[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18513-18516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7829]


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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 Funds Availability (NOFA).

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United 
States Department of Agriculture, announces the Delta Health Care 
Services Grant Program application window. In addition to announcing 
the application window, RUS announces the availability of $3,000,000 in 
grant funds to be competitively awarded for the Delta Health Care 
Services Grant Program.

DATES: You may submit completed applications for grants according to 
the following deadlines:
    <bullet> Paper copies must carry proof of shipping no later than 
June 3, 2011 to be eligible for grant funding. Late applications are 
not eligible for grant funding.
    <bullet> Electronic copies must be received by June 3, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain application guides and materials for the 
Delta Health Care Services grants the following ways:
    <bullet> The Internet at the RUS Telecommunications Programs
    Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/utp_deltahealthcare.html.
    <bullet> You may also request application guides and materials from 
RUS by contacting, RUS Office of the Program Advisor at (202) 720-8427.
    You may submit:
    <bullet> Completed paper applications for Delta Health Care 
Services grants to the Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2919, STOP 1541, 
Washington, DC 20250-1550. Applications should be marked ``Attention: 
Program Advisor--Telecommunications Program.''
    <bullet> Electronic grant applications at http://www.grants.gov/ 
(Grants.gov), following the instructions you find on that Web site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig R. Wulf, Program Advisor--
Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence 
Ave., SW., Room 2919, STOP 1541, Washington, DC 20250-1550; telephone: 
202-720-8427, fax: 202-720-2734.

EO 13175 Consultations and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

    To introduce tribes and tribal leaders in the Delta Region to this 
program USDA hosted a teleconference on December 7, 2010. USDA extended 
an invitation to Tribal Leaders of the six Federally recognized Tribes 
in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama on November 30, 2010. Through 
this call USDA aimed to review, discuss, and open the door for 
consultation on this program, in case the tribes brought forward any 
unanticipated concerns regarding the draft NOFA provisions of the Delta 
Health Care Services Grant Program, authorized under Section 379G of 
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. Three of the six 
tribes participated on the teleconference on December 7, 2010. It was 
explained that eligible grant applicants are limited to consortiums or 
groups of regional institutions of higher education, academic health 
and research institutes, and economic development entities located in 
the Delta Region that have experience in addressing the health care 
issues in the region. It was also articulated that eligible consortiums 
may include participation with Indian Tribes. The Tribal Leaders did 
not express any perceived negative impact regarding the draft, and were 
given appropriate Rural Development contact information should they 
have any future concerns regarding the NOFA. As a result of this 
teleconference, USDA has assessed the impact of this NOFA on Indian 
Tribal Governments in the Delta Region, and has concluded that this 
NOFA will not negatively affect the Federally recognized Tribes in the 
region, or impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian Tribal 
Governments, nor preempt tribal law.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act requires Federal Agencies to seek and 
obtain Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval before 
undertaking a collection of information directed to ten or more 
persons. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), the agency conducted an analysis to determine the 
universe of respondents that could meet the eligibility requirements to 
apply for the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program. It was 
determined that the eligible number of entities in the Delta Region was 
fewer than nine and in accordance with 5 CFR 1320 the agency has not 
obtained OMB approval of the

[[Page 18514]]

information collection associated with this NOFA.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
    Funding Opportunity Title: Delta Health Care Services Grant 
Program.
    Announcement Type: Initial announcement.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.874.
    Due Date for Applications: June 3, 2011.

Items in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the Delta Health Care 
Services Grant Program.
II. Definitions: Sets forth the key statutory terms and other terms.
III. Award Information: Available funds and minimum amounts.
IV. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of projects 
are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility.
V. Application and Submission Information: Where to get application 
materials, what constitutes a completed application, how and where 
to submit applications, deadlines, items that are eligible.
VI. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences, 
scoring criteria, review standards, selection information.
VII. Award Administration Information: Award notice information, 
award recipient reporting requirements.
VIII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, e-mail, contact name.

I. Funding Opportunity

    Advanced telecommunications services play a vital role in the 
economic development, education, and health care of rural America. The 
Delta Health Care Services Grant Program is designed to provide 
financial assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the 
Delta Region through cooperation among health care professionals, 
institutions of higher education, research institutions, and other 
individuals and entities in the Delta Region. Grant funds may be 
utilized for the development of health care services; health education 
programs; health care job training programs; and for the development 
and expansion of public health-related facilities in the Delta Region. 
Grants will be awarded to eligible entities in the Delta Region serving 
communities of no more than 50,000 inhabitants to help to address the 
long standing and unmet health needs of the region.

