[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 74 (Monday, April 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22567-22572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08931]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA).

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), herein referred to as RUS or 
the Agency, announces its Community Connect Grant Program application 
window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. This notice is being issued in order 
to allow potential applicants time to submit proposals and give the 
Agency time to process applications within the current fiscal year.
    In addition to announcing the application window, RUS announces the 
minimum and maximum amounts for Community Connect grants applicable for 
the fiscal year. The Community Connect Grant Program regulation can be 
found at 7 CFR part 1739 (Subpart A).

DATES: Submit completed paper or electronic applications for grants 
according to the following deadlines:
     Paper submissions: Paper submissions must be postmarked 
and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than June 17, 2016 to 
be eligible for FY 2016 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications 
will not be eligible for FY 2016 grant funding.
     Electronic submissions: Electronic submissions must be 
received no later than June 17, 2016 to be eligible for FY 2016 grant 
funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for FY 
2016 grant funding.
     If the submission deadline falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a 
Federal holiday, the application is due the next business day.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FY 2016 Application Guide and materials for 
the Community Connect Grant Program may be obtained through:
    (1) The Community Connect Web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants or
    (2) The RUS Office of Loan Origination and Approval at 202-720-
0800.
    Completed applications may be submitted the following ways:

[[Page 22568]]

    (1) Paper: Mail paper applications to the Rural Utilities Service, 
Telecommunications Program, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2808, STOP 
1597, Washington, DC 20250-1597. Mark address with ``Attention: Deputy 
Assistant Administrator, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, Rural 
Utilities Service.''
    (2) Electronic: Submit electronic applications through Grants.gov. 
Information on electronic submission is available on the Grants.gov Web 
site (http://www.grants.gov) at any time, regardless of registration 
status. However, applicants must pre-register with Grants.gov to use 
the electronic applications option.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shawn Arner, Deputy Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, telephone: (202) 720-0800, 
fax: 1-884-885-8179.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Community Connect Grant Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: RDRUS-CC-2016.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.863.
    Dates: Submit completed paper or electronic applications for grants 
according to the deadlines indicated in Section D(5).

A. Program Description

    The purpose of the Community Connect Grant Program is to provide 
financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that 
will provide broadband service to currently unserved, lower-income, and 
extremely rural areas. This broadband service is intended to foster 
economic growth and deliver enhanced educational, health care, and 
public safety services on a community-oriented connectivity basis. RUS 
will give priority to rural areas that have the greatest need for 
broadband services, based on the criteria contained herein.
    Grant authority will be used for the deployment of broadband 
service to extremely rural, lower-income communities on a community-
oriented connectivity basis. By cultivating the deployment of new 
broadband services, the community-oriented connectivity concept will 
stimulate innovative uses and practical applications of the new 
broadband facilities in order to improve economic development and 
provide enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural 
areas. Such an approach will also give rural communities the 
opportunity to benefit from the advanced technologies necessary to 
achieve these goals. The regulation for the Community Connect Program 
can be found at 7 CFR part 1739 (Subpart A).
    As in years past, the FY 2016 Community Connect Grant Application 
Guide has been updated based on program experience. All applicants 
should carefully review and prepare their applications according to 
instructions in the FY 2016 Application Guide and sample materials. 
Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's 
own risk.

