[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 105 (Monday, June 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31283-31296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12690]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels 
for the Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural Communities and Bulk Fuel 
Grants

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the availability of 
up to $7 million in fiscal year 2014 (FY14) for competitive grants to 
assist communities with extremely high energy costs and, up to $1 
million in FY14 for competitive grants to state entities to establish 
and support a revolving fund to provide a more cost-effective means of 
purchasing fuel where the fuel cannot be shipped by means of surface 
transportation. The grant funds to assist communities with extremely 
high energy costs may be used to acquire, construct, extend, upgrade, 
or otherwise improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution 
facilities serving communities in which the average residential 
expenditure for home energy exceeds 275 percent of the national 
average. The grant funds used to establish and support a revolving fund 
must be used to facilitate cost effective fuel purchases for persons, 
communities, and businesses in eligible areas. This notice describes 
the eligibility and application requirements, the criteria that will be 
used by RUS to award funding, and information on how to obtain 
application materials.

DATES: You may submit completed grant applications on paper or 
electronically according to the following deadlines:
     Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, 
or sent overnight, no later than August 1, 2014, or hand delivered to 
RUS by this deadline, to be eligible under this NOFA. Late or 
incomplete applications will not be eligible for FY 2014 grant funding.
     Electronic applications must be submitted through 
Grants.gov no later than midnight August 1, 2014 to be eligible under 
this NOFA for FY 2014 grant funding. Late or incomplete electronic 
applications will not be eligible.
     Applications will not be accepted by electronic mail.
    Applications will be accepted upon publication of this notice until 
midnight (EST) of the closing date of August 1, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit completed applications for grants on paper or 
electronically to the following addresses:
     Paper applications are to be submitted to the Rural 
Utilities Service, Electric Programs, United States Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1560, Room 5165 South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-1560. Applications should be marked 
``Attention: High Energy Cost Grant Program'' or ``Attention: Bulk Fuel 
Grant Program.''
     Applications may be submitted electronically through 
Grants.gov. Information on how to submit applications electronically is 
available on the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.Grants.gov.
    Application Guides and materials may be obtained electronically 
through: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UEP_Our_Grant_Programs.html. 
Call the RUS Electric Programs at (202) 720-9545 to request paper 
copies of Application Guides and other materials.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristi Kubista-Hovis, Senior Policy 
Advisor, Rural Utilities Service, Electric Programs, United States 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1560, 
Room 5165 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1560. Telephone (202) 
720-9545, Fax (202) 690-0717, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview Information

    Federal Agency Name: United States Department of Agriculture, Rural 
Utilities Service.

[[Page 31284]]

    Funding Opportunity Title: Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural 
Communities and the Bulk Fuel Grant Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: RD- RUS-HECG12.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.859. The 
CFDA title for this program is ``Assistance to High Energy Cost Rural 
Communities.''
    Dates: Applications must be postmarked and mailed or shipped, or 
hand delivered to the RUS, or filed with Grants.gov by August 1, 2014.

Items in Supplementary Information

    I. Funding Opportunity Description: Brief introduction and 
definitions.
    II. Award Information: Projected available funding.
    III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, and what kinds of 
projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility.
    IV. SUTA: The applicant needs to notify RUS that it is seeking 
consideration under the 7 CFR 1700, Substantially Underserved Trust 
Areas (the SUTA regulation) and identify the discretionary 
authorities of the Secretary of Agriculture described in the SUTA 
regulation that it seeks to have applied to its application.
    V. Application and Submission Information: Where to get 
application materials, what constitutes a completed application, how 
and where to submit applications, deadlines, and items that are 
eligible.
    VI. Application Review Information: Considerations and 
preferences, scoring criteria, review standards, and selection 
information.
    VII. Award Administration Information: Award notice information, 
award recipient and reporting requirements.
    VIII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, email, contact name.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is seeking applications for 
competitive grants under section 19 of the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936 (the ``RE Act'') (7 U.S.C. 918a).
    This NOFA announces the availability of FY14 grant funds, and 
provides an overview of the grant programs, the eligibility and 
application requirements, and selection criteria for grant proposals. 
This NOFA specifies the high energy cost and bulk fuel eligibility 
benchmarks and scoring criteria for FY14 grants. RUS is also making 
available an Application Guide with more detailed information on 
application requirements and copies of all required forms and 
certifications. The Application Guide is available on the Internet from 
the RUS Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UEP_Our_Grant_Programs.html. The Application Guide may also be requested from the 
contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this 
notice. For additional information, applicants should consult the 
program regulations at 7 CFR part 1709.

Definitions

    Consult the program regulations at 7 CFR part 1709 and the 
Application Guide for additional definitions used in this program. As 
used in this NOFA:
    Agency means the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) of the United States 
Department of Agriculture.
    Application Guide means the Application Guide prepared by RUS for 
the high energy cost grant program or bulk fuel grant program 
containing detailed instructions for preparing grant applications, and 
copies of required forms, questionnaires, and model certifications.
    Area means the geographic area to be served by the grant.
    Bulk Fuel Eligible area means any area where fuel cannot be shipped 
routinely by means of surface transportation and must be delivered by 
water or air for a significant part of the year. Eligible areas include 
areas where fuel delivery by means of surface transportation is not 
practical or is prohibitively expensive and the area is primarily 
dependent on delivery of fuel by water or air.
    Community means the unit or units of local government in which the 
area is located.
    Extremely high energy costs means community average residential 
energy costs that meet or exceed one or more home energy cost 
benchmarks established by the Administrator at 275 percent of the 
national average residential energy expenditures as reported by the 
Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the United States Department 
of Energy.
    Fuel means coal, oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products, and 
any other material that can be burned to make energy.
    Home energy means any energy source or fuel used by a household for 
purposes other than transportation, including electricity, natural gas, 
fuel oil, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), other petroleum 
products, wood and other biomass fuels, coal, wind, and solar energy. 
Fuels used for subsistence activities in remote rural areas are also 
included.
    High energy cost benchmarks means the criteria established by the 
Administrator for eligibility as an extremely high energy cost 
community. Home energy cost benchmarks are calculated for total annual 
household energy expenditures; total annual expenditures for individual 
fuels; annual average per unit energy costs for primary home energy 
sources and are set at 275 percent of the relevant national average 
household energy expenditures.
    Indian Tribe means a Federally recognized Tribe as defined under 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 450b) to include ``* * * any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or 
other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village 
or regional or village corporation as defined in or established 
pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act [43 U.S.C. 1601 et 
seq.], that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and 
services provided by the United States to Indians because of their 
status as Indians.''
    Person means any natural person, firm, corporation, association, or 
other legal entity, and includes Indian Tribes and Tribal entities.
    Primary home energy source means the energy source that is used for 
space heating or cooling, water heating, cooking, and lighting. A 
household or community may have more than one primary home energy 
source.
    RE Act means the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended.
    State entity means an agency, department, or instrumentality, or 
political subdivision of any of the several States of the United States 
or the District of Columbia, exclusive of local governments.
    State rural development initiative means a rural economic 
development program funded by or carried out in cooperation with a 
State agency or Indian Tribe.
    Surface transportation means transportation by road, rail, or 
pipeline.
    Tribal entity means a legal entity that is owned, controlled, 
sanctioned, or chartered by the recognized governing body of an Indian 
Tribe.

II. Award Information

    The total amount of funds available for high energy cost grants in 
FY14 under this notice is $7 million. The maximum amount of grant 
assistance that will be awarded for funding in a grant application 
under this notice is $3,000,000. The minimum amount of assistance for a 
grant application under this program is $50,000. The number of grants 
awarded under this NOFA will depend on the number of complete 
applications submitted, the amount of grant funds requested, the 
quality and competitiveness of applications submitted, and the 
availability of funds.

