Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Notices 38499

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation

Service

Notice of Proposed Changes to

Section IV of the Field Office Technical

Guide (FOTG) of the Natural Resources

Conservation Service in Indiana

AGENCY: Natural Resources

Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of

proposed changes in section IV of the

FOTG of the NRCS in Indiana for review

and comment.

SUMMARY: It is the intention of NRCS in

Indiana to issue two revised

conservation practice standards in

section IV of the FOTG. The revised

standards are Upland Wildlife Habitat

Management (Code 645) and Irrigation

Water Management (Code 449). These

practices may be used in conservation

systems that treat highly erodible land.

DATES: Comments will be received on or

before July 21, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Address all requests and

comments to Jane E. Hardisty, State

Conservationist, Natural Resources

Conservation Service (NRCS), 6013

Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, Indiana

46278. Copies of these standards will be

made available upon written or

electronic request. You may submit

electronic requests and comments to

joe.gasperi@in.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane

E. Hardisty, 317–290–3200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section

343 of the Federal Agriculture

Improvement and Reform Act of 1996

states that revisions made after

enactment of the law, to NRCS state

technical guides used to carry out

highly erodible land and wetland

provisions of the law, shall be made

available for public review and

comment. For the next 30 days, the

NRCS in Indiana will receive comments

relative to the proposed changes.

Following that period, a determination

will be made by the NRCS in Indiana

regarding disposition of those comments

and a final determination of changes

will be made.

Dated: June 12, 2000.

Jane E. Hardisty,

State Conservationist, Indianapolis, Indiana.

[FR Doc. 00–15667 Filed 6–20–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–16–U

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Request for Proposals (RFP): Farm

Labor Housing Technical Assistance

Grants

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This RFP announces an

availability of funds and the timeframe

to submit proposals for Farm Labor

Housing Technical Assistance (FLH–

TA) grants.

Section 516 of the Housing Act of

1949 authorizes the Rural Housing

Service (RHS) to provide financial

assistance (grants) to eligible private and

public nonprofit agencies to encourage

the development of domestic and

migrant farm labor housing projects.

This RFP requests proposals from

qualified private and public nonprofit

agencies to provide technical assistance

to groups who qualify for FLH loans and

grants.

Work performed under these grants is

expected to result in an increased

submission of applications for farm

labor housing loans and grants under

the section 514 and 516 programs and

in an increase of the availability of

decent, safe, and sanitary housing for

farm laborers.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of all

applications in response to this RFP is

5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on

August 21, 2000. The application

closing deadline is firm as to date and

hour. RHS will not consider any

application that is received after the

closing deadline. Applicants intending

to mail applications must provide

sufficient time to permit delivery on or

before the closing deadline. Acceptance

by a post office or private mailer does

not constitute delivery. Facsimile

(FAX), COD, and postage due

applications will not be accepted.

ADDRESSES: Applications should be

submitted to the USDA—Rural Housing

Service; Attention: Douglas MacDowell;

Multi-Family Housing Processing

Division—STOP 0781, Washington, DC

20250–0781. RHS will date and time

stamp incoming applications to

evidence timely receipt and, upon

request, will provide the applicant with

a written acknowledgement of receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue

M. Harris-Green, Deputy Director,

Multi-Family Housing Processing

Division—Direct Loans, RHS, USDA,

Room 1241, South Building, 1400

Independence Ave. SW., Washington,

DC 20250–0781, telephone (202) 720–

1604. (This is not a toll free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

technical assistance grants authorized

under section 516 are for the purpose of

encouraging the development of

domestic and migrant farm labor

housing projects under sections 514 and

516 of the Act. Proposals must

demonstrate the capacity to provide the

intended technical assistance.

The RHS intends to award one grant

for each of three geographic regions.

When establishing the three regions,

consideration was given to such factors

as farmworker migration patterns and

the similarity of agricultural products

and labor needs within certain areas of

the United States. A single applicant

may submit grant proposals for more

than one region; however, separate

proposals must be submitted for each

region.

Eastern Region: AL, CT, DE, FL, GA,

IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, NC,

OH, PA, PR, RI, SC, TN, VI, VT, VA,

WV.

Central Region: AR, IL, IA, KS, LA,

MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, ND, OK, SD, TX,

WI.

Western Region: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI,

ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY, and

the Pacific Territories.

Funding

The RHS has the authority to utilize

up to ten (10) percent of its section 516

appropriation for FLH-TA grants. The

total FY 2000 appropriation for section

516 is $13,500,000. Therefore, the total

amount of the FY 2000 appropriation

that is available for FLH-TA grants is

$1,350,000. Of that amount, up to

$506,250 will be available for each of

the Eastern and Western Grant Regions

and up to $337,500 of the remaining

funds will be available for the Central

Grant Region. Work performed under

these grants must be completed within

three years of entering into the grant

agreement provided as Appendix A to

this Notice. The disbursement of grant

funds during the grant period will be

contingent upon the grantee making

progress in meeting the minimum

performance requirements as described

in the Scope of Work section of this

notice, including, but not limited to, the

submission of loan application

packages.

Eligibility

Eligibility for grants under this notice

is limited to private and public

nonprofit agencies. Grantees must have

the knowledge, ability, technical

expertise, or practical experience

necessary to develop and package loan

and grant applications for FLH under

the section 514 and 516 programs (see

the Application Requirements section of

38500 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Notices

this notice). In addition, grantees must

possess the ability to exercise

leadership, organize work, and

prioritize assignments to meet work

demands in a timely and cost efficient

manner. The grantee may arrange for

other nonprofit agencies to provide

services on its behalf; however, the RHS

will expect the grantee to provide the

overall management necessary to ensure

the objectives of the grant are met.

