[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 144 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41004-41007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16246]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Docket #: RBS-21-BUSINESS-0021]


Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Inviting Applications 
for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program for Fiscal Year 2022

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency), an agency of 
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is making an 
initial announcement to invite applications for loans and grants under 
the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) for fiscal year 
(FY) 2022, subject to the availability of funding. This notice is being 
issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage 
financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency 
time to process applications within FY22. Successful applications will 
be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the 
extent that funding may ultimately be made available through 
appropriations. RMAP provides the following types of support: loan 
only, combination loan and technical assistance grant, and subsequent 
technical assistance grants to Microenterprise Development 
Organizations (MDO). An announcement will be made on the Agency 
website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/ regarding any amount received in the 
FY22 appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses 
incurred in developing their applications or any costs incurred prior 
to the obligation date.

DATES: The deadlines for completed applications to be received in the 
USDA Rural Development State Office for quarterly funding competitions 
are no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on: First Quarter, September 
30, 2021; Second Quarter, December 31, 2021; Third Quarter, March 31, 
2022; and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2022.
    The subsequent microlender technical assistance grant (existing 
MDOs with a microentrepreneur revolving loan fund) will be made, non-
competitively, based on the microlender's microlending activity and 
availability of funds. To determine the microlender technical 
assistance grant awards for FY22, if available, the Agency will use the 
microlender's outstanding balance of microloans as of June 30, 2022, to 
calculate the eligible grant amount. MDOs that are in compliance with 
the terms of their loan agreement may apply for this annual grant.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted electronically to the USDA 
Rural Development State Office for the state where the project is 
located. Applicants are encouraged to contact their respective Rural 
Development State Office for an email contact to submit an electronic 
application prior to the submission deadline date(s). A list of the 
USDA Rural Development State Office contacts can be found at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
    This funding opportunity will be made available for informational 
purposes on Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shamika Johnson at 
[email protected], Program Management Division, Business 
Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 3226, Room 5160-S, 
Washington, DC 20250-3226, or call (202) 720-1400. For further 
information on this notice, please contact the USDA Rural Development 
State Office in the State in which the applicant's headquarters is 
located. A list of Rural Development State Office contacts is provided 
at the following link: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Subtitle E of the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (also known as the 
Congressional Review Act or CRA), 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of Management and 
Budget designated this action as a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2), because it is likely to result in an annual effect on the 
economy of $100,000,000 or more. Accordingly, there is a 60-day delay 
in the effective date of this action. Application rating, ranking and 
selection will not begin until after September 30, 2021. Therefore, the 
60-day delay required by the CRA is not expected to have a material 
impact upon the administration and/or implementation of the RMAP 
Program.

Overview

    Federal Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
    Assistance Listing (formally Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
Number): 10.870.
    Funding Opportunity Number (grants.gov): RD-RBS-21-01-RMAP.
    Dates: The deadlines for completed applications to be received in 
the USDA Rural Development State Office for quarterly funding 
competitions are no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on: First 
Quarter, September 30, 2021; Second Quarter, December 31, 2021; Third 
Quarter, March 31, 2022, and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2022.
    Administrative: If two or more applications have the same score and 
funds are not available to fund both projects, the Administrator may 
prioritize applications to help the program achieve overall geographic 
diversity. The Agency encourages applicants to consider projects that 
will advance the following key priorities:
     Assisting Rural communities recover economically from the 
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly disadvantaged 
communities;
     Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD 
programs and benefits from RD funded projects; and
     Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to 
the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural 
communities.

I. Program Description

    A. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of RMAP is to support the 
development and ongoing success of rural Microentrepreneurs and 
Microenterprises, each as defined in 7 CFR 4280.302. The regulation can 
be accessed online at https://www.ecfr.gov. To accomplish this purpose, 
RMAP provides direct loans and grants to MDOs. Loan funds are used by 
the MDO to establish or recapitalize a revolving

[[Page 41005]]

