[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 144 (Tuesday, July 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44925-44930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18391]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business--Cooperative Service


Inviting Rural Business Development Grant Program Applications 
for Grants To Provide Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation 
Systems

AGENCY: Rural Business--Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Initial notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice is to invite applications for grants to provide 
technical assistance for rural transportation (RT) systems under the 
Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program pursuant to 7 CFR part 
4280, subpart E, 2 CFR chapter IV and 2 CFR part 200 for fiscal year 
(FY) 2015. Funding shall be made available to qualified national 
organizations to provide technical assistance for rural

[[Page 44926]]

transportation (RT) systems and for RT systems to Federally Recognized 
Native American Tribes' (FRNAT) (collectively ``Programs'') from funds 
appropriated for the RBDG program. The Rural Business--Cooperative 
Service (RBS) will administer these awards under the RBDG program and 7 
U.S.C. 1932(c) for FY 2015. This Notice is subject to the terms and 
funds for the Programs made available in the Consolidated and Further 
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) (FY 2015 
appropriation).
    All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in 
developing their applications.

DATES: Completed applications must be received in the USDA Rural 
Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on August 
27, 2015. Applications received at a USDA Rural Development State 
Office after that date will not be considered for FY 2015 funding.

ADDRESSES: Submit applications in paper format to the USDA Rural 
Development State Office for the State where the project is located. A 
list of the USDA Rural Development State Office contacts can be found 
at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Specialty Programs Division, Business 
Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., MS 3226, Room 4204-South, 
Washington, DC 20250-3226, or call 202-720-1400. For further 
information on this Notice, please contact the USDA Rural Development 
State Office in the State in which the applicant's headquarters is 
located.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview

    Solicitation Opportunity Title: Rural Business Development Grants.
    Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.351.
    Dates: Completed applications must be received in the USDA Rural 
Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on August 
27, 2015, to be eligible for FY 2015 grant funding. Applications 
received after this date will not be eligible for FY 2015 grant 
funding.

A. Program Description

    1. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of this program is to 
improve the economic conditions of rural areas.
    2. Statutory Authority. This program is authorized under section 
310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1932(c)). Regulations are contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E. The 
program is administered on behalf of RBS at the State level by the USDA 
Rural Development State Offices. Assistance provided to rural areas 
under the program may include the provision of on-site technical 
assistance to local and regional governments, public transit agencies, 
and related non-profit and for-profit organizations in rural areas; the 
development of training materials; and the provision of necessary 
training assistance to local officials and agencies in rural areas.
    Awards under the RBDG passenger transportation program will be made 
on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7 
CFR part 4280, subpart E, and in accordance with section 310B(c) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)). 
Information required to be in the application package includes Standard 
Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance;'' RD 1940-20, 
``Request for Environmental Information;'' Scope of Work Narrative; 
Income Statement; Balance Sheet or Audit for previous 3 years; AD-1047, 
``Debarment/Suspension Certification;'' AD-1048, ``Certification 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary 
Exclusion;'' AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements;'' SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities;'' RD 400-
1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement;'' RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement;'' 
a letter stating Board authorization to obtain assistance. For the 
FRNAT grant, which must benefit FRNATs, at least 75 percent of the 
benefits of the project must be received by members of FRNATs. The 
project that scores the greatest number of points based on the RBDG 
selection criteria and the discretionary points will be selected for 
each grant.
    Applicants must be qualified national non-profit organizations with 
experience in providing technical assistance and training to rural 
communities Nation-wide for the purpose of improving passenger 
transportation service or facilities. To be considered ``national,'' 
RBS requires a qualified organization to provide evidence that it 
operates RT assistance programming Nation-wide. There is not a 
requirement to use the grant funds in a multi-State area. Grants will 
be made to qualified national non-profit organizations for the 
provision of technical assistance and training to rural communities for 
the purpose of improving passenger transportation services or 
facilities.
    3. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this Notice 
are published at 7 CFR 4280.403.
    4. Application Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score 
applications received in response to this Notice based on the 
provisions in 7 CFR 4280, subpart E and as indicated in this Notice. 
However, the Agency advises all interested parties that the applicant 
bears the burden in preparing and submitting an application in response 
to this Notice.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2015.
    Available Funds: Anyone interested in submitting an application for 
funding under this program is encouraged to consult the Rural 
Development Web Newsroom Web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas for funding information.
    Approximate Number of Awards: Two.
    Expected Amounts of Individual Awards and Amount of Funding per 
Federal Award: One single $502,000 grant and another single $250,000 
grant for FRNAT's.
    Maximum Awards: A total of $502,000 will be awarded for technical 
assistance for rural transportation systems and a maximum of $250,000 
for FRNATs.
    Award Date: Prior to September 30, 2015.
    Performance Period: October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants
    To be considered eligible, an entity must be a qualified national 
non-profit organization serving rural areas as evidenced in its 
organizational documents and demonstrated experience, per 7 CFR part 
4280, subpart E. Grants will be competitively awarded to qualified 
national non-profit organizations.
    The Agency requires the following information to make an 
eligibility determination that an applicant is a national non-profit 
organization. These applications must include, but are not limited to, 
the following:
    (a) An original and one copy of SF 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance (For Non-construction);''
    (b) Copies of applicant's organizational documents showing the

