83_FR_44183 83 FR 44015 - Inviting Applications for the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program

83 FR 44015 - Inviting Applications for the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 168 (August 29, 2018)

Page Range44015-44022
FR Document2018-18682

This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2018 applications for the Delta Health Care Services (DHCS) grant program. The Agency will publish the program funding level on the Rural Development website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services- grants. The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region through cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research institutions, and economic development entities in the Delta Region.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44015-44022]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18682]


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / 
Notices

[[Page 44015]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service


Inviting Applications for the Delta Health Care Services Grant 
Program

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2018 applications for 
the Delta Health Care Services (DHCS) grant program. The Agency will 
publish the program funding level on the Rural Development website: 
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants. The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance 
to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region through 
cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher 
education, research institutions, and economic development entities in 
the Delta Region.

DATES: You must submit completed applications for grants according to 
the following deadlines:
    Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent 
overnight no later than Midnight Eastern Time November 26, 2018. 
Electronic copies must be received by Midnight Eastern Time November 
19, 2018. Late applications are not eligible for funding under this 
Notice and will not be evaluated.

ADDRESSES: You should contact your USDA Rural Development State Office 
(State Office) if you have questions. You are encouraged to contact 
your State Office well in advance of the application deadline to 
discuss your Project and ask any questions about the application 
process. A list of State Office contacts can be found at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. Program guidance as well as 
application templates may be obtained at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants or by contacting 
your State Office. If you want to submit an electronic application, 
follow the instructions for the DHCS funding announcement located at: 
http://www.grants.gov. Please review the Grants.gov website for 
instructions on the process of registering your organization as soon as 
possible to ensure you can meet the electronic application deadline. 
You are strongly encouraged to file your application early and allow 
sufficient time to manage any technical issues that may arise. If you 
want to submit a paper application, send it to the State Office located 
in the State where the Project will primarily take place.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Grants Division, Cooperative Programs, 
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, MS 3253, Room 4208-South, 
Washington, DC 20250-3250, or call 202-690-1374.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Preface

    The Agency encourages applications that will support 
recommendations made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force report to help 
improve life in rural America, https://www.usda.gov/topics/rural/rural-prosperity. 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

    Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Delta Health Care Services Grant 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial Notice.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.874.
    Dates: Application Deadline. You must submit your complete 
application by Midnight Eastern Time November 26, 2018, or it will not 
be considered for funding. Electronic copies must be received by 
www.grants.gov no later than Midnight Eastern Time November 19, 2018, 
or it will not be considered for funding.

Executive Order (E.O.) 13175 Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    This Executive Order imposes requirements on Rural Development in 
the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications or 
preempt tribal laws. Rural Development has determined that this Notice 
does not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian 
tribe(s) or on either the relationship or the distribution of powers 
and responsibilities between the Federal Government and the Indian 
tribes. Thus, this Notice is not subject to the requirements of 
Executive Order 13175. Tribal Consultation inquiries and comments 
should be directed to RD's Native American Coordinator at 
[email protected] or (720) 544-2911.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act requires Federal agencies to seek and 
obtain Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval before 
undertaking a collection of information directed to ten or more 
persons. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Agency conducted an analysis to determine the 
number of applications the Agency estimates that it will receive under 
the DHCS grant program. It was determined that the estimated number of 
applications was fewer than nine and in accordance with 5 CFR 1320, 
thus no OMB approval is necessary at this time.

A. Program Description

    The DHCS program is authorized by Section 379G of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008u), as amended by the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79). The primary objective of the 
program is to provide financial assistance to address the continued 
unmet health needs in the Delta Region through cooperation among health 
care professionals, institutions of higher education, research 
institutions, and other individuals and entities in the Delta Region. 
Grants are awarded on a

[[Page 44016]]

competitive basis. The maximum award amount per grant is $1,000,000.
Definitions
    The definitions you need to understand are as follows:
    Academic Health and Research Institute--A combination of a medical 
school, one or more other health profession schools or educational 
training programs (such as allied health, dentistry, graduate studies, 
nursing, pharmacy, public health), and one or more owned or affiliated 
teaching hospitals or health systems; or a health care nonprofit 
organization or health system, including nonprofit medical and surgical 
hospitals, that conduct health related research exclusively for 
scientific or educational purposes.
    Conflict of Interest--A situation in which a person or entity has 
competing personal, professional, or financial interests that make it 
difficult for the person or business to act impartially. Federal 
procurement standards prohibit transactions that involve a real or 
apparent conflict of interest for owners, employees, officers, agents, 
or their immediate family members having a financial or other interest 
in the outcome of the Project; or that restrict open and free 
competition for unrestrained trade. Specifically, Project Funds may not 
be used for services or goods going to, or coming from, a person or 
entity with a real or apparent conflict of interest, including, but not 
limited to, owner(s) and their immediate family members. An example of 
conflict of interest occurs when the consortium member's employees, 
board of directors, or the immediate family of either, have the 
appearance of a professional or personal financial interest in the 
recipients receiving the benefits or services of the grant.
    Consortium--A group of three or more entities that are regional 
Institutions of Higher Education, Academic Health and Research 
Institutes, and/or Economic Development Entities located in the Delta 
Region that have at least 1 year of prior experience in addressing the 
health care issues in the region. At least one of the consortium 
members must be legally organized as an incorporated organization or 
other legal entity and have legal authority to contract with the 
Federal Government.
    Delta Region--The 252 counties and parishes within the states of 
Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Missouri, and Tennessee that are served by the Delta Regional 
Authority. (The Delta Region may be adjusted by future Federal 
statute.) To view the areas identified within the Delta Region visit 
http://dra.gov/about-dra/dra-states.
    Economic Development Entity--Any public or non-profit organization 
whose primary mission is to stimulate local and regional economies 
within the Delta Region by increasing employment opportunities and 
duration of employment, expanding or retaining existing employers, 
increasing labor rates or wage levels, reducing outmigration, and/or 
creating gains in other economic development-related variables such as 
land values. These activities shall primarily benefit low and moderate-
income individuals in the Delta Region.
    Health System--The complete network of agencies, facilities, and 
all providers of health care to meet the health needs of a specific 
geographical area or target populations.
    Institution of Higher Education--A postsecondary (post-high school) 
educational institution that awards a bachelor's degree or provides not 
less than a 2-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward 
such a degree, or a postsecondary vocational institution that provides 
a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a 
recognized occupation.
    Nonprofit Organization--An organization or institution, including 
an accredited institution of higher education, where no part of the net 
earnings of which may inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder 
or individual.
    Project--All activities funded by the DHCS grant.
    Project Funds--Grant funds requested plus any other contributions 
to the proposed Project.
    Rural and rural area--Any area of a State:
     Not in a city or town that has a population of more than 
50,000 inhabitants, according to the latest decennial census of the 
United States; and
     The contiguous and adjacent urbanized area,
     Urbanized areas that are rural in character as defined by 
7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13).
     For the purposes of this definition, cities and towns are 
incorporated population centers with definite boundaries, local self-
government, and legal powers set forth in a charter granted by the 
State.
    State--Includes each of the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and, as may be 
determined by the Secretary to be feasible, appropriate and lawful, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
and the Republic of Palau.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Competitive Grant.
    Total Funding: $3,558,000.
    Maximum Award: $1,000,000.
    Minimum Award: $50,000.
    Project Period: Up to 24 months.
    Anticipated Award Date: January 31, 2019.

C. Eligibility Information

    Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements. 
Your application will not be considered for funding if it does not 
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or is missing 
required elements. Applicants that fail to submit the required elements 
by the application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be 
evaluated further. Information submitted after the application deadline 
will not be accepted.
1. Eligible Applicants
    Grants funded through DHCS may be made to a Consortium as defined 
in Paragraph A of this Notice. Consortiums are eligible to receive 
funding through this Notice. One member of the Consortium must be 
designated as the lead entity by the other members of the Consortium 
and have legal authority to contract with the Federal Government.
    The lead entity is the recipient (see 2 CFR 200.86) of the DHCS 
grant funds and accountable for monitoring and reporting on the Project 
performance and financial management of the grant. In addition, the 
lead entity (recipient) is responsible for subrecipient monitoring and 
management in accordance with 2 CFR 200.330 and 200.331, respectively. 
The remaining consortium members are subrecipients (see 2 CFR 200.93). 
They may receive subawards (see 2 CFR 200.94) from the recipient and 
are responsible for monitoring and reporting the Project performance 
and financial management of their subaward to the recipient.
    (a) An applicant is ineligible if they do not submit ``Evidence of 
Eligibility'' and ``Consortium Agreements'' as described in Section 
D.2. of this Notice.
    (b) An applicant is ineligible if they have been debarred or 
suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in 
Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, ``Debarment 
and Suspension.'' The Agency will check the System for Award Management 
(SAM) to determine if the applicant has been debarred or

[[Page 44017]]