II. Definitions

    The terms and conditions provided in this NOFA are applicable to 
and for purposes of this NOFA only.
    Consortium means a combination or group of regional institutions of 
higher education, academic health and research institutes, and economic 
development entities located in the Delta Region that have experience 
in addressing the health care issues in the region.
    Delta Region means the 252 counties and parishes within the states 
of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Missouri, and Tennessee that are served by the Delta Regional 
Authority. (The Delta Region may be adjusted by future Federal 
statute.)
    Distance learning means a telecommunications link to an end user 
through the use of equipment to: Provide educational programs, 
instruction, or information originating in one area, whether rural or 
not, to students and teachers who are located in rural areas; or 
connect teachers and students, located in one rural area with teachers 
and students that are located in a different rural area.
    Rural area means any area of the United States not included within 
(a) the boundaries of any incorporated or unincorporated city, village, 
or borough having a population in excess of 50,000 inhabitants and (b) 
any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town described 
in clause (a).
    RUS, or the Agency, means the Rural Utilities Service.
    Telemedicine means a telecommunications link to an end user through 
the use of eligible equipment which electronically links medical 
professionals at separate sites in order to exchange health care 
information in audio, video, graphic, or other format for the purpose 
of providing improved health care services primarily to residents of 
rural areas.

III. Award Information

    Each entity applying which is not exempted must be registered in 
the Central Contractors Registration (CCR) prior to submitting an 
application or Plan for financial assistance and maintain an active CCR 
registration (review and update on an annual basis) and provide its Dun 
and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.
    RUS is making $3,000,000 available for competitive grants in the 
Delta Region. The minimum grant amount is $50,000.
    Delta Health Care Services grants cannot be renewed. Award 
documents specify the term of each award. The Agency will make awards 
and execute documents appropriate to the project prior to any advance 
of funds to successful applicants. The Agency will consider a one-time 
request to extend the period for up to 1 year during which grant 
funding is available.

IV. Eligibility Information

A. Who is eligible for grants?

    1. A Consortium, as defined in section II of this NOFA.
    2. At least one member of the Consortium must be legally organized 
as an incorporated organization, or other legal entity, and have legal 
authority to contract with the Government. Individuals are not eligible 
for Delta Health Care Services Grant Program financial assistance 
directly.
    3. At least one member of the Consortium must have legal capacity 
and authority to carry out the purposes of the projects in its 
application, and to enter into contracts and to otherwise comply with 
applicable Federal statutes and regulations.

B. What are the basic eligibility requirements for a project?

    1. To be eligible for a grant; the project must serve a rural area 
in the Delta Region, as defined in this NOFA.
    2. Grant funds may be used to finance any of the following:
    a. Develop health care services;
    b. Develop health education programs;
    c. Develop health care job training programs;
    d. Develop and expand public health-related facilities in the Delta 
Region to address longstanding and unmet health needs of the region.
    3. Applicants are strongly encouraged to emphasize distance 
learning and/or telemedicine projects in their proposed use of grant 
funds.
    4. All facilities constructed or leased with grant funds must be 
new equipment.
    5. The total amount for salaries and wages, administrative 
expenses, and recurring operating costs may not exceed 20 percent of 
the grant funds.
    6. Matching contribution: There is no requirement for matching 
funds in this program.
    7. Facilities constructed or acquired before the completed 
application is approved by RUS are not eligible for grant funds.

V. Application and Submission Information

A. Where To Get Application Information

    The application guide and copies of necessary forms and samples for 
the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program are available from these 
sources:

[[Page 18515]]

    <bullet> The Internet at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/utp_deltahealthcare.html
    <bullet> http://www.grants.gov, or,
    <bullet> For paper copies of these materials: call (202) 720-8427.

