82_FR_45443 82 FR 45256 - Inviting Applications for Technical Assistance and Training Grants

82 FR 45256 - Inviting Applications for Technical Assistance and Training Grants

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 187 (September 28, 2017)

Page Range45256-45260
FR Document2017-20852

This Notice announces that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is accepting applications for the Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program (TAT). RUS is providing an amount of funding to be determined to provide technical assistance and training grants for disaster recovery (TAT/DR) to RUS eligible water and sewer utilities serving areas subject to Presidential disaster declarations in effect on or after the date of this notice which are beyond the scope or capacity of existing grant agreements or contracts with the RUS and do not duplicate other federal assistance to water and sewer utilities in the affected areas. No single award will exceed $600,000 and more than one grant may be made. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's risk. Once funding for TAT has been determined, RUS will publish the program funding level on the Rural Development Web site https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water- waste-disposal-technical-assistance-training-grants.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45256-45260]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20852]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Inviting Applications for Technical Assistance and Training 
Grants

AGENCY: Rural Development, Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
is accepting applications for the Technical Assistance and Training 
Grant Program (TAT). RUS is providing an amount of funding to be 
determined to provide technical assistance and training grants for 
disaster recovery (TAT/DR) to RUS eligible water and sewer utilities 
serving areas subject to Presidential disaster declarations in effect 
on or after the date of this notice which are beyond the scope or 
capacity of existing grant agreements or contracts with the RUS and do 
not duplicate other federal assistance to water and sewer utilities in 
the affected areas. No single award will exceed $600,000 and more than 
one grant may be made. Expenses incurred in developing applications 
will be at the applicant's risk. Once funding for TAT has been 
determined, RUS will publish the program funding level on the Rural 
Development Web site https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-waste-disposal-technical-assistance-training-grants.

DATES: Applications for TAT/DR grant(s) must be received by October 18, 
2017. Reminder of competitive grant application deadline: Applications 
must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 20 
days after this announcement appears in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: You may submit electronic grant applications at http://www.grants.gov/ (Grants.gov), following the instructions you find on 
that Web site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anita O'Brien, Loan Specialist, Water 
Program Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, by email at [email protected] or by telephone: 
(202) 690-3789.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Technical Assistance and Training for 
Disaster Recovery (TAT/DR).
    Announcement Type: Funding Level Announcement and Solicitation of 
Applications.
    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1926 (a)(14); Pub. L. 109-97, 119 Stat. 2120.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.761.
    Dates: You must submit completed application for a TAT/DR grant 
before October 18, 2017.

[[Page 45257]]

    Reminder of competitive grant application deadline: Applications 
must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 20 
days after this announcement appears in the Federal Register to be 
eligible for funding.

Items in Supplementary Information

    I. Funding Opportunity: Brief Introduction to the Technical 
Assistance and Training for Disaster Recovery (TAT/DR) Grants.
    Drinking water and wastewater systems are basic and vital to both 
health and economic development. With dependable water facilities and 
environmentally sound waste disposal, rural communities can attract 
families and businesses that will invest in the community and improve 
the quality of life for all residents. Without dependable water and 
wastewater facilities, the communities cannot sustain economic 
development. RUS supports the sound development of rural communities 
and the growth of our economy without endangering the environment. RUS 
provides financial and technical assistance to help communities bring 
safe drinking water and sanitary, environmentally sound waste disposal 
facilities to rural Americans in greatest need.
    The Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program has been 
established under 7 CFR part 1775 to assist communities with water or 
wastewater systems through free technical assistance and/or training 
provided by the grant recipients. Qualified private non-profit 
organizations will receive TAT grant funds to identify and evaluate 
solutions to water and waste disposal problems in rural areas, assist 
applicants in preparing applications for water and waste grants made at 
the State level offices, and improve operation and maintenance of 
existing water and waste disposal facilities in rural areas.

    II. Federal Award Information: Available funds, maximum amounts; 
$1,000,000
    III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of 
projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility
    IV. Application and Submission Information: Where to apply; what 
constitutes a completed application; how to submit applications; 
deadlines; and, items that are eligible
    V. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences; 
scoring criteria; review standards; and selection information
    VI. Federal Award Administration Information: Award notice 
information and award recipient reporting requirements
    VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, email, and contact name
    VIII. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

I. Funding Opportunity

    Drinking water and sewer systems are basic and vital to public 
health, the environment and economic development. Hurricanes, floods, 
forest fires and other natural disasters have severely damaged water 
systems in multiple states. Without dependable water supply, rural 
communities in these states will not attract families and businesses to 
return and invest in rural disaster damaged communities.
    The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) supports rural prosperity, 
quality of life, economic development and stewardship of the 
environment. RUS provides financial and technical assistance to help 
communities bring safe drinking water and sanitary, environmentally 
sound waste disposal facilities to rural Americans in greatest need.
    The additional funding made available under this notice for TAT/DR 
grants will allow rural communities to rebuild water and sewer 
infrastructure damaged by recent disasters and enhance the security of 
the RUS loan portfolio. Qualified private, non-profit organizations 
with expertise and a record of experience in providing technical 
assistance and training to RUS eligible water and sewer utilities may 
apply to receive a grant to provide technical assistance to RUS 
eligible water and sewer utilities in areas covered by a Presidential 
disaster declaration on or after the date of this notice. Grants are 
for disaster recovery related technical assistance, including such 
services as helping eligible rural water and sewer utilities complete 
Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) claims, and file 
insurance recovery claims, address and cure outstanding delinquencies, 
and assisting new and returning RUS applicants prepare applications for 
water and waste disposal loans and grants as needed.

II. Award Information

    Available funds: To be determined.

III. Eligibility Information

A. What are the basic eligibility requirements for applying?
    An organization is eligible to receive a TAT grant if it:
    a. Is a private, non-profit organization that has tax-exempt status 
from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS);
    b. Is legally established and located within one of the following:
     A state within the United States
     the District of Columbia
     the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
     a United States territory
    c. Has the legal capacity and authority to carry out the grant 
purpose;
    d. Has a proven record of successfully providing technical 
assistance and/or training to rural areas;
    e. Has capitalization acceptable to the Agency, and is composed of 
at least 51 percent of the outstanding interest or membership being 
citizens of the United States or individuals who reside in the United 
States after being legally admitted for permanent residence;
    f. Has no delinquent debt to the federal government or no 
outstanding judgments to repay a federal debt;
    g. Demonstrates that it possesses the financial, technical, and 
managerial capability to comply with federal and State laws and 
requirements;
    h. Contracts with a nonaffiliated organization for not more than 49 
percent of the grant to provide the proposed assistance.

