19462 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 18, 2007 / Notices 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Council will be hosting a 

groundbreaking public listening session 

on Catastrophic Storms and Urban 

Forests on June 6, 2007, at the 

Mississippi Coast Coliseum and 

Convention Center, 2350 Beach Blvd., 

Biloxi, MS. There are several ways for 

the public to offer their testimony as 

explained on the Council’s Web site at 

http://www.treelink.org/nucfac. 

Participants may give an on-site 

presentation, Web cast, written form, fax 

or e-mail. All testimony will be 

recorded, compiled, and tabulated into 

a final report to the Secretary of 

Agriculture. 

Dated: April 11, 2007. 

Robin L. Thompson, 

Associate Deputy chief, State & Private 

Forestry. 

[FR Doc. 07–1928 Filed 4–17–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–M 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Business-Cooperative Service 

Announcement of Rural Cooperative 

Development Grant Application 

Deadlines and Funding Levels 

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative 

Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of 

applications. 

SUMMARY: Rural Business-Cooperative 

Service programs are administered 

through USDA Rural Development. 

USDA Rural Development announces 

the availability of approximately $3.5 

million in competitive grant funds for 

the fiscal year (FY) 2007 Rural 

Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) 

Program. The intended effect of this 

notice is to solicit applications for FY 

2007 and award grants on or before 

September 14, 2007. The maximum 

award per grant is $200,000 and 

matching funds are required. 

DATES: Applications for grants must be 

submitted on paper or electronically 

according to the following deadlines: 

Paper copies must be postmarked and 

mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no 

later than June 8, 2007, to be eligible for 

FY 2007 grant funding. Late 

applications are not eligible for FY 2007 

grant funding. 

Electronic copies must be received by 

June 8, 2007, to be eligible for FY 2007 

grant funding. Late applications are not 

eligible for FY 2007 grant funding. 

ADDRESSES: Application materials for a 

RCDG may be obtained at http:// 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/ 

rcdg.htm or by contacting the 

applicant’s USDA Rural Development 

State Office at (202) 720–4323 and 

pressing ‘‘1’’. 

Submit completed paper applications 

for a grant to Cooperative Programs, 

Attn: RCDG Program, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW., Mail Stop 

3250, Room 4016-South, Washington, 

DC 20250–3250. The phone number that 

should be used for courier delivery is 

(202) 720–7558. 

Submit electronic grant applications 

at http://www.grants.gov, following the 

instructions found on this Web site. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Visit 

the program Web site at http:// 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/ 

rcdg.htm for application assistance or 

contact your USDA Rural Development 

State Office at (202) 720–4323 and press 

‘‘1’’, or select the Contacts link at the 

above Web site. Applicants are 

encouraged to contact their State Offices 

well in advance of the deadline to 

discuss their projects and ask any 

questions about the application process. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Overview 

Federal Agency: Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBS). 

Funding Opportunity Title: Rural 

Cooperative Development Grant. 

Announcement Type: Initial 

announcement. 

Catalog of Federal Domestic 

Assistance Number: 10.771. 

Dates: Application Deadline: 

Completed applications for grants may 

be submitted on paper or electronically 

according to the following deadlines: 

Paper copies must be postmarked and 

mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no 

later than June 8, 2007, to be eligible for 

FY 2007 grant funding. Late 

applications are not eligible for FY 2007 

grant funding. 

Electronic copies must be received by 

June 8, 2007, to be eligible for FY 2007 

grant funding. Late applications are not 

eligible for FY 2007 grant funding. 

I. Funding Opportunity Description 

RCDGs are authorized by section 

310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and 

Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 

1932(e)). Regulations are contained in 7 

CFR part 4284, subparts A and F. The 

primary objective of the RCDG program 

is to improve the economic condition of 

rural areas through cooperative 

development. Grant funds are provided 

for the establishment and operation of 

Centers that have the expertise or who 

can contract out for the expertise to 

assist individuals or entities in the 

startup, expansion or operational 

improvement of cooperative businesses. 

The program is administered through 

USDA Rural Development State Offices. 

Definitions 

The definitions published at 7 CFR 

4284.3 and 4284.504 are incorporated 

by reference. 

II. Award Information 

Type of Award: Grant. 

Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2007. 

Approximate Total Funding: $3.5 

million. 

Approximate Number of Awards: 18. 

Approximate Average Award: 

$200,000. 

Floor of Award Range: None. 

Ceiling of Award Range: $200,000. 

Anticipated Award Date: September 

14, 2007. 

Budget Period Length: 12 months. 

Project Period Length: 12 months. 

III. Eligibility Information 

A. Eligible Applicants 

Grants may be made to nonprofit 

corporations and institutions of higher 

education. Grants may not be made to 

public bodies. 

B. Cost Sharing or Matching 

Matching funds are required. 

Applicants must verify in their 

applications that all matching funds are 

available for the time period of the 

grant. The matching fund requirement is 

25 percent of the total project cost (5 

percent in the case of 1994 Institutions). 

Unless provided by other authorizing 

legislation, other Federal grant funds 

cannot be used as matching funds. 

However, matching funds may include 

loan proceeds from Federal sources. 

