[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 3, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14245-14250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06503]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Announcement of Grant Application Deadlines and Funding Levels
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA).
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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), herein referred to as RUS or
the Agency, announces its Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT)
Grant Program application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. The Agency
is publishing the amount of funding received in the appropriations act
on its website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices-solicitation-applications-nosas. Expenses incurred in developing
applications will be at the applicant's risk.
In addition to announcing the application window, RUS announces the
minimum and maximum amounts for DLT grants applicable for the fiscal
year. The DLT Grant Program regulation can be found at 7 CFR part 1734,
subpart B. This DLT Grant Program regulation replaced the previous DLT
Grant Program regulation, 7 CFR part 1703, subpart E, on December 27,
2017.
DATES: Submit completed paper or electronic applications for grants
according to the following deadlines:
Paper submissions: Paper submissions must be postmarked
and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than June 4, 2018 to be
eligible for FY 2018 grant funding. Late or incomplete applications
will not be eligible for FY 2018 grant funding.
Electronic submissions: Electronic submissions must be
received no later than June 4, 2018 to be eligible for FY 2018 grant
funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for FY
2018 grant funding.
If the submission deadline falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a
Federal holiday, the application is due the next business day.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the FY 2018 Application Guide and materials for
the DLT Grant Program may be obtained through:
(1) The DLT website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/
[[Page 14246]]
distance-learning-telemedicine-grants, or
(2) The RUS Office of Loan Origination and Approval at 202-720-
0800.
Completed applications may be submitted the following ways:
(1) Paper: Mail paper applications to the Rural Utilities Service,
Telecommunications Program, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 2844, STOP
1597, Washington, DC 20250-1597. Mark address with ``Attention: Deputy
Assistant Administrator, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, Rural
Utilities Service.''
(2) Electronic: Submit electronic applications through Grants.gov.
Information on electronic submission is available on the Grants.gov
website (https://www.grants.gov) at any time, regardless of
registration status. However, applicants must pre-register with
Grants.gov to use the electronic submission option.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shawn Arner, Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, telephone: (202) 720-0800,
fax:1-884-885-8179.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Distance Learning and Telemedicine
Grants.
Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
Funding Opportunity Number: RUS-18-01-DLT.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.855.
Dates: Submit completed paper or electronic applications for grants
according to the deadline indicated in Section D(5).
Items in Supplementary Information
A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Award Administration Information
G. Agency Contacts
H. Other Information
A. Program Description
DLT grants are designed to provide access to education, training,
and health care resources for rural Americans. The DLT Program is
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 950aaa and provides financial assistance to
encourage and improve telemedicine and distance learning services in
rural areas through the use of telecommunications, computer networks,
and related advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical
professionals, and rural residents. The regulation for the DLT Program
can be found at 7 CFR part 1734.
The grants, which are awarded through a competitive process, may be
used to fund telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video
equipment, and related advanced technologies which extend educational
and medical access into rural areas. Grants are intended to benefit end
users in rural areas, who are often not in the same location as the
source of the educational or health care service.
As in years past, the FY 2018 DLT Grant Application Guide has been
updated based on program experience. The Application Guide has also
been updated to reflect the new program regulations, 7 CFR 1734. All
applicants should carefully review and prepare their applications
according to instructions in the FY 2018 Application Guide and sample
materials. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the
applicant's own risk.
B. Federal Award Information
Under 7 CFR 1734.24, the Administrator will establish the maximum
and minimum amounts of a grant to be made available to an individual
recipient for each fiscal year. For FY 2018 the minimum amount of a
grant is set at $50,000 and the maximum amount is set at $500,000.
The Agency will make awards, and the successful applicants will be
required to execute documents appropriate to the project before funding
will be advanced. Award documents specify the term of each award. The
standard grant agreement is available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/DLTGrantAgreement-2017.pdf. Prior DLT grants cannot be renewed;
however, existing DLT awardees can submit applications for new projects
which will be evaluated as new applications. Grant applications must be
submitted during the application window.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants (See 7 CFR 1734.4)
a. Only entities legally organized as one of the following are
eligible for DLT Grant Program financial assistance:
i. An incorporated organization;
ii. An Indian tribe or tribal organization, as defined in 25 U.S.C.
