81_FR_36362 81 FR 36254 - Inviting Applications for Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grants

81 FR 36254 - Inviting Applications for Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grants

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 108 (June 6, 2016)

Page Range36254-36260
FR Document2016-13288

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces competitive grant funds for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program, formerly known as the Small Socially- Disadvantaged Producer Grant program, as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-113). The purpose of this program is to provide technical assistance to Socially-Disadvantaged Groups in rural areas. Eligible applicants include Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers. The Agency is encouraging applications that direct grants to projects based in or serving census tracts with poverty rates greater than or equal to 20 percent. This emphasis will support Rural Development's (RD) mission of improving the quality of life for rural Americans and commitment to directing resources to those who most need them.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 108 (Monday, June 6, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 108 (Monday, June 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36254-36260]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13288]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Inviting Applications for Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grants

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces competitive 
grant funds for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Socially-Disadvantaged Groups 
Grant (SDGG) program, formerly known as the Small Socially-
Disadvantaged Producer Grant program, as authorized by the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-113). The purpose of this program 
is to provide technical assistance to Socially-Disadvantaged Groups in 
rural areas. Eligible applicants include Cooperatives, Groups of 
Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers. The Agency is 
encouraging applications that direct grants to projects based in or 
serving census tracts with poverty rates greater than or equal to 20 
percent. This emphasis will support Rural Development's (RD) mission of 
improving the quality of life for rural Americans and commitment to 
directing resources to those who most need them.

DATES: Completed applications for grants must be submitted on paper or 
electronically according to the following deadlines:
    Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent 
overnight no later than August 5, 2016. You may also hand carry your 
application to one of our field offices, but it must be received by 
close of business on the deadline date.
    Electronic copies must be received by http://www.grants.gov no 
later than midnight Eastern time August 1, 2016. Late applications are 
not eligible for funding under this Notice and will not be evaluated.

ADDRESSES: You should contact the USDA Rural Development State Office 
(State Office) located in the State where you are headquartered if you 
have questions. Contact information for State Offices can be found at: 
http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. You are encouraged to 
contact your State Office well in advance of the application deadline 
to discuss your project and ask any questions about the application 
process. Program guidance as well as application templates may be 
obtained at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/socially-disadvantaged-groups-grant or by contacting your USDA Rural Development 
State Office.

[[Page 36255]]

    If you want to submit an electronic application, follow the 
instructions for the SDGG funding announcement located at http://www.grants.gov. Please review the Grants.gov Web site at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions on 
the process of registering your organization as soon as possible to 
ensure you are able to meet the electronic application deadline. You 
are strongly encouraged to file your application early and allow 
sufficient time to manage any technical issues that may arise. If you 
want to submit a paper application, send it to the State Office located 
in the State where you are headquartered. If you are headquartered in 
Washington, DC, please contact the Grants Division, Cooperative 
Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, at (202) 690-1374 for 
guidance on where to submit your application.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Grants Division, Cooperative Programs, 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., MS 3253, Room 4208-South, 
Washington, DC 20250-3250, or call 202-690-1374.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview

    Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural Business Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant.
    Announcement Type: Initial funding request.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.871.
    Dates: Application Deadline. You must submit your complete 
application by August 5, 2016, or it will not be considered for 
funding. Electronic applications must be received by http://www.grants.gov no later than midnight Eastern Time August 1, 2016, or 
it will not be considered for funding.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the paperwork 
burden associated with this Notice has been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0052.

A. Program Description

    The SDGG Program is authorized by section 310B (e)(11) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932 (e)(11)). 
The primary objective of the SDGG program is to provide Technical 
Assistance to Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. Grants are available for 
Cooperative Development Centers, individual Cooperatives, or Groups of 
Cooperatives that serve Socially-Disadvantaged Groups and where a 
majority of their board of directors or governing board is comprised of 
individuals who are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.
Definitions
    The definitions you need to understand are as follows:
    Agency--Rural Business-Cooperative Service, an agency of the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development or a 
successor agency.
    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 of interest, including, but not 
limited to, owner(s) and their immediate family members. Examples of 
conflicts of interest include using grant funds to pay a member of the 
applicant's board of directors to provide proposed Technical Assistance 
to Socially-Disadvantaged Groups; pay a cooperative member to provide 
proposed Technical Assistance to other members of the same cooperative; 
and pay an immediate family member of the applicant to provide proposed 
Technical Assistance to Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.
    Cooperative--A business or organization owned by and operated for 
the benefit of those using its services and where a majority of the 
board of directors or governing board is comprised of individuals who 
are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. Profits and earnings 
generated by the cooperative are distributed among the members, also 
known as user-owners.
    Cooperative Development Center--A nonprofit corporation or 
institution of higher education operated by the grantee for cooperative 
or business development and where a majority of the board of directors 
or governing board is comprised of individuals who are members of 
Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. It may or may not be an independent 
legal entity separate from the grantee.
    Feasibility Study--An analysis of the economic, market, technical, 
financial, and management feasibility of a proposed Project.
    Group of Cooperatives--A group of Cooperatives whose primary focus 
is to provide assistance to Socially-Disadvantaged Groups and where a 
majority of the board of directors or governing board is comprised of 
individuals who are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.
    Operating Cost--The day-to-day expenses of running a business; for 
example: utilities, rent on the office space a business occupies, 
salaries, depreciation, marketing and advertising, and other basic 
overhead items.
    Participant Support Costs -- Direct costs for items such as 
stipends or subsistence allowances, travel allowances, and registration 
fees paid to or on behalf of participants or trainees (but not 
employees) in connection with conferences, or training projects.
    Project--Includes all activities to be funded by the Socially-
Disadvantaged Groups Grant.
    Rural and Rural Area--Any area of a State:
    (1) Not in 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
    (2) The contiguous and adjacent urbanized area,
    (3) Urbanized areas that are rural in character as defined by 7 
U.S.C. 1991 (a) (13).
    (4) 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. Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, within 
the areas of the County of Honolulu, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, the Secretary may designate any part of the areas as a 
rural area if the Secretary determines that the part is not urban in 
character, other than any area included in the Honolulu census 
designated place (CDP) or the San Juan CDP.
    Rural Development--A mission area within USDA consisting of the 
Office of Under Secretary for Rural Development, Rural Business-
Cooperative Services, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities 
Service and any successors.
    Socially-Disadvantaged Group--A group whose members have been 
subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their 
identity as

[[Page 36256]]

members of a group without regard to their individual qualities.
    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.
    Technical Assistance--An advisory service performed for the purpose 
of assisting Cooperatives or groups that want to form Cooperatives such 
as market research, product and/or service improvement, legal advice 
and assistance, Feasibility Study, business planning, marketing plan 
development, and training.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Competitive Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2016.
    Total Funding: $3,000,000.
    Maximum Award: $175,000.
    Project Period: 1 year.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2016.

C. Eligibility Information

    Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements. 
Applications which fail to meet any of these requirements by the 
application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be 
evaluated further.
    1. Eligible Applicants. Grants may be made to individual 
Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development 
Centers that serve Socially-Disadvantaged Groups and where a majority 
of the board of directors or governing board is comprised of 
individuals who are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. 
Federally-recognized Tribes and tribal entities must demonstrate that 
they meet all definition requirements for one of the three eligible 
applicant types. You must be able to verify your legal structure in the 
State in which you are incorporated. Grants may not be made to public 
bodies or to individuals.
    (a) 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.
    (b) Any corporation (i) that has been convicted of a felony 
criminal violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or 
(ii) that 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, is not eligible for financial assistance provided with funds 
appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-
113), 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.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching. No matching funds are required.
    3. Other Eligibility Requirements.
    Use of Funds: Your application must propose Technical Assistance 
that will benefit Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. Cooperatives that are 
recipients of Technical Assistance must have a membership that consists 
of a majority of members from Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. Please 
review section D (6) of this Notice, ``Funding Restrictions,'' 
carefully.
    Project Area Eligibility: The proposed Project must take place in a 
Rural Area as defined in this Notice.
    Grant Period Eligibility: Your application must include a grant 
period of one-year or less or it will not be considered for funding. 
The proposed time frame should begin no earlier than the grant award 
date and end no later than December 31, 2017. However, you should note 
that the anticipated award date is September 30, so your proposed start 
date should be after September 30, 2016. Projects must be completed 
within the 12-months or less time frame. The Agency may approve 
requests to extend the grant period for up to an additional 12 months 
at its discretion. Further guidance on grant period extensions will be 
provided in the award document.
    However, you may not have more than one active SDGG during the same 
grant period. If you receive another SDGG during the next grant cycle, 
the first grant must be closed before funds can be obligated for the 
new grant. Applications that request funds for a time period ending 
after December 31, 2017, will not be considered for funding.
    Satisfactory performance eligibility: If you have an existing SDGG 
award, you must be performing satisfactorily to be considered eligible 
for a new SDGG award. Satisfactory performance includes being up-to-
date on all financial and performance reports and being current on all 
tasks as approved in the work plan. The Agency will use its discretion 
to make this determination. In addition, if you have an existing award 
from the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program, you must 
discuss the status of your existing RCDG award at application time and 
be performing satisfactorily to be considered for a new SDGG award.
    Completeness Eligibility: Your application must provide all of the 
information requested in Section D (2) of this Notice. Applications 
lacking sufficient information to determine eligibility and scoring 
will be considered ineligible.
    Multiple Grant Eligibility: You may only submit one SDGG grant 
application each funding cycle.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package
    The application template for applying on paper for this funding 
opportunity is located at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/socially-disadvantaged-groups-grant. Use of the application template is 
strongly recommended to assist you with the application process. You 
may also contact your USDA Rural Development State Office for more 
information. Contact information for State Offices is located at http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. You may also obtain an 
application package by calling 202-690-1374.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    You may submit your application in paper form or electronically 
through Grants.gov. Your application must contain all required 
information.
    To submit an application electronically, you must follow the 
instructions for this funding announcement at http://www.grants.gov. 
Please note that we cannot accept emailed or faxed applications.
    You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for 
this program by using a keyword, the program name, or the Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program.
    When you enter the Grants.gov Web site, you will find information 
about submitting an application electronically through the site, as 
well as the hours of operation.