B. Federal Award Information

    $11,740,000 is available for grants. Under 7 CFR 1739.2, the 
Administrator established a minimum grant amount of $100,000 and a 
maximum grant amount of $3,000,000 for FY 2016.
    The standard grant agreement, which specifies the term of each 
award, is available at http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/UTP_Comm_ConnectGrantAgreement.pdf. The Agency will make awards, and 
successful applicants will be required to execute documents appropriate 
to the project before the Agency will advance funding.
    While prior Community Connect grants cannot be renewed, existing 
Community Connect awardees may submit applications for new projects, 
which the Agency will evaluate as new applications. All grant 
applications must be submitted during the application window.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants (See 7 CFR 1739.10)
    a. Only entities legally organized as one of the following are 
eligible for Community Connect Grant Program financial assistance:
    i. An incorporated organization;
    ii. An Indian tribe or tribal organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C. 
450b;
    iii. A state or local unit of government; or
    iv. A cooperative, private corporation, or limited liability 
company organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.
    b. Applicants must have the legal capacity and authority to enter 
into contracts, to comply with applicable federal statutes and 
regulations, and to own and operate the broadband facilities as 
proposed in their application.
    c. Applicants must have an active registration with current 
information in the System for Award Management (SAM) (previously the 
Central Contractor Registry (CCR)) at https://www.sam.gov and have a 
Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. 
Further information regarding SAM registration and DUNS number 
acquisition can be found in Sections D(3) and D(4) of this Notice.
2. Ineligible Applicants
    a. Individuals and partnerships are not eligible for financial 
assistance.
    b. Corporations that have been convicted of a Federal felony within 
the past 24 months are not eligible. Any corporation that has been 
assessed to have any unpaid federal tax liability, for which all 
judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed 
and is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with 
the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, is not 
eligible for financial assistance.
    c. In accordance with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, 
Sections 743-4, an entity that requires employees or contractors of 
such entity seeking to report fraud, waste, or abuse to sign internal 
confidentiality agreements or statements prohibiting or otherwise 
restricting such employees or contractors from lawfully reporting such 
waste, fraud, or abuse to a designated investigative or law enforcement 
representative of a Federal department or agency authorized to receive 
such information is not eligible for financial assistance.
3. Cost Sharing or Matching
    The Community Connect Program requires matching contributions for 
grants. See 7 CFR 1739.14 and the FY 2016 Application Guide for 
information on required matching contributions.
    a. Grant applicants must demonstrate matching contributions in cash 
of at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total amount of financial 
assistance requested. Matching contributions must be used for eligible 
purposes of Community Connect grant assistance, as discussed in 7 CFR 
1739.12, 7 CFR 1739.13, and Section D(6) of this Notice for more 
information.
    b. Applications that do not provide sufficient documentation of the 
required fifteen percent match will be declared ineligible.

[[Page 22569]]

4. Other
    Eligible projects must propose to fulfill the following 
requirements (see 7 CFR 1739.11 for more information):
    a. Minimum Broadband Service Requirements. Until otherwise revised 
in the Federal Register, for applications in FY 2016, to qualify as 
Broadband Service, the minimum rate-of-data transmission is four 
megabits per second downstream plus one megabit per second upstream for 
both fixed and mobile broadband service.
    b. Minimum Broadband Grant Speed. The minimum bandwidth that an 
applicant must propose to deliver to every customer in the proposed 
funded service area is ten megabits downstream and one megabit upstream 
for both fixed and mobile service to the customer.
    c. Rural Area. A Rural Area refers to any area, as confirmed by the 
most recent decennial Census of the United States, which is not located 
within:
    i. A city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of 
greater than 20,000 inhabitants; or
    ii. An urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town 
that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants. For purposes 
of the definition of Rural Area, an urbanized area means a densely 
populated territory as defined in the most recent decennial Census.
    d. Proposed Funded Service Area (PFSA). Applicants must propose a 
contiguous geographic area within an eligible Rural Area or eligible 
Rural Areas, in which Broadband Service does not currently exist, and 
where the applicant proposes to offer service at the Broadband Grant 
Speed to all residential and business customers. A PFSA must not 
overlap with the Service Areas of current RUS borrowers and grantees.
    e. Critical Community Facilities. Applicants must propose to offer 
service, free of charge to users, at the Broadband Grant Speed to all 
Critical Community Facilities located within the Proposed Funded 
Service Area for at least two (2) years.
    f. Community Center. Applicants must propose to provide a Community 
Center with at least two (2) Computer Access Points and wireless access 
at the Broadband Grant Speed free of charge to users for at least two 
(2) years.