450b (b) and (c);
iii. A state or local unit of government;
iv. A consortium, as defined in 7 CFR 1734.3; or
v. Other legal entity, including a private corporation organized on
a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.
b. Corporations that have been convicted of a Federal felony within
the past 24 months are not eligible. Any corporation that has been
assessed to have any unpaid federal tax liability, for which all
judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed
and 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.
c. Applicants must have a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number and have an active registration at time
of application submittal with current information in the System for
Award Management (SAM) (previously the Central Contractor Registry
(CCR)) at https://www.sam.gov. Further information regarding DUNS
number acquisition and SAM registration can be found in Sections D(3)
and D(4) of this notice.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
The DLT Program requires matching contributions for grants. See 7
CFR 1734.22 and the FY 2018 Application Guide for information on
required matching contributions.
a. Grant applicants must demonstrate matching contributions, in
cash or in kind (new or non-depreciated items), of at least fifteen
(15) percent of the grant amount requested. Matching contributions must
be used for approved purposes for grants (see 7 CFR 1734.21 and Section
D(7)(b) of this Notice).
b. Applications that do not provide sufficient documentation of the
required 15 percent match will be declared ineligible.
c. Discounts and Donations. In review of applications submitted in
the past, it was determined that vendor donated matches did not have
value without a required, subsequent purchase of vendor equipment or
licenses with grant funds. For example, in many grant applications,
software licenses were donated in satisfaction of the matching
requirement. However, such licenses only worked with, and thus only had
value with, the same vendor's equipment. Additionally, by side
agreement, grant applicants were required to purchase the vendor's
equipment once the grant was made with grant funds. The agency
determined that such a practice violated federal procurement standards
found at 2 CFR 200.317-326, given that the grant
[[Page 14247]]
applicant could not put the purchase out for bid, either because no
other equipment would work with the ``donated'' licenses, or because
they were contractually obligated to buy the equipment before the grant
was made. As such, the agency has determined that vendor matches
requiring subsequent purchases, either by necessity or contract, are
not permitted.
d. Eligible Equipment and Facilities. See 7 CFR 1734 and the FY
2018 Application Guide for more information regarding eligible and
ineligible items.
3. Other
a. Ineligibility of Projects in Coastal Barrier Resources Act
Areas. Projects located in areas covered by the Coastal Barrier
Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) are not eligible for financial
assistance from the DLT Program. See 7 CFR 1734.23(a)(11).
D. Application and Submission Information
The FY 2018 Application Guide provides specific, detailed
instructions for each item of a complete application. The Agency
emphasizes the importance of including every required item and strongly
encourages applicants to follow the instructions carefully, using the
examples and illustrations in the FY 2018 Application Guide. Prior to
official submission of applications, applicants may request technical
assistance or other application guidance from the Agency, as long as
such requests are made prior to May 18, 2018. Agency contact
information can be found in Section G of this NOSA. The Agency will not
solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility information that is
submitted after the application deadline; however the Agency reserves
the right to contact applicants to seek clarification on materials
contained in the submitted application. See the FY 2018 Application
Guide for a full discussion of each required item. For requirements of
completed grant applications, refer to 7 CFR 1734.25.
1. Address To Request Application Package.
The FY 2018 Application Guide, copies of necessary forms and
samples, and the DLT Program regulation are available as follows:
a. Electronic Copies are available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants.
b. Paper Copies are available from the Rural Utilities Service,
Office of Loan Origination and Approval, 202-720-0800.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
a. Carefully review the FY 2018 DLT Application Guide and 7 CFR
part 1734, which detail all necessary forms and worksheets. A table
summarizing the necessary components of a complete application can be
found in this section.
b. Description of Project Sites. Most DLT grant projects contain
several project sites. Site information must be consistent throughout
the application. The Agency has provided a site worksheet that lists
the required information. Applicants should complete the site worksheet
with all requisite information. Applications without consistent site
information will be returned as ineligible.
c. Submission of Application Items. Given the high volume of
program interest, applicants should submit the required application
items in the order indicated in the FY 2018 Application Guide.
Applications that are not assembled and tabbed in the specified order
prevent timely determination of eligibility. For applications with
inconsistencies among submitted copies, the Agency will base its
evaluation on the original signed application received.
d. Table of Required Application Items.
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Application item Regulation Comments
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SF-424 (Application for 7 CFR 1734.25(a). Form provided in FY
Federal Assistance Form). 2018 Application
Tool Kit.
Executive Summary of the 7 CFR 1734.25(b). Narrative.
Project.
Scoring Criteria and Special 7 CFR 1734.25(c). Provide documentation
Consideration Documentation. on how applicant
meets each of the
scoring criteria and
special
considerations
contained in Sec.
1734.26.