[[Page 36257]]

    To use Grants.gov, you must already have a DUNS number and you must 
also be registered and maintain registration in SAM. We strongly 
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
begin the application process through Grants.gov.
    You must submit all of your application documents electronically 
through Grants.gov. Applications must include electronic signatures. 
Original signatures may be required if funds are awarded.
    After electronically submitting an application through Grants.gov, 
you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that 
contains a Grants.gov tracking number.
    If you want to submit a paper application, send it to the State 
Office located in the State where you are headquartered. You can find 
State Office contact information at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
    Your application must also contain the following required forms and 
proposal elements:
    (a) Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' to include 
your DUNS number and SAM Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code 
and expiration date. Because there are no specific fields for a CAGE 
code and expiration date, you may identify them anywhere you want to on 
the form. If you do not include the CAGE code and expiration date and 
the DUNS number in your application, it will not be considered for 
funding.
    (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-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' This 
form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the 
application package.
    (d) Form AD-3030, ``Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and 
Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants,'' if you are a 
corporation. A corporation is any entity that has filed articles of 
incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic 
of the Marshall Islands, or the various territories of the United 
States including American Samoa, Guam, Midway Islands, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands. Corporations include both for profit and non-profit entities.
    (e) You must certify that there are no current outstanding Federal 
judgments against your property and that you will not use grant funds 
to pay for any judgment obtained by the United States. To satisfy the 
Certification requirement, you should include this statement in your 
application: ``[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] certifies that the United 
States has not obtained an unsatisfied judgment against its property 
and will not use grant funds to pay any judgments obtained by the 
United States.'' A separate signature is not required.
    (f) Table of Contents. Your application must contain a detailed 
Table of Contents (TOC). The TOC must include page numbers for each 
part of the application. Page numbers should begin immediately 
following the TOC.
    (g) Executive Summary. A summary of the proposal, not to exceed one 
page, must briefly describe the Project, tasks to be completed, and 
other relevant information that provides a general overview of the 
Project.
    (h) Eligibility Discussion. A detailed discussion, not to exceed 
four pages, must describe how you meet the following requirements:
    (1) Applicant Eligibility. You must describe how you meet the 
definition of a Cooperative, Group of Cooperatives, or Cooperative 
Development Center. Your application must show that your individual 
Cooperative, Group of Cooperatives or Cooperative Development Center 
serves Socially-Disadvantaged Groups and a majority of the board of 
directors or governing board is comprised of individuals who are 
members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. Your application must include 
a list of your board of directors/governing board and the percentage of 
board of directors/governing board that are members of Socially-
Disadvantaged Groups. NOTE: Your application will not be considered for 
funding if you fail to show that a majority of your board of directors/
governing board is comprised of individuals who are members of 
Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.
    If applying as a Cooperative or a Group of Cooperatives, you must 
verify your incorporation and status in the State that you have applied 
by providing the State's Certificate of Good Standing and your Articles 
of Incorporation. If applying as a nonprofit corporation, you must 
provide evidence of your status as a nonprofit corporation in good 
standing and your Articles of Incorporation. If applying as an 
institution of higher education, you must qualify as an Institution of 
Higher Education as defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001. You must apply as only 
one type of applicant. If the requested verification documents are not 
included, your application will not be considered for funding.
    (2) Use of Funds. You must provide a detailed discussion on how the 
proposed Project activities meet the definition of Technical Assistance 
and identify the Socially-Disadvantaged Groups that will be assisted.
    (3) Project Area. You must provide specific information that 
details the location of the Project area and explain how the area meets 
the definition of ``Rural Area.''
    (4) Grant Period. You must provide a time frame for the proposed 
Project and discuss how the Project will be completed within that time 
frame. You must have a time frame of one year or less.
    (5) Satisfactory Performance. If you have an existing SDGG and/or 
RCDG award, you must discuss the current status of the award(s).
    (6) 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.
    (i) Scoring Criteria. Each of the scoring criteria in this Notice 
must be addressed in narrative form, with a maximum of two pages for 
each individual scoring criterion, unless otherwise specified. Failure 
to address each scoring criteria will result in the application being 
determined ineligible.
    (j) The Agency has established annual performance evaluation 
measures to evaluate the SDGG program. You must provide estimates on 
the following performance evaluation measures as part of your 
narrative:
     Number of cooperatives assisted; and
     Number of socially disadvantaged groups assisted.
3. DUNS Number and SAM
    In order to be eligible (unless you are excepted under 2 CFR 
25.110(b), (c) or (d), you are required to:
    (a) Provide a valid DUNS number in your application, which can be 
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711;
    (b) Register in SAM before submitting your application. You may 
register in SAM at no cost at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/; 
and
    (c) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which you have an active Federal award 
or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding 
agency.

[[Page 36258]]

    The Agency may not make a Federal award to you until you have 
complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. If you have not 
fully complied with requirements by the time the Agency is ready to 
make a Federal award, the Agency may determine that the applicant is 
not qualified to receive a Federal award and the Agency may use this 
determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times
    Application Deadline Date: August 5, 2016.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Paper applications must be postmarked and 
mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by August 5, 2016. The Agency will 
determine whether your application is late based on the date shown on 
the postmark or shipping invoice. You may also hand carry your 
application to one of our field offices, but it must be received by 
close of business on the deadline date. If the due date falls on a 
Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the reporting package is due the 
next business day. Late applications are not eligible for funding and 
will not be evaluated further.
    Electronic applications must be RECEIVED by http://www.grants.gov 
by midnight Eastern time August 1, 2016, to be eligible for funding. 
Please review the Grants.gov Web site at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions on the process of 
registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure you are 
able to meet the electronic application deadline. Grants.gov will not 
accept applications submitted after the deadline.
5. Intergovernmental Review
    Executive Order (EO) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs, is listed as applying to this program, however since this 
program is comprised of the provision of technical assistance which is 
of a non-construction nature the intergovernmental review process is 
not required.
    You are also encouraged to contact Cooperative Programs at 202-690-
1374 or [email protected] if you have questions about this process.
6. Funding Restrictions
    Grant funds must be used for Technical Assistance. No funds made 
available under this solicitation shall be used to:
    (a) Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or 
facility, including a processing facility;
    (b) Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment, including 
processing equipment;
    (c) Purchase vehicles, including boats;
    (d) Pay for the preparation of the grant application;
    (e) Pay expenses not directly related to the funded Project;
    (f) Fund political or lobbying activities;
    (g) To fund any activities considered unallowable by the applicable 
grant cost principles, including 2 CFR part 200, subpart E and the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation;
    (h) Fund architectural or engineering design work for a specific 
physical facility;
    (i) Fund any direct expenses for the production of any commodity or 
product to which value will be added, including seed, rootstock, labor 
for harvesting the crop, and delivery of the commodity to a processing 
facility;
    (j) Fund research and development;
    (k) Purchase land;
    (l) Duplicate current activities or activities paid for by other 
Federal grant programs;
    (m) Pay costs of the Project incurred prior to the date of grant 
approval;
    (n) Pay for assistance to any private business enterprise that 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;
    (o) Pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
    (p) Pay any Operating Costs of the Cooperative, Group of 
Cooperatives, or Cooperative Development Center not directly related to 
the Project;
    (q) Pay expenses for applicant employee training; or
    (r) Pay for any goods or services from a person who has a Conflict 
of Interest with the grantee.
    (s) Pay for Technical Assistance provided to a Cooperative that 
does not have a membership that consists of a majority of members from 
Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.
    In addition, your application will not be considered for funding if 
it does any of the following:
     Requests more than the maximum grant amount;
     Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent 
of total grant funds requested; or
     Proposes Participant Support Costs that equal more than 10 
percent of total grant funds requested.
    We will consider your application for funding if it includes 
ineligible costs of 10 percent or less of total grant funds requested, 
as long as 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 
we cannot determine the percentage of ineligible costs, your 
application will not be considered for funding.
7. Other Submission Requirements
    (a) You should not submit your application in more than one format. 
You must choose whether to submit your application in hard copy or 
electronically. Applications submitted in hard copy should be mailed or 
hand-delivered to the State Office located in the State where you are 
headquartered. You can find State Office contact information at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.your State Office. To submit 
an application electronically, you must follow the instructions for 
this funding announcement at http://www.grants.gov. A password is not 
required to access the Web site.
    (b) National Environmental Policy Act. This Notice has been 
reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970 ``Environmental Policies 
and Procedures''. We have determined that an Environmental Impact 
Statement is not required because the issuance of regulations and 
instructions, as well as amendments to them, describing administrative 
and financial procedures for processing, approving, and implementing 
the Agency's financial programs is categorically excluded in the 
Agency's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulation found at 7 
CFR 1970.53(f). We have determined that this Notice does not constitute 
a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment. Individual awards under this Notice are hereby classified 
as Categorical Exclusions according to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), the award of 
financial assistance for planning purposes, management and feasibility 
studies, or environmental impact analyses, which do not require any 
additional documentation.
    (c) Civil Rights Compliance Requirements. 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), Section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Act of 1975, and Executive Order 13166 
Limited English Proficiency. As such, the Agency will conduct Civil 
Rights Compliance Reviews on recipients to identify the collection of 
racial and ethnic data on

