82 FR 40987 - Inviting Applications for Value-Added Producer Grants and Solicitation of Grant Reviewers
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 166 (August 29, 2017)
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 166 (August 29, 2017)
| Page Range | 40987-40995 | |
| FR Document | 2017-18306 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 29, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 40987-40995] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-18306] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Inviting Applications for Value-Added Producer Grants and Solicitation of Grant Reviewers AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is accepting applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. Approximately $18 million is currently available. The Agency may also utilize any funding that become available after publishing this notice. Enactment of a continuing resolution or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The Agency will publish the program funding level on the Rural Development Web site (https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants). Section VII also announces solicitation of non-Federal independent grant reviewers to evaluate and score applications submitted under this Notice. DATES: You must submit your application by January 31, 2018 or it will not be considered for funding. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped or sent overnight by this date. You may also hand carry your application to one of our field offices, but it must be received by close of business on the deadline date. Electronic applications are permitted via http://www.grants.gov only, and must be received before midnight January 24, 2018. Late applications are not eligible for grant funding under this Notice. ADDRESSES: You should contact your USDA Rural Development State Office if you have questions about eligibility or submission requirements. You are encouraged to contact your State Office well in advance of the application deadline to discuss your project and to ask any questions about the application process. Application materials are available at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants. If you want to submit an electronic application, follow the instructions for the VAPG funding announcement on http://www.grants.gov. Please review the Grants.gov Web site at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization-registration.html for instructions on the process of registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure you are able to meet the electronic application deadline. If you want to submit a paper application, send it to the State Office located in the State where your project will primarily take place. You can find State Office Contact information at http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Grants Division, Cooperative Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., MS 3253, Room 4008-South, Washington, DC 20250-3253, or call 202-690-1374. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Overview Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Funding Opportunity Title: Value-Added Producer Grant. Announcement Type: Notice of Solicitation of Applications and Solicitation of Grant Reviewers Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.352. Dates: Application Deadline. You must submit your complete paper application by January 31, 2018, or it will not be considered for funding. Electronic applications must be received by http://www.grants.gov no later than midnight Eastern Time January 24, 2018, or it will not be considered for funding. [[Page 40988]] Paperwork Reduction Act In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the paperwork burden associated with this Notice has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0039. A. Program Description The VAPG program is authorized under section 231 of the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-224), as amended by section 6203 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79) (see 7 U.S.C. 1632a). Applicants must adhere to the requirements contained in the program regulation, 7 CFR 4284, subpart J, which is incorporated by reference in this Notice. The objective of this grant program is to assist viable Independent Producers, Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in starting or expanding value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of Value-Added Agricultural Products. Grants will be awarded competitively for either planning or working capital projects directly related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of the program. All proposals must demonstrate economic viability and sustainability in order to compete for funding. Funding priority will be made available to Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, Operators of Small and Medium-Sized Farms and Ranches structured as Family Farms or Ranches, Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives, and projects proposing to develop a Mid-Tier Value Chain. See 7 CFR 4284.923 for Reserved Funds eligibility and 7 CFR 4284.924 for Priority Scoring eligibility. Definitions The terms you need to understand are defined in 7 CFR 4284.902. B. Federal Award Information Type of Instrument: Grant. Approximate Number of Awards: To be determined. Available Total Funding: To be determined. Maximum Award Amount: Planning--$75,000; Working Capital--$250,000. Project Period: Up to 36 months depending on the complexity of the project. Anticipated Award Date: May 31, 2018. Reservation of Funds: Ten percent of available funds for applications will be reserved for applications submitted by Beginning and Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers, and an additional ten percent of available funds for applications from farmers or ranchers proposing development of Mid-Tier Value Chains. Reserved funds not obligated prior to June 30, 2018, will be used for the VAPG general competition. If this is the case, Beginning and Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers and applicants proposing Mid-Tier Value Chains will compete with other eligible VAPG applications. In addition, in accordance with Title VII, Section 750 of Public Law 115-30, 10% of FY 2017 funds will be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties. Any funds that become available after publishing this notice that will be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties will be identified by the Agency at a later date, after the applicable appropriations language has been enacted. C. Eligibility Information Applicants must comply with the program regulation 7 CFR part 4284 subpart J in order to meet all of the following eligibility requirements. Required documentation is included in the application package. Applications which fail to meet any of these requirements by the application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be evaluated further. 1. Eligible Applicants You must demonstrate within the application narrative that you meet all the applicant eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 4284.920 and 4284.921. This includes meeting the definition requirements at 7 CFR 4284.902 for one of the following applicant types: Independent Producer, Agricultural Producer Group, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative or Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business and also meeting the Emerging Market, Citizenship, Legal Authority and Responsibility, Multiple Grants and Active Grants requirements of the section. Required documentation to support eligibility is contained at 7 CFR 4284.931 and in the application package. Federally-recognized Tribes and tribal entities must demonstrate that they meet the definition requirements for one of the four eligible applicant types. Rural Development State Offices and posted application toolkits will provide additional information on Tribal eligibility. Per 4284.921, an applicant is ineligible if they have been debarred or suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, ``Debarment and Suspension.'' In addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible for a grant due to an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a Federal Court (other than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt. Per 4284.905(a), Applicants must comply with other applicable Federal laws. Applicants who are proposing working capital grants to produce and market value-added products in the industries of wine, beer, distilled spirits or other alcoholic merchandise must comply with Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations, including but not limited to permitting, filing of taxes and operational reports. Please visit TTB's Web site at https://www.ttb.gov/index.shtml for more information. If you are not in compliance with TTB's requirements, the Agency may determine that you are not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. If, at any time after you have already received a VAPG award, you are found to be in noncompliance with TTB's operational reporting or tax requirements, the Agency may determine that you are not in compliance with your grant terms and conditions. An Applicant may submit only one application in response to a solicitation, and must explicitly direct that it compete in either the general funds competition or in one of the named reserved funds competitions. Multiple applications from separate entities with identical or greater than 75 percent common ownership, or from a parent, subsidiary or affiliated organization (with ``affiliation'' defined by Small Business Administration regulation 13 CFR 121.103, or successor regulation) are not permitted. Further, Applicants who have already received a Planning Grant for the proposed project cannot receive another Planning Grant for the same project. Applicants who have already received a Working Capital Grant for the proposed project cannot receive any additional grants for that project (Proposals from previous award recipients should be substantially different in terms of products and/or markets and should not merely be [[Page 40989]] extensions of previously funded projects). 