[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 53 (Friday, March 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14525-14532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6673]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service


Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the 
Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the availability of $6 million of grant 
funds for the RCDI program through the Rural Housing Service (RHS), 
herein referred to as the Agency, USDA. Applicants must provide 
matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount at least equal to 
the Federal grant. These grants will be made to qualified intermediary 
organizations that will provide technical assistance to recipients to 
develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects to improve 
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 4:00 p.m. EST on 
June 15, 2000. The application deadline is firm as to date and hour. 
The agency will not consider any application received after the 
deadline.
    The comment period for information collection under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 continues through May 16, 2000. Comments on the 
paperwork burden must be received by this date to be assured of 
consideration.

ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the 
application requirements from the RCDI website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm. Applicants may also request application packages 
from: Beth Jones, Rural Housing Service, STOP 0787, 1400 Independence 
Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-0787, Telephone (202) 720-1498, E-mail: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth Jones, Senior Loan Specialist, 
Community Programs, RHS, USDA, STOP 0787, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-0787, Telephone (202) 720-1498, Facsimile (202) 
690-0471, E-mail: [email protected]. You may also obtain 
information from the RCDI website at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The reporting requirements contained in this notice have received 
temporary emergency clearance by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under Control Number 0575-0180. However, in accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, RHS will seek standard OMB approval of 
the reporting requirements contained in this Notice and hereby opens a 
60-day public comment period.
    Abstract: RHS, an Agency within the USDA Rural Development mission 
area, will administer the RCDI grant program through their Community 
Facilities Division. The intent of the RCDI grant program is to develop 
the capacity and ability of rural area recipients through a program of 
technical assistance provided by qualified intermediary organizations.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.37 hours per response.
    Respondents: Intermediaries and recipients.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 15.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,012 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Tracy 
Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch, (202) 692-0039.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity 
of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments on the paperwork burden 
may be sent to Tracy Gillin, Regulations and Paperwork Management 
Branch, Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 0742, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0742. All responses 
to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Background

    Congress created the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) 
in Fiscal Year 2000 with an appropriation of $6 million under the Rural 
Community Advancement Program (RCAP). These funds are to be used solely 
to develop the capacity and ability of private, nonprofit community-
based housing and community development organizations, and low income 
rural communities to improve housing, community facilities, and 
community and economic development projects in rural areas. Qualified 
private and public (including tribal) intermediary organizations 
proposing to carry out technical assistance programs will be eligible 
to receive the funding. The intermediary will be required to provide 
matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount at least equal to 
the RCDI grant.

Definitions for RCDI Purposes

    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 finance and implement 
housing, community facilities, and community and economic development 
projects or provide technical assistance to enhance a community's 
potential.
    Intermediary--a qualified private or public (including tribal) 
organization that provides technical assistance to multiple recipients.
    Low-income community a city, town, village, county, parish, or 
borough with a median household income at, or below, 80 percent of the 
statewide median household income.
    Matching Funds cash or confirmed funding commitments from non-
Federal sources. Matching funds must be at least equal to the grant 
amount. In-kind contributions cannot be used as matching funds.
    Recipient--the entity that receives the technical assistance from 
the intermediary. The recipient must be either a private, nonprofit 
community-based housing or community development organization or a low-
income rural community.
    Rural and Rural Area--a city, town, or unincorporated area that has 
a

[[Page 14526]]

population of 50,000 inhabitants or less, other than urbanized areas 
immediately adjacent to a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a 
population in excess of 50,000 inhabitants.
    Technical Assistance--skilled help in improving the recipient's 
abilities in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community 
and economic development. The Agency will determine whether a specific 
activity qualifies as technical assistance.

