[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 14, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49446-49450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19765]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Funds Availability for the Rural Microentrepreneur 
Assistance Program for Fiscal Year 2013

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the funds available for loans and grants 
under the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) pursuant to 
7 CFR part 4280, subpart D for fiscal year (FY) 2013.

    Total Funding: $12,224,613.35

    Technical Assistance (TA) Only Grants: $300,000
    Microlender TA Grants: $1,209,696.97
    Loans: $10,714,916.38

    The minimum loan amount a Microenterprise Development Organization 
(MDO) may borrow under this program is $50,000. The maximum loan any 
MDO may borrower in any given year is $500,000. The maximum amount of 
Technical Assistance (TA)-only grants in FY 2013 is $30,000 per grantee 
and total TA-only grants funding will not exceed 10 percent of

[[Page 49447]]

the amount appropriated to the RMAP program in the fiscal year. The 
commitment of program dollars will be made to applicants of selected 
responses that have fulfilled the necessary requirements for 
obligation.
    All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in 
developing their applications.

DATES: Applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis using Federal 
fiscal quarters; however the June 30, 2013, quarterly deadline is 
extended to September 13, 2013. Completed applications must be received 
in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State 
Offices no later than the deadline of September 13, 2013, to be 
considered for funds available in FY 2013. Applications received after 
a Federal fiscal quarter deadline will be reviewed and evaluated for 
funding in the next Federal fiscal quarter. Completed applications 
received after September 13, 2013, may be considered for funding in FY 
2013 subject to the availability of funds or will be considered for 
funds available in FY 2014.

ADDRESSES: Applications and forms may be obtained from any Rural 
Development State Office. Applicants must submit an original complete 
application to the USDA Rural Development State Office in the State 
where the applicant's headquarters is located. A list of the USDA Rural 
Development State Offices addresses and telephone numbers are listed 
below.

    Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.

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) 761-7707/TDD (907) 761-7783

Arizona

USDA Rural Development State Office, 230 N. 1st Ave., Suite 206, 
Phoenix, AZ 85003-1706, (602) 280-8701/TDD (602) 280-8881

Arkansas

USDA Rural Development State Office, 700 West Capitol Avenue, Room 
3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, 7(501) 301-3200/TDD (501) 301-3278

California

USDA Rural Development State Office, 430 G Street,  4169, 
Davis, CA 95616-4169, (530) 792-5800/TDD (530) 792-5837

Colorado

USDA Rural Development State Office, Denver Federal Center, Building 
56, Room 2300, P.O. Box 25426, Denver, CO 80225-0426, (720) 544-2903/
TDD (720) 544-2981

Delaware-Maryland

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1221 College Park Drive, Suite 
200, Dover, DE 19904, (302) 857-3580/TDD (302) 857-3640

Florida/Virgin Islands

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4440 NW 25th Place, Gainesville, 
FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3400/TDD (352) 338-3405

Georgia

USDA Rural Development State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 E. 
Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 30601-2768, (706) 546-2162/TDD (706) 546-
2152

Hawaii

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 311, 154 
Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 933-8380/TDD (808) 933-8327

Idaho

USDA Rural Development State Office, 9173 West Barnes Dr., Suite A1, 
Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378-5600/TDD (208) 378-5643

Illinois

USDA Rural Development State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, 
Champaign, IL 61821, (217) 403-6200/TDD (217) 403-6243

Indiana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, 
Indianapolis, IN 46278, (317) 290-3100 Ext. 4/TDD (317) 290-3127

Iowa

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

Kansas

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1303 SW. First American Place, 
Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040, (785) 271-2700/TDD (785) 271-2708

Kentucky

USDA Rural Development State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, 
Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224-7300/TDD (859) 224-7340

Louisiana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3727 Government Street, 
Alexandria, LA 71302, (318) 473-7920/TDD (318) 473-7661

Maine

USDA Rural Development State Office, 967 Illinois Avenue, Suite 4, 
Bangor, ME 04401-2767, (207) 990-9160/TDD (207) 942-7331

Massachusetts/Rhode Island/Connecticut

USDA Rural Development State Office, 451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst, 
MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-4300/TDD (413) 253-4347

Michigan

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, 
East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 324-5190/TDD (517) 324-5225

Minnesota

USDA Rural Development State Office, 375 Jackson Street, Suite 410, St. 
Paul, MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-7800/TDD (651) 602-7824

Mississippi

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 
W. Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269-1608, (601) 965-4316/TDD (601) 
965-4088