2. Cost-Sharing or Matching There is a matching fund (cost-sharing) requirement of at least $1 for every $1 in grant funds provided by the Agency (matching funds plus grant funds must equal proposed Total Project Cost). Matching funds may be in the form of cash or eligible in-kind contributions. Matching contributions and may be used only for eligible project purposes, including any contributions exceeding the minimum amount required. Applicant matching contributions in the form of raw commodity, time contributed to the project, or other goods or services, must be characterized as in-kind contributions. Donations of goods and service from third-parties must be characterized as in-kind contributions. Tribal applicants may utilize grants made available under Public Law 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, as their matching contribution, and should check with appropriate tribal authorities regarding the availability of such funding. Matching funds must be available at time of application and must be certified and verified as described in 7 CFR 4284.931(b)(3) and (4). Note that matching funds must also be discussed as part of the scoring criterion Commitments and Support as described in section E.1.(c). 3. Project Eligibility You must demonstrate within the application narrative that you meet all the project eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 4284.922. (a) Product eligibility. Applicants for both planning and working capital grants must meet all requirements at 7 CFR 4284.922(a), including that your value-added product must result from one of the five methodologies identified in the definition of Value-Added Agricultural Product at 7 CFR 4284.902. In addition, you must demonstrate that, as a result of the project, the customer base for the agricultural commodity or value-added product will be expanded, by including a baseline of current customers for the commodity, and an estimated target number of customers that will result from the project; and that, a greater portion of the revenue derived from the marketing or processing of the value-added product is available to the applicant producer(s) of the agricultural commodity, by including a baseline of current revenues from the sale of the agricultural commodity and an estimate of increased revenues that will result from the project. (b) Purpose eligibility. Applicants for both planning and working capital grants must meet all requirements at 7 CFR 4284.922(b) regarding maximum grant amounts, verification of matching funds, eligible and ineligible uses of grant and matching funds, a substantive work plan and budget. (i) Planning Grants. A planning grant is used to fund development of a defined program of economic planning activities to determine the viability of a potential value-added venture, and specifically for the purpose of paying for a qualified consultant to conduct and develop a feasibility study, business plan, and/or marketing plan associated with the processing and/or marketing of a value-added agricultural product. Planning grant funds may not be used to fund working capital activities. (ii) Working Capital Grants. This type of grant provides funds to operate a value-added project, specifically to pay the eligible project expenses directly related to the processing and/or marketing of the value-added product that are eligible uses of grant funds. Working capital funds may not be used for planning purposes. (c) Reserved Funds Eligibility. To qualify for Reserved Funds as a Beginning or Socially-Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher or if you propose to develop a Mid-Tier Value Chain, you must meet the requirements found at 7 CFR 4284.923. If your application is eligible, but is not awarded under the Reserved Funds, it will automatically be considered for general funds in that same fiscal year, as funding levels permit. (d) Priority Points. To qualify for Priority Points for projects that contribute to increasing opportunities for Beginning Farmers or Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers, or if you are an Operator of a Small or Medium-sized Farm or Ranch structured as a Family Farm, a Veteran Farmer or Rancher, propose a Mid-Tier Value Chain project, or are a Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, you must meet the applicable eligibility requirements at 7 CFR 4284.923 and 4284.924 and must address the relevant proposal evaluation criterion. Priority points will also be awarded during the scoring process to eligible Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer or Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Ventures that best contribute to creating or increasing marketing opportunities for Beginning Farmers or Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers, and/or Veteran Farmers or Ranchers. You must meet the eligibility requirements at 7 CFR 4284.923 and 4284.924 and must address the relevant proposal evaluation criterion. 4. Eligible Uses of Grant and Matching Funds Eligible uses of grant and matching funds are discussed, along with examples, in 7 CFR 4284.925. In general, grant and cost-share matching funds have the same use restrictions and must be used to fund only the costs for eligible purposes as defined at 7 CFR 4284.925 (a) and (b). 5. Ineligible Uses of Grant and Matching Funds Federal procurement standards prohibit transactions that involve a real or apparent Conflict of Interest for owners, employees, officers, agents, or their Immediate Family members having a personal, professional, financial or other interest in the outcome of the project; including organizational conflicts, and conflicts that restrict open and free competition for unrestrained trade. A list (not all-inclusive) of ineligible uses of grant and matching funds is found in 7 CFR 4284.926. D. Application and Submission Information 1. Address To Request Applications The application toolkit, regulation, and official program notification for this funding opportunity can be obtained online at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants. You may also contact your USDA Rural Development State Office by visiting http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. You may also obtain a copy by calling 202-690-1374. The toolkit contains an application checklist, templates, required grant forms, and instructions. Although the Agency highly recommends their use, use of the templates in the toolkit is not mandatory. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission You may submit your application in paper form or electronically through Grants.gov. Your application must contain all required information. To submit an application electronically, you must follow the instructions for this funding announcement at http://www.grants.gov. Please note that we cannot accept emailed or faxed applications. You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for this program by using a keyword, the [[Page 40990]] program name, or the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program. When you enter the Grants.gov Web site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site, as well as the hours of operation. To use Grants.gov, you must already have a DUNS number and you must also be registered and maintain registration in SAM. We strongly recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov. You must submit all of your application documents electronically through Grants.gov. After electronically submitting an application through Grants.gov, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number. If you want to submit a paper application, send it to the State Office located in the State where your project will primarily take place. You can find State Office Contact information at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. An optional-use Agency application template is available online at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants. Your application must contain all of the required forms and proposal elements described in 7 CFR 4284.931, unless otherwise clarified in this Notice. You are encouraged, but not required to utilize the Application Toolkits found at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants, however, you must provide all of the information requested by the template. You must become familiar with the program regulation at 