[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12815-12820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03333]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Docket #: RBS-23-Business-0029]


Notice of Funding Opportunity for Rural Energy for America 
Program Technical Assistance Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2024

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or the Agency), a 
Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), announces that it is accepting applications under 
the Rural Energy for America (REAP) Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) 
Program for fiscal year (FY) 2024. These grant funds will be made to 
qualified types of Applicants (``Applicants'') to provide technical 
assistance to Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses 
applying to REAP (``REAP Applicants''), with priority for applications 
that: assist Agricultural Producers and Tribal entities, provide 
assistance to projects located in a Disadvantaged Community or a 
Distressed Community, support projects using Underutilized Renewable 
Energy Technologies (``Underutilized Technologies''), and/or support 
grant applications of $20,000 or less. This Program has $16,000,000 
available for FY 2024 utilizing funding provided under the Inflation 
Reduction Act of 2022. All Applicants are responsible for any expenses 
incurred in developing their applications.

DATES: Completed applications for grants must be submitted 
electronically via https://www.Grants.gov or to the USDA RD State 
Office (RDSO) State Energy Coordinator of the State where the project 
is located via email no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 
March 15, 2024. The RDSO State Energy Coordinator for the applicable 
State can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-energy-coordinators.

ADDRESSES: This funding announcement will be announced on https://www.Grants.gov.
    Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the 
application documents and requirements provided in this notice from 
https://www.Grants.gov. Application information for electronic 
submissions may be found at FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan 
Burns at [email protected], Business Loan and Grant Analyst, 
Direct Programs Branch, RBCS, USDA, (774) 678-7238.
    For further information on submitting program applications under 
this notice, please contact the RDSO in the state where the Applicant's 
headquarters is located. A list of RDSO contacts is provided at the 
following link: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview

    Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service 
(RBCS).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Energy for America (REAP) 
Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program.
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funding of Opportunity (NOFO).
    Funding Opportunity Number: RD-BCP-24-TAG-REAP.
    Assistance Listing: 10.868.
    Dates: Electronic submissions must be made no later than 11:59 p.m. 
ET on March 15, 2024. Late or incomplete applications will not be 
eligible for funding.

A. Program Description

    1. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of the REAP TAG Program is 
to enable Applicants to provide technical assistance to Agricultural 
Producers and Rural Small Businesses applying to REAP, with priority 
for applications assisting at least two or more of the following types 
of REAP Applicants: (a) Agricultural Producers, (b) REAP applicants 
pursuing projects located in disadvantaged or distressed communities, 
(c) Tribal entities, (d) REAP Applicants pursuing projects using 
Underutilized Technologies, and (e) REAP Applicants pursuing projects 
under $20,000. To meet this purpose, the Agency will make grants to 
eligible entities to provide services to assist potential REAP 
Applicants in submitting Complete Applications.
    2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. The REAP TAG Program is 
authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117-169, 
``IRA''), Title II, Subtitle C, Section 22002(b), and will be 
administered by RBCS.
    3. Definitions. The definitions and abbreviations applicable to 
this notice are published at 7 CFR 4280.103.
    For purposes of this Notice only, Underutilized Renewable Energy 
Technologies (``Underutilized

[[Page 12816]]

