[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79041-79047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30759]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Announcement of Solicitation of Applications and Grant
Application Deadlines
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Solicitation of Applications.
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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural
Development administers rural utilities programs through the Rural
Utilities Service. USDA Rural Development announces its Distance
Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program application window for
Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 subject to the availability of funding. This
notice is being issued prior to passage of a final appropriations
[[Page 79042]]
act to allow potential applicants time to submit proposals and give the
Agency time to process applications within the current fiscal year.
USDA Rural Development will publish a subsequent notice identifying the
amount received in the final appropriations act, if any. Expenses
incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's risk.
For FY 2008, Congress appropriated approximately $30 million.
In addition to announcing the application window, the Agency
announces the minimum and maximum amounts for DLT grants applicable for
the fiscal year. Finally, the Agency notes that the Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008, in order to clearly establish that libraries
are eligible to be recipients of DLT Loans and Grants, expressly added
the category of libraries under Sec. 2333 (c)(1) of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 950aaa-
2(a)(1)). This confirms longstanding Agency policy of considering
libraries to be eligible entities under the DLT Program.
DATES: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or
electronically according to the following deadlines:
Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or
sent overnight no later than March 24, 2009 to be eligible for FY 2009
grant funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for
FY 2009 grant funding.
Electronic copies must be received by March 24, 2009 to be
eligible for FY 2009 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications
will not be eligible for FY 2009 grant funding.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the FY 2009 application guides and materials for
the DLT grant program may be obtained at the following sources: (1) The
DLT Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm, and (2)
Contacting the DLT Program at 202-720-0413.
Paper applications are to be submitted to the USDA Rural
Development, Telecommunications Program, 1400 Independence Ave., SW.,
Room 2845, STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-1550. Applications should be
marked ``Attention: Director, Advanced Services Division.''
Electronic applications may be submitted through Grants.gov.
Information on how to submit applications electronically is available
on the Grants.gov Web site (http://www.grants.gov). Applicants must
successfully pre-register with Grants.gov to use the electronic
applications option. Application information may be downloaded from
Grants.gov without preregistration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Advanced Services Division,
Telecommunications Programs, USDA Rural Development. Telephone: 202-
720-0413, fax: 202-720-1051.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Distance Learning and Telemedicine
Grants.
Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.855.
Dates: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or
electronically according to the following deadlines:
Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or
sent overnight no later than March 24, 2009 to be eligible for FY 2009
grant funding. Late or incomplete applications are not eligible for FY
2009 grant funding.
Electronic copies must be received by March 24, 2009 to be
eligible for FY 2009 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications are
not eligible for FY 2009 grant funding.
Items in Supplementary Information
I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the DLT program.
II. Minimum and Maximum Application Amounts: Projected Available
Funding.
III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of
projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility.
IV. Application and Submission Information: Where to get
application materials, what constitutes a completed application, how
and where to submit applications, deadlines, items that are
eligible.
V. Application Review Information: Considerations and
preferences, scoring criteria, review standards, selection
information.
VI. Award Administration Information: Award notice information,
award recipient reporting requirements.
VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, e-mail, contact name.
I. Funding Opportunity
Distance learning and telemedicine grants are specifically designed
to provide access to education, training and health care resources for
people in rural America. The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT)
Program provides financial assistance to encourage and improve
telemedicine services and distance learning services in rural areas
through the use of telecommunications, computer networks, and related
advanced technologies to be used by students, teachers, medical
professionals, and rural residents.
The grants, which are awarded through a competitive process, may be
used to fund telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video
equipment and related advanced technologies which extend educational
and medical applications into rural locations. Grants are made for
projects where the benefit is primarily delivered to end users that are
not at the same location as the source of the education or health care
service.
As in years past, the FY 2009 grant application guide has been
changed to reflect recent changes in technology and application trends.
Details of changes from the FY 2008 application guide are highlighted
throughout this Notice and are described in full in the FY 2009
application guide. All applicants must carefully review and exactly
follow the FY 2009 application guide and sample materials when
compiling a DLT grant application.