[[Page 36259]]

Program beneficiaries. In addition, the Compliance review will ensure 
that equal access to the Program benefits and activities are provided 
for persons with disabilities and language barriers.

E. Application Review Information

1. Scoring Criteria
    All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on 
the following criteria. Failure to address any one of the following 
criteria by the application deadline will result in the application 
being determined ineligible and the application will not be considered 
for funding. Evaluators will base scores only on the information 
provided or cross-referenced by page number in each individual scoring 
criterion. The total points possible for the criteria are 60.
    (a) Technical Assistance (maximum score of 15 points). A panel of 
USDA employees will evaluate your application to determine your ability 
to assess the needs of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. You must explain 
why the proposed Technical Assistance is needed and provide a detailed 
plan that describes your method of providing assistance. You must also 
identify the expected outcomes of the proposed Technical Assistance.
    Higher points are awarded if you identify specific needs of the 
Socially-Disadvantaged Groups to be assisted; clearly explain a logical 
and detailed plan of assistance for addressing those needs; and discuss 
realistic outcomes of planned assistance.
    (b) Experience (maximum score of 15 points). A panel of USDA 
employees will evaluate your length of experience for identified staff 
or consultants in providing Technical Assistance, as defined in this 
Notice. You must describe the specific type of Technical Assistance 
experience for each identified staff member or consultant, as well as 
years of experience in providing that assistance. In addition, resumes 
for each individual staff member or consultant must be included as an 
attachment, listing their experience for the type of Technical 
Assistance proposed. The attachments will not count toward the maximum 
page total. We will compare the described experience to the work plan 
to determine relevance of the experience. Applications that do not 
include the attached resumes will not be considered for funding.
    Higher points will be awarded if a majority of identified staff or 
consultants demonstrate 5 or more years of experience in providing 
relevant Technical Assistance in accordance with the work plan. Maximum 
points will be awarded if all of the identified staff or consultants 
demonstrate 5 or more years of experience in providing relevant 
Technical Assistance.
    (c) Commitment (maximum of 10 points). A panel of USDA employees 
will evaluate your commitment to providing Technical Assistance to 
Socially-Disadvantaged Groups in Rural Areas. You must list the number 
and location of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups that will directly 
benefit from the assistance provided. If you define and describe the 
underserved and economically distressed areas within your service area 
and provide current and relevant statistics that support your 
description of the service area, you will score higher on this factor.
    (d) Work Plan/Budget (maximum of 15 points)--Four page limit. Your 
work plan must provide specific and detailed descriptions of the tasks 
and the key project personnel that will accomplish the project's goals. 
Budget will be reviewed for completeness. You must list what tasks are 
to be done, when it will be done, who will do it, and how much it will 
cost. Reviewers must be able to understand what is being proposed and 
how the grant funds will be spent. The budget must be a detailed 
breakdown of estimated costs. These costs should be allocated to each 
of the tasks to be undertaken. The amount of grant funds requested will 
be reduced if the applicant does not have justification for all costs.
    A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your work plan for detailed 
actions and an accompanying timetable for implementing the proposal. 
Clear, logical, realistic, and efficient plans will result in a higher 
score. You must discuss at a minimum:
    (i) Specific tasks to be completed using grant funds;
    (ii) How customers will be identified;
    (iii) Key personnel; and
    (iv) The evaluation methods to be used to determine the success of 
specific tasks and overall project objectives. Please provide 
qualitative methods of evaluation. For example, evaluation methods 
should go beyond quantitative measurements of completing surveys or 
number of evaluations.
    (e) Local support (maximum of 5 points). A panel of USDA employees 
will evaluate your application for local support of the Technical 
Assistance activities. Applicants that demonstrate strong support from 
potential beneficiaries and other developmental organizations will 
receive more points than those not showing such support.
    (i) 0 points are awarded if you do not adequately address this 
criterion.
    (ii) 1 point is awarded if you provide 2-3 support letters that 
show support from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local 
organizations.
    (iii) 2 points are awarded if you provide 4 -5 support letters that 
show support from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local 
organizations.
    (iv) 3 points are awarded if you provide 6-7 support letters that 
show support from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local 
organizations.
    (v) 4 points are awarded if you provide 8-9 support letters that 
show support from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local 
organizations.
    (vi) 5 points are awarded if you provide 10 support letters that 
show support from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local 
organizations.
    You may submit a maximum of 10 letters of support. Support letters 
should come from potential beneficiaries and other local organizations. 
Letters received from Congressional members and Technical Assistance 
providers will not be included in the count of support letters 
received. Additionally, identical form letters signed by multiple 
potential beneficiaries and/or local organizations will not be included 
in the count of support letters received. Support letters should be 
included as an attachment to the application and will not count against 
the maximum page total. Additional letters from industry groups, 
commodity groups, Congressional members, and similar organizations 
should be referenced, but not included in the application package. When 
referencing these letters, provide the name of the organization, date 
of the letter, the nature of the support, and the name and title of the 
person signing the letter.
2. Review and Selection Process
    The 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, your 
application will be scored by a panel of USDA employees in accordance 
with the point allocation specified in this Notice. The panel will 
consist of USDA employees with expertise in providing Technical 
Assistance to Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. The review panel will 
convene to reach a consensus on the scores for each of the eligible 
applications. A recommendation will be submitted to the Administrator 
to fund applications in highest ranking order. Applications that cannot 
be fully funded may be offered partial funding at the Agency's

[[Page 36260]]

discretion. If your application is ranked and not funded, it will not 
be carried forward into the next competition.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices
    If you are selected for funding, you will receive a signed notice 
of Federal award by postal mail, containing instructions on 
requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the 
award.
    If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in 
writing via postal mail and informed of any review and appeal rights. 
Funding of successfully appealed applications will be limited to 
available FY 2016 funding.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this 
program can be found in 2 CFR parts 200, 215, 400, 415, 417, 418, and 
421. 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 http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html.
    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for this program:
     Agency approved Grant Agreement.
     Letter of Conditions.
     Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
     Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
     Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered 
Transactions.''
     Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
     Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirement (Grants).''
     Form AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or 
Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.'' Must be signed by 
corporate applicants who receive an award under this Notice.
     Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
     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 end of the semiannual period). For the purposes of 
this grant, semiannual periods end on March 31st and September 30th. 
The project performance reports shall include the following: 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; and
    d. Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting 
period.
    e. Provide a final project and financial status report within 90 
days after the expiration or termination of the grant.
    f. Provide outcome project performance reports and final 
deliverables.

G. Agency Contacts

    For general questions about this announcement and for program 
Technical Assistance, please contact the appropriate State Office as 
indicated in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. You may also contact 
National Office staff: Melinda Martin, SDGG Program Lead, 
[email protected], or call 202-690-1374.

