[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16210-16214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6267]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its Community 
Connect Grant Program application window for funding during fiscal year 
(FY) 2005. In addition, RUS announces the minimum and maximum amounts 
for Community Connect grants applicable for the fiscal year. The 
Community Connect Grant Program regulations are contained in 7 CFR 
1739, subpart A.

[[Page 16211]]


DATES: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or 
electronically according to the following deadlines:
     Paper copies must carry proof of shipping no later than 
May 31, 2005 to be eligible for FY 2005 grant funding. Late 
applications are not eligible for FY 2005 grant funding.
     Electronic copies must be received by May 31, 2005 to be 
eligible for FY 2005 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible 
for FY 2005 grant funding.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain application guides and materials for the 
Community Connect Grant Program via the Internet at the following Web 
site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm. You may also 
request application guides and materials from RUS by contacting the 
appropriate individual listed in section VII of the Supplementary 
Information section of this notice.
    Submit completed paper applications for grants to the Rural 
Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., Room 2845, STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-1550. 
Applications should be marked ``Attention: Director, Advanced Services 
Division, Telecommunications Program.''
    Submit electronic grant applications at http://www.grants.gov 
(Grants.gov), following the instructions you find on that Web site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Orren E. Cameron III, Director, 
Advanced Services Division, Telecommunications, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, telephone: (202) 690-4493, 
fax: (202) 720-1051.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Community Connect Grant Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.863.
    Dates: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or 
electronically according to the following deadlines:
     Paper copies must carry proof of shipping no later than 
May 31, 2005, to be eligible for FY 2005 grant funding. Late 
applications are not eligible for FY 2005 grant funding.
     Electronic copies must be received by May 31, 2005, to be 
eligible for FY 2005 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible 
for FY 2005 grant funding.

Items in Supplementary Information

I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the Community Connect 
Grant Program.
II. Award Information: Available funds and minimum and maximum 
amounts.
III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of 
projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility.
IV. Application and Submission Information: Where to get application 
materials, what constitutes a completed application, how and where 
to submit applications, deadlines, items that are eligible.
V. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences, 
scoring criteria, review standards, selection information.
VI. Award Administration Information: Award notice information, 
award recipient reporting requirements.
VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, email, contact name.

I. Funding Opportunity

    The provision of broadband transmission service is vital to the 
economic development, education, health, and safety of rural Americans. 
The purpose of the Community Connect Grant Program is to provide 
financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that 
will provide currently unserved areas, on a ``community-oriented 
connectivity'' basis, with broadband transmission service that fosters 
economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and 
public safety services. RUS will give priority to rural areas that it 
believes have the greatest need for broadband transmission services, 
based on the criteria contained herein.
    Grant authority will be used for the deployment of broadband 
transmission service to extremely rural, lower-income communities on a 
``community-oriented connectivity'' basis. The ``community-oriented 
connectivity'' concept will stimulate practical, everyday uses and 
applications of broadband by cultivating the deployment of new 
broadband transmission services that improve economic development and 
provide enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural 
areas. Such an approach will also give rural communities the 
opportunity to benefit from the advanced technologies that are 
necessary to achieve these goals. Please see 7 CFR 1739, subpart A for 
specifics.
    This notice has been formatted to conform to a policy directive 
issued by the Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM) of the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), published in the Federal 
Register on June 23, 2003. This Notice does not change the Community 
Connect Grant Program regulation (7 CFR 1739, subpart A).

II. Award Information

A. Available Funds

    1. General. The Administrator has determined that the following 
amounts are available for grants in FY 2005 under 7 CFR 1739.2(a).
    2. Grants
    a. $8.9 million is available for grants. Under 7 CFR 1739.2, the 
Administrator has established a minimum grant amount of $50,000. There 
is no maximum grant amount for FY 2005.
    b. Assistance instrument: RUS will execute grant documents 
appropriate to the project prior to any advance of funds with 
successful applicants.
    c. Community Connect grants cannot be renewed. Award documents 
specify the term of each award. Applications to extend existing 
projects are welcomed (grant applications must be submitted during the 
application window) and will be evaluated as new applications.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Who Is Eligible for Grants? (See 7 CFR 1739.10.)

    1. Only entities legally organized as one of the following are 
eligible for Community Connect Grant Program financial assistance:
    a. An incorporated organization,
    b. An Indian tribe or tribal organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C. 
450b(b) and (c),
    c. A State or local unit of government,
    d. A cooperative, private corporation or limited liability company 
organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.
    2. Individuals are not eligible for Community Connect Grant Program 
financial assistance directly.
    3. Applicants must have the legal capacity and authority to own and 
operate the broadband facilities as proposed in its application, to 
enter into contracts and to otherwise comply with applicable federal 
statutes and regulations.

