Announcement of the Availability of Fiscal Year 2023 Disaster Relief Supplemental Grant Funds for the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2023

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Published

August 31, 2023

Issuing agencies

Agriculture DepartmentRural Housing Service

Abstract

The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces that it is accepting applications under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, for the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Disaster Repair Grant Program to provide technical assistance for repairing essential community facilities damaged by Presidentially declared disasters in calendar year 2022. The funding amount is up to $2,500,000 and will remain available until expended. The grant funds will be administered in accordance with this notice of funding availability and all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements of the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (CF TAT) Grant Program.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 168 (Thursday, August 31, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 168 (Thursday, August 31, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60176-60180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18800]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket No. RHS-23-CF-0009]

Announcement of the Availability of Fiscal Year 2023 Disaster
Relief Supplemental Grant Funds for the Community Facilities Technical
Assistance and Training Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2023

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of funding of availability (NOFA).

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SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural
Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), announces that it is accepting applications under the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, for the Community Facilities
Technical Assistance and Training Disaster Repair Grant Program to
provide technical assistance for repairing essential community
facilities damaged by Presidentially declared disasters in calendar
year 2022. The funding amount is up to $2,500,000 and will remain
available until expended. The grant funds will be administered in
accordance with this notice of funding availability and all applicable
statutory and regulatory requirements of the Community Facilities
Technical Assistance and Training (CF TAT) Grant Program.

DATES: Complete applications for grants must be submitted according to
the following deadlines:
Paper submissions: Paper submissions must be received by the Agency
no later than 4:00 p.m. local time on November 29, 2023 to be eligible
for funding under this grant opportunity. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for funding.
Electronic submissions: Electronic applications will be accepted
via <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. The deadline for receipt of an electronic application
via <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 24, 2023. The
application dates and times are firm. The Agency will not consider any
application received after the deadline. To submit an electronic
application, follow the instructions for the CF TAT Disaster Repair
Grant Program funding announcement located at <a href="http://www.grants.gov">http://www.grants.gov</a>.
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 November 14, 2023.
Technical assistance is not meant to be an analysis or assessment of
the quality of the materials submitted, a substitute for agency review
of completed applications, nor a determination of eligibility, if such
determination requires in-depth analysis. The Agency will not solicit
or consider scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after
the application deadline. The Agency reserves the right to contact
applicants to seek clarification information on materials contained in
the submitted application.

ADDRESSES: This funding announcement will be announced on
<a href="http://www.Grants.gov">www.Grants.gov</a>. Paper applications must be submitted to the USDA Rural
Development State Office (RDSO) for the State where the Applicant is
headquartered. For Projects involving multiple states, the application
must be filed in the RDSO where the Applicant is located. Applicants
are encouraged to contact their respective RDSO for an address to
submit an application prior to the submission deadline date. Applicants
may also request paper application packages from their respective RDSO.
A list of the USDA RDSO contacts can be found at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices">https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices</a>.
Entities applying for assistance may download the application
documents and requirements delineated in this notice from: <a href="https://www.Grants.gov">https://www.Grants.gov</a>. Application information for electronic submissions may
be found at http://www.Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathan Chitwood, Special Projects
Coordinator at email address <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1a747b6e727b74347972736e6d75757e5a6f697e7b347d756c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8be5eaffe3eae5a5e8e3e2fffce4e4efcbfef8efeaa5ece4fd">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, United States
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Business Loop 70 West,
Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203; or via telephone at: 573-876-0965. For
further information on submitting program applications under this
notice, please contact the USDA RDSO in the state where the applicant's
headquarters is located. A list of RDSO contacts is provided at the
following link: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices">https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices</a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Housing Service (RHS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Community Facilities Technical
Assistance and Training Disaster Repair Grant.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding of Availability (NOFA).
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-RD-CFDTAT-2023.
Assistance Listing: 10.766.
Dates: Applications must be submitted using one of the following
methods:
<bullet> Paper submissions: The deadline for receipt of a paper
application is 4:00 p.m. local time, November 29, 2023. Applicants
intending to mail applications must provide sufficient time to permit
delivery on or before the closing deadline date and time. Acceptance by
the United States Postal Service or private mailer does not constitute
delivery. Facsimile (FAX), electronic mail, and postage due
applications will not be accepted.
<bullet> Electronic submissions: Electronic applications will be
accepted via <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. The deadline for receipt of an electronic
application via <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>