suspended. In addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible for 
a grant due to an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a 
Federal Court (other than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment 
of Federal income taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt. The 
applicant must certify as part of the application that they do not have 
an outstanding judgment against them. The Agency will check the Credit 
Alert Interactive Voice Response System (CAIVRS) to verify this.
    (c) Any corporation (1) that has been convicted of a felony 
criminal violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or 
(2) 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, is not eligible for financial assistance provided with funds 
appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-
141), 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.
    (d) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application 
includes any funding restrictions identified under Section D.6.
    (e) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application is 
not complete in accordance with the requirements stated in Section 
C.3.g.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
    Matching funds are not required. However, if you are adding any 
other contributions to the proposed Project, you must provide 
documentation indicating who will be providing the matching funds, the 
amount of funds, when those funds will be provided, and how the funds 
will be used in the Project budget. Examples of acceptable 
documentation include: A signed letter from the source of funds stating 
the amount of funds, when the funds will be provided, and what the 
funds can be used for or a signed resolution from your governing board 
authorizing the use of a specified amount of funds for specific 
components of the Project. The matching funds you identify must be for 
eligible purposes and included in your work plan and budget. 
Additionally, expected program income may not be used as matching funds 
at the time you submit your application. However, if you have a 
contract to provide services in place at the time you submit your 
application, you can verify the amount of the contract as matching 
funds. If you choose, you may use a template to summarize the matching 
funds. The template is available either from your State Office or the 
program website at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements
    (a) Use of Funds. Your application must propose to use Project 
Funds for eligible purposes. Eligible Project purposes include the 
development of:
     Health care services;
     health education programs;
     health care job training programs; and
     the development and expansion of public health-related 
facilities in the Delta Region.
    (b) Project Eligibility. The proposed Project must take place 
within the Delta Region as defined in this Notice. However, the 
applicant need not propose to serve the entire Delta Region.
    (c) Project Input. Your proposed Project must be developed based on 
input from local governments, public health care providers, and other 
entities in the Delta Region.
    (d) Grant Period Eligibility. All awards are limited to up to a 24 
month grant period based upon the complexity of the Project. Your 
proposed grant period should begin no earlier than February 1, 2019, 
and should end no later than 24 months following that date. If you 
receive an award, your grant period will be revised to begin on the 
actual date of award--the date the grant agreement is executed by the 
Agency--and your grant period end date will be adjusted accordingly. 
Your Project activities must begin within 90 days of the date of award. 
If you request funds for a time period beginning before February 1, 
2019, and/or ending later than 24 months from that date, your 
application will be ineligible. The length of your grant period should 
be based on your Project's complexity, as indicated in your application 
work plan.
    (e) Multiple Application Eligibility. The Consortium, including its 
members, is limited to submitting one application for funding under 
this Notice. We will not accept applications from Consortiums that 
include members who are also members of other Consortiums that have 
submitted applications for funding under this Notice. If we discover 
that a Consortium member is a member of multiple Consortiums with 
applications submitted for funding under this Notice, all applications 
will be considered ineligible for funding.
    (f) Satisfactory Performance Eligibility. If you have an existing 
DHCS award, you must be performing satisfactorily to be considered 
eligible for a new DHCS award. Satisfactory performance includes being 
up-to-date on all financial and performance reports as prescribed in 
the grant award, and current on tasks and timeframes for utilizing 
grant and matching funds as approved in the work plan and budget. If 
you have any unspent grant funds on DHCS awards prior to FY 2016, your 
application will not be considered for funding. If your FY 2016 and/or 
2017 award has unspent funds of 50 percent or more than what your 
approved work plan and budget projected at the time your FY 2018 
application is evaluated, your application may not be considered for 
funding. The Agency will verify the performance status of FY 2016 and 
2017 awards and make a determination after the FY 2018 application 
period closes.
    (g) Completeness Eligibility. Your application must provide all of 
the information requested in Section D.2. of this Notice. Applications 
lacking sufficient information to determine eligibility and scoring 
will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for scoring.
    (h) Indirect Costs. Your negotiated indirect cost rate approval 
does not need to be included in your application, but you will be 
required to provide it if a grant is awarded. Approval for indirect 
costs that are requested in an application without an approved indirect 
cost rate agreement is at the discretion of the Agency.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package
    The application template for this funding opportunity is located 
at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants. Use of the application template is strongly 
recommended to assist you with the application process. You may also 
contact your State Office for more information. Contact information for 
State Offices is located at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. You may also obtain an application package by calling 202-690-
1374.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    You may submit your application in paper form or electronically 
through Grants.gov. Your application must contain all required 
information. If you submit in paper form, any forms

[[Page 44018]]

requiring signatures must include an original signature.
    To apply electronically, you must follow the instructions for this 
funding announcement at: http://www.grants.gov. Please note that we 
cannot accept emailed or faxed applications.
    You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for 
this program by using a keyword, the program name, or the CFDA number 
for this program.
    When you enter the Grants.gov website, you will find information 
about applying electronically through the site, as well as the hours of 
operation.
    To use Grants.gov, you must already have a DUNS number and you must 
also be registered and maintain registration in SAM. We strongly 
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to 
begin the application process through Grants.gov.
    You must submit all of your application documents electronically 
through Grants.gov. Applications must include electronic signatures. 
Original signatures may be required if funds are awarded.
    After applying electronically through Grants.gov, you will receive 
an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov 
tracking number.
    If you want to submit a paper application, send it to the State 
Office located in the State where the Project will primarily take 
place. You can find State Office contact information at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
    The organization submitting the application will be considered the 
lead entity. The Contact/Program Manager must be associated with the 
lead entity submitting the application.
    Your application must also contain the following required forms and 
proposal elements:
    (a) Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' The 
application for Federal assistance must be completed by the lead entity 
as described in Section C.1. of this Notice. Your application must 
include your DUNS number and SAM Commercial and Government Entity 
(CAGE) code and expiration date (or evidence that you have begun the 
SAM registration process). Because there are no specific fields for a 
CAGE code and expiration date, you may identify them anywhere you want 
to on the form. If you do not include the DUNS number in your 
application, it will not be considered for funding. The form must be 
signed by an authorized representative.
    (b) Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs.'' This form must be completed and submitted as part of the 
application package for non-construction Projects.
    (c) Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' This 
form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the 
application package for non-construction Projects.
    (d) Form SF-424C, ``Budget Information--Construction Programs.'' 
This form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the 
application package for construction Projects.
    (e) Form SF-424D, ``Assurances--Construction Programs.'' This form 
must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the application 
package for construction Projects.
    (f) Form AD-3030. Form AD-3030, ``Representations Regarding Felony 
Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants,'' if you 
are a corporation. A corporation is any entity that has filed articles 
of incorporation in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic 
of the Marshall Islands, or the various territories of the United 
States including American Samoa, Guam, Midway Islands, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands. Corporations include both for profit and non-profit entities.
    (g) Executive Summary. You must provide a summary of the proposal, 
not to exceed one page, briefly describing the Project, tasks to be 
completed, and other relevant information that provides a general 
overview of the Project.
    (h) Evidence of Eligibility. You must provide evidence of the 
Consortium's eligibility to apply under this Notice. This section must 
include a detailed summary demonstrating how each Consortium member 
meets the definition of an eligible entity as defined under Definitions 
of this Notice.
    (i) Consortium Agreements. The application must include a formal 
written agreement with each Consortium member that addresses the 
negotiated arrangements for administering the Project to meet Project 
goals, the Consortium member's responsibilities to comply with 
administrative, financial, and reporting requirements of the grant, 
including those necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable 
Federal regulations and policies, and facilitate a smooth functioning 
collaborative venture. Under the agreement, each Consortium member must 
perform a substantive role in the Project and not merely serve as a 
conduit of funds to another party or parties. This agreement must be 
signed by an authorized representative of the lead entity and an 
authorized representative of each partnering consortium entity.
    (j) Scoring Criteria. Each of the scoring criteria in this Notice 
must be addressed in narrative form. Failure to address each scoring 
criterion will result in the application being determined ineligible.
    (k) Performance Measures. The Agency has also established annual 
performance measures to evaluate the DHCS program. You must provide 
estimates on the following performance measures as part of your 
application:
     Number of businesses assisted;
     Number of jobs created;
     Number of jobs saved;
     Number of individuals assisted/trained.
    It is permissible to have a zero in a performance element. When you 
calculate jobs created, estimates should be based upon actual jobs to 
be created by your organization as a result of the DHCS funding or 
actual jobs to be created by businesses as a result of assistance from 
your organization. When you calculate jobs saved, estimates should be 
based only on actual jobs that would have been lost if your 
organization did not receive DHCS funding or actual jobs that would 
have been lost without assistance from your organization.
    You can also suggest additional performance elements for example 
where job creation or jobs saved may not be a relevant indicator. These 
additional elements should be specific, measurable performance elements 
that could be included in an award document.
    (l) Financial Information and Sustainability. You must provide 
current financial statements and a narrative description demonstrating 
sustainability of the Project, all of which show sufficient resources 
and expertise to undertake and complete the Project and how the Project 
will be sustained following completion. Applicants must provide 3 years 
of pro-forma financial statements for the Project.
    (m) Evidence of Legal Authority and Existence. The lead entity must 
provide evidence of its legal existence and authority to enter into a 
grant agreement with the Agency and perform the activities proposed 
under the grant application.
    (n) Service Area Maps. You must provide maps with sufficient detail 
to show the area that will benefit from the proposed facilities and 
services and the location of the facilities improved or

[[Page 44019]]

purchased with grant funds if applicable.
    (o) Certification of no current outstanding Federal judgment. You 
must certify that there are no current outstanding Federal judgments 
against your property and that you will not use grant funds to pay for 
any judgment obtained by the United States. You must also certify that 
you are not delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or any 
Federal debt. To satisfy the Certification requirement, you should 
include this statement in your application: ``[INSERT NAME OF 
APPLICANT] certifies that the United States has not obtained an 
unsatisfied judgment against its property, is not delinquent on the 
payment of Federal income taxes, or any Federal debt, and will not use 
grant funds to pay any judgments obtained by the United States.'' A 
separate signature is not required.
    (p) Environmental information necessary to support the Agency's 
environmental finding. Required information can be found in 7 CFR part 
1970, specifically in Subpart B, Exhibit C and Subpart C, Exhibit B. 
These documents can be found here: http://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/regulations-guidelines/instructions. Non-construction Projects applying 
under this Notice are hereby classified as Categorical Exclusions 
according to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), the award of financial assistance for 
planning purposes, management and feasibility studies, or environmental 
impact analyses, which do not require any additional documentation.
3. DUNS Number and SAM Registration
    In order to be eligible (unless you are exempted under 2 CFR 
25.110(b), (c) or (d), you are required to:
    (a) Provide a valid DUNS number in your application, which can be 
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711;
    (b) Register in SAM before submitting your application. You may 
register in SAM at no cost at: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/; 
and
    (c) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which you have an active Federal award 
or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding 
agency.
    The Agency may not make a Federal award to you until you have 
complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. If you have not 
fully complied with requirements by the time the Agency is ready to 
make a Federal award, the Agency may determine that the applicant is 
not qualified to receive a Federal award and the Agency may use this 
determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.
4. Submission Date and Time
    Application Deadline Date: November 26, 2018.
    Explanation of Deadlines: Complete paper applications must be 
postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by November 26, 2018. 
The Agency will determine whether your application is late based on the 
date shown on the postmark or shipping invoice. You may also hand carry 
your application to one of our field offices, but it must be received 
by close of business on the deadline date. If the due date falls on a 
Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the reporting package is due the 
next business day. Late applications are not eligible for funding.
    Electronic applications must be RECEIVED by: http://www.grants.gov 
by midnight Eastern Time November 19, 2018, to be eligible for funding. 
Please review the Grants.gov website at: http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions on the process of 
registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure you can 
meet the electronic application deadline. Grants.gov will not accept 
applications submitted after the deadline.
5. Intergovernmental Review
    Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs, applies to this program. This E.O. requires that Federal 
agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance 
with State and local governments. Many States have established a Single 
Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of 
States that maintain a SPOC, please see the White House website: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SPOC-Feb.-2018.pdf. If your State has a SPOC, you may submit your application 
directly for review. Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be 
provided to your State Office for consideration as part of your 
application. If your State has not established a SPOC or you do not 
want to submit your application to the SPOC, your State Office will 
submit your application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or 
agencies.
    You are also encouraged to contact Cooperative Programs at 202-690-
1374 or [email protected] if you have questions about this process.
6. Funding Restrictions
    Project Funds may not be used for ineligible purposes. In addition, 
you may not use Project Funds for the following:
    (a) To duplicate current services or to replace or to substitute 
support previously provided. However, Project Funds may be used to 
expand the level of effort or a service beyond what is currently being 
provided;
    (b) To pay for costs to prepare the application for funding under 
this Notice;
    (c) To pay for costs of the Project incurred prior to the effective 
date of the period of performance;
    (d) To pay expenses for applicant employee training not directly 
related to the Project;
    (e) Fund political activities;
    (f) To pay for assistance to any private business enterprise which 
does not have at least 51 percent ownership by those who are either 
citizens of the United States or reside in the United States after 
being legally admitted for permanent residence;
    (g) To pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
    (h) Engage in any activities that are considered a Conflict of 
Interest, as defined by this Notice; or
    (i) Fund any activities prohibited by 2 CFR 200;
    In addition, your application will not be considered for funding if 
it does any of the following:
    i. Requests more than the maximum grant amount; or
    ii. Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent of 
the Project Funds.
    We will consider your application for funding if it includes 
ineligible costs of 10 percent or less of total Project Funds, if it is 
determined eligible otherwise. However, if your application is 
successful, those ineligible costs must be removed and replaced with 
eligible costs before the Agency will make the grant award or the 
amount of the grant award will be reduced accordingly. If we cannot 
determine the percentage of ineligible costs, your application will not 
be considered for funding.
7. Other Submission Requirements
    (a) You should not submit your application in more than one format. 
You must choose whether to submit your application in hard copy or 
electronically. Applications submitted in hard copy should be mailed or 
hand-delivered to the State Office where the Project will primarily 
take place. You can find State Office contact information at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. To apply electronically, you 
must follow the instructions for this funding announcement at: http://