Missouri

USDA Rural Development State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade 
Center, Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203-2579, (573) 876-0976/TDD (573) 
876-0977

Montana

USDA Rural Development State Office, 2229 Boot Hill Court, Bozeman, MT 
59715, (406) 585-2530/TDD (406) 585-2565

Nebraska

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 
Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68508-3859, (402) 437-5551/TDD (402) 
437-5408

Nevada

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson 
City, NV 89703-9910, (775) 887-1222/TDD (775) 885-0841

[[Page 49448]]

New Jersey

USDA Rural Development State Office, 8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor 
North, Suite 500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054-1522, (856) 787-7700/TDD (856) 
787-7783

New Mexico

USDA Rural Development State Office, 6200 Jefferson Street, NE., Room 
255, Albuquerque, NM 87109-3434, (505) 761-4950/TDD (505) 761-4976

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) 477-6438

North Carolina

USDA Rural Development State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, 
Raleigh, NC 27609, (919) 873-2000/TDD (919) 873-2075

North Dakota

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 
East Rosser, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, (701) 530-2037/TDD (701) 530-2111

Ohio

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 
North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418, (614) 255-2400/TDD (614) 
255-2561

Oklahoma

USDA Rural Development State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, 
OK 74074-2654, (405) 742-1000/TDD (405) 742-1005

Oregon

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 801, 
Portland, OR 97232-1274, (503) 414-3300/TDD (503) 414-3387

Pennsylvania

USDA Rural Development State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, 
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2299/TDD (717) 237-2191

Puerto Rico

USDA Rural Development State Office, IBM Building, Suite 601, 654 Munos 
Rivera Avenue, San Juan, PR 00936-6106, (787) 766-5095/TDD (787) 766-
5844

South Carolina

USDA Rural Development State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 
1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201-2449, (803) 765-
5163/TDD (803) 765-5697

South Dakota

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 
Fourth Street, SW, Huron, SD 57350-2461, (605) 352-1100/TDD (605) 352-
1146

Tennessee

USDA Rural Development State Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 300, 
Nashville, TN 37203-1071, (615) 783-1300/FAX (615) 783-1301

Texas

USDA Rural Development State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 
South Main, Temple, TX 76501-7651, (254) 742-9700/TDD (254) 742-9709

Utah

USDA Rural Development State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal 
Building, 125 South State Street, Room 4311, Salt Lake City, UT 84138-
1106, (801) 524-4320/TDD (801) 524-4406

Vermont/New Hampshire

USDA Rural Development State Office, 87 Main Street, Suite 324, P.O. 
Box 249, Montpelier, VT 05601, (802) 828-6080/TDD (802) 828-6076

Virginia

USDA Rural Development State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 
Santa Rosa Road, 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) 704-7742

West Virginia

USDA Rural Development State Office, 1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 101, 
Morgantown, WV 26505, (304) 284-4860/TDD (304) 284-4891

Wisconsin

USDA Rural Development State Office, 5417 Clem's Way, Stevens Point, WI 
54482, (715) 345-7600/TDD (715) 345-7669

Wyoming

USDA Rural Development State Office, Dick Chaney Federal Building, 100 
East B Street, Room 1005, Casper, WY 82602-5006, (307) 233-6700/TDD 
(307) 233-6727


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on this 
Notice, please contact the USDA Rural Development State Office for your 
respective State, as provided in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Environmental Impact Statement

    This document has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940, 
subpart G, ``Environmental Program.'' Rural Development has determined 
that this action does not constitute a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, and in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 
42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., an Environmental Impact Statement is not 
required.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the paperwork 
burden associated with this Notice has been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0062.

Overview

    Federal Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (an agency 
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Rural Development mission 
area).
    Solicitation Opportunity Title: Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): The CFDA 
number for this Notice is 10.870.
DATES: Applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis using Federal 
fiscal quarters; however the June 30, 2013, quarterly deadline is 
extended to September 13, 2013. Completed applications must be received 
in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State 
Offices no later than the deadline of September 13, 2013, to be 
considered for funds available in FY 2013. Applications received after 
a Federal fiscal quarter deadline will be reviewed and evaluated for 
funding in the next Federal fiscal quarter. Completed applications 
received after September 13, 2013, may be considered for funding in FY 
2013 subject to the availability of funds or will be considered for 
funds available in FY 2014.
    Availability of Notice and Rule. This Notice and the interim rule 
for RMAP are available on the USDA Rural Development Web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_RMAP.html.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of RMAP is to support the 
development and ongoing success of rural microentrepreneurs and 
microenterprises (businesses generally

