[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 236 (Thursday, December 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65509-65514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29466]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) under the American Recovery 
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for technical assistance and 
training program and solicitation of applications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces the availability 
of grant funds pursuant to Title I of Division A of the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), Public Law 111-5 
(Feb. 17, 2009) with regard to the Technical Assistance and Training 
Grant Program (TAT). Funds authorized by the Recovery Act are in 
addition to Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 funding for this grant program. The 
intent of this notice is to advise the public of the funds available 
and to provide transparency as required by the Recovery Act. 
Regulations for the Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program 
regulations can be found at 7 CFR part 1775. Funding announced is 
intended to support technical assistance and training activities that 
facilitate efforts by rural communities to access Recovery Act funding 
for critical water and waste disposal infrastructure projects, 
particularly those communities in smaller, lower income, and persistent 
poverty areas.

DATES: You may submit completed applications for TAT grants on paper or 
electronically according to the following deadlines:
    Paper Submissions: Paper submission of an application must be 
postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than January 
11, 2010 to be eligible for grant funding. Late or incomplete 
applications will not be eligible for grant funding.
    Electronic Submissions: Submit electronic grant applications at 
http://www.grants.gov (Grants.gov) and follow the instructions you find 
on that Web site. Electronic submissions of applications must be 
received by January 11, 2010 to be eligible for grant funding. Late or 
incomplete applications will not be eligible for grant funding.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain application guides and materials for the 
Technical Assistance and Training grants the following ways:
     The Internet at the RUS Water and Environmental Programs 
(WEP) Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/.
     You may also request application guides and materials from 
RUS by contacting WEP at (202) 720-9586.

Completed applications may be submitted the following ways:

    Paper applications: Send completed paper applications for Technical 
Assistance and Training grants to the Rural Utilities Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2233, STOP 
1570, Washington, DC 20250-1570.

Applications should be marked ``Attention: Assistant Administrator, 
Water and Environmental Programs.''

    Electronic applications: Electronic grant applications may be 
submitted at

[[Page 65510]]

http://www.grants.gov/ (Grants.gov), following the instructions you 
find on that Web site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Saulnier, Branch Chief, 
Portfolio Management Branch, Water & Environmental Programs, Rural 
Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Room 2231 
South Building, Stop 1570, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20250-1570. Telephone: (202) 690-2526, FAX: (202) 690-0649, E-mail: 
[email protected].

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35), RUS invites comments on this information collection for 
which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Comments on this notice must be received by February 8, 
2010.
    Comments are invited on (a) whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumption used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to Michele L. Brooks, Director, Program 
Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Services, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Stop 1522, Room 
5166--South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522.
    Title: Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program (TAT).
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0144.
    Type of Request: New information collection package.
    Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) provides financial and 
technical assistance to help communities bring safe drinking water and 
sanitary, environmentally sound waste disposal facilities to rural 
Americans in greatest need. The additional funding provided by the 
Recovery Act for Technical Assistance and Training grants will support 
technical assistance and training activities that facilitate efforts by 
rural communities to access Recovery Act funding for critical water and 
waste disposal infrastructure projects, particularly those communities 
in smaller, lower income, and persistent poverty areas in accordance 
with 7 CFR part 1775. Qualified private non-profit organizations may 
apply.
    Estimate of Total Annual Burden: Public reporting burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to be 1042 total burden hours.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 357.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Michele 
Brooks, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 690-1078.
    All responses to this information collection and recordkeeping 
notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. 
All comments will also become a matter of public record.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Technical Assistance and Training Grants 
(TAT).
    Announcement Type: Funding Level Announcement and Solicitation of 
Applications.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1926 (a)(14); Pub. L. 111-5, 123 Stat. 115.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.761.
    Dates: Completed TAT grant applications must be mailed, shipped or 
submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than January 11, 
2010 to be eligible for funding.