(For more specific information see 7 CFR 1775.35.)

    The applying entity (Applicant) must:
    1. Be a private, national, non-profit organization that has tax-
exempt status from the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS);
    2. Be legally established and located within The United States of 
America;
    3. Have the legal capacity and authority to carry out the grant 
purposes;
    4. Have no delinquent debt to the Federal Government or no 
outstanding judgments to repay a Federal debt;
    5. Have proven expertise and experience delivering technical 
assistance and training to RUS eligible water and sewer utilities.
B. What are the basic eligibility requirements for a project?
    The qualified applicant must provide technical assistance to RUS 
eligible water and sewer utilities in rural areas covered by a 
Presidential disaster declaration existing on or after the date of this 
notice on disaster recovery related matters meeting the objectives and 
purposes of the program under 7 CFR part 1775.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    A. Where to get application information: http://www.grants.gov.
    B. Applicants will need a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number.

[[Page 45258]]

You must provide your DUNS number on the SF-424, ``Application for 
Federal Assistance.'' To verify that your organization has a DUNS 
number or to receive one at no cost, call the dedicated toll-free 
request line at 1-866-705-5711 or access the Web site http://www.dunandbradstreet.com. You will need the following information when 
requesting a DUNS number:
    a. Legal Name of the Applicant;
    b. Headquarters name and address of the Applicant;
    c. The names under which the Applicant is doing business as (dba) 
or other name by which the organization is commonly recognized;
    d. Physical address of the Applicant;
    e. Mailing address (if separate from headquarters and/or physical 
address) of the Applicant;
    f. Telephone number;
    g. Contact name and title;
    h. Number of employees at the physical location.
    C. The application and any materials sent with it become Federal 
records by law and cannot be returned to you.
    D. You must file an electronic application at the Web site: 
www.grants.gov. You must be registered with Grants.gov before you can 
submit a grant application. If you have not used Grants.gov before, you 
will need to register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and 
the Credential Provider. You will need a DUNS number to access or 
register at any of the services. The registration processes may take 
several business days to complete. Follow the instructions at 
Grants.gov for registering and submitting an electronic application. 
RUS may request original signatures on electronically submitted 
documents later.
    The CCR registers your organization, housing your organizational 
information and allowing Grants.gov to use it to verify your identity. 
You may register for the CCR by calling the CCR Assistance Center at 1-
888-227-2423 or you may register online at: http://www.ccr.gov.
    The Credential Provider gives you or your representative a username 
and password, as part of the Federal Government's e-Authentication to 
ensure a secure transaction. You will need the username and password 
when you register with Grants.gov or use Grants.gov to submit your 
application. You must register with the Central Provider through 
Grants.gov: https://apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister.
E. What constitutes a completed application?
    1. To be considered for assistance, you must be an eligible entity 
and must submit a complete application by the deadline date. You must 
consult the cost principles and general administrative requirements for 
grants pertaining to their organizational type in order to prepare the 
budget and complete other parts of the application. You also must 
demonstrate compliance (or intent to comply), through certification or 
other means, with a number of public policy requirements as 
demonstrated in the forms below.
    2. Applicants must complete and submit the following forms to apply 
for a Technical Assistance and Training grant:
    (a) Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance''
    (b) Standard Form 424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs''
    (c) Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs''
    (d) Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activity''
    (e) AD-3030, ``Representations Regarding felony Conviction and Tax 
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicant''
    (f) AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax 
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicant''
    (g) Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement''
    (h) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement (Under Title VI, Civil 
Rights Act of 1964)
    (i) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable, applicant must 
include approved cost agreement rate schedule)
    (j) Certification regarding Forest Service grant.
    3. All applications shall be accompanied by the following 
supporting documentation in concise written narrative form:
    (a) Evidence of applicant's legal existence and authority.
    (b) Evidence of tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS).
    (c) A short statement of applicant's experience in providing 
services similar to those proposed.
    (d) A brief description of successfully completed projects 
including the need that was identified and objectives accomplished.
    (e) The latest financial information to show the applicant's 
financial capacity to carry out the proposed work.
    (f) A list of proposed services to be provided.
    (g) An estimated breakdown of costs (direct and indirect) including 
those to be funded by grantee as well as other sources. Sufficient 
detail should be provided to permit the approval official to determine 
reasonableness, applicability, and eligibility.
    (h) Evidence that a Financial Management System is in place or 
proposed.
    (i) A description of national reach and capability.
    (ii) A description of the type of technical assistance and/or 
training to be provided and the tasks to be contracted.
    (iii) A description of how the effectiveness and results of the 
proposed TAT/DR project will be measured.
    (iv) A clear explanation of how the proposed services differ from 
other similar services being provided in the same area and measures to 
be taken to avoid duplication of federal effort.
    (v) Number of personnel on staff or to be contracted to provide the 
service and their experience with similar projects.
    (vi) A statement indicating the maximum number of months it would 
take to complete the project.
    (vii) Explanation of the cost effectiveness of project.
    4. Applicants must also submit a flexible work plan/project 
proposal that will outline the project in sufficient detail to provide 
a reader with a clear understanding of how the proposed TAT/DR project 
will address the technical assistance needs of RUS eligible water and 
sewer utilities in affected rural disaster areas that exist at the time 
of this notice or that may emerge during the term of the grant 
agreement.
    5. The applicant must provide evidence of compliance with other 
federal statutes, including but not limited to the following:
    i. Debarment and suspension information is required in accordance 
with 2 CFR part 417 (Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension) 
supplemented by 2 CFR part 180, if it applies. The section heading is 
``What information must I provide before entering into a covered 
transaction with the Federal Government?'' located at 2 CFR 180.335. It 
is part of OMB's Guidance for Grants and Agreements concerning 
Government-wide Debarment and Suspension.
    ii. All of your organization's known workplaces by including the 
actual address of buildings (or parts of buildings) or other sites 
where work under the award takes place. Workplace identification is 
required under the drug-free workplace requirements in Subpart B of 2 
CFR part 421, which adopts the Government-wide