[[Page 44020]]

www.grants.gov. A password is not required to access the website.
    (b) National Environmental Policy Act. This Notice has been 
reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970, ``Environmental Policies 
and Procedures.'' We have determined that an Environmental Impact 
Statement is not required because the issuance of regulations and 
instructions, as well as amendments to them, describing administrative 
and financial procedures for processing, approving, and implementing 
the Agency's financial programs is categorically excluded in the 
Agency's National Environmental Policy Act regulation found at 7 CFR 
1970.53(f), ``Environmental Policies and Procedures.'' We have 
determined that this Notice does not constitute a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
    The Agency will review each grant application to determine its 
compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide 
additional information or documentation to assist the Agency with this 
determination.
    (c) Civil Rights Compliance Requirements. All grants made under 
this Notice are subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as 
required by the USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A) and Section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

E. Application Review Information

    The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are 
eligible for assistance based on requirements in this Notice, and other 
applicable Federal regulations. If determined eligible, your 
application will be scored by a panel of USDA employees in accordance 
with the point allocation specified in this Notice. Applications will 
be funded in rank order until the funding limitation has been reached. 
Applications that cannot be fully funded may be offered partial funding 
at the Agency's discretion.
1. Scoring Criteria
    All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on 
the following criteria. Evaluators will base scores only on the 
information provided or cross-referenced by page number in each 
individual scoring criterion. DHCS is a competitive program, so you 
will receive scores based on the quality of your responses. Simply 
addressing the criteria will not guarantee higher scores. The total 
points possible for the criteria are 110. The minimum score requirement 
for funding is 60 points. It is at the Agency's discretion to fund 
applications with a score of 59 points or less if it is in the best 
interest of the Federal Government.
    (a) Community Needs and Benefits derived from the Project (maximum 
of 30 points). A panel of USDA employees will assess how the Project 
will benefit the residents in the Delta Region. This criterion will be 
scored based on the documentation in support of the community needs for 
health services and public health-related facilities and the benefits 
to people living in the Delta Region derived from the implementation of 
the proposed Project. It should lead clearly to the identification of 
the Project participant pool and the target population for the Project 
and provide convincing links between the Project and the benefits to 
the community to address its health needs. The Agency will consider:
    (1) The extent of the applicant's documentation explaining the 
health care needs, issues, and challenges facing the service area. 
Include what problems the residents face and how the Project will 
benefit the residents in the region.
    (2) The extent to which the applicant is able to show the 
relationship between the Project's design, outcome, and benefits.
    (3) The extent to which the applicant explains the Project and its 
implementation and provides milestones which are well-defined and can 
be realistically completed.
    (4) The extent to which the applicant clearly outlines a plan to 
track, report, and evaluate performance outcomes.
    Applicants should attempt to quantify benefits in terms of outcomes 
from the Project; that is, ways in which peoples' lives, or the 
community, will be improved. Provide estimates of the number of people 
affected by the benefits arising from the Project.
    (b) The Project Management and Organization Capability (maximum of 
30 points). A panel of USDA employees will evaluate the Consortium's 
experience, past performance, and accomplishments addressing health 
care issues to ensure effective Project implementation. This criterion 
will be scored based on the documentation of the Project's management 
and organizational capability. The Agency will consider:
    (1) The degree to which the organization has a sound management and 
fiscal structure including: Well-defined roles for administrators, 
staff, and established financial management systems.
    (2) The extent to which the applicant identifies and demonstrates 
that qualifications, capabilities, and educational background of the 
identified key personnel (at a minimum the Project Manager) who will 
manage and implement programs are relevant and will contribute to the 
success of the Project.
    (3) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates current 
successful and effective experience (or demonstrated experience within 
the past 5 years) addressing the health care issues in the Delta 
Region.
    (4) The extent to which the applicant has experience managing 
grant-funded programs.
    (5) The extent to which administrative/management costs are 
balanced with funds designated for the provision of programs and 
services.
    (6) The extent and diversity of eligible entity types within the 
applicant's Consortium of regional institutions of higher education, 
academic health and research institutes, and economic development 
entities located in the Delta Region.
    (c) Work Plan and Budget (maximum of 30 points). You must provide a 
work plan and budget that includes the following: (1) The specific 
activities, such as programs, services, trainings, and/or construction-
related activities for a facility to be performed under the Project; 
(2) the estimated line item costs associated with each activity, 
including grant funds and other necessary sources of funds; (3) the key 
personnel who will carry out each activity (including each Consortium 
member's role); and (4) the specific time frames for completion of each 
activity.
    An eligible start and end date for the Project and for individual 
Project tasks must be clearly shown and may not exceed Agency specified 
timeframes for the grant period. You must show the source and use of 
both grant and other contributions for all tasks. Other contributions 
must be spent at a rate equal to, or in advance of, grant funds.
    A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your work plan for detailed 
actions and an accompanying timetable for implementing the proposal. 
Clear and comprehensive work plans detailing all project goals, tasks, 
timelines, costs, and responsible personnel in a logical and realistic 
manner will result in a higher score.
    (d) Local Support (maximum 10 points). A panel of USDA employees 
will evaluate your application for local support of the proposed 
Project. The application must include documentation detailing support 
solicited from local government, public health care providers, and 
other entities in the Delta Region. Evidence of support can include; 
but is not limited to surveys conducted amongst Delta Region residents 
and stakeholders, notes

[[Page 44021]]

from focus groups, or letters of support from local entities.
    (e) Administrator Discretionary Points (maximum of 10 points). The 
Administrator may choose to award:
    i. Up to 5 points for projects with a primary purpose of providing 
treatment and counseling services for opioid abuse. Applicants who want 
to be considered for discretionary points must discuss how their 
workplan and budget addresses opioid misuse in the Delta Region; and
    ii. up to 5 points for projects that seek to help rural communities 
build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investment in 
infrastructure, partnerships and innovation. Eligible applicants who 
want to be considered for discretionary points must discuss how their 
workplan and budget supports one or more of the five following key 
strategies:
     Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural America;
     Improving Quality of Life;
     Supporting a Rural Workforce;
     Harnessing Technological Innovation; and
     Economic Development
2. Review and Selection Process
    The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are 
eligible for assistance based on requirements in this Notice, and other 
applicable Federal regulations. If determined eligible, your 
application will be scored by a panel of USDA employees in accordance 
with the point allocation specified in this Notice. The review panel 
will convene to reach a consensus on the scores for each of the 
eligible applications. The Administrator may choose to award up to 10 
Administrator discretionary points based on criterion (e) in section 
E.1. of this Notice. These points will be added to the cumulative score 
for a total possible score of 110. Applications will be funded in 
highest ranking order until the funding limitation has been reached. 
Applications that cannot be fully funded may be offered partial funding 
at the Agency's discretion. If your application is ranked and not 
funded, it will not be carried forward into the next competition.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices
    If you are selected for funding, you will receive a signed notice 
of Federal award by postal mail, containing instructions on 
requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the 
award.
    If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in 
writing via postal mail and informed of any review and appeal rights. 
Funding of successfully appealed applications will be limited to 
available FY 2018 funding.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this in 
program can be found in 2 CFR parts 25, 170, 180, 200, 400, 415, 417, 
418, and 421; and 48 CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to these 
parts. All recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to 
report information about first-tier subawards 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 reporting requirements (see 
2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are exempt under 2 CFR 170.110(b)). These 
regulations may be obtained at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html.
    The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected 
for this program:
     Agency approved Grant Agreement.
     Letter of Conditions.
     Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
     Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
     Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered 
Transactions.''
     Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered 
Transactions.''
     Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirement (Grants).''
     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.
     Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
     RD Instruction 1940-Q, Exhibit A-1, ``Certification for 
Contracts, Grants and Loans.''
     SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities'' if 
applicable.
3. Reporting
    After grant approval and through grant completion, you will be 
required to provide the following:
    a. A SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' and a project 
performance report will be required on a semiannual basis (due 30 
working days after end of the semiannual period). For the purposes of 
this grant, semiannual periods end on June 30 and December 31. The 
project performance reports shall include a comparison of actual 
accomplishments to the objectives established for that period;
    b. Reasons why established objectives were not met, if applicable;
    c. Reasons for any 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 objectives during established time 
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the 
action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and
    d. Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting 
period.
    e. Provide a final project and financial status report within 90 
days after the expiration or termination of the grant.
    f. Provide outcome project performance reports and final 
deliverables.