D. Application and Submission Information

    The FY 2016 Application Guide provides specific detailed 
instructions for each item in a complete application. The Agency 
emphasizes the importance of including every required item and strongly 
encourages applicants to follow the instructions carefully, using the 
examples and illustrations in the FY 2016 Application Guide. 
Applications submitted by the application deadline, but have critical 
missing items will be returned as ineligible. The Agency will not 
solicit or consider scoring or eligibility information that is 
submitted after the application deadline. However, depending on the 
specific scoring criteria, applications that do not include all items 
necessary for scoring may still be eligible applications, but may not 
receive full or any credit if the information cannot be verified. See 
the FY 2016 Application Guide for a full discussion of each required 
item. For requirements of completed grant applications, refer to 7 CFR 
1739.15.
1. Address To Request Application Package
    The FY 2016 Application Guide, copies of necessary forms and 
samples, and the Community Connect Grant Program Regulation are 
available at:
    a. Electronic copies at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants and
    b. Paper copies from the Rural Utilities Service, Office of Loan 
Origination and Approval, 202-720-0800.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    a. Carefully review the Community Connect Application Guide and the 
7 CFR part 1739, which detail all necessary forms and worksheets. A 
table summarizing the necessary components of a complete application 
can be found at Section D(2)(d).
    b. Submission of Application Items. Given the high volume of 
program interest, applicants should submit the required application 
items in the order indicated in the FY 2016 Application Guide. 
Applications that are not assembled and tabbed in the specified order 
prevent timely determination of eligibility. For applications with 
inconsistencies among submitted copies, the Agency will base its 
evaluation on the original signed application received.
    c. Additional Information. The Agency may ask for additional or 
clarifying information for applications submitted by the deadline which 
appear to meet the eligibility requirements, but require further 
review.
    d. Table of Required Elements of a Completed Grant Application. 
This table summarizes the items required for submission and the 
category into which they fall.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Application item             Regulation            Comments
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Application for Federal      .................  Form provided in FY
 Assistance Form.                                   2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
    SF-424 Standard Form
    A-2 SAM Registration        .................  Form provided in FY
     Information.                                   2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
    A-3 State Director          .................  Form provided in FY
     Notification.                                  2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
    A-4 Equal Opportunity       .................  Form provided in FY
     Survey.                                        2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
B. Executive Summary of the     .................  Narrative.
 Project.
C. Scoring Criteria             .................  Narrative &
 Documentation.                                     Documentation.
    Special Considerations....  .................  Documentation.
D. System Design..............  .................  Narrative &
                                                    Documentation.
    Network Diagram...........  .................  Documentation.
    Environmental               7 CFR part 1970..  Narrative &
     Questionnaire.                                 Documentation.
E. Service Area Map...........  .................  Provided in RUS web-
                                                    based Mapping Tool.
     Service Area Demographics  .................  Documentation.
F. Scope of Work..............  .................  Narrative &
                                                    Documentation.
    Construction Build-out and  .................  Form provided in FY
     Project Milestones.                            2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
    Project Budget............  .................  Form provided in FY
                                                    2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
G. Community-oriented           .................  Narrative.
 Connectivity Plan.
H. Financial Information and    .................  Narrative &
 Sustainability.                                    Documentation.
I. Statement of Experience....  .................  Narrative
J. Evidence of Legal Authority  .................  Documentation
 and Existence.
K. Additional Funding.........  .................  Narrative &
                                                    Documentation.

[[Page 22570]]