[[Page 45259]]

implementation (2 CFR part 182) of the Drug-Free Workplace Act.
    iii. 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Assistance Requirements, Cost 
Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards).
    iv. 2 CFR part 182 (Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Financial Assistance)) and 2 CFR part 421 (Requirements for 
Drug Free Workplace (Financial Assistance)).
    v. Executive Order 13166, ``Improving Access to Services for 
Persons with Limited English Proficiency.'' For information on limited 
English proficiency and agency-specific guidance, go to http://www.LEP.gov.
    6. Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM). 
The applicant for a grant must supply a Dun and Bradstreet Data 
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as part of an application. The 
Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a field for the DUNS number. The 
applicant can obtain the DUNS number free of charge by calling Dun and 
Bradstreet. Please see http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform for more 
information on how to obtain a DUNS number or how to verify your 
organization's number.
    In accordance with 2 CFR part 25, whether applying electronically 
or by paper, the applicant must register in the System for Award 
Management (SAM) prior to submitting an application. Applicants may 
register for the SAM at https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1. The SAM 
registration must remain active with current information at all times 
while RUS is considering an application or while a Federal Grant award 
or loan is active. To remain registered in the SAM database the 
applicant must review and update the information in the SAM database 
annually from date of initial registration or from the date of the last 
update. The applicant must ensure that the information in the database 
is current, accurate, and complete.

V. Application Review Information

    A. RUS will acknowledge the application's receipt by email to the 
applicant. The application will be reviewed for completeness to 
determine if it contains all of the items required. If the application 
is incomplete or ineligible, RUS will return it to the Applicant with 
an explanation. The RUS reserves the right to request additional 
information once an application is determined to be complete to address 
specific disaster recovery needs that are known or anticipated at the 
time of evaluation or to minimize the risk of duplication of other 
federal efforts. The RUS grant offer to a successful applicant will be 
based on the submitted application and may be more narrowly tailored 
than the submitted application to meet rural community needs at the 
time of the offer or over the course of the grant period.
    B. A review team, composed of at least two members, will evaluate 
all applications and proposals. They will make overall recommendations 
based on factors such as eligibility, application completeness, and 
conformity to application requirements. They will score the 
applications based on criteria in paragraph C of this section.
    C. All applications that are complete and eligible will be scored 
and ranked competitively. The categories for scoring criteria used are 
the following:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Scoring criteria                          Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Scope of Assistance......................  Up to 15.
2. Degree of expertise......................  Up to 15.
3. Applicant Resource (staff and contract     Up to 10.
 personnel).
4. Goals/Objectives: Goals/objectives are     Up to 10.
 clearly defined and tied to need, results
 and measurable outcomes.
5. Extent to which the work plan clearly      Up to 20.
 articulates a well thought out approach to
 accomplishing objectives; and clearly
 defines how the applicant would respond to
 communities served by the TAT/DR grant.
6. Financial Controls.......................  Up to 5.
7. Type of technical assistance applicant is  Up to 20.
 providing.
8. Project duration.........................  Up to 5.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

VI. Award Administration Information

    A. RUS will rank all qualifying applications by their final score. 
Applications will be selected for funding based on the highest scores. 
No grant will exceed $600,000. The agency expects to award a small 
number of grants under this notice. The agency reserves the right to 
make no grant awards if all applications are incomplete and/or 
scorebelow 65 points. Each applicant will be notified via email of the 
agency's funding decision.
    B. In making its decision about your application, RUS may determine 
that your application is:
    1. Eligible and selected for funding;
    2. Eligible and offered fewer funds than requested;
    3. Eligible but not selected for funding; or
    4. Ineligible for the grant.
    C. Given the exigency of the need to respond to recent hurricanes, 
tornados, floods, forest fires and other presidentially declared 
emergencies, appeals of the funding decisions under this notice shall 
be made exclusively to the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service 
within 10 business days of receiving email notice of the funding 
decision. The Administrator's decision shall be final and non-
reviewable by the National Appeals Division.
    D. Applicants selected for funding will complete a grant agreement 
suitable to RUS, which outlines the terms and conditions of the grant 
award. Pursuant to the grant agreement, grant funds may be released 
over the course of the grant period in reimbursement for the 
performance of eligible, approved activities which do not duplicate 
similar federal efforts or tasks. The grant agreement may also include 
reporting and pre-approval requirements consistent with 7 CFR part 1775 
which if not met, may result in a delay in reimbursement, disallowance 
of expense or a suspension of the grant.
    E. Grantees will be reimbursed as follows:
    1. SF-270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' will be 
completed by the grantee and submitted to either the State or National 
Office not more frequently than monthly.
    2. Upon receipt of a properly completed SF-270, payment will 
ordinarily be made within 30 days.
    F. Any change in the scope of the project, budget adjustments of 
more than 10 percent of the total budget, or any other significant 
change in the project must be reported to and approved by the approval 
official by written amendment to the Grant Agreement. Any change not 
approved may be cause for termination of the grant.

[[Page 45260]]

    G. Project reporting.
    1. Grantees shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that 
time schedules are being met, projected work by time periods is being 
accomplished, and other performance objectives are being achieved.
    2. SF-269, ``Financial Status Report (short form),'' and a project 
performance activity report will be required of all grantees on a 
quarterly basis, due 30 days after the end of each quarter.
    3. A final project performance report will be required with the 
last SF-269 due 90 days after the end of the last quarter in which the 
project is completed. The final report may serve as the last quarterly 
report.
    4. All grantees are to submit an original of each report to the 
National Office. The project performance reports should detail, in a 
narrative format, activities that have transpired for the specific time 
period.
    H. The grantee will provide an audit report or financial statements 
in accordance with Uniform Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 
CFR part 200, subpart F.

VII. Agency Contacts

    A. Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water. The RUS' Web site 
maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for Technical 
Assistance and Training Grants program.
    B. Phone: 202-720-9586.
    C. Email: [email protected].
    D. Main point of contact: Anita O'Brien, Loan Specialist, Water and 
Environmental Programs, Water Programs Division, Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

VIII. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or 
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 
by: (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 9410, 
Washington, DC 20250-9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) Email: 
[email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, 
employer, and lender.

