[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44729-44738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19316]


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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 in an amount at least equal to the Federal grant. These 
grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will 
provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop 
their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, 
community facilities, or community and economic development. This 
notice lists the information needed to submit an application for these 
funds.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. e.s.t. 
October 28, 2003. The application date and time are firm. The Agency 
will not consider any application received after the deadline.

ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the 
application requirements delineated in this notice from the RCDI Web 
site: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm. Applicants may also 
request application packages from: William Kenney, Rural Housing 
Service, STOP 0787, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-
0787, Telephone (202) 720-1506, e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Kenney, Senior Loan 
Specialist, Community Programs, RHS, USDA, STOP 0787, 1400 Independence 
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0787, Telephone (202) 720-1506, 
Facsimile (202) 690-0471, e-mail: [email protected]. You may also 
obtain information from the RCDI Web site: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Programs Affected

    This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under Number 10.446. This program is not subject to the 
provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental 
consultation with State and local officials.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The paperwork burden has been cleared by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575-0180.

[[Page 44730]]

Background

    Congress created the RCDI in fiscal year (FY) 2000 to develop the 
capacity and ability of nonprofit organizations, low-income rural 
communities, or Federally recognized tribes to undertake projects 
related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development in rural areas. Numerous changes have been made each year 
since. Congress appropriated $6 million in FY 2003 for the RCDI. 
Qualified private and public (including tribal) intermediary 
organizations proposing to carry out financial and technical assistance 
programs will be eligible to receive the funding. The intermediary will 
be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to 
the RCDI grant.

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, or community and economic development 
projects.
    Federally recognized tribes--tribal entities recognized and 
eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
based on the notice in the Federal Register published by the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs on July 12, 2002, volume 67, number 134, page 46328. 
Tribally Designated Housing Entities are eligible RCDI recipients.
    Financial assistance--Funds used by the intermediary to support the 
recipient's program, including funds that pass through the intermediary 
to the recipient for eligible RCDI purposes.
    Funds--the RCDI grant and matching money.
    Intermediary--a qualified private, nonprofit, or public (including 
tribal) organization that provides financial and technical assistance 
to multiple recipients. The applicant entity must have been organized 
for a minimum of 3 years.
    Low-income community--an authority, district, economic development 
authority, regional council, or unit of government representing an 
incorporated city, town, village, county, township, parish, or borough. 
The location of the low-income community office that will be receiving 
the financial and technical assistance must be in a community with a 
median household income at, or below, 80 percent of either the State or 
national median household income.
    Matching funds--cash or confirmed funding commitments. Matching 
funds must be at least equal to the grant amount. These funds can only 
be used for eligible RCDI activities. In-kind contributions cannot be 
used as matching funds.
    Nonprofit organization--a private, community-based housing or 
community development entity with evidence of their nonprofit status. 
Examples of valid documentation of nonprofit status include, but are 
not limited to, a letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a 
confirming certificate from the Secretary of State where the entity is 
located.
    Recipient--the entity that receives the financial and technical 
assistance from the intermediary. The recipient must be a nonprofit 
organization, a low-income rural community, or a Federally recognized 
tribe.
    Rural and rural area--a city, town, or unincorporated area that has 
a 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.
    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 name and location of recipients must be included in the 
grant application.
    3. The recipients must be nonprofit organizations, low-income rural 
communities, or federally recognized tribes based on the RCDI 
definitions of these groups.
    4. Documentation must be submitted to verify recipient eligibility. 
Acceptable documentation varies depending on the type of recipient: A 
letter from the IRS, confirming certificate from the Secretary of 
State, or other valid documentation of nonprofit status is required for 
nonprofit recipients; for low-income community recipients, the Agency 
requires (a) evidence the entity is a public body and (b) census data 
verifying that the median household income of the community where the 
office receiving the financial and technical assistance is located is 
at, or below, 80 percent of the State or national median household 
income; for Federally recognized tribes, the Agency needs the page 
listing their name from the current Federal Register list of tribal 
entities recognized and eligible for funding services (see the 
definition of Federally recognized tribes for details on this list).
    5. Individuals cannot be recipients.
    6. The intermediary must provide matching funds at least equal to 
the amount of the grant.
    7. The intermediary must provide a program of financial and 
technical assistance to the recipient.
    8. The intermediary organization must have at least 3 years prior 
experience working with nonprofit organizations, low-income rural 
communities, or tribal organizations in the areas of housing, community 
facilities, or community and economic development.
    9. The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per intermediary 
is $50,000 and $500,000.
    10. Proposals must be structured to utilize the grant funds within 
3 years from the date of the award.
    11. 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.
    12. Recipients can participate in more than one RCDI application; 
however, after grant selections are made, the recipient can only 
participate in multiple RCDI grants if the type of financial and 
technical assistance they will receive is not duplicative.
    13. The intermediary and the recipient cannot be the same entity. 
The recipient can be a related entity to the intermediary, if it meets 
the definition of a recipient.
    14. A nonprofit recipient must provide evidence that it is a valid 
nonprofit when the intermediary applies for the RCDI grant. 
Organizations with pending requests for nonprofit designations are not 
eligible.
    15. If the recipient is a low-income community, identify the unit 
of government to which the financial and technical assistance will be 
provided, e.g., town council or village board. The financial and 
technical assistance must be provided to the organized unit of 
government representing that community, not the community at large.
    16. Nonprofits located in a rural area that is also a census 
designated place (CDP) are eligible. CDPs are not considered eligible 
rural areas under low-income communities because they do not have a 
unit of government to receive the financial and technical assistance.

