[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49826-49832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12874]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Docket #: RBS-24-BUSINESS-0005]


Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Delta Health Care Services 
Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2024

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (Notice) announces that the 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS, Agency) is accepting fiscal 
year (FY) 2024 applications for the Delta Health Care Services (DHCS) 
grant program. The purpose of this program is to provide financial 
assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta 
Region through cooperation among health care professionals, 
institutions of higher education, research institutions, and economic 
development entities in the Delta Region. There is $3,046,583 currently 
available for FY 2024. Ten percent of funds must support projects 
located in persistent poverty counties in the Delta Region and as 
described under paragraph A.2.b. in the Overview section of this 
Notice. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in 
developing their applications.

DATES: Completed applications must be submitted electronically by no 
later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time August 12, 2024 through grants.gov 
to be eligible for grant funding. Late or incomplete applications will 
not be eligible for funding.

ADDRESSES: This funding announcement will also be announced on 
grants.gov. Applicants are encouraged to contact their respective 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) 
State Office well in advance of the application deadline to discuss 
their Project and ask any questions about the application process. 
Contact information for RD State Offices can be found at rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. Applicants may obtain program guidance and 
application tools from rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants.
    To submit an application, follow the instructions for the DHCS 
funding announcement located at grants.gov. Please review the 
Grants.gov website at grants.gov/register for instructions on the 
process of registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure 
you are able to meet the application deadline. You are strongly 
encouraged to file your application early and allow sufficient time to 
manage any technical issues that may arise.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Honie Turner, Business Loan and Grant 
Analyst at [email protected], Program Management Division, RBCS, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3226; or call 
202-720-1400 or email [email protected].
    For further information on program requirements under this Notice, 
please contact the USDA RD State Office in the state where the 
applicant's headquarters is located. A list of RD State Office contacts 
is provided at the following link: rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service 
(RBCS).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Delta Health Care Services Grant Program 
(DHCS).
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
    Funding Opportunity Number: RDBCP-DHCS-2024.
    Assistance Listing: 10.874.
    Dates: Electronic applications must be received by grants.gov no 
later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time August 12, 2024, or it will not be 
considered for funding.
    Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants 
to consider projects that will advance the 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 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 primary objective of the program is 
to provide financial assistance to address the continued unmet health 
needs in the Delta Region through cooperation among health care 
professionals, institutions of higher education, research institutions, 
and other individuals and entities in the Delta Region. Grants are 
awarded on a competitive basis.
    2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority.
    (a) Statutory. The DHCS program is authorized by section 379G of 
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008u).
    (b) Persistent Poverty Counties. The Consolidated Appropriations 
Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-42), division B, title VII, section 736 (section 
736), allocates funding for projects in Persistent Poverty Counties. 
Persistent Poverty Counties as defined in section 736 is ``any county 
that has had 20 percent or more of its population living in poverty 
over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial 
censuses, and 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-year average, or 
any territory or possession of the United States[.]'' Another provision 
in section 736 expands the eligible population in Persistent Poverty 
Counties to include any county seat of such a Persistent Poverty County 
that has a population that does not exceed the authorized population 
limit by more than 10 percent. Therefore, applications for projects in 
Persistent Poverty County seats with populations up to 55,000 (per the 
2020 Census) are eligible. Funding in the amount of $346,583 will be 
allocated to support Persistent Poverty Counties out of the total 
available funding of $3,046,584.
    3. Definitions.
    Academic Health and Research Institute--A combination of a medical 
school, one or more other health profession schools or educational 
training programs (such as allied health, dentistry, graduate studies, 
nursing, pharmacy, or public health), and one or more owned or 
affiliated teaching or health systems; or a health care nonprofit 
organization or health system, including nonprofit medical and surgical 
hospitals, that conduct health related research.
    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. 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

