[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 112 (Monday, June 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48870-48881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12606]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket No. RHS-24-CF-0012]


Notice of Funding Availability for the Rural Community 
Development Initiative (RCDI) for Fiscal Year 2024

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or the Agency), a Rural 
Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural 
Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program for fiscal year (FY) 
2024. Up to $5 million in funding is available for fiscal year (FY) 
2024. These grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations 
that will provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to 
develop their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to 
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development 
that will support the community. Applicants are responsible for any 
expenses incurred in developing their applications.

DATES: Completed applications must be submitted using one of the 
following methods:
     Paper submissions: Paper application must be received by 4 
p.m. local time by the Rural Development State Office where the 
applicant's headquarters is located. July 15, 2024.
     Electronic submissions: Electronic applications must be 
submitted via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on July 10, 2024.
    Prior to official submission of applications, applicants may 
request technical assistance or other application guidance from the 
Agency, as long as such requests are made prior to July 5, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Applicants wanting to apply for assistance may download the 
application documents and requirements as stated in this Notice from 
the RCDI website: rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/rural-community-development-initiative-grants. Application information 
for electronic submissions may be found at Grants.gov. Applicants may 
also request paper application packages from the Rural Development 
office in their State. A list of Rural Development State office 
contacts can be found via rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shirley J. Stevenson, Community 
Programs Specialist, Rural Development, United States Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 
(202) 205-9685, Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Housing Service (RHS).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Community Development Initiative 
(RCDI).
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).
    Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-RD-HCFP-RCDI-2024.
    Assistance Listing: 10.446.
    Dates: Applications must be submitted using one of the following 
methods:
     Paper submissions: The deadline for receipt of a paper 
application is 4

[[Page 48871]]

p.m. local time, to the Rural Development State Office where the 
applicant's headquarters is located. July 15, 2024. Applicants 
intending to mail applications must provide sufficient time to permit 
delivery on or before the closing deadline date and time. Acceptance by 
the United States Postal Service or private mailer does not constitute 
delivery. Facsimile (FAX), electronic mail, and postage due 
applications will not be accepted. The application dates and times are 
firm. The Agency will not consider any application received after the 
deadline.
     Electronic submission: Electronic applications will be 
accepted via Grants.gov. The deadline for receipt of an electronic 
applications via Grants.gov is 11:59 p.m. eastern time on July 10, 
2024. The application dates and times are firm. The Agency will not 
consider any application received after the deadline. The Agency 
recommends not filing electronic submissions too close to the 
submission deadline in the event there is a problem with the system. 
Applicants that choose to mail applications in lieu of an electronic 
submission must provide sufficient time to permit delivery on or before 
the closing deadline date and time. Acceptance by the United States 
Postal Service or private mailer does not constitute delivery. 
Facsimile (FAX), electronic mail and postage due applications will not 
be accepted. Prior to official submission of applications, applicants 
may request technical assistance or other application guidance from the 
Agency, as long as such requests are made prior to July 5, 2024. 
Technical assistance is not meant to be an analysis or assessment of 
the quality of the materials submitted, a substitute for agency review 
of completed applications, nor a determination of eligibility, if such 
determination requires in-depth analysis. The Agency will not accept 
any applications or consider additional information or documentation 
after the application deadline. The application dates and times are 
firm. The Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek 
clarification information on materials contained in the submitted 
application.
    Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants 
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities 
(more details available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points:
     Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice: 
Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of 
climate change through economic support to rural communities.
     Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and 
Opportunity: Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD 
programs and benefits from RD funded projects.
     Creating More and Better Market Opportunities: Assisting 
rural communities recover economically through more and better market 
opportunities and through improved infrastructure.

A. Program Description

    1. Purpose of the Program. The program is designed to assist 
qualified private organizations, nonprofit organizations, and public 
(including Tribal) intermediary organizations, proposing to carry out 
financial and technical assistance programs to improve housing, 
community facilities, and community and economic development projects 
in rural areas. The RCDI program requires the intermediary (Grantee) to 
provide a program of financial and technical assistance to recipients. 
The recipients will, in turn, provide programs to their communities 
(beneficiaries).
    2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. Congress created the RCDI 
program in 1999 (Pub. L. 106-78), and funding continued under the 
enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-
42), and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 
118-47). This program is implemented under the guidelines announced in 
this Notice and 2 CFR part 200.
    3. Definitions.
    Agency. The Rural Housing Service or its successor.
    Beneficiary. Entities or individuals that receive benefits from 
assistance provided by the recipient.
    Capacity. The ability of a recipient to implement housing, 
community facilities, or community and economic development projects.
    Conflict of interest. A situation in which a person or entity has 
competing personal, professional, or financial interests that make it 
difficult for the person or business to act impartially. Regarding use 
of both grant and matching funds, Federal procurement standards 
prohibit transactions that involve a real or apparent conflict of 
interest for owners, employees, officers, agents, or their immediate 
family members having a financial or other interest in the outcome of 
the project; or that restrict open and free competition for 
unrestrained trade. Specifically, project funds may not be used for 
services or goods going to, or coming from, a person or entity with a 
real or apparent conflict of interest, including, but not limited to, 
owner(s) and their immediate family members. An example of a conflict 
of interest occurs when an employee of the grantee, a member of the 
grantee's board of directors, or the immediate family of either, has 
the appearance of a professional or personal financial interest in a 
recipient receiving the benefits or services of the grant.
    Federally recognized Tribes. Tribal entities recognized and 
eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
based on the most recent notice in the Federal Register published by 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs (pursuant to Pub. L. 103-454) and Tribes 
that received Federal recognition after the most recent publication. 
Tribally designated housing entities (TDHE) are eligible RCDI 
recipients.
    Financial assistance. For the purpose of this Notice, financial 
assistance is grant funds used by the Intermediary to benefit the 
recipient. The grant funds, not to exceed $10,000 per award, may be 
used by the intermediary to purchase supplies and equipment to build 
the recipient's capacity. Grant funds are not directly available to the 
recipient.
    Funds. The RCDI grant and matching funds that have been provided by 
the Grantee.
    Intermediary. A qualified private organization, nonprofit 
organization (including faith-based and community organizations and 
philanthropic organizations), or public (including Tribal) organization 
that provides financial and technical assistance to multiple 
recipients.
    Low-income rural community. An authority, district, economic 
development authority, regional council, federally recognized Tribe, or 
unit of government representing an incorporated city, town, village, 
county, township, parish, Indian reservation or borough whose income is 
at or below 80 percent of either the State or national Median Household 
Income as measured by the 2020 Census.
    Matching funds. Cash or confirmed funding commitments. Matching 
funds must be at least equal to the grant amount and committed for a 
period of not less than the grant performance period.
    Recipient. The entity that receives the financial and technical 
assistance from the intermediary. The recipient must be a nonprofit 
community-based housing and development organization, a low-income 
rural community or a federally recognized Tribe.
    Rural and rural area. Any area other than (i) a city or town that 
has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants and (ii) an 
urbanized area (note that the Agency has determined that the reference 
to ``urbanized area'' should be read as a reference to ``urban

