[Federal Register: June 26, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 122)]
[Notices]
[Page 30510-30520]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26jn09-25]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the
Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) for Fiscal Year 2009
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications.
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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the availability of $6,256,000 of
competitive grant funds for the RCDI program through the Rural Housing
Service (RHS), an agency within the USDA Rural Development mission area
herein referred to as the Agency. Applicants must provide matching
funds in an amount at least equal to the Federal grant. These grants
will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will provide
financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their
capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing,
community facilities, or community and economic development. This
Notice lists the information needed to submit an application for these
funds.
DATES: The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. local time,
September 24, 2009. The application date and time are firm. The Agency
will not consider any application received after the deadline.
Applicants intending to mail applications must provide sufficient time
to permit delivery on or before the closing deadline date and time.
Acceptance by the United States Postal Service or private mailer does
not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX) and postage due applications
will not be accepted.
ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the
application documents and requirements delineated in this Notice from
the RCDI Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.
Application information for electronic submissions may be found at
http://www.grants.gov. Applicants may also request paper application
packages from the Rural Development office in their state. A list of
Rural Development offices is included in this Notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Rural Development office for the
state the applicant is located in. A list of Rural Development State
Office contacts is included in this Notice.
Programs Affected
This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance under Number 10.446. This program is not subject to the
provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental
consultation with State and local officials because it is not listed by
the Secretary of Agriculture, pursuant to 7 CFR 3015.302, as a covered
program.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The paperwork burden has been cleared by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575-0180.
National Environmental Policy Act
This document has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940-
G, ``Environmental Program.'' Rural Development has determined that
this NOFA does not constitute a major federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment, and an Environmental
Impact Statement is not required. Furthermore, individual awards under
this NOFA are hereby classified as Categorial Exclusions which do not
require any additional documentation.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Housing Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Community Development Initiative.
Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.446.
Part I--Funding Opportunity Description
Congress initially created the RCDI in Fiscal Year (FY) 2000 to
develop the capacity and ability of nonprofit organizations, low-income
rural communities, or federally recognized tribes to undertake projects
related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic
development in rural areas.
Part II--Award Information
Congress appropriated $6,256,000 in FY 2009 for the RCDI. Qualified
private, nonprofit and public (including tribal) intermediary
organizations proposing to carry out financial and technical assistance
programs will be eligible to receive the funding. The intermediary will
be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to
the RCDI grant. The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per
intermediary is $50,000 and $300,000. The intermediary must provide a
program of financial and technical assistance to a private nonprofit,
community-based housing and development organization, a low-income
rural community or a federally recognized tribe.
Part III--Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
1. Qualified private, nonprofit, including faith-based, and
community organizations in accordance with 7 CFR Part 16, and public
(including tribal) intermediary organizations. Definitions that
describe eligible organizations and other key terms are listed below.
2. RCDI grantees that have an outstanding grant over 3 years old,
as of the application due date in this Notice,
[[Page 30511]]
will not be eligible to apply for this round of funding. Grant and
matching funds must be utilized in a timely manner to ensure that the
goals and objectives of the program are met.
B. Program Definitions
Agency--The Rural Housing Service (RHS) or its successor.
Beneficiary--Entities or individuals that receive benefits from
assistance provided by the recipient.
Capacity--The ability of a recipient to implement housing,
community facilities, or community and economic development projects.
Federally recognized tribes--Tribal entities recognized and
eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
based on the current notice in the Federal Register published by the
Bureau of Indian Affairs. Tribally Designated Housing Entities are
eligible RCDI recipients.
Financial assistance--Funds, not to exceed $10,000 per award, used
by the intermediary to purchase supplies and equipment to build the
recipient's capacity.
Funds--The RCDI grant and matching money.
Intermediary--A qualified private, nonprofit, or public (including
tribal) organization that provides financial and technical assistance
to multiple recipients.
Low-income rural community--An authority, district, economic
development authority, regional council, or unit of government
representing an incorporated city, town, village, county, township,
parish, or borough.
Recipient--Under 7 CFR 15 section 15.2, Recipient means any State,
political subdivision of any State, or instrumentality of any State or
political subdivision, any public or private agency, institution, or
organization, or other entity, to whom Federal financial assistance is
extended, directly or through another recipient, including any
successor, assignee, or transferee thereof, but such term does not
include any ultimate beneficiary. Not all listed entities are eligible
for all programs. Please check with the applicable state office for
information regarding eligibility.
Rural and rural area--Any area other than (i) a city or town that
has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and (ii) the
urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such city or town.
Technical assistance--Skilled help in improving the recipient's
abilities in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community
and economic development.
C. Cost Sharing or Matching
Matching funds--Cash or confirmed funding commitments. Matching
funds must be at least equal to the grant amount. These funds can only
be used for eligible RCDI activities. In-kind contributions such as
salaries, donated time and effort, real and nonexpendable personal
property and goods and services cannot be used as matching funds. Grant
funds and matching funds must be used in equal proportions. This does
not mean funds have to be used equally by line item. The request for
advance or reimbursement and supporting documentation must show that
RCDI fund usage does not exceed the cumulative amount of matching funds
used. Grant funds will be disbursed pursuant to relevant provisions of
7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019, as applicable. Verification of
matching funds must be submitted with the application.
The intermediary is responsible for demonstrating that matching
funds are available, and committed to the RCDI proposal. Matching funds
may be provided by the intermediary or a third party. Other Federal
funds may be used as matching funds if authorized by statute and the
purpose of the funds is an eligible RCDI purpose. Matching funds must
be used to support the overall purpose of the RCDI program. RCDI funds
will be disbursed on an advance or reimbursement basis. Matching funds
cannot be expended prior to execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement. No
reimbursement will be made for any funds expended prior to execution of
the RCDI Grant Agreement unless the grantee is a non-profit or
educational entity and has requested and received written Agency
approval of the costs prior to the actual expenditure. This exception
is applicable for up to 90 days prior to grant closing and only applies
to grantees that have received written approval but have not executed
the RCDI Grant Agreement. The Agency cannot retroactively approve
reimbursement for expenditures prior to execution of the RCDI Grant
Agreement.