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J in order to submit a successful application. Basic application contents are outlined below:Standard Form (SF)-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' to include your DUNS number and SAM (CAGE) code and expiration date (or evidence that you have begun the SAM registration process). Because there are no specific fields for a CAGE code and expiration date, you may identify them anywhere you want to on the form. If you do not include your DUNS number in your application, it will not be considered for funding. SF-424A, ``Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.'' This form must be completed and submitted as part of the application package. SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' This form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the application package. Form AD-3030, ``Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants,'' if you are a corporation. A corporation is any entity that has filed articles of incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the various territories of the United States including American Samoa, Guam, Midway Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Corporations include both for profit and non-profit entities. You must certify that there are no current outstanding Federal judgments against your property and that you will not use grant funds to pay for any judgment obtained by the United States. You must also certify that you are not delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or any Federal debt. To satisfy the Certification requirement, you should include this statement in your application: ``[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] certifies that the United States has not obtained an unsatisfied judgment against its property, is not delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or any Federal debt, and will not use grant funds to pay any judgments obtained by the United States.'' A separate signature is not required. You must provide a valid permit or evidence of having begun the permitting process if you are proposing a working capital grant to produce and market value-added products in the industries of wine, beer, distilled spirits or other alcoholic merchandise. Executive Summary and Abstract. A one-page Executive Summary containing the following information: legal name of applicant entity, application type (planning or working capital), applicant type, amount of grant request, a summary of your project, and whether you are submitting a simplified application, and whether you are requesting Reserved Funds. Also include a separate abstract of up to 100 words briefly describing your project. Eligibility discussion. Work plan and budget. Performance evaluation criteria. Proposal evaluation criteria. Certification and verification of matching funds. Reserved Funds and Priority Point documentation (as applicable). Appendices containing required supporting documentation. 3. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System for Awards Management (SAM) In order to be eligible (unless you are excepted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c) or (d), you are required to: (a) Provide a valid DUNS number in your application, which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711; (b) Register in SAM before submitting your application. You may register in SAM at no cost at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. You must provide your SAM Cage Code and expiration date or evidence that you have begun the SAM registration process at time of application, and (c) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which you have an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. If you have not fully complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements, the Agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and the Agency may use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. Please refer to Section F.2 for additional submission requirements that apply to grantees selected for this program. 4. Submission Dates and Times Application Deadline Date: January 31, 2018. Explanation of Deadlines: Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by January 31, 2018. The Agency will determine whether your application is late based on the date shown on the postmark or shipping invoice. You may also hand carry your application to one of our field offices, but it must be received by close of business on the deadline date. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the application is due the next business day. Late applications will automatically be considered ineligible and will not be evaluated further. Electronic applications must be received at http://www.grants.gov no later than midnight Eastern Time, January 24, 2018 to be eligible for funding. Please review the Grants.gov Web site at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions on the process of registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure you are able to meet the electronic application deadline. Grants.gov will not accept applications submitted after the deadline. [[Page 40991]] 5. Intergovernmental Review Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, applies to this program. This E.O. requires that Federal agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance with State and local governments. Many States have established a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. A list of States that maintain a SPOC may be obtained at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc. If your State has a SPOC, you must submit your application directly for review. Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be provided to RD for consideration as part of your application. If your State has not established a SPOC or you do not want to submit your application to the SPOC, RD will submit your application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or agencies. Applications from federally recognized Indian tribes are not subject to Intergovernmental Review. 6. Funding Restrictions Funding limitations and reservations found in the program regulation at 7 CFR 4284.927 will apply, including: (a) Use of Funds. Grant funds may be used to pay up to 50 percent of the total eligible project costs, subject to the limitations established for maximum total grant amount. Grant funds may not be used to pay any costs of the project incurred prior to the date of grant approval. Grant and matching funds may only be used for eligible purposes. (See examples of eligible and ineligible uses in 7 CFR 4284.925 and 4284.926, respectively.) (b) Grant Period (project period). Your project timeframe or grant period can be a maximum of 36 months in length from the date of award. Your proposed grant period should begin no earlier than the anticipated award announcement date in this Notice and should end no later than 36 months following that date. If you receive an award, your grant period will be revised to begin on the actual date of award--the date the grant agreement is executed by the Agency--and your grant period end date will be adjusted accordingly. Your project activities should begin within 90 days of that date of award. The length of your grant period should be based on your project's complexity, as indicated in your application work plan. For example, it is expected that most planning grants can be completed within 12 months. (c) Program Income. If income (Program Income) is earned during the grant period as a result of the project activities, it is subject to the requirements in 2 CFR 200.80, and must be managed and reported accordingly. (d) Majority Controlled Producer-Based Business. The aggregate amount of awards to Majority Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in response to this announcement shall not exceed 10 percent of the total funds obligated for the program during the fiscal year. (e) Reserved Funds. Ten percent of all funds available will be reserved to fund projects that benefit Beginning Farmers or Ranchers, or Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers or Ranchers. In addition, 10 percent of total funding available will be used to fund projects that propose development of Mid-Tier Value Chains as part of a Local or Regional Supply Chain Network. See related definitions in 7 CFR 4284.902. In addition, in accordance with Title VII, Section 750 of Public Law 115- 30, 10% of FY 2017 funds will be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties. Any funds that become available after publishing this notice that will be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties will be identified by the Agency at a later date, after the applicable appropriations language has been enacted. (f) Disposition of Reserved Funds Not Obligated. For this announcement, any reserved funds that have not been obligated by June 30, 2018, will be available to the Secretary to make VAPG grants in accordance with 7 CFR 4284.927. 