[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 110 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33704-33709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13835]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Inviting Applications for Rural Business Opportunity Grants

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

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SUMMARY: USDA announces the availability of grants through the Rural 
Business Opportunity Grant Program (RBOG) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. 
Public bodies, nonprofit corporations, institutions of higher 
education, Indian tribes on Federal or State reservations and other 
Federally Recognized Native American Tribes or tribal groups, and rural 
cooperatives may apply. Approximately $2.37 million is available in 
reserved and unreserved funding and will be distributed as follows: 
$1,140,610.78 is reserved for projects benefitting Federally Recognized 
Native American Tribes (Native American) in rural areas and $1,230,020 
is unreserved. Applications for unreserved funding are limited to 
$50,000 or less. Applications for reserved funding have no limit. See 7 
CFR Part 4284, subpart G.

DATES: Your application must be received by August 6, 2012, or it will 
not be considered for funding.

ADDRESSES: You should contact a USDA Rural Development State Office 
(State Office) if you have questions or need a copy of the application 
forms. Applications may be submitted in electronic or paper format. If 
you want to submit an electronic application, follow the instructions 
for the RBOG funding announcement on www.grants.gov. If you want to 
submit a paper application, send it to the State Office located in the 
State where the project is located. In the case of a multi-state 
project, you must submit your application to the State Office located 
in the State where the majority of the work will be conducted. A list 
of State Offices and their contact information follows:

Alabama

USDA Rural Development State Office, Sterling Centre, Suite 601, 
4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, (334) 279-3400/TDD 
(334) 279-3495

Alaska

USDA Rural Development State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, 
Palmer, AK 99645-6539, (907) 761-7705/TDD (907) 761-8905

Arizona

USDA Rural Development State Office, 230 N. 1st Ave., Suite 206, 
Phoenix, AZ 85003, (602) 280-8701/TDD (602) 280-8705

Arkansas

USDA Rural Development State Office, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 
3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, (501) 301-3200/TDD (501) 301-3279

American Samoa (see Hawaii)

California

USDA Rural Development State Office, 430 G Street, 4169, 
Davis, CA 95616-4169, (530) 792-5800/TDD (530) 792-5848

Colorado

USDA Rural Development State Office, Denver Federal Center, Building 
56, Room 2300, P.O. Box 25426, Denver, CO 80225-0426, (720) 544-2903

Connecticut (see Massachusetts)

Delaware-Maryland

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 
200, Dover, DE 19904, (302) 857-3580/TDD (302) 857-3585

Federated States of Micronesia (see Hawaii)

Florida/Virgin Islands

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4440 NW 25th Place, P.O. Box 
147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3400/TDD (352) 338-
3499

Georgia

USDA Rural Development State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 
E. Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601-2768, (706) 546-2162/TDD (706) 
546-2034

Guam (see Hawaii)

Hawaii

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 
Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 933-8380/TDD (808) 933-8321

Idaho

USDA Rural Development State Office, 9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite 
A1, Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378-5600/TDD (208) 378-5644

Illinois

USDA Rural Development State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, 
Champaign, IL 61821, (217) 403-6200/TDD (217) 403-6240

Indiana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, 
Indianapolis, IN 46278, (317) 290-3100/TDD (317) 290-3343

Iowa

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 873, 210 
Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, (515) 284-4663/TDD (515) 284-
4858

[[Page 33705]]

Kansas

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1303 SW. First American Place, 
Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040, (785) 271-2700/TDD (785) 271-2767

Kentucky

USDA Rural Development State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, 
Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224-7300/TDD (859) 224-7422

Louisiana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3727 Government Street, 
Alexandria, LA 71302, (318) 473-7921/TDD (318) 473-7655

Maine

USDA Rural Development State Office, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, 
P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9160/TDD (207) 942-
7331

Marshall Islands (see Hawaii)

Maryland (see Delaware)

Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Connecticut

USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, 
Amherst, MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4300/TDD (413) 253-4590

Michigan

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, 
East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 324-5190/TDD (517) 324-5169

Minnesota

USDA Rural Development State Office, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 410, 
St. Paul, MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-7800/TDD (651) 602-3799

Mississippi

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 
100 West Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965-4316/TDD (601) 
965-5850

Missouri

USDA Rural Development State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, 
Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876-0976/TDD 
(573) 876-9480