Technologies'') are defined as those technologies that make up less 
than 20 percent of the total grant dollars obligated at the end of the 
FY, two (2) years previous to the current year. For example, FY 2022 
award data will be utilized to determine which technologies are 
Underutilized Technologies for the FY 2024 competition. The eligible 
Underutilized Technologies will be fixed at the time of award for the 
duration of the period of performance.
    For awareness, the number of employees calculation used to 
determine the size of a business concern in the definition of Small 
Business is being updated to 24 months versus 12 months, to align with 
recent changes made by the Small Business Administration.
    4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and 
score applications as indicated in this notice. Awards under the REAP 
TAG Program will be made on a competitive basis using specific 
selection criteria contained in Section E.1. of this notice. The Agency 
advises all interested parties that the Applicant bears the full burden 
in preparing and submitting an application in response to this notice.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Awards: Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024.
    Available Funds: The FY 2024 total funding amount is $16,000,000. 
RBCS may, at its discretion, increase the total level of funding 
available in this funding round, or in any category in this funding 
round, from any available source provided the awards meet the 
requirements of the statute which made the funding available to the 
Agency. Based on projected need for REAP technical assistance grants as 
determined on a state-by-state basis by each RDSO, funding will be 
provided as follows:
    The following States will make $250,000 available for the REAP TAG 
Program: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida/
United States Virgin Islands, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Maine, Delaware, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, 
New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, 
Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
    The following States will make $500,000 available for the REAP TAG 
Program: Alaska, Connecticut, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, 
New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, West Virginia, and 
Wisconsin.
    No REAP TAG funds will be available in Hawaii and Western Pacific, 
Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, or Minnesota. Instead, these States will 
receive equivalent assistance in the form of additional staffing 
resources outside of this funding announcement. Applications filed in 
these States will not be eligible for funding.
    All remaining unobligated funds at the end of FY 2024 will be used 
for the Underutilized Technologies Fund established in the Federal 
Register notice 88 FR 19239, Notice of Solicitation of Applications 
(NOSA) for the Rural Energy for America Program for FYs 2023 and 2024, 
published on March 31, 2023.
    Award Amounts: A grant award will not exceed $250,000 or $500,000 
depending on the State or territory (see Available funds section 
above). A single Applicant will not be granted more than one (1) grant 
award. RDSOs may select a single or multiple Applicants that are 
awarded a REAP TAG grant in each state or territory. No award amount of 
less than $100,000 will be made.
    Anticipated Award Date: Awards will be made before June 30, 2024.
    Performance Period: The grant period is at the discretion of the 
Applicant but can be no longer than three (3) years from the date of 
the award. Additional funding opportunity announcements may be made in 
future years.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards: Applicants may apply for funding in 
future funding cycles. No unfunded applications will carry over to the 
next funding cycle. Applicants must re-apply for an additional grant, 
and receipt of past REAP TAG Program awards does not guarantee receipt 
of future awards. Applicants applying that have previously received a 
REAP TAG award must be performing at a satisfactory level as determined 
by the Agency at the TAG application date, including but not limited to 
meeting the budget, timelines, reporting, goals, and objectives as 
defined in the previous REAP TAG award work plan.
    Type of Assistance Instrument: Financial Assistance Agreement.

C. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants. Eligible Applicants must meet the 
eligibility requirements, as applicable, specified in paragraphs (a) 
through (c) of this section.
    (a) Eligible Applicants are:
    (1) A unit of State, Tribal, or local government or an 
instrumentality of a State, Tribal, or local government;
    (2) A land-grant college or university, or other Institution of 
Higher Education;
    (3) A rural electric cooperative;
    (4) A Public Power Entity;
    (5) A Council, as defined under the Resource Conservation and 
Development Program, at 16 U.S.C. 3451.
    (6) A Not-for-profit entity;
    (b) The Applicant must have sufficient capacity to perform the 
activities proposed in the application to ensure success as determined 
by the Agency. The Agency will make this assessment based on the 
information provided in the application and any additional requests for 
clarifying information.
    (c) The Applicant must have the legal authority necessary to apply 
for and carry out the purpose of the grant.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching. There are no cost sharing or matching 
requirements associated with this grant.
    3. Other. All submitted applications must meet the eligibility 
requirements in this notice. Applications will not be considered for 
funding if they do not provide sufficient information to determine 
eligibility or are missing required elements. Applicants will apply for 
a single state or territory in which they intend to complete work. 
Applicants that serve Tribes or Tribal entities located in multiple 
states are permitted to provide technical assistance to those Tribes 
and Tribal entities in multiple states. Applicants may not apply in 
multiple states or territories. Only one application will be accepted 
per applicant. Applications requesting more than the maximum grant 
amount or less than the minimum grant amount will not be eligible.
    (a) Eligible Activities. Includes recruitment of Renewable Energy 
or energy efficiency projects, identification and/or use of electrical 
engineering services related to generating complete REAP applications, 
preparation of REAP applications for Agency financial assistance, as 
well as preparing reports and assessments necessary to request 
financial assistance. Contracted services are allowable. All activities 
must be directly related to providing technical assistance to 
Agricultural Producers or Rural Small Businesses to apply for 
assistance under REAP. Eligible activities include but are not limited 
to:
    (1) Assisting Agricultural Producers or Rural Small Businesses to 
apply for assistance under REAP for Energy Efficiency Improvements, or 
Renewable Energy Systems.
    (2) Providing information on how to improve the energy efficiency 
of the operations and to use Renewable Energy technologies and 
resources in their operations.
    (3) Conducting and promoting Energy Assessments and energy audits 
as

