[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24387-24393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09868]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Inviting Applications for Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer
Grants
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the
availability of $3,000,000, in competitive grant funds for the FY 2014
Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grants (SSDPG) program as
authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014. We are
requesting proposals from applicants who will provide technical
assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers in
rural areas. Eligible applicants include Cooperatives, Groups of
Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers. The maximum award
per grant is $200,000. The grant period is limited to a one-year
timeframe.
DATES: Completed applications for grants must be submitted on paper or
electronically according to the following deadlines:
Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent
overnight no later than June 30, 2014, to be eligible for FY 2014 grant
funding. 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. Late applications are not eligible for FY 2014 grant funding.
Electronic copies must be received by http://www.grants.gov no
later than midnight eastern time June 24, 2014, to be eligible for FY
2014 grant funding. Please review the Grants.gov Web site at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions
on the process of registering your organization as soon as possible to
ensure you are able to meet the electronic application deadline. You
are strongly encouraged to file your application early and allow
sufficient time to manage any technical issues that may arise. Late
applications will not be eligible for FY 2014 grant funding.
ADDRESSES: You should contact the USDA Rural Development State Office
(State Office) located in the State where
[[Page 24388]]
you are headquartered if you have questions. Contact information for
State Offices can be found at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html. 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. Program
guidance as well as application templates may be obtained at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_SSDPG.html.
If you want to submit an electronic application, follow the
instructions for the SSDPG funding announcement located at http://www.grants.gov. If you want to submit a paper application, send it to
the State Office located in the State where you are headquartered. If
you are headquartered in Washington, DC, please contact the Office of
the Deputy Administrator, Cooperative Programs, Rural Business-
Cooperative Service, at (202) 720-7558 for guidance on where to submit
your application. Application materials for the SSDPG program may be
obtained at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_SSDPG.html or by contacting
your USDA Rural Development State Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of the Deputy Administrator,
Cooperative Programs, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mail Stop-
3250, Room 4016-South, Washington, DC 20250-3250, (202) 720-7558.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency Name: USDA Rural Business Cooperative Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producer
Grant.
Announcement Type: Initial funding request.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.871.
DATES: Application Deadline. You must submit your complete application
by June 30, 2014, or it will not be considered for FY 2014 grant
funding. Electronic applications must be received by http://www.grants.gov no later than midnight Eastern Time June 24, 2014, or it
will not be considered for FY 2014 grant funding.
A. Program Description
The SSDPG Program is authorized by 310B (e) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932). The primary objective
of the SSDPG program is to provide Technical Assistance to Small,
Socially-Disadvantaged Agricultural Producers. Grants are awarded on a
competitive basis. The maximum award amount per grant is $200,000.
Grants are available for Cooperative Development Centers, individual
Cooperatives, or Groups of Cooperatives that serve Small Socially-
Disadvantaged Producers and where a majority of the boards of directors
or governing board is comprised of members of Socially-Disadvantaged
Groups.
Definitions
Agency--Rural Business-Cooperative Service, an agency of the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development or a
successor agency.
Agricultural Commodity--An unprocessed product of farms, ranches,
nurseries, and forests. Agricultural commodities include: livestock,
poultry, and fish; fruits and vegetables; grains, such as wheat,
barley, oats, rye, triticale, rice, corn, and sorghum; legumes, such as
field beans and peas; animal feed and forage crops; seed crops; fiber
crops, such as cotton; oil crops, such as safflower, sunflower, corn,
and cottonseed; trees grown for lumber and wood products; nursery stock
grown commercially; Christmas trees; ornamentals and cut flowers; and
turf grown commercially for sod. Agricultural commodities do not
include horses or animals raised as pets, such as cats, dogs, and
ferrets.
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. Examples of
conflicts of interest include using grant funds to pay a member of the
applicant's board of directors to provide proposed technical assistance
to socially-disadvantaged producers; pay an individual identified as a
small-socially disadvantaged producer to provide proposed technical
assistance to other small-socially disadvantaged producers; and pay an
immediate family member of the applicant to provide proposed technical
assistance to socially-disadvantaged producers.