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of interest, including, but not limited to, owner(s) and their 
immediate family members. An example of a conflict of interest includes 
when the consortium member's employees, board of directors, or the 
immediate family of either, have the appearance of a professional or 
personal financial interest in the recipients receiving the benefits or 
services of the grant.
    Consortium--A group of three or more entities that are regional 
Institutions of Higher Education, Academic Health and Research 
Institutes, and/or Economic Development Entities located in the Delta 
Region that have at least one year of prior experience addressing the 
health care issues in the region. At least one of the consortium 
members must be legally organized as an incorporated organization or 
other legal entity and have legal authority to contract with the 
Federal Government.
    Delta Region--The 252 counties and parishes within the states of 
Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Missouri, and Tennessee that are served by the Delta Regional 
Authority. To view the areas identified within the Delta Region visit 
dra.gov/about-dra/dra-states.
    Economic Development Entity--Any public or non-profit organization 
whose primary mission is to stimulate local and regional economies 
within the Delta Region by increasing employment opportunities and 
duration of employment, expanding or retaining existing employers, 
increasing labor rates or wage levels, reducing outmigration, and/or 
creating gains in other economic development-related variables such as 
land values. These activities shall primarily benefit low- and 
moderate-income individuals in the Delta Region.
    Health System--The complete network of agencies, facilities, and 
all providers of health care to meet the health needs of a specific 
geographical area or target population.
    Institution of Higher Education--A postsecondary (post-high school) 
educational institution that awards a bachelor's degree or provides not 
less than a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward 
such a degree, or a postsecondary vocational institution that provides 
a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a 
recognized occupation.
    Nonprofit Organization--Any organization or institution, including 
an accredited institution of higher education, no part of the net 
earnings of which may inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder 
or individual.
    Project--All activities funded by the DHCS grant.
    Project Funds--Grant funds requested plus any other contributions 
to the proposed Project.
    Rural and rural area--Includes (1) Any area of a State other than 
(a) a city or town that has a population of more than 50,000 
inhabitants, according to the latest decennial census of the United 
States and (b) any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or 
town described in (a); and (2) Urbanized areas that are rural in 
character as defined by 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13). For the purposes of this 
definition, cities and towns are incorporated population centers with 
definite boundaries, local self-government, and legal powers set forth 
in a charter granted by the State.
    State--Includes each of the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and, as may be 
determined by the Secretary to be feasible, appropriate and lawful, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
and the Republic of Palau.
    4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and 
score applications received in response to this Notice. Awards under 
the DHCS Program will be made on a competitive basis.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024.
    Available Funds: $3,046,584. RBCS may at its discretion, increase 
the total level of funding available 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: The minimum award amount is $50,000 and the maximum 
award amount is $1,000,000.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2024.
    Performance Period: Up to 24 months.
    Type of Assistance Instrument: Financial Assistance Agreement 
(Grant Agreement).

C. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants. Applicants must meet all the following 
eligibility requirements. Your application will not be considered for 
funding if it does not provide sufficient information to determine 
eligibility or is missing required elements. Applicants that fail to 
submit the required elements by the application deadline will be deemed 
ineligible and will not be evaluated further. Information submitted 
after the application deadline will not be accepted. Grants funded 
through DHCS may be made to a Consortium as defined in section A.3 of 
this Notice. One member of the Consortium must be designated as the 
lead entity by the other members of the Consortium and have legal 
authority to contract with the Federal Government.
    The lead entity is the recipient (see 2 CFR 200.1) of the DHCS 
grant funds and accountable for monitoring and reporting on the Project 
performance and financial management of the grant. It is expected that 
the recipient will make subawards in the form of a grant, cooperative 
agreement, or contract, as appropriate, to the other members of the 
Consortium. If a grant or cooperative agreement is awarded, the 
organization receiving the subaward is a subrecipient (see 2 CFR 200.1) 
and the recipient is responsible for complying with all applicable 
requirements of 2 CFR part 200, including provisions for making and 
monitoring an award. If a contract is awarded, the organization 
receiving the subaward is a contractor, and the recipient is 
responsible for following its written procurement procedures and 
complying with the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Both subrecipients 
and contractors are required to comply with all applicable laws and 
regulations, including performance and financial reporting, as 
described in their award document.
    (a) An applicant is ineligible if they do not submit Evidence of 
Eligibility and Consortium Agreements as described in section D.2 of 
this Notice.
    (b) An applicant is ineligible if they have been debarred or 
suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in 
Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, Debarment and 
Suspension. In addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible for 
a grant due to an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a 
Federal Court (other than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment 
of Federal income taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt. The 
applicant must certify as part of the application that they do not have 
an outstanding judgment against them. The Agency will check the DO NOT 
PAY system to verify if the applicant has been debarred or suspended or 
has an outstanding judgment against them.
    (c) Any corporation (1) that has been convicted of a felony 
criminal violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or 
(2) that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has been assessed, 
for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been

