82_FR_21053 82 FR 20968 - Funding Opportunity Title: Notice of Allocation Availability (NOAA) Inviting Applications for the Calendar Year (CY) 2017 Allocation Round of the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program

82 FR 20968 - Funding Opportunity Title: Notice of Allocation Availability (NOAA) Inviting Applications for the Calendar Year (CY) 2017 Allocation Round of the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 85 (May 4, 2017)

Page Range20968-20978
FR Document2017-08976

This NOAA is issued in connection with the CY 2017 allocation round (Allocation Round) of the New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC Program), as authorized by Title I, subtitle C, section 121 of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-554) and amended by section 221 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-357), section 101 of the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 108-357), Division A, section 102 of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-432), section 733 of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-312), section 305 of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-240), and section 115 of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-295), section 141 of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act (PATH) of 2015. Through the NMTC Program, the CDFI Fund provides authority to CDEs to offer an incentive to investors in the form of tax credits over seven years, which is expected to stimulate the provision of private investment capital that, in turn, will facilitate economic and community development in Low-Income Communities. Through this NOAA, the CDFI Fund announces the availability of $3.5 billion of NMTC allocation authority in this Allocation Round. In this NOAA, the CDFI Fund specifically addresses how a CDE may apply to receive an allocation of NMTCs, the competitive procedure through which NMTC allocations will be made, and the actions that will be taken to ensure that proper allocations are made to appropriate entities.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 85 (Thursday, May 4, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 85 (Thursday, May 4, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20968-20978]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08976]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Community Development Financial Institutions Fund


Funding Opportunity Title: Notice of Allocation Availability 
(NOAA) Inviting Applications for the Calendar Year (CY) 2017 Allocation 
Round of the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program

    Announcement Type: Announcement of allocation availability.
    Dates: Electronic applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on 
June 21, 2017. Applications sent by mail, facsimile, or other form will 
not be accepted. Please note the Community Development Financial 
Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) will only accept applications and 
attachments (e.g., the Controlling Entity's representative signature 
page, Assurances and Certifications supporting documents, investor 
letters, organizational charts) in electronic form (see Section IV.C of 
this NOAA for more details). Applications must meet all eligibility and 
other requirements and deadlines, as applicable, set forth in this 
NOAA. Any Applicant that is not yet certified as a Community 
Development Entity (CDE) must submit an application for CDE 
certification through the CDFI Fund's Awards Management Information 
System (AMIS) on or before 5:00 p.m. ET on May 17, 2017 (see Section 
III.A.1 of this NOAA for more details on CDE certification).
    Executive Summary: This NOAA is issued in connection with the CY 
2017 allocation round (Allocation Round) of the New Markets Tax Credit 
Program (NMTC Program), as authorized by Title I, subtitle C, section 
121 of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-554) 
and amended by section 221 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 
(Pub. L. 108-357), section 101 of the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 
(Pub. L. 108-357), Division A, section 102 of the Tax Relief and Health 
Care Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-432), section 733 of the Tax Relief, 
Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 
(Pub. L. 111-312), section 305 of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 
2012 (Pub. L. 112-240), and section 115 of the Tax Increase Prevention 
Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-295), section 141 of the Protecting Americans 
from Tax Hikes Act (PATH) of 2015. Through the NMTC Program, the CDFI 
Fund provides authority to CDEs to offer an incentive to investors in 
the form of tax credits over seven years, which is expected to 
stimulate the provision of private investment capital that, in turn,

[[Page 20969]]

will facilitate economic and community development in Low-Income 
Communities. Through this NOAA, the CDFI Fund announces the 
availability of $3.5 billion of NMTC allocation authority in this 
Allocation Round.
    In this NOAA, the CDFI Fund specifically addresses how a CDE may 
apply to receive an allocation of NMTCs, the competitive procedure 
through which NMTC allocations will be made, and the actions that will 
be taken to ensure that proper allocations are made to appropriate 
entities.

I. Allocation Availability Description

    A. Programmatic changes from the Combined CY 2015-2016 allocation 
round:
    1. Prior QEI Issuance Requirements: In order to be eligible to 
apply for a NMTC allocation in this Allocation Round, as described in 
Section III.A.3(a), any Applicant that received a NMTC allocation award 
in a previous Allocation round is required to meet the corresponding 
minimum Qualified Equity Investment (QEI) issuance threshold with 
respect to its prior-year allocation. These thresholds and deadlines 
have been revised in comparison to the CY 2015-16 NOAA.
    B. Program guidance and regulations: This NOAA describes 
application and allocation requirements for this Allocation Round of 
the NMTC Program and should be read in conjunction with: (i) Guidance 
published by the CDFI Fund on how an entity may apply to become 
certified as a CDE (66 FR 65806, December 20, 2001); (ii) the final 
regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) (26 CFR 
1.45D-1, published on December 28, 2004), as amended and related 
guidance, notices and other publications; and (iii) the application and 
related materials for this Allocation Round. All such materials may be 
found on the CDFI Fund's Web site at https://www.cdfifund.gov. The CDFI 
Fund requires Applicants to review these documents. Capitalized terms 
used, but not defined, in this NOAA have the respective meanings 
assigned to them in the NMTC Program Allocation application, IRC Sec.  
45D or the IRS regulations. In the event of any inconsistency between 
this NOAA, the allocation application, and guidance issued by the CDFI 
Fund thereto, IRC Sec.  45D or the IRS regulations, the provisions of 
IRC Sec.  45D and the IRS regulations shall govern.

II. Allocation Information

    A. Allocation amounts: Pursuant to the Act, the CDFI Fund expects 
that it may allocate to CDEs the authority to issue to their investors 
the aggregate amount of $3.5 billion in equity as to which NMTCs may be 
claimed, as permitted under IRC Sec.  45D(f)(1)(D). Pursuant to this 
NOAA, the CDFI Fund anticipates that it will not issue more than $100 
million in tax credit investment authority per Allocatee. The CDFI 
Fund, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to allocate amounts in 
excess of or less than the anticipated maximum allocation amount should 
the CDFI Fund deem it appropriate. In order to receive an allocation in 
excess of the $100 million cap, an Applicant, at a minimum, must 
demonstrate that: (i) No part of its strategy can be successfully 
implemented without an allocation in excess of the applicable cap; and/
or (ii) its strategy will produce extraordinary community outcomes. The 
CDFI Fund reserves the right to allocate NMTC authority to any, all, or 
none of the entities that submit applications in response to this NOAA, 
and in any amounts it deems appropriate.
    B. Type of award: NMTC Program awards are made in the form of 
allocations of tax credit investment authority.
    C. Allocation Agreement: Each Allocatee must sign an Allocation 
Agreement, which must be countersigned by the CDFI Fund, before the 
NMTC allocation is effective. The Allocation Agreement contains the 
terms and conditions of the NMTC allocation. For further information, 
see Section VI of this NOAA.

III. Eligibility

    A. Eligible Applicants: IRC Sec.  45D specifies certain eligibility 
requirements that each Applicant must meet to be eligible to apply for 
an allocation of NMTCs. The following sets forth additional detail and 
certain additional dates that relate to the submission of applications 
under this NOAA for the available NMTC allocation authority.
    1. CDE certification: For purposes of this NOAA, the CDFI Fund will 
not consider an application for an allocation of NMTCs unless: (a) The 
Applicant is certified as a CDE at the time the CDFI Fund receives its 
NMTC Program allocation application; or (b) the Applicant submits an 
application for certification as a CDE through the CDFI Fund's Awards 
Management Information System (AMIS) on or before 5:00 p.m. ET on May 
17, 2017. Applicants for CDE certification may obtain information 
regarding CDE certification and the CDE certification application 
process in AMIS on the CDFI Fund's Web site at https://www.cdfifund.gov.
    Applications for CDE certification must be submitted in AMIS. Paper 
versions of the CDE certification application will not be accepted.
    The CDFI Fund will not provide NMTC allocation authority to 
Applicants that are not certified as CDEs or to entities that are 
certified as Subsidiary CDEs.
    If an Applicant that has already been certified as a CDE wishes to 
change its designated CDE Service Area, it must submit its request for 
such change to the CDFI Fund, and the request must be received by the 
CDFI Fund by 5:00 p.m. ET on May 17, 2017. A request to change a CDE's 
Service Area must be submitted through the CDFI Fund's Awards 
Management Information System (AMIS) as a Service Request. Such 
requests will need to include, at a minimum, the applicable CDE control 
number, the revised service area designation, and updated 
accountability information that demonstrates that the CDE has the 
required representation from Low-Income Communities in the revised 
Service Area.
    2. As a condition of eligibility for this Allocation Round, the 
Applicant will not be permitted the use of the proceeds of Qualified 
Equity Investments (QEIs) to make Qualified Low-Income Community 
Investments (QLICIs) in Qualified Active Low-Income Community 
Businesses (QALICBs) where QLICI proceeds are used, in whole or in 
part, to repay or refinance a debt or equity provider whose capital was 
used to fund the QEI, or are used to repay or refinance any Affiliate 
of such a debt or equity provider, except where: (i) The QLICI proceeds 
are used to repay or refinance documented reasonable expenditures that 
are directly attributable to the qualified business of the QALICB, and 
such past expenditures were incurred no more than 24 months prior to 
the QLICI closing date; or (ii) no more than five percent of the total 
QLICI proceeds from the QEI are used to repay or refinance documented 
reasonable expenditures that are directly attributable to the qualified 
business of the QALICB. Refinance includes transferring cash or 
property, directly or indirectly, to the debt or equity provider or an 
Affiliate of the debt or equity provider.
    3. Prior award recipients or Allocatees: Applicants must be aware 
that success in a prior application or allocation round of any of the 
CDFI Fund's programs is not indicative of success under this NOAA. For 
purposes of this section, the CDFI Fund will consider an Affiliate to 
be any entity that meets the definition of Affiliate as defined in the 
NMTC allocation

[[Page 20970]]

application materials, or any entity otherwise identified as an 
Affiliate by the Applicant in its NMTC allocation application 
materials. Prior award recipients of any CDFI Fund program are eligible 
to apply under this NOAA, except as follows:
    a. Prior Allocatees and Qualified Equity Investment (QEI) issuance 
requirements: The following describes the QEI issuance requirements 
applicable to prior Allocatees.
    An Allocatee in the CY 2011 allocation round of the NMTC Program is 
not eligible to receive a NMTC allocation pursuant to this NOAA unless 
the Allocatee is able to affirmatively demonstrate that, as of 11:59 
p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has finalized 100 percent of its QEIs 
relating to its CY 2011 NMTC allocation.
    An Allocatee in the CY 2012 allocation round of the NMTC Program is 
not eligible to receive a NMTC allocation pursuant to this NOAA unless 
the Allocatee is able to affirmatively demonstrate that, as of 11:59 
p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has finalized at least 80 percent of its 
QEIs relating to its CY 2012 NMTC allocation.
    An Allocatee in the CY 2013 allocation round of the NMTC Program is 
not eligible to receive a NMTC allocation pursuant to this NOAA unless 
the Allocatee is able to affirmatively demonstrate that, as of 11:59 
p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has finalized at least 70 percent of its 
QEIs relating to its CY 2013 NMTC allocation.
    An Allocatee (with the exception of a Rural CDE Allocatee) in the 
CY 2014 allocation round of the NMTC Program is not eligible to receive 
a NMTC allocation pursuant to this NOAA unless the Allocatee is able to 
affirmatively demonstrate that, as of 11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, 
it has finalized at least 50 percent of its QEIs relating to its CY 
2014 NMTC allocation. A prior Rural CDE Allocatee awarded in the CY 
2014 allocation round is not eligible to receive a NMTC allocation 
pursuant to this NOAA unless the Allocatee can demonstrate that, as of 
11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has finalized at least 30 percent 
of its CY 2014 NMTC Allocation.
    An Allocatee (with the exception of a Rural CDE Allocatee) in the 
CY 2015-16 allocation round of the NMTC Program is not eligible to 
receive a NMTC allocation pursuant to this NOAA unless the Allocatee is 
able to affirmatively demonstrate that, as of 11:59 p.m. ET on August 
18, 2017, it has finalized at least 30 percent of its QEIs relating to 
its CY 2015-16 NMTC allocation. A Rural CDE Allocatee awarded in the CY 
2015-16 Round is not required to meet the above QEI issuance thresholds 
with regard to its CY 2015-16 NMTC allocation award.
    Alternatively, an Applicant that has received multiple NMTC 
allocations between CY 2011 and CY 2015-16 Rounds can also meet the QEI 
issuance requirements on a cumulative basis. If an Applicant has 
received multiple NMTC allocation awards between CY 2011 and CY 2015-
16, the Applicant shall be deemed to be eligible to apply for a NMTC 
allocation pursuant to this NOAA if the Applicant is able to 
affirmatively demonstrate that, as of 11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, 
it has finalized at least 90 percent of its QEIs relating to its 
cumulative allocation amounts from these prior NMTC Program rounds. 
Rural CDEs that received allocations under the CY 2014 allocation round 
may choose to exclude such allocations from this cumulative 
calculation, provided that the Allocatee has finalized at least 20 
percent of its QEIs relating to its CY 2014 allocation. Rural CDEs that 
received allocations under the CY 2015-16 allocation round may choose 
to exclude such allocation from this cumulative calculation.
    In addition to the requirements described above, an entity is not 
eligible to receive a NMTC allocation pursuant to this NOAA if an 
Affiliate of the Applicant is a prior Allocatee and has not met the 
requirements for the issuance and/or commitment of QEIs as set forth 
above for the Allocatees in the prior allocation rounds of the NMTC 
Program.
    For purposes of this section of the NOAA, the CDFI Fund will only 
recognize as ``finalized'' those QEIs that have been properly reported 
in the CDFI Fund's Allocation Tracking System (ATS) by the deadlines 
specified above. Allocatees and their Subsidiary Allocatees, if any, 
are advised to access ATS to record each QEI that they issue to an 
investor in exchange for funds in-hand.
    Applicants will be required, upon notification from the CDFI Fund, 
to submit adequate documentation to substantiate the required issuances 
of QEIs.
    Applicants should be aware that these QEI issuance requirements 
represent the minimum threshold requirements that must be met in order 
to submit an application for assistance under this NOAA. As stated in 
Section V.C.1 of this NOAA, the CDFI Fund reserves the right to reject 
an application and/or adjust award amounts as appropriate based on 
information obtained during the review process--including an 
Applicant's track record of raising QEIs and/or deploying its Qualified 
Low Income Community Investments (QLICIs).
    Any prior Allocatees that requires any action by the CDFI Fund 
(e.g., certifying a subsidiary entity as a CDE, adding a subsidiary CDE 
to an Allocation Agreement) in order to meet the QEI issuance 
requirements above must submit a Certification Application for 
subsidiary CDEs by no later than May 17, 2017 and Allocation Agreement 
Amendment requests by no later than July 9, 2017 in order to guarantee 
that the CDFI Fund completes all necessary approvals prior to August 
18, 2017. Applicants for CDE certification, including for Subsidiary 
CDE certification, may obtain information regarding CDE certification 
and the CDE certification application process in AMIS on the CDFI 
Fund's Web site at https://www.cdfifund.gov. Applications for CDE 
certification must be submitted in AMIS. Paper versions of the CDE 
certification application will not be accepted.
    b. Pending determination of noncompliance or default: If an 
Applicant is a prior award recipient or Allocatee under any CDFI Fund 
program and if: (i) It has submitted reports to the CDFI Fund that 
demonstrate potential noncompliance with or default under a previous 
assistance, award or Allocation Agreement; and (ii) the CDFI Fund has 
yet to make a final determination as to whether the entity is in 
noncompliance or default of its previous assistance, award or 
Allocation Agreement, the CDFI Fund will consider the Applicant's 
application under this NOAA pending final determination of whether the 
entity is in noncompliance or default, in the sole determination of the 
CDFI Fund. Further, if an Affiliate of the Applicant is a prior CDFI 
Fund award recipient or Allocatee and if such entity: (i) Has submitted 
reports to the CDFI Fund that demonstrate potential noncompliance with 
or default under a previous assistance, award or Allocation Agreement; 
and (ii) the CDFI Fund has yet to make a final determination as to 
whether the entity is in noncompliance or default of its previous 
assistance, award or Allocation Agreement, the CDFI Fund will consider 
the Applicant's application under this NOAA pending final determination 
of whether the entity is in noncompliance or default, in the sole 
determination of the CDFI Fund.
    Moreover, if an Applicant is a prior Allocatee, and is otherwise 
eligible as of the application deadline, the Applicant must continue to 
be compliant with its Allocation Agreement(s) after the application 
deadline, in order for the

[[Page 20971]]

