[Federal Register: February 4, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 23)]
[Notices]               
[Page 6457-6466]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04fe08-17]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

 
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the 
Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) for Fiscal Year 2008

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of applications.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces the availability of $6,255,900 of 
competitive grant funds for the RCDI program through the Rural Housing 
Service (RHS), an agency within the USDA Rural Development mission area 
herein referred to as the Agency. Applicants must provide matching 
funds in an amount at least equal to the Federal grant. These grants 
will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will provide 
financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop their 
capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing, 
community facilities, or community and economic development. This 
Notice lists the information needed to submit an application for these 
funds.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. local time, 
May 5, 2008. The application date and time are firm. The Agency will 
not consider any application received after the deadline. Applicants 
intending to mail applications must provide sufficient time to permit 
delivery on or before the closing deadline date and time. Acceptance by 
the United States Postal Service or private mailer does not constitute 
delivery. Facsimile (FAX) and postage due applications will not be 
accepted.

ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the 
application requirements delineated in this Notice from the RCDI Web 
site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm. Applicants may 
also request application packages from the Rural Development office in 
their State. A list of Rural Development offices is included in this 
Notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Rural Development office for the 
state the applicant is located in. A list of Rural Development State 
Office contacts is included in this Notice.

Programs Affected

     This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under Number 10.446. This program is not subject to the 
provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental 
consultation with State and local officials because it is not listed by 
the Secretary of Agriculture, pursuant to 7 CFR 3015.302, as a covered 
program.

Paperwork Reduction Act

     The paperwork burden has been cleared by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575-0180.

National Environmental Policy Act

     This document has been reviewed in accordance with 7 CFR part 
1940-G, ``Environmental Program.'' Rural

[[Page 6458]]

Development has determined that this NOFA does not constitute a major 
federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment, and an Environmental Impact Statement is not required. 
Furthermore, individual awards under this NOFA are hereby classified as 
Categorial Exclusions which do not require any additional 
documentation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Housing Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Community Development Initiative.
    Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.446.

Part I--Funding Opportunity Description

     Congress initially created the RCDI in Fiscal Year (FY) 2000 to 
develop the capacity and ability of nonprofit organizations, low-income 
rural communities, or federally recognized tribes to undertake projects 
related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development in rural areas.

Part II--Award Information

     Congress appropriated $6,255,900 in FY 2008 for the RCDI. 
Qualified private, nonprofit and public (including tribal) intermediary 
organizations proposing to carry out financial and technical assistance 
programs will be eligible to receive the funding. The intermediary will 
be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to 
the RCDI grant. The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per 
intermediary is $50,000.00 and $300,000.00. The intermediary must 
provide a program of financial and technical assistance to a private 
nonprofit, community-based housing and development organization, a low-
income rural community or a federally recognized tribe.

Part III--Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    1. Qualified private, nonprofit including faith-based and community 
organizations in accordance with 7 CFR part 16, and public (including 
tribal) intermediary organizations. Definitions that describe eligible 
organizations and other key terms are listed below.
    2. RCDI grantees that have an outstanding grant over 3 years old, 
as of the application due date in this Notice, will not be eligible to 
apply for this round of funding. Grant and matching funds must be 
utilized in a timely manner to ensure that the goals and objectives of 
the program are met.

B. Program Definitions

     Agency--The Rural Housing Service (RHS) or its successor.
    Beneficiary--Entities or individuals that receive benefits from 
assistance provided by the recipient.
    Capacity--The ability of a recipient to implement housing, 
community facilities, or community and economic development projects.
    Federally recognized tribes--Tribal entities recognized and 
eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
based on the current notice in the Federal Register published by the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs. Tribally Designated Housing Entities are 
eligible RCDI recipients.
    Financial Assistance--Funds used by the intermediary to purchase 
supplies and equipment, not to exceed $10,000 per award, to build the 
recipient's capacity.
     Funds--The RCDI grant and matching money.
    Intermediary--A qualified private, nonprofit, or public (including 
tribal) organization that provides financial and technical assistance 
to multiple recipients.
    Low-income rural community--An authority, district, economic 
development authority, regional council, or unit of government 
representing an incorporated city, town, village, county, township, 
parish, or borough.
    Recipient--Under 7 CFR part 15, Sec.  15.2, Recipient means any 
State, political subdivision of any State, or instrumentality of any 
State or political subdivision, any public or private agency, 
institution, or organization, or other entity, to whom Federal 
financial assistance is extended, directly or through another 
recipient, including any successor, assignee, or transferee thereof, 
but such term does not include any ultimate beneficiary. Not all listed 
entities are eligible for all programs. Please check with the 
applicable state office for information regarding eligibility.
    Rural and rural area--Any area other than (i) a city or town that 
has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and (ii) the 
urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such city or town.
    Technical assistance--Skilled help in improving the recipient's 
abilities in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community 
and economic development.

C. Cost Sharing or Matching

     Matching funds--Cash or confirmed funding commitments. Matching 
funds must be at least equal to the grant amount. These funds can only 
be used for eligible RCDI activities. In-kind contributions such as 
salaries, donated time and effort, real and nonexpendable personal 
property and goods and services cannot be used as matching funds. Grant 
funds and matching funds must be used in equal proportions. This does 
not mean funds have to be used equally by line item. The request for 
advance or reimbursement and supporting documentation must show that 
RCDI fund usage does not exceed the cumulative amount of matching funds 
used. Grant funds will be disbursed pursuant to relevant provisions of 
7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019, as applicable. Verification of 
matching funds must be submitted with the application.
    The intermediary is responsible for demonstrating that matching 
funds are available, and committed to the RCDI proposal. Matching funds 
may be provided by the intermediary or a third party. Other Federal 
funds may be used as matching funds if authorized by statute and the 
purpose of the funds is an eligible RCDI purpose.
    Matching funds must be used to support the overall purpose of the 
RCDI program. RCDI funds will be disbursed on an advance or 
reimbursement basis. Matching funds cannot be expended prior to 
execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement. No reimbursement will be made 
for any funds expended prior to execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement 
unless the grantee is a non-profit or educational entity and has 
requested and received written Agency approval of the costs prior to 
the actual expenditure. This exception is applicable for up to 90 days 
prior to grant closing and only applies to grantees that have received 
written approval but have not executed the RCDI Grant Agreement. The 
Agency cannot retroactively approve reimbursement for expenditures 
prior to execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement.

