Notice2022-26370
Inviting Applications for Agriculture Innovation Demonstration Center Grants
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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
December 5, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Business-Cooperative Service
Abstract
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces that it is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2023 applications for the Agriculture Innovation Demonstration Center (AIC) program. In FY 2023, the program has $8,005,621 available for grant funding. The purpose of this program is to establish and operate Agriculture Innovation Centers (Centers) that provide technical and business development assistance to Agricultural Producers seeking to engage in developing and marketing of Value-Added Agricultural Products. This program supports Rural Development's (RD) mission of improving the quality of life for rural Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need them.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 232 (Monday, December 5, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 232 (Monday, December 5, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74392-74401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26370]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket #: RBS-22-Business-0024]
Inviting Applications for Agriculture Innovation Demonstration
Center Grants
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency), an agency of
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces that it
is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2023 applications for the Agriculture
Innovation Demonstration Center (AIC) program. In FY 2023, the program
has $8,005,621 available for grant funding. The purpose of this program
is to establish and operate Agriculture Innovation Centers (Centers)
that provide technical and business development assistance to
Agricultural Producers seeking to engage in developing and marketing of
Value-Added Agricultural Products. This program supports Rural
Development's (RD) mission of improving the quality of life for rural
Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need
them.
DATES:
1. Application Deadline. Completed applications for grants must be
submitted electronically by no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time,
March 6, 2023, through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. Late applications are not eligible
for funding under this notice and will not be evaluated. All components
of the application must be submitted with the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> submission.
The Agency will not accept additional information through other
submission methods, such as email or courier delivery.
2. Training Session. The Agency will offer one training session for
potential applicants on January 13, 2023 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
The training session will provide an overview of the requirements for
the program and address questions posed by potential applicants. It is
expected that the session will be offered via webinar and will have a
duration of approximately
[[Page 74393]]
two hours. The session will be recorded and available for viewing
within two weeks. Details for how to access the webinar and recording
will be posted on the program's website. Applicants can register for
the webinar at: <a href="https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_AZxgP03KQwSFLMNm6NOhUQ">https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_AZxgP03KQwSFLMNm6NOhUQ</a>.
ADDRESSES: Application materials are available on <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> and on the
program website at: <a href="https://rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/agriculture-innovation-center-program">https://rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/agriculture-innovation-center-program</a>. Applications must be
submitted through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gail Thuner, Direct Programs Branch,
Program Management Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United
States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, MS 3201,
Room 5803-South, Washington, DC 20250-3250, or call 202-720-1400, or
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#93c0debdc1d1d0c0bdd2dad0d3e6e0f7f2bdf4fce5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c0938dee92828393ee81898380b5b3a4a1eea7afb6">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: USDA Rural Business-Cooperative
Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Agriculture Innovation Demonstration
Center.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Availability.
Funding Opportunity Number: RBCS-AIC-2023.
Assistance Listing: 10.377.
Dates: Application Deadline. Your application must be received by
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, March 6, 2023, or it
will not be considered for funding.
Administrative: The Agency encourages applicants to consider
projects that will advance the following key priorities.
<bullet> Assisting rural communities in their efforts to recover
economically through more and better market opportunities and through
improved infrastructure.
<bullet> Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to
Rural Development programs and benefits from Rural Development funded
projects.
<bullet> Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to
the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural
communities.
More details on the key priorities may be found at <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points">https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. The objective of the AIC program is to
provide technical assistance to Agricultural Producers to develop and
market Value-Added Agricultural Products through Centers.
2. Statutory Authority. The AIC program is authorized by section
7608 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C.
1632b) and is implemented by 7 CFR part 4284 subparts A and K, which
are incorporated by reference into this notice.
3. Definitions. The terms you need to understand are defined and
published at 7 CFR 4284.3, 7 CFR 4284.1004, and 7 CFR 4284.902. The
term ``you'' referenced throughout this notice should be understood to
mean ``you'' the applicant. Additional definitions are included below.
(a) Agricultural Commodity Organization means an organization that
exclusively represents a single Agricultural Commodity or group of
similar commodities either on behalf of the commodity itself or on
behalf of the Agricultural Producers who grow or raise it. The
representation can be at a local, State, regional, or national level.
Examples are Agricultural Commodity Marketing Boards established by
States, a national association representing corn growers, and a
regional association representing vegetable and berry growers.
(b) Conflict of Interest means 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.
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, neither grant nor
matching funds may 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. Examples of conflicts of interest include using grant or
matching funds to pay a member of the applicant's Board of Directors to
provide Producer Services and using grant or matching funds to pay an
immediate family member of the applicant to provide Producer Services.
Note that the conflict of interest does not include cases when the
State's Secretary of Agriculture or an employee of the State's
Department of Agriculture acts as a member of the Board of Directors.
(c) General Agricultural Organization means an organization that
represents agriculture in general, without restriction to any specific
group, commodity, or sector. Representing agriculture through policy
making, education, and/or marketing must be the sole purpose of the
organization. The organization must represent Agricultural Producers,
although it may represent processors and other stakeholders as well.
The representation can occur at the State, regional, or national level.
Examples include organizations that represent farmers and ranchers and
organizations that represent sustainable farming. Note that
organizations representing organic agriculture and credit organizations
are not considered part of this definition.