H. Other Information

    Non Discrimination 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.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or 
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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;
    (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: May 31, 2016.
Samuel H. Rikkers,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13288 Filed 6-3-16; 8:45 am]
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                                                36254

                                                Notices                                                                                                        Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                               Vol. 81, No. 108

                                                                                                                                                               Monday, June 6, 2016



                                                This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339                 ACTION:   Notice.
                                                contains documents other than rules or                  between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
                                                proposed rules that are applicable to the               Eastern Standard Time, Monday                          SUMMARY:   The Rural Business-
                                                public. Notices of hearings and investigations,         through Friday.                                        Cooperative Service announces
                                                committee meetings, agency decisions and                                                                       competitive grant funds for the Fiscal
                                                rulings, delegations of authority, filing of            SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                                                                        purpose of the meeting is to:                          Year (FY) 2016 Socially-Disadvantaged
                                                petitions and applications and agency
                                                statements of organization and functions are               1. Follow up on action items from                   Groups Grant (SDGG) program, formerly
                                                examples of documents appearing in this                 May 2016 meeting, and                                  known as the Small Socially-
                                                section.                                                   2. Deliver presentation on area of                  Disadvantaged Producer Grant program,
                                                                                                        interest.                                              as authorized by the Consolidated
                                                                                                           The teleconference is open to the                   Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114–
                                                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               public. However, the public is strongly                113). The purpose of this program is to
                                                                                                        encouraged to RSVP prior to the                        provide technical assistance to Socially-
                                                Forest Service                                                                                                 Disadvantaged Groups in rural areas.
                                                                                                        teleconference to ensure all related
                                                                                                        documents are shared with public                       Eligible applicants include
                                                Forest Resource Coordinating                                                                                   Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives,
                                                Committee Meeting                                       meeting participants. The agenda will
                                                                                                        include time for people to make oral                   and Cooperative Development Centers.
                                                AGENCY:   Forest Service, USDA.                         statements of three minutes or less.                   The Agency is encouraging applications
                                                ACTION:   Notice of meeting.                            Individuals wishing to make an oral                    that direct grants to projects based in or
                                                                                                        statement should submit a request in                   serving census tracts with poverty rates
                                                SUMMARY:    The Forest Resource                         writing 10 days before the planned                     greater than or equal to 20 percent. This
                                                Coordinating Committee (Committee)                      meeting to be scheduled on the agenda.                 emphasis will support Rural
                                                will meet via teleconference. The                       Anyone who would like to bring related                 Development’s (RD) mission of
                                                Committee is established consistent                     matters to the attention of the                        improving the quality of life for rural
                                                with the Federal Advisory Committee                     Committee may file written statements                  Americans and commitment to directing
                                                Act of 1972 (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. II),                  with the Committee staff before or after               resources to those who most need them.
                                                and the Food, Conservation, and Energy                  the meeting. Written comments and                      DATES:  Completed applications for
                                                Act of 2008 (the Act) (Pub. L. 110–246).                time requests for oral comments must be                grants must be submitted on paper or
                                                Committee information can be found at                   sent to Lori McKean, 1400                              electronically according to the following
                                                the following Web site at http://                       Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop                      deadlines:
                                                www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/frcc/.                           1123, Washington, DC 20250; or by                         Paper copies must be postmarked and
                                                DATES: The teleconference will be held                  email to lmckean@fs.fed.us. A summary                  mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no
                                                on July 20, 2016, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30               of the meeting will be posted on the                   later than August 5, 2016. You may also
                                                p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).                      Web site listed above within 21 days                   hand carry your application to one of
                                                   All meetings are subject to                          after the meeting.                                     our field offices, but it must be received
                                                cancellation. For status of the meeting                    Meeting Accommodations: If you are                  by close of business on the deadline
                                                prior to attendance, please contact the                 a person requiring reasonable                          date.
                                                person listed under FOR FURTHER                         accommodation, please make requests
                                                INFORMATION CONTACT.                                                                                              Electronic copies must be received by
                                                                                                        in advance for sign language                           http://www.grants.gov no later than
                                                ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held                     interpreting, assistive listening devices,
                                                via teleconference. For anyone who                                                                             midnight Eastern time August 1, 2016.
                                                                                                        or other reasonable accommodation. For                 Late applications are not eligible for
                                                would like to attend the teleconference,                access to the facility or proceedings,
                                                please visit the Web site listed in the                                                                        funding under this Notice and will not
                                                                                                        please contact the person listed under                 be evaluated.
                                                ‘‘Summary’’ section or contact Andrea                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All
                                                Bedell-Loucks at abloucks@fs.fed.us for                 reasonable accommodation requests are                  ADDRESSES:   You should contact the
                                                further details.                                        managed on a case by case basis.                       USDA Rural Development State Office
                                                   Written comments may be submitted                                                                           (State Office) located in the State where
                                                as described under SUPPLEMENTARY                          Dated: May 17, 2016.
                                                                                                                                                               you are headquartered if you have
                                                INFORMATION. All comments, including                    James E. Hubbard,                                      questions. Contact information for State
                                                names and addresses when provided,                      Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.              Offices can be found at: http://
                                                are placed in the record and are                        [FR Doc. 2016–13220 Filed 6–3–16; 8:45 am]             www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-
                                                available for public inspection and                     BILLING CODE 3411–15–P                                 offices. You are encouraged to contact
                                                copying. The public may inspect                                                                                your State Office well in advance of the
                                                comments placed on the Committee’s                                                                             application deadline to discuss your
                                                Web site listed above.                                  DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                              project and ask any questions about the
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                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                                                               application process. Program guidance
                                                                                                        Rural Business-Cooperative Service                     as well as application templates may be
                                                Andrea Bedell-Loucks, Designated
                                                Federal Officer, Cooperative Forestry                   Inviting Applications for Socially-                    obtained at http://www.rd.usda.gov/
                                                staff, 202–205–1190.                                    Disadvantaged Groups Grants                            programs-services/socially-
                                                   Individuals who use                                                                                         disadvantaged-groups-grant or by
                                                telecommunication devices for the deaf                  AGENCY:  Rural Business-Cooperative                    contacting your USDA Rural
                                                (TDD) may call the Federal Information                  Service, USDA.                                         Development State Office.


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 108 / Monday, June 6, 2016 / Notices                                              36255

                                                   If you want to submit an electronic                  Development Centers, individual                        independent legal entity separate from
                                                application, follow the instructions for                Cooperatives, or Groups of Cooperatives                the grantee.
                                                the SDGG funding announcement                           that serve Socially-Disadvantaged                         Feasibility Study—An analysis of the
                                                located at http://www.grants.gov. Please                Groups and where a majority of their                   economic, market, technical, financial,
                                                review the Grants.gov Web site at http://               board of directors or governing board is               and management feasibility of a
                                                grants.gov/applicants/organization_                     comprised of individuals who are                       proposed Project.
                                                registration.jsp for instructions on the                members of Socially-Disadvantaged                         Group of Cooperatives—A group of
                                                process of registering your organization                Groups.                                                Cooperatives whose primary focus is to
                                                as soon as possible to ensure you are                                                                          provide assistance to Socially-
                                                                                                        Definitions
                                                able to meet the electronic application                                                                        Disadvantaged Groups and where a
                                                deadline. You are strongly encouraged                      The definitions you need to                         majority of the board of directors or
                                                to file your application early and allow                understand are as follows:                             governing board is comprised of
                                                sufficient time to manage any technical                    Agency—Rural Business-Cooperative                   individuals who are members of
                                                issues that may arise. If you want to                   Service, an agency of the United States                Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.
                                                submit a paper application, send it to                  Department of Agriculture (USDA)                          Operating Cost—The day-to-day
                                                the State Office located in the State                   Rural Development or a successor                       expenses of running a business; for
                                                where you are headquartered. If you are                 agency.                                                example: utilities, rent on the office
                                                headquartered in Washington, DC,                           Conflict of Interest—A situation in                 space a business occupies, salaries,
                                                please contact the Grants Division,                     which a person or entity has competing                 depreciation, marketing and advertising,
                                                Cooperative Programs, Rural Business-                   personal, professional, or financial                   and other basic overhead items.
                                                Cooperative Service, at (202) 690–1374                  interests that make it difficult for the                  Participant Support Costs — Direct
                                                for guidance on where to submit your                    person or business to act impartially.                 costs for items such as stipends or
                                                application.                                            Federal procurement standards prohibit                 subsistence allowances, travel
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        transactions that involve a real or                    allowances, and registration fees paid to
                                                Grants Division, Cooperative Programs,                  apparent conflict of interest for owners,              or on behalf of participants or trainees
                                                Rural Business-Cooperative Service,                     employees, officers, agents, or their                  (but not employees) in connection with
                                                United States Department of                             immediate family members having a                      conferences, or training projects.
                                                Agriculture, 1400 Independence                          financial or other interest in the                        Project—Includes all activities to be
                                                Avenue, SW., MS 3253, Room 4208-                        outcome of the project; or that restrict               funded by the Socially-Disadvantaged
                                                South, Washington, DC 20250–3250, or                    open and free competition for                          Groups Grant.
                                                call 202–690–1374.                                      unrestrained trade. Specifically, project                 Rural and Rural Area—Any area of a
                                                                                                        funds may not be used for services or                  State:
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                        goods going to, or coming from, a person                  (1) Not in a city or town that has a
                                                Overview                                                or entity with a real or apparent conflict             population of more than 50,000
                                                  Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural                       of interest, including, but not limited to,            inhabitants, according to the latest
                                                Business Cooperative Service.                           owner(s) and their immediate family                    decennial census of the United States;
                                                  Funding Opportunity Title: Socially-                  members. Examples of conflicts of                      and
                                                Disadvantaged Groups Grant.                             interest include using grant funds to pay                 (2) The contiguous and adjacent
                                                  Announcement Type: Initial funding                    a member of the applicant’s board of                   urbanized area,
                                                request.                                                directors to provide proposed Technical                   (3) Urbanized areas that are rural in
                                                  Catalog of Federal Domestic                           Assistance to Socially-Disadvantaged                   character as defined by 7 U.S.C. 1991 (a)
                                                Assistance Number: 10.871.                              Groups; pay a cooperative member to                    (13).
                                                  Dates: Application Deadline. You                      provide proposed Technical Assistance                     (4) For the purposes of this definition,
                                                must submit your complete application                   to other members of the same                           cities and towns are incorporated
                                                by August 5, 2016, or it will not be                    cooperative; and pay an immediate                      population centers with definite
                                                considered for funding. Electronic                      family member of the applicant to                      boundaries, local self-government, and
                                                applications must be received by http://                provide proposed Technical Assistance                  legal powers set forth in a charter
                                                www.grants.gov no later than midnight                   to Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.                      granted by the State. Notwithstanding
                                                Eastern Time August 1, 2016, or it will                    Cooperative—A business or                           any other provision of this paragraph,
                                                not be considered for funding.                          organization owned by and operated for                 within the areas of the County of
                                                                                                        the benefit of those using its services                Honolulu, Hawaii, and the
                                                Paperwork Reduction Act                                 and where a majority of the board of                   Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
                                                  In accordance with the Paperwork                      directors or governing board is                        Secretary may designate any part of the
                                                Reduction Act, the paperwork burden                     comprised of individuals who are                       areas as a rural area if the Secretary
                                                associated with this Notice has been                    members of Socially-Disadvantaged                      determines that the part is not urban in
                                                approved by the Office of Management                    Groups. Profits and earnings generated                 character, other than any area included
                                                and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control                      by the cooperative are distributed                     in the Honolulu census designated place
                                                Number 0570–0052.                                       among the members, also known as                       (CDP) or the San Juan CDP.
                                                                                                        user-owners.                                              Rural Development—A mission area
                                                A. Program Description                                     Cooperative Development Center—A                    within USDA consisting of the Office of
                                                  The SDGG Program is authorized by                     nonprofit corporation or institution of                Under Secretary for Rural Development,
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                section 310B (e)(11) of the Consolidated                higher education operated by the                       Rural Business-Cooperative Services,
                                                Farm and Rural Development Act (7                       grantee for cooperative or business                    Rural Housing Service, and Rural
                                                U.S.C. 1932 (e)(11)). The primary                       development and where a majority of                    Utilities Service and any successors.
                                                objective of the SDGG program is to                     the board of directors or governing                       Socially-Disadvantaged Group—A
                                                provide Technical Assistance to                         board is comprised of individuals who                  group whose members have been
                                                Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. Grants                   are members of Socially-Disadvantaged                  subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender
                                                are available for Cooperative                           Groups. It may or may not be an                        prejudice because of their identity as