Montana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 2229 Boot Hill Court, Bozeman, 
MT 59715-7914, (406) 585-2580/TDD (406) 585-2562

Nebraska

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 
Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 437-5551/TDD (402) 
437-5093

Nevada

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson 
City, NV 89703-5146, (775) 887-1222/TDD 7-1-1

New Hampshire (see Vermont)

New Jersey

USDA Rural Development State Office, 8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor 
North, Suite 500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, (856) 787-7700/TDD (856) 
787-7784

New Mexico

USDA Rural Development State Office, 6200 Jefferson Street NE., Room 
255, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-4950/TDD (505) 761-4938

New York

USDA Rural Development State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 
South Salina Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-
6400/TDD (315) 477-6447

North Carolina

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, 
Raleigh, NC 27609, (919) 873-2000/TDD (919) 873-2003

North Dakota

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 
East Rosser, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, (701) 530-2037/
TDD (701) 530-2113

Northern Mariana Islands (see Hawaii)

Ohio

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 
North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418, (614) 255-2400/TDD (614) 
255-2554

Oklahoma

USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, 
Stillwater, OK 74074-2654, (405) 742-1000/TDD (405) 742-1007

Oregon

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 801, 
Portland, OR 97232, (503) 414-3300/TDD (503) 414-3387

Palau (see Hawaii)

Pennsylvania

USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 
330, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2299/TDD (717) 237-2261

Puerto Rico

USDA Rural Development State Office, IBM Building, Suite 601, 654 
Munos Rivera Avenue, San Juan, PR 00918-6106, (787) 766-5095/TDD 
(787) 766-5332

Rhode Island (see Massachusetts)

South Carolina

USDA Rural Development State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal 
Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 
765-5163/TDD (803) 765-5697

South Dakota

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 
Fourth Street, SW, Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1100/TDD (605) 352-
1147

Tennessee

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 
300, Nashville, TN 37203-1084, (615) 783-1300

Texas

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 
101 South Main, Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9700/TDD (254) 742-9712

Utah

USDA Rural Development State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal 
Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 
84138, (801) 524-4321/TDD (801) 524-3309

Vermont/New Hampshire

USDA Rural Development State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main 
Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6080/TDD (802) 223-6365

Virgin Islands (see Florida)

Virginia

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 
238, Richmond, VA 23229-5014, (804) 287-1550/TDD (804) 287-1753

Washington

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard SW., 
Suite B, Olympia, WA 98512-5715, (360) 704-7740/TDD (360) 704-7760

West Virginia

USDA Rural Development State Office, 75 High Street, Room 320, 
Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4860/TDD (304) 284-4836

Western Pacific (see Hawaii)

Wisconsin

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens 
Point, WI 54481, (715) 345-7600/TDD (715) 345-7614

Wyoming

USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 East B, Federal Building, 
Room 1005, P.O. Box 11005, Casper, WY 82602-5006, (307) 233-6700/TDD 
(307) 233-6733

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of the Deputy Administrator, 
Cooperative Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., MS-3250, Room 
4016-South, Washington, DC 20250-3250, (202) 720-7558.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS).
    Funding Opportunity Type: Rural Business Opportunity Grants.
    Announcement Type: Funding Announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.773.
    Dates: Application Deadline: You must submit your application by 
August 6, 2012, to be eligible for FY 2012 grant funding. Applications 
submitted after

[[Page 33706]]

the deadline date will not be eligible for FY 2012 grant funding.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The RBOG program is authorized under section 306(a)(11) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C. 
1926(a)(11)).
    The primary objective of the program is to improve the economic 
conditions of rural areas. Assistance provided to rural areas under 
this program includes the following:
     Rural business incubators
     Technology-based economic development
     Feasibility studies and business plans
     Long-term business strategic planning
     Leadership and entrepreneur training

In addition, we are encouraging applications that will support regional 
economic development.