    Dated: September 25, 2017.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20852 Filed 9-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P



     45256

     Notices                                                                                                       Federal Register
                                                                                                                   Vol. 82, No. 187

                                                                                                                   Thursday, September 28, 2017



     This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    displays a currently valid OMB control                Assistance and Training Grant Program
     contains documents other than rules or                  number.                                               (TAT). RUS is providing an amount of
     proposed rules that are applicable to the                                                                     funding to be determined to provide
     public. Notices of hearings and investigations,         Food and Nutrition Service
                                                                                                                   technical assistance and training grants
     committee meetings, agency decisions and                   Title: Study of Non-Response to the                for disaster recovery (TAT/DR) to RUS
     rulings, delegations of authority, filing of            School Meals Application Verification
     petitions and applications and agency
                                                                                                                   eligible water and sewer utilities serving
                                                             Process.                                              areas subject to Presidential disaster
     statements of organization and functions are
     examples of documents appearing in this
                                                                OMB Control Number: 0584–New.                      declarations in effect on or after the date
     section.                                                   Summary of Collection: The National                of this notice which are beyond the
                                                             School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the                   scope or capacity of existing grant
                                                             School Breakfast Program (SBP) provide                agreements or contracts with the RUS
     DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               subsidized lunches and breakfasts to                  and do not duplicate other federal
                                                             millions of students each school day.                 assistance to water and sewer utilities in
     Submission for OMB Review;                              Students are certified eligible to receive            the affected areas. No single award will
     Comment Request                                         free or reduced-price (F/RP) meals                    exceed $600,000 and more than one
                                                             through application or direct                         grant may be made. Expenses incurred
     September 22, 2017.                                     certification. When eligibility is
       The Department of Agriculture has                                                                           in developing applications will be at the
                                                             determined using an application                       applicant’s risk. Once funding for TAT
     submitted the following information                     process, school districts must annually
     collection requirement(s) to OMB for                                                                          has been determined, RUS will publish
                                                             verify eligibility of children from a                 the program funding level on the Rural
     review and clearance under the                          sample of household applications for
     Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,                                                                              Development Web site https://
                                                             that school year, unless the State agency             www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
     Public Law 104–13. Comments are                         assumes responsibility for verification.
     requested regarding (1) whether the                                                                           water-waste-disposal-technical-
                                                             This study will examine the accuracy of               assistance-training-grants.
     collection of information is necessary                  district verification procedures.
     for the proper performance of the                                                                             DATES: Applications for TAT/DR
                                                                Need and Use of the Information:
     functions of the agency, including                                                                            grant(s) must be received by October 18,
                                                             Collecting this data will help FNS to
     whether the information will have                                                                             2017. Reminder of competitive grant
                                                             understand the approaches districts take
     practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the                                                                    application deadline: Applications must
                                                             to verification, understand the accuracy
     agency’s estimate of burden including                                                                         be submitted electronically through
                                                             of the verification process and the
     the validity of the methodology and                                                                           Grants.gov no later than 20 days after
                                                             results it produces in the context of
     assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance                                                                         this announcement appears in the
                                                             potential changes, and help to identify
     the quality, utility and clarity of the                                                                       Federal Register.
                                                             potential improvements to the
     information to be collected; and (4)                                                                          ADDRESSES: You may submit electronic
                                                             verification process.
     ways to minimize the burden of the                         Description of Respondents: State,                 grant applications at http://
     collection of information on those who                  Local, or Tribal Government;                          www.grants.gov/ (Grants.gov), following
     are to respond, including through the                                                                         the instructions you find on that Web
                                                             Individuals or Households.
     use of appropriate automated,                              Number of Respondents: 2,144.                      site.
     electronic, mechanical, or other                           Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
     technological collection techniques or                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                             Annually.                                             Anita O’Brien, Loan Specialist, Water
     other forms of information technology.                     Total Burden Hours: 5,535.
       Comments regarding this information                                                                         Program Division, Rural Utilities
     collection received by October 30, 2017                 Ruth Brown,                                           Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
     will be considered. Written comments                    Departmental Information Collection                   by email at anita.obrien@wdc.usda.gov
     should be addressed to: Desk Officer for                Clearance Officer.                                    or by telephone: (202) 690–3789.
     Agriculture, Office of Information and                  [FR Doc. 2017–20762 Filed 9–27–17; 8:45 am]           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
     Regulatory Affairs, Office of                           BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
                                                                                                                   Overview
     Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_
     Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax (202)                                                                             Federal Agency: Rural Utilities
     395–5806 and to Departmental                            DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                             Service (RUS).
     Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail                                                                              Funding Opportunity Title: Technical
     stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–7602.                   Rural Utilities Service                               Assistance and Training for Disaster
     Copies of the submission(s) may be                                                                            Recovery (TAT/DR).
                                                             Inviting Applications for Technical                     Announcement Type: Funding Level
     obtained by calling (202) 720–8958.
       An agency may not conduct or                          Assistance and Training Grants                        Announcement and Solicitation of
     sponsor a collection of information                     AGENCY:   Rural Development, Rural                    Applications.
     unless the collection of information                    Utilities Service, USDA.                                Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1926 (a)(14); Pub.
     displays a currently valid OMB control                  ACTION: Notice of Solicitation of                     L. 109–97, 119 Stat. 2120.
     number and the agency informs                           Applications (NOSA).                                    Catalog of Federal Domestic
     potential persons who are to respond to                                                                       Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.761.
     the collection of information that such                 SUMMARY:  This Notice announces that                    Dates: You must submit completed
     persons are not required to respond to                  the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is                  application for a TAT/DR grant before
     the collection of information unless it                 accepting applications for the Technical              October 18, 2017.