D. Other Program Requirements
1. The recipient and beneficiary, but not the intermediary, must be
located in an eligible rural area. The physical location of the
recipient's office that will be receiving the financial and technical
assistance must be in an eligible rural area. If the recipient is a
low-income community, the median household income of the area where the
office is located must be at or below 80 percent of the State or
national median household income, whichever is higher. The applicable
Rural Development State Office can assist in determining the
eligibility of an area. A listing of Rural Development State Offices is
included in this Notice.
2. The recipients must be private nonprofit, including faith-based
organizations, community-based housing and development organizations,
low-income rural communities, or federally recognized tribes based on
the RCDI definitions of these groups.
3. Documentation must be submitted to verify recipient eligibility.
Acceptable documentation varies depending on the type of recipient.
Private nonprofit faith or community-based housing and development
organizations must provide a certificate of incorporation and good
standing from the Secretary of the State of incorporation, or other
similar and valid documentation of nonprofit status. For low-income
rural community recipients, the Agency requires evidence that the
entity is a public body and census data verifying that the median
household income of the community where the office receiving the
financial and technical assistance is located is at, or below, 80
percent of the State or national median household income, whichever is
higher. For Federally recognized tribes, the Agency needs the page
listing their name from the current Federal Register list of tribal
entities recognized and eligible for funding services (see the
definition of Federally recognized tribes in this Notice for details on
this list).
4. Individuals cannot be recipients.
5. The intermediary must provide matching funds at least equal to
the amount of the grant. Verification of matching funds must be
submitted with the application.
6. The intermediary must provide a program of financial and
technical assistance to the recipient.
7. The intermediary organization must have been legally organized
for a minimum of 3 years and have at least 3 years prior experience
working with private nonprofit community-based housing and development
organizations, low-income rural communities, or tribal organizations in
the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic
development.
8. Proposals must be structured to utilize the grant funds within 3
years from the date of the award.
9. Each applicant, whether singularly or jointly, may only submit
one application for RCDI funds under this NOFA. This restriction does
not
[[Page 30512]]
preclude the applicant from providing matching funds for other
applications.
10. Recipients can benefit from more than one RCDI application;
however, after grant selections are made, the recipient can only
benefit from multiple RCDI grants if the type of financial and
technical assistance the recipient will receive is not duplicative.
11. The intermediary and the recipient cannot be the same entity.
The recipient can be a related entity to the intermediary, if it meets
the definition of a recipient.
12. A nonprofit recipient must provide evidence that it is a valid
nonprofit when the intermediary applies for the RCDI grant.
Organizations with pending requests for nonprofit designations are not
eligible.
13. If the recipient is a low-income rural community, identify the
unit of government to which the financial and technical assistance will
be provided, e.g., town council or village board. The financial and
technical assistance must be provided to the organized unit of
government representing that community, not the community at large.
14. Recipients located in a rural area that is also a census
designated place (CDP) are eligible recipients.
15. If a grantee has an outstanding RCDI grant over 3 years old, as
of the application due date in this Notice, it is not eligible to apply
for this round of funding.
16. The indirect cost category in the project budget should be used
only when a grant applicant has a federally negotiated indirect cost
rate. A copy of the current rate agreement must be provided with the
application.
Eligible Fund Uses
Fund uses must be consistent with the RCDI purpose. A nonexclusive
list of eligible grant uses includes the following:
1. Provide technical assistance to develop recipients' capacity and
ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities,
or community and economic development, i.e., the intermediary hires a
staff person to provide technical assistance to the recipient or the
recipient hires a staff person, under the supervision of the
intermediary, to carry out the technical assistance provided by the
intermediary.
2. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct community
development programs, e.g., homeownership education or training for
business entrepreneurs.
3. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct development
initiatives, e.g., programs that support micro-enterprise and
sustainable development.
4. Develop the capacity of recipients to increase their leveraging
ability and access to alternative funding sources by providing training
and staffing.
5. Develop the capacity of recipients to provide the technical
assistance component for essential community facilities projects.
6. Assist recipients in completing pre-development requirements for
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development
projects by providing resources for professional services, e.g.,
architectural, engineering, or legal.
7. Improve recipient's organizational capacity by providing
training and resource material on developing strategic plans, board
operations, management, financial systems, and information technology.
8. Purchase of computers, software, and printers, limited to
$10,000 per award, at the recipient level when directly related to the
technical assistance program being undertaken by the intermediary.
9. Provide funds to recipients for training-related travel costs
and training expenses related to RCDI.
Ineligible Fund Uses
1. Pass-through grants, capacity grants, and any funds provided to
the recipient in a lump sum that are not reimbursements.
2. Funding a revolving loan fund (RLF).
3. Construction (in any form).
4. Salaries for positions involved in construction, renovations,
rehabilitation, and any oversight of these types of activities.
5. Intermediary preparation of strategic plans for recipients.
6. Funding prostitution, gambling, or any illegal activities.
7. Grants to individuals.
8. Funding a grant where there may be a conflict of interest, or an
appearance of a conflict of interest, involving any action by the
Agency.
9. Paying obligations incurred before the beginning date without
prior Agency approval or after the ending date of the grant agreement.
10. Purchasing real estate.
11. Improvement or renovation of the grantee's, or recipient's
office space or for the repair or maintenance of privately owned
vehicles.
12. Any other purpose prohibited in 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and
3019, as applicable.
13. Using funds for recipient's general operating costs.
14. Using grant or matching funds for Individual Development
Accounts.
15. Purchasing vehicles.
Program Examples
The purpose of this initiative is to develop or increase the
recipient's capacity through a program of financial and technical
assistance to perform in the areas of housing, community facilities, or
community and economic development. Strengthening the recipient's
capacity in these areas will benefit the communities they serve. The
RCDI structure requires the intermediary (grantee) to provide a program
of financial and technical assistance to recipients. The recipients
will, in turn, provide programs to their communities (beneficiaries).
The following are examples of eligible and ineligible purposes under
the RCDI program. (These examples are illustrative and are not meant to
limit the activities proposed in the application. Activities that meet
the objective of the RCDI program will be considered eligible.)