Scope of Work................. 7 CFR 1734.25(d). Narrative &
Documentation.
Financial Information and 7 CFR 1734.25(e). Narrative.
Sustainability.
Statement of Experience....... 7 CFR 1734.25(f). Narrative.
Evidence of Leverage and 7 CFR 1734.25(g). Agency Worksheet and
Funding Commitments from All narrative.
Sources.
Telecommunications System Plan 7 CFR 1734.25(h). Documentation.
Compliance with other Federal 7 CFR 1734.25(i). Form provided in FY
Statutes. 2018 Application
Tool Kit.
Non-Duplication of Services... ................. Form provided in FY
2018 Application
Tool Kit.
Assurance Regarding Felony ................. Form provided in FY
Conviction or Tax Delinquent 2018 Application
Status for Corporate Tool Kit.
Applicants.
Environmental Review 7 CFR 1734.25(j). Form provided in FY
Requirements. 2018 Application
Tool Kit.
Evidence of Legal Authority 7 CFR 1734.25(k). Documentation.
and Existence.
Federal Debt Certification.... 7 CFR 1734.25(l). Form provided in FY
2018 Application
Tool Kit.
Consultation with USDA State 7 CFR 1734.25(m). Documentation.
Director.
Supplemental Information...... 7 CFR 1734. 25(n) Documentation.
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e. Number of copies of submitted applications.
i. Paper submissions. Submit the original application and one (1)
paper copy to RUS, as well as one digital copy on a Flash Drive. Submit
one additional copy to the state government single point of contact as
described in Subsection iii below.
ii. Electronic submissions. Submit the electronic application once.
Do not send a paper copy to RUS. Applicants should identify and number
each page in the same manner as the paper application. Submit one (1)
additional copy to the State government single point of contact as
described in Subsection iii below.
iii. State Government Single Point of Contact. Submit one (1) copy
to the State government single point of contact, if one has been
designated, at the same time as application submission to the Agency.
If the project is located in more than one State, submit a copy to each
applicable State government single point of contact. Go to https://
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Intergovernmental_-
[[Page 14248]]
Review-_SPOC_01_2018_OFFM.pdf for state office contact information.
3. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number
The applicant for a grant must supply a DUNS number as part of the
application. The applicant can obtain the DUNS number free of charge by
calling Dun and Bradstreet. Go to http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform for
more information on DUNS number acquisition or confirmation.
4. System for Award Management (SAM)
Prior to submitting a paper or an electronic application, the
applicant must register in SAM at https://www.sam.gov. Throughout the
RUS application review and the active Federal grant funding period, SAM
registration must be active with current data at all times. To maintain
active SAM registration, the applicant must review and update the
information in the SAM database annually from the date of initial
registration or from the date of the last update. The applicant must
ensure that the information in the database is current, accurate, and
complete.
5. Submission Dates and Times
a. Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or
sent overnight no later than June 4, 2018 to be eligible for FY 2018
grant funding. Late applications, applications which do not include
proof of mailing or shipping, and incomplete applications are not
eligible for FY 2018 grant funding.
i. Address paper applications to the Telecommunications Program,
RUS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room
2844, STOP 1597, Washington, DC 20250-1597. Applications should be
marked, ``Attention: Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Loan
Origination and Approval.''
ii. Paper applications must show proof of mailing or shipping by
the deadline consisting of one of the following:
A. A legibly dated U.S. Postal Service (USPS) postmark;
B. A legible mail receipt with the date of mailing stamped by the
USPS; or
C. A dated shipping label, invoice, or receipt from a commercial
carrier.
iii. Due to screening procedures at the USDA, packages arriving via
regular mail through the USPS are irradiated, which can damage the
contents and delay delivery to RUS. RUS encourages applicants to
consider the impact of this procedure when selecting their application
delivery method.
b. Electronic grant applications must be received no later than
June 4, 2018 to be eligible for FY 2018 funding. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for FY 2018 grant funding.
i. Applications will not be accepted via fax or electronic mail.
ii. Electronic applications for grants must be submitted through
the Federal government's Grants.gov initiative at https://www.grants.gov.
iii. Grants.gov requires some credentialing and online
authentication procedures. These procedures may take several business
days to complete. Therefore, the applicant should complete the
registration, credentialing, and authorization procedures at Grants.gov
before submitting an application. Instructions on all required
passwords, credentialing, and software are available on Grants.gov.
iv. If system errors or technical difficulties occur, use the
customer support resources available at the Grants.gov website.
c. If the submission deadline falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a
Federal holiday, the application is due the next business day.