Nonprofit agencies acting on behalf of

the grantee must also meet the eligibility

requirements stated above.

Scope of Work

Minimum Performance Requirements

(1) Grantees shall conduct outreach to

broad-based nonprofit organizations,

nonprofit organizations of farmworkers,

federally recognized Indian tribes,

agencies or political subdivisions of

State or local government, public

agencies (such as housing authorities)

and other eligible organizations to

further the section 514 and 516 FLH

programs. Grantees will make at least

twelve informational presentations to

the general public annually to inform

them about the section 514 and 516 FLH

programs.

(2) Grantees shall conduct at least

twelve one-on-one meetings annually

with groups who are interested in

applying for FLH loans or grants and

assist such groups with the loan and

grant application process.

(3) Grantees shall assist loan and grant

applicants secure funding from other

sources for the purpose of leveraging

those funds with RHS funds.

(4) Grantees shall provide technical

assistance during the development and

construction phase of FLH proposals

selected for funding.

(5) When submitting a grant proposal,

applicants need not identify the

geographic location of the places they

intend to target for their outreach

activities, however, applicants must

commit to targeting at least five areas

within the grant proposal’s region. All

targeted areas must be distinct market

areas and not be overlapping. At least

four of the targeted areas must be in

different States. If the proposal is

selected for funding, the applicant will

be required to consult with each Rural

Development State Director in the

proposal’s region for the purpose of

developing their list of targeted areas.

When determining which areas to target,

consideration will be given to (a) the

total number of farmworkers in the area,

(b) the number of farmworkers in that

area who lack adequate housing, (c) the

percentage of the total number of

farmworkers that are without adequate

housing, and (d) areas which have not

recently had a section 514 or 516 loan

or grant funded for new construction. In

addition, if selected for funding, the

applicant will be required to revise their

Statement of Work to identify the

geographic location of the targeted areas

and will submit their revised Statement

of Work to the National Office for

approval. When submitted for approval,

the applicant must also submit a

summary of their consultation with the

Rural Development State Directors. At

grant closing, the revised Statement of

Work will be attached to, and become a

part of, the grant agreement.

(6) During the grant period, each

grantee must submit a minimum

number of loan application packages to

the Agency for funding consideration.

The minimum number shall be the

greater of (a) at least nine loan

application packages for the Eastern and

Western Regions and at least seven for

the Central Region or, (b) a total number

of loan application packages that is

equal to 70 percent of the number of

areas the grantee’s proposal committed

to targeting. Fractional percentages shall

be rounded up to the next whole

number. For example, if the grantee’s

proposal committed to targeting 13

areas, then the grantee must submit at

least ten loan application packages

during the grant period (13 areas × 70

percent = 9.1 rounded up to 10). The

disbursement of grant funds during the

grant period will be contingent upon the

grantee making progress in meeting this

minimum performance requirement.

More than one application package for

the same market area will not be

considered unless the grantee submits

documentation of the need for more

than one FLH facility.

(7) Provide training to applicants of

FLH loans and grants to assist them in

their ability to manage FLH.

Application Requirements

The application process will be in two

phases; the initial application (or

proposal) and the submission of a

formal application. Only those

proposals that are selected for funding

will be invited to submit formal

applications. All proposals must

include the following:

1. A summary page listing the

following items. This information

should be double-spaced between items

and not be in narrative form.

a. Applicant’s name,

b. Applicant’s Taxpayer Identification

Number,

c. Applicant’s address,

d. Applicant’s telephone number,

e. Name of applicant’s contact person,

telephone number, and address,

f. Amount of grant requested, and

g. The FLH–TA grant region for which

the proposal is submitted (i.e., Eastern,

Central, or Western Region).

2. A narrative describing the

applicant’s ability to meet the eligibility

requirements stated in this notice. If the

applicant intends to have other agencies

working on their behalf, the narrative

must identify those agencies and

address their ability to meet the stated

eligibility requirements.

3. A detailed Statement of Work

covering a three year period that

contains measurable monthly and

annual accomplishments. The

applicant’s Statement of Work is a

critical component of the selection

process. The Statement of Work must

include an outreach component

describing the grantee’s activities to

inform potentially eligible groups about

the section 514 and 516 FLH program.

The outreach component must include

a schedule of their planned outreach

activities and must be included in a

manner so that performance can be

measured. In addition, the outreach

activities must be coordinated with the

appropriate RHS State office and meet

the minimum performance requirements

as stated in the Scope of Work section

of this notice. The Statement of Work

must state how many areas the applicant

will target for their outreach activities

(Note: If selected for funding, the

applicant will be required to revise their

Statement of Work, after consultation

with RD State Directors, to identify the

areas that will be targeted). The

Statement of Work must also include a

component for training organizations on

the application process and the longterm management of FLH. The

Statement of Work will also describe the

applicant’s plans to access other

funding for the development and

construction of FLH and their

experience in obtaining such funding.

The Statement of Work must describe

any duties or activities that will be

performed by other agencies on behalf

of the grantee.

4. An organizational plan that

includes a staffing chart complete with

name, job title, salary, hours, timelines,

and descriptions of employee duties to

achieve the objectives of the grant

program.

5. Organizational documents and

financial statements to evidence the

applicant’s status as a properly

organized private or public nonprofit

agency and the financial ability to carry

out the objectives of the grant program.

If other agencies will be working on

behalf of the grantee, working

agreements between the grantee and

those agencies must be submitted as

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Notices 38501

part of the proposal and any associated

cost must be included in the applicant’s

budget. Organizational and financial

statements must also be submitted as

part of the application for any agencies

that will be working on behalf of the

grantee to document the eligibility of

those organizations.

