[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 135 (Monday, July 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46452-46457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17714]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Request for Proposals: Fiscal Year 2002 Funding Opportunity for 
1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural Entrepreneurial Program Outreach 
Initiative

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) announces the 
availability of approximately $1.5 million in competitive cooperative 
agreement funds allocated from fiscal year 2002 budget. RBS hereby 
requests proposals from Tuskegee University and the 1890 Land Grant 
Universities (1890 Institutions) interested in applying for 
competitively awarded cooperative agreements for support of RBS' 
mission goals and objectives of outreach to small rural communities and 
to develop programs that will develop future entrepreneurs and 
businesses in rural America in those communities that have the most 
economic need. These programs must provide sustainable development that 
is in keeping with the needs of the community and designed to help 
overcome current identified economic problems. Proposals in both 
traditional and nontraditional business enterprises are encouraged. The 
initiative seeks to create a working partnership between the 1890 
Institutions and RBS through cooperative agreements.
    Eligible applicants must provide matching funds in support of this 
project. Matching funds must equal at least 25 percent of the amount 
provided by RBS in the cooperative agreement. This Notice lists the 
information needed to submit an application for these funds.

DATES: Cooperative agreement applications must be received by 4 p.m. 
August 29, 2002. Proposals received after August 29, 2002, will not be 
considered for funding. Comments regarding the information collection 
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 must be received 
on or before September 13, 2002 to be considered.

ADDRESSES: Send proposals and other required materials to Mr. Edgar L. 
Lewis, Program Manager, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, Stop 
3252, Room 4221, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-
3252. Telephone: (202) 690-3407, E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Edgar L. Lewis, Program Manager, 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, Stop 3252, Room 4221, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-3252. Telephone: (202) 
690-3407, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

General Information

    This solicitation is issued pursuant to section 607(b)(4) of the 
Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended by section 759A of the 
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Also, this 
solicitation is issued pursuant to Executive Order 13256 (February 12, 
2002), ``President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities.'' RBS was established by the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994. The mission of RBS is to 
improve the quality of life in rural America by financing community 
facilities and businesses, providing technical assistance, and creating 
effective strategies for rural development.

[[Page 46453]]

    The purpose of the 1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural 
Entrepreneurial Program Outreach Initiative is to develop programs that 
will develop future entrepreneurs and businesses in rural America in 
those communities that have the most economic need. These programs must 
provide sustainable development that is in keeping with the needs of 
the community and are designed to help overcome current identified 
economic problems. Proposals in both traditional and nontraditional 
business enterprises are encouraged. The initiative seeks to create a 
working partnership through cooperative agreements between 1890 
Institutions and RBS, to develop programs to assist future 
entrepreneurs and businesses.
    RBS plans to use cooperative agreements with the 1890 Institutions 
to strengthen the capacity of these communities to undertake 
innovative, comprehensive, citizen led, long-term strategies for 
community and economic development. The cooperative agreements will be 
for an outreach effort to promote RBS programs and shall include, but 
not limited to:
    (1) Developing a program of business startup and technical 
assistance for assisting with new business development, business 
planning, franchise startup and consulting, business expansion studies, 
marketing analysis, cashflow management, and seminars and workshops for 
small businesses;
    (2) Developing management and technical assistance plans that will:
    (i) Assess small business alternatives to traditional agricultural 
and other natural resource based industries;
    (ii) Assist in the development of business plans or loan packages, 
marketing, or bookkeeping;
    (iii) Assist and train small businesses in customer relations, 
product development, or business planning and development.
    (3) Assessing and conducting feasibility studies of local community 
weaknesses and strengths, feasible alternatives to agricultural 
production, and the necessary infrastructure to expand or develop new 
or existing businesses;
    (4) Providing community leaders with advice and recommendations 
regarding best practices in community economic development stimulus 
programs for their communities;
    (5) Conducting seminars to disseminate information to stimulate 
business and economic development in selected rural communities; and
    (6) Establishing and maintaining a computer network system, linking 
community leaders and residents to available economic development 
information.
    To obtain application instructions and all required forms, please 
contact Cooperative Services Program at (202) 690-3407 or FAX (202) 
690-2723. The application forms and instructions may also be requested 
via e-mail by sending a message with your name, mailing address, and 
phone number to [email protected]. The application forms and 
instructions will be mailed to you (not e-mailed or faxed) as quickly 
as possible. When calling or e-mailing Cooperative Services, please 
indicate that you are requesting application forms and instructions for 
fiscal year (FY) 2002 1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural 
Entrepreneurial Program Outreach Initiative.