[[Page 48872]]

area'' because the Census Bureau no longer identifies urbanized areas 
individually and instead refers to qualifying areas as ``urban areas'') 
that is contiguous and adjacent to such city or town.
    Technical assistance. Skilled help in improving the recipient's 
abilities in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community 
and economic development.
    4. Application of Awards. Awards under the RCDI Program are limited 
and are awarded through a competitive process. No reimbursement will be 
made for any funds expended prior to execution of the RCDI Grant 
Agreement unless the intermediary is a nonprofit or educational entity 
and has requested and received written Agency approval of the costs 
prior to the actual expenditure.
    This exception is applicable for up to 90 days prior to grant 
closing and only applies to grantees that have received written 
approval but have not executed the RCDI Grant Agreement.
    The Agency cannot retroactively approve reimbursement for 
expenditures prior to execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024.
    Available Funds: Up to $5 million. RHS 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.
    Award Amounts: Grant funds are limited and are awarded through a 
competitive process.
    Minimum/Maximum Award Amount: The minimum grant award per 
intermediary is $50,000 and the maximum award amount is $500,000. The 
intermediary must provide a program of financial and technical 
assistance to recipients to develop their capacity and ability to 
undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, or 
community and economic development that will support the community.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 15, 2024.
    Performance Period: Grant funds must be utilized within three years 
from date of the award. A grantee that has an outstanding RCDI grant 
over three years old, as of the application due date in this Notice, is 
not eligible to apply for this round of funding.
    The intermediary must provide a program of financial and technical 
assistance to one or more of the following: a private, nonprofit 
community-based housing and development organization, a low-income 
rural community or a federally recognized Tribe. A non-Tribal 
intermediary proposing to serve one or more federally recognized 
Tribe(s) must include a resolution of support with its application from 
the respective Tribe(s) it proposes to serve. If the resolution of 
support is not submitted for each respective Tribe, the Tribe will be 
considered ineligible as a recipient. This requirement is being added 
to ensure collaboration during the application process between 
intermediaries and all Tribes that they propose to serve.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards: Applicants must re-apply for an 
additional grant.
    Type of Assistance Instrument: Grant agreement.

C. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants. Applicants must meet all the following 
eligibility requirements by the application deadline. Applications that 
fail to meet any of these requirements by the application deadline will 
be deemed ineligible, will not be evaluated further, and will not 
receive a Federal award under this funding opportunity:
    (a) Qualified private organizations, nonprofit organizations 
(including faith-based organizations in accordance with 7 CFR part 16, 
community organizations and philanthropic foundations), and public 
(including Tribal) intermediary organizations are eligible applicants. 
Definitions that describe eligible organizations and other key terms 
are listed above.
    (b) The recipient must be a nonprofit community-based housing and 
development organization, low-income rural community, or federally 
recognized Tribe based on the RCDI definitions of these groups.
    (c) Private nonprofit, faith, or community-based organizations must 
provide a certificate of incorporation and a certificate of good 
standing from the Secretary of State of the State of incorporation, or 
other similar and valid documentation of current nonprofit status. For 
low-income rural community recipients, the Agency requires evidence 
that the entity is a public body and census data verifying that the 
median household income of the community where the office receiving the 
financial and technical assistance is located is at, or below, 80 
percent of the State or national median household income, whichever is 
higher. For federally recognized Tribes the Agency needs the page 
listing their name from the current Federal Register list of Tribal 
entities recognized and eligible for funding services (see the 
definition of federally recognized Tribes in this Notice for details on 
this list).
    (d) Any corporation that has been convicted of a felony criminal 
violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months; or has any 
unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all 
judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have 
lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an 
agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax 
liability, where the awarding agency is aware of the unpaid tax 
liability, unless the agency has considered suspension or debarment of 
the corporation and has made a determination that this further action 
is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government, is not 
eligible for financial assistance in accordance with restrictions in 
Sections 744 and 745 outlined in Division B, Title VII, ``General 
Provisions--Government-Wide'' of the Further Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-47).
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching. Matching funds are required to be 
provided in an amount that, at a minimum, is equal to the amount of the 
grant. If this matching fund requirement is not met, the application 
will be deemed ineligible (see, the ``Application and Submission 
Information'' section for the required pre-award and post award 
matching funds documentation submission). Partnerships with other 
Federal, State, local, private, and nonprofit entities are encouraged.
    (a) Matching funds must be in the form of cash or confirmed funding 
commitments that, at a minimum, are equal to the grant amount. Matching 
funds must also be committed for a period of not less than the grant 
performance period. These funds can only be used for eligible RCDI 
activities and must be used to support the overall purpose of the RCDI 
program.
    (b) In-kind contributions such as salaries, donated time and 
effort, real and nonexpendable personal property, and goods and 
services cannot be used as matching funds.
    (c) Grant funds and matching funds must be used in equal 
proportions. This does not mean funds have to be used equally by line 
item.
    (d) Grant funds will be disbursed pursuant to relevant provisions 
of 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (see, the ``Application and Submission 
Information'' section) for matching funds documentation and pre-award 
requirements.

