[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 32 (Friday, February 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10413-10432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03354]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Community Development Financial Institutions Fund


Notice of Funds Availability Inviting Applications for Financial 
Assistance Awards or Technical Assistance Grants Under the Native 
American CDFI Assistance Fiscal Year 2021 Funding Round

    Funding Opportunity Title: Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) 
inviting Applications for Financial Assistance (FA) awards or Technical 
Assistance (TA) grants under the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA 
Program) fiscal year (FY) 2021 Funding Round.
    Announcement Type: Announcement of funding opportunity.
    Funding Opportunity Number: CDFI-2021-NACA.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 21.012.

DATES: 

                  Table 1--FY 2021 NACA Program Funding Round Critical Deadlines for Applicants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Time  (eastern  time--
           Description                      Deadline                      ET)               Submission method
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last day to create an Awards      March 22, 2021..............  11:59 p.m.............  AMIS.
 Management Information Systems
 (AMIS) Account (all Applicants).
Last day to enter EIN and DUNS    March 22, 2021..............  11:59 p.m.............  AMIS.
 numbers in AMIS (all
 Applicants).
Last day to submit SF-424         March 22, 2021..............  11:59 p.m.............  Electronically via
 Mandatory (Application for                                                              Grants.gov.
 Federal Assistance).
Last day to contact NACA Program  April 29, 2021..............  5:00 p.m..............  Service Request \1\ via
 staff.                                                                                  AMIS
                                                                                        or
                                                                                        CDFI Fund Helpdesk:
                                                                                        202-653-0421.
Last day to contact AMIS-IT Help  May 3, 2021.................  5:00 p.m..............  Service Request via AMIS
 Desk (regarding AMIS technical                                                         or
 problems only).                                                                        202-653-0422
                                                                                        or
                                                                                        [email protected]
Last day to submit NACA Program   May 3, 2021.................  11:59 p.m.............  AMIS.
 Application for Financial
 Assistance (FA) or Technical
 Assistance (TA).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Executive Summary: Through  the NACA Program, the Community 
Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund provides (i) FA awards 
of up to $1 million to Certified Community Development Financial 
Institutions (CDFIs) serving Native American, Alaska Native, or Native 
Hawaiian populations or Native American areas defined as Federally-
designated reservations, Hawaiian homelands, Alaska Native Villages and 
U.S. Census Bureau-designated Tribal Statistical Areas (collectively, 
``Native Communities'') to build their financial capacity to lend to 
Eligible Markets and/or their Target Markets, and (ii) TA grants of up 
to $150,000 to build Certified, and Emerging CDFIs' organizational 
capacity to serve Eligible Markets and/or their Target Markets, and 
Sponsoring Entities ability to create

[[Page 10414]]

Certified CDFIs that serve Native Communities. All awards provided 
through this NOFA are subject to funding availability.
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    \1\ Service Request shall mean a written inquiry or notification 
submitted to the CDFI Fund via AMIS.
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I. Program Description

    A. History: The CDFI Fund was established by the Riegle Community 
Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to promote 
economic revitalization and community development through investment in 
and assistance to CDFIs. The Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) 
Program made its first awards in 2002, after the CDFI Program began 
making awards in 1996.
    B. Priorities: Through the NACA Program's FA awards and TA grants, 
the CDFI Fund invests in and builds the capacity of for-profit and non-
profit community based lending organizations known as CDFIs. These 
organizations, certified as CDFIs by the CDFI Fund, serve Native 
Communities.
    C. Authorizing Statutes and Regulations: The CDFI Program is 
authorized by the Riegle Community Development Banking and Financial 
Institutions Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-325, 12 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.) 
(Authorizing Statute). The regulations governing the NACA Program are 
found at 12 CFR parts 1805 and 1815 (the Regulations) and are used by 
the CDFI Fund to govern, in general, the NACA Program, setting forth 
evaluation criteria and other program requirements. The CDFI Fund 
encourages Applicants to review the Regulations; this NOFA; the NACA 
Program Application for Financial Assistance or Technical Assistance 
(the Application); all related materials and guidance documents found 
on the CDFI Fund's website (Application materials); and the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards (2 CFR part 1000), which is the Department of the 
Treasury's codification of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
government-wide framework for grants management at 2 CFR part 200 (the 
Uniform Requirements) for a complete understanding of the NACA Program. 
Capitalized terms in this NOFA are defined in the Authorizing Statute, 
the Regulations, this NOFA, the Application, Application materials, or 
the Uniform Requirements. Details regarding Application content 
requirements are found in the Application and Application materials.
    D. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 
Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR part 1000): The Uniform 
Requirements codify financial, administrative, procurement, and program 
management standards that Federal award agencies must follow. When 
evaluating Applications, awarding agencies must evaluate the risks 
posed by each Applicant, and each Applicant's merits and eligibility. 
These requirements are designed to ensure that Applicants for Federal 
assistance receive a fair and consistent review prior to an award 
decision. This review will assess items such as the Applicant's 
financial stability, quality of management systems, the soundness of 
its business plan, history of performance, ability to achieve 
measurable impacts through its products and services, and audit 
findings. In addition, the Uniform Requirements include guidance on 
audit requirements and other award compliance requirements for 
Recipients.
    E. Funding limitations: The CDFI Fund reserves the right to fund, 
in whole or in part, any, all, or none of the Applications submitted in 
response to this NOFA. The CDFI Fund also reserves the right to 
reallocate funds from the amount that is anticipated to be available 
through this NOFA to other CDFI Fund initiatives that are designed to 
benefit Native Communities, particularly if the CDFI Fund determines 
that the number of awards made through this NOFA is fewer than 
projected.

II. Federal Award Information

    A. Funding Availability:
    1. FY 2021 Funding Round: The CDFI Fund expects to award, through 
this NOFA, approximately $16.5 million as indicated in the following 
table:

                                               Table 2--FY 2021 Funding Round Anticipated Category Amounts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Estimated             Award Amount              Estimated       Estimate         Average
Funding categories  (see definition in Table 7 for TA or   total amount  --------------------------------   number  of    average amount      amount
                     Table 8 for FA)                       to be awarded                                   awards for FY     awarded in   awarded in  FY
                                                            (millions)        Minimum         Maximum          2021           FY 2021          2020
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base-FA.................................................           $11.9        $150,000      $1,000,000              23        $517,000        $615,000
Persistent Poverty Counties--Financial Assistance (PPC-              1.6         100,000         300,000              11         145,000         143,750
 FA)....................................................
TA......................................................               3          10,000        $150,000              20         148,000         145,000
Total (Base-FA, PPC-FA, and TA).........................            16.5  ..............  ..............              54  ..............  ..............
Disability Funds--Financial Assistance (DF-FA) *........               3         100,000         500,000              16         187,000         235,000
Healthy Food Financing Initiative--Financial Assistance               22         500,000       5,000,000              14       1,600,000       1,692,000
 (HFFI-FA) *............................................
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* DF-FA and HFFI-FA appropriation will be allocated in one competitive round between the NACA and CDFI Program NOFAs.

    The CDFI Fund reserves the right to award more or less than the 
amounts cited above in each category, based upon available funding and 
other factors, as appropriate.
    2. Funding Availability for the FY 2021 Funding Round: As of the 
date of this NOFA the CDFI Fund is operating under the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260).
    3. Anticipated Start Date and Period of Performance: The Period of 
Performance for TA grants begins with the date of the award 
announcement and includes either (i) an Emerging CDFI Recipient's three 
full consecutive fiscal years after the date of the award announcement, 
or (ii) a Certified CDFI Recipient's two full consecutive fiscal years 
after the date of the award announcement, or (iii) a Sponsoring Entity 
Recipient's four full years after the date of the award announcement, 
during which the Recipient must meet the Performance Goals and Measures 
(PG&Ms) set forth in the Assistance Agreement. The Period of 
Performance for FA awards begins with the date of the award 
announcement and includes a Recipient's three full consecutive fiscal 
years after the date of the award announcement, during which time the 
Recipient must meet the PG&Ms set forth in the Assistance Agreement.

[[Page 10415]]

    B. Types of Awards: Through the NACA Program, the CDFI Fund 
provides two types of awards: Financial Assistance (FA) and Technical 
Assistance (TA) awards. An Applicant may submit an Application for a TA 
grant or an FA award under the NACA Program, but not both. FA Awards 
include the Base Financial Assistance (Base-FA) award and the following 
awards that are provided as a supplement to the Base-FA award: Healthy 
Food Financing Initiative-Financial Assistance (HFFI-FA), Persistent 
Poverty Counties-Financial Assistance (PPC-FA), and Disability Funds-
Financial Assistance (DF-FA). The HFFI-FA, PPC-FA, and DF-FA 
Applications will be evaluated independently from the Base-FA 
Application, and will not affect the Base-FA Application evaluation or 
Base-FA award amount.
    However, Applicants that qualify for the NACA Program may submit 
two Applications: One Application--either for a TA grant or an FA 
award, but not both--through the CDFI Program, and one Application--
either for a TA grant or an FA award, but not both--through the NACA 
Program. NACA qualified Applicants that choose to apply for awards 
through both the CDFI Program and the NACA Program may either apply for 
the same type of award under each Program or for a different type of 
award under each Program. NACA qualified FA Applicants that choose to 
apply for an FA award under both the NACA Program and CDFI Program and 
are selected for an award under both Programs will be provided the FA 
award under the CDFI Program. NACA qualified TA Applicants that choose 
to apply for a TA award under both the NACA Program and CDFI Program 
and are selected for an award under both Programs will be provided the 
TA award under the NACA Program. NACA qualified Applicants that choose 
to apply for a TA award and a FA award under separate programs will be 
provided the larger of the two awards. NACA Applicants cannot receive 
an award under both Programs within the same funding round.
    The Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2020 (Pub. L. 116-
261) permanently waived the Matching Funds \2\ requirement for Native 
American CDFIs, \3\ and as a result, Native American CDFI FA Applicants 
are not required to provide Matching Funds. Additionally, TA Applicants 
are not required to provide Matching Funds.
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    \2\ Matching Funds shall mean funds from sources other than the 
Federal government as defined in accordance with the CDFI Program 
Regulations at 12 CFR 1805.500.
    \3\ A Native American CDFI (Native CDFI) is one that Primarily 
Serves a Native Community. Primarily Serves is defined as 50% or 
more of an Applicant's activities being directed to a Native 
Community.
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    1. Base-FA Awards: Base-FA awards are provided in the form of a 
grant. The CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to 
provide a Base-FA award in an amount other than that which the 
Applicant requests; however, the award amount will not exceed the 
Applicant's award request as stated in its Application.
    2. Persistent Poverty Counties--Financial Assistance (PPC-FA) 
Awards: PPC-FA awards will be provided as a supplement to Base-FA 
awards; therefore, only those Applicants that are selected to receive a 
Base-FA award through the NACA Program FY 2021 Funding Round will be 
eligible to receive a PPC-FA award. PPC-FA awards are provided in the 
form of a grant. The CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole 
discretion, to provide a PPC-FA award in an amount other than that 
which the Applicant requests; however, the award amount will not exceed 
the Applicant's award request as stated in its Application.
    3. Disability Funds--Financial Assistance (DF-FA) Awards: DF-FA 
awards will be provided as a supplement to Base-FA awards; therefore, 
only those Applicants that have been selected to receive a Base-FA 
award through the NACA Program FY 2021 Funding Round will be eligible 
to receive a DF-FA award. DF-FA awards are provided in the form of a 
grant for Native American CDFIs. The CDFI Fund reserves the right, in 
its sole discretion, to provide a DF-FA award in an amount other than 
that which the Applicant requests; however, the award amount will not 
exceed the Applicant's award request as stated in its Application.
    4. Healthy Food Financing Initiative--Financial Assistance (HFFI-
FA) Awards: HFFI-FA awards will be provided as a supplement to Base-FA 
awards; therefore, only those Applicants that have been selected to 
receive a Base-FA award through the NACA Program FY 2021 Funding Round 
will be eligible to receive an HFFI-FA award. HFFI-FA awards are 
provided in the form of a grant for Native American CDFIs. The CDFI 
Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to provide an HFFI-FA 
award in an amount other than that which the Applicant requests; 
however, the award amount will not exceed the Applicant's award request 
as stated in its Application.
    5. TA Grants: TA is provided in the form of grants. The CDFI Fund 
reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to provide a TA grant in an 
amount other than that which the Applicant requests; however, the TA 
grant amount will not exceed the Applicant's request as stated in its 
Application.
    C. Eligible Activities:
    1. FA Awards: Base-FA, PPC-FA, DF-FA, and HFFI-FA award funds may 
be expended for activities serving Commercial Real Estate, Small 
Business, Microenterprise, Community Facilities, Consumer Financial 
Products, Consumer Financial Services, Commercial Financial Products, 
Commercial Financial Services, Affordable Housing, Intermediary Lending 
to Non-Profits and CDFIs, and other lines of business as deemed 
appropriate by the CDFI Fund in the following five categories: (i) 
Financial Products; (ii) Financial Services; (iii) Loan Loss Reserves; 
(iv) Development Services; and (v) Capital Reserves. The FA Budget is 
the amount of the award and must be expended in the five eligible 
activity categories prior to the end of the Budget Period. \4\ None of 
the eligible activity categories will be authorized for Indirect Costs 
or an associated Indirect Cost Rate. Base-FA Recipients must meet 
PG&Ms, which will be derived from projections and attestations provided 
by the Applicant in its Application, to achieve one or more of the 
following FA Objectives: (i) Increase Volume of Financial Products in 
an Eligible Market(s) and/or in the Applicant's approved Target Market 
and/or Increase Volume of Financial Services in an Eligible Market(s) 
and/or in the Applicant's approved Target Market; (ii) Serve Eligible 
Market(s) or the Applicant's approved Target Market in New Geographic 
Area or Areas; (iii) Provide New Financial Products in an Eligible 
Market(s) and/or in the Applicant's approved Target Market, Provide New 
Financial Services in an Eligible Market(s) and/or in the Applicant's 
approved Target Market, or Provide New Development Services in an 
Eligible Market(s) and/or in the Applicant's approved Target Market; 
and (iv) Serve New Targeted Population or Populations. At the end of 
each year of the Period of Performance, 50% or more of the Financial 
Products closed by NACA Recipients must be in Native Communities. FA 
awards may only be used for Direct Costs associated with an eligible 
activity; no indirect expenses

[[Page 10416]]

are allowed. Up to 15% of the FA award may be used for Direct 
Administrative Expenses associated with an eligible FA activity. 
``Direct Administrative Expenses'' shall mean Direct Costs, as 
described in 2 CFR 200.413 of the Uniform Requirements, which are 
incurred by the Recipient to carry out the Financial Assistance. Direct 
Costs incurred to provide Development Services or Financial Services do 
not constitute Direct Administrative Expenses.
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    \4\ Budget Period means the time interval from the start date of 
a funded portion of an award to the end date of that funded portion 
during which Recipients are authorized to expend the funds awarded.
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    The Recipient must comply, as applicable, with the Buy American Act 
of 1933, 41 U.S.C. 8301-8303 and 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform 
Requirements, \5\ with respect to any Direct Costs. For purposes of 
this NOFA, the five eligible activity categories are defined below:
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    \5\ 2 CFR 200.216 prohibits Recipients and Subrecipients from 
obligating or expending loan or grant funds to procure or obtain, by 
contract or otherwise, equipment, services, or systems that use 
``covered telecommunications equipment''. As used herein, ``covered 
telecommunications equipment'' is telecommunications equipment 
produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any 
Subsidiary or Affiliate of such entities).