Eligibility Requirements

    1. The recipient and beneficiary, but not the intermediary, must be 
located in an eligible rural area. 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 identified in the grant application.
    3. The recipients must be private, nonprofit organizations or low-
income rural communities, not individuals.
    4. The intermediary must provide matching non-Federal funds at 
least equal to the amount of the grant.
    5. The intermediary must provide a program of technical assistance 
to the recipient.
    6. The intermediary organization must have at least three years 
prior experience working with nonprofit organizations or low-income 
rural communities in the areas of housing, community facilities, or 
community and economic development.
    7. The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per intermediary 
is $50,000 and $1 million.
    8. Proposals must be structured to utilize the grant funds within 3 
years from the date of the award.
    9. Each intermediary, whether singularly or jointly, may only 
submit one application for RCDI funds under this NOFA unless the 
intermediary's participation is limited to providing all or part of the 
matching funds.
    10. Only federally recognized Indian tribes are eligible tribal 
applicants.

Eligible Grant Uses

    Grant uses must be consistent with the RCDI purpose, (see 
``Background'' section of this Notice). A nonexclusive list of eligible 
grant uses includes the following:
    1. Provide technical assistance to develop recipients' capacity and 
ability to undertake projects to improve housing, community facilities, 
or community and economic development, (e.g., the intermediary hires a 
staff person to provide technical assistance to the recipient; 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., home-ownership education or training for 
minority business entrepreneurs).
    3. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct development 
initiatives, (e.g., programs that support micro-enterprise, 
cooperatives, and sustainable development).
    4. Increase the leveraging ability and access to alternative 
funding sources by providing resources to recipients for training, 
staffing, and other related costs.
    5. Develop successful essential community facilities by providing 
resources to recipients for training, staffing, and other related 
costs.
    6. Assist recipients in completing predevelopment requirements for 
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development 
projects by providing resources for a technical assistance program.
    7. Improve recipient's organizational capacity by providing 
training and resource material on developing strategic plans, board 
operations, and management.

Ineligible Grant Uses

    1. Funding a revolving loan fund.
    2. Construction (in any form).
    3. Intermediary preparation of strategic plans for recipients.
    4. Funding illegal activities.
    5. Grants to individuals.
    6. 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.
    7. Paying obligations incurred before the beginning date or after 
the ending date of the grant agreement.
    8. Purchasing real estate.
    9. Improvement or renovation of the grantee's office space or for 
the repair or maintenance of privately-owned vehicles.
    10. Any other purpose prohibited in 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 
3019, as applicable.

Methods for Evaluating Applications

    Applications will be rated and ranked by a review panel based on 
the ``Evaluation Criteria and Weights'' contained in this Notice. If 
there is a tie score after the applications have been rated and ranked, 
the tie will be resolved by a lottery. The names of the applicants will 
be entered into a drawing. The first name drawn will receive the 
highest ranking of those in the lottery. This name-drawing process will 
continue until there are no tied scores. The State Office will review 
their copy of the application and provide the State Director's written 
comments and recommendations to the National Office.

Evaluation Criteria and Weights

    This information should be presented in narrative form. 
Documentation must be limited to two pages per criterion with the 
exception of ``Economic Distress'', which must be limited to one page 
per recipient.

1. Improve Capacity--maximum 60 points

    The applicant must demonstrate how they will improve the 
recipients' capacity as it relates to the RCDI purposes. Applications 
must include a description of how the improved capacity will be 
measured. All applications will be competitively ranked with the 
applications providing the most improvement in capacity development and 
specific measurements of success being ranked the highest. Each of the 
following rating criteria will be equally considered, with the sub-
criteria equally considered within each criterion:
    a. Number of recipients trained and extensiveness of training 
programs on:
    (1) Building organizational capacity through developing strategic 
plans, board operations, and management;
    (2) Developing projects related to housing, community facilities or 
community and economic development; and
    (3) Developing initiatives that support micro-enterprises, 
cooperatives, and home-ownership education.
    b. Programs' demonstrated ability to:
    (1) Increase recipients' leveraging and access to alternative 
funding sources;
    (2) Enlarge the recipients' geographic service area;
    (3) Increase the services provided by the recipient; and
    (4) Allow the recipient to provide new services.
    c. Any other technical assistance program that meets the 
recipients' unique needs to improve capacity.
    The application ranking and scoring are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Scoring
                           Ranking                              (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 highest ranking applications...............................         60
Next 8 highest ranking applications..........................         45
Next 8 highest ranking applications..........................         30
Next 8 highest ranking applications..........................         15
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[[Page 14527]]