7. Other Submission Requirements (a) National Environmental Policy Act This Notice has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970, ``Environmental Policies and Procedures.'' We have determined that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required because the issuance of regulations and instructions, as well as amendments to them, describing administrative and financial procedures for processing, approving, and implementing the Agency's financial programs is categorically excluded in the Agency's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulation found at 7 CFR 1970.53(f). We have determined that this Notice does not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The Agency will review each grant application to determine its compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide additional information or documentation to assist the Agency with this determination. (b) Civil Rights Compliance Requirements All grants made under this Notice are subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. E. Application Review Information Applications will be reviewed and processed as described at 7 CFR 4284.940. The Agency will review your application to determine if it is complete and eligible. If at any time, the Agency determines that your application is ineligible, you will be notified in writing as to the reasons it was determined ineligible and you will be informed of your review and appeal rights. Funding of successfully appealed applications will be limited to available funds. The Agency will only score applications in which the applicant and project are eligible, which are complete and sufficiently responsive to program requirements, and in which the Agency agrees on the likelihood of financial feasibility for working capital requests. We will score your application according to the procedures and criteria specified in 7 CFR 4284.942, and with tiered scoring thresholds as specified below. 1. Scoring Criteria For each criterion, you must show how the project has merit and why it is likely to be successful. Your complete response to each criterion must be included in the body of the application, including summarizations of any feasibility studies, business and marketing plans (please note that feasibility studies, business or marketing plants are not provided to reviewers). If you do not address all parts of the criterion, or do not sufficiently communicate relevant project information, you will receive lower scores. VAPG is a competitive program, so you will receive scores based on the quality of your responses. Simply addressing the criteria will not guarantee higher scores. The maximum number of points that can be awarded to your application is 100. For this announcement, the minimum score requirement for funding is 50 points. The Agency application toolkit provides additional instruction to help you to respond to the criteria below. (a) Nature of the Proposed Venture (Graduated Score 0-30 Points) For both planning and working capital grants, you must discuss the technological feasibility of the project, as well as operational efficiency, [[Page 40992]] profitability, and overall economic sustainability resulting from the project. You must also demonstrate the potential for expanding the customer base for the agricultural commodity or value-added product, and the expected increase in revenue returns to the producer-owners providing the majority of the raw agricultural commodity to the project. Working capital applicants must also provide the potential number of jobs that will result from the project, along with a justifiable basis for these projections. Please see the application template for more information. All applicants must reference and summarize third-party data and other information that specifically supports your value-added project; discuss the value-added process you are proposing; potential markets and distribution channels; the value to be added to the raw commodity through the value-added process; cost and availability of inputs, your experience in marketing the proposed or similar product; business financial statements; and any other relevant information that supports the viability of your project. Working capital applicants should demonstrate that these outcomes will result from the project and include supportable projections of increase in customer base, revenue returned to producers and jobs resulting from the project in order to receive up to the maximum number of points. Planning grant applicants should describe the expected results, and the reasons supporting those expectations. Points will be awarded as follows: (i) 0 points will be awarded if you do not substantively address the criterion. (ii) 1-5 points will be awarded if you do not address each of the following: Technological feasibility, operational efficiency, profitability, and overall economic sustainability. (iii) 6-13 points will be awarded if you address technological feasibility, operational efficiency, profitability, and overall economic sustainability, but do not reference third-party information that supports the success of your project. (iv) 14-22 points will be awarded if you address technological feasibility, operational efficiency, profitability, and overall economic, supported by third-party information demonstrating a reasonable likelihood of success. (v) 23-30 points will be awarded if all criterion components are well addressed, supported by third-party information, and demonstrate a high likelihood of success. (b) Qualifications of Project Personnel (Graduated Score 0-20 Points) You must identify all individuals who will be responsible for completing the proposed tasks in the work plan, including the roles and activities that owners, staff, contractors, consultants or new hires may perform; and show that these individuals have the necessary qualifications and expertise, including those hired to do market or feasibility analyses, or to develop a business operations plan for the value-added venture. You must include the qualifications of those individuals responsible for leading or managing the total project (applicant owners or project managers), as well as those individuals responsible for actually conducting the various individual tasks in the work plan (such as consultants, contractors, staff or new hires). You must discuss the commitment and the availability of any consultants or other professionals to be hired for the project--especially those who may be consulting on multiple VAPG projects. If staff or consultants have not been selected at the time of application, you must provide specific descriptions of the qualifications required for the positions to be filled. Applications that demonstrate the strong credentials, education, capabilities, experience and availability of project personnel that will contribute to a high likelihood of project success will receive more points than those that demonstrate less potential for success in these areas. Points will be awarded as follows: (i) 0 points will be awarded if you do not substantively address the criterion. (ii) 1-4 points will be awarded if qualifications and experience of all staff is not addressed and/or if necessary qualifications of unfilled positions are not provided. (iii) 5-9 points will be awarded if all project personnel are identified but do not demonstrate qualifications or experience relevant to the project. (iv) 10-14 will be awarded if most key personnel demonstrate strong credentials and/or experience, and availability indicating a reasonable likelihood of success. (v) 15-20 points will be awarded if all personnel demonstrate strong, relevant credentials or experience, and availability indicating a high likelihood of project success. (c) Commitments and Support (Graduated Score 0-10 Points) Producer commitments to the project will be evaluated based on the number of independent producers currently involved in the project; and the nature, level and quality of their contributions, including matching contributions. End-user commitments will be evaluated on the basis of potential or identified markets and the potential amount of output to be purchased, as indicated by letters of intent or contracts from potential buyers referenced within the application. Other third- party commitments to the project will be evaluated based on the critical and tangible nature of their contribution to the project, such as technical assistance, storage, processing, marketing, or distribution arrangements that are necessary for the project to proceed; and the level and quality of these contributions. All cash or in-kind contributions from the applicant, other producers, end users, or other contributors should be discussed. End-user commitments may include contracts or letters of intent or interest in purchasing the value-added product. Letters of commitment by producers, end-users, and third-parties should be summarized as part of your response to this criterion, and the letters must be included in Appendix B. Applications that demonstrate the project has strong direct financial support in the form of cash matching contributions and strong technical and logistical support to successfully complete the project will receive more points than those that demonstrate less potential for success in these areas. Please note that because applications with cash matching contributions are awarded more points than those pledging only in-kind contributions, applicants will not be able to substitute an in-kind match for cash after awards are made. Points will be awarded