Items in Supplementary Information

I. Overview: Describes the purposes of the Recovery Act,
II. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the Technical 
Assistance and Training Grants;
III. Award Information: Persistent Poverty and Funds available;
IV. Available Funds;
V. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of projects 
are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility;
VI. Accountability and Transparency: Jobs created;
VII. Buy American: Iron, Steel and manufactured goods are produced 
in the United States;
VIII. Reporting Requirements;
IX. Wage--Rates Requirements: All laborers and mechanics shall be 
paid at rates not less than those prevailing on similar projects;
X. Civil Rights: This program is subject to all Civil Rights Laws;
XI. Application and Submission Information: Where to get application 
materials; what constitutes a completed application; how and where 
to submit applications; deadlines; and, items that are eligible;
XII. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences; 
scoring criteria; review standards; and selection information;
XIII. Award Administration Information: Award notice information and 
award recipient reporting requirements;
XIV. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, e-mail, and contact name.

I. Overview

    On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) Public Law 111-5, 
123 Stat. 115 (2009) and stated that: ``The essential goal of the 
Recovery Act is to provide a direct fiscal boost to help lift our 
Nation from the greatest economic crisis in our lifetimes and lay the 
foundation for future growth.'' Accordingly, the Recovery Act 
identifies five overall purposes as follows: A. To preserve and create 
jobs and promote economic recovery; B. to assist those most impacted by 
the recession; C. to provide investments needed to increase economic 
efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; D. 
to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other 
infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and E. to 
stabilize State and local government budgets.'' The Recovery Act 
further instructs the President and the heads of Federal departments 
and agencies to manage and expend Recovery Act funds to achieve these 
five purposes, ``commencing expenditures and activities as quickly as 
possible consistent with prudent management.''

II. Funding Opportunity

    The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) provides financial and technical 
assistance to help communities bring safe drinking water and sanitary, 
environmentally sound waste disposal facilities to rural Americans in 
greatest need. The additional funding provided by the Recovery Act for 
Technical Assistance and Training grants will allow rural communities 
to better identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal 
problems, assist applicants in preparing applications for water and 
waste grants made in accordance with 7 CFR part 1775, or improve 
operation and maintenance of existing water and waste disposal 
facilities in rural areas. Qualified private non-profit organizations 
may apply.
    In using funds made available by the Recovery Act for 
infrastructure investment, recipients shall give preference to 
activities that can be started and completed expeditiously. Recipients 
shall also use grant funds in

[[Page 65511]]

a manner that maximizes job creation and economic benefit.

III. Award Information

    At least ten percent of funding shall be allocated for assistance 
in persistent poverty counties. ``Persistent poverty counties'' means 
any county that has had twenty percent or more of its population living 
in poverty over the past thirty years, as measured by the 1980, 1990, 
and 2000 decennial censuses.

IV. Available Funds

    The Water and Environmental Programs will utilize $5 million of 
Recovery Act funds for TAT grants to be awarded by September 30, 2010.

V. Eligibility Information

A. What Are the Basic Eligibility Requirements for Applying?

    (For more specific information see 7 CFR 1775, Section 1775.35.) 
The applying entity (Applicant) must:
    1. Be a private, non-profit organization that has tax-exempt status 
from the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS);
    2. Be legally established and have the proven ability, background, 
experience, legal authority and actual capacity to provide technical 
assistance and/or training to carry out the grant purpose.
    3. Have no delinquent debt to the Federal Government or no 
outstanding judgments to repay a Federal debt.

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

    The project must identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste 
disposal problems, assist applicants in preparing applications for 
water and waste grants made in accordance with 7 CFR part 1775 of this 
chapter, or improve operation and maintenance of existing water and 
waste disposal facilities in rural areas.

VI. Accountability and Transparency

    With respect to these funds made available to State or local 
governments for infrastructure investments, the Governor, mayor, or 
other chief executive, as appropriate, shall certify that the 
infrastructure investment has received the full review and vetting 
required by law and that the chief executive accepts responsibility 
that the infrastructure investment is an appropriate use of taxpayer 
dollars. Such certification shall include a description of the 
investment, the estimated total cost, and the amount of these funds to 
be used, and shall be posted on the following Web site http://www.recovery.gov. A State or local agency may not receive 
infrastructure investment funding from funds made available in this Act 
unless this certification is made and posted.