[[Page 48873]]

    (e) The intermediary is responsible for demonstrating that matching 
funds are available and committed for a period of not less than the 
grant performance period to the RCDI proposal. Matching funds may be 
provided by the intermediary or a third party. Other Federal funds may 
be used as matching funds if authorized by statute and the purpose of 
the funds is an eligible RCDI purpose.
    (f) RCDI funds will be disbursed on an advance or reimbursement 
basis. Matching funds cannot be expended prior to execution of the RCDI 
Grant Agreement. The request for advance or reimbursement and 
supporting documentation must show that RCDI fund usage does not exceed 
the cumulative amount of matching funds used.
    (g) Applicants must provide matching funds in an amount at least 
equal to the amount of the Federal grant. Successful applications will 
be selected by the Agency for funding and will be awarded from funds 
appropriated for the RCDI program.
    3. Other Eligibility Requirements. The recipient and beneficiary, 
but not the intermediary, must be in an eligible rural area. The 
physical location of the recipient's office that will be receiving the 
financial and technical assistance must be in an eligible rural area. 
If the recipient is a low-income community, the median household income 
of the area where the office is located must be at or below 80 percent 
of the State or national median household income, whichever is higher. 
The applicable Rural Development State Office can assist in determining 
the eligibility of an area. A listing of Rural Development State Office 
contacts can be found at the following link: rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. A map showing eligible rural areas can be 
found at the following link: eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=RBSmenu.
    (a) RCDI grantees that have an outstanding grant over 3 years old, 
as of the application due date in this Notice, will not be eligible to 
apply for this round of funding. Grant and matching funds must be 
utilized in a timely manner to ensure that the goals and objectives of 
the program are met.
    (b) Individuals cannot be recipients.
    (c) The intermediary must provide a program of financial and 
technical assistance to the recipient.
    (d) The intermediary organization must have been legally organized 
for a minimum of three years and have at least three years prior 
experience working with private nonprofit community-based housing and 
development organizations, low-income rural communities, or Tribal 
organizations in the areas of housing, community facilities, or 
community and economic development. The intermediary organization may 
contract with a nonaffiliated organization for not more than 49 percent 
of the awarded grant to provide the proposed technical assistance.
    (e) Proposals must be structured to utilize the grant funds within 
3 years from the date of the award.
    (f) Each applicant, whether individually or jointly, may only 
submit one application for RCDI funds under this Notice. This 
restriction does not preclude the applicant from providing matching 
funds for other applications.
    (g) Recipients can benefit from more than one RCDI application; 
however, after grant selections are made, the recipient can only 
benefit from multiple RCDI grants if the type of financial and 
technical assistance the recipient will receive is not duplicative. The 
services described in multiple RCDI grant applications must have 
separate and identifiable accounts for compliance purposes.
    (h) The intermediary and the recipient cannot be the same entity. 
The recipient can be a related entity to the intermediary, if it meets 
the definition of a recipient, provided the relationship does not 
create a Conflict of Interest that cannot be resolved to Rural 
Development's satisfaction.
    (i) If the recipient is a low-income rural community, identify the 
unit of government to which the financial and technical assistance will 
be provided (e.g., town council or village board). The financial and 
technical assistance must be provided to the organized unit of 
government representing that community, not the community at large.
    (j) A non-Tribal intermediary proposing to serve one or more 
federally recognized Tribes must include a resolution of support with 
its application from the Tribes it proposes to serve. If the resolution 
of support is not submitted for each Tribe, the Tribe will be 
considered ineligible as a recipient. This requirement is being added 
to ensure collaboration during the application process between 
intermediaries and all Tribes that they propose to serve.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package. Entities wishing to 
apply for assistance may download the application documents and 
requirements delineated in this Notice from the RCDI website: 
rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/rural-community-development-initiative-grants. Application information for electronic 
submissions may be found at Grants.gov.
    Applicants may also request paper application packages from the 
Rural Development office in their State. A list of Rural Development 
State Office contacts can be found via rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission. If the applicant is 
ineligible or the application is incomplete, the Agency will inform the 
applicant in writing of the decision, reasons therefore, and its appeal 
rights and no further evaluation of the application will occur.
    A complete application for RCDI funds must include the following:
    (a) A summary page, double-spaced between items, listing the 
following:
    (This information should not be presented in narrative form.)
     Applicant's name,
     Applicant's address,
     Applicant's telephone number,
     Name of applicant's contact person, email address and 
telephone number,
     County where applicant is located,
     Congressional district number where applicant is located,
     Amount of grant request, and
     Number of recipients.
    (b) A detailed Table of Contents containing page numbers for each 
component of the application.
    (c) A project overview, no longer than one page, including the 
following items, which will also be addressed separately and in detail 
under ``Building Capacity and Expertise'' of the ``Evaluation 
Criteria.''
     The type of technical assistance to be provided to the 
recipients and how it will be implemented.
     How the capacity and ability of the recipients will be 
improved.
     The overall goals to be accomplished.
     The benchmarks to be used to measure the success of the 
program.
    Benchmarks should be specific and quantifiable.
    (d) Organizational documents, such as a certificate of 
incorporation and a current good standing certification from the 
Secretary of State where the applicant is incorporated and other 
similar and valid documentation of current status, from the 
intermediary that confirms it has been legally organized for a minimum 
of three years as the applicant entity.
    (e) Verification of source and amount of matching funds, (e.g., a 
copy of a complete bank statement if matching

[[Page 48874]]