Cooperative--A farmer- or rancher-owned and -controlled business,
organized and chartered as a cooperative, from which benefits are
derived and distributed equitably on the basis of use by each of the
farmer or rancher owners whose primary focus is to provide assistance
to Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Agricultural Producers and where a
majority of the board of directors or governing board is comprised of
individuals who are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.
Cooperative Development Center--A nonprofit corporation or
accredited institution of higher education that is currently being
operated by the grantee for rural cooperative development and where a
majority of the board of directors or governing board is comprised of
individuals who are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. It may or
may not be an independent legal entity separate from the grantee. The
Center's main objective is to assist Cooperatives with their startup,
expansion or operational improvement in order to promote development in
rural areas of services and products, processes that can be used in the
marketing of products, or enterprises that create Value-Added to farm
products through processing or marketing activities. Cooperative
development activities may include, but are not limited to, Technical
Assistance, research services, educational services and advisory
services. Operational improvement includes making the Cooperative more
efficient or better managed.
Cooperative Services--The office within Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, and any successor organization, that administers programs
authorized by the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926 (7 U.S.C. 451 et
seq.) and such other programs identified in USDA regulations.
Economic Development--The economic growth of an area as evidenced
by increase in total income, employment opportunities, decreased out-
migration of population, value of production, increased diversification
of industry, higher labor force participation rates, increased duration
of employment, higher wage levels, or gains in other measurements of
economic activity, such as land values.
Feasibility Study--An analysis of the economic, market, technical,
financial, and management feasibility of a proposed Project.
Group of Cooperatives--A group of Cooperatives whose primary focus
is to
[[Page 24389]]
provide assistance to Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Agricultural
Producers and where a majority of the board of directors or governing
board is comprised of individuals who are members of Socially-
Disadvantaged Groups.
Operating Cost--The day-to-day expenses of running a business; for
example: utilities, rent on the office space a business occupies,
salaries, depreciation, product production costs, marketing and
advertising, and other basic overhead items.
Project--Includes all activities to be funded by the Small
Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grant.
Rural and Rural Area--Any area of a State:
(1) 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
(2) The contiguous and adjacent urbanized area,
(3) Urbanized areas that are rural in character as defined by 7
U.S.C. 1991(a)(13), as amended by Section 6018 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246 (June 18,
2008).
(4) 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. Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, within
the areas of the County of Honolulu, Hawaii, and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, the Secretary may designate any part of the areas as a
rural area if the Secretary determines that the part is not urban in
character, other than any area included in the Honolulu census
designated place (CDP) or the San Juan CDP.
Rural Development--A mission area within USDA consisting of the
Office of Under Secretary for Rural Development, Rural Business-
Cooperative Services, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities
Service and any successors.
Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producer--Individual agricultural
producers including farmers, ranchers, loggers, agricultural
harvesters, and fishermen, that have averaged $250,000 or less in
annual gross sales of agricultural products in the last 3 years and are
members of a Socially-Disadvantaged Group. In the event that there are
multiple owners, the Agency requires that at least 51 percent of the
ownership be held by members of a Socially-Disadvantaged Group.
Socially-Disadvantaged Group--A group whose members have been
subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their
identity as members of a group without regard to their individual
qualities.
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.
Technical Assistance--An advisory service performed for the benefit
of a Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producer such as market research;
product and/or service improvement; legal advice and assistance;
Feasibility Study, business plan, and marketing plan development; and
training. Technical Assistance does not include the Operating Costs of
a cooperative being assisted.
Value-Added--The incremental value that is realized by the producer
from an agricultural commodity or product as the result of a change in
its physical state, differentiated production or marketing, as
demonstrated in a business plan, or product segregation. Incremental
value may be realized by the producer as a result of either an increase
in value to buyers or the expansion of the overall market for the
product. Examples include milling wheat into flour, slaughtering
livestock or poultry, making strawberries into jam, and marketing of
organic products.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Competitive Grant.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2014.
Total Funding: $3,000,000.
Maximum Award: $200,000.
Project Period: 1 year.
