83_FR_23724 83 FR 23625 - Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) Inviting Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2018

83 FR 23625 - Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) Inviting Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2018

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 99 (May 22, 2018)

Page Range23625-23630
FR Document2018-10866

This notice is to invite applications for loans and grants under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Programs for fiscal year (FY) 2018, subject to the availability of funding. This notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2018. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. An announcement on the website at http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas will identify the amount received in the appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 99 (Tuesday, May 22, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23625-23630]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10866]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) Inviting 
Applications for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs 
for Fiscal Year 2018

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to invite applications for loans and grants 
under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Programs 
for fiscal year (FY) 2018, subject to the availability of funding. This 
notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to 
leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the 
Agency time to process applications within FY 2018. Successful 
applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and 
subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made 
available through appropriations. An announcement on the website at 
http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas 
will identify the amount received in the appropriations.
    All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in 
developing their applications.

DATES: See under Supplementary Information section.

ADDRESSES: Submit applications in paper format to the USDA Rural 
Development State Office for the State where the Project is located. A 
list of the USDA Rural Development State Office contacts can be found 
at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Mason at (202) 690-1433, 
cindy.mason@wdc.usda.gov, and Sami Zarour at (202) 720-9549, 
sami.zarour@wdc.usda.gov, Specialty Programs Division, Business 
Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, MS 3226, Room 4204-South, 
Washington, DC 20250-3226, or call 202-720-1400. For further 
information on this notice, please contact the USDA Rural Development 
State Office in the State in which the applicant's headquarters is 
located.

[[Page 23626]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agency encourages applications that will 
support recommendations made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force report 
to help improve life in rural America. (www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity). 
Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that provide measurable 
results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable 
economies through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships 
and innovation. Key strategies include:

 Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America
 Developing the Rural Economy
 Harnessing Technological Innovation
 Supporting a Rural Workforce
 Improving Quality of Life

Overview

    Solicitation Opportunity Type: Rural Economic Development Loans and 
Grants.
    Announcement Type: Initial Solicitation Announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.854.
    Dates: The deadline for completed applications to be received in 
the USDA Rural Development State Office no later than 4:30 p.m. (local 
time) are: Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2018.

A. Program Description

    1. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of the program is to promote 
rural economic development and job creation projects.
    2. Statutory Authority. These Programs are authorized under 7 
U.S.C. 940c and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Assistance provided to 
Rural areas, as defined, under this program may include business 
startup costs, business expansion, business incubators, Technical 
assistance feasibility studies, Advanced telecommunications services 
and computer networks for medical, educational, and job training 
services, and Community Facilities Projects for economic development.
    Awards under the REDLG Programs will be made on a competitive basis 
using specific selection criteria contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart 
A. Information required to be in the application package includes 
Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance;'' a 
Resolution of the Board of Directors; AD-1047, ``Debarment/Suspension 
Certification;'' AD-1049 ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements;'' SF LLL, Restrictions on Lobbying; RD 400-1, ``Equal 
Opportunity Agreement;'' RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement;'' Assurance 
Statement for the Uniform Act; Seismic Certification (if construction); 
paperwork required in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970, ``Environmental 
Policies and Procedures.'' If the proposal involves new construction; 
large increases in employment; hazardous waste; a change in use, size, 
capacity, purpose, or location from an original facility; or is 
publicly controversial, the following is required: Environmental 
documentation in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970;'' RUS Form 7, 
``Financial and Statistical Report;'' and RUS Form 7a, ``Investments, 
Loan Guarantees, and Loans,'' or similar information; and written 
narrative of Project description. Applications will be tentatively 
scored by the State Offices and submitted to the National Office for 
review.
    3. Definition of Terms. The definitions applicable to this notice 
are published at 7 CFR 4280.3.
    4. Application Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score 
applications received in response to this notice based on the 
provisions found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, and as indicated in 
this notice. However, the Agency advises all interested parties that 
the applicant bears the burden in preparing and submitting an 
application in response to this notice whether or not funding is 
appropriated for these Programs in FY 2018.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Awards: Loans and Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2018.
    Available Funds: Anyone interested in submitting an application for 
funding under these Programs are encouraged to consult the Rural 
Development Web Newsroom website at http://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas for funding information.
    Maximum Award: The Agency anticipates the following maximum amounts 
per award: Loans--$2,000,000; Grants--$300,000.
    Award Dates: Fourth Quarter, August 31, 2018.
    Performance Period: October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants
    Loans and grants may be made to any entity that is identified by 
USDA Rural Development as an eligible borrower under the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (Act). In accordance with 7 CFR 
4280.13, applicants that are not delinquent on any Federal debt or 
otherwise disqualified from participation in these Programs are 
eligible to apply. An applicant must be eligible under 7 U.S.C. 940c. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any former Rural Utilities 
Service borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct, or 
guaranteed loan under the Act, or any not-for-profit utility that is 
eligible to receive an insured or direct loan under such Act shall be 
eligible for assistance under section 313(b)(2)(B) of such Act in the 
same manner as a borrower under such Act. All other restrictions in 
this notice will apply.
    The Agency requires the following information to make an 
eligibility determination. These applications must include, but are not 
limited to, the following:
    (a) An original and one copy of SF 424, ``Application for Federal 
Assistance (for non-construction);''
    (b) Copies of applicant's organizational documents showing the 
applicant's legal existence and authority to perform the activities 
under the Grant;
    (c) A proposed scope of work, including a description of the 
proposed Project, details of the proposed activities to be accomplished 
and timeframes for completion of each task, the number of months 
duration of the Project, and the estimated time it will take from grant 
approval to beginning of Project implementation;
    (d) A written narrative that includes, at a minimum, the following 
items:
    (i) An explanation of why the Project is needed, the benefits of 
the proposed Project, and how the Project meets the Grant eligible 
purposes;
    (ii) Area to be served, identifying each governmental unit, i.e., 
tribe, town, county, etc., to be affected by the Project;
    (iii) Description of how the Project will coordinate economic 
development activities with other economic development activities 
within the Project area;
    (iv) Businesses to be assisted, if appropriate, and economic 
development to be accomplished;
    (v) An explanation of how the proposed Project will result in newly 
created, increased, or supported jobs in the area and the number of 
projected new and supported jobs within the next 3 years;
    (vi) A description of the applicant's demonstrated capability and 
experience in providing the proposed Project assistance, including 
experience of key staff members and persons who will be providing the 
proposed Project activities and managing the Project;

[[Page 23627]]