[[Page 60177]]

is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 24, 2023. The application dates
and times are firm. The Agency will not consider any application
received after the deadline.
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 November 14, 2023.
Technical assistance is not meant to be an analysis or assessment of
the quality of the materials submitted, a substitute for agency review
of completed applications, nor a determination of eligibility, if such
determination requires in-depth analysis. The Agency will not solicit
or consider scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after
the application deadline. The Agency reserves the right to contact
applicants to seek clarification information on materials contained in
the submitted application.
Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities
(more details available at <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points">https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>):
<bullet> Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to
the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural
communities.
<bullet> Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD
programs and benefits from RD funded projects; and
<bullet> Assisting rural communities recover economically through
more and better market opportunities and through improved
infrastructure.
For further information, visit <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 purpose of the CF TAT Disaster
Repair Grant Program is to provide technical assistance and training
with respect to essential community facilities programs. To meet this
purpose, the Agency will make grants to public bodies and private
nonprofit corporations, (such as States, counties, cities, townships,
and incorporated towns and villages, boroughs, authorities, districts,
and Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations) to provide
assistance and/or training with respect to repairing essential
community facilities. The Technical Assistance and/or training will
assist communities, Indian tribes, and nonprofit corporations to
identify and plan for community facility repairs as a result of damages
resulting from Presidentially declared disasters in calendar year 2022,
that exist in their area. Once those needs have been identified, the
Grantee can assist in identifying public and private resources to
finance those identified community facility needs.
This NOFA is being issued pursuant to the disaster funds made
available by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Grants will be
provided to eligible applicants to provide technical assistance for
repairing eligible essential community facilities damaged by
Presidentially declared disasters in calendar year 2022. Subject to any
updates to the Presidentially Declared Disasters, the following states
have been identified with areas that have been impacted by qualifying
events during CY 2022: Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois,, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska,
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North
Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, Virginia,
Washington, and West Virginia. For the most current list of
Presidentially Declared Disasters, visit the United States (U.S.)
Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) website at <a href="https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations">https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations</a>.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. This NOFA is authorized
pursuant to the CF TAT Grant program in title VI, section 6006 of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79) and Division N--Disaster
Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023, Public Law 117-328. Program regulations can
be found at 7 CFR part 3570, subpart F.
3. Definitions. The definitions and abbreviations applicable to
this Notice are published at 7 CFR 3570.252 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3570/subpart-F/section-3570.252">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3570/subpart-F/section-3570.252</a>).
4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and
score applications received in response to this notice based on the
provisions found in 7 CFR part 3570, subpart F, and as indicated in
this notice.
The requirements for submitting an application can be found at 7
CFR 3570.267 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3570/subpart-F/section-3570.267">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3570/subpart-F/section-3570.267</a>). All applicants can access
application materials at <a href="https://www.Grants.gov">https://www.Grants.gov</a>. Applications must be
received by the Agency by the due date listed in the DATES section of
this Notice. Applications received after that due date will not be
considered for funding. Paper copies of the applications must be
submitted to the RDSO in which the applicant is headquartered.
Electronic submissions must be submitted at <a href="https://www.Grants.gov">https://www.Grants.gov</a>. A
listing of the RDSO contacts may be found at <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf">https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf</a>. Applicants whose headquarters are
in the District of Columbia will submit their application to the
National Office in care of Shirley Stevenson, 1400 Independence Ave.
SW, STOP 0787, Washington, DC 20250. Both paper and electronic
applications must be received by the Agency by the deadlines stated in
the DATES section of this Notice. The use of a courier and package
tracking for paper applications is strongly encouraged. An applicant
can only submit one application for funding. Application information
for electronic submissions may be found at <a href="https://www.Grants.gov">https://www.Grants.gov</a>.
Applications will not be accepted via FAX or email.
The Agency advises all interested parties that the applicant bears
the burden in preparing and submitting an application in response to
this notice whether or not the applicant receives any funding as a
result of its application.
If the proposal involves large increases in employment; hazardous
waste; a change in use, size, capacity, purpose, or location from an
original facility; or is publicly controversial, the following is
required: environmental documentation in accordance with 7 CFR part
1970; financial and statistical information; and written project
description.