G. Agency Contacts

    If you have questions about this Notice, please contact the State 
Office as identified in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. You are 
also encouraged to visit the application website for application tools, 
including an application template. The website address is: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants.

H. Other Information

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

[[Page 44022]]

print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the 
responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and 
TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-
8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in 
languages other than English.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA 
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or 
write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint 
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA 
by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410;
    (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].

    Dated: August 16, 2018.
 Bette B. Brand,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-18682 Filed 8-28-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P



                                                                                                                                                                                                 44015

                                                Notices                                                                                                       Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                              Vol. 83, No. 168

                                                                                                                                                              Wednesday, August 29, 2018



                                                This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                    application templates may be obtained                 by Midnight Eastern Time November 26,
                                                contains documents other than rules or                  at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-                  2018, or it will not be considered for
                                                proposed rules that are applicable to the               services/delta-health-care-services-                  funding. Electronic copies must be
                                                public. Notices of hearings and investigations,         grants or by contacting your State                    received by www.grants.gov no later
                                                committee meetings, agency decisions and                Office. If you want to submit an                      than Midnight Eastern Time November
                                                rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
                                                                                                        electronic application, follow the                    19, 2018, or it will not be considered for
                                                petitions and applications and agency
                                                statements of organization and functions are            instructions for the DHCS funding                     funding.
                                                examples of documents appearing in this                 announcement located at: http://                      Executive Order (E.O.) 13175
                                                section.                                                www.grants.gov. Please review the                     Consultation and Coordination With
                                                                                                        Grants.gov website for instructions on                Indian Tribal Governments
                                                                                                        the process of registering your
                                                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               organization as soon as possible to                      This Executive Order imposes
                                                                                                        ensure you can meet the electronic                    requirements on Rural Development in
                                                Rural Business-Cooperative Service                      application deadline. You are strongly                the development of regulatory policies
                                                                                                        encouraged to file your application early             that have tribal implications or preempt
                                                Inviting Applications for the Delta                     and allow sufficient time to manage any               tribal laws. Rural Development has
                                                Health Care Services Grant Program                      technical issues that may arise. If you               determined that this Notice does not
                                                AGENCY:  Rural Business-Cooperative                     want to submit a paper application,                   have a substantial direct effect on one or
                                                Service, USDA.                                          send it to the State Office located in the            more Indian tribe(s) or on either the
                                                                                                        State where the Project will primarily                relationship or the distribution of
                                                ACTION: Notice.
                                                                                                        take place.                                           powers and responsibilities between the
                                                SUMMARY:   This Notice announces that                                                                         Federal Government and the Indian
                                                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                the Rural Business-Cooperative Service                                                                        tribes. Thus, this Notice is not subject to
                                                                                                        Grants Division, Cooperative Programs,                the requirements of Executive Order
                                                (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY)                  Rural Business-Cooperative Service,
                                                2018 applications for the Delta Health                                                                        13175. Tribal Consultation inquiries and
                                                                                                        United States Department of                           comments should be directed to RD’s
                                                Care Services (DHCS) grant program.                     Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue
                                                The Agency will publish the program                                                                           Native American Coordinator at aian@
                                                                                                        SW, MS 3253, Room 4208-South,                         wdc.usda.gov or (720) 544–2911.
                                                funding level on the Rural Development                  Washington, DC 20250–3250, or call
                                                website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/                       202–690–1374.                                         Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                programs-services/delta-health-care-
                                                                                                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              The Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                services-grants. The purpose of this
                                                program is to provide financial                                                                               requires Federal agencies to seek and
                                                                                                        Preface
                                                assistance to address the continued                                                                           obtain Office of Management and
                                                                                                           The Agency encourages applications                 Budget (OMB) approval before
                                                unmet health needs in the Delta Region
                                                                                                        that will support recommendations                     undertaking a collection of information
                                                through cooperation among health care
                                                                                                        made in the Rural Prosperity Task Force               directed to ten or more persons. In
                                                professionals, institutions of higher
                                                                                                        report to help improve life in rural                  accordance with the Paperwork
                                                education, research institutions, and
                                                                                                        America, https://www.usda.gov/topics/                 Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
                                                economic development entities in the
                                                Delta Region.                                           rural/rural-prosperity. Applicants are                Chapter 35), the Agency conducted an
                                                                                                        encouraged to consider projects that                  analysis to determine the number of
                                                DATES: You must submit completed
                                                                                                        provide measurable results in helping                 applications the Agency estimates that it
                                                applications for grants according to the                rural communities build robust and                    will receive under the DHCS grant
                                                following deadlines:                                    sustainable economies through strategic
                                                   Paper copies must be postmarked and                                                                        program. It was determined that the
                                                                                                        investments in infrastructure,                        estimated number of applications was
                                                mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no
                                                                                                        partnerships and innovation. Key                      fewer than nine and in accordance with
                                                later than Midnight Eastern Time
                                                                                                        strategies include:                                   5 CFR 1320, thus no OMB approval is
                                                November 26, 2018. Electronic copies
                                                must be received by Midnight Eastern                    • Achieving e-Connectivity for rural                  necessary at this time.
                                                Time November 19, 2018. Late                               America                                            A. Program Description
                                                applications are not eligible for funding               • Developing the Rural Economy
                                                                                                        • Harnessing Technological Innovation                   The DHCS program is authorized by
                                                under this Notice and will not be                                                                             Section 379G of the Consolidated Farm
                                                evaluated.                                              • Supporting a Rural Workforce
                                                                                                        • Improving Quality of Life                           and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
                                                ADDRESSES: You should contact your                                                                            2008u), as amended by the Agricultural
                                                USDA Rural Development State Office                     Overview                                              Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113–79). The
                                                (State Office) if you have questions. You                 Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural                     primary objective of the program is to
                                                are encouraged to contact your State                                                                          provide financial assistance to address
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                                                                                                        Business-Cooperative Service.
                                                Office well in advance of the                             Funding Opportunity Title: Delta                    the continued unmet health needs in the
                                                application deadline to discuss your                    Health Care Services Grant Program.                   Delta Region through cooperation
                                                Project and ask any questions about the                   Announcement Type: Initial Notice.                  among health care professionals,
                                                application process. A list of State                      Catalog of Federal Domestic                         institutions of higher education,
                                                Office contacts can be found at: http://                Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.874.                     research institutions, and other
                                                www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-                         Dates: Application Deadline. You                    individuals and entities in the Delta
                                                offices. Program guidance as well as                    must submit your complete application                 Region. Grants are awarded on a


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                                                44016                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / Notices

                                                competitive basis. The maximum award                    Delta Region visit http://dra.gov/about-              the Secretary to be feasible, appropriate
                                                amount per grant is $1,000,000.                         dra/dra-states.                                       and lawful, the Federated States of
                                                                                                           Economic Development Entity—Any                    Micronesia, the Republic of the
                                                Definitions
                                                                                                        public or non-profit organization whose               Marshall Islands, and the Republic of
                                                   The definitions you need to                          primary mission is to stimulate local                 Palau.
                                                understand are as follows:                              and regional economies within the Delta
                                                   Academic Health and Research                         Region by increasing employment                       B. Federal Award Information
                                                Institute—A combination of a medical                    opportunities and duration of                           Type of Award: Competitive Grant.
                                                school, one or more other health                        employment, expanding or retaining                      Total Funding: $3,558,000.
                                                profession schools or educational                       existing employers, increasing labor                    Maximum Award: $1,000,000.
                                                training programs (such as allied health,               rates or wage levels, reducing                          Minimum Award: $50,000.
                                                dentistry, graduate studies, nursing,                   outmigration, and/or creating gains in                  Project Period: Up to 24 months.
                                                pharmacy, public health), and one or                    other economic development-related                      Anticipated Award Date: January 31,
                                                more owned or affiliated teaching                       variables such as land values. These                  2019.
                                                hospitals or health systems; or a health                activities shall primarily benefit low                C. Eligibility Information
                                                care nonprofit organization or health                   and moderate-income individuals in the
                                                system, including nonprofit medical                                                                             Applicants must meet all of the
                                                                                                        Delta Region.
                                                and surgical hospitals, that conduct                       Health System—The complete                         following eligibility requirements. Your
                                                health related research exclusively for                 network of agencies, facilities, and all              application will not be considered for
                                                scientific or educational purposes.                     providers of health care to meet the                  funding if it does not provide sufficient
                                                   Conflict of Interest—A situation in                  health needs of a specific geographical               information to determine eligibility or is
                                                which a person or entity has competing                  area or target populations.                           missing required elements. Applicants
                                                personal, professional, or financial                       Institution of Higher Education—A                  that fail to submit the required elements
                                                interests that make it difficult for the                postsecondary (post-high school)                      by the application deadline will be
                                                person or business to act impartially.                  educational institution that awards a                 deemed ineligible and will not be
                                                Federal procurement standards prohibit                  bachelor’s degree or provides not less                evaluated further. Information
                                                transactions that involve a real or                     than a 2-year program that is acceptable              submitted after the application deadline
                                                apparent conflict of interest for owners,               for full credit toward such a degree, or              will not be accepted.
                                                employees, officers, agents, or their                   a postsecondary vocational institution                1. Eligible Applicants
                                                immediate family members having a                       that provides a program of training to
                                                financial or other interest in the                                                                               Grants funded through DHCS may be
                                                                                                        prepare students for gainful
                                                outcome of the Project; or that restrict                                                                      made to a Consortium as defined in
                                                                                                        employment in a recognized
                                                open and free competition for                                                                                 Paragraph A of this Notice. Consortiums
                                                                                                        occupation.
                                                unrestrained trade. Specifically, Project                  Nonprofit Organization—An                          are eligible to receive funding through
                                                Funds may not be used for services or                   organization or institution, including an             this Notice. One member of the
                                                goods going to, or coming from, a person                accredited institution of higher                      Consortium must be designated as the
                                                or entity with a real or apparent conflict              education, where no part of the net                   lead entity by the other members of the
                                                of interest, including, but not limited to,             earnings of which may inure, to the                   Consortium and have legal authority to
                                                owner(s) and their immediate family                     benefit of any private shareholder or                 contract with the Federal Government.
                                                members. An example of conflict of                      individual.                                              The lead entity is the recipient (see 2
                                                interest occurs when the consortium                        Project—All activities funded by the               CFR 200.86) of the DHCS grant funds
                                                member’s employees, board of directors,                 DHCS grant.                                           and accountable for monitoring and
                                                or the immediate family of either, have                    Project Funds—Grant funds requested                reporting on the Project performance
                                                the appearance of a professional or                     plus any other contributions to the                   and financial management of the grant.
                                                personal financial interest in the                      proposed Project.                                     In addition, the lead entity (recipient) is
                                                recipients receiving the benefits or                       Rural and rural area—Any area of a                 responsible for subrecipient monitoring
                                                services of the grant.                                  State:                                                and management in accordance with 2
                                                   Consortium—A group of three or                          • Not in a city or town that has a                 CFR 200.330 and 200.331, respectively.
                                                more entities that are regional                         population of more than 50,000                        The remaining consortium members are
                                                Institutions of Higher Education,                       inhabitants, according to the latest                  subrecipients (see 2 CFR 200.93). They
                                                Academic Health and Research                            decennial census of the United States;                may receive subawards (see 2 CFR
                                                Institutes, and/or Economic                             and                                                   200.94) from the recipient and are
                                                Development Entities located in the                        • The contiguous and adjacent                      responsible for monitoring and
                                                Delta Region that have at least 1 year of               urbanized area,                                       reporting the Project performance and
                                                prior experience in addressing the                         • Urbanized areas that are rural in                financial management of their subaward
                                                health care issues in the region. At least              character as defined by 7 U.S.C.                      to the recipient.
                                                one of the consortium members must be                   1991(a)(13).                                             (a) An applicant is ineligible if they
                                                legally organized as an incorporated                       • For the purposes of this definition,             do not submit ‘‘Evidence of Eligibility’’
                                                organization or other legal entity and                  cities and towns are incorporated                     and ‘‘Consortium Agreements’’ as
                                                have legal authority to contract with the               population centers with definite                      described in Section D.2. of this Notice.
                                                Federal Government.                                     boundaries, local self-government, and                   (b) An applicant is ineligible if they
                                                   Delta Region—The 252 counties and                                                                          have been debarred or suspended or
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                                                                                                        legal powers set forth in a charter
                                                parishes within the states of Alabama,                  granted by the State.                                 otherwise excluded from or ineligible
                                                Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana,                   State—Includes each of the 50 States,              for participation in Federal assistance
                                                Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee                    the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the                  programs under Executive Order 12549,
                                                that are served by the Delta Regional                   Virgin Islands of the United States,                  ‘‘Debarment and Suspension.’’ The
                                                Authority. (The Delta Region may be                     Guam, American Samoa, the                             Agency will check the System for
                                                adjusted by future Federal statute.) To                 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana                  Award Management (SAM) to determine
                                                view the areas identified within the                    Islands, and, as may be determined by                 if the applicant has been debarred or