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exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner 
pursuant to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting 
the tax liability, is not eligible for financial assistance provided 
with funds appropriated by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2024 (Pub. L. 118-47), division B, title VII, sections 744 and 745 
unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or debarment of the 
corporation and has made a determination that this further action is 
not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
    (d) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application 
includes any funding restrictions identified under section D.6.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching. There are no cost sharing or matching 
requirements associated with this grant. However, if you are adding any 
other contributions to the proposed Project, you must provide 
documentation indicating who will be providing the matching funds, the 
amount of funds, when those funds will be provided, and how the funds 
will be used in the Project budget. Examples of acceptable 
documentation include: a signed letter from the source of funds stating 
the amount of funds, when the funds will be provided, and what the 
funds can be used for or a signed resolution from your governing board 
authorizing the use of a specified amount of funds for specific 
components of the Project. The matching funds you identify must be for 
eligible purposes and included in your work plan and budget. 
Additionally, expected program income may not be used as matching funds 
at the time you submit your application. If you choose, you may use a 
template to summarize the matching funds. The template is available 
either from your RD State Office or the program website at: 
rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants.
    3. Other.
    (a) Use of Funds. Your application must propose to use Project 
Funds for eligible purposes. Eligible Project purposes include the 
development of: (1) health care services; (2) health education 
programs; (3) health care job training programs; and (4) the 
development and expansion of public health-related facilities in the 
Delta Region.
    (b) Project Eligibility. The proposed Project must take place 
within the Delta Region as defined in this Notice. However, the 
applicant need not propose to serve the entire Delta Region. The Agency 
will allocate at least ten percent of available funds to support 
projects located in persistent poverty counties as described in 
paragraph A.2.(b) of the Overview section. The application must 
identify if the Project will be located in a persistent poverty county, 
or counties and the total Project Funds associated with supporting 
persistent poverty counties.
    (c) Project Input. Your proposed Project must be developed based on 
input from local governments, public health care providers, and other 
entities in the Delta Region.
    (d) Grant Period Eligibility. All awards are limited to up to a 24-
month grant period based upon the complexity of the Project. Your 
proposed grant period should begin no earlier than October 1, 2024, and 
should end no later than 24 months following that date. If you receive 
an award, your grant period will be revised to begin on the actual date 
of award--the date the financial assistance agreement is executed by 
the Agency--and your grant period end date will be adjusted 
accordingly. Your Project activities must begin within 90 days of the 
date of award. If you request funds for a time period beginning before 
October 1, 2024, and/or ending later than 24 months from that date, 
your application will be ineligible. The length of your grant period 
should be based on your Project's complexity, as indicated in your 
application work plan.
    (e) Multiple Application Eligibility. The Consortium, including its 
members, is limited to submitting one application for funding under 
this Notice. We will not accept applications from Consortiums that 
include members who are also members of other Consortiums that have 
submitted applications for funding under this Notice. If we discover 
that a Consortium member is a member of multiple Consortiums with 
applications submitted for funding under this Notice, all applications 
will be considered ineligible for funding.
    (f) Satisfactory Performance Eligibility. If you have an existing 
DHCS award, you must be performing satisfactorily to be considered 
eligible for a new DHCS award. Satisfactory performance includes being 
up to date on all financial and performance reports as prescribed in 
the grant award, and current on tasks and timeframes for utilizing 
grant and matching funds as approved in the work plan and budget. If 
you have any unspent grant funds on DHCS awards made prior to FY 2021 
your application will not be considered for funding. If your FY 2022 or 
FY 2023 award has unspent funds of 50 percent or more than what your 
approved work plan and budget projected at the time your FY 2024 
application is evaluated, your application may not be considered for 
funding. The Agency will verify the performance status of FY 2022 and 
FY 2023 awards and make a determination after the FY 2024 application 
period closes.
    (g) Completeness Eligibility. Your application must provide all the 
information requested in section D.2. of this Notice. Applications 
lacking sufficient information to determine eligibility and scoring 
will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for scoring.
    (h) Indirect Costs. Your negotiated indirect cost rate approval 
does not need to be included in your application, but you will be 
required to provide it if a grant is awarded. Approval for indirect 
costs that are requested in an application without an approved indirect 
cost rate agreement is at the discretion of the Agency.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package. The application guide 
and necessary forms are available at grants.gov. Additionally, the 
application guide, general program information, and other application 
tools for this funding opportunity is located at rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants. Use of the application 
guide is strongly recommended to assist you with the application 
process. You may also contact your RD State Office for more 
information. Contact information for RD State Offices is located at 
rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission. You must submit your 
application electronically through grants.gov. Your application must 
contain all required information. To apply, you must follow the 
instructions for this funding announcement at grants.gov. Please note 
that we cannot accept applications through mail, courier delivery, in-
person delivery, email, or fax. Paper applications are not accepted.
    You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for 
this program by using a keyword, the program name, or the Assistance 
Listing Number for this program. When you enter the Grants.gov website, 
you will find information about applying electronically through the 
site, as well as the hours of operation.
    You must submit all application documents electronically through 
Grants.gov. Applications must include electronic signatures. Original 
signatures may be required if funds are awarded. After applying 
electronically through Grants.gov, you will receive an automatic 
acknowledgement from