(d) Qualified Board of Directors means a Board of Directors that
includes, but is not limited to, representatives from each of the
following groups: (1) two General Agricultural Organizations with the
greatest number of members in the State in which the Center is located,
(2) the department of agriculture, or similar State department or
agency or a State legislator, of the State in which the Center is
located, and (3) four Agricultural Commodity Organizations representing
different commodities produced in the State in which the Center is
located. Note that no representative may represent more than one group
or organization. Board of Director representatives must not have any
Conflicts of Interest. Note that this definition supersedes the
existing definition at 7 CFR 4284.1004 based on the revision
established by Public Law 115-334 (the 2018 Farm Bill or Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018).
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Competitive Grant.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2023.
Total Funding: $8,005,621. RBCS may at its discretion, increase the
total level of funding available in this funding round [or in any
category in this funding round] from any available source provided the
awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the funding
available to the agency.
Minimum Award: $600,000.
Maximum Award: $1,000,000.
Project Period: 3 years.
Anticipated Award Date: August 2, 2023.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants. You must meet all of the following
eligibility requirements. Applicants and/or applications which fail to
meet any of these requirements by the application deadline will not be
evaluated further or considered for funding.
(a) Applicant Eligibility.
[[Page 74394]]
(1) Eligible Entities. Grants may be made to Nonprofit
Organizations, Commercial Organizations, Local Governments, State
Governments, Indian Tribes, and Institutions of Higher Education.
Consortiums are also eligible to apply, but they must select a single
organization to represent the consortium as the applicant. Only the
applicant organization must meet the eligibility requirements. Note
that applicant organizations must be prepared to act as Centers to
provide Producer Services. Grant awards are not made directly to
businesses or Agricultural Producers to market Value-Added Agricultural
Products. Organizations that propose to use grant award funds to earn
revenue processing and selling value-added products are not eligible.
(See section D 2(b)(xii) of this notice for the information you are
required to submit in your application for the Agency to assess your
eligibility as an eligible entity.)
(2) Independent Governance. The Center must be independently
governed, although it does not have to be a separate legal entity from
the applicant organization. If the applicant is a parent organization
or institution of higher education, you must demonstrate that there is
a separate Board of Directors for the Center and that the Center has
independent governance. The Center has independent governance if it has
control over personnel decisions, including hiring and firing employees
and contractors; setting policies and procedures, including personnel
and procurement; developing and approving its budget; and selecting its
own Board of Directors, which shall not include any members who are
affiliated with the parent organization. (See section D 2(b)(xiv) of
this notice for the information you are required to submit in your
application for the Agency to assess whether your organization meets
the requirement for independent governance.)
(3) Qualified Board of Directors. The Board of Directors for the
Center must meet the definition for Qualified Board of Directors in
section A 3(d) of this notice. (See section D 2(b)(xv) of this notice
for the information you are required to submit in your application for
the Agency to assess whether your Center's Board of Directors meets the
definition.)
(4) Existing Capability to Provide Services. You must be able to
demonstrate that you have previously provided services similar to the
Producer Services defined in 7 CFR 4284.1004 or that you have the
capability to provide those services. In order to be considered
qualified, you must either demonstrate at least three years of
experience during the last five years providing the same type of
Producer Services as those proposed in the application and show a
record of at least three positive outcomes or you must demonstrate that
you currently have at least two key personnel committed to the project
who have the same level of experience and positive outcomes, even if
they have not worked for you for at least three years. (See section D
2(b)(xvi) of this notice for the information you are required to submit
in your application for the Agency to assess whether your organization
meets the requirement for existing capability to provide services.)
(5) Support of Agricultural Community. You must demonstrate that at
least three relevant agricultural organizations support your project.
The support is relevant if the supporting organization is based in the
State or region in which the project will take place and if the
organization serves the same group of producers (either directly or
through commodity/marketing efforts) targeted by the proposed project.
(See section D 2(b)(xvii) of this notice for the information you are
required to submit in your application for the Agency to assess whether
your organization has the required support from the agricultural
community.
(6) Financial Capability. The Agency will assess the financial
statements from your most recent audit to confirm that you possess
sufficient financial capabilities for the proposed project. In
particular, you must have a current ratio of at least 1:1 and the
ability to provide sufficient cash flow to cover at least three months
of total project costs to account for the lag between when expenses are
incurred, and award funds are disbursed. If you do not meet these
requirements, you are not eligible for funding. The Agency will also
review your audit and any notes and findings, and if the Agency
determines that your financial capability would preclude you from
properly managing Federal funds, your organization will not be eligible
for an award. The Agency may also identify any concerns that might
require special conditions if an award is made. (See section D
2(b)(xix) of this notice for the information you are required to submit
in your application for the Agency to assess whether your organization
has the required financial capability.)
(7) Satisfactory Performance. The Agency will check the Federal
Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System as well as the Do
Not Pay system prior to awarding funds. These systems track all Federal
awards. If you have deficiencies identified in either system, the
Agency may either discontinue processing your application if the
deficiencies are significant or indicate a lack of capability to
accomplish the proposed project, or the Agency may impose special
conditions to address the deficiencies. Special conditions may include,
but are not limited to, more frequent reporting, more detailed
reporting, and the addition of benchmarks or checkpoints to assess
progress.
(8) Number of Applicants. Only one organization can be listed as an
applicant on an application, even if the project will be completed by a
consortium or partnership. Collaboration and partnerships are
encouraged, but one organization must be responsible for administering
the award, if approved. Typically, we would expect collaborations to
involve contributions of matching funds or procurement contracts.
(b) Ineligible Applicants. Organizations are ineligible if the
following apply.
(1) Entity Type. Individuals are not eligible for funding.