VII. Buy American

    A. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for a 
project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a 
public building or public work unless all the iron, steel and 
manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United 
States.
    B. Exception--This shall not apply if the head of the Federal 
department or agency involved finds that--(1) Applying subsection would 
be inconsistent with the public interest; (2) iron, steel, and the 
relevant manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in 
sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory 
quality or (3) inclusion of iron, steel, and manufactured goods are 
produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall 
project by more than 25 percent.
    C. If the head of a Federal department or agency determines that it 
is necessary to waive the application of submission (1) based on a 
finding under subsection (2), the head of the department or agency 
shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed written justification 
as to why the provision is being waived.

VIII. Reporting Requirements Under 2 CFR 176.50 ARRA Sec. 1512

    A. Not later than 10 days after the end of calendar quarter, each 
recipient that received ARRA funds from a Federal agency shall submit a 
report to that agency that contains (a) the total amount of recovery 
funds received from that agency; (b) the amount of ARRA funds received 
that were expended or obligated to projects or activities; (c) a 
detailed list of all projects or activities for which recovery funds 
were expended or obligated, including--the name, a description, an 
evaluation of the completion status, an estimate of the number of jobs 
created, the number of jobs retained, and for infrastructure 
investments made by State and local governments, the purpose, total 
cost, and rationale of the agency for funding the infrastructure 
investment with funds made available under ARRA, including a name of 
the person to contact at the agency if there are concerns with the 
infrastructure investment; (d) detailed information on any subcontracts 
or subgrants awarded by the recipient to include the data elements 
required to comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and 
Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282), allowing aggregate 
reporting on awards below $25,000.
    B. Compliance--Within 180 days of enactment, as a condition of 
receipt of funds under ARRA, Federal agencies shall require any 
recipient of such funds to provide the information required under 
recipient reports.

IX. Wage--Rates Requirements

    All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and 
subcontractors on projects funded directly by or assisted in whole or 
in part by and through the Federal Government pursuant to this Act 
shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects 
of a character similar in the locality as determined by the Secretary 
of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, 
United States Code. Further details on eligible applicants and projects 
may be found in the relevant regulations listed in Section II.C.

X. Civil Rights

    Programs referenced in this notice are subject to applicable civil 
rights laws.
    These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Title VI of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 
1968, as amended in 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.

XI. Application and Submission Information

A. Where To Get Application Information

    The grant application guide, copies of necessary forms and samples, 
and the Technical Assistance Grants regulation (7 CFR 1775) are 
available from these sources:
     The Internet: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/,
     http://www.grants.gov. or,
     For paper copies of these materials: call (202) 720-9586.
    1. You may file an application in either paper or electronic 
format. Whether you file a paper or an electronic application, you will 
need a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number. You must provide your DUNS number on the SF-424, ``Application 
for Federal Assistance.''
    To verify that your organization has a DUNS number or to receive 
one at no cost, call the dedicated toll-free request line at 1-866-705-
5711 or access the Web site http://www.dunandbradstreet.com. You will 
need the following information when requesting a DUNS number:

[[Page 65512]]

    a. Legal Name of the Applicant;
    b. Headquarters name and address of the Applicant;
    c. The names under which the Applicant is doing business as (dba) 
or other name by which the organization is commonly recognized;
    d. Physical address of the Applicant;
    e. Mailing address (if separate from headquarters and/or physical 
address) of the Applicant;
    f. Telephone number;
    g. Contact name and title;
    h. Number of employees at the physical location.
    2. Send or deliver paper applications by the U.S. Postal Service 
(USPS) or courier delivery services to the RUS receipt point set forth 
below. RUS will not accept applications by fax or e-mail. For paper 
applications mail or ensure delivery of an original paper application 
(no stamped, photocopied, or initialed signatures) and two copies by 
the January 11, 2010 to the following address: Assistant Administrator, 
Water and Environmental Programs, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1548, Room 5145 South, Washington, DC 
20250-1548.
    The application and any materials sent with it become Federal 
records by law and cannot be returned to you.
    3. For electronic applications, you must file an electronic 
application at the Web site: http://www.grants.gov. You must be 
registered with Grants.gov before you can submit a grant application. 
If you have not used Grants.gov before, you will need to register with 
the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and the Credential Provider. You 
will need a DUNS number to access or register at any of the services. 
The registration processes may take several business days to complete. 
Follow the instructions at Grants.gov for registering and submitting an 
electronic application. RUS may request original signatures on 
electronically submitted documents later.
    The CCR registers your organization, housing your organizational 
information and allowing Grants.gov to use it to verify your identity. 
You may register for the CCR by calling the CCR Assistance Center at 1-
888-227-2423 or you may register online at: http://www.ccr.gov.
    The Credential Provider gives you or your representative a username 
and password, as part of the Federal Government's e-Authentication to 
ensure a secure transaction. You will need the username and password 
when you register with Grants.gov or use Grants.gov to submit your 
application. You must register with the Central Provider through 
Grants.gov: https://apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister.