CDFI Fund to continue evaluating its application. If an Applicant fails 
to do such, the CDFI Fund will no longer deem the Applicant eligible.
    c. Default status: The CDFI Fund will not consider an application 
submitted by an Applicant that is a prior CDFI Fund award recipient or 
Allocatee under any CDFI Fund program if, as of the application 
deadline of this NOAA: (i) The CDFI Fund has made a determination that 
such Applicant is in default of a previously executed assistance, 
allocation, or award agreement; (ii) the CDFI Fund has provided written 
notification of such determination to the Applicant; and (iii) the 
application deadline of the NOAA is within a period of time specified 
in the CDFI Fund's notification to the prior CDFI Fund award recipient 
or Allocatee for which any new application from the Applicant to the 
CDFI Fund for an award, allocation, or assistance is prohibited. 
Further, the CDFI Fund will not consider an application submitted by an 
Applicant for which there is an Affiliate that is a prior award 
recipient or Allocatee under any CDFI Fund Program if, as of the 
application deadline of this NOAA: (i) The CDFI Fund has made a 
determination that such Affiliate is in default of a previously 
executed assistance, allocation, or award agreement; (ii) the CDFI Fund 
has provided written notification of such determination to the 
Affiliate; and (iii) the application deadline of the NOAA is within a 
period of time specified in a notification to the prior CDFI Fund award 
recipient or Allocatee for which any new application from the Affiliate 
to the CDFI Fund for an award, allocation, or assistance is prohibited.
    d. Contact the CDFI Fund: Accordingly, Applicants that are prior 
award recipients and/or Allocatees under any other CDFI Fund program 
are advised to comply with the requirements specified in assistance, 
allocation and/or award agreement(s). All outstanding reports and 
compliance questions should be directed to the Office of Certification, 
Compliance Monitoring, and Evaluation through a Service Request 
initiated in AMIS. Requests submitted less than thirty calendar days 
prior to the application deadline may not receive a response before the 
application deadline.
    The CDFI Fund will respond to Applicants' reporting, compliance or 
disbursement questions between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, 
starting the date of publication of this NOAA through June 19, 2017 
(two days before the application deadline). The CDFI Fund will not 
respond to Applicants' reporting, compliance, CDE certification, or 
disbursement phone calls or email inquiries that are received after 
5:00 p.m. ET on June 19, 2017 until after the funding application 
deadline of June 21, 2017.
    4. Failure to accurately respond to a question in the Assurances 
and Certifications section of the application and submit the required 
written explanation: In its sole discretion, the CDFI Fund may deem the 
Applicant's application ineligible, if the CDFI Fund determines that 
the Applicant inaccurately responded to a question and failed to submit 
a required written explanation, or accurately answered a question yet 
failed to submit a required written explanation, with respect to the 
application Assurances and Certifications. In making this 
determination, the CDFI Fund will take into consideration, among other 
factors, the materiality of the question, the substance of any 
supplemental responses provided, and whether the information in the 
Applicant's supplemental responses will have a material adverse effect 
on the Applicant, its financial condition or its ability to perform 
under an allocation agreement, should the Applicant receive an 
allocation.
    5. Entities that propose to transfer NMTCs to Subsidiaries: Both 
for-profit and non-profit CDEs may apply for NMTC allocation authority, 
but only a for-profit CDE is permitted to provide NMTCs to its 
investors. A non-profit Applicant wishing to apply for a NMTC 
allocation must demonstrate, prior to entering into an Allocation 
Agreement with the CDFI Fund, that: (i) It controls one or more 
Subsidiaries that are for-profit entities; and (ii) it intends to 
transfer the full amount of any NMTC allocation it receives to said 
Subsidiaries.
    An Applicant wishing to transfer all or a portion of its NMTC 
allocation to a Subsidiary is not required to create the Subsidiary 
prior to submitting a NMTC allocation application to the CDFI Fund. 
However, the Subsidiary entities must be certified as CDEs by the CDFI 
Fund, and enjoined as parties to the Allocation Agreement at closing or 
by amendment to the Allocation Agreement after closing. Before the NMTC 
allocation transfer may occur it must be pre-approved by the CDFI Fund, 
in its sole discretion.
    The CDFI Fund strongly encourages a non-profit Applicant to submit 
a CDE certification application to the CDFI Fund on behalf of at least 
one Subsidiary within 60 days after the non-profit Applicant receives 
the Notice of Allocation (NOA) from the CDFI Fund, as such Subsidiary 
must be certified as a CDE prior to entering into an Allocation 
Agreement with the CDFI Fund. A non-profit Applicant that does not 
already have a certified for-profit Subsidiary and that fails to submit 
a certification application for one or more for-profit Subsidiaries 
within 60 days of the date of the NOA from the CDFI Fund is subject to 
the CDFI Fund rescinding the award.
    6. Entities that submit applications together with Affiliates; 
applications from common enterprises:
    a. As part of the allocation application review process, the CDFI 
Fund will evaluate whether Applicants are Affiliates, as such term is 
defined in the allocation application. If an Applicant and its 
Affiliate(s) wish to submit allocation applications, they must do so 
collectively, in one application; an Applicant and its Affiliate(s) may 
not submit separate allocation applications. If Affiliated entities 
submit multiple applications, the CDFI Fund will reject all such 
applications received, except for those State-owned or State-controlled 
governmental Affiliated entities. In the case of State-owned or State-
controlled governmental entities, the CDFI Fund may accept applications 
submitted by different government bodies within the same State, but 
only to the extent the CDFI Fund determines that the business 
strategies and/or activities described in such applications, submitted 
by separate entities, are distinctly dissimilar and/or are operated 
and/or managed by distinctly dissimilar personnel, including staff, 
board members or identified consultants. If the CDFI Fund determines 
that the applications submitted by different government bodies in the 
same State are not distinctly dissimilar and/or operated and/or managed 
by distinctly dissimilar personnel, it will reject all such 
applications. In such cases, the CDFI Fund reserves the right to limit 
award amounts to such entities to ensure that the entities do not 
collectively receive more than the $100 million cap.
    b. For purposes of this NOAA, the CDFI Fund will also evaluate 
whether each Applicant is operated or managed as a ``common 
enterprise'' with another Applicant in this Allocation Round using the 
following indicia, among others: (i) Whether different Applicants have 
the same individual(s), including the Authorized Representative, staff, 
board members and/or consultants, involved in day-to-day management, 
operations and/or investment responsibilities; (ii) whether the 
Applicants have business strategies and/or proposed activities that are 
so similar

[[Page 20972]]

or so closely related that, in fact or effect, they may be viewed as a 
single entity; and/or (iii) whether the applications submitted by 
separate Applicants contain significant narrative, textual or other 
similarities such that they may, in fact or effect, be viewed as 
substantially identical applications. In such cases, the CDFI Fund will 
reject all applications received from such entities.
    c. Furthermore, an Applicant that receives an allocation in this 
Allocation Round (or its Subsidiary Allocatee) may not become an 
Affiliate of or member of a common enterprise (as defined above) with 
another Applicant that receives an allocation in this Allocation Round 
(or its Subsidiary Allocatee) at any time after the submission of an 
allocation application under this NOAA. This prohibition, however, 
generally does not apply to entities that are commonly Controlled 
solely because of common ownership by QEI investors. This requirement 
will also be a term and condition of the Allocation Agreement (see 
Section VI.B of this NOAA and additional application guidance materials 
on the CDFI Fund's Web site at https://www.cdfifund.gov for more 
details).
    7. Entities created as a series of funds: An Applicant whose 
business structure consists of an entity with a series of funds must 
apply for CDE certification for each fund. If such an Applicant 
represents that it is properly classified for Federal tax purposes as a 
single partnership or corporation, it may apply for CDE certification 
as a single entity. If an Applicant represents that it is properly 
classified for Federal tax purposes as multiple partnerships or 
corporations, then it must submit a CDE certification application for 
the Applicant and each fund it would like to participate in the NMTC 
Program, and each fund must be separately certified as a CDE. 
Applicants should note, however, that receipt of CDE certification as a 
single entity or as multiple entities is not a determination that an 
Applicant and its related funds are properly classified as a single 
entity or as multiple entities for Federal tax purposes. Regardless of 
whether the series of funds is classified as a single partnership or 
corporation or as multiple partnerships or corporations, an Applicant 
may not transfer any NMTC allocations it receives to one or more of its 
funds unless the fund is a certified CDE that is a Subsidiary of the 
Applicant, enjoined to the Allocation Agreement as a Subsidiary 
Allocatee.
    8. Entities that are Bank Enterprise Award Program (BEA Program) 
award recipients: An insured depository institution investor (and its 
Affiliates and Subsidiaries) may not receive a NMTC allocation in 
addition to a BEA Program award for the same investment in a CDE. 
Likewise, an insured depository institution investor (and its 
Affiliates and Subsidiaries) may not receive a BEA Program award in 
addition to a NMTC allocation for the same investment in a CDE.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    A. Address to request application package: Applicants must submit 
applications electronically under this NOAA, through the CDFI Fund Web 
site. Following the publication of this NOAA, the CDFI Fund will make 
the electronic allocation application available on its Web site at 
https://www.cdfifund.gov. Applications sent by mail, facsimile or other 
form will not be accepted. Please note the CDFI Fund will only accept 
the application and attachments (e.g., the Controlling Entity's 
representative signature page, Assurances and Certifications supporting 
documents, investor letters, organizational charts) in electronic form.
    B. Application content requirements: Detailed application content 
requirements are found in the application related to this NOAA. 
Applicants must submit all materials described in and required by the 
application by the applicable deadlines. Applicants will not be 
afforded an opportunity to provide any missing materials or 
documentation, except, if necessary and at the request of the CDFI 
Fund. Electronic applications must be submitted solely by using the 
format made available at the CDFI Fund's Web site. Additional 
information, including instructions relating to the submission of 
supporting information (e.g., the Controlling Entity's representative 
signature page, Assurances and Certifications supporting documents, 
investor letters, organizational charts), is set forth in further 
detail in the NMTC Online Application Instructions for this Allocation 
Round. An application must include a valid and current Employer 
Identification Number (EIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS) and assigned to the Applicant and, if applicable, their 
Controlling Entity. Electronic applications without a valid EIN are 
incomplete and cannot be transmitted to the CDFI Fund. For more 
information on obtaining an EIN, please contact the IRS at (800) 829-
4933 or www.irs.gov. Do not include any personal Social Security 
Numbers as part of the application.
    An Applicant may not submit more than one application in response 
to this NOAA. In addition, as stated in Section III.A.6 of this NOAA, 
an Applicant and its Affiliates must collectively submit only one 
allocation application; an Applicant and its Affiliates may not submit 
separate allocation applications except as outlined in Section III.A.6 
above. Once an application is submitted, an Applicant will not be 
allowed to change any element of its application.
    C. Form of application submission: Applicants may only submit 
applications under this NOAA electronically. Applications sent by 
facsimile or by email will not be accepted. Submission of an electronic 
application will facilitate the processing and review of applications 
and the selection of Allocatees; further, it will assist the CDFI Fund 
in the implementation of electronic reporting requirements.
    Electronic applications must be submitted solely by using the CDFI 
Fund's Web site and must be sent in accordance with the submission 
instructions provided in the NMTC Online Application Instruction for 
this Allocation Rounds. The CDFI Fund recommends use of Internet 
Explorer version 8 or higher on a Microsoft Windows-based computer 
(Windows Vista or higher), and optimally at least a 56Kbps Internet 
connection in order to meet the electronic application submission 
requirements. Use of other browsers (e.g., Firefox, Chrome, Safari), 
other versions of Internet Explorer, or other operating systems (e.g., 
Mac) might result in problems during submission of the application. The 
CDFI Fund's electronic application system will only permit the 
submission of applications in which all required questions and tables 
are fully completed. Additional information, including instructions 
relating to the submission of supporting information (e.g., the 
Controlling Entity's representative signature page, Assurances and 
Certifications supporting documents, investor letters, organizational 
charts) is set forth in further detail in the NMTC Online Application 
Instructions for this Allocation Round.
    D. Application submission dates and times:
    1. Application deadlines:
    a. Electronic applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 
21, 2017. Electronic applications cannot be transmitted or received 
after 5:00 p.m. ET on June 21, 2017. In addition, Applicants must 
separately electronically submit supporting information (e.g., the 
Controlling Entity's representative signature page,

[[Page 20973]]

Assurances and Certifications supporting documents, investor letters, 
and organizational charts). The Controlling Entity's representative 
signature page, Assurances and Certifications supporting documents, 
investor letters and organizational charts must be submitted on or 
before 11:59 p.m. on June 26, 2017. For details, see the instructions 
provided in the NMTC Online Application Instructions for this 
Allocation Round on the CDFI Fund's Web site.
    Applications and other required documents received after this date 
and time will be rejected. Please note that the document submission 
deadlines in this NOAA and/or the allocation application are strictly 
enforced.
    E. Intergovernmental Review: Not applicable.
    F. Funding Restrictions: For allowable uses of investment proceeds 
related to a NMTC allocation, please see 26 U.S.C. 45D and the final 
regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service (26 CFR 1.45D-1, 
published December 28, 2004 and as amended) and related guidance. 
Please see Section I, above, for the Programmatic Changes of this NOAA.
    G. Paperwork Reduction: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35), an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection 
of information, and an individual is not required to respond to a 
collection of information, unless it displays a valid OMB control 
number. Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act, the application has 
been assigned the following control number: 1559-0016.

V. Application Review Information

    A. Review and selection process: All allocation applications will 
be reviewed for eligibility and completeness. To be complete, the 
application must contain, at a minimum, all information described as 
required in the application form. An incomplete application will be 
rejected. Once the application has been determined to be eligible and 
complete, the CDFI Fund will conduct the substantive review of each 
application in two parts (Phase 1 and Phase 2) in accordance with the 
criteria and procedures generally described in this NOAA and the 
allocation application.
    In Phase 1, three reviewers will evaluate and score the Business 
Strategy and Community Outcomes sections of each application. An 
Applicant must exceed a minimum overall aggregate base score threshold 
and exceed a minimum aggregate section score threshold in each scored 
section in order to advance from the Phase 1 to the Phase 2 part of the 
substantive review process. In Phase 2, the CDFI Fund will rank 
Applicants and determine the dollar amount of allocation authority 
awarded in accordance with the procedures set forth below.
    B. Criteria:
    1. Business Strategy (25-point maximum):
    a. When assessing an Applicant's business strategy, reviewers will 
consider, among other things: The Applicant's products, services and 
investment criteria; the prior performance of the Applicant or its 
Controlling Entity, particularly as it relates to making similar kinds 
of investments as those it proposes to make with the proceeds of QEIs; 
the Applicant's prior performance in providing capital or technical 
assistance to disadvantaged businesses or communities; the projected 
level of the Applicant's pipeline of potential investments; the extent 
to which the Applicant intends to make QLICIs in one or more businesses 
in which persons unrelated to the entity hold a majority equity 
interest; and the extent to which Applicants that otherwise have 
notable relationships with the Qualified Active Low Income Community 
Businesses (QALICBs) financed will create benefits (beyond those 
created in the normal course of a NMTC transaction) to Low-Income 
Communities.
    Under the Business Strategy criterion, an Applicant will generally 
score well to the extent that it will deploy debt or investment capital 
in products or services which are flexible or non-traditional in form 
and on better terms than available in the marketplace. An Applicant 
will also score well to the extent that, among other things: (i) It has 
a track record of successfully deploying loans or equity investments 
and providing services similar to those it intends to provide with the 
proceeds of QEIs; (ii) it has identified a set of clearly-defined 
potential borrowers or investees; (iii) its projected dollar volume of 
NMTC deployment is supported by its track record of deployment; (iv) in 
the case of an Applicant proposing to purchase loans from CDEs, the 
Applicant will require the CDE selling such loans to re-invest the 
proceeds of the loan sale to provide additional products and services 
to Low-Income Communities.
    b. Priority Points: In addition, as provided by IRC Sec.  
45D(f)(2), the CDFI Fund will ascribe additional points to entities 
that meet one or both of the statutory priorities. First, the CDFI Fund 
will give up to five (5) additional points to any Applicant that has a 
record of having successfully provided capital or technical assistance 
to disadvantaged businesses or communities. Second, the CDFI Fund will 
give five (5) additional points to any Applicant that intends to 
satisfy the requirement of IRC Sec.  45D(b)(1)(B) by making QLICIs in 
one or more businesses in which persons unrelated (within the meaning 
of IRC Sec.  267(b) or IRC Sec.  707(b)(1)) to an Applicant (and the 
Applicant's subsidiary CDEs, if the Subsidiary Allocatee makes the 
QLICI) hold the majority equity interest. Applicants may earn points 
for one or both statutory priorities. Thus, Applicants that meet the 
requirements of both priority categories can receive up to a total of 
ten (10) additional points. A record of having successfully provided 
capital or technical assistance to disadvantaged businesses or 
communities may be demonstrated either by the past actions of an 
Applicant itself or by its Controlling Entity (e.g., where a new CDE is 
established by a nonprofit corporation with a history of providing 
assistance to disadvantaged communities). An Applicant that receives 
additional points for intending to make investments in unrelated 
businesses and is awarded a NMTC allocation must meet the requirements 
of IRC Sec.  45D(b)(1)(B) by investing substantially all of the 
proceeds from its QEIs in unrelated businesses. The CDFI Fund will 
factor in an Applicant's priority points when ranking Applicants during 
Phase 2 of the review process, as described below.
    2. Community Outcomes (25-point maximum): In assessing the 
potential benefits to Low-Income Communities that may result from the 
Applicant's proposed investments, reviewers will consider, among other 
things, the degree to which the Applicant is likely to: (i) Achieve 
significant and measurable community development outcomes in its Low-
Income Communities; (ii) invest in particularly economically distressed 
markets: (iii) Engage with local communities regarding investments; 
(iv) the level of involvement of community representatives in the 
Governing Board and/or Advisory Board in approving investment criteria 
or decisions; and (v) demonstrate a track record of investing in 
businesses that spur additional private capital investment in Low-
Income Communities.
    An Applicant will generally score well under this section to the 
extent that, among other things: (a) It has a track record of producing 
quantitative and qualitative community outcomes that are similar to 
those projected to be achieved with an NMTC allocation; (b) it is 
working in particularly economically distressed or otherwise 
underserved communities; (c) its