1. The intermediary must work directly with the recipient, not the
ultimate beneficiaries. As an example: The intermediary provides
training to the recipient on how to conduct homeownership education
classes. The recipient then provides ongoing homeownership education to
the residents of the community--the ultimate beneficiaries. This
``train the trainer'' concept fully meets the intent of this
initiative. The intermediary is providing technical assistance that
will build the recipient's capacity by enabling them to conduct
homeownership education classes for the public. This is an eligible
purpose. However, if the intermediary directly provided homeownership
education classes to individuals in the recipient's service area, this
would not be an eligible purpose because the recipient would be
bypassed.
2. If the intermediary is working with a low-income community as
the recipient, the intermediary must provide the technical assistance
to the entity that represents the low-income community and is
identified in the application. Examples of entities representing a low-
income community are a village board or a town council. If the
intermediary provides technical assistance to the board of directors of
the low-income community on how to establish a cooperative, this would
be an eligible purpose. However, if the intermediary works directly
with individuals from the community to establish the cooperative, this
is not an eligible purpose. The recipient's capacity is built by
learning skills that will enable them to support sustainable
[[Page 30513]]
economic development in their communities on an ongoing basis.
3. The intermediary may provide technical assistance to the
recipient on how to create and operate a RLF. The intermediary may not
monitor or operate the RLF. RCDI funds, including matching funds,
cannot be used to fund RLFs.
Part IV--Application and Submission Information
A. Address To Request Application Package
Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the
application documents and requirements delineated in this Notice from
the RCDI Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.
Application information for electronic submissions may be found at
http://www.grants.gov. Applicants may also request paper application
packages from the Rural Development office in their state. A list of
Rural Development offices is included in this Notice.
B. Content and Form of Application Submission
If the applicant is ineligible or the application is incomplete,
the Agency will inform the applicant in writing of the decision,
reasons therefore, and its appeal rights, and no further evaluation of
the application will occur.
A complete application for RCDI funds must include the following:
1. A summary page, double-spaced between items, listing the
following: (This information should not be presented in narrative
form.)
a. Applicant's name,
b. Applicant's address,
c. Applicant's telephone number,
d. Name of applicant's contact person and telephone number,
e. Applicant's fax number,
f. County where applicant is located,
g. Congressional district number where applicant is located,
h. Amount of grant request,
i. Applicant's Tax Identification Number,
j. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number (Applicant Only),
k. Number of recipients, and
l. Equal Opportunity Survey, OMB No. 1890-0014 Exp. 02/28/09
(optional completion by applicant).
2. Source and amount of matching funds.
3. A detailed Table of Contents containing page numbers for each
component of the application.
4. A project overview, no longer than five pages, including the
following items, which will also be addressed separately and in detail
under ``Building Capacity'' of the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
a. The type of technical assistance to be provided to the
recipients and how it will be implemented.
b. How the capacity and ability of the recipients will be improved.
c. The overall goals to be accomplished.
d. The benchmarks to be used to measure the success of the program.
5. Organizational documents, such as a certificate of incorporation
and a current good standing certification from the Secretary of State
where the applicant is incorporated and other similar and valid
documentation of non-profit status, from the intermediary that confirms
it has been legally organized for a minimum of 3 years as the applicant
entity.
6. Verification of matching funds, i.e., a copy of a bank statement
if matching funds are in cash or a copy of the confirmed funding
commitment from the funding source. The verification of matching funds
must be submitted with the application. The applicant will be contacted
by the Agency prior to grant award to verify that the matching funds
continue to be available. The applicant will have 10 working days from
the date contacted to submit verification of matching funds. If the
applicant is unable to provide the verification within that timeframe,
the application will be considered ineligible. The applicant must
maintain bank statements on file or other documentation for a period of
at least three years after grant closing except that the records shall
be retained beyond the three-year period if audit findings have not
been resolved.
7. Applicant should verify that they have a DUNS number. Applicants
can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free
DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711.
8. The following information for each recipient:
a. Recipient's entity name,
b. Complete address (mailing and physical location, if different),
c. County where located,
d. Number of Congressional district where recipient is located, and
e. Contact person's name and telephone number.
9. Submit evidence that each recipient entity is eligible:
a. Nonprofits--provide a current valid letter confirming non-profit
status from the Secretary of the State of incorporation or the IRS, a
current good standing certification from the Secretary of the State of
incorporation, or other valid documentation of nonprofit status of each
recipient.
b. Low-income rural community--provide evidence the entity is a
public body, and a copy of the 2000 census data to verify the
population, and evidence that the median household income is at, or
below, 80 percent of either the State or national median household
income. We will only accept data from http://www.census.gov. The
specific instructions to retrieve data from this site are detailed
under the ``Evaluation Criteria'' for ``Population'' and ``Income.''
c. Federally recognized tribes--provide the page listing their name
from the Federal Register list of tribal entities published by the
Bureau of Indian Affairs on April 4, 2008 (73 FR 18553)or a subsequent
updated list in the Federal Register.
10. Each of the ''Evaluation Criteria'' must be addressed
specifically and individually by category. Present these criteria in
narrative form. Documentation must be limited to three pages per
criterion. The ``Population'' and ``Income'' criterions for recipient
locations can be provided in the form of a list; however, the source of
the data must be included on the page(s).
11. A timeline identifying specific activities and proposed dates
for completion.
12. A detailed project budget that includes the RCDI grant amount
and matching funds for the duration of the grant. This should be a
line-item budget, by category. Categories such as salaries,
administrative, other, and indirect costs that pertain to the proposed
project must be clearly defined. Supporting documentation listing the
components of these categories must be included. The budget should be
dated: year 1, year 2, year 3, as applicable.
13. Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' (Do not
complete Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information.'' A separate line-item
budget should be presented as described in No. 11 of this section.)
14. Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
15. Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions.''
16. Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions.
17. Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements.''
18. Certification of Non-Lobbying Activities.
[[Page 30514]]
19. Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if
applicable.
20. Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement,'' for the applicant and
each recipient. If forms are not provided for each recipient
organization at time of application, they must be provided upon notice
of award.
Recipients may not be deleted from the list submitted with the
application to avoid submission of this form.
21. Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural
Development employees.
The required forms and certifications can be downloaded from the
RCDI Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.
