Notice2022-07311
Inviting Applications for Rural Cooperative Development Grants (RCDG)
Primary source
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Published
April 6, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Business-Cooperative Service
Abstract
This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2022 applications for the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program, 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. The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative development. Eligible applicants are non-profit corporations and institutions of higher education. 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 RCDG applications. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19842-19851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07311]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket No: RBS-22-CO-OP-0002]
Inviting Applications for Rural Cooperative Development Grants
(RCDG)
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications.
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SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2022 applications for
the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program, 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. The purpose of this program is to provide financial
assistance to improve the economic condition of rural areas through
cooperative development. Eligible applicants are non-profit
corporations and institutions of higher education. 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
RCDG applications. All applicants are responsible for any expenses
incurred in developing their applications.
DATES: Completed applications must be submitted electronically by no
later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, June 6, 2022, through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>,
to be eligible for grant funding. For instructions on the process of
registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure that you
are able to meet the electronic application deadline, please review the
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website at <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html</a>.
Late applications are not eligible for funding under this Notice and
will not be evaluated.
ADDRESSES: You are encouraged to contact your USDA Rural Development
(RD) State Office well in advance of the application deadline to
discuss your project and ask any questions about the RCDG program or
the application process. Contact information for State Offices can be
found at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices">http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices</a>.
Program guidance as well as application and matching funds
templates may be obtained at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program">http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program</a>. To submit an electronic
application, follow the instructions for the RCDG funding announcement
located at <a href="http://www.grants.gov">http://www.grants.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Sharp, Program Management
Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop-3226, Room 5160-
South, Washington, DC 20250-3226, (202) 720-1400 or email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c8a4a1bba9e6bba0a9bab888bdbbaca9e6afa7be"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="04686d77652a776c65767444717760652a636b72">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Cooperative Development Grants
(RCDG).
Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications.
Assistance Listing Number: 10.771.
Funding Opportunity Number: RBCS-RCDG-2022.
Date: Application Deadline. Electronic applications must be
received by <a href="http://www.grants.gov">http://www.grants.gov</a> no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Time, June 6, 2022, or it will not be considered for funding.
Administrative: The following apply to this Notice:
(i) Key priorities. The Agency encourages applicants to consider
projects that will advance the following (more details available at
<a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points">https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>:
<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; and
<bullet> Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to
the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural
communities.
(ii) Technical assistance. The application template provides
specific, detailed instructions for each item of a
[[Page 19843]]
complete application. The Agency emphasizes the importance of including
every item and strongly encourages applicants to follow the
instructions carefully, using the examples and illustrations in the
application template. Prior to official submission of applications,
applicants may request technical assistance or other application
guidance from the Agency, as long as such requests are made prior to
May 6, 2022. Agency contact information can be found in Section D of
this Notice.
(iii) Hemp related projects. Please note that no assistance or
funding can be provided to a hemp producer unless they have a valid
license issued from an approved State, Tribal or Federal plan as
defined by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-334.
Verification of valid hemp licenses will occur at the time of award.
(iv) Persistent poverty counties. Section 736 of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021, the appropriations act for Fiscal Year 2021
(the ``FY 2021 Appropriations Act''), designated funding for projects
in Persistent Poverty Counties (PPC). Availability of funding in
Persistent Poverty Counties is contingent on the inclusion of a similar
provision in the Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2022, once enacted
(the ``FY 2022 Appropriations Act''). Persistent Poverty Counties is
defined in Section 736 as ``any county that has had 20 percent or more
of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years, as measured
by the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses, and 2007-2011 American
Community Survey 5-year average, or any territory or possession of the
United States.'' Another provision in Section 736 expanded the eligible
population in Persistent Poverty Counties to include any county seat of
any Persistent Poverty County that has a population that does not
exceed the authorized population limit by more than 10 percent. This
provision expanded the current 50,000 population limit to 55,000 for
only county seats located in Persistent Poverty Counties. Therefore, in
the event that the Persistent Poverty County provisions are included in
the FY 2022 Appropriations Act, once enacted, applicants and/or
beneficiaries of technical assistance services located in Persistent
Poverty County seats with populations up to 55,000 (per the 2010
census) would also be eligible.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the program. The primary objective of the RCDG
program is to improve the economic condition of rural areas through
cooperative development. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and
are available for non-profit corporations and institutions of higher
education only. Grant funds may be used to pay for up to 75 percent of
the cost of establishing and operating centers for rural cooperative
development. Grant funds may be used to pay for 95 percent of the cost
of establishing and operating centers for rural cooperative development
when the applicant is a college identified as a ``1994 Institution''
for purposes of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of
1994, as defined by 7 U.S.C. 301. The 1994 Institutions are commonly
known as Tribal Land Grant Institutions. Centers may have the expertise
on staff, or they can contract out for the expertise to assist
individuals or entities in the startup, expansion or operational
improvement of rural businesses, especially cooperative or mutually-
owned businesses.
2. Statutory authority. The RCDG program is authorized under
section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)), as amended by the Agriculture Improvement
Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334). You are required to comply with the
regulations for this program published at 7 CFR part 4284, subparts A
and F, which are incorporated by reference in this Notice. Therefore,
you should become familiar with these regulations.
3. Definitions. Certain terms relating to the RCDG program that you
will need to understand are defined at 7 CFR 4284.3 and 7 CFR 4284.504.