[[Page 44927]]

applicant's legal existence and authority to perform the activities 
under the grant;
    (c) A proposed scope of work, including a description of the 
proposed Project, details of the proposed activities to be accomplished 
and timeframes for completion of each task, the number of months 
duration of the Project, and the estimated time it will take from grant 
approval to beginning of Project implementation;
    (d) A written narrative that includes, at a minimum, the following 
items:
    (i) An explanation of why the Project is needed, the benefits of 
the proposed Project, and how the Project meets the grant eligible 
purposes;
    (ii) Area to be served, identifying each governmental unit, i.e., 
town, county, etc., to be affected by the Project;
    (iii) Description of how the Project will coordinate Economic 
Development activities with other Economic Development activities 
within the Project area;
    (iv) Businesses to be assisted, if appropriate, and Economic 
Development to be accomplished;
    (v) An explanation of how the proposed Project will result in newly 
created, increased, or supported jobs in the area and the number of 
projected new and supported jobs within the next 3 years;
    (vi) A description of the applicant's demonstrated capability and 
experience in providing the proposed Project assistance, including 
experience of key staff members and persons who will be providing the 
proposed Project activities and managing the Project;
    (vii) The method and rationale used to select the areas and 
businesses that will receive the service;
    (viii) A brief description of how the work will be performed, 
including whether organizational staff or consultants or contractors 
will be used; and
    (ix) Other information the Agency may request to assist it in 
making a grant award determination;
    (e) The latest 3 years of financial information to show the 
applicant's financial capacity to carry out the proposed work. If the 
applicant is less than 3 years old, at a minimum, the information 
should include all balance sheet(s), income statement(s) and cash flow 
statement(s). A current audited report is required if available;
    (f) Documentation regarding the availability and amount of other 
funds to be used in conjunction with the funds from RBDG;
    (g) A budget which includes salaries, fringe benefits, consultant 
costs, indirect costs, and other appropriate direct costs for the 
Project.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
    Matching funds are not required.
3. Other
    Applications will only be accepted from qualified national non-
profit organizations to provide technical assistance for rural 
transportation. There are no ``responsiveness,'' or ``threshold'' 
eligibility criteria for these grants. There is no limit on the number 
of applications an applicant may submit under this announcement. In 
addition to the forms listed under program description, Form AD-3030 or 
AD 3031, ``Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax 
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants,'' must be completed in the 
affirmative.''
    None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be 
used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or 
cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan 
guarantee to, 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, where the awarding agency 
is aware of the unpaid tax liability, unless a Federal agency has 
considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and has made a 
determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the 
interests of the Government.
    None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be 
used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or 
cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan 
guarantee to, any corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal 
violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months, where 
the awarding agency is aware of the conviction, unless a Federal agency 
has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and has made 
a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect 
the interests of the Government.
4. Completeness Eligibility
    Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not 
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing 
required elements.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package
    For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance 
should contact the USDA Rural Development State Office provided in the 
ADDRESSES section of this Notice to obtain copies of the application 
package.
    Applications must be submitted in paper format. Applications 
submitted to a Rural Development State Office must be received by the 
closing date and local time deadline.
    All applicants 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 or at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or 
Federal awarding agency that is excepted from the requirements under 2 
CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal 
awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be 
registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting 
its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its 
application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration 
with current information at all times during which it has an active 
Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a 
Federal awarding agency. The Federal awarding agency may not make a 
Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all 
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the 
Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal 
awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to 
receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for 
making a Federal award to another applicant.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    An application must contain all of the required elements. Each 
application received in a USDA Rural Development State Office will be 
reviewed to determine if it is consistent with the eligible purposes 
contained in section 310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)). Each selection priority criterion 
outlined in 7 CFR 4280.435 must be addressed in the application. 
Failure to address any of the criteria will result in a zero-point 
score for that