[[Page 44731]]

Eligible Fund Uses

    Fund 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 financial and technical assistance to develop 
recipients' capacity and ability to undertake projects related to 
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development, 
i.e., the intermediary hires a staff person to provide technical 
assistance to the recipient or the recipient hires a staff person, 
under the supervision of the intermediary, to carry out the financial 
and technical assistance provided by the intermediary.
    2. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct community 
development programs, e.g., homeownership education or training for 
minority business entrepreneurs.
    3. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct development 
initiatives, e.g., programs that support micro-enterprise and 
sustainable development.
    4. Increase leveraging ability and access to alternative funding 
sources by providing training and staffing.
    5. Provide the financial and technical assistance component for 
essential community facilities projects.
    6. Assist recipients in completing pre-development requirements for 
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development 
projects by providing resources for professional services, e.g., 
architectural, engineering, or legal.
    7. Improve recipient's organizational capacity by providing 
training and resource material on developing strategic plans, board 
operations, management, financial systems, and information technology.
    8. Purchase computers, software, and printers at the recipient 
level.
    9. Provide funds to recipients for training-related travel costs 
and training expenses related to RCDI.

Ineligible Fund 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.
    11. Funds cannot be used for recipient's general operating costs.
    12. Using grant or matching funds for Individual Development 
Accounts.

Program Examples

    The purpose of this initiative is to develop or increase the 
recipient's capacity through a program of financial and technical 
assistance to perform in the areas of housing, community facilities, or 
community and economic development. Strengthening the recipient's 
capacity in these areas will benefit the communities they serve. The 
RCDI structure requires the intermediary (grantee) to provide a program 
of financial and technical assistance to recipients. The recipients 
will, in turn, provide programs to their communities (beneficiaries). 
Following are examples of eligible and ineligible purposes under the 
RCDI program. These examples are illustrative and are not meant to 
limit the activities proposed in the application. Activities that meet 
the objective of the RCDI program will be considered eligible.
    1. The intermediary must work directly with the recipient, not the 
beneficiaries. As an example: The intermediary provides training to the 
recipient on how to conduct homeownership education classes. The 
recipient then provides ongoing homeownership education to the 
residents of the community--the ultimate beneficiaries. This ``train 
the trainer'' concept fully meets the intent of this initiative. The 
intermediary is providing financial and technical assistance that will 
build the recipient's capacity by enabling them to conduct 
homeownership education classes for the public. This is an eligible 
purpose. However, if the intermediary directly provided homeownership 
education classes to individuals in the recipient's service area, this 
would not be an eligible purpose because the recipient would be 
bypassed.
    2. If the intermediary is working with a low-income community as 
the recipient, the intermediary must provide the financial and 
technical assistance to the entity that represents the low-income 
community and is identified in the application. Examples of entities 
representing a low-income community are a village board or a town 
council. If the intermediary provides technical assistance to the board 
of directors of the low-income community on how to establish a 
cooperative, this would be an eligible purpose. However, if the 
intermediary works directly with individuals from the community to 
establish the cooperative, this is not an eligible purpose. The 
recipient's capacity is built by learning skills that will enable them 
to support sustainable economic development in their communities on an 
ongoing basis.
    3. The intermediary may provide technical assistance to the 
recipient on how to create and operate a revolving loan fund (RLF). The 
intermediary may not monitor or operate the RLF. RCDI funds, including 
matching funds, cannot be used to fund RLFs.

Contents of Application Package

    A complete application for RCDI funds must include the following.
    1. A summary page, double spaced between items, listing the 
following: (This information should not be presented in narrative 
form.)
    a. Applicant's name,
    b. Applicant's address,
    c. Applicant's telephone number,
    d. Name of applicant's contact person and telephone number,
    e. Applicant's fax number,
    f. County where applicant is located,
    g. Congressional district number where applicant is located,
    h. Amount of grant request,
    i. Applicant's Tax Identification Number,
    j. Number of recipients, and
    k. 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 five pages, including the 
following items, which will also be addressed separately and in detail 
under ``Building Capacity'' of the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
    a. The type of financial and technical assistance to be provided 
and how it will be implemented.
    b. How the capacity and ability of the recipients will be improved.
    c. The overall goal to be accomplished.
    d. The benchmarks to be used to measure the success of the program.
    4. Organizational or other documents for the intermediary that 
confirm their existence for a minimum of 3 years as the applicant 
entity.
    5. 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 to verify that the matching funds 
continue to be available. The applicant will have 10 working days