(2) Debarment and Suspension. An applicant is ineligible if they
have been debarred or suspended or otherwise excluded from or
ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs under
Executive Order 12549, ``Debarment and Suspension.'' 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), a delinquency on the payment of Federal income
taxes, or a delinquency on Federal debt. The applicant must certify as
part of the application that it does not have an outstanding judgment
against it. The Agency will check the Do Not Pay system to verify the
certification. (See section D 2(b)(x) of this notice for the
information you are required to submit in your application for the
Agency to assess whether you are ineligible due to outstanding
judgments and/or delinquent Federal debt.)
(3) Felony Criminal Violations or Unpaid Tax Liabilities. Any
corporation (i) that has been convicted of a felony criminal violation
under any Federal law within the past 24 months or (ii) 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 Consolidated
[[Page 74395]]
Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103), unless a Federal agency has
considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and has made a
determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the
interests of the Government.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching. Matching funds are required for at
least one-third of the total project budget. For example, if the total
project budget is $1,500,000, matching funds must be at least $500,000.
Matching funds may be provided in cash by the applicant or a third
party or in-kind by a third party. They must be available for use
during the period of performance, and they must be used for allowable
expenses. Applicants cannot propose to use unrecovered indirect costs
as matching funds. (See section D 2(b)(xiii) of this notice for the
information you are required to submit in your application for the
Agency to assess whether your organization has sufficient matching
funds committed to the proposed project.)
3. Other Eligibility Requirements.
(a) Improving Value-Added Markets: Your project must focus on
increasing and improving the ability of local Agricultural Producers to
develop markets and processes for Value-Added agricultural commodities
or products. (See section D 2(b)(iv) of this notice for the information
you are required to submit in your application for the Agency to assess
whether your project has the required focus.)
(b) Use of Funds: Grant Award funds may be used only to provide the
following Producer Services directly to Agricultural Producers for the
purpose of developing and marketing a Value-Added Agricultural Product.
The categories listed below are allowable uses of funds. For
information on selected items that are not allowable for funding under
this notice, please review section D 5 of this notice, ``Funding
Restrictions.''
(1) Business Development Services. Business Development Services
include feasibility studies, business plans, and other types of
technical assistance and applied research that support business
development.
(2) Market Development Services. Market development services
include marketing plans, branding, and customer identification.
(3) Financial Advisory Services. Financial advisory services
include assistance with preparing financial statements, assessing
financing options, and other types of financial guidance related to the
development, expansion, or operation of a business.
(4) Process Development Services. Process development services
include the following:
(i) Engineering services, including scale-up of production systems
(not to include cost of renovating or constructing a facility or
system).
(ii) Scale production assessments, defined as studies that analyze
facilities, including processing facilities, for potential value-added
activities to determine the size that optimizes construction and other
cost efficiencies.
(iii) Systems development.
(iv) Other technical assistance and applied research related to
development, implementation, improvement and operations of processes
and systems to produce and market a Value-Added Agricultural Product.
(5) Organizational Assistance. Organizational assistance includes
legal and technical advisory services related to the development,
expansion, or operation of a business.
(6) Value Chain Coordination. Value chain coordination includes
assistance with connecting an Agricultural Producer to a distribution
system, processing facility, or commercial kitchen.
(7) Product Development. Product development (excluding research
and development) includes the stages involved in bringing a product
from idea or concept through commercial-scale production, including
concept testing; feasibility and cost analysis; product taste-testing;
demographic and other types of consumer analysis; production analysis;
and evaluation of packaging and labeling options.
(8) Grants of $5,000 or less to Agricultural Producers for the
above services, where the aggregate amount of all such matching grants
made by the Center does not exceed $50,000. Note that these ``mini-
grants'' are considered pass-through awards. Therefore Centers and the
subrecipients must comply with all Federal and programmatic
requirements for pass-through entities and awards, including, but not
limited to, Pre-Award Requirements, Award Requirements, Post-Award
Requirements, Property Standards, Procurement Standards, Performance
and Financial Monitoring and Reporting, Subrecipient Monitoring and
Reporting, Record Retention and Access, Remedies for Noncompliance,
Closeout, Post-Closeout Adjustments and Continuing Responsibilities.
Pass-Through Entities are responsible for acting on behalf of the
Federal Agency when determining eligibility for the mini-grants as well
as compliance with Federal and program requirements. Subrecipients of
the mini-grants must be eligible to receive a Federal award, use grant
award and matching funds for allowable costs, provide at least one-
third of the total project costs in matching funds, and meet all other
Federal and program requirements for this program.
(9) Center Start-up and Operation. Center start-up and operation
costs include expenses associated with establishing and operating a
Center, such as legal services, accounting services, clerical
assistance, technical services, hiring employees, monitoring contracts,
and Board of Director travel.
(c) Period of Performance: The proposed period of performance must
be three years, or the application will not be considered for funding.
The proposed start date must be no earlier than three months after the
expected award date and no later than six months after the expected
award date. Extensions will not be approved.
(d) Application Completeness: Your application must provide all the
information requested in section D 2(b) of this notice. Applications
lacking sufficient information to determine eligibility and scoring
will not be considered for funding.
(e) No Duplication of Current Services: Your application must
demonstrate that you are providing services to new customers or new
services to current customers.
(f) Number of Applications: You may only submit one application in
response to this notice.
