[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9730-9734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03270]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket No. RHS-20-CF-0003]


Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant for 
Fiscal Year 2020

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Rural Housing Service (Agency) 
is accepting Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 applications for the Community 
Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant program. The 
Agency will publish the amount of funding received in the final 
appropriations act on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas. Awards will be made from 
available funding on or before September 15, 2020.

DATES: The Agency must receive applications in paper postmarked and 
mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by 4:00 p.m. local time on May 5, 
2020. Electronic applications must be submitted via grants.gov by 
Midnight Eastern time on April 30, 2020. Prior to official submission 
of applications, applicants may request technical assistance or other 
application guidance from the Agency, as long as such requests are made 
prior to April 27, 2020. 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.

ADDRESSES: Applications will be submitted to the USDA Rural Development 
State Office in the state where the applicant's headquarters is 
located. A listing of each State Office can be found at https://
www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_

[[Page 9731]]

Contacts.pdf. If you want to submit an electronic application, follow 
the instructions for the TAT funding announcement on http://www.grants.gov. For those applicants located in the District of 
Columbia, applications will be submitted to the National Office in care 
of Shirley Stevenson, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, STOP 0787, Room 0175-
S, Washington, DC 20250. Electronic applications will be submitted via 
http://www.grants.gov. All applicants can access application materials 
at http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Rural Development office in which 
the applicant is located. A list of the Rural Development State Office 
contacts can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. Applicants located in Washington, DC can 
contact Shirley Stevenson at (202) 205-9685 or via email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Rural Housing Service, an Agency of the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) herein referred to as 
the Agency, published a final rule with comment in the Federal Register 
on January 14, 2016, implementing Section 6006 of the Agriculture Act 
of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79) which provides authority to make Community 
Facilities Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grants. The final 
rule became effective on March 14, 2016, and is found at 7 CFR 3570, 
subpart F. A correction amendment was published in the Federal Register 
on May 6, 2016. The purpose of this Notice is to solicit applications 
for the FY 2020 TAT Grant Program.
    The Agency encourages applications that will help improve life in 
rural America. (See information on the Interagency Task Force on 
Agriculture and Rural Prosperity found at 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

    To combat a key threat to economic prosperity, rural workforce and 
quality of life, the Agency also encourages applications that will 
support the Administration's goal to reduce the morbidity and mortality 
associated with Substance Use Disorder (including opioid misuse) in 
high-risk rural communities by strengthening the capacity to address 
prevention, treatment and/or recovery at the community, county, state, 
and/or regional levels. See https://www.cdc.gov/pwid/vulnerable-counties-data.html.
    Key strategies include:
     Prevention: Reducing the occurrence of Substance Use 
Disorder (including opioid misuse) and fatal substance-related 
overdoses through community and provider education and harm reduction 
measures, such as the strategic placement of overdose reversing 
devices;
     Treatment: Implementing or expanding access to evidence-
based treatment practices for Substance Use Disorder (including opioid 
misuse), such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT); and
     Recovery: Expanding peer recovery and treatment options 
that help people start and stay in recovery.
    State Director and Administrator discretionary points will be 
awarded to applications that address these Agency Goals.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The paperwork burden has been approved by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575-0198.

National Environmental Policy Act

    All recipients under this Notice are subject to the requirements of 
7 CFR part 1970. However, awards for technical assistance and training 
under this Notice are classified as a Categorical Exclusion according 
to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), and usually do not require any additional 
documentation. The Agency will review each grant application to 
determine its compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be 
asked to provide additional information or documentation to assist the 
Agency with this determination.

Executive Order (E.O.) 13175 Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This Executive Order imposes requirements on Rural Development in 
the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications or 
preempt tribal laws. Rural Development has determined that this Notice 
does not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian 
tribe(s) or on either the relationship or the distribution of powers 
and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. 
Thus, this Notice is not subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
13175. Tribal Consultation inquiries and comments should be directed to 
RD's Native American Coordinator at [email protected] or (720) 544-
2911.

