[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 121 (Thursday, June 25, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30268-30273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14954]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Small, Socially-
Disadvantaged Producer Grant Program in Fiscal Year 2009

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the 
availability of approximately $1.463 million in competitive grant funds 
for fiscal year (FY) 2009 for cooperatives or associations of 
cooperatives to assist small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural 
producers. USDA Rural Development Cooperative Programs hereby requests 
proposals from eligible cooperatives and associations of cooperatives 
for a competitively awarded grant to fund technical assistance to 
small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers in rural areas. 
The maximum award per grant is $175,000.

DATES: Applications for grants must be submitted on paper or 
electronically according to the following deadlines:
    Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent 
overnight no later than August 10, 2009, to be eligible for FY 2009 
grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2009 grant 
funding.
    Electronic copies must be received by August 10, 2009, to be 
eligible for FY 2009 grant funding. Late applications will not be 
eligible for FY 2009 grant funding.

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ADDRESSES: Application materials for the Small, Socially-Disadvantaged 
Producers Grant Program (SSDPG) may be obtained at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ssdg/ssdpg.htm or by contacting the 
applicant's USDA Rural Development State Office. Contact information 
for State Offices can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/Contacts.htm.
    Paper applications must be submitted to the USDA Rural Development 
State Office where the applicant is located. Electronic applications 
must be submitted through the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov, following the instructions found on this Web site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Visit the program Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ssdpg/ssdpg.htm for application 
assistance or contact a USDA Rural Development State Office. Applicants 
are strongly 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: USDA Rural Business Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producer 
Grant.
    Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.771.
    Dates: Application Deadline: Completed applications for grants may 
be submitted on paper or electronically according to the following 
deadlines:
    Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent 
overnight no later than August 10, 2009, to be eligible for FY 2009 
grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2009 grant 
funding.
    Complete electronic copies must be received by August 10, 2009, to 
be eligible for FY 2009 grant funding. Late applications are not 
eligible for FY 2009 grant funding.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    This notice is issued pursuant to the Omnibus Appropriations Act 
Public Law No. 111-8 (March 11, 2009) that authorizes, not to exceed, 
$1.463 million for cooperatives or associations of cooperatives whose 
primary focus is to provide assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged 
producers and whose governing board and/or membership is comprised of 
at least 75 percent small, socially disadvantaged producers. The 
Secretary of Agriculture has delegated the program's administration to 
USDA Rural Development Cooperative Programs.
    Formerly known as the Small, Minority Producer Grant Program, the 
primary objective of the SSDPG program is to provide technical 
assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers 
through eligible cooperatives and associations of cooperatives. Grants 
are awarded on a competitive basis. The maximum award amount per grant 
is $175,000.

Definitions

    Agency--Rural Business-Cooperative Service, an agency of the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development or a 
successor agency.
    Agricultural Commodity--An unprocessed product of farms, ranches, 
nurseries, and forests. Agricultural commodities include: livestock, 
poultry, and fish; fruits and vegetables; grains, such as wheat, 
barley, oats, rye, triticale, rice, corn, and sorghum; legumes, such as 
field beans and peas; animal feed and forage crops; seed crops; fiber 
crops, such as cotton; oil crops, such as safflower, sunflower, corn, 
and cottonseed; trees grown for lumber and wood products; nursery stock 
grown commercially; Christmas trees; ornamentals and cut flowers; and 
turf grown commercially for sod. Agricultural commodities do not 
include horses or animals raised as pets, such as cats, dogs, and 
ferrets.
    Association of Cooperatives--An association of cooperatives whose 
primary focus is to provide assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged 
agricultural producers and where the governing board and/or membership 
is comprised of at least 75 percent socially-disadvantaged agricultural 
producers.
    Conflict of Interest--A situation in which the ability of a person 
or entity to act impartially would be questionable due to competing 
professional or personal interests. An example of conflict of interest 
occurs when the grantee's employees, board of directors, including 
their immediate family, have a legal or personal financial interest in 
the recipients receiving the benefits or services of the grant.
    Cooperative--A farmer- or rancher-owned and -controlled business, 
organized and chartered as a cooperative, from which benefits are 
derived and distributed equitably on the basis of use by each of the 
farmer or rancher owners whose primary focus is to provide assistance 
to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers and where the 
governing board and/or membership is comprised of at least 75 percent 
socially-disadvantaged producers.
    Cooperative Programs--The office within USDA Rural Development, and 
its successor organization, that administers programs authorized by the 
Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926 (7 U.S.C. 451 et seq.) and such other 
programs identified in USDA regulations.
    Economic Development--The economic growth of an area as evidenced 
by increase in total income, employment opportunities, decreased out-
migration of population, value of production, increased diversification 
of industry, higher labor force participation rates, increased duration 
of employment, higher wage levels, or gains in other measurements of 
economic activity, such as land values.
    Feasibility Study--An analysis of the economic, market, technical, 
financial, and management feasibility of a proposed Project.
    Operating Cost--The day-to-day expenses of running a business; for 
example: Utilities, rent, salaries, depreciation, product production 
costs, marketing and advertising, and other basic overhead items.
    Project--Includes all activities to be funded by the Small 
Socially-Disadvantaged Agricultural Producer Grant and any matching 
funds.
    Rural and Rural Area--Any area of a State--
    (1) Not in a city or town that has a population of more than 50,000 
inhabitants, according to the latest decennial census of the United 
States; and
    (2) The contiguous and adjacent urbanized area,
    (3) Urbanized areas that are rural in character as defined by 
U.S.C. 1991(a)(13), as amended by section 6018 of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246 (June 18, 
2008).
    (4) For the purposes of this definition, cities and towns are 
incorporated population centers with definite boundaries, local self-
government, and legal powers set forth in a charter granted by the 
State. Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, within 
the areas of the County of Honolulu, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, the Secretary may designate any part of the areas as a 
rural area if the Secretary determines that the part is not urban in 
character, other than any area included in the Honolulu census 
designated place (CDP) or the San Juan CDP.
    Rural Development--A mission area within USDA consisting of the 
Office of

