[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57401-57406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24938]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Inviting Applications 
for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs for Fiscal 
Year 2019

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to invite applications for loans and grants 
under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Programs 
for fiscal year (FY) 2019, subject to the availability of funding. This 
notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to 
leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the 
Agency time to process applications within FY 2019. Successful 
applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and 
subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made 
available through appropriations. An announcement on the website at 
http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas 
will identify the amount received in the appropriations.
    All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in 
developing their applications.

DATES: See under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

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.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Mason at (202) 690-1433, 
[email protected], and Sami Zarour at (202) 720-9549, 
[email protected], Specialty Programs Division, Business 
Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. 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: The Agency encourages applications that will 
support recommendations made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force report 
to help improve life in rural America,

[[Page 57402]]

www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity. Applicants are encouraged to consider 
projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities 
build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in 
infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation.
    Key strategies include:

 Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America
 Developing the Rural Economy
 Harnessing Technological Innovation
 Supporting a Rural Workforce
 Improving Quality of Life

Overview

    Solicitation Opportunity Type: Rural Economic Development Loans and 
Grants.
    Announcement Type: Initial Solicitation Announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.854.
    Dates: The deadline for completed applications to be received in 
the USDA Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. (local 
time) are: Second Quarter, December 31, 2018; Third Quarter, March 31, 
2019 and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2019.

A. Program Description

    1. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of the program is to promote 
rural economic development and job creation projects.
    2. Statutory Authority. These Programs are authorized under 7 
U.S.C. 940c and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Assistance provided to 
Rural areas, as defined, under this program may include business 
startup costs, business expansion, business incubators, Technical 
assistance feasibility studies, Advanced telecommunications services 
and computer networks for medical, educational, and job training 
services, and Community Facilities Projects for economic development.
    Awards under the REDLG Programs will be made on a competitive basis 
using specific selection criteria contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart 
A. Information required to be in the application package includes 
Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance;'' a 
Resolution of the Board of Directors; AD-1047, ``Debarment/Suspension 
Certification;'' AD-1049 ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements;'' SF LLL, Restrictions on Lobbying; RD 400-1, ``Equal 
Opportunity Agreement;'' RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement;'' Assurance 
Statement for the Uniform Act; Seismic Certification (if construction); 
and paperwork required in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970, 
``Environmental Policies and Procedures.'' If the proposal involves new 
construction; large increases in employment; hazardous waste; a change 
in use, size, capacity, purpose, or location from an original facility; 
or is publicly controversial, the following is required: Environmental 
documentation in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970;'' RUS Form 7, 
``Financial and Statistical Report;'' RUS Form 7a, ``Investments, Loan 
Guarantees, and Loans,'' or similar information; and written narrative 
of Project description. Applications will be tentatively scored by the 
State Offices and submitted to the National Office for review.
    3. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this notice 
are published at 7 CFR 4280.3.
    4. Application Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score 
applications received in response to this notice based on the 
provisions found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, 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 whether or not funding is 
appropriated for these Programs in FY 2019.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Awards: Loans and Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2019.
    Available Funds: Anyone interested in submitting an application for 
funding under these Programs are encouraged to consult the Rural 
Development Notices of Solicitation of Applications website at http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas for 
funding information.
    Maximum Award: The Agency anticipates the following maximum amounts 
per award: Loans--$2,000,000; Grants--$300,000.
    Award Dates: Second Quarter, February 28, 2019; Third Quarter, May 
31, 2019; and Fourth Quarter, August 31, 2019.
    Performance Period: October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants
    Loans and grants may be made to any entity that is identified by 
USDA Rural Development as an eligible borrower under the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (Act). In accordance with 7 CFR 
4280.13, applicants that are not delinquent on any Federal debt or 
otherwise disqualified from participation in these Programs are 
eligible to apply. An applicant must be eligible under 7 U.S.C. 940c. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any former Rural Utilities 
Service borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct, or 
guaranteed loan under the Act, or any not-for-profit utility that is 
eligible to receive an insured or direct loan under such Act shall be 
eligible for assistance under section 313(b)(2)(B) of such Act in the 
same manner as a borrower under such Act. All other restrictions in 
this notice will apply.
    The Agency requires the following information to make an 
eligibility determination. 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 
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., 
tribe, 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;

[[Page 57403]]

    (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 last 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 REDLG; and
    (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
    For loans, either the Ultimate Recipient or the Intermediary must 
provide supplemental funds for the Project equal to at least 20 percent 
of the loan to the Intermediary. For grants, the Intermediary must 
establish a Revolving Loan Fund (or Fund) and contribute an amount 
equal to at least 20 percent of the Grant. The supplemental 
contribution must come from Intermediary's funds which may not be from 
other Federal Grants, unless permitted by law.
3. Other
    Applications will only be accepted for projects that promote rural 
economic development and job creation.
    There are no ``responsiveness'' or ``threshold'' eligibility 
criteria for these loans and grants. There is no limit on the number of 
applications an applicant may submit under this announcement. In 
addition to the forms listed under the program description, Form AD 
3030 ``Representations Regulation 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.
    Prior to official submission of grant applications, applicants may 
request technical assistance or other application guidance from the 
Agency, as long as such requests are made by June 15, 2019. Technical 
assistance is not meant to be an analysis or assessment of the quality 
of the materials submitted, a substitute for agency review of completed 
applications, nor a determination of eligibility, if such determination 
requires in-depth analysis. The Agency will not solicit or consider 
scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after the 
application deadline. The Agency reserves the right to contact 
applicants to seek clarification information on materials contained in 
the submitted application.
    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.
    Please note that applicants must locate the downloadable 
application package for this program by the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance Number or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which can be 
found at http://www.grants.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    An application must contain all of the required elements. Each 
selection priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR 4280.42(b) must be 
addressed in the application. Failure to address any of the criterion 
will result in a zero-point score for that criterion and will impact 
the overall evaluation of the application. Copies of 7 CFR part 4280, 
subpart A, will be provided to any interested applicant making a 
request to a Rural Development State Office. An original copy of the 
application must be filed with the Rural Development State Office for 
the State where the Intermediary is located.
    The applicant documentation and forms needed for a complete 
application are located in the Program Description