[[Page 44732]]

from the date of contact to submit verification of matching funds. If 
the applicant is unable to provide the verification within that 
timeframe, the application will be considered ineligible.
    6. The following information for each recipient:
    a. Recipient's entity name,
    b. Complete address (mailing and physical location, if different),
    c. County where located,
    d. Number of congressional district where recipient is located,
    e. Contact person's name and telephone number, and
    f. Documentation on the population composition of the service area 
of the recipient.
    7. Submit evidence the recipient entity is eligible.
    a. Nonprofits--provide a valid letter from the IRS, confirming 
certificate from the Secretary of State, or other valid documentation 
of nonprofit status.
    b. Low-income community--provide a copy of the 2000 census data to 
verify the population and evidence that the median household income is 
at, or below, 80 percent of either the State or national median 
household income. We will only accept data from www.census.gov. The 
specific instructions to retrieve data from this site are detailed 
under the ``Evaluation Criteria'' for ``Population'' and ``Income.''
    c. Federally recognized tribes--provide the page listing their name 
from the current Federal Register list of tribal entities published on 
July 12, 2002, volume 67, number 134, page 46328.
    8. Each of the ``Evaluation Criteria'' must be addressed 
specifically and individually by category. Present these criteria in 
narrative form. Documentation must be limited to three pages per 
criterion with the exception of attachments for ``Population'' and 
``Income.''
    9. A timeline identifying specific activities and proposed dates 
for completion.
    10. A detailed project budget that includes the RCDI grant amount 
and matching funds for the duration of the grant. This should be a 
line-item budget, by category. Categories such as salaries, 
administrative, other, and indirect costs must be clearly defined. 
Supporting documentation listing the components of these categories 
must be included.
    11. Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' (Do not 
complete Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information.'' A separate line-item 
budget should be presented as described in No. 10 of this section.) The 
budget should be dated: Year 1, year 2, year 3. The indirect cost will 
be addressed in accordance with OMB Circulars A-87, A-122, and A-133.
    12. Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
    13. Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions.''
    14. Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
    15. Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements.''
    16. Certification of Non-Lobbying Activities.
    17. Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if 
applicable.
    18. Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement,'' for the 
applicant and each recipient.
    19. Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement,'' for the applicant and 
each recipient.
    20. Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees.
    The required forms and certifications can be downloaded from the 
RCDI Web site at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.

What and Where to Submit

    The original application package must be submitted to: William 
Kenney, 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 where the applicant is 
located. 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 p.m. e.s.t. on 
October 28, 2003. The application deadline date and hour are firm and 
apply to submission of the original application 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 is 
provided elsewhere in this notice.

Application Selection Process

    Rating and ranking. 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 tied score after the applications have 
been rated and ranked, the tie will be resolved by reviewing the scores 
for ``Building Capacity'' and the applicant with the highest score in 
that category will receive a higher ranking. If the scores for 
``Building Capacity'' are the same, the scores will be compared for the 
next criterion, in sequential order, until one highest score can be 
determined.
    Initial screening. The Agency will screen each application to 
determine eligibility during the period immediately following the 
application deadline. Listed below are many of the reasons for 
rejection from the previous funding rounds to help the applicant 
prepare a better application. The following reasons for rejection are 
not all inclusive; however, they represent the majority of the 
applications previously rejected.
    1. Recipients were not located in eligible rural areas based on the 
definition in this notice.
    2. Applicants failed to provide evidence of recipient's status, 
i.e., documentation supporting nonprofit designation.
    3. Application did not follow the RCDI structure with an 
intermediary and recipients.
    4. Recipients were not identified in the application.
    5. Recipients cannot be individuals.
    6. Intermediary did not provide evidence it had been incorporated 
for at least 3 years as the applicant entity.
    7. Applicants failed to address the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
    8. The purpose of the proposal did not qualify as an eligible RCDI 
purpose.
    9. Funds cannot be used for construction or renovations.
    10. Financial and technical assistance cannot be provided directly 
to individuals.

Rural Development State Office Responsibilities During the Application 
Process

    The State Office will review the application and provide the State 
Director's written comments and recommendations to the National Office. 
Comments must include the following:
    1. Determine if each recipient listed in the application is located 
in an eligible rural area based on the RCDI definition of rural.
    2. Consult with other program areas regarding their experience with 
the intermediary or recipients, if any.
    3. Determine the compatibility of the application with the goals of 
the State's strategic plan.
    4. Provide comments or recommendations pertaining to the 
application.

[[Page 44733]]

    Comments must be submitted to William Kenney within 3 weeks from 
the RCDI application deadline.