     Table 3--Base-FA, PPC-FA, DF-FA, and HFFI-FA Eligible Activity
                               Categories
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Eligible CDFI
     FA eligible activity        FA eligible activity      institution
                                     definition *             types
------------------------------------------------------------------------
i. Financial Products.........  FA expended as loans,   All.
                                 Equity Investments
                                 and similar financing
                                 activities (as
                                 determined by the
                                 CDFI Fund) including
                                 the purchase of loans
                                 originated by
                                 Certified CDFIs and
                                 the provision of loan
                                 guarantees. In the
                                 case of CDFI
                                 Intermediaries,
                                 Financial Products
                                 may also include
                                 loans to CDFIs and/or
                                 Emerging CDFIs, and
                                 deposits in Insured
                                 Credit Union CDFIs,
                                 Emerging Insured
                                 Credit Union CDFIs,
                                 and/or State-Insured
                                 Credit Union CDFIs..
                                For HFFI-FA, however,
                                 the purchase of loans
                                 originated by
                                 Certified CDFIs, loan
                                 refinancing, or any
                                 type of financing for
                                 prepared food outlets
                                 are not eligible
                                 activities..
ii. Financial Services........  FA expended for         Regulated
                                 providing checking,     Institutions
                                 savings accounts,       \6\ only.
                                 check cashing, money   Not applicable
                                 orders, certified       for HFFI-FA
                                 checks, automated       Recipients.
                                 teller machines,
                                 deposit taking, safe
                                 deposit box services,
                                 and other similar
                                 services.
iii. Loan Loss Reserves.......  FA set aside in the     All.
                                 form of cash
                                 reserves, or through
                                 accounting-based
                                 accrual reserves, to
                                 cover losses on
                                 loans, accounts, and
                                 notes receivable or
                                 for related purposes
                                 that the CDFI Fund
                                 deems appropriate.
iv. Development Services......  FA expended for         All.
                                 activities undertaken
                                 by a CDFI, its
                                 Affiliate or
                                 contractor that (i)
                                 promote community
                                 development and (ii)
                                 prepare or assist
                                 current or potential
                                 borrowers or
                                 investees to use the
                                 CDFI's Financial
                                 Products or Financial
                                 Services. For
                                 example, such
                                 activities include
                                 financial or credit
                                 counseling;.
                                homeownership
                                 counseling; business
                                 planning; and
                                 management
                                 assistance..
v. Capital Reserves...........  FA set aside as         Regulated
                                 reserves to support     Institutions
                                 the Applicant's         only.
                                 ability to leverage    Not applicable
                                 other capital, for      for DF-FA.
                                 such purposes as
                                 increasing its net
                                 assets or providing
                                 financing, or for
                                 related purposes as
                                 the CDFI Fund deems
                                 appropriate.
vi.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* All FA eligible activities must be in an Eligible Market or the
  Applicant's approved Target Market. Eligible Market is defined as (i)
  a geographic area meeting the requirements set forth in 12 CFR
  1805.201(b)(3)(ii), or (ii) individuals that are Low-Income, African
  American, Hispanic, Native American, Native Hawaiians residing in
  Hawaii, Alaska Natives residing in Alaska, or Other Pacific Islanders
  residing in American Samoa, Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands.

    2. DF-FA Award: DF-FA award funds may only be expended for eligible 
FA activities (referenced in Table 3) to directly or indirectly benefit 
individuals with disabilities. The DF-FA Recipient must close Financial 
Products for the primary purpose of directly or indirectly benefiting 
people with disabilities, where the majority of the DF-FA supported 
loans or investments benefit individuals with disabilities, in an 
amount equal to or greater than 85% of the total DF-FA provided. 
Eligible DF-FA financing activities may include, among other 
activities, loans to develop or purchase affordable, accessible, and 
safe housing; loans to provide or facilitate employment opportunities; 
and loans to purchase assistive technology.
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    \6\ Regulated Institutions include Insured Credit Unions, 
Insured Depository Institutions, State-Insured Credit Unions and 
Depository Institution Holding Companies.
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    For the purposes of DF- FA, a person with a Disability is a person 
who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one 
or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of 
such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having 
such an impairment, as defined by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) 
at https://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm.
    3. TA Grants: TA grant funds may be expended for the following 
eight eligible activity categories: (i) Compensation--Personal 
Services; (ii) Compensation--Fringe Benefits; (iii) Professional 
Service Costs; (iv) Travel Costs; (v) Training and Education Costs; 
(vi) Equipment; (vii) Supplies; and (viii) Incorporation Costs. Only 
Sponsoring Entities may use TA grant funds for Incorporation Costs. The 
TA Budget is the amount of the award and must be expended in the eight 
eligible activity categories before the end of the Budget Period. None 
of the eligible activity categories will be authorized for Indirect 
Costs or an associated Indirect Cost Rate. Any expenses that are 
prohibited by the Uniform Requirements are unallowable and are 
generally found in Subpart E-Cost Principles. The Recipient must 
comply, as applicable, with the Buy American Act of 1933, 41 U.S.C. 
8301-8303 and 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform Requirements, with respect 
to any Direct Costs. For purposes of this

[[Page 10417]]

NOFA, the eight eligible activity categories are defined below:

   Table 4--TA Eligible Activity Categories, Subject to the Applicable
                 Provisions of the Uniform Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Compensation--Personal     TA paid to cover all remuneration paid
 Services.                      currently or accrued, for services of
                                Applicant's employees rendered during
                                the Period of Performance under the TA
                                grant in accordance with Sec.   200.430
                                of the Uniform Requirements.
                               Any work performed directly but unrelated
                                to the purposes of the TA grant may not
                                be paid as Compensation through a TA
                                grant. For example, the salaries for
                                building maintenance would not carry out
                                the purpose of a TA grant and would be
                                deemed unallowable.
(ii) Compensation--Fringe      TA paid to cover allowances and services
 Benefits.                      provided by the Applicant to its
                                employees as Compensation in addition to
                                regular salaries and wages, in
                                accordance with Sec.   200.431 of the
                                Uniform Requirements. Such expenditures
                                are allowable as long as they are made
                                under formally established and
                                consistently applied organizational
                                policies of the Applicant.
(iii) Professional Service     TA used to pay for professional and
 Costs.                         consultant services (e.g., such as
                                strategic and marketing plan
                                development), rendered by persons who
                                are members of a particular profession
                                or possess a special skill (e.g., credit
                                analysis, portfolio management), and who
                                are not officers or employees of the
                                Applicant, in accordance with Sec.
                                200.459 of the Uniform Requirements.
                                Payment for a consultant's services may
                                not exceed the current maximum of the
                                daily equivalent rate paid to an
                                Executive Schedule Level IV Federal
                                employee. Professional and consultant
                                services must build the capacity of the
                                CDFI. For example, professional services
                                that provide direct Development Services
                                to the customers does not build the
                                capacity of the CDFI to provide those
                                services and would not be eligible. The
                                Applicant must comply, as applicable,
                                with 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform
                                Requirements, with respect to payment of
                                Professional Service Costs.
(iv) Travel Costs............  TA used to pay costs of transportation,
                                lodging, subsistence, and related items
                                incurred by the Applicant's personnel
                                who are on travel status on business
                                related to the TA award, in accordance
                                with Sec.   200.475 of the Uniform
                                Requirements. Travel Costs do not
                                include costs incurred by the
                                Applicant's consultants who are on
                                travel status. Any payments for travel
                                expenses incurred by the Applicant's
                                personnel but unrelated to carrying out
                                the purpose of the TA grant would be
                                deemed unallowable. As such,
                                documentation must be maintained that
                                justifies the travel as necessary to the
                                TA grant.
(v) Training and Education     TA used to pay the cost of training and
 Costs.                         education provided by the Applicant for
                                employees' development in accordance
                                with Sec.   200.473 of the Uniform
                                Requirements. TA can only be used to pay
                                for training costs incurred by the
                                Applicant's employees. Training and
                                Education Costs may not be incurred by
                                the Applicant's consultants.
(vi) Equipment...............  TA used to pay for tangible personal
                                property, having a useful life of more
                                than one year and a per-unit acquisition
                                cost of at least $5,000, in accordance
                                with Sec.   200.1 of the Uniform
                                Requirements. For example, items such as
                                office furnishings and information
                                technology systems are allowable as
                                Equipment costs. The Applicant must
                                comply, as applicable, with the Buy
                                American Act of 1933, 41 U.S.C. 8301-
                                8303 and 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform
                                Requirements, with respect to the
                                purchase of Equipment.
(vii) Supplies...............  TA used to pay for tangible personal
                                property with a per unit acquisition
                                cost of less than $5,000 in accordance
                                with Sec.   200.1 of the Uniform
                                Requirements. For example, a desktop
                                computer costing $1,000 is allowable as
                                a Supply cost. The Applicant must
                                comply, as applicable, with the Buy
                                American Act of 1933, 41 U.S.C. 8301-
                                8303 and 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform
                                Requirements, with respect to the
                                purchase of Supplies.
(viii) Incorporation Costs     TA used to pay for incorporation fees in
 (Sponsoring Entities only).    connection with the establishment or
                                reorganization of an organization as a
                                CDFI, in accordance with Sec.   200.455
                                of the Uniform Requirements.
                                Incorporation Costs are allowable for
                                NACA Program Sponsoring Entity
                                Applicants only.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. HFFI-FA Award: HFFI-FA award funds may only be expended for 
eligible FA activities referenced in Table 3. The HFFI-FA investments 
must comply with the following guidelines:
    a. Recipient must close Financial Products for Healthy Food Retail 
Outlets and Healthy Food Non-Retail Outlets in its approved Target 
Market in an amount equal to or greater than 100% of the total HFFI 
Financial Assistance provided. Eligible financing activities to Healthy 
Food Retail Outlets and Healthy Food Non-Retail Outlets require that 
the majority of the loan or investment be devoted to offering a range 
of Healthy Food choices, which may include, among other activities, 
investments supporting an existing retail store or wholesale operation 
upgrade to offer an expanded range of Healthy Food choices, or 
supporting a nonprofit organization that expands the availability of 
Healthy Foods in underserved areas.
    b. Recipient must demonstrate that it has closed Financial Products 
to Healthy Food Retail Outlets located in Food Deserts in the 
Recipient's approved Target Market in an amount equal to 75% of the 
total HFFI Financial Assistance provided.
    Definitions:
    Healthy Foods: Healthy Foods include unprepared nutrient-dense 
foods and beverages as set forth in the USDA Dietary Guidelines for 
Americans 2020-2025 including whole fruits and vegetables, whole 
grains, fat free or low-fat dairy foods, lean meats and poultry (fresh, 
refrigerated, frozen or canned). Healthy Foods should have low or no 
added sugars, and be low-sodium, reduced sodium, or no-salt-added. (See 
USDA Dietary Guidelines: http://www.dietaryguidelines.gov).
    Healthy Food Retail Outlets: Commercial sellers of Healthy Foods 
including, but not limited to, grocery stores, mobile food retailers, 
farmers markets, retail cooperatives, corner stores, bodegas, stores 
that sell other food and non-food items along with a range of Healthy 
Foods.
    Healthy Food Non-Retail Outlets: Wholesalers of Healthy Foods 
including, but not limited to, wholesale food outlets, wholesale 
cooperatives, or other non-retail food producers that supply for sale a 
range of Healthy Food options; entities that produce or distribute 
Healthy Foods for eventual retail sale, and entities that provide 
consumer education regarding the consumption of Healthy Foods.

