Notice2024-04015
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants for Fiscal Year 2024
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Published
February 29, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Utilities Service
Abstract
President Joe Biden has pledged that every American will have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet. Digital equity devices, skills and affordability that brings the internet to life are a critical part of that mission. As part of that work, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS, Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the acceptance of applications under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program for fiscal year (FY) 2024, subject to the availability of funding. This notice is being issued prior to passage of a FY 2024 Appropriations Act in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2024. Based on FY 2023 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $60 million will be available for FY 2024. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 41 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14800-14806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04015]
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Notices
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 41 / Thursday, February 29, 2024 /
Notices
[[Page 14800]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
[DOCKET#: RUS-23-TELECOM-0021]
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Distance Learning
and Telemedicine Grants for Fiscal Year 2024
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: President Joe Biden has pledged that every American will have
access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet. Digital equity
devices, skills and affordability that brings the internet to life are
a critical part of that mission. As part of that work, the Rural
Utilities Service (RUS, Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the
acceptance of applications under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine
(DLT) grant program for fiscal year (FY) 2024, subject to the
availability of funding. This notice is being issued prior to passage
of a FY 2024 Appropriations Act in order to allow applicants sufficient
time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and
give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2024. Based on
FY 2023 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately
$60 million will be available for FY 2024. Successful applications will
be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the
extent that funding may ultimately be made available through
appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses
incurred in developing their applications.
DATES: Applications must be submitted through <a href="http://www.grants.gov/">www.grants.gov/</a> and
received no later than April 29, 2024 to be eligible for funding under
this grant opportunity. Late or incomplete applications will not be
eligible for funding under this grant opportunity.
ADDRESSES: All applications must be submitted electronically at
<a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>. Instructions and additional resources, to include an
Application Guide, are available at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants">www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants</a>,
under the ``To Apply'' tab.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For inquiries regarding eligibility
concerns, please contact program staff at <a href="http://www.usda.gov/reconnect/contact-us">www.usda.gov/reconnect/contact-us</a>. Other inquiries, please contact Randall Millhiser, Deputy
Assistant Administrator, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, RUS,
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 1590, Room 4121-S,
Washington, DC 20250-1590, telephone: (202) 720-0800, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ae8fbf4fefbf6f6b4f7f3f6f6f2f3e9ffe8daefe9fefbb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aad8cbc4cecbc6c684c7c3c6c6c2c3d9cfd8eadfd9cecb84cdc5dc">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT)
Grants.
Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).
Funding Opportunity Number: RUS-24-01-DLT.
Assistance Listing Number: 10.855.
Dates: Applications must be submitted through <a href="http://www.grants.gov/">www.grants.gov/</a> and
received no later than April 29, 2024 to be eligible for funding under
this grant opportunity. Late or incomplete applications will not be
eligible for funding under this grant opportunity.
Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities
(more details available at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points">www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points</a>):
<bullet> Assisting rural communities 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; and
<bullet> Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to
the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural
communities.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. Seeking to make progress toward
President Biden's goal of digital equity throughout the country, the
DLT program provides financial assistance to enable and improve
distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas. DLT grant
funds support the use of telecommunications-enabled information, audio
and video equipment, and related advanced technologies by students,
teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents. These grants are
intended to increase rural access to education, training, and health
care resources that are otherwise unavailable or limited in scope.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. The DLT program is
authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa and implemented by 7 CFR part 1734.
3. Definitions. The definitions applicable to this notice are
published at 7 CFR 1734.3. Additional definitions applicable to this
notice are listed below.
Federally Recognized Tribe is classified as any Indian or Alaska
Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or community as defined by
the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act (List Act) of 1994 (Pub.
L. 103-454). A list of Federally Recognized Tribes is available at:
<a href="http://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/12/2023-00504/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of">www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/12/2023-00504/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of</a>.
Opioid or other substance use disorder treatment is defined as the
interactive communication between medical or educational professionals
and opioid users or their families, other treatment professionals or
those who interact with opioid or other substance users.