[[Page 20974]]

activities are part of a broader community or economic development 
strategy; (d) it demonstrates a track record of community engagement 
around past investment decisions; (e) it ensures that an NMTC 
investment into a project or business is supported by and will be 
beneficial to Low-Income Persons and residents of Low-Income 
Communities (LICs); and (f) it is likely to engage in activities that 
will spur additional private capital investment.
    C. Phase 2 Evaluation.
    1. Final Rank Score.
    a. Anomaly Reviews: Using the numeric scores from Phase 1, 
Applicants are ranked on the basis of each Applicant's combined scores 
in the Business Strategy and Community Outcomes sections of the 
application plus one half of the priority points. If, in the case of a 
particular application, a reviewer's total base score or section 
score(s) (in one or more of the two application scored sections) varies 
significantly from the median of the three reviewers' total base scores 
or section scores for such application, the CDFI Fund may, in its sole 
discretion, obtain the evaluation and numeric scoring of an additional 
fourth reviewer to determine whether the anomalous score should be 
replaced with the score of the additional fourth reviewer.
    b. Late Reports: In the case of an Applicant or any Affiliates that 
has previously received an award or allocation from the CDFI Fund 
through any CDFI Fund program, the CDFI Fund will deduct points from 
the Applicant's ``Final Rank Score'' for the Applicant's (or its 
Affiliate's) failure to meet any of the reporting deadlines set forth 
in any assistance, award or Allocation Agreement(s), if the reporting 
deadlines occurred during the period from December 17, 2015 to the 
application deadline in this NOAA (June 21, 2017).
    c. Prior Year Allocatees: In the case of Applicants (or their 
Affiliates) that are prior year Allocatees, the CDFI Fund will review 
the activities of the prior year Allocatee to determine whether the 
entity has: (a) Effectively utilized its prior-year allocations in a 
manner generally consistent with the representations made in the 
relevant allocation application (including, but not limited to, the 
proposed product offerings, QALICB type, and markets served); and (b) 
substantiated a need for additional allocation authority. The CDFI Fund 
will use this information in determining whether to reject or reduce 
the allocation award amount of its NMTC allocation application. The 
CDFI Fund will award allocations in the order of the ``Final Rank 
Score,'' subject to Applicants meeting all other eligibility 
requirements; provided, however, that the CDFI Fund, in its sole 
discretion, reserves the right to reject an application and/or adjust 
award amounts as appropriate based on information obtained during the 
review process.
    2. Management Capacity: In assessing an Applicant's management 
capacity, CDFI Fund will consider, among other things, the 
qualifications of the Applicant's Principals, its board members, its 
management team, and other essential staff or contractors, with 
specific focus on: Experience in providing loans, equity investments or 
financial counseling and other services, including activities similar 
to those described in the Applicant's business strategy; asset 
management and risk management experience; experience with fulfilling 
compliance requirements of other governmental programs, including other 
tax programs; and the Applicant's (or its Controlling Entity's) 
financial health. CDFI Fund evaluators will also consider the extent to 
which an Applicant has protocols in place to ensure ongoing compliance 
with NMTC Program requirements and the Applicant's projected income and 
expenses related to managing an NMTC allocation.
    An Applicant will be generally evaluated more favorably under this 
section to the extent that its management team or other essential 
personnel have experience in: (a) Providing loans, equity investments 
or financial counseling and other services in Low-Income Communities, 
particularly those likely to be served by the Applicant with the 
proceeds of QEIs; (b) asset and risk management; and (c) fulfilling 
government compliance requirements, particularly tax credit program 
compliance. An Applicant will also be evaluated favorably to the extent 
it demonstrates strong financial health and a high likelihood of 
remaining a going-concern; it clearly explains levels of income and 
expenses; has policies and systems in place to ensure ongoing 
compliance with NMTC Program requirements; and, if it is a Federally-
insured financial institution, its most recent Community Reinvestment 
Act (CRA) rating was ``outstanding.''
    3. Capitalization Strategy: When assessing an Applicant's 
capitalization strategy, CDFI Fund will consider, among other things: 
The key personnel of the Applicant (or Controlling Entity) and their 
track record of raising capital, particularly from for-profit 
investors; the extent to which the Applicant has secured investments or 
commitments to invest in NMTC (if applicable), or indications of 
investor interest commensurate with its requested amount of tax credit 
allocations, or, if a prior Allocatee, the track record of the 
Applicant or its Affiliates in raising Qualified Equity Investments in 
the past five years; the Applicant's strategy for identifying 
additional investors, if necessary, including the Applicant's (or its 
Controlling Entity's) prior performance with raising equity from 
investors, particularly for-profit investors; the distribution of the 
economic benefits of the tax credit; and the extent to which the 
Applicant intends to invest the proceeds from the aggregate amount of 
its QEIs at a level that exceeds the requirements of IRC Sec.  
45D(b)(1)(B) and the IRS regulations.
    An Applicant will be evaluated more favorably under this section to 
the extent that: (a) It or its Controlling Entity demonstrate a track 
record of raising investment capital; (b) it has secured investor 
commitments, or has a reasonable strategy for obtaining such 
commitments, or, if it or its Affiliates is a prior Allocatee with a 
track record in the past five years of raising Qualified Equity 
Investments or; (c) it generally demonstrates that the economic 
benefits of the tax credit will be passed through to a QALICB; and (d) 
it intends to invest the proceeds from the aggregate amount of its QEIs 
at a level that exceeds the requirements of IRC Sec.  45D(b)(1)(B) and 
the IRS regulations. In the case of an Applicant proposing to raise 
investor funds from organizations that also will identify or originate 
transactions for the Applicant or from Affiliated entities, said 
Applicant will be evaluated more favorably to the extent that it will 
offer products with more favorable rates or terms than those currently 
offered by its investor(s) or Affiliated entities and/or will target 
its activities to areas of greater economic distress than those 
currently targeted by the investor or Affiliated entities.
    D. Allocations serving Non-Metropolitan counties: As provided for 
under Section 102(b) of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 
(Pub. L. 109-432), the CDFI Fund shall ensure that Non-Metropolitan 
counties receive a proportional allocation of QEIs under the NMTC 
Program. To this end, the CDFI Fund will ensure that the proportion of 
Allocatees that are Rural CDEs is, at a minimum, equal to the 
proportion of Applicants in the highly qualified pool that are Rural 
CDEs. The CDFI Fund will also endeavor to ensure that 20 percent of the 
QLICIs to be made using QEI proceeds are invested in Non-Metropolitan 
counties. A Rural CDE is one that has a track record of at least three 
years of direct financing

[[Page 20975]]

experience, has dedicated at least 50 percent of its direct financing 
dollars to Non-Metropolitan counties over the past five years, and has 
committed that at least 50 percent of its NMTC financing dollars with 
this Allocation will be deployed in such areas. Non-Metropolitan 
counties are counties not contained within a Metropolitan Statistical 
Area, as such term is defined in OMB Bulletin No. 10-02 (Update of 
Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses) and applied 
using 2010 census tracts.
    Applicants that meet the minimum scoring thresholds will be 
advanced to Phase 2 review and will be provided with ``preliminary'' 
awards, in descending order of Final Rank Score, until the available 
allocation authority is fulfilled. Once these ``preliminary'' award 
amounts are determined, the CDFI Fund will then analyze the Allocatee 
pool to determine whether the two Non-Metropolitan proportionality 
objectives have been met.
    The CDFI Fund will first examine the ``preliminary'' awards and 
Allocatees to determine whether the percentage of Allocatees that are 
Rural CDEs is, at a minimum, equal to the percentage of Applicants in 
the highly qualified pool that are Rural CDEs. If this objective is not 
achieved, the CDFI Fund will provide awards to additional Rural CDEs 
from the highly qualified pool, in descending order of their Final Rank 
Score, until the appropriate percentage balance is achieved. In order 
to accommodate the additional Rural CDEs in the Allocatee pool within 
the available allocation limitations, a formula reduction will be 
applied as uniformly as possible to the allocation amount for all 
Allocatees in the pool that have not committed to investing a minimum 
of 20 percent of their QLICIs in Non-Metropolitan counties.
    The CDFI Fund will then determine whether the pool of Allocatees 
will, in the aggregate, invest at least 20 percent of their QLICIs (as 
measured by dollar amount) in Non-Metropolitan counties. The CDFI Fund 
will first apply the ``minimum'' percentage of QLICIs that Allocatees 
indicated in their applications would be targeted to Non-Metropolitan 
areas to the total allocation award amount of each Allocatee (less 
whatever percentage the Allocatee indicated would be retained for non-
QLICI activities), and total these figures for all Allocatees. If this 
aggregate total is greater than or equal to 20 percent of the QLICIs to 
be made by the Allocatees, then the pool is considered balanced and the 
CDFI Fund will proceed with the allocation process. However, if the 
aggregate total is less than 20 percent of the QLICIs to be made by the 
Allocatees, the CDFI Fund will consider requiring any or all of the 
Allocatees to direct up to the ``maximum'' percentage of QLICIs that 
the Allocatees indicated would be targeted to Non-Metropolitan 
counties, taking into consideration their track record and ability to 
deploy dollars in Non-Metropolitan counties. If the CDFI Fund cannot 
meet the goal of 20 percent of QLICIs in Non-Metropolitan counties by 
requiring any or all Allocatees to commit up to the maximum percentage 
of QLICIs that they indicated would be targeted to Non-Metropolitan 
counties, the CDFI Fund may add additional Rural CDEs (in descending 
order of final rank score) to the Allocatee pool. In order to 
accommodate any additional Allocatees within the allocation 
limitations, a formula reduction will be applied as uniformly as 
possible, to the allocation amount for all Allocatees in the pool that 
have not committed to investing a minimum of 20 percent of their QLICIs 
in Non-Metropolitan counties.
    E. Questions: All outstanding reports or compliance questions 
should be directed to the Office of Certification, Compliance 
Monitoring, and Evaluation through the submission of a Service Request 
in AMIS or by telephone at (202) 653-0423. The CDFI Fund will respond 
to reporting or compliance questions between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 
5:00 p.m. ET, starting the date of the publication of this NOAA through 
June 19, 2017. The CDFI Fund will not respond to reporting or 
compliance phone calls or email inquiries that are received after 5:00 
p.m. ET on June 19, 2017 until after the funding application deadline 
of June 21, 2017.
    F. Right of rejection: The CDFI Fund reserves the right to reject 
any NMTC allocation application in the case of a prior CDFI Fund award 
recipient, if such Applicant has failed to comply with the terms, 
conditions, and other requirements of the prior or existing assistance 
or award agreement(s) with the CDFI Fund. The CDFI Fund reserves the 
right to reject any NMTC allocation application in the case of a prior 
CDFI Fund Allocatee, if such Applicant has failed to comply with the 
terms, conditions, and other requirements of its prior or existing 
Allocation Agreement(s) with the CDFI Fund. The CDFI Fund reserves the 
right to reject any NMTC allocation application in the case of any 
Applicant, if an Affiliate of the Applicant has failed to meet the 
terms, conditions and other requirements of any prior or existing 
assistance agreement, award agreement or Allocation Agreement with the 
CDFI Fund.
    The CDFI Fund reserves the right to reject or reduce the allocation 
award amount of any NMTC allocation application in the case of a prior 
Allocatee, if such Applicant has failed to use its prior NMTC 
allocation(s) in a manner that is generally consistent with the 
business strategy (including, but not limited to, the proposed product 
offerings, QALICB type, and markets served) set forth in the allocation 
application(s) related to such prior allocation(s) or such Applicant 
has been found by the IRS to have engaged in a transaction or series of 
transactions designed to achieve a result that is inconsistent with the 
purposes of IRC Sec.  45D. The CDFI Fund also reserves the right to 
reject or reduce the allocation award amount of any NMTC allocation 
application in the case of an Affiliate of the Applicant that is a 
prior Allocatee and has failed to use its prior NMTC allocation(s) in a 
manner that is generally consistent with the business strategy set 
forth in the allocation application(s) related to such prior 
allocation(s) or has been found by the IRS to have engaged in a 
transaction or series of transactions designed to achieve a result that 
is inconsistent with the purposes of IRC Sec.  45D.
    The CDFI Fund reserves the right to reject an NMTC allocation 
application if information (including administrative errors or omission 
of information) comes to the attention of the CDFI Fund that adversely 
affects an Applicant's eligibility for an award, adversely affects the 
CDFI Fund's evaluation or scoring of an application, adversely affects 
the CDFI Fund's prior determinations of CDE certification, or indicates 
fraud or mismanagement on the part of an Applicant or the Controlling 
Entity, if such fraud or mismanagement by the Controlling Entity would 
hinder the Applicant's ability to perform under the Allocation 
Agreement. If the CDFI Fund determines that any portion of the 
application is incorrect in any material respect, the CDFI Fund 
reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject the application.
    As a part of the substantive review process, the CDFI Fund may 
permit the Allocation Recommendation Panel member(s) to request 
information from Applicants for the sole purpose of obtaining, 
clarifying or confirming application information or omission of 
information. In no event shall such contact be construed to permit an 
Applicant to change any element of its application. At this point in 
the process, an Applicant may be required to submit additional 
information about its application in order to assist the CDFI Fund with 
its final evaluation process.

[[Page 20976]]

If the Applicant (or the Controlling Entity or any Affiliate) has 
previously been awarded an NMTC allocation, the CDFI Fund may also 
request information on the use of those NMTC allocations, to the extent 
that this information has not already been reported to the CDFI Fund. 
Such requests must be responded to within the time parameters set by 
the CDFI Fund. The selecting official(s) will make a final allocation 
determination based on an Applicant's file, including, without 
limitation, eligibility under IRC Sec.  45D, the reviewers' scores and 
the amount of allocation authority available.
    In the case of Applicants (or the Controlling Entity, or 
Affiliates) that are regulated or receive oversight by the Federal 
government or a State agency (or comparable entity), the CDFI Fund may 
request additional information from the Applicant regarding Assurances 
and Certifications or other information about the ability of the 
Applicant to effectively perform under the Allocation Agreement. The 
Allocation Recommendation Panel or selecting official(s) reserve(s) the 
right to consult with and take into consideration the views of the 
appropriate Federal banking and other regulatory agencies. The CDFI 
Fund reserves the right to reject any NMTC Allocation Application if 
additional information is obtained that, after further due diligence 
and in the discretion of the CDFI Fund, would hinder the Applicant's 
ability to effectively perform under the Allocation Agreement. In the 
case of Applicants (or Affiliates of Applicants) that are also Small 
Business Investment Companies, Specialized Small Business Investment 
Companies or New Markets Venture Capital Companies, the CDFI Fund 
reserves the right to consult with and take into consideration the 
views of the Small Business Administration. An Applicant will not be 
awarded an allocation if it has a composite rating of ``5'' on its most 
recent examination, performed in accordance with the Uniform Financial 
Institutions Rating System.
    Furthermore, the CDFI Fund will not award an NMTC allocation for 
the following reasons, if at the time of application or any time during 
the application review process through the closing of the Allocation 
Agreement, the Applicant received any of the following: 1. CRA 
assessment rating of below ``Satisfactory'' on its most recent 
examination; 2. A going concern opinion on its most recent audit; or 3. 
A Prompt Corrective Action directive from its regulator.
    The CDFI Fund reserves the right to conduct additional due 
diligence, as determined reasonable and appropriate by the CDFI Fund, 
in its sole discretion, related to the Applicant, Affiliates, the 
Applicant's Controlling Entity and the officers, directors, owners, 
partners and key employees of each. This includes the right to consult 
with the IRS if the Applicant (or the Controlling Entity, or 
Affiliates) has previously been awarded an NMTC allocation.
    Each Applicant will be informed of the CDFI Fund's award decision 
through an electronic notification whether selected for an allocation 
or not selected for an allocation, which may be for reasons of 
application incompleteness, ineligibility or substantive issues. All 
Applicants that are not selected for an allocation based on substantive 
issues will likely be given the opportunity to receive feedback on 
their applications. This feedback will be provided in a format and 
within a timeframe to be determined by the CDFI Fund, based on 
available resources.
    The CDFI Fund further reserves the right to change its eligibility 
and evaluation criteria and procedures, if the CDFI Fund deems it 
appropriate. If said changes materially affect the CDFI Fund's award 
decisions, the CDFI Fund will provide information regarding the changes 
through the CDFI Fund's Web site.
    There is no right to appeal the CDFI Fund's NMTC allocation 
decisions. The CDFI Fund's NMTC allocation decisions are final.

