[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25528-25533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9551]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Announcement of Rural Cooperative Development Grant Application 
Deadlines and Funding Levels

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) announces the 
availability of approximately $5.952 million in competing Rural 
Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) funds for fiscal year (FY) 2005. 
Of this amount, up to $1.488 million will be reserved for applications 
that focus on assistance to small, minority producers through their 
cooperative businesses. This action will comply with legislation that 
authorizes grants for establishing and operating centers for rural 
cooperative development. The intended effect of this notice is to 
solicit applications for FY 2005 and award grants on or before 
September 15, 2005. The maximum award per grant is $300,000 and 
matching funds are required.

DATES: You must submit completed applications for grants on paper or 
electronically by 4 p.m. eastern time on July 1, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain application materials for a Rural Cooperative 
Development Grant via the Internet at the following Web address: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm or by contacting the 
Agency Contact for your State listed on the following Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/contacts.htm.
    Submit completed paper applications via commercial delivery or mail 
to USDA-RBS-Cooperative Services (CS), Attn: RCDG Program, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Mail Stop 3250, Room 4016--South, Washington, 
DC 20250-3250. The phone number that should be used for FedEx packages 
is (202) 720-7558.
    Submit electronic grant applications to the following Internet 
address: http://www.grants.gov. Applicants will need to complete a 
registration process before a grant application can be submitted 
through Grants.gov. Applicants should register at least 2 weeks prior 
to the application deadline to ensure timely submission of their 
applications.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Agency contact for your State 
listed on the program Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm. The program Web site contains application 
guidance, including a Frequently Asked Questions section, and an 
application guide.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Cooperative Development Grant.
    Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.771.
    Dates: Application Deadline: 4 p.m. eastern time on July 1, 2005.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    RCDGs are authorized by section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)). Regulations are contained 
in 7 CFR part 4284, subparts A and F. The primary objective of the RCDG 
program is to improve the economic condition of rural areas through 
cooperative development by Centers. RCDG grants are used to facilitate 
the creation or retention of jobs in rural areas through the 
development of new rural cooperatives, value-added processing and other 
rural businesses. The program

[[Page 25529]]

is administered through USDA Rural Development State Offices acting on 
behalf of RBS.

Definitions

    The definitions published at 7 CFR 4284.3 and 4284.504 are 
incorporated by reference.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2005.
    Approximate Total Funding: $5.952.0 million (up to $1.488 million 
reserved for small, minority producers).
    Approximate Number of Awards: 20.
    Approximate Average Award: $250,000.
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $300,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: 15 September 2005.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: 12 months.

III. Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible Applicants: Grants may be made to non-profit 
corporations and institutions of higher education. Grants may not be 
made to Public bodies.
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching: Matching funds are required. 
Applicants must verify in their applications that matching funds are 
available for the time period of the grant. The matching fund 
requirement is 25 percent of total project costs (5 percent in the case 
of 1994 Institutions) comprised of private funds and in-kind 
contributions. Preference points will be awarded where applicants 
commit to providing greater than the minimum 25 percent matching 
contribution (5 percent in the case of 1994 Institutions). Unless 
provided by other authorizing legislation, other Federal grant funds 
cannot be used as matching funds. However, matching funds contributed 
by the applicant may include proceeds from a loan from another Federal 
source. Matching funds must be spent at a rate equal to or greater than 
the rate at which grant funds are expended. Matching funds must be 
provided by either the applicant or by a third party in the form of 
cash or in-kind contributions. Matching funds must be spent on eligible 
expenses and must be from eligible sources.
    C. Other Eligibility Requirements:
     Grant Period Eligibility: Applications should have a 
timeframe of no more than 365 days with the time period beginning no 
later than January 1, 2006.
     Applications without sufficient information to determine 
eligibility will not be considered for funding.
     Applications that are non-responsive to the submission 
requirements detailed in Section IV of this notice will not be 
considered for funding.
     Applications that are missing any required elements (in 
whole or in part) will not be considered for funding.
    Because the primary objective of the cooperative development center 
concept is to provide technical assistance services, including 
feasibility analysis, applications that do not propose the development 
or continuation of the cooperative development center concept will not 
be considered. Also, applications that focus on assistance to only one 
cooperative within the project area will not be considered. Nor will 
projects proposing to pay for operating costs of cooperatives be 
considered. To enhance the long-term viability of cooperative 
development centers, the strengthening of technical assistance capacity 
within new and existing centers is strongly encouraged.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    A. Address to Request Application Package: You can obtain the 
application package for this funding opportunity at the following 
Internet address: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm. 
If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have difficulty 
accessing the forms online, you may contact the Rural Development State 
Office in your State listed on the following Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/contacts.htm. Application forms can 
be mailed to you. To submit an application electronically, you may 
access http://www.grants.gov to obtain the correct forms.
    B. Content and Form of Submission: You may submit your application 
in paper or in an electronic format. If you submit your application in 
paper form, you must submit a signed original and one copy of your 
complete application. The application must be in the following format:
     Font size: 12 point unreduced.
     Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches.
     Page margin size: 1 inch on the top, bottom, left, and 
right.
     Printed on only one side of each page.
     Held together only by rubber bands or metal or plastic 
clips; not bound in any other way.
    Language: English, avoid jargon.
    The submission must include all pages of the application. It is 
recommended that the application be in black and white, and not color. 
All paper applications will be scanned electronically for further 
review upon receipt by the Agency and the scanned images will all be in 
black and white. Those evaluating the application will only receive 
black and white images.
    If you submit your application electronically, you must follow the 
instructions given at the Internet address: http://www.grants.gov. 
Applicants are advised to visit the site well in advance of the 
application deadline if they plan to apply electronically to ensure 
they have obtained the proper authentication and have sufficient 
computer resources to complete the application.
    An application must contain all of the following elements. Any 
application that is missing any element or contains an incomplete 
element will not be considered for funding.
    1. Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' In order 
for this form to be considered complete, it must contain the legal name 
of the applicant, the applicant's Data Universal Numbering System 
(DUNS) number, the applicant's complete mailing address, the name and 
telephone number of a contact person, the employer identification 
number, the start and end dates of the project, the Federal funds 
requested, other funds that will be used as matching funds, an answer 
to the question, ``Is applicant delinquent on any Federal debt?,'' and 
the name and signature of an authorized representative.
    You are required to have a DUNS number to apply for a grant from 
RBS. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification number, which 
uniquely identifies business entities. Obtaining a DUNS number is easy 
and there is no charge. To obtain a DUNS number, access http://www.dnb.com/us/ or call 866-705-5711. For more information, see the 
RCDG Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm or 
contact the State Office in your State from the list on the following 
Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/contacts.htm.
    2. Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.'' 
In order for this form to be considered complete, the applicant must 
fill out sections A, B, C, and D. The applicant must include both 
Federal and matching funds.
    3. Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' In 
order for this form to be considered complete, the form must be signed 
by an authorized official.
    4. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants. RBS is 
required to give this survey to all non-profit applicants. Submitting 
this survey is voluntary.

[[Page 25530]]