[[Page 30270]]

Under Secretary for Rural Development, Rural Development Business and 
Cooperative Programs, Rural Development Housing Programs, and Rural 
Development Utilities Programs and their successors.
    Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Agricultural Producer--Socially-
disadvantaged persons or 100 percent socially-disadvantaged producer-
owned entities, including farmers, ranchers, loggers, agricultural 
harvesters, and fishermen, that have averaged $250,000 or less in 
annual gross sales of agricultural products in the last 3 years.
    Socially-Disadvantaged Producer--Individual agricultural producers 
who have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because 
of their identity as members of a group, without regard for their 
individual qualities.
    State--Includes each of the several states, the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and, as may be 
determined by the Secretary to be feasible, appropriate and lawful, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands 
and the Republic of Palau.
    Technical Assistance--An advisory service performed for the benefit 
of a small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producer such as market 
research; product and/or service improvement; legal advice and 
assistance; feasibility study, business plan, and marketing plan 
development; and training. Technical assistance does not include the 
operating costs of a cooperative being assisted.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2009.
    Approximate Total Funding: $1.463 million.
    Approximate Number of Awards: 8.
    Approximate Average Award: $175,000.
    Floor of Award Range: None.
    Ceiling of Award Range: $175,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2009.
    Budget Period Length: 12 months.
    Project Period Length: 12 months.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Applicants must be a cooperative or an association of cooperatives 
as defined in this Notice, and must be able to verify their legal 
structure as a cooperative in the state in which they are incorporated. 
Individuals are not eligible for this program.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    No matching funds are required.

C. Other Eligibility Requirements

    Use of Funds: Funds may only be used for technical assistance 
projects as defined in this notice.
    Project Area Eligibility: The Project proposed must take place in a 
rural area as defined in this Notice.
    Grant Period Eligibility: If awarded, grant funds must be expended 
in 1 year. Applications must have a time frame of no more than 365 days 
with the time period beginning no earlier than October 1, 2009, and 
ending no later than December 31, 2010. Projects must be completed 
within the 1-year time frame. The Agency will not approve requests to 
extend the grant period. Applications that request funds for a time 
period ending after December 31, 2010, will not be considered for 
funding.
    Completeness Eligibility: Applications lacking sufficient 
information to determine eligibility and scoring will be considered 
ineligible. Applications that are non-responsive to this notice will be 
considered ineligible.
    Multiple Grant Eligibility: An applicant may not submit more than 
one grant application in any one funding cycle.
    Activity Eligibility: Applications must propose technical 
assistance, as defined in this notice, to benefit their members or 
other small socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers who are not 
members, in order to be considered for funding. Applications having 
ineligible costs equaling more than 10 percent of total project costs 
will be determined ineligible and will not be considered for funding. 
Applications having ineligible costs of 10 percent or less of total 
project costs and which are selected for funding, must remove all 
ineligible costs from the budget and replace them with eligible 
activities or the amount of the grant award will be reduced 
accordingly. Applicants may not submit applications that duplicate 
current activities or activities paid for by other federally funded 
grant programs.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application Package

    The application package for applying on paper for this funding 
opportunity can be obtained at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ssdpg/ssdpg.htm. Alternatively, applicants may contact their USDA Rural 
Development State Office. Contact information for State Offices can be 
found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/Contacts.htm.
    For electronic applications, applicants must visit http://www.grants.gov and follow the instructions.