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Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number.
    The organization submitting the application will be considered the 
lead entity. The Contact/Program Manager must be associated with the 
lead entity submitting the application.
    Your application must also contain the following required forms and 
proposal elements:
    (a) Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The 
application for Federal assistance must be completed by the lead entity 
as described in section C.1. of this Notice. Your application must 
include your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award 
Management (SAM) Commercial code and expiration date (or evidence that 
you have begun the SAM registration process). If you do not include the 
expiration date and the UEI in your application, it will not be 
considered for funding. The form must be signed by an authorized 
representative.
    (b) Form SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs. 
This form must be completed and submitted as part of the application 
package.
    (c) Form SF-424C, Budget Information--Construction Programs. This 
form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the 
application package for construction Projects.
    (d) Executive Summary. A summary of the proposal, not to exceed one 
page, briefly describing the Project, tasks to be completed, and other 
relevant information that provides a general overview of the Project 
must be provided.
    (e) Evidence of Eligibility. Evidence of the Consortium's 
eligibility to apply under this Notice must be provided. This section 
must include a detailed summary demonstrating that the applicant is a 
Consortium as defined in paragraph A.3 of this Notice and explain how 
each Consortium member meets the definition of an eligible entity as 
defined under section A.3 of this Notice.
    (f) Consortium Agreements. The application must include a formal 
written agreement with each Consortium member that addresses the 
negotiated arrangements for administering the Project to meet Project 
goals, the Consortium member's responsibilities to comply with 
administrative, financial, and reporting requirements of the grant, 
including those necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable 
Federal regulations and policies, and facilitate a smooth functioning 
collaborative venture. Under the agreement, each Consortium member must 
perform a substantive role in the Project and not merely serve as a 
conduit of funds to another party or parties. This agreement must be 
signed by an authorized representative of the lead entity and an 
authorized representative of each partnering consortium entity.
    (g) Scoring Criteria. Each of the scoring criteria in this Notice 
must be addressed in narrative form. Failure to address each scoring 
criterion will result in the application being determined ineligible.
    (h) Performance Measures. The Agency has established annual 
performance measures to evaluate the DHCS program. Estimates on the 
following performance measures, as part of your application, must be 
provided:
    (1) Number of businesses assisted;
    (2) Number of jobs created;
    (3) Number of jobs saved; and
    (4) Number of individuals assisted/trained.
    It is permissible to have a zero in a performance element. When 
calculating jobs created, estimates should be based upon actual jobs to 
be created by your organization as a result of the DHCS funding or 
actual jobs to be created by businesses as a result of assistance from 
your organization. When calculating jobs saved, estimates should be 
based only on actual jobs that would have been lost if your 
organization did not receive DHCS funding or actual jobs that would 
have been lost without assistance from your organization.
    You can also suggest additional performance elements, for example 
where job creation or jobs saved may not be a relevant indicator. These 
additional elements should be specific, measurable performance elements 
that could be included in an award document.
    (i) Financial Information and Sustainability. Current financial 
statements and a narrative description demonstrating sustainability of 
the Project, all of which show sufficient resources and expertise to 
undertake and complete the Project and how the Project will be 
sustained following completion must be provided. Applicants must 
provide three years of pro-forma financial statements for the Project.
    (j) Evidence of Legal Authority and Existence. The lead entity must 
provide evidence of its legal existence and authority to enter into a 
grant agreement with the Agency and perform the activities proposed 
under the grant application.
    (k) Service Area Maps. Maps with sufficient detail to show the area 
that will benefit from the proposed facilities and services and the 
location of the facilities improved or purchased with grant funds, if 
applicable, must be provided.
    (l) Environmental information necessary to support the Agency's 
environmental finding. Required information can be found in 7 CFR part 
1970, specifically in subparts B and C. These provisions may be found 
at ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XVIII/subchapter-H/part-1970. Construction related activities funded by RD must comply with 
State and local building codes and 7 CFR part 1924. Depending on the 
actions anticipated, an appropriate 7 CFR part 1970 compliant 
environmental document must be submitted and approved, prior to 
commencement of construction.
    3. System for Award Management and assigned Unique Entity 
Identifier.
    (a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active 
registration in the SAM before submitting its application in accordance 
with 2 CFR part 25. To register in SAM, entities will be required to 
obtain a UEI(a) 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 25 (https://www.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 
https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
    (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) Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance 
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
    (d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in their application, 
unless determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110).
    (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.