Anticipated Award Date: September 1, 2014.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants. Grants may be made to Cooperatives, Groups
of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers where a majority
of the board of directors or governing board is comprised of
individuals who are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. You must
be able to verify your legal structure in the State in which you are
incorporated. Grants may not be made to public bodies or to
individuals.
An applicant must obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number and register in the System for Awards
Management (SAM) prior to submitting an application. (See 2 CFR
25.200(b)). An applicant must provide their DUNS number in the
application. In addition, an applicant must maintain its registration
in SAM during the time its application is active. Finally, an applicant
must have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with
the reporting requirements in 2 CFR 170.200(b), as long as it is not
exempted from reporting. Exemptions are identified at 2 CFR 170.110(b).
2. Cost Sharing or Matching. No matching funds are required.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements.
Use of Funds: Funds may only be used for Technical Assistance
Projects as defined in this Notice.
Project Area Eligibility: The proposed Project must take place in a
Rural Area as defined in this Notice. Rural Development is encouraging
applications for Projects that will support Rural Areas where according
to the American Community Survey data by census tracts show at least 20
percent of the population is living in poverty. This emphasis will
support Rural Development's goal of providing 20 percent of its funding
by 2016 to these areas of need.
Grant Period Eligibility: If awarded, grant funds must be used
within 12 months. Applications must have a time frame of one year or
less. Your proposed time frame should begin no earlier than the grant
award date and end no later than December 31, 2015. However, you should
note that the anticipated award date is September 1, so your proposed
start date should be after September 1, 2014. Projects must be
completed within the 12-month time frame. The Agency may approve
requests to extend the grant period for up to an additional 12 months
at its discretion. Further guidance on grant period extensions will be
provided in the award document.
However, you may not have more than one active SSDPG during the
same grant period. If you receive another SSDPG during the next grant
cycle, the first grant must be closed before funds can be obligated for
the new grant. Applications that request funds for a time period ending
after December 31, 2015, will not be considered for funding.
If you have an existing SSDPG award, you must be performing
satisfactorily to be considered eligible for a new award. Satisfactory
performance includes being up-to-date on all financial and performance
reports and being current on all tasks as approved in the work plan.
The Agency will use its discretion to make this determination.
Completeness Eligibility: Your application must provide all of the
information requested in Section D (2)
[[Page 24390]]
of this Notice. Applications lacking sufficient information to
determine eligibility and scoring will be considered ineligible.
Multiple Grant Eligibility: You may only submit one SSDPG grant
application each funding cycle.
Activity Eligibility: Your application must propose Technical
Assistance that will benefit Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producers in
Rural Areas. Please review section D (6) of this Notice, ``Funding
Restrictions,'' carefully.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
The application template for applying on paper for this funding
opportunity is located at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_SSDPG.html.
You may also contact your USDA Rural Development State Office for more
information. Contact information for State Offices is located at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
You may submit your application in paper form or
electronically. If you submit in paper form, any forms requiring
signatures must include an original signature. To submit an application
electronically, you must use the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov. You may not submit an application electronically in any
way other than through Grants.gov.
When you enter the Grants.gov Web site, you will find
information about submitting an application electronically through the
site, as well as the hours of operation.
To use Grants.gov, you must have a DUNS number, which can
be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711.
Please note that obtaining the DUNS number is required prior to
submitting an application. You must also maintain registration in SAM.
(See 2 CFR part 25.) You may register for SAM at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. You must submit all of your application documents
electronically through Grants.gov.
After electronically submitting an application through
Grants.gov, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement from
Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number.
You may be required to provide original signatures on
forms at a later date.
You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application
package for this program by using a keyword, the program name, the
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number, or the Funding
Opportunity Number.
Your application must contain the following required forms
and proposal elements:
a. Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' must be
completed, signed, and include a DUNS number. Since there are no
specific fields for a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code and
expiration date, you may identify them anywhere you want to on the SF-
424. If you do not include the CAGE code and expiration date and the
DUNS number in your application, it will not be considered for funding.
b. Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information-Non-Construction Programs.''