    5. Proposal. Each proposal must contain the following elements:
    i. Title Page. The Title Page should include the title of the 
project as well as any other relevant identifying information. The 
length should not exceed one page.
    ii. Table of Contents. For ease of locating information, each 
proposal must contain a detailed Table of Contents (TOC) immediately 
following the Title Page. The TOC should include page numbers for each 
component of the proposal. Pagination should begin immediately 
following the TOC. In order for this element to be considered complete, 
the TOC should include page numbers for the Executive Summary, the 
Eligibility discussion, the Proposal Narrative and its 11 
subcomponents, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Certification of 
Judgment, Verification of Matching Funds, and Certification of Matching 
Funds.
    iii. Executive Summary. Summarize the project in three (3) pages or 
less. Pages in excess of the three-page limit will not be considered. 
This summary must briefly describe the Center, including goals and 
tasks to be completed, the amount requested, how the work will be 
performed, and whether organizational staff, consultants, or 
contractors will be used. It should also include the title of the 
project, the names of the primary project contacts, and a list of the 
main goals. The project summary should immediately follow the TOC.
    iv. Eligibility. Describe in detail how the applicant meets the 
eligibility requirements. This discussion is limited to two (2) pages. 
Pages in excess of the two-page limit will not be considered.
    v. Proposal Narrative. The proposal narrative is limited to a total 
of 50 pages. Pages in excess of the 50-page limit will not be 
considered. The narrative portion of the proposal must include, but is 
not limited to, the following:
    a. Project Title. The title of the proposed project must be brief, 
not to exceed 75 characters, yet describe the essentials of the 
project. It should match the Project Title submitted on the SF-424. The 
Project Title does not need to appear on a separate page. It can be 
included on the Title Page and/or on the Information Sheet.
    b. Information Sheet. A separate one-page information sheet which 
lists each of the 12 evaluation criteria (Section V.A.) followed by the 
page numbers of all relevant material and documentation contained in 
the application which supports that criteria.
    c. Goals of the Project. This section must include the following:
    1. A provision that substantiates that the Center will effectively 
serve rural areas in the United States;
    2. A provision that the primary objective of the Center will be to 
improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative 
development;
    3. A description of the contributions that the proposed activities 
are likely to make to the improvement of the economic conditions of the 
rural areas for which the Center will provide services; and
    4. Provisions stating that the Center, in carrying out the 
activities, will seek, where appropriate, the advice, participation, 
expertise, and assistance of representatives of business, industry, 
educational institutions, the Federal government, and State and local 
governments.
    5. A provision stating that the proposed activities develop or 
continue the cooperative development center concept. The agency 
strongly encourages proposals to strengthen technical assistance 
capacity within new and existing centers.
    6. A provision stating that proposed activities focus assistance to 
more than one cooperative within the project area.
    d. Work Plan. Applicants must discuss the specific tasks to be 
completed using grant and matching funds. The work plan should show how 
customers will be identified, key personnel to be involved, and the 
evaluation methods to be used to determine the success of specific 
tasks and overall objectives of Center operations. The budget must 
present a breakdown of the estimated costs associated with cooperative 
development activities as well as the operation of the Center and 
allocate these costs to each of the tasks to be undertaken. Projects 
proposing to pay for the operating costs of cooperatives will not be 
considered. Matching funds as well as grant funds must be accounted for 
in the budget.
    e. Performance Evaluation Criteria. The applicant must suggest 
criteria by which the project should be evaluated in the event that a 
grant is awarded. These suggested criteria are not binding on USDA. 
Please note that these criteria are different from the Proposal 
Evaluation Criteria (see Section V.A.) and are a separate requirement. 
Failure to submit at least one performance criterion by the application 
deadline will result in the application being determined to be 
incomplete and the proposal will not be considered for funding.
    f. Undertakings. The applicant must expressly undertake to do the 
following:
    1. Take all practicable steps to develop continuing sources of 
financial support for the Center, particularly from sources in the 
private sectors;
    2. Make arrangements for the activities by the nonprofit 
institution, including institutions of higher education, operating the 
Center to be monitored and evaluated; and
    3. Provide an accounting for the money received by the grantee in 
accordance with 7 CFR part 4284, subpart F.
    g. Delivery of Cooperative Development Assistance. The applicant 
must describe its previous accomplishments and outcomes in cooperative 
development activities and/or its potential for effective delivery of 
cooperative development services to rural areas. Applicants who have 
received funding under the RCDG program in Fiscal Years 2003 or 2004 
must provide a summation of progress and results for all projects 
funded fully or partially by the RCDG program in those years. This 
summary should include the status of cooperative businesses organized 
and all eligible grant activities. The applicant also should describe 
the type(s) of assistance to be provided, the expected impacts of that 
assistance, the sustainability of cooperative organizations receiving 
the assistance, and the transferability of its Cooperative development 
strategy and focus to other areas of the U.S.
    h. Qualifications of Personnel. Applicants must describe the 
qualifications of personnel expected to perform key center tasks, and 
whether these personnel are to be full/part-time Center employees or 
contract personnel. Those personnel having a track record of positive 
solutions for complex cooperative development or marketing problems, or 
those with a record of conducting feasibility studies that later proved 
to be accurate, business planning, marketing analysis, or other 
activities relevant to the Center's success should be highlighted.
    i. Support and Commitments. Applicants must describe the level of 
support and commitment in the community for the proposed Center and the 
services it would provide. This support can be from industry groups, 
commodity groups, and potential customers of the Center. Plans for 
coordinating with other developmental organizations in the proposed 
service area, or with State and local government institutions should be 
included. Letters supporting cooperation and coordination from 
potential local customers should be provided. Letters from industry 
groups, commodity groups, local and State government, and