In addition, the terms ``rural'' and ``rural area,'' defined at section
343(a)(13) of the CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)), are incorporated by
reference, and will be used for this program instead of the definition
of ``Rural and rural area'' currently published at 7 CFR 4284.3. The
term ``you'' referenced throughout this Notice should be understood to
mean ``you'' the applicant. Finally, there has been some confusion
about the Agency's interpretation of the terms ``conflict of interest''
and ``mutually-owned business'' because they are not defined in the
CONACT or in the regulations used for the program. Therefore, the
Agency is clarifying those terms for the purpose of this program as
follows:
Conflict of interest--A situation in which a person or entity has
competing personal, professional, or financial interests that make it
difficult for the person or business to act impartially. Regarding use
of both grant and matching funds, Federal procurement standards
prohibit transactions that involve a real or apparent conflict of
interest for owners, employees, officers, agents, or their immediate
family members having a financial or other interest in the outcome of
the project; or that restrict open and free competition for
unrestrained trade. Specifically, project funds may not be used for
services or goods going to, or coming from, a person or entity with a
real or apparent conflict of interest, including, but not limited to,
owner(s) and their immediate family members. An example of a conflict
of interest occurs when an employee of the grantee, an individual on
the grantee's board of directors, or an immediate family member of
either, has the appearance of a professional or personal financial
interest in the recipients receiving the benefits or services of the
grant.
Mutually-owned business--An organization owned and governed by
members who are its consumers, producers, employees, or suppliers.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Competitive Grant.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2022.
Total Funding: Funding is contingent on the passage of the FY 2022
Appropriations Act.
Anticipated Maximum Award: $200,000.
Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2022.
C. Eligibility Information
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements.
Applications that fail to meet any of these requirements by the
application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be
evaluated further.
1. Eligible applicants. You must be a nonprofit corporation or an
institution of higher education to apply for this program. Public
bodies and individuals cannot apply for this program. See 7 CFR
4284.507. You must also meet the following requirements:
(i) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active
registration in the System for Award (SAM) before submitting its
application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. In order to register in
SAM, entities will be required to create a Unique Entity Identifier
(UEI). Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at <a href="https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration">https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration</a>. Further information regarding SAM
registration and the UEI can be found in section D 2 of this notice.
(ii) An applicant is ineligible if it has been debarred or
suspended or is otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation
in Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549,
[[Page 19844]]
``Debarment and Suspension.'' The Agency will check the Do Not Pay
system at the time of application and also prior to funding any grant
award to determine if the applicant has been debarred or suspended.
Applicants are responsible for resolving any issues that are reported
in the `Do Not Pay' System and if issues are not resolved by deadlines
found in this Notice, the Agency may proceed to award funds to other
eligible applicants. In addition, an applicant will be considered
ineligible for a grant due to an outstanding judgment obtained by the
U.S. in a Federal Court (other than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on
the payment of Federal income taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt.
See 7 CFR 4284.6. Applicants must certify as part of the application
that they do not have an outstanding judgment against them.
(iii) The FY 2021 Appropriations Act provided that any corporation
that has been convicted of a felony criminal violation under any
Federal law within the past 24 months or that has any unpaid Federal
tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and
administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is
not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the
authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, is not eligible
for financial assistance provided with funds appropriated by the FY
2021 Appropriations Act, unless a Federal agency has considered
suspension or debarment of the corporation and has made a determination
that this further action is not necessary to protect the interests of
the Government. It is possible that the FY 2022 Appropriations Act,
once enacted, will include a similar prohibition.
(iv) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application
includes any funding restrictions identified under Section D.6(i) or
(ii) of this Notice. The inclusion of funding restrictions outlined in
Section D.6(i) or (ii) of this Notice precludes the Agency from making
a federal award to the applicant.
(v) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application is
deemed incomplete in accordance with the requirements stated in Section
C.3.
2. Cost sharing or matching. A match of at least 25 percent of the
total project cost is required for the application. (5 percent for 1994
Institutions). See 7 CFR 4284.508. When calculating the matching funds
requirement, please round up or down to whole dollars as appropriate.
An example of how to calculate your matching funds is as follows:
(i) Take the amount of grant funds requested and divide it by .75.
This will provide the total project cost.
Example: $200,000 (grant amount)/.75 (percentage for use of grant
funds) = $266,667 (total project cost)
(ii) Subtract the amount of grant funds requested from the total
project cost. This will provide the matching funds requirement.
Example: $266,667 (total project cost)-$200,000 (grant amount) =
$66,667 (matching funds requirement)
(iii) A quick way to confirm the correct amount of matching funds
is to take the total project cost and multiply it by .25.
Example: $266,667 (total project cost) x .25 (maximum percentage of
matching funds requirement) = $66,667 (matching funds requirement)
The applicant must verify that all matching funds are available
during the grant period and provide this documentation with your
application in accordance with requirements identified in Section
D.2.iv.h. If awarded a grant, additional verification documentation may
be required to confirm the availability of matching funds.
Other rules for matching funds that you must follow are listed
below.
(a) They must be spent on eligible expenses during the grant
period.
(b) They must be from eligible sources.
(c) They must be spent in advance or as a pro-rata portion of grant
funds being spent.
(d) They must be provided by either the applicant or a third party
in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution.
(e) They cannot include board/advisory council member's time.
(f) They cannot include other Federal grants unless provided by
authorizing legislation.
(g) They cannot include cash or in-kind contributions donated
outside of the grant period.
(h) They cannot include over-valued, in-kind contributions.
(i) They cannot include any project costs that are ineligible under
the RCDG program.
(j) They cannot include any project costs that are restricted or
unallowable under 2 CFR part 200, subpart E, and the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (for-profits) or successor regulation.
(k) They can include loan funds from a Federal source.
(l) They can include travel and incidentals for board/advisory
council members if the organization has established written policies
explaining how these costs are normally reimbursed, including rates.