Matching funds must be spent in 

advance or as a pro-rata portion of grant 

funds being expended. All of the 

matching funds must be provided by 

either the applicant or a third party in 

the form of cash or in-kind 

contributions. All of the matching funds 

must be spent on eligible expenses and 

must be from eligible sources. The 

Center must be able to document and 

verify the number of hours worked and 

the value associated with the in-kind 

contribution. Additionally, if the inkind contributions are from board 

members for their time, travel, 

incidentals, etc., the Center must have 

established written policies explaining 

how these costs are normally 

reimbursed, including rates. Otherwise, 

the in-kind contributions will not be 

considered eligible expenses and may 

cause the application to be determined 

ineligible for funding. In-kind 

contributions provided by individuals, 

businesses, or cooperatives who are 

being assisted by the Center can not be 


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provided for the benefit of their own 

projects as USDA Rural Development 

considers this to be a conflict of interest 

or the appearance of a conflict of 

interest. 

C. Other Eligibility Requirements 

Grant Period Eligibility: Applications 

should have a timeframe of no more 

than 365 days with the time period 

beginning no earlier than October 1, 

2007 and no later than January 1, 2008. 

Projects must be completed within the 

1-year timeframe. The Agency will not 

approve requests to extend the grant 

period. 

Completeness Eligibility: Applications 

without sufficient information to 

determine eligibility and scoring will be 

considered ineligible. Applications that 

are non-responsive to this notice will be 

considered ineligible. 

Activity Eligibility: Applications must 

propose the development or 

continuation of the cooperative 

development center concept or they will 

not be considered for funding. 

Additionally, applications that focus 

assistance to only one cooperative will 

not be considered for funding. 

Applications requesting more than the 

maximum grant amount will not be 

considered for funding. Applications 

that have ineligible costs that equal 

more than 10 percent of the total project 

costs will be determined ineligible, and 

not be considered for funding. If an 

application has ineligible costs of 10 

percent or less of total project costs and 

is selected for funding, the applicant 

must remove all ineligible costs from 

the budget and replace them with 

eligible activities or the amount of the 

grant award will be reduced 

accordingly. 

IV. Application and Submission 

Information 

A. Address To Request Application 

Package 

The application package for applying 

on paper for this funding opportunity 

can be obtained at http:// 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/ 

rcdg.htm. Alternatively, applicants may 

contact their USDA Rural Development 

State Office at (202) 720–4323 and press 

‘‘1’’. For electronic applications, 

applicants must visit http:// 

www.grants.gov and follow the 

instructions. 

B. Content and Form of Submission 

Applications must be submitted on 

paper or electronically. An application 

guide may be viewed at http:// 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/ 

rcdg.htm. It is recommended that 

applicants use the template provided on 

the Web site. The template can be filled 

out electronically and printed out for 

submission with the required forms for 

paper submission or it can be filled out 

electronically and submitted as an 

attachment through http:// 

www.grants.gov. 

If an application is submitted on 

paper, one signed original of the 

complete application must be submitted 

in the following format: 

• Font size: 12 point unreduced. 

• Paper size: 8.5 by 11 inches. 

• Page margin size: 1 inch on the top, 

bottom, left, and right. 

• Printed on only one side of each 

page. 

• Held together only by rubber bands 

or metal or plastic clips; not bound in 

any other way. 

• Language: English, avoid jargon. 

The submission must include all 

pages of the application. It is 

recommended that the application be in 

black and white, not color. Those 

evaluating the application will only 

receive black and white images. 

If the application is submitted 

electronically, the applicant must follow 

the instructions given at http:// 

www.grants.gov. Applicants are advised 

to visit the site well in advance of the 

application deadline if they plan to 

apply electronically to ensure they have 

obtained the proper authentication and 

have sufficient computer resources to 

complete the application. 

Applicants must complete and submit 

the following elements. The Agency will 

screen all applications for eligibility and 

to determine whether the application is 

complete and sufficiently responsive to 

the requirements set forth in this notice 

to allow for an informed review. 

Information submitted as part of the 

application will be protected to the 

extent permitted by law. 

1. Form SF–424, ‘‘Application for 

Federal Assistance.’’ The form must be 

completed, signed and submitted as part 

of the application package. 

Please note that applicants are 

required to have a DUNS number to 

apply for a grant from USDA Rural 

Development. The DUNS number is a 

nine-digit identification number, which 

uniquely identifies business entities. 

There is no charge. To obtain a DUNS 

number, access http://www.dnb.com/us/ 

or call 866–705–5711. For more 

information, see the RCDG Web site at 

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/ 

rcdg/rcdg.htm or contact the applicant’s 

USDA Rural Development State Office 

at (202) 720–4323 and press ‘‘1’’. 

2. Form SF–424A, ‘‘Budget 

Information—Non-Construction 

Programs.’’

This form must be completed and 

submitted as part of the application 

package. 

3. Form SF–424B, ‘‘Assurances—NonConstruction Programs.’’ This form must 

be completed, signed, and submitted as 

part of the application package. 

4. Survey on Ensuring Equal 

Opportunity for Applicants. The Agency 

is required to make this survey available 

to all nonprofit applicants. Submitting 

this form is voluntary. 