[[Page 31285]]

Applicants are limited to one award in FY14. No funding is available 
for education and outreach.
    The total amount of funds available for the bulk fuel revolving 
fund grants is $1 million. The maximum amount of grant assistance that 
will be awarded for funding in a grant application under this notice is 
$1 million. The minimum amount of assistance for a grant application 
under this program is $50,000. The number of grants awarded under this 
NOFA will depend on the number of complete applications submitted, the 
amount of grant funds requested, the quality and competitiveness of 
applications submitted, and the availability of funds. Applicants are 
limited to one award in FY14.
    The award period and period of performance will be from 1-3 years. 
Grant agreements will not be negotiated.
    Applicants must provide a narrative grant proposal prepared 
according to the instructions in this NOFA and application guide, along 
with all required forms and information in order to submit a complete 
application.
    All prior applicants must resubmit a new application to be 
considered for funding under this NOFA. There will be no exceptions.
    All timely submitted and complete applications will be reviewed for 
eligibility and rated according to the criteria described in this NOFA. 
Applications will be ranked in order of their numerical scores on the 
rating criteria and forwarded to the RUS Administrator. The RUS 
Administrator is the federal selection official of the competitive 
awards. The Administrator will review the rankings and the 
recommendations of the rating panel. The Administrator will then fund 
grant applications in rank order to the extent of available funds.
    The RUS reserves the right not to award all the funds made 
available under this notice. RUS anticipates making multiple awards. 
Applicants should take proper care in preparing the project's scope and 
cost estimate. The proposed scope and cost will not be negotiated.

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants for High Energy Cost Grants

    Under Section 19 eligible applicants include ``persons, States, 
political subdivisions of States, and other entities organized under 
the laws of States'' (7 U.S.C. 918a). Under section 13 of the RE Act, 
the term person means ``any natural person, firm, corporation, or 
association'' (7 U.S.C. 913). Examples of eligible business applicants 
include: For-profit and non-profit business entities, including but not 
limited to corporations, associations, partnerships, limited liability 
partnerships (LLPs), cooperatives, trusts, and sole proprietorships. 
Eligible government applicants include State and local governments, 
counties, cities, towns, boroughs, or other agencies or units organized 
under the laws of States. Indian Tribes, other Tribal entities and 
Alaska Native Corporations are also eligible applicants.
    An individual is an eligible applicant under this program; however, 
the proposed grant project must provide community benefits and not be 
for the sole benefit of an individual applicant or an individual 
household or business.
    All applicants must demonstrate the legal capacity of the applicant 
to execute a binding grant agreement with the federal government at the 
time of the award and to carry out the proposed grant funded project 
according to its terms.
    Corporations that have been convicted of a felony (or had an 
officer or agency acting on behalf of the corporation convicted of a 
felony) within the past 24 months are not eligible. Any Corporation 
that has 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, is not eligible.

2. Eligible Applicants for Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grants

    Section 19 of the RE Act restricts eligible applicants to State 
entities, as defined above, in existence as of November 9, 2000. A 
state grant recipient may partner with other entities, including other 
government agencies in carrying out the programs funded under these 
grants.

3. Requirements for Both Grant Applications

    All applicants for federal grants with the exception of individuals 
other than sole proprietorships must provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) 
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying. Consistent 
with this Federal policy directive, any organization or sole 
proprietorship that applies for a high energy cost grant must use its 
DUNS number on the application and in the field provided on the revised 
Standard Form 424 (SF 424) ``Application for Federal Assistance'' to be 
eligible to apply. DUNS numbers are available for free to Federal Grant 
applicants on line at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or may be obtained 
through a short phone call to D&B. Please see the ``Get Registered'' 
section on Grants.gov for more information on how to obtain a DUNS 
number or how to verify if your organization already has a DUNS number. 
If you already have obtained a DUNS number in connection with the 
Federal acquisition process, or requested or had one assigned to you 
for another purpose, you should use that number on all of your 
applications. It is not necessary to request another DUNS number from 
D&B.
    Applicants, whether applying electronically or by paper, must be 
registered in System for Award Management (SAM) (formerly the Central 
Contractor Registry (CCR)) prior to submitting an application. 
Applicants may register for the SAM at https://www.sam.gov/. Completing 
the SAM registration process takes up to five business days, and 
applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process well in advance 
of the deadline specified in this notice.
    The SAM registration must remain active with current information at 
all times while RUS is considering an application or while a Federal 
Grant Award or loan is active. To maintain the registration in the SAM 
database the applicant must review and update the information in the 
SAM database annually from date of initial registration or from the 
date of the last update. The applicant must ensure that the information 
in the database is current, accurate, and complete.

4. Cost Sharing and Matching

    No cost sharing or matching funds are required as a condition of 
eligibility under this grant program. However, the RUS will consider 
other financial resources available to the grant applicant and any 
voluntary pledge of matching funds or other contributions in assessing 
the applicant's commitment and capacity to complete the proposed 
project successfully, including such contributions, adding additional 
points to their score. If a successful applicant proposes to use 
matching funds or other cost contributions in its project, the grant 
agreement will include conditions requiring documentation of the 
availability of the matching funds and actual expenditure of matching 
funds or cost contributions. RUS may require the applicant to provide 
additional documentation confirming the availability of any matching 
contribution offered prior to approval of project selection. If an 
applicant fails to

[[Page 31286]]

provide timely documentation of the availability of matching 
contributions, the RUS may, in its sole discretion, decline to award 
the project if uncertainties over availability of the match render the 
project financially unfeasible and impose additional conditions.

5. Other Eligibility Requirements

A. Eligible Projects for High Energy Cost Grant Applications
    Grantees must use grant funds for eligible grant purposes. Grant 
funds may be used to acquire, construct, extend, upgrade, or otherwise 
improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities 
serving eligible communities. All energy generation, transmission, and 
distribution facilities and equipment, used to provide electricity, 
natural gas, home heating fuels, and other energy service to eligible 
communities are eligible. Projects providing or improving energy 
services to eligible communities through on-grid and off-grid renewable 
energy projects, energy efficiency, and energy conservation projects 
are eligible. A grant project is eligible if it improves, or maintains 
energy services, or reduces the costs of providing energy services to 
eligible communities. Grant funds may not be used to pay utility bills 
or to purchase fuels. Funds may cover up to the full costs of any 
eligible projects subject to the statutory condition that no more than 
4 percent of grant funds may be used for the planning and 
administrative expenses of the grantee. The program regulations at 7 
CFR part 1709 provide more detail on allowable use of grant funds, 
limitations on grant funds, and ineligible grant purposes. The project 
must serve communities that meet the extremely high energy cost 
eligibility requirements described in this NOFA. The applicant must 
demonstrate that the proposed project will benefit the eligible 
communities. Projects that primarily benefit a single household or 
business are not eligible. Additional information and examples of 
eligible project activities are contained in the Application Guide.
    Grant funds cannot be used for: (1) Preparation of the grant 
application; (2) Fuel purchases, routine maintenance or other operating 
costs; and (3) Purchase of equipment, structures, or real estate not 
directly associated with provision of residential energy services. In 
general, grant funds may not be used to support projects that primarily 
benefit areas outside of eligible communities. However, grant funds may 
be used to finance an eligible community's proportionate share of a 
larger energy project. Grant funds may not be used to refinance or 
repay the applicant's outstanding loans or loan guarantees under the RE 
Act.
    Each grant applicant must demonstrate the economic and technical 
feasibility of its proposed project. Activities or equipment that would 
commonly be considered as research and development activities, or 
commercial demonstration projects for new energy technologies will not 
be considered as technologically feasible projects and would, thus, be 
ineligible grant purposes. However, grant funds may be used for 
projects that involve the innovative use or adaptation of energy-
related technologies that have been commercially proven. RUS, in its 
sole discretion, will determine if a project relies on unproven 
technology, and that determination shall be final.
B. Eligible Projects for Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grant Program
    Grant funds can only be used to establish and support a revolving 
loan fund that facilitates cost effective fuel purchases for persons, 
communities, and businesses in Bulk Fuel Eligible areas. Where a 
recipient State entity's existing program is authorized to fund 
multiple purposes, grant funds may only be used to the extent the 
recipient funds eligible activities.
C. Eligible Communities for High Energy Cost Grants
    The grant project must benefit communities with extremely high 
energy costs. The RE Act defines an extremely high energy cost 
community as one in which ``the average residential expenditure for 
home energy is at least 275 percent of the national average residential 
expenditure for home energy'' 7 U.S.C. 918a. The benchmarks are set 
based on the latest available information from the Energy Information 
Administration (EIA) residential energy surveys.
    The statutory requirement that community residential expenditures 
for home energy exceed 275 percent of the national average establishes 
a very high threshold for eligibility under this program. RUS has 
calculated high energy cost benchmarks based on the most recent EIA 
national average home energy expenditure data. The current benchmarks 
are shown in Table 1. Applicants must demonstrate that proposed 
communities must meet one or more high energy cost benchmarks to 
qualify as an eligible beneficiary of a grant under this program. All 
applications must meet these current eligibility benchmarks for high 
energy. Based on available published information on residential energy 
costs, RUS anticipates that only those communities with the highest 
energy costs across the country will qualify.
    The EIA's Residential Energy Consumption and Expenditure Surveys 
(RECS) and reports provide the baseline national average household 
energy costs that were used for establishing extremely high energy cost 
community eligibility criteria for this grant program. The RECS data 
base and reports provide national and regional information on 
residential energy use, expenditures, and housing characteristics. EIA 
published its latest available RECS home energy expenditure survey 
results in 2012. These estimates of home energy usage and expenditures 
are based on national surveys conducted in 2009 survey data and are 
shown in Table 1 as follows:

   Table 1--National Average Annual Household Energy Expenditures and
     Extremely High Energy Cost Eligibility Benchmarks Effective for
             Applications Submitted on or after June 2, 2014
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           RUS extremely
                                             EIA 2009       high energy
                                             national     cost benchmark
                  Fuel                    annual average      275% of
                                             household       national
                                          expenditure ($  average ($ per
                                             per year)         year)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  AVERAGE ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electricity.............................           1,340           3,685
Natural Gas.............................             804           2,211

[[Page 31287]]

 
Fuel Oil................................           1,338           3,680
LPG/Propane.............................             972           2,673
Total Household Energy Use..............           2,024           5,566
------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                                                           RUS extremely
                                             EIA 2009       high energy
                                             national     cost benchmark
              Fuel (units)                 average unit       275% of
                                            cost ($ per      national
                                               unit)      average ($ per
                                                               unit)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            ANNUAL AVERAGE PER UNIT RESIDENTIAL ENERGY COSTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electricity (Kilowatt hours)............             .12             .33
Natural Gas (thousand cubic feet).......           12.18           33.50
Fuel Oil (gallons)......................            2.42            6.68
LPG/Propane (gallons)...................            2.09            5.76
Kerosene (gallons)......................            2.72            7.49
Total Household Energy (million Btus)...           22.59           62.12
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources: Energy Information Administration, United States Department of
  Energy, 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey Data--Detailed
  Tables, available at: http://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/data/2009/ 2009/.

    Extremely high energy costs in rural and remote communities 
typically result from a combination of factors including high energy 
consumption, high per unit energy costs, limited availability of energy 
sources, extreme climate conditions, and housing characteristics. The 
relative impacts of these conditions exhibit regional and seasonal 
diversity. Market factors have created an additional complication in 
recent years as the prices of the major commercial residential energy 
sources--electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, and LPG/propane-- have 
fluctuated dramatically in some areas.
    The applicant must demonstrate that each community in the grant 
project's proposed area exceeds one or more of these high energy cost 
benchmarks to be eligible for a grant under this program.
    i. High Energy Cost Benchmarks. The benchmarks measure extremely 
high energy costs for residential consumers. These benchmarks were 
calculated using EIA's estimates of national average residential energy 
expenditures per household and by primary home energy source. The 
benchmarks recognize the diverse factors that contribute to extremely 
high home energy costs in rural communities. The benchmarks allow 
extremely high energy cost communities several alternatives for 
demonstrating eligibility. Communities may qualify based on: Total 
annual household energy expenditures; total annual expenditures for 
commercially-supplied primary home energy sources, i.e., electricity, 
natural gas, oil, or propane; or average annual per unit home energy 
costs. By providing alternative measures for demonstrating eligibility, 
the benchmarks reduce the burden on potential applicants created by the 
limited public availability of comprehensive data on local community 
energy consumption and expenditures.
    A community or area will qualify as an extremely high cost energy 
community if it meets one or more of the energy cost eligibility 
benchmarks described below.
    a. Extremely High Average Annual Household Expenditure for Home 
Energy. The area or community exceeds one or more of the following:
     Average annual residential electricity expenditure of 
$3,685 per household;
     Average annual residential natural gas expenditure of 
$2,211 per household;
     Average annual residential expenditure on fuel oil of 
$3,680 per household;
     Average annual residential expenditure on propane or 
liquified petroleum gas (LPG) as a primary home energy source of $2,673 
per household; or
     Average annual residential energy expenditure (for all 
non-transportation uses) of $5,566 per household.
    b. Extremely High Average per unit energy costs. The average 
residential per unit cost for major commercial energy sources in the 
area or community exceeds one or more of the following:
     Annual average cost per kilowatt hour for residential 
electricity customers of $0.33 per kilowatt hour (kWh);
     Annual average residential natural gas price of $33.50 per 
thousand cubic feet;
     Annual average residential fuel oil price of $6.68 per 
gallon;
     Annual average residential price of propane or LPG as a 
primary home energy source of $5.76 per gallon;
     Annual average residential price of Kerosene as a primary 
home energy source of $7.49 per gallon or
     Total annual average residential energy cost on a Btu 
basis of $62.12 per million Btu.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Note: Btu is the abbreviation for British thermal unit, a 
standard energy measure. A Btu is the quantity of heat needed to 
raise the temperature of one pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit at 
or near 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ii. Supporting Energy Cost Data. The applicant must include 
information that demonstrates its eligibility under RUS's high energy 
cost benchmarks for the communities and areas. The applicant must 
supply documentation or references for its sources for actual or

[[Page 31288]]