2. Expertise--maximum 40 points

    The applicant must demonstrate they have conducted programs of 
technical assistance and achieved measurable results in the areas of 
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development in 
rural areas. All applications will be competitively ranked using the 
following equally rated criteria:
    a. The number of years of organizational experience the applicant 
has providing technical and other assistance to nonprofit organizations 
or low-income rural communities in the areas of housing, community 
facilities, or community and economic development;
    b. The average number of staff years the members of the applicant 
organization have providing technical and other assistance to nonprofit 
organizations or low-income rural communities in the areas of housing, 
community facilities, or community and economic development; and
    c. Previous Federal grant experience measured by the dollar amount 
of Federal grants received in the last 5 years by the intermediary and 
the number of housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development recipients assisted.
    The application ranking and scoring are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Scoring
                           Ranking                              (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 highest ranking applications...............................         40
Next 8 highest ranking applications..........................         30
Next 8 highest ranking applications..........................         20
Next 8 highest ranking applications..........................         10
------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Population--maximum 30 points

    Population is based on the 1990 census data. The applicant must 
submit national data on population, from the Bureau of the Census, to 
verify the population figures being used. This data can be accessed 
from a link on the RCDI website. The RCDI web address is 
www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm. 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
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4. Income--maximum 30 points

    Points will be awarded by comparing the average median household 
income of recipients' location with the State median household income 
using 1995 data from the Bureau of the Census. The applicant must 
submit national data on income to verify the income figures being used. 
This information can be accessed from a link on the RCDI website. The 
web address is www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm. Points will be 
awarded as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Scoring
              Average recipient median income is                (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 60 percent of the State median household income....         30
Between 60 and 70 percent of the State median household               20
 income......................................................
Greater than 70 percent of the State median household income.         10
------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Sustainability--30 points

    Applications that have self-sustaining proposals will be awarded 30 
points. To be considered self-sustaining, a proposal must, at a 
minimum, be expected to be fully functional for at least 3 years after 
the expiration of the grant. Points will be awarded to applications 
that have the highest score on the following factors: a. The number of 
years the proposal will be self-sustaining and what the ongoing impact 
will be; b. How the capacity being built and the impact will be 
measured; and c. How the program will be financially sustained after 
funds are fully disbursed.

6. Economic Distress--maximum 20 points

    Appropriate documentation and verification must be submitted to 
support these criteria. For each recipient location, select only one 
type of economic distress, if applicable, and provide documentation. 
The recipient location must meet the requirements listed for the 
category selected. The areas of economic distress that will be 
considered are:
    a. Loss of industry--compare the annual average unemployment rate 
for 1998 to the lowest annual average unemployment rate since 1994. The 
difference between the rates must be seven percent or more and be 
directly related to the loss of industry. Unemployment data, to verify 
the differences in the unemployment rate, can be accessed from a link 
on the RCDI website. The RCDI web address is www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm. Submit excerpts from this data to verify the difference 
in unemployment figures. Newspaper articles or a letter from the 
Chamber of Commerce can be used as verification of the loss of 
industry.
    b. Unemployment--an annual average unemployment rate for 1998 of 
11.5 percent or greater, in accordance with the U.S. Department of 
Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data can be accessed from a 
link on the RCDI website. The RCDI web address is www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi.index.htm. Submit the excerpt from this data to verify the 
unemployment rate.
    c. Poverty--a location where the median household income is below 
60% of the State median household income. Submit national data on 
income, using 1995 data from the Bureau of the Census, to verify income 
figures. This data can be accessed from a link on the RCDI website. The 
RCDI web address is www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.
    d. Out-migration of population--a 10 percent or greater decline in 
population between the July 1, 1998 estimated population and the April 
1, 1990 census population. Submit population data to verify the decline 
in population. The population figures can be accessed from a link on 
the RCDI website. The RCDI web address is www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.
    e. Natural disasters--a Presidentially declared natural disaster 
area.
    The percentages and scoring are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Scoring
  Percentage of recipients with documented economic distress    (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
95-100.......................................................         20
75-94........................................................         15
50-74........................................................         10
25-49........................................................          5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Innovative Approach--maximum 20 points