Rural Area refers to any area, as confirmed by the most recent
decennial Census of the United States, which is not located within a
city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of greater than
20,000 inhabitants; or an urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a
city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants;
and which excludes certain populations pursuant to 7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13)(H) and (I). For purposes of the definition of Rural Area,
the Agency has determined to recognize any census-designated
[[Page 14801]]
``urban area'' in place of an ``urbanized area,'' given that the Census
Bureau no longer tracks or uses the term urbanized area.
4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and
score applications received in response to this notice based on 7 CFR
1734.26. Awards under the DLT program will be made on a competitive
basis using specific selection criteria provided in 7 CFR 1734.27. The
Agency advises all interested parties that the applicant bears the full
burden in preparing and submitting an application in response to this
notice regardless of whether or not funding is appropriated for the DLT
program in FY 2024.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024.
Available Funds: Based on FY 2023 appropriated funding, the Agency
estimates that approximately $60 million will be available for FY 2024.
To combat a key threat to economic prosperity, rural workforce and
quality of life, the Agency is directed to set aside 20% of the total
available funds for FY 2024 for projects that seek to reduce the
morbidity and mortality associated with substance use disorder
(including opioid misuse) in rural communities by strengthening the
capacity to address prevention, treatment and/or recovery at the
community level.
The total appropriated amount minus the determined set aside amount
will be available for all eligible projects. RUS may at its discretion,
increase the total level of funding available 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.
Award Amounts: Pursuant to 7 CFR 1734.24, the Administrator has
established that the minimum grant amount of $50,000 and the maximum
grant amount of $1,000,000 will be applied to this grant opportunity,
if funds are appropriated.
Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2024.
Performance Period: Three-year period, beginning the date funds are
released.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: Although prior DLT grants cannot be
renewed, existing DLT awardees can submit applications for new projects
that are distinct from previously funded projects, either because they
are for a completely separate purpose and technology or because they
propose to serve a new service area, unassociated with prior funded
service areas. Grant applications must be submitted during the
application window.
Type of Assistance Instrument: Grant Agreement.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants. Eligible applicants must meet the
eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 1734.4.
(a) Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an
active registration that includes the Financial Assistance
Representations and Certifications and has current information in the
System for Award Management (SAM) at: <a href="http://www.sam.gov">www.sam.gov</a>. Further information
regarding UEI acquisition and SAM registration can be found in Section
D.3 of this document.
(b) Corporations that have been convicted of a federal felony
within the past 24 months are not eligible. Any corporation that has
been assessed to have any unpaid federal tax liability, for which all
judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed
and 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.
(c) Applicants are required to provide evidence of their ability to
contract with RUS to obtain the grant and comply with all applicable
requirements, in accordance with 7 CFR 1734.4(a). It is incumbent on
applicants to determine the appropriate entity to apply for the grant.
Entities created by educational or medical institutions for the purpose
of applying for and managing grants, such as university or hospital
foundations, should not be applicants unless they can own and manage
grant-funded equipment as required by the Grant Agreement and
applicable regulations, including 2 CFR part 200. Accordingly, RUS will
not transfer awards to another entity because the applicant has later
determined that it cannot close the award, execute the standard Grant
Agreement, which is publicly available, nor hold the grant assets in
its name.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching. The DLT program requires matching
contributions for grants as outlined in 7 CFR 1734.22. The Application
Guide located on the DLT website at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants">www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants</a>
provides additional guidance for matching contributions.
(a) Match Documentation. Grant applicants must demonstrate matching
contributions, in cash or in kind (new or non-depreciated items), of at
least 15 percent of the grant amount requested. Matching contributions
must be used for approved purposes for grants (see 7 CFR 1734.21 and
Section D.6 of this notice). Applications that do not provide
sufficient documentation of the required 15 percent match will be
deemed ineligible.
(b) Discounts and Donations. A review of applications submitted in
the past determined that vendor-donated matches did not have value
without a required subsequent purchase of vendor equipment or licenses
with grant funds. For example, in many grant applications, software
licenses were donated in satisfaction of the matching requirement.