[[Page 25531]]

similar organizations should be referenced, but not included in the 
application package. When referencing these support letters, provide 
the name of the organization, date of the letter, the nature of the 
support (cash, technical assistance, moral), and the name and title of 
the person signing the letter.
    j. Future Support. Applicants should describe their vision for 
Center operations in future years, including issues such as sources and 
uses of alternative funding; reliance on Federal, State, and local 
grants; and the use of in-house personnel for providing services versus 
contracting out for that expertise. To the extent possible, applicants 
should document future funding sources that will help achieve long-term 
sustainability of the Center.
    k. Proposal Evaluation Criteria. Each of the evaluation criteria 
referenced in Section V.A. must be specifically and individually 
addressed in narrative form. If the information and documentation for 
these criteria are incorporated in the written narrative, the 
application may reference that information and documentation by Section 
number and page. The applicant does not have to repeat information and 
documentation in Section V.A. if it is presented elsewhere. However, 
the applicant must correctly reference this information and 
documentation. Reviewers will not be required to search for information 
and documentation that is incorrectly referenced.
    6. Conflict of Interest Disclosure. If the applicant plans to 
conduct business with any family members, company owners, or other 
identities of interest using grant or matching funds, the nature of the 
business to be conducted and the nature of the relationship between the 
applicant and the identity of interest must be disclosed. Examples 
include in-kind matching funds donated by the applicant's immediate 
family and contracting with someone who has a financial interest in the 
venture for services paid by grant or matching funds.
    7. Certification of Judgment Owed to the United States. Applicants 
must certify that the United States has not obtained a judgment against 
them. No grant funds shall be used to pay a judgment owed to the United 
States. Applicants should include a statement for this section that 
reads as follows: ``[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] certifies that the 
United States has not obtained a judgment against it.''
    8. Verification of Matching Funds. All proposed matching funds must 
be specifically documented in the application. Matching funds may be 
cash or in-kind contributions. If matching funds are to be provided by 
the applicant in cash, there must be a statement that cash will be 
available, the amount of the cash, and the source of the cash. If the 
matching funds are to be provided by a third party in cash, the 
application must include a signed letter from that third party 
verifying how much cash will be donated and when it will be donated. 
Verification for funds donated outside the proposed time period of the 
grant will not be accepted. If the matching funds are to be provided by 
a third party in-kind donation, the application must include a signed 
letter from the third party verifying the goods or services to be 
donated, when the goods and services will be donated, and the value of 
the goods or services in accordance with 7 CFR section 3019.23(c). 
Verification for in-kind contributions donated outside the proposed 
time period of the grant will not be accepted. Verification for in-kind 
contributions that are over-valued will not be accepted.
    If matching funds are in cash, they must be spent on goods and 
services that are eligible expenditures for this grant program. If 
matching funds are in-kind contributions, the donated goods or services 
must be considered eligible expenditures for this grant program as well 
as be used for eligible purposes. The matching funds must be spent or 
donated during the grant period and the funds must be expended at a 
rate equal to or greater than the rate grant funds are expended. Some 
examples of unacceptable matching funds are donations of fixed 
equipment and buildings, and the preparation of your RCDG application 
package.
    If acceptable verification for all proposed matching funds is 
missing from the application, the application will be determined to be 
incomplete and will not be considered for funding.
    9. Certification of Matching Funds. Applicants must certify that 
matching funds will be available at the same time grant funds are 
anticipated to be spent and that matching funds will be spent in 
advance of grant funding, such that for every dollar of grant funds 
advanced, not less than the required amount of matching funds will have 
been expended prior to submitting the request for reimbursement. Please 
note that this certification is a separate requirement from the 
Verification of Matching Funds requirement. Applicants should include a 
statement for this section that reads as follows: ``[INSERT NAME OF 
APPLICANT] certifies that matching funds will be available at the same 
time grant funds are anticipated to be spent and that matching funds 
will be spent in advance of grant funding, such that for every dollar 
of grant funds advanced, not less than 25 cents (5 cents for 1994 
Institutions) of matching funds will have been expended prior to 
submitting the request for reimbursement.'' A separate signature is not 
required.
    C. Submission Dates and Times:
    Application Deadline Date: 4 p.m. eastern time on July 1, 2005.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Paper applications must be received at 
USDA-RBS-CS, Attn: RCDG Program, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Mail 
Stop 3250, Room 4016--South, Washington, DC 20250 by 4 p.m. eastern 
time on the deadline date. If you send your application by the United 
States Postal Service or commercial delivery service, you must ensure 
that the carrier will be able to guarantee delivery of the application 
by the closing date and time. If your application does not meet the 
deadline above, it will not be considered for funding. You will be 
notified that your application did not meet the submission 
requirements. You will also be notified by mail or by e-mail if your 
application is received on time.
    Electronic Submission: Submit electronic grant applications to the 
following Internet address: http://www.grants.gov.
    D. Intergovernmental Review of Applications: Executive Order 12372 
does apply to this program.
    E. Funding Restrictions: Funding restrictions apply to both grant 
funds and matching funds. Grant funds may be used to pay up to 75 
percent (95 percent where the grantee is a 1994 Institution) of the 
total project costs. Unless provided by other authorizing legislation, 
other Federal grant funds cannot be used as matching funds. However, 
matching funds contributed by the applicant may include proceeds from 
Federal loan.
    In general, grant and matching funds can be used to assist farmers 
and ranchers in organizing new or improving existing agriculture 
cooperatives, including those involved in value-added activities. Grant 
and matching funds can also be used to help rural residents form other 
cooperatively operated businesses such as housing cooperatives, 
including the conversion of properties administered under the section 
515 program administered by the Rural Housing Service to housing 
cooperatives. Finally, grant and matching funds can be used to help 
rural residents form shared-services businesses to support their 
individually owned rural businesses.
    1. Grant funds and matching funds may be used for, but are not 
limited to, providing the following to individuals,