    The applicant must demonstrate that they have developed an 
innovative approach that can be used by other organizations as a model. 
To be considered innovative, the approach must propose an easily 
replicated new or useful service or method of providing service to 
recipients that builds their capacity to improve their communities in 
the areas of housing, community facilities or community and economic 
development. Points will be awarded to applications that have the 
highest score on the following factors:
    a. Ease of replication by nonprofit organizations or low-income 
rural communities;
    b. Uniqueness of proposal;

[[Page 14528]]

    c. Financial return to rural communities; and
    d. Need by nonprofit organization or low-income rural community.
    If warranted, up to ten applicants will be eligible to receive 
points in this category. The application ranking and scoring are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Scoring
                           Ranking                              (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 highest ranking applications...............................         20
Next 5 highest ranking applications..........................         10
------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Geographic Distribution Points--20 points

    Applicant must provide a map that specifically describes the areas 
covered by their recipients. After applications have been evaluated and 
awarded points under the first seven criteria, the Agency may award 20 
points per application to promote a broad geographic distribution of 
RCDI funds.

9. Purpose Distribution Points--20 points

    Applicant must state the purpose of their application, i.e., 
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development. 
After applications have been evaluated and awarded points under the 
first seven criteria, the Agency may award 20 points per application to 
promote diversity of RCDI purposes.

10. Proportional Distribution Points--20 points

    Applicant must state the amount of their grant request. After 
applications have been evaluated and awarded points under the first 
seven criteria, the Agency may award 20 points per application to 
promote dispersion of grant awards between the range of $50,000 to 
$1,000,000.

Deliverables

    Grant funds and matching funds must be used in equal proportions. 
Grant funds will be disbursed pursuant to relevant provisions of 7 CFR 
parts 3015, 3016, and 3019, as applicable. Matching funds must be used 
to support the overall purpose of the RCDI program.

Grant Amounts

    In the event that the applicant is awarded a grant that is less 
than the amount requested, they will be required to modify their 
application to conform to the reduced amount before execution of the 
grant agreement. The Agency reserves the right to reduce or de-obligate 
the award if acceptable modifications are not submitted by the awardee 
within 15 working days from the date the application is returned to the 
applicant. Any modifications must be within the scope of the original 
application.

Program Requirements

    1. A Civil Rights Impact Analysis Certification must be completed 
by the Agency prior to grant approval.
    2. A pre-award compliance review will be conducted by the Agency 
prior to closing the grant.
    3. The intermediary and recipient must comply with title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
and Executive Order 12250.
    4. The grantee must comply with the applicable requirements of 7 
CFR part 3015, ``Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations,'' part 3016, 
``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements to State and Local Governments,'' and part 3019, ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions 
of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.''

Grantee 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 NOFA.
    2. Execute Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    3. Provide evidence of fidelity or employee dishonesty bond 
coverage equal to the grant amount at grant closing.
    4. Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement'' to 
request advances and reimbursements.
    5. Provide financial status and project performance reports on a 
quarterly basis starting with the first full quarter after the grant 
award.
    6. Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to the 
Agency.
    7. Provide annual audits or management reports on Forms RD 442-2, 
``Statement of Budget, Income, and Equity,'' and 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 that their recipients collect and 
maintain the same data on their beneficiaries.
    9. Provide a final project performance report.