However, such licenses only worked with, and thus only had value with,
the same vendor's equipment. Additionally, by side agreement, grant
applicants were required to purchase the vendor's equipment once the
grant was made with grant funds. The Agency determined that such a
practice violated federal procurement standards found at 2 CFR 200.317-
326, because the grant applicant did not put the purchase out for bid,
either because no other equipment would work with the ``donated''
licenses, or because they were contractually obligated to buy the
equipment before the grant was made. As such, the Agency has determined
that vendor matches requiring subsequent purchases, either by necessity
or contract, are not permitted.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements.
(a) The Application Guide provides additional information regarding
eligible and ineligible items for equipment and facilities.
(b) Grant applications that are written by vendors who are
mentioned in the application as vendors to be used on the project to be
funded by the DLT award are ineligible as a violation of the
competition rules in 2 CFR 200.319. Such vendors are also prohibited
from bidding on the project because of conflict of interest.
Additionally, applicants must fully understand the procurement
requirements of 2 CFR part 200, subpart D and 7 CFR part 1734 when
compiling an application for submission and must avoid the use of
predetermined equipment as a violation of the bidding requirements
unless they have adequately demonstrated in the application that no
other equipment is available for the intended purpose.
(c) Projects located in areas covered by the Coastal Barrier
Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) are not eligible for financial
assistance from the DLT program. See 7 CFR 1734.23(a)(11).
(d) If a DLT project proposes service on or over Tribal Lands and
the applicant is non-Tribal, then a letter of consent is required from
each Tribal
[[Page 14802]]
Council with jurisdiction over the Tribal Lands in question. However,
if a DLT project proposes infrastructure construction or deployment on
or over Tribal Lands, then a Tribal Resolution is required from each
Tribal Government with jurisdiction over the Tribal Lands in question.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package. The Application Guide,
copies of necessary forms, and resources are available at
<a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants">www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants</a>. Application information is also available
at <a href="http://www.grants.gov/">www.grants.gov/</a>. If you require alternative means of communication
of program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
please contact the 711 Relay Service.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission.
(a) Application Completion. Carefully review 7 CFR part 1734,
subparts A and B. A list of items for a complete application can be
found at 7 CFR 1734.25. The Application Guide provides specific,
detailed instructions for each item of a complete application. The
Agency emphasizes the importance of including every item and strongly
encourages applicants to follow the instructions carefully, using the
examples and illustrations in the Application Guide.
(b) Description of Project Sites. Most DLT grant projects contain
several project sites. The Agency provides a sample worksheet that is
located within the Application Guide to help applicants clearly
identify hub, hub/end-user, and end-user sites. As in prior DLT funding
windows, site information must be consistent throughout the
application. Applications without consistent site information will be
returned as ineligible.
(c) Submission of Application Items. Given the high volume of
program interest, applicants should submit the application items in the
order as indicated in the table below. Applications that are not
assembled in the specified order prevent timely determination of
eligibility.
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Application item Regulation Comments
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SF-424 (Application for 7 CFR 1734.25(a). Form provided through
Federal Assistance Form). <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>.
Executive Summary of the 7 CFR 1734.25(b). Narrative, including
Project. a publicly
releasable section
that describes the
population served.
Non-Duplication of Services... 7 CFR Guidance provided in
1734.25(b)(8). the Application
Guide.
Scoring Criteria Documentation 7 CFR 1734.25(c). Provide documentation
on how applicant
meets each of the
scoring criteria
(see 7 CFR 1734.26).
Scope of Work................. 7 CFR 1734.25(d). Narrative and
documentation,
including the
budget.
Financial Information and 7 CFR 1734.25(e). Narrative.
Sustainability.
Statement of Experience....... 7 CFR 1734.25(f). Narrative.
Funding Commitments from All 7 CFR 1734.25(g). Worksheet and match
Sources. documentation
letters with
authorized
signatures.
Telecommunications System Plan 7 CFR 1734.25(h). Documentation.
Compliance with other Federal 7 CFR 1734.25(i). Addressed by
Statutes. providing Financial
Assistance
Representations and
Certifications in
www.SAM.gov.
Assurance Regarding Felony 7 CFR 1734.25(i). Addressed by
Conviction or Tax Delinquent providing Financial
Status for Corporate Assistance
Applicants. Representations and
Certifications in
<a href="http://sam.gov/content/home">sam.gov/content/home</a> home.