The applicant must include an explanation of this policy in the
application or the contributions will not be considered as eligible
matching funds.
(m) The applicant must be able to document and verify the number of
hours worked and the value associated with any in-kind contribution
being used to meet a matching funds requirement.
(n) In-kind contributions provided by individuals, businesses, or
cooperatives which are being assisted by you cannot be provided for the
direct benefit of their own projects as USDA Rural Development
considers this to be a conflict of interest or the appearance of a
conflict of interest.
3. Other eligibility requirements. The following apply to this
Notice:
(i) Completeness. Your application will not be considered for
funding if it fails to meet all eligibility criteria by the application
deadline or does not provide sufficient information to determine
eligibility and scoring. You must include in one submission to the
Agency all of the forms and proposal elements as discussed in the
program regulation and as clarified further in this Notice. Incomplete
applications will not be reviewed by the Agency. For more information
on what is required for a complete application, see 7 CFR 4284.510.
(ii) Purpose eligibility. Your application must propose the
establishment or continuation of a cooperative development center
concept. You must use project funds, including grant and matching
funds, for eligible purposes only (see 7 CFR 4284.508). In addition,
project funds may also be used for programs providing for the
coordination of services and sharing of information among the centers
(see 7 U.S.C 1932(e)(4)(C)(vi)).
(iii) Project eligibility. All project activities must be for the
benefit of a rural area.
(iv) Multiple applications deemed ineligible. Only one application
can be submitted per applicant. If two applications are submitted
(regardless of the applicant name) that include the same Executive
Director and/or advisory boards or committees of an existing center,
both applications will be determined ineligible for funding.
(v) Grant period. Your application must include no more than a one-
year grant period, or it will not be considered for funding. The grant
period should begin no earlier than October 1, 2022, and no later than
January 1, 2023.
[[Page 19845]]
Applications that request funds for a grant period ending after January
1, 2024, will not be considered for funding. Projects must be completed
within a one-year timeframe. Prior approval is needed from the Agency
if you are awarded a grant and desire the grant period to begin earlier
or later than previously approved.
(vi) Satisfactory performance. You must be performing
satisfactorily on any outstanding RCDG award to be considered eligible
for a new award. Satisfactory performance includes being up-to-date on
all financial and performance reports as prescribed in the grant award,
and current on all tasks and timeframes for utilizing grant and
matching funds as approved in the work plan and budget. If you have any
unspent grant funds on RCDG awards prior to fiscal year 2021, your
application will not be considered for funding. If your prior award(s)
has unspent funds of 50 percent or more than what your approved work
plan and budget projected at the time that your Fiscal year 2022
application is being evaluated, your application will not be considered
for funding. The Agency will verify the performance status of the
applicant's prior awards and make a determination after the FY 2022
application period closes.
(vii) Duplication of current services. Your application must
demonstrate that you are providing services to new customers or new
services to current customers. If your work plan and budget is
duplicative of your existing award, your application will not be
considered for funding. If your workplan and budget is duplicative of a
previous or existing RCDG and/or Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant
(SDGG) award, your application will not be considered for funding. The
Agency will make this determination in its sole discretion. Please note
that the Agency only allows one active award to a grantee to ensure
that there is no duplication of services.
(viii) Indirect costs. Your negotiated indirect cost rate approval
does not need to be included in your application, but you will be
required to provide it if a grant is awarded. Approval for indirect
costs that are requested in an application without an approved indirect
cost rate agreement is at the discretion of the Agency.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to request application package. For further information,
you should contact your State Office at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices">http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices</a>. Program materials may also be obtained at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program">http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program</a>.
2. Content and form of application submission. You must submit your
application electronically through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. You are encouraged, but
not required to utilize the application template found at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program">http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program</a>.
(i) Electronic submission. An optional-use Agency application
template is available online at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program">http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program</a>. To apply
electronically, you must use the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website at http://
www.<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. You may not apply electronically in any way other than
through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>.
You can locate the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> downloadable application package for
this program by using a keyword, the program name, Assistance Listing
Number or the Funding Opportunity Number for this program.
When you enter the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website, you will find information
about applying electronically through the site. Users of <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>
must already have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and must also
be registered and maintain registration in SAM in accordance with 2 CFR
part 25. The UEI is assigned by SAM and replaces the formerly known Dun
& Bradstreet D-U-N-S Number. The UEI number must be associated with the
correct tax identification number of the RCDG applicant. We strongly
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to
begin the application process through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>.
You must submit all your application documents electronically
through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. Applications must include electronic signatures.
Original signatures may be required if funds are awarded.
After electronically applying through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, you will receive
an automated acknowledgement from <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> that contains a <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>
tracking number.
(ii) Supplemental information. Your application must contain all
the required forms and proposal elements described in 7 CFR 4284.510
and as otherwise described in this Notice. Specifically, your
application must include: the required forms as described in 7 CFR
4284.510(b) and the required proposal elements as described in 7 CFR
4284.510(c). If your application is incomplete, it is ineligible to
compete for funds. Applications lacking sufficient information to
determine eligibility and scoring will be considered ineligible.
Information submitted after the application deadline will not be
accepted.
(iii) Clarifications on forms.
(a) Your UEI number should be identified in the ``Organizational
DUNS'' field on Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal
Assistance.'' You must also provide your SAM Commercial and Government
Entity (CAGE) Code and expiration date under the applicant eligibility
discussion in your proposal narrative. If you do not include the CAGE
code and expiration date and the UEI number in your application, it
will not be considered for funding.
(b) You no longer must complete the Form SF 424B, ``Assurances--
Non- Construction Programs'' as a part of your application. This
information is now collected through your registration or annual
recertification in <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> through the Financial Assistance General
Certifications and Representation.