(g) Collaboration, Contracts, and Subawards: While the Agency
supports collaboration between and among Centers, you must limit any
contracts or subawards with other Centers to 10 percent or less of
project costs. We consider collaboration to occurs when two or more
Centers work jointly on an activity, but each Center controls its own
budget for its involvement. Any collaboration with other Centers must
be identified in the proposed Work Plan. The collaborators or
contractors do not have to meet the eligibility requirements for the
program. Only the applicant organization is required to meet the
requirements.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Web Address to Access Application Package.
The application template for applying for this funding opportunity
is located at <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/agriculture-innovation-center-program">https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/agriculture-innovation-center-program</a>. Use of the application template is strongly
recommended to assist you with the application process.
[[Page 74396]]
2. Content and Form of Application Submission.
(a) Submission. Your application must be submitted electronically
through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. Your application must contain all required
information. You must follow the instructions for this funding
announcement at <a href="https://www.grants.gov/">https://www.grants.gov/</a>. Note that the Agency cannot
accept applications through mail or courier delivery, in-person
delivery, email, or fax.
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, or the Assistance
Listing Number (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 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, as well as the hours of
operation.
To use <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, you must already have a Unique Entity Identifier
(UEI) number and you must also be registered and maintain registration
in the System for Award Management (SAM). It is strongly recommended
that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the
application process through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> because it can take up to four
weeks to complete the registration process. See section D 3 of this
notice for additional information about SAM and the UEI.
You must submit all application documents electronically through
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. The Agency recommends attaching all files to the SF-424
form. Applications must include electronic signatures. Original
signatures may be required if funds are awarded.
After applying electronically through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, you will receive
an automatic acknowledgement from <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> that contains a <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>
tracking number.
(b) Required Information. Your application must contain the
following required forms and other components. Note that an Application
Template and Checklist are available on the program's website at:
<a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/agriculture-innovation-center-program">https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/agriculture-innovation-center-program</a>. Use of the template is strongly recommended, but not
required.
(1) Title Page. Your application must contain a Title Page. It is
recommended that your Title Page include a short title for your
proposed project as well as contact information or other application
identifying information.
(2) Table of Contents. Your application must contain a detailed
Table of Contents (TOC). The TOC must include page numbers for each
part of the application, including each evaluation criterion. Page
numbers should begin immediately following the TOC.
(3) Executive Summary. A summary of the proposal, not to exceed one
page, must briefly describe the Project, tasks to be completed, and
other relevant information that provides a general overview of the
Project.
(4) Goals of the Project. You must include a listing of each
Producer Service to be offered during the project. The Agency
recommends that you offer only services identified in section C.6 of
this notice; other types of services may not be eligible for funding.
You must also identify one or more specific goals relating to
increasing and improving the ability of identified local Agricultural
Producers to develop a market or process for Value-Added agricultural
commodities or products. (See section C 3(a) of this notice for
eligibility information related to this requirement.)
(5) Work Plan. You must include a description of your proposed work
for the project, including how your project focuses on increasing and
improving the ability of local Agricultural Producers to develop
markets and processes for Value-Added Agricultural Products. This
description must include the actions that will be taken in order for
the Producer Services to be available from the Center. Each action
should include a target date for completion. General start-up tasks
should be listed, followed by specific tasks listed for each Producer
Service to be offered. Tasks associated with the start-up of the Center
should include a focused marketing and delivery plan directed at the
local Agricultural Producers that were identified in the Goals section
of your application. The actions to be taken should include steps for
identifying customers, hiring key personnel (if not already hired),
contracting for services for the Center, and making arrangements for
strategic alliances. Each defined task needs to have a description,
assigned key personnel, and an expected time frame for accomplishment.
You must also clearly demonstrate how your project will provide
services to new customers or provide new services to existing
customers.
Note that the work you propose to accomplish must be allowable
based on section C 3(b) of this notice. Funding restrictions are
described in section D 5.
(6) Budget Justification. You must provide additional information
regarding the budget you submit on the SF-424A, including your matching
funds. This additional information must describe each category of
expense and what specific costs are included in each category as well
as how your Matching Funds will be used. For example, the Salaries
justification must include the names of each staff member (not just key
personnel) who will be paid and how much they will be paid. The Fringe
Benefits category must include a description of how fringe benefits are
calculated and what is included. The Contracts category must identify
the contractors by name (if known) as well as the amounts expected for
each contract and the purpose of each contract. The Other category must
include the expected expenses (e.g., supplies) that will be included.
The Travel category must identify specific trips that will be taken,
who will be traveling, and the reason for the travel. Additionally, if
there are any unusual expenses, you should describe them and why they
are appropriate for the award.
(7) Scoring Criteria. Each of the scoring criteria in this notice
must be addressed in narrative form, with a maximum of three pages for
each individual scoring criterion, unless otherwise specified. Failure
to address each scoring criterion will result in the application being
determined ineligible.
(8) Standard Form 424 (SF-424), ``Application for Federal
Assistance.''
(9) Standard Form 424A (SF-424A), ``Budget Information-Non-
Construction Programs.'' All sections of the form must be completed.
(10) Certification Regarding Outstanding Federal Judgments. 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. You must also certify that
you are not delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or any
Federal debt. To satisfy the Certification requirement, you must
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 is not required. (See section C1(b)(2) of this
notice for information related to the eligibility of this requirement.)
(11) Certification on Lobbying. Your authorized representative must
sign a certification which contains the entire statement from 2 CFR
part 418, appendix A.
(12) Applicant Eligibility. You must verify your legal status and
demonstrate your eligibility for the program as described below. (See
section C 1(a)(1)
[[Page 74397]]
of this notice for information about eligibility related to this
requirement.)
(i) Local Governments. Local Governments must provide the legal
citation that authorizes their organization and attach a copy to the
application.
