[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5006]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 4, 1994]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part VI





Department of Commerce





_______________________________________________________________________



National Telecommunications and Information Administration



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Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program 
(TIIAP); Notice
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration
[Docket Number: 940118-4018]
RIN 0660-AA04

 
Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance 
Program (TIIAP)

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) announces the availability of funds for planning and 
demonstration projects to promote the goals of development and 
widespread availability of advanced telecommunications technologies; to 
enhance the delivery of social services and generally serve the public 
interest; to promote access to government information and increase 
civic participation; and to support the advancement of an advanced 
nationwide telecommunications and information infrastructure.

DATES: Applications for the TIIAP must be mailed or hand-carried to the 
address indicated below and received by NTIA on or before 5 p.m., May 
12, 1994. NTIA anticipates that it will take between three to four 
months to process all applications and make final funding 
determinations.

ADDRESSES: Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications, 
Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., room H-4889, 
Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Charles M. Rush, Acting Director 
of the Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications, 
Telephone: (202) 482-2048; fax: (202) 482-2156; e-mail: 
[email protected] Information on the program may also be downloaded 
from the NTIA Bulletin Board. Modem should be set at either 2400 or 
9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit: (202) 482-1199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority

    The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA), Department of Commerce, serves as the President's principal 
adviser on telecommunications and information policy. NTIA's functions 
were codified as part of the Telecommunications Authorization Act of 
1992, Public Law 102-538, 106 Stat. 3533, 47 U.S.C. 901-04 (1993).
    The Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1993, Public Law 103-121, 107 
Stat. 1153 (1993), provides the Department of Commerce $26 million in 
assistance for public telecommunications facilities under 47 U.S.C. 
390-393A (1991), to be used for the planning and construction of 
telecommunications networks for the provision of educational, cultural, 
health care, public information, public safety or other social services 
(notwithstanding the requirements of 47 U.S.C. 392 (a) and (c)).

Program Description

    NTIA announces a competitive grant program, the TIIAP, created to 
advance the goals of the Administration's National Information 
Infrastructure (NII) initiative. Major goals of the NII initiative 
include: The promotion of private sector investment through appropriate 
tax and regulatory policies; the extension of universal service so that 
information is available to all at affordable prices, using the widest 
variety of appropriate technologies; the promotion of technological 
innovation and new applications; wider access to government 
information; and guarantees of information security and network 
reliability.
    For details of the NII initiative, see The National Information 
Infrastructure: Agenda for Action, 58 FR 49025 (September 21, 1993). 
This document is available on Internet, in ASCII format through both 
FTP and Gopher. The FTP file name is ``niiagenda.asc.'' Address: 
``ftp.ntia.doc.gov.'' Login as ``anonymous''. Use your e-mail address 
or guest as the password. Change directory to ``pub.'' The Gopher 
address is ``gopher.nist.gov.'' Login as ``gopher.'' Choose the menu 
item ``DOC Documents.'' Choose ``ntiaagenda.asc.''
    The TIIAP will provide matching grants to state and local 
governments, non-profit health care providers, school districts, 
libraries, universities, public safety services, and other non-profit 
entities. Grants will be awarded after a competitive merit review 
process and will be used to fund projects to connect institutions to 
existing networks and systems, enhance communications networks and 
systems that are currently operational, establish new network 
capabilities, permit users to interconnect among different networks and 
systems, and bring more users on-line. Equally important, they will 
help leverage the resources and creativity of the private sector to 
devise new applications and uses of the NII. The success of these pilot 
projects will create an ongoing process that will generate more 
innovative approaches each year.

Funding Availability

    Congress appropriated $26 million for competitive information 
infrastructure grants in fiscal year 1994 for the planning and 
construction of telecommunications networks for the enhancement of 
equal opportunity and the provision of educational, cultural, health 
care, public information, library, public safety or other social 
services. NTIA expects that the level of competition will be extremely 
high. The overall level of funding will place obvious limits on the 
amount of funding available for individual grants, although NTIA 
anticipates receiving a wide range of grant proposals.
    Currently, there is pending legislation to authorize an 
infrastructure grant program for fiscal years 1995 and 1996 that would 
continue to advance the goals of the grant program described in this 
Notice for fiscal year 1994 funds. NTIA anticipates that the pending 
authorization legislation will, if enacted, prescribe standards fully 
consistent with the criteria set forth in this Notice (criteria that 
are set as a matter of NTIA's administrative discretion, consistent 
with NTIA's existing statutory authorities; see 47 U.S.C. 392 (1991)). 
Nevertheless, it must be emphasized that, until new authorizing 
legislation is enacted, NTIA cannot unequivocally state what specific 
criteria it will apply in evaluating grant applications for fiscal 
years 1995 and 1996. Accordingly, the criteria described below apply 
only to fiscal year 1994 project proposals.