C. Other Submission Information
The original application package must be submitted to the Rural
Development State Office where the applicant's headquarters is located.
A listing of Rural Development State Offices is included in this
Notice. Applications will not be accepted via facsimile or electronic
mail.
Applicants may file an electronic application at http://
www.grants.gov. Grants.gov contains full instructions on all required
passwords, credentialing, and software. Follow the instructions at
Grants.gov for registering and submitting an electronic application.
If a system problem or technical difficulty occurs with an
electronic application, please use the customer support resources
available at the Grants.gov Web site.
Technical difficulties submitting an application through Grants.gov
will not be a reason to extend the application deadline. If an
application is unable to be submitted through Grants.gov, a paper
application must be received in the appropriate Rural Development State
Office by the deadline noted previously.
First time Grants.gov users should carefully read and follow the
registration steps listed on the web site. These steps need to be
initiated early in the application process to avoid delays in
submitting your application online.
In order to register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR),
your organization will need a DUNS number. Be sure to complete the
Marketing Partner ID (MPID) and Electronic Business Primary Point of
Contact fields during the CCR registration process. These are mandatory
fields that are required when submitting grant applications through
Grants.gov. Additional application instructions for submitting an
electronic application can be found by selecting this funding
opportunity on Grants.gov.
The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. local time
September 24, 2009. The application deadline date and time are firm and
apply to submission of the original application to the Rural
Development State Office where the applicant's headquarters is located.
The Agency will not consider any application received after the
deadline. A listing of Rural Development State Offices, their
addresses, telephone numbers, and contact person is provided elsewhere
in this Notice. Applicants intending to mail applications must provide
sufficient time to permit delivery on or before the closing deadline
date and time. Acceptance by the United States Postal Service or
private mailer does not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX),
electronic mail or postage due applications will not be accepted.
D. Funding Restrictions
Meeting expenses. In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1345, ``Expenses of
Meetings,'' appropriations may not be used for travel, transportation,
and subsistence expenses for a meeting. RCDI grant funds cannot be used
for these meeting-related expenses. Matching funds may be used to pay
for these expenses. RCDI funds may be used to pay for a speaker as part
of a program, equipment to facilitate the program, and the actual room
that will house the meeting. RCDI funds can be used for travel,
transportation, or subsistence expenses for training and technical
assistance purposes. Any meeting or training not delineated in the
application must be approved by the Agency to verify compliance with 31
U.S.C. 1345. Travel and per diem expenses will be similar to those paid
to Agency employees. Rates are based upon location. Rate information
can be obtained from the applicable Rural Development State Office.
Grantees and recipients will be restricted to traveling coach class
on common carrier airlines. Grantees and recipients may exceed the
Government rate for lodging by a maximum of 20 percent. Meals and
incidental expenses will be reimbursed at the same rate used by Agency
employees. Mileage and gas reimbursement will be the same rate used by
Agency employees. This rate may be obtained from the applicable Rural
Development State Office.
Part V--Application Review Information
A. Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria and
weights:
1. Building Capacity--Maximum 60 Points
The applicant must demonstrate how they will improve the
recipients' capacity, through a program of financial and technical
assistance, as it relates to the RCDI purposes. Capacity-building
financial and technical assistance should provide new functions to the
recipients or expand existing functions that will enable the recipients
to undertake projects in the areas of housing, community facilities, or
community and economic development that will benefit the community. The
program of financial and technical assistance provided, its delivery,
and the measurability of the program's effectiveness will determine the
merit of the application. All applications will be competitively ranked
with the applications providing the most improvement in capacity
development and measurable activities being ranked the highest.
Capacity-building financial and technical assistance may include, but
is not limited to: Training to conduct community development programs,
e.g., homeownership education, or the establishment of minority
business entrepreneurs, cooperatives, or micro-enterprises;
organizational development, e.g., assistance to develop or improve
board operations, management, and financial systems; instruction on how
to develop and implement a strategic plan; instruction on how to access
alternative funding sources to increase leveraging opportunities;
staffing, e.g., hiring a person at intermediary or recipient level to
provide technical assistance to recipients; and purchasing technology
equipment at the recipient level, e.g., computers, printers, and
software.
a. The narrative response must:
i. Describe the nature of financial and technical assistance to be
provided to the recipients and the activities that will be conducted to
deliver the technical assistance;
ii. Explain how financial and technical assistance will develop or
increase the recipient's capacity. Indicate whether a new function is
being developed or if existing functions are being expanded or
performed more effectively;
iii. Identify which RCDI purpose areas will be addressed with this
assistance: housing, community facilities, or community and economic
development; and
iv. Describe how the results of the technical assistance will be
measured. What benchmarks will be used to measure effectiveness?
b. The maximum 60 points for this criteria will be broken down as
follows:
[[Page 30515]]
1. Type of financial and technical assistance and implementation
activities. 35 points.
2. An explanation of how financial and technical assistance will
develop capacity. 10 points.
3. Identification of the RCDI purpose. 5 points.
4. Measurement of outcomes. 10 points.
2. Expertise--Maximum 30 Points
The applicant must demonstrate that it has conducted programs of
financial and technical assistance and achieved measurable results in
the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic
development in rural areas. Provide the name, contact information, and
the type and amount of the financial and technical assistance the
applicant organization has provided to the following for the last 5
years:
a. Nonprofit organizations in rural areas.
b. Low-income communities in rural areas, (also include the type of
entity, e.g., city government, town council, or village board).
c. Federally recognized tribes or any other culturally diverse
organizations.