(ii) State Governments. State governments must provide the legal
citation that authorizes their organization and attach a copy to the
application.
(iii) Indian Tribes. Indian Tribes must provide the legal citation
that authorizes their tribe and attach a copy to the application.
(iv) Nonprofit Organizations. Nonprofit Organizations must attach
the organization's Certificate of Good Standing (or the equivalent
tribal documentation if incorporated under tribal law) and the Articles
of Incorporation to the application.
(v) Commercial Organizations. Commercial Organizations must attach
the organization's Certificate of Good Standing (or equivalent tribal
documentation if incorporated under tribal law) and the Articles of
Incorporation to the application.
(vi) Institutions of Higher Education. Institutions of Higher
Education must demonstrate that you qualify as an Institution of Higher
Education as defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001. The most common way to
demonstrate this qualification is to provide the legal citation that
authorizes the institution. A copy of the legal citation or other
documentation must be attached to the application.
(13) Verification of Matching Funds. Matching funds must be
provided for at least one-third of the total project cost. For example,
if your total project cost is $1,500,000, you must provide at least
$500,000 in matching funds. Matching funds can be provided in cash by
the applicant organization or a third-party. They can also be provided
in-kind by a third-party organization. You must verify the amount of
funds to be contributed, the source of the funds, the availability of
the funds, and the purpose for which the funds will be used. If a
third-party is providing part or all of the matching funds, that third-
party must provide a separate, signed verification. All verification
must be done on an organization's letterhead and be signed by the
organization's authorized representative. (See section C 2 of this
notice for information about eligibility related to this requirement.)
(14) Governance Structure of the Center. The Center does not need
to be an independent legal entity; however, it must be independently
governed. You must provide an explanation of how the governance of the
Center works (or will work if it hasn't been established at the time of
application). In particular, you must address how the Center carries
out personnel decisions, including hiring and firing employees and
contractors; sets its policies and procedures, including personnel and
procurement; develops and approves its budget; and selects its own
Board of Directors. (See section C 1(a)(2) of this notice for
information about eligibility related to this requirement.)
(15) Board of Directors. You must provide the following
information. If your application is selected for funding, we will
confirm the Board of Directors still meets the requirements. If at any
time, the Center's Board of Directors does not meet the requirements
during the period of performance, the award will either be suspended
until the requirements can be met or the award will be terminated if
the requirements can no longer be met. (See section C 1(a)(3) of this
notice for information about eligibility related to this requirement.)
(i) General Agricultural Organizations. For the representatives
from the two General Agricultural Organizations with the greatest
number of members in your State, you must identify the representatives,
the organizations, their purposes, and the number of members they have
in your State. You must also explain how you determined that the
organizations have the most (or second most) members. Acceptable
sources for this information can include the state Department of
Agriculture, or its equivalent, or a third-party, reliable source, such
as a trade journal or university agriculture department. You must also
submit a signed statement from each representative stating that they
either are currently on the Center's Board of Directors or that they
commit to being on the Center's Board of Directors during the proposed
period of performance.
(ii) State Department of Agriculture or State Legislator. For the
representative from the State Department of Agriculture (or equivalent)
or State legislator, you must identify the representative and include
the person's title and job responsibility if from the Department of
Agriculture or identify the district the State legislator represents.
You must also submit a signed statement from the representative stating
that they either are currently on the Center's Board of Directors or
that they commit to being on the Center's Board of Directors during the
proposed period of performance.
(iii) Agricultural Commodity Organizations. For representatives
from four Agricultural Commodity Organizations, you must identify each
representative and the organization they represent. You must use data
from the State Department of Agriculture, or its equivalent, to
demonstrate that the commodities are produced in your state and provide
a copy of the information used. You must also submit a signed statement
from each representative stating that they either are currently on the
Center's Board of Directors or that they commit to being on the
Center's Board of Directors during the proposed period of performance.
(16) Existing Capability to Provide Services. The applicant
organization must be able to demonstrate that it has the capability to
provide the Producer Services proposed in its application. You must use
one of the two options identified below. (See section C 1(a)(4) of this
notice for information about eligibility related to this requirement.)
(i) Center-Provided Services. To demonstrate previously providing
services, you must include a chart or narrative that describes the
services provided during the last three to five years, as needed, to
show that you can meet the requirement. The description must include
the specific type of service provided, the role of the Center in
providing the service, how many times it has been provided, and the
outcomes of the services provided (preferably with quantitative
measurements).
(ii) Key Personnel-Provided Services. If the Center does not have
at least three years of experience providing Producer Services during
the last five years, you must provide a chart or narrative that
describes the key personnel's experience with providing Producer
Services during the last three to five years, as needed, to show that
you can meet the requirement. The narrative must include a description
of the services provided, the role of the key personnel in providing
the service, how many times it has been provided, and the outcomes of
the services provided (preferably with quantitative measurements).
(17) Support of the Agricultural Community. You must include at
least three letters of support from agricultural organizations, other
than the applicant organization, that are relevant to the project.
Evidence of support includes contributions of cash or in-kind matching
funds. Other examples of support include referring clients and intent
to collaborate. We will consider the support to be relevant if the
organization is based in the State or region in which the project will
take place and if the organization serves the same group of producers
(either directly
[[Page 74398]]
or through commodity/marketing efforts) targeted by the proposed
project. Note that support from organizations that are not agricultural
in nature (such as local chambers of commerce) is not considered
relevant for the purpose of meeting this requirement. (See section C
1(a)(5) of this notice for information about eligibility related to
this requirement.)