[[Page 49830]]

    4. Submission Date and Time. Completed applications must be 
submitted electronically to grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time 
August 12, 2024, to be eligible for funding. Please review the 
Grants.gov website at grants.gov/register for instructions on the 
process of registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure 
you can meet the electronic application deadline. Grants.gov will not 
accept applications submitted after the deadline. All application 
documents identified in this Notice are required in the submission to 
be considered a complete application.
    The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility 
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The 
Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification 
on materials contained in the submitted application. See the 
application guide for a full discussion of each item comprising a 
complete application. For complete application requirements, refer to 
section D.2 of this Notice.
    5. Intergovernmental Review. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, applies to this program. 
This E.O. requires that Federal agencies provide opportunities for 
consultation on proposed assistance with State and local governments. 
Many states have established a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to 
facilitate this consultation. For a list of States that maintain a 
SPOC, please see the White House website: whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/. If your State has a 
SPOC, you may submit a copy of the application directly for review. Any 
comments obtained through the SPOC must be provided to your State 
Office for consideration as part of your application. If your state has 
not established a SPOC, you may submit your application directly to the 
Agency.
    6. Funding Restrictions. Project funds may not be used for 
ineligible purposes. In addition, you may not use Project Funds for the 
following:
    (a) To duplicate current services or to replace or to substitute 
support previously provided, however, Project Funds may be used to 
expand the level of effort or a service beyond what is currently being 
provided;
    (b) To pay for costs to prepare the application for funding under 
this Notice;
    (c) To pay for costs of the Project incurred prior to the effective 
date of the period of performance;
    (d) To pay expenses for applicant employee training not directly 
related to the Project;
    (e) To fund political activities;
    (f) To pay for assistance to any private business enterprise which 
does not have at least 51 percent ownership by those who are either 
citizens of the United States or reside in the United States after 
being legally admitted for permanent residence;
    (g) To pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
    (h) To engage in any activities that are considered a Conflict of 
Interest, as defined by this Notice; or
    (i) To fund any activities prohibited by 2 CFR part 200.
    In addition, your application will not be considered for funding if 
it does any of the following:
    (1) Assists a hemp producer without a valid license issued by a 
State, Tribe or USDA, as applicable, or in accordance with 7 CFR part 
990.
    (2) Requests more than the maximum grant amount; or
    (3) Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent of 
the Project Funds.
    The Agency will consider your application for funding if it 
includes ineligible costs of 10 percent or less of total Project Funds, 
if it is determined eligible otherwise. However, if your application is 