VI. Award Administration Information

    A. Allocation Award Compliance
    1. Failure to meet reporting requirements: If an Allocatee, or an 
Affiliate of an Allocatee, is a prior CDFI Fund award recipient or 
Allocatee under any CDFI Fund program and is not current on the 
reporting requirements set forth in the previously executed assistance, 
allocation, or award agreement(s), as of the date of the NOAA or 
thereafter, the CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, 
to reject the application, delay entering into an Allocation Agreement, 
and/or impose limitations on an Allocatee's ability to issue QEIs to 
investors until said prior award recipient or Allocatee is current on 
the reporting requirements in the previously executed assistance, 
allocation, or award agreement(s). Please note that the automated 
systems the CDFI Fund uses for receipt of reports submitted 
electronically typically acknowledges only a report's receipt; such an 
acknowledgment does not warrant that the report received was complete 
and therefore met reporting requirements. If said prior award recipient 
or Allocatee is unable to meet this requirement within the timeframe 
set by the CDFI Fund, the CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole 
discretion, to terminate and rescind the allocation made under this 
NOAA.
    2. Pending determination of noncompliance or default: If an 
Allocatee is a prior award recipient or Allocatee under any CDFI Fund 
program and if: (i) It has submitted reports to the CDFI Fund that 
demonstrate potential noncompliance with or a default under a previous 
assistance, award, or Allocation Agreement; and (ii) the CDFI Fund has 
yet to make a final determination as to whether the entity is in 
noncompliance with or default under its previous assistance, award, or 
Allocation Agreement, the CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole 
discretion, to delay entering into an Allocation Agreement and/or to 
impose limitations on the Allocatee's ability to issue Qualified Equity 
Investments to investors, pending final determination of whether the 
entity is in noncompliance or default, and determination of remedies, 
if applicable, in the sole determination of the CDFI Fund. Further, if 
an Affiliate of an Allocatee is a prior CDFI Fund award recipient or 
Allocatee and if such entity: (i) Has submitted reports to the CDFI 
Fund that demonstrate potential noncompliance/default under a previous 
assistance, award, or Allocation Agreement; and (ii) the CDFI Fund has 
yet to make a final determination as to whether the entity is in 
noncompliance/default under its previous assistance, award, or 
Allocation Agreement, the CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole 
discretion, to delay entering into an Allocation Agreement and/or to 
impose limitations on the Allocatee's ability to issue QEIs to 
investors, pending final determination of whether the entity is in 
noncompliance or default, and determination of remedies, if applicable, 
in the sole determination of the CDFI Fund. If the prior award 
recipient or Allocatee in question is unable to satisfactorily resolve 
the issues of noncompliance, in the sole determination of the CDFI 
Fund, the CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to 
terminate and rescind the award notification made under this NOAA.
    3. Default status: If prior to entering into an Allocation 
Agreement through this NOAA: (i) The CDFI Fund has made a determination 
that an Allocatee that is a prior CDFI Fund award recipient or 
Allocatee under any CDFI Fund program is in default of a previously 
executed assistance, allocation, or assistance agreement(s); (ii) the 
CDFI

[[Page 20977]]

Fund has provided written notification of such determination to such 
organization; and (iii) the anticipated date for entering into an 
Allocation Agreement is within a period of time specified in such 
notification throughout which any new award, allocation, or assistance 
is prohibited, the CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole 
discretion, to delay entering into an Allocation Agreement and/or to 
impose limitations on the Allocatee's ability to issue QEIs to 
investors, or to terminate and rescind the Notice of Allocation and the 
allocation made under this NOAA. Furthermore, if prior to entering into 
an Allocation Agreement through this NOAA: (i) The CDFI Fund has made a 
determination that an Affiliate of the Allocatee that is a prior CDFI 
Fund award recipient or Allocatee under any CDFI Fund program is in 
default of a previously executed assistance, allocation, or award 
agreement(s); (ii) the CDFI Fund has provided written notification of 
such determination to such organization; and (iii) the anticipated date 
for entering into an Allocation Agreement is within a period of time 
specified in such notification throughout which any new award, 
allocation, or assistance is prohibited, the CDFI Fund reserves the 
right, in its sole discretion, to delay entering into an Allocation 
Agreement and/or to impose limitations on the Allocatee's ability to 
issue QEIs to investors, or to terminate and rescind the Notice of 
Allocation and the allocation made under this NOAA.
    B. Allocation Agreement: Each Applicant that is selected to receive 
a NMTC allocation (including the Applicant's Subsidiary Allocatees) 
must enter into an Allocation Agreement with the CDFI Fund. The 
Allocation Agreement will set forth certain required terms and 
conditions of the NMTC allocation which may include, but are not 
limited to, the following: (i) The amount of the awarded NMTC 
allocation; (ii) the approved uses of the awarded NMTC allocation 
(e.g., loans to or equity investments in Qualified Active Low-Income 
Businesses, loans to or equity investments in other CDEs); (iii) the 
approved service area(s) in which the proceeds of QEIs may be used, 
including the dollar amount of QLICIs that must be invested in Non-
Metropolitan counties; (iv) commitments to specific ``innovative 
activities'' discussed by the Applicant in its Allocation Application; 
(v) the time period by which the Applicant may obtain QEIs from 
investors; (vi) reporting requirements for all Applicants receiving 
NMTC allocations; and (vii) a requirement to maintain certification as 
a CDE throughout the term of the Allocation Agreement. If an Applicant 
has represented in its NMTC allocation application that it intends to 
invest substantially all of the proceeds from its investors in 
businesses in which persons unrelated to the Applicant hold a majority 
equity interest, the Allocation Agreement will contain a covenant 
whereby said Applicant agrees that it will invest substantially all of 
said proceeds in businesses in which persons unrelated to the Applicant 
hold a majority equity interest.
    In addition to entering into an Allocation Agreement, each 
Applicant selected to receive a NMTC allocation must furnish to the 
CDFI Fund an opinion from its legal counsel or a similar certification, 
the content of which will be further specified in the Allocation 
Agreement, to include, among other matters, an opinion that an 
Applicant (and its Subsidiary Allocatees, if any): (i) Is duly formed 
and in good standing in the jurisdiction in which it was formed and the 
jurisdiction(s) in which it operates; (ii) has the authority to enter 
into the Allocation Agreement and undertake the activities that are 
specified therein; (iii) has no pending or threatened litigation that 
would materially affect its ability to enter into and carry out the 
activities specified in the Allocation Agreement; and (iv) is not in 
default of its articles of incorporation, bylaws or other 
organizational documents, or any agreements with the Federal 
government.
    If an Allocatee identifies Subsidiary Allocatees, the CDFI Fund 
reserves the right to require an Allocatee to provide supporting 
documentation evidencing that it Controls such entities prior to 
entering into an Allocation Agreement with the Allocatee and its 
Subsidiary Allocatees. The CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole 
discretion, to rescind its allocation award if the Allocatee fails to 
return the Allocation Agreement, signed by the authorized 
representative of the Allocatee, and/or provide the CDFI Fund with any 
other requested documentation, including an approved legal opinion, 
within the deadlines set by the CDFI Fund.
    C. Fees: The CDFI Fund reserves the right, in accordance with 
applicable Federal law and, if authorized, to charge allocation 
reservation and/or compliance monitoring fees to all entities receiving 
NMTC allocations. Prior to imposing any such fee, the CDFI Fund will 
publish additional information concerning the nature and amount of the 
fee.
    D. Reporting: The CDFI Fund will collect information, on at least 
an annual basis from all Applicants that are awarded NMTC allocations 
and/or are recipients of QLICIs, including such audited financial 
statements and opinions of counsel as the CDFI Fund deems necessary or 
desirable, in its sole discretion. The CDFI Fund will require the 
Applicant to retain information as the CDFI Fund deems necessary or 
desirable and shall provide such information to the CDFI Fund when 
requested to monitor each Allocatee's compliance with the provisions of 
its Allocation Agreement and to assess the impact of the NMTC Program 
in Low-Income Communities. The CDFI Fund may also provide such 
information to the IRS in a manner consistent with IRC Sec.  6103 so 
that the IRS may determine, among other things, whether the Allocatee 
has used substantially all of the proceeds of each QEI raised through 
its NMTC allocation to make QLICIs. The Allocation Agreement shall 
further describe the Allocatee's reporting requirements.
    The CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify 
these reporting requirements if it determines it to be appropriate and 
necessary; however, such reporting requirements will be modified only 
after due notice to Allocatees.

VII. Agency Contacts

    The CDFI Fund will provide programmatic and information technology 
support related to the allocation application between the hours of 9:00 
a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET through June 19, 2017. The CDFI Fund will not 
respond to phone calls or emails concerning the application that are 
received after 5:00 p.m. ET on June 19, 2017 until after the allocation 
application deadline of June 21, 2017. Applications and other 
information regarding the CDFI Fund and its programs may be obtained 
from the CDFI Fund's Web site at https://www.cdfifund.gov. The CDFI 
Fund will post on its Web site responses to questions of general 
applicability regarding the NMTC Program.
    A. Information technology support: Technical support can be 
obtained by calling (202) 653-0422 or by submitting a Service Request 
in AMIS. People who have visual or mobility impairments that prevent 
them from accessing the Low-Income Community maps using the CDFI Fund's 
Web site should call (202) 653-0422 for assistance. These are not toll 
free numbers.
    B. Programmatic support: If you have any questions about the 
programmatic requirements of this NOAA, contact the

[[Page 20978]]

CDFI Fund's NMTC Program Manager by submitting a Service Request in 
AMIS; or by telephone at (202) 653-0421. These are not toll-free 
numbers.
    C. Administrative support: If you have any questions regarding the 
administrative requirements of this NOAA, contact the CDFI Fund's NMTC 
Program Manager by submitting a Service Request in AMIS, or by 
telephone at (202) 653-0421. These are not toll free numbers.
    D. IRS support: For questions regarding the tax aspects of the NMTC 
Program, contact Jian Grant and James Holmes, Office of the Associate 
Chief Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries), IRS, by telephone 
at (202) 317-4137, or by facsimile at (202) 317-6731. These are not 
toll free numbers. Applicants wishing formal ruling request should see 
IRS Internal Revenue Bulletin 2015-1, issued January 2, 2015.

VIII. Information Sessions

    In connection with this NOAA, the CDFI Fund may conduct one or more 
information sessions that will be produced in Washington, DC and 
broadcast over the internet via webcasting as well as telephone 
conference calls. For further information on these upcoming information 
sessions, please visit the CDFI Fund's Web site at https://www.cdfifund.gov.

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 45D; 31 U.S.C. 321; 26 CFR 1.45D-1.

Mary Ann Donovan,
Director, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.
[FR Doc. 2017-08976 Filed 5-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4810-70-P



                                               20968                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices

                                               Kyle L. Roy (OH)                                        the intent of moving for a Committee                  DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                                               Nicola D. Santopietro (CT)                              vote to approve the same. This agenda
                                               Gary R. Silver (FL)                                     is subject to change, including the                   Community Development Financial
                                               Ryan D. Simmons (WA)                                    possible addition of further proposed                 Institutions Fund
                                               Jerry G. Smith (NC)                                     tasks.
                                               William J. Taylor (IN)                                                                                        Funding Opportunity Title: Notice of
                                               Roy E. Tompkins (NY)                                    DATES:The RSAC meeting is scheduled                   Allocation Availability (NOAA) Inviting
                                               Vasilios Tsimis (NY)                                    to commence at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday,                 Applications for the Calendar Year
                                               Craig J. Voudren (VA)                                   May 25, 2017, and will adjourn by 4:30                (CY) 2017 Allocation Round of the New
                                               Donald L. Yamauchi (MN)                                 p.m.                                                  Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program
                                                  In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e)                ADDRESSES:    The RSAC meeting will be                   Announcement Type: Announcement
                                               and 31315 each exemption is valid for                                                                         of allocation availability.
                                                                                                       held at the National Association of
                                               two years unless revoked earlier by                                                                              Dates: Electronic applications must be
                                                                                                       Home Builders, National Housing
                                               FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked                                                                          received by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 21,
                                                                                                       Center, located at 1201 15th Street NW.,
                                               if the following occurs: (1) The person                                                                       2017. Applications sent by mail,
                                               fails to comply with the terms and                      Washington, DC 20005. The meeting is
                                                                                                                                                             facsimile, or other form will not be
                                               conditions of the exemption; (2) the                    open to the public on a first-come, first-
                                                                                                                                                             accepted. Please note the Community
                                               exemption has resulted in a lower level                 served basis, and is accessible to
                                                                                                                                                             Development Financial Institutions
                                               of safety than was maintained before it                 individuals with disabilities. Sign and               Fund (CDFI Fund) will only accept
                                               was granted; or (3) continuation of the                 oral interpretation can be made                       applications and attachments (e.g., the
                                               exemption would not be consistent with                  available if requested 10 calendar days               Controlling Entity’s representative
                                               the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C.                   before the meeting.                                   signature page, Assurances and
                                               31136(e) and 31315. If the exemption is                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      Certifications supporting documents,
                                               still effective at the end of the 2-year                Kenton Kilgore, RSAC Administrative                   investor letters, organizational charts) in
                                               period, the person may apply to FMCSA                   Officer/Coordinator, FRA, 1200 New                    electronic form (see Section IV.C of this
                                               for a renewal under procedures in effect                                                                      NOAA for more details). Applications
                                                                                                       Jersey Avenue SE., Mailstop 25,
                                               at that time.                                                                                                 must meet all eligibility and other
                                                                                                       Washington, DC 20590, (202) 493–6286;
                                                 Issued on: April 27, 2017.                            or Robert Lauby, Associate                            requirements and deadlines, as
                                               Larry W. Minor,                                                                                               applicable, set forth in this NOAA. Any
                                                                                                       Administrator for Railroad Safety and
                                               Associate Administrator for Policy.                                                                           Applicant that is not yet certified as a
                                                                                                       Chief Safety Officer, FRA, 1200 New
                                                                                                                                                             Community Development Entity (CDE)
                                               [FR Doc. 2017–09004 Filed 5–3–17; 8:45 am]              Jersey Avenue SE., Mailstop 25,
                                                                                                                                                             must submit an application for CDE
                                               BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P                                  Washington, DC 20590, (202) 493–6474.                 certification through the CDFI Fund’s
                                                                                                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      Pursuant              Awards Management Information
                                               DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal                    System (AMIS) on or before 5:00 p.m.
                                                                                                       Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–                   ET on May 17, 2017 (see Section III.A.1
                                               Federal Railroad Administration                         463), FRA is giving notice of a meeting               of this NOAA for more details on CDE
                                                                                                       of the RSAC. The RSAC was established                 certification).
                                               [Docket No. FRA–2000–7257, Notice No. 85]                                                                        Executive Summary: This NOAA is
                                                                                                       to provide advice and recommendations
                                                                                                       to FRA on railroad safety matters. The                issued in connection with the CY 2017
                                               Railroad Safety Advisory Committee;
                                                                                                       RSAC is composed of 59 voting                         allocation round (Allocation Round) of
                                               Notice of Meeting
                                                                                                       representatives from 38 member                        the New Markets Tax Credit Program
                                               AGENCY: Federal Railroad                                                                                      (NMTC Program), as authorized by Title
                                                                                                       organizations, representing various rail
                                               Administration, Department of                                                                                 I, subtitle C, section 121 of the
                                                                                                       industry perspectives. In addition, there
                                               Transportation.                                                                                               Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of
                                                                                                       are non-voting advisory representatives               2000 (Pub. L. 106–554) and amended by
                                               ACTION: Notice of Railroad Safety                       from the agencies with railroad safety
                                               Advisory Committee (RSAC) meeting.                                                                            section 221 of the American Jobs
                                                                                                       regulatory responsibility in Canada and               Creation Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108–357),
                                               SUMMARY:   FRA announces the fifty-                     Mexico, the National Transportation                   section 101 of the Gulf Opportunity
                                               seventh meeting of the RSAC, a Federal                  Safety Board, and the Federal Transit                 Zone Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 108–357),
                                               Advisory Committee (Committee) that                     Administration. The diversity of the                  Division A, section 102 of the Tax Relief
                                               develops recommendations on railroad                    RSAC ensures the requisite range of                   and Health Care Act of 2006 (Pub. L.
                                               safety regulations and other railroad                   views and expertise necessary to                      109–432), section 733 of the Tax Relief,
                                               safety issues through a consensus                       discharge its responsibilities. See the               Unemployment Insurance
                                               process. This meeting has been                          RSAC Web site for details on prior                    Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of
                                               rescheduled from January 26, 2017, the                  RSAC activities and pending tasks at                  2010 (Pub. L. 111–312), section 305 of
                                               previously announced date. The RSAC                     http://rsac.fra.dot.gov/. Please refer to             the American Taxpayer Relief Act of
                                               meeting topics will include opening                     the notice published in the Federal                   2012 (Pub. L. 112–240), and section 115
                                               remarks from the FRA Associate                          Register on March 11, 1996 (61 FR                     of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of
                                               Administrator for Railroad Safety and                   9740), for additional information about               2014 (Pub. L. 113–295), section 141 of
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES




                                               Chief Safety Officer, as well as a status               the RSAC.                                             the Protecting Americans from Tax
                                               report from the Engineering Task Force.                                                                       Hikes Act (PATH) of 2015. Through the
                                               In addition, FRA will present to the                    Robert C. Lauby,                                      NMTC Program, the CDFI Fund
                                               Committee the consensus                                 Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety,          provides authority to CDEs to offer an
                                               recommendations from the Hazardous                      Chief Safety Officer.                                 incentive to investors in the form of tax
                                               Materials Working Group’s retrospective                 [FR Doc. 2017–08958 Filed 5–3–17; 8:45 am]            credits over seven years, which is
                                               review of certain portions of the                       BILLING CODE 4910–06–P                                expected to stimulate the provision of
                                               Hazardous Materials Regulations, with                                                                         private investment capital that, in turn,


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices                                              20969

                                               will facilitate economic and community                  issue to their investors the aggregate                   Applications for CDE certification
                                               development in Low-Income                               amount of $3.5 billion in equity as to                must be submitted in AMIS. Paper
                                               Communities. Through this NOAA, the                     which NMTCs may be claimed, as                        versions of the CDE certification
                                               CDFI Fund announces the availability of                 permitted under IRC § 45D(f)(1)(D).                   application will not be accepted.
                                               $3.5 billion of NMTC allocation                         Pursuant to this NOAA, the CDFI Fund                     The CDFI Fund will not provide
                                               authority in this Allocation Round.                     anticipates that it will not issue more               NMTC allocation authority to
                                                 In this NOAA, the CDFI Fund                           than $100 million in tax credit                       Applicants that are not certified as CDEs
                                               specifically addresses how a CDE may                    investment authority per Allocatee. The               or to entities that are certified as
                                               apply to receive an allocation of                       CDFI Fund, in its sole discretion,                    Subsidiary CDEs.
                                               NMTCs, the competitive procedure                        reserves the right to allocate amounts in                If an Applicant that has already been
                                               through which NMTC allocations will                     excess of or less than the anticipated                certified as a CDE wishes to change its
                                               be made, and the actions that will be                   maximum allocation amount should the                  designated CDE Service Area, it must
                                               taken to ensure that proper allocations                 CDFI Fund deem it appropriate. In order               submit its request for such change to the
                                               are made to appropriate entities.                       to receive an allocation in excess of the             CDFI Fund, and the request must be
                                                                                                       $100 million cap, an Applicant, at a                  received by the CDFI Fund by 5:00 p.m.
                                               I. Allocation Availability Description                                                                        ET on May 17, 2017. A request to
                                                                                                       minimum, must demonstrate that: (i) No
                                                  A. Programmatic changes from the                     part of its strategy can be successfully              change a CDE’s Service Area must be
                                               Combined CY 2015–2016 allocation                        implemented without an allocation in                  submitted through the CDFI Fund’s
                                               round:                                                  excess of the applicable cap; and/or (ii)             Awards Management Information
                                                  1. Prior QEI Issuance Requirements:                                                                        System (AMIS) as a Service Request.
                                                                                                       its strategy will produce extraordinary
                                               In order to be eligible to apply for a                                                                        Such requests will need to include, at a
                                                                                                       community outcomes. The CDFI Fund
                                               NMTC allocation in this Allocation                                                                            minimum, the applicable CDE control
                                                                                                       reserves the right to allocate NMTC
                                               Round, as described in Section                                                                                number, the revised service area
                                                                                                       authority to any, all, or none of the
                                               III.A.3(a), any Applicant that received a                                                                     designation, and updated accountability
                                                                                                       entities that submit applications in
                                               NMTC allocation award in a previous                                                                           information that demonstrates that the
                                                                                                       response to this NOAA, and in any
                                               Allocation round is required to meet the                                                                      CDE has the required representation
                                                                                                       amounts it deems appropriate.
                                               corresponding minimum Qualified                                                                               from Low-Income Communities in the
                                               Equity Investment (QEI) issuance                           B. Type of award: NMTC Program
                                                                                                                                                             revised Service Area.
                                               threshold with respect to its prior-year                awards are made in the form of                           2. As a condition of eligibility for this
                                               allocation. These thresholds and                        allocations of tax credit investment                  Allocation Round, the Applicant will
                                               deadlines have been revised in                          authority.                                            not be permitted the use of the proceeds
                                               comparison to the CY 2015–16 NOAA.                         C. Allocation Agreement: Each                      of Qualified Equity Investments (QEIs)
                                                  B. Program guidance and regulations:                 Allocatee must sign an Allocation                     to make Qualified Low-Income
                                               This NOAA describes application and                     Agreement, which must be                              Community Investments (QLICIs) in
                                               allocation requirements for this                        countersigned by the CDFI Fund, before                Qualified Active Low-Income
                                               Allocation Round of the NMTC Program                    the NMTC allocation is effective. The                 Community Businesses (QALICBs)
                                               and should be read in conjunction with:                 Allocation Agreement contains the                     where QLICI proceeds are used, in
                                               (i) Guidance published by the CDFI                      terms and conditions of the NMTC                      whole or in part, to repay or refinance
                                               Fund on how an entity may apply to                      allocation. For further information, see              a debt or equity provider whose capital
                                               become certified as a CDE (66 FR 65806,                 Section VI of this NOAA.                              was used to fund the QEI, or are used
                                               December 20, 2001); (ii) the final                      III. Eligibility                                      to repay or refinance any Affiliate of
                                               regulations issued by the Internal                                                                            such a debt or equity provider, except
                                               Revenue Service (the IRS) (26 CFR                          A. Eligible Applicants: IRC § 45D                  where: (i) The QLICI proceeds are used
                                               1.45D–1, published on December 28,                      specifies certain eligibility requirements            to repay or refinance documented
                                               2004), as amended and related                           that each Applicant must meet to be                   reasonable expenditures that are
                                               guidance, notices and other                             eligible to apply for an allocation of                directly attributable to the qualified
                                               publications; and (iii) the application                 NMTCs. The following sets forth                       business of the QALICB, and such past
                                               and related materials for this Allocation               additional detail and certain additional              expenditures were incurred no more
                                               Round. All such materials may be found                  dates that relate to the submission of                than 24 months prior to the QLICI
                                               on the CDFI Fund’s Web site at https://                 applications under this NOAA for the                  closing date; or (ii) no more than five
                                               www.cdfifund.gov. The CDFI Fund                         available NMTC allocation authority.                  percent of the total QLICI proceeds from
                                               requires Applicants to review these                        1. CDE certification: For purposes of              the QEI are used to repay or refinance
                                               documents. Capitalized terms used, but                  this NOAA, the CDFI Fund will not                     documented reasonable expenditures
                                               not defined, in this NOAA have the                      consider an application for an allocation             that are directly attributable to the
                                               respective meanings assigned to them in                 of NMTCs unless: (a) The Applicant is                 qualified business of the QALICB.
                                               the NMTC Program Allocation                             certified as a CDE at the time the CDFI               Refinance includes transferring cash or
                                               application, IRC § 45D or the IRS                       Fund receives its NMTC Program                        property, directly or indirectly, to the
                                               regulations. In the event of any                        allocation application; or (b) the                    debt or equity provider or an Affiliate of
                                               inconsistency between this NOAA, the                    Applicant submits an application for                  the debt or equity provider.
                                               allocation application, and guidance                    certification as a CDE through the CDFI                  3. Prior award recipients or
                                               issued by the CDFI Fund thereto, IRC                    Fund’s Awards Management                              Allocatees: Applicants must be aware
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES




                                               § 45D or the IRS regulations, the                       Information System (AMIS) on or before                that success in a prior application or
                                               provisions of IRC § 45D and the IRS                     5:00 p.m. ET on May 17, 2017.                         allocation round of any of the CDFI
                                               regulations shall govern.                               Applicants for CDE certification may                  Fund’s programs is not indicative of
                                                                                                       obtain information regarding CDE                      success under this NOAA. For purposes
                                               II. Allocation Information                              certification and the CDE certification               of this section, the CDFI Fund will
                                                  A. Allocation amounts: Pursuant to                   application process in AMIS on the                    consider an Affiliate to be any entity
                                               the Act, the CDFI Fund expects that it                  CDFI Fund’s Web site at https://                      that meets the definition of Affiliate as
                                               may allocate to CDEs the authority to                   www.cdfifund.gov.                                     defined in the NMTC allocation


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                                               20970                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices

                                               application materials, or any entity                    not required to meet the above QEI                    Income Community Investments
                                               otherwise identified as an Affiliate by                 issuance thresholds with regard to its                (QLICIs).
                                               the Applicant in its NMTC allocation                    CY 2015–16 NMTC allocation award.                        Any prior Allocatees that requires any
                                               application materials. Prior award                         Alternatively, an Applicant that has               action by the CDFI Fund (e.g., certifying
                                               recipients of any CDFI Fund program                     received multiple NMTC allocations                    a subsidiary entity as a CDE, adding a
                                               are eligible to apply under this NOAA,                  between CY 2011 and CY 2015–16                        subsidiary CDE to an Allocation
                                               except as follows:                                      Rounds can also meet the QEI issuance                 Agreement) in order to meet the QEI
                                                  a. Prior Allocatees and Qualified                    requirements on a cumulative basis. If                issuance requirements above must
                                               Equity Investment (QEI) issuance                        an Applicant has received multiple                    submit a Certification Application for
                                               requirements: The following describes                   NMTC allocation awards between CY                     subsidiary CDEs by no later than May
                                               the QEI issuance requirements                           2011 and CY 2015–16, the Applicant                    17, 2017 and Allocation Agreement
                                               applicable to prior Allocatees.                         shall be deemed to be eligible to apply               Amendment requests by no later than
                                                  An Allocatee in the CY 2011                          for a NMTC allocation pursuant to this                July 9, 2017 in order to guarantee that
                                               allocation round of the NMTC Program                    NOAA if the Applicant is able to                      the CDFI Fund completes all necessary
                                               is not eligible to receive a NMTC                       affirmatively demonstrate that, as of                 approvals prior to August 18, 2017.
                                               allocation pursuant to this NOAA                        11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has              Applicants for CDE certification,
                                               unless the Allocatee is able to                         finalized at least 90 percent of its QEIs             including for Subsidiary CDE
                                               affirmatively demonstrate that, as of                   relating to its cumulative allocation                 certification, may obtain information
                                               11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has                amounts from these prior NMTC                         regarding CDE certification and the CDE
                                               finalized 100 percent of its QEIs relating              Program rounds. Rural CDEs that                       certification application process in
                                               to its CY 2011 NMTC allocation.                         received allocations under the CY 2014                AMIS on the CDFI Fund’s Web site at
                                                  An Allocatee in the CY 2012                          allocation round may choose to exclude                https://www.cdfifund.gov. Applications
                                               allocation round of the NMTC Program                    such allocations from this cumulative                 for CDE certification must be submitted
                                               is not eligible to receive a NMTC                       calculation, provided that the Allocatee              in AMIS. Paper versions of the CDE
                                               allocation pursuant to this NOAA                        has finalized at least 20 percent of its              certification application will not be
                                               unless the Allocatee is able to                         QEIs relating to its CY 2014 allocation.              accepted.
                                               affirmatively demonstrate that, as of                   Rural CDEs that received allocations                     b. Pending determination of
                                               11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has                under the CY 2015–16 allocation round                 noncompliance or default: If an
                                               finalized at least 80 percent of its QEIs               may choose to exclude such allocation                 Applicant is a prior award recipient or
                                               relating to its CY 2012 NMTC allocation.                from this cumulative calculation.                     Allocatee under any CDFI Fund
                                                  An Allocatee in the CY 2013                             In addition to the requirements                    program and if: (i) It has submitted
                                               allocation round of the NMTC Program                    described above, an entity is not eligible            reports to the CDFI Fund that
                                               is not eligible to receive a NMTC                       to receive a NMTC allocation pursuant                 demonstrate potential noncompliance
                                               allocation pursuant to this NOAA                        to this NOAA if an Affiliate of the                   with or default under a previous
                                               unless the Allocatee is able to                         Applicant is a prior Allocatee and has                assistance, award or Allocation
                                               affirmatively demonstrate that, as of                   not met the requirements for the                      Agreement; and (ii) the CDFI Fund has
                                               11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has                issuance and/or commitment of QEIs as                 yet to make a final determination as to
                                               finalized at least 70 percent of its QEIs               set forth above for the Allocatees in the             whether the entity is in noncompliance
                                               relating to its CY 2013 NMTC allocation.                prior allocation rounds of the NMTC                   or default of its previous assistance,
                                                  An Allocatee (with the exception of a                Program.                                              award or Allocation Agreement, the
                                               Rural CDE Allocatee) in the CY 2014                        For purposes of this section of the                CDFI Fund will consider the
                                               allocation round of the NMTC Program                    NOAA, the CDFI Fund will only                         Applicant’s application under this
                                               is not eligible to receive a NMTC                       recognize as ‘‘finalized’’ those QEIs that            NOAA pending final determination of
                                               allocation pursuant to this NOAA                        have been properly reported in the CDFI               whether the entity is in noncompliance
                                               unless the Allocatee is able to                         Fund’s Allocation Tracking System                     or default, in the sole determination of
                                               affirmatively demonstrate that, as of                   (ATS) by the deadlines specified above.               the CDFI Fund. Further, if an Affiliate
                                               11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has                Allocatees and their Subsidiary                       of the Applicant is a prior CDFI Fund
                                               finalized at least 50 percent of its QEIs               Allocatees, if any, are advised to access             award recipient or Allocatee and if such
                                               relating to its CY 2014 NMTC allocation.                ATS to record each QEI that they issue                entity: (i) Has submitted reports to the
                                               A prior Rural CDE Allocatee awarded in                  to an investor in exchange for funds in-              CDFI Fund that demonstrate potential
                                               the CY 2014 allocation round is not                     hand.                                                 noncompliance with or default under a
                                               eligible to receive a NMTC allocation                      Applicants will be required, upon                  previous assistance, award or Allocation
                                               pursuant to this NOAA unless the                        notification from the CDFI Fund, to                   Agreement; and (ii) the CDFI Fund has
                                               Allocatee can demonstrate that, as of                   submit adequate documentation to                      yet to make a final determination as to
                                               11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has                substantiate the required issuances of                whether the entity is in noncompliance
                                               finalized at least 30 percent of its CY                 QEIs.                                                 or default of its previous assistance,
                                               2014 NMTC Allocation.                                      Applicants should be aware that these              award or Allocation Agreement, the
                                                  An Allocatee (with the exception of a                QEI issuance requirements represent the               CDFI Fund will consider the
                                               Rural CDE Allocatee) in the CY 2015–                    minimum threshold requirements that                   Applicant’s application under this
                                               16 allocation round of the NMTC                         must be met in order to submit an                     NOAA pending final determination of
                                               Program is not eligible to receive a                    application for assistance under this                 whether the entity is in noncompliance
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                                               NMTC allocation pursuant to this                        NOAA. As stated in Section V.C.1 of                   or default, in the sole determination of
                                               NOAA unless the Allocatee is able to                    this NOAA, the CDFI Fund reserves the                 the CDFI Fund.
                                               affirmatively demonstrate that, as of                   right to reject an application and/or                    Moreover, if an Applicant is a prior
                                               11:59 p.m. ET on August 18, 2017, it has                adjust award amounts as appropriate                   Allocatee, and is otherwise eligible as of
                                               finalized at least 30 percent of its QEIs               based on information obtained during                  the application deadline, the Applicant
                                               relating to its CY 2015–16 NMTC                         the review process—including an                       must continue to be compliant with its
                                               allocation. A Rural CDE Allocatee                       Applicant’s track record of raising QEIs              Allocation Agreement(s) after the
                                               awarded in the CY 2015–16 Round is                      and/or deploying its Qualified Low                    application deadline, in order for the


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices                                             20971