5. Title Page. The Title Page, not to 

exceed one page, should include the 

title of the project as well as any other 

relevant identifying information. 

6. Table of Contents. For ease of 

locating information, each proposal 

must contain a detailed Table of 

Contents (TOC) immediately following 

the Title Page. The TOC should include 

page numbers for each component of the 

application. 

7. Executive Summary. A summary of 

the proposal, not to exceed two pages, 

must briefly describe the Center, 

including project goals and tasks to be 

accomplished, the amount requested, 

how the work will be performed (e.g., 

Center staff, consultants, or contractors) 

and the percentage of work that will be 

performed among the parties. 

8. Eligibility. The applicant must 

describe, not to exceed two pages, how 

it meets the applicant, matching, grant 

period and activity eligibility 

requirements. 

9. Proposal Narrative. The proposal 

narrative is limited to a total of 40 

pages. 

i. Project Title. The title of the 

proposed project must be brief, not to 

exceed 75 characters, yet describe the 

essentials of the project. If a title page 

was included under number 5 above, it 

is not necessary to include an additional 

title page under this section. 

ii. Information Sheet. A separate onepage information sheet listing each of 

the evaluation criteria referenced in the 

RFP, followed by the page numbers of 

all relevant material and documentation 

contained in the proposal that address 

or support the criteria. If the evaluation 

criteria are listed on the Table of 

Contents and specifically and 

individually addressed in narrative 

form, then it is not necessary to include 

an information sheet under this section. 

iii. Goals of the Project. The applicant 

must include the following statements 

in this section of the narrative to 

demonstrate that the Center is following 

these statutory requirements: 

1. A statement that substantiates that 

the Center will effectively serve rural 

areas in the United States; 

2. A statement that the primary 

objective of the Center will be to 


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improve the economic condition of rural 

areas through cooperative development; 

3. A description of the contributions 

that the proposed activities are likely to 

make to the improvement of the 

economic conditions of the rural areas 

for which the Center will provide 

services; and 

4. A statement that the Center, in 

carrying out its activities, will seek, 

where appropriate, the advice, 

participation, expertise, and assistance 

of representatives of business, industry, 

educational institutions, the Federal 

government, and State and local 

governments. 

iv. Work Plan. Please see section V. A. 

8. for specific requirements on the work 

plan and budget. The work plan and 

budget should be presented under 

proposal evaluation criterion number 8. 

It is not necessary to include the work 

plan and budget under this section. 

v. Performance Evaluation Criteria. 

The Agency has established annual 

performance measures to evaluate the 

RCDG program. Applicants must 

provide estimates on the following 

performance measures. 

• Number of groups who are not legal 

entities assisted. 

• Number of businesses that are not 

cooperatives assisted. 

• Number of cooperatives assisted. 

• Number of businesses incorporated 

that are not cooperatives. 

• Number of cooperatives 

incorporated. 

• Total number of jobs created as a 

result of assistance. 

• Total number of jobs saved as a 

result of assistance. 

• Number of jobs created for the 

Center as a result of RCDG funding. 

• Number of jobs saved for the Center 

as a result of RCDG funding. 

It is permissible to have a zero in a 

performance element. When calculating 

jobs created, estimates should be based 

upon actual jobs to be created by the 

Center as a result of the RCDG funding 

or actual jobs to be created by 

businesses or cooperatives as a result of 

assistance from the Center. When 

calculating jobs saved, estimates should 

be based only on actual jobs that would 

have been lost if the Center did not 

receive RCDG funding or actual jobs that 

would have been lost without assistance 

from the Center. If the application is 

selected for funding, the applicant will 

be required to report actual numbers for 

these performance elements on a semiannual basis and in the final 

performance report. Additional 

information on post-award requirements 

can be found in Section VI. Applicants 

may also suggest additional 

performance criteria in the event the 

proposal receives grant funding. The 

criteria are not binding on USDA, but 

should be specific, measurable 

performance criteria. The inclusion of 

additional performance criteria beyond 

the nine listed above is voluntary. 

vi. Undertakings. The applicant must 

include the following statements in this 

section of the narrative and expressly 

undertake to do them. 

1. Take all practicable steps to 

develop continuing sources of financial 

support for the Center, particularly from 

sources in the private sectors; 

2. Make arrangements for the Center’s 

activities to be monitored and 

evaluated; and 

3. Provide an accounting for the 

money received by the grantee in 

accordance with 7 CFR part 4284, 

subpart F. 

vii. Delivery of Cooperative 

development assistance. Please see 

section V. A. 7. for specific 

requirements on delivery of cooperative 

development assistance. Delivery 

should be presented under proposal 

evaluation criterion number 7. It is not 

necessary to include discussion on 

delivery of cooperative development 

assistance under this section. 

viii. Qualifications of Personnel. 