Use of Funds

    Funds may be used to pay up to 75 percent of the costs for carrying 
out relevant projects. Applicants' contributions may be in cash or in-
kind contributions and must be from non-Federal funds. Funds may not be 
used to: (1) Pay more than 75 percent of relevant project or 
administrative costs; (2) pay costs of preparing the application 
package; (3) fund political activities; (4) pay costs prior to the 
effective date of the cooperative agreement; (5) proposals may not 
provide for revolving funds; (6) construction; (7) any activities where 
there are or may appear to be a conflict of interest; (8) paying 
obligations before the date of the cooperative agreement; or (9) 
purchasing real estate.
    Based on Section 708 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, (Pub. L. 
107-76, Nov. 28, 2001) ``No funds appropriated by this Act may be used 
to pay indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements or similar 
arrangements between the United States Department of Agriculture and 
nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent of the total cost of the 
agreement when the purpose of such cooperative arrangement is to carry 
out programs of mutual interest between the two parties.''

Available Funds and Award Limitations

    The total amount of funds available in FY 2002 for support of this 
program is approximately $1.5 million. Applicants should request a 
budget commensurate with the project proposed. Total funds to be 
awarded will be distributed to the 1890 Institutions competitively, for 
the purpose of conducting outreach and providing technical assistance 
to small rural communities. This outreach initiative includes, but is 
not limited to, technical assistance in economic and community 
development, feasibility studies, research, market development, loan 
packaging, conducting workshops and seminars in the area of business 
and economic development, and developing and providing access to 
computer web sites in the targeted population and communities. The 
actual number of cooperative agreements funded will depend on the 
quality of proposals received and the amount of funding requested. 
Maximum amount of Federal funds awarded for any one proposal will be 
$150,000. It is anticipated that a typical award would range from 
$75,000 to $150,000.

Eligible Applicants and Beneficiaries

    Eligible applicants are 1890 Institutions. Eligible applicants must 
provide matching funds equal to at least 25 percent of the amount 
provided by RBS in the cooperative agreement. Matching funds must be 
spent in proportion to the spending of funds received from the 
cooperative agreement. Applicant, and the assigned personnel, must also 
have expertise and experience in providing the recommended assistance. 
Applicants should also have a previous record of successful 
implementation of similar projects and must have the expertise in the 
use of electronic network technologies and/or a business information 
system network web site.
    Eligible beneficiaries must be located in a rural area as defined 
in 7 U.S.C. 1991 (a)(b) with economic need. Economic need can be 
demonstrated by the methods delineated in the evaluation section of 
this notice. Location in an Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Community, or 
Champion Community is sufficient evidence of economic need. Eligible 
beneficiaries must also be located in communities that show significant 
community support for the proposal. Preference will be given for 
projects that operate in a multi-county service area.

Methods for Evaluating and Ranking Applications

    Applications will be collectively evaluated at the end of the 
application period and will be rated and ranked by a review panel based 
on the criteria and weights found in the next section. If there is a 
tie score after the proposals have been rated and ranked, the tie will 
be resolved by lottery. If such a lottery is required, the names of all 
tied applicants will be entered into a drawing. The first applicant 
drawn will receive the highest rank among the ties,

[[Page 46454]]

with the next draw receiving the next rank.

Evaluation Criteria and Weights

    Proposals will be evaluated using the following seven criteria. 
Each criterion is given the weight value shown with total points equal 
to 100. Points do not have to be awarded by RBS for each criterion. 
After all proposals have been evaluated, the Administrator may award an 
additional 10 discretionary points to any proposal to obtain the 
broadest geographic dispersion of the funds, insure a broad diversity 
of project proposals, or insure a broad diversity in the size of the 
awards.
    1. Support of Local Community (Up to 10 points)--Proposals should 
have the support of local government, educational, community, and 
business groups. Higher points will be awarded for proposals 
demonstrating broad support from all four components of the community. 
Broad support is demonstrated by tangible contribution, such as 
volunteering human capital, computers, transportation and/or co-
sponsoring workshops and conferences. Points will be awarded based on 
the level of tangible contribution in comparison to the size of the 
award.
    2. Matching Funds/Leveraging (Up to 15 points)--Points will be 
awarded based upon the amount the proposal exceeds the minimum 25 
percent matching requirement. Applicants will be required to provide 
matching funds or equivalent in-kind in support of this project. 
Evidence of matching funds availability must be provided. Funds or 
equivalent in-kind must be available at the time the cooperative 
agreement is entered into. Points will be awarded as follows:


25% to 35% Match..........................  5 points.
35% to 50% Match...............  8 points.
50% to 75% Match...............  12 points.
75% Match......................  15 points.
 