                                               CDFI Fund to continue evaluating its                    Applicants’ reporting, compliance, CDE                as such Subsidiary must be certified as
                                               application. If an Applicant fails to do                certification, or disbursement phone                  a CDE prior to entering into an
                                               such, the CDFI Fund will no longer                      calls or email inquiries that are received            Allocation Agreement with the CDFI
                                               deem the Applicant eligible.                            after 5:00 p.m. ET on June 19, 2017 until             Fund. A non-profit Applicant that does
                                                  c. Default status: The CDFI Fund will                after the funding application deadline of             not already have a certified for-profit
                                               not consider an application submitted                   June 21, 2017.                                        Subsidiary and that fails to submit a
                                               by an Applicant that is a prior CDFI                       4. Failure to accurately respond to a              certification application for one or more
                                               Fund award recipient or Allocatee                       question in the Assurances and                        for-profit Subsidiaries within 60 days of
                                               under any CDFI Fund program if, as of                   Certifications section of the application             the date of the NOA from the CDFI Fund
                                               the application deadline of this NOAA:                  and submit the required written                       is subject to the CDFI Fund rescinding
                                               (i) The CDFI Fund has made a                            explanation: In its sole discretion, the              the award.
                                               determination that such Applicant is in                 CDFI Fund may deem the Applicant’s                       6. Entities that submit applications
                                               default of a previously executed                        application ineligible, if the CDFI Fund              together with Affiliates; applications
                                               assistance, allocation, or award                        determines that the Applicant                         from common enterprises:
                                               agreement; (ii) the CDFI Fund has                       inaccurately responded to a question                     a. As part of the allocation application
                                               provided written notification of such                   and failed to submit a required written               review process, the CDFI Fund will
                                               determination to the Applicant; and (iii)               explanation, or accurately answered a                 evaluate whether Applicants are
                                               the application deadline of the NOAA is                 question yet failed to submit a required              Affiliates, as such term is defined in the
                                               within a period of time specified in the                written explanation, with respect to the              allocation application. If an Applicant
                                               CDFI Fund’s notification to the prior                   application Assurances and                            and its Affiliate(s) wish to submit
                                               CDFI Fund award recipient or Allocatee                  Certifications. In making this                        allocation applications, they must do so
                                               for which any new application from the                  determination, the CDFI Fund will take                collectively, in one application; an
                                               Applicant to the CDFI Fund for an                       into consideration, among other factors,              Applicant and its Affiliate(s) may not
                                               award, allocation, or assistance is                     the materiality of the question, the                  submit separate allocation applications.
                                               prohibited. Further, the CDFI Fund will                 substance of any supplemental                         If Affiliated entities submit multiple
                                               not consider an application submitted                   responses provided, and whether the                   applications, the CDFI Fund will reject
                                               by an Applicant for which there is an                   information in the Applicant’s                        all such applications received, except
                                               Affiliate that is a prior award recipient               supplemental responses will have a                    for those State-owned or State-
                                               or Allocatee under any CDFI Fund                        material adverse effect on the Applicant,             controlled governmental Affiliated
                                               Program if, as of the application                       its financial condition or its ability to             entities. In the case of State-owned or
                                               deadline of this NOAA: (i) The CDFI                     perform under an allocation agreement,                State-controlled governmental entities,
                                               Fund has made a determination that                      should the Applicant receive an                       the CDFI Fund may accept applications
                                               such Affiliate is in default of a                       allocation.                                           submitted by different government
                                               previously executed assistance,                            5. Entities that propose to transfer               bodies within the same State, but only
                                               allocation, or award agreement; (ii) the                NMTCs to Subsidiaries: Both for-profit                to the extent the CDFI Fund determines
                                               CDFI Fund has provided written                          and non-profit CDEs may apply for                     that the business strategies and/or
                                               notification of such determination to the               NMTC allocation authority, but only a                 activities described in such
                                               Affiliate; and (iii) the application                    for-profit CDE is permitted to provide                applications, submitted by separate
                                               deadline of the NOAA is within a                        NMTCs to its investors. A non-profit                  entities, are distinctly dissimilar and/or
                                               period of time specified in a notification              Applicant wishing to apply for a NMTC                 are operated and/or managed by
                                               to the prior CDFI Fund award recipient                  allocation must demonstrate, prior to                 distinctly dissimilar personnel,
                                               or Allocatee for which any new                          entering into an Allocation Agreement                 including staff, board members or
                                               application from the Affiliate to the                   with the CDFI Fund, that: (i) It controls             identified consultants. If the CDFI Fund
                                               CDFI Fund for an award, allocation, or                  one or more Subsidiaries that are for-                determines that the applications
                                               assistance is prohibited.                               profit entities; and (ii) it intends to               submitted by different government
                                                  d. Contact the CDFI Fund:                            transfer the full amount of any NMTC                  bodies in the same State are not
                                               Accordingly, Applicants that are prior                  allocation it receives to said                        distinctly dissimilar and/or operated
                                               award recipients and/or Allocatees                      Subsidiaries.                                         and/or managed by distinctly dissimilar
                                               under any other CDFI Fund program are                      An Applicant wishing to transfer all               personnel, it will reject all such
                                               advised to comply with the                              or a portion of its NMTC allocation to                applications. In such cases, the CDFI
                                               requirements specified in assistance,                   a Subsidiary is not required to create the            Fund reserves the right to limit award
                                               allocation and/or award agreement(s).                   Subsidiary prior to submitting a NMTC                 amounts to such entities to ensure that
                                               All outstanding reports and compliance                  allocation application to the CDFI Fund.              the entities do not collectively receive
                                               questions should be directed to the                     However, the Subsidiary entities must                 more than the $100 million cap.
                                               Office of Certification, Compliance                     be certified as CDEs by the CDFI Fund,                   b. For purposes of this NOAA, the
                                               Monitoring, and Evaluation through a                    and enjoined as parties to the Allocation             CDFI Fund will also evaluate whether
                                               Service Request initiated in AMIS.                      Agreement at closing or by amendment                  each Applicant is operated or managed
                                               Requests submitted less than thirty                     to the Allocation Agreement after                     as a ‘‘common enterprise’’ with another
                                               calendar days prior to the application                  closing. Before the NMTC allocation                   Applicant in this Allocation Round
                                               deadline may not receive a response                     transfer may occur it must be pre-                    using the following indicia, among
                                               before the application deadline.                        approved by the CDFI Fund, in its sole                others: (i) Whether different Applicants
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                                                  The CDFI Fund will respond to                        discretion.                                           have the same individual(s), including
                                               Applicants’ reporting, compliance or                       The CDFI Fund strongly encourages a                the Authorized Representative, staff,
                                               disbursement questions between the                      non-profit Applicant to submit a CDE                  board members and/or consultants,
                                               hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET,                    certification application to the CDFI                 involved in day-to-day management,
                                               starting the date of publication of this                Fund on behalf of at least one                        operations and/or investment
                                               NOAA through June 19, 2017 (two days                    Subsidiary within 60 days after the non-              responsibilities; (ii) whether the
                                               before the application deadline). The                   profit Applicant receives the Notice of               Applicants have business strategies and/
                                               CDFI Fund will not respond to                           Allocation (NOA) from the CDFI Fund,                  or proposed activities that are so similar


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                                               20972                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices

                                               or so closely related that, in fact or                  and Subsidiaries) may not receive a                   NOAA. In addition, as stated in Section
                                               effect, they may be viewed as a single                  NMTC allocation in addition to a BEA                  III.A.6 of this NOAA, an Applicant and
                                               entity; and/or (iii) whether the                        Program award for the same investment                 its Affiliates must collectively submit
                                               applications submitted by separate                      in a CDE. Likewise, an insured                        only one allocation application; an
                                               Applicants contain significant narrative,               depository institution investor (and its              Applicant and its Affiliates may not
                                               textual or other similarities such that                 Affiliates and Subsidiaries) may not                  submit separate allocation applications
                                               they may, in fact or effect, be viewed as               receive a BEA Program award in                        except as outlined in Section III.A.6
                                               substantially identical applications. In                addition to a NMTC allocation for the                 above. Once an application is
                                               such cases, the CDFI Fund will reject all               same investment in a CDE.                             submitted, an Applicant will not be
                                               applications received from such entities.                                                                     allowed to change any element of its
                                                  c. Furthermore, an Applicant that                    IV. Application and Submission
                                                                                                                                                             application.
                                               receives an allocation in this Allocation               Information                                              C. Form of application submission:
                                               Round (or its Subsidiary Allocatee) may                    A. Address to request application                  Applicants may only submit
                                               not become an Affiliate of or member of                 package: Applicants must submit                       applications under this NOAA
                                               a common enterprise (as defined above)                  applications electronically under this                electronically. Applications sent by
                                               with another Applicant that receives an                 NOAA, through the CDFI Fund Web                       facsimile or by email will not be
                                               allocation in this Allocation Round (or                 site. Following the publication of this               accepted. Submission of an electronic
                                               its Subsidiary Allocatee) at any time                   NOAA, the CDFI Fund will make the                     application will facilitate the processing
                                               after the submission of an allocation                   electronic allocation application                     and review of applications and the
                                               application under this NOAA. This                       available on its Web site at https://                 selection of Allocatees; further, it will
                                               prohibition, however, generally does not                www.cdfifund.gov. Applications sent by                assist the CDFI Fund in the
                                               apply to entities that are commonly                     mail, facsimile or other form will not be             implementation of electronic reporting
                                               Controlled solely because of common                     accepted. Please note the CDFI Fund                   requirements.
                                               ownership by QEI investors. This                        will only accept the application and                     Electronic applications must be
                                               requirement will also be a term and                     attachments (e.g., the Controlling                    submitted solely by using the CDFI
                                               condition of the Allocation Agreement                   Entity’s representative signature page,               Fund’s Web site and must be sent in
                                               (see Section VI.B of this NOAA and                      Assurances and Certifications                         accordance with the submission
                                               additional application guidance                         supporting documents, investor letters,               instructions provided in the NMTC
                                               materials on the CDFI Fund’s Web site                   organizational charts) in electronic                  Online Application Instruction for this
                                               at https://www.cdfifund.gov for more                    form.                                                 Allocation Rounds. The CDFI Fund
                                               details).                                                  B. Application content requirements:               recommends use of Internet Explorer
                                                  7. Entities created as a series of funds:            Detailed application content                          version 8 or higher on a Microsoft
                                               An Applicant whose business structure                   requirements are found in the                         Windows-based computer (Windows
                                               consists of an entity with a series of                  application related to this NOAA.                     Vista or higher), and optimally at least
                                               funds must apply for CDE certification                  Applicants must submit all materials                  a 56Kbps Internet connection in order to
                                               for each fund. If such an Applicant                     described in and required by the                      meet the electronic application
                                               represents that it is properly classified               application by the applicable deadlines.              submission requirements. Use of other
                                               for Federal tax purposes as a single                    Applicants will not be afforded an                    browsers (e.g., Firefox, Chrome, Safari),
                                               partnership or corporation, it may apply                opportunity to provide any missing                    other versions of Internet Explorer, or
                                               for CDE certification as a single entity.               materials or documentation, except, if                other operating systems (e.g., Mac)
                                               If an Applicant represents that it is                   necessary and at the request of the CDFI              might result in problems during
                                               properly classified for Federal tax                     Fund. Electronic applications must be                 submission of the application. The CDFI
                                               purposes as multiple partnerships or                    submitted solely by using the format                  Fund’s electronic application system
                                               corporations, then it must submit a CDE                 made available at the CDFI Fund’s Web                 will only permit the submission of
                                               certification application for the                       site. Additional information, including               applications in which all required
                                               Applicant and each fund it would like                   instructions relating to the submission               questions and tables are fully
                                               to participate in the NMTC Program,                     of supporting information (e.g., the                  completed. Additional information,
                                               and each fund must be separately                        Controlling Entity’s representative                   including instructions relating to the
                                               certified as a CDE. Applicants should                   signature page, Assurances and                        submission of supporting information
                                               note, however, that receipt of CDE                      Certifications supporting documents,                  (e.g., the Controlling Entity’s
                                               certification as a single entity or as                  investor letters, organizational charts), is          representative signature page,
                                               multiple entities is not a determination                set forth in further detail in the NMTC               Assurances and Certifications
                                               that an Applicant and its related funds                 Online Application Instructions for this              supporting documents, investor letters,
                                               are properly classified as a single entity              Allocation Round. An application must                 organizational charts) is set forth in
                                               or as multiple entities for Federal tax                 include a valid and current Employer                  further detail in the NMTC Online
                                               purposes. Regardless of whether the                     Identification Number (EIN) issued by                 Application Instructions for this
                                               series of funds is classified as a single               the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and                Allocation Round.
                                               partnership or corporation or as                        assigned to the Applicant and, if                        D. Application submission dates and
                                               multiple partnerships or corporations,                  applicable, their Controlling Entity.                 times:
                                               an Applicant may not transfer any                       Electronic applications without a valid                  1. Application deadlines:
                                               NMTC allocations it receives to one or                  EIN are incomplete and cannot be                         a. Electronic applications must be
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                                               more of its funds unless the fund is a                  transmitted to the CDFI Fund. For more                received by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 21,
                                               certified CDE that is a Subsidiary of the               information on obtaining an EIN, please               2017. Electronic applications cannot be
                                               Applicant, enjoined to the Allocation                   contact the IRS at (800) 829–4933 or                  transmitted or received after 5:00 p.m.
                                               Agreement as a Subsidiary Allocatee.                    www.irs.gov. Do not include any                       ET on June 21, 2017. In addition,
                                                  8. Entities that are Bank Enterprise                 personal Social Security Numbers as                   Applicants must separately
                                               Award Program (BEA Program) award                       part of the application.                              electronically submit supporting
                                               recipients: An insured depository                          An Applicant may not submit more                   information (e.g., the Controlling
                                               institution investor (and its Affiliates                than one application in response to this              Entity’s representative signature page,


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices                                             20973

                                               Assurances and Certifications                           rank Applicants and determine the                     businesses or communities. Second, the
                                               supporting documents, investor letters,                 dollar amount of allocation authority                 CDFI Fund will give five (5) additional
                                               and organizational charts). The                         awarded in accordance with the                        points to any Applicant that intends to
                                               Controlling Entity’s representative                     procedures set forth below.                           satisfy the requirement of IRC
                                               signature page, Assurances and                             B. Criteria:                                       § 45D(b)(1)(B) by making QLICIs in one
                                               Certifications supporting documents,                       1. Business Strategy (25-point                     or more businesses in which persons
                                               investor letters and organizational                     maximum):                                             unrelated (within the meaning of IRC
                                               charts must be submitted on or before                      a. When assessing an Applicant’s                   § 267(b) or IRC § 707(b)(1)) to an
                                               11:59 p.m. on June 26, 2017. For details,               business strategy, reviewers will                     Applicant (and the Applicant’s
                                               see the instructions provided in the                    consider, among other things: The                     subsidiary CDEs, if the Subsidiary
                                               NMTC Online Application Instructions                    Applicant’s products, services and                    Allocatee makes the QLICI) hold the
                                               for this Allocation Round on the CDFI                   investment criteria; the prior                        majority equity interest. Applicants may
                                               Fund’s Web site.                                        performance of the Applicant or its                   earn points for one or both statutory
                                                 Applications and other required                       Controlling Entity, particularly as it                priorities. Thus, Applicants that meet
                                               documents received after this date and                  relates to making similar kinds of                    the requirements of both priority
                                               time will be rejected. Please note that                 investments as those it proposes to                   categories can receive up to a total of ten
                                               the document submission deadlines in                    make with the proceeds of QEIs; the                   (10) additional points. A record of
                                               this NOAA and/or the allocation                         Applicant’s prior performance in                      having successfully provided capital or
                                               application are strictly enforced.                      providing capital or technical assistance             technical assistance to disadvantaged
                                                 E. Intergovernmental Review: Not                      to disadvantaged businesses or                        businesses or communities may be
                                               applicable.                                             communities; the projected level of the               demonstrated either by the past actions
                                                 F. Funding Restrictions: For allowable                Applicant’s pipeline of potential                     of an Applicant itself or by its
                                               uses of investment proceeds related to a                investments; the extent to which the                  Controlling Entity (e.g., where a new
                                               NMTC allocation, please see 26 U.S.C.                   Applicant intends to make QLICIs in                   CDE is established by a nonprofit
                                               45D and the final regulations issued by                 one or more businesses in which                       corporation with a history of providing
                                               the Internal Revenue Service (26 CFR                    persons unrelated to the entity hold a                assistance to disadvantaged
                                               1.45D–1, published December 28, 2004                    majority equity interest; and the extent              communities). An Applicant that
                                               and as amended) and related guidance.                   to which Applicants that otherwise have               receives additional points for intending
                                               Please see Section I, above, for the                    notable relationships with the Qualified              to make investments in unrelated
                                               Programmatic Changes of this NOAA.                      Active Low Income Community                           businesses and is awarded a NMTC
                                                 G. Paperwork Reduction: Under the                     Businesses (QALICBs) financed will                    allocation must meet the requirements
                                               Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.                      create benefits (beyond those created in              of IRC § 45D(b)(1)(B) by investing
                                               chapter 35), an agency may not conduct                  the normal course of a NMTC                           substantially all of the proceeds from its
                                               or sponsor a collection of information,                 transaction) to Low-Income                            QEIs in unrelated businesses. The CDFI
                                               and an individual is not required to                    Communities.                                          Fund will factor in an Applicant’s
                                               respond to a collection of information,                    Under the Business Strategy criterion,             priority points when ranking Applicants
                                               unless it displays a valid OMB control                  an Applicant will generally score well                during Phase 2 of the review process, as
                                               number. Pursuant to the Paperwork                       to the extent that it will deploy debt or             described below.
                                               Reduction Act, the application has been                 investment capital in products or                        2. Community Outcomes (25-point
                                               assigned the following control number:                  services which are flexible or non-                   maximum): In assessing the potential
                                               1559–0016.                                              traditional in form and on better terms               benefits to Low-Income Communities
                                                                                                       than available in the marketplace. An                 that may result from the Applicant’s
                                               V. Application Review Information                       Applicant will also score well to the                 proposed investments, reviewers will
                                                  A. Review and selection process: All                 extent that, among other things: (i) It has           consider, among other things, the degree
                                               allocation applications will be reviewed                a track record of successfully deploying              to which the Applicant is likely to: (i)
                                               for eligibility and completeness. To be                 loans or equity investments and                       Achieve significant and measurable
                                               complete, the application must contain,                 providing services similar to those it                community development outcomes in
                                               at a minimum, all information described                 intends to provide with the proceeds of               its Low-Income Communities; (ii) invest
                                               as required in the application form. An                 QEIs; (ii) it has identified a set of                 in particularly economically distressed
                                               incomplete application will be rejected.                clearly-defined potential borrowers or                markets: (iii) Engage with local
                                               Once the application has been                           investees; (iii) its projected dollar                 communities regarding investments; (iv)
                                               determined to be eligible and complete,                 volume of NMTC deployment is                          the level of involvement of community
                                               the CDFI Fund will conduct the                          supported by its track record of                      representatives in the Governing Board
                                               substantive review of each application                  deployment; (iv) in the case of an                    and/or Advisory Board in approving
                                               in two parts (Phase 1 and Phase 2) in                   Applicant proposing to purchase loans                 investment criteria or decisions; and (v)
                                               accordance with the criteria and                        from CDEs, the Applicant will require                 demonstrate a track record of investing
                                               procedures generally described in this                  the CDE selling such loans to re-invest               in businesses that spur additional
                                               NOAA and the allocation application.                    the proceeds of the loan sale to provide              private capital investment in Low-
                                                  In Phase 1, three reviewers will                     additional products and services to                   Income Communities.
                                               evaluate and score the Business Strategy                Low-Income Communities.                                  An Applicant will generally score
                                               and Community Outcomes sections of                         b. Priority Points: In addition, as                well under this section to the extent
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                                               each application. An Applicant must                     provided by IRC § 45D(f)(2), the CDFI                 that, among other things: (a) It has a
                                               exceed a minimum overall aggregate                      Fund will ascribe additional points to                track record of producing quantitative
                                               base score threshold and exceed a                       entities that meet one or both of the                 and qualitative community outcomes
                                               minimum aggregate section score                         statutory priorities. First, the CDFI Fund            that are similar to those projected to be
                                               threshold in each scored section in                     will give up to five (5) additional points            achieved with an NMTC allocation; (b)
                                               order to advance from the Phase 1 to the                to any Applicant that has a record of                 it is working in particularly
                                               Phase 2 part of the substantive review                  having successfully provided capital or               economically distressed or otherwise
                                               process. In Phase 2, the CDFI Fund will                 technical assistance to disadvantaged                 underserved communities; (c) its


