Notice2024-11400
Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program: Virtual Public Listening Session
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 28, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Utilities Service
Abstract
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an Agency of the Rural Development (RD) mission area within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is hosting a virtual public listening session to obtain stakeholder feedback about the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program. This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other--and the world--overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. The sessions are open to the public and provide an opportunity for stakeholders and other interested parties to offer their comments and input on the DLT program.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46056-46057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11400]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
[Docket #: RUS-24-TELECOM-0011]
Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program: Virtual Public
Listening Session
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an Agency of the Rural
Development (RD) mission area within the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), is hosting a virtual public listening session to
obtain stakeholder feedback about the Distance Learning and
Telemedicine (DLT) program. This competitive program helps rural
communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to
each other--and the world--overcoming the effects of remoteness and low
population density. The sessions are open to the public and provide an
opportunity for stakeholders and other interested parties to offer
their comments and input on the DLT program.
DATES: The virtual listening sessions will be held virtually on the
following dates and times:
Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 1:30-3 p.m. EST
Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 1:30-3 p.m. EST
Comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. eastern standard time
(EST) on June 19th, 2024, on <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
ADDRESSES: Registration is required for each virtual public listening
session. To register, please visit <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>. A
confirmation email, including the Zoom link and teleconference
information for the meeting will be sent upon receipt of registration.
Comments may be submitted electronically by the Federal eRulemaking
Portal, <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. In the ``Search for dockets and documents
on agency actions'' box, enter the docket number ``RUS-24-TELECOM-
0011,'' and click the ``Search'' button. From the search results: click
on or locate the document title: ``Distance Learning and Telemedicine
(DLT) program: Virtual Public Listening Session'' and select the
``Comment'' button. Before inputting comments, commenters may review
the ``Commenter's Checklist'' (optional). To submit a comment: Insert
comments under the ``Comment'' title, click ``Browse'' to attach files
(if available), input email address, select box to opt to receive email
confirmation of submission and tracking (optional), select the box
``I'm not a robot,'' and then select ``Submit Comment.'' Information on
using <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a>, including instructions for accessing documents,
submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the
comment period, is available through the site's ``FAQ'' link. All
comments will be available for public inspection online at the Federal
eRulemaking Portal (<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teresa Hunkapiller, Grants Management
Specialist, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, RUS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 1590, Room 4121-S, Washington, DC
20250-1590, or call (202) 720-0800, or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#adc9c1d9c4c3cbc2edd8dec9cc83cac2db"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="66020a120f080009261315020748010910">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The DLT program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa and implemented
by 7 CFR part 1734. Applicants must adhere to the requirements
contained in the program regulation, 7 CFR 1734. Important terms
related to the program are identified in 7 CFR 1734.3.
The purpose of the DLT grant program is to encourage and improve
telemedicine services and distance learning services in rural areas
through the use of telecommunications, computer networks, 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. The DLT program is currently a grant
only program and the grant funds are awarded through a nationally
competitive process.
Instructions
Response to this notice is voluntary. Each individual or
institution is requested to submit only one response as directed in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice. Submission must not exceed 10 pages
and fonts must be 12 point or larger, with a page number on each page.
Responses should include the name of the person(s) or organization(s)
filing the comment. Comments containing references, studies, research,
and other empirical data that are not widely published should include
copies or electronic links of the referenced materials. Comments
containing profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate
language or content will not be considered. Comments submitted in
response to this notice are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552). Responses to this notice may
also be posted, without change, on a Federal website.
Therefore, we request that no business proprietary information,
copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information be
submitted in response to this notice. In accordance with FAR 52-215-
3(b), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by
the Government to form a binding contract. Additionally, the U.S.
Government will not pay for response preparation or for the use of any
information contained in the response.
To inform the Federal Government's decision-making, RUS now seeks
public input on the following questions.
1. RUS outlines DLT Program eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 1734.
What DLT Program requirements limit or improve project eligibility?
2. What integral equipment or software technologies are not
currently eligible for funding with the DLT program?
3. The authorizing statue allows for funds to be used to purchase
or support audio, video, and interactive video equipment, broadband
facilities used for distance learning or telemedicine, computer
hardware, network components, and software, instructional programming
and limited technical assistance. What emerging technological advances
in equipment and software have the potential to change how DLT services
are delivered in rural areas?
4. What has been your experience with accessing DLT funding?
[[Page 46057]]
Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Program information may be made available in languages other than
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the 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="http://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf">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 (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="f8888a979f8a9995d691968c99939db88d8b9c99d69f978e">[email protected]</span></a>.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting for the Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-11400 Filed 5-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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