successful, those ineligible costs must be removed and replaced with 
eligible costs before the Agency will make the grant award or the 
amount of the grant award will be reduced accordingly. If the Agency 
cannot determine the percentage of ineligible costs, your application 
will not be considered for funding.
    7. Other Submission Requirements. To submit an application, you 
must follow the instruction for this funding opportunity at grants.gov. 
A password is not required to access the website. You should not submit 
your application in more than one format or in more than one 
submission. Applications will not be accepted if the text is less than 
11-point font. Applicants having technical difficulties with submitting 
an application should contact grants.gov directly. Technical 
difficulties submitting an application through Grants.gov. will not be 
a reason to extend the application deadline.

E. Application Review Information

    1. Evaluation Criteria. All eligible and complete applications will 
be evaluated based on the following criteria. Evaluators will base 
scores only on the information provided or cross-referenced by page 
number in each individual scoring criterion. DHCS is a competitive 
program, so you will receive scores based on the quality of your 
responses. Simply addressing the criteria will not guarantee higher 
scores. The total points possible for the criteria are 110. The minimum 
score requirement for funding is 60 points. It is at the Agency's 
discretion to fund applications with a score of 59 points or less if it 
is in the best interest of the Federal Government.
    (a) Community Needs and Benefits Derived from the Project (maximum 
of 30 points). A panel of USDA employees will assess how the Project 
will benefit the residents in the Delta Region. This criterion will be 
scored based on the documentation in support of the community needs for 
health services and public health-related facilities and the benefits 
to people living in the Delta Region derived from the implementation of 
the proposed Project. It should lead clearly to the identification of 
the Project participant pool and the target population for the Project 
and provide convincing links between the Project and the benefits to 
the community to address its health needs. You must discuss the:
    (1) Health care needs/issues/challenges facing the service area and 
explain how the identified needs/issues/challenges were determined. 
Discussion should also identify problems faced by the residents in the 
region.
    (2) Proposed assistance to be provided to the service area and how 
the Project will benefit the residents in the region.
    (3) Implementation plan for the Project and provide milestones 
which are well-defined and can be realistically completed.
    (4) Expected outcomes of the proposed Project and how they will be 
tracked and monitored. You should attempt to quantify benefits in terms 
of outcomes from the Project; that is, ways in which peoples' lives, or 
the community, will be improved. Provide estimates of the number of 
people affected by the benefits arising from the Project.
    (b) The Project Management and Organization Capability (maximum of 
30 points). A panel of USDA employees will evaluate the Consortium's 
experience, past performance, and accomplishments addressing health 
care issues to ensure effective Project implementation. This criterion 
will be scored based on the documentation of the Project's management 
and organizational capability. You must discuss:
    (1) Your organization's management and fiscal structure including 
well-defined roles for administrators, staff,