B. What Constitutes a Completed Application?

    1. To be considered for assistance, you must be an eligible entity 
and must submit a complete application by the deadline date.
    You must consult the cost principles and general administrative 
requirements for grants pertaining to their organizational type in 
order to prepare the budget and complete other parts of the 
application.
    You also must demonstrate compliance (or intent to comply), through 
certification or other means, with a number of public policy 
requirements.
    2. Applicants must complete and submit the following forms to apply 
for a Technical Assistance and Training grant:
    (a) Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance (For 
Non-Construction).''
    (b) Standard Form 424 A & B, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs.''
    (c) RD Instruction 1940-Q, Exhibit A-1 or Standard Form LLL, 
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activity'', whichever is appropriate (include 
only if grant is over $100,000).
    (d) Form AD 1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transaction.''
    (e) Form AD 1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug Free Workplace 
Requirements (Grants) Alternative I--For Grantees Other Than 
Individuals.''
    (f) Form AD 1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
    (g) Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement.''
    (h) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement'' (Under Title VI, Civil 
Rights Act of 1964).
    (i) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable, applicant must 
include approved cost agreement rate schedule).
    (j) Statement of Compliance for Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 
1964.
    (k) Certification regarding Forest Service grant.
    (l) Attachment regarding assistance provided to Rural Development 
Employees as required by RD Instruction 1900-D.
    3. All applications shall be accompanied by the following 
supporting documentation:
    (a) Evidence of applicant's legal existence and authority in the 
form of:
    (i) Certified copies of current authorizing and organizational 
documents for new applicants or former grantees where changes were made 
since the last legal opinion was obtained in conjunction with receipt 
of an RUS grant, or, certification that no changes have been made in 
authorizing or organizing documents since receipt of last RUS grant by 
applicant.
    (ii) Current annual corporation report, Certificate of Good 
Standing, or statement they are not required.
    (iii) Certified list of directors/officers with their respective 
terms.
    (b) Evidence of tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS).
    (c) Narrative of applicant's experience in providing services 
similar to those proposed. Provide brief description of successfully 
completed projects including the need that was identified and 
objectives accomplished.
    (d) Latest financial information to show the applicant's financial 
capacity to carry out the proposed work. A current audit report is 
preferred; however applicants can submit a balance sheet and an income 
statement in lieu of an audit report.
    (e) List of proposed services to be provided.
    (f) Estimated breakdown of costs (direct and indirect) including 
those to be funded by grantee as well as other sources. Sufficient 
detail should be provided to permit the approval official to determine 
reasonableness, applicability, and allowability.
    (g) Evidence that a Financial Management System is in place or 
proposed.
    (h) Documentation on each of the priority ranking criteria listed 
in 7 CFR 1775, Sec.  1775.11 as follows:
    (i) List of the associations to be served and the State or States 
where assistance will be provided. Identify associations by name, or 
other characteristics such as size, income, location, and provide MHI 
and population.
    (ii) Description of the type of technical assistance and/or 
training to be provided and the tasks to be contracted.
    (iii) Description of how the project will be evaluated and provide 
clearly stated goals and the method proposed to measure the results 
that will be obtained.
    (iv) Documentation of need for proposed service. Provide detailed 
explanation of how the proposed services differ from other similar 
services being provided in the same area.
    (v) Personnel on staff or to be contracted to provide the service 
and their experience with similar projects.