3. Population--Maximum 30 Points
Population is based on the average population from the 2000 census
data for the communities in which the recipients are located. Community
is defined for scoring purposes as a city, town, village, county,
parish, borough, or census-designated place where the recipient's
office is physically located. The applicant must submit the census data
from the following Web site to verify the population figures used for
each recipient. The data can be accessed on the Internet at http://
www.census.gov; click on ``American FactFinder'' from the left menu;
click on ``Fact Sheet'' from the left menu; at the right, fill in one
or more fields and click ``Go''; the name and population data for each
recipient location must be listed in this section. The average
population of the recipient locations will be used and will be scored
as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scoring
Population (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,000 or less........................................... 30
5,001 to 10,000......................................... 20
10,001 to 20,000........................................ 10
20,001 to 50,000........................................ 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Income--Maximum 30 Points
The average of the median household income for the communities
where the recipients are physically located will determine the points
awarded. Applicants may compare the average recipient median household
income to the State median household income or the national median
household income, whichever yields the most points. The national median
household income to be used is $41,994. The applicant must submit the
income data from the following Web site to verify the income for each
recipient. The data being used is from the 2000 census. The data can be
accessed on the Internet at http://www.census.gov; click on ``American
FactFinder'' from the left menu; click on ``Fact Sheet'' from the left
menu; at the right, fill in one or more fields and click ``Go''; the
name and income data for each recipient location must be listed in this
section. Points will be awarded as follows:
Average Recipient Median Income is:
Less than 60 percent of the state or national median household
income. 30 points.
Between 60 and 70 percent of the state or national median household
income. 20 points.
Greater than 70 percent of the state or national median household
income. 10 points.
5. Soundness of Approach--Maximum 50 Points
The applicant can receive up to 50 points for soundness of
approach. The overall proposal will be considered under this criterion.
Applicants must list the page numbers in the application that address
these factors.
a. The ability to provide the proposed financial and technical
assistance based on prior accomplishments has been demonstrated.
b. The proposed financial and technical assistance program is
clearly stated and the applicant has defined how this proposal will be
implemented. The plan for implementation is viable.
c. Cost effectiveness will be evaluated based on the budget in the
application. The proposed grant amount and matching funds should be
utilized to maximize capacity building at the recipient level.
d. The proposal fits the objectives for which applications were
invited.
6. Technical assistance for the development of Renewable Energy
Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements--Maximum 20 Points
The applicant must demonstrate how they will improve the
recipients' capacity to carry out activities related to the development
of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements for
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development.
7. State Director's Points Based on Project Merit--20 Points
This criterion does not have to be addressed by the applicant. An
additional 20 points may be awarded by the Rural Development State
Director for the state's first priority project. Only one project per
state will be awarded these points. Assignment of points will include a
written justification and may be awarded based on the Rural Development
State Office's strategic plan.
8. Proportional Distribution Points--20 Points
This criterion does not have to be addressed by the applicant.
After applications have been evaluated and awarded points under the
first 7 criteria, the Agency may award 20 points per application to
promote an even distribution of grant awards between the ranges of
$50,000 to $300,000.
B. Review and Selection Process
Rating and ranking. Applications will be rated and ranked on a
national basis by a review panel based on the ``Evaluation Criteria''
contained in this Notice. If there is a tied score after the
applications have been rated and ranked, the tie will be resolved by
reviewing the scores for ``Building Capacity'' and the applicant with
the highest score in that category will receive a higher ranking. If
the scores for ``Building Capacity'' are the same, the scores will be
compared for the next criterion, in sequential order, until one highest
score can be determined.
Initial screening. The Agency will screen each application to
determine eligibility during the period immediately following the
application deadline. Listed below are examples of reasons for
rejection from previous funding rounds. The following reasons for
rejection are not all inclusive; however, they represent the majority
of the applications previously rejected.
1. Recipients were not located in eligible rural areas based on the
definition in this Notice.
2. Applicants failed to provide evidence of recipient's status,
i.e., documentation supporting nonprofit evidence of organization.
3. Applicants failed to provide evidence of committed matching
funds.
4. Application did not follow the RCDI structure with an
intermediary and recipients.
5. Recipients were not identified in the application.
6. Intermediary did not provide evidence it had been incorporated
for at least 3 years as the applicant entity.
7. Applicants failed to address the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
8. The purpose of the proposal did not qualify as an eligible RCDI
purpose.
9. Inappropriate use of funds (e.g., construction or renovations).
[[Page 30516]]
10. Providing financial and technical assistance directly to
individuals.
11. Application package not received by closing date and time.
Part VI--Award Administration Information
A. General Information
Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding
official of the Agency shall make grants to those responsible, eligible
applicants whose applications are judged meritorious under the
procedures set forth in this Notice.
B. Award Notice
Applicant will be notified of selection by letter. In addition,
applicant will be requested to verify that components of the
application have not changed. The award is not approved until all
information has been verified, and the awarding official of the Agency
has signed Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Grantees will be required to do the following:
1. Execute a Rural Community Development Initiative Grant
Agreement, which is published at the end of this Notice.
2. Execute Form RD 1940-1.
3. Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' to
request reimbursements. Provide receipts for expenditures, timesheets
and any other documentation to support the request for reimbursement.
4. Provide financial status and project performance reports on a
quarterly basis starting with the first full quarter after the grant
award.
5. Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to the
Agency.
6. Ensure that records are maintained to document all activities
and expenditures utilizing RCDI grant funds and matching funds.
Receipts for expenditures will be included in this documentation.
7. Provide annual audits or management reports on Form RD 442-2,
``Statement of Budget, Income and Equity,'' and Form RD 442-3,
``Balance Sheet,'' depending on the amount of Federal funds expended
and the outstanding balance.
8. Collect and maintain data provided by recipients on race, sex,
and national origin and ensure recipients collect and maintain the same
data on beneficiaries. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in
accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to the
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and
Ethnicity,'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be
collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972. These items should not be submitted with the application but
should be available upon request by the Agency.
9. Provide a final project performance report.
10. Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural
Development employees.
11. The intermediary and recipient must comply with Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Executive Order
12250.
12. The grantee must comply with policies, guidance, and
requirements as described in the following applicable OMB Circulars and
Code of Federal Regulations:
a. OMB Circular A-87 (Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian
Tribal Government);
b. OMB Circular A-122 (Cost Principles for Non-profit
Organizations);
c. OMB Circular A-133 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and
Non-Profit Organizations);
d. 7 CFR part 3015 (Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations);
e. 7 CFR part 3016 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments);
f. 7 CFR part 3017 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement));
g. 7 CFR part 3019 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and
Other Non-profit Organizations); and
h. 7 CFR part 3052 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-
Profit Organizations).
D. Reporting
Reporting requirements can be found in the Grant Agreement included
in this Notice.