Evaluation Criteria and Weights

    Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria and 
weights:

1. Building Capacity--maximum 60 points

    The applicant must demonstrate how they will improve the 
recipients' capacity, through a program of financial and technical 
assistance, as it relates to the RCDI purposes. Capacity-building 
technical assistance should provide new functions to the recipients or 
expand existing functions that will enable the recipients to undertake 
projects in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community 
and economic development that will benefit the community. The program 
of financial and technical assistance provided, how the program is 
delivered, and the measurability of the program's effectiveness will 
determine the merit of the application. All applications will be 
competitively ranked with the applications providing the most 
improvement in capacity development and measurable activities being 
ranked the highest. Capacity-building technical assistance may include, 
but is not limited to: training to conduct community development 
programs, e.g., homeownership education, or the establishment of 
minority business entrepreneurs, cooperatives, or micro-enterprises; 
organizational development, e.g., assistance to develop or improve 
board operations, management, and financial systems; instruction on how 
to develop and implement a strategic plan; instruction on how to access 
alternative funding sources to increase leveraging opportunities; 
staffing, e.g., hiring a person at intermediary or recipient level to 
provide technical or financial assistance to recipients; and purchase 
technology equipment at the recipient level, e.g., computers, printers, 
and software.
    The narrative response must:
    a. Describe the type of financial and technical assistance to be 
provided to the recipients and the activities that will be conducted to 
deliver the financial and technical assistance;
    b. Explain how financial and technical assistance will develop or 
increase the recipient's capacity. Indicate whether a new function is 
being developed or if existing functions are being expanded or 
performed more effectively;
    c. Identify which RCDI purpose areas will be addressed with this 
assistance: housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development; and
    d. Describe how the results of the financial and technical 
assistance will be measured. What benchmarks will be used to measure 
effectiveness?
    Scoring--maximum of 60 points
    1. Type of financial and technical assistance and implementation 
activities. 0-35 points
    a. How well defined is the purpose of this proposal?
    b. Are the implementation activities specifically defined?
    c. Will the proposed implementation activities actually develop the 
recipient's capacity?
    2.How financial and technical assistance will develop capacity. 0-
10 points
    a. Is a new function being developed and will it build capacity at 
the recipient level?
    b. Is an existing function being expanded or performed more 
effectively and will it build capacity at the recipient level?
    3. RCDI purpose. 0-5 points
    a. Housing,
    b. Community facilities, or
    c. Community and economic development.
    4. Measuring outcomes. 0-10 points
    a. What benchmarks will be used to measure outcomes and 
effectiveness?
    b. Are the proposed benchmarks an effective measurement for the 
type of financial and technical assistance provided?

2. Expertise--maximum 30 points

    The applicant must demonstrate that it has conducted programs of 
financial and technical assistance and achieved measurable results in 
the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development in rural areas. Provide the name, contact information, and 
amount of the financial and technical assistance the applicant 
organization has provided to the following for the last 5 years:
    a. Nonprofit organizations in rural areas.
    b. Low-income communities in rural areas, (also include the type of 
entity, e.g., city government, town council, or village board).
    c. Federally recognized tribes or any other culturally diverse 
organizations.
    d. Organization synopsis. Scoring--maximum 30 points
    1. The applicant has worked with groups in at least one of the 
three categories. 0-6 points
    2. The types of financial and technical assistance provided are 
similar to the RCDI purposes. 0-15 points
    3. The applicant demonstrates experience in working with the types 
of entities listed as recipients in the application. 0-9 points

3. Population--maximum 30 points

    Population is based on the 2000 census data for the community in 
which the recipient is located. Community is defined for scoring 
purposes as a city, town, village, county, parish, borough, or census-
designated place where the recipient's office is physically located. 
The applicant must submit a copy of the census data from the following 
website to verify the population figures used for each recipient. The 
data can be accessed on the Internet at www.census.gov; click on 
``American FactFinder'' from the left menu; click on drop-down menu for 
``Show Me''; select ``Population, Race and Hispanic or Latino under 
Geographic Comparison Tables (GCT)''; click on drop-down menu under 
``for''; select ``State--and the type of State geographic 
subdivision''; select State from next drop-down menu; click on ``Go''; 
print information for submission and highlight recipient locations. The 
average population of the recipient locations will be used and will be 
scored as follows:
    Population Scoring 5,000 or less 30 points 5,001 to 10,000 20 
points 10,001 to 20,000 10 points 20,001 to 50,000 5 points

4. Income--maximum 30 points

    The average of the median household income for the communities 
where the recipients are physically located will determine the points 
awarded. Applicants may compare the average recipient median household 
income to the State median household income or the national median 
household income, whichever yields the most points. The national median 
household income to be used is $41,994. The applicant must submit a 
copy of the income data from the following website to verify the income 
for each recipient. The data being used is from the 2000 census. The 
data can be accessed from the Internet at www.census.gov; click on 
``American FactFinder'' from left menu; click on drop-down menu for 
``Show Me''; select ``Economic Characteristics: Employment, Income, 
Poverty and More''; click on drop-down menu under ``for''; select ``a 
city or town''; select State from next drop-down menu; select the city 
or town from the next drop-down menu; click on ``Go''; print 
information for submission. Points will be awarded as follows:
    Average Recipient Median Income Is: Scoring

[[Page 44734]]

    Less than 60 percent of the State or national median household 
income 30 points
    Between 60 and 70 percent of the State or national median household 
income 20 points
    Greater than 70 percent of the State or national median household 
income 10 points

5. Innovative Approach--maximum 20 points

    The applicant must demonstrate that it has 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, low-income rural 
communities, or Federally recognized tribes;
    b. Uniqueness of proposal;
    c. Financial return to rural communities; and
    d. Need by nonprofit organization, low-income rural community, or 
Federally recognized tribe.
    If warranted, up to 20 applicants will be eligible to receive 
points in this category. The application ranking and scoring are:
    Ranking Scoring 10 highest-ranking applications for this criterion 
20 points
    Next 10 highest-ranking applications for this criterion 10 points
    If there is a tied score, it will be resolved by using the format 
listed under ``Rating and Ranking'' under ``Application Selection 
Process'' elsewhere in this notice.