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / Notices                                           44017

                                                suspended. In addition, an applicant                    application, you can verify the amount                   (f) Satisfactory Performance
                                                will be considered ineligible for a grant               of the contract as matching funds. If you             Eligibility. If you have an existing DHCS
                                                due to an outstanding judgment                          choose, you may use a template to                     award, you must be performing
                                                obtained by the U.S. in a Federal Court                 summarize the matching funds. The                     satisfactorily to be considered eligible
                                                (other than U.S. Tax Court), is                         template is available either from your                for a new DHCS award. Satisfactory
                                                delinquent on the payment of Federal                    State Office or the program website at:               performance includes being up-to-date
                                                income taxes, or is delinquent on                       http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-                      on all financial and performance reports
                                                Federal debt. The applicant must certify                services/delta-health-care-services-                  as prescribed in the grant award, and
                                                as part of the application that they do                 grants.                                               current on tasks and timeframes for
                                                not have an outstanding judgment                                                                              utilizing grant and matching funds as
                                                against them. The Agency will check the                 3. Other Eligibility Requirements
                                                                                                                                                              approved in the work plan and budget.
                                                Credit Alert Interactive Voice Response                    (a) Use of Funds. Your application                 If you have any unspent grant funds on
                                                System (CAIVRS) to verify this.                         must propose to use Project Funds for                 DHCS awards prior to FY 2016, your
                                                  (c) Any corporation (1) that has been                 eligible purposes. Eligible Project                   application will not be considered for
                                                convicted of a felony criminal violation                purposes include the development of:                  funding. If your FY 2016 and/or 2017
                                                under any Federal law within the past                      • Health care services;                            award has unspent funds of 50 percent
                                                24 months or (2) that has any unpaid                       • health education programs;                       or more than what your approved work
                                                Federal tax liability that has been                        • health care job training programs;               plan and budget projected at the time
                                                assessed, for which all judicial and                    and                                                   your FY 2018 application is evaluated,
                                                administrative remedies have been                          • the development and expansion of                 your application may not be considered
                                                exhausted or have lapsed, and that is                   public health-related facilities in the               for funding. The Agency will verify the
                                                not being paid in a timely manner                       Delta Region.                                         performance status of FY 2016 and 2017
                                                pursuant to an agreement with the                          (b) Project Eligibility. The proposed              awards and make a determination after
                                                authority responsible for collecting the                Project must take place within the Delta              the FY 2018 application period closes.
                                                tax liability, is not eligible for financial            Region as defined in this Notice.                        (g) Completeness Eligibility. Your
                                                assistance provided with funds                          However, the applicant need not                       application must provide all of the
                                                appropriated by the Consolidated                        propose to serve the entire Delta Region.             information requested in Section D.2. of
                                                Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115–                                                                        this Notice. Applications lacking
                                                                                                           (c) Project Input. Your proposed
                                                141), unless a Federal agency has                                                                             sufficient information to determine
                                                                                                        Project must be developed based on
                                                considered suspension or debarment of                                                                         eligibility and scoring will be deemed
                                                                                                        input from local governments, public
                                                the corporation and has made a                                                                                ineligible and will not be considered for
                                                                                                        health care providers, and other entities
                                                determination that this further action is                                                                     scoring.
                                                                                                        in the Delta Region.
                                                not necessary to protect the interests of                                                                        (h) Indirect Costs. Your negotiated
                                                the Government.                                            (d) Grant Period Eligibility. All awards
                                                                                                        are limited to up to a 24 month grant                 indirect cost rate approval does not
                                                  (d) Applications will be deemed                                                                             need to be included in your application,
                                                ineligible if the application includes any              period based upon the complexity of the
                                                                                                        Project. Your proposed grant period                   but you will be required to provide it if
                                                funding restrictions identified under                                                                         a grant is awarded. Approval for
                                                Section D.6.                                            should begin no earlier than February 1,
                                                                                                        2019, and should end no later than 24                 indirect costs that are requested in an
                                                  (e) Applications will be deemed
                                                                                                        months following that date. If you                    application without an approved
                                                ineligible if the application is not
                                                                                                        receive an award, your grant period will              indirect cost rate agreement is at the
                                                complete in accordance with the
                                                                                                        be revised to begin on the actual date of             discretion of the Agency.
                                                requirements stated in Section C.3.g.
                                                                                                        award—the date the grant agreement is                 D. Application and Submission
                                                2. Cost Sharing or Matching                             executed by the Agency—and your grant                 Information
                                                   Matching funds are not required.                     period end date will be adjusted
                                                However, if you are adding any other                    accordingly. Your Project activities must             1. Address To Request Application
                                                contributions to the proposed Project,                  begin within 90 days of the date of                   Package
                                                you must provide documentation                          award. If you request funds for a time                  The application template for this
                                                indicating who will be providing the                    period beginning before February 1,                   funding opportunity is located at: http://
                                                matching funds, the amount of funds,                    2019, and/or ending later than 24                     www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
                                                when those funds will be provided, and                  months from that date, your application               delta-health-care-services-grants. Use of
                                                how the funds will be used in the                       will be ineligible. The length of your                the application template is strongly
                                                Project budget. Examples of acceptable                  grant period should be based on your                  recommended to assist you with the
                                                documentation include: A signed letter                  Project’s complexity, as indicated in                 application process. You may also
                                                from the source of funds stating the                    your application work plan.                           contact your State Office for more
                                                amount of funds, when the funds will                       (e) Multiple Application Eligibility.              information. Contact information for
                                                be provided, and what the funds can be                  The Consortium, including its members,                State Offices is located at: http://
                                                used for or a signed resolution from                    is limited to submitting one application              www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-
                                                your governing board authorizing the                    for funding under this Notice. We will                offices. You may also obtain an
                                                use of a specified amount of funds for                  not accept applications from                          application package by calling 202–690–
                                                specific components of the Project. The                 Consortiums that include members who                  1374.
                                                matching funds you identify must be for                 are also members of other Consortiums
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                                                eligible purposes and included in your                  that have submitted applications for                  2. Content and Form of Application
                                                work plan and budget. Additionally,                     funding under this Notice. If we                      Submission
                                                expected program income may not be                      discover that a Consortium member is a                  You may submit your application in
                                                used as matching funds at the time you                  member of multiple Consortiums with                   paper form or electronically through
                                                submit your application. However, if                    applications submitted for funding                    Grants.gov. Your application must
                                                you have a contract to provide services                 under this Notice, all applications will              contain all required information. If you
                                                in place at the time you submit your                    be considered ineligible for funding.                 submit in paper form, any forms


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                                                44018                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / Notices