D. Other Program Requirements

    1. The recipient and beneficiary, but not the intermediary, must be 
located in an eligible rural area. The physical location of the 
recipient's office that will be receiving the financial and technical 
assistance must be in an eligible rural area. If the recipient is a 
low-income community, the median household income of the area where the 
office is located must be at or below 80 percent of the State or 
national median

[[Page 6459]]

household income, whichever is higher. The applicable Rural Development 
State Office can assist in determining the eligibility of an area. A 
listing of Rural Development State Offices is included in this Notice.
    2. The recipients must be private, nonprofit, including faith-based 
organizations, community-based housing and development organizations, 
low-income rural communities, or federally recognized tribes based on 
the RCDI definitions of these groups.
    3. Documentation must be submitted to verify recipient eligibility. 
Acceptable documentation varies depending on the type of recipient. 
Private nonprofit faith or community-based housing and development 
organizations must provide a certificate of incorporation and good 
standing from the Secretary of the State of incorporation, or other 
similar and valid documentation of nonprofit status. For low-income 
rural community recipients, the Agency requires evidence that the 
entity is a public body and census data verifying that the median 
household income of the community where the office receiving the 
financial and technical assistance is located at, or below, 80 percent 
of the State or national median household income, whichever is higher. 
For Federally recognized tribes, the Agency needs the page listing 
their name from the current Federal Register list of tribal entities 
recognized and eligible for funding services (see the definition of 
Federally recognized tribes in this Notice for details on this list).
    4. Individuals cannot be recipients.
    5. The intermediary must provide matching funds at least equal to 
the amount of the grant. Verification of matching funds must be 
submitted with the application.
    6. The intermediary must provide a program of financial and 
technical assistance to the recipient.
    7. The intermediary organization must have been legally organized 
for a minimum of 3 years and have at least 3 years prior experience 
working with private nonprofit community-based housing and development 
organizations, low-income rural communities, or tribal organizations in 
the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development.
    8. Proposals must be structured to utilize the grant funds within 3 
years from the date of the award.
    9. Each applicant, whether singularly or jointly, may only submit 
one application for RCDI funds under this NOFA. This restriction does 
not preclude the applicant from providing matching funds for other 
applications.
    10. Recipients can benefit from more than one RCDI application; 
however, after grant selections are made, the recipient can only 
benefit from multiple RCDI grants if the type of financial and 
technical assistance the recipient will receive is not duplicative.
    11. The intermediary and the recipient cannot be the same entity. 
The recipient can be a related entity to the intermediary, if it meets 
the definition of a recipient.
    12. A nonprofit recipient must provide evidence that it is a valid 
nonprofit when the intermediary applies for the RCDI grant. 
Organizations with pending requests for nonprofit designations are not 
eligible.
    13. If the recipient is a low-income rural community, identify the 
unit of government to which the financial and technical assistance will 
be provided, e.g., town council or village board. The financial and 
technical assistance must be provided to the organized unit of 
government representing that community, not the community at large.
    14. Recipients located in a rural area that is also a census 
designated place (CDP) are eligible recipients.
    15. If a grantee has an outstanding RCDI grant over 3 years old, as 
of the application due date in this Notice, it is not eligible to apply 
for this round of funding.
    16. The indirect cost category in the project budget should be used 
only when a grant applicant has a federally negotiated indirect cost 
rate. If the applicant will charge indirect costs to the grant, a copy 
of the current rate agreement must be provided with the application.

Eligible Fund Uses

    Fund uses must be consistent with the RCDI purpose. A nonexclusive 
list of eligible grant uses includes the following:
    1. Provide technical assistance to develop recipients' capacity and 
ability to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities, 
or community and economic development, i.e., the intermediary hires a 
staff person to provide technical assistance to the recipient or the 
recipient hires a staff person, under the supervision of the 
intermediary, to carry out the technical assistance provided by the 
intermediary.
    2. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct community 
development programs, e.g., homeownership education or training for 
business entrepreneurs.
    3. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct development 
initiatives, e.g., programs that support micro-enterprise and 
sustainable development.
    4. Develop the capacity of recipients to increase their leveraging 
ability and access to alternative funding sources by providing training 
and staffing.
    5. Develop the capacity of recipients to provide the technical 
assistance component for essential community facilities projects.
    6. Assist recipients in completing pre-development requirements for 
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development 
projects by providing resources for professional services, e.g., 
architectural, engineering, or legal.
    7. Improve recipient's organizational capacity by providing 
training and resource material on developing strategic plans, board 
operations, management, financial systems, and information technology.
    8. Purchase computers, software, and printers at the recipient 
level when directly related to the technical assistance program being 
undertaken by the intermediary.
    9. Provide funds to recipients for training-related travel costs 
and training expenses related to RCDI.

Ineligible Fund Uses

    1. Pass-through grants, capacity grants, and any funds provided to 
the recipient in a lump sum that are not reimbursements.
    2. Funding a revolving loan fund (RLF).
    3. Construction (in any form).
    4. Salaries for positions involved in construction, renovations, 
rehabilitation, and any oversight of these types of activities.
    5. Intermediary preparation of strategic plans for recipients.
    6. Funding prostitution, gambling, or any illegal activities.
    7. Grants to individuals.
    8. Funding a grant where there may be a conflict of interest, or an 
appearance of a conflict of interest, involving any action by the 
Agency.
    9. Paying obligations incurred before the beginning date without 
prior Agency approval or after the ending date of the grant agreement.
    10. Purchasing real estate.
    11. Improvement or renovation of the grantee's, or recipient's 
office space or for the repair or maintenance of privately owned 
vehicles.
    12. Any other purpose prohibited in 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 
3019, as applicable.
    13. Using funds for recipient's general operating costs.
    14. Using grant or matching funds for Individual Development 
Accounts.
    15. Purchasing vehicles.

[[Page 6460]]