(c) You can voluntarily fill out and submit the ``Survey on
Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' as part of your
application if you are a nonprofit organization.
(iv) Clarifications on proposal elements.
(a) You must include the title of the project as well as any other
relevant identifying information on the Title Page.
(b) You must include a Table of Contents with page numbers for each
component of the application to facilitate review.
(c) Your Executive Summary must include the items in 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(3) and discuss the percentage of work that will be
performed among organizational staff, consultants, or other
contractors. It should not exceed two pages.
(d) Your Eligibility Discussion must cover how you meet the
applicant eligibility requirements, matching funds, and other
eligibility requirements. It must not exceed two pages.
(e) Your Proposal Narrative must not exceed 40 pages using at least
11-point font and should describe the essential aspects of the project.
(1) You are required to only have one title page for the proposal.
(2) If you list the evaluation criteria on the Table of Contents
and then specifically and individually address each criterion in
narrative form, it is not necessary for you to include an Information
Sheet. Otherwise, the
[[Page 19846]]
Information Sheet is required under 7 CFR 4284.510(c)(5)(ii).
(3) You must include the following under Goals of the Project:
(i) A statement that substantiates that the Center will effectively
serve rural areas in the United States;
(ii) A statement that the primary objective of the Center will be
to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative
development;
(iii) A description of the contributions that the proposed
activities are likely to make to the improvement of the economic
conditions of the rural areas for which the Center will provide
services. Expected economic impacts should be tied to tasks included in
the work plan and budget; and
(iv) A statement that the Center, in carrying out its activities,
will seek, where appropriate, the advice, participation, expertise, and
assistance of representatives of business, industry, educational
institutions, the Federal government, and State and local governments.
(4) The Agency has established annual performance evaluation
measures to evaluate the RCDG program. You must provide estimates on
the following performance evaluation measures:
(i) Number of groups assisted who are not legal entities.
(ii) Number of businesses assisted that are not cooperatives.
(iii) Number of cooperatives assisted.
(iv) Number of businesses incorporated that are not cooperatives.
(v) Number of cooperatives incorporated.
(vi) Total number of jobs created as a result of assistance.
(vii) Total number of jobs saved as a result of assistance.
(viii) Number of jobs created for the Center as a result of RCDG
funding.
(ix) Number of jobs saved for the Center as a result of RCDG
funding.
It is permissible to have a zero in a performance element. When you
calculate jobs created, estimates should be based upon actual jobs to
be created by your organization because of the RCDG funding or actual
jobs to be created by cooperative businesses or other businesses as a
result of assistance from your organization. When you calculate jobs
saved, estimates should be based only on actual jobs that would have
been lost if your organization did not receive RCDG funding or actual
jobs that would have been lost without assistance from your
organization.
(5) You can also suggest additional performance elements, for
example, where job creation or jobs saved may not be a relevant
indicator (e.g., housing). These additional criteria should be
specific, measurable performance elements that could be included in an
award document.
(6) You must describe in the application how you will undertake
each of the following and prefer that you describe these undertakings
within the noted proposal evaluation criteria to reduce duplication in
your application. The specific proposal evaluation criterion where you
should address each undertaking is noted below.
(i) Take all practicable steps to develop continuing sources of
financial support for the Center, particularly from sources in the
private sector (should be presented under proposal evaluation criterion
x., utilizing the specific requirements of Section E.1.x.);
(ii) Make arrangements for the Center's activities to be monitored
and evaluated (should be addressed under proposal evaluation criterion
`viii.' utilizing the specific requirements of Section E.1.viii.); and
(iii) Provide an accounting for the money received by the grantee
in accordance with 7 CFR part 4284, subpart F and 2 CFR part 200. This
should be addressed under proposal evaluation criterion `i.', utilizing
the specific requirements of Section E.1.i.
(7) You should present the Work Plan and Budget proposal element
under proposal evaluation criterion `viii.', utilizing the specific
requirements of Section E.1.viii. of this Notice to reduce duplication
in your application.
(8) You should present the Delivery of Cooperative development
assistance proposal element under proposal evaluation criterion `ii',
utilizing the specific requirements of Section E.1.ii. of this Notice.
(9) You should present the Qualifications of Personnel proposal
element under proposal evaluation criterion `ix', utilizing the
specific requirements of Section E.1.ix. of this Notice.
(10) You should present the Local Support and Future Support
proposal elements under proposal evaluation criterion `x', utilizing
the requirements of Section E.1.x. of this Notice.
(11) Your application will not be considered for funding if you do
not address all of the proposal evaluation criteria. See Section E.1.
of this Notice for a description of the proposal evaluation criteria.
(12) Only appendices A-C will be considered when evaluating your
application. You must not include resumes of staff or consultants in
the application.
(f) You must certify that there are no current outstanding Federal
judgments against your property and that you will not use grant funds
to pay for any judgment obtained by the United States. To satisfy the
certification requirement, you should include this statement in your
application: ``[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] certifies that the United
States has not obtained an unsatisfied judgment against its property,
is not delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or any
Federal debt, and will not use grant funds to pay any judgments
obtained by the United States.'' A separate signature relating to this
certification is not required.
(g) You must certify that matching funds will be available at the
same time grant funds are anticipated to be spent and that expenditures
of matching funds are pro-rated or spent in advance of grant funding,
such that for every dollar of the total project cost, not less than the
required amount of matching funds will be expended. Please note that
this certification is a separate requirement from the Verification of
Matching Funds requirement. To satisfy the certification requirement,
you should include this statement in your application: ``[INSERT NAME
OF APPLICANT] certifies that matching funds will be available at the
same time grant funds are anticipated to be spent and that expenditures
of matching funds shall be pro-rated or spent in advance of grant
funding, such that for every dollar of the total project cost, at least
25 cents (5 cents for 1994 Institutions) of matching funds will be
expended.'' A separate signature relating to this certification is not
required.