(18) Strategic Coordination and Alliances. Describe arrangements in
place or planned with end users (for example, processing and
distribution companies and regional grocers) as well as with entities
that have technical research capabilities, broad support from the
agricultural community in the State or region, significant coordination
with end users, strategic alliances with entities having technical
research capabilities and a focused delivery plan for reaching out to
the producer community.
(19) Financial Capability. You must include your most recent audit
(including the Letter to the Managers). It is recommended that you
include a calculation for your end-of-year current ratio as well as the
amount of cash on hand and the end of the year. (See section C 1(a)(6)
of this notice for information about eligibility related to this
requirement.)
3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.
(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active
registration in the SAM before submitting its application in accordance
with 2 CFR 25 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25</a>). In order to register in SAM, entities will be required to
create a UEI. Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at
<a href="https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration">https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration</a>.
(b) 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.
(c) Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
(d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in their applications,
unless determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110</a>).
(e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the
Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another
applicant.
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 for additional submission requirements that
apply to grantees selected for this program.
4. Submission Dates and Times.
Applications must be received by <a href="https://www.grants.gov/">https://www.grants.gov/</a> by 11:59
Eastern Time March 6, 2023, to be eligible for funding. Please review
the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website at <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html</a> for instructions on the process of registering your
organization as soon as possible to ensure you can meet the electronic
application deadline. <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> will not accept applications submitted
after the deadline.
5. Funding Restrictions.
No funds made available under this solicitation shall be used to
engage in the following activities. Note that the Agency will consider
your application for funding if it includes unallowable costs of 10
percent or less of total grant funds requested, if it is determined
eligible otherwise. However, if your application is successful, those
unallowable costs must be removed. If time permits, the Agency may
allow those unallowable costs to be replaced with allowable costs.
Otherwise, the amount of the grant award will be reduced accordingly.
If the Agency cannot determine the percentage of unallowable costs,
your application will not be considered for funding.
(a) Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or
facility, including a processing facility;
(b) Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment, including
processing equipment;
(c) Purchase vehicles, including boats;
(d) Pay for the preparation of the grant application;
(e) Pay expenses not directly related to the funded project;
(f) Fund political or lobbying activities;
(g) Fund any activities considered unallowable by the applicable
grant cost principles, including 2 CFR part 200, subpart E and the
Federal Acquisition Regulation;
(h) Fund architectural work for a specific physical facility;
(i) Fund any direct expenses for the production of any commodity or
product to which value will be added, including seed, rootstock, labor
for harvesting the crop, and delivery of the commodity to a processing
facility;
(j) Fund manufacturing or processing expenses, including testing
expenses;
(k) Purchase land;
(l) Fund internships;
(m) Fund fellowships, scholarships, tuition remission, or any other
type of compensation for students at any level of education;
(n) Duplicate current activities or activities paid for by another
Federal grant program;
(o) Pay costs of the project incurred prior to the date of award
approval;
(p) Pay for assistance to any private business enterprise that does
not have at least 51 percent ownership by those who are either citizens
of the United States or reside in the United States after being legally
admitted for permanent residence;
(q) Pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
(r) Pay for research and development; or
(s) Pay for any goods or services from a person who has a Conflict
of Interest with the recipient.
(t) In addition, your application will not be considered for
funding if it does any of the following:
(1) Requests less than the minimum or more than the maximum grant
amount;
(2) Focuses assistance on only one agriculture producer or
business;
(3) Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent of
total grant funds requested;
(4) Earns revenue from processing or selling a product as part of
the project. Centers may charge fees for services provided, but they
cannot earn revenue on actually processing a product or from sales
associated with a product they helped develop; or
(5) Provides services to entities other than Agricultural Producers
on behalf of and at the request of Agricultural Producers.
6. Other Submission Requirements.
RBCS also reserves the right to ask applicants for clarifying
information and additional verification of assertions in the
application.
E. Application Review Information
The Agency will review applications to determine eligibility for
assistance based on requirements in this notice, and other applicable
Federal laws and regulations. If the Agency determines that your
application is eligible for
[[Page 74399]]
assistance, your application will be scored by a panel of USDA
employees based on the Scoring Criteria specified in this notice. The
highest scoring application will be funded up to the maximum amount
available. Additional applications that cannot be fully funded may be
offered partial funding at the Agency's discretion.
1. Scoring Criteria. All eligible and complete applications will be
evaluated based on the following criteria. Evaluators will base scores
only on the information provided in the application. This is a
competitive program, so you will receive scores based on the quality of
the information provided. Simply addressing the criteria will not
guarantee higher scores. The total points possible for the criteria are
80.
(a) Ability to Deliver (maximum score of 15 points). The
application will be evaluated as to whether it evidences unique
abilities to deliver Producer Services so as to create sustainable
Value-Added ventures. Abilities that are transferable to a wide range
of agricultural Value-Added commodities are preferred over highly
specialized skills. Strong skills must be accompanied by a credible and
thoughtful plan. Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not substantively address
the criterion.
(2) 1-4 points will be awarded for unique abilities, that is,
abilities that are not available through other organizations in the
Center's service area.
(3) 1-4 points will be awarded for the expected sustainability of
the Value-Added ventures supported by the project. For example,
applications that propose to work with ventures where the expected
sustainability has been assessed will receive more points than
applications that do not address expected sustainability.
Sustainability refers to the wealth generated by the assisted venture
(e.g., if the project adds retained earnings to the balance sheet, not
just an increase in cash flow).