estimated home energy expenditures or equivalent measures to support 
eligibility. Generally, the applicant will be expected to use 
historical residential energy cost or expenditure information for the 
local energy provider serving the community or area to determine 
eligibility. Other potential sources of home energy related information 
include Federal and State agencies, local community energy providers 
such as electric and natural gas utilities and fuel dealers, and 
commercial publications. The Application Guide includes a list of EIA 
resources on residential energy consumption and costs that may be of 
assistance.
    The grant applicant must establish eligibility for each community 
in the project's area. To determine eligibility, the applicant must 
identify each community included in whole or in part within the areas 
and provide supporting actual or estimated energy expenditure data for 
each community. The smallest area that may be designated as an area is 
a 2010 Census block. This minimum size is necessary to enable a 
determination of population size.
    Potential applicants can compare the benchmark criteria to 
available information about local energy use and costs to determine 
their eligibility. Applicants should demonstrate their eligibility 
using historical energy use and cost information. Where such 
information is unavailable or does not adequately reflect the actual 
costs of supporting average home energy use in a local community, RUS 
will consider estimated commercial energy costs. The Application Guide 
includes examples of circumstances where estimated energy costs are 
used.
    EIA does not collect or maintain data on home energy expenditures 
in sufficient detail to identify specific rural localities as extremely 
high energy cost communities. Therefore, grant applicants will have to 
provide information on local community energy costs from other sources 
to support their applications.
    In many instances, historical community energy cost information can 
be obtained from a variety of public sources or from local utilities 
and other energy providers. For example, EIA publishes monthly and 
annual reports of residential prices by State and by service area for 
electric utilities and larger natural gas distribution companies. 
Average residential fuel oil and propane prices are reported regionally 
and for major cities by government and private publications. Many State 
agencies also compile and publish information on residential energy 
costs to support State programs.
    iii. Use of Estimated Home Energy Costs. Where historical community 
energy cost data are incomplete or lacking or where community-wide data 
does not accurately reflect the costs of providing home energy services 
in the area, the applicant may substitute estimates based on 
engineering standards. The estimates should use available community, 
local, or regional data on energy expenditures, consumption, housing 
characteristics and population. Estimates are also appropriate where 
the area does not presently have centralized commercial energy services 
at a level that is comparable to other residential customers in the 
State or region. For example, local commercial energy cost information 
may not be available where the area is without local electric service 
because of the high costs of connection. Engineering cost estimates 
reflecting the incremental costs of extending service could reasonably 
be used to establish eligibility for areas without grid-connected 
electric service. Estimates also may be appropriate where historical 
energy costs do not reflect the cost of providing a necessary upgrade 
or replacement of energy infrastructure to maintain or extend service 
that would raise costs above one or more benchmarks. Information to 
support high energy cost eligibility is subject to independent review 
by RUS. Applications that contain information that is not reasonably 
based on credible sources of information and sound estimates will be 
rejected. Where appropriate, RUS may consult standard sources to 
confirm the reasonableness of information and estimates provided by an 
applicant in determining eligibility, technical feasibility, and 
adequacy of proposed budget estimates.
D. Limitations on Grant Awards
    i. Statutory Limitation on Planning and Administrative Expenses for 
both Grants. Section 19 of the RE Act provides that no more than 4 
percent of the grant funds for any project may be used for planning and 
administrative expenses of the grantee.
    ii. Ineligible Grant Purposes for High Energy Cost Grants. Grant 
funds cannot be used for: Preparation of the grant application, fuel 
purchases, routine maintenance or other operating costs, and purchase 
of equipment, structures, or real estate not directly associated with 
provision of residential energy services. In general, grant funds may 
not be used to support projects that primarily benefit areas outside of 
eligible communities. However, grant funds may be used to finance an 
eligible community's proportionate share of a larger energy project.
    Consistent with USDA policy and program regulations, grant funds 
awarded under this program generally cannot be used to replace other 
USDA assistance or to refinance or repay outstanding loans under the RE 
Act. Grant funds may, however, be used in combination with other USDA 
assistance programs including electric loans. Grants may be applied 
toward grantee contributions under other USDA programs depending on the 
specific terms of those programs. For example, an applicant may propose 
to use grant funds to offset the costs of electric system improvements 
in extremely high cost areas by increasing the utility's contribution 
for line extensions or system expansions to its distribution system 
financed in whole or part by an electric loan under the RE Act. An 
applicant may propose to finance a portion of an energy project for an 
extremely high energy cost community through this grant program and 
secure the remaining project costs through a loan or loan guarantee 
from RUS or other grant sources. The determination of whether a project 
will be completed in this manner will be made solely by the 
Administrator.
    iii. Maximum and Minimum Awards. For High Energy Cost Grants, the 
maximum amount of grant assistance that will be considered for funding 
per grant application under this notice is $3,000,000. The minimum 
amount of assistance for a competitive grant application under this 
program is $50,000.
    For bulk fuel revolving fund grants, the maximum amount of grant 
assistance that will be considered for funding per grant application 
under this notice is $1 million. The minimum amount of assistance for a 
competitive grant application under this program is $50,000.

IV. SUTA

    The 2008 Farm Bill (Pub. L. 110-246, codified at 7 U.S.C. 906f), 
authorizes the Substantially Underserved Trust Areas (SUTA) provisions, 
as implemented by RUS as regulation 7 CFR 1700, Substantially 
Underserved Trust Areas (the SUTA regulation). Under the SUTA 
regulation, the applicant may request the Agency apply one or more SUTA 
provisions to its application. To receive consideration the applicant 
needs to submit to RUS a completed application in compliance with 7 CFR 
1709, and include a section requesting consideration under the SUTA 
regulation. This section notifies RUS that the applicant is seeking

[[Page 31289]]

consideration under the SUTA regulation and identifies the 
discretionary authorities the Secretary of Agriculture described in the 
SUTA regulation--that it seeks to have applied to its application. In 
this section the applicant must include the information demonstrating 
eligibility for consideration under the SUTA regulation, and an 
explanation and documentation of the high need for the HECG or bulk 
fuel revolving fund benefits. RUS will review the application to 
determine whether the applicant is eligible to receive consideration 
under SUTA. RUS will notify the applicant in writing whether (1) the 
application is eligible to receive consideration under this subpart and 
if one or more SUTA requests are granted; or (2) the application is not 
eligible to receive further consideration under the SUTA regulation. If 
the SUTA request is not granted, the applicant may withdraw its 
application or, if the application is still eligible without SUTA 
consideration, request that RUS treat its application as an ordinary 
application for processing. For more detailed guidance on how to apply 
for a grant under SUTA, please refer to the FY 2014 Application Guide 
available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UEP_Our_Grant_Programs.html.

V. Application and Submission Information

    All applications must be prepared and submitted in compliance with 
this NOFA and the Application Guide. The Application Guide contains 
additional information on the grant programs, sources of information 
for use in preparing applications, examples of eligible projects, and 
copies of the required application forms.

1. Address To Request an Application Package

    Applications materials and the Application Guide are available for 
download through http://www.Grants.gov (under CFDA No. 10.859) and on 
the Electric Programs Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UEP_Our_Grant_Programs.html.
    Application packages, including required forms, may be also be 
requested from: Kristi Kubista-Hovis, Senior Policy Advisor, United 
States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Utilities Programs, 
Electric Program, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1560, Room 5165 
South Building, Washington, DC 20250- 1560. Telephone (202) 720-9545, 
Fax (202) 690-0717, email [email protected].

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Applicants must follow the directions in this notice and the 
Application Guide in preparing their applications and narrative 
proposals. The completed application package should be assembled in the 
order specified with all pages numbered sequentially or by section.
A. Application Contents
    Applicants must submit the following information for the 
application to be complete and considered for funding:
    i. Formatting and length of application. All applications must be 
on single-sided pages and all pages must be numbered. Only numbered 
pages will be reviewed. All applications are limited to the page limits 
specified by each section in this NOFA. Any additional pages greater 
than what is specified in this NOFA will not be reviewed and 
considered.
    ii. Part A. A Completed SF 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance.'' This form must be signed by a person authorized to submit 
the proposal on behalf of the applicant. Note: SF 424 has recently been 
revised to include new required data elements, including a DUNS number. 
You must submit the revised form. Copies of this form are available in 
the application package available online through RUS's Web site or 
through Grants.gov, or by request from the RUS contact listed above.
    iii. Part B. Grant Eligibility for High Energy Cost Grants (3 pages 
total). The Grant Eligibility is a narrative section that establishes 
the applicant's eligibility.
    a. Project Abstract and Eligibility. This section provides a 
summary of the proposed project. The project must be described in 
sufficient detail to establish that it is an eligible project according 
to this NOFA.
    b. Applicant Eligibility. This section includes a narrative 
statement that identifies the applicant and supporting evidence 
establishing that the applicant has or will have the legal authority to 
enter into a financial assistance relationship with the Federal 
Government. Applicants must also be free of any debarment or other 
restriction on their ability to contract with the Federal government.
    iv. Part B. Grant Eligibility for Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grants 
(1 page total). The Grant Eligibility is a narrative section that 
establishes the applicant's eligibility.
    a. Project Abstract and Eligibility. This section provides a 
summary of the proposed project.
    b. Applicant Eligibility. The applicant must establish that the 
applicant is a State entity that was in existence as of November 9, 
2000, and has the legal authority to enter into a financial assistance 
relationship with the Federal Government to carry out the grant 
activities.