[[Page 10418]]

    Food Deserts: Distressed geographic areas where either a 
substantial number or share of residents has low access to a 
supermarket or large grocery store. For the purpose of satisfying this 
requirement, a Food Desert must either: (1) Be a census tract 
determined to be a Food Desert by the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), in its USDA Food Access Research Atlas; (2) be a census tract 
adjacent to a census tract determined to be a Food Desert by the USDA, 
in its USDA Food Access Research Atlas; which has a median family 
income less than or equal to 120% of the applicable Area Median Family 
Income; or (3) be a Geographic Unit as defined in 12 CFR 
1805.201(b)(3)(ii)(B), which (i) individually meets at least one of the 
criteria in 12 CFR 1805.201(b)(3)(ii)(D), and (ii) has been identified 
as having low access to a supermarket or grocery store through a 
methodology that has been adopted for use by another governmental or 
philanthropic healthy food initiative.
    5. PPC-FA Award: PPC-FA award funds may only be expended for 
eligible FA activities referenced in Table 3. The PPC-FA Recipient must 
close Financial Products in PPC in an Eligible Market or in the 
Applicant's approved Target Market in an amount equal to or greater 
than 100% of the total PPC Financial Assistance provided. The specific 
counties that meet the criteria for ``persistent poverty'' can be found 
at: https://www.cdfifund.gov/Documents/CDFIPPCFeb19-2020.xls.

III. Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible Applicants: For the purposes of this NOFA, the 
following tables set forth the eligibility criteria to receive an award 
from the CDFI Fund, along with certain definitions of terms. There are 
four categories of Applicant eligibility criteria: (1) CDFI 
certification criteria (Table 5); (2) requirements that apply to all 
Applicants (Table 6); (3) requirements that apply to TA Applicants 
(Table 7); and (4) requirements that apply to FA Applicants (Table 8).

            Table 5--CDFI Certification Criteria Definitions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certified CDFI....................   An entity that the CDFI
                                     Fund has officially notified that
                                     it meets all CDFI certification
                                     requirements.
Emerging CDFI (TA Applicants).....   A non-Certified entity that
                                     demonstrates to the CDFI Fund in
                                     its Application that it has an
                                     acceptable plan to meet CDFI
                                     certification requirements by the
                                     end of its Period of Performance,
                                     or another date that the CDFI Fund
                                     selects.
                                     An Emerging CDFI that has
                                     prior award(s) must comply with
                                     CDFI certification PG&M(s) stated
                                     in its prior Assistance
                                     Agreement(s).
                                     An Emerging CDFI selected
                                     to receive a TA grant will be
                                     required to become a Certified CDFI
                                     by a date specified in the
                                     Assistance Agreement.
Sponsoring Entity.................   Sponsoring Entities include
                                     any legal organization that
                                     primarily serves a Native Community
                                     with ''primary'' meaning, at least
                                     50% of its activities are directed
                                     toward the Native Community.
                                     An eligible organization
                                     that proposes to create a separate
                                     legal organization that will become
                                     a Certified CDFI serving Native
                                     Communities.
                                     Each Sponsoring Entity
                                     selected to receive a TA grant will
                                     be required to create a CDFI and
                                     ensure that this newly created CDFI
                                     becomes certified by the dates
                                     specified in the Assistance
                                     Agreement.
Definition of Native Other          The CDFI Fund uses the following
 Targeted Population as Target       definitions, set forth in the
 Market.                             Office of Management and Budget
                                     (OMB) Notice, Revisions to the
                                     Standards for the Classification of
                                     Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity
                                     (October 30, 1997), as amended and
                                     supplemented:
                                     American Indian, Native
                                     American, or Alaska Native: A
                                     person having origins in any of the
                                     original peoples of North and South
                                     America (including Central America)
                                     and who maintains tribal
                                     affiliation or community
                                     attachment; and
                                        Native Hawaiian (living
                                        in Hawaii): A person having
                                        origins in any of the original
                                        peoples of Hawaii.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Table 6--Eligibility Requirements for All Applicants
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicant.........................   Only the entity that will
                                     carry out the proposed award
                                     activities may apply for an award
                                     (other than Depository Institution
                                     Holding Companies (DIHC) \7\--see
                                     below and Sponsoring Entities).
                                     Recipients may not create a new
                                     legal entity to carry out the
                                     proposed award activities (except
                                     for Sponsoring Entities).
                                     The information in the
                                     Application should only reflect the
                                     activities of the Applicant,
                                     including the presentation of
                                     financial and portfolio
                                     information. Do not include
                                     financial or portfolio information
                                     from parent companies, Affiliates,
                                     or Subsidiaries in the Application
                                     unless it relates to the provision
                                     of Development Services.
                                     An Applicant that applies
                                     on behalf of another organization
                                     will be rejected without further
                                     consideration, other than
                                     Depository Institution Holding
                                     Companies (see below).
Application type and submission      Applicants must submit the
 overview through Grants.gov and     Required Application Documents
 Awards Management Information       listed in Table 10.
 System (AMIS).                      The CDFI Fund will only
                                     accept Applications that use the
                                     official Application templates
                                     provided on the Grants.gov and AMIS
                                     websites. Applications submitted
                                     with alternative or altered
                                     templates will not be considered.
                                     Applicants undergo a two-
                                     step process that requires the
                                     submission of Application documents
                                     by two separate deadlines in two
                                     different locations: (1) The SF-424
                                     in Grants.gov and (2) all other
                                     Required Application Documents in
                                     AMIS.
                                     Grants.gov and the SF-424:
                                       [cir] Grants.gov: Applicants must
                                        submit the Standard Form (SF) SF-
                                        424, Application for Federal
                                        Assistance.
                                       [cir] All Applicants must
                                        register in the Grants.gov
                                        system to successfully submit an
                                        Application. The Grants.gov
                                        registration process can take 30
                                        days or more to complete. The
                                        CDFI Fund strongly encourages
                                        Applicants to register as early
                                        as possible.
                                       [cir] The CDFI Fund will not
                                        extend the SF-424 application
                                        deadline for any Applicant that
                                        started the Grants.gov
                                        registration process on, before,
                                        or after the date of the
                                        publication of this NOFA, but
                                        did not complete it by the
                                        deadline except in the case of a
                                        Federal government
                                        administrative or technological
                                        error that directly resulted in
                                        a late submission of the SF-424.

[[Page 10419]]

 
                                       [cir] The SF-424 must be
                                        submitted in Grants.gov on or
                                        before the deadline listed in
                                        Table 1 and Table 12. Applicants
                                        are strongly encouraged to
                                        submit their SF-424 as early as
                                        possible in the Grants.gov
                                        portal.
                                       [cir] The deadline for the
                                        Grants.gov submission is before
                                        the AMIS submission deadline.
                                       [cir] The SF-424 must be
                                        submitted under the NACA Program
                                        Funding Opportunity Number for
                                        the NACA Program Application.
                                        NACA Program Applicants should
                                        be careful to not select the
                                        CDFI Program Funding Opportunity
                                        Number when submitting their SF-
                                        424 for the NACA Program. NACA
                                        Program Applicants that submit
                                        their SF-424 for the NACA
                                        Program Application under the
                                        CDFI Program Funding Opportunity
                                        Number will be deemed ineligible
                                        for the NACA Program
                                        Application.
                                       [cir] If the SF-424 is not
                                        accepted by Grants.gov by the
                                        deadline, the CDFI Fund will not
                                        review any material submitted in
                                        AMIS and the Application will be
                                        deemed ineligible.
                                     AMIS and all other Required
                                     Application Documents listed in
                                     Table 10:
                                       [cir] AMIS is an enterprise-wide
                                        information technology system.
                                        Applicants will use AMIS to
                                        submit and store organization
                                        and Application information with
                                        the CDFI Fund.
                                       [cir] Applicants are only allowed
                                        one NACA Program Application
                                        submission in AMIS.
                                       [cir] Each Application in AMIS
                                        must be signed by an Authorized
                                        Representative.
                                       [cir] Applicants must ensure that
                                        the Authorized Representative is
                                        an employee or officer of the
                                        Applicant, authorized to sign
                                        legal documents on behalf of the
                                        organization. Consultants
                                        working on behalf of the
                                        organization may not be
                                        designated as Authorized
                                        Representatives.
                                       [cir] Only the Authorized
                                        Representative or Application
                                        Point of Contact, included in
                                        the Application, may submit the
                                        Application in AMIS.
                                       [cir] All Required Application
                                        Documents must be submitted in
                                        AMIS on or before the deadline
                                        specified in Tables 1 and 12.
                                       [cir] The CDFI Fund will not
                                        extend the deadline for any
                                        Applicant except in the case of
                                        a Federal government
                                        administrative or technological
                                        error that directly resulted in
                                        the late submission of the
                                        Application in AMIS.
Employer Identification Number       Applicants must have a
 (EIN).                              unique EIN assigned by the Internal
                                     Revenue Service (IRS).
                                     The CDFI Fund will reject
                                     an Application submitted with the
                                     EIN of a parent or Affiliate
                                     organization.
                                     The EIN in the Applicant's
                                     AMIS account must match the EIN in
                                     the Applicant's System for Award
                                     Management (SAM) account. The CDFI
                                     Fund reserves the right to reject
                                     an Application if the EIN in the
                                     Applicant's AMIS account does not
                                     match the EIN in its SAM account.
                                     Applicants must enter their
                                     EIN into their AMIS profile on or
                                     before the deadline specified in
                                     Tables 1 and 12.
Dun & Bradstreet, (DUNS) number...   Pursuant to OMB guidance
                                     (68 FR 38402), an Applicant must
                                     apply using its unique DUNS number
                                     in Grants.gov.
                                     The CDFI Fund will reject
                                     an Application submitted with the
                                     DUNS number of a parent or
                                     Affiliate organization.
                                     The DUNS number in the
                                     Applicant's AMIS account must match
                                     the DUNS number in the Applicant's
                                     Grants.gov and SAM accounts. The
                                     CDFI Fund will reject an
                                     Application if the DUNS number in
                                     the Applicant's AMIS account does
                                     not match the DUNS number in its
                                     Grants.gov and SAM accounts.
                                     Applicants must enter their
                                     DUNS number into their AMIS profile
                                     on or before the deadline specified
                                     in Tables 1 and 12.
System for Award Management (SAM).   SAM is a web-based,
                                     government-wide application that
                                     collects, validates, stores, and
                                     disseminates business information
                                     about the federal government's
                                     trading partners in support of the
                                     contract awards, grants, and
                                     electronic payment processes.
                                     Applicants must register in
                                     SAM as part of the Grants.gov
                                     registration process.
                                     Applicants must have a DUNS
                                     number and an EIN number in order
                                     to register in SAM.
                                     Applicants must be
                                     registered in SAM in order to
                                     submit an SF-424 in Grants.gov.
                                     The CDFI Fund reserves the
                                     right to deem an Application
                                     ineligible if the Applicant's SAM
                                     account expires during the
                                     Application evaluation period, or
                                     is set to expire before September
                                     30, 2021, and the Applicant does
                                     not re-activate, or renew, as
                                     applicable, the account within the
                                     deadlines that the CDFI Fund
                                     communicates to affected Applicants
                                     during the Application evaluation
                                     period.
AMIS Account......................   Each Applicant must
                                     register as an organization in AMIS
                                     and submit all Required Application
                                     Documents listed in Table 10
                                     through the AMIS portal.
                                     The Application of any
                                     organization that does not properly
                                     register in AMIS by the deadline
                                     set forth in Table 1--FY 2021 NACA
                                     Program Funding Round Critical
                                     Deadlines for Applicants--will be
                                     rejected without further
                                     consideration.
                                     The Authorized
                                     Representative and/or Application
                                     Point of Contact must be included
                                     as ``users'' in the Applicant's
                                     AMIS account.
                                     An Applicant that fails to
                                     properly register and update its
                                     AMIS account may miss important
                                     communication from the CDFI Fund
                                     and/or may not be able to
                                     successfully submit an Application.
501 (c)(4) status.................   Pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 1611,
                                     any 501(c)(4) organization that
                                     engages in lobbying activities is
                                     not eligible to receive a CDFI or
                                     NACA Program award.
Compliance with Nondiscrimination    An Applicant may not be
 and Equal Opportunity Statutes,     eligible to receive an award if
 Regulations, and Executive Orders.  proceedings have been instituted
                                     against it in, by, or before any
                                     court, governmental agency, or
                                     administrative body, and a final
                                     determination within the last three
                                     years indicates the Applicant has
                                     violated any of the following laws,
                                     including but not limited to: Title
                                     VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
                                     as amended (42 U.S.C.2000d);
                                     Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
                                     Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); the
                                     Age Discrimination Act of 1975, (42
                                     U.S.C. 6101-6107), and Executive
                                     Order 13166, Improving Access to
                                     Services for Persons with Limited
                                     English Proficiency.
Depository Institution Holding       In the case where a CDFI
 Company Applicant.                  Depository Institution Holding
                                     Company Applicant intends to carry
                                     out the activities of an award
                                     through its Subsidiary CDFI Insured
                                     Depository Institution, the
                                     Application must be submitted by
                                     the CDFI Depository Institution
                                     Holding Company and reflect the
                                     activities and financial
                                     performance of the Subsidiary CDFI
                                     Insured Depository Institution.