6. A detailed budget plan projecting

the monthly and annual expenses the

grantee will incur. Costs will be limited

to those that are allowed under 7 CFR

parts 3015, 3016 and 3019.

7. To assure that funds are equitably

distributed and that there is no

duplication of efforts on related

projects, all applicants are to submit a

list of projects they are currently

involved with, whether publicly or

privately supported, that are, or may be,

related to the objectives of this grant. In

addition, the same disclosure must be

provided for any agencies that will be

working on behalf of the grantee.

8. The applicant must include a

narrative describing its knowledge,

demonstrated ability, or practical

experience in providing training and

technical assistance to applicants of

loans or grants for the development of

multi-family or farmworker housing.

The applicant must identify the type of

assistance that was applied for (loan or

grant, tax credits, leveraged funding,

etc.), the number times they have

provided such assistance, and the

success ratio of their applications. In

addition, information must be provided

concerning the number of housing units,

their size, their design, and the amount

of grant and loan funds that were

secured.

9. A narrative describing the

applicant’s knowledge and

demonstrated ability in estimating

development and construction costs of

multi-family or farm labor housing and

for obtaining the necessary permits and

clearances.

10. A narrative describing the

applicant’s ability and experience in

overcoming community opposition to

farm labor housing and describing the

methods and techniques that they will

use to overcome any such opposition,

should it occur.

11. A separate one-page information

sheet listing each of the ‘‘Application

Scoring Criteria’’ contained in this

notice, followed by the page numbers of

all relevant material and documentation

that is contained in the proposal that

supports these criteria.

Application Scoring Criteria

The initial application (or proposal)

evaluation process designed for this RFP

will consist of two phases. The first

phase will evaluate the applicant’s

Statement of Work and the degree to

which it sets forth measurable objectives

that are consistent with the objectives of

FLH–TA grant program. The second

phase will evaluate the applicant’s

knowledge and ability to provide the

management necessary for carrying out

a FLH–TA grant program. Proposals will

only compete against other proposals

within the same region. Selection points

will be awarded as follows:

Phase I—Statement of Work

The Statement of Work will be

evaluated to determine the degree to

which it outlines efficient and

measurable monthly and annual

outcomes as follows:

a. The minimum performance

requirements of this notice require that

the grantee commit to targeting at least

five areas (at least four of which are in

different States). The more areas the

applicant commits to targeting, the more

scoring points they will be awarded;

however, the more areas that they

commit to targeting, the more loan

application packages they will be

expected to submit. The minimum

performance requirements of this grant

are based, in part, on the number of

areas the applicant has committed to

targeting. The number of areas within

the region that the applicant has

committed to targeting for outreach

activities:

(1) 5–7 targeted areas: 0 points

(2) 8 targeted areas: 5 points

(3) 9–10 targeted areas: 10 points

(4) 11–12 targeted areas: 15 points

(5) 13 or more areas: 20 points

b. RHS wants the grantee to cover as

much of the grant region as possible.

RHS does not want the grantee’s efforts

to be concentrated in a limited number

of States. For this reason, additional

points will be awarded to grant

proposals that target areas in more than

four States (the minimum requirement

is four). The grant proposal commits to

targeting areas in the following number

of States:

(1) 4 States: 0 points

(2) 5 States: 5 points

(3) 6 States: 10 points

(4) 7 States: 15 points

(5) More than 7 States: 20 points

(Reminder: Applications only compete

within their grant region)

Phase II—Project Management

a. The number of successful multifamily or FLH loan or grant applications

the applicant entity has assisted in

developing and packaging:

(1) 0–5 applications: 0 points

(2) 6–10 applications: 10 points

(3) 11–15 applications: 20 points

(4) 16 or more applications: 30 points

b. The number of groups seeking

loans or grants for the development of

multi-family or FLH projects that the

applicant entity has provided training

and technical assistance.

(1) 0–5 groups: 0 points

(2) 6–10 groups: 5 points

(3) 11–15 groups: 10 points

(4) 16 or more groups: 15 points

c. The number of multi-family or FLH

projects for which the applicant entity

has assisted in estimating development

and construction costs and obtaining the

necessary permits and clearances:

(1) 0–5 projects: 0 points

(2) 6–10 projects: 5 points

(3) 11–15 projects: 10 points

(4) 16 or more projects: 15 points

d. The number of times the applicant

entity has encountered community

opposition and was able to overcome

that opposition so that farm labor

housing was successfully developed.

(1) 0–2 times: 0 points

(2) 2–5 times: 5 points

(3) 6–10 times: 10 points

(4) 11 or more times: 15 points

e. The number of times the applicant

entity has been able to leverage funding

from two or more sources for the

development of a multi-family or FLH

project.

(1) 0–5 times: 0 points

(2) 6–10 times: 5 points

(3) 11–15 times: 10 points

(4) 16 or more times: 15 points

f. The number of FLH projects that the

applicant entity has assisted with ongoing management (i.e., rent-up,

maintenance, etc.):

(1) 0–5 FLH projects: 0 points

(2) 6–10 FLH projects: 5 points

(3) 11–15 FLH projects: 10 points

(4) 16 or more FLH projects: 15 points

g. The level of success that the

applicant entity has had in providing

assistance to farmworkers (i.e., health,

education, housing, etc.).

Evidence that the applicant has had

extensive success in providing

assistance to farmworkers: 20 points.

Evidence that the applicant has had

moderate success in providing

assistance to farmworkers: 10 points.

Evidence that the applicant has had

limited success in providing assistance

to farmworkers: 5 points.

Tie Breakers—In the event two or

more proposals are scored with an equal

amount of points, selections will be

made in the following order:

1. If an applicant has already had a

proposal selected, their proposal will

not be selected.

2. If there are equally scoring

proposals, the lowest cost proposal will

be selected.