as follows: (i) 0 points will be awarded if you do not substantively address the criterion. (ii) 1-3 points will be awarded if you are the only producer participating in the project, AND show real, direct support from at least one end-user or third-party contributor. (iii) 4-6 points will be awarded if you, as the applicant, are the only producer participating in the project, AND show strong financial commitment in the form of cash matching contributions to the project AND measurable commitment or interest in purchasing the value-added product from at least one end-user; AND commitment or tangible support from at least one other third-party contributor; OR you, as the applicant, demonstrate participation from multiple producers, AND measurable commitment or interest in purchasing the value-added product from at least one end-user; AND commitment or tangible support from at least one third party contributor. [[Page 40993]] (iv) 7-10 points will be awarded if you, as the applicant, show strong financial commitment to the project in the form of cash matching contributions, AND participation from additional producers, AND measurable commitment or interest from multiple end-users, AND commitment or tangible support from multiple third-party contributors. (d) Work Plan and Budget (Graduated Score 0-20 Points) You must submit a comprehensive work plan and budget (for full details, see 7 CFR 4284.922(b)(5)). Your work plan must provide specific and detailed descriptions of the tasks and the key project personnel that will accomplish the project's goals. The budget must present a detailed breakdown of all estimated costs of project activities and allocate those costs among the listed tasks. You must show the source and use of both grant and matching funds for all tasks. Matching funds must be spent at a rate equal to, or in advance of, grant funds. An eligible start and end date for the entire project, as well as for each individual project task must be clearly shown. The project timeframe must not exceed 36 months and should be scaled to the complexity of the project. Working capital applications must include an estimate of program income expected to be earned during the grant period (see 2 CFR 200.307). Points will be awarded as follows: (i) 0 points will be awarded if you do not substantively address the criterion. (ii) 1-7 points will be awarded if the work plan and budget do not account for all project goals, tasks, costs, timelines, and responsible personnel. (iii) 8-14 points will be awarded if you provide a clear, comprehensive work plan detailing all project goals, tasks, timelines, costs, and responsible personnel in a logical and realistic manner that demonstrates a reasonable likelihood of success. (iv) 15-20 points will be awarded if you provide a clear, comprehensive work plan detailing all project goals, tasks, timelines, costs, and responsible personnel in a logical and realistic manner that demonstrates a high likelihood of success. (e) Priority Points Up to 10 Points (Lump Sum 0 or 5 Points Plus Graduated Score 0-5 Points) It is recommended that you use the Agency application package when applying for priority points and refer to the requirements specified in 7 CFR 4284.924. Priority points may be awarded in both the general funds and Reserved Funds competitions. (i) 5 points will be awarded if you meet the requirements for one of the following categories and provide the documentation described in 7 CFR 4284.923 and 4284.924 as applicable: Beginning Farmer or Rancher, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher, Veteran Farmer or Rancher, or Operator of a Small or Medium-sized Farm or Ranch that is structured as a Family Farm, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, or are proposing a Mid- Tier Value Chain project. (ii) Up to 5 priority points will be awarded if you are an Agricultural Producer Group, Farmer or Rancher Cooperative, or Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Business Venture (referred to below as ``applicant group'') whose project ``best contributes to creating or increasing marketing opportunities'' for Operators of Small- and Medium-sized Farms and Ranches that are structured as Family Farms, Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Socially-Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (referred to below as ``priority groups''). For each of the priority point levels below, applications must demonstrate how the proposed project will contribute to new or increased marketing opportunities for respective priority groups. Guidance on relevant information required to adequately demonstrate this requirement can be found in program application package. (A) 2 priority points will be awarded if the existing membership of the applicant group is comprised of either more than 50 percent of any one of the four priority groups or more than 50 percent of any combination of the four priority groups. (B) 1 priority point will be awarded if the existing membership of the applicant group is comprised of two or more of the priority groups. One point is awarded regardless of whether a group's membership is comprised of two, three, or all four of the priority groups. (C) 2 priority points will be awarded if the applicant's proposed project will increase the number of priority groups that comprise applicant membership by one or more priority groups. However, if an applicant group's membership is already comprised of all four priority groups, such an applicant would not be eligible for points under this criterion because there is no opportunity to increase the number of priority groups. Note also that this criterion does not consider either the percentage of the existing membership that is comprised of the four priority groups or the number of priority groups currently comprising the applicant group's membership. (f) Priority Categories (Graduated Score 0-10 Points) The Administrator of the Agency may choose to award up to 10 points to an application to improve the geographic diversity of awardees and/ or foster persistent poverty counties and/or help reduce unemployment through job creation in a fiscal year. 2. Review and Selection Process The Agency will select applications for award under this Notice in accordance with the provisions specified in 7 CFR 4284.950(a). If your application is eligible and complete, it will be qualitatively scored by at least two reviewers based on criteria specified in section E.1. of this Notice. One of these reviewers will be an experienced RD employee from your servicing State Office and at least one additional reviewer will be a non-Federal, independent reviewer, who must meet the following qualifications. Independent reviewers must have at least a bachelor's degree in one or more of the following fields: Agri-business, agricultural economics, agriculture, animal science, business, marketing, economics or finance; and a minimum of 8 years of experience in an agriculture-related field (e.g., farming, marketing, consulting, or research; or as university faculty, trade association official or non-Federal government official in an agriculturally-related field). Each reviewer will score evaluation criteria (a) through (d) and the totals for each reviewer will be added together and averaged. The RD State Office reviewer will also assign priority points based on criterion (e) in section E.1. of this Notice. These will be added to the average score. The sum of these scores will be ranked highest to lowest and this will comprise the initial ranking. The Administrator of the Agency may choose to award up to 10 Administrator priority points based on criterion (f) in section E.1. of this Notice. These points will be added to the cumulative score for a total possible score of 100. A final ranking will be obtained based solely on the scores received for criteria (a) through (e). A minimum score of 50 points is required for funding. Applications for Reserved Funds will be funded in rank order until funds are depleted. Unfunded reserve applications will be returned to the general funds where applications will be funded in rank order until the funds are expended. Funding for Majority Controlled Producer-Based Business [[Page 40994]] Ventures is limited to 10 percent of total grant funds expected to be obligated as a result of this Notice. These applications will be funded in rank order until the funding limitation has been reached. Grants to these applicants from Reserved Funds will count against this funding limitation. In the event of tied scores, the Administrator shall have discretion in breaking ties. If your application is ranked, but not funded, it will not be carried forward into the next competition. F. Federal Award Administration Information 1. Federal Award Notices If you are selected for funding, you will receive a signed notice of Federal award by postal mail, containing instructions on requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the award. If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in writing via postal mail and informed of any review and appeal rights. Funding of successfully appealed applications will be limited to available funding. 