Matching Requirements

    Grant recipients under this program will be required to provide 
matching funds toward the total project cost. NTIA will provide up to 
fifty per cent (50%) of the total project cost, unless extraordinary 
circumstances warrant a grant of up to seventy-five per cent (75%). A 
project will not be considered grantable unless the applicant can 
document a capacity both to supply matching funds, and to sustain the 
project beyond the period of the award. Cash matching is highly 
desirable; however, NTIA will allow in-kind matching on a case-by-case 
basis. Federal funds may not be used as matching monies. Grant funds 
under this program will be released in direct proportion to local 
matching funds raised and/or documented.

Type of Funding Instrument

    The funding instrument for awards under this program shall be a 
grant.

Eligibility Criteria

    The fiscal year 1994 grant cycle of the TIIAP is divided into two 
separate categories. Category One supports the efforts of all eligible 
applicants (state and local governments, as well as non-profit 
entities) to develop their information infrastructures through 
demonstration projects. NTIA considers this to be the principal funding 
category. Category Two focuses on planning grants, and is further 
divided into two subcategories. The first subcategory supports planning 
efforts that project a statewide, multi-state, or national impact. The 
second subcategory supports the planning efforts with an intrastate or 
local impact. State and local governments, as well as multi-state and/
or non-profit entities are eligible to apply in all categories.

Award Period

    Successful applicants will have between six and eighteen months to 
complete their projects. The actual time will vary depending on the 
complexity of any particular project. During the award period, NTIA has 
a duty to monitor and evaluate the projects it funds through the TIIAP. 
Typically, monitoring will involve site visits by NTIA staff and 
designated evaluators, informal telephone contact, and evaluation of 
the grantees' written reports. NTIA also expects that grantees, working 
with NTIA, will evaluate the results of their projects, and formalize 
and disseminate information about the lessons learned therefrom. 
Further information on NTIA's duty to monitor funded projects, as well 
as NTIA's evaluation expectations, is contained in the grant 
application kit.

Indirect Costs

    The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award or one hundred per cent (100%) of 
the total proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, 
whichever is less.

Application Forms and Kit

     Standard Forms 424, Application for Federal Assistance; 424A, 
Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; and 424B, Assurances--
Non-Construction Programs, (Rev 4-88), shall be used in applying for 
financial assistance. The forms used in the Application are subject to 
the Paperwork Reduction Act, and have been cleared by the Office of 
Management and Budget under Control Numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 
0348-0040. Application kits may be obtained by writing to the address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section above.

Project Funding Priorities

    Funding under the TIIAP will be awarded to support projects that 
most effectively enhance economic opportunity, the provision of 
education, culture, health care, public information, library, public 
safety, social services, or other efforts to meet public needs; and 
that support the further development of a nationwide, high-speed, 
interactive infrastructure, incorporating the widest variety of 
information technologies. The number of proposals that will receive 
funding in each of the two categories will depend, in large measure, on 
the total number of applications that NTIA receives. Because the 
aggregate funding level of individual grants cannot be determined in 
advance, applicants must justify the amounts requested.
    NTIA anticipates that approximately sixty per cent (60%) of the 
funds appropriated for this grant program will be devoted to 
demonstration projects, with approximately forty per cent (40%) of the 
funds devoted to planning grants for states, local governments, 
regional entities, and non-profit entities. Details of funding 
priorities within these categories are as follows:

Priority in Category One--Demonstration Projects

    A priority for demonstration project grants is that the project 
develop a model that others can follow. An important element of this 
model is a plan for disseminating the knowledge gained as a result of 
carrying out the project. In NTIA's view, this nation's 
telecommunications infrastructure should reinforce the values of 
American democracy, and the TIIAP should support projects that empower 
citizens, promote equal opportunity, protect individuals' rights, and 
strengthen democratic institutions.
    Therefore, within the context of this category, all applications in 
the public interest are candidates for support; however, principal 
consideration will be given to telecommunications and information 
applications that promote economic opportunity and the effective 
provision of education, health care, public safety, libraries, 
community information services, creation of information empowerment 
zones, and other approaches that foster public participation in the 
political process and civic life.