6. Soundness of Approach--maximum 50 points

    The applicant can receive up to 50 points for soundness of 
approach. The overall proposal will be considered under this criterion. 
Applicants must list the page numbers in the application that address 
these factors.
    a. The ability to provide the proposed financial and technical 
assistance based on prior accomplishments has been demonstrated. 0-5 
points b. The proposed financial and technical assistance program is 
clearly stated and the applicant has defined how this proposal will be 
implemented. The plan for implementation is viable. 0-20 points
    c. Cost effectiveness will be evaluated based on the budget in the 
application. The proposed grant amount and matching funds should be 
utilized to maximize capacity building at the recipient level. 0-15 
points
    d. The proposal fits the objectives for which applications were 
invited. 0-10 points

7. Geographic Distribution Points--20 points

    The applicant must provide a map that specifically describes the 
areas covered by the recipients. After applications have been evaluated 
and awarded points under the first 6 criteria, the Agency may award 20 
points per application to promote a broad geographic distribution of 
RCDI funds.

8. Purpose Distribution Points--20 points

    The applicant must state the primary purpose of the application, 
i.e., housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development.
    After applications have been evaluated and awarded points under the 
first 6 criteria, the Agency may award 20 points per application to 
promote diversity of RCDI purposes.

9. Proportional Distribution Points--20 points

    The applicant must state the amount of the grant request. After 
applications have been evaluated and awarded points under the first 6 
criteria, the Agency may award 20 points per application to promote 
dispersion of grant awards between the range of $50,000 to $500,000.

Deliverables

    Grant funds and matching funds must be used in equal proportions. 
This does not mean funds have to be used equally by line item. The 
request for reimbursement and supporting documentation must show that 
RCDI fund usage does not exceed the cumulative amount of matching funds 
used. Grant funds will be disbursed pursuant to relevant provisions of 
7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019, as applicable. Matching funds must be 
used to support the overall purpose of the RCDI program. RCDI funds 
will be disbursed on a reimbursable basis only. No advances will be 
made. Matching funds cannot be expended prior to execution of the RCDI 
Grant Agreement. No reimbursement will be made for any funds expended 
prior to execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement unless the grantee has 
requested and received written Agency approval of the costs prior to 
the actual expenditure. This exception is applicable for up to 90 days 
prior to grant closing and only applies to grantees that have received 
written approval but have not executed the RCDI Grant Agreement. The 
Agency cannot retroactively approve reimbursement for expenditures 
prior to execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement.

Grant Amounts

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

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, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Executive Order 
12250.
    4. The grantee must comply with policies, guidance, and 
requirements as described in the following applicable OMB Circulars and 
Code of Federal Regulations:
    a. OMB Circular No. A-87 (Cost Principles Applicable to Grants, 
Contracts and Other Agreements with State and Local Governments);
    b. OMB Circular No. A-122 (Cost Principles for Nonprofit 
Organizations);
    c. OMB Circular No. A-133 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and 
Non-Profit Organizations);
    d. 7 CFR part 3015 (Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations);
    e. 7 CFR part 3016 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments); and
    f. 7 CFR part 3019 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and 
Other Nonprofit Organizations).

Program Restrictions

    Meeting expenses. In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1345, ``Expenses of 
Meetings,'' appropriations may not be used for travel, transportation, 
and subsistence expenses for a meeting. RCDI grant funds cannot be used 
for these meeting-

[[Page 44735]]

related expenses. Matching funds may be used to pay for these expenses. 
RCDI funds may be used to pay for a speaker as part of a program, 
equipment to facilitate the program, and the actual room that will 
house the meeting. RCDI funds can be used for travel, transportation, 
or subsistence expenses for training and technical assistance purposes. 
Any meeting or training not delineated in the application must be 
approved by the Agency to verify compliance with 31 U.S.C. 1345. Travel 
and per diem expenses will be similar to those paid to Agency 
employees. Rates are based upon location. Rate information can be 
accessed on the Internet at http://policyworks.gov/perdiem. Grantees 
and recipients will be restricted to traveling coach class on common 
carrier airlines. Grantees and recipients may exceed the Government 
rate for lodging by a maximum of 20 percent. Meals and incidental 
expenses will be reimbursed at the same rate used by Agency employees. 
Mileage and gas reimbursement will be the same rate used by Agency 
employees. The current mileage and gas reimbursement rate is 36.5 cents 
per mile.