B. Content and Form of Submission

    Applications must be submitted on paper or electronically. An 
application guide may be viewed at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ssdpg/ssdpg.htm. It is recommended that applicants use the 
template provided on the Web site. 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 the application is submitted electronically, the applicant 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 that they have obtained the proper 
authentication and have sufficient computer resources to complete the 
application.
    Applicants must complete and submit the following elements. The 
Agency will screen all applications for eligibility and to determine 
whether the application is complete and sufficiently responsive to the 
requirements set forth in this notice to allow for an informed review. 
Information submitted as part of the application will be protected to 
the extent permitted by law.
    1. Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' The form 
must be completed, signed and submitted as part of the application 
package.
    Please note that applicants are required to have a Dun and 
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. 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 SSDPG Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ssdpg/ssdpg.htm or by contacting the applicant's USDA Rural Development State 
Office. In addition to the DUNS number, an applicant must provide their 
Employment Identification Number.
    2. Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.'' 
This form must be completed and submitted as part of the application 
package.
    3. Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' This 
form

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must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the application 
package.
    4. Table of Contents. For ease of locating information, each 
application must contain a detailed Table of Contents (TOC) immediately 
following the SF-424B. The TOC must include page numbers for each 
component of the application. Pagination should begin immediately 
following the TOC.
    5. Executive Summary. A summary of the proposal, not to exceed one 
page, must briefly describe the project, tasks to be completed and 
other relevant information that provides a general overview of the 
project.
    6. Eligibility Discussion: A detailed discussion, not to exceed 
four pages, must describe how the applicant meets the following 
requirements.
    (i) Applicant Eligibility: Applicants must be cooperatives or 
associations of cooperatives comprised of small, socially-disadvantaged 
agricultural producers and must describe how they meet the definition 
as defined in the Definitions section of this Notice. Applicant must 
also verify their incorporation as a cooperative or an association of 
cooperatives in the state they have applied by providing the state's 
Certificate of Good Standing, and their Articles of Incorporation and 
By-Laws. The applicant must apply as only one type of applicant.
    (ii) Use of Funds: The applicant must provide a detailed discussion 
on how the proposed project activities meet the definition of technical 
assistance.
    (iii) Project Area: The applicant must provide specific information 
on where the projects are planned to be located and that the areas meet 
the definition of ``rural area.''
    (iv) Grant Period: The applicant must provide a time frame for the 
proposed project and discuss how the project will be completed within 
that time frame.
    7. Budget/Work Plan: The applicant must describe, in detail not to 
exceed four pages, the purpose of the grant, what type of assistance 
will be provided, and the total amount of funds needed to assist for 
each project. The budget must also present a breakdown of estimated 
costs associated with each task/activity for each project. The amount 
of grant funds requested will be adjusted if the applicant does not 
have justification for all costs.
    8. Evaluation Criteria: Each of the evaluation criteria referenced 
in this notice must be addressed, specifically and individually on 
separate pages, in narrative form, not to exceed a total of two pages 
for each evaluation criteria. Failure to address each evaluation 
criteria will result in the application being determined ineligible.

C. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Deadline Date: August 10, 2009.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Paper applications must be Postmarked and 
mailed, shipped, or sent overnight 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. Courier applications must 
be delivered by the deadline date. If the Applicant's application does 
not meet the deadline, it will not be considered for funding. 
Applicants will be notified if their application did not meet the 
submission deadline.

D. National Environmental Policy Act

    All grants made under this NOFA are subject to the requirements of 
7 CFR 1940 subpart G. Applications for technical assistance are 
generally excluded from the environmental review process by 1940.333, 
provided the assistance is not related to the development of a specific 
site.

E. Intergovernmental Review of Applications

    Executive Order (EO) 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. A list of 
states that maintain an SPOC may be obtained at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. If your state has an SPOC, you 
may submit your application directly for review. Any comments obtained 
through the SPOC must be provided to Rural Development for 
consideration as part of your application. If your state has not 
established a SPOC or you do not want to submit your application to the 
SPOC, Rural Development will submit your application to the SPOC or 
other appropriate agency or agencies.
    You are also encouraged to contact Cooperative Programs at 202-720-
8460 or [email protected] if you have questions about this process.