Contents of Application Package

    A complete application for RCDI funds must include the following.
    1. A summary page listing the following items. This information 
should be double-spaced between items and not in narrative form.
    a. Applicant's name,
    b. Applicant's address,
    c. Applicant's telephone number,
    d. Name of applicant's contact person,
    e. Amount of grant request,
    f. Number of recipients, and
    g. Source and amount of matching funds.
    2. A detailed Table of Contents containing page numbers for each 
component of the application.
    3. A project overview, no longer than three pages, which should 
include:
    a. Recipient names and locations, (locations should include town, 
county, and state and the population composition of the service area of 
the recipient including race, sex, and national origin), submit 
information from the 1990 census to verify population figures;
    b. Evidence that the recipient is a nonprofit organization or a 
public body in a low-income rural community; and
    c. 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 applicant will be contacted by 
the Agency prior to grant award if verification of matching funds was 
not submitted with the application. The applicant will have 10 working 
days, from the date of contact, to submit verification of matching 
funds. If the applicant is unable to provide the verification within 
that timeframe, their application will be considered ineligible.

Describe Items ``d'' Through ``h'' in Narrative Form.

    d. The type of technical assistance and how it will be implemented,
    e. How the capacity and ability of the recipient will be improved,
    f. The overall goal to be accomplished,
    g. The benchmarks that will be used to measure success, and
    h. A synopsis of what the applicant organization does or attach a 
copy of its mission statement, if available.
    4. Each of the ``Evaluation Criteria'' must be addressed 
specifically and individually by category. Present these criteria in 
narrative form. Documentation must be limited to two pages per 
criterion with the exception of ``Economic Distress'', which must be 
limited to one page per recipient.

[[Page 14529]]

    5. A separate one-page information sheet listing each of the 
``Evaluation Criteria and Weights'', contained in this Notice, followed 
by the page numbers of all relevant material and documentation 
contained in the application which supports these criteria. This page 
should immediately follow the project overview.
    6. A breakdown of specific time increments and steps to accomplish 
goals.
    7. A detailed breakdown of estimated costs and a project budget.
    8. Organizational documents for the intermediary.
    9. Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.''
    10. Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
    11. Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other
    Responsibility Matters u Primary Covered Transactions.''
    12. Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion u Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
    13. Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements.''
    14. Certification of Non-Lobbying Activities.
    15. Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities''.
    16. Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement''.
    17. Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement''.
    18. Identify and Report Any Association or Relationship with Rural 
Development Employees.

What and Where To Submit

    An original and one copy of the complete application package must 
be submitted to: Beth Jones, Rural Housing Service, STOP 0787, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-0787 and a copy of the 
application must be submitted to the Rural Development State Office 
that has jurisdiction over the location of the recipients of this 
assistance. A listing of Rural Development State Offices is included in 
this Notice. Applications sent electronically or by facsimile will not 
be accepted.

When To Submit

    The deadline for receipt of an application is 4:00 p.m. EST on June 
15, 2000. The application deadline is firm as to date and hour and 
applies to submission of the original application and one copy to the 
National Office in Washington, DC. The Agency will not consider any 
application received after the deadline. A listing of Rural Development 
State Offices, their addresses, telephone numbers, and person to 
contact follows:


    Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.