Definitions

    The terms you need to know are published at 7 CFR 4284.3 and 
4284.603.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2012.
    Total Funding: $2.37 million distributed as follows: $1,140,610.78 
is reserved for projects benefitting Native Americans in rural areas 
and $1,230,020 is unreserved.
    Maximum Award: $50,000 for unreserved funds; no maximum for Native 
American reserved funds.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2012.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Grants may be made to public bodies, nonprofit corporations, 
institutions of higher education, Indian tribes on Federal or State 
reservations and other Federally recognized tribal groups, and 
cooperatives with members that are primarily rural residents.
    An applicant must obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number (see Section IV.B.) and register in the 
Central Contractor Registry (CCR) prior to submitting an application. 
(See 2 CFR 25.200(b).) In addition, an applicant must maintain its 
registration in the CCR database during the time its application is 
active. Finally, an applicant must have the necessary processes and 
systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR 
170.200(b), as long as it is not exempted from reporting. Exemptions 
are identified at 2 CFR 170.110(b).
    For additional information on applicant eligibility, see 7 CFR 
4284.620.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Matching funds are not required.

C. Other Eligibility Requirements

    Your application must propose to use project funds, including grant 
and other contributions committed under the evaluation criterion 
located at 7 CFR 4284.639(c), for eligible purposes (see 7 CFR 
4284.621). Also, the proposed project must benefit a rural area; thus, 
all ultimate recipients of services provided through the project must 
either reside in a rural area (if an individual) or be located in a 
rural area (if a business).
    Project funds cannot be used for construction, planning a facility, 
engineering work, or revolving loan funds. See 7 CFR 4284.10 and 
4284.629 for more information on ineligible uses of funds. However, if 
you include funds in your budget that are for ineligible purposes, we 
will consider your application for funding if the ineligible purposes 
total 10 percent or less of your total project budget. However, if your 
application is successful, those ineligible costs must be removed 
before we will make the grant award. If we cannot determine the 
percentage of ineligible costs, your application will not be considered 
for funding.
    Additionally, awards made under this announcement are subject to 
the provisions contained in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food 
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012, 
Public Law 112-55, Division A, Sections 738 and 739 regarding corporate 
felony convictions and corporate federal tax delinquencies. You must 
provide representation as to whether your organization or any officers 
or agents of your organization has or has not been convicted of a 
felony criminal violation under Federal or State law in the 24 months 
preceding the date of application. In addition, you must provide 
representation as to whether your organization has or does not have any 
unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all 
judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have 
lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an 
agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax 
liability. To comply with these provisions, you must include the 
following in your application. All applicants must complete the 
paragraph (1) of this representation, and all corporate applicants also 
must complete paragraphs (2) and (3) of this representation.
    (1) [INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] is -- is not ------ (check one) an 
entity that has filed articles of incorporation in one of the fifty 
states, the District of Columbia, or the various territories of the 
United States including American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, 
Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic 
of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands. (Note 
that this includes both for-profit and non-profit organizations.)
    If you checked ``is'' above, you must complete paragraphs (2) and 
(3) of the representation. If you checked ``is not'' above, you may 
leave the remainder of the representation blank.
    (2) [INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] has -- has not ------ (check one) 
been convicted of a felony criminal violation under Federal or State 
law in the 24 months preceding the date of application. [INSERT NAME OF 
APPLICANT] has -- has not ------ (check one) had any officer or agent 
convicted of a felony criminal violation for actions taken on behalf of 
[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] under Federal or State law in the 24 months 
preceding the date of signature.
    (3) [INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] has -- does not have ------ (check 
one) any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which 
all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have 
lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an 
agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax 
liability.
    Finally, if you have an existing RBOG award, you must be performing 
satisfactorily to be considered eligible for a new award. Satisfactory 
performance includes, but is not limited to, being up-to-date on all 
financial and performance reports and being current on all tasks as 
approved in the work plan.

D. Completeness Eligibility

    Your application will not be considered for funding if it does not 
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or is missing 
required elements. In particular, you must include a project budget 
that identifies each task to be performed, along with the time period 
of performance for each task, and the amounts of grant funds and other 
contributions needed for each task. For

[[Page 33707]]

more information on what is required for an application, see 7 CFR 
4284.638.

IV. Fiscal Year 2012 Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application Package

    For further information, you should contact the USDA Rural 
Development State Office identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
Notice to obtain copies of the application package.