F. Funding Restrictions

    Grant funds must be used for technical assistance. No funds made 
available under this solicitation shall be used to:
    1. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or 
facility, including a processing facility;
    2. Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment, including processing 
equipment;
    3. Purchase vehicles, including boats;
    4. Pay for the preparation of the grant application;
    5. Pay expenses not directly related to the funded project;
    6. Fund political or lobbying activities;
    7. Fund any activities prohibited by 7 CFR parts 3015 and 3019;
    8. Fund architectural or engineering design work for a specific 
physical facility;
    9. Fund any direct expenses for the production of any commodity or 
product to which value will be added, including seed, rootstock, labor 
for harvesting the crop, and delivery of the commodity to a processing 
facility;
    10. Fund research and development;
    11. Purchase land;
    12. Duplicate current services or replace or substitute support 
previously provided;
    13. Pay costs of the project incurred prior to the date of grant 
approval;
    14. Pay for assistance to any private business enterprise, which 
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;
    15. Pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
    16. Pay the operating costs of cooperative and/or association of 
cooperatives;
    17. Pay expenses for applicant employee training; or
    18. Pay for any goods or services from a person who has a conflict 
of interest.

G. Other Submission Requirements

    Applicants may submit their paper application for a grant to their 
Rural Development State Office listed under the ADDRESSES section. 
Applicants may submit their application electronically at http://www.grants.gov. Applications may not be submitted by electronic mail, 
facsimile, or hand-delivery. Each application submission must contain 
all required documents in one envelope, if sent by mail or express 
delivery service.

V. Application Scoring Criteria Review Information

A. Criteria

    All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based upon 
the following criteria. Failure to address any one of the following 
criteria by the

[[Page 30272]]

application deadline will result in the application being determined 
ineligible and the application will not be considered for funding. The 
total points possible for the criteria are 50. Any application 
receiving less than 30 total points will not be funded.
    1. Technical Assistance. (0-15 points) The application will be 
evaluated to determine the applicant's ability to assess the needs of 
small socially-disadvantaged producers, plan and conduct appropriate 
and effective assistance, and identify the expected outcomes of that 
assistance.
    (i) 0 points will be awarded if the applicant does not 
substantively address this criterion.
    (ii) 1-4 points will be awarded if the applicant demonstrates 
weakness in addressing this criterion.
    (iii) 5-10 points will be awarded if the applicant demonstrates 
they meet part but not all of the criterion.
    (iv) 15 points will be awarded if the applicant identifies specific 
needs of the socially-disadvantaged producers to be assisted; clearly 
articulates a logical and detailed plan of assistance for addressing 
those needs; and discusses realistic outcomes of planned assistance.
    2. Experience. (0-15 points) Points will be awarded based upon 
length of experience of identified staff or consultants in providing 
technical assistance, as defined in this notice. Applicants must 
describe the specific type of technical assistance experience for each 
identified staff member or consultant, as well as years of experience 
in providing that assistance. In addition, r[eacute]sum[eacute]s for 
each individual staff member or consultant must be included as an 
attachment, listing their experience for the type of technical 
assistance proposed. The attachments will not count toward the maximum 
page total. The Agency will compare the described experience to the 
work plan to determine relevance of experience.
    (i) 0 points will be awarded if the staff or consultants 
demonstrate no relevant experience in providing technical assistance;
    (ii) 5 points will be awarded if at least one of the identified 
staff or consultants demonstrates more than two years of experience in 
providing relevant technical assistance;
    (iii) 10 points will be awarded if at least one of the identified 
staff or consultants demonstrates 5 or more years of experience in 
providing relevant technical assistance; or
    (iv) 15 points will be awarded if all of the identified staff or 
consultants demonstrate 5 or more years of experience in providing 
relevant technical assistance.
    3. Commitment. (0-15 points) The Agency will evaluate the 
applicant's commitment to providing technical assistance to socially-
disadvantaged producers in rural areas. Points will be awarded based 
upon the number of agricultural, socially-disadvantaged producers being 
assisted. Applicants must list the number and location of small, 
socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers that will directly 
benefit from the assistance provided.
    (i) 0 points will be awarded if the applicant does not 
substantively address this criterion.
    (ii) 5 points will be awarded if the proposed project will benefit 
1-10 producers;
    (iii) 10 points will be awarded if the proposed project will 
benefit 11-50 producers; or
    (iv) 15 points will be awarded if the proposed project will benefit 
more than 50 producers.
    4. Local support. (0-5 points) Applications will be reviewed for 
local support for the technical assistance activities of the 
cooperative. Applicants that demonstrate strong support from potential 
beneficiaries and other developmental organizations will receive more 
points than those not evidencing such support.
    (i) 0 points will be awarded if the applicant does not 
substantively address this criterion.
    (ii) 1 point will be awarded if the applicant provides or 
references 2-3 support letters that demonstrate substantive support 
from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local organizations.
    (iii) 2 points will be awarded if the applicant provides or 
references 4-5 support letters that demonstrate substantive support 
from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local organizations.
    (iv) 3 points will be awarded if the applicant provides or 
references 6-7 support letters that demonstrate substantive support 
from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local organizations.
    (v) 4 points will be awarded if the applicant provides or 
references 8-9 support letters that demonstrate substantive support 
from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local organizations.
    (vi) 5 points will be awarded if the applicant provides or 
references 10 support letters that demonstrate substantive support from 
potential beneficiaries and/or support from local organizations.
    The applicant may submit a maximum of 10 letters of support. These 
letters should be included as an attachment to the application and will 
not count against the maximum page total. 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, and 
the name and title of the person signing the letter.