Please see section V. A. 9. for specific 

requirements on qualifications of 

personnel. Qualifications of personnel 

should be presented under proposal 

evaluation criterion number 9. It is not 

necessary to include discussion on 

qualifications of personnel under this 

section. 

ix. Support and commitments. Please 

see section V. A. 10. for specific 

requirements on support and 

commitments. Support and 

commitments should be presented 

under proposal evaluation criterion 

number 10. It is not necessary to include 

discussion on support and 

commitments under this section. 

x. Future Support. Please see section 

V. A. 11. for specific requirements on 

future support. Future support should 

be presented under proposal evaluation 

criterion number 11. It is not necessary 

to include discussion on future support 

under this section. 

xi. Proposal Evaluation Criteria. Each 

of the evaluation criteria referenced in 

this funding announcement must be 

specifically and individually addressed 

in narrative form. Applications that do 

not address all of the proposal 

evaluation criteria will be considered 

ineligible. See Section V. A. for a 

description of the Proposal Evaluation 

Criteria. 

10. Certification of Judgment Owed to 

the United States. Applicants must 

certify that the United States has not 

obtained a judgment against them. No 

grant funds shall be used to pay a 

judgment obtained by the United States. 

It is suggested that applicants use the 

following language for the certification. 

‘‘[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] 

certifies that the United States has not 

obtained a judgment against it.’’ A 

separate signature is not required. 

11. Certification of Matching Funds. 

Applicants must certify that matching 

funds will be available at the same time 

grant funds are anticipated to be spent 

and that matching funds will be spent 

in advance of grant funding, such that 

for every dollar of the total project cost, 

not less than the required amount of 

matching funds will have been 

expended prior to submitting the 

request for reimbursement. Please note 

that this certification is a separate 

requirement from the Verification of 

Matching Funds requirement. 

Applicants should include a statement 

for this section that reads as follows: 

‘‘[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] 

certifies that matching funds will be 

available at the same time grant funds 

are anticipated to be spent and that 

matching funds will be spent in advance 

of grant funding, such that for every 

dollar of the total project cost, at least 

25 cents (5 cents for 1994 Institutions) 

of matching funds will have been 

expended prior to submitting the 

request for reimbursement.’’ A separate 

signature is not required. 

12. Verification of Matching Funds. 

Applicants must provide documentation 

of all proposed matching funds, both 

cash and in-kind. The documentation 

must be included in Appendix A and 

will not count towards the 40-page 

limitation. 

If matching funds are to be provided 

by the applicant in cash, there must be 

a statement that cash will be available, 

the amount of the cash, and the source 

of the cash. Applicants should note that 

only goods or services for which no 

expenditure is made can be considered 

in-kind. If the applicant is paying for 

goods and services as part of the 

matching funds contribution, the 

expenditure is considered a cash match, 

and should be verified as such. If the 

matching funds are to be provided by a 

third party in cash, the application must 

include a signed letter from that third 

party verifying how much cash will be 

donated and when it will be donated. 

Verification for funds donated outside 

the proposed time period of the grant 

will not be accepted. 

If the matching funds are to be 

provided by a third party in-kind 

donation, the application must include 

a signed letter from the third party 


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verifying the goods or services to be 

donated, when the goods and services 

will be donated, and the value of the 

goods or services. Verification for inkind contributions donated outside the 

proposed time period of the grant will 

not be accepted. Verification for in-kind 

contributions that are over-valued will 

not be accepted. The valuation process 

for in-kind funds does not need to be 

included in the application. However, 

the applicant must be able to 

demonstrate how the valuation was 

derived at the time of notification of 

tentative selection for the grant award. 

If the applicant cannot satisfactorily 

demonstrate how the valuation was 

determined, the grant award may be 

withdrawn or the amount of the grant 

may be reduced. 

If matching funds are in cash, they 

must be spent on goods and services 

that are eligible expenditures for this 

grant program. If matching funds are inkind contributions, the donated goods 

or services must be considered eligible 

expenditures for this grant program as 

well as be used for eligible purposes. 

The matching funds must be spent or 

donated during the grant period and the 

funds must be expended in advance or 

as a pro-rata portion of grant funds 

being expended. Examples of 

unacceptable matching funds are inkind contributions from individuals, 

businesses, or cooperatives being 

assisted by the Center to benefit their 

own project, donations of fixed 

equipment and buildings, and the 

preparation of the RCDG application 

package. 

Expected program income may not be 

used to fulfill the matching funds 

requirement at the time of application. 

If program income is earned during the 

time period of the grant, it is subject to 

the requirements of 7 CFR part 3015, 

subpart F and 7 CFR part 3019.24 and 

any provisions in the Grant Agreement. 

C. Submission Dates and Times 

Application Deadline Date: June 8, 

2007 

Explanation of Deadlines: Paper 

applications must be postmarked by the 

deadline date (see Section IV.F for the 

address). Electronic applications must 

be received by http://www.grants.gov by 

the deadline date. If the application 

does not meet the deadline above, it will 

not be considered for funding. The 

applicant will be notified if the 

application does not meet the 

submission requirements. The applicant 

will also be notified by mail or by e-mail 

if the application is received on time. 

D. Intergovernmental Review of 

Applications 

Executive Order 12372, 

Intergovernmental review of Federal 

programs, applies to this program. This 

EO requires that Federal agencies 

provide opportunities for consultation 

on proposed assistance with State and 

local governments. Many states have 

established a Single Point of Contact 

(SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. 