(h) You must provide documentation in your application to verify
all of your proposed matching funds. The documentation must be included
in Appendix A of your application and will not count towards the 40-
page limitation. Template letters are available for each type of
matching funds contribution at: <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program">http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program</a>.
(1) If matching funds are to be provided in cash, the following
requirements must be met:
(i) If the matching funds are being provided by the applicant, the
application must include a statement verifying (A) the amount of the
cash and (B) the source of the cash. You may also provide a bank
statement dated 30 days or less from the application deadline date to
verify your cash match.
(ii) If the matching funds are being provided by a third-party, the
application must include a signed letter from the third party verifying
(A) how much cash will be donated and (B) that it will be available
corresponding to the
[[Page 19847]]
proposed grant period or donated on a specific date within the grant
period.
(2) If matching funds are to be provided by an in-kind donation,
you must meet the following requirements:
(i) If the in-kind donation is being provided by the applicant, the
application must include a signed letter from you or your authorized
representative verifying (A) the nature of the goods and/or services to
be donated and how they will be used, (B) when the goods and/or
services will be donated (i.e., corresponding to the proposed grant
period or to specific dates within the grant period), and (C) the value
of the goods and/or services. Please note that most applicant
contributions for the RCDG program are considered applicant cash match
in accordance with this Notice. If you are unsure, please contact your
State Office because identifying your matching funds improperly can
affect your scoring.
(ii) If the in-kind donation is being provided by a third-Party,
the application must include a signed letter from the third party
verifying (A) the nature of the goods and/or services to be donated and
how they will be used, (B) when the goods and/or services will be
donated (i.e., corresponding to the proposed grant period or to
specific dates within the grant period), and (C) the value of the goods
and/or services.
(3) To ensure that you are identifying and verifying your matching
funds appropriately, please note the following:
(i) If you are paying for goods and/or services as part of the
matching funds requirement, the expenditure is considered a cash match,
and you must verify it as such. Universities must verify the goods and
services they are providing to the project as a cash match and the
verification must be approved by the appropriate approval official
(i.e., sponsored programs office or equivalent).
(ii) If you have already received cash from a third-party (e.g., a
foundation) before the start of your proposed grant period, you must
verify this as your own cash match and not as a third-party cash match.
If you are receiving cash from a third-party during the grant period,
then you must verify the cash as a third-party cash match.
(iii) Board resolutions for a cash match must be approved at the
time of application.
(iv) You can only consider goods or services for which no
expenditure is made as an in-kind contribution.
(v) If a non-profit or another organization contributes the
services of affiliated volunteers, they must follow the third-party,
in-kind donation verification requirement for each individual
volunteer.
(vi) Expected program income may not be used to fulfill your
matching funds requirement at the time you submit your application.
However, if you have a contract to provide services in place at the
time you submit your application, you can verify the amount of the
contract as a cash match.
(vii) The valuation processes used for in-kind contributions does
not need to be included in your application, but you must be able to
demonstrate how the valuation was derived if you are awarded a grant.
The grant award may be withdrawn, or the amount of the grant reduced if
you cannot demonstrate how the valuation was derived.
Successful applicants must comply with requirements identified in
Section F, Federal Award Administration Information.
3. System for Awards Management (SAM) and assigned Unique Entity
Identifier (UEI). You must be registered in SAM before submitting your
application and provide a valid UEI, unless you are determined exempt
under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c) or (d)).
(i) You may register in SAM at no cost at <a href="https://www.sam.gov/SAM/">https://www.sam.gov/SAM/</a>.
You must provide your SAM CAGE Code and expiration date in the
application materials. When registering in SAM, you must indicate you
are applying for a Federal financial assistance project or program or
are currently the recipient of funding under any Federal financial
assistance project or program, and
(ii) The SAM registration must remain active with current
information at all times while RBCS is considering an application or
while a Federal grant award or loan is active. To maintain the
registration in the SAM database the applicant must review and update
the information in the SAM database annually from the date of initial
registration or from the date of the last update. The applicant must
ensure that the information in the database is current, accurate, and
complete. Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
(iii) If you have not fully complied with all applicable UEI and
SAM requirements, the Agency may determine that the applicant is not
qualified to receive a Federal award and the Agency may use that
determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.
Please refer to Section F.2. of this Notice for additional submission
requirements that apply to grantees selected for this program.
4. Submission date and time. Completed applications must be
submitted electronically no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, June 6,
2022, through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, to be eligible for grant funding. Please
review the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website at <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html</a> for instructions on the process of registering your
organization as soon as possible to ensure that you can meet the
electronic application deadline. <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> will not accept
applications submitted after the deadline.
The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The
Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification
on materials contained in the submitted application. See the
Application Template for a full discussion of each item. For
requirements of completed grant applications, refer to Section D of
this Notice.
5. Intergovernmental review of applications. Executive Order (E.O.)
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' applies to
this program. This E.O. requires that Federal agencies provide
opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance with State and
local governments. Many States have established a Single Point of
Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of States
that maintain a SPOC, please see the White House website: <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf">https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf</a>. If your
State has a designated point of contact (SPOC), you may submit a copy
of the application directly to the SPOC for review. Any comments
obtained through the SPOC must be provided to your State Office for
consideration as part of your application. If your State has not
established a SPOC, or if you do not want to submit a copy of the
application to the SPOC for a review, our State Offices will submit
your application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or agencies.