 
L. Compliance with Other
 Statutes and Regulations
    Equal Opportunity and       7 CFR part 15      Form provided in FY
     Nondiscrimination.          (Subpart A).       2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
    Uniform Relocation          49 CFR part 24     Form provided in FY
     Assistance and Real         and 7 CFR part     2016 Application
     Property Acquisition        21.                Tool Kit.
     Policies Act of 1970.
    Debarment, Suspension, and  7 CFR part 3017..  Form provided in FY
     Other Responsibility                           2016 Application
     Matters.                                       Tool Kit.
    Lobbying for Contracts,     7 CFR part 3018..  Form provided in FY
     Grants, Loans, and                             2016 Application
     Cooperative Agreements.                        Tool Kit.
    Drug-Free Workplace.......  7 CFR part 3017..  Form provided in FY
                                                    2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
    Architectural Barriers....  .................  Form provided in FY
                                                    2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
    Flood Hazard Area           7 CFR 1970.......  Form provided in FY
     Precautions.                                   2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
    Non-Duplication of          .................  Form provided in FY
     Services.                                      2016 Application
                                                    Tool Kit.
    Federal Collection          .................  Form provided in FY
     Policies for Commercial                        2016 Application
     Debt.                                          Tool Kit.
    Assurance Regarding Felony  .................  Form provided in FY
     Conviction or Tax                              2016 Application
     Delinquent Status for                          Tool Kit (corporate
     Corporate Applicants.                          applicants--only).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    e. Number of copies of submitted applications.
    i. Applications submitted on paper. Submit the original application 
and two (2) copies to RUS.
    ii. Applications submitted electronically. Submit the electronic 
application once. Carefully read the FY 2016 Application Guide for 
guidance on submitting an electronic application. Applicants should 
identify and number each page in the same manner as the paper 
application.
3. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number
    The applicant for a grant must supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data 
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as part of the application. 
The Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a field for the DUNS number. 
The applicant can obtain the DUNS number free of charge by calling Dun 
and Bradstreet. Go to http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform for more 
information on DUNS number acquisition or confirmation.
4. System for Award Management (SAM)
    Prior to submitting a paper or an electronic application, the 
applicant must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) at 
https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. Throughout the RUS application 
review and the active Federal grant funding period, SAM registration 
must be active with current data at all times. To maintain active SAM 
registration, the applicant must review and update the information in 
the SAM database annually from the 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.
5. Submission Dates and Times
    a. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or 
sent overnight no later than June 17, 2016 to be eligible for FY 2016 
grant funding. Late applications, applications which do not include 
proof of mailing or shipping, and incomplete applications are not 
eligible for FY 2016 grant funding. If the submission deadline falls on 
Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday, the application is due the next 
business day. In the event of an incomplete application, the Agency 
will notify the applicant in writing, return the application, and 
terminate all further action.
    i. Address paper applications to the Telecommunications Program, 
RUS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 
2808, STOP 1597, Washington, DC 20250-1597. Applications should be 
marked, ``Attention: Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Loan 
Origination and Approval.''
    ii. Paper applications must show proof of mailing or shipping by 
the deadline consisting of one of the following:
    A. A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service (USPS) postmark;
    B. A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the 
USPS; or
    C. A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial 
carrier.
    iii. Due to screening procedures at the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, packages arriving via regular mail through the USPS are 
irradiated, which can damage the contents and delay delivery to the 
Community Connect Program. RUS encourages applicants to consider the 
impact of this procedure in selecting their application delivery 
method.
    b. Electronic grant applications must be received no later than 
June 17, 2016 to be eligible for FY 2016 funding. Late or incomplete 
applications will not be eligible for FY 2016 grant funding.
    i. Applications will not be accepted via fax or electronic mail.
    ii. Electronic applications for grants must be submitted through 
the Federal government's Grants.gov initiative at http://www.grants.gov/. Grants.gov contains full instructions on all required 
passwords, credentialing, and software.
    iii. Grants.gov requires some credentialing and online 
authentication procedures. These procedures may take several business 
days to complete. Therefore, the applicant should complete the 
registration, credentialing, and authorization procedures at Grants.gov 
before submitting an application.
    iv. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System. The 
applicant for a grant must supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number as part of the application. See section 
D(3) of this Notice for more information.
    v. System for Award Management. Grants.gov requires that the 
applicant's organization is registered in the System for Award 
Management (SAM). Be sure to obtain the organization's SAM listing well 
in advance of the application deadline. See section D(4) of this Notice 
for more information.
    vi. RUS encourages applicants who wish to apply through Grants.gov 
to submit their applications in advance of the deadline.
    vii. If system errors or technical difficulties occur, use the 
customer support resources available at the Grants.gov Web site.
6. Funding Restrictions
    a. Eligible grant purposes.
    Grant funds may be used to finance:
    i. The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, 
including spectrum, land or buildings to deploy service at the 
Broadband Grant Speed to all participating Critical Community 
Facilities and all required facilities needed to offer such service to 
all residential and business customers