For a list of states that maintain an 

SPOC, please see the White House Web 

site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ 

grants/spoc.html. If an applicant’s state 

has an SPOC, the applicant may submit 

a copy the application directly for 

review. Any comments obtained 

through the SPOC must be provided to 

USDA Rural Development for 

consideration as part of the application. 

If the applicant’s state has not 

established an SPOC, or the applicant 

does not want to submit a copy of the 

application, USDA Rural Development 

will submit the application to the SPOC 

or other appropriate agency or agencies. 

Applicants are also encouraged to 

contact the USDA Rural Development 

State Office for assistance and questions 

on this process. The USDA Rural 

Development State Office can be 

reached at (202) 720–4323 and selecting 

option ‘‘1’’ or by viewing the following 

Web site: http://www.rurdev.usda/. 

E. Funding Restrictions 

Funding restrictions apply to both 

grant funds and matching funds. Grant 

funds may be used to pay up to 75 

percent (95 percent where the grantee is 

a 1994 Institution) of the total project 

cost. 

1. Grant funds and matching funds 

may be used for, but are not limited to, 

providing the following to individuals, 

cooperatives, small businesses and other 

similar entities in rural areas served by 

the Center: 

i. Applied research, feasibility, 

environmental and other studies that 

may be useful for the purpose of 

cooperative development. 

ii. Collection, interpretation and 

dissemination of principles, facts, 

technical knowledge, or other 

information for the purpose of 

cooperative development. 

iii. Training and instruction for the 

purpose of cooperative development. 

iv. Loans and grants for the purpose 

of cooperative development in 

accordance with this notice and 

applicable regulations. 

v. Technical assistance, research 

services and advisory services for the 

purpose of cooperative development. 

2. No funds made available under this 

solicitation shall be used for any of the 

following activities: 

i. To duplicate current services or 

replace or substitute support previously 

provided. If the current service is 

inadequate, however, grant funds may 

be used to expand the level of effort or 

services beyond that which is currently 

being provided; 

ii. To pay costs of preparing the 

application package for funding under 

this program; 

iii. To pay costs of the project 

incurred prior to the date of grant 

approval; 

iv. To fund political activities; 

v. To pay for assistance to any private 

business enterprise that does not have at 

least 51 percent ownership by those 

who are either citizens of the United 

States or reside in the United States 

after being legally admitted for 

permanent residence; 

vi. To pay any judgment or debt owed 

to the United States; 

vii. To plan, repair, rehabilitate, 

acquire, or construct a building or 

facility, including a processing facility; 

viii. To purchase, rent, or install fixed 

equipment, including laboratory 

equipment or processing machinery; 

ix. To pay for the repair of privately 

owned vehicles; 

x. To fund research and development; 

xi. To pay costs of the project where 

a conflict of interest exists; or 

xii. To fund any activities prohibited 

by 7 CFR parts 3015 or 3019. 

F. Other Submission Requirements 

A paper application for a grant must 

be submitted to Cooperative Programs, 

Attn: RCDG Program, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW., Mail Stop 

3250, Room 4016–South, Washington, 

DC 20250–3250. The phone number that 

should be used for courier delivery is 

(202) 720–7558. Electronically 

submitted applications must apply 

using the following internet address: 

http://www.grants.gov. Applications 

may not be submitted by electronic 

mail, facsimile, or by hand-delivery. 

Each application submission must 

contain all required documents in one 

envelope, if by mail or courier delivery 

service. 

V. Application Review Information 

A. Proposal Evaluation Criteria 

All eligible and complete applications 

will be evaluated based on the following 

criteria. Evaluators will base scores only 

on the information provided or crossreferenced in each individual evaluation 

criterion. The maximum amount of 

points available is 65. 


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1. Administrative capabilities. (0–7 

points) The application will be 

evaluated to determine whether the 

subject Center has a track record of 

administering a Nationally-coordinated, 

regional or State-wide operated project. 

Centers that have capable financial 

systems and audit controls, personnel 

and program administration 

performance measures and clear rules of 

governance will receive more points 

than those not evidencing this capacity. 

Points will be awarded as follows: 

• 0 points will be awarded if the 

applicant does not substantively address 

the criterion. 

• 1–2 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates weakness in all 

areas of the criterion. 

• 3–4 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that they meet 

part, but not all, of the criterion. 

• 5–6 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong. 

• 7 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that the Center 

has a track record of administering 

project(s) and their financial systems 

and audit controls, personnel and 

program administration performance 

measures and clear rules of governance 

are outstanding and could not be 

improved. 

2. Technical assistance and other 

services. (0–7 points) The Agency will 

evaluate the applicant’s demonstrated 

expertise in providing technical 

assistance in rural areas. Points will be 

awarded as follows: 

• 0 points will be awarded if the 

applicant does not substantively address 

the criterion. 

• 1–2 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates weakness in 

providing technical assistance in rural 

areas. 

• 3–4 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that their 

expertise in providing technical 

assistance in rural areas is adequate. 

• 5–6 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that their 

expertise in providing technical 

assistance in rural areas is above 

average. 

• 7 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that their 

expertise in providing technical 

assistance in rural areas is outstanding 

and could not be improved. 

