[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25102-25108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10080]


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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 (RBOG) Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. 
Governmental entities, nonprofit

[[Page 25103]]

corporations, institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes may 
apply. Approximately $2.25 million is available in reserved funding and 
will be distributed as follows: $1,330,180 is reserved for projects 
benefitting Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (``Native 
American'') in rural areas (see Pub. L. 113-76) and $919,820 is 
reserved until August 15, 2014 for projects benefitting Rural Economic 
Area Partnerships (``Partnerships'') (see P.L. 113-76, Sec. 746). Any 
Partnership funds unobligated after August 15, 2014, will be unreserved 
RBOG funds for business opportunity projects. Applications are limited 
to $100,000 or less. See 7 CFR part 4284, subpart G for additional 
program information.

DATES: Complete applications must be submitted on paper or 
electronically according to the following deadlines:
    Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent 
overnight no later than June 17, 2014, to be eligible for FY 2014 grant 
funding. Paper applications should be sent to the state office located 
in the state where the project is located. An applicant may also hand 
carry their application to Rural Development field office, but it must 
be received by close of business on the deadline date.
    If you would like to submit an electronic application, you must 
follow the instructions for the RBOG funding announcement on 
www.grants.gov. If you would like to submit an electronic application, 
your application must be received by http://www.grants.gov no later 
than midnight eastern time June 13, 2014, to be eligible for FY 2014 
grant funding. You should review the Grants.gov Web site at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions 
on the process of registering your organization as soon as possible to 
ensure that you are able to meet the electronic application deadline.
    If you do not meet the deadline for submitting an electronic 
application, you may submit a paper application by the deadline as 
discussed above. Applications that are submitted after the above 
deadlines will not be eligible for FY 2014 grant funding.

ADDRESSES: You should contact a Rural Development 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 submit an 
electronic application, you must follow the instructions for the RBOG 
funding announcement on www.grants.gov. If you want to submit a paper 
application, the application should be sent 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 Rural Development 
State Office located in the State where the majority of the work will 
be conducted. You can find the address for your Rural Development State 
Office at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.

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: Initial Funding Announcement
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.773
    Dates: To be eligible for FY 2014 funding, complete applications 
must be submitted on paper or electronically according to the following 
deadlines:
    Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent 
overnight no later than June 17, 2014, to be eligible for FY 2014 grant 
funding. You may also hand carry your application to one of Rural 
Development's field offices, but it must be received by close of 
business on the deadline date. Late applications are not eligible for 
FY 2014 grant funding.
    Electronic copies must be received by http://www.grants.gov no 
later than midnight eastern time June 13, 2014, to be eligible for FY 
2014 grant funding. You should review the Grants.gov Web site at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions 
on the process of registering your organization as soon as possible to 
ensure that you are able to meet the electronic application deadline.
    If you do not meet the deadline for submitting an electronic 
application, you may submit a paper application by the deadline as 
discussed above. Late applications will not be eligible for FY 2014 
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 regulations for this program are published at 7 CFR 
part 4284 subparts A and G, which are incorporated by reference in this 
Notice.
    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

Definitions

    The terms you need to know are published at 7 CFR 4284.3 and 
4284.603. In addition, the term ``you'' referenced throughout this 
Notice should be understood to mean the applicant and the terms ``we'' 
and ``us'' should be understood to mean Rural Business-Cooperative 
Services, Rural Development, USDA. Finally, the term conflict of 
interest should be understood as follows.
    Conflict of interest--A situation in which a person or entity has 
competing personal, professional, or financial interests that make it 
difficult for the person or business to act impartially. Federal 
procurement standards prohibit transactions that involve a real or 
apparent conflict of interest for owners, employees, officers, agents, 
or their immediate family members having a financial or other interest 
in the outcome of the project; or that restrict open and free 
competition for unrestrained trade. Specifically, project funds shall 
not be used for services or goods going to, or coming from, a person or 
entity with a real or apparent conflict of interest, including, but not 
limited to, owner(s) and their immediate family members. An example of 
a conflict of interest is when the grantee provides direct assistance 
to an organization in which it has an ownership interest. In cases of 
tribally-owned businesses, to avoid a conflict of interest, any 
business assisted by a tribe must be held through a separate entity, 
such as a tribal corporation. The separate entity may be owned by the 
tribe and distribute profits to the tribe. However, the entity's 
governing board must be independent from the tribal government and be 
elected or appointed for a specific time period. These board members 
must not be subject to removal without cause by the tribal government. 
The entity's board members must not, now or in the future, make up the 
majority of members of the tribal council or be

[[Page 25104]]

members of the tribal council or other governing board of the tribe.