(4) 1-4 points will be awarded for the transferability of the
abilities identified. Abilities that are transferable to a wide range
of commodities will receive more points.
(5) 1-3 points will be awarded for plans to accomplish work that
are thoughtful and seem reasonable. For example, will the services
provided match the stated goals (from section D 2(b)(iv)? Are the
results measurable and attainable within the proposed project period?
(b) Successful Track Record (maximum score of 15 points). The
applicant organization's track record in achieving Value-Added
successes will be evaluated. Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not substantively address
the criterion.
(2) 1-3 points will be awarded if the applicant has more than three
years of experience in accomplishing Value-Added successes. More points
will be given for more years of experience, based on the distribution
of what all eligible applicants submit. No credit will be given for
activities that did not directly result in a Value-Added success. Note
that success may include working with an organization and providing
coaching to indicate that the proposed venture is not feasible.
(3) 1-4 points will be awarded based on the number of Value-Added
successes. More points will be given for higher numbers, based on the
distribution of what eligible applicants submit.
(4) 1-4 points will be awarded based on the significance of Value-
Added successes. More points will be given for more significant
successes, based on the distribution of what eligible applicants
submit.
(5) 1-4 points will be awarded based on the complexity of the role
that the applicant organization played in the Value-Added successes.
(c) Work Plan/Budget (maximum of 15 points). The Agency will review
the work plan for detailed actions and an accompanying timetable for
implementing the proposed work. The Agency will review budgets for
completeness and the strength of non-Federal funding commitments. Note
that there is no additional information required for this criterion.
The Agency will use the Work Plan and Budget Justification for our
evaluation. Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not substantively address
this criterion.
(2) 1-6 points will be awarded for work plans that describe each
task, including objectives and potential outcomes, and how that task
connects to the goal of the project. More points will be awarded for
work plans that completely describe tasks and show measurable outcomes
as well as for work plans that show a cohesive plan for the achievement
of the goal(s) of the project.
(3) 1-3 points will be awarded for work plans that show a
reasonable and differentiated timetable for the proposed tasks. For
example, a work plan that shows a schedule for how a Center will begin
operation, then market its services, and then provide its services
would be awarded more points than a work plan that simply states all
Producer Services will be offered for 12 months. The Agency will also
consider how you will identify customers. Applications with a specific
description of customer identification will receive more points.
(4) 1-3 points will be awarded for the budget justification. More
points will be awarded for justifications that completely describe all
categories of cost, including indirect costs. A complete description
includes identification of key personnel (including any contractors)
and the salaries and fringe benefits associated with their time on the
project as well as identification of all travel events (including who
will be traveling and what the purpose of the trip is), individual
contract amounts and purposes, and items that are categorized, such as
computers, printers, scanners, copiers, and other office items.
(5) 1-3 points will be awarded for higher quality matching funds. A
cash match is of a higher quality than in-kind. Thus, the Agency will
award more points to applications that have a larger percentage of
matching funds coming from cash, based on the distribution of what is
submitted by applicants.
(d) Qualifications of Key Personnel (maximum of 15 points).
Describe the qualifications of the key personnel for the project. Key
personnel may include employees of the Center or consultants/
contractors, but they do not include administrative or financial staff
whose purpose is to support the administrative requirements of the
award. Your description should include the number of years of
experience that a person has doing the type of work that will be
assigned during the project as well as metrics indicating the number of
times the person has provided the assistance and the outcomes of that
assistance. You must also include the total hours that will be
contributed to the project by each person. Points will be awarded as
follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not adequately address this
criterion.
(2) 1-5 points based on the percentage of work that will be carried
out by Center employees. The Agency will calculate the percentage by
adding the hours of the key personnel and dividing the number of hours
from Center employees by the total hours.
(i) 1 point for 10-20% of the work carried out by Center employees;
(ii) 2 points for 21-40% of the work carried out by Center
employees;
(iii) 3 points for 41-60% of the work carried out by Center
employees;
(iv) 4 points for 61-80% of the work carried out by Center
employees; and
[[Page 74400]]
(v) 5 points for 81-100% of the work carried out by Center
employees.
(3) 1-10 points based on the qualifications of the key personnel.
More points will be awarded in cases where the key personnel are
assigned to specific tasks that match their experience and skills.
(e) Local support (maximum of 5 points). You must show that the
Center has local support from and coordination with other developmental
organizations in the proposed service area and with Tribal, State, and
local institutions. Support documentation should include recognition of
rural values that balance employment opportunities with environmental
stewardship and other rural amenities. You may submit a maximum of 4
letters of support for this criterion (or you may reference other
letters submitted with the application). When awarding points for this
criterion, the Agency will only consider support letters from
developmental organizations in the proposed service area, and State and
local institutions. Additionally, identical form letters signed by
multiple organizations will not be included in the count of support
letters received. Support letters must be included as an attachment to
the application. Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points are awarded if you do not adequately address this
criterion or if you do not provide at least three letters of support.
(2) 1 point will be awarded for a support letter from a
developmental organization in the proposed service area that shows
coordination with your project.
(3) 1 point will be awarded for a support letter from a State
institution.
(4) 1 point will be awarded for a support letter from a Tribal
institution.
(5) 1 point will be awarded for a support letter from a local
institution.
(6) 1 point will be awarded for support that includes recognition
of rural values that balance employment opportunities with
environmental stewardship and other rural amenities.
(f) Future support (maximum of 15 points). Describe the vision for
funding Center operations for future years, including diversification
of funding sources and building in-house technical assistance capacity.