funds are in cash or a copy of the confirmed funding commitment from 
the funding source).
    The verification must show that matching funds are available for 
the duration of the grant performance period. The verification of 
matching funds must be submitted with the application, or the 
application will be considered incomplete.
    The applicant will be contacted by the Agency prior to grant award 
to verify that the matching funds provided with the application 
continue to be available. The applicant will have 15 days from the date 
contacted to submit verification that matching funds continue to be 
available.
    If the applicant is unable to provide the verification within that 
timeframe, the application will be considered ineligible. The applicant 
must maintain bank statements on file or other documentation for a 
period of at least three years after grant closing except that the 
records shall be retained beyond the three-year period if audit 
findings have not been resolved.
    (f) The following information for each recipient:
     Recipient's entity name,
     Complete address (mailing and physical location, if 
different),
     County where located,
     Number for Congressional district where recipient is 
located,
     Contact person's name, email address and telephone number, 
and
     Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.'' If the Form RD 
400-4 is not submitted for each recipient, the recipient will be 
considered ineligible. No information pertaining to that recipient will 
be included in the income or population scoring criteria and the 
requested funding may be adjusted due to the deletion of the recipient.
    (g) Submit evidence that each recipient entity is eligible. 
Documentation must be submitted to verify recipient eligibility. Links 
to websites are not acceptable. Acceptable documentation varies 
depending on the type of recipient:
    (1) Nonprofits--provide a current valid letter confirming nonprofit 
status from the Secretary of State of the State of incorporation, a 
current good standing certification from the Secretary of State of the 
State of incorporation, or other valid documentation of current 
nonprofit status of each recipient.
    A nonprofit recipient must provide evidence that it is a valid 
nonprofit when the intermediary applies for the RCDI grant. 
Organizations with pending requests for nonprofit designations are not 
eligible.
    (2) Low-income rural community--provide evidence the entity is a 
public body (e.g., copy of Charter, relevant Acts of Assembly, relevant 
court orders (if created judicially) or other valid documentation), a 
copy of the 2020 census data to verify the population, and 2021 
American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (2017-2021 data set) 
data as evidence that the median household income is at, or below, 80 
percent of either the State or national median household income. We 
will only accept data and printouts from data.census.gov/cedsci/.
    (3) Federally recognized Tribes--The 2024 list was published on 
January 8, 2024, in the Federal Register (89 FR 994) and is available 
by using the following link: federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/08/2024-00109/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of. For Tribes that received 
Federal recognition status publication, outside the publication cited 
above, statutory citations and additional documentation will suffice.
    An intermediary proposing to serve one or more federally recognized 
Tribes must include a resolution of support with its application from 
the Tribes it proposes to serve. If the resolution of support is not 
submitted for each Tribe, the Tribe will be considered ineligible as a 
recipient. This requirement is being added to ensure collaboration 
during the application process between intermediaries and all Tribes 
that they propose to serve.
    (h) Each of the ``Evaluation Criteria'' must be addressed 
specifically and individually by category. Present these criteria in 
narrative form. Narrative (not including attachments) must be limited 
to five pages per criterion. The ``Population and Income'' criteria for 
recipient locations can be provided in the form of a list; however, the 
source of the data must be included on the page(s).
    (i) A timeline identifying specific activities and proposed dates 
for completion.
    (j) A detailed project budget that includes the RCDI grant amount 
and matching funds. This should be a line-item budget, by category. 
Categories such as salaries, administrative, other, and indirect costs 
that pertain to the proposed project must be clearly defined. 
Supporting documentation listing the components of these categories 
must be included. The budget should be dated: year 1, year 2, and year 
3, as applicable.
    (k) The indirect cost category in the project budget should be used 
only when a grant applicant has a federally negotiated indirect cost 
rate. A copy of the current rate agreement must be provided with the 
application. Non-Federal entities that have never received a negotiated 
indirect cost rate, except for those non-Federal entities described in 
appendix VII to 2 CFR part 200-States and Local Government and Indian 
Tribe Indirect Cost Proposals, paragraph (D)(1)(b), may use the de 
minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC).
    (l) Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.''
    (Do not complete Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information.'' A separate 
line-item budget should be presented as described in Letter (j) of this 
section.)
    (m) Certification of Non-Lobbying Activities, RD Instruction 1940-Q 
Exhibit A-1, ``Certification for Contracts, Grants and Loans'' or 
equivalent.
    (n) Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if 
applicable.
    Applicants must collect and maintain data provided by recipients on 
race, sex, and national origin and ensure Ultimate Recipients collect 
and maintain this data. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in 
accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to the 
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and 
Ethnicity'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be collected 
in accordance with title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These 
items should not be submitted with the application but should be 
available upon request by the Agency.
    The applicant and the recipient must comply with title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 
the 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.
    (o) Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees. (A statement acknowledging whether or not a 
relationship exists is required.)
    3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier. At the 
time of application, each applicant must have an active registration in 
the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application 
in accordance with 2 CFR part 25 (ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25). In order to register in SAM, entities will be 
required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Instructions for 
obtaining the UEI are available at sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

[[Page 48875]]

    (a) 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.
    (b) Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance 
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
    (c) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless 
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110 (ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110).
    (d) Each applicant must provide documentation that it is registered 
in SAM and include its UEI number. If the applicant does not provide 
documentation confirming that it is registered in SAM and its UEI 
number, the application will not be considered for funding.
    (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. Completed applications must be 
submitted using one of the following methods:
     Paper submissions: Paper application must be received by 4 
p.m. local time by the Rural Development State Office where the 
applicant's headquarters is located. July 15, 2024. Applicants 
intending to mail applications must provide sufficient time to permit 
delivery on or before the closing deadline date and time. Acceptance by 
the United States Postal Service or private mailer does not constitute 
delivery. Facsimile (FAX), electronic mail, and ``postage due'' 
applications will not be accepted. The application dates and times are 
firm. The Agency will not consider any application received after the 
deadline. To submit a paper application, the original application 
package must be submitted to the Rural Development State Office where 
the applicant's headquarters is located. The address for the 
headquarters of each USDA Rural Development State Office can be 
accessed at rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf. The 
applicant should contact the USDA Rural Development State Office to see 
if applications may be submitted to Field Offices within the state.
    Applicants may also request paper application packages from the 
Rural Development office in their State. A list of Rural Development 
State Office contacts can be found via rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf.
     Electronic submissions: Applications will not be accepted 
via FAX or electronic mail. Applicants may file an electronic 
application at Grants.gov. Applicants wanting to apply for assistance 
may download the application documents and requirements as stated in 
this Notice from the RCDI website: rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/rural-community-development-initiative-grants.
    Application information for electronic submissions may be found at 
Grants.gov. Electronic applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by 
11:59 p.m. eastern time on July 10, 2024. The application dates and 
times are firm. The Agency will not consider any application received 
after the deadline. Follow the instructions at Grants.gov for 
registering and submitting an electronic application. If a system 
problem or technical difficulty occurs with an electronic application, 
please use the customer support resources available at the Grants.gov 
website.
    Technical difficulties applying through Grants.gov will not be a 
reason to extend the application deadline. If an application is unable 
to be submitted through Grants.gov, a paper application must be 
received in the appropriate Rural Development State Office by the 
deadline noted previously.
    5. Intergovernmental Review. This program is subject to Executive 
Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State 
and local officials. Rural Development conducts intergovernmental 
consultation as implemented with 2 CFR part 415, subpart C. Not all 
States have chosen to participate in the intergovernmental review 
process. A list of participating States is available at the following 
website: usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/intergovernmental-review.
    6. Funding Restrictions. The following are examples of eligible and 
ineligible purposes under the RCDI program. Activities that meet the 
objectives of the RCDI program and meet the criteria outlined in this 
Notice will be considered eligible. These examples are illustrative and 
are not meant to limit the activities proposed in the application:
    (a) The intermediary provides training to the recipient on how to 
conduct homeownership education classes. The recipient then provides 
ongoing homeownership education to the residents of the community--the 
ultimate beneficiaries. This ``train the trainer'' concept fully meets 
the intent of this initiative. The intermediary is providing technical 
assistance that will build the recipient's capacity by enabling it to 
conduct homeownership education classes for the public.
    This is an eligible purpose. However, if the intermediary directly 
provided homeownership education classes to individuals in the 
recipient's service area, this would not be an eligible purpose because 
the recipient would be bypassed.
    (b) If the intermediary is working with a low-income community as 
the recipient, the intermediary must provide the technical assistance 
to the entity that represents the low-income community and is 
identified in the application. Examples of entities representing a low-
income community are a village board or a town council.
    If the intermediary provides technical assistance to the Board of 
the low-income community on how to establish a cooperative, this would 
be an eligible purpose. However, if the intermediary works directly 
with individuals from the community to establish the cooperative, this 
is not an eligible purpose.
    The recipient's capacity is built by learning skills that will 
enable it to support sustainable economic development in its community 
on an ongoing basis.
    (c) The intermediary may provide technical assistance to the 
recipient on how to create and operate a revolving loan fund. The 
intermediary may not monitor or operate the revolving loan fund. RCDI 
funds, including matching funds, cannot be used to fund revolving loan 
funds.
    (d) The intermediary may work with recipients to build their 
capacity to provide planning and leadership development training. The 
recipients of this training would be expected to assume leadership 
roles in the development and execution of regional strategic plans. The 
intermediary would work with multiple recipients in helping communities 
recognize their connections to the greater regional and national 
economies.
    (e) The intermediary could provide training and technical 
assistance to the recipients on developing emergency shelter and 
feeding, short-term housing, search and rescue, and environmental 
accident, prevention, and cleanup