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this program can be found in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart J; the Grants and Agreements regulations of the Department of Agriculture codified in 2 CFR parts 180, 400, 415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170; and 48 CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to these parts. In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)). More information on these requirements can be found at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants. The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected for this program: (a) Agency approved Grant Agreement. (b) Letter of Conditions. (c) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.'' (d) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.'' (e) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters-Primary Covered Transactions.'' (f) Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions.'' (g) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace Requirement (Grants).'' (h) Form AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.'' Must be signed by corporate applicants who receive an award under this Notice. (i) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.'' (j) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable. (k) Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.'' 3. Reporting After grant approval and through grant completion, you will be required to provide the following, as indicated in the Grant Agreement: (a) A SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' and a project performance report will be required on a semiannual basis (due 30 working days after end of the semiannual period). For the purposes of this grant, semiannual periods end on March 31st and September 30th. The project performance reports shall include the elements prescribed in the grant agreement. (b) A final project and financial status report within 90 days after the expiration or termination of the grant. (c) Provide outcome project performance reports and final deliverables. G. Solicitation of Non-Federal Independent Grant Reviewers Rural Development is seeking non-Federal independent grant reviewers under this Notice. Reviewers must be able to use their professional knowledge and experience to evaluate and score VAPG program applications against the evaluation criteria published in this Notice, and effectively communicate their findings in writing. 1. Qualifications All reviewers must meet the following qualifications. (a) Have at least a bachelor's degree in one or more of the following fields: Agri-business, agricultural economics, business, marketing, economics or finance, and (b) A minimum of 8 years of experience in an agriculture-related field (e.g., farming, marketing, consulting, or research; or as university faculty, trade association official or non-Federal government official in an agriculturally-related field). 2. Ethical Standards Prospective reviewers must be able to exercise the highest level of ethical standards in avoiding conflict of interests and maintaining confidentiality. (a) Conflict of Interest Individuals selected as non-Federal independent grant reviewers will be required to certify that they do not have a conflict of interest or an appearance thereof with any VAPG application they are assigned to review. This may include but is not limited to certification that they did not apply for a VAPG grant, and are not affiliated with persons or organizations applying for VAPG funds. (b) Confidentiality Reviewers will also be required to sign a certification statement regarding the safeguarding of information contained in assigned applications. Failure to identify a conflict-of-interest or the unauthorized disclosure of information may subject reviewers to administrative sanction, i.e., removal from the current review and/or disqualification from involvement in future reviews of grant applications. 3. Training All reviewers must review and understand program requirements and must attend a mandatory training webinar. 4. System Requirements (a) Reviewers must have reliable internet access using Internet Explorer and be able to reliably both access applications and submit scores electronically; and (b) All reviewers must be able to complete requirements for, obtain, and maintain USDA Level 2 e-Authorization credentialing. To apply, please send a resume addressing relevant qualifications and experience to [email protected] by February 15, 2018. H. Agency Contacts If you have questions about this Notice, please contact the State Office as identified in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. You are also encouraged to visit the application Web site for application tools, including an application guide and templates. The Web site address is: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants. You may [[Page 40995]] also contact National Office staff: Tracey Kennedy, VAPG Program Lead, [email protected], or Shantelle Gordon, [email protected], or call the main line at 202-690-1374. I. Nondiscrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) Email: [email protected]. Dated: August 24, 2017. Chad Parker, Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service. [FR Doc. 2017-18306 Filed 8-28-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 29, 2017 / Notices 40987
Route 414, Hector, NY 14841; sites. These fees will also help support your application to one of our field
Manchester District Ranger, Green sustainable recreation on the Forests. offices, but it must be received by close
Mountain National Forest, 2538 Depot The proposed fees will be reviewed of business on the deadline date.
Street, Manchester Center, VT 05255; or by a Recreation Resource Advisory Electronic applications are permitted
Rochester District Ranger, Green Committee prior to a final decision and via http://www.grants.gov only, and
Mountain National Forest, 99 Ranger implementation. If approved by the must be received before midnight
Road, Rochester, VT 05767. Eastern Regional Forester, the new fees January 24, 2018. Late applications are
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: would go into effect around May 2018. not eligible for grant funding under this
Hector Ranger District: Tim Noon, The Backbone Horse Camp, Grout Pond Notice.
Natural Resource Specialist, (607) 546– Recreation Area, Silver Lake ADDRESSES: You should contact your
4470; Manchester Ranger District: Emily Campground, and Texas Falls Day Use
USDA Rural Development State Office if
Lauderdale, District Recreation Program Area Pavilion will become available for
you have questions about eligibility or
Manager, (802) 362–2307; Rochester recreational use and rentals around May
submission requirements. You are
Ranger District: Holly Knox, District 2018.
People wanting to reserve Backbone encouraged to contact your State Office
Recreation Program Manager, (802) 767– well in advance of the application
Horse Camp, Silver Lake Campground,
4261. deadline to discuss your project and to
or Texas Falls Day Use Area Pavilion
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
will need to do so through Recreation ask any questions about the application
Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement One Stop, at www.recreation.gov or by process. Application materials are
Act (Title VII, Pub. L. 108–447) directs calling 1–877–444–6777. Recreation available at http://www.rd.usda.gov/
the Secretary of Agriculture to publish One Stop charges a $10 fee for programs-services/value-added-
a six month advance notice in the reservations. producer-grants.
Federal Register whenever new If you want to submit an electronic
recreation fee or fee areas are Dated: August 11, 2017. application, follow the instructions for
established. Glenn Casamassa, the VAPG funding announcement on
The Green Mountain and Finger Lakes Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest http://www.grants.gov. Please review
National Forests are proposing several System. the Grants.gov Web site at http://
new fees to recreation areas on the three [FR Doc. 2017–18233 Filed 8–28–17; 8:45 am] grants.gov/applicants/organization-
ranger districts located within the BILLING CODE 3411–15–P registration.html for instructions on the
Forests. They are as follows: process of registering your organization
1. Hector Ranger District, Finger Lakes as soon as possible to ensure you are
National Forest: Proposed new fees for DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE able to meet the electronic application
Backbone Horse Camp for overnight use deadline. If you want to submit a paper
at $15.00 per night for one vehicle and Rural Business-Cooperative Service
application, send it to the State Office
one horse trailer, and a day use fee of Inviting Applications for Value-Added located in the State where your project
$5.00 for one vehicle and one horse Producer Grants and Solicitation of will primarily take place. You can find
trailer. Grant Reviewers State Office Contact information at
2. Manchester Ranger District, Green http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/
Mountain National Forest: Proposed AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative state-offices.
new fees for Grout Pond Recreation Service, USDA
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Area for overnight use at $16.00 per ACTION: Notice.