loan program for making microloans to a rural microentrepreneur 
business. Grant funds are used by the MDO to provide technical 
assistance and entrepreneurship training to rural individuals and 
businesses.
    B. Statutory Authority. RMAP is authorized by Section 379E of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Pub. L. 87-128), as 
amended, and is codified as 7 U.S.C. 2008s. Regulations are contained 
in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D and can be found online at https://www.ecfr.gov. Assistance provided to rural areas under this program may 
include the provision of loans and grants to rural MDOs for the 
provision of microloans to rural microenterprises and 
microentrepreneurs; provision of business-based training and technical 
assistance to rural microborrowers and potential microborrowers; and 
other such activities as deemed appropriate by the Secretary to ensure 
the development and ongoing success of rural microenterprises. Awards 
are made on a competitive basis using specific selection criteria 
contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D.
    C. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this notice 
are published at 7 CFR 4280.302.
    D. Application Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score 
applications received in response to this notice based on the 
provisions found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D, and as indicated in 
this notice. However, the Agency advises all interested parties that 
the applicant bears the burden in preparing and submitting an 
application in response to this notice whether or not funding is 
appropriated for this program in FY 22. Information required to be in 
the application is specified in 7 CFR 4280.315. For entities applying 
for program loan funds to become an RMAP microlender only, the 
following items are also required: (1) Form RD 1910-11, ``Applicant 
Certification Federal Collection Policies for Consumer or Commercial 
Debts;'' (2) Demonstration that the applicant is eligible to apply to 
participate in this program; and (3) Certification by the applicant 
that it cannot obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to fund the 
activities called for under this program with similar rates and terms.
    Current MDO entities may be eligible for subsequent annual 
microlender technical assistance grants that are awarded subject to 
funding availability and determined non-competitively based on Agency 
appropriations for the FY. The MDO must submit a prescribed worksheet, 
listing the outstanding balance of their microloans and unexpended 
grant funds as of June 30, 2022, and a letter certifying that their 
organization still meets all the requirements set forth in 7 CFR part 
4280, subpart D, and that no significant changes have occurred within 
the last year that would affect its ability to carry out the MDO 
functions. In addition, all MDOs who request Subsequent Annual 
Microlender Technical Assistance Grants must complete their reporting 
into the Lenders Interactive Network Connection (LINC) for the Federal 
fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2022 which will verify the outstanding 
balance of their microloans as stated in their request for grant funds. 
The deadline for reporting into LINC and requesting a technical 
assistance grant is no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on August 1, 
2022.

II. Federal Award Information

    Type of Awards: Loans and/or Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2022.
    Available Funds. Anyone interested in submitting an application for 
funding under these Programs is encouraged to consult the Rural 
Development Notices of Solicitation of Applications website at http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas.
    Maximum Award: The Agency anticipates the following maximum amounts 
per award: Loans--$500,000; Grants--$100,000.
    Application Funding Competition Dates: First Quarter, September 30, 
2021; Second Quarter, December 31, 2021; Third Quarter, March 31, 2022 
and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2022.

III. Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible Applicants. Eligible applicants are domestic 
organizations that are non-profit entities, Indian tribes, or public 
institutions of higher education, and eligible applicants must provide 
training and technical assistance, make microloans, facilitate access 
to capital, or have an effective plan or program to deliver such 
services. The applicant must meet the eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 
4280.310 and must not be delinquent on any Federal debt or otherwise 
disqualified from participation in this program to be eligible to 
apply. The Agency will check the System for Award Management (SAM) to 
determine if the applicant has been debarred or suspended at the time 
of application and also prior to funding any grant award. All other 
restrictions in this notice will apply.
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching. The Federal share of the eligible 
project cost of a microborrower's project funded under this notice 
shall not exceed 75 percent. The cost share requirement shall be met by 
the microlender in accordance with the requirements specified in 7 CFR 
4280.311(d).
    The MDO is required to provide a match of not less than 15 percent 
of the total amount of the grant in the form of matching funds, 
indirect costs, or in-kind goods or services.
    C. Other Eligibility Requirements. Applications will only be 
accepted from eligible MDOs. Eligible MDOs must score a minimum of 60 
points out of 100 points to be considered to receive an award. Awards 
for each Federal fiscal quarter will be based on ranking with the 
highest-ranking applications being funded first, subject to available 
funding.
    D. Completeness Eligibility. All applications must be submitted as 
a complete application, in one package. Applications will not be 
considered for funding if they do not provide sufficient information to 
determine eligibility or are otherwise not suitable for evaluation. 
Such applications will be withdrawn.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    A. Address to Request Application Package. For further information, 
entities wishing to apply for assistance should contact the Rural 
Development State Office as identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice to obtain electronic copies of the application package.
    An MDO may submit an initial application for a loan with a 
microlender technical assistance grant, or an initial or subsequent 
loan-only (without a microlender technical assistance grant). Loan 
applications must be submitted electronically to the State Office where 
the project is located and must be organized in the same order set 
forth in 7 CFR 4280.315. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact 
their respective Rural Development State Office for an email contact to 
submit an electronic application prior to the submission deadline 
date(s).
    B. Content and Form of Application Submission. An application must 
contain all of the required elements outlined in 7 CFR 4280.315. Each 
application must address the applicable scoring criteria presented in 7 
CFR 4280.316 for the type of funding being requested.
    C. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System and System 
for Award Management. All applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet 
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number which can be obtained at 
no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711 or at http://
fedgov.dnb.com/