Priorities in Category Two--Planning Grants

Statewide, Regional, and National Planning Grants
    Priority consideration will be given to projects whose impact will 
be statewide, regional (multi-state), or national. A component of this 
category will be support for states to engage in comprehensive 
telecommunications infrastructure planning, particularly those states 
that have not yet developed detailed strategies for their respective 
information infrastructures. NTIA will also consider, but with a lower 
priority, applications from states that have developed comprehensive 
plans, but seek further improvement in these plans. NTIA also 
encourages proposals from multi-state consortia, as well as from 
organizations, or coalitions of organizations, for regional or national 
telecommunications infrastructure planning.
Local and Intrastate Planning Grants
    NTIA will deem most competitive those projects that clearly and 
demonstrably further the goals of this program at a community, county, 
or multi-county level. While the focus of this subcategory is local, 
NTIA encourages collaborations among counties, communities, and public 
and private organizations at the local or regional level, as well as 
coordination with state agencies involved with telecommunications 
infrastructure planning and implementation.

Evaluation Criteria

A. General Criteria

    As a network of networks, the telecommunications component of the 
National Information Infrastructure will never be a single entity. In 
fact, telecommunications networks and systems in the United States have 
been growing and evolving for more than a century. This trend will 
continue (and supporting it is a primary policy goal of the NII 
initiative), driven by technological innovation, market forces, and the 
elaboration of increasingly sophisticated and varied information 
delivery systems throughout the world. Applicants should be aware of 
this trend, and configure their proposed projects to take advantage of 
existing and emerging standards for interoperability.
    The success of any grant program depends upon its ability to fund 
only those projects that are well thought out and comprehensively 
planned. Therefore, no funds will be expended under this program unless 
the project demonstrates the most economic and efficient use of scarce 
Federal resources. Other general criteria that all applicants should 
address are:
1. Technical Considerations
    A major goal of the NII is the integration of networks. The TIIAP 
will not foster stand-alone, ``dedicated networks,'' that are 
incapable, for either technical or practical reasons, of 
interconnecting with other networks and systems. In part, applicants 
will be judged on the extent to which they plan to coordinate 
information infrastructure activities in their state, in neighboring 
states, or in the region. Applicants should address the technical 
aspects of their information infrastructure projects. Proposals should 
address interconnectivity, the capacity of one system to easily 
transfer digital information to another system, at the state, regional, 
national, and international level, as appropriate. Whether the 
information infrastructure will be expandable is another important 
issue. The standards, codes, and protocols that will allow for 
interoperability should be addressed in this section. Finally, the 
capacity for interactivity should be described in detail.
2. Partnerships
    NTIA will look favorably on joint applications from partnerships of 
two or more entities. For this reason, applicants should be aware of 
other relevant information infrastructure projects in the state or 
region. To the extent possible, applicants should plan to coordinate 
their projects with other relevant projects.
3. Innovation and Experimentation
    An overriding goal of the TIIAP is to foster innovation and 
experimentation in the uses and benefits that accrue from information 
infrastructure, while at the same time rewarding those projects which 
display innovative approaches to the problem of ensuring individual 
privacy. For this reason, the program will carefully assess projects 
from the perspective of technology or technologies deployed, current 
applications supported, and the potential for growth in the range of 
services provided. As noted above, NTIA expects applicants to consider 
carefully the status of the existing infrastructure; however, 
applicants should be willing, when appropriate, to experiment with new 
uses and applications of the information infrastructure supported under 
this program.
4. Privacy
    As noted above, NTIA expects applicants to consider carefully 
safeguards for the privacy of the information flowing through the 
information infrastructure funded through this grant program. While not 
mandating specifics, NTIA expects applicants to demonstrate a high 
level of respect for the privacy of users' information and data. 
Applicants proposing projects dealing with individually identifiable 
information will be required to prescribe mechanisms for protecting 
individual privacy. In addition, NTIA expects applicants to comply 
fully with all applicable privacy laws.
5. Eliminating Disparity of Access
    One of the key roles for government in the NII is to promote equity 
of access, so that the information age does not create information 
``haves'' and ``have nots.'' Applicants should address how they intend 
to support the goal of promoting widespread access, and eliminating or 
reducing disparities in access, to the information infrastructure, 
consistent with the scope of the project. For purposes of this grant 
cycle, NTIA will look favorably on proposals that enable ordinary 
Americans to learn how to use, or benefit from, information 
infrastructure, without unreasonable burden or expense. Applicants 
should also consider how to train end-users in the use of information 
technologies. This section should address questions such as:

    How will the applicant's proposal help ensure end-user ease of 
access to the telecommunications infrastructure?
    How will the planning or implementation process encourage 
community development?
    How will the planning or implementation process address the 
issue of access to the information infrastructure by minorities, 
disadvantaged, or otherwise under-served populations?
6. Role of Existing Information Infrastructure
    By a variety of measures, the United States' existing information 
infrastructure is the most advanced in the world. Therefore, if an 
applicant requests support to construct new transmission capacity, 
there should be a clear discussion of why utilization of existing 
networks and systems cannot be relied upon efficiently and economically 
to meet the project's needs. A proposal should address whether 
incorporation of existing information infrastructure into the overall 
plan is feasible. Under this section, applicants should address 
questions such as:

    What information infrastructure is currently available to the 
applicant? How can commercial and non-commercial providers of 
telecommunications and information services help the applicant meet 
its information needs?
7. Accommodation of Future Technology and Flexibility
    As communications and information technologies rapidly evolve and 
improve, existing technology can quickly become obsolete. For this 
reason, all applicants should consider how they intend to address this 
issue. The capacity for upgrades and improvements, as well as the 
flexibility to accommodate changes in the volume or types of uses, 
should be considered from the beginning of any planning or development 
process.
8. Contribution to the Formation of the National Information 
Infrastructure
    Applicants should explain how their proposed projects can make a 
contribution to the development of the National Information 
Infrastructure. Some questions that an applicant could consider are:


    What applications and services are being provided through the 
existing information infrastructure?
    How will the project ensure connectivity to other systems 
outside the immediate state or community?
    What monitoring or evaluation plan will be utilized?

B. Specific Evaluative Criteria

1. Category One--Demonstration Projects
    a. Eligibility. This category is open to any state or local 
government, or any non-profit entity. For purposes of this notice, a 
``local government'' is any branch of government below the state level. 
This term also includes special purpose subdivisions, or government-
funded entities that have responsibilities beyond the political 
boundaries of a single state, and Indian Tribal governments. A ``non-
profit'' entity is any foundation, association, or corporation, no part 
of the net earnings of which inures, or may lawfully inure, to the 
benefit of any private shareholder or individual. This is the same 
definition used in 47 U.S.C. 397 (1991).
    b. Evaluative criteria. A major criterion under this category will 
be the capability of the applicant actually to carry out the proposed 
project and/or the applicant's ability to deliver the proposed service 
or services. In addition to the general evaluative criteria set forth 
above, applicants for demonstration projects should address the 
following criteria in their applications: (1) Connection to end-users. 
In formulating their proposals, applicants should be mindful of the 
needs of eventual end-users. Any system or network proposed for NTIA 
funding should include capacity for providing a range of information 
services, consistent both with the mission of the entity and the 
present and future requirements of end-users. Questions applicants 
might address are:

    To what degree does the project duplicate other services 
available to users in the projected service area?
    To what degree does the project include provisions for 
multifunctional activities--such as education, health care, 
community information services, etc.--and access to related 
information sources?
    Will the project be structured to respond to increased demands 
for services from users?

    (2) Efficiency and economy. In this era of limited fiscal 
resources, it is essential that each dollar be spent in the most 
efficient and economical manner possible. Some questions that the 
applicant might consider under this criterion are:

    Is the proposed acquisition of information infrastructure, with 
NTIA grant funds, the most efficient and economical?
    Why is the applicant's choice of technology the most appropriate 
to the proposal?
    How will the system or equipment funded by NTIA be maintained? 
Is its operation assured for a reasonable amount of time after 
installation?
    How does the applicant intend to deal with rapidly changing 
technology and issues of obsolescence?
    What role will available commercial services play in the 
proposed project?