[[Page 49831]]

and established financial management systems.
    (2) Relevant qualifications, capabilities, and educational 
background of the identified key personnel (at a minimum, the Project 
Manager) who will manage and implement programs.
    (3) Your organization's current successful and effective experience 
(or demonstrated experience within the past five years) addressing the 
health care issues in the Delta Region.
    (4) Your organization's experience managing grant-funded programs.
    (5) The extent to which administrative/management costs are 
balanced with funds designated for the provision of programs and 
services.
    (6) The extent and diversity of eligible entity types within the 
applicant's Consortium of regional institutions of higher education, 
academic health and research institutes, and economic development 
entities located in the Delta Region.
    (c) Work Plan and Budget (maximum of 30 points). You must provide a 
work plan, construction project scope, if applicable and budget that 
includes the following: (1) the specific activities, such as programs, 
services, trainings, and/or construction-related activities for a 
facility to be performed under the Project; (2) the estimated line item 
costs associated with each activity, including grant funds and other 
necessary sources of funds; (3) the key personnel who will carry out 
each activity (including each Consortium member's role); and (4) the 
specific time frames for completion of each activity.
    An eligible start and end date for the Project and for individual 
Project tasks must be clearly shown and may not exceed Agency specified 
timeframes for the grant period. You must show the source and use of 
both grant and other contributions for all tasks. Other contributions 
must be spent at a rate equal to, or in advance of, grant funds.
    A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your work plan for detailed 
actions and an accompanying timetable for implementing the proposal. 
Clear and comprehensive work plans detailing all project goals, tasks, 
timelines, costs, and responsible personnel in a logical and realistic 
manner will result in a higher score.
    (d) Local Support (maximum 10 points). A panel of USDA employees 
will evaluate your application for local support of the proposed 
Project. The application must include documentation detailing support 
solicited from local government, public health care providers, and 
other entities in the Delta Region. Evidence of support can include, 
but is not limited to, surveys conducted amongst Delta Region residents 
and stakeholders, notes from focus groups, or letters of support from 
local entities.
    (e) Administrator Discretionary Points (maximum of 10 points). The 
Administrator may choose to award up to 10 points to support geographic 
distribution of funds and/or key priorities as follows (more details 
available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points):
    (1) Assisting rural communities recover economically through more 
and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure. An 
applicant would receive, priority points if the project is located in 
or serving a rural community whose economic well-being ranks in the 
most distressed tier (distress score of 80 or higher) of the Distressed 
Communities Index using the Distressed Communities Look-Up Map 
available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
    (2) Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD 
programs and benefits from RD funded projects. Using the Social 
Vulnerability Index (SVI) Look-Up Map (available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points), an applicant would receive priority points if the 
project is:
     located in or serving a community with score 0.75 or above 
on the SVI; or
     a project where at least 50 percent of the project 
beneficiaries are members of Federally Recognized Tribes and non-Tribal 
applicants include a Tribal Resolution of Consent from the Tribe or 
Tribes that the applicant is proposing to serve.
    (3) Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the 
impacts of climate change through economic support to rural 
communities. Using the Disadvantaged Community and Energy Community 
Look-Up Map (rd.usda.gov/priority-points), an applicant would receive 
priority in three ways:
     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;
     If the project is located in or serves an Energy Community 
as defined by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); and
     If applicants can demonstrate through a written narrative 
how the proposed climate-impact projects will improve the livelihoods 
of community residents and meet pollution mitigation or clean energy 
goals.
    See the website, rd.usda.gov/priority-points, for options.
    2. Review and Selection Process. The RD State Offices will review 
applications to determine if they are eligible for assistance based on 
requirements in this Notice, and other applicable Federal regulations. 
If determined eligible, the review panel will convene to reach a 
consensus on the scores for each of the eligible applications. The 
Administrator may choose to award up to 10 Administrator discretionary 
points based on criterion (e) in section E.1 of this Notice. These 
points will be added to the cumulative score for a total possible score 
of 110. Applications will be funded in highest ranking order until the 
funding limitation has been reached. Applications that cannot be fully 
funded may be offered partial funding at the Agency's discretion. If 
your application is ranked and not funded, it will not be carried 
forward into the next competition. The Agency reserves the right to 
offer the applicant less than the grant funding requested.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. Federal Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive 
notification for funding by electronic mail, containing instructions on 
requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the 
award. Applicants must comply with the terms of the award, including 
meeting all applicable statutes and regulations before the grant award 
can be approved and funded.
    If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in 
writing by electronic mail and informed of any review and appeal 
rights. Funding of successfully appealed applications will be limited 
to available FY 2024 funding.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Additional 
requirements that apply to grantees selected for this program can be 
found in 2 CFR parts 25, 170, 180, 200, 400, 415, 417, 418, and 421; 
and 48 CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to these parts. All 
recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report 
information about first tier subawards and executive compensation (see 
2 CFR part 170). You will be required to have the necessary processes 
and systems in place to comply with the Federal Funding Accountability 
and Transparency Act reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), 
unless you are exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)). These regulations may be 
obtained at ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse.
    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for this program:
    (a) Execution of an Agency approved Financial Assistance Agreement.
    (b) Acceptance of a written Letter of Conditions.