[[Page 22571]]

located within the Proposed Funded Service Area;
    ii. The improvement, expansion, construction, or acquisition of a 
Community Center that furnishes free internet access at the Broadband 
Grant Speed and provision of Computer Access Points. Grant funds 
provided for such costs shall not exceed the lesser of ten percent 
(10%) of the grant amount requested or $150,000; and
    iii. The cost of bandwidth to provide service free of charge at the 
Broadband Grant Speed to Critical Community Facilities for the first 
two (2) years of operation.
    b. Ineligible grant purposes.
    Grant funds may not be used to finance:
    i. The duplication of any existing Broadband Service provided by 
another entity;
    ii. Operating expenses other than the cost of bandwidth for two (2) 
years to provide service at the Broadband Grant Speed to Critical 
Community Facilities; or
    iii. Any other operating expenses not specifically permitted in 7 
CFR 1739.12.
    c. Other. For more information, see 7 CFR 1739.3 for definitions, 7 
CFR 1739.12 for eligible grant purposes, and 7 CFR 1739.13 for 
ineligible grant purposes.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria
    Grant applications are scored competitively and are subject to the 
criteria listed below (total possible points: 115. See 7 CFR 1739.17 
and the FY 2016 Application Guide for more information on the scoring 
criteria):
    a. Needs Category. An analysis of the challenges of the following 
criteria, laid out on a community-wide basis, and how the project 
proposes to address these issues (up to 50 points):
    i. Economic characteristics;
    ii. Educational challenges;
    iii. Health care needs; and
    iv. Public safety issues.
    b. Stakeholder Involvement Category. The extent of the Project's 
planning, development, and support from local residents, institutions, 
and Critical Community Facilities (up to 40 points);
    c. Experience Category. The level of experience and past success of 
broadband systems operation for the management team (up to 10 points);
    d. Special Consideration Areas Category. In accordance with 7 CFR 
1739.1(a), applicants may receive special consideration if they submit 
documentation demonstrating that they will provide broadband service 
within the following areas (15 points):
    i. Tribal jurisdiction or trust areas,
    iii. Promise Zone (for further information, see the Promise Zone 
Web site at http://www.hud.gov/promisezones/, or
    iv. Strike Force area (for further information, see the Strikeforce 
Web site at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usda?navid=STRIKE_FORCE).
    e. In making a final selection among and between applications with 
comparable rankings and geographic distribution, the Administrator may 
take into consideration the characteristics of the Proposed Funded 
Service Area (PFSA), as identified in 7 CFR 1739.17(d).
2. Review and Selection Process
    Grant applications are ranked by the final score. RUS selects 
applications based on those rankings, subject to the availability of 
funds and consistent with 7 CFR 1739.17. In addition, it should be 
noted that an application receiving fewer points can be selected over a 
higher scoring application in the event that there are insufficient 
funds available to cover the costs of the higher scoring application, 
as stated in 7 CFR 1739.16(f).
    a. In addition to the scoring criteria that rank applications 
against each other, the Agency evaluates grant applications on the 
following items, in accordance with 7 CFR 1739.16:
    i. Financial feasibility. A proposal that does not indicate 
financial feasibility or that is not sustainable will not be approved 
for an award.
    ii. Technical considerations. An application that contains flaws 
that would prevent the successful implementation, operation, or 
sustainability of the project will not be approved for an award.
    b. Applications conforming with this part will then be evaluated 
competitively and ranked by a panel of RUS employees that the 
Administrator of RUS selects, and will be awarded points as described 
in the scoring criteria in 7 CFR 1739.17. Applications will be ranked 
and grants awarded in order until all grant funds are expended.
    d. The Agency reserves the right to offer the applicant a lower 
amount than the amount proposed in the application, as stated in 7 CFR 
1739.16(g).

