Federal Register, Volume 76 Issue 43 (Friday, March 4, 2011)

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12017-12022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4751]

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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 solicitation of applications.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural
Utilities Service (RUS) announces the availability of $25 million in
funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 for the Community Connect Grant
Program. This funding represents carry over balances from prior
Appropriations Acts. This notice is being issued prior to passage of a
final Appropriations Act for FY 2011, to allow potential applicants
time to submit proposals and give the Agency time to process
applications within the current fiscal year. RUS will publish a
subsequent notice identifying the amount received in the final
Appropriations Act, if any. Expenses incurred in developing

[[Page 12018]]

applications will be at the applicant's risk. For FY 2010, Congress
appropriated approximately $17.9 million. 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
May 3, 2011 to be eligible for FY 2011 grant funding. Late applications
are not eligible for FY 2011 grant funding.
Electronic copies must be received by May 3, 2011 to be
eligible for FY 2011 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible
for FY 2011 grant funding.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain application guides and materials for the
Community Connect Grant Program via the Internet at the following Web
site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/utp_commconnect.html. You may also
request application guides and materials from RUS by contacting the
appropriate individual listed in section VII of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this notice.
Submit completed paper applications for grants to the Rural
Utilities Service, 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 Utilities Service.''
Submit electronic grant applications at http://www.grants.gov
(Grants.gov), following the instructions you find on that Web site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Kuchno, Director, Broadband
Division, Rural Utilities Service, 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
May 3, 2011, to be eligible for FY 2011 grant funding. Late
applications are not eligible for FY 2011 grant funding.
Electronic copies must be received by May 3, 2011, to be
eligible for FY 2011 grant funding. Late applications are not eligible
for FY 2011 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, on a ``community-oriented
connectivity'' basis, with broadband transmission service that fosters
economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and
public safety services. Rural Utilities Service will give priority to
rural areas that it believes have the greatest need for broadband
transmission services, based on the criteria contained herein.
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 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 2011 under 7 CFR 1739.2(a).
2. Grants
a. $25 million is available for grants from prior year
appropriations. Under 7 CFR 1739.2, the Administrator has established a
minimum grant amount of $50,000 and a maximum grant amount of
$1,500,000 for FY 2011.
b. Assistance instrument: Rural Development will execute grant
documents appropriate to the project prior to any advance of funds with
successful applicants. B. Community Connect grants cannot be renewed.
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.

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,
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. Please see 7 CFR 1739.14 for
the requirement. Grant applicants must

[[Page 12019]]

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 Community recognized in the latest U.S. Census or the
most recent edition of the Rand McNally Atlas containing population
data;
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 2 years.

C. See paragraph IV.B 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 2011

1. Although 7 CFR 1739.3 defines Broadband Transmission Service as
200 kilobits/second both in the downstream and upstream directions, the
Agency recognizes that these speeds are not adequate to deliver much
needed benefits such as distance learning and telemedicine to
communities that are not currently receiving broadband service.
Therefore, when the applications are scored for the ``community-
oriented connectivity benefits derived from the proposed services''
emphasis will be placed on the amount of bandwidth that is being
delivered to the customer. Although the amount of bandwidth is not the
only item that will be evaluated for this criteria, the bandwidth being
provided to enhance rural economic development will have a direct
impact on the score that is assigned. All applicants are encouraged to
construct systems that are capable of delivering the broadband speeds
that are identified in the Federal Communications Commission's National
Broadband Plan.
2. When determining the points that will be awarded for the
``community-oriented connectivity'' benefits derived from the proposed
service, systems that are proposing to deliver more than the minimum
bandwidth requirements have a greater potential of receiving the
maximum number of points for this category.
3. When determining if a community has no existing broadband
service, applicants are encouraged to refer to the Federal
Communication Commission's National Broadband Map.
4. Rural Development clarifies that the definition of ``Critical
Community Facilities'' includes the mandatory Community Center.
5. 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. If the appropriate funding commitments are not included
in the application, the application will be deemed ineligible for
consideration. This evidence must:
a. Clearly state the name of the entity that is making the
commitment;
b. Include the amount of the commitment; and
c. State the purpose of commitment.
6. Rural Development clarifies that in order to qualify as eligible
costs for grant coverage or matching fund contributions, operating
expenses incurred in providing Broadband Transmission Service to
Critical Community Facilities for the first 2 years of operation and in
providing training and instruction must be for the following purposes
subject to the specified maximum amounts:
a. Salary for operations manager, not to exceed $30,000 per year.
b. Salary for technical support staff, not to exceed $30,000 per
year.
c. Salary for community center staff, not to exceed $25,000 per
year.
d. Bandwidth expenses, not to exceed $25,000 per year.
e. Training courses on the use of the Internet, not to exceed
$15,000 per year.
The operating costs to be funded by the grant or used as matching
contributions cannot exceed in the aggregate $250,000. No other
operating expenses are eligible for grant funding or to be considered
as matching funds. The period for expenses to be considered eligible
for grant funding or to be used as an in-kind match is three years from
the date the Administrator signs the award documents.
7. Community means any incorporated or unincorporated town,
village, or borough located in a Rural Area, that is recognized in the
latest decennial census as published by the Bureau of the Census or in
the most recent edition of a Rand McNally Atlas containing population
data.
8. Rural Development clarifies that the economic need of the
applicant's service territory will be based on the median household
income (MHI) for the Community serviced and the state in which the
Community is located, as determined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census at
http://factfinder.census.gov. If the community was qualified using the
Rand McNally Atlas, the applicant must use the MHI, contained in the
latest decennial census, of the county in which the Community resides
as the Community MHI.