Alabama State Office, Suite 601, Sterling Centre, 4121 Carmichael Road, 
Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, (334) 279-3455, TDD (334) 279-3495, James B. 
Harris
Alaska State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645, 
(907) 761-7705, TDD (907) 745-6494, Frank Muncy
Arizona State Office, Phoenix Corporate Center, 3003 N. Central Ave., 
Suite 900, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2906, (602) 280-8747, TDD (602) 280-8706, 
Leonard Gradillas
Arkansas State Office, 700 W. Capitol Ave., Rm. 3416, Little Rock, AR 
72201-3225, (501) 301-3257, TDD (501) 301-3279, Jesse Sharp
California State Office, 430 G Street, Agency 4169, Davis, CA 95616-
4169, (530) 792-5825, TDD (530) 792-5825, Charles M. Clendenin
Colorado State Office, 655 Parfet Street, Room E100, Lakewood, CO 
80215, (303) 236-2801 (ext. 136), TDD (303) 236-1590, Leroy W. Cruz
Connecticut served by Massachusetts State Office
Delaware and Maryland State Office, 5201 South Dupont Highway, PO Box 
400, Camden, DE 19934-9998, (302) 697-4314, TDD (302) 697-4303, Arthur 
Greenwood
Florida & Virgin Islands State Office, 4440 N.W. 25th Place, PO Box 
147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3440, TDD (352) 338-3499, 
Glenn E. Walden
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-
8309, TDD (808) 933-8321, Thao Khamoui
Idaho State Office, Suite A1, 9173 West Barnes Dr., Boise, ID 83709, 
(208) 378-5617, TDD (208) 378-5644, Daniel H. Fraser
Illinois State Office, Illini Plaza, Suite 103, 1817 South Neil Street, 
Champaign, IL 61820, (217) 398-5412 (ext. 246), TDD (217) 398-5396, 
Gerald A. Townsend
Indiana State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46278, 
(317) 290-3109 (ext. 431), TDD (317) 290-3343, Greg Delp
Iowa State Office, 873 Federal Building, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, 
IA 50309, (515) 284-4152, TDD (515) 284-4858, Dorman Otte
Kansas State Office, 1200 SW Executive Drive, PO Box 4653, Topeka, KS 
66604, 785) 271-2728, TDD (785) 271-2767, Gary L. Smith
Kentucky State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 
40503, (606) 224-7415, TDD (606) 224-7422, Vernon Brown
Louisiana State Office, 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302, 
(318) 473-7940, TDD (318) 473-7655, Danny H. Magee
Maine State Office, 967 Illinois Ave., Suite 4, PO Box 405, Bangor, ME 
04402-0405, (207) 990-9168, TDD (207) 942-7331, Alan C. Daigle
Maryland Served by Delaware State Office
Massachusetts, Connecticut, & Rhode Island State Office, 451 West 
Street, Amherst, MA 01002, (413) 253-4318, TDD (413) 253-7068, Daniel 
R. Beaudette
Michigan State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 
48823, (517) 324-5192, TDD (517) 337-6795, Philip H. Wolak
Minnesota State Office, 410 AgriBank Building, 375 Jackson Street, St. 
Paul, MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-7820, TDD (651) 602-3799, Jackie 
Goodnough
Mississippi State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 W. Capitol 
Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965-4325, TDD (601) 965-5850, Danny 
Ivy
Missouri State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, Suite 
235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876-0995, TDD (573) 876-9301, D. Clark 
Thomas
Montana State Office, Unit 1, Suite B 900 Technology Blvd., Bozeman, MT 
59715, (406) 585-2515, TDD (406) 585-2562, MaryLou Affleck
Nebraska State Office, Federal Building, room 152, 100 Centennial Mall 
N, Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 437-5559, TDD (402) 437-5093, Denise 
Brosius-Meeks
Nevada State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703-
9910, (775) 887-1222 (ext. 26), TDD (775) 885-0633, Mike Holm
New Hampshire State Office, Concord Center, Suite 218, Box 317, 10 
Ferry Street, Concord, NH 03301-5004, (603) 223-6037, TDD (603) 229-
0536, William W. Konrad
New Jersey State Office, Tarnsfield Plaza, Suite 22, 790 Woodland Road, 
Mt. Holly, NJ 08060, (609) 265-3641, TDD (609) 265-3687, Michael P. 
Kelsey