6. Intergovernmental Review
The DLT Grant Program is subject to Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' As stated in section
D(2)(e)(iii) of this notice, a copy of a DLT grant application must be
submitted to the state single point of contact, if one has been
designated.
7. Funding Restrictions
a. Hub sites located in non-rural areas are not eligible for grant
assistance unless they are necessary to provide DLT services to rural
residents at end user sites. See 7 CFR 1734.2(h).
b. Ineligible and Eligible Items. Applicants should exclude
ineligible items and ineligible matching contributions from the budget
unless those items are clearly documented as vital to the project. See
the FY 2018 Application Guide for a recommended budget format and
detailed budget compilation instructions.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Grant applications are scored competitively and are subject to the
criteria listed below. See 7 CFR 1734.26, the FY 2018 Application
Guide, and the funding opportunity posted on https://www.grants.gov for
more information on the scoring criteria.
a. Rurality Category. Rurality of the end user sites proposed in
the application (up to 40 points).
b. Economic Need Category. County poverty percentage of the end
user sites proposed in the application. The percentages must be
determined by utilizing the United States Census Small Area Income and
Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) Program (up to 30 points).
c. Service Needs and Benefits Category. An analysis addressing the
extent to which the proposed project meets the need for distance
learning or telemedicine services in rural areas, benefits derived from
the services proposed by the project, and local community involvement
in planning, implementing and financial assistance of the project. RUS
will consider the extent of the applicant's analysis explaining the
challenges imposed by the following criteria, how the project proposes
to address these issues and why the applicant cannot complete the
project without a grant (up to 30 points):
i. Economic characteristics.
ii. Educational challenges.
iii. Health care needs.
d. Special Consideration. Special consideration points will be
awarded for projects having the following primary purpose (up to 10
points):
i. Telemedicine projects which propose to provide treatment and
counseling services for opioid abuse; and
ii. Distance learning projects which propose to provide access to
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses.
2. Review and Selection Process
Grant applications are ranked by the final score. RUS selects
applications based on those rankings, subject to the availability of
funds. In addition, the Agency has the authority to limit the number of
applications selected in any one state or for any one project during a
fiscal year. See 7 CFR 1734.27 for a description of the grant
application selection process. In addition, an application receiving
fewer points can be selected over a higher scoring application in the
event that there are insufficient funds available to cover the costs of
the higher scoring application, as stated in 7 CFR 1734.27(b)(3).
a. In addition to ranking the applications based on the scoring
criteria, the Agency evaluates grant applications on the following
items, in accordance with 7 CFR 1734.27(c):
i. Financial feasibility. A proposal that does not indicate
financial feasibility or that is not sustainable will not be approved
for an award.
[[Page 14249]]
ii. Technical considerations. An application that contains flaws
that would prevent the successful implementation, operation, or
sustainability of the project will not be approved for an award.
iii. Other aspects of proposals that contain inadequacies that
would undermine the ability of the project to comply with the policies
of the DLT Program.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
RUS notifies applicants whose projects are selected for awards by
mailing or emailing a copy of an award letter. The receipt of an award
letter does not authorize the applicant to commence performance under
the award. After sending the award letter, the Agency will send an
agreement that contains all the terms and conditions for the grant. An
applicant must execute and return the grant agreement, accompanied by
any additional items required by the agreement, within the number of
days specified in the selection notice letter.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The items listed in Section E of this notice, the DLT Grant Program
regulation, FY 2018 Application Guide and accompanying materials
implement the appropriate administrative and national policy
requirements, which include but are not limited to:
a. Executing a DLT Grant Agreement.
b. Using Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' to
request reimbursements (along with the submission of receipts for
expenditures, timesheets, and any other documentation to support the
request for reimbursement).
c. Providing annual project performance activity reports until the
expiration of the award.
d. Ensuring that records are maintained to document all activities
and expenditures utilizing DLT grant funds and matching funds (receipts
for expenditures are to be included in this documentation).
e. Providing a final project performance report.
f. Complying with policies, guidance, and requirements as described
in the following applicable Code of Federal Regulations, and any
successor regulations:
i. 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements,
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards).
ii. 2 CFR parts 417 and 180 (Government-wide Nonprocurement
Debarment and Suspension).
g. Signing Form AD-3031, ``Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or
Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants'' (for corporate
applicants only).
h. Complying with Executive Order 13166, ``Improving Access to
Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency.'' For
information on limited English proficiency and agency-specific
guidance, go to https://www.LEP.gov.
i. Accountability and Compliance with Civil Rights Laws.
1901.201 Purpose. This subpart contains policies and procedures for
implementing the regulations of the Department of Agriculture issued
pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, Executive Order 13166, Executive Order 11246, and the
Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, as they relate to the Rural
Development (Rural Development). Nothing herein shall be interpreted to
prohibit preference to American Indians on Indian Reservations.
The policies contained in subpart E of part 1901 apply to
recipients. Recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to
comply with the applicable Federal, State and local laws. Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
prohibit discrimination by recipients of Federal financial assistance.
Recipients are required to adhere to specific outreach activities.
These outreach activities include, contacting community organizations
and leaders that include minority leaders, advertising in local
newspapers and other media throughout the entire service area, and
including the nondiscrimination slogan, ``This is an Equal Opportunity
Program. Discrimination is prohibited by Federal Law, ``in methods that
may include, but not be limited to, advertisements, public broadcasts,
and printed materials, such as, brochures and pamphlets. All recipients
must submit and have on file a valid Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity
Agreement,'' and RUS Form 266 or RD Form 400-4, ``Assurance
Agreement.''
By signing Form 400-4 or 266, Assurance Agreement recipients affirm
that they will operate the program free from discrimination. The
recipient will maintain the race and ethnic data on the board members
and beneficiaries of the program. The Recipient will provide
alternative forms of communication to persons with limited English
proficiency. The Agency will conduct Civil Rights Compliance Reviews on
recipients to identify the collection of racial and ethnic data on
Program beneficiaries. In addition, the Compliance review will ensure
that equal access to the Program benefits and activities are provided
for persons with disabilities and language barriers.
3. Reporting
a. Performance reporting. All recipients of DLT financial
assistance must provide annual performance activity reports to RUS
until the project is complete and the funds are expended. A final
performance report is also required; the final report may serve as the
last annual report. The final report must include an evaluation of the
success of the project in meeting the DLT Grant Program objectives. See
7 CFR 1734.7 for additional information on these reporting
requirements.
b. Financial reporting. All recipients of DLT financial assistance
must provide an annual audit, beginning with the first year in which a
portion of the financial assistance is expended. Audits are governed by
USDA audit regulations. See 7 CFR 1734.8 and 2 CFR part 200, subpart F
for a description of the audit requirements.
c. Recipient and Sub-recipient Reporting. The applicant must have
the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the
reporting requirements for first-tier sub-awards and executive
compensation under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency
Act of 2006 in the event the applicant receives funding, unless such
applicant is exempt from such reporting requirements pursuant to 2 CFR
170.110(b). The reporting requirements under the Transparency Act
pursuant to 2 CFR part 170 are as follows:
i. First Tier Sub-Awards of $25,000 or more (unless they are exempt
under 2 CFR part 170) must be reported by the recipient to https://www.fsrs.gov no later than the end of the month following the month the
obligation was made. Please note that currently underway is a
consolidation of eight federal procurement systems, including the
Federal Sub-award Reporting System (FSRS), into one system, the System
for Award Management (SAM). As a result, the FSRS will soon be
consolidated into and accessed through https://www.sam.gov.
ii. The total compensation of the recipient's executives (the five
most highly compensated executives) must be reported by the recipient
(if the recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 170) to https://www.sam.gov by the
[[Page 14250]]
end of the month following the month in which the award was made.
iii. The total compensation of the sub-recipient's executives (the
five most highly compensated executives) must be reported by the sub-
recipient (if the sub-recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part
170) to the recipient by the end of the month following the month in
which the sub-award was made.
d. Recordkeeping and Accounting. The agreement will contain
provisions related to record keeping and accounting requirements.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
1. Website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants. The DLT website maintains up-to-date
resources and contact information for the DLT program.
2. Telephone: 202-720-0800.
3. Fax: 1-844-885-8179.
4. Email: [email protected].
5. Main point of contact: Shawn Arner, Deputy Assistant
Administrator, Office of Loan Origination and Approval, Rural Utilities
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
H. Other Information
1. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and 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,
religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sex, gender
identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, familial
status, disability, limited English proficiency, or because all or a
part of an individual's income is derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing
deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD) 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 https://www.ascr.usda.gov/ad-3027-usda-program-discrimination-complaint-form 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:
a. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410;
b. Facsimile: (202) 690-7442; or
c. Email: at [email protected].
d. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Dated: March 22, 2018.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06503 Filed 4-2-18; 8:45 am]
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