II. Award Information

    Type of Award: Competitive Grant
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2014
    Total Funding: $2.25 million to be distributed as follows: 
$1,330,180 for projects benefitting Native Americans in rural areas and 
$919,820 for projects benefitting Partnerships. Any Partnership funds 
unobligated after August 15, 2014, will be unreserved RBOG funds for 
business opportunity projects.
    Maximum Award: $100,000
    Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2014.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Grants may be made to governmental entities, nonprofit 
corporations, institutions of higher education, and Indian tribes.
    You must obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering 
System (DUNS) number (see Section IV.B.) and register in the System for 
Awards Management (SAM, formerly managed by the Central Contractor 
Registry (CCR)) prior to submitting an application. (See 2 CFR 
25.200(b).) In addition, you must maintain your registration in SAM 
during the time your application is active. Finally, you must have the 
necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting 
requirements in 2 CFR 170.200(b), as long as you are 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

    An application must propose to use project funds, including grant 
and other contributions committed under the evaluation criterion 
located at 7 CFR 4284.639, 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).

D. Ineligible Costs

    Project funds, including grant and other contributions, cannot be 
used for ineligible purposes (See the Federal Acquisition Regulation 
and 7 CFR 4284.10 and 4284.629). Also, you shall not use project funds 
for the following:
     To duplicate current services or replace or substitute 
support previously provided. In particular, project funds cannot be 
used to pay for the salaries and benefits of existing employees and/or 
positions, except in cases when the project will require that an 
existing part-time employee/position be converted to a full-time 
employee/position to accomplish project tasks. In that case, the 
difference between the part-time salary and benefits and the full-time 
salary and benefits can be charged to the project. Additionally, new 
staff, consultants, or contractors that will be hired for the project 
can be paid for with project funds.
     To perform construction activities, including renovations;
     To plan a facility;
     To perform engineering work;
     To set up and operate revolving loan funds;
     To install or purchase demonstration equipment;
     To buy input supplies (for example, beads, food, and 
metal) for technical training on production or processing methods;
     To provide assistance to only one individual, 
organization, or business;
     To conduct industry-level feasibility studies unless you 
provide evidence in the application that the producers of the product 
have specifically requested that your organization performs the study;
     To pay general operating costs of any organization, 
including the applicant and any project beneficiaries; and
     To engage in any activities that are considered a Conflict 
of Interest, as defined by this Notice.
    If you include funds in your budget that are for ineligible 
purposes, we will consider the application for funding if the 
ineligible purposes total 10 percent or less of an applicant's total 
project budget. However, if the application is successful, those 
ineligible costs must be removed from the work plan and budget before 
we will make the grant award. If we cannot determine the percentage of 
ineligible costs, the application will not be considered for funding.
    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

    An application will not be considered for funding if it does not 
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or is missing 
required elements. For more information on application requirements, 
see 7 CFR 4284.638.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address to Request Application Package

    For further information, you should contact your respective Rural 
Development State Office. Instructions for identifying Rural 
Development State Offices can be found in the ADDRESSES section of this 
Notice. Program information may also be obtained at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/bcp_rbog.html.

B. Form of Submission

    You may submit an application in paper form or electronically. If 
you submit an application 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 also be 
registered and maintain registration in SAM (formerly the CCR 
database). (See 2 CFR part 25.) You may register in SAM at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.
     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

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this program by using a keyword, the program name, the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance Number, or the Funding Opportunity Number.

C. Application Contents

    An application must contain all of the required forms and 
application elements described in 7 CFR 4284.638 and as otherwise 
clarified in this Notice. Further clarification of the application 
requirements is as follows:
    1. Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' 
Your DUNS number should be identified in the ``Organizational DUNS'' 
field. Additionally, you must provide a Commercial and Government 
Entity (CAGE) code and expiration date. Because there are no specific 
fields for a CAGE code and expiration date, you may identify them 
anywhere you want to on the form. If you do not include the CAGE code 
and expiration date and the DUNS number in your application, it will 
not be considered for funding.
    2. You must include a project work plan that identifies each task 
to be performed, along with the time period of performance and key 
personnel (if known) for each task, the amounts of grant funds and 
other contributions needed for each task, and clear deliverables for 
each task. If you expect to earn program income during the project 
period, you must include it in your budget. Program income can include 
fees collected from businesses assisted by the project. See 7 CFR 
3016.25 and 3019.24.
    3. For Partnership applications only, you must include the 
benchmark(s) from your Partnership zone's strategic plan that your 
project supports.