[[Page 48876]]

program plans. For longer term disaster and economic crisis responses, 
the intermediary could work with the recipients to develop job 
placement and training programs and develop coordinated transit systems 
for displaced workers.
    7. Other Submission Requirements. Fund uses must be consistent with 
the RCDI purpose.
    (a) Eligible purposes of grant funds include, but are not limited 
to, the following:
    (1) Provide technical assistance to develop recipients' capacity 
and ability to undertake projects related to housing, community 
facilities, or community and economic development, (e.g., the 
intermediary hires a staff person to provide technical assistance to 
the recipient or the recipient hires a staff person, under the 
supervision of the intermediary, to carry out the technical assistance 
provided by the intermediary). Hiring must support the intermediary's 
training purpose. Additional staff can be hired as a secondary purpose 
needed to carry out technical assistance/training to the recipient and 
must support the intermediary's training purpose.
    (2) Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct community 
development programs, (e.g., homeownership education or training for 
business entrepreneurs).
    (3) Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct developmental 
initiatives (e.g., programs that support micro-enterprise and 
sustainable development).
    (4) Develop the capacity of recipients to increase their leveraging 
ability and access to alternative funding sources by providing training 
and staffing.
    (5) Develop the capacity of recipients to provide the technical 
assistance component for essential community facilities projects.
    (6) Assist recipients in completing pre-development requirements 
for housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development projects by providing resources for professional services, 
e.g., architectural, engineering, or legal. While this is an eligible 
purpose, applicant needs to ensure the capacity of the recipient is 
being expanded with appropriate training during the process.
    (7) Improve recipient's organizational capacity by providing 
training and resource material on developing strategic plans, board 
operations, management, financial systems, and information technology.
    (8) Purchase of computers, software, and printers is limited to 
$10,000 per award at the recipient level when directly related to the 
technical assistance program being undertaken by the intermediary.
    (9) Provide funds to recipients for training-related travel costs 
and training expenses related to RCDI.
    (10) RCDI funds may be used to pay for a speaker as part of a 
program, equipment to facilitate the program, and the actual room that 
will house the meeting.
    (b) The following is a list of ineligible uses of grant funds:
    (1) Pass-through grants, and any funds provided to the recipient in 
a lump sum that are not reimbursements.
    (2) Funding a revolving loan fund (RLF).
    (3) Construction (in any form).
    (4) Salaries for positions involved in construction, renovations, 
rehabilitation, and any oversight of these types of activities.
    (5) Intermediary preparation of strategic plans for recipients.
    (6) Funding prostitution, gambling, or any illegal activities.
    (7) Grants to individuals.
    (8) Funding a grant where there may be a conflict of interest, or 
an appearance of a conflict of interest, involving any action by the 
Agency.
    (9) Paying obligations incurred before the beginning date without 
prior Agency approval or after the ending date of the grant agreement.
    (10) Purchasing real estate.
    (11) Improvement or renovation of the grantee or recipient's office 
space or for the repair or maintenance of privately-owned vehicles.
    (12) Any purpose prohibited in 2 CFR part 200 or 400.
    (13) Using grant or matching funds for Individual Development 
Accounts.
    (14) In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1345, ``Expenses of Meetings,'' 
appropriations may not be used for travel, transportation, and 
subsistence expenses for a meeting. RCDI grant funds cannot be used for 
these meeting-related expenses. Matching funds may, however, be used to 
pay for these expenses.
    (15) RCDI funds cannot be used for meetings; they can, however, be 
used for travel, transportation, or subsistence expenses for program-
related training and technical assistance purposes. Any training not 
delineated in the application must be approved by the Agency to verify 
compliance with 31 U.S.C. 1345. Travel and per diem expenses (including 
meals and incidental expenses) will be allowed in accordance with 2 CFR 
parts 200 and 400.

E. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria. All eligible and complete applications will be 
evaluated and scored based on the selection criteria and weights 
contained in this notice. Awards are subject to USDA grant regulations 
at 2 CFR part 400, which incorporated the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) regulations at 2 CFR part 200. Failure to address any of 
the application criteria by the application deadline will result in the 
application being determined ineligible, and the application will not 
be considered for funding.
    All applications that are complete and eligible will be scored and 
ranked competitively. The categories for scoring criteria used are the 
following:
    (a) Building Capacity and Expertise--Maximum 40 Points
    The applicant must demonstrate how it will improve the recipients' 
capacity, through a program of financial and technical assistance, as 
it relates to the RCDI purposes.
    Capacity. Building financial and technical assistance should 
provide new functions to the recipients or expand existing functions 
that will enable the recipients to undertake projects in the areas of 
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development 
that will benefit the community. Capacity-building financial and 
technical assistance may include, but is not limited to: training to 
conduct community development programs (e.g., homeownership education, 
or the establishment of minority business entrepreneurs, cooperatives, 
or micro-enterprises); organizational development (e.g., assistance to 
develop or improve board operations, management, and financial 
systems); instruction on how to develop and implement a strategic plan; 
instruction on how to access alternative funding sources to increase 
leveraging opportunities; and staffing (e.g., hiring a person at 
intermediary or recipient level to provide technical assistance to 
recipients).
    The program of financial and technical assistance that is to be 
provided, its delivery, and the measurability of the program's 
effectiveness will determine the merit of the application.
    All applications will be competitively ranked and the applications 
providing the most improvement in capacity development and measurable 
activities being ranked the highest.
    The narrative response must contain the following items. This list 
also contains the points for each item.
    (1) Describe the nature of financial and technical assistance to be 
provided