[[Page 49832]]

    (c) Submission of Form RD 1940-1, Request for Obligation of Funds.
    (d) Submission of Certification for Contracts, Grants and Loans.
    (e) SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities if applicable.
    3. Reporting. After grant approval and through grant completion, 
you will be required to provide the following:
    (a) A SF-425, Federal Financial Report, and a project performance 
report will be required on a semiannual basis (due 30 working days 
after the end of the semiannual period). For the purposes of this 
grant, semiannual periods end on June 30th and December 31st. The 
project performance reports shall include a comparison of actual 
accomplishments to the objectives established for that period.
    (b) Reasons why established objectives were not met, if applicable.
    (c) Reasons for any problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if 
any, which have affected or will affect attainment of overall project 
objectives, prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude 
the attainment of particular objectives during established time 
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the 
action taken or planned to resolve the situation.
    (d) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting 
period.
    (e) A final project and financial status report within 120 days 
after the expiration or termination of the grant.
    (f) Outcome project performance reports and final deliverables.
    (g) An annual audit in accordance with 2 CFR part 200 subpart F 
unless the recipient expends less than $750,000 during its fiscal year.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

    For general questions about this funding opportunity, please 
contact your USDA RD State Office provided in the ADDRESSES section of 
this notice. You may also contact Honie Turner, Program Management 
Division, Direct Programs Branch, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, 
USDA at (202) 720-1400 or email [email protected]. You are also 
encouraged to visit the application website for application tools, 
including an application template, at rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants.

H. Build America, Buy America Act

    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, Public Law 117-58. 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. Paperwork Reduction Act. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), OMB must approve all ``collection of 
information'' as a requirement for ``answers to * * * identical 
reporting or recordkeeping requirements imposed on ten or more persons 
* * *'' (44 U.S.C. 3502(3)(A)). The Agency has concluded that the 
reporting requirements contained in this rule/funding announcement will 
involve less than 10 persons and do not require approval under the 
provisions of the Act.
    2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this 
Notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970. The Agency 
will review each grant application to determine its compliance with 7 
CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide additional 
information or documentation to assist the Agency with this 
determination.
    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 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 law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights 
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and 
employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA 
programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, 
national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 
expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, 
family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). 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 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; and
    (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. 2024-12874 Filed 6-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P