[[Page 14530]]

New Mexico State Office, 6200 Jefferson St., NE, Room 255, Albuquerque, 
NM 87109, (505) 522-8775, ext. 6,TDD (505) 761-4938, Clyde F. Hudson
New York State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 S. Salina Street, 
Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202, (315) 477-6427, TDD (315) 477-6447, 
David Miller
North Carolina State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC 
27609, (919) 873-2061, TDD (919) 873-2003, Thurman E. Burnette
North Dakota State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East Rosser, 
PO Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502, (701) 530-2040, TDD (701) 530-2113, 
William C. Davis
Ohio State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street, 
Columbus, OH 43215-2477, (614) 255-2391, TDD (614) 469-5757, David M. 
Douglas
Oklahoma State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074-2654, 
(405) 742-1060, TDD (405) 742-1007, Rock W. Davis
Oregon State Office, 101 SW Main, Suite 1410, Portland, OR 97204-3222, 
(503) 414-3363, TDD (503) 414-3387, Jerry W. Sheridan
Pennsylvania State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, 
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2281, TDD (717) 237-2261, Gary 
Rothrock
Puerto Rico State Office, New San Juan Office Bldg., Room 501, 159 
Carlos E. Chardon Street, Hato Rey, PR 00918-5481, (787) 766-5095 (ext. 
261), TDD 1-800-274-1572, Pedro Gomez
Rhode Island served by Massachusetts State Office,
South Carolina State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 
Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 253-3432, TDD 
(803) 765-5697, Larry D. Floyd
South Dakota State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 Fourth 
Street, SW, Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1132, TDD (605) 352-1147, Dwight 
Wullweber
Tennessee State Office, Suite 300, 3322 West End Avenue, Nashvile, TN 
37203-1084, (615) 783-1345, TDD (615) 783-1397, Keith Head
Texas State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main, 
Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9755, TDD (254) 742-9712, Eugene G. Pavlat
Utah State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 S. State 
Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-0350, (801) 524-4326, TDD 
(801) 524-3309, Jack Cox
Vermont State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, 
Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6030, TDD (802) 223-6365, Rhonda Shippe
Virgin Islands served by Florida State Office
Virginia State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa 
Road, Richmond, VA 23229, (804) 287-1600, TDD (804) 287-1753, H. Kent 
Ware
Washington State Office, Suite B, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard, SW, 
Olympia, WA 98512-5715, (360) 704-7707, TDD (360) 704-7760, Deborah 
Davis
Western Pacific Territories served by Hawaii State Office
West Virginia State Office, Federal Building, 75 High Street, Room 320, 
Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4868, TDD (304) 284-5941, Dianne 
Crysler
Wisconsin State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481, 
(715) 345-7615 (ext. 131), TDD (715) 345-7614, Mark Brodziski
Wyoming State Office, 100 East B, Federal Building, Room 1005, PO Box 
820, Casper, WY 82602, (307) 261-6318, TDD (307) 261-6333, Charles Huff

    Dated: March 13, 2000.
Inga Smulkstys,
Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development.

OMB NO. 0575-0180

United States Department of Agriculture

Rural Housing Service

Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Agreement

    THIS GRANT AGREEMENT (Agreement) dated ______, 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 (the Agency), Department of Agriculture, 
(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 from a non-Federal source. The Grantee and 
Grantor will execute Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of 
Funds''.
    WHEREAS,
    Grantee will provide a program of technical assistance to 
develop the capacity and ability of private, nonprofit community-
based housing or community development organizations, or low-income 
rural communities to undertake projects to improve housing, 
community facilities, or community and economic development projects 
in rural areas;
    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of said grant;

    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.