This form must be completed and submitted as part of the application
package.
c. Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' This
form must be completed, signed, and submitted as part of the
application package.
d. Table of Contents. Your application must contain a detailed
Table of Contents (TOC) immediately following the SF-424B. The TOC must
include page numbers for each part of the application. Page numbers
should begin immediately following the TOC.
e. Executive Summary. A summary of the proposal, not to exceed one
page, must briefly describe the Project, tasks to be completed, and
other relevant information that provides a general overview of the
Project.
f. Eligibility Discussion. A detailed discussion, not to exceed
four pages, must describe how you meet the following requirements:
(i) Applicant Eligibility. You must describe how you meet the
definition of a Cooperative, Group of Cooperatives, or Cooperative
Development Center. Your application must show that a majority of the
board of directors or governing board is comprised of individuals who
are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. Your application must
include a list of your board of directors/governing board and the
percentage of board of directors/governing board that are members of
Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. Note: Your application will not be
considered for funding if you fail to show that a majority of your
board of directors/governing board is comprised of individuals who are
members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups.
If applying as a Cooperative or a Group of Cooperatives, you must
verify your incorporation and status in the State that you have applied
by providing the State's Certificate of Good Standing, your Articles of
Incorporation, and By-Laws. If you are a nonprofit corporation applying
as a Cooperative Development Center, you must provide evidence of your
status as a nonprofit corporation in good standing, your Articles of
Incorporation and a copy of your mission statement. If you are an
institution of higher education applying as a Cooperative Development
Center, you must provide evidence of your status as an accredited
institution of higher education and a copy of your mission statement.
You must apply as only one type of applicant. If the requested
verification documents are not included, your application will not be
considered for funding.
(ii) Use of Funds. You must provide a detailed discussion on how
the proposed Project activities meet the definition of Technical
Assistance and identify the group(s) of socially-disadvantaged
producers that will be assisted.
(iii) Project Area. You must provide specific information that
details the location of the Project area and explain how the area meets
the definition of ``Rural Area.''
(iv) Grant Period. You must provide a time frame for the proposed
Project and discuss how the Project will be completed within that time
frame. You must have a time frame of one year or less.
g. Scoring Criteria. Each of the scoring criteria in this Notice
must be addressed in narrative form, with a maximum of two pages for
each individual scoring criterion, unless otherwise specified. Failure
to address each scoring criteria will result in the application being
determined ineligible.
h. The Agency has established annual performance evaluation
measures to evaluate the SSDPG program. You must provide estimates on
the following performance evaluation measures as part of your
narrative:
Number of businesses assisted;
Number of cooperatives assisted; and
Number of small, socially disadvantaged producers
assisted.
3. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and
System for Award Management (SAM)
You are required to:
Be registered in SAM before submitting your application;
Provide a valid DUNS number in your application; and
Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with
current information at all times during which you have an active
Federal award or an
[[Page 24391]]
application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.
The Agency will not make an award until an applicant has complied with
all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully
complied with the requirements by the time the Agency is ready to make
an award, the Agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified
to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for
making an award to another applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Application Deadline Date: June 30, 2014.
Explanation of Deadlines: Paper applications must be POSTMARKED and
mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by June 30, 2014. 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. Late applications
are not eligible for FY 2014 grant funding.
Electronic applications must be RECEIVED by http://www.grants.gov
by June 24, 2014, to be eligible for FY 2014 grant funding. Please
review the Grants.gov Web site at http://grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp for instructions on the process of
registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure you are
able to meet the electronic application deadline.
5. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order (EO) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs, applies to this program. This EO requires that Federal
agencies provide opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance
with State and local governments. Many States have established a Single
Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. A list of
States that maintain a SPOC may be obtained at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc. If your State has a SPOC, you may
submit your application directly for review. Any comments obtained
through the SPOC must be provided to Rural Development 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, Rural Development will submit your application to the SPOC or
other appropriate agency or agencies.
You are also encouraged to contact Cooperative Programs at 202-720-
7558 or [email protected] if you have questions about this process.