II. Maximum and Minimum Amount of Applications
The Administrator has determined the maximum amount of an
application for a 100% grant in FY 2009 is $500,000 and the minimum
amount of a grant is $50,000.
The Agency will make awards and execute documents appropriate to
the project after an appropriations bill has been enacted for FY 2009
and prior to any advance of funds to successful applicants.
DLT grants cannot be renewed. Award documents specify the term of
each award. The Agency will make awards and execute documents
appropriate to the project prior to any advance of funds to successful
applicants. Applications to enlarge existing projects are welcomed
(100% grant applications must be submitted during the application
window) and will be evaluated as new applications.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Who is eligible for grants? (See 7 CFR 1703.103.)
1. Only entities legally organized as one of the following are
eligible for DLT financial assistance:
a. An incorporated organization or partnership,
b. An Indian tribe or tribal organization, as defined in 25U.S.C.
450b (b) and (c),
c. A state or local unit of government,
d. A consortium, as defined in 7 CFR 1703.102, or
[[Page 79043]]
e. Other legal entity, including a private corporation organized on
a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.
2. Individuals are not eligible for DLT program financial
assistance directly.
3. Electric and telecommunications borrowers under the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.) are not eligible
for grants.
B. What are the basic eligibility requirements for a project?
1. Required matching contributions for grants: See 7 CFR
1703.125(g) and the FY 2009 application guide for information on
required matching contributions.
a. Grant applicants must demonstrate matching contributions, in
cash or in kind (new, non-depreciated items), of at least fifteen (15)
percent of the total amount of financial assistance requested. Matching
contributions must be used for eligible purposes of DLT grant
assistance (see 7 CFR 1703.121, paragraphs IV.G.1.b of this Notice and
the FY 2009 application guide).
b. Greater amounts of eligible matching contributions may increase
an applicant's score (see 7 CFR 1703.126(b)(4), paragraph V.B.2.d of
this notice, and the FY 2009 application guide).
c. Applications that do not provide evidence of the required
fifteen percent match will be declared ineligible and returned. See
paragraphs IV.G.1.c and V.B.2.d of this Notice, and the FY 2009
application guide for specific information on documentation of matching
contributions.
d. Applications that do not document all matching contributions in
form and substance satisfactory to the Agency as described in the
application guide are subject to budgetary adjustment by the Agency,
which may result in rejection of an application as ineligible due to
insufficient match.
3. The DLT grant program is designed to flow the benefits of
distance learning and telemedicine to residents of rural America (see 7
CFR 1703.103(a)(2)). Therefore, in order to be eligible, applicants
must:
a. Operate a rural community facility; or
b. Deliver distance learning or telemedicine services to entities
that operate a rural community facility or to residents of rural areas,
at rates calculated to ensure that the benefit of the financial
assistance is passed through to such entities or to residents of rural
areas.
4. Rurality.
a. All projects proposed for DLT grant assistance must meet a
minimum rurality threshold, to ensure that benefits from the projects
flow to rural residents. The minimum eligibility score is 20 points.
Please see Section IV of this notice, 7 CFR 1703.126(a)(2), and the FY
2009 application guide for an explanation of the rurality scoring and
eligibility criterion.
b. Each application must apply the following criteria to each of
its end-user sites, and hubs that are also proposed as end-user sites,
in order to determine a rurality score. The rurality score is the
average of all end-user sites' rurality scores.
DLT
Criterion Character Population points
Exceptionally Rural Area....................... Area not within an Urbanized Area <=5000 45
or Urban Cluster.
Rural Area..................................... Area in an Urban Cluster......... > 5000 and <= 10,000 30
Mid-Rural Area................................. Area in an Urban Cluster......... >10,000 and <= 15
20,000
Urban Area..................................... Area in an Urbanized Area or > 20,000 0
Urban Cluster.
c. The rurality score is one of the competitive scoring criteria
applied to grant applications.
4. 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. Please see 7 CFR 1703.123(a)(11), 7
CFR 1703.132(a)(5), and 7 CFR 1703.142(b)(3).