    (vii) The method and rationale used to select the areas and 
businesses that will receive the service;
    (viii) A brief description of how the work will be performed, 
including whether organizational staff or consultants or contractors 
will be used; and
    (ix) Other information the Agency may request to assist it in 
making a grant award determination.
    (e) The last 3 years of financial information to show the 
applicant's financial capacity to carry out the proposed work. If the 
applicant is less than 3 years old, at a minimum, the information 
should include all balance sheet(s), income statement(s), and cash flow 
statement(s). A current audited report is required if available;
    (f) Documentation regarding the availability and amount of other 
funds to be used in conjunction with the funds from REDLG; and
    (g) A budget which includes salaries, fringe benefits, consultant 
costs, indirect costs, and other appropriate direct costs for the 
Project.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
    For loans, either the Ultimate Recipient or the Intermediary must 
provide supplemental funds for the Project equal to at least 20 percent 
of the loan to the Intermediary. For grants, the Intermediary must 
establish a Revolving Loan Fund (or Fund) and contribute an amount 
equal to at least 20 percent of the Grant. The supplemental 
contribution must come from Intermediary's funds which may not be from 
other Federal Grants, unless permitted by law.
3. Other
    Applications will only be accepted for projects that promote rural 
economic development and job creation.
    There are no ``responsiveness'' or ``threshold'' eligibility 
criteria for these loans and grants. There is no limit on the number of 
applications an applicant may submit under this announcement. In 
addition to the forms listed under the program description, Form AD 
3030 ``Representations Regulation Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent 
Status for Corporate Applicants,'' must be completed in the 
affirmative.
    None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be 
used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or 
cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan 
guarantee to, any corporation that has any unpaid Federal tax liability 
that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative 
remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and that is not being paid 
in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority 
responsible for collecting the tax liability, where the awarding agency 
is aware of the unpaid tax liability, unless a Federal agency has 
considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and has made a 
determination that this further action is not necessary to protect the 
interests of the Government.
    None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be 
used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or 
cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan 
guarantee to, any corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal 
violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months, where 
the awarding agency is aware of the conviction, unless a Federal agency 
has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and has made 
a determination that this further action is not necessary to protect 
the interests of the Government.
4. Completeness Eligibility
    Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not 
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing 
required elements.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package
    For further information, entities wishing to apply for assistance 
should contact the USDA Rural Development State Office provided in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice to obtain copies of the application 
package.
    Prior to official submission of grant applications, applicants may 
request technical assistance or other application guidance from the 
Agency, as long as such requests are made by June 15, 2018. Technical 
assistance is not meant to be an analysis or assessment of the quality 
of the materials submitted, a substitute for agency review of completed 
applications, nor a determination of eligibility, if such determination 
requires in-depth analysis. The Agency will not solicit or consider 
scoring or eligibility information that is submitted after the 
application deadline. The Agency reserves the right to contact 
applicants to seek clarification information on materials contained in 
the submitted application.
    Applications must be submitted in paper format. Applications 
submitted to a Rural Development State Office must be received by the 
closing date and local time deadline.
    All applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number which can be obtained at no cost via a 
toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711 or at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or 
Federal awarding agency that is excepted from the requirements under 2 
CFR 25.110(b) or (c) or has an exception approved by the Federal 
awarding agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be 
registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting 
its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its 
application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration 
with current information at all times during which it has an active 
Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a 
Federal awarding agency. The Federal awarding agency may not make a 
Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all 
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the 
Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal 
awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to 
receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for 
making a Federal award to another applicant.
    Please note that applicants must locate the downloadable 
application package for this program by the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance Number or FedGrants Funding Opportunity Number, which can be 
found at http://www.grants.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    An application must contain all of the required elements. Each 
selection priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR 4280.42(b) must be 
addressed in the application. Failure to address any of the criterion 
will result in a zero-point score for that criterion and will impact 
the overall evaluation of the application. Copies of 7 CFR part 4280, 
subpart A, will be provided to any interested applicant making a 
request to a Rural Development State Office. An original copy of the 
application must be filed with the Rural Development State Office for 
the State where the Intermediary is located.
    The applicant documentation and forms needed for a complete 
application are located in the Program Description

[[Page 23628]]

section of this notice, and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. There are no 
specific formats required per this notice, and applicants may request 
forms and addresses from the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
    (a) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages or 
other formatting requirements other than those described in the Program 
Description section.
    (b) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages, font 
size and type face, margins, paper size, number of copies, and the 
sequence or assembly requirements.
    (c) The component pieces of this application should contain 
original signatures on the original application.
3. Submission Dates and Times
    (a) Application Deadline Dates: No later than 4:30 p.m. (local 
time) on: Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2018.
    Explanation of Dates: Applications must be in the USDA Rural 
Development State Office by the dates and times as indicated above. If 
the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the 
application is due the next business day.
    (b) The deadline date means that the completed application package 
must be received in the USDA Rural Development State Office by the 
deadline date and time established above. All application documents 
identified in this notice are required.
    (c) If completed applications are not received by the deadline 
established above, the application will neither be reviewed nor 
considered under any circumstances.
    (d) The Agency will determine the application receipt date based on 
the actual date postmarked.
    (e) If the grantee has a previously approved indirect cost rate, it 
is permissible, otherwise, the applicant may elect to charge the 10 
percent indirect cost permitted under 2 CFR 200.414(f). Due to the time 
required to evaluate Indirect Cost Rates, it is likely that all funds 
will be awarded by the time the Indirect Cost Rate is determined. No 
foreign travel is permitted. Pre-Federal award costs will only be 
permitted with prior written approval by the Agency.
    (f) Applicants must submit applications in hard copy format as 
previously indicated in the Application and Submission Information 
section of this notice. If the applicant wishes to hand deliver its 
application, the addresses for these deliveries can be located in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice.
    (g) If you require alternative means of communication for program 
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please 
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria
    All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated and scored 
based on the selection criteria and weights contained in 7 CFR part 
4280, subpart A. Failure to address any one of the criteria by the 
application deadline will result in the application being determined 
ineligible, and the application will not be considered for funding.
2. Review and Selection Process
    The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are 
eligible for assistance based on requirements contained in 7 CFR part 
4280, subpart A. If determined eligible, your application will be 
submitted to the National Office. Funding of projects is subject to the 
Intermediary's satisfactory submission of the additional items required 
by that subpart and the USDA Rural Development Letter of Conditions. 
The Agency reserves the right to award additional discretionary points 
under 7 CFR 4280.43.
    In order to distribute funds among the greatest number of projects 
possible, applications will be reviewed, prioritized, and funded by 
ranking each State's highest scoring Project in highest to lowest score 
order. The highest scoring Project from each State will be considered 
that State's Priority One Project. Priority One projects will be ranked 
according to score from highest to lowest. The second highest scoring 
Project from each State will be considered the State's Priority Two 
Project. Priority Two projects will be ranked according to score from 
highest to lowest and so forth until all projects have been scored and 
ranked in priority order. All Priority One projects will be funded 
before any Priority Two projects and so forth until funds are depleted, 
so as to ensure broad geographic distribution of funding.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices
    Successful applicants will receive notification for funding from 
the Rural Development State Office. Applicants must comply with all 
applicable statutes and regulations before the loan/grant award can be 
approved. Provided the application and eligibility requirements have 
not changed, an application not selected will be reconsidered in three 
subsequent quarterly funding competitions for a total of four 
competitions. If an application is withdrawn, it can be resubmitted and 
will be evaluated as a new application.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    Additional requirements that apply to intermediaries or grantees 
selected for these Programs can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. 
Awards are subject to USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR Chapter IV which 
incorporated the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations 2 
CFR 200.
    All successful applicants will be notified by letter which will 
include a Letter of Conditions, and a Letter of Intent to Meet 
Conditions. This letter is not an authorization to begin performance. 
If the applicant wishes to consider beginning performance prior to the 
loan or grant being officially closed, all pre-award costs must be 
approved in writing and in advance by the Agency. The loan or grant 
will be considered officially awarded when all conditions in the Letter 
of Conditions have been met and the Agency obligates the funding for 
the Project.
    Additional requirements that apply to intermediaries or grantees 
selected for these Programs can be found in 7 CFR 4280, subpart A; the 
Grants and Agreements regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
codified in 2 CFR parts 400.1-400.2 and 2 CFR part 415 to 422, and 
successor regulations to these parts.
    In addition, all recipients of Federal financial assistance are 
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and 
executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to 
have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the 
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 
109-282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are 
exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)).
    The following additional requirements apply to intermediaries or 
grantees selected for these Programs:
    (a) Form RD 4280-2 ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service Financial 
Assistance Agreement.''
    (b) Letter of Conditions.
    (c) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    (d) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
    (e) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters-Primary Covered Transactions.''