Grants Division, Cooperative Programs,
night for one vehicle, plus an additional Rural Business-Cooperative Service,
$5 for each additional vehicle. SUMMARY: This Notice announces that
the Rural Business-Cooperative Service United States Department of
3. Rochester Ranger District, Green Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue
Mountain National Forest: Proposed (Agency) is accepting applications for
the Value-Added Producer Grant SW., MS 3253, Room 4008-South,
new fees for Silver Lake Campground at Washington, DC 20250–3253, or call
$10 per night, plus an additional $5 for (VAPG) program. Approximately $18
million is currently available. The 202–690–1374.
each additional vehicle; and Texas Falls
Day Use Area Pavilion at $20 for up to Agency may also utilize any funding SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
20 people, and $40 for 21–40 people. that become available after publishing
Overview
A tremendous increase in recreation this notice. Enactment of a continuing
use at these specific areas on the Forests resolution or an appropriations act may Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural
has shown that people appreciate and affect the availability or level of funding Business-Cooperative Service.
enjoy the availability of developed for this program. The Agency will Funding Opportunity Title: Value-
recreation facilities and pavilions. The publish the program funding level on Added Producer Grant.
Forests currently have several the Rural Development Web site Announcement Type: Notice of
campgrounds and recreation areas with (https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs- Solicitation of Applications and
fees, and pavilions for rent. The services/value-added-producer-grants). Solicitation of Grant Reviewers
campgrounds and recreation areas are Section VII also announces solicitation Catalog of Federal Domestic
often at capacity with pavilion rentals of non-Federal independent grant Assistance Number: 10.352.
often fully booked throughout their reviewers to evaluate and score Dates: Application Deadline. You
rental season. A market analysis for applications submitted under this must submit your complete paper
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
each area indicates that the above Notice. application by January 31, 2018, or it
proposed fees are both reasonable and DATES: You must submit your will not be considered for funding.
acceptable for this sort of unique application by January 31, 2018 or it Electronic applications must be received
recreation experience. Revenue from the will not be considered for funding. by http://www.grants.gov no later than
recreation fees will be used for Paper applications must be postmarked midnight Eastern Time January 24,
improvements as well as the continued and mailed, shipped or sent overnight 2018, or it will not be considered for
operation and maintenance of these by this date. You may also hand carry funding.
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![40990 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 29, 2017 / Notices
program name, or the Catalog of Federal • Form AD–3030, ‘‘Representations 3. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Domestic Assistance Number for this Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Numbering System (DUNS) and System
program. Delinquent Status for Corporate for Awards Management (SAM)
When you enter the Grants.gov Web Applicants,’’ if you are a corporation. A In order to be eligible (unless you are
site, you will find information about corporation is any entity that has filed excepted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c) or
submitting an application electronically articles of incorporation in one of the 50 (d), you are required to:
through the site, as well as the hours of States, the District of Columbia, the (a) Provide a valid DUNS number in
operation. Federated States of Micronesia, the your application, which can be obtained
To use Grants.gov, you must already Republic of Palau, and the Republic of at no cost via a toll-free request line at
have a DUNS number and you must also the Marshall Islands, or the various (866) 705–5711;
be registered and maintain registration territories of the United States including (b) Register in SAM before submitting
in SAM. We strongly recommend that American Samoa, Guam, Midway your application. You may register in
you do not wait until the application Islands, the Commonwealth of the SAM at no cost at https://www.sam.gov/
deadline date to begin the application Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, portal/public/SAM/. You must provide
process through Grants.gov. or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Corporations your SAM Cage Code and expiration
You must submit all of your include both for profit and non-profit date or evidence that you have begun
application documents electronically entities. the SAM registration process at time of
through Grants.gov. • You must certify that there are no application, and
After electronically submitting an current outstanding Federal judgments (c) Continue to maintain an active
application through Grants.gov, you will against your property and that you will SAM registration with current
receive an automatic acknowledgement not use grant funds to pay for any information at all times during which
from Grants.gov that contains a judgment obtained by the United States. you have an active Federal award or an
Grants.gov tracking number. You must also certify that you are not application or plan under consideration
If you want to submit a paper delinquent on the payment of Federal by a Federal awarding agency.
application, send it to the State Office income taxes, or any Federal debt. To If you have not fully complied with
located in the State where your project satisfy the Certification requirement, all applicable DUNS and SAM
will primarily take place. You can find you should include this statement in requirements, the Agency may
State Office Contact information at: your application: ‘‘[INSERT NAME OF determine that the applicant is not
http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/ APPLICANT] certifies that the United qualified to receive a Federal award and
state-offices. An optional-use Agency States has not obtained an unsatisfied the Agency may use that determination
application template is available online judgment against its property, is not as a basis for making an award to
at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs- delinquent on the payment of Federal another applicant. Please refer to
services/value-added-producer-grants. income taxes, or any Federal debt, and Section F.2 for additional submission
Your application must contain all of will not use grant funds to pay any requirements that apply to grantees
the required forms and proposal judgments obtained by the United selected for this program.
elements described in 7 CFR 4284.931, States.’’ A separate signature is not
unless otherwise clarified in this Notice. required. 4. Submission Dates and Times
You are encouraged, but not required to • You must provide a valid permit or Application Deadline Date: January
utilize the Application Toolkits found at evidence of having begun the permitting 31, 2018.
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs- process if you are proposing a working Explanation of Deadlines: Paper
services/value-added-producer-grants, capital grant to produce and market applications must be postmarked and
however, you must provide all of the value-added products in the industries mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by
information requested by the template. of wine, beer, distilled spirits or other January 31, 2018. The Agency will
You must become familiar with the alcoholic merchandise. determine whether your application is
program regulation at 7 CFR part 4284, late based on the date shown on the
• Executive Summary and Abstract. A
subpart J in order to submit a successful postmark or shipping invoice. You may
one-page Executive Summary
application. Basic application contents also hand carry your application to one
containing the following information:
are outlined below: of our field offices, but it must be
legal name of applicant entity,
• Standard Form (SF)–424, received by close of business on the
application type (planning or working
‘‘Application for Federal Assistance,’’ to deadline date. If the due date falls on a
capital), applicant type, amount of grant
include your DUNS number and SAM Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday,
request, a summary of your project, and
(CAGE) code and expiration date (or the application is due the next business
whether you are submitting a simplified
evidence that you have begun the SAM day. Late applications will
application, and whether you are
registration process). Because there are automatically be considered ineligible
requesting Reserved Funds. Also
no specific fields for a CAGE code and and will not be evaluated further.
include a separate abstract of up to 100
expiration date, you may identify them Electronic applications must be
words briefly describing your project.
anywhere you want to on the form. If received at http://www.grants.gov no
you do not include your DUNS number • Eligibility discussion. later than midnight Eastern Time,
in your application, it will not be • Work plan and budget. January 24, 2018 to be eligible for
considered for funding. • Performance evaluation criteria. funding. Please review the Grants.gov
• SF–424A, ‘‘Budget Information- Web site at http://grants.gov/applicants/
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
• Proposal evaluation criteria.
