[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 91 (Monday, May 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25321-25325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11760]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Request for Proposals; Fiscal Year 2003 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 (FY) 2003 budget. RBS hereby 
requests proposals from the 1890 Land Grant Universities and Tuskegee 
University (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.
    Grants will be made for proposals found to be meritorious by a peer 
review panel to the extent that funds are available. However, there is 
no commitment by RBS to fund any particular proposal or to make a 
specific number of awards.
    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 on application for these funds.

DATES: Cooperative agreement applications must be received by 4 p.m. 
July 11, 2003. Proposals received after July 11, 2003, will not be 
considered for funding.

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 enhance the quality of life for 
rural Americans by providing leadership in building competitive 
businesses including sustainable cooperatives that can prosper in the 
global marketplace. RBS meets these goals by: investing financial 
resources and providing technical assistance to businesses and 
cooperatives located in rural communities and establishing strategic 
alliances and partnerships that leverage public, private, and 
cooperative resources to create jobs and stimulate rural economic 
activity.
    The primary purpose of the 1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural 
Entrepreneurial Program Outreach Initiative is to promote Rural 
Development programs, provide outreach and technical assistance, and 
encourage and assist underserved rural community residents to 
participate in the USDA-Rural Development programs, especially those 
administered by RBS. This outreach initiative is also designed 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 in targeted underserved 
rural communities and shall include, but are not limited to:
    (a) 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;
    (b) Developing management and technical assistance plans that will:
    (1) Assess small business alternatives to traditional agricultural 
and other natural resource based industries;
    (2) Assist in the development of business plans or loan packages, 
marketing, or bookkeeping;
    (3) Assist and train small businesses in customer relations, 
product development, or business planning and development.
    (c) Assessing and conducting feasibility studies of local community 
weaknesses and strength, feasible alternatives to agricultural 
production, and the necessary infrastructure to expand or develop new 
or existing businesses;
    (d) Providing community leaders with advice and recommendations 
regarding best practices in community economic development stimulus 
programs for their communities;
    (e) Conducting seminars to disseminate information to stimulate 
business and economic development in selected rural communities; and
    (f) Developing computer technology outreach and 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 the 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 the Cooperative Services 
Program,

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please indicate that you are requesting application forms and 
instructions for the FY 2003 1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural 
Entrepreneurial Program Outreach Initiative. The application forms may 
also be located on the Rural Business-Cooperative Service website: 
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/oa/1890.htm.
    Applicants are encouraged to closely examine the evaluation 
criteria noted in the ``Evaluation Criteria and Weights'' section of 
this notice as proposals are prepared.

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: (a) Pay more than 75 percent of relevant project or 
administrative costs; (b) pay costs of preparing the application 
package; (c) fund political activities; (d) pay costs prior to the 
effective date of the cooperative agreement; (e) provide for revolving 
funds; (f) do construction; (g) conduct any activities where there is 
or may appear to be a conflict of interest; or (h) purchase real 
estate.
    Based on the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, (Pub. L. 
108-7, Feb. 20, 2003), ``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 2003 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 targeted 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 technology and website development to 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. A larger award may 
be granted at the RBS Administrator's discretion.

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 
spend in proportion to the spending of funds received from the 
cooperative agreement. The applicant and 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 website.
    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 Criteria and 
Weights'' section of this Notice. Location in an Empowerment Zone, 
Enterprise Community, Champion Community, Federally-recognized Tribal 
Indian groups or other Federally declared economic depressed or 
disaster area 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.
    Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to 
apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the 
project; however, the subcontracted amount may not exceed one-third of 
the total Federal award.

Methods for Evaluating and Ranking Applications

    Each application will be evaluated in a two-part process. First, 
each application will be screened to ensure that it meets the 
administrative requirements as set forth in this Notice of Request for 
Proposals. Second, a number of expert reviewers will conduct a merit 
review based on the ``Evaluation Criteria and Weights'' section of this 
notice. The review of the individual reviewers will be used by RBS to 
determine which application will be recommended to the RBS 
Administrator for funding. Evaluated applications will be ranked based 
on merit. The RBS Administrator will make final approval for those 
applications recommended for an award. If there is a tie score after 
the proposals have been rated and ranked, the tie will be resolved by 
the proposal with the largest matching funds as a percent of the 
Federal amount of the award.

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. The points assigned provide an indication of the relative 
importance of each section and will be used by the reviewers in 
evaluating the proposals. 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.
    (a) 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 components of the communities 
served. 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. Tangible support must be stated in letters from supporting 
entities.
    (b) Matching Funds/Leveraging (Up to 15 points)--This criteria 
relates to the extent to which the institution has the capacity to 
support the project with matching funds and leveraging additional funds 
and resources to carry out this outreach initiative.
    A maximum of 10 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.

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Matching funds points will be awarded as listed below.