Program Examples

    The purpose of this initiative is to develop or increase the 
recipient's capacity through a program of financial and technical 
assistance to perform in the areas of housing, community facilities, or 
community and economic development. Strengthening the recipient's 
capacity in these areas will benefit the communities they serve. The 
RCDI structure requires the intermediary (grantee) to provide a program 
of financial and technical assistance to recipients. The recipients 
will, in turn, provide programs to their communities (beneficiaries). 
The following are examples of eligible and ineligible purposes under 
the RCDI program. (These examples are illustrative and are not meant to 
limit the activities proposed in the application. Activities that meet 
the objective of the RCDI program will be considered eligible.)
    1. The intermediary must work directly with the recipient, not the 
ultimate beneficiaries. As an example: The intermediary provides 
training to the recipient on how to conduct homeownership education 
classes. The recipient then provides ongoing homeownership education to 
the residents of the community--the ultimate beneficiaries. This 
``train the trainer'' concept fully meets the intent of this 
initiative. The intermediary is providing technical assistance that 
will build the recipient's capacity by enabling them to conduct 
homeownership education classes for the public. This is an eligible 
purpose. However, if the intermediary directly provided homeownership 
education classes to individuals in the recipient's service area, this 
would not be an eligible purpose because the recipient would be 
bypassed.
    2. If the intermediary is working with a low-income community as 
the recipient, the intermediary must provide the technical assistance 
to the entity that represents the low-income community and is 
identified in the application. Examples of entities representing a low-
income community are a village board or a town council. If the 
intermediary provides technical assistance to the board of directors of 
the low-income community on how to establish a cooperative, this would 
be an eligible purpose. However, if the intermediary works directly 
with individuals from the community to establish the cooperative, this 
is not an eligible purpose. The recipient's capacity is built by 
learning skills that will enable them to support sustainable economic 
development in their communities on an ongoing basis.
    3. The intermediary may provide technical assistance to the 
recipient on how to create and operate a RLF. The intermediary may not 
monitor or operate the RLF. RCDI funds, including matching funds, 
cannot be used to fund RLFs.

Part IV--Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application Package

    Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the 
application documents and requirements delineated in this Notice from 
the RCDI Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm. 
Application information for electronic submissions may be found at 
http://www.grants.gov. Applicants may also request paper application 
packages from the Rural Development office in their state. A list of 
Rural Development offices is included in this Notice.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    If the applicant is ineligible or the application is incomplete, 
the Agency will inform the applicant in writing of the decision, 
reasons therefore, and its appeal rights, and no further evaluation of 
the application will occur.
    A complete application for RCDI funds must include the following:
    1. A summary page, double-spaced between items, listing the 
following: (This information should not be presented in narrative 
form.)
    a. Applicant's name,
    b. Applicant's address,
    c. Applicant's telephone number,
    d. Name of applicant's contact person and telephone number,
    e. Applicant's fax number,
    f. County where applicant is located,
    g. Congressional district number where applicant is located,
    h. Amount of grant request,
    i. Applicant's Tax Identification Number,
    j. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number (Applicant Only),
    k. Number of recipients,
    l. Equal Opportunity Survey, OMB No. 1890-0014 Exp. 02/28/09 
(optional completion by applicant)
    1. Source and amount of matching funds.
    2. A detailed Table of Contents containing page numbers for each 
component of the application.
    3. A project overview, no longer than five pages, including the 
following items, which will also be addressed separately and in detail 
under ``Building Capacity'' of the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
    a. The type of technical assistance to be provided to the 
recipients and how it will be implemented.
    b. How the capacity and ability of the recipients will be improved.
    c. The overall goals to be accomplished.
    d. The benchmarks to be used to measure the success of the program.
    4. Organizational documents, such as a certificate of incorporation 
and a current good standing certification from the Secretary of State 
where the applicant is incorporated and other similar and valid 
documentation of non-profit status, from the intermediary that confirms 
it has been legally organized for a minimum of 3 years as the applicant 
entity.
    5. Verification of matching funds, i.e., a copy of a bank statement 
if matching funds are in cash or a copy of the confirmed funding 
commitment from the funding source. The verification of matching funds 
must be submitted with the application. The applicant will be contacted 
by the Agency prior to grant award to verify that the matching funds 
continue to be available. The applicant will have 10 working days from 
the date contacted to submit verification of matching funds. If the 
applicant is unable to provide the verification within that timeframe, 
the application will be considered ineligible. The applicant must 
maintain bank statements on file or other documentation for a period of 
at least three years after grant closing except that the records shall 
be retained beyond the three-year period if audit findings have not 
been resolved.
    6. Applicant should verify that they have a DUNS number. Applicants 
can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free 
DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711.
    7. The following information for each recipient:
    a. Recipient's entity name,
    b. Complete address (mailing and physical location, if different),
    c. County where located,
    d. Number of Congressional district where recipient is located, and
    e. Contact person's name and telephone number.
    8. Submit evidence that each recipient entity is eligible:
    a. Nonprofits--provide a current valid letter confirming non-profit 
status from the Secretary of the State of incorporation or the IRS, a 
current good standing certification from the Secretary of the State of 
incorporation, or other valid documentation of non-profit status of 
each recipient.

[[Page 6461]]

    b. Low-income rural community--provide evidence the entity is a 
public body, and a copy of the 2000 census data to verify the 
population, and evidence that the median household income is at, or 
below, 80 percent of either the State or national median household 
income. We will only accept data from http://www.census.gov. The 
specific instructions to retrieve data from this site are detailed 
under the ``Evaluation Criteria'' for ``Population'' and ``Income.''
    c. Federally recognized tribes--provide the page listing their name 
from the current Federal Register list of tribal entities published on 
November 25, 2005 (70 FR 71194) by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
    9. Each of the ``Evaluation Criteria'' must be addressed 
specifically and individually by category. Present these criteria in 
narrative form. Documentation must be limited to three pages per 
criterion. The ``Population'' and ``Income'' criteria for recipient 
locations can be provided in the form of a list; however, the source of 
the data must be included on the page(s).
    10. A timeline identifying specific activities and proposed dates 
for completion.
    11. A detailed project budget that includes the RCDI grant amount 
and matching funds for the duration of the grant. This should be a 
line-item budget, by category. Categories such as salaries, 
administrative, other, and indirect costs that pertain to the proposed 
project must be clearly defined. Supporting documentation listing the 
components of these categories must be included. The budget should be 
dated: Year 1, year 2, year 3.
    12. Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' (Do not 
complete Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information.'' A separate line-item 
budget should be presented as described in No. 11 of this section.)
    13. Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
    14. Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions.''
    15. Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions.
    16. Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 
Requirements.''
    17. Certification of Non-Lobbying Activities.
    18. Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if 
applicable.
    19. Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement,'' for the applicant and 
each recipient.
    20. Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees.
    The required forms and certifications can be downloaded from the 
RCDI Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.