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. Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' to 
request reimbursements.
    4. Provide financial status and project performance reports on a 
quarterly basis starting with the first full quarter after the grant 
award.
    5. Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to the 
Agency.
    6. Ensure that records are maintained to document all activities 
and expenditures utilizing RCDI grant funds and matching funds. 
Receipts for expenditures will be included in this documentation.
    7. Provide annual audits or management reports on Form RD 442-2, 
``Statement of Budget, Income, and Equity,'' and Form RD 442-3'', 
``Balance Sheet,'' depending on the amount of Federal funds expended 
and the outstanding balance.
    8. Collect and maintain data provided by recipients on race, sex, 
and national origin and ensure recipients collect and maintain the same 
data on beneficiaries. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in 
accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to the 
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and 
Ethnicity,'' Vol. 62, No. 210, October 30, 1997. Sex data will be 
collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 
1972. These items should not be submitted with the application, but 
should be available upon request by the Agency.
    9. Provide a final project performance report.
    10. Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees on a format provided by the Agency.

Rural Development State Offices

    Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.
    Alabama State Office, Suite 601, Sterling Centre, 4121 
Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, (334) 279-3400, TDD 
(334) 279-3495, James B. Harris.

Alaska State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 
99645, (907) 761-7705, TDD (907) 761-8905, Dean Stewart.
Arizona State Office, Phoenix Corporate Center, 3003 N. Central 
Ave., Suite 900, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2906, (602) 280-8747, TDD (602) 
280-8705, Leonard Gradillas.
Arkansas State Office, 700 W. Capitol Ave., Rm. 3416, Little Rock, 
AR 72201-3225, (501) 301-3250, TDD (501) 301-3200, Jesse G. Sharp.
California State Office, 430 G Street, Agency 4169, Davis, CA 95616-
4169, (530) 792-5810, TDD (530) 792-5848, Janice Waddell.
Colorado State Office, 655 Parfet Street, Room E100, Lakewood, CO 
80215, 720-544-2903, TDD 720-544-2976, Leroy W. Cruz.
Connecticut, Served by Massachusetts State Office.
Delaware and Maryland State Office, 4607 South DuPont Highway, P.O. 
Box 400, Camden, DE 19934-0400, (302) 697-4300, TDD (302) 697-4303, 
James E. Waters.
Florida & Virgin Islands State Office, 4440 NW. 25th Place, P.O. 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-
8380, TDD (808) 933-8321, Thao Khamoui.
Idaho State Office, 9173 West Barnes Dr., Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709, 
(208) 378-5617, TDD (208) 378-5600, Daniel H. Fraser.
Illinois State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 
61821, (217) 403-6200, TDD (217) 403-6240, Gerald A. Townsend.
Indiana State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 
46278, (317) 290-3100 (ext. 431), TDD (317) 290-3343, Gregg Delp.
Iowa State Office, 873 Federal Building, 210 Walnut Street, Des 
Moines, IA 50309, (515) 284-4663, TDD (515) 284-4858, Dorman Otte.
Kansas State Office, 1303 SW. First American Place, Suite 100, 
Topeka, KS 66604-4040, (785) 271-2730, TDD (785) 271-2767, Gary L. 
Smith.
Kentucky State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 
40503, (859) 224-7415, TDD (859) 224-7300, Vernon Brown.
Louisiana State Office, 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 
71302, (318) 473-7940, TDD (318) 473-7920, Danny H. Magee.
Maine State Office, 967 Illinois Ave., Suite 4, P.O. Box 405, 
Bangor, ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9106, 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) 253-4300, 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) 602-7800, TDD (651) 602-3799, James 
Maras.
Mississippi State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 W. 
Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965-4316, TDD (601) 965-
5850, Darnella Smith-Murray.
Missouri State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, 
Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876-0995, TDD (573) 876-9480, 
D. Clark Thomas.
Montana State Office, 900 Technology Blvd., Suite B, Bozeman, MT 
59771, (406) 585-2530, TDD (406) 585-2562, Deborah Chorlton.
Nebraska State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial 
Mall N., Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 437-5559, TDD (402) 437-5551, 
Denise Brosius-Meeks.
Nevada State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703-
9910, (775) 887-1222 (ext. 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) 223-
6083, William W. Konrad.
New Jersey State Office, 8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor North, 
Suite 500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, (856) 787-7750, Michael P. Kelsey.
New Mexico State Office, 6200 Jefferson St. NE., Room 255, 
Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-4950, TDD (505) 761-4938, Clyde F. 
Hudson.
New York State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 S. Salina 
Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-6400, TDD 
(315) 477-6447, Gail Giannotta.
North Carolina State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC 
27609, (919) 873-2000, TDD (919) 873-2003, Phyllis Godbold.

[[Page 44736]]