[[Page 10420]]

 
                                     Authorized Representatives
                                     of both the Depository Institution
                                     Holding Company and the Subsidiary
                                     CDFI Insured Depository Institution
                                     must certify that the information
                                     included in the Application
                                     represents that of the Subsidiary
                                     CDFI Insured Depository
                                     Institution, and that the award
                                     funds will be used to support the
                                     Subsidiary CDFI Insured Depository
                                     Institution for the eligible
                                     activities outlined in the
                                     Application.
Use of award......................   All awards made through
                                     this NOFA must be used to support
                                     the Applicant's activities in at
                                     least one of the FA or TA Eligible
                                     Activity Categories (see Section
                                     II. (C)).
                                     With the exception of
                                     Depository Institution Holding
                                     Company Applicants, awards may not
                                     be used to support the activities
                                     of, or otherwise be passed through,
                                     transferred, or co-awarded to,
                                     third-party entities, whether
                                     Affiliates, Subsidiaries, or
                                     others, unless done pursuant to a
                                     merger or acquisition or similar
                                     transaction, and with the CDFI
                                     Fund's prior written consent. The
                                     Recipient of any award made through
                                     this NOFA must comply, as
                                     applicable, with the Buy American
                                     Act of 1933, 41 U.S.C. 8301-8303
                                     and 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform
                                     Requirements, with respect to any
                                     Direct Costs.
Requested award amount............   An Applicant must state its
                                     requested award amount in the
                                     Application in AMIS. An Applicant
                                     that does not include this amount
                                     will not be allowed to submit an
                                     Application.
Pending resolution of                The CDFI Fund will consider
 noncompliance.                      an Application submitted by an
                                     Applicant that has pending
                                     noncompliance issues on any of its
                                     previously executed award
                                     agreement(s), if the CDFI Fund has
                                     not yet made a final compliance
                                     determination.
Noncompliance or default status...   The CDFI Fund will not
                                     consider an Application submitted
                                     by an Applicant that has a
                                     previously executed award
                                     agreement(s) if, as of the date of
                                     the Application, (i) the CDFI Fund
                                     has made a final determination that
                                     such entity is noncompliant or
                                     found in default with a previously
                                     executed agreement, and (ii) the
                                     CDFI Fund has provided written
                                     notification that such entity is
                                     ineligible to apply for or receive
                                     any future CDFI Fund awards or
                                     allocations. Such entities will be
                                     ineligible to submit an Application
                                     for such time period as specified
                                     by the CDFI Fund in writing.
                                     The CDFI Fund will not
                                     consider any Applicant that has
                                     defaulted on a loan from the CDFI
                                     Fund within five years of the
                                     Application deadline.
Debarment/Do Not Pay Verification.   The CDFI Fund will conduct
                                     a debarment check and will not
                                     consider an Application submitted
                                     by an Applicant (or Affiliate of an
                                     Applicant) if the Applicant is
                                     delinquent on any Federal debt.
                                     The Do Not Pay Business
                                     Center was developed to support
                                     Federal agencies in their efforts
                                     to reduce the number of improper
                                     payments made through programs
                                     funded by the Federal government.
                                     The Do Not Pay Business Center
                                     provides delinquency information to
                                     the CDFI Fund to assist with the
                                     debarment check.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    \7\ Depository Institution Holding Company or DIHC means a Bank 
Holding Company or a Savings and Loan Holding Company.

           Table 7--Eligibility Requirements for TA Applicants
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CDFI certification status.........  Certified CDFIs, Emerging CDFIs, or
                                     Sponsoring Entities (see
                                     definitions in Table 5).
Matching Funds....................   Matching Funds
                                     documentation is not required for
                                     TA awards.
Limitation on Awards..............   An Emerging CDFI serving
                                     Native Communities may not receive
                                     more than three TA awards as an
                                     uncertified CDFI.
                                     A Sponsoring Entity is only
                                     eligible to apply for an award if
                                     (i) it does not have an active
                                     prior award or (ii) the
                                     certification goal in its active
                                     award's Assistance Agreement has
                                     been satisfied and it proposes to
                                     create another CDFI that will serve
                                     one or more Native Communities.
Proposed Activities...............   Applicants must propose to
                                     directly undertake eligible
                                     activities with TA awards. For
                                     example, an uncertified CDFI
                                     Applicant must propose to become
                                     certified as part of its
                                     Application and a Certified CDFI
                                     Applicant must propose activities
                                     that build its capacity to serve
                                     its Target Market or an Eligible
                                     Market.
                                     With the exception of
                                     Sponsoring Entities, Applicants may
                                     not propose to use a TA award to
                                     create a separate legal entity to
                                     become a Certified CDFI or
                                     otherwise carry out the TA award
                                     activities.
Regulated Institution.............   Each Regulated Institution
                                     TA Applicant must have a CAMELS/
                                     CAMEL rating (rating for banks and
                                     credit unions, respectively) or
                                     equivalent type of rating by its
                                     regulator (collectively referred to
                                     as ``CAMELS/CAMEL rating'') of at
                                     least ``4''.
                                     TA Applicants with CAMELS/
                                     CAMEL ratings of ``5'' will not be
                                     eligible for awards.
                                     The CDFI Fund will also
                                     evaluate material concerns
                                     identified by the Appropriate
                                     Federal Banking Agency in
                                     determining the eligibility of
                                     Regulated Institution Applicants.
Target Market.....................   TA Applicants must
                                     demonstrate that the Certified
                                     CDFI, Emerging CDFI, or the CDFI to
                                     be created by the Sponsoring Entity
                                     will primarily serve one or more
                                     Native Communities as its Target
                                     Market.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


           Table 8--Eligibility Requirements for FA Applicants
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CDFI certification status.........   Each FA Applicant must be a
                                     Certified CDFI prior to the date of
                                     the release of this NOFA.
                                     The CDFI Fund will consider
                                     an Application submitted by an
                                     Applicant that has pending
                                     noncompliance issues with its
                                     Annual Certification Report if the
                                     CDFI Fund has not yet made a final
                                     compliance determination.
                                     If a Certified CDFI loses
                                     its certification at any point
                                     prior to the award announcement,
                                     the Application will no longer be
                                     considered by the CDFI Fund.
Activities in Native Communities..   For consideration under
                                     this NOFA, each FA Applicant must:

[[Page 10421]]

 
                                       [cir] Demonstrate that at least
                                        50% of its past activities were
                                        in one or more Native
                                        Communities; and
                                       [cir] Describe how it will target
                                        its lending/investing activities
                                        to one or more Native
                                        Communities.
Target Market.....................   For consideration under
                                     this NOFA, an FA Applicant's
                                     certification Target Market must
                                     have one or more of the following
                                     characteristics:
                                       [cir] For qualifying with an
                                        Investment Area, the Applicant
                                        must demonstrate that the
                                        Investment Area approved for
                                        certification is also a
                                        geographic area of Federally-
                                        designated reservations,
                                        Hawaiian homelands, Alaska
                                        Native Villages and U.S. Census
                                        Bureau designated Tribal
                                        Statistical Areas; and/or
                                       [cir] For qualifying with an
                                        Other Targeted Population (OTP),
                                        the applicant's Target Market
                                        approved for certification must
                                        be an OTP of Native Americans or
                                        American Indians, including
                                        Alaska Natives living in Alaska
                                        and Native Hawaiians living in
                                        Hawaii.
                                     Any FA Applicant whose
                                     certification Target Market does
                                     not meet either of the conditions
                                     above will not be eligible for an
                                     FA award under this NOFA.
Community Collaboration...........   All FA Applicants must
                                     demonstrate strong community
                                     collaboration with Native
                                     Communities.
Matching Funds documentation......   Native American CDFIs are
                                     not required to provide Matching
                                     Funds.
$5 Million funding cap............   The CDFI Fund is prohibited
                                     from obligating more than $5
                                     million in CDFI and NACA Program
                                     awards, in the aggregate, to any
                                     one organization and its
                                     Subsidiaries and Affiliates during
                                     any three-year period from the
                                     Announcement Date.
                                     For TA Applicants, for
                                     purposes of this NOFA and per final
                                     FY 2021 appropriations language,
                                     the CDFI Fund will include CDFI and
                                     NACA Program final awards in the
                                     cap calculation that were provided
                                     to an Applicant (and/or its
                                     Subsidiaries or Affiliates) under
                                     the FY 2019, and 2020 funding
                                     rounds, as well as the requested FY
                                     2021 award, excluding DF-FA and
                                     HFFI-FA awards.
                                     For FA Applicants, for
                                     purposes of this NOFA and per final
                                     FY 2021 appropriations language,
                                     the CDFI Fund will include CDFI and
                                     NACA Program final awards in the
                                     cap calculation that were provided
                                     to an Applicant (and/or its
                                     Subsidiaries or Affiliates) under
                                     the FY 2019 and 2020 funding
                                     rounds, as well as the requested FY
                                     2021 award, excluding DF-FA and
                                     HFFI-FA awards.
FA Applicants with Community         A NACA Applicant can apply
 Partners.                           for assistance jointly with a
                                     Community Partner. The CDFI
                                     Applicant must complete the NACA
                                     Program Application and address the
                                     Community Partnership in its
                                     business plan and other sections of
                                     the Application as specified in the
                                     Application materials.
                                     The CDFI Applicant must be
                                     a Certified CDFI as defined in
                                     Table 5.
                                     An Application with a
                                     Community Partner must:
                                       [cir] Describe how the NACA
                                        Applicant and Community Partner
                                        will each participate in the
                                        partnership and how the
                                        partnership will enhance
                                        eligible activities serving the
                                        Investment Area and/or Targeted
                                        Population.
                                       [cir] Demonstrate that the
                                        Community Partnership activities
                                        are consistent with the
                                        strategic plan submitted by the
                                        NACA Applicant.
                                     Assistance provided upon
                                     approval of an Application with a
                                     Community Partner shall only be
                                     entrusted to the NACA Applicant and
                                     shall not be used to fund any
                                     activity carried out directly by
                                     the Community Partner or an
                                     Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof.
Regulated Institution.............   Each Regulated Institution
                                     FA Applicant must have a CAMELS/
                                     CAMEL rating (rating for banks and
                                     credit unions, respectively) or
                                     equivalent type of rating by its
                                     regulator (collectively referred to
                                     as ``CAMELS/CAMEL rating'') of at
                                     least ``3''.
                                     FA Applicants with CAMELS/
                                     CAMEL ratings of ``4 or 5'' will
                                     not be eligible for awards.
                                     The CDFI Fund will also
                                     evaluate material concerns
                                     identified by the Appropriate
                                     Federal Banking Agency in
                                     determining the eligibility of
                                     Regulated Institution Applicants.
PPC-FA............................   All PPC-FA Applicants must:
                                       [cir] Submit a CDFI or NACA
                                        Program FA Application;
                                       [cir] Meet all NACA FA award
                                        eligibility requirements; and
                                       [cir] Provide a PPC-FA award
                                        request amount in AMIS.
DF-FA.............................   All DF-FA Applicants must:
                                       [cir] Submit a CDFI or NACA
                                        Program FA Application;
                                       [cir] Meet all NACA FA award
                                        eligibility requirements;
                                       [cir] Submit the DF-FA
                                        Application; and
                                       [cir] Provide a DF-FA award
                                        request amount in AMIS.
HFFI-FA...........................   All HFFI-FA Applicants
                                     must:
                                       [cir] Submit a CDFI or NACA
                                        Program FA Application;
                                       [cir] Meet all NACA FA award
                                        eligibility requirements;
                                       [cir] Submit the HFFI-FA
                                        Application; and
                                       [cir] Provide a HFFI-FA award
                                        request amount in AMIS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    B. Matching Funds Requirements: Native American CDFIs are not 
required to provide Matching Funds.

                            Table 9--Reserved
 
 


[[Page 10422]]

IV. Application and Submission Information

    A. Address to Request an Application Package: Application materials 
can be found on the CDFI Fund's website at www.cdfifund.gov/programs-training/Programs/native-initiatives. Applicants may request a paper 
version of any Application material by contacting the CDFI Fund Help 
Desk at [email protected]. Paper versions of Application 
materials will only be provided if an Applicant cannot access the CDFI 
Fund's website.
    B. Content and Form of Application Submission: All Applications 
must be prepared using the English language, and calculations must be 
computed in U.S. dollars. The following table lists the Required 
Application Documents for the FY 2021 Funding Round. The CDFI Fund 
reserves the right to request and review other pertinent or public 
information that has not been specifically requested in this NOFA or 
the Application. Information submitted by the Applicant that the CDFI 
Fund has not specifically requested will not be reviewed or considered 
as part of the Application. Financial data, portfolio, and activity 
information provided in the Application should only include the 
Applicant's activities. Information submitted must accurately reflect 
the Applicant's activities.

                Table 10--Required Application Documents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Application documents         Applicant type     Submission format
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Active AMIS Account.............  All Applicants....  AMIS.
SF-424..........................  All Applicants....  Fillable PDF in
                                                       Grants.gov.
NACA Program Application          All Applicants....  AMIS.
 Components:.
     Funding Application
     Detail.
     Data, Charts, and
     Narrative sections as
     listed in AMIS and outlined
     in Application materials.
PPC-FA Application Components:..  PPC-FA Applicants.  AMIS.
     Funding Application
     Detail
     Narratives
     AMIS Charts
DF-FA Application Components:...  DF-FA Applicants..  AMIS.
     Funding Application
     Detail.
     Narratives.
     AMIS Charts.
HFFI-FA Application Components:.  HFFI-FA Applicants  AMIS.
     Funding Application
     Detail.
     Narratives.
     AMIS charts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ATTACHMENTS TO THE APPLICATION: Add to ``Related Attachments'' related
                           list in Application
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key Staff Resumes...............  All Applicants....  PDF or Word
                                                       document in AMIS.
Organizational Chart............  All Applicants....  PDF in AMIS.
Audited financial statements for  FA Applicants:      PDF in AMIS.
 the Applicant's Three Most        Loan funds,
 Recent Historic Fiscal Years.     Venture Capital
                                   Funds,\8\ and
                                   other non-
                                   Regulated
                                   Institutions.
                                  TA Applicants, if
                                   available: loan
                                   funds, Venture
                                   Capital Funds,
                                   and other non-
                                   Regulated
                                   Institutions.
Management Letter for the         FA Applicants:      PDF in AMIS.
 Applicant's Most Recent           Loan funds,
 Historic Fiscal Year.             Venture Capital
The Management Letter is           Funds, and other
 prepared by the Applicant's       non-Regulated
 auditor and is a communication    Institutions.
 on internal control over         TA Applicants, if
 financial reporting,              audited financial
 compliance, and other matters.    statements are
 The Management Letter contains    available: Loan
 the auditor's findings            funds, Venture
 regarding the Applicant's         Capital Funds,
 accounting policies and           and other non-
 procedures, internal controls,    Regulated
 and operating policies,           Institutions.
 including any material
 weaknesses, significant
 deficiencies, and other matters
 identified during auditing. The
 Management Letter may include
 suggestions for improving on
 identified weaknesses and
 deficiencies and/or best
 practice suggestions for items
 that may not be considered to
 be weaknesses or deficiencies.
 The Management Letter may also
 include items that are not
 required to be disclosed in the
 annual audited financial
 statements. The Management
 Letter is distinct from the
 auditor's Opinion Letter, which
 is required by Generally
 Accepted Accounting Principles
 (GAAP). Management Letters are
 not required by GAAP, and are
 sometimes provided by the
 auditor as a separate letter
 from the audit itself.
Statement(s) in Lieu of           FA Applicants:      AMIS.
 Management Letter for             Loan funds,
 Applicant's Most Recent           Venture Capital
 Historic Fiscal Year issued by    Funds, and other
 the Board Treasurer or other      non-Regulated
 Board member using the template   Institutions.
 provided in the Application      TA Applicants, if
 materials (required only if       audited financial
 Management Letters are not        statements ARE
 available for audited financial   available but the
 statements).                      Management
                                   Letters are NOT
                                   available: Loan
                                   funds, Venture
                                   Capital Funds,
                                   and other non-
                                   Regulated
                                   Institutions.
Unaudited financial statements    TA Applicants:      PDF in AMIS.
 for Applicant's Three Most        Loan funds,
 Recent Historic Years (required   Venture Capital
 only if audited financial         Funds, and other
 statements are not available).    non-Regulated
                                   Institutions.