B. How and Where To Submit an Application

    You may file an application in either paper or electronic format. 
Whether you file a paper or an electronic application, you will need a 
DUNS number.
1. DUNS Number
    As required by the OMB, all applicants for grants must supply a Dun 
and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when 
applying. The Standard Form 424 (SF-424) contains a field for you to 
use when supplying your DUNS number. Obtaining a DUNS number costs 
nothing and requires a short telephone call to Dun and Bradstreet. 
Please see http://www.grants.gov/applicants/request_duns_number.jsp 
for more information on how to obtain a DUNS number or how to verify 
your organization's number.
2. Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
    (a) In accordance with 2 CFR part 25, applicants, whether applying 
electronically or by paper, must be registered in the CCR prior to 
submitting an application. Applicants may register for the CCR at 
https://www.uscontractorregistration.com/ or by calling 1-877-252-2700. 
Completing the CCR registration process takes up to five business days, 
and applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process well in 
advance of the deadline specified in this notice.
    (b) The CCR registration must remain active, with current 
information, at all times during which an entity has an application 
under consideration by an agency or has an active Federal Award. To 
remain registered in the CCR database after the initial registration, 
the applicant is required to review and update, on an annual basis from 
the date of initial registration or subsequent updates, its information 
in the CCR database to ensure it is current, accurate and complete.
    For paper applications, send or deliver the applications by the 
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or courier delivery services to the RUS 
receipt point set forth below. RUS will not accept applications by fax 
or e-mail. Mail or ensure delivery of an original paper application (no 
stamped, photocopied, or initialed signatures) and one copy by the June 
3, 2011 to the following address:

Program Advisor, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1541, Room 2919, Washington, DC 
20250-1550.

    The application and any materials sent with it become Federal 
records by law and cannot be returned to you.

C. What constitutes a completed application?

    1. Detailed information on each item required can be found in the 
Delta Health Care Services Grant Program application guide. The 
program's application guide provides specific guidance on each of the 
items listed and also provides all necessary forms and sample 
worksheets.
    2. A completed application must include the following: 
documentation, studies, reports, and information listed below, in form 
satisfactory to RUS. Applications should be prepared in conformance 
with applicable USDA regulations including 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 
3019. Applicants must use the application guide for this program 
containing instructions and all necessary forms, as well as other 
important information, in preparing their application. Completed 
applications must include the following:
    a. An Application for Federal Assistance. A completed Standard Form 
(SF) 424.
    b. Evidence of eligibility. Evidence of the applicant's eligibility 
to apply under this Notice, demonstrating that the applicant is a 
consortium as defined in this Notice.
    c. A project abstract. A one-page summary not to exceed one page, 
suitable for dissemination to the public and to Congress.
    d. Executive summary. An executive summary of the project 
describing its purpose, not to exceed two pages.
    e. Scoring documentation. The grant applicant must address and 
provide documentation on how it meets each of the scoring criteria, 
specifically the rurality of the project area and communities served, 
the community needs and benefits derived from the project, and project 
management and organization capability.
    f. Service area maps. Maps with sufficient detail to show the area 
that will benefit from the proposed facilities and services, and the 
location of facilities purchased with grant funds.
    g. Scope of work. The scope of work must include (1) the specific 
activities and services, such as programs and training, to be performed 
under the project, (2) the facilities to be purchased or constructed, 
in addition to who will carry out the activities and services, and 
specific time frames for completion and (3) documentation regarding how 
the applicant solicited input for the project from local governments, 
public health care providers, and other entities in the Delta Region.
    h. Budget. The applicant must provide a budget showing the line 
item costs for all capital and operating expenditures eligible for the 
grant funds, and other sources of funds necessary to complete the 
project.
    i. Financial information and sustainability. The applicant must 
provide current financial statements and a narrative description 
demonstrating sustainability of the project, all of which show 
sufficient resources and expertise to undertake and complete the 
project and how the project will be sustained following completion.
    j. Statement of experience. The applicant must provide a written 
narrative describing its demonstrated capability and experience in 
addressing the health care issues in the Delta Region and in managing 
and operating a project similar to the proposed project.
    k. Evidence of legal authority and existence. At least one member 
of the Consortium must provide evidence of its legal existence and 
authority to enter into a grant agreement with the Rural Utilities 
Service and perform the activities proposed under the grant 
application.
    l. Compliance with other Federal statutes. The applicant must 
provide evidence or certification that it is in compliance with all 
applicable Federal statutes and regulations, including, but not limited 
to the following (sample certifications are provided in the application 
guide.):
    (1) Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination;
    (2) Architectural barriers;
    (3) Flood hazard area precautions;
    (4) Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition 
Policies Act of 1970;
    (5) Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998 (41 U.S.C. 701 et seq.);
    (6) Debarment, Suspension; and Other Responsibility Matters--
Primary Covered Transactions;
    (7) Lobbying for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative 
Agreements (31 U.S.C. 1352).
    m. Environmental impact and historic preservation. The applicant 
must provide details of the project's impact on the environment and 
historic preservation, and comply with 7 CFR part 1794, which contains 
the Agency's policies and procedures for implementing a variety of 
Federal statutes, regulations, and executive orders generally 
pertaining to the

[[Page 18516]]

protection of the quality of the human environment. This must be 
contained in a separate section entitled ``Environmental Impact of the 
Project'' and must include the Environmental Questionnaire/
Certification describing the impact of the project. The Environmental 
Questionnaire/Certification is available on the RUS Telecommunications 
Programs Web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/utp_deltahealthcare.html. Submission of the Environmental Questionnaire/
Certification alone does not constitute compliance with 7 CFR part 
1794.