38502 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Notices

3. Any remaining proposals that are

scored equally will be selected by

lottery drawing.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The collection information in this

notice have received temporary

emergency clearance by the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) under

Control Number 0575–0181.

However, in accordance with the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, RHS

will seek standard OMB approval of the

reporting requirements contained in the

Notice and hereby opens a 60-day

comment period.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting

burden for this collection is estimated to

be 2.06 hours per response.

Respondents: Private and public

nonprofit agencies.

Estimated Number of Respondents:

12.

Estimated Number of Responses per

Respondents: 12.

Estimated Number of Responses: 147.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on

Respondents: 303.

Copies of this information collection

can be obtained from Cheryl Thompson,

Regulations and Paperwork

Management Branch, at (202) 692–0043.

Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether

the proposed collection of information

is necessary for the proper performance

of the functions of the Rural Housing

Service, including whether the

information will have practical utility;

(b) the accuracy of the Rural Housing

Service’s estimate of the burden of the

proposed collection of information

including the validity of the

methodology and assumptions used; (c)

ways to enhance the quality, utility and

clarity of the information to be

collected; and (d) ways to minimize the

burden of the collection of information

on those who are to respond, including

through the use of appropriate

automated, electronic, mechanical, or

other technological collection

techniques or other forms of information

technology. Comments may be sent to

Cheryl Thompson, Regulations and

Paperwork Management Branch, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Rural

Development, STOP 0742, 1400

Independence Ave., SW., Washington,

DC 20250. All responses to this notice

will be summarized and included in the

request for OMB approval. All

comments will also become a matter of

public record.

Dated: June 15, 2000.

James C. Kearney,

Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

Appendix A—Farm Labor Housing

Technical Assistance Grant Agreement

[Form Approved OMB No. 0575–0181]

Farm Labor Housing Technical

Assistance Grant Agreement

This agreement dated lll is

between llllll, the grantee,

organized and operated under

llllllllll, and

(authorizing State statute)

the United States of America acting

through the Rural Housing Service

(RHS). RHS agrees to grant a sum not to

exceed $llllll, subject to the

terms and conditions of this agreement;

provided, however, that the grant funds

actually advanced and not needed for

grant purposes shall be returned

immediately to RHS. The Farm Labor

Housing Technical Assistance (FLH–

TA) grant statement of work approved

by RHS, is attached, and shall

commence within 10 days of the date of

execution of this agreement by RHS and

be completed by (date) llllll.

RHS 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 grant

agreement or RHS regulations related

hereto. The grantee may appeal adverse

decisions in accordance with RHS’s

appeal procedures contained in 7 CFR

part 11.

In consideration of said grant by RHS

to the grantee, to be made pursuant to

section 516 of title V of the Housing Act

of 1949, the grantee will provide such

a program in accordance with the terms

of this grant agreement and applicable

regulations.

Part A—Definitions

1. ‘‘Beginning date’’ means the date

this agreement is executed by both

parties and costs can be incurred.

2. ‘‘Ending date’’ means the date this

agreement is scheduled to be completed.

It is also the latest date grant funds will

be provided under this agreement,

without an approved extension.

3. ‘‘Disallowed costs’’ are those

charges to a grant which RHS

determines cannot be authorized in

accordance with applicable Federal cost

principles contained in 7 CFR parts

3015, 3016 and 3019, as appropriate.

4. ‘‘FLH–TA’’ means Farm Labor

Housing Technical Assistance, the

purpose for which grant funds are

awarded under this agreement.

5. ‘‘Grant closeout’’ is the process by

which the grant operation is concluded

at the expiration of the grant period or

following a decision to terminate the

grant.

6. ‘‘RHS’’ means the Rural Housing

Service, an agency of the United States

Department of Agriculture.

7. ‘‘Termination’’ of the grant means

the cancellation of Federal assistance, in

whole or in part, at any time before the

date of completion.

Part B—Terms of Agreement

RHS and the grantee agree that:

1. All grant activities shall be limited

to those authorized by this grant

agreement and section 516 of title V of

the Housing Act of 1949.

2. This agreement shall be effective

when executed by both parties.

3. The FLH–TA grant activities

approved by RHS shall commence and

be completed by the date indicated

above, unless terminated under part B,

paragraph 18 of this grant agreement, or

extended by execution of the attached

‘‘Amendment’’ by both parties.

4. The grantee shall carry out the

FLH–TA grant activities and processes

as described in the approved statement

of work which is attached to, and made

a part of, this grant agreement. Grantee

will be bound by the activities and

processes contained in the statement of

work and the further conditions

contained in this grant agreement. If the

statement of work is inconsistent with

this grant agreement, then the latter will

govern. A change of any activities and

processes must be in writing and must

be signed by the approval official.

5. The grantee shall use grant funds

only for the purposes and activities

approved by RHS in the FLH–TA grant

budget. Any uses not provided for in the

approved budget must be approved in

writing by RHS in advance.

6. If the grantee is a private nonprofit

corporation, expenses charged for travel

or per diem will not exceed the rates

paid to Federal employees or (if lower)

an amount authorized by the grantee for

similar purposes. If the grantee is a

public body, the rates will be those that

are allowable under the customary

practice in the government of which the

grantee is a part; if none are customary,

the RHS Federal employee rates will be

the maximum allowed.

7. Grant funds will not be used:

(a) To pay obligations incurred before

the beginning date or after the ending

date of this agreement;

(b) For any entertainment purposes;

(c) To pay for any capital assets, the

purchase of real estate or vehicles, the

improvement or renovation of the

grantee’s office space, or for the repair

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Notices 38503

or maintenance of privately owned

vehicles;

(d) For any other purpose prohibited

in 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016 and 3019, as

applicable;

(e) For administrative expenses

exceeding 20 percent of the FLH–TA

grant funds; or

(f) For purposes other than to

encourage the development of farm

labor housing.