Part VII--Agency Contact
Contact the Rural Development office in the state where the
applicant's headquarters is located. A list of Rural Development State
Offices is included in this Notice.
Part VIII--Nondiscrimination Statement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital
status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation,
genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or
part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance
program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a
complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or
call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
Grant Amount Determination
In the event the applicant is awarded a grant that is less than the
amount requested, the applicant will be required to modify its
application to conform to the reduced amount before execution of the
grant agreement. The Agency reserves the right to reduce or withdraw
the award if acceptable modifications are not submitted by the awardee
within 15 working days from the date the request for modification is
made. Any modifications must be within the scope of the original
application.
Rural Development State Office Contacts
Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.
Alabama State Office, Suite 601, Sterling Centre, 4121 Carmichael Road,
Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, (334) 279-3400, TDD (334) 279-3495, Chris
Harmon.
Alaska State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645,
(907) 761-7705, TDD (907) 761-8905, Merlaine Kruse.
Arizona State Office, 230 North 1st Avenue, Suite 206, Phoenix, AZ
85003, (602) 280-8747, TDD (602) 280-8705, Leonard Gradillas.
Arkansas State Office, 700 W. Capitol Ave., Rm. 3416, Little Rock, AR
72201-3225, (501) 301-3250, TDD (501) 301-3200, Jerry Virden.
California State Office, 430 G Street, Agency 4169, Davis, CA 95616-
4169, (530) 792-5810, TDD (530) 792-5848, Janice Waddell.
Colorado State Office, 655 Parfet Street, Room E-100, Lakewood, CO
80215, 720-544-2927, TDD 720-544-2976, Delores Sanchez-Maez.
[[Page 30517]]
Connecticut
Served by Massachusetts State Office
Delaware and Maryland State Office, 1221 College Park Dr., Suite 200,
Dover, DE 19904-8713, (302) 857-3580, TDD (302) 697-4303, Denise
MacLeish.
Florida & Virgin Islands State Office, 4440 NW. 25th Place, P.O. Box
147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3485, TDD (352) 338-3499,
Michael Langston.
Georgia State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 E. Hancock Avenue,
Athens, GA 30601-2768, (706) 546-2171, TDD (706) 546-2034, Jerry M.
Thomas.
Guam
Served by Hawaii State Office
Hawaii, Guam, & Western Pacific Territories State Office, Room 311,
Federal Building, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 933-
8310, TDD (808) 933-8321, Ted Matsuo.
Idaho State Office, 9173 West Barnes Dr., Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709,
(208) 378-5617, TDD (208) 378-5600, David A. Flesher.
Illinois State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL
61821, (217) 403-6200, TDD (217) 403-6240, Patrick Lydic.
Indiana State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46278-
1996, (317) 290-3100 (ext. 431), TDD (317) 290-3343, Gregg Delp.
Iowa State Office, 873 Federal Building, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines,
IA 50309, (515) 284-4663, TDD (515) 284-4858, Karla Peiffer.
Kansas State Office, 1303 SW. First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka,
KS 66604-4040, (785) 271-2730, TDD (785) 271-2767, Gary L. Smith.
Kentucky State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY
40503, (859) 224-7336, TDD (859) 224-7300, Vernon Brown.
Louisiana State Office, 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302,
(318) 473-7962, TDD (318) 473-7920, Richard Hoffpauir.
Maine State Office, 967 Illinois Ave., Suite 4, P.O. Box 405, Bangor,
ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9124, TDD (207) 942-7331, Ron Lambert.
Maryland
Served by Delaware State Office
Massachusetts, Connecticut, & Rhode Island State Office, 451 West
Street, Suite 2, Amherst, MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4300, TDD (413) 253-
7068, Daniel R. Beaudette.
Michigan State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, MI
48823, (517) 324-5208, TDD (517) 337-6795, Frank J. Tuma.
Minnesota State Office, 410 Farm Credit Service Building, 375 Jackson
Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-7800, TDD (651) 602-3799,
Terry Louwagie.
Mississippi State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 W. Capitol
Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965-4316, TDD (601) 965-5850, Bettye
Oliver.
Missouri State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, Suite
235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876-0976, TDD (573) 876-9480, Clark
Thomas.
Montana State Office, 900 Technology Blvd., Suite B, Bozeman, MT 59771,
(406) 585-2545, TDD (406) 585-2562, Bill Barr.
Nebraska State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall
N., Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 437-5559, TDD (402) 437-5551, Denise
Brosius-Meeks.
Nevada State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703-
9910, (775) 887-1222 (ext. 28), TDD (775) 885-0633, Kay Vernatter.
New Hampshire
Served by Vermont State Office
New Jersey State Office, 8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor North, Suite
500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, (856) 787-7750, Kenneth Drewes.
New Mexico State Office, 6200 Jefferson St. NE., Room 255, Albuquerque,
NM 87109, (505) 761-4950, TDD (505) 761-4938, Martha Torrez.
New York State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 S. Salina Street,
Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-6400. TDD (315) 477-6447,
Gail Giannotta.
North Carolina State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC
27609, (919) 873-2070, TDD (919) 873-2003, Phyllis Godbold.
North Dakota State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East Rosser
Ave., P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, (701) 530-2037, TDD (701)
530-2113, Dale VanEchout.
Ohio State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street,
Columbus, OH 43215-2418, (614) 255-2400, TDD (614) 255-2554, David M.
Douglas.
Oklahoma State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074-2654,
(405) 742-1000, TDD (405) 742-1007, Brian Wiles.
Oregon State Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Suite 801, Portland, OR 97232,
(503) 414-3300, TDD (503) 414-3387, John J. Brugger.
Pennsylvania State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330,
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2299, TDD (717) 237-2261, Gary
Rothrock.
Puerto Rico State Office, IBM Building--Suite 601, 654 Munos Rivera
Avenue, San Juan, PR 00918-6106, (787) 766-5095, TDD (787) 766-5332,
Clery Morales.
Rhode Island
Served by Massachusetts State Office
South Carolina State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835
Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 253-3656, TDD
(803) 765-5697, Ken King.
South Dakota State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 Fourth
Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1100, TDD (605) 352-1147, Doug
Roehl.