[[Page 25532]]

cooperatives, small businesses and other similar entities in rural 
areas served by the Center:
    i. Applied research, feasibility, environmental and other studies 
that may be useful for the purpose of cooperative development.
    ii. Collection, interpretation and dissemination of principles, 
facts, technical knowledge, or other information for the purpose of 
cooperative development.
    iii. Providing training and instruction for the purpose of 
cooperative development.
    iv. Providing loans and grants for the purpose of cooperative 
development in accordance with this notice and applicable regulations.
    v. Providing technical assistance, research services and advisory 
services for the purpose of cooperative development.
    2. No funds made available under this solicitation shall be used to 
do any of the following activities:
    i. Duplicate current services or replace or substitute support 
previously provided. If the current service is inadequate, however, 
grant funds may be used to expand the level of effort or services 
beyond that which is currently being provided;
    ii. Pay costs of preparing the application package for funding 
under this program;
    iii. Pay costs of the project incurred prior to the date of grant 
approval;
    iv. Fund political activities;
    v. Pay for assistance to any private business enterprise that does 
not have at least 51 percent ownership by those who are either citizens 
of the United States or reside in the United States after being legally 
admitted for permanent residence;
    vi. Pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
    vii. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building 
or facility, including a processing facility;
    viii. Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment, including 
laboratory equipment or processing machinery;
    ix. Pay for the repair of privately owned vehicles;
    x. Pay for operating costs of cooperatives;
    xi. Fund research and development; or
    xii. Fund any activities prohibited by 7 CFR part 3015 or 3019.
    F. Other Submission Requirements: Applications must be received at 
USDA-RBS-CS, Attn: RCDG Program, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Mail 
Stop 3250, Room 4016--South, Washington, DC 20250 by 4 p.m. eastern 
time on the deadline date. Each application submission must contain all 
required documents in one envelope, if by mail or commercial delivery 
service, or submitted through http://www.grants.gov, if electronic.