C. Other Submission Information

    The original application package must be submitted to the Rural 
Development State Office where the applicant is located. A listing of 
Rural Development State Offices is included in this Notice. 
Applications will not be accepted via facsimile or electronic mail.
    Applicants may file an electronic application at http://
www.grants.gov. Grants.gov contains full instructions on all required 
passwords, credentialing, and software. Follow the instructions at 
Grants.gov for registering and submitting an electronic application.
    If a system problem or technical difficulty occurs with an 
electronic application, please use the customer support resources 
available at the Grants.gov Web site.
    Technical difficulties submitting an application through Grants.gov 
will not be a reason to extend the application deadline. If an 
application is unable to be submitted through Grants.gov, a paper 
application must be received in the appropriate State Office by the 
deadline noted previously.
    First time Grants.gov users should go to the ``Get Started'' tab on 
the Grants.gov site and carefully read and follow the steps listed. 
These steps need to be initiated early in the application process to 
avoid delays in submitting your application online. Step three, 
Registering with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR), will take some 
time to complete. Keep that in mind when beginning the application 
process.
    In order to register with the CCR, your organization will need a 
DUNS number. A DUNS number is a unique nine-character identification 
number provided by the commercial company, Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). To 
investigate if your organization already has a DUNS number or to obtain 
a DUNS number, contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711. Be sure to 
complete the Marketing Partner ID (MPID) and Electronic Business 
Primary Point of Contact fields during the CCR registration process. 
These are mandatory fields that are required when submitting grant 
applications through Grants.gov. Information about registering with CCR 
was published in a Notice in the Federal Register entitled ``HHS 
Managing Partner Grants.gov E-Government Initiative'' on January 17, 
2006, (71 FR 2549) by the Federal Reserve System. Additional 
application instructions for submitting an electronic application can 
be found by selecting this funding opportunity on Grants.gov.
    The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. local time May 
5, 2008. The application deadline date and time are firm and apply to 
submission of the original application to the Rural Development State 
Office where the applicant is located. The Agency will not consider any 
application received after the deadline. A listing of Rural Development 
State Offices, their addresses, telephone numbers, and person to 
contact is provided elsewhere in this Notice. Applicants intending to 
mail applications must provide sufficient time to permit delivery on or 
before the closing deadline date and time. Acceptance by the United 
States Postal Service or private mailer does not constitute delivery. 
Facsimile (FAX), electronic mail or postage due applications will not 
be accepted.

D. Funding Restrictions

    Meeting expenses. In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1345, ``Expenses of 
Meetings,'' appropriations may not be used for travel, transportation, 
and subsistence expenses for a meeting. RCDI grant funds cannot be used 
for these meeting-related expenses. Matching funds may be used to pay 
for these expenses. RCDI funds may be used to pay for a speaker as part 
of a program, equipment to facilitate the program, and the actual room 
that will house the meeting. RCDI funds can be used for travel, 
transportation, or subsistence expenses for training and technical 
assistance purposes. Any meeting or training not delineated in the 
application must be approved by the Agency to verify compliance with 31 
U.S.C. 1345. Travel and per diem expenses will be similar to those paid 
to Agency employees. Rates are based upon location. Rate information 
can be obtained from the applicable State Office.
    Grantees and recipients will be restricted to traveling coach class 
on common carrier airlines. Grantees and recipients may exceed the 
Government rate for lodging by a maximum of 20 percent. Meals and 
incidental expenses will be reimbursed at the same rate used by Agency 
employees. Mileage and gas reimbursement will be the same rate used by 
Agency employees. The current mileage and gas reimbursement rate is 
48.5 cents per mile.

[[Page 6462]]

Part V--Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

    Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria and 
weights:
    1. Building Capacity--Maximum 60 Points.
    The applicant must demonstrate how they will improve the 
recipients' capacity, through a program of financial and technical 
assistance, as it relates to the RCDI purposes. Capacity-building 
financial and technical assistance should provide new functions to the 
recipients or expand existing functions that will enable the recipients 
to undertake projects in the areas of housing, community facilities, or 
community and economic development that will benefit the community. The 
program of financial and technical assistance provided, its delivery, 
and the measurability of the program's effectiveness will determine the 
merit of the application. All applications will be competitively ranked 
with the applications providing the most improvement in capacity 
development and measurable activities being ranked the highest. 
Capacity-building financial and technical assistance may include, but 
is not limited to: Training to conduct community development programs, 
e.g., homeownership education, or the establishment of minority 
business entrepreneurs, cooperatives, or micro-enterprises; 
organizational development, e.g., assistance to develop or improve 
board operations, management, and financial systems; instruction on how 
to develop and implement a strategic plan; instruction on how to access 
alternative funding sources to increase leveraging opportunities; 
staffing, e.g., hiring a person at intermediary or recipient level to 
provide technical assistance to recipients; and purchasing technology 
equipment at the recipient level, e.g., computers, printers, and 
software.
    a. The narrative response must:
    1. Describe the nature of financial and technical assistance to be 
provided to the recipients and the activities that will be conducted to 
deliver the technical assistance;
    2. Explain how financial and technical assistance will develop or 
increase the recipient's capacity. Indicate whether a new function is 
being developed or if existing functions are being expanded or 
performed more effectively;
    3. Identify which RCDI purpose areas will be addressed with this 
assistance: Housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development; and
    4. Describe how the results of the technical assistance will be 
measured. What benchmarks will be used to measure effectiveness?
    b. The maximum 60 points for this criterion will be broken down as 
follows:
    1. Type of financial and technical assistance and implementation 
activities. 35 points.
    2. An explanation of how financial and technical assistance will 
develop capacity. 10 points.
    3. Identification of the RCDI purpose. 5 points.
    4. Measurement of outcomes. 10 points.
    2. Expertise--Maximum 30 Points.
    The applicant must demonstrate that it has conducted programs of 
financial and technical assistance and achieved measurable results in 
the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic 
development in rural areas. Provide the name, contact information, and 
the type and amount of the financial and technical assistance the 
applicant organization has provided to the following for the last 5 
years:
    a. Nonprofit organizations in rural areas.
    b. Low-income communities in rural areas, (also include the type of 
entity, e.g., city government, town council, or village board).
    c. Federally recognized tribes or any other culturally diverse 
organizations.
    3. Population--Maximum 30 Points.
    Population is based on the average population from the 2000 census 
data for the communities in which the recipients are located. Community 
is defined for scoring purposes as a city, town, village, county, 
parish, borough, or census-designated place where the recipient's 
office is physically located. The applicant must submit the census data 
from the following Web site to verify the population figures used for 
each recipient. The data can be accessed on the Internet at http://
www.census.gov; click on ``American FactFinder'' from the left menu; 
click on ``Fact Sheet'' from the left menu; at the right, fill in one 
or more fields and click ``Go''; the name and population data for each 
recipient location must be listed in this section. The average 
population of the recipient locations will be used and will be scored 
as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Scoring
                          Population                            (points)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,000 or less................................................         30
5,001 to 10,000..............................................         20
10,001 to 20,000.............................................         10
20,001 to 50,000.............................................          5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    4. Income--Maximum 30 Points.
    The average of the median household income for the communities 
where the recipients are physically located will determine the points 
awarded. Applicants may compare the average recipient median household 
income to the State median household income or the national median 
household income, whichever yields the most points. The national median 
household income to be used is $41,994. The applicant must submit the 
income data from the following Web site to verify the income for each 
recipient. The data being used is from the 2000 census. The data can be 
accessed on the Internet at http://www.census.gov; click on ``American 
FactFinder'' from the left menu; click on ``Fact Sheet'' from the left 
menu; at the right, fill in one or more fields and click ``Go''; the 
name and income data for each recipient location must be listed in this 
section. Points will be awarded as follows:

Average Recipient Median Income Is

    Less than 60 percent of the state or national median household 
income. 30 points.
    Between 60 and 70 percent of the state or national median household 
income. 20 points.
    Greater than 70 percent of the state or national median household 
income. 10 points.
    5. Soundness of Approach--Maximum 50 Points.
    The applicant can receive up to 50 points for soundness of 
approach. The overall proposal will be considered under this criterion. 
Applicants must list the page numbers in the application that address 
these factors.
    a. The ability to provide the proposed financial and technical 
assistance based on prior accomplishments has been demonstrated.
    b. The proposed financial and technical assistance program is 
clearly stated and the applicant has defined how this proposal will be 
implemented. The plan for implementation is viable.
    c. Cost effectiveness will be evaluated based on the budget in the 
application. The proposed grant amount and matching funds should be 
utilized to maximize capacity building at the recipient level.
    d. The proposal fits the objectives for which applications were 
invited.
    6. Technical Assistance for the Development of Renewable Energy 
Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements--20 Points.
    The applicant must demonstrate how they will improve the 
recipients' capacity to carry out activities related to the development 
of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency

[[Page 6463]]

improvements for housing, community facilities, or community and 
economic development.
    7. State Director's Points Based on Project Merit--20 Points.
    An additional 20 points may be awarded by the Rural Development 
State Director for the state's first priority project. Only one project 
per state will be awarded these points.
    Points may be awarded based on the Rural Development State Office's 
strategic plan. Assignment of points will include a written 
justification.
    8. Proportional Distribution Points--20 Points.
    This criteria does not have to be addressed by the applicant. After 
applications have been evaluated and awarded points under the first 7 
criteria, the Agency may award 20 points per application to promote an 
even distribution of grant awards between the ranges of $50,000.00 to 
$300,000.00. Proportional distribution may also include applicants in 
states that have not had a nonprofit organization as a recipient in the 
previous two years.

B. Review and Selection Process

    Rating and ranking. Applications will be rated and ranked on a 
national basis by a review panel based on the ``Evaluation Criteria'' 
contained in this Notice. If there is a tied score after the 
applications have been rated and ranked, the tie will be resolved by 
reviewing the scores for ``Building Capacity'' and the applicant with 
the highest score in that category will receive a higher ranking. If 
the scores for ``Building Capacity'' are the same, the scores will be 
compared for the next criterion, in sequential order, until one highest 
score can be determined.
    Initial screening. The Agency will screen each application to 
determine eligibility during the period immediately following the 
application deadline. Listed below are many of the reasons for 
rejection from previous funding rounds to help the applicant prepare a 
better application. The following reasons for rejection are not all 
inclusive; however, they represent the majority of the applications 
previously rejected.
    1. Recipients were not located in eligible rural areas based on the 
definition in this Notice.
    2. Applicants failed to provide evidence of recipient's status, 
i.e., documentation supporting nonprofit evidence of organization.
    3. Applicants failed to provide evidence of committed matching 
funds.
    4. Application did not follow the RCDI structure with an 
intermediary and recipients.
    5. Recipients were not identified in the application.
    6. Intermediary did not provide evidence it had been incorporated 
for at least 3 years as the applicant entity.
    7. Applicants failed to address the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
    8. The purpose of the proposal did not qualify as an eligible RCDI 
purpose.
    9. Inappropriate use of funds (e.g., construction or renovations).
    10. Providing financial and technical assistance directly to 
individuals.

Part VI--Award Administration Information

A. General Information

    Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the awarding 
official of the Agency shall make grants to those responsible, eligible 
applicants whose applications are judged meritorious under the 
procedures set forth in this Notice.

B. Award Notice

    Applicant will be notified of selection by letter. In addition, 
applicant will be requested to verify that components of the 
application have not changed. The award is not approved until all 
information has been verified, and the awarding official of the Agency 
has signed Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''

C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Grantees will be required to do the following:
    1. Execute a Rural Community Development Initiative Grant 
Agreement, which is published at the end of this Notice.
    2. Execute Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    3. Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' to 
request reimbursements. Provide receipts for expenditures, timesheets 
and any other documentation to support the request for reimbursement.
    4. Provide financial status and project performance reports on a 
quarterly basis starting with the first full quarter after the grant 
award.
    5. Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to the 
Agency.
    6. Ensure that records are maintained to document all activities 
and expenditures utilizing RCDI grant funds and matching funds. 
Receipts for expenditures will be included in this documentation.
    7. Provide annual audits or management reports on Form RD 442-2, 
``Statement of Budget, Income and Equity,'' and Form RD 442-3, 
``Balance Sheet,'' depending on the amount of Federal funds expended 
and the outstanding balance.
    8. Collect and maintain data provided by recipients on race, sex, 
and national origin and ensure recipients collect and maintain the same 
data on beneficiaries. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in 
accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to the 
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and 
Ethnicity,'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Sex data will be 
collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 
1972. These items should not be submitted with the application but 
should be available upon request by the Agency.
    9. Provide a final project performance report.
    10. Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural 
Development employees on a format provided by the Agency.
    11. The intermediary and recipient must comply with Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Executive Order 
12250.
    12. The grantee must comply with policies, guidance, and 
requirements as described in the following applicable OMB Circulars and 
Code of Federal Regulations:
    a. OMB Circular A-87 (Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian 
Tribal Government);
    b. OMB Circular A-122 (Cost Principles for Nonprofit 
Organizations);
    c. OMB Circular A-133 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and 
Non-Profit Organizations);
    d. 7 CFR part 3015 (Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations);
    e. 7 CFR part 3016 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments);
    f. 7 CFR part 3017 (Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension 
(Nonprocurement));
    g. 7 CFR part 3019 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants 
and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and 
Other Non-profit Organizations); and
    h. 7 CFR part 3052 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-
Profit Organizations).

D. Reporting

    Reporting requirements can be found in the Grant Agreement included 
in this Notice.

Part VII--Agency Contact

    Contact the Rural Development office in the state where the 
applicant is

[[Page 6464]]

located. A list of Rural Development offices is included in this 
Notice.

Part VIII--Nondiscrimination Statement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, 
national origin, age disability, and where applicable, sex, marital 
status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, 
genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or 
part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance 
program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program 
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a 
complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil 
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or 
call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal 
opportunity provider and employer.