Tennessee State Office, Suite 300, 3322 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN
37203-1084, (615) 783-1300, TDD (615) 783-1397, Keith Head.
Texas State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main,
Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9789, TDD (254) 742-9749, Michael B.
Canales.
Utah State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State
Street, Room 4311, P.O. Box 11350, Salt Lake City, UT 84138, (801) 524-
4326, TDD (801) 524-3309, Debra Meyer.
Vermont State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street,
Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6011, TDD (802) 223-6365, Rhonda
Shippee.
Virgin Islands
Served by Florida State Office
Virginia State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa
Road, Richmond, VA 23229, (804) 287-1550, TDD (804) 287-1753, Carrie
Schmidt.
Washington State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard, SW., Suite B,
Olympia, WA 98501-5715, (360) 740-7738, Gayle Hoskison.
Western Pacific Territories
Served by Hawaii State Office
West Virginia State Office, Federal Building, 75 High Street, Room 320,
Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4860, TDD (304) 284-4836, Dianne
Crysler.
Wisconsin State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481,
(715) 345-7614, TDD (715) 345-7610, Mark Brodziski.
Wyoming State Office, Federal Building, Room 1005, 100 East B Street,
P.O. Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602-5006,
[[Page 30518]]
(307) 233-6733, TDD (307) 233-6719, Alana Cannon.
Washington, DC, Stop 0787, Room 0183, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0787, (202) 720-1506, Susan Woolard.
Dated: June 19, 2009.
Tammye H. Trevino,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
United States Department of Agriculture
Rural Housing Service
Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Agreement
This Grant Agreement (Agreement), effective the date the Agency
official signs the document, is a contract for receipt of grant funds
under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI).
Between----------------
a private or public or tribal organization, (Grantee or
Intermediary) and the United States of America acting through the Rural
Housing Service, Department of Agriculture, (Agency or Grantor), for
the benefit of recipients listed in Grantee's application for the
grant.
Witnesseth:
The principal amount of the grant is $------------------------
(Grant Funds). Matching funds, in an amount equal to the grant funds,
will be provided by Grantee. The Grantee and Grantor will execute Form
RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
Whereas,
Grantee will provide a program of financial and technical
assistance to develop the capacity and ability of nonprofit
organizations, low-income rural communities, or federally recognized
tribes to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities,
or community and economic development in rural areas;
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
information collection is 0575-0180. The time required to complete this
information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the
collection of information.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the grant;
Grantee agrees that Grantee will:
A. Provide a program of financial and technical assistance in
accordance with the proposal outlined in the application, (see
Attachment A), the terms of which are incorporated with this Agreement
and must be adhered to. Any changes to the approved program of
financial and technical assistance must be approved in writing by the
Grantor;
B. Use Grant Funds only for the purposes and activities specified
in the application package approved by the Agency including the
approved budget. Any uses not provided for in the approved budget must
be approved in writing by the Agency in advance;
C. Charge expenses for travel and per diem that will not exceed the
rates paid Agency employees for similar expenses. Grantees and
recipients will be restricted to traveling coach class on common
carrier airlines. Lodging rates may exceed the Government rate by a
maximum of 20 percent. Meals and incidental expenses will be reimbursed
at the same rate used by Agency employees, which is based upon
location. Mileage and gas will be reimbursed at the existing Government
rate. Rates can be obtained from the applicable State Office;
D. Charge meeting expenses in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1345. Grant
funds may not be used for travel, transportation, and subsistence
expenses for a meeting. Matching funds may be used to pay these
expenses. Any meeting or training not delineated in the application
must be approved by the Agency to verify compliance with 31 U.S.C.
1345;
E. Request for advances or reimbursement for grant activities. If
payment is to be made by advance, the Grantee shall request advance
payment, but not more frequently than once every 30 days, of grant
funds by using Standard Form 270, ``Request for Advance or
Reimbursement.'' Receipts, invoices, hourly wage rate, personnel
payroll records, or other documentation must be provided by
intermediary. This information must be maintained in the intermediary's
files.
If payment is to be made by reimbursement, the Grantee shall
request reimbursement of grant funds, but not more frequently than once
every 30 days, by using Standard Form 270, ``Request for Advance or
Reimbursement.'' Receipts, invoices, hourly wage rate, personnel
payroll records, or other documentation, as determined by the Agency,
must be provided by the intermediary to justify the amount. This
information must be maintained in the intermediary's files.
All requests for advances or reimbursements must include matching
fund usage. Matching funds must be at least equal to the grant amount
requested.
F. Provide periodic reports as required by the Grantor. A financial
status report and a project performance report will be required on a
quarterly basis (due 30 working days after each calendar quarter). The
financial status report must show how grant funds and matching funds
have been used to date. A final report may serve as the last quarterly
report. Grantees shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that
time schedules are being met and projected goals by time periods are
being accomplished. The project performance reports shall include, but
are not limited to, the following:
1. Describe the activities that the funds reflected in the
financial status report were used for;
2. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives for
that period;
3. Reasons why established objectives were not met, if applicable;
4. Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will affect
attainment of overall program objectives, prevent meeting time
schedules or objectives, or preclude the attainment of particular
objectives during established time periods. This disclosure shall be
accomplished by a statement of the action taken or planned to resolve
the situation;
5. Objectives and timetables established for the next reporting
period;
6. A summary of the race, sex, and national origin of the
recipients and a summary from the recipients of the race, sex, and
national origin of the beneficiaries; and
7. The final report will also address the following:
a. What have been the most challenging or unexpected aspects of
this program?
b. What advice would you give to other organizations planning a
similar program? Please include strengths and limitations of the
program. If you had the opportunity, what would you have done
differently?
c. Are there any post-grant plans for this project? If yes, how
will they be financed?