Non-Construction Programs.’’ This form organization_registration.jsp for
must be completed and submitted as • Certification and verification of instructions on the process of registering
part of the application package. matching funds. your organization as soon as possible to
• SF–424B, ‘‘Assurances—Non- • Reserved Funds and Priority Point ensure you are able to meet the
Construction Programs.’’ This form must documentation (as applicable). electronic application deadline.
be completed, signed, and submitted as • Appendices containing required Grants.gov will not accept applications
part of the application package. supporting documentation. submitted after the deadline.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 29, 2017 / Notices 40995
also contact National Office staff: Tracey DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE pre-decisional changes to the Commerce
Kennedy, VAPG Program Lead, Control List and the U.S. export control
tracey.kennedy@wdc.usda.gov, or Bureau of Industry and Security policies shall be exempt from the
Shantelle Gordon, shantelle.gordon@ provisions relating to public meetings
wdc.usda.gov, or call the main line at Regulations and Procedures Technical found in 5 U.S.C. app. 2 § § 10(a)(1) and
202–690–1374. Advisory Committee; Notice of 10(a)(3). The remaining portions of the
Partially Closed Meeting meeting will be open to the public.
I. Nondiscrimination Statement For more information, call Yvette
The Regulations and Procedures
In accordance with Federal civil Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) Springer at (202) 482–2813.
rights law and U.S. Department of will meet September 12, 2017, 9:00 a.m., Yvette Springer,
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights Room 1412, in the Herbert C. Hoover Committee Liaison Officer.
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Building, 14th Street between [FR Doc. 2017–18215 Filed 8–28–17; 8:45 am]
Agencies, offices, and employees, and Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues BILLING CODE 3510–JT–P
institutions participating in or NW., Washington, DC. The Committee
administering USDA programs are advises the Office of the Assistant
prohibited from discriminating based on Secretary for Export Administration on DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, implementation of the Export
gender identity (including gender Administration Regulations (EAR) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
expression), sexual orientation, provides for continuing review to Administration
disability, age, marital status, family/ update the EAR as needed.
RIN 0648–XF629
parental status, income derived from a Agenda
public assistance program, political Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico;
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior Public Session Southeast Data, Assessment, and
civil rights activity, in any program or 1. Opening remarks by the Chairman Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting
activity conducted or funded by USDA 2. Opening remarks by the Bureau of
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
(not all bases apply to all programs). Industry and Security
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Remedies and complaint filing 3. Presentation of papers or comments
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
deadlines vary by program or incident. by the Public
4. Export Enforcement update Commerce.
Persons with disabilities who require ACTION: Notice of SEDAR 52 assessment
5. Regulations update
alternative means of communication for scoping webinar for Gulf of Mexico red
6. Working group reports
program information (e.g., Braille, large 7. Automated Export System update snapper.
print, audiotape, American Sign
Language, etc.) should contact the Closed Session SUMMARY: The SEDAR 52 assessment
responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET 8. Discussion of matters determined to process of Gulf of Mexico red snapper
Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and be exempt from the provisions will consist of an In-person Workshop,
TTY) or contact USDA through the relating to public meetings found in and a series of assessment webinars. See
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. 5 U.S.C. app. 2 §§ 10(a)(1) and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Additionally, program information may 10(a)(3). DATES: The SEDAR 52 assessment
be made available in languages other The open session will be accessible scoping webinar will be held September
than English. via teleconference to 25 participants on 21, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
To file a program discrimination a first come, first serve basis. To join the Eastern Time.
complaint, complete the USDA Program conference, submit inquiries to Ms. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held
Discrimination Complaint Form, AD– Yvette Springer at Yvette.Springer@ via webinar. The webinar is open to
3027, found online at http:// bis.doc.gov no later than September 5, members of the public. Those interested
www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_ 2017. in participating should contact Julie A.
cust.html and at any USDA office or A limited number of seats will be Neer at SEDAR (See Contact Information
write a letter addressed to USDA and available for the public session. Below) to request an invitation
provide in the letter all of the Reservations are not accepted. To the providing webinar access information.
information requested in the form. To extent that time permits, members of the Please request webinar invitations at
request a copy of the complaint form, public may present oral statements to least 24 hours in advance of each
call (866) 632–9992. Submit your the Committee. The public may submit webinar.
completed form or letter to USDA by: written statements at any time before or SEDAR address: 4055 Faber Place
after the meeting. However, to facilitate Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of 29405.
Agriculture, Office of the Assistant the distribution of public presentation
materials to the Committee members, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 A. Neer, SEDAR Coordinator; (843) 571–
Independence Avenue SW., the Committee suggests that presenters
forward the public presentation 4366; email: Julie.neer@safmc.net.
Washington, DC 20250–9410;
materials prior to the meeting to Ms. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf
(2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or Springer via email. of Mexico, South Atlantic, and
The Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Fishery Management
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
Administration, with the concurrence of Councils, in conjunction with NOAA
Dated: August 24, 2017.
the delegate of the General Counsel, Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf
Chad Parker, formally determined on February 15, States Marine Fisheries Commissions
Acting Administrator, Rural Business- 2017, pursuant to Section 10(d) of the have implemented the Southeast Data,
Cooperative Service. Federal Advisory Committee Act, as Assessment and Review (SEDAR)
[FR Doc. 2017–18306 Filed 8–28–17; 8:45 am] amended (5 U.S.C. app. 2 § 10(d)), that process, a multi-step method for
BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P the portion of the meeting dealing with determining the status of fish stocks in
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Document Created: 2017-08-29 01:58:16
Document Modified: 2017-08-29 01:58:16
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | You must submit your application by January 31, 2018 or it will not be considered for funding. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped or sent overnight by this date. You may also hand carry your application to one of our field offices, but it must be received by close of business on the deadline date. Electronic applications are permitted via http://www.grants.gov only, and must be received before midnight January 24, 2018. Late applications are not eligible for grant funding under this Notice. | |
| Contact | Grants Division, Cooperative Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., MS 3253, Room 4008-South, Washington, DC 20250-3253, or call 202-690-1374. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 40987 |
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