D. Submission Date and Time

    Application Deadline date: For electronic applications, the 
deadline date is June 13, 2014. For paper applications, the deadline 
date is June 17, 2014.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Complete paper applications must be 
postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than June 
17, 2014, to be eligible for FY 2014 grant funding. You may also hand 
carry your application to one of Rural Development's field offices, but 
it must be received by close of business on the deadline date. 
Electronic applications submitted through Grants.gov will be accepted 
by the system through midnight eastern time on the June 13, 2014. Late 
applications are not eligible for FY 2014 funding.

E. Intergovernmental Review

    Executive Order (EO) 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs,'' applies to this program. This EO requires that Federal 
agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance 
with State and local governments. Many States have established a Single 
Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of 
States that maintain a SPOC, please see the White House Web site: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc. If your State has a SPOC, 
you may submit a copy of the application directly for review. Any 
comments obtained through the SPOC must be provided to your Rural 
Development State Office for consideration as part of your application. 
If your State has not established a SPOC, or if you do not want to 
submit a copy of your application, our State Office will submit your 
application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or agencies.

F. Environmental Review

    Applications for financial assistance are subject to an 
environmental review. However, if an application is for technical 
assistance or planning purposes, it is generally excluded from the 
environmental review process (See 7 CFR 1940.310(e)(1)). We will ensure 
that any required environmental review is completed prior to approval 
of an application or obligation of funds.

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 initially scored by the USDA Rural Development State Offices 
and submitted to the National Office for final review and selection. 
Applications must have a minimum score of 60 points, prior to the 
addition of any Administrator discretionary points, or they will not be 
funded, regardless of the amount of available funds. Applications will 
be funded in rank order.
    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 along with an explanation of 
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 their 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.

[[Page 25106]]

     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 
organization, including the applicant organization. Additionally, we 
will not consider program income or expected revenue as other 
contributions, unless a commitment letter from the organization that 
will be paying the fees provides a letter stating the amount of the 
funds that will be paid, when they will be paid, and what they can be 
used for, if applicable. If you choose, you may use a template to 
summarize the other contributions. The template is available either 
from your Rural Development State Office or the program Web site at: 
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/bcp_rbog.html. 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 less than or equal to 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 
or USDA disaster declaration date and description 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 or USDA disaster declaration date and 
description is provided for the majority of the counties in an 
applicant's 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 the Agency 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 
decennial census and the most recent Five-Year American Community 
Survey (ACS) for the project's service area as follows. If you do not 
provide the requested statistics, we will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area is only one city or town, 
you must provide the percentage of residents living below the poverty 
level for that city or town from the 1990 census and the ACS. If your 
service area is unincorporated, please contact us to determine which 
data will be required. We will award 10 points if these statistics show 
that the city/town had a percentage of residents living below the 
poverty level that was above the State percentage in both the 1990 
census and the ACS; otherwise we will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area is more than one city or 
town within a county, you must provide the percentage of residents 
living below the poverty level for the county from the 1990 census and 
the ACS. We will award 10 points if these statistics show that the 
county had a percentage of residents living below the poverty level 
that was above the State percentage in both the 1990 census and the 
ACS; otherwise we will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area includes multiple counties 
(even in part), you must provide the percentage of residents living 
below the poverty level from the 1990 census and the ACS for each 
county in the service area. We will award 10 points if these statistics 
show that more than 50 percent of the counties had a percentage of 
residents living below the poverty level that was above the State 
percentage in both the 1990 census and the ACS; otherwise we will award 
0 points.
     If your project's service area is one or more Native 
American reservations, you must provide the percentage of residents 
living below the poverty level from the 1990 census and the ACS for 
each reservation in the service area. If the service area is one 
reservation, we will award 10 points if these statistics show that the 
reservation had a percentage of residents living below the poverty 
level that was above the State percentage in both the 1990 census and 
the ACS; otherwise we will award 0 points. If the service area is more 
than one reservation, we will award 10 points if these statistics show 
that more than half of the reservations had a percentage of residents 
living below the poverty level that was above the State percentage in 
both the 1990 census and the ACS; otherwise we will award 0 points.
    If you need assistance locating the requested information, you 
should contact your Rural Development State Office or you can visit the 
RBOG program Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_RBOG.html.
    7. Long-Term Population Decline (7 CFR 4284.639(d)(4)). You must 
provide population statistics from the 1990 census and the most recent 
Five-Year ACS for the project's service area as follows. If you do not 
provide the requested statistics, we will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area is only one city or town, 
you must provide the population from the 1990 census and the ACS for 
that city or town. If your service area is unincorporated, please 
contact us to determine which data will be required. We will award 10 
points if the city/town experienced a net loss of population between 
the 1990 census and the ACS; otherwise, we will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area is more than one city or 
town within a county, you must provide the population from the 1990 
census and the ACS for the county. We will award 10 points if the 
county experienced a net loss of population between the 1990 census and 
the ACS; otherwise, we will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area includes multiple counties 
(even in part), you must provide the population from the 1990 census 
and the ACS for each county in the service area. We will award 10 
points if more than 50 percent of the counties in the service area 
experienced a net loss of population

