[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66797-66802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21129]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

[Docket #: RUS-23-WATER-0013]


Notice of Funding Opportunity for Calendar Year 2022 Disaster 
Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Grants Program; Water and 
Environmental Programs

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural 
Development (RD) mission area of the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), announces acceptance of applications under the 
Calendar Year (CY) 2022 Disaster Circuit Rider Technical Assistance (CY 
2022 Disaster CRTA) Grants Program. The Agency will have up to 
$8,000,000 in grant funding

[[Page 66798]]

provided through the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 
2023. Grant funds will be made available to qualified organizations to 
provide technical assistance on a national basis to rural communities 
and federally recognized tribes with water infrastructure systems 
damaged by CY 2022 Presidentially declared disasters. Purposes include 
supporting eligible communities, including federally recognized tribes, 
identified through the Presidential disaster declarations by providing 
on-site technical assistance to support post-disaster mitigation of 
eligible events, to identify and evaluate solutions to impacted water, 
wastewater, stormwater and solid waste challenges, help communities 
develop and prepare applications for water and waste loans and grants, 
deliver training and other resources to operators, managers, and other 
system personnel, and pay certain expenses associated with the 
provision of such services. Applicants are responsible for any expenses 
incurred in developing their application.

DATES: Electronic applications must be submitted between September 28, 
2023 and 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 30, 2023. Late or 
incomplete applications will not be accepted.

ADDRESSES: Applications and supporting information must be submitted 
electronically through Grants.gov via https://www.grants.gov. 
Instructions and additional resources, to include an application guide, 
are available at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/calendar-year-2022-disaster-circuit-rider-technical-assistance-grants-program under the ``To Apply'' tab.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Penny Douglas, Grant Manager, Water 
and Environmental Programs, RUS, USDA, by phone at (202) 253-0504 or by 
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e6b187928394cbb4a2a693958287c8818990"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1641776273643b4452566365727738717960">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

    Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Utilities Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Calendar Year 2022 Disaster Circuit 
Rider Technical Assistance Grants Program.
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
    Funding Opportunity Number: RD-RUS-CY22DisasterCRTA.
    Assistance Listing: 10.761, Technical Assistance and Training 
Grants.
    Dates: Completed electronic applications must be submitted through 
www.grants.gov between September 28, 2023 and 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time 
on October 30, 2023. Late or incomplete applications will not be 
accepted.
    Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants 
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities:
    <bullet> Assisting rural communities recover economically through 
more and better market opportunities and through improved 
infrastructure;
    <bullet> Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD 
programs and benefits from RD funded projects; and
    <bullet> Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to 
the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural 
communities.