3. Community Eligibility for High Energy Cost Grants

    This section provides a narrative description of the community or 
communities to be served by the project and supporting information to 
establish eligibility. The narrative must show that the proposed grant 
project's area or areas are located in one or more communities where 
the average residential energy costs exceed one or more of the 
benchmark criteria for extremely high energy costs as described in this 
NOFA. The narrative should clearly identify the location and population 
of the areas to be aided by the grant project and their energy costs 
and the population of the local government division in which they are 
located. Local energy providers and sources of high energy cost data 
and estimates should be clearly identified. Neither the applicant nor 
the project must be physically located in the extremely high energy 
cost community, but the funded project must serve an eligible 
community. The population estimates should be based on the results of 
the 2010 Census available from the U.S. Census Bureau. Additional 
information and exhibits supporting eligibility may include maps, 
summary tables, and references to statistical information from the U.S. 
Census, the Energy Information Administration, other Federal and State 
agencies, or private sources. The Application Guide includes additional 
information and sources that the applicant may find useful in 
establishing community eligibility.
A. Part C. Grant Proposal (Maximum of 30 Pages)
    The grant proposal is a narrative description prepared by the 
applicant that describes the proposed grant project, the potential 
benefits of the project, and a proposed budget. The grant proposal 
should contain the following sections in the order indicated.
    i. Executive Summary (1 page). The Executive Summary is a one page 
narrative summary that: (1) Identifies the applicant, project title, 
and the key contact person with telephone and fax numbers, mailing 
address and email address; (2) specifies the amount of grant funds 
requested; and (3) provides

[[Page 31290]]

a brief description of the proposed project including the eligible 
rural communities and residents to be served, activities and facilities 
to be financed, and how the grant project will offset or reduce the 
community's extremely high energy costs.
    ii. Project Needs (2 pages). This section is a narrative that 
describes the needs of the community. To the maximum extent possible 
grant funds will be directed to the smallest communities with the 
lowest incomes emphasizing areas where according to the American 
Community Survey data by census tracts show that at least 20 percent of 
the population is living in poverty. This emphasis supports Rural 
Development's goal of providing 20 percent of its funding by 2016 to 
these areas of need. Applicants must also identify if their community 
is deemed an economic hardship community or if the community is facing 
an imminent hazard. A community facing economic hardship is defined as 
a situation where the 2000 median household income for the community is 
20 percent below the State average or where the community suffers from 
economic conditions that severely constrain its ability to provide or 
improve energy facilities serving the community. Projects focused in 
correcting an imminent hazard are defined as projects that will correct 
a condition posing an imminent hazard to public safety, public welfare, 
the environment, or to a critical community or residential energy 
facility in immediate danger of failure because of a deteriorated 
condition, capacity limitation, or damage from a natural disaster or 
accident. Applicants must describe in detail and document conditions 
creating severe community economic hardship or imminent hazard in the 
proposal.
    iii. Project Description (Design) (5 pages): This section must 
provide a narrative description of the project including a proposed 
scope of work identifying major tasks and proposed schedules for task 
completion, a detailed description of the equipment, facilities and 
associated activities to be financed with grant funds, the location of 
the eligible extremely high energy cost communities to be served, and 
an estimate of the overall duration of the project. The Project Design 
description should be sufficiently detailed to support a finding of 
technical feasibility. Proposed projects involving construction, 
repair, replacement, or improvement of electric generation, 
transmission, and distribution facilities must generally be consistent 
with the standards and requirements for projects financed with loans 
and loan guarantees under the RE Act as set forth in RUS's Electric 
Programs Regulations and Bulletins and may reference these 
requirements.
    iv. Project Goals and objectives and Project Performance Measures 
(2 pages): The applicant should clearly identify how the project 
addresses the energy needs of the community and include appropriate 
measures of project success such as, for example, expected reductions 
in household or community energy costs, avoided cost increases, 
enhanced reliability, or economic or social benefits from improvements 
in energy services available to the community. The applicant should 
include quantitative estimates of cost or energy savings and other 
benefits. The applicant should provide documentation or references to 
support its statements about cost-effectiveness savings and improved 
services. The applicant should also describe how it plans to measure 
and monitor the effectiveness of the program in delivering its 
projected benefits.
    v. Project Management (8 pages): This section must provide a 
narrative describing the applicant's capabilities and project 
management plans. The description should be broken down into the 
following subsections:
    a. Management Plan and Schedule (2 pages). This subsection should 
include the application's organizational structure, method of funding, 
if the applicant proposes to use affiliated entities, and production 
schedule in implementing the grant award. If the applicant proposes to 
secure equipment, design, construction, or other services from non-
affiliated entities, the applicant must briefly describe how it plans 
to procure and/or contract for such equipment or services. The 
applicant should provide information that will support a finding that 
the combination of management team's experience, financial management 
capabilities, resources and project structure will enable successful 
completion of the project.
    b. Project Reporting Plan (2 pages). This subsection should provide 
a detailed description of the reporting requirements as well as 
consequences if the project falls behind.
    c. Relevant Organizational Experience (2 pages). This subsection 
should include a detailed description of the organization that will 
install or implement the proposed projects. Information on success 
rates, past project long term viability, and consumer complaints are 
required. If the applicant has received any HECG funding, or other 
Federal funding a detailed description of past performance is required 
in this section.
    d. Key Staff Experience (2 pages). This subsection requires bio/
descriptions of all key staff and must be provided. If the applicant 
proposes to use affiliated entities, contractors, or subcontractors to 
provide services funded under the grant, the applicant must describe 
the identities, relationship, qualifications, and experience of these 
affiliated entities. The experience and capabilities of these entities 
will be reviewed by the rating panel.
    vi. Regulatory and other approvals (2 pages). The applicant must 
identify any other regulatory or other approvals required by other 
Federal, State, local, or Tribal agencies, or by private entities as a 
condition of financing that are necessary to carry out the proposed 
grant project and its estimated schedule for obtaining the necessary 
approvals. Prior to the obligation of any funds for the selected 
proposals, applicants will be required to gather specific information 
in order for RUS to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), for which 
the provision of funding is considered an undertaking subject to 
review. The environmental information that must be supplied by the 
applicant can be found in the environmental report in the application 
materials.
    vii. Rural development initiatives (1 page). The narrative should 
describe whether and how the proposed project will support any State 
rural development initiatives. If the project is in support of a rural 
development initiative, including SUTA, the application should include 
confirming documentation from the appropriate rural development agency. 
The application must identify the extent to which the project is 
dependent upon or tied to other rural development initiatives, funding 
and approvals. The applicant should also clarify if they are located in 
a rural community of less than 20,000 people or are receiving matching 
funds from an outside source. Projects that do not support a State 
rural development initiative, but are located in communities of less 
than 20,000, or will receive matching funds will still receive points. 
Projects will be awarded 5 points for each rural development initiative 
mentioned.
    viii. Proposed Project Budget (4 pages). The applicant must submit 
a proposed budget for the grant program on SF 424A, ``Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs'' or SF-424C, ``Standard Form 
for Budget Information--Construction Programs,'' as applicable. All 
applicants that submit

[[Page 31291]]

applications through Grants.gov must use SF-424A. The applicant should 
supplement the budget summary form with more detailed information 
describing the basis for cost estimates. The detailed budget estimate 
should itemize and explain major proposed project cost components such 
as, but not limited to, the expected costs of design and engineering 
and other professional services, personnel costs (salaries/wages and 
fringe benefits), equipment, materials, property acquisition, travel 
(if any), and other direct costs, and indirect costs, if any. The 
budget must document that planned administrative and other expenses of 
the project sponsor that are not directly related to performance of the 
grant will not total more than 4 percent of grant funds. The applicant 
must also identify the source and amount of any other Federal or non-
Federal contributions of funds or services that will be used to support 
the proposed project.
    ix. Supplementary Material (5 pages). Only letters of Support will 
be accepted as Supplementary materials. No other additional information 
will be accepted or reviewed. Letters from Congress will not be counted 
against the page limitation.
 B. Part D. Additional Required Forms and Certifications
    In order to establish compliance with other Federal requirements 
for financial assistance, the applicant must execute and submit with 
the initial application the following forms and certifications:
     SF 424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs'' or SF 
424D, ``Assurances--Construction Programs'' (as applicable). All 
applicants applying through Grants.gov must use form SF 424B.
     SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.''
     ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matter--Primary Covered Transactions'' as required under 
7 CFR part 3017, Appendix A. Certifications for individuals, 
corporations, nonprofit entities, Indian Tribes, partnerships.
     Environmental Report. The RUS environmental report 
template included in the Application Guide solicits information about 
project characteristics and site-specific conditions that may involve 
environmental, historic preservation, and other resources. The 
information will be used by RUS's environmental staff to determine 
what, if any, additional environmental impact analyses may be necessary 
before a final grant award may be approved. A copy of the environmental 
report and instructions for completion are included in the Application 
Guide and may be downloaded from RUS's Web site or Grants.gov.

