State Office provided in the ADDRESSES section
of this notice.
H. Civil Rights Requirements
All grants made under this notice are subject to Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15,
subpart A) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 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.
I. Other Information
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
information collection requirement contained in this notice is approved
by OMB under OMB Control Number 0570-0070.
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act
All applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must have a DUNS
number, which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line
at (866) 705-5711 or online at <a href="http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform">http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform</a>.
Similarly, all applicants applying for grant funds must be registered
in SAM prior to submitting an application. Applicants may register for
the SAM at <a href="http://www.sam.gov/SAM">http://www.sam.gov/SAM</a>. All recipients of Federal financial
grant assistance are required to report information about first-tier
sub-awards and executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR
part 170.
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service
at (800) 877-8339.
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 <a href="https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027">https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027</a>, 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7c0c0e131b0e1d11521512081d17193c090f181d521b130a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6515170a021704084b0c0b11040e0025101601044b020a13">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Karama Neal,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-20810 Filed 9-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 27, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.