8. The grant funds shall not be used

to substitute for any financial support

previously provided and currently

available or assured from any other

source.

9. The disbursal of grants will be

governed as follows:

(a) In accordance with 31 CFR part

205, grant funds will be provided by

RHS as cash advances on an as needed

basis not to exceed one advance every

30 days. The advance will be made by

direct Treasury check to the grantee. In

addition, the grantee must submit

Standard Form (SF) 272, ‘‘Federal Cash

Transactions Report,’’ each time an

advance of funds is made. This report

shall be used by RHS to monitor cash

advances made to the grantee. The

financial management system of the

recipient organization shall provide for

effective control over and accountability

for all Federal funds as required by 7

CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019, as

applicable.

(b) Cash advances to the grantee shall

be limited to the minimum amounts

needed and shall be timed to be in

accord only with the actual, immediate

cash requirements of the grantee in

carrying out the purpose of the planned

project. The timing and amount of cash

advances shall be as close as

administratively feasible to the actual

disbursements by the grantee for direct

program costs (as identified in the

grantee’s statement of work and budget

and fund use plan) and proportionate

share of any allowable indirect costs.

(c) Grant funds should be promptly

refunded to the RHS and redrawn when

needed if the funds are erroneously

drawn in excess of immediate

disbursement needs. The only

exceptions to the requirement for

prompt refunding are when the funds

involved:

(i) Will be disbursed by the recipient

organization within 7 calendar days

from the date of the Treasury check; or

(ii) Are less than $10,000 and will be

disbursed within 30 calendar days from

the date of the Treasury check.

(d) Grantee shall provide satisfactory

evidence to RHS that all officers of the

grantee’s organization authorized to

receive or disburse Federal funds are

covered by fidelity bonds in an amount

of at least the grant amount to protect

RHS’s interests.

10. The grantee will submit

performance, financial, and annual

reports as required by 7 CFR parts 3015,

3016, and 3019, as applicable, to the

appropriate RHS office. These reports

must be reconciled to the grantee’s

accounting records.

(a) As needed, but not more

frequently than once every 30 calendar

days, submit an original and two copies

of SF–270, ‘‘Request for Advance or

Reimbursement.’’ In addition, the

grantee must submit a SF–272, each

time an advance of funds is made. This

report shall be used by RHS to monitor

cash advances made to the grantee.

(b) Quarterly reports will be

submitted within 15 days after the end

of each calendar quarter. Quarterly

reports shall consist of an original and

one copy of SF–269, ‘‘Financial Status

Report,’’ and a quarterly performance

report summarizing the grantee’s

activities and accomplishments for the

prior quarter. Item 10, g (total program

outlays) of SF–269, will be less any

rebates, refunds, or other discounts. The

quarterly performance report will

provide a summary of the grantee’s

activities for the prior quarter and their

progress in accomplishing the tasks

described in the grantee’s statement of

work. The quarterly report will also

inform RHS of any problems or

difficulties the grantee is experiencing

(i.e., locating sites, finding feasible

markets, gaining public support, etc.).

The reports will be reviewed by RHS for

the purpose of evaluating whether the

grantee is accomplishing the objectives

of the grant and whether RHS can assist

the grantee in any manner. Quarterly

reports shall be submitted to a

designated official at the RHS National

office, with a copy of the report to each

State Director within the FLH–TA grant

region where the grantee is operating.

(c) Within 90 days after the

termination or expiration of the grant

agreement, an original and two copies of

SF–269, and a final performance report

which will include a summary of the

project’s accomplishments, problems,

and planned future activities of the

grantee under FLH–TA grants. Final

reports may serve as the last quarterly

report.

(d) The RHS may change the format

or process of the monthly and quarterly

activities and accomplishment reports

during the performance of the

agreement.

11. In accordance with Office of

Management and Budget (OMB)

Circular A–87, Cost Principles for State,

Local, and Indian Tribal Governments

(available in any RHS office),

compensation for employees will be

considered reasonable to the extent that

such compensation is consistent with

that paid for similar work in other

activities of the State or local

government.

12. If the grant exceeds $100,000,

cumulative transfers among direct cost

budget categories totaling more than 5

percent of the total budget must have

prior written approval of RHS.

13. The results of the program assisted

by grant funds may be published by the

grantee without prior review by RHS,

provided that such publications

acknowledge the support provided by

funds pursuant to the provisions of title

V of the Housing Act of 1949, as

amended, and that five copies of each

such publication are furnished to RHS.

14. The grantee certifies that no

person or organization has been

employed or retained to solicit or secure

this grant for a commission, percentage,

brokerage, or contingency fee.

15. No person in the United States

shall, on the grounds of race, religion,

color, sex, familial status, age, national

origin, or disability, be excluded from

participation in, be denied the proceeds

of, or be subject to discrimination in

connection with the use of grant funds.

Grantee will comply with the

nondiscrimination regulations of RHS

contained in 7 CFR part 1901, subpart

E.

16. In all hiring or employment made

possible by or resulting from this grant:

(a) The grantee will not discriminate

against any employee or applicant for

employment because of race, religion,

color, sex, familial status, age, national

origin, or disability,

(b) The grantee will ensure that

employees are treated without regard to

their race, religion, color, sex, familial

status, age, national origin, or disability.

This requirement shall apply to, but not

be limited to, the following:

Employment, upgrading, demotion, or

transfer; recruitment or recruitment

advertising, layoff or termination, rates

of pay or other forms of compensation;

and selection for training, including

apprenticeship, and

(c) In the event grantee signs a

contract related to this grant which

would be covered by any Executive

Order, law, or regulation prohibiting

discrimination, grantee shall include in

the contract the ‘‘Equal Employment

Clause’’ as specified by Form RD 400–

1, ‘‘Equal Opportunity Agreement’’.

