Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/06/2015-25321/notice-of-solicitation-of-applications-for-the-rural-energy-for-america-program-for-fiscal-year-2016
Timestamp: 2018-03-23 14:46:31
Document Index: 285992705

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 4280', 'art 4280', 'art 1940', 'art 170', '§\u20094280', 'art 1940']

Federal Register :: Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program for Fiscal Year 2016
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program for Fiscal Year 2016
A Notice by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service on 10/06/2015
Grant applications, guaranteed loan-only applications, and combined grant and guaranteed loan applications for financial assistance under this subpart may be submitted at any time on an ongoing basis. Section IV.E. of this Notice establishes the deadline dates for the applications to be received in order to be considered for funding provided by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79), commonly referred to as the 2014 Farm Bill Act, for fiscal year 2016.
60349-60355 (7 pages)
RBS-15-BUSINESS-0033
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-25321 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2015-25321
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (the Agency) announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) which is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the Nation's critical energy needs. REAP have two types of funding assistance: (1) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Assistance, and (2) Start Printed Page 60350Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants.
The applicable USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator for your respective State, as identified via the following link: http://www.rd.usda.gov/​files/​RBS_​StateEnergyCoordinators.pdf.
For information about this Notice, please contact Kelley Oehler, Branch Chief, USDA Rural Development, Energy Division, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Stop 3225, Room 6870, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 720-6819. Email: kelley.oehler@wdc.usda.gov.
Eligible Applicants: This solicitation is for agricultural producers and rural small businesses, as well as units of State, Tribal, or local government; instrumentalities of a State, Tribal, or local government; institutions of higher education; rural electric cooperatives; public power entities; and councils, as defined in 16 U.S.C. 3451, which serve agricultural producers and rural small businesses.
REAP is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the Nation's critical energy needs. REAP has two types of funding assistance: (1) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Assistance and (2) Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants.
A. General. Applications for REAP can be submitted on an ongoing basis. This Notice announces the deadline times and dates to submit applications for the REAP funds provided by the Agricultural Act of 2014, on February 7, 2014 (2014 Farm Bill), for fiscal year 2016 for grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grants and guaranteed loans to purchase and install renewable energy systems, and make energy efficiency improvements; and for grants to conduct energy audits and renewable energy development assistance.
The Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Assistance provides grants and guaranteed loans to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements to their operations. Eligible renewable energy systems for REAP provide energy from wind, solar, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydro-electric, ocean, geothermal, or hydrogen derived from these renewable resources.
C. Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Project Guaranteed Loans. In addition to the other provisions of this Notice, the requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.125 through 4280.152 apply to guaranteed loans for renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement projects. For fiscal year 2016, the guarantee fee amount is one percent of the guaranteed portion of the loan, and the annual renewal fee is one-quarter of 1 percent (0.250 percent) of the guaranteed portion of the loan.
C. Funds Available. This Notice is announcing deadline times and dates for applications to be submitted for the REAP funds provided by the 2014 Farm Bill for fiscal year 2016. This Notice is being published prior to the congressional enactment of a full-year appropriation for fiscal year 2016. The Agency will continue to process applications received under this announcement and should REAP receive appropriated funds, these funds will be announced on the following Web site: www.rd.usda.gov/​newsroom/​notices-solicitation-applications-nosas and subject to the same provisions in this Notice.
(1) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant-only funds. For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement projects only, there will be an allocation of grant funds to each Rural Development State Office. The State allocations will include an allocation for grants of $20,000 or less funds and an allocation of grant funds that can be used to fund renewable Start Printed Page 60351energy system and energy efficiency improvement grants of either $20,000 or less or grants of more than $20,000, as well as the grant portion of a combination grant and guaranteed loan. These funds are commonly referred to as unrestricted grant funds. The funds for grants of $20,000 or less can only be used to fund grants requesting $20,000 or less.