[[Page 65513]]

    (vi) Statement indicating the number of months it takes to complete 
the project or service.
    (vii) Documentation on cost effectiveness of project. Provide the 
cost per association to be served or proposed cost of personnel to 
provide assistance.
    (viii) Other factors for consideration such as emergency situation, 
training need identified, health or safety problems, geographic 
distribution, Rural Development Office recommendations, etc.
    4. Applicants must also submit a work plan/project proposal that 
will outline the project in sufficient detail to provide a reader with 
a complete understanding of how the proposed Technical Assistance and 
Training grant will address the needs of the rural area. The proposal 
should cover the following elements (in addition to information 
contained in 7 CFR part 1775, sections 1775.10 and 1775.11):
    (a) Present a brief project overview. Explain the purpose of the 
project, how it relates to the RUS purposes, how you will carry out the 
project, what the project will produce, and who will direct it.
    (b) Describe why the project is necessary. Describe how eligible 
rural communities will benefit from the technical assistance. Describe 
the service area and how the technical assistance will benefit the 
rural communities.
    (c) Clearly state your goals. Your objectives should clearly 
describe the goals, be concrete and specific enough to be quantitative 
or observable. They should also be feasible and relate to the purpose 
of the proposed technical assistance and training.
    (d) In addition to completing the standard application forms, you 
must also submit supplementary materials, as follows:
    (i). Demonstrate that your organization is legally recognized under 
State and Federal law. Satisfactory documentation includes, but is not 
limited to, certificates from the Secretary of State, or copies of 
State statutes or laws establishing your organization. Letters from the 
IRS awarding tax-exempt status are not considered adequate evidence.
    (ii). Submit a certified list of directors and officers with their 
respective terms.
    (iii). Submit evidence of tax-exempt status from the Internal 
Revenue Service.
    (iv). You must disclose debarment and suspension information 
required in accordance with 7 CFR 3017, Sec.  3017.335, if it applies. 
The section heading is ``What information must I provide before 
entering into a covered transaction with the Department of 
Agriculture?'' It is part of the Department of Agriculture's rules on 
Government-wide Debarment and Suspension.
    (v). Submit the most recent audit of your organization.

XII. Application Review Information

A. Single State Applications

    1. Grant applications submitted at the State level will receive a 
letter acknowledging receipt and confirmation that all information 
required for a full application was included in the packet. The State 
will notify the applicant of missing information. The applicant will 
have 14 business days to respond.
    2. The State Office will review applications for eligibility. Those 
applicants that are deemed ineligible will be notified. Applicants 
deemed eligible will be forwarded to the National Office for funding 
consideration.
    3. The National Office will review all applications received from 
State Offices. Applications will compete on a priority basis and will 
be scored and ranked. The applications receiving the highest scores and 
subject to the availability of funds will be selected for final 
processing. The National Office will send these applications back to 
the State Office for processing. The State Office will notify the 
applicant(s) that they have been selected for funding.
    4. Applicants not selected for funding due to low priority rating 
shall be notified by the State Office.

B. National and Multi-State Applications

    1. National and multi-State applications submitted to the National 
Office will receive a letter acknowledging receipt and confirmation 
that all information required for a full application was included in 
the packet. The National Office shall notify the applicant of missing 
information. The applicant will have 14 business days to respond.
    2. The National Office will review applications for eligibility. 
Those applications that are deemed ineligible will be notified. 
Applications deemed eligible will be reviewed and given a rating score. 
Applications receiving the highest scores will be grouped with those 
received from State Offices for funding consideration.
    3. The National Office will review all applications received. 
Applications will compete on a priority basis and will be scored and 
ranked. The applications receiving the highest scores and subject to 
the availability of funds will be notified by the National Office that 
they have been selected for funding. The National Office shall conduct 
final processing of multi-State and national applications.
    4. Multi-State and National applicants not selected for funding due 
to low priority rating will be notified by the National Office.

C. Low Priority Applications

    Applications that cannot be funded in the fiscal year received will 
not be retained for consideration in the following fiscal year.
    D. All applications that are complete and eligible will be scored 
based on the criteria outlined in 7 CFR 1775, Sec.  1775.10, Sec.  
1775.11 and RUS Guide 1775-2. After each application is scored they 
will be ranked competitively. The categories for scoring criteria used 
are the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Scoring criteria                          Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Scope of assistance (national,       Up to 10.
 multi-State, and single State/area).
2. Degree of expertise................  Up to 5.
3. Percentage of applicant's            Up to 10.
 contributions.
4. Applicant Resource (staff vs.        Up to 10.
 contract personnel).
5. Needs Assessment: Extent that        Up to 15.
 problems/issues are clearly defined
 and supported by data.
6. Description of the service area,     Up to 25.
 particularly the demographics of the
 rural communities being served
 (population and MHI of the
 communities).
7. Goals/Objectives: Goals/objectives   Up to 15.
 are clearly defined, are tied to
 need, and are measurable.
8. Extent to which the work plan        Up to 40.
 clearly articulates a well thought
 out approach to accomplishing
 objectives; and clearly defines who
 will be served by the study.
9. Extent to which the evaluation       Up to 20.
 methods are specific to the program,
 clearly defined, measurable, with
 expected project outcomes.
10. Type of technical assistance        Up to 20.
 applicant is providing.