[[Page 10423]]

 
Current Year to Date--December    FA and TA           PDF in AMIS.
 31, 2020 Unaudited financial      Applicants: Loan
 statements.                       funds, Venture
                                   Capital Funds,
                                   and other non-
                                   Regulated
                                   Institutions.
Community Partnership Agreement.  FA Applicants, if   PDF or Word
                                   applicable.         document in AMIS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    C. Application Submission: The CDFI Fund has a two-step process 
that requires the submission of Required Application Documents (listed 
in Table 10) on separate deadlines and locations. The SF-424 must be 
submitted through Grants.gov and all other Required Application 
Documents through the AMIS portal. The CDFI Fund will not accept 
Applications via email, mail, facsimile, or other forms of 
communication, except in extremely rare circumstances that have been 
pre-approved in writing by the CDFI Fund. The deadline for submitting 
the SF-424 is listed in Tables 1 and 12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ A Venture Capital Fund is an organization that predominantly 
invests funds in businesses, typically in the form of either Equity 
Investments or subordinated debt with equity features such as 
revenue participation or warrants, and generally seeks to 
participate in the upside returns of such businesses in an effort to 
at least partially offset the risk of its investments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All Applicants must register in the Grants.gov system to 
successfully submit the SF-424. The Grants.gov registration process can 
take 45 days or longer to complete and the CDFI Fund strongly 
encourages Applicants to start the Grants.gov registration process as 
early as possible (refer to the following link: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html). Since the Grants.gov registration process 
requires Applicants to have DUNS and EIN numbers, Applicants without 
these required numbers should allow for additional time to complete the 
Grants.gov registration process. Further, as described in Section IV. 
(E) of this NOFA, new requirements for registration in the System for 
Awards Management (SAM), which is required as part of the Grants.gov 
registration process, may take more time than in recent years. The CDFI 
Fund will not extend the Application deadline for any Applicant that 
started the Grants.gov registration process but did not complete it by 
the deadline. An Applicant that has previously registered with 
Grants.gov must verify that its registration is current and active. 
Applicants should contact Grants.gov directly with questions related to 
the registration or submission process as the CDFI Fund does not 
maintain the Grants.gov system.
    Each Application must be signed by a designated Authorized 
Representative in AMIS before it can be submitted. Applicants must 
ensure that an Authorized Representative is an employee or officer and 
is authorized to sign legal documents on behalf of the Applicant. 
Consultants working on behalf of the Applicant may not be designated as 
Authorized Representatives. Only a designated Authorized Representative 
or Application Point of Contact, included in the Application, may 
submit the Application in AMIS. If an Authorized Representative or 
Application Point of Contact does not submit the Application, the 
Application will be deemed ineligible.
    D. Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering System: Pursuant to the 
Uniform Requirements, each Applicant must provide as part of its 
Application submission, a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System 
(DUNS) number. Applicants without a DUNS number will not be able to 
register and submit an Application in the Grants.gov system. Allow 
sufficient time for Dun & Bradstreet to respond to inquiries and/or 
requests for DUNS numbers.
    E. System for Award Management (SAM): Any entity applying for 
Federal grants or other forms of Federal financial assistance through 
Grants.gov must be registered in SAM before submitting its Application. 
Registration in SAM is required as part of the Grants.gov registration 
process. The SAM registration process may take one month or longer to 
complete. A signed notarized letter identifying the SAM authorized 
entity administrator for the entity associated with the DUNS number is 
required. This requirement is applicable to new entities registering in 
SAM, as well as to existing entities with registrations being updated 
or renewed in SAM. Applicants without DUNS and/or EIN numbers should 
allow for additional time as an Applicant cannot register in SAM 
without those required numbers. Applicants that have previously 
completed the SAM registration process must verify that their SAM 
accounts are current and active. Each Applicant must continue to 
maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all 
times during which it has an active Federal award or an Application 
under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The CDFI Fund will 
deem ineligible any Applicant that fails to properly register or 
activate its SAM account and, as a result, is unable to submit the SF-
424 in Grants.gov or Application in AMIS by the applicable Application 
deadlines. These restrictions also apply to organizations that have not 
yet received a DUNS or EIN number. Applicants must contact SAM directly 
with questions related to registration or SAM account changes as the 
CDFI Fund does not maintain this system and has no ability to make 
changes or correct errors of any kind. For more information about SAM, 
visit https://www.sam.gov.

           Table 11_Grants.gov Registration Timeline Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Estimated minimum
              Step                      Agency         time  to complete
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obtain a DUNS number............  Dun & Bradstreet..  One (1) Week. *
Obtain an EIN Number............  Internal Revenue    Two (2) Weeks. *
                                   Service (IRS).
Register in SAM.gov.............  System for Award    Four (4) Weeks. *
                                   Management
                                   (SAM.gov).

[[Page 10424]]

 
Register in Grants.gov..........  Grants.gov........  One (1) Week. **
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Applicants are advised that the stated durations are estimates only
  and represent minimum timeframes. Actual timeframes may take longer.
  The CDFI Fund will deem ineligible any Applicant that fails to
  properly register or activate its SAM account, has not yet received a
  DUNS or EIN number, and/or fails to properly register in Grants.gov.
** This estimate assumes an Applicant has a DUNS number, an EIN number,
  and is already registered in SAM.gov.

    F. Submission Dates and Times:
    1. Submission Deadlines: The following table provides the critical 
deadlines for the FY 2021 Funding Round.

                 Table 12--FY 2021 NACA Program Funding Round Critical Deadlines for Applicants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Description                      Deadline             Time (eastern time--ET)     Submission method
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last day to create an Awards        March 22, 2021............  11:59 p.m.................  AMIS.
 Management Information Systems
 (AMIS) Account (all Applicants).
Last day to enter EIN and DUNS      March 22, 2021............  11:59 p.m.................  AMIS.
 numbers in AMIS (all Applicants).
Last day to submit SF-424           March 22, 2021............  11:59 p.m.................  Electronically via
 (Application for Federal                                                                    Grants.gov.
 Assistance).
Last day to contact NACA Program    April 29, 2021............  5:00 p.m..................  Service Request via
 staff.                                                                                      AMIS
                                                                                            Or CDFI Fund
                                                                                             Helpdesk:
                                                                                            202-653-0421.
Last day to contact AMIS-IT Help    May 3, 2021...............  5:00 p.m..................  Service Request via
 Desk (regarding AMIS technical                                                              AMIS
 problems only).                                                                            Or 202-653-0422 Or
                                                                                             [email protected]
Last day to submit NACA Program     May 3, 2021...............  11:59 p.m.................  AMIS.
 Application for Financial
 Assistance (FA) or Technical
 Assistance (TA).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Confirmation of Application Submission in Grants.gov and AMIS: 
Applicants are required to submit the SF-424, Application for Federal 
Assistance through the Grants.gov system, under the NACA Program 
Funding Opportunity Number by the applicable deadline. All other 
Required Application Documents (listed in Table 10) must be submitted 
through the AMIS website by the applicable deadline. Applicants must 
submit the SF-424 prior to submitting the Application in AMIS. If the 
SF-424 is not successfully accepted by Grants.gov by the deadline, the 
CDFI Fund will not review the Application submitted in AMIS, and the 
Application will be deemed ineligible.
    a. Grants.gov Submission Information: Each Applicant will receive 
an email from Grants.gov immediately after submitting the SF-424 
confirming that the submission has entered the Grants.gov system. This 
email will contain a tracking number for the submitted SF-424. Within 
48 hours, the Applicant will receive a second email, which will 
indicate if the submitted SF-424 was either successfully validated or 
rejected with errors. However, Applicants should not rely on the email 
notification from Grants.gov to confirm that their SF-424 was 
validated. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the tracking 
number provided in the first email to closely monitor the status of 
their SF-424 by contacting the helpdesk at Grants.gov directly. The 
Application material submitted in AMIS is not officially accepted by 
the CDFI Fund until Grants.gov has validated the SF-424.
    b. AMIS Submission Information: AMIS is a web-based portal where 
Applicants will directly enter their Application information and add 
the required attachments listed in Table 10. AMIS will verify that the 
Applicant provided the minimum information required to submit an 
Application. Applicants are responsible for the quality and accuracy of 
the information and attachments included in the Application submitted 
in AMIS. The CDFI Fund strongly encourages Applicants to allow for 
sufficient time to review and complete all Required Application 
Documents listed in Table 10, and remedy any issues prior to the 
Application deadline. Each Application must be signed by an Authorized 
Representative in AMIS before it can be submitted. Applicants must 
ensure that the Authorized Representative is an employee or officer and 
is authorized to sign legal documents on behalf of the Applicant. 
Consultants working on behalf of the Applicant may not be designated as 
Authorized Representatives. Only an Authorized Representative or an 
Application Point of Contact may submit an Application. If an 
Authorized Representative or Application Point of Contact does not 
submit the Application, the Application will be deemed ineligible. 
Applicants may only submit one Base-FA or TA Application under the NACA 
Program. Upon submission, the Application will be locked and cannot be 
resubmitted, edited, or modified in any way. The CDFI Fund will not 
unlock or allow multiple Application submissions.
    3. Late Submission: The CDFI Fund will not accept an Application if 
the SF-424 is not submitted and accepted by Grants.gov by the SF-424 
deadline. Additionally, the CDFI Fund will not accept an Application if 
it is not signed by an Authorized Representative and submitted in AMIS 
by the Application deadline. In either case, the CDFI Fund will not 
review any material submitted, and the Application will be deemed 
ineligible.
    However, in cases where a Federal government administrative or 
technological error directly resulted in a

[[Page 10425]]