Grant Amount Determination

    In the event the applicant is awarded a grant that is less than the 
amount requested, the applicant will be required to modify its 
application to conform to the reduced amount before execution of the 
grant agreement. The Agency reserves the right to reduce or withdraw 
the award if acceptable modifications are not submitted by the awardee 
within 15 working days from the date the request for modification is 
made. Any modifications must be within the scope of the original 
application.

Rural Development State Office Contacts

    Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.

Alabama State Office,
    Suite 601, Sterling Centre, 4121 Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 
36106-3683, (334) 279-3400, TDD (334) 279-3495, Chris Harmon.
Alaska State Office,
    800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK 99645, (907) 761-7705, 
TDD (907) 761-8905, Merlaine Kruse.
Arizona State Office,
    230 North 1st Avenue, Suite 206, Phoenix, AZ 85003, (602) 280-
8747, TDD (602) 280-8705, Leonard Gradillas.
Arkansas State Office,
    700 W. Capitol Ave., Rm. 3416, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225, (501) 
301-3250, TDD (501) 301-3200, Jerry Virden.
California State Office,
    430 G Street, Agency 4169, Davis, CA 95616-4169, (530) 792-5810, 
TDD (530) 792-5848, Janice Waddell.
Colorado State Office,
    655 Parfet Street, Room E-100, Lakewood, CO 80215, 720-544-2927, 
TDD 720-544-2976, Delores Sanchez-Maez.
Connecticut,
    Served by Massachusetts State Office.
Delaware and Maryland State Office,
    1221 College Park Dr., Suite 200, Dover, DE 19904-8713, (302) 
857-3580, TDD (302) 697-4303, James E. Waters.
Florida & Virgin Islands State Office,
    4440 NW. 25th Place, P.O. Box 147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-
7010, (352) 338-3485, TDD (352) 338-3499, Michael Langston.
Georgia State Office,
    Stephens Federal Building, 355 E. Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA 
30601-2768, (706) 546-2171, TDD (706) 546-2034, Jerry M. Thomas.
Guam,
    Served by Hawaii State Office.
Hawaii, Guam, & Western Pacific Territories State Office,
    Room 311, Federal Building, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 
96720, (808) 933-8310, TDD (808) 933-8321, Ted Matsuo.
Idaho State Office,
    9173 West Barnes Dr., Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709, (208) 378-5617, 
TDD (208) 378-5600, Daniel H. Fraser.
Illinois State Office,
    2118 West Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL 61821, (217) 403-
6211, TDD (217) 403-6240, Patrick Lydic.
Indiana State Office,
    5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46278-1996, (317) 290-
3100 (ext. 431), TDD (317) 290-3343, Gregg Delp.
Iowa State Office,
    873 Federal Building, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309, 
(515) 284-4663, TDD (515) 284-4858, Karla Peiffer.
Kansas State Office,
    1303 SW. First American Place, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66604-4040, 
(785) 271-2730, TDD (785) 271-2767, Gary L. Smith.
Kentucky State Office,
    771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40503, (859) 224-
7336, TDD (859) 224-7300, Vernon Brown.
Louisiana State Office,
    3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA 71302, (318) 473-7962, 
TDD (318) 473-7920, Richard Hoffpauir.
Maine State Office,
    967 Illinois Ave., Suite 4, P.O. Box 405, Bangor, ME 04402-0405, 
(207) 990-9124, TDD (207) 942-7331, Ron Lambert.
Maryland,
    Served by Delaware State Office.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, & Rhode Island State Office,
    451 West Street, Suite 2, Amherst, MA 01002-2999, (413) 253-
4300, TDD (413) 253-7068, Daniel R. Beaudette.
Michigan State Office,
    3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing, MI 48823, (517) 
324-5208, TDD (517) 337-6795, Frank J. Tuma.
Minnesota State Office,
    410 Farm Credit Service Building, 375 Jackson Street, St. Paul, 
MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-7800, TDD (651) 602-3799. William 
Slininger.
Mississippi State Office,
    Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 W. Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 
39269, (601) 965-4316, TDD (601) 965-5850. Bettye Oliver.
Missouri State Office,
    601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center, Suite 235, Columbia, 
MO 65203, (573) 876-0976, TDD (573) 876-9480. Clark Thomas.
Montana State Office,
    900 Technology Blvd., Suite B, Bozeman, MT 59771, (406) 585-
2530, TDD (406) 585-2562. John Guthmiller.
Nebraska State Office,
    Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial Mall N., Lincoln, NE 
68508, (402) 437-5559, TDD (402) 437-5551. Denise Brosius-Meeks.
Nevada State Office,
    1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703-9910, (775) 887-
1222 (ext. 19), TDD (775) 885-0633. Kay Vernatter.
New Hampshire
    Served by Vermont State Office.
New Jersey State Office,
    8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor North, Suite 500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 
08054, (856) 787-7750. Kenneth Drewes.
New Mexico State Office,
    6200 Jefferson St. NE., Room 255, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 
761-4950, TDD (505) 761-4938. Martha Torrez.
New York State Office,
    The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 S. Salina Street, Suite 357, 
Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-6400, TDD (315) 477-6447. Gail 
Giannotta.
North Carolina State Office,
    4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC 27609, (919) 873-2000, 
TDD (919) 873-2003. Roger Davis.
North Dakota State Office,
    Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East Rosser Ave., P.O. Box 1737, 
Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, (701) 530-2037, TDD (701) 530-2113. Dale 
VanEchout.
Ohio State Office,
    Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High Street, Columbus, OH 
43215-2418, (614) 255-2400, TDD (614) 255-2554. David M. Douglas.
Oklahoma State Office,
    100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074-2654, (405) 742-1000, 
TDD (405) 742-1007. Michael W. Schrammel.
Oregon State Office,
    1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 801, Portland, OR 97232, (503) 414-
3300, TDD (503) 414-3387. John J. Brugger.
Pennsylvania State Office,
    One Credit Union Place, Suite 330, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, 
(717) 237-2299, TDD (717) 237-2261. Gary Rothrock.
Puerto Rico State Office,
    IBM Building--Suite 601, 654 Munos Rivera Avenue, San Juan, PR 
00918-6106, (787) 766-5095, TDD (787) 766-5332. Ramon Melendez.
Rhode Island
    Served by Massachusetts State Office.
South Carolina State Office,

[[Page 6465]]

    Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 
1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 253-3656, TDD (803) 765-5697. Ken 
King.
South Dakota State Office,
    Federal Building, Room 210, 200 Fourth Street, SW., Huron, SD 
57350, (605) 352-1100, TDD (605) 352-1147. Doug Roehl.
Tennessee State Office,
    Suite 300, 3322 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203-1084, (615) 
783-1300, TDD (615) 783-1397. Keith Head.
Texas State Office,
    Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main, Temple, TX 76501, 
(254) 742-9700, TDD (254) 742-9712. Francesco Valentin.
Utah State Office,
    Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South State Street, 
Room 4311, P.O. Box 11350, Salt Lake City, UT 84138, (801) 524-4326, 
TDD (801) 524-3309. Bonnie Carrig.
Vermont State Office,
    City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, 
(802) 828-6030, TDD (802) 223-6365. Rhonda Shippee.
Virgin Islands
    Served by Florida State Office.
Virginia State Office,
    Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa Road, Richmond, VA 
23229, (804) 287-1550, TDD (804) 287-1753. Carrie Schmidt.
Washington State Office,
    1835 Black Lake Boulevard, SW., Suite B, Olympia, WA 98501-5715, 
(360) 740-7738. Gayle Hoskison.
Western Pacific Territories
    Served by Hawaii State Office.
West Virginia State Office,
    Federal Building, 75 High Street, Room 320, Morgantown, WV 
26505-7500, (304) 284-4860, TDD (304) 284-4836. Dianne Crysler.
Wisconsin State Office,
    4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI 54481, (715) 345-7614, 
TDD (715) 345-7610, Mark Brodziski.
Wyoming State Office,
    Federal Building, Room 1005, 100 East B Street, P.O. Box 11005, 
Casper, WY 82602-5006, (307) 261-6300, TDD (307) 261-6333, Alana 
Cannon.

    Dated: January 25, 2008.
Russell T. Davis,
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

United States Department of Agriculture
    Rural Housing Service

Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Agreement

    This grant agreement (Agreement), effective the date the Agency 
official signs the document, is a contract for receipt of grant 
funds under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI).
    Between-------------------- a private or public or tribal 
organization, (Grantee or Intermediary) and the United States of 
America acting through the Rural Housing Service, Department of 
Agriculture, (Agency or Grantor), for the benefit of recipients 
listed in Grantee's application for the grant.
    Witnesseth:
    The principal amount of the grant is $-------- (Grant Funds). 
Matching funds, in an amount equal to the grant funds, will be 
provided by Grantee. The Grantee and Grantor will execute Form RD 
1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    Whereas, Grantee will provide a program of financial and 
technical assistance to develop the capacity and ability of 
nonprofit organizations, low-income rural communities, or federally 
recognized tribes to undertake projects related to housing, 
community facilities, or community and economic development in rural 
areas;
    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number 
for this information collection is 0575-0180. The time required to 
complete this information collection is estimated to average 30 
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and reviewing the collection of information.
    Now, therefore, in consideration of the grant;
    Grantee agrees that Grantee will:
    A. Provide a program of financial and technical assistance in 
accordance with the proposal outlined in the application, (see 
Attachment A), the terms of which are incorporated with this 
Agreement and must be adhered to. Any changes to the approved 
program of financial and technical assistance must be approved in 
writing by the Grantor;
    B. Use Grant Funds only for the purposes and activities 
specified in the application package approved by the Agency 
including the approved budget. Any uses not provided for in the 
approved budget must be approved in writing by the Agency in 
advance;
    C. Charge expenses for travel and per diem that will not exceed 
the rates paid Agency employees for similar expenses. Grantees and 
recipients will be restricted to traveling coach class on common 
carrier airlines. Lodging rates may exceed the Government rate by a 
maximum of 20 percent. Meals and incidental expenses will be 
reimbursed at the same rate used by Agency employees, which is based 
upon location. Mileage and gas will be reimbursed at the existing 
Government rate. Rates can be obtained from the applicable State 
Office;
    D. Charge meeting expenses in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1345. 
Grant funds may not be used for travel, transportation, and 
subsistence expenses for a meeting. Matching funds may be used to 
pay these expenses. Any meeting or training not delineated in the 
application must be approved by the Agency to verify compliance with 
31 U.S.C. 1345;
    E. Request for advances or reimbursement for grant activities. 
If payment is to be made by advance, the Grantee shall request 
advance payment, but not more frequently than once every 30 days, of 
grant funds by using Standard Form 270, ``Request for Advance or 
Reimbursement.'' Receipts, invoices, hourly wage rate, personnel 
payroll records, or other documentation must be provided by 
intermediary upon request from the Agency. This information must be 
maintained in the intermediary's files.
    If payment is to be made by reimbursement, the Grantee shall 
request reimbursement of grant funds, but not more frequently than 
once every 30 days, by using Standard Form 270, ``Request for 
Advance or Reimbursement.'' Receipts, invoices, hourly wage rate, 
personnel payroll records, or other documentation, as determined by 
the Agency, must be provided by the intermediary upon request to 
justify the amount. This information must be maintained in the 
intermediary's files.
    All requests for advances or reimbursements must include 
matching fund usage. Matching funds must be at least equal to the 
grant amount requested.
    F. Provide periodic reports as required by the Grantor. A 
financial status report and a project performance report will be 
required on a quarterly basis (due 30 working days after each 
calendar quarter). The financial status report must show how grant 
funds and matching funds have been used to date. A final report may 
serve as the last quarterly report. Grantees shall constantly 
monitor performance to ensure that time schedules are being met and 
projected goals by time periods are being accomplished. The project 
performance reports shall include, but are not limited to, the 
following:
    1. Describe the activities that the funds reflected in the 
financial status report were used for;
    2. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives for 
that period;
    3. Reasons why established objectives were not met, if 
applicable;
    4. Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will affect 
attainment of overall program objectives, prevent meeting time 
schedules or objectives, or preclude the attainment of particular 
objectives during established time periods. This disclosure shall be 
accomplished by a statement of the action taken or planned to 
resolve the situation;
    5. Objectives and timetables established for the next reporting 
period;
    6. A summary of the race, sex, and national origin of the 
recipients and a summary from the recipients of the race, sex, and 
national origin of the beneficiaries; and
    7. The final report will also address the following:
    a. What have been the most challenging or unexpected aspects of 
this program?
    b. What advice would you give to other organizations planning a 
similar program? Please include strengths and limitations of the 
program. If you had the opportunity, what would you have done 
differently?
    c. Are there any post-grant plans for this project? If yes, how 
will they be financed?
    G. Consider potential recipients without discrimination as to 
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, 
sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability;
    H. Ensure that any services or training offered by the 
recipient, as a result of the financial and technical assistance 
received, must be made available to all persons in the recipient's 
service area without discrimination as to race, color, religion, 
sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or 
physical or mental disability,