(a) To ensure that small projects have a fair opportunity to compete for the funding and are consistent with the priorities set forth in the statute, the Agency will set-aside 20 percent of the fiscal year 2016 funds until June 30, 2016, to fund grants of $20,000 or less.
(b) Grant funds available for renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement will consist of fiscal year 2016 funds and any unused mandatory funding from fiscal year 2015.
(2) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement loan guarantee funds. Rural Development's National Office will maintain a reserve of guaranteed loan funds. The amount of loan guarantee program level available will consist of fiscal year 2016 funds.
(3) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan and grant combination funds. The amount of funds available for guaranteed loan and grant combination applications are outlined in paragraphs C(b)(1) and C(2) of this section.
(4) Energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grant funds. The amount of funds available for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance in fiscal year 2016 will be 4 percent of fiscal year 2016 mandatory funds. Obligations of these funds will take place through March 31, 2016. Any unobligated balances will be moved to the renewable energy subsidy account as of April 1, 2016. These funds may be utilized in any of the renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement national competitions.
D. Approximate Number of Awards. The estimated number of awards is 1,000 based on the historical average grant size and the anticipated mandatory funding of $50 million for fiscal year 2016, but will depend on the actual amount of funds made available and on the number of eligible applicants participating in this program.
D. Cost Sharing or Matching. The 2014 Farm Bill mandates the maximum percentages of funding that REAP can provide.
(1) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement funding approved for guaranteed loan-only requests and for combination guaranteed loan and grant requests will not exceed 75 percent of eligible project costs, with any Federal grant portion not to exceed 25 percent of the total eligible project costs, whether the grant is part of a combination request or is a grant-only.
A. Address to Request Application. Application materials may be obtained by contacting one of Rural Development's Energy Coordinators, as identified via the following link: http://www.rd.usda.gov/​files/​RBS_​StateEnergyCoordinators.pdf.
In addition, for grant applications, applicants may obtain electronic grant applications for REAP from http://www.Grants.gov. When you enter the Grants.gov site, you will find information about submitting an application electronically through the site. To use Grants.gov, all applicants must have a DUNS number, which can be obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711 or online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/​webform. USDA Rural Development strongly recommends that applicants do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the application process through Grants.gov.
(a) All renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement applications are to be submitted to the USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator in the State in which the applicant's proposed project is located. A list of USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinators is available via the following link: http://www.rd.usda.gov/​files/​RBS_​StateEnergyCoordinators.pdf.
(b) All energy audit and renewable energy development assistance applications are to be submitted to the USDA Rural Development Energy Coordinator in the State in which the applicant is headquartered.
(c) Grant-only applicants submitting their electronic applications to the Agency via the Grants.gov Web site may download a copy of the application package to complete it off line and then upload and submit the application via the Grants.gov site, including all information typically included in the application, and all necessary assurances and certifications. After electronically submitting an application through the Web site, the applicant will receive an automated acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number.
(2) Guaranteed loan applications. Guaranteed loan-only applications (i.e., those that are not part of a guaranteed loan/grant combination request) must be submitted as hard copy to the appropriate Rural Development Energy Coordinator.
(3) Guaranteed loan and grant combination applications. Applications for guaranteed loans/grants (combination applications) must be submitted as hard copy to the appropriate Rural Development Energy Coordinator.
C. Content and Form of Application Submission. Applicants seeking to participate in this program must submit applications in accordance with this Notice and 7 CFR part 4280, subpart B. Applicants must submit complete applications containing all parts necessary for the Agency to determine applicant and project eligibility, to score the application, and to conduct the technical evaluation, as applicable, in order to be considered.Start Printed Page 60352
(1) Competition. The application dates published in Section IV.E. of this Notice identify the times and dates by which complete applications must be received in order to compete for the funds available.
(2) Grant applications. Information required for an application to be considered complete is found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart B.
(b) Grant applications for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects with total project costs of $200,000 or less, but more than $80,000, must provide information required by 7 CFR 4280.118.