C. See Section IV of this Notice and the FY 2009 application guide
for a discussion of the items that make up a complete application. For
requirements of completed applications you may also refer to 7 CFR
1703.125 for grant applications. The FY 2009 application guide provides
specific, detailed instructions for each item that constitutes a
complete application. The Agency strongly emphasizes the importance of
including every required item (as explained in the FY 2009 application
guide) and strongly encourages applicants to follow the instructions
carefully, using the examples and illustrations in the FY 2009
application guide. Applications which do not include all items that
determine project eligibility and applicant eligibility by the
application deadline will be returned as ineligible. Scoring and
eligibility information will not be solicited or considered by the
Agency after the application deadline. Applications that do not include
all items necessary for scoring will be scored as is. Please see the FY
2009 application guide for a full discussion of each required item and
for samples and illustrations.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Where to get application information. FY 2009 application
guides, copies of necessary forms and samples, and the DLT Program
regulation are available from these sources:
1. The Internet: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm.
2. The DLT Program for paper copies of these materials: 202-720-
0413.
B. What's new for FY 2009?
1. As in FY 2008, applicants are again reminded that end user sites
are rural facilities. See 7 CFR 1703.102, Definitions, ``End User'' and
``End User Site''. We have experienced an increase in the number of
applications which attempt to include urban educational and medical
facilities as end user sites. Urban facilities can serve as hub sites,
but not end user sites. For projects with non-fixed end user sites,
only those end user sites outside urban areas can be funded. The FY
2009 application guide contains clarifying language to elaborate on
this provision of the regulation.
2. If a grant application includes a site that is included in any
other DLT grant application for FY 2009, or a site that has been
included in any DLT grant funded in FY 2008 or FY 2007, the application
should contain a detailed explanation of the related applications or
grants. The Agency must make a nonduplication finding for each grant
approved, and apparent but unexplained duplication of funding for a
site can prevent such a finding.
C. What constitutes a completed application?
1. For DLT Grants:
a. Detailed information on each item in the table in paragraph
IV.C.1.f. of this Notice can be found in the sections of the DLT
Program regulation listed in the table, and the DLT grant application
guide. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read and apply both the
regulation and the applications guide, which elaborates and explains
the regulation.
[[Page 79044]]
(1). When the table refers to a narrative, it means a written
statement, description or other written material prepared by the
applicant, for which no form exists. The Agency recognizes that each
project is unique and requests narratives to allow applicants to
explain their request for financial assistance.
(2). When documentation is requested, it means letters,
certifications, legal documents or other third-party documentation that
provide evidence that the applicant meets the listed requirement. For
example, to confirm Enterprise Zone (EZ) designations, applicants use
printouts from the official USDA Web site. Leveraging documentation
generally will be letters of commitment from the funding sources. In-
kind matches must be items purchased after the application deadline
date that are essential to the project and documentation from the donor
must demonstrate the relationship of each item to the project's
function. Evidence of legal existence is sometimes proven by submitting
articles of incorporation. None of the foregoing examples is intended
to limit the types of documentation that must be submitted to fulfill a
requirement. DLT Program regulations and the application guide provide
specific guidance on each of the items in the table.
b. The DLT application guide and ancillary materials provide all
necessary sample forms and worksheets.
c. While the table in paragraph IV.C.1.f of this Notice includes
all items of a completed application, the Agency may ask for additional
or clarifying information for applications which, as submitted by the
deadline, appear to clearly demonstrate that they meet eligibility
requirements. The Agency will not solicit or accept eligibility or
scoring information submitted after the application deadline.
d. Submit the required application items in the order provided in
the FY 2009 application guide. The FY 2009 application guide specifies
the format and order of all required items. Applications that are not
assembled and tabbed in the order specified prevent timely
determination of eligibility. Given the high volume of program
interest, incorrectly assembled applications, and applications with
inconsistency among submitted copies, will be returned as ineligible.
e. DUNS Number. As required by the OMB, all applicants for grants
must supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number when applying. The Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a field
for you to use when supplying your DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS number
costs nothing and requires a short telephone call to Dun and
Bradstreet. Please see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/request_duns_number.jsp for more information on how to obtain a DUNS number or how
to verify your organization's number.
f. Compliance with other federal statutes. The applicant must
provide evidence of compliance with other federal statutes and
regulations, including, but not limited to the following:
(i) 7 CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally
Assisted Programs of the Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(ii) 7 CFR part 3015--Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations.