4. Community Eligibility for Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grants

    This section provides a narrative description of the community or 
communities to be served by the revolving loan fund. Applicants must 
prove that the area is dependent on delivery of fuel by water or air 
and fuel cannot be shipped by means of surface transportation either 
because of physical constraints or because surface transportation is 
not practical or is prohibitively expensive.
A. Part C. Grant Proposal (Maximum of 26 Pages)
    The grant proposal is a narrative description prepared by the 
applicant that describes the proposed grant project, the potential 
benefits of the project, and a proposed budget. The grant proposal 
should contain the following sections in the order indicated.
    i. Executive Summary (1 page). The Executive Summary is a one page 
narrative summary that: (1) Identifies the State entity applying for 
the grant; (2) specifies the amount of grant funds requested; and (3) 
provides a brief description of the proposed program, including the 
estimated number of potential beneficiaries, their estimated fuel 
needs, the projects and activities to be financed through the revolving 
loan fund, and how the projects and activities will improve the cost 
effectiveness of fuel procured.
    ii. Project Needs (2 pages). This section is a narrative that 
describes the needs of the community. To the maximum extent possible 
grant funds will be directed to the smallest communities with the 
lowest incomes emphasizing areas where according to the American 
Community Survey data by census tracts show that at least 20 percent of 
the population is living in poverty. This emphasis supports Rural 
Development's goal of providing 20 percent of its funding by 2016 to 
these areas of need. It must also describe the criteria used to 
identify eligible areas, including the characteristics that make fuel 
deliveries by surface transportation impossible or impracticable. It 
must also identify if the community is deemed an economic hardship 
community or if the community is facing an imminent hazard. A community 
facing economic hardship is defined as a situation where the 2010 
median household income for the community is 20 percent below the State 
average or where the community suffers from economic conditions that 
severely constrain its ability to provide or improve energy facilities 
serving the community. Projects focused in correcting an imminent 
hazard are defined as projects that will correct a condition posing an 
imminent hazard to public safety, public welfare, the environment, or 
to a critical community or residential energy facility in immediate 
danger of failure because of a deteriorated condition, capacity 
limitation, or damage from a natural disaster or accident. Applicants 
must describe in detail and document conditions creating severe 
community economic hardship or imminent hazard in the proposal.
    iii. Project Description (Design) (5 pages). This section must 
provide a narrative description of the project including the following 
items: (1) The legal structure and staffing of the revolving fund 
proposal for fuel purchase support; (2) The objectives of the project, 
the proposed criteria for establishing project funding eligibility and 
how the project is to be staffed, managed and financed; (3) How the 
potential beneficiaries will be informed of the availability of 
revolving fund benefits to them; (4) How the proposed revolving fund 
program will help provide a more cost-effective means of meeting fuel 
supply needs in eligible areas, encourage the adoption of financially 
sustainable energy practices, the adequate planning and investment in 
bulk fuel facility operations and maintenance and cost-effective 
investments in energy efficiency; and (5) If the revolving fund program 
is not yet operational, a proposed implementation schedule and 
milestones should be provided.
    iv. Project Goals and objectives and Project Performance Measures 
(2 pages). The applicant should clearly identify how the project 
addresses the energy needs of the community and include appropriate 
measures of project success. The applicant should also describe how it 
plans to measure and monitor the effectiveness of the program in 
delivering its projected benefits.
    v. Project Management (6 pages): This section must provide a 
narrative describing the applicant's capabilities and project 
management plans. The description should be broken down into the 
following subsections:
    a. Management Plan and Schedule (2 pages). This subsection should 
include the application's organizational structure, method of funding, 
if the applicant proposes to use affiliated entities, and production 
schedule in implementing the grant award.
    b. Project Reporting Plan (2 pages). This subsection should provide 
a

[[Page 31292]]

detailed description of the reporting requirements as well as 
consequences if the project falls behind.
    c. Relevant Organizational Experience (2 pages). This subsection 
should include a detailed description of the organization that will 
oversee and implement the revolving loan fund. Applicants should note 
if they have received bulk fuel revolving grant funds in the past.
    vi. Rural development initiatives (1 page). The narrative should 
describe whether and how the proposed project will support any State 
rural development initiatives. If the project is in support of a rural 
development initiative, the application should include confirming 
documentation from the appropriate rural development agency. The 
application must identify the extent to which the project is dependent 
upon or tied to other rural development initiatives, funding and 
approvals. The applicant should also clarify if they are located in a 
rural community of less than 20,000 people or are receiving matching 
funds from an outside source. Projects that do not support a State 
rural development initiative, but are located in communities of less 
than 20,000, or will receive matching funds that exceed 25 percent of 
the annual funding operations will still receive points.
    vii. Proposed Project Budget (4 pages). The applicant must submit a 
proposed budget for the grant program on SF 424A, ``Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs.'' All applicants that submit 
applications through Grants.gov must use SF-424A. The applicant should 
supplement the budget summary form with more detailed information 
describing the basis for cost estimates. The level of detail must be 
sufficient for reviewers to determine that grant funds will be used 
only for eligible purposes and to determine the extent to which the 
program is entirely dependent on grant funding or whether it has 
financial support from the State or other sources.
    viii. Supplementary Material (5 pages). Only letters of Support 
will be accepted as Supplementary materials. No other additional 
information will be accepted or reviewed. Letters from Congress will 
not be counted against the page limitation.
B. Part D. Additional Required Forms and Certifications
    In order to establish compliance with other Federal requirements 
for financial assistance, the applicant must execute and submit with 
the initial application the following forms and certifications:
     SF 424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs'' or SF 
424D, ``Assurances--Construction Programs'' (as applicable). All 
applicants applying through Grants.gov must use form SF 424B.
     SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.''
     ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matter--Primary Covered Transactions'' as required under 
7 CFR part 3017, Appendix A. Certifications for individuals, 
corporations, nonprofit entities, Indian Tribes, partnerships.
     Environmental Report. The RUS environmental report 
template included in the Application Guide solicits information about 
project characteristics and site-specific conditions that may involve 
environmental, historic preservation, and other resources. The 
information will be used by RUS's environmental staff to determine 
what, if any, additional environmental impact analyses may be necessary 
before a final grant award may be approved. A copy of the environmental 
report and instructions for completion are included in the Application 
Guide and may be downloaded from RUS's Web site or Grants.gov.

5. Additional Information Requests

    In addition to the information required to be submitted in the 
application package, the RUS may request that successful grant 
applicants provide additional information, analyses, forms and 
certifications before the grant agreement is signed and funds are 
obligated but after the award is subject to any environmental reviews 
or other reviews or certifications required under USDA and Government-
wide assistance regulations. The RUS will advise the applicant in 
writing of any additional information required.

6. Submitting the Application

    Applicants that are submitting paper application packages must 
submit one original application package that includes original 
signatures on all required forms and certifications and two copies. 
Applications should be submitted on 8\1/2\ x 11 inch white paper.
    A completed paper application package must contain all required 
parts in the order indicated in the above section on ``Content and Form 
of Application Submission.'' The application package should be 
paginated either sequentially or by section. Applicants are requested 
to provide the application package in single-sided format for ease of 
copying.
    Applicants that are submitting application packages electronically 
through the Federal grants portal Grants.gov (http://www.Grants.gov) 
must follow the application requirements and procedures and submit all 
the forms in the application package provided there. The Grants.gov Web 
site contains full instructions on all required registration, 
passwords, credentialing and software required to submit applications 
electronically. Grants.gov has streamlined the registration and 
credentialing process and now requires separate application processes 
for individuals and organizations. Individual applicants, including 
individuals applying on behalf of an organization, should follow the 
special directions for individuals on the Grants.gov Web site. 
Organizational applicants and sole proprietorships should follow the 
instructions for organizations.
    Organizational applicants are advised that completion of the 
requirements for registration with Grants.gov, with the System for 
Award Management (SAM) (formerly Central Contractor Registry, (CCR)), 
and e-Authentication required under Grants.gov may take a week or more 
and may be delayed. Accordingly, RUS strongly recommends that you 
complete your organization's registration with Grants.gov well in 
advance of the deadline for submitting applications.