[[Page 23629]]

    (f) Form AD-1048 ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
    (g) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirement (Grants).''
    (h) Form AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax 
Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.'' Must be signed by 
corporate applicants who receive an award under this notice.
    (i) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.'' Each prospective 
recipient must sign Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement,'' which 
assures USDA that the recipient is in compliance with Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, 7 CFR part 15, and other Agency regulations. 
That no person will be discriminated against based on race, color or 
national origin, in regard to any program or activity for which the 
recipient receives Federal financial assistance. That nondiscrimination 
statements are in advertisements and brochures.
    Collect and maintain data provided by Ultimate Recipients on race, 
sex, and national origin and ensure Ultimate Recipients collect and 
maintain this data. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in 
accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to the 
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and 
Ethnicity'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be collected 
in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These 
items should not be submitted with the application but should be 
available upon request by the Agency.
    The applicant and the Ultimate Recipient must comply with Title VI 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments 
of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Executive 
Order 12250, Executive Order 13166 Limited English Proficiency (LEP), 
and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.
    (i) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
    (j) Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
3. Reporting
    (a) A Financial Status Report and a Project performance activity 
report will be required of all grantees on a quarterly basis until 
initial funds are expended and yearly thereafter, if applicable, based 
on the Federal fiscal year. The grantee will complete the Project 
within the total time available to it in accordance with the Scope of 
Work and any necessary modifications thereof prepared by the grantee 
and approved by the Agency. A final Project performance report will be 
required with the final Financial Status Report. The final report may 
serve as the last quarterly report. The final report must provide 
complete information regarding the jobs created and supported as a 
result of the Grant if applicable. Grantees must continuously 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. Grantees must submit an original of each report to 
the Agency no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter. The 
Project performance reports must include, but not be limited to, the 
following:
    (1) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives 
established for that period;
    (2) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if any, which have 
affected or will affect attainment of overall Project objectives, 
prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude the 
attainment of particular Project work elements doing established time 
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the 
action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and
    (3) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting 
period.
    (4) Any special reporting requirements, such as jobs supported and 
created, businesses assisted, or economic development which results in 
improvements in median household incomes, and any other specific 
requirements, should be placed in the reporting section of the Letter 
of Conditions.
    (5) Within 90 days after the conclusion of the Project, the 
Intermediary will provide a final Project evaluation report. The last 
quarterly payment will be withheld until the final report is received 
and approved by the Agency. Even though the Intermediary may request 
reimbursement on a monthly basis, the last 3 months of reimbursements 
will be withheld until a final report, Project performance, and 
financial status report are received and approved by the Agency.
    In addition to any reports required by 2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR 
400-400.2 and 2 CFR part 415 to 422, the Intermediary or grantee must 
provide reports as required by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

    For general questions about this announcement, please contact your 
USDA Rural Development State Office provided in the ADDRESSES section 
of this notice.

H. Civil Rights Requirements

    All grants made under this notice are subject to Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15, 
subpart A) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title 
VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title IX, Executive Order 13166 
(Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and the Equal 
Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.

I. Other Information

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
information collection requirement contained in this notice is approved 
by OMB under OMB Control Number 0570-0070.

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act

    All applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must have a DUNS 
number, which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line 
at (866) 705-5711 or online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. 
Similarly, all applicants must be registered in SAM prior to submitting 
an application. Applicants may register for the SAM at http://www.sam.gov. All recipients of Federal financial grant assistance are 
required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and 
executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.

Nondiscrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or 
administering USDA Programs are prohibited from discriminating based on 
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Agency or USDA's TARGET

[[Page 23630]]

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: program.intake@usda.gov
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: May 14, 2018.
Bette B. Brand,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-10866 Filed 5-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P



                                                                                                                                                                                               23625

                                              Notices                                                                                                       Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                            Vol. 83, No. 99