(iii) 7 CFR part 3017--Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
(Non-procurement).
(iv) 7 CFR part 3018--New Restrictions on Lobbying.
(v) 7 CFR part 3021--Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free
Workplace.
g. Table of Required Elements of a Completed Grant Application.
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Required items
---------------------------------------
Application item Grants (7 CFR
1703.125 and CFR Comment
1703.126)
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SF-424 (Application for Federal Yes.............. Completely filled
Assistance form). out.
Site Worksheet.................. Yes.............. Agency worksheet.
Survey on Ensuring Equal Optional......... OMB Form.
Opportunity for Applicants.
Evidence of Legal Authority to Yes.............. Documentation.
Contract with the Government.
Evidence of Legal Existence..... Yes.............. Documentation.
Executive Summary............... Yes.............. Narrative.
Telecommunications System Plan Yes.............. Narrative &
and Scope of Work. documentation such
as maps and
diagrams.
Budget.......................... Yes.............. Agency Worksheets
with
documentation.
Financial Information/ Yes.............. Narrative.
Sustainability.
Statement of Experience......... Yes.............. Narrative 3-page,
single-spaced
limit.
Rurality Worksheet.............. Yes.............. Agency worksheet
with
documentation.
National School Lunch Program Yes.............. Agency worksheet
(NSLP) Worksheet. with
documentation.
Leveraging Evidence and Funding Yes.............. Agency worksheet
Commitments from all Sources. and source
documentation.
EZ/EC or Champion Communities Yes.............. Documentation.
designation.
Request for Additional NSLP..... Optional......... Agency Worksheet
and narrative.
Need for and Benefits derived Yes.............. Narrative &
from Project. documentation.
Innovativeness of the Project... Yes.............. Narrative &
documentation.
Cost Effectiveness of Project... Yes.............. Narrative &
documentation.
Consultation with the USDA State Yes.............. Documentation.
Director, Rural Development,
and evidence that application
conforms to State Strategic
Plan, if any.
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Certifications:
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Equal Opportunity and Yes.............. Recommend using
Nondiscrimination. Agency's sample
form.
Architectural Barriers.......... Yes.............. Recommend using
Agency's sample
form.
Flood Hazard Area Precautions... Yes.............. Recommend using
Agency's sample
form.
Uniform Relocation Assistance Yes.............. Recommend using
and Real Property Acquisition Agency's sample
Policies Act of 1970. form.
Drug-Free Workplace............. Yes.............. Recommend using
Agency's sample
form.
[[Page 79045]]
Debarment, Suspension, and Other Yes.............. Recommend using
Responsibility Matters--Primary Agency's sample
Covered Transactions. form.
Lobbying for Contracts, Grants, Yes.............. Recommend using
Loans, and Cooperative Agency's sample
Agreements. form.
Non Duplication of Services..... Yes.............. Recommend using
Agency's sample
form.
Environmental Impact/Historic Yes.............. Recommend using
Preservation Certification. Agency's sample
form.
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D. How many copies of an application are required?
1. Applications submitted on paper.
a. Submit the original application and two (2) copies to USDA Rural
Development.
b. Submit one (1) additional copy to the state government single
point of contact (SPOC) (if one has been designated) at the same time
as you submit the application to the Agency. See http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html for an updated listing of State
government single points of contact.
2. Electronically submitted applications. Grant applications may be
submitted electronically. Please carefully read the FY 2009 application
guide for guidance on submitting an electronic application. In
particular, we ask that you identify and number each page in the same
way you would a paper application so that we can assemble them as you
intended.
a. The additional paper copies are not necessary if you submit the
application electronically through Grants.gov.
b. Submit one (1) copy to the state government single point of
contact (if one has been designated) at the same time as you submit the
application to the Agency. See http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html for an updated listing of State government single points of
contact.
E. How and where to submit an application. Grant applications may
be submitted on paper or electronically.