[[Page 49449]]

with 10 employees or fewer and in need of financing in the amount of 
$50,000 or less as defined in 7 CFR 4280.302).
    Assistance provided to rural areas under this program may include 
the provision of loans and grants to rural MDOs for the provision of 
microloans to rural microenterprises and microentrepreneurs; provision 
of business-based training and technical assistance to rural 
microborrowers and potential microborrowers; and other such activities 
as deemed appropriate by the Secretary to ensure the development and 
ongoing success of rural microenterprises.
    B. Statutory Authority. The RMAP is authorized by Section 379E of 
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 USC 2008s). 
Regulations are contained in 7 CFR Part 4280, subpart D.
    C. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this Notice 
are published at 7 CFR 4280.302.

II. Award Information

    A. Type of Award: Loan and/or Grant.
    B. Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2013.
    C. Total Funding: $12,224,613.35.
    Technical Assistance (TA) Only Grants: $300,000.
    Microlender TA Grants; $1,209,696.97.
    Loans: $10,714,916.38.
    D. Approximate Number of Awards: 50.
    E. Anticipated Award Date:
     Fourth Quarter, August 31, 2013.
    In the event some program funds allocated for a particular quarter 
of FY 2013 are not obligated, the remaining unobligated funds will be 
carried over to the next Federal fiscal quarter. Any FY 2013 funds not 
obligated under this Notice will be carried over into FY 2014.

III. Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible applicants. To be eligible for this program, the 
applicant must meet the eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 4280.310. As 
mentioned later in this Notice, regarding corporate Federal tax 
delinquencies, applicants that are not delinquent on any Federal debt 
or otherwise disqualified from participation in this program are 
eligible to apply. All other restrictions in this Notice will apply.

Corporate Felony Convictions and Corporate Felony Tax Delinquencies

    Applications from corporate applicants, submitted under this Notice 
must include Form AD 3030, ``Representations Regarding Felony 
Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.'' Awards 
to corporate applicants, under this Notice will be required to sign 
Form AD 3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent 
Status for Corporate Applicants.''
    B. Cost share requirements. The Federal share of the eligible 
project cost of a microborrower's project funded under this Notice 
shall not exceed 75 percent. The cost share requirement shall be met by 
the microlender in accordance with the requirements specified in 7 CFR 
4280.311(d).
    C. Matching fund requirements. The MDO is required to provide a 
match of not less than 15 percent of the total amount of the grant in 
the form of matching funds, indirect costs, or in-kind goods or 
services.
    D. Other eligibility requirements. Applications will only be 
accepted from eligible MDOs. Eligible MDOs must score a minimum of 70 
points out of 100 points to be considered to receive an award. Awards 
each Federal fiscal quarter will be based on ranking with the highest 
ranking applications being funded first, subject to available funding.
    E. Completeness eligibility. All applications must be submitted as 
a complete application, in one package. Applications will not be 
considered for funding if they do not provide sufficient information to 
determine eligibility or are unbound, falling apart, or otherwise not 
suitable for evaluation. Such applications will be withdrawn.

IV. Fiscal Year 2013 Application and Submission Information

    A. Application submittal. MDOs may submit an initial application 
for a loan with a microlender technical assistance grant or an initial 
or subsequent loan only (without a microlender technical assistance 
grant.) or a TA-only grant only. A MDO does not need to submit an 
application for its microlender technical assistance grant. The 
procedures for annual microlender technical assistance grants are 
addressed in section VI.
    Loan applications must be submitted in paper format. Grant 
applications may be submitted in either paper or electronic format via 
Grants.gov. If applications are submitted in paper format, they must be 
bound in a 3-ring binder and must be organized in the same order set 
forth in 7 CFR 4280.315. To ensure timely delivery, applicants are 
strongly encouraged to submit their applications using an overnight, 
express, or parcel delivery service.
    Applicants are encouraged to submit grant only applications through 
the Grants.gov Web site at: http://www.grants.gov. Users of Grants.gov 
will be able to download a copy of the grant application package, 
complete it off line, and then upload and submit the application via 
the Grants.gov Web site. USDA Rural Development strongly encourages 
applicants not to wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov.
    When applicants enter the Grants.gov Web site, they will find 
information about submitting a grant application electronically through 
the site as well as the hours of operation. Applicants may submit all 
documents electronically through the Web site, including all 
information required for a complete grant application and all necessary 
assurances and certifications under 7 CFR 4280.315. After 
electronically submitting an application through the Web site, the 
applicant will receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov 
that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. USDA Rural Development may 
request that the applicant provide original signatures on forms at a 
later date.
    Please note that applicants can locate the downloadable application 
package for this program by the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
Number, which is 10.870, or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which 
can be found at http://www.Grants.gov.
    Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All 
applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR Part 25, must have a Dun and 
Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number, which can be 
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711 or 
online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Similarly, all applicants for 
grants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) 
prior to submitting an application. Applicants may register for the SAM 
at http://www.sam.gov. All recipients of Federal financial assistance 
are required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and 
executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR Part 170.
    B. Content and form of submission. An application must contain all 
of the required elements outlined in 7 CFR 4280.315. Each application 
must address the applicable scoring criteria presented in 7 CFR 
4280.316 for the type of funding being requested.
    C. Submission dates and times. The original complete application 
must be received by the USDA Rural Development State Office no later 
than 4:30 p.m. local time by the application deadline dates listed 
above, regardless of the postmark date, in order to be

