[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 53 (Monday, March 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13948-13954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4006]
[[Page 13948]]
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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 $4.45 million in competitive grant funds
for the fiscal year (FY) 2006 Rural Cooperative Development Grant
(RCDG) Program. The intended effect of this notice is to solicit
applications for FY 2006 and award grants on or before September 15,
2006. The maximum award per grant is $225,000 and matching funds are
required.
DATES: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or
electronically according to the following deadlines:
Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent
overnight no later than May 20, 2006, to be eligible for FY 2006 grant
funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2006 grant funding.
Electronic copies must be received by May 20, 2006, to be eligible
for FY 2006 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY
2006 grant funding.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain application materials for a RCDG at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm or by contacting your USDA
Rural Development State Office. You can reach your State Office by
calling (202) 720-4323 and pressing ``1''.
Submit completed paper applications for a grant to Cooperative
Programs, 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 at http://www.grants.gov,
following the instructions found on this Website.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Visit the program Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm, which contains application
guidance, including frequently asked questions and an application guide
or contact your USDA Rural Development State Office. You can reach your
State Office by calling (202) 720-4323 and pressing ``1'', or by
selecting the Contacts link at the above Website. Applicants are
encouraged to contact their State Offices well in advance of the
deadline to discuss their projects and ask any questions about the
application process.
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: You may submit completed applications
for grants on paper or electronically according to the following
deadlines:
Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent
overnight no later than May 20, 2006, to be eligible for FY 2006 grant
funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2006 grant funding.
Electronic copies must be received by May 20, 2006, to be eligible
for FY 2006 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY
2006 grant funding.
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. Grant funds are provided for the establishment
and operation of Centers that have the expertise or who can contract
out for the expertise to assist individuals in the startup, expansion
or operational improvement of cooperative businesses. The program 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 2006.
Approximate Total Funding: $4.45 million.
Approximate Number of Awards: 22.
Approximate Average Award: $202,500.
Floor of Award Range: None.
Ceiling of Award Range: $225,000.
Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2006.
Budget Period Length: 12 months.
Project Period Length: 12 months.
III. Eligibility Information
A. Eligible Applicants
Grants may be made to nonprofit 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 all matching funds are available for the time period
of the grant. The matching fund requirement is 25 percent of the total
project cost (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 may include
loan proceeds from Federal sources. Matching funds must be spent in
advance or as a pro-rata portion of grant funds being expended.
Therefore, if you are providing 25 percent of the total project cost as
match, you must show that 25 percent or more of the amount of grant
funds being requested has been expended in matching funds. All of the
matching funds must be provided by either the applicant or a third
party in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. All of the matching
funds must be spent on eligible expenses and must be from eligible
sources. Any in-kind contributions must be performed for the benefit of
the Center. The Center must be able to document and verify the number
of hours worked and the value associated with the contribution. In-kind
contributions provided by individuals, businesses, or cooperatives who
are being assisted by the Center cannot be provided for the benefit of
their own projects as USDA Rural Development considers this to be a
conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Applications will be considered ineligible if any proposed matching
funds are for ineligible purposes.
C. Other Eligibility Requirements
Grant Period Eligibility: Applications should have a timeframe of
no more than 365 days with the time period beginning no earlier than
October 1, 2006 and no later than January 1, 2007. Projects must be
completed within the 1-year timeframe. The Agency will not approve
requests to extend the grant period.
Completeness Eligibility: Applications will not be considered for
funding if they do not provide sufficient information to determine
eligibility, if they are non-responsive to the submission requirements
detailed in Section IV of this notice or if they are
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missing any required elements (in whole or in part), except for the
exceptions noted in the Section V.B.
Activity Eligibility: Applications must propose the development or
continuation of the cooperative development center concept or they will
not be considered for funding. Additionally, applications that focus
assistance to only one cooperative will not be considered for funding.
Applicants that propose budgets that include more than 10 percent of
total project costs that are ineligible for the program will be
ineligible, and the application will not be considered for funding. If
an application has ineligible costs of 10 percent or less of total
project costs, it will be treated as described in Section V.B.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Address To Request Application Package
If you plan to apply using a paper application, you can obtain the
application forms and an application template for this funding
opportunity at 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 your USDA Rural Development
State Office. You can reach your State Office by calling (202) 720-4323
and pressing ``1''. Application forms can be mailed to you. If you plan
to apply electronically, you must visit http://www.grants.gov and
follow the instructions. 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.