North Dakota State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East 
Rosser, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, (701) 530-2037, TDD 
(701) 530-2113, Donald Warren.
Ohio State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High 
Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418, (614) 255-2400, TDD (614) 255-2554, 
David M. Douglas.
Oklahoma State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074-
2654, (405) 742-1000, TDD (405) 742-1007, Michael W. Schrammel.
Oregon State Office, 101 SW. Main, Suite 1410, Portland, OR 97204-
3222, (503) 414-3300, TDD (503) 414-3387, Joe Sahlfeld (Acting).
Pennsylvania State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, 
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2299, TDD (717) 237-2261, Gary 
Rothrock.
Puerto Rico State Office, IBM Building--Suite 601, 654 Munos Rivera 
Avenue, Hato Rey, PR 00918-6106, (787) 766-5095, TDD (787) 766-5332, 
Ramon Melendez.
Rhode Island, Served by Massachusetts State Office.
South Carolina State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 
Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 253-5163, TDD 
(803) 765-5697, Larry D. Floyd.
South Dakota State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 Fourth 
Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1100, TDD (605) 352-1147, 
Roger Hazuka.
Tennessee State Office, Suite 300, 3322 West End Avenue, Nashvile, 
TN 37203-1084, (615) 783-1300, TDD (615) 783-1397, Keith Head.
Texas State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main, 
Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9700, TDD (254) 742-9712, Francesco 
Valentin.
Utah State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South 
State Street, Room 4311, P.O. Box 11350, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-
0350, (801) 524-4326, TDD (801) 524-3309, Bonnie Carrig.
Vermont State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, 
Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6000, TDD (802) 223-6365, Rhonda 
Shippee.
Virgin Islands, Served by Florida State Office.
Virginia State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa 
Road, Richmond, VA 23229, (804) 287-1550, TDD (804) 287-1753, Carrie 
Schmidt.
Washington State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard, SW., Suite B, 
Olympia, WA 98512-5715, (509) 664-0203, Sandi Boughton.
Western Pacific Territories, Served by Hawaii State Office.
West Virginia State Office, Federal Building, 75 High Street, Room 
320, Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4860, TDD (304) 284-4836, 
Dianne Crysler.
Wisconsin State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 
54481, (715) 345-7614, TDD (715) 345-7610, Mark Brodziski.
Wyoming State Office, Federal Building, Room 1005, 100 East B, P.O. 
Box 820, Casper, WY 82602, (307) 261-6300, TDD (307) 261-6333, Jack 
Hyde.

    Dated: July 22, 2003.
Arthur A. Garcia
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

United States Department of Agriculture

Rural Housing Service

Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Agreement
    [OMB No. 0575-0180]
    THIS GRANT AGREEMENT (Agreement), effective the date the Agency 
official signs the document, is a contract for receipt of grant funds 
under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI).
BETWEEN----------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
a private or public or tribal organization, (Grantee or Intermediary) 
and the United States of America acting through the Rural Housing 
Service (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. The Grantee and Grantor will execute Form RD 1940-1, 
``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    WHEREAS,
    Grantee will provide a program of financial and technical 
assistance to develop the capacity and ability of nonprofit 
organizations, low-income rural communities, or federally recognized 
tribes to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, 
or community and economic development in rural areas;
    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this 
information collection is 0575-0180. The time required to complete this 
information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, 
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data 
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the 
collection of information.
    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the grant;
    Grantee agrees that Grantee will:
    A. Provide a program of financial and technical assistance in 
accordance with the proposal outlined in the application, (see 
Attachment A), the terms of which are incorporated with this Agreement 
and must be adhered to. Any changes to the approved program of 
financial technical assistance must be approved in writing by the 
Grantor;
    B. Use Grant Funds only for the purposes and activities specified 
in the application package approved by the Agency including the 
approved budget. Any uses not provided for in the approved budget must 
be approved in writing by the Agency in advance;
    C. Charge expenses for travel and per diem that will not exceed the 
rates paid Agency employees for similar expenses. Grantees and 
recipients will be restricted to traveling coach class on common 
carrier airlines. Lodging rates may exceed the Government rate by a 
maximum of 20 percent. Meals and incidental expenses will be reimbursed 
at the same rate used by Agency employees, which is based upon 
location. Mileage and gas will be reimbursed at the existing Government 
rate. Rates can be accessed on the Internet at http://policyworks.gov/perdiem;
    D. Charge meeting expenses in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1345. Grant 
funds may not be used for travel, transportation, and subsistence 
expenses for a meeting. Matching funds may be used to pay these 
expenses. Any meeting or training not delineated in the application 
must be approved by the Agency to verify compliance with 31 U.S.C. 
1345.
    E. Request quarterly reimbursement for grant activities during the 
previous quarter. Reimbursement will be made on a pro rata basis with 
matching funds. Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' 
will be used to request reimbursement. A project performance report, in 
narrative form, and a financial report, reflecting the activities 
conducted, must accompany the request for reimbursement. Matching fund 
usage must be included in all reports.
    F. Provide periodic reports as required by the Grantor. A financial 
status report and a project performance report will be required on a 
quarterly basis (due 30 working days after each calendar quarter). The 
financial status report must show how grant funds and matching funds 
have been used to date. A final report may serve as the last quarterly 
report. Grantees shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that 
time schedules are being met and projected goals by time periods are 
being accomplished. The project performance reports shall include, but 
are not limited to, the following:
    1. Describe the activities that the funds reflected in the 
financial status report were used for;

[[Page 44737]]

