83 FR 13225 - Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 60 (March 28, 2018)

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces that it is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 for the Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program (the Broadband Program). RUS will publish on its website https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices- solicitation-applications-nosas the amount of funding received through the final appropriations act. Since the passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), RUS has only accepted applications according to discrete application windows as identified in notices published in the Federal Register. However, based on a review of the applications submitted since the implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill, RUS has determined that the use of application windows has not effectively supported the Agency's mission to finance improved broadband service in rural areas. As a result, RUS is accepting applications on a rolling basis throughout FY 2018. This will give RUS the ability to request additional information and modifications to a submitted application whenever necessary. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Every ninety (90) days, RUS will conduct an evaluation of the submitted applications. During the evaluation period, applications will be ranked based on the percentage of unserved households that the applicant proposes to serve. RUS anticipates that it will conduct at least two evaluation periods for FY 2018. Because the Agency will receive applications throughout the fiscal year, subsequent evaluation periods can alter the ranking of applications. In addition to announcing its acceptance of FY 2018 applications, RUS revises the minimum and maximum amounts for broadband loans for the fiscal year.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13225-13226]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06175]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan Guarantees Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an Agency of the United 
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces that it is accepting 
applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 for the Rural Broadband Access 
Loans and Loan Guarantees Program (the Broadband Program). RUS will 
publish on its website https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas the amount of funding received through 
the final appropriations act.
    Since the passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), 
RUS has only accepted applications according to discrete application 
windows as identified in notices published in the Federal Register. 
However, based on a review of the applications submitted since the 
implementation of the 2014 Farm Bill, RUS has determined that the use 
of application windows has not effectively supported the Agency's 
mission to finance improved broadband service in rural areas. As a 
result, RUS is accepting applications on a rolling basis throughout FY 
2018. This will give RUS the ability to request additional information 
and modifications to a submitted application whenever necessary.
    Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. 
Every ninety (90) days, RUS will conduct an evaluation of the submitted 
applications. During the evaluation period, applications will be ranked 
based on the percentage of unserved households that the applicant 
proposes to serve. RUS anticipates that it will conduct at least two 
evaluation periods for FY 2018. Because the Agency will receive 
applications throughout the fiscal year, subsequent evaluation periods 
can alter the ranking of applications.
    In addition to announcing its acceptance of FY 2018 applications, 
RUS revises the minimum and maximum amounts for broadband loans for the 
fiscal year.

DATES: Applications under this NOSA will be accepted immediately 
through September 30, 2018. RUS will process loan applications as they 
are received.
    Applications can only be submitted online through the RD Apply 
website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rd-apply through 
September 30, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Shawn 
Arner, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Loan Origination and Approval 
Division, Rural Utilities Service, Room 2844, STOP 1597, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-1597, Telephone: (202) 
720-0800, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

General Information

    The Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program (the 
``Broadband Program'') is authorized by the Rural Electrification Act 
(7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), as amended by the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(Pub. L. 113-79), also referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill.
    During FY 2018, loans will be made available for the construction, 
improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment that will 
provide service at the broadband lending speed in eligible rural areas. 
Applications are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1738.

Application Assistance

    RUS offers pre-application assistance, in which National Office 
staff and the assigned General Field Representative review the draft 
application, provide detailed comments, and identify areas where an 
application is not meeting eligibility requirements for funding. The 
online application system allows RUS staff to assist an applicant with 
every part of an application as it is being developed. Once the 
application is formally submitted, the online system will timestamp the 
submitted version and establish the application's place in the 
processing queue.
    Based on the order in which the applications are received, RUS will 
review the application for completeness. The applicant may be asked for 
additional information to clarify aspects of an otherwise complete 
application or to assist the Agency in the underwriting process. If the 
application is determined to be complete, RUS will review the package 
for eligibility and technical and financial feasibility, in accordance 
with 7 CFR 1738. If an application is ultimately found to be incomplete 
or inadequate, a detailed explanation will be provided to the 
applicant.
    To further assist in the preparation of applications, an 
application guide is available online at: https://www.rd.usda.gov/
programs-services/farm-bill-broadband-loans-loan-

[[Page 13226]]

guarantees. An application guide may also be requested from the RUS 
contact listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this 
notice.
    Application requirements: All requirements for submission of an 
application under the Broadband Program are subject to 7 CFR part 1738.
    Application Materials/Submission: Applications must be submitted 
through the Agency's online application system located at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rd-apply. All materials required for 
completing an application are included in the online system.

Minimum and Maximum Loan Amounts

    Loans under this authority will not be made for less than $100,000. 
The maximum loan amount that will be considered for FY 2018 is 
$25,000,000.

Required Definitions for Broadband Program Regulation

    The regulation for the Broadband Program requires that certain 
definitions affecting eligibility be revised and published from time to 
time by the Agency in the Federal Register. For the purposes of this 
NOSA, the Agency is revising the definitions of Broadband Service and 
Broadband Lending Speed.
    Broadband Service is determined to exist if customers are able to 
access a minimum rate-of-data transmission of twenty-five (25) megabits 
downstream and three (3) megabits upstream for both mobile and fixed 
service. This rate is used to determine whether an area is eligible for 
funding.
    Broadband Lending Speed is the minimum rate-of-data transmission 
that applicants must propose to offer the customer. The Broadband 
Lending Speed is twenty-five (25) megabits downstream and three (3) 
megabits upstream for both mobile and fixed service.

Priority for Approving Loan Applications

    Applications for FY 2018 will be accepted from the publication date 
of this NOSA through September 30, 2018. Although review of 
applications will begin as they are submitted, all applications will be 
evaluated and ranked every 90 days based on the percentage of unserved 
households in the proposed funded service area. Subject to available 
funding, eligible applications that propose to serve a higher 
percentage of unserved households will receive funding offers before 
other eligible applications that propose to serve a lower percentage of 
unserved households. The amount available will be published on the 
Agency web page once all budgetary allocations have been completed.
    Loan offers are limited to the funds available at the time of the 
Agency's decision to approve an application.
    Applications will not be accepted after September 30, 2018, until a 
new application opportunity has been opened with the publication of an 
additional NOSA in the Federal Register.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
information collection requirements associated with Broadband loans, as 
covered in this NOSA, have been approved by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0572-0130.

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, Washington, DC 
20250-9410, (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) Email: 
[email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: March 22, 2018.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06175 Filed 3-27-18; 8:45 am]
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