late submission of the SF-424 or the Application, Applicants are 
provided two opportunities to submit a written request for acceptance 
of late submissions. The CDFI Fund will not consider the late 
submission of the SF-424 or the Application that was a direct result of 
a delay in a Federal Government process, unless such delay was the 
result of a Federal government administrative or technological error.
    a. SF-424 Late Submission: In cases where a Federal government 
administrative or technological error directly resulted in the late 
submission of the SF-424, the Applicant must submit a written request 
for acceptance of the late SF-424 submission and include documentation 
of the error no later than two business days after the SF-424 deadline. 
The CDFI Fund will not respond to requests for acceptance of late SF-
424 submissions after that time period. Applicants must submit late SF-
424 submission requests to the CDFI Fund via an AMIS Service Request to 
the NACA Program with a subject line of ``Late SF-424 Submission 
Request.''
    b. Application Late Submission: In cases where a Federal government 
administrative or technological error directly resulted in a late 
submission of the Application in AMIS, the Applicant must submit a 
written request for acceptance of the late Application submission and 
include documentation of the error no later than two business days 
after the Application deadline. The CDFI Fund will not respond to 
requests for acceptance of late Application submissions after that time 
period. Applicants must submit late Application submission requests to 
the CDFI Fund via an AMIS Service Request to the NACA Program with a 
subject line of ``Late Application Submission Request.''
    G. Funding Restrictions: Base-FA, PPC-FA, DF-FA, HFFI-FA and TA 
awards are limited by the following:
    1. Base-FA Awards:
    a. A Recipient shall use Base-FA funds only for the eligible 
activities described in Section II. (C)(1) of this NOFA and its 
Assistance Agreement.
    b. With the exception of Depository Institution Holding Company 
Applicants, Base-FA awards may not be used to support the activities 
of, or otherwise be passed through, transferred, or co-awarded to, 
third-party entities, whether Affiliates, Subsidiaries, or others, 
unless done pursuant to a merger or acquisition or similar transaction, 
and with the CDFI Fund's prior written consent.
    c. Base-FA funds shall only be paid to the Recipient.
    d. The CDFI Fund, in its sole discretion, may pay Base-FA funds in 
amounts, or under terms and conditions, which are different from those 
requested by an Applicant.
    e. The Recipient must comply, as applicable, with the Buy American 
Act of 1933, 41 U.S.C. 8301-8303 and 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform 
Requirements, with respect to any Direct Costs.
    2. PPC-FA Awards:
    a. A Recipient shall use PPC-FA funds only for the eligible 
activities described in Section II. (C)(5) of this NOFA and its 
Assistance Agreement.
    b. With the exception of Depository Institution Holding Company 
Applicants, PPC-FA awards may not be used to support the activities of, 
or otherwise be passed through, transferred, or co-awarded to, third-
party entities, whether Affiliates, Subsidiaries, or others, unless 
done pursuant to a merger or acquisition or similar transaction, and 
with the CDFI Fund's prior written consent.
    c. PPC-FA funds shall only be paid to the Recipient.
    d. The CDFI Fund, in its sole discretion, may pay PPC-FA funds in 
amounts, or under terms and conditions, which are different from those 
requested by an Applicant.
    e. The Recipient must comply, as applicable, with the Buy American 
Act of 1933, 41 U.S.C. 8301-8303 and 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform 
Requirements, with respect to any Direct Costs.
    3. DF-FA Awards:
    a. A Recipient shall use DF-FA funds only for the eligible 
activities described in Section II. (C)(2) of this NOFA and its 
Assistance Agreement.
    b. With the exception of Depository Institution Holding Company 
Applicants, DF-FA awards may not be used to support the activities of, 
or otherwise be passed through, transferred, or co-awarded to, third-
party entities, whether Affiliates, Subsidiaries, or others, unless 
done pursuant to a merger or acquisition or similar transaction, and 
with the CDFI Fund's prior written consent.
    c. DF-FA funds shall only be paid to the Recipient.
    d. The CDFI Fund, in its sole discretion, may pay DF-FA funds in 
amounts, or under terms and conditions, which are different from those 
requested by an Applicant.
    e. The Recipient must comply, as applicable, with the Buy American 
Act of 1933, 41 U.S.C. 8301-8303 and 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform 
Requirements, with respect to any Direct Costs.
    2. HFFI-FA Awards:
    a. A Recipient shall use HFFI-FA funds only for the eligible 
activities described in Section II. (C)(4) of this NOFA and its 
Assistance Agreement.
    b. With the exception of Depository Institution Holding Company 
Applicants, HFFI-FA awards may not be used to support the activities 
of, or otherwise be passed through, transferred, or co-awarded to, 
third-party entities, whether Affiliates, Subsidiaries, or others, 
unless done pursuant to a merger or acquisition or similar transaction, 
and with the CDFI Fund's prior written consent.
    c. HFFI-FA funds shall only be paid to the Recipient.
    d. The CDFI Fund, in its sole discretion, may pay HFFI-FA funds in 
amounts, or under terms and conditions, which are different from those 
requested by an Applicant.
    e. The Recipient must comply, as applicable, with the Buy American 
Act of 1933, 41 U.S.C. 8301-8303 and 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform 
Requirements, with respect to any Direct Costs.
    3. TA Grants:
    a. A Recipient shall use TA funds only for the eligible activities 
described in Section II. (C) (3) of this NOFA and its Assistance 
Agreement.
    b. A Sponsoring Entity Recipient must create the Emerging CDFI as a 
legal entity no later than the end of the first year of the Period of 
Performance. Upon creation of the Emerging CDFI, the Sponsoring Entity 
must request the CDFI Fund to amend the Assistance Agreement to add the 
Emerging CDFI as a co-Recipient. The Sponsoring Entity must add the 
Emerging CDFI as a co-Recipient within 90 days the end of the first 
year of the Period of Performance. The Sponsoring Entity must then 
transfer any remaining balances and/or assets derived from the TA award 
to the Emerging CDFI.
    c. With the exception of Depository Institution Holding Company 
Applicants, TA awards may not be used to support the activities of, or 
otherwise be passed through, transferred, or co-awarded to, third-party 
entities, whether Affiliates, Subsidiaries, or others, unless done 
pursuant to a merger or acquisition or similar transaction, and with 
the CDFI Fund's prior written consent.
    d. TA funds shall only be paid to the Recipient.
    e. The CDFI Fund, in its sole discretion, may pay TA funds in 
amounts, or under terms and conditions, which are different from those 
requested by an Applicant.
    f. The Recipient must comply, as applicable, with the Buy American 
Act of 1933, 41 U.S.C. 8301-8303 and 2 CFR 200.216 of the Uniform 
Requirements, with respect to any Direct Costs.

[[Page 10426]]

V. Application Review Information

    A. Criteria: If the Applicant has submitted an eligible 
Application, the CDFI Fund will conduct a substantive review in 
accordance with the criteria and procedures described in the 
Regulations, this NOFA, the Application guidance, and the Uniform 
Requirements. The CDFI Fund reserves the right to contact the Applicant 
by telephone, email, or mail for the purpose of clarifying or 
confirming Application information. If contacted, the Applicant must 
respond within the time period communicated by the CDFI Fund or risk 
that its Application will be rejected. The CDFI Fund will review the 
Base-FA, DF-FA, PPC-FA, HFFI-FA, and TA Applications in accordance with 
the process below. All internal and external reviewers will complete 
the CDFI Fund's conflict of interest process. The CDFI Fund's 
Application conflict of interest policy is located on the CDFI Fund's 
website.
    1. Base-FA Application Scoring, Award Selection, Review, and 
Selection Process: The CDFI Fund will evaluate each Application using a 
five-step review process illustrated in the sections below. Applicants 
that meet the minimum criteria will advance to the next step in the 
review process. Applicants applying as a Community Partnership must 
describe the partnership in the Application pursuant to the 
requirements set forth in Table 8, and will be evaluated in accordance 
with the review process described below.
    a. Step 1: Eligibility Review: The CDFI Fund will evaluate each 
Application to determine its eligibility status pursuant to Section III 
of this NOFA.
    b. Step 2: Financial Analysis and Compliance Risk Evaluation:
    i. Step 2: Financial Analysis: For Regulated Institutions, the CDFI 
Fund will consider financial safety and soundness information from the 
Appropriate Federal or State Banking Agency. As detailed in Table 8, 
each Regulated Institution FA Applicant must have a CAMELS/CAMEL rating 
of at least ``3'' and/or no significant materials concerns from its 
regulator. For non-regulated Applicants, the CDFI Fund will evaluate 
the financial health and viability of each non-regulated Applicant 
using financial information provided by the Applicant. For the 
Financial Analysis, each non-regulated Applicant will receive a Total 
Financial Composite Score on a scale of one (1) to five (5), with one 
(1) being the highest rating. The Total Financial Composite Score is 
based on the analysis of twenty-three (23) financial indicators. 
Applications will be grouped based on the Total Financial Composite 
Score. Applicants must receive a Total Financial Composite Score of one 
(1), two (2), or three (3) to advance to Step 3. Applicants that 
receive an initial Total Financial Composite Score of four (4) or five 
(5) will be re-evaluated and re-scored by CDFI Fund staff. If the Total 
Financial Composite Score remains four (4) or five (5) after CDFI Fund 
staff review, the Applicant will not advance to Step 3.
    ii. Step 2: Compliance Risk Evaluation: For the compliance 
analysis, the CDFI Fund will evaluate the compliance risk of each 
Applicant using information provided in the Application as well as an 
Applicant's reporting history, reporting capacity, and performance risk 
with respect to the CDFI Fund's PG&Ms. Each Applicant will receive a 
Total Compliance Composite Score on a scale of one (1) to five (5), 
with one (1) being the highest rating. Applicants that receive an 
initial Total Compliance Composite Score of four (4) or five (5) will 
be re-evaluated by CDFI Fund staff. If the Applicant is deemed a high 
compliance risk after CDFI Fund staff review, the Applicant will not 
advance to Step 3.
    c. Step 3: Business Plan Review: Applicants that proceed to Step 3 
will be evaluated on the soundness of their comprehensive business 
plan. Two external non-CDFI Fund Reviewers will conduct the Step 3 
evaluation. Reviewers will evaluate the Application sections listed in 
Table 13. All Applications will be reviewed in accordance with standard 
reviewer evaluation materials. Applications will be ranked based on 
Total Business Plan Scores, in descending order. In order to advance to 
Step 4, Applicants must receive a Total Business Plan Score that is 
either (1) equal to receiving a point score equivalent to a ``Good'' 
out of a ranking scale in descending order of Excellent, Good, Fair, 
Limited or Poor, in each section listed in Table 13, or (2) within the 
top 70% of the NACA FA Applicant pool, whichever is greater. In the 
case of tied Total Business Plan Scores that would prevent an Applicant 
from moving to Step 4, all Applicants with the same score will progress 
to Step 4. Lastly, the CDFI Fund may consider the geographic diversity 
of Applicants when determining the Step 4 Applicant pool.

     Table 13--Step 3: Base-FA Business Plan Review Scoring Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Score needed to
 Base-FA application sections     Possible score           advance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Summary............  Not Scored.........  N/A.
Business Strategy............  12.................  N/A.
Market and Competitive         7..................  N/A.
 Analysis.
Products and Services........  12.................  N/A.
Management and Track Record..  12.................  N/A.
Growth and Projections.......  7..................  N/A.
    Total Business Plan Score  50.................  NACA Applicants: Top
                                                     70% of all NACA
                                                     Applicant Step 3
                                                     Scores.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    d. Step 4: Policy Objective Review: The CDFI Fund internal 
reviewers will evaluate each Application to determine its ability to 
meet policy objectives of the CDFI Fund. Each Applicant will be 
evaluated in each of the categories listed in Table 14 below, and will 
receive a Total Policy Objective Review Composite Score on a scale of 
one (1) to five (5), with one (1) being the highest score. Applicants 
are then grouped according to Total Policy Objective Review Scores.
    The CDFI Fund also conducts a due diligence review for Applications 
that includes an analysis of programmatic risk factors including, but 
not limited to: history of performance in managing Federal awards 
(including timeliness of reporting and compliance); ability to meet FA 
Objective(s) selected by Base-FA Applicants in their Applications; 
reports and findings from audits; and the Applicant's ability to 
effectively implement Federal requirements, each of which could impact 
the Total Policy Objective Review Score.

[[Page 10427]]



                            Table 14--Step 4: Base-FA Policy Review Scoring Criteria
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Section                    Possible scores          High score         Score needed  to advance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Distress.............  1, 2, 3, 4, or 5............               1  N/A.
Economic Opportunities........  1, 2, 3, 4, or 5............               1  N/A.
Community Collaboration.......  1, 2, 3, 4, or 5............               1  N/A.
                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Policy Objective      1, 2, 3, 4, or 5............               1  All Scores Advance.
     Review Composite Score.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    e. Step 5: Award Amount Determination: The CDFI Fund determines an 
award amount for each Application based on the Step 4 Total Policy 
Objective Review Score, the Applicant's request amount, and on certain 
other factors, including but not limited to, an Applicant's deployment 
track record, minimum award size, and funding availability. Award 
amounts may be reduced from the requested award amount as a result of 
this analysis. For NACA FA Applicants, the award cannot exceed 100% of 
the Applicant's total portfolio outstanding as of the Applicant's most 
recent historic fiscal year end. \9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ For the purposes of this NOFA, an Applicant's most recent 
historic fiscal year end is determined as follows.
    (A) Applicants with a 3/31 fiscal year end date will treat FY 
2020 as their most recent historic fiscal year and FY 2021 as their 
current year.
    (B) Applicants with a 6/30 fiscal year end date will treat FY 
2020 as their most recent historic fiscal year and FY 2021 as their 
current year.
    (C) Applicants with a 9/30 fiscal year end date and a completed 
FY 2020 audit will treat FY 2020 as their most recent historic 
fiscal year and FY 2021 as their current year.
    (D) Applicants with a 9/30 fiscal year end date but without a 
completed FY 2020 audit will treat FY 2019 as their most recent 
historic fiscal year and FY 2020 as their current year.
    (E) Applicants with a 12/31 fiscal year end date, with or 
without a completed FY 2020 audit, will treat FY 2019 as their most 
recent historic fiscal year and FY 2020 as their current year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Healthy Food Financing Initiative-FA (HFFI-FA) Application 
Scoring, Award Selection, Review, and Selection Process: A CDFI Fund 
internal reviewer will evaluate each HFFI-FA Application associated 
with a Base-FA Application that progresses to Step 4 of the FA 
Application review process. The reviewer will evaluate the Application 
sections listed in Table 15 and assign a Total HFFI- FA Score up to 60 
points. The CDFI Fund will make awards to the highest scoring 
Applicants first. All Applications will be reviewed in accordance with 
standard reviewer evaluation materials. Applicants that fail to receive 
a Base-FA award will not be considered for a HFFI-FA award.
    The CDFI Fund conducts additional levels of due diligence for 
Applications that are under consideration for an HFFI-FA award. Award 
amounts may be reduced from the requested award amount as a result of 
this analysis. The CDFI Fund may reduce awards sizes from requested 
amounts based on certain variables, including but not limited to, an 
Applicant's loan disbursement activity, total portfolio outstanding, or 
compliance with prior HFFI-FA awards. Lastly, the CDFI Fund may 
consider the geographic diversity of Applicants when making its funding 
decisions.