                                                requiring signatures must include an                       (b) Form SF–424A, ‘‘Budget                         a conduit of funds to another party or
                                                original signature.                                     Information—Non-Construction                          parties. This agreement must be signed
                                                   To apply electronically, you must                    Programs.’’ This form must be                         by an authorized representative of the
                                                follow the instructions for this funding                completed and submitted as part of the                lead entity and an authorized
                                                announcement at: http://                                application package for non-                          representative of each partnering
                                                www.grants.gov. Please note that we                     construction Projects.                                consortium entity.
                                                cannot accept emailed or faxed                             (c) Form SF–424B, ‘‘Assurances—                       (j) Scoring Criteria. Each of the
                                                applications.                                           Non-Construction Programs.’’ This form                scoring criteria in this Notice must be
                                                   You can locate the Grants.gov                        must be completed, signed, and                        addressed in narrative form. Failure to
                                                downloadable application package for                    submitted as part of the application                  address each scoring criterion will
                                                this program by using a keyword, the                    package for non-construction Projects.                result in the application being
                                                program name, or the CFDA number for                       (d) Form SF–424C, ‘‘Budget                         determined ineligible.
                                                this program.                                           Information—Construction Programs.’’                     (k) Performance Measures. The
                                                   When you enter the Grants.gov                        This form must be completed, signed,                  Agency has also established annual
                                                website, you will find information about                and submitted as part of the application              performance measures to evaluate the
                                                applying electronically through the site,               package for construction Projects.                    DHCS program. You must provide
                                                as well as the hours of operation.                         (e) Form SF–424D, ‘‘Assurances—                    estimates on the following performance
                                                                                                        Construction Programs.’’ This form must               measures as part of your application:
                                                   To use Grants.gov, you must already
                                                have a DUNS number and you must also
                                                                                                        be completed, signed, and submitted as                   • Number of businesses assisted;
                                                be registered and maintain registration
                                                                                                        part of the application package for                      • Number of jobs created;
                                                                                                        construction Projects.                                   • Number of jobs saved;
                                                in SAM. We strongly recommend that                         (f) Form AD–3030. Form AD–3030,                       • Number of individuals assisted/
                                                you do not wait until the application                   ‘‘Representations Regarding Felony                    trained.
                                                deadline date to begin the application                  Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status                     It is permissible to have a zero in a
                                                process through Grants.gov.                             for Corporate Applicants,’’ if you are a              performance element. When you
                                                   You must submit all of your                          corporation. A corporation is any entity              calculate jobs created, estimates should
                                                application documents electronically                    that has filed articles of incorporation in           be based upon actual jobs to be created
                                                through Grants.gov. Applications must                   one of the 50 States, the District of                 by your organization as a result of the
                                                include electronic signatures. Original                 Columbia, the Federated States of                     DHCS funding or actual jobs to be
                                                signatures may be required if funds are                 Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and                created by businesses as a result of
                                                awarded.                                                the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or              assistance from your organization.
                                                   After applying electronically through                the various territories of the United                 When you calculate jobs saved,
                                                Grants.gov, you will receive an                         States including American Samoa,                      estimates should be based only on
                                                automatic acknowledgement from                          Guam, Midway Islands, the                             actual jobs that would have been lost if
                                                Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov                   Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana                  your organization did not receive DHCS
                                                tracking number.                                        Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin              funding or actual jobs that would have
                                                   If you want to submit a paper                        Islands. Corporations include both for                been lost without assistance from your
                                                application, send it to the State Office                profit and non-profit entities.                       organization.
                                                located in the State where the Project                     (g) Executive Summary. You must                       You can also suggest additional
                                                will primarily take place. You can find                 provide a summary of the proposal, not                performance elements for example
                                                State Office contact information at:                    to exceed one page, briefly describing                where job creation or jobs saved may
                                                http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/                      the Project, tasks to be completed, and               not be a relevant indicator. These
                                                state-offices.                                          other relevant information that provides              additional elements should be specific,
                                                   The organization submitting the                      a general overview of the Project.                    measurable performance elements that
                                                application will be considered the lead                    (h) Evidence of Eligibility. You must              could be included in an award
                                                entity. The Contact/Program Manager                     provide evidence of the Consortium’s                  document.
                                                must be associated with the lead entity                 eligibility to apply under this Notice.                  (l) Financial Information and
                                                submitting the application.                             This section must include a detailed                  Sustainability. You must provide
                                                   Your application must also contain                   summary demonstrating how each                        current financial statements and a
                                                the following required forms and                        Consortium member meets the                           narrative description demonstrating
                                                proposal elements:                                      definition of an eligible entity as                   sustainability of the Project, all of which
                                                   (a) Form SF–424, ‘‘Application for                   defined under Definitions of this Notice.             show sufficient resources and expertise
                                                Federal Assistance.’’ The application for                  (i) Consortium Agreements. The                     to undertake and complete the Project
                                                Federal assistance must be completed                    application must include a formal                     and how the Project will be sustained
                                                by the lead entity as described in                      written agreement with each                           following completion. Applicants must
                                                Section C.1. of this Notice. Your                       Consortium member that addresses the                  provide 3 years of pro-forma financial
                                                application must include your DUNS                      negotiated arrangements for                           statements for the Project.
                                                number and SAM Commercial and                           administering the Project to meet Project                (m) Evidence of Legal Authority and
                                                Government Entity (CAGE) code and                       goals, the Consortium member’s                        Existence. The lead entity must provide
                                                expiration date (or evidence that you                   responsibilities to comply with                       evidence of its legal existence and
                                                have begun the SAM registration                         administrative, financial, and reporting              authority to enter into a grant agreement
                                                process). Because there are no specific                 requirements of the grant, including
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                                                                                                                                                              with the Agency and perform the
                                                fields for a CAGE code and expiration                   those necessary to ensure compliance                  activities proposed under the grant
                                                date, you may identify them anywhere                    with all applicable Federal regulations               application.
                                                you want to on the form. If you do not                  and policies, and facilitate a smooth                    (n) Service Area Maps. You must
                                                include the DUNS number in your                         functioning collaborative venture.                    provide maps with sufficient detail to
                                                application, it will not be considered for              Under the agreement, each Consortium                  show the area that will benefit from the
                                                funding. The form must be signed by an                  member must perform a substantive role                proposed facilities and services and the
                                                authorized representative.                              in the Project and not merely serve as                location of the facilities improved or


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / Notices                                            44019

                                                purchased with grant funds if                           a Federal award and the Agency may                    may not use Project Funds for the
                                                applicable.                                             use this determination as a basis for                 following:
                                                  (o) Certification of no current                       making an award to another applicant.                    (a) To duplicate current services or to
                                                outstanding Federal judgment. You                                                                             replace or to substitute support
                                                must certify that there are no current                  4. Submission Date and Time
                                                                                                                                                              previously provided. However, Project
                                                outstanding Federal judgments against                      Application Deadline Date: November                Funds may be used to expand the level
                                                your property and that you will not use                 26, 2018.                                             of effort or a service beyond what is
                                                grant funds to pay for any judgment                        Explanation of Deadlines: Complete                 currently being provided;
                                                obtained by the United States. You must                 paper applications must be postmarked                    (b) To pay for costs to prepare the
                                                also certify that you are not delinquent                and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight                application for funding under this
                                                on the payment of Federal income taxes,                 by November 26, 2018. The Agency will                 Notice;
                                                or any Federal debt. To satisfy the                     determine whether your application is                    (c) To pay for costs of the Project
                                                Certification requirement, you should                   late based on the date shown on the                   incurred prior to the effective date of the
                                                include this statement in your                          postmark or shipping invoice. You may                 period of performance;
                                                application: ‘‘[INSERT NAME OF                          also hand carry your application to one                  (d) To pay expenses for applicant
                                                APPLICANT] certifies that the United                    of our field offices, but it must be                  employee training not directly related to
                                                States has not obtained an unsatisfied                  received by close of business on the                  the Project;
                                                judgment against its property, is not                   deadline date. If the due date falls on a                (e) Fund political activities;
                                                delinquent on the payment of Federal                    Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday,                    (f) To pay for assistance to any private
                                                income taxes, or any Federal debt, and                  the reporting package is due the next                 business enterprise which does not have
                                                will not use grant funds to pay any                     business day. Late applications are not               at least 51 percent ownership by those
                                                judgments obtained by the United                        eligible for funding.                                 who are either citizens of the United
                                                States.’’ A separate signature is not                      Electronic applications must be                    States or reside in the United States
                                                required.                                               RECEIVED by: http://www.grants.gov by                 after being legally admitted for
                                                  (p) Environmental information                         midnight Eastern Time November 19,                    permanent residence;
                                                necessary to support the Agency’s                       2018, to be eligible for funding. Please                 (g) To pay any judgment or debt owed
                                                environmental finding. Required                         review the Grants.gov website at: http://             to the United States;
                                                information can be found in 7 CFR part                  grants.gov/applicants/organization_                      (h) Engage in any activities that are
                                                1970, specifically in Subpart B, Exhibit                registration.jsp for instructions on the              considered a Conflict of Interest, as
                                                C and Subpart C, Exhibit B. These                       process of registering your organization              defined by this Notice; or
                                                documents can be found here: http://                    as soon as possible to ensure you can                    (i) Fund any activities prohibited by
                                                www.rd.usda.gov/publications/                           meet the electronic application                       2 CFR 200;
                                                regulations-guidelines/instructions.                    deadline. Grants.gov will not accept                     In addition, your application will not
                                                Non-construction Projects applying                      applications submitted after the                      be considered for funding if it does any
                                                under this Notice are hereby classified                 deadline.                                             of the following:
                                                as Categorical Exclusions according to 7                                                                         i. Requests more than the maximum
                                                                                                        5. Intergovernmental Review                           grant amount; or
                                                CFR 1970.53(b), the award of financial
                                                assistance for planning purposes,                          Executive Order (E.O.) 12372,                         ii. Proposes ineligible costs that equal
                                                management and feasibility studies, or                  Intergovernmental Review of Federal                   more than 10 percent of the Project
                                                environmental impact analyses, which                    Programs, applies to this program. This               Funds.
                                                do not require any additional                           E.O. requires that Federal agencies                      We will consider your application for
                                                documentation.                                          provide opportunities for consultation                funding if it includes ineligible costs of
                                                                                                        on proposed assistance with State and                 10 percent or less of total Project Funds,
                                                3. DUNS Number and SAM Registration                     local governments. Many States have                   if it is determined eligible otherwise.
                                                   In order to be eligible (unless you are              established a Single Point of Contact                 However, if your application is
                                                exempted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c) or                  (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation.               successful, those ineligible costs must
                                                (d), you are required to:                               For a list of States that maintain a SPOC,            be removed and replaced with eligible
                                                   (a) Provide a valid DUNS number in                   please see the White House website:                   costs before the Agency will make the
                                                your application, which can be obtained                 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-                        grant award or the amount of the grant
                                                at no cost via a toll-free request line at              content/uploads/2017/11/SPOC-Feb.-                    award will be reduced accordingly. If
                                                (866) 705–5711;                                         2018.pdf. If your State has a SPOC, you               we cannot determine the percentage of
                                                   (b) Register in SAM before submitting                may submit your application directly for              ineligible costs, your application will
                                                your application. You may register in                   review. Any comments obtained                         not be considered for funding.
                                                SAM at no cost at: https://                             through the SPOC must be provided to                  7. Other Submission Requirements
                                                www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/; and                     your State Office for consideration as
                                                   (c) Continue to maintain an active                   part of your application. If your State                  (a) You should not submit your
                                                SAM registration with current                           has not established a SPOC or you do                  application in more than one format.
                                                information at all times during which                   not want to submit your application to                You must choose whether to submit
                                                you have an active Federal award or an                  the SPOC, your State Office will submit               your application in hard copy or
                                                application or plan under consideration                 your application to the SPOC or other                 electronically. Applications submitted
                                                by a Federal awarding agency.                           appropriate agency or agencies.                       in hard copy should be mailed or hand-
                                                   The Agency may not make a Federal                                                                          delivered to the State Office where the
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                                                                                                           You are also encouraged to contact
                                                award to you until you have complied                    Cooperative Programs at 202–690–1374                  Project will primarily take place. You
                                                with all applicable DUNS and SAM                        or cpgrants@wdc.usda.gov if you have                  can find State Office contact
                                                requirements. If you have not fully                     questions about this process.                         information at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/
                                                complied with requirements by the time                                                                        contact-us/state-offices. To apply
                                                the Agency is ready to make a Federal                   6. Funding Restrictions                               electronically, you must follow the
                                                award, the Agency may determine that                       Project Funds may not be used for                  instructions for this funding
                                                the applicant is not qualified to receive               ineligible purposes. In addition, you                 announcement at: http://