                                                                                                                                                            Tuesday, May 22, 2018



                                              This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    collection of information is estimated to             DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
                                              contains documents other than rules or                  average 45 minutes per response.
                                              proposed rules that are applicable to the                                                                     Rural Business-Cooperative Service
                                              public. Notices of hearings and investigations,            Respondents: Individuals who are
                                              committee meetings, agency decisions and                under the Spouse Equity Act, TCC and                  Notice of Solicitation of Applications
                                              rulings, delegations of authority, filing of            direct pay annuitants who are eligible to             (NOSA) Inviting Applications for the
                                              petitions and applications and agency                   make Federal Employees Health                         Rural Economic Development Loan
                                              statements of organization and functions are            Benefits plan changes during open                     and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year
                                              examples of documents appearing in this                 season.                                               2018
                                              section.
                                                                                                         Estimated Number of Respondents:                   AGENCY:  Rural Business-Cooperative
                                                                                                      25,000.                                               Service, USDA.
                                              DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                                  Estimated Number of Responses per                  ACTION: Notice.
                                                                                                      Respondent: 1 (one).
                                              Notice of Request for Submission for                                                                          SUMMARY:   This notice is to invite
                                              Review of a Currently Approved                             Estimated Total Annual Burden on                   applications for loans and grants under
                                              Information Collection                                  Respondents: 18,750.                                  the Rural Economic Development Loan
                                                                                                         Comments are invited on: (1) Whether               and Grant (REDLG) Programs for fiscal
                                              AGENCY: National Finance Center (NFC),
                                                                                                      the proposed collection of information                year (FY) 2018, subject to the
                                              USDA.
                                                                                                      is necessary for the proper performance               availability of funding. This notice is
                                              ACTION: Notice and request for                                                                                being issued in order to allow
                                                                                                      of the functions of the agency, including
                                              comments.                                                                                                     applicants sufficient time to leverage
                                                                                                      whether the information will have
                                                                                                      practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the            financing, prepare and submit their
                                              SUMMARY:   In accordance with the
                                                                                                      agency’s estimate of the burden of the                applications, and give the Agency time
                                              Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 this
                                                                                                                                                            to process applications within FY 2018.
                                              notice announces the USDA, NFC’s                        proposed collection of information
                                                                                                                                                            Successful applications will be selected
                                              intention to request a review of a                      including the validity of the
                                                                                                                                                            by the Agency for funding and
                                              currently approved information                          methodology and assumptions used; (3)                 subsequently awarded to the extent that
                                              collection for the Direct Premium                       ways to enhance the quality, utility, and             funding may ultimately be made
                                              Remittance System (DPRS) Form DPRS–                     clarity of the information to be                      available through appropriations. An
                                              2809.                                                   collected; and (4) ways to minimize the               announcement on the website at http://
                                              DATES: Comments on this notice must be                  burden of the collection of information               www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-
                                              received by July 23, 2018 to be assured                 on those who are to respond, including                solicitation-applications-nosas will
                                              of consideration.                                       the use of appropriate automated,                     identify the amount received in the
                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A                      electronic, mechanical, or other                      appropriations.
                                              copy of this Information Collection                     technological collection techniques or                   All applicants are responsible for any
                                              Request, with applicable supporting                     other forms of information technology.                expenses incurred in developing their
                                              documentation, may be obtained by                       Interested persons are invited to submit              applications.
                                              contacting Adrianne F. Riviere, Chief,                  written comments on the proposed                      DATES: See under SUPPLEMENTARY
                                              Government Insurance Services Branch,                   information collection. Comments may                  INFORMATION section.
                                              USDA, NFC, DPRS Billing Unit, P.O.                      be sent to DPRS via email to nfc.dprs@                ADDRESSES: Submit applications in
                                              Box 61760, New Orleans, Louisiana                       nfc.usda.gov. All comments received                   paper format to the USDA Rural
                                              70161, Telephone: 504–426–7460, Fax:                    will be available for public inspection               Development State Office for the State
                                              303–205–3172, or email to nfc.dprs@                     during regular business hours at the                  where the Project is located. A list of the
                                              nfc.usda.gov.                                           same address. All responses to this                   USDA Rural Development State Office
                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              notice will be summarized and included                contacts can be found at: http://www.rd.
                                                Title: DPRS–2809.                                     in the request for OMB approval. All                  usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
                                                Office of Management and Budget                       comments will become a matter of                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                              (OMB) Number: 0505–0024.                                public record.                                        Cindy Mason at (202) 690–1433,
                                                Expiration Date of Approval: April 30,                                                                      cindy.mason@wdc.usda.gov, and Sami
                                                                                                        Dated: May 3, 2018.
                                              2018.                                                                                                         Zarour at (202) 720–9549, sami.zarour@
                                                Type of Request: Extension/Revision                   Calvin W. Turner Jr.,                                 wdc.usda.gov, Specialty Programs
                                              of a currently approved information                     Director.                                             Division, Business Programs, Rural
                                              collection.                                             [FR Doc. 2018–10863 Filed 5–21–18; 8:45 am]           Business-Cooperative Service, U.S.
                                                Abstract: Form DPRS–2809, is for                      BILLING CODE 3410–KS–P                                Department of Agriculture, 1400
                                              spouse equity/temporary continuation                                                                          Independence Avenue SW, MS 3226,
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                                              of coverage (TCC) enrollees and direct                                                                        Room 4204–South, Washington, DC
                                              pay annuitants who are eligible to elect,                                                                     20250–3226, or call 202–720–1400. For
                                              cancel, or change health benefits                                                                             further information on this notice,
                                              enrollment during the open season each                                                                        please contact the USDA Rural
                                              year.                                                                                                         Development State Office in the State in
                                                Estimated Time per Respondent:                                                                              which the applicant’s headquarters is
                                              Public reporting burden for this                                                                              located.


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                                              23626                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 22, 2018 / Notices

                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:     The                      construction); paperwork required in                  eligible to apply. An applicant must be
                                              Agency encourages applications that                     accordance with 7 CFR part 1970,                      eligible under 7 U.S.C. 940c.
                                              will support recommendations made in                    ‘‘Environmental Policies and                          Notwithstanding any other provision of
                                              the Rural Prosperity Task Force report                  Procedures.’’ If the proposal involves                law, any former Rural Utilities Service
                                              to help improve life in rural America.                  new construction; large increases in                  borrower that has repaid or prepaid an
                                              (www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity).                         employment; hazardous waste; a change                 insured, direct, or guaranteed loan
                                              Applicants are encouraged to consider                   in use, size, capacity, purpose, or                   under the Act, or any not-for-profit
                                              projects that provide measurable results                location from an original facility; or is             utility that is eligible to receive an
                                              in helping rural communities build                      publicly controversial, the following is              insured or direct loan under such Act
                                              robust and sustainable economies                        required: Environmental documentation                 shall be eligible for assistance under
                                              through strategic investments in                        in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970;’’                 section 313(b)(2)(B) of such Act in the
                                              infrastructure, partnerships and                        RUS Form 7, ‘‘Financial and Statistical               same manner as a borrower under such
                                              innovation. Key strategies include:                     Report;’’ and RUS Form 7a,                            Act. All other restrictions in this notice
                                              • Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural                    ‘‘Investments, Loan Guarantees, and                   will apply.
                                                America                                               Loans,’’ or similar information; and                     The Agency requires the following
                                              • Developing the Rural Economy                          written narrative of Project description.             information to make an eligibility
                                              • Harnessing Technological Innovation                   Applications will be tentatively scored               determination. These applications must
                                              • Supporting a Rural Workforce                          by the State Offices and submitted to the             include, but are not limited to, the
                                              • Improving Quality of Life                             National Office for review.                           following:
                                              Overview                                                   3. Definition of Terms. The definitions               (a) An original and one copy of SF
                                                                                                      applicable to this notice are published               424, ‘‘Application for Federal
                                                Solicitation Opportunity Type: Rural                  at 7 CFR 4280.3.                                      Assistance (for non-construction);’’
                                              Economic Development Loans and                             4. Application Awards. The Agency
                                              Grants.                                                                                                          (b) Copies of applicant’s
                                                                                                      will review, evaluate, and score                      organizational documents showing the
                                                Announcement Type: Initial                            applications received in response to this
                                              Solicitation Announcement.                                                                                    applicant’s legal existence and authority
                                                                                                      notice based on the provisions found in               to perform the activities under the
                                                Catalog of Federal Domestic                           7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, and as
                                              Assistance Number: 10.854.                                                                                    Grant;
                                                                                                      indicated in this notice. However, the
                                                Dates: The deadline for completed                                                                              (c) A proposed scope of work,
                                                                                                      Agency advises all interested parties
                                              applications to be received in the USDA                                                                       including a description of the proposed
                                                                                                      that the applicant bears the burden in
                                              Rural Development State Office no later                                                                       Project, details of the proposed activities
                                                                                                      preparing and submitting an application
                                              than 4:30 p.m. (local time) are: Fourth                                                                       to be accomplished and timeframes for
                                                                                                      in response to this notice whether or not
                                              Quarter, June 30, 2018.                                                                                       completion of each task, the number of
                                                                                                      funding is appropriated for these
                                                                                                                                                            months duration of the Project, and the
                                              A. Program Description                                  Programs in FY 2018.
                                                                                                                                                            estimated time it will take from grant
                                                 1. Purpose of the Program. The                       B. Federal Award Information                          approval to beginning of Project
                                              purpose of the program is to promote                                                                          implementation;
                                                                                                        Type of Awards: Loans and Grants.
                                              rural economic development and job                                                                               (d) A written narrative that includes,
                                                                                                        Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2018.
                                              creation projects.                                                                                            at a minimum, the following items:
                                                 2. Statutory Authority. These                          Available Funds: Anyone interested
                                                                                                      in submitting an application for funding                 (i) An explanation of why the Project
                                              Programs are authorized under 7 U.S.C.                                                                        is needed, the benefits of the proposed
                                              940c and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A.                    under these Programs are encouraged to
                                                                                                      consult the Rural Development Web                     Project, and how the Project meets the
                                              Assistance provided to Rural areas, as                                                                        Grant eligible purposes;
                                              defined, under this program may                         Newsroom website at http://
                                                                                                      www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-                        (ii) Area to be served, identifying each
                                              include business startup costs, business
                                                                                                      solicitation-applications-nosas for                   governmental unit, i.e., tribe, town,
                                              expansion, business incubators,
                                                                                                      funding information.                                  county, etc., to be affected by the
                                              Technical assistance feasibility studies,
                                                                                                        Maximum Award: The Agency                           Project;
                                              Advanced telecommunications services
                                              and computer networks for medical,                      anticipates the following maximum                        (iii) Description of how the Project
                                              educational, and job training services,                 amounts per award: Loans—$2,000,000;                  will coordinate economic development
                                              and Community Facilities Projects for                   Grants—$300,000.                                      activities with other economic
                                              economic development.                                     Award Dates: Fourth Quarter, August                 development activities within the
                                                 Awards under the REDLG Programs                      31, 2018.                                             Project area;
                                              will be made on a competitive basis                       Performance Period: October 1, 2018,                   (iv) Businesses to be assisted, if
                                              using specific selection criteria                       through September 30, 2019.                           appropriate, and economic development
                                              contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart                     Renewal or Supplemental Awards:                     to be accomplished;
                                              A. Information required to be in the                    None.                                                    (v) An explanation of how the
                                              application package includes Standard                   C. Eligibility Information                            proposed Project will result in newly
                                              Form (SF) 424, ‘‘Application for Federal                                                                      created, increased, or supported jobs in
                                              Assistance;’’ a Resolution of the Board                 1. Eligible Applicants                                the area and the number of projected
                                              of Directors; AD–1047, ‘‘Debarment/                       Loans and grants may be made to any                 new and supported jobs within the next
                                              Suspension Certification;’’ AD–1049                     entity that is identified by USDA Rural               3 years;
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                                              ‘‘Certification Regarding Drug-Free                     Development as an eligible borrower                      (vi) A description of the applicant’s
                                              Workplace Requirements;’’ SF LLL,                       under the Rural Electrification Act of                demonstrated capability and experience
                                              Restrictions on Lobbying; RD 400–1,                     1936, as amended (Act). In accordance                 in providing the proposed Project
                                              ‘‘Equal Opportunity Agreement;’’ RD                     with 7 CFR 4280.13, applicants that are               assistance, including experience of key
                                              400–4, ‘‘Assurance Agreement;’’                         not delinquent on any Federal debt or                 staff members and persons who will be
                                              Assurance Statement for the Uniform                     otherwise disqualified from                           providing the proposed Project activities
                                              Act; Seismic Certification (if                          participation in these Programs are                   and managing the Project;