B. Content and Form of Submission
You may submit your application in paper or in an electronic
format. To view an application guide, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm. It is recommended that applicants use the
template provided on the website. The template can be filled out
electronically and printed out for submission with the required forms
for paper submission or it can be filled out electronically and
submitted as an attachment through http://www.grants.gov.
If you submit your application in paper form, you must submit one
signed original 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, not color.
Those evaluating the application will only receive black and white
images.
If you submit your application electronically, you must follow the
instructions given at 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 except as set forth in
Section V.B.
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?,'' the
name and signature of an authorized representative, the telephone
number of the authorized representative, and the date the form was
signed.
You are required to have a DUNS number to apply for a grant from
USDA Rural Development. The DUNS number is a nine-digit identification
number, which uniquely identifies business entities. 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 your USDA Rural
Development State Office. You can reach your State Office by calling
(202) 720-4323 and pressing ``1''.
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 as requested on the form.
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 and include the title, name of applicant, and
date submitted.
4. Survey on Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants. The Agency
is required to make this survey available to all nonprofit applicants.
Submitting this form is voluntary.
5. 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.
6. 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 subcomponents
(Project Title, Information Sheet, Goals of the Project, Performance
Evaluation Criteria, Undertakings, and Proposal Evaluation Criteria),
Certification of Judgment, Verification of Matching Funds, and
Certification of Matching Funds.
7. Executive Summary. A summary of the proposal, not to exceed two
pages, must briefly describe the Center, including project goals and
tasks to be accomplished, the amount requested, how the work will be
performed (e.g., Center staff, consultants, or contractors) and the
percentage of work that will be performed among the parties. In the
event that more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages
will be considered.
8. Eligibility. The applicant must describe how it meets the
applicant, matching, grant period and activity eligibility requirements
in not to exceed two pages. In the event that more than two pages are
submitted, only the first two pages will be considered.
9. Proposal Narrative. The proposal narrative is limited to a total
of 35 pages. In the event that more than 35 pages are submitted, only
the first 35 pages will be considered. The narrative portion of the
proposal must include, but is not limited to, the following:
i. Project Title. The title of the proposed project must be brief,
not to exceed 75 characters, yet describe the
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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.
ii. Information Sheet. A separate one-page information sheet which
lists each of the evaluation criteria referenced in this funding
announcement followed by the page numbers of all relevant material and
documentation contained in the proposal that address or support the
criteria. If the evaluation criteria are referenced on the Table of
Contents, then submitting the information sheet is not necessary.
iii. Goals of the Project. The authorizing statute set forth the
goals listed below for the Centers. A Center may have additional goals
for its specific projects beyond the established goals (as stated in
the Executive Summary); however, the applicants must, at a minimum,
include the following in this section of the narrative:
1. A statement that substantiates that the Center will effectively
serve rural areas in the United States;
2. A statement 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. A statement that the Center, in carrying out its 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.
iv. Performance Evaluation Criteria. The Agency has established
annual performance measures to evaluate the RCDG program. Therefore, in
order to meet the requirements of this element, you must provide
estimates on the following performance measures. When calculating jobs
created, estimates should be based upon actual jobs to be created by
the Center as a result of the RCDG funding or actual jobs to be created
by businesses or cooperatives as a result of assistance from the
Center. When calculating jobs saved, estimates should be based only on
actual jobs that would have been lost if the Center did not receive
RCDG funding or actual jobs that would have been lost without
assistance from the Center. If the application is selected for funding,
you will be required to report actual numbers for these performance
elements on a semi-annual basis and in your final performance report.
Additional information on post-award requirements can be found in
Section VI.
Number of groups who are not legal entities assisted.
Number of businesses that are not cooperatives assisted.
Number of cooperatives assisted.
Number of businesses incorporated that are not
cooperatives.
Number of cooperatives incorporated.
Total number of jobs created as a result of assistance.
Total number of jobs saved as a result of assistance.
Number of jobs created for the Center as a result of RCDG
funding.
Number of jobs saved for the Center as a result of RCDG
funding.
v. Undertakings. The applicant must expressly undertake to do the
following in this section of the narrative:
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 Center's activities 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.
vi. Proposal Evaluation Criteria. Each of the evaluation criteria
referenced in this funding announcement must be specifically and
individually addressed in narrative form. See Section V.A. for a
description of the Proposal Evaluation Criteria.