[[Page 44928]]

criterion and will impact the overall evaluation of the application. 
Copies of 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, will be provided to any 
interested applicant making a request to a USDA Rural Development State 
Office.
    All projects to receive technical assistance through these 
passenger transportation grant funds are to be identified when the 
applications are submitted to the USDA Rural Development State Office. 
Multiple project applications must identify each individual project, 
indicate the amount of funding requested for each individual project, 
and address the criteria as stated above for each individual project.
    For multiple-project applications, the average of the individual 
project scores will be the score for that application.
    The applicant documentation and forms needed for a complete 
application are located in the PROGRAM DESCRIPTION section of this 
notice, and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E. There are no specific formats 
required per this notice, and applicants may request forms and 
addresses from the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
    (a) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages or 
other formatting requirements other than those described in the PROGRAM 
DESCRIPTION section.
    (b) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages, font 
size and type face, margins, paper size, number of copies, and the 
sequence or assembly requirements.
    (c) The component pieces of this application should contain 
original signatures on the original application.
    (d) Since these grants are for technical assistance for 
transportation purposes, no additional information requirements other 
than those described in this notice and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E.
3. Submission Dates and Times
    (a) Application Deadline Date: No later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) 
September 28, 2015.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Applications must be in the USDA Rural 
Development State Office by the local deadline date and time as 
indicated above. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or 
Federal holiday, the application is due the next business day.
    (b) The deadline date means that the completed application package 
must arrive and be received in the USDA Rural Development State Office 
by the deadline date established above. All application documents 
identified in this Notice are required.
    (c) If completed applications are not received by the deadline 
established above, the application will neither be reviewed nor 
considered under any circumstances. (d) The Agency will determine the 
application receipt date based on the actual date the U.S. Post Office 
delivers the completed application package.
    (e) This notice is for rural transportation technical assistance 
grants only and therefore, intergovernmental reviews are not required.
    (f) These grants are for rural transportation technical assistance 
grants only, no construction or equipment purchases are permitted. If 
the grantee has a previously approved indirect cost rate, it is 
permissible, otherwise, the applicant may elect to charge the 10 
percent indirect cost permitted under 2 CFR 200.414(f) or request a 
determination of its Indirect Cost Rate. Due to the time required to 
evaluate Indirect Cost Rates, it is likely that all funds will be 
awarded by the time the Indirect Cost Rate is determined. No foreign 
travel is permitted. Pre-Federal award costs will only be permitted 
with prior written approval by the Agency.
    (g) Applicants must submit applications in hard copy format as 
previously indicated in the APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 
section of this notice. If the applicant wishes to hand deliver its 
application, the addresses for these deliveries can be located in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice.
    (h) 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).