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                                                36256                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 108 / Monday, June 6, 2016 / Notices

                                                members of a group without regard to                       (b) Any corporation (i) that has been               award. Satisfactory performance
                                                their individual qualities.                             convicted of a felony criminal violation               includes being up-to-date on all
                                                   State—Includes each of the 50 states,                under any Federal law within the past                  financial and performance reports and
                                                the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the                    24 months or (ii) that has any unpaid                  being current on all tasks as approved
                                                Virgin Islands of the United States,                    Federal tax liability that has been                    in the work plan. The Agency will use
                                                Guam, American Samoa, the                               assessed, for which all judicial and                   its discretion to make this
                                                Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana                    administrative remedies have been                      determination. In addition, if you have
                                                Islands, and, as may be determined by                   exhausted or have lapsed, and that is                  an existing award from the Rural
                                                the Secretary to be feasible, appropriate               not being paid in a timely manner                      Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG)
                                                and lawful, the Federated States of                     pursuant to an agreement with the                      program, you must discuss the status of
                                                Micronesia, the Republic of the                         authority responsible for collecting the               your existing RCDG award at
                                                Marshall Islands and the Republic of                    tax liability, is not eligible for financial           application time and be performing
                                                Palau.                                                  assistance provided with funds                         satisfactorily to be considered for a new
                                                   Technical Assistance—An advisory                     appropriated by the Consolidated                       SDGG award.
                                                service performed for the purpose of                    Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114–                    Completeness Eligibility: Your
                                                assisting Cooperatives or groups that                   113), unless a Federal agency has                      application must provide all of the
                                                want to form Cooperatives such as                       considered suspension or debarment of                  information requested in Section D (2)
                                                market research, product and/or service                 the corporation and has made a                         of this Notice. Applications lacking
                                                improvement, legal advice and                           determination that this further action is              sufficient information to determine
                                                assistance, Feasibility Study, business                 not necessary to protect the interests of              eligibility and scoring will be
                                                planning, marketing plan development,                   the Government.                                        considered ineligible.
                                                and training.                                              2. Cost Sharing or Matching. No                        Multiple Grant Eligibility: You may
                                                                                                        matching funds are required.                           only submit one SDGG grant application
                                                B. Federal Award Information                               3. Other Eligibility Requirements.                  each funding cycle.
                                                  Type of Award: Competitive Grant.                        Use of Funds: Your application must
                                                                                                        propose Technical Assistance that will                 D. Application and Submission
                                                  Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2016.                                                                                  Information
                                                  Total Funding: $3,000,000.                            benefit Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.
                                                  Maximum Award: $175,000.                              Cooperatives that are recipients of                    1. Address To Request Application
                                                  Project Period: 1 year.                               Technical Assistance must have a                       Package
                                                  Anticipated Award Date: September                     membership that consists of a majority                    The application template for applying
                                                30, 2016.                                               of members from Socially-                              on paper for this funding opportunity is
                                                C. Eligibility Information                              Disadvantaged Groups. Please review                    located at http://www.rd.usda.gov/
                                                                                                        section D (6) of this Notice, ‘‘Funding                programs-services/socially-
                                                   Applicants must meet all of the                      Restrictions,’’ carefully.                             disadvantaged-groups-grant. Use of the
                                                following eligibility requirements.                        Project Area Eligibility: The proposed              application template is strongly
                                                Applications which fail to meet any of                  Project must take place in a Rural Area                recommended to assist you with the
                                                these requirements by the application                   as defined in this Notice.                             application process. You may also
                                                deadline will be deemed ineligible and                     Grant Period Eligibility: Your                      contact your USDA Rural Development
                                                will not be evaluated further.                          application must include a grant period                State Office for more information.
                                                   1. Eligible Applicants. Grants may be                of one-year or less or it will not be                  Contact information for State Offices is
                                                made to individual Cooperatives,                        considered for funding. The proposed                   located at http://www.rd.usda.gov/
                                                Groups of Cooperatives, and                             time frame should begin no earlier than                contact-us/state-offices. You may also
                                                Cooperative Development Centers that                    the grant award date and end no later                  obtain an application package by calling
                                                serve Socially-Disadvantaged Groups                     than December 31, 2017. However, you                   202–690–1374.
                                                and where a majority of the board of                    should note that the anticipated award
                                                directors or governing board is                         date is September 30, so your proposed                 2. Content and Form of Application
                                                comprised of individuals who are                        start date should be after September 30,               Submission
                                                members of Socially-Disadvantaged                       2016. Projects must be completed                          You may submit your application in
                                                Groups. Federally-recognized Tribes                     within the 12-months or less time frame.               paper form or electronically through
                                                and tribal entities must demonstrate that               The Agency may approve requests to                     Grants.gov. Your application must
                                                they meet all definition requirements for               extend the grant period for up to an                   contain all required information.
                                                one of the three eligible applicant types.              additional 12 months at its discretion.                   To submit an application
                                                You must be able to verify your legal                   Further guidance on grant period                       electronically, you must follow the
                                                structure in the State in which you are                 extensions will be provided in the                     instructions for this funding
                                                incorporated. Grants may not be made                    award document.                                        announcement at http://
                                                to public bodies or to individuals.                        However, you may not have more                      www.grants.gov. Please note that we
                                                   (a) An applicant is ineligible if they               than one active SDGG during the same                   cannot accept emailed or faxed
                                                have been debarred or suspended or                      grant period. If you receive another                   applications.
                                                otherwise excluded from or ineligible                   SDGG during the next grant cycle, the                     You can locate the Grants.gov
                                                for participation in Federal assistance                 first grant must be closed before funds                downloadable application package for
                                                programs under Executive Order 12549,                   can be obligated for the new grant.                    this program by using a keyword, the
                                                ‘‘Debarment and Suspension.’’ In                        Applications that request funds for a                  program name, or the Catalog of Federal
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                                                addition, an applicant will be                          time period ending after December 31,                  Domestic Assistance Number for this
                                                considered ineligible for a grant due to                2017, will not be considered for                       program.
                                                an outstanding judgment obtained by                     funding.                                                  When you enter the Grants.gov Web
                                                the U.S. in a Federal Court (other than                    Satisfactory performance eligibility: If            site, you will find information about
                                                U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the                   you have an existing SDGG award, you                   submitting an application electronically
                                                payment of Federal income taxes, or is                  must be performing satisfactorily to be                through the site, as well as the hours of
                                                delinquent on Federal debt.                             considered eligible for a new SDGG                     operation.


