[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60856-60861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16580]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

[Docket No. RHS-24-CF-0026]


Announcement of the Availability of Community Facilities Program 
Disaster Grants

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS or Agency), a Rural Development 
(RD) mission area of the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), announces the availability of up to $38 million in grant 
funding through its Community Facilities Program (CF) to repair 
essential community facilities

[[Page 60857]]

damaged by Presidentially Declared Disasters in Calendar Year (CY) 2022 
or to repair or replace essential community facilities damaged by 
Presidentially Declared Disasters in CY 2023 and Other Disasters in CY 
2023, to remain available until expended. RHS may at its discretion, 
increase the total level of funding available from any available source 
provided the awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the 
funding available to the Agency. This Notice supersedes the prior 
Disaster Grant Notice published in the Federal Register on July 20, 
2023.

DATES: Preapplications and complete applications for the Community 
Facilities Program Disaster Grants will be accepted on a continual 
basis by the applicable USDA RD State Office (see ADDRESSES section for 
details), beginning on July 29, 2024, until all funds have been 
obligated. The applicable USDA RD State Office will conduct an initial 
review and rating of preapplications and complete applications received 
by 4:00 p.m. local time on September 12, 2024. Subsequent 
preapplication and application reviews, rankings, and selections will 
occur in additional rounds if funds remain. Interested applicants must 
contact the RD Office for the state where the project is located to 
discuss potential projects prior to preparing their application.

ADDRESSES: This funding opportunity will be made available on 
Grants.gov for informational purposes only. Preapplications and 
complete applications must be submitted to the USDA RD State Office for 
the state where the project is located. Application information may be 
submitted in paper or electronic format to the appropriate RD State 
Office and will be accepted on a continual basis until all funds have 
been obligated.
    Applicants must contact their respective RD State Office for 
information on grant eligibility, the application process, and for an 
address to submit application information. A list of the USDA RD State 
Office contacts can be found at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Surabhi Dabir at 
[email protected], Community Facilities Program, RHS, USDA, or 
call 202-578-9315. Persons with disabilities that require alternative 
means for communication should contact the Federal Relay Service at 711 
Relay Service.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Agency Name: Rural Housing Service (RHS), USDA.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Announcement of the Availability of 
Community Facilities Program Disaster Grants.
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
    Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-RHS-CFDG-2024.
    Assistance Listing: 10.766.
    Dates: Preapplications and complete applications for the Community 
Facilities Disaster Grant Program will be accepted on a continual basis 
by the applicable USDA RD State Office (see ADDRESSES section for 
details), beginning on July 29, 2024, until all funds have been 
obligated. The applicable USDA RD State Office will conduct an initial 
review and rating of preapplications and complete applications received 
by 4:00 p.m. local time on September 12, 2024. Subsequent 
preapplication and application reviews, rankings, and selections will 
occur in additional rounds if funds remain. Interested applicants must 
contact the RD Office for the state where the project is located to 
discuss potential projects prior to preparing their application.
    Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants 
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities 
(more details available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points):
     Creating More and Better Market Opportunities: Assisting 
rural communities recover economically through more and better market 
opportunities and through improved infrastructure;
     Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and 
Opportunity: Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD 
programs and benefits from RD funded projects; and
     Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice: 
Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of 
climate change through economic support to rural communities.

A. Program Description

1. Purpose of the Program

    CF offers direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or 
improve essential public services and facilities in communities across 
rural America. Public bodies, non-profit organizations and Federally 
recognized Tribes can use the funds to construct, expand or improve 
facilities that provide health care, education, public safety, and 
public services. Projects include fire and rescue stations, village and 
town halls, health care clinics, hospitals, adult and childcare 
centers, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, public 
buildings, schools, libraries, and many other community-based 
initiatives.
    This Notice supersedes the prior Notice titled ``Announcement of 
the Availability of Community Facilities Program Disaster Repair 
Grants'' that published in the Federal Register [88 FR 46732] on July 
20, 2023. This Notice is being issued pursuant to the disaster funds 
made available by the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 
2023 and amended by General Provision sec. 774 of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2024. Grants will be provided to eligible 
applicants to repair eligible essential community facilities damaged by 
Presidentially Declared Disasters that occurred in CY 2022 or to repair 
or replace eligible community facilities damaged by Presidentially 
Declared Disasters and Other Disasters that occurred in CY 2023. For 
the most current list of Presidentially Declared Disasters, visit the 
United States (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) website at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations.
    Details on eligible CF applicants and eligible CF projects may be 
found in Section C. Eligibility Information below.
    While RD State Offices will review and process applications 
received, grant funds will be held in reserve by the USDA Rural 
Development National Office. State Offices may request funds for 
obligation as needed. If at any time the demand for grant funds is 
greater than the amount of grant funds available, a priority ranking 
scoring system will be used by the RD National Office to determine 
which projects are selected for further processing.