6. Funding restrictions.
(i) Project funds, including grant and matching funds, cannot be
used for ineligible grant purposes (see 7 CFR 4284.10). Also, you shall
not use project funds for the following:
(A) To purchase, rent, or install laboratory equipment or
processing machinery;
(B) To pay for the operating costs of any entity receiving
assistance from the Center;
(C) To pay costs of the project where a conflict of interest
exists;
[[Page 19848]]
(D) To fund any activities prohibited by 2 CFR part 200; or
(E) To fund any activities considered unallowable by 2 CFR part
200, subpart E, ``Cost Principles,'' and the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (for-profits) or successor regulations.
(ii) In addition, your application will not be considered for
funding if it does any of the following:
(A) Focuses assistance on only one cooperative or mutually-owned
business;
(B) Requests more than the maximum grant amount; or
(C) Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent of
total project costs. The ineligible costs will NOT be removed at this
stage to proceed with application processing. For purposes of this
determination, the grant amount requested plus the matching funds
amount constitutes the total project costs.
(iii) We will consider your application for funding if it includes
ineligible costs of 10 percent or less of total project costs, if the
remaining costs are determined eligible otherwise. However, if your
application is successful, those ineligible costs must be removed and
replaced with eligible costs before the Agency will make the grant
award, or the amount of the grant award will be reduced accordingly. If
we cannot determine the percentage of ineligible costs, your
application will not be considered for funding.
7. Other submission requirements. You should not submit your
application in more than one format. You must submit your application
electronically. Note that we cannot accept applications through mail or
courier delivery, in-person delivery, email, or fax. To submit an
application electronically, you must follow the instruction for this
funding announcement at <a href="http://www.grants.gov">http://www.grants.gov</a>.
E. Application Review Information
The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are
eligible for assistance based on requirements in 7 CFR part 4284,
subparts A and F, this Notice, and other applicable Federal
regulations. If determined eligible, your application will be scored by
a panel of USDA employees in accordance with the point allocation
specified in this Notice. Applications will be funded in rank order
until the funding limitation has been reached. Applications that cannot
be fully funded may be offered partial funding at the Agency's
discretion.
1. Scoring criteria. Scoring criteria will follow statutory
criteria in 7 U.S.C. 1932(e) and the criteria published in the program
regulations at 7 CFR 4284.513 as described below. You should also
include information as described in Section D.2.iv.e.6. if you choose
to address these items under the scoring criteria. Evaluators will base
scores only on the information provided or cross-referenced by page
number in each individual evaluation criterion. The maximum amount of
points available is 110. Newly established or proposed Centers that do
not yet have a track record on which to evaluate the following criteria
should refer to the expertise and track records of staff or consultants
expected to perform tasks related to the respective criteria. Proposed
or newly established Centers must be organized well-enough at the time
of application to address their capabilities for meeting these
criteria.
(i) Administrative capabilities (maximum score of 10 points). A
panel of USDA employees will evaluate your demonstrated track record in
carrying out activities in support of development assistance to
cooperatively and mutually owned businesses. At a minimum, you must
discuss the following administrative capabilities:
(a) Financial systems and audit controls;
(b) Personnel and program administration performance measures;
(c) Clear written rules of governance; and
(d) Experience administering Federal grant funding no later than
the last 5 years, including but not limited to past RCDG awards. Please
list the name of the Federal grant program(s), the amount(s), and the
date(s) of funding received.
You will score higher on this criterion if you can demonstrate that
the Center has independent governance. For applicants that are
universities or parent organizations, you should demonstrate that there
is a separate board of directors for the Center.
(ii) Technical assistance and other services (maximum score of 10
points). A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your demonstrated
expertise no later than the last 5 years in providing technical
assistance and accomplishing effective outcomes in rural areas to
promote and assist the development of cooperatively and mutually owned
businesses. At a minimum, you must discuss:
(a) Your potential for delivering effective technical assistance;
(b) The types of assistance provided;
(c) The expected effects of that assistance;
(d) The sustainability of organizations receiving the assistance;
and
(e) The transferability of your cooperative development strategies
and focus to other areas of the United States.
A chart or table showing the outcomes of your demonstrated
expertise based upon the performance elements listed in Section
D.2.iv.e.4. or as identified in your award document on previous RCDG
awards is recommended. At a minimum, please provide information for FY
2018 to FY 2020 awards. You may also include any performance outcomes
from a FY 2021 RCDG award. We prefer that you provide one chart or
table for each award year. The intention here is for you to provide
actual performance numbers based upon award years (fiscal year) even
though your grant period for the award was implemented during the next
calendar or fiscal year. Please provide a narrative explanation if you
have not previously received a RCDG award.
You will score higher on this criterion if you provide more than 3
years of outcomes and can demonstrate that the organizations you
assisted within the last 5 years are sustainable. Additional outcome
information should be provided on RCDG grants awarded before FY 2018.
Please describe specific project(s) when addressing items a-e of
paragraph ii. To reduce duplication, descriptions of specific projects
and their impacts, outcomes and roles can be discussed once under
criterion ii or iii. However, you must cross-reference the information
under the other criterion.
(iii) Economic development (maximum score of 10 points). A panel of
USDA employees will evaluate your demonstrated ability to facilitate:
(a) Establishment of cooperatives or mutually owned businesses;
(b) New cooperative approaches (i.e., organizing cooperatives among
underserved individuals or communities; an innovative market approach;
a type of cooperative currently not in your service area; a new
cooperative structure; novel ways to raise member equity or community
capitalization; conversion of an existing business to cooperative
ownership); and
(c) Retention of businesses, generation of employment opportunities
or other factors, as applicable, that will otherwise improve the
economic conditions of rural areas.