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 108 / Monday, June 6, 2016 / Notices                                             36257

                                                   To use Grants.gov, you must already                  against your property and that you will                application will not be considered for
                                                have a DUNS number and you must also                    not use grant funds to pay for any                     funding.
                                                be registered and maintain registration                 judgment obtained by the United States.                   (2) Use of Funds. You must provide
                                                in SAM. We strongly recommend that                      To satisfy the Certification requirement,              a detailed discussion on how the
                                                you do not wait until the application                   you should include this statement in                   proposed Project activities meet the
                                                deadline date to begin the application                  your application: ‘‘[INSERT NAME OF                    definition of Technical Assistance and
                                                process through Grants.gov.                             APPLICANT] certifies that the United                   identify the Socially-Disadvantaged
                                                   You must submit all of your                          States has not obtained an unsatisfied                 Groups that will be assisted.
                                                application documents electronically                    judgment against its property and will                    (3) Project Area. You must provide
                                                through Grants.gov. Applications must                   not use grant funds to pay any                         specific information that details the
                                                include electronic signatures. Original                 judgments obtained by the United                       location of the Project area and explain
                                                signatures may be required if funds are                 States.’’ A separate signature is not                  how the area meets the definition of
                                                awarded.                                                required.                                              ‘‘Rural Area.’’
                                                   After electronically submitting an                      (f) Table of Contents. Your application                (4) Grant Period. You must provide a
                                                application through Grants.gov, you will                must contain a detailed Table of                       time frame for the proposed Project and
                                                receive an automatic acknowledgement                    Contents (TOC). The TOC must include                   discuss how the Project will be
                                                from Grants.gov that contains a                         page numbers for each part of the                      completed within that time frame. You
                                                Grants.gov tracking number.                             application. Page numbers should begin                 must have a time frame of one year or
                                                   If you want to submit a paper                        immediately following the TOC.                         less.
                                                application, send it to the State Office                   (g) Executive Summary. A summary                       (5) Satisfactory Performance. If you
                                                located in the State where you are                      of the proposal, not to exceed one page,               have an existing SDGG and/or RCDG
                                                headquartered. You can find State                       must briefly describe the Project, tasks               award, you must discuss the current
                                                Office contact information at: http://                  to be completed, and other relevant                    status of the award(s).
                                                www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-                       information that provides a general                       (6) Indirect Costs. Your negotiated
                                                offices.                                                overview of the Project.                               indirect cost rate approval does not
                                                   Your application must also contain                      (h) Eligibility Discussion. A detailed              need to be included in your application,
                                                the following required forms and                        discussion, not to exceed four pages,                  but you will be required to provide it if
                                                proposal elements:                                      must describe how you meet the                         a grant is awarded. Approval for
                                                   (a) Form SF–424, ‘‘Application for                   following requirements:                                indirect costs that are requested in an
                                                Federal Assistance,’’ to include your                      (1) Applicant Eligibility. You must                 application without an approved
                                                DUNS number and SAM Commercial                          describe how you meet the definition of                indirect cost rate agreement is at the
                                                and Government Entity (CAGE) code                       a Cooperative, Group of Cooperatives, or               discretion of the Agency.
                                                and expiration date. Because there are                  Cooperative Development Center. Your                      (i) Scoring Criteria. Each of the
                                                no specific fields for a CAGE code and                  application must show that your                        scoring criteria in this Notice must be
                                                expiration date, you may identify them                  individual Cooperative, Group of                       addressed in narrative form, with a
                                                anywhere you want to on the form. If                    Cooperatives or Cooperative                            maximum of two pages for each
                                                you do not include the CAGE code and                    Development Center serves Socially-                    individual scoring criterion, unless
                                                expiration date and the DUNS number                     Disadvantaged Groups and a majority of                 otherwise specified. Failure to address
                                                in your application, it will not be                     the board of directors or governing                    each scoring criteria will result in the
                                                considered for funding.                                 board is comprised of individuals who                  application being determined ineligible.
                                                   (b) Form SF–424A, ‘‘Budget                           are members of Socially-Disadvantaged                     (j) The Agency has established annual
                                                Information-Non-Construction                            Groups. Your application must include                  performance evaluation measures to
                                                Programs.’’ This form must be                           a list of your board of directors/                     evaluate the SDGG program. You must
                                                completed and submitted as part of the                  governing board and the percentage of                  provide estimates on the following
                                                application package.                                    board of directors/governing board that                performance evaluation measures as
                                                   (c) Form SF–424B, ‘‘Assurances—                      are members of Socially-Disadvantaged                  part of your narrative:
                                                Non-Construction Programs.’’ This form                  Groups. NOTE: Your application will                       • Number of cooperatives assisted;
                                                must be completed, signed, and                          not be considered for funding if you fail              and
                                                submitted as part of the application                    to show that a majority of your board of                  • Number of socially disadvantaged
                                                package.                                                directors/governing board is comprised                 groups assisted.
                                                   (d) Form AD–3030, ‘‘Representations                  of individuals who are members of
                                                Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax                     Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.                         3. DUNS Number and SAM
                                                Delinquent Status for Corporate                            If applying as a Cooperative or a                      In order to be eligible (unless you are
                                                Applicants,’’ if you are a corporation. A               Group of Cooperatives, you must verify                 excepted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c) or
                                                corporation is any entity that has filed                your incorporation and status in the                   (d), you are required to:
                                                articles of incorporation in one of the 50              State that you have applied by                            (a) Provide a valid DUNS number in
                                                States, the District of Columbia, the                   providing the State’s Certificate of Good              your application, which can be obtained
                                                Federated States of Micronesia, the                     Standing and your Articles of                          at no cost via a toll-free request line at
                                                Republic of Palau, and the Republic of                  Incorporation. If applying as a nonprofit              (866) 705–5711;
                                                the Marshall Islands, or the various                    corporation, you must provide evidence                    (b) Register in SAM before submitting
                                                territories of the United States including              of your status as a nonprofit corporation              your application. You may register in
                                                American Samoa, Guam, Midway                            in good standing and your Articles of                  SAM at no cost at https://www.sam.gov/
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                                                Islands, the Commonwealth of the                        Incorporation. If applying as an                       portal/public/SAM/; and
                                                Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico,                  institution of higher education, you                      (c) Continue to maintain an active
                                                or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Corporations                must qualify as an Institution of Higher               SAM registration with current
                                                include both for profit and non-profit                  Education as defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001.                information at all times during which
                                                entities.                                               You must apply as only one type of                     you have an active Federal award or an
                                                   (e) You must certify that there are no               applicant. If the requested verification               application or plan under consideration
                                                current outstanding Federal judgments                   documents are not included, your                       by a Federal awarding agency.


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                                                36258                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 108 / Monday, June 6, 2016 / Notices