    3. Economic Need of Community (Up to 20 points)--Projects entirely 
in Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, and Champion Communities 
will automatically receive the full 20 points. Otherwise, points will 
be awarded for demonstrated economic need based on the local community 
10-year average poverty rate as compared to the respective State 10-
year average poverty rate. Applicants may use county poverty rates for 
served communities. When multi-communities proposals are submitted, the 
over-all average for all counties will be used. Applicants must provide 
10 years of poverty data for each targeted community in their 
respective State. Points will be awarded based on the amount the local 
community poverty rate exceeds the State average as following. Percents 
will be rounded to the next whole number.


Less than 10%.............................  0 points.
10-15.....................................  5 points.
16-20.....................................  8 points.
21-25.....................................  12 points.
26-30.....................................  16 points.
Greater than 30...........................  20 points.
 


    4. Previous Accomplishments (Up to 10 points)--A point will be 
awarded to those 1890 Institutions for each year they have been awarded 
a cooperative agreement under this program up to 8 years. An additional 
2 points shall be given to each institution that has received a 
cooperative agreement for the last 5 years (1997-2001). This criterion 
is meant to reward those institutions that have repeatedly participated 
in this program and shown their expertise and commitment to the 
program. Applicants must provide evidence of satisfactorily completing 
the agreement for each year that they claim for credit.
    5. Service Area (Up to 10 points)--This criterion will be evaluated 
based upon the number of people directly assisted in the targeted 
communities. ``Directly assisted'' means those people that attend 
classes, workshops, or conferences sponsored by the applicant or 
received direct one-on-one technical assistance such as loan packaging 
activities. Points will be awarded based upon the ratio of the number 
of people served to the total Federal dollars received through the 
cooperative agreement (number of people served/Federal dollars). Higher 
points will be awarded to those proposals with the highest number of 
people served per Federal dollar ratio.
    6. Technology Outreach (Up to 15 points)--This criterion is meant 
to evaluate the applicant's level of outreach and capacity to provide 
innovative and effective computer technology outreach to the 
underserved targeted rural communities. Points will be awarded based on 
the number of computer-related classes, the number of hits made in a 
business information system network, and the number of people assisted 
in a one-on one computer technology training.
    A maximum of 10 points will be awarded based upon ratio of number 
of people reached via technology using the above items to the total 
Federal dollars received through the cooperative agreement (number of 
people reached/Federal dollars). Higher points will be awarded to those 
proposals with the highest number of people reached to Federal dollar 
ratio.
    Up to 5 additional points may be awarded based on the qualification 
and subject skill level of the individuals directly conducting the 
technology outreach activities. Applicants must provide sufficient 
information for the evaluation panel to properly rate this technology 
criterion.
    7. Business Economic Development Activities (Up to 20 points)--This 
criterion is meant to evaluate the applicant's ability to impact 
business economic development by (saving or creating jobs), starting 
new businesses, and promoting USDA-Rural Development programs in 
targeted rural communities. This shall be done by conducting business-
related classes for entrepreneurs and providing one-on-one technical 
help (such as preparing feasibility studies and packaging loans), and 
providing the type of technical assistance that will result in new 
businesses. Promoting USDA-Rural Development programs can be 
demonstrated by conducting workshops or conferences in the targeted 
communities using the agency's published resources and, if possible 
personnel. Points will be awarded as follows:

1 point for every type of activity listed above up to 10 points
1 point for each outreach activity to promote RBS programs up to 5 
points
    Up to 5 additional points may be awarded for this criterion based 
on the qualification and subject skill level of the individual directly 
conducting the business economic development outreach activities. 
Applicants must provide sufficient information for the evaluation panel 
to properly rate this criterion.
    Projected number of jobs saved or created, new business starts, and 
one on one assistance must be as realistic as possible. The Agency 
reserves the right to reduce applicant's scores if it is determined 
that the numbers projected, quality of the courses taught or the 
resource materials used for conducting workshops and conferences are 
below the standards needed to achieve the stated objectives.

