[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 125 (Friday, June 29, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35685-35688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12735]


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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 funds availability.

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SUMMARY: The e Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Utilities 
Program, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development, announces its 
Community Connect Grant Program application window for funding during 
fiscal year (FY) 2007. In addition, RUS announces the minimum and 
maximum amounts for Community Connect grants applicable for the fiscal 
year. The Community Connect Grant Program regulations can be found at 7 
CFR part 1739, subpart A.

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 
August 13, 2007 to be eligible for FY 2007 grant funding. Late 
applications are not eligible for FY 2007 grant funding.
     Electronic copies must be received by August 13, 2007 to 
be eligible for FY 2007 grant funding. Late applications are not 
eligible for FY 2007 grant funding.

ADDRESSES: Application guides and materials for the Community Connect 
Grant Program may be found at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm. You may also request application guides and materials 
from Rural Development by contacting the appropriate individual listed 
in section VII of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. 
Completed applications may be submitted either electronically or by 
mail.
    To submit electronically, follow the instructions provided at 
http://www.grants.gov (Grants.gov).
    To submit by mail, send your completed packet to Utilities, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2870, STOP 
1599, Washington, DC 20250-1599. Applications should be marked 
``Attention: Director, Broadband Division, Rural Development Utilities 
Program.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Kuchno, Director, Broadband 
Division, Rural Development Utilities Program, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, telephone: (202) 690-4673, fax: (202) 690-4389.

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 
August 13, 2007, to be eligible for FY 2007 grant funding. Late 
applications are not eligible for FY 2006 grant funding.
     Electronic copies must be received by August 13, 2007, to 
be eligible for FY 2007 grant funding. Late applications are not 
eligible for FY 2007 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, e-mail, 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 with residential and community-
oriented broadband transmission service that fosters economic growth 
and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public safety 
services. Rural Development will give priority to rural areas that it 
believes have the greatest need for broadband transmission services, 
based on the criteria contained in 7 CFR part 1739.
    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 facilities 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 part 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 part 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 2007 under 7 CFR 1739.2(a).
    2. Grants.
    a. $8.91 million in grant funding is available for award. Under 7 
CFR 1739.2, the Administrator has established a minimum grant amount of 
$50,000 and a maximum grant amount of $1,000,000 for FY 2007.
    b. Assistance instrument: Rural Development will execute grant 
documents with successful applicants appropriate to the project prior 
to any advance of funds.
    B. More than one Community Connect grant cannot be awarded to the 
same project. 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.

[[Page 35686]]

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; or
    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. (See 7 CFR 1739.14.) 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 financial assistance requested. Matching contributions 
must be used for eligible purposes of Community Connect grant 
assistance (see 7 CFR 1739.12).
    2. To be eligible for a grant, the Project must (see 7 CFR 
1739.11):
    a. Serve a Rural Area where Broadband Transmission Service does not 
currently exist, to be verified by Rural Development prior to the award 
of the grant;
    b. Serve one and only one Community recognized in the latest U.S. 
Census or the latest edition of a Rand McNally Atlas;
    Contiguous areas outside the Community's boundaries that are not 
recognized in the U.S. Census or Rand McNally Atlas as a separate 
Community, can be included in the applicant's proposed Service Area.
    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 two (2) years.
    C. See paragraph IV.C 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. Clarifications to requirements for FY 2007

    1. Rural Development clarifies that the definition of ``Critical 
Community Facilities'' includes the mandatory Community Center.
    2. For all funding commitments, including all matching fund 
commitments and commitments made by the applicant, that are required to 
complete the Project in addition to the Rural Development grant, 
evidence must be submitted demonstrating that funding arrangements have 
been obtained. This evidence must:
    a. Clearly state the name of the entity making the commitment;
    b. The amount of the commitment; and
    c. The purpose of commitment.

B. Where To Get Application Information

    The application guide, copies of necessary forms and samples, and 
the Community Connect Grant Program regulation are available on the 
Internet or by phone as follows:
    1. Information is available on the Internet at: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm, or http://www.grants.gov.
    2. For paper copies of these materials, call the Rural Development 
Broadband Division at: (202) 690-4673.

C. What constitutes a completed application?

    1. Detailed information on required items can be found in the 
Community Connect Grant Program regulation (7 CFR 1739) 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. 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. In preparing an 
application, applicants must use the Rural Development Application 
Guide for this program which contains instructions and all necessary 
forms, as well as other important information. Completed applications 
must include the following:
    a. An Application for Federal Assistance. A completed Standard Form 
(SF) 424.
    b. An executive summary of the Project. The applicant must provide 
Rural Development 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 
containing 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; 
identification of 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 plan on how their project will connect community residents, 
businesses, and community facilities to broadband transmission 
services. (See the application guide for more information.)
    g. Financial information and sustainability. The applicant must 
provide financial statements and information and a narrative 
description demonstrating the sustainability of the Project. (See the 
application guide for more information.)
    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

[[Page 35687]]

with RUS and to perform the activities proposed under the grant 
application.
    j. Funding commitment from other sources. If the Project requires 
funding from other sources in addition to the Rural Development 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.
    3. 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 SF-424 contains a field for the 
applicant to use when supplying the DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS 
number 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.

D. How many copies of an application are required?

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

E. 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 Development, 
Utilities Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., Room 2870, STOP 1599, Washington, DC 20250-1599. 
Applications should be marked ``Attention: Director, Broadband 
Division, Rural Development Utilities 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. Rural Development 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. Rural Development 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.

F. Deadlines

    1. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or 
sent overnight no later than August 13, 2007 to be eligible for FY 2007 
grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2007 grant 
funding.
    2. Electronic grant applications must be received by August 13, 
2007 to be eligible for FY 2007 funding. Late applications are not 
eligible for FY 2007 grant funding.

G. 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 two (2) years of 
operation and in providing training and instruction; 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

[[Page 35688]]

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 benefits derived from the proposed service to the community 
residents, businesses, and critical facilities (up to 30 points).

B. Review Standards

    1. All applications for grants must be delivered to Rural 
Development at the address and by the date specified in this notice 
(see also 7 CFR 1739.2) to be eligible for funding. Rural Development 
will review each application for conformance with the provisions of 
this part. Rural Development 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 Rural Development, 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.
    4. Regardless of the score an application receives, if Rural 
Development determines that the Project is technically or financially 
infeasible, Rural Development will notify the applicant, in writing, 
and the application will be returned with no further action.

C. Selection Process

    Rural Development selects applications based on those rankings, 
subject to the availability of funds.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    Rural Development recognizes that each funded project is unique, 
and therefore may attach conditions to a project as part of the award. 
Rural Development generally notifies applicants whose projects are 
selected for awards by faxing an award letter. Rural Development 
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 Rural Development 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. This Web site 
maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for the 
Community Connect Grant Program.
    B. Phone: 202-690-4673.
    C. Fax: 202-690-4389.
    D. Main point of contact: Kenneth Kuchno, Director, Broadband 
Division, Rural Development Utilities Program, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.

    Dated: June 21, 2007.
James M. Andrew,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-12735 Filed 6-28-07; 8:45 am]
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