Environmental Review 7 CFR 1734.25(j). Guidance provided in
Requirements. the Application
Guide.
Evidence of Legal Authority 7 CFR 1734.25(k). Guidance provided in
and Existence. the Application
Guide.
Federal Debt Certification.... 7 CFR 1734.25(l). SF-424, Application
for Federal
Assistance.
Consultation with USDA State 7 CFR 1734.25(m). Documentation.
Director.
Supplemental Information...... 7 CFR 1734.25(n). Documentation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 part 25. To register in the SAM, entities will be required
to obtain a UEI. Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at
<a href="http://sam.gov/content/entity-registration">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 the SAM.
(d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110.
(e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has
complied with all the 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.
4. Submission Dates and Times.
(a) Application Technical Assistance. 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 April 15, 2024. Agency contact information can be found in FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.
(b) Application Deadline Date. Applications must be submitted
through <a href="http://www.grants.gov/">www.grants.gov/</a> and received no later than April 29, 2024 to be
eligible for funding under this grant opportunity.
(c) Applications Received After Deadline Date. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for funding under this grant
opportunity.
The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The
Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification
on materials contained in the submitted application.
5. Intergovernmental Review. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372,
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, applies to this program.
This E.O. requires that federal agencies provide opportunities for
consultation on proposed assistance with State and local governments.
Applicants should use the USDA Office of the Chief Financial Officer
(OCFO), Intergovernmental Review website
[[Page 14803]]
(<a href="http://www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/intergovernmental-review">www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/intergovernmental-review</a>) instructions to contact the State Points of
Contact (SPOC). Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be provided
as part of the application process. Applications from federally
recognized Indian Tribes are not subject to this requirement.
6. Funding Restrictions.
(a) Ineligible grant purposes are outlined in 7 CFR 1734.23.
Applicants should exclude ineligible items and ineligible matching
contributions from the budget. If an ineligible item or matching
contribution is included in the budget, the item will be removed and
may result in an application being deemed ineligible. See the
Application Guide for more details on funding restrictions, matching
contributions, a recommended budget format, and detailed budget
compilation instructions.
(1) If an application includes both eligible and ineligible grant
purposes on a single line of the application budget, and the cost of
the ineligible item can be determined, the ineligible item will be
removed from the approved budget. However, the entire line item will be
deemed ineligible if the cost of the ineligible item cannot be
determined.
(b) Hub sites located in non-rural areas are not eligible for grant
assistance unless they are necessary to provide DLT services to rural
residents at end user sites. See 7 CFR 1734.2(h).
(c) For the purposes for this NOSA, the cost of video conferencing
platform licenses is considered an eligible cost if:
(1) The video conferencing platform is an integral component in a
project delivering distance learning or telemedicine services to an end
user through the use of eligible equipment;
(2) The cost does not exceed ten percent of the requested grant
amount;
(3) The application demonstrates that the predominant use (50
percent or more) of the video conferencing platform will be for the
distance learning or telemedicine project;
(4) The license is new and not a renewal of an existing license;
and
(5) The number of licenses requested does not exceed the number of
end-user devices requested in the application.
The duration of funding for video conferencing platform licenses is
limited to three years from the date funds are made available.
(d) If an application includes multiple costs on a single line of
the application budget, one of which is subject to a cost limitation,
as outlined in 7 CFR 1734.21, the items that are not subject to the
cost limitation will be deducted when calculating the cost limitation
percentage. However, the entire line item will be applied against the
cost limitation if each cost cannot be determined.
7. Other Submission Requirements.
(a) Applications will not be accepted via paper, fax or electronic
mail.
(b) Submit the electronic application through <a href="http://www.grants.gov/">www.grants.gov/</a>. Do
not send a paper copy to RUS. To increase the range of applicants that
will be successful in FY 2024, only ONE application per applicant is
eligible for approval.
(c) For duplicate applications submitted through <a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a>,
the Agency will base its evaluation on the last copy of the application
submitted. If an applicant submits multiple applications for different
projects, then the Agency will only consider the application with the
highest score.