2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority

    The Community Facilities Disaster Grant Program is authorized under 
Division N--Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 of 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328); Sec. 774 
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-42); and 
Section 306(a)(19) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 
as amended (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(19)); 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (uniform 
Federal grant awards regulations) and 7 CFR part 3570, subpart B, 
Community Facilities Grant Program regulations.

3. Definitions

    In addition to the definitions and abbreviations noted below that 
are

[[Page 60858]]

relevant to this Notice, please refer to 7 CFR 3570.53 [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/section-3570.53] for further additional 
definitions relevant to this Notice:
    Calendar Year (CY). The period of time beginning on January 1 and 
ending on December 31 for a given year.
    Eligible 2022 Disasters. Disasters that occurred in CY 2022 for 
which a declaration was made by the President in accordance with 
applicable statutes that a disaster occurred, necessitating assistance 
in the recovery of the impacted area.
    Eligible 2023 Disasters.
    (i) Disasters that occurred in CY 2023 for which a declaration was 
made by the President in accordance with applicable statutes that a 
disaster occurred, necessitating assistance in the recovery of the 
impacted area; or
    (ii) Other Disasters: Events that occurred in CY 2023 that were 
caused by a natural catastrophe, technological accident, or human-
caused event that results in severe property damage, deaths, multiple 
injuries, and/or severe environmental harm for which:
    1. there was a declaration of a disaster or public health emergency 
by a local, state, or Tribal government in accordance with applicable 
law;
    2. there was a Presidential Executive Order related to the 
disaster; or
    3. there was a multi agency response effort at the Federal and/or 
Tribal level was undertaken to address the impact of the disaster.
    Preapplication. The components of an application and supporting 
information that will be used to determine applicant eligibility and a 
proposed project's priority for available funds.

4. Application of Awards

    The Agency will review and evaluate applications received in 
response to this notice based on the eligibility provisions found in 7 
CFR 3570.61 and as indicated in this notice. For instance, applicants 
must be organized as a public body, community-based nonprofit 
corporation or association, or a Federally recognized Tribe. Further, 
the proposed project must primarily serve rural areas, be in an 
eligible rural area, serve a public purpose, and the applicant must be 
unable to finance the proposed project from its own resources, or other 
funding resources, or through commercial credit at reasonable rates and 
terms without the requested grant assistance. Applications will be 
processed by the USDA RD State Office in the state where the 
applicant's project is located. Applications under the Community 
Facilities Disaster Grant Program will be accepted on a continual basis 
until funds are fully obligated. Applications received by 4:00 p.m. 
local time on September 12, 2024 will be scored on a priority basis in 
accordance with criteria outlined in E. Application Review Information 
in this notice.
    If at any time the demand for grant funds is greater than the 
amount of grant funds available, a priority ranking scoring system will 
be used to determine which projects are selected for further 
processing.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: Funds available until expended.
    Available Funds: Up to $38 million. RHS may at its discretion, 
increase the total level of funding available from any available source 
provided the awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the 
funding available to the Agency.
    Award Amounts: Grants may cover up to 75 percent of total project 
cost. There is no minimum or maximum award amount. The Agency will 
review and evaluate applications received as set forth in this Notice. 
The Agency will assign points to each application in accordance with 
the scoring and selection criteria outlined in this Notice.
    Anticipated Award Date: It is anticipated that all awards will be 
made by December 31, 2024. However, funds remain available until fully 
obligated. Subsequent application reviews, rankings, and selections may 
occur in additional rounds if funds remain available.
    Performance Period: The period of performance will be noted in the 
Grant Agreement and will extend for 5 years from the date of obligation 
of funds.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
    Type of Assistance Instrument: Grant.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    An eligible CF applicant must:
    (a) Be one of the types of entities outlined in 7 CFR 3570.61(a);
    (b) Be unable to finance the proposed project from its own 
resources, or through commercial credit as outlined in 7 CFR 
3570.61(c); and
    (c) Have the legal authority and responsibility to own, construct, 
operate, and maintain the proposed Facility as outlined in 7 CFR 
3570.61(e).

2. Eligible Projects

    An eligible CF project must:
    (a) Be an eligible Facility as outlined in 7 CFR 3570.61(b);
    (b) Be financially feasible as outlined in 7 CFR 3570.61(d); and
    (c) Be for public use as outlined in 7 CFR 3570.61(f).