V. Application Review Information

    A. Proposal Evaluation Criteria: All eligible and complete 
applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria. Failure 
to address any one of the following criteria will render the 
application incomplete, and the application will not be considered for 
funding.
    For information and documentation that appear in other sections of 
this funding announcement that already address the following criteria, 
the applicant may reference that information and documentation by 
Section number and page number. The applicant does not have to repeat 
information and documentation in this section if it is presented 
elsewhere. However, the applicant must correctly reference this 
information and documentation. Reviewers will not be required to search 
for information and documentation that is incorrectly referenced.
    1. Administrative capabilities. (1-10 points) The application will 
be evaluated to determine whether the subject Center has a track record 
of administering a nationally coordinated, regional or State-wide 
operated project. Centers that have capable financial systems and audit 
controls, personnel and program administration performance measures and 
clear rules of governance will receive more points than those not 
evidencing this capacity.
    2. Technical assistance and other services. (1-6 points) The Agency 
will evaluate the applicant's demonstrated expertise in providing 
technical assistance in rural areas. This includes conducting 
feasibility studies, developing marketing plans, developing business 
plans, conducting applied research related to cooperative development, 
and performing those other activities necessary for a group of 
individuals to form a cooperative.
    3. Economic development. (1-5 points) The Agency will evaluate the 
applicant's demonstrated ability to assist in the retention of 
businesses, facilitate the establishment of cooperatives and new 
cooperative approaches and generate employment opportunities that will 
improve the economic conditions of rural areas.
    4. Linkages. (1-5 points) The Agency will evaluate the applicant's 
demonstrated ability to create horizontal linkages among businesses 
within and among various sectors in rural areas of the United States 
and vertical linkages to domestic and international markets. These 
linkages must be among cooperatives and businesses, not development 
organizations.
    5. Commitment. (1-10 points) The Agency will evaluate the 
applicant's commitment to providing technical assistance and other 
services to underserved and economically distressed areas in rural 
areas of the United States.
    6. Matching Funds. (1-5 points) All applicants must demonstrate 
matching funds equal to at least 25 percent (5 percent for 1994 
Institutions) of total project costs. Applications exceeding these 
minimum commitment levels will receive more points. If the applicant 
provides eligible matching funds of 25 percent, 1 point will be 
awarded; 26 to 35 percent, 2 points will be awarded; 36 to 45 percent, 
3 points; 46 to 55 percent, 4 points; or 56 or greater percent, 5 
points will be awarded. If the applicant is a 1994 Institution and 
provides eligible matching funds of 5 percent, 1 point will be awarded; 
6 to 9 percent, 2 points will be awarded; 10 to 14 percent, 3 points; 
15 to 19 percent, 4 points; or 20 or greater percent, 5 points will be 
awarded.
    7. Delivery. (1-12 points) The Agency will evaluate whether the 
Center has a track record in providing technical assistance in rural 
areas and accomplishing effective outcomes in cooperative development. 
The Center's potential for delivering effective cooperative development 
assistance, the expected effects of that assistance, the sustainability 
of cooperative organizations receiving the assistance, and the 
transferability of the Center's cooperative development strategy and 
focus to other States will also be assessed.
    8. Work Plan/Budget. (1-10 points) The work plan will be reviewed 
for detailed actions and an accompanying timetable for implementing the 
proposal. Clear, logical, realistic and efficient plans will result in 
a higher score. Budgets will be reviewed for completeness and the 
quality of non-Federal funding commitments.
    9. Qualifications of those Performing the Tasks. (1-5 points) The 
application will be evaluated to determine if the personnel expected to 
perform key center tasks have a track record of positive solutions for 
complex cooperative development or marketing problems, or a successful 
record of conducting accurate feasibility studies, business plans, 
marketing analysis, or other activities relevant to Cooperative 
development center success.