B. Content and Form of Submission

    Your application must contain all of the required elements 
described at 7 CFR 4284.638. You may submit your application in paper 
form or electronically. If you submit in paper form, any forms 
requiring signatures must include an original signature.
    To submit an application electronically, you must use the 
Grants.gov Web site at: http://www.grants.gov. You may not submit an 
application electronically in any way other than through Grants.gov.
     When you enter the Grants.gov Web site, you will find 
information about submitting an application electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
     To use Grants.gov, you must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data 
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which can be obtained at no 
cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711. We strongly 
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
begin the application process through Grants.gov.
     Before submitting an application you must be registered 
and maintain registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 
database. (See 2 CFR Part 215.) You may register for the CCR at https://www.uscontractorregistration.com/, or by calling (877) 252-2700.
     You must submit all of your application documents 
electronically through Grants.gov.
     After electronically submitting an application through 
Grants.gov, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from 
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number.
     You may be required to provide original signatures on 
forms at a later date.
     You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application 
package for this program by using a keyword, the program name, the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number, or the Funding 
Opportunity Number.

C. Submission Date and Time

    Application Deadline date: August 6, 2012.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Complete paper applications must be in 
the USDA Rural Development State Office by the deadline date, 4 p.m. 
local time. Electronic applications submitted through Grants.gov will 
be accepted by the system through midnight eastern time on the deadline 
date.

V. Application Review Information

    We will review each application to determine if it is eligible for 
assistance based on the requirements in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G as 
well as other applicable Federal regulations. Eligible applications 
will be tentatively scored by the USDA Rural Development State Offices 
and submitted to the National Office for final review and selection.
    You must address each selection criterion outlined in 7 CFR 
4284.639 in your application. Any criterion not substantively addressed 
will receive zero points.
    To assist you with addressing each criterion, we are providing what 
we consider to be necessary documentation as well as how we will score 
each criterion below.
    1. Sustainability of Economic Development (7 CFR 4284.639(a)). You 
must identify the economic development (see 7 CFR 4284.603 for a 
definition) that will occur as a result of your project and describe 
how that development will be sustainable without any assistance from 
governments (including local, State, and Federal) or other 
organizations outside the community. Sustainability may include, but is 
not limited to, user fees or a continuing source of funds from a 
community organization. We will score the criterion as follows:
     0 points if you do not identify at least one type of 
economic development.
     1-2 points if you identify at least one type of economic 
development, but are unable to reasonably quantify it or demonstrate 
sustainability.
     3-4 points if you identify at least one type of economic 
development and reasonably quantify it.
     5-6 points if you identify at least one type of economic 
development, reasonably quantify it, and demonstrate that it can be 
sustained for at least 1 year after the completion of the project 
through user fees, community organization support, or other non-
governmental methods.
     7-8 points if you identify at least one type of economic 
development, reasonably quantify it, and demonstrate that it can be 
sustained for at least 3 years after the completion of the project 
through user fees, community organization support, or other non-
governmental methods.
     9-10 points if you identify at least one type of economic 
development, reasonably quantify it, and demonstrate that it can be 
sustained for at least 5 years after the completion of the project 
through user fees, community organization support, or other non-
governmental methods.
    2. Improvements in the Quality of Economic Activity (7 CFR 
4284.639(b)). You must quantitatively describe how your project will 
improve the economic activity in your service area through higher 
wages, improved benefits, greater career potential, and/or the use of 
higher level skills than are currently typical. We will score the 
criterion as follows:
     0 points if you do not quantitatively describe at least 
one way your project will improve the economic activity in your service 
area.
     1-2 points if you quantitatively describe one way your 
project will improve the economic activity in your service area.
     3-4 points if you quantitatively describe two ways your 
project will improve the economic activity in your service area.
     5-6 points if you quantitatively describe three ways your 
project will improve the economic activity in your service area.
     7-8 points if you quantitatively describe four ways your 
project will improve the economic activity in your service area.
     9-10 points if you quantitatively describe five or more 
ways your project will improve the economic activity in your service 
area.
    3. Other Contributions (7 CFR 4284.639(c)). You must provide 
documentation indicating who will be providing the other source of 
funds, the amount of funds, when those funds will be provided, and how 
the funds will be used in the project budget. Examples of acceptable 
documentation include: a signed letter from the source of funds stating 
the amount of funds, when the funds will be provided, and what the 
funds can be used for or a signed resolution from your governing board 
authorizing the use of a specified amount of funds for specific 
components of the project. The other contributions you identify must be 
specifically dedicated to the project and cannot include your 
organization's general operating budget. No credit will be given for 
in-kind donations of time, goods, and/or services from any