[[Page 12817]]

defined in 7 CFR 4280.103 or other electrical engineering services 
necessary to complete a REAP application.
    (4) Preparing a technical report in accordance with 7 CFR 
4280.110(g).
    (5) Assisting with filing for System Award Management (SAM and 
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)) registrations.
    (6) Assisting with completing a REAP grant application in 
accordance with 7 CFR 4280.116.
    (7) Assisting with planning construction and performance 
development in accordance with 7 CFR 4280.125.
    (8) Assisting with completion of environmental reports and/or 
documentation required for submittal of applications.
    (9) Assisting Tribal entities to determine applicant and project 
eligibility.
    (b) Ineligible activities. Includes, but are not limited to:
    (1) Projects where funding is not targeted directly to assisting 
Agricultural Producers or Rural Small Businesses.
    (2) Projects which propose to provide Energy Audits or Renewable 
Energy Development Assistance for residential purposes.
    (c) Eligible Project Costs. Those costs incurred after the date the 
Financial Assistance Agreement has been executed and that are directly 
related to technical assistance to Agricultural Producers or Rural 
Small Businesses to apply for assistance under REAP, which include but 
are not limited to:
    (1) Salaries, including fringe benefits;
    (2) Travel expenses;
    (3) Office supplies (e.g., paper, pens, file folders, items with 
per unit acquisition cost of $5,000 or less with a useful life of 1 
year or less); and
    (4) Indirect cost of up to a maximum of 5 percent for administering 
the grant, regardless of existing negotiated cost rates.
    (d) Ineligible Project Costs. Includes, but are not limited to:
    (1) Payment for any construction-related activities;
    (2) Purchase or lease of equipment;
    (3) Payment of any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
    (4) Any goods or services provided by a Person or entity who has a 
conflict of interest as provided in 7 CFR 4280.106;
    (5) Any costs of preparing the application package for funding 
under this notice;
    (6) Funding of political or lobbying activities; and
    (7) Payment or waiver of student tuition.
    (e) Do Not Pay. The Agency will check the Do Not Pay portal to 
determine if the Applicant has been debarred or suspended at the time 
of application and also prior to funding any grant award.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package. Application information 
is available at https://www.grants.gov/ and https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energy-america-technical-assistance-grant-program.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission. An application must 
contain all the required elements outlined in paragraphs (a) through 
(f) of this section. The project will be determined incomplete and will 
not be eligible to compete for funding should these elements not be 
complete. Each application must address the applicable scoring criteria 
presented in Section E.1. of this notice for the type of funding being 
requested.
    (a) Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (For Non-
Construction).
    (b) Form SF 424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs.
    (c) Certification that the Applicant is a legal entity in good 
standing (as applicable) and operating in accordance with the laws of 
the State(s) or Tribe where the Applicant has a place of business.
    (d) The Applicant must identify whether the Applicant has a known 
relationship or association with an Agency employee. If there is a 
known relationship, the Applicant must identify each Agency employee 
with whom the Applicant has a known relationship.
    (e) A proposed scope of work to include the items listed in 
paragraphs (1) to (10) of this section. The proposed scope of work must 
be typed, single-spaced, in 11-point font, not to exceed 12 8.5 x 11'' 
pages.
    (1) A brief summary, including a project title, describing the 
proposed project;
    (2) Goals of the proposed project;
    (3) Geographic scope or service area of the proposed project and 
the method and rationale used to select the service area;
    (4) Identification of the specific needs for the service area and 
the target audience to be served. List or describe the types of 
technical assistance and proposed services to be provided. State the 
number of Agricultural Producers and/or Rural Small Businesses to be 
served and identified, including name and contact information, if 
available, as well as the method and rationale used to select the 
Agricultural Producers and/or Rural Small Businesses;
    (5) Timeline describing the proposed tasks to be accomplished and 
the schedule for implementation of each task. Include whether 
organizational staff, consultants, or contractors will be used to 
perform each task;
    (6) Marketing strategies to include a discussion on how the 
Applicant will be marketing and providing outreach activities to the 
proposed service area ensuring that Agricultural Producers and/or Rural 
Small Businesses are served;
    (7) Applicant's experience as follows:
    (i) The Applicant's experience in completing similar activities, 
such as Renewable Energy Site Assessments, Energy Assessments or 
Audits, and Renewable Energy Technical Assistance provided directly to 
Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses or Tribal entities, 
including the number of similar projects the Applicant has performed 
and the number of years the Applicant has been performing a similar 
service. Include personnel on staff or to be contracted to provide the 
service and their experience with similar projects.
    (ii) The amount of experience in administering similar activities 
as applicable to the purpose of the proposed project. Provide 
commentary if the Applicant has any existing programs that can 
demonstrate the achievement of energy savings or energy generation with 
Agricultural Producers and/or Rural Small Businesses the Applicant has 
served. If the Applicant has received one or more accolades within the 
last 5 years in recognition of its Renewable Energy, energy savings, or 
energy-based technical assistance, please describe the achievement(s).
    (iii) The Applicant's experience working with Agricultural 
Producers, Tribal entities, and/or disadvantaged or distressed 
communities.
    (8) Latest financial information to show the Applicant's financial 
viability to carry out the proposed work. A current audit report is 
preferred; however, Applicants not subject to 2 CFR 200, subpart F may 
submit a current (less than 90 days from date of application) balance 
sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows in lieu of an 
audit report.
    (9) Itemized budget including contracted services and itemized 
staff salaries and benefits; and estimated breakdown of costs, 
including those to be funded by the Applicant as well as other sources. 
Sufficient detail should be provided to permit the approval official to 
determine reasonableness, applicability, and allowability.