7. Disclosure of Information

    All material submitted by the applicant may be made available to 
the public in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 
552) and USDA's implementing regulations at 7 CFR part 1.

8. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered to the RUS or 
posted to Grants.gov by August 1, 2014. RUS will begin accepting 
applications on the date of publication of this NOFA. RUS will accept 
for review all applications postmarked or delivered to us by this 
deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered and 
discarded.
    For the purposes of determining the timeliness of an application 
the RUS will accept the following as valid postmarks: The date stamped 
by the United States Postal Service on the outside of the package 
containing the application delivered by U.S. Mail; the date the package 
was received by a commercial delivery service as evidenced by the 
delivery label; the date received via hand delivery to the RUS 
headquarters; and the date an electronic application was posted for 
submission to Grants.gov.

[[Page 31293]]

9. Intergovernmental Review

    This program is not subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' as implemented 
under USDA's regulations at 7 CFR part 3015.

10. Other Submission Requirements

    A completed application must contain all required parts in the 
order indicated in the above section on ``Content and Form of 
Application Submission.'' The application package should be paginated 
either sequentially or by section.
    The completed paper application package and two copies must be 
delivered to the RUS headquarters in Washington, DC, using United 
States Mail, overnight delivery service, or by hand to the following 
address: Rural Utilities Service, Electric Programs, United States 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1560, 
Room 5165 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-1560. Applications 
should be marked ``Attention: High Energy Cost Community Grant 
Program'' or ``Attention: Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grant Program.''
    Applicants are advised that regular mail deliveries to Federal 
Agencies, especially of oversized packages and envelopes, continue to 
be delayed because of increased security screening requirements. 
Applicants may wish to consider using Express Mail or a commercial 
overnight delivery service instead of regular mail. Applicants wishing 
to hand deliver or use courier services for delivery should contact an 
RUS representative in advance to arrange for building access. If an 
applicant wishes to submit such materials, they should contact an RUS 
representative for additional information.
    After the grant application deadline has passed, USDA will send an 
electronic confirmation acknowledging that the application has been 
received by the RUS from Grants.gov. Grants.gov will not accept 
applications for filing after the deadline has passed. RUS will not 
accept applications directly over the Internet, by email, or fax.
    Applicants should be aware that Grants.gov requires that applicants 
complete several preliminary registrations and e-authentication 
requirements before being allowed to submit applications 
electronically. Applicants should consult the Grants.gov Web site and 
allow ample time to complete the steps required for registration before 
submitting their applications.
    Applicants may download application materials and complete forms 
online through Grants.gov without completing the registration 
requirements. Application materials prepared online may be printed and 
submitted in paper to RUS as detailed above.

11. Multiple Applications

    Eligible applicants must include only one project per application, 
but the project can include many locations. For high energy cost 
grants, no more than $3 million in grant funds will be awarded per 
project application. For bulk fuel revolving fund grants, no more than 
$1 million in grants will be awarded per project application. An 
applicant will only be awarded funding for one project under this NOFA. 
An applicant will not receive funding for numerous projects under this 
NOFA.

VI. Application Review Information

    After the application closing date, RUS will not consider any 
unsolicited information from the applicant. The RUS may contact the 
applicant for additional information or to clarify statements in the 
application required to establish applicant or community eligibility 
and completeness. Only applications that are complete and meet the 
eligibility criteria will be considered. The RUS will not accept or 
solicit any additional information relating to the technical merits and 
feasibility of the grant proposal after the application closing date.
    If the RUS determines that an application package was not delivered 
to RUS or postmarked on or before the deadline of August 1, 2014, the 
application will be rejected as untimely.
    After review, the RUS will reject any application package that in 
its sole discretion is not complete or that does not demonstrate that 
the applicant, community or project is eligible under the requirements 
of this NOFA and applicable program regulations. Applicants will be 
notified in writing of RUS's decision. Applicants may appeal the 
eligibility rejection pursuant to program regulations on appeals at 7 
CFR 1709.6 for the high energy cost grant program. Applicants must 
appeal in writing to the RUS Administrator within 10 days after the 
applicant is notified of the determination to reject the application. 
The appeal must state the basis for the appeal. Appeals must be 
directed to the Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., STOP 1500, 
Washington, DC 20250-1500. The Administrator will review the appeal to 
determine whether to sustain, reverse, or modify the original 
determination by the Assistant Administrator. The Administrator's 
decision shall be final. A written copy of the Administrator's decision 
will be furnished promptly to the applicant.
    The panel will evaluate and rate all complete applications that 
meet the eligibility requirements using the selection criteria and 
weights described in this NOFA.
    As part of the proposal review and ranking process, panel members 
may make comments and recommendations for appropriate conditions on 
grant awards to promote successful performance of the grant or to 
assure compliance with other Federal requirements. The decision to 
include panel recommendations on grant conditions in any grant award 
will be at the sole discretion of the RUS Administrator.
    All applications will be scored and ranked according to the 
evaluation and scoring criteria described in this Notice. The RUS will 
use the ratings and recommendations of the panel to rank applicants 
against other applicants. All applicants will be ranked according to 
their scores in this round. The rankings and recommendations will then 
be forwarded to the Administrator for final review and selection.
    Decisions on grant awards will be made by the RUS Administrator 
based on the application, and the rankings and recommendations of the 
rating panel.
    The Administrator will fund grant requests in rank order to the 
extent of available funds. If sufficient funds are not available to 
fund the next ranked project, the Administrator may, in his sole 
discretion, skip over that project to the next ranking project that can 
be fully funded with available funding.

1. Scoring Criteria

    The RUS will use the selection criteria described in this NOFA to 
evaluate and rate applications. Applications will be reviewed in two 
rounds, the first round determines eligibility and the second round 
scores the application.
A. Determining Eligibility
    To determine if the project is eligible, RUS will look only at the 
three page document, Part B: Grant Eligibility, which is described in 
this NOFA and includes narrative on the Project, Applicant, and 
Community eligibility. No points will be awarded in this round of 
review. The application is only determined to be eligible or not 
eligible. Applicants that are determined to be ineligible will be 
notified and have 10 days to appeal the decision.

[[Page 31294]]

B. Scoring Eligible Applicants for the High Energy Cost Grant Program
    The total possible score is 100, and the applicant will be scored 
only on Part C: Grant Proposal as described in this NOFA. The following 
are the scored sections and their associated point totals:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Summary.......................................               0
Project Needs...........................................              15
Project Description (Design)............................              20
Project Goals and Objectives and Project Performance                  10
 Measures...............................................
Project Management......................................              25
    Management Plan and Schedule, (a subset of Project                10
     Management)........................................
    Project Reporting Plan (a subset of Project                        5
     Management)........................................
    Relevant Organizational Experience (a subset of                    5
     Project Management)................................
    Key Staff Experience (a subset of Project                          5
     Management)........................................
Regulatory and other approvals..........................               0
Rural Development Initiatives...........................              20
Proposed Project Budget.................................              10
Supplementary Material..................................               0
                                                         ---------------
        Total...........................................             100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Scoring Eligible Applicants for the Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grant 
Program
    The total possible score is 100, and the applicant will be scored 
only on Part C: Grant Proposal as described in this NOFA. The following 
are the scored sections and their associated point totals:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Summary.......................................               0
Project Needs...........................................              15
Project Description (Design)............................              20
Project Goals and objectives and Project Performance                  10
 Measures...............................................
Project Management......................................              25
    Management Plan and Schedule, (a subset of Project                10
     Management)........................................
    Project Reporting Plan (a subset of Project                        5
     Management)........................................
    Relevant Organizational Experience (a subset of                   10
     Project Management)................................
Rural development initiatives...........................              20
Proposed Project Budget.................................              10
Supplementary Material..................................               0
                                                         ---------------
    Total...............................................             100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Review and Selection Process