You will score higher on this criterion if you provide quantifiable
economic measurements showing the impacts of your past development
projects no later than the last five (5) years and identify your role
in the economic development outcomes.
(iv) Past performance in establishing legal business entities
(maximum score
[[Page 19849]]
of 10 points). A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your
demonstrated past performance in establishing legal cooperative
business entities and other legal business entities since October 1,
2016. Provide the name of the organization(s) established, the date(s)
of formation, and your role(s) in assisting with the incorporation(s)
under this criterion. In addition, documentation verifying the
establishment of legal business entities must be included in Appendix C
of your application and will not count against the 40-page limit for
the narrative. The documentation must include proof that organizational
documents were filed with the Secretary of State's Office (i.e.,
Certificate of Incorporation or information from the State's official
website naming the entity established and the date of establishment);
or if the business entity is not required to register with the
Secretary of State, a certification from the business entity that a
legal business entity has been established and when. Please note that
you are not required to submit articles of incorporation to receive
points under this criterion. You will score higher on this criterion if
you have established legal cooperative businesses. If your State does
not incorporate cooperative business entities, please describe how the
established business entity operates like a cooperative. Due to
extenuating circumstances of COVID-19, the Agency will utilize
information in the narrative to score this criterion. Documentation to
verify past performance in establishing legal entities will be required
before an award is made.
(v) Networking and regional focus (maximum score of 10 points). A
panel of USDA employees will evaluate your demonstrated commitment to:
(a) Networking with other cooperative development centers, and
other organizations involved in rural economic development efforts, and
(b) Developing multi-organization and multi-State approaches to
addressing the economic development and cooperative needs of rural
areas.
You will score higher on this criterion if you can demonstrate the
outcomes of your multi-organizational and multi-State approaches.
Please describe the project(s), partners and the outcome(s) that
resulted from the approach.
(vi) Commitment (maximum score of 10 points). A panel of USDA
employees will evaluate your commitment to providing technical
assistance and other services to underserved and economically
distressed areas in rural areas of the United States. You will score
higher on this criterion if you define and describe the underserved and
economically distressed areas within your service area, provide
economic statistics, and identify past or current projects within or
affecting these areas, as appropriate. To the extent that the
Persistent Poverty Counties provisions from the FY 2021 Appropriations
Act are included in the FY 2022 Appropriations Act, once enacted,
projects identified in the work plan and budget that are located in
Persistent Poverty Counties, will score even higher on this criterion.
(vii) Matching funds (maximum score of 10 points). A panel of USDA
employees will evaluate your commitment for the 25 percent (5 percent
for 1994 Institutions) matching funds requirement. A chart or table
should be provided to describe all matching funds being committed to
the project. However, formal documentation to verify all the matching
funds must be included in Appendix A of your application. You will be
scored on the total amount and how you identify your matching funds.
(a) If you meet the 25 percent (5 percent for 1994 Institutions)
matching funds requirement, points will be assigned as follows:
(1) In-kind only--1 point;
(2) Mix of in-kind and cash--3-4 points (maximum points will be
awarded if the ratio of cash to in-kind is 30 percent or more); or
(3) Cash only--5 points.
(b) If you exceed the 25 percent (5 percent for 1994 Institutions)
matching funds requirement, points will be assigned as follows:
(1) In-kind only--2 points;
(2) Mix of in-kind and cash--6-7 points (maximum points will be
awarded if the ratio of cash to in-kind is 30 percent or more); or
(3) Cash only--up to 10 points.
(viii) Work plan/budget (maximum score of 10 points). A panel of
USDA employees will evaluate your work plan for detailed actions and an
accompanying timetable for implementing the proposal. The budget must
present a breakdown of the estimated costs associated with cooperative
and business development activities as well as the operation of the
Center and allocate these costs to each of the tasks to be undertaken.
Matching funds as well as grant funds must be accounted for in the
budget.
You must discuss at a minimum:
(a) Specific tasks (whether it be by type of service or specific
project) to be completed using grant and matching funds;
(b) How customers will be identified;
(c) Key personnel; and
(d) The evaluation methods to be used to determine the success of
specific tasks and overall objectives of Center operations. Please
provide qualitative methods of evaluation. For example, evaluation
methods should go beyond quantitative measurements of completing
surveys or number of evaluations.
You will score higher on this criterion if you present a clear,
logical, realistic, and efficient work plan and budget.
(ix) Qualifications of those performing the tasks (maximum score of
10 points). A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your application to
determine if the personnel expected to perform key tasks have
experience:
(a) Developing positive solutions for complex cooperative
development and/or marketing problems; and
(b) Conducting accurate feasibility studies, business plans,
marketing analysis, or other activities relevant to your success as
determined by the tasks identified in the work plan.
Your application must indicate whether the personnel expected to
perform the tasks are full/part-time employees of your organization or
are contract personnel. You will score higher on this criterion if you
demonstrate commitment and availability of qualified personnel expected
to perform the tasks.
(x) Local and future support (maximum score of 10 points). A panel
of USDA employees will evaluate your application for local and future
support. Support should be discussed directly within the response to
this criterion.
(a) Discussion of local support should include previous and/or
expected local support and plans for coordinating with other
developmental organizations in the proposed service area or with state
and local government institutions. You will score higher if you
demonstrate strong support from potential beneficiaries and formal
evidence of intent to coordinate with other developmental
organizations. You may also submit a maximum of 10 letters of support
or intent to coordinate with the application to verify your discussion.
These letters should be included in Appendix B of your application and
will not count against the 40-page limit for the narrative. Due to the
extenuating circumstances of COVID-19, the Agency will utilize
information in the narrative to score this criterion. Documentation to
verify local support will be required before an award is made.