[[Page 6466]]

genetic information (not all protected bases apply to all programs) 
at reasonable rates, including assessments, taxes, or fees. Programs 
and activities must be delivered from accessible locations. The 
recipient must ensure that, where there are non-English speaking 
populations, materials are provided in the language that is spoken;
    I. Ensure recipients are required to place nondiscrimination 
statements in advertisements, notices, pamphlets and brochures 
making the public aware of their services. The Grantee and recipient 
are required to provide widespread outreach and public notification 
in promoting any type of training or services that are available 
through grant funds;
    J. The Grantee must collect and maintain data on recipients by 
race, sex, and national origin. The grantee must ensure that their 
recipients also collect and maintain data on beneficiaries by race, 
sex, and national origin as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964 and must be provided to the Agency for compliance review 
purposes. USDA Rural Development will complete a pre-award and a 
post award compliance review. The pre-award will be before grant 
approval or disbursement of funds. A post award review will be 
conducted 90 days after the project is in full operation and before 
all grant funds have been disbursed;
    K. Upon any default under its representations or agreements 
contained in this instrument, Grantee, at the option and demand of 
Grantor, will immediately repay to Grantor any legally permitted 
damages together with any legally permitted interest from the date 
of the default. At Grantor's election, any default by the Grantee 
will constitute termination of the grant thereby causing 
cancellation of Federal assistance under the grant. The provisions 
of this Agreement may be enforced by Grantor, without regard to 
prior waivers of this Agreement, by proceedings in law or equity, in 
either Federal or State courts as may be deemed necessary by Grantor 
to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and the 
laws and regulations under which this grant is made;
    L. Provide Financial Management Systems that will include:
    1. Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial 
results of each grant. Financial reporting will be on an accrual 
basis;
    2. Records that identify adequately the source and application 
of funds for grant-supported activities. Those records shall contain 
information pertaining to grant awards and authorizations, 
obligations, unobligated balances, assets, liabilities, outlays, and 
income related to Grant Funds and matching funds;
    3. Effective control over and accountability for all funds, 
property, and other assets. Grantees shall adequately safeguard all 
such assets and shall ensure that they are used solely for 
authorized purposes;
    4. Accounting records supported by source documentation; and
    5. Grantee tracking of fund usage and records that show matching 
funds and grant funds are used in equal proportions. The grantee 
will provide verifiable documentation regarding matching fund usage, 
i.e., bank statements or copies of funding obligations from the 
matching source.
    M. Retain financial records, supporting documents, statistical 
records, and all other records pertinent to the grant for a period 
of at least three years after grant closing except that the records 
shall be retained beyond the 3-year period if audit findings have 
not been resolved. Microfilm or photocopies or similar methods may 
be substituted in lieu of original records. The Grantor and the 
Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly 
authorized representatives, shall have access to any books, 
documents, papers, and records of the Grantee's which are pertinent 
to the specific grant program for the purpose of making audits, 
examinations, excerpts, and transcripts;
    N. Provide an A-133 audit report if $500,000 or more of Federal 
funds are expended in a 1-year period. If Federal funds expended 
during a 1-year period are less than $500,000 and there is an 
outstanding loan balance of $500,000 or more, an audit in accordance 
with generally accepted government auditing standards is required. 
If Federal funds expended during a 1-year period are less than 
$500,000 including any outstanding loan balance in which the Federal 
government imposes continuing compliance requirements, a management 
report may be submitted on Forms RD 442-2, ``Statement of Budget, 
Income and Equity,'' and 442-3, ``Balance Sheet'';
    O. Not encumber, transfer, or dispose of the equipment or any 
part thereof, acquired wholly or in part with Grantor funds without 
the written consent of the Grantor; and
    P. Not duplicate other program activities for which monies have 
been received, are committed, or are applied to from other sources 
(public or private).
    Grantor agrees that:
    A. It will make available to Grantee for the purpose of this 
Agreement funds in an amount not to exceed the Grant Funds. The 
funds will be disbursed to Grantee on a pro rata basis with the 
Grantee's matching funds; and
    B. At its sole discretion and at any time may give any consent, 
deferment, subordination, release, satisfaction, or termination of 
any or all of Grantee's grant obligations, with or without valuable 
consideration, upon such terms and conditions as Grantor may 
determine to be:
    1. Advisable to further the purpose of the grant or to protect 
Grantor's financial interest therein; and
    2. Consistent with both the statutory purposes of the grant and 
the limitations of the statutory authority under which it is made.
    Both Parties Agree:
    A. Extensions of this grant agreement may be approved by the 
Agency, in writing, provided in the Agency's sole discretion the 
extension is justified and there is a likelihood that the grantee 
can accomplish the goals set out and approved in the application 
package during the extension period;
    B. The Grantor must approve any changes in recipient or 
recipient composition;
    C. The Grantor has agreed to give the Grantee the Grant Funds, 
subject to the terms and conditions established by the Grantor: 
Provided, however, That any Grant Funds actually disbursed and not 
needed for grant purposes be returned immediately to the Grantor. 
This agreement shall terminate 3 years from this date unless 
extended or unless terminated beforehand due to default on the part 
of the Grantee or for convenience of the Grantor and Grantee. The 
Grantor may terminate the grant in whole, or in part, at any time 
before the date of completion, whenever it is determined that the 
Grantee has failed to comply with the conditions of this Agreement 
or the applicable regulations; Termination for convenience will 
occur when both the Grantee and Grantor agree that the continuation 
of the program will not produce beneficial results commensurate with 
the further expenditure of funds.
    D. As a condition of the Agreement, the Grantee certifies that 
it is in compliance with, and will comply in the course of the 
Agreement with, all applicable laws, regulations, Executive Orders, 
and other generally applicable requirements, which are incorporated 
into this agreement by reference, and such other statutory 
provisions as are specifically contained herein.
    E. The Grantee will ensure that the recipients comply with title 
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Executive Order 12250. Each recipient 
must sign Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement'';
    F. The provisions of 7 CFR part 3015, ``Uniform Federal 
Assistance Regulations,'' part 3016, ``Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and 
Local Governments,'' or part 3019, ``Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations,'' and the 
fiscal year 2008 ``Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting 
Applications for the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)'' 
are incorporated herein and made a part hereof by reference;
    In witness whereof, Grantee has this day authorized and caused 
this Agreement to be executed by
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Attest

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By---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Grantee)

(Title)----------------------------------------------------------------
Date-------------------------------------------------------------------

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
RURAL HOUSING SERVICE

By---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Grantor) (Name) (Title)
Date-------------------------------------------------------------------

ATTACHMENT A

[Application proposal submitted by grantee.]

[FR Doc. E8-2025 Filed 2-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XV-P