[[Page 48877]]

to the recipients and the activities that will be conducted to deliver 
the technical assistance (10 Points).
    (2) Explain how financial and technical assistance will develop or 
increase the recipient's capacity. Indicate whether a new function is 
being developed or if existing functions are being expanded or 
performed more effectively (7 Points).
    (3) Identify which RCDI purpose areas will be addressed with this 
assistance: Housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development (3 Points).
    (4) Describe how the results of the technical assistance will be 
measured and describe the benchmarks to be used to measure 
effectiveness. Benchmarks should be specific and quantifiable (5 
Points).
    (5) Demonstrate that the applicant/intermediary has conducted 
programs of financial and technical assistance and achieved measurable 
results in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and 
economic development in rural areas (10 Points).
    (6) Provide in a chart or excel spreadsheet, the organization name, 
point of contact, address, phone number, email address, and the type 
and amount of the financial and technical assistance the applicant 
organization has provided to the following for the last 3 years (5 
Points).
     Nonprofit organizations in rural areas.
     Low-income communities in rural areas (also identify the 
type of entity, e.g., city government, town council, or village board).
     Federally recognized Tribes or any other culturally 
diverse organizations.
    (b) Soundness of Approach--Maximum 15 Points
    The applicant can receive up to 15 points for soundness of 
approach. The overall proposal will be considered under this criterion.
    The maximum of 15 points for this criterion will be based on the 
following:
    (1) The proposal fits the objectives for which applications were 
invited, is clearly stated, and the applicant has defined how this 
proposal will be implemented (7 Points).
    (2) The ability to provide the proposed financial and technical 
assistance based on prior accomplishments (6 Points).
    (3) Cost effectiveness will be evaluated based on the budget in the 
application. The proposed grant amount and matching funds should be 
utilized to maximize capacity building at the recipient level (2 
Points).
    (c) Population and Income--Maximum 15 Points
    Population is based on the average population from the 2020 census 
data for the communities in which the recipients are located. The 
physical address, not mailing address, for each recipient must be used 
for this criterion. Community is defined for scoring purposes as a 
city, town, village, county, parish, borough, Indian reservation or 
census-designated place where the recipient's office is physically 
located.
    The applicant must submit the census data from the following 
website in the form of a printout to verify the population figures used 
for each recipient. The data can be accessed on the internet at 
data.census.gov/cedsci. Enter location, P1 (i.e., Parma, Idaho, P1) and 
click ``search''; the name and population data for each recipient 
location must be listed in this section.
    The average population of the recipient locations will be used and 
will be scored as follows in the table illustrated below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Scoring
                         Population                            (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10,000 or less.............................................            5
10,001 to 20,000...........................................            4
20,001 to 30,000...........................................            3
30,001 to 40,000...........................................            2
40,001 to 50,000...........................................            1
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The average of the median household income for the communities 
where the recipients are physically located will determine the points 
awarded. The physical address, not mailing address, for each recipient 
must be used for this criterion. Applicants may compare the average 
recipient median household income to the State median household income 
or the national median household income, whichever yields the most 
points. The national median household income to be used is $69,021.
    The applicant must submit the income data in the form of a printout 
of the applicable information from the following website to verify the 
income for each recipient. The data being used is from the 2021 
American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (2017-2021 data set). 
The data can be accessed on the internet at data.census.gov/cedsci/; 
enter location, S1903 (i.e., Parma, Idaho, S1903), click on ``Search,'' 
click the ``+'' symbol to expand the table, and select the 2021 ACS-5-
year estimates table. Use the Household and Median Income column. The 
name and income data for each recipient location must be listed in this 
section. Points will be awarded as follows in the table illustrated 
below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Scoring
              Average recipient median income                  (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than or equal to 70 percent of State or national                 10
 median household income...................................
Greater than 70, but less than or equal to 80 percent of               5
 State or national median household income.................
In excess of 80 percent of State or national median                    0
 household income..........................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) State Director's Points Based on Project Merit--Maximum 10 
Points
    (1) This criterion will be addressed by the Agency, not the 
applicant.
    (2) The State Director may award up to 10 discretionary points for 
the highest priority project in each State, up to 7 points for the 
second highest priority project in each State and up to 5 points for 
the third highest priority project.
    Information on whether your project qualifies for priority points 
can be found at the following website: rd.usda.gov/priority-points. 
Provided that all other requirements set forth in the notice are 
otherwise met, the discretionary points may be awarded to applicants 
proposing to advance any of the following three key priorities:
    (a) Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice: Reducing 
climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate 
change through economic support to rural communities.
    Priority Points: Applicants may receive priority points (up to 3 
points) addressing climate change in three ways:
    Option 1: Applicants will receive points if the project is located 
in or serves a Disadvantaged Community as defined by the Climate and 
Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), from the White House Council 
on Environmental Quality (CEQ). CEJST is a tool to help Federal 
agencies identify disadvantaged communities that will benefit from 
programs included in the Justice40 initiative. Census tracts are 
considered disadvantaged if they meet the thresholds for at least one 
of the CEJST's eight (8) categories of burden: Climate, Energy, Health, 
Housing, Legacy Pollution, Transportation, Water and Wastewater, or 
Workforce Development.
    Option 2: Applicants will receive points if the project is located 
in or serves an Energy Community as defined by the Inflation Reduction 
Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117-169) (IRA). The IRA defines energy communities 
as:
     A ``brownfield site'' (as defined in certain subparagraphs 
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA))

[[Page 48878]]