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                              Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 187 / Thursday, September 28, 2017 / Notices                                             45257

       Reminder of competitive grant                         and award recipient reporting                            b. Is legally established and located
     application deadline: Applications must                 requirements                                          within one of the following:
     be submitted electronically through                       VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone,                      • A state within the United States
     Grants.gov no later than 20 days after                  email, and contact name                                  • the District of Columbia
     this announcement appears in the                          VIII. USDA Non-Discrimination                          • the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
     Federal Register to be eligible for                     Statement                                                • a United States territory
     funding.                                                                                                         c. Has the legal capacity and authority
                                                             I. Funding Opportunity
     Items in Supplementary Information                                                                            to carry out the grant purpose;
                                                                Drinking water and sewer systems are                  d. Has a proven record of successfully
        I. Funding Opportunity: Brief                        basic and vital to public health, the                 providing technical assistance and/or
     Introduction to the Technical Assistance                environment and economic                              training to rural areas;
     and Training for Disaster Recovery                      development. Hurricanes, floods, forest                  e. Has capitalization acceptable to the
     (TAT/DR) Grants.                                        fires and other natural disasters have                Agency, and is composed of at least 51
        Drinking water and wastewater                        severely damaged water systems in                     percent of the outstanding interest or
     systems are basic and vital to both                     multiple states. Without dependable                   membership being citizens of the United
     health and economic development.                        water supply, rural communities in                    States or individuals who reside in the
     With dependable water facilities and                    these states will not attract families and            United States after being legally
     environmentally sound waste disposal,                   businesses to return and invest in rural              admitted for permanent residence;
     rural communities can attract families                  disaster damaged communities.                            f. Has no delinquent debt to the
     and businesses that will invest in the                     The Rural Utilities Service (RUS)                  federal government or no outstanding
     community and improve the quality of                    supports rural prosperity, quality of life,           judgments to repay a federal debt;
     life for all residents. Without                         economic development and stewardship                     g. Demonstrates that it possesses the
     dependable water and wastewater                         of the environment. RUS provides                      financial, technical, and managerial
     facilities, the communities cannot                      financial and technical assistance to                 capability to comply with federal and
     sustain economic development. RUS                       help communities bring safe drinking                  State laws and requirements;
     supports the sound development of                       water and sanitary, environmentally                      h. Contracts with a nonaffiliated
     rural communities and the growth of                     sound waste disposal facilities to rural              organization for not more than 49
     our economy without endangering the                     Americans in greatest need.                           percent of the grant to provide the
     environment. RUS provides financial                        The additional funding made                        proposed assistance.
     and technical assistance to help                        available under this notice for TAT/DR
     communities bring safe drinking water                                                                         (For more specific information see 7
                                                             grants will allow rural communities to                CFR 1775.35.)
     and sanitary, environmentally sound                     rebuild water and sewer infrastructure
     waste disposal facilities to rural                                                                               The applying entity (Applicant) must:
                                                             damaged by recent disasters and
     Americans in greatest need.                                                                                      1. Be a private, national, non-profit
                                                             enhance the security of the RUS loan
        The Technical Assistance and                                                                               organization that has tax-exempt status
                                                             portfolio. Qualified private, non-profit
     Training (TAT) Grant Program has been                                                                         from the United States Internal Revenue
                                                             organizations with expertise and a
     established under 7 CFR part 1775 to                                                                          Service (IRS);
                                                             record of experience in providing
     assist communities with water or                                                                                 2. Be legally established and located
                                                             technical assistance and training to RUS
     wastewater systems through free                                                                               within The United States of America;
                                                             eligible water and sewer utilities may
     technical assistance and/or training                                                                             3. Have the legal capacity and
                                                             apply to receive a grant to provide
     provided by the grant recipients.                                                                             authority to carry out the grant
                                                             technical assistance to RUS eligible
     Qualified private non-profit                                                                                  purposes;
                                                             water and sewer utilities in areas
     organizations will receive TAT grant                                                                             4. Have no delinquent debt to the
                                                             covered by a Presidential disaster
     funds to identify and evaluate solutions                                                                      Federal Government or no outstanding
                                                             declaration on or after the date of this
     to water and waste disposal problems in                                                                       judgments to repay a Federal debt;
                                                             notice. Grants are for disaster recovery
     rural areas, assist applicants in                                                                                5. Have proven expertise and
                                                             related technical assistance, including
     preparing applications for water and                                                                          experience delivering technical
                                                             such services as helping eligible rural
     waste grants made at the State level                                                                          assistance and training to RUS eligible
                                                             water and sewer utilities complete
     offices, and improve operation and                                                                            water and sewer utilities.
                                                             Federal Emergency Management
     maintenance of existing water and waste
                                                             Administration (FEMA) claims, and file                B. What are the basic eligibility
     disposal facilities in rural areas.
                                                             insurance recovery claims, address and                requirements for a project?
        II. Federal Award Information:                       cure outstanding delinquencies, and
     Available funds, maximum amounts;                                                                               The qualified applicant must provide
                                                             assisting new and returning RUS                       technical assistance to RUS eligible
     $1,000,000                                              applicants prepare applications for
        III. Eligibility Information: Who is                                                                       water and sewer utilities in rural areas
                                                             water and waste disposal loans and                    covered by a Presidential disaster
     eligible, what kinds of projects are
                                                             grants as needed.                                     declaration existing on or after the date
     eligible, what criteria determine basic
     eligibility                                             II. Award Information                                 of this notice on disaster recovery
        IV. Application and Submission                                                                             related matters meeting the objectives
                                                               Available funds: To be determined.
     Information: Where to apply; what                                                                             and purposes of the program under 7
     constitutes a completed application;                    III. Eligibility Information                          CFR part 1775.
     how to submit applications; deadlines;                  A. What are the basic eligibility                     IV. Application and Submission
     and, items that are eligible                            requirements for applying?                            Information
        V. Application Review Information:
     Considerations and preferences; scoring                   An organization is eligible to receive                A. Where to get application
     criteria; review standards; and selection               a TAT grant if it:                                    information: http://www.grants.gov.
     information                                               a. Is a private, non-profit organization              B. Applicants will need a Dun and
        VI. Federal Award Administration                     that has tax-exempt status from the U.S.              Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal
     Information: Award notice information                   Internal Revenue Service (IRS);                       Numbering System (DUNS) number.