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 22, 2018 / Notices                                              23627

                                                 (vii) The method and rationale used to               lapsed, and that is not being paid in a               a Rural Development State Office must
                                              select the areas and businesses that will               timely manner pursuant to an agreement                be received by the closing date and local
                                              receive the service;                                    with the authority responsible for                    time deadline.
                                                 (viii) A brief description of how the                collecting the tax liability, where the                  All applicants must have a Dun and
                                              work will be performed, including                       awarding agency is aware of the unpaid                Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
                                              whether organizational staff or                         tax liability, unless a Federal agency has            System (DUNS) number which can be
                                              consultants or contractors will be used;                considered suspension or debarment of                 obtained at no cost via a toll-free request
                                              and                                                     the corporation and has made a                        line at (866) 705–5711 or at http://
                                                 (ix) Other information the Agency                    determination that this further action is             fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Each
                                              may request to assist it in making a                    not necessary to protect the interests of             applicant (unless the applicant is an
                                              grant award determination.                              the Government.                                       individual or Federal awarding agency
                                                 (e) The last 3 years of financial                       None of the funds made available by                that is excepted from the requirements
                                              information to show the applicant’s                     this or any other Act may be used to                  under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c) or has an
                                              financial capacity to carry out the                     enter into a contract, memorandum of                  exception approved by the Federal
                                              proposed work. If the applicant is less                 understanding, or cooperative                         awarding agency under 2 CFR
                                              than 3 years old, at a minimum, the                     agreement with, make a grant to, or                   25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be
                                              information should include all balance                  provide a loan or loan guarantee to, any              registered in the System for Award
                                              sheet(s), income statement(s), and cash                 corporation that was convicted of a                   Management (SAM) before submitting
                                              flow statement(s). A current audited                    felony criminal violation under any                   its application; (ii) provide a valid
                                              report is required if available;                        Federal law within the preceding 24                   unique entity identifier in its
                                                 (f) Documentation regarding the                      months, where the awarding agency is                  application; and (iii) continue to
                                              availability and amount of other funds                  aware of the conviction, unless a                     maintain an active SAM registration
                                              to be used in conjunction with the funds                Federal agency has considered                         with current information at all times
                                              from REDLG; and                                         suspension or debarment of the                        during which it has an active Federal
                                                 (g) A budget which includes salaries,                corporation and has made a                            award or an application or plan under
                                              fringe benefits, consultant costs, indirect             determination that this further action is             consideration by a Federal awarding
                                              costs, and other appropriate direct costs               not necessary to protect the interests of             agency. The Federal awarding agency
                                              for the Project.                                        the Government.                                       may not make a Federal award to an
                                                                                                                                                            applicant until the applicant has
                                              2. Cost Sharing or Matching                             4. Completeness Eligibility                           complied with all applicable unique
                                                 For loans, either the Ultimate                          Applications will not be considered                entity identifier and SAM requirements
                                              Recipient or the Intermediary must                      for funding if they do not provide                    and, if an applicant has not fully
                                              provide supplemental funds for the                      sufficient information to determine                   complied with the requirements by the
                                              Project equal to at least 20 percent of the             eligibility or are missing required                   time the Federal awarding agency is
                                              loan to the Intermediary. For grants, the               elements.                                             ready to make a Federal award, the
                                              Intermediary must establish a Revolving                                                                       Federal awarding agency may determine
                                              Loan Fund (or Fund) and contribute an                   D. Application and Submission                         that the applicant is not qualified to
                                              amount equal to at least 20 percent of                  Information                                           receive a Federal award and use that
                                              the Grant. The supplemental                             1. Address To Request Application                     determination as a basis for making a
                                              contribution must come from                             Package                                               Federal award to another applicant.
                                              Intermediary’s funds which may not be                                                                            Please note that applicants must
                                              from other Federal Grants, unless                         For further information, entities                   locate the downloadable application
                                              permitted by law.                                       wishing to apply for assistance should                package for this program by the Catalog
                                                                                                      contact the USDA Rural Development                    of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
                                              3. Other                                                State Office provided in the ADDRESSES                or FedGrants Funding Opportunity
                                                 Applications will only be accepted for               section of this notice to obtain copies of            Number, which can be found at http://
                                              projects that promote rural economic                    the application package.                              www.grants.gov.
                                              development and job creation.                             Prior to official submission of grant
                                                 There are no ‘‘responsiveness’’ or                   applications, applicants may request                  2. Content and Form of Application
                                              ‘‘threshold’’ eligibility criteria for these            technical assistance or other application             Submission
                                              loans and grants. There is no limit on                  guidance from the Agency, as long as                     An application must contain all of the
                                              the number of applications an applicant                 such requests are made by June 15,                    required elements. Each selection
                                              may submit under this announcement.                     2018. Technical assistance is not meant               priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR
                                              In addition to the forms listed under the               to be an analysis or assessment of the                4280.42(b) must be addressed in the
                                              program description, Form AD 3030                       quality of the materials submitted, a                 application. Failure to address any of
                                              ‘‘Representations Regulation Felony                     substitute for agency review of                       the criterion will result in a zero-point
                                              Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status                    completed applications, nor a                         score for that criterion and will impact
                                              for Corporate Applicants,’’ must be                     determination of eligibility, if such                 the overall evaluation of the application.
                                              completed in the affirmative.                           determination requires in-depth                       Copies of 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A,
                                                 None of the funds made available by                  analysis. The Agency will not solicit or              will be provided to any interested
                                              this or any other Act may be used to                    consider scoring or eligibility                       applicant making a request to a Rural
                                              enter into a contract, memorandum of                    information that is submitted after the               Development State Office. An original
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                                              understanding, or cooperative                           application deadline. The Agency                      copy of the application must be filed
                                              agreement with, make a grant to, or                     reserves the right to contact applicants              with the Rural Development State Office
                                              provide a loan or loan guarantee to, any                to seek clarification information on                  for the State where the Intermediary is
                                              corporation that has any unpaid Federal                 materials contained in the submitted                  located.
                                              tax liability that has been assessed, for               application.                                             The applicant documentation and
                                              which all judicial and administrative                     Applications must be submitted in                   forms needed for a complete application
                                              remedies have been exhausted or have                    paper format. Applications submitted to               are located in the Program Description