B. What Are the Basic Eligibility Requirements for a Project?

    1. Required matching contributions. Please see 7 CFR 1739.14 for 
the requirement. Grant applicants must demonstrate a matching 
contribution, in cash or in kind (new, non-depreciated items), of at 
least fifteen (15) percent of the total amount of RUS financial 
assistance requested. Matching contributions must be used for eligible 
purposes of Community Connect grant assistance (see 7 CFR 1739.14).
    2. To be eligible for a grant, the Project must (see 7 CFR 
1739.11):

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    a. Serve a Rural Area throughout which Broadband Transmission 
Service does not currently exist, to be verified by RUS prior to the 
award of the grant;
    b. Serve one and only one Community recognized in the latest U.S. 
Census. For FY 2005, RUS will accept communities added to the Census 
through the Count Question Resolution Process, and considers a Census 
Designated Place to be an unincorporated town, village, or borough, and 
thus a ``community'' as defined in 7 CFR 1739. Additional communities 
located in the contiguous areas outside the Community's boundaries that 
are not recognized (due to size) in the U.S. Census, can be included in 
the applicant's proposed Service Area, but must be supported by 
documentation, acceptable to RUS, as to their existence. Communities 
made eligible through the Count Question Resolution Process may lack 
corresponding Per Capita Income (PCI) data, so for scoring purposes, 
applicants claiming eligibility through the Count Question Resolution 
Process should propose a substitute PCI which is available for a 
geographical area which includes and most nearly replicates the 
applicant's proposed service area, subject to RUS acceptance;
    c. Deploy Basic Broadband Transmission Service, free of all charges 
for at least 2 years, to all Critical Community Facilities located 
within the proposed Service Area;
    d. Offer Basic Broadband Transmission Service to residential and 
business customers within the proposed Service Area; and
    e. Provide a Community Center with at least ten (10) Computer 
Access Points within the proposed Service Area, and make Broadband 
Transmission Service available therein, free of all charges to users 
for at least 2 years.
    C. See paragraph IV.B of this notice for a discussion of the items 
that make up a completed application. You may also refer to 7 CFR 
1739.15 for completed grant application items.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Where To Get Application Information

    The application guide, copies of necessary forms and samples, and 
the Community Connect Grant Program regulation are available from these 
sources:
    1. The Internet: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm, 
or http://www.grants.gov.
    2. The RUS, Advanced Services Division, for paper copies of these 
materials: (202) 690-4493.