     A ``metropolitan statistical area'' or ``non-metropolitan 
statistical area'' that has (or had at any time after 2009):
     0.17 percent or greater direct employment or 25% or 
greater local tax revenues related to the extraction, processing, 
transport, or storage of coal, oil, or natural gas; and has an 
unemployment rate at or above the national average unemployment rate 
for the previous year
     A census tract (or directly adjoining census tract) in 
which a coal mine has closed after 1999; or in which a coal-fired 
electric generating unit has been retired after 2009.
    Option 3: Applicants will receive points by demonstrating through 
written narrative how proposed climate-impact projects improve the 
livelihoods of community residents and meet pollution mitigation or 
clean energy goals.
    To determine if your project qualifies for priority points under 
Option 1 or Option 2, please use the Disadvantaged Community & Energy 
Community Look-Up Map.
    Information on whether your project qualifies for priority points 
can be found at the following website: rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
    (b) Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and Opportunity: 
Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and 
benefits from RD funded projects. This priority aligns with the 
Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 
Communities Through the Federal Government. The Applicant receives 
priority points (up to 3 points) if the project is located in or 
serving a community with score 0.75 or above on the CDC Social 
Vulnerability Index. Please use Community Look-Up Map to look up map or 
list to determine if your project qualifies for priority points.
    Applications from federally recognized Tribes, including Tribal 
instrumentalities and entities that are wholly owned by Tribes will 
receive priority points. Federally recognized Tribes are classified as 
any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or 
community as defined by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act 
(List Act) of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-454). Please refer to the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs for a listing of federally recognized Tribes.
    Additionally, projects where at least 50 percent of the project 
beneficiaries are members of federally recognized Tribes, will receive 
priority points if applications from non-Tribal applicants include a 
Tribal Resolution of Consent from the Tribe or Tribes that the 
applicant is proposing to serve.
    U.S. Territories are considered socially vulnerable and qualify for 
priority points.
    Applications from or benefiting a Rural Partner's Network's (RPN) 
community network will receive priority points (rural.gov) in 
applicable funding notices. Currently RPN Networks exist in Alaska, 
Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North 
Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Please use the 
Community Look-Up map to determine if your project qualifies for 
priority points.
    Information on whether your project qualifies for priority points 
can be found at the following website: rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
    (c) Creating More and Better Markets: Assisting rural communities 
to recover economically through more and better market opportunities 
through improved infrastructure.
    Applicants receive priority points (up to 4 points) if the project 
is located in or serving a rural community whose economic well-being 
ranks in the most distressed tier of the Distressed Communities Index. 
The Distressed Communities Index provides a score between 1 and 100 for 
every community at the zip code level. The most distressed tier of the 
index are those communities with a score over 80. Please use the 
Distressed Communities Index Look-Up Map to determine if your project 
qualifies for priority points by using the following link: rd.usda.gov/priority-points/rural-develoment-priorities-fy-2024. For additional 
information on data sources used for this priority determination, 
please download the Data Sources for Rural Development Priorities 
document. Note: U.S. Territories are considered distressed and qualify 
for priority points.
    U.S. Territories are considered distressed and qualify for priority 
points.
    Information on whether your project qualifies for priority points 
can be found at the following website: rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
    (3) Additional information:
     These points may be awarded by the Rural Development State 
Director to any application(s) that benefits their State regardless of 
whether the applicant is headquartered in their State.
     When an intermediary submits an application that will 
benefit a State that is not the same as the State in which the 
intermediary is headquartered, it is the intermediary's responsibility 
to notify the State Director of the State which is receiving the 
benefit of its application. In such cases, State Directors awarding 
points to applications benefiting their State must notify the reviewing 
State in writing.
     Assignment of any points under this criterion requires a 
written justification and must be tied to and awarded based on how 
closely the application aligns with the Rural Development State 
Office's strategic goals.
    (e) Administrator Discretionary Points--Maximum 20 Points
    The Administrator may award up to 20 discretionary points for 
projects to address items such as geographic distribution of funds, 
emergency conditions caused by economic problems, natural disasters and 
other initiatives identified by the Secretary. The Administrator may 
also award points to an application that will advance any of the 
following key priorities:
    (a) Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice: Reducing 
climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate 
change through economic support to rural communities.
    Applicants may receive priority points addressing climate change in 
three ways:
    Option 1: Applicants will receive points if the project is located 
in or serves a Disadvantaged Community as defined by the Climate and 
Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), from the White House Council 
on Environmental Quality (CEQ). CEJST is a tool to help Federal 
agencies identify disadvantaged communities that will benefit from 
programs included in the Justice40 initiative. Census tracts are 
considered disadvantaged if they meet the thresholds for at least one 
of the CEJST's eight (8) categories of burden: Climate, Energy, Health, 
Housing, Legacy Pollution, Transportation, Water and Wastewater, or 
Workforce Development.
    Option 2: Applicants will receive points if the project is located 
in or serves an Energy Community as defined by the Inflation Reduction 
Act (IRA). The IRA defines energy communities as:
     A ``brownfield site'' (as defined in certain subparagraphs 
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA))
     A ``metropolitan statistical area'' or ``non-metropolitan 
statistical area'' that has (or had at any time after 2009)
     0.17% or greater direct employment or 25% or greater local 
tax revenues related to the extraction, processing, transport, or 
storage of coal, oil, or

[[Page 48879]]