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Housing Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Community Facilities Technical 
Assistance and Training Grant.
    Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.766.
    Dates: To apply for funds, the Agency must receive mailed-in 
applications by 4:00 p.m. local time on May 5, 2020. Electronic 
applications must be submitted via grants.gov by Midnight Eastern time 
on April 30, 2020. The Agency will not consider any application 
received after this deadline. Prior to official submission of 
applications, applicants may request technical assistance or other 
application guidance from the Agency, as long as such requests are made 
prior to April 27, 2020. 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.
    Availability of Notice: This Notice is available through the USDA 
Rural Development site at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Purpose

    Congress authorized the Community Facilities Technical Assistance 
and Training Grant program in Title VI, Section 6006 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79). Program regulations can be 
found at 7 CFR part 3570, subpart F, which are incorporated by 
reference in this Notice. The purpose of this Notice is to seek 
applications from entities that will provide technical assistance and/
or training with respect to essential community facilities programs. It 
is the intent of this program to assist entities in rural areas in 
accessing funding under the Rural

[[Page 9732]]

Housing Service's Community Facilities Programs in accordance with 7 
CFR part 3570, subpart F. Funding priority will be made to private, 
nonprofit or public organizations that have experience in providing 
technical assistance and training to rural entities.

II. Award Information

    Type of Awards: Grants will be made to eligible entities who will 
then provide technical assistance and/or training to eligible ultimate 
recipients.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2020 Technical Assistance Training (TAT) 
Grant funds.
    Available Funds: The Agency is publishing the amount of funding 
received in the appropriations act on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas. Up to 
ten percent of the available funds may be awarded to the highest 
scoring Ultimate Recipient(s) as long as they score a minimum score of 
at least 70.
    Award Amounts: Grant awards for Technical Assistance Providers 
assisting Ultimate Recipients within one state may not exceed $150,000. 
Grant awards made to Ultimate Recipients will not exceed $50,000. The 
Agency reserves the right to reduce funding amounts based on the 
Agency's determination of available funding or other Agency funding 
priorities.
    Award Dates: Awards will be made from available funding on or 
before September 15, 2020.

III. Eligibility Information

    Both the applicant and the use of funds must meet eligibility 
requirements. The applicant eligibility requirements can be found at 7 
CFR 3570.262. Eligible project purposes can be found at 7 CFR 3570.263. 
Ineligible project purposes can be found at 7 CFR 3570.264. 
Restrictions substantially similar to Sections 743, 744, 745, and 746 
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-113) will 
apply unless noted on the Rural Development website (https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities-technical-assistance-and-training-grant). Any corporation (i) that has been 
convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law within 
the past 24 months or (ii) that has any unpaid Federal tax liability 
that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative 
remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid 
in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority 
responsible for collecting the tax liability, is not eligible for 
financial assistance provided with funds, 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. In addition, none of the funds 
appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act may 
be available for a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with 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. Additionally, no funds appropriated in this or any other 
Act may be used to implement or enforce the agreements in Standard 
Forms 312 and 4414 of the Government or any other nondisclosure policy, 
form, or agreement if such policy, form, or agreement does not contain 
the following provisions: ``These provisions are consistent with and do 
not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee 
obligations, rights, or liabilities created by existing statute or 
Executive order relating to (1) classified information, (2) 
communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General 
of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a 
gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and 
specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other 
whistleblower protection.''

IV. Application and Submission Information

    The requirements for submitting an application can be found at 7 
CFR 3570.267. All Applicants can access application materials at http://www.grants.gov. Applications must be received by the Agency by the due 
date listed in the DATES section of this Notice. Applications received 
after that due date will not be considered for funding. Paper copies of 
the applications will be submitted to the State Office in which the 
applicant is headquartered. Electronic submissions should be submitted 
at http://www.grants.gov. A listing of the Rural Development State 
Offices may be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. For applicants whose headquarters are in 
the District of Columbia, they will submit their application to the 
National Office in care of Shirley Stevenson, 1400 Independence Ave. 
SW, STOP 0787, Room 0175-S, Washington, DC 20250. Both paper and 
electronic applications must be received by the Agency by the deadlines 
stated in the DATES section of this Notice. The use of a courier and 
package tracking for paper applications is strongly encouraged. An 
applicant can only submit one application for funding.
    Application information for electronic submissions may be found at 
http://www.grants.gov.
    Applications will not be accepted via FAX or electronic email.

V. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System 
for Awards Management (SAM)

    Grant applicants must obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number and register in the System for Award 
Management (SAM) prior to submitting an application pursuant to 2 CFR 
25.200(b). In addition, an entity applicant must maintain registration 
in SAM at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an 
application or plan under consideration by the Agency. Similarly, all 
recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report 
information about first-tier subawards and executive compensation in 
accordance to 2 CFR part 170. So long as an entity applicant does not 
have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b), the applicant must have the 
necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting 
requirements should the applicant receive funding. See 2 CFR 
170.200(b).
    An applicant, unless excepted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c), or (d), 
is required to:
    (a) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application;
    (b) Provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and
    (c) 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 DUNS 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.
    As required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), all

[[Page 9733]]

grant applications must provide a DUNS number when applying for Federal 
grants, on or after October 1, 2003. Organizations can receive a DUNS 
number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free number at 1-866-
705-5711 or via internet at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Additional 
information concerning this requirement can be obtained on the 
Grants.gov website at http://www.grants.gov. Similarly, applicants may 
register for SAM at https://www.sam.gov or by calling 1-866-606-8220.
    The applicant must provide documentation that they are registered 
in SAM and their DUNS number. If the applicant does not provide 
documentation that they are registered in SAM and their DUNS number, 
the application will not be considered for funding.

VI. Application Processing

    Applications will be processed and scored in accordance with this 
NOSA and 7 CFR 3570.273. Those applications receiving the highest 
points using the scoring factors found at 7 CFR 3570.273 will be 
selected for funding. Up to 10% of the available funds may be awarded 
to the highest scoring Ultimate Recipient(s) as long as they score a 
minimum score of at least 70. In the case of a tie, the first tie 
breaker will go to the applicant who scores the highest on matching 
funds. If two or more applications are still tied after using this tie 
breaker, the next tie breaker will go to the applicant who scores the 
highest in the multi-jurisdictional category.
    Once the successful applicants are announced, the State Office will 
be responsible for obligating the grant funds, executing all obligation 
documents, and the grant agreement, as provided by the agency.

VII. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. Federal Award Notice. Within the limit of funds available for 
such purpose, the awarding official of the Agency shall make grants in 
ranked order to eligible applicants under the procedures set forth in 
this Notice and the grant regulation 7 CFR 3570, subpart F.
    Successful applicants will receive a letter in the mail containing 
instructions on requirements necessary to proceed with execution and 
performance of the award. This letter is not an authorization to begin 
performance. In addition, selected applicants will be requested to 
verify that components of the application have not changed at the time 
of selection and on the award date, if requested by the Agency.
    The award is not approved until all information has been verified, 
and the awarding official of the Agency has signed Form RD 1940-1, 
``Request for Obligation of Funds'' and the grant agreement.
    Unsuccessful and ineligible applicants will receive written 
notification of their review and appeal rights.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Grantees will 
be required to do the following:
    (a) Execute a Grant Agreement.
    (b) Execute Form RD 1940-1.
    (c) Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement'' to 
request reimbursement. Provide receipts for expenditures, timesheets, 
and any other documentation to support the request for reimbursement.
    (d) Provide financial status and project performance reports as set 
forth at 7 CFR 3570.276.
    (e) Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to 
the Agency.
    (f) Ensure that records are maintained to document all activities 
and expenditures utilizing CF TAT grant funds and any matching funds, 
if applicable. Receipts for expenditures will be included in this 
documentation.
    (g) Provide audits or financial information as set forth in 7 CFR 
3570.277.
    (h) Complete Form 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. It also 
assures that no person will be discriminated against based on race, 
color or national origin, in regard to any program or activity for 
which the re-lender receives Federal financial assistance. Finally, it 
assures that nondiscrimination statements are in the recipient's 
advertisements and brochures.
    (i) 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.
    (j) Provide a final performance report as set forth at 7 CFR 
3570.276(a)(7).
    (k) Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees.
    (l) 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. The grantee must 
comply with policies, guidance, and requirements as described in the 
following applicable Code of Federal Regulations and any successor 
regulations:
    (1) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards).
    (2) 2 CFR parts 417 and 180 (Government-wide Debarment and 
Suspension (Nonprocurement)).
    (m) 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.
    3. Reporting. Reporting requirements for this grant as set forth at 
7 CFR 3570.276.

VIII. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

    Contact the Rural Development state office in the state where the 
applicant's headquarters is located. A list of Rural Development State 
Offices can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. For Applicants located in Washington DC, 
please contact Shirley Stevenson at (202) 205-9685 or via email at 
[email protected].

IX. 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).

[[Page 9734]]

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 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) By 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].

Bruce W. Lammers,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-03270 Filed 2-19-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P