25 percent to 35 percent match--2 points
35 percent to 50 percent match--5 points
50 percent to 75 percent match--7 points
75 percent match--10 points

    Up to 5 additional points may be awarded based on the applicant's 
capacity to leverage additional funds and resources from other private 
and nonprivate sources to support this outreach initiative. Applicants 
must provide sufficient information on the amount and sources of 
leveraging activities for the evaluation panel to properly rate this 
criterion.
    (c) Economic Need of Community (Up to 20 points)--This criterion 
will be evaluated based on the economic need of the targeted 
communities.
    A maximum of 7 points will automatically be awarded to proposals 
with one or more of the following entities in a targeted community(s): 
Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, Champion Communities, 
Federally-recognized Indian Tribal groups, and other Federally declared 
economic depressed or disaster areas. Applicants must provide 
sufficient information for the panel to properly rate this part of the 
above criterion. The proposals must state the name and location of the 
declared economic depressed area.
    Rural underserved targeted counties/communities should be the same 
as the RBS definition for rural eligibility, which is any area other 
than a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 
inhabitants and the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a 
city or town, as defined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census using the 
latest decennial census of the United States.
    Also, for this criterion, a maximum of 8 points will be awarded for 
demonstrated economic need based on the currently available poverty 
rate of the targeted local community(s). Applicants may use targeted 
county/or community poverty rates if available. When multi-communities 
proposals are submitted, the overall weighted average for all counties 
or communities will be used. Applicants must use current (2000 Census) 
poverty data for each targeted county/or community and for their 
respective State. Points will be awarded based on the differences in 
the targeted county/or community average poverty from the respective 
State poverty rate (average targeted county or community poverty rate-
State poverty rate) as following. Percents will be rounded to the next 
whole number.

Less than 3 percent--0 points
3-6 percent--1 point
7-10 percent--2 points
11-15 percent--5 points
Greater than 15 percent--8 points

    Up to five additional points may be awarded for this criterion 
based on the applicant's ability to demonstrate or identify other 
economic needs of the targeted communities, such as, but not limited 
to, unemployment rates, education levels, and job availability. The 
applicant must provide sufficient information for the panel to properly 
rate this part of the above criterion.
    (d) Previous Accomplishments (Up to 10 points)--This criterion will 
be evaluated based on the applicant's previous accomplishments with 
this outreach initiative and/or demonstrative capacity to conduct 
similar outreach work.
    A point will be awarded to those institutions for each year they 
have been awarded a cooperative agreement under this program up to 5 
years. Applicants must provide evidence of satisfactorily completing 
the agreement for each year that they claim for credit.
    Up to five additional points may be awarded based on the 
applicant's ability to document the impact of their project upon the 
targeted underserved rural communities. It is incumbent upon the 
applicant to provide information as to the type of services delivered, 
the names of rural communities, and the number of targeted audiences 
served the last year awarded.
    Applicants with zero or less than 5 recent years of awards in this 
program may receive up to the maximum 10 points by highlighting the 
institution's commitment and previous performance on this project or 
projects with similar outreach objectives. The applicant should discuss 
the potential impact of their project upon the targeted underserved 
rural communities, as well as describing previous similar outreach 
work.
    (e) Statement of Work (up to 20 Points)--This criterion relates to 
the degree to which the proposed project addresses the major purposes 
for the ``1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural Entrepreneurial Program 
Outreach Initiative.'' Points will be awarded according to the degree 
to which the statement of work reflects innovative strategies for 
providing outreach and assistance to the targeted underserved rural 
entrepreneurs, businesses and communities, and the potential for 
achieving project objectives. To receive the maximum points, proposals 
must have a clearly and concisely stated work plan showing objectives, 
goals, timetables, expected results, measurable outcomes, and who will 
be performing various activities, including RBS involvement.
    (f) Digital Technology Outreach (Up to 10 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.
    A maximum of 5 points will be awarded based on the applicant's 
demonstrated capacity to promote innovations and improvements in the 
delivery of computer technology benefits to underserved rural 
communities whose share in these benefits is disproportionably low. 
Examples of innovations and improvements in this needed area include, 
but are not limited to, computer-base, decision support systems to 
assist entrepreneurs and rural community governments in taking 
advantage of relevant technologies or efficacious delivery systems for 
business information or resource management assistance for rural 
underserved entrepreneurs and local governments and providing business 
information systems network.
    Up to five 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.
    (g) Coordination and Management of the Project (Up to 15 points)--
This criterion will be evaluated based on the applicant's demonstrated 
capacity to coordinate and manage this type of outreach initiative 
among the various stakeholders.
    A maximum of 8 points will be awarded for the coordination plan. 
Applicants will need to describe the role and coordination mechanisms 
among various participants, including communities, the applicant, and 
RBS. The nature of the collaborations and benefits to participants must 
also be described.
    By definition, a cooperative agreement requires sufficient 
involvement by the funding agent in carrying out the project objectives 
in the project. Therefore, up to 7 additional points may be awarded for 
this criterion based on demonstration of broad involvement and 
collaboration with each applicant's respective RBS State Office as 
related to the outreach project. This involvement and collaboration

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should include, but is not limited to: (1) RBS State Office input and 
review of institution's proposal, (2) invitations to attend and 
participate in workshops and conferences when needed, (3) on-going 
monitoring of the outreach project, and (4) directing applicants to the 
RBS State Office when applicable.