[[Page 12818]]

    (10) Summarize the Applicant's capacity to perform the proposed 
technical assistance activities including a summary of all other 
programs and activities the Applicant will also perform during the 
proposed project performance period.
    (f) Documentation on each of the scoring criteria listed in Section 
E.1. of this notice. Documentation in support of scoring criteria must 
be typed, single-spaced, in an 11-point font, not to exceed 12 8.5 x 
11'' pages. Acceptable file types include .doc, .docx, .pdf, .jpg, 
.jpeg, .png, .gif, .xls, .xlsx, .txt, .ppt, and .pptx. If the Applicant 
would like to submit another file type, please contact the RDSO first 
for approval.
    3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.
    (a) At the time of application, each Applicant must have an active 
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in accordance 
with 2 CFR part 25.
    (b) 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.
    (c) Applicant must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance 
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
    (d) Applicants must provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) 
on the SF 424 form submitted as part of a complete application.
    (e) The Agency will not make an award until the Applicant has 
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. 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.
    4. Submission Dates and Times.
    (a) Application Technical Review. Prior to official submission of 
applications, Applicants may request technical reviews or other 
application guidance from the Agency, as long as such requests are made 
prior to March 1, 2024. Agency contact information can be found in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.
    (b) Application Deadline Date.
    Electronic submissions via https://www.Grants.gov or to a RDSO 
State Energy Coordinator via email must be received no later than 11:59 
p.m. ET on March 15, 2024. The State Energy Coordinator in the 
applicable State to be eligible for funding under this grant 
opportunity contact list can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-energy-coordinators
    (c) Applications Received After Deadline Date. If complete 
applications are not received by the March 15, 2024, deadline, the 
application will neither be reviewed nor considered for funding under 
any circumstances. The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring 
or eligibility information that is submitted after the application 
deadline. RBCS reserves the right to ask Applicants for clarifying 
information and additional verification of assertions in the 
application.
    5. Funding Restrictions. Applications must be for eligible purposes 
as defined above.

E. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria. All eligible and Complete Applications will be 
evaluated and scored based on the selection criteria and weights 
outlined in this section. 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. Documentation in support of scoring criteria must be typed, 
single-spaced, in an 11-point font, not to exceed 12 8.5 x 11'' pages.
    (a) Experience. A maximum of 20 points will be awarded for this 
criterion. Applicants should provide a narrative description of their 
organizational and aggregate staff experience at implementing 
successful technical assistance programs. Applicants can discuss 
internal and contracted experience.
    (1) Applicants should note prior projects or experience related to 
energy efficiency, Renewable Energy Systems, federal funding, and the 
provision of technical assistance. Up to 15 points will be awarded 
based on years of successful implementation as well as the type and 
quality of the work by the Applicant.
    (i) More than 10 years of successful implementation, 15 points will 
be awarded;
    (ii) More than 5 years to less than 10 years of successful 
implementation, 10 points will be awarded;
    (iii) More than 3 to less than 5 years of successful 
implementation, 5 points will be awarded;
    (iv) More than 1 to less than 3 years of successful implementation, 
3 points will be awarded; or
    (v) Applicants with less than 1 year of experience, 0 points will 
be awarded.
    (2) Applicants should note prior projects or experience working 
with the types of REAP Applicants it seeks to support (e.g. 
Agricultural Producers, Tribal entities, and/or disadvantaged or 
distressed communities). Up to 5 points will be awarded based on 
previous successful implementation related to work with proposed REAP 
Applicant types it seeks to support.
    (b) Soundness of approach. A maximum of 30 total points will be 
awarded for this criterion. A maximum of 15 points will be awarded for 
each criterion listed below. Applicants should address each component 
with a brief narrative response.
    (1) Work plan clearly articulates a well thought out approach to 
accomplishing objectives & clearly identifies who will be served by the 
project and demonstrates knowledge of and experience working with those 
served; (Tribal entities, Rural Small businesses and Agricultural 
Producers)--0 to 15 points will be awarded; and
    (2) Goals & objectives are clearly defined, tied to the need as 
defined in the work plan, and are measurable in terms of new 
applications generated--0 to 15 points will be awarded.
    (c) Recruitment of Priority REAP Projects. 20 points will be 
awarded for this criterion. Applicants should provide a narrative 
addressing which of the following priority REAP project(s) will be 
targeted and how those project(s) will be targeted. Exactly 20 points 
will be awarded for Applicants' satisfactory targeting of at least two 
of the following priorities:
    (1) Projects requesting $20,000 or less in REAP funds.
    (2) Projects located in a Disadvantaged Community or a Distressed 
Community. A Disadvantaged Community will be determined by the Agency 
by using the Council on Environmental Quality's Climate and Economic 
Justice Screening Tool (which is incorporated into the USDA look-up 
map) which identifies communities burdened by climate change and 
environmental injustice. Additionally, all communities within the 
boundaries of Federally Recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Villages 
will also be determined to be Disadvantaged Communities by the Agency. 
A Distressed Community will be determined by the Agency by using the 
Economic Innovation Group's Distressed Communities Index (which is 
incorporated into the USDA look-up map), which uses several socio-
economic measures to identify communities with low economic well-being. 
To determine if your project is

[[Page 12819]]

located in a Disadvantaged Community or a Distressed Community, please 
use the following USDA look-up map: https://ruraldevelopment.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4acf083be4c44bb7864d90f97de0c788.
    (3) Projects submitted by Tribes and/or proposing to serve 
primarily Tribal entities.
    (4) Projects submitted by Agricultural Producers.
    (5) Projects seeking funding for Underutilized Technologies, as 
defined in Section A.3 of this notice.
    (d) Performance measures. A maximum of 10 points will be awarded 
for this criterion. Applicants can receive up to 10 points based on the 
proposed performance measures to evaluate the progress and impact of 
the proposed project. Performance measures should be based on the 
Applicant's proposed scope of work as described in Section D.2(g) of 
this notice and must include a description for how the results of the 
technical assistance will be measured and the benchmarks to be used for 
measuring effectiveness. Indicators to be used should be specific and 
quantifiable.
    (e) State Director discretionary points. The State Director may 
award up to 20 discretionary points to address geographic distribution 
of funds, ensure selection of Priority REAP Projects as described in 
Section E.1(c) of this notice that meet the needs of the respective 
state or region, or if selecting the application helps further a 
Presidential initiative or a Secretary of Agriculture priority (https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points/rural-development-priorities-fy-2024).
    2. Review and Selection Process. The Agency will review 
applications to determine if applications are eligible for assistance 
based on the eligibility requirements in Section C of this notice. 
Applicants meeting those eligibility requirements will be scored based 
on the criteria in Section E.1. of this notice. Only those meeting the 
minimum score of 40 points will be considered for funding. The total 
maximum points that an Applicant may receive is 100 points. 
Applications will be evaluated based only on required information 
submitted by the Applicant in the application. All applications that 
are complete and eligible will be scored and ranked competitively 
against all other applications received in a particular state by the 
Agency. The Agency reserves the right to offer the Applicant less than 
the grant funding requested.
    Funding of projects is subject to the Applicant's satisfactory 
submission of the additional items required by Section F and the USDA 
RD Letter of Conditions.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. Federal Award Notices. Successful Applicants will receive 
notification for funding from the RDSO. Applicants must comply with all 
applicable statutes and regulations before the grant award can be 
approved.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
    In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are 
required to report information about executive compensation (see, 2 CFR 
part 170 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-170). The Applicant 
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) and reporting requirements (see, 2 CFR 
170.200(b) (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-170/subpart-B/section-170.200), unless the recipient is exempt 
under 2 CFR 170.110(b) (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-170/subpart-A/section-170.110).
    The following additional requirements apply to Applicants selected 
for this program:
    (a) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    (b) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
    (c) Form SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if 
applicable.
    (d) Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
    (e) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement'' must be completed by the 
Applicant.
    (f) Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement.''
    (g) Grantees must collect and maintain data provided by REAP 
Applicants on race, sex, and national origin. Race and ethnicity data 
will be collected in accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, 
``Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on 
Race and Ethnicity'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be 
collected in accordance with title IX of the Education Amendments of 
1972. These items should not be submitted with the application but 
should be available upon request by the Agency.
    (h) The Applicant must comply with title VI of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1964, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with 
Disabilities Act (ADA), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive Order 12250, Executive Order 
13166 Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart 
E.
    3. Grant Disbursement. The Agency will disburse grant funds on a 
reimbursement basis. A form SF-270 must be completed by the grantee and 
submitted to the Agency, along with adequate documentation to support 
costs charged to the Federal award that comply with 2 CFR 200 subpart 
E, no more often than monthly to request their reimbursement of funds.
    4. Reporting.
    (a) Project Performance/Reporting. After grant approval and through 
grant completion, awardees will be required to provide the following, 
as indicated in the Financial Assistance Agreement:
    (1) Federal Financial Report, Form SF-425, and a project 
performance report will be required on a semiannual basis (due 30 
working days after end of the semiannual period). For the purposes of 
this grant, semiannual periods end on March 31st and September 30th. 
The project performance reports shall include the elements prescribed 
in the Financial Assistance Agreement, including, as appropriate, but 
not limited to:
    (i) A description of the activities that the funds reflected in the 
financial status report were used for including the number of 
recipients (Agricultural Producers and Rural Small Businesses) 
assisted, and the type of assistance provided, a list of recipients 
with each recipient's North American Industry Classification System 
(NAICS) code, the location of each recipient, and Renewable Energy 
technology that would be used or Energy Efficiency Improvement if the 
projects were implemented. Also provide the number of and identify the 
recipients who submitted REAP grant applications and the recipients 
receiving REAP grant awards (noting those with disadvantaged or 
distressed community status and underutilized technology status).
    (ii) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives for 
that period;
    (iii) Reasons why established objectives were not met, if 
applicable;
    (iv) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will affect 
attainment of overall program objectives, prevent meeting time 
schedules or objectives, or preclude the attainment of objectives 
during established time periods. This disclosure shall be accomplished 
by a Statement of the action taken or planned to resolve the situation;
    (v) Objectives and timetables established for the next reporting 
period;