6. Funding Restrictions
Grant funds must be used for Technical Assistance. No funds made
available under this solicitation shall be used to:
a. Plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct a building or
facility, including a processing facility;
b. Purchase, rent, or install fixed equipment, including processing
equipment;
c. Purchase vehicles, including boats;
d. Pay for the preparation of the grant application;
e. Pay expenses not directly related to the funded Project;
f. Fund political or lobbying activities;
g. Fund any activities prohibited by 7 CFR parts 3015 or 3019;
h. Fund architectural or engineering design work for a specific
physical facility;
i. Fund any direct expenses for the production of any commodity or
product to which value will be added, including seed, rootstock, labor
for harvesting the crop, and delivery of the commodity to a processing
facility;
j. Fund research and development;
k. Purchase land;
l. Duplicate current activities or activities paid for by other
funded grant programs.
m. Pay costs of the Project incurred prior to the date of grant
approval;
n. Pay for assistance to any private business enterprise that 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;
o. Pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
p. Pay the Operating Costs of the Cooperative, Group of
Cooperatives, or Cooperative Development Center;
q. Pay expenses for applicant employee training; or
r. Pay for any goods or services from a person who has a Conflict
of Interest with the grantee.
In addition, your application will not be considered for funding if
it does any of the following:
Requests more than the maximum grant amount; or
Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent
of total project costs.
We will consider your application for funding if it includes ineligible
costs of 10 percent or less of total project costs, as long as 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. National Environmental Policy Act
This NOFA has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940,
subpart G, ``Environmental Program.'' We have determined that an
Environmental Impact Statement is not required because the issuance of
regulations and instructions, as well as amendments to them, describing
administrative and financial procedures for processing, approving, and
implementing the Agency's financial programs is categorically excluded
in the Agency's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulation
found at 7 CFR Sec. 1940.310(e)(3) of subpart G, ``Environmental
Program.'' We have determined that this NOFA does not constitute a
major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human
environment. Individual awards under this NOFA are hereby classified as
Categorical Exclusions according to 7 CFR Sec. 1940.310(e), the award
of financial assistance for planning purposes, management and
feasibility studies, or environmental impact analyses, which do not
require any additional documentation.
8. 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
1. Scoring Criteria
All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on
the following criteria. Failure to address any one of the following
criteria by the application deadline will result in the application
being determined ineligible and the application will not be considered
for funding. Evaluators will base scores only on the information
provided or cross-referenced by page number in each individual scoring
criterion. The total points possible for the criteria are 60.
I. Technical Assistance (maximum score of 15 points). A panel of
USDA employees will evaluate your application to determine your ability
to assess the needs of Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producers, plan and
conduct appropriate and effective Technical Assistance, and identify
the expected outcomes of that assistance.
Higher points are awarded if you identify specific needs of the
Socially-Disadvantaged Producers to be assisted;
[[Page 24392]]
clearly explain a logical and detailed plan of assistance for
addressing those needs; and discuss realistic outcomes of planned
assistance.
II. Experience (maximum score of 15 points). A panel of USDA
employees will evaluate your length of experience for identified staff
or consultants in providing Technical Assistance, as defined in this
Notice. You must describe the specific type of Technical Assistance
experience for each identified staff member or consultant, as well as
years of experience in providing that assistance. In addition, resumes
for each individual staff member or consultant must be included as an
attachment, listing their experience for the type of Technical
Assistance proposed. The attachments will not count toward the maximum
page total. We will compare the described experience to the work plan
to determine relevance of the experience. Applications that do not
include the attached resumes will not be considered for funding.
Higher points will be awarded if a majority of identified staff or
consultants demonstrate 5 or more years of experience in providing
relevant Technical Assistance. Maximum points will be awarded if all of
the identified staff or consultants demonstrate 5 or more years of
experience in providing relevant Technical Assistance.