10. 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 obtained by the
United States. It is suggested that applicants use the following
language for the certification. ``[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] certifies
that the United States has not obtained a judgment against it.'' A
separate signature is not required.
11. Verification of Matching Funds. Applicants must provide a
budget to support the work plan showing all sources and uses of funds
during the project period. Applicants will be required to verify all
matching funds, both cash and in-kind. Verification of matching funds
letters should be included in Appendix A and will not count towards the
35-page limitation. All proposed matching funds must be specifically
documented in the application. 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. 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. The valuation process for in-kind funds does not need to be
included in the application. However, the applicant must be able to
demonstrate how the valuation was derived at the time of notification
of tentative selection for the grant award. If the applicant cannot
satisfactorily demonstrate how the valuation was determined, the grant
award may be withdrawn or the amount of the grant may be reduced.
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 in
advance or as a pro-rata portion of grant funds being expended.
Therefore, if you are providing 25 percent of the total project cost as
match, you must show that 25 percent or more of the amount of grant
funds being requested has been expended in matching funds. Examples of
unacceptable matching funds are in-kind contributions from individuals,
businesses, or cooperatives being assisted by the Center to benefit
their own project, 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.
12. Certification of Matching Funds. Applicants must certify that
matching funds will be available at the same time grant funds are
anticipated to be spent
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and that matching funds will be spent in advance of grant funding, such
that for every dollar of the total project cost, 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 the total
project cost, at least 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: May 20, 2006.
Explanation of Deadlines: Paper applications must be postmarked by
the deadline date (see Section IV.F for the address). Electronic
applications must be received by http://www.grants.gov by the deadline
date. 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.
D. Intergovernmental Review of Applications
Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental review of Federal
programs, applies to this program. This EO requires that Federal
agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance
with state and local governments. Many states have established a Single
Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of
states that maintain an SPOC, please see the White House Web site:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. If your state has an
SPOC, you may submit a copy of your application directly for review.
Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be provided to USDA Rural
Development for consideration as part of your application. If your
state has not established an SPOC, or you do not want to submit a copy
of your application, USDA Rural Development will submit your
application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or agencies.
You are also encouraged to contact your USDA Rural Development
State Office for assistance and questions on this process. You can find
the USDA Rural Development State Office in the telephone directory
under Federal government listings, by calling (202) 720-4323 and
selecting option ``1'' or through the USDA Rural Development Web site:
http://www.rurdev.usda/.
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 cost. 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 Federal loan.
1. Grant funds and matching funds may be used for, but are not
limited to, providing the following to individuals, 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. Training and instruction for the purpose of cooperative
development.
iv. Loans and grants for the purpose of cooperative development in
accordance with this notice and applicable regulations.
v. Technical assistance, research services and advisory services
for the purpose of cooperative development.
2. No funds made available under this solicitation shall be used
for any of the following activities:
i. To 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. To pay costs of preparing the application package for funding
under this program;
iii. To pay costs of the project incurred prior to the date of
grant approval;
iv. To fund political activities;
v. To 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. To pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
vii. To plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a
building or facility, including a processing facility;
viii. To purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment, including
laboratory equipment or processing machinery;
ix. To pay for the repair of privately owned vehicles;
x. To fund research and development;
xi. To pay costs of the project where a conflict of interest
exists; or
xii. To fund any activities prohibited by 7 CFR part 3015 or 3019.
F. Other Submission Requirements
You may submit your paper application for a grant to Cooperative
Programs, 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. You may also
choose to submit your application electronically using the following
internet address: http://www.grants.gov. Applications may not be
submitted by electronic mail, facsimile, or by hand-delivery. Each
application submission must contain all required documents in one
envelope, if by mail or express delivery service.
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, except as set forth in Section V.B. The total points available
are 70.
1. Administrative capabilities. (1-7 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. (1-7 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
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other activities necessary for a group of individuals to form a
cooperative.
3. Economic development. (1-7 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. (1-7 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. (1-7 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 will be awarded; 46 to 55 percent, 4 points will be awarded;
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 will be awarded; 15 to 19 percent, 4 points will
be awarded; or 20 or greater percent, 5 points will be awarded.