(d) <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> requires some credentialing and online
authentication procedures. These procedures may take several business
days to complete. Therefore, the applicant should complete the
registration, credentialing, and authorization procedures at
<a href="http://www.grants.gov/">www.grants.gov/</a> before submitting an application. Instructions on all
required passwords, credentialing, and software are available on
<a href="http://www.grants.gov/">www.grants.gov/</a>. If system errors or technical difficulties occur, use
the customer support resources available at the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria. Grant applications are scored competitively and are
subject to the criteria provided in 7 CFR 1734.26 and this notice, and
further guidance on these criteria is provided in the Application
Guide.
(a) Rurality Category (up to 40 points). The rurality score is
based on two factors:
(1) the population size of each community where an end-user site is
located and
(2) whether an end-user site lies within an urbanized area
contiguous and adjacent to a city or town having a population in excess
of 50,000 inhabitants.
For non-fixed site projects and projects which contain non-fixed
components, the rurality score will be based on the hub site.
Applicants should use 2020 census data from the census website
(<a href="http://data.census.gov/cedsci/">data.census.gov/cedsci/</a>) as their source for population data. To
determine if a site lies in any incorporated or unincorporated city,
village, or borough having a population in excess of 20,000 inhabitants
or an urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town having a
population in excess of 50,000 inhabitants, applicants should check the
site address, using the DLT mapping tool available at <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants">www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants</a>. The Application Guide provides additional guidance
for this category, including a worksheet to assist applicants in the
calculation of their rurality scores.
(b) Economic Need Category (up to 30 points). Economic need is
based on the county poverty percentage of the end-user sites proposed
in the application. The percentages must be determined by utilizing the
United States Census Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE)
program. Applicants can use the spreadsheet posted to the DLT program
website to look up current SAIPE county-level data. End-user sites
located in geographic areas, for which no SAIPE data exist, will be
determined to have an average SAIPE poverty percentage of 30 percent.
Such geographic areas may include territories of the United States or
other locations eligible for funding through the DLT grant program.
(c) Service Needs and Benefits Category (up to 30 points). This
category measures the extent to which the proposed project meets the
need for distance learning or telemedicine services in Rural Areas, the
benefits derived from the proposed services, and the local community
involvement in the planning, implementation, and financial assistance
of the project. RUS will also consider the extent to which the
applicant's documentation identifies the local economic, education, or
health care challenges. The applicant must explain how the project
proposes to address these issues and why the applicant cannot complete
the project without a grant.
(d) Special Consideration (up to 10 points). Special consideration
points will be awarded for projects with at least one end-user site in
the following areas. Applicants may only receive special consideration
points in one area (up to 10 points):
(1) Creating More and Better Markets (10 points). Projects that
enable and improve distance learning and telemedicine services in Rural
Areas to the most distressed tier of the Distressed Communities index
are eligible for 10 points. The most distressed tier of the index are
those communities with a score over 80. A list of Distressed
Communities can be found at: <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/fy24distressedcommunityindexlist-.xlsx">www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/fy24distressedcommunityindexlist-.xlsx</a>.
(2) Projects advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and
Opportunity.
[[Page 14804]]
(10 points). Projects that meet one of the criteria below will
receive 10 points.
(i) Projects proposing to serve rural communities with a Social
Vulnerability Index (SVI) with a score of 0.75 or higher are eligible.
For the purposes of this NOSA, Puerto Rico, Guam, America Samoa, the
Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Marshall Islands, the Federated
States of Micronesia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Hawaiian Census
Tribal areas are considered Socially Vulnerable Communities. A GIS
layer identifying the Socially Vulnerable Communities can be found
using the DLT mapping tool available at: <a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants">www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants</a>.
(ii) Projects that enable and improve distance learning and
telemedicine services on Tribal Lands. Tribal Lands will be identified
in GIS layers included in the DLT mapping tool available at:
<a href="http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants">www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants</a>.
(iii) Projects proposed by a federally recognized Tribe, including
Tribal instrumentalities and entities that are wholly owned by Tribes.
