80 FR 35299 - Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program for Fiscal Year 2015

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 118 (June 19, 2015)

This Notice is to invite applications for loans and grants under the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) pursuant to 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D, for fiscal year (FY) 2015. Funding to support $14.190 million in loans and $2.086 million in grants is currently available. The RMAP funds were provided through the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79, on February 7, 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). RMAP provides the following types of support: loan only, combination loan and technical assistance grant, and subsequent technical assistance grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDO). All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications or costs incurred prior to the obligation date.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 118 (Friday, June 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35299-35302]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15193]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Rural 
Microentrepreneur Assistance Program for Fiscal Year 2015

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice is to invite applications for loans and grants 
under the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) pursuant to 
7 CFR part 4280, subpart D, for fiscal year (FY) 2015. Funding to 
support $14.190 million in loans and $2.086 million in grants is 
currently available. The RMAP funds were provided through the 
Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79, on February 7, 2014 (2014 
Farm Bill). RMAP provides the following types of support: loan only, 
combination loan and technical assistance grant, and subsequent 
technical assistance grants to Microenterprise Development 
Organizations (MDO).
    All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in 
developing their applications or costs incurred prior to the obligation 
date.

DATES: Applicants may apply during a Federal fiscal quarter to be 
considered for the next quarter's funding. Complete applications for 
loan only, and combination loan and grant, must be received in the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Offices no 
later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on the last day prior to the 
beginning of each Federal fiscal quarter to be considered for funding. 
Applications received after a Federal fiscal quarter deadline will be 
reviewed and evaluated for funding in the next Federal fiscal quarter. 
Applications that have not competed for four consecutive quarters, 
depending on funding availability, may be considered in FY 2016.
    The subsequent microlender technical assistance grant (existing 
MDOs with a microentrepenuer revolving loan fund) will be made, non-
competitively, based on the microlender's microlending activity and 
availability of funds. To determine the microlender technical 
assistance grant awards for FY 2015, the Agency will use the 
microlender's outstanding balance of microloans as of June 30, 2015, to 
calculate this amount. MDOs that are eligible for an annual grant may 
apply.

ADDRESSES: Applications and forms may be obtained from any Rural 
Development State Office or online at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-microentrepreneur-assistance-program. Applicants must 
submit an original complete application to the USDA Rural Development 
State Office in the State where the applicant's headquarters is 
located. A list of the USDA Rural Development State Offices addresses 
and telephone numbers can be found online at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Specialty Programs Division, Rural 
Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., MS 3226, Room 4204-South, Washington, DC 
20250-3226, or call Kathleen Goldsmith at 202-720-1400.

Overview

    Solicitation Opportunity Title: Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA): 10.870.
    Dates: Applicants may apply during a Federal fiscal quarter to be 
considered for the next quarter's funding. Complete applications for 
loan only, combination loan and grant, and technical assistance grant-
only must be received in the USDA Rural Development State Offices no 
later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on the last day prior to the 
beginning of each Federal fiscal quarter to be considered for funding. 
Applications received after a Federal fiscal quarter deadline will be 
reviewed and evaluated for funding in the next Federal fiscal quarter. 
Applications that have not competed for four consecutive quarters, 
depending on funding availability, may be considered in FY 2016.
    Subsequent microlender annual technical assistance grants are non-
competitive. The Agency has established June 30 of each year as the 
date to determine the grant amount using the MDO's outstanding balance 
of microloans as of that date.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    A. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of RMAP is to support the 
development and ongoing success of rural microentrepreneurs and 
microenterprises defined in 7 CFR 4280.302.
    B. Statutory Authority. RMAP is authorized by Section 379E of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008s). 
Regulations are contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D. Assistance 
provided to rural areas under this program may include the provision of 
loans and grants to rural MDOs for the provision of microloans to rural 
microenterprises and microentrepreneurs; provision of business-based 
training and technical assistance to rural microborrowers and potential 
microborrowers; and other such activities as deemed appropriate by the 
Secretary to ensure the development and ongoing success of rural 
microenterprises. Awards are made on a competitive basis using specific 
selection criteria contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D. Information 
required to be in the application is specified in 7 CFR 4280.315.
    For entities applying for program loan funds to become an RMAP 
microlender only, the following items are required: (1) Form RD 1910-
11, ``Certification of No Federal Debt;'' (2) Demonstration that the 
applicant is eligible to apply to participate in this program; (3) 
Certification by the applicant that it cannot obtain sufficient credit 
elsewhere to fund the activities called for under this program with 
similar rates and terms; and (4) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance 
Agreement.''
    Subsequent annual microlender technical assistance grants are 
subject to funding availability, in accordance with 7 CFR 
4280.313(b)(2). Awards will be determined non-competitively based on 
Agency appropriations for the fiscal year. The MDO must submit a 
prescribed worksheet, listing the outstanding balance of their 
microloans and unexpended grant funds as of the date of their request 
and a letter certifying that their organization still meets all the 
requirements set forth in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D, and that no 
significant changes have occurred within the last year that would 
affect its ability to carry out the MDO functions. In addition, all 
MDOs who request Subsequent Annual Microlender Technical Assistance 
Grants must complete their reporting into the Lenders Interactive 
Network Connection (LINC) for the Federal fiscal quarter ending June 
30, 2015. The deadline for reporting into LINC and requesting a TA 
grant is no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on July 31, 2015.
    C. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this Notice 
are published at 7 CFR 4280.302.
    D. Application 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 D, and as indicated in 
this Notice. However, the Agency advises all interested parties that 
the applicant bears the burden in preparing and submitting an 
application in response to this Notice whether or not funding is 
appropriated for this program in FY 2015.