Points will be awarded as follows:
(1) 0 points will be awarded if you do not substantively address
the criterion.
(2) 1-5 points will be awarded for applications that describe a
specific plan for obtaining future funding for the Center. More points
will be awarded for plans that show concrete actions for at least 3
years into the future.
(3) 1-5 points will be awarded for applications that show a
diversification of funding sources. Possible funding sources include
Federal awards, Tribal, State and local awards, private donations, and
pay-for-service plans. More points will be awarded for plans that
include multiple, committed funding sources. You may summarize the
funding sources/support in a chart or narrative, and you must include
the following information for each source: name of the organization,
the amount of funds committed, the expected time period for commitment,
and the purpose for which the funds can be used.
(4) 1-5 points will be awarded for applications that show how in-
house capacity for providing technical assistance will be improved.
More points will be awarded for Centers that have a specific plan for
training and hiring in-house technical assistance experts.
2. Review and Selection Process.
The Agency will review applications to determine if they are
eligible for assistance based on requirements in this notice, and other
applicable Federal laws and regulations. If the agency determines that
your application meets the requirements, it will be scored by a panel
of USDA employees in accordance with the Scoring Criteria and point
allocation specified in this notice. The review panel will convene to
reach a consensus on the scores for each of the eligible applications.
Applications will be ranked solely based on the points awarded, and
they will be funded in rank order until available funds are expended or
a minimum score of 40 points is reached. If an application cannot be
fully funded, the Agency will offer partial funding to the extent funds
are available. If the applicant offered partial funding does not
accept, the Agency will offer the funding to the next highest-ranked
applicant until the Agency finds an applicant that accepts the funding
or no additional eligible applicants exist.
If your application is ranked and not funded, it will not be
carried forward into the next competition.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices.
Successful Applications will receive a signed Letter of Conditions
containing instructions on requirements necessary to proceed with
execution and performance of the award. If you are able to meet the
conditions of the award within the specified time frame (typically up
to 90 calendar days), the Agency will proceed with approving an award.
If you are not able to meet the conditions of the award, the Agency may
terminate consideration of your application at its discretion and
choose to award the funds to the next highest-ranked applicant.
Unsuccessful Applications will be notified in writing and informed of
any review and appeal rights. Funding of successfully appealed
applications will be limited to the funding available in this notice.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Additional
requirements that apply to grantees selected for this program include,
but are not limited to, 2 CFR parts 200, 400, 415, 417, 418, and 421.
(a) Requirements for All Recipients. All recipients of Federal
financial assistance are required to do the following:
(1) Report information about first-tier subawards and executive
compensation (See 2 CFR part 170).
(2) Have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply
with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act reporting
requirements (See 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are exempt under 2 CFR
170.110(b)). These regulations may be obtained at: the following link:
<a href="https://ecfr.io/">https://ecfr.io/</a>.
(b) Requirements for Program Recipients. Applicants whose
applications are selected for funding through this program will be
required to execute the following additional documentation:
(1) Form RD 4280-2, ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service Financial
Assistance Agreement.''
(2) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds,'' if funds
must be obligated prior to the execution of Form RD 4280-2.
(3) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
(4) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.'' By signing Form 400-4,
Assurance Agreement, recipients affirm that they will operate the
program free from discrimination. The recipient will maintain the race
and ethnic data on the board members and beneficiaries of the program.
The Recipient will provide alternative forms of communication to
persons with limited English proficiency. The Agency will conduct Civil
Rights Compliance Reviews on recipients to identify the collection of
racial and ethnic data on program beneficiaries. In addition, the
compliance review will ensure that equal access to the program benefits
and activities are provided for persons with disabilities and language
barriers.
(5) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
[[Page 74401]]
(6) Certification of Lobbying. Your authorized representative must
sign a certification which contains the entire statement from 2 CFR
part 418, appendix A.
(c) Reporting. After award approval, you will be required to
provide the following:
(1) Semi-Annual Reports. A SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,''
and a project performance report will be required on a semi-annual
basis The project performance reports shall include the following
information:
(i) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives
established for that period;
(ii) Reasons why established objectives were not met, if
applicable; and
(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.
(iv) Objectives and a timetable established for the next reporting
period.
(2) Final Reports. A SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' and a
project performance report will be required within 120 calendar days
after the expiration or termination of the award.
(3) Deliverables. Provide deliverables as described in Form RD
4280-2, Attachment B, ``Approved Work Plan and Budget.''
G. Agency Contacts
For general questions about this announcement and for program
Technical Assistance, please contact National Office staff: Gail
Thuner, Management and Program Analyst, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b2e1ff9ce0f0f1e19cf3fbf1f2c7c1d6d39cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1d4e50334f5f5e4e335c545e5d686e797c337a726b">[email protected]</span></a>, or call
202-720-1400.
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 0570-0045.
2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this
notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970. However,
awards for financial and technical assistance under this notice are
classified as a Categorical Exclusion according to 7 CFR 1970.53(b),
and usually do not require any additional documentation. 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.
3. Non-Discrimination Statement.
In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff
offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender
expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status,
family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the 711 Relay Service.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
which can be obtained online at <a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-program-discrimination-complaint-form.pdf">https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-program-discrimination-complaint-form.pdf</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: United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250-9410;
(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6d6d4c9c1d4c7cb88cfc8d2c7cdc3e6d3d5c2c788c1c9d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6212100d0510030f4c0b0c1603090722171106034c050d14">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Karama Neal,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-26370 Filed 12-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 5, 2022.
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