(b) Discussion on future support will include your vision for
funding operations in future years. You should document:
[[Page 19850]]
(1) New and existing funding sources that support your goals;
(2) Alternative funding sources that reduce reliance on Federal,
State, and local grants; and
(3) The use of in-house personnel for providing services versus
contracting out for that expertise. Please discuss your strategy for
building in-house technical assistance capacity.
You will score higher if you can demonstrate that your future
support will result in long-term sustainability of the Center,
including the use and building of in-house personnel for providing
services.
(xi) Administrator Discretionary Points (maximum of 10 points). The
Administrator may choose to award up to 10 points to an eligible non-
profit corporation or institution of higher education that has never
previously been awarded an RCDG grant or whose application seeks to
advance the key priorities addressed in the Supplemental Section of
this notice. Data sources for the key priorities are found at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points">https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>. Points will be assigned as follows:
I. Applicant has never received a RCDG award--5 points
II. Applicant seeks to advance one or more key priorities addressed in
the Supplemental Section of this notice--5 points
2. Review and selection process. The State Offices will review
applications to determine if they are eligible for assistance based on
requirements in 7 CFR part 4284, subparts A and F, this Notice, and
other applicable Federal regulations. If determined eligible, your
application will be scored by a panel of USDA employees in accordance
with the point allocation specified in this Notice. The Administrator
may choose to award up to 10 Administrator priority points based on
criterion (xi) in section E.1. of this Notice. These points will be
added to the cumulative score for a total possible score of 110.
Applications will be funded in highest ranking order until the
appropriations funding limitation for the RCDG program has been
reached. Applications that cannot be fully funded may be offered
partial funding at the Agency's discretion. If your application is
evaluated, but not funded, it will not be carried forward into the
competition for any subsequent fiscal year program funding. Successful
applicants must comply with requirements identified in Section F,
Federal Award Administration Information.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal award notices. If you are selected for funding, you will
receive a signed notice of Federal award by postal or electronic mail
from the State Office where your application was submitted, containing
instructions and requirements necessary to proceed with execution and
performance of the award. You must comply with all applicable statutes,
regulations, and notice requirements before the grant award will be
funded.
If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in
writing via postal or electronic mail and informed of any review and
appeal rights. See 7 CFR part 11 for USDA National Appeals Division
(NAD) procedures. Note that rejected applicants that are successful in
their NAD appeals will not receive funding in the event that all FY
2022 RCDG program funding has already been awarded and obligated to
other applicants.
2. Administrative and national policy requirements. Additional
requirements that apply to grantees selected for this program can be
found in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart F; the Grants and Agreements
regulations of the Department of Agriculture codified in 2 CFR parts
180, 200, 400, 415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and 48 CFR
part 31 (Subpart 31.2), and successor regulations to these parts.
In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are
required to report information about first-tier subawards and executive
compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You 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 you are exempt
under 2 CFR 170.110(b)).
The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected
for awards within this program:
(i) Execution of an Agency-approved Grant Agreement;
(ii) Acceptance of a written Letter of Conditions; and submission
of the following Agency forms:
(i) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
(ii) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
(iii) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
3. Reporting. After grant approval and through grant completion,
you will be required to provide an SF-425, ``Federal Financial
Report,'' and a project performance report on a semiannual basis (due
30 working days after the end of the semiannual period). The project
performance reports shall include the following:
(i) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives
established for that period;
(ii) Reasons why established objectives were not met, if
applicable;
(iii) Reasons for any problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if
any, which have affected or will affect attainment of overall project
objectives, prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude
the attainment of particular objectives during established time
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the
action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and
(iv) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting
period.
The grantee must provide a final project and financial status
report within 90 days after the expiration or termination of the grant
with a summary of the project performance reports and final
deliverables to closeout a grant in accordance with 2 CFR 200.344.
G. Agency Contacts
If you have questions about this Notice, please contact the
appropriate State Office at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices">http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices</a>. Program guidance as well as application and matching funds
templates may be obtained at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program">http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program</a>. You may also contact
National Office Program Management Division: RCDG Program Lead,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1f7c6f786d7e716b6c5f687b7c316a6c7b7e31787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a0c3d0c7d2c1ced4d3e0d7c4c38ed5d3c4c18ec7cfd6">[email protected]</span></a>, or call the main line at 202-720-1400.
Applicants must follow the instructions for the RCDG funding
announcement located at <a href="http://www.grants.gov">http://www.grants.gov</a>.
H. Other Information
1. Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act, the paperwork burden associated with this Notice has
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB
Control Number 0570-0006.
2. National Environmental Policy Act. All funding activities under
this notice must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), and its implementing regulations in 7 CFR part 1970. All
recipients under this Notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR
part 1970. However, technical assistance awards under this Notice are
classified as a Categorical Exclusion according to 7 CFR 1970.53(b),
and usually do not require any additional
[[Page 19851]]
documentation. We have determined that this notice does not constitute
a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human
environment.
The Agency will review each grant application to determine its
compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide
additional information or documentation to assist the Agency with this
determination. A review for NEPA compliance is required prior to the
award of grant funds.
3. Civil Rights Compliance Requirements. All grants made under this
Notice are subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as
required by USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A) and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
4. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil
rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA,
its Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency or staff office, the USDA's 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 USDA Discrimination Complaint Form,
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#9dedeff2faeffcf0b3f4f3e9fcf6f8dde8eef9fcb3faf2eb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="067674696174676b286f6872676d63467375626728616970">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Karama Neal,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-07311 Filed 4-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 6, 2022.
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.