    2. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives for 
that period;
    3. Reasons why established objectives were not met, if applicable;
    4. Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will affect 
attainment of overall program objectives, prevent meeting time 
schedules or objectives, or preclude the attainment of particular 
objectives during established time periods. This disclosure shall be 
accomplished by a statement of the action taken or planned to resolve 
the situation;
    5. Objectives and timetables established for the next reporting 
period;
    6. 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
    7. The final report will also address the following:
    (a) What have been the most challenging or unexpected aspects of 
this program?
    (b) What advice would you give to other organizations planning a 
similar program? Please include strengths and limitations of the 
program. If you had the opportunity, what would you have done 
differently?
    (c) Are there any post-grant plans for this project? If yes, how 
will they be financed?
    (d) If an innovative approach was used successfully, the grantee 
must describe their program in detail for replication by other 
organizations and communities.
    G. Consider potential recipients without discrimination as to race, 
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual 
orientation, or physical or mental disability;
    H. Ensure that any services or training offered by the recipient, 
as a result of the financial and technical assistance received, must be 
made available to all persons in the recipient's service area without 
discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, 
marital status, sexual orientation, 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, 
materials are provided in the language that is spoken;
    I. Ensure recipients are required to place nondiscrimination 
statements in advertisements, notices, pamphlets and brochures making 
the public aware of their services. The Grantee and recipient are 
required to provide widespread outreach and public notification in 
promoting any type of training or services that are available through 
grant funds;
    J. The Grantee must collect and maintain data on recipients by 
race, sex, and national origin. The grantee must ensure that their 
recipients also collect and maintain data on beneficiaries by race, 
sex, and national origin as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964 and must be provided to the Agency for compliance review 
purposes;
    K. Upon any default under its representations or agreements 
contained in this instrument, Grantee, at the option and demand of 
Grantor, will immediately repay to Grantor any legally permitted 
damages together with any legally permitted interest from the date of 
the default. At Grantor's election, any default by the Grantee will 
constitute termination of the grant thereby causing cancellation of 
Federal assistance under the grant. The provisions of this Agreement 
may be enforced by Grantor, without regard to prior waivers of this 
Agreement, by proceedings in law or equity, in either Federal or State 
courts as may be deemed necessary by Grantor to ensure compliance with 
the provisions of this Agreement and the laws and regulations under 
which this grant is made;
    L. Provide Financial Management Systems that will include:
    1. Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial 
results of each grant. Financial reporting will be on an accrual basis;
    2. Records that identify adequately the source and application of 
funds for grant-supported activities. Those records shall contain 
information pertaining to grant awards and authorizations, obligations, 
unobligated balances, assets, liabilities, outlays, and income related 
to Grant Funds and matching funds;
    3. Effective control over and accountability for all funds, 
property, and other assets. Grantees shall adequately safeguard all 
such assets and shall ensure that they are used solely for authorized 
purposes;
    4. Accounting records supported by source documentation; and
    5. Grantee tracking of fund usage and records that show matching 
funds and grant funds are used in equal proportions. The grantee will 
provide verifiable documentation regarding matching fund usage, i.e., 
bank statements or copies of funding obligations from the matching 
source.
    M. Retain financial records, supporting documents, statistical 
records, and all other records pertinent to the grant for a period of 
at least three years after 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;
    N. Provide an A-133 audit report if $300,000 or more of Federal 
funds are expended in a 1-year period. If Federal funds expended during 
a 1-year period are less than $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 1-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'';
    O. Not encumber, transfer, or dispose of the equipment or any part 
thereof, acquired wholly or in part with Grantor funds without the 
written consent of the Grantor; and
    P. Not duplicate other program activities for which monies have 
been received, are committed, or are applied to from other sources 
(public or private).
    Grantor agrees that:
    A. It will make available to Grantee for the purpose of this 
Agreement funds in an amount not to exceed the Grant Funds. The funds 
will be disbursed to Grantee on a pro rata basis with the Grantee's 
matching funds; and
    B. At its sole discretion and at any time may give any consent, 
deferment, subordination, release, satisfaction, or termination of any 
or all of Grantee's grant obligations, with or without valuable 
consideration, upon such terms and conditions as Grantor may determine 
to be:
    1. Advisable to further the purpose of the grant or to protect 
Grantor's financial interest therein; and
    2. Consistent with both the statutory purposes of the grant and the 
limitations of the statutory authority under which it is made.
    Both Parties Agree:
    A. Extensions of this grant agreement may be approved by the 
Agency, in writing, provided in the Agency's sole discretion the 
extension is justified and there is a likelihood that the grantee can

[[Page 44738]]

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 disbursed and not 
needed for grant purposes be returned immediately to the Grantor. This 
agreement shall terminate 3 years from this date unless extended or 
unless terminated beforehand due to default on the part of the Grantee 
or for convenience of the Grantor and Grantee. The Grantor may 
terminate the grant in whole, or in part, at any time before the date 
of completion, whenever it is determined that the Grantee has failed to 
comply with the conditions of this Agreement or the applicable 
regulations;
    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,'' and the fiscal year 2003 ``Notice of Funds 
Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Rural Community 
Development Initiative (RCDI)'' 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 
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)----------------------------------------------------------------

Date-------------------------------------------------------------------

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
RURAL HOUSING SERVICE

By---------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Grantor) (Name) (Title)

Date-------------------------------------------------------------------
Attachment A
    [Application proposal submitted by grantee.]

[FR Doc. 03-19316 Filed 7-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P