A. Program Description

    1. Purpose of the Program. The CY 2022 Disaster CRTA Grants Program 
is designed to award funding to qualified organizations that will 
provide technical assistance on a national basis to water, wastewater, 
stormwater, and solid waste systems in rural areas with populations of 
up to 35,000. Grant funds must be used to support water infrastructure 
systems damaged by Presidentially declared disasters in CY 2022. 
Eligible uses of funds include providing on-site technical assistance 
to support post-disaster mitigation of eligible events, to identify and 
evaluate solutions to water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste 
challenges, help communities develop and prepare applications for water 
and waste loans and grants, deliver training and other resources to 
operators, managers, and other system personnel, and pay certain 
expenses associated with the provision of such services. For the most 
current list of Presidentially declared disasters, visit the United 
States (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) website at: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations.
    2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. The CY22 CRTA Grants Program 
is authorized pursuant to section 306(a)(22) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (Pub. L. 87-128); Division N of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328); and 2 CFR 
parts 200 and 400, Uniform and Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. This program is 
implemented under the provisions of 7 CFR 1775, Technical Assistance 
Grants, Subpart A, General Provisions, and B, Grant Application 
Processing, and this NOFO. Other federal statutes and regulations are 
listed at 7 CFR 1775.8, Other Federal statutes.
    3. Definitions. The definitions applicable to this notice are 
published at 7 CFR 1775.2, Definitions, and this Notice. The terms and 
conditions provided in this Notice are applicable to and for purposes 
of this Notice only. This Notice takes precedence related to any 
definition found both within both 7 CFR 1775 and this Notice.
    Actual Capacity. Possess the necessary resources to provide 
technical assistance to water infrastructure systems through its own 
staff or be assisted by an affiliate or member organization which has 
such background and experience, and which agrees in writing that it 
will provide the assistance for the duration of the grant performance 
period, or contract with a nonaffiliated organization for not more than 
49 percent of the grant to provide the proposed assistance.
    Affiliated Organization. A company that is related to another 
company, usually by being in the position of a member or a subordinate 
role (must be verified by organizational documentation). Two companies 
may be affiliated if one company has control over the other or if both 
are controlled by a third company. One corporation can be affiliated 
with another corporation by shareholdings, by holding a minority 
interest, or one corporation might be a subsidiary of another.
    Agency. RUS or its successors, and the USDA RD employees acting on 
behalf of RUS in accordance with the appropriate delegations of 
authority.
    Calendar Year 2022. The dates beginning January 1, 2022, and ending 
December 31, 2022.
    Federally Recognized Tribe. Any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, 
band, nation, pueblo, village or community as defined by the Federally 
Recognized Indian Tribe List Act (List Act) of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-454).
    Prefabricated Homes Communities. Mobile, manufactured, and modular 
homes that share a private public water and/or sewer system.
    Presidentially Declared Disaster. A declaration made in accordance 
with applicable statues by the President that a disaster exists, 
necessitating assistance in the recovery of the impacted area.
    Rural or Rural Area. Any area in a city, town, or unincorporated 
area with a population not in excess of 35,000 inhabitants, according 
to the latest Agency-implemented decennial census of the United States. 
The population of the community is as adjusted by the exclusion of 
individuals incarcerated on a long-term or regional basis, and the 
exclusion of the first 1,500 individuals who reside in housing located 
on a

[[Page 66799]]

military base. The area to be served may be made up of combinations of 
these eligible areas. If the applicable population figure cannot be 
obtained from the most recent decennial Census, RUS will determine the 
applicable population figure based on available population data. 
Facilities receiving technical assistance under this grant program may 
be located in non-rural areas. However, funds may be used to benefit 
only that portion of the facility serving rural areas, regardless of 
facility location.
    4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and 
score applications received in response to this Notice as indicated 
here and with further clarification found in the CY 2022 Disaster CRTA 
Grants Program Application Guide. Awards under the CY 2022 Disaster 
CRTA Grants Program will be made on a competitive basis using specific 
selection criteria contained in the Notice and further detailed in the 
Application Guide. The Agency advises all interested parties that the 
applicant bears the full burden in preparing and submitting an 
application in response to this notice.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Grant.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2023.
    Available Funds: Up to $8,000,000. RUS may at its discretion 
increase the total level of funding available in this funding round 
from any available source provided the awards meet the requirements of 
the statute which made the funding available to the Agency.
    Award Amounts: No minimum or maximum award amount.
    Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2023.
    Performance Period: Projects begin as denoted in the Grant 
Agreement and may go up to 24 months. Applicant must reference the 
performance period in its project narrative.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards: This is a new program; no prior 
grants have been awarded under the CY 2022 CRTA Grants Program.
    Type of Assistance Instrument: Grant Agreement.

C. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants. CY 2022 Disaster CRTA grant funding is 
available to associations, including corporations not operated for 
profit, Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations and other 
federally recognized Indian tribes, and public and quasi-public 
agencies. Additionally, an applicant must:
    (a) Be legally established prior to submitting the application and 
be located within a State as defined in Sec.  1775.2, and
    (b) Possess and document legal authority to receive and administer 
a federal award, and to provide the proposed technical assistance on a 
national basis, to eligible communities, including federally recognized 
tribes, and
    (c) Document proven technical, managerial and financial capacity 
and experience to carry out the objectives of this program and to 
comply with state and federal laws and regulations, as evidenced by the 
applicant's satisfactory accomplishment of technical assistance similar 
to that proposed, and
    (d) Have no delinquent debt to the federal government or 
outstanding judgments to repay a federal debt, and
    (e) Not be a corporation that has been convicted of a felony or had 
an officer or agent acting on behalf of the corporation convicted of a 
felony, within the past 24 months. Any corporation that has any unpaid 
federal tax liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial 
and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, and 
that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with 
the authority responsible for collecting the tax liability is not 
eligible.
    2. Eligible Grant Purposes. Technical assistance that may be 
provided to eligible communities, including federally recognized 
tribes, through the CY 2022 Disaster CRTA Grants program includes:
    (a) Short-term disaster and emergency assistance, including on-site 
technical assistance and troubleshooting;
    (b) Identifying and evaluating long-term solutions, inclusive of 
Risk and Resilience Assessments, Emergency Response Plans, and other 
planning documentation;
    (c) Providing training and other resources to operators and 
management; and,
    (d) Application development, including any technical work such as 
feasibility, engineering, and environmental reports.
    (e) Certain other technical assistance efforts that support the 
resiliency and capacity of eligible systems.
    3. Cost Sharing or Matching. No cost sharing or matching 
requirement is associated with this grant.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package. Application information 
is available at www.grants.gov and https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/calendar-year-2022-disaster-circuit-rider-technical-assistance-grants-program.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission. To be considered for 
funding, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in this 
notice and must submit a complete application by the deadline date. 
Applicants should consult the cost principles and general 
administrative requirements found in 2 CFR part 200 for grants 
pertaining to their organizational type to prepare the budget and 
complete other parts of the application. Applications should be 
prepared in conformance with program regulations, and departmental and 
other applicable regulations including 2 CFR parts 180, 182, 200, 400, 
417, 418, and 421, or any successor regulations.
    Applications should be prepared in accordance with the requirements 
of this Notice, further elaborated on in the CY 2022 Disaster CRTA 
Grants Application Guide (Application Guide). The Application Guide 
provides specific, detailed instructions for each item of a complete 
application. The Agency emphasizes the importance of including every 
item and strongly encourages applicants to follow the instructions 
carefully, using examples and illustrations in the Application Guide. 
Applicants should ensure they are using the most updated version of the 
application guide before submitting an application. Any updates to the 
application guide will be posted at www.Grants.gov and https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/calendar-year-2022-disaster-circuit-rider-technical-assistance-grants-program. The items at 7 CFR 1775.10(c)(3), (4), and (5) are no longer 
required to be separately submitted as part of the application, as they 
are covered under the Financial Assistance General Certifications and 
Representations referenced in item 3(c) of this notice.
    3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.
    (a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active 
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting 
its application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. In order to register 
in SAM, entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier 
(UEI). Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
    (b) Applicant must maintain an active SAM registration, with 
current, accurate and complete information, at all times during which 
it has an active Federal award or an application under

[[Page 66800]]

consideration by a Federal awarding agency.
    (c) Applicant must ensure the Financial Assistance General 
Certifications and Representations are completed in SAM.
    (d) Applicant must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless 
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110.
    (e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has 
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the 
Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the 
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that 
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
applicant.
    4. Submission Dates and Times. Completed applications must be 
submitted through www.grants.gov between September 28, 2023 and 11:59 
p.m. Eastern Time on October 30, 2023. Late or incomplete applications 
will not be accepted. If the submission deadline falls on Saturday, 
Sunday, or a Federal holiday, the application is due the next business 
day.
    The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility 
information that is submitted after the application deadline. RUS also 
reserves the right to ask applicants for clarifying information and 
additional verification of assertions in the application.
    5. Intergovernmental Review. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, does not apply to this 
program.
    6. Funding Restrictions. Applications must be for eligible purposes 
as defined above, and in consideration of any restrictions found within 
7 CFR 1775.5, Limitations and this Notice. Funds under this program 
must be used to address impacts from Presidentially declared disasters 
that occurred in Calendar Year 2022.
    7. Other Submission Requirements.
    Applications must be submitted electronically through https://
www.Grants.gov. RUS may request original signatures later for any 
electronically signed documents. All electronic documents must be 
submitted in Excel, Word, or PDF format. If system errors or technical 
difficulties occur, use the customer support resources available at the 
Grants.gov website.

E. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria. All applications that are complete and eligible will 
be scored and ranked competitively. The categories for scoring criteria 
used are the following:
    (a) Applicant's Experience: Experience level in developing and 
implementing successful technical assistance or training programs 
similar to the proposed project (up to 15 points).

More than ten years (15 points)
Six to ten years (10 points)
Up to five years (5 points)
No experience (0 points)

    (b) Applicant's Actual Capacity: Use of grant funds for grantee's 
staff versus contract personnel to carry out the technical assistance 
or training (up to 15 points).

At least 75 percent staff (15 points)
50 percent to 74.99 percent staff (10 points)
Fewer than 50 percent staff (0 points)

    (c) Population of the proposed area or areas to be served--based on 
the 2010 U.S. Census, available at this link: https://go.usa.gov/xMwbH 
(up to 15 points).

Fewer than 5,500 (15 points)
5,500 to 9,999 (10 points)
10,000 or more (0 points)

    (d) Application Development. Technical Assistance is for pre-
development or activities related to an application filed under the CY 
2022 Disaster Water Grant Program (RD-RUS-CY22DISASTER available at 
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=348809). 
(up to 15 points)
    (e) Needs assessment. Clearly addresses and defines the need(s) and 
is supported by data. (up to 10 points)
    (f) Goals and objectives. Establishes and defines clear measurable 
goals and objectives, which are tied to the need as defined in the 
Needs Assessment. (up to 10 points)
    (g) Work Plan. Clearly articulates a well-thought-out approach to 
accomplishing objectives and clearly identifies who will be benefitted 
by the technical assistance. Includes a timeframe for completing the 
goals and objectives. (up to 30 points possible)
    (h) Evaluation Methods. Outlines evaluation method(s) specific to 
each activity, which are clearly defined, measurable, and stipulate 
expected project outcome(s. (up to 10 points)
    (i) Administrative Discretionary Points. In order to be considered 
for Administrator Discretionary Points, the applicant must provide 
adequate documentation to address that the project is located in a 
Disadvantaged Community or a Distressed Community. A Disadvantaged 
Community will be determined by the Agency by using the Council on 
Environmental Quality's Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool 
(which is incorporated into the USDA look-up map) which identifies 
communities burdened by climate change and environmental injustice. 
Additionally, all communities within the boundaries of Federally 
Recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Villages will also be determined to 
be Disadvantaged Communities by the Agency. A Distressed Community will 
be determined by the Agency by using the Economic Innovation Group's 
Distressed Communities Index (which is incorporated into the USDA look-
up map), which uses several socio-economic measures to identify 
communities with low economic well-being. To determine if your project 
is located in a Disadvantaged Community or a Distressed Community, 
please use the following USDA look-up map: https://ruraldevelopment.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4acf083be4c44bb7864d90f97de0c788. The Administrator 
Discretionary Points will be awarded solely on these criteria. (15 
points)
    2. Review and Selection Process. RUS will acknowledge the 
application's receipt via an email to the applicant within 30 days of 
the closing of the application window. The following actions will be 
taken:
    (a) Incomplete or ineligible applications as of the deadline for 
submission will not be considered. If an application is determined to 
be incomplete or ineligible, the applicant will be notified in writing.
    (b) Complete, eligible applications will be evaluated competitively 
by a review team, composed of at least three RUS employees. They will 
make overall recommendations based on the program elements found in 7 
CFR part 1775 and this Notice, including review criteria presented in 
Section E above. They will award points as described in the scoring 
criterion within this notice. Each application will receive a score 
based on the averages of the reviewers' scores and discretionary points 
awarded by the RUS Administrator. RUS reserves the right to request 
additional information once an application is determined to be complete 
to minimize the risk of duplication of other federal efforts.
    (c) Applications will be ranked, and grants awarded based upon the 
scoring results and funding availability. RUS reserves the right to 
offer the applicant less than the grant funding requested. At RUS's 
discretion, projects scoring too low may not be awarded funding even if 
funding remains available.
    (d) Regardless of the score an application receives, if RUS 
determines that the project is technically infeasible, RUS will notify 
the applicant, in