                                                  The Agency may not make a Federal                        (b) Purchase, rent, or install fixed                eligible otherwise. However, if your
                                                award to you until you have complied                    equipment, including processing                        application is successful, those
                                                with all applicable DUNS and SAM                        equipment;                                             ineligible costs must be removed and
                                                requirements. If you have not fully                        (c) Purchase vehicles, including boats;             replaced with eligible costs before the
                                                complied with requirements by the time                     (d) Pay for the preparation of the grant            Agency will make the grant award or the
                                                the Agency is ready to make a Federal                   application;                                           amount of the grant award will be
                                                award, the Agency may determine that                       (e) Pay expenses not directly related               reduced accordingly. If we cannot
                                                the applicant is not qualified to receive               to the funded Project;                                 determine the percentage of ineligible
                                                a Federal award and the Agency may                         (f) Fund political or lobbying                      costs, your application will not be
                                                use this determination as a basis for                   activities;                                            considered for funding.
                                                making an award to another applicant.                      (g) To fund any activities considered
                                                                                                        unallowable by the applicable grant cost               7. Other Submission Requirements
                                                4. Submission Dates and Times                           principles, including 2 CFR part 200,                     (a) You should not submit your
                                                   Application Deadline Date: August 5,                 subpart E and the Federal Acquisition                  application in more than one format.
                                                2016.                                                   Regulation;                                            You must choose whether to submit
                                                   Explanation of Deadlines: Paper                         (h) Fund architectural or engineering               your application in hard copy or
                                                applications must be postmarked and                     design work for a specific physical                    electronically. Applications submitted
                                                mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by                   facility;                                              in hard copy should be mailed or hand-
                                                August 5, 2016. The Agency will                            (i) Fund any direct expenses for the                delivered to the State Office located in
                                                determine whether your application is                   production of any commodity or                         the State where you are headquartered.
                                                late based on the date shown on the                     product to which value will be added,                  You can find State Office contact
                                                postmark or shipping invoice. You may                   including seed, rootstock, labor for                   information at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/
                                                also hand carry your application to one                 harvesting the crop, and delivery of the               contact-us/state-offices.your State
                                                                                                        commodity to a processing facility;                    Office. To submit an application
                                                of our field offices, but it must be
                                                                                                           (j) Fund research and development;                  electronically, you must follow the
                                                received by close of business on the
                                                                                                           (k) Purchase land;                                  instructions for this funding
                                                deadline date. If the due date falls on a
                                                                                                           (l) Duplicate current activities or                 announcement at http://
                                                Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday,
                                                                                                        activities paid for by other Federal grant             www.grants.gov. A password is not
                                                the reporting package is due the next
                                                                                                        programs;                                              required to access the Web site.
                                                business day. Late applications are not                                                                           (b) National Environmental Policy
                                                                                                           (m) Pay costs of the Project incurred
                                                eligible for funding and will not be                                                                           Act. This Notice has been reviewed in
                                                                                                        prior to the date of grant approval;
                                                evaluated further.                                                                                             accordance with 7 CFR part 1970
                                                                                                           (n) Pay for assistance to any private
                                                   Electronic applications must be                      business enterprise that does not have at              ‘‘Environmental Policies and
                                                RECEIVED by http://www.grants.gov by                    least 51 percent ownership by those                    Procedures’’. We have determined that
                                                midnight Eastern time August 1, 2016,                   who are either citizens of the United                  an Environmental Impact Statement is
                                                to be eligible for funding. Please review               States or reside in the United States                  not required because the issuance of
                                                the Grants.gov Web site at http://                      after being legally admitted for                       regulations and instructions, as well as
                                                grants.gov/applicants/organization_                     permanent residence;                                   amendments to them, describing
                                                registration.jsp for instructions on the                   (o) Pay any judgment or debt owed to                administrative and financial procedures
                                                process of registering your organization                the United States;                                     for processing, approving, and
                                                as soon as possible to ensure you are                      (p) Pay any Operating Costs of the                  implementing the Agency’s financial
                                                able to meet the electronic application                 Cooperative, Group of Cooperatives, or                 programs is categorically excluded in
                                                deadline. Grants.gov will not accept                    Cooperative Development Center not                     the Agency’s National Environmental
                                                applications submitted after the                        directly related to the Project;                       Policy Act (NEPA) regulation found at 7
                                                deadline.                                                  (q) Pay expenses for applicant                      CFR 1970.53(f). We have determined
                                                5. Intergovernmental Review                             employee training; or                                  that this Notice does not constitute a
                                                                                                           (r) Pay for any goods or services from              major Federal action significantly
                                                  Executive Order (EO) 12372,                           a person who has a Conflict of Interest                affecting the quality of the human
                                                Intergovernmental Review of Federal                     with the grantee.                                      environment. Individual awards under
                                                Programs, is listed as applying to this                    (s) Pay for Technical Assistance                    this Notice are hereby classified as
                                                program, however since this program is                  provided to a Cooperative that does not                Categorical Exclusions according to 7
                                                comprised of the provision of technical                 have a membership that consists of a                   CFR 1970.53(b), the award of financial
                                                assistance which is of a non-                           majority of members from Socially-                     assistance for planning purposes,
                                                construction nature the                                 Disadvantaged Groups.                                  management and feasibility studies, or
                                                intergovernmental review process is not                    In addition, your application will not              environmental impact analyses, which
                                                required.                                               be considered for funding if it does any               do not require any additional
                                                  You are also encouraged to contact                    of the following:                                      documentation.
                                                Cooperative Programs at 202–690–1374                       • Requests more than the maximum                       (c) Civil Rights Compliance
                                                or cpgrants@wdc.usda.gov if you have                    grant amount;                                          Requirements. All grants made under
                                                questions about this process.                              • Proposes ineligible costs that equal              this Notice are subject to Title VI of the
                                                                                                        more than 10 percent of total grant                    Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by
                                                6. Funding Restrictions
                                                                                                        funds requested; or                                    the USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A),
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                                                  Grant funds must be used for                             • Proposes Participant Support Costs                Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
                                                Technical Assistance. No funds made                     that equal more than 10 percent of total               1973, Age Act of 1975, and Executive
                                                available under this solicitation shall be              grant funds requested.                                 Order 13166 Limited English
                                                used to:                                                   We will consider your application for               Proficiency. As such, the Agency will
                                                  (a) Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire,              funding if it includes ineligible costs of             conduct Civil Rights Compliance
                                                or construct a building or facility,                    10 percent or less of total grant funds                Reviews on recipients to identify the
                                                including a processing facility;                        requested, as long as it is determined                 collection of racial and ethnic data on


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 108 / Monday, June 6, 2016 / Notices                                             36259

                                                Program beneficiaries. In addition, the                 Technical Assistance in accordance                        (i) 0 points are awarded if you do not
                                                Compliance review will ensure that                      with the work plan. Maximum points                     adequately address this criterion.
                                                equal access to the Program benefits and                will be awarded if all of the identified                  (ii) 1 point is awarded if you provide
                                                activities are provided for persons with                staff or consultants demonstrate 5 or                  2–3 support letters that show support
                                                disabilities and language barriers.                     more years of experience in providing                  from potential beneficiaries and/or
                                                                                                        relevant Technical Assistance.                         support from local organizations.
                                                E. Application Review Information                          (c) Commitment (maximum of 10                          (iii) 2 points are awarded if you
                                                1. Scoring Criteria                                     points). A panel of USDA employees                     provide 4 -5 support letters that show
                                                                                                        will evaluate your commitment to                       support from potential beneficiaries
                                                   All eligible and complete applications                                                                      and/or support from local organizations.
                                                                                                        providing Technical Assistance to
                                                will be evaluated based on the following                                                                          (iv) 3 points are awarded if you
                                                                                                        Socially-Disadvantaged Groups in Rural
                                                criteria. Failure to address any one of                                                                        provide 6–7 support letters that show
                                                                                                        Areas. You must list the number and
                                                the following criteria by the application               location of Socially-Disadvantaged                     support from potential beneficiaries
                                                deadline will result in the application                 Groups that will directly benefit from                 and/or support from local organizations.
                                                being determined ineligible and the                     the assistance provided. If you define                    (v) 4 points are awarded if you
                                                application will not be considered for                  and describe the underserved and                       provide 8–9 support letters that show
                                                funding. Evaluators will base scores                    economically distressed areas within                   support from potential beneficiaries
                                                only on the information provided or                     your service area and provide current                  and/or support from local organizations.
                                                cross-referenced by page number in                      and relevant statistics that support your                 (vi) 5 points are awarded if you
                                                each individual scoring criterion. The                  description of the service area, you will              provide 10 support letters that show
                                                total points possible for the criteria are              score higher on this factor.                           support from potential beneficiaries
                                                60.                                                        (d) Work Plan/Budget (maximum of                    and/or support from local organizations.
                                                   (a) Technical Assistance (maximum                    15 points)—Four page limit. Your work                     You may submit a maximum of 10
                                                score of 15 points). A panel of USDA                    plan must provide specific and detailed                letters of support. Support letters should
                                                employees will evaluate your                            descriptions of the tasks and the key                  come from potential beneficiaries and
                                                application to determine your ability to                project personnel that will accomplish                 other local organizations. Letters
                                                assess the needs of Socially-                           the project’s goals. Budget will be                    received from Congressional members
                                                Disadvantaged Groups. You must                          reviewed for completeness. You must                    and Technical Assistance providers will
                                                explain why the proposed Technical                      list what tasks are to be done, when it                not be included in the count of support
                                                Assistance is needed and provide a                      will be done, who will do it, and how                  letters received. Additionally, identical
                                                detailed plan that describes your                       much it will cost. Reviewers must be                   form letters signed by multiple potential
                                                method of providing assistance. You                     able to understand what is being                       beneficiaries and/or local organizations
                                                must also identify the expected                         proposed and how the grant funds will                  will not be included in the count of
                                                outcomes of the proposed Technical                      be spent. The budget must be a detailed                support letters received. Support letters
                                                Assistance.                                             breakdown of estimated costs. These                    should be included as an attachment to
                                                   Higher points are awarded if you                     costs should be allocated to each of the               the application and will not count
                                                identify specific needs of the Socially-                tasks to be undertaken. The amount of                  against the maximum page total.
                                                Disadvantaged Groups to be assisted;                    grant funds requested will be reduced if               Additional letters from industry groups,
                                                clearly explain a logical and detailed                  the applicant does not have justification              commodity groups, Congressional
                                                plan of assistance for addressing those                 for all costs.                                         members, and similar organizations
                                                needs; and discuss realistic outcomes of                   A panel of USDA employees will                      should be referenced, but not included
                                                planned assistance.                                     evaluate your work plan for detailed                   in the application package. When
                                                   (b) Experience (maximum score of 15                  actions and an accompanying timetable                  referencing these letters, provide the
                                                points). A panel of USDA employees                      for implementing the proposal. Clear,                  name of the organization, date of the
                                                will evaluate your length of experience                 logical, realistic, and efficient plans will           letter, the nature of the support, and the
                                                for identified staff or consultants in                  result in a higher score. You must                     name and title of the person signing the
                                                providing Technical Assistance, as                      discuss at a minimum:                                  letter.
                                                defined in this Notice. You must                           (i) Specific tasks to be completed
                                                describe the specific type of Technical                                                                        2. Review and Selection Process
                                                                                                        using grant funds;
                                                Assistance experience for each                             (ii) How customers will be identified;                 The State Offices will review
                                                identified staff member or consultant, as                  (iii) Key personnel; and                            applications to determine if they are
                                                well as years of experience in providing                   (iv) The evaluation methods to be                   eligible for assistance based on
                                                that assistance. In addition, resumes for               used to determine the success of                       requirements in this Notice, and other
                                                each individual staff member or                         specific tasks and overall project                     applicable Federal regulations. If
                                                consultant must be included as an                       objectives. Please provide qualitative                 determined eligible, your application
                                                attachment, listing their experience for                methods of evaluation. For example,                    will be scored by a panel of USDA
                                                the type of Technical Assistance                        evaluation methods should go beyond                    employees in accordance with the point
                                                proposed. The attachments will not                      quantitative measurements of                           allocation specified in this Notice. The
                                                count toward the maximum page total.                    completing surveys or number of                        panel will consist of USDA employees
                                                We will compare the described                           evaluations.                                           with expertise in providing Technical
                                                experience to the work plan to                             (e) Local support (maximum of 5                     Assistance to Socially-Disadvantaged
                                                determine relevance of the experience.                  points). A panel of USDA employees                     Groups. The review panel will convene
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                                                Applications that do not include the                    will evaluate your application for local               to reach a consensus on the scores for
                                                attached resumes will not be considered                 support of the Technical Assistance                    each of the eligible applications. A
                                                for funding.                                            activities. Applicants that demonstrate                recommendation will be submitted to
                                                   Higher points will be awarded if a                   strong support from potential                          the Administrator to fund applications
                                                majority of identified staff or                         beneficiaries and other developmental                  in highest ranking order. Applications
                                                consultants demonstrate 5 or more years                 organizations will receive more points                 that cannot be fully funded may be
                                                of experience in providing relevant                     than those not showing such support.                   offered partial funding at the Agency’s