Deliverables

    During the term of the negotiated agreements, the recipients will 
deliver quarterly reports of progress of the work to RBS and prepare 
and deliver a final report detailing all work done and results 
accomplished. In addition, all reports forwarded to RBS must be 
forwarded to the Rural Development State Office. Also, upon request by 
RBS, the recipient will deliver manuscripts, videotapes, software, or 
other media, as may be identified in approved

[[Page 46455]]

proposals. RBS retains those rights delineated in 7 CFR 3019.36. Also, 
the recipients will deliver project outreach success stories and other 
project related information requested by RBS for use on the Web site 
(http://BISNet.cmps.subr.edu).

Award Amount

    In the event that the applicant is to receive an award that is less 
than the amount requested, the applicant will be required to modify the 
application to conform to the reduced amount before execution of the 
cooperative agreement. RBS reserves the right to reduce or de-obligate 
any award if acceptable modifications are not submitted by the awardees 
within 10 working days from the date the application is returned to the 
applicant. Any modification must be within the scope of the original 
application.

Recipient Requirements

    Institutions that are awarded a cooperative agreement will be 
responsible for the following:
    (1) Completing the objectives as defined in the approved proposal.
    (2) During the term of the agreement, keep up-to-date records on 
the project, and on or prior to October 7, January 6, April 7, and July 
7, make quarterly reports of the progress of the work to RBS, and 
prepare a final report detailing all work done and results 
accomplished. All reports will be forwarded to RBS headquarters and to 
the Rural Development State Office.
    (3) Submit to RBS, on a quarterly basis, Form SF-270, ``A Request 
for Advance or Reimbursement.''
    (4) Keep an account of expenditures of the Federal dollars and 
matching fund dollars and provide to RBS, Form SF-269, ``A Financial 
Status Report,'' with each Form SF-270 submitted, and a final SF-269 
within 90 days of the project's completion.
    (5) Immediately refund to RBS, at the end of the agreement, any 
balance of unobligated funds received from RBS.
    (6) Provide matching funds or equivalent in-kind in support of the 
project, at least to the level agreed to in the accepted proposal.
    (7) Conduct seminars to disseminate Rural Development program 
information to stimulate business and economic development in selected 
rural communities.
    (8) Participate in the RBS Entrepreneurship Conferences when 
planned.
    (9)In cooperation with local businesses, develop a program of 
business startup and technical assistance that will assist with new 
company development, business planning, new enterprise, franchise 
startup and consulting, business expansion studies, marketing analysis, 
cashflow management, and seminars and workshops for small businesses.
    (10) Provide office space, equipment, and supplies for all 
personnel assigned to the project.
    (11) Develop management and technical assistance plans in 
cooperation with RBS State Office that will:
    (a) Assess small business alternatives to traditional agricultural 
and other natural resources-based industries;
    (b) Assist in the development of business plans and loan packages, 
marketing, bookkeeping assistance, and organizational sustainability; 
and
    (c) In cooperation with RBS State Office, provide technical 
assistance and training in customer relations, product development, and 
business planning and development.
    (12) Assess the need for and, if necessary, conduct a feasibility 
study of local community weaknesses and strengths, feasible 
alternatives to agriculture production, and the needed infrastructure 
to expand or develop new or existing businesses. The plans for any such 
studies must be submitted for approval prior to the study being 
conducted.
    (13) In cooperation with the RBS State Office, provide community 
leaders with advice and recommendations regarding best practices in 
community economic development stimulus programs for their communities.
    (14) Establish and maintain the BISNet web site, linking community 
leaders and residents to available economic development information.
    (15) Assure and certify 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 set out in 7 CFR part 3015, 3015.205(b) 
and 7 CFR part 3019.
    (16) Federal funds can only be used to pay meeting related travel 
expenses, if the employees are performing a service of direct benefit 
to the Government directly in furtherance of the objectives of the 
proposed agreement. Therefore, Federal funds cannot be used to pay non-
Federal employees to attend meetings.
    (17) Not commingle or use program funds for administrative expenses 
to operate an Intermediary Relending Program (IRP).
    (18) As a cooperative agreement and not a grant, the 1890 
Institution will collaborate with the RBS State Office in performing 
the tasks in the agreement as needed and will provide RBS National 
Office with the necessary information for RBS to do the following:
    (a) Monitor the program as it is being implemented and operated, 
including monitoring of financial information to ensure that there is 
no commingling or use of program funds for administrative expenses to 
operate an IRP or other unapproved items.
    (b) Halt activity, after written notice, if tasks are not met.
    (c) Review and approve changes to key personnel.
    (d) Provide guidance in the evaluation process and other technical 
Assistance as needed.
    (e) Approve the final plans for the community business workshops, 
business and economic development sessions, and training workshops to 
be conducted by the Institution.
    (f) Provide reference assistance as needed to the Institution for 
technical assistance given on a one-on-one basis to entrepreneurs and 
startup businesses.
    (g) Review and comment upon strategic plans developed by the 
Institution for targeted areas.
    (h) Review economic assessments made by the Institution for 
targeted counties so that RBS can indicate which of its programs may be 
beneficial.
    (i) Carefully screen the project to prevent First Amendment 
violations.
    (j) Monitor the program to ensure that a BISNet link is established 
and maintained.
    (k) Provide technical assistance and training to BISNet Hub-sites 
and Wide Area Network (WAN) Team Members at the universities in 
preparing economic development information for posting on the Internet.
    (l) Allow the RBS State Office to conduct a semi-annual on-site 
review and submit written reports to the National Office.