[[Page 65514]]

 
11. Project duration..................  Up to 5.
12. Sustainability....................  Up to 10.
13. Prior Grant Years Funded..........  Up to 15.
14. Administrative Discretion.........  Up to 15.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

XIII. Award Administration Information

    A. RUS will rank all qualifying applications by their final score. 
Applications will be selected for funding, based on the highest scores 
and the availability of funding for the Technical Assistance and 
Training grants.
    B. In making our decision about your application, RUS may determine 
that your application is:
    1. Eligible and selected for funding;
    2. Eligible but offered fewer funds than requested;
    3. Eligible but not selected for funding; or
    4. Ineligible for the grant.
    C. In accordance with 7 CFR part 1900, subpart B, you generally 
have the right to appeal adverse decisions. Some adverse decisions 
cannot be appealed. For example, if you are denied RUS funding due to a 
lack of funds available for the grant program, this decision cannot be 
appealed. However, you may make a request to the National Appeals 
Division (NAD) to review the accuracy of our finding that the decision 
cannot be appealed. The appeal must be in writing and filed at the 
appropriate Regional Office, which can be found at http://www.nad.usda.gov/offices.htm or by calling (703) 305-1166.
    D. Applicants selected for funding will complete a grant agreement, 
which outlines the terms and conditions of the grant award.
    E. Grantees will be reimbursed as follows:
    1. SF-270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' will be 
completed by the grantee and submitted to either the State or National 
Office not more frequently than monthly.
    2. Upon receipt of a properly completed SF-270, payment will 
ordinarily be made within 30 days.
    F. Any change in the scope of the project, budget adjustments of 
more than 10 percent of the total budget, or any other significant 
change in the project must be reported to and approved by the approval 
official by written amendment to RUS Guide 1775-1 (Grant Agreement). 
Any change not approved may be cause for termination of the grant.

G. Project Reporting

    1. Grantees shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that 
time schedules are being met, projected work by time periods is being 
accomplished, and other performance objectives are being achieved.
    2. SF-269, ``Financial Status Report (short form),'' and a project 
performance activity report will be required of all grantees on a 
quarterly basis, due 30 days after the end of each quarter.
    3. A final project performance report will be required with the 
last SF-269 due 90 days after the end of the last quarter in which the 
project is completed. The final report may serve as the last quarterly 
report.
    4. All multi-State grantees are to submit an original of each 
report to the National Office. Grantees serving only one State are to 
submit an original of each report to the State Office. The project 
performance reports should detail, preferably in a narrative format, 
activities that have transpired for the specific time period.
    H. The grantee will provide an audit report or financial statements 
as follows:
    1. Grantees expending $500,000 or more Federal funds per fiscal 
year will submit an audit conducted in accordance with OMB Circular A-
133.
    The audit will be submitted within 9 months after the grantee's 
fiscal year. Additional audits may be required if the project period 
covers more than one fiscal year.
    2. Grantees expending less than $500,000 will provide annual 
financial statements covering the grant period, consisting of the 
Grantee's statement of income and expense and balance sheet signed by 
an appropriate official of the Grantee. Financial statements will be 
submitted within 90 days after the grantee's fiscal year.

XIV. Agency Contacts

    A. Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water. The RUS' Web site 
maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for Technical 
Assistance and Training Grants program.
    B. Phone: 202-720-9583.
    C. Fax: 202-690-0649.
    D. E-mail: [email protected].
    E. Main point of contact: Anita O'Brien, Loan Specialist, Water and 
Environmental Programs, Water Programs Division, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    Dated: October 19, 2009.
Jonathan Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E9-29466 Filed 12-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P