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 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 website (http://bisnet.sus.edu), or other websites designated by RBS.

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:
    (a) Completing the objectives as defined in the approved proposal.
    (b) During the term of the agreement, keep up-to-date records on 
the project, and on or prior to October 6, January 5, April 5, and July 
5, 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 the RBS National Office 
and to the final report detailing all work done and results 
accomplished. All reports will be forwarded to the RBS National Office 
and to the Rural Development State Office.
    (c) Submit to RBS, on a quarterly basis, Form SF-270, ``Request for 
Advance or Reimbursement.''
    (d) Keep an account of expenditures of the Federal dollars and 
matching fund dollars and provide to RBS, Form SF-269, ``Financial 
Status Report,'' with each Form SF-270 submitted, and a final SF-269 
within 90 days of the project's completion.
    (e) Immediately refund to RBS, at the end of the agreement, any 
balance of unobligated funds received from RBS.
    (f) Provide matching funds or equivalent in-kind in support of the 
project, at least to the level agreed to in the accepted proposal.
    (g) Conduct seminars to disseminate Rural Development program 
information to stimulate business and economic development in selected 
rural communities.
    (h) Participate in the RBS Entrepreneurship Conferences when 
planned.
    (i) 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.
    (j) Provide office space, equipment, and supplies for all personnel 
assigned to the project.
    (k) Develop management and technical assistance plans in 
cooperation with RBS State Office that will:
    (1) Assess small business alternatives to agricultural and other 
natural resources-based industries;
    (2) Assist in the development of business plans and loan packages, 
marketing, bookkeeping assistance, and organizational sustainability; 
and
    (3) In cooperation with the RBS State Office, provide technical 
assistance and training in customer relations, product development, and 
business planning and development.
    (l) 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.
    (m) 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.
    (n) Develop technology outreach and establish and maintain a 
Business Information Network System website, linking community leaders 
and residents to available economic development information.
    (o) 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 3015.205(b) and 7 CFR 
part 3019.
    (p) 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.
    (q) Not commingle or use program funds for administrative expenses 
to operate an Intermediary Relending Program (IRP).
    (r) As a cooperative agreement and not a grant, the 1890 
Institution will collaborate with the RBS National and State Offices in 
performing the tasks in the agreement as needed and will provide the 
RBS National Office with the necessary information for RBS to do the 
following:
    (1) 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.
    (2) Halt activity, after written notice, if tasks are not met.
    (3) Review and approve changes to key personnel.
    (4) Provide guidance in the evaluation process and other technical 
assistance as needed.
    (5) Approve the final plans for the community business workshops, 
business and economic development sessions, and training workshops to 
be conducted by the Institution.
    (6) Provide reference assistance as needed to the Institution for 
technical assistance given on a one-on-one basis to entrepreneurs and 
startup businesses.
    (7) Review and comment upon strategic plans developed by the 
Institution for targeted areas.
    (8) Review economic assessments made by the Institution for 
targeted counties so that RBS can indicate which of its programs may be 
beneficial.
    (9) Carefully screen the project to prevent First Amendment 
violations.
    (10) Monitor the program to ensure that a Business Information 
System Network website link is established and maintained.

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    (11) Provide technical assistance and training to the Business 
Information System Network Hub-sites and Wide Area Network (WAN) Team 
Members at the universities in preparing economic development 
information for posting on the Internet.
    (12) 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:
    (a) Completed Forms.
    (1) Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.''
    (2) Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs.''
    (3) Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
    (4) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions.''
    (5) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements.''
    (6) Form SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.''
    (b) Table of Contents. For ease of locating information, each 
proposal 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.
    (c) Project Executive Summary. A summary of the Project, not to 
exceed one page.
    (d) 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:
    (1) Project Title Page. Should include the following: Title of the 
project, names of principal investigators, and applicant organization.
    (2) 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/Enterprise Community, Champion Community, Federally-
recognized Indian Tribal group or other Federally declared economic 
disaster area.
    (3) 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:
    (i) 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;
    (ii) Timeframe: Develop a tentative schedule for conducting the 
major steps of the outreach initiative;
    (iii) 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.;
    (iv) Recipient involvement: Identify the person(s) who will be 
performing the activities; and
    (v) RBS involvement: Identify RBS staff responsible for assisting 
and monitoring the activities.
    (4) Estimated Budget. Detail budget justification including 
matching funds.
    (5) Leveraging Funds. Other institutional support of this outreach 
initiative project.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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.
    (8) 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.
    (9) 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.
    (10) Previous Accomplishments. Summarize previous accomplishments 
of outreach work funded by RBS or similar outreach experiences, 
especially for first-time applicants.
    (11) Local Support. Letters of support from the local community 
such as businesses, educational institutions, local governments, 
community-based organizations, etc. Letters of support should show 
support with commitment for tangible resources and or assistance.
    (12) 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. Do not bind the original copy.

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:
    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 (Grants).
    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 paperwork burden associated with this initiative has been 
cleared by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB Control Number 
0570-0041.

    Dated: May 6, 2003
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Businesses-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 03-11760 Filed 5-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 341-XY-M