Content of a Proposal

    A proposal should contain an original and two copies of each of the 
following:
    (1) Completed Forms.
    (i) Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.''
    (ii) Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs.''
    (iii) Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
    (iv) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions.''
    (v) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements.''
    (2) Table of Contents: For ease of locating information, each 
proposal

[[Page 46456]]

must contain a detailed Table of Contents immediately following the 
required forms. The Table of Contents should include page numbers for 
each component of the proposal. Pagination should begin immediately 
following the Table of Contents.
    (3) Project Executive Summary: A summary of the Project Proposal, 
not to exceed one page.
    (4) Project Proposal: The application must contain a narrative 
statement describing the nature of the proposed outreach initiative. 
The proposal must include at least the following:
    (i) Project Title Page. Should include the following: title of the 
project, names of principal investigators, and applicant organization.
    (ii) Introduction. A concisely worded justification or rationale 
for the outreach initiative must be presented. Included should be a 
summarization of social and economical statistical data (income, 
population, employment rate, poverty rate, education attainment, etc.), 
of the target area which substantiates the need for the outreach 
initiative. Note in this section if the target area includes an 
Employment Zone/Champion Community.
    (iii) Workplan. Discuss the approach (strategy) to be used in 
carrying out the proposed outreach initiative and accomplishing the 
objectives. A description of any subcontracting arrangements to be used 
in carrying out the project must be included. Also, the workplan must 
include:
    (a) Overview of the project objectives and goals: Identify and 
discuss the specific goals and objectives of the project and the impact 
of the outreach initiative on end-users;
    (b) Timeframe: Develop a tentative schedule for conducting the 
major steps of the outreach initiative;
    (c) Milestones: Describe and quantify the expected outcome of the 
specific outreach objective, including jobs created or assisted, 
conferences and seminars conducted and number of participants, loans 
packaged, etc.;
    (d) Recipient involvement: Identify the person(s)who will be 
performing the activities; and
    (e) RBS involvement: Identify RBS staff responsible for assisting 
and monitoring the activities.
    (iv) Estimated Budget. Detail budget justification including 
matching funds.
    (v) Leveraging Funds. Other institutional support of this outreach 
initiative project.
    (vi) Coordination and Management Plan. Describe how the project 
will be coordinated among various participants, nature of the 
collaborations and benefits to participants, the communities, the 
applicant, and RBS. Describe plans for management of the project to 
ensure its proper and efficient administration. Describe scope of RBS 
involvement in the project.
    (vii) Technology Outreach. The proposal should address the 
applicant's ability to deliver computer technology to the targeted 
rural communities and implement and maintain a computer network system 
linking community leaders and residents to available economic 
development information.
    (viii) Key Personnel Support. The proposal should include 
curriculum vitae for the principal investigator and other key personnel 
used to carry out the goals and objectives of the proposal.
    (ix) Facilities or Equipment. Where the project will be located 
(housed) and what other equipment is needed or already available to 
carry out the specific objectives of the project.
    (x) Previous Accomplishments. Summarize previous accomplishments of 
outreach work funded by RBS or similar outreach experiences.
    (xi) Local Support. Letters of support from the local community 
such as businesses, local government, community-based organization, 
etc.
    (xii) Any other information necessary for RBS to approve and rank 
your proposal.
    Additionally you are encouraged to provide any strategic plan that 
has been developed to assist business development or entrepreneurship 
for the targeted communities.