B. What Constitutes a Completed Application?

    1. Detailed information on each item required can be found in the 
Community Connect Grant Program regulation and the Community Connect 
Grant Program application guide. Applicants are strongly encouraged to 
read and apply both the regulation and the application guide. This 
Notice does not change the requirements for a completed application for 
any form of Community Connect Grant Program financial assistance 
specified in the Community Connect Grant Program regulation. The 
Community Connect Grant Program regulation and the application guide 
provide specific guidance on each of the items listed and the Community 
Connect Grant Program application guide provides all necessary forms 
and sample worksheets.
    2. A completed application must include the following 
documentation, studies, reports and information in form satisfactory to 
RUS. Applications should be prepared in conformance with the provisions 
in 7 CFR 1739, subpart A, and applicable USDA regulations including 7 
CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019. Applicants must use the RUS Application 
Guide for this program containing instructions and all necessary forms, 
as well as other important information, in preparing their application. 
Completed applications must include the following:
    a. An Application for Federal Assistance. A completed Standard Form 
424.
    b. An executive summary of the Project. The applicant must provide 
RUS with a general project overview.
    c. Scoring criteria documentation. Each grant applicant must 
address and provide documentation on how it meets each of the scoring 
criteria detailed 7 CFR 1739.17.
    d. System design. The applicant must submit a system design, 
including, narrative specifics of the proposal, associated costs, maps, 
engineering design studies, technical specifications and system 
capabilities, etc.
    e. Scope of work. The scope of work must include specific 
activities and services to be performed under the proposal, who will 
carry out the activities and services, specific time-frames for 
completion, and a budget for all capital and administrative 
expenditures reflecting the line item costs for all grant purposes, the 
matching contribution, and other sources of funds necessary to complete 
the project.
    f. Community-Oriented Connectivity Plan. The applicant must provide 
a detailed Community-Oriented Connectivity Plan.
    g. Financial information and sustainability. The applicant must 
provide financial statements and information and a narrative 
description demonstrating the sustainability of the Project.
    h. A statement of experience. The applicant must provide a written 
narrative describing its demonstrated capability and experience, if 
any, in operating a broadband telecommunications system.
    i. Evidence of legal authority and existence. The applicant must 
provide evidence of its legal existence and authority to enter into a 
grant agreement with RUS and to perform the activities proposed under 
the grant application.
    j. Funding commitment from other sources. If the Project requires 
additional funding from other sources in addition to the RUS grant, the 
applicant must provide evidence that funding agreements have been 
obtained to ensure completion of the Project.
    k. Compliance with other Federal statutes. The applicant must 
provide evidence of compliance with other Federal statutes and 
regulations, including, but not limited to the following:
    (i) 7 CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally 
Assisted Programs of the Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of 
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    (ii) 7 CFR part 3015--Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations.
    (iii) 7 CFR part 3017--Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension 
(Non-procurement).
    (iv) 7 CFR part 3018--New Restrictions on Lobbying.
    (v) 7 CFR part 3021--Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Financial Assistance).
    (vi) Certification regarding Architectural Barriers.
    (vii) Certification regarding Flood Hazard Precautions.
    (viii) An environmental report, in accordance with 7 CFR 1794.
    (ix) Certification that grant funds will not be used to duplicate 
lines, facilities, or systems providing Broadband Transmission Service.
    (x) Federal Obligation Certification on Delinquent Debt.
    5. DUNS Number. As required by the OMB, all applicants for grants 
must now supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System 
(DUNS) number when applying. The Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a 
field for you to use when supplying your DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS 
number

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costs nothing and requires a short telephone call to Dun and 
Bradstreet. Please see the Community Connect Web site or Grants.gov for 
more information on how to obtain a DUNS number or how to verify your 
organization's number.

C. How Many Copies of an Application Are Required?

    1. Applications submitted on paper: Submit the original application 
and two (2) copies to RUS.
    2. Electronically submitted applications: The additional paper 
copies for RUS are not necessary if you submit the application 
electronically through Grants.gov.

D. How and Where To Submit an Application

    Grant applications may be submitted on paper or electronically.
1. Submitting Applications on Paper
    a. Address paper applications for grants to the Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., 
Room 2845, STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-1550. Applications should be 
marked ``Attention: Director, Advanced Services Division, 
Telecommunications Program.''
    b. Paper applications must show proof of mailing or shipping 
consisting of one of the following:
    (i) A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service (USPS) postmark;
    (ii) A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
USPS; or
    (iii) A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier.
    c. Due to screening procedures at the Department of Agriculture, 
packages arriving via the USPS are irradiated, which can damage the 
contents. RUS encourages applicants to consider the impact of this 
procedure in selecting their application delivery method.
2. Electronically Submitted Applications
    a. Applications will not be accepted via facsimile machine 
transmission or electronic mail.
    b. Electronic applications for grants will be accepted if submitted 
through the Federal government's Grants.gov initiative at http://www.grants.gov.
    c. How to use Grants.gov:
    (i) Navigate your Web browser to http://www.grants.gov.
    (ii) Follow the instructions on that Web site to find grant 
information.
    (iii) Download a copy of the application package.
    (iv) Complete the package off-line.
    (v) Upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov Web site.
    d. Grants.gov contains full instructions on all required passwords, 
credentialing and software.
    e. RUS encourages applicants who wish to apply through Grants.gov 
to submit their applications in advance of the deadline.
    f. If a system problem occurs or you have technical difficulties 
with an electronic application, please use the customer support 
resources available at the Grants.gov Web site.
    g. New information for FY 2005: RUS clarifies its application of 
the definition of ``community'' to enable more rural areas to qualify 
for application to this program.
    (i) A Census Designated Place will now be recognized as an 
unincorporated town, village or borough.
    (ii) Communities recognized by the Count Question Resolution 
Process will now be accepted as being in the ``latest U.S. Census''.

E. Deadlines

    1. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or 
sent overnight no later than May 31, 2005 to be eligible for FY 2005 
grant funding.
    2. Electronic grant applications must be received by May 31, 2005 
to be eligible for FY 2005 funding. Late applications are not eligible 
for FY 2005 grant funding.