[[Page 33708]]

organization, including the applicant organization. We will score the 
criterion as follows:
     0 points if your other contributions total 25 percent or 
less of the total project cost.
     10 points if your other contributions are greater than 25 
and 50 percent of the total project cost.
     20 points if your other contributions are more than 50 
percent and less than or equal to 80 percent of the total project cost.
     30 points if your other contributions are more than 80 
percent of the total project cost.
    4. Major Natural Disaster (7 CFR 4284.639(d)(1)). You must provide 
a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster reference number 
for any disasters that occurred within 3 years of the application 
deadline in the counties in the project service area. We will award 15 
points if a FEMA disaster reference number is provided for the majority 
of the counties in your service area; otherwise we will award 0 points.
    5. Fundamental Structural Change (7 CFR 4284.639(d)(2)). You must 
describe a structural change (for example, the loss of major employer 
or closing of a military base) that occurred within or affected one or 
more of the counties in the project service area. The structural change 
must have occurred within the 3 years prior to submitting your 
application. We will award 15 points if the structural change affected 
the majority of the counties in your service area and if it caused the 
loss of at least 100 jobs; otherwise we will award 0 points.
    6. Long-Term Poverty (7 CFR 4284.639(d)(3)). You must provide the 
percentage of residents living below the poverty level from the 1990 
and the 2010 decennial censuses for all counties and all States in the 
service area. We will award 10 points if the majority of counties in 
the service area have a percentage of residents living below that 
poverty level that is above the state percentage in both the 1990 and 
the 2010 censuses; otherwise we will award 0 points.
    7. Long-Term Population Decline (7 CFR 4284.639(d)(4)). You must 
provide population statistics from the 1990 and the 2010 decennial 
censuses for all counties in the service area. We will award 10 points 
if the majority of the counties in the service area experienced a net 
loss of population between 1990 and 2010; otherwise we will award 0 
points.
    8. Long-Term Job Deterioration (7 CFR 4284.639(d)(5)). You must 
provide the unemployment rate from the 1990 and 2010 decennial censuses 
for all counties in the service area. We will award 10 points if the 
majority of counties in the service area experienced an increase in the 
unemployment rate between 1990 and 2010; otherwise we will award 0 
points.
    9. Best Practices (7 CFR 4284.639(e)). You must describe how your 
project could be replicated, including any potentially necessary 
modifications, in other communities or service areas. We will score the 
criterion as follows:
     0 points if your project could not be replicated.
     1-3 points if your project could be replicated in another 
community, but with substantial modifications.
     4-6 points if your project could be replicated in another 
community, but with moderate modifications.
     7-10 points if your project could be replicated in another 
community, with minimal modifications.
    10. Discretionary Points (7 CFR 4284.639(f)). If you wish to be 
considered for discretionary points, your application must include a 
description of the following:
     The project service area, and/or
     The special importance for implementation of a regional 
strategic plan in partnership with other organizations, and/or
     The extraordinary potential for success of the project due 
to superior project plans or qualifications of your organization, 
including the key personnel for the project.
    Because awarding these points is completely at the option of the 
State Director or the Administrator, no additional point break down can 
be provided.
    The National Office will review the scores based on the grant 
selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR 4284.639 and this 
Notice. Applications will be funded in rank order.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    If your application is successful, you will receive notification 
regarding funding from the Rural Development State Office where the 
application was submitted. You must comply with all applicable statutes 
and regulations before the grant award will be approved. If your 
application is not successful, you will receive notification, including 
mediation procedures and appeal rights, by mail.
    All adverse determinations regarding applicant eligibility and the 
awarding of points as part of the selection process are appealable (see 
7 CFR part 11). Instructions on the appeal process will be provided at 
the time an applicant is notified of the adverse decision.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this 
program can be found in 7 CFR part 4284, subparts A and G, parts 3015, 
3016, 3019, 3052, and 2 CFR parts 215 and 417. All recipients of 
Federal financial assistance are required to comply with the Federal 
Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 and must report 
information about subawards and executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 
170). These recipients must also maintain their registration in the CCR 
database as long as their grants are active. 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.
     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 Requirement (Grants).''
     Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''

VII. Agency Contacts

    If you have questions about this Notice, please contact the USDA 
Rural Development State Office located in your State as identified in 
the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

VIII. Nondiscrimination Statement

    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

[[Page 33709]]

Adjudication and Compliance, 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: May 21, 2012.
John Padalino,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-13835 Filed 6-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P