[[Page 57404]]

section of this notice, and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. 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.
3. Submission Dates and Times
    (a) Application Deadline Dates: No later than 4:30 p.m. (local 
time) on:
    Second Quarter, December 31, 2018; Third Quarter, March 31, 2019; 
and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2019.
    Explanation of Dates: Applications must be in the USDA Rural 
Development State Office by the dates and times 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 be received in the USDA Rural Development State Office by the 
deadline date and time 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 postmarked.
    (e) 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). 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.
    (f) 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.
    (g) 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 part 
4280, subpart A. 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.
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 part 
4280, subpart A. If determined eligible, your application will be 
submitted to the National Office. Funding of projects is subject to the 
Intermediary'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 4280.43.
    In order to distribute funds among the greatest number of projects 
possible, applications will be reviewed, prioritized, and funded by 
ranking each State's highest scoring Project in highest to lowest score 
order. The highest scoring Project from each State will be considered 
that State's Priority One Project. Priority One projects will be ranked 
according to score from highest to lowest. The second highest scoring 
Project from each State will be considered the State's Priority Two 
Project. Priority Two projects will be ranked according to score from 
highest to lowest and so forth until all projects have been scored and 
ranked in priority order. All Priority One projects will be funded 
before any Priority Two projects and so forth until funds are depleted, 
so as to ensure broad geographic distribution of funding.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. Federal Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive 
notification for funding from the Rural Development State Office. 
Applicants must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations 
before the loan/grant award can be approved. Provided the application 
and eligibility requirements have not changed, an application not 
selected will be reconsidered in three subsequent quarterly funding 
competitions for a total of four competitions. If an application is 
withdrawn, it can be resubmitted and will be evaluated as a new 
application.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Additional 
requirements that apply to intermediaries or grantees selected for 
these Programs can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Awards are 
subject to USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR Chapter IV which 
incorporated the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations 2 
CFR 200.
    All successful applicants will be notified by letter which will 
include a Letter of Conditions, and a Letter of Intent to Meet 
Conditions. This letter is not an authorization to begin performance. 
If the applicant wishes to consider beginning performance prior to the 
loan or grant being officially closed, all pre-award costs must be 
approved in writing and in advance by the Agency. The loan or 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 intermediaries or grantees 
selected for these Programs can be found in 7 CFR 4280, subpart A; the 
Grants and Agreements regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
codified in 2 CFR 400.1 to 400.2 and 2 CFR part 415 to 422, 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)).
    The following additional requirements apply to intermediaries or 
grantees selected for these Programs:
    (a) Form RD 4280-2 ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service Financial 
Assistance 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.''

[[Page 57405]]

    (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.'' Each prospective 
recipient must sign Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement,'' which 
assures USDA that the recipient is in compliance with Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, 7 CFR part 15, and other Agency regulations. 
That no person will be discriminated against based on race, color, or 
national origin, in regard to any program or activity for which the 
recipient receives Federal financial assistance. That nondiscrimination 
statements are in advertisements and brochures.
    Collect and maintain data provided by Ultimate Recipients on race, 
sex, and national origin and ensure Ultimate Recipients collect and 
maintain this data. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in 
accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to the 
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and 
Ethnicity'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be collected 
in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These 
items should not be submitted with the application but should be 
available upon request by the Agency.
    The applicant and the Ultimate Recipient must comply with Title VI 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments 
of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive 
Order 12250, Executive Order 13166 Limited English Proficiency (LEP), 
and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.
    (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 complete the Project 
within the total time 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 doing 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 of the Letter 
of Conditions.
    (5) Within 90 days after the conclusion of the Project, the 
Intermediary 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 Intermediary may request 
reimbursement on a monthly basis, the last 3 months of reimbursements 
will be withheld until a final report, Project performance, and 
financial status report are received and approved by the Agency.
    (b) In addition to any reports required by 2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR 
400.1 to 400.2 and 2 CFR part 415 to 422, the Intermediary or grantee 
must provide reports as required by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A.

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. Civil Rights Requirements

    All grants made under this notice are subject to Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15, 
subpart A) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title 
VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title IX, Executive Order 13166 
(Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and the Equal 
Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.

I. Other Information

Paperwork Reduction Act
    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
information collection requirement contained in this notice is approved 
by OMB under OMB Control Number 0570-0070.
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 SAM prior to submitting 
an application. Applicants may register for the SAM at http://www.sam.gov. All recipients of Federal financial grant assistance are 
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and 
executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
Nondiscrimination Statement
    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA Programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Agency or USDA's TARGET

[[Page 57406]]

Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the 
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program 
information may be made available in languages other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or 
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 
by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: November 7, 2018.
Bette B. Brand,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-24938 Filed 11-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P