3. Eligible Uses of Funds

    Grant funds must be used to repair essential community facilities 
damaged by Eligible 2022 Disasters, or to repair or replace essential 
community facilities damaged by Eligible 2023 Disasters, including the 
replacement of damaged equipment or vehicles and/or the purchase of new 
equipment to undertake repairs to damaged facilities and for related 
purposes as outlined in 7 CFR 3570.62. Such damage may include physical 
or environmental harm that reduces the value, usefulness, or normal 
function of an eligible essential community facility.

4. Project Location Eligibility

    To be eligible for CF Program Disaster Grants under this Notice:
    The eligible project must be located in an eligible rural area 
(including a rural area of a Reservation for Tribes) impacted by 
Eligible 2022 Disasters or Eligible 2023 Disasters. The term ``rural 
and rural area'' is defined in Section 343(a)(13)(C) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(C)), 
as amended, as a city, town or, unincorporated area that has a 
population of not more than 20,000 inhabitants, and which excludes 
certain populations pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(H) and (I). The 
boundaries for unincorporated areas in determining populations will be 
based on the Census Designated Places (CDP). Data from the 2020 Census 
will be used in determining population.
    For information on determining if a project is located in an area 
with a Presidential Disaster Declaration go to https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations.
    For information indicating a project is located in an area impacted 
by Other Disasters in CY 2023, please secure documentation such as a 
declaration of a disaster or public health emergency by a local, state, 
or Tribal government in accordance with applicable law; Presidential 
Executive Order related to the disaster; or demonstration that a multi-
agency response effort at the Federal or Tribal level was undertaken to 
address the impact of the disaster. Your state emergency management 
agency may be able to assist. Go to https://www.usa.gov/state-emergency-management for more information. This documentation should be 
included with your preapplication.

5. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The Community Facilities Program Disaster Grant may fund up to 75

[[Page 60859]]

percent of the cost of repair to a damaged Facility. Funding for the 
balance of the project may consist of other CF financial assistance, 
applicant contributions, or loans and grants from other sources. In-
kind contributions are not an acceptable source of cost-sharing funds. 
Applicants must utilize cash contributions to fund the remaining 
project costs and these funds must be expended for an eligible purpose. 
The Community Facilities Direct Loan Program resources are also 
available to eligible applicants to satisfy cost sharing requirements. 
Applicants may request a combination of Community Facilities Direct 
Loan and Disaster Grants in one application.

6. Other Program Requirements

    Grant funds will be administered in accordance with this notice and 
all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements including 
eligibility for CF grants. Further, the Agency will consider the 
applicant's ability to finance the proposed project from its own 
resources, other funding resources, and/or through commercial credit at 
reasonable rates and terms.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    The requirements for submitting an application can be found at 7 
CFR 3570.65. Applications will be processed by a USDA RD State Office. 
Agency state office contact information is available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices. Interested applicants must 
contact the RD Office for the state where the project is located to 
discuss potential projects prior to preparing their application. 
Applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are 
fully obligated.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    An application must contain all the required elements outlined in 7 
CFR 3570.65. Applicants must meet applicable statutory and regulatory 
requirements including environmental, procurement, and construction 
requirements, including adherence to applicable Tribal, state and local 
codes and standards. The applicable RD State Office can assist 
applicants in understanding complete application requirements based on 
the scope of the proposed project.
    Applicants may elect to submit a preapplication or a complete 
application for funds. Applicants that elect to first submit a 
preapplication will do so to determine applicant eligibility and the 
proposed project's priority for available funds. Each preapplication 
must include an SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance'' with 
project description; evidence of an applicant's legal existence and 
authority; appropriate clearinghouse agency comments; and financial 
feasibility report, RD Form 1942-54 ``Applicant's Feasibility Report.'' 
Preapplications and complete applications must address the criteria 
presented in E. Application Review Information of this Notice, such as 
population of the project location, median household income of the 
population served, whether the project addresses a public healthcare 
emergency or public safety response at the local, state, national and/
or Tribal level, and whether the project is in an area impacted by a 
disaster that has necessitated a coordinated inter-agency strategic 
response.
    For projects located in an area impacted by an Other Disasters 
event in CY 2023, applications and preapplications must include 
documentation such as a declaration of a disaster or public health 
emergency by a local, state, or Tribal government in accordance with 
applicable law; a Presidential Executive Order related to the disaster; 
or documentation demonstrating that a multi-agency response effort at 
the Federal or Tribal level was undertaken to address the impact of the 
disaster.