natural gas; and has an unemployment rate at or above the national 
average unemployment rate for the previous year.
     A census tract (or directly adjoining census tract) in 
which a coal mine has closed after 1999; or in which a coal-fired 
electric generating unit has been retired after 2009.
    Option 3: Applicants will receive points by demonstrating through 
written narrative how proposed climate-impact projects improve the 
livelihoods of community residents and meet pollution mitigation or 
clean energy goals.
    Information on whether your project qualifies for priority points 
can be found at the following website: rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
    (2) Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and Opportunity: 
Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and 
benefits from RD funded projects.
    This priority aligns with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial 
Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal 
Government. Applicant receives priority points if the project is 
located in or serving a community with score of 0.75 or above on the 
CDC Social Vulnerability Index. Please use the Community Look-Up Map to 
review the map or list to determine if your project qualifies for 
priority points.
    Applications from federally recognized Tribes, including Tribal 
instrumentalities and entities that are wholly owned by Tribes will 
receive priority points. Federally recognized Tribes are classified as 
any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or 
community as defined by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act 
(List Act) of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-454). Please refer to the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs for a listing of federally recognized Tribes.
    Additionally, projects where at least 50 percent of the project 
beneficiaries are members of federally recognized Tribes, will receive 
priority points if applications from non-Tribal applicants include a 
Tribal Resolution of Consent from the Tribe or Tribes that the 
applicant is proposing to serve.
    Applications from or benefiting a Rural Partner's Network's (RPN) 
community network will receive priority points (rural.gov) in 
applicable funding notices. Currently RPN Networks exist in Alaska, 
Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North 
Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Please use the 
Community Look-Up map to determine if your project qualifies for 
priority points.
    U.S. Territories are considered socially vulnerable and qualify for 
priority points.
    Information on whether your project qualifies for priority points 
can be found at the following website: rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
    (3) Creating More and Better Markets: Assisting rural communities 
to recover economically through more and better market opportunities 
through improved infrastructure.
    Applicants receive priority points if the project is located in or 
serving a rural community whose economic well-being ranks in the most 
distressed tier of the Distressed Communities Index. The Distressed 
Communities Index provides a score between 1-100 for every community at 
the zip code level. The most distressed tier of the index are those 
communities with a score over 80. Please use the Distressed Communities 
Index Look-Up Map to determine if your project qualifies for priority 
points by using the following link: rd.usda.gov/priority-points/rural-develoment-priorities-fy-2024. For additional information on data 
sources used for this priority determination, please download the Data 
Sources for Rural Development Priorities document.
    U.S. Territories are considered distressed and qualify for priority 
points.
    Information on whether your project qualifies for priority points 
can be found at the following website: rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
    2. Review and Selection Process. If requests exceed funds 
available, the applications will be rated and ranked on a national 
basis by a review panel based on the ``Application Review Information'' 
contained in this Notice.
    (a) If there is a tied score after the applications have been rated 
and ranked, the tie will be resolved by reviewing the scores for 
``Building Capacity and Expertise'' and the applicant with the highest 
score in that category will receive a higher ranking. If the scores for 
``Building Capacity and Expertise'' are the same, the scores will be 
compared for the next criterion, in sequential order, until the highest 
score can be determined.
    (b) Initial screening: The Agency will screen each application to 
determine eligibility during the period immediately following the 
application deadline. Listed below are examples of reasons for 
rejection from previous funding rounds. The following reasons for 
rejection are not all inclusive; however, they represent the majority 
of the applications previously rejected.
     Recipients were not located in eligible rural areas based 
on the definition in this Notice.
     Applicants failed to provide evidence of recipient's 
status, i.e., documentation supporting nonprofit evidence of 
organization.
     Applicants failed to provide evidence of committed 
matching funds or matching funds were not committed for a period at 
least equal to the grant performance period.
     Application did not follow the RCDI structure with an 
intermediary and recipients.
     Recipients were not identified in the application.
     Intermediary did not provide evidence it had been 
incorporated for at least three years as the applicant entity.
     Applicants failed to address the ``Application Review 
Information'' in this Notice.
     The purpose of the proposal did not qualify as an eligible 
RCDI purpose.
     Inappropriate use of funds (e.g., construction or 
renovations).
     The applicant proposed providing financial and technical 
assistance directly to individuals.
     The application package was not received by closing date 
and time.
    3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates. September 15, 
2024.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. Federal Award Notices. Within the limit of funds available for 
such purpose, the awarding official of the Agency shall make grants in 
ranked order to eligible applicants under the procedures set forth in 
this Notice.
    Successful applicants will receive a selection letter by mail 
containing instructions on requirements necessary to proceed with 
execution and performance of the award. This letter is not an 
authorization to begin performance. In addition, selected applicants 
will be requested to verify that components of the application have not 
changed at the time of selection and on the award obligation date, if 
requested by the Agency.
    The award is not approved until all information has been verified, 
and the awarding official of the Agency has signed Form RD 1940-1, 
``Request for Obligation of Funds'' and the grant agreement. 
Unsuccessful applicants will receive notification, including 
notification of appeal rights, by mail.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
    Grantees will be required to do the following:

[[Page 48880]]

    (i) Execute a Rural Community Development Initiative Grant 
Agreement.
    (ii) Execute Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    (iii) Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' to 
request reimbursements. Provide receipts for expenditures, timesheets 
and any other documentation to support the request for reimbursement.
    (iv) Provide financial status and project performance reports on a 
quarterly basis starting with the first full quarter after the grant 
award.
    (v) Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to 
the Agency.
    (vi) Ensure that records are maintained to document all activities 
and expenditures utilizing RCDI grant funds and matching funds. 
Receipts for expenditures will be included in this documentation.
    (vii) Provide annual audited financial statements in accordance 
with 2 CFR part 200, subpart F, or management reports on Form RD 442-2, 
``Statement of Budget, Income and Equity,'' and Form RD 442-3, 
``Balance Sheet,'' depending on the amount of Federal funds expended 
and the outstanding balance.
    (viii) Collect and maintain data provided by recipients on race, 
sex, and national origin and ensure recipients collect and maintain the 
same data on beneficiaries. 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.
    (ix) Provide a final project performance report.
    (x) Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees.
    (xi) The intermediary and recipient must comply with Title VI of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 
1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Executive Order 
12250, Age Act of 1975, Executive Order 13166 Limited English 
Proficiency, and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.
    (xii) The grantee must comply with policies, guidance, and 
requirements as described in the following applicable Code of Federal 
Regulations, and any successor regulations:
    (A) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, 
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards).
    (B) 2 CFR parts 417 and 180 (Government-wide Debarment and 
Suspension (Nonprocurement)).
    3. Reporting. After grant approval and through grant completion, 
you will be required to provide the following, as indicated in the 
Grant Agreement:
    (a) SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report'' and SF-PPR, ``Performance 
Progress Report'' will be required on a quarterly basis (due 30 working 
days after each calendar quarter). The Performance Progress Report 
shall include the elements described in the grant agreement.
    (b) Final financial and performance reports will be due 120 
calendar days after the period of performance end date.
    (c) A summary at the end of the final report with elements as 
described in the grant agreement to assist in documenting the annual 
performance goals of the RCDI program for Congress.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    Contact the Rural Development State Office where the applicant's 
headquarters is located. A list of Rural Development State Offices 
contacts can be found via rd.usda.gov/files/CF_State_Office_Contacts.pdf.

H. Build America, Buy America

    Funding to Non-Federal Entities. Awardees that are Non-Federal 
Entities, defined pursuant to 2 CFR 200.1 as any State, local 
government, Indian Tribe, Institution of Higher Education, or nonprofit 
organization, shall be governed by the requirements of section 70914 of 
the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) within the Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58), and its implementing 
regulations at 2 CFR part 184. Any requests for waiver of these 
requirements must be submitted pursuant to USDA's guidance available 
online at usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver.

I. Other Information

    1. Civil Rights Requirements. All grants made under this Notice are 
subject to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as required by the 
USDA in 7 CFR part 15, subpart A, 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.
    2. Paperwork Reduction Act. The paperwork burden has been approved 
by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 
0575-0180.
    3. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this 
notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970, available 
at: rd.usda.gov/resources/environmental-studies/environmental-guidance.
    4. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil 
rights laws 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; or the 711 Federal 
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 usda.gov/oascr/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer 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; or
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].

[[Page 48881]]

    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-12606 Filed 6-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P