    (3) End-user support. A large barrier to more successful 
utilization of information infrastructure is the end-user's inability 
to employ it. Therefore, applicants should consider how end-users will 
be trained to use the equipment and network. Some questions that the 
applicant might address are:


    Are there specialized training requirements for the system?
    Who is best qualified to provide the training?
    Can end-users use the system to produce and disseminate 
information, as well as gain access to information?
    Is the system or network user friendly, so that it does not 
discourage new users, or those who are not ``computer literate?''

    c. Financial information. Grant funds may be spent on purchase of 
telecommunications infrastructure equipment, long-term lease of 
services, end-user support, and other expenses reasonably related to 
the project.
2. Category Two--Planning Grants

Statewide, Regional, and National Planning Grants

a. Eligibility

    For purposes of this section--Statewide, Regional, and National 
Planning Grants--eligible applicants are any of the fifty states, the 
District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, America 
Samoa, and the Marianas Islands, as well as multi-state consortia, 
coalitions of organizations, or national entities.

b. Evaluative Criteria

    In addition to the general evaluative criteria set forth above, 
applicants for planning projects should address the following criteria 
in their applications: (1) Objectives. Proposals should be consistent 
with the long range NII objective of fostering seamless, multi-
functional networks. Accordingly, applicants should consider the 
concept of ``interoperability,'' the view that every system, no matter 
its level of sophistication or geographic extent, is part, ultimately, 
of a global communication system that allows one end-user to 
communicate ``transparently'' with another end-user, irrespective of 
distance or time.
    (2) End-users. In their proposals, applicants should identify the 
end-users of the information infrastructure. Considerations of numbers 
of users, the diversity of anticipated end-users, and what social good 
the applicant expects from implementation of its plan may help 
determine what strategies states will adopt. Under this section, 
applicants could address questions such as:

    How will the widespread availability of telecommunications and 
information infrastructure capabilities be promoted within the 
proposal?
    How should the costs of ensuring adequate access be allocated? 
Will the plan stimulate demand for new telecommunications services? 
How will the plan address the needs of previously disenfranchised 
potential users?
    What steps are necessary to ensure end-user ease of access? What 
are the respective roles of the state and private sector in taking 
these steps?

    (3) Incorporation of broad input. There are many individuals and 
sectors of society with a stake in the information infrastructure. How 
an applicant intends to incorporate their opinions and concerns into 
the final plan is crucial to the eventual successful implementation of 
the plan. Applicants should address how they intend to incorporate 
comments from the public into the planning process. The breadth and 
depth of representation, including a balanced representation of rural 
and urban, professional, socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural and other 
relevant interests, is important. Some questions for an applicant to 
address under this section are:

    To what extent will the applicant work to promote public/private 
partnerships?
    What procedures will ensure that individuals and entities can 
provide input?
    What state and national agencies and private sector entities 
will be involved, and at what levels?
    What monitoring or evaluation plan will be utilized?


    c. Financial information. Grant funds may be spent on information 
collection, salaries, travel, lodging, and other expenses reasonably 
related to planning activities.

Local and Intrastate Planning Grants

a. Eligibility

    This section supports development of planning and/or implementation 
strategies of local governments, intrastate multi-community or multi-
county entities, and local non-profit organizations.

b. Evaluative Criteria

    Many of the evaluative criteria applied to the previous planning 
grant category--questions of interoperability, identification of end-
users, and incorporation of broad input--are germane to Local and 
Intrastate Planning Grant applications.
(1) Objectives
    Although the focus of this subcategory is considerably less 
``global'' than for Statewide, Regional, and National Planning Grants, 
proposals in this subcategory should nevertheless exhibit the same 
consistency with the long range NII objective of fostering seamless, 
multi-functional networks. Accordingly, questions of interoperability 
and connectivity should be carefully considered.
    Within the context of this subcategory, a number of questions 
become especially relevant:

    What provisions in the plan have been made to address crucial 
``last mile'' connectivity questions?
    Is sufficient technical and operational expertise available at 
the local level to ensure efficient planning and subsequent 
implementation?
    Will service provider and/or end-user acceptance of new or 
expanded telecommunications services present any special 
difficulties?
(2) Formation of Partnerships
    NTIA will consider favorably applications that demonstrate a 
partnership among groups of communities or entities for the purpose of 
pooling and leveraging resources. This does not mean that these groups 
should come together merely for the purpose of obtaining a federal 
grant. This partnership or coalition should demonstrate that it will 
continue to function and operate effectively once the NTIA grant is 
concluded.