(c) Grant applications for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvement projects with total project costs of greater than $200,000 must provide information required by 7 CFR 4280.117.
(3) Race, ethnicity, and gender. The Agency is requesting that each applicant provide race, ethnicity, and gender information about the applicant. The information will allow the Agency to evaluate its outreach efforts to under-served and under-represented populations. Applicants are encouraged to furnish this information with their applications, but are not required to do so. An applicant's eligibility or the likelihood of receiving an award will not be impacted by furnishing or not furnishing this information.
(4) Hybrid projects. If the application is for a hybrid project, as defined in 7 CFR 4280.103, technical reports, as required under 7 CFR 4280.110(h)(3), must be prepared for each technology that comprises the hybrid project.
(6) Fiscal Year 2015 Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grant Applications for $20,000 or less. If an application for a project was submitted after April 30, 2015, for the first time for fiscal year 2015 funding and that initial application was determined eligible but was not funded in either the State or National unrestricted competitions, the Agency will consider that application for funding in the November 2, 2015, and May 2, 2016, State competitions for grants of $20,000 or less and the National competition for grants of $20,000 or less in fiscal year 2016. If an applicant submitted the initial application on or prior to April 30, 2015, the applicant must submit a new application, meeting the requirements of this Notice in order to be considered for fiscal year 2016 funds for that project, and a new submission date of record will be established.
(1) Be registered in SAM prior to submitting an application;
(3) Provide its DUNS number in each application it submits to the Agency.
(4) At the time the Agency is ready to make an award, if the applicant has not complied with paragraphs A(1) through A(3) of this section, the Agency may determine the applicant is not eligible to receive the award.
E. Submission Dates and Times. Grant applications, guaranteed loan-only applications, and combined grant and guaranteed loan applications for financial assistance under this subpart may be submitted at any time on an ongoing basis. When an application window closes, the next application window opens on the following day. This Notice establishes the deadline dates for the applications to be received in order to be considered for funding provided by the 2014 Farm Bill for fiscal year 2016. An application received after these dates will be considered with other applications received in the next application window. In order to be considered for funds under this Notice, complete applications must be received by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office or via Grants.gov. The deadline for applications to be received to be considered for funding in fiscal year 2016 are outlined in the following paragraphs and also summarized in a table at the end of this section:
(1) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications. Application deadlines for fiscal years 2016 grant funds are:
(i) 4:30 p.m. local time on November 2, 2015, or
(ii) 4:30 p.m. local time on May 2, 2016.
(b) For applicants requesting grant funds of over $20,000 (unrestricted) or funding for a combination grant and guaranteed loan, complete applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. local time on May 2, 2016.
(2) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan-only applications. Applications will be reviewed and processed when received with monthly competitions on the first business day of each month for those applications eligible and ready to be funded.
(3) Energy audits and renewable energy development assistance grant applications. Complete applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. local time on February 1, 2016.Start Printed Page 60353
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants ($20,000 or less competing for up to 50 percent of the set aside funds) July 1, 2015 November 2, 2015.
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants ($20,000 or less competing for the remaining set aside funds) November 3, 2015 May 2, 2016.*
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants (Unrestricted grants, including combination grant and guaranteed loan) July 1, 2015 May 2, 2016.*
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loans Continuous application cycle Continuous application cycle.
Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants February 13, 2015 February 1, 2016.*
* Applications received after this date will be considered for the next funding cycle in the subsequent fiscal year.
(a) Applicants may apply for only one renewable energy system project and one energy efficiency improvement project in fiscal year 2016.
(c) For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement loan guarantees, the minimum REAP guaranteed loan amount is $5,000 and the maximum amount of a guaranteed loan to be provided to a borrower is $25 million.
(d) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan and grant combination applications. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section contain the applicable maximum amounts and minimum amounts for grants and guaranteed loans.