2. Review and Selection Process. Grant applications are ranked by
the final score. RUS selects applications based on those rankings,
subject to the availability of funds. As noted in Section D.7. of this
announcement, RUS will approve no more than one application per
applicant. If an applicant submits more than one application for
different projects, then the Agency will only consider the application
with the highest score. If an applicant submits more than one
application for the same project, then the Agency will only consider
the latest submission. In addition, the Agency has the authority to
limit the number of applications selected in any one state or for any
one project during a fiscal year. See 7 CFR 1734.27 for a description
of the grant application selection process. An application receiving
fewer points can be selected over a higher scoring application in the
event that there are insufficient funds available to cover the costs of
the higher scoring application, as stated in 7 CFR 1734.27(b)(3).
The Agency evaluates grant applications in accordance with 7 CFR
1734.27(c). The Agency reserves the right to offer the applicant less
than the grant funding requested.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices. RUS notifies applicants whose projects
are selected for awards by mailing or emailing a copy of an award
letter. The receipt of an award letter does not authorize the applicant
to commence performance under the award. After sending the award
letter, the Agency will send an agreement that contains all the terms
and conditions for the grant. An applicant must execute and return the
grant agreement, accompanied by any additional items required by the
agreement, within the number of days specified in the selection notice
letter. The standard agreement is available on the <a href="https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants">https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants</a>.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
The items listed in 7 CFR part 1734, this announcement, the
Application Guide, and program resources implement the appropriate
administrative and national policy requirements, which include but are
not limited to:
(a) Executing a DLT Grant Agreement.
(b) Using Form SF 270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement, to
request reimbursements (along with the submission of receipts for
expenditures and any other documentation to support the request for
reimbursement).
(c) Submitting an annual Project Performance Activity Report, no
later than January 31st of the year following the year in which all or
any portion of the grant is first advanced and continuing in subsequent
years until completion of the project.
(d) Ensuring that records are maintained to document all activities
and expenditures utilizing DLT grant funds and matching funds (receipts
for expenditures are to be included in this documentation).
(e) Providing a final project performance report, no later than one
hundred twenty (120) days after the expiration date, termination of the
grant, the project completion, or the final disbursement of the grant
by the grantee, whichever event occurs last.
(f) Complying with policies, guidance, and requirements as
described in the following applicable Code of Federal Regulations, and
any successor regulations:
(1) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements,
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards).
(2) 2 CFR parts 417 and 180 (Government-wide Nonprocurement
Debarment and Suspension).
(g) Complying with Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to
Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency. For information
on limited English proficiency and agency-specific guidance, go to
<a href="http://www.LEP.gov">www.LEP.gov</a>.
(h) Accountability and Compliance with Civil Rights Laws. The
regulation found at 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E contains policies and
procedures for implementing the regulations of the Department of
Agriculture issued pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title IX, Section 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Executive Order 13166, Executive
Order 11246, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, as they
relate to the RD. Nothing herein shall be interpreted to prohibit
preference to American Indians on Indian Reservations.
The policies contained in this subpart apply to recipients. As
recipients of federal financial assistance, awardees are required to
comply with the applicable federal, tribal, state and local laws. Title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination by recipients of federal
financial assistance. Recipients are required to adhere to specific
outreach activities. These outreach activities include contacting
community organizations and leaders that include minority leaders;
advertising in local newspapers and other media throughout the entire
service area; and including the nondiscrimination slogan, ``This is an
Equal Opportunity Program. Discrimination is prohibited by Federal
Law,'' in methods that may include, but not be limited to,
advertisements, electronic media, public broadcasts, and printed
materials, such as brochures and pamphlets.
By completing the Financial Assistance Representations and
Certifications in SAM, 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.
3. Reporting.
(a) Performance Reporting. All recipients of DLT financial
assistance must provide annual performance activity reports to RUS
until the project is complete and the funds are expended. A final
performance report is also
[[Page 14805]]
required; the final report may serve as the last annual report. The
final report must include an evaluation of the success of the project
in meeting the DLT program objectives. See 7 CFR 1734.7 for additional
information on these reporting requirements.