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     45258                    Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 187 / Thursday, September 28, 2017 / Notices

     You must provide your DUNS number                       E. What constitutes a completed                       be funded by grantee as well as other
     on the SF–424, ‘‘Application for Federal                application?                                          sources. Sufficient detail should be
     Assistance.’’ To verify that your                          1. To be considered for assistance,                provided to permit the approval official
     organization has a DUNS number or to                    you must be an eligible entity and must               to determine reasonableness,
     receive one at no cost, call the dedicated              submit a complete application by the                  applicability, and eligibility.
     toll-free request line at 1–866–705–5711                deadline date. You must consult the                      (h) Evidence that a Financial
     or access the Web site http://                          cost principles and general                           Management System is in place or
     www.dunandbradstreet.com. You will                      administrative requirements for grants                proposed.
     need the following information when                     pertaining to their organizational type in               (i) A description of national reach and
     requesting a DUNS number:                               order to prepare the budget and                       capability.
       a. Legal Name of the Applicant;                       complete other parts of the application.                 (ii) A description of the type of
                                                             You also must demonstrate compliance                  technical assistance and/or training to
       b. Headquarters name and address of
                                                             (or intent to comply), through                        be provided and the tasks to be
     the Applicant;
                                                             certification or other means, with a                  contracted.
       c. The names under which the                                                                                   (iii) A description of how the
                                                             number of public policy requirements as
     Applicant is doing business as (dba) or                                                                       effectiveness and results of the proposed
                                                             demonstrated in the forms below.
     other name by which the organization is                                                                       TAT/DR project will be measured.
                                                                2. Applicants must complete and
     commonly recognized;                                                                                             (iv) A clear explanation of how the
                                                             submit the following forms to apply for
       d. Physical address of the Applicant;                 a Technical Assistance and Training                   proposed services differ from other
       e. Mailing address (if separate from                  grant:                                                similar services being provided in the
     headquarters and/or physical address)                      (a) Standard Form 424, ‘‘Application               same area and measures to be taken to
     of the Applicant;                                       for Federal Assistance’’                              avoid duplication of federal effort.
                                                                (b) Standard Form 424A, ‘‘Budget                      (v) Number of personnel on staff or to
       f. Telephone number;
                                                             Information—Non-Construction                          be contracted to provide the service and
       g. Contact name and title;                            Programs’’                                            their experience with similar projects.
       h. Number of employees at the                            (c) Standard Form 424B,                               (vi) A statement indicating the
     physical location.                                      ‘‘Assurances—Non-Construction                         maximum number of months it would
       C. The application and any materials                  Programs’’                                            take to complete the project.
     sent with it become Federal records by                     (d) Standard Form LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of                (vii) Explanation of the cost
     law and cannot be returned to you.                      Lobbying Activity’’                                   effectiveness of project.
                                                                (e) AD–3030, ‘‘Representations                        4. Applicants must also submit a
       D. You must file an electronic                        Regarding felony Conviction and Tax                   flexible work plan/project proposal that
     application at the Web site:                            Delinquent Status for Corporate                       will outline the project in sufficient
     www.grants.gov. You must be registered                  Applicant’’                                           detail to provide a reader with a clear
     with Grants.gov before you can submit                      (f) AD–3031, ‘‘Assurance Regarding                 understanding of how the proposed
     a grant application. If you have not used               Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent                   TAT/DR project will address the
     Grants.gov before, you will need to                     Status for Corporate Applicant’’                      technical assistance needs of RUS
     register with the Central Contractor                       (g) Form RD 400–1, ‘‘Equal                         eligible water and sewer utilities in
     Registry (CCR) and the Credential                       Opportunity Agreement’’                               affected rural disaster areas that exist at
     Provider. You will need a DUNS                             (h) Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance                     the time of this notice or that may
     number to access or register at any of                  Agreement (Under Title VI, Civil Rights               emerge during the term of the grant
     the services. The registration processes                Act of 1964)                                          agreement.
     may take several business days to                          (i) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if                  5. The applicant must provide
     complete. Follow the instructions at                    applicable, applicant must include                    evidence of compliance with other
     Grants.gov for registering and                          approved cost agreement rate schedule)                federal statutes, including but not
     submitting an electronic application.                      (j) Certification regarding Forest
                                                                                                                   limited to the following:
     RUS may request original signatures on                  Service grant.
                                                                3. All applications shall be                          i. Debarment and suspension
     electronically submitted documents
                                                             accompanied by the following                          information is required in accordance
     later.
                                                             supporting documentation in concise                   with 2 CFR part 417 (Nonprocurement
        The CCR registers your organization,                                                                       Debarment and Suspension)
     housing your organizational information                 written narrative form:
                                                                (a) Evidence of applicant’s legal                  supplemented by 2 CFR part 180, if it
     and allowing Grants.gov to use it to                                                                          applies. The section heading is ‘‘What
     verify your identity. You may register                  existence and authority.
                                                                (b) Evidence of tax exempt status from             information must I provide before
     for the CCR by calling the CCR                                                                                entering into a covered transaction with
                                                             the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
     Assistance Center at 1–888–227–2423 or                                                                        the Federal Government?’’ located at 2
                                                                (c) A short statement of applicant’s
     you may register online at: http://                                                                           CFR 180.335. It is part of OMB’s
                                                             experience in providing services similar
     www.ccr.gov.                                                                                                  Guidance for Grants and Agreements
                                                             to those proposed.
        The Credential Provider gives you or                    (d) A brief description of successfully            concerning Government-wide
     your representative a username and                      completed projects including the need                 Debarment and Suspension.
     password, as part of the Federal                        that was identified and objectives                       ii. All of your organization’s known
     Government’s e-Authentication to                        accomplished.                                         workplaces by including the actual
     ensure a secure transaction. You will                      (e) The latest financial information to            address of buildings (or parts of
     need the username and password when                     show the applicant’s financial capacity               buildings) or other sites where work
     you register with Grants.gov or use                     to carry out the proposed work.                       under the award takes place. Workplace
     Grants.gov to submit your application.                     (f) A list of proposed services to be              identification is required under the
     You must register with the Central                      provided.                                             drug-free workplace requirements in
     Provider through Grants.gov: https://                      (g) An estimated breakdown of costs                Subpart B of 2 CFR part 421, which
     apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister.                           (direct and indirect) including those to              adopts the Government-wide