          Table 15--Step 4 HFFI-FA Application Scoring Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Possible score
                        Sections                              (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Target Market Profile...................................              10
Healthy Food Financial Products.........................              10
Projected HFFI-FA Activities............................              15
HFFI Track Record.......................................              20
Management Capacity for Providing Healthy Food Financing               5
                                                         ---------------
    Total HFFI-FA Possible Score........................              60
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Persistent Poverty Counties--Financial Assistance (PPC-FA) 
Application Scoring, Award Selection, Review, and Selection Process: A 
CDFI Fund internal reviewer will evaluate the PPC-FA request of each 
associated Base-FA Application that progresses to Step 4 of the FA 
Application review process. PPC-FA requests are not scored. PPC-FA 
award amounts will be determined based on the total number of eligible 
Applicants and funding availability, the Applicant's requested amount, 
and on certain factors, including but not limited to, an Applicant's 
overall portfolio size, historical track record of deployment in PPC, 
pipeline of projects in PPC, minimum award size, and funding 
availability. Applicants that fail to receive a Base-FA award will not 
be considered for a PPC-FA award.
    4. Disability Funds-Financial Assistance (DF-FA) Application 
Scoring, Award Selection, Review, and Selection Process: A CDFI Fund 
internal reviewer will evaluate each DF-FA Application associated with 
a Base-FA Application that progresses to Step 4 of the FA Application 
review process. The reviewer will evaluate the Application and assign a 
Total DF- FA Score on a scale of one (1) to three (3), with one (1) 
being the highest score. Applicants are then grouped according to Total 
DF- FA Score. All Applications will be reviewed in accordance with 
standard reviewer evaluation materials. Applicants that fail to receive 
a Base-FA award will not be considered for a DF-FA award. Award amounts 
will be determined on the basis of the Total DF-FA Score, the 
Applicant's requested amount, and on certain factors, including but not 
limited to, an Applicant's deployment track record, minimum award size, 
and funding availability. Award amounts may be reduced from the 
requested award amount as a result of this analysis. The

[[Page 10428]]

CDFI Fund will make awards to the highest scoring Applicants first.

           Table 16--Step 3 DF-FA Application Scoring Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Section                 Possible  scores       High score
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DF-FA Narrative Questions.......  1, 2, or 3............               1
                                 ---------------------------------------
    Total DF-FA Score...........  1, 2, or 3............               1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    5. Technical Assistance (TA) Application Scoring, Award Selection, 
Review, and Selection Process: The CDFI Fund will evaluate each 
Application to determine its eligibility pursuant to Section III of 
this NOFA. If the Application satisfies the eligibility criteria, the 
CDFI Fund will evaluate the TA Application. Sponsoring Entity or 
Emerging CDFI Applicants must receive a rating of Low Risk or Medium 
Risk in Section I of the TA Business Plan Review to progress to Section 
II of the TA Business Plan Review. Sponsoring Entity, or Emerging CDFI 
Applicants that receive a rating of High Risk in Section I of the TA 
Business Plan Review will not be considered for an award. Section I of 
the TA Business Plan Review is not applicable for Certified CDFI 
Applicants. Sponsoring Entity, Emerging CDFI, and Certified CDFI 
Applicants must receive a rating of Low Risk or Medium Risk in Section 
II of the TA Business Plan Review to be considered for an award. 
Applicants that receive a rating of High Risk in Section II of the TA 
Business Plan Review will not be considered for an award.
    An Applicant that is a Certified CDFI will be evaluated on the 
demonstrated need for TA funding to build the CDFI's capacity, further 
the Applicant's strategic goals, and achieve impact within the 
Applicant's Target Market. An Applicant that is an Emerging CDFI will 
be evaluated on the Applicant's demonstrated capability and plan to 
achieve CDFI certification within three years, or if a prior Recipient, 
the certification PG&M stated in its prior Assistance Agreement. An 
Applicant that is an Emerging CDFI will also be evaluated on its 
demonstrated need for TA funding to build the CDFI's capacity and 
further its strategic goals. An Applicant that is a Sponsoring Entity 
will be rated on its demonstrated capability to create a separate legal 
entity within one year that will achieve CDFI certification within four 
years. An Applicant that is a Sponsoring Entity will also be rated on 
its demonstrated need for TA funding to build the CDFI's capacity and 
further its strategic goals.
    The CDFI Fund will rate each part of the TA Business Plan Review as 
indicated in Table 17.

                    Table 17--TA Business Plan Review
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business plan review component      Applicant type           Ratings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section I:                      ......................  ................
    Primary Mission...........  Sponsoring Entity and   ................
                                 Emerging CDFI
                                 Applicants.
    Financing Entity..........  Sponsoring Entity and   ................
                                 Emerging CDFI
                                 Applicants.
    Target Market.............  Sponsoring Entity and   Low Risk, Medium
                                 Emerging CDFI           Risk, or High
                                 Applicants.             Risk.
Accountability................  Sponsoring Entity and   ................
                                 Emerging CDFI
                                 Applicants.
Development Services..........  Sponsoring Entity and   ................
                                 Emerging CDFI
                                 Applicants.
Section II:
    Target Market Needs &       Sponsoring Entity,      Low Risk, Medium
     Strategy.                   Emerging CDFI, and      Risk, or High
                                 Certified Applicants.   Risk.
    Organizational Capacity...  Sponsoring Entity,
                                 Emerging CDFI, and
                                 Certified Applicants.
    Management Capacity.......  Sponsoring Entity,
                                 Emerging CDFI, and
                                 Certified Applicants.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Each TA Application will be evaluated by one internal CDFI Fund 
reviewer. All Applications will be reviewed in accordance with CDFI 
Fund standard reviewer evaluation materials for the Business Plan 
Review.
    The CDFI Fund conducts additional levels of due diligence for 
Applications that are under consideration for an award. This due 
diligence includes an analysis of programmatic and financial risk 
factors including, but not limited to, financial stability, history of 
performance in managing Federal awards (including timeliness of 
reporting and compliance), reports and findings from audits, and the 
Applicant's ability to effectively implement Federal requirements. The 
CDFI Fund will also evaluate the compliance risk of each Applicant 
using information provided in the Application as well as an Applicant's 
reporting history, reporting capacity, and performance risk with 
respect to the CDFI Fund's PG&Ms. Each Applicant will receive a Total 
Compliance Composite Score on a scale of one (1) to five (5), with one 
(1) being the highest rating. Applicants that receive an initial Total 
Compliance Composite Score of four (4) or five (5) will be re-evaluated 
by CDFI Fund staff. If the Applicant is deemed a high compliance risk 
after CDFI staff review, the Applicant will not be considered for an 
award. The CDFI Fund will also evaluate the Applicant's ability to meet 
certification criteria of being a legal entity and a non-government 
entity. Award amounts may be reduced as a result of the due diligence 
analysis in addition to consideration of the Applicant's funding 
request and similar factors. Lastly, the CDFI Fund may consider the 
geographic diversity of Applicants when making its funding decisions.
    6. Regulated Institutions: The CDFI Fund will consider safety and 
soundness information from the Appropriate Federal or State Banking 
Agency. If the Applicant is a CDFI Depository Institution Holding 
Company, the CDFI Fund will consider

[[Page 10429]]

information provided by the Appropriate Federal or State Banking 
Agencies about both the CDFI Depository Institution Holding Company and 
the Certified CDFI Subsidiary Insured Depository Institution that will 
expend and carry out the award. If the Appropriate Federal or State 
Banking Agency identifies safety and soundness concerns, the CDFI Fund 
will assess whether such concerns cause or will cause the Applicant to 
be incapable of undertaking the activities for which funding has been 
requested.
    7. Non-Regulated Institutions:
    The CDFI Fund must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that 
Recipients which are non-regulated CDFIs are financially and 
managerially sound, and maintain appropriate internal controls (12 
U.S.C. 4707(f)(1)(A) and 12 CFR 1805.800(b)). Further, the CDFI Fund 
must determine that an Applicant's capacity to operate as a CDFI and 
its continued viability will not be dependent upon assistance from the 
CDFI Fund (12 U.S.C. 4704(b)(2)(A)). If it is determined that the 
Applicant is incapable of meeting these requirements, the CDFI Fund 
reserves the right to deem the Applicant ineligible or terminate the 
award.
    B. Anticipated Award Announcement: The CDFI Fund anticipates making 
NACA Program award announcement before September 30, 2021. However, the 
anticipated award Announcement Date is subject to change without 
notice.
    C. Application Rejection: The CDFI Fund reserves the right to 
reject an Application if information (including administrative errors) 
comes to the CDFI Fund's attention that: Adversely affects an 
Applicant's eligibility for an award; Adversely affects the Recipient's 
certification as a CDFI (to the extent that the award is conditional 
upon CDFI certification); adversely affects the CDFI Fund's evaluation 
or scoring of an Application; or indicates fraud or mismanagement on 
the Applicant's part. If the CDFI Fund determines any portion of the 
Application is incorrect in a material respect, the CDFI Fund reserves 
the right, in its sole discretion, to reject the Application. The CDFI 
Fund reserves the right to change its eligibility and evaluation 
criteria and procedures, if the CDFI Fund deems it appropriate. If the 
changes materially affect the CDFI Fund's award decisions, the CDFI 
Fund will provide information about the changes through its website. 
The CDFI Fund's award decisions are final, and there is no right to 
appeal decisions.
    D. External Non-CDFI Fund Reviewers: All external non-CDFI Fund 
reviewers are selected based on criteria that includes a professional 
background in community and economic development finance, and 
experience reviewing the financial statements of all CDFI institution 
types. Reviewers must complete the CDFI Fund's conflict of interest 
process and be approved by the CDFI Fund. The CDFI Fund's Application 
reader conflict of interest policy is located on the CDFI Fund's 
website.

VI. Federal Award Administration Information

    A. Award Notification: Each successful Applicant will receive an 
email ``notice of award'' notification from the CDFI Fund stating that 
its Application has been approved for an award. Each Applicant not 
selected for an award will receive an email stating that a debriefing 
notice has been provided in its AMIS account.
    B. Assistance Agreement: Each Applicant selected to receive an 
award must enter into an Assistance Agreement with the CDFI Fund in 
order to receive a payment(s). The Assistance Agreement will set forth 
the award's terms and conditions, including but not be limited to the: 
(i) Award amount; (ii) award type; (iii) award uses; (iv) eligible use 
of funds; (v) PG&Ms; and (vi) reporting requirements. FA Assistance 
Agreements have three-year Periods of Performance. TA Assistance 
Agreements have two-year Periods of Performance for Certified CDFIs, 
three-year Periods of Performance for Emerging CDFIs, and four-year 
Periods of Performance for Sponsoring Entity Recipients. Upon creation 
of the Emerging CDFI, the Sponsoring Entity must request the CDFI Fund 
to amend the Assistance Agreement and add the Emerging CDFI as a party 
thereto. The Emerging CDFI, as co-Recipient, will be subject to all of 
the terms and conditions of the Assistance Agreement, including all 
PG&Ms.
    1. Certificate of Good Standing: All FA and TA Recipients that are 
not Regulated Institutions will be required to provide the CDFI Fund 
with a certificate of good standing from the secretary of state for the 
Recipient's jurisdiction of formation prior to closing. This 
certificate can often be acquired online on the secretary of state 
website for the Recipient's jurisdiction of formation and must 
generally be dated within 180 days prior to the date the Recipient 
executes the Assistance Agreement. Due to potential backlogs in state 
government offices, Applicants are advised to submit requests for 
certificates of good standing no later than 60 days after they submit 
their Applications.
    2. Closing: Pursuant to the Assistance Agreement, there will be an 
initial closing at which point the Assistance Agreement and related 
documents will be properly executed and delivered, and an initial 
payment of FA or TA may be made. The first payment is the estimated 
amount of the award that the Recipient states in its Application that 
it will use for eligible FA or TA activities in the first 12 months 
after the award announcement. The CDFI Fund reserves the right to 
increase the first payment amount on any award to ensure that any 
subsequent payments are at least $25,000 for FA and $5,000 for TA 
awards.
    The CDFI Fund will minimize the time between the Recipient 
incurring costs for eligible activities and award payment(s) in 
accordance with the Uniform Requirements. Advanced payments for 
eligible activities will occur no more than one year in advance of the 
Recipient incurring costs for the eligible activities. Following the 
initial closing, there may be subsequent closings involving additional 
award payments. Any documentation in addition to the Assistance 
Agreement that is connected with such subsequent closings and payments 
shall be properly executed and timely delivered by the Recipient to the 
CDFI Fund.
    3. Requirements Prior to Entering into an Assistance Agreement: If, 
prior to entering into an Assistance Agreement, information (including 
administrative errors) comes to the CDFI Fund's attention that: 
Adversely affects the Recipient's eligibility for an award; adversely 
affects the Recipient's certification as a CDFI (to the extent that the 
award is conditional upon CDFI certification); adversely affects the 
CDFI Fund's evaluation of the Application; indicates that the Recipient 
is not in compliance with any requirement listed in the Uniform 
Requirements; indicates that the Recipient is not in compliance with a 
term or condition of a prior CDFI Fund award; indicates the Recipient 
has failed to execute and return a prior round Assistance Agreement to 
the CDFI Fund within the CDFI Fund's deadlines; or indicates fraud or 
mismanagement on the Recipient's part, the CDFI Fund may, in its 
discretion and without advance notice to the Recipient, terminate the 
award or take such other actions as it deems appropriate. The CDFI Fund 
reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to rescind an award if the 
Recipient fails to return the Assistance Agreement, signed by the 
Authorized Representative of the Recipient, and/or provide the

[[Page 10430]]

CDFI Fund with any requested documentation, within the CDFI Fund's 
deadlines.
    In addition, the CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole 
discretion, to terminate and rescind the Assistance Agreement and the 
award made under this NOFA pending the criteria described in the 
following table:

    Table 18--Requirements Prior to Executing an Assistance Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Requirement                            Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Failure to meet reporting       If a Recipient received a prior
 requirements.                  award under any CDFI Fund program and is
                                not in compliance with the reporting
                                requirements of the previously executed
                                agreement(s), the CDFI Fund may delay
                                entering into an Assistance Agreement or
                                disbursing an award until such reporting
                                requirements are met. If the Recipient
                                is unable to meet the requirement(s)
                                within the timeframe specified by the
                                CDFI Fund, the CDFI Fund may terminate
                                and rescind the Assistance Agreement and
                                the award made under this NOFA.
                                The automated systems the CDFI
                                Fund uses only acknowledge a report's
                                receipt and are not a determination of
                                meeting reporting requirements.
Failure to maintain CDFI        An FA Recipient must be a
 certification.                 Certified CDFI.
                                If an FA Recipient fails to
                                maintain CDFI certification, the CDFI
                                Fund will terminate and rescind the
                                Assistance Agreement and the award made
                                under this NOFA.
                                If a TA Recipient is a Certified
                                CDFI at the time of award announcement,
                                it must maintain CDFI certification.
                                If a Certified CDFI TA Recipient
                                fails to maintain CDFI certification,
                                the CDFI Fund may terminate and rescind
                                the Assistance Agreement and the award
                                made under this NOFA.
Pending resolution of           The CDFI Fund will delay
 noncompliance.                 entering into an Assistance Agreement
                                with a Recipient that has pending
                                noncompliance issues with any of its
                                previously executed CDFI award
                                agreement(s), if the CDFI Fund has not
                                yet made a final compliance
                                determination.
                                If the Recipient is unable to
                                satisfactorily resolve the compliance
                                issues, the CDFI Fund may terminate and
                                rescind the Assistance Agreement and the
                                award made under this NOFA.
 Noncompliance or default       If, at any time prior to
 status.                        entering into an Assistance Agreement,
                                the CDFI Fund determines that a
                                Recipient is noncompliant or found in
                                default with any previously executed
                                award agreement(s), and the CDFI Fund
                                has provided written notification that
                                the Recipient is ineligible to apply for
                                or receive any future awards or
                                allocations for a time period specified
                                by the CDFI Fund in writing, the CDFI
                                Fund may delay entering into an
                                Assistance Agreement until the Recipient
                                has cured the noncompliance by taking
                                actions the CDFI Fund has specified
                                within such specified timeframe. If the
                                Recipient is unable to cure the
                                noncompliance within the specified
                                timeframe, the CDFI Fund may terminate
                                and rescind the Assistance Agreement and
                                the award made under this NOFA.
Compliance with Federal civil   If prior to entering into an
 rights requirements.           Assistance Agreement under this NOFA,
                                the Recipient receives a final
                                determination, made within the last
                                three years, in any proceeding
                                instituted against the Recipient in, by,
                                or before any court, governmental, or
                                administrative body or agency, declaring
                                that the Recipient has violated the
                                following laws: Title VI of the Civil
                                Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42
                                U.S.C. 2000d); Section 504 of the
                                Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
                                794); the Age Discrimination Act of
                                1975, (42 U.S.C. 6101-6107), and
                                Executive Order 13166, Improving Access
                                to Services for Persons with Limited
                                English Proficiency, the CDFI Fund will
                                terminate and rescind the Assistance
                                Agreement and the award made under this
                                NOFA.
Do Not Pay...................   The Do Not Pay Business Center
                                was developed to support Federal
                                agencies in their efforts to reduce the
                                number of improper payments made through
                                programs funded by the Federal
                                government.
                                The CDFI Fund reserves the
                                right, in its sole discretion, to
                                rescind an award if the Recipient (or
                                Affiliate of a Recipient) determined to
                                be ineligible based on data in the Do
                                Not Pay database.
Safety and soundness.........   If it is determined the
                                Recipient is, or will be, incapable of
                                meeting its award obligations, the CDFI
                                Fund will deem the Recipient to be
                                ineligible, or require it to improve its
                                safety and soundness prior to entering
                                into an Assistance Agreement.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    C. Reporting:
    1. Reporting requirements: On an annual basis during the Period of 
Performance, the CDFI Fund may collect information from each Recipient 
including, but not limited to, an Annual Report with the following 
components (Annual Reporting Requirements):

                Table 19--Annual Reporting Requirements *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Statement Audit      A Non-profit Recipient (including Insured
 Report (Non-profit Recipient   Credit Unions and State-Insured Credit
 including Insured Credit       Unions) must submit a Financial
 Unions and State-Insured       Statement Audit (FSA) Report in AMIS,
 Credit Unions).                along with the Recipient's statement of
                                financial condition audited or reviewed
                                by an independent certified public
                                accountant, if any are prepared.
                               Under no circumstances should this be
                                construed as the CDFI Fund requiring the
                                Recipient to conduct or arrange for
                                additional audits not otherwise required
                                under Uniform Requirements or otherwise
                                prepared at the request of the Recipient
                                or parties other than the CDFI Fund.
Financial Statement Audit      For-profit Recipients must submit an FSA
 Report (For-Profit             Report in AMIS, along with the
 Recipient).                    Recipient's statement of financial
                                condition audited or reviewed by an
                                independent certified public accountant.
Financial Statement Audit      If the Recipient is a Depository
 Report (Depository             Institution Holding Company or an
 Institution Holding Company    Insured Depository Institution, it must
 and Insured Depository         submit a FSA Report in AMIS.
 Institution).

[[Page 10431]]

 
Financial Statement Audit      A Sponsoring Entity must submit a FSA
 Report (Sponsoring Entities).  Report in AMIS, along with a statement
                                of financial condition audited or
                                reviewed by an independent certified
                                public accountant, if any are prepared.
                               Under no circumstances should this be
                                construed as the CDFI Fund requiring the
                                Sponsoring Entity to conduct or arrange
                                for additional audits not otherwise
                                required under Uniform Requirements or
                                otherwise prepared at the request of the
                                Sponsoring Entity or parties other than
                                the CDFI Fund.
Single Audit Report (Non-      A non-profit Recipient must complete an
 Profit Recipients, if          annual Single Audit pursuant to the
 applicable).                   Uniform Requirements (see 2 CFR Subpart
                                F-Audit Requirements) if it expends
                                $750,000 or more in Federal awards in
                                its fiscal year, or such other dollar
                                threshold established by OMB pursuant to
                                2 CFR 200.501. If a Single Audit is
                                required, it must be submitted
                                electronically to the Federal Audit
                                Clearinghouse (FAC) (see 2 CFR Subpart F-
                                Audit Requirements in the Uniform
                                Requirements) and optionally through
                                AMIS.
Transaction Level Report       The Recipient must submit a TLR to the
 (TLR).                         CDFI Fund through AMIS.
                               If the Recipient is a Depository
                                Institution Holding Company that deploys
                                all or a portion of its Financial
                                Assistance through its Subsidiary CDFI
                                Insured Depository Institution, that
                                Subsidiary CDFI Insured Depository
                                Institution must also submit a TLR.
                                Furthermore, if the Depository
                                Institution Holding Company itself
                                deploys any portion of the Financial
                                Assistance, the Depository Institution
                                Holding Company must submit a TLR.
                               The TLR is not required for TA
                                Recipients.
Uses of Award Report.........  The Recipient must submit the Uses of
                                Award Report to the CDFI Fund in AMIS.
                               If the Recipient is a Depository
                                Institution Holding Company that deploys
                                all or a portion of its Financial
                                Assistance through its Subsidiary CDFI
                                Insured Depository Institution, that
                                Subsidiary CDFI Insured Depository
                                Institution must also submit a Uses of
                                Award Report. Furthermore, if the
                                Depository Institution Holding Company
                                itself deploys any portion of the
                                Financial Assistance, the Depository
                                Institution Holding Company must submit
                                a Uses of Award Report.
Performance Progress Report..  The Recipient must submit the Performance
                                Progress Report through AMIS.
                               If the Recipient is a Depository
                                Institution Holding Company that deploys
                                all or a portion of its Financial
                                Assistance through its Subsidiary CDFI
                                Insured Depository Institution, that
                                Subsidiary CDFI Insured Depository
                                Institution must also submit a
                                Performance Progress Report.
                                Furthermore, if the Depository
                                Institution Holding Company itself
                                deploys any portion of the Financial
                                Assistance, the Depository Institution
                                Holding Company must submit a
                                Performance Progress Report.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is information, which if
  lost, compromised, or disclosed without authorization, could result in
  substantial harm, embarrassment, inconvenience, or unfairness to an
  individual. Although Applicants are required to enter addresses of
  individual borrowers/residents of Distressed Communities in AMIS,
  Applicants should not include the following PII for the individuals
  who received the Financial Products or Financial Services in AMIS or
  in the supporting documentation (i.e., name of the individual, Social
  Security Number, driver's license or state identification number,
  passport number, Alien Registration Number, etc.). This information
  should be redacted from all supporting documentation.

    Each Recipient is responsible for the timely and complete 
submission of the Annual Reporting Requirements. Sponsoring Entities 
with co-Recipients will be informed of any changes to reporting 
obligations at the time the Emerging CDFI is joined to the Assistance 
Agreement. The CDFI Fund reserves the right to contact the Recipient 
and additional entities or signatories to the Assistance Agreement to 
request additional information and/or documentation. The CDFI Fund will 
use such information to monitor each Recipient's compliance with the 
requirements of the Assistance Agreement and to assess the impact of 
the NACA Program. The CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole 
discretion, to modify these reporting requirements, including 
increasing the scope and frequency of reporting, if it determines it to 
be appropriate and necessary; however, such reporting requirements will 
be modified only after notice to Recipients.
    2. Financial Management and Accounting: The CDFI Fund will require 
Recipients to maintain financial management and accounting systems that 
comply with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions 
of the Federal award. These systems must be sufficient to permit the 
preparation of reports required by the CDFI Fund to ensure compliance 
with the terms and conditions of the NACA Program, including the 
tracing of funds to a level of expenditures adequate to establish that 
such funds have been used in accordance with Federal statutes, 
regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.
    The cost principles used by Recipients must be consistent with 
Federal cost principles and support the accumulation of costs as 
required by the principles, and must provide for adequate documentation 
to support costs charged to the NACA Program award. In addition, the 
CDFI Fund will require Recipients to: Maintain effective internal 
controls; comply with applicable statutes, regulations, and the 
Assistance Agreement; evaluate and monitor compliance; take appropriate 
action when not in compliance; and safeguard personally identifiable 
information.

VII. Agency Contacts

    A. The CDFI Fund will respond to questions concerning this NOFA and 
the Application between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern 
Time, starting on the date that the NOFA is published through the date 
listed in Table 1 and Table 12. The CDFI Fund strongly recommends 
Applicants submit questions to the CDFI Fund via an AMIS Service 
Request to the NACA Program, Office of Certification, Compliance 
Monitoring and Evaluation, or IT Help Desk. The CDFI Fund will post on 
its website responses to reoccurring questions received about the NOFA 
and Application. Other information regarding the CDFI Fund and its 
programs may be obtained from the CDFI Fund's website at http://www.cdfifund.gov. Table 20 lists CDFI Fund contact information:

[[Page 10432]]



                                          Table 20--Contact Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Telephone number  (not
           Type of question                Preferred method            toll free)            Email addresses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NACA Program.........................  Service Request via      202-653-0421, option 1.  [email protected]
                                        AMIS.
CCME.................................  Service Request via      202-653-0423...........  [email protected]
                                        AMIS.
AMIS--IT Help Desk...................  Service Request via      202-653-0422...........  [email protected]
                                        AMIS.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    B. Information Technology Support: For IT assistance, the preferred 
method of contact is to submit a Service Request within AMIS. For the 
Service Request, select ``Technical Issues'' from the Program dropdown 
menu of the Service Request. People who have visual or mobility 
impairments that prevent them from using the CDFI Fund's website should 
call (202) 653-0422 for assistance (this is not a toll free number).
    C. Communication with the CDFI Fund: The CDFI Fund will use the 
contact information in AMIS to communicate with Applicants and 
Recipients. It is imperative, therefore, that Applicants, Recipients, 
Subsidiaries, Affiliates, and signatories maintain accurate contact 
information in their accounts. This includes information such as 
contact names (especially for the Authorized Representative), email 
addresses, fax and phone numbers, and office locations.
    D. Civil Rights and Diversity: Any person who is eligible to 
receive benefits or services from the CDFI Fund or Recipients under any 
of its programs is entitled to those benefits or services without being 
subject to prohibited discrimination. The Department of the Treasury's 
Office of Civil Rights and Diversity enforces various Federal statutes 
and regulations that prohibit discrimination in financially assisted 
and conducted programs and activities of the CDFI Fund. If a person 
believes that s/he has been subjected to discrimination and/or reprisal 
because of membership in a protected group, s/he may file a complaint 
with: Associate Chief Human Capital Officer, Office of Civil Rights, 
and Diversity, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20220 or (202) 
622-1160 (not a toll-free number).
    E. Statutory and National Policy Requirements: The CDFI Fund will 
manage and administer the Federal award in a manner so as to ensure 
that Federal funding is expended and associated programs are 
implemented in full accordance with the U.S. Constitution, Federal Law, 
statutory, and public policy requirements: Including but not limited 
to, those protecting free speech, religious liberty, public welfare, 
the environment, and prohibiting discrimination.

VIII. Other Information

    A. Paperwork Reduction Act: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35), an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection 
of information, and an individual is not required to respond to a 
collection of information, unless it displays a valid OMB control 
number. If applicable, the CDFI Fund may inform Applicants that they do 
not need to provide certain Application information otherwise required. 
Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act, the CDFI Program, and NACA 
Program Application has been assigned the following control number: 
1559-0021 inclusive of PPC-FA, DF-FA, and HFFI-FA.
    B. Application Information Sessions: The CDFI Fund may conduct 
webinars or host information sessions for organizations that are 
considering applying to, or are interested in learning about, the CDFI 
Fund's programs. For further information, visit the CDFI Fund's website 
at http://www.cdfifund.gov.

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 4701, et seq.; 12 CFR parts 1805 and 1815; 
2 CFR part 200.

Jodie L. Harris,
Director, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.
[FR Doc. 2021-03354 Filed 2-18-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-70-P