1. Submitting applications on paper.
a. Address paper applications to the Telecommunications Program,
USDA Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Room 2845, STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-
1550. Applications should be marked ``Attention: Director, Advanced
Services Division.''
b. Paper grant applications must show proof of mailing or shipping
by the deadline consisting of one of the following:
(i) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service (USPS) postmark;
(ii) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
USPS; or
(iii) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
c. Due to screening procedures at the Department of Agriculture,
packages arriving via regular mail through the USPS are irradiated,
which can damage the contents and delay delivery to the DLT Program.
USDA Rural Development encourages applicants to consider the impact of
this procedure in selecting their application delivery method.
2. Electronically submitted applications.
a. Applications will not be accepted via fax or electronic mail.
b. Electronic applications for grants will be accepted if submitted
through the Federal government's Grants.gov initiative at http://www.grants.gov.
c. How to use Grants.gov.
(i) Grants.gov contains full instructions on all required
passwords, credentialing and software.
(ii) Central Contractor Registry. Submitting an application through
Grants.gov requires that you list your organization in the Central
Contractor Registry (CCR). Setting up a CCR listing takes up to five
business days, so the Agency strongly recommends that you obtain your
organization's DUNS number and CCR listing well in advance of the
deadline specified in this notice.
(iii) Credentialing and authorization of applicants. Grants.gov
will also require some credentialing and online authentication
procedures. These procedures may take several business days to
complete, further emphasizing the need for early action by applicants
to complete the sign-up, credentialing and authorization procedures at
Grants.gov before you submit an application at that Web site.
(iv) Some or all of the CCR and Grants.gov registration,
credentialing and authorizations require updates. If you have
previously registered at Grants.gov to submit applications
electronically, please ensure that your registration, credentialing and
authorizations are up to date well in advance of the grant application
deadline.
d. USDA Rural Development encourages applicants who wish to apply
through Grants.gov to submit their applications in advance of the
deadlines.
e. If a system problem occurs or you have technical difficulties
with an electronic application, please use the customer support
resources available at the Grants.gov Web site.
F. Deadlines.
1. Paper grant applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped,
or sent overnight no later than March 24, 2009, to be eligible for FY
2009 grant funding. Late applications, applications which do not
include proof of mailing or shipping as described in paragraph IV.E.b.,
and incomplete applications are not eligible for FY 2009 grant funding.
2. Electronic grant applications must be received by March 24,
2009, to be eligible for FY 2009 funding. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for FY 2009 grant funding.
F. Intergovernmental Review. The DLT grant program is subject to
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.'' As stated in paragraph IV.D.1. of this Notice, a copy of a
DLT grant application must be submitted to the state single point of
contact if one has been designated. Please see http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html to determine whether your state
has a single point of contact.
G. Funding Restrictions.
1. Eligible purposes.
a. For grants, rural end-user sites may receive financial
assistance; hub sites (rural or non-rural) may also receive financial
assistance if they are necessary to provide DLT services to end-user
sites. Please see the application guide and 7 CFR 1703.101(h).
b. To fulfill the policy goals laid out for the DLT Program in 7
CFR 1703.101, the following table lists purposes for financial
assistance and whether each purpose is generally considered to be
eligible for the form of financial
[[Page 79046]]
assistance. Please consult the FY 2009 application guide and the
regulations (7 CFR 1703.102 for definitions, in combination with the
portions of the regulation cited in the table) for detailed
requirements for the items in the table. Rural Development strongly
recommends that applicants exclude ineligible items from the grant and
match portions of grant application budgets. However, some items
ineligible for funding or matching contributions may be vital to the
project. Rural Development encourages applicants to document those
costs in the application's budget. Please see the FY 2009 application
guide for a recommended budget format, and detailed budget compilation
instructions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grants
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lease or purchase of eligible DLT Yes, equip. only.
equipment and facilities.
Acquire instructional programming......... Yes.
Technical assistance, develop Yes, up to 10% of the grant.
instructional programming, engineering or
environmental studies.
Medical or education equipment or Yes.
facilities necessary to the project.
Vehicles using distance learning or No.
telemedicine technology to deliver
services.
Teacher-student links located at the same No.
facility.
Links between medical professionals No.
located at the same facility.
Site development or building alteration... No.
Land of building purchase................. No.