B. Federal Award Information

Type of Awards: Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2023.
Available Funds: The FY 2023 funding amount is $2,500,000. Up to
ten percent of the available funds may be awarded to the highest
scoring Ultimate Recipient(s) as long as they score a minimum score of
at least 70. The Agency reserves the right to reduce funding amounts
based on the Agency's determination of available funding or other
Agency funding priorities.
Award Amounts: Grant funds are limited and are awarded through a
competitive process.
Minimum/Maximum Award Amount: Grant awards made to Ultimate
Recipients will not exceed $50,000. The Agency has capped the grant
awards for Technical Assistance Providers assisting Ultimate Recipients
to not exceed $250,000. This applies even if the Technical Assistance
Provider covers

[[Page 60178]]

entities in one county, multiple counties, or multiple states.
Anticipated Award Date: Awards will be made on or before March 15,
2024.
Performance Period: The grant period is to be for no more than
three years.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: At this time, the Agency does not
anticipate supplemental funding for the program.
Type of Assistance Instrument: Grant agreement.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants and Project Purposes. Both the applicant and
the use of funds must meet eligibility requirements. The applicant
eligibility requirements can be found at 7 CFR 3570.262. Eligible
project purposes can be found at 7 CFR 3570.263. Ineligible project
purposes can be found at 7 CFR 3570.264.
Non-tribal applicants proposing to provide Technical Assistance to
Tribes should provide adequate documentation (for example, a letter of
support from the Tribe or Tribes) that the Technical Assistance they
are proposing to provide is supported by the Tribes they plan to serve.
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 full-
year appropriated funds, 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.
Debarment and suspension information is required in accordance with
2 CFR parts 417 (Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension) and 180 (OMB
Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement). The section heading ``What information must I provide
before entering into a covered transaction with a Federal agency?''
located at 2 CFR 180.335 is part of OMB's Guidance for Grants and
Agreements concerning Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension.
Applicants are not eligible if they have been debarred or suspended or
otherwise excluded from, or ineligible for, participation in Federal
assistance programs under 2 CFR parts 180 and 417.
Technical Assistance Providers may be located anywhere within the
United States. However, Technical Assistance Providers must provide
technical assistance to Ultimate Recipients. The eligible Ultimate
Recipient's project must be located in a rural area in a county with a
disaster as declared by the President of the United States. The term
rural or rural area is defined in section 343(a)(13)(C) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)) as a
city, town or, unincorporated area that has a population of not more
than 20,000 inhabitants. The boundaries for unincorporated areas in
determining populations will be based on the Census Designated Place
(CDP.) Data from the most recent decennial census of the United States
will be used in determining population.
2. Eligible use of funds. Grant funds must be used to provide
technical assistance to repair essential community facilities damaged
by Presidentially declared disasters in calendar year 2022. Examples of
technical assistance may include identifying public and private funding
resources, assisting communities in identifying and planning for
repairs needed, and preparing applications for financial assistance.
FEMA must have provided a notice declaring the disaster
3. Cost Sharing or Matching. Matching funds are not required.
Matching funds must be in the form of cash. Up to 10 points may be
awarded for applications that contain matching funds as provided in 7
CFR 3570.273(g).
4. Other. All submitted applications must meet the eligibility
requirements in this notice and at 7 CFR part 3570 subpart F (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/part-3570/subpart-F">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/part-3570/subpart-F</a>), and application
requirements noted in 7 CFR 3570.267 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3570/subpart-F/section-3570.267">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3570/subpart-F/section-3570.267</a>.
Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing
required elements.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package. For further information
on the CF TAT Grant Program, entities that want to apply for assistance
should contact the USDA RDSO provided in the ADDRESSES section of this
notice to obtain copies of the application package. Application
information is also available at <a href="https://www.grants.gov/">https://www.grants.gov/</a>. If you
require alternative means of communication for program information
(e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA's
TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD) or the Federal Relay
Service at (800) 877-8339. 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 November 14, 2023. Technical assistance is not meant to be an
analysis or assessment of the quality of the materials submitted, a
substitute for agency review of completed applications, nor a
determination of eligibility, if such determination requires in-depth
analysis.
The Agency will not solicit or consider scoring nor eligibility
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The
Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification
information on materials contained in the submitted application.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission. An application must
contain all of the required elements outlined in 7 CFR 3570.267. Each
application must address the applicable scoring criteria presented in 7
CFR 3570.273 for the type of funding being requested. The applicant
must provide documentation that the Ultimate Recipient is located
within an eligible disaster area.
3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier. At the
time of application, each applicant must have an active registration in
the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application
in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. In order to register in SAM, entities
will be required to request 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>.
a. Applicant must maintain an active SAM registration, with
current, accurate and complete information, at all times during which
it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by
a Federal awarding agency.
b. Applicant must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
c. Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110.
d. The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an
applicant has