[[Page 25533]]

    10. Local support. (1-5 points) Applications will be reviewed for 
previous and expected local support for the Center, plans for 
coordinating with other developmental organizations in the proposed 
service area, and coordination with State and local institutions. 
Support documentation should include recognition of rural values that 
balance employment opportunities with environmental stewardship and 
other positive rural amenities. Other than support from potential 
customers, support letters and documentation should be referenced and 
not submitted. Centers that demonstrate strong support from potential 
beneficiaries and formal evidence of the Center's intent to coordinate 
with other developmental organizations will receive more points than 
those not evidencing such support and formal intent.
    11. Future support. (1-2 points) Applications that demonstrate 
their vision for funding center operations for future years, including 
diversification of funding sources and building in-house technical 
assistance capacity, will receive more points for this criterion.
    12. Non-Agricultural Rural Cooperative Development. (0 or 5 points) 
Applicants that propose to use more than 50 percent of grant and 
matching funds to work with rural residents and businesses who are not 
engaged in production agriculture to develop cooperative businesses 
will receive 5 points. All other applicants will receive zero points. 
The types of cooperative development that meet this criterion include, 
but are not limited to, broadband cooperatives, housing cooperatives, 
healthcare cooperatives, shared-services cooperatives, daycare 
cooperatives, and any other type of cooperative that is not producing 
or marketing agricultural products.
    B. Review and Selection Process: The Agency will conduct an initial 
screening of all proposals to determine whether the applicant is 
eligible, complete, and sufficiently responsive to the requirements set 
forth in this funding announcement so as to allow for an informed 
review. Incomplete or non-responsive applications will not be evaluated 
further. Reviewers appointed by the Agency will evaluate applications.
    C. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates:
    Award Date: The announcement of award selections is expected to 
occur on or about September 15, 2005.

VI. Award Administration Information

    A. Award Notices: Successful applicants will receive a notification 
of tentative selection for funding from Rural Development. Applicants 
must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations before the 
grant award will be approved. Unsuccessful applicants will receive 
notification by mail.
    B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: 7 CFR parts 
3015, 3019, and 4284. To view these regulations, please see the 
following Internet address: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.
    Grantees selected for awards under this program will be required to 
enter into a Grant Agreement and will be subject to the written 
conditions of the award. In addition, the following forms must be 
executed:
     Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
     Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
     Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters-Primary Covered 
Transactions.''
     Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
     Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirements (Grants).''
     Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement.''
     Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
     RD Instruction 1940-Q, Exhibit A-1, ``Certification for 
Contracts, Grants and Loans.''
    Additional information on these requirements can be found on the 
RBS Web site at the following Internet address: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm.
    Reporting Requirements: You must provide Rural Development with an 
original hard copy of the following reports. RBS is currently 
developing an online reporting system. Once the system is developed, 
you may be required to submit some or all of your reports online 
instead of in hard copy. The hard copies of your reports should be 
submitted to the Rural Development State Office of the state in which 
the Center is located. Failure to submit satisfactory reports on time 
may result in suspension or termination of your grant.
    1. A ``Financial Status Report'' listing expenditures according to 
agreed upon budget categories, on a semi-annual basis. Reporting 
periods end each March 31 and September 30. Reports are due 30 days 
after the reporting period ends.
    2. Semi-annual performance reports that compare accomplishments to 
the objectives stated in the proposal. Identify all tasks completed to 
date and provide documentation supporting the reported results. If the 
original schedule provided in the work plan is not being met, the 
report should discuss the problems or delays that may affect completion 
of the project. Objectives for the next reporting period should be 
listed. Compliance with any special conditions on the use of award 
funds should be discussed. Reports are due as provided in paragraph 1. 
of this section. The supporting documentation for completed tasks 
includes, but is not limited to, feasibility studies, marketing plans, 
business plans, publication quality success stories, applied research 
reports, copies of surveys conducted, articles of incorporation and 
bylaws and an accounting of how outreach, training, and other funds 
were expended.
    3. Final project performance reports, including supporting 
documentation, are due within 90 days of the completion of the project.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For general questions about this announcement and for program 
technical assistance, please contact the State Office for the State in 
which the Applicant is based. A list is available at the following Web 
site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/contacts.htm. If you 
are unable to contact your State Office, please contact a nearby State 
Office or you may contact the RBS National Office at USDA-RBS-CS, Attn: 
RCDG Program, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Mail Stop 3250, Rm. 4016--
South, Washington, DC 20250-3250, telephone: (202) 720-7558, e-mail: 
[email protected].

    Dated: May 5, 2005.
Peter J. Thomas,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9551 Filed 5-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P