3. Economic development. (0–7 

points) The Agency will evaluate the 

applicant’s demonstrated ability to 

assist in the retention of businesses, 

facilitate the establishment of 

cooperatives and new cooperative 

approaches and generate employment 

opportunities that will improve the 

economic conditions of rural areas. 

Points will be awarded as follows: 

• 0 points will be awarded if the 

applicant does not substantively address 

the criterion. 

• 1–2 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates weakness in all 

areas of the criterion. 

• 3–4 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that they meet 

part, but not all, of the criterion. 

• 5–6 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong. 

• 7 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates outstanding 

ability to assist in improvements to the 

economic conditions of rural areas. 

4. Linkages. (0–7 points) The Agency 

will evaluate the applicant’s 

demonstrated ability to create horizontal 

linkages among businesses within and 

among various sectors in rural areas of 

the United States and vertical linkages 

to domestic and international markets. 

Points will be awarded as follows: 

• 0 points will be awarded if the 

applicant does not substantively address 

the criterion. 

• 1–2 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates weakness in all 

areas of the criterion. 

• 3–4 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that they meet 

part, but not all, of the criterion. 

• 5–6 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong. 

• 7 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates outstanding 

ability to create horizontal and vertical 

linkages. 

5. Commitment. (0–7 points) The 

Agency will evaluate the applicant’s 

commitment to providing technical 

assistance and other services to 

underserved and economically 

distressed areas in rural areas of the 

United States. Points will be awarded as 

follows: 

• 0 points will be awarded if the 

applicant does not substantively address 

the criterion. 

• 1–2 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates weakness in all 

areas of the criterion. 

• 3–4 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that they meet 

part, but not all, of the criterion. 

• 5–6 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong. 

• 7 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates outstanding 

commitment to underserved and 

economically distressed areas in rural 

areas. 

6. Matching Funds. (3 or 5 points) All 

applicants must demonstrate matching 

funds equal to at least 25 percent (5 

percent for 1994 Institutions) of total 

project costs. Applications exceeding 

these minimum commitment levels will 

receive more points. If the applicant 

provides eligible matching funds of 26 

to 50 percent, 3 points will be awarded; 

or greater than 50 percent, 5 points will 

be awarded. If the applicant is a 1994 

Institution and provides eligible 

matching funds of 6 to 20 percent, 3 

points will be awarded; or greater than 

20 percent, 5 points will be awarded. 

7. Delivery. (0–5 points) The Agency 

will evaluate whether the Center has a 

track record of providing technical 

assistance in rural areas and 

accomplishing effective outcomes in 

cooperative development. The Center’s 

potential for delivering effective 

cooperative development assistance, the 

expected effects of that assistance, the 

sustainability of cooperative 

organizations receiving the assistance, 

and the transferability of the Center’s 

cooperative development strategy and 

focus to other States will also be 

assessed. Points will be awarded as 

follows: 

• 0 points will be awarded if the 

applicant does not substantively address 

the criterion. 

• 1–2 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that they meet 

part, but not all, of the criterion. 

• 3–4 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong. 

• 5 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are outstanding and could 

not be improved. 

8. Work Plan/Budget. (0–5 points) The 

work plan will be reviewed for detailed 

actions and an accompanying timetable 

for implementing the proposal. Clear, 

logical, realistic and efficient plans will 

result in a higher score. Budgets will be 

reviewed for completeness and the 

quality of non-Federal funding 

commitments. Applicants must discuss 

the specific tasks (whether it be by type 

of service or specific project) to be 

completed using grant and matching 

funds. The work plan should show how 

customers will be identified, key 

personnel to be involved, and the 

evaluation methods to be used to 

determine the success of specific tasks 

and overall objectives of Center 

operations. The budget must present a 

breakdown of the estimated costs 

associated with cooperative 

development activities as well as the 

operation of the Center and allocate 

these costs to each of the tasks to be 

undertaken. Matching funds as well as 

grant funds must be accounted for in the 


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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 18, 2007 / Notices 19467 

budget. Points will be awarded as 

follows: 

• 0 points will be awarded if the 

applicant does not substantively address 

the criterion. 

• 1–2 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that they meet 

part, but not all, of the criterion. 

• 3–4 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong. 

• 5 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are outstanding and could 

not be improved. 

9. Qualifications of those Performing 

the Tasks. (0–5 points) The application 

will be evaluated to determine if the 

personnel expected to perform key 

center tasks have a track record of 

positive solutions for complex 

cooperative development or marketing 

problems, or a successful record of 

conducting accurate feasibility studies, 

business plans, marketing analysis, or 

other activities relevant to Cooperative 

development center success. The 

applicant must also identify whether the 

personnel expected to perform tasks are 

full/part-time Center employees or 

contract personnel. Points will be 

awarded as follows: 

• 0 points will be awarded if the 

applicant does not substantively address 

the criterion. 

• 1–2 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that they meet 

part, but not all, of the criterion. 

• 3–4 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong. 

• 5 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are outstanding and could 

not be improved. 