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                                              23628                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 22, 2018 / Notices

                                              section of this notice, and 7 CFR part                     (g) If you require alternative means of            selected will be reconsidered in three
                                              4280, subpart A. There are no specific                  communication for program information                 subsequent quarterly funding
                                              formats required per this notice, and                   (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)         competitions for a total of four
                                              applicants may request forms and                        please contact USDA’s TARGET Center                   competitions. If an application is
                                              addresses from the ADDRESSES section of                 at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).                    withdrawn, it can be resubmitted and
                                              this notice.                                            E. Application Review Information                     will be evaluated as a new application.
                                                (a) There are no specific limitations
                                                                                                      1. Criteria                                           2. Administrative and National Policy
                                              on the number of pages or other
                                                                                                                                                            Requirements
                                              formatting requirements other than                         All eligible and complete applications
                                              those described in the Program                          will be evaluated and scored based on                    Additional requirements that apply to
                                              Description section.                                    the selection criteria and weights                    intermediaries or grantees selected for
                                                (b) There are no specific limitations                 contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart                 these Programs can be found in 7 CFR
                                              on the number of pages, font size and                   A. Failure to address any one of the                  part 4280, subpart A. Awards are subject
                                              type face, margins, paper size, number                  criteria by the application deadline will             to USDA grant regulations at 2 CFR
                                              of copies, and the sequence or assembly                 result in the application being                       Chapter IV which incorporated the
                                              requirements.                                           determined ineligible, and the                        Office of Management and Budget
                                                (c) The component pieces of this                      application will not be considered for                (OMB) regulations 2 CFR 200.
                                              application should contain original                     funding.                                                 All successful applicants will be
                                              signatures on the original application.                                                                       notified by letter which will include a
                                                                                                      2. Review and Selection Process                       Letter of Conditions, and a Letter of
                                              3. Submission Dates and Times                              The State Offices will review                      Intent to Meet Conditions. This letter is
                                                 (a) Application Deadline Dates: No                   applications to determine if they are                 not an authorization to begin
                                              later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on:                   eligible for assistance based on                      performance. If the applicant wishes to
                                              Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2018.                          requirements contained in 7 CFR part                  consider beginning performance prior to
                                                 Explanation of Dates: Applications                   4280, subpart A. If determined eligible,              the loan or grant being officially closed,
                                              must be in the USDA Rural                               your application will be submitted to                 all pre-award costs must be approved in
                                              Development State Office by the dates                   the National Office. Funding of projects              writing and in advance by the Agency.
                                              and times as indicated above. If the due                is subject to the Intermediary’s                      The loan or grant will be considered
                                              date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or                    satisfactory submission of the additional             officially awarded when all conditions
                                              Federal holiday, the application is due                 items required by that subpart and the                in the Letter of Conditions have been
                                              the next business day.                                  USDA Rural Development Letter of                      met and the Agency obligates the
                                                 (b) The deadline date means that the                 Conditions. The Agency reserves the                   funding for the Project.
                                              completed application package must be                   right to award additional discretionary                  Additional requirements that apply to
                                              received in the USDA Rural                              points under 7 CFR 4280.43.                           intermediaries or grantees selected for
                                              Development State Office by the                            In order to distribute funds among the             these Programs can be found in 7 CFR
                                              deadline date and time established                      greatest number of projects possible,                 4280, subpart A; the Grants and
                                              above. All application documents                        applications will be reviewed,                        Agreements regulations of the U.S.
                                              identified in this notice are required.                 prioritized, and funded by ranking each               Department of Agriculture codified in 2
                                                 (c) If completed applications are not                State’s highest scoring Project in highest            CFR parts 400.1–400.2 and 2 CFR part
                                              received by the deadline established                    to lowest score order. The highest                    415 to 422, and successor regulations to
                                              above, the application will neither be                  scoring Project from each State will be               these parts.
                                              reviewed nor considered under any                       considered that State’s Priority One                     In addition, all recipients of Federal
                                              circumstances.                                          Project. Priority One projects will be                financial assistance are required to
                                                 (d) The Agency will determine the                    ranked according to score from highest                report information about first-tier sub-
                                              application receipt date based on the                   to lowest. The second highest scoring                 awards and executive compensation
                                              actual date postmarked.                                 Project from each State will be                       (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be
                                                 (e) If the grantee has a previously                  considered the State’s Priority Two                   required to have the necessary processes
                                              approved indirect cost rate, it is                      Project. Priority Two projects will be                and systems in place to comply with the
                                              permissible, otherwise, the applicant                   ranked according to score from highest                Federal Funding Accountability and
                                              may elect to charge the 10 percent                      to lowest and so forth until all projects             Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109–
                                              indirect cost permitted under 2 CFR                     have been scored and ranked in priority               282) reporting requirements (see 2 CFR
                                              200.414(f). Due to the time required to                 order. All Priority One projects will be              170.200(b), unless you are exempt under
                                              evaluate Indirect Cost Rates, it is likely              funded before any Priority Two projects               2 CFR 170.110(b)).
                                              that all funds will be awarded by the                   and so forth until funds are depleted, so                The following additional
                                              time the Indirect Cost Rate is                          as to ensure broad geographic                         requirements apply to intermediaries or
                                              determined. No foreign travel is                        distribution of funding.                              grantees selected for these Programs:
                                              permitted. Pre-Federal award costs will                 F. Federal Award Administration                          (a) Form RD 4280–2 ‘‘Rural Business-
                                              only be permitted with prior written                    Information                                           Cooperative Service Financial
                                              approval by the Agency.                                                                                       Assistance Agreement.’’
                                                 (f) Applicants must submit                           1. Federal Award Notices                                 (b) Letter of Conditions.
                                              applications in hard copy format as                        Successful applicants will receive                    (c) Form RD 1940–1, ‘‘Request for
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                                              previously indicated in the Application                 notification for funding from the Rural               Obligation of Funds.’’
                                              and Submission Information section of                   Development State Office. Applicants                     (d) Form RD 1942–46, ‘‘Letter of
                                              this notice. If the applicant wishes to                 must comply with all applicable statutes              Intent to Meet Conditions.’’
                                              hand deliver its application, the                       and regulations before the loan/grant                    (e) Form AD–1047, ‘‘Certification
                                              addresses for these deliveries can be                   award can be approved. Provided the                   Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and
                                              located in the ADDRESSES section of this                application and eligibility requirements              Other Responsibility Matters-Primary
                                              notice.                                                 have not changed, an application not                  Covered Transactions.’’