17. The grantee accepts responsibility

for accomplishing the FLH–TA grant

program as submitted and included in

its preapplication and application,

including its statement of work. The

grantee shall also:

38504 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Notices

(a) Endeavor to coordinate and

provide liaison with State and local

housing organizations, where they exist.

(b) Provide continuing information to

RHS on the status of grantee’s FLH–TA

grant programs, projects, related

activities, and problems.

(c) Inform RHS as soon as the

following types of conditions become

known:

(i) Problems, delays, or adverse

conditions which materially affect the

ability to attain program objectives,

prevent the meeting of time schedules

or goals, or preclude the attainment of

project work units by established time

periods. This disclosure shall be

accompanied by a statement of the

action taken or contemplated, new time

schedules required and any RHS

assistance needed to resolve the

situation.

(ii) Favorable developments or events

which enable meeting time schedules

and goals sooner than anticipated or

producing more work units than

originally projected.

18. The grant closeout and

termination procedures will be as

follows:

(a) Promptly after the date of

completion or a decision to terminate a

grant, grant closeout actions are to be

taken to allow the orderly

discontinuation of grantee activity.

(i) The grantee shall immediately

refund to RHS any uncommitted

balance of grant funds.

(ii) The grantee will furnish to RHS

within 90 calendar days after the date of

completion of the grant, SF–269 and all

financial, performance, and other

reports required as a condition of the

grant, including a final audit report, as

required by 7 CFR part 3015, 3016, and

3019, as applicable. In accordance with

7 CFR part 3015 and OMB Circular A–

133, audits must be conducted in

accordance with generally accepted

government auditing standards.

(iii) The grantee shall account for any

property acquired with FLH–TA grant

funds or otherwise received from RHS.

(iv) After the grant closeout, RHS will

recover any disallowed costs which may

be discovered as a result of an audit.

(b) When there is reasonable evidence

that the grantee has failed to comply

with the terms of this grant agreement,

the Administrator (or his or her

designee) can, on reasonable notice,

suspend the grant pending corrective

action or terminate the grant in

accordance with part B, paragraph 18(c)

of this grant agreement. In such

instances, RHS may reimburse the

grantee for eligible costs incurred prior

to the effective date of the suspension or

termination and may allow all necessary

and proper costs which the grantee

could not reasonably avoid. RHS will

withhold further advances and grantees

are prohibited from further use of grant

funds, pending corrective action.

(c) Grant termination will be based on

the following:

(i) Termination for cause. This grant

may be terminated in whole, or in part,

at any time before the date of

completion, whenever RHS determines

that the grantee has failed to comply

with the terms of this agreement. The

reasons for termination may include,

but are not limited to, such problems as:

(A) Failure to make reasonable and

satisfactory progress in attaining grant

objectives.

(B) Failure of grantee to use grant

funds only for authorized purposes.

(C) Failure of grantee to submit

adequate and timely reports of its

operation.

(D) Violation of any of the provisions

of any laws administered by RHS or any

regulation issued thereunder.

(E) Violation of any

nondiscrimination or equal opportunity

requirement administered by RHS in

connection with any RHS programs.

(F) Failure to maintain an accounting

system acceptable to RHS.

(ii) Termination for convenience. RHS

or the grantee may terminate the grant

in whole, or in part, when both parties

agree that the continuation of the project

would not produce beneficial results

commensurate with the further

expenditure of funds. The two parties

shall agree upon the termination

conditions, including the effective date

and, in case of partial termination, the

portion to be terminated.

(d) RHS shall notify the grantee in

writing of the determination and the

reasons for and the effective date of the

suspension or termination. Except for

termination for convenience, grantees

have the opportunity to appeal a

suspension or termination in

accordance with 7 CFR part 11.

19. Upon any default under its

representations or agreements contained

in this instrument, the grantee, at the

option and demand of RHS, will repay

to RHS forthwith the grant funds

received with interest at the rate of 5

percent per annum from the date of the

default. The provisions of this grant

agreement may be enforced by RHS, at

its options and without regard to prior

waivers by it or previous defaults of the

grantee, by judicial proceedings to

require specific performance of the

terms of this grant agreement or by such

other proceedings in law or equity, in

either Federal or state courts, as may be

deemed necessary by RHS to assure

compliance with the provisions of this

grant agreement and the laws and

regulations under which this grant is

made.

20. Extension of this grant agreement,

modifications of the statement of work,

or changes in the grantee’s budget may

be approved by RHS provided, in RHS’s

opinion, the extension or modification

is justified and there is a likelihood that

the grantee can accomplish the goals set

out and approved in the statement of

work during the period of the extension

and/or modifications.

21. The provisions of 7 CFR parts

3015, 3016, and 3019, as applicable, are

incorporated herein and made a part

hereof by reference.

Part C—Grantee Agrees

1. To comply with property

management standards for expendable

and nonexpendable personal property

established by 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016,

and 3019.

2. To provide a financial management

system which will include:

(a) Accurate, current, and complete

disclosure of the financial results of

each grant. Financial reporting will be

on a cash basis. The financial

management system shall include a

tracking system to insure that all

program income, including loan

repayments, are used properly. The

standards for financial management

systems are contained in OMB Circular

A–110 and 7 CFR 3015.

(b) Records which 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.

(c) Effecting control over and

accountability for all funds, property,

and other assets. Grantee shall

adequately safeguard all such assets and

shall assure that they are solely for

authorized purposes.

(d) Accounting records supported by

source documentation.