G. Consider potential recipients without discrimination as to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual
orientation, or physical or mental disability;
H. Ensure that any services or training offered by the recipient,
as a result of the financial and technical assistance received, must be
made available to all persons in the recipient's service area without
discrimination as to race, color,
[[Page 30519]]
religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual
orientation, or physical or mental disability, or genetic information
(not all protected bases apply to all programs) at reasonable rates,
including assessments, taxes, or fees. Programs and activities must be
delivered from accessible locations. The recipient must ensure that,
where there are non-English speaking populations, materials are
provided in the language that is spoken;
I. Ensure recipients are required to place nondiscrimination
statements in advertisements, notices, pamphlets and brochures making
the public aware of their services. The Grantee and recipient are
required to provide widespread outreach and public notification in
promoting any type of training or services that are available through
grant funds;
J. The Grantee must collect and maintain data on recipients by
race, sex, and national origin. The grantee must ensure that their
recipients also collect and maintain data on beneficiaries by race,
sex, and national origin as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and must be provided to the Agency for compliance review
purposes. USDA Rural Development will complete a pre-award compliance
review. The pre-award will be before grant approval or disbursement of
funds;
K. Upon any default under its representations or agreements
contained in this instrument, Grantee, at the option and demand of
Grantor, will immediately repay to Grantor any legally permitted
damages together with any legally permitted interest from the date of
the default. At Grantor's election, any default by the Grantee will
constitute termination of the grant thereby causing cancellation of
Federal assistance under the grant. The provisions of this Agreement
may be enforced by Grantor, without regard to prior waivers of this
Agreement, by proceedings in law or equity, in either Federal or State
courts as may be deemed necessary by Grantor to ensure compliance with
the provisions of this Agreement and the laws and regulations under
which this grant is made;
L. Provide Financial Management Systems that will include:
1. Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial
results of each grant. Financial reporting will be on an accrual basis;
2. Records that identify adequately the source and application of
funds for grant-supported activities. Those records shall contain
information pertaining to grant awards and authorizations, obligations,
unobligated balances, assets, liabilities, outlays, and income related
to Grant Funds and matching funds;
3. Effective control over and accountability for all funds,
property, and other assets. Grantees shall adequately safeguard all
such assets and shall ensure that they are used solely for authorized
purposes;
4. Accounting records supported by source documentation; and
5. Grantee tracking of fund usage and records that show matching
funds and grant funds are used in equal proportions. The grantee will
provide verifiable documentation regarding matching fund usage, i.e.,
bank statements or copies of funding obligations from the matching
source.
M. Retain financial records, supporting documents, statistical
records, and all other records pertinent to the grant for a period of
at least three years after the grant agreement expires except that the
records shall be retained beyond the 3-year period if audit findings
have not been resolved. Microfilm or photocopies or similar methods may
be substituted in lieu of original records. The Grantor and the
Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly
authorized representatives, shall have access to any books, documents,
papers, and records of the Grantee's which are pertinent to the
specific grant program for the purpose of making audits, examinations,
excerpts, and transcripts;
N. Provide an A-133 audit report if $500,000 or more of Federal
funds are expended in a 1-year period. If Federal funds expended during
a 1 year period are less than $500,000 and there is an outstanding loan
balance of $500,000 or more, an audit in accordance with generally
accepted government auditing standards is required. If Federal funds
expended during a 1-year period are less than $500,000 including any
outstanding loan balance in which the Federal government imposes
continuing compliance requirements, a management report may be
submitted on Forms RD 442-2, ``Statement of Budget, Income and
Equity,'' and 442-3, ``Balance Sheet'', or similar;
O. Not encumber, transfer, or dispose of the equipment or any part
thereof, acquired wholly or in part with Grantor funds without the
written consent of the Grantor; and
P. Not duplicate other program activities for which monies have
been received, are committed, or are applied to from other sources
(public or private).
Grantor agrees that:
A. It will make available to Grantee for the purpose of this
Agreement funds in an amount not to exceed the Grant Funds. The funds
will be disbursed to Grantee on a pro rata basis with the Grantee's
matching funds; and
B. At its sole discretion and at any time may give any consent,
deferment, subordination, release, satisfaction, or termination of any
or all of Grantee's grant obligations, with or without valuable
consideration, upon such terms and conditions as Grantor may determine
to be:
1. Advisable to further the purpose of the grant or to protect
Grantor's financial interest therein; and
2. Consistent with both the statutory purposes of the grant and the
limitations of the statutory authority under which it is made.
Both Parties Agree:
A. Extensions of this grant agreement may be approved by the
Agency, in writing, provided in the Agency's sole discretion the
extension is justified and there is a likelihood that the grantee can
accomplish the goals set out and approved in the application package
during the extension period. Extensions will be limited to one six-
month period;
B. The Grantor must approve any changes in recipient or recipient
composition;
C. The Grantor has agreed to give the Grantee the Grant Funds,
subject to the terms and conditions established by the Grantor. Any
Grant Funds actually disbursed and not needed for grant purposes must
be returned immediately to the Grantor. This agreement shall terminate
3 years from this date unless extended or unless terminated beforehand
due to default on the part of the Grantee or for convenience of the
Grantor and Grantee. The Grantor may terminate the grant in whole, or
in part, at any time before the date of completion, whenever it is
determined that the Grantee has failed to comply with the conditions of
this Agreement or the applicable regulations; Termination for
convenience will occur when both the Grantee and Grantor agree that the
continuation of the program will not produce beneficial results
commensurate with the further expenditure of funds.
D. As a condition of the Agreement, the Grantee certifies that it
is in compliance with, and will comply in the course of the Agreement
with, all applicable laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and other
generally applicable requirements, which are incorporated into this
agreement by reference, and such other statutory provisions as are
specifically contained herein.
E. The Grantee will ensure that the recipients comply with Title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 and
[[Page 30520]]
Executive Order 12250. Each recipient must sign Form RD 400-4,
``Assurance Agreement'';
F. The provisions of 7 CFR part 3015, ``Uniform Federal Assistance
Regulations,'' part 3016, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments,'' or
part 3019, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other
Nonprofit Organizations,'' and the fiscal year 2009 ``Notice of Funds
Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Rural Community
Development Initiative (RCDI)'' are incorporated herein and made a part
hereof by reference;
In witness whereof, Grantee has this day authorized and caused this
Agreement to be executed by
Attest
By---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Grantee)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title)
Date-------------------------------------------------------------------
United States of America
Rural Housing Service
By---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Grantor) (Name) (Title)
Date-------------------------------------------------------------------
Attachment A
[Application proposal submitted by grantee.]
[FR Doc. E9-15128 Filed 6-25-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P