Building Construction..................... No.
Acquiring telecommunications transmission No.
facilities.
Internet services, telecommunications No.
services or other forms of connectivity.
Salaries, wages, benefits for medical or No.
educational personnel.
Salaries or administrative expenses of No.
applicant or project.
Recurring project costs or operating No, (equipment & facility
expenses. leases are not recurring
project costs).
Internet services, telecom services, and No.
other forms of connectivity.
Equipment to be owned by the LEC or other No.
telecommunications service provider, if
the provider is the applicant.
Duplicative distance learning or No.
telemedicine services.
Any project that for its success, depends No.
on additional DLT financial assistance or
other financial assistance that is not
assured.
Application Preparation Costs............. No.
Other project costs not in regulation..... No.
Cost of facilities providing distance No.
learning broadcasting. (amount).
Reimburse applicants of others for costs No.
incurred prior to USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT
receipt of completed application.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
c. Discounts. The DLT Program regulation has long stated that
manufacturers' and service providers' discounts are not eligible
matches. The Agency will not consider as eligible any proposed match
from a vendor, manufacturer, or service provider whose products or
services will be used in the DLT project as described in the
application. In recent years, the Agency has noted a trend of vendors,
manufacturers and other service providers offering their own products
and services as in-kind matches for a project when their products or
services will also be purchased with either grant or cash match funds
for that project. Such activity is a discount and is therefore not an
eligible match. Similarly, if a vendor, manufacturer or other service
provider proposes a cash match (or any in-kind match) when their
products or services will be purchased with grant or match funds, such
activity is a discount and is not an eligible match. The Agency
actively discourages such matching proposals and will adjust budgets as
necessary to remove any such matches, which may reduce an application's
score or result in the application's ineligibility due to insufficient
match.
2. Eligible Equipment & Facilities. Please see the FY 2009
application guide supplies a wealth of information and examples of
eligible and ineligible items. In addition, see 7 CFR 1703.102 for
definitions of eligible equipment, eligible facilities and
telecommunications transmission facilities as used in the table above.
3. Apportioning budget items. Many DLT applications propose to use
items for a blend of specific DLT eligible project purposes and other
purposes. Rural Development will now fund such items, if the applicants
attribute the proportion (by percentage of use) of the costs of each
item to the project's DLT purpose or to other purposes to enable
consideration for a grant of the portion of the item that is for DLT
usage. See the FY 2009 application guide for detailed information on
how to apportion use and apportioning illustrations.
V. Application Review Information
A. Special considerations or preferences.
1. American Samoa, Guam, Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana
Islands applications are exempt from the matching requirement up to a
match amount of $200,000 (see 48 U.S.C. 1469a; 91 Stat. 1164).
2. 7 CFR 1703.112 directs that Rural Development Telecommunications
Borrowers receive expedited consideration of a loan application or
advance under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901-
950aa, et seq.) if the loan funds in question are to be used in
conjunction with a DLT grant (See 7 CFR 1737 for loans and 7 CFR 1744
for advances).
B. Criteria.
1. Grant application scoring criteria (total possible points: 225).
See 7 CFR 1703.125 for the items that will be reviewed during scoring,
and 7 CFR 1703.126 for scoring criteria.
2. Grant applications are scored competitively subject to the
criteria listed below.
a. Rurality of the proposed service area (up to 45 points).
b. Percentage of students eligible for the NSLP in the proposed
service area (objectively demonstrates economic need of the area) (up
to 35 points).
c. Leveraging resources above the required matching level (up to 35
points). Please see paragraph III.B of this Notice for a brief
explanation of matching contributions.
d. Project overlap with Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Communities or
Champion Communities designations (up to 15 points).
e. Need for services proposed in the application, and the benefits
that will be derived if the application receives a grant (up to 55
points).
(i) Up to 10 of the possible 55 possible points are to recognize
economic need not reflected in the project's National School Lunch
Program (NSLP) score, and can be earned only by applications whose
overall NSLP eligibility is less than 50%. To be eligible to receive
points under this, the application must include an affirmative request
for consideration of the possible 10 points, and compelling
documentation of
[[Page 79047]]
reasons why the NSLP eligibility percentage does not represent the
economic need of the proposed project beneficiaries.