[[Page 60179]]

not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Agency is
ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the applicant is
not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as
a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times. Application Funding Submission
Deadlines:
a. Paper submissions: The deadline for receipt of a paper
application is 4:00 p.m. local time, November 29, 2023.
b. Electronic submissions: Electronic applications will be accepted
via <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. The deadline for receipt of an electronic application
via <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 24, 2023.
Explanation of Dates: The application dates and times are firm. If
the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the
application is due the next business day. The Agency will not consider
any application received after the deadline.

Note: Applicants intending to mail applications must provide
sufficient time to permit delivery on or before the closing deadline
date and time. Acceptance by the United States Postal Service or
private mailer does not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX),
electronic mail, and postage due applications will not be accepted.
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 November 14, 2023.

5. Intergovernmental Review. This program is subject to Executive
Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with state
and local officials. RD conducts intergovernmental consultation as
implemented with 2 CFR 415 subpart C. Not all States have chosen to
participate in the intergovernmental review process. A list of
participating States (SPOC List) is available at the following website:
<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/</a>.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria. All eligible and complete applications will be
evaluated and scored based on the selection criteria and weights
contained in 7 CFR 3570.273 (see, <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3570/subpart-F/section-3570.273">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3570/subpart-F/section-3570.273</a>). Failure
to address any one of the criteria by the application deadline will
result in the application being determined ineligible, and the
application will not be considered for funding.
All applications that are complete and eligible will be scored and
ranked competitively. The categories for scoring criteria used are the
following:
The Agency will score each application using the following scoring
factors unless otherwise provided in an annual Notice in the Federal
Register:
(a) Experience: Applicant Experience at developing and implementing
successful technical assistance and/or training programs:
(1) More than 10 years--40 points.
(2) More than 5 years to 10 years--25 points.
(3) 3 to 5 years--10 points.
(b) No prior grants received:
(1) Applicant has never received a CF TAT Grant--5 points.
(c) Population: The average population of proposed area(s) to be
served:
(1) 2,500 or less--15 points.
(2) 2,501 to 5,000--10 points.
(3) 5,001 to 10,000--5 points.
(d) MHI: The average median household income (MHI) of proposed area
to be served is below the higher of the poverty line or:
(1) 60 percent of the State's MHI--15 points.
(2) 70 percent of the State MHI--10 points.
(3) 90 percent of the State's MHI--5 points.
(e) Multi-jurisdictional: The proposed technical assistance or
training project a part of a Multi-jurisdictional project comprised of:
(1) More than 10 jurisdictions--15 points.
(2) More than 5 to 10 jurisdictions--10 points.
(3) 3 to 5 jurisdictions--5 points.
(f) Soundness of approach: Up to 10 points.
(1) Needs assessment: The problem/issue being addressed is clearly
defined, supported by data, and addresses the needs;
(2) Goals & objectives are clearly defined, tied to the need as
defined in the work plan, and are measurable;
(3) Work plan clearly articulates a well thought out approach to
accomplishing objectives & clearly identifies who will be served by the
project;
(4) The proposed activities are needed in order for a complete
Community Facilities loan and/or grant application.
(g) Matching funds:
(1) There is evidence of the commitment of other cash funds of 20%
of the total project costs 10 points.
(2) There is evidence of the commitment of other cash funds of 10%
of the total project costs 5 points.
(h) State Director discretionary points. The State Director may
award up to 10 discretionary points for the highest priority project in
each state, up to 7 points for the second highest priority project in
each state and up to 5 points for the third highest priority project
that address unforeseen exigencies or emergencies, such as the loss of
a community facility due to an accident or natural disaster, or other
areas of need in their particular state. The State Director will place
written documentation in the project file each time the State Director
assigns these points--Up to 10 points.
(i) Administrator discretionary points. The Administrator may award
up to 20 discretionary points for projects to address geographic
distribution of funds, emergency conditions caused by economic
problems, natural disasters and other initiatives identified by the
Secretary--Up to 20 points.
2. Review and Selection Process. The Rural Development State
Offices will review applications to determine if applications are
eligible for assistance based on requirements contained in 7 CFR 3570,
subpart F. If determined eligible, your application will be submitted
to the National Office. Funding of projects is subject to the
intermediary's satisfactory submission of the additional items required
by that subpart and the USDA RD Letter of Conditions. Discretionary
priority points, under Sec. 3570.273 (see, Sec. 3570.273(h) and Sec.
3570.273(i)), may be awarded with documented justification for the
following categories:
<bullet> Assisting rural communities to recover economically
through more and better market opportunities and through improved
infrastructure.
<bullet> Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD
programs and benefits from RD funded projects.
<bullet> Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to
the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural
communities.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive
notification for funding from the RDSO. Applicants must comply with all
applicable statutes and regulations before the grant award can be
approved. If an application is withdrawn by the applicant, it can be
resubmitted and will be evaluated as a new application, provided the
application is resubmitted before the submission deadline as stated in
section D4 of this notice.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Additional
requirements that apply to Grantees selected for this Program can be
found in 7 CFR part