[[Page 49450]]

considered for funds available in that Federal fiscal quarter.
    Unless withdrawn by the applicant, completed applications that 
receive a score of at least 70 (the minimum required to be considered 
for funding), but have not yet been funded, will be retained by the 
Agency for consideration in subsequent reviews through a total of four 
consecutive quarterly reviews. Applications that remain unfunded after 
four quarterly reviews, including the initial quarter in which the 
application was competed, will not be considered further for an award.

V. Application Review Information

    Awards under this Notice will be made on a competitive basis each 
Federal fiscal quarter. Each application received in the USDA Rural 
Development State Office will be reviewed, scored, and ranked to 
determine if it is consistent with the program requirements. 
Applications will be scored based on the applicable scoring criteria 
contained in 7 CFR 4280.316. Failure to address any of the applicable 
scoring criteria will result in a zero-point score for that section. An 
application must receive at least 70 points to be considered for 
funding in the quarter in which it is scored.

VI. Subsequent Annual Microlender Technical Assistance Grants

    In accordance with 7 CFR 4280-D, section 4280.313(b)(2), 
``Microlender Technical Assistance (TA) grants will be limited to an 
amount equal to not more than 25 percent of the total outstanding 
balance of microloans made under this program and active by the 
microlender as of the date the grant is awarded for the first $400,000 
plus an additional 5 percent of the loan amount owed by the 
microborrowers to the lender under this program over $400,000 up to and 
including $2.5 million. Funds cannot be used to pay off the loans. Any 
grant dollars obligated, but not spent, from the initial grant, will be 
subtracted from the subsequent year grant to ensure that obligations 
cover only microloans made and active.''
    To determine the Microlender TA Grant awards for FY 2013, the 
Agency will use the Microlender's outstanding balance of microloans as 
of June 30, 2013, to calculate this amount. MDO's that are eligible for 
an annual grant may apply.
    Awards will be determined non-competitively based on Agency 
appropriations for the fiscal year. The MDO must submit a prescribed 
worksheet listing outstanding balance of their microloans and 
unexpended grant funds as of the date of their request, a signed SF 424 
and a letter certifying that their organization still meets all the 
requirements set forth in 7 CFR 4280 and that no significant changes 
have occurred within the last year that would affect its ability to 
carry out their MDO functions. In addition, all MDOs who request 
Subsequent Annual Microlender Technical Assistance Grants must complete 
their reporting into the Lenders Interactive Network Connection (LINC) 
for the Federal fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2013. The application 
deadline for this assistance is no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on 
July 31, 2013.

VII. Award Administration Information

    Successful applicants will receive notification for funding from 
the USDA Rural Development State Office. Applicants must comply with 
all applicable statutes and regulations before the award will be 
approved. Unsuccessful applications will receive notification by mail.

VIII. Agency Contacts

    For general questions about this Notice, please contact your USDA 
Rural Development State Office as provided in the Addresses section of 
this Notice.

Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the 
bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender 
identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, 
marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all 
or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance 
program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any 
program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all 
prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment 
activities.)
    If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of 
discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form 
(PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the 
form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information 
requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to 
us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, 
by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].
    Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech 
disabilities and you wish to file either an EEO or program complaint 
please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 
or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
    Persons with disabilities, who wish to file a program complaint, 
please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or 
by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program 
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

     Dated: July 30, 2013.
Lillian E. Salerno,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-19765 Filed 8-13-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P