II. Award Information

    Type of Awards: Loans and/or Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2015.
    Available Funds. Anyone interested in submitting an application for 
funding under this program is encouraged to consult the Rural 
Development Web Newsroom Web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas for funding information. Funds 
will be prioritized as follows: (1) Combination loan and grants; (2) 
loan only; and (3) subsequent microlender technical assistance grants.
    Total Funds: $16,276,000.
    Loans: $14,190,000.
    MDO Grants: $2,086,000.
    Maximum Award: The minimum loan amount Microenterprise Development 
Organizations (MDO) may borrow under this program is $50,000. The 
maximum loan any MDO may borrow in any given year is $500,000. The 
commitment of program dollars will be made to applicants of selected 
responses that have fulfilled the necessary requirements for 
obligation. If the applicant is applying for an initial loan, they may 
also apply for a technical assistance grant. Grant funds are limited to 
no more than 25 percent up to the first $400,000 of the loan request 
(or $100,000). Loan requests of greater than $400,000 are eligible to 
receive $100,000, plus 5 percent of the amount over $400,000.
    The maximum subsequent technical assistance grant (to MDOs that 
have an existing microentrepeneur revolving loan fund) amount for a 
microlender is 25 percent of the first $400,000 of outstanding 
microloans owed to the microlender under this program, plus an 
additional 5 percent of the outstanding loan amount owed by the 
microborrowers to the lender under this program over $400,000 up to and 
including $2.5 million. Any grant dollars obligated, but not spent, 
from the initial grant, will be subtracted from the subsequent year 
grant to ensure that obligations cover only microloans made and active.
    Application Dates: The last day of each Federal fiscal quarter.

III. Eligibility Information

    A. Eligible Applicants. To be eligible for this program, the 
applicant must meet the eligibility requirements in 7 CFR 4280.310. In 
addition to the requirements in 7 CFR 4280.310, applicants must not be 
delinquent on any Federal debt or otherwise disqualified from 
participation in this program to be eligible to apply. All other 
restrictions in this Notice will apply.
    B. Cost Sharing or Matching. The Federal share of the eligible 
project cost of a microborrower's project funded under this Notice 
shall not exceed 75 percent. The cost share requirement shall be met by 
the microlender in accordance with the requirements specified in 7 CFR 
4280.311(d).
    The MDO is required to provide a match of not less than 15 percent 
of the

[[Page 35301]]

total amount of the grant in the form of matching funds, indirect 
costs, or in-kind goods or services.
    C. Other Eligibility Requirements. Applications will only be 
accepted from eligible MDOs. Eligible MDOs must score a minimum of 70 
points out of 100 points to be considered to receive an award. Awards 
for each Federal fiscal quarter will be based on ranking with the 
highest ranking applications being funded first, subject to available 
funding.
    D. Completeness Eligibility. All applications must be submitted as 
a complete application, in one package. Applications will not be 
considered for funding if they do not provide sufficient information to 
determine eligibility or are unbound, falling apart, or otherwise not 
suitable for evaluation. Such applications will be withdrawn.