(b) Annual Audit. All recipients of DLT financial assistance must
provide an annual audit as follows:
(1) Non-Federal Entities, which include recipients that are states,
local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, or
nonprofit organizations, shall provide RUS with an audit pursuant to 2
CFR part 200, subpart F (Audit Requirements). The recipient must follow
subsection 2 CFR 200.502 in determining federal awards expended. All
RUS loans impose an ongoing compliance requirement for the purpose of
determining federal awards expended during a fiscal year. In addition,
the recipient must include the value of new federal loans made along
with any grant expenditures from all federal sources during the
recipient's fiscal year. Therefore, the audit submission requirement
for this program begins in the recipient's fiscal year that the loan is
made and thereafter, based on the balance of federal loan(s) at the
beginning of the audit period. All required audits must be submitted
within the earlier of: (i) 30 calendar days after receipt of the
auditor's report; or (ii) nine months after the end of the recipient's
audit period.
(2) For all other entities, recipients shall provide RUS with an
audit within 120 days after the as of audit date in accordance with 7
CFR part 1773. With respect to grant funds, the audit is required until
all grant funds have been expended or rescinded. While an audit is
required, recipients must also submit the reports on internal control;
compliance with provisions of laws, regulations, contracts and grant
agreements; and instances of fraud.
(c) Recipient and Sub-recipient Reporting. The applicant must have
the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the
reporting requirements for first-tier sub-awards and executive
compensation under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency
Act of 2006 in the event the applicant receives funding unless such
applicant is exempt from such reporting requirements pursuant to 2 CFR
170.110(b). The reporting requirements under the Transparency Act
pursuant to 2 CFR part 170 are as follows:
(1) First Tier Sub-Awards of $25,000 or more (unless they are
exempt under 2 CFR part 170) must be reported by the recipient to
<a href="http://www.fsrs.gov">www.fsrs.gov</a> no later than the end of the month following the month the
obligation was made. Please note that currently underway is a
consolidation of eight federal procurement systems, including the
Federal Sub-award Reporting System (FSRS), into one system, SAM. As a
result, the FSRS will soon be consolidated into and accessed through
<a href="http://www.sam.gov">www.sam.gov</a>.
(2) The total compensation of the recipient's executives (the five
most highly compensated executives) must be reported by the recipient
(if the recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 170) to
<a href="http://www.sam.gov">www.sam.gov</a> by the end of the month following the month in which the
award was made.
(3) The total compensation of the sub-recipient's executives (the
five most highly compensated executives) must be reported by the sub-
recipient (if the sub- recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part
170) to the recipient by the end of the month following the month in
which the sub-award was made.
(d) Record Keeping and Accounting. The agreement will contain
provisions related to record keeping and accounting requirements.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
For general questions about this announcement, please contact the
point of contact provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice.
H. Buy America
With respect to any construction under the DLT project, Awardees
that are Non-Federal Entities, defined pursuant to 2 CFR 200.1 as any
State, local government, Indian tribe, Institution of Higher Education,
or nonprofit organization, shall be governed by the requirements of
Section 70914 of the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) within the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58), and its
implementing regulations at 2 CFR part 184. Any requests for waiver of
these requirements must be submitted pursuant to USDA's guidance
available online at <a href="http://www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver">www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver</a>.
I. Other Information
(a) Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the information
collection requirements associated with the programs, as covered in
this notice, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under OMB Control Number 0572-0096.
(b) National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this
notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970.
(c) Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All
applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be registered in the
SAM and have a UEI number as stated in Section D.3 of this notice. All
recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report
information about first-tier sub-awards and executive total
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
(d) 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. The Applicant will be required to comply with
the requirements of 2 CFR 180.335.
(e) Civil Rights Act. All grants made under this notice are subject
to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA 7
CFR part 15, subpart A and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title IX, Executive
Order 13166 (Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and
the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
(f) 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, or staff office; or the 711 Relay
Service.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint
[[Page 14806]]
Form, which can be obtained online at <a href="http://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf">www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf</a>, or from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-
9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain
the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written
description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail
to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the
nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-
3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410; or
(2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6d6d4c9c1d4c7cb88cfc8d2c7cdc3e6d3d5c2c788c1c9d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="275755484055464a094e4953464c42675254434609404851">[email protected]</span></a>
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Andrew Berke,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, USDA Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 2024-04015 Filed 2-28-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 29, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.