[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 164 (Friday, August 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68132-68136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19008]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[Docket #: RBS-24-BUSINESS-0010]


Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Economic 
Development Loan and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2025

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or Agency), a 
Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), invites applications for loans and grants under the 
Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs (REDLG or Programs) 
for fiscal year (FY) 2025, subject to the availability of funding. This 
notice is being issued prior to the passage of a FY 25 Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, which may or may not provide funding for this 
program, to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, 
prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to 
process applications within FY 2025. Based on FY 2024 appropriated 
funding and current budget situation, the Agency estimates that 
approximately $50,000,000 will be available for FY 2025. Successful 
applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and 
subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made 
available through appropriations. All applicants are responsible for 
any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

DATES: The deadlines for completed applications to be received in the 
RD State Office for quarterly funding competitions are no later than 
4:30 p.m. (local time) on: First Quarter, September 30, 2024; Second 
Quarter, December 31, 2024; Third Quarter, March 31, 2025, and Fourth 
Quarter, June 30, 2025. The Agency will not consider any application 
received after the deadline for funding competition in that fiscal 
quarter.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted in paper or electronically to 
the RD State Office for the state where the project is located. A list 
of the RD State Office contacts can be found at: www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices. This notice will also be announced at www.grants.gov.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service 
(RBCS).
    Funding Opportunity Type: Rural Economic Development Loans and 
Grants (REDLG).
    Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).
    Funding Opportunity Number: RD-RBCS-25-REDLG.
    Assistance Listing Number: 10.854.
    Dates: The deadlines for complete applications to be received in 
the RD State Office for quarterly funding competitions are no later 
than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on: First Quarter, September 30, 2024; 
Second Quarter, December 31, 2024; Third Quarter, March 31, 2025, and 
Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2025.
    Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants 
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities 
(more details available at www.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 Rural Economic Development Loan 
(REDL) and Grant (REDG) Programs (REDLG or Program(s)) provide 
financing to eligible Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric or 
telecommunications borrowers (Intermediaries) to promote rural economic 
development and job creation projects. Assistance provided to rural and 
Tribal areas, as defined, under this program may include business 
startup costs, business expansion, business incubators, technical 
assistance feasibility studies, advanced telecommunications services 
and computer networks for medical, educational, and job training 
services, and Community Facilities, as defined at 7 CFR 4280.3, 
projects for economic development.
    2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. These Programs are 
authorized under section 313B of the Rural Electrification

[[Page 68133]]

Act of 1936, as amended and implemented by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A.
    The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, (Pub. L. 118-42, 
Division B, Title VII), Section 736 designates funding for projects in 
persistent poverty counties. Persistent poverty counties 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''. 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, expanding the current 50,000 population limit to 
55,000 for only county seats located in persistent poverty counties. 
Therefore, assuming the Appropriations Act for 2025 has similar 
language, applicants and/or beneficiaries located in persistent poverty 
county seats with populations up to 55,000 (per the 2010 Census) are 
eligible.
    3. Definitions. The definitions applicable to this notice are 
published at 7 CFR 4280.3.
    4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and 
score applications received in response to this notice based on the 
provisions found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, and as indicated in 
this notice. Awards under the REDLG programs will be made on a 
competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7 CFR 
part 4280, subpart A and as indicated in this notice. The applicant 
bears the full burden in preparing and submitting an application in 
response to this notice regardless of whether or not funding is 
appropriated for the programs in FY 2025.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Awards: Loans and Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2025.
    Available Funds: Dependent upon FY 2025 appropriations. Funding is 
anticipated to be approximately $50,000,000 based on FY 2024 amounts. 
RBCS may, at its discretion, increase the total level of funding 
available in these funding rounds from any available source provided 
the awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the funding 
available to the Agency.
    Award Amounts: The Agency anticipates the following maximum amounts 
per award: Loans--$2,000,000; Grants--$300,000.
    Anticipated Award Dates: First Quarter, November 30, 2024; Second 
Quarter, February 29, 2025; Third Quarter, May 31, 2025; and Fourth 
Quarter, August 31, 2025.
    Performance Period: December 1, 2024, through September 30, 2026.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
    Type of Assistance Instrument: Direct Loan and Financial Assistance 
Agreement.

C. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants. Loans and grants may be made to any entity 
that is identified by USDA RD as an eligible borrower under the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (Act). In accordance with 7 CFR 
4280.13, applicants that are not delinquent on any Federal debt or not 
otherwise disqualified from participation in these Programs are 
eligible to apply. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any 
former RUS borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct, or 
guaranteed loan under the Act, or any not-for-profit utility that is 
eligible to receive an insured or direct loan under such Act shall be 
eligible for assistance under section 313B(a) of such Act in the same 
manner as a borrower under such Act. All other restrictions in this 
notice will apply.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching. For loans, either the ultimate 
recipient or the intermediary must provide supplemental funds for the 
project equal to at least 20 percent of the loan to the intermediary. 
For grants, the intermediary must establish a revolving loan fund and 
contribute an amount equal to at least 20 percent of the grant. The 
supplemental contribution must come from the intermediary's which may 
not be from other Federal grants, unless permitted by law.
    3. Other.
    (a) There are no ``responsiveness'' or ``threshold'' eligibility 
criteria for these loans and grants. There is no limit on the number of 
applications an applicant may submit under this announcement.
    (b) None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may 
be used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or 
cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan 
guarantee to any corporation that:
    (i) 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 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.
    (ii) Was convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal 
law within the preceding 24 months, where the awarding agency is aware 
of the conviction, 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.
    (c) Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not 
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing 
required elements.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package. For further information, 
entities wishing to apply for assistance should contact the RD State 
Office provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice to obtain 
copies of the application package.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission. An application must 
contain all of the required elements outlined in 7 CFR 4280.39 and 
address each selection priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR 4280.42(b). 
Failure to address any of the criterion will result in a zero-point 
score for that criterion and will impact the overall evaluation of the 
application.
    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 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 its application, unless 
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110.

[[Page 68134]]

    (e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has 
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the 
Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the 
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that 
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
applicant.
    4. Submission Dates and Times.
    (a) Application Technical Assistance Deadline Date. Prior to 
official submission of grant applications, applicants may request 
technical assistance or other application guidance from the Agency, as 
long as such requests are made at least 15 days prior to each quarter 
submission date. 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.
    (b) Application Deadline Dates. Completed applications must be 
received no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on: First Quarter, 
September 30, 2024; Second Quarter, December 31, 2024; Third Quarter, 
March 31, 2025; and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2025. Applications must be 
in the RD State Office by the dates and times as indicated. If the due 
date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the application 
is due the next business day. If completed applications are not 
received by the deadline established above, the application will 
neither be reviewed nor considered in that quarter under any 
circumstances.
    The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility 
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The 
Agency also reserves the right to ask applicants for clarifying 
information and additional verification of assertations in the 
application.
    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: 
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 Indian Tribes are not subject to this requirement.
    6. Funding Restrictions. The grantee may utilize a previously 
approved indirect cost rate. Otherwise, the applicant may elect to 
charge the 10 percent indirect cost permitted under 2 CFR 200.414(f). 
An indirect cost rate determination may be requested with the 
application; however, due to the time required to evaluate indirect 
cost rates, it is likely that all funds will be awarded before the 
indirect cost rate is determined. No foreign travel is permitted. Pre-
Federal award costs will only be permitted with prior written approval 
by the Agency.
    7. Other Submission Requirements.
    (a) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages, font 
size and type face, margins, paper size, number of copies, and the 
sequence or assembly requirements.
    (b) The component pieces of this application should contain 
original signatures on the original application. Any form that requires 
an original signature but is signed electronically in the application 
submission, must be signed in ink by the authorized person prior to the 
disbursement of funds.
    (c) An original copy of the application package must be filed with 
the RD State Office for the State where the intermediary is located.
    (d) Applicants may submit applications in hard copy or electronic 
format as previously indicated in the Application and Submission 
Information section of this notice. If the applicant wishes to hand 
deliver their application, the addresses for these deliveries can be 
located in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. Applicants are 
encouraged to contact their respective State Office for an email 
contact to submit an electronic application prior to the submission 
deadline date(s).
    Applicants intending to mail applications must allow 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) or postage due 
applications will not be accepted.

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 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Failure to address any one of 
the criteria by the application deadline will result in the application 
being determined ineligible, and the application will not be considered 
for funding.
    2. Review and Selection Process. The RD State Offices will review 
applications to determine if they are eligible for assistance based on 
requirements contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. If determined 
eligible, applications will be submitted to the National Office. 
Funding of projects is subject to the intermediary's satisfactory 
submission of the additional items required by that subpart and the RD 
Letter of Conditions. The Agency reserves the right to offer the 
applicant less than the funding requested. Discretionary priority 
points, under 7 CFR 4280.43(e), may be awarded with documented 
justification for the following categories:
    (a) Assisting rural communities recover economically through more 
and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure. 
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 www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
    (b) 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 www.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;
     Is a Federally recognized Tribe, including Tribal 
instrumentalities and entities that are wholly owned by Tribes; or
     Is 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.
     Is an application from or benefiting a Rural Partner's 
Network's (RPN) community network (rural.gov). Currently, RPN Networks 
exist in

[[Page 68135]]

Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, 
North Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Use the 
Community Look-Up map (available at www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points) to 
determine if your project qualifies for priority points.
    (c) 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 (available at www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points), applicants 
will 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 (CEQ), 
or
     If the project is located in or serves an Energy Community 
as defined by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
     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.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. Federal Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive 
notification for funding from the RD State Office. Applicants must 
comply with all applicable statutes and regulations before the loan/
grant award can be approved. Provided the application and eligibility 
requirements have not changed, an eligible application not selected 
will be reconsidered in three subsequent quarterly funding competitions 
for a total of four competitions. If an application is withdrawn by the 
applicant, it can be resubmitted and will be evaluated as a new 
application.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
    (a) Additional Requirements for Intermediaries and/or Grantees. 
Additional requirements that apply to intermediaries or grantees 
selected for these programs can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A; 
Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 
Requirements for Federal Awards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
codified in 2 CFR 400.1 to 400.2, and 2 CFR part 415 to 422, and 
successor regulations to these parts.
    (b) Awards. All awards are subject to USDA grant regulations at 2 
CFR part 400 which adopts the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
regulations 2 CFR part 200.
    (c) Notification. All successful applicants will be notified by 
letter which will include a Letter of Conditions, and a Letter of 
Intent to Meet Conditions. This letter is not an authorization to begin 
performance. If the applicant wishes to consider beginning performance 
prior to the loan or grant being officially closed, all pre-award costs 
must be approved in writing and in advance by the Agency. The loan or 
grant will be considered officially awarded when all conditions in the 
Letter of Conditions have been met and the Agency obligates the funding 
for the project.
    The following additional requirements apply to intermediaries or 
grantees selected for these Programs:
    (i) Form RD 4280-2, ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service Financial 
Assistance Agreement.''
    (ii) Letter of Conditions.
    (iii) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    (iv) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
    (v) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
    (vi) Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
    (vii) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement'' must be completed by 
the applicant and each prospective ultimate recipient.
    (viii) Intermediaries or grantees must collect and maintain data 
provided by ultimate 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.
    (d) Build America, Buy America. 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). Any requests for waiver of 
these requirements must be submitted pursuant to USDA's guidance 
available online at www.usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver.
    (e) Geospatial Information. Awardee, and any and all contracts 
entered into by the Awardee with respect to the Award, shall ensure 
that geospatial data required to be collected and provided to the 
agency, conforms with the requirements of USDA Department Regulation 
DR-3465-001 and the Geospatial Metadata Standards set forth in the USDA 
Departmental Manual at DM 3465-001, which can be obtained online at 
www.usda.gov/directives/dr-3465-001 and www.usda.gov/directives/dm-3465-001.
    3. Reporting.
    (a) A financial status report and a project performance activity 
report will be required of all grantees on a quarterly basis until 
initial funds are expended and yearly thereafter, if applicable, based 
on the Federal FY. The grantee will complete the project within the 
total time available to it in accordance with the scope of work and any 
necessary modifications thereof prepared by the grantee and approved by 
the Agency. A final project performance report will be required with 
the final financial status report. The final report may serve as the 
last quarterly report. The final report must provide complete 
information regarding the jobs created and supported as a result of the 
grant if applicable. Grantees must continuously monitor performance to 
ensure that time schedules are being met, projected work by time 
periods is being accomplished, and other performance objectives are 
being achieved. Grantees must submit an original of each report to the 
Agency no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter. The project 
performance reports must include, but not be limited to, the following:
    (i) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives 
established for that period;
    (ii) 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 project work elements during established time 
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the 
action taken or planned to resolve the situation;
    (iii) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting 
period;
    (iv) Any special reporting requirements, such as jobs supported and 
created, businesses assisted, or economic development which results in 
improvements in median household

[[Page 68136]]

incomes, and any other specific requirements, should be placed in the 
reporting section of the Letter of Conditions; and
    (v) Within 90 days after the conclusion of the project, the 
intermediary will provide a final project evaluation report. The last 
quarterly payment will be withheld until the final report is received 
and approved by the Agency. Even though the intermediary may request 
reimbursement on a monthly basis, the last 3 months of reimbursements 
will be withheld until a final report, project performance, and 
financial status report are received and approved by the Agency.
    (b) In addition to any reports required by 2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR 
400.1 to 400.2 and 2 CFR part 415 to 422, the intermediary or grantee 
must provide reports as required by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

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

H. Other Information

    1. Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the information 
collection requirements associated with the program, as covered in this 
notice, has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under OMB Control Number 0570-0035.
    2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this 
notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970. Awards for 
technical assistance and training under this notice are classified as a 
Categorical Exclusion according to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), and usually do not 
require any additional documentation. RBCS will review each grant 
application to determine its compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The 
applicant may be asked to provide additional information or 
documentation to assist RBCS with this determination.
    3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All 
applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be registered in SAM 
and have a UEI number as stated in Section D.3 of this notice. All 
recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report 
information about first-tier sub-awards and executive total 
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
    4. Civil Rights Act. All grants made under this notice (to 
applicant and ultimate recipient) 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 12250, Executive Order 
13166 (Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and the 
Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, Americans with Disabilities Act 
(ADA), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.
    5. Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations.
    (a) 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.
    (b) 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.
    (c) 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.
    6. 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 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 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:
    (a) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410; or
    (b) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
    (c) 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. 2024-19008 Filed 8-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P