III. Commitment (maximum of 15 points). A panel of USDA employees
will evaluate your commitment to providing Technical Assistance to
Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producers in Rural Areas. You must list
the number and location of Small, Socially-Disadvantaged Producers that
will directly benefit from the assistance provided. Higher points will
be awarded for Projects that benefit at least 50 Small, Socially-
Disadvantaged Producers. If you define and describe the underserved and
economically distressed areas within your service area, provide
statistics, and identify projects within or affecting these areas, as
appropriate, you will score higher on this factor.
IV. Work Plan/Budget (maximum of 10 points). You must describe, in
detail not to exceed four pages, the purpose of the grant, what type of
assistance will be provided, and the total amount of funds needed for
the Project. The budget must also present a breakdown of estimated
costs associated with each task/activity for each Project. The amount
of grant funds requested will be reduced if the applicant does not have
justification for all costs.
A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your work plan for detailed
actions and an accompanying timetable for implementing the proposal.
Clear, logical, realistic, and efficient plans will result in a higher
score. Budgets will be reviewed for completeness. You must discuss at a
minimum:
a. Specific tasks to be completed using grant funds;
b. How customers will be identified;
c. Key personnel; and
d. The evaluation methods to be used to determine the success of
specific tasks and overall project objectives.
V. Local support (maximum of 5 points). A panel of USDA employees
will evaluate your application for local support of the Technical
Assistance activities. Applicants that demonstrate strong support from
potential beneficiaries and other developmental organizations will
receive more points than those not showing such support.
(i) 0 points are awarded if you do not address this criterion.
(ii) 1 point is awarded if you provide 2-3 support letters that
show support from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local
organizations.
(iii) 2 points are awarded if you provide 4-5 support letters that
show support from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local
organizations.
(iv) 3 points are awarded if you provide 6-7 support letters that
show support from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local
organizations.
(v) 4 points are awarded if you provide 8-9 support letters that
show support from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local
organizations.
(vi) 5 points are awarded if you provide 10 support letters that
show support from potential beneficiaries and/or support from local
organizations.
You may submit a maximum of 10 letters of support. Support letters
should come from potential beneficiaries and other local organizations.
Letters received from Technical Assistance providers will not be
included in the count of support letters received. Support letters
should be included as an attachment to the application and will not
count against the maximum page total. Additional letters from industry
groups, commodity groups, local and State government, and similar
organizations should be referenced, but not included in the application
package. When referencing these letters, provide the name of the
organization, date of the letter, the nature of the support, and the
name and title of the person signing the letter.
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. A recommendation
will be submitted to the Administrator to fund applications in highest
ranking order. Applications that cannot be fully funded may be offered
partial funding at the Agency's discretion.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
If your application is successful, you will receive notification
regarding funding from the State Office where your application is
submitted or headquartered if you submit your application via
Grants.gov. You must comply with all applicable statutes, regulations,
and notice requirements before the grant award will be approved. If
your application is not successful, you will receive notification,
including mediation and appeal rights by mail. See 7 CFR part 11 for
USDA National Appeals Division procedures.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this
program can be found in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart A, parts 3015, 3019,
3052 and 2 CFR parts 215 and 417. 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.''
[[Page 24393]]
Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding a Drug-Free
Workplace Requirement (Grants).''
Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement.''
SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if
applicable.
SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report.''
Additional information on these requirements can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_SSDPG.html.
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 March 31st and September 30th.
Any grant in excess of $100,000 must also have the appropriate SF-PPR
``Performance Progress Report'' completed. The project performance
reports shall include the following: 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
For general questions about this announcement and for program
Technical Assistance, please contact the appropriate State Office as
indicated in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
H. Non Discrimination Statement
USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and
applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin,
age, disability, sex, gender identify, religion, reprisal, and where
applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental
status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is
derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic
information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or
funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all
programs and/or employment activities.)
To File a Program Complaint
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of
discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form
(PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complain_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the
form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information
requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to
us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410,
by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].
Persons With Disabilities
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech
disabilities and who wish to file either an EEO or program complaint,
please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339
or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
Persons with disabilities, who wish to file a program complaint,
please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or
by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program
information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), please
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
Dated: April 24, 2014.
Ashli Palmer,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-09868 Filed 4-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P