[[Page 66801]]

writing, and no further action will be taken.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices
    (a) Application Outcomes. There are four possible outcomes 
following the submission of an application under the CY 2022 Disaster 
CRTA Grant Program. RUS reserves the right to make no grant awards if 
all applications are ineligible, incomplete or do not meet the 
established program objectives and priorities. RUS may determine that 
the application is:
    (1) Eligible and selected for funding at the requested amount,
    (2) Eligible but offered fewer funds than requested,
    (3) Eligible but not selected for funding, or
    (4) Ineligible for the grant.
    (b) Award Notices. Applicants selected for funding will be sent an 
award letter, accompanied by a grant agreement, which outlines the 
terms and conditions of the award, and other applicable documents. 
Pursuant to the grant agreement, grant funds may be released over the 
course of the grant period in reimbursement for the performance of 
eligible, approved activities which do not duplicate similar federal 
efforts or tasks. The grant agreement may also include reporting and 
pre-approval requirements which if not met, may result in a delay in 
reimbursement, disallowance of expense, or a suspension of the grant.
    (c) Payments/Reimbursements. Grantees will be reimbursed as 
delineated at 7 CFR 1775.18, this Notice, and the Grant Agreement.
    (d) Scope of Services. Any change in the scope of the project, 
budget adjustments of more than 10 percent, or other modifications must 
get written prior approval in accordance with 7 CFR 1775.19, this 
Notice, and the Grant Agreement.
    (e) Prevailing Wages. All laborers, apprentices and mechanics 
employed by contractors and subcontractors on projects funded directly 
by or assisted in whole or in part by and through the Federal 
Government pursuant to this Act shall be paid wages at rates not less 
than those prevailing on projects of a character similar in the 
locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with 
United States Code, Title 40, Chapter 31, Subchapter IV (also known as 
the Davis-Bacon Act). Further details on eligible applicants and 
projects may be found in the relevant regulations listed in Section C 
of this Notice.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. This Notice is 
subject to the terms and requirements of Departmental and other 
regulations, including 2 CFR parts 180, 182, 200, 400, 417, 418, 421 
and any successor regulations implementing the appropriate 
administrative and national policy requirements.
    3. Reporting. Performance reporting, including applicable forms, 
narratives, and other documentation, are to be completed and submitted 
in accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR 1775.20, this Notice, and 
the Grant Agreement. Further, all grantees must submit an audit or 
financial information covering the defined period of performance as 
outlined in 7 CFR 1775.21, this Notice, and the Grant Agreement.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For general questions about this notice please see point of contact 
listed in For Further Information Contact section of this notice.

H. Other Information

    1. Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the information 
collection requirements associated with this program, as covered in 
this notice, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under OMB Control Number 0572-0138.
    2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this 
notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970. However, 
awards for technical assistance under this notice are classified as a 
Categorical Exclusion in accordance with 7 CFR 1970.53(b), and usually 
do not require any additional documentation. RUS will review each grant 
application to determine its compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The 
applicant may be asked to provide additional information or 
documentation to assist RUS with this determination.
    3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All 
applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be registered in SAM 
and have a UEI number as stated in Section D.3 of this notice. All 
recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report 
information about first-tier sub-awards and executive total 
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
    4. Civil Rights Act. All grants made under this notice are subject 
to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as required by USDA (7 CFR 
part 15 subpart A, Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted Programs of 
the Department of Agriculture, which is the effectuation of title VI of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973, title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, title IX of the 
Education Amendments Act of 1972, Executive Order 13166 (Limited 
English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246 (Equal Employment 
Opportunity), and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
    5. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil 
rights laws and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights 
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff 
offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering 
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, 
national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender 
expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, 
family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Program information may be made available in languages other than 
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large 
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the 
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office, or the 711 Relay 
Service.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should 
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 
which can be obtained online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 
632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must 
contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a 
written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient 
detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about 
the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation.
    The completed Form AD-3027 or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410; or
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

[[Page 66802]]

    (3) Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#69191b060e1b08044700071d08020c291c1a0d08470e061f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d7a7a5b8b0a5b6baf9beb9a3b6bcb297a2a4b3b6f9b0b8a1">[email protected]</span></a>.
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, USDA Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 2023-21129 Filed 9-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P


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