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                                               20974                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices

                                               activities are part of a broader                        requirements; provided, however, that                 indications of investor interest
                                               community or economic development                       the CDFI Fund, in its sole discretion,                commensurate with its requested
                                               strategy; (d) it demonstrates a track                   reserves the right to reject an                       amount of tax credit allocations, or, if a
                                               record of community engagement                          application and/or adjust award                       prior Allocatee, the track record of the
                                               around past investment decisions; (e) it                amounts as appropriate based on                       Applicant or its Affiliates in raising
                                               ensures that an NMTC investment into                    information obtained during the review                Qualified Equity Investments in the past
                                               a project or business is supported by                   process.                                              five years; the Applicant’s strategy for
                                               and will be beneficial to Low-Income                       2. Management Capacity: In assessing               identifying additional investors, if
                                               Persons and residents of Low-Income                     an Applicant’s management capacity,                   necessary, including the Applicant’s (or
                                               Communities (LICs); and (f) it is likely                CDFI Fund will consider, among other                  its Controlling Entity’s) prior
                                               to engage in activities that will spur                  things, the qualifications of the                     performance with raising equity from
                                               additional private capital investment.                  Applicant’s Principals, its board                     investors, particularly for-profit
                                                  C. Phase 2 Evaluation.                               members, its management team, and                     investors; the distribution of the
                                                  1. Final Rank Score.                                 other essential staff or contractors, with            economic benefits of the tax credit; and
                                                  a. Anomaly Reviews: Using the                        specific focus on: Experience in                      the extent to which the Applicant
                                               numeric scores from Phase 1,                            providing loans, equity investments or                intends to invest the proceeds from the
                                               Applicants are ranked on the basis of                   financial counseling and other services,              aggregate amount of its QEIs at a level
                                               each Applicant’s combined scores in the                 including activities similar to those                 that exceeds the requirements of IRC
                                               Business Strategy and Community                         described in the Applicant’s business                 § 45D(b)(1)(B) and the IRS regulations.
                                               Outcomes sections of the application                    strategy; asset management and risk                      An Applicant will be evaluated more
                                               plus one half of the priority points. If,               management experience; experience                     favorably under this section to the
                                               in the case of a particular application,                with fulfilling compliance requirements               extent that: (a) It or its Controlling
                                               a reviewer’s total base score or section                of other governmental programs,                       Entity demonstrate a track record of
                                               score(s) (in one or more of the two                     including other tax programs; and the                 raising investment capital; (b) it has
                                               application scored sections) varies                     Applicant’s (or its Controlling Entity’s)             secured investor commitments, or has a
                                               significantly from the median of the                    financial health. CDFI Fund evaluators                reasonable strategy for obtaining such
                                               three reviewers’ total base scores or                   will also consider the extent to which                commitments, or, if it or its Affiliates is
                                               section scores for such application, the                an Applicant has protocols in place to                a prior Allocatee with a track record in
                                               CDFI Fund may, in its sole discretion,                  ensure ongoing compliance with NMTC                   the past five years of raising Qualified
                                               obtain the evaluation and numeric                       Program requirements and the                          Equity Investments or; (c) it generally
                                               scoring of an additional fourth reviewer                Applicant’s projected income and                      demonstrates that the economic benefits
                                               to determine whether the anomalous                      expenses related to managing an NMTC                  of the tax credit will be passed through
                                               score should be replaced with the score                 allocation.                                           to a QALICB; and (d) it intends to invest
                                               of the additional fourth reviewer.                         An Applicant will be generally                     the proceeds from the aggregate amount
                                                  b. Late Reports: In the case of an                   evaluated more favorably under this                   of its QEIs at a level that exceeds the
                                               Applicant or any Affiliates that has                    section to the extent that its                        requirements of IRC § 45D(b)(1)(B) and
                                               previously received an award or                         management team or other essential                    the IRS regulations. In the case of an
                                               allocation from the CDFI Fund through                   personnel have experience in: (a)                     Applicant proposing to raise investor
                                               any CDFI Fund program, the CDFI Fund                    Providing loans, equity investments or                funds from organizations that also will
                                               will deduct points from the Applicant’s                 financial counseling and other services               identify or originate transactions for the
                                               ‘‘Final Rank Score’’ for the Applicant’s                in Low-Income Communities,                            Applicant or from Affiliated entities,
                                               (or its Affiliate’s) failure to meet any of             particularly those likely to be served by             said Applicant will be evaluated more
                                               the reporting deadlines set forth in any                the Applicant with the proceeds of                    favorably to the extent that it will offer
                                               assistance, award or Allocation                         QEIs; (b) asset and risk management;                  products with more favorable rates or
                                               Agreement(s), if the reporting deadlines                and (c) fulfilling government                         terms than those currently offered by its
                                               occurred during the period from                         compliance requirements, particularly                 investor(s) or Affiliated entities and/or
                                               December 17, 2015 to the application                    tax credit program compliance. An                     will target its activities to areas of
                                               deadline in this NOAA (June 21, 2017).                  Applicant will also be evaluated                      greater economic distress than those
                                                  c. Prior Year Allocatees: In the case of             favorably to the extent it demonstrates               currently targeted by the investor or
                                               Applicants (or their Affiliates) that are               strong financial health and a high                    Affiliated entities.
                                               prior year Allocatees, the CDFI Fund                    likelihood of remaining a going-concern;                 D. Allocations serving Non-
                                               will review the activities of the prior                 it clearly explains levels of income and              Metropolitan counties: As provided for
                                               year Allocatee to determine whether the                 expenses; has policies and systems in                 under Section 102(b) of the Tax Relief
                                               entity has: (a) Effectively utilized its                place to ensure ongoing compliance                    and Health Care Act of 2006 (Pub. L.
                                               prior-year allocations in a manner                      with NMTC Program requirements; and,                  109–432), the CDFI Fund shall ensure
                                               generally consistent with the                           if it is a Federally-insured financial                that Non-Metropolitan counties receive
                                               representations made in the relevant                    institution, its most recent Community                a proportional allocation of QEIs under
                                               allocation application (including, but                  Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating was                     the NMTC Program. To this end, the
                                               not limited to, the proposed product                    ‘‘outstanding.’’                                      CDFI Fund will ensure that the
                                               offerings, QALICB type, and markets                        3. Capitalization Strategy: When                   proportion of Allocatees that are Rural
                                               served); and (b) substantiated a need for               assessing an Applicant’s capitalization               CDEs is, at a minimum, equal to the
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                                               additional allocation authority. The                    strategy, CDFI Fund will consider,                    proportion of Applicants in the highly
                                               CDFI Fund will use this information in                  among other things: The key personnel                 qualified pool that are Rural CDEs. The
                                               determining whether to reject or reduce                 of the Applicant (or Controlling Entity)              CDFI Fund will also endeavor to ensure
                                               the allocation award amount of its                      and their track record of raising capital,            that 20 percent of the QLICIs to be made
                                               NMTC allocation application. The CDFI                   particularly from for-profit investors;               using QEI proceeds are invested in Non-
                                               Fund will award allocations in the order                the extent to which the Applicant has                 Metropolitan counties. A Rural CDE is
                                               of the ‘‘Final Rank Score,’’ subject to                 secured investments or commitments to                 one that has a track record of at least
                                               Applicants meeting all other eligibility                invest in NMTC (if applicable), or                    three years of direct financing


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices                                              20975

                                               experience, has dedicated at least 50                   the QLICIs to be made by the Allocatees,                 The CDFI Fund reserves the right to
                                               percent of its direct financing dollars to              the CDFI Fund will consider requiring                 reject or reduce the allocation award
                                               Non-Metropolitan counties over the past                 any or all of the Allocatees to direct up             amount of any NMTC allocation
                                               five years, and has committed that at                   to the ‘‘maximum’’ percentage of QLICIs               application in the case of a prior
                                               least 50 percent of its NMTC financing                  that the Allocatees indicated would be                Allocatee, if such Applicant has failed
                                               dollars with this Allocation will be                    targeted to Non-Metropolitan counties,                to use its prior NMTC allocation(s) in a
                                               deployed in such areas. Non-                            taking into consideration their track                 manner that is generally consistent with
                                               Metropolitan counties are counties not                  record and ability to deploy dollars in               the business strategy (including, but not
                                               contained within a Metropolitan                         Non-Metropolitan counties. If the CDFI                limited to, the proposed product
                                               Statistical Area, as such term is defined               Fund cannot meet the goal of 20 percent               offerings, QALICB type, and markets
                                               in OMB Bulletin No. 10–02 (Update of                    of QLICIs in Non-Metropolitan counties                served) set forth in the allocation
                                               Statistical Area Definitions and                        by requiring any or all Allocatees to                 application(s) related to such prior
                                               Guidance on Their Uses) and applied                     commit up to the maximum percentage                   allocation(s) or such Applicant has been
                                               using 2010 census tracts.                               of QLICIs that they indicated would be                found by the IRS to have engaged in a
                                                  Applicants that meet the minimum                     targeted to Non-Metropolitan counties,                transaction or series of transactions
                                               scoring thresholds will be advanced to                  the CDFI Fund may add additional                      designed to achieve a result that is
                                               Phase 2 review and will be provided                     Rural CDEs (in descending order of final              inconsistent with the purposes of IRC
                                               with ‘‘preliminary’’ awards, in                         rank score) to the Allocatee pool. In                 § 45D. The CDFI Fund also reserves the
                                               descending order of Final Rank Score,                   order to accommodate any additional                   right to reject or reduce the allocation
                                               until the available allocation authority                Allocatees within the allocation                      award amount of any NMTC allocation
                                               is fulfilled. Once these ‘‘preliminary’’                limitations, a formula reduction will be              application in the case of an Affiliate of
                                               award amounts are determined, the                       applied as uniformly as possible, to the              the Applicant that is a prior Allocatee
                                               CDFI Fund will then analyze the                         allocation amount for all Allocatees in               and has failed to use its prior NMTC
                                               Allocatee pool to determine whether the                 the pool that have not committed to                   allocation(s) in a manner that is
                                               two Non-Metropolitan proportionality                    investing a minimum of 20 percent of                  generally consistent with the business
                                               objectives have been met.                               their QLICIs in Non-Metropolitan                      strategy set forth in the allocation
                                                  The CDFI Fund will first examine the                 counties.                                             application(s) related to such prior
                                               ‘‘preliminary’’ awards and Allocatees to                   E. Questions: All outstanding reports              allocation(s) or has been found by the
                                               determine whether the percentage of                     or compliance questions should be                     IRS to have engaged in a transaction or
                                               Allocatees that are Rural CDEs is, at a                 directed to the Office of Certification,              series of transactions designed to
                                               minimum, equal to the percentage of                     Compliance Monitoring, and Evaluation                 achieve a result that is inconsistent with
                                               Applicants in the highly qualified pool                 through the submission of a Service                   the purposes of IRC § 45D.
                                               that are Rural CDEs. If this objective is               Request in AMIS or by telephone at                       The CDFI Fund reserves the right to
                                               not achieved, the CDFI Fund will                        (202) 653–0423. The CDFI Fund will                    reject an NMTC allocation application if
                                               provide awards to additional Rural                      respond to reporting or compliance                    information (including administrative
                                               CDEs from the highly qualified pool, in                 questions between the hours of 9:00                   errors or omission of information)
                                               descending order of their Final Rank                    a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, starting the date              comes to the attention of the CDFI Fund
                                               Score, until the appropriate percentage                 of the publication of this NOAA through               that adversely affects an Applicant’s
                                               balance is achieved. In order to                        June 19, 2017. The CDFI Fund will not                 eligibility for an award, adversely affects
                                               accommodate the additional Rural CDEs                   respond to reporting or compliance                    the CDFI Fund’s evaluation or scoring of
                                               in the Allocatee pool within the                        phone calls or email inquiries that are               an application, adversely affects the
                                               available allocation limitations, a                     received after 5:00 p.m. ET on June 19,               CDFI Fund’s prior determinations of
                                               formula reduction will be applied as                    2017 until after the funding application              CDE certification, or indicates fraud or
                                               uniformly as possible to the allocation                 deadline of June 21, 2017.                            mismanagement on the part of an
                                               amount for all Allocatees in the pool                      F. Right of rejection: The CDFI Fund               Applicant or the Controlling Entity, if
                                               that have not committed to investing a                  reserves the right to reject any NMTC                 such fraud or mismanagement by the
                                               minimum of 20 percent of their QLICIs                   allocation application in the case of a               Controlling Entity would hinder the
                                               in Non-Metropolitan counties.                           prior CDFI Fund award recipient, if                   Applicant’s ability to perform under the
                                                  The CDFI Fund will then determine                    such Applicant has failed to comply                   Allocation Agreement. If the CDFI Fund
                                               whether the pool of Allocatees will, in                 with the terms, conditions, and other                 determines that any portion of the
                                               the aggregate, invest at least 20 percent               requirements of the prior or existing                 application is incorrect in any material
                                               of their QLICIs (as measured by dollar                  assistance or award agreement(s) with                 respect, the CDFI Fund reserves the
                                               amount) in Non-Metropolitan counties.                   the CDFI Fund. The CDFI Fund reserves                 right, in its sole discretion, to reject the
                                               The CDFI Fund will first apply the                      the right to reject any NMTC allocation               application.
                                               ‘‘minimum’’ percentage of QLICIs that                   application in the case of a prior CDFI                  As a part of the substantive review
                                               Allocatees indicated in their                           Fund Allocatee, if such Applicant has                 process, the CDFI Fund may permit the
                                               applications would be targeted to Non-                  failed to comply with the terms,                      Allocation Recommendation Panel
                                               Metropolitan areas to the total allocation              conditions, and other requirements of                 member(s) to request information from
                                               award amount of each Allocatee (less                    its prior or existing Allocation                      Applicants for the sole purpose of
                                               whatever percentage the Allocatee                       Agreement(s) with the CDFI Fund. The                  obtaining, clarifying or confirming
                                               indicated would be retained for non-                    CDFI Fund reserves the right to reject                application information or omission of
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                                               QLICI activities), and total these figures              any NMTC allocation application in the                information. In no event shall such
                                               for all Allocatees. If this aggregate total             case of any Applicant, if an Affiliate of             contact be construed to permit an
                                               is greater than or equal to 20 percent of               the Applicant has failed to meet the                  Applicant to change any element of its
                                               the QLICIs to be made by the Allocatees,                terms, conditions and other                           application. At this point in the process,
                                               then the pool is considered balanced                    requirements of any prior or existing                 an Applicant may be required to submit
                                               and the CDFI Fund will proceed with                     assistance agreement, award agreement                 additional information about its
                                               the allocation process. However, if the                 or Allocation Agreement with the CDFI                 application in order to assist the CDFI
                                               aggregate total is less than 20 percent of              Fund.                                                 Fund with its final evaluation process.