3. To retain financial records,

supporting documents, statistical

records, and all other records pertinent

to the grant for a period of at least 3

years after the submission of the final

performance report, in accordance with

part B, paragraph 10(c) of this grant

agreement, except in the following

situations:

(a) If any litigation, claim, audit, or

investigation is commenced before the

expiration of the 3-year period, the

records shall be retained until all

litigation, claims, audits, or

investigative findings involving the

records have been resolved.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Notices 38505

(b) Records for nonexpendable

property acquired by RHS, the 3-year

retention requirement is not applicable.

(c) When records are transferred to or

maintained by RHS, the 3-year retention

requirement is not applicable.

(d) Microfilm copies may be

substituted in lieu of original records.

RHS 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 which are

pertinent to the specific grant program

for the purpose of making audits,

examinations, excerpts, and transcripts.

4. To provide information as

requested by RHS concerning the

grantee’s actions in soliciting citizen

participation in the applications

process, including published notices of

public meetings, actual Public meetings

held, and content of written comments

received.

5. Not to encumber, transfer, or

dispose of the property or any part

thereof, furnished by RHS or acquired

wholly or in part with FLH–TA grant

funds without the written consent of

RHS.

6. To provide RHS with such periodic

reports of grantee operations as may be

required by authorized representatives

of RHS.

7. To execute Form RD 400–1 and

Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance

Agreement,’’ and to execute any other

agreements required by RHS to

implement the civil rights requirements.

8. To include in all contracts in excess

of $100,000, a provision for compliance

with all applicable standards, orders, or

regulations issued pursuant to the Clean

Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 1857(h). Violations

shall be reported to RHS and the

Regional Office of the Environmental

Protection Agency.

9. That no member of Congress shall

be admitted to any share or part of this

grant or any benefit that may arise

therefrom, but this provision shall not

be construed to bar as a contractor

under the grant a public-held

corporation whose ownership might

include a member of Congress.

10. That all nonconfidential

information resulting from its activities

shall be made available to the general

public on an equal basis.

11. That the grantee shall relinquish

any and all copyrights and privileges to

the materials developed under this

grant, such material being the sole

property of the Federal Government. In

the event anything developed under this

grant is published in whole or in part,

the material shall contain a notice and

be identified by language to the

following effect: ‘‘The material is the

result of tax-supported research and as

such is not copyrightable. It may be

freely reprinted with the customary

crediting of the source.’’

12. That the grantee shall abide by the

policies contained in 7 CFR parts 3015,

3016, or 3019, as applicable, which

provide standards for use by grantees in

establishing procedures for the

procurement of supplies, equipment,

and other services with Federal grant

funds.

13. That it is understood and agreed

that any assistance granted under this

grant agreement will be administered

subject to the limitations of section 516

of title V of the Housing Act of 1949 and

that all rights granted to RHS herein or

elsewhere may be exercised by it in its

sole discretion to carry out the purposes

of the assistance, and protect RHS’s

financial interest.

14. That the grantee will adopt a

standard of conduct that provides that,

if an employee, officer, or agency of the

grantee, or such person’s immediate

family members conducts business with

the grantee, the grantee must not:

(a) Participate in the selection, award,

or administration of a contract to such

persons for which Federal funds are

used;

(b) Knowingly permit the award or

administration of the contract to be

delivered to such persons or other

immediate family members or to any

entity (i.e., partnerships, corporations,

etc.) in which such persons or their

immediate family members have an

ownership interest; or

(c) Permit such person to solicit or

accept gratuities, favors, or anything of

monetary value from landlords or

developers of rental or ownership

housing projects or any other person

receiving FLH–TA grant assistance.

15. That the grantee will be in

compliance with and provide the

necessary forms concerning the

Debarment and Suspension and the

Drug-free Workplace requirements.

Part D—RHS Agrees

1. That it will assist the grantee,

within available appropriations, with

such technical and management

assistance as needed in coordinating the

statement of work with local officials,

comprehensive plans, and any State or

area plans for improving housing for

farmworkers.

2. That at its sole discretion, RHS may

at any time give any consent, deferment,

subordination, release, satisfaction, or

termination of any or all of the grantee’s

grant obligations, with or without

valuable consideration, upon such terms

and conditions as the grantor may

determine to be:

(a) Advisable to further the purposes

of the grant or to protect RHS’s financial

interests therein; and

(b) Consistent with the statutory

purposes of the grant and the limitations

of the statutory authority under which

it is made and RHS’s regulations.

Part E—Attachments

The grantee’s statement of work is

attached to and made a part of this grant

agreement.

This grant agreement is subject to

current RHS regulations and any future

regulations not inconsistent with the

express terms hereof. Grantee has

caused this grant agreement to be

executed by its duly authorized

llllll properly attested to and its

corporate seal affixed by its duly

authorized llllll.

Attest:

Grantee:

By:

llllllllllllll

llllllllllllll

(Title)

Date of Execution of Grant Agreement

by Grantee:

llllllllllllll

United States of America

Rural Housing Service

By:

llllllllllllll

llllllllllllll

Date of Execution of Grant Agreement

by RHS:

llllllllllllll

Form Approved

OMB No. 0575–0181

Amendment To Farm Labor Housing

Technical Assistance Grant Agreement

This amendment between

llllll, herein called the

‘‘Grantee,’’ and the United States of

America acting through the Rural

Housing Service, Department of

Agriculture, herein called ‘‘RHS,’’

hereby amends the Farm Labor Housing

Technical Assistance Grant Agreement

originally executed by said parties on

llllll.

Said grant agreement is amended by

extending the ending date of the grant

agreement to llllll, or by

making the following changes noted in

the attachments hereto (list and identify

proposals) and any other documents

pertinent to the grant agreement which

are attached to this amendment.