A. Score and Ranking of Applications
    Applications will be scored and ranked according to the evaluation 
criteria and weights referenced above by a panel. The scored and ranked 
applications and the raters' comments will then be forwarded to the 
Administrator for review and selection of grant awards.
B. Selection of Grant Awards and Notification of Applicants
    The RUS Administrator will review the rankings and recommendations 
of the applications provided by the rating panel and consistent with 
the requirements of this NOFA. The Administrator may return any 
application to the rating panel with written instruction for 
reconsideration if, in his sole discretion, he finds that the scoring 
of an application is inconsistent with this NOFA and the directions 
provided to the rating panel.
    Following any adjustments to the project in ranking, as a result of 
reconsideration, the Administrator will select projects for funding in 
rank order. If two projects from the same applicant score high enough 
to potentially receive funding, the Administrator will award funds to 
the higher of the two scoring projects. No applicant will receive more 
than one award.
    The Administrator may decide based on the recommendations of the 
rating panel or, in his sole discretion, that a grant award may be made 
contingent upon the applicant satisfying certain conditions. For 
example, RUS will not obligate funding for a selected project--such as 
projects requiring extensive environmental review and mitigation, 
preparation of detailed site specific engineering studies and designs, 
or requiring local permitting, or availability of supplemental 
financing--until any additional conditions are satisfied.
    In the event that a selected applicant fails to comply with the 
conditions within the time set by RUS, the award will be terminated.
    The RUS will notify each applicant in writing whether or not it has 
been selected for an award. The RUS written notice to a successful 
applicant of the amount of the grant award based on the approved 
application will constitute RUS's acceptance of a project for an award, 
subject to compliance with all post-award requirements including but 
not limited to completion of any environmental reviews and execution of 
a grant agreement satisfactory to the RUS. This acceptance does not 
bind the Government to making a final grant

[[Page 31295]]

award. Only an agreement executed by the Administrator will constitute 
a binding obligation and commitment of Federal funds. Funds will not be 
awarded or disbursed until all requirements have been satisfied and are 
contingent on the continued availability of funds at the time of the 
award. The RUS will advise selected applicants of additional 
requirements or conditions.

VII. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    The RUS will notify all applicants in writing whether they have 
been selected for an award. Successful applicants will be advised in 
writing of their selection. Successful applicants will be required to 
execute an RUS grant agreement and complete additional grant forms and 
certifications required by USDA as part of the process.
    Depending on the nature of the activities proposed by the 
application, the grantee may be asked to provide information and 
certifications necessary for compliance with RUS' Environmental 
Policies and Procedures at 7 CFR part 1794. Following completion of the 
environmental review process, selected applicants will receive a letter 
articulating the grant agreement and asked to execute a letter of 
intent to meet the grant conditions. Grant funds will not be advanced 
unless and until the applicant has executed a grant agreement and funds 
will not be advanced until all conditions have been satisfied in a 
manner satisfactory to RUS.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

A. Environmental Review and Restriction on Certain Activities
    Grant awardees will be required to submit the appropriate 
environmental review documentation, as outlined in the environmental 
report and any other following environmental impact analyses required 
by RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures. (7 CFR Part 1794) 
Grantees must also agree to comply with any other Federal or State 
environmental laws and regulations applicable to the grant project.
    In accordance with Sec.  1794.15, applicants are restricted from 
taking actions that may have an adverse environmental impact or limit 
the choice of alternatives being considered until the environmental 
review process is concluded. If an applicant takes such actions, RUS 
will not advance or award grant funds. If the proposed grant project 
involves physical development activities or property acquisition, the 
applicant is generally prohibited from acquiring, rehabilitating, 
converting, leasing, repairing or constructing property or facilities, 
or committing or expending RUS or non-RUS funds for proposed grant 
activities until the RUS has completed any environmental review in 
accordance with 7 CFR part 1794 or determined that no environmental 
review is required.
    Successful applicants will be advised whether additional 
environmental review requirements apply to their proposals.
B. Other Federal Requirements
    Other Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant applications 
and to grant awards. These include, but are not limited to, 
requirements under 7 CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in 
Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Agriculture--
Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
    Certain Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circulars also apply 
to USDA grant programs and must be followed by a grantee under this 
program. The policies, guidance, and requirements of the following, or 
their successors, may apply to the award, acceptance and use of 
assistance under this program and to the remedies for noncompliance, 
except when inconsistent with the provisions of the Agriculture, Rural 
Development and Related Agencies' Appropriations Acts, other Federal 
statutes or the provisions of this NOFA:
     OMB Circular No. A-87 (Cost Principles Applicable to 
Grants, Contracts and Other Agreements with State and Local 
Governments);
     OMB Circular A-21 (Cost Principles for Education 
Institutions);
     OMB Circular No. A-122 (Cost Principles for Nonprofit 
Organizations);
     OMB Circular A-133 (Audits of States, Local Governments, 
and Non-Profit Organizations);
     7 CFR part 3015 (Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations);
     7 CFR part 3016 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State, Local, and Federally 
recognized Indian Tribal governments);
     2 CFR part 417 (Government-wide debarment and suspension 
(non-procurement));
     2 CFR part 421 (Government-wide requirements for drug-free 
workplace (grants));
     7 CFR part 3018 (New restrictions on Lobbying);
     7 CFR part 3019 (Uniform administrative requirements for 
grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, 
and other Non-Profit Organizations); and
     7 CFR part 3052 (Audits of States, local governments, and 
non-profit organizations).
    Compliance with additional OMB Circulars or government-wide 
regulations may be specified in the grant agreement.

3. Reporting

    The grantee will be required to provide periodic financial and 
performance reports under USDA grant regulations and program rules and 
to submit a final project performance report. The nature and frequency 
of required reports is established in USDA grant regulations and the 
project-specific grant agreements.
    The applicant must have the necessary processes and systems in 
place to comply with the reporting requirements for first-tier sub-
awards and executive compensation under the Federal Funding 
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 in the event the applicant 
receives funding unless such applicant is exempt from such reporting 
requirements pursuant to 2 CFR part 170, Sec.  170.110(b). The 
reporting requirements under the Transparency Act pursuant to 2 CFR 
part 170 are as follows:
    a. First Tier Sub-Awards of $25,000 or more in non-Recovery Act 
funds (unless they are exempt under 2 CFR part 170) must be reported by 
the Recipient to http://www.fsrs.gov no later than the end of the month 
following the month the obligation was made. Please note that currently 
underway is a consolidation of eight federal procurement systems, 
including the Sub-award Reporting System (FSRS), into one system, the 
System for Award Management (SAM). As a result, the FSRS will soon be 
consolidated into and accessed through https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.
    b. The Total Compensation of the Recipient's Executives (5 most 
highly compensated executives) must be reported by the Recipient (if 
the Recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 170) to https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ by the end of the month following the 
month in which the award was made.
C. Total Compensation of the Subrecipient's Executives
    The Total Compensation of the Subrecipient's Executives (5 most 
highly compensated executives) must be reported by the Subrecipient (if 
the Subrecipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR Part 170) to the 
Recipient by the

[[Page 31296]]

end of the month following the month in which the subaward was made.

VIII. Agency Contacts

    The RUS Contact for this grant announcement is Kristi Kubista-
Hovis, Senior Policy Advisor, Rural Utilities Service, Electric 
Programs, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., STOP 1560, Room 5165 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-
1560. Telephone (202) 720-9545, Fax (202) 690-0717, email 
[email protected].

    Dated: May 1, 2014.
John C. Padalino,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-12690 Filed 5-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P