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria
    All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated and scored 
based on the selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR 4280.435 
and will select grantees subject to the grantees' satisfactory 
submission of the additional items required by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart 
E and the USDA Rural Development Letter of Conditions. Failure to 
address any one of the criteria by the application deadline will result 
in the application being determined ineligible, and the application 
will not be considered for funding. The amount of an RT grant may be 
adjusted, at RBS's discretion, to enable RBS to award RT grants to the 
applications with the highest priority scores in each category.
2. Review and Selection Process
    The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are 
eligible for assistance based on requirements contained in 7 CFR 
4280.416 and 4280.417. If determined eligible, your application will be 
submitted to the National Office. Funding of projects is subject to the 
applicant's satisfactory submission of the additional items required by 
that subpart and the USDA Rural Development Letter of Conditions. The 
Agency reserves the right to award additional discretionary points 
under 7 CFR 4280.435(k).
    In awarding discretionary points, the Agency scoring criteria 
regularly assigns points to applications that direct loans or grants to 
projects based in or serving census tracts with poverty rates greater 
than or equal to 20 percent. This emphasis will support Rural 
Development's mission of improving the quality of life for Rural 
Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need 
them.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices
    Successful applicants will receive notification for funding from 
the USDA Rural Development State Office. Applicants must comply with 
all applicable statutes and regulations before the grant award will be 
approved. Unsuccessful applications will receive notification by mail.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this 
program can be found in 7 CFR 4280.408, 4280.410 and 4280.439. Awards 
are subject to USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR Chapter IV which 
incorporates the new Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations 
2 CFR part 200.
    All successful applicants will be notified by letter which will 
include a letter of conditions, and a letter of intent to meet the 
conditions. This letter is not an authorization to begin performance. 
If the applicant wishes to consider beginning performance prior to the 
grant being officially closed, all pre-award costs must be approved in 
writing and in advance by the Agency. The grant will be considered 
officially awarded when all conditions in the letter of conditions have 
been met and the Agency obligates the funding for the project.
    Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this 
program can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E; the Grants and 
Agreements regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

[[Page 44929]]

codified in 2 CFR parts 400.1 to 400.18, and successor regulations to 
these parts.
    In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are 
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and 
executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to 
have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the 
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub.L. 
109-282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are 
exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)). More information on these requirements 
can be found at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants.
    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for this program:
    (a) Form RD 4280-2 ``Rural Business and Cooperative Service Grant 
Agreement.''
    (b) Letter of Conditions.
    (c) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    (d) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
    (e) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters-Primary Covered Transactions.''
    (f) Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
    (g) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirement (Grants).''
    (h) Form AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax 
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.'' Must be signed by 
corporate applicants who receive an award under this Notice.
    (i) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
    (j) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
    (k) Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
3. Reporting
    (a) A Financial Status Report and a project performance activity 
report will be required of all grantees on a quarterly basis until 
initial funds are expended and yearly thereafter, if applicable, based 
on the Federal fiscal year. The grantee will cause the project to be 
completed within the total sums available to it in accordance with the 
Scope of Work and any necessary modifications thereof prepared by the 
grantee and approved by the Agency. A final project performance report 
will be required with the final Financial Status Report. The final 
report may serve as the last quarterly report. The final report must 
provide complete information regarding the jobs created and supported 
as a result of the grant if applicable. Grantees must continuously 
monitor performance to ensure that time schedules are being met, 
projected work by time periods is being accomplished, and other 
performance objectives are being achieved. Grantees must submit an 
original of each report to the Agency no later than 30 days after the 
end of the quarter. The project performance reports must include, but 
not be limited to, the following:
    (1) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives 
established for that period;
    (2) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if any, which have 
affected or will affect attainment of overall project objectives, 
prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude the 
attainment of particular project work elements during established time 
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the 
action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and
    (3) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting 
period.
    (4) Any special reporting requirements, such as jobs supported and 
created, businesses assisted, or economic development which results in 
improvements in median household incomes, and any other specific 
requirements, should be placed in the reporting section in the Letter 
of Conditions.
    (5) Within 90 days after the conclusion of the project, the grantee 
will provide a final project evaluation report. The last quarterly 
payment will be withheld until the final report is received and 
approved by the Agency. Even though the grantee may request 
reimbursement on a monthly basis, the last 3 months of reimbursements 
will be withheld until a final project, project performance, and 
financial status report are received and approved by the Agency.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

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

H. Other Information

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the paperwork 
burden has been cleared by OMB.

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act

    All applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must have a DUNS 
number, which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line 
at (866) 705-5711 or online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. 
Similarly, all applicants must be registered in the System for Award 
Management (SAM) prior to submitting an application. Applicants may 
register for the SAM at http://www.sam.gov. All recipients of Federal 
financial assistance are required to report information about first-
tier sub-awards and executive total compensation in accordance with 2 
CFR part 170.

I. Nondiscrimination

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


[[Page 44930]]


    Dated: June 10, 2015.
Lillian E. Salerno,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-18391 Filed 7-27-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P