(a) Applicants may submit only one energy audit grant application and one renewable energy development assistance grant application for fiscal year 2016 funds.
(b) The maximum aggregate amount of energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grants awarded to any one recipient under this Notice cannot exceed $100,000 for fiscal year 2016.
(3) Maximum grant assistance to an entity. For the purposes of this Notice, the maximum amount of grant assistance to an entity will not exceed $750,000 for fiscal year 2016 based on the total amount of the renewable energy system, energy efficiency improvement, energy audit, and renewable energy development assistance grants awarded to an entity under REAP.
(1) Environmental information. For the Agency to consider an application, the application must include all environmental review documents with supporting documentation in accordance with 7 CFR part 1940, subpart G. Applications for financial assistance for planning or management purposes are typically categorically excluded from the environmental review process by 7 CFR 1940.310(e)(1). Any required environmental review must be completed prior to obligation of funds or the approval of the application. Applicants are advised to contact the Agency to determine environmental requirements as soon as practicable to ensure adequate review time.
(2) Felony conviction and tax delinquent status. Corporate applicants submitting applications under this Notice must include Form AD 3030, “Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.” Corporate applicants who receive an award under this Notice will be required to sign Form AD 3031, “Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants.” Both forms can be found online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/​document/​ad3030; and http://www.ocio.usda.gov/​document/​ad3031.
(4) Transparency Act Reporting. All recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report information about first-tier sub-awards and executive compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170. So long as an entity applicant does not have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b), the applicant must have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements should the applicant receive funding. See 2 CFR 170.200(b).
A. Evaluation Criteria. All complete applications will be scored in accordance with 7 CFR 4280.120, 4280.135, and 4280.192 and as supplemented below.
(1) For fiscal year 2016, if the State Director and Administrator consider awarding priority points under 7 CFR 4280.120(g), the State Director and the Administrator will take into consideration paragraphs V.A(1)(a) and (b) below.
(a) With regard to 7 CFR 4280.120(g)(3), which addresses applicants who are members of unserved and under-served populations, a project that is:
(i) Owned by a veteran, including but not limited to individuals as sole proprietors, members, partners, stockholders, etc., of not less than 20 percent. In order to receive points, applicants must provide a statement in their applications to indicate that owners of the project have veteran status; and
(ii) Owned by a member of a socially-disadvantaged group, which are groups whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. In order to receive points, the application must include a statement to indicate that the owners of Start Printed Page 60354the project are members of a socially-disadvantaged group.
(b) With regard to 7 CFR 4280.120(g)(4), which addresses applications that further a Presidential initiative or a Secretary of Agriculture priority, projects:
(i) Located in rural areas with the lowest incomes where, according to the most recent 5-year American Community Survey data by census, tracts show that at least 20 percent of the population is living in poverty. This will support Secretary of Agriculture's priority of providing 20 percent of its funding by 2016 to these areas of need and
(ii) Located in designated Strike Force or Promise Zone areas, which is a Secretary of Agriculture's priority.
(2) Combined grant and guaranteed loan applications will be scored in accordance with 7 CFR 4280.120.
(3) For hybrid applications, each technical report will be evaluated based on its own merit.
B. Review and Selection Process. Grant-only applications, guaranteed loan-only applications, and combined grant and guaranteed loan applications for financial assistance may be submitted at any time. In order to be considered for funds, complete applications must be received by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office or via Grants.gov, as identified in Section IV.E., of this Notice.
(a) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grants of $20,000 or less State funds. Funds will be allocated to the States. Applications must be submitted by November 2, 2015, or May 2, 2016, in order to be considered for these set-aside funds. The State will award 50 percent of these funds for those complete applications the Agency receives by November 2, 2015, and 50 percent of the funds for those complete applications the Agency receives by May 2, 2016. All State allocated unused funds for grants of $20,000 or less will be pooled to the National Office.
(b) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grants of $20,000 or less national funds. All unfunded eligible applications for grants of $20,000 or less received by May 2, 2016, will be competed against other applications for grants of $20,000 or less from other States at a final national competition. Obligations of these funds will take place prior to June 30, 2016.
(c) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement unrestricted grant State funds. Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant funds that can be awarded to any renewable energy system or energy efficiency improvement application, regardless of the amount of the funding request, will be allocated to the States. All unused funds for grant funds will be pooled to the National Office.
(d) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement national grant funds. All unfunded eligible applications for grants, which include grants of $20,000 or less, that are received by May 2, 2016, and that are not funded by State allocations can be submitted to the National Office to compete against grant applications from other States at a final national competition.
(2) Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan funds. The National Office will maintain a reserve for renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan funds. Applications will be reviewed and processed when received. Those applications that meet the Agency's underwriting requirements, are credit worthy, and score a minimum of 50 points will compete in national competitions for guaranteed loan funds on the first business day of each month. All unfunded eligible guaranteed loan-only applications received that do not score at least 50 points will be competed against other guaranteed loan-only applications from other States at a final national competition, if the guaranteed loan reserves have not been completely depleted, on September 1, 2016. If funds remain after the final guaranteed loan-only national competition, the Agency may elect to utilize budget authority to fund additional grant-only applications.
(3) Combined grant and guaranteed loan applications. Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement combined grant and guaranteed loan applications will compete with grant-only applications for grant funds allocated to their State referenced in paragraph B(1)(c) of this section. If the application is ranked high enough to receive State allocated grant funds, the State will request funding for the guaranteed loan portion of any combined grant and guaranteed loan applications from the National Office guaranteed loan reserve, and no further competition will be required.
(4) Energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grants. Energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grant funds will be maintained in a reserve at the National Office. The two highest scoring applications from each State, based on the scoring criteria established under § 4280.192, will compete for funding at a national competition. If funds remain after the energy audit and renewable energy development assistance national competition, the Agency may elect to transfer budget authority to fund additional renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grants from the National Office reserve after pooling.
(5) Insufficient funds. If a State allocation is not sufficient to fund the total amount of a grant or combination application, the applicant must be notified that they may accept the remaining funds or submit the total request for National Office reserve funds available after pooling. If the applicant agrees to lower its grant request, the applicant must certify that the purposes of the project will be met and provide the remaining total funds needed to complete the project.
(a) If two or more grant or combination applications have the same score and remaining funds in the State allocation are insufficient to fully award them, the remaining funds must be divided proportionally between the applications. The Agency will notify the applicants that they may either accept the proportional amount of funds or submit their total request for National Office reserve. If the applicant agrees to lower its grant request, the applicant must certify that the purposes of the project will be met and provide the remaining total funds needed to complete the project.
(b) At its discretion, the Agency may instead allow the remaining funds to be carried over to the next fiscal year rather than selecting a lower scoring application(s) or distributing funds on a pro-rata basis.
D. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates. All awards should be completed by September 30, 2016.Start Printed Page 60355
(3) Environmental Analysis. 7 CFR part 1940, subpart G, or successor regulation outlines environmental procedures and requirements for this subpart. Prospective applicants are advised to contact the Agency to determine environmental requirements as soon as practicable after they decide to pursue any form of financial assistance directly or indirectly available through the Agency.
Reporting requirements will be in accordance with the Grant Agreement, 7 CFR 4280.123(j), 7 CFR 4280.143, and 7 CFR 4280.196, as applicable. Any question on reporting can be directed to the appropriate Rural Development Energy Coordinator as identified in the “For Further Information Contact” section of this notice.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection requirements associated with renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grants and guaranteed loans, as covered in this Notice, have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0570-0050. The information collection requirements associated with energy audit and renewable energy development assistance grants have also been approved by OMB under OMB Control Number 0570-0059.
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/​complaint_​filing_​cust.html, or complete the form at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
[FR Doc. 2015-25321 Filed 10-5-15; 8:45 am]