    Can the local resources of national or regional organizations, 
both public and private, be enlisted in support of the planning 
effort?
    What unique linguistic, social, cultural, political, or economic 
impediments exist locally that might hinder the planning effort?
(3) Innovation and Experimentation
    Information infrastructure has evolved and been used in 
unanticipated ways. Similarly, many of the most valuable 
telecommunications services (such as the Internet) and facilities now 
in use were once experimental. NTIA is seeking applications for 
planning grants that will foster and encourage experimentation with use 
of NII technologies at the grass roots level, build the capacity of the 
public to participate in the emerging NII, or address specific 
objectives underlying the deployment of the NII as identified in the 
Agenda for Action (September 21, 1993). For this reason, projects 
supported under Category Two should be those that are more likely to 
lead to the development of innovative methods, practices, or policies 
that will ensure that the NII activities reach a broad population. The 
objective is to build both the technical and human infrastructure 
needed to make the NII useful to citizens. These plans can serve as 
models for similar projects that are most likely to lead to the 
development of systems, projects, and policies that can stimulate 
similar initiatives in other areas of the country.
(4) Support
    Applicants should clearly define the administrative or 
institutional support that has been generated to advance any planning 
effort.

    Can national sources of public and private funding be leveraged 
in support of a local planning effort?
    Since many local initiatives tend to rely heavily in the initial 
stages on volunteer energies, how will questions of continuity be 
addressed?

c. Financial Information

    Grant funds may be spent on information collection, salaries, 
travel, lodging, and other expenses reasonably related to planning 
activities.

Selection Procedures

    Categories of projects warranting support under the TIIAP are 
described above. The priorities described at the beginning of each 
specific category sets out those types of projects that NTIA is most 
interested in supporting. These criteria will enable NTIA to ascertain 
the competitiveness of projects within certain priorities.
    All applications will be subject to a thorough peer review process. 
Panels composed of individuals fully conversant with the technical and 
operational aspects of advanced telecommunications technologies and 
services will review the proposals and make non-binding recommendations 
to the agency. The final decision on successful applications will be 
made by the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, who 
also administers NTIA. All applicants should address the general 
criteria described above, regardless of the category to which they are 
applying. Specific criteria apply only within that category (i.e., a 
local government should not address the specific criteria for State 
Planning). While all criteria carry equal weight, not all criteria will 
be equally applicable to every proposal. Even if the applicability or 
lack of applicability of a particular criterion may appear obvious, an 
applicant should take care to explain why that criterion does not apply 
to its proposal.

Other Information

Federal Policies and Procedures

    Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all applicable Federal 
laws and Federal and Department of Commerce policies, regulations, and 
procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.

Past Performance

    Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal financial assistance 
awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.

Pre-Award Activities

    If applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do 
so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the government. 
Applicants are hereby notified that, notwithstanding any verbal or 
written assurance that they may have received, there is no obligation 
on the part of Department of Commerce or NTIA to cover pre-award costs.

No Obligation For Future Funding

    If an application is selected for funding, the Department of 
Commerce has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in 
connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or 
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the 
Department of Commerce. Receipt of a TIIAP grant, however, will not 
eliminate the recipient from consideration for future funding.

Delinquent Federal Debts

    No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an 
outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either: 1. The delinquent 
account is paid in full;
    2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment is received; or
    3. Other arrangements satisfactory to the Department of Commerce 
are made.

Name Check Review

    All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name 
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key 
individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are 
presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or 
other matters that significantly reflect on the applicant's management 
honesty or financial integrity.

Primary Applicant Certifications

    All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511, 
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and 
Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby provided: 1. 
Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension--Prospective participants (as 
defined at 15 CFR 26.105) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, 
``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the related section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies;
    2. Drug-Free Workplace--Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR 26.605) are 
subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, ``Governmentwide Requirements for 
Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section of the 
certification form prescribed above applies;
    3. Anti-Lobbying--Persons (as defined at 15 CFR 28.105) are subject 
to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of 
appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and 
financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of the certification 
form prescribed above applies to applications/bids for grants, 
cooperative agreements, and contracts for more that $100,000, and loans 
and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the single family 
maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever is greater; and
    4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosure--Any applicant that has paid or will 
pay for lobbying in connection with a covered Federal action, such as 
the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, 
the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative 
agreement, or the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or 
modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative 
agreement using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, appendix B.

Lower Tier Certifications

    Recipients shall require applicants/bidders for subgrants, 
contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transactions at 
any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-
512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility 
and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' 
and disclosure form SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form 
CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be 
transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or 
subrecipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the 
instructions contained in the award document.

False Statements

    A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or 
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or 
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

Intergovernmental Review

    Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' This notice 
was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive 
Order 12866.
Larry Irving,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. 94-5006 Filed 3-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-P