[[Page 12820]]

    (vi) A demographic summary of the of the agricultural producers and 
business owners receiving the technical assistance.
    (2) A final project and financial status report within 90 days 
after the expiration or termination of the grant.
    (3) Outcome project performance report. One year after project 
completion, awardees must provide a project performance report 
describing their outcomes as related to REAP TAG Program goals as 
identified in your Financial Assistance Agreement. The final report 
will also address the following:
    (i) The most challenging or unexpected aspects of this grant.
    (ii) What advice you would give to other organizations applying for 
this grant.
    (iii) The strengths and limitations of this grant.
    (iv) If you had the opportunity, what would you have done 
differently?
    (v) Are there any post-grant plans for this Project?
    The report is due 60 days after the first full year following the 
year in which the expansion project was completed.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

    For general questions about this announcement, please contact your 
RDSO as provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice or the program 
website at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/reap.

H. Other Information

    1. Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirements 
associated with the program, as covered in this notice, have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control 
Number 0503-0028.
    2. National Environmental Policy Act. All Applicants under this 
notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR 1970, available at: 
https://rd.usda.gov/resources/environmental-studies/environmental-guidance. However, awards for technical assistance and training under 
this notice are classified as a Categorical Exclusion according to 7 
CFR 1970.53(b), and usually do not require any additional 
documentation. RBCS will review each grant application to determine its 
compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The Applicant may be asked to provide 
additional information or documentation to assist RBCS with this 
determination.
    3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All 
Applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be registered in SAM 
and have a UEI number as stated in Section D.3 of this notice. All 
recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report 
information about first-tier sub-awards and executive total 
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
    4. Civil Rights Act. All grants made under this notice are subject 
to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 
CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted 
Programs of the Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of Title VI of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title IX, 
Executive Order 13166 (Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 
11246, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
    5. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil 
rights laws and U.S. Department of Agriculture (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 or the 711 Relay 
Service.
    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.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf 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 (ASCR) 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; or
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690- 7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Kathryn E. Dirksen Londrigan,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA Rural 
Development.
[FR Doc. 2024-03333 Filed 2-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P