3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier

    (a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active 
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting 
its application in accordance with 2 CFR 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) Applicant must maintain an active SAM registration, with 
current, accurate and complete information, at all times during which 
it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by 
a Federal awarding agency.
    (c) Applicant must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance 
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
    (d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless 
determined exempt under 2 CFR 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.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications will be accepted on a continual basis, beginning on 
the publication date of this Notice, until all funds are obligated. The 
applicable USDA Rural Development State Office will conduct an initial 
review and rating of complete applications and preapplications received 
by 4:00 p.m. local time on September 12, 2024. Subsequent application 
reviews, rankings, and selections may occur in additional rounds if 
funds remain.

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: 
https://www.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. Applications from Federally 
recognized Tribes are not subject to this requirement.

6. Funding Restrictions

    Grant funds may not be used to fund ineligible purposes per 7 CFR 
3570.63.
    Grant funds may not be used to:
    (a) Pay initial operating expenses or annual recurring costs, 
including purchases or rentals that are generally considered to be 
operating and maintenance expenses (unless a CF loan is part of the 
funding package);
    (b) Construct or repair electric generating plants, electric 
transmission lines, or gas distribution lines to provide services for 
commercial sale;
    (c) Refinance existing indebtedness;

[[Page 60860]]

    (d) Pay interest;
    (e) Pay for facilities located in nonrural areas, except as noted 
in Sec.  3570.61(b)(1);
    (f) Pay any costs of a project when the median household income of 
the population to be served by the proposed Facility is above 90 
percent of the State Nonmetropolitan Median Household Income (SNMHI);
    (g) Pay project costs when other loan funding for the project is 
available at reasonable rates and terms;
    (h) Pay an amount greater than 75 percent of the cost to develop 
the Facility;
    (i) Pay costs to construct facilities to be used for commercial 
rental unless it is a minor part (15 percent or less) of the total 
floor space of the proposed Facility, provided, however, that the 
ineligible activity must be related to and enhance the primary purpose 
of the Facility;
    (j) Construct facilities primarily for the purpose of housing 
State, Federal, or quasi-Federal agencies;
    (k) Pay for any purposes restricted by 7 CFR 1942.17(d)(2); and
    (l) Pay expenses that have been reimbursed from any other sources 
or that other sources are obligated to reimburse.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Application Review Information--Applications and preapplications 
will be reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR 3570.70 and scored by RD 
State Offices on a priority basis in accordance with the criteria 
below. If at any time the demand for grant funds is greater than the 
amount of grant funds available, the RD National Office will utilize a 
priority ranking scoring system to determine which projects may proceed 
with a complete application for funding. Points will be distributed as 
follows:
    (a) Population priorities. The proposed project is located in a 
rural community having a population of:
    (1) 5,000 or less--30 points;
    (2) Between 5,001 and 12,000, inclusive--20 points; or
    (3) Between 12,001 and 20,000, inclusive--10 points.
    (b) Income priorities. The median household income of the 
population to be served by the proposed project is below the higher of 
the poverty line or:
    (1) 60 percent of the SNMHI--30 points;
    (2) 70 percent of the SNMHI--20 points;
    (3) 80 percent of the SNMHI--10 points; or
    (4) 90 percent of the SNMHI--5 points.
    (c) Other priorities. Points will be assigned for one or more of 
the following:
    (1) Project is aligned with a state strategic plan or priorities--
10 points;
    (2) Project addresses a declared public health emergency by a 
local, state, or Tribal government in accordance with applicable law--
10 points; and/or
    (3) Project addresses public safety--10 points.
    (d) Discretionary.
    The State Director may assign up to 15 points to a project in 
addition to those that may be scored under paragraphs (a) through (c) 
of this section, in accordance with 7 CFR 3570.67(d)(1). These points 
are to address unforeseen exigencies or emergencies, such as the loss 
of a community facility due to an accident or natural disaster or the 
loss of joint financing if Agency funds are not committed in a timely 
fashion. In addition, the points will be awarded to projects benefiting 
from the leveraging of funds in order to improve compatibility and 
coordination between the Agency and other agencies' selection systems 
and for those projects that are the most cost effective.
    In selecting projects for funding at the National Office level, 
additional points will be awarded based on the priority assigned to the 
project by the State Office. Only the three highest priority projects 
for a State will be awarded points, with the top ranked project 
receiving 5 points, the next one receiving 3 points, and the third 
ranked project receiving 1 point.
    The Administrator may also assign up to 30 additional points to 
account for geographic distribution of funds, emergency conditions 
caused by economic problems, and other initiatives identified by the 
Secretary.
    Due to the competitive nature of this program, complete 
applications and Preapplications receiving the same score will be 
competed/ranked based on the Income priority score, and then if 
necessary, the Population priority score.