[[Page 41006]]

webform or any subsequent unique entity identifier number. Each 
applicant applying for loan or grant funds must (i) be registered in 
the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application 
and (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application, 
unless determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110. Applicants must maintain 
an active SAM registration, with current, accurate and complete 
information, at all times during which it has an active Federal award 
or an application under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. 
Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance General 
Certifications and Representations in SAM.
    The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has complied 
with all applicable DUNS (unique entity identifier) and SAM 
requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the 
requirements by the time the Agency is ready to make an award, the 
agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a 
Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a 
Federal award to another applicant.
    D. Submission Dates and Times. Competitions for the available loan 
and grant funds will be made quarterly for applications that are 
received no later than 11:59 p.m. (local time) on: First Quarter, 
September 30, 2021; Second Quarter, December 31, 2021; Third Quarter, 
March 31, 2022; and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2022.
    Unless withdrawn by the applicant, completed applications that 
receive a score of at least 60 (the minimum required to be considered 
for funding), but have not yet been funded, will be retained by the 
Agency for consideration in subsequent reviews through a total of four 
consecutive quarterly reviews. Applications that remain unfunded after 
four quarterly reviews, including the initial quarter in which the 
application was competed, will not be considered further for an award.
    E. Explanation of Dates. Applications must be in the USDA Rural 
Development State Office by the dates and times as indicated above to 
compete for available funds in that fiscal quarter. If the due date 
falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the application is due 
the next business day.
    F. Intergovernmental Review. This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State 
and local officials. Intergovernmental consultation will occur for the 
assistance to MDOs in accordance with the process and procedures 
outlined in 2 CFR part 415, subpart C. Assistance to rural 
microenterprises will not require intergovernmental review. 
Applications from Federally recognized Indian tribes are not subject to 
this requirement.
    Rural Development will conduct intergovernmental consultation using 
RD Instruction 1970-I ``Intergovernmental Review,'' available in any 
Rural Development office, on the internet at http://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/1970i.pdf and in 2 CFR part 415, subpart C. Note 
that not all States have chosen to participate in the intergovernmental 
review process. A list of participating States is available at the 
following website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/.
    G. Funding Restrictions. No funds made available under this notice 
shall be used for those ineligible purposes outlined in 7 CFR 
4280.313(e).

V. Application Review Information

    A. Criteria. All eligible and complete applications for new loan 
and grant funds will be evaluated and scored based on the selection 
criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D. A copy of 
the regulation can be accessed online at https://www.ecfr.gov. Failure 
to address any one of the criteria by the application deadline will 
result in the application being determined ineligible and the 
application will not be considered for funding. An application must 
receive at least 60 points to be considered for funding in the quarter 
in which it is scored.
    B. Review and Selection Process. The State Offices will review 
applications to determine if they are eligible for assistance based on 
requirements contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D. If determined 
eligible, the application will be submitted to the National Office, 
where it will be reviewed and prioritized by ranking each application 
received in that quarter, in highest to lowest score order. All 
applications will be funded from the highest to lowest score until 
funds have been exhausted for each funding cycle. Funding of projects 
is subject to the MDO's satisfactory submission of the additional items 
required by that subpart and the USDA Rural Development Letter of 
Conditions.

VI. Federal Award Administration Information

    A. Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive notification 
for funding from the USDA Rural Development State Office. Applicants 
must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations before the 
award will be approved. Provided the application and eligibility 
requirements have not changed, an application not selected will be 
reconsidered for three subsequent funding competitions for a total of 
four competitions. If an application is withdrawn, it can be 
resubmitted and will be evaluated as a new application. Unsuccessful 
applications will receive notification by mail, detailing why the 
application was unsuccessful.
    B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Additional 
requirements that apply to MDOs selected for this program can be found 
in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D. The USDA and the Agency have adopted the 
USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR chapter IV. This regulation 
incorporates the new Office of Management and Budget regulations 2 CFR 
part 200 and 2 CFR part 400 for monitoring and servicing RMAP funding.
    C. Reporting. In addition to any reports required by 2 CFR part 200 
and 2 CFR part 400, the MDO must provide reports as required by 7 CFR 
part 4280, subpart D. All recipients of Federal financial assistance 
are required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and 
executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to 
have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the 
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 
109-282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are 
exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)).
    Intermediaries must collect and maintain data provided by Ultimate 
Recipients on race, sex, and national origin and must also ensure that 
Ultimate Recipients collect and maintain this data. Race and ethnicity 
data will be collected in accordance with Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to the Standards for 
the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity'' (62 FR 
58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be collected in accordance with 
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These items should not be 
submitted with the application but should be available upon request by 
the Agency.
    The applicant and the Ultimate Recipients must comply with Title VI 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments 
of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975,

[[Page 41007]]

Executive Order 12250, Executive Order 13166 Limited English 
Proficiency (LEP), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.

VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

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

VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
information collection requirements associated with the Rural 
Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, as covered in this notice, have 
been approved by OMB under OMB Control Number 0570-0062.

IX. Nondiscrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights 
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff 
offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering 
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, 
national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 
expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, 
family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Program information may be made available in languages other than 
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large 
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the 
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service 
at (800) 877-8339.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should 
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 
which can be obtained online at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/ad-3027, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a 
letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's 
name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the 
alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the 
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights about the nature and date of an 
alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter 
must be submitted to USDA by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
    (2) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Mark Brodziski,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA Rural 
Development.
[FR Doc. 2021-16246 Filed 7-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P