F. Funding Restrictions

1. Eligible Grant Purposes
    Grant funds may be used to finance:
    a. The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, 
including spectrum, to deploy Broadband Transmission Service to all 
participating Critical Community Facilities and all required facilities 
needed to offer such service to residential and business customers 
located within the proposed Service Area;
    b. The improvement, expansion, construction, or acquisition of a 
Community Center that furnishes free access to broadband Internet 
service, provided that the Community Center is open and accessible to 
area residents before, during, and after normal working hours and on 
Saturday or Sunday. Grant funds provided for such costs shall not 
exceed the greater of five percent (5%) of the grant amount requested 
or $100,000;
    c. End-User Equipment needed to carry out the Project;
    d. Operating expenses incurred in providing Broadband Transmission 
Service to Critical Community Facilities for the first 2 years of 
operation and in providing training and instruction. Salary and 
administrative expenses will be subject to review, and may be limited 
by RUS for reasonableness in relation to the scope of the Project; and
    e. The purchase of land, buildings, or building construction needed 
to carry out the Project.
2. Ineligible Grant Purposes
    a. Grant funds may not be used to finance the duplication of any 
existing Broadband Transmission Service provided by another entity.
    b. Facilities financed with grant funds cannot be utilized, in any 
way, to provide local exchange telecommunications service to any person 
or entity already receiving such service.
    3. Please see 7 CFR 1739.3 for definitions, 7 CFR 1739.12 for 
eligible grant purposes, and 7 CFR 1739.13 for ineligible grant 
purposes.

V. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

    1. Grant applications are scored competitively and subject to the 
criteria listed below.
    2. Grant application scoring criteria (total possible points: 100). 
See 7 CFR 1739.17 for the items that will be reviewed during scoring 
and for scoring criteria.
    a. The rurality of the Project (up to 40 points);
    b. The economic need of the Project's Service Area (up to 30 
points); and
    c. The ``community-oriented connectivity'' benefits derived from 
the proposed service (up to 30 points).

B. Review Standards

    1. All applications for grants must be delivered to RUS at the 
address and by the date specified in this notice (see also 7 CFR 
1739.2) to be eligible for funding. RUS will review each application 
for conformance with the provisions of this part. RUS may contact the 
applicant for additional information or clarification.
    2. Incomplete applications as of the deadline for submission will 
not be considered. If an application is determined to be incomplete, 
the applicant will be notified in writing and the application will be 
returned with no further action.
    3. Applications conforming with this part will then be evaluated 
competitively by a panel of RUS employees selected by the Administrator 
of RUS, and will be awarded points as described in the scoring criteria 
in 7 CFR 1739.17. Applications will be ranked and grants awarded in 
rank order until all grant funds are expended.

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    4. Regardless of the score an application receives, if RUS 
determines that the Project is technically or financially infeasible, 
RUS will notify the applicant, in writing, and the application will be 
returned with no further action.

C. Selection Process

    Grant applications are ranked by final score. RUS selects 
applications based on those rankings, subject to the availability of 
funds.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    RUS recognizes that each funded project is unique, and therefore 
may attach conditions to different projects' award documents. RUS 
generally notifies applicants whose projects are selected for awards by 
faxing an award letter. RUS follows the award letter with a grant 
agreement that contains all the terms and conditions for the grant. An 
applicant must execute and return the grant agreement, accompanied by 
any additional items required by the grant agreement.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    The items listed in paragraph IV.B.2.k of this notice, and the 
Community Connect Grant Program regulation, application guide and 
accompanying materials implement the appropriate administrative and 
national policy requirements.

C. Reporting

    1. Performance reporting. All recipients of Community Connect Grant 
Program financial assistance must provide annual performance activity 
reports to RUS until the project is complete and the funds are 
expended. A final performance report is also required; the final report 
may serve as the last annual report. The final report must include an 
evaluation of the success of the project. See 7 CFR 1739.19.
    2. Financial reporting. All recipients of Community Connect Grant 
Program financial assistance must provide an annual audit, beginning 
with the first year a portion of the financial assistance is expended. 
Audits are governed by United States Department of Agriculture audit 
regulations. Please see 7 CFR 1739.20.

VII. Agency Contacts

    A. Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/commconnect.htm. The RUS's Web 
site maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for the 
Community Connect Grant Program.
    B. Phone: (202) 690-4493.
    C. Fax: (202) 720-1051.
    D. Main point of contact: Orren E. Cameron III, Director, Advanced 
Services Division, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    Dated: March 24, 2005.
Curtis M. Anderson,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6267 Filed 3-29-05; 8:45 am]
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