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                                               20976                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices

                                               If the Applicant (or the Controlling                    determined reasonable and appropriate                 this requirement within the timeframe
                                               Entity or any Affiliate) has previously                 by the CDFI Fund, in its sole discretion,             set by the CDFI Fund, the CDFI Fund
                                               been awarded an NMTC allocation, the                    related to the Applicant, Affiliates, the             reserves the right, in its sole discretion,
                                               CDFI Fund may also request                              Applicant’s Controlling Entity and the                to terminate and rescind the allocation
                                               information on the use of those NMTC                    officers, directors, owners, partners and             made under this NOAA.
                                               allocations, to the extent that this                    key employees of each. This includes                     2. Pending determination of
                                               information has not already been                        the right to consult with the IRS if the              noncompliance or default: If an
                                               reported to the CDFI Fund. Such                         Applicant (or the Controlling Entity, or              Allocatee is a prior award recipient or
                                               requests must be responded to within                    Affiliates) has previously been awarded               Allocatee under any CDFI Fund
                                               the time parameters set by the CDFI                     an NMTC allocation.                                   program and if: (i) It has submitted
                                               Fund. The selecting official(s) will make                  Each Applicant will be informed of                 reports to the CDFI Fund that
                                               a final allocation determination based                  the CDFI Fund’s award decision through                demonstrate potential noncompliance
                                               on an Applicant’s file, including,                      an electronic notification whether                    with or a default under a previous
                                               without limitation, eligibility under IRC               selected for an allocation or not selected            assistance, award, or Allocation
                                               § 45D, the reviewers’ scores and the                    for an allocation, which may be for                   Agreement; and (ii) the CDFI Fund has
                                               amount of allocation authority available.               reasons of application incompleteness,                yet to make a final determination as to
                                                  In the case of Applicants (or the                    ineligibility or substantive issues. All              whether the entity is in noncompliance
                                               Controlling Entity, or Affiliates) that are             Applicants that are not selected for an               with or default under its previous
                                               regulated or receive oversight by the                   allocation based on substantive issues                assistance, award, or Allocation
                                               Federal government or a State agency                    will likely be given the opportunity to               Agreement, the CDFI Fund reserves the
                                               (or comparable entity), the CDFI Fund                   receive feedback on their applications.               right, in its sole discretion, to delay
                                               may request additional information                      This feedback will be provided in a                   entering into an Allocation Agreement
                                               from the Applicant regarding                            format and within a timeframe to be                   and/or to impose limitations on the
                                               Assurances and Certifications or other                  determined by the CDFI Fund, based on                 Allocatee’s ability to issue Qualified
                                               information about the ability of the                    available resources.                                  Equity Investments to investors,
                                               Applicant to effectively perform under                     The CDFI Fund further reserves the                 pending final determination of whether
                                               the Allocation Agreement. The                           right to change its eligibility and                   the entity is in noncompliance or
                                               Allocation Recommendation Panel or                      evaluation criteria and procedures, if                default, and determination of remedies,
                                               selecting official(s) reserve(s) the right to           the CDFI Fund deems it appropriate. If                if applicable, in the sole determination
                                               consult with and take into consideration                said changes materially affect the CDFI               of the CDFI Fund. Further, if an Affiliate
                                               the views of the appropriate Federal                    Fund’s award decisions, the CDFI Fund                 of an Allocatee is a prior CDFI Fund
                                               banking and other regulatory agencies.                  will provide information regarding the                award recipient or Allocatee and if such
                                               The CDFI Fund reserves the right to                     changes through the CDFI Fund’s Web                   entity: (i) Has submitted reports to the
                                               reject any NMTC Allocation Application                  site.                                                 CDFI Fund that demonstrate potential
                                               if additional information is obtained                      There is no right to appeal the CDFI               noncompliance/default under a
                                               that, after further due diligence and in                Fund’s NMTC allocation decisions. The                 previous assistance, award, or
                                               the discretion of the CDFI Fund, would                  CDFI Fund’s NMTC allocation decisions                 Allocation Agreement; and (ii) the CDFI
                                               hinder the Applicant’s ability to                       are final.                                            Fund has yet to make a final
                                               effectively perform under the Allocation                VI. Award Administration Information                  determination as to whether the entity
                                               Agreement. In the case of Applicants (or                                                                      is in noncompliance/default under its
                                               Affiliates of Applicants) that are also                    A. Allocation Award Compliance                     previous assistance, award, or
                                               Small Business Investment Companies,                       1. Failure to meet reporting                       Allocation Agreement, the CDFI Fund
                                               Specialized Small Business Investment                   requirements: If an Allocatee, or an                  reserves the right, in its sole discretion,
                                               Companies or New Markets Venture                        Affiliate of an Allocatee, is a prior CDFI            to delay entering into an Allocation
                                               Capital Companies, the CDFI Fund                        Fund award recipient or Allocatee                     Agreement and/or to impose limitations
                                               reserves the right to consult with and                  under any CDFI Fund program and is                    on the Allocatee’s ability to issue QEIs
                                               take into consideration the views of the                not current on the reporting                          to investors, pending final
                                               Small Business Administration. An                       requirements set forth in the previously              determination of whether the entity is in
                                               Applicant will not be awarded an                        executed assistance, allocation, or                   noncompliance or default, and
                                               allocation if it has a composite rating of              award agreement(s), as of the date of the             determination of remedies, if applicable,
                                               ‘‘5’’ on its most recent examination,                   NOAA or thereafter, the CDFI Fund                     in the sole determination of the CDFI
                                               performed in accordance with the                        reserves the right, in its sole discretion,           Fund. If the prior award recipient or
                                               Uniform Financial Institutions Rating                   to reject the application, delay entering             Allocatee in question is unable to
                                               System.                                                 into an Allocation Agreement, and/or                  satisfactorily resolve the issues of
                                                  Furthermore, the CDFI Fund will not                  impose limitations on an Allocatee’s                  noncompliance, in the sole
                                               award an NMTC allocation for the                        ability to issue QEIs to investors until              determination of the CDFI Fund, the
                                               following reasons, if at the time of                    said prior award recipient or Allocatee               CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its sole
                                               application or any time during the                      is current on the reporting requirements              discretion, to terminate and rescind the
                                               application review process through the                  in the previously executed assistance,                award notification made under this
                                               closing of the Allocation Agreement, the                allocation, or award agreement(s).                    NOAA.
                                               Applicant received any of the following:                Please note that the automated systems                   3. Default status: If prior to entering
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                                               1. CRA assessment rating of below                       the CDFI Fund uses for receipt of                     into an Allocation Agreement through
                                               ‘‘Satisfactory’’ on its most recent                     reports submitted electronically                      this NOAA: (i) The CDFI Fund has made
                                               examination; 2. A going concern                         typically acknowledges only a report’s                a determination that an Allocatee that is
                                               opinion on its most recent audit; or 3.                 receipt; such an acknowledgment does                  a prior CDFI Fund award recipient or
                                               A Prompt Corrective Action directive                    not warrant that the report received was              Allocatee under any CDFI Fund
                                               from its regulator.                                     complete and therefore met reporting                  program is in default of a previously
                                                  The CDFI Fund reserves the right to                  requirements. If said prior award                     executed assistance, allocation, or
                                               conduct additional due diligence, as                    recipient or Allocatee is unable to meet              assistance agreement(s); (ii) the CDFI


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices                                           20977

                                               Fund has provided written notification                  certification as a CDE throughout the                    D. Reporting: The CDFI Fund will
                                               of such determination to such                           term of the Allocation Agreement. If an               collect information, on at least an
                                               organization; and (iii) the anticipated                 Applicant has represented in its NMTC                 annual basis from all Applicants that are
                                               date for entering into an Allocation                    allocation application that it intends to             awarded NMTC allocations and/or are
                                               Agreement is within a period of time                    invest substantially all of the proceeds              recipients of QLICIs, including such
                                               specified in such notification                          from its investors in businesses in                   audited financial statements and
                                               throughout which any new award,                         which persons unrelated to the                        opinions of counsel as the CDFI Fund
                                               allocation, or assistance is prohibited,                Applicant hold a majority equity                      deems necessary or desirable, in its sole
                                               the CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its                interest, the Allocation Agreement will               discretion. The CDFI Fund will require
                                               sole discretion, to delay entering into an              contain a covenant whereby said                       the Applicant to retain information as
                                               Allocation Agreement and/or to impose                   Applicant agrees that it will invest                  the CDFI Fund deems necessary or
                                               limitations on the Allocatee’s ability to               substantially all of said proceeds in                 desirable and shall provide such
                                               issue QEIs to investors, or to terminate                businesses in which persons unrelated                 information to the CDFI Fund when
                                               and rescind the Notice of Allocation and                to the Applicant hold a majority equity               requested to monitor each Allocatee’s
                                               the allocation made under this NOAA.                    interest.                                             compliance with the provisions of its
                                               Furthermore, if prior to entering into an                  In addition to entering into an                    Allocation Agreement and to assess the
                                               Allocation Agreement through this                       Allocation Agreement, each Applicant                  impact of the NMTC Program in Low-
                                               NOAA: (i) The CDFI Fund has made a                      selected to receive a NMTC allocation                 Income Communities. The CDFI Fund
                                               determination that an Affiliate of the                  must furnish to the CDFI Fund an                      may also provide such information to
                                               Allocatee that is a prior CDFI Fund                     opinion from its legal counsel or a                   the IRS in a manner consistent with IRC
                                               award recipient or Allocatee under any                  similar certification, the content of                 § 6103 so that the IRS may determine,
                                               CDFI Fund program is in default of a                    which will be further specified in the                among other things, whether the
                                               previously executed assistance,                         Allocation Agreement, to include,                     Allocatee has used substantially all of
                                               allocation, or award agreement(s); (ii)                 among other matters, an opinion that an               the proceeds of each QEI raised through
                                               the CDFI Fund has provided written                      Applicant (and its Subsidiary                         its NMTC allocation to make QLICIs.
                                               notification of such determination to                   Allocatees, if any): (i) Is duly formed               The Allocation Agreement shall further
                                               such organization; and (iii) the                        and in good standing in the jurisdiction              describe the Allocatee’s reporting
                                               anticipated date for entering into an                   in which it was formed and the                        requirements.
                                               Allocation Agreement is within a period                 jurisdiction(s) in which it operates; (ii)               The CDFI Fund reserves the right, in
                                               of time specified in such notification                  has the authority to enter into the                   its sole discretion, to modify these
                                               throughout which any new award,                         Allocation Agreement and undertake                    reporting requirements if it determines
                                               allocation, or assistance is prohibited,                                                                      it to be appropriate and necessary;
                                                                                                       the activities that are specified therein;
                                               the CDFI Fund reserves the right, in its                                                                      however, such reporting requirements
                                                                                                       (iii) has no pending or threatened
                                               sole discretion, to delay entering into an                                                                    will be modified only after due notice
                                                                                                       litigation that would materially affect its
                                               Allocation Agreement and/or to impose                                                                         to Allocatees.
                                                                                                       ability to enter into and carry out the
                                               limitations on the Allocatee’s ability to               activities specified in the Allocation                VII. Agency Contacts
                                               issue QEIs to investors, or to terminate                Agreement; and (iv) is not in default of                 The CDFI Fund will provide
                                               and rescind the Notice of Allocation and                its articles of incorporation, bylaws or              programmatic and information
                                               the allocation made under this NOAA.                    other organizational documents, or any                technology support related to the
                                                  B. Allocation Agreement: Each                        agreements with the Federal                           allocation application between the
                                               Applicant that is selected to receive a                 government.                                           hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET
                                               NMTC allocation (including the                             If an Allocatee identifies Subsidiary              through June 19, 2017. The CDFI Fund
                                               Applicant’s Subsidiary Allocatees) must                 Allocatees, the CDFI Fund reserves the                will not respond to phone calls or
                                               enter into an Allocation Agreement with                 right to require an Allocatee to provide              emails concerning the application that
                                               the CDFI Fund. The Allocation                           supporting documentation evidencing                   are received after 5:00 p.m. ET on June
                                               Agreement will set forth certain                        that it Controls such entities prior to               19, 2017 until after the allocation
                                               required terms and conditions of the                    entering into an Allocation Agreement                 application deadline of June 21, 2017.
                                               NMTC allocation which may include,                      with the Allocatee and its Subsidiary                 Applications and other information
                                               but are not limited to, the following: (i)              Allocatees. The CDFI Fund reserves the                regarding the CDFI Fund and its
                                               The amount of the awarded NMTC                          right, in its sole discretion, to rescind its         programs may be obtained from the
                                               allocation; (ii) the approved uses of the               allocation award if the Allocatee fails to            CDFI Fund’s Web site at https://
                                               awarded NMTC allocation (e.g., loans to                 return the Allocation Agreement, signed               www.cdfifund.gov. The CDFI Fund will
                                               or equity investments in Qualified                      by the authorized representative of the               post on its Web site responses to
                                               Active Low-Income Businesses, loans to                  Allocatee, and/or provide the CDFI                    questions of general applicability
                                               or equity investments in other CDEs);                   Fund with any other requested                         regarding the NMTC Program.
                                               (iii) the approved service area(s) in                   documentation, including an approved                     A. Information technology support:
                                               which the proceeds of QEIs may be                       legal opinion, within the deadlines set               Technical support can be obtained by
                                               used, including the dollar amount of                    by the CDFI Fund.                                     calling (202) 653–0422 or by submitting
                                               QLICIs that must be invested in Non-                       C. Fees: The CDFI Fund reserves the                a Service Request in AMIS. People who
                                               Metropolitan counties; (iv)                             right, in accordance with applicable                  have visual or mobility impairments
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                                               commitments to specific ‘‘innovative                    Federal law and, if authorized, to charge             that prevent them from accessing the
                                               activities’’ discussed by the Applicant                 allocation reservation and/or                         Low-Income Community maps using the
                                               in its Allocation Application; (v) the                  compliance monitoring fees to all                     CDFI Fund’s Web site should call (202)
                                               time period by which the Applicant                      entities receiving NMTC allocations.                  653–0422 for assistance. These are not
                                               may obtain QEIs from investors; (vi)                    Prior to imposing any such fee, the CDFI              toll free numbers.
                                               reporting requirements for all                          Fund will publish additional                             B. Programmatic support: If you have
                                               Applicants receiving NMTC allocations;                  information concerning the nature and                 any questions about the programmatic
                                               and (vii) a requirement to maintain                     amount of the fee.                                    requirements of this NOAA, contact the


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                                               20978                           Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 85 / Thursday, May 4, 2017 / Notices

                                               CDFI Fund’s NMTC Program Manager                        Holmes, Office of the Associate Chief                 webcasting as well as telephone
                                               by submitting a Service Request in                      Counsel (Passthroughs and Special                     conference calls. For further information
                                               AMIS; or by telephone at (202) 653–                     Industries), IRS, by telephone at (202)               on these upcoming information
                                               0421. These are not toll-free numbers.                  317–4137, or by facsimile at (202) 317–               sessions, please visit the CDFI Fund’s
                                                  C. Administrative support: If you have               6731. These are not toll free numbers.                Web site at https://www.cdfifund.gov.
                                               any questions regarding the                             Applicants wishing formal ruling
                                               administrative requirements of this                     request should see IRS Internal Revenue                 Authority: 26 U.S.C. 45D; 31 U.S.C. 321; 26
                                               NOAA, contact the CDFI Fund’s NMTC                                                                            CFR 1.45D–1.
                                                                                                       Bulletin 2015–1, issued January 2, 2015.
                                               Program Manager by submitting a                                                                               Mary Ann Donovan,
                                               Service Request in AMIS, or by                          VIII. Information Sessions
                                                                                                                                                             Director, Community Development Financial
                                               telephone at (202) 653–0421. These are                    In connection with this NOAA, the
                                                                                                                                                             Institutions Fund.
                                               not toll free numbers.                                  CDFI Fund may conduct one or more
                                                                                                                                                             [FR Doc. 2017–08976 Filed 5–3–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  D. IRS support: For questions                        information sessions that will be
                                               regarding the tax aspects of the NMTC                   produced in Washington, DC and                        BILLING CODE 4810–70–P

                                               Program, contact Jian Grant and James                   broadcast over the internet via
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Document Created: 2017-05-04 01:49:14
Document Modified: 2017-05-04 01:49:14
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
DatesElectronic applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on June 21, 2017. Applications sent by mail, facsimile, or other form will not be accepted. Please note the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) will only accept applications and attachments (e.g., the Controlling Entity's representative signature page, Assurances and Certifications supporting documents, investor letters, organizational charts) in electronic form (see Section IV.C of this NOAA for more details). Applications must meet all eligibility and other requirements and deadlines, as applicable, set forth in this NOAA. Any Applicant that is not yet certified as a Community Development Entity (CDE) must submit an application for CDE certification through the CDFI Fund's Awards Management Information System (AMIS) on or before 5:00 p.m. ET on May 17, 2017 (see Section III.A.1 of this NOAA for more details on CDE certification).
FR Citation82 FR 20968 

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