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 22, 2018 / Notices                                               23629

                                                (f) Form AD–1048 ‘‘Certification                      prepared by the grantee and approved                  USDA Rural Development State Office
                                              Regarding Debarment, Suspension,                        by the Agency. A final Project                        provided in the ADDRESSES section of
                                              Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-                  performance report will be required                   this notice.
                                              Lower Tier Covered Transactions.’’                      with the final Financial Status Report.
                                                (g) Form AD–1049, ‘‘Certification                                                                           H. Civil Rights Requirements
                                                                                                      The final report may serve as the last
                                              Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace                         quarterly report. The final report must                 All grants made under this notice are
                                              Requirement (Grants).’’                                 provide complete information regarding                subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
                                                (h) Form AD–3031, ‘‘Assurance                         the jobs created and supported as a                   of 1964 as required by the USDA (7 CFR
                                              Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax                      result of the Grant if applicable.                    part 15, subpart A) and Section 504 of
                                              Delinquent Status for Corporate                         Grantees must continuously monitor                    the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VIII
                                              Applicants.’’ Must be signed by                         performance to ensure that time                       of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title IX,
                                              corporate applicants who receive an                     schedules are being met, projected work               Executive Order 13166 (Limited English
                                              award under this notice.                                by time periods is being accomplished,                Proficiency), Executive Order 11246,
                                                (i) Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance                        and other performance objectives are                  and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of
                                              Agreement.’’ Each prospective recipient                 being achieved. Grantees must submit                  1974.
                                              must sign Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance                    an original of each report to the Agency              I. Other Information
                                              Agreement,’’ which assures USDA that                    no later than 30 days after the end of the
                                              the recipient is in compliance with Title               quarter. The Project performance reports              Paperwork Reduction Act
                                              VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 7 CFR               must include, but not be limited to, the                In accordance with the Paperwork
                                              part 15, and other Agency regulations.                  following:                                            Reduction Act of 1995, the information
                                              That no person will be discriminated                       (1) A comparison of actual                         collection requirement contained in this
                                              against based on race, color or national                accomplishments to the objectives                     notice is approved by OMB under OMB
                                              origin, in regard to any program or                     established for that period;                          Control Number 0570–0070.
                                              activity for which the recipient receives                  (2) Problems, delays, or adverse
                                              Federal financial assistance. That                      conditions, if any, which have affected               Federal Funding Accountability and
                                              nondiscrimination statements are in                     or will affect attainment of overall                  Transparency Act
                                              advertisements and brochures.                           Project objectives, prevent meeting time                 All applicants, in accordance with 2
                                                Collect and maintain data provided by                 schedules or objectives, or preclude the              CFR part 25, must have a DUNS
                                              Ultimate Recipients on race, sex, and                   attainment of particular Project work                 number, which can be obtained at no
                                              national origin and ensure Ultimate                     elements doing established time                       cost via a toll-free request line at (866)
                                              Recipients collect and maintain this                    periods. This disclosure shall be                     705–5711 or online at http://
                                              data. Race and ethnicity data will be                   accompanied by a statement of the                     fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Similarly, all
                                              collected in accordance with OMB                        action taken or planned to resolve the                applicants must be registered in SAM
                                              Federal Register notice, ‘‘Revisions to                 situation; and                                        prior to submitting an application.
                                              the Standards for the Classification of                    (3) Objectives and timetable                       Applicants may register for the SAM at
                                              Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity’’ (62                established for the next reporting                    http://www.sam.gov. All recipients of
                                              FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data                   period.                                               Federal financial grant assistance are
                                              will be collected in accordance with                       (4) Any special reporting                          required to report information about
                                              Title IX of the Education Amendments                    requirements, such as jobs supported                  first-tier sub-awards and executive total
                                              of 1972. These items should not be                      and created, businesses assisted, or                  compensation in accordance with 2 CFR
                                              submitted with the application but                      economic development which results in                 part 170.
                                              should be available upon request by the                 improvements in median household
                                                                                                                                                            Nondiscrimination Statement
                                              Agency.                                                 incomes, and any other specific
                                                The applicant and the Ultimate                        requirements, should be placed in the                    In accordance with Federal civil
                                              Recipient must comply with Title VI of                  reporting section of the Letter of                    rights law and U.S. Department of
                                              the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of               Conditions.                                           Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
                                              the Education Amendments of 1972,                          (5) Within 90 days after the                       regulations and policies, the USDA, its
                                              Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),                  conclusion of the Project, the                        agencies, offices, and employees, and
                                              Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of                Intermediary will provide a final Project             institutions participating in or
                                              1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975,                   evaluation report. The last quarterly                 administering USDA Programs are
                                              Executive Order 12250, Executive Order                  payment will be withheld until the final              prohibited from discriminating based on
                                              13166 Limited English Proficiency                       report is received and approved by the                race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
                                              (LEP), and 7 CFR part 1901, subpart E.                  Agency. Even though the Intermediary                  gender identity (including gender
                                                (i) SF LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of Lobbying                  may request reimbursement on a                        expression), sexual orientation,
                                              Activities,’’ if applicable.                            monthly basis, the last 3 months of                   disability, age, marital status, family/
                                                (j) Use Form SF 270, ‘‘Request for                    reimbursements will be withheld until a               parental status, income derived from a
                                              Advance or Reimbursement.’’                             final report, Project performance, and                public assistance program, political
                                                                                                      financial status report are received and              beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
                                              3. Reporting                                                                                                  civil rights activity, in any program or
                                                                                                      approved by the Agency.
                                                 (a) A Financial Status Report and a                     In addition to any reports required by             activity conducted or funded by USDA
                                              Project performance activity report will                2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR 400–400.2                    (not all bases apply to all programs).
                                              be required of all grantees on a quarterly              and 2 CFR part 415 to 422, the                        Remedies and complaint filing
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                                              basis until initial funds are expended                  Intermediary or grantee must provide                  deadlines vary by program or incident.
                                              and yearly thereafter, if applicable,                   reports as required by 7 CFR part 4280,                  Persons with disabilities who require
                                              based on the Federal fiscal year. The                   subpart A.                                            alternative means of communication for
                                              grantee will complete the Project within                                                                      program information (e.g., Braille, large
                                              the total time available to it in                       G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)                 print, audiotape, American Sign
                                              accordance with the Scope of Work and                     For general questions about this                    Language, etc.) should contact the
                                              any necessary modifications thereof                     announcement, please contact your                     responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET


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                                              23630                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 22, 2018 / Notices

                                              Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and                     copies of the information collection                    Estimated Total Annual Cost to
                                              TTY) or contact USDA through the                        instrument(s) and instructions should                 Public: $0. (This is not the cost of
                                              Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.                be directed to Scott Handmaker, Chief,                respondents’ time, but the indirect costs
                                              Additionally, program information may                   Classification Processing Branch, U.S.                respondents may incur for such things
                                              be made available in languages other                    Census Bureau, 8K149, Washington, DC                  as purchases of specialized software or
                                              than English.                                           20233, Telephone 301–763–7107; Email:                 hardware needed to report, or
                                                To file a program discrimination                      Scott.P.Handmaker@census.gov.                         expenditures for accounting or records
                                              complaint, complete the USDA Program                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            maintenance services required
                                              Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–                                                                            specifically by the collection.)
                                              3027, found online at http://                           I. Abstract                                             Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
                                              www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_                        The Census Bureau conducts the                       Legal Authority: Title 13, United
                                              cust.html and at any USDA office or                     Business and Professional Classification              States Code, Sections 131, 182, and 193.
                                              write a letter addressed to USDA and                    Report survey to collect information
                                              provide in the letter all of the                        from new businesses to obtain proper                  IV. Request for Comments
                                              information requested in the form. To                   industry classification for use in                       Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
                                              request a copy of the complaint form,                   economic surveys and the Economic                     the proposed collection of information
                                              call (866) 632–9992. Submit your                        Census. The survey, conducted                         is necessary for the proper performance
                                              completed form or letter to USDA by:                    quarterly, samples businesses with                    of the functions of the agency, including
                                                (1) Mail: U.S. Department of                          newly assigned Employer Identification                whether the information shall have
                                              Agriculture, Office of the Assistant                    Numbers (EINs) from the Internal                      practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
                                              Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400                        Revenue Service (IRS). Businesses can                 agency’s estimate of the burden
                                              Independence Avenue SW, Washington,                     only be selected once for the survey.                 (including hours and cost) of the
                                              DC 20250–9410;                                          The survey collects data about a                      proposed collection of information; (c)
                                                (2) fax: (202) 690–7442; or                           business in such areas as: primary                    ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
                                                (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov                    business activity, company structure,                 clarity of the information to be
                                                USDA is an equal opportunity                          size, and business operations. This                   collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
                                              provider, employer, and lender.                         information is used to update the                     burden of the collection of information
                                                Dated: May 14, 2018.                                  sampling frame for current business                   on respondents, including through the
                                              Bette B. Brand,                                         surveys, which ensures high quality                   use of automated collection techniques
                                              Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
                                                                                                      economic estimates. Additionally, by                  or other forms of information
                                              Service.                                                ensuring proper industry classification,              technology.
                                              [FR Doc. 2018–10866 Filed 5–21–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                      this survey reduces burden for the                       Comments submitted in response to
                                                                                                      businesses in the five-year Economic                  this notice will be summarized and/or
                                              BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P
                                                                                                      Census, as the questions in the census                included in the request for OMB
                                                                                                      are tailored to the industry in which the             approval of this information collection;
                                                                                                      business operates. There are no major                 they also will become a matter of public
                                              DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                  changes to this collection. Minimal                   record.
                                              Census Bureau                                           changes will be made to the wording
                                                                                                      and organization of existing questions                Sheleen Dumas,
                                                                                                      and instructions.                                     Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the
                                              Proposed Information Collection;                                                                              Chief Information Officer.
                                              Comment Request; Business and                           II. Method of Collection                              [FR Doc. 2018–10821 Filed 5–21–18; 8:45 am]
                                              Professional Classification Report
                                                                                                         We will collect this information over              BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
                                              AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau,                             the internet and by telephone follow-up.
                                              Commerce.                                               Respondents will receive a letter
                                              ACTION: Notice.                                         directing them to the internet to report              DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                                                                      their information. After three weeks,
                                              SUMMARY:    The Department of                           respondents will receive a reminder                   Bureau of Economic Analysis
                                              Commerce, as part of its continuing                     letter about the survey. After the due
                                              effort to reduce paperwork and                                                                                Proposed Information Collection;
                                                                                                      date, the Census Bureau will conduct a
                                              respondent burden, invites the general                                                                        Comment Request; Direct Investment
                                                                                                      telephone follow-up operation for
                                              public and other Federal agencies to                                                                          Surveys: BE–11, Annual Survey of U.S.
                                                                                                      nonresponse. Throughout the survey,
                                              take this opportunity to comment on                                                                           Direct Investment Abroad
                                                                                                      telephone assistance is available for
                                              proposed and/or continuing information                  respondents with questions and for                    AGENCY: Bureau of Economic Analysis,
                                              collections, as required by the                         those that cannot report over the                     Department of Commerce.
                                              Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.                        internet.                                             ACTION: Notice.
                                              DATES: To ensure consideration, written
                                                                                                      III. Data
                                              comments must be submitted on or                                                                              SUMMARY:    The Department of
                                              before July 23, 2018.                                      OMB Control Number: 0607–0189.                     Commerce, as part of its continuing
                                                                                                         Form Number(s): SQ–CLASS.                          effort to reduce paperwork and
                                              ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
                                                                                                         Type of Review: Regular submission.
                                              to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental                                                                              respondent burden, invites the general
                                                                                                         Affected Public: Business or other for
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                                              Paperwork Clearance Officer,                                                                                  public and other Federal agencies to
                                                                                                      profit and not-for-profit institutions.
                                              Department of Commerce, Room 6616,                         Estimated Number of Respondents:                   comment on proposed and/or
                                              14th and Constitution Avenue NW,                        57,000.                                               continuing information collections, as
                                              Washington, DC 20230 (or via the                           Estimated Time per Response: 13                    required by the Paperwork Reduction
                                              internet at PRAcomments@doc.gov).                       minutes.                                              Act of 1995.
                                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                           Estimated Total Annual Burden                      DATES: Written comments must be
                                              Requests for additional information or                  Hours: 12,350 hours.                                  submitted on or before July 23, 2018.


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Document Created: 2018-11-02 11:09:49
Document Modified: 2018-11-02 11:09:49
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesSee under Supplementary Information section.
ContactCindy Mason at (202) 690-1433, [email protected], and Sami Zarour at (202) 720-9549, [email protected], Specialty Programs Division, Business Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, MS 3226, Room 4204-South, Washington, DC 20250-3226, or call 202-720-1400. For further information on this notice, please contact the USDA Rural Development State Office in the State in which the applicant's headquarters is located.
FR Citation83 FR 23625 

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