10. Local support. (0–5 points) 

Applications will be reviewed for 

previous and expected local support for 

the Center, plans for coordinating with 

other developmental organizations in 

the proposed service area, and 

coordination with State and local 

institutions. Support documentation 

should include recognition of rural 

values that balance employment 

opportunities with environmental 

stewardship and other positive rural 

amenities. Centers that demonstrate 

strong support from potential 

beneficiaries and formal evidence of the 

Center’s intent to coordinate with other 

developmental organizations will 

receive more points than those not 

evidencing such support and formal 

intent. Support should be discussed 

directly within the response to this 

criterion. The applicant may submit a 

maximum of 10 letters of support or 

intent to coordinate with the 

application. These letters should be 

included in Appendix B of the 

application and will not count against 

the 40-page limit for the narrative. 

Points will be awarded as follows: 

• 0 points will be awarded if the 

applicant does not substantively address 

the criterion. 

• 1–2 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that they meet 

part, but not all, of the criterion. 

• 3–4 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong. 

• 5 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong and the support 

from potential beneficiaries and formal 

evidence of the Center’s intent to 

coordinate with other developmental 

organizations are outstanding and could 

not be improved. 

11. Future support. (0–5 points) 

Applicants should describe their vision 

for Center operations in future years, 

including issues such as sources and 

uses of alternative funding; reliance on 

Federal, State, and local grants; and the 

use of in-house personnel for providing 

services versus contracting out for that 

expertise. To the extent possible, 

applicants should document future 

funding sources that will help achieve 

long-term sustainability of the Center. 

Applications that demonstrate their 

vision for funding center operations for 

future years, including diversification of 

funding sources and building in-house 

technical assistance capacity, will 

receive more points for this criterion. 

Points will be awarded as follows: 

• 0 points will be awarded if the 

applicant does not substantively address 

the criterion. 

• 1–2 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that they meet 

part, but not all, of the criterion. 

• 3–4 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong. 

• 5 points will be awarded if the 

applicant demonstrates that all areas of 

the criterion are strong and their 

diversification of funding sources and 

ability to build in-house technical 

assistance capacity are outstanding and 

could not be improved. 

B. Review and Selection Process 

The Agency will screen all of the 

proposals to determine whether the 

application is eligible and sufficiently 

responsive to the requirements set forth 

in this notice to allow for an informed 

review. 

The Agency will evaluate applications 

using a panel of qualified reviewers who 

will score the applications in 

accordance with the point allocation 

specified in this notice. Applications 

will be submitted to the Administrator 

in rank order, together with funding 

level recommendations. 

C. Anticipated Announcement and 

Award Dates 

Award Date: The announcement of 

award selections is expected to occur on 

or about September 14, 2007. 

VI. Award Administration Information 

A. Award Notices 

Successful applicants will receive a 

notification of tentative selection for 

funding from USDA Rural Development. 

Applicants must comply with all 

applicable statutes and regulations 

before the grant award will be approved. 

Unsuccessful applicants will receive 

notification by mail. 

B. Administrative and National Policy 

Requirements 

7 CFR parts 3015, 3019, and 4284. To 

view these regulations, please see the 

following Internet address: http:// 

www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-tablesearch.html. 

The following additional 

requirements apply to grantees selected 

for this program: 

• Grant Agreement. 

• Letter of Conditions. 

• Form RD 1940–1, ‘‘Request for 

Obligation of Funds.’’

• Form RD 1942–46, ‘‘Letter of Intent 

to Meet Conditions.’’

• Form AD–1047, ‘‘Certification 

Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and 

Other Responsibility Matters—Primary 

Covered Transactions.’’

• Form AD–1048, ‘‘Certification 

Regarding Debarment, Suspension, 

Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion—

Lower Tier Covered Transactions.’’

• Form AD–1049, ‘‘Certification 

Regarding Drug-Free Workplace 

Requirements (Grants).’’

• Form RD 400–4, ‘‘Assurance 

Agreement.’’

• RD Instruction 1940–Q, Exhibit A–

1, ‘‘Certification for Contracts, Grants 

and Loans.’’

• Form RD 2006–38, ‘‘Civil Rights 

Impact Analysis.’’ Prior to approval of 

all grants, a Civil Rights Impact Analysis 

will be conducted. 

Additional information on these 

requirements can be found at http:// 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/ 

rcdg.htm. 

Reporting Requirements: Grantees 

must provide USDA Rural Development 

with an original or electronic copy that 

includes all required signatures of the 

following reports. The reports should be 

submitted to the Agency contact listed 


pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
19468 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 18, 2007 / Notices 

on the Grant Agreement and Letter of 

Conditions. Failure to submit 

satisfactory reports on time may result 

in suspension or termination of the 

grant. 

1. Form SF–269 or SF–269A. A 

‘‘Financial Status Report’’ listing 

expenditures according to agreed upon 

budget categories, on a semi-annual 

basis. Reporting periods end each March 

31 and September 30. Reports are due 

30 days after the reporting period ends. 

2. Semi-annual performance reports 

that compare accomplishments to the 

objectives stated in the proposal. 