[[Page 25107]]

between the 1990 census and the ACS; otherwise, we will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area is one or more Native 
American reservations, you must provide the population from the 1990 
census and the ACS for each reservation in the service area. If the 
service area includes one reservation, we will award 10 points if the 
reservation experienced a net loss of population between the 1990 
census and the ACS; otherwise we will award 0 points. If the service 
area includes multiple reservations, we will award 10 points if more 
than 50 percent of the reservations in the service area experienced a 
net loss of population between the 1990 census and the ACS; otherwise, 
we will award 0 points.
    If you need assistance locating the requested information, you 
should contact your Rural Development State Office or you can visit the 
RBOG program Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_RBOG.html.
    8. Long-Term Job Deterioration (7 CFR 4284.639(d)(5)). You must 
provide the unemployment rate from the 1990 census and the most recent 
Five-Year ACS for the project's service area as follows. If you do not 
provide the requested statistics, we will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area is only one city or town, 
you must provide the unemployment rate from the 1990 census and the ACS 
for that city or town. If your service area is unincorporated, please 
contact us to determine which data will be required. We will award 10 
points if the city/town had an unemployment rate above the State 
unemployment rate in both the 1990 census and the ACS; otherwise, we 
will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area is more than one city or 
town within a county, you must provide the unemployment rate from the 
1990 census and the ACS for the county. We will award 10 points if the 
county had an unemployment rate above the State unemployment rate in 
both the 1990 census and the ACS; otherwise, we will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area includes multiple counties 
(even in part), you must provide the unemployment rate from the 1990 
census and the ACS for each county in the service area. We will award 
10 points if more than 50 percent of the counties in the service area 
had an unemployment rate above the State unemployment rate in both the 
1990 census and the ACS; otherwise, we will award 0 points.
     If your project's service area is one or more Native 
American reservations, you must provide the unemployment rate(s) from 
the 1990 census and the ACS for each reservation in the service area. 
If the service area includes one reservation, we will award 10 points 
if the reservation had an unemployment rate above the State 
unemployment rate in both the 1990 census and the ACS; otherwise we 
will award 0 points. If the service area includes multiple 
reservations, we will award 10 points if more than 50 percent of the 
reservations in the service area had unemployment rates above the State 
unemployment rate in both the 1990 census and the ACS; otherwise, we 
will award 0 points.
    If you need assistance locating the requested information, you 
should contact your Rural Development State Office or you can visit the 
RBOG program Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_RBOG.html.
    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 up to 20 additional 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.
    Applications can receive discretionary points from the 
Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Because 
awarding these points is completely at the option of the Administrator, 
no additional point break down can be provided.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    If an 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 by mail.
    All adverse determinations regarding applicant eligibility and the 
awarding of points as part of the selection process are 
administratively appealable (see 7 CFR part 11). Instructions about 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 (as applicable), 3019 (as applicable), 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 SAM as long as their grants are active. So long 
as an applicant does not have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b), the 
applicant must have the necessary processes and systems in place to 
comply with the reporting requirements should the applicant receive 
funding (see 2 CFR 170.200(b)). 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.''
     SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if 
applicable.
     SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report.''

VII. Agency Contacts

    If you have questions about this Notice, please contact the Rural

[[Page 25108]]

Development State Office located in your State as identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice.

VIII. Nondiscrimination Statement

Non-Discrimination Policy

    USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and 
applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, 
age, disability, sex, gender identify, 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.)

To File a Program Complaint

    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/complain_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].

Persons with Disabilities

    Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech 
disabilities and who 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: April 24, 2014.
Ashli Palmer,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-10080 Filed 5-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P