    Grantee agrees that Grantee will:
    A. Provide a program of technical assistance in accordance with 
the proposal outlined in the application, the terms of which are 
incorporated with this Agreement and must be adhered to. Any changes 
to the approved program of 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;
    D. Request cash advances in the minimum amount needed and shall 
be timed to be in accord only with the actual, immediate cash 
requirements for carrying out the grant purpose. Form SF 270, 
``Request for Advance or Reimbursement'', will be used for this 
purpose;
    E. 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 15 working days after each 
calendar quarter). The financial status report must show how grant 
funds and matching funds have been used to date and project the 
funds needed and their purposes for the next quarter. 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. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives for 
that period;
    2. Reasons why established objectives were not met, if 
applicable;
    3. 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;
    4. Objectives and timetables established for the next reporting 
period;
    5. If available, 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
    6. The final report will also address the following:
    (a) What have been the most challenging or unexpected aspects of 
this program?

[[Page 14531]]

    (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?
    (d) If an innovative approach was used successfully, the grantee 
must describe their program in detail for replication by other 
organizations and communities.
    F. Consider potential recipients without discrimination as to 
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or 
physical or mental disability;
    G. Insure that any services or training offered by the 
recipient, as a result of the technical assistance received, must be 
made available to all persons in the recipient's service area 
without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national 
origin, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability 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 that materials are provided in the language that is 
spoken;
    H. Insure that 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;
    I. 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;
    J. 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 the Grant Funds with any 
legally permitted interest from the date of the default. 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, at its option and 
without regard to prior waivers of this Agreement or by such other 
proceedings in law or equity, in either Federal or State courts as 
may be deemed necessary by Grantor to assure compliance with the 
provisions of this Agreement and the laws and regulations under 
which this grant is made;
    K. Provide Financial Management Systems which 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;
    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.
    L. Retain financial records, supporting documents, statistical 
records, and all other records pertinent to the grant 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. 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;
    M. Provide an A-133 audit report if $300,000 or more of federal 
funds are expended in a one year period. If federal funds expended 
during a one-year period are less than $300,000 and there is an 
outstanding loan balance of $300,000 or more, an audit in accordance 
with generally accepted government auditing standards is required. 
If federal funds expended during a one year period are less than 
$300,000 and there is an outstanding loan balance of less than 
$300,000, a management report may be submitted on Forms RD 442-2, 
``Statement of Budget, Income and Equity'' and 442-3, ``Balance 
Sheet'';
    N. Agree to account for and to return to Grantor interest earned 
on grant funds pending their disbursement for program purposes when 
the Grantee is a unit of local government. States and agencies or 
instrumentalities of a State are not held accountable for interest 
earned on grant funds pending their disbursement;
    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 purposes for which monies have 
been received, are committed, or are applied to from other sources 
(public or private).
    Grantor agrees that It:
    A. 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 advanced 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;
    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: 
Provided, However, That any Grant Funds actually advanced and not 
needed for grant purposes be returned immediately to the Grantor. 
This agreement shall terminate three 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;
    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, including those 
contained in 7 CFR 3015.205(b), which are incorporated into this 
agreement by reference, and such other statutory provisions as are 
specifically contained herein. The Grantee will comply with title VI 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973, and Executive Order 12250;
    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 Executive Order 12250. Each recipient 
must sign Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement'' and 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,'' are 
incorporated herein and made a part hereof by reference; and
    G. This Agreement may be terminated for cause in the event of 
default on the part of the Grantee or for convenience of the Grantor 
and Grantee prior to the date of completion of the grant purpose. 
Termination for convenience will occur when both the Grantee and 
Grantor agree that the continuation of the program will not produce

[[Page 14532]]

beneficial results commensurate with the further expenditure of 
funds.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantee has this day authorized and caused 
this Agreement to be executed by
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Attest-----------------------------------------------------------------

By---------------------------------------------------------------------

      (Grantee)
(Title)----------------------------------------------------------------

United States of America, Rural Housing Service.
By---------------------------------------------------------------------
      (Grantor)    (Name)    (Title)

[FR Doc. 00-6673 Filed 3-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P