2. Review and Selection Process

    The Agency reserves the right to offer the applicant less than the 
grant funding requested.
    Applications will be reviewed by RD State Offices in accordance 
with 7 CFR 3570.70 (a)-(d) and scored on a priority basis in accordance 
with the criteria outlined in this Notice. If at any time the demand 
for grant funds is greater than the amount of grant funds available, 
the RD National Office will use a priority ranking scoring system to 
determine which projects are invited to submit a complete application. 
Each request for grant assistance will be carefully scored and 
prioritized to determine which projects should be selected for further 
development and funding.
    The RD National Office will inform State Office approval officials 
of the eligible applications with the highest priority score that may 
proceed with a complete application for funding. When selecting 
projects, the following circumstances must be considered:
    (1) Scoring of project and scores of other applications on hand;
    (2) Funds available in the National Office reserve; and
    (3) If other Community Facilities financial assistance is needed 
for the project, the availability of other funding sources.

3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

    The applicable USDA Rural Development State Office will conduct an 
initial review and rating of preapplications and complete applications 
received by 4:00 p.m. local time on September 12, 2024. Subsequent 
application reviews, rankings, and selections will occur in additional 
rounds if funds remain.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

    Applicants selected for funding will be provided a Letter of 
Conditions. Upon acceptance of the conditions, the applicant will sign 
and return to the processing office Forms RD 1942-46, ``Letter of 
Intent to Meet Conditions'', and RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of 
Funds''. The grant is approved on the date an Agency signed copy of 
Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds,'' is mailed to the 
applicant.
    Prior to the disbursement of grant funds, applicants approved for 
funding will be required to sign an Agency approved Grant Agreement, 
meet any pre-disbursement conditions outlined in the Letter of 
Conditions, and meet the applicable Statutory or Regulatory authority 
for this action listed in Section A. Program Description.
    In the event the application is not approved, the applicant will be 
notified in writing of the reasons for rejection and provided 
applicable review and appeal rights in accordance with 7 CFR part 11.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected to receive 
Community Facilities Program Disaster Grants can

[[Page 60861]]

be found in the Grants and Agreements regulations applicable to the 
Department of Agriculture and codified in 2 CFR parts 180, 200, 400, 
415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and 48 CFR 31.2.

3. Reporting

    As outlined in the letter of conditions and grant agreement issued 
by the Agency, grant recipients will be required to provide performance 
reports and annual financial statements in accordance with 2 CFR part 
200 as adopted by the Agency in 2 CFR part 400. Grant recipients will 
also provide performance and financial monitoring and reporting 
information in accordance with 2 CFR part 200, subpart D, ``Post 
Federal Award Requirements.''

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

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

H. Other Information

    (a) Paperwork Reduction Act.
    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35), the information collection requirements associated with 
this program, as covered in this notice, have been approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575-
0173.
    (b) National Environmental Policy Act.
    All recipients under this Notice are subject to the requirements of 
7 CFR part 1970.
    (c) 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.
    (d) 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).
    (e) Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations.
    (1) Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same 
basis as any other organization, as set forth at, and subject to the 
protections and requirements of, this part and any applicable 
constitutional and statutory requirements, including 42 U.S.C. 2000bb 
et seq. USDA will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate for 
or against an organization on the basis of the organization's religious 
character, motives, or affiliation, or lack thereof, or on the basis of 
conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a 
similarly situated secular organization.
    (2) A faith-based organization that participates in this program 
will retain its independence from the Government and may continue to 
carry out its mission consistent with religious freedom and conscience 
protections in Federal law. Religious accommodations may also be sought 
under many of these religious freedom and conscience protection laws.
    (3) A faith-based organization may not use direct Federal financial 
assistance from USDA to support or engage in any explicitly religious 
activities except when consistent with the Establishment Clause of the 
First Amendment and any other applicable requirements. An organization 
receiving Federal financial assistance also may not, in providing 
services funded by USDA, or in their outreach activities related to 
such services, discriminate against a program beneficiary or 
prospective program beneficiary on the basis of religion, a religious 
belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or 
participate in a religious practice.
    (f) Non-Discrimination Statement.
    In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions 
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from 
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, 
gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, 
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived 
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or 
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity 
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). 
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Program information may be made available in languages other than 
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large 
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the 
responsible Mission Area, agency, 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 https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 
632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must 
contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a 
written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient 
detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about 
the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed 
AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410; or
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Joaquin Altoro,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-16580 Filed 7-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P