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                                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 187 / Thursday, September 28, 2017 / Notices                                                                                                45259

     implementation (2 CFR part 182) of the                                     DUNS number or how to verify your                                          ineligible, RUS will return it to the
     Drug-Free Workplace Act.                                                   organization’s number.                                                     Applicant with an explanation. The
       iii. 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform                                      In accordance with 2 CFR part 25,                                        RUS reserves the right to request
     Assistance Requirements, Cost                                              whether applying electronically or by                                      additional information once an
     Principles and Audit Requirements for                                      paper, the applicant must register in the                                  application is determined to be
     Federal Awards).                                                           System for Award Management (SAM)                                          complete to address specific disaster
       iv. 2 CFR part 182 (Governmentwide                                       prior to submitting an application.                                        recovery needs that are known or
     Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace                                       Applicants may register for the SAM at                                     anticipated at the time of evaluation or
     (Financial Assistance)) and 2 CFR part                                     https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1.                                         to minimize the risk of duplication of
     421 (Requirements for Drug Free                                            The SAM registration must remain                                           other federal efforts. The RUS grant offer
     Workplace (Financial Assistance)).                                         active with current information at all                                     to a successful applicant will be based
                                                                                times while RUS is considering an                                          on the submitted application and may
       v. Executive Order 13166, ‘‘Improving                                    application or while a Federal Grant
     Access to Services for Persons with                                                                                                                   be more narrowly tailored than the
                                                                                award or loan is active. To remain                                         submitted application to meet rural
     Limited English Proficiency.’’ For                                         registered in the SAM database the
     information on limited English                                                                                                                        community needs at the time of the offer
                                                                                applicant must review and update the                                       or over the course of the grant period.
     proficiency and agency-specific                                            information in the SAM database
     guidance, go to http://www.LEP.gov.                                                                                                                     B. A review team, composed of at
                                                                                annually from date of initial registration
       6. Unique entity identifier and System                                                                                                              least two members, will evaluate all
                                                                                or from the date of the last update. The
     for Award Management (SAM). The                                                                                                                       applications and proposals. They will
                                                                                applicant must ensure that the
     applicant for a grant must supply a Dun                                                                                                               make overall recommendations based
                                                                                information in the database is current,
     and Bradstreet Data Universal                                                                                                                         on factors such as eligibility, application
                                                                                accurate, and complete.
     Numbering System (DUNS) number as                                                                                                                     completeness, and conformity to
     part of an application. The Standard                                       V. Application Review Information                                          application requirements. They will
     Form 424 (SF–424) contains a field for                                        A. RUS will acknowledge the                                             score the applications based on criteria
     the DUNS number. The applicant can                                         application’s receipt by email to the                                      in paragraph C of this section.
     obtain the DUNS number free of charge                                      applicant. The application will be                                           C. All applications that are complete
     by calling Dun and Bradstreet. Please                                      reviewed for completeness to determine                                     and eligible will be scored and ranked
     see http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform for                                      if it contains all of the items required.                                  competitively. The categories for scoring
     more information on how to obtain a                                        If the application is incomplete or                                        criteria used are the following:



                                                                                              Scoring criteria                                                                                                      Points

     1. Scope of Assistance ................................................................................................................................................................................       Up   to   15.
     2. Degree of expertise .................................................................................................................................................................................      Up   to   15.
     3. Applicant Resource (staff and contract personnel) .................................................................................................................................                        Up   to   10.
     4. Goals/Objectives: Goals/objectives are clearly defined and tied to need, results and measurable outcomes .....................................                                                             Up   to   10.
     5. Extent to which the work plan clearly articulates a well thought out approach to accomplishing objectives; and clearly defines how                                                                         Up   to   20.
       the applicant would respond to communities served by the TAT/DR grant.
     6. Financial Controls ....................................................................................................................................................................................    Up to 5.
     7. Type of technical assistance applicant is providing ................................................................................................................................                       Up to 20.
     8. Project duration .......................................................................................................................................................................................   Up to 5.



     VI. Award Administration Information                                          C. Given the exigency of the need to                                    consistent with 7 CFR part 1775 which
                                                                                respond to recent hurricanes, tornados,                                    if not met, may result in a delay in
       A. RUS will rank all qualifying
                                                                                floods, forest fires and other                                             reimbursement, disallowance of
     applications by their final score.
                                                                                presidentially declared emergencies,                                       expense or a suspension of the grant.
     Applications will be selected for
                                                                                appeals of the funding decisions under                                        E. Grantees will be reimbursed as
     funding based on the highest scores. No
                                                                                this notice shall be made exclusively to                                   follows:
     grant will exceed $600,000. The agency                                                                                                                   1. SF–270, ‘‘Request for Advance or
                                                                                the Administrator of the Rural Utilities
     expects to award a small number of                                                                                                                    Reimbursement,’’ will be completed by
                                                                                Service within 10 business days of
     grants under this notice. The agency                                                                                                                  the grantee and submitted to either the
                                                                                receiving email notice of the funding
     reserves the right to make no grant                                                                                                                   State or National Office not more
                                                                                decision. The Administrator’s decision
     awards if all applications are                                             shall be final and non-reviewable by the                                   frequently than monthly.
     incomplete and/or scorebelow 65                                            National Appeals Division.                                                    2. Upon receipt of a properly
     points. Each applicant will be notified                                       D. Applicants selected for funding                                      completed SF–270, payment will
     via email of the agency’s funding                                          will complete a grant agreement suitable                                   ordinarily be made within 30 days.
     decision.                                                                  to RUS, which outlines the terms and                                          F. Any change in the scope of the
       B. In making its decision about your                                     conditions of the grant award. Pursuant                                    project, budget adjustments of more
     application, RUS may determine that                                        to the grant agreement, grant funds may                                    than 10 percent of the total budget, or
     your application is:                                                       be released over the course of the grant                                   any other significant change in the
       1. Eligible and selected for funding;                                    period in reimbursement for the                                            project must be reported to and
       2. Eligible and offered fewer funds                                      performance of eligible, approved                                          approved by the approval official by
     than requested;                                                            activities which do not duplicate similar                                  written amendment to the Grant
       3. Eligible but not selected for                                         federal efforts or tasks. The grant                                        Agreement. Any change not approved
     funding; or                                                                agreement may also include reporting                                       may be cause for termination of the
       4. Ineligible for the grant.                                             and pre-approval requirements                                              grant.