[[Page 60180]]

3570, subpart F (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/part-3570/subpart-F">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/part-3570/subpart-F</a>). Awards are subject to USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR part
400 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-400">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-400</a>) which incorporate
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 2 CFR part 200
(<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200</a>).
If the applicant wishes to consider beginning their project
performance prior to the grant being officially closed, all pre-
evaluation award costs must be approved in writing and in advance by
the Agency.
In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and
executive compensation (see, 2 CFR part 170 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-170">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-170</a>). The applicant will be required to have the
necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the Federal
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282)
and reporting requirements (see, 2 CFR 170.200(b) (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-170.200#p-170.200">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-170.200#p-170.200</a>(b)), unless the
recipient is exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b) (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-170.110#p-170.110">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-170.110#p-170.110</a>(b)).
The following additional requirements apply to Grantees selected
for these Programs:
(a) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
(b) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
(c) Form SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if
applicable.
(d) Form SF-270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
(e) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement'' must be completed by the
applicant and each prospective ultimate recipient.
(f) Grantees must collect and maintain data provided by ultimate
recipients on race, sex, and national origin and ensure ultimate
recipients collect and maintain this data. Race and ethnicity data will
be collected in accordance with OMB Federal Register notice,
``Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on
Race and Ethnicity'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be
collected in accordance with title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972. These items should not be submitted with the application but
should be available upon request by the Agency.
(e) The applicant and the ultimate recipient must comply with title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975,
Executive Order 12250, Executive Order 13166 Limited English
Proficiency (LEP), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.
3. Reporting. The Grantee must provide reports as required by 7 CFR
part 3570, subpart F. A financial status report, SF 425 ``Federal
Financial Report,'' and a project performance report will be required
as provided in the grant agreement. The financial status report must
show how grant funds and matching funds have been used to date. A final
report may serve as the last report. Grantees shall constantly monitor
performance to ensure that time schedules are being met and projected
goals by time periods are being accomplished. Applicants may find the
reporting requirements for this grant at 7 CFR 3570.276 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3570/subpart-F/section-3570.276">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XXXV/part-3570/subpart-F/section-3570.276</a>) in addition to any reports required by 2 CFR part
200 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200</a>) and 2 CFR 400.1
(<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-400.1">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-400.1</a>) to 400.2 (<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-400.2">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-400.2</a>), and 2 CFR parts 415 to 422
(<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-415">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-415</a>).

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

For general questions about this announcement, please contact your
USDA RDSO as provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice or the
program website at: <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program">https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program</a>.

H. Other Information

(1) Civil Rights Requirements. All grants made under this Notice
are subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by
the USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A) and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968,
Title IX, Executive Order 13166 (Limited English Proficiency),
Executive Order 11246, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
(2) Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirement contained
in this notice has been approved by OMB under OMB Control Number 0575-
0198.
(3) National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this
notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR 1970, available at:
<a href="https://rd.usda.gov/resources/environmental-studies/environmental-guidance">https://rd.usda.gov/resources/environmental-studies/environmental-guidance</a>.
(4) Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil
rights laws and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA,
its Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency, staff office; or the Federal Relay
Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
which can be obtained online at <a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf">https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.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 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#0171736e6673606c2f686f75606a6441747265602f666e77"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c6c6e737b6e7d71327572687d77795c696f787d327b736a">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-18800 Filed 8-30-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P

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