IV. Fiscal Year 2015 Application and Submission Information

    A. Address to Request Application Package: For further information, 
entities wishing to apply for assistance should contact the Rural 
Development State Office as identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
Notice to obtain copies of the application package.
    An MDO may submit an initial application for a loan with a 
microlender technical assistance grant, or an initial or subsequent 
loan-only (without a microlender technical assistance grant). Loan 
applications must be submitted in paper format and must be bound in a 
3-ring binder and be organized in the same order set forth in 7 CFR 
4280.315. To ensure timely delivery, applicants are strongly encouraged 
to submit their applications using an overnight, express, or parcel 
delivery service.
    B. Content and Form of Submission: An application must contain all 
of the required elements outlined in 7 CFR 4280.315. Each application 
must address the applicable scoring criteria presented in 7 CFR 
4280.316 for the type of funding being requested.
    C. Submission Dates and Times: The original complete application 
must be received by the USDA Rural Development State Office no later 
than 4:30 p.m. local time by the application deadline dates listed 
above, regardless of the postmark date, in order to be considered for 
funds available in that Federal fiscal quarter.
    Unless withdrawn by the applicant, completed applications that 
receive a score of at least 70 (the minimum required to be considered 
for funding), but have not yet been funded, will be retained by the 
Agency for consideration in subsequent reviews through a total of four 
consecutive quarterly reviews. Applications that remain unfunded after 
four quarterly reviews, including the initial quarter in which the 
application was competed, will not be considered further for an award.
    D. Explanation of Dates: Applications must be in the USDA Rural 
Development State Office by the dates as indicated in the DATES section 
of this Notice.

V. Application Review Information

    A. 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 D. 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. An application must receive at least 70 points to be 
considered for funding in the quarter in which it is scored.
    B. Review and Selection Process. The State Offices will review 
applications to determine if they are eligible for assistance based on 
requirements contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D. If determined 
eligible, the application will be submitted to the National Office, 
where it will be reviewed and prioritized by ranking each application, 
received in that quarter, in highest to lowest score order. All 
applications will be funded until funds have been exhausted for each 
funding cycle. Funding of projects is subject to the MDO's satisfactory 
submission of the additional items required by that subpart and the 
USDA Rural Development Letter of Conditions.

VI. Award Administration Information

    A. Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive notification 
for funding from the USDA Rural Development State Office. Applicants 
must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations before the 
award will be approved. Provided the application and eligibility 
requirements have not changed, an application not selected will be 
reconsidered for three subsequent funding competitions for a total of 
four competitions. If an application is withdrawn, it can be 
resubmitted and will be evaluated as a new application. Unsuccessful 
applications will receive notification by mail, detailing why the 
application was unsuccessful.
    B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Additional 
requirements that apply to MDO's selected for this program can be found 
in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart D. The USDA and the Agency have adopted the 
USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR chapter IV. This regulation 
incorporates the new Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations 
2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 400.1 to 400.18 for monitoring and servicing RMAP 
funding.
    C. Reporting. In addition to any reports required by 2 CFR 200 and 
2 CFR 400.1 to 400.18, the MDO must provide reports as required by 7 
CFR part 4280, subpart D.

VII. Agency Contacts

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

VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
information collection requirements associated with the Rural 
Microentrepenuer Assistance Program, as covered in this Notice, has 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB 
Control Number 0570-0062.

IX. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act

    All applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must have a Dun 
and Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number, which can be 
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711 or 
online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Similarly, all applicants for 
grants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) 
prior to submitting an application. Applicants may register for the SAM 
at http://www.sam.gov. 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.

X. Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the 
bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender 
identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, 
marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all 
or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance 
program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any 
program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all 
prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment 
activities.)

[[Page 35302]]

    If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of 
discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form 
(PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-
9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of 
the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint 
form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442, or email at 
[email protected].
    Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech 
disabilities and who wish to file either an EEO or program complaint, 
please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 
or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
    Persons with disabilities, who wish to file a program complaint, 
please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or 
by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program 
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), please 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

    Dated: June 10, 2015.
Lillian E. Salerno,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-15193 Filed 6-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P