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                                                36260                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 108 / Monday, June 6, 2016 / Notices

                                                discretion. If your application is ranked               3. Reporting                                           activity conducted or funded by USDA
                                                and not funded, it will not be carried                     After grant approval and through                    (not all bases apply to all programs).
                                                forward into the next competition.                      grant completion, you will be required                 Remedies and complaint filing
                                                                                                        to provide the following:                              deadlines vary by program or incident.
                                                F. Federal Award Administration
                                                                                                           a. A SF–425, ‘‘Federal Financial                       Persons with disabilities who require
                                                Information
                                                                                                        Report,’’ and a project performance                    alternative means of communication for
                                                1. Federal Award Notices                                report will be required on a semiannual                program information (e.g., Braille, large
                                                   If you are selected for funding, you                 basis (due 30 working days after end of                print, audiotape, American Sign
                                                will receive a signed notice of Federal                 the semiannual period). For the                        Language, etc.) should contact the
                                                award by postal mail, containing                        purposes of this grant, semiannual                     responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET
                                                instructions on requirements necessary                  periods end on March 31st and                          Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and
                                                to proceed with execution and                           September 30th. The project                            TTY) or contact USDA through the
                                                performance of the award.                               performance reports shall include the                  Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
                                                   If you are not selected for funding,                 following: A comparison of actual                      Additionally, program information may
                                                you will be notified in writing via postal              accomplishments to the objectives                      be made available in languages other
                                                mail and informed of any review and                     established for that period;                           than English.
                                                appeal rights. Funding of successfully                                                                            To file a program discrimination
                                                                                                           b. Reasons why established objectives
                                                appealed applications will be limited to                                                                       complaint, complete the USDA Program
                                                                                                        were not met, if applicable;
                                                available FY 2016 funding.                                                                                     Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–
                                                                                                           c. Reasons for any problems, delays,
                                                                                                                                                               3027, found online at http://
                                                2. Administrative and National Policy                   or adverse conditions, if any, which
                                                                                                                                                               www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_
                                                Requirements                                            have affected or will affect attainment of
                                                                                                                                                               cust.html and at any USDA office or
                                                                                                        overall project objectives, prevent
                                                   Additional requirements that apply to                                                                       write a letter addressed to USDA and
                                                                                                        meeting time schedules or objectives, or
                                                grantees selected for this program can be                                                                      provide in the letter all of the
                                                                                                        preclude the attainment of particular
                                                found in 2 CFR parts 200, 215, 400, 415,                                                                       information requested in the form. To
                                                                                                        objectives during established time
                                                417, 418, and 421. All recipients of                                                                           request a copy of the complaint form,
                                                                                                        periods. This disclosure shall be
                                                Federal financial assistance are required                                                                      call (866) 632–9992. Submit your
                                                                                                        accompanied by a statement of the
                                                to report information about first-tier                                                                         completed form or letter to USDA by:
                                                                                                        action taken or planned to resolve the
                                                subawards and executive compensation                                                                             (1) mail: U.S. Department of
                                                                                                        situation; and
                                                (See 2 CFR part 170). You will be                                                                              Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
                                                                                                           d. Objectives and timetable
                                                required to have the necessary processes                                                                       Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
                                                                                                        established for the next reporting
                                                and systems in place to comply with the                                                                        Independence Avenue SW.,
                                                                                                        period.
                                                Federal Funding Accountability and                                                                             Washington, DC 20250–9410;
                                                                                                           e. Provide a final project and financial               (2) fax: (202) 690–7442; or
                                                Transparency Act reporting                              status report within 90 days after the
                                                requirements (See 2 CFR 170.200(b),                                                                               (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
                                                                                                        expiration or termination of the grant.                   USDA is an equal opportunity
                                                unless you are exempt under 2 CFR                          f. Provide outcome project
                                                170.110(b)). These regulations may be                                                                          provider, employer, and lender.
                                                                                                        performance reports and final
                                                obtained at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/                   deliverables.                                            Dated: May 31, 2016.
                                                cfr/index.html.                                                                                                Samuel H. Rikkers,
                                                   The following additional                             G. Agency Contacts                                     Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
                                                requirements apply to grantees selected                   For general questions about this                     Service.
                                                for this program:                                       announcement and for program                           [FR Doc. 2016–13288 Filed 6–3–16; 8:45 am]
                                                   • Agency approved Grant Agreement.                   Technical Assistance, please contact the
                                                   • Letter of Conditions.
                                                                                                                                                               BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P

                                                   • Form RD 1940–1, ‘‘Request for                      appropriate State Office as indicated in
                                                Obligation of Funds.’’                                  the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
                                                                                                        You may also contact National Office                   DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                                   • Form RD 1942–46, ‘‘Letter of Intent
                                                to Meet Conditions.’’                                   staff: Melinda Martin, SDGG Program
                                                                                                        Lead, Melinda.C.Martin@wdc.usda.gov,                   Rural Utilities Service
                                                   • Form AD–1047, ‘‘Certification
                                                Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and                    or call 202–690–1374.
                                                                                                                                                               Rural Energy Savings Program;
                                                Other Responsibility Matters—Primary                    H. Other Information                                   Measurement, Verification, Training
                                                Covered Transactions.’’                                                                                        and Technical Assistance; Correction
                                                   • Form AD–1048, ‘‘Certification                         Non Discrimination Statement
                                                Regarding Debarment, Suspension,                           In accordance with Federal civil                    AGENCY:   Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
                                                Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion—                  rights law and U.S. Department of                      ACTION:   Notice; correction.
                                                Lower Tier Covered Transactions.’’                      Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
                                                   • Form AD–1049, ‘‘Certification                      regulations and policies, the USDA, its                SUMMARY:   The Rural Utilities Service
                                                Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace                         Agencies, offices, and employees, and                  (RUS) published in the Federal
                                                Requirement (Grants).’’                                 institutions participating in or                       Register, on May 24, 2016, a Notice of
                                                   • Form AD–3031, ‘‘Assurance                          administering USDA programs are                        Comment Solicitation, Rural Energy
                                                Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax                      prohibited from discriminating based on                Savings Program: Measurement,
                                                Delinquent Status for Corporate                         race, color, national origin, religion, sex,           Verification, Training and Technical
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                Applicants.’’ Must be signed by                         gender identity (including gender                      Assistance. Inadvertently, an inaccurate
                                                corporate applicants who receive an                     expression), sexual orientation,                       citation to the Code of Federal Register
                                                award under this Notice.                                disability, age, marital status, family/               (CFR) was included in the Notice. This
                                                   • Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance                         parental status, income derived from a                 document removes the inaccurate CFR
                                                Agreement.’’                                            public assistance program, political                   citation and replaces it with the correct
                                                   • SF LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of Lobbying                   beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior          citation to the Federal Register. The
                                                Activities,’’ if applicable.                            civil rights activity, in any program or               corrected citation directs readers to the


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Document Created: 2016-06-04 00:16:49
Document Modified: 2016-06-04 00:16:49
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesCompleted applications for grants must be submitted on paper or electronically according to the following deadlines:
ContactGrants Division, Cooperative Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., MS 3253, Room 4208-South, Washington, DC 20250-3250, or call 202-690-1374.
FR Citation81 FR 36254 

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