7. Delivery. (1-5 points) The Agency will evaluate whether the
Center has a track record of 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. (1-5 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. Applicants must discuss the
specific tasks (whether it be by type of service or specific project)
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.
Matching funds as well as grant funds must be accounted for in the
budget.
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. The applicant must also identify whether
the personnel expected to perform tasks are full/part-time Center
employees or contract personnel.
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. 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. The
applicant may submit a maximum of 10 letters of support or intent to
coordinate with the application. These letters should be included in
Appendix B of the application and will not count against the 35-page
limitation. Additional letters from industry groups, commodity groups,
local and State government, and similar organizations should be
referenced, but not included in the application package. When
referencing these 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.
11. Future support. (1-5 points) 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. 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 and whether all required
elements are complete. A list of required elements follows:
SF-424
SF-424A
SF-424B
Title Page
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Eligibility Discussion
Project Title
Information Sheet
Goals of the Project
Performance Evaluation Criteria
Undertakings
Administrative Capabilities Evaluation Criterion
Technical Assistance and Other Services Evaluation
Criterion
Economic Development Evaluation Criterion
Linkages Evaluation Criterion
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Commitment Evaluation Criterion
Matching Funds Evaluation Criterion
Delivery Evaluation Criterion
Work Plan/Budget Evaluation Criterion
Qualifications of Those Performing the Tasks Evaluation
Criterion
Local Support Evaluation Criterion
Future Support Evaluation Criterion
Non-Agricultural Rural Cooperative Development Criterion
Certification of Judgment
Verification of Matching Funds
Certification of Matching Funds.
Incomplete applications that have four or less incomplete required
elements and appear to be otherwise eligible will receive a letter
requesting the incomplete items be provided within 12 business days of
the date the letter was sent. If the requested items are not received
when requested or are not complete, the application will not be further
evaluated or considered for funding. Applicants that propose budgets
that include more than 10 percent of total project costs that are
ineligible for the program will be ineligible and the application will
not be considered for funding. If an application has ineligible costs
of 10 percent or less of total project costs, and otherwise appears
eligible, the applicant will receive a letter requesting that all
ineligible costs be removed from the budget and work plan and either
replaced with eligible activities or eliminated within 12 business days
of the date the letter was sent. Any other incomplete or ineligible
applications will not be further evaluated or considered for funding.
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, 2006.
VI. Award Administration Information
A. Award Notices
Successful applicants will receive a notification of tentative
selection for funding from USDA 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.
The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected
for this program:
Grant Agreement.
Letter of Conditions.
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 at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/rcdg.htm.
Reporting Requirements: You must provide USDA Rural Development
with an original or electronic copy that includes all required
signatures of the following reports. The reports should be submitted to
the Agency contact listed on your Grant Agreement and Letter of
Conditions. Failure to submit satisfactory reports on time may result
in suspension or termination of your grant.
1. Form SF-269 or SF-269A. 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. The report should also include a summary at
the end of the report with the following elements to assist in
documenting the annual performance goals of the RCDG program for
Congress.
Number of groups who are not legal entities assisted.
Number of businesses that are not cooperatives assisted.
Number of cooperatives assisted.
Number of businesses incorporated that are not
cooperatives.
Number of cooperatives incorporated.
Total number of jobs created as a result of assistance.
Total number of jobs saved as a result of assistance.
Number of jobs created for the Center as a result of RCDG
funding.
Number of jobs saved for the Center as a result of RCDG
funding.
Reports are due as provided in paragraph 1 of this section.
Supporting documentation must also be submitted for completed tasks.
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. These reports shall include
all of the requirements of the semi-annual performance reports and
responses to 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? These should include strengths and limitations of the
program. If you had the opportunity, what would you have done
differently?
c. If an innovative approach was used successfully, the Grantee
should describe their program in detail so that other organizations
might consider replication in their areas.
The final performance report is 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 your USDA Rural Development State
Office at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/Contacts.htm. You
can also reach your State Office by calling (202) 720-4323 and pressing
``1''. If you are unable to contact your State Office, please contact a
nearby State Office or you may contact the USDA Rural Development
National Office at 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Mail Stop
[[Page 13954]]
3250, Rm. 4016-South, Washington, DC 20250-3250, telephone: (202) 720-
7558, e-mail: [email protected].
Dated: March 8, 2006.
Jackie J. Gleason,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4006 Filed 3-17-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P