(ii) Up to 45 of the 55 possible points under this criterion are
available to all applicants. Points are awarded based on the required
narrative crafted by the applicant. Rural Development encourages
applicants to carefully read the cited portions of the Program
regulation and the FY 2009 application guide for full discussions of
this criterion.
f. Level of innovation demonstrated by the project (up to 15
points).
g. System cost-effectiveness (up to 35 points).
C. Grant Review standards.
1. In addition to the scoring criteria that rank applications
against each other, the Agency evaluates grant applications for
possible awards on the following items, according to 7 CFR 1703.127:
a. Financial feasibility.
b. Technical considerations. If the application contains flaws that
would prevent the successful implementation, operation or
sustainability of a project, the Agency will not award a grant.
c. Other aspects of proposals that contain inadequacies that would
undermine the ability of the project to comply with the policies of the
DLT Program.
2. Applications which do not include all items that determine
project eligibility and applicant eligibility by the application
deadline will be returned as ineligible. Applications that do not
include all items necessary for scoring will be scored as is. Please
see the FY 2009 application guide for a full discussion of each
required item and for samples and illustrations. The Agency will not
solicit or consider eligibility or scoring information submitted after
the application deadline.
3. The FY 2009 grant application guide specifies the format and
order of all required items. Applications that are not assembled and
tabbed in the order specified and incorrectly assembled applications
will be returned as ineligible.
4. Most DLT grant projects contain numerous project sites. The
Agency requires that site information be consistent throughout an
application. Sites must be referred to by the same designation
throughout all parts of an application. The Agency has provided a site
worksheet that requests the necessary information, and can be used as a
guide by applicants. Rural Development strongly recommends that
applicants complete the site worksheet, listing all requested
information for each site. Applications without consistent site
information will be returned as ineligible.
5. DLT grant applications which have non-fixed end-user sites, such
as ambulance and home health care services, are now scored using a
simplified scoring method that finds the relative rurality of the
applicant's service area. See the FY 2009 application guide for
specific guidance on this method of scoring. When an application
contains non-fixed sites, it must be scored using the non-fixed site
scoring method.
D. Selection Process.
1. Grants. Applications are ranked by final score, and by
application purpose (education or medical). Rural Development selects
applications based on those rankings, subject to the availability of
funds. USDA Rural Development may allocate grant awards between medical
and educational purposes, but is not required to do so. In addition,
Rural Development has the authority to limit the number of applications
selected in any one state, or for one project, during a fiscal year.
See 7 CFR 1703.127.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices.
Rural Development generally notifies applicants whose projects are
selected for awards by faxing an award letter. Rural Development
follows the award letter with an agreement that contains all the terms
and conditions for the grant. Rural Development recognizes that each
funded project is unique, and therefore may attach conditions to
different projects' award documents. An applicant must execute and
return the agreement, accompanied by any additional items required by
the agreement, within the number of days shown in the selection notice
letter.
B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: The items
listed in Section IV of this notice, and the DLT Program regulation, FY
2009 application guide and accompanying materials implement the
appropriate administrative and national policy requirements.
C. Reporting.
1. Performance reporting. All recipients of DLT financial
assistance must provide annual performance activity reports to Rural
Development until the project is complete and the funds are expended. A
final performance report is also 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 DLT Program objectives. See 7
CFR 1703.107.
2. Financial reporting. All recipients of DLT financial assistance
must provide an annual audit, beginning with the first year a portion
of the financial assistance is expended. Audits are governed by United
States Department of Agriculture audit regulations. Please see 7 CFR
1703.108.
3. Record Keeping and Accounting. The grant contract will contain
provisions relating to record keeping and accounting requirements.
VII. Agency Contacts
A. Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm. The DLT
Web site maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for DLT
programs.
B. Phone: 202-720-0413.
C. Fax: 202-720-1051.
D. E-mail: [email protected].
E. Main point of contact: Director, Advanced Services Division,
Telecommunications Program, USDA Rural Development.
Dated: December 18, 2008.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Deputy Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E8-30759 Filed 12-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P