What To Submit

    All applicants for the cooperative agreement must submit a 
completed original, plus two copies of the proposal for this 
competitive program.

Other Federal Statutes and Regulations That Apply

    Several other Federal statutes and regulations apply to proposals 
considered for review and to cooperative agreements awarded. These 
include, but are not limited to:

7 CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted 
Programs of the Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of Title VI of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964
7 CFR part 3015--Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations
7 CFR part 3017--Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension 
(Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Grant)
7 CFR part 3018--New Restrictions on Lobbying
7 CFR part 3019--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other 
Non-Profit Organizations
7 CFR part 3052--Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit 
Organizations

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The collection of information requirements contained in this notice 
have received temporary emergency clearance by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under Control Number 0570-0041. However, in accordance 
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, RBS will seek standard OMB 
approval of the reporting requirements contained in this Notice and 
hereby opens a 60-day public comment period.

Abstract

    Approximately $1.5 million will be made available for cooperative 
agreements between RBS and the nation's 1890 Land Grant Institutions 
and Tuskegee University. The agreements are for the purpose of 
outreach, to small rural communities, to develop programs that will 
develop future entrepreneurs and businesses in rural America in those 
communities that have the most economic need. These programs must 
provide sustainable development that is in keeping with the needs of 
the community and are designed to help overcome current identified 
economic problems. Proposals in both traditional and non-traditional 
business enterprises are encouraged. The initiative seeks to create a 
working partnership between 1890 Institutions and Tuskegee University 
and RBS through cooperative agreements.

Public Burden in This Notice

Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance''

    This application is used by applicants as a required face sheet for 
applications for Federal funding.

Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs''

    This form must be completed by applicants to show the project's 
anticipated budget breakdown in terms of expense categories and 
division of Federal and non-Federal sources of funds.

Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs''

    This form must be completed by the applicant to provide the Federal 
Government certain assurances of the applicant's legal authority to 
apply for

[[Page 46457]]

Federal assistance and financial capability to pay the non-Federal 
share of project costs. The applicant also assures compliance with 
various legal and regulatory requirements as described in the form.

Form SF-270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement''

    This form must be completed by the funded recipient certifying 
that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the data submitted are 
correct and that outlays were made in accordance with the grant 
conditions or other agreement, and the payment is due and has not been 
previously requested.

Form SF-269, ``Financial Status Report''

    This form must be completed by the funded recipient certifying 
that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, this report is correct 
and complete and that all outlays and unliquidated obligations are for 
the purposes set forth in the award document.

Project Proposal

    The applicant must submit a project proposal containing the 
elements described in this notice and in the format prescribed. The 
application must contain a narrative statement describing the nature of 
the proposed outreach initiative.

Reporting Requirements

    Funded recipients will be required to submit written project 
performance reports quarterly and a final report highlighting successes 
over the course of the project.

Recordkeeping Requirements

    Regulations require that financial records, supporting documents, 
statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the award, will 
be retained for a period of at least 3 years after the agreement 
closing. The exception that records will be retained beyond 3 years is 
if audit findings have not been resolved.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection is 
estimated to range from 15 minutes for some forms to 15 hours for the 
proposal per response.
    Respondents: Only 1890 Land Grant Institutions of Higher Education 
and Tuskegee University.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 17.
    Estimated Number of Responses Per Respondent: 3.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 293.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 743 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Cheryl 
Thompson, Regulations and Paperwork Management Branch (202) 692-0043.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
RBS, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of RBS's estimate of the burden to collect the required 
information, including the validity of the strategy 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 through 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 Cheryl Thompson, 
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 become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 10, 2002.
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 02-17714 Filed 7-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P