Identify all tasks completed to date and 

provide documentation supporting the 

reported results. If the original schedule 

provided in the work plan is not being 

met, the report should discuss the 

problems or delays that may affect 

completion of the project. Objectives for 

the next reporting period should be 

listed. Compliance with any special 

conditions on the use of award funds 

should be discussed. The report should 

also include a summary at the end of the 

report with the following elements to 

assist in documenting the annual 

performance goals of the RCDG program 

for Congress. 

• Number of groups who are not legal 

entities assisted. 

• Number of businesses that are not 

cooperatives assisted. 

• Number of cooperatives assisted. 

• Number of businesses incorporated 

that are not cooperatives. 

• Number of cooperatives 

incorporated. 

• Total number of jobs created as a 

result of assistance. 

• Total number of jobs saved as a 

result of assistance. 

• Number of jobs created for the 

Center as a result of RCDG funding. 

• Number of jobs saved for the Center 

as a result of RCDG funding. 

Reports are due as provided in 

paragraph 1 of this section. Supporting 

documentation must also be submitted 

for completed tasks. The supporting 

documentation for completed tasks 

includes, but is not limited to: 

feasibility studies, marketing plans, 

business plans, publication quality 

success stories, applied research reports, 

copies of surveys conducted, articles of 

incorporation and bylaws and an 

accounting of how outreach, training, 

and other funds were expended. 

3. Final project performance reports. 

These reports shall include all of the 

requirements of the semi-annual 

performance reports and responses to 

the following: 

i. What have been the most 

challenging or unexpected aspects of 

this program? 

ii. What advice would the Grantee 

give to other organizations planning a 

similar program? These should include 

strengths and limitations of the 

program. If the Grantee had the 

opportunity, what would they have 

done differently? 

iii. If an innovative approach was 

used successfully, the Grantee should 

describe their program in detail so that 

other organizations might consider 

replication in their areas. 

The final performance report is due 

within 90 days of the completion of the 

project. 

VII. Agency Contacts 

For general questions about this 

announcement and for program 

technical assistance, applicants should 

contact their USDA Rural Development 

State Office at http:// 

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/rcdg/ 

Contacts.htm. The State Office can be 

reached by calling (202) 720–4323 and 

pressing ‘‘1’’. If an applicant is unable 

to contact their State Office, please 

contact a nearby State Office or the 

USDA Rural Development National 

Office at 1400 Independence Avenue, 

SW., Mail Stop 3250, Rm. 4016-South, 

Washington, DC 20250–3250, telephone: 

(202) 720–7558, e-mail: 

cpgrants@wdc.usda.gov. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) prohibits discrimination in all 

its programs and activities on the basis 

of race, color, national origin, age, 

disability, and where applicable, sex, 

marital status, familial status, parental 

status, religion, sexual orientation, 

genetic information, political beliefs, 

reprisal, or because all or part of an 

individual’s income is derived from any 

public assistance program. (Not all 

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require 

alternative means for communication of 

program information (Braille, large 

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 

USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–

2600 (voice and TDD). To file a 

complaint of discrimination, write to 

USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 

Washington, DC 20250–9410, or call 

(866) 632–9992 (voice) or (202) 401–

0216 (TDD). USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider and employer. 

Dated: April 11, 2007. 

Jackie J. Gleason, 

Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative 

Service. 

[FR Doc. E7–7370 Filed 4–17–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–XY–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

International Trade Administration 

The President’s Export Council: 

Meeting of the President’s Export 

Council 

AGENCY: International Trade 

Administration, U.S. Department of 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of an open meeting via 

teleconference. 

SUMMARY: The Manufacturing Council 

will hold a meeting via teleconference 

to deliberate a draft recommendation to 

the Secretary of Commerce regarding 

Alternative Energy. 

DATES: May 4, 2007. 

TIME: 12 p.m. (EDST). 

FOR THE CONFERENCE CALL-IN NUMBER

AND FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: The 

Manufacturing Council Executive 

Secretariat, Room 4043, Washington, 

DC, 20230 (Phone: 202–482–1124), or 

visit the Council’s Web site at http:// 

www.manufacturing.gov/council. 

Dated: April 13, 2007. 

Sam Giller, 

Staff Director and Executive Secretary, The 

Manufacturing Council. 

[FR Doc. 07–1929 Filed 4–13–07; 4:45 pm] 

BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

International Trade Administration, 

North American Free-Trade 

Agreement, Article 1904 NAFTA Panel 

Reviews; Completion of Panel Review 

AGENCY: NAFTA Secretariat, United 

States Section, International Trade 

Administration, Department of 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice of Completion of Panel 

Review of the final determination of 

dumping made by the Canada Border 

Services Agency, in the matter of 

Certain Copper Pipe Fittings Originating 

in or Exported From the United States 

of America, Secretariat File No. CDA–

USA–2007–1904–01. 

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Notice of 

Motion to Terminate this panel review, 

which was filed with the Canadian 

Section of the NAFTA Secretariat on 

April 10, 2007, this panel review is 

completed. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Caratina L. Alston, United States 

Secretary, NAFTA Secretariat, Suite 

2061, 14th and Constitution Avenue, 

Washington, DC 20230, (202) 482–5438. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 

2, 2007, Mueller Industries, Inc. 


pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES