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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 584-589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28767]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

[DOCKET #: RBS-X24BUSINESS-0016]

Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural Business Development 
Grant Program To Provide Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation 
Systems for Fiscal Year 2025

AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or Agency), a 
Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), is issuing this notice to invite applications for 
grants to provide technical assistance for passenger Rural 
Transportation (RT) systems under the Rural Business Development Grant 
(RBDG) program and the terms for such funding. Grant funds will provide 
technical assistance for RT systems including designated funds to 
provide technical assistance to RT systems operating within Tribal 
lands of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (FRNAT) 
(collectively ``Programs''). This notice is being issued in order to 
allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and 
submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process 
applications within fiscal year (FY) 2025. Based on FY 2024 
appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $750,000 
will be made available for FY 2025. Successful applications will be 
selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the 
extent that funding may ultimately be made available through 
appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses 
incurred in developing their applications.

DATES: Completed applications may be submitted in paper or electronic 
format and must be received in the USDA RD State Office no later than 
4:30 p.m. (local time) on April 7, 2025, to be eligible for FY 2025 
grant funding. Applications received after the deadline will be 
ineligible for funding.

ADDRESSES: This funding announcement will also be announced on 
Grants.gov. Applications must be submitted to the USDA RD State Office 
where the Project is located. A list of the USDA RD State Office 
contacts can be found at: rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Mason at [email protected], 
Business Loan and Grant Analyst, Program Management Division, RBCS, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop 3226, Room 5160-South, 
Washington, DC 20250-3226, or call 202-720-1400.
    For further information on submitting program applications under 
this notice, please contact the USDA RD office for the State in which 
the applicant is located. A list of USDA RD Office contacts is provided 
at the following link: rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 585]]

Overview

    Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Business Development Grants--
Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems.
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity.
    Funding Opportunity Number: RDBCP-RBDG-2025.
    Assistance Listing: 10.351.
    Dates: The deadline for completed applications to be received in 
the USDA RD State Office is no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on 
April 7, 2025, to be eligible for FY 2025 grant funding. Applications 
received after the deadline will be ineligible for funding.
    Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants 
to consider projects that will advance the following key priorities 
(more details available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points):
     Creating More and Better Markets: Assist rural communities 
to recover economically through more and better market opportunities 
and through improved infrastructure;
     Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice: 
Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of 
climate change through economic support for rural communities; and
     Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and 
Opportunity: Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to RD 
programs and benefits from RD funded projects.

A. Program Description

    1. Purpose of the Program. The purpose of this program is to 
improve the economic conditions of rural areas by providing technical 
assistance that will enhance the operation of rural transportation 
systems.
    2. Statutory Authority. This program is authorized under section 
310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1932(c)) and implemented by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E. The program is 
administered on behalf of RBCS by the USDA RD State Offices. Assistance 
provided to rural areas under the program has historically included the 
provision of on-site technical assistance to Tribal, local and regional 
governments, public transit agencies, and related nonprofit and for-
profit organizations in rural areas; the development of training 
materials; and the provision of necessary training assistance to local 
officials and agencies in rural areas.
    Section 736 of title VII of division B of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2024, designated funding for projects in Persistent 
Poverty counties. Persistent Poverty counties is defined in section 736 
as ``any county that has had 20 percent or more of its population 
living in poverty over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1990 and 
2000 decennial censuses, and 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-year 
average, or any territory or possession of the United States''. Section 
736 expanded the eligible population in Persistent Poverty counties to 
include any county seat of such a persistent poverty county that had a 
population that does not exceed the authorized population limit by more 
than 10 percent, expanding the current 50,000 population limit to 
55,000 for only county seats located in Persistent Poverty counties. 
Therefore, beneficiaries of technical assistance services located in 
Persistent Poverty County seats with populations up to 55,000 are 
eligible. Therefore, assuming the Appropriations Act for 2025 has 
similar language, applicants and/or beneficiaries located in persistent 
poverty county seats with populations up to 55,000 (per the 2020 
Census) are eligible.
    3. Definitions. The definitions applicable to this notice are 
published at 7 CFR 4280.403.
    4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and 
score applications received in response to this notice based on the 
provisions in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, and as indicated in this 
notice. Awards under the RBDG Technical Assistance for RT Systems 
program will be made on a competitive basis using specific selection 
criteria contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E, and in accordance 
with section 310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1932(c)). The Agency advises all interested parties that the 
applicant bears the burden in preparing and submitting an application 
in response to this notice whether or not funding is appropriated for 
this program in FY 2025.

B. Federal Award Information

    Type of Award: Grants.
    Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2025.
    Available Funds: $750,000. RBCS may at its discretion, increase the 
total level of funding available in this funding round, or in any 
category 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: The Agency will award a maximum of $500,000 for RT 
systems and $250,000 for FRNAT RT projects. The amounts are determined 
by the specific funding provided for the program in the FY 2025 
Appropriations Act.
    Anticipated Award Date: Prior to September 30, 2025.
    Performance Period: October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.
    Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
    Type of Assistance Instrument: Financial Assistance Agreement.

C. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants. Eligible applicants must meet the 
eligibility requirements of 7 CFR 4280.416, Applicant Eligibility. The 
Agency requires the information provided in 7 CFR 4280.427 to make an 
eligibility determination that an applicant is a national organization.
    For the funding for Technical Assistance for RT systems, applicants 
must be qualified national organizations with experience in providing 
technical assistance and training to rural communities nationwide for 
the purpose of improving passenger transportation services or 
facilities. To be considered ``national,'' RBCS requires a qualified 
organization to provide evidence that it can operate RT assistance 
programming nationwide. An entity can qualify if they can work in 
partnership with other entities to fulfill the national requirement as 
long as the applicant will have ultimate control of the grant 
administration. For the funding for RT systems to FRNATs, an entity can 
qualify if it can work in partnership with other entities to support 
all federally recognized Tribes, as long as the applicant will have 
ultimate control of the grant administration. There is not a 
requirement to use the grant funds in a multi-State area. Grants will 
be made to qualified national organizations for the provision of 
technical assistance and training to rural communities for the purpose 
of improving passenger transportation services or facilities.
    For the FRNAT grant, which must benefit FRNATs, at least 75 percent 
of the benefits of the Project must be received by members of FRNATs.
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching. There are no cost sharing or matching 
requirements associated with this grant.
    3. Other. Applications will only be accepted from qualified 
national organizations to provide Technical Assistance for RT. 
Applicants proposing projects with Tribes must submit documentation in 
support of the application from the Tribes they propose to serve. This 
support is best documented through a resolution from

[[Page 586]]

the appropriate Tribal council/government. Alternative documentation of 
support may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address to Request Application Package. Entities wishing to 
apply for assistance should contact the USDA RD State Office provided 
in the ADDRESSES section of this notice to obtain copies of the 
application package.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission. An application must 
contain all of the required elements listed in 7 CFR 4280.427 and the 
following:
    (a) Environmental documentation in accordance with 7 CFR part 1970, 
``Environmental Policies and Procedures;''
    (b) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities;''
    (c) RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement;''
    (d) RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement;'' and
    (e) Letter providing Board authorization to obtain assistance.
    Each application received in a USDA RD State Office will be 
reviewed to determine if it is consistent with the eligible purposes 
contained in section 310B(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)). Each selection scoring criterion 
outlined in 7 CFR 4280.435 must be addressed in the application. 
Failure to address any of the criteria will result in a zero-point 
score for that criterion and will impact the overall evaluation of the 
application. The regulation governing this program, 7 CFR part 4280, 
subpart E, is available at ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XLII/part-4280/subpart-E, or will be provided to any interested 
applicant making a request to a USDA RD State Office.
    All projects to receive technical assistance through these 
passenger transportation grant funds are to be identified when the 
applications are submitted to the USDA RD State Office. Multiple 
project applications must identify each individual project, indicate 
the amount of funding requested for each individual project, and 
address the criteria as stated above for each individual project.
    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 (ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25). 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, while it has an active 
Federal award or an application under consideration by a Federal 
awarding agency.
    (c) Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance 
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
    (d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless 
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110 (ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-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.
    (a) Application Technical Assistance Deadline Date. Prior to 
official submission of grant applications, applicants may request 
technical assistance or other application guidance from the Agency. All 
requests for technical assistance or application guidance must be made 
prior to February 5, 2025. Technical assistance is not meant to be an 
analysis or assessment of the quality of the materials submitted, a 
substitute for Agency review of completed applications, or a 
determination of eligibility, if such determination requires in-depth 
analysis.
    (b) Application Deadline Date. Applications (paper or electronic 
format) must be submitted to the appropriate RD State Office no later 
than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on April 7, 2025. If completed applications 
are not received by the deadline date, the application will neither be 
reviewed nor considered for funding under any circumstances.
    The Agency will not solicit or consider scoring or eligibility 
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The 
Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification 
information on materials contained in the submitted application.
    The deadline date means that the completed application package must 
be received in the USDA RD State Office by the deadline date 
established above. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or 
Federal holiday, the application is due the next business day. All 
application documents identified in this notice and in 7 CFR part 4280, 
subpart E, are required to be considered a complete application.
    (c) Applications Received After Deadline Date. If a complete 
application is not received by the deadline established above, the 
application will neither be reviewed nor considered under any 
circumstances. The Agency will not solicit or consider scoring or 
eligibility information that is submitted after the application 
deadline. The Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek 
clarification information on materials contained in the submitted 
application.
    5. Intergovernmental Review. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' applies to this 
program. This E.O. 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 a SPOC, please see the White House website: whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/. If your State has 
a SPOC, you may submit a copy of the application directly for review. 
Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be provided to your State 
Office for consideration as part of your application. If your State has 
not established a SPOC, or if you do not want to submit a copy of the 
application, our State Offices will submit your application to the SPOC 
or other appropriate agency or agencies.
    6. Funding Restrictions. These grants are for RT Technical 
Assistance grants only and no construction or equipment purchases are 
permitted. If the grantee has a previously approved indirect cost rate, 
it is permissible, otherwise, the applicant may elect to charge the 15 
percent indirect cost permitted under 2 CFR 200.414(f) or request a 
determination of its Indirect Cost Rate. Due to the time required to 
evaluate Indirect Cost Rates, it is likely that all funds will be 
awarded by the time the Indirect Cost Rate is determined. No foreign 
travel is permitted. Pre-Federal award costs will only be permitted 
with prior written approval by the Agency.
    None of the funds made available may be used to enter into a 
contract, memorandum of understanding, or

[[Page 587]]

cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan 
guarantee to:
    (a) 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.
    (b) Any corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal 
violation under any Federal law within the preceding 24 months where 
the awarding agency is aware of the unpaid tax liability and/or 
conviction, unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or 
debarment of the corporation and has determined that further action is 
not necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
    7. Other Submission Requirements.
    General Submission Requirements. The organization submitting the 
application will be considered the lead entity. The program manager 
must be associated with the lead entity submitting the application. 
Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not provide 
sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing required 
elements.
    There is no limit on the number of applications an applicant may 
submit under this announcement. There are no specific formats, specific 
limitations on number of pages, font size and type face, margins, paper 
size, number of copies, sequence, or assembly requirements. The 
component pieces of this application should contain original signatures 
on the original application.
    Electronic Submittals. Applicants submitting an electronic 
application, should contact the State Office serving the State where 
the Project will primarily take place. A list of State Offices may be 
found at rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.
    Paper Submittals. Applicants submitting a paper application should 
send it to the USDA RD State Office located in the State where the 
Project will primarily take place. You can find State Office contact 
information at: rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
    All forms requiring signatures must include an original signature. 
If the applicant wishes to hand deliver its application, the addresses 
for these deliveries are in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

E. Application Review Information

    1. Criteria. All eligible and complete applications will be 
evaluated and scored based on the scoring criteria contained in 7 CFR 
4280.435. The Agency will select grantees subject to the grantees' 
satisfactory submission of the items required by 7 CFR 4280.427, and 
the USDA RD Letter of Conditions. Failure to address any criteria in 7 
CFR 4280.427 by the application deadline will result in the application 
being determined ineligible, and the application will not be considered 
for funding. The amount of an RT grant may be adjusted, at the Agency's 
discretion, to enable the Agency to award RT grants to the applications 
with the highest priority scores in each category.
    2. Review and Selection Process. USDA RD State Offices will review 
applications to determine if they are eligible for assistance based on 
the application and project eligibility requirements contained in 7 CFR 
4280.416 and 4280.417, respectively, and as stated in this notice. If 
determined eligible, the applicable State Office will submit your 
application to the National Office. Funding of the projects is subject 
to the applicant's satisfactory submission of the additional items 
required by subpart E and the USDA RD Letter of Conditions. The Agency 
reserves the right to offer the applicant a grant award in an amount 
less than the amount the applicant requested.
    The Agency reserves the right to award additional discretionary 
points under 7 CFR 4280.435(k). Discretionary points may only be 
assigned to initial grants. Assignment of discretionary points must 
include a written justification. Permissible justifications include 
projects that meet special Secretary of Agriculture initiatives such as 
projects:
    (a) Assisting rural communities recover economically through more 
and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure. 
Applicants receive priority points if the project is located in or 
serving a rural community whose economic well-being ranks in the most 
distressed tier (distress score of 80 or higher) of the Distressed 
Communities Index using the Distressed Communities Look-Up Map 
available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
    (b) Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD 
programs and benefits from RD funded projects. Using the Social 
Vulnerability Index (SVI) Look-Up Map (available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points), an applicant would receive priority points if the:
     The Project is located in or serving a community with 
score 0.75 or above on the SVI;
     The applicant is a federally recognized Tribe, including 
Tribal instrumentalities and entities that are wholly owned by Tribes; 
or
     Is a project where at least 50 percent of the project 
beneficiaries are members of federally recognized Tribes and non-Tribal 
applicants include a Tribal Resolution of Consent from the Tribe or 
Tribes that the applicant is proposing to serve.
     The application is from or benefiting a Rural Partner's 
Network's (RPN) community network. Currently RPN Networks exist in 
Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, 
North Carolina, Puerto Rico, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Use the 
Community Look-Up map (available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points) to 
determine if your project qualifies for priority points.
    (c) Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the 
impacts of climate change through economic support to rural 
communities. Using the Disadvantaged Community and Energy Community 
Look-up Map (available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points), applicants will 
receive priority points in three ways:
     If a project is located in or serves a Disadvantaged 
Community as defined by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool 
(CEJST), from the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ),
     If the project is located in or serves an Energy Community 
as defined by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117-169, 
``IRA''), and
     If applicants can demonstrate through a written narrative 
how the proposed climate-impact projects will improve the livelihoods 
of community residents and meet pollution mitigation or clean energy 
goals.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

    1. Federal Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive 
notification for funding from their USDA RD State Office. Applicants 
must comply with all applicable statutes and regulations before the 
grant award will be approved. Unsuccessful applications will receive 
notification by mail.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
    (a) Additional Requirements.
    (1) All successful applicants will be notified by letter, which 
will include a Letter of Conditions, and a Letter of Intent to Meet 
Conditions. This letter is not an authorization to begin performance. 
If the applicant wishes to consider beginning performance prior to the 
grant being officially closed, all pre-award costs must be approved in 
writing and in advance by the Agency.

[[Page 588]]

The grant will be considered officially awarded when all conditions in 
the Letter of Conditions have been met and the Agency obligates the 
funding for the Project.
    (2) Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for 
this program can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart E; the Grants and 
Agreements regulations applicable to USDA in 2 CFR part 400, which 
incorporates the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 2 
CFR part 200, and successor regulations. In addition, all recipients of 
Federal financial assistance are required to report information about 
first tier subawards and executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). 
You will be required to have the necessary processes and systems in 
place to comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and 
Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-282) reporting requirements (see 
2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are exempt under 2 CFR 170.105).
    (3) Program participants will be required to collect and maintain 
data provided by recipients on race, sex, and national origin and 
ensure recipients collect and maintain this data. Race and ethnicity 
data will be collected in accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, 
``Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on 
Race and Ethnicity,'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997. Data on 
recipients' sex will be collected in accordance with title IX of the 
Education Amendments Act of 1972. These items should not be submitted 
with the application but should be available upon request by the 
Agency.
    (4) The following additional requirements apply to grantees 
selected for this program:
    (i) Form RD 4280-2 ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service Financial 
Assistance Agreement.''
    (ii) Letter of Conditions.
    (iii) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
    (iv) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
    (v) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
    (vi) Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
    (b) Geospatial Information. Awardee, and any and all contracts 
entered into by the Awardee with respect to the Award, shall ensure 
that geospatial data required to be collected and provided to the 
agency, conforms with the requirements of USDA Department Regulation 
DR-3465-001 and the Geospatial Metadata Standards set forth in DM 3465-
001, which can be obtained online at www.usda.gov/directives/dr-3465-001 and www.usda.gov/directives/dm-3465-001.
    3. Reporting. A Financial Status Report and a Project Performance 
Activity Report will be required of all grantees on a quarterly basis 
until initial funds are expended and yearly thereafter, if applicable, 
based on the Federal fiscal year. The grantee will complete the Project 
within the total time available to it in accordance with the Scope of 
Work and any necessary modifications thereof prepared by the grantee 
and approved by the Agency. A final Project Performance Report will be 
required with the final Financial Status Report. The final report may 
serve as the last quarterly report. The final report must provide 
complete information regarding the jobs created and supported as a 
result of the grant if applicable. Grantees must continuously monitor 
performance to ensure that time schedules are being met, projected work 
by time periods is being accomplished, and other performance objectives 
are being achieved. Grantees must submit an original of each report to 
the Agency no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter. The 
Project Performance Reports must include, but not be limited to, the 
following:
    (a) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives 
established for that period;
    (b) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if any, which have 
affected or will affect attainment of overall Project objectives, 
prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude the 
attainment of Project work elements during established time periods. 
This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the action taken 
or planned to resolve the situation;
    (c) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting 
period;
    (d) Any special reporting requirements, such as jobs supported and 
created, businesses assisted, or Economic Development which results in 
improvements in median household incomes, and any other specific 
requirements, should be placed in the reporting section in the Letter 
of Conditions; and
    (e) Within 120 days after the conclusion of the Project, the 
grantee will provide a final Project Evaluation Report. The last 
quarterly payment will be withheld until the final report is received 
and approved by the Agency. Even though the grantee may request 
reimbursement monthly, the last three months of reimbursements will be 
withheld until a final Project, Project Performance, and Financial 
Status Report are received and approved by the Agency.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

    For general questions about this announcement, please contact your 
USDA RD State Office provided in the ADDRESSES 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 0570-0070.
    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 and training 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. 
RBCS 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 RBCS 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 subawards 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 the USDA (7 
CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted 
Programs of the Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of Title VI of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973, title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, title IX, Executive 
Order 13166 (Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and 
the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
    5. Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations.
    (a) Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same 
basis as any other organization, as set forth at, and subject to the 
protections and requirements of, this part and any applicable 
constitutional and statutory requirements, including 42 U.S.C. 2000bb 
et seq. USDA will not, in the

[[Page 589]]

selection of recipients, discriminate for or against an organization on 
the basis of the organization's religious character, motives, or 
affiliation, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not 
be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular 
organization.
    (b) A faith-based organization that participates in this program 
will retain its independence from the Government and may continue to 
carry out its mission consistent with religious freedom and conscience 
protections in Federal law. Religious accommodations may also be sought 
under many of these religious freedom and conscience protection laws.
    (c) A faith-based organization may not use direct Federal financial 
assistance from USDA to support or engage in any explicitly religious 
activities except when consistent with the Establishment Clause of the 
First Amendment and any other applicable requirements. An organization 
receiving Federal financial assistance also may not, in providing 
services funded by USDA, or in their outreach activities related to 
such services, discriminate against a program beneficiary or 
prospective program beneficiary on the basis of religion, a religious 
belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or 
participate in a religious practice.
    6. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil 
rights laws and 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 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 AD-
3027 form 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
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Kathryn E. Dirksen Londrigan,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA Rural 
Development.
[FR Doc. 2024-28767 Filed 1-3-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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