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     45260                    Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 187 / Thursday, September 28, 2017 / Notices

       G. Project reporting.                                 print, audiotape, American Sign                         Dated: September 22, 2017.
       1. Grantees shall constantly monitor                  Language, etc.) should contact the                    Andrew McGilvray,
     performance to ensure that time                         responsible agency or USDA’s TARGET                   Executive Secretary.
     schedules are being met, projected work                 Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and                   [FR Doc. 2017–20815 Filed 9–27–17; 8:45 am]
     by time periods is being accomplished,                  TTY) or contact USDA through the                      BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
     and other performance objectives are                    Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
     being achieved.                                         Additionally, program information may
       2. SF–269, ‘‘Financial Status Report                  be made available in languages other                  DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
     (short form),’’ and a project performance               than English.
     activity report will be required of all                   To file a program discrimination                    Foreign-Trade Zones Board
     grantees on a quarterly basis, due 30                   complaint, complete the USDA Program                  [B–35–2017]
     days after the end of each quarter.                     Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–
       3. A final project performance report                 3027, found online at http://                         Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 144—
     will be required with the last SF–269                   www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_                   Brunswick, Georgia; Authorization of
     due 90 days after the end of the last                   cust.html and at any USDA office or                   Production Activity; Mercedes Benz
     quarter in which the project is                         write a letter addressed to USDA and                  USA, LLC; (Accessorizing Passenger
     completed. The final report may serve                   provide in the letter all of the                      Motor Vehicles); Brunswick, Georgia
     as the last quarterly report.                           information requested in the form. To
       4. All grantees are to submit an                                                                              On May 8, 2017, the Brunswick and
                                                             request a copy of the complaint form,
     original of each report to the National                                                                       Glynn County Development Authority,
                                                             call (866) 632–9992. Submit your
     Office. The project performance reports                                                                       grantee of FTZ 144, submitted a
                                                             completed form or letter to USDA by: (1)              notification of proposed production
     should detail, in a narrative format,                   Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
     activities that have transpired for the                                                                       activity to the FTZ Board on behalf of
                                                             Office of the Assistant Secretary for                 Mercedes Benz USA, LLC, within Site 2
     specific time period.                                   Civil Rights, 1400 Independence
       H. The grantee will provide an audit                                                                        of FTZ 144.
                                                             Avenue SW., Stop 9410, Washington,                      The notification was processed in
     report or financial statements in                       DC 20250–9410; (2) Fax: (202) 690–
     accordance with Uniform Audit                                                                                 accordance with the regulations of the
                                                             7442; or (3) Email: program.intake@                   FTZ Board (15 CFR part 400), including
     Requirements for Federal Awards at 2                    usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity
     CFR part 200, subpart F.                                                                                      notice in the Federal Register inviting
                                                             provider, employer, and lender.                       public comment (82 FR 25238–25239,
     VII. Agency Contacts                                      Dated: September 25, 2017.                          June 1, 2017). On September 5, 2017,
       A. Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/                 Christopher A. McLean,                                the applicant was notified of the FTZ
     water. The RUS’ Web site maintains up-                  Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.        Board’s decision that no further review
     to-date resources and contact                           [FR Doc. 2017–20852 Filed 9–27–17; 8:45 am]           of the activity is warranted at this time.
     information for Technical Assistance                    BILLING CODE P
                                                                                                                   The production activity described in the
     and Training Grants program.                                                                                  notification was authorized, subject to
       B. Phone: 202–720–9586.                                                                                     the FTZ Act and the FTZ Board’s
       C. Email: anita.obrien@wdc.usda.gov.                                                                        regulations, including Section 400.14,
       D. Main point of contact: Anita                       DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                and further subject to a restriction that
     O’Brien, Loan Specialist, Water and                                                                           carpets of man-made fibers would be
     Environmental Programs, Water                           Foreign-Trade Zones Board                             admitted to the FTZ in privileged
     Programs Division, Rural Utilities                                                                            foreign status (19 CFR 146.41).
     Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.                [B–39–2017]                                             Dated: September 22, 2017.
     VIII. USDA Non-Discrimination                                                                                 Andrew McGilvray,
     Statement                                               Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 214—Lenoir                   Executive Secretary.
                                                             County, North Carolina; Authorization                 [FR Doc. 2017–20817 Filed 9–27–17; 8:45 am]
        In accordance with Federal civil                     of Export-Only Production Activity;
     rights law and U.S. Department of                                                                             BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
                                                             Nutkao USA, Inc.; (Hazelnut Cocoa
     Agriculture (USDA) civil rights                         Spread); Battleboro, North Carolina
     regulations and policies, the USDA, its
                                                               On May 24, 2017, Nutkao USA, Inc.                   DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
     agencies, offices, and employees, and
     institutions participating in or                        submitted a notification of proposed                  Foreign-Trade Zones Board
     administering USDA programs are                         export-only production activity to the
     prohibited from discriminating based on                 FTZ Board for its facility within FTZ                 [B–33–2017]
     race, color, national origin, religion, sex,            214 in Battleboro, North Carolina.
                                                               The notification was processed in                   Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 50—Long
     gender identity (including gender
                                                             accordance with the regulations of the                Beach, California; Authorization of
     expression), sexual orientation,
                                                             FTZ Board (15 CFR part 400), including                Production Activity; Mercedes Benz
     disability, age, marital status, family/
                                                             notice in the Federal Register inviting               USA, LLC; (Accessorizing Passenger
     parental status, income derived from a
                                                             public comment (82 FR 26663–26664,                    Motor Vehicles); Long Beach,
     public assistance program, political
                                                             June 8, 2017). On September 21, 2017,                 California
     beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
     civil rights activity, in any program or                the applicant was notified of the FTZ                   On May 8, 2017, the Port of Long
     activity conducted or funded by USDA                    Board’s decision that no further review               Beach, California, grantee of FTZ 50,
     (not all bases apply to all programs).                  of the activity is warranted at this time.            submitted a notification of proposed
     Remedies and complaint filing                           The export-only production activity                   production activity to the FTZ Board on
     deadlines vary by program or incident.                  described in the notification was                     behalf of Mercedes Benz USA, LLC,
        Persons with disabilities who require                authorized, subject to the FTZ Act and                within Site 41 of FTZ 50.
     alternative means of communication for                  the FTZ Board’s regulations, including                  The notification was processed in
     program information (e.g., Braille, large               Section 400.14.                                       accordance with the regulations of the


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Document Created: 2017-09-28 01:32:36
Document Modified: 2017-09-28 01:32:36
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).
DatesApplications for TAT/DR grant(s) must be received by October 18, 2017. Reminder of competitive grant application deadline: Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 20 days after this announcement appears in the Federal Register.
ContactAnita O'Brien, Loan Specialist, Water Program Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, by email at [email protected] or by telephone: (202) 690-3789.
FR Citation82 FR 45256 

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