The grantee has caused this

‘‘Amendment To Farm Labor Housing

Technical Assistance Grant Agreement’’

to be executed by its duly authorized

llll properly attested to and its

corporate seal affixed by its duly

authorized llllllll.

38506 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 21, 2000 / Notices

Attest:

Grantee:

By:

llllllllllllll

(Title)

Date of Execution of Amendment to

Grant Agreement by Grantee:

llllllllllllll

United States of America

Rural Housing Service:

By:

llllllllllllll

llllllllllllll

(Title)

Date of Execution of Amendment to

Grant Agreement by RHS:

llllllll.

[FR Doc. 00–15651 Filed 6–20–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–XV–U

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

Dairyland Power Cooperative; Notice

of Intent

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Hold Scoping

Meeting and Prepare an Environmental

Assessment.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that

the Rural Utilities Service (RUS),

pursuant to the National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C.

4321 et seq.), the Council on

Environmental Quality (CEQ)

Regulations for implementing NEPA (40

CFR parts 1500–1508), and RUS

Environmental Policies and Procedures

(7 CFR Part 1794) proposes to hold a

scoping meeting and prepare an

Environmental Assessment (EA) for its

Federal action related to a project

proposed by Dairyland Power

Cooperative (DPC) of La Crosse,

Wisconsin. The project consists of

constructing a natural gas-fired simple

cycle, combustion turbine power

generation facility in Wheaton

Township in Chippewa County,

Wisconsin. Total electrical output from

the facility is expected to range from 71

megawatts (MW) to 98 MW depending

upon operating conditions.

DATES: RUS will conduct a scoping

meeting in open house forum on

Tuesday, July 11, 2000, from 5 p.m.

until 8 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The scoping meeting will be

held at the Chippewa County

Courthouse, 711 North Bridge Street,

Chippwea Falls, Wisconsin.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection

Specialist, RUS, Engineering and

Environmental Staff, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, DC 20250–1571, telephone

(202) 720–1784, FAX: (202) 720–0820,

e-mail: nislam@rus.usda.gov; or George

L. Johnston, Senior Environmental

Biologist, DPC, 3200 East Avenue south,

La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601, telephone

(608) 787–1322, FAX: (608) 787–1241,

e-mail: glj@dairynet.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DPC

proposes to construct the facility at a

site in Wheaton Township in Chippewa

County, Wisconsin. The preferred site is

the location of DPC’s Elk Mound

Substation. The primary purpose of the

facility is to meet DPC peak electrical

load during hot summer weather. Under

those conditions the facility’s expected

output is about 71 MW of power. The

proposed project will consist of two

simple cycle combustion turbines. The

two turbines will have a maximum

rating of 49 MW each, with a

summertime rating of 35.5 MW. The

plant will require approximately 5 acres

of land. The substation facilities will

also require some upgrading. A 2.2

miles long new high-pressure gas line

from the proposed generating station

north to an existing gas line will provide

gas supply. The total water usage will be

approximately 3 million gallons per

year.

Alternatives to be considered by RUS

and DPC include no action, purchased

power, upgrade of existing resources,

alternative sites, hydropower, fossil fuel

technologies, customer-owned

generation, energy conservation,

renewable resources, and emerging

technologies.

DPC has prepared an Alternative

Evaluation and Site Selection Study for

the project. The Alternative Evaluation

and Site Selection Study is available for

public review at the RUS or DPC at the

addresses provided in this notice or at

the following locations:

Chippewa Falls Public Library, 105

West Central Street, Chippewa Falls,

Wisconsin.

L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library,

400 Eau Claire Street, Eau Claire,

Wisconsin.

Federal, state and local agencies,

private organizations, and the public are

invited to participate in the planning

and analysis of the proposed project.

Representatives from RUS and DPC will

be available at the scoping meeting to

discuss RUS’s environmental review

process, the proposed project and the

alternatives being considered, scope of

the environmental issues to be

considered, and answer questions. Oral

and written comments will be accepted

at the scoping meeting. Written

comments regarding the proposed

project will also be accepted for at least

30 days after the scoping meeting. All

written comments should be sent to

RUS at the address provided in this

notice.

Any final action by RUS related to the

proposed project will be subject to, and

contingent upon, compliance with all

relevant Federal environmental laws

and regulations and completion of

environmental review procedures as

prescribed by the CEQ Regulations and

RUS Environmental Policies and

Procedures.

Dated: June 15, 2000.

Mark S. Plank,

Acting Director, Engineering and

Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service.

[FR Doc. 00–15562 Filed 6–20–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–15–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A–570–830]

Continuation of Antidumping Duty

Order: Coumarin From the People’s

Republic of China

AGENCY: Import Administration,

International Trade Administration,

Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Continuation of

Antidumping Duty Order: Coumarin

from the People’s Republic of China.

SUMMARY: On May 4, 2000, the

Department of Commerce (‘‘the

Department’’), pursuant to sections

751(c) and 752 of the Tariff Act of 1930,

as amended (‘‘the Act’’), determined

that revocation of the antidumping duty

order on coumarin from the People’s

Republic of China (‘‘China’’) is likely to

lead to continuation or recurrence of

dumping (65 FR 25906). On June 7,

2000, the International Trade

Commission (‘‘the Commission’’),

pursuant to section 751(c) of the Act,

determined that revocation of the

antidumping duty order on coumarin

from China would be likely to lead to

continuation or recurrence of material

injury to an industry in the United

States within a reasonably foreseeable

time (65 FR 36163). Therefore, pursuant

to 19 CFR 351.218(f)(4), the Department

is publishing notice of the continuation

of the antidumping duty order on

coumarin from China.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 21, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Martha V. Douthit or James P. Maeder,

Office of Policy for Import

Administration, International Trade