B. Review and Selection Process

    The Agency will screen all proposals to determine whether the 
application is eligible and sufficiently responsive to the requirements 
set forth in this notice to allow for an informed review. Applications 
will be screened for eligibility and scored by the State Offices, then 
submitted to the National Office for review and ranking. The National 
Office will review the scores based upon the point allocation specified 
in this notice. Applications will be funded in scoring rank order and 
will be submitted to the Administrator in rank order with funding level 
recommendations. The Administrator will break scoring ties based on 
Agency priorities.

C. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

    Award Date: The announcement of award selections is expected to 
occur on or about September 1, 2009.

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, regulations, and this notice before the 
grant award will receive final approval.
    Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification, including appeal 
rights, by mail.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    7 CFR parts 3015, 3019, and subparts A and F of part 7 CFR 4284 are 
applicable to grants made under this notice. These regulations may be 
obtained at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html.
    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for this program:
     Agency approved Grant Agreement.
     Letter of Conditions.

[[Page 30273]]

     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 a Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirements (Grants).''
     Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
    Additional information on these requirements can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ssdpg/ssdpg.htm.
    Fund Disbursement: The Agency will determine, based on 7 CFR parts 
3015, 3016 and 3019, as applicable, whether disbursement of a grant 
will be by advance or reimbursement. As needed, but not more frequently 
than once every 30 days, an original of SF-270, ``Request for Advance 
or Reimbursement,'' may be submitted to Rural Development. Recipient's 
request for advance shall not be made in excess of reasonable outlays 
for the month covered.
    Reporting Requirements: Grantees must provide Rural Development 
with an original or an electronic copy that includes all required 
signatures of the following reports. The reports should be submitted to 
the Agency contact listed on the Grant Agreement and Letter of 
Conditions. Failure to submit satisfactory reports on time may result 
in suspension or termination of the grant. Grantees will submit:
    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 comparing accomplishments to the 
objectives stated in the proposal, identifying all tasks completed to 
date and providing 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 condition on the use of award funds 
must be discussed. 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, articles of incorporation, and bylaws as they relate to the 
assistance provided.
    3. Final project performance reports comparing accomplishments to 
the objectives stated in the proposal, identifying all tasks completed, 
and providing documentation supporting the reported results. If the 
original schedule provided in the work plan was not met, the report 
must discuss the problems or delays that affected completion of the 
project. Compliance with any special condition on the use of award 
funds must be discussed. Supporting documentation for completed tasks 
must also be submitted. The supporting documentation for completed 
tasks includes, but is not limited to, feasibility studies, marketing 
plans, business plans, articles of incorporation, and bylaws as they 
relate to the assistance provided. The final performance report is due 
within 90 days of the completion of the project. The report must also 
include a summary at the end of the report with the number of small 
socially disadvantaged agricultural producers assisted to assist in 
documenting the annual performance goals of the SSDPG program for 
Congress.

VII. Agency Contacts

    For general questions about this announcement and for program 
technical assistance, please contact the appropriate State Office as 
indicated in the Addresses section of this notice.

VIII. Non-Discrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 
national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital 
status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, 
genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or 
part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance 
program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program 
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a 
complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil 
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or 
call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal 
opportunity provider and employer.

    Dated June 19, 2009.
Judith A. Canales,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. E9-14954 Filed 6-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P