VI. Application Review Information

A. Criteria

    1. Grant applications are scored competitively and subject to the 
criteria listed below.
    2. Grant application scoring criteria are detailed in the Delta 
Health Care Services Grant Application Guide. There are 100 points 
available, broken down as follows:
    a. The Rurality of the Project area and communities served. (up to 
40 points);
    b. The Community Needs and Benefits Derived from the project. (up 
to 45 points); and
    c. The Project Management and Organization capability. (up to 15 
points).

B. Grant Review Standards

    1. All applications for grants must be delivered to RUS at the 
address specified in this notice, or submitted electronically to http://www.grants.gov/ (Grants.gov) to be eligible for funding. RUS will 
review each application for conformance with the provisions of this 
part. RUS may contact the applicant for additional information or 
clarification.
    2. Applications conforming with this part will be evaluated 
competitively by RUS employees, and will be awarded points as described 
in the Delta Health Care Services Grant Application Guide. Applications 
will be ranked and grants awarded in rank order until all grant funds 
are expended.
    3. Regardless of the score an application receives, if RUS 
determines that the Project is technically or financially infeasible, 
the Agency will notify the applicant, in writing, and the application 
will be returned and will not be considered for funding.

C. Scoring Guidelines

    1. The applicant's self scores in Rurality will be checked and, if 
necessary, corrected by RUS.
    2. The Community Needs and Benefits derived from the project score 
will be determined by RUS based on information presented in the 
application. The Community Needs and Benefits score is a subjective 
score based on the reviewer's assessment of the supporting arguments 
made in the application. The score aims to assess how the project's 
purpose and goals benefit the residents in the Delta Region.
    3. The Project Management and Organization Capability score will be 
determined by RUS based on information presented in the application. 
RUS will evaluate the applicant's experience, past performance, and 
accomplishments addressing health care issues to ensure effective 
project implementation.

D. Selection Process

    Grant applications are ranked by final score. RUS selects 
applications based on those rankings, subject to availability of funds. 
Rural Development has the authority to limit the number of applications 
selected in any one state, or from any applicant.

VII. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    RUS recognizes that each funded project is unique, and therefore 
may attach conditions to different projects' award documents. The 
Agency generally notifies applicants whose projects are selected for 
awards by faxing an award letter. The Agency follows the award letter 
with a grant 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 grant agreement.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    The items listed in Section V of this notice and the Delta Health 
Care Services Grant Application Guide and accompanying materials 
implement the appropriate administrative and national policy 
requirements.

C. Performance Reporting

    All recipients of Delta Health Care Services Grant Program 
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.

D. Recipient and Subrecipient 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 part 170, 170.110(b). The reporting 
requirements under the Transparency Act pursuant to 2 CFR part 170 are 
as follows:
    1. First Tier Sub-Awards of $25,000 or more in non-Recovery Act 
funds (unless they are exempt under 2 CFR part 170) must be reported by 
the Recipient to http://www.fsrs.gov no later than the end of the month 
following the month the obligation was made.
    2. The Total Compensation of the Recipient's Executives (5 most 
highly compensated executives) must be reported by the Recipient (if 
the Recipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 170) to http://www.ccr.gov by the end of the month following the month in which the 
award was made.
    3. The Total Compensation of the Subrecipient's Executives (5 most 
highly compensated executives) must be reported by the Subrecipient (if 
the Subrecipient meets the criteria under 2 CFR part 170) to the 
Recipient by the end of the month following the month in which the 
subaward was made.

VIII. Agency Contacts

    A. Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Utilities_LP.html. The Web 
site maintains up-to-date resources and contact information for the 
Delta Health Care Services Grant Program.
    B. Phone: 202-720-8427.
    C. Fax: 202-720-2734.
    D. Main point of contact: Program Advisor, Telecommunications 
Program, RUS.

    Dated: March 28, 2011.
Jonathan Adelstein,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service,
[FR Doc. 2011-7829 Filed 4-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P