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices
    a. Successful applications.
    i. Recipient notification. RUS notifies applicants whose projects 
are selected for awards by mailing or emailing a copy of the award 
letter. The receipt of an award letter does not authorize the applicant 
to commence performance under the award. After sending the award 
letter, the Agency will send an agreement that contains all the terms 
and conditions, as referenced in 7 CFR 1739.18 and Section B of this 
Notice. A copy of the standard agreement is posted on the RUS Web site 
at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants. 
The Rural Utilities Service recognizes that each funded project is 
unique, and therefore may attach conditions to different projects' 
award documents. An applicant must execute and return the grant 
agreement, accompanied by any additional items required by the 
agreement, within the number of days specified in the selection notice 
letter.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    The items listed in this Notice, the Community Connect Grant 
Program regulation, the FY2016 Application Guide, and accompanying 
materials implement the appropriate administrative and national policy 
requirements, which include, but are not limited to:
    a. Executing a Community Connect Grant Agreement;
    b. Using Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' to 
request reimbursements (along with the submission of receipts for 
expenditures, timesheets, and any other documentation to support the 
request for reimbursement);
    c. Providing annual project performance activity reports until the 
expiration of the award;
    d. Ensuring that records are maintained to document all activities 
and expenditures utilizing Community Connect grant funds and matching 
funds (receipts for expenditures are to be included in this 
documentation);
    e. Providing a final project performance report;
    f. Complying with policies, guidance, and requirements as described 
in the following applicable Code of Federal Regulations, and any 
successor regulations;
    i. 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards),
    ii. 2 CFR part 417 (Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension),
    iii. 2 CFR part 180 (Government-wide Debarment and Suspension);
    g. Signing Form AD-3031 (``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or 
Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants'') (for corporate 
applicants only); and

[[Page 22572]]

    h. Complying with Executive Order 13166, ``Improving Access to 
Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency.'' For 
information on limited English proficiency and agency-specific 
guidance, go to http://www.LEP.gov.
3. Reporting
    a. Performance reporting. All recipients of Community Connect Grant 
Program financial assistance must provide annual performance activity 
reports to RUS until the project is complete and the funds are 
expended. A final performance report is also required; the final report 
may serve as the last annual report. The final report must include an 
evaluation of the success of the project in meeting the Community 
Connect Grant Program objectives. See 7 CFR 1739.19 and 2 CFR 200.328 
for additional information on these reporting requirements.
    b. Financial reporting. All recipients of Community Connect Grant 
Program financial assistance must provide an annual audit, beginning 
with the first year in which a portion of the financial assistance is 
expended. Audits are governed by United States Department of 
Agriculture audit regulations. See 7 CFR 1739.20 and 2 CFR part 200 
(Subpart F) for a description of the financial reporting requirements.
    c. Recipient and Sub-recipient Reporting. 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 
170.110(b). The reporting requirements under the Transparency Act 
pursuant to 2 CFR 170 are as follows:
    i. First Tier Sub-Awards of $25,000 or more (unless they are exempt 
under 2 CFR part 170) must be reported by the Recipient to https://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 
Federal 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/.
    ii. The Total Compensation of the Recipient's Executives (the five 
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.
    iii. The Total Compensation of the Sub-recipient's Executives (the 
five most highly compensated executives) must be reported by the Sub-
recipient (if the Sub-recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 
170) to the Recipient by the end of the month following the month in 
which the sub-award was made.
    d. Record Keeping and Accounting. The contract will contain 
provisions related to record keeping and accounting requirements.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    1. Web site: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-connect-grants. This site maintains up-to-date resources and contact 
information for the Community Connect Grant Program.
    2. Telephone: 202-720-0800.
    3. Fax: 1-844-885-8179.
    4. Email: [email protected].
    5. Main Point of Contact: Shawn Arner, Deputy Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

H. Other Information

1. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
    USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and 
applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, 
age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where 
applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental 
status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is 
derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic 
information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or 
funded by USDA. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs 
and/or employment activities.)
2. How to File a Complaint
    a. Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint. Individuals who wish to 
file an employment complaint must contact their Agency's EEO Counselor 
within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act, event, or 
in the case of a personnel action. Additional information can be found 
online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html.
    b. Program Discrimination Complaint. Individuals who wish to file a 
Program Discrimination Complaint must 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. A letter may also be written 
containing all of the information requested in the form. Send the 
completed complaint form or letter by mail to the 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].
3. Persons With Disabilities
    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 
(English) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).
    Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, 
please see information above on how to contact USDA by mail or email. 
Individuals who require alternative means of communication for program 
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) may contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

     Dated: March 21, 2016.
Joshua Cohen
Deputy Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-08931 Filed 4-15-16; 8:45 am]
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