B. Where To Get Application Information

The application guide, copies of necessary forms and samples, and
the Community Connect Grant Program regulation are available from these
sources:
1. The Internet: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/utp_commconnect.html.
2. The Rural Development Broadband Division, for paper copies of
these materials: (202) 690-4673.

C. What constitutes a completed application?

1. Detailed information on each item required can be found in the
Community Connect Grant Program regulation 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. Applicants must use the
Rural Development Application Guide for this program containing
instructions and all necessary forms, as

[[Page 12020]]

well as other important information, in preparing their application.
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,
including, 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, 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 Community-Oriented Connectivity Plan.
g. Financial information and sustainability. The applicant must
provide financial statements and information and a narrative
description demonstrating the sustainability of the Project.
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 with RUS and to perform the activities proposed under
the grant application.
j. Funding commitment from other sources. If the Project requires
additional 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. DUNS Number.
As required by the OMB, all applicants for grants must supply a Dun
and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when
applying. The Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a field for you to
use when supplying your DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS number costs
nothing and requires a short telephone call to Dun and Bradstreet.
Please see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/request_duns_number.jsp
for more information on how to obtain a DUNS number or how to verify
your organization's number.
l. Central Contractor Registration (CCR).
(a) In accordance with 2 CFR part 25, applicants, whether applying
electronically or by paper, must be registered in the CCR prior to
submitting an application. Applicants may register for the CCR at
https://www.uscontractorregistration.com/ or by calling 1-877-252-2700.
Completing the CCR registration process takes up to five business days,
and applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process well in
advance of the deadline specified in this notice.
(b) The CCR registration must remain active, with current
information, at all times during which an entity has an application
under consideration by an agency or has an active Federal Award. To
remain registered in the CCR database after the initial registration,
the applicant is required to review and update, on an annual basis from
the date of initial registration or subsequent updates, its information
in the CCR database to ensure it is current, accurate and complete.
m. 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.

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 Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW.,
Room 2868, STOP 1599, Washington, DC 20250-1599. Applications should be
marked ``Attention: Director, Broadband Division, Rural Utilities
Service.''
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) Applicant may file an electronic application at http://www.grants.gov. Applications will not be accepted via facsimile machine
transmission or electronic mail. Grants.gov contains full instructions
on all required passwords, credentialing, and software. Follow the
instructions at Grants.gov for registering and submitting an electronic
application. If a system problem or technical difficulty occurs with an
electronic application, please use the customer support resources
available at the Grants.gov Web site.
(b) First time Grants.gov users should go to the ``Get Started''
tab on the Grants.gov site and carefully read and follow the steps
listed. These steps need to be initiated early in the application
process to avoid delays in submitting your application online.

[[Page 12021]]

(c) Registering with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR), will
take some time to complete, so keep that in mind when beginning the
application process. In order to register with the CCR, your
organization will need a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number.

F. Deadlines

1. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or
sent overnight no later than May 3, 2011 to be eligible for FY 2011
grant funding. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2011 grant
funding.
2. Electronic grant applications must be received by May 3, 2011 to
be eligible for FY 2011 funding. Late applications are not eligible for
FY 2011 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 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 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 ``community-oriented connectivity'' benefits derived from
the proposed service (up to 30 points).

B. Review Standards

1. All applications for grants must be delivered to Rural Utilities
Service at the address and by the date specified in this notice (see
also 7 CFR 1739.2) to be eligible for funding. Rural Utilities Service
will review each application for conformance with the provisions of
this part. Rural Utilities Service 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 Rural Utilities Service employees selected
by the Administrator of Rural Utilities Service, 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

Grant applications are ranked by final score. Rural Development
selects applications based on those rankings, subject to the
availability of funds.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

Rural Utilities Service recognizes that each funded project is
unique, and therefore may attach conditions to different projects'
award documents. Rural Utilities Service generally notifies applicants
whose projects are selected for awards by faxing an award letter. Rural
Utilities Service 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.
3. Recipient and Subrecipient Reporting. The applicant must have
the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the
reporting requirements for first-tier sub-awards and executive
compensation under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency
Act of 2006 in the event the applicant receives funding unless such
applicant is exempt from such reporting requirements pursuant to 2 CFR
part 170, Sec. 170.110(b). The reporting requirements under the
Transparency Act pursuant to 2 CFR part 170 are as follows:
a. First Tier Sub-Awards of $25,000 or more in non-Recovery Act
funds (unless they are exempt under 2 CFR Part 170) must be reported by
the Recipient to http://www.fsrs.gov no later than the end of the month
following the month the obligation was made.
b. The Total Compensation of the Recipient's Executives (5 most
highly

[[Page 12022]]

compensated executives) must be reported by the Recipient (if the
Recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR Part 170) to http://www.ccr.gov by the end of the month following the month in which the
award was made.
c. The Total Compensation of the Subrecipient's Executives (5 most
highly compensated executives) must be reported by the Subrecipient (if
the Subrecipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 170) to the
Recipient by the end of the month following the month in which the
subaward was made.

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 Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Dated: February 18, 2011.
Jonathan Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-4751 Filed 3-3-11; 8:45 am]
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