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                                                44020                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / Notices

                                                www.grants.gov. A password is not                       less if it is in the best interest of the             the Project Manager) who will manage
                                                required to access the website.                         Federal Government.                                   and implement programs are relevant
                                                   (b) National Environmental Policy                       (a) Community Needs and Benefits                   and will contribute to the success of the
                                                Act. This Notice has been reviewed in                   derived from the Project (maximum of                  Project.
                                                accordance with 7 CFR part 1970,                        30 points). A panel of USDA employees                    (3) The extent to which the applicant
                                                ‘‘Environmental Policies and                            will assess how the Project will benefit              demonstrates current successful and
                                                Procedures.’’ We have determined that                   the residents in the Delta Region. This               effective experience (or demonstrated
                                                an Environmental Impact Statement is                    criterion will be scored based on the                 experience within the past 5 years)
                                                not required because the issuance of                    documentation in support of the                       addressing the health care issues in the
                                                regulations and instructions, as well as                community needs for health services                   Delta Region.
                                                amendments to them, describing                          and public health-related facilities and                 (4) The extent to which the applicant
                                                administrative and financial procedures                 the benefits to people living in the Delta            has experience managing grant-funded
                                                for processing, approving, and                          Region derived from the                               programs.
                                                implementing the Agency’s financial                     implementation of the proposed Project.                  (5) The extent to which
                                                programs is categorically excluded in                   It should lead clearly to the                         administrative/management costs are
                                                                                                        identification of the Project participant             balanced with funds designated for the
                                                the Agency’s National Environmental
                                                                                                        pool and the target population for the                provision of programs and services.
                                                Policy Act regulation found at 7 CFR
                                                                                                        Project and provide convincing links                     (6) The extent and diversity of eligible
                                                1970.53(f), ‘‘Environmental Policies and                                                                      entity types within the applicant’s
                                                Procedures.’’ We have determined that                   between the Project and the benefits to
                                                                                                        the community to address its health                   Consortium of regional institutions of
                                                this Notice does not constitute a major                                                                       higher education, academic health and
                                                Federal action significantly affecting the              needs. The Agency will consider:
                                                                                                           (1) The extent of the applicant’s                  research institutes, and economic
                                                quality of the human environment.                                                                             development entities located in the
                                                   The Agency will review each grant                    documentation explaining the health
                                                                                                        care needs, issues, and challenges facing             Delta Region.
                                                application to determine its compliance                                                                          (c) Work Plan and Budget (maximum
                                                with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant                     the service area. Include what problems
                                                                                                        the residents face and how the Project                of 30 points). You must provide a work
                                                may be asked to provide additional                                                                            plan and budget that includes the
                                                information or documentation to assist                  will benefit the residents in the region.
                                                                                                           (2) The extent to which the applicant              following: (1) The specific activities,
                                                the Agency with this determination.                                                                           such as programs, services, trainings,
                                                                                                        is able to show the relationship between
                                                   (c) Civil Rights Compliance                          the Project’s design, outcome, and                    and/or construction-related activities for
                                                Requirements. All grants made under                     benefits.                                             a facility to be performed under the
                                                this Notice are subject to Title VI of the                 (3) The extent to which the applicant              Project; (2) the estimated line item costs
                                                Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by                 explains the Project and its                          associated with each activity, including
                                                the USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A)                     implementation and provides                           grant funds and other necessary sources
                                                and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation                   milestones which are well-defined and                 of funds; (3) the key personnel who will
                                                Act of 1973.                                            can be realistically completed.                       carry out each activity (including each
                                                E. Application Review Information                          (4) The extent to which the applicant              Consortium member’s role); and (4) the
                                                                                                        clearly outlines a plan to track, report,             specific time frames for completion of
                                                   The State Offices will review                        and evaluate performance outcomes.                    each activity.
                                                applications to determine if they are                      Applicants should attempt to quantify                 An eligible start and end date for the
                                                eligible for assistance based on                        benefits in terms of outcomes from the                Project and for individual Project tasks
                                                requirements in this Notice, and other                  Project; that is, ways in which peoples’              must be clearly shown and may not
                                                applicable Federal regulations. If                      lives, or the community, will be                      exceed Agency specified timeframes for
                                                determined eligible, your application                   improved. Provide estimates of the                    the grant period. You must show the
                                                will be scored by a panel of USDA                       number of people affected by the                      source and use of both grant and other
                                                employees in accordance with the point                  benefits arising from the Project.                    contributions for all tasks. Other
                                                allocation specified in this Notice.                       (b) The Project Management and                     contributions must be spent at a rate
                                                Applications will be funded in rank                     Organization Capability (maximum of                   equal to, or in advance of, grant funds.
                                                order until the funding limitation has                  30 points). A panel of USDA employees                    A panel of USDA employees will
                                                been reached. Applications that cannot                  will evaluate the Consortium’s                        evaluate your work plan for detailed
                                                be fully funded may be offered partial                  experience, past performance, and                     actions and an accompanying timetable
                                                funding at the Agency’s discretion.                     accomplishments addressing health care                for implementing the proposal. Clear
                                                                                                        issues to ensure effective Project                    and comprehensive work plans
                                                1. Scoring Criteria
                                                                                                        implementation. This criterion will be                detailing all project goals, tasks,
                                                   All eligible and complete applications               scored based on the documentation of                  timelines, costs, and responsible
                                                will be evaluated based on the following                the Project’s management and                          personnel in a logical and realistic
                                                criteria. Evaluators will base scores only              organizational capability. The Agency                 manner will result in a higher score.
                                                on the information provided or cross-                   will consider:                                           (d) Local Support (maximum 10
                                                referenced by page number in each                          (1) The degree to which the                        points). A panel of USDA employees
                                                individual scoring criterion. DHCS is a                 organization has a sound management                   will evaluate your application for local
                                                competitive program, so you will                        and fiscal structure including: Well-                 support of the proposed Project. The
                                                receive scores based on the quality of                                                                        application must include
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                                                                                                        defined roles for administrators, staff,
                                                your responses. Simply addressing the                   and established financial management                  documentation detailing support
                                                criteria will not guarantee higher scores.              systems.                                              solicited from local government, public
                                                The total points possible for the criteria                 (2) The extent to which the applicant              health care providers, and other entities
                                                are 110. The minimum score                              identifies and demonstrates that                      in the Delta Region. Evidence of support
                                                requirement for funding is 60 points. It                qualifications, capabilities, and                     can include; but is not limited to
                                                is at the Agency’s discretion to fund                   educational background of the                         surveys conducted amongst Delta
                                                applications with a score of 59 points or               identified key personnel (at a minimum                Region residents and stakeholders, notes


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / Notices                                             44021

                                                from focus groups, or letters of support                  If you are not selected for funding,                basis (due 30 working days after end of
                                                from local entities.                                    you will be notified in writing via postal            the semiannual period). For the
                                                   (e) Administrator Discretionary Points               mail and informed of any review and                   purposes of this grant, semiannual
                                                (maximum of 10 points). The                             appeal rights. Funding of successfully                periods end on June 30 and December
                                                Administrator may choose to award:                      appealed applications will be limited to              31. The project performance reports
                                                   i. Up to 5 points for projects with a                available FY 2018 funding.                            shall include a comparison of actual
                                                primary purpose of providing treatment                                                                        accomplishments to the objectives
                                                                                                        2. Administrative and National Policy
                                                and counseling services for opioid                                                                            established for that period;
                                                                                                        Requirements
                                                abuse. Applicants who want to be                                                                                 b. Reasons why established objectives
                                                considered for discretionary points must                   Additional requirements that apply to              were not met, if applicable;
                                                discuss how their workplan and budget                   grantees selected for this in program can                c. Reasons for any problems, delays,
                                                addresses opioid misuse in the Delta                    be found in 2 CFR parts 25, 170, 180,                 or adverse conditions, if any, which
                                                Region; and                                             200, 400, 415, 417, 418, and 421; and 48              have affected or will affect attainment of
                                                   ii. up to 5 points for projects that seek            CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to                overall project objectives, prevent
                                                to help rural communities build robust                  these parts. All recipients of Federal                meeting time schedules or objectives, or
                                                and sustainable economies through                       financial assistance are required to                  preclude the attainment of particular
                                                strategic investment in infrastructure,                 report information about first-tier                   objectives during established time
                                                partnerships and innovation. Eligible                   subawards and executive compensation                  periods. This disclosure shall be
                                                applicants who want to be considered                    (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be                     accompanied by a statement of the
                                                for discretionary points must discuss                   required to have the necessary processes              action taken or planned to resolve the
                                                how their workplan and budget                           and systems in place to comply with the               situation; and
                                                supports one or more of the five                        Federal Funding Accountability and                       d. Objectives and timetable
                                                following key strategies:                               Transparency Act reporting                            established for the next reporting
                                                   • Achieving e-Connectivity for Rural                 requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b),                   period.
                                                America;                                                unless you are exempt under 2 CFR                        e. Provide a final project and financial
                                                   • Improving Quality of Life;                         170.110(b)). These regulations may be                 status report within 90 days after the
                                                   • Supporting a Rural Workforce;                      obtained at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/                expiration or termination of the grant.
                                                   • Harnessing Technological                           cfr/index.html.                                          f. Provide outcome project
                                                Innovation; and                                            The following additional                           performance reports and final
                                                   • Economic Development                               requirements apply to grantees selected               deliverables.
                                                                                                        for this program:
                                                2. Review and Selection Process                            • Agency approved Grant Agreement.                 G. Agency Contacts
                                                   The State Offices will review                           • Letter of Conditions.                              If you have questions about this
                                                applications to determine if they are                      • Form RD 1940–1, ‘‘Request for                    Notice, please contact the State Office as
                                                eligible for assistance based on                        Obligation of Funds.’’                                identified in the ADDRESSES section of
                                                requirements in this Notice, and other                     • Form RD 1942–46, ‘‘Letter of Intent              this Notice. You are also encouraged to
                                                applicable Federal regulations. If                      to Meet Conditions.’’                                 visit the application website for
                                                determined eligible, your application                      • Form AD–1047, ‘‘Certification                    application tools, including an
                                                will be scored by a panel of USDA                       Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and                  application template. The website
                                                employees in accordance with the point                  Other Responsibility Matters—Primary                  address is: http://www.rd.usda.gov/
                                                allocation specified in this Notice. The                Covered Transactions.’’                               programs-services/delta-health-care-
                                                review panel will convene to reach a                       • Form AD–1048, ‘‘Certification                    services-grants.
                                                consensus on the scores for each of the                 Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
                                                                                                        Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-                H. Other Information
                                                eligible applications. The Administrator
                                                may choose to award up to 10                            Lower Tier Covered Transactions.’’                    Nondiscrimination Statement
                                                Administrator discretionary points                         • Form AD–1049, ‘‘Certification
                                                                                                        Regarding a Drug-Free Workplace                          In accordance with Federal civil
                                                based on criterion (e) in section E.1. of                                                                     rights law and U.S. Department of
                                                this Notice. These points will be added                 Requirement (Grants).’’
                                                                                                           • Form AD–3031, ‘‘Assurance                        Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
                                                to the cumulative score for a total                                                                           regulations and policies, the USDA, its
                                                possible score of 110. Applications will                Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax
                                                                                                        Delinquent Status for Corporate                       Agencies, offices, and employees, and
                                                be funded in highest ranking order until                                                                      institutions participating in or
                                                the funding limitation has been reached.                Applicants.’’ Must be signed by
                                                                                                        corporate applicants who receive an                   administering USDA programs are
                                                Applications that cannot be fully                                                                             prohibited from discriminating based on
                                                funded may be offered partial funding at                award under this Notice.
                                                                                                           • Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance                       race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
                                                the Agency’s discretion. If your                                                                              gender identity (including gender
                                                application is ranked and not funded, it                Agreement.’’
                                                will not be carried forward into the next                  • RD Instruction 1940–Q, Exhibit A–                expression), sexual orientation,
                                                                                                        1, ‘‘Certification for Contracts, Grants              disability, age, marital status, family/
                                                competition.                                                                                                  parental status, income derived from a
                                                                                                        and Loans.’’
                                                F. Federal Award Administration                            • SF–LLL, ‘‘Disclosure of Lobbying                 public assistance program, political
                                                Information                                             Activities’’ if applicable.                           beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior
                                                                                                                                                              civil rights activity, in any program or
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                                                1. Federal Award Notices                                3. Reporting                                          activity conducted or funded by USDA
                                                  If you are selected for funding, you                    After grant approval and through                    (not all bases apply to all programs).
                                                will receive a signed notice of Federal                 grant completion, you will be required                Remedies and complaint filing
                                                award by postal mail, containing                        to provide the following:                             deadlines vary by program or incident.
                                                instructions on requirements necessary                    a. A SF–425, ‘‘Federal Financial                       Persons with disabilities who require
                                                to proceed with execution and                           Report,’’ and a project performance                   alternative means of communication for
                                                performance of the award.                               report will be required on a semiannual               program information (e.g., Braille, large


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                                                44022                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 29, 2018 / Notices

                                                print, audiotape, American Sign                         provisions of the Paperwork Reduction                 can be repaid; the scheduling of debt
                                                Language, etc.) should contact the                      Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) requires                 repayment; and, the range of
                                                responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET                     that interested members of the public                 opportunities for enhancing the amount
                                                Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and                     and affected agencies have an                         of debt that can be recovered. The
                                                TTY) or contact USDA through the                        opportunity to comment on information                 information to be collected will be
                                                Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.                collection and recordkeeping activities               similar to that which any prudent
                                                Additionally, program information may                   (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice                    lender would require to determine
                                                be made available in languages other                    identifies an information collection that             whether debt settlement is required and
                                                than English.                                           RUS is submitting to OMB for                          the amount of relief that is needed.
                                                  To file a program discrimination                      extension.                                            Since the need for relief is expected to
                                                complaint, complete the USDA Program                       Comments are invited on: (a) Whether               vary substantially from case to case, so
                                                Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–                      the collection of information is                      will the required information collection.
                                                3027, found online at: http://                          necessary for the proper performance of                 Estimate of Burden: Public reporting
                                                www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_                     the functions of the agency, including                for this collection of information is
                                                cust.html and at any USDA office or                     whether the information will have                     estimated to average 1,000 hours per
                                                write a letter addressed to USDA and                    practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the            response.
                                                provide in the letter all of the                        agency’s estimate of the burden of the                  Respondents: Not-for-profit
                                                information requested in the form. To                   collection of information including the               institutions and other businesses.
                                                request a copy of the complaint form,                   validity of the methodology and                         Estimated Number of Respondents: 1.
                                                call (866) 632–9992. Submit your                        assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance                   Estimated Number of Responses per
                                                completed form or letter to USDA by:                    the quality, utility and clarity of the               Respondent: 1.
                                                  (1) Mail: U.S. Department of                          information to be collected; and (d)                    Estimated Total Annual Burden on
                                                Agriculture, Office of the Assistant                    ways to minimize the burden of the                    Respondents: 1,000 hours.
                                                Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400                        collection of information on                            Copies of this information collection
                                                Independence Avenue SW, Washington,                     respondents, including through the use                can be obtained from Thomas P.
                                                DC 20250–9410;                                          of appropriate automated, electronic,                 Dickson, Program Development and
                                                  (2) Fax: (202) 690–7442; or                           mechanical, or other technological                    Regulatory Analysis at (202) 690–4492.
                                                  (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.                   collection techniques or other forms of                 All responses to this notice will be
                                                  Dated: August 16, 2018.                               information technology. Comments may                  summarized and included in the request
                                                Bette B. Brand,
                                                                                                        be sent to: Michele Brooks, Team Lead,                for OMB approval. All comments will
                                                                                                        Rural Development Innovation Center—                  also become a matter of public record.
                                                Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative
                                                Service.
                                                                                                        Regulatory Team, USDA, 1400
                                                                                                        Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522,                      Dated: August 23, 2018.
                                                [FR Doc. 2018–18682 Filed 8–28–18; 8:45 am]                                                                   Christopher A. McLean,
                                                                                                        Room 5162, South Building,
                                                BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P                                                                                        Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
                                                                                                        Washington, DC 20250–1522.
                                                                                                        Telephone: (202) 690–1078. Email                      [FR Doc. 2018–18717 Filed 8–28–18; 8:45 am]

                                                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               michele.brooks@wdc.usda.gov.                          BILLING CODE P
                                                                                                           Title: 7 CFR part 1717, subpart Y,
                                                Rural Utilities Service                                 Settlement of Debt Owed by Electric
                                                                                                        Borrowers.                                            COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
                                                Information Collection Activity;                           OMB Control Number: 0572–0116.
                                                Comment Request                                            Type of Request: Extension of a                    Correction: Notice of Public Meeting of
                                                                                                        currently approved information                        the Ohio Advisory Committee to the
                                                AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.                  collection package.                                   U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
                                                ACTION: Notice and request for                             Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service
                                                comments.                                               makes mortgage loans and loan                         AGENCY:  U.S. Commission on Civil
                                                                                                        guarantees to electric systems to provide             Rights.
                                                SUMMARY:   In accordance with the                       and improve electric service in rural                 ACTION: Correction; announcement of
                                                Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the                    areas pursuant to the Rural                           meeting.
                                                United States Department of Agriculture                 Electrification Act of 1936, as amended
                                                (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS)                    (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.)(RE Act). This                  SUMMARY:  The Commission on Civil
                                                invites comments on this information                    information collection requirement                    Rights published a document August 16,
                                                collection for which approval from the                  stems from passage of Public Law 104–                 2018, announcing an upcoming Ohio
                                                Office of Management and Budget                         127, on April 4, 1996, which amended                  Advisory Committee meeting. The
                                                (OMB) will be requested.                                section 331(b) of the Consolidated Farm               document contained an incorrect
                                                DATES: Comments on this notice must be                  and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.                   address to the meeting.
                                                received by October 29, 2018.                           1921 et seq.) to extend to RUS the                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        Secretary of Agriculture’s authority to               Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at
                                                Michele Brooks, Team Lead, Rural                        settle debts with respect to loans made               mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353–
                                                Development Innovation Center—                          or guaranteed by RUS. Only those                      8311.
                                                Regulatory Team, USDA, 1400                             electric borrowers that are unable to
                                                Independence Avenue SW, STOP 1522,                      fully repay their debts to the                        Correction
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                                                Room 5162, South Building,                              Government and who apply to RUS for                      In the Federal Register of August 16,
                                                Washington, DC 20250–1522.                              relief will be affected by this                       2018, in FR Doc. 2018–17706, on page
                                                Telephone: (202) 690–1078. Email                        information collection. The collection                40745 in the first column, delete the
                                                michele.brooks@wdc.usda.gov.                            will require only that information which              ‘‘Address’’ and replace it with
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office                   is essential for determining: The need                Cleveland State University, Fenn Tower,
                                                of Management and Budget’s (OMB)                        for debt settlement; the amount of relief             1983 E 24th Street, Room 303,
                                                regulation (5 CFR 1320) implementing                    that is needed; the amount of debt that               Cleveland, OH 44115.


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Document Created: 2018-08-29 00:12:58
Document Modified: 2018-08-29 00:12:58
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.
DatesYou must submit completed applications for grants according to the following deadlines:
ContactGrants Division, Cooperative Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, MS 3253, Room 4208-South, Washington, DC 20250-3250, or call 202-690-1374.
FR Citation83 FR 44015 

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